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By Edward Chiao

DAILY BRUIN SENIOR STAFF

echiao@media.ucla.edu

  Fireworks light up the sky during a Fourth of July celebration last year. Daily Bruin File Photo

The Fourth of July is only three days away, but it seems Westwood hasn’t taken notice.

This year, the holiday falls on a weeknight when students have to study. It’s also illegal to set off fireworks without a permit in California. And in Westwood, there are still more Lakers flags being displayed in storefronts and on passing cars than there are American flags.

In fact, the closest event resembling an Independence Day celebration was last week’s premiere of “Men in Black II,” starring Will Smith.

For the restaurants in Westwood, July 4 means business as usual – if that.

“We’ve got nothing planned (for July 4),” said Fila Jones, manager of BJ’s Pizza and Grill in Westwood. “I expect it to be extremely slow, because people would rather go to the beach and barbecue.”

BJ’s isn’t the only restaurant in Westwood which slows down during the night of fireworks. Jerry’s Famous Deli, Acapulco and Maloney’s On Campus all reported consistently less business on July 4, according to their restaurant managers.

Of the three, only Acapulco plans to do something about the traditionally slow holiday.

“I wish we would be busy, and that the students would come in, but no,” said Rod Soriano, manager for Acapulco. “So we’re having happy hour prices and half-price appetizers to try to bring them in.”

Westwood Brewing Company decided to take a completely different approach to the holiday.

“We’re closed on July 4 to show honor and respect to the fallen veterans who fought for our country’s independence,” said Joey Ramirez, restaurant manager.

Westwood Village has no planned events for Thursday evening, outside of normal business operations.

Even the Los Angeles Fire Department’s 37th precinct, which serves Westwood, isn’t on special alert, according to Captain Armando Jaimes. The fire department is on alert “for events like midnight yell and other events, but the Fourth of July is not one of them,” Jaimes said.

The fire department, however, is wary of illegal fireworks, which can start fires if they are improperly set off.

“Every fire station will remind people that fireworks are illegal,” Jaimes said. The fire station has a banner outside its building reminding residents that fireworks are illegal.

“While we don’t normally confiscate fireworks – the (Los Angeles) police department does that – we can assist them,” Jaimes said.

  ANGIE LEVINE/Daily Bruin

Fireworks, like the ones above, are illegal in Los Angeles without a permit. But there are other forms of entertainment available for students.

A university police sergeant declined to comment on whether students in the past had illegally set off fireworks or caused disturbances. UCPD also declined to comment on any additional staffing or special alert their patrols might be put on for July 4.

Students, however, were open about their plans on Thursday night.

“I’m going to study,” said fourth-year psychology student Marry Soakhavong. “I don’t really celebrate the holiday, but I guess it’s a good excuse to go party and have family gatherings, and to go to the beach.”

Fifth-year student Devon Huff agrees. With the holiday coming on a Thursday night, many students can’t stay out late and celebrate into the weekend.

“I’m going to be working on my lab reports,” Huff said. “I have lab on Fridays, so I haven’t really thought that far ahead. But I don’t plan on anything that big.”

While the Independence Day spirit may not be readily apparent from Westwood Village and UCLA students, Huff believes that patriotism is at a high point for American citizens.

“It’s always a day where you feel a lot of patriotism and pride for the country, especially if you go somewhere and watch the fireworks,” he said. “Then you think about how the country has come together since Sept. 11, and it makes you even more proud to be an American, as the cliche goes.”

For students who are looking to watch the fireworks this Thursday night, Culver City High School will have an hour-long fireworks show. Marina Del Rey will have fireworks on the harbor, which can be seen from nearby Fisherman’s Village. Both shows start at 9 p.m. and admission is free.

For students willing to travel beyond the city lights of West Los Angeles to see the fireworks, Universal City Walk will have a “Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular” with guest stars and country music. Entertainment starts at 4:30 p.m. and fireworks begin at 9 p.m.

The Burbank Starlight Bowl will feature the Tonight Show Band at 6:30 p.m., with pyrotechnics starting at 9 p.m. Admission is from $6-$25.

Huff urges students who are fortunate enough to participate in the celebration to go out and enjoy themselves.

If it weren’t for his morning lab class, Huff said he would have found “a place that has good fireworks, and probably go home and hang out with friends. And then we’d go party, drinking, etc., etc.,” he said.

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