Dear Friend:

If you haven’t registered to vote, there’s still time! And even if you have already registered to vote, you may win $100,000 if you click on the following link: http://tn11cd8.VOTEorNOT.org before the deadline to register: October 18.

It sounds like a scam but it’s not. The two guys who founded Hot or Not (hotornot.com), a dating Web site where people post portraits that others rate, have started Vote or Not, an effort to inspire more citizens to register to vote. If you sign up, you may win $100,000. By clicking on the link above and filling out a simple form, you will be entered in a drawing that will be held in late November. If your entry is selected, you will win $100,000, and so will the person who referred you to the site. If you use the link above, that would be me! And if I win, I pledge to donate the money to good causes in the Burlingame area.

When you sign up on Vote or Not, you will receive your own link that you can send to friends to increase your chances of winning. Remember, you can already be registered to vote and still qualify for the drawing.

Easton Branch Opens

The renovated Easton Branch of the Burlingame Public Library is now open. Come and enjoy the beautiful Mission-style décor, cozy couches around the fireplace, a children’s reading area and a “Secret Garden.” Donations have enabled the library to include many new books.

Hours are Monday through Thursday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Get Involved!

Did you know that studies show that people who join even one organization live longer? Now is a great time to get involved, because lots of important meetings are coming up that affect Burlingame. Here are a few:

Wednesday, October 6 – The Forum at Redwood City invites you to hear nationally recognized city planner Victor Dover discuss “Transforming Failed Shopping Centers into Successful Neighborhoods,” a very relevant topic for Burlingame residents who want to learn about creative options for the Safeway site at Howard and El Camino. The program runs from 6 to 7:45 p.m. at the Little Fox Theatre, 2209 Broadway, Redwood City. Admission is $10. More details at www.ci.redwood-city.ca.us/manager/news/2004/pr_forumoctober.html

Thursday, October 7 – If you have questions or concerns about the proposed replacement for Peninsula Hospital, come to a special meeting with the project’s planners and representatives from Mills-Peninsula Hospital Services. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Burlingame City Hall. For additional information, contact the city’s Planning Department at (650) 558-7255 or go online to the City of Burlingame Web site at http://www.burlingame.org/planning/planning%20for%20future/peninsula%20hosp/peninsula%20hosp%20main%20pg.htm

Tuesday, October 12 – Members of Burlingamers Unwilling to Live with Blackouts (BULB) will meet with Pacific Gas & Electric representatives to discuss progress being made on reducing power outages in Burlingame, as well as plans for improving circuits. If you would like to attend, please send me an email (terry@terrynagel.com). The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in Conference Room A at Burlingame City Hall. Due to BULB’s efforts, outages decreased 85 percent citywide from 2002 to 2003. For statistics, : click here

Wednesday, October 13 – ABC-TV (Channel 7) is inviting Burlingame residents and people involved in providing services to Burlingame to come and discuss problems, needs and interests. The goal is for ABC to learn about key Burlingame issues that we believe the station should be covering. ABC News Reporter David Louie and several news managers will attend, and part of the meeting will be filmed. Space is limited. To attend, please RSVP to: abc7listens@kgo-tv.com or call (415) 954-7702. If you have any questions, call (415) 954-7712.

Thursday, October 14 – The Peninsula Division of the League of California Cities is holding a fundraiser for Proposition 1A, which would stop the state legislature from taking and using local tax dollars that support vital services such as fire and paramedic response, law enforcement, emergency and trauma care, parks, libraries and water delivery. Assemblyman Gene Mullin is one of the hosts for the event, which runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Michael’s at Shoreline, 2960 North Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View. Even if you can’t attend, we would appreciate your donation to the cause. If Prop 1A doesn’t pass, cities will be hurting for a long, long time. Click here to read about Prop 1A http://www.yesonprop1a.com/ and click here to learn more about the event. http://www.terrynagel.com/downloads/Mullin_flier_with_form2.pdf

Wednesday, October 27 – As part of the California Public Utilities Commission’s ruling on the Jefferson-Martin power line project, Pacific Gas & Electric is required to hold a community meeting to get local input. If you have any comments about the project, please plan to stop by between 2 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. that day in the Lane Room at the main Burlingame Public Library. PG&E will have “stations” around the room where you can talk with staff about the construction schedule, electromagnetic fields and other issues.

Commission Openings
Want to help Burlingame stay beautiful? The city has extended the application period for vacancies on the Beautification Commission through October 29. There are also openings on the Traffic Safety and Parking Commission (applications due October 15) and on the Civil Service Commission (applications due November 1). For more information, click here http://www.burlingame.org/council/Commission%20openings.htm

See you around town,