Extracted text

www.rockridge.org

VOL. 21  ■  NO. 10  ■  ISSUE NO. 228  ■  November 4, 2006 ■
 CIRCULATION: 5,100 RESIDENCES; 200 BUSINESSES

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

Remembering the Firestorm:
15th Anniversary Memorialized
RCPC Seeks Web Designer
R
CPC is redesigning its website. If you
are a Rockridge resident with the right
skills, please view the Request for Proposals
at http://www.rockridge.org/.
by Annette Floystrup,
RCPC Boardmember
Many people gathered in front of
the Firestorm Memorial Tile
Wall under BART
for the 15th Anniver-
sary Commemorative
Event on Saturday,
October 21. The
weather was an
almost perfect replica
of the conditions of
that day. Hot Diablo
winds from the north
and the smell of wood
smoke from Oakland
Fire Department dem-
onstration fires were
almost too much to
bear for some survi-
vors and firefighters
alike.
In her speech,
Sherry Hu, CBS-
5 reporter and the
event’s Mistress of
Ceremonies, noted that her parents, like
so many others, had lost their home that
day, but that awareness of the danger of
another firestorm was fading. About 70%
of the current firestorm area residents are
new since 1991, she said. Firestorms in
the Oakland/Berkeley Hills occur with
regularity about
every 20 years…
just long enough for
many residents to
forget the basics or
never learn them.
It is tempting to
believe that if your
house is not in the
hills, you are not in
danger. But burn-
ing debris from the
fire rained down on
North Oakland and
burnt debris landed
as far away as the
Alameda Naval Air
Station. Flames
came down the
side of Hwy. 24 to
within a few blocks
of College Avenue.
A large firefighting effort was concen-
trated behind the Claremont Hotel, the
rear of which
FROG Park
Re-Opening
Celebrated
by Jennifer Edmister, RCPC Boardmember
More than five years after a handful of
devoted volunteers undertook the project,
our community gratefully celebrated the grand
re-opening of FROG Park and the completion
of Phase II renovations. Hundreds of families
gathered in the new Hardy Plaza to enjoy a warm
afternoon of food, games, live music and outdoor
play. City Council President Ignacio de La Fuente
and Councilmember Jane Brunner were on hand
to kick off the October 1 celebration, which car-
ried on well into the afternoon.
The Rockridge Community Planning Council
(RCPC) acknowledges the Friends of the Rockridge-
Temescal Greenbelt (FROG) for their years of
tireless devotion to the park. Among the hundreds
of community and
corporate sponsors,
FROG Park, page 7
¬
The Firestorm Memorial Tile
Wall tells the stories of pain,
loss and growth that emerged
from the disaster.
Firestorm, page 2
¬
Albertsons Parking Lot to Close
Henry the
Frog at the
edge of the
pond enjoys
a reflective
moment as the
community
gathered to
celebrate
completion
of FROG
Park Phase II
improvements.
More photos and
story on page 7.
PHOTO:
JACQUELINE KELLAM
by Hiroko Kurihara, Chair,
RCPC Land Use Committee
At press time, Albertsons
was preparing to close their
parking lot to the public because
of Albertsons LLC and Terra-
nomics’ difficulty in accessing
the loading dock and showing
the property to prospective ten-
ants and developers. The RCPC
Land Use Committee is working
closely with Albertsons repre-
sentatives and Councilmember
Brunner’s office to help broker
a solution that keeps the lot open
and provides designated park-
ing slots for Claremont Middle
School teachers. Merchants are
concerned about the closure and
might be able to help monitor the
lot. Regarding ROSS: Dress for
Less Stores as a potential new
tenant, the Land Use Committee
has learned that the Rockridge
Albertsons, page 3
¬


2.

November 4, 2006

Firestorm
Centers now operated by FEMA in all
large-scale disasters.
Fifteen years later, many of the problems
that plagued firefighting coordination have
been solved. Today, firefighters throughout
California receive ongoing wildlands fire
training. Fire departments have acquired
modern equipment, and new protocols
dictate that no wildland fire shall be left
unattended overnight after its first outbreak
— as the Oakland fire was — even if it
appears the blaze has been extinguished.
These days Oakland and Berkeley auto-
matically respond to each other’s hill fires.
Hose couplings, non-standard in Oakland in
1991, are now standard everywhere. Water
cisterns have been added, as has a new hills
fire station. Radio communications have
been improved so that all agencies can
now literally speak on the same wavelength
when needed.
Just as earthquake preparedness is a
fact of life in California, wildlands fire
prevention and preparation is too. Take an
evening to work out some fire preparedness
plans with your family… we have only a
few more years until the next firestorm
may be upon us.
The Firestorm Memorial Tile Wall
The first tiles for the Firestorm Memo-
rial Tile Wall were created just four
months after the hills fire. Brooke Levin,
a new City employee at the time, originated
the idea for an art project to memorialize,
commemorate and heal the wounds of the
community. If you have not taken the time
to read the tiles, you are missing something
essential about Rockridge, as well as heal-
ing art and simple wisdom. From children
mourning the loss of the local squirrels that
used to run on the telephone wires, to people
mourning their homes, their neighbors and
their loved ones, each tile is touched by the
innermost feelings of its creator.
One tile says simply: “Always use your
best china.”
ROCKRIDGE BRANCH LIBRARY
5366 College Avenue
597-5017
HOURS:
Mon,Tues:
Weds,Thurs, Sat:
Friday:
Sunday:
Library program details: See Calendar, page 15.
from page 1
had suffered damage in the 1970 Hills Fire;
had the Claremont been lost to the flames, the
next fall-back and hold position designated
was Shattuck Avenue. In other words, all of
Rockridge and Temescal were at risk.
The fire killed 25, including Battalion
Chief James Riley and five others in a bottle-
neck on Charing Cross Road; injured 150;
and destroyed 2,449 single-family dwellings
and 437 apartment and condominium units
in Oakland and Berkeley. The economic loss
of the 1,520-acre fire has been estimated at
$2 billion, or higher. It is the largest single
loss of homes to a wildlands fire in U.S.
history. Our own firehouse, Engine 19, was
the first team on site.
Many personal losses were totally irre-
placeable. Novelist Maxine Hong Kingston
lost all copies of a completed manuscript.
Indeed, many people lost their life’s work,
valuable art collections or simply all their
earthly possessions. The most personal
losses were often not monetary, but rather
sentimental: family pictures, an heirloom,
and frightened pets that could not be found
in the confusion.
Oakland responded to the disaster with
compassion and innovation. While 74 strike
teams (five engines each) from all over
California were still actively fighting the
fire, City government, at the behest of then-
Mayor Elihu Harris, established a one-stop
disaster recovery center (DRE) at the old
Safeway site adjacent to the DMV on Cla-
remont Avenue. Rockridge resident Brooke
Levin, now Deputy Director of Oakland’s
Department of Public Works, headed the
effort to coordinate services for residents
who lost their homes: utility companies,
FEMA and others came together under one
roof. The DRE became the national model
for Community Restoration Development
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
Janelle Cavanagh and
Gloria Bruce .......................Co-Secretaries
Susan Montauk ...................Treasurer
Gloria Bruce, Janelle Cavanagh, Kent Deverell,
Jennifer Edmister, Annette Floystrup, Cy Gulassa,
Albert Hussian, Hiroko Kurihara, Mike McDonald,
Steve Meyer, Stephanie Upp
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.
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.
Small Office Specialists
Small Office Specialists
For a kitchen,
consult a kitchen expert.
For a closet,
find a closet designer.
For your office,
come to us.
5933 College Ave. (off Claremont) Oakland, 510-654-9500
1265 Veterans Blvd., Redwood City, 650-365-7800
NEWSLETTER ADVERTISING/DEADLINES
Publication date of the next issue is
☛ December 2, 2006
☛ December deadline is November 16.
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, page 14.)
WWW.GALVINS.COM


3.
November 4, 2006

Upper Broadway and Claremont Triangle
Traffic Recommendations Set for Review

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.
To avoid such negative impacts, detailed
traffic studies are planned and coordinated
by the City. Traffic, bicycle, and pedestrian
flows are monitored at various travel times,
and then modeled with computer software
so traffic engineers can test the impact of
proposed changes. They can also estimate
the impact of changes 10 and 20 years into
the future.
To learn more about the studies, plan to
attend the next TPBS Committee meeting,
Tuesday, November 14, at 7 p.m. in the
Rockridge Library. Jason Patton will provide
an update on the Oakland Bicycle Master
Plan (which includes proposed bicycle
lane additions and traffic lane reductions
on Upper Broadway), and a representative
from the Oakland’s Public Works Depart-
ment will discuss the study proposed for
the Rockridge Triangle area.
Keep up-to-date on these issues; join
the RCPC TPBS Committee Yahoo Group.
E-mail your name, address, e-mail, and
phone number and your area(s) of interest to:
RCPC_Traffic_Pedestrian_and_Bicycle_Safety_
Committee-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
Questions? E-mail Steve Meyer at
meyer770@sbcglobal.net
by Steve Meyer, RCPC Board Member
and Chair, TPBS Committee
“T
he cars on my street go way too fast.”
“I risk my life every time I cross the
street.” “My street seems to be used as a
shortcut by morning and afternoon commut-
ers.” “I would ride my bicycle more often if
there were more bike lanes available.” These
and similar sentiments are shared by many
Rockridge residents. Traffic calming and
pedestrian and bicyclist safety are perennial
issues in any urban setting.
Two areas of Rockridge have recently
been the primary focus for the RCPC
Traffic, Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety
(TPBS) Committee: Upper Broadway and
the “Rockridge Triangle” of Claremont,
College, Alcatraz, and Telegraph Avenue.
Proposed improvements include additional
bike lanes, reduced traffic lanes (“road
diets”), additional crosswalks, traffic circles,
and parking and traffic restrictions. Though
any one of these proposals could dramati-
cally enhance resident safety, care must be
taken to ensure that problems are not simply
shifted to adjacent areas (e.g., speeding traf-
fic moved off one street could become an
issue on a parallel street), affecting another
resident’s quality of life.
5219 DESMOND STREET
Proposal: To convert the basement of an
existing residence into a living area, to expand
the kitchen and construct a new deck, to convert
the attic into a new upper story addition with a
rear deck, and raise the building roof 2 feet.
Applicant: Kearny Chun
Phone: 510/658-9921
Owner: Kearny and Violet J. Chun
Planning Permits Required: Regular
Design Review for a residential addition and
alteration to an existing single-family dwelling.
Variances to allow new living area in the base-
ment located 10.19" from the side property line
where 5' is required and to allow a new upper
story addition to be located 4.19" from the side
property line where 5' is required.
Case Planner: Mike Rivera at 510/238-6417
or mrivera@oaklandnet.com
6756 MANOR CREST
Proposal: A 619 square foot second-story addi-
tion located at the rear of the existing residence.
Applicant: Sheryl Drinkwater, Friedman
Brueggemeyer Architects
Phone: 510/848-3390
Owner: Michael and Sarah Mages
Planning Permits Required: Regular
Design Review for a new 2nd story residential
addition to an existing single-family dwelling.
Minor Variance to allow the second story addi-
tion to be located 4' from the side property line
where 5' is required.
Case Planner: Mike Rivera at 510/238-6417
or mrivera@oaklandnet.com
Albertsons Parking Lot
from page 1
More Zoning Counter, page 13
¬
site is most likely not among the 40 sites
under consideration by the company. Never-
theless, we will be sending a letter to senior
management at Cerberus Capital, to convey
the concerns and preferences for the site
expressed at the community meeting last
July. We’ll keep you posted.
Neighborhood Planning
Process Resumed
In 2004, RCPC began a neighborhood
planning process by studying the 1994
Rockridge Area Plan (RAP) and seeing
where we might go from there. RCPC out-
lined a comprehensive planning strategy that
included an inventory of land use, surveys,
focus group discussions, community meet-
ings and educational panels. In addition, the
Land Use Committee has worked with the
Institute of Urban and Regional Planning
(IURD) from UC Berkeley to create an
inventory of uses and a map of the building
heights along College Avenue.
In January 2005, the RCPC Board held
a strategic planning session that included an
informational panel on “Smart Growth for
Communities.” In June 2005, the Land Use
Committee held a community-wide meet-
ing on Transportation and Transit Oriented
Development (or TODs). A few months later
we convened three “kitchen klatches” at
peoples’ homes with 6-8 neighbors attend-
ing each session.
Now, a year later, the Neighborhood Plan
Working Group has resumed the process
of defining a plan to reflect the desires of
the community regarding schools, parks,
housing options, multi-modal transportation
and safety improvements. Please contact
me if you’d like to participate: H2oakland@
sbcglobal.net or 510/384-3146.


4.

November 4, 2006

NCPC Crime
Beat Report

Library’s New Millennium Catalog
Goes ‘Live’ on Halloween

by Susan Montauk, GRNCPC Chair
October brought more than the usual late
blast of Indian summer to Rockridge:
it also brought
hot flames from
fires set to two
houses on the
5300 block of
Locksley Avenue
late on the eve-
ning of October
9. Police believe one arsonist ignited front
porch items at both houses within minutes
of each other. Neighbors reported that a
solicitor had come to their doors asking for
money shortly before the fires.
While the fire fighters worked to put out
the first fire, neighbors quickly extinguished
the second. That same day another arsonist
struck in the backyard of an antiques store at
65th Street and Telegraph Avenue. A suspect
was apprehended but police believe there is
no connection between the Telegraph and
Locksley fires.
Although Oakland has been in the
media spotlight the entire year because of
a surge in murders — 123 so far, nearly
double the January-October 2005 tally
of 68 — Rockridge has seen a downward
trend in burglaries, robberies, general thefts
and vehicle thefts. August and September
burglary incidents were down by about 60%
from last year.
Visit the Rockridge NCPC website at
www.rockridgencpc.com for crime maps;
bring your crime concerns to the Neighbor-
hood Crime Prevention Council meetings,
the third Tuesday of each month. The
next meeting will be held November 21 at
California College of the Arts. The website
shows the meeting room and a map.
by Alison Bowman, Oakland Public
Library Community Relations Assistant
Besides the usual ghosts and ghouls, this
Halloween brought a special treat to
Rockridge Library users when the Oakland
Public Library inaugurated its brand-new
Web-based Online Catalog System that will
advance the Library’s technology into the
21st Century. The Millennium system by
Innovative Interfaces, Inc. of Emeryville,
went “live” on October 31 and replaceed an
obsolete system that was over 16 years old
with one that is more user-friendly, graphi-
cal, and accessible from all standard Web
browsers. The new catalog has a host of
additional benefits for customers, such as
the ability to manage their own accounts,
view the catalog in multiple languages, and
eventually have access to over 5 million
items from nearly 50 public and academic
libraries that are part of Millennium’s
LINK+ system.
“Thanks to the voters who passed Mea-
sure Q in 2004, we’re happy to be able to
provide our community with this state-of-
the-art technology,” said Gerry Garzon,
the Library’s Deputy Director. “We think
they’ll be pleased to see the changes and
the new possibilities that the Millennium
Catalog offers them.”
Some of the specific improvements for
the public include the ability to sign up for
e-mail alerts, set preferred searches, view
hold items, and have access to book reviews,
publishers’ summaries, and the tables of
content for books in the Oakland Public
Library’s collections. The public will also
be able to reserve computer time throughout
the system (not just at the Main Library) and
view catalog items in English, Spanish and
Chinese. Once the LINK+ system is in place,
users will be able to order and receive items
from a variety of other public and academic
libraries within a matter of days.
To make the new Online Catalog System
less “frightful” as it began use on Halloween,
Oakland Public Library staff were joined
by trained volunteers at some sites to help
make the transition a smooth one. Users
should not hesitate to ask staff members
for assistance while they get accustomed
to the new Millennium Catalog and learn
its features.
The Millennium Online Catalog System
is being funded by Measure Q, a parcel tax
measure that received over 77% “yes” votes
on the March 2004 ballot.
Based here in Rockridge,
we specialize in:
  Architectural remodels/additions
  Gardens/outdoor spaces
  New construction


www.AboutInsideOut.com     510.655.7674


5.
November 4, 2006

Claremont Middle School on a Path to Success

Come visit; see the school’s
advantages for yourself!
2005, allowing teachers to give individual
attention to both low- and high-performing
students. The school also holds adult math
nights for parents to improve their math
skills to better support their children’s
homework.
“I view supporting our schools as a com-
mitment to our community, and if my kid is
going to be attending neighborhood schools
for the next 11 years, I intend to invest in
them as much energy and enthusiasm as
I possibly can,” said Christopher Waters,
Co-Chair of the Peralta Parent Teacher
Group and parent of a second grader. “We
have several wonderful Peralta grads who
attend Claremont. They like their school,
and I’m sure we will too.”
To families who are considering middle
school options, Harris said: “Set aside what
you think you know. Come inside and see
what it’s like.”
For information about scheduled tours
of Claremont, call 510/879-2010.
cited Albany and Piedmont as examples of
schools systems making communities more
appealing.
Claremont Principal David Chambliss,
now in his fourth year, cited three improve-
ment strategies he’s focusing on: “We’re
building on areas of strength in instructional
leadership; we’re supporting students who
are struggling academically; and we are
getting all families involved.”
In terms of performance, Claremont
PTA President Julie Harris said Claremont
is on target for English and language arts,
but struggling with math.To address this,
the school instituted double math periods in
by Lyn Hikida
Neighborhood enrollment in Claremont
Middle School increased dramatically
this fall, with a significant jump in numbers
from two “feeder” elementary schools.
Peralta more than doubled its Claremont
enrollment, with 13 of its students enter-
ing this year, compared with six last year.
Chabot’s figures increased 150 percent, as
30 of its students enrolled in Claremont for
2006/07 compared with 12 in 2005/06.
Claremont is a relatively small school,
with approximately 420 students. The
advantages of small neighborhood schools
are numerous: kids are close to home and it’s
easy for families to continue relationships
that formed in elementary school.
“We can and should create a vibrant K-8
system in Rockridge,” said Tony Mills, whose
children attend Claremont and Chabot. He

Peralta Elementary School Steps Off on the Right Foot

by Melanie Grubman, Safe Routes to
Schools Education Coordinator
Did you see them; droves of families
with strollers and kids on bikes or
skipping along the sidewalks near Alcatraz
Avenue and Dana and 63rd streets early
last October? If you did, you witnessed
Peralta Elementary School’s celebration of
International Walk to School Day. That day,
Peralta elementary school nearly doubled
the number of kids who walk to school and
reduced car rides by a third. Students were
shocked when they saw on a wall-sized
graph that the number of walkers literally
walked off the charts.
October’s Walk to School Day was
the kickoff event for the Safe Routes to
Schools pilot program. Coordinated by
the Transportation and Land Use Coalition
(TALC), the program addresses pedestrian
and traffic safety around schools based on
the 4 E’s: encouragement, engineering,
education and enforcement, and fosters
collaboration among teachers, school
administrators, city officials and law
enforcement officers.
Rockridge’s Peralta Elementary is
one of three schools in Oakland chosen
to participate in the program, which has
received international attention for its
success rates and its approach to some
of this century’s most pressing problems:
childhood obesity, global warming and
automobile dependency.
To join the Safe Routes to Schools task
force at Peralta, get information about the
next event, or to learn how you can help
out, please contact TALC at sr2s@trans-
coalition.org or call Melanie or Sandra at
510/740-3150.
Peralta School students join in
International Walk to School Day.
PHOTO: MELANIE GRUBMAN
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6.

November 4, 2006

Letters to
The Editor
ULTRA AND RCPC: RCPC CHAIR JESSICA PITT REPLIES
After Ms. Acker and Ms. Wahlberg brought their concerns to
the attention of the RCPC Board in late September, the board
engaged in a lengthy and thoughtful discussion of the matter.
The board does not feel that it is desirable to try to restrict the
participation by board members in other organizations; or that
the Rockridge community would support new eligibility condi-
tions for service on the board, based on individuals’ outside
affiliations or the lack thereof. As in the past, the board will
monitor all internal appointments, including the chairmanship
of the Land Use Committee, to assure that such appointments
serve the stated purposes and goals of RCPC, and that RCPC’s
goals are not subordinated to any outside agenda.
The current members of the RCPC Board share the goal of
making Rockridge the best neighborhood that it can be. I believe
that our record over the past several years shows a firm commit-
ment to upholding C-31 zoning and preserving and enhancing
the character of our neighborhood. This is evident in the appeals
that we have brought before the Planning Commission and our
efforts to reach out to new businesses moving into the neighbor-
hood to encourage uses and building designs that are consistent
with the character of Rockridge.
Over the past two years, the board has initiated discussions
within the community about the future growth and development of
Rockridge. We believe that a healthy debate has occurred and we
welcome input from Ms. Acker, Ms. Wahlberg, and others. Toward
this end, the RCPC is undertaking a participatory community
planning process that will involve multiple forums—including
Town Hall meetings, surveys, and small discussions in people’s
homes—to elicit the community’s vision for the future of Rockridge.
The purpose of this planning process is to find out from as many
neighborhood residents as possible what they envision for the
future of our neighborhood.
More Letters, page 12
¬
What’s New at Curves?
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 AND RCPC: ONE AND THE SAME?
Editor:
We are concerned about the Rockridge Community Planning
Council’s apparent affi liation with a new pro-development group
that advocates infi ll high-density development in the Temescal and
Rockridge areas. This group is known as Urbanists for a Livable
Temescal Rockridge Area (ULTRA).
Although the article on ULTRA in the September 2, 2006 edition
of The Rockridge News asserted that “ULTRA is not affi liated with
RCPC,” it now appears that several members of the RCPC Board,
including the Chair of the RCPC Land Use Committee, are currently
members of the ULTRA group.
When we expressed our concern to the RCPC Board about this
perceived confl ict of interest, the board voted on the matter, appar-
ently without recusal by the ULTRA members. They determined that
it was permissible for RCPC Board members to also be members
of ULTRA, even though ULTRA’s goals appear to be at variance
with the mission statement of the RCPC to “preserve and enhance
the unique character of the Rockridge neighborhood.” Does the
allegiance of these RCPC Board members lie in protecting and
preserving the Rockridge way of life or are they now aligned with
a pro-growth group that is dedicated to high-density infi ll projects
not previously allowed under College Avenue’s C-31 zoning?
As frequent observers at the RCPC Land Use Committee meet-
ings and as longtime residents of Rockridge, we don’t understand
this apparent confl ict of interest, or at very least the perception of a
confl ict of interest, on the part of some of the RCPC board members.
We feel that the affi liation with the ULTRA group calls into question
the RCPC’s ability to make credible, unbiased land use decisions on
behalf of all the residents of Rockridge.
We feel that clarifi cation from the RCPC Board is in order.
— Christine Acker and Margaret Wahlberg
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7.
November 4, 2006

rk Corner
a
P
G
The community, FROG
Park builders and
volunteers and sponsors
celebrate completion of
Phase II construction.
FRO
Ä Park lovers gather to enjoy
lively entertainment and listen to
speeches.              PHOTO: THERESA NELSON
Ä Frog Tom Dolan, fairy Hanna
Paige Schurman and Jennifer Cooper
start the parade through Frog Park.
PHOTO: JACQUELINE KELLAM
PHOTOS ABOVE: THERESA
NELSON
Å Enjoying the new Lily Pad Plaza
tables.    PHOTO: SUSAN MONTAUK
É Councilmembers De la Fuente
and Brunner congratulate Friends
of FROG Park.   PHOTO: THERESA NELSON
Norman H. Burg, DDS
General Dentistry
(510) 652-1517
5700 Broadway, Oakland
Lexine Alpert
W EDDING P HOTOGRAPHY
510 547-4807
www.lexinesweddingphotos.com
A Prevention Oriented Practice

FROG Park
from page 1
and the volunteers and city officials
who made this dream a reality, we offer
special thanks to the following Phase II
supporters:
FROG COMMITTEE: Theresa Nelson, Jenni-
fer Cooper, Howard Ferrier, Ronnie Spitzer,
Mike McDonald, Lisa Ferrier, Christie
Beeman, Barney Smits, Joan Marie Wood,
Karen Cheever, Steve Costa, Lisa Kaplan,
Carol McClellan, Carroll Moore, Jimmy
Pederson, Ian Reed, Eileen Fitz-Faulkner,
Al Hussian.
KIOSK VOLUNTEERS: Mike McDonald, Mau-
ricio Argueta, Jeff Clapp, Josh Feldman,
Chris French, Michael Lyons, Ian Reed,
Mark Rogero, Gene St. Onge, Fernando
Sorto.
JANE BRUNNER’S STEERING COMMITTEE:
Rose Barquist, Margie Calahan, Jennifer
Cooper, Steve Costa, Bruce Douglas, Sally
Fitzhugh, Beth Maher, Francesca McCros-
sen, Theresa Nelson, Margaret Pinter, Jackie
Hoeppner-Freitas.
CONTRACTORS AND CITY AND COUNTY STAFF:
Connie Clark, John Fiske, Tom Gilbert,
Barnali Ghosh, Kathy Raymond, Jim Ryugo,
Sandra Washington, Sandra Ousley, Markley
Bavinger, Leslie Estes, Jennifer Stanley,
Audree Jones-Taylor, Christine Calabrese,
Kristen Zaremba, Steven Huss, Roberta
Babcock, Justin Horner, Kate Whitlow, Lisa
Ruhland, Gene Mazza, Andrew Otsuka,
Denise Martin, Nihan Tiryaki.
PUBLIC ART: Mark Brest van Kampen, Claire
Isaacs-Wahrhaftig, Cheryl Crawford.
Thanks also to the grand re-opening com-
mittee: Theresa Nelson, Jennifer Cooper,
Jacqueline Kellam, Kristen McClusky and
Jennifer Edmister.
FROG Park and the new Hardy Play-
ground remain a wonderful testament to
community spirit and cooperative effort.


8.

November 4, 2006

Rosemary Roasted Carrots,
Turnips and Pearl Onions
(Adapted from Sides, by Melicia Phillips,
Clarkson Potter, publisher, 1995)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 carrots, peeled, cut into 1-inch
rounds
3 medium turnips, peeled, cut into
1-inch pieces
12 pearl onions, peeled
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
Preheat the oven to 375°
Place olive oil in a small roasting pan and put
pan in the oven to preheat, 4-5 minutes. Add the
vegetable to the hot roasting pan. Season with
salt and pepper and roast for 50 minutes, stirring
occasionally. Stir in the rosemary and continue
roasting for another 10 minutes, until the vegetables
are browned and cooked through.
Rock  ridge
Cornucopia
Cornucopia
Barry A. Kaufman
On the Side
My mother had one rule when it came
to serving dinner: Every plate had
to have a main source of protein, a starch
dish and a side of vegetables. Nutritionally
a very good idea, but the side dishes came
out of a can or were frozen. We had steak
with canned corn and frozen spinach or
chicken with canned blue lake string beans
and Franco American spaghetti. Peas, beets,
and beans were always out of a can. Dinner
salads consisted of iceberg lettuce, sliced
tomatoes and what my mother called Rus-
sian dressing – a mixture of mayonnaise
and ketchup. The only time we had a fresh
side dish was when she served roast beef
and a baked potato.
When preparing a meal, we tend to focus
on the entrée: roast chicken, grilled beef, a
piece of fish or sautéed shrimp. After we look
up our main course recipes, home chefs tend
to fill in with simple and often unimaginative
side dishes to serve with the entrée. Sautéed
chicken breasts in a lemon-caper wine sauce
are quick and easy to prepare, but sides of
baked potato and boiled string beans make
the dish ordinary. Curried couscous with
pine nuts and currents and escarole with
garlic makes the dish spectacular. Following
my mother’s rule, we shall have a protein, a
starch and a vegetable.
Italian cooks recognize side dishes as
part of the main event. In Italy, restaurant
menus include antipasti, pasta, secondi, and
a list of contorni, or side dishes. Typical
contorni include sautéed spinach, broccolini,
and fagiolini (beans). In Italy, I would often
order a simple antipasto and one or two con-
torni with a glass of wine – a perfect light
supper. For most Americans it is difficult
to think about “side dishes” as central to
the entrée. Preparing for a dinner party, we
may spend hours cooking the entrée and,
as an afterthought, cook some side dishes.
Thanksgiving dinner is often the only time
where side dishes become an important
component of the meal, as little preparation
is needed to cook the turkey.
When choosing sides to serve with your
entrée, there are several factors to keep in
mind. The side dishes should reflect the
mood of the meal. If the entrée is an elaborate
preparation with complex flavors, the side
dish should be simple, with a minimum of
flavors that would compromise the entrée.
On the other hand, if the entrée is quite
simple, like roast chicken, you may want
to have a more elaborate side to make the
meal more special. The side should enhance
and complement the entrée. If, for example,
your entrée is made with a cream sauce,
your side should not be too rich. You also
would not serve a starch side alongside a
starch entrée like pasta. For me, color is
an important factor when selecting a side.
You don’t want your plate to be all white
or beige. Think bright green, red or orange
sides when serving fish. And finally, serving
portions are important. Keep sides to small
servings. Remember, we want to complement
the entrée, not overwhelm it.
Here is one of my favorite winter sides,
perfect with a roast leg of lamb or chicken
– lots of color and flavor.
Barry Kaufman is a graduate of the California
Culinary Academy. Barry is available for cooking
classes. His email is kaufman42@earthlink.net.
Susan Bernosky LUTCF
Insurance Agent
(510) 450-9050
5940 COLLEGE AVE #A
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9.
November 4, 2006

Children’s Story-Reading Workshop is Serious Fun

by Jennifer Vetter, Chair,
Friends of the Rockridge Library (FORL)
Gay Ducey, longtime children’s librar-
ian at Rockridge, likes to say: “The
children of Oakland deserve nothing but
the very best.” She begins and ends her
twice-yearly story-reading course with this
inspirational statement, but the real inspira-
tion is in her example.
Brimming with enthusiasm and mis-
chievous humor, Ducey has so much fun
reading stories, singing songs and interact-
ing with kids that you can’t help but want
to join in. I took her course last winter and
I had a ball!
Books for Wider Horizons is a program
sponsored by the Oakland Public Library
that trains and sends volunteer story-readers
to Head Start preschools all over the city.
Gay’s training course is extremely popular,
but it is not for volunteers with only a casual
interest. There are six two-hour classes on
weekday evenings, culminating with an
all-day Saturday graduation performance.
Before taking the course, volunteers must
commit to doing a weekly storytime at a
Head Start Center for at least a year. Retirees
and students with flexible schedules have
the easiest time working this weekly com-
mitment into their schedule, but there are
also story readers who work full-time and do
this on their lunch hour. Some story readers
have been doing this for many years, and
they come back for the guest presentation
session of Gay’s course to demonstrate and
talk about their most popular and effective
tricks, in one case, literally: Raleigh Ellisen
does simple magic tricks with a handkerchief
as part of his story time.
The first class covers how to choose
children’s books, from familiar old clas-
sics to fun new titles, that work well as
read-alouds for a large group of children
ages 3 to 5. Subsequent classes cover early
childhood development, what to expect of
this age group, and how to pace a successful
storytime by interspersing books with songs,
stretches and fingerplays. (Fingerplays are
songs or rhymes accompanied by hand
movements, such as “Where is Thumbkin?”
and “The Itsy Bitsy Spider.”)
Kris Olson, the energetic program direc-
tor, says spots are available in the winter
course. Anyone interested should contact
her at kolson@oaklandlibrary.org or 510/238-
7453. The classes are held 6-8:15 p.m. on
February 6, 7, 8, 20, 21, and 22. The final
graduation performance is on Saturday,
February 24.
Although the attrition rate for volunteer
story readers is relatively low, people do move
away or start new jobs, so there is always a
need for more volunteers to sign up.
Gay Ducey explained that Julie Odofin,
of the Oakland Public Library, had the
idea for the program more than 10 years
ago. At Odofin’s request, Gay submitted a
proposal; the program got underway with
direct funding from Head Start, and other
grants. The first two training classes were
held in the Temescal branch library, but the
subsequent sessions have all been hosted at
the Rockridge Library.
Storyteller Gay Ducey
trains story-readers.
COURTESY OF GAY DUCEY
Gay says, “I have always thought of the
library as serving not only the people who
come in, but equally the people who do not
come in. How do you reach those kids? Go
to them.” The children’s librarians would
love to do this outreach themselves but they
can’t, Gay explained, so they train volunteers
to be ambassadors for the library and its
treasures of books and reading. Gay recounts,
“We had never before had a program where
volunteers were performing a task that tra-
ditionally belonged to librarians.”
Another of Gay’s sayings is, “If you
hook ’em young, you’ve got ’em for life.”
She encourages her story-reading recruits to
ham it up and have fun because it’s the most
contagious way to spread a love of books
and reading.
“There’s a good deal of emphasis just
now on early literacy,” Gay says, “using
reading time with preschoolers to prepare
them for independent reading. Children can,
and will, learn to read, but if they don’t learn
the exhilaration, the wonder, the funniness,
the love of literature for its own sake, we’ve
missed the point.”
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10.

November 4, 2006

East Bay Depot Finds a New Home

Volunteer Needed
to Deliver
The Rockridge News
Thanks from The Rockridge News to
Steven Seche who, as a Block Cap-
tain, has been delivering The Rockridge
News to the upper part of Keith Avenue.
Steven is moving on and we need to
find a volunteer to deliver his route,
9H, up Keith Avenue from McMillan
to Broadway. The job requires about 15
minutes monthly. Contact us at smon-
tauk@gmail.com to volunteer.
continue to provide low cost art and edu-
cational materials, and educate the public
to the environmental benefits of reducing,
reusing and recycling.”
The Depot, an arts and crafts reuse non-
profit organization, was founded by Oakland
teachers in 1979. In 2004 approximately 440
tons of materials were diverted from landfills
and made available as arts supplies.
“Our 27 years of existence with support
from our local community have allowed us
to grow from a small non-profit to one that
is a role model in the field of reuse. We look
forward to the next phase in The Depot’s
great work,” said David Elliot, President of
the Board of Directors.
Thank you, customers and donors, for
your support during our site search. Watch
for the grand opening in early 2007!
Visit The Depot’s Web site at: http://www.
east-bay-depot.org/
Attention, Rockridge artists
by Allysyn Kiplinger
On Monday, October 9, The East Bay
Depot for Creative Reuse, long a source
of recycled art goodies for Rockridge artists
and college students, signed a 5-year lease for
a 4,800 sq. ft. store front at 4695 Telegraph
Avenue in the historic and vibrant Temescal
District neighborhood of Oakland. Our cur-
rent store at 6713 San Pablo Avenue near the
Oakland/Berkeley border will remain open
while we move to the new location.
“After a year-long search, the Temescal
site was chosen for its accessibility from
many locations. Our new retail location
will allow The Depot to serve even more
successfully teachers, students, artists,
non-profit groups, and families in the East
Bay and beyond,” said Linda Levitsky,
The Depot’s Executive Director. “We will
www.rockridge.org
VOL. 21  ■  NO. 10  ■  ISSUE NO. 228  ■  November 4, 2006 ■
CIRCULATION: 5,100 RESIDENCES; 200 BUSINESSES
Sponsored by The Rockridge Community Planning Council • 5245 College Ave. PMB 311 • Oakland, CA 94618 • 869-4200
RCPC Seeks Web Designer
R
CPC is redesigning its website. If you
are a Rockridge resident with the right
skills, please view the Request for Proposals
at http://www.rockridge.org/.
Remembering the Firestorm:
15th Anniversary Memorialized
by Annette Floystrup,
RCPC Boardmember
Many people gathered in front of
the Firestorm Memorial Tile
Wall under BART
for the 15th Anniver-
sary Commemorative
Event on Saturday,
October 21. The
weather was an
almost perfect replica
of the conditions of
that day. Hot Diablo
winds from the north
and the smell of wood
smoke from Oakland
Fire Department dem-
onstration fires were
almost too much to
bear for some survi-
vors and firefighters
alike.
In her speech,
Sherry Hu, CBS-
5 reporter and the
event’s Mistress of
Ceremonies, noted that her parents, like
so many others, had lost their home that
day, but that awareness of the danger of
another firestorm was fading. About 70%
of the current firestorm area residents are
new since 1991, she said. Firestorms in
the Oakland/Berkeley Hills occur with
regularity about
every 20 years…
just long enough for
many residents to
forget the basics or
never learn them.
It is tempting to
believe that if your
house is not in the
hills, you are not in
danger. But burn-
ing debris from the
fire rained down on
North Oakland and
burnt debris landed
as far away as the
Alameda Naval Air
Station. Flames
came down the
side of Hwy. 24 to
within a few blocks
of College Avenue.
A large firefighting effort was concen-
trated behind the Claremont Hotel, the
rear of which
FROG Park
Re-Opening
Celebrated
by Jennifer Edmister, RCPC Boardmember
More than five years after a handful of
devoted volunteers undertook the project,
our community gratefully celebrated the grand
re-opening of FROG Park and the completion
of Phase II renovations. Hundreds of families
gathered in the new Hardy Plaza to enjoy a warm
afternoon of food, games, live music and outdoor
play. City Council President Ignacio de La Fuente
and Councilmember Jane Brunner were on hand
to kick off the October 1 celebration, which car-
ried on well into the afternoon.
The Rockridge Community Planning Council
(RCPC) acknowledges the Friends of the Rockridge-
Temescal Greenbelt (FROG) for their years of
tireless devotion to the park. Among the hundreds
of community and
corporate sponsors,
FROG Park, page 7
¬
Music That Cooks: College Avenue
Presbyterian Church Concert Series
On Sunday, November 19 at 7:30 p.m.,
Music That Cooks will feature the
essential music of the Galax Quartet, a local
string quartet featuring David Wilson and
Cynthia Miller, violins; Roy Whelden, viola
da gamba; and David Morris, violoncello.
The program reflects the history of the early
string quartet, specifically the role of the
composer and gambist Carl Friedrich Abel.
Modern viola da gamba performers know
Abel as the last 18th century virtuoso and
as the composer of many imaginative pieces
The Firestorm Memorial Tile
Wall tells the stories of pain,
loss and growth that emerged
from the disaster.
Henry the
Frog at the
edge of the
pond enjoys
a reflective
moment as the
community
gathered to
celebrate
completion
of FROG
Park Phase II
improvements.
More photos and
story on page 7.
PHOTO:
JACQUELINE KELLAM
for solo viola da gamba. Less well known
are Abel’s string quartets. The concert
series of the Galax Quartet at the College
Avenue Presbyterian Church, 5951 Colleege
Avenue, Oakland, will spotlight not only
these early classical and late Baroque works,
but recent and newly commissioned string
quartets by living composers.
On Saturday December 9, at 6 p.m., the
second annual holiday party will feature
local singer songwriters David Serotkin
and Pollyanna Bush.
Firestorm, page 2
¬
Albertsons Parking Lot to Close
by Hiroko Kurihara, Chair,
RCPC Land Use Committee
At press time, Albertsons
was preparing to close their
parking lot to the public because
of Albertsons LLC and Terra-
nomics’ difficulty in accessing
the loading dock and showing
the property to prospective ten-
ants and developers. The RCPC
Land Use Committee is working
closely with Albertsons repre-
sentatives and Councilmember
Brunner’s office to help broker
a solution that keeps the lot open
and provides designated park-
ing slots for Claremont Middle
School teachers. Merchants are
concerned about the closure and
might be able to help monitor the
lot. Regarding ROSS: Dress for
Less Stores as a potential new
tenant, the Land Use Committee
has learned that the Rockridge
Albertsons, page 3
¬
Prior to the concert, the program includes
a holiday sing along, a storyteller, and a visit
and photo op with Santa himself.
Please join us for these fantastic events.
For more information, e-mail Musicthat-
cooks@comcast.net.
eff has handled 6 transactions for us and
remains our trusted real estate advisor.”
— CO and MP, Oakland and Lafayette
“J
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Call Jeff: 1.800.805.8827
Web: www.JLAHomes.com


11.
November 4, 2006

The
Rockridge
 Muse

From the Rockridge Photo Exhibition

ROCKRIDGE
GENERATIONS: A
recent birthday
party on
Clover Drive
celebrated the
street’s oldest
neighbors who
have lived on
Clover for over
40 years each.
PHOTO:
CHRISTINE GAROFOLIS
November Leaves
I
love this time of the year. It’s a little
cooler out, the light is changing and
the world around us looks different,
more golden. In the fall stillness one can
sense the growing anticipation of things
to come, of darkness and glorious light
unfolding just beyond. This year, as in every
other, art and music will burst forth in
abundance, celebrating the season with
creative affirmation of the greatness and
goodness of life despite all.
Pro Arts Box Art
Benefit Auction
Please support Pro Arts Annual
Exhibitions and Programming by raising
your paddle at the benefit auction on
Saturday, November 18, from 6-9 p.m., at
the Pro Arts Gallery, 550 Second Street
(corner Clay) in Jack London Square.
Pro Arts brings you East Bay Open
Studios as well as a full year of stimulating
visual and performing arts exhibitions and
programs in support of our local artists
and for the enrichment of our cultural
environment. You will be able to bid on
works by some of the Bay Area’s most

by Ortrun Niesar

Participating artists include:
DECEMBER 2-3
Ann Daniels, 5599 Lawton
Linda Lemon, 5524 Vicente Way
Liz Maxwell, 5808 Chabot
Heli Perrett, 6501 Margarido
DECEMBER 9-10
Chris Barett, 6525 Chabot
Gayle Roberts, 6525 Chabot
Joan Tanzer, 6525 Chabot
Janet Welch, 6525 Chabot
Tudi Wherman, 6525 Chabot
Diane Jacobson, 5368 Kales
Musical Offerings
Among the many wonderful concerts
scheduled for this time of the year, enjoy
this year’s winter concert of the Berkeley
Community Chorus. They will be presenting
Leonard Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms,”
songs by Aaron Copeland and a special
memorial to pianist Julian White.
The concerts will be held at St. Joseph
the Worker Church, 1640 Addison Street
in Berkeley, on December2 at 8 p.m.,
December 3 at 4:30 p.m., and December
17 at 4:30 p.m.
talented artists, and on other fabulous
items contributed by private supporters
and local businesses. Tom Vacar of KTVU
Channel 2 will do the honors. Enjoy great
food and eclectic cocktails as well as cool
music. It’s a wrap for a great night out
while you do good. Call 763-9435 or go
to www.proartsgallery.org.
December Rockridge
Open Studios
It’s just around the corner: Our
Rockridge ar tists are preparing a
smorgasbord of beautiful things for you with
the holidays in mind. Paintings, drawings,
prints, collages, sculptures, jewelry, note
cards, ceramics, photography and more
are featured. Studios will be open the
first two weekends of December from
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come to view and buy
some wonderful art (much of it is really
not very expensive). Refreshments are
always served as well. Maps and more
information can be picked up at Bosco’s
Framing, the Rockridge Library and other
locations along College Avenue.
aboutface&body
dayspa
oaklandberkeley

Sign of the Times
Address
Bed/Ba.
List Price
Selling Price
Close Date
5334 Miles Avenue
3/1
$ 799,000
$ 769,000
10/06/2006
5159 Miles Avenue
3/1
$ 850,000
$ 845,000
10/06/2006
5290 Broadway Terrace
2/2
$ 519,000
$ 534,000
10/09/2006
5681 Keith Avenue
4/1
$ 1,095,000
$ 1,125,000
10/12/2006
5506 Carlton Street
3/1
$ 1,050,000
$ 1,125,000
10/17/2006
October 2005 to October 2006 Comparison of Home Sales: In 2005 we saw a 108% list to sales
price; in 2006, we saw a 99% list to sales price, a by-product of the increase in inventory. Average
number of days a house was on the market in Oct. 05: 14 days; Oct. 06: 23 days. The median sales price of
a home in 2005 was $700,000, and in 2006 it is $845,000: That still indicates a 21% increase in value.

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.

November 4, 2006

More Letters
absolutely NO productive value to society,
and forcing everyone to have to work harder
and harder just to have a roof over their
heads. If you can’t find it in yourself to care
for other people, at least don’t try to harass
them. Try spending one night on the street
yourself, or in a shelter if you can find a
bed. Do you have any morals at all?
— Andy Couturier
Could you please tell me: What is the
difference between a lemon and a “citron”
(which just means “lemon” in French,
anyway), and why would one cost $18?
What do you use them for? And how can
you tell the difference?
— Janet Somers
from page 6
Rest assured that as we go forward the
RCPC Board will be guided by the views
and preferences expressed by the majority
of community residents—not by individual
board members or community members,
whatever their affiliations.
— Jessica Pitt
FOOD EDITOR REPLIES TO LEMON QUERY
Dear Janet:
Although citron is French for lemon, a
citron is a different citrus fruit. A citron
looks like a huge lumpy lemon. The pulp is
very sour and not suitable for eating raw.
The fruit is grown instead for its very thick,
lemon-perfumed peel which is often used
in baking. They are grown mainly in South-
ern Italy and on several Mediterranean
islands. You’ll find citrons this time of the
year because in Jewish practice the estrog
(Hebrew word for citron) is used during
the Feast of Tabernacles – Succot – that
is celebrated in mid-October. Citrons are
in heavy demand in Jewish communities
during the celebration of Succot.
— Barry
A LEMON BY ANY OTHER NAME?
Editor:
This is a question for our esteemed food
columnist, Barry Kaufman. Recently, at
the Berkeley Bowl, I picked out a so-called
“large lemon” for 35 cents. When I got to
the checkstand, the clerk turned the alleged
lemon around and around in his hand, frown-
ing. Finally he said, “You don’t want this.
This is a citron and it costs $18. It must have
been in the wrong bin.” I said, “Huh? How
do you know?” He said, “Trust me, you don’t
want this!” and put it aside.
I was perplexed. To everybody else in line
(I asked them), it looked just like a lemon.
(Well, it did have some funny little ridges.
But it just looked like a ridge-y lemon!)
THE HOMELESS ARE PEOPLE, TOO
Editor:
I read with both anger and heartache
your callous article which attempts to rouse
hostility against the poorest of the poor in
our cruel society (“NCPC Tackles Homeless
Encampments,” The Rockridge News, Octo-
ber7, 2006). In a neighborhood where houses
sell for $750,000, people don’t even have the
decency to let the homeless sleep outside on the
street. While your article talks about offering
them assistance, the graphic shows a cop, the
headline verb “tackles” implies violence, and
your big brother type of “spy on your neighbor”
program by e-mail encourages readers to join
in and become cops themselves.
What have the homeless people done?
You write that they are “believed to contrib-
ute to crime and blight.” Did you get this
kind of playbook from Dick Cheney and
Rumsfeld? If you ask me what is blighting
this neighborhood, I’d say it was the real
estate industry, (heavy advertisers in The
Rockridge News), jacking up prices, making
thousands in commissions for work that has
More Letters, page 12
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13.
November 4, 2006

More Letters

More
New Book
Explores
Temescal History
and Future
Community activist and artist Jeff
Norman has just published a book on
the history of the Temescal neighborhood.
More than two years in the writing, Temes-
cal Legacies: Narratives of Change from
a North Oakland Neighborhood looks at
five significant changes to the Temescal
neighborhood since World War II:
The founding in the late 1940s of the
Studio One Arts program on 45th St.
The rise and fall of the Sacramento
Northern Railway, which ran up
Shafter
The community’s response to building the
Grove-Shafter Freeway (Hwy. 24)
The East Bay Negro Historical Society and
Temescal’s changing demographics
The burying of Temescal Creek and the
community’s battle to keep it open.
A book celebration is planned for Satur-
day afternoon, December 9, at the Temescal
Branch Library, Telegraph and Claremont
Avenues.
ZONING COUNTER

from page 12
from page 3

5407 COLLEGE AVENUE
Proposal: To expand a General Food Sales
activity (Hudson Bay Cafe) to a full service
restaurant on the ground floor and expanding
restaurant into a space next door previously
occupied by a print shop.
Owners: Robert and Kathleen Brakett
Contact Person/Phone Number: Seyed
Madjlessi, 510/658-0214
Planning Permits Required: Conditional
Use Permit for expansion of ground floor exist-
ing food sales to full service restaurant.
Case Planner: Ulla-Britt Jonsson at 510/238-
3322 or ujonsson@oaklandnet.com.
WINTER HEARTHS BRING HAZE
Editor:
It’s fall, the weather is getting colder,
and wouldn’t it be nice to have a fire in the
fireplace? Well, it’s also time to consider
whether we want to add the particulate
matter pollution of our fireplaces to our
Rockridge air. As a source of heat, fire-
places are very inefficient. They seem to
be used in upscale neighborhoods, such
as ours, more for atmosphere and pleasure
than as a necessary heat source. For this
vanity use, others pay by inhaling the smoke
that billows out around the neighborhood.
In our temperate climate there is a lot of
outdoor activity, even in winter. To have to
breathe fireplace smoke on a warm fall day
while gardening or walking, or to have it
enter through an open window, is not just a
nuisance. It is a health hazard. Particulate
matter is inhaled deeply into the lungs and
remains lodged there.
Take a look at the hills on these chillier
fall days. Haze. Not just from atmospheric
conditions. WWW.sparetheair.org can provide
more information.
— Mary Jane Makar
■
LEASH YOUR DOG, PLEASE
Editor:
I was walking my small dog on a leash
on October 11 on Ocean View around 8 pm
when two large dogs lunged out of the dark-
ness, off leash, and attacked my dog. Please
put out a warning about the leash law; this
is a neighborhood with small dogs, small
children and we should not have to wait until
there’s a death to do something about this.
The law requires dogs to be leashed.
Thanks.
— Joyce James
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14.

November 4, 2006

Classical Piano Lessons
for all ages/levels includes technique, theory,
ear-training, sight-reading, playing a variety
of music and performance. Enjoy discovery,
creative fun, and the pleasure of learning from
experienced teacher. Phyllis 655-4939.
How to Get Into Piedmont
Public Schools
and Piedmont Real Estate Market. Free seminar
Wednesday, November 8, 6-7 pm, Piedmont
Community Church, 400 Highland Ave, in
Piedmont. Free recorded information. Robert
Jacobus, 1-800/388-9876x105.
Let’s Go Shopping
Whether you’re shopping for a home or a
buyer for your home, today’s real estate
market requires premier customer service.
Free Real Estate Consultation—contact
Ruben Diaz, realtor, at 510/684-5760 rdiaz@
Caldecott.com.
Feet Wanted! Relax,
Restore, Rebound
Give yourself a gift and help me get certified
in Reflexology. Free 1-hour sessions (donations
gladly accepted). Pass the word to co-work-
ers, family and friends. Near Rockridge BART.
510/601-0614 missjones@dotcomdetox.com.
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.
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. December deadline is November 16.
For information: e-mail smontauk@gmail.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.
Handyman
Carpentry, electrical, kitchen, bath, decks, roof,
fence, drainage, foundation repair, windows,
walls, dry rot, termite damage. Lic #458473
Don 510/812-0310.
Looking for a Room
In home to share, Berkeley/Oakland/Alameda,
non-smoking, long-term. Up to $500/month.
Single, independent, mature, quiet, respon-
sible. Excellent references. Nancy Owens
510/865-3776.
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.
Rental Unit at 51st Street
Manila/Lawton
Spacious, cozy and private. Good for one
or two persons. $1000 rent, $1000 deposti.
510/652-8803.
Trumpet Lessons, Private
Rockridge Area Studio
Professional trumpeter, recording artist, band
leader and educator for over 30 years Khalil
Shaheed has openings for new serious students,
all ages and levels. Contact Khalil at 510/206-
4509 or oaktwnjazz@aol.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.
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.
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.
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.
Tahoe Condo for Rent
Our lovely 3br/2+ba condo in Incline Village is
available for rent! Sleeps eight, is fully equipped!
Close to everything! Call 652-6664 for more
information.
Low Stress Carmel Getaway
Comfortable, cheery 3BR+2BA family home
available for short-term rental. Fully furnished
from piano to ping pong, sunny patio. Quiet,
peaceful—pines, oaks, birds. Only two hours
away. Reasonable weekly rates. 510/547-1856.
Housecleaning Cooperative
Reasonable rates. Expert & reliable service
from local employment cooperative. Call
499-5836 and we’ll send someone to spiff
q w q w q w q w q w q w q


15.
November 4, 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

Councilmember Brunner’s
Community Advisory Meeting
Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair
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.
An Inside Look at Video and Computer Games:
Gen Katz, editor of the web site gamesforgirls.
com and Family Media Literacy will give parents
and grandparents an overview of types of games
available for both girls and boys: how to evaluate
them and how to get the best value for the money.
Saturday, 11/18, 1:30 to 4pm.
Lawyers in the Library: Cancelled on Tuesday,
Nov 7 because of Election Day.
ART EXHIBITS:
Gallery: November: Alvarado Art Group; oil and
watercolor paintings.
December: John Bartkoviak; oil paintings.
Display Case: November: Alvarado Art Group;
ceramic sculpture.
December: Dana Davis; photography.
Benefit for Oakland Elizabeth House, transitional
residence for women and children in North Oakland.
December 3, 10am to5pm. St. Augustine Gymnasium,
400 Alcatraz Ave. (corner of Colby). Arts and crafts
vendors who would like to participate should apply for
an application by mid November. Call Sophie at 658-1380
or sophie@oakehouse.org.
First Saturday every other month, 10am to noon, Per-
alta Elementary School: 460 63rd St. (parking on
Alcatraz Ave., just east of Telegraph). No November
meeting. December meeting topic: “Development in
North Oakland” with Claudia Cappio, City Development
Director & Developers and Builders of Projects in North
Oakland. For information on all District One issues,
call 238-7001 or www.oaklandnet.com (the
site for all City-related information).
ó
Peralta School Parent Forum
Meet current Peralta parents, discuss their experi-
ences at Peralta School, and find out about our strong
academic instruction and vibrant programs in art, music
and gardening. Thursday, November 16, 6:45pm. 460
63rd Street. To RSVP for childcare or for more informa-
tion call 655-2737. Get information on Open enrollment
procedures at OUSD’s student assignment office at
879-8111. NOTE: school tours are now available on
Mondays and Wednesdays. Call 879-1450 to schedule
a tour date.
ó
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. 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.
Jazz at the Chimes
Rockridge Branch Library
LIBRARY HOURS:
Monday and Tuesday, 12:30 to 8pm.
Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 10am to 5:30pm
Friday, 12 to 5:30pm
Closed: Sundays; also Saturday, 11/11 for
Veterans’ Day and Thursday and Friday,
11/23 and 11/24 for Thanksgiving.
Diesel Readings and Events
Featuring vocalist Kenny Washington with trio: Glen
Pearson on piano, Jeff Chambers on bass and Ranzell
Merritt on drums. Sunday, November 19, 2pm (doors
open at 1:30pm). Monthly series sponsored by the
Lifemark Group Arts program that features Bay Area
talent. Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave. For
more information or reservations call 228-3218.
5366 College Avenue, 597-5017
FOR CHILDREN:
Toddler Story Time: 1st and 2nd Saturdays, 10:30am:
11/4, 12/2, 12/9. Note: closed 11/11.
Pre-School Story Time: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays,
10:30am: 11/15, 12/6.
Pajama Story Time: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 7pm:
11/28. Note: see below for special event on 11/14.
SPECIAL EVENTS FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES:
Bilingual Musical Performance by Colibri: sing-
along in English and Spanish. Tuesday, 11/14, 7pm.
All ages welcome.
FOR TEENS:
Anime Club: Watch and talk about new anime
(Japanese animation) with other teens. 2nd Tuesday of
each month from 5 to 6:30pm in the upstairs meeting
room. On 11/14 we will watch Naruto. 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 (11/18), from 1 to 5pm. For more information:
420-8775 or Writefox@aol.com.
Knitting Classes for Seniors (50+), in collaboration
ó
ó
ó
Wisteria Ways House Concert
All events are FREE and open to the public
Wednesday, 11/8, 7:30pm. Mary Roach: Spook.
Thursday, 11/9, 7:30pm. George Lakoff: Whose
Freedom.
Sunday, 11/12, 3pm. Rhode Montijo: Cloudboy. A
book for children; bring the kids for storytime.
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.
Cindy Kallet and Grey Larsen perform folk, traditional,
celtic and original music. Thursday, November 16, 8pm.
Wisteria Ways, 383 61st Street. Suggested donation:
$15. For more information or to make reservations:
655- 2771 or info@wisteriaways.org.
ó
ó
ó
ó
ó
Workshops At Bananas
Single Parent Support Group: share your experi-
ences with others going through similar joys and
frustrations. Mondays, November 13, 20 and 27 and
December 4, from 6:30 to 8pm.
Support Group for Paid Caregivers: babysitters or
nannies who work in the homes of families, full or part
time, live-in or out. All welcome, including those who
speak English as a second language. Share stories
and exchange ideas. Topics include children’s songs
and making your own 1st aid kits.
Bananas, 5232 Claremont Ave. (near 51st and Telegraph).
Register by phone or on-line, or get more information,
at 658-7353 or www.bananasinc.org.
ó
Rockridge Artists Open Studios
ó
Rockridge Artists will once again be opening their
studios around the neighborhood. All media of artwork
offered for one-of a kind holiday gifts. Includes ceram-
ics, sculpture, jewelry, paintings and more. The first 2
weekends in December (12/ 2, 12/3; 12/9, 12/10). Maps
with times and directions to participating studios will be
available by mid November at the Rockridge Library and
many shops on College Avenue. For more information
call Liz at 654-5741.
ó
ó
North Oakland Multi-Purpose
Senior Center
Box Art Benefit Auction for Pro Arts
SIMPLIFY!
Free event: Bid on paintings, sculpture, photography
and mixed media as well as packages of tickets to fun
events, gift certificates, artist-commissioned artworks
and more. Tasty samplings from Kincaid’s restaurant,
eclectic cocktails, music and a live auction conducted
by KTVU Channel 2’s Tom Vacar. Saturday, November
18, from 6 to 9pm. The 5th annual theme of Box Art
includes works of art that incorporate the idea of a box,
either conceptually or literally. Silent Auction Preview
Exhibition of Box Art, November 11-18 at Pro Arts Gallery,
550 Second St. Open Wednesday through Saturday,
noon to 6pm and Sunday, noon to 5pm. For more
information: Alesha Colberg: 763-4361 or alesha@
proartsgallery.org.
Program Highlights: Computer classes; Health Insur-
ance counseling and advocacy program; trips, tours
and theater outings; Alzheimer’s caregivers support
group; AARP driver safety classes; Farmers’ Market
every Wednesday from 10:30am to 2:30pm. Flu shot
clinic: for seniors 60 and over, Tuesday, November
14, 9:30am to noon.
Center Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:45am to 4:45pm.
5714 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. The Newsletter,
“North Oakland Senior Times” provides a full schedule
of classes as well as a monthly lunch menu ($2.25 to
$4.00). Call 597- 5085 for details about membership,
newsletter, classes/events and opportunities to become
a volunteer.
Clutter Control
Paper/Filing Systems
Kitchens/Closets
Space Planning
Packing/Unpacking
Solutions for the critical mess
Non-Judgmental & Confidential
www.SummersOrganizing.com
Barbara ✔ 415-381-0707


16.

November 4, 2006

VINITA GOKHALE
ROCKRIDGE REALTOR AND HOMEOWNER
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