Getting out of the car in the spacious “new laid black” asphalt parking lot of the Golf and Racquet Club, it is 8 am, overcast, and blindingly bright. From the parking lot, the soft symphony of voices can be heard laughing, talking, and delegating to each other.

The air is cool but everyone is in t-shirts expecting the rising heat of later in the day. These t-shirt wearers are littered helter-skelter in the entryway of the club, which is a horseshoe shaped loop with a tan overhang. Underneath this overhang, a line of tables display a variety of awesome free goodies. Back packs, drinking cups, golf balls, hats, and tote bags it is really a sweet giveaway. They really worked to make the charitable donors feel welcome.

One of these tables had nametags and before we were allowed to obtain our bundle of goodies we had to wear our handsome nametags. We were greeted at the table by a red head attendant with a pony tail who helped us find our names in the pile of alphabetically ordered name tags. Her name was Nicole and she gave everyone the gift of a smiling face as they obtained their tag for the day.

Thanks Nicole!

Once we obtained our names, we marched across a stone bridge that stretched over a series of waterfalls cascading perpendicularly underneath. Even though small the water made a dull crash that caused everyone to raise their voice in order to communicate with each other. This bridge was a double decker, and we walked over its second level enjoying the sound of the water and admiring the symmetrical beauty of the second level underneath.

The Golf and Racquet club has two amazing eighteen hole courses and this writer was stationed at hole 1 on the south course. This particular hole was serving margaritas, and in fact, players were supposed to take tequila shots before their first hit. An idea we can all get behind.

The table was run by Sue and Sandy, two lovely people wearing sunglasses (probably Oakley) and broad brimmed hats and enjoying themselves under a large brown umbrella. They were incredibly hospitable and offered everyone a drink. They understood the game too and were supportive to all the players who stopped by. Good on ya, Sue and Sandy.

The afternoon was completely sunny. A few dotting clouds in the sky giving rolling shade to those lucky enough to be caught in them. Brown rabbits darted in and out of bushes while road runners darted across the greens defying the golfers to strike them with a well placed ball.

With the end of the game, we were all satisfied from the sun and excited to get back inside to comfortable chairs and the silent auction. The silent auction held a variety of incredible treasures and fantastic prizes. A jersey signed by Albert Pujois, a Jered Weaver Autographed baseball, and even computers, an autographed skateboard from Tony Hawk, and dinners at Disney Land California adventure.

Dinner began before the silent auction ended and people meandered over to their tables where free hats awaited them upon their place settings. Sporting spiffy new headwear everybody took their plates to the delightful buffet combination of salad, garlic bread, pasta with a white sauce, salmon so soft you could cut it with the round part of a spoon, and tender hot chicken.

As the donors and their families ate their fill, conversation rose and fell in waves of laughter and deep discussion as people waited for the live auction. When it began, a variety of items flew by as charitable buyers purchased them. This writer’s favorite item was a bike painted in the Las Angelas Angels color. After a bout of competitive bidding, Tony Herra (Spell checking) was the man to obtain the coveted machine.

With the amazing turn out for Concept 7 and Laurel House it is heartwarming to know how many people care about these charities. It was a fantastic day and we look forward to seeing you again next year.