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- ⭐ 2026 Michelin Guide Release and Rent Control On the Ballot
⭐ 2026 Michelin Guide Release and Rent Control On the Ballot
Los Altos Art and Wine Festival, Clay and Glass Festival, Art on the Square, plus Summer Concerts, the 2026 Michelin Guide, and more!
Greg Kemper
July 09, 2026
In this week’s edition:
Local Updates: $4.5 million for Redwood City, rent control up for vote in November, and $30k in scholarships awarded
Business Updates: Turnover in local restaurants plus the 2026 Michelin Guide
Events: Los Altos Art and Wine Festival, Clay and Glass Festival, Art on the Square, and more!
Los Altos Kiwanis awards $30,000 in scholarships
The Kiwanis Club of Los Altos celebrated local high school students by awarding $30,000 in scholarships during its annual scholarship dinner, recognizing graduating seniors for their academic achievements, community service and perseverance. The scholarships will help students attending both two- and four-year colleges pursue a wide range of career paths. Kiwanis leaders emphasized the club's long-standing commitment to investing in the next generation through scholarships funded by community fundraising efforts. Read more here.
Redwood City rent control measure qualifies for November ballot
Redwood City voters are expected to decide a citizen-led rent control and tenant protection measure on the November ballot after organizers gathered enough valid signatures to qualify the initiative. If approved, the proposal would apply to many multifamily rental buildings constructed before 1995, capping annual rent increases at 60% of the Consumer Price Index with a maximum increase of 5%, while also expanding eviction protections and requiring larger relocation payments for some no-fault evictions. The measure would create a city-run rent stabilization program funded through annual landlord fees, although single-family homes, condominiums and newer housing would generally remain exempt under state law. The proposal has drawn both strong support from tenant advocates and opposition from landlord groups, making it one of Redwood City's most closely watched local ballot measures this fall. Read more here.
Redwood City film festival spotlights Magical Bridge documentary
This year's Redwood City Film Festival will feature a documentary highlighting the creation and impact of Magical Bridge playgrounds, the inclusive play spaces that began in Palo Alto and have expanded around the world. The film explores how the playgrounds were designed to welcome children and adults of all ages and abilities while fostering connection and accessibility. Festival attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the people behind the movement and the community partnerships that made the projects possible. Read more here.
Redwood City receives $4.5 million state grant
Redwood City has secured a $4.5 million state grant to expand public safety initiatives and youth-focused programs throughout the community. The funding will support violence prevention efforts, youth outreach, intervention services and partnerships with local organizations aimed at reducing crime before it occurs. City leaders say the investment will strengthen programs that connect young people with mentoring, education and other supportive resources. This is a significant boost for long-term community safety and services designed to help local youth thrive. Read more here.
Michelin Stars Retained by Local Restaurants
The 2026 Michelin Guide is published and locals will recognize a number of Peninsula restaurants. Selby’s in Atherton has old-school Hollywood charm, matched by the seemingly effortless poise of the sharply dressed service team. The kitchen team excels at modern takes on classic American cuisine. Protégé in Palo Alto features two former French Laundry chefs and features a multi-course tasting menu featuring the likes of Pacific sablefish with sweet onion dashi, 9-layer morel mushroom lasagna with Madeira sauce, and Flannery Beef with green garlic gnocchi. The Village Pub in Woodside has posh décor and gracefully professional service plus an impressive wine list boasts a wealth of lofty French vintages (in particular Burgundy and Bordeaux) alongside local and global choices sprinkled with some real bargains. See the full list of California restaurants here.
Restaurant Closures- Das Bierhauz, Redwood Bistro, Dashi
After serving downtown Redwood City for years, Das Bierhauz has permanently closed its doors. The restaurant space will soon become home to GangSan, a new Korean restaurant that plans to bring a different dining experience to the downtown district. Read more here. Redwood Bistro has closed after a challenging first year in business, adding another change to Redwood City's evolving restaurant landscape. Owners cited ongoing operational difficulties as they announced the closure. Read more here. Dashi Japanese Restaurant is set to close after 26 years in business, with owner John Bek saying the restaurant’s lease is being terminated by landlord Meta. The restaurant has long been a familiar gathering spot for local residents and workers, and customers interviewed by the Almanac described it as a neighborhood institution that was often bustling with regulars. Read more here.
Pompeii Ristorante in Los Altos
Pompeii Ristorante is a longstanding family-owned Italian restaurant known for serving traditional Southern Italian cuisine in downtown Los Altos. The menu focuses on classic pasta dishes, fresh seafood, veal specialties and wood-fired pizzas inspired by the flavors of Naples and the Amalfi Coast. Guests will also find house-made sauces, Italian wines and seasonal specials that reflect the restaurant’s heritage. For decades, Pompeii has been a fixture of the local dining scene, offering recipes rooted in Italian family traditions. Its emphasis on classic preparations and regional Italian cooking has made it a familiar destination for Peninsula diners.
Long Bar & Bistro in Los Altos
Located within the Courtyard by Marriott in Los Altos, Long Bar & Bistro offers an eclectic menu that blends American bistro fare with global influences. Breakfast selections include dishes such as chilaquiles, huevos a la Mexicana and avocado toast, while lunch and dinner menus feature items ranging from smoked salmon crostini and butter garlic clams to French onion soup and tuna tartare. The restaurant also offers a full cocktail program and Sunday brunch service. With a menu that incorporates Mexican, European and California-inspired flavors, Long Bar & Bistro serves as a casual gathering spot for hotel guests and locals alike.
Click here to feature your business in front of over 10,000 local residents!
🎞️ BraveMaker Film Fest | Redwood City | 7 Venues | 7/9-7/12 | more
A weeklong festival featuring independent cinema with a focus on brave stories that entertain, educate and create community experiences.
🎬 Movie on the Square: Shrek and Minecraft: A Movie | Redwood City | Courthouse Square | 7/9 | more
Now in its 20th year, Movies on the Square lights up Courthouse Square with free weekly double features for all ages.
🎶 Summer Concert Series: Carnaval | Los Altos | Grant Park Soccer Field | 7/9 | more
Dance the evening away to Carnaval's tribute to legendary guitarist Carlos Santana at this free outdoor concert.
📸 Family Slide Show | Palo Alto | Plaza Ramona | 7/9 | more
Step into a nostalgic evening of projected vintage slides and analog projectors at this interactive public art experience, and bring your own slides to share.
🎸 Summer Concert Series | Palo Alto | Wildseed | 7/9 | more
Kick off Town & Country Village's Village Vibes series with acoustic Latin guitar duo Gabo Y Daniel while you dine, shop, and soak in the summer atmosphere.
🏃 Registration Open: 42nd Annual Palo Alto Weekly Moonlight Run & Walk | Palo Alto | Baylands Athletics Center | 7/9 | more
Sign up now for this beloved under-the-moon race, offering a 5K walk, 5K run, and 10K run at the Palo Alto Baylands.
💍 Jewelry on the Square | Redwood City | Courthouse Square | 7/10 | more
Shop baubles, bangles, and beads from local makers at this sparkling market, complete with live music on the square.
🌲 Redwoods in the Round Theater Presents: My Dog Jack | Woodside | Filoli | 7/10 | more
Settle in beneath Filoli's towering redwoods for a laid-back evening set from San Francisco folk band My Dog Jack.
🏺 ACGA Clay & Glass Festival | Palo Alto | Palo Alto Art Center | 7/11 - 12 | more
Browse one-of-a-kind ceramics and glasswork from 130+ juried California artists at the west coast’s premier clay and glass festival, complete with live demos and a pottery throwdown.
🍷 Arts & Wine Festival | Los Altos | Main and State Streets | 7/11 -12 | more
Sip select local wines and browse work from artists and craftspeople nationwide at this beloved 47-year-old street festival, with free live music and a Kidzone for the family.
🫖 Miss Jasmine Tea and Her Enchanted Teapot | Woodside | Filoli | 7/11 | more
Bring the kids beneath Filoli's redwoods for a whimsical tale packed with music, puppetry, and unexpected delights.
🎸 Rock the Dock | Redwood City | 459 Seaport Court | 7/11 | more
Head to the waterfront for a free afternoon of funk, soul, and Motown hits from local favorites.
📚 Unearth a Story | Redwood City | Downtown Library | 7/11 | more
Dig into this summer's library reading adventure, themed around dinosaurs, paleontology, and archaeology, with prizes for readers of every age.
🏊 Summer Pool Party | Palo Alto | Rinconada Pool | 7/11 | more
Cool off with the whole family at Rinconada Pool for an afternoon of splashing, sliding, and poolside fun.
☕ Cars and Coffee | Redwood City | Woodside Plaza Shopping Center | 7/12 | more
Sip your morning coffee while browsing a rotating lineup of classic and custom cars at this free monthly meetup for auto enthusiasts.
🎸 Summer Concert Series: Classic Rock | Menlo Park | Fremont Park | 7/15 | more
Grab your lawn chairs and picnic essentials for a free evening of classic rock at twilight in Fremont Park.