Attendees can enjoy live music and casual shopping while wandering downtown during the next Fourth Fridays, August 28, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Dinner reservations are encouraged.

Here is the line up:

• Evelyn Stage (where Pharmica was): The Song Gardeners (Singer-Songwriter)]
• Mademoiselle Colette/Roma: Winnie Cheston (Singer-Songwriter)
• Wells Fargo (new stage!): Dale Nesbitt Jazz Band
• 600 Block Plaza (in front of Starbucks): Up and to The Right (Local Cover Band)
• Chase Bank Plaza (near Cheeky Monkey): Steve Koehler Balloon Guy
• Gallery House: Rick Sanders
• Feldman’s Books: Melodious Thunk — Human Jukebox
• The Main Gallery: Infrastructure

Photo courtesy of Fourth Fridays

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Zott’s to Tots Family Fun Run & Bike will take place on Saturday, September 19, 2026 with a
10:00 am start (arrive by 9:30 am to avoid road closures).

Register and pay by September 17: Individual: $25; Duo: $40; Family (up to 5): $60

The event starts at Rossotti’s Alpine Inn (3915 Alpine Rd, Portola Valley), and finishes just before Westridge Drive on Portola Road. From there it’s just a short walk to the Town Center for the picnic.

Click here to register: Zott’s to Tots Registration 2026

Registrants can pick up a unique Portola Valley tote bag at check-in.

Youth 12 and under will receive a participation medal.

No e-Bikes or e-Scooters allowed.

Please note that portions of Alpine and Portola Roads (from Rossotti’s Alpine Inn to the Town Center) will be closed along the race route beginning at 9:30 am until approximately 11:30 am.

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Laurel’s name is rooted in Menlo Park, drawing inspiration from a native tree and Laurel Street, home to City Hall at 701 Laurel St.

Community members can access Laurel’s web chat directly from Menlo Park’s website, accessible from any device, by clicking the chat icon in the bottom right corner of their screen. From there, an AI assistant can help navigate City resources — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in 70+ languages.

Laurel is powered by Citibot, an AI-powered communication solutions for local governments.

The Almanac tested Laurel with mixed results.

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The proposal includes new housing units at a range of affordability levels, new bicycle and pedestrian connections, public open space, and a new office campus that would replace and expand the existing office facilities. Key components of the project include:

• 670 dwelling units;
• Approximately 713,000 square feet of office space (approximately 300,000 net new); and
• Approximately 40,000 square feet of non-office commercial and amenity space.

More information and project plans are available on the city-maintained project page.

The Aug. 24 study session provides an opportunity for the community and Planning Commission to learn more about the proposed master plan, ask clarifying questions, and provide comments for the applicant and staff to consider. The staff report will be available on the agenda webpage no later than 72 hours before the meeting.

The project is currently incomplete due to items missing from the application package. The City will reevaluate the project’s completeness upon resubmittal.

For additional information, please contact Senior Planner Chris Turner, at crturner@menlopark.gov or 650-330-6724.

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On Wednesday, August 26, 2026 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm, come to the Menlo Park Library (800 Alma St.) to watch the documentary film, Shari and Lamb Chop.

Lewis was a children’s television pioneer whose whimsical creations and ebullient spirit guided generations of children as they came of age, with the beloved sock puppet characters Charlie Horse, Hush Puppy and, of course, Lamb Chop.

This free program  received funding support from the Friends of the Menlo Park Library.

Photo courtesy of Menlo Park Library

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On Saturday, August 22, 2026, the Atherton Police Department will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) checkpoint from 6:00 pm to 2:00 am at an undisclosed location.

DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.

“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Atherton Police Commander Dan Larsen said. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.”

The Atherton Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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Students in grades TK through five gathered for the first day of school at Encinal in Atherton this morning. Their mascot is an Eagle.

Photos by Parke Treadway (c) 2026

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This morning students were greeted by Principal Alicia Payton-Miyazaki and a great chalk drawing when they arrived at Oak Knoll School — which is celebrating its 75th anniversary.

And a group of buddies were looking happy to reconnect after the summer break.

Oak Knoll parent Rick Morris — known for his bird tours — captured the moments.

Photo by Rick Morris (c) 2026

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The County of San Mateo recently learned that the ongoing Vehicle License Fee (VLF) revenue shortfall has become dramatically worse for this fiscal year with the projected shortfall growing from $119 million to $226 million countywide. For Menlo Park, the impact would be $5.4 million for this year, bringing the total of monies owed to $7.3 million for the last three fiscal years.

On Aug. 13, the County held a press conference and special meeting of the Board of Supervisors to address the VLF shortfall. Menlo Park City Manager Justin Murphy spoke at the meeting, along with city representatives from the County’s 20 cities, and shared the potential impacts if the State does not address the continued shortfall. In Menlo Park, up to a 9% reduction in staff could be possible.

Mayor Betsy Nash, City Councilmember Jeff Schmidt, Police Chief Dave Norris, Administrative Services Director Brittany Mello, Public Works Director Azalea Mitch, Assistant to the City Manager/City Clerk Judi Herren and Assistant Administrative Services Director Fenny Lei joined City Manager Justin Murphy to support Menlo Park’s efforts to receive the full VLF funding.

To learn more about the VLF funding issue, please visit SMCFairFunding.org.

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On Sunday, August 23, 2026 from 11:00 to 11:45 am, come to the Belle Haven Library (100 Terminal Ave.) to see Possibly Puppets, where children become part of the performance by making the sound effects, joining as puppeteers, and helping Gladsy the snail search for a new home.

Puppeteer Risa Lenore combines live acting and puppetry in this show made from reclaimed materials.

This is the final performance in Menlo Park’s 9th Annual Summer Puppetry Festival.

Photo courtesy of Menlo Park Library

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