Extracted text · highlighting “North Oakland”

VOL. 19 = NO.7 # ISSUENO. 203 m July 3, 2004 CIRCULATION: 5,100 RESIDENCES; 200 BUSINESSES

Reckridge News

Sponsored by The Rockridge Community Planning Council ¢ 5245 College Ave. PMB 311 * Oakland, CA 94618 * 644-4228

July 15 RCPC Town Hall Meeting Jane Brunner,
Should Claremont Avenue be Patron Saint of
Converted to Three Lanes? Oakland Trees

Councilmember drafts
tree-friendly ordinance

by Cy Gulassa

S! Patrick got 420% he Ss
sainthood / 9) @ieegcs

P OUE AT

3 Lane 4 Lane 3 Lane —
The 4 lane configuration has 3 times the The 4 lane configuration has twice the by driving the
number of midblock conflict points. number of cross-traffic conflict points. snakes out of

Ireland. If City
Councilmember

|G: ‘B 2 Jane Brunner gets Jane Brunner
3 Hi: i : her way, she’ll get Us
A . sainthood by driving the tree cutters out
‘6 Bie : <,| of Oakland.
4 Lane | 3 Lane y Stunned by Tree OrdINANCE, PAGE 7
Intersection sight distance is much Emergency vehicles will have less delay. ;

improved with a three lane configuration.

®
School Closings
Options for changes to Claremont Avenue that could make the local artery safer for

pedestrians and motorists will be considered at RCPC’s July Town Hall Meeting. Highlight N eed for

by John Potis, RCPC Traffic and Meeting Thursday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m. in :
Pedestrian Safety Committee Chair the Rockridge Library. Long term Planning

he RCPC Traffic and Pedestrian RCPC is encouraging the City toevalu- 99 Kerry Hamill, District One, OUSD

Safety Committee and residents along _ate converting Claremont from its existing ‘T° be a thriving educational institu-
Claremont Avenue have asked the City’s four lanes to three, which would provide tion, the Oakland School District
Transportation Services department to safety benefits without reducing traffic needs insightful,
consider changing Claremont to make it capacity. Statistics prove that two driving COllaborative,
safer for pedestrians and motorists while lanes with acentral turning lane will result long-term planning,

not reducing traffic flow. City traffic experts especially as enroll-
will discuss options at RCPC’s Town Hall } CLaremont Avenue, pace 5 ment declines and
pressure to close or

agenda: RCPC Town Hall Meeting ~~] reconfigure schools
MON increases.
- Thursday, July 15, 7:30 p.m., Rockridge Branch Library SER é oe Longfellow

| | 5366 College Avenue at Manila — > Sommunity, Room (Upstairs) Elementary School,

. | Should Claremont Avenue | Be Converted from 4to 3 lanes? 3 Ro at 39th and Market

epresentatives from Oakland's  Rockridge’s major artery from its existing. Streets, closed its

i Transportation Services department - four lanes to three with a central turning doors two week ago. Since 1999, enrollment
a ‘ Cora RCPC Traffic Committee Chair John lane. The presentation will also evaluate | there has dropped from 420 to 180 students,
. Potis will discuss ways to make Claremont ways to improve safety and calm traffic a trend projected to continue at other schools.

G5 Avenue safer without compromising traf- throughout Rockridge. Come prepared Across the district, enrollment is down by
= fic flow. Among options to be considered to share your ideas and:ask’ the ‘experts 1 7.000 students an d ted to decli
at the town hall meeting Is converting hard questions. te Si aero ecne

} ScHooL CLosinGs, pace 12

Th

‘Kerry Hamill

R&ckridge News

| A Fatal Robbery in Rockridge
| Nyt Miguel Sorenson was fatally shot by a robber in the 5500 block of

College Avenue at 2 a.m. Friday, June 25, after leaving the Hut where he
‘celebrated his 26th birthday. The RCPC Board of Directors extends its deepest
{| Sympathy to the family and friends. Crime Stoppers of Oakland is offering a reward

for information leading to the arrest of the killer—call the anonymous hotline at
| 238-6946, or the police at 238-3821. 7

The murder and other neighborhood criminal activities will be discussed at

-the next meeting of the Rockridge Crime Prevention Council, Tuesday, 7. pass
| July 20 in Station 8 Firehouse, 463 Sist Street at Telegraph. Other NCPC infor-

| mation is on page 4. The last fatal robbery in Rockridge occurred seven years

ago when Lisa Smith was murdered as she walked home from BART at 12:45

| 3m, june 10, 1997,

Claremont Hotel Still Locked in
Two-Year Labor Dispute

Local officials and businesses support boycott of famous spa

te
ee

by Jessica Pitt, RCPC Vice Chair

()\" the past several months you may have noticed small, white lawn signs in yar ds
around Rockridge calling for a boycott of the Claremont Resort and Spa. The signs
are part of a two-and-a-half-year campaign by workers at the Claremont to win a new
labor contract with KSL Recreation, the company that owned the Claremont until mid-
February when the resort complexwas sold to a new owner.

The majestic Claremont hotel, which sits above Rockridge, has been involved in a
labor dispute since 2001, when Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International
Union (HERE Local 2850) began negotiations for new contracts on behalf of 150 food
and beverage workers and 80 room cleaners and front desk workers. At the same time,
Spa workers were attempting to join the union. When bargaining talks broke down over
the workers’ demand for healthcare coverage, a living wage, and the right to unionize,
they resorted to one of the most powerful and effective tools that workers can use to get
management to take their needs seriously: a boycott.

On May 1, 2002, Claremont workers overwhelmingly authorized a boycott of the
hotel and took their grievances to the National Labor Relations Board, which ruled in
November 2002 that KSL Management had committed multiple violations of federal
labor laws. KSL Recreation maintains that its offer provides generous wage and benefit
gains given the struggling economy, which has hit the tourism industry particularly hard.
Furthermore, it has accused the union of deliberately stalling negotiations and repeatedly
rejecting offers to bring in a mediator.

ozens of prominent individuals and organizations have endorsed the boycott, includ-
D ing City Councilmember Jane Brunner, Assembly women Loni Hancock and Wilma
Chan, and State Senator Don Perata. Religious leaders and students at UC Berkeley
formed support committees. Several large clients, including Kaiser Permanente (the
Claremont’s single largest client), the Port of Oakland, and the UC Berkeley Office of
the Chancellor, pulled their business from the hotel.

In February the Claremont was sold to CNL Hospitality.

CLAREMONT STRIKE, PAGE 4

or $3 OFF orders over $15
Dry Cleaning only ® Present with incoming order

Garden Cleaners

5808 College Ave., Oakland

601-1188
Mon-Fri 7-7 « Sat 8-6

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

5366 College Avenue
Sr 597-5017

New Hours:

Tuesday: 12:30-8 p.m
Weds, Thurs, Sat: 10 a.m. - §:39
Friday 12-5:30 p.m em.

Sunday, Monday CLOSED. .

LIBRARY DETAILS: SEE CALENDAR, PAGE 15

RockridgeNews
gciNews

The Rockridge News, founded in 1986 by Don
is published monthly in Oakland and is Spons
by the Rockridge Community Planning Counc’
non-profit public benefit organization founded.
preserve and enhance the unique character of .
Rockridge neighborhood; promote the health, safe e

and quality of life of its residents; furnish a fo
community involvement, and provide leader

Kinkead

TUM for

representation of neighborhood interests, ship ang
Rockridge News Production
Cy Gulasssa ..rscrerserreersesenes Editor-in-Chief
Ortrun Niesar, Claire Isaacs, Doug White,
Erin Pursell ......-ssscesssesessers Writers
Barry Kaufman ......ssssessees Food
JO Ellis ...ssssseecssseesesnessnneseennnes Advertising &
Community Calendar
Theresa Nelson ...ssessssssesen Neighborhood Merchant
Lydia Ganns....sssssessssessnesessen Photography
Susan Montauk......seceresers Business Manager
Don Kinkead.....eresessssesenes Graphics & Layout
RCPC Board of Directors, 2004-2005
Daniel Ferdelman............. Co-Chair
Deborah Weinstein........... Co-Chair
Jessica Pitt ......seccesssseeeresssen Vice-Chair
Mike Taylor .....seccscsesesessensnens Secretary
Ehab Bandar ...........ssecsseee Treasurer

Jennifer Edmister, Cy Gulassa
Hiroko Kurihara, Susan Montauk, Mike McDonald,
Theresa Nelson, John Potis, Camille Reed

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.

CONTACTING THE Rockrince News
mw Are there community issues you'd like to see
covered in The Rockridge News?

w 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: editor@rockridge.org

www.rockridge.org
The Rockridge News, 5245 College Avenue,
PMB 311, Oakland, CA 94618
RCPC Voicemail: 644-4228

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

NEWSLETTER ADVERTISING/ DEADLINES

Publication date of the next issue is
™@ September 5, 2004 (No issue in August)
= September deadline is August 9.

Advertising rates are $22/column inch. Six-month
pre-pay rate available. To advertise, call Jo Ellis

at 653-3210, or e-mail joellisi @hotmail.com
(RCPC reserves the right to refuse any display
classified ad that it deems inappropriate.)

July 3, 2004

R&dckridge News

3.

mene
=
ex
—
—
=
ia |:

How To Make BART | Come Clean

by Anonymous (by request)

hen the pigeon droppings are bad

enough to make the newspapers (as
they have in recent months), you know that
the situation is beyond bad. As a BART
Station Agent and Rockridge resident, |
have been put off for years by the lack of
sanitation at my neighborhood station. Since
joining BART one year ago I have learned
how change happens at BART. It doesn’t
come from me, it comes from you.

BART management responds to com-
ment cards. Really. Honest. I can scream
until I am blue in the face, but even just a
handful of patron complaints will get results.
The good news is, BART cares about Rock-
ridge. Not only do a lot of loyal customers
commute through Rockridge each weekday,
management believes that Rockridge patrons
have wealth and influence. Currently, BART
gets a lot more janitorial labor hours than
a lot of other stations.

But what about the outdoor cleaning, the
hundreds of pigeons who make homes in
the Rockridge parking lot and bathrooms
out of your cars? Because so many patrons
oppose harming the birds in any way, nets
have been the best option. So how come
they don’t work? They aren’t sufficiently
maintained. It’s a matter of money. If a
few dozen (or a few hundred) patrons com-
plained, effective netting would be installed.
If patrons demanded it, BART would also
have the parking lot power washed more
frequently.

How about those funky seats? Ever

wonder why certain train cars smell odd?
I can tell you specifically, but I won't, as
children read this newspaper. BART recently
decided to meet a budget shortfall by doing
layoffs (despite upper management taking
year-end bonuses or a 9% pay increase just
six months ago.) A huge chunk of the layoffs
was of car cleaners, people who literally

/

. Origjnal cartoons avai

break their backs cleaning filth (again, no
graphic stories due to childrens’ readership)
and are barely paid a living wage. BART
cleaners work extremely hard, have ever-
longer lists of areas to cover, and certainly
don’t get year-end bonuses. And now, there
aren't enough of them to keep BART healthy
and safe.

“War is over if you want it!” John and
Yoko's sentiment applies to your commute.
BART will be cleaner of you want it — if you
take the time to fill out acomment card and
drop it in the mail. If only ending an actual
war were so simple. Wait, filling out an
absentee ballot for the presidential election
is that easy. But back to the issue at hand.
BART does listen to patrons and there is
power in numbers. Tell ’em you want clean
trains. Tell ’em you want safer, brightly lit
parking lots at night. Tell ’em you want more
police patrolling the system. Tell ’em you
want the same anti-terrorism programs that
they have in New York and DC. Tell ’em
you want to see Station Agents in Armani.
Okay, okay, I can dream, can’t I?

peaking of which, how do you get the

best service from your Station Agent?
Pity her. She’s been harassed, propositioned,
flashed, and sworn at. She’s seen more urine
than anyone ever should. She’s been blamed
for hundreds of late trains, had racist slurs
hurled at her, and has given directions to the
ballgame about 18,000 times. To top it all
off, she is required to wear polyester pants.
Yes, she needs to be responsive and helpful.
Just bear in mind what kind of days she’s
had when you are asking for a comment
card and there are three people screaming
for assistance behind you. Alternatively,
you can go to http://www.bart.gov/guide/
overview/riderFeedback.asp to contact
BART customer service.

May you get more from your ticket
money!

Meet cartoonist Tom Meyer I!

A DIFFERENT ANGLE Gallery

will be hosting ano Te Meyer tow meet
political cartoonist Tom M eyer of the SF
Chronicle on Saturday Tez, 2-+p

r purchese

A DIFFERENT ANGLE Gallery
5849 College Avenue
Oakland CA 94cis 510.654.8848

www. adifferentangle.net

The Zoning Counter

qT" Zoning Counter provides Rockridge
residents with an opportunity to review
construction project proposals to be under-
taken in their neighborhoods, While it is a
compilation of recent applications filed with
the Oakland Planning Department, it is not
necessarily a complete or up-to-date listing.
Individuals may contact the Case Planner
or the Planning Department for additional
information.

398 6Ilst STREET

Proposal: To convert existing fourplex into
condominium units

Applicant: Mudita Nisker

Contact Person/Phone Number: Mudita
Nisker 655-2126

Owner: Mudita Nisker

Planning Permits Required: Tentative
Parcel Map to create four condominium units

Historic Status: Potential Designated His-
toric Property (PDHP);

Survey Rating: 02+

Case Planner: Maurice Brenyah-Addow at
238-6342 or mbrenyah @oaklandnet.com

KHANA PeEENA: AN INDIAN
RESTAURANT ON COLLEGE AVENUE

Where: 5316 College Ave. (by Bryant where
the former convenience liquor store was
located)

What: a 2600 sq. ft. space, 75-100 seats with
more than half located outside.

Architectural features: A skylight-dome
with free standing, decorative iron work as
tall as the existing building situated on top;

outdoor eating patio; sign board at the corner
with a clock.

Concerns? Comments? Contact: Jessica
Pitt, RCPC Land Use Committee: Jessica, 655 -
1210, jpitt36@earthlink.net; Darin Ranelletti,

City Case Planner; 238-3663 or Dranelletti@
oaklandnet.com

— [SEE EEE
5316 CoLtLece AVENUE

Proposal: Establish a new General Food
Sales Commercial Activity (restaurant) in an
existing building.

Applicant: Robert Malone, Baywood Building
& Design

Contact Person/Phone Number: Robert
Malone 510/595 -423]

Owner: Youssef G. Numeir

Planning Permits Required: Minor Conditional
Use Permit to allow a General Food Sales Com-
mercial Activity; Regular Design Review to allow
alterations to an existing Nonresidential Facility;
Minor Variance to allow a 0’ setback where 10’
minimum is required (along Bryant Street)

Case Planner: Darin Ranelletti at 238-3663
or dranelletti@oaklandnet.com

4.

Public Outrage
Forces Changes
To Oakland

Business lax

Modifications postponed to 2006

by Susan Montauk

hanks to public outrage, Oakland’s Tax

Compliance Program was a major item
at the City Council’s June 10 budget meet-
ing. Protests arose in March when thousands
of Oaklanders were billed for three years’
back taxes plus interest and penalties as
because State Assembly Bill 63 empow-
ered Oakland and other California cities, to
obtain confidential State tax information.
The tax records enabled the City to identify
close to 14,000 Oakland residents who filed
schedule Cs for their home businesses but
did not pay the required city tax.

Representatives from a “Neighbors for
Fair Taxation” group spoke to committee
members Jane Brunner, Henry Chang
and Danny Wan about the inequities and
potential illegalities of the tax. This newly
formed group consists of Oakland residents
who engage in self-contracted work and
use business code F on the Business Tax
Table.

Mr. Wan proposed waiving the penal-
ties and interest, but backtracked when he
learned the City would lose $6 million.
Staff members were directed to investigate
extending the payment deadline and not
taxing income earned outside Oakland.

Staff members proposed alternatives,
including the cost of a graduated tax
scale for businesses earning less than

$5,000 or exempting altogether those
with gross receipts of less than $5,000 or

less than $2,500. The Council chose the
least costly option—to exempt businesses

earning less than $2,500—and postponed
implementation until 2006. The loss of

future tax receipts is estimated to be
$280,000 yearly.

The fines remain in force. The City
Attorney ruled that an extension for pay-
ment of fines to just one group of taxpayers
(code F) would be unconstitutional.

Final budget review and approval are
slated for June 29. For e-mail discussions
of the proposals, join the biztaxprotest
group al www. yahoogroups.com.

by Susan Montauk

d bis Greater Rockridg
Committee meets mon

heats 12Y and 13X. Citizen

2 Neighborhoe

ings held
Telegraph
‘The following pri
beats 12Y & 13X for Ju

12Y

1. 300 block of 62nd
drug activity, gambling,
sible retaliation to neighbors
on bicycles, MBs all in

matching head bands, blue jeans.
to drug activity at surrounding OHA loca

tions: Colby, Canning/59th, North Street,
Dana/Alcatraz. Suspects may be part of
North Pole gang, some OP bicycles. ff

2.5900 Telegraph Avenue, Jims
‘Lectric Washhouse: Loitering, drug

Avenue, Go 10 www.
orities are set for

ne 2004

arrest & POS”
Suspects

Claremont Strike, from page 2

Workers see the sale as an opportunity for
new management but are only cautiously
optimistic. KSL Recreation is acting 4s
interim manager, a new contract has yet

to be negotiated.
Spurred by the Claremont boycott,

Councilmembers Jane Brunner and Igna-

cio De La Fuente proposed an ordinance
that would protect Oakland workers when
large hotels and food service companies
change ownership. The ordinance would

protect workers from layoffs for 120

PACIFIC
UNION

GMAC Real Estate

Donna DeD ardt

Rockridge Specialist

510.338.1374
debardi@sbcglobal.net

d Crime
to set priorities fo
s with particular

; Oo} il , ge,
on the third Tuesday f 4 genope.com for further NCPC information,

_ parked cars in front of one residence ang

r - ‘- 4 4
vA Pn ed

Prevention Council (NCPC) Sleer ae
.« for the Oakland Police Departmen fa:
concerns are invited to attend these ies
ths at the Station 8 Firehouse, 5 Ist neqp |
dealing, vandalism. One-block radiys-
intersection is of ongoing concen fae

3 Ross Circle problem house ee
dence of WM juvenile, 14-19 years sii
often reported carrying a yellow bucket
and associated with criminal activity jp 2
neighborhood. Me,
5300 block of Belgrave Place: Area
residents have reported loud music from -

verbal threats from its occupants that

‘nclude possible use of firearms, =

days after a company changes ownership,
Laid-off workers would be given the firs,
opportunity at returning for at least a year.
Although Brunner acknowledges that the
ordinance offers only modest protection
to workers, she adds that it would at least
provide workers with notice that they may
need to find a new job and give them four
months of health coverage.

The union vows to continue its fight for
better pay and benefits until new contracts
are agreed upon. Until then, the boycott

will continue.

vee By

> - Zt ATIVa NadO

5352 College Avenue

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July 3, 2004

Rdckridge News

5.

Claremont Avenue

from page |

in lower auto speeds, fewer crashes, reduced
severity of crashes, safer entry and exits,
safer crossing for pedestrians, and room
for bicycle lanes.

Pedestrians would be safer crossing
Claremont because drivers will see them
sooner, and they can use the center turn
lane as a safe refuge while waiting for
traffic to clear. Bike lanes not only would
provide a clear path for cycling, they also
Create more room for parallel parking and
make it safer to get in and out of parked
vehicles. Pedestrians will also appreciate the
increased distance from passing traffic.

While it may seem counter-intuitive,
lane conversion will not reduce traffic
flow. Intersections now limit capacity of
the artery and the center lanes already
function as de-facto, dedicated left turn
lanes during peak hours—just ask any
driver stuck behind a left-turning vehicle.
Thus, no additional delays or backups will
be created by the conversion.

For a more detailed explanation of the
benefits of a four to three lane conversion,
visit http://www.walkable.org/download/
rdiets.pdf and http://www.walkable.org/
4-3CON%7E1.PDF.

Please come to the July 15 Town Hall
Meeting well informed of pros and cons
and be ready to ask the experts hard
questions.

PN! aoe

awe? *

Rockridge Goes Green With Pocket Parks

by Kristin Personett

RR ocxrises goes green with the addition
of the Locksley Pocket Park on the
corner of Locksley Street and Forest Avenue
(across from the Rockridge BART station).
Locksley Park is the first in a series planned
for construction in Rockridge by the Pocket
Park Committee, spearheaded by RCPC
Boardmember Michael McDonald .

The Pocket Park Program facilitates
development of small neighborhood parks
in underutilized or “left-over” urban space.
Using a kit-of-parts design tool, the Pocket
Park Program is acommunity-building pilot
project that improves the beauty and identity
of neighborhoods.

The Pocket Park Program template,
designed by landscape and architectural
designer Kristin Personett of Indigo Design
Group (www.i-designgroup.com), includes
water-wise plantings of native California
flora, butterfly gardens, recycled gray
water, children’s educational gardens and
solar powered lighting. Concrete Works,
(www.concreteworks.com) an Oakland

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

= PHARMACY

“Serving Rockridge Since 1909
3210 College

= Near Alcatraz

652-1990

Construction of
Rockridge’s Locksley
Pocket Park is
underway.

The park will include
plantings of native
California flora,

butterfly gardens,
recycled gray water,
children’s gardens,
solar lighting and
other garden
elements.

PHOTO: KRISTIN PERSONETT

based design firm, also contributed to
the Pocket Park template by fabricating

garden elements from recycled concrete
blocks.

Construction of Locksley Pocket Park
kicked off with a neighborhood clean up
and tree planting ceremony on whole Earth
Day, fueled by refreshments donated by the
Green Bean on Claremont Avenue.

In a spectacular show of community
support, over 40 volunteers from the sur-
rounding neighborhood contributed their
time and hard work to the initial clean-up
phase.

The Pocket Park Program is raising funds
for this and future projects. To donate, con-

tact David Lee at dcLee.adr@sbcglobal.net
or 510/547-1548.

Make checks payable to “The Lock-
sley Gardens Project.” Donations are
tax deductible with RCPC acting as the
fiscal agent, and donors will be recog-
nized with a commemorative display on
the Locksley site.

COLLINS ROOFING

Family owned & Operated

Pe

663-6674 Mike

Rockridge resident over 10 years

Quality Work « Free Estimates
Lic# 695714

a.

Ju
6. R&ckridgeNews 32004

Frog Park Phase Two Needs Your Help to Succeed

RCPC contributes $2,500

by Theresa Nelson, RCPC Board
Member and Parks Committee Liaison

\ \ J ith plans for Phase Two almost done
and a date set for fall construction,

community members are eagerly anticipat-
ing completion of the Rockridge-Temescal

Greenbelt, more popularly known as Frog
Park.

Over the past two-and-a-half years,
Frog Park has become a central feature of

the community, providing two imaginative
play structures, a lovely strolling path, full
access for the disabled to Temescal Creek

part of neighborhood history by meget
financial contribution. Take a look at on
list of opportunities on page 7 (at rig ,
select items that match your interests, an
enclose your check or credit card maT
tion with the form below. Your gift 1s fully
tax deductible, and your employers may
match your gift as well.

sure DD funds for native plant and cree
restoration. Frog Park Committee member
are working with City Watershed Program
staff and the City Council to secure ti
funding and would appreciate your suppor
Write: Watershed Improvement Program
City of Oakland, 250 Frank Osse:
Plaza, Suite 5301, Oakland, CA 94615
phone: 238-6600, e-mail: watersheds@
oaklandnet.com. Please send a COPY of
your message to; Councilmember lane
Brunner, Oakland City Council, One
Frank Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Qax.
land CA 94618; phone 238-7001, e-mai.

ibrunner@oaklandnet.com; and to the Parks

liaison of RCPC at: theresarockridge@y

‘ations are still
In other park news, negotl ahoo.com.

underway to obtain $150,000 from Mea-

at Redondo, and a restored Oceanus mural.
Most important, community use of the park

has grown significantly; it’s a fun-filled, safe
place for kids and family outings.

Now you can help complete Phase Two
of the Park. We must raise $25,000 from the |

community to finish the project and match
funds previously committed. Hoping to con-

i losed.
tinue to spur community generosity, RCPC, © My check is enc! cle one) VISA Mastercar d
which already contributed $10,000 to Phase | O Charge my credit card (circle one)

One, has recently pledged a matching grant
of $2,500 to Phase Two. Your gift will serve

double duty by helping to pay for items as
well as match grant requirements.

There are exciting new opportunities for
giving in Phase Two as well as for back

funding Phase One items. All gifts of $250 5 City / Zip code: Phone:

Ge hore will be acknowledged on the main Send this form with your check or credit card information payable to: RCPC/
park plaque, which will be erected as part

CA 94618. All donations are
FrogPark, 5245 College Ave PMB #311, Oakland,

of Phase ‘Iwo along with the long-awaited tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Federal tax [D#94-3011284. For
bench plaques.

more info call: 510/644-4228. Se eae aii See
If you’re new to the Rockridge-Temescal L—— OO
area, or just did not get around to contribut-

ing in 2001, this is your last chance to be a

a a

) FROG Park Donation Form ,

© T'll sponsor/contribute toward the following piece of park equipment (from
the list on the next page):

|G Here's my general donation to the new Greenbelt Park for $

Name on card: ___
xp. Date: __
Card Number: ___ Exp

|
|

|

|

|

|

| Name: ee ge aeeeenaine a haa ,
|

|

|

|

al

—

—

| Company or Family Name (for acknowledgment): Silane
| StreetAddress: ms

; Saraya P..Motley
HAVE COMPUTER 510-280-2162 Rep Oak
WILL TRAVEL - :
© PCSPECIALIST Rockridge Sales in June Soar for the Summer!
e RESULTS DRIVEN Address List Pr Selling Pr__ Close Date
HELP 6307 Roanoke $595K $715K 6/02/04 oe
: cerita a 570 Forest $659K $784K 6/04/04 In June, properties in
6145 Broadway $799K $800K 6/10/04 Rockrid Id
¢ EFFICIENT 6424 Colby $639K $800K 6/10/04 OCKTIAg£e SO
° FAST SERVICE 5874 Margarido $1,295K $1,435K 6/11/04 °
5638 Buena Vista $769K $875K 6/15/04 with an average of
; 6114 Lawton $9S9K $1,090K 6/15/04
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RockridgeNews _

7.

YES, I WANT TO HELP
COMPLETE THE
ROCKRIDGE * TEMESCAL

GREENBELT!

e need to raise up to $25,000
from the community to
complete Phase Two of the entire

Greenbelt. City and State bond
funds will pay for most of this
phase, but without community sup-
port, we will have to scale back and
even eliminate some park elements!
You can make it all happen with a
general donation or one dedicated
to a specific item like a swing.

For gifts over $250, your company
or family name will appear on the
main park plaque.

Use the coupon on page 6. Below is
a list of special park elements you
may underwrite:

General

Dontation Opportunities
Butterfly Garden oo... $5,000
Adopt-a-foot ($/ft) ..ccseseseseeeee $50

Hardy Park and Pathway
Donation Opportunities

Large Basketball Court .......... $50,000
Small Basketball Court .......... $25,000
Public art/creek

interpretation ......c.cccesseeseee. $25,000
Native Vegetation

Clif TON/CAVOUP ooo.eeeeccescescecsecees $25,000
New Dog Park Fence ............... $15,000
Entire swing Set wuss $15,000
Asphalt Play Area

UNder Freeway o....ccccccsscssecesees $3,000
SWiNngs (3) cessssssscscccssssesesssseeessse $2,500
Drinking Fountain... eee. $2,500
Entry Markers uu. $1,500
Basketball Hoops .........ccscsesseeee. $1,200
Large Paver .o....ccccccssecescssseseseseess $500
Small Pavers wuvcccccccccccccsscsscssesceees $250
Boulders oovecccecccccsccsccsscscsssescseseces $100

Playground
Donation Opportunities

Curly Slide cessscsssscccsssseseesssssesee $3,500
MZ) oo. eeesesesessescsesesesesssecsesescaveees $2,500
Wheelchair Ramping, Redondo $2,000
Trading Post .....cccecsescsescsssesssseees $1,500
Ohlone House .......ccccssssssesssesees $1,500
Vertical Tire Tunnel ............c00. $1,250
ho) | le (i e $1,200
Spider WeD .......eccccsssssssssesseseseees $1,000
Fire POle wove cssecessestssseseseesesrsseencees $700
Rubber Bridge o..scseccssssseseees $650
Climbing Net .......cccsesssessssesseeeseeee $500

Chin-Up Pipe oo... .ccccscsccsseseessesesesees $150

Tree Ordinance

from page |

the “sidewalks are more important than
trees” attitude of Oakland’s Public Works
Agency, which recently urged removal of
trees for infractions like growing to within
one foot of a utility pole or two feet of a
driveway, Brunner called public meetings
last spring where tree lovers almost unani-
mously voiced disapproval. With the help
of citizen volunteers and a staff spurred on
by over a thousand letters of protest, she
drafted a tree-friendly ordinance that is now
scheduled for a second hearing before the
Life Enrichment Committee on July 13.
If approved, it will go to the City Council
for adoption. She accomplished this in just
a few months, a triumph of Brunner over
bureaucracy.

rees annoyed the Public Works

Agency because they tend to provoke
mischief and buckle sidewalks that cause
a few unwary pedestrians to trip and sue.
In its view, sidewalk safety trumps trees.
In Brunner’s view, both are equally impor-
tant. A major premise of her ordinance is
that street trees are not just trees, they
are stalwarts of the urban landscape and
should never be cut down without serious
justification. In addition to enhancing the
environment, a big tree serves invaluable
infrastructure duty. It absorbs rain runoff,
removes air pollutants, conserves energy
and adds significantly to the value of a
house.

The intrinsic worth of a tree and its
contribution to the environment have to be
weighed, Brunner insists, against the costs

of sidewalk repair and the major expense
of tree removal, which can run upwards of
$5000 per tree. In most cases, sidewalks can
be repaired in aesthetically pleasing ways
at minimal cost without having to damage
the tree. Instead of plowing through a root,
for example, the new walk could go over it
or meander around the tree. A mature oak
can add as much as $50,000 to the value
of a house today, according to landscape
architect John Potis.

In part, the Brunner ordinance would
require that:

m@ The City retain as many large, mature
trees as possible while repairing dam-
aged sidewalks and streets;

@ All feasible alternatives be evaluated
before removing a tree;

m Trees be replaced with the largest
appropriate size;

mw Tree removal, sidewalk repair, and
tree replanting at a given site be
considered as a single, coordinated
project;

m@ Penalties be assessed for trees harmed
during sidewalk repair, garbage col-
lection, pruning for power lines, or
private development where harm was
avoidable;

m 30-day notice be given before side-
walk repair begins.

While the above, pending Council

approval, are to be implemented imme-
diately at no extra cost to the City, the
Brunner ordinance also includes items
that require financial analysis before
implementation, chief among them:

} Tree ORDINANCE, PAGE 13

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5.

RDA Hosts Brown _

C. O. R. kK. Training; ar or Disaster

Oakland citizens
participating in
CORE 3 hands-
on training in
emergency
preparedness

Rk with the Oakland

Fire Department,
| April, 2004.

Bag Forum on
Back Care

he Rockridge District ASsociation
(RDA) will host Backs in Rock.
ridge, a free, brown bag “Lunch and
Learn” forum on back care, Wednesday,
July 21, U1-2:30 p.m. in the Rockridge
Library. A panel of local back care
experts will discuss:
m Different exercise options that
prevent and relieve back pain,
gm How physical therapy, acupune-
ture, acupressure, yoga, massage,
pilates, and chiropractic therapies
work separately and together,
gw The ways traditional Western
medicine approaches a healthy
back.
gs The benefits and risks of pre-
scription and over-the-counter.

by Deborah Weinstein, RCPC Co-Chair

arriet Wright, Emergency Planning

Coordinator, offered great group
exercises at RCPC’s June 17 Town Hall
Meeting as part of the Oakland Fire Depart-
ment Office of Emergency Services’ CORE
program (Citizens of Oakland Respond to
Emergencies). CORE is a free, 3-part
training program that helps neighbor-
hoods prepare for a large-scale emergency
or disaster.

CORE teaches what you can do to be
safer during a disaster — and how to protect
yourself, your family and your neighbors.
Some experts predict a 60% chance of a
major earthquake on the Hayward fault in
the next 30 years. Will you be prepared?

CORE 1 - Individual & Family
Preparedness:

m Reduce household hazards;

m Store emergency supplies;

m Earthquakes: What to do;

mw Evacuation and family plans.

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drugs. x
g What to do in our daily lives. to
prevent and ease back pain,

g What to do to keep our backs
strong and flexible.
Since this forum will be widely
advertised throughout the Bay Area,
RSVPs are encouraged.

For more information and to RSVP
please contact Jan Christensen-Heller,

marketing chair, RDA, 655.5952, or
e-mail jon @christensenheller.com.

The Rockridge District Association
is a 501le3 not-for-profit, commu-
nity-based organization dedicated
to enhancing Rockridge through
public works and promotional and
beautification initiatives within the
business district. :

2 —s

CORE 2 - Neighborhood Emergency
Response

@ Create a neighborhood map,
w Perform damage assessment,
w Establish a command post,
@ Form response teams.

CORE 3 - Hands on Training
w On-duty firefighters teach your group
at the Oakland Fire Training Center
for three 2-hour classes, developing
hands-on skills and practicing them
in a simulated Disaster Drill. (Part |

& 2 must be completed first.)

A group in Rockridge will be meeting
on Monday, July 19 to complete CORE |
and Tuesday, August 31 to complete CORE
2. Both meetings are from 7-9 p.m. in the
Rockridge Library Community Room. If
you are interested in participating, contact
Deborah Weinstein at 595-3352, or e-mail
deborahlweinstein @ yahoo.com.

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July 3, 2004

RSckridge News

©

Breeding
Vintage...
Since 2003

he charming Store /apin (French for

rabbit) features vintage clothing and
accessories and yes, an adorable spotted
mini Rex rabbit named Owen. Nestled in
a cozy shop near the Rockridge Library,
lapin indulges your desire for well-made
clothes from the past and unique items that
have survived time.

Owner Maria Carranza and her husband
have had house rabbits for seven years, and
the name of the store was inspired by a vin-
tage French anatomical poster which hangs
behind the counter, an anniversary pres-
ent (and not for sale), She opened /apin in
September, 2003, to showcase her inventory
of vintage clothing and accessories, which
she had been selling wholesale to various
stores (including Soirée) after closing her
San Francisco store some years ago.

Inside lapin, rabbits abound. Rabbit
greetings cards, rabbit doorstops, tiny rabbit
figurines, large rabbit garden sculptures,
rabbit pellet bags as wall art, rabbit pull toys
with stuffed silk carrots, handmade large
rabbit figurines in costume, vintage repro-
duction wallboard signs of rabbit families
having parties and picnics... the array of
rabbit-themed items ts simply astonishing.
If you or someone you know loves rabbits,
then you must visit lapin.

Maria focuses on vintage clothing and
accessories from the Victorian area through
the 1960s, with some special focus on the
Art Deco period. Most are for women in
sizes 2-20, but she also carries items for

WWW.COO! rki

THe NEIGHBORHOOD MERCHANT
BY THERESA NELSON

men and little girls,
with adorable classic
dresses from the 1950s. She finds this one-
of-a-kind clothing in many locations, but
she also buys vintage clothing and invites
Rockridge neighbors to bring in their vintage
pieces to sell. If you have a lot of items, just
call her and she will come to your home to
check them out. The clothing ranges from
very Casual to extremely dressy and even
includes a few costumes. She has a special
corner devoted to little black dresses , with
a wide array of styles and sizes to handle
any dressy occasion.

Vintage shoes are also popular, from
classic round-toed spectator pumps to
sleek, beaded dancing shoes. Her vintage
jewelry includes silver, black jet from the

...Not Just a Haircut but an
Experience!!

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...New at
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(@ College Ave., near Rockridge BART)

* Race car, Pony & Other
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* Nail Station & Play Area!

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PuoTo: Don KInkEAD

lapin

Owner: Maria Carranza

5337 College Avenue
Oakland 595-0724

Open I] a.m. — 6 p.m.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Sat-
urday
Closed Wednesday and Sunday

i
’ 4
: Bye

4 Maria Carranza and Owen
in front of lapin.
PHoTo: Lypta GANS

1920s, bakelite earrings and bracelets, tiny
rhinestone items, and even plastic bracelets
with iridescent beetles inside them.

Lapin includes many gift items like
black-and-white cards based on old engrav-
ings of animals (including rabbits), flowers
and food, and actual flash cards of words
from the ’40s, simple and classic in their
design. Maria carries old color postcards
from Oakland and San Francisco, cartoon
cards of the WACS, and even modest Victo-
rian nudes. She has vintage dishware, bright
yellow kitchen canisters, vintage swim caps
from the ’60s and roll garters from the ’30s
in their original packaging.

ne of Maria’s specialties is silk

flower clips and pins offered under
the “fleurette” label, her own designs. With
every color in the rainbow and an array
of flowers and butterflies, you can find a
silk adornment to complement any outfit.
Vintage handbags, scarves and coats can
complete any look.

Maria enjoys College Avenue — “it’s a
great place for walking, with nicer weather
than San Francisco and very friendly
neighbors.” She enjoys presenting a mix of
vintage and vin-
tage-inspired
items to Rock-
ridge, and invites
neighbors to stop
by, take a look
and, of course,
meet Owen.

= =

SS

- on & a

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R&ckridge News

July 3,2
— July 3.2004

10.

Letters to
The Editor

The Rockridge News
5245 College Ave., PMB 31 |
Oakland, CA 94618
or e-mail:
editor @rockridge.org

The Rockridge News welcomes
letters to the editor. Please limit
to 200 words and include name,
address and a phone number
for verification. Only your
name will appear with your
letter. Letters may be edited
for clarity and brevity.

EDUCATION COVERAGE IN THE RocKkripce News
Editor:

[oommens The Rockridge News for its many stories on our local
schools. As a newly-credentialed middle school teacher and the father
of a six-month-old girl, lam keenly interested to see if the initiatives of
Claremont Middle School’s principal, Mr. David Chambliss, positively
affect the decision of neighborhood families to send their children to
Claremont. With improved outreach and involvement from the com-
munity, Claremont can copy the success that Peralta Elementary has
had recently.

To neighborhood parents on the cusp of deciding between Claremont
and a private school, I recommend basing your important decision on
more than the current test scores and demographics of Claremont.
Visit the school. Observe classes and lunchtime student interaction.
Talk with teachers and administrators about the challenging, varied
academic curriculum you want your child exposed to. Also consider
that exposure to faces and races unlike your own is an important part
of education as well.

I know firsthand that Claremont turns out good students. As a student
teacher at Berkeley High School this spring, I was happy to discover
that one of the best students in my algebra class went to Claremont
Middle School last year.

Marc Acheson

PARKING, NOT ARCHWAYS
Editor:
ho needs arches to “define” the Rockridge shopping district?
For those of us who live in the first block off College Avenue,
“Rockridge” begins where parking ends! We don’t need any more
shoppers and diners until this neighborhood and its businesses deal
with traffic and parking!
Claire Lomax

4 Pe Oey
»" 2 Se eo ee y ¥ ¢
DPR aio ery ae ea oe, ee ae " x * x
- . a s* "7 , nee a :
s . .

CLAREMONT HOUSE

INDEPENDENT & AssisTED LIVING

to Claremont

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TRANSPORTATION SERVICES | WALKING DISTANCE TO SHOPS
FINE DINING | DYNAMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

www.crmscommunities.com (510) 658-9266

4500 Gilbert St.
Oakland

(Piedmont /
Rockridge Area)

RCFE #011440829

n’t a complaint about trees and the state of

Ne vrgewalks: | write instead about Sane Prob-
the of Rockridge history. As I’ve walkegq

e begun to notice the frequent builder's

trademarks/tradenames stamped in ome Senay Many are
dated and thus, I presume, ar evEReece in when a street was
laid down OF buildings erected. The ear lest date I’ve seen
is 1911, on Claremont by the Claremont Diner. Has anyone

9
noticed an earlier one:
Norman Macleod

ably unnoticed part
along our streets, I’v

MacleodEsq@aol.com

PEDESTRIANS IN MoRTAL DANGER

Editor: |
Rockridge pedestrian could well be killed by a car o-

truck in the near future if parking laws are not enforceg

more strictly. I fear I could be the one killed. I use a motor.

ized wheelchair. | |
I speak of the area in a six-block radius of Rockridge

BART. Certain businesses allow their delivery trucks or
customers to park on the sidewalk, in crosswalks, or block
curb cuts. This illegal parking forces pedestrians to walk in
the streets, outside rows of parked vehicles, in direct danger

from oncoming traffic. |
On residential streets, cars or trucks often park in a way

that blocks sidewalks, forcing me and others with mobility
impairments to travel in the street, 1n front of oncoming traffic.
People complain of overzealous parking enforcement, but |
often report these vehicles to Oakland parking enforcement,
for it’s a matter of life and death to me. A friend of mine was

killed by a car while driving his
wheelchair in the street because

—s

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Curves
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July 3, 2004 RdckridgeNews
Letters from page 10

the sidewalk was impassable.

RR sxnces people are highly educated.
Yet many seem to have abysmal igno-
rance of the purpose of curb cuts, sometimes
called curb ramps. These curb cuts are for
wheelchairs, baby/child strollers. people
using walkers or canes, luggage carts,
bikes and those with ambulatory difficul- °

ties. The curb cuts at the intersection of y Ortrun Niesar New Stores & Restaurants
College and Shafter are especially hazard-

ous. They are narrow and steep-only one Rockridge Photography Cool Tops Cuts tor Kids
to a corner, forcing wheelchair users (and Haircuts, braids and birthday parties

others) into the flow of traffic outside the Exhibition: | tor children
crosswalk. And people waiting to cross Call for Entries 9697 Miles Avenue 601-6502

in one direction often block wheelchairs Open Monday 10:00am-4:00pm,
crossing in another direction. C Tuesday — Friday 10am — 6pm,

Saturday 93am-5pm

alling all photographers! The Annual
Rockridge Photo Exhibition will take

All too often groups of people stand in place during the month of October 2004

the curb cuts by Oliveto’s or Cactus just to

_ at the Rockridge Library. The exhibition Sefina Studio
socialize, blocking access to pedestrians , | geri

. a . | is non-juried (but loosely edited) and Lingerie, evening wear, handbags
trying to finish crossing the street. At times 5326 College Avenue 547-4779
like that, I have to shout: “Get out of the °P©" °° photographers of all ages and O 1 2 Mond Saturd
way!” I have no time for courtesy when levels of experience. Parent-child teams pen aS yi . — saturday,
cars are nipping at my heels. are very much encouraged. The subject is — SPM OUNnGay

Regrettably, I myself have bumped Rockridge, how we live, work and play. You The Groove Yard

pedestrians or run over their toes. lapolo- ust live, study or work in and around

gize 99% of the time unless I’m racing to Rockridge to participate.
catch a bus or BART train. I’m sorry for all

Jazz records and CDs

5555 Claremont Avenue 655-8400
Look for flyers providing details

my disruptions of pedestrian movements. at AG Photo on College Avenue and The Candy Store
I slow down when I have more time, and elsewhere. Applications must be received Candy, gifts and treats
often take alternative routes away from by September |. 6311 College Avenue 547-9338

heavy pedestrian flow.

I hope this letter makes motorists, pedes-
trians and police aware of the lethal danger Runyan at 658-7633, or e-mail her at New 5 O hi |
created by illegal parking and obstruction ‘@terunyan@pacbell.net. ew store Ownership 3

of curb cuts.

Open 10:30am-7pm Monday-Saturday,

For more information, call Kate 10:30-5:30pm Sunday

Ortrun Niesar can be reached at Jucy’s

C. Tom Ross oniesar@aol.com. or 986-9560. Corner of College and Miles

Stephanie Farrow

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Most property owners realize that selected renovations

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12.
School Closings

from page |

by another 1,500 students next year.
Along with Longfellow, State-appointed
school district adminintrator Dr. Randall
Ward closed four other elementary schools,
Longfellow will become an expanded inde-
pendent study program, which will co-exist
with The Village Academy, an alternative
middle school currently housed in West Oak-
land. Other sites will be transformed into
a small new high school in East Oakland,
an autism center, a residential 6-12 campus
and a site dedicated to training staff and
incubating future new schools.

\ \ Jard’s heavy-handed, unilateral
approach to closing schools made it

difficult to have a thoughtful conversation
about how we adapt and continue to thrive
educationally in a declining enrollment era.
Skyrocketing housing prices, charter schools
and a long anticipated declining birth rate
guarantee that the drop will continue — at
least for now. How we plan for the use of
our school sites over the next five years
and how we treat the families affected by
change are among the most important deci-
sions we face as a City.

Our public school system funding is
dependent on the number of students we
serve, Seven thousand fewer students costs
the $248M general fund budget approxi-
mately $35M annually. Ward’s view is that
paying large administrative overhead costs to
maintain half-empty schoolhouses is waste-
ful, and ultimately hurts all students.

t is hard to argue the hard financial logic.

But the school district is a human service
organization which serves some of the poor-
est families in the state. Can we convince
families to stay with the public school system
if we continue to shuffle students around
each year? In this era of per-pupil funding
to each site, can we guarantee an adequate
program to students at an under-enrolled
school? Most important, how will all of
this instability affect our current upward
trend in student performance?

These issues are especially urgent
in North Oakland because schools here
have traditionally been small (average
350 students). Campuses below Broadway
are struggling with declining enrollment
because huge numbers of North Oakland
families either transfer into higher per-
forming district schools, choose private

R&ckridge News

July 3, 2004

needs of the commu

tors collaborate to make crea
al and financial

“Ward's staff and Nort
working with me to fin
schools open and

on educational, soci

Ne

and charter schools, or leave the city for
more affordable areas like Sacramento and
Fresno. At a community meeting I hosted
June 5, Ward said he does not want to
close any more schools in North Oakland.
But four schools (Emerson, Golden Gate,
and Washington elementary schools and
Carter Middle School) continue to be on
a “watch list,” he said, and may have to be
consolidated in future years (not next year)
if enrollment trends continue.

Ward’s staff and North Oakland princi-
pals are working with me to find creative
solutions to keep schools open and stabilize
enrollment. Our early childhood education
director is involved because hundreds of
preschool students attend the affected
schools. A series of community meetings
are scheduled in June at Golden Gate,
Washington and Emerson schools, and
North Oakland parent leaders are personally
inviting families to brainstorming sessions.
We are surveying parents to measure inter-
est in creating new Kindergarten-8th grade
schools at Golden Gate and/or Washington
to fill now-empty classrooms with middle
school aged students who might make
other choices. Creating new middle schools

OF PRUDENTIAL CALIFORNIA REALTY

$e eee
h

Oakland principals are
d creative solutions to keep

stabilize enrollment.
ill prosper and serve well the

nity if parents and administra-

tive decisions based
considerations,”

a

options in North Oakland modeled on the
successes of the small schools movement
is an option I fully support.

onversations about sharing space to

bring additional money to a campus
are happening. New marketing approaches
are being considered to spread the word
about improved North Oakland school

test scores.
Even in this downward enrollment cycle,

there is no political will to sell or leave
vacant any district property. Thousands of
new housing units are either under con-
struction or in the permitting process in
Oakland — and neither the School Board
nor Ward want to sell sites that may be
needed in five years.

he facts are clear: Oakland schools will

prosper and serve well the needs of
the community if parents and administra-
tors collaborate to make creative decisions
based on educational, social and financial
considerations.

Thank you for your continued support
for Oakland public schools. Don’t hesitate
to call me with questions, concerns or to
volunteer at 879-8653.

cane CG AREMONT GROUP AGENTS
Rita arte ton ny irene Andrea Arata, Luisa Castillo, Natalie Cutler, Roy Grigsby, Carmen Grim,
Ortrun a aa var — Ho, Jay Lean, Julie Lehman, Barbara Levy, Helen Mar, Tamara Nadarajah,
Mich T ‘ y f ree-ya Ong, Leo Rachal, Jeff Robarts, Camille Rogers, Steve Ryman, Dan Stone,
elle syracuse, Daisy Parrish Tan, Nancy Taussig, Aliky Vasdekis, Lily Yoseff, Ted Normart, Manager

Since 1887
Iwo Tunnel Road, Berkeley, CA 94705 * Phone 510/845-0211]

* www. prurealty.com/claremont

July 3, 2004

es

Rockridge News

Tree Ordinance

from page 7

a “Prior to the removal of any City-
owned tree, except in cases of
emergency or imminent hazard, City
staff must document that they have
evaluated alternatives to tree removal,
including but not limed to the use of
rubber sidewalks or other sidewalk
materials such as decomposed granite,
sidewalk grinding, sidewalk ramp-
ing, sidewalk meandering (including
the possibility of an easement onto
private property), curb relocation,
utility relocation, and bulb-outs.

w Create a computerized tree inventory
along with the sidewalk inventory.

For more information, contact Jane Brun-

ner via e-mail at jbrunner@oaklandnet.com,
or phone 748-1681.

“SHOULD YOU
SAVE FOR YOUR

a

KID'S COLLEGE
OR FOR YOUR
RETIREMENT?
| OR BOTH?"

ANNUITIES,
MUTUAL FUNDS,
| LIFE INSURANCE
AND A PLAN.

Susan Bernosky Anthony Rutz
510 450 9050 510 450 9050

QS)
| Allstate.

FINANCIAL

Allstate Financial is the marketing name for Allstate Life Insurance
Company (Northbrook, IL), its subsidiaries and certain affiliates.
Securities offered through Allstate Financial Services, LLC. (LSA Securities in LA,
and PA). Registered Broker-Dealer. Member NASD, SIPC. Office of Supervisory
jurisdicdon: 2920 South 84th Street, Lincoln, NE 68506 877-525-5727.

© 2002 Allsate Insurance Company allstate.com

I

———<—

13.

SoulWorks Counseling

Building Lives of Meaning & Purpose AA cross-cultural congregation

striving to partner with
the Rockridge community
In hfestyle and service.

If you are blocked, lonely, or longing ..

Awaken Creativity Reclaim Wisdom
Kediscover Wholeness

College Avenue Presbyterian Church

5951 College Avenue, Oakland 510 658-3665
SUNDAY WORSHIP 10:30 AM « VISIT: CAPCCHURCH.ORG

Call Lily Myers Kaplan. 338.0135

®

«Landscaping

Design

Norman, burg, DDS

General Dentistry

(510) 652-1517
5700 Broadway, Oakland

A Prevention Oriented Practice

Installation
Consultation
Construction

Rockridge Resident

910.595.9090

Quality service

WE'VE BEEN
CHARGING

>. a Se a ON OUR SIDE OF THE

yo COMMISSION
“= SINCE 1986

EXPERIENCE COUNTS!

With 18 years of experience, there's nothing new
about the money we'll save you in commissions.

REALTY
inant Apvo CATES

Serving Rockridge, Elmwood, Berkeley & All of the East Bay Since 1986

realtyadvocates.com * 510 428-0757

,
7
tRas,.

Brokers Hal Feiger and Brett Weinstein

=D

14.

R&Sckridge News

July 3, 2004

Rleiassifieds
Your Message Could Be Here

Your 36-word message: $18 (phone number
counts as one word). Mail to: RN Classifieds,

$245 College Avenue, PMB 311, Oakland, CA
94618. September deadline is August 19.

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.

Home Repair Expert
Carpentry, remodeling. Doors and windows,
glass and locks, small electrical, plumbing jobs,

drywall, painting, fences, decks and other odd
jobs. Good rates. Rick 510/464-5934.

Temporary Room Rental

Having out of town guests and nowhere to put
them? Large, sunny room available in Crafts-
man home in Rockridge/Elmwood area. See

website for photos and info. http://geocities.com/
cayenne2810 or call 510/547-8788.

Weeding and Yard Clean Up

Areas west of Broadway serviced. Three and

four hour jobs welcome. $1|/hour. | use some
of your tools. Fred 510/234-2902.

Personalized Weight Loss

Free body analysis and personalized consultation.
“Good Health & Wellness through Good Nutrition”
Gary Sinick 510/597-1129 www.for-athealth.com.

Housecleaning
Reasonable rates. Expert & reliable services

from local employment cooperative. Call
534-6766 and we'll send someone to spiff up
your home. Ask us for our references from
Rockridge clients.

Antique Refinishing & Repair
Expert antique and fine furniture restoration
services. New finishes, stripping, repairs,
glass/lock repairs. We specialize in in-home
professional waxing and minor repairs. Pick-
up/ delivery available. Free estimates. Bruce
$10/534-0603.

Help With Your Mac

Are you frustrated with your Macintosh?
Want to do more with your computer but
don’t know how? Apple alumna is available
for house and office calls: advice, training and
solutions. Rachel 658-7691.

English Tutor

Rockridge resident tutors students in reading,
writing, grammar, college application essays.
20 years of experience as a professional
writer, editor and journalist; experience
tutoring English, math, ESL. Harvard M.A.

Susan 510/466-5502.

Psychotherapy & Spiritual Inquiry
Psychotherapy to create harmony with yourself
and the world. You were born to be peace-
ful, loved, and prosperous. A guided journey
to fulfillment and spiritual connection. Lana
Theimer, MFT (MFC#39913); 845-0548.

www.selfHarmony.com.

Event Photographer
Wonderful collages from informal photos |!

take at your special events, including backyard
barbeques, picnics, reunions, office parties,

receptions, you name it. Single photos also
available. Reasonable. Call Rockridge resident,
652-7044, or e-mail Barbird @ aol.com.

>

Writing From the Subconscious
The Intuitive Mind. Access inner landscapes
using play with language, improvisation, the Tarot
and other “gateways’ to the subconscious, A||
writers, all styles welcome. 510/594-1905.

MARCY VOYEVOD
INTERIOR DESIGN
110 LINDEN ST. OAKLAND CA 94607

510.433.0724
“voyevoddesign@aol.com
“marcyvoyevo d.com

NON

YOU MAY LIVE 30 YEARS
PAST RETIREMENT.

Me) ARE YOU PREPARED?

Rockridge Resident

Leila S. Gough, Associate Vice President-Investments
1999 Harrison, Suite 2050 » Oakland, CA 94612

(510) 452-8060
www.agedwards.com/fc/leila.gough

9004 A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. * Member SIPC

4,

A.G. EDWARDS.

FULLY INVESTED IN OUR CLIENTS.

(24778-v 1 -0668)RP-260-0805

MAISON NOUVEAU

Real Estate Services

Einstein's Theory of Real Estate

EK=MN*

States that Maison Nouveau's

2% Commission {2".u7siss of

and

Client-Centered focus equals
Excellence in Real Estate Services.

- 510-849-9900

270 College Ave, Berkeley

415-922-8800

22
Commission

2420 Polk St, San [ pancisco

2 ewe

E-mail Rockridge News Community Calendar |
Community Calendar, 5245 College Avenue,

RéckridgeNews

Compiled by Jo Ellis |

COMMUNITY CALENDAR ,

tems to: joellist@hotmail.com, phone 653-3210, or mail to: Rockridge News i
PMB 311, Oakland, CA 94618. Deadline is the next to the last Tuesday of the month. |

| Councilmember Jane Brunner’s
Community Advisory Meeting

No Saturday meeting in July. Annuat Picnic:
Sunday, July 11, 10am to 3pm. North Temes-
| cal Site at Temescal Regional Park. For August

and September information: 238-7001 or
| www.oaklandnet.com.

Rockridge Toastmasters

Every Tuesday, 7pm. Veteran's Building, 200 Grand Ave.,
Oakland, Improve public speaking skills ina friendly and
Supportive environment. For information: Mary, 531-
8790 or e-mail info @rockridgetoastmasters.org

exercise, socializing, travel programs and music. H

Hot lunch available at noon for $2. For details about
upcoming field trips and special programs, call i
Kathy at 531-6724.

Writer's Support/Critique Group

Oakland City Council Meeting
Every Tuesday, 7pm, City Hall,

Rockridge Branch Library, every 3rd saturday, 1:30 to
Spm. ALL writers welcome. Bring 8 copies of up to 5
Pages of your prose for on-site reading/discussion.

it Oakland Planning Commission

f Ist and 3rd Wednesday each month,
6:30pm, City Hall. Get agendas and details at

Sponsored by the California Writers Club, Berkeley
branch (www.berkeleywritersclub.org/). More
information: 482-0265 or Writefox @ aol.com

Diesel Book/Poetry Readings

Lee

The Greater Rockridge N’hood
i Crime Prevention Council

Steering Committee meets 3rd Tuesday each month,
| 7to 8:30pm. Fire Station #8 community room, 463

5ist Street. Residents and business members of
| NCPCs 12Y and 13X areas are invited to voice their
| concerns about crime and public safety.

0433 College Ave. All events are FREE and open to
the public.

* Monday,7/12, 7:30pm. Amnesty International
Monthly Meeting. All welcome.

* Tuesday, 7/13, 7:30pm. Book Group #3 will discuss
Ruth Ozeki's My Year of Meats.

* Tuesday, 7/20, 7:30pm. Book Group#1 will discuss
Maxine Hong Kingston's Woman Warrior.

Rockridge Branch Library

5366 College Avenue, (510)597-5017

For CHILDREN:

¢ Toddler Story Time: Saturday, 10:30am: 7/3,
7/10, 8/7, 8,14.

¢ Pre-School Story Hour: Wednesday, 10:30 &
\iam: 7/7, 8/4, 8/18.

¢ Pajama Story Time: Tuesday, 7pm: 7/6, 7/20,
8/3, 8/17.

f Special EVENTS:
¢ Go Wild With Books! Sign up for Summer Reading
{ Game until 8/14. Win prizes for reading. Game
and events planned for ages 2 to 12, but younger
f and older children always welcome.
¢ Mocha: Making Animal Masks. Thursday, 7/8,
3:30pm. Kids of allages, wear your work clothes
for a hands-on workshop to make wild animal
| masks.
¢ Folksongs by Adam Miller. Tuesday, 7/13,
[ 7pm. Sing along, clap or just listen. All ages
welcome. |
{ ¢ Music from Latin America by Colibri. Tues-
day, 7/27, 7pm. Bilingual songs in English and
| Spanish. All ages.
¢ Fratello Marionette Show. Tuesday, 8/10, 7pm.
i Performance of Peter and the Wolf to Prokofiev's
symphony with live narration.
| ¢ The SPCA presents three special Saturday
workshops in August at 2pm. Sign up to attend
| one or more.
8/7: Choosing a companion animal
i 8/14: Being safe around animals
8/21: Understanding animal feelings.
‘| Each workshop will include a game and craft,
and a discussion about the topic. For kids ages
j 4 to 9, and their parents or caregivers.
For Aoutts:
| ¢ Lawyers in the Library: Free legal advice.
First Tuesday of each month, 6 to 8pm. Advance
| sign-up 5pm.

Library Hours: See box, top of page 2.

—————

* Wednesday 7/21, 7/30pm. Stacey D’Erasmo:
A Seahorse Year.

* Sunday, 7/25, 2pm. Alexander Cockburn and
Jeffrey St.Clair: Serpents in the Garden:
Liaisons with Culture and Sex.

¢ Tuesday, 7/27, 7:30pm. Richard Price:
Samaritan.

Formoreinf.aboutreadings, book/discussiongroupsand
Classes: 653-9965 or www.dieselbookstore.com.

North Oakland Senior Center |

5714 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. Center Hours: |
Mon-Fri, 8:45am to 4:45pm. Classes, workshops,
educational/social events, walking groups and field
trips. Also: Free health insurance counseling and
health clinic.
* Sign up now for the community flea market
Sat, September 25, 8am—4pm. i
¢ Treasure Island tour/Culinary Academy lunch,
Wed, August 25, 10am-3:45pm; register {
now.
The newsletter, “North Oakland Senior Times” pro- |
vides a schedule of classes and a monthly lunch [
menu : (suggested donation: age 60+ $2; and $4
for those under age 60). Call 597- 5085 for details
and opportunities tobecome a volunteer.

Elder Care Support Group {|
Alta Bates Medical Center, Herrick Campus, 2001
Dwight Way, Berkeley. Free for family/friends caring j
for older adults. 3rd Wednesday each month, 4- 1
5:30pm.For information on all support/education
groups offered by Alta Bates/Sutter Health: call |
Monica at 869-4569 or e-mail Monicaicsw@a
lum.calberkeley.org. |

Backs In Rockridge

Rockridge Branch Library, Wednesday, 7/21, 11am to
2:30pm. FREE brown bag lunch-and-learn forum with
Rockridge wellness providers discussing options for
managing and preventing back pain. RSVPs encour-
aged. Beverages provided. Hosted by the Rockridge
District Association (RDA). For more inf. and to RSVP,
contact Jan Christensen-Heller, marketing chair, RDA,
655.5952, jch @christensenheller.com.

Cookbook Signings At Pasta Shop
Rockridge Market Hall, 5565 College Avenue (Shafter
Avenue between College and Forest) 547.4005.
Recipe and ingredient tastings, and demos.

¢ Friday, 7/16, 2pm to 5pm. Oliver Said of Cesar
in Berkeley: Recipes from a Tapas Bar.

¢ Saturday, 8/21, 10am to Noon. Marie Simmons:
Fig Heaven: 70 Recipes for the World's
Most Luscious Fruit.

Friday Night On College:
Acoustic Concert

College Ave. Presbyterian Church, 5955 College Ave.
This new series of acoustic concerts is free and open
to the public. Donations will be appreciated to benefit
the Friday Night on College Community Meal.

¢ July 16, 7:30pm: singer and recording artist Christie

McCarthy.

For information on upcoming concerts, call Kathy,
658-3665 or capc @inreach.com.

}-

Volunteers Needed

* Alameda County Community Food Bank. Assist

in the warehouse or office; staff the Hunger Hotline. |
Hotline shifts Mon-Fri, 93am-12pm and 1-4pm. Call
Volunteer Mgr. Mary Schoen: 834-FOOD(3663) or |
www.accib.org.

° Bambino Thrift Shop: All Volunteer Shop benefit- |
ing Oakland Children’s Hospital. 5290 College Ave.
Volunteers needed Tuesdays through Saturdays. We |
will train you. Manager, Carol Maes: 654-9709.

* North Oakland Community Charter School
(NOCCS): tutors to work with 1st to 4th graders t
on math skills, beginning reading and writing
skills. Weekly time commitment of at least one f
hour. Located at College Ave. Presb. Church, (next

to Dryers ice cream). Contact Jennifer Bloom, Direc- |
tor: 655-0540 or teachers @noccs.org.

* Second Start Adult Literacy Program of the |
Oakland Public Library. Volunteer tutors to meet
regularly with adults learning to read. Some {
meeting at the Rockridge Branch Library. Free
training. Nine month minimum commitment. Call |
910-238-3432 or www.oaklandlibrary.org/ }
services/SecondStart/index.html.

College Avenue Adult Center

College Ave. Presbyterian Church, 5955 College Ave.
- Every Wednesday, from 9:30am to 1:30pm. Light

Locksley Avenue Block Party |

Saturday, July 24, 2pm to 8pm. Locksley Ave. and
Hudson St. All welcome to join your neighbors. (
Food, drink, the infamous Red Hound Pet Parade,
karaoke contest and more. For details, contact
Mike McDonald at mcdoak@yahoo.com or i
510/772-7906. a

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Rockridge News

July 3, 2004

Don Coelho What’s Your
Ee Home Worth?
nike Call Me for an
339-4721 Opinion of Value
28th year Fatima N, Ali

510/845-0211

E-MAIL: Buyali@aol.com

(> Prudential

Califurels Raaity

serving Rockridge!

Buying or selling real estate in 2004?
Call me... the proven professional

Live... Work... Play
In Temescal & Rockridge!

Final 6 Townhomes
at Temescal Place
www.lemescalPlace.Com

510 547-YOGA

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r Se PREZ
OR ~ << - SS ‘>
oy in Se GSS APE Su
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ene

: ° 5416 COLLEGE AVENUE—
— Com ing in July NEAR THE LIBRARY
we 9 bed, 2 bath Shingled www.namasterockridge.com
Cc Craftsman on Taft Avenue

Ron Kriss, Broker

Lawton Associates onan od site
ES ee 510-547-5970 Ext. 55 : di
Seal ESTATE onkriss@jps.net mal
ROK ERAGE CT Rade yoga in rockridge
“I Know Rockridge” we :

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* Sewer Pipe Diagnostics

° Trouble Shooting & Repair
www.HomesEastBay.info

1.800.805.8827

Century 21

A “10” on the Rockridge Scale
a ee 5620 Kales Avenue
ie Leg Rarely does a home like this come on the market.
5 ee All of the features you hope for in a Rockridge home in
pristine condition. This 3 bedroom 1-7” bath beauty has it all.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to own such a special home
so close to BART and College Avenue.
Offered at $715,000

Terry Kulka 510/339-4789
turrykulka@att.net

¢ Trenchless Sewer Replacement

510/465-3000

Berkeley — Oakland — Rockridge

Jan Fougner

OWNER = BROKER

BUYING OR SELLING IN
ROCKRIDGEG IF YOU
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OF A REALTOR, CALL
ME. | HAVE 27 YEARS
OF ROCKRIDGE SALES
EXPERIENCE AND THE
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Oakland cols