GOLF:

The last time Tiger Woods was in Corona del Mar it was to prepare for one of the most exciting moments on a golf course. His return to his part-time residence this time will no doubt prove another thrill, but this time it will be off the golf course.

In June, Woods was prepping for the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego. He was at home the week before, working out at a local gym to ready himself for the nation’s championship.

He won the tournament in a playoff over Rocco Mediate, playing with torn knee ligaments and fractures in the same leg. It was one of the most captivating major championships in the history of the sport.

Woods then took the rest of the year off, had knee surgery and has been rehabbing in his Orlando-area home.

But just because Woods hasn’t been playing golf since the middle of June, doesn’t mean Woods hasn’t been keeping himself busy.

Woods has been able to focus on some of the other aspects of his life, including his annual Block Party, which is scheduled for this weekend.

The Block Party is one of many events Woods runs for his charity, The Tiger Woods Foundation. Proceeds from this event benefit The Tiger Woods Learning Center in Anaheim.

The Block Party is a one-day event that mixes golf and a concert, as well as food from a celebrity chef. Last year Woods had noted chef, Giada DeLaurentiis cook for the concert goers and this year, celebrity chef, Mario Batali will be featuring Allen Brothers to provide the beef for the main course.

“The Block Party has been a huge success for us and is our way of thanking the local community for supporting the Learning Center,” Woods wrote in a recent newsletter. “So far, the event has raised about $3 million for the Center’s career exploration programs.

Before the crowd arrives at the Grove in Anaheim, they will be at a local golf course playing in a pro-am. Woods, along with Fred Couples will be providing a clinic to the pro-am participants before the event.

Last year, Woods, Couples and Corona del Mar neighbor John Cook, provided the members and pro-am participants at Mesa Verde Country Club to a clinic where the trio demonstrated all types of shots and then signed autographs.

Woods won’t be swinging a club this weekend though, he is on strict doctor’s orders to not play any golf until at least January.

“The healing process for an ACL is six months, and you have to, no matter how much you try and do, you really can’t speed up that process,” Woods said. “That puts me into January. And unfortunately, I can’t rotate; I can’t practice on that leg until then. That’s just a natural healing process of any ACL.”

The time has given Woods an opportunity to spend more time with his newborn daughter, Sam. He and Elin are expecting their second child in the winter.

“It’s been so cool to see her grow and develop and learn certain words and certain things,” Woods said. “It’s been just an absolute blast. To have her in my life has been the greatest thing ever.”

Woods has always had an affinity for children. His parents both instilled a concept of caring and sharing and he has been fortunate enough to be able to spread that philosophy to millions of children all over the world.

“You know, I keep telling everyone; we are just getting started,” Woods said. “Now we are entering into the phase that I’m excited about and growing internationally. I’m excited about us going into Thailand where my mom is from; we are working on that right now, and then hopefully future countries along the way. But we still have a lot to do here in America, and I’m never going to lose sight of that.”

Part of that will be this weekend with the Block Party, a party that hopefully never ends.