Come to the Burlingame Pet Parade

You never know what kind of animals will show up for the Burlingame Pet Parade. We've had alpacas, miniature horses, a blue skink, a teacup piglet, a snail on a leaf, chickens accompanied by green eggs and ham, and a Dalmatian with black, pink, blue and green spots. What will we see this year? Come to the parade next Saturday, Sept. 27, and find out!

The parade will start at 10 a.m. on Broadway, led by tots from Palcare and our Grand Marshal group: detector dog "Skipper" and the Beagle Brigade from the U.S. Customs Border Protection Unit. If you want to march with your pet, you need to report to the parking lot at Chula Vista and Broadway by 9:30. That's where the judges scope out the talent - so don't be late!

Everything is free, including art projects for kids provided by Art Attack and the Burlingame Mothers' Club. Everyone who marches will receive a souvenir ribbons and fancy ribbons will be awarded for the Best Pet Trick; Most Unusual Pet; Best Dressed Pet; and Most Original Float, Group or Wagon. The Grand Prize winner receives a special prize. Judging takes place immediately after the parade at Broadway and Capuchino Avenue.

A "float" can be a decorated bicycle, wagon or kiddie car. No political entries are permitted, but all types of pets are welcome. Children without pets are encouraged to bring stuffed animals. Entries must be operated by foot power only, unless special arrangements are made. Groups are encouraged to identify themselves with a banner or sign.

This year's parade is sponsored by the City of Burlingame, the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA, the Broadway Merchants Association, Pet Food Express, the Daily Journal, the Alan Canas Team of Realtors, Korody Business Services and Forte Press.

For more information, visit burlingamepetparade.com.

Shake, Rattle and Roll

Burlingame residents are invited to join their neighbors in an emergency exercise on their blocks on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. This third annual Burlingame Citywide Emergency Response Exercise is being coordinated by the Burlingame Neighborhood Network (BNN), with support from Burlingame HAM radio operators, the Central County Fire Department and the Burlingame Police Department.

Participants will follow step-by-step instructions for organizing their neighborhoods in the aftermath of an imaginary earthquake.  Boxed Drill Kits containing emergency scenarios, basic steps for the exercise  and a chart to track responses to  the scenarios will be given to all the neighborhoods. There is no charge.

Conducting an exercise is a simple way for neighbors to get to know one another better and learn how to work together following a disaster, when residents are advised to be prepared to be on their own for up to 72 hours before emergency resources are available.  Here's the scoop:

• The exercise is ideal for a group of 8 to 20 neighbors.
• Individuals and smaller groups will be matched with other neighborhoods.
• Residents in apartments and condos are welcome to participate, too.
• Tools needed: BNN Drill Kit (provided), one driveway.
• Groups participating for the first time will have a mentor to guide them.
• Bonus: Neighborhoods that don't have two-way radios may be eligible for a free set.

BNN leaders will give out Drill Kits and review how the exercise typically plays out and how to operate two-way radios at an Exercise Prep Session on Thursday, Oct. 2, from 7 to 8:30 at 2117 Poppy Drive in Burlngame.

Advance registration is required. Those interested in participating (individually or with their own neighborhood group) should contact me by Sept. 27 at terry@terrynagel.com or (650) 347-3576. 

Quick Takes

Our Burlingame City Council will appoint someone to replace retiring Councilmember Jerry Deal soon. Applications are due at 5 p.m. today (Sept. 22). Details are here ... It took 30 years to get funding for the Broadway interchange over Highway 101. Construction will begin soon and will not affect access to Broadway businesses on either side of the freeway ... Planner Dan (aka Dan Zack, who works for Redwood City) gives his assessment of our new downtown streetscape. The streetscape is nearly done ... You can learn about composting, water conservation, green building and more by participating in the RecycleWorks Volunteer Academy. There's no charge, but you will be asked to teach others in your community what you have learned ...

The City of Burlingame wants your feedback about Broadway. Take the survey here ... Then mark your calendar to attend a Broadway Open House on Saturday Oct. 18, from 9 a.m. to noon at First Presbyterian Church to plan the future of the Broadway commercial district ... No need to worry about the water quality in our city. The recent coliform warning was an indicator that more tests should be run and subsequent tests proved our water is safe ... Come to the Easton Branch's celebration of the 10th year of its reopening on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. ... Pitch in and donate to the Burlingame Library Foundation's Our Library, Our Future campaign, which will add a new tech and media lab, videoconferencing capabilities, four group study rooms, an expanded teen area, a bookstore, café and more ...

Burlingame will soon have four electric vehicle charging stations in front of the train station at the foot of Burlingame Avenue ... The Burlingame Post Office at 220 Park Road has been sold to the Wang-Lu Family Revocable Trust. It is federal land and our city had no involvement in the sale. We're hoping the new buyer will propose a project that will include some of the public needs identified in our Downtown Specific Plan ... The new Post Office will be located at 329 Primrose Road ... We have another opening on the Traffic Safety and Parking Commission, so it's very likely that the city will extend the application period ... Congratulations to Crosby N. Gray, winner of the 2014 Business Landscape Award given by the Burlingame Beautification Commission!