November 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 www.woodsideca.gov/subscribe.

Photo of Woodside Town Manager Jason Ledbetter

Town Manager's Note

November marks my six-month anniversary with the Town and I’m gradually learning the rhythms and operations of Woodside in each season. As we approach Thanksgiving this year, I want to express gratitude to Woodside’s Public Works Team. This crew of four not only provides the town with immediate action when storms cause trees to fall into the roads, or when flooding occurs due to clogged water ways from storm debris, but they perform daily checks on known problem areas to ensure the cleanest and safest experience for our community. You will see the Public Works Team out and about Woodside as they continue their proactive storm season work - removing vegetation debris from storm drains and culverts and tree limbs and branches from the road, bike lanes and right of way. The Woodside Public Works crew members show up in the middle of the night to remove fallen trees blocking roads or place signage for flooded areas as they work to unclog debris blocking waterways. Thank you to Ignacio, Antonio, Manny, and Tony for all your hard work!

Preparing for Rain

As we enter the rainy season, I want to remind residents that the Town has free sand and sandbags available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The sand and bags can be found in front of Town Hall (click here for a map of the location) in the southernmost section of the Town Hall parking lot. Please feel free to help yourself and staff will continue to keep the area stocked for residents.

Looking to the Future

The Town Center Area Plan (TCAP) team has consolidated the survey and workshop results for the TCAP Community Advisory Committee (CAC) to review at their meeting on December 2 at 6 pm in Independence Hall. As the month winds down and new Thanksgiving memories are made, don’t miss the opportunity to discuss the TCAP Update with your friends and family. You can review the TCAP Update materials on the project webpage and participate at the CAC Meeting by giving public comment or by listening to the CAC members, made up of Town Volunteers, discuss the different options for Woodside Town Center.

As always, stay safe on the roads this wet holiday season and watch for fallen branches and downed trees. Remember you can always report issues on the Town’s Citizen Request Tracker.

~ Jason Ledbetter, Town Manager

Town Updates and Alerts

The Town is on Social Media - Follow Us!

We are pleased to announce that the Town is now on social media! Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Person at computer with email and alert icons as a warning (JPG)

Be Aware of Scam Emails

The Town has received reports of fake malicious emails not originating from the Town but targeting the Town’s related contacts and demanding payment via wire transfer. If you receive an email requesting payment and it appears to be from a generic Town email address, please verify with Town staff before making payment.

Map showing location of sandbags near Town Hall

Sandbags Available at Town Hall

Sand and sandbags are available at Town Hall for Town of Woodside residents and businesses for the purpose of storm response and flood protection.

The sand is located in front of Town Hall as shown by the yellow circle on the location map. Visit the Town's Sandbag page for more information including how to properly fill, place and dispose of sandbags.

Town Center Area Plan Booth at Day of the Horse

Town Center Area Plan Update Meeting

December 2 at 6 pm - Independence Hall

The Town initiated a process to update the Town Center Area Plan (TCAP) in April 2025. The initial phase of the TCAP update included interviews with Town Center property owners, community engagement, Town Council appointment of members to the TCAP Community Advisory Committee (CAC), and the first CAC meeting. Community engagement to date included a survey with questions related to current Town Center attributes, areas that could be improved, and future goals. Access to the survey was advertised through a Townwide postcard mailing, the Town website, handouts at various events, and signs posted around the Town Center. The TCAP online survey closed on October 19, 2025, marking the end of the first phase of community engagement for the project.

Engagement efforts included the online survey; first CAC meeting; four “pop-up” events areas in which the public could learn more about the TCAP update and provide input, which were located at the Village Hub/Village Church on September 13, 2025, the Cañada Corners commercial center on September 25, 2025, Town Hall parking lot during the Day of the Horse on October 12, 2025, and Woodside Elementary School during school drop off on November 5, 2025. A TCAP community workshop was held at the Woodside Elementary School auditorium in the evening of October 9, 2025.

A summary of the feedback received will be presented to the TCAP CAC at its next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at 6 pm at Independence Hall. Members of the public are invited to attend. The agenda and meeting materials for the CAC meeting will be posted closer to the meeting date on the TCAP project webpage at www.woodsideca.gov/TCAP. Stay informed! Sign up to receive project updates by entering your contact information at the bottom of the project webpage.

Join Woodside’s new Youth Civics Program!

Calling all kids in grades 3 to 6! Woodside’s new Youth Civics Program is a fun, hands-on introduction to how our town works, exploring everything from town structure and procedures, to emergency preparedness and local businesses - all leading up to a mock Town Council meeting. Kids will meet local leaders, explore how decisions get made, and discover how they can make a difference right here in Woodside and beyond. The program will take place over 5 sessions, once per week, at Town Hall.

Deadline for signups is 5 pm, December 3, 2025.

Parents, sign up your child(ren) using the Youth Civics Program Form. Please email Melissa Cardinale with any questions or problems signing up.

Call for Volunteers with a megaphone (PNG)

The Town of Woodside is looking for volunteers for its Citizen Advisory Committees

The Town of Woodside is looking for volunteers for the following Citizen Advisory Committees:

Arts and Culture Committee
Circulation Committee
Emergency Preparedness Committee
Environment and Open Space Committee
Livestock and Equine Heritage Committee
Recreation Committee
Trails Committee
Volunteerism Committee
Woodside History Committee

These are volunteer positions and serve in an advisory capacity to the Town Council. Interested residents may request information and applications by emailing Melissa Cardinale or picking up a hard copy at Town Hall, 2955 Woodside Road.

The deadline for applications is Friday, January 30, 2026, by 5 pm.

Hummin' Along Photo of Hummingbird by West W

Spirit of Woodside Photography Contest Winner

The Town of Woodside, in conjunction with the Arts & Culture and Environment & Open Space Committees, held its first Spirit of Woodside Photography Contest. The photographs were displayed during the November First Friday event.

Congratulations to our winner, West W., with his entry entitled, "Hummin' Along."'

Click here to view the slideshow with the additional entries by Woodside youth residents!

Screenshot of Rodents, Mosquitoes and More YouTube Recording

Rodents, Mosquitoes and More - Keep your home pest free

On November 2, 2025, the Environment & Open Space Committee held an event, Rodents, Mosquitoes and More - Keep your home pest free. You can learn more about the presenters and view the presentation using the links below!

Presenters:

Rachel Curtis-Robles and Brian Weber from the San Mateo County Vector Control spoke on how to manage and prevent rodents and other pests in/around your home, and help control them in our community.
Rick Morris (In The Wild with Rick Morris), a birder and local photographer, shared his magnificent photos of owls in their natural habitat. Rick leads highly regarded local birding photography tours.

Links:

Updates from Woodside Fire Protection District (WFPD)

Woodside Fire's November Newsletter is out!

Click here to view the Fire District's November newsletter including:

October Events Recap
Thanksgiving Fire Safety Tips
Spotlight of the Month: Home Hardening Windows

Also check out Woodside Fire's Winter Safety Tips on their website.

Woodside Fire Protection District
Trainings and Opportunities

Join Woodside Fire for Christmas at the Firehouse!

Wednesday, December 10 from 6 to 7:30 pm

Station 7 at 3111 Woodside Road

WPV-Ready Ready Net Communicator Training

Join the Team That Keeps Our Community Connected

When disaster strikes, communication matters. Cell service and internet may fail, but two-way radios keep our neighborhoods connected. WPV-Ready Communicators are trained volunteers who use handheld radios to relay critical information between their neighbors, WPV-CERT, and the Woodside Fire Protection District.

If you live or work within the Woodside Fire Protection District, this class is your opportunity to become part of a dedicated community network that supports real-time information sharing during emergencies.

Training Includes:

How the local Ready Net works
Radio operations & handheld techniques
Standard message forms & proper radio etiquette
Maintaining situational awareness in an emergency
Your role as a WPV-Ready Communicator

Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Time: 6:30–9:30 PM
Location: Fire Station 19 — 4091 Jefferson Ave
RSVP: https://bit.ly/ReadyNet-Jan26

Click here to review the WPV-Ready Communicator flyer including the Volunteer Position Description.

Whether you're new to radios or looking to deepen your skills, this training will prepare you to provide reliable communication when your community needs it most.

Regional News and Opportunities

Every City in San Mateo County Joins the County’s Lawsuit Against State of California to Recover $38 Million Funding Shortfall

Redwood City, CA – In a powerful demonstration of unified local government support, all 20 cities in San Mateo County have joined a lawsuit originally filed in August 2025 by the County of San Mateo accusing the State of California of withholding nearly $38 million in funds legally owed to local governmental agencies. These funds are shared annually by the County and all 20 cities providing critical dollars for programs and services that include health care, public safety, and affordable housing.

The lawsuit details that this year San Mateo County local governments received only $76.5 million of the $114.3 million owed under a state funding formula – a nearly $38 million gap. The State’s initial 2025 budget proposal excluded San Mateo County’s funding entirely, but successful lobbying by the County and its State Assembly and Senate members restored two-thirds of the total owed to support critical local services for this year only. It is highly likely that the State budget will exclude the County and its cities once again next year.

“At a time when the County and our cities are working hard to sustain critical services while confronting ongoing fiscal challenges, it’s essential that the state maintain the local funding that nearly every other jurisdiction in California continues to receive,” said Supervisor Lisa Gauthier.

All 20 cities have joined the lawsuit, underscoring the magnitude of what is at risk to local government budgets if the current $38 million is not restored and a permanent solution negotiated. Additionally, Mono County and Alpine County are dealing with similar challenges with the State of California and have joined the lawsuit.

Click here to read the full news release issued by the County Executive's Office on November 20, 2025.

Open Mike with County Executive Mike Callagy

Ever Wonder who Answers 9-1-1 Calls?

And how they support law enforcement, fire and medical response? Find out in the latest episode of our ‘Open Mike’ podcast featuring Public Safety Communications released on Thursday, November 20.

The show brings to life the behind-the-scenes work of local government and connects the dots between County services and the people they serve.
This episode features Natasha Claire-Espino, director of the Office of Public Safety Communications, who shares what life is like behind the 911 headset and explains the team’s vital role in law enforcement, fire and medical dispatch.
Watch or listen at www.smcgov.org/openmike or on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube, and send feedback or suggestions to openmike@smcgov.org.

From Our Agency Partners

Reminders from GreenWaste

San Mateo County Sustainability Department

Virtual Compost Workshop

December 9 from 6 to 9 pm on Zoom

Learn how easy and fun it is to recycle your fruit and vegetable scraps, leaves, and plant cuttings into compost in these free workshops! These workshops teach composting options suitable for those with or without a backyard. Apartment dwellers welcome! Compost provides valuable nutrients for your garden soil, helps retain moisture, which saves water, prevents erosion, loosens clay and compacted soils for better drainage, and suppresses weeds. It is rewarding to know you are turning what some consider waste into precious organic material for your garden.

Discounts and rebates for backyard compost and worm compost bins will be distributed to San Mateo County residents!

Click here to register.

County Seeks Resident Input on Emergency Preparedness

County residents are invited to take a short survey, available in English, Spanish and Chinese, to share their preparedness, evacuation needs & communication preferences in the event of an emergency.

Responses will help San Mateo County Emergency Management shape future emergency plans.

The survey closes at the end of November. All responses are anonymous and secure.

Click here to take the survey!

Water Heater and Description of PCE Rebate

Learn More about Midpen's Planned Pile Burns

As part of Midpen’s ecological approach to vegetation management, we are careful not to impact sensitive plants and wildlife. One way we do this is to avoid work during nesting bird season, which ends September 1.

Sierra Azul Pile Burns
Weather permitting, Midpen and Santa Clara County Fire will burn approximately 150 piles of excess vegetation within a closed area of Midpen’s Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. The burns will occur Tuesdays through Thursdays beginning November 18 through the month of December near a small reservoir where successful prescribed burns have occurred in the past.

All roads and trails will remain open, however smoke may be visible rising from the site from the Sierra Azul Preserve and Santa Clara Valley areas. Please do not call 911. Extensive fire personnel and equipment will be onsite.

Midpen chooses to use planned pile burning in open, safe areas when it can be beneficial for reducing vegetation while returning nutrients to the soil and germinating the seeds of native fire-dependent plants without using vehicles to haul materials off-site.

Sign up for email updates about prescribed burns and learn more on Midpen's Wildland Fire Resiliency page.

Special Events in December

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

Flyer for Portola Valley and Woodside Chanukah Festival 2025

Grand Chanukah Festival

Sunday, December 14 from 2 to 4 pm

Portola Valley Town Center - 765 Portola Road, Portola Valley

Menorah lighting is scheduled for approximately 3:15 to 3:30 pm

This year, in honor of five years of celebrating Chanukah together, we’re thrilled to welcome Shir Soul — NYC’s premier Jewish rock band — live for an unforgettable Chanukah concert! The festival is designed for families and people of all ages.

Enjoy a full lineup of Chanukah experiences, including:

A Giant 7-Foot Ice Menorah
Chanukah Photo Booth
Balloon Twisting
Chanukah Crafts
Gelt Drop by the Woodside Fire Department
Hot Latkes
Fresh Donuts

We are honored to welcome the Mayor of Woodside, who will join us to light the menorah.

Please click here to RSVP.

Woodside Library Events

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

Library Flyer - Beginning Guided Biography

Beginning Guided Autobiography Workshop

Mondays from 11 am to 1 pm on December 1, 8, 15, 22

Registration Required!

Click here for more information and to Register for the series.

Navigating the Internet & Websites

Wednesday, December 3 at 11 am

Limit of students who show up on a first come, first served basis.
Click here for more information.

Library Flyer - Noon Year's Storytime Celebration with Cookie Mouse

Community Recreation Opportunities

Photo of Danny Goldberg with Gongs and Singing Bowls

Sound Immersion Experience

with Danny Goldberg

Session on Friday December 12
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.

Person with hands up doing Qi Gong on the beach at sunset

Qi Gong Classes

Sessions Tuesdays and Thursdays Mornings

Check ACTIVE for Dates and Times

$10 per class

Qi Gong is an ancient Taoist practice that develops skills for adding years to your life and life to your years.

The Qi Gong practice involves:

Slow flowing movements that build strength and flexibility.
Breathwork that expands lung capacity and increases energy.
Energy work that improves your personal energy and connects you to the energy all around.
Learning basic principles of traditional Chinese medicine, giving us the tools to be our own best healers.
Enjoying the pleasure of practicing together as we learn to reduce stress and increase energy.

Qi Gong is suitable for all ages and abilities. The goal is to start where you are and avoid pushing into pain.

Each class stands on its own and there is lots of variety. Come join the fun! (Mat optional)

Please register for one or more classes through ACTIVE. Students can also drop-in to class each week and pay for the class at Town Hall before or after the class session.

Screenshot of Stay Connected button on www.woodsideca.gov

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Click on the “Stay Connected” button on the Home Page or go to www.woodsideca.gov/subscribe
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For general questions or comments, please email townhall@woodsideca.gov.