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VOL. 18 wm NO.7

ISSUE NO. 192

ms July 5, 2003

Remember:
No Rockridge News
in August

5

9

www.rockridge.org

CW s

CIRCULATION: 5,100 RESIDENCES; 200 BUSINESSES

Sponsored by The Rockridge Community Planning Council * 5245 College Ave. PMB 3iIl * Oakland, CA 94618 644-4228

Pe Sa EAT WE ae SE ES A WD Le a Be A LS Be AAS

Got Ink in Your Veins? The Rockridge News Needs a Business Manager

A° excellent volunteer opportunity is opening up to serve
as the Business Manager of The Rockridge News—and
meet lots of neighbors and get to know Rockridge businesses.
Key responsibilities include overseeing the unique neighbor-

agenda:

RCPC General Meeting

Thursday, July 17, 7:30 p.m.

Rockridge Branch Library
Community Room
5366 College Avenue at Manila

@ Neighborhood Beautification
Efforts in Rockridge.

Come hear from your neighbors how they

are improving the physical environment

in Rockridge and find out how you can

get involved.

ws Friends of the Rockridge Temescal
Greenbelt (FROG)

Sally Fitzhugh (Chair of FROG) will
update us on the implementation of
Phase Il of FROG Park and review of
Phase I.

ws UnderBART
Teresa Drenick (Chair of UnderBART
Committee) will outline progress on
plans to improve the area under the
Rockridge BART Station (story on
page 7).

mw Locksley Garden
Mike McDonald (resident on Locksley)
will describe a new effort to enhance
the land at the corner of Locksley and
Forest (story on page 6).

ws Adopt-A-Spot
Felicia Verdin (Oakland Public Works)
will discuss the Adopt-A-Spot program
and how the City of Oakland can help

you do your own project in the neigh-
borhood.

ATTENTION: Vote at this meeting
on anew RCPC bylaw on board

terms. See page 12.

hood distribution network, coordinating with the advertising
manager, and managing the printer.
If you’re interested please contact RCPC Board Liaison

David Hatfield at davidh @frp.org.

RCPC Opposes Restaurant Plan:
Review of College Avenue Planned

150 people, the plans provided no parking

by Hiroko Kurihara

fter consulting with area residents,

the Rockridge Community Planning
Council has voted to oppose a plan for a
new 3,000 square-foot, two-story restau-
rant at 5362 College Avenue in the building
where Créme de la Créme recently oper-
ated. While the restaurant would seat nearly

spaces for their cars, a key element in the
RCPC’s decision. The site is adjacent to
the Rockridge Library.

In May, Maezono Architecture presented
its restaurant proposal to the RCPC’s Land
Use Committee,
which made the » Restaurant, pace 10

by Natalie Mehta,
Kitchen Tour Co-Chair

| esis. for an opportu-
nity to get a closer peek

into some of the beautiful
homes in our neighbor-
hood? Curious about how
that neighbor’s construc-
tion project turned out?
Looking for inspiration in
planning your own
kitchen renovation?
Then please join

§ You saw this
kitchen on an
earlier Tour. Surely
you remember
the year? Take the
Tour Quiz with
this photo and

others on page Il.

(Answers available
at end of article.)

the Rockridge Community
Planning Council as we
proudly present nine beau-
tifully remodeled residential
kitchens, open for tour on
Sunday, September 28. This
biennial tour is the major
fundraiser of the RCPC,
which coordinates resources
and funding to improve our

neighborhood.

One kitchen featured on
this year’s tour 1s a contem-
porary renovation based ona
red-blue-green color theme,
weaving copper and-maple
finishes throughout and
incorporating hand-painted
murals on the walls. Another
kitchen, designed for two
serious cooks, com-
bines the seemingly
opposing elements
of zinc countertops
and a cozy kitchen
hearth to create a
truly unique and
warm space. Yet
another kitchen
offers a stunning
example of how to

§ KitcHEN Tour,
PAGE II

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2s Rodckridge News

Around the Neighborhood

by Jacqueline Tasch, Editor, The Rockridge News

Odds and Ends (of Beginnings)

S ince I was a kid, I’ve been obsessed with anniversaries, and
two big ones are coming up for me this month. On July 15,

I will celebrate the end of my first year in Rockridge. And, by that
time, the last issue in my first cycle of The Rockridge News will be on your doorstep.
We don’t publish in August.

It’s hard to believe this is the eighth issue of The Rockridge News published under
my—I search for a word, and neither direction nor management feels like a good
choice. I know the “herding cats” metaphor is overused, but in a lot of ways, it suits
the circumstances—and, fortunately, I like cats.

From Our Readers

I keep a file of letters from readers, and it’s time to close that out for the year. My
apologies for failing to respond sooner and more personally. Some readers say nice
things about The Rockridge News or this column, and I’m always grateful for the
encouragement.

Others have story ideas, and unfortunately, we’ve had little spare room in the last
few issues. So I'd like to wish a quick happy birthday to Elizabeth Austin, a resident
of Otterbein Manor who began her 10Ist year last month. Another reader urges us to
start a “what needs fixing” column, pointing out among other things the broken / empty
news racks at BART. She’ll be happy to read the article on page 7, which tells of an
intrepid band of local residents who are already on task.

Some readers have points of view. I’ve misplaced a letter from a reader who thought
getting out and walking in the evening—toting a shotgun, if necessary—was one way
to ensure safe streets. I can buy half of that. More recently, a reader complained of the
tidal wave of parking enforcement that swept through his neighborhood, leaving cars
awash in tickets. Some folks on my block were caught up in the same maelstrom, so |
sympathize. I’m told that even a City CarShare car got dunned.

Changing Scene

Over the several months I’ve been with The Rockridge News, some regular writers have
moved on to new opportunities, and we wish them well. We are still—and always—look-
ing for people with some writing skill who would like to contribute to the paper.

Some folks may think that writing for The Rockridge News means jotting down
whatever is on their mind. While letters to the editor are welcome, we also need folks
who are willing to become well-informed about an event or issue and share that infor-
mation with their Rockridge neighbors.

We are currently looking for a college student intern—perhaps one studying jour-
nalism—who would like to cover stories for us and accept some kindly mentoring in
return (i.e., it’s an unpaid position). If you fit that description or know someone who
does, please call.

Join the Newsletter Staff

A: you saw on the front page, we are also looking for a person who is essential to our
operation: a business manager. Someone who makes sure all the elements—news,

advertising, printing, distribution—come together in a timely fashion. For some time

now, we’ve been blessed in that regard with the organizational skills of Susan Montauk,

who optimistically turned up on my doorstep with ten-plus years of back issues when

I thought I was still considering whether I wanted to do this.

In addition to the tasks in her job description, she’s been a faithful reporter/writer

on a variety of issues and a great resource as I try to make my way through the wilds

of Rockridge. I would say that I will sorely miss her, but she’s only retiring as business

manager. I expect to keep her on the job in the other areas.
And so we take a vacation. You, too, I hope—have a great time.

| ee

July 5, 2003

ROCKRIDGE BRANCH LIBRARY

5366 College Avenue ER
597-5017

Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Saturday: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Thursday: 12:30-8 p.m.
Closed: Friday and Sunday
See CoMMUNITY CALENDAR, PAGE 15,
FOR LIBRARY PROGRAM DETAILS.

RoéckridgeNews

The Rockridge News, founded in 1986 by Don Kinkead,
is published monthly in Oakland and is sponsored by
the Rockridge Community Planning Council, a non-
profit public benefit organization founded to: preserve
and enhance the unique character of the Rockridge
neighborhood; promote the health, safety and quality
of life of its residents; furnish a forum for community
involvement,and provide leadership and representation
of neighborhood interests.

Rockridge News Production

Jacqueline Tasch... Editor-in-Chief

Ortrun Niesar, Claire Isaacs...Writers

Barry Kaufmann .....srecsseee Food

JO Ellis ...e.ssessesssseesesssensenreseenes Calendar

Theresa Nelson .......sssresse Neighborhood Merchant

Lydia Gars.....ssssessssesneeneenee Photography

Lauri Scharber .........ssssreee Advertising

Susan Montauk.......-s-seererees Business Manager

Don Kinkead......e-ceseseseseees Graphics & Layout

David Hatfield ........-:ces00+ RCPC Liaison
RCPC Board of Directors, 2003-2004

Daniel Ferdelman .........-.-+. Chair

Deborah Larson.........--+-s++ Vice-Chair

Greg YOCH ....ecscecesseseenerensseees Treasurer

David Hatfield, Hiroko Kurihara,
Susan Montauk, Theresa Nelson, Jessica Pitt,
John Potis, Chad Thompson, Michael Whitfield

NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTIONS

Annual subscriptions to The Rockridge News
can be obtained by sending a check for $18, payable
to Rockridge News Subscriptions to: Rockridge News
Subscriptions at the address below.

Articles published in The Rockridge News may be
reprinted only with the permission of the Editor.

CONTACTING THE Rocxripce News

w Are there community issues you'd like to see
covered in The Rockridge News?

m Do you have questions about newsletter
distribution?
w Would you like to volunteer to be a Rockridge
News block captain?
Contact us at one of the following addresses or
telephone numbers:
Editor: jatasch@mindspring.com
www.rockridge.org
The Rockridge News, 5245 College Avenue,
PMB 311, Oakland, CA 94618
RCPC Voicemail: 644-4228

NewsLetter ApverTisinG/ DEADLINES
Publication date of the next issue is

@ September 7, 2003;

@ September deadline is August 2I.
Advertising rates are $22/column inch. Six-month
pre-pay rate available. To advertise, call Lauri
Scharber at 655-2196. (RCPC reserves the right
to refuse any display or classified ad thot it deems
inappropriate.)

July 5, 2003

Rédckridge News

—<——--

| At the May RCPC Meeting

by Claire Isaacs

boon for families who want to pro-
vide separate living spaces for elders,
children, or friends. Or a bane on resident
homeowners whose neighborhoods could
fill up with renters who might lack incen-
tives to maintain their property and have

lifestyles at odds with the quiet single-family
Standard.

Depending on whom you listen to, either
could be the result of a new state law, AB
1866, which requires cities to ease restric-
tions on secondary units at single-family
homes: so-called granny units, in-law flats,
or even separate structures.

At the June 19 General Meeting of the
Rockridge Community Planning Council,
newly-elected chair Daniel Ferdelman
introduced three expert panelists and mod-
erated an at-times contentious discussion
of the law.

Oakland has required review and a
public hearing on every application to build
secondary units. Effective July 1, all that’s
required is a building permit and approval
from a staff planner. However, the units must
still conform to regulations regarding size,
parking, access, fire and safety codes, and
architectural compatibility with the main
residence.

City of Oakland Planner Andrew Smith
said that AB 1866 “takes away the city’s

ability to review and issue guidelines so
that alterations and new structures fit
into neighborhoods.” However, Smith
acknowledged that homeowners will find
the process much easier. Only a ten-day
notice to neighbors—with no option to
dispute—s required to get a permit.

Lynette Lee, who directs the East Bay
Asian Development Corporation, spoke in
support of the changes. She believes that
such units not only provide new housing ina
tight market but also adapt to family lifestyle
changes. Her own legal secondary unit, she
said, has been home to her parents, divorced
friends, and now her children. “The best
thing about this option,” said Lee, “is that
it provides additional housing on existing
land or within existing buildings at private,
rather than government expense,”

Third panelist Glen Jarvis is an archi-
tect and former RCPC Board member who
served for six years as a member and Chair
of the Oakland Planning Commission. He
addressed audience concerns that primary
residents might rent out their homes as well
as the secondary units, becoming absentee
landlords. While owners need not live on
the premises in an R-35 zone (Rockridge
below College), he explained, owners must

occupy one unit or the other in R-30 zones
(above College Avenue),

Many circumstances prevent prolif-

Second Units: Boon or Bother for Rockridge?

eration of secondary units, Jarvis said,
including construction costs, size of prop-
erty, and specific access requirements. One
of the latter, namely increasing the width
of road required outside the property from
20 feet to 24 feet to allow for emergency
traffic, will be discussed at the City Council
on July 15.

The audience was particularly concerned
about crowding, drug houses, and students
renting whole houses in the hills. These
will also be important issues related to the
newly introduced AB1 160, on track for a vote
next year. Under this bill, owners would no
longer have to occupy the primary house
or secondary unit, raising concerns that
houses might be rented to large numbers
of individuals, leading to heavy traffic and
other changes in today’s quiet residential
neighborhoods.

Anyone considering creating a secondary
unit should review the new rules adopted
by Oakland under AB1866. Log on to
www.oaklandnet.com or contact Andrew
Smith at asmith@oaklandnet.com, or
510/238-6414,

For information on ABI160, try
www.assembly.ca.gov. Under Legislation
enter “AB1160"” and “Steinberg,” and/or
contact your Assemblypersons Loni Han-
cock or Wilma Chan and State Senator
Don Perata.

New School Chief Has Few Answers | in First Meeting

by Susan Montauk

()*” three days after Randy
Ward became state admin-

istrator of the Oakland Unified
School District, he faced educa-
tors and parents with pressing
questions about teacher layoffs
and requests to save favorite
programs from the fiscal
axe—programs and personnel
that brought some credit for

recent academic progress in the Oakland school district.

Dr. Ward made few promises.

“IT will have to evaluate a lot
of programs and departments to see if they are helping your
children learn,” he told the capacity crowd in Oakland Techni-
cal High School's library.” “If they are [working] we want to

@ Dr. Randy Ward,
recently appointed state
administrator of the
Oakland Unified School
District, addresses staff
and parents during an

introductory meeting at
Oakland Tech.

Proro: SUSAN MONTAUK

in the last three years. For every

support them.”

As a result of extraordinary budgetary
problems, State School Superintendent
Jack O'Connell took control of the Oak-
land School District as part of a deal that
guarantees the district a $100 million line
of credit. He appointed Dr. Ward, who will
have unprecedented power, serving as both
chief administrator and school board, which

will act in an advisory role for the duration
of the state takeover.

Declining student enrollment and high absenteeism are two
key problems, Dr. Ward said, since funding for the school district

depends on numbers. Every student who leaves the district costs
$5,000 for a total of $20 million

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Rdckridge News July 5, 2003

FORL Plans
Thanks to

Library Donors

Ae all Friends of °
the Rockridge Library,  °
donors and potential donors: :
The 2003 FORL Donor a
Appreciation party will be :
held at the Rockridge Library ,
in October (7pm-8:30pm on °
a date to be determined). :
Watch for details tocome ,

9

9

iv)

in the September issue of
The Rockridge News.

Antiwar Group
Focuses on
New Directions

by Lydia Gans
ik the weeks before the invasion of Iraq,
neighbors in Rockridge and Temescal
formed North Oakland Neighbors for Peace
(NONFP) to oppose the war against Iraq.
The war has more or less ended, although
tensions in Iraq persist, but NONFP con-
tinues to be active.

“The war is not over,” one neighbor said.
“The military budget is still eating up a
vast amount of money and resources.” Jack
Gerson, one of the founders of the group,
hopes to refocus the group’s activities on “a
vigorous fight to defend civil liberties against
the Patriot Act and the detentions” as well
as a “fight against the cuts in services for
essential human needs.” NONFP has con-
nected with a whole array of organizations,
local and national, that are hurting because
of the domestic budget cuts.

NONFP has sponsored two informa-
tional presentations at Diesel Bookstore,
and Alexander Cockburn is expected to
speak in July. The group meets at the
Rockridge Library, and some members
continue Sunday evening candlelight vigils
at the BART station. To learn more, email
nonfp-request@ yahoogroups.com.

4 The potential for a

negative effect on parking

in surrounding Rockridge
neighborhoods was an
important issue in discussions
and planning for construction of

the CCAC freshman dormitory
now located at Broadway and

Broadway Terrace.
PuHoto: LypiaA GANS

Car Ownership Rules for CCAC
Dorm Residents Find Mixed Success

to a close, the no-car rule for residents of the new

California College of Arts and Crafts f reshman dormitory at Broadway and Broadway

Terrace appears successful, but it may be too early to make a final assessment.
College officials report that only one freshman resident was found to have acar during
the year, and that student was expelled from the dormitory for failing to comply with the
rule after a warning. One other student parked nearby while visiting the dorm for lengthy
periods, but that person could not be formally identified and was not disciplined.
When the dorm was built on the site of a parking lot that once held 35 to 40 cars,
a primary concern of neighbors was that the drivers of these cars would fan Out onto
local streets, seeking parking in an already congested area. If the 127 residents of the
new building had also been permitted to have cars, the problem could have worsened
dramatically. As a result, the college agreed to prohibit car ownership among freshman

dorm residents as a condition of zoning approval.
During the first year, the college allowed six resident assistants in the dormitory (all

upper division students) to have cars without providing parking for them in the lot under
the building, as all spaces were designated for staff. As a result of ongoing discussion

with neighborhood representatives, the college said resident assistants will be provided
with spaces in the future. This will displace an equal number of staff vehicles during the
day but will decrease neighborhood parking congestion on evenings and weekends.
To enforce a no-car rule—or assess its effectiveneness—violators must be identified.
CCAC promised to keep track of car ownership by freshmen residents and, as a backup,
to identify possible violators by checking license plate numbers provided by neighbors.
Unfortunately, the license plate reporting system has yet to perform as promised.

CHRISTENSEN HELLER GALLERY

Nominated for 2003 Top 100 Craft Galleries in the United States

s the first academic year comes

exceptional american crafts
fine custom & designer jewelry
fine art

repairs and appraisals

summer hours:

tue - thurs & sat 11-6
fri 11-8

sun 12-5

5831 college avenue
oakland, california 94618
510.655.5952

www.christensenheller.com

July 5, 2003 Rdckridge News

Si

Oceanus Mural Restoration Benefits

From Public/Private Cooperative Effort

by Claire Isaacs

N: ghborhood activists and city officials
welcomed artist Gary Graham to the

Rockridge community on Saturday, June 28,
at a reception in his honor. Graham, here
to restore his mural, “Oceanus,” presen.ed
slides and told the history of the huge art-

work he created in 1977 under the freeway
at Claremont and Hudson.

Now living in Grass Valley, Graham
agreed to return this summer to head up
an unusual collaborative effort to clean and
restore the mural. He has already recruited
two professional associates, artist colleague
Peter Collins and restorer Joel Blondeau.
In addition, more than 30 community vol-
unteers have signed up to help, and more
are needed (see box below).

The City of Oakland is helping, too.
Roberta Babcock, Assistant Director for
Public Art, secured city funds for graffiti
abatement to pay the artist’s honorarium.
The Department of Public Works will
remove existing markings and seal the
surface on completion. The restoration
is due to begin on July —_ and continue

ian

WE

through July 20.

One of the first murals to be painted on
a Caltrans site, the mural has been deterio-
rating for some years, and in recent weeks
it has been the target of aggressive graffiti
writers. Its appearance disturbs not only
neighbors but also the hundreds of people
who visit the FROGpark across the street.

SS

Oceanus Restoration Volunteers Welcomed!

| yeah over |5 years of age with a willing heart is welcome to help with the

Oceanus restoration. Those with art skills are needed for special tasks. This

is a working project, not a summer recreational project, and no child care or

supervision is available. For further information and to sign up, contact Kate Runyan
evenings/weekends at 658 - 7833, or write katerunyan@sbcglobal.net

— a

If you are buying or selling in |
Rockridge look to your
Complete Real Estate Resource-
Saraya Motley (510)280-2162

| Saraya Motley

Increase in Sales:

Second Quarter Yields a 40%

Address List Price Selling Price Close Date
5417 Thomas $769,000 $755,000 6/16/03
5405 Carlton $329,000 $336,750 6/18/03
5360 Locksley $534,000 $625,000 6/23/03
5372 Thomas $785,000 $819,500 6/24/03
5350 Miles $635,000 $676,000 6/25/03
5839 Presley $825,000 $842,000 6/25/03

V Rockridge homes sold in an average of
18 days in the 2nd quarter, down from an

average of 25 days in the Ist.
7 =

2nd quarter sales show the median price of

a home in Rockridge has risen to $683 ,000—
an 8% increase over the Ist quarter.

Red Oak Real

2983 College Avenue + Berkeley, CA 94705

If you are thinking of buying or selling,
call me for a free consultation.

Collateral
damage ina
now-forgotten
urban tagging
war, Oceanus is
to be restored
this summer
by the original
artist and
neighborhood
volunteers.

De: ay. PHotos: CLAIRE ISAACS
Steve Costa, past President of FROG, Sally
Fitzhugh, its current President, and Theresa
Nelson, Vice President of the Parks and Rec-
reation Advisory Commission, are among
the community leaders who are securing
supplies and additional funds.

Ata recent presentation to the Cultural
Arts commission, Ben Hazard, Director of
the Craft and Cultural Arts Department, said
this was the kind of project that everyone
from the Mayor down takes pride in — a
first-rate example of public and private
cooperation.

Claire Isaacs is the Public Art Advisory Committee
liaison between Rockridge and the City of Oakland
for the FROGPark public art effort.

"510. 339 0400.

1960 Mountain Boulevard » “Oakland

510. 652.2 213386

3070 Claremont Avenue * Berkeley

6.

Rockridge News July 5, 2003

Locksley Gardens I Project to Bloom in Rockridge

f you’ve passed the corner of Locksley

Avenue and Forest Street (where it passes
under Highway 24 and the BART tracks)
lately, what you've seen is not a pretty pic-
ture. Long neglected, the parcel of land
owned by Caltrans is covered with ivy and
bare dirt, littered with empty beer bottles,
newspapers, and the occasional abandoned
shopping cart.

Coming soon to the same address:
Locksley Gardens, a project of enterpris-
ing local residents.

The group first started meeting to talk
about neighborhood issues and to organize
a block party in June. Soon after, Friends
of the Locksley Gardens Project (FLGP)
was formed to adopt the neglected site.
Members are inspired by Friends of the
Rockridge-Temescal Greenbelt (FROG)
and their successful efforts in transform-

ing and creating the Rockridge-Temescal
Greenbelt.

“We are excited with what this project
can bring in the way of community to our
neighborhood,” said Locksley Avenue resi-
dent Mike McDonald. “Not only will we be
creating a beautiful place for neighbors to
enjoy, but in the process, we will be getting
to know our neighbors, too.”

Initial response from local officials and
residents has been more than positive. FLGP
has initiated a dialogue with Caltrans, has
been approved by Oakland Adopt-A-Spot/
Make Oakland Beautiful, and is working
directly with the City of Oakland Parks
and Recreation Department. At its June 5
meeting, the Rockridge Community Plan-
ning Council unanimously voted to serve
as fiscal agent for the group as it begins
to raise funds.

Anyone interested in lending a hand,
helping with fund-raising, or simply
being involved should contact Mike
McDonald, at 510/772-7906 or email:
mcdoak @ yahoo.com.

Mon-Fri 9:30 - 6:00
Sat 9:30 - 5:00
CHIMES

7- PHARMACY

‘Serving Rockridge Since 1909
3210 College
= Near Alcatraz

652-1990

—

| s clean-up will occur Saturda

: | The first Locksley Gardens c :
J O1N a fe from Yam to noon, followed by a party on the 5400 block of
uly <0, d Forest. Everyone is welcome, and volunteers

Locksley Avenue, between Hudson an Mi 7
and ae are needed. See article at left for additional contact information.

¢ This forlorn
corner at the
intersection
of Locksley
and Forest
Avenues —

——_—_—

BART parking |

lot — could
soon host
flourishing
gardens
planted and
maintained by
area residents,

mnanereenay ste aT TEDLI IDET IDI SIG DO

A DIFFERENT ANGLE Photo-Art Gallery
5849 College Avenue @ Chabot, Oakland

510.659.8848 www.adifferentangle.

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par ROUP AGENTS
Fatima Ali, Di Allen-Thompson, Andrea Arata, Heather Brown, Luisa Castillo, Pamela Crawford, Natalie Cuttler,

Colette Ford, David Fraioli, Roy Grigsby, Carmen Grim, Rick Gutierrez Zee Haki
’ ’ ) , , mogiu, Rita Harrington,
Amy Hayashida, Timothy Hedges, Sharon Ho, Julie Lehman, Barbara Levy, Helen Ta Tamara Nadarajan,
Ortrun Niesar, Gaby Olander, Anja Plowright, Leo Rachal, Jeff Robarts, Camille Rogers, Libby Royster,
Steve Ryman, Ernie Sexton, Dan Stone, Daisy Tan, Nancy Taussig, Aliky Vasdekis, Jeanette Vento, Ted Normart, Manager
Since 1887
Two Tunnel Road, Berkeley, CA 94705 * Phone 510/845-0211 « www.pruweb.convclaremont

July 5, 2003

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RédckridgeNews

E

UnderBART Group Sets Improvement Goals—Lots of Them

by Teresa Drenick

Po, in your mind that on your next
trip to the College Avenue BART

station, you find:

# Signs announcing BART trains and
providing transit schedules

# Colorful maps of neighborhood
merchants

s Educational gardens for local schoc!
children

#6 More and better lighting

# A plaza with acommunity meeting
space, game tables, and fenced-in
play areas.

These visions are among the long- and
short-term goals for converting the College
Avenue BART station, now a dark space
dividing Rockridge, into a vibrant center that
welcomes residents and visitors alike.

The UnderBART committee has worked
long and hard to develop these goals, meet-
ing monthly with officials from BART and
other agencies, who lend their expertise and
guidance. In June, representatives of BART’s
seismic department presented plans for the
upcoming retrofit of the Rockridge station.
Although work may not begin until 2005
or 2006, the design process is under way
now, and officials said they were willing
to include the UnderBART committee in
design and architectural decisions.

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[ )° these ideas excite you? Join the UnderBART
committee meetings the second Thursday of each

month at 7:30pm in the Rockridge Library. Anyone who
wants to participate is welcome. Questions may be directed
to committee chair Teresa Drenick at TDrenick@aol.com.

Long before 2005, however, the com-
mittee hopes to be making improvements,
Members are exploring funding opportuni-
ties and will start to develop a master plan
soon. Here are some of the major ideas,

PROMOTE TRANSIT OPTIONS: a BART
arrival/departure sign at street level, con-
necting transportation schedules, new bus
and taxi seating, a larger bike rack/lock-up
and posted bike trail options.

ORIENT PEOPLE TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD:
a large welcome sign on both sides of the
BART station, signs directing visitors to
major points of interest, a large neighbor-
hood and merchant map, a computerized
information center.

IMPROVE THE BART SPACE’S RELATIONSHIP
TO NATURE: educational gardens and planters
maintained by school children; native plants
to replace ivy; removal of eucalyptus trees,
and lighting for new trees at night.

IMPROVE SAFETY AND SENSE OF SECURITY:

brighter lighting day and night, breezeway
improvements, prominent call boxes, illu-
minated crosswalks, general clean-up.

UNIFY THE TWO SIDES OF COLLEGE
AVENUE: Station access from both sides of
the station with two distinct plazas, uniform
and artistic lighting, uniform paving for
sidewalks and plazas, a walkway through
the parking lot.

CREATE A UNIQUE, SOPHISTICATED, AND
INVITING URBAN CENTER: a large attractive
clock and sundial, artistic and uniform
signage, new trash cans and newsracks, an
attractive, bright, and reflective color scheme,
public art, a community meeting center.

CREATE AN ACTIVE, FAMILY-FRIENDLY
PLAZA AT THE HEART OF ROCKRIDGE: edu-
cational displays, small square game tables
and seating, new benches and seating areas,
a recessed theater and staging area, a fenced
play area for children, art shows, seating
along the sides of the parking lots.

Chabot Elementary School Launches Website

o find out what’s happening at Anthony Chabot Elementary School, Rockridge resi-

dents now have a new resource: Chabot’s own website, www.chabotelementary.org.
Created by parent volunteers working with school faculty and staff, the website provides
information on afterschool programs, special science and reading programs, State cur-
riculum standards, volunteer opportunities, and resources for parents and children. You
can also read Chabot’s newsletter online. Chabot Elementary, located at the corner of
Patton Street and Chabot Road, has 429 students in Kindergarten through Sth grade.

Ann Daniels is website copywriter.

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8.

Good Neighbors Make
Safer Places to Live

by Beau Woodward, and Paula Hawthorn

Ws for residents to improve community safety and plans for an
exciting new project in neighboring Temescal were on the agenda
at the Greater Rockridge Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council's
(NCPC) Town Hall Meeting May 27 a. the Rockridge Library.

Lt. Lawrence Green of the Oakland Police Department told par-
ticipants that Greater Rockridge is generally a safe area, with periodic
rashes of residential burglaries or auto thefts and burglaries, as well
as Occasional commercial and street robberies. He suggested know-
ing your neighbors and your neighborhood and reporting activities
and individuals that seem out of the ordinary or out of place to the

police nonemergency number, 777-3333.

With only six officers on duty in North Oakland at any given
time, the police depend on citizens to watch out for the safety and
security of their neighborhoods.
“Neighborhoods where people are |
involved and are willing to report
Suspicious activity, are far safer
than neighborhoods where people
close up, ignore what goes on In
the street, and hide behind their
doors,” Green said. “If you call the non-emergency
number, you do not have to even identify yourself—and
you could avert a crime.”

OPD Lt. Green
makes a point
at the NCPC
meeting.

PHOTO:
SUSAN MONTAUK

tn rn ee ee ee ee

a

Later, Jeff Norman and Alden Marsh described the Gateway project, a grass-roots
effort to improve the Temescal neighborhood by developing the corner of Telegraph and
SIst Street. Two designs were shown, both encompassing the old Pussycat theater property
and the adjacent Children’s Hospital parking lot. Both are a creative mix of retail and
residential areas. In addition, Yeda Altes, the Neighborhood Services Coordinator who
is the designated liaison between Oakland Police and Greater Rockridge, led a discus-

sion on neighborhood priorities.

NCPCs were created by the Oakland City Council in 1996 to implement the community
policing philosophy. Their purpose is to work with community residents, organizations,
police officers, and city officials to identify and resolve problems in communities. For
more, see http://www.oaklandauditor.com/reports/ncpcevaluation.pdf.

Charter School Plans Work Parties

are hard at work at the North Oakland
Community Charter School (NOCCS), this
year’s recipient of the Rockridge Com-
munity Planning Council’s Community
Service Grant.

Two summer work parties are scheduled

1 summertime—school 1s out—but folks

EXPERT.
_ SHIRT
LAUNDERING!

fi A A [) E H $5 FREE DRYCLEANING with garment orders over $28
or $3 OFF orders over $15
Dry Cleaning only & Present with incoming order

to get the school in tip-top shape for next
year. These will be held from 9am-3pm on
Saturday, July 12, and Saturday, August 16.
Community volunteers are welcome.

NOCCS is located at 5951 College
Avenue in the College Avenue Presbyte-
rian Church.

Garden Cleaners
5808 College Ave., Oakland

601-1188
Mon-Fri 7-7 « Sat 8-6

(Across from Albertson's & Zachary's Pizza)

The Force

Barbara Gabel and
Zach Zachowski,
owners of Zachary’s
Pizza, provided the
$5,000 purchase price
for this new member

of the Oakland Police
Department's canine
unit, pictured at right.
Basco, a 10-month-old
Belgian Malinois and
native of Holland, is now
in training to work the
graveyard shift in North
Oakland. He replaces
Enno, who retired

due to age and
permanent lameness
and is now living with
his handler’s family.

——
_ ee me Pre
et
de aad
ee ee Or rw

DMV Neighbors
Plan Summer
Creek Cleanup

lease join the DMV Neighbors Associa-

tion in the DMV parking lot at Claremont
and Cavour about 9am July 19 for a Saturday
morning Creek Cleanup. There’s plenty of
work to do—weeding, raking, picking up
debris, sweeping, pruning, cutting back the
ivy, and so on. The City of Oakland Public
Works Environmental Services Division will
supply gloves, garbage bags, and tools, but
if you have your own favorite tools, label
them and bring them along. Wheelbarrows
are especially useful. The creek bed may be
wet, so boots are recommended footwear.
Coffee and morning snacks will be provided
by the DMV Neighbors Association.

Norman H, Burg, DD

General Dentistry
(510) 652-1517

0700 Broadway, Oakland

A Prevention Oriented Practice

July 5, 2003

Rdéckridge News

9.

Summer Treats

ummertime is traditionally the time

when culture escapes into the great
outdoors in a bright array of festivals
and outdoor theater. Bring a sweater
and a picnic, and enjoy!

Among the many offerings are
wonderful musicals at the Woodminster
Amphitheater on Joaquin Miller Road,
phone 531-9597. “Kiss Me Kate” is
scheduled for July, “Evita” for August. The
Greek Theater on the Berkeley Campus
will have its usual array of concerts, but
this year, on its 100th anniversary, The
Greek National Theater will be performing
“Euripides” here in September. And, of
course, the sound of Shakespeare fills
the air in Berkeley's Hinkley Park and
at the Bruns Memorial Amphitheatre in
Orinda, phone 548-9666.

Not so long ago, in the ‘70s, summer
even used to bring a folk circus caravan
down from Oregon to Berkeley where
they set up tents on the grounds of the
Berkeley Adult High School on MLK Way.
We would sit on the grass in the dark,
mesmerized by images of Coyote looming
larger than life above our heads against
the canvas wall, telling tales of ruse and
roguery to our utter delight. Later, we
would visit with the Clydesdales grazing
patiently in the dusk outside the tents.
| can still smell the horses.

by Ortrun Niesar

Reading Aloud

The sound of the human voice in
live performance, unamplified, is great
to hear in the dark, under the stars
or by a roaring fire. No need to go

to summer camp for this experience.

The backyard barbecue will serve as a
fine venue for reading aloud or telling
tales in the dark. Choose books that
are meant to be heard: stories written
by true tellers of tales. Kids will go for
Harry Potter, naturally, but younger ones
will love the stories told by Patricia
Pollacco, for example, who magically
wove her tales around the happenings
right here in Rockridge when there was

another much larger fire to contend with.

Or go for the classics. Robert Fagle’s
recent translation of Homer's The Iliad
is a knock-out, ideal for reading aloud
outdoors, in the dark, by a flickering

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fire. The drama will carry you along in
a way that our embedded TV reporters
in Iraq never could. Honest. You can find
all these books and others suitable for

reading out loud at Diesel, Pendragon,
and Cody's.

Why Not Write?

Summer is also a great time to take
the plunge and follow your creative
dream. Who will say nay? So try your
hand at writing if you've always wanted
to. You will need a little notebook anda
pencil always by your side, a time to be
alone,and a fair amount of courage, best
mustered early in the morning when you
have not yet had time to think about
what it is you are about to do. There
is a little book entitled Lu Chi’s Wen Fu
or The Art of Writing. Buy ic. It’s small
enough to take with you on BART or
to the beach. Read it a thousand times.
Try writing at least one half-hour per
day in longhand. It doesn’t matter at
first what you write. Just start writing.
The tales will follow. .

Oakland Walking Tours

Oakland Heritage Alliance and Annalee
Allen have once again organized a series of
exciting walking tours through Oakland's
historic neighborhoods in July and August.
Maps and information will be available
at the Rockridge Library and in local
bookstores. If you can’t find one, call
me and | will send you one. For more
information you can also contact OHA

at 763-9218.

Rockridge and You
Through the Camera

Time to get out the camera and
join in on the fun. Applications for The
Rockridge Annual Photo Exhibit must
be in by August 15. You do not have
to be a professional photographer to
participate, but you must live or work
in and around Rockridge. The subject
matter can be almost anything, as long

as it reflects life in our neighborhood.

Parent-and-child teams are encouraged to
join.Also, anyone interested in assisting
with the organization of the exhibit is
most welcome. Please get in touch with
Lydia Gans at 658-4445 or me for more
information.

Enjoy your summer!

Ortrun Niesar can be reached at 652-6664
or oniesar@aol.com.

— eS ee ee ee eee ee ee ee ee eee ee ee ee eee ee ese eee eee 2 eee

= ——~a—t =— er Ee ee eee ae oe

10.

Rickridge News

July 5, 2003
ee

School Head

from page 3

percentage point below full attendance, the
district loses $1 million in aid, and atten-
dance is presently running at 85%. While
declining enrollment is difficult to reverse,
Dr. Ward said, improving attendance is both
possible and essential.

1): Ward knows the value of a good
education. Three of Dr. Ward’s
siblings are medical doctors, one is a doctor
of jurisprudence, and Dr. Ward is a Ph.D in
education. For the last six years, he served as
state administrator in Southern California’s
Compton School District, putting that dis-
trict back on sound fiscal footing.

Dr. Ward admits that there is no way to
balance next year’s budget, but he is also
concerned about the impact of cutbacks.
“I’m an educator,” he said. “I care about
school systems.... I, too, believe that given
the time we can develop something here.
The idea is to show what is reality, and
then build morale and build capacity in
Our system so kids can learn.”

a

CROSSROADS €S&%* TRADING CO.
hasta.

Restaurant

from page |

plans available for public review at the
library. Based on feedback from neigh-
bors—and the committee offers its thanks
to all who called or sent messages—the
Board of Directors wrote a letter of oppo-
sition to City of Oakland Planner Robert
Merkamp, the applicant, and Council-
member Jane Brunner. As plans develop,
the committee will keep the community
informed and involved.

s a result of the restaurant proposal,
Ai committee decided to examine the
larger issue of what types of businesses or
developments are desirable in the area. Of
the 81 establishments on College Avenue
between the BART station and Broadway,
for example, one in three serve food.

Do we have too many restaurants on Col-
lege Avenue? What is the perfect balance of
establishments that serve the neighborhood
versus those that serve the region? What
can we do to guide development? What
will ensure sustainability for our neigh-

borhood and region? How can RCPC ang
the Rockridge District Association wor
together with community members to
address these issues?

If you have points of view to share.
the Land Use Committee invites you to
participate in a study planned for thi
summer. We will review land use along
the length of College Avenue from Alcatraz

to Broadway.
Please contact Hiroko Kurihara at 5]0/
384-0557 or H2Oakland @ sbcglobal.net jf

you would like to help.

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No, not at all. Maison Nouveau is derived from "La Maison du Nouveau Siécle" which
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Maison Nouveau...Qu’est que ¢a veut dire? Est-ce du mauvais Francais?

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traduire en anglais par «The House of the New Century» or «The Firm of Change» .

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In English

510-849-9900
2/01 College Ave Berkeley

www.MaisonNouveauRealty.com

July 5, 2003 RéckridgeNews LL;

oO _ singeoomacunton titi e ————
Ki tchen Tour 2003 Rockridge Kitchen Tour
from page | AbvANce Ticket Orver Form

blend modern conveniences into a classic

bungalow home, with a few surprising Yer! Save Me a apot for the:
touches. As this sneak peek indicates, this 2003 Rockridge Kitchen Tour

is a tour you will not want to miss, Sunday, September 28, 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Buy Discounted Tickets Now
Plea .
W: are pleased to announce that Kitchen se send me the following number of tickets

Tour ticket prices have held Steady at tickets @ $25 ea. advance price = $ total enciosed
their 2001 rates: Advance purchase tickets Name Phone
are available for $25, and day-of-tour tickets Address City Zip
will be available for $30. We offer two con-
venient ordering methods: mail or online. To Please mail this coupon, a self-addressed stamped envelope,
order by mail, please fill out the ticket order and your check or money order payable to:

. |

form on this page and enclose a check anda RCPC Kitchen Tour, 5245 College Avenue PMB 311, Oakland, CA94618
self-addressed, stamped envelope with your Thankyou! The Rockri Ave Kitchen Tour Committee

order. Tickets will be mailed to you within L LAE SABI iad ey

two weeks of the tour. To order online, 20

to www.rockridge.org, click on “Rockridge indispensable to the success of the tour Guess the Year!
Kitchen Tour,” then “Pay by Credit Card.” and rotate duties between greeting guests

Follow the easy payment process, and save _at the door and standing by in the kitchen hree sarees acer (one <¢ yt
the confirmation number you receive via tO provide information to guests. To be a Pe an ; e two . et are be ours
email. Bring this confirmation number with docent, call Nancy Sale at 655-4625. plead sedwerrt kin beate Beek picoad rede tte

for each. Hint: Tour years were 1995, 1997,
1999, 2001 and this year’s tour — 2003.
Answers at bottom os second column.

you to the will-call registration desk onthe Other Volunteers Needed

day of the tour to pick up your tickets and Please contact any of the following

brochure. committee chairs if you are interested in
Though the advanced ticket price is $25 further volunteer opportunities:

for online credit card purchases, there is a ® Publicity:

small convenience fee added to the ticket Deborah Larson, 595-3352

price. Given the fund-raising nature of this ® Day-of-Tour Coordination:

event, passing along this fee offers you a Susan Montauk, 547-3855

convenient option, while allowing RCPC to @ Raffle Committee:

retain more funds to invest in our comniu- Natalie Mehta, 415/783-5467

nity. Please note that we can only process Brochure Sponsorship
check payments for mail orders and only

Many of our tour guests are looking for
credit card payments for online orders.

both inspiration and resources to assist them
Docents Needed in future renovation projects. We furnish a

Want to see all nine kitchens for free? tour brochure that offers a limited amount
Sign up as adocent, and you will be invited of advertising space—an excellent venue to
to a pre-tour look at three of the kitchens. _ publicize your kitchen or residential renova-
You will have an opportunity to visit the tion business or services. All space must

remaining kitchens either before or after be reserved by July 15 to meet our printing
your shift on the tour day. Docents are deadlines. Please contact Jo Ellis at 653-3210
for information regarding ad space.

Additional information regarding this

RAMP OD event can be found on our website at

www.rockridge.org (click on “Rockridge
UJ > CANNING Kitchen Tour’) or by contacting RCPC ;
vmnay, | 31044-4228. Julie Nachtwey
Your Marketing mee ynpjUow uvsns Aq sojoyg *(JNOJ 34) UO 7! JOj YDIeM) ) vour Residential Realtor
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12

Réckridge News

chanstin
COLLEGE

by Theresa Nelson

he past months have seen many changes

on College Avenue (and surrounding
Rockridge streets). Here’s a wrap-up of
new stores and services, new names, and
re-opened eateries:

New Name

Rossmano
(formerly Lunetti)

Antiques and art objects for home and
garden, Daniel Rossomano, owner
5332 College Avenue, 653-4269
Open Wednesday to Friday, 1lam-6pm
Saturday and Sunday, noon-6pm

New Stores

It’s Your Move
Games & Hobbies

William and Rue Kreber-Mapp, owners
4920 Telegraph Avenue, 649-4537
Events 547-4FUN

www.itsyourmovegames.com

Chemistry
Women’s clothing & accessories
Richelle Valenzuela, owner
5337 College Avenue, 420-5834
Open Tuesday and Wednesday, 11am-6pm
Thursday-Saturday, 1lam-7pm
Sunday, 1lam-5pm

Cloud Nine Body Salon

Skin care, facials, waxing, etc.
Alresa Brownin, owner

5495 Claremont Avenue, 350-0634
Open 7 days/week by appointment

Suzy Q Korean Barbeque

5299 College Avenue
Open for dinner nightly at 5pm
Lunch Monday to Friday, 11am-3pm

Christopher’s Burger
5295 College Avenue, 601-8828
Open daily 1lam-9pm

i Vero

Hair salon, 6052 College Avenue
985-0406

Reopened

The Conga Lounge

Cocktails, light food, and banquet facility
5422 College Avenue
Thursday to Saturday, 5pm-midnight

Closed

Sergio’s Trattoria
5299 College Avenue

he RCPC Board of Directors has recom-

mended changes to the organization's
bylaws to clarify the length of elective
terms on the board and to adopt term
limits for elected directors. The proposed
amendments will be voted on by the mem-
bers—anyone 18 or more years old with
evidence of residence in Rockridge—at
the meeting on July 17, 2003, at 7:30pm
at the Rockridge Library.

The Board's goal in recommending
the term limits provision is to encourage

3 flow of new volunteers, with fresh per-

spectives and new energy, onto the Board.
The proposed amendment contains enough
flexibility to assure that the Board will

not be deprived of a prospective director's |
- additional term has been approved by

needed expertise at an important juncture.
The Board of Directors has |! seats, of
which 10 are filled by election and one
by board appointment. Half of the elective

seats are filled in odd-numbered years,

the other half in even-numbered years.
Elections take place at the RCPC Annual
Meeting which, under the Bylaws, is held
on the third Thursday in April and con-
tinued to the next Saturday (the alternate
polling date). Currently, the bylaws state
that the term of an elected director runs
for “two years.” At present, any person
may run for any number of terms on the
board. The proposed amendments to Sec-
tion 8.03 of the Bylaws would:

5352 College Avenue

Your Neighbor

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RCPC Bylaw Amendments
To be Voted on at July Meeting

the year in which the director was elected
~ (without regard to whether two years have

__July 5, 2003

——_— i

|. clarify that the term of an elected
director runs to the end of the annual
meeting in the second calendar year after

elapsed, or more than elapsed, at the time
of the meeting); and
7limit the number of elective terms

which any one person may serve on the

Board of Directors. No person would be

eligible to be elected to more than three

elective terms, consecutive or otherwise,

unless, for any additional term: :

e at least one annual election has
already been held since the end of the
person's fast term of office; and

« the person’s candidacy for an

affirmative vote of the Board of Directors,
with at least two-thirds of all directors
voting in favor, or the person has received
the signed, written endorsement of two--
thirds of all directors. p

The term limits provision would include
elective terms already served before the
effective date of the amendment, provided
that no person's ability to complete a term
currently under way would be affected. The
amendment would not affect a person's
ability to serve on the board as an appoin--
tee, and a person’s term of service as an
appointee on the board would not be
counted toward the term limitation. -

6025 College Ave. ¢
(510) 595-0837

July 5, 2003

_RéckridgeNews

13.

Neighborhood Volunteer Donates Books,

Time and Expertise to the Rockridge L

Wh e ni Mariam Lomax began to

need large-print books a
couple of years ago, her daughter, Claire,
subscribed to Doubleday’s Large-Print Book
Club. When Mariam’s tastes in reading
proved to be far broader than Doubleday’s
list, Claire turned to Diesel Books on Col lege
Avenue, which regularly fills their large-
print orders. When Mariam finishes her
books, Claire takes them to the Rockridge
Library, where they are gradually enhancing
a modest large-print collection.

Claire delivers the books to the library’s
front desk. “What's fun is the response,”
Claire says. “I usually have them wrapped
in brown paper, and as they open the pack-
ages and examine the books, they say ‘large
print’ with awe. It’s such a kick. I’ve found
the way to somebody’s heart.”

Longtime residents of Rockridge,
Mariam and Claire were friends of the
Rockridge Library even before there was
an organization by that name. Claire once
served the organizational Friends as co-
chair, but most of her contributions have
been informal.

For example, Claire “likes to get rid
of stuff:” and when she culls her book-

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e, mspaints@pacbell.net
ROCKRIDGE RESIDENT

ibrary

Shelves, the discards end up al
the Rockridge Library, often on
the cart set aside for sales of
books that don’t merit a home
in the permanent collection.
Having taken books out of the
library for years, it seems only
fair to put a few back in.

Not long ago, Claire read
The War on Freedom: How and
Why American Was Attacked,
September 11, 2001, by Nafeez
Mosaddeq Ahmed, presenting a
view of events not regularly seen in

« Rockridge neighbor Claire
Lomax helps keep books on |
. the library’s shelves. *

the Western press. After checking -

with the Rockridge Library, Claire bought 15
copies, which are now circulating throughout
the Oakland Public Library system.

Kcrowins that Claire has acquired some
expertise maintaining the garden at her
Harwood Avenue house, the librarians asked
her to help advise its landscaping team. Most
visitors probably think of the wisteria around
the College Avenue entrance if they associate
the library with any plants at all. In fact,
there is other landscaping—a generous word
for the combination of weeds and overgrown
or dying plant life that circles the parking
lot and runs across the back of the building
and along the Manila Avenue side.

S and J PCS Center

serving the Rockridge Community

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Open 7 days a week

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With funds from the Rockridge Women’s
Club and help from a local landscaper, a
restoration is in the works. “We’re hoping
to replace what’s there with plants that
are longer-lived, drought tolerant, and
low maintenance,” Claire says. “One of
the main things we're planning is lots
more stone.”

Though most of Claire’s connections with
the library are anonymous, some are not.
In January, Claire’s papercraft—mobiles,
collages, and wall-hangings—made a
popular exhibit in the library’s lobby
display case. Claire also makes cards and
notepapers, including very Craftsman-like
notecards on brown paper featuring a map
of Rockridge and stamped prints of local
homes. Her exhibit will return to the library
in November.

The GRUBB Co.

A™ TO R S

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For Sale: Bunk Bed

Very good condition, hard-wood, “Scan.
dinavian” design bunk bed, $50. Modular

pieces—simple construction. Handsome and
very sturdy. Includes two twin mattresses,

Jane 652-1349,

with minimum cost and effort. Wardrobe
assistance, sewing, painting, framing/hanging

Pilates or Gyrotonic®

Try a 30-minute BUZZ Session for $30.
CLASSES: Three FREE Classes* in Pilates
MAT, NIA®, Yoga and/or Yamuna® Body Roll-
ing. (“For New Students only) Workshops &
Teacher Training Certifications. Mind-Body
Connection, 5255 College Ave., 420-0444
(www.mindbodyconnection.net),.

Jazz and Classical Piano Lessons
Rockridge jazz pianist with UC Berkeley
music B.A. offers lessons in jazz, blues, clas-
sical, music theory, ear-training, technique.

Experienced, patient teacher, all ages/levels.
Janet 653-6783.

pictures, odd jobs/hauling, shopping/errands,
510/693-1244.

Need a Temporary Extra Room?
Family or friends visiting and no place to
put them? Beautiful bedroom available in a
craftsman home in Rockridge/Elmwood area.
Convenient location for shops, cafes, restau-
rants, BART, bus. 510/547-8788.

Violin Lessons, All Ages
Principal Second Violinist of Berkeley Sym-
phony, Symphony San Jose, Del Sol Quartet.
We're new in town! Stop by to say hello. Rick
(violin) and Irene (piano). 595-7310.

Tahoe Condo For Rent

Our lovely 3br/2+ba condo in Incline Village is

available for rent! Sleeps eight, is fully equipped!
Close to everything! Call 652-6664 for more

information.

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—

Saline ot ale,

Jan Carlisle

Administrative Assistant

July 5, 2003

Rdckridge News

15.

Pea ee ee SE eee eee eee eee eee ee eee ee eee ee eee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee

Check Your...
COMMUNITY CALENDAR

E-mall Rockridge News Community Calendar items to: Joellisi@hotmall.com, phone 653-3210, or mail to: Rockridge News
Community Calendar, 5245 College Avenue, PMB 311, Oakland, CA 94618. Deadline is the next to the last Tuesday of the month.

Compiled by Jo Ellis 4

{Councilmember Jane Brunner’s
|Community Advisory Meeting

| First Saturday each month, 10am to noon.
Peralta Elementary School: 460 63rd St. (parking
J on Alcatraz Ave., just east of Telegraph). Note:

J No meeting July, August and September. For
information on future meetings: 238-7001 or

Writer’s Support/Critique Group

Rockridge Branch Library, 1st Saturday of the
month: ( 8/9, 9/6 ) 2:30 to 5:30pm. ALL writers wel-
come. Bring 6 copies of any 5 pages of your prose
for on-site reading/discussion with warmhearted
peers. Sponsored by the California Writers Club,
Berkeley branch (www.berkeleywritersclub.org/)

Call 482-0265 or Writefox@ aol.com.

Oakland Tours Program

Free city-sponsored downtown guided walking
tours on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Discover
Oakland’s changing skyline, landmarks, churches
and high- rises. From Chinatown to Uptown, Jack
London Waterfront to Preservation Park, eight dif-
ferent tour itineraries are repeated throughout the
season. All tours start at 10am and last 90 minutes.
For a 2003 tour schedule, call 238-3234 or visit
www.oaklandnet.com.

Library Hours: Mon. Tues. Sat. 10am to 5:30pm,
Wed. Thurs. 12:30 to 8pm. Closed Fri. & Sun.
For more information call 597-5017.

Diesel Book/Poetry Readings

9433 College. Free & open to the public.

* Wednesday, 7/9, 7:30pm, Bill Moody: Looking for
Chet Baker, a new mystery. He will also perform
with his trio before and after the reading/signing.

* Sunday, 7/13, 4pm, Merin Wexler: The Porno Gir!
and Nathaniel Bellows: On This Day. A discussion
of their individual MFA program experiences
leading to published works.

* Wednesday, 7/16, 7:30pm, Alexander Cockburn,
editor of Counterpunch, co-sponsored with
North Oakland Neighbors for Peace and Justice
will speak on The War at Home.

¢ Thursday, 7/17, 7:30pm, Gary Lachman: Turn Off
Your Mind: The Mystic Sixties and the Dark Side
of the Age of Aquarius.

¢ Wednesday, 7/30, 7:30pm, Kelly Slater: Pipe
Dreams: A Surfer's Journey.

e Tuesday, 7/22, 7:30pm, Book Group will discuss
Middlemarch by George Eliot.

¢ SPECIAL EVENT: BOOKS BY THE BAY Saturday,
7/19, 10am to 4pm. The 8th annual celebration
of Northern California Independent Booksellers
will be held at the Yerba Buena Gardens in San
Francisco. Over 40 bookstores will participate
and hundreds of author events will run all day.

For more information about readings, book

discussion groups and classes, call 653-9965 or

www.dieselbookstore.com.,

Gardening for Wildlife Program |

Presented by the Aquatic Outreach Institute in partner- 4

ship with Alameda County Waste Management Authority,
with native plants, improve/protect habitat for
wildlife and protect water quality; hands-on
activities with professional landscape designers.
12:30pm at San Leandro Library i
¢ 2day volunteer work party with your local
watershed group or the Calif. Native Plant Soci- J
required. For more information, see web site at
www.aoinstitute.org or contact Mary Malko at
510/231-9430 or mary @aoinstitute.org.
30pm. Light exercise, socializing, travel programs
and music. Sreciat Evewts: |
¢ 7/23, Picnic Summer Celebration i
Tuolomne Camp y
Hot lunch available at noon for $1.75. Details |
about upcoming field trips and special programs, |

Lower Rockridge

Community Picnic

Saturday, July 19, 11am to 2pm., Colby Park, 61st
Street at Colby. Join neighbors from the lower
Rockridge area for a potluck picnic. Bring a main
dish, salad, dessert or beverages for six. Plates,
cups, & utensils provided. Free activities for kids.
Hosted by the Lower Rockridge Parents Group.
For more information, call 655-2737 or email:
lowerrockridgeparents @ yahoo.

Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation {
District, and the Calfed Bay-Delta Program
WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS SERIES: learn to landscape i
¢ Gardening with Calif. Native Plant Workshop:
July 19, 9am to 3pm at San Leandro Library
¢ Garden Design Workshop: August 23, 9am to
ety to qualify for up to $150.00 worth of gift 1
certificates from local native plant nurseries.
A non-refundable $25 pre-registration fee j
College Avenue Adult Center
College Ave. Presbyterian Church, 5955 College
Ave., Every Wednesday, open from 9:30am to 1:
¢ 7/18, Trip to Blake Gardens in Kensington
¢ 8/20, Hawaiian Celebration
¢ 8/25 to 8/29, Attend Senior Camp at Berkeley's
call Kathy at 531-6724 j
North Oakland Multi-Purpose '
Senior Center

9714 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. Hours: Monday I
- Friday 8:45am to 4:45pm. Variety of classes, j
workshops and educational/social events:

¢ Computer Classes

¢ Craft and sewing classes

e Walking groups and field trips.

The Newsletter, “North Oakland Senior Times”
provides a full schedule of classes as wellasa
monthly menu for lunch: (suggested donation:
seniors age 60 + $1.75 and $4.00 for those under
age 60). Call 597- 5085 for details about mem-
bership, newsletter, class or appointment times, j
and opportunities to become a volunteer. j

reo---------

| www.oaklandnet.com,
[Oakland City Council Meeting
| Every Tuesday, 7pm, City Hall.
jOakland Planning Commission
ist and 3rd Wednesday each month, 6:30pm,
City Hall. Get agendas and details at
f www.oaklandnet.com.
| Greater Rockridge Neighborhood
Crime Prevention Council
Steering committee meets the 3rd Tuesday of each
i month, 7 to 8:30pm, Fire Station #8 community
tl room, 463 51st Street. More information: link to
_ NCPC webpage at www.rockridge.org.
Rockridge Branch Library
[ 5366 College Ave. Summer Reaoinc Game: Sign up
and start your reading log; finish by August 16.
Kids read on their own; younger kids may have a
[ parent read aloud. Fill in an undersea gameboard
| and collect prizes.
For CHILDREN:
[ ¢ Toddler Story Time, Saturday at 10:30am:
I 7/12, 8/2, 8/9
¢ Pre-School Story Hours, Tuesday at 10:30 and
liam: 7/15, 8/5, 8/19
¢ Pajama Story Time, Wednesday at 7pm:
I 7/9, 7/23, 8/6, 8/20
I Special Events:
¢ Musician Bonnie Lockhart: Wednesday,
7/16 at 7pm
¢ Puppet Show by Nick Barone:
Wednesday, 7/30 at 7pm
Undersea Library Treasure Hunt:
Wednesday, 8/13 at 7pm
Puppet Making with East Bay Depot:
Saturday, 7/12 at 3pm
¢ Capoeira Dance Performance by Adigun Sipho
of Angola: Saturday, 8/2 at 3pm
l For Younc Aoutts:
NOTE: Teen Advisory Council has no summer
| meetings. Teens may volunteer at the Library to
help with the Summer Reading Program. Details:
l Susan Stutzman or Erica Siskind at 597-5017.
| For Aoutts:
¢ Lawyens In THE Lisrany: Free legal advice. First
U Thursday of each month, (8/7), from 6 to 8pm.
fl Sign-up begins 5pm.
l
l
[Rockridge Toastmasters
I Tuesdays, 7pm, Veterans Building, 200 Grand
Ave., Oakland. Improve public speaking skills in a
| friendly and supportive environment. Call Craig,
l 597-0951, or e-mail www.rockridgetoastmast
ers.org.

Free Comedy Showcase & Open Mic

Start your career in comedy at A’Cuppa Tea, 3200
College Ave, (corner of Alcatraz). Every Tuesday, 7:
30 to 9pm. Be there by 7pm to sign up. Also: Call
420-0196 to find out about free acoustic music

performances from 7 to 9pm.
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Rdckridge News

July 5, 2003

Don Coelho

BANKER 0
339-4721

27th year
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Buying or selling real estate in 2003?
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