Rick McGinty has lived in Happy Valley since 1966.

His parents operated the Happy Valley Flea Market for years until the Canyon Fire of 1999 destroyed it. McGinty’s mother, Pearl, still lives on Stawberry Lane, just a couple of blocks from her son. His two sisters also live in Happy Valley.

McGinty attended Anderson Union High School and later took classes at Shasta College and entered a trade school specializing in computer technology. That gave him the skills to enter a rapidly growing industry. He worked as a computer technician in computer operations for about 12 years in Silicone Valley.

For a while McGinty had his own computer business helping customers with various technical problems.

In November 2006 McGinty bought the Westwood Video Store and took on a Clearwire high-speed, wireless internet dealership.

Today he is busier than ever working both businesses, ordering, stocking and renting video inventory and selling Clearwire based inside his store.

“The modems Clearwire offers are portable,” McGinty said. “They can be plugged into an automobile or used at home. All you need are the bars lighting and you’re ready to use it.”

Name: Richard (Rick) McGinty.

Born where and when: Vallejo, March 23, 1952.

Occupation: Owner, Westwood Video & Tan.

Marital Status: Married six plus years.

Family: Wife Geraldine; son, Mike in South Carolina; stepkids, Lloyd and Veronica.

Pets: Dog named Billy and too many lovebirds.

My worst job: Stacking cinder blocks coming down a conveyor belt.

My first job: Working in the garment industry in San Francisco.

In my spare time I: Spare time? I keep hearing people talk about that.

My favorite book: That would have to be the Bible.

Favorite movie: That’s a hard one. I watch a lot of movies.

My favorite recording artist: Gotta be Willy Nelson.

My dream car: Just an old pickup with good tires that runs pretty good.

My friends like me because: I do what I say I will do.

If stranded on a deserted island, I would want: That’s easy — my wife and a Wal-Mart.

The one thing in life I’ve learned is: People are funny.

The best advice my parents gave me: Stay in school; learn how to do something.

My most embarrassing moment was: Can’t narrow that down to one.

My most irrational act: I probably haven’t done it yet.

My most valued material possession: My wedding ring and my home.

What I like best about the North State: There’s always something to do.

My hero is: There are a number of people I admire, but no one I can think of to fit that title.

My pet peeve is: Tailgaters.

My fantasy is: To be stranded on a deserted island with my wife and a Wal-Mart.

If I could change one thing about myself I would: Have started taking better care of myself a long time ago.

The one thing Shasta County needs most is: Well, right now I guess that would be rain.

The most enjoyable thing about life is: Waking up in the morning to a brand new day and knowing God is in charge.