Good morning, Palo Alto (and our nearby neighbors)! To report back on last week’s edition, and for all of you who have been eagerly waiting to hear, I stayed strong last weekend – my Christmas decorations are still in their boxes! No promises about it being the same case this time next week though…
On this day in 1863: Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address during the American Civil War.
In today’s edition of Palo Alto Insider:
There’s a new sheriff in town 🚓
Taverna’ comfort Greek food gets the spotlight 🥗
Live music and plays dominate the events schedule again 🎶
Let’s dive in!
– Matt Cunningham
📰 LOCAL NEWS
Ken Binder appointed San Mateo County sheriff 👮♂️
Ken Binder (center) smiles as he is named sheriff by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. Post photo by Adriana Hernandez
Following the Board’s removal of Sheriff Christina Corpus, Assistant Sheriff Ken Binder has been appointed to lead the department after a thorough interview process. Expect continuity on core operations while leadership stabilizes.
Town & Country Village exploring apartments 🏢
Rendering courtesy Jones Architecture/city of Palo Alto.
Ellis Partners, the owners of Town & Country Village, are studying a plan to add housing on-site (reports reference a concept of ~158 apartments as an early proposal). It’s very early, with a long feasibility and community process likely ahead before anything is finalized.
🍴 RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT
Taverna 🥗 🇬🇷
A neighborhood favorite for elevated Greek: saganaki that actually flames, market fish, slow-braised lamb, and house cocktails (hello, Mastiha spritz).
Insider tip: book ahead for weekend prime times.
📍 800 Emerson St, Palo Alto
🕰️ Mon-Fri 11:30am-9:00pm | Sat & Sun 10:30am-9:00pm
View their full menu here.
🐾 PET OF THE WEEK
in support of Pets In Need
Pet of the Week: Rio 🐈
Rio is an indoor/outdoor cat, and he seems to enjoy both worlds — whether he’s lounging in a sunny window or exploring the yard with quiet confidence. He’s curious, calm, loves finding cozy spots to curl up in, and best of all, available for adoption today!
Learn more about Rio and how to adopt him or another pet in need here.
📆 EVENTS
👥 Community
ART on the Square – 10th Anniversary Holiday Show | Sat, Nov 22
Shop local art, jewelry, and gifts—perfect pre-holiday browse at Courthouse Square.
📍 Courthouse Square, Redwood City
🕰️ 10am–4pm
👉 Event Details
Downtown Mountain View Walking Tour | Sun, Nov 23
A relaxed, story-packed stroll through Castro Street & beyond.
📍 Centennial Plaza, Mountain View
🕰️ 2pm–4pm
👉 Register / Details
🎵 Live Music
THE WILDCATS — Benefit for Americares | Wed, Nov 19
Americares Benefit night at the Guild with classic hits from The Beatles, Bruno Mars, The Doobie Brothers, Motown, Springsteen, Van Morrison, and more.
📍 Guild Theatre, Menlo Park
🕰️ Starts at 8pm
👉 Get Tickets
Jefferson Starship — 50th Anniversary Tour | Fri, Nov 21
“Miracles,” “Jane,” and more at Guild Theatre from one of the most successful arena rock bands of the '70s and '80s.
📍 Guild Theatre, Menlo Park
🕰️ Starts at 7pm
👉 Get Tickets
Peninsula Symphony + Stanford Symphonic Chorus | Sat, Nov 22 & Sun, Nov 23
Annual collaboration—choral/orchestral favorites in Bing.
📍 Bing Concert Hall, Stanford
🕰️ Sat: 7:30pm–9:30pm • Sun: 2:30pm–4:30pm
👉 Event Page
Redwood Symphony 40th Anniversary w/ Mason Bates | Sat, Nov 22
Community orchestra, big program, guest Mason Bates; pre-concert talk 6:45pm.
📍 Cañada College Main Theater, Redwood City
🕰️ 7:30pm–9pm
👉 Get Tickets
James Garner’s Tribute to Johnny Cash | Sun, Nov 23
“I Walk the Line,” live at the Fox from one of Cash’s finest tribute groups.
📍 Fox Theatre, Redwood City
🕰️ Starts at 3pm
👉 Get Tickets
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy — Wild & Swingin’ Holiday Party | Sun, Nov 23
After 32 years, 11 records, over 3000 live shows, and countless appearances in film and television, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is showing no signs of slowing down.
📍 Guild Theatre, Menlo Park
🕰️ Starts at 7pm
👉 Get Tickets
🎭 Live Shows
Zoppé Italian Family Circus | Wed–Sun, Nov 19–23 (season continues)
Old-world big top, multiple daily showtimes.
📍 1044 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City
🕰️ Varied; Wed 6pm among earliest
👉 View Schedule
Woodside HS Drama presents You Can’t Take It With You | Fri–Sun, Nov 21–23
Student production of the Kaufman/Hart classic.
📍 Woodside HS Performing Arts Center, Woodside
🕰️ Fri 7:30pm • Sat 7:30pm • Sun 2pm
👉 Get Tickets
ANNIE — Palo Alto Players | Fri–Sun, Nov 21–23
Timeless musical at Lucie Stern in it’s final weekend of performances.
📍 Lucie Stern Theater, Palo Alto
🕰️ Fri 7:30pm • Sat 2pm & 7:30pm • Sun 2pm
👉 Get Tickets
Stage Play: Ada & The Engine | Fri–Sun, Nov 21–23 (runs to Dec 7)
Lauren Gunderson’s Ada Lovelace drama—perfectly local.
📍 The Pear Theatre, Mountain View
🕰️ Fri/Sat 8:00pm • Sun 2:00pm
👉 Get Tickets
Best of San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy | Sat, Nov 22
A comedy tour de force from some of the hottest up and coming acts in the Bay Area.
📍 Hillsdale Little Theater, San Mateo
🕰️ 8pm–9:15pm
👉 Eventbrite
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
Palo Alto Duck Pond loop 🦆
Easy waterside stroll with egrets, avocets, and sunset views.
👉 Insider Tip: Golden hour = best photos; bring a wind layer.
For the indoorsy folks
Palo Alto Art Center exhibitions 🖼
Rotating contemporary shows and a sculpture garden – a calm hour every day.
👉 Insider Tip: Check for Thursday evening programs.
🧠 TRIVIA TIME
1️⃣ Which opened first—Taverna or Tamarine?
A) Taverna
B) Tamarine
2️⃣ What’s the main concert venue at Stanford for large orchestral/choral events?
A) Dinkelspiel Auditorium
B) Frost Amphitheater
C) Bing Concert Hall
D) Memorial Auditorium
3️⃣ Which national park is closest to Palo Alto?
Wait until the end of the newsletter to see how many you got right!
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🌦️ WEATHER REPORT
Wednesday: 🌧️ | High 57°F / Low 48°F
Thursday: 🌧️ | High 57°F / Low 49°F
Friday: ☀️ | High 60°F / Low 46°F
Saturday: ☀️ | High 62°F / Low 47°F
Sunday: ☀️ | High 62°F / Low 46°F
📝 TRIVIA ANSWERS
1️⃣ Tamarine (2002) preceded Taverna (2018)
2️⃣ Bing Concert Hall.
3️⃣ Pinnacles National Park (highly recommend hiking here!).
How many did you get correct this week?
Hope you enjoyed this edition of the Insider!
Til next time friends,
