Best Buys -- Greer Wylder

Smart & Final is one of the best local stores to find bargains on

food, drinks, cleaning supplies and paper products. It currently stocks

more than 200 professional quality cleaning products at warehouse prices.

It’s running a special through April 25 in which, if you use a free Smart

Advantage card for purchases on cleaning supplies, you’ll be eligible for

its Spring Cleaning Giveaway. The winner will have free cleaning for the

home or office for the remainder of the year. It’s at 707 W. 19th St. in

Costa Mesa. Information: (949) 548-8473.

John L. Blom Custom Photography is having its annual spring children’s

special on photography sittings ideal for Easter, Mother’s Day or

Father’s Day. Savings are up to 50%. John L. Blom is at 3732 E. Pacific

Coast Highway in Corona del Mar. Information: (949) 675-3130.

The Yankee Candle Co. is opening a new store today at South Coast

Plaza, on the first level. The new store carries the Yankee Candle’s

signature Housewarmer jar candle and tons of other candles in about 125

fragrances. There are almost 200 Yankee Candle stores nationwide, and

there are plans to open at least 45 more in the next few years. Most of

the candles come in the Yankee Housewarmer and Country Kitchen style, but

there are many other sizes and styles including jars, Samplers votive

candles, Tarts wax potpourri, pillars and tea lights. Candle accessories

are also available in a variety of patterns, colors and styles including

jar toppers, taper holders, pillar and jar bases, jar shades, tea light

holders and Samplers votive candleholders. There are also Car Jars air

fresheners and fragranced sachet packets. For the bath, there is the new

Yankee Candle bath line of personal care products. The Yankee Candle

Co.’s current special is on the Island Mango scented candle reduced 25%.

Free computer classes are offered from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. every

Saturday at Apple Computer at Fashion Island. The classes, called

“Getting Started” are for beginners who’d like to learn how to use a Mac.

The class is available to anyone, and it’s not necessary to own an Apple

computer to participate. The staff at Apple teaches the class in the

store theater on iPhoto, iTunes, Mac OS X and the latest hardware like

iPod and the new iMac. Other companies also teach computer classes at

Apple that are free and open to the public. For a class schedule you can

call Apple Computer at (949) 729-4433, or visit its Web site at o7

www.apple.com/retail/theaterf7 .

Fashion Island’s Easter Bunny has arrived at its gazebo decorated with

an island motif outside the Atrium Court. The Easter Bunny is available

for photos daily through March 30. Also, Fashion Island is offering

crafts and entertainment, including hula dancing, Hawaiian bands and more

from noon to 4 p.m. on the weekends. A Kids Fest is scheduled for Sat.,

March 23 and Sun. March 24. The event will include activities such as

Hawaiian music and dancing, island crafts for kids, storytelling and face

painting. If you’ve always wanted your child to paint a tile for the

paseos at Fashion Island, the opportunity is coming up on Sat., April 6

and Sun., April 7. The annual Tile Painting event costs $100 per tile,

with a portion of the proceeds benefiting children’s arts programs at the

Orange County Museum of Art. Since its inception in 1995, there are now

1,215 hand-painted terra cotta tiles throughout the center. For more

information call the Fashion Island concierge at (949) 721-2000, or visit its Web site at o7 www.shopfashionisland.comf7 .

Newport Bedding is having an iron bed sale through the end of the

month. The sale merchandise is mostly limited to queen headboard and

footboards. Newport Bedding also specializes in custom mattresses, and

can make odd sizes. It also carries sheets, pillowcases, latex and

isotonic pillows. Newport Bedding is at 1534 Newport Blvd. in Costa Mesa.

Information: (949) 646-3992.

Cost Plus is having a 20% off sale on all dining room tables and

chairs. Chairs range in price from $39 to $99. There are at least 15

styles to choose from. Tables range in price from $129 for the Tahoe

Table to $399 for the Palermo Table. There’s also a buy three, get one

free sale on cotton dining chair pads at $14.99 each. They come in seven

colors. Cost Plus World Market is across the street from South Coast

Plaza, at 1313 W. Sunflower Ave. Information: (714) 957-6553.

* 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.