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Published August 20, 2008
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Orinda’s Night Out—A Great Success
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| By Andrea A. Firth |
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Over 500 Orindans got out to meet and greet their neighbors as part of the Orinda Night Out event held on August 5th. Enticed with barbeque food, ice cream sundaes, fine wines, and visits from the city staff and police and fire departments, residents poured into the streets.
“We had a great evening,” reports Diane Millette. “We had over 50 people, four fire engines, two police cars, and [Council Member] Amy Worth graced us with an appearance and shared ice cream,” she adds.
In an effort to foster a greater sense of community and improve disaster preparedness across the city, the Public Safety Advisory Commission had been promoting the neighborhood event for the past few months. “We were very pleased with the success of the evening,” reports Rebecca Kunzman, a member of the Commission. “There were 13 neighborhood events held throughout Orinda which included 27 Neighborhood Watch/Emergency Preparedness groups.”
“August Night Out provided a great opportunity for members of the police force to spend time with residents,” reports Orinda Police Chief Bill French who attended several neighborhood events.
In addition to answering residents’ questions, Chief French and his officers handed out badges and coloring books to the kids.
Kelly Woods and her neighbor Carol Puccinelli have been organizing about one hundred homes in their Tahos Road neighborhood for disaster preparation over the past year. “The evening was another way for us to get together and further publicize our disaster preparation efforts,” states Woods. The Tahos Road event was held in a Hollywood-style, U-shaped driveway that allowed the sixty adults and children to congregate without being in the street. “It was a great evening,” adds Woods. “We had about 25 households from our neighborhood attend. I have already received a half a dozen emails from neighbors who enjoyed the event.”
There was chocolate sauce from one end of Via Floreado to the other according to resident Sally Small. “I give my kudos to firemen and police officers who joined right in the fun,” adds Small. “ I looked over at one point to see a one-year old neighbor of mine in a fireman’s arms as he examined the fire truck while a police officer was making chalk drawings with some of the little girls.”
Following this year’s successful turnout, Kunzman anticipates that Orinda will continue to have the August Night Out event and work to expand participation even further. |
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| Sgt. Mohammad Djajakusuma passes out Child ID Kits; Kelly Woods (on his left),City Manager Janet Keeter (right) Photo Andy Scheck |
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| Reach Andrea A. Firth at: andrea@lamorindaweekly.com |
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA