Good morning, Palo Alto (and our nearby neighbors)! I have officially entered the phase of fighting the urge to put up my Christmas tree. I’ve always been a December 1st decorator, but something feels different this year – maybe it’s just the weather forecast for the next few days influencing me…
On this day in 1936: The San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge opened, kicking off four days of celebrations for one of the era’s biggest engineering feats.
In today’s edition of Palo Alto Insider:
A new nonprofit aims to re-energize downtown Menlo Park 🛍️
Boozy strolls and theater fill up the event schedule 🥂
Tamarine keeps University Ave classy with modern Vietnamese food 🇻🇳
Let’s dive in!
– Matt Cunningham
📰 LOCAL NEWS
Planned utility rate hikes alarm Palo Alto commissioners ⚡️
City utilities’ proposed increases drew pointed questions about timing, affordability for residents/small businesses, and how the hikes stack with other cost pressures. Commissioners asked staff to return with alternatives (e.g., phasing, offsets) and clearer community outreach before any vote.
New nonprofit aims to boost Menlo Park’s downtown ✨
The Downtown Menlo Fund aims to make Santa Cruz Ave more vibrant with coordinated events, beautification (banners, lighting, planters), and merchant partnerships. Early efforts focus on fundraising and piloting repeatable activations to drive evening and weekend foot traffic.
🍴 RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT
Tamarine Restaurant & Gallery 🍜
A longtime University Ave favorite pairing modern Vietnamese dishes with a rotating art gallery—great cocktails, beautiful plating, and a polished room that still feels warm. If you somehow haven’t given Tamarine a try since living here, make sure to add it to your list!
📍 546 University Ave, Palo Alto
🕰️ Lunch: Monday – Friday 11:30am – 2:30pm
| Dinner: Sunday-Thursday 5:00pm – 9:00pm | Friday – Saturday 5:00pm – 9:30pm
🐾 PET OF THE WEEK
in support of Pets In Need
Pet of the Week: Serena 🐶
Serena is a happy pup with a winning smile who’s ready to brighten up your life! Currently 5 months old, he weighs 15 pounds and is expected to grow to 30–40 pounds.
Learn more about Serena and how to adopt him or another pet in need here.
📆 EVENTS
👥 Community
Once Upon a Garden | Fri, Nov 14
Story time meets nature— a sweet, low-key family outing.
📍 Gamble Garden, Palo Alto
🕰️ 5pm–8pm
👉 Details
Bubbly Stroll | Fri, Nov 14
Sip & stroll with friends—perfect Friday warm-up.
📍 Veterans Community Plaza, Downtown Los Altos
🕰️ Starts at 6pm
👉 Details
Menlo Park Wine Walk | Sat, Nov 15
Tasting across downtown with live ambience and local shops.
📍 Santa Cruz Ave, Downtown Menlo Park
🕰️ 1pm–4pm
👉 Details
🎵 Live Music
Stanford Jazz Orchestra | Fri, Nov 14
Campus big-band energy—student musicians swinging hard.
📍 Dinkelspiel Auditorium, Stanford
🕰️ 7:30pm–9pm
👉 Details
Stanford Symphony Orchestra | Fri, Nov 14 & Sun, Nov 16
A premiere, an anniversary work, and Spanish favorites.
📍 Bing Concert Hall, Stanford
🕰️ Fri: 7:30pm–9pm | Sun: 2:30pm–4pm
👉 Details
Melvin Seals & JGB | Fri, Nov 14 & Sat, Nov 15
Jerry Garcia Band legend brings soulful jams with special guest Mads Tolling.
📍 Guild Theatre, Menlo Park
🕰️ Fri: 8pm start | Sat: 7pm start
👉 Tickets
Brent Cobb & The Fixins — The Ain’t Rocked in a While Tour | Sun, Nov 16
Roots, stories, and Sunday-night twang.
📍 Guild Theatre, Menlo Park
🕰️ Starts at 7pm
👉 Tickets
Free Boogie-Woogie & Swing Concert | Sun, Nov 16
Free community show by Matt Ball—bring friends and tap along to some classic American songs.
📍 Finn Center, Mountain View
🕰️ 2pm–3pm
👉 Details
🎭 Live Shows
Zoppé Italian Family Circus 2025 | Wed, Nov 12–Sun, Nov 16 (season continues)
Old-world big top with multiple showtimes on different dates.
📍 Redwood City (Main Library Lot, 1044 Middlefield Rd)
🕰️ View website for all show times
👉 Schedule & Tickets
Priory Theater — Alice in Wonderland | Thu–Sun, Nov 13–16
A whimsical classic on stage, combining “Alice in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass” in one play.
📍 Woodside Priory School, Portola Valley
🕰️ Fri & Sat: 7pm–9pm, Sun: 2pm–4pm
👉 Details
Gunn Theatre — Describe the Night | Thu–Sat, Nov 13–15
Award-winning contemporary drama by Rajiv Joseph, Rated PG-13.
📍 Gunn High School (Little Theater), Palo Alto
🕰️ 7pm–9:30pm every evening
👉 Details
Sequoia Drama — The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical | Thu–Sat, Nov 13–15
Camp Half-Blood leaps to life on stage.
📍 Sequoia High School (Carrington Hall), Redwood City
🕰️ 7pm-9pm every evening
👉 Details
ANNIE — Palo Alto Players | Fri–Sun, Nov 14–16
Local favorite with timeless songs for the whole family.
📍 Lucie Stern Theater, Palo Alto
🕰️ Fri: 7:30pm–10pm, Sat: 2pm–4:30pm & 7:30pm–10pm, Sun: 2pm–4:30pm
👉 Details
“Fun Home” — The Musical | Thu–Sat, Nov 13–15
A Tony-winning coming-of-age story told with heart.
📍 Pigott Theater, Stanford
🕰️ 8pm–10pm
👉 Details
Popovich Comedy Pet Theater | Sat, Nov 15
World-famous rescue-pet performers—kids love this one.
📍 Oshman Family JCC, Palo Alto
🕰️ Shows at 4pm & 6pm
👉 Tickets
Want to avoid “staying in” for the umpteenth weekend and get out of the house instead? Give one of these a try this week! (perfect for a date or hanging with a friend)
For the nature lovers
Coal Creek Preserve
Short ridge hikes with coastal peeks on clear days.
Insider tip: Cloudy in the valley? You might be above it here.
For the indoorsy folks
The Clay Lounge (San Carlos)
Try a wheel session lesson or hand-building; beginner friendly.
Insider tip: Book a weekday evening intro when it’s calmer.
🧠 TRIVIA TIME
1️⃣ Which was built first?
(A) Stanford Shopping Center
(B) Stanford Dish
2️⃣ Which creek forms the border between Palo Alto and Menlo Park?
A) Guadalupe
B) San Francisquito
C) Coyote
D) Alameda
3️⃣ What’s the name of the road just west of Palo Alto that’s famous for venture capital firms?
Wait until the end of the newsletter to see how many you got right!
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🌦️ WEATHER REPORT
Thursday: 🌧️ | High 66°F / Low 55°F
Friday: 🌧️ | High 62°F / Low 52°F
Saturday: 🌧️ | High 61°F / Low 52°F
Sunday: 🌧️ | High 60°F / Low 55°F
📝 TRIVIA ANSWERS
1️⃣ Stanford Shopping Center (1955; The Dish was built in 1961)
2️⃣ B — San Francisquito
3️⃣ Sand Hill Road
How many did you get correct this week?
Hope you enjoyed this edition of the Insider!
Til next time friends,
