Red, White and Boom

The city of Milpitas is again hosting Fourth of July Red, White and Boom Concert and Fireworks 5-9 p.m. at the Milpitas Sports Center, 1325 E. Calaveras Blvd.

Before the fireworks, attendees can enjoy live music by School of Rock and Sugaray Rayford, who combines soul, R&B and blues. The event also features children’s activities and local food trucks.

Attendees should bring blankets and low folding chairs to sit on the field area. No tents, tables, lounge chairs or large umbrellas are allowed. Pets, alcohol and glass bottles or containers are not allowed.

Presale tickets purchased July 3 or earlier are $7 at https://www.milpitas.gov/659/Fourth-of-July. General admission on July 4 is $10. Gates open at 5 p.m. for presale ticket holders and 6 p.m. for general admission. The event is rain-or-shine and cashless.

Get green for going green

Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) recently launched a financing pilot program designed to make clean energy home upgrades more accessible and affordable for residents of 13 Santa Clara County communities, including Milpitas.

The Sunnyvale-based nonprofit’s Zero Interest Financing Program removes significant upfront costs for homeowners who want to install energy-efficient heat pump systems and water heaters by offering no-interest loans for up to 100% of the cost of new equipment.

Beyond financial accessibility, the pilot program includes bill monitoring and ongoing support for new equipment to ensure that the energy savings realized offset the loan payments.

This new financing pilot is expected to serve approximately 200 homes initially and target customers with a high-bill savings potential. For more information and to apply, visit https://svcleanenergy.org/financing.