Best Buys -- Greer Wylder

If you’re looking for home gym equipment, LA Gym Equipment will have a

floor model sale Friday through Memorial Day. The equipment will be

marked down 20% to 40%, and the selection will include treadmills, home

gyms, climbers, exercise bikes and more. LA Gym Equipment is open 10 a.m.

to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m.

to 5 p.m. Sunday. It’s at 1880 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa. (949) 631-1381.

One of the best local cooking schools, Dish, has come out with its

summer class schedule. The school offers a great basic 10-week class for

learning techniques of cooking for $420. Topics covered include stocks,

sauces, sauteing and frying, braising, grilling, roasting and stove-top

smoking, poaching, souffles, savory and sweet, breads, and pastries. An

advanced three-week series expands on what is learned in the basics

series at $190. There are other three-week series classes, including a

Seafood 101 for $140, a Quick & Easy class at $135 and an Entertaining

class at $140. Dish also offers individual classes that run from $70 to

$75 per class. The class schedule includes an Italian Regional class --

with a Southern Italy class and a Northern Italy class; a Dish it Up!

Class, with a complete four-course sit-down dinner menu; Brad’s Pasta

Party; Journey through Asia; and a Summer BBQ class. Children can also

learn how to cook with the Future Chef Series -- designed for kids ages 8

to 14 at $150. The three-week class focuses on three cuisines -- sauteing

and frying, grilling, and desserts. Kids will learn the basics of knife

skills, weights and measures, reading and understanding a recipe, and

basic cooking knowledge. Dish is at 435 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa. (949)

574-2433.

The Automobile Club of Southern California has published a laminated

theme map of California’s 21 Spanish missions for summer travelers. The

“Greatest Hits California Missions” map details the locations of the

missions from San Diego to Sonoma. The map is also perfect for elementary

school teachers and students who are studying California history. The map

has easy to read mission facts, tips, tourist information and details on

each mission’s history. There are other laminated maps put out by the

Auto Club, including “Baja: The Northern Triangle,” “Oahu Hawaii,”

“Southern California Car Culture Landmarks,” “Southern California

Attractions” and “Route 66: The Best of the Mother Road.” Upcoming maps

to be published this year include “Las Vegas” and “Southern California

Beaches.” The maps are available to members of the Auto Club at the AAA

office in Costa Mesa or Newport Beach for $4.95. It’s also available on

the Auto Club’s Web site, and sold to the public at specialty map and

travel bookstores, Barnes & Noble bookstores and other stores for $7.95.

The Auto Club is in Costa Mesa at 3333 Fairview Road and at 3350 Harbor

Blvd. In Newport Beach, it’s at 3880 Birch St.

Galleri Orrefors Kosta Boda -- a specialty crystal store at South

Coast Plaza -- is having a special through the month on vases. If you

purchase an Orrefors vase, you’ll get your choice of two floral

arrangements for $100, or $150. (714) 549-1959.

Helena Sprake at Gentle Yoga says her yoga classes are ideal for

people who have always wanted to try yoga but feel intimidated by big

yoga studios. She’s also offering first-time students a special offer on

their first class through June 26 -- at $7 per class. If you sign up

after the first class for a four-week class series, you’ll get a reduced

rate of $36. Regular rates are $12 for a class and $42 for a four-week

series. “Yoga can have many benefits, including weight management,

cleansing, balancing the endocrine and glandular systems, as well as

bring strength and flexibility and relief from stress,” says Sprake.

“Give yourself the gift of a healthy, happy body and mind.” At Gentle

Yoga, students can go at their own pace in a relaxed and informal

setting. Sprake has taught yoga for more than 30 years and helps students

find health and relaxation through yoga. Class times are offered at 9 to

10:30 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday. It’s at 471 Old Newport Blvd., Room

103 (in the Olde Newport Professional Building), Newport Beach. (949)

548-4059.

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

Wylder at o7 greerwylder@yahoo.comf7 or 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA

92627, or via fax at (949) 646-4170.