One of my goals as editor of The Six Fifty is to highlight unique events and family-friendly festivities on the Peninsula, especially free ones. And two annual events this weekend check all those boxes: Independent Bookstore Day and the Kusamura Bonsai Club’s annual show.
A national daylong celebration of indie bookstores held on the last Saturday of April, Independent Bookstore Day features author meet and greets, exclusive merch, discounts, story times and more. Read on to see what festivities to expect at Silicon Valley independent bookstores.
And Kusamura Bonsai Club’s 65th annual show is Saturday and Sunday in Palo Alto. Attendees can buy bonsai and learn how to train their plants with techniques like pruning leaves and wiring branches. The event is the club’s big showcase of its members’ craft, and Magali Gauthier’s story and photos capture a number of different plants in bonsai form, from rosemary to wisteria. Learn more about the art of bonsai at the weekend show — and read Magali’s story before you go.
Meet you in May,
Julia Brown
Six Fifty Editor
editor@thesixfifty.com
From Filoli to their own backyards, Peninsula bonsai buffs cultivate their craft in the Kusamura Bonsai Club
Buy bonsai and learn how to train your plant at the club’s 65th annual show in Palo Alto April 26-27.
Giveaways, book discounts and author meet and greets: Here’s where to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day in Silicon Valley
On the Peninsula, the 12th annual event April 26 will feature author meet and greets, exclusive merch, discounts, story times and more. Read on to see what festivities to expect at your nearest independent bookstore.
At 70, Los Altos resident Alice Larse created a cookie company. Twenty-six years later, her legacy lives on
At 70 years old, many people have begun their retirement. Not Alice Larse – she started her debut company, one whose cookies would be included in a Grammys swag bag, enjoyed by Wolfgang Puck and twice win Best Cookie by the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade.
Congrats to Jess N. of Redwood City, who was the first reader to correctly identify where last week’s photo was taken (it’s HyperSpace Los Altos!).
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!
Don’t forget to check out our Earth Month guide as festivities wind down over the remainder of April.
Cherry Blossom Festival: April 26-27 The free festival in Cupertino will feature two food courts and food trucks serving a wide range of Japanese food and drinks, cultural exhibits, arts and crafts vendors, children’s activities and live entertainment.
Plant Exchange: April 26 Got too many plants? Want to adopt some new ones? Mountain View Library hosts a spring plant exchange for folks to pick up new plants and/or donate some extras from their homes and gardens.
The Flying Karamazov Brothers: April 26 Catch the long-running juggling and comedy act, which has been featured everywhere from Broadway to “Seinfeld” and “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood,” at its performance in Palo Alto.
Pacific Coast Dream Machines: April 27 Half Moon Bay’s Festival of Magnificent Machines features car shows, air shows, motorcycle shows, tractor shows, music, food and more.
Halfway to Halloween Party: May 2 Out of the Barrel taproom in San Carlos will host a costume contest for attendees and their canine companions, candy, beer slushies and games.
Force Fest: May 3 Daly City celebrates all things “Star Wars” at Westlake Park with games, crafts, activities, snacks and a Millennium Falcon jump house. Space is limited to the first 100 participants; register at dalycity.org/iplay.
May Day Music & Art Festival at Pie Ranch: May 3-4 Celebrate the start of May at this annual Coastside festival featuring two stages of live music from local artists, food and drink vendors, art and (optional) camping.
Plant Sale & Craft Fair: May 4 The San Mateo Garden Center hosts a day of family activities, plants and crafts for sale, live music, raffles and more.
Living Electric Fair: May 4 Downtown Los Altos hosts a day dedicated to sharing the benefits of going electric and choosing sustainable options, featuring educational booths, hands-on activities, live musical entertainment and story time.
Coastal Wildflower Day: May 4 Live music, crafts, kids’ activities, nature walks, a food truck and a raffle are all part of the celebrations at this festival celebrating the diverse ecosystems and community volunteer efforts of the Coastside.
Plan Ahead:
Downtown Los Altos Bubbly Stroll: May 9 Sample sparkling wines and bubbly beverages and receive a limited-edition bubbly glass and a commemorative wristband with ticket purchase.
Birds and their Nests: May 10 Learn about local bird species and peek at some of their nests up close at this springtime class at Hidden Villa.
Half Moon Bay Wine & Jazz Festival: May 10 Taste California wines and listen to a variety of jazz performances at downtown Half Moon Bay’s annual festival.
Dave Barry: May 12 The Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Dave Barry comes to Cañada College for an event presented by Kepler’s where he’ll discuss his memoir, “Class Clown.”
Wild & Scenic Film Festival 2025: May 17 This annual free event features screening of environmental films, plus food, community booths, live music and live raptors. The films are also available virtually.
El Camino Real Ride: May 17 Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition’s fifth annual ride from Santa Clara to Menlo Park includes four stops along the way with free refreshments from local businesses. Ride the whole 17-mile route or join along the way.
Kitten Nursery Shower: May 18 Interact with kittens, watch volunteers syringe-feed the itty-bittiest of kitties, learn about volunteering and more at the Peninsula Humane Society’s special event. A wishlist of suggested “shower” gifts to donate is available.
Photos: From classic cars and custom builds to vintage aircraft and motorcycles, Dream Machines drives motorheads and curious residents to the Half Moon Bay Airport
The 30th annual show celebrating all things mechanical returned April 30 for the first time since 2019.
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