This week's update:
- Saddle Up for Fun at the Horse Fair on May 18th!
- Register for the Sudden Oak Death (SOD) Blitz
- Wildfire Preparedness Committee Tip- Burn Demonstration of Prepared Home
- Conservation Committee - May Tip of the Month
- PV Palooza June 1
- Were you living in Portola Valley in 1964?
- Woodside Fire Adopted Ordinance
- County Statement on Proposed Decision to Deny AT&T’s “dangerous application” to End Landline Telephone Service
- Upcoming Events
Saddle Up for Fun at the Horse Fair on May 18th!
Get ready to gallop into a day of family-friendly festivities at the upcoming Horse Fair on May 18th 11am - 2pm, presented by the Portola Valley Trails and Paths Committee. This exciting event promises a hoof-tastic time for all ages with an array of free activities that celebrate the beauty and wonder of horses.
- Carriage Rides
- Petting Zoo
- Pony Rides
- Face Painting
- Learn from Pony Clubbers
- Discover Local Riding Spots
- Practice Roping
Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to celebrate the magic of horses and enjoy a day of unforgettable memories with the whole family. Mark your calendars for May 18th and join us at the Horse Fair for a good time!
Register for the Sudden Oak Death (SOD) Blitz
The SOD Blitz 2024 spring survey is starting this month! We are hoping you will be able to participate this year.
Here are links to find out more, sign up, and participate:
The 2024 Schedule, Registration, and Training links
Following two years of rain we anticipate that this will be a very important time to survey the distribution of SOD in your community.
The SOD Blitz 2024 Schedule includes the name and email address of our local organizers who are also able to answer questions and assist you. For all those of you residing in Mendocino County, please book your spot by emailing Nancy Morin at Nancy.Morin@nau.edu as soon as possible, so she can plan ahead on how to best deliver the necessary sampling materials to you.
Please, also register online at the same time by going to the SOD Blitz Registration Page. Remember that we require all participants to take the 30 minute SOD Blitz Survey online training which includes a video and a PowerPoint.
Wildfire Preparedness Committee Tip - Burn Demonstration of The Wildfire Prepared Home
May is Wildfire Preparedness Month, which inspires us to really dig in and tackle those activities that will improve our home’s resilience. In a hands-on comparison, CAL FIRE demonstrated the effectiveness of preparedness. The non-resilient home burns in under 15 minutes, but the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home does not ignite.
Conservation Committee – May Tip of The Month
Protect our ground-nesting birds while clearing for fire safety
California Quail (Callipepla californica) and other ground-nesting birds are nesting now and use underbrush and dense vegetation to do this. This is exactly the areas we are supposed to be clearing to increase fire safety.
You can accommodate the Quail and Oregon juncos and other ground-nesting animals while reducing vegetation on your land if you pay attention.
The quail will burst out of the underbrush to let you know If you are getting near an area where they are nesting. Use that area as one of your “islands” of vegetation. Leave these active areas alone, they will become key locations for wildlife to get refuge. But clear around and between these islands (being careful to observe for any activity in the area).
When these vegetated islands are located away from the house they also accomplish the task of keeping our native predators away from the house.
Tell your gardener to do the same and we can help keep this iconic bird common.
Additional information on quail from our friends at Edgewood:
https://friendsofedgewood.org/california-quail
And the Conservation Committee’s guide to Understory Habitat and Defensible Space:
https://www.portolavalley.net/home/showpublisheddocument/15183/637728279341370000
PV Palooza June 1
The third annual PV Palooza Summer Music Festival will be on Saturday, June 1 from 11 AM to 9 PM at the Portola Valley Town Center, featuring 16 local bands on two main stages plus 14 side stage bands (primarily kids' bands) that play during the breaks on the main stages.
PV Palooza Foundation is the nonprofit volunteer-run foundation that has been formed this year to continue funding and organizing the event.
Were you living in Portola Valley in 1964?
As part of the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Incorporation of the Town of Portola Valley, all 60-year residents are invited to a festive gathering. If will be an opportunity to reminisce, reconnect with old friends and have a group photo taken.
If you see yourself in the attached photo, you are invited to this special celebration hosted by the Portola Valley Historic Resources Committee.
Sunday, June 23
Town Center Community
2 – 4 p.m.
RSVP: Nancy Lund, nlund@yahoo.com, 650-851-1072
Woodside Fire Adopted Ordinance
Ordinance 24-01 has been adopted. Visit the Woodside Fire website for more details
Mark your calendars! Standards and Guidelines for Defensible Space and Home Hardening will be presented for adoption at the May 28th board meeting.
Start early and stay ahead! Begin your home assessment now to get 2-3+ years to comply. Remember, compliance starts only in your inspection year. Check their website for the list of Inspection Zones for 2024.
The Chipper Program starts this month! Click here to find your date and confirm your participation. They would like to remind residents:
• Piles should not be placed more than 2 weeks in advance (as this creates a fire hazard).
• Chips will be chipped back on-site, and it is the homeowner's responsibility to pull back chips and spread them or to remove them (take advantage of your green waste bins).
Stay informed, stay safe! Visit their website for all the latest updates.
County Statement on Proposed Decision to Deny AT&T’s “dangerous application” to End Landline Telephone Service
San Mateo County officials hailed the proposed decision issued Friday by a California Public Utilities Commission Administrative Law Judge to reject a proposal by AT&T that that judge says could threaten vulnerable residents during wildfires and other emergencies. You can read the whole statement here.
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.
Every Thursday 2-5:30 PM - Farmers Market
The Portola Valley Farmers Market will be held rain or shine. The market is open from 2 - 5:30 PM each Thursday.
(SOD) Blitz May 17th - 20th
The SOD Blitz station will be setup May 17th. Blitz Station will be located on the Historic Schoolhouse porch, 765 Portola Road, Portola Valley
Horse Fair May 18th
Reminder! Our annual Horse Fair will be May 18th 11am - 2pm located in Town Center.
Memorial Day
Attention! Town Hall will be closed May 27, 2024, for Memorial Day. Town information can be accessed through The Town Website.
PV Palooza June 1st
Save the Date! The third annual PV Palooza Summer Music Festival will be on Saturday, June 1st 11AM-9PM at the Portola Valley Town Center. For more information check out the PV Palooza Foundation Website
Town Anniversary for Town Anniversary for 60 year- Residents - June 23
All residents who have lived in Town for 60 years are invited to an event hosted by the Town Historic Resources Committee.
Community Art Event and Lunch - May 25th
Learn more about this community Art event hosted by Christ Church Portola Valley/ Woodside. RSVP by May 22. All are welcome.
Portola Valley Summer Concert Series 2024 - July 18, August 8, September 5
The Portola Valley Summer Concert Series is an annual three-part concert series that takes place on Thursday evenings after the Farmers Market in the months of July, August and September. The events are organized by the Portola Valley Cultural Arts Committee, and funded by the Town of Portola Valley.
Zotts to Tots/Town Picnic; Saturday, September 21st
Mark your Calendars! The Town Picnic and Zotts to Tots a day of community celebration and family fun will be on Saturday September 21st!