The name Zoë Sharkey will likely be familiar to longtime InMenlo readers from the many years she and her mother Kathleen headed Menlo Park favorite Cafe Zoë.

With the cafe under the capable ownership of Neighborhood Pizza Guy, Zoë is on to a new endeavor — a non-profit therapy practice with a mission to connect youth and young adults who are interested in metal and rock music — Metal for Your Mental Health (MFYMH).

“I’ve personally and professionally witnessed bias of metalhead, punk, rocker, emo, etc. in kids in therapy spaces because of the myths around what being into this genre means for a person’s personality,” says Zoë . “My goal is to support those kids and to also demystify what being an ‘alternative’ kids means.”

MFYMH currently offers individual and family therapy, a teen group, parent coaching and resourcing via tele-health. It accepts some major insurance plans and is awaiting Medi-Cal. No one is turned away based on lack of insurance coverage or ability to pay as there is a sliding fee scale. The non-profit status allows for donations to be used to subsidize services for those in need.

MFYMH is hosing a launch party on Saturday, October 24 from 2:00 to 6:00 pm at Freewheel Brewing Company. The event will feature live music followed by a round of Music Bingo.

Please RSVP.

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The next Fourth Friday is scheduled for October 23 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Enjoy bands in the plazas, acoustic acts tucked throughout downtown, and a dedicated kids’ section near Chase Bank.

People are encouraged to dress up and get in the Halloween spirit! There will be line dancing in the main plaza, so come ready to dine local and kick up your heals.

Lineup
— Country Cougars (Plaza) – Country & Line Dancing
— Sean Biggar (Roma)
— Riekestra (Wells Fargo)
— Steve Koehler (Chase Bank) – Balloon Kids Area
— Rick Sanders (Gallery House)
— Gaby Castro (Posh Bagel)
— Edna Acri (Main Gallery)
— Pink Ribbon Good Fundraiser (Gitane)

Photo by Sean Reiter

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Sacred Heart Preparatory (SHP) social studies teachers Kristen Kelly and Serene Williams will receive the inaugural Meryl Streep Educator’s Award on Nov. 6 for their “WAPUSH” campaign, which recently reached a major milestone by securing endorsement letters from 100 universities nationwide to establish the first-ever Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. Women’s History course.

The endorsements mark a critical step toward College Board adoption and official college credit recognition. Addressing a gap in AP offerings by centering women’s historical and political contributions, the campaign is seeking 250 high school commitments to offer WAPUSH.

“Women’s contributions to society are overlooked in current AP courses,” said Williams. “Young people deserve to understand the importance of women’s impact on history and politics.”

Launched four years ago through a Harvard teaching grant and research at the Schlesinger Library, the campaign is propelled by student-led work. SHP students have presented at national conferences, conducted 28 scholar interviews, documented the California suffrage movement, and authored 16 Wikipedia pages for historically significant women through the “Women in Red” project.

“I’ve had the privilege of not only taking the WAPUSH pilot class here at SHP but helping lead the WAPUSH campaign in hopes girls will have access to the full history of women’s contributions,” said SHP senior Alondra Flores (SHP ’27), who has conducted original historical research and presented at major conferences internationally.

Kelly and Williams have also co-authored an International Baccalaureate textbook on feminism and revolution; a collection on teaching U.S. suffrage rights is scheduled for publication this spring. A documentary about WAPUSH filmed at Harvard was just released. Sacred Heart has also published its own WAPUSH mini-documentary.

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Menlo Park residents are invited to join researchers, health experts, policymakers, advocates, students and community leaders for Breathing Room: a regional summit on health, indoor air quality and residential stoves on Friday, October 23, from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm.

This half-day summit will explore healthier indoor environments in the kitchen and beyond. Hear the latest research on air quality and induction stoves, learn about the transition from gas appliances to cleaner electric appliances and explore the latest science and technologies shaping a healthier, fully electrified future for the Peninsula.

The event will feature research presentations, conversations with health professionals, community perspectives, technology demonstrations and opportunities to connect with others working on these issues.

The event takes place at Cardinal Hall, Stanford University Redwood City Campus, 505 Broadway, Redwood City.

There will be in-person and virtual attendance options. Spanish interpretation will be available.

Learn more and register.

The summit is co-hosted by Induction Rocks, Stanford’s Center for Human and Planetary Health and WestLight Energy.

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Davide Bigazzi Studio will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the Allied Arts Guild (75 Arbor Road at Cambridge Avenue) with a public gallery celebration on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.

For two decades, Florentine goldsmith and silversmith Davide Bigazzi has practiced and taught time-honored Italian jewelry-making and metal smithing techniques. His small studio continues in the tradition of an Italian-style bottega, where skills are passed from teacher to student through close, hands-on work.

The event, From Florence to Menlo Park: 20 Years of Craftsmanship, will welcome the public to meet Davide in the gallery and join him for a studio tour at 2:00 pm. To mark the anniversary, Davide plans to unveil a new interpretation of one of his signature designs, connecting his earlier work with the direction of his work today.

The celebration also recognizes the community of students who have learned and worked alongside Davide since the Menlo Park studio opened in 2006. After the public event, current and former students will gather for a private “Aperitivo with Davide” from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Photo courtesy of David Bigazzi Studio (c) 2026

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Gather with friends old and new for an evening featuring great wine, hearty hors-d’œuvres, and a scintillating conversation between New York Times best-selling author Abraham Verghese and journalist in residence Angie Coiro. The event provides critical support for Kepler’s Literary Foundation.

Tickets are now available. Space is limited, so please reserve yours today to avoid disappointment. Three tiers of ticket pricing are offered and the fair market value of goods and services provided is $100 per ticket. The amount paid above $100 may be tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Kepler’s is located at 1010 El Camino Avenue, Menlo Park.

Questions? Please email events@keplers.org.

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On Tuesday, October 20, 2026 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm, The League of Women Voters of South San Mateo County will host a nonpartisan candidate forum for the Menlo Park City Council (Districts 1, 2, and 4).

All six candidates for Districts 1, 2, and 4 have confirmed they will attend and share their views on the issues that matter to the community.

The forum will be in person at the Menlo Park City Council Chambers (751 Laurel Street) and live streamed by MidPen Media. The event recording will be available afterward.

The public may submit questions in advance through October 19 at 7:00 pm and during the forum.

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The Laurel School Upper Campus turned 10 last week. The school hosted a special “Squirrel Session” where students shared their favorite things about the campus.

Joining Principal Alicia Heneghan and Superintendent Kristen Gracia were three of the six MPCSD trustees whose names are on the school’s 2016 plaque — Maria Hilton, Laura Rich, and Jeff Child. Also joining the festivities were former trustee Mark Box and current board members Jed Scolnick and Scott Saywell.

The district’s newest school was designed and built with funds from 2013’s Measure U bond. Important to the design was the large atrium which continues to serve as the heart of the school — hosting assemblies, parent gatherings, a dedicated quiet space, many flexible areas for group work, and plenty of room for students to spread out and enjoy board games.

The school also features 16 classrooms, a library open to the second story, dedicated STEM, art, music, and occupational/physical therapy rooms, and a large covered lunch area that allows Laurel students to enjoy the outdoors even when it’s a bit rainy.

MPCSD is now deep in the design phase for Upper Campus’ sister school, Laurel Lower Campus, where Laurel students begin their elementary journey. The district is once again grateful to the community for approving a bond, Measure U, that will support students with safe, beautiful spaces for generations to come.

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The Asylum Haunted House located at Haunted Halls in Menlo Park (138 Jefferson Drive) features an immersive, asylum-themed indoor walk-through experience.

Open through November 1, 2026; hours are:

• Friday & Sunday: 7:00 – 10:00 pm
• Saturday: 2:00 – 5:00 pm  (Matinee/Family friendly) and 7:00 – 10:00 pm
• Monday – Thursday: Closed

It takes approximately 10 to 30 minutes to walk through, depending on your pace.
• Tickets & booking available through the Haunted Halls Fearticket booking page.

What to expect

• Theme: A student-run, indoor walk-through experience centered around the fictional Jefferson Psychiatric Institute, where patients have taken over the facility.
• Atmosphere: Features live scare actors, strobe lights, fog, and detailed sets.
• Scare Level: Can be calibrated for different groups, ranging from mild family/kids experiences to scarier runs for adults.

Would you like help finding ticket prices for a specific night, or information on parking near Jefferson Drive?

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On Tuesday, October 20, 2026 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm, come to the Menlo Park Library (800 Alma St.) to discover the stories behind our region’s trails and open spaces.

Naturalists from the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District will share the history, flora, fauna, and ongoing preservation of the hidden natural treasures found throughout the Silicon Valley’s backyard.

Photo courtesy of Menlo Park Library

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