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www.rockridge.org

VOL. 21  ■  NO. 9  ■  ISSUE NO. 227  ■   October 7, 2006 ■
 CIRCULATION: 5,100 RESIDENCES; 200 BUSINESSES

Sponsored by The Rockridge Community Planning Council • 5245 College Ave. PMB 311 • Oakland, CA 94618 • 869-4200

October Town
Hall Meeting
Previews November
Ballot Choices
California’s future is just around the corner
and you have the power to shape it. Thirteen
State propositions, three Oakland Measures and a
chorus of candidates will be on the November 7
ballot, each pleading for your vote. Eleven of the
13 propositions relate to issues affecting fiscal
policy, which often translates into increased taxes.
For instance, Proposition 1B proposes selling
$19.9 billion dollars in bonds
to fund Safety and Security
projects while Proposition
86 raises the tax on a pack of
cigarettes from $.87 to $3.47 to
fund public health initiatives.
What are the advantages and hidden perils of
these proposals?
At the October 19 Town Hall meeting, rep-
resentatives of the League of Women Voters
will summarize – in jargon-free language – the
substance of the most controversial ballot items
and weigh their pros and cons. This informed and
lively presentation is an efficient way to review
the issues and become able to vote responsibly.
Join us Thursday, October 19, at 7:30 p.m. in the
Rockridge Library. League representatives will
describe the initiatives and take questions from
the audience. Also, you may visit the League’s web
site at www.smartvoter.org. Type in your Zip code
to get a sample ballot and lots of analysis.
Rockridge Celebrates Library’s
10th Anniversary in Style
by Annette Floystrup, RCPC Boardmember
Madam, a circulating library in a town is as an evergreen tree of diabolical
knowledge; it blossoms through the year. And depend on it… that they
who are so fond of handling the leaves, will long for the fruit at last.
— Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Irish playwright, 1751-1816
This wonderful quote about
 the subversiveness of
knowledge greeted the
approximately 150 people
who came to hear a star-
studded panel of local  authors
discuss the topic, “Writers on
Reading.” Seated on chairs,
perched on tables and counter-
tops, and dotting the floor, the
audience alternately listened
raptly and laughed with delight
as the evening progressed.
In addition to the distin-
guished panel, many cherished
visitors and distinguished guests
were in attendance, including
three “generations” of librar-
ians: Jean Langmuir, who was
head librarian when the branch
was still in the Jucy’s building;
Gail Weimann, head librarian
from the trailer years and early
days at the new library; current
Branch manager, Pat Lichter,
John
Gussman
dispenses
sparkling
cider at
the Library
celebration.
PHOTO: ANNETTE
FLOYSTRUP
Library Celebration, page 4
¬
Nancy Dutcher Honored for
Library Project Leadership
by Annette Floystrup, RCPC Boardmember
Longtime community activist Nancy Dutcher
was honored at the Rockridge Library 10th
Anniversary celebration with a plaque presented
by RCPC citing her management and organi-
zational skills. Dutcher steered approximately
100 volunteers over 11 years towards the goal of
building a new library branch building.
Pulling together neighbors with expertise from
many fields plus city and state officials, Nancy
marshalled her foot soldiers to find a building site,
create a special Mello-Roos taxation district by
running a political campaign that garnered over
an 80% vote of approval, and lobby the State Leg-
islature for library
RCPC Town Hall Meeting
Thursday, October 19, 7:30 pm
Rockridge Library, 5366 College
Nancy Dutcher displays
her “Rockridge Champion”
award.  PHOTO: ANNETTE FLOYSTRUP
Nancy Dutcher, page 4
¬
The November Ballot:
Initiatives and Other Measures
 Join your friends and neighbors as repre-
sentatives of the League of Women Voters
summarize – in jargon-free language – the
substance of the most controversial ballot
items and weigh the pros and cons. Audience
Q&A follows.
■
Rockridge Halloween Parade: October 29
Join your spookiest, fuzziest and silliest neighbors as we “trick or treat”
together down College Avenue on Sunday, October 29 from 1–3 p.m.
Details and more, page 5


2.

October 7, 2006

Measure N for Libraries on Ballot
ROCKRIDGE BRANCH LIBRARY
5366 College Avenue
597-5017
HOURS:
Mon,Tues:
Weds,Thurs, Sat:
Friday:
Sunday:
Library program details: See Calendar, page 15.
by Jennifer Vetter, Chair;
Friends of the Rockridge Library
WHAT IS MEASURE N?
In a nutshell, Measure N proposes a $148
million construction bond that will pay
for upgrades at all the branch libraries,
expansion of six branches, building two
new branch libraries in the Laurel District
and in East Oakland, and renovating the
shuttered Henry J. Kaiser Convention
Center Arena and moving the Oakland
Main Library there.
DIDN’T WE JUST PASS A LIBRARY MEASURE
lies and researchers from all over the Bay
Area, is instead a dilapidated and outdated
building with no parking. The 55-year-old
Main building would be more expensive to
renovate than converting the Kaiser Center,
which is beloved by Oaklanders and emi-
nently worth saving.
Think of the new main library in San
Francisco. Then think of Oakland. It’s
embarrassing. Think of how much the
bathrooms in the Rockridge Library get
used and then try to imagine your branch
library not having a bathroom at all.
Even the Rockridge Library, wonderful
as it is, desperately needs a climate control
system installed, and this bond promises
to pay for that, as well as Wi-Fi access and
improvements to the teen area.
HOW MUCH WILL THIS COST? AND
12:30 – 8 p.m.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
12 – 5:30 p.m.
CLOSED
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-profi t public benefi t 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 Gulassa ..........................Editor
Janet Somers .......................Copy Editor
Ortrun Niesar .....................The Muse
Claire Isaacs Wahrhaftig .... Writer
Barry Kaufman ...................Food
Jo Ellis ...................................Advertising &
Community Calendar
Theresa Nelson ....................Neighborhood Merchant
Lydia Gans ...........................Photography
Susan Montauk ...................Business Manager
Don Kinkead .......................Graphics & Layout
RCPC Board of Directors, 2006-2007
Jessica Pitt............................Chair
Mike Taylor  ......................... Vice-Chair
To be selected .......................Secretary
Susan Montauk ...................Treasurer
Gloria Bruce, Janelle Cavanagh, Kent Deverell, Jennifer
Edmister, Annette Floystrup, Cy Gulassa, Hiroko
Kurihara, Mike McDonald, Steve Meyer, Stephanie Upp
RECENTLY?
Measure Q, which passed by an over-
whelming majority of 77.2% in 2004, paid
for staff to open branches six days a week
and evening hours, as well as after-school
programs and a healthy budget for acquisitions
of new books and other materials. Measure
N, the new bond measure, is the first Oakland
library construction bond since 1945.
WHY SHOULD I CARE ABOUT THIS BOND
COULD THAT MONEY BE BETTER SPENT ON
OAKLAND’S MANY OTHER NEEDS?
Some may consider bonds an expensive
way to raise money, and property owners
can expect to pay about $40 per $100,000
of assessed property annually for 30 years
to service this bond. Yet a bond is the best
and arguably the only way to pay for this
major renovation and construction project
that will make Oakland a better city for
generations to come. And I personally believe
that supporting our libraries, with all the
opportunities and after-school programs they
provide, is both a wise civic investment and
the right thing to do for Oakland.
WHEN I’M HAPPY WITH THE ROCKRIDGE
LIBRARY JUST THE WAY IT IS?
Some of Oakland’s libraries, like the
Piedmont Avenue and Lakeview branches,
don’t have public restrooms or a real
children’s area. Oakland’s Main Library
is in sorry shape, and that has systemwide
and citywide repercussions. Before any
new book, CD, video or DVD can be put
out on a shelf at Rockridge, it has to go to
the Main to be cataloged. Every city library
program is run out of the cramped offices
there. What should be the pride and joy of
the system, a destination for tourists, fami-
NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTIONS
To subscribe to The Rockridge News, send
your check for $20, payable to Rockridge News
Subscriptions, to: Rockridge News Subscriptions at
the address below.
Ed. Note: RCPC has not taken a position on
Measure N.
CONTACTING THE ROCKRIDGE NEWS
■ Are there community issues you’d like to see
covered in The Rockridge News?
■ Do you have questions about newsletter
distribution?
■ Want to volunteer to be a Rockridge News block
captain?
■ Would you like to write a letter to the Editor?
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: 510/869-4200
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
☛ November 4, 2006
☛ November deadline is October 19.
Advertising rates are $26/column inch. Six-
month pre-pay rate available. For display ads,
call Jo Ellis at 653-3210 (after noon), or e-mail
joellis1@hotmail.com. RCPC reserves the right to
refuse any display or classifi ed ad that it deems
inappropriate. (Classifi ed Ad contact, p.14.)


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3.
October 7, 2006

Hail and Farewell
Changes to RCPC Board
by Jessica Pitt, RCPC Board Chair
In September, the RCPC said goodbye to
Adrienne D’Angelo, our Board Secretary,
and appointed Gloria Bruce and Janelle
Cavanagh to fill two vacant positions.
Gloria Bruce recently completed a
Master’s degree in Urban and Regional
Planning at UC Berkeley, and currently
serves as a Senior Program Associate at the
Berkeley Alliance, a community partnership
with the City of Berkeley, the University of
California at Berkeley, the Berkeley Unified
School District, and the broader Berkeley
community to strengthen collaboration
across institutions. Gloria brings experience
in land use planning and political and com-
munity processes. She lives on Forest Street
and will bring the valued perspective of a
Rockridge renter to the RCPC Board.
Janelle Cavanagh is the Chief Devel-
opment Officer at Girls Incorporated of
Alameda County, a nonprofit organization
that runs after-school programs for girls
from low-income families. Janelle lives
on Miles Avenue. She has been active in
Councilmember Jane Brunner’s commu-
nity process to develop design guidelines
for the Temescal neighborhood. She also
has extensive experience in fundraising,
marketing, and public relations. We hope
to enlist Janelle in the RCPC Kitchen Tour
and other fundraising activities, as well as
the redesign of RCPC’s web site.
In September, Adrienne D’Angelo
stepped down from the Board after two-
and-a-half years. As Board Secretary, she
tirelessly took detailed notes at our Board
meetings. She also designed a beautiful
promotional piece for RCPC, which we
now hand out at all of our events. Adrienne
brought a thoughtful and reasoned voice to
RCPC discussions, and we will miss her. She
and her partner had a baby boy in June, and
Adrienne is now very busy and absorbed in
her role as a new parent.
The RCPC will hold annual Board elec-
tions in April 2007. We anticipate a number
of vacancies, and encourage people to con-
sider running for the Board at that time.
The Zoning Counter
The Zoning Counter is a compilation of re-
cent applications filed with the Oakland
Planning Department. Individuals may contact
the case planner or the Planning Department
for additional information by phone or on-line
at www.oaklandnet.com.
5943 OCEAN VIEW DRIVE
Proposal: Application to construct an addition
that will add approximately 1,633 sq/ft to an
exisitng 2,148 sq/ft single-family dwelling.
Applicant: Cindy Chan, Jarvis Architects
Contact Person: Cindy Chan, Jarvis Archi-
tects 510/654-6755
Owner: Erin & Blair Allison
Planning Permits Required: Residential
Design Review per Chapter 17.136 to construct
additions to and existing single-family residence
resulting in a dwelling with a total of more than
3,500 sq/ft of floor area.
Case Planner: Ann Clevenger at 510/238-
6980 or aclevenger@oaklandnet.com
Correction
With regard to “Locals Build Alb-
ertsons Replacement Wish List,”
The Rockridge News, September 8, 2006,
page 1, Albertsons has not revealed
whether it accepted any bids made on
the vacant College Avenue site.
6732 MANOR CREST
Proposal: Rebuild existing garage in kind,
which is located within the front yard setback.
Applicant: Montclair Construction
Contact Person: 510/547-2457
Owner: Barbara Arnold
Permits Required: Minor Variance to
rebuild existing non-conforming garage.
6107 HARWOOD AVENUE
Proposal: Demolish and replace a one-story
detached garage/workshop (418 sq/ft) located in
the rear of the lot 1' from side property line
Applicant/Owner: David Falleck
Contact Person: 510/652-6198
Planning Permits Required: Design
Review for addition and alteration; Minor Vari-
ance to allow a 1' side yard setback where 5'
minimum is required; a Category III Creek Pro-
tection Permit to construct a garage/workshop
17' away from creek bank.
Case Planner: Jason Madani at 510/238-
4790 or jsmadani@oaklandnet.com
Peterson Z. Vollman at 510/238-6167 or
pvollman@oaklandnet.com
5100 & 5110 TELEGRAPH AVENUE,
AND 5107 CLARKE STREET
Proposal: Subdivide parcel into four lots and
67 condominium units in conjunction with new
mixed-use development. (Note: The proposal
for the new development was approved under
a previous permit, number CMDV05-469. This
application is for subdivision purposes only.)
Applicant: 5110 Telegraph, LLC
Contact Person: Roy Alper 510/550-7177
Owner: 5110 Telegraph, LLC
Planning Permits Required: Vesting Ten-
tative Parcel Map to allow four-lot subdivision
and 67 condominium units.
Case Planner: Darin Ranelletti at 238-3663
or dranelletti@oaklandnet.com
5154 SHAFTER AVENUE
Proposal: To convert an existing four residen-
tial units into four condominium units
Applicant/Owner: Jill L. Watz & Jeff Stewart
& John White
Contact Person: 510/301-9877
Permits Required: Tentative Parcel Map to
create four residential condominium units.
Case Planner: Jason Madani at 510/238-4790
or jsmadani@oaklandnet.com
a
What’s Your
Home Worth?
Call Me for an
Opinion of Value
Mon – Fri 9:30 – 6:00
Sat 9:30 – 5:00
CHIMES
PHARMACY
Serving Rockridge Since 1909
3210 College Avenue
Near Alcatraz
652-1990
cross-cultural congregation
striving to partner with
         the Rockridge community
   in lifestyle and service.
Fatima N. Ali
510/845-0211
e-mail: Buyali@aol.com
College Avenue Presbyterian Church
5951 College Avenue, Oakland  510 658-3665
SUNDAY WORSHIP 10:30 AM • VISIT: CAPCCHURCH.ORG
OUR WONDERFUL COMMUNITY MEAL, FRIDAYS, 6-7PM
A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE


4.

October 7, 2006

Library Celebration

from page 1
Nancy Dutcher

from page 1
the authors read and reread the classics,
frequently reading books far above their
age level, and sometimes above their level
of understanding. The novels of Robert
Louis Stevenson transported Carroll. Hong
Kingston read Tennessee Williams’ Sud-
denly Last Summer, and understood it at age
10, which amazed Carroll, who didn’t “get
it” until college. Both Sinclair and Gorney
were great fans of author Beverly Cleary.
All were ravenous readers.
Today all the authors read for pleasure,
though not as uninhibitedly as they did as
children. Sinclair likes to read best sellers
to participate in the popular culture; Carroll,
one of the few daily newspaper columnists
left in America, reads everything, but admits
to an “over 40” difficulty with “getting”
graphic novels. All lament the lack of time
to read as much as they wish.
In a parting thought, Sinclair, who holds
readings in prisons, juvenile halls, schools
and drug rehabilitation centers, expressed
the feelings of the panel when she said: “A
reader is never poor. A book can take you
places; there’s hope when you are reading.”
She tells incarcerated readers that there
is freedom in books because you can go
anywhere in the imagination. These writers
certainly have gone everywhere, and they
have taken us with them.
with renowned storyteller and children’s
librarian Gay Ducey. Oakland Library Direc-
tor Carmen Martinez and Deputy Director
Gerry Garzon represented the City.
Friends Of the Rockridge Library
(FORL) chair Jennifer Vetter began the
evening by assuring the audience that they
were not going to be asked for money,
which elicited a laugh from the audience.
She went on to explain that FORL’s board
had decided the best way to celebrate the
library’s 10th anniversary was with a gift
to the community.
Panel moderator Cynthia Gorney, an
award-winning journalist and author (Articles
of Faith: A Frontline History of the Abortion
Wars) who teaches at the Graduate School
of Journalism at UC Berkeley, kept a lively
pace questioning panelists San Francisco
Chronicle columnist Jon Carroll, writer
and essayist Maxine Hong Kingston (The
Woman Warrior; The Fifth Book of Peace)
and novelist April Sinclair (Coffee Will Make
You Black; I Left My Back Door Open) with
questions about early reading habits, favorite
books and early writing experiences.
All the panelists are self-described
library habitués who, as children, loved
the dark, inviting corners of the stacks and
for whom the smell and texture of books
was as magical as the words within. All
funds in a year where only 12 such requests
were funded out of 50 submitted.
FORL and RCPC were delighted to pres-
ent Nancy with a plaque inscribed:
RCPC is honored to declare a true
ROCKRIDGE CHAMPION—
NANCY DUTCHER
The Rockridge Community Planning Council
is built on a foundation of volunteerism
and community service. Since its incorpora-
tion in 1985, many people have contributed
to the preservation and enhancement of the
neighborhood. Over time, a few individuals
have stood out for their substantial contribu-
tions to the betterment of the community at
large. These neighbors make Rockridge the
vibrant community it is today.
We hereby recognize you as one of these
outstanding individuals, and thank you for
leading the 11-year drive to fund and build a
new Rockridge Library in 1996. Your years of
tireless and dedicated service to our community
have created a lasting legacy that serves not
only Rockridge, but all of Oakland.
RCPC Board of Directors, 2006
Nancy Dutcher, a lifelong Rockridge
resident, is married to architect Bill Dutcher.
The couple has raised two daughters in
Rockridge.

F
ORL board members presided over a lobby beauti-
fully decorated with flowers from Bloomies and
balloons from Rockridge Kids. Katrina Rozelle, Market
Hall Caterers and Peaberry’s provided cookies, fruit
and beverages, and Frank Barzin and the guys at Green
Copy went above and beyond to produce the evening’s gorgeous program. Diesel
Books manager Grant Outerbridge manned a book table all evening. A special thank
you goes to The Rockridge Women’s Club for a generous anniversary gift that
enabled FORL to get new landscaping on the Manila side of the library.

Thanks for all
your help…
Norman H. Burg, DDS
General Dentistry
(510) 652-1517
5700 Broadway, Oakland
A Prevention Oriented Practice

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For a closet,
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For your office,
come to us.
5933 College Ave. (off Claremont) Oakland, 510-654-9500
1265 Veterans Blvd., Redwood City, 650-365-7800
WWW.GALVINS.COM


5.
October 7, 2006

NCPC Tackles Homeless Encampments

Calling All Goblins
& Spooky Urchins
Rockridge Halloween
Parade Set for October 29
The Rockridge Neighborhood Crime
Prevention Council (NCPC) has joined
with the City to tackle the problem of local
homeless encampments, believed to contrib-
ute to crime and blight in their vicinity. Some
sites are near local schools and parks.
An NCPC committee met in September
with Oakland Human Services Director Mike
Church, Operation Dignity representative
Tomika Perkins, and Kate Whitlow, aide to
Councilmember Jane Brunner, to develop a
plan to address the camps. Since that meet-
ing Operation Dignity and Oakland Human
Services visited each encampment to offer
the homeless assistance in the form of shelter,
food, medicine, counseling, and employment
Encampment site property owners — often
Caltrans in Rockridge — will be encouraged
to clean trash and prune overgrowth.
Operation Dignity’s goal is to offer ser-
vices to the homeless to help them become
participating members of the community.
The outreach process discourages
encampments but doesn’t prevent them.
Fencing and landscape maintenance may
be required. Oakland
Human Services will
work with Caltrans
and other property
owners to facilitate
this process.
Caltrans properties
targeted for clean-up include: Keith Avenue
across from 5715/17, Presley underpass, Miles
Avenue from 5790 to Claremont Middle
School, Broadway underpass, Locksley/Forest
underpass, and Hardy and Redondo Parks.
The NCPC will survey residential areas along
Caltrans property to determine the preferences
of residents regarding pruning the vegetation
that screens the encampments. If you live on
blocks bordering Highway 24 and can help,
contact us at info@rockridgencpc.com.
Report encampments to Mike Church
via e-mail: MChurch@oaklandnet.com (cc:
RockridgeHomelessCamps@yahoo.com) or
at 238-6590.
by Stephanie Upp, RCPC Boardmember
Why didn’t the skeleton cross the road?
Because he didn’t have any guts.
Fortunately, you don’t need guts for the
15th Annual Children’s Halloween Parade.
All you need is a costume, a sweet tooth and
an escort for those under the age of 12.
Join your spookiest, fuzziest and silliest
neighbors as we “trick or treat” together
down College Avenue on
Sunday, October 29, 1-3
p.m. Parade participants
should meet in the Drey-
er’s parking lot, behind
5925 College Avenue, to
receive a goodies bag, Halloween stick-
ers and information from participating
merchants. Parade coordinators will send
out staggered groups of kids (with parents)
to limit street congestion. Groups will
travel up and down College Avenue where
participating merchants will be waiting to
offer a variety of Halloween tricks, treats
and who knows….
When your candy bag is full, join us for
more Halloween fun at the “Ghoul Yard”
in front of College Avenue Presbyterian
Church, 5951 College Avenue. Starting at
1:30 p.m., there will be storytellers, song
singers, candy swappers. Most important,
there will be hay bales to sit on for resting
your tired trick-or-treating toes.
The parade is co-sponsored by the
Rockridge Community Planning Coun-
cil (RCPC) and the Rockridge District
Association (RDA). Interested volunteers
should call RCPC member Stephanie Upp
at 510/594.0755; merchants should contact
Adam Borcherdt, RDA Administrator, at
510/604-3125. Rain will cancel the event.
The Rockridge NCPC meets the third Tuesday of
each month; the public is encouraged to attend.
Visit our website: www.rockridgencpc.com.
Lexine Alpert
W EDDING P HOTOGRAPHY
510 547-4807
www.lexinesweddingphotos.com


6.

October 7, 2006

Volunteers Needed for Parks
Oakland Parks Coalition
Seeks Volunteers for
City Park Survey
The Oakland Parks Coalition (OPC) needs volunteers to survey
several parks in various council districts on Saturday, October
28, 9 a.m. to noon. The survey information will be used to report
to Mayor-Elect Dellums and the City Council about the true state
of our parks.
If you care about our parks and would like to participate, con-
tact OPC at loveyourparksday@gmail.com or 510/287-2693 with
your full name, phone number, and council district. You will be
contacted with event details.
Letters to
The Editor
The Rockridge News welcomes letters to the editor.
Include your name, address and a phone number for
verification. Only your name will appear with your
letter. Letters may be edited for clarity and brevity.
ULTRA EQUALS COMMERCIAL INTEREST
Editor:
I read John Gatewoods’s report on ULTRA (Urbanists for a
Liveable Temescal Rockridge Area) in September’s The Rockridge
News (page 5). I am a 28-year resident of the Rockridge area. In
this ULTRA concept I see nothing but commercial interest and
greed:
Rockridge already has economic diversity. We have neighbors
in many economic levels and professions.
There are already enough retail shops in Rockridge and Tem-
escal. I ask the ULTRA group to take a walk on Telegraph
and College to check it out. What is missing?
How will having more people in Rockridge increase public
safety? I do not believe the ULTRA founders are clear on
the concept of public safety. Traffic conditions are already
unmanageable and it will get worse with more people and
more cars.
Rockridge is already quite lively, friendly and diverse. How
long have the ULTRA advocates lived here? Have they gone
around and checked how much ethnic, gender and economic
diversity we already have? Within 100 yards of my house we
have Chinese-Americans, African-Americans, Hispanics, a
diaper service man, gays, Lesbians, heterosexuals, 30-year
olds, 65-year olds, UC Berkeley students, a hamburger joint,
a fancy seafood place, a car repair shop, a post office, an
art store, and more — all existing in harmony (well, as
harmonious as neighbors and businesses being side-by-side,
can get). What more diversity do you want? Temescal is
even more diverse.
This is an appeal from a longtime Rockridge resident who
is really interested in diversity and living in social harmony. I
urge ULTRA not to be driven by commercial interest and ruin
this beautiful neighborhood with overcrowding and more shops.
ULTRA is an ultra-commercial idea that has no place in Rockridge
or Temescal.
— Som Konar
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Free Parking!!
Across from BART
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Local Address
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LANE CHANGE WOULD SOLVE MERGING PROBLEMS
Editor:
May I recommend that the RCPC consider asking the city to
make the left lane between Kale and Manila a left turn lane onto
Manila and the right lane into the thru lane.  This would eliminate
the right  lane becoming a merge lane as it crosses Manila and
would avoid potential merging problems.
— A.A. Martin
Local Address
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(000) 000-0000
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The week of October 16th only, Curves is waiving the
service fee when you bring in a current mammogram.
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curves.com
*Offer based on first visit enrollment, minimum 12 mo. c.d. program. Not valid with any other offer.
Valid only at participating locations through 10/21/06. ©2006 Curves International


7.
October 7, 2006

rk Corner
a
Clapp and Jimmy Pederson, who replaced
fence sections and installed the new seat
back at the sandbox; and to Josh Feldman,
who skillfully replaced the chain on the tire
swing under the Hardy Park play structure.
Lisa Ferrier and her husband, Dan Johnson,
supervised volunteers doing clean-up and
spreading fibar at Redondo. Carroll Moore
and Karen Cheever worked hard to care-
fully remove the graffiti on the train, which
looks good as new. Ronnie Spitzer solicited
donations of materials, food and water for
our volunteers. Jacqueline Kellam worked
with some CPS students to paint creative
signs for the grand re-opening.
FROG Park is a vital part of our commu-
nity, and it requires support and commitment
from adults in the community to keep it
looking good. We need your energy and
volunteer time. Contact Howard Ferrier,
hwferrier@sbcglobal.net or 510/653-6463
to get involved with FROG.
P
G
A monthly update on
what’s happening at the
best community-built
and maintained
park in Oakland
FRO
FROG Fix-up Day a Success
Geddes and the hard-working students from
College Preparatory School (CPS). Jen-
nifer Cooper supervised the planting and
volunteer clean-up teams, who significantly
improved the pathway. Mike McDonald,
Fernando Sorto, Michael Lyons, Mauricio
Argueta (all from the McDonald Construc-
tion Team) and Barney Smits built the new
kiosks, which will soon have a park map
and donor signs.
Additional thanks to neighbors Jeff
by Theresa Nelson,
FROG (Friends of the Rockridge-
Temescal Greenbelt) Chair
A
huge thank you to everyone who
donated their time and worked hard to
make the September 16 FROG Maintenance
and Planting Day such a success.
Thanks to Howard Ferrier, FROG
Maintenance Coordinator, for careful plan-
ning, getting materials delivered, cheerful
supervision, and collaborating with Cynthia
Upper left: Howard
Ferrier and
Jennifer Cooper
oversee FROG fixer-
uppers; above: College
Preparatory School
volunteers pledge to
hop to it;
left, volunteers in
action; right: young
volunteer commutes
to cleanup site.
PHOTOS CY GULASSA


8.

October 7, 2006

In My Opinion

Essays on matters of local interest are in-
vited for publication in The Rockridge News
as statements of personal opinion.
economic loss and would either be compen-
sated for this loss by the taxpayers or the city
would have to drop the requirement. Unlike
Oregon’s Measure 37, Proposition 90 would
not be limited to land use but would cover a
wide range of areas such as environmental
and consumer protection.
California’s population is projected to
continue to grow rapidly well into the 21st
century and we as a state, city and community
will be presented with significant challenges
such as sprawl, traffic congestion, and strained
government services as a result. Proposition 90
ties our hands in the face of these problems.
Its defeat will help ensure a sustainable future
for California.

Proposition 90: The Devil is in the Details

by Steven Wolmark
Proposition 90, which will be on the ballot
in November, is ostensibly about eminent
domain reform. However, buried within the
initiative are provisions that could have a
profoundly negative effect on the quality of
life for all Californians.
Proposition 90 would prevent state and
municipal governments from exercising
eminent domain to acquire property and
transfer it to a private property owner unless
it is used for a function typically fulfilled by
the government.
In most cases, eminent domain is used by
local governments to provide basic infrastruc-
ture and services anyway. But Proposition 90
would change the way public agencies that
exercise eminent domain compensate property
owners. Under existing laws, a property owner is
paid “fair market value” for his or her property
if it is acquired through eminent domain. Under
Proposition 90, the property would be valued
based on “the use to which the government
intends to put the property.” The likely result
would be to significantly increase the cost to
taxpayers for cities to provide basic services.
The most far-reaching provision of Proposi-
tion 90, however, would require governments
to compensate owners if any new legislation
or regulations “result in a substantial loss
to private property.” For example, if a city
chooses to enact smart growth zoning in order
to combat sprawl, an individual who owns
property at the city’s outskirts could claim
A longtime resident of Rockridge, Steven Wolmark
has over five years’ experience in the financing,
development and asset management of residential
and commercial properties. He is a member of the
Urban Land Institute and the Non-Profit Housing
Association of Northern California.
About Prop 90
ARGUMENTS FOR: Stops the government
from taking private property and giving it
to private developers. Ensures owners are
fully compensated when their property is
taken for government use.
ARGUMENTS AGAINST: Will lead to increased
costs for California taxpayers. Enables large
landowners and corporations to demand com-
pensation from taxpayers by simply claiming
a law has reduced their property values.
S
UMMARY OF PROPOSITION 90: Amends
the California Constitution to require
additional compensation to property owners
if new laws or rules (such as building codes
or environmental regulations) result in
substantial economic losses to the owner.
Disallows governmental taking of private
property except for government use, cor-
recting a public nuisance, or in states of
emergency. Prohibits use of eminent domain
for economic development purposes. The
government must pay the property owner
an amount greater than fair market value if
necessary to place the owner in a position
as if the property had not been taken.
FISCAL IMPACT FROM LEGISLATIVE ANA-
Compiled from: League of Women Voters Analysis
of Proposition 90 (http://ca.lwv.org); http://www.
smartvoter.org; California General Election
Official Voter Guide (http://www.voterguide.
ss.ca.gov). Assembled by staff of The Rockridge
News. Not offered as an authoritative or complete
analysis of the proposition. Not offered in support
or in opposition to the proposition. RCPC has not
taken a position on Proposition 90.
Susan Bernosky LUTCF
Insurance Agent
(510) 450-9050
5940 COLLEGE AVE #A
OAKLAND
susanbernosky@allstate.com
CA Lic: 0738807,0D34069
LYST: Increased annual government costs
to pay property owners for losses to their
property associated with new laws or rules,
and for property acquisitions. These costs
are unknown, but potentially significant on
a statewide basis.
Call me today to see how you can save
when you combine your auto policies.
(Spend more on your honeymoon).
Notary Public available
Insurance and savings subject to availability and qualifications.
Savings applies to most major coverages. Allstate Indemnity
Company:  Northbrook, IL.
©2004 Allstate Insurance Company.


9.
October 7, 2006

Local Elms Succumb to Elm Disease

of Chabot Road with planting strips at least
3' wide to replace trees previously removed.
Christopher Buckley has been donating
disease resistant elms and other trees to
Alameda, Oakland and Berkeley. Disease
resistant elm varieties which Buckley
has available include: “Patriot,” “Com-
mendation,” “Triumph,” “Valley Forge,”
and “Jefferson,” all in 15- and 20-gallon
containers. The last two are varieties of
American elm considered DED resistant.
Another elm-like tree Buckley has available
is Silver Linden (Tilia tomentosa) which has
been used for about 80 years in Alameda
and has performed well.
Following are two websites with Dutch
elm disease information: http://www.rain-
bowscivance.com/diseases/dutchelm.htn (a
booklet entitled “diagnosis and management
of Dutch Elm Disease” is available at the
site); and http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/
howtos/ht_ded/ht_ded.htm
by Annette Floystrup,
RCPC Boardmember
Two old friends, neighborhood elm trees
with Dutch Elm Disease (DED), were
cut down at the end of August. These trees
defined the beginning of Chabot Road
above College Avenue. The race is now on
to save and protect the remaining stand of
elms on Chabot in the area in front of St.
Albert’s College. What can be done? There
are positive steps available:
■ Inject remaining elms with fungicide as
a precaution. Bartlett Tree Experts does this
in Alameda for about $485 per 30" diam-
eter tree, measured 4½" above the ground.
Treatment using Arbotect is good for 2-3
growing seasons. If DED shows up on the
remaining elms and is caught early enough,
the trees might also be saved through selec-
tive pruning and/or cutting out the infected
portion of the cambium layer.
■ Plant disease resistant elms on portions
YOU MAY LIVE 30 YEARS
PAST RETIREMENT.
ARE YOU PREPARED?
Rockridge Resident
[24778-v1-0668]RP-260-0805
Leila S. Gough,AssociateVice President-Investments
1999 Harrison, Suite 2050 • Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 452-8060
www.agedwards.com/fc/leila.gough
2004 A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. • Member SIPC

Rockridge-
Elmwood Green
Group Founded
by Judy Levy
Residents from the Rockridge and
Elmwood districts have formed a
new group whose mission is to do all we
can as individuals and as a community
to reduce our impact on global warming.
Tentatively titled “Rockridge-Elmwood
Go Green Now,” the group was founded
by Judy Levy and Martha Sloss, who felt
a strong need to rally neighbors to take
action because the environmental clock
is ticking faster than most realize.
The goal is to plan ways to work
together—households and businesses—to
educate, provide resources, take action
and document our progress.
We invite all to participate, includ-
ing those who already are reducing
their CO2 footprint. We might begin by
creating a checklist of ways to reduce
energy consumption, including the use
of more efficient lighting, appliances
and solar energy.
Let’s join together with a sense of
urgency, local responsibility and a belief
that we can all make a difference. Plan
to attend the kickoff meeting and tell
all your friends and neighbors to come
Saturday, November 4, 10:30 a.m.-12:30
p.m. We will meet at the Rockridge
Public Library, 5366 College Avenue.
For more information, call 510/596-8877
or 510/386-5000.


10.

October 7, 2006

Says Who?
5831 College Avenue
Oakland
510/547-5181
Owners Miklane Janner &
Susan Benson
PHOTO: DON KINKEAD
THE NEIGHBORHOOD MERCHANT
THE NEIGHBORHOOD MERCHANT
BY THERESA NELSON
Says Who?
Says You!
With a name like Says Who? you know
there must be an interesting story
to tell. Miklane Janner told me about the
shopping trip she and Says Who? co-owner
Susan Benson took 25 years ago. The two
best friends went looking for something
stylish in a larger size for Susan, and when
told by one staffer that “large women aren’t
interested in nice clothes,” Miklane replied,
“Says who?” and a new store and clothing
concept was born.
Miklane and Susan felt they could do a
better job of providing fashionable clothing
for women wearing larger sizes, and opened
the first Says Who? on Telegraph Avenue
24 years ago. It still operates as their con-
signment and recycled clothing store called
Seams To Fit, and they moved operations
for new clothing to a store on Piedmont
Avenue, where they remained until they
lost their lease a few years ago.
The College Avenue store opened in
February 2005 and will celebrate its 25th
anniversary in March 2007. Miklane said
when they looked at where their custom-
ers lived, they saw that many were in the
Oakland-Piedmont-Berkeley area, and that
Rockridge would be convenient to their
long-established customer base. They found
http://www.sayswho.com
Saleswoman Tanta Thomas
welcomes customers to Says Who?
at 5831 College Avenue.
PHOTO: CY GULASSA
white jacket and shirt with a green, gold and
red dragon print.
Says Who? coined the phrase “minus
size” for size 12 and under, and Miklane
designs the line and supervises manufac-
turing. They can accommodate sizes up to
4x-5x (24-26) and will make custom items
on request. The basics can be adapted with
a new collar,
sleeves, or
the space near College and Chabot, painted
the walls a warm tan and added Miklane’s
paintings and a one-of-a-kind front counter,
painted with a trio of exuberant women.
Says Who? is a place for all sizes of
women to shop for all-natural fiber cloth-
ing, the classic basics that you can build a
wardrobe around. Clothing at Says Who?
comes in both “plus” and “minus” sizes,
with a focus on sizes 12 and up. Says Who?
manufactures about 70% of its own clothing,
primarily in Oakland, with some recent items
coming from Indonesia. The owners found
it difficult to source good cotton clothing in
plus sizes, so they decided to make their own.
These are exclusive to Says Who?, clothing
you won’t see anywhere else. Some of the
items are one-size, like a soft, open-weave
sleeveless tunic that can be worn two ways.
Their clothing is known for its classic cut
and beautifully dyed deep colors, and fabrics
like silk dupioni and velvet burnouts. They
also manufacture in unique prints, like their
Says Who?, page 13
¬
Based here in Rockridge,
we specialize in:
  Architectural remodels/additions
  Gardens/outdoor spaces
  New construction
www.AboutInsideOut.com     510.655.7674
eff has handled 6 transactions for us and
remains our trusted real estate advisor.”
— CO and MP, Oakland and Lafayette
“J
THE MARKET HAS CHANGED!
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?
G
R  E  A  L  T  O  R  S
The GRUBB Co.
4 ACTIONS SELLERS MUST TAKE.

4 ACTIONS BUYERS MUST USE.
Residential. Investment Properties. Land.
20 years in Renovation Consulting
with Older Properties.
Straight
Talk
CALL OR EMAIL JEFF TODAY.
1-800-805-8827 / JAOFFICE@COMCAST.NET
Jeff Auen
Residential. Income. Older Properties.
www.JLAHomes.com
Jeff Auen
Heritage Real Estate Century 21
North Oakland.  Lafayette.  Orinda.
510.339.0400
Creative
Solutions
1960 Mountain Boulevard •Oakland
Results
510.652.2133
3070 Claremont Avenue • Berkeley
Call Jeff: 1.800.805.8827
Web: www.JLAHomes.com
REMAX ACCORD


11.
October 7, 2006

through it? Does anyone have photos
of the homes being moved as Shafter
became part of the freeway?
are working on at the moment. Perhaps
you can help. Robin would like photos
of life in the Italian community that
settled here in the early 1900s. She
is also looking for photos of work at
the Bilger Quarry (quarry workers,
equipment, the old boarding house).
There used to be farms here along Miles
and Chabot Roads. Does anyone have
information or photos? What was Lake
Temescal like before the dam was built?
Does anyone remember or have photos
of the 1930s mural that used to be on
the wall, until the 1970s, of what is
now the Rockridge Café? How about
the old pharmacies and markets on
College: Farley’s, Mounts, Chimes, the
old Safeway, and the Rockridge Saloon?
Who were some of the artists and writers
and other memorable characters who
used to live here? Do you have photos
of the original Claremont School and
children attending there, pictures of
parades down College Avenue in the
1940s, and the neighborhood the way
it was before the freeway and BART cut
The
Rockridge
 Muse
Rockridge Now…
Life goes on and it is important that
we keep on chronicling it for those
who will come after us. Be sure to
catch this year’s Rockridge Photography
Exhibition in the Community Gallery
at the Rockridge Library. A reception
for the artists is planned for October
28, 5-7 p.m. The exhibition will be up
throughout the month of October, so
come by to view it.
by Ortrun Niesar
Rockridge
Then…
To continue the discussion from
last month: There is a book about
Rockridge in the offing. Authors are
Robin and Tom Wolf and Pat Bracewell.
The book is being published by Arcadia
as part of their “Images of America”
series. The idea is to follow Rockridge life
through the past century via anecdotes
and photographic images. What they are
looking for is photos, not postcards,
that illustrate in a more personal way
what life was really like around here in
those years. While there is quite a bit of
material from the more recent decades,
you may have something sitting in your
attic or basement from before 1970 that
would help illustrate an earlier Rockridge.
Robin (you can get in touch with her at
510/435-5572) will travel with portable
scanner and laptop to your home or
business to retrieve images. Your photos
never need leave your possession.
PARTICIPANTS:
JP Andrews
James Baldocchi
Bill Emerson
Ally Finkle
Lydia Gans
Christine Garofoli
Bill Kepner
Fredi Moehl
Suzanne Olmstead
Tassia Reoutt
Martha Snider
Wendy Wheeler
Bruce Williams
Ortrun Niesar can by reached at oniesar@sbc-
global.net or 510/652-6664. Items for the Muse
must be submitted by the 10th of each month.
Buyers look for a home
building site at Rock Ridge
(two words) in 1910 on a tour
arranged by the Laymance
Real Estate Company.
Prospective buyers were
instructed to take the College
Avenue trolley to Lawton,
then walk up Lawton to
Rockridge Boulevard where
they would board a touring
car to view lots for sale.
PHOTO COURTESY OF
OAKLAND HISTORY ROOM.
Think Photo Topics
Here are some topics that the authors
aboutface&body
dayspa
oaklandberkeley
Still A Strong Market In Rockridge!
Address
Bed/Ba.
List Price
Selling Price
Close Date
6221 Chabot Road
4/1
$ 1,050,000
$ 1,175,000
09/01/2006
5581 Lawton Avenue
4/2
$ 1,299,000
$ 1,500,000
09/07/2006
5862 Virmar Avenue
2/2
$ 849,000
$ 849,000
09/08/2006
5585 Taft Avenue
3/1
$ 895,000
$ 895,000
09/15/2006
5306 Shafter Avenue
2/1
$749,000
$749,000
09/21/2006
5526 Taft Avenue
5/4
$1,450,000
$1,500,000
09/21/2006
In September, the median sales price for a home was $1,035,000; with an average of
10 days on the market. Homes are selling at an average of 6% over the listing price.
3190 college avenue
/at alcatraz/
berkeley, ca 94705
p/ 510.428.2600
www.aboutfaceandbody.net
sun-tues/ 10:30-5:30
wed-sat/ 10:30-8:00


12.

October 7, 2006

Temescal Planning Workshop
Considers Development Direction
Studio One Fund-Raising
Friends and
Brunner Make a
Splash for Art
by Jeff Norman,
Temescal District Resident
More than 50 neighbors, business
owners, and developers from Tem-
escal, Rockridge, and upper Telegraph
Avenue gathered on Saturday, September
16, for a half-day workshop to discuss the
kind of development they would like to see
in Temescal and along Telegraph Avenue
from 40th Street to Berkeley.
The workshop, part of a process convened
in April by Councilmember Jane Brunner in
response to neighborhood objections to the
development at Telegraph and 51st Street, was
preceded by two informational evenings held
in July and August at which invited panel-
ists discussed development-related issues,
including community character and historical
preservation, pedestrianism, public transit,
and the economics of development.
Participants in the workshop broke into
seven groups, each facilitated by an Oakland
Planning Department staff member. Issues
tackled included the appropriate height
and density of new development, whether
affordable housing should be included in new
projects, what buildings should be preserved
from demolition, how new developments
can enhance open space, and architectural
design standards.
Following lunch, a summary of the
views developed in each break-out group
was presented to the larger group. While
there were strong differences of opinion on
such topics as height and density, a majority
wanted to see affordable housing in new
developments and the city’s enforcement
of current setback requirements.
Based on input from the workshop,
Claudia Cappio, Director of Planning, will
develop detailed planning guideline options
for Temescal and Telegraph Avenue that she
will present to the community on Thursday,
October 26, 7 p.m., at Faith Presbyterian
Church (49th and Webster). The commu-
nity will have an opportunity to respond to
those options at the meeting, after which the
planning director will develop final zoning
recommendations to be brought before the
City Council for adoption.
If you could not attend the workshop
but want to express your views regarding
density, height, setbacks, transitions from
new developments to existing residential
buildings, parking, design standards,
buildings that you want to preserve, uses
of commercial space, affordable housing,
streetscape improvements, open space, or
creek preservation in Temescal or for the
subject area of Telegraph Avenue, send an
e-mail to Councilmember Jane Brunner at
jbrunner@oaklandnet.com.
by Patrick Daughton
The drive to fund new furnishings for
the Studio One Art Center is underway.
Councilmember Jane Brunner gave a huge
boost to the effort by earmarking $250,000
of the City’s budget surplus for the 45th
Street Studio, now being renovated.
Also, the Friends of Studio One kicked
off their campaign to raise the remainder
of the $330,000 goal for furnishings.
On a gorgeous Sunday afternoon in late
August, in a scene reminiscent of lazy summers
past, dozens of neighbors, friends of the arts
and families with excited children gathered
around the Temescal Pool for a fun-filled,
old-fashion neighborhood pool party.
The Studio, built in 1894, was recently
designated a National Historic Landmark
(The Rockridge News, September, 2006) and
is undergoing a $12 million reconstruction.
Located next door to Temescal pool, the
Studio’s construction progress was visible
from poolside.
Fresh seasonal foods, good conversation
and lawn games kept many of the adults busy
while attentive lifeguards watched over the
shallow end of the pool, filled with happy,
splashing kids. The action on the ping-pong
tables was as heated as the chair massages
were relaxing. In the center of it all, Studio
One staff artists led children and adults
through one art project after another.
Also contributing to fund-raising, the
Oakland Mayor’s Commission on Persons
with Disabilities awarded the Studio $27,500
for adjustable tables, a front loading kiln,
easels and other equipment designed to
ensure the facility is fully accessible. In
addition, local developers Ron Kriss and
Roy Alper (Temescal Place) pledged at least
$15,000 for furnishings.
The next fund-raising event for Studio
One furnishings will be a 99-cent sale of
cartoon art scheduled for the first Friday
in December at nearby Boontling Gallery
(7-10:30 p.m., December 1, at 4224 Tele-
graph Avenue; 510/295-8881 or http://www.
boontlinggallery.com/).
To help the fund-raising campaign reach
its goal, follow construction progress or to
learn more of the history of Studio One and
its role in our community, call Beth Maher
at 510/420-5852 or visit www.friendsofstu-
dioone.org/.
Regency Antique Restoration
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13.
October 7, 2006

Says Who?

from page 10
Chabot Elementary
Fall Carnival
Raises School Funds
The Chabot Elementary School Parent-
Teacher Association (PTA) invites the
community to our Annual Fall Carnival to
be held Sunday, October 29, 11-3 p.m., at
the Chabot School lower playground, 6686
Chabot Road. Admission to the carnival
is free; there are small fees for food and
games.
Each class, Kindergarten through
5th grade, participates in the carnival by
sponsoring a game booth, such as Ring
Toss, Lucky Duck, Cake Walk and Bean
Bag Throw, with great prizes available.
There will also be arts and crafts oppor-
tunities. Food and drinks are available for
purchase. Our Haunted House is not to be
missed. There will be festive music and
entertainment and a visit from an Oakland
fire truck.
The Fall Carnival is our major commu-
nity-building event as well as a wonderful
fund-raising opportunity.
The Chabot PTA supports the school’s
music, art, garden, and computer programs,
maintains the school’s library, contributes
to new playground facilities, and provides
other improvements to our lovely school.
Bring your friends and family for a day of
fun. Support Chabot Elementary School!

pattern, and a buttery-soft sueded rayon
print overdyed in different colors (this can
also be special ordered). Ikot sarongs from
Indonesia are made into unique clothing,
with the sarongs cut and pieced together in
a wrap coat with soft lapels. From Indonesia
also comes a line of patchwork items, skirts,
shorts and jackets, bright and bold and all
one of a kind. The store’s jewelry collection
features items by local artists and consign-
ment pieces, and offers a range of colors and
styles to complement the clothing.
Miklane and Susan have been best
friends now for 30 years, and not only run
the business, but own a house together.
Miklane described their relationship as
“non-romantic significant others,” and
noted that their relationship was profiled
in a book titled The New Woman, about
women who are happy in ways other than
traditional marriages.
Women from all walks of life can find
exclusive, beautiful designs throughout Says
Who? for themselves and friends. Stop in
to see their unique offerings.
different seaming or prints. The staff also
works closely with customers, responding
to what they’d like to see in the store. Since
some of their customers have been with them
for more than 20 years, and many of the
staff for 10 years or more, they have strong
relationships and can get sound feedback
on women’s preferences.
The store is organized by colors, with
racks featuring purples, reds and burgundies,
teals, green, black and whites, and creative
prints. The wall on the right displays soft
camisoles, playful sport and exercise wear,
and soft cotton briefs and French-cut panties,
among the bright rayon, cotton and silky
scarves in a rainbow of colors.
In addition to the Says Who? line, the
store carries Tianello (with items in the soft
fabric Tencel), URU’s line in silk, and Flax’s
Citron line. URU’s silk jacquard jacket in a
subtle floral pattern is touchable and well
cut, and comes in versions with and without
a collar or lapel, with matching tunics and
pants in a variety of colors. The Tianello line
offers clothing with a beautiful drape, like
a cowl-neck top with a subtle windowpane
$5 FREE DRYCLEANING with garment orders over $28
or $3 OFF orders over $15
Dry Cleaning only ☛Present with incoming order
Garden Cleaners
5808 College Avenue, Oakland
601-1188
Mon – Fri  7 – 7 • Sat  8 – 6
Across from Zachary’s Pizza
EXPERT
SHIRT
LAUNDERING!

COLLINS ROOFING
Family Owned & Operated

482-2227  Seamus
www.collinsroofing.com
Quality Work  •  Free Estimates
Lic # 695711
Your Neighborhood Rockridge Mortgage Specialist

Rates are Low!
It’s a good time to buy as we
move into a Buyer’s Market!
Take advantage of
great inventory —
Call now for Pre-approval!
Monica C. Di Perna
415-345-4372
monicaloan@aol.com
15 years in the mortgage industry;
I am a Rockridge resident

Rebecca Lueck, LCSW
Individual and
Family Counseling
(415) 235-1071
Located at College and Alcatraz
Treating relationship issues,
anxiety, depression, panic disorders,
childhood trauma, grief, infertility
and adoption, and addictions.
Sliding scale  :  Insurance accepted


14.

October 7, 2006

Coaching: Business and Personal
Had therapy? Still stuck? I have 28 years experi-
ence helping individuals and businesses attain
their goals. Convenient, professional, confiden-
tial COACHING. Call for free consultation.
Business And Personal Development, bapd@
sbcglobal.net, 510/257-4344.
Pride Chiropractic
15 years experience, same location. Quality,
affordable, friendly, healthcare in comfort-
able, no-rush office. Evening appointments.
Dr. Mark Heltemes, 6245 College Avenue,
near Claremont Avenue. 510/652-2059
www.pridechiropractic.com.
Your Message Could Be Here
Your 36-word message is $20. (Phone number
counts as one word). Mail to: RN Classifieds,
5245 College Avenue, PMB 311, Oakland,
CA 94618. November deadline is October 19.
For information: e-mail smontauk@gmail.com
Aesthetic Pruning and
Garden Maintenance
Combining art and science in the care of your
garden. Complete garden maintenance or sea-
sonal pruning of trees and shrubs under 20 feet.
Specialties: Japanese maples, pines, camellias.
Bruce Thompson 510/428-4964.
Learn Digital Photography
at the Zoo!
Special beginners’ workshop on using Adobe
Photoshop, October 21. Offered by San
Francisco’s Future Light Digital Workshops.
Digital camera seminar too.http://www.fldigital.
com/zoo.html or 415/282-5320. $65.
Pop Singing Classes for Girls
New, eight-week session, “A Pop Xmas!” for
Girls ages 8-12: Popular holiday tunes, vocal
technique, group dynamics. Thursdays, 6:45-
7:45, Oct. 12-Nov. 30. Performance Friday,
Dec. 1. Lisa 510/653-0107.
Do You Need a Pet Sitter
for the Holidays?
Our service provides your pet(s) and property
with care by a loving pet professional. Bonded
and insured. Call 510/386-3163.
The College Preparatory
School Open House
Sunday, October 15, 2 pm; Saturday, November
4th, 11 am; Saturday, November 4, 2 pm. RSVP
not required. 6100 Broadway, Oakland, CA 04618.
510/652-4364. http://www.college-prep.org.
Piano Lessons, Vocal Lessons
Highly experienced piano/voice teacher now
has openings in Rockridge music studio. Clas-
sical, jazz, pop, rock styles. All ages, levels.
Lisa 653-0107.
Economical Mendocino Cottage
In hidden coastal community. 1 BR plus
living room sofabed, fireplace, fully-equipped
kitchen. Viewing/walking distance to the
water. You supply sheets and towels. $85/day
(3-day minimum), $525/week. 510/482-5577.
saturn82004@yahoo.com.
Rare Rockridge Office Space
1,300 sq. ft. +/-. Freshly remodeled office
space—upper Broadway, Rockridge, for lease.
7-8 work stations, reception, conference, 1
private, 2 bathrooms, storage, kitchen. Great
light, close to BART, College, freeway. Ron.
510/547-5970 X 55.
Handyman
Carpentry, electrical, kitchen, bath, decks, roof,
fence, drainage, foundation repair, windows,
walls, dry rot, termite damage. Lic #458473
Don 510/812-0310.
Computer Maintenance
I am a computer geek who bridges the gap
between the cold complexities of computers
and the warm complexities of the people who
use them. Spyware/virus removal, DSL, e-mail;
terry@ttopper.com, 510/290-5876.
Weeding and Yard Clean-Ups
Areas near or below Broadway serviced. 3 or
4 hour jobs OK. Have most of the small tools.
$12/hour. Fred 510/234-2902.
Education Therapy for
Adolescents and Adults
Shawn Usha provides assessment, intervention,
and tutoring to set the challenged learner on
the path to learning success by developing
the necessary tools, self-knowledge, atti-
tude and skills. www.iknowhowtolearn.com
510/450-0646.
Come Exercise at Inside
Outside Fitness!
Your friendly, independent, neighborhood gym
has a new owner, has been renovated, and
has lots of exciting new classes. Check us out
at 4444 Piedmont Avenue, 510/655-8308, or
www.insideoutsidefitness.com.
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.
Housecleaning Cooperative
Reasonable rates. Expert & reliable service
from local employment cooperative. Call
499-5836 and we’ll send someone to spiff
up your home. Ask for our references from
Rockridge clients.
q w q w q w q w q w q w q


15.
October 7, 2006

E-mail Rockridge News Community Calendar items to: joellis1@hotmail.com, phone 653-3210 (after noon), 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

The Greater Rockridge N’hood
Crime Prevention Council
the release of their new cookbook, Doña Tomas.
Monday, 10/23, 7:30pm. Tina Cassidy: Birth: the
Surprising History of How We Are Born.
Tuesday, 10/24, 7pm. Kate Atkinson: One Good Turn.
Friday, 10/27, 7:30pm. Simon Winchester: A Crack
in the Edge of the World.
Wednesday, 11/1, 7:30pm. Peter Barnes: Capital-
ism 3.0.
5433 College Ave. For more information about other
events, Book Discussion Groups and El Grupito, the
Spanish discussion group: 510/653-9965 or www.
dieselbookstore.com.
month from 5 to 6:30pm in the upstairs meeting room.
On 10/10 we will watch Azumanga Daioh. For questions
about this or any other teen event, call Susy, the Teen
Specialist Librarian, at 597-5017.
FOR ADULTS:
Writers Support/Critique Group. ALL writers
welcome. Bring at least 10 copies of 5 pages of your
prose for on-site reading/discussion. Sponsored by
the California Writers Club, Berkeley branch (www.
berkeleywritersclub.org/).Third Saturday of the
month (10/21) from 1 to 5pm. For more information:
420-8775 or Writefox@aol.com.
Knitting Classes for Seniors (50+), in collaboration
with the Pleasant Valley Adult School. Instructor: Teri
Barr. All levels welcome. Beginners bring light color
yarn and a pair of size 8 needles. If experienced,
bring projects to work on. Tuesdays, from 12:30 to
2:30pm in the upstairs meeting room.
Book Reading/Signing: To commemorate the
40th anniversary of the Black Panther Party, the
former Minister of Information Elbert “Big Man”
Howard will discuss the Party’s history and read
from his memoir: Panther on the Prowl. Saturday,
10/7, from 3 to 4pm.
Celebrate National Stamp Collecting Month:
Randi Turri, President of the East Bay Collector’s
Club, will give a presentation on stamp collecting.
Saturday, 10/21, from 3 to 4:30pm.
“Positive Black Males in Literature.” Readings
from their books by several authors, including Frank
Thomas Williams and Gary Norris Gray. Fourteen
year old Gabriel Lambirth will play guitar. Presented
by the Black Publishers Association and the Rockridge
Branch Library. Everyone is welcome to bring literature
by their favorite African American male author to read
from: fiction, non-fiction or poetry. Saturday, Oct 28
from 11am to 5pm in meeting room #1.
Rockridge-Elmwood “Go Green Now”: All welcome.
Develop creative ways to take action and reduce global
warming through education and shared resources.
Saturday, Nov 4, 10:30am to 12:30pm. For more
information call Judy Levy: 596-8877 or 386-5000.
Lawyers in the Library: Free legal advice. First
Tuesday of each month: 6pm to 8pm. Advance sign-
up starts 5pm. NOTE: cancelled on Tuesday, Nov
7 because of Election Day.
ART EXHIBITS:
Gallery: October: Rockridge Photography Exhibition;
artists’ reception Oct 28, 5-7pm
Display Case: October: Rockridge Library 10th
Anniversary photos
November: both the Gallery and Display Case will
exhibit oils, watercolors and ceramic sculptures by the
Alvarado Art Group.
LIBRARY HOURS:
Monday and Tuesday, 12:30 to 8pm.
Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 10am to 5:30pm
Friday, 12 to 5:30pm
Closed: Sundays
Diesel Book/Poetry Events
ó
Residents and business members of NCPC’s 12Y and
13X areas are invited to voice their concerns about crime
and public safety. Meets 3rd Tuesday each month, 7 to
8:30pm at California College of the Arts (CCA), 5212
B’way (at College Ave.), Bldg. B-4. Directions and more
information: www.rockridgencpc.com.
ó
ó
ó
ó
Rockridge Halloween Parade
Trick-or-Treat down College Avenue on Sunday, Oct 29,
1 to 3pm. Assemble in the Dreyers’ parking lot behind
5925 College Ave. Meet with your treats in front of St
John’s Presbyterian Church, 5951 College Ave.; hear
songs and stories and swap candy. Co-sponsored by
RCPC and the Rockridge District Association (RDA). For
details, or to volunteer help, see story, page 5.
ó
Chabot Elementary Fall Carnival
Fun for everyone: game booths, great prizes, arts and
crafts opportunities, haunted house, entertainment. Food
and drink available. Fundraiser/community building event
by the PTA supports music, art, garden, school library and
other school improvements. Sunday, Oct 29, 11am-3pm
on the lower yard of Chabot School, 6686 Chabot Road.
(at Patton St.). For more info: Tamara Morrish, 653-1180
or tamara@secventures.com.
Commemorate 15th Anniversary of
The Oakland Firestorm
ó
Participate in family wildfire prevention activities, smoke-
house simulation, community booths, Parade of Fire
Engines, Color Guard and Drumline, Smokey the Bear,
Market Hall Foods and more. Hosted by the Oakland Fire
Dept. and BART, with participation of more than 20 Com-
munity Wildfire Prevention Partners collaborating in the
ongoing effort to prevent or respond to wildfires. Saturday,
Oct. 21, 10am to 2pm, (with a Remembrance Ceremony at
12 noon), Rockridge BART station. Call: 238-7388 or www.
Oaklandnet.com/WildfirePrevention.
Independent Institute Policy Forum
ó
“The Reality and Legacy of the Iraq War,” featuring
journalist Mark Danner, author of The Secret Way to
War: The Downing Street Memo, and national security
expert Ivan Eland, author of The Empire Has No Clothes:
U.S. Foreign Policy Exposed. Topics include long-term
implications of U.S. policies in the region and its effects
on domestic politics throughout the Muslim world; global
jihad; oil prices and the U.S. economy. Tuesday, Oct
17. Reception at 6:30pm; program at 7pm followed by
Q & A. The Independent Institute Conference Center,
100 Swan Way. For information and ticket reservations
call 632-1366, or order online: www.independent.
org/events/detail.asp?eventID=122.
ó
Rockridge Branch Library
5366 COLLEGE AVENUE, 597-5017
FOR CHILDREN:
Toddler Story Time: 1st and 2nd Saturdays, 10:30am:
10/7, 10/14, 11/4.
Pre-School Story Time: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays,
10:30am: 10/18, 11/1.
Pajama Story Time: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 7pm:
10/10, 10/24: (see special event below).
SPECIAL EVENTS FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES:
Special Halloween Story Time presented by the
Witches of the Rockridge Library, followed by non-
edible treats. All ages invited to come in costume.
Tuesday, Oct. 24, 7pm.
Trick-or-Treaters: Stop by before 8pm on Halloween,
Tuesday, Oct 31, and get a treat. See you then in
costume!
FOR TEENS:
Anime Club: Watch and talk about new anime (Japa-
nese animation) with other teens. 2nd Tuesday of each
ó
ó
ó
College Prep School Open House
ó
Meet faculty and students to discuss academic and
co-curricular programs. Refreshments served and
admissions/financial aid materials available. Sunday,
Oct 15 at 2pm and Saturday, Nov 4 at 11am and at 2pm.
At the College Preparatory School, 6100 Broadway. For
more information call Katherine Day Hase at 420-2351
or www.college-prep.org.
ó
ó
ó
Benefit: East Bay Humane Society
Purr-casso Art Sale and Gala. Cat-themed art sale
featuring decorative, wearable and functional art
pieces celebrating our feline friends. Hors d’oeuvres
and beverages served. Free parking and admission.
Sunday, Nov 5, 12 noon to 5pm at the Hollis Street
Project, Grand Hallway, 5900 Hollis Street, Emeryville.
For more information call 845-7735 x 13 or www.
berkeleyhumane.org.
ó
SIMPLIFY!
Clutter Control
Sick Plant Clinic
Paper/Filing Systems
Bring your ailing plants to the University of California
Botanical Garden and get a free diagnosis by UC plant
pathologist Dr. Robert Raabe, UC entomologist Dr. Nick
Mills and their team of experts. First Saturday of every
month from 9am to noon. No registration necessary. UC
Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive, Berkeley (above
Cal Memorial Stadium in Strawberry Canyon). For more
information: 643-2755 or http://botanicalgarden.
berkeley.edu.
Kitchens/Closets
Space Planning
Packing/Unpacking
Solutions for the critical mess
Non-Judgmental & Confidential
All events are FREE and open to the public
Sunday, 10/8, 3pm. Gail Sher: Writing the Fire.
Monday, 10/9, 7:30pm. Amnesty International
Meeting. All welcome
Thursday, 10/19, 7pm. Chefs and owners of Doña
Tomas restaurant in the Temescal District celebrate
ó
ó
www.SummersOrganizing.com
ó
Barbara ✔ 415-381-0707


16.

October 7, 2006

VINITA GOKHALE
ROCKRIDGE REALTOR AND HOMEOWNER
ROBERTS ELECTRIC
Happy
New
Year!
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SERVING THE EAST BAY SINCE 1932
CA. LIC# 728215
510-428-0757
Email: Vinita@realtyadvocates.com
510-717-0630
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$369-$379K www.3829Webster.com
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“YOUR 24/7
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Early Dinner Special
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Lawton Associates
L A W T O N
3 course meal
$18
5:15–6:15 everyday
510-547-5970 Ext. 55
ronkriss@jps.net
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5301 College Avenue, Oakland
Open 5:15–9:30 everyday 510/985-8388
Is there a move in your future?
Talk to me about featuring your home
For Sale in this ad space as well as other
creative marketing ideas
Terry Kulka 510/339-4789
terrykulka@att.net
http://www.terrykulka.com
With over 300 homes sold –
Experience Counts

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OWNER – BROKER
BUYING OR SELLING IN
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Oakland