Fireworks

If there's a great view of the fireworks from your restaurant, why not make a party out of it? And if you've got an absolutely amazing view and can get away with charging a premium, I say go for it. It's the American way. These restaurants really do have a view worth the trouble. The Rusty Scupper (402 Key Highway, 410-727-3678, selectrestaurants.com/rusty) hosts its annual Fourth of July celebration from 5 to 10 p.m. in its Topside Lounge and upper deck areas. The party features an all-you-can-eat crab feast, drink specials and giveaways, and a great view of the Inner Harbor fireworks.

The following is the 2012 schedule of Independence Day fireworks displays around Baltimore County that have been approved by the Baltimore County Fire Marshal's Office. The attached map shows these displays, as well as the display at the Inner Harbor on July 4. The Fire Marshal's Office notes that the use of backyard fireworks is illegal; some ground-based and hand-held sparklers are legal in certain counties, including Baltimore County. Detailed information about the laws regulating fireworks is available online.

Sunday, July 1 Run for charity The Bowie Baysox host the inaugural Charity 5K and Kids Fun Run beginning at 8 a.m. at Prince George's Stadium, 4101 Crain Highway in Bowie. Walk-up registration the day of the event will be accepted. Registration is $35 for the 5K and $25 for the Fun Run. Proceed benefit the Bowie Health Center, Bowie Police Explorers and Louie's Holiday Hope Project. Online registration is available by visiting dcrunningclub.com . Arts, crafts and concerts The monthly First Sunday Arts festival at Whitmore Park features more than 100 artists and crafters as well as two concerts.

Regarding your recent article on College Manor's decision not to host a fireworks display this year, as an assisted-living facility we have been an integral part of the historic Lutherville community for 60 years ("College Manor won't host July 4 fireworks," June 12). For many years we celebrated our anniversary with our residents, their families and friends on the last weekend of June. In the mid-1990s, we decided to expand our celebration with a concert on our lawn to which the community was invited.

With the Fourth of July only a few weeks away, it's time to think about the safe use of Maryland legal fireworks. If your holiday plans include using sparklers or ground-based fountains, always remember the following safety tips from the National Council on Fireworks (www.fireworkssafety.org): •Never let small children use fireworks of any kind. •Be sure to closely supervise older children when they light fireworks. •Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Designate a sober adult to light the fireworks.

Recently the media reported on a story about dangerous homemade bottle bombs that were found in Baltimore County ("'Bottle bombs' dangerous pranks - and possible felony," May 13). Unfortunately this problem is but the tip of a much larger problem in the county, namely the routine detonation of loud, explosive fireworks in residential communities for personal entertainment, especially on summer weekends around dusk. Otherwise peaceful communities, including my community just north of Parkton, are repeatedly bombarded with what sounds like shotgun blasts and exploding mortar shells.

Amid a flurry of international flags, thunderous fireworks and rowdy pirates Tuesday, Baltimore invited the world to its star-spangled salute to the bicentennial of the War of 1812 that starts next week. State and local officials gathered to publicize Sailabration, a maritime and air festival that begins its six-day run in the city on June 13. The city will welcome 18 tall ships and dozens of Navy vessels to its harbor and all will be open for free tours throughout the festival. The Navy's celebrated Blue Angels will perform shows over Fort McHenry and numerous activities for all ages are scheduled throughout the city and at Glenn L. Martin Airport in Baltimore County.

Tanger Outlets is celebrating its grand re-opening after renovations with today's Summer Savings Bash. The daylong event at the former Ocean City Factory Outlets includes a concert at 7:30 p.m. featuring Kris Allen, the winner of American Idol's 8th season, along with games, face-painting, rock-climbing, prizes and special savings for shoppers. Fireworks will top off the evening. Go to http://www.tangeroutlet.com/oceancity/events for more info.

Ocean City is ready for the spotlight this weekend as the town launches into the summer season with a new laser light show. The O.C. Beach Lights Spectacular features lasers, videos, special effects and lights displayed on a 50-foot-tall sphere that looks like a beach ball. The show will take place Sundays on the beach at North Division Street three times a night - 9:30 p.m., 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. - from Memorial Day to Labor Day. "We're excited about it," says Donna Abbott, public relations manager for the Town of Ocean City.

Unless you want a fight to break out at a cocktail party or a family reunion, conventional wisdom has it, don't talk religion or politics. I did both in this space last Monday, and then I crawled in a bunker and waited for the fireworks to begin. "Be prepared," my editor warned. "The long knives will come out. " "There's going to be a cross burning in your front yard," a friend warned; another asked if I had hired bodyguards. In that column, I talked of how difficult it was to be a Catholic woman these days, what with the church fathers taking up the cudgel against American nuns, not to mention the odd teacher struggling to get pregnant or the heartbroken teenage girl dumped by a guy on the eve of her prom.