Tippin' A Few Cops

WHAT A WONDERFUL EVENING!
My sweet and very patient wife and I joined many Costa Mesans at the Claim Jumper Restaurant at South Coast Plaza last night for some really good food, outstanding fellowship and a chance to donate to the Special Olympics.

PLENTY OF PROTECTION
We arrived around 6 and found the entire front of the restaurant blanketed with members of the Costa Mesa Police Department and the Costa Mesa Fire Department - but I think that latter group was just there for the grub.

GUARDING THE EQUIPMENT
We made our way past Lieutenant Greg Scott and associates, guarding the bicycles and motorcycles, to a table where raffle tickets were available - we bought a few.  It was great to see Park Ranger Lorna Lyttle, safely back from her tour with the United States Army, selling raffle tickets.

BAO - WHAT A GUY!
We also saw one of my favorite people in the world - officer Kha Bao - king of the DUI arrests - decked out in his SWAT garb.  We had a chance to visit with him about his role as lead officer for the Police Explorers - a job he loves.

GREETING
We found our way to our table and were promptly greeted by Park Ranger Ortiz and friend, making sure we were being treated right.... we certainly were.

FOLEY-SWANSON CLAN
We plowed through the delicious meal and, as we were about to depart, saw a familiar trio sit near us.  How is it possible that Katrina Foley is just EVERYWHERE?  I swear she's triplets!

A TABLE FULL OF TROUBLE
We saw many other friends enjoying the event and came across this table of rowdies, almost certainly preparing to make trouble.  I learned later that one of those lovely young women - the one giving us the "V" sign - was having a birthday celebration, too.  That explained the firetrucks outside.

BACK OFF, FELLAS!
As we left and were saying goodbye to many of our police officer friends and thanking them for their service to our city these three young fellas apparently mistook me for some kind of a miscreant, so I just took things into my own hands and put them where they belonged! :-)

GRACIAS, AND KUDOS
Thanks to the staff and management of the Claim Jumper for hosting this wonderful event last night, and to the men and women of the public safety organizations for helping collect funds for a very worthy event.