(Jeff Heyman, Photographer) Police Chief Ryan Sullivan leads the discussion about crime prevention at the Town Hall Forum on April 18 at the Orinda Library Auditorium, with (L-R) Mayor Darlene Gee, City Manager David Biggs, Sergeant Detective Anthony Rossi and Detective Daniel Marzilli each adding information about crime stats, ways residents can protect their homes and property and more.     Dozens of concerned Orinda residents attended the Town Hall Forum on crime prevention, listening to a presentation and asking the five panel members about Orinda crime stats and safety is ..read more

(Alison Burns, Photographer) Months after an incorrectly installed wood burning stove caused fire to break out in the Bergren family’s North Orinda home, a California FAIR Plan claims adjuster told them they could live in the house while it was being restored and just “move the contents around.”     This month, The Orinda News begins a three-part series that explores the impact of wildfire threats on fire insurance options in California and in Orinda.     As many Orinda residents get notices their homeowner insurance policies will not be renewed by traditional i ..read more

(Michael Peiser, Photographer) The site of the Nova Music Festival where 364 young Israelis were kidnapped, raped and murdered by Hama terrorists.     My wife and I joined a Solidarity Mission to Israel in March from Temple Isaiah in Lafayette, led by our Rabbi Jill Perlman following the Oct.7, 2023, terrorist attacks. We were in Israel for five days meeting with journalists, rabbis, professors and businesspeople, touring volunteer organizations and doing volunteer projects.     Our Mission motto was “Bring them home NOW.”     One of the towns we ..read more

    In the five calendar years from 2019 through 2023, property crimes, defined as residential, commercial and auto burglaries, decreased or remained flat in Orinda, according to a presentation by Orinda Police Chief Ryan Sullivan at a Feb. 13 special meeting of Orinda’s Public Safety Subcommittee Council. The meeting came in response to residents’ concerns over perceived increases in crime.     “We did this annual report (on property crimes) early because of the community concerns,” said City Manager David Biggs. “Normally we wouldn’t do this until April or Ma ..read more

(Charleen Earley, Photographer) Mayor Darlene Gee shares Orinda’s achievements and vulnerabilities at the annual State of the City Address on March 13, a luncheon hosted by the Rotary Club of Orinda.     Mayor Darlene Gee greeted a well-attended State of the City address and luncheon on March 13 at the Orinda Community Center, hosted by the Rotary Club of Orinda and emceed by Rotary President Clay Deanhardt.     Before introducing Gee, Deanhardt noted March 8 was International Women’s Day and acknowledged Orinda’s all-women city council member team, stating “Sai ..read more

(Jeff Heyman, Photographer)     It was standing room only at the Orinda Library Auditorium on Saturday, Feb. 10, as the lion dancers of Tomizaki’s Champions Kung Fu Institute chased away the bad spirits of last year and rang in the Year of the Dragon. The annual Lunar New Year celebration, which has become a traditional event, was hosted by the Orinda Library with the generous support of Roselyn and Weylin Eng of Orinda. At the end of the performance, much to the delight of children, parents and grandparents, the Concord-based Tomizaki’s Champions, who also presented a lively ..read more

(Jeff Heyman, Photographer) Revelers celebrate at last year’s Oscar Party at the Orinda Theatre. This year’s party will be held on March 10.     And the winner is…
     All Orinda cinephiles who love a good party.     Never fear if your invitation to the Vanity Fair party got lost in the mail. Walk the red carpet, have your photo taken at the step-and-repeat, sip champagne and nibble on savory treats while viewing the Academy Awards on the big screen at the Orinda Theatre.     Legendary film critic Jan Wahl and Orinda Theatre owner ..read more

(Charleen Earley, Photographer) In efforts to modernize telecommunications and due to a sparsely used and antiquated system, AT&T submitted an application with two proposals to end their obligation to provide landline services to California customers within their service areas.     AT&T submitted an application on March 3, 2023, with two proposals to withdraw its Eligible Telecommunications Carrier designation – to basically end its landline service to many California customers.     The reason … they’re antiquated and sparsely used.     A ..read more

(Jeff Heyman, Phlotographer) The Orinda News advertisers, past and present, listened to a brief "thank you" speech by Executive Editor Kathy Cordova, who recently completed her first year at the helm of the newspaper before a drawing was held for several great prizes.     The Orinda News held its inaugural Advertiser Appreciation Party at the iconic Orinda Theatre on Feb. 5. The theme was “We’re rolling out the red carpet for you.”     Guests walked the red carpet and enjoyed wine, beer and sumptuous appetizers. Advertisers won fantastic prizes including gift ca ..read more

(Courtesy of Linda Purl) Celebrities Linda Purl (Happy Days, Matlock and The Office) and Patrick Duffy (Step by Step and Dallas) bring real-life romance to the Orinda Theatre when they perform in A.R. Gurney’s Love Letters Feb. 10. Thanks to the pandemic, the two busy actors had time to get to know one another in their own Zoom version of Love Letters.     Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Orinda Theatre presents A.R. Gurney’s romantic play Love Letters, featuring real-life couple Linda Purl and Patrick Duffy.     “Love Letters is a show I’ve wanted to do fo ..read more