April 22, 2009

It’s a crazy-busy time of year. Here’s an update on some upcoming events and deadlines.

High Speed Rail

This Thursday, April 23, Assemblymember Jerry Hill will host a Town Hall Meeting on high speed rail, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Belmont City Council Chambers at 1 Twin Pines Lane in Belmont.

The goal of the meeting is to learn how you can participate in the process as the project is developed. Representatives from the High Speed Rail Authority and Caltrain will be on hand, and there will be plenty of time for questions.

Start Something!

If you have an idea for improving Burlingame or starting a new group, you can learn how to make it happen on Saturday, April 25, when Mayor Ann Keighran and I will host a Community Building Workshop from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Burlingame Recreation Center, 850 Burlingame Ave.

We’ll explain how you can engage the community in your cause, obtain media coverage, use social networking for “viral marketing,” find inexpensive venues for meetings and, if you have an idea that catches fire, enlist support from the city.

Coffee and pastries will be served, and handouts will be provided. Admission is free.

Community Wish List

In honor of Earth Day, why not donate some items you no longer need to local nonprofits and keep them out of the landfill?

Check out the Community Wish List for San Mateo County at www.communitywishlist.org. This free service, run by volunteers, lists items needed by 72 organizations that serve our county. It’s also a great way to learn about the services that local nonprofits provide. You can contact them directly if you’d like to assist them. If you’d like to help with the Community Wish List, please let me know.

Green Seminars in Burlingame

For the first time, Burlingame is offering a series of six seminars designed to help residents learn how to reduce their carbon footprint with suggestions for their homes and lifestyles. Sponsored by the city’s Green Ribbon Task Force, the series will be held on Thursdays from June 11 through July 23 (with July 2 omitted) from 7 to 8 p.m. The cost is $20 for the series with advance registration, or $7 at the door, provided space is available. Refreshments will be served and there will be free giveaways at most events.

Burlingame residents and nonresidents can register for the series, which is called “Go Green: How to Make Your Home and Your Life More Sustainable,” at the Burlingame Parks and Recreation Department at 850 Burlingame Ave., online at www.burlingame.org/rec or by calling (650) 558-7300. Locations vary for the seminars, as follows:

June 11 – “Building a Green Home From the Ground Up,” with Sean Misskelley of Clarum Homes. Location: Design Within Reach, 1152 Burlingame Ave.

June 18 – “No Extra-Cost Options for Green Home Design and Remodeling” with Iris Harrell of Harrell Remodeling. Location: Burlingame Recreation Center.

June 25 – “Waterwise Landscaping” with Chip Krug of Turner Fine Gardens. Location: Smith & Hawken, 1208 Donnelly Ave., Burlingame.

July 9 – “The Near Zero Energy Home” with Dave Edwards of Earthbound Homes. Location: Burlingame Recreation Center.

July 16 – “Green Plumbing 101” with Chris Chappell of Sun Water Solar. Location: Burlingame Recreation Center.

July 23 – “Leave Your Car Behind” with Andy Thornley, program director of the
San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. Location: Summit Bikes, 1031 California Drive, Burlingame.

Quick Takes

You can recycle compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) at Lumiere lighting store in Burlingame or check other options here: http://www.flowstobay.org/ … Former Councilmember Gloria Barton, baseball enthusiast Carl Reyna and American Heart Association volunteer Linda White were named this week to Burlingame’s Walk of Fame … The Burlingame Lions Club is now accepting nominations for the 2009 Citizen of the Year … Burlingame High School seniors are invited to enter an essay contest sponsored by investment bank De La Rosa & Co. that will award $2,000 to 20 students in California. See details here: http://www.ejdelarosa.com/TheFabricOfSociety.aspx

Cool Web App

Trying to schedule an event or choose a movie or menu with a group of people? Check out Doodle.com, which lets you create a mini-poll.

Calendar

Thursday, April 23 – Sunday, April 26 – Burlingame Library Used Book Sale, main Burlingame Public Library. Hours are Thursday 4 to 7 p.m. ($5), Friday 4 to 7 p.m. (free), Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (free), and Sunday 1 to 4 p.m. (free and bag of books costs $6).

Saturday, April 25 – 9 a.m. to noon, Burlingame’s annual Lagoon Cleanup. Sign in on the Lagoon Trail off Anza Boulevard behind the Red Roof Inn. Contact Eva Justimbaste at (650) 342-3727.

Tuesday, May 5 – 8 p.m., City Hall. Deadline for ballots to be turned in (or received via mail) for Burlingame’s storm drain measure. To read my take on the measure, go to: http://www.terrynagel.com/Storm_Drainspage592.htm. For more information, visit www.protectburlingame.org.

Thursday, May 7 – 6 p.m., Little Fox Theatre, 2209 Broadway, Redwood City. “The 10 Commandments of Infill: Does Urban Evolution Require Divine Intervention?” Veteran infill developer Patrick Kennedy will speak at The Forum at Redwood City, a congenial gathering of city planners and architects that’s open to the public. $10 at the door.

Saturday, May 9 – 10:00 a.m. to noon. First Family Fun Bike Ride, sponsored by the Citizens for a Better Burlingame, Summit Bikes & Prestons Candy & Ice Cream.  Starts opposite Summit Bikes at 1031 California Dr and proceeds across the new pedestrian bridge over 101 to the Bayside and back to Preston's on Broadway for a free Ice Cream for all kids. For details see http://www.betterburlingame.org/Family_Bike_Ride/page109.htm

Saturday, May 9 – 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Third Annual Book and Author Luncheon, sponsored by Burlingame Library Foundation, Dominic’s at Poplar Creek. $65. For details, see http://www.burlingamelibraryfoundation.org/Authors_Luncheon/page1138.htm

Monday, May 11 – Community Emergency Response Team training begins. Courses will be offered Monday and Wednesday mornings. Call (650) 558-7600 to register.

Saturday, May 16 – 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Franklin Carnival features rides, a game arcade, a green vendor section, arts and crafts, food, circus performers and more at Franklin Elementary School. Free admission; $5 punch cards for rides, games and food.

Sunday, May 17 – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Second Annual Burlingame Green Street Fair with lifestyle products, eco-fashion, energy building materials, design services, vehicles, landscaping, seminars, recycling and more. Giveaways, demonstrations and entertainment for kids. Located on Park Road between Burlingame Avenue and Howard Avenue, adjacent to the Fresh Market. Free.

Monday, June 15 – 6 p.m. study session, 7 p.m. City Council meeting, City Hall. Tentative date for study session and council consideration of Climate Action Plan for Burlingame proposed by the city’s Green Ribbon Task Force.

Saturday, September 26 – 10 a.m. Save the date for the Sixth Annual Burlingame Pet Parade

See you around town!