Redwood City Council defines state-level priorities
At the Redwood City Council’s regular meeting Monday night, the council unanimously approved the city’s legislative platform, which offers guidance for state legislative advocacy efforts.
More Local news
Felony vandalism trial begins against five Stanford students
The trial of the five Stanford University students who are charged with vandalizing the president’s office kicked off on Friday with the defense and prosecution offering drastically different characterizations of the protesters’ actions.
OpenAI, childrens’ advocates join forces on initiative to protect kids from chatbots
Kids safety advocate Common Sense Media and ChatGPT-maker OpenAI joined together today to advance a ballot measure that would amend the California Constitution in order to protect kids from companion chatbots online.
Redwood City activists map out month of protests, from ICE to Venezuela
The new year has reenergized Redwood City liberals, as community resistors will take to the streets continually throughout January, including for an emergency protest on Saturday.
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Food
LA’s iconic 73-year-old doughnut shop is soon opening its first Bay Area location
A doughnut shop with cameos in “Iron Man 2,” “The Simpsons” and “The Tonight Show” is opening its first Bay Area location in Santa Clara.
Review: Meyhouse owners debut all-you-can-eat kebab restaurant in downtown Palo Alto
An all-you-can-eat kebab journey from Istanbul to Delhi awaits at downtown Palo Alto’s newest restaurant, Meze Kebab.
‘The end of an era’: After 36 years in Palo Alto, Il Fornaio prepares to close
For 36 years, Il Fornaio has served Italian classics in downtown Palo Alto, garnering longtime employees and regulars. Servers say it’s where Steve Jobs chatted with Tim Cook and where Hall of Famers, tech executives and government leaders would go…
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
Bay Area housing outlook: Sales, prices seen rising in 2026
Powered by one of the strongest regional economies in the country, the Bay Area housing market is poised for a sales rebound in 2026 as interest rates decline, according to Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors.
Why the Peninsula’s winter sunshine isn’t always good for your trees
When people think about winter tree damage, they often picture heavy winds or rain. On the Peninsula, the wnter sun can also pose a threat — usually a more subtle one. Bright winter sunshine followed by cold nights can stress…
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.
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.
