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2026 Sudden Oak Death Blitz survey
The community can get involved in the 2026 Sudden Oak Death Blitz starting on May 23 at 10 a.m., when sampling materials for the survey will be available for pickup. The annual survey looks into the spread of sudden oak death (SOD) throughout the state. Participants must sign-up for a 30-minute online training at sodblitz.info before collecting sampling materials.
Collection packets can be picked up at the SOD Blitz Stations located on the porch of Portola Valley’s Historic Schoolhouse, 765 Portola Road in Portola Valley, or near Woodside’s Independence Hall, 2955 Woodside Road.
Each packet allows a participant to sample 10 trees. The free app, “SODmap Mobile,” can help participants determine the exact location of the trees to sample. Trees that have previously been sampled can be seen on matteolab.org. Samples taken on private properties need the owner’s permission, or can be obtained in public areas such as roads, parks and open spaces.
Samples must be returned by May 26 at 6 p.m. For questions, email local organizer Debbie Mendelson at sodblitz@gmail.com.
County Superintendent Candidate Forum
The Portola Valley Parent Teacher Organization is hosting a nonpartisan forum on Monday, May 18, from 6:30- 8 p.m. to meet the candidates for San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools: Héctor Camacho and Chelsea Bonini. The event will take place at the Portola Valley School District Annex, 4575 Alpine Road in Portola Valley, and virtually on Google Meets.
The two candidates will participate in a moderated interview followed by a Q&A session. The forum will cover key topics including shared services for small districts, academic excellence and literacy, and student safety and mental health.
Join the forum remotely at meet.google.com/dvj-cija-fjj.
MPCSD school board candidate info session
The Menlo Park City School District will be holding a Candidate Information Night for anyone interested in running for one of three open seats on the district’s board of education. The information night will take place on at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, at TERC, 181 Encinal Ave. in Atherton.
Board members Francesa Segrè and Scott Saywell will give presentations on the roles and responsibilities of serving on the board, district initiatives and challenges and details on how to file for candidacy. Segrè and Saywell will also be available to answer any questions from the public.
The upcoming election is scheduled for Nov. 3 and the filing period to become a candidate is between July 13 and Aug. 7. Documents can be filed with the San Mateo County Registration and Elections Division, 40 Tower Road in San Mateo. The county will also be hosting a candidate seminar. For more information visit smcarce.org.
More information on the candidate info session can be found on district.mpcsd.org/board/school-board-openings.
Portola Valley Horse Fair
The Portola Valley Trails and Paths Committee is hosting its annual Horse Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, at Town Center, 765 Portola Road in Portola Valley.
The family friendly event will feature pony rides, a petting zoo and carriage rides. Guests will also be able to practicing roping a dummy steer, listen to a horse’s heartbeat and meet the local horses.
Los Tolucas food truck will also be serving Mexican food for lunch. No dogs are allowed at the fair out of caution for the horses and other prey animals.
For more information visit portolavalley.net
