Quote of the week

"Rustling of the leaves used to be my lullaby
Days so long ago when I was a tot, so high
And now that I have grown
I've found myself alone

Cradle me where summer skies can watch me with a million eyes
Oh, sing me to sleep
Lullaby of the leaves"

Photos with Santa ticket reservations open Monday

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. Advance reservations are required and tickets are $5 per person. 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 starting Monday, Nov. 2, at 9 a.m. Get tickets.

Pumpkin Tales

Our Storytelling Festival continues with something cool after school as classic tales magically transform into pumpkin tales packed with adventure and laughter. Join us on Thursday, Nov. 5, from 2:30–3:15 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

World Cup Soccer Skill Clinics — New sessions start in November!

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.

Garden Talks: Best Gardening Books of 2026

Our gardening experts share some of the best books they've seen this year. You may learn of the perfect book to give to the garden lover on your gift list. Our Garden Talks take place online on the first Wednesday of each month. Join us online via Zoom on Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 6:30–7 p.m. Learn more.

Halloween Hoopla Feedback

If you attended Halloween Hoopla last Saturday, 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. 

Makers Market at Burgess Pool

Burgess Pool is hosting a Makers Market to benefit the Beyond Barriers Athletic Foundation, a local nonprofit that provides scholarships for swim lessons, lifeguard training and swim team participation. Peruse and purchase ornaments, note cards, books, framed art, jams and jellies, scarves, embroidered dish towels and more — all crafted and generously donated by Menlo Masters team members. This is a cashless event, so be sure to bring your credit card and your gift list! Join us in the Burgess Pool Lobby, 501 Laurel St., on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 7 a.m.–noon.

National Cat Day

National Cat Day is every year on Oct. 29. Enjoy a National Cat Day reading list from our Librarians. Take me to the list, right meow!

Rahiti Polynesian Dance

Enjoy a Polynesian dance performance with children and adult dancers, featuring styles from the islands of Hawai'i, Tahiti, New Zealand and Samoa. Join us on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 1–2 p.m. at Belle Haven Community Campus, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.

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.

Menlo Park Senior Center — November Lunch Menu

Menlo Park Senior Center's November lunch menu is here! Our nutrition program offers seniors a freshly prepared, affordable, nutritionally balanced lunch prepared by a dedicated nutrition coordinator. Lunch is a suggested donation of $2.50. Learn more.

More free programs and events

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

• Adult Tabletop Gaming Night. Drop in and enjoy a range of games, from well-known classics to newer entries and even role-playing games. Bring in a game of your own to share, if you like! Join us on Sunday, Nov. 1, from 2–3:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

• Virtual Museum Visit. We're Zooming to Fresno! Join us for a virtual walk-through of Arte América's Día de Muertos exhibition, Cuatro Puntos. Participate online via Zoom on Monday, Nov. 2, from 4–5 p.m. Learn more.

• Melanated Women Read. Melanated Women Read is a book discussion group for Black women. This month we will discuss Luster: A Novel by Raven Leilani. Join us online via Zoom on Monday, Nov. 2, from 6:30–8 p.m. Learn more.

• Teen Tabletop Gaming. Teens in grades six–12 are invited to join us every month for drop-in Dungeons and Dragons, or other tabletop role-playing games. Participate on Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 4–5:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

• Global Language Storytime. Join us for a special storytime in Spanish! Participate on Friday, Nov. 6, from 11:30 a.m.–noon at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

• Teen Media Friday. Join us for Teen Media on the first and third Fridays of the month, where we will either watch a film or play video games in the library’s Teen Zone. Participate on Friday, Nov. 6, from 3:30–5:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

• 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.

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!

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