Amid immigration crackdown, Mountain View discovers unauthorized access to license plate data
Despite repeated assurances of strict protocols and privacy safeguards, the Mountain View Police Department disclosed this week that it had inadvertently violated its own policies and allowed hundreds of unauthorized law enforcement agencies to search information captured by the city’s license plate cameras for more than a year.
More Local news
Mountain View looks to mitigate impact of state housing law SB 79
A new state law that allows for more housing near major transit stops drew scrutiny in Mountain View last year. Now the city is planning to develop an “alternative plan” that would mitigate some of the impacts.
California moves forward with bill to hold federal officers liable for unconstitutional conduct
On Tuesday, legislation introduced by Bay Area lawmakers that would hold federal officers liable for unconstitutional behavior moved forward in the state Legislature.
TheatreWorks seeks ‘permanent home’ at Cubberley in Palo Alto
The city of Palo Alto and TheatreWorks Silicon Valley announced this morning that they are exploring a partnership to create a performing arts center with two theaters at Cubberley Community Center, a project that city leaders hope will energize their…
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Food
Historic Woodside restaurant reopens as flower shop and cafe with Michelin cred chef
Nearly every day for five years, Aubriana Kasper drove by the olive-tinted facade of The Little Store in Woodside. Most recently, the building — identified by an eponymous wood sign celebrating its standing since 1902 — was used as a test kitchen for Hero Bread, but hadn’t been open to the public for years.
Asian fusion brunch restaurant from former Sweet Maple chef debuts
Nick Yoon is no stranger to Asian fusion brunch. For a decade he was the executive chef of Sweet Maple, crafting sweet and savory Millionaire’s Bacon and chewy matcha mochi waffles. Now, the Korean-born chef is debuting his own Asian…
After 30+ years, Mountain View’s Los Portales restaurant announces closure
A Mexican restaurant in Mountain View is closing Feb. 10 after serving customers for more than three decades.
Arts & Culture
The joy of Jane: Jane Austen Reader’s Theatre group offers free performances in Redwood City
The pleasure of hearing – and sharing – Jane Austen’s singular voice aloud is one of the reasons Peninsula actor Kristin Hall founded Jane Austen Reader’s Theatre, which presents free readings of Austen’s work by local actors at The Yard Coffee in Redwood City.
What’s up this weekend: Corey Harris, The Sklar Brothers, Gary Clark Jr. and more
This weekend brings shows by eclectic acoustic guitarist Corey Harris, Grammy-winning blues artist Gary Clark Jr., a concert highlighting African American composers living and historic, a book of letters written by Stanford students throughout the university’s history and identical-twin comedy…
Review: ‘Yoga Play’ sorts the poses from the posers
Dipika Guha’s “Yoga Play” is a hoot, a sendup of culture clashes and stereotypes about business, race and spirituality. The show runs through Feb. 15 at Los Altos Stage Company.
Spotlight
Changing diet to generate a healthier microbiome and a healthy individual
Stanford microbiologists Justin and Erica Sonnenburg are working to understand the complex microbial community that resides within the human gut and its potential for helping people live healthier, longer lives.
Ivy League mentorship for college applications and career foundations through meaningful projects
Path Mentors was born out of dissatisfaction with the toxic high-pressure environment that college admissions has created. Founded in 2019 by Columbia graduates, the Path Mentors’ team of nearly 100 mentors from a wide range of professions including technology, finance,…
Community Calendar
Did you miss
Major salt pond restoration nears completion in Mountain View
Yearslong construction work to transform a 435-acre pond once used for salt harvesting into a tidal marsh is wrapping up this month just north of Mountain View’s Shoreline Park.
Margaret Abe-Koga reflects on first year as Santa Clara County supervisor
It has been an eventful first year on the job for Santa Clara County Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga. Since joining the board last January, Abe-Koga has had to tackle a massive budget deficit, exacerbated by $1 billion in lost revenue that…
Real Estate
Midpeninsula sees drop in overbidding, but 2 markets are bucking the trend
Fewer buyers are paying over asking for single-family homes across much of the Midpeninsula — with a couple of notable exceptions. December sales data released this week by the California Association of Realtors shows that Mountain View and Los Altos…
How to grow a tea garden at home
Nothing beats the satisfaction of having a nice cup of tea – except maybe sipping a custom blend you grew and harvested from your very own garden. The Peninsula is suitable for cultivating many edible plants that can be used…
Exploring Kings Mountain: Redwood forests, ocean vistas – and glamping
This week, we’re highlighting Kings Mountain, an unincorporated community that stretches along Skyline Boulevard in the Santa Cruz Mountains about 5 miles above Woodside. Known for its redwood forests, fern-lined canyons, ocean vistas and distinctive geology, the area stands apart…
The Six Fifty
Ring in the Lunar New Year in Silicon Valley with lion dances, festivals and special events
The official start of the Lunar New Year is Feb. 17, but celebrations in Silicon Valley begin in earnest Jan. 24 and stretch through the end of February. Here’s our guide to celebrating on the Peninsula.
From grazing cattle to soaring redwoods and panoramic views of the coast, a new network of trails offers unprecedented access at a Peninsula preserve
Four new multiuse trails have opened in the 6,500-acre La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve located above Woodside and Portola Valley. The 6 miles of additions link up to existing trails and lace through the center of the preserve across…
Read all about it: Silicon Valley is home to a plethora of book clubs for all kinds of readers
For bibliophiles interested in sharing their enthusiasm for reading with others, book clubs can be a great way of creating community and diving deep into the written word in a friendly, yet organized, way.
