Wanna buy a used car?

The best place to buy a mint-condition used car is Newport

Wholesale. I’ve bought four cars here, and every one was as good as

new. Owner Carl Mazzie hand picks cars, then has them completely

certified and reconditioned, including new brakes, tires and oil

changes. Mechanical problems are fixed.

There are always 35 to 40 cars to choose from, mostly luxury

German and Japanese, as well as all types of sport utility vehicles.

What is not on the lot, Mazzie can track down. All prices are

wholesale, ranging from $8,000 to $35,000. Financing and warranties

are offered.

Lot hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m.

to 4 p.m. Saturday. Newport Wholesale is at 890 W. 18th St. in Costa

Mesa. Call (949) 646-2092.

LIGHT YOUR WORLD

Light Bulbs Etc. is more than just a lighting fixture store, it

carries thousands of hard-to-find bulbs and it’s a lighting design

specialty store. The selection includes: light bulbs to help grow

coral and kill bacteria in aquariums, medical bulbs, energy-saving

compact fluorescent bulbs, bulbs to treat Seasonal Affective Disoder,

flickering decorative candelabra bulbs and fun stuff -- black lights

and colored bulbs.

Strings of novelty lights are big and Light Bulbs Etc. is the only

place you can find Christmas lights year round. Certified lighting

consultants work with architects and designers in the conceptual

stage of building projects for homes, offices and stores. With their

expertise, they can greatly improve lighting situations.

Special vignettes in the showroom show the huge difference between

good and bad lighting scenarios, adding more life and definition to a

room. Art is especially improved by choosing the right lighting. Like

a movie set, you can program “scenes” of your favorite lighting with

a remote, and even turn on security lights for emergencies. There are

hundreds of contemporary to transitional free-standing, outdoor and

ceiling fixtures to choose from.

Discounts ave available for designers and contractors. Store hours

are 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It is located at

1920 Newport Blvd. in Costa Mesa. Call (949) 646-5227.

GONE TO THE NET

After 22 years of business locally, Kristen’s of Newport Beach is

now an Internet business only at www.kristens.com. Kristen closed her

lingerie store to spend more time with her two young sons and to

focus on flannel nightgowns from Lanz of Salzburg.

Loved by women since the 1950s, Lanz is now a difficult brand to

find. The Web site offers a complete collection of styles and prints

including a perennial favorite, mother/daughter gowns. Lanz even

makes some boys wear. Holiday prints, bears, flowers American flags

and plaids are available. Sizes range from 12 months to women’s 1X.

Plus, there are some Nick & Nora flannel pajamas to chose from.

ANGELITOS CARDS

South Coast Plaza is selling the special “Angelitos” card for $50

from any South Coast Plaza Concierge desk. Purchase a card and you’ll

receive a 20% promotional discount at participating South Coast Plaza

retailers and restaurants from Nov. 1 to 5. Proceeds from the cards

will benefit Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Orange County.

Also, during the five-day event everything at Gucci is 20% off.

For information, contact (949) 642-9883 or check out

www.southcoastplaza.com.

HIGH PRIORITY

On Tuesday, Bloomingdale’s is having a shopping event to help

support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. High Priority, a

breast cancer information network, will have a display table for

updates on upcoming events and important developments. Invitations

were mailed out in early October to the event; if you have one you’ll

receive discounts on selected merchandise. Bloomingdale’s will donate

$5 to High Priority for every invitation brought in. The store is at

Fashion Island in Newport Beach. Call (949) 729-6600.

QUALITY CAR CARE

One of my favorite local auto mechanics, Quality Automotive, is

offering a back-to-school special through Nov. 15. Make an

appointment before then and you’ll receive an oil and filter change,

cooling system check, air conditioning system check, 45 point system

inspection, and a consultation for any car problems -- all for

$39.95. It’s a $69.95 value.

Quality Automotive is at 746 W. 17th St. in Costa Mesa. Call (949)

574-9575.

* BEST BUYS appears Mondays and Fridays. Send information to

Greer Wylder at [email protected] or 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa,

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