No one says you can’t fully enjoy our upcoming 3-day Labor Day Weekend. Just be smart about it and don’t drink and drive. Getting a DUI can ruin your life. Read more for scheduled DUI checkpoints and info on free rides home.

The Perseid Meteor Shower is happening Saturday night. Look up in the sky and check out the awesome sights!

The Big Bay Boom was supposed to be San Diego’s premiere fireworks show this year, 18 minutes of choreographed explosions and music to celebrate the 4th of July…until a malfunction sent all of the pyro into the air at once. As the video shows, the whole thing lasted 15 seconds! The fireworks show then mumbled something about that never happening before, said it had to work early the next morning, and quickly slipped out the door saying it would call sometime…

Here’s another angle, a video taken by someone in the crowd:

And, just for fun, here’s one more:

Any kind of fireworks are illegal in Riverside County and they are also illegal in many parts of San Bernardino County. There are a whole lot of fireworks displays and Independence Day festivities coming up in the next week in the Inland Empire. Read more for a list.

Today, the remains of Private 1st Class Nathan Davis were finally laid to rest at the Yucaipa Christian Church. The procession was concise and dignified, with all the honors befitting a hero of the United States. Thanks to the support of the awesome Inland Empire, his memorial was a celebration of his life and his sacrifice, instead of an insult to his death.

Most of us have heard of the Westboro Baptist Church, the detestable group of zealots who picket military funerals to push their ideas. Until today, the Inland Empire hadn’t had to worry about them, relegating their “demonstrations” to the headlines of other cities and states. However, when they threatened to bring their hate speech to Pfc. Davis’ funeral, the IE was ready to act.

From the ground, it looked like more than a few hundred people showed up to honor Davis’ memory and keep the Westboro Baptists Church from ruining the procession. Even our own Tiffany was there, and she hates being around people. Houses and fences were lined with American flags, people came with signs and support. You couldn’t have been prouder of the way the community turned out–they didn’t just come looking for a fight with the WBC, they came for the Davis family. No one lost sight of what this was really about, and who this was really for.

We have to take a moment to thank the Inland Empire for coming out today. Because of your love for Pfc. Davis, the WBC didn’t even show. There wasn’t a single sign of them, and the Davis family got to watch Nathan in peace, cheered on by hundreds of their neighbors.

It’s hard not to get personal now. I’m an Afghan veteran myself. Davis and I both served in the infantry. Thanks for your bravery, Davis. May you forever be at ease and in peace. Hooah, Soldier.

A lot of us wish there were something specific we could do to show our support for those who are serving overseas. Tomorrow (Friday), there is: Pfc. Nathan Tyler Davis became the first Yucaipa native to be killed in combat since the Vietnam War. He was 20 years old.

You know those horrible people from the Westboro Baptist so-called “church?” They’re planning on picketing the funeral. They plan on gathering outside Yucaipa Christian Church at 10:45, according to their fliers and website.

We want to outnumber these nut cases by the hundreds (at the very least). Davis’ memorial service starts at 1pm at Yucaipa Christian. There will then be a processional route from the church to the burial at Sunnyslope Cemetery in Beaumont. Beaumont and Yucaipa city officials are encouraging people to show their support (and wave flags, signs, whatever you’ve got) along the route. You can find a map of it at Yucaipa.org, and lots more detail on the whole thing at Banning-Beaumont.patch.com.
Let’s show these morons how the Inland Empire steps up to protect a soldier’s family that is already hurting enough.

Ever wanted to escape the maddening streets of Los Angeles? Go underneath it!

I’d like to invite you to join me for some fun, bbq, and awesome classic cars in Riverside this Saturday. I’ll be out at Law’s Restaurant at 9640 Indiana Ave (right by Van Buren) from Noon to 2pm to help support Donate Life. Donate Life promotes organ anf tissue donation, a great cause that has the ability to change the lives of so many people…

That’s a worker putting the finishing touches on the new Regal San Bernardino Stadium 14 & RPX Theaters in downtown San Bernardino. They are the former Cinema Star Stadium Theaters which were really nice to begin with so I am anxious to see what upgrades have been done to the stadium theaters there. For their opening, Regal is offering two-dollar recently released movies with proceeds going to charity. That’s a great deal! Read more for the details.

This Father’s Day Weekend take Dad…or yourself…to the Ontario Convention Center to fantasize about the dream outdoor kitchen. That’s just one of the things Dad might like to see during the 3-event being held there this weekend.