CLUB A HAVEN FROM BOREDOM.Byline: Annette Burget Bailey Daily News Staff Writer With activities ranging from video games See video game console. , basketball, pingpong, billiards billiards, any one of a number of games played with a tapered, leather-tipped stick called a cue and various numbers of balls on a rectangular, cloth-covered slate table with raised and cushioned edges. and even yo-yo tricks, Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. youngsters are filling in the days of winter break at the Boys & Girls Club. Tuesday morning, there was no evidence of winter boredom as more than 110 youngsters laughed, talked and participated in some of 70 recreational activities planned for a busy 11-hour day at the center. ``We're not a licensed day care center, we're here to give kids something to do - and get them off the street,'' said Shannon Prusa, activities coordinator. For more than 28 years, the Boys & Girls Club of Simi Valley has been offering activities for youngsters 7-18, after school and during winter and summer breaks. Finding something to do was easy for 18-year-old Niamah Adams, on winter break from UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX ; she's spending the next three weeks helping the staff. ``I've been working at the center since I was 14, during summer and winter breaks, and working with kids really appeals to me,'' said Adams. Adams said the center provides a varied program selection for all ages, backgrounds and interests. Joey Leon, 11, and his pal Lee Torres, 13, have something in common - their love of wide-screen TV, video games and billiards. ``I've been coming here since last year, and I love playing pool, and hanging out with the guys,'' Leon said. Sitting a few feet from the TV, with eyes glued to the screen, Torres agreed. ``It's great - and I've made some new friends too,'' he said. A group of preteen pre·teen adj. 1. Relating to or designed for children especially between the ages of 10 and 12. 2. Being a child especially between the ages of 10 and 12; preadolescent. n. A preteen boy or girl. girls seemed disinterested in video games and TV, they preferred listening to their favorite music and practicing the latest dance moves. Marcia Wison, 10, has been coming to the center for close to four years, and enthusiastically shared her love of music and dance. ``I love dancing, cheerleading The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please [ improve this article] or discuss the issue on the talk page. , and performing in talent shows - I've even won a few,'' she said. After several hours of play, the youngsters can work up quite an appetite - which is where Brenda Cohen cohen or kohen (Hebrew: “priest”) Jewish priest descended from Zadok (a descendant of Aaron), priest at the First Temple of Jerusalem. The biblical priesthood was hereditary and male. comes in. She's the manager of the center's general store and serves them balanced meals, but is quick to point out that junk food junk food n. Any of various prepackaged snack foods high in calories but low in nutritional value. junk food and soda remain the overall favorite. Nick Simpson, 10, and Cory Harris, 11, weren't interested in either video games or junk food. Instead, they took advantage of the springlike weather and went outside to practice with their new yo-yos, trying hard to outdo each other with new tricks they learned during winter break. ``I've been yo-yoing for two years, and I love it! Rock the Cradle is my specialty,'' said Simpson. Not to be outdone out·do tr.v. out·did , out·done , out·do·ing, out·does To do more or better than in performance or action. See Synonyms at excel. , Harris attempted the Bow Tie maneuver, saying, ``They're fun 'cause you can do all sorts of fun things with them, but after a while, I'll go inside and find something else fun to do.'' CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO Nick Simpson, 10, Rocks the Cradle to stave off winter break idleness at the Boys & Girls Club. Gus Ruelas/Daily News |
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