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.

Another "Coffee With A Cop" Success

COFFEE WITH A COP - AT NIGHT!
Wednesday evening, from 5-7 p.m., several members of the Costa Mesa Police Department met with members of the public at Panera, on East 17th Street in an informal setting to just sip some free coffee and chat.

GOOD VENUE
The evening was cool, but the venue seemed just right as the front patio at the store provided an excellent opportunity to sit or stand and discuss issues with the officers.

GOOD TURNOUT, GREAT FOOD
My sweet and very patient wife and I attended this gathering and were there for most of the time before adjourning inside for a nice, light dinner.  We departed as the officers were wrapping it up and the residents  were making their way to the parking lot.  I didn't do an official headcount, but for the 90 minutes were on site I estimate at least three dozen people, including former council members Wendy Leece and Jay Humphrey, stopped to talk - probably more.

THE FIRST EVENING EVENT
This event was the most recent such opportunity residents have had to meet with members of the Costa Mesa Police Department in a casual setting to discuss important issues with them.  And, this is the first evening event, so most of the officers present had just gone off duty before arriving.  For most it was their first event.

THANKS...
Thanks to the men and women of the CMPD for taking the time to meet with those of us they've sworn to protect and serve.  We hope there will be more such events in the future.

(photo credit to Sue Lester)

TIP-A-COP THURSDAY NIGHT
And, speaking of "serving", Thursday night, April 9th, is the most recent "Tip-A-Cop" event at the Claim Jumper at 3333 Bristol Street from 5-9 p.m.  You can read the announcement about it below.  Here's another chance to have a meal served to you by some of Costa Mesa's finest and contribute to the Special Olympics, too.

Police Events Scheduled This Week

NOT YOUR "NORMAL" WEEK AHEAD

Following Easter Sunday the week ahead in Costa Mesa brings some of the normal stuff - council meetings, committee meetings and the like.  I've already written about the agenda for the City Council meeting on Tuesday, HERE, but this week is special for a couple other reasons.

COFFEE WITH A COP - IN THE EVENING!
Wednesday evening, from 5-7 p.m., residents have a chance to attend the next "Coffee With A Cop" event at the Panera store, 235 E. 17th Street.  This is the first evening event, so more of you may be able to carve out some time to drop in for a chat with some of our Costa Mesa Police Officers.  This site is near Staples just west of Orange Avenue.

 

THURSDAY "TIP-A-COP"

Then, the next evening, Thursday, April 9th, you have ANOTHER chance to meet with members of the Costa Mesa Police Department as they serve you at the fundraiser for Special Olympics at the Claim Jumper Restaurant and Saloon, 3333 Bristol Street, from 5-9 p.m.  

BAKER-TO-VEGAS!

And, while we're talking about the men and women of the Costa Mesa Police Department, kudos to the entire team who recently participated in the Baker-to-Vegas Challenge Cup Relay - one of the toughest athletic challenges any of them will ever face.  I'm proud to say that my best friend for more than 57 years, Larry Moore, created that grueling challenge 31 years ago with his partner on the job, Chuck Foote, and it remains on the calendar of thousands of men and women in law enforcement world-wide.  You can learn about it HERE.

 DISTRACTED DRIVING AWARENESS MONTH 

And, a little reminder from the CMPD.  Recently they distributed an announcement about April being "Distracted Driving Awareness Month".  Law enforcement organizations will be working on increased educational opportunities during this month.  Here's the text of that message.

Just to help you understand the problem, here's a little video that might drive home the point.  A viewing hint: If you're viewing this page on the Home Page and see the archive information cluttering up the image below, just slide your cursor over to the right side of the page and click on the title of this post before beginning the video.  It will take you to this page by itself, without the archive information intruding in the image.

So, be advised that every second you allow yourselves to be distracted while driving is one that could put the lives of yourselves and others in jeopardy.

Have a great week...

Briefings, Finances, Pensions, Celebrations, Cops and Cars

EASY WEEK?  HA!
I thought this was going to be an easy week, hoping for a reduced schedule so I can whip this darn cold.  Ah, but it is not to be.

CEO BRIEFING 

First, The City of Costa Mesa finally released another CEO E-Briefing from Tom Hatch, HERE.  Here's a list of what's on it.  Go to the link above for details:

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, April 30th, there will be a special City Council Meeting in council chambers beginning at 4:30.  You can read the agenda HERE.  It looks like this one is going to be a closed session, from which they typically don't return to report out, but you just never know.

FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
Before that meeting starts, though, the Financial Advisory Committee will meet in Conference Room 1A beginning at 3:30.  The agenda for that one is HERE.  Of note is council member Sandra Genis' Wendy Leece's request to review Business License Fees.  The public is welcome at these meetings.  Since several members are also associated with the Mesa Water District, which is exploring ways to modify their investment policies to include higher-risk investments, and since our committee is exploring using a middle-man to handle some of our investments, these meetings may be enlightening.

PENSION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Wednesday, May 1, 2013, the brand new Pension Advisory Committee meets, also in Conference Room 1A, but at 4:30.  The announcement is HERE, but no agenda is available now. NOTE: Agenda now available HERE.  I suspect they will elect officers and begin to chart a course for the future.  Perhaps they will discuss the recent announcement by Cal PERS that it has approved employer rate hikes of 50% over the next few years, HERE.  They might also discuss recent announcements like the one HERE, in which the San Jose City Council discovered it cannot afford to bail out of CalPERS for current and former council persons - too costly.  And, they will certainly discuss the announcement last week that CalPERS investments have surpassed prior record highs, HERE.  Should be an interesting launch for this group.

60TH ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, May 2, 2013, at 5:30 in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) adjacent to the Police Station, the 60th Anniversary Celebration Committee will meet again to discuss the fine-tuning of their plans for the launch weekend.  You can read the agenda HERE.  Vice Chair Melinda Lowery will be in charge of this one.

TIPPING A FEW COPS
Also on Thursday and overlapping with that meeting is the Tip-A-Cop event at the Claim Jumper at South Coast Plaza.  From 5-9 p.m. the meals at that fine restaurant will be served by members of the CMPD and all tips provided to them will go to the Special Olympics.  And, no, boys and girls.. it doesn't mean you get to push a cop over - as in a popular pastime back in Jim Righeimer country - cow tipping.

FIRST FRIDAY ROAD SHOW

Friday, May 3rd, is the latest installment of the First Friday Roadshow - the classic and hot rod show in the City Hall parking lot beginning at 6:00 p.m.  As usual, there will be lots of great classic cars, music and food via a food truck - and it's free (the show, not the food).

 ORANGE COUNCIL MARATHON!

And, last but not least, Sunday, May 5th, is the Orange County Marathon!  Go HERE to their website for all the information, start times, road closures, etc.  This should be a very fun event and the weather report calls for a warm weekend, so stay hydrated, folks.