Quick hello — or is it a goodbye? — before I hit the road.

A legal challenge that shut down a traditional New Year’s Eve fireworks display over San Diego Bay could leave communities such as San Diego, San Clemente and Huntington Beach wondering whether this year’s July 4 fireworks shows over the Pacific may be at risk.

An attorney representing the Encinitas-based group Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation says that lacking a permit, fireworks shows that send residue into water violate the federal Clean Water Act.

Marco Gonzalez, with Coast Law Group, issued a letter of intent to sue the Port of San Diego last fall over the fireworks show’s lack of a permit. Informed that it was actually the San Diego Port Tenants Association that puts on the show, Gonzalez says he was willing to work with that group on permits and let the Dec. 31 show go on. But the association, lacking time to obtain a permit, chose to cancel.

“We couldn’t take a chance on getting sued,” said Sharon Cloward, association president. “Anyone could have come back (to sue).”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE (external link)

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (CP)

MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL, S.D. — Officials say they’re cancelling Mount Rusher’s nationally televised Independence Day fireworks show because of wildfire worries.

Park Superintendent John Scott said Wednesday that officials fear the display that draws thousands of onlookers could spark a fire this summer.

Mount Rushmore is a national monument, with the faces of U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt carved into its side. Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film “North By Northwest” has the final chase scene set among the massive presidential statuary.  Scott says mountain pine beetle damage has left many dead trees standing with intact needles, which could serve as tinder and heighten the wildfire risk for this coming summer.

This July 4th display would have marked the monument’s 13th annual show. It’s drawn more than 30,000 people in the past and tourism officials say millions more have watched lives nationwide broadcasts via satellite feed.

A buddy at the CBS affiliate in Vegas is helping us out with a little reserved area access.  He told us that we need to bring credentials with us.

Check out our ghetto lammies:

Instead, I’m doing this:

Tonight I started to wonder who gets to see the 2010 fireworks first?  Turns out, when it’s ___ am/pm 12/31/09 in Los Angeles, it’s 2010 in ____.

4am Petropavlosk, New Zealand, Fiji, Guam

5am New Caledonia, Guadalcanal

6am Vladiovstak, Australia, New Guinea, Tasmania

7am Tokyo, Asaka, Seoul

8am Canton, Peking, Hong Kong, Philippines, Perth

9am Jakarta, Java, Bangkok, Rangoon

10am Calcutta, Sri Lanka, New Delhi

11am Pakistan, Afghanistan

12pm Gorki, Rostov, Iran

1pm Moscow, Iraq, Kenya, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia

2pm Helsinki, Romania, Egypt, Sudan, South Africa, Greece, Turkey

3pm France, Holland, Denmark, Libya, Norway, Sweden, Spain, Italy

4pm England, Ireland, Portugal, Scotland, Ghana, Iceland, Greenwich*

5pm Cape Verda, Azores

6pm Cape Disappointment, Falkland Islands

7pm Greenland, Rio de Janiero, Guyana

7:30pm Newfoundland

8pm Chile, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands

9pm New York, Miami, Columbia, Peru, Montreal, Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica

10pm Mexico City, Chicago, Winnipeg, Costa Rica, Galapagos Islands

11pm Boise, Mazatlan, Calgary

12am Mountain View, Seattle, Portland, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Guadalupe

1am Marquesas Islands, Alaska

2am Hawaii, Aleutian Islands

3am Midway Island, Roosevelt Island, Western Samoa

*Again, times are what time it is in California (PST) when it’s New Years somewhere else. Fascinatin’!

The Department of Health’s Clean Air Branch is offering people with breathing problems the following guidelines for coping with fireworks smoke on New Year’s Eve:

• Stay indoors and close your windows and doors.

…Because they’re COMING FOR YOU, BARBARA.

• Make sure your air conditioner works and change its filter if necessary.

Or, ya know, keep it clogged with cat dander.  It builds character.  But no, you should clean it ’cause eeew.

• Do not smoke and avoid secondhand smoke.

Wait …Does this mean I can’t smoke weed?

• If you require medication, make sure you have an adequate supply and use them as directed by your doctor.

Wait …so does this mean I CAN smoke weed?  This is confusing. (Remember, kids — always know your dealer!)

• Contact your doctor if you need more medication and get clear instructions on what to do if your lung condition suddenly worsens.

I love that here in California this, too, could be referring to weed.

• Avoid people who have colds and other lung infections and wash your hands thoroughly.

Yeah, I’m gonna say that this is pretty much good advice even if you’re NOT gonna be inhaling fireworks smoke.

• Drinks plenty of liquids, especially warm beverages, to loosen mucus.

Not just to keep me cozy and hydrated?  I’ve gotta loosen mucus now, too?

• Get plenty of rest and limit physical exertion.

Plenty of rest? Check!  Limited physical exertion?  …I’ve been known to lay on the couch and eat a Cheeto or two, so …Check!

Now go enjoy some fireworks!