February 5, 2022

Quote of the week

Young, gifted and black
Oh what a lovely precious dream
To be young, gifted and black
Open your heart to what I mean

In the whole world you know
There's a million boys and girls
Who are young, gifted and black
And that's a fact

"You are young, gifted and black"
We must begin to tell our young
There's a world waiting for you
Yours is the quest that's just begun

When you’re feeling really low
There’s a great truth that you should know
When you're young, gifted and black
Your soul's intact

How to be young, gifted and black?
Oh, how I long to know the truth
There are times when I look back
And I am haunted by my youth

Oh, but my joy of today
Is that we can all be proud to say
"To be young, gifted and black
Is where it's at
Is where it's at 
Is where it's at"

—Nina Simone

Teen Film discussion

Thursday, Feb. 24, the Youth Advisory Committee is hosting a discussion of the film “Hidden Figures” in honor of Black History Month. There are free copies of the book and film available to borrow at the main library; plenty of time to read/watch before the event date. The discussion will be facilitated by Dr. Mary Montle Bacon, who hosted a series of programs for the library late last year on diversity, equity and inclusion. The film discussion is open to teens only. 

The Youth Advisory Committee advises the Parks and Recreation Commission on activities, events and programs for Menlo Park youth. Members are high school students who live or attend school in Menlo Park.

Libraries now open Sundays

The Menlo Park Library and Belle Haven Branch Library are now open on Sundays. Starting Sunday, Jan. 30, Menlo Park libraries will be open to the public during the following operating hours:

• Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays: Noon–8 p.m.
• Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Holidays: closed

2022 tennis court keys now available

Tennis court keys for 2022 are now available for purchase at the Arrillaga Family Gymnasium located at 600 Alma St., Monday–Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The fee for the annual key is $63 for residents and $127 for nonresidents. Tennis courts reservations are $17 for residents and $22 for nonresident per court per hour. For more information, call 650-330-2220.

A Wartime Journey

Yoshiko Kanazawa was interned in relocation centers in Tulare, California, and Gila River, Arizona, during World War II. At that time, all people of Japanese heritage were labeled as enemy aliens and were removed from their homes on the West Coast. Through powerful imagery, Yoshiko will shares a glimpse of how 110,000 people survived in the government camps. “I feel we need to tell this story and make sure we do not repeat that part of history.”

Teens: Get Organized Without Losing It!

“Get Organized Without Losing It!” author Janet Fox offers tips to manage the mess, put your stuff in order, manage your time, plan your work and work your plan. Friendly, entertaining advice for teens and tweens who want to manage their tasks, time and stuff—without going overboard or being totally obsessed.

Upcoming events

The City of Menlo Park hosts many free and low-cost cultural, literary and educational events that reflect our diverse community and are accessible to all. View a complete calendar of upcoming events.

Wherever There’s a Fight: A History of Civil Liberties in California
Jan. 30–March 13, 2022
This virtual exhibit tells the stories of brave individuals throughout California who stood up for their rights in the face of social hostility, physical violence, economic hardship and political stonewalling. Presented in English and in Spanish.

Storytime – Menlo Park Library
Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022
11:15–11:45 a.m.
Join us at the library for some interactive fun and learning! Storytime promotes the joy of reading and helps to develop early literacy skills.

Storytime – Belle Haven Branch Library
Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022
11:15–11:45 a.m.
Join us at the library for some interactive fun and learning! Storytime promotes the joy of reading and helps to develop early literacy skills.

Melanated Reads: Children of Blood and Bone, by Tomi Adeyemi
Monday, Feb. 7, 2022
6:30–8 p.m.
Join us this month to talk about Children of Blood and Bone, in which debut novelist Tomi Adeyemi conjures a stunning world of dark magic and danger.

Preschool/Toddler Tuesday: Melita Music
Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022
10–10:30 a.m.
Join us with your little one for a fun and engaging online music class featuring interactive and engaging songs, movement and dancing, instrument jam sessions and more!

Fiction Book Group: Go, Went, Gone, by Jenny Erpenbeck
Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022
7:15–8:30 p.m.
The library’s Fiction Book Group discusses German novelist Jenny Erpenbeck’s bestseller about the European refugee crisis, in which a retired professor realizes he has more in common with the asylum seekers than he had thought.

Tales Online: Storytime with Omaha Zoo
Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022
10–10:30 a.m.
Storytime takes a virtual trip to Omaha, Nebraska, where educators at Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium will read fun stories and introduce an animal docent.

Storytime – Menlo Park Library
Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022
10:15–10:45 a.m.
Join us at the library for some interactive fun and learning! Storytime promotes the joy of reading and helps to develop early literacy skills.

Get Organized Without Losing It!
Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022
4:30–5:30 p.m.
Students: Janet Fox has got some tips for you! Learn ways to manage the major messes in your life, put your stuff in order, manage your time, plan your work and work your plan.

A Wartime Journey
Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022
6:30–7:30 p.m.
Yoshiko Kanazawa was interned in relocation centers in Tulare, California, and Gila River, Arizona, during World War II. All people of Japanese heritage were labeled as enemy aliens and were removed from their homes on the West Coast. “I feel we need to tell this story and make sure we do not repeat that part of history.”

Storytime – Menlo Park Library
Friday, Feb. 11, 2022
10:15–10:45 a.m.
Join us at the library for some interactive fun and learning! Storytime promotes the joy of reading and helps to develop early literacy skills.

Story Time for Adults
Friday, Feb. 11, 2022
Noon–12:30 p.m.
Treat yourself to a half-hour break for your very own live, local audiobook-style performance. You’re never too old for a good story, and this program will bring the librarians and enriching, entertaining literature directly to you – wherever that might be!

Storytime – Menlo Park Library
Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022
11:15–11:45 a.m.
Join us at the library for some interactive fun and learning! Storytime promotes the joy of reading and helps to develop early literacy skills.

Storytime – Belle Haven Branch Library
Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022
11:15–11:45 a.m.
Join us at the library for some interactive fun and learning! Storytime promotes the joy of reading and helps to develop early literacy skills.

For complete event listings, visit our online events calendar.

Never miss a city event or meeting! 

The City of Menlo Park is excited to offer a new app called Simplicity to help you stay informed and on top of city news and events! Download the app, select your favorite news/event categories, turn on push notifications and receive instant updates. Not interested in receiving push notifications? You can still view events/news across all city departments without having to search through the website or wait for an email.

Download on the App Store or get it on Google Play.