Extracted text

a Rockridge News

Sponsored by = THE ROCKRIDGE COMMUNITY PLANNING COUNCIL © 5856 COLLEGE AVENUE #130" OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA = 94618

Vol. 3 No. 7 Issue No. 31

Circulation: 4,500 Residences; 200 Businesses

BART Board Votes
For Station Planning

BART’s Board of Directors took no
action on a preliminary step for a second
deck on the BART parking lot when they
adopted a motion at their November
meeting in favor of taking a broader plan-
ning approach.

Meeting November 17, the Board
considered staff’s recommendation to
contract for an environmental analysis of
the impacts of a second deck on the
Rockridge Station parking lot, a step that
could lead to a full-scale Environmental
Impact Report. However, in response to
a motion by Director Arlo Smith, the
Board voted to develop and adopt a
General Plan for the station before doing
an environmental study on parking.

BART planning staff remains con-
cerned about increased station parking
pressures they feel will follow the recent
passage of Measure B and the spread of
Residential Permit Parking (RPP) on
streets adjacent to the BART lot.

According to Mr. Howard Goode,
BART Department Manager of Planning
and Analysis, the lot has a capacity of 776
cars. By most mid-mornings, the lot fills
and three hundred cars overflow into
residential streets. Mr. Goode said BART
surveys show most Rockridge Station
patrons come from Rockridge, South
Berkeley, and the Oakland Hills/
Montclair area. Measure B will provide
funds to complete the Highway 13/24
interchange, making it easier for even
more BART patrons to drive from

See BART, page 4

December 17, 1988

Community Forums Revise Specific
Plan Goals; End On Upbeat Note

At the four Rockridge Community Forums held in October and November, Rockridge
residents, business people and property owners gathered to discuss preliminary goals for
the Rockridge Area Specific Plan (RASP), a policy document that will guide the future
development of the neighborhood. Audience participation was never lacking, as nearly
all of the 40 to 60 participants at each forum voiced their opinions on the forum topics:
Commercial Land Use; Residential Land Use; Parking and Circulation; and Design and

Public Amenities.

Toward the end of the series, a sense of
cooperation and common mission devel-
oped as participants became more com-
fortable with the process and the group as
a whole. With the aid of professional fa-
cilitator Bonnie Jameson and RCPC
standing committee members, keeping
the meetings on track was easy.

REvIsED Goats EMERGE

Forum participants debated prelimi-
nary draft goals prepared by RCPC’s
RASP Committee from the results of
surveys of Rockridge residents, mer-
chants and property owners, community
brainstorming sessions held last Fall, the
findings of the UC Planning Studio study
on Rockridge, and concerns raised in

See Goals, page 4

Heason’s
Sreetings From
RCBRE
ans Che
Rockridge Rewst

There will be no December
General Meeting.

Dates Calendar Events Calendar Dates

Library Steering
Committee Meets,

Plans Future

The Library/Art Stone Steering Com-
mittee is alive, well and moving ahead.
An enthusiastic group of 18 Neighbors
met October 28 to hear Mr. Marc Beyeler,
committee Co-Chair, re-cap the work
previously accomplished and to discuss
the tasks ahead.

Ms. K. G. Ouye, Assistant to the
Library Director, presented the bad news,
and the good news. The bad: the City
does not have the funds to build the new
library, although it has spent or commit-
ted over $600,000 toward the purchase of
the Art Stone property and for library
furnishings. The good: Proposition 85,
the Library Bond Issue passed in the
November election, may be a source of
construction funds through a matching
funds grant. She also discussed other
funding possibilities.

The Steering Committee established
several sub-committees to take on the
work ahead: a Leadership team, Financ-
ing, Project Description and Community
Education.

See Library, page 4

Tuesday Dec 20 7:30 pm
Wednesday Dec 21 7:30 pm
Wednesday Dec 28 1:30 pm
Wednesday Jan 18 7:30 pm
Monday Jan 23 7:30 pm

City Council Meeting
RCPC General Meeting Cancelled
Planning Commission

RCPC General Meeting
Library Project Meeting

Allen/Ace Architect Appeal City Hall, Room 115
Election of RCPC Boardmembers
Steering committee meeting

Page 2

The Rockridge News

December 17, 1988

Commercial Districts
And Design: One
City’s Approach

What balance of design regulation and
free enterprise will enable urban commer-
cial districts to realize their fullest poten-
tial?

Many respondents to the Rockridge
Area Specific Plan survey want College
Avenue to stay the way it is. Another
shopping area on College Avenue — the
Elmwood District — took this approach:

“A zoning ordinance approved in Sep-
tember sets limits on the size and type of
businesses, and prohibits the construction
of second and third floor additions. It is
hoped this ordinance will help keep a
balance of sales and services, eliminate
the possiblity of chains and fast-food
enterprises, and help maintain the ‘small
town’ atmosphere.

“To fill vacancies, residents and mer-
chants created an ‘Elmwood Wish List’,
stores they would like to see come into the
neighborhood. Display advertisements in
local newspapers have generated positive
response.

“Shocked by recent changes to a clas-
sic 1921 building exterior at 2908 College
Avenue, a Design Resource Committee
was formed in March, 1988. This com-
mittee, headed by local resident and archi-
tect-merchant Bill di Napoli, works under
the City’s Design Review Board to help
new tenants select paint colors, tile,
awnings, and signs that are in harmony
with existing buildings...

“The Berkeley Architectural Heritage
Association will provide the committee
with a photograph of each store as it
looked in 1939. Remodeling in the
1950s-1970s covered, but did not destroy,
some fine architecture. As Bill di Napoli
and I clean and restore little gems of
1920s storefront architecture. ..polishing
copper window framing, cleaning five
layers of paint from tile, 50 years of auto
fumes from pillars, and exposing interest-
ing clerestory windows... it is hoped that
pressure can be made on other owners and
new tenants to do the same.”

— Burlington Willes

Reprinted with permission from the
Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association
Newsletter, Fall 1988 Issue

Community Crime Resistance
Program Up And Running

The newly formed Beat 13 Commu-
nity Crime Resistance Planning Commit-
tee held its first meeting Thursday eve-
ning, November 17 at the College Avenue
Presbyterian Church. Beat 13, which
extends from 45th Street to the west to
Alcatraz on the north, and Broadway on
the south, includes a large part of the
Rockridge District.

Lieutenant Fred Peoples, commander
of the Oakland Police Department’s Com-
munity Services Division, discussed the
funding available for crime fighting ef-
forts in Beat 13 and stressed the impor-
tance of a cooperative effort by govern-
ment and the community. He said that
what the police can offer is support and
help so that the Planning Committees can
“do it their way”.

Councilmember Marge Gibson-Has-
kell suggested that contacts be made with
the Rockridge Community Planning
Council and that its members make pres-
entations about crime prevention efforts
in their neighborhoods, also.

Discussion by the fifteen Neighbors at
the meeting developed ideas for an overall
work program that included how to keep
existing groups active when there isn’t a
crisis, drug dealing in the neighborhoods
and recognizing potential crime situ-
ations.

Takinc A Positive APPROACH

The general consensus of the Beat 13
Target Area Planning Committee was that
they wanted to take a positive and more
social approach to crime resistance. They
wanted to create more positive examples
in the community, but with enough ex-
citement to keep things going. Project
goals submitted by individual members
include a recognition program, a phone
tree, and contacting local television per-
sonalities for program assistance.

PLANNING For THE FUTURE

A 21 member city-wide Community
Crime Resistance Steering Committee
exists as part of the Community Crime
Resistance Grant. They plan to meet
jointly with the Beat 13 Target Area Plan-
ning Committee on December 14, 7:30 pm
at the College Avenue Presbyterian
Church.

To be involved in the planning process
against crime, plan to attend the meeting.

Currently, approximately 32 blocks in
the Rockridge area are without Home
Alert programs or Block Captains.

Call Ms. Dori Dawson or Officer
Charles Patrick of the Community Serv-
ices Division of the Oakland Police
Department at 273-3066 to learn how to
arrange Home Alert for your block.

— Dorlista Dawson

Crime In Rockridge:
Can It Be That Bad?

This issue of the Rockridge News has
an article about Home Alert programs.
October’s issue also had an article about
Home Alert. According to Ms. Dorlista
Dawson, Police Department Crime Pre-
vention Consultant, some parts of Rock-
ridge have responded to the call to estab-
lish a neighborhood alert network, but not
as many as crime statistics indicate would
be needed.

Is there a crime problem in the Rock-
ridge area? Ask some of the local busi-
nesses: ask Tipperary Irish Imports in the
5500 block of College Avenue, whose
window was smashed by thieves stealing
clothing displays; ask Zachary’s Chicago
Pizza in the 5800 block of College Ave-
nue whose front door was smashed open
in a nighttime burglary; ask Ovation on
College near Alcatraz whose window was
smashed by thieves stealing dresses; ask
G&G hardware on Telegraph whose
window was smashed by thieves stealing
display merchandise.

Is there a crime problem in the Rock-
ridge area? Ask some of the Neighbors:
ask the Birch Court resident who was
robbed of her car at gunpoint; ask Andrea
who was held at gunpoint in an attempted
daylight robbery on Shafter; ask Nora
who was robbed at gunpoint on Shafter
the same day; ask Claire who was
mugged on Oak Grove Avenue.

.Is there a crime problem in the Rock-
ridge area? Ask yourself. Then ask what
you can do to help. Call Ms. Dorlista
Dawson at 273-3066 to arrange a Home
Alert group on your block.

December 17, 1988

The Rockridge News

Page 3

City Planning Staff Approves
Building Alterations; RCPC Appeals

Approval of revised plans for altera-
tions proposed for existing buildings at
5295 - 5313 College Avenue (Halley’s
Cleaners, The Pizza Depot, and former
Holistic Institute) by building owner Mr.
John Allen and prepared by ACE Archi-
tects has been appealed to the Planning
Commission by the RCPC Board of Di-
rectors. The plans approved by City
Planning Department staff still do not
address concerns raised by RCPC’s De-
sign Review Committee, according to the
letter of appeal submitted by the organiza-
tion.

In its letter, the Board pointed out that
the concern was not with ACE Architects’
design policy as a firm, but rather with the
specific design concept proposed for the
project. ACE Architects has received
generally favorable support from RCPC
in the past for two other somewhat contro-
versial College Avenue projects (the
Figaro gelateria, and the recently ap-
proved Chimes Block).

Regarding the current project, the
Board acknowledged the substantial
amount of time and effort which the plan-
ning staff has devoted to review of this
project and changes already made.
However, RCPC felt compelled to pro-
ceed with an appeal of the staff’s decision
because the fundamental concept of the
design has not changed, even in the sev-
eral revised versions. The design, accord-
ing to the RCPC Board, is “visually ag-
gressive... attempting to assert itself on
the street and to dominate its neighbors at
the expense of the Avenue as a whole, as
well as overwhelming the individual iden-
tity of present and unknown prospective

College Avenue Presbyterian Church

SEASONAL HapPeNINGs SCHEDULE:
Sunday, December 18th, 10:10 am

Bagpipe-led Christmas processional, from Rockridge

BART station.
Saturday, December 24th, 7:30 pm

Family-oriented Christmas Eve candlelight service, out

by 8:15 PM.
Sunday, December 25th, 10:30 am

Christmas Day worship celebration (occurring only

once every seven years).

retail and office tenants.”

Other concems of the Board were:

= Colors proposed for the buildings
are bright, abrasive, and jarring among
themselves and when compared with the
muted tones of the adjacent buildings;

w The quality and character of the
proposed design conflict especially with
nearby Victorian building types;

m The tall tower on the stucco build-
ing (in excess of the 35 foot height limit
of the C-31 and R-35 zone) is inappropri-
ate because of the project’s proximity to
residential properties. Its apparent design
justification as an eye-catcher, like an
outdoor advertising billboard, is directed
toward automobile traffic and is inappro-
priate for a pedestrian-oriented retail
shopping area.

m The use of “architectural neon,” on
the tower is inappropriate if it will be seen
from any residential property. Neon signs
and other internally-lit signs on College
Avenue have caused problems for resi-
dences adjacent to the commercial zone.

The appeal process will provide an
opportunity for public review of the proj-
ect before the Planning Commission. The
appeal will be heard on December 28 in
Room 115 at City Hall. The meeting
Starts at 1:30 pm. Call the Zoning depart-
ment (273-3911) on the day of the hearing
to confirm the date and time.

Got Any Spare Change?

Production and distribution of the Rock-
ridge News is all a voluntary effort. There is,
however, a substantial monthly printing bill.
Your donations to RCPC help meet that cost.
Thank you for helping.

— Bill Beatty, Pastor
College Avenue Prsbyterian Church

RCPC Asks City
Action On

House Conversions

Three RCPC General Meetings June
15, July 20 and September 21, 1988) have
been devoted to discussions about the
conversion of single family homes (i.e.,
R-35 zone: one and two unit dwelling
units) into boarding or rooming houses,
motels or hotels.

The majority of citizens participating
at all three meetings stated that the multi-
bedroom conversions generate pressing
problems of safety, health and traffic that
need to be addressed. Neighbors ex-
pressed strong concern that conversions
of this kind will have a detrimental effect
on the quality of life in our neighbor-
hoods.

Other attendees at the meetings ap-
plauded the additional housing created by
the conversions. While there is general
recognition that affordable rental housing
in North Oakland is in short supply, and
a realization that the rental housing de-
mands generated by local colleges and
universities are not being addressed, the
majority of speakers at the meetings
appeared unwilling to bear the brunt of the
problem at the expense of Rockridge’s
primarily low-density residential neigh-
borhoods.

In a recent letter to Councilmember
Marge Gibson-Haskell, the RCPC Board
wrote, “We share this concern with other
communities in Oakland because of the
safety, health and traffic problems created
by the conversions. We join with our
Neighbors in Montclair and elsewhere in
Oakland to request that the City Council
go forward immediately with efforts to
address these urgent concerns.”

Happy Holidays To All Our Clients
* Rockridge Travel Service «

Visit The Anchors, our new cruise shop

5940 College Avenue at College Square

SERVING THE NEIGHBORHOOD FOR OVER 12 YEARS

547-6556

547-4414

Page 4

The Rockridge News

December 17, 1988

Goals 'y from page 1

regular meetings of RCPC standing
committees.

Participants made revisions, deletions
and/or additions to derive the revised draft
goals printed in the box at right.

Tue Next STEPS

The revised draft goals and public
comments developed at the Community
Forums will guide the work of subsequent
Study Groups for each of the subject
areas. The Study Groups will formulate
specific objectives, policies and programs
for consideration by the Rockridge com-
munity and the City of Oakland.

More than 40 participants in the Fo-
tums have already volunteered to work
with one or more of the Study Groups.
Rockridge residents, property owners,
and merchants are encouraged to partici-
pate. The first meetings of the Study
Groups are scheduled for early 1989.

— Michael Peltz
RASP Committee Chair (658-2713)

BART, from page 1

Montclair and the Oakland Hills, thus
compounding existing parking problems.
Also, he said, as more and more blocks
adopt RPP plans, on-street parking near
the station will disappear.

RCPC Boardmembers Brooke Levin
and Don Kinkead spoke to the BART
Directors about the Neighborhood’ s inter-
est in working with the transit district to
resolve the parking issue. They pointed
out that parking and traffic circulation
were a major part of the Specific Plan now
being developed. Director Margaret
Pryor stressed the need for the City’s in-
volvement in planning for parking, as
well as having the Neighborhood’s help.

Librar “yy from page 1

At its second meeting December 12,
the Steering Committee focussed on two
important tasks for further sub-committee
work: 1. Define the project by develop-
ing acommunity and library staff wish-list
for the library building and site amenities;
2. Develop a project cost estimate and
analyze potential funding sources.

The next meeting of the Library Steer-
ing Committee will be January 23, 7:30 pm
at Ms. Nancy Dutcher’s home. By that
time, considerable progress will have been
made in defining the scope of the project,
its costs, and that bottom line... how it’s
going to be paid for!

— Nancy Dutcher (653-6018),
Marc Beyeler, Co-Chairs

RASP Goats As REvIsED AT COMMUNITY FoRUMS

m CommerciAL Lanp Use (OcToser 271TH FoRUM)

1.
2.
3.
4.

5.

Strengthen continuous ground level retail frontage;

Increase business diversity on College Avenue;

Encourage a balance of offices and residential uses above the ground floor retail/
commercial uses along College Avenue;

Maintain commercial viability and residential livability by planning for present and
future parking needs.

Utilize College Avenue street-level BART frontage for a mix of public and private
uses.

m RESIDENTIAL LAND UsE (NOVEMBER 3RD Forum)

1.
2s

3.

4.

Prohibit encroachment of commercial uses into residential neighborhoods.
Increase housing opportunities in the neighborhood, including but not limited to
additional residential uses above ground floor commercial uses.

Maintain and improve the structural integrity and condition of the existing housing
stock.

Retain and enhance the existing scale and architectural character of established
tesidential areas.

m PARKING AND CIRCULATION (NOVEMBER 10TH FoRUM)

1.

2.

3.

Encourage public transportation and other alternatives to autos to reduce traffic and
parking problems.

Address the parking needs and the parking/traffic impacts of present and future
development.

Reduce the volume and speed of traffic on non-arterial streets to improve livabil-
ity.

Increase availability of short term parking for the College Avenue commercial
corridor.

Discourage long term non-resident parking on residential streets and encourage
development of alternatives to parking on residential streets for commuters and
shoppers and employees of the commercial area.

Increase the safety and convenience for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
Reduce impacts of commuter parking and accommodate commuter access needs.

ESIGN AND Pusic AMENITIES (NOVEMBER 17TH Forum)

Provide a public branch library in the Rockridge neighborhood;

Increase and improve access to recreational and passive open spaces;

Increase public facilities and amenities to improve livability in the neighborhood,
Retain and enhance existing permitted scale, distinctive design elements, and
pedestrian-oriented character of College Avenue;

Retain an enhance existing permitted scale and architectural character of established
residential areas;

6. Retain building of historical and architectural significance;

Eliminate overhead wires, outdoor display advertising and other obtrusive visual
elements in commercial and residential areas;

. Increase and improve buffering between changes in use and/or scale.

PAVE
JEINE JEWELRY DESICN)
CUSTOM DESIGN
ESTATE JEWELRY

5482 COLLEGE AVENUE

TUES.-SAT. 10:30-5

FINE GEMS

REPAIRS

OAKLAND

415/547-7181

FANTASTIC GIFTS. FOR. THE HOLIDAYS

.

December 17, 1988

The Rockridge News

Page 5

CAMA Report
Thanks For Your Support

With 1989 fast approaching, merchants in Rockridge are
busy preparing for the holiday rush. We’re stocking up,
decorating, opening longer hours, and more! In the midst of
the rush, we may forget to show our appreciation to our
neighbors. Without you, none of us would be here! Our
businesses depend upon neighborhood support to survive.
Your active interest keeps the area improving.

So, on behalf of all the merchants in Rockridge, Thank
You for your patronage: you make it great to be a merchant
here!

— Eddie Zeidan, President

Board Draws Lots For Election

Membership of the RCPC Board of Directors for the coming
year will be determined by Neighborhood voters at the General
Meeting to be held Wednesday, January 18, 7:30 pm, at the
College Avenue Presbyterian Church. Voters must be at least 18
years of age and will be asked to verify their residence in the
Rockridge Area as defined in the By-Laws of the Rockridge
Community Planning Council.

At the December, 1988 Board meeting, Board members drew
lots to determine which five directors would continue to serve for
one more year (January 1989-January 1990). The five directors
are: Beth Allen, Barbara Anderson, Nancy Dutcher, John Guss-
man, and Michael Peltz.

Three of the remaining incumbent directors intend to stand for
election at the January, 1989 Annual Meeting: Glen Jarvis, Don
Kinkead, and Brooke Levin. To date, no additional nominations
have been received in writing by the nominating committee.

Nominations may be entered until declared closed by the
Chair prior to the time of the vote at the General Meeting. Names
may be submitted by mail or in person to the following Nomi-
nating Committee members: Mr. Ray Craun (655-6589), Mr.
Steve Belcher (658-9608), and Ms. Ethel Ruymaker (658-3912).
Nominations should include the addresses and phone numbers of
the nominee and of the nominator. A list of nominees will be
published in the January issue of The Rockridge News.

Send your nominations to:

RCPC Board Nominations
5856 College Avenue #130

clo RCPC
Oakland, CA 94618.

Rockridge United Methodist Church

ROCKRIDGE CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS EVE

On Saturday, December 24, at 5:00 pm, Rockridge United
Methodist Church will hold a Candlelight Christmas Eve Service
of stories and carols.

Rockridge residents, children, seniors and families are espe-
cially invited to attend the service, which will include traditional
carols and music sung by the RUMC Choir.

The Rockridge United Methodist Church, located at 303
Hudson Avenue, comer of College, Hudson and Manila Ave-
nues, also offers services on Sundays and on Christmas Day at
9:00.

— Rev. David McKeithen (420-0255)

ROCKRIDGE

MUSE

Rockridge Artists Featured
At Local Gallery

Two fine artists working in very different media are displayed
at the Ronald J. Bryan Fine Arts gallery at 5269 Broadway at
College. The sensuality of Robert S. Black’s works stems from
both the exquisite material chosen, such as Italian White Marble,
Portuguese Rose Marble, Belgian Black Marble, and his pains-
taking treatment of such materials. Beautifully housed in Rock-
ridge’s lovely art gallery, Mr. Black’s sculpture should not be
missed and is on display through January 28th. Alongside his
work is that of Ali Reza Dadgar whose vibrant, colorful litho-
graphs and etchings offer a striking contrast to the cool and
elegant sculpture. Mr. Dadgar, a student at CCAC, shows
mastery already through his strong images of horses and playing
cards based on Middle Age picture cards.

Opera In Rockridge?

Rockridge proudly serves as home-base for the unusual group
Opera Piccola. Director and singer Susannah Wood lives in
Rockridge and is choir director at the Rockridge United Method-
ist Church. Opera Piccola is an entertaining as well as educa-
tional musical group with a mission: to bring and make acces-
sible classical music to people of all ages. Presentations seek to
offer music as a window to history, literature and diverse cultures,
through the use of highly professional performers. Their use of
colorful costumes, lively drama, audience participation in ALL
programs, and study guides help realize this goal. Their next
presentation, “Hansel and Gretel”, is anxiously awaited at Chabot
Elementary School on January 20th. For further information on
how your school or organization can benefit from a program such
as “The Maid As Mistress” (the first comic opera with its hilari-
ous story of servants turning the tables on masters), or American
History through music, contact Ms. Wood at 658-0967.

Rockridge Artist Highlight

Nancy Macleod is a fabric artist who makes ready-to-wear
clothing. She paints on silk crepe de chine and then sews jackets
and scarves out of the material. Her work is most unusual and
really must be seen to be appreciated. Ms. Macleod put herself
through school by making custom ordered one-of-a-kind Art-To-
Wear garments, and graduated from CCAC with distinction in
1972. Call to see her work at her home on Hudson Street - 655-
9345. You might just find that hard to find gift right on Hudson.

A Most Happy and Healthy New Year from the Rockridge
Muse.

— Margret Elson

mw 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 responsibility for errors.

Ee Been eye
Page 6 The Rockridge News

In My View...

Comments by Marge Gibson-Haskell
City Council, District 1

DiFFIcuLt DECISIONS:

m When Is A House A RESIDENCE?

Mr. Mark Schisler is a very pleasant accountant. His
immediate neighbors on both sides like the fact that when he
is in his Broadway office during the day time, he watches their
homes when they are away and makes certain that no one enters
them who isn’t supposed to. At night they do the same for him
when he is not there.

What’s wrong with this apparently idyllic relationship? Un-
fortunately, it occurs in an area zoned single family residential.
Apparently, based on the fact that Mr. Schisler applied for a
variance from the residential requriement, he does not reside
there, although since he argues that he spends more than half
his time there, especially in tax season, even this may be
debatable. Nevertheless, I requested the Council to deny him
a variance. The reason was that requests such as his, as
reasonable as they may be, open the door to more businesses
seeking to occupy the scarce middle income affordable hous-
ing. Commercialization of middle income affordable residen-
tial areas tends to occur because commercial rents generally
exceed the residential ones in such areas. If we are going to
keep Oakland as a place where our teachers, police and others
with middle class jobs can afford to live, we must vigilantly
protect such housing.

I personally hope Mr. Schisler moves into his house since
he almost resides there now. Asa “home occupation”, he could
be entitled to maintain the relationship he has created with his
neighbors and also become part of Oakland’s vanishing middle
class.

m= Wien Is A House A Hote?

Neighbors of 744 Mountain Boulevard wrote to ask me to
place the issue of multiple bedroom additions with insufficient
off-street parking on the Council agenda, which I did. (They
are also applying to the Board of Permit Appeals on December
8 for a finding that the property is really a hotel in disguise.)
In response, the Council requested staff to develop some guide-
lines to handle this issue. I have also received a letter from
RCPC asking for City action on this issue. (See article this
issue. — Ed.)

m@) Wuen Is Home ALert A ProGRAM For RocCKRIDGE?

There has been an increase in some of the crime statistics
in Rockridge, yet few individuals are participating in home
alert. The police, through a community organizer, have been
trying to organize home alert programs in Police Beat 13 which
is largely Rockridge. With the exception of certain admirable
intrepid individuals, one of whom I mentioned in last month’s
Rockridge News — Kathleen Whitlow — few residents have
organized home alert programs. It appears that most Beat 13
home alert interest is in the few blocks of the Beat outside
Rockridge. To conserve valuable resources, shall I counsel the
police to put the Beat 13 organizing money just into those few
blocks, or are there more interested individuals out there?
Please let me know soon, if you are, or call Crime Prevention
Consultant Dorlista Dawson at 273-3066 for information about
forming or reactivating a home alert group on your street.

Contact me or my assistant at 273-3266 if you have thoughts
on any of the above.

December 17, 1988

Found 11/88

A stroller

in the

Market Hall

654-1704 parking lot.

saad oe Is it yours?
is Call Brooke at

653-7522

Piano Lessons to identify

. . and claim.

Convenient Rockridge

Location
Beginners Welcome
420-0965

Sw

When buying and selling in
the Rockridge District,
it makes good “cents”
to call Rockridge Realtors.

Rockridge Realtors
655-2330

December 17, 1988

The Rockridge News

Page 7

Letters To

The News

Ease College
Avenue Crowding

Editor:

The Bay Area has few streets which
rival College Avenue in pleasantness.
Your survey shows that most local people
are happy with the street. Except for a few
minor changes, the only real problem is
inadequate parking. Parking lots are
never beautiful additions to a neighbor-
hood, however.

I would suggest that if shoppers want
easier parking, they take the short drive to
the North Oakland section of Telegraph
Avenue where merchants are happy for
their business and parking is easy. Tele-
graph is a street on the upswing, but to
help the process along the merchants need
patrons. Buying there can be a social
service and ease College Avenue over-
crowding at the same time.

— Clive Scullion

Enough Trees

In Rockridge?
Editor:

I would like to address myself to Mr.
Erik Peper’s suggestion (Letters, Novem-
ber 12) for more trees in the Rockridge
area, I can’t believe that Mr. Peper is
serious — or what area does he live in?
Tree enhancement in my area has been a
dismal failure. Neighbors have planted
trees haphazardly without the proper
equipment, resulting in broken pave-
ments. Like small children, trees grow
and need to be taken care of, and, like a
child, animal or tree, one is committed to
it for a lifetime. Little thought seems to
go into this either out of ignorance or lack
of concern. Hence, the pavement is lit-
tered with leaves. The method of means
to clean this up is by hosing debris, etc.,
down in front of your neighbor’s section.
If brooms were issued free, I doubt if they
would be used. Trees planted on College
Avenue have been vandalized with bro-
ken branches, etc.

Iam glad to see the “blight ordinance”

= Spring Semester Music and Art

Music

Dance

Arr | Comprehensive Art

Jewelry Making

Cartooning/Animation

Ceramics

DRAMA

Mask Plays, Storytelling

Circus
ARTs

Vimeo

Orff-Schulwerk, Choir, Group and Private Instrumental Lessons
Piano, Percussion, Brass, Woodwinds, Strings, Guitar, Jazz Ensemble

Creative Movement, Pre—Ballet, Modern Dance, Jazz Dance

Painting, Drawing, Clay Work, Sculpture, Collage, Print-Making

Theater, Musical Theater, Swashbuckling (fencing for the stage),

Juggling, Tumbling/Acrobatics, Balancing, Tightrope, Unicycle

CaLL 652-3727 For Sprinc SEMESTER AND SUMMER Camp INFORMATION

FAMILY OPEN HOUSE
Sat., Jan. 21 1:00 -4:00 pm
All Ages Participate in Arts Activities
Storytelling * Circus Skills * Swashbuckling
Video * Jewelry Making * Open Art Studio * Cartooning
Musical Instrument Building
Demonstrations & Videos of Drama, Dance, Choir
and Orff-Schulwerk Music Classes

East Bay School of the Arts

1501 Powell Street « Emeryville » 94608
DIRECTOR: JANET BLAIR

is here — but will it be enforced? It takes
everyone’s effort to have an attractive
neighborhood. Frankly, it is beyond me
that people fail to keep up their property.
It is the biggest investment one has. How
do you instill in people pride or shame? It
is either ignorance or lack of concern. I
give up.

— B. Parfitt

Senior Activity Center
Seeks Volunteer

The College Avenue Senior Activity
Center recently announced an opening for
a volunteer Greeter/Host or Hostess for
programs at the Center. The job would
include greeting seniors coming to see
slide programs, setting up microphones
and assisting persons presenting pro-
grams presented Wednesdays from 10:00
to 11:00 am. The center is located at 5951
College Avenue in the College Avenue
Presbyterian Church gymnasium. Call
Ms. Joan Booty at 530-0489 to volunteer
your help for this position.

"AN AMAZING ARRAY OF ORNAMENTAL
RESOURCES FOR DESIGNING PEOPLE
THE ORBWEAVER
5326 COLLEGE AVE.

RK OAKLAND. GA. 9496/8"

. (WD 658-OVSZ

THAN JUST A.

GREAT BEADSTORE

Page 8 The Rockridge News

December 17, 1988

Retart Space For RENT
Approximately 2,000 square feet
College Square
High Visibility
Formerly John Brown Kitchenwares

Ellwood Commercial Real Estate
465-6823

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The 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.

@ January issue deadline is January 6th. |

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