Though I take great joy in telling you where to go and what to do, some really cool events get neglected simply due to space. So you’re going to have to do some of your own reconnaissance.

Here’s how to stay in the know:
1. Facebook. “Like” ALL local business. That means even the ones you don’t really care for, especially your competition. You could be missing out on cool stuff by being a snob. Your loss. Did you know zoning jabberwocky prevents Shade Hotel from any print advertisement of its restaurant? Social media is exempt. So get on that.
2. Follow ALL local news sources. Easy Reader, the surfer’s choice, is fast becoming a 7 day news source. And with all the recent crime, there’s always something cool to read. Look for the daily surf report coming soon. Yes, we are that cool.
3. Check out The Nightlife page. You can view all 24 former bartender winners, links to my column and last minute events that missed my deadline. Sometimes even a cool song, or cute nudibranch. Don’t even know what that is? Add me. facebook.com/AnnaCoxTheNightlife
4. Keep tabs on event pages. Southbayevents.com, pubclub.com, southbayfoodies.com, oursouthbay.com. I still have yet to find one source that stays current and does it all. Hopefully newcomer hermosalocal.com can pull this off!
6. Read crime logs. “Hermosa Beach Police” has valuable info on their facebook page, as does Hermosa Beach Neighborhood Watch. I, myself, have been on heightened alert ever since my Nov 2011 mugging on 6th and Palm. Crime happens. But not getting so wasted can prevent lots of it.
7. Connect with your Chamber of Commerce. Especially those Young Professional Mixers. Hermosa Chamber recently hosted a free workshop on social media. Next one is in September.
May Birthday Shout-Outs: Armando Rojas at Paisano’s Pizza, Brady Blaco at Shark’s Cove, North End regular Donny Hueller, the Big Red Dog at Paul Martin’s, Elena Grikhno Cox mother of the cutest niece ever, and Raquel Remy whoever that is.
Dating Tip 6: Be a giver. Don’t just think of what you can take from another person. Think about what you can give him/her. Fast forward to the future. “Is this someone I want on my resume?” Swap spit with people you respect. This means: No more mo-peds! (moped: fun to ride, but you wouldn’t want your friends to see you). Quit using each other. Mutual giving is way more fun than mutual taking.
My Favorite Thing Week #18: Seared Lump Crab Cakes at Trump National Golf Club in Palos Verdes. The lightest texture of fresh ingredients. I could picture them being made, as though someone had hand gathered the components for each little cake, with the attention and passion of a flower arranger. You’ve heard the phrase “food made with love”? Well Executive Chef Jean-Pierre Vincent evokes this sentiment effortlessly. As the Geto Boys would say “real gangstas don’t flex nuts. . . .”
Future columns will focus on review, not preview of bars, cocktails, beers, and wines. And all that crazy stuff that single women without kids can do.
Look for next week’s column: Review of 5 dating websites