The smell of redwood trees always takes me back to my UC Santa Cruz days, where I walked paths winding through the forest from class to class and went on runs at a track with an ocean view. As a freshman, the size of the campus felt overwhelming at first, but as I found my way around and figured out shortcuts I quickly grew to appreciate my surroundings. It would’ve been hard not to on a campus where a hike in the woods is just outside your door.
I may no longer have quite as convenient access to the forest, but fortunately that’s not needed to participate in forest therapy. Also known as forest bathing (shinrin-yoku in Japanese), it’s the concept of going out and immersing yourself in nature by using your senses to focus on your surroundings. Research has shown it has mental and physical health benefits, including reducing stress and inflammation in the body.
Coastside therapist Wendy Figone has been leading guided forest therapy walks in partnership with the San Mateo County Parks Foundation, with the most recent one at Memorial Park in Loma Mar. Check out Angela Swartz’s story to learn more about the practice and how you can join a walk.
Julia Brown
Six Fifty Editor
editor@thesixfifty.com
How a Coastside forest therapy guide is helping people reconnect with nature in Peninsula parks
Wendy Figone leads a regular series of guided therapy walks in partnership with the San Mateo County Parks Foundation.
Photography meets Victorian-era 3D printing in Cantor Arts Center’s new show
‘Solid Pictures’ exhibition presents rare examples of photosculpture, a 19th-century mashup of science and art.
As Menlo Park deli Lutticken’s faces its final days, regulars reminisce about its legacy and hope for a revival
After 45 years of deli sandwiches and community building, Menlo Park institution Lutticken’s will permanently close Sept. 30. But with the future of its storefront undecided and a longtime employee expressing interest in taking over the business, the Lutticken family needs to “sit back and figure out where we stand,” said Bobby Lutticken, the son of founder Bob Lutticken.
No one was able to correctly identify where last week’s photo was taken (it’s Lab & Hound Wine Bar and Tasting Room 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!
Dolly Parton Day: Sept. 25 Celebrate the late country legend with cupcakes and a women’s accessories drive for Dress for Success SF at A Grape in the Fog, watch a Dolly Parton tribute drag show at The Hub RWC or head to a San Mateo County Libraries branch for butterfly crafts, Dolly-inspired nail art and special storytimes.
Palo Alto Weekly Moonlight Run & Walk: Sept. 25 The annual family-friendly race, featuring a 5K walk, 5K run and 10K run, takes place in the Palo Alto Baylands under the full moon.
Family Science Day: Sept. 26 College of San Mateo’s annual event features planetarium shows, hands-on science workshops, firefighter demos, stargazing from the rooftop observatory, live music and a keynote presentation from NASA.
Bike Fest: Sept. 26 Cupertino’s annual bike festival celebrates cycling with games, arts and crafts, food and drink, story time and special bike rides, including the Tour de Cupertino and a scavenger hunt ride.
Burlingame Pet Parade: Sept. 26 All types of pets – including stuffed animals – are welcome in this pet parade, which also includes floats from local schools. Judges will pick winners in five categories, including most unusual pet and best pet trick.
September Arts & Culture Fest: Sept. 26 The annual festival returns with live music and cultural performances, a mural-painting competition, local artists and poets, and family-friendly activities.
Laser K-Pop Demon Hunters: Sept. 26 De Anza College’s Fujitsu Planetarium is open again after summer break, hosting science presentations and laser music shows, including one dedicated to “K-Pop Demon Hunters.”
Great Glass Pumpkin Patch: Sept. 26-27 Find tens of thousands of glass gourds of all sizes and see live glass-blowing demonstrations at this annual art event.
Nightfall: Sept. 26-Nov. 1 See the spooky side of Filoli, when by night the estate is transformed into a Halloween-ish wonderland, including a glowing forest, a witch’s village, eerie pumpkin scarecrows and more.
Fall Baylands Bioblitz: Oct. 3 Environmental Volunteers leads a community science day of gathering data on biodiversity at Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve and Byxbee Park.
Plan Ahead:
Upscale Pub Crawl: Oct. 7 Redwood City Library Foundation’s 5th annual pub crawl includes discounted small bites and drinks from participating downtown Redwood City businesses. Held in conjunction with Banned Books Week, volunteers share information relating to this year’s theme: “Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read.”
Evening Explorations at Alpine Pond: Oct. 10 Midpen docents lead a leisurely, family-friendly twilight hike in hopes of spotting some fall wildlife.
San Carlos Art & Wine Faire: Oct. 10-11 Downtown San Carlos hosts its annual festival of artists, live entertainment, food and drink, and family fun.
Murdle Party: Oct. 15 Books Inc. Mountain View hosts a party celebrating the release of “Murdle Heist: 56 Clever Capers to Crack with Logic!” with an in-store scavenger hunt.
Palestine Culture Day: Oct. 17 Find Palestinian food, arts, dance and more at this long-running annual celebration of Palestinian culture and heritage.
Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival: Oct. 17-18 A cherished autumn event featuring giant gourds, pumpkin carving, pie eating, a parade, a run and more returns to the Coastside. The festivities kick off earlier in the week with the pumpkin weigh-off Oct. 12.
Mini World Oddity Class: Oct. 22 Make a mini decorative display with materials such as bones, bugs, flowers and crystals at this class at Little Green.
Mountain View Makers Market: Oct. 23, Nov. 20 and Dec. 18 Castro Street hosts monthly makers markets this fall featuring all kinds of local artisan vendors.
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