This Week's Update
- Introducing Portola Valley Committee Spotlight
- Free Compost Give Away for Portola Valley Residents – April 21st
- Upcoming Town Council Study Session
- Community Town Hall Schedule
- Community Input Meeting May 6th – Town Manager Recruitment
- A Tip from The Wildfire Preparedness Committee
- Saddle Up for Fun at the Horse Fair May 17th!
- April Tip of the Month brought to you by The Conservation Committee
- CUBDATE
- Next Weekend! Neighborhood Clean Up
- Hear from CalFire, Insurance Consumer Advocates and the California Department of Insurance
- Dig in the Dirt at Filoli Saturday May 3
- Upcoming Town Events
Introducing Portola Valley Committee Spotlight
The Portola Valley Update is adding a new segment to the newsletter. This segment will focus on all of our wonderful Brown Act and Town Manager Committees. Every month a Town Committee will be included in the Committee Spotlight. The order of committee spotlights will be alphabetical, Bicycle Pedestrian Traffic Safety (BPTS) will be the first feature! Happy reading!
Free Compost Give Away for Portola Valley Residents – April 21st
For Earth Day, The Town of Portola Valley, in collaboration with GreenWaste, is offering free compost for residents of Portola Valley. The giveaway will take place at the Schoolhouse parking lot starting in the afternoon on April 21st. Portola Valley households are entitled to one bag each, available on a first-come, first-served basis until supplies run out. This initiative aims to promote sustainable waste management practices. And the positive impact composting has on our soil and environment.
Derived entirely from recycled green and yard waste, this compost is designed to benefit soil health. However, it's important to note that you can't just stick seeds directly into it – it's more like a soil booster than a planting medium.
So, what makes this compost so special? Well, it's packed with benefits. It helps soil retain water better, improves its structure, boosts organic matter content, and enhances microbial activity. Plus, there are different ways to apply it, whether by mixing it into the soil, blending it with other materials, or using it as a top dressing. With GreenWaste's compost, gardens can thrive and flourish like never before.
Learn more about the composting facility used by Greenwaste.
GreenWaste Z-Best Composting Facility
GreenWaste Z-Best Facility Virtual Tour
Upcoming Town Council Study Session
Save the Date! The next Town Council Budget Study session regarding expenses will be held at the Historic Schoolhouse Wednesday April 30th 4pm.
Community Town Hall Schedule
Mark your Calendars! Town Hall will hold two Community Town Halls.
Community Town Hall – Revenues April 24th 4pm
The first of two Community Town Halls will be held Thursday April 24th 4pm at the Historic School House. This Town Hall will focus on the Town's revenues for the budget.
Community Town Hall – Expenses May 7th 4pm
The second Community Town Halls will be held Wednesday May 7th 4pm at the Historic School House. This Town Hall will focus on Town expenses for the budget.
Community Input Meeting May 6th – Town Manager Recruitment
The Town of Portola Valley is in the process of recruiting the next Town Manager and would like to receive community input! Please attend the upcoming Community Input Meeting May 6th 5pm on Zoom. This is a wonderful opportunity for Portola Valley residents, business members and community members to provide valuable feedback for The Town Manager recruitment. This meeting is hosted by Wendi Brown, Richard Kuhns and Team.
A Tip from the Wildfire Preparedness Committee
Adopting the new Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) Maps
On Tuesday Apr-29-2025, the WFPD Board is adopting the FHSZ maps for our Local Responsibility Area (LRA) in the form of Ordinance No. 25-01 Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Prior to adoption, on Saturday Apr-26-2025 from 10:00-12:00, Assemblymember Diane Papan of our neighboring District 21 is holding a public forum in San Bruno to educate the public. For more information, go to WFPD’s FHSZ webpage, but also consider subscribing to WFPD’s e-notifications.
Concurrently on Saturday Apr-26-2025 from 10:00-1:00, the SMC Dept of Emergency Management (DEM) is holding its first ever ‘Be Wildfire Safe & Ready’ event at the SMC Event Center. You can learn about the FHSZ maps there and educate yourself on actions to reduce your risk of wildfire. “Don’t be Scared, Be Prepared!”
Saddle Up for Fun at the Horse Fair May 17th!
Get ready to gallop into a day of family-friendly festivities at the upcoming Horse Fair on May 17th, 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
- Discover Local Riding Spots
- Practice Roping
April Tip of the Month brought to you by The Conservation Committee
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
CUBDATE
April 17, 2025 CUBDATE
Spruce one of the rescued cubs of the Portola Valley Three has arrived to his new home at the Birmingham Alabama Zoo. Spruce made it safe and sound to his new home, and met his new companion a female rescue cub named Juniper. The two rescued cubs are getting along nicely!
Per the Oakland Zoo, Spruce and Juniper have been cuddling, playing, chirping ( a form of communication) and getting to know each other! Soon they will be graduating to their expansive new outdoor space.
FedEx covered the costs of transporting Spruce to his new home.
Spruce's siblings Fern and Thisle are still at the Oakland Zoo, California Department of Fish and Wildlife are still determining Fern and Thistle's new home. Both cubs will continue to get wonderful care from the Oakland vet care team.
To follow Spruce on his journey via the Birmingham Zoo Instagram. Fern and Thistle journey continues on Oakland Zoo Instagram.
Next Weekend! Neighborhood Clean Up
Saturday, April 26, from 8 AM to 11 AM (no items accepted after 11 AM)
The Neighborhood Clean up is next weekend! This event is free for Portola Valley residents - you will need to bring a copy of your GreenWaste garbage bill or the mailer insert as proof of residency. Hazardous materials are NOT accepted.
Hear from CalFire, Insurance Consumer Advocates and the California Department of Insurance
Attention all Residents!
LEARN ABOUT THE UPDATED FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES MAPS!
On Saturday, April 26, 2025 - 10am to 12pm @ San Bruno Recreation & Aquatic Center
(251 City Park Way, San Bruno, CA 94066)
Hosted by Diane Papan, Assemblymember, District 21
Dig in the Dirt at Filoli Saturday May 3
Arrive at Filoli Historic House and Garden in Woodside ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work! As a volunteer, you’ll receive hands-on training about techniques for sustainable gardening while working with the Filoli Horticulture Team to weed and mulch the Formal Garden and prepare beds for summer. You’ll also learn how to choose sustainable plants and techniques for maintaining a water-wise garden. You’re welcome to enjoy the estate afterward. Only 30 spaces are available. Register at https://DiginDirtFiloli.eventbrite.com.
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!
Community Town Hall – Revenues April 24th
Save the date! The first of two Community Town Halls will be held Thursday April 24th 4pm at the Historic School House. This Town Hall will focus on the Town's revenues for the budget.
Neighborhood Clean Up
Get ready for the next Neighborhood Clean-Up Day! April 26, 2025 8am -11am. Free to Portola Valley Residents, bring a copy of your GreenWaste garbage bill or the mailer insert as proof of residency.
Town Council Budget Study Session - Expenses April 30th
Mark your calendars! The next Town Council Budget Study session regarding expenses, will be held at the Historic Schoolhouse Wednesday April 30th 4pm.
Community Town Hall – Expenses May 7th
Mark your calendars! The second Community Town Hall will be held Wednesday May 7th 4pm at the Historic School House. This Town Hall will focus on Town expenses for the budget.
Horse Fair May 17th
Get ready to mark your calendars! Our annual Horse Fair will be Saturday May 17th. Details to follow.
Credits:
Created with images by Davidzfr - "Morning sun light ray shines through yellow leaves alley pathway in Ohlsdorf Cemetery in fall, Hamburg city, Germany" • Elena - "environmental control.Sorting of food waste in the environmental packages." • chrismr - "gambel's quail"