19 responses to “December Celebrations in Burlingame”

1. SusieB

   November 19, 2008

   What happened to the Friday night tree lighting and down town parade? Why was it moved to Sunday? Our family is very disappointed at this change as we look forward to a fun Friday night out on the town seeing friends and going to dinner…Sunday’s are spent preparing for the school and work week…uugghh – too bad…

2. Anonymous

   November 20, 2008

   I have heard there will be no tree lighting at City Hall – I will miss the children singing which is one of my favorite parts of all the celebrations.

   Maybe there will be a tree lighting elsewhere (?) or if not, why don’t they light up the train station? That was suggested years ago and would be a wonderful sight for Burlingame.

3. Frank

   November 20, 2008

   This is off topic, but I’m desperate.

   Our very loved dog walked off from home on the 800 block of El Camino Real on November 19th at 9 P.M. This is a Border Collie mix female and she answers to the name Daisy. She is a kind dog, but may feel scared out alone. We miss her very much and would love to have her back in our home soon. If you see her or you think you know where she is, please call us at 650-867-2523 or call the Humane Society at 650-340-7022. We love her so very much and life can never be the same without her in our lives. We got her last Christmas and the thought of spending this Christmas without her makes me feel sick.

   Thank you

4. Elizabeth

   November 20, 2008

   Thought I heard that council made Broadway the Friday night event this year as they felt it deserved to have their event on Friday night when more people will attend. Heard the new Mayor speak on this as she wants attention brought to Broadway which has been one of her pet projects. They felt Burlingame Ave. didn’t deserve to have the Friday night event every year and I thought they were going to switch it every year. Anyway, could be wrong but thought that’s what I heard…

5. Elizabeth

   November 21, 2008

   Sorry, but I was mistaken. It wasn’t councils decision to move it to Sunday. It was the Downtown merchants that wanted it moved. Sorry if I mislead anyone. Thought I remembered hearing it discussed at a council meeting. Just wanted to correct myself…

6. SusieB

   November 25, 2008

   I would love to hear why the merchants moved it?

7. Holy Roller

   November 26, 2008

   The City of Burlingame has spent @ $12,000.00 per year to put this hoiliday event on.
   Due to the budget shortfall, it would be a poor decision to fund this event.
   Regarding what the City of Burlingame is funding, is the lighting of the large trees at ECR & California Ave at Burlingame Ave.
   I do not think the time and money spent on that 2-3 day project is fair to the business’ on Broadway.
   Please feel free to inquire the fact at City Hall.
   If I had a business on Broadway, I would be PISSED OFF.

8. SusieB

   November 26, 2008

   Holly Roller – I would be interested to know where you came up with that number – that is the first I’ve heard the city spending $12k on the tree lighting…Does it come out of the general fund? Is that a number you got from the City Finance department? I’m not sure what your point is about the tree’s being lit on El Camino and CA Drive…why would anyone be PISSED OFF? What do you think the city should do for Broadway?

9. Holy Roller

   November 26, 2008

   I think Broadway is the Gem of Burlingame.
   It reminds me of small town-It’s a Wondeful Life.
   Small shops. Great sidewalks and trees. Benches. Familiar faces.
   Oh yes, one other thing, you can drive your car down the street without hitting bumps and pot holes, hitting your head on the ceiling of your car.
   Broadway really does represent the City of Burlingame.
   Burlingame Ave represents corparations. Corparations not contributing to the community they do busines in, only taking.
   For example..
   Gap, Banana Republic, Apple,all of the chain resteraunts. Pottery Barn. Verizon. Anthropolagy, Wells Fargo.
   That is their street.
   Those business’ need to pay for the upgrade of their “dinner table” if they want to be a part of our community.
   What is that phrase, about milking a cow?
   I think the biggest waste of “our money” regarding “our subsidizing” of Burlingamer Ave. Corparations, was the hiring of a full time employee to clean the sidewalks in front of these GIANTS.
   One PW employee with benefits@$80,000 per year.
   Special equipment purchased, and maintenance/replacement of equipment @$60,000.00 per year.
   Why do we allow our City elders to do this?
   Where is direction from the City Council, and the City Manager?
   Regarding the $12,000.00 price tag for tree lighting, I was told that figure by someone who knows.
   It is not just the 3-4 days the tree company spends putting lights on the tree at City Hall. It is the Sled, the Police overtime, and the other little things that are not so little any more. Street closeure, garbage pick up, parking lot closures, on and on.
   Please contact your represenitive and ask why during a fiscal short fall this is allowed to continue..
   Most important.
   Who signs off on these horrible decisions?

10. Anonymous

    November 27, 2008

    Holly roller, as someone who cleans up this dirty town every day by picking up litter and who has volunteered on Ann Keighran’s Clean Up Events, I have seen first hand that we need someone to do this job as our residents and visitors throw down their dirty diapers and cigarette butts on our streets.

    About spending money, there was a long discussion at a recent council meeting about spending nearly $8,000 on a mailing telling us the accomplishments, etc. of our city. This would be a mailing that would not have been included in the water bill. The council discussion was too long on an issue which would have cost so much money during these difficult financial times.

    The Open House is run by the volunteers of the Downtown Avenue merchant association.

11. Holy Roller

    November 27, 2008

    I am very thankful that thier are people who care about our streets.
    I am very sure there is a need for the PW maintenace for the street. Look at all the people who shop in the Burlingame Ave District.
    My only gripe is those large business’s should give back to the improvement of the streets. By their very existance the infrastructure is being degraded, and maintenace/replacement defered.
    I am sure those large corparate business’ are very happy for all the good work the volunteers put in.
    But if their were no volunteers to maintain store fronts, I am sure they could care less.
    I know they pay sales tax.
    But it is not enough.

12. Holy Roller

    November 29, 2008

    Why should we forgo sidewalk repairs in front of our homes (caused by City trees)in order to keep the sidewalk clean in front of Gap,Pottery Barn, Books Inc, Apple, Wells Fargo, Star Bucks, Peets Coffee, Banana Republic etc.
    It does not make since.
    By the way, has anyone ever seen Burlingame Ave flood?
    Time for Change!

13. Anonymous

    November 29, 2008

    It is always interesting to see many of our stores (particularly one on Lorton) who has to surround themselves with sand bags in front of their store whenever there is a sniff of serious rain.

    For such a “tony suburb” as ours, it is quite surprising to see.

    As far as sidewalk repairs on Burlingame Avenue, huge numbers are thrown out as to how much it will cost and there is no money available to do it. (How about selling off a city parking lot for housing outside the core and the funds go to our streets?)

    I hope when it is done (and I am guessing like most “change” in Burlingame it will not happen in my lifetime) that the sidewalks will be widened, the water irrigation fixed, attractive use of brickwork or paving, nice seating bulb outs like Broadway and some decent trees planted.

    Of course Burlingame could go for big “change” in their streetscape, ie pedestrianized (too radical for Burlingame), no parking but with through traffic allowed a la State Street (too radical for Burlingame) or just designed more for people than for cars.

    Perhaps the DSAP committee has come up with some radical and non-radical ideas for Burlingame Avenue?

14. Holy Roller

    November 30, 2008

    I want the Corporations to help out.
    Seriously, does anyone think they can’t clean their own stoops?
    How does this stuff pass the City Council?

15. SuzyB

    December 1, 2008

    Holly Roller – I do believe Broadway is a GEM and honestly I’m there more than Burlingame Ave – however – Burlingame Ave and the larger stores not only contribute to the sales tax base but they are a ‘draw’ to our area – having the gap and other stores in town keeps us from heading to the mall…also – if a tourist is at a hotel and they need some clothing they can be directed to the wonderful trolley and taken to Burlingame Ave (for free!! which is VERY friendly!)where they will shop, eat, have coffee and walk around…and then maybe they will stop at the other cute street and shop around as well…I believe we have the best of both worlds and it is important to appreciate it…

16. Holy Roller

    December 2, 2008

    Its a Wonderful Life!

17. barney

    December 6, 2008

    broadway is narrower and not nearly as replete with restaurants and things to do as burlingame ave so moving the parade to broadway is a big disappointment. let’s keep traditions the way they are and start a new tradition for broadway that is something entirely new and even better. next year i hope the parade returns to burlingame ave.

18. jean

    December 7, 2008

    the parade is tomorrow on Burlingame Ave ending at the Burlingame station with a lighting at the flag pole and the train station. The museum will be open as it was tonight to an enormous and appreciative crowd.

    Broadway did have their separate and special event on Friday. It was fantastic.

    The Santa train came through tonight to the cheers of hundreds, with the museum open as well.

    Sunday, tomorrow, the parade comes down Burlingame Avenue and ends at the station. Maybe the calendar was not clear as to what event was happening on which avenue…but all is terrific!!

19. Anonymous

    December 7, 2008

    Barney, I agree about Broadway but the Broadway Pet Parade works well but wish we could stretch the street to make the street and parade longer!

    The Holiday event flyer was a little misleading because some of the literature did not say the “Open House” included a Parade but glad to hear that there will be a parade. I hope that our local high school band will be included this year because they have been glaringly and blaringly absent in the past Holiday Parades.

    As far as community “parades”, I hope the Burlingame Mothers Club will continue the tradition of their Childrens Halloween Parade next year because it was a wonderful event on Burlingame Avenue.