Month: June 2013

  • Everything old is new again.

    Bocce court opening

    Back in the day, Washington Park had two bocce ball courts. they were built by the Burlingame Lions Club. Over the years, however, the sport became less and less popular and the courts disappeared. Seems it is making a comeback, at least here in Burlingame. Burlingame Parks Department folks put some hard labor against buildng three new courts and relocating the courts of another sport of yesteryear, horsehoes. The grand opening celebration was held yesterday, with a crowd mostly of dignitaries and parks staff with a few neighbors, ( myself included.)

    Bocce court opeing 2

  • Avenew Attention

    For anyone who reads the Voice regularly, this piece in the San Mateo/Jose Times/Mercury about the new B'game Avenue streetscape project only has one tidbit of new news, the 25% estimate

    Several store owners and managers said business is down about 25 percent since construction began on the block, which is scheduled to reopen to cars in August.

    But it's just nice to see the supposedly local paper venture north of Palo Alto for a feature story once in awhile.

     

  • Winning at the Fair

    It's County Fair week this week and the event is as fun and traditional as ever.  While walking through the exhibits, I noticed that at lease two B'gamers had blue ribbons.

    Local collector Don Doyle won the blue ribbon for "Collections" by assembling a fun assortment of "early lighting" including candlesticks, a really unusual "candle jack" that looked like a fishing reel and some cool early light sockets and bulbs.

    I don't know Joe Vella of B'game, but he won a pair of blue ribbons in the home winemaking competition.  One for the Trio Hikers label on the pinot noir he and two buddies made and another for their Primitivo wine.  If you know Joe tell him I would love a taste!

    County Fair blue ribbon wine_Vella

  • High-Cost Rail Part 91 San Bruno Wall

    Many on the Peninsula have fallen asleep on the issue of high-cost rail even though there are three active court cases going on right now.  It all seems far away to some.  But the seven-tenths of a mile long raised train bed on San Bruno is right here and doesn't require any imagination–just a 10 minute ride up 101 to the San Bruno Ave exit.  Here are some photos that show what some would like to see in B'game–especially those trying to pave the way for high-cost rail on the Peninsula.

    San Bruno wall1
    San Bruno wall2

    It really divides the city of SB into two parts quite effectively.  Can you imagine this plus the catenary wires on towers above it running through most of B'game?  And here is the old rail bed, left vacant so that the wall can be expanded with more tracks for HSR.

    San Bruno wall3

  • Roti R.I.P.

    I would never have thought that our ever-changing dining scene would have meant the demise of Roti.  But here it is and they haven't had time to update their website yet!  I tried to go for lunch today and it is buttoned-up tight ;-(

    Roti closed

  • Tax Update – Last Holiday Season’s Results

    This won't be another partisan rant, just a simple update to the last B'game sales tax listing from April.  For 4Q12 on a year-over-year basis, sales receipts in town were up 5.1%.

    20 of the Top 25 sales tax generators are the same from 3Q12:  Apple Computer, Benihana, Cammisa Automotive, Chevron, Fiat of B'game, Garratt Callahan, Hyatt Regency, Kern Jewelers, Marriott, Mike Harvey Acura and Honda,  Putnam: Buick, Pontiac GMC and Chevrolet Cadillac and Mazda Volvo and Toyota, Rector Porsche Audi, Safeway, Technical Instrument, Walgreens and WW Grainger.

    The five businesses that cracked the Top 25 this time around are:  Cal Steam, Gap, Il Fornaio, Lululemon Athletics and Sephora.  Kudos to you five.

    A 23% increase in the city’s share of the countywide use tax pool allocation also contributed to the positive results.  Remember–Shop B'game!  The bigger the ticket item, the better.

  • Jazz on the Hill Returns

    One of the best summer music festivals in the Bay Area made a triumphant return yesterday after a five or six year hiatus.  KCSM's Jazz on the Hill on the CSM campus is an all-afternoon jazz and blues fest that is a live representation of one of the great things about living on the Peninsula–91.1 FM.  I know they stream it around the world now, but it's nice knowing that it all emanates from up on Highway 92.

    The campus is looking very sharp thanks to all the bond money we have voted for.  The weather was spectacular.  The wading pool right in front of the stage got some good use.  And everyone enjoyed the likes of Le Hot Jazz, Taylor Eigsti's trio, Charlie Mussellwhite playing the "Mississippi saxophone"  (i.e. the harmonica) and Pacific Mambo Orchestra.  Put it on your calendar for next June!

    Jazz on the Hill

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