2013: Enjoy the First Fireworks in Pittsburg in 2 Years!

Posted:  2 Jul 13

Sunset is at 8:33 pm

On Mon, Jul 1, 2013 at 9:00 AM, Old Town Pittsburg Association <info@oldtownpittsburgca.com> wrote:

Pittsburg's July 4th Fireworks are back! Join your friends and family at the Family Festival starting at 6pm on July 4th! Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Enjoy the First Fireworks in Pittsburg in 2 Years! Bring the Whole Family! Come to Pittsburg's Old Town early and enjoy the Family Festival at the Marina before the fireworks begin. Family Festival begins at 6pm Fireworks begin at Dusk Happy Independence Day! Follow on Twitter   Friend on Facebook   Forward to Friend  Copyright © 2013 Old Town Pittsburg Business District Association, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up to be kept up-to-date on events and happenings in Old Town Pittsburg, California. Our mailing address is: Old Town Pittsburg Business District Association 2120 Railroad Ave #103-119 Pittsburg, CA 94565 Add us to your address book

MEMORIAL DAY 2013 -- Flags, Proclamations, Meaning, Events

Posted:  24 May 13

Inscribed at the Tomb of the Unknowns, in the nation's capitol, are the eternal words: 

"HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERICAN SOLDIER 

KNOWN BUT TO GOD."

Behold the sacred place! 

​

---

A DAY PACKED WITH MEANING

Purposes:

• To enhance public understanding of and appreciation for this national holiday
• To publicize the proper procedures for handling the US flag during this occasion (half-staff sunrise till noon)
• To provide helpful links to commemorative events, locally and nationally
• To present the annual Presidential Proclamation message for Memorial Day 2013

General References:

1. Tomb of the Unknowns, 3rd US Army Infantry Regiment, "The Old Guard"
2. Tomb of the Unknowns, Wikipedia discussion
3. American Legion, "Flag at half-staff notification," dtd 24 May 13 (excerpted below)
4. The Citizen's Flag Alliance
5. Memorial Day Flag Etiquette
6. Presidential Proclamation, Presidential Actions, The White House  (also included below)
7. Memorial Day 2013, Google search
8. Memorial Day, Wikipedia discussion
9. Why is the national ensign half-staffed only till noon on this day?

Events -- National and Local: 

1. National Memorials Online, Google search (Note: Messages left at Vietnam Virtual Memorial Walls can often reach families that may be unreachable, otherwise)
2. National Events, Google search
3. California Events, Google search
4. SFBA Events, Google search
5. Contra Costa County Events, Google search
6. Pittsburg Memorial Day Commemoration (separate blog post) ​

The American Legion Still Serving America Flag at half-staff In accordance with Flag Code section 7(m) the United States flag is to be displayed at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2013.

PRAYER FOR PEACE, MEMORIAL DAY, 2013

- - - - - - -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Since our Nation's earliest days, America has been blessed with an unbroken chain of patriots who have served our country with honor and distinction. From Concord to the Korengal, generations of brave warriors have fought for freedom across sand and snow, over mud and mountains, into lonely deserts and through crowded streets. Today, we pay tribute to those patriots who never came back -- who fought for a home to which they never returned, and died for a country whose gratitude they will always have.

Scripture teaches us that "greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." On Memorial Day, we remember those we have lost not only for what they fought for, but who they were: proud Americans, often far too young, guided by deep and abiding love for their families, for each other, and for this country. Our debt to them is one we can never fully repay. But we can honor their sacrifice and strive to be a Nation equal to their example. On this and every day, we must meet our obligations to families of the fallen; we must uphold our sacred trust with our veterans, our service members, and their loved ones.

Above all, we can honor those we have lost by living up to the ideals they died defending. It is our charge to preserve liberty, to advance justice, and to sow the seeds of peace. With courage and devotion worthy of the heroes we remember today, let us rededicate ourselves to those unending tasks, and prove once more that America's best days are still ahead. Let us pray the souls of those who died in war rest in eternal peace, and let us keep them and their families close in our hearts, now and forever.

In honor of all of our fallen service members, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 11, 1950, as amended (36 U.S.C. 116), has requested the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer. The Congress, by Public Law 106-579, has also designated 3:00 p.m. local time on that day as a time for all Americans to observe, in their own way, the National Moment of Remembrance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, May 27, 2013, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and I designate the hour beginning in each locality at 11:00 a.m. of that day as a time to unite in prayer. I also ask all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day.

I request the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff until noon on this Memorial Day on all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and in all areas under its jurisdiction and control. I also request the people of the United States to display the flag at half-staff from their homes for the customary forenoon period.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fourth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

BARACK OBAMA

David Nelson
(It's a very tough job, but it will always be done -- because that's just the way we are!)



All Original Content © 2013 , The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby waive those rights, to this extent:  You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.

INAUGURATION & NATIONAL HOLIDAY -- 1/21/13/MON

Posted:  17 Jan 13

Editor's Note:  To more thoroughly examine this subject, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugurations website is an excellent place to look.

On Thu, Jan 17, 2013 at 10:57 AM, USA.gov Team <subscriptions@subscriptions.usa.gov> wrote:

On Inauguration Day, the President-elect and Vice President-elect swear in and take office. [In an unusual combination with the national holiday honoring the exceptional life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.]

Visit USA.gov's President Barack Obama page for information about Inauguration Day events.

You can also learn about inaugural history, download the 57th Presidential Inauguration mobile app, and view a video about the ceremony location. The President's term of office officially begins on January 20, but since that date falls on a Sunday, the public swearing in ceremony will be held on Monday, January 21.

If you have questions, contact us. STAY CONNECTED TO USA.GOV: Facebook  Twitter  YouTube  Our Blog

Senator Boxer -- On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day -- 1/21/13 Holiday

Posted:  16 Jan 13

Note:  A separate blog article (click here) also helps examine the extraordinary life of Dr. King.

On Wed, Jan 16, 2013 at 5:29 PM, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer wrote

ABOUT THE SENATOR CONSTITUENT SERVICES ISSUES & LEGISLATION PRESS CONTACT - - - - - NEWS FROM BARBARA BOXER, UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA - - - - - January 16, 2013 Dear Friend: On January 21st, people across America and around the world will honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Each year, thanks to a 1983 federal law that I was proud to co-sponsor, we commemorate Dr. King’s birthday on the third Monday in January. It is only fitting that we honor Dr. King’s birthday by working to improve the lives of others.  Throughout our nation, people help those in need by feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, healing the sick, and offering a guiding hand to at-risk youth.  For information on how to make this holiday "A Day On, Not a Day Off," please click here or visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service website at http://mlkday.gov/ It is also fitting – and tremendously exciting – that this year’s Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday falls on Inauguration Day, as the nation’s first African American president is sworn in for his second term.  On Saturday, January 19th, President Obama’s Inauguration Committee will host a wide range of volunteering events in Washington, DC and around the country honoring Dr. King.  To learn more, please click here and here. In his immortal “I Have a Dream” speech, Dr. King shared his vision of a land where people of every race, religion, and creed could realize the American dream of freedom and opportunity.  As we mark the national celebration of Dr. King’s birthday, let us not merely reflect on his work but also strive to make his dream a reality. Sincerely, Barbara Boxer United States Senator To respond to this message, please click here.  This link will take you to a webpage where you can reply to messages that you receive from Senator Boxer’s office.

STRESS: 10 Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday Season - USA.gov

Posted on: 29 Nov 12

From:  USA.gov daily newsletter

10 Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday Season Whether the holiday season is your favorite time of year or gives you stress-induced nightmares, USA.gov can help you make the most of it. These ten tips from across the government highlight ways you can celebrate on a budget, secure seasonal employment, sign up for local volunteer opportunities and more. 1. Buy Safe Toys If you plan to buy toys for the kids in your life, choose age-appropriate toys and look for labels with safety advice. For young children, avoid toys with small parts, sharp edges, and electric toys that can heat up. Always purchase safety gear in addition to sports-related gifts or ride-on toys, such as bicycles or skateboards. Get additional toy safety tips from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. 2. Celebrate on a Budget The holidays can be expensive, but you don’t have to break the bank to celebrate. Take a few minutes to decide how much you can afford to spend on gifts, travel, parties, decorations, and other holiday expenses. Once you’ve created a spending plan, keep track of your purchases. Shopping online can help you stick to a budget as you’ll avoid the temptation of store displays and may be able to use coupons and promotion codes. Before you buy, look for free shipping offers; check ordering deadlines to ensure that your gifts will arrive on time; and read the return policy. 3. Give the Gift of Service Sometimes the greatest gift you can give to others is service. Studies show that reading to a child just three hours a week significantly improves his or her reading skills. If you help out at a local soup kitchen or food bank, you are directly providing meals to hungry individuals. Find volunteer opportunities in your area or create your own and recruit others. 4. Find Seasonal Employment Even in a tough economy, businesses need extra help around the holidays. Seasonal employment can help supplement your income and potentially lead to a permanent position. If you need to update your resume, check out resume and interview tips to help you stand out in the job market. Get online tools and resources to help with your job search. 5. Get Through the Holiday Blues The holidays aren’t a joyous time of year for everyone. They can bring stress and feelings of loneliness. Exercise, focusing on positive relationships, and doing things that you find rewarding can help with depression. Get tips on what to do if you feel depressed. Keep in mind that winter depression could be a sign of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is caused by the lack of sunlight. Treatment for SAD is much like other forms of depression, but may also involve light therapy. 6. Be Safe and Save Money with LED Lights Electricity bills can grow during the holidays if you decorate with strings of lights. Consider switching to LED (light-emitting diode) holiday lights to save energy and money and provide a safer home environment. In addition to the cost savings, LED lights are much cooler than incandescent bulbs. Every holiday season, fires claim lives and cost millions in damage. To prevent holiday fires in your home: use nonflammable decorations; do not overload electrical sockets; regularly water live Christmas trees; and avoid the use of lit candles. As you should do year-round, ensure that your smoke alarms are working. 7. Pay Attention to Food Portions and Physical Activity The holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate with family and friends, but celebrations sometimes involve over-indulging in sweet treats and heavy foods. Even if you only gain one or two pounds during the holidays, these gains can add up over the years. The holidays are probably not the ideal time to try to lose weight, but you can take steps to maintain your weight. Read 10 tips on how to enjoy your food, but eat less of it and learn how to make physical activity a regular part of your day. 8. Pack for Hassle-Free Air Travel You can get through the airport security line faster by traveling with unwrapped gifts and following the 3-1-1 rule when carrying on liquids, including liquid food items like cranberry sauce and gravy. You can also use the My TSA app or mobile website if you’re at the airport and need last-minute information about what you can and can’t bring through security. Learn more about flying with food or gifts. 9. Reduce Holiday Waste The holiday season includes many opportunities to reduce waste, recycle, and reuse items. Did you know that about 40 percent of all battery sales occur during the holiday season? Consider buying rechargeable batteries (and a charger) for electronic gifts to help reduce the amount of harmful materials thrown away. After the holidays, look for ways to recycle your tree instead of sending it to a landfill. If you plan to send greeting cards, consider purchasing ones that are made of recycled paper, or save postage costs and reduce waste by sending electronic greetings. Get more ideas on how to reduce waste, save money, and help the environment. 10. Keep Food Safe Holiday buffets are convenient ways to entertain a crowd, but leaving food out for long periods of time can invite bacteria that cause foodborne illness. To keep your holiday foods safe, cook them thoroughly, use shallow containers, never leave them sitting out for more than two hours, and keep them at the appropriate temperature. Get more food safety tips to help keep your guests healthy. For additional information on safely preparing a variety of meats and side dishes, get an online kit of Holiday Food Safety publications and order a free print kit of Top Food Safety Tips. If you have questions, contact us. STAY CONNECTED TO USA.GOV: Facebook  Twitter  YouTube  Our Blog

AREA-WIDE "4th OF JULY FIREWORKS" DISPLAYS

What's going to happen, 

within our territory, 

to help celebrate the 

2ND GREATEST BIRTHDAY TRADITION

OF ALL TIME!

FIREWORKS IN TOWN:  The City of Pittsburg will not have a public fireworks display  -- AND, LET'S ALL SINCERELY HOPE THERE WON'T BE ANY PRIVATE, AMATEUR ONES, EITHER!!!  Roofs and lawns and unwary people are often known to burn when ignited.

FIREWORKS ALL OVER THE PLACE:  Here's what The Contra Costa Times says about the day's goings-on. (a Google search).  And, here's what Google, itself, says about the doings in the Bay Area

FIREWORKS ON TELEVISION: Google, again.

FIREWORKS IN SPORTS:   The G-people, again. Who else?

Please remember:

• THAT Consumer Fireworks are illegal for very sound REASONS -- born of profoundly heart-breaking experiences -- which have damaged or destroyed -- real people and other valuable things;
• THAT the conditions are PERFECT for creating BRAND NEW tragedies to lament:   (1) It's hot.   (2)  It's dry.   (3)  There is much super-fuel from all the brown, dead vegetation -- on lawns, streets and hills.   (4)  Buildings and other things (including people) often burn very efficiently.    (5)  Overly busy fire departments, on ever-tightening budgets have plenty to do already and would not be amused by yet more inconvenient challenges.   (6)  It's so unpleasant to suddenly have to find another place to stay -- and safely store whatever remains of one's stuff -- especially, if it involves pain, hospitals, or more permanent accommodations.
• THAT children (of all ages) don't necessarily know what the "no-no's" are, automatically.  These things often have to be made clear to them, quite deliberately -- for this is all far too dangerous (and expensive) to leave to chance, poor example, or lax enforcement of the rules.  Anyone detecting illegal fireworks should call 911 to trigger a police response. (As more citizens complain, it RAISES "POLICE-RESPONSE" priorities and SPEEDS THINGS UP!!!)
• THAT innocent people, trying to mind their own business, are often the ones who have to suddenly pay for another's thoughtless or deliberate acts -- and that such a thing still is not very sporting.
• THAT a tragedy can forever change a joyous, national event -- transforming things, such that each subsequent July 4th is virtually guaranteed to be draped with profoundest sorrow and viewed with deepest dread.  There should only be room for great joy -- on the anniversary of the day when humankind gained -- such an ENORMOUS ADVANTAGE in this life -- still not all that long ago. (In the great scheme of things, less than two and a half centuries is a fraction of a heart-beat.)
• THAT things need not turn out badly, AT ALL.  Everyone simply must realize that our entire great human existence is such a chain-reaction -- one good or bad act can really, really  energize or spoil the whole thing -- or affect a big enough part of it, so as to matter, deeply.  

It's serious business insuring that life remains a fun thing to have, keep, and make the most of -- and which doesn't end prematurely or inconveniently.

Let's make the 236th Anniversary of the "Day Everything Changed" the best one ever (and maximize our chances of seeing the 237th one)!

Tags: "Fire, Fireworks, 4th of July, Holidays"