One of the most common questions I see browsing Bay Area social media channels nowadays is one asked by transplants and longtime residents alike: How and where can I make new friends in my community?
If you find yourself in that boat, join the club. There are clubs and groups across Silicon Valley fostering community through hobbies and common interests, but where to start in finding one that sounds like a good fit for you?
That’s why we’re launching a new series devoted to sharing stories about Peninsula clubs, with the first story by Karla Kane profiling several book clubs for graphic novel enthusiasts, novella readers and more. One of my favorite quotes in her story was from Fireside Books & More novella book club organizer Kiera Peacock, who said that book clubs “take something that’s inherently a solo endeavor and you make it a shared experience.”
Bibliophiles can also read Karla’s story about Palo Alto-raised author-illustrator Chanel Miller, who answered Karla’s questions (and a few from her daughter!) about Chanel’s new middle-grade novel, “The Moon Without Stars.” Chanel will be making an appearance at an event presented by Linden Tree Books at Christ Episcopal Church in Los Altos on Wednesday.
Booking it,
Julia Brown
Six Fifty Editor
editor@thesixfifty.com
Read all about it: Silicon Valley is home to a plethora of book clubs for all kinds of readers
For bibliophiles interested in sharing their enthusiasm for reading with others, book clubs can be a great way of creating community and diving deep into the written word in a friendly, yet organized, way.
‘The page is a protected place:’ Palo Alto-raised author-illustrator Chanel Miller’s new novel explores the messiness and magic of middle school
In her sensitive new middle-grade novel, “The Moon Without Stars,” Palo Alto-raised author-illustrator Chanel Miller delves into the confusing, exciting, sometimes hilarious and often-overwhelming world of early adolescence.
‘The end of an era’: After 36 years in Palo Alto, Il Fornaio prepares to close
For 36 years, Il Fornaio has served Italian classics in downtown Palo Alto, garnering longtime employees and regulars. Servers say it’s where Steve Jobs chatted with Tim Cook and where Hall of Famers, tech executives and government leaders would go to dine.
Congrats to Cynthia M., who was the first reader to correctly identify where last week’s photo was taken (it’s By the Teashore in Half Moon Bay!).
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!
Club Fox Blues Jam’s 20th Anniversary Concert: Jan. 16 The Club Fox Blues Jam is celebrating two decades of jamming with a special concert featuring The Daniel Castro Band, The Chris Cain Band, The Greaseland All-Stars and The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra, concluding with a big jam session, naturally.
Fun with Fungus: Jan. 17 and Feb. 7 Hidden Villa leads introductory workshops on local fungus. Taking both sessions is recommended but not required; classes can be taken independently.
Peninsula Symphony with Joyce Yang: Jan. 17-18 The Peninsula Symphony is joined by Grammy-nominated pianist Joyce Yang at a concert including Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 plus three orchestral interpretations of “Romeo and Juliet.”
Caltrain’s MLK Celebration Train: Jan. 19 Take the Celebration Train for free service to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day March in San Francisco. RSVP to get a ticket for a free return trip after 1 p.m. that day.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service in EPA: Jan. 19 Volunteers are invited to take part in East Palo Alto’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, including tree plantings, a park clean-up, breakfast and lunch, and a resource fair.
Nature, Art, and Service as Medicine: Jan. 20 The Mountain View Library hosts a virtual event with journalist Julia Hotz, author of “The Connection Cure,” which explores how “social prescriptions of art, nature, movement and volunteer service can improve health.”
Patches and Pockets: Jan. 22 At this workshop, upcycle scrap fabric and learn to make a cozy quilt block to use as a patch or clothing decoration.
Birds of the Bay Area: Jan. 24 Photographer Dick Evans and writer/nature guide Hannah Hindley discuss their book “In the Shadow of the Bridge: Birds of the Bay Area” with John Epperson, president of the San Mateo County Bird Alliance, at this Kepler’s event.
Star Session at Foothill College Observatory: Jan. 26 Explore the wonders of the night sky on a stargazing field trip to the Foothill College Observatory with the Peninsula Astronomical Society and the Mountain View Library.
Plan Ahead:
Pokey LaFarge: Jan. 31 Country, jazz and blues musician Pokey LaFarge is embarking on a solo tour and making a stop in Menlo Park, with Julian Davis opening the show.
Community Seed Exchange and Lavender for Healthy Skin Workshop: Jan. 31 Fresh Approach hosts a free potluck and seed exchange, along with a lavender relaxation ritual from DaphneGardens Skincare.
Hold Out for Joy: Music of Hope and Resilience by African American Composers: Jan. 31-Feb. 1 The African American Composer Initiative presents a concert of music honoring hope, resilience and joy, featuring works by William Grant Still, Harry Burleigh, Margaret Bonds, Betty Jackson King, Zenobia Powell Perry, Regina Baiocchi, Joshua McGhee, Valerie Capers, and Earth, Wind & Fire.
Downtown Los Altos Valentine’s Choco-Stroll: Feb. 7 Chocolate tastings, chocolate dipping and wine pairings are on the agenda for this downtown Los Altos event.
2026 Campbell Valentine Fun Run/Walk: Feb. 7 Run or walk this annual Valentine’s-season event, which features a 10K, a 5K and a kids’ dash.
Millbrae Lunar New Year Festival: Feb. 14-15 Usher in the Year of the Horse with food, crafts, performances, firecrackers and more at Millbrae’s Lunar New Year festivities.
Lunar New Year Hike: Feb. 17 Docents lead a moderately paced guided hike on the Mindego Hill Trail at Russian Ridge Preserve while sharing information on a few Lunar New Year customs and telling a Chinese–Californian story.
Ghost Run: Feb. 21 You don’t have to wait for Halloween to get in on some spooky fun. The town of Colma hosts its cemetery ghost run, including haunting surprises and activities along the route. Wearing costumes is encouraged.
Are You Ready For It? A Taylor Experience: March 22 This G-rated tribute to Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour” includes Traci Marie as Swift, a live band, choreography and plenty of costume changes.
Watch Martin Luther King Jr.‘s speech at Stanford University about ‘The Other America’
Talking with King archivist and Stanford historian Clayborne Carson about our perception of MLK’s legacy and the dangers of ‘purposeful amnesia.’
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Redwood City attorney sues ‘First Amendment auditors’ after Menlo Park disputeApril 2, 2026 11:31 am
