YourHub.com \\ Simi Valley \\ Blogs \\ News & Politics

Blog Entry 61 of 69 If you think it's news, it is.

Notes, observations, commentary, news and photos from our communities. I'm the general manager for the YourHub.com operation, the citizen journalism site for the Ventura County Star. And I'm glad you are here, too. My wife Joanna and I live in Simi Valley with our two sons, Matt and Joey. We've been in Ventura County for more than two decades and feel privileged to be here. Please comment on this blog and post your news and musings, too. See you around the county!

Blog Url: http://vc.yourhub.com/~HoffmanBlog

Entries:

Emily Lane hosts eighth annual block party

e-mail to a friend | print this | link to this

NEXT › ‹ PREVIOUS

Contributed by: Michael Hoffman on 7/27/2007

The adults knew that the Emily Lane block party was real when the band fired up a couple hours before sunset Saturday, July 21. The five musicians and singers stood under two pop-up shade structures. Beneath their feet was a makeshift plywood stage cobbled together that morning.

For the children, however, the block party started much earlier. About 1 p.m., as soon as the inflatable water slide was plugged in and the water turned on, the party was on for them.

The greater Emily Lane neighbors in Simi Valley hosted their eighth annual block party over the weekend. About 100 family members and friends attended for food, music, games and conversation.

This year's chairperson was Delana Turner, who led the group's organization and party's execution.

Hillary Stolla and Gail Garcia led the children in an arts and crafts session. The kids threaded beads on safety pins to make intricate designs.

Working the barbecues were neighbors Anthony Padilla and John Turner. The evening's grill fare included hamburgers, hot dogs, teriakii chicken and turkey and vegie burgers. Side dishes ranged from exotic salads to legendary potatoes to fresh corn on the cob.

Mary Padilla organized the children in games ranging from tug-of-war to water balloon toss. Richard Dunbar helped monitor the bean bag toss. The Hoffman family pulled its foosball table out of the garage and dusted it off for use.

Ritu Bal applied henia tattoos to all comers.

Rick Seegull brought in a public address system that provided music before the band started.

Even former neighbors Tim and Cory Schaeffer returned, bringing with them daughter Sally, who had recently returned from Texas. Cory and Joanna Hoffman launched the block party eight years ago.

Behind the scenes work was done by treasurer Ken Ward, who kept the party's accounts, and Ryan Turner, Matt and Joey Hoffman and Vardaan Bal, who helped clear the cul-de-sac of its fallen pine needles early Saturday morning.

One of the party highlights occurred early in the evening when firefighters from Station 46 arrived in a truck. Led by Capt. Kevin Kissane, the crew aimed the truck's hose into the sky and showered the children at the end of the street with a quick spray.

The music food and dancing continued until 10 p.m.
The party didn't end on Saturday, though. Although everyone went home that evening, the gathering reconvened Sunday with a low-key, late-afternoon leftovers barbecue in the Padilla's driveway.

Only after that were the last tables folded up and the lingering patio chairs returned to their respective backyards. There they will await next year's festivities.

< Previous: 'Disabled housing opens...' | Next: 'Fair transforms Seasid...' >

[Report this as objectionable content.]

SUBMIT COMMENT

Rate the above blog