Back when I was a young kid growing up in sixties era Redwood City, the Fourth of July was a big deal because I loved fireworks.
As the day approached, I'd gaze at the colorful newspaper ads and brochures, and consider which of the different assortment packs my brothers and I would wheedle and plead our father into buying.
The fireworks sold from stands in parking lots back then all came from the Red Devil fireworks company.
A favorite was the Piccolo Pete, a thin cardboard tube with a portruding fuse and a little plastic stand that was placed upright on the ground. I'd light the fuse and then run back a few yards and a bright vertical geyser of sparks would erupt with a loud piercing whistling noise.
Another favorite was pinwheels, round cardboard discs with a little rocket on the outer edge. Our father would nail one to a telephone pole and light the fuse and the wheel would spin furiously, propelled by the sparks from the blazing rocket in a flaming circle.
Like many industries, the fireworks business has consolidated and Red Devil was acquired by TNT Fireworks in 1989. TNT has come a long way since it began in 1920 when Clyde Anderson started selling fireworks from his newsstand in Florence, Alabama.
My perspective on fireworks, though, has been altered over the years by being a land owner and a pet owner.
The booms, bangs and whisling shrieks are distressing to many pets, and the houses and acres ignited by celebratory revelers keep fire departments across the state busy for days and days.
This Fourth of July marks the 248th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and we at California Local wish you (and your pets!) a safe and sane holiday.
Fire Season is Mosquito Season is West Nile Season
More than an itch-inducing nuisance, the mosquito is the world's deadliest animal.
Mosquito season is already underway after a wet winter and spring, and testing has confirmed West Nile virus present in Sacramento, Yolo and San Joaquin Counties.
Learn more about West Nile and the efforts to control mosquito populations in the articles below.
• California Adds Reparations Funds to Budget
California advanced reparations efforts with an initial $12 million in funding included in the 2024-2025 state budget.
(07/01/2024) → CapPublicRadio
• A Guide to Protecting Yourself from Mosquitos (and West Nile Virus)
It's mosquito season, and West Nile virus has been detected in Yolo, Sacramento and San Joaquin Counties. CapRadio presents a guide to staying safe.
(06/28/2024) → CapPublicRadio
• Civil Grand Jury Faults County Supervisor Raises
The Sacramento County Civil Grand Jury released a report finding math errors and a lack of transparency in the process of Sacramento County Supervisors granting themselves raises.
(06/28/2024) → The Sacramento Bee
• Update on Citrus Heights Road Upgrades
An update on road repairs, restriping and resurfacing and safety improvements in Citrus Heights.
(06/27/2024) → Citrus Heights Sentinel
• Funding Secured for Bike Trail Extension
$564,864 in funds was secured by the Sacramento County Department of Transportation for a feasibility study for extending the Northern Bike Trail.
(06/27/2024) → Rio Linda Messenger
• North Highlands Apartments Approved
The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors approved the 172-unit three-story New Green Apartments project development to be built on a 6.1-acre site at Watt Avenue and Larchmont Drive.
(06/27/2024) → Rio Linda Messenger
• Profile of Mobile Shower Program
A profile of the Showers by Touchstone mobile shower program and its founder, Mark Lytal.
(06/27/2024) → CapPublicRadio
• Yolo Mosquitos Test Positive for West Nile
On June 26, the Yolo County Mosquito Vector Control District reported mosquitos sampled from Dunnigan tested positive for the West Nile virus.
(06/27/2024) → The Sacramento Bee
• Sacramento Area Free Food Locations
The Sacramento Observer list of free food locations in Sacramento County.
(06/26/2024) → The Sacramento Observer
• Citrus Heights Mayor Moving to Kentucky
Bret Daniels, longtime resident and current Citrus Heights Mayor, announced his plans to move to Kentucky seeking to leave behind overbearing government for an environment more supportive of parents rights.
(06/25/2024) → Citrus Heights Sentinel