After 6 years, TIDE Academy is closing down
TIDE Academy is the Sequoia Union High School District’s youngest and smallest school. Amid tears and protests, the board voted on Feb. 4 to close the Menlo Park campus in June, marking its sixth year as its last.
More Local news
From Farm to Fed chair: Kevin Warsh prepares for confirmation
When Kevin Warsh won the race become chair of the Student Senate at Stanford University in 1991, he vowed that he would not be “manipulated by political parties.” With Warsh now is poised to assume another role as chair –…
Ravenswood opens new sports field at Los Robles–Ronald McNair
With Super Bowl XL just days away, Ravenswood City School District announced the opening of its new sports field at Los Robles-Ronald McNair in East Palo Alto. A grand opening event is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 4. The $4.2 million…
Amazon to lay off 161 employees in East Palo Alto, Mountain View
Amazon plans to lay off 161 employees in East Palo Alto and Mountain View this spring as part of another round of cuts that will affect hundreds of corporate jobs across the Bay Area, state filings show.
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Food
Haven’t yet booked Valentine’s dinner? These Peninsula spots still have reservations available
If you’re stumped on where to dine for Valentine’s Day, check out this list of Peninsula restaurants offering prix fixe menus and themed specials. But be warned – Valentine’s reservations are quickly filling up, so snag your spot while you can.
Silicon Valley restaurants share recipes for Super Bowl snacking
The Bay is abuzz with watch parties and events for the Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium Feb. 8. But for those viewing the big game from home or at a friends’ place, snack preparation is likely on the calendar. To…
The Pro opens in downtown Palo Alto, carrying on a 58-year legacy
A longtime Palo Alto sports bar has been reborn. The Old Pro, a community watering hole since 1964, shuttered in 2022. But on Monday, it reopened with a new look, menu and mascot (and even a podcasting studio), while still…
Arts & Culture
Make a Super Bowl weekend game plan with these Peninsula football festivities
Gear up for the big game with The Six Fifty’s guide to watch parties, special events and discounts.
What’s up this weekend: Sheila E., Coast Live Music, gallery’s afternoon of music and dance and more
This weekend, Queen of Percussion Sheila E. drops by an early Super Bowl party hosted by a local NFL luminary; Portola Valley chamber music series starts new season; Palo Alto gallery hosts an afternoon of dance and music, and more.
Arts news: ArtLift grants, TheatreWorks’ new season and more
Palo Alto seeks artists for its ArtLift grants; TheatreWorks announces its 2026-27 season and Redwood City’s Sound Union holds its first gear swap.
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
New six-story residential building proposed for downtown Menlo Park
A Menlo Park developer is proposing a 15-unit multifamily residential project on the parking lot of an existing commercial building in downtown Menlo Park.
February tips for your Peninsula garden: Grafting basics, planting summer seeds, managing weeds
Did you know that most fruit trees are grafted? Grafting is a technique where tissues from two compatible plants are joined so that they can grow together. Find out how to graft your own trees.
Midpeninsula sees drop in overbidding, but 2 markets are bucking the trend
Fewer buyers are paying over asking for single-family homes across much of the Midpeninsula — with a couple of notable exceptions. December sales data released this week by the California Association of Realtors shows that Mountain View and Los Altos…
The Six Fifty
Our guide to Valentine’s and Galentine’s Day happenings around Silicon Valley
If you’re looking for ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day and Galentine’s Day, there’s no shortage of festivities on the Peninsula throughout the first half of February.
Ring in the Lunar New Year in Silicon Valley with lion dances, festivals and special events
The official start of the Lunar New Year is Feb. 17, but celebrations in Silicon Valley begin in earnest Jan. 24 and stretch through the end of February. Here’s our guide to celebrating on the Peninsula.
From grazing cattle to soaring redwoods and panoramic views of the coast, a new network of trails offers unprecedented access at a Peninsula preserve
Four new multiuse trails have opened in the 6,500-acre La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve located above Woodside and Portola Valley. The 6 miles of additions link up to existing trails and lace through the center of the preserve across…

