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Terry at
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Copyright 2006 Terry Nagel - All Rights Reserved
September 19, 2006
Dear Friend:
I’m writing to let you know about some exciting events coming up in Burlingame, as well as to urge you to begin thinking about a couple of issues on the November ballot.
Be prepared for the unexpected when you come to the third annual Burlingame Pet Parade www.burlingamepetparade.com on Broadway this Saturday, September 23. Dogs and other critters are likely to be wearing tutus, tiaras, capes and wings—and sometimes their adoring owners choose to dress just like them!This year’s parade will start at 10 a.m., but those who wish to march in the parade should report to the parking lot near Broadway and Chula Vista no later than 9:30 a.m. Groups of six or more are asked to register in advance at www.burlingamepetparade.com or by calling Jean Silveira at (650) 344-4945 so that parade moderators can describe them as they march by. There is no charge to participate.Music will be provided by the Los Trancos Woods Community Marching Band and the San Mateo Elks Concert Band. Among the attractions are a miniature train (that will give free rides to tots after the parade), two clowns, animal-themed art projects for kids, pet portraits by students from Art Attack, the Burlingame Police Department’s only police dog (Niko), a Lions Club barbecue, and the Peninsula Humane Society’s adoption van and spay/neuter unit. An Animal Story Hour will be held at 1 p.m., after the parade, at the Easton Branch library.Entries must be operated by foot power only, unless special arrangements are made. No commercial or political entries are permitted. Groups are encouraged to identify themselves with a banner or sign. Water stations will be provided for pets. Human participants are advised to bring their own water.Preliminary judging will take place during the parade. All types of pets are welcome; even stuffed animals are allowed. Large ribbons will be awarded for the best dressed pet, best dressed owner/pet combo, best dressed group, most interesting pet, most original float or wagon, and grand prize winner.
For complete details, a color map of the parade route and pictures of last year’s parade, visit www.burlingamepetparade.com.
Burlingame is inviting everyone interested in the future of its downtown to participate in a collaborative design workshop called a "charrette" on Saturday, September 30, that the city is sponsoring in conjunction with AIA San Mateo County, a chapter of The American Institute of Architects.Members of the public are invited to come anytime between 8:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. to the workshop, which will be held at the Burlingame Recreation Center, 850 Burlingame Ave. Admission is free. The best time to voice ideas is from 8:30 a.m. to noon, the "brainstorming" portion of the charrette. During the afternoon, the public is still welcome, but there is less interaction as the architects rush to complete their sketches. The architectural teams will present their visions to the public from 6:30 to 8 p.m.At the all-day event, dozens of architects and other design professionals will volunteer their time to create design concepts for revitalizing the area around Howard Avenue in downtown Burlingame between El Camino Real and California Drive. A key focus of the study will be the side streets and pedestrian ways that connect Howard Avenue to the bustling Burlingame Avenue shopping area one block north. The workshop is named "Destination: SOBA" to highlight Howard Avenue’s South of Burlingame Avenue (SOBA) location.
To learn more, read "What’s a Charrette?" For more information, contact me or Maureen Brooks of the Burlingame Planning Department at (650) 558-7253, mbrooks@burlingame.org.
For the second year, San Mateo County is hosting a Disaster Preparedness Day that is designed to tell you everything you need to know about a disaster. It will be held Saturday, September 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at SMC Event Center, 2495 S. Delaware Street, San Mateo. Admission is free, and each person who attends will receive a free hot dog and soda.The event offers a multitude of first responders, demonstrations, first aid tips, survival gear purveyors and representatives from local police and fire departments, including Burlingame’s Central County Fire.
Call (650) 363-4790 for more information. For a quick checklist of supplies needed during emergencies and contact information for a variety of city services, print out the Emergency Contacts and Other Helpful Information handout I created for Burlingame residents.
I’ll send more information in a couple of weeks about your choices in the upcoming election on November 7, but there are two important issues that you should know about now.
Measure H – The Burlingame City Council voted unanimously to place a $44 million bond measure on the ballot that would fix our city’s dilapidated flood control system and take care of critical safety fixes, such as retrofitting of public buildings that have been designated, ironically, as emergency shelters. Every year we are sinking about $1.5 million into repairing the city’s outdated flood control system, and it still doesn’t work very well. Flooding, mudslides and standing water in streets (which attracts mosquitoes) would all be eliminated for at least 50 years under this measure, which would cost the average homeowner $125 a year. That’s a bargain for the peace of mind it would bring. And the bond’s passage would mean we could decide as a city to start saving the money we are now spending on repairs to finance something we really want—say, a new Recreation Center. Please vote Yes on Measure H. It’s the responsible thing to do. For more information, visit www.protectburlingame.org or leave a message at (650) 558-7235 and one of us will call you back.
Proposition 90 – This statewide proposal is a taxpayer trap. Some people call it the "Lawyer Full Employment Initiative." It would cost taxpayers billions of dollars in new payouts anytime a law were passed to protect neighborhoods, control development, protect air and water quality, restrict undesirable businesses or enact new consumer laws. That’s because it has a hidden provision that allows virtually anyone to sue, and taxpayers would have to pay the bill. More than 90 percent of the money supporting this proposition under the guide of eminent domain reform is coming from out of state. Please vote No on Proposition 90.
If you have questions about how or where to vote, consult San Mateo County’s official voter info site, ShapetheFuture.org, or the League of Women’s Voters site, SmartVoter.org.
I’ve been traveling a lot this summer as a member of the 2006 Class of the California Civic Leadership Institute, learning a great deal about transportation, energy and other issues and how to begin addressing them at the state level. I’ve captured some of my impressions in "Things I’ve Learned."
Want to give a gift that benefits Burlingame residents or buy an item in memory of a loved one? See the City of Burlingame’s Wish List.
Cleaning out closets? Upgrading to a new computer? Local nonprofits may put to good use some of the items you are planning to discard. Take a look at what the San Mateo County Community Wish List, which I created with help from volunteers.
Friday, September 22 – Deadline for applications for two openings on the Parks and Recreation Commission and three openings on the Beautification Commission. For an application or more information, contact City Clerk Doris Mortensen at (650) 558-7203 or dmortensen@burlingame.org.Wednesday, October 11, 7 p.m., main Burlingame Public Library – Award-winning film director Stephen Olsson will discuss his documentary about four journalists covering the war with the Afghans and Soviets as part of "One Book, One Community," a countywide project encouraging everyone to read one of my favorite books, "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini. Free.Thursday, October 19, 7:30 p.m., San Mateo Performing Arts Center – Author Khaled Hosseini will speak about his book, "The Kite Runner." Free.Sunday, October 22, 7 p.m., Kohl Mansion – Music at Kohl Mansion opens its 24th annual series of chamber concerts in Burlingame’s historic Kohl Mansion with the Grieg Trio playing music by Grieg, Haydn and Tchaikovsky. For more information, including details about Family Concerts, see www.musicatkohl.org or call (650) 762-1130.Monday, October 23 – Last day to register to vote for the November 7 electionTuesday, October 31 – Last date to register to receive an absentee ballot for the November 7 election.Tuesday, November 7 – Election Day. Don’t forget to vote!
Sundays through November 19, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Fresh Market on Park Road at Burlingame Avenue, with vendors offering fresh local produce, flowers and specialty food products.
Best wishes,