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Happy New Year! By Tyler Barber, Assistant General Manager By "New Year," I do of course mean the new fiscal year. Lifestyles knocked the last few months out of the park with events and performers. In good sense, I do not plan on changing the event quality we have seen recently. is will, undoubtedly, affect event pricing, and with this "new" budget, you may see some increases in ticket prices. As much as many others and I would like to avoid it, it seems inevitable. I sure hope to see you at some of these upcoming events! 4 SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | JULY 2025 By Suzette Strauss, Resident You may have seen them in your starry eyes when you and the love of your life first kissed. But I'd like to share some historical information on the more explosive type… you guessed it, fireworks! According to my research, fireworks originated in ancient China (960-1279 AD) during the Song dynasty. ey were simple bamboo stalks that exploded when thrown into the fire. In the 13th century, fireworks traveled to Europe, likely via the Silk Road (a network of Asian trade routes that were active between the second and fieenth centuries.) Fireworks were used by rulers for entertainment and special events. e Italians were among the first Europeans to manufacture fireworks. I knew there was a good reason Italian was one of the Romance languages! Moving on… In the 15th century, Queen Elizabeth I of England created an honorary title, "Fire Master of England," for the best fireworks maker. e hopes of gaining such a title resulted in many elaborate displays for the royal occasions and festivals. In the 17th century, some of those Europeans became the early settlers of the New World and had the foresight to bring fireworks with them. I can only imagine the display for our country's first Independence Day on the Fourth of July in 1776. Since the 19th century, due to advances in chemistry, fireworks have become more colorful and the displays more elaborate. Now, with the added technology, they are also very sophisticated. I hope you enjoy watching fireworks as much as I do, of course, in a safe environment. I took the photo (below) on the Fourth of July 2023 at a gathering on the opposite shore of Lake Elsinore. As you can see, we had a blast! I Love Fireworks! By Clare Mendez, Resident Aer declaring independence in 1776, the Continental Congress needed a seal to represent the new nation. And, here's where the debate begins… Benjamin Franklin rallied for the wild turkey to be the Emblem of American Freedom because it was native to America, and it was "a bird of courage, one who would not hesitate to attack." Other choices thrown in for consideration were a zebra (it would have 13 stripes representing the 13 original colonies), a beaver (it was already on the New York flag), or a white tailed deer (which is swi and free), and various other wild animals. ree congressional committees proposed a dove, representing virtue. John Adams even suggested Hercules because he represents strength. Although the story of Franklin's is well known, we also know it was voted down and the popularity of the eagle becoming the American Emblem took flight. e eagle was universally admired as a beautiful bird possessing dignity and grace, and the sight of its great wings spread wide became a powerful image. e eagle even met Franklin's desire for a national symbol as the bald eagle was an American bird, long regarded by Native Americans as a symbol of strength and courage. Aer debating on the topic for six years, Congress chose the American Bald Eagle. e final design, E. Pluribus Unum (out of many, one), the Great Seal of the United States was approved in 1782. It features a bald eagle with its outstretched wings, holding arrows (symbolizing war) and an olive branch (symbolizing peace). May God bless America through war and peace. The Great Seal of the United States

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