Jun 9, 2008

Burlingame blows out 100 birthday candles

By Adria Murray / Society Columnist

Capping off a yearlong celebration, Burlingame's Centennial Gala was the icing on the birthday cake of a commemorative year. The Burlingame Centennial executive committee chose to end the jubilee with a bang, lighting up the sky with a fireworks show for the gala and whole city to see.

Held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel of Burlingame, more than 600 guests attended the "once in a lifetime evening" on June 6. Said centennial chairman Gene Condon "the evening turned out just as we had pictured it."

Projected on the walls of the elegant Grand Ballroom were images of the City Hall Cupola and the historic Burlingame Train Station, and at each table sat centerpieces in the style of tiered birthday cakes and champagne toasting glasses etched with the Centennial's insignia. Many guests came dressed in turn-of-the-century costumes, adding an air of authenticity to the historic affair. Costumed revelers included centennial committee member Jo-Ellen Ellis, Burlingame Historical Society President Russ Cohen, Kay 'Kiki' Arnaudo, Eric Ribeiro and Jill Lauder.

Mayor Rosalie O'Mahony welcomed guests to the gala and invited Vice Mayor Ann Keighran and City Council members Cathy Baylock, Terry Nagel and Jerry Deal to make opening remarks. "We thank our forefathers for planting the seeds and paving the roads for our city," Keighran said, adding, "We enter a new history tonight."

Interestingly enough, according to the numbered, limited-edition programs given at the gala, Burlingame is a city of many roads, avenues, drives and lanes - 250 in total - but not a single street.

The city's most famous Lanes, of course, were the ones behind the successful Sunset magazine empire. The family of Lawrence W. Lane, honored as part of a group of Extraordinary Burlingamers, first resided at 1900 Addison Dr. after their move West from Iowa, according to gala attendees and the home's current owners Kathleen and Tom Addison.

But of all the famous residents who have lived in Burlingame, from Academy Award-winning actress Anne Baxter, to creator of the Fox Trot comic strip Bill Amend, to actor Barry Bostwick of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" fame, the man whom Burlingame takes its name after, Anson Burlingame, was never actually a resident.

While vacationing in the Bay Area in 1866, Burlingame purchased 1,043-acres with plans to retire on the land, but died before ever returning. Legendary financier William C. Ralston named the land parcel, which fell back into his hands, after his friend Burlingame.

Following reminiscence about the city's colorful history, emcee Diane Dwyer, NBC 11 News anchor and Burlingame High School alum, got the evening going by seeking out fellow Burlingame High alumni, trying to find one among them who could remember the school's fight song. After a brief powwow to refresh each other on the lyrics, a group of 15-plus alums took to the stage singing "Come on and cheer for the gallant Panthers."

A man who got his start in comedy at the former incarnation of the Hyatt, famous Las Vegas headliner Danny Marona came back for this one-time special engagement. "I've come out of retirement to be a warm-up act for fireworks," Marona joked.

Said Marona of his 12-year run, "Not a day goes by I don't think about the Hyatt of Burlingame. My name was on that sign out front so long people thought I was a street."

A considerable amount of planning went into the centennial celebration's festivities and could not have been accomplished without the leadership of Condon and his team, including Dan Andersen, Randy Schwartz, Mike McQueen, Jerry Fleres, Barbara Moran, Kristen Thorenstein, Gordon Gottsche, Doris Mortinson and Ellis, as well as gala chairwoman Karen Key, co-chairwoman Susan Burlison and all the night's volunteers from Burlingame Masonic Lodge No. 400.

The first-ever Burlingame Walk of Fame honorees were recognized for their contributions to the community. As keeper of the city's archives, Martha Rosman May was honored for her 35 years of service, along with one of the city's first female Rotary Club members, Mary Janney (who could not be in attendance). Congresswoman Jackie Speier and former mayor A.C. "Bud" Harrison were a few of the esteemed attendees applauding the honorees.

Just before the fireworks kicked off, the Mayor, Vice Mayor and several council members blew out the candles on the centennial cake as the ballroom erupted in song. Singing "Happy Birthday," a sea of clinking glasses chimed while friends and neighbors toasted the historic occasion. And after all the champagne was drunk, cake was eaten and fireworks smoke had cleared the air, revelers danced into the wee hours, ushering in the first day of Burlingame's next hundred years.

In reflection on the city's centennial, Historical Society President Cohen said, "Our rich and diverse history is not lost, it is all around us here in Burlingame. All we have to do is look around."


Adria Murray's society column appears every Sunday in the Daily News. Send event information to 255 Constitution Dr., Menlo Park, CA 94025 or e-mail amurray@dailynews group.com.