GREER’S BEST BUYS:

Pumpkins & Pancakes, a favorite children’s Halloween extravaganza that benefits Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children-Orange County (CASA), celebrates its 17th year from 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday at South Coast Plaza!

Children can wear their costume and enjoy music, arts and crafts, balloon artists, a live animal show provided by the Santa Ana Zoo, complimentary family photos, storytellers, opportunity drawings and prizes. And enjoy a gourmet pancake breakfast provided by Plums Cafe and Catering served throughout the event.

Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Looney Tunes characters, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Sylvester the Cat, Tweety Bird, Foghorn Leghorn and the Tasmanian Devil will entertain family and friends at the event as well as Anaheim Ducks’ Wild Wing.

Event proceeds benefit CASA of Orange County’s advocacy program for abused children. The cost is $30 per person if purchased by noon today, or $25 for groups of 10 or more if purchased by noon today. Or you can pay $35 at the door. Children younger than 2 are admitted free. To purchase tickets visit www. southcoastplaza.com/ pumpkins or call (714) 619-0642. The event will be at Crate and Barrel/Macy’s Home Store Wing (all levels).

Shop for the ski slopes

Snowboarders and skiers can stock up on equipment at the annual Ski and Snowboard Swap and Sale on Saturday and Sunday at Stefan Kaelin Ski & Golf on West Coast Highway in Newport.

You can choose from high-quality new and used ski and snowboard equipment and apparel at great prices. And you might come home with free Mammoth Mountain or Mountain High lift tickets. The swap and sale events happen outside.

Inside, you can find the latest performance equipment and fashion for the slopes. And save on summer sportswear and golf wear, too! While you’re inside you can lease your equipment for the season — an exclusive program at Stefan Kaelin and a great way to put your kids on the best equipment without spending a fortune. The friendly and knowledgeable staff at Stefan Kaelin can help you with everything you need — the right equipment for your ski and boarding ability. They’re also experts at boot fitting.

Stefan Kaelin, 2700 W. Coast Hwy., is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more info, call (949) 631-3280 or visit www.stefankaelin.com.

Shop, dine for autism

It’s hard to rationalize a day of shopping and dining out as a sensible way of spending money. So what if shopping and enjoying coastal cuisine and a tropical drink were for a good cause? Saturday in Newport, Tommy Bahama’s & Tommy Bahama Island Grille will donate 10% of sales to charities dedicated to autism research. The one-day shopping and dining affair is just one way Bahama is helping support the cure for autism.

On Nov. 1, Tommy Bahama is sponsoring “An Evening for Autism,” a local event that raises money for autism research. Anyone who purchases tickets can use the perforated portion of the ticket to receive a one-time 10% discount on anything in Tommy Bahama’s or 10% off the bill at Tommy Bahama Island Grille, good through Nov. 30. You can purchase tickets and find more info about the event at anevening forautism.org. Tickets cost $150 per person.

Tommy Bahama is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tommy Bahama’s Island Grille is at Corona del Mar Plaza, 854 Avocado Ave. For details, call (949) 720-9277.

GREER WYLDER writes Best Buys, which runs Fridays. She’s the founder and president of www.greersoc.com, a free daily e-mail service that provides the latest in Orange County fashion, dining and trends.