Citing dated downtown rules, Menlo Park Planning Commission seeks some control over its agenda
The Menlo Park Planning Commission meeting on April 13 opened with an unusual scene: Chair Ross Silverstein walked down from the dais to deliver a public comment at his own meeting.
More Local news
California home affordability sees slight improvement, but racial gaps persist — especially in Santa Clara County
The number of Californians who could afford to buy a home increased slightly last year as mortgage rates declined and home prices remained relatively flat. About 19% of California households earned enough to purchase a median-priced single-family home in 2025,…
Mixed economic signals seen in San Mateo County economy
The regional economic indicators are all over the place: Unemployment is low. Borrowing has slowed. Inflation remains stubbornly above target. “Our members are just feeling the uncertainty of the economic times that we’re in,” said Wade Painter, CEO of Monterra Credit…
Gary Saxon, owner of The Record Man, dies at 82
Gary Saxon, the longtime owner of The Record Man and a revered figure in Redwood City’s community, died on May 6. He was 82.
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Food
BTS ARMY flocks Redwood City pizzeria after praise from K-pop members
Stanford has the best pizza, declared BTS member V on May 16 at the K-pop group’s Stanford concert.
Renowned restaurants, historic architecture and a car-free corridor: Here’s what downtown San Mateo has in store
Within its five square blocks, downtown San Mateo packs in award-winning dining, historic architecture, niche shops and a slew of new developments.
Meet the Peninsula’s new ‘vegetable garden coach’
Ritu Shrestha started Backyard Nourish with the goal of helping residents grow food at home.
Arts & Culture
Stanford journalist’s new book explores dark side of university’s relationship with Silicon Valley
Theo Baker, whose reporting led to the resignation of the university’s president, looks at how Silicon Valley has shaped Stanford in his new book, “How to Rule the World.”
What’s up this week: Larkin Poe, ‘Oliver Twist,’ ‘Steve Jobs in Exile’ and more
This holiday week, hear from Grammy-winning Americana duo Larkin Poe; visit Victorian London with a gritty adaptation of “Oliver Twist”; find out what Steve Jobs got up to in his decade away from Apple and more.
Western Ballet celebrates half a century with ‘Don Quixote’ ballet
Mountain View-based ballet company and school marks 50th anniversary with performance of famously demanding work.
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
Meta halts $3.5B project, leaving Belle Haven empty-handed
For the three decades that Peter Adams has lived in Menlo Park’s Belle Haven neighborhood, he hasn’t had access to basic amenities such as a full-service grocery store. Now, he will have to wait even longer after Meta halted work…
YouTube ‘auditor’ provoked, pepper-sprayed shopper at Mountain View Costco, police say
Mountain View police arrested a Southern California YouTuber for blasting pepper spray at a man outside Mountain View’s Costco. He was with a group of “First Amendment auditors,” one of whom is being sued for pepper-spraying a man in downtown…
Real Estate
New Atherton home sells for $31M
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.
Builder mum on plans after Meta shelves Menlo Park mega-project
Meta representatives have declined to provide new information to Menlo Park’s Planning Commission about the future of Willow Village, the office and housing development in Belle Haven that Meta announced it was halting earlier this month.
Atherton sale ranks 9th most expensive in nation, behind Zuckerberg’s Florida purchase
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
Nature can be unpredictable. Here’s what Silicon Valley experts say you should do to have a mishap-free summer outdoors
We asked Silicon Valley outdoor experts and officials to share their advice on how best to prepare for excursions outside this summer so misadventures are less likely to happen.
A ‘special hidden gem’: The newest landmark in San Mateo County is a 116-step mosaic staircase
Seen throughout San Francisco but less common in Silicon Valley, the new ‘Sea to Stars’ tiled stairway in Brisbane pays homage to the city’s history and California ecology.
Walk and talk: 10 guided tours around the Peninsula
We’ve rounded up 10 spots on the Peninsula where you can take guided walks or tours, covering topics from cuisine and arts to history, agriculture and nature.
