I’ve had a lot of readers asking me for weekend tips and hints, so I’ve decided to start a “Di’s Five” column to give you at least five different activities and places to check out in Laguna Beach each weekend … this will be SO MUCH MORE successful if you keep feeding me YOUR events (provided your Laguna Beach based) prior to Thursday noon each week! Just email me at DianeArmitage@cox.net

Here’s the debut column:

Di’s Five – What To Do In Laguna Beach This Weekend

for Thursday, Nov. 11 – Sunday, Nov. 14

Weather Forecast: Upper 70s and sunny all the weekend long!

With summer finally arrived in Laguna Beach (hey, we’re a patient pack), there’s no time like the present to get some summer action going on.

THURSDAY, Nov 11^th

Deus x Braxton party hosted by Thalia Surf Shop & The Marine Room Tavern

Location: Well, it starts at 7:00 at the Thalia Surf Shop, SW corner of Thalia and PCH. It then travels to the infamous Marine Room Tavern, 215 Ocean Ave., at about 9:00 p.m. (You’ve got to be 21 for access to the night’s second half at the Marine.)

Time: 7:00 p.m. – midnight

Cost: FREE!

Reason: Honoring the sweet alliance between Australian-born Deus Ex Machina custom motorcycles and Brixton headwear (yep, three dudes are now making million selling nothing but HATS to skaters, boarders and surfers)

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Details: At 7:00 p.m., the party begins at Thalia with music, motorcycles and giveaways. It then proceeds to the Marine Room, for live music from one-woman show Becky Lee & Drunkfoot, and then the jivin’ southern rock of Yuma Territorial Prison Guard. Heck of a way to kick off a stellar weekend, I say.

FRIDAY, Nov. 12^th

The Laguna Nursery Cabaret

Location: 1370 South Coast Highway, just south of Cress St. on PCH

Time: 7- 10 p.m.

Cost: $35 when you drop in at the nursery for tickets in advance, $45 at the door.

Details: Ruben Flores came up with the idea of an “occasional” cabaret evening in his nursery about a year and a half ago, and the idea took off like a rodeo horse. In the winter months, he does a Cabaret Evening just about every single month, and people in this town rave about it.

The giant nursery clears space in the middle, hauls in a grand piano with none other than Saif Edden to play it; and folks pile in for a great (and plentiful) wine bar, catered food and sing-along. (Yep, you heard me: sing-along).

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Of course, folks can peruse the giant nursery fantasyland and pick up gifts, holiday décor and home décor the likes of which you won’t find anywhere else. (I’d pick up the entire nursery and U-Haul it over to my own home if I could get away with it.) All in all, a great call on Ruben’s part.

SATURDAY, Nov. 13^th

Latitude 33 Bookshop author signing of cool new book,Active in Orange County

Location: 311 Ocean Avenue, downtown Laguna Beach.

Time: The book signing by the authors begins at 4:00 p.m.

Cost: Well, you have to buy the book if you want to take it home with you. Autographing, however, is free!

Details: This is a quick swing-through while you’re in and around Laguna Beach on Saturday, but well worth the stop. See my blog entry on this great book of little-known hiking trails, beach finds, watersports, and outdoor activities in the OC

SATURDAY, Nov. 13^th

Snack time! Bonzai Bowl

Location: Bonzai Bowl, 1100 South Coast Highway, next to Gina’s Pizza just past Oak street on PCH

Time: Weekend hours are 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Cost: $6 – $10 for a giant helping of great goodness

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Details: First in Costa Mesa, Bonzai Bowl quietly made its way into Laguna Beach a couple months ago, and it’s been nothing less than a constant stream of human “ants” in and out the doors ever since. With a base of healthy berry Acai, the folks at Bonzai whip up a veritable mountain of fresh, organic, fruits, nuts, milks, and even spinach and celery to create any one of 6 smoothies or 7 acai bowls. No sugars, yogurt, sorbet or ice. These folks are serious. I’ve done the taste test on their SMALL Maui edition (with coconut, bananas and blueberries) and can say, without a doubt, Bonzai deserves its namesake (rousing cheer).

SUNDAY, Nov. 14^th

Sunday Football and Football Happy Hour at the Best Little Lounge in town

Location: Hotel Laguna Lounge, 425 South Coast Highway (the giant white building just south of Main Beach). Head in the doors and straight down the main hallway to the lounge on the left.

Times: Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Sundays, 10:00 a.m. to close, Monday 5:00 p.m. to close.

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Details: The first hotel in Laguna Beach (1888), we locals sometimes forget that this Queen by the Sea may be all grace, charm and dignity, but she’s got a rowdy side, too – that would be her Lounge on Saturdays and Sundays during football season. With a monster TV and couch and lounge seating that bests any bachelor’s living room (or, well, my living room for that matter), this place packs them in for catching the biggest games. The Hotel’s Football Fare Happy Hour Menu offers sliders, spring rolls, wings, rings and more, and pours 3 stellar drafts, 14 bottled beers (this month’s Octoberfest adds greater bounty to your selection) and wells, martinis and wines.

SUNDAY, Nov. 14^th

Mozambique Restaurant features Full Wattz Reggae

Location: 1740 South Coast Highway, 1 block south of Bluebird Street on PCH (inland side)

Times: The band plays 5:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Details: Fast becoming the “go to” spot for the best live reggae in town on Sunday nights, Mozambique keeps topping itself with renowned, uber-talented live bands … case in point, Full Wattz Reggae taking the stage this weekend. Get in early to secure a table in the Vegas-style lounge and enjoy Happy Hour till 6:00 p.m. at the same time. Just no better way to wrap up a weekend in Laguna Beach! For more details on one of my favorite steak restaurants in Laguna Beach, click to check out my earlier Mozambique story here.

Note for next weekend:I’ll be writing more about next Saturday’s (Nov. 20^th) event in the blog this week, but just want to make sure you  surfers out there get pre-registered for the Surfing Santa Contest at Salt Creek Nov. 20th. This is a charity surf event for autism and your $40 donation goes to Surfers Healing, which is one of the coolest surfing outfits I’ve seen in a long time. Register kids, 20+, open longboard and open at: www.SurfingSantaContest.org