Portola Valley Update December 18, 2025

This Week's Update

• Happy Holidays from Town Hall!
• Town Council Reorganization Summary
• Conservation Committee December Tip of the Month
• Farmers Market Closure for Christmas Day
• Home Safety Tips for the Holiday Season and Every Day
• Community Info Release - WFPD & Fire Safe San Mateo County
• Webinar for the Community: How to Advocate for Plant-Forward Policies
• Volunteers Needed for 2026 One Day Homeless Count in San Mateo County
• Upcoming Events

Happy Holidays from Town Hall!

Happy Holidays! Town Hall will be closed Thursday, December 25th through Thursday January 1st. Staff will be available by email, phone and appointment only on Friday January 2,2026. The Town Hall Lobby will reopen to the public Monday January 5, 2026 at 8:30am.  For Emergencies, please call 911.   Please note, per the Town's Noise Ordinance, no construction/ landscaping activities allowed on 

• Christmas Day, Thursday December 25, 2025
• New Year's Day, Thursday January 1, 2026

  For non-emergencies here is a list of helpful phone numbers. If you need to report any issues that you would like Town Hall Staff to look at upon their return you can report it on PV Connect.   Have a wonderful Holiday Season!

Town Council Reorganization

To watch the reorganization, please click here. The next Town Council Meeting will be January 14, 2026.

Conservation Committee December Tip of the Month

Farmers Market Closure for Christmas Day

As the holidays are quickly approaching, stop by the Farmers Market Thursday December 18, 2pm - 5pm to get all of your favorites, for your holiday gatherings or recharge with a sweet treat.  The Farmers Market will be closed Thursday December 25, and will not be rescheduled during that week.

Home Safety Tips for the Holiday Season and Everyday

Safety Tips Residents are the extra "eyes and ears" for SMC Sheriff's Office. If you "see something, say something." Promptly report suspicious behavior or noise to 9-1-1 (or non-emergency 650-363-4911, ext. 1). Make home security a daily habit.   Away on a Trip Let trusted neighbors know if you’ll be away and ask them to keep an eye on your property. Submit a house watch request with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office. To schedule, call 650-363-4911, ext. 1 or file by online SMCSheriff.com>Services>Vacation House Checks. Ask neighbors to bring in your mail, packages, and garbage cans promptly.   For transport to the airport, use a trusted service or friend. Options such as Uber and Lyft may not be secure.   Be cautious about sharing your holiday travel plans publicly, especially on social media.   Homes Lock all doors, windows, and side gates. Move safes and valuable to less predictable areas than master bedroom, adjoining bedrooms, and studies. When you leave the house turn on the TV and or radio, put interior lights on a timer. Use outdoor lighting with motion sensors.   Burglars look to break into a home when no one is there. They’ll watch a home for movement or noise. They’ll be on the lookout for neighbors who might see them and report a suspicious sighting. They may scout a neighborhood in advance to gauge comings and goings. Use deadbolt locks and consider installing a security system that captures comings and goings and alerts you when someone comes to the door.   Alarm Systems  Arm alarm systems even during short outings. Ensure security cameras are recording and sending alerts. For systems connected to a service, such as ADT or Bay Alarm, set your alarm to go directly to 9-1-1 Dispatch instead of your mobile phone. The delay in checking with the homeowner to see if it’s a false alarm is enough for a burglar to easily get in and away. SMC Sheriff's Office direct deployment by 9-1-1 enables a prompt response. SMC Sheriff's Office does not charge for false alarms.   Vehicles Always lock your car and remove all valuables, including garage door remotes and spare keys, especially from a care you regularly park outside. Never leave your purse or wallet unattended. Don’t label your residence as “Home” on your GPS.   Garage Doors Close and lock your garage doors. An open door is a visual invitation to come in. Be sure to lock the connecting door from the garage to the house if you have one.   Deliveries and Packages If packages are being delivered to your home, make sure someone is available to accept them. Avoid leaving packages visible on your porch. Request delivery services to leave items in secure locations. Installing a locking mailbox for incoming mail adds another layer of security. Collecting your mail promptly-- or asking a neighbor if you cannot -- is key. Break down large boxes before placing them inside your trash bin to avoid advertising new purchases.   Door-to-Door Soliciting If a solicitor comes to your door, ask them for their Town permit. If they do not have one, tell them to go away. Call the SMC Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number 650-363-4911 with a description of the person(s), vehicle, and direction of travel. SMC Sheriff's Office will want to come out immediately to talk to them. For more information or to put your address on the Do-Not-Solicit list, see Soliciting in Portola Valley.

Community Info Release - WFPD & Fire Safe San Mateo County

Webinar for the Community: How to Advocate for Plant-Forward Policies

Food nourishes us and enlivens us. But the choices we make in terms of what we eat and how we handle food waste can have a devastating impact on our climate. Food is the third largest source of greenhouse gases, yet receives far less attention than other sources. Join us on January 14th for the webinar "How to Advocate for Plant-Forward Policies”. This session will provide community advocates, students and residents practical, effective strategies to influence decision-makers in their cities, schools and workplaces to support plant-forward policies. You will: Learn how to influence change: Practical tips for making public comments, organizing campaigns and launching petitions. See how to connect with officials: Strategies for building partnerships and engaging supportive local leaders. Hear local success stories: Inspiring examples of local wins that have advanced sustainable food choices. Featuring experts Samantha Lau (Plant Based Treaty), Dr. Ulka Agarwal (Campbell Climate Plan Advisory Committee) and Jan Liband (Plant Based Advocates), you'll gain the tools to drive sustainable food system change right where you live.

Wednesday, January 14 5:30 - 6:45 p.m. on Zoom Register HERE.

Volunteers Needed for 2026 One Day Homeless Count in San Mateo County

 The County of San Mateo’s Human Services Agency, in partnership with local community organizations, is seeking volunteers for the 2026 One Day Homeless Count taking place Thursday, January 29, 2026. The One Day Count, required by federal law, provides vital data to help San Mateo County and its partners understand homelessness in the community and guide decisions about funding, programs, and long-term solutions that support people experiencing homelessness. “Community volunteers are essential to the success of this effort,” said Claire Cunningham, Director of the Human Services Agency. “Each volunteer helps ensure we have an accurate picture of homelessness in our county so we can better direct resources where they’re needed most.” Event Details

• Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026
• Time: Approximately 5:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Activity: Observational count of unsheltered individuals using a mobile app
• Perks: Breakfast and coffee provided for volunteers
• Register here

Volunteers will be assigned to a designated area (census tract) and will walk or drive through their section to record observations using their personal smartphone. Free virtual training will be provided and is required to participate. Community members of all backgrounds are encouraged to join, especially those familiar with local neighborhoods or passionate about supporting efforts to end homelessness. Accommodations are available for volunteers with limited mobility, transportation, or technology access.

How to Volunteer

Sign up using the 2026 One Day Count General Volunteer Registration Form: Click here to register. The public can get more information by emailing HSA_OneDayCount@smcgov.org. Click HERE for the original article.