Menlo-Atherton grad files sexual abuse lawsuit against her former teacher, high school district
A former Menlo-Atherton High School student is alleging that her teacher sexually abused her about 20 years ago, when she was a teenager. A lawsuit was filed in San Mateo County Superior Court in June against the Sequoia Union High School District and instructional coach Salvadora Calonje for childhood sexual abuse and failing to protect…
Voter Guide 2026
Get to know the candidates and measures on your ballot with The Almanac’s 2026 Voter Guide, including in-depth profiles, issue comparison grids and campaign finance coverage.
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City Council Candidate Forum
| Date | Thursday, Oct. 8 |
| Time | 6–7:30 p.m. |
| Location | Menlo Park City Council Chambers 701 Laurel St. Menlo Park |
Join us for an election forum to hear from the candidates for the Menlo Park City Council, where seats representing District 1, 2 and 4 are up for grabs. The event will be livestreamed to YouTube and a recording will be available afterwards.
More Local news
Portola Valley Town Council: Craig Taylor
Mayor Craig Taylor was elected to the council in 2022 and previously served on the town’s Planning Commission and Emergency Preparedness Committee. He is running unopposed for another term on the city council.
Portola Valley Town Council: Judith Hasko
Hasko has been an active volunteer in town for 16 years and has served on the Trails and Paths Committee, Planning Commission and several ad-hoc committees including the Portola Road Corridor Plan Task Force and the Ad Hoc Affordable Housing…
Portola Valley Town Council: Mary Hufty
Over the last four years, Hufty said she has focused on gaining the community’s trust by hosting office hours and maintaining transparency.
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Food
Why a Foster City resident started his own line of decaf teas
Chris Horng’s company de-tea offers decaffeinated teas in green and black varieties, with more options brewing.
First look: Japanese supermarket Hashi Market to open first West Coast location in Cupertino
From unique snacks such as banana-flavored corn dogs to Japanese staples including soy sauce and miso paste, Silicon Valley’s newest Japanese supermarket has no shortage of tasty and functional finds.
Fast-casual Burmese restaurant TleafGreen is coming to Mountain View
From Mingalaba in Burlingame to Burma Taste in Sunnyvale, the Peninsula has quite a selection of Burmese food – but notably, all are sit-down restaurants. That’s where Mountain View newcomer TleafGreen is hoping to fill the void.
Arts & Culture
‘Heathens’ chronicles five people challenging their fundamentalist upbringings
Peninsula filmmakers’ documentary will have its world premiere this month at the United Nations Association Film Festival. The festival, which highlights films about human rights, opens Oct. 15 in Palo Alto.
What’s up this week: Local author Marley-Rose Teter, Afro-Latin jazz, a spirited symphony opener and more
This week, local author Marley-Rose Teter shares her debut YA novel and slack-key masters bring Hawaii to the Peninsula. Plus, a Nashville singer-songwriter at The Guild, Bruno Mars at Levi’s Stadium and more.
Local groups unite in Portola Valley for event, concert marking U.S.’ 250th anniversary
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, it seems fitting that a group of very different organizations are coming together to present a concert on Oct. 18 hailing this milestone year.
Spotlight
What to know about cyclosporiasis
The latest foodborne illness goes by the name cyclosporiasis (sigh-klo-spor-eye-uh-sis). Since the first known case in Michigan in June 2026, the parasitic disease has stricken thousands of people.
Experience Public Art on Stanford Campus
Stanford’s public art program includes more than 80 works spanning the 19th-21st centuries and reflecting the history, spirit, and dynamism of life on campus.
Community Calendar
Did you miss
Humans in the age of AI
Artificial intelligence is alternately billed as the most consequential technology in history or a speculative bubble that will pop and lead to economic chaos. For this project, a collaboration with photojournalist Mark Tuschman, we spoke to local residents and professionals…
Friends, family remember Jakub Solovsky, cyclist killed in Woodside head-on collision
Larry Abrahams remembers the rainy day that was the last time he rode with East Palo Alto resident Jakub Solovsky, a member of Western Wheelers who died July 11 in a head-on collision on Skyline Boulevard.
Real Estate
What $975K to $18.3M gets you on the Peninsula
From multimillion-dollar estates to more modest homes, this week’s highest- and lowest-priced home sales offer a snapshot of the Peninsula real estate market. See what buyers paid for homes across the region, including an $18.3 million Menlo Park property on…
How AI is changing the apartment search: Is it working?
AI is changing how renters search for apartments, from chatbots that answer questions and schedule tours to tools that can narrow a search based on a renter’s preferences. But the technology still has limitations — and California is beginning to…
October tips for your Peninsula garden: Cover crops, persimmons, shallots — and coffee
Should you put coffee grounds in your garden? When are persimmons ready to pick? Master Gardeners answer those questions and offer timely tips on winter soil care, planting garlic and shallots, and harvesting pomegranates.
The Six Fifty
‘I realized there was a lot of demand for this’: A new Peninsula business offers rentals of curated baby and toddler toys
A desire to avoid filling up her house with unwanted stuff that her daughter would soon outgrow led Redwood City resident Amy Bearman to start her business BurbleBox.
How a Coastside forest therapy guide is helping people reconnect with nature in Peninsula parks
Wendy Figone leads a regular series of guided therapy walks in partnership with the San Mateo County Parks Foundation.
Meet the ‘Beetlelady’ bringing interactive bug classes to all corners of Silicon Valley
San Mateo resident Stephanie Dole shares her expertise with kids and adults alike, with the goal of helping folks better appreciate the creepy crawlies around us.
Blogs
State News from CalMatters
