On Thursday, February 23, Burlingame Parks and Recreation staff attended the California Parks and Recreation Society's  (CPRS), District 4, Annual Awards and Volunteer Recognition Dinner. CPRS is the source of resources, tools, advocacy and events that strengthen California's public parks and recreation industry and professionals.

 

At the ceremony, Burlingame students received a number of awards that were given out that evening: Eighth grader, Kaia Stannard-Stockton, received a Volunteer Recognition award; BHS Senior, Emily Williams, received a scholarship on behalf of the Youth, Teen and Recreation Services Committee; BHS Senior, Solena Aguilar, received a scholarship on behalf of Sports Association of Northern California Recreation Agencies; and, College Freshman, Molly Kaplan was awarded a CPRS Student Grant.

 

The Burlingame Tree Lighting Ceremony won an Award of Excellence, and two of our Parks & Recreation Department staff were sworn in as CPRS District 4 Board Members. Nicole Acquisti, Recreation Supervisor, will be serving as President and Michael Noce, Recreation Coordinator, as President Elect of CPRS District 4.  Great job Burlingame!

 

The City of Burlingame Parks and Recreation Department is excited to announce another summer of our Leader in Training (LIT) program. Teens can apply and will be interviewed for a chance to become an LIT. This is a volunteer position, but the hours may be applied towards community service requirements. The LIT program's mission is to provide participants the opportunity to learn leadership skills through interacting with the youth enrolled in the summer camps and aiding staff.

 

Last year we had over 60 LIT's for the summer. Our campers benefit immensely from the support provided by our youth leaders. There will be a mandatory training on Saturday, June 17at the Burlingame Recreation Center from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. Applications to become an LIT are due by 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 12. For more information about the program, contact Nicole Rath at (650) 558-7308.  

The recent heavy rain storms have wreaked havoc on El Camino, especially in the outside lanes. Since El Camino Real is a state route owned by Caltrans, they are solely responsible for repairing potholes. To report a pothole or other maintenance problem on El Camino Real, please click here  to fill out a Caltrans maintenance request. To report a pothole or other problem on a City-owned street, please call the City's Street and Sewer Division at 650-558-7670, or use our app, accessBurlingame .

The Cuernavaca Playground is scheduled for surfacing repairs beginning at 7:00 a.m., Thursday, March 9. The nature of repairs requires complete closure of all play equipment while work is being performed and for a cure time of the surfacing. We expect to have the playground reopened at 9:00 a.m., Monday, March 13. We apologize for any inconvenience.

 

The San Mateo County Transportation Authority is soliciting applications for its Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). The CAC is a 15-member volunteer group who serve in an advisory capacity to the Transportation Authority's Board of Directors, providing valuable input on the projects and programs in the Transportation Expenditure Plan. The plan includes Caltrain improvements, highway and street projects, allocations to cities and the county for local undertakings, paratransit service for people with disabilities, and pedestrian and bike upgrades.

 

The committee meets the Tuesday before the first Thursday of the month at 4:30 p.m. in San Carlos. Members of the CAC must be residents of San Mateo County.  Interested persons can download an application or apply online at www.smcta.com/cac , or call (650) 508-6223 for more information. The deadline for submitting the application is May 5, 2017.

 

Please join the Beautification Commission to celebrate Arbor Day. Staff from Cal Fire, School Students and more will be participating in the ceremony.  The City of Burlingame has been distinguished as a "Tree City USA" for 38 years, the fourth longest in the state.

Please join us for an upcoming discussion around Burlingame's unfunded infrastructure needs. Many people don't know that Burlingame has more than $100 million in unfunded infrastructure needs, including streets, roads and the WWII-era Community Center.  These issues will be discussed at the upcoming March 15 budget session in the City Council Chambers.

Join Peninsula Clean Energy staff to learn and ask questions about San Mateo County's official electricity provider. Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) provides cleaner and greener electricity with energy rates starting lower than what you are paying now. Notifications are in the mail about your new electricity provider. Please come to gather information, ask questions and be informed! Light refreshments will be provided. Please register to attend this free workshop at http://tinyurl.com/marchPCE

Letters to Sala by Arlene Hutton

Friday, March 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 12 at 2:00 p.m.

Burlingame High School Theatre, 1 Mangini Way

 

Burlingame High School Theatre presents Letters to Sala, adapted from the Book Sala's Gift by Ann Kirschner. Letters to Sala  is a remarkable story of a young Jewish woman's survival during wartime Germany. 

 

To purchase tickets and for information go to www.bhspanthertheatre.com or call (650) 558-2854. Students, Senior and Children $10. General Admission $15. Visit Facebook page at www.facebook.com/burlingamedrama or the website at www.bhspanthertheatre.com.

 

The New York Public Library's website details much of the history of the work camps and Sala's experiences.  Photos and letters are included in this on-line collection.

Suzanne Tateosian of EarthShakes.com will offer emergency planning advice and handouts. Officers from the Burlingame Police Department will provide tips on preventing home and car thefts. This event is resented by the Burlingame Neighborhood Network. Admission is free and a complimentary light breakfast will be served. For more information about BNN, visit www.thebnn.us  or email info@theneighborhoodnetwork.org .

The Citizens Environmental Council of Burlingame (CEC) is inviting the public to four "Green Programs on Hot Topics" focused on current environmental issues in coming months. All programs are free. Except for the May program which will take place at the Burlingame High School auditorium at 1 Mangini Way, they will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Lane Community Room in the Burlingame Public Library at 480 Primrose Road in Burlingame. Everyone attending is eligible for a free raffle prize.