A Pacifica whale-watching group is bringing people together

If there’s ever been a story that embodies pure joy, this is it.

For the past week I’ve been working on a feature about Pacifica Whalespotting, a Facebook group where dedicated members post whale sightings in the city. Pacifica resident Robin Brun started the group over three years ago, but with whales feeding in large numbers off the coast for the past month, the group’s membership has skyrocketed from 5,000 about a month ago to more than 17,000 now.

Thanks to the group, people from all over the Bay Area and beyond have been able to see whales – some for the very first time. Hearing Robin and fellow group members talk about the impact it’s had was heartwarming; at a time when it feels like we’re sometimes online to a fault, I appreciate that a group founded on Facebook is fostering a positive corner of the internet and creating an in-person community of whale-watching enthusiasts. Get the story behind Pacifica Whalespotting and tips on where and how to spot whales in Pacifica below.

Having a whale of a time,

Julia Brown
Six Fifty Editor
editor@thesixfifty.com

For whale watchers near and far, a Facebook group is a hub for where to find whales — and community — in Pacifica

A Pacifica-based Facebook group devoted to local whale sightings has seen its membership shoot up in recent weeks as whales feed close to shore.

Kiln time: 6 places to make pottery in Silicon Valley

We rounded up several pottery studios on the Peninsula where people of all ages and abilities can get their hands dirty and mold or throw.

Robotic kitchens meet authentic Korean recipes in Foster City food trucks

Foster City fans of Korean cuisine – and the convenience of delivery – take note: OLHSO Korean BBQ & Seafood launched its delivery service in the city at the end of May. The plan? Using robotic kitchens to offer gourmet Korean meals freshly prepared en route to customers, with an emphasis on precision and consistency.

Congrats to Ellen Miller of Mountain View, who was the first reader to correctly identify where last week’s photo was taken (it’s Redwood Grove Nature Preserve in Los Altos!).

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!

mayday mae! Concert: Aug. 16 Catch indie-pop artist mayday mae!, who has a new EP, at her free performance at Feldman’s Books.

National Lighthouse Day: Aug. 17 Take a history tour of the lighthouse grounds, talk to lighthouses around the world with the La Honda Radio Club and play Victorian crafts and games at Pigeon Point Lighthouse.

Paravi Performance: Aug. 17 Singer-songwriter Paravi comes to Filoli for a summer concert.

Victorian Days: Aug. 18 Travel back in time to the Peninsula during the Victorian era through crafts and a proper tea party featuring costumed reenactors and etiquette lessons.

Always… Patsy Cline: Aug. 22-Sept. 15 Hillbarn Theatre celebrates the life and music of country legend Patsy Cline.

Mezcla Pop-Up: Aug. 23 Hop Dogma Brewing Co. hosts a pop-up featuring creative Colombian eats by Mezcla.

Chili Cook-Off: Aug. 24 Convene for live music, cold beer and hot chili in San Mateo.

The Black Experience Festival: Through Aug. 25 The Pear Theatre and The Breath Project present a festival about Black life in America, including three theatrical productions.

Plan Ahead

Story is the Thing: Aug. 29 Kepler’s signature reading series returns with four Bay Area authors: Katherine Lin, Claire Oshetsky, Susanne Pari and Zach Williams.

Twilight Bat Walk: Aug. 30 Learn about bats and try to spot them over Alpine Pond on a docent-led 1.5-mile walk at Skyline Ridge Preserve.

Mocktails at Gamble Garden: Aug. 30 Learn to create tasty mocktails using garden-derived ingredients.

Belmont Greek Festival: Aug. 31-Sept. 1 The annual festival returns for Labor Day weekend, featuring Greek food and drink favorites, live music and dancing.

Kings Mountain Art Fair: Aug. 31-Sept. 2 Walk the redwoods and support local artists at the festival that started in 1963.

Mountain View Art & Wine Festival: Sept. 7-8 Over 350 artists will be on hand for one of the summer’s biggest festivals, along with live music, food and drinks, Italian street painting and kids’ activities.

How two filmmakers with a camcorder and a jet ski made Mavericks world famous
El Granada locals Eric Nelson and Curt Myers started filming local surfers on public access TV. Today their Powerlines Productions counts Kelly Slater as a fan.

You can update your preferences and manage your groups, or if you really never want to hear from us again, including other emails from us you may have signed up for, you can totally unsubscribe from this list.

View this email in your browser