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🏫 School Relocation, New Palo Alto Restaurant, and Candlelight Concerts

🏫 School Relocation, New Palo Alto Restaurant, and Candlelight Concerts

Plus wildfire prevention steps, Redwood City’s superintendent search, and your weekly lineup of events.

Greg Kemper
October 16, 2025

Good morning neighbors!

Welcome to this week’s Palo Alto Scoop!

In this week’s newsletter, learn more about the relocation of a local school, Redwood City’s superintendent search, a new Chinese restaurant in Palo Alto, wildfire prevention, and a charter school’s relocation, plus the events happening in the area.

Let’s dive in! 👇

In this week’s edition:

🏫 Bullis' Charter School’s Relocation: The Los Altos school’s new location.

🔎 Redwood City’s Superintendent Search: How you can provide your input.

🕯️ Family-friendly fun: Candlelight concerts, wine stroll, and Halloween movies!

🏗️ Preliminary Plans Filed for New Housing at 4103 Old Trace Road, Palo Alto

Plans are taking shape for a small residential infill project at 4103 Old Trace Road in Palo Alto that could bring seven new single-family homes and eight accessory units to a vacant one-acre site near Los Altos Hills.

Developed by Steel Bridge Capital and designed by Ponderosa Architecture, the proposal would deliver 15 total homes, including three designated as affordable. The project is being reviewed under Senate Bill 330, a state law that streamlines housing approvals. If approved, it would add modest density to one of the region’s most housing-constrained neighborhoods. Read more here.

🔥 Palo Alto Expands Wildfire Prevention by Burying Power Lines

Palo Alto is taking a proactive step to lower wildfire risks by burying nearly nine miles of power lines in the city’s foothills and rolling out a new education campaign on fire safety. The $11 million infrastructure project is about 80% complete and includes modernized communications systems to improve emergency resilience.

City leaders also designated October as Fire Prevention Month, with special focus on lithium-ion battery safety. Together, these efforts show the city’s growing investment in climate adaptation and public safety. Read more here.

🏫 Los Altos School Board Moves Forward with Bullis Charter Relocation

The Los Altos School District board voted 4-1 to move forward with plans to house Bullis Charter School at its upcoming tenth campus in Mountain View, expected to open in 2028. The decision directs staff to start preparing formal proposals and logistics for the move.

District leaders say the relocation could ease space constraints and create a long-term solution to a debate that has spanned over a decade. The move marks a turning point in how the district balances charter and public school needs. Read more here.

📚 Redwood City School District Seeks Public Input in Superintendent Search

As Superintendent John Baker prepares to retire, the Redwood City School District is inviting the community to help shape the search for its next leader. Parents, students, staff, and residents can share feedback through an anonymous survey open until October 24.

District officials say they want the process to reflect local priorities and values. This outreach could play a key role in defining the district’s direction as it transitions to new leadership. Provide your feedback here.

New Operator Selected for Woodside’s Chaparral Ranch at Wunderlich Park

Photo: Almanac News

The San Mateo County Parks Department has chosen Excel Equestrian to replace Chaparral Ranch as the new horse-boarding and riding vendor at Woodside’s Wunderlich Park starting in November. Excel already manages operations at Folger Stables and will begin under a two-year probationary contract. The decision follows a competitive bidding process earlier this year aimed at improving service quality and program offerings. Community members can expect continuity in equestrian activities with new management oversight. Read more here.

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Mamahuhu in Palo Alto

Photo: Mamahuhu

Chef Brandon Jew’s Mamahuhu has opened its fourth Bay Area branch in Palo Alto’s Town & Country Village, bringing its signature Chinese-American style to the Peninsula. The menu features comforting favorites like sweet & sour chicken, pineapple bun sandwiches, crisp egg rolls, and shareable entrees, alongside seasonal vegetable-forward options. The space has been designed for fast, friendly service with self-order kiosks and a layout built for casual gatherings. Mamahuhu continues to emphasize sustainable sourcing, balanced flavors, and creative twists on nostalgic dishes. Read more here.

SpiceVow: Indian-Filipino Fusion

Photo: Spice Vow

SpiceVow is a weekend pop-up and catering concept born from the culinary blending of Indian and Filipino traditions by couple Karen and Rahul Singh. Their dishes include paneer-stuffed lumpia with butter-chicken dipping sauce, laing palak paneer, butter chicken palabok, and ube chai.

Operating currently via pop-ups and catering, the venture emphasizes flavors rooted in both her Philippine heritage and his Indian upbringing. As it grows, the team hopes to expand into a commercial kitchen, pop-ups, and potentially broader operations. Read more here.

Read more here.

Candle

🎨 Public Art Festival: Code:ART | Downtown, several locations | Palo Alto | 10/16–10/18 | more
Experience downtown Palo Alto transformed into an open-air gallery, featuring light installations and interactive art.

🍷 Witches & Warlocks Wine Stroll | Downtown | Los Altos | 10/17 | more
Sip, shop, and stroll through downtown Los Altos while sampling fine wines and enjoying a festive, witchy vibe.

🐦 Bilingual Bird Walk | Cooley Landing | East Palo Alto | 10/18 | more
Join naturalists for a bilingual birding adventure exploring local wildlife and wetlands at Cooley Landing.

🎬 Halloween Movie Night: Shrek | Grant Park Soccer Field | Los Altos | 10/18 | more
Grab your blankets and enjoy a family-friendly outdoor screening of Shrek under the stars.

🌱 Edible Gardening: Fall Session | Gamble Garden | Palo Alto | 10/18 | more
Learn fall planting tips and seasonal gardening techniques in this hands-on workshop at Gamble Garden.

🕯️ Spooky Candlelit Concert | Palo Alto Children’s Theatre | Palo Alto | 10/18 | more
Enjoy eerie melodies and haunting harmonies at this candlelit concert perfect for spooky season for teens to high schoolers.

🇵🇭 Filipino Heritage Celebration | Downtown Library | Redwood City | 10/18 | more
Celebrate Filipino culture with music, dance, and storytelling honoring generations of community and heritage.

🌍 Palestine Cultural Day | Courthouse Square | Redwood City | 10/18 | more
A day of cultural celebration featuring Palestinian art, food, and music in the heart of Redwood City.

🎎 Pan-Asian Wonder Bazaar | Santa Clara County Fairgrounds | San Jose | 10/18 | more
Explore a lively marketplace showcasing food, crafts, and performances from across Asia.

📚 Bell’s Books 90th Anniversary Party | Bell’s Books | Palo Alto | 10/18 | more
Celebrate nine decades of literary legacy at this community gathering honoring Palo Alto’s iconic bookstore.

🎶 Claudia Russel & Bruce Kaplan Folk Music | Dala’s Nest | Menlo Park | 10/19 | more
Enjoy an intimate evening of folk and Americana music in a cozy Menlo Park house concert setting.

🎃 Halloween Scare Faire & Costume Swap | Museum of American Heritage | Palo Alto | 10/19 | more
Trade costumes, play games, and dive into Halloween fun at this eco-friendly community event.

🎨 Art & Sound on Broadway | Redwood City | 10/19 | more
Immerse yourself in a day of live music and local art displays along Broadway in downtown Redwood City.