Bus-only lane could give new life to long-vacant Dumbarton rail corridor
The Dumbarton railroad corridor in San Mateo County has sat empty since 1982. Now, over 40 years later, local transit agency SamTrans is reviving earlier efforts to make this unused infrastructure functional.
More Local news
SMCCCD faculty union authorizes strike
The San Mateo Community College Federation of Teachers, AFT 1493, which represents teachers, counselors, coaches, nurses, and other faculty in the San Mateo County Community College District, recently voted to authorize a strike after is said the district had failed…
More marine mammals test positive for bird flu at Año Nuevo State Park
Wildlife authorities confirmed Thursday that nine more elephant seals, a sea lion and an otter have died from bird flu at Ano Nuevo State Park in San Mateo County.
Prosecutors won’t retry ex-college chancellor convicted of eight felonies
The San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office will not pursue a second trial of the former chancellor of the San Mateo County Community College District who was convicted of eight felonies related to alleged kickbacks from contractors and false tax…
Subscribe to Express!
Get the Express daily newsletter right to your inbox to stay updated on the latest local news.
Food
‘She’s a legend’: A longtime Woodside bartender and community figure is now serving espressos from her own coffee trailer
Myshel Portz started Mountain Mama Java to fulfill her longtime dream of opening a coffee spot after a career in the service industry.
St. Patrick’s Day 2026: Here are 20 Silicon Valley events and specials for some good craic
Raise a pint of green beer and chow down on a plate of corned beef and cabbage this St. Patrick’s Day at various restaurants and pubs along the Peninsula. Here’s where to find live Irish music, Irish dancing and plentiful…
Mazra San Bruno reopens after 2-year renovation
After a two-year renovation, the highly anticipated Mazra San Bruno has finally reopened. The causal Mediterranean restaurant was founded by brothers Saif and Jordan Makableh in 2020 and quickly gained a reputation for its affordable, high-quality dishes and stunning ambiance.
Arts & Culture
Cindy Cohn wants to recruit you in the fight for online privacy
Hackers, the Grateful Dead and taking on the NSA: A conversation with the executive director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, whose new memoir looks at the ongoing battle for digital civil liberties. She’ll discuss the book March 18 at Kepler’s.
Meet Djerassi Resident Artist Program’s new executive director, Woodside resident Craig Adams
Adams brings fundraising background and a love of photography and conservation to the role.
Peninsula Lively Arts will close its doors in June
The San Mateo-based dance company, known for its hip-hop and traditional Nutcracker performances, also operated a dance school for all ages.
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
Charged with child sex abuse, East Palo Alto employee gets character reference from council member
A former East Palo Alto city employee allegedly molested and supplied drugs repeatedly to a 13-year-old he met while working for the city, according to San Mateo County prosecutors in newly obtained court documents that include a character reference by…
Woodside town manager behind scathing report asked town to buy out his contract
Did Woodside’s town manager demand a $400,000 payout in exchange for quashing a scathing list of complaints against Town Council members? Or was Jason Ledbetter just asking for a partial buyout of his contract? These are among the claims currently…
Real Estate
From manipulated photos to fake video calls, deepfakes pose new risks in home sales
If you’re buying or selling a home, beware: The agent on your video call may not be real. A growing number of scammers are using deepfakes — a form of artificial intelligence that can convincingly mimic a person’s face, voice…
What Peninsula homeowners need to know about sewer inspections before selling
Sewers. Probably not the first thing homeowners think about when preparing their property for sale. In a growing number of Bay Area cities, however, the condition of the underground sewer line that connects a house to the city’s main system…
French contemporary home in Old Palo Alto sells for $21.2M
Each week, Embarcadero Media takes a look at home sales activity along the Midpeninsula in the communities of Atherton, East Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Menlo Park, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Portola Valley and Woodside.
The Six Fifty
Here’s how to celebrate Women’s History Month in Silicon Valley
Women’s History Month festivities include art exhibits, concerts, book club meetups, author and art talks, craft activities and more events for adults and kids.
Where to chase waterfalls and hike among green hillsides after the wet Peninsula weather
Soak in the late winter and early spring sights and sounds with The Six Fifty’s guide to post-rain hot spots.
Downtown Sunnyvale developments: Where to play, dine and unwind in a transforming Silicon Valley corridor
What comes to mind when you think of downtown Sunnyvale? For many locals, downtown is synonymous with Murphy Avenue, the Heritage District’s character-filled block of restaurants, small businesses and historic buildings.
