Thursday, July 26, 2012
Is the danger worth the revenue? Petitioners against Michigan's new fireworks laws say no.
Thousands in Michigan are making noise this summer about the state's decision to loosen fireworks laws. A petition created on SignOn.org is asking Michigan residents to join those already in support of repealing the Fireworks Safety Act of 2011, which was designed to increase revenue to the state and encourage citizens to buy consumer fireworks in Michigan rather than in neighboring states. Petition creator Brad Lang, a West Bloomfield resident, is among them. "The result has been a drastic increase in the amount and violence of private fireworks displays all over the state of Michigan, thereby endangering people, pets and property. It is not worth the additional revenue," Lang wrote in a letter to members of the Michigan civic action …
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Residents have voiced overwhelmingly that the state's fireworks law has had negative effects. Add your opinion on Patch.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Everywhere in southeast Michigan Wednesday night, fireworks, smoke and lots of pops and booms filled the air. Folks were amused and/or annoyed with the results of the new law. What did you think?
State law now allows more types of fireworks to be sold and ignited in Michigan, but the actual booms, pops, sparks and flashes had people reacting Wednesday night. Some were thrilled with the spectacle. Others were miffed with the noise and smoke. What did you think? Tell us in comments or in the poll.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra blew audiences away Fourth of July week with the annual performance of music, fireworks and cannon fire.
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra gave its Dearborn audience more bang for the buck Tuesday night when it performed a patriotic set during The Salute to America Concert at Greenfield Village that was accompanied by actual cannon fire. Tuesday's show was one of four in the annual series put on by the DSO and The Henry Ford. During the performance, cannon blasts punctuated the most pronounced parts of the Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture with a fireworks show in the background. Heather Hart, the assistant orchestra personnel manager of the DSO, directed the cannon blasts this year, ensuring that cannons were ready to go and fired on time. According to Hart, cannons are placed in two locations to give the sense of two opposing forces in a battle. She…
42.3004
-83.23377
Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village
20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, MI
/articles/dso-s-salute-to-america-brings-battle-to-life-with-real-cannons
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/locations/7371381
Creating some sparks this Fourth of July? Here's a look at everything you need to know before lighting off that bottle rocket.
Will your Fourth of July be a quiet evening of barbecuing and chatting with family, or one filled with the oohs and ahhs of a fireworks show? If your answer was the latter, here's what you need to know to have a safe, legal, fireworks-filled Fourth of July. Know the Law: Michigan law now allows purchase and use of consumer fireworks, but Dearborn ordinance laws on noise and nuisances also apply. Learn more about the state and local laws on Dearborn Patch. Where to Buy Them: Dearborn has four locations selling fireworks, and Dearborn Heights has one. Here's a look at one store in west downtown. Safety Tips: Dearborn police will be on the lookout for violations–and the last thing anyone wants is an injury or a yard on fire. Check out …
A Patch photographer gives advice on capturing the sparkle in the sky.
Capturing fireworks on camera is a challenge that can be mastered easily with the right equipment and settings on your camera. Here is a short photographic tutorial to help you capture the rockets' red glare this Fourth of July and beyond. Equipment needed:
Monday, July 2, 2012
All community pools will be open until 8 p.m. on July 4.
The heat wave continues in southeast Michigan, but the City of Dearborn is hoping to help residents cool off on the Fourth of July. The city announced Monday that it is extending the schedule of its outdoor pools by two hours on July 4. All will be open from 1-8 p.m. Normal hours at Levagood Park's Dunworth Memorial Pool are 1-8 p.m. on weekdays and holidays, and the other five’s usual daily hours are 1-6 p.m. They are Ford Woods, Lapeer, Summer-Stephens, Ten Eyck and Crowley pools. Daily admission at Dunworth is $8 for residents, $12 for nonresidents. The other pools cost $6 for residents, $9 for nonresidents. Seasonal pool tags may also be purchased. Fees vary. For more information, call 313-943-2350.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Are you purchasing fireworks for this Fourth of July?
Remember when getting "good" fireworks meant a trip to Toledo? A clear sign of the change in Michigan's laws for the Fourth of July goodies is highly visible in Dearborn: Crazy Steve's Fireworks is now open in west downtown. Located at 22275 Michigan Ave., the store is locally owned and stocked with bottle rockets, firecrackers, Roman candles and more. Open since June 18, an employee at the store said that business hasn't been particularly heavy. However, owner Yasir Kaskorkis told the Dearborn Press and Guide that they expect sales will continue to pick up as July 4 nears. “Since we put our temporary signs up, we’ve had more business," he said. "But we’re really expecting things to pick up now that we’re getting close to the Fourth." …
42.305011
-83.249214
22275 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, MI
/articles/fireworks-store-now-open-in-west-downtown-dearborn
/locations/7350911
Friday, June 29, 2012
The Michigan Department of Transportation has announced
Michigan residents won't be the only ones skipping town this Fourth of July–many of the orange barrels will be gone, too. The Michigan Department of Transportation has announced that, in an effort to make travel easier for motorists this Fourth of July holiday, they're lifting traffic restrictions on 100 of 155 projects statewide. Beginning at 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, and continuing until 6 a.m. Thursday, July 5, MDOT will suspend construction wherever possible on state roads and bridges. However, normal construction lane restrictions will be in place on the weekends before and after the July Fourth holiday: June 29-July 1 and July 6-8. "We urge all motorists to drive with caution through work zones during this busy summer holiday weekend…
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
The annual partnership between the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and The Henry Ford will bring classical music, fireworks and 19th century fun to Dearborn June 30-July 4.
If you're the type who can't get enough of the fun, sun and fireworks surrounding Fourth of July, you're in luck: The Henry Ford will host four nights of its annual Salute to America celebration on June 30, July 1, July 3 and July 4. Held at Walnut Grove inside of Greenfield Village, each day of the Dearborn museum’s annual tribute to America will include pre-concert musical entertainment by the First Michigan Colonial Fife and Drum Corps led by Mark Logsdon, kids activities, historic baseball games and a prelude concert by the River Raisin Ragtime Revue. But the big event comes with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra performs Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.” The cannons will go off, and the fireworks display will begin. Advance tickets are …
Mike
7:01 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
The law should be repealed. That said, Chris Clough's comments quoted in the article are spot on. Even though the law isn’t in effect yet my neighborhood already sounded like a war zone as well. Memorial day was no different. I found flying fireworks litter all over my yard and neighborhood. Potential fire hazards in the making. Law enforcement does nothing to curtail this illegal activity. Since… more ›