Dr. Thomas J. Fogarty, inventor of the balloon catheter, dies at 91 in Portola Valley
Dr. Thomas J. Fogarty, a longtime Portola Valley resident who became as well-known for his Fogarty Winery as for his invention of the balloon catheter, a ground-breaking medical device, died on Dec. 28, 2025 in Portola Valley. He was 91.
More Local news
Portola Valley district’s Minoo Shah wins special education award
Minoo Shah, the director of educational services for the Portola Valley School District, was named the 2026 Special Education Administrator of the Year, according to a district press release.
Tutoring nonprofit makes strides in student literacy, math proficiency
In a typical third-grade classroom in the Ravenswood City School District, just one in every eight students is able to read proficiently for their grade level. Ravenswood Classroom Partners is working to change that. The nonprofit, which is one of…
Housing proposals arrive as Menlo Park parking lot plan faces ballot measure
Menlo Park residents can now envision housing development on downtown city-owned parking lots now that developers have submitted three detailed proposals for review.
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Food
Popular Peninsula Texas-style barbecue pop-up permanently closes
Breakout barbecue star Pico’s BBQ has permanently closed.
New year nutrition: A Stanford dietitian’s tips for maintaining healthy eating resolutions
We checked in with a local nutrition expert who said that making small changes, such as adding more servings of vegetables to your plate each day, can have a long-term positive impact.
Roost & Roast owners open fast-casual breakfast spot in Palo Alto
For those who typically skip breakfast, a new egg-forward breakfast shop will give you second thoughts.
Arts & Culture
Cantor Arts Center show features a one-woman ‘collective’
Through miniature paintings, towering sculpture and digital animation, artist Shahzia Sikander delves into feminism, religion and more.
What’s up this week: Close Enemies, South Bay singer-songwriters, vivid local landscapes and more
This week, five rock virtuosos are making friends at The Guild, two well-loved South Bay acts play in Redwood City, a Peninsula author shares a new collection of essays and more.
The year in film: Perfect pairings
Revisit the best movies of 2025 with our critic’s hand-picked double features, from dark comedies to poignant family dramas. Plus, picks for best documentaries and animated films, and the worst films of the year.
Spotlight
Changing diet to generate a healthier microbiome and a healthy individual
Stanford microbiologists Justin and Erica Sonnenburg are working to understand the complex microbial community that resides within the human gut and its potential for helping people live healthier, longer lives.
Ivy League mentorship for college applications and career foundations through meaningful projects
Path Mentors was born out of dissatisfaction with the toxic high-pressure environment that college admissions has created. Founded in 2019 by Columbia graduates, the Path Mentors’ team of nearly 100 mentors from a wide range of professions including technology, finance,…
Community Calendar
Did you miss
Palo Alto tries to rein in Zuckerberg’s Crescent Park expansion
For years, Crescent Park residents have been complaining to the city about incessant construction and zoning violations at a compound constructed by Mark Zuckerberg, who has been buying up homes since 2011. Now, the city is preparing to take action.
Allegations of ‘sexual conduct’ between youth, staff surface at SMC juvenile hall
Reports of “sexual conduct” involving detained youth and a staff member at the San Mateo County juvenile hall surfaced at a recent public commission meeting, as the Probation Department confirmed it has an internal investigation underway. The department’s head said…
Real Estate
Peninsula winter home & garden guide: Tree pruning 101, history walks, seed swaps and more
Whether you’re looking to tour a historic garden, learn some gardening skills or explore local flora and fauna, you’ll find plenty of opportunities on the Peninsula. Check out our December home & garden events calendar.
For $1M, you can buy the equivalent of a garage or one-third of a house in Palo Alto
With median home prices on the Midpeninsula well above $1 million, it’s no surprise that buying at that price point is increasingly out of reach — if not impossible. The more revealing question is how much space $1 million actually…
January tips for your Peninsula garden: Native bees, seeds, root rot
Winter gardening on the Peninsula means pruning roses, choosing seeds for spring planting and checking trees for early signs of serious root disease. This month’s gardening tips highlight simple steps that can help keep your landscape healthy.
The Six Fifty
From the coast’s tide pools to the Peninsula’s marshlands, king tides reveal how wildlife adapt to extreme conditions
King tides exhibit what sea level rise and the threats it poses may look like in the future. But, along with the low tides, they also expose how coastal and estuarine species adapt to extreme changes in their environment.
Where to volunteer on the Peninsula this holiday season and beyond
Whether you have a couple of hours or a few days a week to spare, Peninsula organizations could use your help with everything from delivering food and maintaining trails to caring for animals and talking to seniors in need of…
From the Flintstone House to the Stanford Dish, Menlo Park artist Courtney Beyer’s designs pay homage to local landmarks
Los Altos native Courtney Beyer’s greeting cards and stickers take inspiration from her Bay Area surroundings and the natural world. She also uses her artwork to draw awareness to environmental issues.
