This year we’re fortunate indeed: the calendar has cooperated with the spirit of the occasion to give Independence Day its proper import. With Newport Beach’s Fourth of July festivities falling on a Tuesday, we avoid the vexing problem that crops up every time July 4 falls on a weekend. Since nobody wants the extra day of picnicking and parading to be confused with the ho-hum regular weekend days off, the powers that be have to arbitrarily reassign July 4 observances to the following Monday (or previous Friday, if the Fourth hits on a Saturday).
This year, with the Fourth happening on the 4th, all is well. For convenience’s sake, most everybody opts for a four-day long Fourth—so Monday the 3rd gets a star turn due entirely to its lucky proximity to
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