Metrolink all-weekend pass

With gas prices hovering near the $4 dollar mark, public transportation looks more appealing than ever. Now Metrolink is upping the ante with the brilliant $10 weekend pass. Starting this Friday at 7pm and ending October 9th, you can travel every weekend for only $10! I don't know about you, but I'm planning all of my trips right now!

WOO WOO! Metrolink Expanded Service for Expanded Living

More Metrolinking is coming to Orange County Beginning july 15th!

More Metrolinking is coming to Orange County Beginning july 15th!

Now weekends on Metrolink begin at 7 pm on Friday and lasts until midnight on Sunday. Our expanded weekend service includes more trains and new seasonal trips so you can explore the best of Orange County and beyond. With Metrolink's new All-Weekend Pass you can travel anywhere on Metrolink systemwide for a low $10 fare for the entire weekend.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

WHERE: Expanded weekend service is systemwide including everywhere Metrolink travels throughout Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, Ventura and San Bernardino Counties.

ADDED TRAINS: Four additional seasonal round trips have been added along the Orange County Line and one new seasonal round trip to the San Clemente Pier has been added to the Inland Empire-Orange County Line.

WHEN: Added weekend trips will run from July 1st through October 9th.

NEW PASS: New All-Weekend Pass costs $10 and is valid from 7 pm Friday until midnight on Sunday.

PURCHASE: All-Weekend Passes can only be purchased at Metrolink Ticket Vending Machines located at all Metrolink stations. The fare will continue after October 9th.

Yoga Works Freebie

If fitting into last years bathing suit has you unnerved, maybe you should try out Yoga Works' 1 Free Week deal going on right now. You can try one week for free, and turn yourself into a yogini before you know it!

Artist Ken Auster book signing at Laguna Beach Books

TGIF! The weekend is nearly here, and it's time to start deciding where you're going to spend your much needed spare time. After the Friday happy hour is over, and the dinner out with friends on Saturday, be sure to mark your calendar to spend the last part of your weekend with local artist Ken Auster, who will be signing his book, Intellect and Passion, at Laguna Beach Books. Ken, a long time Lagunan, who has surprisingly featured his works from 15 years of painting San Francisco in his new book. This book highlights his love for The City by the Bay, and reveals a wonderful visual story to the reader. With insights of the rewards and obstacles of painting San Francisco that accompany the paintings, the reader can glimpse the city through the artist's eye.

*Always support your local independent bookstores!*

Ken Auster book signing Sunday, June 12 at 4pm.

Laguna Beach Books

1200 So. Coast Hwy

Laguna Beach, CA  92651

949-494-4779

Hobie's Annual Surfswap - Dana Point

It's that time again! Time to dig through your surf gear and figure out what needs to be updated or added to, because Hobie's Surfswap starts today!

See you there!

This is the Dana Point store only:

Don't forget Hobie's is in a new location:

34174 Pacific Coast Hwy
Dana Point, CA  92629
949-496-2366

Laguna Beach's Charm House Tour

Don't let a little rain keep you away! Today is the annual Village Laguna Charm House Tour! Tickets are still being sold at the Festival Grounds for $45.00, or purchase online here.

I can't wait to see which charming houses are on this years tour! See you there!

We all scream...

Remember that old saying, "I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!"?

 Today there's a real reason to scream. That's because today, May 10th, Haagen-Dazs is giving away free one-scoop ice cream cones! No strings attached, all you have to do is walk into any participating Haagen-Dazs ice cream shop between 4 - 8 pm, and let them know which flavor is your favorite! That's it!

To find out about free cone days in the future, Like Haagen-Dazs on Facebook!

Haagen-Dazs - Laguna Beach

154 South Coast Hwy.
Laguna Beach, CA  92651
949-497-5507

To find a location near you, click here.

Cinco de Mayo!

Where will you celebrate Mexico's victorious fight for freedom?

If you haven't yet decided, let me tell you about Coyote Grill's Cinco de Mayo offerings. Today, the good folks at Coyote Grill are going full tilt, with happy hour all day long, tequila girls and great prizes. There is no place better to be, than celebrating with authentic Mexican fare, like fish tacos, ceviche and even lobster! So, raise your glass to Mexico, and give a big Salud to Coyote Grill! Ole!

Coyote Grill
31621 So. Coast Hwy.
Laguna Beach, CA  92651
949-499-4033
email: coyotegrill@occoxmail.com

Time for spring cleaning

Snyder's  Cleaners has been serving our Laguna Beach community since 1965. That's a heckuva long time to be consistently caring for their customers. But customer satisfaction is not enough for Snyder's, now their dry cleaning is organic, too!

And to serve you even better, Snyder's is now offering 20% off of all dry cleaning and household items!

No more excuses! Now is the time to get the gloves on, and tackle those springtime projects. Just be sure to bring your dry cleaning to Snyder's!

Snyder's Cleaners
506 Glenneyre Street
Laguna Beach, CA  92651
949-494-5153

Spring has sprung at Dizz's As Is

Owned and operated by the well-loved, local Pitz family, Dizz's As Is has been a Laguna Beach staple for the last 34 years. Set in a prominent spot on South Coast Highway within walking distance to famed Victoria Beach, Dizz's has that Laguna eclectic charm and local flavor that other restaurants dream of. Right now Dizz's is featuring a spring sprung menu with lots of delicious choices to sink your teeth into for only $20.34!

To make reservations, call 949-494-5250

A dream come true

Laguna's Hotel Laguna at Main Beach 

I just got wind of the coolest deal ever! If you've been dreaming of vacationing in Laguna Beach, frolicking in the Pacific, dining at fantastic eateries, going to unique shops, our art museum and art galleries, now is the time to book your trip. Right now, some of my favorite inns and hotels in town are offering one night free, when you book before the end of May.

Want to know my top picks? Number one is definitely The Surf & Sand Resort. This gem sits right above the surf, and the lounge at Splashes, is about as close to the water as you can get without getting your toes wet.

 Another good choice right on the sand is the Hotel Laguna which sits at the south end of our famous Main Beach, and is steeped in local history, too.

Or The Riviera perched right above the local hang-out Thalia Street beach.

For lots more information about Laguna, and even more promotions on places to stay, do yourself a favor, and check out this link.

* Be sure to check each separate location for their one night free deals, as each offering is different.

Laguna Gardens Nursery re-opened at last!

Laguna Gardens Nursery, in Laguna Canyon, was devastated after the floods last December. After months of hard work, owners Kevin and Jocelyne Naughton have resurrected their beautiful nursery, and are again opened for business. Be sure to show them some love by stopping in with any of your spring garden needs!

Laguna Gardens Nursery

21065 Raquel Road

Laguna Beach, CA  92651

949-497-4950

Tuvalu's Monday Must Haves

Monday's get a bad rap, don't you think? Especially now, because Tuvalu Home, in Laguna Beach, is now offering Monday Must Haves. Every Monday there will be some trinket, some lovely bauble or token on sale. Check out this Monday's Must Have!

Click Here



Tuvalu Laguna Beach
295 Forest Ave
Laguna Beach, CA  92651
949-497-3202

Art of Fitness

If you're thinking of joining a gym, now may be the perfect time. Not only is bikini season right around the corner, but The Art of Fitness is now offering 2 weeks of unlimited free classes to new members.

Welcome Spring and Summer with that fit body you've been dreaming about! Oh, and you might just be in the right place, at the right time, while they are filming The Real Housewives of Orange County reality show, too.

Spring Into Art 2011

Now that spring has sprung, are you ready to Spring Into Art?

Oil painting by Amy Eidt Jackson

This is a fantastic art program here in Laguna Beach, where you get hands on instruction by our very own Sawdust Festival artists. Among this weekends choices of classes and artists are, Amy Eidt Jackson, teaching "Plein Air Painting Experience", Mary Hurlburt offers " Enjoying Your Digital Camera", Jason McQuaid instructs "Glassblowing", among others.

Register here and spring for this weekend's art filled courses!

60% off at LF Stores

Have you stopped in to the LF Laguna Beach store on Forest Ave. yet? If you want to dress like the hip celebs, LF Laguna Beach is the place to shop. And right now, they are offering the only sale of the season, with 60% off of their entire Fall and Winter collections!

But better hurry! Although they are not specifying any ending date, I got wind that this week may just be the last week for this sale.

Eva Longoria

Shanae Grimes 

Katherine McPhee

Miley Cyrus
All photos from: http://www.lfstores.com/sightings.html

LF Laguna Beach
278 Forest Ave.
Laguna Beach, CA  92651
949-497-9194

Tootsies Semi-Annual Clearance Sale

Nearly every woman I know loves shoes. And what's better than a great pair of shoes? You got it, a great pair of shoes on sale!

Tootsies semi-annual sale starts tomorrow, March 2nd. If you can run in heels, run, don't walk to Tootsies to cash in on this deal!

Tootsies Laguna  Semi-Annual Clearance Sale! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Stop by Tootsies Laguna tomorrow, Wednesday, March 2nd, when our Semi-Annual Clearance Sale kicks off! 50 % OFF SELECT STYLES! Come early for the best selection! Tootsies is located at: 1200 S Coast Hwy Laguna Beach 949-715-5151 (Formerly The Pottery Shack) Free Parking in the rear of the building - enter on Brooks Street. Open daily from 10a-8p.      Tootsies Laguna | 1200 S Coast Hwy,  Laguna Beach, CA 92652 | (949) 715-5151

There's a new kid in town

If you've headed down Ocean Ave. today, you may have notice some fanfare going on. Casey's Cupcakes is now open for sweet business.

Some MTV fans who have paid close attention may remember Casey Reinhardt from Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County reality show, but these days she has her hands full of batter with 2 locations now open. And not a minute too soon. With today being the holiday of sticky sweets, Casey's Cupcakes should have a promising grand opening here in Laguna. Welcome home, Casey!

Casey's Cupcakes
303 Broadway Street ( Located in Broadway Plaza on the corner of Ocean Avenue )
Laguna Beach, CA  92651
949-715-8245

Casey's Cupcakes
3649 Mission Inn Ave
Riverside, CA  92501
951-328-6908

Celebrate Valentine's Day

I hope you are all enjoying the beautiful day we have here in Laguna today. It almost feels like summer downtown! Not because of the weather, it's actually a little chilly outside, but because there are so many people out and about enjoying the day! And this is certainly the day for that.

After taking that long walk on the beach, lovebirds may want an inexpensive option on where to go for a bite to eat. Big Fish and Ice Cold Beer is always one of our favorites. You just can't beat the prices and the views! Today Big Fish and Ice Cold Beer are having a Free Valentine's party. Tonight only they are offering free desserts and live entertainment featuring Rob Eller, from 7pm  until they close. Valentine's Day never seemed quite so sweet!

Tuesdays are always special at Adolfo's

Photo by: graygoosie

Adolfo's Mexican Food, on the corner of Coast Highway and Anita Street, is not only inexpensive and authentic Mexican food, but a local favorite local hang-out, too. On Tuesdays, Adolfo offers 20% off of your total food bill ( sorry, but take out not included! ).


Adolfo's is the spot to meet friends after a long day at the beach, or for an icy cold beer on Saturday afternoons. And if you want to know why I keep going to Adolfo's? It is the abslolutely fabulous shrimp fajitas, and the gigantic breakfast burritos! But go ahead and try anything on the menu, I think you'll appreciate all of their home style cooking.

This is an ongoing deal, so be sure to take advantage of these bargain prices every Tuesday!

Adolfo's Mexican Food
998 So. Coast Highway, #A
Laguna Beach, CA  92651

949-497-2023

Tonight's artwalk celebrates it's 13th year!

Laguna Beach is an artists paradise known for it's art festivals and art galleries. Tonight at our First Thursday's Artwalk, you can stroll or hop on the city-wide shuttle service to canvas some of Laguna's finest galleries and dispays of art. Celebrating it's 13th anniversary tonight, there are planned festivities throughout Laguna. Over 40 galleries will be joining in the celebration, with artist demonstrations, music and dance. So, be sure to bundle up, and come on out and join the party!

Here Comes the Sun

Rick Conkey, the man behind Help Blue Water, has put together a concert to help the recent flood survivors. Beginning today at 4pm at the Artists Theater, some of Laguna's best known talent will perform to benefit those affected in December's disaster. Here Comes the Sun will feature local folk legends Beth and Steve Wood, formerly of Honk, Jason Feddy, Nick I, from Common Sense, Sasha Evans with Douglas Miller accompanying on violin, and poet John Gardiner as the event MC. Come on out and enjoy Laguna's finest talent, and help our neighbors and friends who were devastated by the flood!

Here Comes the Sun-A vital Flood Relief Concert 

Today, January 30, 4 - 7pm

Artists Theater

625 Park Avenue

Laguna Beach, CA  92651

Tickets still available - $20.00

online or call the concert hotline at: 949-734-5485

Come out and play! The Piano Experiment

Local pianist Ed Merrilees finds an audience
Photo by: Sean Lara, OC Register

Have you noticed anything different at Main Beach lately? A hand painted piano has been placed at the south end of Main Beach Park! Our own local No Square Theatre has generously donated the piano and have teamed up with Pacific Symphony to invite the public to play their hearts out during "OC Can You Play?", January 16th - February 6th. A total of 20 pianos have been placed throughout Orange County for three music filled weeks.

Lisa Zieper of Moorpark, CA plays for an ardent listener
Photo by: Mark Rightmire, OC Register

"OC Can You Play?" will be offering a variety of contests too. One of the contests is a "Piano Scavenger Hunt", the fun of this one is, if you visit all 20 pianos, you can have a chance at winning season tickets to the Pacific Symphony! Or visit three pianos for 20 percent off a ticket purchase. Then there's "Best Video" for those who enjoy the art of filming. If you capture a performance on video, you can win tickets to an upcoming concert. Keep up with all of the contests, scheduled performances and activities at www.pacificsymphony.org/OCCanUPlay where you can also see what is scheduled at the No Square piano, or sign up to play at a particular time.

Nynke Van Derwerf, left, alon with Femke Van Derwerf, of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and Cayden Muellerieile of Irvine drop their toys to tickle the ivories.
Photo by: Mark Rightmire, OC Register

If your more of a fly by the seat of your pants kind of person, just show up and play! From students to musicians, all are encouraged to sit down and play. Shoot a video or take a picture and share it on YouTube and the Symphony's Facebook page.

What's the point of this experiment? Just to come on out to play!

More ways to help flood victims

Anneliese Willowbrook Campus the day of the flood
Photo by: Andrea Huber Photography

So, What are you doing tomorrow? All are welcome to join in on a huge community flood relief work party! Anybody who is able-bodied and willing to get a little dirty is being asked to show up at Anneliese's Willowbrook Campus tomorrow, January 15th from 9 am until 2 pm. But you don't have to stay the entire time. Even if you have an hour or less to spare, every little bit helps. Wear boots or old shoes, clothes that can get dirty and gloves.

Anneliese School Willowbrook Campus
20062 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach, CA  92651

Anneliese staffers will provide a free lunch for all of the volunteers. Park on Laguna Canyon Road or in the campus lot, and be sure to check in with Elise or Terri when you get there. If you bring your own shovels or other tools, don't forget to write your name on them, and take them with you when you leave...

The aftermath
Photo by: Andrea Huber Photography

 For those of you who want to help, but can't get out to the campus tomorrow, gift cards and cash donations are very much welcome, too. The Laguna Relief and Resource Center will be heading up those donations.

LRRC
3305 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach, CA  92651
949-497-7121

The Assistance League and the LRRC are coordinating efforts for clothing donations and distribution, so if you can clean out your closets, bring any gently worn clothing to the Assistance League Turnabout Thrift Store, and make sure they know that they are for the flood victims.

The Assistance League Thrift Store
526 Glenneyre Street
Laguna Beach, CA  92651

Nirvana Grille supports the flood victims

Hi all!

Most of you know that Laguna Beach was hard hit by the recent floods. Some of our artists, neighbors and businesses lost pretty much everything in that torrent of rain, mud and water in the early morning hours on December 22nd.

Lots of folks in our great city are banding together to help out our friends whose lives were disrupted, but today I wanted to let you know about what Nirvana Grille, is doing to help.

Chef/Owner Lindsay Smith-Rosales

Laguna born Chef/Owner Lindsay Smith-Rosales and her husband Luis are pitching in by donating ALL proceeds to the flood victims between January 11th - 16th! Wow! That is true community spirit!

Nirvana Grille is one of Laguna's more progressive restaurants, with a seasonal menu that specializes in organics, local sourcing, wild fish, along with natural and hormone free meats. They even offer vegan and gluten free options for those of us who are constantly on the search for these types of menus.

The more people who dine at Nirvana next week, the faster our friends and neighbors can get their lives back to normal! These generous folks at Nirvana are really stepping up to help our whole community! A huge Thank you to Nirvana Grille!

Nirvana Grille
303 Broadway, Ste 101
Laguna Beach, CA  92651
949-497-0027
Reservations Recommended

www.nirvanagrille.com

Reading rocks!

Ah, winter! The perfect time for curling up next to the roaring fire with your favorite books. If your list of must have books is on the short side, you can go to Laguna Beach Books today through Friday for 30% off selected biographies and memoirs! I wonder if the new autobiography called Life by Keith Richards is on sale? That's the one I want to sink my teeth into!

Dizzying deals at Vertigo Home!

Welcome to the new year! Hope you all had a happy holiday, and are ready to start bargain hunting again!

Have you stopped in to say hello to the folks at Vertigo Home in Laguna Beach yet? If not, it's definitely time to drop in. And I can't tell you how much I absolutely LOVE their aesthetic! It is a wonderful combination of Scandinavian mod with Laguna Beach cottage charm. What  could be better than that? Nothing, I say!  Vertigo is now offering a great deal to begin the new year -- 20% - 50% off of select items throughout their charming store!

The enticingly fun storefront

Some colorful fabric choices

Whether you have a reupholstering project and need the perfect mod fabric, or you need a perfect gift for a best friend, the ecclectic mix of merchandise is such a treat to browse through. Hurry to find that perfect trinquet, the deal is only good until the merchandise lasts!

I desperately want these!

Vertigo Home
1854 South Coast Highway
Bungalow 5
Laguna Beach, CA  92651

949-494-7547