LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Mindful Littles' event and Orinda's last Concert in the Park end the summer season


Mindful Littles Carnival Photo Sora O'Doherty

Mindful Littles and Orinda Parks & Recreation teamed up on Sept. 21 to celebrate the International?Day of Peace at a one-of-a-kind event. The nonprofit organization founded by Tanuka Gordon seven years ago held its fifth Annual Peace & Kindness Carnival at the final Orinda Concert in the Park. Gordon noted that it was much easier to host the carnival with the assistance of Orinda Parks & Rec.

At the event, kids could engage in fun, kindness-themed activities, like face painting, games, and service oriented tasks such as assembling dental health packs to be distributed to unhoused people, assisted by Gordon's sister, a dentist. During its existence, the nonprofit organization has seen thousands of students and is expanding to events at workplaces to help adults guide children to compassion and empathy. Gordon has given up her employment to donate her volunteer work to the nonprofit, which also employs two assistants.

The event and the concert coincided with the Orinda Thursday night food trucks, and Contra Costa County Animal Services was also on hand with a kitten adoption event. The concert was performed by Patron Latin Rhythms, and many people enjoyed the perfect weather on the evening sitting on the grassy lawn of the Orinda Community Park. The band's music was also broadcast to the Library Plaza, where tables and benches were available for people to enjoy their dinners from the food trucks.