The Burlingame Beautification Commission has selected Wachter Investments, Inc. as the winner of the 2015 Business Landscape Award.  Located at 49 Park Road, this charming bungalow was built in 1904 - possibly as a single family dwelling but converted to office space sometime in the late 1970's. Mr. Harold Wachter founded Wachter Investments back in 1979 and purchased this property in 1982.

 

Both sons Richard and Ronald Wachter continue the business as direct lenders who service all their loans personally. They are involved in property management and operate their real estate business from this location. The above photo was provided courtesy of John McQuaide.

 

The award will be presented at the Burlingame City Council meeting on October 19, 2015. As winner, the Wachter Investments, Inc. will receive an award plaque and an original watercolor of its landscape design created by local artist, Dale Perkins.

  

Anyone wishing to nominate a local business for this Award for the coming year is encouraged to contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (650) 558-7330. The deadline for applications is June 1, 2016.

On Tuesday, September 8, the Burlingame Community for Education Foundation (BCE) presented a 'Big Check' to the Burlingame School District Board of Trustees and Superintendent, Dr. Maggie MacIsaac, in the amount of $1,795,000. The check represented BCE's grant raised during the 2014-2015 school year. The record-breaking $1.795 million grant is a 17% increase over the previous year's amount.

"Our amazing community continues to come together to play a critical role in enhancing the public education of all 3,300+ students in Burlingame." said Angela Dubovsky, BCE President. "This academic year, the $1.795 million grant will help our district fund teacher salaries to keep class sizes low, math and science enrichment, physical education, music, drama, library services, a technology specialist, an integrated art program and teacher professional development."

For more information about BCE, visit www.bcefoundation.org.

Did you know there's an alternative to buying electricity from Pacific Gas & Electric? Cities throughout San Mateo County are exploring a concept called Community Choice Energy (CCE) that already saves money for residents in Napa and Sonoma Counties and offers them more energy options, including higher renewable energy content.

 

The County of San Mateo and the Citizens Environmental Council of Burlingame invite you to a presentation by county staff on Wednesday, October 7, from 7 :00 to 8:30 p.m. to learn how Community Choice Energy (also known as Community Choice Aggregation) works. This event, which is free and open to residents and business owners throughout the county, will be held in the Lane Room at the Burlingame Public Library, 480 Primrose Road, Burlingame. Light refreshments will be served.

 

County staff will explain why the County is exploring CCE and the formation of a program that would allow customers to choose between buying electricity from a CCE program called Peninsula Clean Energy. Peninsula Clean Energy customers would receive multiple electricity options with different amounts of energy content, at prices competitive with PG&E. Although prices may fluctuate, other counties that have created CCE programs have offered electricity at lower rates than PG&E and have invested in local renewable energy sources.

 

For more information about the proposal to offer CCE in San Mateo County, visit the county's website here: https://green.smcgov.org/community-choice-energy

Are you interested in finding a way to participate in your community? Then consider applying for appointment to the City of Burlingame Traffic, Safety & Parking Commission! The City invites applicants to offer their interest, experience, and enthusiasm in service of their City.

           

Commission members offer their ideas and recommendations to the City Council and staff in order to help them to make the finest, most informed decisions in the best interest of everyone living, working, and visiting our community.

 

At this time, the City is seeking to fill two vacant seats on the Traffic, Safety & Parking Commission. The Council is likely to appoint each Commission member to the full three year term. The application deadline is Friday, October 9, 2015. Click here for an application and supplemental questionnaire.   Please contact Ana Silva in the City Manager's Office at (650) 558-7204 if you have any questions.

  

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training provides private citizens with the basic skills needed to respond to their community's immediate needs in the aftermath of a disaster, when emergency services are not immediately available. This training is offered free to all Burlingame, Hillsborough and Millbrae residents.  Training consists of the seven classes.

 

To sign up for this upcoming Fall CERT Training series click here. For questions, please contact Lisa Bartolo at [email protected].

 

Interested in an electric vehicle but want to learn more? You are invited to a free Electric Vehicle Expo as part of National Drive Electric Week.

The event features an electric car display from various manufacturers, test drives in electric vehicles, and raffle prizes. Click here for more event information.

Community Meeting: Broadway Grade Separation

  

Volunteers are required to sign a California Coastal Commission waiver form at each sign-in location, but can print and sign the waiver form ahead of time (check-in will be faster). All volunteers under the age of 18 must have a waiver form signed by a parent or legal guardian before participating. For more information, please contact Muriel or Eva at  (650) 342-3727.

Are you having trouble controlling the way you eat? Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, "FA", is a twelve 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. For more information or a list of additional meetings please visit www.foodaddicts.org.

Rides, silent auction, games and more. Visit www.olaschoolk8.org/events.

Swing by for a cup of coffee and conversation on key legislative issues for 2015 and how they affect the community. No RSVP or appointment necessary. Bring your ideas, questions and concerns. Coffee will be provided at no taxpayer expense. Click here for more information.

Ms. Wheelchair America 2016, Dr. Alette Coble-Temple, has fought the odds throughout her life. At birth, due to oxygen deprivation, she was given a 10% chance of survival and developed cerebral palsy. She uses a wheelchair and has a significant speech impediment. Despite being misdiagnosed with intellectual disability at the age of 5, she successfully advocated for inclusion in her local elementary school. She went on to earn a masters degree in sports psychology and a doctorate in clinical psychology. She is a licensed psychologist and full professor at JFK University. She has been an advocate for the disability community for many years, which influenced her platform for the Ms. Wheelchair America contest: PRIDE - Parental Rights Includes Disability Equality. Come meet and hear from this amazing individual. She inspires with her words and her example.  This event is free and open to the everyone. No ticket is required.

Holly Robinson Peete will join Community Gatepath at the " Power of Possibilities" recognition event. Best known for her acting roles on 21 Jump Street and Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, Holly's career as an actress has led her to becoming a voice for her son with Autism Spectrum Disorder and her community. Holly often says, "I wouldn't change my son for the world, but I would change the world for my son."

Holly and her husband Rodney Peete, former NFL quarterback, formed the HollyRod Foundation whose mission is to provide support and resources to those affected by autism and Parkinson's disease. Tickets are on sale now and individual tickets and tables are available. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.  Please contact Jeanne Berube at (650) 259-0160 or [email protected]. For more information visit the Community Gatepath website.