DVD teaches kids to sign

The DVD “Sign-A-Lot: The Big Surprise” was created for hearing

children ages 3 to 11. Creators Barbara Granoff and Lee Sher --

specialists in American Sign Language -- developed the first

“Sign-A-Lot” DVD to teach sign language vocabulary to children in an

exciting, and entertaining way with animation, child performers and

fantasy. Research shows that children who sign can improve other

skills including vocabulary, reading and spelling, understanding

concepts and number recognition. It also benefits the ability to

express emotions. “Sign-A-Lot: The Big Surprise” teaches children

more than 80 signs. The DVD uses a novel approach to learning sign

language: The illustrated images appear and disappear over the signs

as they are demonstrated. The DVD is available at the First Page at

270 E. 17th Street in Costa Mesa. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to

Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. (949)

645-KIDS. Or you can order at o7www.signalot.comf7. Online orders

offer free shipping.

PLEIN-AIR AT LAHAINA

Plein-air artist John Cosby will be at Lahaina Galleries on

Saturday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Cosby paints ocean and landscape scenes of Coastal California, as

well as street scenes in major cities. He observes people on street

corners and park benches and incorporates them into his paintings.

Cosby has painted for the Irvine Barclay Theatre, the Laguna Art

Museum and Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian. He’s also painted

scenes of San Diego, Corona del Mar and Newport Beach. Lahaina

Galleries is at Fashion Island just below the Cheesecake Factory.

(949) 721-9117.

AT EASE, MEN

Also at Fashion Island on Saturday, Jhane Barnes makes a personal

appearance at At Ease Men’s Store to show her fall collection.

Customers can receive $100 off any suit or sport coat Saturday. And a

Mezlan trunk show features the fall collection of Mezlan and Baco

Bucci shoes.

At Ease is a specialty shop for men’s casual to dressy sportswear.

Robert Comstock, Barry Bricken and Remy leather are top sellers.

Unique at At Ease are its concept shops inside the 10,000-square-foot

store: Cutter and Buck weekend wear, Bobby Jones golf wear, and

Zanella’s fine Italian sportswear. Also, it has an exclusive

collection of Reyn Spooner apparel. Same-day tailoring is available

if needed. Complimentary gift certificates are sent for clients’

birthdays.

Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. (949) 759-7979.

EUROPEAN BOUTIQUE

Novecento Boutique at Crystal Cove Promenade is an upscale

European boutique for women. It specializes in Italian, French, and

American designers from New York and Los Angeles. Owners Alex and

Melika Towhidian select elegant furs, evening dresses, fun casual

wear, Italian shoes, and accessories. Melika designs comfortable

dresses in French silk jersey, perfect for everyday wear and great

for traveling. Fits are flattering, and she offers custom designs.

Together Alex and Melika design a line of comfortable casual shoes

for fall. Novecento offers a 40%-off shoe sale on spring and summer

styles. Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday. 8002 E. Coast Highway in Newport Coast. (949) 715-1700.

o7www.novecentofashion.comf7.

MAKEUP ARTIST

Makeup artist Trish McEvoy makes a personal appearance today at

Neiman Marcus. Trish McEvoy has a wonderful line of skincare, makeup,

fragrance, professional brushes and more.

Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Fashion Island in Newport Beach.

(949) 759-1900. o7www.neimanmarcus.comf7.

PUMPKIN PATCH

The Fall Faire and Pumpkin Patch at the Environmental Nature

Center is a day of family fun Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event

features children’s activities foods and drinks, music, nature center

tours, gifts and native plants. There will also be an opportunity

drawing and a silent auction. Sponsors include Haute Cafes Caffe, the

Arches, Bluewater Grill, the Pizza Bakery, Shirley’s Bagels, Al’s New

York Cafe and Wahoo’s Fish Taco. 1601 16th St. in Newport Beach.

* BEST BUYS runs Thursdays. Send information to Greer Wylder at

o7greerwylder@yahoo.comf7; at 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA

92626; or by fax at (714) 966-4679.