This Week's Update
- Portola Valley has a New Town Manager
- TOWN PICNIC AND ZOTT’S TO TOTS
- Online Registration for the Fall Session Community Classes Open Now!
- How Dangerous are Wood Shake Roofs?
- Conservation Committee August Tip of the Month; Stinkwort or Stinking Fleabane
- Childcare Town Hall Moderated by SMC Supervisors Jackie Speier and Lisa Gauthier
- FREE EVENT: Victorian Days, August 9, 2025 San Mateo County History Museum
- Upcoming Town Events
Portola Valley has a New Town Manager
After Mark Linder's time as the Interim Town Manager, a new Town Manager started Monday July 28th! Darcy Smith is finishing her first week as the new Town Manager. Darcy shared a few words after connecting with the community, Town Council members, and staff.
“I've been so touched by the warm welcome from the Council, staff, and so many community members. I am learning a lot about the values and priorities of the community, and look forward to working collaboratively with the Town Council, staff, and community on our shared priorities and creating an efficient and effective town organization."
On Wednesday July 30th. The Town held an introductory community event; Coffee with the New Town Manager. This Community event was attended by 30 residents that came to meet Darcy and give her a warm welcome to the Town. A resident was nice enough to take a photo of the event!
TOWN PICNIC AND ZOTT’S TO TOTS
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2025
RACE START: 10AM
TOWN PICNIC: 11AM to 1PM
Fun Activities, Tasty Food, a Rockin’ Band & Good Vibes!
- Dunk Tank - new this year!
- Jumpy Houses & Slides for big and little kids
- Face Painting
- Petting Zoo & Pony Rides
- Climb into the WFPD Firetruck
- Cub-Scout hosted games
Support your local scouts’ BBQ booth or try the Taco Truck.
Dance & enjoy the tunes from the local band, UP AND TO THE RIGHT.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE RACE FINISH LINE AND THE DUNK TANK! Please contact AskeyKaren@gmail.com OR Patty33937@gmail.com if you’d like to help out.
ROAD CLOSURES! Please note that portions of Alpine and Portola Roads (from Rossotti’s Alpine Inn to the Town Center) will be closed along the race route beginning at 9:45am.
Online Registration for the Fall Session Community Classes Open Now!
Even though we are approaching the fall season, you can still register for summer classes. For the Fall schedule, we have a great line-up of classes this quarter! Online registration for the Fall Session is now open, for more information regarding class offerings and how to register please click here, to find out more information!
How Dangerous are Wood Shake Roofs?
Today when we talk about wildfire prevention, we focus on defensible space and home hardening, and we rarely mention wood shake roofs. Starting in Jan-2022, the Town Council banned new wood roofs, but at least 84 homes in Portola Valley have existing wood roofs.
So, let’s recap some research. In the 1961 Bel Air Fire in Los Angeles, 50% of homes with wood roofs within 30 feet of burning vegetation ignited, versus 24% with fire-resistant roofs. In the 1991 Oakland Hills Fire, every burning home contributed to the ignition of 10 other homes. In 1994 research, 70% of nonflammable roofs survived versus 19% of flammable roofs. In the 2023 Lahaina Fire, 80% of non-Class A roofs ignited.
Conservation Committee August Tip of the Month; Stinkwort or Stinking Fleabane
Stinkwort or Stinking Fleabane
Dittrichia graveolens
- Fall (Aug-Sept) flowering member of the Aster family. An annual, native to Europe, it is very invasive in California.
- Resembles several desirable native species - see photos
- Foliage has sticky hairs covered in a strong and rank smelling resin, which can lead to headache and/or contact dermatitis.
- Found in disturbed areas along yards, roads, construction sites, horse corrals and neglected property.
- Seeds are tiny and are spread by gardening/construction equipment, soles of shoes, wind and pets.
- One plant can infest both your yard as well as your neighbor’s yard – be a good neighbor. Hand pull BEFORE they bloom - you don’t need to get the roots, cut them down to the ground and get as much as you can.
- If you get them BEFORE flowers form, they can be composted.
- If flowers have formed, bag and dispose of in trash (they go to seed almost overnight). PROTECT YOUR SKIN Wear gloves, long pants and long sleeves (causes contact dermatitis in some people).
If you can’t get to it soon, please ask your gardener to focus on this next time they visit.
Childcare Town Hall Moderated by SMC Supervisors Jackie Speier and Lisa Gauthier
FREE EVENT: Victorian Days, August 9, 2025 San Mateo County History Museum
Victorian Days at the Old Courthouse takes place Saturday, August 9, 2025, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the San Mateo County History Museum, housed within the County’s historic Courthouse at 2200 Broadway in Redwood City. The event will include FREE museum admission, a children’s scavenger hunt and craft activities. For youngsters and adults, there will be a tea and a vintage fashion show (ticket purchase needed).
For more information and/to purchase tickets for the tea, go to www.historysmc.org/victorian
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.
Neighborhood Cleanup August 23rd
Get ready for the next Neighborhood Clean-Up Day! Saturday August 23, 2025 8:00AM -11:00AM. Free to Portola Valley Residents, bring a copy of your GreenWaste garbage bill or the mailer insert as proof of residency.
Town Picnic/ Zott's to Tot's
Mark your calendars for Saturday September 20. Zott's to Tots Race Start: 10AM, The Town Picnic 11:00AM - 1:00PM. Information regarding race registration to come.
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 STOATPHOTO - "Whats New. Communication, business and knowledge concept. Wooden table" • Robert - "Autumn leaves, objects with Enroll Now text. Natural patterns, color design." • ASakoulis - "Dittrichia graveolens, commonly known as stinkwort or stinking fleabane, Crete"