I think Burlingame's charm is what makes it so great. Sure, it's the quaint neighborhoods and the architecture and the trees, but it's the people that contribute the most to that charm. Some ofthose people are local businesspeople. Case in point are Rino Betti and June Williams. They own and run Sam's Italian Sandwiches, opened 41 years ago yesterday. But lately it's been rough going. Very rough. Many more new franchise competitors than ever before, the cost of capital improvements when they moved from their original location, the rise in the cost of goods and rent.

They need help. Oh sure, you can stop in more often and grab the best sandwich this side of San Francisco, but they need more than that right now. Please consider logging onto www.savesams.com and hitting the donation button. Do it now and help save a Burlingame institution. Don't let another Mom and Pop disappear.