🐘 Mastodon Tooth Found Locally

More details on the fossil found locally and two big donations having a major impact on locals

Author

Greg Kemper
October 15, 2026

Good morning neighbors!

Welcome to this week's Palo Alto Scoop! This week, we have details about the Mastodon tooth found at a Midpeninsula Regional Open Space Preserve and two recent donations having a big impact on locals. Plus, fall events are in full swing!

Let's get to it!

In this week’s edition:

  • Business Updates: Black Bear Diner Coming to RWC, Mastodon Tooth Found at Open Space Preserve

  • Local Updates: Local Residents Making a Big Impact with Donations

  • Events: Fall events are in full swing!

Rare Ice Age Mastodon Tooth Finds a New Home at Stanford

A remarkable piece of Bay Area prehistory is now safely stored at Stanford. Researchers found a nearly foot-long Pacific mastodon molar submerged in a creek at a Midpeninsula Regional Open Space Preserve habitat restoration site, and paleontologist Wayne Thompson called it the most complete mastodon molar from the area. Estimated to be at least 10,000 years old, the tooth likely came from an animal around 45 to 50 years old, and Stanford researchers will study it for clues about its diet and environment. Stanford has made a 3D scan and plans to print replicas for educational outreach, so look out for hands-on opportunities. Officials are keeping the exact discovery site private and would rather let erosion reveal any remaining fossils than dig them up, so please don't go fossil hunting. Read more here.

Zuckerberg and Chan Give $1M to Finish History Museum Terrace

Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan donated $1 million to the San Mateo County Historical Association to help complete a rooftop terrace at the San Mateo County History Museum. The 2,897-square-foot terrace is the final phase of the museum's multiyear expansion, extending from the third-floor event space of the new Taube Family Carriage House and Automobile Gallery. Officials say it will become an indoor-outdoor venue for community gatherings, business events, celebrations and private functions. The Carriage House is scheduled to open Nov. 7, alongside a new exhibit at the historic Lathrop House and the HERO Natural History Gallery. Mark your calendars: the museum's big expansion debut is just a few weeks away, with a new event space on the way. Read more here.

Bay Area Family Gives Record $6M to Rebuild Big Basin

Good news for redwood lovers! The Reyneri family of Los Altos is donating $6 million, through the nonprofit Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, to help rebuild Big Basin Redwoods State Park after the 2020 CZU Fire. The gift fully pays for a new Redwood Ecology Interpretive Center in the heart of the old-growth grove, in memory of Dr. Cesare Reyneri. It's the largest single contribution the 50-year-old Friends group has ever collected. The 2020 fire burned across Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties and destroyed the park's headquarters and its earlier nature center. The park is open with reservation-based parking, so Peninsula visitors can already see the forest regrowing. Read more here. 

Black Bear Diner Coming Soon to Redwood City

Black Bear Diner is a Redding-based chain, founded in 1995, serving hearty American comfort food, including breakfast, burgers and salads. It's planning a Redwood City location in the former Applebee's space at 1135 Veterans Boulevard, next to the Peninsula Boardwalk shopping center. No opening date has been announced, but the diner is already advertising for servers, line cooks and hosts, so preparations appear to be underway. Menu favorites include The Grizz, Bigfoot, Biscuits & Gravy and the Santa Maria Tri-Tip. Read more here.

Pizzeria Cardamomo in Redwood City

Pizzeria Cardamomo, at 2053A Broadway in Redwood City, serves North Italian cuisine inspired by Lake Como, the home of Chef Momo, who was born in Morocco and spent years cooking in Como before opening here. The pizzas are scratch-made with organic ingredients and hand-prepared sourdough crusts, and the menu changes seasonally. It spans classics like Margherita and Carbonara as well as a Moroccan-inspired pizza with sausage and dried plums, a nod to Momo's roots. The restaurant lists tiramisu, arancini, meatballs, lasagna, calzones, and cacio e pepe among the dishes it's known for. Every table is also finished with Momo's house-made habanero chili oil and garlic oil, both sold by the bottle.

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We do our best to verify dates/locations of events, but please independently verify before attending as details are subject to change

🥬 Introduction to Vegetable Gardening | Palo Alto | Gamble Garden | 10/17 | more
Learn the basics of growing your own cold-season veggies in this hands-on class.

🐶 Pet Palooza Parade | Palo Alto | 457 California Avenue | 10/17 | more
Dress your pet (or favorite stuffed animal) in its most creative costume and strut down Cal Ave for a parade, contests, and prizes.

⛸️ Skate Against Hate | Redwood City | Redwood City Armory | 10/17 | more
Lace up and skate with your neighbors at the Armory for a community event standing united against hate.

🎃 Heritage and Harvest Festival | Menlo Park | Gatehouse | 10/17 | more
Visit the pumpkin patch, enjoy kids' activities and vendors, and tour the historic Gatehouse at this free family fall festival (9 AM to 4 PM).

🍺 OAKtoberfest | Atherton | Menlo College | 10/17 | more
Food trucks, live music, games, raffles, beer/wine and more!

🎸 Chris Isaak | Menlo Park | The Guild Theatre | 10/18 | more
See the "Wicked Game" crooner live with his band Silvertone at 8 PM (doors at 7).

🖍️ Fall Family Day | Palo Alto | Art Center | 10/18 | more
Make foil monoprints, collage art, dot art, and foam prints at this free creative afternoon (2 to 4:15 PM), which also includes a new Teen Zone.

🏡 Tour of Gamble House and Garden | Palo Alto | Gamble Garden | 10/20 | more
Step back in time on a 90-minute guided tour of Elizabeth Gamble's historic house and gardens.

🍃 Lemurpalooza | Palo Alto | Palo Alto Junior Zoo & Museum | 10/21 | more
Celebrate the zoo’s lemurs and learn all about them!