Quote of the week

"There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat,
And we must take the current when it serves,
Or lose our ventures."

– William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar

Cocoa at the Campus

Join us for this free, family-friendly event with youth performances, hot cocoa, mini-churros and the lighting of the trees surrounding the Belle Haven Community Campus. Participate on Monday, Nov. 30, from 6–7 p.m. at Belle Haven Community Campus, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.

Photos with Santa – Tickets now open!

Bring your camera and join us for holiday cheer with fun holiday crafts, light refreshments and photos with the North Pole's most famous inhabitant. Tickets are $5 per person and are not sold at the door. Join us on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma St. Tickets are available now.

Shop local! Light Up the Season and Centennial Celebration Kickoff

Ring in the holiday season and kick off Menlo Park's Centennial Celebration with a winter wonderland event in downtown Menlo Park! Enjoy free, family-friendly entertainment, youth performances, hot cocoa (quantities limited), the Menlo Park oak tree lighting (as our beloved pine tree takes a much-needed break) and local shopping and dining. All ages are welcome. This event is rain or shine on Friday, Dec. 4, from 5:30–7 p.m. at Fremont Park, Santa Cruz Avenue at University Drive. Learn more.

Donate outerwear for children in need

The weather is getting colder as we head into the winter months. Most of us have jackets, sweatshirts and coats to keep warm, but some do not. The City of Menlo Park, in partnership with Recology San Mateo County, collects new and gently used coats to donate to those in need as part of the annual Coats for Kids program.

From Monday, Nov. 9, through Friday, Nov. 13, Recology drivers will collect coats curbside at residential homes on their collection day in its service area. Residents should place coats in a clear plastic bag marked “Coats for Kids” and place the bag next to or on top of their blue recycling cart on their regular collection day.

A collection container labeled “Coats for Kids” will also be placed at the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma St., from Nov. 9– 20.

Upcoming Closure

The City of Menlo Park's Library and Community Services facilities will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 11, for Veterans Day. Regularly held business hours will resume the following day. Learn more.

Winter emergency and disaster preparedness

Get prepared for stormy weather and beyond. Learn how to create a household emergency plan, gather essential supplies, receive emergency alerts and prepare for flooding and power outages. These free presentations will also highlight the City's winter preparedness efforts and local hazard mitigation planning. Join us on Monday, Dec. 7, from 6–7 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., and Monday, Dec.14, from 6–7 p.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.

Friends of the Menlo Park Library Book Sale

Join us for a book sale! We have books, DVDs, CDs, games, puzzles and collectibles. Most items are priced around $1–$2 and all proceeds support literacy programs in Menlo Park. Participate on Friday, Nov. 13, from 2–5 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

World Cup Soccer Skill Clinics – Final call for new session

Keep the good times rolling with World Cup Soccer Skill Clinics' dynamic, hour-long sessions that build skills, confidence and game awareness for players of all skill levels. With experienced coaches, plenty of ball touches and a scrimmage to finish each session, players learn and have fun on the field in a safe and supportive environment. The enrollment fee includes a World Cup Soccer T-shirt. Register today to secure your child's spot! Learn more.

Sandbag Saturdays for seniors and those with physical limitations

If you have physical limitations and need help with sandbags, assistance will be available from 1–3 p.m. on Nov. 14, Dec. 12 and Jan. 9 in the Burgess Park parking lot at the corner of Alma Street and Burgess Drive. Learn more.

StoryFest

First, our special guest storytellers will be delighting us with stories from our state capital and beyond. Join us online via Zoom on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 6–7:30 p.m. Learn more.

Then, tour the spellbinding tales of Hawaii's supernatural ancient spirits and volcanic goddesses. Join us on Monday, Nov. 16, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

Water-Efficient Edible Gardens Workshop

Learn how to design and maintain a productive edible garden that thrives in dry conditions, irrigation techniques and soil improvement strategies for edible plants, and about rebates that can help convert your lawn to a garden! Join us on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 1–2 p.m. at the Arrillaga Recreation Center in the Cypress Room, 700 Alma St. Learn more.

More free programs and events

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

• Co-writing Workshop. Join us for fun prompts, free writes and literary community! Participate on Sunday, Nov. 8, from 2–3 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

• Fiction Book Group. Join our Fiction Book Group online to discuss A Bell for Adano by John Hersey. Participate online via Zoom on Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 6:30–7:45 p.m. Learn more.

• Library Makes: Watercolor Resist Art. Join us for an afternoon craft of watercolor resist art in the Makerspace! Participate on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 2–3:30 p.m. at Belle Haven Library, Makerspace, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.

• Tea and Tarot. Join us for tea and conversation around the tarot deck. Participate on Sunday, Nov. 15, from 3–4 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

• Mystery Readers Group: Reality Show Mysteries. Fame, glory, love and money are all on the line in the high-stakes world of reality TV production. Amid rising tension and boiling tempers, bakers, bachelorettes and survivors may resort to murder! Join us online via Zoom on Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 6–7:15 p.m. Learn more.

• Teen Book Group. Join us to discuss this month's book, Costumes for Time Travelers by A.R. Capetta. Participate on Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 4:30–5:30 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!

See more free programs

Halloween Hoopla Feedback

If you attended Halloween Hoopla last month, we'd love to hear what you thought! Please share your feedback for a chance to win a gift card to a local merchant. Winners will be selected at random and contacted via email on Monday, Nov. 9. 

 

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