GREER WYLDER -- Best Buys

Everyone I know who takes Pilates classes always raves about how great

it makes them feel. If you’re curious about Pilates, check out the new

Sante Pilates Studio in Corona del Mar. Pilates is a type of exercise

developed by Joseph Pilates in the 1930s. Its goal is to develop strong

muscles in the abdominal, gluteal, lumbar and shoulder girdle muscles.

There are more than 500 exercises in the Pilates method, which uses the

body’s resistance to strengthen and elongate muscle. Pilates is done on

special equipment called the Universal Reformer, the Cadillac, the Chair

and on a mat. Sante Pilates Studio is owned by Darlene Lara, who has an

impressive background of more than 17 years in the health-care community

that includes being a registered nurse specializing in sports and

rehabilitation, and she’s certified by master teacher Rael Isacowitz to

instruct Pilates. At Sante Pilates Studio, there are private Pilates

sessions offered, semiprivate sessions, massage therapy, chiropractic

care and mat classes. There is also an initial evaluation for $125, and a

Pilates orientation for $100. Pilates classes are not cheap. A one-hour,

private session is $95, and a one-hour, semiprivate session is $45. Sante

Pilates Studio is at 336 Poinsettia Ave., Corona del Mar. Information:

(949) 673-4304.

Von Hemert Interiors is celebrating its 81st anniversary with a sale

through March 25. The shop started out as a custom drapery and upholstery

service and has since grown to a fourth-generation, family-owned business

specializing in furniture and interior design. The three showrooms in

Costa Mesa, Laguna Beach and the South Bay are filled with imported and

domestic reproductions. The anniversary sale has reduced all European and

domestic home furnishings by 20% to 40%. There has recently been a

shipment of reproductions from Italy. Von Hemert Interiors is known for

carrying top furniture manufacturers, including Henredon, Baker, Jeffco,

Maitland Smith, Swaim and more. The Costa Mesa showroom is at 1595

Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa. Information: (949) 642-2050.

The annual Spirit Run -- a 5K and 10K road race and walking event --

will take place Sunday at the Edwards Big Newport Cinema at Fashion

Island in Newport Beach. The race brings more than 7,000 participants,

including 2,000 children younger than 12. Registration will begin at 6:30

a.m., and all of the races start somewhere between 7:30 a.m. for the 10K

run/walk to 10:35 a.m. for the toddler trot (3 and younger). There are 11

total races, and they vary depending on ages. All of the children 12 and

younger will receive a Spirit Run medal. The top three finishers in the

1-mile, 1/2-mile and 1/4-mile youth races will receive a Mighty Ducks

autographed hockey puck and El Torito gift certificate. Proceeds from the

races will go toward Roy O. Andersen, Harbor View, Eastbluff, Newport

Coast and Lincoln elementary schools. The Spirit Run Hotline is (949)

451-4568.

If your kids could use a little dining etiquette, the perfect place to

take them is the Children’s Dining Etiquette classes offered at the

Balboa Bay Club. Susan Werner and Andrea Addington Oliver of Addington

Academy will offer their popular classes beginning Tuesday through March

22. The classes are divided by age groups. Children 6 to 8 attend from

3:30 to 4:30 p.m., and children 9 to 12 attend from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The

series will focus on dining. Topics include the right way to use

silverware, china and crystal; difficult to eat foods; thank-you notes;

magical words; introductions and phrases; and sharing. The classes are

designed to be fun and informative. The series is $195 per child. A light

snack is served for the first three sessions, and dinner is included with

the fourth and final session. To make a reservation, call (949) 645-5000,

Ext. 177. The Protocol School of Washington in Washington, D.C.,

certifies the Addington Academy.

Martha Stewart fans will love the sale going on at Kmart in Costa

Mesa. Martha Stewart’s Everyday line of linens, sheets, towels, shower

curtains, stainless steel bath accessories, bedding, paints, panels,

pillows, dinnerware and more are reduced through Saturday. The prices are

unbelievably low, and stylish. The line has recently added cotton sateen,

230-thread-count bedding, pima cotton bedding, matelasse shams and

hand-pieced quilts. Kmart is at 2200 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa.

Information: (949) 646-7701.

* BEST BUYS appears Thursdays and Saturdays. Send information to Greer

Wylder at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627, or via fax at (949)

646-4170.