Spring into Action in April with Fun Events & Activities
Spring into action this April; inspire growth, support social connections, pause our busy lives for wellness and wellbeing, and protect the planet through climate action.
From community meetings and community bike rides to movie nights at the library and composting workshops, there’s something for everyone this April, plus join us for Palo Alto Earth Day Festival on April 21, opportunities for teens to connect, activities to get your hands green and dirty, and participate in community conversations on several topics of interest.
CELEBRATE EARTH MONTH
Compost Workshop & Events Coming Up
April composting workshop occurred this past weekend on April 6.
Learn how easy it is to make your own compost at free events coming up. Learn more here.
Family Craft: Layers of the Earth
Tuesday, April 16, 2024 | 3:30 p.m. — 4:30 p.m.
Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd
Celebrate Earth Day with your family by learning about the different layers of the Earth! This craft workshop is designed for children ages 5–11. Registration is required.
Earth Day Author Event: Heather Ferranti Kinser
Saturday, April 20 | 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd
Young explorers can learn about and celebrate Earth Day with the Library as author Heather Ferranti Kinser reads from her new book “In a Cave.” The Library will host a fun craft activity as Heather demonstrates fun entertaining cave props. Registration is required.
Earth Day Festival
Sunday, April 21 | 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Rinconada Library, 1312 Newell Road
Join the City for a day of fun celebrating sustainability, featuring eco-adventures for the whole family, such as live animal encounters, pollinator garden tours and eco-bingo. You can also find green living experiences such as induction cooking demo with an award-winning chef, upcycled art show and an electric waste truck. City staff will also host games, giveaways, and resources to help you take environmental action. Learn how you can electrify your home, choose sustainable transportation, protect our water supply, and live a zero-waste lifestyle. Learn more here.
TEENS CONNECT TOGETHER
Graphic Novel Book Club
Thursday, April 11, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Mitchell Park Community Center, 3700 Middlefield Road
Teens 16 and up can take part in this fascinating monthly book discussion on a graphic novel selected by the group. This month’s book is Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands by Kate Beaton. Learn more here.
Palopalooza Event
Friday, April 12 | 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Mitchell Park Community Center, 3700 Middlefield Road
Are you a tween or teen who’s ready to rock and roll? Sign up to perform or just take part in Palopalooza, where you can groove to the beat and sing your heart out! Enjoy live local bands and solo artists, karaoke, fun games and crafts, and delicious food at this free event.
Bay Area Quiz Club
Sunday, April 14 | 2 p.m. — 6 p.m.
Mitchell Park Community Center | 3700 Middlefield Road
Do you have a talent for trivia? Test your skills and make new friends at the Bay Area Quiz Club, where you can enjoy quizzing in a friendly, inclusive environment. This club, which is open to ages 14–18, is free. Learn more here.
Musicians in Residence: Nathan’s Fearless Five!
Saturday, April 27 | 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Rinconada Library
Rinconada Library is pleased to present our Musicians in Residence, Carlmont High School’s Nathan’s Fearless Five playing the finest in swing and jazz. Learn more here.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & FUN FOR EVERYONE
Documentary: UNAFF presents “Picture of His Life”
Thursday, April 4 | 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Rinconada Library
Enjoy this stunning documentary about legendary underwater stills photographer Amos Nachoum. He always dreamed of swimming underwater with a polar bear and capturing it face-to-face on film. He tried before and barely escaped with his life, but now, as he nears the end of his career, he is determined to give it one last shot. The danger is real, perhaps more real than ever, but this is his last chance to get the Picture of His Life. Accompanied by Emmy Award-winning cinematographer Adam Ravetch, Amos dives into a world being rapidly erased by a changing climate and changing social norms. Learn more here.
ICYMI Movie Night
Thursday, April 11 | 6 p.m. to 8 pm.
Rinconada Library
Join us for ICYMI — which stands for In Case You Missed It — a free screening of a recently released and much talked about movie. This month we will be watching the smash-hit “Barbie,” directed by Greta Gerwig featuring an all-star cast including Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Feel free to bring along an extra comfy chair and settle in for a cozy evening at the Rinconada Library. Learn more here.
Community Meeting on Temporary Fire Station 4
Thursday, April 11 | 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cubberley Community Center, 4000 Middlefield Road
The City of Palo Alto is hosting a community meeting to share updates on the Fire Station 4 replacement project and answer community questions about the temporary relocation of Fire Station №4 to the Cubberley Community Center. The meeting will take place in Room H-1 at Cubberley Community Center. Learn more here.
Tenants’ Rights Workshop
Saturday, April 13 | 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd
Are you a tenant? Learn the tools to protect yourself from rights violations at this free workshop taught by experienced tenants’ rights attorneys and dedicated organizations. Registration is recommended for food and seating purposes. Register here.
Open Studios — the Cubberley Artist Studio Program
Saturday, April 13 | 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cubberley Community Center, 4000 Middlefield Road
Meet the artists in residence with the Cubberley Artist Studio Program and check out their art during this free open studio! Tour their working studios, see, make, and collect art! Learn more here.
Rail Committee Meeting
Tuesday, April 16 | 2:30 p.m. & Various other dates
Hybrid | City Hall
Join the rail grade separation conversation at this Rail Committee meeting. Learn about the alternatives being discussed and share your input ahead of City Council action in June.
3rd Thursday on California Avenue
Thursday, April 18 | 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
California Avenue
Enjoy live music and eat and shop local at 3rd Thursdays on California Avenue, hosted by the City and the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce. Connect with your community while savoring the sounds of musical groups playing at various locations along California Avenue. The event is a great opportunity to explore and support local businesses, as well as experience activities like photo booths and poetry readings. Learn more here.
BE WELL
Narcan Training Workshop
Wednesday, April 10, 2024 | 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Have your friends and family been impacted by the opioid crisis? You’re not alone. To help the community get informed and save lives, Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian, in partnership with the County of Santa Clara’s Behavioral Health Services Department and the Palo Alto City Library, are inviting the community to a Narcan training workshop. During this training, you can learn about the dangers of opioids and receive training on the use of Naloxone (commonly known as Narcan), a life-saving medication used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. After the presentation, participants will receive a free Narcan kit while supplies last. Register here.
Mental Health First Aid Training: Part 1 & 2
Part 1: Saturday, April 13, 2024 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Part 2: Saturday, April 27, 2024 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Learn how to support your friends, families, and neighbors by becoming certified in Mental Health First Aid. In this two-part training, you will learn how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults, including how to interact with a person in crisis and self-care tools and techniques. To receive certification, participants must attend both Part 1 and Part 2 sessions of the same month. Part 1 sessions are on the 2nd Saturday of the month; Part 2 sessions are on the 4th Saturday of the month. Each part is four hours with a break for participants to get lunch on their own. Registration is required. Please register directly with Kennya Rodriguez at Momentum for Health at krodriguez@momentumforhealth.org.
Meditation with Sara
Saturday, April 20, 2024 | 10:15 a.m.
Rinconada Library
Curious about meditation but need a supportive environment? Whether you’re an experienced student or a beginner, join us for a guided meditation experience with Sara. This seated meditation session that lasts 30 minutes. Registration required.
Mindfulness Meditation
Saturday, April 20, 2024 | 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday, April 27, 2024 | 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Mitchell Park Community Center | 3700 Middlefield Road
Come and improve your mental and physical health in mindfulness meditation sessions led by Phuong Pham. Each session is 30 minutes of meditation followed by 20 minutes of group sharing and Q&A. Learn more here.
Mindfulness Meditation Resources
Mindfulness meditation involves focusing on the present moment without judgment, which can help improve wellness in many ways, from reducing stress and anxiety, and improving cognitive function, emotional regulation, immunity, sleep and blood pressure. Below are some resources:
- Enjoy the soothing “meditOceans” produced the Monterey Bay Aquarium that featuring a guided meditation with beautiful views of the Bay and the Aquarium
- Need a short break? Try the 10 minute meditations on the Daily Calm channel.
- Meditation for Anxiety — Yoga with Adriene — 15 Minute Meditation For Anxiety guides you through a simple at home meditation to provide relief from anxiety, stress and energetic imbalance.
- From the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center — For an introduction to mindfulness meditation specifically designed for use by patients in hospitals or those experiencing health-related difficulties.
- Short videos to practice mindfulness with kids.
Discover more ways to Be Well.
MORE ONLINE RESOURCES
- Sign up for the City’s Uplift Local newsletter to gain weekly wellness resources here.
- Learn more about local wellness here.
- Visit Palo Alto Nature Preserves.
- Learn about Palo Alto Recreation Services.
- Explore upcoming events on the City calendar.
