Council Helps Strike Up Band, Rekindle Fireworks

By Oliver Lukacs
Staff Writer

May 14 -- The Samohi marching band will parade down the streets of the nation’s capital on Independence Day and fireworks could light up the Santa Monica sky after the City Council displayed its patriotic spirit Tuesday night.

With a unanimous vote, the council called on the city’s residents and businesses to pass the hat around to save Santa Monica’s annual “Celebrate America” fireworks extravaganza, which Santa Monica College canceled as a symbolic protest against the state budget cuts.

Echoing his council colleagues, Councilman Herb Katz said the event will be “sorely missed,” and should be kept alive “especially (because of) the budget cuts.

“It’s important. It’s a special holiday,” Katz said. “It’s a time to forget your woes and celebrate.”

Mayor Richard Bloom, who put the item on the agenda, said dipping into the City’s coffers for the money needed to cover the cost should be the last resort. Currently the city kicks in $10,000 each year for a $50,000 event, according to college officials.

Council members suggested fundraising and even charging people for the traditionally free event, which drew more than 20,000 last year..

The council delayed a decision until next week’s council meeting, giving the college time to respond and City staff time to come up with recommendations.

The council also unanimously voted to give the Samohi Viking marching band $10,000 in matching grants to guarantee their spot in a 4th of July National Independence Day Parade in Washington D.C.

The grant assures that every member of the band -- which has not performed out of state for 30 years -- will take part in the honor bestowed upon the only high school in California.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” the band’s drum major, Jeffery Davenport, told the council. “I am sure you will be proud to see the Santa Monica banner marching down Constitution Avenue.”

Councilman Robert Holbrook voted for the subsidy because one of his “fondest memories” involved participating in the Samohi marching band.