Bring the kids and the gardener shopping

BEST BUYS

For the uncommon gardener

If you’re tired of seeing common plants, and you want something

different stop by Laguna Gardens Nursery. Its slogan is “Unusual

plants for uncommon gardens.” It’s the perfect place to find

beautiful fuchsias, sages, iceberg roses, foxglove, perennials,

vegetables, ferns, delphinium, lavender, wild roses, ornamental

grasses and native plants. It’s open seven days a week It’s at 21065

Raquel Road (in the canyon, next to the dog park).

Getting on board

Children 10 and older who know how to swim can learn how to surf

at the Donavon Frankenreiter Surf School. It’s a great program that

teaches kids everything they need to know about ocean safety and

surfing. Pro surfers Donavon Frankenreiter and James Pribram work

with instructors to teach surf skills at the week-long sessions that

run now through the week of Aug. 26. All of the sessions run Monday

through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A session costs $400, and is

limited to 20 students.

Rare and original

The Village Gallery has opened a new showroom in Laguna Beach at

502 S. Coast Highway. The gallery is known for its large collection

of original oil paintings, new releases and rare, sold-out editions.

A lot of the artwork is done by Viktor, Shvaiko, Sam Park, Cao Yong,

Suljakov, Kondakova, Steve Barton, Howard Behrens, Ostrovsky, Makes,

and St. Clair. From 8 to 10 p.m. on July 20, artist Viktor Ostrovsky

will be in the gallery to show his latest artwork. Information: (949)

494-3553.

Reader’s tip

Best Buys reader, Kim Simms says that a great treasure in Laguna

Beach is the Athena Day Spa.

“They have the most excellent services and are friendly and

caring,” says Simms. “The massage therapists are the best I’ve every

had, and their prices are great.”

Other great features at the Athena Day Spa says Simms is that they

sell great products, do facials, and microdermabrasion. They also

stay open late, and offer complimentary parking. Athena Day Spa is at

611 S. Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. You can view their brochure by

going to www.athenadayspa.net. It’s open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

through Tuesday, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

Information: (949) 376-7918.

Everything but the artist

Every art supply you can think of is available at Laguna Art

Supply. The store stocks tons of pastels, oils, acrylics, water

colors, canvases, books, papers and frames. It is ideal for

professional artist supplies, as well as for children. Laguna Art

Supply is at 376 Ocean Ave. Information: (949) 494-8867.

Clothes on consignment

Havoc is a men’s and women’s designer consignment boutique. The

boutique accepts consignment clothing at any time, and its system

works like this: Clothing is on the floor for six weeks, and if they

don’t sell in that time period, you can pick up your clothes, or

they’ll donate them to a women’s shelter. It also carries a lot of

new merchandise. About 40% is new and 60% is consignment. It sells

current styles of apparel only, as well as jewelry, purses and shoes.

On the first Saturday of every month, there’s a 50% off rack for more

bargains. Havoc is at 374 Ocean Ave. Information: (949) 497-6822.

The cottage look

If you love the cottage look in home decorating, you’ll want to

visit Cottage Furnishings in Laguna Beach. The store is packed full

of cottage decor, including the new vintage, coastal and beach

cottage look.

There’s a lot of painted furniture, mirrors, oval nesting tables,

lamps, sofas, signs, night stands, frames, linens, tables, chairs,

plates and vintage valets. Cottage Furnishings is at 802 S. Coast

Highway. Information: (949) 497-3121.

* BEST BUYS appears Thursdays and Saturdays. Send information to

Greer Wylder at greerwylder@ yahoo.com or P.O. Box 248 Laguna Beach,

CA 92652, or via fax at 494-8979.