Fourth of July fireworks will officially be back in downtown San Jose, which seemed like a no-brainer given that nearly 90,000 people turned out to see the spectacular — and free — pyrotechnics display in the sky over Discovery Meadow Park last year.
The Rotary Club of San Jose is again behind the effort, with Marianne and Carl Salas leading the charge, though this time there is an entire roster of sponsors (including the Mercury News) lined up to help foot the costs, and perhaps keep the bombs bursting in air for a few more years. The official announcement was made by the Salases on Wednesday at the club’s weekly meeting, backed by sponsors, Mayor Sam Liccardo and most of the City Council.
Carl Salas, the founder of Salas O’Brien Engineers, lives and works downtown. He says he was inspired by the crowds that showed up last year and wanted to bring back that joy for our nation’s birthday again. But he had another motive, too, and it’s one that residents of many neighborhoods are familiar with.
“One reason we’re doing this is because of all the illegal fireworks in the city,” he said. “So tell your friends they won’t get a bigger boom than these fireworks.”
Of course, the downtown fireworks won’t be the only game in San Jose for Independence Day. There will be a fireworks display at Almaden Lake Park and at Municipal Stadium after the San Jose Giants game.
FAST COMPANY: Valley Heating & Cooling owner Cindy Faulkner had a bumpy Tuesday morning on her way to see this weekend’s Indianapolis 500. After having one flight canceled, she and husband Jeff Faulkner just made it onto another flight to Indianapolis out of SFO. But karma paid her back in a good way after a connection in Los Angeles: She wound up sitting next to legendary race-car driver and 1963 Indy 500 winner Parnelli Jones, also headed to the race. Cindy swapped seats with her husband, the family’s real race fan, no doubt ensuring more good karma will be headed her way.
WINE AND CHIPS: Cypress Semiconductor CEO T.J. Rodgers is concentrating on his passion for winemaking at a vintage release party Sunday afternoon at the Half Moon Bay Wine & Cheese Co. It’ll include sampling of the five 2010 pinot noirs from Rodgers’ Clos de la Tech label, easily recognized because of the computer chip embedded into the bottle.
Rodgers and his wife, Valeta Rodgers, will be on hand to talk about their winemaking adventure and answer questions about the wine. The tastings will take place in 30-minute sessions from 2 to 5 p.m., and tickets are $35. Attendees also can buy tickets to win a 3-liter bottle of Domaine Lois Louise Santa Cruz Mountain Estates, with all proceeds from the drawing benefiting one of Rodgers’ favorite causes, Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.
Go to www.hmbwineandcheese.com for more information.
Contact Sal Pizarro at spizarro@mercurynews.com or 408-920-5473. Follow him at Facebook.com/mercurynews.aroundtown and Twitter.com/spizarro.
