We went to the South Bay last year. It seems to me we ought to go either North or South to spread things out a bit and make it convenient for other members this year. Any suggestions?

 

My first thought was Vail, short cruise thru the mountains and a little white stuff for the holiday spirit.

I do have a idea, you OC people can let me know what you think.
The Orange county mining company sits on a hill overlooking all of western Orange county, on a clear night Disneyland and Anaheim stadium are visable. Not sure of their group arrangements but if you are interested I can check.

 

OCMC is really nice but also really expensive.

And what about us who dont celebrate Xmas? We'll just call it the Winter Dinner Party.

 

Does that mean we should count you out of the gift exchange?

We had a lot of fun with this last year. We will need to set the price limit. I think we said $20 last time.

 

OCMC

 

I was thinking about having it at hotel this year (hear me out). We could reserve a small banquet room at a location central to everyone. We would select the entrée’s beforehand of course as well as beverages to be served. Here’s a little insight into my reasoning. The larger the facility, the larger the capacity. I would like to get as many people involved as possible this year. You guys are right we had an absolute blast last year and I would like more people to join in this year and enjoy the experience. Buffets are very cost-effective period. Over the course of the next couple of months I propose we lock down a date, reservation, and per person cost. This will give everyone plenty of time to come up with the money. Surely $15-$25 per person is better than a $35-45 plate at a decent restaurant. Hell my bar tab at the last party was well into the low hundreds. There are a precious few of us that don’t have a problem spending an obscene amount on an evening out. But for those who cringe at the thought of a triple digit evening, this is a very cost effective alternative. Your comments please…

 

Sounds good to me Mike. We did have a problem last year trying to get a table. Fortunately we lucked out an got that upstairs area to ourselves.

This could be a really nice event. I'd even like to see it be a semi-formal type deal - i.e. everyone dresses up. No casual attire. More or less dress as if you were going to a nice night club.

 

My point exactly! As far as the night club thing goes I think we need to be careful with Madmax. I believe the lifestyle ‘clubs’ he tends to frequent require a more revealing ensemble. I don’t necessarily mind, however I wouldn’t know where to pick up the studded high heel boots, choke chain, or body glitter…

 

How the hell did I get involved in this?

 

Hey buddy I’m not insulting your lifestyle, just showing a little appreciation for the time and effort you put into your wardrobe. Its not going unnoticed.

 

Having managed hotel restaurants and catering functions in a former life for several years, if you can find ANY hotel (no, not Travelodge) in southern california that will give you a banquet room and provide a decent banquet for under $35 a person, I'll be the first one at the bar buying you a drink!

 

That will be a martini - Bombay Saphire straight up two olives…

 

I have to agree with Lon, especially around xmas these places book up fast and they want $50/person.

As for Kevin, he gets two lumps of coal.

Oh, and I don't like stealing gifts, the last guy always gets the best gift, I will be heeled so don't even think of taking whatever I pick.

Hotels usually don't have as good of dinners as restaurants.

For buffet there is always Home Town Buffet.

The local prof org I belong to has it's meetings at TJ Schmids across from the pond. I know the monthly dinner meetings are $25 and the org doesn't make a dime off the food. They have a xmas party there also. doesn't have the view of OCMC but "might" be cheaper.

I was just at the OCMC and three with prime rib - no alcohol but with tip was about $80. 25 each.

 

Ah, yes... a man with impeccable taste! I happen to be enjoying a Sapphire Tonic as I speak.

 

How about we go to the Barona Casino or one of those other new San Diego Casinos? How many under 21's do we have?

I'm just sick of the commercialism of Xmas, that's all.

 

Im bummed i wont be around for this one

 

How about we go to the Barona Casino or one of those other new San Diego Casinos?

Kevin- I think the idea is for us to sit around and enjoy each others company and have some food and drinks at the same time.
At a Casino that can't happen.

 

and...

...if you're sick of the commercialism at Christmas time, then a casino is the last place you'd want to be.

I think we need to give Mike a chance to make some contacts and then update us. He's pretty good at organizing events.

 

uh....sitting around with a bunch of gearheads dressed in formal attire looking like stuffed shirts ain't where I would want to be either

 

A few drinks and every one will look the same.. Spice it up with a Dj or Band.. It would be fun..

 

Absolutely not. A casino isnt trying to push crap down our throats to buy for friends and family we hardly know and wouldnt buy anything for anyway except because of the holiday. A casino is a relaxed atmostphere with lots of fun-loving people trying to have a good time and win some money. I just spent the last two weekends in Las Vegas. Casinos are fun!

 

Actually, a casino is a smoke filled atmosphere where they take your money and you get nothing in return. They also hope to get you liquored up enough that you won't notice how much money you've lost.

 

Only the Nevada ones. But I've never been in a CA casino. Are they smoke-free like the rest of the businesses or do the Native Americans allow smoking on their land? And I dont gamble if I'm losing money.

 

They don't allow smoking at the Chumash casino here in Santa Ynez.

I don't like risking hard earned money.

I figure racing is risky enough for me these days.

 

I have been to casinos in Calif and Nev.
You can have them all.
I do not need to put up with the condensending attitudes of low paid casino employees while they advertise they will keep 97 cents out of every dollar I put on the table.
I would rather spend the money on food, drink, and a gift for a friend then throw it away on a green felt table.

 

Another note
I don't believe the xmas dinner, as with other club gatherings, is a manditory event. You can come or not, it is your choice.

 

Are we welcomed to attend?

 

sure, but you have to show us your 12-second timeslip at LACR first

 

sure, but you have to show us your 12-second timeslip at LACR first

Since james hasn't done a 12 in his car and his hired gun Mike has only done it in james' car I guess neither one will be there.

 

I have many 12 second time slips from LACR.

 

when I change my name to 12secZ28 I'll scan the timeslip to show you and everybody else





need for mike to stop breaking my glass clutches.....

 

Hey man, you know what they say about big hands and big feet... somethings got to give.

 

...sounds like everything is big except for where it counts...

 

HEY! I may not hit the bottom, but I give the sides hell

 

How about Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant? They're certainly big enough to handle our group if we give them enough notice.

 

Knotts sounds good to me, and the price is reasonable for some of the guys who need to pinch pennys. The only question I have is, do we want to do the dinner in the L. A. area, or would members prefer us to go North or South farther? If the only ones interrested in coming are L.A./Orange County folks, then Knotts would be fine.

 

Knotts is GREAT
And they can handle large groups,
but EVERYBODY waits in line.
No reservations so plan on a 1-2 hour wait.

 

I just celebrated September birthdays (including mine) with my family at Mrs. Knotts Chicken Dinner Restaurant today (my choice of venue). We waited a little over one hour, not because they didn't have a table ready, but because two of the parties couldn't show up on time. They actually had the table set up and waiting until our entire party arrived. We were seated at 2:15. By 3:00 there was quite a long line to wait. There were 11 in our party, which wasn't enough to get a reservaton. The food is good, service was great and they can easily accomodate our needs I'm sure. 3 hour free parking. The only downside that may dissapoint some of you, I don't recall seeing any alcohol on the menue (it doesn't matter to me). But at $12.95 for dinner it is reasonable.

Lon