This Week's Update
Introducing The New Town Manager Blog
Town Manager Darcy Smith is excited to announce the launch of the Town Manager’s Blog. This online tool provides community information in an open, conversational style.
The primary goal of the blog is to post a “That’s a Wrap! After Action Report” after each Town Council meeting. This will provide residents with timely, accessible recaps of the discussions and decisions that shape our community. Additionally, the blog will feature 2-4 posts per month on topics of general interest, including the Town's budget, projects, upcoming community meetings, community issues, public safety, and general Town operations. For example, October posts covered the recent approval of the Alpine Road Scenic Corridor Priority Conservation Area Designation by the Association of Bay Area Governments and the initiation of the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Articles are written in a conversational style rather than as press releases, official meeting minutes, or formal Town publications. The blog does not have a comments feature, but readers are welcome to respond via email directly to the Town Manager.
This blog creates a direct and flexible communication channel to better connect Town government with the community. We will continue using our current communication methods as well. We hope this new tool will increase transparency and keep the community informed!
You can sign up to receive email notifications when new Town Manager Blog posts or That's a Wrap! After Action Reports are published.
What's Blooming Now?
October/November
California Aster
Symphyotrichum chilense
California aster (Symphyotrichum chilense) is a purple-flowered member of the aster family that flowers from summer into late fall, making it especially valuable to late season pollinators. It can be a vital source of pollen for bees after other plants have goes to seed.
A great place to see California aster in flower is Town Center, where both of the photos on this page were taken. Kabcenell Meadow has several patches; additional plantings are outside Town Hall in the garden close to Community Hall; and there are some in the bed south of the Old Schoolhouse. You can see its lavender flowers as well as maturing seed heads, which provide food to many birds.
California aster is a good candidate for informal meadows, areas being restored, and unstable slopes that can benefit from a plant that spreads vigorously by rhizomes (stems that grow horizontally underground and send up new shoots). The plantings at Town Center are a good guide to this plant’s tendency to spread. Several different cultivars with more restrained growth are available from some nurseries, including some cultivars that form clumps and others that are groundcovers less than a foot tall.
This plant also illustrates many aspects of botanical names, both common and scientific. It has multiple common names—California aster, Pacific aster, and Coast aster. When it was first given a scientific name, it was thought to be native to Chile, and this is reflected in the second part of its initial scientific name, Aster chilensis. As genetic tools revealed the plant’s evolutionary relationships, the name was changed to Symphyotrichum chilense. It was also determined that this species is not native to Chile, but to the West Coast of North America from southern California to British Columbia. However, because of scientific rules regarding botanical names, the second part of its scientific name was retained, and was modified only to agree with its new genus name.
Brought to you by the Conservation Committee
Results of DIY PV Coastal Cleanup Day
MJ Lee and Jan Schachter organized the Portola Vally Coastal Cleanup Day! They had around 22 people participate in the October 11 DIY PV Coastal Cleanup Day , and they collected 18 buckets of trash over 17+ miles.
They all did a great job, and they would like to thank PV Hardware for supporting the effort, as well as SMC Environmental Health and Palo Alto Public Works. Thank you also to the lead participants: Helen Wolter, Karyn Ellis, Naomi Fletcher (Scout troop), Julie Dickerson, Dick Ball, Nelly Volsky, Barbara Vetter, Alex Von Feldt, Rita Comes, Wanda Ginner and Vivienne Butler (Notre Dame Belmont HS).
Some of the feedback from participants:
- It was a great experience to teach kids about waste management and keeping our streets clean.
- ...sense of satisfaction in eliminating the debris that was collected from potentially entering waterways.
- Being outside is always enjoyable!
- Best part was all the people walking and on bikes yelling out to us "thank you for doing this!"
-mj lee and Jan Schachter
How to make an appointment with a planner
The planning department has revamped the appointment process! To make a virtual appointment with a Planner visit the new online booking tool for the Town of Portola Valley Planning division. To book your appointment – select the general inquiry option and complete all the required information concerting the project.
Virtual Appointment Booking Link
SMOCE Electric Bicycle Safety Handbook
The San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) released an E-Bike Handbook for Students and Parents. The kit offers comprehensive guidance on e-bike laws, safety education materials for families, and practical tips for students. The BPTS committee thought this handbook would be a great resource to share with the community.
Contribute to the San Mateo County Edible Food Recovery Program
Use the interactive volunteer opportunities map to find an organization near you - sustainsmc.org/foodvolunteermap.
To learn more on how you can help your community, visit https://www.smcgov.org/ceo/news/volunteers-and-businesses-needed-donate-and-deliver-food-those-need
Sustainable San Mateo Events
Free Film Screening: "Eating our Way to Extinction"
Join SSMC to watch and discuss the condensed version of this entertaining and surprising documentary. Featuring shocking undercover footage and first-hand accounts from indigenous people, this documentary will permanently change your perception of food and its connection to the future of our planet. The film will be followed by a panel discussion to learn about plant based options and advocacy.
Thursday, Nov 6., 5:30 - 6:45 p.m. in Redwood City
The 2025 Peninsula and South Bay Green@Home Tour
Do you want to save money on home energy costs and make your home more sustainable? This is the event for you!
On Nov. 8, tour hosts living in the Peninsula and South Bay will be showcasing their sustainable homes for community members to learn more about green home upgrades. Replacing gas appliances with electric ones, incorporating solar panels, improving insulation, using sustainable building materials or adding water-saving features—these are just a few of the possible upgrades you can learn about from your neighbors! Get inspired to make similar changes and move toward a healthier, more energy-efficient future.
The tour takes place on November 8, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Upcoming Town Events
Councilmember Hufty Office Hours
Councilmember Hufty holds office hours in the Heritage Room every 2nd and 4th Wednesday 10:00AM to 12:00PM. Come bring your thoughts on Town governance and/or on the Town Council agenda.
Town Hall Closed November 27-28
Town Hall will be closed Thursday November 27 - Friday November 28 for the Thanksgiving Holiday. The Lobby will reopen Monday December 1 at 8:30am.
Farmers Market every Thursday 2-6:00PM
The Portola Valley Farmers Market will be held rain or shine. The market is open from 2PM-6PM each Thursday!
Credits:
Created with images by reggie - "bee pollinating bright violet wild flowers super bloom isolated" • Fabio - "People participating in a neighborhood cleanup event, sweeping streets and collecting litter" • Pakin - "Businessman manages time for effective work. Calendar on the virtual screen interface. Highlight appointment reminders and meeting agenda on the calendar. Time management concept." • Idsaree - "Symbols of bicycle parking signs or bicycle routes."