A community shines on the Third of July
The Moorpark community shared another successful In dependence Day on July 3. (The holiday is traditionally celebrated a day early.) Second only in scope to Country Days in the fall, this patriotic festival bonds local friends and neighbors.

Thanks go out to the city of Moorpark, which underwrites this top-notch fireworks show. The Parks and Recreation and Community Services Department, which organizes the event, deserves credit, too. The Moorpark Fire Department also gets a high-five for keeping spectators safe from the rockets' red glare. Thousand Oaks wasn't so lucky. It's show included an accidental fire set off by errant pyrotechnics. The fear of fire also led to interruptions at the Calabasas fireworks show.

On a broader note, Moorpark is to be applauded for its sense of community and willingness to cooperate with citizens and other agencies. The city's ability to overcome challenges on many fronts is one of its strong suits.

Take these examples from the recent past:

Despite political differences at times, the public sports and park programs have continued to serve large number of families and kids. The city bought and staffed the High Street Arts Center and gave local arts a three-year opportunity to prove itself. The police department worked closely with the community to deliver safety and anti-drug awareness programs to our teens through the schools.

The city, along with service groups like Kiwanis and Rotary, works regularly with church, schools and the Boys & Girls Club to help those in need. A good example is the Moorpark Food Pantry and the First 5 family programs. And when the picturesque pepper trees were targeted for removal from Old Towne High Street, the community rallied to keep them healthy and properly tended to so the public could continue to enjoy them.

Even District Supervisor Peter Foy got into the act by coordinating much-needed area "chats," such as the recent Home Acres meeting that allowed neighbors to toubleshoot the problems specific to their area.

A community that works together. How cool is that?