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.

 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

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…

Yes, guys and gals, it is that time of year again. KROQ 106.7 FM’s DJs Kevin & Bean announced night one of the annual rock concert: Linkin Park, Bad Religion, Rise Against, Serj Tankian, Angels & Airwaves, Avenged Sevenfold and Paramore.

The show will be held at the Gibson Amphitheater on Saturday, December 8.

Night two, along with ticket sale information, will be announced soon.

For more information, visit the KROQ website.

If you’re still trying to figure out what to do on Friday night, let me make a suggestion…the rock/pop band Paramore is performing at The Grove of Anaheim (2200 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim) and as of right this second, tickets are still available for only $22.50.

Paramore has been kicking ass with radio play on KROQ 106.7 FM and INDIE 103.1 FM, its newest release, “Riot” on the Fueled by Ramen label, has launched them into spotlight. The little ditty, “Misery Business” is so damn catchy that I find myself humming it in my head during the day.

The entire album is really well-written, hookey, poppy and just really easy to listen to. Although on the somber side, I have to give kudos to the song “When It Rains.” The 18-year-old singer, Hayley Williams, coos along with the swaying guitar - it’s touching.
The show starts at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m. - which gives ample time to check out merch and mingle).

Check out the bands video for “Misery Business” here…

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If you’re looking at the picture to the left and wondering, “What the hell is that?” That was my first thought/question when I showed up to work and found “Wolley” the BeanStalk straddling my monitor.

“Wolley” was a “gift” from Theresa Walker, an Orange County Register editor, who had received this odd looking toy in the mail along with a rather strange press kit.

The BeanStalks are “new friends to look up to,” and are “not quite alien, not quite human, BeanStalks are a new family of plush creatures that are extremely tall, distinctly thin and forever unique.”

Um…okay. This is more like the toy your aunt and uncle from Arkansas get you for Christmas because they really don’t know you that well. “Thanks aunt and uncle,” you say while maintaining a happy grin and trying desperately not to let your eyes show your disaponitment.

My new yellow friend, “Wolley,” is just one of three of these plush characters that stand 26 inches tall and he can really stand on his own. “Wolley’s” friends, “Droc” and “Arbez” come with button hands that can be linked with other BeanStalks so they can all “hold hands.”

“Wolley” is described as the BeanStalk that is “out of this world, appearing to always be in motion with his dazzling yellow appearance, he can brighten anyone’s day.”

This might be an okay toy for a tired and easily amused journalist - but I don’t think it’s for the kids. The BeanStalks don’t “do” anything, besides stand there and stare and get toppled over by devious co-workers (Roxanne Hack, who likes to push the poor guy over to hear him go “thunk” onto my desk). I wouldn’t be surprised if this funky thing came to life when no one’s around and gets in our candy stash.

- KELLI SKYE