The people of the Bay know how to show heart. We unabashedly love our favorite restaurants, our open spaces and hidden gems. But we especially love our people: our family, our friends, our neighbors, our community groups. We call this region home, but it wouldn’t feel like home without them.
With February fast approaching, we’re publishing our guide to Valentine’s and Galentine’s happenings around Silicon Valley so you can get a head start on planning before events start selling out.
We hella love the 650,
Julia Brown
Six Fifty Editor
editor@thesixfifty.com
The Pro opens in downtown Palo Alto, carrying on a 58-year legacy
A longtime Palo Alto sports bar has been reborn. The Old Pro, a community watering hole since 1964, shuttered in 2022. But on Monday, it reopened with a new look, menu and mascot (and even a podcasting studio), while still paying homage to its predecessor.
Historic Woodside restaurant reopens as flower shop and cafe with Michelin cred chef
Nearly every day for five years, Aubriana Kasper drove by the olive-tinted facade of The Little Store in Woodside. Most recently, the building — identified by an eponymous wood sign celebrating its standing since 1902 — was used as a test kitchen for Hero Bread, but hadn’t been open to the public for years.
Our guide to Valentine’s and Galentine’s Day happenings around Silicon Valley
If you’re looking for ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day and Galentine’s Day, there’s no shortage of festivities on the Peninsula throughout the first half of February.
Congrats to Lynne J., who was the first reader to correctly identify where last week’s photo was taken (it’s The Little Store in Woodside!).
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!
Check out our guide to Lunar New Year festivities!
ALAS Love to Minnesota: Jan. 30 Assemble care packages for children in Minneapolis with cards, treats, art kits, coloring books and sensory items at a workshop hosted by Ayudando Latinos A Soñar in Half Moon Bay. ALAS is also collecting monetary donations and Valentine’s card sets for drop-off by Feb. 1.
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.
Friends of Mountain View Library Book Sale: Jan. 31-Feb. 1 Score sacks of low-price books while benefiting the Mountain View Library at this two-day event. Saturday is a general sale, while Sunday is a “bag sale,” at which customers can stuff a grocery bag full of books for just $5.
Lamb Yoga: Jan. 31, Feb. 21 and March 22 Hidden Villa hosts 45-minute outdoor yoga classes in an enclosed sheep pasture, followed by a half-hour of play time with the lambs (bring a mat or towel, and clothing that can get dirty.)
DIY During the Black Panther Movement: Feb. 2 The South San Francisco Public Library hosts a workshop where participants will make buttons and screenprint iconography from the Black Panther Movement and learn about its cultural influence.
Black History Month Congolese Dancing: Feb. 3 Congolese dancer Arnaud Loubayi will perform at this Menlo Park event honoring Black History Month.
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.
Plan Ahead:
Succulent Cement Heart Planting: Feb.12 Learn to create a succulent arrangement in a heart-shaped container (materials and guidance provided).
It’s a Mystery: Feb. 13 Five mystery authors discuss their latest work and what makes a great whodunit, alongside refreshments, at this Kepler’s event.
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.
The Wailin’ Jennys: Feb. 14 Canadian folk and roots-music trio Wailin’ Jennys (Nicky Mehta, Ruth Moody and Heather Masse) bring their heartfelt harmonies to Redwood City for a Valentine’s Day concert.
Ekep Nkwelle Quartet: Feb. 15 The rising-star jazz vocalist and her group perform in Half Moon Bay.
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.
Call for Artists: San Mateo County Parks Posters: Through March 2 Bay Area artists are invited to apply to design the next posters in San Mateo County Parks’ series, celebrating Coyote Point Recreation Area, Devil’s Slide Trail and Sam McDonald Park.
Laser Queen: March 14 Some of Queen’s most epic and popular songs are paired with an intense laser light show at De Anza College’s Fujitsu Planetarium.
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.
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Redwood City attorney sues ‘First Amendment auditors’ after Menlo Park disputeApril 2, 2026 11:31 am
