By Doug Porter
There are 14 (15 if you count SeaWorld’s nightly show) fireworks displays on the 4th of July, plus a couple of others earlier in the weekend.
Despite the fact that fireworks of just about every kind are illegal in America’s Finest City, I can just about guarantee the knuckleheads down the street will have their own show planned.
No matter where you go, parking will be a bother as will be the traffic after the event. It’s all part of the thrill…
Please remember your pets! All that boom and bang stuff freaks them out. (Unless you’re my cat who sleeps through it) Make sure you have them in a safe space. ASPCA Safety tips for pets can be found here.
(Scroll down for non-independence day events.)
FIREWORKS
Saturday, July 2
San Ysidro: 8:45 p.m.
Sunday, July 3
Oceanside: El Corazon Park on Rancho Del Oro Road, 9pm
Monday, July 4th
Ocean Beach: OB Pier, 9pm (No marshmallow fights, please) .
La Jolla Cove: Ellen Browning Scripps Park, 9pm
Del Mar Fairgrounds: 9pm.
Legoland: 8:30pm
San Marcos: Bradley Park, 9pm.
Escondido: Grape Day Park, 9pm
Poway: Poway High School, 9pm
El Cajon: Kennedy Park, 9pm
Santee: Town Center Community Park, 9pm
National City: National City carnival, 9pm
Chula Vista: U.S. Olympic Training Center, 9pm, $10 per car admission.
Imperial Beach: Imperial Beach Pier, 9pm.
Big Bay Boom: Simultaneous fireworks from barges off Shelter Island, Harbor Island, Embarcadero North, Seaport Village, Embarcadero South Marina Park and Coronado Ferry Landing, 9pm
Be Safe!
Weekly Progressive Calendar: Upcoming in San Diego
4 Corners of LIFE 3rd Annual Community Celebration
Saturday, July 2, 1-6pm
Imperial & Euclid Aves, San Diego
Info and Updates
Join us in the celebration of our community for the 3rd year in a row! This celebration at the 4 Corners of LIFE is a day to celebrate each other, the lives that reside, all of the positivity that IS happening in South East San Diego, recognizing the work that is to be done and just having a great family day surrounded by beautiful community members.
Socialist Party! San Diego
Saturday, July 2, 7pm
Redwing Bar & Grill
4012 30th Street
Info & Updates
Socialist Party! San Diego: Solidarity, Unity, & Alcohol.
Calling all members of the San Diego/Tijuana left. Please join together for a monthly social gathering at the Redwing in North Park.
Sober Comrades welcome and encouraged.
Street parking in this neighborhood is very limited… before you give up, consider using the garage at 3830 29th Street. Do not drink and drive. Age 21+ only. Find us on the outdoor patio in the far back of the establishment.
Protest Sea World San Diego – July 4th Freedom for All
July 4, 10am-1pm
Sea World
Info & Updates
Holiday protest! Why? Because nothing has changed for any of the animals at Sea World. We must continue to be a presence there for all the animals, especially on the holiday. The animals NEVER get a day off. Sea World is opened 365 days a year. They pollute the water and the animals with fireworks that clearly is a violation of the EPA and yet they obtained a special permit from the City of San Diego.
Please bring homemade signs that are only pertinent to this event.
Please leave companion animals home
Black/white attire or red, white and blue
No plastic bottles/ Wear sunscreen/Empty thy bladder before coming (restroom < mile round trip)
We will meet at the corner of Sea World Drive and Sea World Way.
San Diego Homeless All Star Game Project
Wednesday, July 6, Noon-8pm
Grassroots Oasis, 3130 Moore St (Old Town)
Info & Updates
#SDHomelessProject activities during the July 7-12 All Star Game events to: raise awareness among AllStar Game visitors about the persecution of people experiencing homelessness in the vicinity of Petco Park; let City officials know we aren’t OK with this; and provide Cooling Center (cold water, shade, chairs and nutritious packaged snacks) to people experiencing homelessness in East Village.
- Sign-Making Party (Drop in any time — if you have, bring: jumbo markers, paints/brushes, sturdy cardboard [to look like panhandler signs]
- Drop off non-perishable items for 7/9-12, e.g., Goldenrod-color Bandanas; Bananas, oranges; prepackaged Raisins, nutrition bars. NOT salty/sugary snacks. (NOTE: we will ask for Ice donations on the morning of each day we are out — Sat 7/9 thru Tues 7/12; for water, better to fill up large containers than proliferate plastic jugs)
EHC Presents: Maquilapolis Documentary Screening
Wednesday, July 6, 6pm
Digital Gym Cinema
2921 El Cajon Blvd
Info & Updates
At our annual awards celebration in April — One People, Una Frontera — we invited co-producer of Maquilapolis documentary film, Sergio De La Torre, to be a guest speaker. After his moving presentation, we received many inquiries about the film.
The Environmental Health Coalition has worked in the border region on social and environmental justice issues for over 20 years and collaborated extensively with the film crew over 10 years ago – even having one of our community action team leader as one of their protagonists in the documentary, Lourdes Luján.
While the film was released 10 years ago, issues are still relevant and ongoing as serve as a conversation starter.
Join us for a nice mix and creative dialogue. Suggested contribution is $8 per person. We hope to see you there! To RSVP: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/maquilapolis
SheFest
Saturday, July 9, 11am – 5pm
North Park Community Park, 4044 Idaho St
Info & Updates
SheFest is a woman-centered event that celebrates and supports the talents and contributions of women while fostering meaningful connections within the LGBT and larger San Diego community. This one-day festival is FREE to ALL and will include music, workshops, games, and more in a safe space where women can experience support, encouragement, and empowerment!
DemocracyFest 10th Anniversary Reunion Concert
Saturday, July 9th, 7pm
Grassroots Oasis, 3130 Moore St. (Old Town)
Info & Updates
We are coming up on ten years since DemocracyFest hit the campus of San Diego State on a scorching weekend — an incredible weekend culminating months of planning and hustle by an indefatigible band of grassroots activists. Crowning the three-day event? The “Saturday Night Beach Party Blowout” in the then Open Air Theater, featuring local and national musical artists, comedians/social critics, and political figures.
From the Announcement at the time …
“DemocracyFest events began as a result of the Howard Dean Presidential Campaign of 2004. Those who had been active in the campaign and on the DFA blog, wanted to keep the momentum going and to celebrate their accomplishments …
“The 3rd Annual DemocracyFest event will be bigger and better than ever. Building on the experience of the past, and bringing new energy, San Diego for Democracys plans for this year promises to be another fabulous event! As usual, DemocracyFest will feature the fantastic training capabilities of Latinos for America, grassroots training and speakers from Root Camp, fantastic guest speakers, panels, entertainment and events provided by the host committee (San Diego for Democracy) and as if that werent enough, a Saturday night full of great food, great entertainment, and great speakers!”
The iconic Berkley Hart and Cindy Lee Berryhill were our local music headliners, and the producer of the Saturday Night Beach Party Blowout was Charlie Imes.
Get your event listed: I try to list the next 10 days or so of mostly non-commercial events I think our readers might find of interest. I source my material from social media listings and press releases. In cases where there are competing but similar events or campaigns of the progressive persuasion, I do my best to list everything.
Unfortunately, my subscription to the psychic hotline has lapsed so if you don’t tell me or Facebook, etc., about your event it won’t get listed. See my email address at the end of this column.
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I read the Daily Fishwrap(s) so you don’t have to… Catch “the Starting Line” Monday thru Friday right here at San Diego Free Press (dot) org. Send your hate mail and ideas
Doug Porter
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Thank You for promoting these non-fireworks grassroots events, Doug! As for fireworks — as you noted, these freak out companion animals, as well as captive wild animals and non-captive wild animals. The worst night for lost pets all year, next to New Year’s Eve. Also VERY disturbing for those who suffer from PTSD (combat veterans and other survivors of violence). Please see this article about noiseless fireworks adopted by a city in Italy: http://travel.excite.co.uk/town-in-italy-starts-using-silent-fireworks-as-a-way-of-respecting-their-animals-N52632.html
My wish for the Fourth, may the power of black powder be kept for celebrations, not destruction.
Here’s wishing a Happy, Safe, and “Glorious Fourth” of July, to all my SDFP friends!! :-)