BEST BUYS -- Greer Wylder

Temple Bat Yahm in Newport Beach offers a Distinguished Speaker Series

throughout the year. Its next speaker will be renowned author and

historian Michael Berenbaum, who will speak at 7 p.m. Sunday on “Whither

the Fifth Generation? An End of Vicarious Jewish Life.” Berenbaum’s

discussion is about Jewish people living in America, and how their

experiences have influenced each generation. Berenbaum explains the

unusual situation that the “fifth” or current generation is in compared

with former generations. Berenbaum is a professor of theology at the

University of Judaism in Los Angeles. He’s written a dozen books,

co-produced and been a historical consultant on two Academy Award-winning

films, including “One Survivor Remembers: The Gerda Weissman Story” and

“The Last Days,” a feature-length documentary. Tickets for the lecture

can be purchased at the door or reservations may be made by calling

Temple Bat Yahm at (949) 644-1999. Free child care is provided. General

admission is $10, preferred seating is $25, and senior and student

tickets are $5. Temple Bat Yahm is at 1011 Camelback, Newport Beach.

The Newport Harbor Nautical Museum will have its gift shop open house

from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. There will be all kinds of nautical

Christmas ornaments, model ships, artwork by local artists, apparel,

children’s games, puzzles, books, holiday decorations for home and boat,

nautical home accents, and videos and DVDs. Three authors will be signing

their books, including Lori Lawson -- with her mystery book set in Mexico

called “The Green Flash,” Malanie Aves signing her “Newport Beach, A

Photographic Portrait” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Joan Pizzo signing her

children’s book called the “The Back Bay Ballerina.” The Newport Harbor

Nautical Museum is at 151 E. Coast Highway, Newport Beach. (949)

675-2355.

Bow Danglers Boutique is offering a holiday special through Saturday

on select women’s clothing. If you buy any Stephanie Schuster washable

knit, Skiff International hand-knit sweater or Kedem Sasson clothing,

you’ll get the second item at 40% off. Bow Danglers is at 369 E. 17th

St., Costa Mesa. (949) 642-5459.

Bodi Boutique, new to East 17th Street in Costa Mesa, is an upscale

women’s clothing store that carries designers, including Anna Sui, Yigal

Arouel, Catherine Malandrind, Plein Sud and Versus. There are also casual

clothing and lingerie lines. Bodi Boutique is at 333 E. 17th St., Costa

Mesa. (949) 642-9555.

Holiday shoppers looking for the perfect teddy bear or doll may find

it at Teddy Bears and TeaCups, a stuffed animal and doll specialty store

on Balboa Island. The store is filled with dolls and teddy bears from

Steiff, Annette Himstedt, Madame Alexander and Little Souls, as well as

children’s furnishings. It’s at 225 Marine Ave. (949) 673-7204.

The American Cancer Discovery Shop is having a “major

after-Thanksgiving sale,” says manager Gloria Godfrey. On sale are three

racks of fall clothing, furniture up to 75% off, coats of sable, minx or

fox, paintings, silver and china at 25% to 50% off. The Discovery Shop is

at 2600 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. (949) 640-4777.

Rachel Ashwell, the creator and founder of Shabby Chic, will be at her

store at Fashion Island to sign her latest book, “Shabby Chic, The Gift

of Giving” from 5 to 8 p.m. The book signing coincides with the store’s

grand opening and is open to the public. Ashwell’s latest book gives

readers ideas on year-round gift ideas that are full of sentiment and

charm. The store is filled with bedding, fabrics and home accessories.

Shabby Chic is at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. (949) 219-0663.

A one-day holiday shopping boutique will take place from 10 a.m. to 6

p.m. Friday at 1200 Sussex Lane in Newport Beach. Featured at the

boutique are one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces from Janet Marie, clothing

samples from a well-known designer, Lipsense all-day lip color, Soja’s

purses, Katresha facial products, handmade holiday decorations and

English toffee. (949) 631-2084.

* 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.