Dear Friend:

In case you’ve been living underground, I want to remind you that Tuesday is Election Day, and it’s important to vote! If you have any questions about the process of voting, such as how to make sure your absentee ballot has been counted, go to the San Mateo County Voter Q & A
document on my Web site.

No doubt you’ve already decided your favorite candidate for President. If you’re still undecided, you might like to take the Select A Candidate Quiz, even though it might tell you that your views mostly closely match those of a candidate who has already dropped out of the race!

I don’t have any strong feelings about the state propositions on the current ballot except for Proposition 93, which I’m supporting. Although opponents are playing up the shortcomings of a few legislators who will stay in office longer if this measure passes, I believe we will benefit from having assemblymembers and state senators in office a maximum of 12 years. Under the current system, officeholders come and go so frequently that there aren’t many experienced legislators making decisions. In fact, it’s often said that the lobbyists have more knowledge that our elected representatives.

Get Involved!

There are plenty of ways you can get involved in our community. Here are some suggestions:

City’s eNewsletter – To receive regular updates about city events and issues, go to the eNews Sign-up Page and sign up for the eNewsletter. Note that you can also sign up for regular updates on ongoing projects such as Safeway and the Downtown Specific Plan.

Transit Camp – Are you frustrated with your commute? Come to Bay Area Transit Camp, a unique event on February 23-24 in Palo Alto that will be devoted to the positive possibilities of public transit in the Bay Area. Based on the "bar camps" (http://www.barcamp.org/) started by open source activist Tim O'Reilly, Transit Camp is patterned after successful Transit Camps held in Toronto and Vancouver. It invites citizens, transit experts, elected officials and others to focus on improving how current transit systems work and collaborating on the future of Bay Area transit. Because Web professionals will be participating, too, the event will be well documented with blog posts, wiki content, photos and video for everyone who is unable to attend. They’ll also be looking for ways to improve commuting with Web tools. (For one example, visit TrainCheck .)

This event is free (lunch is included) and is accessible by public transit. (It's just a few blocks from the Palo Alto Caltrain station.) To learn more and view the invitation, go to http://www.eventbrite.com/event/96263928/invitefriends. Sponsorships are available at $300 maximum; sponsors can also register on the same page. 

Community Wish List – Some Burlingame residents have created a Web site at www.communitywishlist.org that is the “go-to” virtual gathering place where people who wish to share their time, talents and goods with nonprofit organizations in San Mateo County. It includes a searchable database that lets you search by item or organization. We are looking for volunteers who can help monitor and build the Web site by reaching out to the community. If you would like to be involved, please contact me at terry@terrynagel.com or (650) 347-3576.

Emergency Preparedness – There’s still time to sign up for Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT) training through the Burlingame Rec Center. The first class is this Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.  The class is free and, as a bonus, you’ll receive a backpack filled with helpful emergency equipment. You can sign up through the Rec Center either online (www.burlingame.org) or by calling (650) 558-7300.

Neighborhood Network – You can organize your neighborhood for emergency preparedness and build a spirit of community by starting a Neighborhood Network.The program piloted during the past year in the Poppy Drive area has resulted in a close-knit neighborhood where residents participate in occasional social events, help one another, have identified skills and equipment needed during disasters, and have collected emergency contact information in a secure database. If you are interested in attending an informal seminar during March about how to start a group, please contact me at terry@terrynagel.com or (650) 347-3576.

Power Reliability – Burlingame still has some areas where residents suffer frequent power outages. If yours is one of them, I invite you to join Burlingamers Unwilling to Live with Blackouts (BULB) to work with Pacific Gas & Electric on improving the infrastructure in your area. And don’t forget to log the details of any outages you experience (long or short) by filling out a Power Outage Report on my Web site. We will use this information during discussions with PG&E. You can also view the Power Outage Log on my site.

Calendar

February 6-March 8 – Citizen’s Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. See above for details.

February 7 – Traffic, Safety and Parking Technology Forum. 7 p.m., Lane Room, Burlingame Main Library. Traffic experts from Kimley-Horn and Associates will explain how and why stop signs are used, why some intersections have crosswalks and others don’t, and common practices that affect all drivers and pedestrians. Sponsored by the Traffic, Safety and Parking Commission. Free.

February 23-24 – Bay Area Transit Camp. See above.

February 24 – Centennial Vintage Fashion Show, Kohl Mansion, noon-3 p.m. All the fashion fads of the past 100 years will be on parade and lunch will be served. Seating is limited. Tickets cost $75 and are on sale at the Recreation Center.

April 1 – Deadline for nominations for the “Best Business Landscape Award,” a new program that recognizes efforts by local businesses. The nomination form and rules are available at the Recreation Department. Call (650) 558-7330 for more information.

April 11 – Deadline for entries to “Visions of Burlingame,” an art, video and photography contest and student art exhibit honoring the city’s Centennial. Entries cost $10 each. The show will be held April 25 and 26. Here’s a link to the entry form: http://www2.burlingame.org/Entry%20Form.pdf

June 6 – Save the date! This is Burlingame’s actual 100th birthday. There will be a huge Centennial Ball, outdoor movies, fireworks and more!

Don’t forget to vote!