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A Horizontal Levee, Vegetation Clearing, and Fall Plans
Check out these 3 Restaurants for you to try this weekend!
Greg Kemper
October 09, 2025
Good morning neighbors!
Welcome to this week’s Palo Alto Scoop!
In this week’s newsletter, learn more about the new horizontal levee coming to Palo Alto, plus featured restaurants to check out and your weekend lineup of events.
Let’s dive in! 👇
In this week’s edition:
🌊 Palo Altos’ Horizontal Levee: what it is and how city officials believe it will help
🥚 Delicious deviled Eggs, the largest private jellyfish tank, and a Michelin star: three restaurants to try
🐾 Family-friendly fun: Pup parade, wine festivals, opera preview, and more
🔥 Palo Alto Partners on Vegetation Clearing to Reduce Fire Threat
In a strategic move to enhance wildfire resilience, Palo Alto has teamed with the Santa Clara County Fire Safe Council to begin clearing brush and overgrowth along Page Mill Road, a critical evacuation and access corridor. The vegetation management includes thinning trees, removing underbrush, and creating defensible buffers adjacent to residential and canyon areas.
Work will occur in phases to protect local ecology while prioritizing safety and emergency mobility. Officials say the project is part of a broader, multi-agency effort to protect communities across the foothills from increased fire risk. Residents can expect occasional road closures and staging zones as crews progress. Read more about the partnership and timeline for the work here.
🌾 Palo Alto Constructs Innovation: “Horizontal Levee” to Boost Habitat
Palo Alto has broken ground on a groundbreaking horizontal levee, an engineered wetland buffer designed to protect the Baylands from sea-level rise while simultaneously enhancing habitat and filtering stormwater. Rather than a traditional vertical wall, the levee slopes gently and is planted with salt-tolerant vegetation, allowing marsh species to migrate and buffer wave action naturally.
The project is also set to incorporate recycled water treatment through subsurface flow zones, reducing pollutants before discharge. City leaders hope this will serve as a scalable model for blending infrastructure, ecology, and climate resilience in coastal communities. Construction is scheduled to wrap up next spring, with adaptive monitoring following deployment. Explore the vision, design, and ecological promise of this levee here.
The Dutch Goose Celebrates 11 Years!
3567 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, photo from Dutch Goose
The Dutch Goose is proud to celebrate its 11th anniversary, marking over a decade as a Menlo Park institution known for its welcoming atmosphere and hearty American fare. Beloved by locals and visitors alike, The Dutch Goose pairs its community spirit with a menu of crowd favorites from juicy burgers and crispy fries to signature pizzas, sandwiches, and craft brews on tap. Their spicy deviled eggs are a crowd favorite!
A staple for game nights, family gatherings, and casual meetups, the Goose continues to blend comfort and camaraderie in every bite. With its photo-lined walls, lively patio, and tradition of good food and great company, The Dutch Goose remains a cherished part of Menlo Park’s dining scene. Learn more here.
Click here to feature your business in front of over 10,000 local residents!
Hurrica in Redwood City
150 Northpoint Court, Redwood City
Photo: Hurrica
Hurrica Restaurant & Bar is a modern American dining destination perched on the waterfront in Redwood City, offering guests a dramatic live-fire culinary experience with views over the marina. Named after the iconic Hurrica V yacht, its interior is anchored by teak wood accents, a custom hearth kitchen, and the largest privately owned jellyfish tank. From oysters and seafood to steaks and seasonal vegetables, the menu leans into smoked, grilled, and ember-cooked offerings that balance elegance with energy. With an ambiance that feels both immersive and refined, Hurrica provides a compelling setting for both special occasions and relaxed waterfront evenings.
Oak + Violet Restaurant
1400 El Camino Real, Menlo Park
Oak + Violet at Park James is the signature dining experience at Menlo Park’s Park James hotel. Under the guidance of Executive Chef Joseph Humphrey and a wine program curated by James Beard Award-winner Shelley Lindgren, the menu features seasonal, locally sourced Californian cuisine complemented by craft cocktails and an award-winning wine list. During the day, the café offers specialty coffees, herbal lattes, and freshly baked pastries, shifting into a refined evening menu with shareable plates and elegant entrees. The courtyard patio adds a relaxed outdoor dimension, inviting guests to linger over drinks, food, and warm conversation.
⚽ Teen Indoor Soccer Night | Red Morton Community Center | Redwood City | 10/10 | more
Teens can enjoy a night of friendly competition, teamwork, and fun during this special after-hours soccer event.
🎵 Shaky Ground | Freewheel Brewing | Redwood City | 10/10 | more
Support local music with been on tap and pub food.
🐾 Pet Palooza Parade | Cal Ave | Palo Alto | 10/11 | more
Bring your furry friends and join the community parade celebrating pets of all kinds along lively California Avenue.
🛼 Skate Against Hate | The Armory | Redwood City | 10/11 | more
Roll for a cause during this inclusive roller-skating event promoting unity, acceptance, and local community spirit.
🍷 Vines & Wines | Town Hall | Los Altos Hills | 10/12 | more
Sip and savor fine wines while enjoying scenic views and good company at this elegant Los Altos Hills tasting event.
💀 Sugar Skull Workshop | San Mateo County History Museum | Redwood City | 10/12 | more
Celebrate Día de los Muertos by crafting and decorating traditional sugar skulls in this family-friendly workshop.
🐴 Family Fun Horse Fair | 2955 Woodside Rd | Woodside | 10/12 | more
Enjoy pony rides, meet local horses, and learn about equestrian life at this beloved community fair.
🚗 Cars and Coffee Peninsula | Breakers Cafe | Redwood City | 10/12 | more
Car enthusiasts gather for classic rides, coffee, and conversation at this early-morning Peninsula meet-up.
🌿 Gardeners’ Hour at Gamble Garden | Gamble Garden | Palo Alto | 10/13 | more
Join fellow plant lovers for a relaxing hour of gardening inspiration and seasonal tips in a lush garden setting.
🎭 SF Opera Guild Preview | Rinconada Library | Palo Alto | 10/14 | more
Enjoy an intimate musical preview and behind-the-scenes insights from the San Francisco Opera Guild’s fall season.
🎨 Third Thursday on Cal Ave | 457 California Avenue | Palo Alto | 10/16 | more
Experience art, music, and local shopping at this lively monthly block party celebrating Palo Alto’s creative community.
💡 Code:ART Festival | Downtown | Palo Alto | 10/16 | more
Explore interactive light installations and digital art displays transforming downtown Palo Alto into a public art gallery.
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