Dear Friend:

I am writing to invite you to a very special event: a reception for the Extraordinary Burlingamers whom we are honoring, as part of our yearlong Centennial celebration, this Sunday, August 5, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Lane Room at the main Burlingame Public Library, 480 Primrose Road.Cookies and lemonade will be served. Admission is free.

These remarkable individuals are past and present Burlingame residents and business people who have done something remarkable or contributed in a significant way to the community. They include the creator of the “Fox Trot” comic strip, a toothpick sculptor, an Academy Award-winning actress, an actress, a Davis Cup champion, medical researchers who have made breakthrough discoveries, an Olympic medalist, the inventor of the “Talking Tombstone” and many others. We will be honoring some of these people posthumously, but I know you will get a kick out of meeting those who come on Sunday. We’ll distribute copies of the complete list at the reception.

We’ll also hand out copies of the 'Burlingameisms' at the reception. Longtime Burlingame resident Paul Constantino compiled this list of jargon unique to Burlingame because of his love for our city. The list notes that Burlingame has been called everything from “ San Francisco ’s Sunshine Suburb” to “Blingum” to “Boringame.” Our residents used to call those living in Hillsborough “Hill People,” while they used to describe us as “Villagers.” Check it out! If you have other city-specific lingo to suggest, contact Paul at kanc@sbcglobal.net or (650) 579-7535.

I want to call your attention, too, to the recent list of Burlingame Milestones that the Burlingame City Council and our city department heads collectively compiled as our “State of the City” report to residents at end of the fiscal year. I think you will be amazed at the many things our city has accomplished in the past year, thanks to hard work by both city employees and the many volunteers who make our city a wonderful place to live. You also read the city’s press release about it. 

For example, the city has won awards for financial reporting and raised its bond rating. We are saving $4 million due to a $33 million pension obligation bond that the city used to prepay the CalPERS debt for its unfunded liability – an achievement that has caused other cities to call us and ask, “How did you do that?” Housing values are stronger than in surrounding communities. We have started a Green Ribbon Task Force, made significant upgrades to our water and sewer systems, and redesigned the city’s Web site so that it is more user friendly. We are introducing a citizen complaint tracking system, a neighborhood emergency preparedness program, a business ambassador and a maintenance worker dedicated to improving maintenance of retail areas.

Finally, don’t miss these upcoming city events:

Tonight (August 2) at 5:30 p.m., City Hall – Beautification Commission meeting. Items on the agenda include the recommended tree list for future planting on Easton Drive, the long-term vision of the commission and a proposal for landscape awards.

August 8 at 7 p.m., Lane Room at main Burlingame Public Library – Town Hall Meeting on sidewalk fees and the impact of trees on sidewalks.

August 11-12, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days – Art and Jazz Festival on Burlingame Avenue. More than 150 artists will display their wares and groups will play many forms of light jazz, from Dixieland to Swing to Latin. There’s also a children’s play area.

August 20 – Burlingame City Council meeting with a jam-packed, very interesting agenda

Enjoy the summer!