# The Rockridge News - May 1995 - Issue ID: 1995_05 - Source PDF: issues/1995_05.pdf - Rendered pages: 12 of 12 ## Extracted Text [00 ae * Set ry eves“ rs i ee = = ee », Vue oy Rockridg 3) PEON ar F e News CIRCULATION: 4500 RESIDENCES; 200 BUSINESSES VOL.10 * NO5 * ISSUENO.102 * MAY 13, 1995 Sponsored hy The Rockridge Community Planning Council * 5856 College Ave. #130 * Oakland, CA 94618 * 814-6060 Dreyer’s — A Global Perspective by Annette Floystrup and Kathy Walsh An Invitation to Visit Local Artists’ Studios | Bia Bay artists will soon unveil their art and studios to public view at the 13th annual Easy Bay Open Studios, June 10, 11, 17, and 18, from 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. At least eleven artists from the Rockridge neighborhood will be repre- NEWS FLASH — At press time, the S.F. Chronicle was reporting that offictals of Nestle were actively negotiating to buy Dreyer’s. Nestle, the world’s largest food products and mineral waters (Perrier) company may be moving faster than the original deal negotiated last year with Dreyer’s, when Nestle purchased 22% of Dreyer's stock and agreed not to buy any more shares for 10 years. A Dreyer's spokesman declined to comment, but did concede that agreements can be renego- tiated. The Frozen Food Products Division of Nestle, USA, Inc., in Glendale, California also declined comment. Dreyer's stock was trading actively on the sented. Sponsored by Pro Arts, a nonprofit arts organization, Open Studios is the highlight of the East Bay visual arts calendar. The public is invited to visit local artists’ workspaces to view and purchase original art where it’s created. Participating artists will hang samples of their work at the Pro Arts Gallery at 461 Ninth Street, Oakland, from May 11-June 18. Maps to the artists’ studios will be available at the gallery. Also, art lovers with access to the Worldwide Web can get their preview onscreen, at http:/www.lanminds.com/local/ proarts.htm. In Rockridge, painters, photographers, ceramicists, bookmakers, and furniture builders will offer an artistic experi- ence close to home. Most studios will be open both weekends. Greta Farber’s figurative, abstract, and architectural watercolors incorpo- See “Open Studios” on page 4 —_ Carol Aust’s painting, “Sunday Morning,” is one of the many fine works on view in Rockridge during Open Studios 1995. M rumors, driving the stock up 16% in two days. consisting of a factory, restaurant, and ice cream parlor. Dreyer’s management em- phasizes the connection repeatedly in its rationale forconunued growthatthe present College Avenue location. But, like many other major California corporations, humble beginnings have led to global success. The most recent ranking of the Califor- nia 500 places five Oakland corporations in the top 200, based on market value as of March 31, 1995. Dreyer’s (#176) shares Express Your Concerns About Oakland’s Planning Issues and Economy RCPC’s General Meeting on May 18 will give the community a great chance to hear about the direction of the City’s economy, the General Plan, and the major planning issues facing North Oakland and the City as a whole. Peter Smith, a City Planning Commissioner and Chair _ of the General Plan Congress, will speak - and answer questions. Peter ts an attor- ney who practices in Oakland. Please come with lots of good ques- tions, including those about Dreyer’s and the future of downtown Oakland. The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m., College Avenue Presbyterian Church, 5951 Col- lege Avenue (at Harwood). & any Rockridge neighbors remember Dreyer’s as a small local business the spotlight with Safeway (#30), Clorox (#35), Golden West Financial (#47), and American President Companies (#136). In local ranking of the Bay Area’s 100 largest companies, Dreyer’s is 98th in the Chronicle 100, with 1994 annual sales of $564 million, up 20% from 1993, and a total market value of $375 million. Dreyer’s performance in the past few years has led to substantial interest from other large corporations, notably Nestle of Switzerland and America’s own GE. The GE Pension Fund bought $101 mil- lion in convertible bonds issued by Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, Inc., for its portfolio and, as detailed in Business Week’s inter- national edition cover story of July 4, See “Dreyer’s” on page 3 General Membership Meeting Agenda Thursday, May 18, 1995, 7:30 p.m. College Ave. Presbyterian Church 5951 College Avenue (Sanctuary) ¢ Peter Smith, City of Oak- land Planning Commissioner and Chair of General Plan Congress ¢ Economic Development in Oakland ¢ General Plan ¢e RCPC Kitchen Tour Page 2 The Rockridge News Book Corner by Gay Ducey, Children's Librarian, Rockridge Branch Library Free Art Classes for Kids On May 3, the first class in a continuing after-school arts program began. This class and those to follow give young people the opportunity for artistic exper'- mentation and accomplishment through exposure to visual artists, traditional craftpersons, actors, and musicians selected by the City’s Cultural Arts Division. All classes are free, and the program is year-round. Most classes meet after school, between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. weekly, but there will be some classes in the evening. Please encourage your children to take advantage of the distinguished artists and their gifts. Below is the preliminary schedule for spring, summer, and fall. Watch The Rockridge News for an updated schedule. May 22. Peter Engle, author of the origami book Angel to Zebra, will conduct a weekly drop-in origami workshop for four weeks. Suitable for 3rd grade and older. (Call the library for time and place.) July (dates to be announced). Bonnie Lockhart, one of the Plum City Players and a well-known music educator, will teach and perform “Songs and Music Games from Around the World” on Wednesday evenings. Suitable for children four years old to third grade. October and November. Opera Piccola will teach drama, dance, and singing. Class will end in a student performance. Suitable for 5th grade and older. October. Colibri presents workshops and student performance in Latin American songs and percussion. Suitable for kindergarten-4th grade. Information about the artists and the program is available at the Rockridge Library. ROCKRIDGE BRANCH LIBRARY 5803 Birch Court at se College Avenue Bo Note the new phone number: 597-5017 HOURS Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Wednesday: 12:30 - 8:00 p.m. Closed Friday, Sunday PRESCHOOL STORYTIME: Ist and 3rd Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. The Rockridge News The Rockridge News, founded in 1986 by Don Kinkead, is published monthly in Oakland and is sponsored by The Rockridge Community Planning Council, a neighborhood-based nonprofit organiza- tion. Membership includes everyone living within the organization's boundaries. The goals of the organiza- tion are to promote community involvementin neigh- borhood planning and area development, to address neighborhood concerns (such as educational and recreational resources and the deterrence of crime), and to serve as a liaison between the community and the City of Oakland, in particular the Oakland Plan- ning Commission. Rockridge News Production Kathy Walsh .........ccereesecosonseesesees Editor-in-Chief Trish Wet ......cccccscescecesesereseasens Editor Valerie Kmight........-.sssesecsrereceees Graphics; Layout Susan Montauk ........-cceseeceseseees Advertising Maya Byrne Nissanka ............... Billing Mary MacDonald ..........cccceeseee: Writing; Editing Dorn Kinkead ...........:ssescesesescesees Distribution Are there community issues you'd like to see covered in The Rockndge News? Call 814-6060, or write to 5856 College Avenue, #130, Oakland 94618. To advertise, call Susan Montauk at 547-3855. June deadline is May 25. FAMILY PET ix SUPPLY | A COMPLETE LINE OF PET | SUPPLIES TO SERVE YOUR NEEDS The U.S.S. Potomac, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s refurbished presidential yacht, set off ona foggy inaugural sail on April 12,1995. On board 658-7723 was Rockridge News editor Trish West, pictured with Captain Bruce H. Waygood and George McCartney, member of the Board of Governors forthe Association of the preservation of the yacht. (Thanks to Councilmember Sheila Jordan for providing the press pass.) 5357 College Avenue Oakland, CA 94618 Unsurpassed Service. Unsurpassed Value. We sell most homes for just 4%. Call us at RE ALTY 428-0757 | ADVOCATES ! 5337 College Avenue Oakland, CA 94618 (510) 653-2515 Mail Box Rentals at $7.50/Month (4 Months Minimum) Lowest Prices Around Sy oe 9” ter ea Q§teGete|-r1f oe < * ~~ af? ~> The Rockridge News 1994, on the global ice cream wars, Nestle acquired 22% of Dreyer’s stock (as well as Italy’s largest ice cream company, Finitagel). Nestle acquired the Dreyer’s stock to compete head to head with Unilever, Europe’s Sth largest company and the world’s largest purveyor of ice cream — $3 billion in 1993. Unilever owns Breyer’sin America, a company Dreyer’s recently topped in U.S. sales. Dreyer’s is now a significant Player in the world-wide ice cream mar- ket—a far cry from the small neighbor- hood business started by Bill Dreyer on Grand Avenue. Why is a giant like Dreyer’s, with gross Sales that are hundreds of millions of dollars greater than all other College Avenue businesses combined, still in- sisting that it’s a neighborhood busi- ness? Dreyer’s current location on College Avenue, a small neighborhood retail dis- trict, makes it the only one of the Chronicle 100 not located in a business park or civic downtown. The currently proposed dou- bling of Dreyer’s corporate headquarters at this site seems mismatched to its world- wide corporate stature. Neither Hewlett- Packard nor Apple Computer Is located in the residential districts surrounding their original garage workshops, but both are sull proudly headquartered in the cities that gave them birth. No EIR for Dreyer’s? Oakland’s Department of Planning Staff are still in the process of determin- ing whether Dreyer’s proposed 57,200 square-foot Claremont Avenue addition to its existing building on College Av- enue will require an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Despite the relatively massive size of the project and the significant increase in traffic that will be generated by a three-level underground parking garage for approximately 300 cars, it is possible that the City will issue a Miti- gated Negative Declaration rather than require an EIR. No public hearings are required under the Mitigated “Neg Dec” process, unlike an EIR process, which requires several public hearings. City staff have asked Dreyer’s to redo its traffic study, submitted with its Janu- ary application, to provide data using the Institute of Transportation Engineers Standard Office Building specifications, i.e., What would the traffic impacts be if the building were notoccupied by Dreyer’s but used, instead, as a general office building? The revised report is expected by mid-May, at which time Dreyer’s will then provide the City, at its request, an air quality study anda noise study. Those Studies could be completed by late May or early June. The City could then deter- mine that the environmental impacts can be mitigated by Dreyer’s, and issue a Mitigated Neg Dec, all without public input. If you believe an EIR, which allows for public input, should be ordered, write Kay Winer, Director of Planning and Building, 1330 Broadway, Room 310, Oakland, CA 94612. & Please let us know if you are concerned about Dreyer’s proposed 57,200 sq. addition on Claremont Avenue, which will also have three levels of under- | ground parking for about 300 cars, with all ingress and egress on Claremont. | | Better yet, let us know if you are willing to work on this issue! (J 1 do not think Dreyer’s should be allowed to build the proposed addition on Claremont Avenue. | would be willing to do the following: (J work on traffic issues (J work on air quality issues [J work on noise issues C circulate petitions (J write letters (J speak at public hearings (J other Name Address Phone lease return this coupon to: RCPC, 5856 College Avenue, #130, Oakland 94618. ft. | Page 3 Without question, Dreyer’s belongs in Oakland, but it has outgrown the “ga- rage.” Just as Bill Dreyer recognized that he had outgrown his original site on Grand Avenue, the current Dreyer’s manage- ment must recognize that they have out- grown College Avenue. We should en- courage the City to offer them the appro- priate incentives to have them proudly join Oakland’s other major corporations in the Downtown core. The addition of Dreyer’s corporate headquarters toOakland’s Downtown would substantially strengthen Oakland’s over- all economy, and also meet the goals of the currentand future General Plans. Dreyer’ s continuing expansion in one of the City’s most successful neighborhoods stands an excellentchance of destroying the Avenue’s delicate balance, and the harsh truth is that Oakland does not have enough suc- cessful neighborhoods to take a risk with even one. & SAN FRANCISCO eh BAY CHAPTER SIERRA CLUB BOOKSTORE Phone and Mail Orders Welcome (510) 658-7470 6014 College Ave., Oakland Mon-Thurs 11-6 Fri-Sat 10-8 Sun 12-4 FOR MEN & WOMEN 5303 COLLEGEAVENUE OAKLAND, CA. 94618 510 652*5454 * CUSTOM DESIGNED PERMS + HAIR CUTTING - * CELLOPHANES + HIGHLIGHTS « NAILS + * DNINOLLIGNOD YIVH * Y3LNNOD dNIAVW Hair cuts for children of all ages Bargain clothing .. Accessories... Games Toys A SALON FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY 5335 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618 * 510-547-7277 May 13, 1995 Page 4 The Rockridge News Open Studios from page 1 rate expressionistic handling and bold fauvist colors. Cards, prints, and ear- rings will also be on display both weeck- ends at her studio at 5727 Claremont Avenue (at Colby). Just across the street at 5808 Chabot Road (at Claremont) is the studio of Liz Maxwell, a painter whose current series depicts jazz musicians in a loose expres- sionistic style. She will have a variety of small prints available both weekends. Nearby, at 5879 Chabot Road, Carol Aust’s paintings depict families in tran- sition and are characterized by strong colors and powerful compositions. Her work can be seen both weekends. Lynn Prather constructs blank books and one-of-a-kind art books influenced by her study of calligraphy. Her interest in decorative papers has led her to mak- ing unique boxes. Her studio at 6322 Colby (at Alcatraz) will be open June 10 and 11 (first weekend only). Karen LeGault is showing water- colors on rice and rag paper, combining Chinese compositions and brush paint- ing techniques with Western color and form. She is also showing large acrylic paintings on canvas. Her subject matter includes water flowers, landscapes, and still life. Her studio is at 5233 Locksley and will be open both weekends. : Shirley Rae Pariniisa mixed-media artist who uses a photographic process to transfer images to acetate, then stitches them by hand. She has finished a serics on breast cancer and is focusing on a new series on aging. Her work can be viewed at 5144 Coronado (at 51st Street) on both weekends. Carol Russell creates handmade and handpainted furniture, miniatures, and floor canvases. If you are looking for practical art for your home, check out her studio at 5143 Miles Avenue (al 51st Street), open both weekends. Pauline Hart is a potter and sculptor with 20 years’ experience at Studio One. Her ethnic sculpture and functional earth- enware can be seen both weekends at 5348 Boyd between Clifton and Hudson. Patti Heimburger begins each can- vas by adhering pieces of glass, wood, and fabric folds to create interesting textures before painting figurative com- positions in oils. She uses a similar tech- nique to create abstract sculptures. Her studio at 5622 Oak Grove (at Forest) will be open June 10 and 11 (first week- end only). Gary Nakamoto is a photographer and woodworker. He makes fine crafted chairs and abstract color photographs. His work can be seen at 5529 Taft Av- Fall Kitchen Tour Volunteers Sign-Up Begins by Theresa Nelson, Kitchen Tour Promotion Volunteer If you’d like to be on the inside of planning and preparing for “A Tasteful Tour of Rockridge,” now is the time to volunteer. The 1995 Fall Kitchen Tour, a fundraiser for the Rockridge Community Planning Council, will feature nine wonderful kitchens and “tastes” from Rockridge restaurants, for a visual and gastro- nomic treat. The tour date has been changed to Sunday, October 8, from 12:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Volunteers are needed to join on the Kitchen Tour Com- mittee. (The perk 1s a free tour ticket!) Committee members are involved in planning promotion for the tour, work- ing with restaurants and other sponsors, ~~ * ete “se *." “se desktop publishing the tour booklet, deco- rating kitchens for the tour, selling tickets, and other activities. There’s something to fit almost every interest. You may also volunteer to be a docent for the kitchen tour it- self. Docents receive a spe- cial preview of the kitch- ens on the tour and help guide visitors the day of the tour. To sign up as a COMmmittee member, call Susan Montauk, 547-3855. To volunteer as a docent, call Theresa Nelson, 420-0539. If you are a merchant, builder, architect, designer, or other home/ kitchen professional and are interested in cO-sponsoring the tour, call RCPC at 814-6060. & “Quter Reaches,” a watercolor by GretaF arber enue both weekends. Fine art photographer Elizabeth Opalenik teaches workshops interna- tionally on the figure and alternative processes. Her classical nudes, handpainted landscapes and commissioned portraits can be seen June 10 and 11 (first week- end only) at her studio, 5961 Chabot Crest, at Chabot Road. Neighbors are invited to a reception honoring ProArts artists on June 8, 6-9 p.m., at 461 Ninth Street. @ Complete architectural services since 1970 Jarvis architects 1889 Alcatraz Avenue Berkeley CA 94703 (510) 654-6755 fax 654-3424 COLLINS ROOFING License Na G257TTI Quality Work, Reasonable Rates. Family Owned And Operated ~ . * ™ we “ SS * -* = -“ / — a j ~~ ~~ + > ~ SS as 2 = + Furnaces & Fireplaces EP 989 8 8B BG Consultations, cleanings, repairs, and installations Dampers, spark arresters, brickwork JIMMY HALLORAN 658-4778 Calif. Contractor’s License: 681816 8 Be Fe Ge Beer Ba O88 OLE May 13, 1995 The Rockridge News Page 9 eee —- Three Vital North Oakland Cultural Facilities Threatened! Tentative plans are going forward to Shut down—perhaps permanently—the Temescal and Golden Gate branch li- braries, as well as the Studio One Art Center. The justification is Oakland’s unreinforced masonry (URM) ordinance. The two libraries face closure despite the recent passage of Measure O for library support. Eighty percent of North Oakland voters backed the measure, no doubt assuming their branch libraries would benefit. The threatened libraries are two of by Robert Brokl the four Oakland Carnegie libraries dat- ing from circa 1918, and were designed by architect Charles W. Dickey, with J.J. Donovan. (Dickey also designed Old Merritt College and the Claremont Ho- tel.) The Georgian Revival style Golden Gate branch and the English Tudor style Temescal branch have remained in con- tinuous use as libraries while the sur- rounding neighborhoods have waxed and waned. Currently, nearby undistinguished burgeoning development in Emeryville the Faculty Association of De Anza College. The Rockridge News is pleased to print the following press release dated March 8, 1995, from Rockridge resident Cyril “Cy” Gulassa, an English instructor at De Anza College in Cupertino since it was founded 27 years ago, was named the | 995 Faculty Member of the Year by the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges (FACCC). Presiding over the ceremony at the Los Angeles Biltmore last week, California Ways and Means, lauded Gulassa for his ‘ ‘ “integrity, vision, tenacity and generosity,’ and for his leadership in the design, devel- opment and passage of ABI 725 - the legis- lation that empowered community college academic senates and mandated systems of shared governance. Gulassa received a letter of congratula- tion from President Clinton as well as ST Assemblyman John Vasconcellos, Chair of Rockridge Resident Named Faculty Member of the Year members of Congress and the state legis- lature. Gulassa is widely recognized through- out California for his faculty leadership. He is President of the Foothill-De Anza Fac- ulty Association, and was co-founder and president of both the California Commu- nity College Independents and the Bay Faculty Association. An acclaimed lecturer and author of many articles on community college is- sues, Gulassa served on various state committees and from 1985 to 1987 was President of FACCC. Under his leader- ship, community colleges abolished cre- dentials, increased tenure to four years, and created a staff development program annually funded at $5 million. In March 1987, the State Assembly passed Resolu- tion 409 in his honor, recognizing his distinguished service on behalf of Califor- nia higher education. A graduate of UC Berkeley and a popu- lar instructor, Gulassa has taught in Cam- pus Abroad programs in both Paris and Florence, and conducts summer trips to the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland. Gulassa moved to 6145 Harwood in | 967 so his wife, Harriet, would be near business contacts for her free-lance designs. “Back then Rockridge was a unique village quite different from the tract-home conformity of Cupertino, and a house big enough for a studio, a study, and six kids sold for $30,000. The long commute was a small price to pay for such a great bargain.” & and at the Vern’s site in Temescal un- derscores the classical appeal and vul- nerability of these libraries. The facades and sites of all four Carnegie libraries are official City landmarks and are un- doubtedly eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. A recent attempt to extend City landmark designation to the nearly intact interiors stalled at the Planning Commission level. Studio One, a painted shingle-and- brick structure located behind Oakland Technical High School at 365 45th Street, dates from either 1894 or 1907. The structure's first use was as an orphanage by the Ladies Relief Society. The Studio One building has been substantially al- tered over the years; whal remains Is a less-grand building handsomely set back from the street behind the pastoral set- ting of mature sycamores. Studio One moved to the current site in the late 1940s from Bushrod Park and is under the jurisdiction of the Depart- ments of Parks and Recreation and Cul- tural Arts. Each year, some 5,000 people from throughout Oakland and the East Bay attend classes in art, fitness, crafts, and music at Studio One. The Studio One building would qualify See “Threatened Facilities” on page 9 CHRISTENSEN HELLER GALLERY Exquisite Custom Design Jewelry Fine Art and Beautiful Gifts Heirloom Jewelry Restoration and Repair 5831 COLLEGE AVENUE OAKLAND - 510.655.5952 TUESDAY - SATURDAY 11 - 6 (Stepping Stones Smail ) Montessori stoned Preschool ‘ self discovery NOW a enrolling chrom \3 year olds 658-5539) Page 6 The Rockridge News May 13, 199 What a Deal! $100 Buys Your Name Inscribed in Granite! The sale of engraved granite tiles that. the covered walkway on the south side of will pave the entry lobby has captured _ the building. the imagination of many in our commu- Contributions towards the librarians nity, inspiring phases such as: “THINK- wish list have also come in, with ¢ onauons ING IS GOOD — IN MODERATION,” __ for purchase of a rocker for the children ‘s “NO MATTER WHERE THE BODY _ area, a picture book easel table, puppet IS, THE MIND IS FREE TOGOELSE- _ stage and puppets, and children’s com- WHERE,” “QUESTION AUTHORITY,” puter, as well as donations towards spe- and “ON BOKES FOR TOREDEIME _ cific book collections. Those who donate DELYTE — CHAUCER” $500 and above for the purchase of a piece Other tiles include family, friends, and _ of furniture or equipment will have a small pets’ names or are in memory of friends _ plaque engraved with their names installed and family. on that piece. Thus far, about 25% of the 4" X 12" Use the coupon below to make your ($100) ules and 50% of the 12" X 12". — donation and help furnish our library. ($300) ules have been sold. Ifthe demand Questions? Call Nancy Dutcher at 653- is great, additional tiles will be placedin 6018. m — MAKE A LASTING IMPRESSION IN ROCKRIDGE! a | Have Your Name or Quotation (or That of a Loved One) ona | | Granite Tile in the Entrance of the New Library | | (J YES! 1 want to purchase a4" x 12" tile O YES! I want to purchaseal2”x 12" tile section. (Up to three lines of 20 letters and section. (Up to four lines of 20 letters and spaces per line.) The tile section should read spaces per line.) The tile section should read | (please print clearly): (please print clearly): | enclose a check for $300. | | | | | | enclose a check for $100. | | | | | | | Name | wish to donate $ for other library Address needs. For more information, call 653-6018. Phone # | Make checks payable to: Neighbors fora Rockridge Library, c/o RCPC, 5856 College Avenue, Moderne Eye examinations Ey e Contact lens care On-site laboratory Moderne frames Lifetime warranty on children's frames Optometry Reuben Rivers oD Fellows, American Academy of Optomet Members, American Optometric Association (ue) Moicee em mem 5802 College Ave @Rockridge Oakland —- HERE YOU FIND THE WORLD BEYOND YOUR OWN DAVID-SIMONE KLUGMAN ROCKRIDGE LIBRARY USERS SINCE 1959 IN THE BOOK OF LIFE OUR DEEDS ARE WORDS Messages will be engraved ona 12" x 12" granite tile in the library entrance lobby floor (each section is 4" x 12"). Soundwall Meeting Representatives from both sides of the soundwall issue participated in an ad hoc focus committee meeting on April 20, 1995. Proponents were represented by Roland Brandel from the Chabot Canyon Association. Representing the opposi- tion were Tom Haw from Claremont Rockridge Homeowners Association, Gordon Piper from Hiller Highlands Home Association, Nancy Rogers from Rock- ridge Terrace Homeowners Association, and Craig Lyall from Ocean View- Margarido Homeowners Association. A lengthy meeting entertained pos- sible alterations to the soundwall, in- cluding positioning the wall a few feet farther from the freeway to create a wider planting strip. In addition, Gor- don Piper exhibited samples of a new, possibly more sound-absorbent mate- rial that might be used for the wall. The Alameda County Transit Authority and Caltrans are still open to sugges- tions from interested residents. Address comments to ACTA, Vince Harris, Ex- ecutive Director, 1401 Lakeside Drive, Suite 600, Oakland 94612, or to Patrick K. Pang, District Office Chief, Design Alameda II, Caltrans District IV, P.O. Box 23660, Oakland 94623. = Letter to the Editors Dear Editors, Thank you for your Neighborhood Merchant article about Moderne Eye Optometry [April °95 issue]. It was very exciting for me to see it in our commu- nity newsletter because this is the clien- tele I want to build. I have always en- joyed The Rockridge News, and as a Rockridge business owner, I want to extend a heartfelt thanks for your efforts in promoting Rockridge businesses. Sue Lin, Moderne Eye Optometry May 13, 1995 The Rockridge News Page 7 | recently spent a pleasant after- noon in the company of a wooly mammoth, a hipster orangutan, and a flock of fantastically colored fribbles. My guide through this enchanted world of computer screen charac- ters was Margaret Sommer, who owns Smaller Bytes. Margaret opened her shop last December, after witnessing the plea- sure her own children (3 and 7 years old) got from their computer soft- HE NEIGHBORHOOD MERCHAN by Trish West smaller Bytes 5462 COLLEGE AVE. ) 658-0151 10 through adult. Another program that should T enchant pre- -schoolers is “Thinking Things,” by Edmark. That’s where I met my cool dude friend, the or- angutan, who challenged me to re- produce a tune he banged out on drums, cymbals, wind chimes, and wood block. My reward for a suc- cessful musical attempt was “Groovy!” Then I visited the Fribble Shop, where a Monty Pythonesque ware. She decided to provide a source for quality educational software for kids. Her selection can tbe described as “edu- tainment,” a word and a concept that Margaret dislikes. “Who says that edu- cauioncan’tbe fun?” sheasks. Youwon’t find the typical computer games on her shelves. Neither will you find violent or sexist content. “I try to select programs that portray gender equality and ethnic diversity,” she adds. Both qualities are evident from the name of the main char- acter in Broderbund’s Math Workshop: Polly Gonzales. (Get it? Polygon?) A real advantage for parents shop- ping at Smaller Bytes is Margaret’s fa- miliarity with the software. She has tried out all her products, as well as introduc- ing them to her children. Plus, most of the programs are downloaded and ready for customers to experiment with them. Margaret's current favorite program is “Amazon Trail.” The premise is that the last of the Inca kings has sent his spirit guide to you in the shape of a large black cat. The cat whisks you to the Amazon, where a native guide leads you up the Amazon River. Along the way, you identify rainforest plants and ani- mals while listening to authentic Inca flute music. You also meet historical figures, such as Henry Ford on a visit to his rubber plantation. Hazards abound, such as snakebite and cholera, but if you are successful in your quest to bring medicine to the King’s people, your shield is hung with honor in the house of shields. The program is recommended for ages pet shop matches customers up with their selected style of unconventional pet. According to Margaret, this game teaches the rudiments of Boolean logic. (Don’t ask me to explain that concept!) Margaret claims that every household with a child under six ought to own this program. Although my home isn’t in that category, I wouldn’t mind having “Thinking Things” around. As Marga- ret commented, “Brains are never too old to be improved.” While Margaret attended to desk du- ties, she let me play around with a won- derful program called “The Way Things Work,” based on the popular book by David Macaulay. By clicking the mouse on items on the workshop bench, I was See “Smaller Bytes” on page 8 {ST ANNIVERSARY ac ROCKRIDGE BEAUTY?! Come Help Us Celebrate June 2, 3, 4 Register for Drawings Cilts Storewide Savings Up to 40% PS Month-long Specials q Can’t believe a year has passed already! Page 8 May 13, 1995 The Rockridge News _ ne network of friends and acquaintances at RCPC Board Incumbents Reelected the same time you are learning about and influencing local and city-wide is- Applications for Two Vacancies Welcomed cues. Send a statement of interest by by Mary MacDonald, RCPC Chair May 27, 1995, to RCPC, 5856 College The April Rockridge Community Plan- ning Council’s Board of Directors’ clec- tion retumed four incumbents to the Board for two-year terms: Cliff Cline, Mary MacDonald, Teresa Nelson, and Kathy Walsh. The Board has two vacancies created by the departure of Steven Belcher and Leigh Trivette. Both Leigh and Steve were compelled by work responsibilities to cut back on their involvement with RCPC but will remain active in Community issues. Our thanks to Leigh for her stint as editor-in -chief for The Rockridge News, for her organizing of last fall’s successful pot- luck for newsletter distributors, and for her reliability and graciousness. Steve’s professional expertise as a city planner was helpful in our deliberations on the many planning and zoning issues in Rockridge, and we thank him for his help as our community policing liaison. RCPC is now seeking to fill the two vacancies through the appointment pro- cess. One term will run through April 1996, and the other through April 1997. If you reside or own a business within RCPC’s boundaries, and are concerned about land use, planning, and traffic 1s- sues in Rockridge, as well as about rec- reation, education, crime and other com- munity issues, RCPC is interested in Smaller Bytes from page 7 treated to animated explanations of the workings of a clock and camera. Then | stumbled on to the feature called “Mam- moth Movies” and was soon giggling at the tongue-in-cheek narration accompa- nying such sights as a mammoth wear- ing ballet shoes “to protect its delicate feet.” Another mini movie featured farmers of ancient times who picked lemons by stabbing them with copper lances. When their faithful mammoth steeds helped Out with zinc poles, “the farmers were shocked at the outcome.” Smaller Bytes is a great spot to explore the marvelous software available for kids and families. Smaller Bytes, at 5462 College Av- enue, is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., plus Thursday nights until 8 p.m. @ Avenue, Box 130, Oakland, CA 94618. We'd love to hear from you! & a i ——-# © Photos by Trish . West, developed and printed ' courtesy of A g 4 Photo, College Avenue you. It’s a tuume commitment but well worth it. You’ll create a whole new RCPC’s newly elected 1995-96 Board of Directors. [ “< Inthe left photo are Dan Pitcock and Susan Montauk \ < in the back, and in the front, from the left, are Cliff Cline, Theresa Nelson with Madeline, and Mary MacDonald. In the right photo, from the left, are Maya Byrne Nissanka, Ronnie Spitzer, and Kathy Walsh. Missing is Meredith Kaplan. Comments by Sheila Jordan, Councilmember, District | More About “Transit Villages”’ Planners, environmentalists, elected officials and others are struggling with how to revitalize our cities, de-emphasize cars and switch resources toward more efficient uses like mass transit and away from wasteful sprawl. All this is part of “sustainable” development, and recently | have been sponsoring a series of “Sustainable Oakland” luncheon forums. Last month | invited Gary Lawrence, former Seattle planning director, to address a forum on transportation and the general plan, and to address our General Plan Congress. Seattle reworked its general plan and many of its underlying development assump- tions. Development is now oriented around encouraging “transit villages,” pedestrian- focused nodes clustered around transportation hubs. One example Lawrence gave was allowing the University of Washington, a major economic engine in the center of town, to expand—but not to add any parking. Instead, every student and faculty member gota free multi-county transit pass, and vans are available to take people home in emergencies. These and other measures were designed to support transit use and local neighborhood shopping strips, and to alleviate people’s fears of being unable to respond quickly to an emergency without a car. Lawrence stressed looking at a community’s overall needs, being careful not to go further down a blind alley. For instance, if we state the problem as “freeway congestion, the easy solution is “add more lanes”—even though they inevitably become congested, too. He also spoke about the failure of guilt as a method of persuading people to get out of their cars, and the superior effectiveness of envy as a way to change behavior. That is, if you provide higher-density housing in an attractive, vibrant place with plenty of cultural amenities, lots of greenery and open space, where using mass transit is easy and using a car is hard, people will naturally do the right thing, and will walk, bicycle, and shop locally. Rockridge obviously has a head start in at least some of these areas. There is much food for thought in Lawrence’s ideas and Seattle’s experience as a fast-growing, economically vital port city which is revitalizing its neighborhoods through “transit villages.” | realize there are different visions of what exactly a transit village is, and what is appropriate for Rockridge’s future. | encou rage a wide discussion and debate on these issues, and will be glad to make a videotape of Gary Lawrence's talk available. Hopefully the debate over expanding Dreyer’s Ice Cream can contribute to this important dialogue. Councilmember Sheila Jordan may be reached at 505-1 4th St, #601, Oakland 94612, 238-3266. & May 13, 1995 The Rockridge News Page 9 Threatened Facilities from page 5 for City landmark status and presum- ably for National Register status as well. The stellar list of Bay Area art luminar- ies who have taught at Studio One over the years includes Robert Arneson, Viola Frey, and Robert Brady, who, as part of the Northern California movement, el- evated ceramic sculpture from craft to high art. The scenarios for the future of the two libraries and Studio One are murky. The Cultural Arts Division and Studio One director are seeking alternative sites for this summer’s classes and activities. The City’s estimate for seismic upgrade, handicapped access, and other improve- ments 18 $2 million. On April 1, Martin Gomez, Chief Librarian, told concemed residents meeting at the Temescal Library that he wanted to close the libraries immediately as a safety measure. North Oakland Councilmember Sheila Jordan, faced with three problematic landmarks in her dis- trict, has publicly expressed her prefer- ence for keeping the libraries open dur- ing the upgrades. Mayor Harris has expressed his sup- port for posting notices of potential dan- ger to patrons of the buildings, as re- quired by the ordinance, but not closing them down. A report/recommendation from the City Manger on all three land- marks is expected in May. The very active Friends of the Golden Gate Library has solicited other esti- mates of $87,000 for mandatory safety measures under the ordinance from both Kaiser and BMP (engineering company), less than the “official” City estimate of $94,000. A further complication—and additional cost—is the City’s desire to link any seismic upgrade with adding access for the disabled, although the Golden Gate branch already has a lift. The City’s appalling record on Rockridge Crime Report The following is a summary of serious incidents phoned into the Rockridge Crime Alert Hot Line during the past month. To stay informed, be sure to call the Hot Line every week. The message is updated every Friday. ROCKRIDGE CRIME ALERT HOT LINE Dial 814-2255 (814-CALL) to report suspicious activities or to hear weekly updates on criminal activity in Rockridge . ~ i — re + Nw ee * .. ee hy a) Solid Professional Results Buying or Selling in Rockr idge? Call the Specialists Today For Your FREE MARKET ANALYSIS JOAN BARNETT --- KAREN SHAW 883-7023 534-3093 REAL ) ESTATE SERVICE i Sometime during the afternoon of the week of March 20 on Mendocino Av- enue, a white male in a tan automobile attempted to lure a twelve-year-old girl into his car. [No further details are avail- able. ] On Thursday, March 23, about 5 p.m., on the 5800 block of Margarido Drive, a resident unloading her car was approached at her back door by a man asking to come in to use her telephone. She refused and closed her door, calling 911. Later, she discovered that her purse had been stolen from her car. The man is described as African-American, between 5’10” and 6’, thin and gaunt, high cheek bones, about 40 to 50 years old, wearing a white jacket and pants, and apparently on foot. & 2B Better ‘Qa joes, and Gardens mothballing structures for renovation “later,” as witnessed in the 15-year de- cline of Old Merritt College, suggests that even “temporary” abandonment of these facilities could consign them to a “future” of vandalism, theft, deteriora- tion, squatters, and ultimate demolition as blighted eyesores. Closures would contribute to the decline of the surrounding neighborhoods as well. You can help. Lobby the Oakland City Council with voice mail messages at the following numbers: District 1, Sheila Jor- dan, 238-3680; District 2, John Russo, 238- 3681, District 3, Natalie Bayton, 238-3681, District 4, Dick Spees, 238-6122; District 5, Ignacio De La Fuente, 2388-3198; District 6, Nate Miley, 238-6672; District 7, Dezie Woods-Jones, 238-3649; At-Large, Henry Chang, 238-3742; Alton Jelks (Office of Mayor Harris), 238-3141. FAX Council mem- bers at 238-6129;, FAX the Mayor at 238- 4731. Also call Mary Ann Hedderson, Cultural Arts Division, 238-2103; Cleve Williams, Parks and Recreation, at 328-3092; Martin Gomez, Library Director, 238-3281. This article was adapted from one appearing in the summer 1995 issue of Oakland Heritage Alliance News. & College Avenue Adult Activity Center 5951 College Avenue Invite your friends to come along with you to the following programs, all at || am. on Wednesdays: May |7 Rev. Bill Beatty on the history and vision of College Avenue Presby- terian Church May 24 Dr. Tom McKnight: slides of India May 31 Movie: “Beethoven’s 2nd” June 7 Lecture on arthritis by the Arthritis Foundation 24 Hour-7 Day, Emergency Repair OLLINS JP BO OBLONG Service, Repair, Drain & Sewer Cleaning. No extra charge for weekends holidays or nights SEAN COLLINS : 264-8770 oe «aes Ceo~ + Ss oe or ee Ow ~~ 48 Ce © Ome +06 OB ee ** ee eee wae Cee 2 oe Cetewee*? O-SEwe ae eo Ge ae © < @ Coe Oe" wae Oe See Page 10) How can there be so much talent and creativity in one small neighborhood? Is it the water? The burritos? But, of course! It’s the company we keep! Cruise the ‘Hood, Not the ‘Net This month, fate steered the Muse to Cliff Stoll’s doorstep to meet the Rockridge writer/astronomer/systems manager who produced the | 989 bestseller, The Cuckoo’s Egg: Tracking a Spy Through the Maze of Computer Espionage, a true detective story about how the author trapped a KGB- connected spy ring. Stoll, dubbed by Newsday as “the electronic equivalent of Indiana Jones,’ is moving up the bestseller al = Oe 4 => * to z a ee a _ : -— a ate y x = & es 7 ; ~ iy’ naa 4 “ 4 has \ ¥ : ™ A » 2 aad - t wee, + Po nd CLIFFORD STOLL " . ‘ . Computer utopia or electronic noise? There’s oil on that (information) highway. list again with a new book, Silicon Snake Oil: Second Thoughts on the Information Highway, in which he questions whether the Internet really brings us closer to- gether, really educates us. A “Rockridger”’ to his core, Stoll finds a walk down College Avenue or an hour at Royal Coffee Exchange (a favorite spot) more rewarding and educational than the “over- blown” Internet. A “real” neighborhood feeds the soul in ways the network com- munity cannot. If you’d like to meet this original thinker, he’ll be at Cody’s book- store on May |5, or watch for his ap- pearance at other local bookstores. Or, there’s always Royal Coffee. CPS Celebrates Space and Place “Nlew Neighborhoods House Tour and Raffle” is the crux of what has become College Preparatory School’s (CPS) annual event. On Saturday and Sunday, May 20 and 21, a total of |4new homes (7 each day) in the Firestorm area will be open for touring between 10 a.m. and 4p.m. CPS tells us that one Vicki Beggs’ “Boxers IT” of the homes is a Builders Magazine award winner: another has an indoor stream and cylindrical garden; and yet another has few interior right angles and custom-made furniture to match. Daily admission is $30, and it includes lunch; children under 12 not admitted. In addition to the “New Neighbor- hoods” tour, CPS has more: on Sunday, May 14, Stephen Altschuler, author of Hidden Walks in the Bay Area, will lead two | -1/2 hour walks through the Firestorm area, focusing on the history and on the original public pathways uncovered by the fire. The walks, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., are $12 and reser- vations are recommended. And more yet: On Thursday, May 18, at 7:30 p.m., Oakland historian Jennifer Katz will give a lecture and slide show entitled “Lost Mansions to Modern Bungalows, Life in Victorian Rockridge.” Admission is free (the locale is the Music Room on CPS’s campus) but res- ervations are necessary. For reservations or information, call 652-6829. Mixing It Up Rockridge watercolorist Vicki Beggs, who has done free-lance work for the City of Oakland Park and Recreation Department, paints non-traditional subjects < rs e - 7 Pa . —_ - ; a VE May 13, 1995 such as prize fighters and hot rods ina traditional and realistic manner. Ten of her works may be seen in “Random Works of Art”, a group exhibition of eleven East Bay women artists at Jack London Village’s Exhibition Hall through May 30, 1995. For more information about the exhibit or the artists, calj 655-2805. Writers, Untie — Whoops, Unite! A Writers’ Support Group is now meeting in the Rockridge area, with emphasis on finding each member's authentic voice, free from critical and editorial inhibitions. The group meets on the first and third Friday evenings of each month, in the Manila Avenue home of poet Tom Ross, whose small press book, The Gurgle of Little Feet, appeared in a second edition in 1993. This is a self-help group, without fee, and any- one interested may call Tom at 655- 5646 for an interview. What, Another Award? Two of the Oakland Hills homes designed by Rockridge architect Glen Jarvis etal. have been selected for awards One of Jarvis Architects’ Firestorm Award-winning homes on exhibit at Barnes & Noble. and exhibition in the American Insti- tute of Architects-East Bay Chapter’s 1995 Firestorm Awards Program. The resulting exhibit is open to the public through May I8 at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Jack London Square, seven days a week, 9 a.m. to || p.m. Yep, it’s definitely the company! Let the Muse know what you’ve been up to. You know the address: 5856 College Avenue, #130, Oakland, 946/18. g ~ Ete ag ew eewes oe May 13, 1995 The Rockridge News GARDEN £59 FREE Pn With garment orders over $25 or $3 OFF orders over $15 Dry Cleaning only * Present with incoming order $199 Shirts Lanndered Everyday Special! offer expires 6/15/95 5808 College Ave. Oakland 601-1188 Mon - Fri: 7 - 7 Across from Lucky's Sat: 8 - 6 & Zachary's Pizza Sissies ces vas ceca ils fc cen "ce ce cc title ‘tern cnn Minin sane GOR RG tales tee Violins, Violas, Cellos & Bass EY MURASAKI * HIGH QUALITY HANDCRAFTED FUTONS * FRAMES, SHOJI LAMPS & SCREENS * TATAMI MATS & BEDS * ZAFU, ZABUTON, BUCKWHEAT HULL PILLOWS * JAPANESE GIFT ITEMS Bows Rehaired Repairs Graduate Cremona, Italy 1972 Robert WV. Stoltenberg 1490 MacArthur Blvd ROCKRIDGE 6050 COLLEGE AVE. 547-6252 ALBANY 555 SAN PABLO AVE. 528-1196 531-6772 robinson Electric Design Graphic ~ [8 OL ELT OL Ss [2/ O/ “eat RESIDENTIAL rocnures UPGRADE « REMODEL « UNDERGROUNDING Newsletters INTELLIGENT PLANNING ¢ QUALITY WORK Flyers LOCAL REFERENCES License #644125 528-1209 VALERIE KNIGHT GRAPHICS ExZEAH May 18 Jennifer Katz Slide Show & presentation: “Lost Mansions to Modest Bungalows, Life in Victorian Rockridge” 7:30 pm in the music bldg., CPS campus (no admission charge) 5116 Broadway pes near Payless st 653-3710 QUALITY HEALTH FOODS NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS . * > : hol - — ~ * we For Information e = ex. . Reservations Call 652-6829 S The = —* , ‘ OSLO SJ: pes SAAC Sees eee PRESENTS : © PICTURE FRAMING New Neighborhoods HOUSE TOUR e¢ RAFFLE ; ; May 20 Seven architect-designed homes tn the ous Oane. ee Rockridge May 21 Firestorm Area will be open each day All Types of F raming Tickets $30/pay...includes lunch 6058 College Avenue May 14 Stephen Altschuler Walk leaving z CPS campus 10:30 am or 1:30 pm 695-5966 Tickets $12 (reservation required) Page 1] RN CLASSIFIEDS Your 36-word message: $15 (phonenumber counts as one word). Mail to :RN Classifieds, 5856 College Avenue, #130, Oakland, CA 94618. June deadline is May 25. Alternative Pet Sitters There's no place like home. We provide loving, reliable care to your pets on a daily, weekly, or overnight basis. Bonded and in- sured. 839-7553. Wanted: House in Rockridge Area To rent or housesit for relatives visiting from East Coast. Very responsible. August | 7-25 (or some part of these dates). Please call Sue, 654-6175. Wesleyan University Student Seeks Summer Job Home for summer. Seeks full-time babysitting/ nanny position. Very experienced, reliable, responsible, loves kids. Heather, 655-6857. Gardener Seeks Jobs A gardener who has lived in Rockridge for 25 years seeks gardens to tend. Gives con- sultation, does maintenance: weeding, planting, mulching, pruning, watering. Will manage gardens for people on vacation. Has refer- ences. Bobbie, 655-5608. Your Apartment in Paris! Charming Montmarte apartment for rent July and August. Fully furnished. Perfect for single or couple. Central location. $800/ mo.t+deposit. Contact Pam Rich (locally), 654-4266, or Marika Rosen, 01 1-33-1-42- 01-94. Rockridge Expatriates Seek to Return Couple and toddler seek 2+ bedroom house or flat for long-term rental. Looking for quiet location, gas appliances, yard, near BART. Excellent references. Call Katherine or Alan at 559-9567. Editing/Tutoring in English UC Berkeley Ph.D. in English, Rockridge resident, can polish your writing (any sub- ject) and/or teach you (any age) how to improve it yourself. Patient, encouraging. Experienced with non-native speakers. Helene, 654-1667. LHI Construction General Contractor License # 570107 Insured & Bonded Remodeling? Kitchens - Baths - Concrete Tiles - Linoleum - Plumbing Driveways - Patios WE CAN HELP !! CALL: 682 - 9941 Page 12 The Rockridge News May 13, 1995 ee When you just “can’t stand” your hair! 10 year color experience Kathleen Valentino 658-9694 5336 College Evening appointments available A Total Body Workout in Just 30 Minutes! 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