7 Reasons

A list by Amy Hood

{Bryant and Durant go head to head. Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images}

1. Lakers are in prime playoff - nay - championship form.

Kobe is on fire, jacked up finger or none. The sleeping giant that was Andrew Bynum has finally awoken with a ferocity and lust to win that we knew was lying somewhere underneath that once sleepy-Tracy-Morganesque-blank stare. Even Pau Gasol is getting aggressive. The Lakers bench is looking like the cut throat mob it was, as opposed to the bingo hall at Leisure World that it had been resembling. Ron Ron is making shots and bringing the aggressive defense. Kobe got to sit out the whole fourth quarter because we were so far ahead. Even Adam Morrison made some shots. Adam...Morrison. NBA Finals, here we come.

2. Lebron James may have hurt his elbow. 

I guess this is only good news for anyone who is not a Cavs fan. Colin Cowherd, host of The Herd radio show on ESPN radio put it best: If Kobe's gone there are seven other AMAZING players left. Remember when Sporting News' panel of 107 Hall of Famers, major award winners, executives, current players and coaches and other basketball experts picked the 50 Best players in the NBA today? Not only did they pick Kobe as number 1, the Lakers team had the most players on the list at 5. Colin Cowherd was discussing just this on his show this morning as I drove to work. He compared the Lakers to Oceans 11. Sure George Clooney and Brad Pitt are the main guys, but if they go down, Don Cheadle, Casey Affleck, Julia Roberts, and whoever could pick up the torch and trek on. He then went on to compare the Cavs to Castaway. Tom Hanks... and a volleyball. "When Lebron grabbed his elbow, the whole state of Ohio gasped," Cowherd said. Well put sir. Well put. Although I would like to see the Lakers meet the Cavs in the finals. Finally put that argument to rest and see how the teams actually match up when the rubber meets the road.

3. The Teachers Strike is Over.

Monday night the teachers and CUSD came to a tentative 3 year agreement after a 32 hour closed door bargaining session. The teachers union say they are happy and the kids are back in classes and learning. That's a reason to smile.

{Chef Deborah Schneider of Sol Cocina in her kitchen}

4. Sol Cocina is having a party and you're invited!

Sol Cocina Executive Chef Deborah Schneider's new book Amor y Tacos is out and Sol Cocina is celebrating! Join the party on April 29th at Sol Cocina in Newport Beach (at PCH and Bayside, at Balboa Marina). The fun starts at 5:30. Food and drinks featured in the book will be presented along with random table drawings for signed giveaways. Chef Deborah, who has been featured in Food & Wine Magazine as well as The OC Gazette recently, will be rubbing elbows with guests throughout the night, talking food and signing books. Fellow OC Gazette designer Sara Wilkins and I will be there with bells on. You should too!

What: Amor y Tacos Book Launch Celebration

Where: Sol Cocina - 251 E. Coast Hwy

When: Thursday, April 29, 2010 5:30-10pm

Who: You!

{Brian Fallon and the Gaslight Anthem}

5. The Gaslight Anthem is coming out with a new album.

Yes, Brian Fallon and his band of Jersey boys have done it again. If you haven't heard them, check out the video above. They are like a mashup of Social Distortion, Bruce Springsteen, and The Alkaline Trio. They're basically amazing punk/alternative/classic American rock n' roll. The new album is called American Slang and you can pre-order it today at gaslightanthem.com.

{From Left to Right: Janet Lojeski graces the cover of our June cover of the South OC Gazette, while Kristen lights up the Central cover.}

6. The new issue of the OC Gazette is here.

Yes, in your mailbox you should have already found your copy of The OC Gazette. Didn't get one?  Don't panic. You can pick one up for FREE at one of our rack locations (click here for the list). It's got features, stories, guides and interview all dedicated to this great community we call home. We interviewed Christine Woods, Lake Forest native and actress of the hit ABC show Flashforward; We followed Executive Chef and Author Deborah Shneider of NB's Sol Cocina for a day; We looked into the history and rebirth of the Yost Theater in Santa Ana as OC's cultural hub; We checked up with local artist and designer Brian Lindstrom, the guy who's making a difference one poster at a time; We sat down with Janet Lojeski who told us why her cancer insurance policy could mean peace of mind when you need it most; We talked with Kristen Oviedo who gave us her recipe for successfully marketing 3 businesses in a down economy, and how you can do the same; and we got you the skinny on all the best restaurants and events in town. All for free, all for you, all because we love OC.

7. The rain has gone and the sun is here.

We got a nice April shower last night, but it's 12:15 now, and the sun is shining, as it should be. 

So breath easy folks, and take it in. Life is good.

- Amy

On my iTunes: Gaslight Anthem's "59 Sound."