Portola Valley Update October 2, 2025

Thank you to the Parks & Recreation Committee and Bicycle, Pedestrian, & Traffic Safety Committee for making this a fun and safe event!

A Tip from the Wildfire Preparedness Committee; Survivor's Story from the 2020 CZU Fire

On Sep-17-2025, Betsy Burton Firebaugh spoke to the PV Wildfire Preparedness Committee and shared her personal story on recovering from the 2020 CZU Fire. Her talk can be viewed on the Portola Valley Youtube channel and starts at https://youtu.be/ec9lmpEDbNQ?t=516

Some of the Lessons Learned:

Betsy and her husband lost their home in Bonny Doon but finished rebuilding it this past January. Over 45 minutes, she shared many lessons learned, just a few of which were:

• They evacuated when they saw flames. Power went out, they had no cell signal and didn’t receive any notification until 24 hours later. A friend cleaned her house and changed bed sheets, expecting to return to a fresh home. Instead, Betsy said we should plan ahead on what to pack and when to evacuate. Don’t waste time deciding what to do; be prepared to just do it.
• Betsy’s house had a metal roof, but she thinks the fire started from embers on the wood deck, after they evacuated.
• There are not enough mental health services in recovery. Remember that people want to help, so tell them what you need. Note, their neighborhood divorce rate was 50% after the fire.
• Betsy showed the very resilient house they rebuilt in Bonny Doon, which earned the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home - Plus certificate.

Please check out Betsy’s great presentation!

What's Blooming Now in October?

California Fuchsia or Zauschneria

Epilobium canum

California gardens can look dry and uninspired this time of year, but the California fuchsia is still in bloom and a critical late season pollinator plant.

Examples can be found by the creek at the Town Center.

This perennial herb is terrific for native gardens, dry hillsides and sad parking areas. A local native, and present widely throughout much of California, it requires NO summer water (once established), and it blooms continuously from late summer through fall, when few other plants are in bloom.

Superabundant, scarlet, trumpet-shaped flowers are a favorite of hummingbirds and other pollinators.

Deer resistant, grows under Eucalyptus and tolerates clay, sand and serpentine soils.

Prefers full sun and tolerates poor drainage.

Cut it to the ground after bloom for a tidier and stronger form.

Spreads by rhizomes so it can become quite large – 2’ H x 3’ W or more and self-seeds readily.

This plant is fire resistant and on several Fire-Safe plant lists, including that of FireSafe Marin and County of San Diego. It makes a great fire-resistant ground cover.

Available at most local nurseries that carry native plants. Try one, you won’t regret it.

Brought to you by The Conservation Committee.

Portola Valley Got Brain?? Get Social!!

What movie won best picture in 2025? Who was Eisenhower’s running mate in 1952? What college did Brent Purdy attend? If these questions catch your interest, or you just want to socialize with friends, then it’s time for….

Portola Valley Trivia Night

Saturday, November 8th, 2025

6:30pm to 9pm (Trivia starts promptly at 7pm)

Portola Valley Community Hall

Join your neighbors of 94028 and enjoy a fun-filled evening of banter and interesting information.

For more details and to register, go to:

Portola Valley Trivia Night

Happily brought to you by the Parks & Rec Committee :-)

Neighborhood Clean Up This Weekend!

The third and final Neighborhood Clean up of 2025 is this Saturday October 4 8am-11AM. Free to Portola Valley Residents, bring a copy of your GreenWaste garbage bill or the mailer insert as proof of residency. The next Neighborhood Cleanup will be in 2026!

Fire Prevention Week - October 5-11, 2025

Nominate a Sustainability Champion

🌍 Nominate a Sustainability Champion! 🌱

Do you know someone who’s making a big difference in creating a more sustainable future for San Mateo County? Honor their impact by nominating them for the 2026 Sustainability Awards!

Since 1999, Sustainable San Mateo County has celebrated 188 local leaders, organizations and innovators who are driving real change. This inspiring annual event shines a spotlight on those working tirelessly to make our region healthier and more resilient.

✨ We are now accepting nominations for the:

• Sustainability Awards
• Youth Sustainability Award (Youth grades 5-12)
• Green Building Award (applications open thru Nov 3)

Nominations are open to individuals, businesses, nonprofits, schools and community groups. Once nominated, candidates will be invited to complete a short application.

📅 Nomination deadline: October 14, 2025

👉 Learn more and submit your nomination at bit.ly/SSMC-Awards

Help us celebrate the changemakers who inspire us all! 🌟

PVSD & WFPD Wildfire Preparedness Parent Presentation

Walk with NAMIWalks for Mental Health!

Starting at 9 a.m. on October 4th, 2025, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of San Mateo county will host our highly anticipated annual walk for mental health at Seal Point Park. This event not only promotes awareness and brings the local community together for an important cause, but also helps raise funds for San Mateo county mental health advocacy, support and education programs!

As NAMI’s largest and most important event of the year, we are thrilled to invite one of our most crucial contributors … you! This free event features a 1k or 5k walk, food, music, a community resource fair, wellness program, kids’ zone and even furry friends sporting NAMI gear all along San Mateo’s beautiful waterfront. Participation in the 1k or 5k walk is free of charge but requires registration.

Let’s come together to fight the stigma and raise awareness!

To learn more and register to walk with us, visit www.namiwalks.org/sanmateo