FAIR GAME:

After a week and a half in Ireland, I can tell you it is nice to be home.

Don’t get me wrong. Ireland is beautiful. The pubs were fun. The countryside was beautiful. And sure, I’d happily go back.

But playing golf in 50- to 70-mph winds in the hail on Ballybunion Old is not my idea of fun.

In fact, I don’t care what the weather is like this Memorial Day weekend when I head out to Costa Mesa Golf and Country Club — it’ll be just fine for me, thank you.

You see, last week, I shivered in places I never knew I had.

But among the things I also take for granted are the events that happen locally that I miss out on while I’m gone.

Take Paul Salata, for example.

Everyone assumes that Salata is usually busy this time of year with Irrelevant Week.

You know, it’s the time of year that Newport Beach embraces the last pick of the NFL draft and throws a weeklong party in his honor.

This year the celebration will center on Ramzee Robinson, a defensive back from Alabama selected No. 255 by the Detroit Lions.

In spite of what you might think, Salata is not busy with Irrelevant Week. His daughter, Melanie Salata Fitch, is.

You see, Paul Salata is busy with his horse racing stable.

OK, so maybe one horse does not a stable make. But the fact is, On The Acorn — a gelding partially owned by Salata — last week won the $250,000 Jim Murray Handicap at Hollywood Park.

That word, “gelding,” would make me run fast too.

Anyway, mark your calendars for the Irrelevant Week welcome party on June 18 at the Newport Dunes.

You can contact the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce for more information.

Speaking of calendars, July 14 marks the Bub-A-Que 2007.

What’s a Bub-A-Que, you ask?

It’s the third annual event to honor Brian “Bubba” Kapko, an Estancia High School graduate who was tragically killed in a car wreck in 2005.

The event will take place in the parking lot at Angel Stadium and then include the Angels-versus-Texas game following at 6:05 p.m.

It’s a chance for Bubba’s family and friends to gather, remember and reminisce.

An early-bird donation of $35 is being requested. That includes a ticket to the game, a Bub-A-Que T-shirt and, of course, food before the game.

All proceeds go the Brian Kapko Foundation, which already has benefited three Estancia students with college scholarships.

For more information, e-mail [email protected].

And finally, don’t forget the fourth annual Food and Wine Festival beginning tonight at the Balboa Bay Club.

As the name says, it’s great food and wine all weekend long.

Other than that, stay safe, and enjoy the long weekend. And if I never see rain again, that will be just fine.