LTWCA Newsletter - April/May 2008

Stock Up On Natives

Here is a wonderful opportunity to enhance the natural beauty of our area and do a favor for the environment.  Plant some native plants!  The attributes of native plants was deftly put by June Bilisoly in a previous Newsletter:  perfectly adapted to soil and drought conditions, a lot less work, a lot less water, blends with our setting, no worries about pests.

Native Plant Sale

Saturday April 12, 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Hidden Villa

26870 Moody Road

2 miles west of Foothill College in Los Altos Hills.

The Santa Clara Valley chapter of California Native Plant Society is holding their spring Native Plant Sale. The Acterra Native Plant Nursery will again be participating in this event. In addition to dozens of species of great native plants, you will be able to shop for seeds, bulbs, posters, and cards.

Submitted by Linda Drey-Nightingale with excerpts from Acterra Newsletter

Emergency Preparedness News

1.  The next Earthquake Drill will be on Saturday, April 26 from 9:00 to 11:00 AM.  We will again focus on radio communications through LTW’s four districts. More details will follow via a handout in our mailboxes.

2.  It is not too early to start getting ready for the next Chipper Visit to LTW, which is currently scheduled for May 5. For more details, see CERPP's pdf announcement at: http://www.woodsidefire.org/pdfs/chipper%20dates%202008.pdf

3.  The household water containers that the water district procured were a big hit among those who ordered them.  If you missed out, you still have a chance to get one of the extras.  Call Tom Uridell at 851-7091.

4.  The Preparedness Team will be holding a long-delayed organizational meeting on Monday, April 21, at 124 Los Trancos Circle.  We will plan to start assembling around 6:00 and try to finish by 7:30.  Topics include preparing for the earthquake drill that coming weekend, dividing up some of the team’s regular educational and organizational tasks, the water district’s recent contributions to our preparedness teams, and reviewing our goals and the way to organize our resources most efficiently.  Please RSVP to Arthur if you plan to attend:  851-9152 or arthur_nielsen@sbcglobal.net

Submitted by Arthur Nielsen, Emergency Preparedness Team

Road Safety Issues

There is a meeting to review signage suggestions before the recommendations are submitted to San Mateo County. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 7:30 p.m. at 400 Ramona Rd. Please RSVP to claudia.mazz@sbcglobal.net by Friday, April 11.

Water District News

In a new collaboration with LTW and Vista Verde Emergency Preparedness Teams, the District recently donated $21,000 for an upgrade to the radio systems used by the teams.    In an effort to reduce the wildfire fuel load the District is clearing brush on its lands.    A new trailhead for Old Spanish Trail and a bench at the District’s lake should be complete by the beginning of summer.

Submitted by Charlie Krenz, Los Trancos County Water District Board

Sudden Oak Death Update

We are starting our spring spray season to protect the Oak trees from SOD infection.  If you have not contacted an arborist to schedule a spray or injection of your trees, do so immediately, as this is the time of year when the infection is the most active.  We are already seeing an increase in the infection and death of the Live Oak and Black Oak trees.  For more information and to access a contractor spray list visit the web site www.vistaverdeca.org and click on Sudden Oak Death, or call 851-1787.

Submitted by the Sudden Oak Death Task Force

Invitation to Vista Verde’s General Meeting

You are invited to join Vista Verde in an evening with San Mateo Supervisor Rich Gordon on Tuesday, April 22, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at 40 Ciervos Road (at the end of Alpine Rd).  Parking is limited, so please carpool or walk.

7:00 p.m. – Social & Refreshments

7:30 County Supervisor Rich Gordon will talk about major issues concerning San Mateo County followed by question and answer.

8:15 Vista Verde goings-on

We look forward to seeing you at this semiannual event!

Submitted by Vista Verde President, Amanda Lee

Neighborhood Notes

-  Ishan Nautiyal Harbury was born on June 14th, 2007 to Shivani Nautiyal and Pehr Harbury.  At almost 10 months old, he loves to meet the neighborhood dogs when he goes out for frequent walks. Congratulations Shivani and Pehr!  We are glad Ishan is enjoying our beautiful surroundings.

-  Long time former residents (1960’s-1990’s) of our community George and Ann Guy have both passed away.  George died about a year ago, and Ann died just this last January.  Both were teachers, George in the Woodside High School Science Department and Ann at Peninsula School.  They will be fondly remembered for many of their special qualities, one being their holiday tradition of wandering the lower Woods bundled in jackets, scarfs, and wraps on Christmas Eve, stopping by neighbors’ homes to serenade families gathered inside with Christmas Carols.

     Compiled from Julie Duncan and Rebecca Reynolds

Next Meeting - There is no meeting scheduled.  Please see the LTWCA Web Site for past minutes.

Los Trancos Woods Community Association Web Site

The web site address is:                    The group e-mail list is:

http://lostrancoswoods.org/                    ltwca@yahoogroups.com

Thanks to Jerry Jensen for maintaining this site.       

Community Bulletin Board

Wanted:  A compact-sized, used, stick shift car for a college student.  If you have one for sale, please call 851-1787.