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🍦 Yumi Yogurt, Cash to Fight Climate Change, and the Expanding Housing Project

🍦 Yumi Yogurt, Cash to Fight Climate Change, and the Expanding Housing Project

Oktoberfest, New Orleans cuisine, money to fight climate change, and your weekend plans!

Greg Kemper
September 18, 2025

Good morning neighbors!

Welcome to this week’s Palo Alto Scoop!

In this week’s newsletter, learn more about the San Antonio apartment complex expansion plan, Yumi-Yogurt reopening, the money San Mateo County has set aside for climate change, plus all the local events to fill your week!

Let’s dive in! 👇

In this week’s edition:

🏗️ San Antonio Housing Project Expansion: Project expanded by 100 units.

🍦 Yumi Yogurt Re-Opening in Redwood City: The family business plan

🍻 Family-friendly fun: Oktoberfest, concerts, fall festivals, and more!

🏗️ With City’s Blessing, Builder Expands San Antonio Housing Project

A developer called TimeSpace Group, led by Yorke Lee, has proposed a much larger housing project at 800 San Antonio Road in Palo Alto and is now planning an eight-story building with 175 apartments plus commercial space. This is a big jump from earlier versions: 75 units approved in 2024, then 120 units proposed earlier this year. The building will feature a mix of unit sizes (studios to three-bedrooms) and a two-story garage with 212 parking spaces.

Palo Alto leaders have been encouraging larger projects along San Antonio Road, wanting the corridor to serve as a major housing magnet. The plan is still under review, with the developer hoping for city approvals. Read more here.

💵 San Mateo County To Get Climate Cash

Over $100 million in state Proposition 4 climate bond funds are being directed toward coastal resilience in San Mateo County. The funding is aimed at helping communities vulnerable to sea-level rise, especially East Palo Alto, where projections indicate that nearly half the population and over 60% of land could be at risk of flooding within a decade without action. Of the total, about $62 million will go toward coastal resiliency projects, and another $40 million toward projects under the Bay Area Conservancy program.

State Senator Josh Becker has been a major advocate of the allocation, noting that prevention now will save larger costs (like financial, human, environmental) later. The funds will support shoreline restoration and other adaptation projects intended to protect vulnerable populations and land areas. Read more here.

🚕 Waymo Receives Permit to Operate at SFO

Waymo has been granted permission to begin operating robotaxis at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) under a phased pilot permit. The rollout will start with vehicles driven by humans, then progress to driverless rides with Waymo or airport staff as passengers, and eventually open up fully for commercial users.

This makes SFO the second airport in California to authorize such operations by Waymo, following San José Mineta International. Officials say this adds a modern, reliable transit option for visitors and strengthens efforts to expand autonomous transport infrastructure. No firm public launch date has been given yet, but the approval is seen as a notable step forward. Read more here.

Yumi Yogurt Re-Opening in Redwood City

Photo Credit: Yumi Yogurt

Yumi Yogurt is making a comeback in Redwood City after a six-year hiatus. The frozen yogurt shop, which first opened in 1985 and closed in 2019 when its lease ended, will reopen later this month at Sequoia Station, just a short walk from its original location. Still run by the same owners who also manage shops in San Mateo and Santa Clara, the family business plans to bring back the same generous portions, rotating flavors from a menu of more than 150, and customer-favorite smoothies and shakes.

The new shop will feature seating for 20 to 25 people indoors, offering a cozy spot for locals to enjoy a sweet treat. With frozen yogurt, plus options like ice cream, sorbets, and toppings, Yumi Yogurt is aiming to deliver the same consistency and quality that made it a neighborhood staple for more than three decades. Although the location is ready to open, Yumi Yogurt is just awaiting final approval from San Mateo Environmental Health. Stay tuned! Read more here.

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

Small Batch Jam Company Expands to Redwood City

Photo credit: Small Batch Jam Company

Pacifica-based Small Batch Jam Co., known for its artisanal fruit preserves and handcrafted jams, has just opened a second retail location in Redwood City. The new store is a partnership with Little Green A Plant Bar, bringing the company’s full selection of flavors into that space.

Small Batch Jam Co. offers a wide range of products including jams, jellies, marmalades, conserves, fruit butters, and syrups. Their line-up features both classic and inventive flavor combinations, such as Orange Chai, Black Cherry, Raspberry Jalapeño, Seedless Raspberry, and others. The Redwood City location will carry their full flavor assortment, much like their online shop and flagship store.

Small Batch Jam Co. sources fruit from fresh fruit stands, farmers’ markets, and local growers, and uses traditional home-style cooking and canning techniques to make all-natural, small-batch preserves. Learn more here.

Nola in Palo Alto

535 Ramona Street, Palo Alto
Photo Credit: Nola

Nola is located in the historic Pedro de Lemos building (built in 1908) in the Ramona Corridor. As part of the Avenir Restaurant Group, the restaurant offers Southern-inspired cuisine with a fusion twist, drawing on the rich culinary heritage of New Orleans and its mix of cultures.

The menu includes brunch on weekends, craft cocktails, and cuisine reflecting New Orleans’ flavors: think vibrant spices, seafood, southern staples, etc.Nola tends to attract people both for casual dining and special evenings out. The bar hours are extended late on weekends. Learn more here.

Read more here.

💃 Let’s Dance: 3rd Thursday | Downtown Redwood City | Redwood City | 09/18 | More
Dance the night away at this lively monthly street party featuring music and community fun.

🍺 Oktoberfest | Courthouse Square | Redwood City | 09/19–09/28 | More
Raise a glass at Redwood City’s Oktoberfest celebration with German food, music, and festivities.

🎨 Friday Night at the Art Center | Palo Alto Art Center | Palo Alto | 09/19 | More
Celebrate the opening of a bold new art exhibition with live music, food, and artist talks.

🧘 Yoga in the Garden | Gamble Garden | Palo Alto | 09/20 | More
Stretch and relax in a serene garden setting during this outdoor yoga class.

🌊 Coastal Clean Up Day | Various Locations | San Mateo County | 09/20 | More
Join thousands of volunteers in protecting coastlines and waterways at the annual cleanup.

Photo Credit: Los Gatos Fiesta

🍷 Los Gatos Art & Wine Festival | Civic Center Lawn | Los Gatos | 09/20–09/21 | More
Enjoy fine art, live music, wine, and family activities at this two-day festival.

🥒 Palo Alto Pickleball Club Family Meet Up | Mitchell Park | Palo Alto | 09/20 | More
Bring the family for games and fun at this friendly pickleball community event.

🍂 Flood Park FallFest | Flood Park | Menlo Park | 09/20 | More
Celebrate autumn with games, food, music, and outdoor fun for the whole family.

🛍 Fall Makers Market | Courthouse Square | Redwood City | 09/20 | More
Browse artisan vendors, sip local drinks, and shop handmade goods in downtown Redwood City.

🎶 Google’s Endless Summer Festival | Googleplex | Mountain View | 09/20 | More
Celebrate summer’s close with live music, food, and entertainment at Google’s campus festival.

🎶 Rock the Dock Concert Series | Port of Redwood City | Redwood City | 09/20 | More
Enjoy waterfront views, live music, and local food at Redwood City’s dockside stage.

🧘 Pilates and Plants | Little House | Menlo Park | 09/21 | More
Enjoy a relaxing pilates session paired with plant-based wellness activities.

👶 Infant Massage Class | Nurture & Bloom | Redwood City | 09/21 | More
Bond with your baby and learn calming massage techniques in this nurturing class.

🚗 Corvette Spectacular | Downtown Los Altos | Los Altos | 09/21 | More
Admire over 200 classic Corvettes on display at this annual downtown car show.

💙 Palo Alto Community Health Fair | YMCA | Palo Alto | 09/21 | More
Learn about wellness, screenings, and resources at this free community health fair.

🌿 Harvesting History: A Celebration of Heirloom Foods | 351 Homer Avenue | Palo Alto | 09/21 | More
Enjoy a cooking demo and garden tour focused on heirloom ingredients and culinary traditions.

🎵 David Luning in Concert | Dala’s Nest House Concerts | Redwood City | 09/21 | More
Catch an intimate performance by singer-songwriter David Luning in a cozy house concert setting.

🍰 Cake Picnic | Kenz Coffee Bar | Redwood City | 09/21 | More
Gather with friends and neighbors for a casual outdoor picnic—cake included!