PROGRAM July 3, 2018: Dan Anderson, Pyrotechnician-“4th of July Pismo Beach Fireworks”
By Dick Dannells
Pres. Scott Astrosky opened his first meeting of the year promptly at 12:10 PM with the invocation by Linda Osty, the flag salute by Shelby McLean and then introduction of guests before breaking bread for lunch.
INSPIRATION DOLLARS:
Consistent with Rotary International's theme of "Be an Inspiration", Pres. Scott will be incentivizing Club Member opportunities (fines) with Inspiration Dollars.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Pres. Scott came back from Rotary International Convention inspired and announced that this year’s Club theme will be “Drive to Inspire.” He also announced that Arroyo Grande/Grover Beach Chamber of Commerce is selling fireworks as a fundraiser and as a member we should try to support their efforts. Rotary International’s goal this year is to increase Interact membership from 250,000 to 500,000. Jack Hardy asked everyone what will happen on Saturday, July 21. Of course, the answer is Summer Sizzle. The next event on the July calendar is the District Governor’s visit at the Linda and Steve Curry’s Ranch on Tuesday evening, July 24. Connie O’Henley stressed that we only have two more weeks to get our ticket money in for all 250 tickets there on sale this year Cale Kunkle stated that we have 16 members that have not brought in their wine. Ashlea Boyer said that we are trailing behind previous years for silent auction items and she will help if needed to pick up the silent auction items. Honorary members John and Martha Murphy are donating a silent auction item. Don Weber will be handling the insurance for the event and Karen Zappia will handle the porta potty rentals. Jeff King is in charge of the live auction and stated that we still need a number of items to round out this year’s items based on last year’s items. Erik Mund stated that we have $10,000 worth of sponsors that is a little behind last year or 67% of our goal. CalFresh Market is supplying the food for Summer Sizzle at their cost.
PROGRAM :
Dan Anderson, Pyrotechnician-“4th of July Pismo Beach Fireworks”
Jim Lewis introduced Dan who was a former Cal Fire Battalion Chief for the South County who retired in 2006 and began helping on fireworks displays in 2007. He was asked to become a Pyrotechnician. After many years of training, in 2011 he became Pismo Beach Pyrotechnician.. He has a staff of 25 people to set up the show. This year is the same as previous shows with 900 3-inch inch mortar shells, 120 4-inch shells in a number of 5-inch shells. Before the event, he and the staff will have a banquet that begins at 2 PM. The truck loaded with fireworks will be carefully driven down Freddie Ln. and fireworks will be set up will around 6:30 PM. Dan will inspect the fireworks and at 8 PM everything will be set to go. Each mortar is hand lit and hand fired. A test firing will happen approximately half hour before the show. The next mortar shell will go off when “And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,” of the Star-Spangled Banner are sung; then about 9:15 PM, the 22 minute show will begin with a bang.
PRORAM July 3, 2018: Dan Anderson, Pyrotechnician-“4th of July Pismo Beach Fireworks”
By Dick Dannells
Pres. Scott Astrosky opened his first meeting of the year promptly at 12:10 PM with the invocation by Linda Osty, the flag salute and then introduction of guests for the dinner so that we all know who we are breaking bread with.
INSPIRATION DOLLARS:
Pres. Scott will no longer refer to fines, but to inspiration dollars
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Pres. Scott came back from Rotary International Convention inspired and announced that this year’s theme will be “Strive to Inspire.” He also announced that Interact is involved in selling fireworks as a fundraiser. Rotary International’s goal this year is to increase Interact membership from 250,000 to 500,000. Jack Hardy asked everyone what will happen on Saturday, July 21. Of course, the answer is Summer Sizzle. The next event on the July calendar is the District Governor’s visit at the Linda and Steve Curry’s Ranch on Tuesday evening, July 24. Connie O’Henley stressed that we only have two more weeks to get our ticket money in for all 250 tickets there on sale this year Cale Kunkle stated that we have 16 members that have not brought in their wine. Ashlea Boyer said that we are trailing behind previous years for silent auction items and she will help if needed to pick up the silent auction items. Honorary members John and Martha Murphy are donating a silent auction item. Don Weber will be handling the insurance for the event and Karen Zappia will handle the porta potty rentals. Jeff King is in charge of the live auction and stated that we still need a number of items to round out this year’s items based on last year’s items. Erik Mund stated that we have $10,000 worth of sponsors that is a little behind last year or 67% of our goal. CalFresh Market is supplying the food for Summer Sizzle at their cost.
PROGRAM :
Dan Anderson, Pyrotechnician-“4th of July Pismo Beach Fireworks”
Jim Lewis introduced Dan who was a former Cal Fire Battalion Chief for the South County who retired in 2006 and began helping on fireworks displays in 2007. He was asked to become a Pyrotechnician. After many years of training, in 2011 he became Pismo Beach Pyrotechnician.. He has a staff of 25 people to set up the show. This year is the same as previous shows with 900 3-inch inch mortar shells, 120 4-inch shells in a number of 5-inch shells. Before the event, he and the staff will have a banquet that begins at 2 PM. The truck loaded with fireworks will be carefully driven down Freddie Ln. and fireworks will be set up will around 6:30 PM. Dan will inspect the fireworks and at 8 PM everything will be set to go. Each mortar is hand lit and hand fired. A test firing will happen approximately half hour before the show. The next mortar shell will go off when “And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,” of the Star-Spangled Banner are sung; then about 9:15 PM, the 22 minute show will begin with a bang.