Quote of the week

“A different language is a different vision of life.”
– Federico Fellini

“The more you speak more languages, the more you understand about yourself.”
– Sandra Cisneros

"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart." 
– Nelson Mandela

Today: English Conversation Club

Practice your English with people from all over the world! Meet other English language learners and work with our literacy staff and volunteer tutors. Drop in and join the conversation. No registration is necessary. English Conversation Club meets every Saturday at noon at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.

Modified hours for staff training days – Aug. 25 and 26

City recreation facilities and libraries will have modified hours for staff training days on Monday, Aug. 25, and Tuesday, Aug. 26. 

On Monday, Aug. 25, these facilities will open later than usual at 2 p.m.

• Belle Haven Community Campus, including:
  • Belle Haven Library
  • Menlo Park Senior Center
  • Onetta Harris Community Center 

On Tuesday, Aug. 26, these facilities will open later than usual at 2 p.m.

• Arrillaga Family Gymnasium
• Arrillaga Family Gymnastics Center
• Arrillaga Family Recreation Center 
• Menlo Park Library

The City of Menlo Park is committed to training and continuous improvement for all our team members. Our staff training days help us keep our skills sharp and learn new skills to better serve you. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we take a few hours out of the day to train together as a team. Learn more.

Check out the Makerspace at Belle Haven Library

Located on the second floor of the Belle Haven Community Campus, the Makerspace at Belle Haven Library is a dynamic multi-use space that can accommodate a range of community programs, including traditional arts and crafts, technology-aided creative work and hands-on workshops. Visitors are welcome and all are encouraged to share the space and help keep it in good working condition for everyone to enjoy. 

Share your ideas for Makerspace programs!
As use of the Makerspace grows, we want to hear your ideas for new ways the Makerspace can support creative projects for the community. Some potential future Makerspace programs could include supervised access to in-house equipment such as sewing machines, a large-format scanner, high-performance computers, Cricut smart cutting machines, fiber arts, painting and drawing tools and trained staff on hand to assist users with their projects. Do you have other ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Learn more.

Join our newest in-person book group

The California Book Group meets quarterly, in person, at Menlo Park Library. We discuss books set in California or by authors who live in or are from California. Our next meeting is on Sunday, Sept. 7, from 3–4:15 p.m. We'll be discussing I'm Glad My Mom Died, the heartbreaking and hilarious memoir from former child actor Jennette McCurdy. Learn more.

Or check out one of our online book groups:

• First Monday of the month: Melanated Women Read
• Second Tuesday of the month: Fiction Book Group
• Third Tuesday of the month: Mystery Readers Group
• Fourth Monday of the month: Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Group

Recreation activity guide – Registration now open 

Learning is a lifelong adventure! The City of Menlo Park hosts a wide range of high-quality recreational classes for all ages. These classes include fitness, dance, sports, gymnastics, music, drama, arts, crafts, cooking and much more, all with a welcoming and supportive community spirit. Whether you're a curious newcomer or a seasoned student, there's something to pique your interest.

Swim lessons – Registration now open  

Registration for fall swim lessons is now open! Browse our popular, high-quality lessons at reasonable rates online. Spots go fast! Scholarships and hyperlocal resident discounts are available. Call, email or stop by the pool to learn more and register.

Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting 

The Parks and Recreation Commission is comprised of Menlo Park residents who advise the City Council on matters related to the City's parks and recreation activities. Parks and Recreation Commission meetings are open to the public and public comments are welcome. The next meeting is on Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 6:30 p.m. at the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma St. This is a hybrid meeting; participants can join online or in person. See the meeting agenda.

Free literary and cultural programs    

These free literary and cultural programs received funding support from Friends of Menlo Park Library.

• Middle Grade Book Group: It's Boba Time for Pearl Li. Join us to discuss this month's book, It's Boba Time for Pearl Li by Nicole Chen, and meet Nicole in person for some fun activities! Participate on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 4–5:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
• Summer Puppetry Festival: Tale of the Dragon's Tale. Our 8th Annual Summer Puppetry Festival concludes with Puppet Art Theater, on tour from our state's capital with a dragon! Join us on Sunday, Aug. 24, from 10:30–11:15 a.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.
• SciFi/Fantasy Book Group. Join us online via Zoom to discuss Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk on Monday, Aug. 25, from 6:30–7:45 p.m. Learn more.
• Virtual Visit – Vietnamese Heritage Museum. Join us for a virtual visit to the Vietnamese Heritage Museum in Orange County! Participate online via Zoom on Wednesday, Aug. 27, from 6–7 p.m. Learn more.
• Global Language Storytime: Mandarin. Join us for a fun music and movement storytime in Mandarin! Learn through singing, dancing and movement in this Mandarin immersion event for children aged two–six and their grownups, presented by Early Start Music's Kids Go Mandarin program. Join us on Saturday, Aug. 30, from 10:15–10:45 a.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
• Garden Talk: California Wildflowers. Join us online or in person to learn about the variety of California wildflowers that can be grown in your garden. Participate online via Zoom or at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., on Wednesday, Sept. 3, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. Learn more.

Check out more free community programs
The above was just a sample of the many free activities hosted by the City of Menlo Park this week. Check out the community events calendar to see them all!

Labor Day holiday – City facilities closed

City facilities will be closed in observance of Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 1.