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October 7, 2023
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Quote of the week
The scent of burning wood holds
the strongest memory.
Mesquite, cedar, piñon, juniper,
all are distinct.
Mesquite is dry desert air and mild winter.
Cedar and piñon are colder places.
Winter air in our hair is pulled away,
and scent of smoke settles in its place.
We walk around the rest of the day
with the aroma resting on our shoulders.
The sweet smell holds the strongest memory.
We stand around the fire.
The sound of the crackle of wood and spark
is ephemeral.
Smoke, like memories, permeates our hair,
our clothing, our layers of skin.
The smoke travels deep
to the seat of memory.
We walk away from the fire;
no matter how far we walk,
we carry this scent with us.
New York City, France, Germany—
we catch the scent of burning wood;
we are brought home.
--Ofelia Zepeda, “Smoke in Our Hair”
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Native American history presentation
In recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the City of Menlo Park will host a presentation on Native American History. Tri-Valley Native American Center Program Coordinator Tina Henson will share the indigenous history of the land on which we now live, artifacts and tools from the indigenous people of this area and other amazing historical facts from tribes all around the nation. This free community event received funding support from Friends of Menlo Park Library. Join us Monday, Oct. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St.
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Tip of the week: Report maintenance and repair issues with ACT Menlo Park
See a repair or maintenance need in City parks and other facilities? The City of Menlo Park’s online reporting app, ACT Menlo Park makes it easy to report and track non-emergency issues from a smartphone, laptop or desktop computer. The City tracks these issues and will provide updates as they are acknowledged and resolved. Download the app and report the location, description and attach a photo directly from your smartphone, tablet or desktop. Click here for more information.
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Open house for Menlo Children’s Center preschool
Menlo Children's Center is now enrolling children ages 18 months to five years old. This is an unparalleled opportunity to place your child in a high-quality preschool nestled amid redwood and oak trees in beautiful Burgess Park. Come to our open house Oct. 11 to meet the amazing teachers and staff, tour the classrooms and hear about our play-based curriculum. Stop by the Burgess Park duck pond and Menlo Park Library while you’re here. Families can enroll at the open house or join the waitlist for a future opening. For more information, visit the Menlo Children’s Center webpage. Join us Wednesday, Oct. 11 from 3-5 p.m. at Menlo Children’s Center, 801 Laurel St.
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Input wanted on names and dedications for new community campus
The City of Menlo Park seeks residents’ input for names and/or dedications for a new multi-service community campus now under construction at 100 Terminal Ave. Scheduled to open in 2024, the new campus will include five programs in one environmentally sustainable and resilient facility: recreation center, library, youth center, senior center and aquatics center. This fall, after receiving community input, the City Council will decide on names and/or dedications for each of the five programs and the new campus. Menlo Park residents are encouraged to submit written comments at city libraries and recreation centers or electronically through an online feedback form in English or Spanish.
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Save the date for “Halloweekend” in Menlo Park
The City of Menlo Park presents two days of Halloween-themed fun Saturday, Oct. 28 and Sunday Oct. 29. Save the date for ghoulish glee the whole family can enjoy.
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Join us for the Halloween Hoopla Parade and Carnival Saturday, Oct. 28 from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. at Fremont Park. Decorate your bike, wagon or scooter and wear your costume in a community parade through downtown Menlo Park, followed by a fun-filled Halloween Carnival. This is a free community event.
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Attend the Pumpkin Splash Sunday, Oct. 29 from 1–3 p.m.! Wear your swimsuit and sunscreen and jump into a floating pumpkin patch at Burgess Pool. Tickets are $12 and include a pumpkin, decorations for the pumpkin, goody bag and additional time for swimming. Advance registration is required.
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Very First Concerts—San Francisco Chamber Orchestra
Enjoy an introduction to classical music for young children and their families. San Francisco Chamber Orchestra encourages audiences to get up and dance, with short selections and hands-on musical activities geared toward families with young children (infants to 7-year-olds). This free community event received funding support from Friends of Menlo Park Library. Join us Saturday, Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St.
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Caterpillar Puppets: Los Tres Cabrititos Traviesos
A delightful puppet show with fun twists on The Three Billy Goats Gruff and other classic tales. This funny cast of characters hardly need any words at all, but will include a sprinkling of languages including English, Spanish, French and Swedish. This free community event received funding support from Friends of Menlo Park Library. Join us Sunday, Oct. 8 at 11 a.m. at Belle Haven Branch Library, 413 Ivy Dr.
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Sun & Moon Eclipse Craft
Just in time for the upcoming eclipse, the City of Menlo Park presents this informative event where you can learn what eclipses are, and create a cool eclipse craft that actually moves! This free community event received funding support from Friends of Menlo Park Library. Join us Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 3:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St.
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Teen Alebrijes and Coco and Cocoa
Teens, celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month by creating your own fantastical creature while you enjoy a screening of the motion picture Coco. Let your imagination go wild, as Rachel-Anne Palacios of Devika's Palacio Multicultural Folk Art helps us make our own versions of alebrijes with modeling clay. Also, there will be hot chocolate. This is an event for students in grades six-12. This free community event received funding support from Friends of Menlo Park Library. Join us Saturday, Oct. 12 at 1 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St.
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Seed Swap and Butterfly Craft
Garden enthusiasts (and hopefuls) are invited to attend our latest Seed Swap. All are invited to attend—you do not have to bring seeds to participate. If you do have seeds to share, please check the link for guidelines. We also have a special family craft activity happening: Create your own 3-D jeweled butterfly decoration to hang and enjoy! This free community event received funding support from Friends of Menlo Park Library. Join us Saturday, Oct. 14 from 10 a.m.–noon at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St.
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