Lakers Lose, Avalon Beckons and Bloggers Wanted

Today is May 5. Happy Cinco de Mayo! It is the 125th day of the year. We are under a waxing crescent moon. Sunset will occur about 7:42 p.m. Here are five things to know:

1. The National Weather Service forecast for this afternoon calls for sunny skies with a high of 68 degrees with patchy fog tonight after 11 p.m. and an overnight low around 53 degrees. It should be foggy Friday morning, before gradually clearing in the afternoon with a high near 68 degrees.

2. Playa del Rey resident Phil Jackson and the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers lost last night, 93-81, to the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center. The Lakers are now 0-2 in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinals. Game 3 is Friday in Dallas with a 6:30 p.m. tipoff.

3. Boating columnist Paul M.J. Suchecki in his latest column takes a look at Avalon, the only city on Catalina Island. You can read all about it right here.

4. Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out our weekend planner right here.

5. Patch is looking for bloggers. We're rolling out a new blogging platform this week and are looking for local bloggers to write about whatever they want, whenever they want. If you're interested or want to learn more, send me an email: Paul.Chavez@patch.com