VALLEY SET TO MARK 4TH WITH A BANG.Byline: Dana Bartholomew Staff Writer For many patriotic San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. residents, today means unfurling Old Glory, hoisting it high, then eagerly awaiting 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. 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 . Before the bang, there's beer, barbecue and one hot holiday without the boss. ``I'm hoping to have the kind of Fourth of July I had when I was a kid - sparklers, some fireworks'' with my family, said Ken Topolsky, 50, of Sherman Oaks on Tuesday. ``I might (even) fly my old plane, an old Stearman biplane biplane, aircraft, typically of early design, having two sets of wings fixed at different levels, especially in a vertical stack with the fuselage included between them. See airplane. .'' Other residents, too, prepared to party. But for Reseda resident Ron Hyle, independence from Britain also meant buying a throne - American style - for his bathroom. ``I'm going to Home Depot,'' said Hyle, 48. ``We'll pick out bathtubs, seats, toilets - then we'll sit by the pool, drink martinis, play with the dogs, then go to CSUN CSUN California State University Northridge (California State University, Northridge CSUN offers a variety of programs leading to bachelor's degrees in 61 fields and master's degrees in 42 fields. The university has over 150,000 alumni. It's also home to a summer musical theater/theater program known as TADW (TeenAge Drama Workshop) that leads teenagers through an ) for the very last fireworks show, ever.'' While the San Fernando Valley in recent years has lost some major fireworks displays, CSUN will celebrate its last fireworks Extravaganza tonight. The cities of Burbank and San Fernando, the Shepherd of the Hills Church in Porter Ranch and CBS (Cell Broadcast Service) See cell broadcast. Studios in Studio City will also host shows. The Los Angeles City Council  The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles, California, United States. gave last-minute approval on Friday for a free family fireworks spectacular at Hansen Dam in Lake View Terrace. Gates will open at noon - with food, carnival rides and games. Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. Around the Valley, Los Angeles firefighters warned residents to snuff illicit fireworks and attend public displays. The California Highway Patrol warned drivers to buckle up, drive sober and restrain children. Hospital emergency rooms throughout Southern California also prepared for Fourth of July-related injuries from fireworks and celebratory gunshots. Most residents, however, prepared for the holiday itself. Like many Americans, Laverne Lucian, 62, of Van Nuys wouldn't miss a Fourth without flying Old Glory. ``I think it's very important that we honor this day. Five hundred thousand cars drove around with Lakers flags, (but) how many people will put out flags on the Fourth of July?'' Jennifer MacDowell, 38, of Tarzana, is one. ``Check this out,'' she said, explaining between cups at the Coffee Junction in Tarzana on Tuesday that she found an old flag after moving into a former neighbor's home. ``I found her flag and unrolled it yesterday - it's an old beautiful flag, I should count the stars. It's up, I flew it ... It's all cool.'' Forget the flag, countered Clare Beaumont, 35, of Van Nuys, who with her telltale British accent will mount her own anti-Independence Day celebration. ``I get everyone hooked on English tea,'' she said, cradling a cup of blended mocha coffee. ``It's subterfuge, it's revenge for the Boston Tea Party Boston Tea Party, 1773. In the contest between British Parliament and the American colonists before the Revolution, Parliament, when repealing the Townshend Acts, had retained the tea tax, partly as a symbol of its right to tax the colonies, partly to aid the .'' John Smoke, 36, a Coffee Junction espresso master, planned to catch an evening fireworks show with his girlfriend. Other residents weren't so sure. ``I don't know, I forgot it was coming,'' said Shelly Ryan, 25, of Sherman Oaks, about how to spend America's loudest national holiday. ``I'll probably figure it out at 6 o'clock.'' |
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