Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
Fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way.
Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town
Waiting for someone or something to show you the way.
Some might say that Russ and I have frittered away more than a few hours on the Burlingame Voice, but it's our time to waste if we like and we find it cathartic. We also get enough positive feedback from sources known (and unknown) that it feels worthwhile. Ever since the days of the hard copy Voice hand-delivered to porches across town, he and I (along with various compatriots along the way) have provided an informed, vocal and intensely local opinion about events. The move to on-line back on July 25, 2003 saved the time of designing and delivering the paper version and offered an opportunity to increase the reach and frequency and reduce costs. The platform costs $14.99 a month which is much cheaper than a therapist! You can check out those first few posts here.
The categories shown on the right hand frame have expanded over the years to 46 ways to find what you are interested in at the moment or relive some event or controversy of the past. Try doing that on NextDoor, the newspapers or the City website!
When all is said and done, the Voice blog is a means for us to not suffer the fate Pink Floyd bemoans in Time
Every year is getting shorter never seem to find the time.
Plans that either come to naught or half a page of scribbled lines
If one is to "scribble lines" they might as well be a full page worth! Thank you, dear readers and commenters. Onward to another 15 years!
Oh how time flies when you are having fun.
Posted by: Russ | July 25, 2018 at 11:57 AM
Well done, mates. I you want to know what's what this be the place.
Posted by: resident | July 25, 2018 at 06:53 PM
That's Great.. I really mean it.
Nevertheless, is it true "Mr. More Cowbell"(with total respect) has purchased a 1971 Lamborghini Mivra from Rod Stewart?
I/we would love to see a Photo Shoot produced at the Donut Shop with you and the Lambo.
Kind Regards,
Hollyroller
Posted by: hollyroller@gmailcom | July 25, 2018 at 07:13 PM
Please forgive me for the above comment.
The Burlingame Voice is the best Public Service provided to any community on the Peninsula.
The writers, and local stories are always, heartfelt, informative, and fun to share with neighbors.
Thank you for the excellent Public Service.
Thank you from ALL of Burlingame!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Posted by: hollyroller@gmailcom | July 26, 2018 at 02:41 PM
Congrats on the 15th anniversary, and thank you for continuing to provide a valuable resource for our community!
Posted by: Account Deleted | July 27, 2018 at 10:22 AM
Will they cover the Drag Queen Reading Hour for children scheduled for August 3 at the Main Library?
Posted by: Cassandra | July 27, 2018 at 07:15 PM
That sounds like FUN.
Does the City of Burlingame Library publish Community Events on their web site?
Does that Beautiful Center of Knowledge, even have a web site?
I was told,"Full Time" City of Burlingame Librarians have an annual Book Burning Party.
I was told, the City of Burlingame's "Book Burning" party happens near Russian River, CA. every year.
Sometime near Fall.
The Book Burning Party is most likely BS.
Nevertheless, "WE" love to see people fall...
Conspiracy too.
As long as they do not get hurt.
Posted by: hollyroller@gmailcom | July 27, 2018 at 08:34 PM
Cassandra, what are you talking about? I just looked at the event calendar and I guess I don't get it...
Posted by: HMB | July 27, 2018 at 11:41 PM
It was scheduled, heard last that there was some board discontent, perhaps now withdrawn?
Posted by: Cassandra | July 28, 2018 at 07:27 AM
Thanks!
Posted by: HMB | July 28, 2018 at 10:15 AM
Drag Queen “Vanilla Meringue” is scheduled to read on August 4, Burlingame Library. Not August 3.
Posted by: Cassandra | July 28, 2018 at 01:58 PM
According to Vanilla’s website, there was a reading on June 13 as well.
Posted by: Cassandra | July 28, 2018 at 02:00 PM
Must have been a success if Vanilla is back for an encore!
Posted by: HMB | July 28, 2018 at 08:04 PM
Thank you Joe + Russ for all the great articles.
Some things don't change- Monsters are still invading Burlingame!
Hoist a good glass of vino my friend. You guys had a vision and it saw us through 15 years of many issues in town; large and small. Here's to many more years of the Voice. Congrats!!!
Posted by: Coniq | July 30, 2018 at 09:24 AM
Joe and Russ, all Bruce Dickinson can say is: "what can I say?"
The Burlingame Voice as a product pretty much speaks for itself in terms of quality and hard hitting content, complex and nuanced insights from the talented denizens of this City, and good ol' fashioned fun and laughs! All the while Joe and Russ are extremely polite and are total proponents of free speech and expression.
I challenge anyone to find ANY community blog or website with this special combination of attributes. Yes, I say that some of the data, analysis and commentary on hard-hitting issues (e.g. Rent Control, HSR) rivals that of any quality national publications, and for sure ALL state/local media.
We (including yours truly) can all be very proud of our collective contributions!
Congrats to Russ and Joe for conceiving, creating and maintaining a peerless publication!
Posted by: Bruce Dickinson | July 30, 2018 at 05:41 PM
Thank you, Coniq and Bruce. That means a lot. We'll keep the cowbell ringing.
Posted by: Joe | July 31, 2018 at 11:36 AM
Congratulations! I've been reading frequently this since moving to Burlingame a few years back and have never commented. It's a great perspective and helps bring a deeper community awareness and perspective to Burlingame. Thank you!
Posted by: Burlingame Resident | July 31, 2018 at 01:50 PM
On our 15th anniversary, we have great news coming out of New Jersey (of all places) and Sacramento. The WSJ is reporting today:
----------------
The state of New Jersey may be broke, but its political class has found another worthy cause for tapped-out taxpayers to support: a government press corps. Yes, in the name of “community” reporting, the titans of Trenton want to subsidize the press.
Officially the effort is called the Civic Information Consortium, and last month the Democratic legislature passed and Governor Phil Murphy approved $5 million in funding.
The lack of local reporting is a growing problem as regional and local newspapers go out of business or lay off reporters. Some local web startups have tried to fill the gap, but it’s not easy to find advertisers or get consumers to pay. Nonprofits might help, and in some places bloggers have done a commendable job. Other business models might emerge as technology and media change.
_______________
And the Capital Alert at the SacBee is reporting
Assemblyman Marc Levine, D-San Rafael, is floating an idea he says will support local journalism — next year.
He wants to provide newspapers with tariff relief and protect journalists by instituting freezes on newsroom layoffs before the sale or purchase of a news outlet. He said taxpayers would have little or no financial burden to pay for the plan. He noted that the Trump administration’s decision to impose tariffs on Canadian paper has forced newsprint costs to rise as much as 30 percent.
Beyond that, Levine was short on specifics, explaining that he wants to meet with media companies and industry groups over the next few months before formally introducing a bill next year.
“You don’t always get all the stories you want, right?” Levine said of the relationship between the government and the media. “But it’s nonetheless a necessary part of a democratic society, and we are all so much better for it. Our democracy thrives on the free press.”
-------
Short on specifics or not, I'm thinking with our track record here at the Voice the state should pony up at least 2 or 300K in support of "local journalism". What do y'all think? Perhaps we should ask the City of B'game for 20 bucks so Russ and I can have lunch at Sam's Sandwiches and discuss the future of local journalism?? Then we can walk down to the DMV and wait in line.....
Posted by: Joe | August 06, 2018 at 08:47 PM
I think the city elders (to use my favorite commenters favorite term for them) should give you two $50 so you can get some sandwiches and a coupla beers. Better discussion to be had.
Posted by: hillsider | August 07, 2018 at 11:27 AM
And a happy 16th birthday to all of our readers and especially our commenters! There is much more to come here at the Voice!
Posted by: Joe | July 25, 2019 at 07:31 PM
Follower since the paper days, only a commentor as of recently.
Widh you guys conntinued success providing the most truthful info around for Burlingame residents and the Peninsula and forum for those who havent gone so far to the looney left.
Will continue to enjoy from a far in 2020...
Posted by: Barking Dog | July 26, 2019 at 01:22 PM
Thank you, BD!
By the way, Unhappy Camper has a question for you in the comments under the Weiner post. He wants your tax attorney's name.
Posted by: Joe | July 26, 2019 at 02:04 PM
Congratulations Mr. Joe.
A Great Community Asset.
Thank you allowing me to continue with my Color Commentary.
This site is Fun, and important.
Posted by: [email protected] | July 26, 2019 at 05:20 PM