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VOL. 20 NO. 3 ISSUE NO. 210 March 5, 2005 CIRCULATION: 5,100 RESIDENCES; 200 BUSINESSES
Sponsored by The Rockridge Community Planning Council • 5245 College Ave. PMB 311 • Oakland, CA 94618 • 644-4228
RCPC Seeks Board Candidates for April Elections
RCPC
BOARD:
RUN;
VOTE!
by Deborah Weinstein, RCPC Co-Chair
Ayears of age, reside within RCPC boundaries and indicate their
intention to run for office by March 17. (A map and description of
RCPC boundaries is available online at www.rockridge.org.)
re you interested in developing a
community center in Rockridge?
Improving community involvement in our
public schools? Addressing traffic and park-
ing problems? Increasing pedestrian safety?
Improving our parks and open spaces? Well,
Rockridge needs people like you. Serving on
the Board of the Rockridge Community Plan-
ning Council (RCPC) will enable you to work on these issues!
Since 1986, RCPC, a 501(c)3 corporation, has been represent-
ing Rockridge to the City of Oakland on matters that affect the
Rockridge community. RCPC acts as a community steward on a
variety of issues. Description of RCPC’s work in the community
is available online at www.rockridge.org.
Candidates for the RCPC Board are invited to submit a photo
and a 125-word statement describing their interest in running for
the Board. Statements and photos must be received by March
17 for publication in the April
issue of The Rockridge News.
RCPC will hold its annual election in April for six Board Direc-
tors, each of whom serves a two-year term. The Board consists
of 12 elected and two appointed directors. Candidates must be 18
RCPC ELECTION, PAGE 3
New Trees and Benches for College Avenue
agenda:
RCPC Town Hall Meeting
Thursday, March 17, 7:30 pm.
Rockridge Branch Library
5366 College Avenue at Manila,
Community Room (Upstairs)
Jane Brunner to Review City
Budget at March 17 Town Hall
Meeting.
Where Should Your Tax Dollars Go?
by Jessica Pitt
In the coming months, the Oakland City
Council and Mayor Brown will be finalizing
the city’s budget for 2005-2007. Like most
municipalities, Oakland is facing a deficit
that will require deep cuts in many city ser-
vices and programs. The city council is going
to have to make tough choices about which
ones to save and which to eliminate.
by Daniel Ferdelman, Co-Chair, RCPC
Working together, City Councilmem-
ber Jane Brunner, Rockridge District
Association (RDA) and RCPC have come up
with a plan to beautify College Avenue.
The College Avenue Committee for
Capital Improvements (CACCI, formerly the
UnderBART Committee), chaired by Teresa
Drenick and composed of representatives
from RCPC, RDA and the community, has
been studying improvements to the BART
plaza for the past two years. The committee
expanded its scope to evaluate improvements
that will positively affect the entire length
of College Avenue.
At a general meeting last summer, resi-
Typical evergreen flowering pear
tree (Pyrus kawakami) planned for
College Avenue.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CLIFTON’S FLOWER AND
GARDEN CENTER, WWW.BUYPLANTSONLINE.COM
NEW TREES AND BENCHES FOR COLLEGE, PAGE 8
Do you care about ensuring that Oak-
land has adequate public safety, trees, open
space, well-maintained roads, programs for
youth and seniors? If so, we urge you to
attend the RCPC Town Hall meeting,
Thursday, March 17, 7:30 p.m. in the
Rockridge Library. Councilmember Jane
Brunner will join us to provide an overview
of the budget process, brief the community
on what we are likely to see in the next
budget, and hear from you about how you
think the city should spend its money.
Rockridge’s Kitchens Open Their Doors
This is an important opportunity to pro-
vide input into the city budget process and
make sure that the programs and services
most important to you are preserved.
by Jennifer Edmister
Wing homes of equal variety. It’s
no wonder enthusiasts near
and far flock to the biennial
Rockridge Kitchen Tour for
a peek inside Rockridge’s
finest homes.
Kitchen Tour 2005
e’re not sure how the word
has traveled so far, but
by all accounts, Rockridge has
become one of the most desir-
able places to live in the East
Bay. Nestled around lively
College Avenue, our bustling
locality is home to neighborly
folk of every stripe and charm-
Rockridge
Kitchens
Sunday, October 2
The Kitchen Tour began
in 1995 as a fledgling effort to
KITCHEN TOUR, PAGE 2
2.
March 5, 2005
Kitchen Tour
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from page 1
raise operating funds for the
Rockridge Community
Planning Council (RCPC).
In 1997, home improvement
experts took note, and three
kitchens on the Tour were
featured in Better Homes
& Gardens magazine. By
1999, the event had grown
to be wildly successful,
attracting nearly 1,000
participants.
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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.
Today, the Kitchen Tour
is an important fundraiser
for RCPC, a non profit,
public benefit organization.
Tour proceeds enable RCPC to provide lead-
ership and representation of neighborhood
interests and promote the quality of life in
Rockridge. Among its many community
serving functions, RCPC is a liaison between
residents and the city planning commission.
RCPC strives to be a voice for the commu-
nity as College Avenue, our local schools and
the neighborhood grow and evolve. Kitchen
Tour proceeds also help support publication
of The Rockridge News and donations to
our local schools and parks.
Rockridge News Production
Cy Gulassa ..........................Editor-in-Chief
Ortrun Niesar,
Claire Isaacs........................ Writers
Barry Kaufman...................Food
Jo Ellis...................................Advertising &
This 1997 Rockridge Kitchen Tour
home kitchen features a work and snack
island in the shape of a piano. At left is
Chris Rossi, owner/chef of Citron, with
home owner Dom Dimento.
Community Calendar
Theresa Nelson ....................Neighborhood Merchant
Lydia Gans...........................Photography
Susan Montauk...................Business Manager
Don Kinkead.......................Graphics & Layout
kitchen, with a piano-shaped island, blends
seamlessly into a dreamlike garden?
Or the Locksley kitchen where guests
were greeted on the sidewalk by a full-
sized cutout of a cheery toque-clad chef
and ushered into a bright red kitchen
splashed with those happy black and white
California cows?
RCPC Board of Directors, 2004-2005
Daniel Ferdelman ..............Co-Chair
Deborah Weinstein...........Co-Chair
Jessica Pitt ...........................Vice-Chair
Mike Taylor..........................Secretary
Ehab Bandar........................Treasurer
Jennifer Edmister, Cy Gulassa
Hiroko Kurihara, Susan Montauk, Mike McDonald,
While the Kitchen Tour supports a good
cause, it’s also just plain fun. Featuring
home spaces large and small, classic and
contemporary, the Kitchen Tour has inspired
countless guests to renovate, remodel and
redecorate their kitchens. Who can forget
the grand Mediterranean estate in upper
Rockridge, whose spectacular mahogany
Theresa Nelson, John Potis, Camille Reed
Whether you are in the midst of a com-
plete renovation, or looking for inspiration,
or merely a home enthusiast who wouldn’t
mind a stroll around the neighborhood on
a warm fall afternoon, the Kitchen Tour
has something for you. Join us on Sunday,
October 2, as the tradition continues.
NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTIONS
For annual subscriptions to The Rockridge
News, send your 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?
Kitchen Tour Selection: There’s Still Time!
I
Do you have questions about newsletter
distribution?
Would you like to volunteer to be a Rockridge
f you are a Rockridge resident ready to show off your refurbished, remodeled
or renovated kitchen, please contact us. We would also like to hear from you if
you would like to volunteer for one of our committees: flowers, food coordination,
publicity or raffle. Contact Jennifer Edmister via e-mail at toejrb@earthlink.net or
call 644-4228, attention Kitchen Tour.
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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: 510/644-4228
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
April 2, 2005
April deadline is March 17.
Advertising rates are $22/column inch. Six-month
pre-pay rate available. For display ads, 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.)
3.
March 5, 2005
The Zoning Counter
The Zoning Counter provides Rockridge
residents with an opportunity to review
construction project proposals in their
neighborhoods. It is a compilation of recent
application(s) filed with the Oakland Planning
Department, but not necessarily a complete or
up-to-date listing. Individuals may contact the
case planner or the Planning Department for
additional information.
Many applications that require conditional
use permits have 7- to 10-day public comment
periods. For the most up-to-date information
about applications on file at the city, go online.
Here’s how:
1) Go to the City’s home page:
www.oaklandnet.com
2) Select Department: Community Economic
Development, scroll to Planning and
Zoning
3) Hit “GO”
4) Click onto “Recent Applications to the
City.”
[No entries to post for this newsletter issue.]
RCPC Election
from page 1
Please include your address and phone
number. Mail hard copies to RCPC, 5245
College Ave, PMB 311, Oakland, CA,
94618. Electronic copies can be sent to
deborahlweinstein@yahoo.com.
Candidates will speak and voting take
place at the April 21 RCPC Town Hall Meet-
ing at the Rockridge Library, 7:30 p.m.
For further information, e-mail RCPC
Co-Chair Deborah Weinstein at deborahl
weinstein@yahoo.com.
RCPC Board Sets 2005 Priorities
by Jessica Pitt, RCPC Boardmember
At
a strategic planning retreat on Saturday, January 29, the RCPC Board
reviewed suggestions made by the community at a previous town hall
meeting, heard reports from the chairs of RCPC committees and decided on the
following priorities for 2005:
INFORMATION PORTAL. In 2005, RCPC plans to devote significant time
and resources to the redesign and expansion of the RCPC website
(www.Rockridge.org). The goal is to provide Rockridge residents with a
centralized portal for news, information and community resources. By cre-
ating a website that is accessible, informative, and easy to use, RCPC hopes
to provide a valuable service and encourage greater community involvement
in our neighborhood.
NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING PROCESS. RCPC’s Land Use Committee will
complete the Land Use Study begun last year. This will entail an extensive
neighborhood planning process that includes surveys and focus groups with
residents, merchants, and visitors, and use the information to update the 1994
Rockridge Area Plan and create a vision for future growth and development
in Rockridge.
TARGETED DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES. RCPC plans to identify several
commercial properties in Rockridge that are under-utilized or have the high-
est potential for improvements that meet C-31 zoning guidelines (ground
floor retail and upper story office or residential use). RCPC will approach
the owners of these sites about partnerships that would add to the vibrancy
and efficiency of land use in the Rockridge neighborhood.
SUPPORT FOR NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS. The Schools Committee plans to
promote communication and volunteerism between Rockridge schools and
the community. It will recruit parents to act as liaisons between RCPC and
each neighborhood school, and will continue to provide financial assistance
for special projects within the schools.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ON COLLEGE AVENUE. RCPC will work with City
Councilmember Jane Brunner’s office to implement planned capital improve-
ments along College Avenue, including new benches and street trees. The
Capital Improvement Committee will also continue planning and pursue
improvements in the area around the BART station, such as transit infor-
mation displays, community kiosks and improved lighting and landscaping
(see story, page 1).
In addition to these priorities, RCPC will continue to support ongoing projects
and activities, including FROG Park, Friends of Rockridge Library, and Traffic
and Pedestrian Safety.
4.
March 5, 2005
Oakland Housing Authority Puts Community First
by Susan Montauk, Neighborhood Crime
Prevention Council
Ra responsibility
to its tenants,
which it takes
seriously. The
OHA mission
is to “assure
the availabil-
ity of quality
housing
for
low-income
persons,
to
promote the
civic involve-
ment
and
economic self-
sufficiency of
residents and to
further the expansion of affordable housing
within Oakland.” Timothy Jones, Director
of Housing Management, said that there is
a thorough procedure in place for certifying
new tenants and monitoring those already
in place. Prospective residents are given a
criminal background check. If accepted,
they receive a three-hour orientation about
their rights and responsibilities and each
year must be recertified.
esponding to complaints by neighbors
about Oakland Housing Authority
(OHA) properties, the Neighborhood Crime
Prevention Council (NCPC) invited OHA
representatives to a Town Hall Meeting
February 15. OHA Executive Director John
Gresley, whose responsibility also extends
to 12,000 Section 8-properties, told the 50
members of the audience to call OHA staff
as soon as problems like strewn garbage,
shouting, loud music, and needed repairs
arise. But he also warned that with 254
scattered sites in Oakland and dwindling
federal funding, the probability of speedy
resolution appears dim.
OHA Panel l to r: Executive Director John Gresley, Director
of Housing Management Tim Jones, West District Manager J.W.
Jackson, OHA Chief of Police Carel Duplessis. PHOTO: SUSAN MONTAUK
Eviction is the last resort.”
The Rockridge area has five OHA hous-
ing projects, four of which are located north
of Claremont Avenue; the fifth is located
on the 5100 block of Shafter Avenue. Gres-
ley said that annual federal funding, which
supports municipal low-income capital
improvements and maintenance, has been
reduced from $11.3 million in 1993 to a
projected $7.4 million in 2006.
In response to a question about trash
being thrown over the OHA fence into a
neighbor’s yard at the Colby Street site,
Gresley said that OHA held a recent meet-
ing with neighbors and residents of all six
units at the site, which initiated an ongoing
process of communication. When another
person raised the problem of offensive graf-
fiti on OHA fences, Gresley promised to
look into it.
N
Since problems cannot be avoided, OHA
must deal with residents’ social issues and
work to foster good relations with com-
munities. Because of the small size of the
scattered projects (often only six units per
site), it is not economically feasible to install
live-in managers. As a result, OHA relies
on phoned-in complaints about property or
clients’ behavior and, according to Jones,
prides itself on following up every complaint.
The follow-up may take time; nevertheless,
all calls are welcome. “We want you to call
the OHA police department with complaints
because this allows us to build a file,” said
OHA Police Chief Carel Duplessis.
OHA Property in Rockridge
ot everyone had a complaint about
OHA properties. NCPC Chair Jeff
Benroth read a petition signed by Shafter
Avenue residents. “We are neighbors of the
Oakland Housing Authority apartments at
5120 Shafter Avenue. While there [may]
be some localized problems at some OHA
locations, it is not the case here. It would
be a mistake to generalize.”
Address
# units
5120 Shafter Ave
7
368 62nd St
5
5805 Canning St
4
5825 Canning St
14
5914 Colby
6
A
To lodge a complaint or offer a compli-
ment about the physical condition of OHA
property, use the three numbers below to
call (in the order given). If you don’t get
satisfaction with the first number, try the
next. Call the policing officer for complaints
about behavior.
ll OHA buildings, except for replace-
ment housing, were constructed
between 1968 and 1972 and need atten-
tion. However, only buildings in greatest
need of repair can be serviced each year.
A few years ago, the 5825 Canning site
was rebuilt after a fire in one unit forced
closure of the building. OHA worked with
neighbors to design a new building that
fit with the surrounding area, and few
problems have been reported since. Six
sites were chosen to rehabilitate this year.
According to its website (www.oakha.org),
OHA processes approximately 51 requests
per day for maintenance and improvements
like new landscaping and painting.
With a force of 27 OHA officers and
only five to eight of them on the street at any
time, emergency calls take precedence. Drug
dealing and violence are priority problems,
but they often require collaboration with the
Oakland Police Department. For a speedier
response, neighbors should notify the OPD
about problems like loitering and physical or
verbal intimidation. With limited resources,
OHA does the best it can, Gresley said.
“We are trying to modify behavior, create
a peaceful existence between neighbors and
tenants, and refer tenants to social agencies
as necessary to avoid an unhappy outcome.
• Acting Manager, Maintenance
and Grounds:
Lily Brown, 874-1655
• West District Manager:
J.W.E. Jackson, 874-1537
• Director of Housing Management:
Tim Jones, 874-1520
tjones@oakha.org
• Policing Officer:
Besides physical upkeep of its build-
ings, the OHA panel said the agency has
Corporal Jerry Williams, 535-3123
5.
March 5, 2005
Creating a Vision for Rockridge:
Making a New Neighborhood Plan
Update: Friends of
Studio One
by Karen Hester
Oby RCPC Land Use Committee
Rakland’s Public Art Program seeks
a qualified artist or team of artists
to design, fabricate and install public art
elements for the exterior entrance area of
Temescal’s Studio One Art Center. The com-
missioned public art project will celebrate the
creative purpose of Studio One and will be
integrated into the plaza, performance space
and/or lawn areas of the front entrance.
ockridge has changed a lot since the Grove-Shafter freeway (Highway 24) sliced
through the heart of the neighborhood in the early 1970s. But rather than allow hap-
hazard change, residents and merchant members of the Rockridge Community Planning
Council (RCPC) over the ensuing decades carefully planned growth and development.
For a dynamic neighborhood like Rockridge, collaborative planning is essential and
assures that future changes will continue to enhance the attractiveness and quality of
life of the community.
How do you see your neighborhood in the coming years? Consider some of the
following ideas:
Studio One classes will move to the
Malonga Arts Center (formerly the Alice
Arts Center) at 14th and Alice for the spring
semester and for the next 18 months, as
renovation begins at Studio One.
Friends of Studio One are beginning to
raise the $400,000 needed for furnishings,
kilns and computers in the new building.
To help organize the campaign or to make
a contribution, visit our website at www.fri
endsofstudioone.org or call Beth Maher at
510/420-5852.
Contact Karen Hester at 654-6346 or e-
mail Karen@hesternet.net with questions
or for further information.
Could Claremont Middle School host a Rockridge community center?
What about a Rockridge farmer’s market?
Or a redesigned BART station with real-time transit info at the ground level?
Would one to three stories of housing above retail along College Avenue
(our C-31 zoning ordinance allows, in principle, for 35 feet) ensure the
viability of local serving businesses?
Would additional housing on commercial corridors serve regional housing
needs (the Association of Bay Area Governments predicts an increase of
1.4 million people in the Bay Area in the next 20 years)?
Would a shuttle bus along College alleviate parking problems?
Would you like to see more restaurants or fewer?
Where could we create more open green space?
These are the kinds of questions the Land Use Committee will explore with the
community as it updates the 1994 Rockridge Neighborhood Area Plan, which helped
create the Rockridge library and FROG Park. At the RCPC Strategic Planning session
last month, the Board approved $7,500 to initiate a neighborhood planning process that
will seek input from residents and business owners about land use, open space, housing,
schools, transportation, parking and other topics. This extensive project will take one to
two years to complete and will need to raise additional funds.
In the past, much of the work of the Land Use Committee has been reactive, a
response to changes and development along the commercial corridors. Its new goal is
to develop proactive policies that enable members to plan ahead and choose the best
ways to sustain and enhance the vibrancy of the neighborhood. The RCPC mission is
ambitious: “to preserve and enhance the unique character of the Rockridge neighbor-
hood; promote the health, safety and quality of life; furnish a forum for community
involvement, and provide leadership and representation of neighborhood interests.”
Within the context of this mission, the purpose of RCPC’s Land Use Committee is
“to advocate for, propose, and guide planning and development policies and projects
towards a sustainable, vital commercial and residential neighborhood.”
The 12 members of the Land Use Committee, six of whom are on the RCPC board,
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will host “discussion parties” (aka focus
groups) as part of the neighborhood plan-
ning process. The committee, which meets
every second Tuesday of the month, will
launch “Making it Happen,” a subcom-
mittee that will outline the neighborhood
planning initiative and the input process.
We will keep you posted. Please contact us
if you would like to help “Make It Happen”
or if you have any questions, comments or
suggestions: Hiroko Kurihara 510/384-0557
or h2oakland@sbcglobal.net
6.
March 5, 2005
shells with kitchen scissors. Although most
cookbook recipes call for deveining shrimp,
it is really not necessary. Most shrimp we
get are farm raised; deveining is mainly
for cosmetic purposes and not necessary
for health or safety.
How easy this is!
Shrimp Boil
□ 1 pound large shrimp in shells
□ brine mixture – 2 tablespoons salt,
2 tablespoons sugar, quart of water
□ 11⁄2 quarts of water
Tips for Food Lovers: Secrets and Shortcuts
□ 1⁄4 cup white wine
Cookbooks Never Tell You
How
□ 2 mashed garlic cloves
□ 5 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning
many times have I heard: “I
can’t even boil an egg,” or
“What does ‘season to taste’ really mean?”
The key to good cooking is knowing expe-
rienced chefs’ secrets and shortcuts. Every
professional cook has a “bag of tricks” to
make life easier in the kitchen. The most
important thing I learned as a student at the
California Culinary Academy is to keep it
simple and never panic.
produce perfectly cooked eggs.
□ 1⁄2 teaspoon peppercorns
Okay, lets go deeper into basics. Nearly
every recipe ends with ”season with salt and
pepper to taste.” Now what exactly does that
mean? Bottom line, salt and pepper should
be used to balance and enhance the intrinsic
flavors of food, herbs and spices. My chef
instructors always admonished: “Keep tast-
ing throughout the recipe because you can
always add more but can’t subtract.” When
a recipe says, “season with salt and pepper
to taste,” always use kosher salt and freshly
ground pepper, and add pinches of each and
sample until you are satisfied. Make a note
of the amount used.
□ 11⁄2 teaspoons salt
□ 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne
□ 2-3 bay leaves, crumbled
Dipping Sauce
□ 1⁄4 pound unsalted butter
□ 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
□ pinch of cayenne pepper
□ 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Melt the butter and stir in the other
ingredients
Let’s start with boiling an egg. A per-
fectly hard-cooked egg is easy to peel and
has a soft creamy center without a green
ring around the yolk. One tip is to first
bring eggs to room temperature by putting
them in a bowl of hot water for about 20
minutes. In Europe, eggs are rarely refrig-
erated. Contrary to conventional wisdom,
older eggs are preferable for hard boiling
because they are easiest to peel. There are
two schools of thought when it comes to
preparing hard cooked eggs. To follow the
French school, place the eggs in a deep
saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring
water to a rolling boil, remove from heat,
cover the pan and let sit for 17 to 20 min-
utes. Next, for easy peeling, put the warm
eggs in ice water for 20 minutes, then peel
under a stream of cold water which helps
separate the shell. Another approach is to
put room temperature eggs in boiling water
for exactly 10 minutes then transfer to a
bowl of ice water. Either technique will
Instructions
1. Soak shrimp in brine mixture for
30 minutes
2. In a large pot, combine all other
ingredients. Bring to a boil
3. Add shrimp to pot. Cover and bring
The best restaurant tip: cooking frozen
shrimp. Most shrimp we get in the Bay-
area have been frozen. To bring back the
flavor and freshness of the sea, brine the
shrimp in a mixture of 2 tablespoons of
kosher salt, 2 tablespoons of sugar and
a quart of water for about 1⁄2 hour. For a
more intense flavor, cook the shrimp with
the shells on. After cooking, remove the
back to a boil. Cook for 2-3
minutes. Drain
4. Serve with dipping sauce
Barry Kaufman is a graduate of the Cali-
fornia Culinary Academy. His e-mail is
kaufman42@earthlink.net . Barry is available for
private cooking classes and fundraising events.
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7.
March 5, 2005
Chic Fashion Clothing
Owner Rana Mazandarani
PHOTO: DON KINKEAD
THE NEIGHBORHOOD MERCHANT
BY THERESA NELSON
5414 College Avenue, Oakland
Phone 510/547-8820
Open Monday, Wednesday – Sunday
11 a.m – 8 p.m.,
Tuesday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
ters to find the special
merchandise customers
want. “Here clients
touch the fabrics before
they look at the price
because they value
quality and style,” she
says. And many items
here are priced far less
than one might expect,
given the label and
handmade designs.
How Chic
Can You Be?
Surrounded by a rainbow of new fashions
in stunning classic designs, Chic owner
Rana Mazandarani arranges today’s new
arrivals in her store with other fresh looks
for spring. “Every day new items arrive,”
she says, while arranging a green knit top
with a playful beaded purse and demure
earrings.
Featuring classic yet contemporary clothing for women
and men, Chic is famous for its spectacular window
displays which present a different theme each month.
This time of year,
bridal dresses and
styles for bridesmaids
and mother-of-the-
bride or groom are featured. One example
is a gorgeously draped sheath in buttery satin
with a curved neckline. Special occasion
dresses also are arriving for the prom season
in breathtaking choices. The “Audrey” dress
is simply magnificent, an ecru linen sheath
with hand-embroidered leaves in black on
a thin silk top, cinched with a black belt.
For daywear and professional wear, Chic
carries fine knit separates from Maria Lisa
and Nicole Miller and silk shirts and jackets
from Komarov. The men’s clothing includes
gorgeous silk ties and supple sweaters from
Armani and Versa, and shirts from Versace
and Dolce & Gabbana.
Rana says that Chic is her baby; in fact
the store is the culmination of an ambition
she has been pursuing for 16 years. She
holds a graduate degree in microbiology
from U. C. Davis and was a team leader
for a local bioscience firm for years, but
always planned to open a store like Chic
someday. While growing up, she helped
her mother in the family fashion boutique
in Iran. She moved to the US some years
ago with her husband Behrouz, who grew
up in Berkeley and worked as a physicist at
the University of California. Together they
designed and renovated Chic.
PHOTO: LYDIA GANS
one of each item, with limited additional
sizes in the back — Rana usually buys only
three of each item so that clients will feel
that their purchases are unique. She also
special orders items.
“People in this area think differently.
They recognize quality and want to know
the details about their purchases,” Rana says.
She often collaborates with designers and
manufacturers, focusing on the natural dyes
and fabrics that her customers prefer. “When
we work directly with the producers, we
ensure that the funds go directly to the
artisans rather than to middlemen.”
Chic’s focus is classic yet contemporary
clothing for women and men of 18-60+
years, ranging from daywear and profes-
sional attire to special occasion, including
accessories. The elegant display racks show
Rana and Behrouz also travel together
to New York, Italy and other fashion cen-
Rana and Behrouz designed the store to
have an international feeling, with touches
like hand-painted floor tiles and naturally-
posed mannequins. Since it opened a year
ago, Chic has become famous for its spec-
tacular windows. Once a month Rana works
with designer Nina Taylor to design windows
which are witty and beautiful. The current
window is a tribute to film and the Oscars.
Film reels unwind across the floor, with
posters of “Rear Window” and a manne-
quin that resembles Grace Kelly. Inside the
store, they showcase local artists, such as a
photographer whose black-and-white photos
perfectly complement the film theme.
When it rains, it pours!
Address
Bed/Ba.
List Price
Selling Price
Close Date
5267 Boyd Ave.
1/1
$445,000
$445,000
1/21/2005
5425 Shafter Ave.
2/1
$729,000
$843,000
2/8/2005
6060 Claremont Ave.
7 Units
$1,200,000
$1,250,000
2/9/2005
Chic presents clothing that will make
you feel fashionable without ever letting
you become a fashion victim. Stop by and
talk to Rana, and spend some time browsing
and touching the exquisite fabrics as you
discover the look best for you.
5327 College Ave.
2/1
$699,000
$1,000,000
2/24/2005
Please contact me if you are interested in buying or selling.
8.
March 5, 2005
Friends of the
Rockridge Library
Has Openings for
Board Members
New Trees and Benches for College Avenue
from page 1
dents selected five of CACCI’s recommendations based on feasibility, cost effectiveness,
and ability to be completed within a reasonable time frame. These were: Improved
commuter plaza at BART; street trees; tree benches; improved benches and tables at
BART; and multi-purpose kiosks. The CACCI group did additional outreach at the last
Rockridge Kitchen Tour/Out-N-About in Rockridge; you may
have seen our booth at Shafter and College.
by Marilyn Citron, Chair, FORL
I
We have
identified
at least 20
locations for
new trees and
50 locations
for tree
benches.
f you love the library and want to make a
difference, the Friends of the Rockridge
Library (FORL) which operates under the
umbrella of RPCPC, has vacancies for board
positions beginning May 2005.
Councilmember Jane Brunner’s office has gotten the
ball rolling with a commitment of $150,000 to plant trees
and install tree benches along College Avenue. We have
identified at least 20 locations for new trees and 50 locations
for tree benches. The trees will add color and fragrance to
the stretches of College Avenue that are hard and barren.
The tree benches will look like the benches currently in
front of Market Hall Annex. They will protect the trees and
give shoppers and residents a place to rest on their strolls
along the avenue. For me, the benches will be particularly
helpful on walks with my daughter when I need to give her
a bottle or adjust her position in the stroller.
W
FORL’s mission is to serve as an
advocate for the library to the commu-
nity, generate new ideas to enhance its
facilities and programs, and encourage
gifts and volunteers.
In 2004, our accomplishments were
many, including funding a summer intern-
ship for an Oakland Technical High School
student. FORL also provided a grant to
the library to purchase a major reference
work, the Dictionary of National Biography
(DNB), and to buy magazine subscriptions
and books not covered by the Oakland Public
Library budget.
e need your help to turn this vision
into reality. We need local merchants
and/or property owners on College Avenue
to sign-up for a tree and/or tree bench. Sign-
ing up is easy: Forms are available from
any of the people listed below. All it takes
is a signature to request a tree or bench on
the sidewalk in front of your property or
business. For trees, you must also agree to
water the tree for a year. After you sign up,
the City will inspect each location to make
sure that it’s a safe place to put a tree or
bench before installation.
Our goals for 2005 include continued
funding of the summer internship program,
new landscaping treatments for all sides of
the library and enhancing resources for the
branch and its collections.
FORL board members invite you to
join us. Please submit a brief description
of yourself and your interest in serving to
Marilyn Citron at mbcitron@yahoo.com.
Proposed tree bench for College
Avenue.
PHOTO: DAN FERDELMAN
The CACCI committee and Jane Brun-
ner’s office will be contacting merchants and property owners on College Avenue in
order to get everyone involved in this project. If you have questions or concerns please
contact us.
Complete architectural
services since 1970
5278 College Avenue
Oakland, CA 94618
(510) 654-6755 fax 654-3424
$$
$
#"
!
Zachary Wald, Aide
Office of Vice Mayor
Jane Brunner
Phone: 238-7013
zwald@oaklandnet.com
Sara Wilson, President
Rockridge District
Association
president@rockridge
district.com
Daniel Ferdelman
Co-Chair
RCPC Board of Directors
Mobile: 415/385-1207
chair@rockridge.org
For Your Thorough Cleaning
! #
General Dentistry
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9.
March 5, 2005
Chabot Elementary’s Spring Auction
Helps Fund School Enrichment Programs
A
North Oakland
Community Charter
School Fund Raiser
N
nthony Chabot Elementary School’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) invites you
to join us for our annual Spring Auction Saturday, April 2, 6-11 p.m. Our “Passport
to Spain” fiesta will be held in the Pauley Ballroom located in U.C. Berkeley’s Student
Union building.
orth Oakland Community Charter
School’s (NOCCS) fourth annual
Silent Auction and Music Party will be
held April 2, 6-11 p.m. at 525 4th Street
in Oakland.
This is Chabot’s biggest fundraiser; auction proceeds support school enrichment
programs, including music, art, library resources, a computer program and a new on-
site garden curriculum. The PTA also contributes to improvements of the physical plant.
Since the City and state are cutting education spending, we rely more than ever on the
local community. Contact Susie Poncelet to make a donation (an item to be auctioned,
a gift certificate, or a cash contribution). Donors will be listed in our auction program
and on our website at www.chabotelementary.org.
6-7 p.m. — Live acoustic soul and
blues jamming
7-10 p.m.— Great deals on food and
stuff from local businesses
10-11 p.m.— Live music from the
Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. To purchase tickets and for more
information, contact Susie Poncelet, 510/985-1246, or email sponcelet@earthlink.net.
nationally recognized band Placenta
Hope to see you there!
NOCCS is located at 5951 College
Avenue. For more information, contact
Allison Pugh, 510/435-9756, or e-mail
pugh@socrates.Berkeley.EDU.
Claremont School Needs Volunteers
A
ANTHONY CHABOT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION, 6686 CHABOT ROAD, OAKLAND.
re you an artist, musician, scientist, professional or someone with a story to share? Do
you know someone who is? Claremont Middle School is always looking for speakers
from the community. Contact Julie Harris: 652-2373 or julieharris@pacbell.net.
Landmark Kingfish Pub for Sale
T
"SHOULD YOU
SAVE FOR YOUR
KID'S COLLEGE
OR FOR YOUR
RETIREMENT?
OR BOTH?"
he Pruitt family, long-time owners of the Kingfish Pub on Claremont Avenue, have
decided to pursue other opportunities and are selling the Kingfish, adjacent residences
and a billboard, all part of the property, to developers. The Pruitts hope the Kingfish can
be incorporated into a new development. They chose local developers Ron Kriss and Roy
Alper to buy the property because of their interest in having the Kingfish live on.
Kriss and Alper recently built the acclaimed Temescal Place Condominiums at 48th
Street and Telegraph Avenue. They are eyeing the Kingfish site for a mixed-use devel-
opment with retail and parking on the ground floor and 3 or 4 stories of condominiums
above. They want to incorporate the Kingfish into the new development and move the
two Victorian houses from the Telegraph side of the lot to another site in the area.
To share your ideas about this concept, Steve Pruitt, Kriss and Alper invite you to
a meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 26, 2005, at the Kingfish Pub, 5229 Claremont
Avenue. Ron Kriss can be reached at 510/547-5970 ext55 or ronkriss@jps.net.
#!1.'0'#/,$$#.#"0&.,1%& ))/0 0#'+ +!' ) #.2'!#/ #!1.'0'#/'+
+" #%'/0#.#".,(#.# )#.#* #. $$'!#,$ 1-#.2'/,.3
1.'/"'!0',+ ,10&
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A Price Reduction in a Hot Market?
The Value of Negotiation Experience
2 BED/1 BATH “DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH”: OAKLAND.
I have been working with a Rockridge couple recently. We
re-discovered a home near Lincoln. We had seen this home
earlier but the price and condition were unacceptable. By
asking the right questions (of the seller and agent); using
careful negotiation strategies and understanding the impact
of inspection reports, we negotiated the price from $475K
to $419K in a hot multiple offer market. Lesson: Realtor
negotiation skills and experience can save sellers and
buyers thousands of dollars.
#,%"#(-% &
(!)'# +)*#+-%#,
FIND YOUR HOME VALUE Free At:
www.MyHouseValue.info
Real Estate Blog and Reports at:
&& '#
www.HomeEastBay.info
#$$.#(
)'! ,-(#-
10.
March 5, 2005
The Story of the Greening of Peralta Elementary School
“Eat Them! Eat Them! Here They Are.”
Peralta School Brings Green to Its Front Yard
by Christopher Waters, Project Coordinator
W
hile Dr. Seuss’s Sam-I-Am has not convinced Peralta
Elementary School to eat green eggs and ham, the crea-
ture has inspired a passion for many things green, edible or not.
Peralta — soon to celebrate its 125th anniversary — began testing
its green thumb with the arrival of Principal Rosette Costello in
1996. She teamed with first grade teacher Calvert Hand and local
resident Lauren Elder to beautify the front yard. With Hand’s
steaming-locomotive energy and gardening talent and Elder’s train-
ing in theatre, museum installation and landscaping, the concept
of a school garden bloomed. Railroad ties were laid in place to
create large planter boxes; potted plants were imported and even
a defunct tree, painted a Seuss-like blue, became a permanent art
installation. Volunteers added colorfully painted handprints of
Peralta students on tables, hoisted umbrellas and installed tree-
stump stools. School art projects produced bird houses. Children
began eating their lunches under the lush courtyard canopy and
harvesting strawberries for dessert.
I
Peralta students help build a garden from the ground up.
Parents and
kids work
together to
maintain
Peralta’s
extensive
gardens.
nspired by the transformation of the school’s front entrance and
courtyard, Costello decided to redo the school’s playground. With
assistance from Councilmember Jane Brunner, the school district,
the Alameda County Building Trades Unions, and the generosity
of arts-and-environment-based grant foundations, Costello and
her team transformed the schoolyard from an asphalt expanse
to a park-like landscape, including an amphitheater. Under the
tutelage of Elder and muralist Jamie Morgan, students added
colorful, whimsical flourishes on walls and fences.
PHOTOS:
CHRISTOPHER WATERS
In this new garden, volunteers planted edible gardens in planter
boxes. In the fall, students enjoyed their own pumpkin patch and
harvested maize, squash and beans, the bounty from their lesson
on Native American Culture.
Not content to rest, the school community took a deep breath
and, in 2004, created the Alcatraz Avenue Vista. Teams of stu-
dent and parent volunteers painted another mural and planted
Japanese blueberry trees, hundreds of daffodil bulbs and an
assortment of shrubs and vines.
7 T H A N N U A L F O O D D R I V E
Their work continues.
Joined by ceramicist/
PERALTA GREENING PROJECT, PAGE 11
Bring a bag of nonperishable food items the
week of March 7th to your local Curves
and join with no service fee. All groceries will
be donated to local food banks.
curvesinternational.com
000-000-0000
000-000-0000
000-000-0000
000-000-0000
000-000-0000
Local Address
Local Address
510-655-8808
Market Hall’s lower level
Entrance on Shafter @ BART
Local Address
Local Address
Local Address
Local Address
Local Address
Local Address
Local Address
Local Address
*Offer based on first visit enrollment, minimum 12 mo. c.d. program. Not valid with any other offer.
Valid only at participating locations.
11.
March 5, 2005
Peralta Greening Project
from page 10
Following a day of study
and garden work, students
can play on challenging
playground structures.
Peralta
Elementary
Seeks Alumni
In preparation for Peralta’s 125th Anniver-
sary Spring Community Festival on May
14, 2005, the Peralta Parent Teacher Group
is looking for former students, parents and
teachers to share information about their
experience at Peralta School.
sculptor Gitty Duncan and
textile artist Ellen Oppen-
heimer, Elder is now in
classrooms working with children to create decorative hand-molded ceramic tiles
for the amphitheater and design a flag to commemorate Peralta’s 125th anniversary
this year. Kid-designed benches, arbors and gates are being installed and the gardens
have been designated “art-scapes,” places where temporary and permanent work by
the children will be on public display.
Help us celebrate the long and rich
history of Peralta’s learning community:
contact Susan Killebrew at 655-2737 or
suchard2@earthlink.net for details.
The Rockridge
News Needs
Your Help
V
The garden committee has received grant funding to install a greenhouse for the
North Street greening project, which entails replacing the chain link fence and concrete
patio with a dry-stack brick wall and 30-foot
trellis. The area will also house the Peralta
Waste Reduction Center for the school-wide
composting and recycling program. The
greenhouse will provide space for science
projects, but its main purpose is to create
an organic indigo dye garden and a non-
toxic fermentation vat to cultivate dyes for
use in art projects.
Polunteerism is good for the soul, and
your community is the place to start.
We know you love reading The Rockridge
News but it doesn’t reach you without a
large volunteer effort. Sometimes we have
to drop streets from our delivery network
because no one comes forward to be a block
captain. Please look at the list below and let
us know what you can do to help out.
eralta is currently the only flatlands
public school experiencing an increase
in enrollment and an expanding waiting
list. Principal Costello acknowledges that
the single most important element of the
school’s success is the tireless commitment
of its community of parents, educators,
neighbors and friends. She also points
out that sustaining that commitment requires constant inspiration and persistence
like the Peralta Greening Project. To those who haven’t yet bought into “green”
programs, she urges following Sam-I-Am’s advice about green ham and eggs: “You
may like them. You will see. You may like them in a tree!”
Students add colorful, whimsical
flourishes, including wood appliqué
murals, large painted butterflies on a
winding wooden fence, and fabric banners
featuring the school motto.
!
!
!
• A Marshal is needed to replace Robin
Donovan. Duties comprise picking up the
bundled newsletters in Rockridge the first
weekend of each month and dropping them
off at 5 nearby homes.
• Block Captains are needed to distribute
the newsletter door-to-door for the follow-
ing routes:
Route 16D: Both sides 5200 Clare-
mont, including apartment at 5248
Route 14B: Both sides of Desmond
between Coronado and 51st, and 51st
from Broadway to Coronado.
• A volunteer is needed to prepare about
100 envelopes once a month for mailing The
Rockridge News. We provide the labels and
stamps.
Please call 547-3855 or e-mail Susan at
smontauk@juno.com to volunteer.
More
Boyd Duplex for Rent
2 br/1 bath upper $2250, Must See. Big, bright
remodeled gourmet kitchen, office nook, high
ceilings, French doors to deck, garden. DR,
LR, laundry, tandem garage. 1 br/1 bath lower
$1150. 510/597-0641
12.
March 5, 2005
Local Residents Reject Airport Casino
by Cy Gulassa
D
“Claiming the casino will save your
culture and history is truly bogus,” Valerie
Winemiller responded. Zee Miller urged
the tribe to build a museum if the goal is
to preserve the Koi culture.
Point Molate and North Richmond.
Despite fierce opposition, the tribe’s
proposal for an Oakland casino ultimately
depends on the decision of the Bureau of
Indian Affairs. If approved at the federal
level, the details of the proposal would be
negotiated privately with the Governor and
voted up or down (no alterations permitted)
by state legislators. Once established, the
land has the status of a sovereign nation,
immune to local and state laws.
on’t gamble on a casino in Oakland any
time soon. Judging from the comments
of panelists and most community members
at Jane Brunner’s February meeting at Per-
alta Elementary, the proposed casino near
the Oakland International Airport would
create monster traffic, pay mostly minimum
wages, cost more in public services than
it would generate in taxes, lure folks who
can’t afford to gamble, attract unsavory
characters, siphon off 30 percent of profits
to pay the Florida syndicates who would
manage the operation, and frighten away
endangered birds. Judging also from the
broken promises of other casino owners,
panelists warned that unless every honest-
to-goodness, cross-my-heart promise to
the community is chiseled into a granite
contract, don’t count on casinos fulfilling
them.
The issue is not the welfare of Indian
tribes or gambling on reservations, Oak-
land Councilmember Jane Brunner said.
“It’s whether or not we want to support the
spread of urban gambling.” In addition to
San Pablo’s existing casino and the proposed
one in Oakland, two more are planned for
CULTURAL NOTES: “CASINO,” the Play
by Claire Wahrhaftig-Isaacs
Icasino in the Fox Oakland. Appalled preser-
vationists get the runaround from Planning,
Redevelopment, and even the Information
Desk. Sound familiar?
f the last time you tried to testify at City
Hall and were limited to the one minute
rule, you will love “Casino,” featuring the
song, “Only a Minute”. This musical spoof
of Oakland’s politics is a must-see for local
city politics wonks.
Beyond the laughs, the scripts aks ques-
tions such as, “What price to obtain jobs for
a broke municipality?” It would be great
presented in a theatrical venue with a small
orchestra and chorus, but the cast of 12 and
two musicians do a great job. With book
and music by the very talented Judith Offer
and Joyce Whitelaw, this hugely entertaining
show is at the YWCA at 1515 Webster Street
at $20 per person. It opened in 2004 and
was updated for this second run, through
March 12. Call 444-8521. Today!
The project, which would include an
annual payment of $30 million to the City,
consists of 2000 slots, four restaurants, a
spa and 7-story hotel, and around-the-clock
entertainment on a 35 acre site along San
Leandro Bay adjacent to the Martin Luther
King Jr. Regional Shoreline Park. One of
the main features of the MLK park is a
restored wild life refuge that is home to
the endangered Clapper Rail. Robert Che-
asty, attorney for Citizens for an Eastshore
Park, said the noise and night lights would
attract predators and drive away the birds.
The group will sue if plans for a Casino
move forward.
“Casino” is a musical satire with char-
acters like Mayor JB, who converses in
Latin while assuming yoga poses. “Jac Az”,
balding and weird, has the hots for Lupe,
young assistant to dedicated Councilwoman
Nancy Tenacity. Lupe falls for half-Indian
website tech designer, Sam Sam Miguel, last
of his tribe, who is pursued by developer
Ace Trumps to front an Indian gambling
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3PDLCPUUPNDPNNJTTJPOT
Residents rejected the appeal of Daniel
Beltran, Chairman of Lower Lake Rancheria
Koi Nation, to help save the culture of the
tribe by supporting a Nevada-style casino
in Oakland. “It’s in harms way,” he said.
!$*(*"
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13.
March 5, 2005
Rockridge Peralta Elementary Artwork on Display
by Christopher Waters
A
Oppenheimer
has taught and
worked with thou-
sands of students of
all ages. Her work
is well-represented
in both museum
and private collec-
tions, and she was
recently honored by
the International
Quilt Association
by
having
her
work included in
The
Twentieth
Century’s
Best
American Quilts, a
book that explores
the evolution of quilting from the first
traditional quilts to the avant-garde.
series of brightly colored, hand-made
quilts line the walls of the Nomad
Café Gallery this March, all selected from
a group of portrait quilts made by Peralta
Elementary school children. Under the tute-
lage of textile artist Ellen Oppenheimer,
the students created this unique installation
with support from a City of Oakland Art
in the Schools grant.
The self-portraits in the quilts display
the whimsy and joy of childhood. The
students began by creating designs on
paper, then dyed white fabric to create
expressive self-images and helped sew
them together. The quilts were then bound
by the New Pieces Quilt Store and Gallery
in Berkeley.
PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER WATERS
Oppenheimer is collaborating with the
Peralta Elementary community to create
an organic indigo dye garden on the school
campus (see story, page 10), which will
allow students the opportunity to grow,
cultivate and ferment their own dyes for
art projects. For more information about
Peralta, visit http://www.geocities.com/
peraltaschool/.
Ellen Oppenheimer has been working
with Peralta since 1998 when her son
enrolled in the Rockridge school. Last year
she and her students created designs for
installation in the United States Embassy
in Moscow, which remain on display.
The Nomad Café invites you to meet
the artist and her students and to
view their work in the Nomad Café
Gallery on Sunday, March 6, 2005,
2-4 p.m., 6500 Shattuck Avenue
(corner of 65th Street), Oakland
(open M-F 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat. 7 a.m.-
10 p.m.; Sun. 8 a.m.-7 p.m.).
$ ) 3 * 4 5 & / 4 & /
) & - - & 3
( " - - & 3 :
Peralta quilt images are available online
at http://www.gypsyspiritmission.com/events/
peralta_quilts/
Art Fine Jewelry Crafts
.
.
Nominated for 2004
Top100 Craft Galleries
in the United States
5295 College Avenue (nr Broadway)
Oakland • 510 601 8828
Custom Jewelry Design
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Jewelry Refurbishing and
Redesign
Engraving
Jewelry Cleaning
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NEW ADDRESS!
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Oakland, California 94618
510.655.5952
14.
March 5, 2005
Quality Gardening Care
Care for the beauty and magic of your garden!
Maintenance, clean-ups, pruning, planting,
irrigation, mulching. Organic practices, 12
years in the East Bay, small company, per-
sonal attention. Local references. Green’s
Gardens—510/593-3490
Home for Rent in Rockridge
5-bedroom, 3 bath house available in September,
2005—furnished or unfurnished. Large backyard
with hot tub. Call Lori for details, 510.652-0883,
or e-mail loriknits@hotmail.com
Your Message Could Be Here
Your 36-word message: $18 (phone number
counts as one word). Mail to: RN Classifieds,
5245 College Avenue, PMB 311, Oakland, CA
94618. April deadline is March 17.
Office and Store Cleaning
East Bay only, free estimates and local refer-
ences available. Environmentally conscious
and impeccable work. We also do windows!
Kris, 510.868-1957 escapethemadness@b
igfoot.com
Alternative College
5 minutes from Rockridge: Western Institute
for Social Research (WISeR) offers individual-
ized BA, MA, and PhD programs for working
adults. State approved. Socially progressive.
Multiethnic. www.wisr.edu 3220 Sacramento
Street, Berkeley 94702. 510.655-2830
Place a classified ad: call Susan Montauk, 547-3855
Jazz and Classical Piano Lessons
Rockridge jazz pianist with UC Berkeley music
B.A. offers lessons in jazz, blues, classical, music
theory, ear-training, technique. Experienced,
patient teacher, all ages/levels. Janet 653-6783.
Pilates or Gyrotonic®
Free 30-minute private session*.First class FREE*
in Pilates, Yogilates, NIA®, Gyrokinesis®, and/
or Yamuna® Body Rolling. (*For new clients).
Mind-Body Connection, 5255 College Ave,
420-0444 (www.mindbodyconnection.net)
Housecleaning
Reasonable rates. Expert & reliable services from
local employment cooperative. Call 534-6766 and
we’ll send someone to spiff up your home. Ask
for our references from Rockridge clients.
Home Repair Expert
Carpentry, remodeling. Doors and windows,
glass and locks, small electrical, plumbing jobs,
drywall, painting, fences, decks and other odd
jobs. Good rates. Rick 510/464-5934.
Temporary Room Rental
Having out of town guests and nowhere to put
them? Large, sunny room available in Craftsman
home in Rockridge/Elmwood area. See website
for photos and info. http://geocities.com/
cayenne2810 or call 547-8788.
More RN Classifieds,
page 11, bottom right.
YOU MAY LIVE 30 YEARS
PAST RETIREMENT.
' #(" )" &*
"$'+ !))' "* " ( )" &*&, )*% &*)
((")'&+"*
.#$&
--- -( ) '% $ "$ '+ !
Tax Phobic? Paperwork in a Muddle?
Personal Coach with an interest in tax preparation
(go figure!) will help you organize to file this year
AND develop a system so next year will be stress-
free. consultkh@comcast.net 652-3160.
Personalized Weight Loss
Healthy Living Solutions. FREE body analysis and
personalized consultation. “…Good Health &
Wellness through Good Nutrition…” Gary Sinick
510/597-1129 www.for-a1health.com. Your local
Herbalife Independent Distributor.
Feather River Art Camp For
Adults In July
Nature, creativity, fun, camaraderie.Classes with
experienced/ dedicated teachers offered in a
variety of creative fine art and craft forms.
Rustic but civilized accommodations. 510/601-
1619, klegault@sbcglobal.net
Personal Chef
Nutritionist/Personal Chef available to cook
colorful, healthy meals for you. Will prepare
vegan, vegetarian, low-fat, Mediterranean and
special diets to your taste. Reasonable rates,
flexible hours. References available. Bon appétit!
Call Anne 415/690-6397
15.
March 5, 2005
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.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Compiled by Jo Ellis
Activities, Events for Seniors
to lie on the floor. Call Linda at 597-5017 for
more information.
• Free Writer’s Workshop: “Self-Editing and
Councilmember Brunner’s
Community Advisory Meeting
• College Avenue Adult Center
Light exercise, socializing, travel programs
and music. Hot lunch at noon for $2. Every
Wednesday, from 9:30am to 1:30pm. College
Ave. Presbyterian Church, 5955 College Ave. For
details about upcoming field trips and special
programs, call Kathy at 531-6724.
First Saturday every other month, 10am to
noon. No March meeting. April meeting topic:
The Budget. The Mayor and City Administrator
scheduled to attend. NOTE: A special meeting
concerning St. Albert’s Priory on Birch Court will
be scheduled for March. Mtg location:Peralta
Elementary School: 460 63rd St. (parking on
Alcatraz Ave., just east of Telegraph). For more
information on this or other issues, call 238-
7001 or www.oaklandnet.com (the site for
all City-related information).
Working with an Editor,” led by professional
editors Laura Kennedy and Ken Sanderson.
Saturday, March 19, 2 - 3:30pm. Call Linda,
597-5017 to reserve a spot.
• Tax Information: Rockridge Branch Library has
state and federal tax forms available. Five Oak-
land Branch Libraries offer free tax assistance:
the Main Library, Chavez, Dimond, Melrose,
and Temescal. NOTE: Rockridge Branch does
NOT offer tax assistance.
• North Oakland Multi-Purpose
Senior Center
*Free help with taxes until 4/12. Call for
appt.
*March deadline to register for trips to Mon-
terey on 4/21, and the Asparagus Festival in
Stockton on 4/23.
The Newsletter, “North Oakland Senior Times”
provides a full schedule of classes as well as a
monthly menu for lunch: (suggested donation:
seniors age 60 + $2.25; $4 for those under age
60). Location: 5714 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way.
Center Hours: Mon – Fri, 8:45am to 4:45pm.
Call 597- 5085 for details about membership,
newsletter, classes/events and opportunities to
become a volunteer.
5366 College Avenue, 597-5017
Library Hours:
Monday and Tuesday, 12:30 to 8pm
Weds, Thurs and Sat, 10am to 5:30pm
Friday, 12 to 5:30pm Closed: Sundays.
The Greater Rockridge N’hood
Crime Prevention Council
Residents and business members of NCPC’s 12Y
and 13X areas are invited to voice their concerns
about crime and public safety. Steering Committee
meets 3rd Tuesday each month, 7 to 8:30 pm,
Temescal Library, 5205 Telegraph Ave.
Diesel Book/Poetry Readings
All events are FREE and open to the public.
• Monday, 3/14, 7:30pm. Amnesty Inter-
national monthly meeting. All welcome.
5433 College Ave. For readings, book/
discussion groups and classes: 653-9965
or www.dieselbookstore.com.
Rockridge Branch Library
For Children:
• Toddler Story Time: 1st and 2nd Saturdays,
10:30am: 3/5, 3/12, 4/2.
• Pre-School Story Time: 1st and 3rd Wednes-
Chabot Elementary School
Annual Spring Auction
Elder Care Support Group
days,10:30am: 3/16, 4/6.
• Pajama Story Time: 2nd and 4th Tuesday, 7pm:
Free for family/friends caring for older adults.
Third Wednesday of each month, 4 -5:30pm.
Alta Bates Medical Center, Herrick Campus, 2001
Dwight Way, Berkeley. For information on all
support/education groups offered by Alta Bates/
Sutter Health: call Monica at 869-4569 or e-mail
Monicalcsw@alum.calberkeley.org.
Saturday, April 2, 6 to 11pm, in the Pauley Ball-
room of the U.C. Berkeley Student Union building.
Proceeds from the “Passport to Spain Fiesta”
support school programs and physical plant
improvements. Sponsored by the Chabot Elemen-
tary School PTA. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30
at the door. Contact Susie Poncelet, 985-1246
or sponcelet@earthlink.net.
3/8, 3/22.
For Adults:
• Lawyers in the Library: Free legal advice. First
Tuesday of each month: 6 to 8pm. Advance
sign-up starts 5pm.
• Hanna Somatic Education with Abby Rose:
Volunteers Needed
six consecutive Monday evenings, starting
March 7 through April 11, from 6:30 to 7:45pm.
FREE series of workshops teaching the Hanna
Somatic Program for relief of chronic pain.
Class content builds from week to week, but
you may start anytime. Wear loose clothing
and bring a mat. Participants must be able
North Oakland Community
Charter School
• Bambino Thrift Shop
All Volunteer Shop benefiting Oakland Children’s
Hospital. Volunteers needed Tuesdays through
Saturdays. We will train you. Call manager, Carol
Maes: 654-9709. Location: 5290 College Ave.
• North Oakland Community Charter School
Fund Raiser: April 2, 6 to 11pm, 525 4th Street,
Oakland. Fourth Annual silent auction and music
party. For more information: Allison Pugh, 435-
9756 or pugh@socrates.Berkeley.EDU.
(NOCCS)
Tutors to work with 1st to 5th graders, one-on-
one or in small groups, on math, reading and
writing skills; time commitment of at least one
hour per week. Located at 410 Alcatraz Ave. (cross
St. Colby). Contact Julia Kassissieh, Director:
655-0540 or director@noccs.org.
Writers Support/Critique Group
ALL writers welcome. Bring 8 copies of 5 pages
of your prose for on-site reading/discussion.
Sponsored by the California Writers Club, Berke-
ley branch (www.berkeleywritersclub.org /).
Rockridge Branch Library, March 19 (3rd Satur-
day), 1:30 - 5pm. For more information: 482-0265
or Writefox@aol.com.
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16.
March 5, 2005
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clothing,
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at namaste
,
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(near the library)
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Classes offered at Piedmont Adult School
Terry Kulka
• Taking the Confusion out of Purchasing a Home
Saturday, April 9 9:30 to 1:00
• Everything you wanted to know about Selling Your Home:
Saturday, April 16 9:30 to 1:00
For more detailed information on these classes, go to
www.piedmontadultschool.org or call 594-2717. Terry has been teaching
these classes at Piedmont Adult School for over 15 years.
Jan Fougner
OWNER ² BROKER
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