Good morning, Palo Alto (and our nearby neighbors)!
On this day in 1969: ARPANET sent its first message, laying the groundwork for today’s internet. The first word attempted was “LOGIN”… only “LO” went through. Classic!
In today’s edition of Palo Alto Insider:
Palo Alto & Stanford team up to improve downtown bus connections 🚌
A swanky new bar & kitchen landed at Town & Country 🍸
Live music dominates the event schedule 🎵
Let’s dive in!
– Matt Cunningham
📰 LOCAL NEWS
Palo Alto, Stanford team up to improve downtown bus connections 🚌
City staff and Stanford are partnering to improve transit links between downtown Palo Alto, Caltrain, and the Stanford campus—think tighter connections and easier transfers (e.g., Caltrain ⇄ Marguerite/VTA). Plan details and timelines are developing, but the goal is a smoother, car-free hop around downtown.
Council backs seven-story housing near downtown 🏢
Rendering created by the city of Palo Alto
City Council signaled support for a subsidized housing project at the 7-Eleven parking lot (Kipling & Lytton), favoring a design with ~72 apartments. The move follows a new state law enabling up to seven stories near Caltrain stations. Final design/approvals still ahead.
🍴 RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT
Horsefeather 🍸
Town & Country’s newest hangout is about to enter it’s fifth month here in our neighborhood. A polished-but-cozy spot, Horsefeather is one of our new go-tos for crafted cocktails and California comfort food (special shoutout to their shrimp tacos, Korean crispy wings, and smash-style double cheeseburger).
Walk-ins are welcome (but we’d recommend reserving a table); brunch on weekends; and happy hour is Tue–Fri at 2–5pm (all day on Mondays!!).
📍 Town & Country Village
View their full menu here.
🐾 PET OF THE WEEK
in support of Pets In Need
Pet of the Week: Esmeralda 🐶
Meet Esmeralda, a 5-month-old sweetheart (about 24 lbs, expected 40–50 lbs full-grown) who’s already charming everyone at Pets in Need’s Palo Alto location. Recently transferred from a partner shelter, Esmeralda is ready to learn, play, and cuddle – and most importantly, available for adoption!
Learn more about Esmeralda and how to adopt her or another pet in need here.
📆 EVENTS
👥 Community Events:
Kepler’s Anniversary Benefit: An Evening with Joan Baez | Wed Oct 29
A special benefit evening with the legendary artist & activist at Kepler’s.
📍 Kepler’s Books, Menlo Park
🕰️ 5:30pm–8pm
👉 Get Tickets
Mountain View Cars & Coffee | Sat Nov 1
Open to all makes/models—easy Saturday morning vibe.
📍 2410 Charleston Rd (Starbucks), Mountain View
🕰️ 7:00–10:30am
👉 Details
1st Saturday Board Games Day | Sat Nov 1
Drop-in tabletop day—bring a game or join one.
📍 Downtown Palo Alto Library (270 Forest Ave)
🕰️ 10:00am–6:00pm
👉 Learn More
Día de los Muertos Celebration | Sun Nov 2
Community ofrendas, music, and family activities.
📍 Courthouse Square, Redwood City
🕰️ 3pm–8pm
👉 Event Info
🎵 Live Music:
Dead Halloween (Grateful Dead tribute) | Wed Oct 29
📍 Fox Theatre, Redwood City
🕰️ Starts at 7:30pm
👉 Get Tickets
Terrícolas en vivo | Thu Oct 30
📍 Fox Theatre, Redwood City
🕰️ Starts at 8pm
👉 Get Tickets
Pink Talking Fish (50th Anniversary Celebration) | Thu Oct 30
📍 Guild Theatre, Menlo Park
🕰️ Starts at 8pm
👉 Get Tickets
Juan Carlos LIVE | Fri Oct 31
📍 Fox Theatre, Redwood City
🕰️ Starts at 7pm
👉 Get Tickets
Spafford | Fri Oct 31
📍 Guild Theatre, Menlo Park
🕰️ Starts at 8pm
👉 Get Tickets
Fleetwood Macramé | Sat Nov 1
📍 Guild Theatre, Menlo Park
🕰️ Starts at 8pm
👉 Get Tickets
Blue Öyster Cult | Sun Nov 2
📍 Guild Theatre, Menlo Park
🕰️ Starts at 8pm
👉 Get Tickets
🎭 Live Shows:
Zoppé Italian Family Circus (Opening Weekend) | Sat–Sun Nov 1–2
Beloved old-world big top returns—multiple shows each day.
📍 Main Library Lot, Redwood City (1044 Middlefield Rd)
🕰️ Sat Nov 1: 12:00pm, 3:00pm, 7:00pm • Sun Nov 2: 12:00pm, 3:00pm, 6:00pm
👉 Schedule & Tickets
SF Symphony: Día de los Muertos | Sat Nov 1
Afternoon concert + art display & family activities.
📍 Oshman Family JCC, Palo Alto
🕰️ 12pm–5:30pm
👉 Get Tickets
🧠 TRIVIA TIME
1️⃣ Which is taller?
(A) Hoover Tower
(B) El Palo Alto (the redwood tree)
2️⃣ Which tech giant started in a Palo Alto garage?
A) Apple
B) Google
C) Hewlett-Packard
D) Facebook
3️⃣ What free campus museum in Palo Alto features one of the largest Rodin collections?
Wait until the end of the newsletter to see how many you got right!
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🌦️ WEATHER REPORT
Wednesday: ☀️ | High 77°F / Low 54°F
Thursday: 🌤 | High 67°F / Low 54°F
Friday: ☀️ | High 71°F / Low 51°F
Saturday: ☀️ | High 71°F / Low 52°F
Sunday: ☀️ | High 71°F / Low 55°F
📝 TRIVIA ANSWERS
1️⃣ A – Hoover Tower (285 ft) vs El Palo Alto (~110 ft)
2️⃣ C – HP
3️⃣ Cantor Arts Center
How many did you get correct this week?
Hope you enjoyed this edition of the Insider! If anything looks off or you have something to add, just reply to this email—I’m listening. 👂
Til next time friends,
