Fireworks

Ryan Carter Fire officials, volunteers and organizers are gearing up for the one day of the year when patriotism is displayed in the sky. Two major events will be the cornerstones of this year's Fourth of July ceremonies in Burbank and Glendale. In Burbank, the Starlight Bowl's "Star Spangled Salute to the Fourth of July" will begin at 6:30 p.m. with fireworks at 9 p.m. at the bowl, 1249 Lockheed View Drive. In Glendale, the festivities begin at 4 p.m. at Crescenta Valley High School, 4400 Ramsdell Ave., with the fireworks starting shortly after 9 p.m. The Burbank event will include the Bill Elliot Swing Orchestra, the Alley Cats and the Jokesters leading up to the fireworks display.

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."

Sang Lee BURROUGHS HIGH -- Who said life doesn't have any happy endings? Struggling through a trying baseball season, Burroughs High's forgotten hero, Tim Murphy, came out of hibernation Tuesday to hit the game-winning home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to help defeat Hart, 4-1, in a Foothill League game at Burroughs High. Having struggled through the worst season of his baseball career, last year's Burbank Leader All-Area Player of the Year is hitting below .200 in league.

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.

Karen S. Kim BURBANK -- Fireworks. They're bright, they're colorful, they're traditional, but boy, are they loud to the sensitive ears of dogs and cats. In fact, the noise of fireworks is frightening enough to send pets leaping over backyard fences, breaking through wooden gates or crashing through glass windows or screens, according to local animal experts. And if residents don't want to spend July 5 frantically searching animal shelters for their runaway pets, they need to take precautions.

Edward Headington With the patriotic fervor generated by Mel Gibson's Benjamin Martin in "The Patriot" still fresh in memory, I witnessed one of the most spectacular fireworks shows in my lifetime. Nestled in our nation's capitol, with the Washington Monument serving as the backdrop and American folk songs heard in the distance, I took silent inventory of the many blessings we share as a people. To be sure, the fireworks shows of old at the Starlight Bowl and Burroughs High School have their nostalgic import.

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.