I enjoyed a very relaxing Sunday ogling some of the most gorgeous homes in my area during the Dana Point Home & Garden Tour. It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for years, and this year I finally did - with great company to boot.

My dream house is a 1920s-1930s bungalow, or perhaps a Craftsman-style home, with a bright, open European-inspired kitchen, and a dining room with a long solid wood table for hosting dinner parties. A home that feels cozy and inviting, and truly like a home. With lots of “found” objects and great art.

I was excited to spend the day gazing and dreaming, taking bits and pieces from each home and using it to build my “dream” home in my mind.

Lots of museum-like homes, certainly, which doesn’t tug on my heartstrings in the slightest. But there was one from the 1920s with the best library that reminded me so of my grandfather’s den when he was alive. And the most spectacular ocean view. I would move in tomorrow…

I marvel at how life was in the 1920s. How small in scale the homes were compared to now, back before everything in America was about “bigger and more.”  I love the simplicity of that time.The thing I truly loved is that each home was so different and also had a rich history, which is one of the reasons I love living in Dana Point.

If you’ve never gone on a home tour but hope to one day, there are a few things you’ll find that I didnt expect: You’ll most likely to wear paper booties over your shoes (yes, like you’re going into surgery), and the docents will most likely be incredibly strict about the path you take through the house…so don’t go expecting to amble aimlessly throughout the house. There are arrows and everything. These are people’s homes though, so it’s understandable…

If the past few weeks (especially since Christmas/New Year’s) have been extra stressful, why not just laugh it off? Worried about the few extra pounds in the belly area? I hear laughter is a great ab workout. Okay, maybe I just made that up to make myself feel better, but I know my guts hurt after a vigorous laughing session.

Check out the plethora of quality stand-up comedians coming to Orange County soon…

Jon Lovitz - Known for his stint on “Saturday Night Live” and his voiceover work on “The Simpsons,” “The Critic” and Lovitz served as the voice in multiple Subway commercials. Various show times, Friday, Feb. 15-Sunday, Feb. 17, at the Irvine Improv.

Dana Carvey - Also known as “Garth” from “Wayne’s World” and his hilarious skits on “Saturday Night Live” including the “Church Lady.” 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20 & Thursday, Feb. 21, at the Brea Improv.

Todd Glass - “Last Comic Standing” contestant and frequent late night television guest comedian. 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, at the Irvine Improv.

Bob Saget - WARNING - this is not your typical “Full House” Bob Saget! Saget’s act is rude, crude, raunchy and super hilarious. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at The Grove of Anaheim.

Norm Macdonald - His deadpan style of comedy has landed him roles in several “cult classic” style comedy flicks and he also did his time on “Saturday Night Live.” He’s most popular for his delivery of the “Fake News” and his impersonations of Bob Dole and Burt Reynolds. Various show times, Thursday, March 6-Sunday, March 9, at the Brea Improv.

Also…check out some great up-and-coming comics at Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa.

In an effort to draw younger audiences, the Orange County Performing Artscenter launched its first indie-rock music series, “Off Center,” on Thursday night, with Peter Bjorn and John and Sea Wolf performing at the still somewhat-hidden gem of a new venue, Samueli Theater.

Hooking up with Indie 103 FM as a promotional partner for this series of monthly events, is, I think, a brilliant move by the Artscenter. Consider the stellar, must-see lineup of upcoming “Off Center” concerts: Delta Spirit (Feb. 28, $20-$40), Cold War Kids (March 27, $25-$40) and Matt Costa (April 24, $20-$40).

And the classy Samueli is a perfect venue for this series, providing an intimate, warm, almost-lounge feel balanced with plenty of space to walk around - a nice change from the cold, sometimes-grungy industrial spaces that typically host “indie” acts.

Orange County Register pop critic Ben Wener dug the venue and the show, too. Check out his complete review here.

 Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa is a great place to check out new and local music and occasionally they bring in some big acts.  Ima Robot, an alternative pop/rock group from Los Angeles, pay a visit to the venue on Friday, Feb. 1 with opening support from Long Beach’s grunge/rock act Thinking Aloud.

The Raveonettes  stop by Detroit Bar on Sunday, March 2. The Danish duo of Sune Rose Wanger and Sharin Foo have a vintage, noir look and sound and play music that’s often foggy, dream-like, yet charming.

Tickets for both shows are available now, $12 for IMA Robot, $13 for The Ravonettes. Tickets can be purchased at the venue or by calling 1-800-594-TIXX (8499) or online at detroitbar.com.

In the meantime…check out Detroit Bar’s Monday Night Resident bands, going on every Monday night at 9 p.m. with no cover. January’s Resident band is Sparrow Love Crew, a hip-hop group outta Long Beach and February brings We Barbarians, an indie rock band from Long Beach.

- KELLI SKYE

Is the holiday season already weighing down on you? Stop at one of these local venues for a drink with friends to help rekindle some holiday cheer.

Beer and Wine Tasting, 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, at Mutt Lynch’s, Newport Beach. Featuring tastings courtesy of Deschutes Brewery and Beringer Winery. Appetizers will also be available.

Pizza & Pinot Wednesdays, 4-8 p.m. every Wednesday, at Palm Terrace Restaurant and Lounge in The Island Hotel, Newport Beach. Four specialty pizzas and choice of six Pinot Noirs.

Champagne Tasting, 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, at Bacchus Secret Cellar, Irvine. Sample Moet and Chandon champagnes to pick the best bubbly to toast to the New Year.

Wine Tastings, 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, at WineStyles, Irvine. Sample various wines and appetizers.

Singles Night Wine Tasting, 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at WineStyles, Irvine. Mingle with other singles and taste a flight of seven new wines.

Wine & Jazz, 8-11 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at CasaVino Wine Bar, Long Beach. Wine tasting and live Jazz music by The Steve Harris Jazz Collective.

The Grammy Awards Nominations were announced yesterday and it seems like feelings are mixed on who should win, what.

Who should really win the coveted “Album of the Year” Grammy? Should Kanye finally get his shot? Is the troubled Miss Whinehouse even going to be able to stay out of jail long enough to pick up her award? Would it be too much to ask to give the award to a hard rockin’ band like the Foo Fighters?

Tell us what you think!!!

This year marks the 25th Anniversary of Ruby’s Diner and to celebrate, Ruby’s is rolling back to the original 1982 menu prices for one day only, Friday, Dec. 7 at the original Ruby’s location at the Balboa Pier in Newport Beach.

Shakes will only be $1.60 (all flavors available); an original Ruby Burger will only be $2.15.

The celebration will also include live music by the Stompy Jones Band and a swing dancing demonstration from 4-7 p.m. The first 100 people to stop by the diner on Dec. 7 will receive a Ruby’s Diner 25th Anniversary commemorative pin.

The specially priced menu will be served from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. and take out will be available from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

- KELLI SKYE

There are a ton of shows going on nightly all over the county. Here are a few worth checking out that are coming up here pretty quick…

Pepper, 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29 and Friday, Nov. 30, at House of Blues in Downtown Disney, Anaheim. $20-$23.50.

The Aquabats, 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, at The Glasshouse in Pomona. $17.

Handsome Devil, 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at The Gypsy Lounge in Lake Forest. Free
admission with new, unwrapped toy donation. 21+.

Suburban Legends, 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, at The Alley in Fullerton. $15.

Kristopher Roe of The Ataris, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, at Chain Reaction in Anaheim. $10.

Tyrone Wells and Molly Jenson, 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at Plush Cafe in Fullerton. $15.

Death By Stereo, 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at The Glasshouse in Pomona. $16.

- KELLI SKYE

So the local economy is supposedly tanking, companies are downsizing … and yet, life is GOOD when you can spend an afternoon sipping wine and tasting great cheeses of all shapes, textures, flavors and colors.

On Sunday, I checked out the final day of the first annual American Cheesemaker Awards gathering, a literal nirvana for foodies at the Fairmont Hotel in Newport Beach.

Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 15-18, the epicurean event brought together top local and national chefs, taste experts and purveyors, and 25 cheesemakers from California, Idaho, Indiana, New York, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin showing off their excellent artisanal cheeses.

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On today’s Kevin & Bean morning show on KROQ they announced night two of the KROQ “Almost Acoustic Christmas.”  Night two is a bit more mellow, featuring acts: Muse, Jimmy Eat World, Feist, Modest Mouse, Silversun Pickups, Spoon and The Shins.

Night one is more rockin’ with: Linkin Park, Angels & Airwaves, Avenged Sevefold, Bad Religion, Serj Tankian, Rise Against and Paramore.

The KROQ “Almost Acoustic Christmas” is on Saturday, Dec. 8 and Sunday, Dec. 9 at the Gibson Amphitheater in Los Angeles.

More ticket info to come…