September 24, 2008

We’re back in the swing of things with a full calendar of events and important decisions being made that will affect Burlingame’s future. Here’s the latest news:

Burlingame Pet Parade

You’ll see pets and pet owners dressed in all kinds of outrageous costumes at the fifth annual Burlingame Pet Parade this Saturday, September 27, at 10 a.m. on Broadway. There’s no fee if you want to be in the parade. Just show up by 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot on Chula Vista near Broadway.

Ribbons will be awarded to the Best Dressed Pet, Best Dressed Owner/Pet Combo, Best Dressed Group, Most Original Float or Wagon and Grand Prize Winner. A float can be a decorated bicycle, wagon or kiddie car. No motorized vehicles or political entries are permitted.

There’s lots of entertainment in store: three bands (including the Burlingame High School Band this year), clowns, balloon animals, pet portraits, face painting, miniature train rides and an Animal Story Hour immediately following the parade at Blue Skies on Broadway at 1423 Broadway. Merchants will host a Sidewalk Sale. And you’ll get to meet one of the Police Department’s new police dogs.

It’s been fun to see this community event grow from a couple of dozen hearty marchers to more than 1,200 spectators and 600 pet owners – plus their pets – at last year’s parade. A group of volunteers started the parade in 2004 to build community spirit. There is no agenda other than to have a good time.

The parade is sponsored by the Broadway Merchants Association, the Peninsula Humane Society, Wells Fargo Bank and the Daily Journal. For more details, including a parade map and photos of previous Pet Parades, visit www.burlingamepetparade.com.

Visions of Downtown

The area surrounding Burlingame Avenue is the focus as our city formulates a new Downtown Specific Plan that will spell out how we want our downtown to look in coming decades. We all love our city just the way it is, but many people tell me they wish there were more types of housing available for seniors who wish to downsize and young people who can’t afford the expensive houses in our city, which are holding their value better than many communities.

I believe we can keep our city’s small-town appeal and accommodate our future needs. To learn how, read the guest editorial I wrote called “Housing for the Future” that appeared in the Daily Journal at www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?type=opinions&id=96993.

The city’s Safeway Working Group recently presented its conception for a new Safeway store. At Safeway’s request, the other council members and I will describe our visions for the future of our downtown at the City Council meeting on October 6, which begins with a study session devoted to parking needs at 6 p.m. in Conference Room A at City Hall. The meeting, which will be televised on Channel 27, will begin at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

On October 7, you’re invited to a Housing Element Workshop to help determine the housing needs of our city that will be included in our General Plan. The session begins at 7 p.m. in the Lane Room at the main Burlingame Public Library.

Going Green

Burlingame’s Green Ribbon Task Force will present its recommendations for lowering carbon emissions and promoting sustainability at the October 6 City Council meeting. The meeting also features a presentation by Sustainable San Mateo County.

On Saturday, October 18, the Task Force invites you to “Greening Your Burlingame Home,” an open house at the Burlingame Recreation Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Drop by to hear presentations on what's new in solar, energy efficiency and green building. You’ll meet green vendors and learn easy ways to save money and reduce your carbon footprint.

And check out the new “Sustainable Burlingame” section on the city’s Web site at https://www.burlingame.org/Index.aspx?page=1175.

Funding for Neighborhood Preparedness

Our city has obtained a grant from the Shinnyo-en Foundation to help expand the Neighborhood Network program, which encourages citizens to work cooperatively in neighborhood teams to prepare for disasters. In the process of getting better acquainted, neighbors are inspired to plan other events such as block parties and holiday get-togethers. Their sense of community fosters a “Neighborhood Watch” awareness that helps prevent crime.

If you are interested in starting a Neighborhood Network in your neighborhood, please let me know. You may qualify for a small grant to help pay for a neighborhood directory or to host a meeting to discuss emergency preparedness. To learn more, click here.

Funding for Community Wish List

Burlingame also is the fiscal agent for another Shinnyo-en grant that will enable us to build the Community Wish List for San Mateo County at www.communitywishlist.org. All nonprofits in the county are invited to list items and services that they would like donated.

The idea of the Wish List is simple: People like the satisfaction of giving tangible items rather than writing checks; they also get a tax write-off. Nonprofits benefit by receiving goods that they need and make connections with people who may wish to help them in other ways. We all benefit by keeping things out of the landfill.

Please encourage nonprofit leaders you know to visit the Web site and fill out a wish list.

How Many Legislators Does It Take to Change a Lightbulb?

The San Francisco Chronicle recently ran a guest editorial I wrote on the difficulty of recycling compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs). Please don’t toss them in your garbage – they’re toxic! You can read the piece here: 

The recycling manager of the South Bayside Waste Management Authority told me this piece inspired SBWMA to investigate curbside recycling of household hazardous waste (including CFLs) and to submit a grant to develop retail take-back options for CFLs and other waste.

By the way, it’s not a good idea to let people cart off your recycling from the curb. Technically, it’s theft, since recyclables become the property of the garbage company as soon as you put out your bins. But the real problem is that the income collected from your recyclables helps offset your garbage rates.

Centennial Souvenirs

Commemorative programs from the Centennial Gala, filled with historical anecdotes and a list of “Extraordinary Burlingamers” are available for $10 each. These are limited, numbered editions that make great holiday gifts for everyone you know who loves Burlingame. We also have a few Centennial Gala invitations, sealed in envelopes postmarked on the city’s actual 100th birthday, available for $5 each. Contact Mary Ellen Kearney at City Hall (mkearney@burlingame.org) if you’d like to order them.

Calling All Volunteers

We’re fortunate to have many people who are willing to help make our community a better place. Right now I’m looking for individuals to help with graphic design, marketing and public relations on a couple of community initiatives. I’ve also been contacted by a group of older residents who are willing to do short service projects that aren’t physically strenuous.

Need a volunteer or wish to volunteer? Let me know and I’ll try to match you up.

Beautification Commission

There are two openings on the city’s Beautification Commission. To apply, go to www.burlingame.org/Index.aspx?page=895. The deadline for applications is October 15. Applicants are required to attend a regular meeting of the commission; the next Beautification Commission meeting is October 2.

An Insider’s View

Get a behind-the-scenes look at how Burlingame operates by signing up for the second annual Citizens’ Academy, which begins October 8 and meets on the second Wednesday of each month through May 2009. Participants visit a variety of city facilities and meet the people who make our city great. The final class is a graduation ceremony held at a City Council meeting. For more information, click here.

Get Connected

Calendar

September 27 – Burlingame Pet Parade on Broadway. (See above)

September 27-28 – Free electronics recycling from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days in the city parking lot on the 400 block of California Drive. For more info, go to http://www2.burlingame.org/RecycleEvent.pdf

September 28 – Broadway Business District Clean-up, 8:30-10:30 a.m. To volunteer, contact Ann Keighran at ann@annkeighran.com

October 2-5 – Fall Book Sale in the Lane Room at the main Burlingame Public Library

October 6 – City Council gives feedback on future of downtown and considers recommendations of Green Ribbon Task Force. (See above)

October 7 – Housing Element Workshop. (See above)

October 8 – Citizens’ Academy begins. (See above)

October 15 – CERT class begins. (See above)

October 18 – “Greening Your Burlingame Home” open house. (See above)

October 19 – Unveiling of specially commissioned Centennial Mural in the Children’s Room at the main Burlingame Public Library at noon

October 31 – Halloween. From noon to 5 p.m. Broadway merchants will be handing out free treats to children in costumes.


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Hope to see you at the Pet Parade on Saturday!

Terry Nagel