A lot has happened this past week. Let's recap.

Apple's Tim Cook Hosting Silicon Valley Fundraiser for Clinton, Mercury News

Hillary Clinton's late-summer fundraising tour is coming to the Bay Area on Wednesday with two galas, including one hosted by Apple CEO Tim Cook. Cook's event, co-hosted by Lisa Jackson, Apple's vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives, will raise money for the Hillary Victory Fund, which allocates money to the Clinton campaign, the Democratic National Committee and Democratic Party operations in 38 states. Read More.

Exclusive Interview: Palo Alto Mayor Patrick Burt Fires Back at Housing Critics, Curbed SF

Last week, Curbed SF spoke to former Palo Alto planning commissioner Kate Vershov Downing, who made waves by resigning and penning an open letter condemning Palo Alto's housing policy. In response, mayor of Palo Alto Patrick Burt agreed to speak with us about the same issues. Burt has been mayor since January of this year, and also once before in 2010. (In Palo Alto, the mayor is elected annually from amongst sitting members of the City Council.) He's also the CEO of medical tech company TheraDep.Read More.

Man Bites off Bartender's Finger in SF's Marina, SF Gate

A man who went berserk and bit off a bartender's finger after getting booted from a karaoke bar in San Francisco's Marina district at closing time remained on the loose as police sought the public's help Monday in trying to identify and capture him. Read More.

Ian McKellen Turned Down $1.5M To Officiate Sean Parker's Wedding As Gandalf, SFist

You remember Seanal Parker's Lord Of The Rings-themed wedding, right? The Napster co-founder and first Facebook president married singer-songwriter Alexandra Lenas three years ago at an idyllic Big Sur campground, and while the setting was certainly magical, the environmental damage caused by the $10 million faerie role play was anything but. And now, as if Parker being publicly accosted by angry redwood lovers wasn't enough of a nice conclusion to this morality play of freewheeling hubris spurned, we are presented with a coda to finally close the books on that 2013 display of great tech wealth: The Daily Mail reports that Sir Ian McKellen was offered $1.5 million to officiate the wedding, in costume, as the wizard Gandalf. Read More.

How To Help Italy Earthquake Victims: 8 Ways To Donate Blood, Money And Goods For Relief, International Business Times

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake killed more than 100 people and disappeared scores of others early Wednesday near Rome, sending first responders scrambling and triggering an international outpouring of support. USA Today reported the towns impacted the most by the temblor were Accumoli and Amatrice, the latter of which was the subject of a haunting quote by Mayor Sergio Pirozzi being shared by various media outlets — "half of the town doesn't exist anymore."

The government's civil protection department has deployed relief and rescuers to the regions affected by the earthquake, but you may be wondering how you personally can help. Here are eight ways to support the victims of the natural disaster. Read More.