Burlingame Talks Shop Minute Survey

In anticipation of the upcoming Burlingame Talks Shop forum on April 17 (see details the in Events Around Town section below), we’re posting a “minute survey” each week leading up to the event. These questions will give us a glimpse into the types of things we should be thinking about to keep our shopping districts vibrant and relevant. Each survey will take just a minute to complete, and you’ll see the results at the end.

This week: Shop Local. Click here to take the survey. 

San Mateo 101 Express Lanes Project Update from Caltrans

Construction of the Caltrans San Mateo 101 Express Lanes Project has begun. The project will create 22 miles of express lanes on U.S. 101 from I-380 in San Bruno to the San Mateo County/Santa Clara County border. The San Mateo 101 Express Lanes will then seamlessly connect to the express lanes being constructed in Santa Clara County.

This is a multi-year, multi-agency project initiated to reduce traffic congestion and encourage carpooling and transit use on U.S. 101 in San Mateo County. Over the next three months, construction activities will take place in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Redwood City. During this time, construction activities will be limited to the shoulders and median of U.S. 101. Closures of select lanes will occur nightly between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. (excluding Friday and Saturday nights). No daytime lane closures are anticipated. Follow @CaltransD4 on Twitter, and visit the project website for additional construction updates and a map.

Congratulations CEC Film Fest Winners!

San Mateo County Supervisor Dave Pine (far left) and Mike McCord, chair of the Citizens Environmental Council of Burlingame (far right), congratulate the students who won awards in three age categories at the second annual CEC Student Film Festival on Tuesday, March 19. They are (from left) Cole Fletchall-Silva of Burlingame High School accepting on behalf of the high school winner, Mark Mangano; Mika Haggarty of Lincoln School in Burlingame accepting on behalf of herself and Olivia McGlynn (of Our Lady of Angels in Burlingame) in the grades 4-5 division; and Alison Saunders of Burlingame Intermediate School. Alison was also the Grand Prize winner. Her video, "The Trash Task," will be shown at the San Francisco Green Film Festival in September. (Not pictured are: Mark Mangano of Burlingame High School, Olivia McGlynn of Our Lady of Angels.)

Environmental Tip of the Week

Support local farmers at the Burlingame Fresh Market

Visit the Burlingame Fresh Market on Park Road and Burlingame Avenue. The Burlingame Fresh Market is currently open Sunday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Want to know which fruits and vegetables are in season? Check out the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture’s website.

Spring Book Tasting for Kids in Grades 3-6

Thursday, March 28, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Lane Room, Burlingame Main Library

Kids in 3rd through 6th grades are invited to the Library for a Spring Book Tasting! It is the perfect way to sample a book and decide if you want to devour the whole thing. Other refreshments will also be served.

Menu specials include: 

Book to Action Discussion: "March - Book Three"

Tuesday, April 2, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Lane Room, Burlingame Main Library

Visit the Library for a discussion of the book "March - Book Three," written by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin and illustrated by Nate Powell. Write postcards of appreciation and advocacy during the session. 

PCBs in Building Demolition Workshop

Saturday, April 6, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Lane Room, Burlingame Public Library

The City of Burlingame is developing a new ordinance to ensure that polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from building materials (e.g., caulk) do not enter storm drains during building demolition. This workshop is for developers, contractors, and property owners seeking to understand how to comply with this new requirement. Light breakfast is included. Click here to register for this free workshop.

Burlingame Talks Shop

Wednesday, April 17, 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Masonic Lodge, 145 Park Rd., Burlingame

How do we evolve our retail districts (Burlingame Avenue, Broadway, Burlingame Plaza, Bayfront) over the next ten years to keep them vibrant and relevant? Please join Burlingame Talks Shop, a community conversation where participants will discuss trends in retail, as well as options for entertainment, recreation, services, and more. All are welcome and encouraged to attend - whether you are a resident, business owner, or just interested in the vibrancy and success of Burlingame's commercial districts. This event is co-hosted by the City of Burlingame and the Burlingame Chamber of Commerce. 

Light dinner will be served from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., followed by two panels of industry leaders, and roundtable conversations. Bring your creative ideas and let's talk shop!

Please register for this free event to help with planning. Visit the Eventbrite page to learn more and register.

SF Ballet’s The Little Mermaid Discounted Tickets

Thursday, April 25

5:30 p.m. (Ticket and Transportation option, $118 Resident/$140 Non-resident)

7:30 p.m. (Ticket Only option, $79)

War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco

Join the Parks and Recreation Department on a trip to the San Francisco Ballet to see "The Little Mermaid". Participants will enjoy the show from the Balcony Circle (front section of the balcony) of the War Memorial Opera House.  

Contact Corrie Fuhrman at cfuhrman@burlingame.org or 650-558-7300 for more details. Other upcoming trips include 17 Mile Drive & Carmel on May 15 and California Academy of Sciences on April 10.

The Peninsula Girls Chorus Spring Auditions

Saturday, April 13 (by appointment only)

Burlingame United Methodist Church, 1443 Howard Ave., Burlingame

The Peninsula Girls Chorus (PGC), a place where girls have found their voices since 1994, will be holding spring auditions for all girls ages 6-18. No previous choral experience is necessary. PGC currently serves over 230 singers in 6 different choir levels and was chosen by CBS news as one of the top choirs on the Peninsula. To schedule an audition appointment or for more information about PGC’s program, visit the website. Audition appointments may be scheduled online, or by calling 650-347-6351.

How Climate Change Will Cost You Money

Thursday, April 18, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Lane Room, Burlingame Public Library

Experts will explain how climate change could negatively affect your property, your insurance rates, your health, and your quality of life – and what you can do about it.

This free program is sponsored by the Citizens Environmental Council of Burlingame (CEC) and is cosponsored by the San Mateo Chapter of the Citizens' Climate Lobby. View other CEC Green Programs on Hot Topics here.

Harvesting Rainwater and Building a Rain Garden

Saturday, April 20, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 

Burlingame Rain Garden on Donnelly Ave. near Primrose Rd.

Is your garden ready for the rain? This hands-on workshop will teach methods for harvesting rainwater in your garden and using native plants to soak up the rain. Discover techniques for assembling and maintaining an inexpensive rainwater system. In addition, learn the steps for installing a rain garden to help capture and treat stormwater runoff. Register for this free workshop here.

This event is sponsored by the Citizens Environmental Council of Burlingame (CEC) and is funded by the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency. View other CEC Green Programs on Hot Topics here.

Shop Burlingame - your tax dollars support City services!

A message from the Burlingame/SFO Chamber of Commerce