Quote of the week

"Don't forget that costumes, like dreams, are symbolic communication. Dreams teach us that a language for everything exists — for every object, every color worn, every clothing detail. Hence, costumes provide an aesthetic objectification that helps to tell the character's story."

– Federico Fellini, Director and Screenwriter

 

Today: English Conversation Club

Practice your English with people from all over the world! Meet other English language learners and work with our literacy staff and volunteer tutors. Drop in and join the conversation. No registration is necessary. English Conversation Club meets every Saturday at noon at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.

 

Halloween costume drive

The City of Menlo Park's Library and Community Services department and the Menlo Park Police Department are teaming up to hold Costumes for Kindness, a Halloween costume drive for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Donations of new or gently used costumes for children ages five–11 can be dropped off at either of the following locations until Oct. 17:

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

All usable donations will go directly to Belle Haven School students who are in need of a costume. Learn more.

 

 

 

“Know Your Rights” resources

Menlo Park Library is a trusted source of information and resources for all community members. The library maintains a variety of resource guides on key topics of community interest, including a “Know Your Rights” guide on immigrant rights and local resources. 

On the list you’ll find links to:

 
Librarians don’t give legal advice, but they are ready and willing to help community members find and gain access to information and resources. Contact us online or by phone or come in-person to Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., and Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave.

 

 

Swim + Fitness = SwimFit! Check out SwimFit at Belle Haven Community Campus!

There’s never been a better time to become a Menlo Swim & Sport member. Menlo Park residents who are 18 and older with an active Menlo Swim & Sport membership get a FREE monthly pass to the Fitness Center at the Onetta Harris Community Center at the Belle Haven Community Campus, 100 Terminal Ave.! The monthly pass includes access to both aquatics and fitness with no additional cost. Learn more or ask for more information at the Belle Haven Pool customer service window.

 

 

Aquatics working group meeting Sept. 23 

The aquatics working group is an opportunity for community members to participate in intimate "focus group" sessions to provide feedback and gain insight about the programs and services at Belle Haven Pool and Burgess Pool. Sessions are open to all interested community members. Participate on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 6 p.m. at Belle Haven Community Campus, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.

 

 

Parks and Recreation Commission meeting Sept. 24  

The Parks and Recreation Commission is comprised of Menlo Park residents who advise the City Council on matters related to the City's parks and recreation activities. Parks and Recreation Commission meetings are open to the public and public comments are welcome. The next meeting is on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 6:30 p.m. at the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma St., or online via Zoom. See the meeting agenda.

 

 

Public Works Open House Sept. 27 

The City of Menlo Park Public Works department is hosting an Open House on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. to showcase their work in the community. Besides meeting City staff and learning more about City projects, the Public Works Open House offers fun games and activities for the whole family.

  • Enjoy a petting zoo.
  • Build a road with edible materials.
  • Bowl with a backhoe.
  • Get up close to some of our equipment.

Join us on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at the Corporation Yard, 333 Burgess Drive. Learn more.

 

 

Free literary and cultural programs    

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

  • Middle Grade Book Group: The Golden Compass. Middle Grade Book Group is an in-person group for kids between the ages of six and 12 who are interested in reading chapter books. This month, we discuss The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 4:30–5:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
  • Ultimate Book Group crossover: The Golden Compass. Menlo Park Library's Middle Grade Book Group and Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Group team up to discuss a single book in this special session. Join us on Sunday, Sept. 21, from 4–5 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
  • Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Group: The Golden Compass. Join us online via Zoom or in person at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave., to discuss The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman on Monday, Sept. 22, from 6:30–7:45 p.m. Learn more.
  • Instrument Petting Zoo. It's an interactive concert and instrument petting zoo, especially for curious minds under 10! Participate on Sunday, Sept. 21, from 11–noon at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.
  • Sensory-friendly film festival. Join us for a sensory-friendly, Disney princess-themed film festival featuring all the "princess" films, from the 1937 classic, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, to the 2024 feature, Moana 2. Sensory-friendly movies are an experience for all families, designed with special needs in mind. Admission is free and no registration is required. A caregiver or parent must be present with each child. The next movie in our series is The Little Mermaid. Join us on Fridays at 11:30 a.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
  • Teen Media Nights: Watch a movie and play video games at the library! Join us for Teen Media Nights from 3:30–5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays, when we will either watch a film or play video games in the library's Teen Zone.
  • English Conversation Club. Meet other English language learners and work with our literacy staff and volunteer tutors. Drop in and join us on Tuesday, Sept. 23, from noon–1 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
  • Erle Stanley Gardner: “That Perry Mason Guy.” Famous for 82 of the Perry Mason mysteries, author Erle Stanley Gardner made Temecula, California, his home for 33 years. We’ll pay a virtual visit to the Temecula Valley Museum to learn more about Gardner and check out their reproduction of his office. Participate online via Zoom on Tuesday, Sept. 23, from 6–6:45 p.m. Learn more.
  • Teen Creative Journaling Workshop. The Menlo Atherton High School Journaling Club and the Menlo Park Library Teen Advisory Group (TAG) are hosting an event where you can journal, create stickers, make crafts and try out other creative art forms to celebrate back-to-school season. Join us on Thursday, Sept. 25, from 3:30–5 p.m. at the Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
  • Garden Talk: Attracting Wildlife. Join us online to learn about creating natural habitats in any size of garden! Learn how to attract and support birds, bees and butterflies through simple design ideas and plant selections. Participate online via Zoom on Wednesday, Oct. 1, from 6:30–7:30 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!

See more free programs