This is the time of the year that commemorates many occasions in the Schwartz Household, between birthdays (Joe, My sister-in-law, brother-in-law and my birthday, plus my wife and I anniversary). I always enjoyed July because as a kid, school was out, and summer was in full swing. The 4^th of July, one of my favorite holidays, meant fireworks, something my dad would take us to at the end our block in Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn. We would sit on the rocks of the old broken up esplanade by the ocean and watch Coney Island Fireworks light up in the not so far distance. This was not just for the 4^th of July, but every Tuesday night in the summer, there would be a 15 – 20-minute show. We brought Cracker Jacks and refreshing ice pops, and this was a normal thing to do for all our neighbors. Very fond memories and likely a reason I have always been attracted to living by the water (just not in the water).

Today, Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn, is too expensive for most. It is primarily a Russian based neighborhood where most of the original classic styled houses were torn down and were replaced by “McMansions” squeezed onto 40x100 lots with zoning violations long ago paid off with most likely corrupt money. If you can fit it, build it. If you need more space, build another story up. Sad. And that esplanade we grew up climbing rocks to get to the beach and/or see the fireworks, long closed off as one family fought back in the late 1980’s or so and won in court that the ocean front land in back or side of their house was theirs and could be fenced off (land, that for a century was a public walk way but was badly damaged by a major hurricane in the 1930's). Soon all the ocean blocks were closed off and no one could walk to the beach via along the ocean. When my wife first visited my old house where I grew up, it was hard to explain all of this as there was no way to walk to the water from our old block.

In any case, the memories are there, and the fireworks still resonate to this day. In eastern central Florida, we are fortunate to have many places to see them. Entire neighborhoods have various private shows and of course, Port Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, and Cocoa Village have their professional shows on different evenings.

Wherever you are, I hope you have a safe 4^th and get to enjoy one of my favorite times of the year.