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July 6, 2024

Quote of the week

One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.
--William Shakespeare

Summer Concerts in the Park

Get ready for an incredible summer of music and fun at Fremont Park and Kelly Park with the City of Menlo Park Summer Concert Series! Grab your lawn chairs and blankets and pack all your favorite picnic essentials to enjoy music at twilight with your family and friends. All concerts start at 6 p.m. The series begins July 10 and runs weekly through Aug. 14. See the website for specific dates, locations and bands.

This week’s concert: Busta Groove! plays Motown, classic '70s, '80s, '90s and today's hit songs. They are "California's number one party band" and were named one of America's 15 Best Wedding Bands by NBC. Arrive early to secure a great spot and settle in for an unforgettable evening of music. Join us Wednesday, July 10 at 6 p.m. at Fremont Park.

July is Park and Recreation Month

The City of Menlo Park strives to provide parks and recreation programs that help build a strong, vibrant and resilient community. Our goal is to provide welcoming and inclusive programs that foster a sense of belonging for all ages and abilities. Join us in celebrating Park and Recreation Month by participating in one of many featured activities, including: 

• Visit a park. Menlo Park is home to many beautiful parklands and open spaces, ranging from nature preserves to playgrounds, sports parks and everything in between. This summer, make it a goal to visit every park! 
• Swim at the pool. Menlo Park is home to two outstanding swim centers – Burgess Pool and the new Belle Haven Pool. Our pools are open seven days per week, year-round. Group swim lessons are available weekly Monday – Thursday; one-off lessons are available Saturdays. Swim camps offer a variety of options for children of all ages and every camp includes free swim time. Find all the Menlo Park swim options at menloswim.com.
• Enroll in a recreational class. Learning is a lifelong adventure, and learning by doing is perhaps the greatest adventure of all! This summer, learn something new or sharpen your skills by enrolling in a recreational class. We host classes for all ages and a wide range of interests. Fitness, dance, sports, arts and crafts, education and more. Check out our online class catalog to discover the perfect fit for you and enroll today.
• Join a youth summer camp. Menlo Park hosts multiple high-quality summer day camps that keep youth active and engaged throughout the summer. From arts and crafts to performing arts to sports and more, our day camps will make your youth’s summer one to remember. 
• Watch the 2024 Summer Olympics. Share the magic of the 2024 Summer Olympics at our Opening Ceremony Watch Party. Enjoy refreshments and community spirit as we witness the ceremonies together. Join us Friday, July 26 from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. at Arrillaga Gymnastics Center, 501 Laurel St.
• Ride a bicycle. Menlo Park is a great place to ride. Our City was recently recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as a Gold-level Bicycle Friendly Community for 2023-2027. The City is continuing to add bicycle improvements throughout Menlo Park to improve the bicycling experience, such as bicycle lanes, racks, fix-it stations and educational efforts through its Safe Routes to School program. Be sure to check out a map of all the bicycle facilities in Menlo Park to assist you with planning your next ride. To learn more about how to bicycle in Menlo Park, visit the City’s bicycling resource webpage.
• Have a picnic. Menlo Park has many beautiful picnic areas at parks throughout the city – perfect for all kinds of outdoor celebrations. Large picnic areas and sites with higher demand can be rented to guarantee exclusive use. Small picnic sites also are available for use on a first come, first served basis. Reserve a picnic area.

Keep cool at the pool! Family swim days

Bring the little ones and join us for family swim days at Burgess Pool and Belle Haven Pool. The Wading Pool at Burgess Pool is kept at a warm 86F and is open 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. seven days a week! The Splash Pad at Belle Haven Pool is open noon – 7 p.m. Monday - Friday and noon – 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Hyperlocal resident discounts are available at Belle Haven Pool. For full family swim hours (open swim), visit menloswim.com.

Excessive heat watch and heat advisory

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for our area from 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 2 until 11 p.m. Wednesday, July 10. Take precautions now to avoid heat illness. Designated cooling centers are open daily. Please monitor local weather reports for updates and prepare as necessary. Be prepared to drink plenty of fluids, stay inside and out of the sun where possible and check up on relatives and neighbors. 

Pay it forward - the Little Free Libraries of Menlo Park

Menlo Park is home to a robust community network of dozens of Little Free Libraries. These "take a book, leave a book" free book exchanges are located in every neighborhood in Menlo Park. Some of them are works of art in their own right, filled with books for the taking. Join the community by sharing a book or two from your collection for others to enjoy. No library card required. To find a Little Free Library in your neighborhood, view our Little Free Libraries map.

Fiction Book Group

Join our Fiction Book Group online to discuss a “tale of two Eggs!” The Great Gatsby is known as a classic work encapsulating the decadence and excess of the 1920s "Jazz Age." Menlo Park’s Fiction Book Group meets virtually on the second Tuesday of each month. Join the conversation online Tuesday, July 9 at 6:30 p.m.

Teen Film Nights at the library

Teens in grades seven–12 are invited to come hang out with friends and enjoy a snack while watching a great film. Film nights are shown weekly in the Menlo Park Library Teen Zone, 800 Alma St., and in the Belle Haven Library Teen Zone, 100 Terminal Ave. This free program series received funding support from Friends of Menlo Park Library. 

•    Every Wednesday 5:30 p.m. – Belle Haven Library
•    Every Friday 3:30 p.m. – Menlo Park Library

Puppet Art Theater: Tommy’s Pirate Adventure

Our seventh annual Summer Puppetry Festival continues, with some high-seas fun! Witness the adventure of Tommy and his dog Fifi whom enjoying living on Alligator Island––until pirates show up. Mixed-up treasure leads to confusion and fun, as Tommy ends up playing pirates for real! This free program series received funding support from Friends of Menlo Park Library. Join us Thursday, July 11 at 10:15 a.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St.

Teen Teatime with DIY jewelry

Teens, join us for tea and a relaxing afternoon craft! Participants will be able to make their own beaded jewelry and string friendship bracelets. Enjoy tea and cookies, too. This free community program received funding support from Friends of Menlo Park Library. 
•    Saturday, July 6 at 1 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
•    Saturday, July 13 at 1 p.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.

Global Language Storytime: Persian

Join us for a special Persian-language storytime just for preschoolers with their grownups! Menlo Park Library’s Global Language Storytime features a different language each month. This time, Bahar Ortakand from Baharestan Kids in Mountain View will be sharing stories and fun in Persian. This free community program received funding support from Friends of Menlo Park Library. The event takes place Saturday, July 13 at 10:15 a.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St.

Community events for all – calendar listings

The City of Menlo Park hosts cultural, literary and educational events that reflect our diverse community and are accessible to all. This newsletter is just a sampling of upcoming events and programs hosted by the City. View a complete calendar of upcoming city events.

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