November 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 Manager's Note – Reorganization of Town Council on December 10
Town Council Meetings - Recent Actions and Upcoming Items
Election Results Certified by County on December 5
County Agriculture Department Confirms Presence of Invasive Pest
SMCTA Wants Your Input on Upcoming Projects on 101 Corridor
Flows to Bay 2024 Rain Barrel Bulk Sale through November 23 or 30
King Tides are Here through Sunday, November 17
Thanksgiving Safety Tips and Fire Statistics
GreenWaste Thanksgiving Collection Schedule
Did You Know GreenWaste Recycles #5 Plastics
From Department of Emergency Management – Update on La Niña
Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA Offering Dog Classes
SMC Mosquito and Vector Control District Offering Rodent Inspections
Staff Spotlight – Administrative Assistant Brandon Cruz Miyake
Acterra Waterpalooza Online Event – December 4 and 5 - 10 am to 4 pm
Library – All Nations Singers and Dancers Pow Wow Presentation – November 25 at 3:30 pm
Library – Paws for Tales Second Tuesday of the Month at 4 pm
First Friday - The Juniper String Trio on December 6 at 7 pm
Community Recreation Opportunities – Art & Qi Gong Classes
Special Dates and Events
Town Meeting Schedule

Photo of Woodside Town Manager Kevin Bryant

Town Manager's Note

On December 10th, a new Councilmember will be sworn in and two members will conclude their service as members of the Town Council. Chris Shaw has served for nine years, serving two full terms on the Council, and Ned Fluet has served six years, serving one and one-half terms on the Council. This will complete the transition from seven Councilmembers to five that began in 2022.

As an appointed official, I am always in awe of community members who are willing to stand before their peers for judgement at the ballot box. The Town has a long history of volunteer service going back to its founding in 1956. Of all the volunteers that have given their time, expertise, and energy to the Town, only 68 have obtained their position by election.

During my tenure, the Town has been served by extremely capable Councilmembers. Chris and Ned are no exception. They both have made themselves available to their constituents. They both have been solution-oriented and sought to build solutions on common ground. They both were unwavering in their commitment to preparing Woodside for the future while respecting the past. I believe they will both be missed by their colleagues on the Town Council.

In a poll published in 2023, Gallup found that most Americans still retain trust in local governments and speculated it was because it is more responsive and more capable. My experience supports this conclusion, especially in a small town where everyone has access to their elected officials. As they step off the Council, I hope you join me in thanking Chris and Ned for their service.

~Kevin Bryant, Town Manager

Regional News and Opportunities

Election Results to be Certified December 5

The County is continuing to release semi-official results every couple of days now with the next release happening today at 4:30 PM. See the County's website for their schedule and a link to the Results Portal. Additional results releases may be scheduled as needed, with results being certified on December 5.

County Agriculture Department Confirms

First Ever Presence of Invasive Pest

The San Mateo County Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures has confirmed the presence of invasive shothole borers (ISHB) in the Redwood Shores community of Redwood City. The discovery of these small, non-native beetles that bore into trees, marks the first ever presence of this pest in San Mateo County. It also follows similar recent confirmations of ISHB infestations in Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties.

The San Mateo County Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures is currently conducting additional surveys and trappings to assess the scope of the regional infestation. Proper handling of infested green waste is vital in preventing additional spread.

ISHB damage can be reported by completing the ISHB Detection Assessment or reported directly to the San Mateo County Department of Agriculture by calling (650) 363-4700. Learn more.

San Mateo County Transportation Authority Wants Your Input on Upcoming Projects on 101 Corridor

If you travel along the US 101 Corridor in San Mateo County, the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA) wants to hear about your experience and learn what improvements are most important to you. Your input through a brief survey will help develop the 101 Corridor Connect Mid County Multimodal Strategy, which will identify underfunded but necessary projects in Foster City, Burlingame, San Mateo, Belmont, San Carlos, and Redwood Shores that improve and encourage the use of different types of transportation near the Highway 101 Corridor.

Providing feedback using SMCTA's online mapping tool will also assist in creating the Active 101: US 101 San Mateo County Crossings Improvement Plan, which will pinpoint priority crossing and corridor improvement needs that will enhance conditions for people walking, biking, and using transit along US 101. Participate before the end of the month to be entered for a chance to win a gift card worth upwards of $250.

Survey and voting are open until the end of November.

Flows to Bay 2024 Rain Barrel Bulk Sale

With the rainy season approaching, now is the perfect time to save on a new rain barrel! San Mateo County residents and businesses can get high-quality 50-gallon rain barrels for $80 each (pre-tax). Plus, after installation qualifying customers can get up to 100% of the cost covered with a rain barrel rebate.

The sale is open and available to all San Mateo County residents and businesses until November 23 or November 30 (depending on the location selected) - while supplies last.

Learn more at the Flows to Bay website.

Local Happenings

King Tides are Here through Sunday, November 17

Image of California King Tides Project Pier 14 in San Francisco

The California King Tides Project helps us visualize future sea level by observing the highest tides of today.

This weekend, you can help the California King Tides Project photograph the highest predicted tides of the year and create a record of changes to our coast and estuaries.

It's easy to participate:

Download a How to Participate flyer.
Choose where along the Coast, Bay, or Delta you'd like to go.
Visit within a half hour of high tide time this Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
Choose a spot where you can take a photo showing the height of the water in relation to a landmark such as a cliff, bridge, sea wall, or pier. You can also photograph high tide flooding on roads or in wetlands.
Be Safe. Don't turn your back on the ocean, and don't drive through flooded roads. Watch out for shorebirds that may be further upland than usual.
Make sure you have Location Services turned on for your camera app, or take careful note of where you're standing.
Upload your photos using this online form.

Your photos help experts understand what's vulnerable to flooding today, plan for future sea level rise, and get us all talking and thinking about the impacts of the climate crisis and what we can do to make a difference.

Explore past King Tides photos and learn more about the Project on the California King Tides Project website.

From Woodside Fire Protection District (WFPD)

Safety Tips for Thanksgiving!

For most, the kitchen is the heart of the home, especially during the holidays. From testing family recipes to decorating cakes and cookies, everyone enjoys being part of the preparations.

Keeping fire safety top of mind in the kitchen during this joyous but hectic time is important, especially when there’s a lot of activity and people at home. As you start preparing your holiday schedule and organizing that large family feast, remember, by following a few simple safety tips you can enjoy time with your loved ones and keep yourself and your family safer from fire.

Top Safety Tips

Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stove top so you can keep an eye on the food.
Stay in the home when cooking your turkey, and check on it frequently.
Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay three feet away.
Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
Keep knives out of the reach of children.
Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
Never leave children alone in a room with a lit candle.
Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

Download a printable Thanksgiving Safety Tip sheet from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and visit their page for more resources.

Did You Know Thanksgiving Safety Graphic

Thanksgiving Fire Statistics

Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires with more than three times the daily average for such incidents. Christmas Day and Christmas Eve ranked second and third, with both having nearly twice the daily average.

Unattended cooking was by far the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths.
Cooking causes half (52%) of all reported home fires and nearly two of every five (36%) home fire injuries, and it is a leading cause of home fire deaths (17%).
On Thanksgiving day alone, an estimated 1,610 home cooking fires were reported to U.S fire departments in 2022, reflecting a 399 percent increase over the daily average.

Source: NFPA Research

From Our Agency Partners

GreenWaste Thanksgiving Collection Schedule

GreenWaste does not collect on Thanksgiving Day. If your regular collection day falls on Thanksgiving or the Friday after, your collection will be delayed by one day.

DID YOU KNOW? GreenWaste recycles #5 Plastics?

Plastics #5: Polypropylene is a rigid and lightweight plastic commonly used in food and to-go containers and are recyclable through GreenWaste?

Graphic Outlining Recycling of Number 5 Plastics

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!

From the San Mateo County Department of Emergency Management

Pacific Weather Patterns Shift:

What Declining La Niña Odds Mean for San Mateo County - November 2024

The Climate Prediction Center's latest update shows La Niña chances dropping to 57% for October-December, down from 71% in previous forecasts. While this pattern could still influence California's winter through early 2025, San Mateo County's recent weather extremes remind us why vigilance matters regardless of Pacific conditions.

When Pacific patterns shift, our coastline feels it first. While El Niño warms eastern Pacific waters, La Niña cools them – both triggering cascading effects. Global data highlights La Niña's often-overlooked impact: during 2010-2011, it caused Australia's GDP to fall 1.2% from flood impacts (Reserve Bank of Australia, 2011) and inflicted $12.1 billion in U.S. agricultural losses in Texas alone (NOAA, 2012). La Niña years consistently show 30% more Atlantic hurricanes (Journal of Climate, 2019) and 21% higher storm damage claims (Munich Re).

For San Mateo County, these shifting forecasts require continued preparation. Recent years have brought atmospheric rivers, coastal erosion, and flooding – whether during El Niño or La Niña conditions. Half Moon Bay's eroding cliffs and Pacifica's vulnerable shoreline demonstrate why our community's resilience requires year-round readiness, regardless of which Pacific pattern emerges. For more Information and to stay up to date on shifting forecasts visit the National Weather Service’s website.

Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA

Offering Dog Behavior and Trainings Classes

You Can Teach Any Dog New Tricks, Young or Adult!

Besides helping your dog behave appropriately in social settings and learn some new skills, training provides mental stimulation and enriches your dog's daily life. Behavior training sets people and their dogs up for success at home and in the community. Training also keeps dogs safer by teaching them to listen to commands and avoid dangerous situations.

The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA is offering several classes and consultations. For more information please call 650-340-7022 Ext 667 or visit their website.

Schedule a No-Charge Inspection with SMCVCD to Keep Rodents Out!

Request an Appointment for a Rodent Inspection

Staff Spotlight

Meet the Town's New Administrative Assistant Brandon Cruz Miyake Who Joined the Town in September 2024

Tell us a little about the experience you’re bringing to Woodside.

In May 2024, I graduated from San Francisco State University with my B.S. in Business Administration with a Concentration in Marketing. I have worked as an administrative intern in the private sector and recently worked as an intern for the Town of Woodside. The experience I gained working as an intern aligned with my passion for administrative work and finance. My experience has taught me plenty when it comes to administrative tasks, how to use specific financial software, steps to complete proper business licensing and manage public records.

What interested you in joining the Town of Woodside?

For a long time, before I started working for the Town of Woodside, I would find myself visiting Woodside almost every weekend. I would constantly find hikes around there, eat at Buck’s, or enjoy a walk around the area because of how beautiful it is. Especially after working as an intern, I enjoyed the small work environment and working alongside Woodside’s amazing residents.

What impact do you hope to have on the Town of Woodside?

I hope to support the residents of Woodside to the best of my ability. Woodside is such a magical place because of the community, and I hope to be able to continue that by offering my support and strong work ethic. Also, I hope to continue to be an asset to the Woodside Town staff because they have taught me so much and welcomed me to their amazing team.

What do you like most about working in Woodside so far?

What I like most about working in Woodside is how close everyone is, and how we each help each other to the best of our abilities. Whether that is training, or answering a few questions, we help each other, and that is what makes Woodside’s staff a great team.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

Just to name a few, when I am not working, I enjoy hiking, reading, going to the gym, and spending time with my family. I believe it is important to have hobbies that will allow you to relax and enjoy.

Special Events in November and December

Flyer for Library Event - All Nations Singers and Pow Wow Presentation

Acterra and Sustainable Silicon Valley Join Forces to Host

Waterpalooza December 4 and 5 Online - 10 am to 4 pm

Sustainable Silicon Valley has joined Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet and SSV’s Water Program is now Acterra Water. This is a free 2-day online event. Register to watch as much as you would like during the show dates and get notified about recording availability.

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

Paws for Tales - every Second Tuesday at the Library at 4 pm

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Open the QR Code or Click here to pre-register.

Community Recreation Opportunities

Adult Art Classes

Tuesdays from 11 am to Noon

Sessions available through 11/26/2024

Join local artist Shazia Jang for a one-hour art class where all materials are provided. Dive into simple and creative projects using watercolors, acrylics, and art markers. Whether you're working on small canvases or home decor pieces, you'll leave with a finished masterpiece. For more details about Shazia, visit Shazia's website or email Shazia.

$35 per class; 4+ classes $30 per class. Please register for one or more classes through Active.

Qi Gong Classes

Thursdays from 9 to 10 am
Sessions available through 11/21/2024

Qi Gong is an ancient Taoist practice that develops skills for adding years to your life and life to your years. Sign up for individual classes held on Thursdays from 9 to 10 am in Independence Hall. Each class stands on its own and there is lots of variety! Check Active to sign up for individual classes.

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