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Sudden Oak Death Blitz survey
The 2025 Sudden Oak Death Blitz survey is taking place from June 7-9. An 30-minute online training and sign-up must be done at sodblitz.org before collecting samples starting at 10 a.m. on June 7.
The survey aims to discover outbreaks of new and potentially aggressive form of the pathogen that causes sudden oak death.
Participants can pick up one or two collection packets at the SOD Blitz station located at the Historic Schoolhouse porch at 765 Portola Road or between Independence Hall and Town Hall at 2955 Woodside Road.
Each packet will allow you to sample 10 trees. Samples are due on Monday, June 9 at 6 p.m.
If you have the “SODmap Mobile” app prior to starting the survey, you can determine the exact location of the trees you sample. Samples can be taken from private properties with the owner’s permission and trees alongside public roads, parks and open spaces are available to the public.
For questions, Peninsula residents should email Debbie Mendelson at sodblitz@gmail.com and Emerald Hills residents should email Rochelle Kopp at rnkopp@aol.com.
St. Raymond students win Mock Trial Immersion Program
Fifth through eighth grade students from St. Raymond School in Menlo Park took home top honors at the Mock Trial Immersion Program hosted by Notre Dame High School on May 16-17. Competing students participated in the People v Darby case, demonstrating their knowledge of the legal system and court procedure.
Over a dozen students were honored for their participation in the competition:
- Fifth grade: Declan Kiely and Ania Lee
- Sixth grade: Jack Kiely, Olivia Morrison and Oliva Roy
- Seventh grade: Jack Allen, Jameson Douglass, Luca Fagnini, Lucia Fagnini, Cuatro Howard, Patrick Kavanaugh, Gaby Klumpp and Liam Lonergan
- Eighth Grade: Audrey Altick, Eva Andrew, Gigi Appel and Justina Hamill
Students began preparing for the competition in March with parent volunteers and attorneys who guided the team through legal analysis, public speaking and strategy.
— Jennifer Yoshikoshi
City provides shuttle service to budget meeting
The city of Menlo Park will provide shuttles for residents seeking to attend its June 10 public hearing on the fiscal year 2025-26 budget. The free shuttle will bring residents to the City Council’s chambers at 751 Laurel Ave. before the hearing starts at 6 p.m. and leaves the chambers after the hearing and after the meeting ends. The shuttle has three stops: Belle Haven Community Campus (ADA accessible), Ivy Plaza and the Neighborhood Service Center.
The shuttle will leave BHCC at 5:15 p.m. The meeting will have live Spanish interpretation. Learn more on the city’s website.
— Arden Margulis
