About San Mateo County, CA

As of the latest Burlingame e-newsletter, there are exciting environmental changes underway! It has taken time, but it seems like green/eco-friendly construction & living are finally gaining momentum.

Now if Burlingame would implement recycling pick-up on a weekly basis rather then the current bi-monthly schedule as well as start a home green garbage compost program (currently just yard waste is picked up). Thus far my complaints and suggestions to Allied Waste have fallen on deaf ears.

My understanding is that more frequent pick ups are expensive but I believe there would be an increase in recycling by Burlingame residents. If it's not "easy" it's not going to happen is my feeling. As it currently stands, we also have to sort paper from glass/cans/metals adding another layer of inconvenience.

In comparison, San Francisco has a great recycling program consisting of weekly pickup, one bin for paper and glass, and home composting pick up. Currently, I have to store 6 bulky bins due to Burlingame's recycling system. Ah well, I'll keep working on this.....

Two architects have been elected to lead the new Burlingame Citizens Environmental Council, an organization of citizens who plan to help their community become more environmentally sustainable by reducing carbon emissions, preserving natural resources and promoting sustainable lifestyles.
The group elected Stan Vistica as Chair and Jerry Winges as Vice Chair. Vistica, an architect based in San Francisco, has served on the Planning Commission for 10 years. Winges owns an architectural firm in Burlingame.

The Burlingame Citizens Environmental Council (BCEC) began meeting this fall after the city's Green Ribbon Task Force disbanded. The Task Force, which was formed in 2007, completed its work when the city's Climate Action Plan was adopted by the Burlingame City Council last summer.

BCEC plans to promote the adoption of green building practices in Burlingame and to make certain the city meets deadlines outlined in its Climate Action Plan. Representatives will work closely with local schools. Among its local initiatives will be a Drive Less Challenge, bike tours, a tour of sustainable homes and a green business incentive program. The group plans to continue the successful green speaker series and Green Street Fair pioneered by the Green Ribbon Task Force.

"I am delighted to lead Burlingame citizens in our effort to clean up the planet while improving lifestyles. One of our goals is to attain measurable environmental improvements using the Climate Action Plan as a baseline. It's going to be exciting," said Vistica.

Vistica noted that BCEC is currently looking for individuals to help design a Web site for the group, write grants and assist with community outreach.
BCEC invites other interested Burlingame residents to join. The organization's next meeting will be held Thursday, December 3, at 7 p.m. at TRG Architects in Burlingame.

For more information about BCEC, contact Vistica at hapvist@gmail.com or Winges at jlw@wingesaia.com.
To learn more about what the City of Burlingame is doing to address climate change, see the Sustainable Burlingame section of the city's Web site. The city's progress on sustainable programs is outlined at http://www.burlingame.org/index.aspx?page=1374.

Posted by:

Cheryl Bower, Realtor , GRI, ABR
Cell 415.999.3450

cheryl@cbower.com
DRE #: 01505551

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Don't forget to plan for the upcoming show: Christmas Carol "The Gift" . The Theatre department at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont California started this wonderful production 24 years ago and it continues to be a tradition within the Bay Area community. I have had the great pleasure of helping out with this show and seeing the cheer it brings to so many people. If you would like to see the show please visit the website: www.christmascarolthegift.org Ticket order forms are on the link. Don't wait too long as the tickets go fast.

Below is a little about the show.

I don't know if it is a generational thing or not, but it seems to me that people are getting more rude and displaying a lack of courtesy and a lack of kindness more and more each day. When I was raised (born in 1954), I was taught to address my elders by surnames (e.g. Mr. Smith and Mrs. Smith), to open doors for women and elderly (and people with strollers or hands full of shopping). I was taught to show up to an interview (whether it was for a job as dishwasher or executive), dressed in suit and tie, with my shoes polished. Maybe it is my imagination (I want to believe that), but it seems like people just don't care about anyone but themselves.

I was driving on the freeway the other day and no one would let me change lanes to get around a slow truck, even though I waited with blinker on for some time. I remember another time I was waiting for a parking place and someone rushed right in and took it from me with no apology or remorse (like that scene from Fried Green Tomatoes with Kathy Bates). Sometimes the salesperson will be rude (like I am interupting them for help) with no "thank-you for shopping with us", or apology that they didnt have what you needed. Has America lost the human touch of kindness and courtesy?

I personally believe, that most people are kind and courteous. I believe there are a few that show up so loud and rude it takes our breath away......we remember these and forget about the others.

We forget about the person who let you go first at a stop sign, or the person that let you on to the freeway. Every so often, there is a person that just blows a hole in the view that its all going out the window.

I remember another day when I was crossing a bridge and when I went to pay the toll the toll person said the guy ahead of me paid for it....I couldnt believe it....they were total strangers, I couldnt thank them......so I "played it forward".....and said, please do this for the car behind me, and here is money for the one after that!

Moral of the story for me? I think the world needs more kindness and courtesy.....so......let it start with me........what can I do today that will show kindness and courtesy for someone else? Maybe let the person in line for the grocery store go ahead of me (even if they have a whole grocery cart of items), maybe open the door for someone at the store, or hold the door for someone......drop some money in the hand of a person asking for help on the sidewalk, or call a local charity to see if there is something special they need today and pick it up and drop it by.........

If you live on the Peninsula and want to stay in the loop on the High Speed Rail plans, there is an upcoming meeting in Burlingame.

The public is invited!
Fri., Nov. 20th, 8:45am to 10:15am
Burlingame City Hall, Council Chambers
501 Primrose Road
Burlingame, CA 94010

More details about the high speed rail can be found:

http://www.sfbungalow.com/2009/09/12/workshop-today-for-the-peninsula-high-speed-rail-project/

Home Staging color challenge at 809 Pinon Ave Millbrae CA

After five years in the home staging business I can tell you that almost every house presents itself with a unique design challenge. It might be a difficult floor plan, an outdated appearance or a color challenge that leaves me particularly perplexed. My job, after all, is to accentuate the best of a home's features and downplay its worst. With 92% of buyers previewing homes on the internet, having a beautifully staged home for a virtual tour is essential in a home marketing plan.

Now, in many cases of home staging I can paint beautiful colors on the walls, update kitchens and bath or replace old flooring, as seen in some of my other projects. However, in some cases, such as the one on 809 Pinon Ave Millbrae I am left to design around an existing color challenge.

Color challenges of a home might be a rustic brick fireplace surround in an otherwise contemporary space. The dark red brick color against creamy neutral walls with white crown moldings appear in sharp contrast to one another and draw the eye toward the stronger color. Or, a color challenge might be a strong accent wall color that cannot be painted over for a variety of reasons.

As you will see in the before and after pictures of the 809 Pinon Ave house one wall in the living room as well as the entry were painted a strong salmon color. At the opposite end of the room is a sunroom, which was painted a soft, green. My color challenge in this home staging was to incorporate both of these colors into one harmonious design. I want to downplay the stark contrast between the dark salmon and the white wall by placing either color on the contrasting wall. The secret to the success of the design was color balancing the space with a rug that incorporated all of the colors as well as the black of the fireplace surround. A lighter colored rug would have left the space "floating" and off kilter. This darker rug draws the eye away from the wall and into the seating area.

An additional color challenge was in the dining room with the terra cotta tile floor. The color balance was achieved with the art and floral arrangement complimenting all three colors.

Sometimes in my home staging I need to purchase a specific design element to successfully complete my project. In this home staging color challenge I purchased the art and rug, both of which had the salmon color as well as the green tones.

Color increases the memory of a property by 60%. People viewing this property will remember it by it's living room color. Professionally home staging this property helped neutralize a strong accent color by blending the color around the room. It also created more appealing photographs for a virtual tour.

Please give me a call or send me a message if you have any questions about home staging and/or color challenges.

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Kerry Roth