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For many Americans, Independence Day means relaxation. But for fireworks professional Dan Nitzan and his crew, the holiday means Department of Homeland Security background checks, sore backs and — hopefully — a job well done.

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CalMatters is a Sacramento-based nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. It works with more than 130 media partners throughout the state that have long, deep relationships with their local audiences, including Embarcadero Media.

Jocelyn Dong is the Peninsula editorial director for Embarcadero Media Foundation. In her nearly 25 years with Embarcadero, she has covered health, business, land use, neighborhoods and general news....