GREER WYLDER -- Best Buys

Zany Brainy has fun activities planned for children every weekend this

month. At 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, there’s a Shrinky Dink craft time

for kids 6 and older. Kids will have the opportunity to create a Shrinky

Dink charm and then take it home to bake. At 2 p.m. Jan. 13-14, there’s a Harry Potter midterm challenge for kids 8 and older. And the following

weekend, at the same time, there’s an Angelina Ballerina wand craft for

kids 4 to 6. Kids will be able to read Angelina stories and then make a

wand to take home. The last weekend of the month, again at 2 p.m., will

be all about Arthur. There will be a screening of the latest Arthur video

and an Arthur puppet craft for kids to make out of a paper bag. It’s

geared for kids 4 to 6. Zany Brainy carries more than 15,000 items of

kids merchandise, including electronic learning games, educational toys,

videotapes, CDs, arts and crafts kits, books, software and teacher’s

resources. It’s in the Corona del Mar Plaza. Information: (949) 640-5131.

Where’s The Party? has the best selection of party accessories, cards

and custom gift-wrapping. The store is having a 50% off sale through

Friday on all holiday merchandise. Where’s The Party? specializes in

imprinted balloons, holiday photo cards, custom banners, paper goods,

invitations and helium tank rentals. It’s at 270 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa.

Information: (949) 722-1803.

Ethan Allen is having a floor sample clearance and holiday sale

through Sunday. Selected one-of-a-kind items, floor samples, discontinued

furniture and accessories are reduced 20% to 50%. Ethan Allen is in the

Costa Mesa Courtyards at 1835 Newport Blvd. Information: (949) 646-2400.

January is considered the best month to plant roses, and there’s a

great selection of bareroot roses now on sale at Roger’s Gardens. The

nursery has 150 varieties in stock. The rose selection varies from tea

roses, climbing roses, cutting roses, Romantica, English roses, old

garden roses, modern shrub and landscape roses, miniature roses, tree

roses and Grandiflora. Rogers Gardens is at 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road,

Newport Beach. Information: (949) 640-5800.

Corona del Mar Plaza’s Armoire will have its winter sale beginning

today. Armoire carries women’s casual and dress clothing. Almost half the

store is on sale, including sweaters, pants and handbags. Information:

(949) 644-9888.

Drinkwater Underground Surf is having a winter sale through Sunday,

with merchandise reduced up to 50% off. Drinkwater Underground Surf

mostly caters to the surf crowd, but you definitely don’t need to surf to

wear their label. There are all kinds of boys’ and men’s apparel to chose

from, and it exclusively carries its own brand. There are sport shirts,

board shorts, T-shirts with embroidery, pants, crew and hooded

sweatshirts, boxers, wallets and backpacks. It’s almost directly across

from the Crab Cooker at 2211 W. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach. Information:

(949) 675-5488.

An area rug sale is in progress at Universal Rug, which carries

thousands of rugs, including imported rugs, Berber, tapestry rugs,

handmade rugs, and machine-made and domestic rugs. The area rugs on sale

are reduced 50%. The selection includes 100%-wool Oriental rugs,

contemporary rugs, Kashan designs, Victorian designs and Chinese rugs.

The prices range from $98 to $1,999. The rugs come in all sizes,

including runners, rounds, ovals, and large and small sizes. It’s at 2870

S. Harbor., Costa Mesa. Information: (714) 708-2733.

24-Hour Fitness is having a two-for-one or 50% off per person special

on membership enrollment fees. The offer is good at any of the 24-Hour

Fitness locations. For more information on the details of the offer,

contact your local 24-Hour Fitness center. A new South Coast Metro Sport

location has recently opened at 589 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa, behind the

Macaroni Grill. Information: (714) 751-2724. There are also two other

Costa Mesa locations -- 1600 Adams Ave. and 555 W. 19th St. In Newport

Beach, it’s located at Newport Center at 600 Fashion Island.

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.