GREER WYLDER - Best Buys

Greer Wylder

A spring plant sale is in full swing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday in the

horticulture garden at Orange Coast College. If you can’t make it Friday,

the plant sale will also be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 5 and May 12.

If you’re a tomato lover, you’ll appreciate the 17 varieties of tomatoes

available -- beefsteak to cherry, red ones, yellow ones, paste varieties,

hybrid varieties, heirloom varieties, ones for sun-drying and ones for

containers. There are also bell peppers, lots of herbs, pony packs of

summer growing annuals, hanging basket geraniums and Scaevolas, geraniums

in pots, New Guinea hybrid Impatiens, Brugmansia (formerly called

Datura), Angel’s Trumpets in white, yellow and pink, flowering vines and

other unusual plants. To find out exactly what plants will be on sale

each Friday, you can call (714) 432-0202, Ext. 26533, for a recorded

message. The message will change on the Monday prior to the sale. To

visit the horticulture garden, enter OCC from the Adams Avenue entrance

and follow the signs.

If you like to go all out for Easter, you won’t want to miss the Easter

candy selection at Hi-Time Chocolatier. The candy shop, located inside

Hi-Time Wine Cellars & Smoke Shack, always has a great selection of

specialty candies for the holidays. This year, the selection includes

bunny corn, jelly bellies, hummingbird eggs, sugar-free jelly beans,

suckers, sugar-free chocolate-nut fudge eggs, sour bunnies, crispy eggs,

fudge eggs, and milk and dark chocolate eggs. In addition to candy, the

shop also carries gifts ideal for Easter baskets, including stuffed

bunnies, candles, ceramic decorations and more. Hi-Time has also added

fresh flowers at its A Blooming Business. Hi-Time is at 250 Ogle St. in

Costa Mesa. For information, call (949) 650-8463.

SunFlour Natural Bakery always has a great selection of bakery items and

for Easter there are even more treats to chose from. All week, the bakery

is filled with Easter-theme cookies and hot cross buns in low-fat and

regular. Loaf breads come in blueberry, lemon, zucchini, banana, apple

pie, cinnamon and angel food. There are rum cakes, lemon cakes and

chocolate chip cakes. Dinner rolls come in potato, poppy seed, rosemary

and more. There are three dozen dinner rolls attached in basket and

rabbit shapes. SunFlour Natural Bakery is at 427 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa.

For information, call (949) 646-1440.

Helen Grace Chocolates at Westcliff Plaza in Newport Beach has some of

the best chocolate and candy selections. It’s been a family-owned and

operated chocolate manufacturer for more than 50 years. Bargain hunters

will love the company’s annual spring warehouse sale through Saturday at

its main corporate warehouse, at 2369 E. Pacifica Place in Rancho

Dominguez. It’s a Helen Grace tradition for almost a decade. The

warehouse sale offers customers quality chocolates at quantity discount

prices, and discounts up to 80% on other seasonal gifts. Ideal for Easter

is the “famous eggs” that are on sale in chocolate walnut fudge,

chocolate butter cream, peanut butter and coconut. Other Easter treats

include chocolate bunnies and spring tins. For upcoming Mother’s Day and

Secretary’s Day, you can find a big selection of premium milk and dark

chocolates. Some of the specials include fresh peanut brittle in a bag

for $8.75, nutty bark in a one-pound bag for $5.95, and factory seconds

in a two-pound bag for $7.95. Also on sale are a limited selection of

overstocked merchandise at drastically reduced prices, including wrapping

paper, designer tins, Easter gift items and toys. The spring warehouse

sale hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.

to 4 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free chocolate sample will be

available. For more information, call 1-800-367-4240.

Stix & Stones Consignment carries all kinds of unusual accessories and

furniture for the home. Owner Marietta Vise says the taste is most

definitely eclectic. “The inventory is ever-changing and very

affordable,” says Vise. “Be sure to stop in at this little gem that

designers have known about for years -- you’ll love it.” Stix & Stones is

at 333 E. 17th St. Suite 12-B in Costa Mesa. For information, call (949)

646-7233

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

Wylder at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa 92627, or via fax at (949) 646-4170.