Marble - Beautiful but very porous and is not really practical for a counter top. It will stain easily with normal food prep.

Slate - Slate has a nice warm earthy look without shininess of granite. It is durable and easy to clean and unlike granite is nonporous. Scratches can be easily repaired.

Butcher Block - Wood kitchen counter top materials can give hour kitchen a warm look. Butcher block is good for cutting as marks can be sanded out but it is not very resistant to bacteria or stains. Would need periodic conditioning.

Concrete - Fast becoming a favorite in modern kitchens that want an industrial look, concrete is a mid priced material that can be mixed to form any color and even can be mixed with little pieces of anything you want it it! It is durable and easy to clean but is very porous and should be sealed to avoid staining.

Glow sticks are very popular. Like other products, it has potential to become very dangerous if not used properly. Although, glow sticks have very low potential of catching fire, glow sticks can create hazards if plastic is punctured or torn. The chemicals used in glow sticks can cause irritation to skin and if consumed orally can become very harmful. If this does occur, dispose of glow stick immediately. Wash your hands (or any other part of body which may have been exposed to chemicals) with soap and water. If any part of glow stick is consumed orally, see a doctor and call US National Poison Helpline immediately at 1-800-222-1222. If a pet has ingested chemical, call US Animal Poison Helpline at 1-800-213-6800. For more information on glow sticks and glow stick safety, check out www.glowsticksdirect.com.

Whatever you decide to do for Fourth of July holiday make sure to have fun, be safe and respect people around you.