Quote of the week

"Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;
Lengthen night and shorten day;
Every leaf speaks bliss to me
Fluttering from the autumn tree.
I shall smile when wreaths of snow
Blossom where the rose should grow;
I shall sing when night's decay
Ushers in a drearier day."

– Emily Brontë, Fall, Leaves, Fall

Open Space Odyssey

Discover the stories behind our region's trails and open spaces! Naturalists from the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) will share the history, flora, fauna and ongoing preservation of the hidden natural treasures found throughout the Silicon Valley's backyard. Join us on Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 6–7:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

Costumes for Kindness

We're holding a costume drive for students in kindergarten through eighth grade! Your costume donation can help make a child's Halloween unforgettable. All usable donations will go directly to Samaritan House for children in need of a costume. We will also accept brand-new costumes for donation to the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health. Learn more.

Drop off your costumes by Friday, Oct. 23, to:

• Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma St.
• Arrillaga Family Gymnasium, 600 Alma St.
• Menlo Park Police Department, 701 Laurel St.

October Reads

Menlo Park's Librarians have put together some October reads for book lovers of all ages. Find your next good book! 

• Picture books: Monsters (young children)
• Chapter books: Creepy and eerie (middle grades)
• Spooky cozy romance (adults)

11th Annual Storytelling Festival

Everyone is invited to our 11th Annual Storytelling Festival! Join storyteller, radio host, podcaster and voice actor Hana Baba as she shares folktales from Sudan, the stories she grew up with in her Sudanese American home. Participate on Sunday, Oct. 18, from 11–11:45 a.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.

Halloween parade and carnival

Come in costume for a festive parade through downtown Menlo Park, where kids can trick-or-treat at local merchants' booths. And, new this year, bring your dog in disguise to join the fun as part of our "Howl-o-ween Walkers" section. After the parade, enjoy crafts, carnival games and entertainment by award-winning duo Lori and RJ. Admission is free. Join us on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. at Fremont Park at Santa Cruz Avenue and University Drive. Learn more.

Water exercise program at Belle Haven and Burgess Pools

Did you know that water exercise is one of the healthiest, most versatile whole-body workouts? Join our welcoming, supportive Aqua Fit classes and experience all the benefits water exercise offers! Each class is designed to build aerobic fitness and muscle tone while you have fun in the water. Belle Haven hyperlocal pricing and senior pricing are available! Memberships are available for Belle Haven Pool only or Belle Haven and Burgess Pools. Belle Haven Pool classes run Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2–3 p.m. and Burgess Pool classes run Monday–Friday from 8–9 a.m. Learn more.

Pumpkin Splash

Wear your swimsuit and join us for a floating pumpkin patch! Admission is $12 and includes a pumpkin, decorations for the pumpkin, a goody bag and additional time for swimming. Visit the website, call or visit Belle Haven Pool or Burgess Pool to reserve your spot today! Participate on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at Belle Haven Pool, 100 Terminal Ave., or from 1:30–3:30 p.m. at Burgess Pool, 501 Laurel St. Learn more.

Trunk-or-Treat

Instead of going door-to-door, trick-or-treaters will go from car-to-car, with each vehicle's trunk decorated in a creative and festive Halloween theme. Admission is free. Join us on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 4:30–6 p.m. at Belle Haven Community Campus, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.

More free literary and cultural programs 

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

• Library Makes. Crochet Coasters. Join us for an afternoon crafting crochet coasters in the Makerspace! Participate today, Oct. 10, from 2–3:30 p.m. at Belle Haven Community Campus, Makerspace, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.

• Co-writing Workshop. Join us for fun prompts, free writes and literary community! While this is not a class, it's a chance to connect with other writers to discuss and share creative works with like-minded people. Participate on Sunday, Oct. 11, from 2–3 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

• Fiction Book Group. Join our Fiction Book Group online via Zoom to discuss The Adventures of Augie March by Saul Bellow on Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 6:30–7:45 p.m. Learn more. 

• Filipino Cooking Lesson. Join us for a vegan Filipino sinigang cooking demonstration. Participate online via Zoom on Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 5:30–6:30 p.m. Learn more.

• Middle Grade Book Group Author Visit. Join us for a virtual visit from author Brigit Young to discuss her book Banned Books, Crop Tops, and Other Bad Influences! Participate online via Zoom on Thursday, Oct. 15, from 4:30–5:30 p.m. Learn more.

• Middle Grade Book Group. Join us to discuss this month's book, Banned Books, Crop Tops, and Other Bad Influences by Brigit Young! Participate on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 4:30–5:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more. 

• Tea and Tarot. Socialize and practice your skills reading the tarot. This isn't an instructional course. Meet like-minded people who can share their tarot experiences on Sunday, Oct. 18, from 3–4 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

• Teen Book Group (ages 12–17). Join us to discuss this month's book: Americanized by Sara Saedi. Participate on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 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!