Daily Post 9-25-25 by Daily Post

Crashes at new Cubberley?

Officials nervous by path plans

BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ Daily Post Staff Writer

Palo Alto Parks and Recreation

commissioners are concerned that the designs for Cubberley Community may cause accidents between bicyclists and pedestrians.

Commissioner Jeff Greenfield is concerned that the bike lanes planned for the proposed project at Cubberley Community Center are not protected.

Greenfield said that with the green space proposed, a lot of people will be breaking the rules and walking through

PATHS PLAN — In this city map of the Cubberley Community Center, baby blue shows proposed walking paths, the medium shade shows bike lanes and the darker blue shows car lanes.

it to get to their destination.

Greenfield said he’s nervous about pedestrians and bicyclists colliding on the darkened trails at night.

Greenfield was the lone no vote on Tuesday to move forward with plans to revamp of the dilapitated former high school into a new community center.

The city is hoping to build a new performing arts studio, sports facilities, a pool and more at the rundown community center at 4000 Middlefield Road.

The project has been revised after a recent community meeting to have a recreation and wellness center, performing arts, visual arts, community services and a new theater, according to Amanda Deml, assistant director of

[See CUBBERLEY, page 26]

Robbery may lead to 88 years

BIDEN SNUBBED: President

Trump has added a Presidential Walk of Fame to the White House, featuring portraits of previous commanders-inchief — except for one. Instead of Joe Biden’s portrait, Trump hung a photo of an autopen signing the Democrat president’s name.

YOUTUBE REINSTATEMENT:

YouTube will offer creators a way to rejoin the streaming platform if they were banned for violating COVID-19 and election misinformation policies that are no longer in effect. YouTube parent Alphabet said in a letter to the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday that the decision reflects the company’s commitment to free speech. It comes as tech CEOs, including [See THE UPDATE, page 4]

A man has taken a plea deal where he faces up to 88 years to life in prison for a Redwood City armed robbery, a prosecutor said.

Jylyn Richardson-Green, 28, of Pittsburg, took the deal after four years of the case winding its way through the court system.

Richardson-Green was arrested on Dec. 1, 2021, along with Deshawn Carter, 23 and a juvenile, when they robbed the 7-Eleven on Woodside Road and led police in a high-speed chase that ended in a crash, according to Chief Deputy District Attorney Shin-Mee Chang.

The trio was spotted by a patrol officer at 2:15 a.m. leaving the store at 460 Woodside Road, police said at the time.

After the suspects ran to a car and drove away, a 7-Eleven employee told the officer that the store had just

[See ROBBERY, page 26]

Aggressive squirrel terrorizes town

Residents of San Rafael are on the lookout for an aggressive squirrel that has sent at least two people to the emergency room for medical treatment.

Joan Heblack told ABC affiliate KGO-TV that she was walking in the Lucas Valley neighborhood of San Rafael when a squirrel seemingly came

out of nowhere and attacked her leg, clawing and biting.

“It clamped onto my leg. The tail was flying up here. I was like, ‘Get it off me, get off me!’” Heblack said.

Both women went to the emergency room, the TV station reported in its Monday story.

Flyers have now been posted, warning residents that the squirrel is no joke

[See SQUIRREL, page 26]

Isabel Campoy also said she was attacked while walking in the same area. The squirrel launched itself from the ground to her face and wound up on her arm, leaving it bloody, she said.

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Residents to get priority at courts

BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ Daily Post Staff Writer

Tennis courts in Palo Alto may be limited to residents only due to the high demand for courts from players outside of the city.

The Parks and Recreation Commission voted Tuesday to revise its policies, giving residents priority in using the courts and extending the three-hour cap per match reservation.

Commissioner Yudy Deng abstained, and Jeff Greenfield voted against the changes because extending the proposed two-hour cap to three needed more discussion.

The tennis courts have become popular among the U.S. Tennis Association teams, leaving a few courts open for drop-in players.

Out of the 93 USTA teams that reserve the courts in spring 2025, only 254 out of 1,440 players were Palo Alto residents.

Some travel to play here

Tennis players opposed to the changes said it would affect others who travel to play at the courts.

Leda Garcia, a tennis coach at Castilleja School, said it will affect her students by reducing the school’s program. Many people travel to play tennis at the

courts, and by making policies stricter, it will take away their students’ opportunity to play at those courts.

Resident Ravi said the restrictions will also affect the USTA teams by minimizing the number of available locations where they can practice.

Do you live here?

The city proposed a minimum 25% resident requirement for USTA teams to reserve tennis courts. Only 34 teams that reserved courts in the Spring would have met that requirement.

And under the city’s proposal, teams with a higher resident percentage would

be given priority if multiple teams want the same spot. Teams would have to submit a player roster and proof of residency — such as a driver’s license or utility bill — for those claiming to live in Palo Alto.

Lie? Get banned

Any team that lies about its resident makeup would have its permit revoked for the season and be banned from Palo Alto courts for the next season.

The recommendation will now be moved forward to City Manager Ed Shikada for approval. The revised polices could take effect as soon as Jan. 1.

KIMMEL GETS RATINGS: Jimmy Kimmel’s return monologue watched by nearly 6.3 million viewers on broadcast TV, despite blackouts in many cities. ABC stations, owned by the Nexstar and Sinclair corporations, took Kimmel off the air last week on the same day the network suspended him for comments that angered supporters of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Those stations kept him off the air Tuesday, when ABC lifted the suspension. Kimmel returned with no apologies, but said he was not trying to joke about the assassination. He also paid tribute to Kirk’s widow.

DALLAS ICE SHOOTING: Authorities say a shooter with a rifle opened fire from a roof onto a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement location in Dallas. The man killed one detainee and wounded two others in a transport van before taking his own life. The van was shot at while in the facility’s sallyport yesterday. The FBI said ammunition found at the scene contained anti-ICE messaging. The agency says it’s investigating the shooting as “an act of targeted violence.” Authorities say no ICE agents were injured and the surviving detainees were in critical condition.

POWELL SIGNALS CAUTION: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Tuesday signaled a cautious approach to future interest rate cuts, in sharp contrast with other Fed officials who have called for a more urgent approach. In remarks in Providence, Rhode Island, Powell noted that there are risks to both of the Fed’s goals of seeking maximum employment and stable prices. His approach is in sharp contrast to some members of the Fed’s rate-setting committee who are pushing for faster cuts.

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Publishers: Dave Price, Jim Pavelich

Editor: Dave Price

Managing Editor: Emily Mibach

General Manager: Brandon Heinrichs

Distribution: Amando Mendoza III

Account Executives: Lauren Latterell, Winnie Reyes and Mike Ireland

Letters: Limit to 250 words. Author’s full name, address and phone number are required. See policy at padailypost.com under “letters.”

Stories without bylines are often from The Associated Press, Bay City News service or the Post staff. Legal notices: The Superior Court of Santa Clara County has

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, have sought a closer relationship with the Republican president.

Deaths

San Mateo County Coroner’s Office:

Sept. 24

William H. Lamkin III, 81, of Menlo Park

Manuel Hernandez Solis, 93, of Pacifica

Sept. 23

Shoji Sakurai, 97, of Daly City

Gerardo Chavarria Alfaro, 69, of Daly City

Rui Chao Ma, 81, no hometown listed

Paula Jean Thompson, 78, of Daly City

Dan Steve Douglass, 60, of South San Francisco

Births

El Camino Hospital in Mountain View: March 13

Tara Joshi Bhat, a girl

Matthew Dong, a boy

Oliver Calvachi Ghosh, a boy

Charlotte Louise Horak, a girl

Vansh Jain, a boy

Lucas Universe Krause, a boy

Canon Zhu Lee, a boy

Eden Noelle Lueders, a girl

Zoe Sophia Luo, a girl

Salma Maswadeh, a girl

Moli Mi, a girl

Mokshagna Jayavirat Reddy Pallemallu, a boy

Brahma Vaibhav Pathak, a boy

Natalie Ruth Trammell, a girl

Lydia Wei, a girl

March 12

Alexandra Fei, a girl

Mirnalinii Harikrishnamurali, a girl

Theo Scott, a boy

Hana Shaik, a girl

Sarveshsuyambu Suyambu Vigneshwaran, a boy

Aditi Svami, a girl

Leonardo Yuechen Wu, a boy

Yvette Yang, a girl

March 11

Sebastian Andrew Castillo Arevalos, a boy

Haniya Sharik Cochinwala, a girl

Nina Grace Codipilly, a girl

Anaya Mihir Dharurkar, a girl

Angad Prajakta Rahul Gandhi, a boy

Mihir Nandhan Gudi, a boy

Nitya Jain, a girl

Ryan Joseph, a boy

Ruitao Sofia Lin, a girl

Damien Vincent Marentes Avina, a boy

Vishrut Naveen Raaj, a boy

Harveen Hsingyang Singh, a girl

Ishaan Tallapalli, a boy

Varun Vatsan, a boy

Elena Evelyn Wang, a girl

Paisley Ha Yee, a girl

[See BIRTHS, page 31]

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Court: No bond in parking lots suit

BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT Daily Post Staff Writer

Downtown property owners won’t be required to post a $500,000 bond in their lawsuit challenging the city of Palo Alto’s plans to develop downtown parking lots into affordable housing, a judge ruled yesterday.

The city asked for the bond, arguing that the lawsuit would cause the first planned development — 71 apartments at the corner of Lytton Avenue and Kipling Street — to miss out on more than $40 million in tax credits. Construction costs are expected to go up $2.8 million for every year of delay, according to Carlos Castellanos, vice president of real estate development at Alta Housing.

But Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Theodore Zayner said the city failed to show that the lawsuit is “without merit,” so the downtown property owners don’t need to post a bond while the lawsuit plays out.

Palo Alto City Council voted in

January to work with Alta Housing to build apartments on “Lot T,” behind the 7-Eleven at 401 Waverley Street.

Property owners sue

A group of Palo Alto property owners, calling themselves “Downtown Vibrancy,” sued the city in April, arguing that they helped pay for the parking lots and therefore should have a say in what happens to them.

“The city’s laudable and long-overdue efforts to provide suitable sites for housing, including ‘affordable’ housing,’ should not be pursued at the expense of demolishing the critically-needed existing public parking resources strategically located throughout downtown,” attorney David Lanferman said in the lawsuit, reiterating arguments he’s made in letters to the city since December 2023.

Lanferman filed a similar lawsuit against the city of Menlo Park over its plan to develop downtown parking into affordable housing. In both cases, he doesn’t name his clients.

3 arrested at DUI checks

Three people were arrested and 43 others received citations at DUI checkpoints in Redwood City over the weekend, police said Wednesday.

Redwood City police held two checkpoints, one from 7:30-11 p.m. Saturday at El Camino Real and Carlos Avenue and another from 11:30 p.m. Saturday to 2:30 a.m. Sunday at Woodside and Bay roads.

At the checkpoints, one person was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and two others were arrested for being drunk in public. Of the citations, 37 were for driving while unlicensed or with a suspended or revoked license, while the six others were for various moving violations. About 700 vehicles were screened during the checkpoints, police said.

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Tribes flex power in gambling fight

BY RYAN SABALOW CalMatters

For the second straight year, casino-owning tribes persuaded lawmakers to pass legislation that directly attacks the tribes’ business competitors.

Earlier this month, the California Legislature approved Assembly Bill 831, which bans companies from offering certain types of online sweepstakes that the tribes see as a threat to their exclusive rights to gambling in California.

In an example of how much political clout the tribes have — thanks in part to the millions of dollars they have donated to legislators’ reelection campaigns — the measure easily passed both legislative chambers without any of California’s 120 lawmakers voting against it.

In total, the groups for and against the bill have spent at least $1.7 million on lobbying the Legislature so far this year, according to filings with the California secretary of state.

Newsom up next

Gov. Gavin Newsom hasn’t indicated whether he’ll sign Anaheim Democratic Assemblymember Avelino Valencia’s bill. It follows a bill Newsom signed into law last year that allowed tribes to sue their rivals, privately owned gambling halls called card rooms, to try to stop them from offering table games such as blackjack.

The tribes immediately sued card rooms after they won one of the most expensive political fights of the last two-year legislative session. The feud-

ing gambling factions each spent millions on lobbying and on lawmakers’ campaigns.

The tribes’ case against card rooms is pending.

Inside sweepstakes games

This year’s measure attacks companies offering a style of gaming that’s exclusively online — and already offered in California.

Players typically download an app to play a game of chance such as slots or cards.

Each day, they are given a limited number of free virtual gold coins to play. When the players run out of free coins, they can purchase more from the company to keep playing.

there’s no cash payout for winning one of the games of chance.

But to lure in customers — and keep the ones they have playing — the companies also give out tokens called “sweepstakes coins” that can be used to participate in sweepstakes that are separate from the card or slot games.

Sweepstakes coins are provided to players as a “bonus” with the purchase of gold coins, through promotions or as complimentary rewards. Those coins are potentially redeemable for real-world prizes or cash, unlike the game-play coins, according to the bill’s analysis.

Even with a virtual coin purchase,

The tribes told lawmakers the business model is a dangerous form of unregulated gambling that needs to be banned in California.

court.

PALO ALTO

SEPT. 8

8:08 p.m. — Auto burglary, 445 Bryant St.

SEPT. 12

7:51 p.m. — Ricky Clay Jordan, 40, of Vallejo, arrested for shoplifting, Stanford Shopping Center.

SEPT. 15

4:55 p.m. Shoplifting, Stanford Shopping Center.

SEPT. 16

3:11 p.m. Damariz Morales Flores, 35, of Redwood City, arrested for creating a public nuisance, 1000 E. Meadow Drive.

3:22 p.m. — Michael Mello, 54, transient, arrested for smoking in a prohibited place, 2600 block of Middlefield Road.

SEPT. 17

4:10 p.m. — Alejandro Maciel Reyes, 38, transient, arrested for creating a public nuisance, Alma St. and Ferne Ave.

SEPT. 18

8:15 a.m. Alberto Cardenas, 52, transient, arrested for creating a public nuisance, 1-99 block of Embarcadero Road.

10:14 a.m. Stephanie Gaspar, 57, of San Jose, arrested for creating a public nuisance, 1000 Corporation Way.

10:58 a.m. — Teresa Elena

Sanchez Olvera, 58, transient, arrested for creating a public nuisance, 2400 Faber Place.

12:38 p.m. — Steven Cary Taylor, 67, transient, arrested for creating a public nuisance, 85 Encina Ave.

MENLO PARK

TUESDAY

11:53 a.m. — Vehicle tampered with, 1-99 block of Meta Way.

12:07 p.m. — Fraud reported, 3800 block of Bohannon Drive.

12:55 p.m. — Carlos Garcia Juarez, 29, transient, arrested for assault, possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia, 1600 block of Marsh Road.

10:56 p.m. — Christopher Jones, 57, of Palo Alto, cited for driving with a suspended or revoked license, Chester St. and Arnold Way.

MOUNTAIN VIEW

JULY 14

9:49 p.m. — Anthony Martin, 30, of Campbell, cited for possession of drugs, drug paraphernalia and burglary tools, 555 Showers Drive. AUG. 4

1:18 a.m. Carl Brandt, 18, of Mountain View, cited for reckless driving, El Camino and Castro St.

12:24 p.m. Juan Barron Zaragoza, 38, of King City, cited for DUI, Shoreline Blvd. and Wright Ave. AUG. 6

4:48 a.m. Athman Adiseshan, 28, of Mountain View, cited for theft, 600 block of San Antonio Road.

AUG. 8

9:26 p.m. — Javier Garcia Marquez, 40, of San Francisco, cited for theft of personal property at Target, 555 Showers Drive.

AUG. 10

7:52 p.m. Jonathan Williams, 44, of San Francisco, cited for possession of drug paraphernalia, Leghorn St. and Rengstorff Ave

AUG. 11

3:01 a.m. — Oliver Cortes Hernandez, 23, of Santa Clara, cited for DUI and driving without a license, Calderon Ave. and W. Dana St.

6:40 a.m. — Carlos Mossin, 64, of Mountain View, cited for possession of drugs, drug paraphernalia and possession of someone’s lost items, Crisanto Ave. and Rengstorff Ave.

AUG. 13

2:18 p.m. — Maria Torres, 30, of Sunnyvale, cited for possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia, E. Evelyn Ave. and Moorpark Way.

2:18 p.m. — Jessie Garcia, 25, of San Jose, cited for possession of drugs and making or selling a cake license plate, Evelyn Ave. and Moorpark Way.

3:15 p.m. — Steven Windes, 32, transient, cited for possession of drug paraphernalia, Shoreline Blvd.

LOS ALTOS

TUESDAY

11:23 a.m. — Report of elder abuse, 1000 of Christina Drive.

11:56 a.m. — Theft, 500 block of Van Buren St.

2:38 p.m. — Battery, 1-99 block of Almond Ave.

6:02 p.m. — Hit and run resulting in injury, 400 block of Raquel Lane.

ATHERTON

MONDAY

10:28 a.m. — Jose Benjamin Monroy Turuy, 33, of Redwood City, cited for possession of drugs, Lloyden Drive.

REDWOOD CITY

SEPT. 17

3:58 p.m. — License plate stolen, 10th Ave.

5:46 p.m. — Tires slashed, Murray Court.

7:04 Battery reported, Main St.

7:23 p.m. — Fight, Middlefield Road.

7:55 p.m. — Shamar Mikel Diontay Bell, 39, of Oakland, cited for drug possession, 2nd Ave. and Hoover St.

SEPT. 18

1:04 a.m. — Arrest made, no location given.

5:09 a.m. — Auto burglary, Cleveland St.

6:25 a.m. Alexis Tobar, 24, of San Carlos, arrested for felony hit and run and concealing evidence, 1301 Maple St.

7:01 a.m. — Auto burglary, Oak Ave.

7:31 a.m. — Auto burglary, Junipero Ave.

9:07 a.m. — Residential burglary, Shell Parkway.

9:33 a.m. — Man looking into cars, breaks a glass bottle and

Police Blotter

challenges passersby to fight, Marshall St.

1:44 p.m. Juan Carlos Uspirir, 22, of Redwood City, cited for possession of drug paraphernalia, 100 block of Woodside Road. Case handled by sheriff’s deputies.

2:07 p.m. — Report of an unoccupied truck with four catalytic converters in its bed, Broadway.

2:50 p.m. — Stolen vehicle, Middlefield Road.

5:42 p.m. — Teenagers spotted riding their bikes across solar panels, no location given.

7:55 p.m. — Arrest made for domestic violence, no location given.

8:31 p.m. — Juliene Lynn Brown, 59, of Redwood City, arrested for battery, 2000 block of Jefferson Ave.

10:08 p.m. — Joseph Earl

Asmus, 69, of Redwood City, arrested for criminal threats and being drunk in public, 200 block of Blomquist St.

NORTH FAIR OAKS

SEPT. 18

1:55 a.m. — Deputies respond to a vehicle accident, the driver runs away from deputies, who catch up to him and arrest him for DUI. Case is then handed over to CHP, 700 block of 2nd Ave.

BELMONT

TUESDAY

8:49 a.m. — Theft, Ralston Ave.

12:41 p.m. — Vehicle stolen, El Camino Real.

1:50 p.m. — Woman cashed a fraudulent $4,800 check, Ralston Ave.

8:04 p.m. — Car hits taco stand, Shoreway Road.

11:07 p.m. — Robbery, Old County Road.

CHP

From the Redwood City office of the CHP, which covers the MidPeninsula.

AUG. 2

Cristian T. Castro Morales, 32, arrested for DUI.

Omar G. Gutierrez Castro, 35, arrested for DUI.

AUG. 3

Jordan M. Palmer, 22, arrested for DUI.

Tommie D. Smith, 42, arrested for DUI.

AUG. 4

Javier Andrade Jr., 35, arrested for DUI.

Marlon A. Mendoza, 39, arrested for DUI.

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Your participation will help us improve future early detection of aging related brain diseases.

The study may be a good fit for you if you are:

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❏ Complete basic questionnaire about your age, race, health, and family history

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A $50 check will be awarded for completion of the test, thanking you for your participation

Grasing’s Restaurant has been honored with the Wine Spectator Grand Award. The Grand Award is Wine Spectator’s highest honor, presented to restaurants with the greatest wine lists in the world.

This achievement is the culmination of a remarkable journey that began 27 years ago when Grasing’s first opened their doors.

Grasing’s Restaurant: A Pillar of the Carmel Food & Wine Community for Over 25 Years

In the early days, Grasing’s wine list featured a modest selection of just six wines. They had aspirations to expand to twelve or perhaps sixteen offerings. Selling three bottles in a single evening meant a trip to Safeway for restocking. However, through hard work and dedication, tasting, learning, and a genuine passion for wine, they gradually transformed and built up their cellar.

Kurt Grasing’s commitment to fine wines led them to achieve the Award of Excellence, followed by the Best of Award of Excellence in 2005. Since then, their collection has grown exponentially—from 1000 to 2000 and now over 3000 wines.

“It has been a great journey and a tremendous learning experience,” said Kurt Grasings. “We wanted to provide our customers a great dining experience and we built this wine list around what our customers were looking for.”

The restaurant’s wine journey has taken them around the world, exploring renowned wine regions such as Argentina, Chile, New Zealand, Champagne, Burgundy, Loire Valley,

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Piedmont, Bolgheri, Tuscany, and of course, much of California and Oregon. Along the way, they’ve had the privilege of meeting many passionate people who share their love of wine and food.

Growing up in the Willamette Valley in Oregon, Kurt’s love of food began from an early age. While other children may have hosted lemonade stands on neighborhood corners of their neighborhood, Kurt saved up to buy raspberry bushes, so he could harvest the berries to sell to neighbors. He began to experiment with culinary techniques by cooking apples from the family apple trees, testing out different cooking methods (four to be exact) to study the results. Kurt has always gravitated to great-tasting food. With his love for food and entrepreneurial mind, Kurt set out on what would be a career that has spanned almost four decades.

“Thank you to everyone who has been part of this extraordinary adventure. We look forward to continuing to provide exceptional wines and dining experiences,” said Kurt.

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NW Corner of 6th and Mission St., Carmel-by-the-Sea (831) 624-6562 • grasings.com

Kurt Grasing

Alexander’s Steakhouse is proud to announce the return of its original Executive Chef, Yu Min Lin, whose culinary artistry and vision helped shape the restaurant’s reputation for redefining the modern seafood dining experience in the Bay Area.

With over 20 years of training and experience in both Japanese and French cuisine, Chef Lin’s approach to cooking emphasizes sourcing wild, sustainable, and seasonal ingredients from land and sea, presenting them in their purest form to highlight the freshness of each dish.

Chef Lin began his culinary journey at a very young age, apprenticing his way to Executive Sushi Chef at Shintori Cuisine Japonaise in Taipei and Shanghai, before refining his craft under traditional Japanese chefs in Tokyo and Yokohama. After relocating to Los Angeles in 2001, Chef Lin trained under celebrated chef Michael Cimarusti at Water Grill and later joined him in opening the acclaimed iconic seafood destination in Los Angeles Providence, where he rose to Chef de Cuisine. During his tenure, Providence earned two Michelin stars and national recognition, solidifying Chef Lin’s reputation for excellence. His pursuit of growth also led him to stages at The French Laundry in Yountville and Manresa in Los Gatos.

Drawn to the Bay Area, Chef Lin was recruited by Alexander’s Steakhouse as the opening Executive Chef of The Sea by Alexander’s Steakhouse in Palo Alto, where he originally

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The Sea offers multiple private dining rooms to create the perfect setting for your special event. We welcome you and your guests to experience our delicious seafood cuisine infused with delightful Asian ﬂairs. Our warm and professional staff will attend to every detail, allowing you to relax and enjoy your special event with your guests. Our gracious hospitality, inviting rooms and tantalizing cuisine ensure a memorable event.

the best of the BAY AREA

Alexander’s Steakhouse Welcomes Back Original Executive Chef Yu Min Lin

brought his passion for seafood and refined technique to local diners. Now, with his return, Chef Lin is eager to continue his philosophy of blending classical Japanese and French methods to create contemporary dishes, using the best seasonal ingredients sourced from trusted Bay Area Farmers Markets and local fishermen.

Most recently, Chef Lin worked for a high-profile tech company, catering to executives and CEOs. Beyond honing his culinary skills, he gained valuable management experience and mastered the art of adapting to diverse individual preferences. This unique perspective further enriched his already vast knowledge of food and leadership in the kitchen.

Guests are invited to experience Chef Lin’s renewed vision — where classical Japanese and French techniques meet fresh seasonal ingredients — in both à la carte offerings and a transformative tasting menu.

A TASTE OF CALABRIA

Seeing Stars at Oak + Violet

With a new Michelin-starred chef at the helm and a nationally recognized wine program, Oak + Violet restaurant at Park James Hotel in Menlo Park marks a new chapter as one of Silicon Valley’s premier dining destinations.

After getting his culinary start in New Orleans, Executive Chef Joseph Humphrey has spent 25 years creating some of the Bay Area’s most innovative menus. He re-opened the Restaurant at Meadowood in St. Helena in 2006 and immediately put the restaurant on the map when in 2007 it earned two Michelin stars right out of the gate. Shortly afterward, he moved to Cavallo Point Lodge in Sausalito and earned their restaurant a star as well. With a background in classical French technique, Humphrey also draws from the rich mix of culinary influences in the Bay Area, from Mexican to Japanese. And he is passionate about finding the freshest flavors possible. Even in an area where “farm-to table” is practically expected, Oak + Violet can stun you with its ultra-local, ultra-seasonal fare. It’s not easy to pull off, but over 25 years here, Humphrey has built up the needed connections. He served a wild local halibut – with baby fennel, leeks and roasted peppers in a toasted garlic and saffron sauce – that was on the table less than 24 hours after it left the water. “I know a guy,” he said with a smile.

Another seasonal creation on the latest menu is a Gravenstein apple salad made with just-ripened fruits from Sebastopol’s Devoto Gardens. Other fare comes from local growers like Dirty Girl Produce, Webb Ranch and Star Route Farms. The ingredients are used at their peak, and Humphrey builds textures and flavor around

them, like the sungold tomato gazpacho or Fort Bragg albacore tuna with roasted summer squash and fresh corn “polenta” with mole.

“The ingredients are here, and they’re amazing, and then we move on,” he said. He expects at least one new dish on the menu every week.

After spending the last few years consulting, Humphrey said he’s ready to put down roots again at Oak + Violet, where he enjoys an incredible bounty of local ingredients and a wide field to be creative.

Meanwhile, the restaurant’s wine program garnered national recognition this year by winning the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. The wine list is the creation of James Beard Awardwinning sommelier Shelley Lindgren, who also owns A16 in San Francisco. Oak + Violet’s bar program, led by mixologist Eddie Cuellar, is following suit with an exciting new list of craft cocktails. And the restaurant is not just seeing stars in its kitchen – on selected fair weather evenings, guests can get an out-of-this-world stargazing experience with the hotel’s Unistellar deep-space smart telescope. Oak + Violet is open for dinner Monday through Saturday. For reservations and more information, go to parkjames.com/dine. To learn more about telescope viewings, contact General Manager Lyle Tanaka at lyle@parkjames.com.

the best of the BAY AREA

If you cannot make it to the event, and you would like to support the team, you can donate here:

Joseph Humphrey Executive Chef

Perched atop a scenic hilltop in Aptos, this stunning Craftsman home offers ocean views and over 3,000 sq ft of beautifully designed living space with custom architectural detail and built-in cabinetry everywhere. The expansive, airy great room flows into the chef’s kitchen, equipped with top-of-the-line appliances perfect for both everyday living and entertaining. Three luxurious primary suites with spacious custom closets present versatile spaces for family living, guests, or a home office setup. The open-concept design is enhanced by rich hardwood floors and soaring vaulted ceilings, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere throughout. The large two-car garage connects to a light-filled bonus room ideal for an art studio, home gym, or workshop, and there is ample additional parking for guests. Situated on a full acre, the property is fully fenced with a security gate, offering privacy, a garden for outdoor entertaining, and direct access to nearby trails with room to bring your landscaping dreams to life. Just 1.5 miles to the beach and minutes to shopping and freeway access, this exceptional home offers the perfect blend of tranquility, convenience, and coastal living.

The Post

PALO ALTO

155 California Ave. #G200, 94306, 2 bedrooms, 1311 square feet, built in 1982, Xiaohui Chen to Gcra Trust for $1,170,000, closed Aug. 25 (last sale: $1,100,000, 03-06-23)

773 Loma Verde Ave. #A, 94303, 3 bedrooms, 1549 square feet, built in 1985, Hall Trust to Heidi and Risto Haukioja for $1,725,000, closed Aug. 27

2020 Channing Ave., 94303, 3 bedrooms, 1153 square feet, built in 1956, Skalsky Living Trust to Vivian and Xiaolei Dai for $2,400,000, closed Aug. 29 (last sale: $370,000, 09-01-90)

333 Waverley St., 94301, 4 bedrooms, 2112 square feet, built in 1910, Sharp Family Trust to Foster Family Trust for $2,491,000, closed Aug. 29

EAST PALO ALTO

1288 Garden St., 94303, 4 bedrooms, 1530 square feet, built in 1990, Mp Garden St. LLC to Preserving Affordable Hsng Ass for $407,000, closed Aug. 5 (last sale: $1,324,500, 03-21-17)

1982 West Bayshore Road #332, 94303, 1 bedroom, 776 square feet, built in 2002, Yuan Family Trust to Juyeon Eou for $525,000, closed Aug. 6 (last sale: $172,000, 04-15-11)

MENLO PARK

19 Susan Gale Court, 94025, 3 bedrooms, 2700 square feet, built in 1985, Lowenberg Trust to Hongyi

Huang for $2,825,000, closed Aug. 7 (last sale: $2,800,000, 04-09-21)

8 Nancy Way, 94025, 3 bedrooms, 1750 square feet, built in 1955, Janet and John Dore to Sf23L LLC for $3,250,000, closed Aug. 8

MOUNTAIN VIEW

1809 Higdon Ave., 94041, 1872 square feet, built in 1962, Schennum Living Trust to Ya-Wen and ChungWang Tsai for $1,700,000, closed Aug. 28

884 San Simeon Drive, 94043, 4 bedrooms, 1302 square feet, built in 1962, Mark Fascilla to Gennext Properties LLC for $1,985,000, closed Aug. 27 (last sale: $260,500, 05-19-14)

774 San Lucas Ave., 94043, 4 bedrooms, 1389 square feet, built in 1962, Burkhead Trust to Reivo Fund Ii LLC for $2,088,000, closed Aug. 26

LOS ALTOS

1091 Valley View Court, 94024, 3 bedrooms, 2904 square feet, built in 1984, Baer Trust to Yang and Su Trust for $3,800,000, closed Aug. 26

1405 Cedar Place, 94024, 3 bedrooms, 2300 square feet, built in 1975, Bosen Ding to Shahrzad and Pooya Khaloo for $4,020,000, closed Aug. 29 (last sale: $2,950,000, 11-02-20)

REDWOOD CITY

1379 Kentfield Ave., 94061, 2 bedrooms, 1350 square feet, built in 1983, Peavler Family Trust to Campbell Family Trust for $1,550,000, closed Aug.

8 (last sale: $1,125,000, 08-01-19)

1349 Jefferson Ave., 94062, 2 bedrooms, 990 square feet, built in 1926, Gary and Cory Beecher to Wampler Trust for $1,600,000, closed Aug. 4 (last sale: $1,150,000, 1004-18)

1692 Maryland St., 94061, 3 bedrooms, 1020 square feet, built in 1951, Jim Dvorkin to Thomas and Todd Nguyen for $2,034,000, closed Aug. 7 (last sale: $300,000, 1002-03)

327 A St., 94063, 3 bedrooms, 1432 square feet, built in 1943, Pelard Family Trust to Atashroo Living Trust for $2,100,000, closed Aug. 6 (last sale: $800,000, 10-13-14)

222 Brighton Lane, 94061, 3 bedrooms, 1840 square feet, built in 1986, Shin Family Trust to Yue and Kevin Chan for $2,250,000, closed Aug. 4 (last sale: $955,000, 10-07-05)

SAN CARLOS

21 Calypso Lane, 94070, 2 bedrooms, 1709 square feet, built in 1979, Abhishek Chaturvedi to Daniel and Laura Kang for $1,525,000, closed Aug. 7 (last sale: $1,250,000, 10-28-16)

277 Oakview Drive, 94070, 3 bedrooms, 1400 square feet, built in 1955, Whittington Trust to Uner Hosgur for $1,875,000, closed Aug. 8

BELMONT

1564 Molitor Road, 94002, 3 bedrooms, 1920 square feet, built in 1929, Rossi and S Filippo to Yiming and Peng Wu for $2,250,000, closed Aug. 4

NOW PLAYING: A BRAND NEW VERSION OF THE beloved novel “Little Women,” onstage at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts! America’s most produced playwright Lauren Gunderson brings Louisa May Alcott’s tale of sisterhood to the stage. This World Premiere at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley stars actor Elissa Beth Stebbins as author Louisa and heroine Jo. Bring the whole family to see this charming new play, performing now through October 12. Save your seats today at theatreworks.org.

PALO ALTO AIRPORT DAY. THE Palo Alto Airport Association is excited to announce the return of their community open house, Palo Alto Airport Day on Sunday, Sept. 28th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1903 Embarcadero Rd. The event is free to all attendees and everyone is welcome to attend!

Exhibits include airplane and helicopter displays, aircraft

flyovers, food trucks, local businesses, a bounce house for kids, and a flying car! Pilots can come see both new and vintage aircraft and the public will enjoy learning what it takes to become a pilot and learning about the numerous benefits our local airport brings to the community.

THE SCHAPELHOUMAN FIRE MUSEUM WILL open its doors to the public this Saturday, Sept. 27th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering a unique glimpse into the rich history of firefighting. Come explore vintage fire trucks, historic equipment, and learn about the evolution of fire safety. It’s a perfect event for families, history enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the legacy of fire service! Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to celebrate and learn about the heroes who have shaped our communities. Location: 700 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park.

HEAD WEST RETURNS to State Street in Downtown Los Altos this Sunday, Sept. 28th, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. HEAD WEST creates a neighborhood marketplace experience that brings together the spirit of the modern maker with the energy of the traveling vagabond, providing a space for our community of Makers, Crafters, Designers and Artists to connect with friends, neighbors and travelers. HEAD WEST is free entry, kid and pet-friendly, and all are welcome! Patrons can enjoy live music playing all day from local Bay Area musicians while exploring

the vibrant Downtown Los Altos neighborhood scene, in partnership with State Street Market and the Los Altos Village Association. Return engagements are scheduled for the fourth Sunday in each month through October.

HEIDI’S PIES IS NOT CLOSING. Come celebrate the good news. This Friday to Sunday, you can purchase a whole apple pie, regularly priced at $25, for only $9.99 from Heidi’s Pies. Established in 1970, Heidi’s Pies is a legendary San Mateo landmark. Their pies, which have been voted the best in the Bay Area, are made from scratch with only the highest quality ingredients, including fresh fruits, and no preservatives. Heidi’s Pies is located at 1941 S El Camino Real, San Mateo.

CALLING ALL YOGA TEACHERS! READY to take your teaching to the next level? Join Nikki Saengcha for a transformative weekend dedicated to the art of handson assisting. With over two decades of experience leading teacher trainings and countless assisting workshops, Nikki is renowned for her supportive, intuitive touch and her ability to help students feel both safe and seen. The Art and Heart of Hands on Assists: weekend of October 4 & 5. For more information go to craveyoga-mv.com/events

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ROTARY CLUB OF SAN MATEO 2025 FUN RUN. This year’s event will be held on Sunday, Oct. 19 at Seal Point Park on Bay Trail from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. All adult participants receive a T-shirt and goodybag. The annual San Mateo Rotary Club 5K/10K Fun Run has raised over $200,000 for community college and fouryear college scholarships! To register, visit https://4agc.com/event/funrun. Questions? Please contact them at (415) 307-9710 or FunRun@ RotaryClubofSanMateo.org.

ANNOUNCING EQUINE STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM. PROJECT HumaneKind is offering the Equine Stewardship Program (ESP), a community service opportunity at Portola Pastures for high school students. Small groups of from four to six students will meet twice monthly on a weekend for two months to learn all about horses. The sessions will be guided but will also ﬂow according to the students’ interests and inquiries. We will cover equine management, healthcare, grooming, behavior, and so much more. Much of what we learn will be compared and contrasted to these aspects of other species, such as dogs, cats, and humans. Volunteer hours will be awarded upon completion. Please email Jennifer Ott at jottcameron@yahoo.com for more information or to sign up for the program.

WHEN IT COMES TO DEPENDABLE ELECTRICAL WORK, Bay Area residents and business owners alike turn to Keith Davey Electrical. With years of hands-on experience, Keith offers all phases of electrical specializing in recessed lighting.

Now offering electric car charger installations. References and free estimates available.Keith is now available for building and business maintenance needs, please call (650) 759-0440 for more information.

GREAT GLASS PUMPKIN PATCH RETURNS.

The 30th Annual Great Glass Pumpkin Patch comes to the Palo Alto Art Center September 27–28, from 10:00am-5:00pm. The free event, produced by the Bay Area Glass Institute and Palo Alto Art Center Foundation, features more than 10,000 hand-blown

glass pumpkins, gourds, and autumn treasures crafted by over 20 artists. Visitors can shop unique creations, meet the artists, and watch live glass-blowing demonstrations throughout the weekend. This beloved tradition combines art, craftsmanship, and fall festivity for the whole community.

WHY NOT TONIGHT? Sure,tonight sounds about like the right night to enjoy some ﬁne dining and romance with a good friend at Sundance the Steakhouse in Palo Alto. Our hostess Skyler will greet you and seat you in the dark mahogany wood dining room, candles and all. We’re famous for our prime rib, delicate seafood and ﬁne wines. We also offer cocktails for the tough guys. Come by 1921 El Camino Real and see why Sundance the Steakhouse is such a special place. Call Skyler at (650) 321-6798 for a reservation and check the website for more info.

‘Eleanor the Great’ messy but moving

BY LINDSEY BAHR Associated Press Writer

There is a lovely story of friendship, grief and starting over at the heart of “Eleanor the Great.” The film, directed by Scarlett Johansson in her feature debut, gets tangled in a plot contrivance that is, at best, unnecessary and at worst, loathsome.

That’s the problem with the elevator pitch mentality, though. A story about a 90-something trying to make friends in a new city might sound a little too simple, a little too straightforward. What if she does so by pretending to be a Holocaust survivor? I’m not kidding.

Eleanor is played by June Squibb (the great). At 94 years old, she has moved from Florida to New York after the death of her best friend and roommate Bessie (Rita Zohar). Her daughter, Lisa (Jessica Hecht), and grandson, Max (Will Price), have taken her into their small Manhattan apartment, but they only seem interested in getting Eleanor into an assisted living arrangement.

Idyllic moments

The thing is Eleanor had a great life in Florida, living with her platonic best friend in a little apartment. The script, Tory Kamen’s first produced screenplay, smartly introduces this idyllic

moment first. It is a distinct joy to watch the two nonagenarians go about their daily activities, from velcroing their shoes to doing their exercises on the beach.

Squibb recently had a version of this in the delightful “Thelma,” but there she was alone, a widow determined to hold onto her independent living situation. Here, Bessie and Eleanor help each other, whether it’s waking up on time, or standing up for the other at the local supermarket when their preferred brand of kosher pickles isn’t on the shelf and the teenage employee dares to suggest that “all pickles taste the same.” Then Bessie

suddenly dies, and Eleanor is left with no choice but to start over.

The lie

It’s hard to make new friends anywhere, at any age, but perhaps even more so in drizzly, cold New York. When a friendly woman at the Jewish Community Center asks Eleanor if she’s here for “the group,” Eleanor doesn’t question it. Yes, she says with a relieved smile. When it becomes clear that this group is for Holocaust survivors, she does try to leave, but everyone encourages her to stay and suddenly she’s telling Bessie’s story of losing her brother in Poland as her

own. The script has already established Eleanor as a bit of a liar — but they’re the small kinds, the white lies that, she says, aren’t hurting anyone.

This might have just been a onetime thing, but sitting in the room is an NYU journalism student, Nina (Erin Kellyman), who is moved to tears and wants to talk to Eleanor more. The two develop an unlikely, but incredibly sweet friendship.

It’s here where you can start to see how the rest of the movie is going to play out, how the lie will go on too long and be exposed at a terrible time, leading to inevitable feelings of betrayal and humiliation. And it is very, very hard to watch Squibb in distress.

Johansson directs the proceedings simply, like a classic New York character drama, allowing the performances to shine over the filmmaking, but who she is as a filmmaker remains to be seen. Squibb and Kellyman, both terrific, are the real reasons to seek out “Eleanor the Great.” The film may trip over its own contrivances but their performances will leave you moved.

Release info

“Eleanor the Great,” a Sony Pictures Classics release in theaters tomorrow, is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association for “some language, thematic elements and suggestive references.” Running time: 98 minutes.

NONAGENARIAN — June Squibb in “Eleanor the Great.” Sony Pictures Classics via AP.

ENTERTAINMENT

Chastain opposes Apple show delay

Jessica Chastain says she disagrees with Apple TV+’s decision to postpone the release of the political thriller series “The Savant” following the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

Chastain, who is also the show’s executive producer, took to Instagram yesterday to say she was “not aligned on the decision to pause the release,” arguing that the show is “so relevant” and she’s never “shied away from difficult subjects.”

A media contact for the show did not immediately comment on Chastain’s post.

Show premise

In the eight-part limited series, Chastain plays a suburban mother-oftwo and a military veteran who works at the Anti-Hate Alliance. There, she secretly visits 4Chan-like message boards posing as a white nationalist and tries to draw out possible terrorists. The series includes sniper fire and the bombing of a government building.

Apple TV+ did not elaborate why it

choose to postpone the show’s release, only that it did so after “careful consideration.” The series was to debut Friday but Apple TV+ postponed it Tuesday to an unknown date in the future.

The decision came in the wake of the shooting death of conservative leader Kirk. Prosecutors have charged a 22-year-old and said he sent text messages appearing to show the act was motivated by wanting to stop Kirk’s “hatred.”

Chastain’s post

“‘The Savant’ is about the heroes who work every day to stop violence before it happens, and honoring their courage feels more urgent than ever,” Chastain’s Instagram post read. “I remain hopeful the show will reach audiences soon. Until then, I’m wishing safety and strength for everyone.”

She cited numerous acts of political violence in recent years in the U.S., including the plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, last year’s attempted assassinations of President Trump during his candidacy and Kirk’s death.

CHASTAIN

CUBBERLEY –––

The green space will have areas for open concerts, but without clear pathways for pedestrians and bicyclists, it could lead to accidents, Greenfield said.

“Think about the shortcuts because that’s where the people will go,” Commissioner Shani Kleinhaus said. Kleinhaus said to think about the shortcuts people will be taking to design the paths for bicyclists and pedestrians.

The recreation center would have tennis, basketball, volleyball courts, classrooms, studio spaces and an outdoor swimming pool, Deml said. There would also be space for yoga, pilates, a preschool daycare, martial arts and office spaces, Deml said.

The project will protect all existing trees and plant additional ones on the site. There will be pathways and a bike road and a parking structure, Deml said.

Competing with other pools?

Kleinhaus said she was concerned about the center having to compete with other places that may provide the same services, like the pool.

Kleinhaus said there are pools like Elks Lodge at 4249 El Camino, which offer outdoor and indoor hot tubs and a gym and is seven minutes away from the center. She also said the YMCA, which is four minutes away at 3412 Ross Road, and the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center at 3921 Fabian Way, which is three minutes away from the center, would be the competition for the project.

The city is working on the 15-acre project alone and will be working on it in phases. The city purchased seven acres from Palo Alto United School District in 2024 for $65.5 million, and they will be vacating the current space they are using when construction starts, Deml said.

How will it go?

Commissioner Nellis Freeman said he was con-

cerned about how services would continue working during the second construction phase. Deml said it will be planned around ongoing activities to avoid impeding any other services that require special rooms or equipment, like dancers who would need rooms with mirrors.

City council will be reviewing the plans on Oct. 20 for feedback, and a final plan is projected to be made by December, according to Deml. City officials have discussed putting a bond measure on the November 2026 ballot to rebuild the community center.

Cubberley was built in the 1950s as the Palo Alto Unified School District’s third high school and closed in 1979 after enrollment fell.

The space is now used for holding events for nonprofits, artists, sports and programs for kids.

ROBBERY –––––

been held up, police said. The officer pursued the suspects’ car and tried to pull it over, but the vehicle entered southbound Highway 101 from Woodside Road with police in pursuit, with speeds reaching 130 mph, according to Chang.

Ended in a crash

The car crashed at the Marsh Road exit, where the suspects’ car rolled over, as did one of the chasing officers’ cars, according to the DA.

The trio tried to run away but were arrested, police said. A loaded 9mm handgun was found at the scene of the crash, along with several hundred dollars in cash believed to have been taken in the robbery, police said.

The trio had robbed a 7-Eleven in Walnut Creek a few hours earlier, Chang said.

Long court case

The case has stretched on due to continuances, Carter taking a plea deal and Richardson-Green refusing to come to court multiple times throughout the

years, according to court records. Carter took a plea deal and on June 12, was sentenced to four years in prison, which he had already served due to the case stretching on for so long, according to the DA’s office.

Richardson-Green is facing such a lengthy sentence because he already has a strike and because a gun was used by Richardson-Green during the crime, it adds a possibility that he could be in prison for the rest of his life, Chang said.

Richardson-Green remains in jail on no bail status

SQUIRREL

–––––

and that more than five people have been attacked by a “very mean squirrel” that “comes out of nowhere.”

Lisa Bloch with Marin Humane says they have had no reports of squirrel attacks since the middle of the month.

If the squirrel crops up again, the nonprofit will coordinate with the state to remove the animal, she said.

“We’ve seen this kind of behavior before,” she said. “It’s almost always because someone has been feeding the animal.”

The good thing is that squirrels are not vectors for rabies. She says people should never feed wildlife.

Harris talks Gaza war at book tour

Former Vice President Kamala Harris, forced to confront Israel’s war in Gaza on the first night of her book tour, expressed compassion for the Palestinians and condemned President Donald Trump for giving the Israeli government “a blank check.”

“What’s happening to the Palestinian people is outrageous and it beaks my heart,” she told a packed New York City performance center on Wednesday night after being interrupted by the first of four pro-Palestinian protesters. “Donald Trump has given (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu a blank check to do whatever he wants.”

The comments came in the midst of a discussion about her new book, “107 Days,” which was released on Tuesday and details the hyperspeed campaign she launched against Trump after Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race.

Harris was initially scheduled to make one appearance at the 1,500-person capacity Times Square performance center, but her team added a second show earlier in the evening because of high interest.

Divides Dems

Few issues have divided the nation — and the Democratic Party — more than the war in Israel.

More than 65,000 Palestinians have

been killed since the start of the war, Gaza’s Health Ministry said earlier in the month. The conflict erupted after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas.

Democratic activists in particular have condemned leaders in both parties for not pushing back harder to stop the bloodshed.

Supports Mamdani

Harris yesterday referenced her support for New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, a Democrat who has also spoken out against the war in Gaza. She said the two spoke earlier in the day.

She said she told him she’s “excited” about his candidacy.

“You are bringing people in, and you are showing that there are voices that want to be heard, have felt left out and are now a part of what you are doing,” she said, referencing the conversation. “And that is so powerful.”

Outside the venue yesterday night, dozens of activists protested on the sidewalk. Inside, the event veered off script several minutes after it began when a protester started shouting from the audience.

“Your legacy is genocide. The blood of the Palestinians is on your hands,” the first one, a man wearing a medical mask, yelled before being escorted out by security. Later, another woman said,

“This is your fault.”

As the crowd grew angry with the disruptions, Harris called on them to “take the temperature down.”

She noted that, as vice president, she first spoke out publicly about starvation in Gaza a year and a half ago. At the time, she said, she took “a lot of heat” from the Biden administration for speaking out on the sensitive issue.

“I understand your concern and how you feel — I think I do,” she told the third protester. “And the reality of it is where we are right now didn’t have to be this way — in terms of the blank check that this president has given.”

Criticized Trump

Several times over the course of the night, she criticized Trump. At one point, she said the Republican president and his allies are like “a communist dictatorship” for quashing dissent.

Shortly before the appearance, Trump lashed out at Harris on social media for saying in a recent interview that the 2024 presidential election loss was the closest in the 21st century. Harris repeated the claim on Wednesday in New York.

Trump called the former vice president “DUMB AS A ROCK.”

Trump wants apology

“A TOTAL LIE! I expect an apolo-

gy. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump wrote.

The U.S. doesn’t elect presidents by popular vote. In fact, Trump lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton in 2016 and still won the presidency through the electoral college.

Trump won the electoral college over Harris, 312-226. There have been two closer elections since 2000. The closest was George W. Bush’s win over John Kerry in 2004.

No future plans

Harris, who turns 61 next month, hasn’t detailed her future plans and was not asked about them at the book event. She’s already passed on an opportunity to run for governor of her home state of California.

There were decidedly mixed opinions about what she should do next — even among the hundreds who packed into the Times Square venue.

Valerie Lewis, 56, of New York City, said she’s hopeful that the former vice president can unify the badly divided country. She said she “would love” Harris to run for president again.

Lewis’ husband, 65-year-old Eugene Dixon, would not.

“She can’t do it,” Dixon said. “I don’t believe America is ready to have a woman president.”

Lewis rolled her eyes.

Three arrested for contacting minors for sex

Menlo Park Police yesterday announced the arrest of three people who traveled to the city with plans to meet up with minors under 14 year old for sex.

Police conducted the sting where they posed as minors and talked to three people who, even after learning of the

purported children’s ages, arranged to meet up in Menlo Park, police said.

The arrestees used sexually explicit language and sent graphic photos to the officers, police said.

Arrested were:

•Arunkumar Kizhakke Unnikrishnan, 45, of Mountain View,

•Yony Torchez-Martinez, 33, of San Jose,

•Jefferson Aldair Martinez Hernandez, 26, of Oakland.

All were arrested for attempted lewd acts with a child under 14 years old, contacting a minor with lewd intent and arranging to meet with a minor for

lewd purposes. All have been booked into jail in Redwood City.

Unnikrishnan and Torchez-Martinez are both in jail in lieu of $100,000 and are set to appear in court today. Jail records for Hernandez did not include a court appearance date or bail amount yesterday.