Fireworks

No fireworks for the Fourth of July? Residents of Loch Raven Village exploded when they heard their beloved tradition was in jeopardy. The spark of civic protest was lit when residents learned that the Associates of Loch Raven Village, a volunteer group that manages and pays for the show, was told it would have to pay for a $3,100 fence around a construction site at Loch Raven Academy where the display is held. The group, whose funds come from voluntary membership dues and fundraisers, said it could not afford to pay for the fence and the fireworks show, which alone cost over $8,000.

Republican considered for top commerce post 3 WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama appeared yesterday to be leaning toward appointing a third Republican to his Cabinet, a move that would place the fiscally conservative Sen. Judd Gregg at the head of the Commerce Department even though a liberal Democrat was initially chosen for the post. The appointment of the New Hampshire Republican - his family has close ties to the family of former President George W. Bush - could also bring the Senate closer to the 60-vote majority Democrats need to thwart Republicans seeking to filibuster legislation.

We attended the 4th of July fireworks at Mount Rushmore this year and thoroughly enjoyed the full day we had there prior to the fireworks. The event attracts thousands of people, so you have to arrive early. There is entertainment all day, and you can hike and visit the museums. If you decide to go, all these events, plus fireworks, are held on July 3. Theresa Garrett Baltimore The Sun welcomes submissions for "My Best Shot." Photos should be accompanied by a description of when and where you took the picture and your name, address and phone number.

ELKTON -- In a clearing on the edge of this Cecil County town stands a reminder of a bygone day when fireworks manufacturing was a booming business here. About a dozen decaying buildings are all that remains of the Patriotic Fireworks factory, once ranked among the nation's top 10 fireworks plants. Now it is one of two distribution centers left here, remnants of the local fireworks industry, which started during the Great Depression, grew to include munitions during World War II and scaled back to fireworks after the war. Elkton's location about midway between Baltimore and Philadelphia, and the availability of black powder, produced in Delaware, made it an ideal location for fireworks plants.

Crowds celebrating New Year's Eve in Baltimore's Inner Harbor will be taking in a fireworks display paid for by a new player in town they've likely never heard of: Ports America. It is the first time a corporate sponsor is picking up the tab for the entire event. Spending big bucks to underwrite a public spectacle may seem an unusual move for a company that, unlike a bank or retailer or credit card, has little to do with average consumers. But Ports America Inc. wants to raise the profile of what has previously been a fairly obscure business -- running the biggest container cargo terminal at the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore, one of the state's major economic engines.

Annapolis' scaled-back New Year's Eve celebration tomorrow night will still have live music, hours of children's activities and the fireworks display over Spa Creek. But it won't have its well-known name, excessive lines to attend indoor events or those ubiquitous admission buttons that cost up to $22. The local nonprofit that ran First Night Annapolis since 1990 disbanded this fall after years of failing to break even financially and of being unable to raise enough money to put on the giant celebration of the arts, which included up to 50 sites across downtown and cost upward of $300,000.

The Bethany Beach area lives up to its billing as a "quiet resort," but that doesn't mean nothing ever changes. In fact, several new places to eat and shop are cropping up this season. Here are just a few of them: Berry Good Treats, 108 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach, 302-537-9679. This downtown ice-cream/doughnut shop has been renovated and is under new management. It also has an outdoor water station for dogs and serves Frosty Paws frozen dog treats. Steakhouse 26, 238 Atlantic Ave., Millville, 302-539-0626.

As the floats, fancy cars and marching bands streamed down Bosley Avenue yesterday during the Towson Fourth of July parade, Norma Solomon, with her 3-year-old grandson at her side, let loose an impassioned speech directed at anyone within earshot on why she considers an event like this important. "The community comes together," said Solomon, 61, of Towson. "Children. People of all ethnic groups. We're at peace. If we're not at peace no other day, we're at peace today when we see a parade.

The good times are rolling for guests at luxury hotels, and this time it's personal. Flush with sky-high executive pay and bonuses, plus double-digit returns in the stock market, the super-rich are looking to elite lodgings to satisfy their cravings for pampering and unique experiences. Hoteliers, eager for their business, happily comply. The result? "We definitely are seeing more personalized services at high-end hotels," said Bruce Wallin, executive editor of Robb Report, a 31-year-old luxury lifestyle magazine.

After a period of uncertainty and financial stress, Overlea-Fullerton community officials have declared that the neighborhood's 46th annual Independence Day celebration is on, after all. The party is to start at 5 p.m. today at Fullerton Elementary School and will feature live music, a puppet show and concessions. The fireworks display is scheduled to begin at dusk. The organization in charge of raising money for the event, Allied Community Services, was $18,000 short two weeks before the holiday, said treasurer and coordinator Joe Ferraracci.

City police probe death of man found shot in vehicle Baltimore police were investigating the death of a man found shot in the head early Monday in the Idlewood neighborhood. Curtis Shepherd, 36, was found about 4:25 a.m. inside a vehicle at Cedarcroft and Falkirk roads, police said. There was no information about suspects or motive. - Liz F. Kay Man fatally shot; suspect eludes police A man was fatally shot in the 2900 block of The Alameda about 3:30 p.m. on Monday, according to city police.

Former D.C. mayor Barry charged with stalking WASHINGTON - Former District of Columbia Mayor Marion S. Barry Jr. was arrested Saturday and charged with stalking a female acquaintance, the latest in a long string of legal troubles for the politician. U.S. Park Police said Barry, a current D.C. Council member, was arrested after a woman flagged down an officer and claimed that Barry was stalking her. He was charged with misdemeanor stalking and released. Police did not name Barry's accuser, but his spokeswoman, Natalie Williams, said Sunday afternoon that the 40-year-old woman is somebody that Barry had helped financially during "various stages of instability" in her life.

As millions of Americans head out for their annual Fourth of July fireworks, they might not realize the chemical that makes the shows so bright also poses an environmental threat. But researchers are developing new, greener pyrotechnics that already are being used at Disneyland and some indoor concerts. The new fireworks use alternatives to perchlorate, a salt that provides oxygen to the combustible elements in fireworks so they can burn. The chemical is considered particularly harmful to pregnant women and small children because of its ability to block absorption of iodine in the thyroid, a gland that controls metabolism and growth.

Anne Arundel Annapolis: : Celebrate an old-fashioned Fourth of July in Annapolis. The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. today at Amos Garrett Boulevard and proceeds downtown. A concert by the U.S. Naval Academy Band follows at 8 p.m., concluding with a 9:15 p.m. fireworks display. The concert is at Susan Campbell Park, City Dock, 160 Duke of Gloucester St. Free. Go to hometownannapolis.com Arundel Mills: : Get all decked out in your best Uncle Sam gear for the Arundel Mills July 4th Parade. There will be prizes for best red-white-and-blue costume.

It isn't easy to avoid fireworks on the Fourth of July. After all, they fill the night sky in just about every neighborhood. But there are grown-ups, pets and kids who would, if they could. Patti Neumann's balcony overlooks the Inner Harbor and she and friends will be there watching Baltimore's fireworks display tonight. But Bogart, her 7-year-old Wheaten terrier, will wait downstairs, thank you very much. "He doesn't mind thunderstorms, but when fireworks start, he starts shaking uncontrollably," says Neumann, founder of CityPeek, a tourism Web site.

Anne Arundel County Annapolis: : Celebrate an old-fashioned Fourth of July in Annapolis. The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Amos Garrett Boulevard and proceeds downtown. A concert by the U.S. Naval Academy Band follows at 8 p.m., concluding with a 9:15 p.m. fireworks display. The concert is at Susan Campbell Park, City Dock, 160 Duke of Gloucester St. Free. Go to hometownannapolis.com. Arundel Mills: : Get all decked out in your best Uncle Sam gear for Saturday's Arundel Mills July Fourth Parade.

The biggest nightlife event this weekend isn't a crazy dance party or a concert by a hot new band - it's the Fourth of July fireworks display downtown. Since the annual holiday falls on a Saturday, bars, restaurants and clubs are going to be busy all day and night. And no part of town will be more flooded with revelers than the Inner Harbor. Restaurants there will fill up fast, traffic will be tied in a knot, and it could take as long as half an hour to hoof it across Harborplace. Though the Light and Pratt street pavilions offer front-row seats for the annual fireworks at 9:30 p.m., they're not the only harborside spots with great views.

Ocean City concert and fireworks: Uptown and Downtown Where:: Northside Park, 127th Street and the bay; or North Division Street and the beach. When:: 8 p.m. July 4 What:: Family activities and music at both locations, with a fireworks show kicking off at 9:30 p.m. How much: : Free What's nearby: : The Ocean City Tuna Tournament begins July 10, so why not brush up on your fishing skills before the weigh-ins begin? There are free piers and fishing areas on the bay where you can drop a line.

No fireworks for the Fourth of July? Residents of Loch Raven Village exploded when they heard their beloved tradition was in jeopardy. The spark of civic protest was lit when residents learned that the Associates of Loch Raven Village, a volunteer group that manages and pays for the show, was told it would have to pay for a $3,100 fence around a construction site at Loch Raven Academy where the display is held. The group, whose funds come from voluntary membership dues and fundraisers, said it could not afford to pay for the fence and the fireworks show, which alone cost over $8,000.

Monday: 2009 Schedule and Car Magnet (All fans) Friday: Fleece Scarf (first 10,000 fans 15 & over) April 21: Koji Uehara T-Shirt Tuesday (first 10,000 fans 15 & over) April 25: Draft Day O's Ravens Rally Cap presented by MASN (first 10,000 fans 15 & over) April 26: Little League Day (preregistered Little Leaguers) April 29: Field Trip Day presented by MASN & WJZ (preregistered school groups) May 10: Mother's Day Picture Frame presented by AT&T (first 10,000 females 18 & over) May 12: T-Shirt Tuesday (first 10,000 fans 15 & over)