As you may know by now, I’m a big library fan. You can often find me at the public library and, as I’m also a member of my local Buy Nothing group and a frequent pedestrian about town, you probably won’t be surprised to learn I also enjoy Little Free Libraries – those charming boxes offering a place to give or take books (and, in some cases, other items as well) that you can stumble upon while strolling.
Little Free Library stewards say the movement helps foster community connections and a spirit of sharing. Neighborhoods up and down the Peninsula house Little Free Libraries, and this week we’re shining a spotlight on a few, including some dedicated to elevating diverse voices. As the Skyline Blue Book Box steward Mai Le of Daly City says, “Books are very easy, tangible things to share, but they have a lot of significance because of the ideas they have.”
“Take a look, it’s in a book,”
Karla Kane
Assistant Lifestyle Editor
editor@thesixfifty.com
Little libraries, big ideas: How Little Free Library stewards on the Peninsula strive to strengthen their communities, one book at a time
For more than a decade now, Little Free Libraries have been popping up in neighborhoods across the country and the world.
Your 2025 guide to SF Beer Week along the Peninsula
Let’s raise a pint to another SF Beer Week. From Feb. 21 to March 2, breweries all along the Peninsula will be offering special releases, tap takeovers, competitions, meet-and-greets, live music and more.
Exploring Hollywood film locations on the Peninsula
The Midpeninsula may be better known to the broader world for its startups, tech campuses and Stanford University, but over the years its diverse geography, eclectic architecture, panoramic views and colorful gardens also have served as the backdrop for many movies.
Congrats to Grace K., who was the first reader to correctly identify where last week’s photo was taken (it’s “Joyous,” a two-tiered glass chandelier by glass artist Dale Chihuly at Palo Alto Medical Foundation in Mountain View!).
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!
The World at Night, From Alborz to the Rockies: Feb. 21 National Geographic photographer Babak Tafreshi shares the wonders of the natural night environment and the impact of light pollution.
Pupcycled: Feb. 22 Create an eco-friendly craft while helping pups at this workshop, where participants transform recycled clothing material into toys for dogs in need.
All Day Pickleball Clinics: Feb. 22 Sports Basement is hosting a day of beginner and intermediate pickleball clinics for newcomers or anyone who wants to learn more about this popular game.
Palo Alto Find-Your-Way 5K & 10K: Feb. 22 Use a custom map to make your way through Palo Alto neighborhoods on a 5K or 10K challenge, answering questions at each checkpoint.
Diana Gameros: Music at the Borderlands: Feb. 22 Singer, songwriter and instrumentalist Diana Gameros performs Latin folk music with themes of family, migration and home.
Free Arcade Night: Feb. 24 Play pinball, Ms. Pac-Man, Killer Queen and more arcade games for free between 4-9 p.m. at Barebottle Brewing Company’s Santa Clara and Menlo Park taprooms.
Second Nature: Photography in the Age of the Anthropocene: Feb. 26-Aug. 3 A new photography exhibition explores the complex relationships between humanity, industry and the planet, arranged around the themes “Reconfiguring Nature,” “Toxic Sublime,” “Inhumane Geographies” and “Envisioning Tomorrow.”
Mardi Gras Git Down w/ Jazz Mafia: Feb. 28 Eclectic musical collective Jazz Mafia comes to The Guild with opener Huney Knuckles and special guest Otis McDonald.
The Prom: Feb. 28-March 16 Foothill Music Theatre presents the musical comedy about a teen who just wants to take her girlfriend to prom, the narrow-minded PTA trying to stop her and a crew of egocentric Broadway folks who take it upon themselves to get involved.
Plan Ahead
Soil Biology 101: March 1 Learn about best natural garden practices for healthy soil at this free workshop.
Laser Bob Marley: March 1 Fujitsu Planetarium at De Anza College hosts a laser show set to the sounds of reggae icon Bob Marley.
Out of the Barrel Craft Beer Fest: March 1 Sample a variety of IPAs, lagers and sours from California breweries and vote for the best at this beer festival and competition, which also features live music and food for purchase.
Make a Wild Salad: March 8 Hidden Villa hosts a hands-on workshop at which participants learn the basics of how to safely and ethically forage for wild edible plants, concluding with a communal salad.
Mindful Movement Under the Oaks: March 11 Naturalists lead a leisurely hike followed by gentle stretches and a standing yoga session at Windy Hill Preserve.
Belmont Handcrafted Originals Art Fair: March 22-23 Artists working in many media, from jewelry to ceramics, photography and more, bring their wares to an art fair held at Carlmont Village Shopping Center.
Nature Lotería: March 22 Peninsula Open Space Trust, Canopy and Latino Outdoors host a bilingual event celebrating nature, community and culture. Play a game of Lotería with cards featuring California plants and animals, illustrated by a local artist. There will also be food, music and more.
Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson: March 25 Authors and journalists Klein and Thompson, in conversation with Stripe CEO Patrick Collison, discuss their book “Abundance,” described as a “paradigm-shifting call to rethink big, entrenched problems that seem mired in systemic scarcity.”
San Francisco Salsa Festival: March 28-30 Salsa fans unite for a weekend of music, competition, performances and dance workshops.
From curling irons to tennis rackets, a homegrown museum brings Black history to life
Carolyn Hoskins’ passion project explores the Black American legacy — and aims to leave one too.
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