LITTLE EGG HARBOR. New Jersey USA — After a group countdown, Tuckerton Elementary School student David Cook pushed a button Friday and launched his model rocket toward the clouds above the Pinelands Regional High School soccer field.

EDNEYVILLE, North Carolina USA — The whoosh of rockets in the background, the smell of hot dogs sizzling on the grill and the clink of horseshoes accented the culmination picnic for the Jumpstart program at East Henderson High School.

JERSEY SHORE, Pennsylvania USA — Michala Alexander's new hobby is really taking off - literally.

DENVER, Colorado USA - The FAA is restricting air space in the Denver area during the Democratic National Convention.

GREENCASTLE, Indiana USA — Eric Merrell's face just beams with excitement when he talks about model rocketry.

WESLEY CHAPEL, Florida USA — Jim Harris, owner of Gorilla Rocket Motors, is pleased to announce five new members of the Gorilla family, fresh off the certification test stands of Tripoli Motor Testing.  The new additions consist of an H, three I's and one L motor.

IRVING, Texas USA — The Squirrel Works is pleased to present our newest model rocket kit, Pie In The Sky. This novelty pizza rocket can be built in minutes, requiring only glue, paint and sandpaper for assembly. The pre-scored peel and stick decal makes finishing a breeze.

LAKE TOWNSHIP, Ohio USA — The garage at Steve Eves' home looks ordinary — maybe a little bigger than most, but nothing striking.

But the work barn outside his Greentown-area home resembles the local branch of NASA.

We all told him he couldn't do it. Rather than discouraging him, we should have been encouraging him to reach for the brass ring.  Thankfully, Niccolo von Grebmer didn't let us keep him from his goal, that of successfully achieving his NAR Jr. Level 1 certification.  Good job, Nick!

If you were lucky enough to attend the June launch of Tripoli Central California, you can say you were at a launch that was like no other. Spectacular flights, some were good, some were interesting and some downright exciting.  Ben Sandoval gives us a rundown.