Extracted text · highlighting “Gloria Bruce”

www.rockridge.org

VOL. 22    NO. 3    ISSUE NO. 232    March 3, 2007  
 CIRCULATION: 5,100 Residences; 200 Businesses

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

RCPC Election Reminder
All people who submitted their names as candidates for
the RCPC board are required to submit a photo and a
statement of up to 125 words describing their interest in
running. Statements and photos are due by March 22, for
publication in the April issue of The Rockridge News. Please
include address, phone number and an e-mail address. Elec-
tronic copies may be sent to rcpcelections07@comcast.net.
Mail hard copies to RCPC Elections, 5245 College Avenue,
PMB 311, Oakland, CA 94618.
Remember: Two Opportunities in April
to Vote for RCPC Board Candidates
Thursday, April 19:
Candidates will speak, and
voting will take place, at the
April 19 Town Hall meeting
in the Rockridge Library from
7 to 9 p.m.
Saturday, April 21:
Voting will also take place
April 21, in the lobby of the
Rockridge Library, 11 a.m.
to 2 p.m.
Voter Eligibility
All persons age 18 and over who reside within RCPC
boundaries are eligible to vote. Verification will be
by driver’s license or DMV ID card showing an address
within RCPC boundaries, as shown on the RCPC website
at rockridge.org.
n	 Other RCPC Organizational News, page 3:
•	 Land Use Committee Changes
•	 RCPC’s Annual Financial Statement

At Claremont and Telegraph Avenues: Creekside proposal
on left, CIVIQ development on right.           Hauser Architects
Community Hears Local
Development Plans
Two high-density developments proposed for
Claremont/Telegraph intersection
by Jeff Norman
Pcohousing project at the site of
the Kingfish Pub on Claremont
Avenue and properties adjacent
to it on Claremont and behind
it on Telegraph Avenue; and a
115-unit condominium project
at the Global Video site, across
the street from the Kingfish. As
required by the city planning
code, ground-floor street front-
age of both developments would
consist of commercial space.
“Craftsman-style”
complex at pub site
roposals for two high-density,
mixed-use developments on
the west end of Rockridge were
rolled out to the community
February 15, when developers
presented their plans at a public
meeting convened by Council-
woman Jane Brunner at Faith
Presbyterian Church, in Tem-
escal. Over 100 people heard
details of proposals for a 33-unit

Rockridge Kitchen Tour: There’s Still Time

T
The cohousing project,
proposed by North Oakland
Cohousing (NOCO), would be
constructed on parcels now occu-
pied by the Kingfish Pub, a duplex
and garage next door, and two
Victorian houses on Telegraph.
(The smog inspection station at
the corner of Telegraph and Clare-
mont would be left standing.)
he Kitchen Tour Committee has had the
opportunity to visit several wonderful newly
renovated kitchens in the neighborhood; it’s not
too late to submit your kitchen for the October 7
tour. The Kitchen Tour Committee is also look-
ing for one or two volunteers for our publicity
sub-committee. No experience is necessary. Join
the fun as we visit some of our
neighborhood’s most interest-
ing kitchens, and help put on a
regionally renowned event.
about the Rockridge Kitchen Tour, please contact
Jennifer Edmister at toejrb@earthlink.net, or call
RCPC at 510/869-4200.
Janet Kirk’s
Chabot
Court
kitchen on
the 2005
Kitchen
Tour.
Kitchen Tour
The five-story building
would consist of 33 living units,
ranging from studios to three- (or
possibly four-) bedroom homes,
If you have a recently reno-
vated or remodeled kitchen
you’d like to show off, or if
you’d like more information
Plans, page 13
¬
file photo


2.

March 3, 2007

Essays on matters of local interest are invited for consideration
as Op-Ed pieces for The Rockridge News. Please limit length to
450 words and submit to editor@rockridge.org.
Bite the Bullet, Rockridge! Make it
Official and Go for Landmarking

ROCKRIDGE BRANCH LIBRARY
5366 College Avenue
597-5017
HOURS:
Mon,Tues:
Weds,Thurs, Sat:
12:30 – 8 p.m.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
12 – 5:30 p.m.
CLOSED
Friday:
Sunday:
Library program details: See Calendar, page 15.
by Robert Brokl
One possible strategy for the Rockridge
community – and RCPC as its rep-
resentative group – to protect its unique
character would be to organize for city
landmark-district status.
The Rockridge News, founded in 1986 by Don Kinkead,
is published monthly in Oakland and is sponsored
by the Rockridge Community Planning Council, a
non-profit public benefit organization founded to:
preserve and enhance the unique character of the
Rockridge neighborhood; promote the health, safety
and quality of life of its residents; furnish a forum for
community involvement, and provide leadership and
representation of neighborhood interests.
Before condomania and the sacrifice
of zoning rules by free dispensation of
variances and conditional use permits
took hold, an effort to make official what
was so manifestly self-evident – namely,
that Rockridge has architectural historical
significance – seemed unnecessary. After
all, one assumed that property owners,
merchants, and the city were well aware of
the cachet of Rockridge and its distinctive
Craftsman homes and charming College
Avenue streetscape.
Rockridge News Production
Cy Gulassa...........................Editor
Janet Somers.......................Copy Editor
Ortrun Niesar.....................The Muse
Claire Isaacs Wahrhaftig.... Writer
Barry Kaufman...................Food
Jo Ellis...................................Advertising &
An example of the Craftsman style
housing which gives Rockridge its
character. Op-Ed contributor Robert
Brokl says making Rockridge a
landmark district could ensure more
thorough design review and send a
message that Rockridge’s character is
important and must be protected.
Community Calendar
Theresa Nelson.....................Neighborhood Merchant
Lydia Gans...........................Photography
Susan Montauk...................Business Manager
Don Kinkead.......................Graphics & Layout
RCPC Board of Directors, 2006-2007
But it seems that assumption was mis-
placed.
old-growth redwoods.
For years, I had been hearing about the the
City of Pasadena’s landmark district known
as “Bungalow Heaven,” an area of about
800 Craftsman bungalows (not to mention
Spanish Colonial Revival and Tudor Revival
houses) built between 1900 and the 1930s
that draws some 60,000 visitors per year.
But when I finally had a chance to go there,
I realized that Rockridge, while lacking the
hype and the official historic designation,
was actually more generally intact, and its
housing stock even more well-maintained
and prized.
W
Jessica Pitt............................Chair
Mike Taylor ......................... Vice-Chair
Janelle Cavanagh and
Gloria Bruce.......................Co-Secretaries
Susan Montauk...................Treasurer
Kent Deverell, Jennifer Edmister, Annette Floystrup,
Even people who live on sidestreets, away
from the most at-risk commercial corridors,
shouldn’t feel safe and smug – not if they
value views, sunlight, non-gridlocked streets,
and street parking near their homes.
Cy Gulassa, Albert Hussian, Hiroko Kurihara,
Mike McDonald, Steve Meyer, Stephanie Upp
Planners and city officials have justified
case-by-case rezoning by making “best fit”
calls, using as justification vague General
Plan language for increased density over
existing zoning limits on commercial cor-
ridors with prescribed height limits and
setbacks. Missing altogether from their
decisions are the historic preservation ele-
ment of the General Plan – the orphaned
planning instrument locked in the closet
and left to starve by Jerry Brown and the
City Council.
L
Newsletter Subscriptions
To subscribe to The Rockridge News, send
your check for $20, payable to Rockridge News
Subscriptions, to: Rockridge News Subscriptions at
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Contacting The Rockridge News
	 Are there community issues you’d like to see
covered in The Rockridge News?
	 Do you have questions about newsletter
ho would have guessed these distinc-
tive assets would now be so at risk?
A quick glance at our neighbor Temescal
should be clue enough how little respect
some developers and city staff have for
zoning regulations and neighborhood
character. The six-story Temescal Place
condo tower, with its miniscule retail street
frontage and ground-level parking garage,
is a prime advertisement for the “road not
to be taken anywhere.”
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:
andmark districts help create zones
that incorporate the most distinctive
buildings with other, perhaps more modest
structures, resulting in an aesthetically
appealing, more seamless whole. Inappropri-
ate, out-of-scale, jarring new construction
is discouraged in these areas.
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
Projects already approved or in the
pipeline will remove much of what’s left
of historic buildings on lower Shattuck
and Telegraph in Temescal. Like reckless
clear-cutters, all that will remain standing
when the developers are done will be the
“built environment” equivalent of vestigial
Publication date of the next issue is
Pluses for making Rockridge a city
landmark (S-20) district include more
thorough design review and a closer look at
projects. Currently, all we can do is attempt
– with the commitment of much time and
 April 7, 2007
 April deadline is March 22.
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 classified ad that it deems
inappropriate. (Classified ad contact, page 14.)
Landmarking, page 12
¬


.
March 3, 2007

RCPC 2006
Financial Statement

Highlights: RCPC Board Retreat

Land-Use Committee Chairwoman
Steps Down; RCPC to Solicit
Community Input on Development

P&L DATA
RCPC General Fund
(cash basis)
Income
Rockridge News
$ 39,778
Interest Income
633
Total Income
40,411
Expenses
Rockridge News
34,164
Grants
6,480
Accounting
7,224
Insurance, Permits and Sales Tax
2,041
Misc. Administrative Expenses
2,173
Total Expenses
52,082
Net
(11,671)
Friends of the Rockridge Library (FORL)
Income
Donations
7,452
Merchandising (book sales)
3,178
Interest Income
303
Total Income
10,934
Expenses
Gifts to the Library
7,263
Library Scholarship
2,700
Misc. Administrative Expenses
1,049
Total Expenses
11,012
Net
(79)
Friends of the Rockridge Greenbelt (FROG)
Income
Donations
63,041
Merchandising (tee-shirts)
15
Interest Income
1,106
Total Income
64,161
Expenses
Playground New Construction
64,162
Playground Maintenance &
Bathroom
2,691
Misc. Administrative Expenses
1,509
Total Expenses
68,362
Net Receipts
(4,201)
Whistlestop Committee
Income
Merchandising (whistles)
188
Expenses
Merchandising (whistles)
221
Net
(34)
Locksley Gardens         No activity in 2006(3)
BALANCE SHEET DATA
Assets(1)
Cash Accounts
RCPC
24,167
FORL
11,236
FROG(2)
55,041
Whistlestop
671
Locksley Gardens
499(3)
Other Assets
RCPC CDs
21,611
FORL CDs
30,642
Total Assets (1)
143,866
Liabilities & Equity
Liabilities
—
Equity
143,866
Total Liabilties & Equity
143,866

by Cy Gulassa, Editor, Rockridge News
Hsite, meetings and surveys. The board has
received numerous e-mail suggestions from
community members on the development
issue and plans to incorporate them in its
future discussions.
Issue: Plan vs Zoning Codes
iroko Kurihara has stepped down as
chairwoman of the RCPC Land Use
Committee, but will continue as a com-
mittee member and serve as mentor to her
successor, Gloria Bruce. Bruce was elected
at RCPC’s annual February retreat at the
Rockridge Library to be the interim chair
until May. She has worked with local urban
policy organizations and holds a Master’s
degree from UC Berkeley’s Department of
City and Regional Planning.
A continuing problem with land use in
Oakland is the inconsistency between the
city’s permissive General Plan, on the one
hand, and local zoning codes, on the other.
Although College Avenue’s C-31 zone has not
yet been directly affected by this problem,
some are fearful that it may be endangered
in the future. RCPC’s historic commitment
to preservation of the C-31 zoning is one of
the main reasons for the character of Col-
lege Avenue today. At its retreat, the board
reiterated its commitment to ensuring that
the C-31 zoning remains intact.
Board’s 2007 Priorities
During the last few years, Kurihara and
land use committee members revitalized
community interest in Rockridge land use
and development issues. Under her guidance,
the land use committee utilized a variety
of responses to development issues, ranging
from responding to proposals when presented
by developers to contacting developers who
might be considering projects in Rockridge
to give them a neighborhood perspective that
might guide their efforts. (See Kurihara’s
statement below.)
Responding to Development
The board articulated its top five priori-
ties for the year:
Work closely with the City as it
addresses the issue of reconciling
Oakland’s general plan with local
zoning regulations
Support the Rockridge Kitchen Tour
as a way to promote Rockridge and
raise funds for projects, as well as
explore other means of fundraising
for specific community projects
Support capital improvements like
pocket parks and bike racks
Complete the redesign of the rockridge.
org website as a comprehensive local
resource and a portal to the greater
community
Codify and implement a process that
assures community access and input
to RCPC.

Debating the future role of land use, board
members weighed the implications of opening
advance discussions with property owners
and developers rather than just continuing the
strategy of responding to formally submitted
proposals. Some board members argued that
Rockridge residents, rather than RCPC board
members, should be the ones to guide the
ultimate strategy decision.



The debate was inconclusive, and the
board decided to defer decisions until
after the election of the new RCPC board,
scheduled for April. Meanwhile, it will
seek new ways to engage residents via The
Rockridge News, the rockridge.org web-


A Note from Hiroko Kurihara, RCPC Board Member
I

(1) Excludes remaining balance of the $100K pledge
in 2006 by Councilmember Ignacio de la Fuente for
capital improvements of FROGPARK
(2) A portion of these funds are restricted gifts towards
specific items planned for frogpark development.
(3) Correcting entry made on 1/29/07 to adjust
Locksley Gardens account balance to $499.06, after
team review. The 12/31/06 balance sheet is shown
pro forma for this correction.
RCPC tax records are on file at the
Rockridge Library for public review.

n early February, the RCPC board sup-
ported my request to turn over the Land
Use Committee chairmanship to Gloria
Bruce, fellow Land Use Committee member
and RCPC board member. We’ll be working
extensively on a transition plan in the coming
month. I’m grateful to Gloria for her offer to
lead the committee and am confident that
she will uphold the process of working with
everyone in Rockridge to identify the best
possible outcomes for projects and issues
facing our community.
In the past three years, we’ve established
a sizable e-mail list of residents interested in
land use issues and a very active land use com-
Kurihara Note, page 
¬


4.

March 3, 2007

violent crime increased, burglaries
decreased by 7.3%.”
Avenue, and Eastlake areas. Again,
young offenders have been the pri-
mary suspects.”
NCPC
Report
Neighborhood
Crime Preven-
tion Council
Tucker reported that six of
the city’s seven Police Service
Areas had an increase in crime.
Although Rockridge suffered the
6% increase mentioned above,
he reported that PSA 2, which includes
Rockridge, was the only area with a slight
overall decrease (.6%).
Piedmont Avenue’s Beat 09X
had more crimes (681 in 2006)
than Rockridge but actually had a
.3% decrease from 2005.
Regardless of the errors in statistics,
Rockridge residents have felt the spread of
crime in their neighborhood and have been
organizing, block by block, and lobbying for
increased protection from OPD. An NCPC/
RCPC Town Hall meeting to be held on April
19 at 7:30 p.m. in the Rockridge library will
feature Deputy Police Chief Jeffrey Israel
and will focus on current challenges to OPD
and ways in which neighborhoods can help
to prevent crime.
OPD Crime Stats
Wrong; Rockridge
Cedes 2nd Place
For Crime Increase
by Susan Montauk, NCPC Chairwoman
A
The report highlighted trends such as
an increase in juvenile and young-adult
offenders, an increase in violent crime,
apparent targeting of non-English speak-
ing victims, and an increase in robberies
in affluent areas.
computer programming mistake
catapulted Rockridge into second
place for citywide crime increase in 2006.
As reported in the February issue of The
Rockridge News, the Oakland Police
Department in January released a “Part I”
(serious) crime table for all beats in 2006,
and Rockridge’s Beat 12Y appeared to have
scored an uncomfortable 29% increase in
these crimes over 2005. (Rockridge consists
of Beats 12Y and 13X.) However, subsequent
corrections to OPD statistics revealed that
Rockridge actually had only a small increase
in crime – closer to 6%. Second place now
goes to the Allendale neighborhood in Dis-
trict 4, which, according to the corrected
statistics, scored a 28.5% increase.
Rockridge was referred to in the crime
analysis section of the report as one of those
affluent areas. The report stated: “Over the
last year the frequency of robberies in some of
the City’s more prosperous business districts
has increased. These serial offenses, as well
as copy-cat crimes, have been particularly
noteworthy in the Rockridge, Piedmont
NCPC Monthly Meeting
March 20, 7-8:30 p.m.
California College of the Arts
5212 Broadway, Ralls Building,2nd flr.
Visit www.rockridgencpc.com
for more details.
News Alert
Last week Councilwoman Jane Brun-
ner sent an e-mail to community
groups informing them that Chief
Tucker is considering removing two
Crime Reduction Team officers from
North Oakland because of its slight
drop in crime. The City Council will
discuss the 89 vacant OPD officer
positions at meetings on February 27
and March 6. For information, contact
Jane Brunner’s office at 238-7001 or
jbrunner@oaklandnet.com.
Norman H. Burg, DDS
A mistake in the beat boundaries, which
erroneously attributed many of Rockridge’s
Beat 12Y crimes to Temescal (Beat 12X),
was discovered after the release of the OPD
crime tables. This is both good news and
bad for Rockridge. The good news is that the
increase in crime here from 2005 to 2006
was not nearly as steep as first stated. On
the other hand, the computer error resulted
in an understatement of the actual number of
crimes that occurred in Rockridge in both
2005 and 2006. (Because the computer-
reporting error was fixed in April 2006,
this understatement was greater in the year
2005 than in 2006, resulting in the overstate-
ment in the percentage increase between
those two years.) There were more serious
crimes committed in Rockridge’s 12Y in
2006 than were listed on the original table,
approximately 583 rather than 548.
General Dentistry
(510) 652-1517
5700 Broadway, Oakland
A Prevention Oriented Practice





In his report to the City Council’s Public
Safety Committee on crime trends in 2006,
OPD Chief Wayne Tucker stated: “Over
the past year there was a 5.5% increase
in Part I crimes in the city of Oakland,
including a 68.2 % increase in homicides,
50.3% increase in firearm related assaults,
and 23.4% increase in robberies. While


5.
March 3, 2007

New Chabot School Wing to Replace Aging Facilities

Chabot parents and
community members
Pre-design phase community
meetings set for March 5 and 22
discuss the school
building process with
project architects at a
pre-planning community
by Jennifer Vetter
In June 2006, Oakland voters overwhelm-
ingly approved Measure B, a $435 million
bond issue for school facility improvements.
$13.5 million has been slated for Chabot
Elementary School, to replace the 18 portable
classrooms there – some of which date back
to the 1930s – with a new, permanent facility
that will meet the safety, health, and access
standards mandated by law. The school will
also get a new cafeteria and improvements
to the play area.
meeting.
building. Students, staff, and
parents also posted ideas on
bulletin boards as part of the
pre-design input process.
Construction is scheduled
to begin in the summer of
2008, and the new building
should be ready for occupancy
by 2009 or 2010.
The project is still in the pre-design
phase, but things are moving fast. Chabot
Principal Jonathan Mayer and the PTA’s long-
range planning committee recently hosted
two meetings to introduce the design team
to the community and solicit suggestions for
the building and site design. At the first com-
munity meeting, in January, Beverly Prior
Architects (BPA) and landscape design firm
MIG presented overviews of their plans. In
February, the design team gathered input
from Chabot parents, teachers, and neigh-
bors about specific features for the site and
The schedule is ambitious. Prior said
that because construction costs are increas-
ing at a rate of around 1% per month, time
is a critical element of the budget. “This
construction schedule accounts for almost
military precision,” she said. “It’s important
that we put the funding into the site and
building rather than into the rising cost of
construction.”
Oakland Unified School District project
manager Donald Chew will serve as the
day-to-day contact at Chabot during con-
struction.
Shelly Fierston, the mother of kinder-
garten twins at Chabot, said she’s excited by
the project, which she says is “desperately
needed.”
To learn more, visit www.chabotele-
mentary.org.
The team promises to address safety
concerns and minimize the impact of the
construction on students and neighbors.
Chabot School Community Meetings
Monday, 3/5, 7pm: Architects will show preliminary con-
cepts for the design and placement of the new wing.
Thursday, 3/22, 7pm: Discussion of the preferred
master site plan.
Both meetings are in the Chabot School auditorium,
6686 Chabot Road. For more information call Jennifer
Vetter at 595-1817.
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6.

March 3, 2007

140-household Fairview Park Neighbors group. I proposed a zoning
regulation, adopted by the planning commission, that a commercial
property adjacent to a residence not overshadow the residence’s side
yard. I also spoke at city planning commission meetings in support
of secondary units in single-family-zoned districts in the 1990s.
— Spring Friedlander
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.
EBMUD Doesn’t Ignore Leaks
Editor:
I appreciate the comments of observant reader Ron Sipherd
(“EBMUD Calls for Conservation, Ignores Leaks,” Rockridge
News, January 6,2007). With 4,000 miles of aging pipes in an area
of regular ground movement, a constant challenge for EBMUD is
preventing and repairing leaks. We do not, however, ignore them.
Leak repairs are prioritized so that the largest ones are fixed first,
often the day they are identified.
High-Density Development Adds to Diversity
Editor:
I support the construction of buildings six stories or higher in
our North Oakland neighborhood if they will be within two blocks
of a transportation corridor. They should be well designed, and
the buildings should be stepped back enough to allow some direct
sunlight into neighbors’ yards.
The Chabot and Golden Gate Avenue job site is the staging area
for our seismic upgrade of the Claremont Tunnel, one of our most
critical water pipelines. This three-year project is now complete,
and repairs to the leak on this site will begin in April (temporary
construction equipment to be removed in March currently does
not allow safe access to conduct the repair).
A four-story building on our block of 66th Street, built in the
1920s, provides housing for people who contribute to the diversity
of our neighborhood. The larger complexes that were constructed on
more than one or two lots tend to be better laid out both functionally
and visually. Another four-story building on the next block, built
in the ’80s, also contributes to neighborhood diversity.
Our wintertime request to customers to reduce water use was
unusual but necessary to provide a margin of operating safety
while we finished the tunnel’s seismic upgrade. Thanks to our
customers’ actions, we were able to successfully complete the
work without mandating water conservation. Now, with more than
10 years of seismic upgrades to our water system, the East Bay is
better prepared to respond to the next big earthquake.
Both of these buildings have retail businesses occupying the
ground floor.
Since yards and sunlight are lost with taller buildings, I think
the developer of any building over 35 feet high should contribute
money to a fund for the purchase and maintenance of mini-parks
within two or three blocks of the development.
Following Mr. Sipherd’s lead, I encourage our customers to
report water leaks and neighborhood water waste by calling us
(1-866/40-EBMUD) or visiting our website (www.ebmud.com,
click “Contact Us” and select “Reporting Water Waste”).
— Dennis M. Diemer, General Manager,
East Bay Municipal Utility District
There is an additional reason I support higher density. Higher
density can support better mass transit. The Telegraph bus has
reduced its frequency to 12 minutes during most of the day. With
the additional demand generated by new housing, the frequency
of the buses on Telegraph lines can be increased, which will make
taking the bus more attractive. It’s fine to say, “Let’s stop driving
our automobiles!” – but let’s provide a real alternative. I support
restoring our mass transit systems to what they were before they
were gutted in the 1950s.
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I have attended many of Jane Brunner’s North Oakland community
meetings. I have been one of the mainstays of our active, four-block,
(000) 000-0000
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Bring a bag of non-perishable food items
between March 1st and March 10th to your
local Curves and join with no service fee. All
groceries will be donated to local food banks.
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Valid only at participating locations. ©2007 Curves Intern
*Offer based on first visit enrollment, 12 mo c.d. program. Not
valid with any other offer. Valid only at participating locations.
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©2007 Curves International


.
March 3, 2007

Studio One: Historic Renovation Continues on Schedule

by Patrick Daughton
R
View of Studio One renovation from
the front facing 45th Street. The roof
is tarped to prevent rain damage.
enovation of North Oakland’s Studio
One Art Center continues unabated
through the winter, on schedule for expected
mid-summer completion. The $12.5 million
remodel, $10,000 of which is funded by
Measure DD, will return dozens of popular
art classes to a seismically upgraded, state-
of-the-art facility this September.
Courtesy of City of Oakland
Public Works Agency
recognized with mounted plaques.
To support the Studio by hosting a house
party, purchasing furniture or otherwise
helping the campaign to reach its goal,
call Beth Maher 510/420-5852. Learn more
about the history of Studio One and its
role in our community at www.friendsof-
studioone.org.
Constructed in 1894 as the Ladies’ Relief
Society Children’s Home, the building,
located at 365 45th Street, was listed in the
National Registry of Historic Places last
July and should become a City of Oakland
Landmark this year, after expected planning
commission approval. With programming
operated by the City of Oakland, Studio
One has sheltered hundreds of classes in
dozens of the arts since 1949.
The new elevator is progressing and the roof
and interior work will continue through the
months ahead. Extensive landscaping and a
public art installation are planned.
To further its advocacy work, Friends
of Studio One is seeking a local attorney
and a local CPA or bookkeeper to join its
board. If interested, please contact Patrick
Daughton by phone at 510/652-1052 or by
e-mail at pdaughton@earthlink.net.
Through ongoing fundraising events
and neighborhood house parties, Friends
of Studio One has mounted an ambitious
campaign to equip the renovated Art Center
with new furnishings. Opportunities for
donor support include the purchase of kilns,
classroom tables and park benches for an
outside performance space. Donors will be
Progress by the contractor, Oakland-
based BBI Construction, is clearly visible to
passerby. Thirty truckloads of concrete have
created a new slab foundation. The basement
and underground plumbing work is done, as
is much of the structural steel installation.
Library Friends
Announce April
Board Election
T
Kurihara Note
he Friends of the Rockridge Library
(FORL) will fill up to seven board seats
in its annual election, to be held on April
19 at the Rockridge Library, concurrently
with the RCPC election meeting.
from page 
Open Sundays 1-5 pm
mittee. We helped shape and provide guidance
for over 20 projects and, more importantly,
we identified a course of action that will give
all residents an opportunity to have a voice
in helping to determine the future of our
neighborhood. It’s imperative that we continue
to have a healthy debate about development
and change in our community.
574 48th St.
New Condos
No statements, photos, or speeches are
required in order to stand for election to the
FORL board. Everyone who loves libraries
is welcome, including quiet bookworms.
To place your name on the ballot, contact
FORL Chair Jennifer Vetter by April 10,
at jrvetter@comcast.net or 595-1817.
in Temescal
12 Brand New Condos in Temescal
1 bed/1 bath from $389K
2 bed/ 1 bath from $475K
I plan to remain active in the committee
and will remain a member of the board with
a special focus this coming year on helping
to implement RCPC’s commitment of com-
municating and connecting with residents.
I’m very encouraged that the board’s com-
mitment to good work will continue, with
all our involvement and support.
www.Gate48.Net
Serving on the FORL board is a reward-
ing way to become more involved with the
Rockridge Library, and with the Rockridge
community. During 2007-08, FORL expects
to focus its efforts on collection enhancement
(especially children’s books and audio-books),
and upgrades to the library’s furnishings,
equipment, and climate control system.
Coming Soon in Rockridge
Craftsman Bungalow
on Taft Avenue
Thank you to all the members who helped
and retained a positive focus on getting the
work done.
3+ Bedrooms/ 1+ Bathrooms
• Great Architectural Details
FORL’s mission is “to champion the
Rockridge library; to create and stimulate
public enthusiasm for library programs,
and interest in the needs, services, and
facilities of the library; to serve as advo-
cates for the library to the community and
government bodies; to generate new ideas
for the enhancement of Library facilities and
programs; to encourage gifts and volunteers
for the library; and in general, to foster the
continued development of the library.”
• Sunny Yard
• Chabot Elementary
a
cross-cultural congregation
striving to partner with
         the Rockridge community
   in lifestyle and service.
L A W T O N
Ron Kriss, Broker
Lawton Associates
510-547-5970 Ext. 55
ronkriss@jps.net
College Avenue Presbyterian Church
A S S O C I A T E S
5951 College Avenue, Oakland  510 658-3665
Sunday worShip 10:30 aM • ViSit: capcchurch.org
“#1 in Rockridge Real Estate”
R E A L   E S T A T E
B R O K E R A G E
our wonderful coMMunity Meal, fridayS, 6-7pM
a great opportunity to SerVe


.

March 3, 2007

items, like hoisin sauce and tomatillos, became
standard staples at supermarkets.
Rock  ridge
And here we are in 2007, with our gour-
met salts, teas, waters, and salamis. What’s
next? I predict 2008’s Fancy Food Show will
feature foods from our grandparents: specialty
potatoes, artesian onions, and nouvelle tuna
casserole. What goes around comes around.
T
Cornucopia
Cornucopia
Barry A. Kaufman
Whatever Happened to Quiche?
Ihis month’s recipe is adapted from Craig
Claiborne’s classic Mushroom Pie, which
appeared originally in the 1961 edition of
“The New York Times Cook Book,” published
by Harper and Row.
n January, I spent three days at the annual
Fancy Food Show at the San Francisco
Moscone Convention Center. With some 2,000
exhibitors and over 18,000 people attending
this year, the Fancy Food Show is the largest
trade show of food importers, marketers,
distributors, and producers catering to the
specialty food market. Think Pasta Shop
spread out over the entire North and South
halls of the Convention Center.
By the 1970s, trends shifted from Euro-
pean classics to Asian cuisine. I bought my
first wok around then and began to cook
Chinese food at home. I will never forget
the first time we made moo shu pancakes;
our fingers burning, we probably were able
to make a total of about six pancakes. Wok-
cooked veggies and tofu became our “in”
food for the ’70s.
I
Mushroom Pie
Pastry for a 2-crust, 8-inch pie
1/3 cup butter
1-2 onions, chopped
1 pound mushrooms, sliced
1 tablespoon flour
½ cup cream
1 tablespoon sherry
Salt and pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 450
1.	 In a large skillet, heat butter, add
n California in 1980, trends began to change
yet again. The Chez Panisse revolution
was in full swing. Mark Miller opened the
Fourth Street Grill, where he made the chilis,
squash blossoms, and cilantro of southwestern
cuisine all the fashion. In New Orleans, Paul
Prudhomme opened his Louisiana Kitchen,
and blackened everything began to appear
on menus all over America. I was making
shrimp jambalaya or gumbo every weekend.
Pesto, polenta, and risotto also defined home
cooking in the 80s; pasta was everywhere.
Our daughter even bought us a pasta machine.
(Maybe we used it twice. Why bother when
we had the Pasta Shop?)
This was my second year attending the
show, and I was struck by what was “hot”
and what was not: last year’s “in” items
were almost totally absent. On display were
exhibit after exhibit of exotic salts, teas,
vitamin fortified waters, and artisan salami.
What happened to salsas, hot sauces and
grilling rubs?
onions and sauté until transparent.
2.	 Add mushroom and sauté for about
5 minutes. Stir in flour, add cream
and bring to a boil, stirring.
3.	 Stir in sherry, salt and pepper.
4.	 Line a pie plate with 1 pastry crust.
For that matter, whatever happened to
quiche, that “in” food of the ’70s?
Clearly, American tastes are in a constant
state of flux.
Cut 2nd pastry crust into ½-inch
strips.
5.	 Pour mushroom mixture into pastry-
The beginning of the American gourmet
food revolution is generally traced to Julia
Child’s television series’ first airing, in 1963.
Before that, in 1961, New York Times food
critic Craig Claiborne had written “The New
York Times Cook Book.” To this day my wife,
Gail, and I still make Claiborne’s mushroom
pie every Thanksgiving. Other popular ’60s
dishes included fondue, chocolate mousse,
and – of course – quiche.
lined pie plate. Arrange the strips
over the top in a lattice.
6.	 Bake until crust is brown, about 20
By the ’90s, salsas, curries, and chutneys
became the rage, and the controversial “fusion
cuisine” came into being. Surrounded by a
large multicultural population, San Francisco
chefs began melding techniques and recipes
from France, Italy, China, Japan, Mexico and
the Caribbean. Previously hard-to-find ethnic
minutes.
Barry is a graduate of the California Culinary
Academy; he is available for cooking classes.
Email Barry at kaufman42@earthlink.net
aboutface&body
dayspa      oaklandberkeley
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R  E  A  L  T  O  R  S
The GRUBB Co.
serving you since 1981
Specialists in Brazilian waxing
Free loofa with all bikini waxes
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510.339.0400
1960 Mountain Boulevard •Oakland
p/ 510.428.2600
www.aboutfaceandbody.net
510.652.2133
3070 Claremont Avenue • Berkeley
sun-tues/ 10:30-5:30
wed-sat/ 10:30-8:00


9.
March 3, 2007

Rockridge News
Routes Available
T

Save The Date
Saturday, April 21:
Rebecca Lueck, LCSW

Individual and
Family Counseling
Frog
Park
Spring
Clean-Up Party
Come on out on Earth Day weekend
and join your neighbors and friends
and help keep our beautiful park clean.
This year’s event is kid friendly, so bring
the little ones. See next month’s Rockridge
News for details, and: save the date.
he Rockridge News strives to deliver the
newsletter to every house in Rockridge
below Margarido – with your help, of
course. Some residents stepped forward
to take on the vacated routes announced
in the February Rockridge News, and we
thank them for that. Two routes that need
block captains are still available. Please
give us a call at 547-3855 or e-mail Susan
at smontauk@gmail.com to volunteer. Be
sure to mention the delivery route and to
leave a call-back number.
21G	 Along the odd numbers of
(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
RCPC Election
Meet the candidates: RCPC
Town Hall Meeting, April 19.

6000 Claremont.
20A	 Up Claremont from 5900, even
Vote April 19 or April 21
at the library. See page 1

numbers, to Shell station.
Susan Bernosky LUTCF
Insurance Agent
(510) 450-9050
5940 COLLEGE AVE #A
OAKLAND
susanbernosky@allstate.com
CA Lic: 0738807,0D34069
New Market Strategies for
— CO and MP, Oakland and Lafayette
“J
Call me today to see how you can save
when you combine your auto policies.
(Spend more on your honeymoon).
eff has handled 6 transactions for us and
remains our trusted real estate advisor.”
Buyers and Sellers
Comprehensive Market Strategy for Sellers and Buyers
Renovation Consultation for Resale and Purchase
Over 200 Vendor References from floors to kithcens
60-Step Marketing and Pre-Sale Plan for Owners
Over 30 articles free at: www.JLAHomes.com
Notary Public available
Residential. Investment Properties. Land.
20 years in Renovation Consulting
Straight
with Older Properties.
Talk
Jeff Auen, Realtor
Residential and Income Properties
Jeff Auen
Heritage Real Estate Century 21
North Oakland.  Lafayette.  Orinda.
Creative
Solutions
Jaoffice@comcast.net
Insurance and savings subject to availability and qualifications.
Savings applies to most major coverages. Allstate Indemnity
Company:  Northbrook, IL.
©2004 Allstate Insurance Company.
www.JLAHomes.com
Results
Now:
BestDeals-RealEstate.com
1-800-805-8827
Call Jeff: 1.800.805.8827
Web: www.JLAHomes.com
Fixers, Teardowns,and Rehabs


10.

March 3, 2007

Redwood Court is another popular line,
with sage green-patterned dusters and pants
for transitional seasons.
The Neighborhood Merchant
Photo: Don Kinkead
A buttery-soft, plum-colored blazer by
Neto hangs near a classic white shirt by Finley
with French cuffs and flattering pleats at the
waist. A Votre Nom black pantsuit looks
classic yet has a wonderfully soft feel.
by Theresa Nelson
i-elle: A Trendy Look with a Cut that Flatters
Walking past the beautiful windows and
through the door at i-elle, you are sur-
rounded by a wonderful rainbow of colors
and textures that you just have to touch.
The women’s clothing and accessories store
– pronounced “eye-el” – has three sister stores
in the Sonoma and Napa Valleys. All four
stores are owned by Cathy Stephens, who
for the past 30 years has brought beautiful
clothing to women in the wine country and,
since 2005, to Rockridge.
i-elle
Women’s clothing & accessories
For evening, i-elle offers looks that range
from short and sexy to longer and flowing,
some of which are popular with women
searching for the perfect second wedding
dress, Cathy says. An olive satin sheath
drapes beautifully, showing off vertical
beading and embroidery running up the side.
A dress with black lace over beige lining by
Aftershock is a fun after-5 look, while the
cranberry beaded dress by Sue Wong packs
more impact. A long satin and tulle beaded
dress flares out at the knee and is available
in warm chocolate and flattering cream. The
BCBG deep plum silk halter seems lighter
than air. A black floor-length dress with
imaginative twists in the front and back also
has a lovely drape.
3206 College Avenue, Berkeley
510/652-2533
Open Monday – Saturday
10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.,
Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Retail is in Cathy’s background, and since
she was always passionate about fashion,
opening her first store was a logical step.
When Cathy opened the Rockridge store (she
took over the site from Ovations), she knew
the area would be a good match for her lines
and approach to women’s clothing.
Accessories play an important role at
i-elle, which stocks bags by Hobo and Biaisia
ranging from small wallets and evening bags
to larger multi-section bags for daytime. Cathy
also carries a line of jewelry that complements
the clothes, and specialty undergarments like
the NuBra and the popular Hanky Panky
panties. Gorgeous scarves abound, including
a beaded peacock-themed wrap that could
go with many different looks.
i-elle is all about catering to the tastes of
women in the neighborhood with personal
service, so special orders and locating an item
in another store are easy. The store focuses on
moderate to higher-priced items, meeting a
variety of custom needs and price ranges.
Inside i-elle.                  Photo: Lydia Gans
perfect for travel, with colors that vary by the
seasons and classic styles like pleated pants,
tank dresses, and tops that can double as jackets.
Cathy says many of her customers enjoy the
easy care of these clothes, as well as the fact
that they are manufactured in Oakland.
“My typical customer is 35 or older,”
Cathy said, “people with real figures and
varied needs in their lives, and also younger
women who come in for special occasion
dresses.” She also enjoys helping mothers
and daughters together. “Whether 16 and
46, or 30 and 60, we know how to offer a
look that is trendy and a cut that flatters a
variety of shapes and sizes.”
Komarov offers touchable pleated tops
and dresses, right now featured in black as
well as platinum and chocolate. i-elle carries
a full line of Linda Bertozzi silks, known for
their cropped jackets in nubby silk dupioni
and smooth damask patterns in bright colors
featuring flowers and dragonflies as well as
in more muted tones.
When you’re looking for some classic
wardrobe basics, a stylish raincoat or jacket,
or an exciting dress for a special event, i-elle
has a range of styles that can meet almost
everyone’s tastes. Stop in and enjoy the
varied colors and textures of their careful
selections today.
Now, during the mid-winter season, the
store is bursting with cozy clothes for day
and sparkly looks for evening. Clothing and
accessories are grouped by colors: plum,
green, copper and orange, brown, black and
cream, gold and mustards, red and teal. Cathy
carries several favored lines all the time,
as they fit well with her customers’ needs.
For pants, she favors Fabrizio, David Kahn
jeans, Margaret M, and Fibers. Separates,
sportswear and dresses include Komarov,
Babette, Shelli Segal’s Laundry, ABS (perfect
copies of recent red carpet looks), BCBG,
and Sue Wong.
A customer favorite is the Mycrapac
raincoat, which comes in a myriad of colors
and styles and folds up tiny for travel. Some
of the coats feature a raised black pattern on
a dark taupe background; others have bright
blocks of color. All are reversible, for two
different looks.
New Store
Complete architectural
Who’s Your Betty Boutique
services since 1970
Danielle Marinovich
5517 College Avenue
Open 12- 6 p.m. every day
“If you come in looking for a pair of
pants or dress, we’ll have several styles and
price levels for you that will fit your real-life
needs,” Cathy said.
5278 College Avenue
Closed
Oakland, CA  94618
(510) 654-6755   fax 654-3424
Impressions Ink
6251 College Avenue
The Babette line features clothing that is


11.
March 3, 2007

by the health benefits of a daily dance
routine, despite failing eyesight. At a social
gathering at Oakland’s Ligure Club the
other night, the band struck up right after
dinner. It was just two musicians, just a
few instruments including an accordion
– but who cares? The music started,
and soon everyone was out there on
the dance floor, swinging their arms and
hips in joyful abandonment. The older
the dancers, the more they relished the
opportunity to dance. How gracefully
couples glided across the dance floor!
How well they remembered the first
time they danced to that tune (was it
1942?), and how disappointed they were
when the music stopped!
ground with your feet, and give yourself
over to the music as it takes you on a
journey from graceful twirls to sharp
powerful tae kwon do kicks to cocky
jazz movements and the meditation
poses of yoga. All that in one short
hour, and when you are done, you feel
like you have been on a journey to the
stars and back. Hours later you will
still feel the Nia glow in your cheeks.
Nia classes are being taught all around
the Bay area, including the Berkeley
YWCA, Studio Rasa and the East Bay
Dance Center in Glenview. It can be
practiced by anyone of any age and does
not require any particular skills, as long
as you can let go of fear of judgment
by others. Visit www.sfbaynia.com for
more information.
The
Rockridge
 Muse
by Ortrun Niesar
Dancing Among
the Stars
As someone who adores dancing, I
have never understood why there
are people in the world who simply don’t
care for it. It seems to me that moving
one’s body in harmony with music, the
language of the universe, is truly a gift
from the gods to mankind not to be
scorned. Indeed, all across the world,
dancing has become something of a
phenomenon in recent years. Ballroom
dance competitions have captured viewers
of all ages worldwide. In Oakland, Sweet’s
Ballroom is back in action. Then there
are the many local social clubs where
dancing after dinner is the order of the
day. Dance classes are being taught in
studios and gyms. There is a whole list
of adult education dance classes posted
at the senior center (former Veterans’
Building) on Grand Avenue. And what
is a cruise without an orchestra to
dance to?
Experience Nia
Recently I had an opportunity to attend
a weekend retreat for Nia followers
on Mt. Tamalpais. I knew little about
Nia except that anyone who comes in
contact with it is instantly enchanted by
it and will continue to seek it out as if it
were the elixir of life itself. What is it? I
tried to get a one-sentence description
and baffled the practitioners with my
request. Nia, as best as I can make out, is
a dance movement that promotes health
and mental and emotional well-being
through dance routines that incorporate
meditation, dance and martial and healing
arts developed over many centuries in
both eastern and western cultures. It
is a form of exercise that promotes
self-healing through spirit-mind-body
awareness. Come to a Nia class and you
will be asked to wear whatever loose
clothing that makes you feel free and
beautiful, take off your shoes, touch the
East Bay Open Studios
It’s that time of the year again, when
our artists are preparing for Open
Studio events in June. This year, for the
first time, Pro Arts will be publishing a
definitive Directory of East Bay Arts,
containing full color listings for all
the artists it can locate, regardless of
participation in Open Studio. This will be
a great boon for our artists. Naturally,
Pro Arts is also looking for advertisers
and sponsors. So feel free to contact
them and see how you can help. Go to
www.proartsgallery.org. Volunteers are
always greeted with open arms.
Poetry Slam
One more note. The grand slam
finals for the 11th annual Youth Speaks
teen poetry slam will take place at the
Masonic Auditorium in San Francisco
on March 17 at 7 p.m. It’s your chance
to really hear what kids have to say.
Visit www.masonicauditorium.com for
information.
Dance is a powerful expression of
the human body-spirit. It is not just for
the young. My 78-year-old cousin swears
Henry C. Levy & Co.

Rockridge Inventory is Low in Comparison to Oakland: Location, Location, Location!

Sale Date Address
Bed/BA Original List Final SP DOM
01/02/07
5945 Broadway
Duplex
$709,000
$590,000
116
01/23/07
5400 Broadway Ter #104	 2/2
$699,000
$678,030
36
01/23/07
5400 Broadway Ter #204	 2/2
$707,130
$707,130
?
01/23/07
5283 Broadway Ter
2/2
$695,000
$700,000
26
01/24/07
5400 Broadway Ter #303	 2/2
$689,000
$658,630
44
01/29/07
407 Avon
2/1
$620,000
$450,000
157
01/31/07
2 Westminster
4/5
$4,200,000	 $3,735,000
0
02/02/07
5348 Thomas
3/1
$780,000
$766,000
54
02/09/07
5400 Broadway Ter #207	 2/2
$665,000
$665,000
?
02/20/07
5364 Belgrave
2/1
$695,000
$695,000
40
•	Average Days on mar-
ket: approx 60 days
•	Average List/Sell; 92%
•	60% of the listings sold
below the original list;
only 10% sold over the
original list price.
•	There is a 1-month
supply of inventory in
Rockridge compared
to a 7.3-month supply
in all of Oakland.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Certified Public Accountants
and Consultants
A Professional Corporation
■
• tax preparation • estate planning
• tax planning
• business valuation
5940 College Avenue, Suite C
Oakland, California 94618
510.652-1000   FAX 510.654-2363


12.

March 3, 2007

Landmarking
from page 
educational, aesthetic, environmental,
and economic value of structures, other
physical facilities, sites, and areas of special
importance due to historical association,
basic architectural merit, the embodiment
of a style or special type of construction, or
other special character, interest, or value,
and is typically appropriate to selected older
locations in the city.”)
RCPC Election
Vote April 19 or April 21
at the library. See page 1
expense and often with little success – to
modify projects after they’re proposed, with
heels-dug-into-the-ground developers loathe
to reconsider plans. The city’s Landmarks
Preservation Advisory Board would deal
with big, unresolved problems; and a clear
message would be sent that the character
of Rockridge is important to the city and
must be protected.
Regency Antique Restoration
Professional and Experienced
ALL Furniture Repairs
Robert Brokl is an artist and community activist
who lives in North Oakland. He was one of the
founders of NOVA (North Oakland Voters Alliance),
which helped prevent demolition of several histori-
cally important buildings including “old Merritt
College” and the Temescal library. He is a former
boardmember of the Oakland Heritage Alliance
and is a member of STAND, Standing Together for
Accountable Neighborhood Development.
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West Oakland’s Oak Center, Sheffield
Village and South Prescott-Oakland Point are
some examples of local landmark districts.
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534-0603
Bruce Wagg
bruce@bayareaantiques.com
The minus is that some property owners
may object to having their hands tied in
any way. In reality, though, landmark-
ing is more of a policy statement – even
an advertising tool – than an attempt to
preserve the area in an amber time-warp.
Only exteriors would be affected, and, yes,
you probably still could paint your house
purple. Planning staff would encourage
consensus-building dialogue around the
landmark initiative. RCPC would be the
perfect vehicle to conduct the survey and
analyze pros and cons.
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Even a discussion about landmarking
would be a means of seizing the initiative and
proactively shaping projects in the area.
Technical questions about landmarking
can be directed to Joann Pavlinec, the planner
assigned to the city’s Landmark Preservation
Advisory Board, at 238-6344. Also, visit www.
bungalowheaven.org.
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13.
March 3, 2007

Plans
The “Craftsman-style”
cohousing/retail complex
proposed for construction
on the present Kingfish
Pub site would be built
on parcels now occupied
by the pub, a duplex and
garage next door, and
two Victorian houses on
Telegraph. This view is of
the Telegraph side of the
proposed structure.
from page 
NOCO spokeswoman Joan Lichterman told
meeting participants. The average price
of the units is expected to be $392,000.
Project architect Tom Dolan described
the design of the 59-ft.-high structure as
Craftsman-style.
A variance would be required for the
addition of 19 feet of height above the 40-ft.
maximum allowed by the zoning code. A
variance would also be needed for the 30
parking spaces proposed—three fewer than
mandated by zoning. The developer would
be required to identify potential new loca-
tions for the two Victorians on Telegraph,
which are classified by the city as historical
resources. Plans also call for the façade,
and possibly portions of the interior, of the
Kingfish Pub (which has been at its loca-
tion since the 1920s) to be salvaged and
integrated into the project.
Thomas Dolan Architecture
in the same modernist style as the several
live-work projects the design-construction
firm has built south of Market Street in
San Francisco. Studios, beginning at 305
sq. ft., and one-bedrooms would make up
about 75% of the units, with the median
price set at $385,000.
from Redondo Park.
The audience’s response to the proposal,
which was presented by architect and owner
George Hauser and project manger Will
Mollard, was critical. While a few people
spoke favorably about it in general terms,
many voiced concern about potentially
reduced street parking in the area; the pos-
sible impact on traffic at what some said
was an already hazardous intersection at
Telegraph, Claremont, and 51st Street; the
building’s large scale and bulk; a design they
said bears little relationship to the neighbor-
hood; and a Greenbelt some feared would
be rendered dark and uninviting, enclosed
by multi-story buildings.
For more project information
A variance would be required for the
project’s proposed 65-ft. height, 25 feet
above the zoning limit. Another variance
would be needed for the proposed 100 on-
site parking spaces, 15 fewer than required
(zoning mandates at least one parking space
per living unit).
Nearly everyone who commented on the
project at the meeting said they supported the
cohousing concept, but many were critical
of the development’s height and density and
their possible impacts on the surrounding
neighborhood.
Global Video Site –
SOMA Comes to Oakland
In addition to the promise of outdoor
plazas and arcades, public art, a water feature,
and plenty of glass, the developer proposes
slicing off 10 feet of width from the Global
Video property and allocating the strip to
increase the width of the Rockridge-Temescal
Greenbelt extension. (The Greenbelt exten-
sion is scheduled for construction between
the Global site and the 67-unit Civiq con-
dominium project, which was approved by
the city last year.) On-site parking would be
a combination of underground and ground-
level, accessible from Clarke Street, across
To learn more about the cohousing pro-
posal, visit www.northoaklandcohousing.
org or contact city planner Pete Vollman
at 238-6167, pvollman@oaklandnet.com.
For information about the proposal for the
Global site, visit www.baumeistercollective.
com, or contact city planner Darin Ranel-
letti at 238-3663, dranelletti@oaklandnet.
com. For a list of developments proposed
for Rockridge and other North Oakland
neighborhoods, or to be informed of when
these projects are scheduled to go before
the Planning Commission, contact Zac Wald
in Councilwoman Jane Brunner’s office, at
238-7013 or zwald@oaklandnet.com.
The 115-unit, market-rate condo complex
proposed for the Global Video property,
located on the east side of Telegraph at the
foot of Claremont, would be San Francisco-
based Hauser Architects’ first project in
Oakland. The proposal calls for replacing
the Global Video building with two six-story
structures and a third at four-stories, designed
Your Neighborhood Rockridge Mortgage Specialist
Rates are Low!
It’s a good time to buy as we
move into a Buyer’s Market!
Jeff Norman is a community artist and Temescal resi-
dent. He is a member of STAND, Standing Together
for Accountable Neighborhood Development.
Take advantage of
Mon – Fri 9:30 – 6:00
great inventory —
Call now for Pre-approval!
Sat 9:30 – 5:00
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15 years in the mortgage industry;
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I am a Rockridge resident
Near Alcatraz
652-1990


14.

March 3, 2007

Tai Chi Classes
Thursday, 10 am. Saturday, 9 am. Check
website for location www.harmonytaiki.
com or for further information contact Gail:
415/786-2469.
High Quality Gardening
Skilled maintenance and fine gardening, aesthetic
pruning, outdoor lighting, irrigation, clean-ups,
real estate prep, installations. Organic practices.
14 years in the Berkeley/Oakland area. Green’s
Gardens—Green Huse. 510/593-3490.
Your Message Could Be Here
Your 36-word message is $20. (Phone number
counts as one word). Mail to: RN Clas-
sifieds, 5245 College Avenue, PMB 311,
Oakland, CA 94618. April deadline is March 22.
For information: e-mail smontauk@gmail.com
N. Tahoe Condo for Rent
2 BD/2B, full kitchen, on beach, pool, hot tub,
playground, BBQ. Available 6/10-6/17 and 8/12-
8/19. Call 510/658-9530.
Join us for Holy Week at
St. Augustine Church!
400 Alcatraz, 510/653-8631. Palm Sunday, 4/1:
8 am, 10:30 am. Holy Thursday, 4/5: 7:30 pm.
Good Friday, 4/6: 7:30 pm. Easter Vigil, 4/7: 8:30
pm. Easter Sunday, 4/8: 8 am, 10:30 am.
Good Independent
Plumber Sought
Rockridge homeowner seeks a local licensed
plumber for several specific tasks (new sinks,
tankless water heater, water pressure reduc-
tion, etc.), and someone we can depend on for
future needs. Terry: 510/923-1482.
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.
Learn to Draw the Monart Way
An original, highly effective method that teaches
realistic drawing to children, teens, adults.
Art camps for kids, too. MONART School of
the Arts. Opening soon. 5427 Telegraph Ave.
521-DRAW. http://oakland.monart.com.
Home Staging Specialist
Don’t be udderly overwhelmed with preparing
your home for sale. Call Holy Cow! Staging &
Design. Always helping to keep your profits in
your pocket! 499-3969 or email: divingbovine@
holycowstaging.com.
Jazz & 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.
Shared Housing Alameda
Want two mature, responsible, respectful,
non-smoking women. Have large, sunny, 3-
bedroom apt., 1 blk to “51”, “O” bus stop. $600
and $500/mo. Shared bath. Utilities included.
Nancy 510/865-3776. Lucy 510/522-2353.
Hairstylist and Colorist
Why not feel and look your best? The right
haircut and/or color can take years off your
appearance. Beauty Expert Kim Alcala can
transform your look. 18 years experience.
510/290-5958. Hermosa Salon.
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 510/761-7168.
We Hand Wash Rugs from
Around the World!
Fifty years of rug washing and repair as well as
carpet and upholstery cleaning in Rockridge
homes. Yes, we will pick up your rugs. www.
Applebycleaning.com 510/351-5230.
Manicure & Pedicure
We use Zoya polish which does not contain
formaldehyde or toluene or DBT. Call Halina
at Milagro Salon, 5269 Broadway at College.
510/593-5080. Mention this ad and receive a
10% discount.
Aesthetic Pruning and
Garden Maintenance
Combining art and science in the care of your
garden. Complete garden maintenance or
seasonal pruning of trees and shrubs under
20 feet. Specialties: Japanese maples, pines,
camellias. Bruce Thompson 510/428-4964.
Unexpected Guests?
Short-term rental, lovely room 2 blocks
from Rockridge BART in owner’s flat. Wi-fi,
cable, t.v. Photos available. Barbird@aol.com
510/652-7044.
Handyman
Carpentry, electrical, Kitchen, bath, decks,
fence, drainage, foundation repair, windows,
walls, dry rot, termite damage. Lic#458473
Don 510/812-0310.
Feather River Art Camp
www.featherriverartcamp.com June 24-July 1,
a perfect joyful blend of art, nature, creativity,
camaraderie. Adults and kids. Sign up now for
an amazing art experience. Class sizes limited.
510/601-1619.
Pilates in Rockridge
Beautiful studio on College Avenue, specializing
in private and semi-private training in Pilates
and Gyrotonic. Excellent trainers! PILATES
PLUS, 5255 College Avenue 510/420-1412,
www.pilatesoncollege.com.


15.
March 3, 2007

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
April: Photographs by students of Dana Davis, Berkeley
City College.
or purchase advertising space in the catalog, contact
Susie Poncelet: 985-1246 or sponcelet@earthlink.
net. Also make donations or purchase tickets ($26), at
www.chabotelementary.org.
LIBRARY HOURS:
Monday and Tuesday, 12:30 to 8pm.
Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 10am to 5:30pm
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.), Ralls Bldg. room 203. Directions and
more information: www.rockridgencpc.com.
Concerts at the Chimes
Friday, 12 to 5:30pm
SOUL AT THE CHIMES: Benefit concert fundraiser
for the Bay Area Repertory Theater, featuring
Destiny – Harpist from the Hood; jazz and clas-
sical music for vocals and harp, and Sonata Pi, a
Bay Area vocal group. Show will be followed by
a reception with the artists and members of the
Bay Area Repertory Theater, a non-profit theater
company dedicated to presenting top local talent
celebrating the rich history of African Americans
through dance, drama, singing and spoken word.
Sunday, 3/11 at 2pm (doors open at 1:30pm). Tickets,
$35, may be purchased at the door or in advance
at www.brownpapertickets.com. For more
information: 510/464-3086 or www.bayarearep.
org. Sponsored by Lifemark Arts and focuses on
local African American arts and culture.
JAZZ AT THE CHIMES: Concert, followed by “meet-
and-greet” reception, featuring Latin jazz artist John
Calloway and his band. Sunday, 3/18, 2pm (doors
open 1:30pm). Purchase tickets at the door ($10, kids
under 12 free). Box office opens 12:30pm; cash or
check only. Monthly series sponsored by Lifemark
Group Arts that feature Bay Area talent.
Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave. Call 228-3218
or mdorazi@lifemarkgroup.com.
ó
Sunday, Closed
Diesel Book/Poetry Events
All events are FREE and open to the public
Rockridge Branch Library
Monday, 3/12 and 4/9, 7:30pm: Amnesty International
meeting. All welcome.
Thursday, 3/15, 7:30pm: Local author Ann Cummins:
Yellowcake, novel set in New Mexico.
Thursday, 4/5, 7:30pm: writing instructor Sarah Stone:
The Longman Guide to Intermediate and Advanced
Fiction Writing, (co-written with Ron Nyren).
Sunday, 4/8, 3pm: Bay Area poet Joseph Lease:
Broken World.
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.
ó
5366 College Avenue, 597-5017
FOR CHILDREN:
ó
Toddler Story Time: 1st and 2nd Saturdays,
10:30am: 3/10, 4/7.
Pre-School Story Time: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays,
10:30am: 3/7, 3/21, 4/4.
Pajama Story Time: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 7pm:
3/13, 3/27.
FOR TEENS AGES 13 and up:
ó
ó
ó
ó
ó
Anime Club: Watch and talk about new anime
(Japanese animation) with other teens. 2nd Tuesday
of each month, from 5 to 6:30pm, upstairs meeting
room. Film on 3/13 is Naruto. For questions about
this or any other teen event, call Susy, the Teen
Specialist Librarian, at 597-5017.
FOR ADULTS:
ó
ó
Rockridge Storynight
Storytelling for Grownups: Open mic personal stories,
solo performance, folktales and more. 15 yrs and up
welcome. Hosted by storyteller Annie Goglia. Tuesday,
3/13 from 7 to 9pm. (Future dates: 4/17 and 5/15). Starting
in March, there will be a featured storyteller after the
open mic. Rockridge Library, 5366 College Ave. For
more information: Annie at 655-1433 or kalamari@
juno.com.
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 (3/17), 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.
Help for Relocating: Nicole Reams, realtor and
co-owner of California Pacific Realty and Mortgage
Group, will discuss organizing your move, research-
ing your new community and making connections
once you’ve moved. Refreshments served. Tuesday,
3/20, 7 to 8pm.
Lawyers in the Library: Free legal advice. First
Tuesday of each month from 6 to 8pm. Advance sign-up
starts 5pm. For more information: 597-5017.
ART EXHIBITS:
Gallery:	March: Tomye, a Studio One artist.
ó
Wisteria Ways Concert Series
Any Old Time String Band: 30th anniversary reunion
of pioneer all-female string band quintet. Mix of
bluegrass, cajun, blues and more. Friday, 3/9 at 8pm.
More information at www.bluegrassintentions.
com/suzy.html.
Small Potatoes: Celtic to cowboy music. Sunday, 4/1
at 3pm, 383 61st Street, inside venue (not wheelchair
accessible). $15 suggested donation for musicians.
For reservations, RSVP to info@WisteriaWays.
org or 655-2771.
Go Green Neighborhood Network
ó
ULTRA Meeting
ó
Urbanists for a Livable Temescal Rockridge Area (ULTRA)
neighborhood forum to discuss developing livable com-
munities and defining urban growth. Sponsored by the
Ella Baker Center for Human Rights and The Sierra
Club. Keynote speaker: Ted Droettboom, representing
MTC/ABAG/Air District Joint Policy Committee. Saturday,
3/17, 10am to 1pm (registration begins 9:30am). No.
Oakland Senior Center, 5714 Martin Luther King Jr.
Way (58th St. entrance). For more information: www.
ultraoakland.org.
ó
ó
Meet with neighbors and learn what it means to live
more sustainably in large and small ways. The ABCs
of Solar Panels: Solar experts will explain how solar
panels work, whether solar is right for you, and if so,
how to get started. We will also explore the possibility of
going solar as a neighborhood. Saturday, 3/24, 10:30am
to 12:30pm. Rockridge Library, 5366 College Ave. For
information on future meetings: Gina at 428-0349 or
gina.blus@gmail.com.
Chabot Elementary Spring Auction
ó
“Midnight at the Oasis” features fine food, drinks, live
music and both a live and silent auction. Prizes donated
by local merchants will include custom events such as
dinners and parties. All proceeds support the school’s
enrichment programs, including music and art, an on-site
garden and physical plant improvements. Saturday, 3/24,
from 6 to 11pm at Pauley Ballroom on the UC Berkeley
campus. For more information, or to make a donation
April: Aparna Cleary: Large Quilts.
Lobby Display Case: March: Creative Re-use: Recycled
Art by Kids, presented by the Museum of Children’s Art
(MOCHA) from contest entries.
COLLINS ROOFING
Family Owned & Operated
482-2227  Seamus
www.collinsroofing.com
Quality Work  •  Free Estimates
Rockridge:  5400 College Avenue
Elmwood:  2930 College Avenue
Weekend Brunch in Elmwood
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16.

March 3, 2007

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