August 2024

The e-Woodsider is a monthly, digital publication that includes current information and news, program and project updates, upcoming events, Council action recaps, and more!

To subscribe to receive this publication and other Town information directly to your inbox, visit https://www.woodsideca.gov/subscribe. 

In this Edition

• Town Council Meetings - Recent Actions and Upcoming
• November 5 Election
• Safe Driving and Back to School
• SB 1383 and Proper Waste Sorting
• Civics 101 Academy
• Safety Corner with Fire Marshal Giuliacci on August 28
• WFPD Courses: When Disaster Strikes, Grandparents and Safe Sitter
• WFPD Reminder to Remove Dry Grass
• Chipper Date Schedule
• County Health Reminder on COVID Precautions
• Pet License Info Humane Society & SPCA
• Sorting Info from GreenWaste
• Report Biting Mosquitos and Dead Birds from SMC Vector Control
• Heat Domes and Horses
• Resources to Stay Connected in Emergency or Disaster
• Community Recreation Opportunities
• Local Events in August and September
• Town Meeting Schedule
• Save the Date for Future Events
• How to Report Issues through Town Website

Town Updates

Town Projects

The 2024 Road Rehabilitation Project will begin on August 16th.  The following roads included in the project: Albion Avenue, Canada Road, Cinnabar Road, Eastview Way, Glencrag Way, Haciendas Drive, Kenmore Way, La Questa Way, Ridge Court, Runnymede Road, and Vineyard Hill Road.

First Day of School for Woodside Elementary

Wednesday, August 21

Back to school means a focus on safe driving! 

As the back-to-school season begins, it is a good time to re-focus on being safe and cautious drivers. Make sure to check out the back-to-school safety tips from the National Safety Council to help keep everyone safe on the roads. 

Visit Woodside School District's website for the latest information and resources on Parking Lot, Pedestrian, Bike and Roadway Safety around local schools.

Regional Opportunities

Learn What County Government Really Does

Sign up for the Civics 101 Academy

The County of San Mateo is now accepting applications for its free nine-week academy that provides an in-depth look at County programs, services, finances, and initiatives. The program runs for nine consecutive Wednesday evenings, beginning September 4 and ending October 30. Sessions run from 6 to 8:30 pm at the County Center in Redwood City.

Have questions about local government? Want to learn from department heads and other county leaders? Then Civics 101 is for you! Check out the curriculum and apply.

40th Annual Coastal Cleanup Day

Saturday, September 21

The Coastal Cleanup Day is a great way for families, friends, community groups, and schools to come together to help clean up creeks, parks, neighborhoods, and local beaches.

There are many ways to participate - join a coastal event on September 21 or organize a self-led Neighborhood Cleanup the whole month of September! Visit the County's Coastal Cleanup Day website for more information.

From Woodside Fire Protection District (WFPD)

Grandparents: Getting Started Class

Saturday, August 17th, 9 am to Noon

Cost: $20

Many things have changed since the participants in Grandparents: Getting Started raised their children. It is important for grandparents to learn the new recommendations for care based on research from doctors and scientists studying the physical and emotional development of infants and children.

Taught by certified Safe Sitter® Instructors, participants will learn how to provide the best and safest care for their grandchildren. They will also learn the latest information on how to safely care for infants and children and how to manage the behavior of children of all ages, in addition to life-saving skills such as choking rescue, first aid, and injury management. 

Learning tips on creating a good relationship from the start as well as learning to say no to every request to babysit will help grandparents enhance their relationship with their children and create lasting memories with their grandchildren. Click here for more information and to register.

College Dorm Room and Campus Fire Safety 

Be sure to go over these college dorm room and campus safety tips from the NFPA with your students before sending them off to their college campuses. 

Click HERE for some great resources including fire and cooking safety checklists!

It’s Fire Season! Are you Wildfire Prepared?

Even if it is not your Fire Inspection year, you are still required by law to maintain your defensible space and cut and mow your annual grasses by July 1.

• Cut or mow annual grass down to a maximum height of 4 inches within 100 feet of a structure, 5 feet from the edge of driveways and 10 feet from the edge of an access road.
• Driveways and access roads: Trim, thin and prune all trees to a vertical height not less than 14 feet. Remove all dead/dry vegetation measured from the edge of the driveway 5 feet or from the edge of the access road 10 feet.
• Perimeter Property Line Clearance Minimum 30 feet or to the property line: Removal of flashy fuels consisting of dead weeds and dry annual grasses, as well as dead vegetative material and litter that is capable of being easily ignited and endangering the property and neighboring properties.

Visit WFPD's website for more info on abatement requirements.

From Our Agency Partners

From Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA

Is your Pet Licensed? 

Did you know that dog and cat licenses are required in all cities, towns, and unincorporated areas of San Mateo County? Licensing is easy. A one-year license is just $8 for an altered cat or $25 for an altered dog.

To apply for a license, you just need a copy of your pet’s rabies certificate, copy or proof of your pet’s spay/neuter status, and proof of your pet’s age. You can apply online, by mail, or in person. To apply in person, bring your documentation to the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA at 12 Airport Boulevard in San Mateo or 1450 Rollins Road in Burlingame during their business hours.

For more information, visit San Mateo County Health's animal licensing page.

Reminders and Info from GreenWaste

How to Properly Dispose of Household Batteries

Never place used batteries, including devices with embedded batteries, in any of your GreenWaste carts. Batteries are considered Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and can cause fires when not handled properly. Make sure your used AA, AAA, 9-volt, and small lithium-ion batteries have their terminals taped and are placed in a sealed, clear, and tear resistant bag on top of your blue recycling cart on your collection day. Be sure to use clear packaging or electrical tape (no scotch tape) and ensure button batteries are fully taped on both sides. 

Need to get rid of other batteries or household hazardous waste?

Call San Mateo County Health at 650-363-4718 or visit the County's Household Hazardous Waste page to schedule a drop-off appointment.

Other sorting or service questions?

Check out GreenWaste's What Goes Where guide to find out what belongs in each of your carts and review the Service Guide for additional services such as the two, free on-call cleanups per year!

Info from San Mateo County Mosquito & Vector Control District

Protect Yourself from Mosquitoes and Report Dead Birds

As hot weather continues and you spend time outside, the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District encourages you to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites with these simple steps: 

• Use insect repellent – EPA-registered repellents are safe and effective. EPA-registered repellents typically include one of the following ingredients: DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, IR3535, Permethrin (for pre-treating clothing).
• Once a week dump items that contain water, such as tires, buckets, plant saucers, toys, kiddie pools, birdbaths, or trash containers. Mosquitoes need water to grow from egg to adult – removing water means reducing mosquito populations.
• Check and repair broken screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of your house. 
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, especially in the early morning, evening, and night when mosquitoes are most active. 
• Report dead birds. Dead birds can be a sign of West Nile virus in the area. District staff will collect and test certain kinds of dead birds. You can report dead birds to the hotline at 1-877-WNV-BIRD or online. 
• If you notice mosquitoes biting around your house, call the District or submit an online service request for a technician to investigate the problem and stop the mosquitoes. This is a no-cost service paid for by taxes. Click here to learn more about protecting yourself from mosquito bites.

From our Town Committees

Tips and Reminders from Livestock & Equine Heritage Committee

Heat Domes and Horses

As temperatures rise and extreme heat events become more frequent in San Mateo County, it's crucial for horse owners to understand how heat affects their animals. Heat tolerance varies by breed, fitness, and health, with lighter breeds like Arabians being more resilient, while heavier breeds, obese horses, and those with conditions like Cushing's are more vulnerable. Signs of heat stress include increased heart and respiratory rates, excessive or absent sweating, and lethargy. 

To protect your horse, ensure proper hydration, provide shade, avoid intense exercise during peak heat, and monitor for signs of overheating. If heat stress occurs, immediately cool the horse with water, move them to a shaded area, and monitor their vital signs, contacting a veterinarian if necessary. Adjusting riding schedules and improving barn ventilation can also help prevent heat-related issues. Read the full article on the Town's website.

Resources from Emergency Preparedness Committee

How to Stay Connected in an Emergency or Disaster

• Sign up to SMC Alert: Get notified of road closures, evacuation alerts and other important information.
• Download the Genasys Protect App to your Phone: Find your zone and receive alerts from emergency officials on the go!
• Learn about Disaster Readiness with WPV-Ready: WPV-Ready operates in the Woodside Fire Protection District providing Emergency Preparedness information, education and resources.
• Visit WFPD's Stay Informed/Warnings & Alerts page for additional resources.

Community Recreation Opportunities

Special Events in August and September

Kings Mountain Art Fair

Saturday August 31 to Monday September 2

Join the 61st Kings Mountain Art Fair, in-person or online, Labor Day weekend 2024. The fair offers fine arts and crafts from over 125 independent artists, selected through a jury process. Kids’ activities, food and drinks, and more. Proceeds support the Kings Mountain Volunteer Fire Brigade and Elementary School. The fair is run 100% by local volunteers. Visit the Kings Mountain Air Fair website for more details.

Taste of Woodside

Sunday, September 8 from 4 to 8:30 pm

An epicurean adventure with food, wine and live music in the great outdoors. Local vintners and chefs come together for the benefit of local and international service projects of the Rotary Club of Woodside/Portola Valley. Visit the Taste of Woodside website for tickets and info.

Visit the Woodside Arts & Culture Committee's YouTube Channel to view recordings of past events.

Save the Date!

Woodside Day of the Horse - A Fun-Filled Celebration for All

Friday, October 11 through Sunday, October 13, 2024

The Woodside Day of the Horse annually celebrates the unique equestrian heritage of Woodside and the extraordinary contribution horses make to the quality of life throughout San Mateo County. Made possible by a public-private partnership of Woodside-area Horse Owners Association (WHOA!), The Town of Woodside and our generous Sponsors and Volunteers. This year's event will include:

• Friday, October 11: Opening Reception
• Saturday, October 12: Progressive Trail Ride
• Sunday, October 13: Family-fun Horse Fair

Click here for more information and to register for the trail ride.

Did you Know?

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For general questions or comments, please email townhall@woodsideca.gov.