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Fireworks are a common sight at various celebrations throughout the year, but are most prominent during the summer months when Independence Day is celebrated. Fireworks have been in use for thousands of years. Many historians believe fireworks were developed in Liuyang, China, in the second century B.C. The first “fireworks” were made from bamboo stalks that, when thrown into a fire, would explode due to hollow pockets of air in the bamboo, says the American Pyrotechnic Association. Eventually early gunpowder recipes provided the boom behind the fireworks, and modern fireworks are not very different from those early incarnations.

Americans celebrate Independence Day every July 4. The holiday has become synonymous with summer fun, as grand fireworks displays and backyard barbecues are integral components of many people’s July 4 celebrations.

For the 10th consecutive month, the state of Texas has set a record-high level for jobs, while the number of employed Texans and the state’s civilian labor force have each reached new highs for the last five months. Texas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment increased to 14,195,600 after 41,800 jobs were added over the month in May, reflecting monthly growth in 47 of the last 49 months and annual growth for 38 consecutive months.

Celebrate the Fourth of July holiday at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden during Independence Day Family Fun Weekend presented by Primrose Schools in Dallas – Fort Worth. Spend quality time with family and friends at the “most picturesque botanical garden in the Southern US,” according to Audacy/ 1080 KRLD.

SAND BASS THE PEOPLE’S FISH

Texas gardens are often water stressed, plagued by too much or too little rain.

It all happened so fast. One minute, we were talking about vacations and new landscaping ideas. The next minute, we were in turmoil. Life reminds me of the weather. Oh, how we plan for sunshine and light breezes only to find ourselves in stormy, dangerous times. I wonder, had I been listening intently enough that day, would I have heard the sirens of misfortune in the distance? While most of this story is my fault, there are others who play a starring role. It’s kitten season again, you see. This one has been the absolute pits. I don’t understand the teen vernacular of these times, but I daresay we’ve got ourselves a skibidi Ohio toilet, or something like that.

The threat of a home fire is greater than most people think. In fact, 40% of people believe they are more likely to win the lottery or get struck by lightning than experience a home fire, yet residential fires are the most common disaster people face in the United States, according to the American Red Cross. Here’s how to help prevent fires, and how to prepare for the worst: Be Informed: The National Fire Protection Association reports that 60% of home fires are due to human error. It’s important to realize that humans are flawed. We forget things, we mess up, and we’re often distracted. Accepting the fact that a house fire is a real possibility is an important step in the right direction. There are simple actions you can take to help prevent accidents. For starters, cooking is the leading cause of house fires. Never leave cooking unattended. Keep the cooking area free of flammable items such as potholders, towels and packaging, and always maintain a 3-foot safety zone free of pets and kids.

E-cigarette users, including teenagers, may be lulled into a false sense of security when they light up. One common misconception about e-cigarettes is that they are not addictive like traditional cigarettes. However, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, e-cigarettes, like regular cigarettes, contain nicotine, a highly addictive stimulant. In fact, Johns Hopkins notes that some research suggests nicotine is as addictive as heroin and cocaine. Perhaps most disconcerting is that some e-cigarette products may contain even more nicotine than traditional tobacco products. That's due to the availability of extra-strength e-cigarette cartridges that contain higher concentrations of nicotine. In addition, Johns Hopkins notes that some products allow ecigarette users to increase the voltage of their products, which delivers them a larger dose of nicotine. While the American Lung Association notes that the number of high school students who reported smoking in the last 30 days declined by as much as 74 percent between 1997 and 2015, that does not necessarily means that teens are avoiding nicotine. A recent report from the U.S. Surgeon General's Office found that e-cigarette use among middle and high school students increased by 900 percent between 2011 and 2015, while the same report indicated that one in five high school students and one in 20 middle students used e-cigarettes in 2018.

A very good friend shared a written message regarding thoughts on aging with me. It was about growing old, but not feeling like you are growing old. It gave me pause to ponder.

Citizens of Crandall joined together in voicing their visions for the future of the City of Crandall on Saturday, June 8th. Citizens had the opportunity to take part in activities and survey for the Envision Crandall Comprehensive Plan, cool off with the water slide, fill up on hot dogs and burgers expertly grilled by the Crandall Fire Department, learn about the Crandall Police Department, and play yard games. Despite the hot weather, the goal of 50 surveys for the day was exceeded! If you didn’t get a chance to participate in this event, Crandall citizens can still share their voice by learning more at www.crandalltexas. com/CompPlan.

I travel a great deal for work. For the most part, I like to travel. It gives me a chance to broaden my experiences. However, when I get home, I am bombarded with everything that didn’t get done during the time I was gone. So basically I get no rest and never have time to implement the work that came about because of my travel. Any insights that could help me?

July Fourth is a day of celebration across the United States. The Fourth of July commemorates American independence and millions of people throughout the country celebrate the day with family and friends.