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The Rockridge News, February 1988, page 5

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——

The

Rockridge News

Sponsored by - The ROCKRIDGE COMMUNITY PLANNING COUNCIL + 5856 College Avenue #130 - Oakland California - 94618
Circulation: 4,500 Residences; 200 Businesses

Vol. 2 No. 10 Issue No. 22

Neighbors Elect RCPC Board;
Board Names Officers

Rockridge Neighbors cast their ballots and filled the ten
RCPC Board of Director positions at the annual election held
during the General Membership meeting on January 20, 1988.

Six directors were re-elected to serve another term: Barbara
Anderson, Nancy Dutcher, John Gussman, Don Kinkead, Brooke
Levin, and Ray Perman. In addition, four new directors were
elected: Beth Allen (Boyd), Steve Belcher (Locksley), Glen
Jarvis (Benvenue), and Michael Peltz (Shafter). An eleventh
Director remains to be appointed by the College Avenue Mer-
chants Association (CAMA).

The following Directors were elected Board Officers at the
first Board meeting on February 1, 1988: Chairperson, Barbara
Anderson; Vice-Chair, Brooke Levin; Secretary, Ray Perman;
Treasurer, Don Kinkead. Also, Chairpersons were appointed for
the following committees:

Current Planning/Zoning: Brooke Levin (653-7522)
Design Review: Glen Jarvis (654-5953)
RASP Steering: Kerry O’Banion, Chair (658-1608 )
Michael Peltz (658-2713)
Board Liaison
Rockridge News: Don Kinkead, Editor (655-7474)

Art Stone Development: Marc Beyeler (654-6787)

Membership Boundaries Enlarged

At its first Board meeting of the year, the new RCPC Board
of Directors amended the RCPC By-Laws to enlarge the mem-
bership boundary. The membership boundary of RCPC now cor-
responds more closely to the generally-accepted definition of the
Rockridge neighborhood and to the Rockridge News distribu-
tion area as well. RCPC boundaries now generally extend
northerly to the end of Chabot Road, easterly to Margarido and
Mendocino Avenues, southerly to 51st Street, and westerly to
Colby and Claremont Avenue. As in the past, membership in
RCPC is based solely on residence within the RCPC boundaries.
There are no membership fees or dues, although donations are

welcomed. (See Treasurer’s report, page 3).

February 13, 1988

Rockridge Moving
Toward Library Funding

After several months of discussion and research, an RCPC/
CAMA committee is completing a proposal for Neighborhood
funding of a new library branch proposed for construction on the
Art Stone property (5372 College Avenue), a site purchased last
year by the City for an off-street parking lot.

Discussions with the City have revealed that no City funds are
available to construct the new branch library to serve Rockridge.
The City is agreeable, however, to using a portion of the Art Stone
property for a library branch if funding is secured by the Neigh-
borhood.

Choosing A Feasible Alternative

After investigating a variety of other funding sources — includ-
ing joint public/private development — the committee has con-
cluded that no State or Federal monies are available and that the
site is not large enough for a public/private development project.
In the committee’s view, the only feasible alternative appears to
be a Neighborhood property tax bond issue.

An assessment bond issue would require the approval of sixty
per cent of Neighborhood property owners within the boundaries
of an assessment district. The district would be established and
approved by property owners via a petition circulation drive, a
process that would take up to six months. Preliminary estimates
indicate that an annual charge of $30 to $40 per parcel would pay
off the full bond issue in 20 years.

Community Design Process

Within the next few months — when specific requirements for
the library’s permanent branch and the legal and financial require-
ments of the proposed bond issue are established — the committee
will bring a proposal to the RCPC Board and to the General
Membership for a decision on the project design and financing.

In the next six months, the committee is recommending acom-
munity design process to develop specific plans for the building
and parking lot. The committee has had many discussions about
site design with Neighbors and local residents. Adjacent resi-
dents and business owners are adamant that any development not
adversely affect their property. Many Rockmnidge residents have
made specific suggestions for site development, including out-
door seating and reading areas, special art work, or a Neighbor-
hood kiosk. —Marc Beyeler

Dates Calendar Events Calendar Dates

* Tuesday Feb 16 7:30 pm City Council Meeting

* Wednesday Feb17 7:30 pm RCPC General Meeting
* Monday Feb 22 7:30 pm Zoning Meeting

* Tuesday Feb 23 7:30 pm City Council Meeting

* Wednesday Feb 24 1:30 pm

City Hall.
College Avenue Presbyterian Church.

Dimond Library, 3565 Fruitvale Avenue. See Story page 5.
City Hall.

Planning Commission Meeting City Hall, Room 115. Regular meeting.

cacy

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J. Ross Browne and Pagoda Hill

By Annalee Allen

Rockridge was home to one of Oakland’s earliest distin-
guished (and flamboyant) citizens. This man of unusual talents
and abilities was the 19th century author, government agent and
diplomat J. Ross Browne. In the 1870s, he built a magnificent
estate he called Pagoda Hill in what was then the unincorporated
Temescal district. It was located where Ross Street meets
Chabot Road. Today’s Ross Circle was the circular drive which
once wound its way to the entrance of the palatial home.

Although he traveled all over the world, Browne chose
Oakland as the place to raise his large family. Once, lecturing
in New York in 1862, he wrote his family, “I would rather
cultivate cabbages in Oakland, a thousand to one.”

Born in Ireland in 1821, Browne spent his early years in
Kentucky. His father,
a minister, had been
driven from his home-
land for speaking out
against English poli-
cies. The minister’s
son dreamed of seeing
the world, but his
family was. not
wealthy. Young
Browne learned an
important skill —-
shorthand. Thus
equipped, he started
out to combine a liter-
ary career with gov-
ernment service.

He first came to . |
California in 1849 to act as of ficial rebor(bex for the drafting of
the State Constitution. While out West, he wrote many articles
and essays for magazines such as Harpers. He often embel-
lished his work with humorous and droll sketches, His work has
been looked upon not only as absorbing adventure stories but
also as important historical records of the West’s pre—Civil War
days. In J. Ross Browne: Confidential Agent In Old Califor-
nia, Richard H. Dillon placed him with Mark Twain as a
member of the ‘Western frontier school of American writing.”
In fact, Twain and Browne were friends; Twain visited Browne
in Oakland when he came West. Many of Browne’s stories
found their way into Twain’s writings and it is believed that
Browne’s travel logs were the inspiration for Twain’s /nnocents
Abroad.

Mark Twain was not the only well known author to be in-
fluenced by Brown. Herman Melville made use of Browne's
impressions of whaling (taken from his Etchings of a Whaling
Cruise) when writing Moby Dick. Browne reported on what he
saw and experienced with humor, shrewd insight and broad
minded tolerance. Although he was known for his humor he did
not hesitate to comment on injustices. As a government agent
investigating the life of California Indians, Browne brought to

light the deplorable conditions they endured.

When Browne purchased his property, the site was several
miles outside of town, a bald hillside with scant vegetation and
rocky outcroppings. He set out to create landscaped gardens
and verdant forests. The towering eucalyptus trees on the
hilltop above Ross Circle visible today were no doubt planted
at this time. Acting as his own architect, Browne built an
extravaganza of Byzantine and European influences. An awed
journalist visiting him in 1875 wonderingly described the edi-
fice as, “...a cupola from Moscow here, a Chinese gateway
there, a Moorish dome on a French roof, a Saracenic belfry with
a Japanese temple — all tossed together like the vagaries of a
traveler’s dream. Inside were objects, furnishings and paintings

collected on world
rhe
travels. The name
} “Pagoda Hill” was
chosen to commemo-
rate the fact that he
had once served as
minister to China. A
small pagoda shrine
stood at the entrance
of the drive. The
spectacular house was
visible for miles.

Browne was a de-
voted family man.
While away on his
travels, he wrote many
letters to his wife and
children. He died un-
expectedly at the relatively young age of 54 in 1875. Learning
of his death, the poet Joaquin Miller wrote a moving eulogy for
his friend. It concludes with these words: “J. Ross Browne was
something more than a traveler; he was a careful, thoughtful
student; the world was his university; and all man-kind his
school fellows. You search his books in vain for any unkind
word or irreverent illusion... Peace and rest to the weary trav-
eler, the gentle friend, the brave, strong state builder of ’49.”

Despite his apparent wealth, Browne was not economically
secure. He had mortgaged heavily against the property.
Browne died without leaving a will. The family continued
living on the estate, but eventually it was sold. The exotic
mansion housed a private academy for a few years. It was tom
down in the twenties to make way for development.

Above Ross Circle today there stands a quaint Victorian
cottage. It is thought to be the gardener’s cottage to the estate.
It is all that remains of J. Ross Browne’s Pagoda Hill.

Sources: Knave, The Ultimate Victorians, Stephanie Manning,
Oakland History Room.

Photo: California College of Arts and Crafts.

Annalee Allen is Vice-President of the Oakland Heritage
Alliance and a resident of the Rockridge Area.

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January 16, 1988 The Rockridge News

Page 3

Rockridge Community Planning Council Finances — 1987

THe Money: Wuere It Came From ANp Wuere It Went

The end of one year and the beginning
of another is a good time to look back at
past progress and ahead to new goals.

In last month’s issue of The Rock-
ridge News, RCPC Chair Barbara Ander-
son discussed some of the achievements
of 1987. Goals for 1988 include continu-
ing work on the Area Specific Plan,
working with the City to re-establish a
permanent Rockridge Branch Library,
staying in touch with changes proposed
for College Avenue and the Rockridge
Area, and keeping the Neighborhood as
informed as possible about all these
events.

None of this work would happen
without donations of money and time
from residents who seek constructive
change for their Neighborhood, and many
people gave freely of both during the past
year.

Donated time is incalculable, but the

RCPC totalled $3,680 from January 1
through December 31, 1987.

Money’s habit is to go out faster than
it comes in, and we have not been able to
change this pattern so far. RCPC had the
usual organizational expenses of photo-
copying, office supplies, fees, etc., com-
mon to other organizations, and met those
expenses through donated funds. RCPC
also had the expense of producing and
printing eleven monthly issues of an eight
page newsletter distributed by an intricate
volunteer network to 4,500 homes and
businesses.

Early in the year, newsletter costs
were paid for with donations. As the
newsletter grew in size and popularity, its
costs also grew. The production staff
turned to advertisers to help meet costs
and to help publicize local businesses.
Toward the end of the year, advertising
revenue was close to meeting the total

meeting... but not entirely meeting.

A steady stream of donations is the
surest way to provide the funds necessary
to meet day-to-day organizational costs
and is a necessity for effective planning
for the future.

It is time at this point in the new year
to thank past donors for their support and
genorosity, and to encourage them to do it
again this year. It is time to ask those who
have not donated before to do so soon. To
make it as easy as possible for everyone,
each issue of The Rockridge News has a
handy coupon to record donation details
and send along with a check. This issue
also includes a pre—addressed donation
envelope. If yours is missing, please send
everything to the address on the coupon.
Naturally, all donations are tax deduct-
ible: RCPC is a registered non-profit
corporation.

Thanks, always, for your support.

record shows cash donations made to __ newsletter production cost. Close to —Don Kinkead
Treasurer, RCPC
——“‘OOONOOO#OCROrromMiness el oo
INCOME BY PERCENTAGE INCOME SouRCcE Amount %/Tora EXPENSES BY PERCENTAGE
Donations $ 3,680. 58%
Ads, Rockridge News $ 2,626. 42% Rent, Meeting Space — 3%
Torta.s $ 6,306. 100% Accounting, Fees - 5% ZA
Donations EXPENSES Supplies, Postage — 2%
To RCPC — 58% Photocopying — 5%
Photocopying $ 341. 5% Other — 4%
# Office Supplies $ 168. 2%
3 Accounting, Fees $ 360. 5% Rockridge News:
Rent, Meeting Space  $ 210. 3% Production, Printing — 81%
Rockridge News $ 5,598. 81%
Other $ 248. 4%
Tora.s $ 6,925. 100%

‘
| |

:

| f Enroll Me as a Supporting Donor to the Rockridge Community Planning Council! |

| Ves ° I have enclosed a check payable to RCPC for my tax-deductible donation for a year’s registration |

| and other support areas I have checked off: !

: Suggested minimum; $10 per category

| hap Don Kinkead |

| | Address $ Registration Donation 5626 Oak Grove Avenue |
Bee Oakland, CA 94618. ||

| City/Zip: $ Rockridge News Donation

Thank you! }|

| Phone }.

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Page 4

January 16, 1988

RockKRIDGE Uppares

ee weer

+ Crry Councirt To Vote On $8,500 REQUEST

After more than eight months and nearly as many levels of
public review, RCPC’s request for $8,500 for Community Devel-
opment Block Grant funds has reached the last step in the ap-
proval process. Staff will bring the request and the proposed
contract before the City Council at its regular meeting on March
1, 1988 at 7:30 pm. RCPC is requesting the grant to fund the first
phase of a three phase project which will result in an Area
Specific Plan for the Rockridge community. The Phase I project,
“Building Community Consensus in the College Avenue/Rock-
ridge Area,” will entail.defining the Community’s Goals and
Objectives through a series of public meetings. At each meeting,
the community will critique Draft Goals and Objectives based on
data to be collected in three separate planning surveys (of resi-
dents, merchants, and commercial property owners).

All Neighbors are invited to come to City Hall on March Ist
at 7:30 pm to show support for RCPC’s grant request!

+ DREYER’S

The Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the pro-
posed expansion of Dreyer’s corporate headquarters in Rock-
ridge is stll under review by the City of Oakland Planning Staff.
When staff review is completed, the EIR will be sent back to the
consultants. After the consultants have finished responding to the
City’s concerns, the Draft EIR will be released for public review
and comment. Citizens will have approximately 45 days to
review the document. Public hearings on the EIR and Dreyer’s
proposed project will be held in the Neighborhood.

+ STREET—SWEEPING FoLLow Up

Rockridge Neighbors have reported getting letters from the
City regarding initiation of parking controls (the Signs!) for
monthly street-sweeping. Some letters have gone out to blocks
where Neighbors already had circulated petitions against street-
sweeping. Apparently, some blocks have not fulfilled necessary
conditions (e.g., required percentage of signatures) and therefore
must circulate a new (the City’s) petition. Neighbors are advised
to check the status of each block, and to follow-up after petitions
are submitted. Call Mr. Drew Windsor, 273-3846, of Oakland’s
Office of Public Works for additional information.

Computer assistance for PC-compatibles:

* Hard disk setup, reorganization, and backup
* Software installation

¢ Tutoring

- File transfers between programs

Rachel Holmen 658-1889

The Rockridge News

ROCKRIDGE PET CARE

Pet Sitting/Medical Care
Post-Surgery Nursing
House Calls

e bandaging
* injections
¢ fluids

* some grooming

MICHELE, Licensed A.H.T.
(415) 658-9307,

+ CCAC CONSTRUCTION PLANS

The California College of Arts and Crafts has plans to con-
struct a new 11,000 square foot facility on its campus to house

an Art Gallery, photo lab, and painting/drawing studio. At the
public hearing on January 27th, Planning Commissioners heard

Broadway neighbors complain about parking problems already
generated by CCAC students. The RCPC Board requested an
analysis of the current parking provided by CCAC, and clarifi-
cation of the parking requirements for the new building. The
public still can address comments to the Planning Staff by phone
(273-3911) or in writing (re: File No. CM 88-5 (ER 88-2),
Zoning, 1 City Hall Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612).
+ COLLEGE Point CAFE

Café manager Maurice Younessi, of College Point Café, has
requested permission from the Planning Commission to sell beer
and wine. Mr. Younessi states that the Café will close no later
than 8 o’clock in the evening. The RCPC Board, in its recom-

mendation to the Planning Commission, voted not to oppose the
application provided that the beer and wine sales remained
accessory and secondary to the sale of food, and that there would
be no storefront window signs advertising the sale of alcoholic

beverages.
+ Op Brancu Liprary DESIGN REVIEW

The RCPC Board reviewed plans for a refurbishing of the
building formerly housing the Rockridge Branch Library. Devel-
opers Anne and Larry Olund will lease the ground floor for three
retail spaces with separate entrances on Miles and College
Avenues. Acting in an advisory role to the Planning Staff, the
Board proposed that exterior storefront design include recessed
doorways, awnings, non-reflective glass and street trees—all
characteristics common to most College Avenue retail frontage.

Concordia
HIGH SCHOOL

‘ College Preparatory Program
for Grades 9-12

- Accredited by the Western
Association of Schools and Colleges

. Transportation available from
Rockridge and Fruitvale

BART stations and Montclair
(connections to Alameda, S.F.,
and Contra Costa)

* Thursday Tours, 10:30 a.m., for
parents and students

* Admissions Testing on March 10

ic eam

Preparation for College in

a Supportive Environment

Campus located at
6325 Camden St. (near Mills College) Oakland
Call 632-4332 for more information

———

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January 16, 1988

Page 5

The Rockridge News

Automotive Servicing/General Retail Sales

City Asked To Clarify Zoning

Closing a potentially damaging loophole in the Zoning Ordi-
nance definition dealing with automobile servicing in commer-
cial areas is the goal of recent steps taken by the Upper Telegraph
Coalition (UTC) in its effort to improve Telegraph Avenue.

The Rockridge Community Planning Council (RCPC) sup-
ports this effort, and sent a letter to City Planning Commission
Chairman Doug Jones asking the City to consider the definition
and interpretation of the commercial activities listed in the
Zoning Ordinance as “General Retail Sales” and “Automotive
Servicing”.

UTC has received letters of support from sixteen other busi-
ness and neighborhood groups seeking changes in retail business
classification when automotive servicing is performed. Clarify-
ing the definitions is important because there are various types
and degrees of auto servicing associated with these activities.

Auto supply stores, which may have as many as ten bays for
services from lube and oil changes to installing mufflers, are
presently classified as “General Retail Sales” and are allowed in
most commercial zones in Oakland without a Conditional Use
Permit. The community groups contend these facilities would be
more properly classified as “Automotive Servicing”.

On the other hand, shops selling items primarily other than
auto supplies, which service automobiles as an incidental part of
the business, are properly classified as “General Retail Sales.” A
lock and key shop which incidentally also works on auto locks
would be an example.

UTC is sponsoring a public meeting with City Planning Di-
rector Alvin James to discuss modification of these activity types
on Monday evening, February 22 . The meeting will be held at

the Dimond Library, 3565 Fruitvale Avenue, at 7:30 p.m.
—by John Wagers

MELVIN MIKELL Janitorial Service

PROFESSIONAL CLEANING SPECIALISTS
CLEANING: Floors « Walls » Windows * Carpets

COMMERCIAL « INDUSTRIAL « RESIDENTIAL
Reasonably Priced Dependable Service
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TEPPING

SELL SMART, BUY SMART

innovative Marketing and Personal Service
with Attention to Detail

For a free market evaluation of
your home or property call Bill Pelter
or Sue Seligsohn, Realtor Associates:

843-5353

The Real Estate Specialists in Rockridge
Homes and Income Properties

Children’s Hospital Expansion
Plans Draw Neighborhood Ire

Forty angry North Oakland Neighbors were present ata recent
public hearing before the Planning Commission to oppose ele-
ments of Children’s Hospital expansion plans that would close
52nd Street between Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, and the free-
way.

In the hearing held January 27 to consider rezoning the area
bounded by 52nd Street, Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, 53rd
Street, and the freeway from R-40 and R-SO Residential to S~1
Medical Center Zone, Children’s Hospital presented plans for an
expanded “campus” that would be built across the 52nd Street
right of way. The plans call for construction of a five story
ambulatory service center, “atrium facilities”, a large circle drive
for the private use of the Hospital and its patients, and a four level
parking structure with room for 800 cars fronting 53rd Street.

Since 52nd Street is the only direct access to essential services
east of the freeway in the Temescal district on Telegraph Avenue
and the Rockridge area at Broadway for residents living west of
the hospital, its closure was strongly opposed by Neighborhood
speakers.

Concern over the idea had emerged previously at community
meetings held to discuss the expansion plans and was evident at
the hearing. “The Hospital has failed to respond to repeated
requests for alternative designs,” Mr. Godfrey James told the
Commissioners. Representing the 53rd Street neighborhood, Mr.
James asked that rezoning be denied unless 52nd Street can
remain open and asked that consideration of the zoning request
be postponed until the Hospital presents a complete plan accept-
able to the community.

Mr. James gave members of the Commission a map showing
how 52nd Street traffic would be diverted to residential streets
several blocks away. Of particular concern to residents is the
effect the proposed closure would have on police and fire depart-
ment response time to the neighborhood.

Other speakers supported by the Association of Community
Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) expressed similar
concerns. At the close of testimony, petitions signed by over 700
residents opposing the rezoning and closing of the street were
submitted to the Commissioners. Petition signing continues at the
am/pm mini—mart at 52nd and Shattuck as well as in the Neigh-
borhoods.

Hospital representative Mr. Clifton Louie said the expansion
was crucial to the continued success of the Hospital. Leaving the
street open would be too dangerous to pedestrian patients, he said.
Buidling either a tunnel or a bridge as suggested by Neighbors
would be too expensive, he added.

Other Neighborhood groups have offered their support to the
Neighborhood. At its February meeting, the Piedmont Avenue
Neighborhood Improvement League (PANIL) voted to write a
letter of support for the 53rd Street Neighborhood position.

Rockridge House For Rent

2 — Bedrooms with Den, Dining Room,
Living Room w/ fireplace, renovated kitchen and yard.

One block to Rockridge BART station. $1075/mo.
Call Fran 284-1287

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Page 6

The Rockridge News January 16, 1988

Of General Interest:

City Budget Scenario Pits Rock,

Hard Place, And Neighborhoods

Marge Gibson—Haskell

At the January Rockridge Community Planning Coun-
cil meeting City budget alternatives for fiscal year
1988-89 were presented by City staff and myself and
these were explored by the members of the community.

The consensus appeared to be that while no one likes
an increase in taxes, even one as modest as $90 per parcel
per year (with an exemption for those below the poverty
level), far less does anyone wish to see a cut in services.
Alternative revenue generating approaches were consid-
ered, additional efficiencies in service delivery were
proposed, but when all was said, these would not close the
$12 million plus estimated gap.

A significant concern was expressed — which I share —
that the tax increase will actually be used to preserve and
augment services and not be eaten up in additional invis-
ible management levels. I will watch closely to ensure that
this does not occur.

Rockridge has concrete objectives that I want to see
achieved. Unfortunately, all require more money than the
City’s present budget projections indicate we will have:
the Rockridge Specific Plan needs Planning Department
staff support; the present temporary library has to be
staffed even while we are debating the how of a permanent
future library; the fire station must be kept open. This is
what a tax increase would be all about.

I regret that more of the Rockridge community could
not be at the January RCPC meeting, but the Directors and
many of the Block Captains were. I trust that they will
discus with you the merits of the plan that was proposed.
Also, the City Manager’s presentation will be taped and
televised on Cable Channel 13 so that those who could not
be present will have an opportunity to obtain detailed
budget information.

Please let me know your thoughts. If you wish more
details about the why and how, I will provide them if you
contact me or my office. I will be pleased to arrange for
additional meetings or briefings if such is requested.

RCPC and The Rockridge News present this column to assist
regular communication from local officials. Give some thought

to what you read here, then give a call:

Marge Gibson-Haskell — 273-3266
City Council District 1

Henry Gardner — 273-3301
CityManager

KALA GALLERY is featuring an exhibit of prints and pastels by
noted Rockridge artist and resident Shane Weare throughM arch
11, 1988. The gallery, located in Berkeley at 1060 Heinz Street
(near Ashby and San Pablo Avenues), is open Tuesday — F riday
from 10am to Spm, and Saturdays from noon to 4pm.

JUNE TAYLOI

AND COMPANY
BOOKKEEPING AND TAX SERVICES

CRIMSON

DUPLICATING CENTER

Open 7 days / week

PRINTING DESIGN
Business cards GRAPHICS

Letterheads ENGINEERING &
Envelopes ARCHITECTS COPIES

Flyers OFFICE SUPPLIES

Brochures
COPYING BINDERY
TYPESETTING LAMINATING
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DESK TOP PUBLISHING !YPEWRITERS
LASER COPYING RUBBER STAMPS

COLOR COPYING LABELS
FILM PROCESSING COMPUTER BANNERS

9251 Broadway at College Oakland, CA 94618 547-0646

a a a eo ok Stee Eee Ww wees  e-

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January 16, 1988

The Rockridge News

Page 7

Time To Renovate Your Driveway? Consider This...
By Ray G. Perman

Are you frustrated by the lack of street parking in front of
your home, parked vehicles crowding your driveway ramp
muddy shoes from stepping into the flowerbeds, or twisted
ankles from walking on what is left of your driveway? It might
be time for a driveway renovation.

You probably already have some good ideas on how you
might like to rebuild your driveway. Nonetheless, it is worth-
while to check some other references. The architectural section
of most libraries includes planning books on driveway desi gn and
buffering. “Driveways” by Sunset Publishing, regrettably no
longer in print, 1s a good one, The City Building Department also
offers a free booklet on driveway building requirements.

You will probably want to widen the ramp, widen the drive-
way area itself, create an area for loading, and possibly create
space for a second car. You might want to combine efforts with
your neighbor by sharing a right-of-way. This would allow a
single driveway providing access to more parking. Also, a
single, slightly widened driveway would leave more planting
area on each side for improved planting.

Keep the location and condition of water, gas, and sewer lines

in mind when paving. EBMUD will install steel water box lids
and lower water meter boxes which might be in ramp areas. In

spain

+++ @ paper slore

YOU’RE INVITED ...

FOR: A look at the new Verbatim ... your
neighborhood stationery store.
We have the latest in personalized
stationery and invitations for all of
life’s events. Our card selection
has expanded and holds many new
and different treasures.

DATE: Monday through Saturday
TIME: 10 am -6 pm
PLACE: 5940 College Avenue

Oakland 94618
415/655-0672

GIVEN BY: The new owner!

ROCKRIDGE
CAFE +s Fine American Food

in a Casual Setting
Newly Expanded Dining Room

¥

Bay Area’s Best Burgers * Fresh Pasta * Grilled Fish
Calzone « Kebobs « Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner * Dessert

Mon-Sat 7AM-10.30 PM — Sun 8 AM- 10.30 PM
5492 & 5496 College Ave. Oakland 653-1567

most cases EBMUD will perform this service for free. If the box
must be relocated, EBMUD will charge. Call the Maintenance
Division at 835-3000 x436 for questions about your situation.

If the planned driveway comes close to exposed gas meters
and/or circuit boxes, PG&E may require placing protective ver-
tical posts. Call PG&E Service Planning at 437-2108 to check
requirements.

Typical driveway materials are asphalt and concrete. If you
plan on redoing the ramp, sidewalk, or curb, the City requires you
use concrete. Should your plans only include the driveway por-
tion located on your property you may use other materials.
Concrete may be mixed in a variety of colors. If selecting a color,
ask to see an actual pour. Many contractors find showroom color
samples to be unreliable.

Driveways in the City of Oakland may be rebuilt by home-
owners or a licensed contractor only. In selecting a contractor be
sure to both request and confirm references. The average price
to have a licensed contractor tear out and replace a driveway of
about 800 square feet is between $2,000 and $2,500, for either
asphalt or concrete. Homeowners lacking in the skill to complete
the work on their own may cut costs by about 50% by doing the
tear—out and form work on their own, letting the contractor do the
finish work. (You need not rent a jack hammer to do the job.
Pavement is designed for compression, not shear. This means
that when a portion of the pavement is lifted off the ground with
a crowbar, it can be easily broken by a less than Herculean blow
from a sledge hammer.

Next Issue: Creative Debris Disposal; Construction Requirements.

Have Fun While Getting a Great Haircut!

Video Games ® Toys ® Balloons ® Prizes

“
—</ |

3

AHatrSalon 5335 Oakland Telephone
for Kids College California 415
of All Ages Avenue 94618 547 7277

Ti Bacio Ristorante

offers you a
Dinner Special for 2 «to go* $9.95
Linguini con Vongole
(fresh clam sauce)
Tossed Green Salad
Extraordinary Garlic Bread
We Accept Visa & MC

CALL AHEAD for your TO GO ORDER

20% Off Menu Prices On Other To Go Entrees

5301 College Avenue (at Clifton) * Oakland + 428-1703
+ with this coupon + Expires March 12, 1988

° fee F_ - ted Whee ta ke eer ee CCL ENTEEEN EE COs Sa S -_

Page 8 The Rockridge News January 16, 1988

Clean Oakland Program

Special Trash Pickups

Next Three Saturdays

Thanks to the RCPC/Rockridge News distribution block-
captain network system, Rockridge Neighbors will have a chance
to participate in the free trash pickup service sponsored by the City
of Oakland on Feb. 20, Feb. 27, and March 5. Most Rockridge
Neighbors will get a large yellow garbage bag with their newslet-
ter. Attached flyers will indicate on which Saturday the City
trucks will be coming around to collect the bags.

A Note of Explanation

This is the first year RCPC has joined with the City of Oakland

in planning the Special Trash Pickup Service. The process of

meshing the City’s distribution system with the RCPC network : ae
has been complicated. As a result, Rockridge Neighbors residing | | et
on College Avenue, Broadway (and East of Broadway), and 51st

were not included in the program this year. By next year, itis | ’

hoped, all Residents within the RCPC boundaries will get this | We ve Go '
special service.

Valentine’s Day | |
ee | Featuring: ee Car ds and Candy mene |
. HIGH QUALITY COPIES !

.BINDERY SERVICES | | and

« DESKTOP. PUBLISHING s
- SWORD PROCESSING CS Champagne On Sale! |.

5856 College Avenue eS
Oakland, CA 94618 _ + COMPUTER/GRAPHIC

-(415)654-6504 = =§—=C*ESIGN' = = |} | | = Charles Heidsick (France) | _
SFAXATELEX —s_| | |

em 8:00am.7:30pm PRIVATE MAIL. BOXES | | — $15.99/750ML (Reg 25.99)

M-Tx 8:00 am- ooo cm

Sev 8:00am- 7:00pm =. STATIONERY SUPPLIES| |
SUPS&FED. EX, = | |

FAX: -arsyo5a138 oat
TLX: 9102503043 _& MUCH MORE

Chimes accepts

LONG HOURS! OPEN 7 DA ys! fi | Visa & Mastercard

with $5 minimum purchase!

7 AM to Midnight 7 Days A Week
5642 College Avenue At Rockridge BART

428-9256

The Rockridge News is published monthly in Oakland
except in August under sponsorship of The Rockridge
Community Planning Council.

FEATURING Got something planned you'd like to have The Rockridge

GRAFFEO COFFEES | News tell about? Call Don Kinkead at 655-7474 or write to
5405 College Ave * Oakland * 658-9622 5626 Oak Grove Avenue, Oakland 94618 (of course!) and let

Open M-F 8-6 « Sat & Sun 8-4 us know,

| oo March issue deadline is March 6th. |

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