🛍️ Local Marketplace and Live Music this Weekend

Plus a 9 year old running a successful granola business and the changes to ride share service in Palo Alto

Author

Greg Kemper
June 25, 2026

In this week’s edition:

  • Local Updates: Ride share services being replaced and Los Altos Debating land use policies

  • Business Updates: Popular Bay Area restaurants closing its doors, effectively immediately

  • Events: HEAD WEST Marketplace, book-lover events, and live music

Palo Alto to Replace Link+ Rideshare Program with Transit Benefits
Palo Alto is phasing out its Link+ rideshare subsidy program and replacing it with a package of transportation benefits that includes transit passes and mobility vouchers. City officials say the change is intended to serve more residents while making better use of public funds, with a greater emphasis on public transit and sustainable transportation options. The new approach will help eligible residents access services such as Caltrain, VTA and other transit providers rather than relying on subsidized ride-hailing trips. For locals who used the rideshare program, the transition may require adjusting travel habits, but it could also provide broader access to regional transportation networks. Read more here.

ABAG Preparing to Increase Housing Targets Across the Bay Area
The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) is beginning preparations for the next Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) cycle, a process that determines how many homes each city must plan for over the coming years. Early discussions suggest housing quotas could increase significantly as state leaders continue pushing cities to address California’s housing shortage. While exact numbers have not yet been assigned, local governments throughout the Bay Area are already watching the process closely because future targets could influence zoning decisions, development proposals and housing policies. Residents may see more conversations about higher-density housing and new residential projects as cities prepare for the next planning cycle. Read more here.

Los Altos Hills Council Opposes Green Sheets Ballot Initiative
The Los Altos Hills Town Council voted against endorsing the proposed Green Sheets ballot initiative, a measure that has sparked debate over local land-use policies and development decisions. Supporters argue the initiative would give residents greater influence over major planning matters, while opponents contend it could complicate future decision-making and limit the town’s flexibility. The council’s action does not necessarily end the discussion, as proponents may continue efforts to bring the measure before voters. This highlights ongoing tensions between preserving community character and determining how future growth should be managed. Read more here.

Redwood City 9-Year-Old Expands Granola Business into Local Grocery Store

Redwood City elementary student Ethan Vitus has turned a homemade breakfast recipe into a growing business, with his Ethan’s Granola now available at Dehoff’s Market on Upton Street. Ethan began experimenting with granola recipes at age seven and now sells a blend featuring ingredients such as cranberries, blueberries, walnuts, pumpkin seeds and spices. Working alongside his mother, he obtained the necessary county permits and has expanded from online sales and pop-up events into retail distribution. Read more here.

Left Bank Restaurants Closing Bay Area Locations

Longtime French restaurant chain Left Bank is closing several Bay Area locations, including its Menlo Park restaurant after nearly three decades of operation. The closures mark the end of a well-known dining institution that has served generations of Peninsula residents and visitors. Restaurant operators cited ongoing business challenges facing the hospitality industry, including rising operating costs and changing dining patterns. The closures reflect broader pressures affecting restaurants throughout the region and leave notable vacancies in several prominent commercial districts. Read more here.

The Village Pub named to World’s Top Restaurants for Wine

Congratulations to The Village Pub in Woodside for being named to the Wine Spectator’s list of “The World’s Top Restaurants for Wine.” With a selection of over 3,000 wines, the restaurant continues to be a hot spot for local wine lovers. Their menu features heavily on wines form Burgundy, California, Rhône, Bordeaux, Italy, Germany, and Austria. Read more here.

The Rendezvous in Palo Alto

The Rendezvous is a new French-Italian bistro and wine bar that recently opened on Page Mill Road in Palo Alto, bringing together classic European flavors in a relaxed setting. The restaurant is led by chef Maxime Roucoule, formerly of the beloved French restaurant Pastis, and features several dishes that longtime locals may recognize, including escargot, mussels and pâté. Alongside the bistro menu, guests will find an extensive wine selection, daily specials and a marketplace stocked with charcuterie and cheese board ingredients. Plans are also underway for a grab-and-go deli concept and happy hour offerings. The concept blends the casual atmosphere of a wine bar with a food-focused menu inspired by both French and Italian culinary traditions.

Chaat Bhavan in Mountain View

Chaat Bhavan specializes in Indian street food and vegetarian cuisine, showcasing flavors from across India. The menu features popular chaats such as pani puri, bhel puri and sev puri, alongside South Indian favorites like dosas and uttapams. Guests will also find North Indian specialties including curries, paneer dishes and freshly baked naan. Known for its extensive vegetarian offerings, the restaurant highlights the diverse regional influences that make Indian cuisine so varied and flavorful. Its menu balances traditional recipes with contemporary presentation while celebrating India's vibrant street-food culture.

Click here to feature your business in front of over 10,000 local residents!

🎶 Thursday Live on Cal Ave | Palo Alto | Cal Ave | 6/25 | more
Enjoy live music in downtown Palo Alto, featuring activities, games, and more!

⚽ Soccer on the Square | Redwood City | Courthouse Square | 6/25 | more
Enjoy an outdoor viewing of 3 World Cup matchups- Ecuador vs Germany, Tunisia vs Netherlands, and Türkiye vs United States. Plus, Fan Zone & Youth Zone!

📸 Photovoice: Our Stories, Our Cultures, One Country | Redwood City | 500 County Center | 6/26-7/3 | more
Explore a powerful community photography exhibit that highlights personal stories, cultural identities, and the diverse experiences that shape our shared community.

🎨 Friday Night at the Art Center | Palo Alto | Art Center | 6/26 | more
Enjoy an evening of hands-on art activities, gallery experiences, creative workshops, and community connection at the Palo Alto Art Center.

🎶 Music on the Square | Redwood City | Courthouse Square | 6/26 | more
Enjoy live music in downtown Redwood City, featuring BULULÚ, a Latin/Caribbean band playing lively dance music.

🎭 Poetry Nap: The Nature of Love | Woodside | Filoli | 6/27 | more
Experience an immersive outdoor theater performance that blends poetry, storytelling, and nature in the beautiful surroundings of Filoli.

🎶 Twilight Concert | Palo Alto | Mitchell Park | 6/27 | more
Enjoy live music in the park, featuring Heartless- a Heart tribute band

🎸 Rock the Dock | Redwood City | 459 Seaport Court | 6/27 | more
Enjoy live waterfront music, dancing, food, and scenic harbor views during this popular summer concert series on the waterfront.

🎨 Magical Art Projects with Casa Circulo Cultural | Redwood City | Magical Bridge Playground | 6/27 | more
Watch stories come to life through a unique blend of acrobatics, movement, and interactive performance designed to entertain audiences of all ages.

🏴‍☠️ Captain Achoo's Big Pirate Adventure | Woodside | Filoli | 6/28 | more
Join Captain Achoo on a swashbuckling theatrical adventure filled with music, storytelling, and interactive fun for the whole family.

🛍️ HEAD WEST Marketplace | Los Altos | State Street at 3rd Street | 6/28 | more
Shop from local makers, artists, designers, vintage sellers, and food vendors while enjoying live music in a vibrant open-air market setting.

📚 Book Launch Event | Los Altos | A Novel Affair | 6/28 | more
Meet authors, hear about their latest work, and celebrate the release of “A Foresaken Prophecy” during this special literary gathering.

⚽ Soccer on the Square | Redwood City | Courthouse Square | 6/28-7/1 | more
Enjoy an outdoor viewing of group play World Cup games- matchups are TBD!

🔬 Apricot STEM Fair | Los Altos | Los Altos History Museum | 6/28 | more
Explore hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math activities inspired by the region's agricultural history and designed for curious minds of all ages.

📖 Book Bites: Summer Fun | Redwood City | Library | 6/30 | more
Join a lively discussion of Jeanne Thornton's Summer Fun and connect with fellow readers while exploring the themes and characters of this acclaimed novel.