For more information please contact
Terry at
info@terrynagel.com
Copyright 2008 Terry Nagel - All Rights Reserved
October 13, 2008
With our economy in free fall and the future of our country uncertain, it’s nice to know that our city and county are well prepared for emergencies. But are you? I’d like to invite you to attend a brief meeting on October 23 that will provide details on everything you need to know to help keep your family safe.
And despite the questions we all have about the $700 billion bailout, our legislators did extend some energy credits that make this a good time to make your home less dependent on fossil fuels. Check out the “Greening Your Burlingame Home” open house on October 18. Details are below.
Burlingame can help you prepare for emergencies, prevent crime and get connected. At the “Burlingame Survivor” presentation on October 23, you’ll help brief descriptions of free programs such as “Get Ready” programs on emergency preparedness; Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training; classes in First Aid CPR, defibrillator and other life-saving skills; city and county automatic emergency alerts and crime reports; the Neighborhood Watch crime prevention program; and ways you can communicate with and participate in city government.
You’ll also learn how you can connect your neighborhood to the city’s preparedness efforts through a Neighborhood Network. You’ll be able to sign up for free training on the spot and may qualify for a free grant to start a Neighborhood Network in your neighborhood. In addition, you’ll receive a free list of city contacts for emergency and everyday problems.
This program will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 23, in the Burlingame Recreation Center at 850 Burlingame. Ave. For more information, contact Fire Chief Don Dornell at 650) 558-7600 or Police Chief Jack Van Etten at (650) 777-4100.
If you’re interested in CERT training, sign up through the Recreation Center right away. The next class begins October 15.
Burlingame residents can meet green experts and hear presentations on solar energy, building green and energy efficiency at the “Greening Your Burlingame Home” Open House from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 18, at the Burlingame Recreation Center.
By the way, now is a great time to think incorporating solar panels into your home. The Burlingame City Council eliminated the city’s solar permit fee last week, and the $700 billion bailout bill extended a federal tax credit for solar installations for eight years that was due to be phased on December 31. Beginning in 2009, the cap will no longer be $2,000 but, rather, 30 percent of the total cost of the project. The California Public Utilities Commission also offers a solar rebate.
The Burlingame Green Ribbon Task Force and the City of Burlingame are hosting the “Greening Your Burlingame Home” event. Admission is free. Meetings will run concurrently during the presentations with the green open house and interactive exhibits in the center’s courtyard. Some vendors are offering discounts. For more information, visit www.burlingame.org and see the press release linked to the home page.
In addition to reducing the city’s solar permit fee to zero, the Burlingame City Council approved other major initiatives on October 6 that represent a giant "green" leap forward for the city. The council unanimously authorized completion of a community-wide greenhouse gas inventory and creation of a Climate Action Plan that is designed to identify high-priority programs and policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The city has already signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, formed a Green Ribbon Task Force and created a “Sustainable Burlingame” section on the city’s Web site at www.burlingame.org. Ours was one of the first cities in the county to offer a green certification program for local businesses. An evaluation of city shuttle services is saving the city $40,000 per year. Burlingame is in the process of completing a baseline inventory of greenhouse gas emissions for city operations.
The Green Ribbon Task Force will make other recommendations regarding green building, energy efficiency, transportation and shuttle services, and recycling that will reduce the city’s carbon footprint at future council meetings. These initiatives are the “low-hanging fruit” of climate protection programs because they reduce greenhouse gas emissions, are easy to implement and help residents and businesses save money.
To keep informed about Burlingame’s green events and activities, sign up for “Go Green E-News” on the city’s Web site at http://www.burlingame.org/Index.aspx?page=21
There are now three openings on Burlingame’s Beautification Commission, due to one commissioner’s resignation as a result of pressing work commitments. The deadline for applications has been extended until October 15. If you have any questions, please contact Ana Silva in the City Manager's Office at(650)558-7204
The fifth annual Burlingame Pet Parade was great fun and drew about 400 more spectators than last year: a total of 1,600, according to official crowd counters provided by the Peninsula Humane Society. Many thanks to PHS, the Broadway Merchants Association, the Daily Journal and Wells Fargo Bank for sponsoring this hometown event.
Almost 200 photos of the recent Burlingame Pet Parade may be viewed on the parade's Web site at www.burlingamepetparade.com. Some photos have been provided by professional photographer Mark Hundley and are watermarked with his name. Full-size prints of his photos are available from www.hundleyphoto.smugmug.com. If you have photos of the parade that you would like to share, you can upload them by going to http://www.burlingamepetparade.com/Photospage1120.htm and clicking on "Add Your Photos." If you have any questions or comments about the parade, contact
info@burlingamepetparade.com.
October 15 – Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class begins. (See above.)
October 15 – Deadline for applications to serve on the city’s Beautification Commission. (See above.)
October 15 – Presidential Debate, 6 p.m. The Burlingame Public Library invites you to watch the debate on the big screen in the Lane Room.
October 15, 17 and 23 – 7 to 9 p.m. County public forums in San Mateo, San Carlos and South San Francisco on the county’s options for relieving jail overcrowding. These meetings are designed to receive public input on possible locations for a new jail. To read newspaper coverage on this subject, go to http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=99047. For details on the meeting locations, go to http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/smc/department/home/0,,1909_1252053342_1328418978,00.html.
October 18 – “Greening Your Burlingame Home” Open House, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free. (See above)
October 18 – “What’s Your Point, Honey?” 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Oak Room at the San Mateo Public Library, 55 W. Third Ave., San Mateo. California Women Lead’s San Mateo County Chapter will screen this independent documentary film, which presents a nonpartisan look at the challenges facing women who seek the highest levels of political office and focuses on the importance of developing the leadership skills of young women. Fee of $10 includes lunch. Register by October 14. For questions call(650) 363-4463 or email cwl.sanmateo@gmail.com.
October 19 – Burlingame Library Centennial Day. Unveiling of specially commissioned Centennial Mural in the Children’s Room at the main Burlingame Public Library at noon. The Burlingame High School Band will play, U.S. Representative Jackie Speier will be present, and the lions outside the library will receive their names. Free.
October 19 – “Romeo and Juliet,” 3 p.m. in Washington Park. Sponsored by the Burlingame Recreation Department, this performance will be presented by San Francisco’s Shakespeare on Tour. Free. For more information, call(650) 558-7300.
October 21 – Panel discussion on the pros and cons of the California propositions on the November 4 ballot, 7 p.m., main Burlingame Public Library, Lane Room. Sponsored by the Burlingame Library and the League of Women Voters of North and Central San Mateo County.
October 23 – “Burlingame Survivor,” 7 p.m., Burlingame Recreation Center. Get prepared and get connected. Free. (See above.)
October 24 – New Burlingame community theater troupe, Acting Out and About, presents an improvisation evening at Il Piccolo Caffe, 1219 Broadway, 7 p.m. Free. Audience participation is encouraged. For more information, call (650) 697-6936
October 26 – Opening of the Burlingame-Hillsborough History Museum, 2 to 4 p.m., Burlingame Avenue train station. This open house allows the public its first peek at the museum in order to see the potential of the site as an ongoing resource for both cities. Highlights including a performance by the 30-piece West Bay Community Band, a rare appearance by the 2472 Steam Train and a new reproduction of the Southern Pacific Railroad sign that will be rehung on the tower of the station. Free.
October 31 – Halloween. From noon to 5 p.m. Broadway merchants will be handing out free treats to children in costumes.
Have a question? Need help? You can reach me at tnagel@burlingame.org or (650) 347-3576
If you like this newsletter, please forward it to a friend!
See you around town!