Quote of the week

"We are absurdly accustomed to the miracle of a few written signs being able to contain immortal imagery, involutions of thought, new worlds with live people, speaking, weeping, laughing. We take it for granted so simply that, in a sense, by the very act of brutish routine acceptance, we undo the work of the ages, the history of the gradual elaboration of poetical description and construction, from the treeman to Browning, from the caveman to Keats. What if we awake one day, all of us, and find ourselves utterly unable to read? I wish you to gasp not only at what you read but at the miracle of its being readable."

– Vladimir Nabokov, Pale Fire

PlayLOCAL!

Celebrate Parks and Recreation Month with us this July! Bike, walk or run to your local park to join us for PlayLOCAL!, an hour of guided outdoor play and games. Attendees can also pack a picnic and bring a blanket to stay and chat with their friends and neighbors afterward. PlayLOCAL! events are from 11 a.m.–noon each Tuesday in July. Plus, join us for a bubbly surprise at the PlayLOCAL! series finale on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Willow Oaks Park. Click any event below to learn more.

• July 7, Nealon Park
• July 14, Karl E. Clark Park
• July 21, Burgess Park playground
• July 28, Sharon Park playground
• Aug. 8, Willow Oaks Park

This Friday – Juneteenth Celebration

Join us as we celebrate Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Attendees will enjoy resources and vendors, family activities, food for purchase and free treats, plus cultural entertainment, including storytelling and a Caribbean music performance by Asheba, Myke tha Kidd and Menlo Park Soul Line Dancers. Participate on Friday, June 19, from 5–8 p.m. at Belle Haven Campus, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.

Summer Puppetry Festival

Kids love puppetry, and each summer, the City of Menlo Park celebrates the art of puppetry in its many forms with a series of puppet shows and events featuring performers from throughout the Bay Area and beyond.

• The Science and Psychology of Muppet Design. Learn the science behind what makes characters like the Muppets so irresistibly appealing. Participate on Monday, June 15, from 6–7:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St.
• Pop and Go Puppets: Wildspaces! performance. Scamper Squirrel is in trouble! It appears his tree is about to be torn down by bulldozers. In a forest farce full of shady characters and mistaken identities, Scamper is going to need a lot of help from the audience. Participate on Sunday, June 28, from 11–11:45 a.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave.

Summer Concert Series begins July 8 with Eagles tribute band

Get ready for an incredible summer of music and fun at Fremont Park and Karl E. Clark Park with the City of Menlo Park's Summer Concert Series! Grab your lawn chairs, blankets and all your favorite picnic essentials as you enjoy music at twilight with your family and friends. All concerts start at 6 p.m. The series begins July 8 and runs weekly through Aug. 12.

Our first summer concert performance is by the Boys of Summer, an Eagles tribute band known as one of the top touring Eagles tribute bands in America! See other concert dates, locations and bands.

Summer Reading Game has begun!

Enjoy the magic of a good summer read with the Summer Reading Game. Readers can earn prizes and free books courtesy of Friends of Menlo Park Library. Players of all ages are welcome to join and participate through Aug. 31. Learn more.

Teen and adult gymnastics

Gymnastics now offers a class that welcomes both beginner and higher-level gymnasts for ages 13 and older. Students will work on flexibility, strength training, tumbling and skills on gymnastics equipment. This class includes instructor-led exercises and personal exploration of gymnastics skills. Participate on Tuesdays from 7–7:50 p.m. at the Arrillaga Family Gymnastics Center, 510 Laurel St. Learn more.

Hiding from the heat this weekend?

Looking for fun indoor activities to avoid the heat? Learn more about these great library resources:

• Creativebug – Enjoy thousands of award-winning art and craft video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists. Sign in with your Menlo Park Library card for unlimited access to crafting tutorials.
• Comics Plus – Digital Comics – Access thousands of digital comics, graphic novels and manga from dozens of major publishers with a Menlo Park Library card starting in 29044. No holds or wait lists required!
• Kanopy streaming TV and films – Access movies, documentaries, foreign films, classic cinema and independent films with your library card without ever leaving your house!
• Hoopla – Enjoy audiobooks, eBooks, comics, movies, TV, magazines or music everywhere you have a screen: your computer, your phone, your car, even your TV. 

Summer schedules at the pools

Summer has arrived in Menlo Park and the pools are ready for you with updated hours!

Belle Haven Pool:

• Monday–Thursday: 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
• Friday: 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Saturday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Sunday: noon–4 p.m.

Lap Swim: All open hours
Open swim: Available daily from noon to close
See the detailed Belle Haven Pool schedule.

Burgess Wading Pool:

• Monday–Friday: noon–5 p.m.
• Saturday–Sunday: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

See the full Burgess Pool schedule.

Discover & Go – Free and discounted museum passes

Discover & Go offers free and low-cost passes for museums, science centers, zoos, theaters and other cultural destinations. View available passes and plan your next outing by logging in with your library card. Learn more.

Let's do lunch at Menlo Park Senior Center

For active adults aged 60 and older. Check out the lunch menu at Menlo Park Senior Center. Freshly prepared, nutritionally balanced meals are made with local ingredients and paired with health, recreational, social, cultural and educational programs, plus opportunities for conversation and fun! Free, reliable transportation service is available. Join us Monday through Friday from morning to early afternoon at Menlo Park Senior Center, 100 Terminal Ave. See the menu.

Tea and Tarot

Bring your favorite deck of tarot cards and join us for tea and conversation while you practice your skills in reading the tarot. Although this isn't an instructional course, you'll meet like-minded people who can share their tarot experiences. Participate on Sunday, June 21, from 3–4 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

More free literary and cultural programs 

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

• Storytime. Join us for 30-minute-long storytimes at the library. Children and their caregivers will enjoy interactive early learning, featuring stories, songs and fun! 
  • Belle Haven Library – Tuesdays at 7:15 p.m., Fridays at 5:15 p.m. and Saturdays at 10:15 a.m.
  • Menlo Park Library – Thursdays at 10:15 a.m., Fridays at 10:15 a.m. and Saturdays at 11:15 a.m.

• Library Makes. Join us for an afternoon of crafting Fuse Beads! Participate today, June 13, from 2–3:30 p.m. at Belle Haven Library in the Makerspace, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.

• Teen Book Group. Check out our book group, just for ages 12–17! Join us to discuss this month's book, This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron. Participate on Tuesday, June 16, from 4:30–5:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

• Mystery Readers Group. Mystery Readers Group is reading mysteries set in Canada! Join us online via Zoom on Tuesday, June 16, from 6–7:15 p.m. Learn more.

• The Politics of Drag. Learn about anti-drag legislation, how it relates to politics today and how the LGBTQ community has responded. Participate on Wednesday, June 17, from 6–7 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

• Create: Finger Knitting. For ages six and older. Learn one of the simplest and oldest methods for making fabric. No tools are needed, just fingers and yarn. Join us on Thursday, June 18, from 1–2 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

• Middle Grade Book Group. Ages six–12, join us to discuss this month's book, Lunar Boy by Jes and Cin Wibowo. Participate on Saturday, June 20, from 4:30–5:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

• Library Makes. Join us to make pipe cleaner bouquets! Participate on Saturday, June 20, from 2–3:30 p.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.

• Sci-Fi Fantasy Book Group. Join our Science-Fiction and Fantasy Book Group online or in person to discuss Foundation by Isaac Asimov. Participate online via Zoom or in person at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave., on Monday, June 22, from 6:30–7:45 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!