On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, from 6:00 to  7:00 pm, Former Poet Laureate Caroline Goodwin will appear at the Atherton library discussing The Nature of the Poem: A Writing Workshop.

In this hands-on workshop, participants will have the opportunity to put their own thoughts on paper in the form of a poem. Please bring a good old-fashioned pen or pencil, an open mind, and a willingness to experiment.

From 2014- 2016, Caroline Goodwin served as the first Poet Laureate of San Mateo County. A former Wallace Stegner Fellow in poetry at Stanford, she is the author of five books, most recently Matanuska (Aquifer Press, Wales, UK, 2022). She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and an MFA in poetry and teaches creative writing at Stanford Continuing Studies.

This workshop is presented by Atherton Library in partnership with the San Mateo County Office of Arts and Culture and Paloma Press.

Register online.

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The calendar may indicate that summer is a couple of weeks away, but locals know that it’s unofficial launch is the annual carnival — now in it’s 44th year — held last weekend at Nativity School.

Menlo Park resident John Donald captured some of the action.

We particularly like the seen-through-a-bubble photo!

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At its Tuesday, June 9 meeting, the Menlo Park City Council is scheduled to adopt an ordinance to repeal and replace Chapter 16.79 (Accessory Dwelling Units) of the zoning ordinance. The updated ADU Ordinance would make the City’s ADU regulations consistent with State ADU law and incorporate local objective standards.

At its Tuesday, May 19 meeting, the City Council voted unanimously to waive the first reading and introduced the ADU ordinance, with a modification to remove references to “vacation rentals” from the rental term requirements.

If adopted, the accessory dwelling unit (ADU) ordinance will be effective July 9.

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Come to the Menlo Park Library (800 Alma St.) on Monday, June 8, 2026 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm to become a pro at pronouns. A speaker from the San Mateo County Pride Center will talk about:

• Why getting someone’s pronouns right matters
• The history of neopronouns
• How to safely and respectfully ask for pronouns

A comfortable space to ask your questions about pronouns, plus interactive videos, participant engagement, and pronoun-use practice, will help you become a pronoun pro!

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The public hearing is an opportunity to learn about the proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-27 and share your input before the City Council takes action. During the hearing, staff will also provide information on the status of City vacancies, recruitment, and retention efforts as required by state law.

Community members are encouraged to participate and be heard on how the City allocates its resources in the year ahead.

The meeting will be held in a hybrid format, allowing residents to attend in person or participate remotely.

Written comments may also be submitted to the City of Menlo Park prior to the hearing.

In addition to Spanish language interpretation services, there will be a free shuttle available for the June 9 City Council meeting. The shuttle will leave from the Belle Haven Community Campus (100 Terminal Ave.) at 5:30 pm, drop off at the City Council Chambers (751 Laurel St.) and return to the Belle Haven Community Campus after the meeting (approx. 10:00 pm).

Community members interested in utilizing this service should reach out to the City Clerk’s Office by 2:30 pm on the day of the meeting to confirm how many riders are in their party and if there are any accessibility accommodations required. Limited spaces are available.

To contact the City Clerk’s Office regarding transportation services:
Phone 650-330-6620
Email city.clerk@menlopark.gov
Complete the Transportation Services Request Form or Language Interpretation Services.

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Study sessions provide an opportunity for Planning Commissioners and the public to provide preliminary feedback, with comments collected to inform future review and consideration of the proposal. The primary purpose of future SB 9 Ordinance amendments is to update the Municipal Code for consistency with state law, specifically Senate Bills 9 and 450 (SB 9 and SB 450).

The secondary purpose of the study session is to consider potential options to streamline the development review process in single-family residential zones such as removing use permit requirements for 1) substandard lots and 2) floor area limit establishment for lots less than 5,000 square feet in area.

Attend the study session to learn more about urban lot splits and two unit housing developments, single-family development requirements on substandard lots, and to share feedback on these efforts.

As a study session, no formal action will be taken. This item was continued from the April 27 Planning Commission meeting.

For more information, please visit the SB 9 Projects webpage at menlopark.gov/sb9.

The post SB 9 ordinance updates at Menlo Park Planning Commission study session on June 8 appeared first on InMenlo.

Through July 19, The Main Gallery in Menlo Park (883 Santa Cruz Avenue) is presenting a group show, “Together.”

There will be a reception on Saturday, June 6, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.  You are invited to come by to sip wine and meet the artists.

Photo “Seven Seas” by Bill Lazar is part of the exhibit

The post “Together” is group show at The Main Gallery — reception on June 6 appeared first on InMenlo.

We spotted this photo of a dragonfly online and reached out to the photographer, John Romano. He replied:

“I live in Sharon Heights, and I spotted the dragonfly early one morning while looking out my kitchen window. I noticed it flying around the deck area and then landing on top of a thin, green, three-foot plant support. It would stay in one position for a few minutes, then fly around for a few seconds before returning to the top of the plant support. After watching it repeat this behavior several times, I decided it was too good a photo opportunity to pass up.

“I grabbed my Nikon D50, attached my Nikon telephoto lens, and slowly made my way out onto the deck, trying not to scare the dragonfly away. From about eight feet away, I took roughly fifteen photos from different positions until I felt I had captured a good shot. I then went back inside, reviewed the images on my computer, and selected the best one to post on Nextdoor.

“Photography has long been an enjoyable hobby for me. I particularly enjoy visiting Sharon Park, where I often photograph the egrets, herons, ducks, and geese that occasionally visit the pond.”

Photo by John Romano (c) 2026

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Celebrating its 44th year, the Nativity Carnival in Menlo Park takes place from June 5 to June 7 at Nativity School (1250 Laurel St.).

The three-day community event features classic carnival rides, games, food, and live music performances, including a set by the classic rock band Dutch Uncle.

Hours are: Friday, June 5: 5:00 – 11:00 pm; Saturday, June 6: 12:00 – 11:00 pm; Sunday, June 7:  12:00 to 6:00 pm.

Tickets available onsite for unlimited rides during open hours.

Height restrictions for most rides: Children under 36″ must ride with a responsible party. To ride alone, children must be at least 36″ tall.

InMenlo file photo from prior Nativity Carnival (c) 2026

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Emails M-A grad Rob Jensen, “In its sixth year, the Ubuntu Scholarship Program is pleased to announce the awarding of financial grants totaling $33,000 to four graduating African-American seniors from Menlo-Atherton High School to assist with their continued education.

“This year’s awardees are Skylar Hodges, Taelyn Martin, Jaysce Reese, and Milan Page. Skylar and Taelyn will attend California State University, Sacramento, and Milan is already enrolled at Sacramento State. Jaysce will continue at City College of San Francisco. 

“The awardees community involvement includes volunteer positions in food and clothing drives, involvement with Second Harvest, and the Free At Last drug recovery program, and leadership positions in clubs, organizations, and athletic teams.

“This year’s scholars join the program’s 18 current Ubuntu Scholars who are continuing at universities including UCLA, San Jose State, USC, LSU, North Carolina Central, San Francisco State, and Texas Southern University.  Ubuntu Scholars continue to excel in the classroom, achieving academic honors including Dean’s List and Presidential Honor Roll.

“2025 saw the program’s first college graduate, an Honor’s Graduate from Oregon State, and three Ubuntu Scholars recognized in 2022 and 2023 are on track to graduate college in 2026.

“The Ubuntu Scholarship Program is seeking additional support to continue to support worthy students with their education. Donations are tax deductible per current law, and 100% of donations support the scholars — all costs associated with the program are paid by Ubuntu committee members. Additional information on the Ubuntu Scholarship Program is available online.

“Donations can be sent to Menlo-Atherton High School Alumni Association, attn.: Vice President, 301 Emerson Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301; please make checks  payable to Menlo-Atherton High School Alumni Association, with Ubuntu Scholarship Program on the memo line. Questions:  contact MABearsUbuntu@gmail.com.”

Pictured left to right: Jaysce Reese (scholar), Skylar Hodges (scholar), Sherinda Bryant (Ubuntu advisor), Taelyn Martin (scholar); Milan Page was unable to attend the event.

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