While we all continue to enjoy this beautiful summer with family and friends, here are a few tidbits to share.

BRIGHT IDEA: For many of our local cities, the sky was filled with colorful blasts of brilliance on the Fourth of July. For one particular group, it was a loud and happy burst of a mission accomplished.

Coordinated by Martha Parsons and a group of "community members with a can-do attitude," Antioch was treated to a pyrotechnics show.

"It was wonderful, fulfilling, heartwarming," she said. "I have always believed Antioch is a great community with much to offer."

The group's challenge of raising $65,000 was realized thanks to contributions from individuals, groups and businesses.

A meeting with Parsons, Supervisor Federal Glover, school board member Joy Motts and Councilwoman Mary Rocha also proved fortuitous. Glover and $25,000 from Genon Energy Community Fund put the group in the red, white and blue.

"We were overwhelmed by his generosity," Parsons said of Glover.

The Kiwanis Club of the Delta-Antioch provided the necessary insurance for the show.

After a two-year fireworks drought in the city, the "$4 for the 4th" campaign was born.

"We felt to make it happened, we needed to have the entire community (in on it.) We had contributions from $2.80 to $2,500." But the participation didn't end on the Fourth, with as many 40 volunteers

The group is already collecting through www.antiochjuly4th.com, and reaching out for more volunteers.

AWARENESS WALK: The Shirley family of Pittsburg made their debut at the recent Energy for Life walkathon, organized by the California Chapter of the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation.

Held at San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, Racheal and Marc Shirley did the event for their 10-year-old daughter Rebecca, who was diagnosed with the depletion syndrome at age 6.

According to a news release, mitochondria are the power plants in almost every cell in the body, and produce about 90 percent of the energy required for the body.

"This disease results when defects in the mitochondria fail to convert food into life sustaining energy." The walk raised nearly $63,000, with Team Rebecca bringing in $3,240 and 19 walkers for her. Rebecca attends Concord's Westwood Elementary. For more info, visit www.umdf.org

FIRED UP: East County firefighters stoked the flames of giving during the recent Fill-The-Boot campaign. Started 10 years ago, the event raises money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Local firefighters gathered in Brentwood to encourage residents to literally fill their boots with cash donations.

Fill-The-Boot's Gil Guerrero (Firefighters Local 1230) said in a news release, "We want(ed) to show the community how much we care about supporting local families with muscle disease. Now more than ever, they need our help."

Local firefighters spent two days throughout the city collecting money from drivers and pedestrians to benefit MDA. In the past decade, the group has collected thousands. This year, the group gathered up more than $25,000.

MDA's programs are funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions. For more info, visit www.mda.org

Contact Trine Gallegos at trineg@att.net.