Sunday, August 9, 2009

District 3 Block Party 2009

I got to the District 3 Block Party as things were winding down. That might have been a good thing. Had I gotten there much earlier, City Councilmember Chris Holden and his son Nick might have been too busy to pose for me.
Holden is mostly but not entirely responsible for the annual party. Above, you see his Field Representative Jackie McIntyre (standing, in the black dress). She had a lot to do with putting the party together. I got to meet her but she'll never remember. I think she was pretty well exhausted by that time.
If I'd gotten there earlier I'd have heard the band. Everyone said they were fantastic. There was even a carnival ride and a huge water slide. I know this is so because I saw the crews packing them up. They'd packed up the food, too. The ice cream man showed up just in time.
Remember Celeste? She's going to be sporting some new teeth soon. That's her brother Cesar behind her. Everybody got a free prize. (I had Cooties when I was a kid. No, I didn't have cooties. It's important to make the distinction.)

I'm not much involved in local politics. Yes, I have opinions. I vote. But I don't visit the local political blogs and I don't go to city council meetings. However, I know this much: I live in District 3 where Chris Holden is not only my City Councilmember but my neighbor. And I can't imagine leaving.

16 comments:

eamon@ewmphotography said...

He looks like a good man, Lois. And that's just the kind of party I would enjoy. Nothing better than relaxed community gatherings.

Shell Sherree said...

These block parties look like a lovely way to bond a community together. I'm glad you explained the difference between Cooties and cooties, Petrea. We don't call the buggy things 'cooties' here. I think our equivalents are nits, but typically localised in the hair. And no, we don't have a cute board game called Nits. {Aieeee.} On that note, I bid you Goodnight. :)

Virginia said...

Well that is a terrific idea to bring neighbors together. That's what being part of a community is all about. I want to play Cooties again!!!
V

Petrea Burchard said...

Eamon, you might have me mixed up with Lois Lane. I don't know if my Councilmember is Superman. I haven't agreed with him on every issue, but that would be weird. I think he's a good guy.

I wonder if that's where "nitwit" comes from, Shell? The word's in use here, too.

It's a huge party every year, V, and I can walk to it, which makes it a big plus.

eamon@ewmphotography said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
eamon@ewmphotography said...

Sorry Petrea, not sure how that happened. Think I was flitting between blogs and... well, you know.

And btw, isn't it funny how the words we say are tailored to the interlocutor? I would have said something completely different if I'd known I were talking to you!

p.s. previous post removed because I made another boo-boo. Reading too fast and typing too quickly. That's my problem Lois. ;)

Susan C said...

I'm trying to figure out what those green things in the bags are.

Desiree said...

yay, great fun!

Almost Precious said...

I'm sure the ice cream vendor was very popular that day. Also couldn't help but notice the lovely craftsmen house in the photo background. Lovely architecture. But then guess I've always been partial to such styles as the Arts & Crafts, Prairie, Mission and of course Craftsmen.

Jean Spitzer said...

Thanks for the instructive Cooties-cooties links. I was familiar with the lowercase usage; never heard of the uppercase.

I, too, am curious about the ziplocked green objects.

Petrea Burchard said...

Little green footballs. I think they had a logo on them but I'm not sure. Everyone got one but I didn't take one because Boz doesn't play with balls very much.

Almost Precious: you probably know (but I'll say it anyway), Pasadena is known for its Craftsman architecture as well as the other styles you mention. There are several excellent examples in District 3. The annual party is held on one of the prettier blocks in the district, although there are many lovely spots. The house in the photo was a diamond in the rough when we moved into the neighborhood. It's been fixed up beautifully by its new owners.

Cafe Observer said...

Eaman mite - or mite not - have u mixed up with Lois Lane.

What did you do with Celeste's bike?!

Phoebe said...

I play with balls.

Petrea Burchard said...

Oh, Phoebe! I knew that. I'm sorry, I should have thought to bring you a little football.

But why are you wasting time playing with balls? You can type! What a good girl. You deserve a milk bone.

I suppose I shouldn't think it's so remarkable, with Cafe typing away all the time. I haven't done anything with Celeste's bike, Cafe, except envy it.

Petrea Burchard said...

Wait. That didn't come out right.

I envy Celeste the bike. See, this is why grammar's so important.

Anonymous said...

What a fun way to gather everyone together and just talk. Making a difference requires knowing and understanding others. How else can you make informed decisions? - I'm glad that you got the opportunity to meet your council member. Now you will know who to accost when you have a compliant. LOL!