Unbelievably, this school year is drawing to a close. Having been part of the Woodside community for these past 20 years, one of the highlights of middle school “graduation” is the Woodside Elementary School “Operetta”, a Woodside tradition going back to the mid-1950s.
The Operetta is a musical farewell performance that showcases the talents of the graduating class. Each year, this production serves as a meaningful send-off from the eighth graders to the wider community and is often remembered by alumni as a highlight of their time at Woodside School. The shared experience of rehearsing, creating, and performing helps forge lasting friendships and memories.
The tradition began in 1957 when George Sellman, then a teacher and later superintendent, made it a point that every eighth-grade student would participate in the school musical. He invited parents to get involved by building sets and sewing costumes, and welcomed the entire town to attend. Decades later, the Operetta continues to unite the Woodside community in celebration of creativity, collaboration, and student achievement. It remains a vibrant and cherished part of life at Woodside Middle School.
You can read about this year’s Woodside Operetta here and more about its history here.
Of course, if you see our TVD sponsorship on the program back cover above, you can guess this year’s production… Disney’s Moana!
See you there?
Eric
Eric Weiss, MD, DTM&H, May, 2025
Fluoride, Facts, and Our Children’s Health: What Every Parent Should Know
Recently, you may have come across alarming headlines or social media posts claiming that fluoride in tap water causes reduced IQ, cancer, or other serious health concerns. As a pediatrician, I understand how unsettling these claims can be—especially when it comes to the health of our children. It is more important than ever to separate fear-based misinformation from evidence-based science, particularly when it comes to fluoride, one of the most important public health achievements of the last century.
Mental Health Awareness Month: A Reminder to Check In
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to bring attention to a vital part of our overall well-being that is too often overlooked. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that nearly 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. live with a mental illness, and about 50% of all Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime. These statistics underscore how widespread mental health challenges are—and how crucial it is to address them not just in crisis, but proactively in our daily lives.
Weight Loss and Longevity
Ponce de Leon spent decades in a futile search for the Fountain of Youth. Pity, because most of the elements you need to increase your lifespan and healthspan are within most everyone’s reach. In Concierge Medicine, we deal with this on a daily basis to help our patients with specific treatment plans. We know good sleep, a balanced diet and exercise are key components. But what about your weight? How does weight loss play a role? How can you live better, feel better, look better–and live longer? Our concierge doctors can help you with a proactive approach to take control of your weight and health.
The Village Doctor believes our wellbeing is enhanced by time spent in community, especially when it’s accompanied by music and movement! That’s why we’re proud to be a repeat sponsor of the PV Palooza Summer Music Festival. It’s a free all-day music festival that will be held on May 31st from 10:30 AM – 8:30 PM in the Portola Valley Town Center. The festival features 20 local bands on three stages (including a showcase stage for youth acts and smaller bands), local art exhibitors and kids’ activities. Food, wine and beer will also be available for purchase.
The Village Doctor is sponsoring several bands including friends of the practice Krim (formerly Black Krim) & Whiskey Hill Billies, and Petty Rocks featuring Andy “Stash” Hewett on Bass, & Vocals!
Have you ever LOST your iPhone? This happened to me recently and I learned this little tidbit that I thought I’d share. As you know, we’ve become increasingly dependent on our digital devices, so losing our “peripheral brain” can be a stressful, if not expensive, experience. For some time Apple has allowed you to log in to iCloud and “lock” or disable your phone remotely, but this does not help you get it back. Enter “Lost Mode”.
Lost Mode on an iPhone is a security feature in Find My iPhone that helps protect your device if it is lost or stolen. When enabled, Lost Mode does the following:
- Locks Your iPhone – It prevents unauthorized access by requiring a passcode to unlock the device.
- Displays a Custom Message – You can enter a phone number and a message to display on the screen, instructing the finder on how to return the device.
- Enables Tracking – Even if location services were turned off, Lost Mode forces the device to report its location.
- Disables Notifications & Apple Pay – It prevents sensitive information from being accessed and removes stored Apple Pay cards for security.
To activate Lost Mode, you need to:
- Go to Find My iPhone on another Apple device or via iCloud on a web browser.
- Select your lost iPhone and choose Mark As Lost or Lost Mode.
If the device is found, you can unlock it using your passcode and turn off Lost Mode.
Now you can send Elation Portal messages to your TVD Doctor again! 😉
Lastly, TVD Newsletter is a labor of love. If you enjoy reading this, please share widely! Was this forwarded to you by a friend? Please subscribe here.
Yours, in health,
Eric and the TVD MD team…
The information contained in this newsletter is provided for general informational and education purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare provider to discuss whether any treatment, medication, or information is appropriate for you, and for guidance on any emerging updates in care. Never disregard or delay seeking medical advice based on the information provided here.
