Best Buys -- Greer Wylder

Private language sessions and weekend adult seminars are on sale at

Spectrum Languages, a language and culture institute that offers

elementary and high school tutoring, after-school programs, adult

intensive learning sessions, travel language and business language

programs. The savings on private language sessions are 20% off one-hour

sessions of any level. There’s also an intensive Spanish weekend language

special -- where you can learn the basics of Spanish in one weekend. The

special is at $150 per person (it’s normally $400). The language sessions

are offered at your home, office, school or any location of your choice.

The lessons are personalized to fit your goal and level. Languages

offered through Spectrum include English, Spanish, Italian, French,

Portuguese, Mandarin, Japanese and Latin. (949) 433-0309 or visit the Web

site at o7 www.spectrumlanguages.comf7 .

Classy Seconds in Costa Mesa has recently received a donation by a

local upscale boutique of casual and dressy spring merchandise. Classy

Seconds also carries name-brand clothing, casual wear, tennis and golf

attire that are put out on the floor daily. Currently, there are

discounts on a new donation of beaded jewelry ranging in price from $5 to

$25. The shop accepts new and gently used donations. Proceeds are donated

to Human Options: Alternatives for Abused Women and Their Children.

Donations are accepted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

It’s at 419 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa. (949) 631-4696.

You can get a make-over at Sephora South Coast Plaza from noon to 6

p.m. Thursday, featuring the latest colors from the Vincent Longo’s

“Amalfi Dream” spring color collection. A $35 registration fee is

required for the make-over, and the fee is redeemable for Vincent Longo

products the day of the event. During the make-over, one of Vincent

Longo’s specially trained makeup artists will show you how to make the

most of your beauty using the colors inspired by Italy’s Amalfi Coast.

Sephora is on Level One at South Coast Plaza, near the Carousel Court.

(714) 796-3685.

The 13th annual Southern California Spring Garden Show starts out with

a four-day celebration with a preview gala from 6:30 to 9 p.m. April 11

at South Coast Plaza. Proceeds from the event will go toward preservation

projects for the Great Stone Church at Mission San Juan Capistrano.

Tickets are $35 and can be purchased by calling (949) 234-1300, Ext. 323.

Attendees of the event will see the new “California Outdoor Living”

garden wonderland. Don Davidson, a well-known floral and parade designer,

is creating the centerpiece called “Ant Family Picnic.” Guests will also

have the opportunity to purchase new garden accessories from almost 80

specialty exhibitors, and view the children’s miniature landscapes.

Participating South Coast Plaza restaurants will have samplings,

including Antonello Ristorante, Back Bay Rowing & Running Club, Bangkok

Four, Bodega Chocolates, Cafe Pascal, Champagne French Bakery Cafe,

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, The Clubhouse, Godiva Chocolatier, Gustaf Anders,

Vie de France, Wolfgang Puck Cafe and Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill.

Opportunity tickets are on sale to win prizes, including a East Coast

garden tour for four, valued at more than $5,000, donated by Wilmington

Trust and American Airlines, a martini collection from St. John Home and

a $500 gift certificate from Tiffany & Co. Opportunity tickets are $5

each or $20 for five. They can be purchased at the event, or by calling

(949) 234-1300, Ext. 323. Winners do not need to be present to win.

Gloria Godfrey at the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop in Corona

del Mar says that they need donations of gently used, high-quality

clothing, furniture, collectibles and miscellaneous household items. “The

Discovery Shops are owned and operated by the American Cancer Society,

and proceeds from the sale are used to fund cancer research, education,

advocacy, and services to cancer patients and their families,” Godfrey

said. It’s at 2600 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. (949) 640-4777.

* 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.