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- 🔥 Fire Season Prep, Property Values Peaking, and Property Tax Funding Local Community Colleges
🔥 Fire Season Prep, Property Values Peaking, and Property Tax Funding Local Community Colleges
Plus, outdoor summer concerts and movies and plenty of events for the kids.
Greg Kemper
July 16, 2026
In this week’s edition:
Local Updates: Palo Alto prepares for peak fire season; Palo Alto and Los Altos property values (and taxes) soar
Business Updates: Foothill - De Anza Community College approved new strategic plan
Events: Outdoor concerts and movies & kid’s events
Los Altos and Palo Alto lead the pack in a countywide property value surge
Santa Clara County's taxable property base just hit a record $760.1 billion for fiscal year 2026-27, up 4.74% from last year, but that growth is landing very unevenly across cities. Los Altos and Palo Alto, both dominated by single-family homes, posted some of the county's biggest increases, while Mountain View lagged behind due to its bigger, still-struggling commercial office sector. Roughly 17,000 homes changed hands countywide in 2025, and those residential sales and appreciation added a hefty $16.9 billion to the tax roll, with new construction contributing another $4.9 billion (a 29% jump from the year before). For locals, this reinforces just how hot the residential market remains here compared to the broader region, even as commercial landlords continue to feel the pinch — and it's worth noting that roughly 98% of the currently disputed assessed value countywide is coming from commercial properties, not homeowners. If you want to challenge your own assessment, informal reviews are open through Aug. 8 and formal appeals are due by Sept. 15. Read more here.
Palo Alto races to finish burying foothill power lines before peak fire season
A stark reminder of wildfire risk hit close to home on June 22, when a roughly 4-acre vegetation fire broke out near Arastradero Road, close to the Portola Valley border, prompting a multi-agency response before it was contained within the hour. Thankfully no structures were involved, but the blaze underscored why Palo Alto has spent years on an ambitious mitigation project: burying all city-operated power lines in the foothills. City officials say the effort, which has removed about 49,200 feet of overhead electric and fiber optic lines since it began in 2021 at a cost of $11 million, is set to wrap up within the month. Beyond undergrounding, the city is also running controlled burns to clear invasive vegetation, operating a seasonal fire station at Foothills Nature Preserve, and sending fire inspectors door-to-door in the hills to help residents prep their homes, including maintaining "Zone Zero," the critical first 5 feet around a house. For Foothill residents, this combination of infrastructure work and home-hardening outreach is a meaningful step toward reducing the odds of a repeat of past disasters like the 2020 CZU fire. Read more here.
Foothill-De Anza launches five-year Basic Aid strategic plan
The Foothill-De Anza Community College District has approved a new five-year strategic plan to guide its transition as a Basic Aid district, meaning it now relies primarily on local property tax revenue instead of California's standard community college funding formula. The plan focuses on maintaining financial stability while expanding student success initiatives, strengthening workforce development and improving long-term planning. District leaders say the additional flexibility comes with greater responsibility to carefully manage local resources as economic conditions change. For students and residents in Los Altos, Mountain View, Cupertino and surrounding communities, the strategy is intended to help keep the district financially resilient while continuing to invest in educational programs. Read more here.
Café Wisteria at Allied Arts Guild in Menlo Park
Nestled within the historic Allied Arts Guild, Café Wisteria offers a garden dining experience surrounded by Spanish Colonial architecture, fountains, and lush landscaping. The California-inspired menu highlights locally sourced, seasonal ingredients in dishes such as fresh salads, sandwiches, soups, pasta, and brunch favorites, with an emphasis on organic produce. In addition to lunch service, the café hosts seasonal brunches and afternoon tea events throughout the year. The woman-owned restaurant also provides catering and private event services, making it a popular gathering spot within the Guild's artisan campus.
Reef Zaman in Redwood City
Reef Zaman is a new Mediterranean restaurant specializing in flame-grilled dishes, located in the former Sizzler space on Veterans Boulevard in Redwood City. Led by Chef Mohammed Al-Omari, the menu features grilled lamb chops, kebabs, branzino, shawarma plates, wraps, and appetizers like hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, and falafel. The restaurant also serves traditional desserts including baklava and warbat, along with nonalcoholic drinks such as mint and raspberry lemonade. Opened by restaurateur Faris Alqabass, Reef Zaman brings Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influences together with a focus on charcoal-grilled cooking and generous family-style flavors.
Click here to feature your business in front of over 10,000 local residents!
🎶 Summer Concert Series: Smokin' Slice of Mojo | Los Altos | Hillview Soccer Field | 7/16 | more
Enjoy a free outdoor concert featuring Smokin' Slice of Mojo, with plenty of space to relax and soak up a summer evening of live music.
🎬 Movie on the Square: Shrek & A Minecraft Movie | Redwood City | Courthouse Square | 7/16n| more
Grab a lawn chair for a free double feature under the stars, beginning with an Shrek followed by A Minecraft Movie at Courthouse Square.
🎵 Summer Concert Series | Palo Alto | Howie's Artisan Pizza | 7/16 | more
Enjoy live music while dining outdoors at Howie's Artisan Pizza during Town & Country Village's Village Vibes Summer Concert Series.
👥 San Mateo County Inclusion Festival | Redwood City | 500 County Center | 7/16 | more
Celebrate community and belonging with performances, activities, resources, and family-friendly fun highlighting inclusion and accessibility throughout San Mateo County.
🐍 World Snake Day | Palo Alto | Palo Alto Junior Zoo | 7/16 | more
Slither over to celebrate World Snake Day with up-close animal encounters, snake-themed activities, and opportunities to learn about these fascinating reptiles.
🎼 Magical Series: Summer Concert Series | Palo Alto | Magical Bridge Playground | 7/17 | more
Enjoy an inclusive outdoor concert featuring live music in a welcoming setting designed for visitors of all ages and abilities.
🎤 Rock the Dock | Redwood City | 459 Seaport Court | 7/18 | more
Spend your Saturday by the waterfront with live bands, food and drinks, and scenic views at Redwood City's popular summer concert series.
🎉 Entertainment Zone Night | Redwood City | Broadway Pedestrian Mall | 7/18 | more
Enjoy outdoor dining, live entertainment, and the freedom to sip beverages purchased from participating businesses while exploring downtown Redwood City.
🎸 Kids Rock! 2026 | Redwood City | Courthouse Square | 7/18 | more
Bring the whole family for a morning of interactive live music, dancing, and kid-friendly entertainment at Courthouse Square.
🌳 The Wylding Woods | Redwood City | Downtown Library | 7/18 | more
Step into an imaginative storytelling experience featuring whimsical characters, interactive theater, and plenty of fun for young audiences.
🎨 Art Salon | Redwood City | Redwood Shores Branch Library | 7/21 | more
Create, connect, and unwind during this welcoming art session where participants can work on projects and explore their creativity together.
🧘 Tai Chi | Redwood City | Redwood Shores Branch Library | 7/22 | more
Improve balance, flexibility, and mindfulness during a gentle Tai Chi class that's open to participants of all experience levels.
🕺 Summer Concert Series: 80s Dance Hits | Menlo Park | Fremont Park | 7/22 | more
Dance along to your favorite '80s hits during this free outdoor concert at Fremont Park, part of Menlo Park's summer music series.
🎸 Soak Up the Summer Vibes: Petty Theft | Los Altos | Hillview Soccer Field | 7/23 | more
Bring a blanket, pack a picnic, and enjoy an evening of classic Tom Petty favorites performed live by tribute band Petty Theft.
🎬 Movie on the Square: Independent Short Film and Superman | Redwood City | Courthouse Square | 7/23 | more
Grab a lawn chair for a free double feature under the stars, beginning with an independent short film followed by Superman at Courthouse Square.
🎵 Summer Concert Series | Palo Alto | Village Eats | 7/23 | more
Enjoy live music while grabbing dinner or drinks at Village Eats during Town & Country Village's Village Vibes Summer Concert Series.