This Week's Update
- CUBDATE
- June Tip of the Month Watch out for Snakes
- Online Registration for Summer Session Community Classes are now Open!
- Annual Horse Fair Fun Recap
- Cervantes Fire - Clearing the Right of Way Paid off
- Timeframe for Residents to set out chipping piles - WFPD Chipper Program
- San Mateo County Sheriff's Office Firework Buyback
- Upcoming Town Events
CUBDATE
Fern and Thistle have made it to their furr-ever home at the Phoenix Zoo.
The Oakland Veterinary and Animal Care team got the cubs ready for their journey to Arizona. Once the pair of cubs arrived, Thistle showed a bit more courage and immediately stepped out of his crate to eat, while Fern was more cautious taking her time to get acquainted with her new space.
Once the cubs are comfortable, the Zoo will begin offering access to their expansive brand-new habitat, Big Cats of Arizona. For the time being, they will remain in their night house to get comfortable and get to know their new Phoenix Zoo Animal Care Staff.
Because Fern and Thistle were both orphaned at very young ages, they sadly do not possess the skills to survive on their own and cannot be returned to the wild. With Oakland Zoo’s input, @californiadfw determines the “furr-ever homes” for these cubs
To follow their journey follow @phoenixzoo.
June Tip of the Month Watch out for Snakes
With the warmer weather we’ve had recently, snakes become more active and are out and about during the day. They often are seen near paths which are warm in the summer sun. However, this makes them very vulnerable to bicycles and cars. Please pay attention when you are riding or driving and if you see a snake, slow down and let them pass. Most local snakes are not venomous and are important predators in our ecosystem. Here are two commonly seen examples:
This Tip was brought to you by The Conservation Committee.
Online Registration for Summer Session Community Classes are now Open!
We have a great line-up of classes this quarter! Online registration for Summer Session is now open, for more information regarding class offerings and how to register please click here, to find out more information!
Annual Horse Fair Fun Recap
The Trails and Paths Committee held a Horse Fair Portola Valley will neigh-ver forget! Attendees had fun on carriage rides, learned how to rope, enjoyed Los Tolucas food truck among many more activities. Approximately 500 people made their way to all of the fun, including our Mayor Judith Hasko and Councilmember Mary Hufty.
Cervantes Fire - Clearing the Right of Way Paid off
Portola Valley’s Right-of-Way Fire Mitigation Project started in 2019. Working with WFPD, the Town tackled 30-40 years of overgrowth, and once mitigated and maintained, the benefits are clear. On May-21-2025, a heavily loaded 3-axle truck caught fire as it traveled down Westridge Drive near Cervantes Road. The driver pulled over, and flames from the truck travelled into the grasses at the side of the road and began to climb up the trees.
Fortunately for PV residents, the blaze was extinguished quickly and safely. Why?
- Easy access was key. Responding fire trucks drove quickly up Westridge Drive, because the trees had been limbed up 13’6” above the roadway, as required by the fire code.
- Limbing up trees also slowed the burning grass from reaching the crowns of those trees.
- This area of Westridge Drive was cleared in 2021-2022
The Cervantes Fire reminds us that fire resistance takes ongoing efforts across the community -- residents, Town Public Works, and Woodside Fire. Now is the time to clear weeds and brush across our properties.
ATTENTION!
WFPD will be increasing their presence throughout the District to ensure compliance with vegetation management requirements for year-round abatement. Under the recent WFPD Ordinances 24-01 & 23-02, all property owners must cut and remove dry and dead vegetation and maintain 100 feet of defensible space around all structures. WFPD will chip your debris at the curb; make a reservation here.
Many thanks to WFPD and resident Lorrie Duval for creating the report on the Cervantes Fire and providing photos.
This bi-weekly Tip was brought to you by the Wildfire Preparedness Committee
Timeframe for Residents to set out chipping piles -WFPD Chipper Program
WFPD is asking for residents to please set piles out no more than 7 days prior to pick up date. Setting out chipping piles too early creates a significant fire hazard, as dry vegetation can easily ignite and spread flames rapidly. Additionally, these piles can obstruct evacuation routes, delaying emergency response and hindering residents from safely leaving during a wildfire.
WFPD will leave violation notices on properties for immediate removal if it is more than 7 days prior to pick up. WFPD takes the safety of the community seriously and hazardous vegetation endangers the health, safety and welfare of Fire District Residents and are dangerous to your property, your neighbors and your community. WFPD thanks you for helping them protect the Fire District.
San Mateo County Sheriff's Office Firework Buyback
The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office will have two anonymous Firework Buyback events.
Saturday, June 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Northern Branch Courthouse – 1050 Mission Rd., South San Francisco
Saturday, June 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the new Sheriff's Office Substation – 690 Broadway, Redwood City
Upcoming Town Events
Councilmember Hufty Office Hours
Councilmember Hufty holds office hours in the Heritage Room every 2nd and 4th Wednesday 10 AM to 12 PM. Come bring your thoughts on Town governance and/or on the Town Council agenda.
Farmers Market every Thursday 2-6:00pm
The Portola Valley Farmers Market Will be held rain or shine. The market is open from 2-6pm each Thursday!
Conservation Committee Special Meeting; Wildlife Corridor Study Session
Conservation Committee will be holding a Wildlife Corridor Study Session, Tuesday June 10, 4-6pm located at the Historic Schoolhouse.
July 4 Town Hall Closed
Town Hall will be closed Friday July 4th for Independence Day.
Please note, per the Town's Noise Ordinance, no construction/landscaping activities allowed on Friday July 4th.
PV Summer Concert July 10
The first concert of the PV Summer Concert Series will be held Thursday July 10 after the Farmers Market. For more information visit the PV Palooza Foundation website.
Credits:
Created with an image by GDMatthews - "A Pacific Gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer) lies in wait at Lake Cachuma in Santa Barbara county, CA."