In West Menlo Park, a tricked-out little tree has an outsized presence
In West Menlo Park, a scrawny sapling has grown into a neighborhood landmark, thanks to a secretive resident with a flair for seasonal decorations.
Voter Guide 2026
Get to know the candidates and measures on your ballot with The Almanac’s 2026 Voter Guide, including in-depth profiles, issue comparison grids and campaign finance coverage.
View the Voter Guide ➔Latest Election News
City Council Candidate Forum
| Date | Thursday, Oct. 8 |
| Time | 6–7:30 p.m. |
| Location | Menlo Park City Council Chambers 701 Laurel St. Menlo Park |
Join us for an election forum to hear from the candidates for the Menlo Park City Council, where seats representing District 1, 2 and 4 are up for grabs. The event will be livestreamed to YouTube and a recording will be available afterwards.
More Local news
Community briefs: Day of the Horse and SamTrans survey
In Community Briefs this week, Woodside holds its annual Day of the Horse celebration on Oct. 10-11 and SamTrans seeks rider input.
Menlo-Atherton grad files sexual abuse lawsuit against her former teacher, high school district
A former Menlo-Atherton High School student is alleging that her teacher sexually abused her about 20 years ago, when she was a teenager. A lawsuit was filed in San Mateo County Superior Court in June against the Sequoia Union High…
The Almanac hosts Menlo Park City Council candidate forum
The Almanac is hosting a forum tonight, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m. featuring all six candidates running for seats on the Menlo Park City Council.
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Food
This Mountain View food truck specializes in a cuisine rarely seen along the Peninsula
Parked in an unassuming Valero gas station in Mountain View is a food truck serving juicy shish kebab and flaky samsa cooked in a tandoor. The food is halal and created by a 23-year-old San Jose State student, Zhibek Zhusubalieva.
Why a Foster City resident started his own line of decaf teas
Chris Horng’s company de-tea offers decaffeinated teas in green and black varieties, with more options brewing.
First look: Japanese supermarket Hashi Market to open first West Coast location in Cupertino
From unique snacks such as banana-flavored corn dogs to Japanese staples including soy sauce and miso paste, Silicon Valley’s newest Japanese supermarket has no shortage of tasty and functional finds.
Arts & Culture
‘Heathens’ chronicles five people challenging their fundamentalist upbringings
Peninsula filmmakers’ documentary will have its world premiere this month at the United Nations Association Film Festival. The festival, which highlights films about human rights, opens Oct. 15 in Palo Alto.
What’s up this week: Local author Marley-Rose Teter, Afro-Latin jazz, a spirited symphony opener and more
This week, local author Marley-Rose Teter shares her debut YA novel and slack-key masters bring Hawaii to the Peninsula. Plus, a Nashville singer-songwriter at The Guild, Bruno Mars at Levi’s Stadium and more.
Local groups unite in Portola Valley for event, concert marking U.S.’ 250th anniversary
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, it seems fitting that a group of very different organizations are coming together to present a concert on Oct. 18 hailing this milestone year.
Spotlight
Cardinal football is back — here’s what you need to know
New coach, upgraded stadium, standout players and plenty of Cardinal spirit—here’s what to watch this Stanford football 2026 season.
What to know about cyclosporiasis
The latest foodborne illness goes by the name cyclosporiasis (sigh-klo-spor-eye-uh-sis). Since the first known case in Michigan in June 2026, the parasitic disease has stricken thousands of people.
Community Calendar
Did you miss
Humans in the age of AI
Artificial intelligence is alternately billed as the most consequential technology in history or a speculative bubble that will pop and lead to economic chaos. For this project, a collaboration with photojournalist Mark Tuschman, we spoke to local residents and professionals…
Friends, family remember Jakub Solovsky, cyclist killed in Woodside head-on collision
Larry Abrahams remembers the rainy day that was the last time he rode with East Palo Alto resident Jakub Solovsky, a member of Western Wheelers who died July 11 in a head-on collision on Skyline Boulevard.
Real Estate
What $35M gets you in Atherton: 49ers legend Jerry Rice’s former home – and a gym with his original workout equipment
This French château-style estate in Atherton now on the market for $35 million offers a glimpse into the life of a football legend. Built for Jerry Rice in the early 2000s, when smart-home technology was still a novelty, the home…
What $975K to $18.3M gets you on the Peninsula
From multimillion-dollar estates to more modest homes, this week’s highest- and lowest-priced home sales offer a snapshot of the Peninsula real estate market. See what buyers paid for homes across the region, including an $18.3 million Menlo Park property on…
How AI is changing the apartment search: Is it working?
AI is changing how renters search for apartments, from chatbots that answer questions and schedule tours to tools that can narrow a search based on a renter’s preferences. But the technology still has limitations — and California is beginning to…
The Six Fifty
‘I realized there was a lot of demand for this’: A new Peninsula business offers rentals of curated baby and toddler toys
A desire to avoid filling up her house with unwanted stuff that her daughter would soon outgrow led Redwood City resident Amy Bearman to start her business BurbleBox.
How a Coastside forest therapy guide is helping people reconnect with nature in Peninsula parks
Wendy Figone leads a regular series of guided therapy walks in partnership with the San Mateo County Parks Foundation.
Meet the ‘Beetlelady’ bringing interactive bug classes to all corners of Silicon Valley
San Mateo resident Stephanie Dole shares her expertise with kids and adults alike, with the goal of helping folks better appreciate the creepy crawlies around us.
Blogs
State News from CalMatters
