I blame “The Office” for making me wary of the potential odd encounter with a bat. (Meredith’s screams still haunt me after 18 years.)
But as I scrolled through photos of bats for Magali Gauthier’s aptly timed feature about bats in San Mateo County, I found myself thinking these creatures are…weirdly cute? (Tell me that Townsend’s big-eared bat isn’t a little adorable.)
Creepy as they may seem, bats are pretty fascinating creatures. They’re somewhat hard to study because they’re nocturnal and their migrations can cover long distances, so their activity can be easy to miss. But that makes them all the more important to study so experts can learn more to better support their coexistence with humans.
There’s more to bats than the species’ Halloween symbolism – read Magali’s story to learn more about the only flying mammals on Earth and how they’re being studied in San Mateo County.
To the Batmobile!
Julia Brown
Six Fifty Editor
editor@thesixfifty.com
Bats aren’t just an October fixture: Why San Mateo County is digging deeper to understand what the flying mammals do year-round
Beyond bats’ symbolism as creepy creatures at Halloween, San Mateo County is a year-round home to a number of different species regularly studied by wildlife experts to better understand their behaviors and help them coexist with humans.
Sunnyvale author Kimberly Bea’s debut fantasy novel is a fairy tale with a twist
Out Oct. 28, ‘The Changeling Queen’ is a reimagining of the ballad of ‘Tam Lin’ from the villain’s perspective.
From pancakes to pies, classic diners endure on the Peninsula
Step into a diner and the outside world slips away. Vinyl booths, the clatter of plates, the smell of bacon on the griddle — it’s a time capsule, equal parts nostalgic and necessary.
No one was able to correctly identify where last week’s photo was taken (it’s a mural by Ink Dwell Studio at Mac Dutra Park in Half Moon Bay!).
The first person to reply to this email with the correct place where the below photo was taken will win a prize from The Six Fifty and a shoutout in our next newsletter!
Be sure to check out our October events guide and our Halloween guide for more things to do!
Redwood City Night Market: Oct. 25-26 Downtown Redwood City will be home to a free two-day festival with food and wine booths, craft vendors, live performances and music, trick-or-treating and a costume contest.
United Nations Association Film Festival: Through Oct. 26 The annual film festival this year has a theme of “Messages for the Future,” with screenings in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Stanford and San Francisco.
A Driving Beat: Oct. 29-Nov. 23 A mother and her adopted son take a cross-country road trip set to a hip-hop beat in TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s newest show.
Laser ABBA: Nov. 1 Among the many offerings from De Anza College’s Fujitsu Planetarium is a laser show featuring hits by the Swedish supergroup such as “Dancing Queen” and “Mamma Mia” set to a dazzling light display.
The Raven at Windy Hill: Nov. 1 Learn about ravens and listen to Edgar Allan Poe’s famous poem “The Raven” while taking a leisurely walk led by Midpen docent naturalists at Windy Hill Preserve.
Zoppé Italian Family Circus: Nov. 1-30 Nino the clown and a host of other dazzling performers return for the 18th year of Old World-style family circus fun.
Dı́a de los Muertos: Nov. 2 Redwood City’s annual Dı́a de los Muertos celebration includes a speech and procession, ceremonial altars made by community members, food vendors, live entertainment, face painting and more.
Murder for Two: Through Nov. 2 A cast of just two hardworking actors bring to life (no pun intended) a zany crew of characters in this madcap musical murder mystery, staged by Hillbarn Theatre.
Yay Birds!: Through Nov. 8 Artist Jane Kim (co-founder of Ink Dwell) has curated a multi-artist exhibition celebrating all things avian at the Andra Norris Gallery in Burlingame.
Plan Ahead:
Holidays at the Johnston House: Nov. 8 Attendees can take a tour of the historic Johnston House; shop for gifts; partake in cider, wine and food; and listen to live music.
November Makers Market: Nov. 8 Little Green hosts a market featuring goods from local artists and businesses, plus live music and refreshments available.
Quique Escamilla: Nov. 8 The award-winning singer-songwriter blends traditional Mexican styles with rock, reggae, ska, jazz, cumbia and more and addresses social and political issues through his music.
Beginner’s Luck: Nov. 10 New Palo Alto eatery Mamahuhu will offer three beginner mahjong sessions led by instructors, followed by open play all evening.
Dan Ashley: Nov. 13 News anchor and musician Dan Ashley and guitarist Jeff Tamelier bring an acoustic performance of Americana, country and rock originals and cover songs to Millbrae’s library.
Glow Pickleball: Nov. 13-14 The San Carlos Youth Center will host two days of pickleball play with glow courts, glow lights and glow pickleballs for $5 a person.
Friends of the Menlo Park Library Book Sale: Nov. 14-15 Find a bonanza of books, puzzles, games, music and more.
Popovich Comedy Pet Theater: Nov. 15 See dogs, cats, birds and even a pig perform alongside juggler and comedian Gregory Popovich at this family-friendly show that aims to promote animal rescue and adoption.
The Wildcats Benefit Concert: Nov. 19 Longtime Peninsula band The Wildcats perform a concert of rock ‘n’ roll favorites to benefit Americares, an organization that provides health programs, medicine, medical aid and emergency support to communities in crisis.
How a Palo Alto woman became a pumpkin-carving pro and Food Network regular
Competitive carver Leigh Henderson shares her tips for carving seriously scary scenes for Halloween
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