Fireworks

Next week, you'll probably be huddled on blankets at the Starlight Bowl, waiting for our annual viewing of fireworks to begin. It will be a grand affair, a fitting topper to a day of barbecues, star-spangled dinnerware and the occasional nod to the historical significance of July 4, 1776. There will be a few attending Burbank's Fourth of July festivities who will have a slightly different perspective on the revelry. You will likely hear them after the first “dud” firework sending its booming reverberation through the chests of all gathered.

200 block of South First Street A 23-year-old man was arrested April 23 for outstanding warrants for driving with a revoked or suspended license and for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. North Glenoaks Boulevard and East Palm Avenue A 21-year-old man was arrested April 23 on suspicion of being drunk in public. South San Fernando Boulevard and East Alameda Avenue A 52-year-old man was arrested April 23 on suspicion of robbery and for an outstanding warrant for violating parole.

Good morning and happy 4th of July, readers. If you haven't decided where to see fireworks tonight, the Valley has a few prime spots. On Radford Avenue,  the Studio City Chamber of Commerce is hosting their 14th annual Festival of Fireworks . Admission is a little pricey ($20) considering you can't bring in your own beverages. VIP tickets go for $100. It all depends on how much you love America.  Studio City Patch Deeper in the Valley, the Valley Cultural Center is hosting a show at Woodland Hills' Warner Center Park . Live music begins at 6 p.m. and fireworks will shoot off around 9 p.m. L.A. City Councilman Dennis P. Zine, who represents the area, is a main sponsor.  Woodland Hills Patch La Crescenta Elementary School will open their gates at 4 p.m. for their annual show . Tickets are $10 in person.

Ben Godar Some travelers departing from the Burbank-Glendale- Pasadena Airport for the Fourth of July didn't think to leave their fireworks behind, and airport police say the repercussions could be more severe the next time they fly. At least six travelers have been stopped in the past week with some type of fireworks, Security Chief Mike Post said. The fireworks were all confiscated and destroyed, and Post said none of the travelers were issued citations.

Amber Willard BURBANK -- As July 4 approaches, so does fire season and reminders from public safety officials that fireworks are against the law in Burbank. "No fireworks of any kind are approved in the city," Burbank Fire Marshal David Starr said. That includes "safe and sane" fireworks, such as sparklers, sold in other California cities. Fireworks have been banned in Burbank for at least 10 years, officials said. Instead, the city will provide a professional fireworks display at 9 p.m. July 4 at the Starlight Bowl, 1249 Lockheed View Drive.

The party is on — locally, that is. And that is because neither fire danger nor financial woes could douse a belief in celebrating the birth of our nation and the values enshrined in the Constitution. That belief was illustrated this year as a group of local residents took it upon themselves to raise the money needed to keep the La Crescenta Fourth of July fireworks show alive. And it is a belief illustrated by organizers of the annual Burbank fireworks show at the Starlight Bowl, who after finding out the annual show was canceled because of concern that dry conditions could spark a fire, put together a laser show in its place.

BURBANK — A Fourth of July laser lightshow may replace the annual fireworks display at the Starlight Bowl, which was canceled this year due to concerns about fire hazards. The city announced the cancellation of the fireworks show at the end of May after Burbank Fire Department officials determined that vegetation near the bowl was far too dry to conduct a fireworks show safely. Since then, the city's Park, Recreation and Community Services Department has been pursuing possible alternatives to the traditional fireworks finale and was scheduled to meet with a company on Tuesday that puts on laser light shows, department Director Eric Hansen said.

Lolita Harper BURBANK -- On a holiday like the Fourth of July, the popular combination of alcohol and fire too often ignites into trouble. However, the only eventful pyro-activity in Burbank this year was the fantastic fireworks display at the Starlight Bowl, police said. "Alcohol and fire do not go well together, and drunk people using fireworks are just about the worst combination you could have," Burbank Police Capt. Larry Koch said. "Fortunately, we didn't have any significant number of fire- or alcohol-related crimes."

Gary Moskowitz HILLSIDE DISTRICT -- It's all about finding yourself a good seat on the Fourth of July. Those wise enough to set up camp early Wednesday evening in and around Burbank's Starlight Bowl for the 2001 fireworks display were treated to fantastic views from their strategic vantage points. Some sat in the beds of their pickup trucks, and some sat on top of their fathers' shoulders, while others kicked back in folding chairs, their feet propped up on coolers.

Ryan Carter From blankets on the lawn of the Starlight Bowl to folding chairs perched at strategic locales, Burbank was treated to the sounds of big-band and patriotic music, as well as the crackle of a fireworks extravaganza on the Fourth of July. About 5,000 people enjoyed the sounds of The Tonight Show All-Star Band and guest vocalist Gloria Loring at the "Proud to be an American" show. Then the audience and eager residents outside the bowl looked to the sky above the hillside to find a spectacular array of fireworks accompanied by patriotic hymns such as "Stars and Stripes Forever."

It's nice to be back with those of you who read my weekly blog after going on vacation. Last week was the 4 th of July meaning it was time for fireworks. Despite decades of a ban on fireworks in the Burbank and Glendale area, it seems to me (and sounds to me) that more and more people ignore the city's ordinances and buy fireworks in communities where it is legal, then set them off here at home.  Where I live in Burbank I am very fortunate to have a front yard seat to the city's wonderful pyrotechnic display.

Good morning and happy 4th of July, readers. If you haven't decided where to see fireworks tonight, the Valley has a few prime spots. On Radford Avenue,  the Studio City Chamber of Commerce is hosting their 14th annual Festival of Fireworks . Admission is a little pricey ($20) considering you can't bring in your own beverages. VIP tickets go for $100. It all depends on how much you love America.  Studio City Patch Deeper in the Valley, the Valley Cultural Center is hosting a show at Woodland Hills' Warner Center Park . Live music begins at 6 p.m. and fireworks will shoot off around 9 p.m. L.A. City Councilman Dennis P. Zine, who represents the area, is a main sponsor.  Woodland Hills Patch La Crescenta Elementary School will open their gates at 4 p.m. for their annual show . Tickets are $10 in person.

Next week, you'll probably be huddled on blankets at the Starlight Bowl, waiting for our annual viewing of fireworks to begin. It will be a grand affair, a fitting topper to a day of barbecues, star-spangled dinnerware and the occasional nod to the historical significance of July 4, 1776. There will be a few attending Burbank's Fourth of July festivities who will have a slightly different perspective on the revelry. You will likely hear them after the first “dud” firework sending its booming reverberation through the chests of all gathered.

200 block of South First Street A 23-year-old man was arrested April 23 for outstanding warrants for driving with a revoked or suspended license and for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. North Glenoaks Boulevard and East Palm Avenue A 21-year-old man was arrested April 23 on suspicion of being drunk in public. South San Fernando Boulevard and East Alameda Avenue A 52-year-old man was arrested April 23 on suspicion of robbery and for an outstanding warrant for violating parole.

BURBANK — Thousands crammed into the Starlight Bowl for a set of Fourth of July performances and a fireworks spectacular Saturday funded by the city, even as it has struggled to cut costs during the recession. Children danced between picnic baskets and lawn chairs in the hill above the sold-out venue, while grown-ups sipped wine and took in the sounds of the Burbank Philharmonic. As the three-hour event came to a close, the bowl’s lights were shut off and the crowd of more than 4,000 turned their gazes — and cameras — skyward for a $25,000 pyrotechnics show.

BURBANK — Thousands crammed into the Starlight Bowl for a set of Fourth of July performances and a fireworks spectacular Saturday funded by the city, even as it has struggled to cut costs during the recession. Children danced between picnic baskets and lawn chairs in the hill above the sold out venue, while grown-ups sipped wine and took in the sounds of the Burbank Philharmonic. As the three-hour event came to a close, the bowl’s lights were shut off and the crowd of more than 4,000 turned their gazes — and cameras — skyward for a $25,000 pyrotechnics show.

Burbank’s drive-in movie- themed float didn’t pull out a win at Thursday’s 120th Tournament of Roses Parade, but the loss hasn’t discouraged organizers from planning next year’s float. This year’s “3-D Double Feature” float was designed to look like a drive-in movie theater and was the city’s first float to include pyrotechnics. But the fireworks were not the only firsts for the city’s float — the float also emitted a popcorn scent.

Revelers enjoyed patriotic music and lights during the show “A Star Spangled Salute to America” on Fourth of July at the Starlight Bowl in Burbank. Families and friends on Friday socialized down the length of the amphitheater, sprawled out on blankets in the grass, huddled around picnic dinners in box seats and danced in front of the stage to 1950s Doo-wop music. Concerts at the Starlight Bowl have a special hometown feel for Burbank resident Pat Aldrich. “Everyone is always in such a good, sweet mood,” Aldrich said.