Six National Night Out Events To Delight Menlo Park Residents

Six parties will be held on one August night in Menlo Park, bringing a sense of unity and social change from the west to the east side of town.

“I have a feeling it’s going to get better and better every year," said Gonee Sepulveda, community service officer for the Menlo Park Police Department.

Sepulveda has been pounding the pavement for months, encouraging people to host National Night Out parties in town. You may have seen her behind a table at the Menlo Park Block Party or the Sunset Magazine Weekend Festival. Or perhaps you met her at Burgess Park where she was distributing information to people about ways to get involved. She is one of many people who are making 2013 a historic year for Menlo Park.

At least six National Night Out events will take place in August all over Menlo Park.

Here’s a list of the 2013 National Night Events in Menlo Park:
(Click on the location to get directions.)

1) The Sharon Heights Homeowners Association is hosting an event at Sharon Park, located at 1155 Monte Rosa Drive, that will feature a food truck and perhaps a flock of ducks.

2) The Mt. Olive Church is hosting an event in the parking lot of the parish, located 605 Hamilton Avenue, that will feature interactive games, face painting for the kids, and free food.

3) Kathleen Daly, owner of Cafe Zoë, is organizing an event in the parking lot of The Menalto Shopping Center, which is located in the 1900 block of Menalto Avenue. That party will feature chair massages and “bling strings.” Sepulveda said bling strings are feathered extensions that are woven into your hair. 

4) The Belle Haven Community Development Fund will be hosting an event in the plaza outside of the school located at 415 Ivy Drive. This event will feature an inflatable bounce house for the kids, and soul line dancing.

5) Little House will be hosting an event at with the theme of “identity theft awareness” at the activity center located at 800 Middle Road.

6) The Belle Haven Community Organization is hosting an event at Hamilton Park, which is located on Hamilton Avenue between Henderson Avenue and Chilco Street.

This level of participation in a National Night Event has not been seen in the past two police administrations, which is key because the event is traditionally a way for law enforcement officials to interact with members of the community in a non-confrontational environment.

Sepulveda said, “Last year it was hard to get the word out.”

Two years ago, community organizers hesitated to host a National Night Out event in Menlo Park. Some people were leery of the event’s history as a community- building event usually held in neighborhoods that people of color call home.  Others said that no one was interested in hosting an event that gave police the opportunity to sit around and eat free food on the taxpayer’s dime.   

This year, Menlo Park residents are throwing historic patterns of behavior to the wind, bringing winds of social change to one of the most affluent communities on the San Francisco Peninsula.  While six organizers had registered with the police department as of Friday July 26, more could be hosting parties. 

“I’ve been telling anyone who will listen about it,” Sepulveda said with a laugh.  She highlighted the fact that anyone can register to host an event on the city’s website.

All the events will be held simultaneously on August 6, 2013 between the hours of 6 and 9 p.m., although actual times may vary at each one.  All are free and open to the public.

National Night Out events engage about 37 million people annually in all 50 states.