Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How will Palo Alto change under Mayor Veenker and Vice Mayor Stone?

You won't want to miss Inspirational Talk on Effective Prayer: Finding healing and wholeness in divine Love on the Palo Alto Patch…

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Wednesday January 7th Patch AM
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Hi Palo Alto! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How will Palo Alto change under Mayor Veenker and Vice Mayor Stone?
  • Could Palo Alto soon rein in billionaire home-buying sprees?
  • Why a jailed Palo Alto tech founder got rare access to his phone

Also on today's calendar: Inspirational Talk on Effective Prayer: Finding healing and wholeness in divine Love and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Palo Altofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the hammer say after getting an A on a test? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Palo Altofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Wednesday: Fog in the morning, with a high of 62 and low of 46 degrees.
  • Thursday: Plenty of sun, temps: high: 58, low: 38.
  • Friday: Sunny to partly cloudy, with a high of 58 and low of 36 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Veenker, Stone to lead Palo Alto as mayor, vice mayor in 2026 (paloaltoonline.com) — Palo Alto’s City Council has unanimously selected Vicki Veenker as 2026 mayor and narrowly chosen Greer Stone as vice mayor after a close 4-3 vote. Veenker signaled priorities around housing, climate action, and the Cubberley Community Center redevelopment, while both leaders were praised for past work on community dialogue and city policy. Their appointments will shape the council’s agenda at its retreat later this month.
   

2. Palo Alto Councilors Propose Law to Curb Billionaire Buy-ups Amid Uproar Over Zuckerberg Compound (planetizen.com) — Palo Alto officials are weighing a new law aimed at limiting disruptive mega-compounds like Mark Zuckerberg’s Hamilton Avenue properties, after years of neighbor complaints about noise, traffic, and vacant homes. Councilmember Greer Stone’s proposal would regulate buyers who cluster multiple houses, tightening renovation timelines, documentation, and vacancy rules to better protect residential streets.
   

3. Court records reveal Palo Alto man's rampage at Peninsula winery (paloaltoonline.com) — A Palo Alto man is facing multiple felony charges after an alleged rampage at a Saratoga winery, where court records say he set a picnic table on fire and rammed cars with his vehicle. From Santa Clara County jail, he successfully sought a rare court order allowing his brother to access his phone so more than $1 million in stock options wouldn’t expire unused.
   

4. Lawrence Livermore National Security Announces Recipients of the 2025 Community Gift Program (newswise.com) — Palo Alto Youth Robotics Association has received a 2025 Community Gift from Lawrence Livermore National Security to expand its student-run robotics program for local high schoolers. The grant is part of $220,000 awarded to 51 Bay Area and Central Valley organizations focused on STEM, literacy, arts, and youth support programs.
   

5. For Gen Z, Dry January has become something much bigger (pressdemocrat.com) — A national shift toward less drinking among Gen Z is showing up locally too, with Palo Alto bars now highlighting creative mocktails and nonalcoholic options. Stanford experts warn that while cutting alcohol has health benefits, many young adults are also struggling with loneliness and turning to digital media instead of in‑person socializing. The piece also tracks how these habits are reshaping the alcohol and nonalcoholic beverage industries.
   

📸 Around Palo Alto

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Recommendations on who to call if water is seeping through basement floor?
    With the recent heavy rains, we’ve noticed water seeping through the floor of our basement. Nothing massive but we want to avoid mold under the… (Nextdoor Crescent Park)
  • Semana lluviosa = interiores sucios 😬
    Detallado interior + lavado exterior GRATIS Ideal para alfombras mojadas, manchas y olores. Envíanos un mensaje para agendar. (650)485-9461 (Nextdoor Community Center)
  • Whole Foods posted a job opening for Produce Team Member (Clerk, Floor Service) - Part Time in Palo Alto. Apply here.
  • Bloomingdale's, Inc. posted a job opening for Fulfillment Support Supervisor, Full Time - Stanford in Palo Alto. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Palo Alto here.

Ok Palo Alto! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I nailed it!
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