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a Vol. 3 No. 1 Issue No. 25 mw AGENDA FOR THE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING @ WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 1988 ¢ Presentation and Slide Show by AC Transit District Transportation Planner Laura Allen to explain the draft Comprehensive Plan for the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District “service restructuring pro- gram.” Public comments and suggestions are invited regarding the proposed new route network. Story, page 4. ¢ Presentation by Jack Bariteau, Keenan Land Company, of proposed project for new retail commercial building at corner of College Avenue and Birch Court. Story, page 3. * Talk by Ms. Mary Moore, Oakland City Councilmember for District 2, who will share thoughts on projects in her neighborhood areas, city- wide concerns, and plans for community networking. Rockridge News Birthday Glides By With Hardly A Ripple As it must for all of us, Age has come to The Rockridge News. As it does for some of us, Age slipped by The News, unac- knowledged, unannounced. Who’d a thunk it? March was the second anniversary of pub- lication of The Rockridge News in its current format! From an unheralded start as a mimeographed call to arms posted on telephone poles and handed out to passersby (thank you Lincoln and Nina), The News has evolved into a tightly pack- aged, award-winning eight page report of Neighborhood plan- ning news and current events. Prepared by hard-working volunteers, delivered to 4,500 Rockridge households by a dedicated and loyal band of 130 families, and paid for by contributions and College Avenue merchant advertising, The News has become an integral part of the Rockridge District. Everyone who has anything to do with this newsletter wants it to have information that is useful and meaningful to you. By most accounts, it does. There is always the possibility, though, that important concerns are going unrecognized. Is there some- thing missing that you want to read about? Something going on that you want to tell about? It’s important to say so. Wnite today to The Rockridge News, c/o The Rockridge Community Plan- ning Council, 5856 College Avenue, # 130, Oakland, CA 94618 or call Don Kinkead at 655-7474. Thank you for your support and interest. ee eS See Dates Calendar Events Calendar Dates ~ Rockridge News Sponsored by * THE ROCKRIDGE COMMUNITY PLANNING COUNCIL * 5856 COLLEGE AVENUE #130" OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA * 94618 May 14, 1988 Circulation: 4,500 Residences; 200 Businesses City Deficit = $14 Million; Rockridge Cuts Go Deep By Brooke Levin, Vice-Chair, RCPC Confronted with a $14 million budget deficit and no imme- diate potential for new revenue, the City Manager’s office has released a list of proposed budget cuts affecting every City department. Ina memorandum to the City Council prepared May 10, City Manager Henry Gardner detailed cuts necessary to pro- vide Oakland with a balanced budget. Cuts specific to Rockridge include: 3 - closing Engine 19, the Fire House on Miles Avenue; this closure will increase response time for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Fire Suppression by about five minutes, according to the City. (Mr. Ralph Weule, head of BART’s Safety Division, said this station is the First Response station for the Berkeley Hills Tunnel); - closing the Rockridge Branch Library two days a week; the Library will be open only three days a week : -elimination of the Home Alert program: _ this crime—control program serves 20,000 citizens in the City. Other proposed cuts include: Police Department: cuts in patrol supervision, staffing for the helicopter program, crime analysis, and school traffic safety; Planning Department (already understaffed): 11 positions; Parks and Recreation Department; closure of six recreation centers and three swimming pools; elimination of the tree main- tenance program; Public Works: clean-up program, storm drain maintenance, and street and sidewalk maintenance; Community Development Department: 6 positions respon- sible for code enforcement; Final budget cut decisions will be affected by Council action on revenue sources the City is considering, by some proposals citizens have made, and by June ballot measures. The City is considering re-enactment of the 20% business tax surcharge which could raise an esumated $3.5 million. Revenue-raising actions suggested to the Council by several citizens include: * imposing the business tax surcharge on downtown building Owners (now exempt from the surcharge program); See Deficit, Page 3 Tuesday May 17 7:30 pm City Council Meeting Wednesday May 18 1:30 pm Planning Commission Meeting 7:30 pm RCPC General Meeting Tuesday May 24 7:30 pm City Council Meeting Council Chambers, City Hall. City Hall, Room 115. Agenda Box, Top Left Corner, page 1. Council Chambers, City Hall. ~ Page 2 The Rockridge News May 14, LOR Planning For Rockridge: Zone Boundaries And Buffering By Ray G. Perman, RCPC Secretary Our community will be working together in the coming months to create a neighborhood Area Specific Plan for Rockridge, called RASP. One major element of the plan, the Land Use component, will address the planning concept of “buffering.” This article examines the concept and some issues associated with its application in Rockridge. Buffering is a planning term for measures that protect one area of a city from the negative effects of an adjoining area. For example, the residential features of areas adjacent to College Avenue can be lessened by the noise, traffic, parking problems, litter and reduced privacy associated with nearby vigorous commercial activity. Buffering can act as a sort of a retaining wall to minimize the negative effects of the commercial area On adjoining residential areas. Buffering measures include fencing to block noise and preserve privacy, traffic control devices to slow or lessen traffic flow, preferential parking pro- grams to improve parking space availability, green areas to create visual separation, and trees to screen commercial facades. BUFFERING IN ROCKRIDGE through the neighborhood in current planning style. It zigs along back fences, zags across the street al right angles, and then resumes the zig at the next back fence. This new design ensures that the land use on both sides of the street is the same. It also ensures that separation of the actual boundary between the rej. dential and commercial areas may be treated more effectively with sound deadening walls, trees, green space, streets narrowed by plantings, and perhaps a pedestrian mall on the commercia| portion of the street. BOUNDARIES AND NEIGHBORS Urban sociologists feel the “new” system iS even more favor- able because of the increased opportunity for interaction by residents. Residents of the home identified in the diagrams by the small circle would most likely get to know their neighbors on each side, as well as the neighbors across the street. Duplicate this pattern of interaction for each parcel and the dense weave of the neighborhood fabric becomes apparent. When persons inter- act across a common space —in this case, However, in the Rockridge area, many typical buffering measures may be ineffec- Getting Technical the street— they tend to exhibit a mutual concern for that space. It becomes a neigh- tive because of the way zoning boundaries have been determined. This point is illus- trated in the accompanying diagrams show- ing two different treatments of a typical residential street at its intersection with College Avenue. When the Rockridge C-31 zoning boundary was drawn in the style of its day 15 years ago, residential parcels gave way at the C-31 boundary line to commercial par- cels as shown in the left diagram below. The boundary zigs from between two parcels, makes a zag down the street centerline, and then zigs again on its way. The section of the street where the boundary runs on the center line becomes an extended transition area. Here residents of The City of Oakland Zoning Ordinance ($7100) defines buffering as: “screening requirements and other controls designed to ensure an orderly relationship between neighboring develop- ments, to enable diverse kinds of uses to be located near one another compatibly, and to im- prove the appearance of indi- vidual properties, neighbor- hoods, and the City.” borhood where people seem to know and to watch out for each other, and keep an eye on the street (shown in scalloped line), Sounds like what residents refer to, in a satisfied way, as “a nice neighborhood.” IMPROVING BUFFERING OPPORTUNITIES What is the best way to improve buff- ering opportunities in the Rockridge area? The RASP process will address this ques- tion. Perhaps some zoning boundaries should be realigned. Certainly every ef- fort should be made to identify the most effective buffering measures for these more difficult transition areas. Sometime soon, as you travel from your home toward College Avenue and back, take a close look at the transition the homes on one side of the street face commercial uses on the other side. Activities, needs, and con- cerns differ. Interaction is often limited. Generally, it is homes in this transition area that suffer most from adjacent commercial activity. In the diagram below on the right, the C-31 boundary zig-zags between residential and commercial par- cels and consider what combination of buffering might make the greatest improvement. When work on the Rockridge Area Specific Plan gets going, you will be ready. May 14, 1988 Three New College Avenue Construction Proposals * DReEYER’s GRAND Ice CREAM Fites NEW PLANS: Dreyer’s filed revised plans for a new office and retail complex totalling 65,000 square feet with the City Planning De- partment on May 4, 1988. The plans call for removal of the existing factory, office building and retail stores as well as two residential structures on Chabot Avenue and two structures on =m Avenue (commercial and residential unit above ga- rage). Parking for 150 office employees will be provided in the Surface parking lot of 104 spaces with access on Claremont Avenue, and another 30 space parking lot with access on Chabot Road will serve employees and customers of the retail shops. According to Zoning administrator Willie Yee, Jr., Dreyer's must submit an amended Environmental Impact Review address- ing the revised plans. Public review of the proposal will proceed when the EIR is published. * SHOPS TO REPLACE BircH Court CHEVRON STATION: Keenan Land Company of Palo Alto proposes a one story retail commercial building with seven shops totalling approxi- mately 12,000 square feet at the NE corner of College Avenue and Birch Court. An underground garage entered from Birch Court would provide 20 parking spaces for employees and cus- tomers. The proposed project also would retain the redwood and cedar trees on the property. In response to comments by the RCPC Design Review/ Zoning Committee, developer Jack Bariteau made changes to the plans and will present the revised plans to the General Member- ship meeting on May 18th. * “CHIMES BLOCK” AT 5290 COLLEGE NEAR CLIFTON AVE: ACE architects, designers of the Figaro gelateria and the Grand Lake Deli, have filed for Design Review for a proposed two story retail/office building totalling 3,000 square feet. Initial plans call for an exterior of seamed copper sheeting and a two- story wall of boldly-colored mosaic tiles. Elementary Arts Teen Arts Camp Ages 11-15 The Rockridge News Page 3 ee CAMA Report |— Merchant’s Spring Festival A Success CAMA'’s Spring Festival was a tremendous success! | Many merchants participated by putting their wares on the sidewalk or by giving away products. Hundreds of people came out to enjoy the festivities, which included a live Cajun Band, a motorized cable car, a barbershop quartet, a clown and a facepainter. Some of the most interesting displays were an ornate Ice | Carving at Figaro and exciting barbeques at Rockridge Café, Café Ritz and Curds & Whey. CAMA thanks our Neighborhood for their generous support and our local merchants for their enthusiastic dis- plays. —£ddie Zeidan Deficit from Page 1 City Council approval for a city-wide assessment district to pay for electrical and park maintenance. Berkeley raised $7 million with a similar assessment; ‘utility consumption and admissions taxes, If passed, Measure O will allow the City to change its pension liability funding, reducing annual contributions. Measure M, the Neighborhood Services Retention Act, could raise $12-$13 million through a supplementary property tax, if it passes. This measure would likely be challenged legally and any money collected would be held pending resolution of the suit. This could take one and a half to two years. What are your views on these proposed cuts and possibilities for additional City income? Attend the RCPC General Meeting, Wednesday, May 18 , 7:30 pm, at the College Avenue Presby- terian Church (saved by Engine 19 and Station 24 during the recent Dreyer’s fire), 5951 College Avenue for discussion. Day Camp Ages 6-11 Music * Dance ¢ Cartooning/Animation ° Art ¢ Swashbuckling (fencing for actors) e Drama * Video * Circus * Clowning ° Creative Writing * Bookmaking * Storytelling * Puppetry * Musical Instrument Building * Puppet & Mask making * Costume & Set Design * Swimming and Sports after noon. Location: St. Mary’s College High School, Albany Location: Sessions: Hours: June 20 — July 8, July 11 — July 29 Cartooning/Animation * Ceramics * Mural Painting * Jewelry making * Comprehensive Arts Course * Jazz Dance * Modern Dance * Circus * Drama * Musical Theater * Clowning/ Mime * Video * Latin Percussion * Steel Drums * Woodwinds * Brass * Choir * Guitar * Jazz Ensemble East Bay School of the Arts 1501 Powell St., Emeryville Elementary 9:00-— 12:00 or 9:00— 5:00 Teen 9:00— 12:00, 1:00— 4:00 East Bay School of the Arts CALL FOR CAMP OR SPRING SEMESTER BROCHURES: 652-3727 DIRECTOR: JANET BLAIR * 1501 POWELL ST., EMERYVILLE Park Day School's 4th Annual Auction & Raffle 7:00 PM Saturday May 21, 1988 Veteran’s Memorial Building 401 Highland Avenue in Piedmont. Call 653-0317 Page 4 The Rockridge News May 14, 1988 Ce nt nl AC Transit To Restructure Service By David Reinke, Chair, RCPC Parking/Circulation Committce AC Transit has recently completed a three-year comprehensive study of its route structure. The purpose of the study was to help AC better serve changing travel patterns and make more efficient use of its re- sources, AC Inuerits Key System Routes The current route system is not very different from that inherited by AC from the old Key System. Most of the routes radiate Out from the downtown areas of Berkeley and Oakland, reflecting the predominant travel patterns in the past. But trip making today is more spread out than before. AC had made small changes to existing routes as travel patterns changed, but these quick fixes are no longer enough. Based on successful experience in Portland and other cities, AC believed that it was possible to rede- Sign its route system to serve today’s travel patterns better and more efficiently. AC studied three alternatives, ranging from minor changes to a complete re- structuring of the route system. The al- ternatives were evaluated according to their expected patronage, quality of serv- ice, productivity, and use of resources. AC RECOMMENDS ALTERNATIVES _ The recommended alternative 1s a composite of those that were studied. The main changes to the existing system are 1) more east-west routes, 2) more fre- quent service n the densely populated areas, and 3) new transit centers where buses from different routes will meet on schedule. The new system will make it easier to transfer between routes. CHANGES AFFECT ROCKRIDGE SERVICE Several changes affect service in the Rockridge area. College Avenue will be served by the Route 40, which will in- clude limited—-stop service; this route will go the U.C. campus, then continue along Shattuck to Solano Avenue. A new Route 76 will run from the BART station to Piedmont Avenue and Jack London Square. Route 52 will go from the BART station to Claremont and Ashby (near the hotel), then along the east side of the U.C. campus, ending at U.C. Village in A}.- bany. Route 17 will go from the BART station to Montclair. Most service will be more frequent than it is now. AC ScuepuLes Pusiic HEARINGS AC will be holding seven public meetings on route restructuring before a final plan is adopted. Changes will begin in about 18 months, and will take place over a five-year period. The District very much want the public to be a part of the planning process. Maps of the proposed new routes are available at the Rockridge Library Branch and at AC offices. There will be a public meeting on Saturday, June 18, 10:00 a.m. at the AC Transit board room at 1600 Franklin Street. Come and let AC Transit hear your views. Area Public Schools Alive And Well Tech Students Selected For Study Abroad Plans for travel and study abroad this Summer and Fall have three Oakland Technical High students more excited than ever about learning. Shelly Boismenu and Maria Gilbert, sponsored by the “Ex- periment in International Living Program” will travel to Ireland and Mexico respectively, and Leroy Hurt is going to Spain as part of the “Open Door Youth Exchange”. All three students share an appreciation of diverse cultures and perspectives. They attribute this, in part, to their instructor and program coordinator, Maryann Wolfe. Ms. Wolfe teaches in Tech’s innovative Paideia program which combines instruction in history and literature. Besides encouraging her students to apply for the various international study and travel programs, Ms. Wolfe walked the students through the long process of filling out applications and collecting letters of recommendation. Discussing the future of the program, Ms. Wolfe, who also co-sponsors Tech’s American Field Service and Close-Up, Washington D.C. programs, said she sees the selection of this year’s students as only a beginning. “As their classmates travel and study abroad, more and more Tech students will see these programs as a serious possibility. I want to turn those dreams into reality.” Production and distribution of the Rockridge News is all a volun- tary effort. There is, however, a substantial monthly printing bill. Your donations to RCPC help meet that cost. Thank you for helping. Rockridge Merchants Rally To Support Peralta School Pizzas and pastries, books and barbering, designs and des- serts: from Café Joli to Norman’s, College Avenue restaurants and stores donated goods and services which went on the block at Peralta School’s annual auction on April 22. The auction, sponsored by the Peralta Parent Group, a non- profit organization, raised $5,750 to supplement current pro- grams and sponsor activities eliminated by school funding cut- backs. An Oakland Public School located at 410 Alcatraz Avenue, Peralta Elementary reflects the rich diversity of Oakland and the Rockridge area. Open year ’round it is characterized by an enthusiastic student body, strong parent involvement, a parent—run Co—op day care center, and six mentor teachers. It has been serving the Rockridge area for over 100 years. Many thanks to the more than fifty College Avenue area merchants who provided contributions and help with the auction. —Tom Cromelin MELVIN MIKELL Janitorial Service PROFESSIONAL CLEANING SPECIALISTS CLEANING: Floors * Walls * Windows Carpets COMMERCIAL + INDUSTRIAL + RESIDENTIAL Reasonably Priced Dependable Service Licensed « Insured PL & PD FREE ESTIMATES 547-8767 SS May 14, 1988 Page 5 Mr. Gutenberg, Meet Mr. Marconi The Rockridge Story Takes To The Air Desk Top Publishing has gotten a lot of publicity lately, but Table Top Radio came to the Rockridge District last month and made quite a mark. Broadcaster John “Juanito” Lyons brought his radio station KEST (1450 on your AM dial!) noon-time week-day show to the Ritz Café on College Avenue in April to talk with owners Mssrs. Ali and Mike Zereshki, Mr. Chris Hanlon, new owner of Figaro, Ms. Barbara Anderson, RCPC Chair, and Mr. Don Kinkead, Editor of The Rockridge News. On his broadcasts from Neighborhoods and commercial dis- tricts all around the Bay Area, Mr. Lyons and his guests review small business ventures and local events. Listeners can call in by dialing 864-TALK. At the Ritz Café, he unpacked what he calls his “radio in a suitcase”, plugged his microphones and signal mixer into a tele- phone line, dialed the station, and the broadcast was on the air from the top of a restaurant luncheon table. In a genial, low-key round of questions and answers, the panel discussed business on College Avenue and in the Rock- ridge area, Neighborhood issues and concerns, and the impor- tance of regular communication between merchant and Neighbor associations to help build a stronger Neighborhood. Mr. Lyons returned to College Avenue during the Merchants Spring Festival to broadcast from Figaro’s sidewalk patio. Future broadcasts looking at specific Neighborhood issues are under discussion. Stay tuned. Hear John “Juanito” Lyons, KEST (1450 AM) at 12 Noon daily, The Rockridge News Plan to stop by the Sixth (!) Annual Chabot Road Block Sale Saturday, May 21, on Chabot Road between College and Claremont. Displaying a stunning collection of bric-a—brac and knick-knacks gleaned from attics, basements, closets and garages on their lawns and in driveways, Chabot Road residents will be ready and willing to debate the value of any item that appeals to you. The antique widget you need to complete your collection may be just pennies away! Take a moment to take a look. TEPPING REALTY Co. Residential » Commercial * Income *« Group Purchases “Buy smart! Sell smart!” ™ Available FREE on request: 1) Schedule of Buyers’ and Sellers’ Seminars 2) Buyers’ Kit or Seller’s Kit of “how-to” materials 3) Market Value Assessment of your home 4) Private Consultation to discuss your objectives Call 843-5353 Ask for: Bill Pelter, Sue Seligsohn or Frederick Mitchell Rockridge Area Real Estate Specialists ROCKRIDGE MUSE @ The Oakland Symphony Chorus performs May 21 at the Scot- tish Rite Auditorium, 1547 Lakeside Drive in Oakland. This ‘ is the first concert the Chorus is producing itself. Poulenc’s ’ Gloria and choral works by Beethoven, Bacon, Ives and Ber- lioz will be presented. Several chorus members as well as its manager, Suzanne Talmy Bell, are Rockridgeans, and the Chorus rehearses weekly at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Broadway and Lawton. Tickets through Ticketron, or call 658-0160 and save the han- dling fee. @ From Shane Weare, Rockridge artist and creator of this column’s logo: At the Kala Institute Gallery, 1060 Heinz Ave- nue, through May 21: Chicago — California: A Retrospective of Intaglio Prints by Misch Kohn. M. Kohn is well known here and abroad for his printmaking. The Kala, in the old Heinz factory at Ashby and San Pablo, is one of the few serious spaces for exhibiting in the East Bay. (Tues — Fri 10 — 6, Sat 12 — 4) @ Fiddler on the Roof at the College Preparatory School, May 13 and 14 at 8 pm and May 15 at 2 pm. Call 655-3746. Also on display is the Spring Art Exhibition. @ Rockridge Rags is providing the clothing for the White Uni- corn Sale to be held in conjunction with a History Garden Festival at MusicSources, Center for Historically Informed Performance, 1840 Marin in Berkeley. May 14 and 15 from 10 to 4. Continuous live music, tours of the Center and elegant refreshments for sale. @ Readers please note: The Rockridge News is published the week-end before the third Wednesday of each month except August. Events scheduled before that week-end should be received not later than the first of the preceding month, Send to: Margret Elson, 5425 College Avenue, #2, Oakland, CA 94618. While every effort will be made to accommodate all announcements received, The Rockridge News cannot guarantee space in every issue nor assume responstbility for errors. Rockridge Mail Delivery Enveloped In Controversy Are you getting all the mail you should? Many Rockridge residents living in the Boyd, Shafter Ave- nue, Hudson and Lawton Avenue area complained recently of frequently misdirected mail and lost letters. Several Neighbors were so concerned they began a petition drive to catalog the problems and help the Post Office identify the cause. According to Ms, Betty McBroom, Supervisor of Delivery and Collections, the problems resulted from the lack of a perma- nently assigned carrier for this route. Contacted last week, Ms. McBroom said she now has a permanent carrier for the route and she expects no further deliv- ery problems. However, she said, if problems persist, postal patrons should not attempt to deliver the mail themselves but should leave it in their own mail box marked “‘mis—delivered”. This will alert delivery supervisors to a problem when the letters are returned to the delivery office on Grand Avenue. Ms. McBroom asked for direct calls if problems persist or if patrons have other complaints. Her phone number is 874-8484. Rewrey MOYO oe Or ee” «2 ts WM we - ?F ® 2 *teo0n7822 & 2 2 eS woowresi Page 6 The Rockridge News Of General Interest: Potential Financial Strategies For Oakland Marge Gibson—Haskell This month's column from Ms. Gibson—Haskell presents ex- cerpts of her report to the Mayor and City Council on the Council on Urban Economic Development Conference held in April in Washington, D.C. She has asked the City Manager to evaluate the suitability of adapting the following policies and strategies — and others dis- cussed in the full report — for Oakland. The full report is available from her office (273-3266). —Ed. Marketing Strategies Many cities are developing marketing strategies based upon their strengths to attract new businesses. It was recom- mended that Oakland should vigorously market its transpor- tation system and its telecommunications advantages, i.e. the digital switch and teleport center in Alameda. A very successful method used to market a community to a potential employer was to recruit an outreach team com- posed of a successful local business head, a representative of the Chamber of Commerce, a utility representative and a local government official to do the outreach. Asset Management Department Oakland should develop an Asset Management Depart- ment such as that of Denver to manage its real estate deci- sions from a central decision-making point. For example, if the City were considering selling a piece of perperty, such an Asset Management program might weigh not just the value of a small strip of City property as real estate, but also the value to the City of being able to transfer to someone else the liability and maintenance ex- pense associated with the property. Such a program could also determine short term property lease potential, and recommend portfolio changes much as a commercial real estate management firm might. Industrial Development Bonds Even though the tax-exempt Industrial Development bond has gone the way of the passenger pigeon, the large taxable IDB issue backed by a letter of credit from a well—rated bank is alive and well. This financing mechanism opens the door for small busi- nesses to reach the larger commercial or private placement financial markets by packaging small loans and is being widely used. We should investigate use of this program possibly in connection with help obtained from banks under the Community Reinvestment Act. Pennsylvania Strategic Economic Plan ¢ The Pennsylvania strategic economic plan has some simple goal statements that might equally apply to Oakland: - Keep existing businesses and help those we have to expand; « Assist small businesses to grow; ¢ Select and recruit businesses in high growth sectors which complement existing industries; ¢ Be private-sector decision driven with government as a catalyst or partner. May 14, 1988 Rockridge Avenue! inman & Dob t MM SLU ANA OVBrADEY inn 1987 Au, RieHTS LESRVED DON'T COMPLAIN, DELBERT — YOu STARTED iT! Neighborhood Crime Watch Numbers + Dial 911 to report all suspicious activity. | * Dial 273-DRUG, the 24 hour Drug Hot Line, if you have informa- tion about suspected drug-dealing, and want to make an anonymous report. . - Dial 273-3481, during the daytime, to reach the Oakland police dispatcher, and ask them to refer your call to: . | Dave Donavan, our Beat officer (Beat 13) in the residential areas of Rockndge or Hugo Gonzalez, our Foot Patrol officer, on College Avenue. C dia oncor 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 May 24 * Hamlet: June 10th 8 pm - Auditorium 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 Prepara a Supportive Environment Campus located at 6325 Camden St. (near Mills College) Oakland _ Call 632-4332 for more information ' ; ; : F May 14, 1988 The Rockridge News Page 7 Letters To The News BART DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS Editor: I was incensed when I read the article in last month’s Rock- ridge News about the BART parking lot and the developer’s proposals. Are these people blind to what is happening in this neighbor- hood? Can’t they see there is already a tremendous overflow of cars from the parking lot filling our neighborhood streets? Don’t they realize how ridiculous small buildings on those minute picces of land are going to look? Are their eyes covered over with dollar signs— is that why they can’t see? I know that is all they care about. But what about the people that live near BART? We will be the ones that have to look at the ludicrous buildings and deal with the increased traffic — not the developers, not the BART officials. I would like to see BART do something for the neighborhood it is imposing on. The trees planted are a start. They give us something to look at instead of the cars. I would like to see it taken a step further. How about making a playground for small children out of one of those corners? With all the traffic BART brings to this area it certainly isn’t safe for children to play in front of their homes. How about planting some flowers? I feel the developers are trying to capitalize on every nook and cranny in our neighborhood. I don’t want to look at some absurd structure squeezed onto a corner just because it was the only available space left in the area. Please, there are lots of families in the neighborhood with small children. Do a public service and create some space for us. Thank you, —Barbara Crumley CRIME PREVENTION STEPS Editor: Discussed at recent meetings of the Citizen’s Crime Preven- tion Committee: - There is a 60%-70% correlation of burglary to drug addic- tion; ¢ The Police Department has a strategy for containing the spread of drugs; ¢ There are a variety of things citizens can do to help prevent crime. Operation I.D. is one of these. Operation I.D. is a grant-funded program to encourage citi- zens to list serial numbers of their valuables and engrave their driver’s license numbers on the valuables with an electric engrav- ing pen. (—Ed. Note: Engraving pens can be bought at hardware stores or are available for loan from Engine 19, our Fire Station at 5776 Miles Avenue.) Photographs of small valuable items such as jewelry and silverware are also recommended. For more information on this program, call: Oakland Police Department Community Services Division at 273-3525. I think this program is well conceived, well executed and well worth continuing. Sincerely, —Frank Burritt Editor: We were surprised by the article “BART Directors Hear Rockridge Station Development Proposals” that appeared in The Rockridge News on April 16. Why has BART been presented with such proposals without a master plan that would provide a counterweight to intensified land use by providing a large dedicated open space and park? A park and playground are desperately needed for the many new parents and children, as well as people of all ages that are living and working in our neighborhood. We enjoy living in Rockridge. As our child approaches two years of age, we are quite dismayed at the lack of open spaces nearby for her to play in with other local children. BART brings a great deal of traffic to Rockridge; the streets are hardly safe play areas. A neighborhood like this needs a central open space and playground for its children. BART should seriously consider giving back to the commu- nity some of the space it took away when it developed here. We need some space for children, parents, seniors and community members to sit, rest, talk and play. We do not need unbridled commercial development. We propose an ad hoc effort be mounted to create a central Rockridge Park utilizing BART property. A central open space “town square” should be an essential ingredient in any master plan for further development. As Rockridge plans for future de- velopment, we should look for ways to reinforce the character of this wonderful neighborhood. We are becoming more urban, and developing a central Rockridge Park should be an integral part of this process. Other residents with similar concerns should feel free to contact us so that we can join forces in lobbying for a central, local Rockridge Park at the Rockridge BART station. We en- courage any of the BART Directors to join our campaign. Sincerely, —Karen Marker Lee, Paul Lee 654-7073 Ti Bacio To Go Ti Bacio Ristorante Offers Special Dinners for Two Persons Or More At A Great Price ee of Lasagna, Egg Plant Parmagiana, Linguini con Vongole (fresh clam sauce), or Fettuccine Bolognese (ground turkey with marinara sauce) with a quart of salad —$ 9.95 SPECIAL: 1/2 bottle of Chianti Classico — $5 We Accept Visa & MC CALL AHEAD for your TO GO ORDER 20% Off Dinner Menu Prices On Other To Go Entrees 5301 College Avenue (at Clifton) » Oakland « 428-1703 * with this coupon + Expires June 15, 1988 (@(TRWERTNESITAT Page 8 The Rockridge News May 14, 1988 College Avenue Presbyterian Hosts Pentecostal Celebration The third annual Celebration of Pentecost at College Avenue Presbyterian Church features Preachers and Choirs from Black and White Churches throughout Oakland on Sunday, May 22nd, beginning at 2:30 p.m. The celebration begins with Dixieland Band Gospel at 2:30 p.m. on the front steps of the church. The inter—-church Praise & Preaching Service will begin at 3:00 p.m, College Avenue Presbyterian Church is located at 5951 Col- lege Avenue, Oakland (658-3665) (next to Dreyer’s), Rev. Bill Beatty, Pastor. MAC /1BM / Laser Printing FAX & TELEX SERVICES * HIGH QUALITY COPIES * LASER COPYING - BINDERY SERVICES * BUSINESS CARDS & STATIONERY * COMPUTER CLASSES & CONSULTING * COMPUTER/GRAPHIC DESIGN * WORD PROCESSING * UPS SHIPMENTS * BUSINESS, OFFICE & * PRIVATE MAIL BOXES COMPUTER SUPPLIES 654-6504 5856 College Avenue M-Th 8am-9pm Oakland, CA 94618 Fri 8am-8pm (1 Block to Rockridge BART) Sat 9am-7pm FAX: 415-654-1133 geld al OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK HUDSON BANA LEARNS FEATURING GRAFFEO COFFEES 9405 College Ave « Oakland « 658-9622 Open M-F 8-6 © Sat & Sun 8-4 For ALL YOuR LIRBAN PROVISIONS rr 2 ~ Beginning of Summer Sale! with this coupon: 25¢ off any: School or Stationery Supplies or one FREE video rental: or a FREE small Slush. For your convenience, Chimes accepts Visa & Mastercard with $5 minimum purchase! 7 AM to Midnight 7 Days A Week 9642 College Avenue At Rockridge BART 428-9256 Vhe Rockridge News is published monthly in Oakland except in August and is sponsored by The Rockridge Community Planning Council. Got something planned you'd like to have The Rockridge News tell about? Call Don Kinkead at 655-7474 or write to 5626 Oak Grove Avenue, Oakland 94618 ( of course!) and let us know. a June issue deadline is June 6th.