PARTIES PROVE NEIGHBORLY : SIMI BLOCKS CLOSED FOR FOOD, FUN.Byline: Michael Coit Daily News Staff Writer Water balloon A water balloon, or water bomb is a simple small latex rubber balloon filled with water. The user may then throw the water filled balloon at a desired target. They are commonly used by children in carrying out practical jokes or water balloon fights. fights that cooled off the Fourth of July Fourth of July, Independence Day, or July Fourth, U.S. holiday, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Celebration of it began during the American Revolution. backyard barbecue crew at one Pullman Pullman. 1 Former town, since 1889 part of Chicago, Ill. It was founded in 1880 by George M. Pullman as a model community for workers of his sleeping-car company; all property was company owned, and administration policies were paternalistic. Avenue home evolved into an annual block party that packed the avenue again Thursday. The seventh annual block party featured two appetizer courses, a barbecue with contributions from all 15 homes, volleyball - and ample water fights to beat the hot summer weather. ``This neighborhood has always been pretty tight. Everybody knows everybody,'' said Joe Cloutier. Neighbors on North Grafton Street came together for a fifth Independence Day block party. Only the Northridge Earthquake The Northridge earthquake occurred on January 17, 1994 at 4:31 AM Pacific Standard Time in the city of Los Angeles, California. The earthquake had a "strong" moment magnitude of 6. in 1994 could keep the families from gathering for fun and food. ``It just started with a group of us getting together for a party,'' organizer Cindy Anderson recalled. ``I got the permit and we pulled it together.'' For a $60 fee, any group of 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. homeowners can obtain a permit to block a street between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. More than a half-dozen block parties were held in the city Thursday. Most start cooking with games in the early afternoon, and guests boost crowds past 100 or more as the dinner hour approaches. The Pullman Avenue block party was born in the back yard of David Johnson's home. Brother Chris Johnson Chris Johnson may refer to: In sports:
``I'm just the catalyst. I'm the troublemaker,'' Chris Johnson recalled. What began as a 45-minute battle featuring more than 5,000 water balloons has become an all-day war with sophisticated water guns and rubber tube shooters. ``Rule No. 1: If you're outside of a garage, you're fair game and you will get wet,'' said Rich Williford, a party regular. The block party is truly a potluck affair. Each home brings an appetizer for the noon and 2 p.m. munchies munchies Substance abuse A popular term for the craving for salt-rich and/or high-carbohydrate 'junk food,' associated with use of marijuna, amphetamines, and other recreational drugs. See Junk food. . Neighbors pool money for a hamburger and hot dog barbecue, which runs from 6 p.m. until the fireworks fireworks: see pyrotechnics. fireworks Explosives or combustibles used for display. Of ancient Chinese origin, fireworks evidently developed out of military rockets and explosive missiles and accompanied the spread of military explosives westward to show at nearby Simi Valley High School Simi Valley High School is a secondary school located in Simi Valley, California which was established in 1920 as the first high school in the valley. It nestles in the Santa Susana Mountains and is adjacent to the San Fernando Valley, part of the city and county of Ventura. . The North Grafton Street block party was started by the second generation of homeowners on one of Simi Valley's older blocks. The first event drew about 75 and this year's event was expected to bring in more than 250. ``Every year gets bigger, bigger and bigger,'' said Linwood Small, who moved with his family onto the block three years ago. For the second consecutive year, the neighbors rented a large barbecue on wheels to cook grub for all. ``Everybody knows to bring a dish for 20 or more people,'' Anderson noted. With basketball, volleyball and a live band complementing the massive amount of food, there was something for all of the families. ``We always look forward to it,'' Small said. ``It's like going camping. Everybody pools their resources together and you just relax and have fun.'' CAPTION(S): 2 Photos Photo: (1--Color) The annual Fourth of July block partyon Pullman Avenue included a heated game of volleyball among residents. (2--Color) Jeff Hoang, 12, dishes it out and takes it during a water fight at the Pullman Avenue block party. More than a half-dozen block parties were held in the city Thursday. Andy Holzman/Special to the Daily News |
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