Bang-up sales: Bucking some cowardly thieves and The Guv himself, the story of the 2008 Orangevale Relay for Life fireworks stand wound up with a remarkably happy ending.

You may recall that, about 48 hours before Independence Day, some thugs made off with about $13,000 in fireworks from a metal shed in the Orangevale Community Center parking lot. It looked like Lorraine Silvera, coordinator of the Sept. 6-7 relay, was on the hook because there was no theft insurance.

But the good guys won this time. Thanks to Phantom Fireworks (which quickly restocked the stand), county Supervisor Roberta MacGlashan (who kicked in $1,000), and a host of good folks who ignored The Guv's don't-light-up stance and bought a heck of a lot of fireworks.

"We raised $8,013, all for the Relay for Life," a hugely thankful Lorraine said. "It's just amazing how much the community stepped up. … Just two days ago, a woman walked in and handed me a $20 bill."

It was the first year of running a fireworks booth for Lorraine, who also is honorary mayor of Orange-vale, president of the Chamber of Commerce and owns Kidwells Glass in Ovale and Fair Oaks.

Lesson learned?

"Next year, I will be sleeping at the booth or driving our inventory back to the storage yard." …

Big dig: Response was quick and informative to the recent item in which Citrus Heights reader Chuck Percifield questioned the pace and apparent lack of progress on the massive sewer project on Old Auburn Road.

Chuck wrote a wonderful e-mail, comparing the project to Yankee Stadium, the Eiffel Tower and other landmarks and wondering which took the longest to construct.

City Council members Jeff Slowey and Jeannie Bruins checked in right away, reminding me it is a Regional County Sanitation District project and not the city's. They also explained how misguided the item was.

Jeannie, who sits on the sanitation district board, said the massive project is right on pace.

"It's awkward and it's messy. … We were not looking forward to it, but it has to be done," she said.

Bernie Galvin, district spokeswoman, said the $52 million, 5.3-mile project actually is ahead of schedule.

One reason progress seems slow, all of them said, is that almost all the work is being done as much as 62 feet underground.

"It might not always be evident to the public," Bernie said, "but I guarantee you that something always is going on."

Along with a compendium of info and statistics that would reach across Old Auburn, Bernie offered some "fun facts" to answer Chuck's quiz:

"Eiffel Tower, constructed in two years, two months.

"Golden Gate Bridge, constructed in four years, three months.

"Empire State Building, constructed in 15 months.

"Yankee Stadium, constructed in 11 months.

"We are very pleased to be listed among these great constructions! However, please bear in mind all these projects were built above ground and without the environmental, health and safety restrictions modern-day construction requires."

Meanwhile, Citrus Heights reader Ric Noell chimed in with a long e-mail boosting the project and the conduct of its crews.

"Given the magnitude of this project," Ric wrote, "I think the construction crews have been moving as quickly (or) more quickly than we could have hoped.

"This project has been inconvenient for many people … but not nearly as much as NOT doing the work would be in the future."

Councilman Jeff said much the same: "The alternative to not updating the sewer system is a stinky topic at best."

In any event, Chuck, it was a great e-mail. …

Relay, Part II: The great fireworks comeback should make this year's Relay for Life an even greater celebration – and it's already one of the best events in just about every town.

The American Cancer Society's relay is a 24-hour event with teams of runners and walkers circling a track. They walk and run – amid great conviviality and plenty of entertainment – to celebrate survivors, remember victims and fight back against the disease.

Orangevale's relay starts at 10 a.m. Sept. 6 at Louis Pasteur Middle School, 8935 Elm Ave. For more information, to register a team or offer some help, call Lorraine at (916) 806-8261.

Cheers.

Call The Bee's Bob Walter, (916) 608-7448. Back columns, www.sacbee.com/walter.