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VOL. 19  NO. 7  ISSUE NO. 203  July 3, 2004 CIRCULATION: 5,100 RESIDENCES; 200 BUSINESSES

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,
Patron Saint of
Oakland Trees

Should Claremont Avenue be
Converted to Three Lanes?
4 Lane 3 Lane
The 4 lane configuration has 3 times the
number of midblock conflict points.
4 Lane 3 Lane
The 4 lane configuration has twice the
number of cross-traffic conflict points.
SCHEMATIC BY J. POTIS
4 Lane 3 Lane
Emergency vehicles will have less delay.
4 Lane 3 Lane
Intersection sight distance is much
improved with a three lane configuration.

Councilmember drafts
tree-friendly ordinance
by Cy Gulassa
St. Patrick got
s a i n t h o o d
by driving the
snakes out of
Ireland. If City
Councilmember
Jane Brunner gets
her way, she’ll get
sainthood by driving the tree cutters out
of Oakland.
Jane Brunner
Stunned by
 TREE ORDINANCE, PAGE 7
School Closings
Highlight Need for
Long-Term Planning

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.

by John Potis, RCPC Traffic and
Pedestrian Safety Committee Chair
T
Meeting Thursday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m. in
the Rockridge Library.
by Kerry Hamill, District One, OUSD
T
RCPC is encouraging the City to evalu-
ate converting Claremont from its existing
four lanes to three, which would provide
safety benefits without reducing traffic
capacity. Statistics prove that two driving
lanes with a central turning lane will result
he RCPC Traffic and Pedestrian
Safety Committee and residents along
Claremont Avenue have asked the City’s
Transportation Services department to
consider changing Claremont to make it
safer for pedestrians and motorists while
not reducing traffic flow. City traffic experts
will discuss options at RCPC’s Town Hall
o be a thriving educational institu-
tion, the Oakland School District
needs insightful,
collaborative,
long-term planning,
especially as enroll-
ment declines and
pressure to close or
reconfigure schools
increases.
 CLAREMONT AVENUE, PAGE 5
agenda: RCPC Town Hall Meeting
L o ng fel low
Elementary School,
at 39th and Market
Streets, closed its
doors two week ago. Since 1999, enrollment
there has dropped from 420 to 180 students,
a trend projected to continue at other schools.
Across the district, enrollment is down by
7,000 students and is expected to decline
Thursday, July 15, 7:30 p.m., Rockridge Branch Library
5366 College Avenue at Manila — Community Room (Upstairs)
 Should Claremont Avenue Be Converted from 4 to 3 lanes?
Kerry Hamill
Representatives from Oakland’s
Transportation Services department
and RCPC Traffic Committee Chair John
Potis will discuss ways to make Claremont
Avenue safer without compromising traf-
fic flow. Among options to be considered
at the town hall meeting is converting
Rockridge’s major artery from its existing
four lanes to three with a central turning
lane. The presentation will also evaluate
ways to improve safety and calm traffic
throughout Rockridge. Come prepared
to share your ideas and ask the experts
hard questions.
 SCHOOL CLOSINGS, PAGE 12

July 3, 2004
2.

A Fatal Robbery in Rockridge
N

ROCKRIDGE BRANCH LIBRARY
5366 College Avenue

yima 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.

597-5017
NEW HOURS:

Tuesday: 12:30 – 8 p.m.

Weds, Thurs, Sat: 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Friday 12 – 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, Monday CLOSED
LIBRARY DETAILS: SEE CALENDAR, PAGE 15.

The murder and other neighborhood criminal activities will be discussed at
the next meeting of the Rockridge Crime Prevention Council, Tuesday, 7 p.m.,
July 20 in Station 8 Firehouse, 463 51st 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
a.m, June 10, 1997.

Claremont Hotel Still Locked in
Two-Year Labor Dispute
Local officials and businesses support boycott of famous spa
by Jessica Pitt, RCPC Vice Chair
O

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
Cy Gulasssa ........................Editor-in-Chief
Ortrun Niesar, Claire Isaacs, Doug White,
Erin Pursell......................... Writers
Barry Kaufman...................Food
Jo Ellis...................................Advertising &

ver the past several months you may have noticed small, white lawn signs in yards
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.

Community Calendar
Theresa Nelson ....................Neighborhood Merchant
Lydia Gans...........................Photography
Susan Montauk...................Business Manager
Don Kinkead.......................Graphics & Layout
RCPC Board of Directors, 2004-2005
Daniel Ferdelman ..............Co-Chair
Deborah Weinstein...........Co-Chair
Jessica Pitt ...........................Vice-Chair
Mike Taylor..........................Secretary
Ehab Bandar........................Treasurer

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.

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

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.
D

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 ROCKRIDGE NEWS
 Are there community issues you’d like to see
covered in The Rockridge News?
 Do you have questions about newsletter

ozens of prominent individuals and organizations have endorsed the boycott, includ-
ing City Councilmember Jane Brunner, Assemblywomen 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.

distribution?
 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,
In February the Claremont was sold to CNL Hospitality.
 CLAREMONT STRIKE, PAGE 4
PMB 311, Oakland, CA 94618
RCPC Voicemail: 644-4228
$5 FREE DRYCLEANING with garment orders over $28
Articles published in The Rockridge News may be
reprinted only with the permission of the Editor.
or $3 OFF orders over $15
Dry Cleaning only  Present with incoming order
NEWSLETTER ADVERTISING/DEADLINES
Publication date of the next issue is
Garden Cleaners
5808 College Ave., Oakland
 September 5, 2004 (No issue in August)
 September deadline is August 19.
Advertising rates are $22/column inch. Six-month
pre-pay rate available. To advertise, call Jo Ellis
at 653-3210, or e-mail joellis1@hotmail.com.
(RCPC reserves the right to refuse any display or
classified ad that it deems inappropriate.)
EXPERT
SHIRT
LAUNDERING!
601-1188
Mon-Fri 7-7 • Sat 8-6
(Across from Albertson’s & Zachary’s Pizza)

July 3, 2004

In My Opinion
The Zoning Counter
T
How To Make BART Come Clean
by Anonymous (by request)
Whe 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.
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.
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, I
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.
“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 a comment 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?
S
398 61ST 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: D2+
Case Planner: Maurice Brenyah-Addow at
238-6342 or mbrenyah@oaklandnet.com
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.
KHANA PEENA: 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
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.
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
5316 COLLEGE 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 510/595-4231
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
May you get more from your ticket
money!

July 3, 2004
4.

Public Outrage
Forces Changes
To Oakland
Business Tax

Rockridge Crime Prevention
Council Sets Priorities
by Susan Montauk
T

he Greater Rockridge Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) Steering
Committee meets monthly to set priorities for the Oakland Police Department in
beats 12Y and 13X. Citizens with particular concerns are invited to attend these meet-
ings held on the third Tuesday of most months at the Station 8 Firehouse, 51st near
Telegraph Avenue. Go to www.rockridgencpc.com for further NCPC information.

Modifications postponed to 2006
by Susan Montauk
T
The following priorities are set for
beats 12Y & 13X for June 2004
dealing, vandalism. One-block radius
from the Telegraph and 59th Street
intersection is of ongoing concern.
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.
12Y
1. 300 block of 62nd Street: OHA
drug activity, gambling, arrest & pos-
sible retaliation to neighbors. Suspects
on bicycles, MBs all in white T-shirts w/
matching head bands, blue jeans. Nexus
to drug activity at surrounding OHA loca-
tions: Colby, Canning/59th, North Street,
Dana/Alcatraz. Suspects may be part of
North Pole gang, some on bicycles.
3. Ross Circle problem house: Resi-
dence of WM juvenile, 14-15 years old,
often reported carrying a yellow bucket
and associated with criminal activity in
neighborhood.
13X
5300 block of Belgrave Place: Area
residents have reported loud music from
parked cars in front of one residence and
verbal threats from its occupants that
include possible use of firearms.
2. 5900 Telegraph Avenue, Jim’s
’Lectric Washhouse: Loitering, drug
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.
Claremont Strike, from page 2
days after a company changes ownership.
Laid-off workers would be given the first
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.
Workers see the sale as an opportunity for
new management but are only cautiously
optimistic. KSL Recreation is acting as
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
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.
The union vows to continue its fight for
better pay and benefits until new contracts
are agreed upon. Until then, the boycott
will continue.
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.

OPEN DAILY 12 - 2
5352 College Avenue
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 at www.yahoogroups.com.

Your Neighborhood Pub

July 3, 2004

Rockridge Goes Green With Pocket Parks

Claremont Avenue
from page 1
in lower auto speeds, fewer crashes, reduced
severity of crashes, safer entry and exits,
safer crossing for pedestrians, and room
for bicycle lanes.
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.
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.
PHOTO: KRISTIN PERSONETT
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.
by Kristin Personett
Rbased design firm, also contributed to
the Pocket Park template by fabricating
garden elements from recycled concrete
blocks.
ockridge 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 .
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.
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.
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 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 a community-building pilot
project that improves the beauty and identity
of neighborhoods.
Please come to the July 15 Town Hall
Meeting well informed of pros and cons
and be ready to ask the experts hard
questions.
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.
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
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.

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Sat 9:30 - 5:00
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July 3, 2004
6.
Frog Park Phase Two Needs Your Help to Succeed

RCPC contributes $2,500
sure DD funds for native plant and creek
restoration. Frog Park Committee members
are working with City Watershed program
staff and the City Council to secure the
funding and would appreciate your support.
Write: Watershed Improvement Program,
City of Oakland, 250 Frank Ogawa
Plaza, Suite 5301, Oakland, CA 94612,
phone: 238-6600, e-mail: watersheds@
oaklandnet.com. Please send a copy of
your message to: Councilmember Jane
Brunner, Oakland City Council, One
Frank Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oak-
land CA 94618; phone 238-7001, e-mail:
jbrunner@oaklandnet.com; and to the Parks
liaison of RCPC at: theresarockridge@y
ahoo.com.
by Theresa Nelson, RCPC Board
Member and Parks Committee Liaison
With 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.
part of neighborhood history by making a
financial contribution. Take a look at the
list of opportunities on page 7 (at right),
select items that match your interests, and
enclose your check or credit card informa-
tion with the form below. Your gift is fully
tax deductible, and your employers may
match your gift as well.
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
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.
In other park news, negotiations are still
underway to obtain $150,000 from Mea-
FROG Park Donation Form
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-
tinue to spur community generosity, RCPC,
which already contributed $10,000 to Phase
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.

 I’ll sponsor/contribute toward the following piece of park equipment (from

the list on the next page): ________________ for $________.

 Here’s my general donation to the new Greenbelt Park for $__________.

 My check is enclosed.
 Charge my credit card (circle one) VISA Mastercard
Name on card: ________________________________________
Card Number: ________________________ Exp. Date: __________
Name: ________________________________ Email: ____________

Company or Family Name (for acknowledgment): ________________________

There are exciting new opportunities for
giving in Phase Two as well as for back
funding Phase One items. All gifts of $250
or more will be acknowledged on the main
park plaque, which will be erected as part
of Phase Two along with the long-awaited
bench plaques.

StreetAddress:________________________________________________

City / Zip code: _________________________ Phone: _________________

If you’re new to the Rockridge-Temescal
area, or just did not get around to contribut-
ing in 2001, this is your last chance to be a
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Send this form with your check or credit card information payable to: RCPC/
FrogPark, 5245 College Ave PMB #311, Oakland, CA 94618. All donations are
tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Federal tax ID#94-3011284. For
more info call: 510/644-4228.
Rockridge Sales in June Soar for the Summer!
Address
List Pr
Selling Pr
Close Date
6307 Roanoke
$595K
$715K
6/02/04
570 Forest
$659K
$784K
6/04/04
6145 Broadway
$799K
$800K
6/10/04
6424 Colby
$639K
$800K
6/10/04
5874 Margarido
$1,295K
$1,435K
6/11/04
5638 Buena Vista
$769K
$875K
6/15/04
6114 Lawton
$959K
$1,090K
6/15/04
6016 Acacia
$1,495K
$1,485K
6/18/04
5824 Ross
$949K
$1,100K
6/22/04
5652 Oak Grove
$799K
$903K
6/22/04
5408 Lawton
$650K
$805K
6/23/04
6141 Rockridge Bl
$679K
$750K
6/24/04
In June, properties in
Rockridge sold
with an average of
12 days on the market!
That’s 6 days less than
last month!

July 3, 2004

YES, I WANT TO HELP
Tree Ordinance
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.
COMPLETE THE
ROCKRIDGE * TEMESCAL
from page 1
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.
T
GREENBELT!
We 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
In part, the Brunner ordinance would
require that:
 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;
 Trees be replaced with the largest
appropriate size;
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.
 Tree removal, sidewalk repair, and
tree replanting at a given site be
considered as a single, coordinated
project;
 Penalties be assessed for trees harmed
Butterfly Garden ....................... $5,000
Adopt-a-foot ($/ft) ....................... $50
Hardy Park and Pathway
Donation Opportunities
during sidewalk repair, garbage col-
lection, pruning for power lines, or
private development where harm was
avoidable;
Large Basketball Court .......... $50,000
Small Basketball Court .......... $25,000
Public art/creek
interpretation .......................... $25,000
Native Vegetation
Clifton/Cavour ......................... $25,000
New Dog Park Fence ............... $15,000
Entire swing set ...................... $15,000
Asphalt Play Area
under freeway ............................ $3,000
Swings (3) ................................... $2,500
Drinking Fountain ...................... $2,500
Entry Markers ............................ $1,500
Basketball Hoops ........................ $1,200
Large Pavers ................................... $500
Small Pavers ................................... $250
Boulders .......................................... $100
Playground
Donation Opportunities
 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:
The intrinsic worth of a tree and its
contribution to the environment have to be
weighed, Brunner insists, against the costs
 TREE ORDINANCE, PAGE 13
Mary Jane McConville
Mary Jane McConville
Mary Jane McConville
Mary Jane McConville
Mary Jane McConville...............The T
The T
The T
The T
The Team Y
eam Y
eam Y
eam Y
eam You Can T
ou Can T
ou Can T
ou Can T
ou Can Trust
rust
rust
rust
rust
You Come First
You Come First
You Come First
You Come First
You Come First
Curly Slide ................................... $3,500
Maze ............................................. $2,500
Wheelchair Ramping, Redondo $2,000
Trading Post ................................ $1,500
Ohlone House .............................. $1,500
Vertical Tire Tunnel .................. $1,250
Slide .............................................. $1,200
Spider Web .................................. $1,000
Fire Pole .......................................... $700
Rubber Bridge ................................ $650
Climbing Net ................................... $500
Chin-Up Pipe ................................... $150
Providing Exemplary Service
In Rockridge since 1980
Shannon Klatt
Shannon Klatt
Shannon Klatt
Shannon Klatt
Shannon Klatt
Buyer Specialist Realtor
(510) 339-4281 direct line
Mary Jane McConville
Mary Jane McConville
Mary Jane McConville
Mary Jane McConville
Mary Jane McConville
Senior Realtor
(510) 339-4280 direct line
Call
Call
Call
Call
Call Mary Jane
Mary Jane
Mary Jane
Mary Jane
Mary Jane today
today
today
today
today for all your Real Estate needs
for all your Real Estate needs
for all your Real Estate needs
for all your Real Estate needs
for all your Real Estate needs
(510) 339-8400
(510) 339-8400
(510) 339-8400
(510) 339-8400
(510) 339-8400 office
office
office
office
office ♦www
www
www
www
www.MaryJaneMcConville.com
.MaryJaneMcConville.com
.MaryJaneMcConville.com
.MaryJaneMcConville.com
.MaryJaneMcConville.com
Jan Carlisle
Jan Carlisle
Jan Carlisle
Jan Carlisle
Jan Carlisle
Administrative Assistant
Linda Fino
Linda Fino
Linda Fino
Linda Fino
Linda Fino
Escrow Coordinator

July 3, 2004
8.

C.O.R.E. Training: Preparing for Disaster

RDA Hosts Brown
Bag Forum on
Back Care
The Rockridge District Association
(RDA) will host Backs in Rock-
ridge, a free, brown bag “Lunch and
Learn” forum on back care, Wednesday,
July 21, 11-2:30 p.m. in the Rockridge
Library. A panel of local back care
experts will discuss:
 Different exercise options that
prevent and relieve back pain.
 How physical therapy, acupunc-
ture, acupressure, yoga, massage,
pilates, and chiropractic therapies
work separately and together.
Oakland citizens
participating in
CORE 3 hands-
on training in
emergency
preparedness
with the Oakland
Fire Department,
April, 2004.
 The ways traditional Western
medicine approaches a healthy
back.
 The benefits and risks of pre-
PHOTO: DANNY BARLOGIO
scription and over-the-counter
drugs.
CORE 2 – Neighborhood Emergency
Response
by Deborah Weinstein, RCPC Co-Chair
H
 What to do in our daily lives to
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.
prevent and ease back pain.
 Create a neighborhood map;
 What to do to keep our backs
 Perform damage assessment;
strong and flexible.
Since this forum will be widely
advertised throughout the Bay Area,
RSVPs are encouraged.
 Establish a command post;
 Form response teams.
CORE 3 – Hands on Training
 On-duty firefighters teach your group
For more information and to RSVP
please contact Jan Christensen-Heller,
marketing chair, RDA, 655.5952, or
e-mail jch@christensenheller.com.
at the Oakland Fire Training Center
for three 2-hour classes, developing
hands-on skills and practicing them
in a simulated Disaster Drill. (Part 1
& 2 must be completed first.)
A group in Rockridge will be meeting
on Monday, July 19 to complete CORE 1
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.
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?
The Rockridge District Association
is a 501c3 not-for-profit, commu-
nity-based organization dedicated
to enhancing Rockridge through
public works and promotional and
beautification initiatives within the
business district.
CORE 1 – Individual & Family
Preparedness:
 Reduce household hazards;
 Store emergency supplies;
 Earthquakes: What to do;
 Evacuation and family plans.

$ #

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!

9.
Breeding
Vintage…
Since 2003
T

July 3, 2004

PHOTO: DON KINKEAD
THE NEIGHBORHOOD MERCHANT
BY THERESA NELSON
he charming store lapin (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.
lapin
Owner: Maria Carranza
5337 College Avenue
Oakland 595-0724
Open 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Sat-
urday
Closed Wednesday and Sunday
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 lapin 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.
 Maria Carranza and Owen
in front of lapin.
PHOTO: LYDIA GANS
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.
1920s, bakelite earrings and bracelets, tiny
rhinestone items, and even plastic bracelets
with iridescent beetles inside them.
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 is simply astonishing.
If you or someone you know loves rabbits,
then you must visit lapin.
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.
O
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
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
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.

"""""" """"

## !##
#!#
# !#

### !#
"""""""""!""""
"" "

""""""""

July 3, 2004
10.

Letters to
The Editor
LOCAL HISTORY AT YOUR FEET
Editor:
N
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.
o, this isn’t a complaint about trees and the state of
the sidewalks. I write instead about a minor and prob-
ably unnoticed part of Rockridge history. As I’ve walked
along our streets, I’ve begun to notice the frequent builder’s
trademarks/tradenames stamped into the sidewalks. Many are
dated and thus, I presume, are evidence of when a street was
laid down or buildings erected. The earliest date I’ve seen
is 1911, on Claremont by the Claremont Diner. Has anyone
noticed an earlier one?
Norman Macleod MacleodEsq@aol.com
The Rockridge News
5245 College Ave., PMB 311
Oakland, CA 94618
or e-mail:
editor@rockridge.org
EDUCATION COVERAGE IN THE ROCKRIDGE NEWS
Editor:
Icommend 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, I am 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.
PEDESTRIANS IN MORTAL DANGER
Editor:
A
Rockridge pedestrian could well be killed by a car or
truck in the near future if parking laws are not enforced
more strictly. I fear I could be the one killed. I use a motor-
ized wheelchair.
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 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, in front of oncoming traffic.
People complain of overzealous parking enforcement, but I
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
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
 LETTERS, PAGE 11
PARKING, NOT ARCHWAYS
Editor:
W
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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
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11.

July 3, 2004

Letters from page 10
the sidewalk was impassable.
Rockridge 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
College and Shafter are especially hazard-
ous. They are narrow and steep-only one
to a corner, forcing wheelchair users (and
others) into the flow of traffic outside the
crosswalk. And people waiting to cross
in one direction often block wheelchairs
crossing in another direction.
by Ortrun Niesar
New Stores & Restaurants
Cool Tops Cuts for Kids
Haircuts, braids and birthday parties
Rockridge Photography
Exhibition:
Call for Entries
Cfor children
5697 Miles Avenue 601-6502
Open Monday 10:00am-4:00pm,
alling all photographers! The Annual
Rockridge Photo Exhibition will take
place during the month of October 2004
at the Rockridge Library. The exhibition
is non-juried (but loosely edited) and
open to photographers of all ages and
levels of experience. Parent-child teams
are very much encouraged. The subject is
Rockridge, how we live, work and play. You
must live, study or work in and around
Rockridge to participate.
Tuesday – Friday 10am – 6pm,
Saturday 9am-5pm
All too often groups of people stand in
the curb cuts by Oliveto’s or Cactus just to
socialize, blocking access to pedestrians
trying to finish crossing the street. At times
like that, I have to shout: “Get out of the
way!” I have no time for courtesy when
cars are nipping at my heels.
Sefina Studio
Lingerie, evening wear, handbags
5326 College Avenue 547-4779
Open 11am – 7pm Monday – Saturday,
12 – 4pm Sunday
The Groove Yard
Regrettably, I myself have bumped
pedestrians or run over their toes. I apolo-
gize 99% of the time unless I’m racing to
catch a bus or BART train. I’m sorry for all
my disruptions of pedestrian movements.
I slow down when I have more time, and
often take alternative routes away from
heavy pedestrian flow.
Jazz records and CDs
5555 Claremont Avenue 655-8400
Look for flyers providing details
at AG Photo on College Avenue and
elsewhere. Applications must be received
by September 1.
The Candy Store
Candy, gifts and treats
6311 College Avenue 547-9338
Open 10:30am-7pm Monday-Saturday,
For more information, call Kate
Runyan at 658-7833, or e-mail her at
katerunyan@pacbell.net.
10:30-5:30pm Sunday
I hope this letter makes motorists, pedes-
trians and police aware of the lethal danger
created by illegal parking and obstruction
of curb cuts.
C. Tom Ross
New Store Ownership
Jucy’s
Corner of College and Miles
Ortrun Niesar can be reached at
oniesar@aol.com. or 986-9560.
Stephanie Farrow
"
428-2100
new menu with coffee, sandwiches and

other food, plus a piano
Most property owners realize that selected renovations
and maintenance will increase property values and appeal.
But how one renovates and maintains a home is essential.
The right choices can increase value by 10-20% or more; but
the wrong choices can impact value and negotiations, even
in a hot market.
" #

Email or call me about: budgeting, renovations and
maintenance tips, the coming market shift, or with your real
estate questions.

! "

!
JeffAuen@Comcast.net or 1-800-805-8827
www.HomesEastBay.info and
www.JeffAuen.info for articles.

!
!$ # !!

July 3, 2004
12.

School Closings

“Ward’s staff and North Oakland principals are
working with me to find creative solutions to keep
schools open and stabilize enrollment.
“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.”

from page 1
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.
Wand 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.
options in North Oakland modeled on the
successes of the small schools movement
is an option I fully support.
Conversations 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.
ard’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.
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.
T
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
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.
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.
I
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.
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?
4HE
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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
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sWWWPRUREALTYCOMCLAREMONT

13.

July 3, 2004

Tree Ordinance
from page 7
 “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.
 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
KID'S COLLEGE
OR FOR YOUR
RETIREMENT?
OR BOTH?"

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a cross-cultural congregation
striving to partner with
the Rockridge community
in lifestyle and service.
College Avenue Presbyterian Church
5951 College Avenue, Oakland 510 658-3665
SUNDAY WORSHIP 10:30 AM • VISIT: CAPCCHURCH.ORG

July 3, 2004
14.

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.
Writing From the Subconscious
The Intuitive Mind. Access inner landscapes
using play with language, improvisation, the Tarot
and other “gateways” to the subconscious. All
writers, all styles welcome. 510/594-1905.
Your Message Could Be Here
Your 36-word message: $18 (phone number
counts as one word). Mail to: RN Classifieds,
5245 College Avenue, PMB 311, Oakland, CA
94618. September deadline is August 19.
Event Photographer
Wonderful collages from informal photos I
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.

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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.

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$$$$ "

Weeding and Yard Clean Up
Areas west of Broadway serviced. Three and
four hour jobs welcome. $11/hour. I 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-a1health.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
510/534-0603.
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.

15.

July 3, 2004



COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Compiled by Jo Ellis
Check Your…

E-mail Rockridge News Community Calendar items to: joellis1@hotmail.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.

Councilmember Jane Brunner’s
Community Advisory Meeting
Rockridge Toastmasters
exercise, socializing, travel programs and music.
Hot lunch available at noon for $2. For details about
upcoming field trips and special programs, call
Kathy at 531-6724.
North Oakland Senior Center
Every Tuesday, 7pm. Veteran’s Building, 200 Grand Ave.,
Oakland. Improve public speaking skills in a friendly and
supportive environment. For information: Mary, 531-
8790 or e-mail info@rockridgetoastmasters.org
Writer’s Support/Critique Group
No Saturday meeting in July. ANNUAL 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.
Oakland City Council Meeting
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.
• Treasure Island tour/Culinary Academy lunch,
Rockridge Branch Library, every 3rd Saturday, 1:30 to
5pm. ALL writers welcome. Bring 8 copies of up to 5
pages of your prose for on-site reading/discussion.
Sponsored by the California Writers Club, Berkeley
branch (www.berkeleywritersclub.org/). More
information: 482-0265 or Writefox@aol.com
Diesel Book/Poetry Readings
Every Tuesday, 7pm, City Hall.
Oakland Planning Commission
1st and 3rd Wednesday each month,
6:30pm, City Hall. Get agendas and details at
www.oaklandnet.com.
The Greater Rockridge N’hood
Crime Prevention Council
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 to become a volunteer.
Elder Care Support Group
5433 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
Steering Committee meets 3rd Tuesday each month,
7 to 8:30pm. Fire Station #8 community room, 463
51st Street. Residents and business members of
NCPCs 12Y and 13X areas are invited to voice their
concerns about crime and public safety.
Rockridge Branch Library
Ruth Ozeki’s My Year of Meats.
• Tuesday, 7/20, 7:30pm. Book Group#1 will discuss
Maxine Hong Kingston’s Woman Warrior.
• Wednesday 7/21, 7/30pm. Stacey D’Erasmo:
Alta Bates Medical Center, Herrick Campus, 2001
Dwight Way, Berkeley. Free for family/friends caring
for older adults. 3rd Wednesday each month, 4-
5:30pm.For information on all support/education
groups offered by Alta Bates/Sutter Health: call
Monica at 869-4569 or e-mail Monicalcsw@a
lum.calberkeley.org.
Volunteers Needed
A Seahorse Year.
• Sunday, 7/25, 2pm. Alexander Cockburn and
5366 College Avenue, (510)597-5017
FOR CHILDREN:
• Toddler Story Time: Saturday, 10:30am: 7/3,
Jeffrey St.Clair: Serpents in the Garden:
Liaisons with Culture and Sex.
• Tuesday, 7/27, 7:30pm. Richard Price:
7/10, 8/7, 8,14.
• Pre-School Story Hour: Wednesday, 10:30 &
Samaritan.
For more inf. about readings, book/discussion groups and
classes: 653-9965 or www.dieselbookstore.com.
Backs In Rockridge
11am: 7/7, 8/4, 8/18.
• Pajama Story Time: Tuesday, 7pm: 7/6, 7/20,
8/3, 8/17.
SPECIAL EVENTS:
• Go Wild With Books! Sign up for Summer Reading
• Alameda County Community Food Bank. Assist
in the warehouse or office; staff the Hunger Hotline.
Hotline shifts Mon-Fri, 9am-12pm and 1-4pm. Call
Volunteer Mgr. Mary Schoen: 834-FOOD(3663) or
www.accfb.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
on math skills, beginning reading and writing
skills. Weekly time commitment of at least one
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
510-238-3432 or www.oaklandlibrary.org/
services/SecondStart/index.html.
Locksley Avenue Block Party
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
Game until 8/14. Win prizes for reading. Game
and events planned for ages 2 to 12, but younger
and older children always welcome.
• Mocha: Making Animal Masks. Thursday, 7/8,
3:30pm. Kids of all ages, 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-
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
day, 7/27, 7pm. Bilingual songs in English and
Spanish. All ages.
• Fratello Marionette Show. Tuesday, 8/10, 7pm.
in Berkeley: Recipes from a Tapas Bar.
• Saturday, 8/21, 10am to Noon. Marie Simmons:
Performance of Peter and the Wolf to Prokofiev’s
Symphony with live narration.
• The SPCA presents three special Saturday
Fig Heaven: 70 Recipes for the World’s
Most Luscious Fruit.
Friday Night On College:
Acoustic Concert
workshops in August at 2pm. Sign up to attend
one or more.

8/7: Choosing a companion animal

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
4 to 9, and their parents or caregivers.
FOR ADULTS:
• Lawyers in the Library: Free legal advice.
First Tuesday of each month, 6 to 8pm. Advance
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.
College Avenue Adult Center
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
510/772-7906.
sign-up 5pm.
College Ave. Presbyterian Church, 5955 College Ave.
Every Wednesday, from 9:30am to 1:30pm. Light
Library Hours: See box, top of page 2.

July 3, 2004
16.

Don Coelho

339-4721

28th year
serving Rockridge!

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