A SPECIAL REPORT: INDEPENDENCE DAY

OLD GLORY: Bill Racoosin, owner of a Laguna Beach flag business for 15 years, says sales of American flags are up over last year. “Patriotism has not left the United States,” says Racoosin, whose biggest July 4 clients include real estate agents, car dealers and hotels. . . . The biggest sales were in 1991, in the wake of Desert Storm, which he thinks explains this year’s hike: “Maybe it’s because of Clinton’s positive stand in Baghdad.”

ON THE ROAD: Whether you’re headed for the beach, the mall or a fireworks extravaganza tonight (B1), gird yourself for heavy traffic and, of course, the California Highway Patrol. . . . CHP officer Rick Matthews says the three-day weekend will mean extra tough travel. “I’ve noticed over the last few holidays, people anticipate the heavy return holiday traffic on Monday and, because of that, more will be coming back on Sunday.” . . . Peak traffic hours on Monday? 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. And statewide, the Highway Patrol will deploy 75% of its manpower during those hours, says Matthews. “We will be out there.”

STAR-SPANGLED: In 16 years as a sports-event organist, Joe Tripoli has played the “Star-Spangled Banner” 1,150 times. This baseball season, he’ll play it more than 75 times at Angels games. Tripoli--who has accompanied everyone from pop singer Tiffany to “Phantom of the Opera’s” lead singer Davis Gaines, who will sing the anthem in Anaheim Stadium tonight--has yet to grow tired of it: “Someone different is singing it every night, and everyone has their own interpretation.”

FATEFUL FOURTH: The largest crowd ever assembled in Orange County at the time--15,000--converged on Santa Ana on July 4, 1900, as the cornerstone was laid for the red brick courthouse. But the day is also remembered for the foolhardy stunt of balloonist Emil Markeberg. . . . Hanging from a balloon by a strap clenched in his teeth, Markeberg suddenly let go and fell. Reported an eyewitness: “He was broken into a jelly and soon was carried away by the dead wagon--another victim to recklessness.”