The Burlingame Voice

Another Two Hit the Dust

http://www.smdailyjournal.org/article.cfm?issue=02-28-05&storyID=40277
http://www.insidebayarea.com/sanmateocountytimes/news/ci_2589234

We have to say goodbye to Clyde's Barber Shop and Sam's in their present locations on California Drive. They closed on Saturday. Clydes has been there for 107 years and Sam's for 33 years. Sam's will be moving to the Greyhound Depot - a great way to use one of our historic buildings built in 1939.

As stated in the articles: "The rents are super high. They are racing us all out." "Burlingame's just lost a handle on regulating things. We hate to leave but the property owner is changing everything in Burlingame. All the little mom and pops are going away and the corporate stores are coming in". A client of Clyde's said "I think its time to leave Burlingame, I can't stand it here anymore" . There is also another quote about the landlord.

Every time "oldies" like these get outed by the landlords, it spoils the flavor of Burlingame. It seems the new flavor of that piece of Burlingame will not be a slice of pizza, a haircut and a sandwich but a Mediterranean/Moroccan restaurant.

I can't stand the damn goose and its golden egg thing but these little goslings make up the charm of Burlingame. Can't blame anyone but the landlords - or maybe progress - if that is what it is called.

- Written by Fiona

Dresses in the Cottage?

It does look as if the candle-shop cottage behind 'Tu' hair salon has perhaps morphed into a dress boutique. I drove by today and noticed people inside, setting things up. No details yet. It will probably be difficult to attract foot traffic behind the hair salon, but as soon as they have a name, we can help spread the word.

- Written by Jennifer Pfaff

Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill

I'm putting this post under "Gems" because part of this flock used to hang out in Burlingame. Yesterday I saw this documentary in Menlo Park at the Guild. It was fascinating, spoke loads about the difference one person in a neighborhood can make with a little help those around him. And yes, the flock(s) are alive and well, still in the City.

- Written by Jennifer Pfaff

Editorial on A Certain Charm!

The editorial was in the Daily Journal dated February 22, 2005 about the certain charm of certain San Mateo County towns and the following was written about Burlingame:

There's the whiff of perfume lingering on Burlingame Avenue with its high-end shops and casual low-slung attitude. There's the Burlingame Smoke Shop with its owner Ashok Patel, who calls the corner a lucky place? after its Lotto machines made millionaires of a few of us. There's Towle's across the street, with its owners Meg Patt and Maureen O'Rourke trying to revamp the old place with a new menu, although some still miss the old menu. There's the Citizens for a Better Burlingame trying to run the town because they want to keep its small-town charm. There's the deep valley of El Camino caused by centenarian eucalyptus trees that will likely be all gone within 30 years.

There's Gerald Weisl at Weimax on Broadway in Burlingame who knows everything you ever needed to know about wine. Broadway Prime ain't bad either. Nor are all the little guys there trying to make a living.

- Written by Fiona

Planning Commission Meeting

The agenda is now out for the Planning Commission meeting this Monday at 7:00 pm. Included on the agenda is the check cashing business slated to magically appear at 1120 Broadway.

Why the hell is the California Drive conditional permit business not on the agenda? Are we trying to stall, are there more shenanigans going on behind closed doors? Come on, folks, play fair ...

- Written by Fiona

And the Oscar goes to ...

(1) Our teachers who play a starring role in our childrens lives
(2) Our beautiful train station that has stood the test of time
(3) Certain councilmembers who are directing the good things happening in this town
(4) The many businesses who are producing great places for us to spend our money in!
(5) Direction should go to Russ Cohen, for our upcoming Museum
(6) Our trees for the important props in our neighborhoods
(7) Our planning commission for directing good design in our town
(8) The Burlingame Garden Center and others who have so generously given to many
(9) Our ex-Garden Center, the train station, library and neighborhoods which would be beautiful sets for any movie!
(10) The actors and actresses that can sit through any council meeting with a straight face!
(11) Animation awarded to those in city chambers who animate their disapproval when needed!
(12) Sound should probably go to Mrs Nagel's microphone when it is working.
(13) Costume design should go to Paul in his Elvis suit!
(14) Our respected local architects who look at the big picture and don't nitpick about parking
(15) To Cathy and Bobbi who should trade in their orange vests for an oscar gown for their wonderful efforts to keep our town green and clean.

The In Memory part of Oscar night should probably remember Sweet Treats, Nelsons, Iona's, Keikos, Abercrombie, the Garden Center, Enchanted April, Keiko's, Anugrah, Sneak Preview and the list goes on ...

And a special remembrance to Gloria.

Oscars should go to everyone who gets involved with their children, their schools, their neighborhoods and what needs to be done in their town.

And special oscars go to --- the two councilwomen who show us that there is still class on the Burlingame city podium!

- Written by Fiona

Fairness in City Government

A letter in the Examiner:
(the entire letter is in the Independent)

Divided Burlingame

DURING A HEATED Burlingame City Council session recently, Mayor Joe Galligan objected to what he considered discourteous behavior on the part of several audience members. He was right to complain. Little is gained by such behavior.

That said, Galligan had best look inward to appreciate the reasons that provoke such conduct. The mayor has engendered a great deal of animosity because of the projects he has supported, but also because of his closed-mindedness toward community input, along with the secretive dealings and subversive tactics he employs.

There is more to civility than just the manifestation of polite behavior. It includes respect for diverse viewpoints and being open to the democratic process and to decisions that are made openly, not autocratically

The letterwriter does not work in the building bordering Burlingame and San Mateo!

- Written by Fiona

Cops to go to Tonga

Some interesting letters about the upcoming trip by local police officials who will be visiting Tonga.

- Written by Fiona

The Missing puzzle!

Sorry about the "missing" pieces of the Blog yesterday. We probably can't blame the huge and spiralling readership or even power surges but it is now back to normal. Well as normal as the Burlingame Voice could be!!

Thank you, webmaster, for fixing it all the way over in England!

- Written by Fiona

Amazing Meeting

I believe that the San Mateo Daily Journal's reporter left well before the District School Board meeting was over this evening, so I'll help the Voice readers with a brief recap.

From 7:00pm -11:15 pm this evening, the SMUHD Board of Trustees and Sam Johnson listened to an overflow crowd of perhaps 200 or so people, about why the decision to implement a 7 period day should, at the very least, be postponed a year for further study. The crowd was composed of district teachers, coaches, librarians, counselors, parents, students and alumni, each passionately and respectfully speaking about how vital each position in the district is to the functioning of the district and of each campus as a whole. Each spoke at length about how position cuts, necessary to implement a 7th period day, would affect the life of nearly every student and faculty member on each campus.

One of the most moving speakers was a BHS student who described herself as an "at risk" child, who had managed to overcome her psychological, emotional and health issues because of help and guidance she received from her school counselor. I have seldom, if ever, seen a community of teachers, counselors, parents and students so completely united in a cause; in this case, against the swift, poorly studied implementation of a 7 period day in a manner that has taken so little input from those most affected into account.

Most unfortunate was the feeling I got from the faculty, that they had not been included in any discussions, and when they had been included, the information was either faulty or incomplete. As a parent, I can say that I have felt the same way for several weeks, and wondered why the information kept on changing.

No decision was reached this evening. I would recommend those who were unable to attend, to write to the Board of Trustees for the district with their thoughts. I hope that all the Trustees took tonight's input to heart and will seriously revisit the issue with a new perspective. I can say that I left the meeting, feeling proud and enlightened to be part of a district that has such amazing and gifted people, working so hard for all of our children.

- Written by Jennifer Pfaff