Good afternoon, Palo Alto (and our nearby neighbors)! Is anyone else in disbelief that it is already Wednesday, or just me?
On this day in 1962: President John F. Kennedy alerted Americans to the Cuban missile crisis, declaring a naval blockade to prevent further missile shipments to the island country 90 miles (145 km) off the coast of the U.S.
In today’s edition of Palo Alto Insider:
A new PA Fire Chief appointed 🚒
Fresh, fast, handmade noodles on University Ave 🍜
Stacked weekend events lineup 🚲🎶🎃
Let’s dive in!
– Matt Cunningham
📰 LOCAL NEWS
City taps Fire Department veteran as its next chief 🚒
City Manager Ed Shikada has selected Stephen Lindsey, an 18-year Palo Alto Fire Department veteran who’s served in multiple leadership roles, to become the next Fire Chief (pending Council approval). The move signals continuity inside the department and a focus on emergency preparedness ahead of the winter season.
Palo Alto proposing phased approach to address increase in residents living in RVs 🚐
RV encampments are rising fast in Palo Alto—county data shows a 113% jump in homelessness in two years, with roughly 70% of the unhoused living in vehicles. City leaders are floating a “phased” plan to move RVs off city streets amid pressure from residents and businesses—see what changes could be coming next.
🍴 RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT
Marugame Udon 🍜
Quick, affordable, and made-to-order—Marugame Udon opened their Palo Alto location early this summer bringing its glass-front noodle line to our front door. Watch fresh udon cut and boiled in minutes, then customize with broths (like Nikutama with sweet beef and onsen egg), plus a tempura bar (prawn, sweet potato, chicken katsu) and DIY toppings (green onion, tenkasu, chili oil).
My favorite part about Marugame Udon? The speed, portions, and value; a rare trifecta here in Palo Alto.
📍 383 University Ave – Palo Alto
🕰️ Sun-Wed: 11am-9pm | Thu-Sat: 11am-10pm
View their full menu here.
🐾 PET OF THE WEEK
in support of Pets In Need
Pet of the Week: Carla 🐶
Meet Carla, an 8 week old female pup who just arrived in Palo Alto from a partner shelter. She’s in that irresistibly curious stage—eager nose, wiggly tail, and the kind of gentle energy that makes staff think she’ll bond fast with her people.
Status: ready to go home today. Adoption is first-come during open hours, so if you’ve been waiting for a sign…this is it.
Learn more about Carla and how to adopt her or another local pet in need here.
📆 EVENT PICKS
👥 Community Events:
Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange Repair Day | Sat. Oct 25
Get hands-on fixing bikes that will be donated to neighbors in need—no experience required, friendly volunteers will teach you the basics.
📍 3961 E Bayshore Rd, Palo Alto
🕰️ 10am – 1pm
👉 Learn More / RSVP
Downtown Mountain View Walking Tour | Sun. Oct 26
A relaxed, story-packed stroll through Castro Street and beyond—architecture, local lore, and “I never noticed that!” moments.
📍 Centennial Plaza – Mountain View
🕰️ 2pm - 4pm
👉 Register / Details
🎵 Live Music:
Aegis LIVE | Fri. Oct 24
The legendary Filipino rock band brings big vocals and power ballads to the Peninsula.
📍 Fox Theatre – Redwood City
🕰️ Starts at 7:30pm
👉 Get Tickets
Omid & Jamshid LIVE | Sat. Oct 25
Persian pop icons share the stage for a high-energy night of classics and sing-alongs.
📍 Fox Theatre – Redwood City
🕰️ Starts at 8pm
👉 Get Tickets
The Music of Disney | Sun. Oct 26
A family-friendly outdoor concert of Disney favorites by youth musical group Harmony Ensemble—bring coffee and the kids for an easy Sunday morning.
📍 Gamble Garden – Palo Alto
🕰️ 10am - 11am
👉 Learn More
🎭 Live Shows:
Sacred Heart Prep: Little Shop of Horrors | Fri-Sun: Oct 24-26
Campy, spooky, and a perfect October crowd-pleaser from SHP Drama.
📍 SHP Performing Arts Center – Atherton
🕰️ Fri: 7:30pm | Sat: 1:30pm & 7:30pm | Sun: 1:30pm
👉 Get Tickets
🎃 Halloween Events:
Gamble Garden’s Halloween for Families | Sat. Oct 25
Face painting, crafts, trivia, and special animal guests—ideal for littles.
📍 Gamble Garden – Palo Alto
🕰️ 10:30am – 11:30am
👉 Get Tickets
Halloween Spooktacular at Red Morton | Sat. Oct 25
Inflatables, games, and costumes—classic community fun.
📍 Red Morton Community Center – Redwood City
🕰️ 12pm – 3pm
👉 Get Tickets
Union Cemetery Halloween Tour | Sat. Oct 25
Guided tours through a Gold-Rush-era cemetery—history with a spooky twist.
📍 316 Woodside Rd – Redwood City
🕰️ 10am – 11:30am & 1pm – 2:30pm
👉 Learn More
Halloween Haunted Hangar | Oct 18 – 27
Aviation meets Halloween at this family-friendly event packed with crafts, costumes, and candy.
📍 Hiller Aviation Museum – San Carlos
🕰️ 10am – 5pm
👉 Details
Nightfall at Filoli | Oct 15 – 28
Filoli Gardens transforms after dark with glowing art installations, music, and autumn treats — a stunning, not-too-spooky evening stroll.
📍 Filoli Gardens – Woodside
🕰️ 5:30pm – 10pm
👉 Details
🧠 WEEKLY TRIVIA
1️⃣ Which opened first?
(A) Town & Country Village
(B) Stanford Shopping Center
2️⃣ Which Peninsula venue sits on the site of a 1929 movie palace?
A) Guild Theatre (Menlo Park)
B) Fox Theatre (Redwood City)
C) Bing Concert Hall (Stanford)
D) Shoreline Amphitheater
3️⃣ What’s the name of Palo Alto’s 1,400-acre park with miles of trails and wildlife?
Wait until the end of the newsletter to see how many you get correct!
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🌦️ WEEKLY WEATHER
Wednesday: ⛅ High 68°F / Low 55°F
Thursday: ⛅ High 69°F / Low 54°F
Friday: ☁️ High 67°F / Low 52°F
Saturday: ☁️ High 67°F / Low 54°F
Sunday: ☁️ High 66°F / Low 53°F
📝 TRIVIA ANSWERS
1️⃣ Town & Country Village opened first, in September 1946, while Stanford Shopping Center opened in September 1955.
2️⃣ Fox Theatre (Redwood City) — a historic movie palace originally opened in 1929 (then called the Sequoia Theatre).
3️⃣ Foothills Nature Preserve.
How many did you get correct this week?
Hope you enjoyed this edition of the Insider – catch you next week!
Til next time friends,
