Not long ago, libraries were often seen as dusty, silent book-filled emporiums, places for reading quietly and keeping to yourself lest you earn a shushing.
But in recent years libraries have modernized, becoming even more essential community hubs for socialization, innovation and recreation. The vast array of offerings has expanded to include everything from makerspaces and cafes to karaoke machines, bikes and parks passes available to borrow.
Libraries serve as gathering spaces for events like children’s storytimes, yoga classes, trivia nights and holiday celebrations. They’re among the rare free “third places” (hangout spots that aren’t at work or home) you can reliably find in a city, welcoming and accessible no matter your age. Check out this week’s newsletter to read all about the offerings at nine of the Peninsula’s libraries.
Watching “Reading Rainbow,”
Julia Brown
Six Fifty Editor
editor@thesixfifty.com
Seven spots for First Friday fun
The first Friday of the month has become a go-to day for all kinds of fun. Here are seven ways to enjoy First Fridays on the Peninsula and beyond, from art walks and music to hands-on crafts, poetry and wine.
SPONSORED
Athena Academy – Confidence for Dyslexic Minds
Academic and emotional renewal that celebrates your child’s neurodiversity. Go to our website now and see what’s possible when a child feels confident and believes in their abilities. Athena Academy, 525 San Antonio Ave. Palo Alto. (650) 543-4560. >LEARN MORE
Mother-daughter duo opens San Mateo Korean kimbap restaurant inspired by childhood picnic memories
At 73 years old, Dong Hye Kim is working her first job, making kimbap out of a ghost kitchen in San Mateo with her daughter, Chihee Kim. Passionate about food and nutrition, the mother-daughter duo wants to offer a healthy fast-food option for busy families.
SPONSORED
UPCOMING AT THE GUILD THEATRE!
This weekend, hear the Best of SF Comedy Competition Starring Tom Rhodes THIS FRI, APR 5 or grab your dancing shoes and join the party on SAT, APR 6 with The Bay Area’s most popular party band Pride & Joy. Calling all Swifties. Get your besties and come dance at our first TAYTAY Dance Party on THUR, APR 18 — tickets are available for purchase at GUILDTHEATRE.COM or with Bridgitte in the box office!
Checking out the best recommendations at Peninsula libraries
From karaoke machines and park passes to bike rentals and kids’ classes, we peruse the unique offerings at nine local libraries.
SPONSORED
Live Music + Community Socials at The Village at San Antonio Center
Gather together for a sensational time with Live Music on First Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. and Community Socials every Second Saturday from Noon-2 p.m. Don’t miss out on the fun! > LEARN MORE
Congrats to Martha KC of Redwood Shores, who was the first reader to correctly identify where last week’s photo was taken (it’s Draeger’s Market in San Mateo!).
The first person to reply to this email with the correct place where the below photo was taken will win swag from The Six Fifty and a shoutout in our next newsletter!
SPONSORED
Medicine & the Muse Student Symposium & Stanford Medicine Orchestra Concert, April 10
We are proud to announce this year’s annual Medicine & the Muse Student Symposium at Bing Concert Hall to celebrate the many artistic, literary, musical and other creative scholarly talents of Stanford Medicine students. The Symposium also features a performance by the Stanford Health Orchestra, comprised of Stanford Medicine and Stanford Health faculty, staff, students, as well as community members. Join us! > LEARN MORE
Spring BioBlitz: April 6 Be a community scientist by downloading the iNaturalist app and tracking species at the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve and Byxbee Park at a spring BioBlitz event.
Peninsula Libraries Comics Art Fest: Throughout April Peninsula libraries are celebrating comics with author events, workshops and more, with a kickoff event April 6 in South San Francisco.
Margo Cilker: April 7 Los Altos-raised musician Margo Cilker and her husband Forrest VanTuyl will perform a concert of songs from her second album, “Valley of Heart’s Delight,” alongside local author Robin Chapman.
Roger McGuinn: April 9 The Byrds founder/frontman Roger McGuinn brings songs and stories to Montalvo Arts Center.
‘Mind Over Batter’: April 11 Psychotherapist and baker Jack Hazan presents his book on baking as mindfulness and self-care, featuring 75 therapeutic (and tasty) recipes.
Wunderlich County Park 50th Anniversary: April 13 Wunderlich County Park is turning the big 50 and celebrating with a day of guided nature hikes, live music, historic demonstrations and even pony rides.
Love Our Earth Festival: April 13 The third annual Love Our Earth Festival features eco-friendly exhibitions, food and activities.
Fred Astaire Films: Through April 14 Grab your top hat, tails and dancing shoes to catch classic films starring Fred Astaire at Palo Alto’s glorious Stanford Theatre.
Plan Ahead
Earth Day on the Bay: April 20 Marine Science Institute hosts activities on land and sea to celebrate Earth Day, including a voyage on the institute’s research vessel.
STEMfest: April 20 Check out hands-on science and engineering activities (including robotics demos, VR driving and space viewing) at Stanford’s STEMfest.
Puzzling Perceptions: Through April 21 CuriOdyssey’s new exhibition is all about optical illusions and other sensory surprises.
Swap Don’t Shop: April 21 Looking for an eco-friendly and cost-effective way to update your spring wardrobe? Little Green is holding a potluck-style clothing swap. Clean out your closet and take home something else in exchange.
Analog Dog and Subtle Orange: April 26 The Guild Theatre’s Local Sound Series hosts concerts by emerging artists based in the Bay Area.
Laser Taylor Swift: April 27 Taylor Swift is one of the brightest stars in the galaxy right now, so it makes sense that De Anza College’s Fujitsu Planetarium is hosting a laser light show set to some of her biggest hits.
TEDx Baylands Park Youth: April 27 Healing is the theme for this TEDx event, with speakers including a Stanford neurosurgeon, a marathon runner, an animal-rights advocate and more.
Blues and Brews: April 27 Pacifica hosts a blues festival, with all beer-sale proceeds going to support a nonprofit.
Silicon Valley Whisk(e)y Festival: April 28 Domenico Winery presents a festival of whiskies and cocktails from local and international brands.
The Roots: May 11 Legendary and long-running band The Roots comes to Saratoga.
From Earthquakes to Epidemics: Through May 12 The latest exhibition at the Los Altos History Museum explores the impacts of major disasters in California.
SPONSORED
Nine Lives Foundation offering low-cost cat spay/neuter clinic
Accessible, affordable spay/neuter is critical to the welfare and stability of a community’s animal population. We proudly offer low-cost spay/neuter surgeries by appointment in the following categories: Community cats (trap-neuter-return) / Privately owned / Nonprofit rescue support. 3106 Rolison Road, Redwood City, Thursday-Sunday, noon-5 p.m. > LEARN MORE
Revel in the ethereal glow of nighttime cherry blossoms at Saratoga’s Hakone Estate and Gardens
The Japanese gardens hidden in the Santa Cruz Mountain foothills host evening viewings of spring blooms.
Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved.
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|*
Our mailing address is:
*|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|*
You can update your preferences and manage your groups, or if you really never want to hear from us again, including other emails from us you may have signed up for, you can totally unsubscribe from this list.
View this email in your browser
