If you saw my 5-minute video in yesterday’s "Best of Laguna Beach" post about my crazy radio show this past Monday, you know it was NOT the standard fare I usually offer. I pulled Ruben Flores in to help me contact friends and raise money for our nonprofit radio station’s KXFM’s annual “Community Takeover” fundraiser. But we had such an inundation of calls, it looked and felt a lot like Lucy and Ethel in that famous "I Love Lucy" episode of their frantic efforts in the chocolate factory. 

Despite the chaos, it was a funny, heartwarming hour with many lovely voices popping in to support.

And here are the Show notes/summary of Monday’s show:
The show starts hot and heavy with three phone lines ringing in, the first of which is a major contributor and longtime board member to the South Laguna Community Garden, Sally Coffee.

Ruben, Nelson and I were invited to Sunday night’s “OTO Sushi Friends & Family” trial run. I’m able to briefly mention this as calls keep popping in and Ruben spills the beans on what he promised the new OTO Sushi management. We chat briefly about OTO Sushi’s new look and feel, and I mention Bruce Russo’s take on acoustic tiles.

Ruben explains his attendance at the Academy-only audience invited to see the new “Wicked” movie. We talk Ruben and Nelson’s opinion about the “extravaganza.”

We talk OTO Sushi’s “Friends and Family” event with all the food we ordered and the cool cocktails we tried. Ruben continues with his opinion on the service as I scramble to answer phones.

Ali North, Surf and Sand’s Lead Concierge calls in, so we chat a bit about the great progress at the Surf and Sand Resort.

Ruben talks about the fun Garden Walk he hosts every other Saturday from his Laguna Nursery and what he considers the greatest element of these unique walks. As I madly answer calls in the background with pinch hitter station chief Jonathan, Ruben talks about the poor, giant Italian Stone Pine tree at Anita Carmen Park that’s currently dying that CAN be saved. Stone Pines typically live for 300 years and are extremely resilient, but this one is in big trouble. Ruben has ideas for its salvage … but it has to happen FAST.

Chef Antonio Rua joins us to chat about Tango, their happy hour and his favorite menu item.

We chat about Chef Evan at Evan’s Gourmet who’s prepping for the Sawdust Winter Fantasy, multiple catering and group dining events AND her restaurant busy-ness.

We get Chef Nick from The Drake BACK! He talks about “the transitional season” and how that works so beautifully for locals. I mention my favorite cocktail that Nick busts into song about, and we talk about his work with his very experienced “Euro, old school” Dad and the great combo they’ve created as a result.

Ruben and I talk about our love for KXFM Radio and why it’s such a special element for our special town.

Then, Chef Evan Lewis from Evan’s Gourmet (Thalia and Glenn Eyre) pops back in and we talk about the Sawdust Winter Festival beginning on Nov. 22nd (she has a restaurant there) and the Community Garden decorating one of the holiday trees there. We talk further about her group dining options, especially for families and businesses up to about 30. She’s also offering an a la carte Thanksgiving feast. Get your entire feast or purchase any a la carte items you please, including pumpkin pie pre-orders.

We return to the beleaguered Italian Stone Pine tree issue - seriously, this tree has an 80-foot canopy; it is majestic – at Anita Carmen Park, and the ONLY white Jacaradana tree we have in all of Laguna Beach in the same park.

Ruben explains how his Garden Walk begins with mimosas … a report on what’s happening in Laguna Beach … what’s happening in Hollywood (our special connection) … what do do with your garden NOW, based on seasonality … and, then, we go for a WALK.

Bruce Russo, the country’s most successfully prolific restaurant developer, calls in and we talk about our last radio show episode together, “The 3-Second Scan,” and why the restaurant needs to “date” the clientele.
And then … I accidentally lose Bruce. 
OK. So moving on … (so, so sorry Bruce!)

Napa Valley calls in from the great Auberge Resort with (also the great) Andrew Bennett. He talks about the multifaceted “layers” of Laguna Beach and how the same applies to Napa Valley. It’s a fabulous viewpoint from Andrew until … we accidentally lose him, too.

Nelson Coates calls in from filming of “The Morning Show” in Hollywood to express his support for this show (awww).

One of my dearest buddies calls in (Lisa), friends to both Ruben and me. We make group plans for dining as she donates.

We talk about my upcoming interviews on “Best of Laguna Beach” - Chef Erik from Oliver’s Osteria, Chef Nick from The Drake and a surprise nationally revered chef guest from The Hamptons of Long Island, NY, will also be blessing our “Best of Laguna” show.

As I answer more calls, Ruben talks about going to dinners with me and the “two edged sword” that entails.

Our farthest reaching caller calls in from outside of Toronto, Ontario - Louise who tells us she participates in “armchair travel” by following the show. Awww.

Ruben holds court while I deal with more callers. He talks about our upcoming renowned events including our Winter Fantasy Festival at Sawdust (starting Nov. 22nd), Hospitality “Street Party” night (Dec. 6th), and his favorite holiday. He also suggests locals get out now in this seasonal flux to support our local restaurants.

Billy Fried, “The guy who resurrected KXFM 104.7 Radio,” drops in to share his thoughts on the passionate foundation of every restaurant in our city. We close the day’s lively show with talk of Anthony Bourdain.