Thank you, Burlingame, for wearing a mask and continuing to practice social distancing. San Mateo County is currently in the “orange" or "moderate" risk level tier. In the coming months, the Library will be preparing to welcome you back with a limited, but safe opening in early 2021. Some of the safety measures will include entry by appointment only, limited time duration of visits, and wearing masks at all times. We are hopeful these will be temporary safety precautions. The Library is currently working with the Public Works Department to create as safe an environment as possible for you and staff. However, re-opening plans may be impacted or postponed by increased infection and hospitalization rates. Please continue to follow the County's safety protocols so we may happily see you in person early next year.

In the meantime, Curbside Pick Up is still running smoothly with limited wait times and many day-of appointments still available. Lastly, please support this year's United Against Hate civic actions by printing and hanging our "Burlingame Stands United Against Hate" poster in your home or business.

Next time you are about to hit that "order" button, stop and think, "is this something I can buy from a Burlingame business?". The pandemic has had a tremendous impact on our local businesses, and they need your support more than ever! So the next time you need office supplies, gifts, takeout containers for your restaurant, pet supplies, beauty products, toys, kitchen gadgets, and more, please consider buying from a Burlingame business. Many local business are offering curbside pick-up and other modified amenities. Check the list of local businesses on the City's website that have asked for your support!

Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE), Burlingame's electricity provider, announced that its electricity will be 100% greenhouse gas-free by January 2021. This means that the electricity you use at home and work is coming from entirely clean sources such as hydropower, solar, and wind. Using clean and green electricity dramatically reduces greenhouse gas emissions and local pollutants. It makes more sense than ever to go electric in our home appliances and vehicles.

Peninsula Clean Energy has dedicated $1.5 million to help San Mateo County small businesses impacted by the economic downturn during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing a $250 electricity bill credit for up to 6,000 qualifying small businesses. 

Qualifying businesses will receive a letter and an email to the address listed on their electricity account with steps on how to apply for the credit. To learn more about the eligibility criteria, visit https://www.peninsulacleanenergy.com/business250/. If you haven’t received your letter and believe you meet the qualifications, send an email to info@peninsulacleanenergy.com.

With the help of the Proposition 68 Per Capita Program (80/20 matching grant), the Burlingame Parks and Recreation Department is able to renovate the aging playground at J-Lot Parking Lot on Primrose Road. Recently, a committee consisting of a representative from the Burlingame Downtown Business Improvement District, a Parks and Recreation Commissioner, City staff, and Ross Recreation, completed the design for this exciting new play space. As part of the renovation, the playground will be officially renamed "Primrose Playground", which is fitting and much more appealing!

Work will commence on Monday, and the playground project should be complete (weather permitting) in about four to six weeks! Safety fencing will be placed around the construction site; during construction, the playground area will be inaccessible to the public. Two Primrose Road parking spaces directly in front of the playground will also be inaccessible in order for the contractor to park, stage, and deliver equipment. Thank you for your patience as we upgrade this well-used and beloved play area. Hopefully, the new playground will provide many hours of fun for families visiting our downtown businesses.

Applications are now open for a year-long leadership program for high school students in San Mateo County who are interested in learning about climate change and motivated to take action within their schools and community.

The Youth Climate Ambassadors (YCA) Leadership Program is offered by San Mateo County’s Office of Education and Office of Sustainability, along with the Citizens Environmental Council of Burlingame, which piloted the project; Peninsula Clean Energy; and the Youth Leadership Institute. Students who are in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade as of January 2021 are eligible. The program will run from January through December 2020. The deadline for applications is Sunday, November 29.

The program will include retreats, monthly skill-building workshops, peer networking, and mentorship. Students will develop and implement a community or school project that is designed around taking local action on climate change.

The Youth Climate Ambassadors will receive a stipend, and additional funds will be available for students who qualify for free and reduced lunches. Students who are part of the program can also apply for a mini-grant to support the implementation of their community or school impact project.

Applications are available here. More details about the program may be found here. For more information, send an email to both youthclimateambassadors@smcgov.org and Zoe van Duivenbode, at zvanduivenbode@smcgov.org.

For questions or more information, contact Nicole Houghton at Nhoughton@burlingame.org

The El Camino Real Roadway Renewal Project online public forum launches on Monday, November 16, and will remain open through December 17, 2020. Check in for updates on progress made during the environmental phase and information about the reasonable alternatives under consideration. New features will make it easier for the public to share thoughts with other community members.

For more information about this project, and to see an archive of past meeting materials, visit ECRalternatives.com. 

Thursdays, 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Please continue to follow these important tips for shopping the Fresh Market:

For more information, visit burlingamechamber.org.

via Zoom, Click here to login, Meeting ID: 865 9085 1785, Passcode: 94010

The City of Burlingame is pursuing the design and development of a town square/community open space in Downtown Burlingame. A town square has been a community goal for many years, originating with the concept for a "signature open space" in the Downtown Specific Plan. This project presents a rare opportunity to create a focal point for the area, providing a public gathering space in an inviting environment. 

The proposed location for the town square is on “Parking Lot E,” located between Park Road and Lorton Avenue, adjacent to the former Burlingame Post Office at 220 Park Road (see the map below). The town square would be developed in coordination with the proposal for an adaptive re-use development involving the former post office. The post office development would offer new parking to offset the loss of parking spaces currently in Lot E.

We’d like to hear from the community! Join us for this Virtual Community Meeting. During the meeting, we will review the project, highlight key topics, and answer questions. Please contact the City of Burlingame staff at townsquare@burlingame.org with any questions.

Mark your calendars! Holiday cheer is almost here! This year, in lieu of the traditional in-person tree lighting event, the ceremony and lighting will stream online complete with musical performances and a special greeting from Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

This event is sponsored by Facebook, and blinky lights will be available (limited supply) for pick up through partnership with Patty Dwyer Group. Thank you for keeping our community safe! We can’t wait to see you on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube.

Due to COVID-19, the Burlingame Downtown Business Improvement District has cancelled the Holiday Parade.

Are you having trouble controlling the way you eat? Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous is a 12-step recovery program for people who suffer from food obsession, overeating, bulimia, and under-eating. Everyone is welcome at meetings, including those who think they may have a food problem or those who are concerned about someone who may.

Meetings, which were formerly held in Burlingame on Thursdays at First Presbyterian Church at 1500 Easton Drive, are now available by phone. For information and to ask questions, call Nora 650-537-0066. You can also visit http://www.foodaddicts.org

This year, the Burlingame High School (BHS) and San Mateo High School (SMHS) Joint Choir Winter Concert and BHS Band Winter Concert will be virtual. Tickets are free to the public; however, donations are appreciated to help both schools meet their annual fundraising goals.  More information and links to the concerts will be included in next week’s eNews, but mark both dates on your calendar today!