Quote of the week

"There is a temperate zone in the mind, between luxurious indolence and exacting work; and it is to this region, just between laziness and labor, that summer reading belongs." ― Henry Ward Beecher

Summer fun at the library!

Join the Summer Reading Game. The City of Menlo Park’s popular Summer Reading Game returns starting Sunday, June 1. Keep your reading skills sharp through the summer months as you discover great books, enjoy fun activities and earn awesome prizes sponsored by Friends of Menlo Park Library. Join the Summer Reading Game online or sign up in person at the library!

Library Fun Week. Join us as we kick off the Summer Reading Game with a week of fun activities at the library! Enjoy a new theme every day and drop-in crafts, by dressing up, creating art or sharing a story that ties into the day's theme. 

• Sunday, June 1: Silly Sunday
• Monday, June 2: Bug Day
• Tuesday, June 3: Under the Sea Day
• Wednesday, June 4: Super Hero and Villain Day
• Thursday, June 5: Sports Day
• Friday, June 6: Pajama Day

The Summer Reading Game is hosted by the City of Menlo Park in partnership with event sponsor Friends of Menlo Park Library. Join the fun at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. and Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St.

Juneteenth celebration

The City of Menlo Park invites you to celebrate Juneteenth with us on Saturday, June 14, at Kelly Park! Join us for a fun-filled day of:

• Cultural entertainment
• Live music
• Food for purchase
• Local tribute
• Free treats
• Resources and vendors
• Activities for the family
• Free community basketball game – 13 and older (day of registration required)

The Juneteenth celebration is hosted by the City of Menlo Park in partnership with event sponsors Belle Haven Action, Peninsula Clean Energy and Meta Platforms, Inc. Join us on Saturday, June 14, from noon–3 p.m. at Kelly Park, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.

Save the date! 4th of July community parade, picnic and circus

The City of Menlo Park invites you to celebrate the 4th of July with a community parade, picnic and free circus performances! Bring a picnic basket and blanket, join the parade and get ready for a memorable day of celebration and entertainment. Please register in advance to receive important event information and the chance to win cool prizes. Join us on Friday, July 4, from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. at Burgess Park, 701 Laurel St. Admission is free, but advance registration is highly recommended. Learn more and register.

Water exercise at Belle Haven Pool (try your first class free!)

The Aqua Fit water exercise class returns to Belle Haven Pool on June 17. Participants do not need to know how to swim to benefit from this class and all levels of fitness are welcome. Water exercise is a healthy, versatile, whole-body workout used by top athletes, fitness enthusiasts, youth and seniors alike. Aqua Fit classes use the buoyancy and the natural resistive forces of water to strengthen muscles and the cardiovascular system. Hyperlocal and senior discounts are available. Try your first class free!  Advance registration is required. Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 10–11 a.m. at Belle Haven Pool, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.

Free literary and cultural programs

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

• Silly Sunday Singalong. For ages zero–9 with a caregiver. Celebrate summer with familiar songs, wiggles and chants! Come ready to sing and dance on Sunday, June 1, from 11–11:45 a.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.
• Butterflies: Saving the Western Monarchs. Learn how you can "join the flight" to increase the population of monarch butterflies. Discover how communities are driving real change for western monarch butterflies and other at-risk pollinators in California and beyond. Join us on Monday, June 2, from 6–7 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
• Melanated Women Read: While Justice Sleeps. Melanated Women Read is a book discussion group by and especially for Black women. This month, we discuss While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams online via Zoom on Monday, June 2, from 6:30–8 p.m. Learn more.
• Teen Tabletop Gaming. Teens in grades six–12, join us for our monthly drop-in Dungeons and Dragons or other tabletop roleplaying games. Never played before? That's no problem! Participate on Wednesday, June 4, from 4-5 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
• Garden Talk: Herbs in Your Garden. This month, garden experts will discuss herbs to grow year-round in your garden or containers. Join us online via Zoom on Wednesday, June 4, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. Learn more.
• Stuffed animal sleepover storytime. Bring your plush stuffie to the library for an evening storytime. Then, say goodnight to your little friend and go home for the night. When you pick up your toy the next day, you'll learn all about their overnight adventures at the library! Bring your stuffie on Friday, June 6, at 5:15 p.m. to Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. or Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St.
• Music with Los Panaderos. Hear traditional Mexican folk music performed live by Los Panaderos on Saturday, June 7, from 1–2 p.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.
• Summer Puppetry Festival with author appearance. We will kick off our 8th Annual Summer Puppetry Festival with a look at California's history of puppets! Meet the authors of A Century of California Puppetry: How the West was Strung. Join us on Monday, June 9, from 6–7 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. 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!

California book group (new!)

The California Book Group is a new, in-person book discussion group hosted by the Menlo Park Library. We'll discuss books set in California or by authors living in or from California. Our first read is How Much of These Hills Is Gold by C Pam Zhang. Join us on Sunday, June 1, at 3 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

Let's do lunch at Menlo Park Senior Center 

For active older adults ages 60 and older: Check out the lunch menu at the 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 the Menlo Park Senior Center, 100 Terminal Ave. See the menu.

Tip of the week: How to send feedback to the City

We want to hear from you! The City of Menlo Park provides multiple ways for residents to get in touch with us to help serve you better.

• Report issues with ACT Menlo Park. Report street or sidewalk issues, illegal dumping, parks and playground issues, trees, water leaks and much more. To report non-emergency facility and maintenance issues, try the ACT Menlo Park app or website. ACT Menlo Park will automatically route your request to the right person. You can track progress on the request through the app. Report issues.
• Police department compliments and complaints. For urgent matters that require immediate attention or a police response, please call 9-1-1. For non-emergency feedback and complaints, check out the online compliments and complaints webpage. Learn more.
• Libraries, recreation and community services. For general questions and comments about parks, recreation and library services, try our online suggestion box. Send feedback.
• Contact the City Council. To express your comments and opinions about a topic, you can contact the entire City Council (and senior staff) by email. Learn more.

Suggestion box – How are we doing?

We strive to deliver excellent service to the Menlo Park community. Your feedback helps us learn and improve. Do you have a question, complaint or suggestion? We want to hear from you. Please share your thoughts in our online suggestion box.