May 2025

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.

Photo of Woodside Town Manager Kevin Bryant

Town Manager's Note

When I announced my retirement last October, May 2025 seemed very far away. But here we are, and this is my last note to you as your Town Manager.

At my retirement party on Friday, I was reminded why this was the place for me. I knew it when I was fortunate enough to get asked by my predecessor, Susan George, to join the team in 2008. Even though I had thoughts of staying for a few years, some part of me probably knew then that this is where I was going to wind it up.

As I conclude my tenure with the Town, I want to thank all the people who have given back to this community. For those who have volunteered their time, or with organizations who have a loose affiliation with the Town, for those of you who have given anything back to this community, thank you. The Town is what it is because of you.

I want to thank the staff and consultants who I’ve worked with. These are the folks who drive home the list of accomplishments, the people who come and do the work every day. Sometimes it’s not fun, and it’s certainly not glamourous, but everyone who I have had the pleasure of working with over these 17 years, I want to thank you. You do right by the town, and that’s not always easy, but I know it comes from a place where we all feel like a part of this community, and it shows in the work.

I also want to thank the Councilmembers with whom I’ve served. The Council has the hardest job, and I am forever in awe of anyone who has the courage to put their name on a ballot and ask their neighbors and friends to vote for them and represent their interests and the Town’s interests. You all must engage and make decisions in real time while people are in the room. The tone that is set at Council meetings is a respect and cordiality and an understanding that even when they disagree, they have the Town’s interests at heart. They all are doing it out of love for this Town and giving back to this Town. To every one of the Councilmembers, I tip my hat to you. It takes a special kind of person, and we owe everyone who has served going back to the founding of the Town a debt of gratitude for taking on that role.

Lastly, I want to thank my family. I’m fortunate and lucky that life has afforded me the opportunity to take a step away and really be invested in where my daughters’ lives take them. At this point, it’s wide open and I can’t wait to see what they become. This is what life is all about – what the next generation will achieve and how they find their own happiness.

Thank you all very much.

~Kevin Bryant, Town Manager

Town Council Meetings

Recent Town Council agendas and minutes are available at https://woodsideca.gov/agendacenter.

Recent Actions by the Town Council:

Reviewed the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26

On the Horizon:

Adoption of the Fiscal 2025-26 Budget (May 27^th)
Town Center Area Plan Update Overview (June 10^th)

Town Celebrates Tenure of Kevin Bryant

Photo of Kevin at his Retirement Party Receiving Gift

Thank you to Kevin Bryant, Town Manager

On Friday, May 9 the town gathered to celebrate Kevin Bryant, Town Manager, who is retiring on Thursday, May 15. Mayor Dombkowski's recognized Kevin's efforts over his last 17 years with the Town. A few highlights from his speech are included below and you can read it in its entirety here.

Thank you all for being here to celebrate Kevin’s retirement, certainly a major milestone in anyone’s life - and of course an important moment of reflection for all of us to honor his calm and steady leadership and his commitment to the Town of Woodside for 17 years. Kevin joined Woodside as our assistant town manager, a role he held prior in Sausalito, after leadership roles in both Tiburon and Alameda. When Susan George retired, he was chosen from a pool of 94 candidates, a feat onto its own, according to an Almanac article at the time - and clearly, they made the right call.

Under Kevin’s leadership, Woodside evolved. He guided us through major changes – including the operating uncertainty of the pandemic, the state mandated housing elements, and so many complicated public hearings that tested the collective patience and diplomacy of all parties involved. He stayed calm and balanced through it all, leading by example and setting the tone for public discourse in Woodside.

He built a strong, long-tenured team, and hired key successors. He led us through redistricting, district elections and the transition to a 5-person council and planning commission. He helped streamline our town code and upgrade our infrastructure—from Safe Routes to School to EV chargers and solar panels to bridge repairs, library renovations, license plate readers, and importantly, the creation of a zoom room virtual environment that increased the accessibility and participation in our local government immeasurably.

He built strong connections for the town across the political landscape and did so while never becoming political himself – to this day I have no idea what his political leanings are - and in doing so, in the polarizing world around us, he made us, as a community, more united, grounded and focused on what matters most.

And he did it all on a shoestring budget, and in a world where deficit spending in government is commonplace. Today, he leaves us on strong financial footing, with a positively funded pension plan and without any municipal debt. That’s an extraordinary accomplishment particularly in the times we live in.

He did all of these things and so much more – and he did it with a sense of joy, even a light-heartedness if you caught him at the right moment - and he always seemed to find a silver lining in the midst of some very challenging moments as well as a shared excitement or at least a quiet pride during some of the incredible successes for the Town over the years.

Kevin, thank you for your service, for dedicating 17 years of your life to our community, and for leading with integrity and honesty – which is incredibly important in this position, and you did it really well. You worked hard to serve our mission and to move the Town forward. And your legacy and leadership will continue to inspire us all in our work as we move forward from here.

So thank you for your amazing contributions to our success…and congratulations on your well-deserved retirement.

Town Updates

Wildfire Preparedness Workshop

May 22 from 3 to 5 pm
Independence Hall and Zoom

Being prepared for a wildfire is important for our residents in Woodside and Portola Valley.

Come to the Town of Woodside Wildfire Preparedness Workshop. The Woodside Fire Protection District and Emergency Preparedness Committee will provide information on lessons learned from the Los Angeles wildfires, home hardening tips, learn about the Chipper program, and emergency contact procedures.

Attend in person or via Zoom.

103rd Annual May Day Celebration

Thank you to all the volunteers and participants that made the 103rd Annual May Day celebration a success!

National Public Works Week

May 18 to 24, 2025

On Tuesday, May 13, the Town Council adopted a resolution proclaiming May 18 to 24, 2025, as National Public Works Week.

2025 marks the 65th anniversary of National Public Works Week (NPWW). NPWW is a celebration of the impact of public works on our quality of life and the tens of thousands of men and women in North America who provide and maintain the infrastructure and services collectively known as public works. Beginning as a public education initiative by the American Public Works Association (APWA) in 1960, NPWW calls attention to the importance of public works in community life.

Hundreds of events are held across the United States and Canada during NPWW. Each year for NPWW a poster with a “motto” is created commemorating the occasion, and an awards ceremony is held to recognize many of the vital projects constructed during the past year. Over the years, APWA has recognized many Town projects. The motto for 2025 is “People, Purpose, Presence." An image of the 2025 APWA NPWW poster is included above and will be displayed in Town Hall during NPWW.

In Woodside, the Public Works Department provides and maintains approximately 48 miles of Town roads, 10 vehicular and 16 equestrian bridges, 30 miles of trails, 36 miles of bikeways, a sanitary sewer system including 4 miles of sanitary sewer, 6 miles of storm drains, and Town facilities including Barkley Fields and Park, the Community Museum, the Library, and Town Hall.

Please join us in thanking the Town's Public Works team for their dedicated efforts and recognizing the substantial contributions they make in protecting our health, safety, and quality of life.

From Woodside Fire Protection District (WFPD)

May is also Wildfire Preparedness Month

Woodside Fire encourages you to make sure your home and family are prepared for wildfires. Visit their Wildfire Preparedness page to learn more.

National EMS Week
May 18 - 24, 2025

Join us in honoring the brave first responders who provide lifesaving care every day. From emergencies to community support, EMS professionals are always there when we need them most. Thank you for your dedication and service!

Woodside Fire's May Public Education Newsletter

Click here to view Woodside Fire's full May newsletter including their monthly spotlight on home hardening!

Local News and Opportunities

Woodside-area Horse Owners Association (WHOA) now a Nonprofit

The Woodside-area Horse Owners Association (WHOA!) is celebrating its newly-acquired nonprofit status as The WHOA Foundation Inc, a California public charity 501(c)3. This new public charity status was achieved as the WHOA! organization approaches its twenty-first anniversary of operation.

The WHOA Foundation Inc continues and expands the mission to support and preserve the vital role of horses in maintaining the rural character of Woodside and surrounding communities through public fundraising.

Through this fundraising, WHOA! has raised over $450,000 which it has used for annual Merit Scholarships, programs, and grants. Some of these grants have supported the restoration of historic Folger Stable and its public arena, equestrian-related projects, including other local equestrian groups, the repair and maintenance of local trails and bridges, and Woodside’s very popular Day of the Horse (DOTH) Ride and Horse Fair fundraiser in October.

We look forward to our 21st anniversary and hope to have you celebrate along with us at Woodside’s Day of the Horse!

Photo of Jenny Hayden Citizen of the Year 2025

Congratulations to Jenny Hayden!

2024-25 Citizen of the Year

The Elward Thomas Citizen of the Year Award is presented by the Woodside School District's PTA to a Woodside resident who has made a sustained and significant contribution to the school, education, and well-being of the children…Every year, we honor a parent whose dedication to the school has been extraordinary. Customarily, this award is presented to a parent graduating from our community. However, this year, we are breaking with tradition to honor a parent who has gone above and beyond in countless ways. Few could rival the time and hard work this parent has dedicated to our school. We are very proud to honor Jenny Hayden as this year’s Citizen of the Year.

A lifelong resident of Woodside, Jenny attended Woodside Elementary School from kindergarten through eighth grade. She returned to the community in 2014 with her family and has remained actively involved in the school district. Currently, she is our school board president and has been a member of the school board since 2018. This is an incredible amount of work. Among so many other things we could mention, Jenny has: coached soccer several years for both her daughters’ teams; organized costumes for Operetta; served on both the PTA and the Foundation boards; hosted many Auction events; volunteered in the classroom and at school events; and has, on occasion, willingly sorted through the racks of lost and found.

We all owe Jenny a debt of gratitude for the countless hours she campaigned back-to-back for Measure E, a bond that secured critical funding for our school, and Measure Y, a renewal of the district’s parcel tax. Both of these in the same year! Jenny organized volunteer efforts, made phone calls, wrote emails, pounded the pavement, and knocked on doors. And our school community and campus will reap the benefits for years to come.

Jenny is a dedicated servant of our community, a loving parent, and a good friend to many. Her leadership reflects a commitment to preserving the quality of education in Woodside while fostering community involvement and support for the school district. Thank goodness she still has a couple more years here, because we are not ready to let her go yet.

Regional News and Opportunities

Join the Celebration: County Unveils Green Landmark

Thursday, May 15 from 5 to 10 pm

San Mateo County and the San Mateo County History Museum invite you to attend the 169th Anniversary of San Mateo County and the Dedication and Unveiling Ceremony for 500 County Center.

5 pm: Gather at the San Mateo County History Museum (2200 Broadway, Redwood City) for a program exploring the County’s start with reenactors and live music.

5:30 pm: Procession to 500 County Center for Dedication and Unveiling of the new building.

6 pm:
-Enjoy a short video of the building and explore the lobby and board chambers.
-Explore the county’s past with kids’ crafts.
-Live music by DJ John Beaver Celebrating Our Story.

FREE Event Parking at the San Mateo County Jury Parking Garage at 400 Middlefield Road, Redwood City.

Find out more about the "Celebrating our Story" event and the County Offices new home here.

Thursday, May 15 is Bay Area Bike to Wherever Day 2025

Residents are encouraged to take the pledge to ride pump up your tires, grab a friend and join thousands of other Bay Area residents as they pedal to work. Make sure to look out for energizer stations along your route. They’re staffed by friendly volunteers with giveaways and snacks.

Don’t know where to start? Check out these resources!

May is Mental Health Month

Each year, San Mateo County joins our state and country in celebrating Mental Health Month (MHM) in May. MHM is one of the best times of the year to increase awareness and inspire action to reduce stigma against those with mental health and substance use conditions. Each year we partner with local agencies and community members to promote events free and open to the public throughout the county.

For San Mateo County and California, the 2025 May Mental Health Month theme is Mental Health as a Continuum. This theme challenges the binary idea of “healthy” versus “unhealthy” mental health, normalizing the wide range of mental health experiences and encouraging individuals to embrace and accept the full spectrum of their well-being.

Each year the County partners with local agencies and community members to offer free public events throughout San Mateo County. This year, we are offering both in-person and virtual events.

Click here to find out more about the 2025 MHM events!

From Our Agency Partners

Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA Foster Care Program

The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA Foster Care Program is made up of individuals or families who volunteer to offer temporary care for shelter companion animals in their homes. Foster volunteers help shelter animals get ready for adoption. The pets may need to recover from an illness or injury, work on specific behaviors, or just relax in a home setting while we work on finding their forever home.

Currently we are seeking volunteers to foster dogs, kittens, and rabbits. Volunteers must be 18 years old or older to foster animals. For more information, please visit the PHS-SPCA website.

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month

Order a No-Cost Tick Bite Prevention Kit

If you spend time outdoors in natural areas, order this NO-COST tick bite prevention kit from San Mateo County Mosquito & Vector Control District (SMCVCD)!

Tick bite prevention kits include:

Information about preventing tick bites and safe, effective repellent options
Pair of fine-tipped tweezers
Tick removal device
Card showing photos and information about common ticks in California
Samples of tick repellent options

Click HERE to fill out a form to request a kit.* One tick kit is allowed per address using the form. If you need more than one kit, please email SMCVCD directly.

*Once you send the request, it may take several weeks for your kit to be delivered. Thanks for your patience!

Special Events in May and June

Join the Fight to Protect Open Space

Thursday, May 15 from 7 to 8 pm

Burlingame Community Center

Tour at 6:15 pm

Walter Moore of Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) will explain how you can protect open space on the Peninsula for hiking, parks and nature exploration and help restore areas like the San Vicente Redwoods, an old-growth forest that was burned during the CZU Wildfire.

Register for this program here.

Sign up for optional free tour of award-winning, zero-net-energy Burlingame Community Center at 6:15 pm with Burlingame Councilmember Donna Colson.

Family Fun on the Bay Trail

Sunday, June 1 from 11 am to Noon

The Citizens Environmental Council (CEC) invites you to a family-friendly nature walk along San Francisco Bay. We’ll be picking up trash (plogging) as we go, so please bring gloves and a bucket if possible. CEC will provide complimentary trash pickup kits, including grabbers and gloves, for kids. Free. No pre-registration is required. Please meet at 1350 Bayshore Highway, Burlingame. Ample free parking is available.

The CEC’s mission is to champion regional sustainability through education, advocate for environmental and climate policies, and empower young environmental leaders. For more information, visit the CEC's website.

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

Woodside Library Events

Visit the Library's Calendar page for more information and to register for individual events.

New Activity Mondays from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Portola Valley Library!

Click here for more information.

Registration Required. Space is Limited!

Click here for more information! Please visit Woodside or Portola Valley Library to register in person.

Summer Adventure Kickoff Party!
June 3 from 3 to 5 pm - Fun for the Whole Family!

Get ready to kick off summer in style at the library! Join us for an afternoon packed with fun for the whole family—Haopinaka Hawaiian music and dance, colorful face painting, a thrilling scavenger hunt, and more. Plus, don’t forget to pick up your free book to start your Summer Adventure off right!

Whether you're dancing to tropical tunes, searching for hidden treasures, or showing off your new face paint masterpiece, there’s something for everyone. Let the summer fun begin!

Library Flyer - Adaptive Physical Education

Community Recreation Opportunities

Photo of Danny Goldberg with Gongs and Singing Bowls

Sound Immersion Experience with Danny Goldberg

Sessions on Friday May 30, June 20 and July 25
7 to 8 pm at Independence Hall

$45 per session, pre-registration

The Sound Immersion Experience with Gongs and Singing Bowls helps to balance and restore energy in your body. The healing vibrations pass through your body, opening blockages and allowing your mind to find peace within the sound. Through the vibrations of these instruments you can experience an inner calm and deep relaxation that enables you to journey within and center.

Join Danny Goldberg as he leads this experience. Danny shares the healing vibrations of the Gongs and Singing Bowls with a heightened sensitivity offering an extremely effective way to help relax, rejuvenate, and tune inward.

The Sound Immersion Experience with Danny Goldberg presents for Stanford University’s Health Improvement Program, Breathe Together Yoga in Los Gatos, Djerassi Resident Artists Program in Woodside, Peacebank Yoga in Redwood City and various other Bay Area locations. Danny shares the Sound Immersion with Google, LinkedIn, the 49er's, the Raiders, hospitals, recovery centers, veteran's centers and schools, as well as many festivals and conferences including Symbiosis, Beloved, Lightning in a Bottle, Lucidity, Days Between, Hog Farm Hideaway, Science & Non-duality Conference, New Living Expo, Wanderlust & many others.

Please register through ACTIVE.
For more details about Danny, visit Danny's website.

Myofascial and Yin Yoga Specialty Workshop

Saturday, May 24 from 9 to 11:30 am at Independence Hall

$55 pre-registration; $65 at the door if space is available

Join Kimberly Paul as she leads a Myofascial and Yin Yoga Workshop.

Learn myofascial techniques using yoga therapy balls to identify “body blind spots” that are overused, underused and misused and potential catalysts for pain and injury.
Complemented with yin yoga poses that target soft tissue and joints. This work is necessary and until recently, rather uncharted. Learn more about how to use these techniques and be the architect of your own health and wellness.

Yoga mat and yoga therapy balls are required (and not provided by the instructor). You can purchase a set of yoga therapy balls at Tune Up Fitness. Yoga blocks and blankets are helpful.

Please register for one or more classes through ACTIVE.
For more details about Kimberly, visit Kimberly's website.

Save the Date!

Screenshot of Stay Connected button on www.woodsideca.gov

Sign up for Notifications

Subscribe to agendas, calendar events, Town announcements, and more!

To Sign Up:

Click on the “Stay Connected” button on the Home Page or go to https://www.woodsideca.gov/subscribe
Click on the "Notify Me Sign In" button
Create an account: all users will need to create a new account in the .gov website
Sign In: select if you would like text messages and enter your cell number
Select Subscriptions: select which emails or text messages to receive; you will see a green checkmark on any lists that you have previously subscribed

Helpful Tips:

Subscribe to all the lists you are interested in at one time! You will receive an email/text message to confirm your subscriptions.
Add listserv@civicplus.com to your safe senders list.

Don't forget to follow us on Nextdoor!

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