• Palo Alto Scoop
  • Posts
  • 🎃 Peninsula Halloween Events & New Sushi Spot in Redwood City

🎃 Peninsula Halloween Events & New Sushi Spot in Redwood City

Plus, Learn more about an award winning children's science book written by Paly students

Author

Greg Kemper
October 22, 2026

In partnership with

Good morning neighbors!

Welcome to this week's Palo Alto Scoop! This week, a potential parcel tax in Palo Alto, Paly students publish a children’s science book, and a focus on increased safety for Woodside roads. Plus, we have fall events in full swing and Halloween events around the Bay!

Let's get to it!

In this week’s edition:

  • Business Updates: Revolving sushi restaurant coming to Redwood City

  • Local Updates: A potential parcel tax in Palo Alto, Paly students publish a children’s science book, and a focus on increased safety for Woodside roads

  • Events: HEAD WEST Marketplace returns, fall events are in full swing, and Halloween events around the Bay.

Let world-class chefs answer your cravings.

Tired of the same meal prep on repeat? CookUnity can help. Because they connect you with 500+ meals handcrafted by over 130 world-class chefs, including Michelin-starred chefs and Food Network stars.

Explore 60+ different cuisines and diets, and choose dishes that fit your cravings and preferences. Your meals arrive fresh and ready to heat in minutes, so no prep or cleanup.

Whether you're in the mood for a comforting classic or a new flavor, there's always something new to discover because the menu rotates weekly, and their chefs are always creating new recipes.

Explore the menu available in your area and build a weekly plan you can skip, pause, or adjust anytime.

Mountain Highway Safety Town Hall Draws Legislators, CHP and Caltrans

State and county leaders held a town hall Tuesday night at the Mountain Terrace on speeding and reckless driving along Highways 84 and 35. It was hosted by state Sen. Josh Becker, Assemblymember Marc Berman and County Supervisor Ray Mueller, with Sheriff Ken Binder, a CHP representative and Caltrans staff taking questions. The meeting followed the deaths of two cyclists in collisions on the highways: Eric Biron in August 2025 at the Highways 35 and 84 intersection ("Four Corners"), and Jakub Solovsky in July. Caltrans was expected to share updates from its Road Safety Audits, and Berman said every option, including speed cameras, should be evaluated. Some residents are drafting speed camera legislation, while others want more straightaways, turnouts and passing lanes. If you missed it, the event was livestreamed and recorded. Read more here.

Paly Students Publish Award-Winning Children's Science Book

A group of Palo Alto High School students has published The Brave Fuzzy: A Microbiome Story, a picture book meant to get young kids excited about science. The students run Pen & Pipette, a nonprofit and school club that wants to create the kind of children's science books its teenage members wish they'd had. In the story, different "fuzzies" represent the microbes that work together to digest food and stabilize the body, and the book ends with a simple explanation of the science. The team spent two years on the project, consulting both scientists and elementary-school-age children. It earned a coveted Kirkus Star, a five-star Readers' Choice Book Awards review and an A grade from BookLife by Publishers Weekly. Local families can support these young authors by picking up a copy, and the book makes a good gift for curious kids. Read more here.

Stanford's Robert Hall Wins Nobel Prize in Economics

Stanford economist Robert E. Hall, shares the 2026 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences with Columbia University's Michael Woodford, announced Monday, Oct. 12. Their work on how consumers and businesses make decisions has helped shape the models that governments and central banks use to manage economic shocks like inflation and energy crises. Hall's best-known contribution is a short 1978 paper, that tested how households decide what to spend. He is now an emeritus professor and Hoover senior fellow, and he thanked Stanford and Hoover for the freedom to pursue his research. The award is the second Nobel Prize won by a Stanford professor this year. The prizes will be formally presented on Dec. 10. Read more here.

Palo Alto School Board Eyes March 2027 Parcel Tax

The Palo Alto Board of Education has unanimously expressed early interest in putting a new parcel tax on the ballot in March 2027. The district faces possible staff layoffs and financial uncertainty, and officials say the measure could bring in roughly $17 million. It follows voters' rejection of the previous parcel tax, Measure B, in June, which the Stanford Daily reports was the first such defeat in 22 years. Board members will wait to consult the district's election consultant before settling the details in November, and Board President Shounak Dharap said the new board will likely make the final decisions. For property owners, a parcel tax is a flat per-parcel charge that needs two-thirds voter approval, so watch for the specifics this fall. Read more here.

Palo Alto Joins Menlo Park's Court Fight Over 39-Story Sunset Campus Towers

The Palo Alto City Council voted unanimously on Oct. 19 to have the city attorney file a court brief supporting Menlo Park in a lawsuit over a proposed development at 80 Willow Road, the former Sunset Magazine campus along San Francisquito Creek, the border between the two cities. Developer Oisin Heneghan of N17 Development proposes three towers, up to 39 stories, with 665 apartments, a hotel, office space and a preschool. Menlo Park denied his request for an expedited review on Sept. 29, and he then sued. He says state law gives him the right to build, and California Attorney General Rob Bonta sent Menlo Park a letter supporting him. Palo Alto Councilman Pat Burt cited concerns about slower emergency response, harm to the creek and added traffic on Middlefield Road and University Avenue. Separately, Congressman Sam Liccardo asked the U.S. Treasury Department on Sept. 24 to review the project's funding sources. Read more here.

Kura Revolving Sushi Heads to Sequoia Station

Sushi lovers, get ready: Kura Revolving Sushi Bar plans to open this spring at Sequoia Station Shopping Mall (1101 El Camino Real, Space F1D, Redwood City). Diners can grab nigiri and rolls off a conveyor belt or order from a touchpad, while a robot named Kur-B delivers drinks and condiments. Each empty plate dropped into a slot at the table counts toward prizes. The 4,000-plus-square-foot, 123-seat restaurant will be about 50% larger than Kura's San Francisco and Cupertino locations. Its 100-plus-item menu includes crispy rice and California rolls made with snow crab. Pricing isn't set, but diners typically eat six to seven plates. Revolving sushi is rare on the Peninsula, so locals won't need to drive to Cupertino or San Francisco for it anymore. Read more here.

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

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

🍷 Witches & Warlocks Wine Stroll | Los Altos | Downtown | 10/23 | more
Downtown Los Altos takes on a Halloween theme for the Witches & Warlocks Wine Stroll.

🖍️ Family Coloring | Los Altos | Los Altos Library, Orchard Room | 10/23 | more
Families can get creative together at this coloring event in the Orchard Room at Los Altos Library.

🪄 Halloween Magic | Palo Alto | Gamble Garden | 10/24 | more
Gamble Garden hosts Halloween Magic, a seasonal event at its Palo Alto garden. The Halloween-themed program brings a festive touch to the garden setting.

🫖 Halloween Tea | Palo Alto | Gamble Garden | 10/24 | more
Gamble Garden also features a Halloween Tea event on October 24. The seasonal gathering combines a Halloween theme with a tea experience in the garden setting.

🎃 Halloween Spooktacular | Redwood City | Red Morton Community Center | 10/24 | more
Redwood City’s Halloween Spooktacular brings Halloween festivities to Red Morton Community Center. The event is part of the city’s seasonal celebrations.

💄 Halloween Drag Brunch | Redwood City | Alhambra Irish House | 10/24 | more
Alhambra Irish House hosts a Halloween-themed drag brunch in Redwood City. The event pairs brunch with drag performances and seasonal costumes.

🎭 Halloween Hoopla Parade and Carnival | Menlo Park | Santa Cruz Avenue | 10/24 | more
Menlo Park’s Halloween Hoopla brings a parade and carnival to Santa Cruz Avenue. The community event offers a seasonal gathering for families and residents.

🎪 Halloween Carnival | Redwood City | Redwood City Parents Nursery School | 10/24 | more
Redwood City Parents Nursery School hosts a Halloween carnival featuring seasonal community festivities.

🛍️ HEAD WEST Marketplace | Los Altos | State Street at Third Street | 10/25 | more
HEAD WEST Marketplace brings local makers, artists, designers, crafters, and vintage sellers to downtown Los Altos. Visitors can browse independent vendors and explore handmade goods, vintage finds, and locally designed products.

🎃 Pumpkin Splash! | Menlo Park | Belle Haven Pool | 10/25 | more
Belle Haven Pool hosts Pumpkin Splash!, adding a seasonal twist to a pool outing in Menlo Park. The event combines a Halloween-inspired theme with aquatic fun.

🧙 Halloween Costume Party | Palo Alto | Magical Bridge Playground | 10/25 | more
Magical Bridge Playground hosts a Halloween costume party in Palo Alto. The event offers a chance for families to celebrate the season in an inclusive playground setting.

🎃 Plus, Other Halloween Fun Around the Peninsula

From costume parties and haunted attractions to seasonal strolls and family-friendly festivities, there are plenty of ways to celebrate Halloween around the Peninsula this week.

🕺 Thriller Dance Workshop | San Mateo | Motion Arts Center | 10/24 | more
Learn the iconic choreography from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” at this Halloween-themed dance workshop. Motion Arts Center provides event information, including registration and class details.

🪄 Halloween Magic | Palo Alto | Gamble Garden | 10/24 | more
Gamble Garden adds a little Halloween enchantment to its Palo Alto grounds with this seasonal event.

💄 Halloween Drag Brunch | Redwood City | Alhambra Irish House | 10/24 | more
Alhambra Irish House hosts a Halloween-themed drag brunch in Redwood City.

🍂 Fall Fest | Burlingame | Howard Avenue | 10/25 | more
Burlingame’s Howard Avenue hosts a fall-themed community festival.

🎃 Pumpkin Splash! | Menlo Park | Belle Haven Pool | 10/25 | more
Belle Haven Pool hosts Pumpkin Splash!, bringing a seasonal twist to a pool outing.

👻 Belmont Boo Bash | Belmont | Twin Pines Park | 10/28 | more
Belmont Parks and Recreation brings Halloween festivities to Twin Pines Park with the annual Boo Bash.