The Burlingame Voice

Farringdon Lane Block Party

Nothing brings out the Mayberry feel of Burlingame like a neighborhood block party.  Some are big, some smaller.  Some have garage bands from the street.  Some just plug in a stereo.  Bouncy houses are practically a requirement as are grills and dogs going for the hot dog that was dropped.

Farringdon Lane did it up right on Saturday with everything I mentioned and then some including a custom T-shirt for the event.  It also doesn't hurt to have a couple of professional chefs on the street.

 

I love the message on this year's Farringdon T-shirt--no need for a "?" -- they know they've got neighbors.

Vintage Ball @ Washington Park

Vintage baseball is returning to Washington Park this weekend after being introduced during the B'game Centennial celebration.  The San Mateo Daily Journal notes

Imagine a batter coming up to bat and the home plate umpire asking him, “What kind of strike zone do you want?”

And then the umpire standing off to the side to call balls and strikes? Or how about a catcher playing without shin guards, no infield fly rule, no pitcher’s mound and seven balls — not four — to equal a walk?

What kind of game would you call this? Well, baseball — 1886 style. And it’s coming to Burlingame this weekend. The California Vintage Base Ball Federation (CVBBF) is essentially hosting its state championship, the California Cup, at Washington Park in Burlingame. The four-team tournament kicks off with two games Saturday at noon and 4 p.m., respectively.

The first game has the returning tournament champion Stogies out of Santa Clara taking on the Highlanders out of Amador County, followed by the Saviors of Santa Clara County versus the Crushers from Amador County. The two losing teams will play Sunday at 10 a.m. The two Saturday winners will then play for the championship at 1 p.m. For expediency purposes, only the title game will be nine innings. The first three contests will be seven-inning affairs.

Admission to the event is free. Dan Larson, who plays on the Stogies and is the co-organizer of the event, helped work to bring the event to Washington Park because of its classic, old-school feel. With the Wrigley Field-esque Ivy covered fences and deep dimensions older ballparks, Washington Park brings out a feeling of nostalgia.

“We’ve played games at Washington Park before but not the California Cup,” Larson said. “It’s a beautiful ballfield, and the Burlingame community is baseball nuts. I was out on the field (at Washington Park) and saw 40 to 50 kids playing on a Friday afternoon. You just don’t get that everywhere.”

Welcome back, guys!  I'm so glad you appreciate our field.

Music in the Park Rocks

One music lover put the great attendance at B'game's Music in the Park concert yesterday down to better bands playing this year.  Another listener attributed it to "Free" being more attractive this year than last.  I'm guessing they're both right.

The Sun Kings had the crowd estimated at more than 500 people up and dancing in the sun.  "Birthday" was a big hit with those celebrating their special day yesterday and "Back in the USSR" had the former hippies shaking their ponytails at the season finale.  Movies in the Park and on Broadway are your next free events.

Where's The Fire?

There will be never before seen photos and stories that tell the tale of the evolution of an all volunteer fire department, where firefighters got paid per fire,to the department as it is today--one that uses the most modern, cutting edge equipment to fight fires. You will also have the opportunity to get a close look at the 1908 chemical wagon just before it is transported for permanent display inside the new Burlingame Hillsborough History Museum inside the historic Burlingame Train Station.

SAVE THE DATE!  It all begins at 2pm at The Burlingame Fire Department, Station #34 on California Drive and Palm Avenue.
Sunday, May 17. Free and Open to the public. No reservations required.

The Chemical Wagon, purchased in 1908 will be on display during the presentation and then moved the new Burlingame Hillsborough History Museum. Photo:©Burlingame Historical Society

SMCHA - A Night at the Museum

Many of our Burlingame residents are part of an event coming up at the San Mateo County Historical Association's "A Night at the Museum". These residents are bringing history to life - Gaspar de Portol , Father Crespi, Adeline Mills Easton, Harriet Pullman Carolan, Ethel Crocker, Francisco Sanchez prize fighter Chris Lilly, oyster pirate Jack London, and Shingle King' Purdy Pharis, just to name a few. Saturday, May 9, 2009 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. Location: History Museum, Redwood City $125 per person, Online Ticket Purchase: Click here for online ticket purchase. Schedule The evening will include a rousing reception, open bar, catered buffet, live entertainment with 35 character actors and a Rotunda Remix Dance Party. Dress Dress at A Night at the Museum is black tie or period costume optional. Some costume shops are offering museum members discounts on rentals and sales of costumes. Proceeds All proceeds benefit the educational programs at the San Mateo County History Museum in Redwood City, Sanchez Adobe in Pacifica and the Woodside Store in Woodside.

- Written by Fiona

Germaine Greer at Burlingame Library on Tuesday

Germaine Greer will be appearing in the Lane Room of our Library: Date: 3/31/2009 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Cost: Free Germaine Greer has written many books including the controversial "The Female Eunuch", and her recent book is "Shakespeare's Wife".

- Written by Fiona

Burlingame Invites Input on Climate Action Plan

Burlingame's Green Ribbon Task Force is inviting local citizens to help draft the city's plan for reducing gas emissions and promoting sustainability at a Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Burlingame Recreation Center, 850 Burlingame Ave. Coffee and muffins will be served. The Task Force members will explain programs they are developing for the city's Climate Action Plan, which aims to reduce emissions by at least 15 percent by 2020, as required by California law. They will solicit ideas on green building, increasing energy efficiency, solar programs, water conservation, and increasing opportunities for bicycling, walking and transit. For more information, visit www.burlingame.org/sustainable. The Task Force is also inviting the public to the second annual Burlingame Green Street Fair on Sunday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Park Road between Burlingame Avenue and Howard Avenue. It will feature a variety of green vendors and demonstrations. Admission is free. For information about reserving a booth, contact Denyse Jones at DJRDesign@gmail.com or (415) 244-9427.

- Written by Terry Nagel

Protect our Environment and Help a Person in Need

Don't forget the event this weekend on California Drive: THREE IN ONE RECYCLING EVENT THIS WEEKEND Protect our environment and help a person in need! Saturday and Sunday, March 21-22, 2009 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Burlingame Municipal Parking Lot "O" 400 California Drive Burlingame, CA 94010 * Free electronic waste recycling. * Food drive to help Second Harvest Food Bank of San Mateo and Santa Clara County. All non-perishable food items are needed, especially: peanut butter, hearty soups & chili, dried or canned beans, canned meats, hash, span, chicken and tuna, canned fruits and vegetables, macaroni and cheese, boxed juices, canned ted tomato products, rice, pasta, iron enriched cereals, dry cereal. * Coat drive - Clean reusable coats and jackets.

- Written by Fiona

Romeo & Juliet on Sunday, March 15th

"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet" The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival's "Shakespeare on Tour" performance will be coming to Burlingame: Sunday March 15th, 2009 2:00 pm Lane Room Free 55-minute Production with a follow up Q&A. The last Shakespeare performance in the Lane Room was standing room only so come early.

- Written by Fiona

Attention All Architecture Afficionados!

On Friday and Saturday, April 24 and 25, 2009, several Eichler homes in the San Mateo Highlands neighborhood will be opened for viewing as a fundraiser for Highlands Elementary School. Raffle tickets will also be sold with the grand prize being a personalized tour of the Sidney Bazett house in Hillsborough, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Joseph Eichler rented the Bazett house in the 1940s and received inspiration for his modern homes while living in the Bazett house. In addition to the San Mateo Highlands, the Mills Estate area of Burlingame also features a large number of Eichler homes. The number of tickets is limited and previous tours have sold out. For more information, go to www.eichlerhometour.com

- Written by Joanne