Extracted text · highlighting “Safeway”

www.rockridge.org

VOL. 22  NO. 11  ISSUE NO. 240  December 8, 2007 
 CIRCULATION: 5,100 Residences; 200 Businesses

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

Happy Holidays!
Fourth Bore Coalition Sues
Caltrans Over Tunnel Study
No Town Hall Meeting in December
An Evening of Water
And Wild Weather
the globe, Chris demon­
strated that there were large
geographical differences in
the effects of global warm­
ing between the northern
and southern hemispheres.
Population growth and dis­
tribution, land masses and
growing global industri­
alization were related to
the strength and size of
storms over both land and
sea. Chris proved the point
that passionate engagement in
one’s topic is the best way to
inspire interest in others. The
audience delighted him with
questions ranging from the
effect of urban heat islands
to whether there is global
warming on Mars.
November Town
Hall Meeting Report
by: Annette Floystrup,
RCPC board member
The November 15 RCPC
Town Hall Meeting was
an elemental feast of water
and wild weather phenom­
ena. Rockridge resident and
author Christopher C. Burt,
author of “Extreme Weather,
Climate Change Edition,”
gave a lively overview of the
effects of global warming on
extreme weather phenomena
such as hurricanes, torna­
does, cyclones and floods,
as well as the better known
California experience of rain,
snow and drought cycles.
Commuters travelling between Alameda and Contra Costa
Counties snake through three tunnels (bores) lying beneath
the Berkeley Hills. The two right-hand (out-bound from Oakland)
tunnels were built in 1937; a third was added at the left of those
tunnels in 1964 (boxy shape in center of the main picture).
Citing lengthy commute delays and the cumbersome routine of
reversing the center tunnel traffic direction to meet commute
needs, Caltrans plans a fourth bore to be located to the left of the
1964 bore. (Inset: Proposed in 1861, the Kennedy Tunnel, an early
precursor to the Caldecott Tunnel, was completed in 1903. The
photo is from 1918, the year the tunnel had lights installed.)
Photos: Kennedy Tunnel; courtesy of the Lafayette Historical Society.
Caldecott Tunnel today; Don Kinkead
Armed with a map of
Wild Weather, page 5
¬¬
by Ellen Peterson and Kent
Deverell, RCPC representatives
to the Fourth Bore Coalition
Tmembers of the coalition and sup­
port the legal action.
Changes, New Staff for
Jane Brunner’s Office
The inadequacies of Caltrans’
environmental impact study were
documented during the initial
comment period in July 2006.
Organizations as diverse as the
RCPC and other community plan­
ning groups, the East Bay Bicycle
Coalition, the City of Berkeley, the
Bay Area Air Quality Management
Board, and the City of Oakland
pointed out serious deficiencies
in the report. These include: a
severely limited area of study
that does not include impacts on
surface streets and sensitive recep­
tors [schools, residential areas and
he Fourth Bore Coalition (FBC),
an organization of neighbor­
hood groups and residents on the
west side of the Caldecott tunnel,
has filed suit against Caltrans to
invalidate the environmental impact
study associated with the $420 mil­
lion fourth bore project. The FBC
contends that the environmental
impact study by Caltrans violated
the California Environmental Qual­
ity Act, National Environmental
Quality Act and federal transpor­
tation law by failing to consider
wider impacts of the project. Both
the RCPC and FROG Park are
by Mike McDonald, FROG
Steering Committee
C
Kim, originally from
Seattle, worked for the Wash­
ington State Department of
Transportation as a commu­
nications consultant. Prior
to that she was campaign
manager for Seattle City
Councilmember Richard
Conlin.
ouncilmember Jane
Brunner’s office has
seen many changes in the last
few months. New members to
the office include Nila Kim,
taking over Kate Whitlow’s
job as Rockridge liaison and
Brunner’s scheduling assis­
tant. Whitlow, who did an
outstanding job for Brunner
and for Rockridge, has moved
to New York City.
Kim is digging in and
getting to know Rockridge
since joining Brunner’s staff
a mere two months ago. She
New Staff, page 9
¬¬
Fourth Bore Suit, page 10
¬¬


2.

December 8, 2007

Former Rockridge News Editor
Jackie Tasch Publishes Novel
ROCKRIDGE BRANCH LIBRARY
5366 College Avenue
597-5017
HOURS:
Mon, Tues:
Weds, Thurs, Sat:
Friday:
Sunday:
Library program details: See Calendar, page 15.
by Rockridge News staff
Swear boxers or briefs?—to a family dinner
rivaling the Mad Hatter’s tea party, and just
when things are getting back to normal, his
family shows up. All indications are readers
will enjoy the novel—and you might have
some fiction- and/or feline-loving friends
who would also appreciate it. Jackie writes:
“I had much to be thankful for this year. I
hope your Thanksgiving was full of family,
good friends, and fine food—with more of
the same coming for the holidays.”
12:30 – 8 p.m.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
12 – 5:30 p.m.
CLOSED
See Calendar, page 15, for December hours.
ince the time when she was 8 years old,
former Rockridge News Editor Jackie
Tasch has dreamed that one day she would
write a book, in particular a novel. She says
it has taken her a long time to get there and
the road was “winding and occasionally
rocky.” But she’s happy to share the good
news about “The Man of My Dreams,” an
offbeat and funny novel about a middle-aged
woman whose cat occasionally turns up
looking like a famous actor. Their adven­
tures take them from a shopping trip in
downtown San Francisco—would a man-cat
The Rockridge News, founded in 1986 by Don Kinkead,
is published monthly in Oakland and is sponsored by
the Rockridge Community Planning Council (RCPC),
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.
To learn more about the book and book
readings and signings, e-mail Jackie at
jatasch@sbcglobal.net.
Rockridge News Production
Cy Gulassa...........................Editor
Ortrun Niesar.....................The Muse
Barry Kaufman...................Food
Anna Marks.........................Writer
Jo Ellis...................................Advertising &

RCPC Distributes 500 Light Bulbs

by Stuart Flashman, RCPC board member
A
District Association’s Christmas tree-light­
ing event. In addition, RCPC volunteers
distributed CFLs on several blocks within
Rockridge. RCPC thanks everyone who
helped out. Beyond the free distribution,
PG&E is continuing to subsidize the cost of
CFLs sold at commercial outlets. PG&E’s
participation results from a special CPUC-
mandated conservation set-aside from
PG&E’s revenues.
Community Calendar
Theresa Nelson.....................Neighborhood Merchant
Susan Montauk...................Business Manager
Don Kinkead.......................Graphics & Layout
RCPC Board of Directors, 2007-2008
s part of a statewide program to encour­
age the use of energy-saving compact
fluorescent light bulbs (CFL), RCPC has
finished distributing 500 CFLs to local
Ronnie Spitzer....................Chair
Annette Floystrup ............ Vice-Chair
Gloria Bruce.......................Secretary
Susan Montauk...................Treasurer
residents. The month-
long program, run jointly
Jennifer Edmister, Stuart Flashman,
Cy Gulassa, Ellen Peterson, Peter St. John,
by the Sierra Club and
Jeff Small, Richard W. Smith,
Danica Truchlikova, Margaret Wahlberg
Contact the Board: rcpcchair@rockridge.org
PG&E under the auspices
of the California Public
Utilities Commission
A reminder: while CFL use is good for
the environment (and your pocketbook),
the bulbs contain small amounts of toxic
mercury and must be recycled, not simply
thrown in the trash.
For information: info@rockridge.org
(CPUC), is the largest
Newsletter Subscriptions
free CFL distribution
To subscribe to The Rockridge News, send
your check for $20, payable to Rockridge News
Subscriptions, to: Rockridge News Subscriptions at
the address below.
ever attempted. A total
of over 500,000 light
bulbs were distributed.
For information on CFL recycling, call
800/606-6606 or go to http://stopwaste.
org and choose “hazardous materials” on
the “where can I recycle” menu.
Contacting The Rockridge News
 Are there community issues you’d like to see
RCPC distributed the bulbs at two RCPC
town hall meetings, the College Avenue
Halloween parade, and the Rockridge
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:

Correction: Annette Floystrup was the author and John Gussman and others also
contributed to the article “College Avenue Owners May form New District; Area
Impact Unknown,” which appeared in the October 2007 Rockridge News. The byline
was inadvertently omitted. Pre-publication review and comment were provided by
RCPC Chairwoman Ronnie Spitzer and RCPC boardmembers, and incorporated in
the article.

$5 FREE DRYCLEANING with garment orders over $28
or $3 OFF orders over $15
Dry Cleaning only  Present with incoming order
Garden Cleaners
5808 College Avenue, Oakland
601-1188
Mon – Fri  7 – 7 • Sat  8 – 6
Across from Zachary’s Pizza
EXPERT
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Editor: editor@rockridge.org
www.rockridge.org
The Rockridge News, 5245 College Avenue,
PMB 311, Oakland, CA 94618
RCPC Voicemail: 510/869-4200
Articles submitted for publication may be e-mailed
to the above address. Submissions are limited to
600 words; must include the author’s name, phone
number, e-mail address, and city or neighborhood
of residence; and are subject to editing. To reprint a
Rockridge News article, please contact the editor.
Newsletter Advertising/Deadlines
Publication date of the next issue is
 January 5, 2008
 January deadline is December 20.
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.)


3.
December 8, 2007

RCPC’s Planning and Project
Review Committee (PPRC)
the Minor Variance application, the City
required the applicant to provide a traffic
study, which has been completed and is under
Staff review. Staff believes the results from
the site cleanup and the traffic study will lead
to a Mitigated Negative Declaration in lieu
of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
RCPC encouraged the project applicant to
meet with interested surrounding neighbors
for review and comment. The City’s staff
report, including the toxic site cleanup and
the traffic study, should be available for
review. Staff expects the first hearing to
be in January 2008.
PROJECT
UPDATES
by Richard W. Smith, PPRC chairman
Kingfish Co-Housing Project
■
■
— 5244-48 Claremont Avenue
Project Description: A 33-unit, 5-
story project fronting on both Telegraph
and Claremont avenues housing small
residential condominiums intended for
Cohousing occupancy. The ground floor
has commercial fronting on Claremont and
under-podium parking for 28 cars.
Processing History: On July 18, 2007,
the Planning Commission approved the
project. RCPC filed an appeal to the City
Council on July 30. Contingent on RCPC
approval, the Council proposed changes,
among them a reduction in height, which
were accepted by RCPC and approved by
Council members.
Hauser Creekside (Global
■
■
Video site) — 5132 Telegraph
Project Description: The Global Video
building will be torn down and replaced by
a mixed-use project consisting of residential,
commercial and parking. An above grade,
two-story parking podium structure will
provide 105 parking spaces. Under the
podium, adjacent to parking and facing
Claremont and Telegraph, will be approxi­
mately 8,000 sq. ft. of commercial/retail.
On top of the podium will be 120 residen­
tial condominiums, five of which will be
affordable housing. The residential units
are in two components: five stories over the
parking structure resulting in seven stories
facing Claremont and Telegraph; and three
stories over the podium, resulting in five
stories facing Clarke Avenue.
Processing Requirements: The
The corner of 51st Street and Telegraph
Avenue, pictured above and known as
the Global Video site, is slated for
development as the Hauser Creekside
project, described at right, and the
CIVIQ project. The Creekside structure
would face Telegraph Avenue while
CIVIQ will face onto 51st Street.
Photo: Don Kinkead
Mixed Use Project
■
■
which allows up to 49 residential units. In
Oakland, General Plan designations cur­
rently supersede the zones designated in
the Zoning map and ordinances.
Processing Requirements: The City
requires a Zoning Variance to change the
front of the lot from Coronado to Broadway.
The project appears to meet all other zoning
requirements. Since the property is the site
of a former gas station, the State requires a
toxic site cleanup which is underway.
Processing History: In addition to
— 5175 Broadway
Project Description: A condominium
project located at the corner of Broadway
and Coronado Avenue featuring two 2-bed­
room units, 25 1-bedroom units and over
2,200 sq. ft. of retail/commercial space. The
four-story structure is built over a basement
containing 27 parking spaces with access
from Coronado. The project is in the C-30
zone, which allows up to 21 residential units
on the property, and in the Community
Commercial General Plan designation,
Project Updates, page 6
¬¬

Rockridge Residents Sought for Planning and Project Review Committee
T

he RCPC board invites Rockridge residents interested in serv­
ing on the RCPC Project and Planning Review Committee
(PPRC) to submit their applications.
1. Experience and/or education in architecture, urban planning,
urban design, land use, and environmental review (or equivalent
as determined by the selection committee);
This board-appointed committee advises the board on Rockridge
development projects and Oakland’s Planning Code. At least two
committee positions are open. Candidates should submit a letter
by January 15, 2008 describing their interest and qualifications
according to the following guidelines, and a professional resume.
A selection committee including two board members and the
PPRC chair will contact applicants and conduct interviews for
full board consideration at the February 7, 2008 board meeting.
Applications should be sent electronically or through the mail to
either rcpcchair@rockridge.org or RCPC, 5245 College Avenue,
PMB 311, Oakland, CA 94618.
Candidate Selection Guidelines for the PPRC:
2. Ability to read and interpret preliminary architectural draw­
ings; (or equivalent as determined by the selection committee);
3. Ability to read, interpret, and apply the zoning provisions
of the Oakland Planning Code; (or equivalent as determined by
the selection committee);
4. Availability to devote the necessary time to the review of
potential planning changes and proposed projects;
5. Availability to attend some daytime meetings and late after­
noon-evening planning commission and city council hearings;
6. Familiarity with urban planning, development, and/or trans­
portation issues in Rockridge; and
7. Supports the RCPC mission statement. [RCPC mission
statement: The purposes for which this corporation is formed are
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.]
Appointments to the PPRC are made by the board of directors
of the Rockridge Community Planning Council (RCPC). Any adult
18 or over residing within the boundaries of the RCPC may apply
for a position on the PPRC. Selection guidelines include, but are
not limited to, the following:


4.

December 8, 2007

Letters to the Editor
Unilateral Hillcrest Boundary Shift Not Helpful
Editor:
Many residents of North Oakland are aware of the growing
over-enrollment challenges facing our fine neighborhood schools.
But what most residents of North Oakland do not know is that the
OUSD [Oakland Unified School District] Board is now considering
recommendations to address over-enrollment that were submitted
unilaterally by the parents and administration of Hillcrest School.
The recommendations solve Hillcrest’s problem without regard for
any impact on neighboring schools like Peralta, Chabot, Thornhill,
and Montclair.
The Rockridge News welcomes letters to the editor. Your
name, address, phone number and e-mail address and city/
neighborhood must be included for verification. Only your
name will appear with your letter. Letters may be edited for
clarity and brevity.
Response to 4th Bore and Other Concerns: “Precious”
Editor
I, as Pat Parker wrote in her letter in the November issue of
The Rockridge News, do not understand how a fourth Caldecott
Tunnel bore will have a long-term impact on Rockridge. I do not
now commute through the tunnel, but used to for years and believe
the pollution caused by the cars sitting in rush hour traffic is much
worse than RCPC’s concern that the fourth bore will possibly cause
more traffic on Highway 24. Come on, people sit in traffic because
they HAVE to go through the tunnel, not because they enjoy sitting
in traffic. A fourth bore will not cause more traffic!
Most disconcerting is Hillcrest’s proposal to adjust the “atten­
dance-area boundaries” of its school to limit enrollment to the
number of seats available at Hillcrest. Almost as an afterthought,
the Hillcrest report acknowledges that modifying its school
boundaries “will necessitate the simultaneous adjustment to the
attendance-area boundaries of other nearby schools.”
The OUSD Board must recognize that if it accommodates only
a single school, it simply shifts the overcrowding problem to other
nearby schools. Any Board decision must include the needs and
interests of all schools in the affected area.
As a Rockridge homeowner for 13 years, I am ashamed of the
“precious” attitude that RCPC’s members have of their neighbor­
hood. Every and any attempt at growth is viewed with suspicion and
personal attack: Dreyer’s Ice Cream expansion (not that I care for
their politics as they are owned by Nestles); CCAC’s expansion; the
remodel/expansion of the gas station store on Broadway; and most
recently the KingFish building site (who are we to decide what our
wonderful Temescal patrons do with their neighborhood?).
— Maris Albert
The OUSD Board’s next meeting is scheduled for December 12,
during which the Hillcrest proposal will be considered. Concerned
residents should attend the meeting and demand a comprehensive
solution to overcrowding in North Oakland schools.
— Kelly Cushner and Jeff McCarthy
Credit Where Credit is Due, For Free
Editor:
Make it Easier to Recycle Hazardous Waste
Editor:
If you are wondering about your credit standing, you can
obtain a free, instant annual credit report by going to http://www.
annualcreditreport.com. You can also call 877/322-8228 or submit
a request by mail, but a response may take up to 15 days. This
annual service was mandated by the FACT ACT passed by Con­
gress in 2003, which permits consumers to obtain a free credit
report once every twelve months. In cooperation with the Federal
Trade Commission, the three nationwide consumer credit report­
ing companies — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — jointly
set up the website to provide free annual reports. It’s a good way
to fight fraud and identity theft.
— Robert Wiles
We are aware that many items around our homes contain
harmful, even toxic substances. However, what to do with this
“stuff”? There is an Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste
Disposal facility at 2100 East 7th Street, Oakland, off Highway
880 (23rd Street exit). Their website contains information about
what can be brought in and hours of operation: http://stopwaste.
org/home/index.asp?page=577
I have routinely disposed of batteries and old cans of paint
at the site, but now I must include old fluorescent lamps. They
contain toxic gases and substances and must also be kept out of
the garbage and land fill.
Letters, page 5
¬¬
Since many of us work during the week and going down to the
disposal facility is not terribly convenient, I called Waste Man­
agement to learn if they might come and do a collection in the
neighborhood, if it was well organized. I was told that this was not
possible and that neighbors could not bring other people’s waste
along with theirs to the disposal site because the State requires a
special permit for anyone who “hauls” hazardous waste.
This seems outrageous to me. Given that the City of Oakland
is encouraging the use of mass transit and many condo owners do
not own cars, is AC Transit the proper way to bring fluorescent
bulbs and old paint to a recycling center?
Given the fact that more and more items require special handling,
so that our environment remains healthy, I think that we should do
something to change the laws about requiring special permits to
transport toxics and that Alameda County should be more proactive
in assisting residents to properly dispose of hazardous waste.
— Susan Shawl


5.
December 8, 2007

River of Words has an extraordinary
collection of art and poetry entitled “River
of Words: Images and Poetry in Praise of
Water,” which is available at the Rockridge
Branch Library and should definitely be
shared with children.
Letters
Wild Weather
from page 4
from page 1
Much of Chris’ presentation centered on
water, both too much and too little, in the
form of catastrophic rain storms and cata­
strophic drought. These topics led into the
presentation by Pamela Michael, executive
director and co-founder with former U.S.
Poet Laureate Robert Hass (1995-97), of
the acclaimed River of Words organization
which helps connect children around the
world with their watersheds.
A
Fireplace Smoke Unhealthy;
Put on a Sweater
Editor:
As we head into our rainy season, it is
appropriate to celebrate rain with the words
of 10-year-old Margie Lauter:
Fall is upon us and we’ve already had a
few chilly days. It’s time to stop and think
whether we want to use our fireplace to send
particulate pollution into the air we all breathe.
Home insulation, warmer clothing… these
are personal choices that don’t affect our
neighbors. As a source of heat, fireplaces are
not efficient. The personal, ambient pleasure
they provide is no longer justification for
putting our personal particulate matter into
the air. Our climate is temperate enough for
outdoor activity and open windows in fall and
winter. It is more than a nuisance to have to
breathe fireplace smoke while outside – worse,
to have it enter our home through an open
window. It is a health issue.
What Happens After the Rain?
After the rain
water weaves its way through
silver strands
of the spider’s web
Falling on berries
as red as a robin’s belly
Making a dull red leaf
become a creamy brown
The sand,
which used to slip through my fingers
turns slimy and bumpy
The bark on an old willow tree
smells like a new penny
I feel a slight drizzle
left from the hard rain
falling down my back
This is what happens
after the rain
udience members were treated to a
stunning presentation of children’s art
and poetry about water. The images came
from all over the world and powerfully
connected water and place to their, and our,
everyday lives. Pam asked the audience to
view the images while keeping in mind an
intriguing observation she has made about
the artwork submissions. She sees thousands
of children’s pictures every year, and can,
almost without fail, pick out those images
that come from the USA because they are
the images that do not contain people. As the
audience sat through the presentation, slide
after slide from all around the globe showed
people interacting as families with water
– cooking, playing, eating and drinking,
walking along a river and washing clothes.
But the pictures from children in the USA
were almost exclusively landscapes, often
mountainous, with an occasional animal.
Particulate matter, when inhaled, goes
deep into the lungs and stays there. It is
harmful to children, the elderly, and those
with respiratory problems (recent research
has also shown correlation of air pollution
with heart disease); but it affects us all. Our
mixed-use neighborhood already has a lot
of particulate pollution from traffic. Why
allow wood smoke particulates to further
pollute the air we breathe? WWW.sparetheair.
org can provide more information. Burning
dry wood, knowing how to start and put
out a fire and not burning on still-air days
can all help, too.
— Mary Jane Makar
©River of Words
For more info about the authors and their
projects go to:
http://extremeweatherguide.com/index.asp
http://riverofwords.org
http://www.thewatershedproject.org
http://www.urbancreeks.org
In all countries, River of Words seeks
to establish community partnerships in
support of education and watersheds by
inspiring creek clean-ups and restorations,
community gardens, getting kids excited
about learning, and connecting informed
and engaged citizens with business-people,
government agencies, and learning com­
munities—all working together toward
common, self-defined goals.
Pop Quiz
Name at least two creeks
still running in Rockridge.
(Answers below.)
Rockridge
Located on Market Hall’s Lower Level
Entry on Shafter Avenue
510-655-8808
Creeks in Rockridge today:
• Harwood Creek, also known as
• Claremont Creek
 •Temescal Creek
 •Rockridge Creek (Broadway branch)
We live in the Temescal watershed.
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Sat & Sun 8:00 - Noon
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Paper/Filing Systems
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Solutions for the critical mess
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Barbara ✔ 415-381-0707


6.

December 8, 2007

conference,” it will be required to apply for
variances, a Conditional Use Permit, and
undergo Design Review because of major
conflicts with C-31 zoning.
Processing History: No application has
been filed. Safeway plans to return to the
community soon with design options.
C-28 to C-30, and new Design Guidelines
and Combining Zones (zoning overlays)
specific to the study area. The intent is to
make the zoning in the area more directly
implement the General Plan.
Processing History: The Planning
Commission’s Zoning Update Commit­
tee (ZUC) approved the staff report with
some revisions. Importantly for Rockridge,
they agreed to preserve the C-28 zoning
on Claremont from Telegraph to Clifton,
and apply a Neighborhood Center Mixed
Use (NCMU) General Plan designation to
this area of Claremont. NCMU is also the
designation for College Avenue. The ZUC
agreed to apply to this area of Claremont
an overlay zone that reinforces the provi­
sions of NCMU.
Accompanying the zoning changes along
Telegraph between 52nd Street and Route
24 (changing the existing C-28 back to the
old C-30), the committee approved staff’s
proposed zoning changes to C-28 that would
remove the requirement for ground floor
retail/commercial, making the existing
C-28 from Route 24 to 63rd Street along
Telegraph into high-density residential
only. Staff is preparing a report for the
Planning Commission. After these issues
are addressed at the full commission hear­
ing on January 16, the City will prepare an
EIR for the Temescal update and all other
updates in Oakland. This is expected to
take a year; the update and EIR will then
go to the City Council.
Project Updates
from page 3
processing requirements for this project
are complicated and subject to changes in
the project design. The initial staff report
indicated that five variances and an Interim
Conditional Use Permit are required, along
with a traffic study and a Focused EIR.
Processing History: On May 23 , the
Planning Commission’s Design Review
Committee approved the project despite
RCPC’s detailed and substantial objection.
The City is preparing an Initial Study that
will lead to a Focused EIR more fully
addressing traffic and certain neighborhood
impacts. The Initial Study and a Scoping
Session for the Focused EIR will be the
subject of a Planning Commission public
hearing. The scope of the Focused EIR
and the traffic study may be expanded as a
result of the public Scoping Session slated
for January 2008.
New Restaurant
■
■
— 5474 College Avenue
(corner of College and Taft)
Project Description: In the 750 sq. ft.
space now occupied by Madame Butterfly
(which is closing the end of December), the
proposal is to build a restaurant seating a
maximum of 20 people and initially serving
dinner only. No parking is required.
Processing Requirements: A Condi­
tional Use Permit, for which an application
has been filed.
Processing History: Staff is preparing
its report for the Planning Commission.
RCPC wrote to the Commission expressing
concern about the project’s potential parking
impacts on the neighborhood and because a
dinner-only restaurant would not support a
major aim of College Avenue’s C-31 zoning
– promoting daytime pedestrian activity and
commerce along the Avenue. The owner
has indicated his interest in working with
neighbors to resolve these issues, includ­
ing encouraging restaurant employees to
use public transit or park in the BART lot,
negotiating shared parking for customers in
the lot at the corner of College and Kales,
and working towards being open for lunch
as well as dinner.
Safeway Rebuild
■
■
— 6310 College Avenue
(College & Claremont)
Project Description: Safeway plans to
demolish the existing 23,000 sq. ft. store and
build a larger one with increased parking.
Safeway representatives desire community
input and are sensitive to the street front
design along College Avenue. Aware of the
traffic problems along College, Safeway has
hired a traffic engineering firm. In addition,
the company has hired a local architect to
design the site plan and an exterior build­
ing envelope in keeping with the spirit of
Rockridge architecture.
Processing Requirements: Demol­
ishing this store, originally built to C-30
standards, and putting up a new one subjects
it to C-31 zoning requirements. Although
Safeway has not filed an application with
the City yet, nor even had a “pre-application
Zoning Update — Lower
■
■
Rockridge News Block
Captain Needed
I
Temescal/Telegraph Corridor
Project Description: Revisions to Gen­
eral Plan and zoning maps and the Zoning
Ordinance in the Temescal neighborhood
and Telegraph Avenue from 41st Street to
Alcatraz Avenue. Portions of Claremont
Avenue, from Telegraph to Clifton, are
included. Also proposed are revisions to
the C-28 zone, conversion of portions of
f you live above Broadway and have 10
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The route covers both sides of Mendocino
from Margarido to Lawton. Call Susan at
547-3855 or email her at smontauk@gmail.
com to volunteer or for more information.
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7.
December 8, 2007

Happy Holidays to
The
Rockridge
 Muse
Look for maps for this event and many
others at public art venues, including
Blick Art Store on Broadway and at
Pro Arts Gallery in Jack London Square.
One thing for sure: you will be giving a
gift like no other. And our local artists
will thank you.
One and All!
Holiday Art
December without a Rockridge open
studio is really unthinkable. Indeed,
five talented artists are showing their work
on Saturday and Sunday, December 8 and
9. Warren Brown is showing paintings
at 6156 Rockridge Boulevard S. Diane
Jacobson, art glass and jewelry, and Heli
Perrett, wood jewelry are welcoming
you together at 5568 Kales. Liz Maxwell
is offering paintings and prints at her
home at 5808 Chabot Road. And Wendy
Yoshimura is offering her magnificent
watercolors, prints and cards at 474
43rd Street (above Telegraph). All events
are open 12-5 p.m.
Holiday Music
Here is a musical treat: The
Bay Area Classical Harmonies (BACH)
will be presenting Handel’s Messiah in
its entirety on Friday, December 7, 7
p.m. at Arlington Community Church,
52 Arlington Avenue, Kensington. The
chorus is composed of 60 professional
performers from the Bay Area. Call
510/868-0695 or visit www.bayareabach.
org for more information and other
performance dates.
by Ortrun Niesar
On other weekends you might want
to venture further afield to visit arts
and crafts fairs as well as more open
studios. Berkeley Artisans Holiday Open
Studios will be open the first three
weekends of December, from 11-6 p.m.
u
Steps
Oil on canvas
48" x 19"
– Liz Maxwell
A Reminder: The final performance
of Puccini’s Messa di Gloria by the
Berkeley Community Chorus is Sunday,
December 16, 4:30 p.m, at St. Joseph The
Worker Church, 1640 Addison Street,
Berkeley. Admission is free; donations are
appreciated. This is your last chance to
hear your neighbors sing this wonderful
work.
And: If you are a singer you may want
to know that the University Chamber
Chorus is open to anyone in the extended
University of California community. You
must be an experienced singer and there
are auditions, but once you are there,
what wonderful resources for your own
musical education are available to you,
free! Go to http://music.berkeley.edu/
chorus.html for more information and
rehearsal schedules.
t
Geo Jewels
Wearable
wood art/
jewelery
(each piece
unique).
– Heli Perrett
Kitchens
• Design
• Remodeling
• Showroom Sales
www.acornkitchens
andbaths.com
KITCHENS & BATHS
510
547-6581
4640 TELEGRAPH AVE  •  OAKLAND
HOURS: T-F  10-5  •  SAT. 10-4


8.

December 8, 2007

Street Trees
Offer Proven
Benefits
by Annette Floystrup,
RCPC board member

Q. and A.: Things to Know About Street Trees
What is the best time of year to plant a street tree?
■
■

The City plants trees all year round. Each species is a bit different, but in our moderate
climate, the vast majority of trees succeed no matter when they are planted. The success
rate is 90% plus. Many of the failures can be attributed to poor after-care.

How much space do I need between the sidewalk and the curb to
■
■
have a street tree?

The City will cut a hole in the sidewalk if necessary. Generally, a 2'x3' hole is the mini­
mum. To meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, a 4-foot clearance
from the private property line to the edge of the tree hole must be provided.

Special thanks to contributors Dan Gallagher, arborist
with the City of Oakland Public Works Department,
and community activist Liz Dunn of Seattle.
W

Can I plant any tree I want in front of my house?
■
■

No. Only specific tree species listed on the website www.oaklandpw.com/Asset1099.
aspx are designated street trees, among them old favorites such as Trident Maples and
Aristocrat Pears, as well as a few surprises like Arbutus unedo, the Strawberry Tree.

hy should you as a Rockridge resident
care about whether there are trees on
your street, or on the streets nearby? Well,
besides the obvious — that they make a
street look more attractive — street trees
provide numerous benefits to residents in
terms of property values, traffic calming,
pedestrian friendliness, and crime reduc­
tion. Community trees are the only element
of the urban infrastructure that actually
appreciate in value.
Street trees benefit
the environment

Tree type and size is determined by restrictions including overhead utility wires, ADA
compliance, street signs, utility poles, utility meters and wires, gas and sewer lines and
other under grounded utilities plus clearances and hole size. Homeowners are not usually
equipped to make tree selection evaluations based on all these criteria.

More Trees Q. & A., page 11
¬¬
noise. Even a line of smaller trees can be
enough of a buffer to block traffic noise from
reaching private yards and homes.
Cars drive more slowly
on streets with trees
before urban planners understood that wider
streets encourage drivers to go faster because
they don’t have to pay as careful attention
to where they are going.
Street trees enhance
the feeling of community
In his book “Great Streets,” the inter­
nationally known urban planner Alan B.
Jacobs notes that wide streets where the
buildings are small and set back lose their
definition, unless this effect is mitigated
by lining the street with trees. Otherwise
it feels like a transportation corridor, not a
place where people live. Jacobs also cites
research showing that for many people, trees
are the most important single characteris­
tic of a “good street.” Traffic moves more
slowly on streets lined with trees. Trees
have a calming effect, and drivers are at
least subconsciously aware that where there
are trees, there are often pedestrians and
children playing.
Trees consume carbon dioxide and emit
oxygen. In general, the more trees we plant,
the better the air we breathe. A generous
urban tree canopy reduces the heat island
effect of our streets, sidewalks, houses
and other hardscape, significantly reduc­
ing air temperature. Old neighborhoods of
Sacramento with many street trees are on
average 15 degrees cooler in the summer
than newer built areas. (A discussion of
urban heat islands can be found on the EPA
website under What Can Be Done – Trees and
Vegetation. http://www.epa.gov/hiri/index.
html.) Street trees also reduce stormwater
runoff and provide valuable habitat for
urban wildlife.
Street trees cut traffic noise
The whole neighborhood benefits when
people get out of their houses to walk. Resi­
dents are more likely to meet up regularly
with their neighbors, keep an eye on each
other’s property, use their local parks and
patronize local businesses. Trees provide
an environment in which it is more pleasant
to walk — something attractive and green
to look at, shade in the summer, a canopy
from rain in the winter.
Street trees increase
property values
In his book “City Comforts,” urban plan­
Trees, page 11
¬¬
There is room to plant street trees along
our arterials, even if it requires creating or
widening planting strips between sidewalk
and street. Most major arterials were built
wider than they needed to be, decades ago,
Street trees reduce the amount of engine
noise created in the first place, because
drivers go more slowly. But a line of large
leafy trees can also absorb a great deal of
Kobi
Chiamaka
Emma

age 5
age 15
age 11
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9.
December 8, 2007

rk Corner
a
P
G
A monthly update on
what’s happening at the
FRO
best community-built
and maintained
park in Oakland
Nila Kim, newly hired
aide to Jane Brunner,
toured FROG Park with
FROG Chair Jennifer Cooper.
The two discussed key issues
for FROG, including the
new permanent restroom
at Hardy Park, creek flow
initiatives, and housing
development affecting the
greenbelt/park. At right,
Kim and Cooper inspect
existing restroom facilities
at the park. Story page 1.
YOU MAY LIVE 30 YEARS
PAST RETIREMENT.
ARE YOU PREPARED?
Rockridge Resident
Leila S. Gough, Associate Vice President-Investments
1999 Harrison, Suite 2050 • Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 452-8060
www.agedwards.com/fc/leila.gough
2004 A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. • Member SIPC



[24778-v1-0668]RP-260-0805

New Staff
from page 1
has already met with Rockridge Merchant
(RDA) representatives, and recently toured
Oakland’s first LEED Gold certified home,
which is being built on Margarido Drive in
Rockridge. LEED (Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design) certification
provides verification that a building proj­
ect meets the highest green building and
sustainability measures.
FROG Park Tour
On a recent rainy Monday, Kim toured
FROG Park with FROG Chair Jennifer
Cooper. The two discussed key upcom­
ing issues for FROG including the new
permanent restroom at Hardy Park, creek
flow initiatives, housing development issues
affecting the greenbelt/park, the Caldecott
Tunnel 4th Bore, and a planned greenbelt
extension from Hudson Street to the BART
parking lot. The pair topped off their tour
with lunch; a fried chicken sandwich at
Bakesale Betty on Telegraph. Said Kim,
“Wow! This sandwich is amazing!”
Staff Shifts
In other changes at Brunner’s office,
Senior Advisor Justin Horner left to take a
position with the Natural Resources Defense
Council in San Francisco. Elinor Buchen,
a North Oaklander, has joined the office,
replacing Horner as senior advisor and
legislative analyst.
Zac Wald, who has been with Brunner’s
office for many years, has been promoted
to chief of staff.
Mon – Fri  9:30 – 6:00
Sat  9:30 – 5:00
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Serving Rockridge Since 1909
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Near Alcatraz
652-1990
COLLINS ROOFING
Family Owned & Operated
482-2227  Seamus
www.collinsroofing.com
Quality Work  •  Free Estimates
Lic # 695711


10.

December 8, 2007
Fourth Bore Suit

measures to lessen the negative impacts of
the proposed project; and failed to respond
to the numerous comments made by FBC
and other groups and by local governments
about the environmental documents, even
though required by law to do so.
completion of the Fourth Bore, there will
be an increase in noise along Highway 24
from the west portal of the Caldecott Tunnel
to beyond Oakland Children’s Hospital. It
is reasonable to assume that more vehicles
will mean more pollution along Highway
24, and that this pollution will affect the
many children attending schools and
playing at the parks along Highway 24.
It is also reasonable to assume that more
vehicles on Highway 24 will affect traffic
on Rockridge streets.
from page 1
hospitals] in Rockridge like FROG Park,
Chabot Elementary and Claremont Middle
School; a failure to address the substantial
construction impacts that will result from
five years of six-days-a-week, 24-hour-a-
day construction and drilling affecting the
heavily populated west side of the hills; a
failure to consider noise and air pollution
effects from induced demand.
RCPC and FROG joined the FBC not
to stop the project, but to insure that it is
constructed with the fewest possible nega­
tive impacts to Rockridge residents, students
attending schools along Highway 24 and
users of FROG Park. Rockridge is at ground
zero of what will be the largest highway con­
struction project in the area in decades: the
short- and long-term neighborhood impacts
need to be properly addressed.
The RCPC and FROG believe these
issues need to be addressed before con­
struction begins.
When Caltrans reissued its report in
September 2007, none of the concerns sub­
mitted during the original comment period
were addressed. This led to the filing of the
lawsuit by the FBC, and significant pressure
from the City of Oakland. The lawsuit states
that, among other violations, Caltrans and
the Federal Highway Administration (FHA)
arbitrarily concluded that the proposed
project would have no significant impact on
those living near Highway 24, even though it
is clear from the environmental documents
that there will be increases in noise, pollution
and traffic. The suit asserts that Caltrans and
the FHA failed to assess adverse impacts of
the proposed project upon schools, parks,
and hospitals along Highway 24; failed to
assess alternatives, such as boring exclusively
from the east, where there are no residences
to be affected by noise, pollution or traffic
increases; failed to adopt feasible mitigation
The FBC has agreed to delay begin­
ning litigation for two months so that it
and Caltrans can attempt to resolve these
issues. We will provide regular updates in
The Rockridge News.
RCPC and FROG are concerned that
although Caltrans claims there will be
“no significant impacts” from the proj­
ect, Caltrans has already admitted there
will be significant increased noise during
construction and that a constant stream
of trucks will operate from 7 a.m. to
10 p.m., taking construction equipment to
the worksite and hauling away rock drilled
from the tunnel. Along with increased noise
from the increased truck traffic and heavy
construction, those trucks would haul their
debris loads via the Broadway exit, seriously
affecting traffic, bike and pedestrian safety
along Broadway every day but Sunday.
For more information or comments,
please contact Ellen Peterson at tigersma@
comcast.net.
Post-construction, Caltrans’ own outside
sound expert has stated that, following the
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11.
December 8, 2007

fewer break-ins. Of course, it is important
to select a tree species that will thrive with
minimal maintenance and will not block
sunlight and views.
Trees
from page 8
ner and author David Sucher says, “Even
streets of modest houses gain a grandeur and
presence when treed. Old money need not
be the only ones to have old trees.” Streets
with trees look more stable and prosperous.
Families with children are more attracted
to a neighborhood where they can picture
themselves going for walks and letting
kids play on the sidewalk. A neighborhood
that looks cared for, with visible sidewalk
activity, experiences less crime, especially
Sucher estimates that street trees can
boost the value of each home on the street
by at least $1,000 to $5,000. In their pam­
phlet “Benefits of Trees,” the International
Society of Arboriculture estimates that the
improvement in curb appeal due to street trees
increases real estate values by 5-20%.
In 2007, Oakland received its 23rd consecutive
Tree City USA designation from The National
Arbor Day Foundation.

MORE Q. and A.: Things to Know About Street Trees

Susan Bernosky LUTCF
Insurance Agent
(510) 450-9050
5940 COLLEGE AVE #A
OAKLAND
susanbernosky@allstate.com
CA Lic: 0738807,0D34069
Call me today to see how you can save
when you combine your auto policies.
(Spend more on your honeymoon).
Notary Public available
Insurance and savings subject to availability and qualifications.
Savings applies to most major coverages. Allstate Indemnity
Company:  Northbrook, IL.
©2004 Allstate Insurance Company.

Yes. City planted trees are designated
“official” trees, and homeowner planted
trees are “unofficial.” If a homeowner
plants an additional tree on his own next
to an official tree, BOTH trees become
unofficial, and the homeowner assumes
liability for damage caused by either or
both trees.
If I go through the City’s sidewalk
■
■
tree service, can I choose my tree?
Up to a point, but uniformity is pre­
ferred. In some areas, the existing street
trees have become problematic. Then,
trees with similar size and growth habits
are planted to preserve uniformity.
If the City plants a tree and it dam­
■
■
ages the sidewalk or curb, am I liable
for the repairs?
If my official tree needs trimming
■
■
or other care, who do I call? If a street
tree causes problems, whether it is an
official tree or not, who do I call?
No. The City will make a temporary
safety patch, then prioritize repair by
safety and severity. Homeowners must
call if there are problems caused by the
street tree. The same is true for sewer
lines; if the homeowner can prove the
street tree roots caused the problem, the
City is liable for repairs.
Call the City of Oakland Tree Center,
615-5850, with an explanation of the
circumstances. An inspector will assess
the situation. This can take time; there are
two inspectors and approximately 40,000
street trees.
If I plant a tree on my own and it
■
■
damages the sidewalk or curb, am I
liable for repairs?
Tree supervisor/tree coordinator Robert Zahn
was my source for this article.
Single Family Homes in Rockridge In High Demand!
Close Date
BR	 Bth
Address
Orig Price
LP
Final SP
DOM
11/15/2007
3
2
5137 Miles Ave
$859,000
$859,000
$812,000
23
11/15/2007
4
3
6065 Ocean View
$1,350,000
$1,275,000
$1,250,000
49
11/16/2007
4
3
6475 Florio St
$1,695,000
$1,695,000
$1,695,000
10
11/16/2007
2
1
5439 Claremont
$410,000
$410,000
$420,000
30
11/21/2007
2
2
391 Alcatraz
$587,900
$569,900
$569,000
92
11/21/2007
3
1
5655 Miles Ave
$775,000
$775,000
$692,500
13
11/28/2007
2
1
5393 Belgrave Pl
$689,000
$689,000
$702,000
12
Average List/Sell = 99.6%   Average DOM = 29  SFR Inventory = 1.1 month  Condo Inventory = 6 month


12.

December 8, 2007

Rockridge
Ecologist
Restores a
Rainforest
by Brendan Havenar-Daughton
Wt Brendan Havernar-Daughton, at left
in photo, grows and distributes native
tree saplings to community members
in Copa Buena, Costa Rica.
Photo: Brendan Havernar-Daughton
our children, we must take action ourselves
as well as get the kids involved!
If there were projects in the world that
could greatly reduce our ecological impact
as a community — hands-on projects that
would educate our children while offsetting
our carbon emissions, perhaps inspiring other
communities around the world — would we
be interested?
ith coffee prices recently falling to
an all-time low, small-scale coffee
farmers in Costa Rica are forced to cut down
the trees and shift from coffee to cattle.
The coffee trees provide substantial habitat
for birds, bats and butterflies, while steep
hillsides devoid of trees lead to soil erosion,
flooding, habitat loss and eventual ecosys­
tem failure. This is just one of the issues I
studied while pursuing an environmental
studies degree at UC Santa Cruz.
Finca Project may hold just such poten­
tial for Rockridge. To learn more about the
work of Finca Project, visit our website at
www.fincaproject.org. Contact Brendan at
510/414-0957 or Brendan@fincaproject.
com. See the Community Calendar, page
15, for Finca Project Video Screening.
gressive community in which I was raised,
often find themselves at the forefront of
environmental activism across the globe.
Not only does our privilege often allow us
to take action, it makes it our responsibility.
Our community is one of the most unique in
the world and has the potential to set trends
for urban centers everywhere. If we hope to
make a difference and set an example for
The depressing state of our global envi­
ronment led me to take action. With two
friends I founded Finca Project (finca means
farm in Spanish), a non-profit serving com­
munities in Costa Rica. The organization
facilitates the recuperation of human and
ecological communities through small-scale
reforestation projects and environmental
education in local schools. We raised $6,000
the first year to build the community tree
nursery. Since then we have germinated,
distributed and planted over 10,000 native
tree seedlings with the local community.
Editor’s Note: Before going off to UC Santa
Cruz and eventually the rainforests of Costa
Rica, Brendan delivered The Rockridge News in
his neighborhood for more than 10 years. He is
the son of long-time Rockridge activist Patrick
Daughton.
We have also developed a unique cultural
immersion program for students seeking an
internship. Student interns stay with local
families and experience community life
as participants rather than mere observers.
This social integration facilitates strong
relationships between students and com­
munity members. With the help of our
interns, we have developed an innovative,
project-based environmental curriculum for
the local elementary and high school.
Our neighbors in Rockridge, the pro­
Rebecca Lueck, LCSW
Individual and
Family Counseling
(415) 235-1071
Located at College and Alcatraz
Treating relationship issues,
anxiety, depression, panic disorders,
childhood trauma, grief, infertility
and adoption, and addictions.
Sliding scale : Insurance accepted


13.
December 8, 2007

New
Atomic Garden
5453 College Avenue, Oakland
510/923-0543
Women’s clothing and accessories
Owners: Adrienne Armstrong & Jamie Kidson
Monday – Saturday 11:00am-6:00pm
Sunday 12:00-6:00pm
Bisou Nail Lounge
5292 College, Oakland
Hiro’s Sushi and Grill
5355 College Avenue, Oakland
Opens in November
Café Lyon
5701 College Avenue, Oakland
510/595-7388
Sushi and Japanese grill and noodles
Tuesday-Friday lunch 11:30am-2:00pm,
510/547-0800, 510/502-3100
Coffee, tea, smoothies and pastries in the
morning, Mediterranean-style small plates
dinner 5:30-9:30pm
Saturday-Sunday dinner 5:00-9:30pm
and international wine bar mid-day and
The Nail Spa
Manicure and pedicure
6251 College Avenue, Oakland
510/655-5544 www.nailspa.biz
evenings. Owner: Lev Kilun
Monday – Friday
7:00am – 2:30pm, 5:00-10:00pm
Saturday – Sunday 8:00am-10:00pm
Monday-Saturday 10:00am-7:00pm
Sunday 11:00am-6:00pm
Crush on College
5550 College Avenue, Oakland
Pretty Penny
5488 College Avenue, Oakland
510/653-1400
Women’s clothing and accessories
510/594-9219
Vintage and contemporary clothing, shoes,
Owner: Liz Taylor
Monday – Saturday 11:00am-7:00pm
accessories, local designers, plus vintage
Sunday 11:00am-5:00pm
LPs from Saturn Records
Owner: Sarah Dunbar
Monday-Saturday 11:00am-8:00pm
Dapper
5332 College Avenue, Oakland
Sunday 12:00-6;00pm
Myspace.com.whynotvintage
Somerset Restaurant
510/594-1940
Men’s clothing and accessories
Owner: Ken Fox
Tuesday-Wednesday 12:00-6:00pm
Thursday-Friday 12:00-7:00pm, Saturday
American Cuisine
5912 College Avenue, Oakland
12:00-6:00pm
Sunday 12:00-5:00pm
Flavors of India
3211 College Avenue, Berkeley
510/428-1823
Daily lunch 11:00-2:30
Monday-Thursday dinner 5:30-9:30pm
Friday-Saturday-Sunday 5:30-10:00pm
Trader Joe’s
5727 College Avenue, Oakland
Gourmet groceries, deli, wine, dairy and
cheeses, produce, sweets and snacks, meat,
510/658-3461
www.flavors-india.com
Daily lunch 11:30am-3:00pm,
dinner 4:30-10:00pm
poultry and fish, organic foods.
Open 9:00am – 9:00pm every day
Order New Market
Jeff Auen, Realtor
Residential and
Income Properties
Jaoffice@comcast.net
Handbook for
Buyers and Sellers at
www.JLAHomes.com
Straight Talk
• Renovation Consultation for
Resale and Purchase
• Over 200 Vendor References
from floors to kitchens
• 60-Step Marketing and
Pre-Sale Plan for Owners
• Over 30 articles free at:
www.JLAHomes.com
Creative
Solutions
www.JLAHomes.com
1-800-805-8827
Results
Jeff Auen

Wood Tavern
6317 College, Oakland
510/654-6607
California-American cuisine, wines and full
bar. Owners: Richard and Rebekah Wood
Monday – Saturday lunch 11:30am,
mid-afternoon snacks 3:00-5:30pm,
dinner 5:30-10:00pm
Sunday dinner 5:00-10:30pm
Moved
Baby World
From 6000 College Avenue
to 4400 Telegraph 510/547-7040
Loot Antiques
From 5358 College Avenue to
3598 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette
Scout Home Hardware
From 5550 College Avenue to
5025 Telegraph Avenue
510/658-6582
New Owners, New Name
Cole Coffee, Oakland
307 – 63rd Street
510/653-5458
Monday – Friday 6:00am-7:00pm
Saturday - Sunday7:00am-7:00pm
New Menu
Great Harvest Bread
5800 College Avenue
510/655-4442
Now serves sandwiches
Closed
Mr. Sandman
5292 College Avenue
Poppy Fabrics
(Sadly, after 37 years)
5151 College Avenue, Oakland
Poppy Design Services operates: http://www.
poppydesignservice.com/, 510/655-8420
S&J Mobile Phone
5916 College Avenue
Norman H. Burg, DDS
General Dentistry
(510) 652-1517
5700 Broadway, Oakland
A Prevention Oriented Practice


14.

December 8, 2007

Half-Day Winter Vacation
ART Camps
Ages 6+. January 2-4. 2008 at MONART Draw­
ing Studio. 5427 Telegraph Ave. Drawing lessons,
3-D projects, various media. Call 654-3729 or
view details online at http://oaklandmonart.
com/camps/wintercamps.html.
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. January deadline is December 20.
For information: e-mail smontauk@gmail.com
Custom Sewing for the Home
Window coverings, curtains, Roman shades,
top treatments; slipcovers: pillows and cush­
ions; bed accessories: duvet covers, bed skirts,
pillow shams & bolsters. Special projects.
Decorator fabrics & drapery hardware. Holly.
510/531-1177.
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.
Electromagnetic Fields and
Environmental Health
Childhood leukemia? Environmental illness:
Learn more about the invisible pollutant we live
surrounded by. Visit emf.danmattson.net or call
Dan at 510/658-2819 for a free brochure.
Housecleaning Cooperative
We clean homes, apartments, offices, and help
you clean up for moves, in and out. Careful
professional attention to detail and reasonable
rates. Ask for our excellent references. Please
call: 510/499-5836.
Ce Soir Fine Lingerie
Need a sexy gift for the Holidays? We offer
lingerie, loungewear, hosiery, and accessories.
Come by the boutique at 2980 College Ave.
Mon.-Sat. 11-6 pm, Sun. 12-5. 510/883-1082.
Unexpected Guests?
Short-term rental, lovely room 2 blocks from
Rockridge BART in owner’s flat. Wi-fi, cable,
t.v. Suitable for one person. Photos available.
Barbird@aol.com 510/652-7044.
Complete Nail Care
Manicures and pedicures for men and women.
We do waxing. Walk-ins welcome. 10% off with
this ad. 5406 College Avenue in Rockridge.
510/654-2983.
Handyman
Carpentry, electrical, kitchen, bath, decks,
fence, drainage, foundation repair, windows,
walls, dry rot, termite damage. Lic#458473
Don 510/812-0310.
John Love Massage Therapy
Deep Tissue, Swedish, Zen Shiatsu, Prenatal.
Incall or Outcall. All ages, body types, and
configurations. Certified and registered for
business in Oakland. See www.johnlove.mas­
sagethereapy.com or call 510/326-1335.
Lisa Goulder Music Studio
Piano instruction for ages 6 and up. Classical, popu­
lar music, reading, rhythm, theory, technique, ear
training, improvisation, songwriting. Voice instruc­
tion offered. Increase range, gain power, control,
popular music repertoire. Call 653-0107.
Psychotherapist’s Office, $600
Utilities included, sunny and light, new paint
and carpet, lobby buzzer system. Located at
corner of Claremont (#6067) and College. For
info or to see, contact Mike Mee, 707/785-3999,
meemike@yahoo.com.
Tai Chi Classes
2008 classes begin Jan. 3. TAP CHI and QIGONG:
Thursdays, 10 am, Saturdays, 9 am. Develop
the chi, integrate mind, body and breathing,
through gentle exercise. Rockridge Methodist
Church, 303 Hudson @College Ave. Visit www.
harmonytaiji.com. Phone Gail 415/786-2469;
e-mail harmonytaiji@yahoo.com.
Stylist Needed
Bright and friendly salon seeks stylists for full
or part-time chair rental. Please contact Jennie
at Milagro Salon, 5269 Broadway at College
Ave. 510/601-8384.
Rockridge Flexology
Advanced hand and foot techniques. Winter
special: book 2 sessions, 3rd free! Holiday Gift
Certificates. Close to BART. Unique and cozy
setting. 510/601-0614. missjones@dotcomde­
tox.com. Relax, Restore, Rebound.
Manicure & Pedicure
We use Zoya polish which does not contain
formaldehyde or toluene or DBT. Call Halina
@ Milagro Salon, 5269 Broadway @ College.
510/593-5080. Mention this ad and receive a
10% discount.
Quality Gardening
Skilled maintenance and fine gardening. Planting
and design, pruning, irrigation, outdoor light­
ing, clean-ups. Ecological practices. 14 years in
Berkeley/Oakland. Local references. Green’s
Gardens. 510/593-3490.

G
R  E  A  L  T  O  R  S
The GRUBB Co.
510.339.0400
1960 Mountain Boulevard •Oakland
510.652.2133
3070 Claremont Avenue • Berkeley
Energize yourself at your friendly,
independent, neighborhood gym!
Formerly Inside Out -
new owner, new look,
new classes, new energy!
This is not your typical gym!
Pay-as-you-go memberships.  Light, airy space.
Over 45 classes a week.
Motivating instructors & trainers.
Group Classes, Personal Training, Childcare
4444 PIEDMONT AVE, OAKLAND (510) 655-8308
WWW.INSIDEOUTSIDEFITNESS.COM
Holiday gifts
here!

$PMMFHF
"WF
	


f h k f v k p


15.
December 8, 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

Rockridge Branch Library
January: John Baldwin: mixed media figurative and
abstract works.
Lobby Display Case: December: Kwanzaa display.
         January: Paul Robeson Centennial Commit­
tee display.
12/23 and Christmas Eve, 12/24 at 6pm. 5951 College
Ave. Call Danny Halford: 415/673-9139.
Amahl and the Night Visitors
5366 College Avenue, 597-5017
∂SPECIAL NOTICE: Forgiveness for Fines, Fees
and Lost Books. Come to any Oakland Public Library
through December 14 and get a fresh start. We will forgive
all fines and fees for overdue or lost items (except for
tools from the Tool Lending Library), and welcome you
back to the Library. For more info call 238-3134.
FOR CHILDREN:
One-act opera by Gian-Carlo Menotti. The cast will include
two boy soloists from the Pacific Boychoir Academy,
conducted by James Gilman. Friday, 12/7 at 8pm and
Sunday, 12/9 at 3pm. St. Augustine Catholic Church,
400 Alcatraz Ave., between College and Telegraph.
Free (donations welcomed). Wheelchair accessible; free
parking in church parking lots. More info: 653-8631 or
Karen Miller, kmm8006@gmail.com.
LIBRARY HOURS:
Mon. and Tues, 12:30 to 8pm.
Wed., Thurs. and Sat. 10am to 5:30pm.
Fri., 12 to 5:30pm. Closed Sundays.
OPEN on Mon., Dec 31 from 10am to 5:30 pm and
Toddler Story Time:
ó
ó
 1st and 2nd Saturdays, 10:30am:
12/8, 1/5.
CLOSED: Mon. and Tues., Dec. 24 and 25 and
Tues., Jan. 1, 2008.
Peralta Elementary School
Kindergarten Open House
Pre-School Story Time:
ó
ó
 1st and 3rd Wednesdays,
10:30am: 12/19, 1/2.
Holiday Performances at the
Julia Morgan Center
Pajama Story Time:
ó
ó
 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 7pm:
12/11, 1/8.
Special Events for Kids and Families:
The Nutcracker
ó
ó
: presented by the Berkeley Ballet
Theater (BBT). Guest artists from prestigious
ballet companies will perform the male leads; other
leading roles performed by BBT’s acclaimed Youth
Company. Fridays 12/7 and 12/14, 7pm; Saturdays
12/8 and 12/15, 2pm and 7pm; Sundays 12/9 and
12/16, 2pm. The Sugar Plum Party will follow the
Saturday matinee performances. Tickets ($16 -$22
and $5 extra for Sugar Plum Party). Call BBT Box
Office at 843-4689.
Will Durst Presents: Big Fat Year End Kiss Off
ó
ó
Weds, Jan 16 at 6:45 pm.460 63rd Street. Meet the principal
and kindergarten teachers and learn about our instructional
programs. RSVP for childcare during Open House, call
879-1450. School tours are now available on alternating
Mondays and Thursdays. Call 879-1450 to schedule a tour.
More info at www.peraltaschool.org. Info on Oakland
Unified School District’s Open Enrollment procedures at
OUSD’s student assignment office at 879-8111.
Drop by any time starting 1/8 through 1/31 to make
ó
ó
paper snowflakes or experiment with Kirigami. Get
supplies, patterns and instructions at the Children’s
Reference Desk.
FOR TEENS:
Anime Club: Teens 13 and up,
ó
ó
 watch and talk about
anime (Japanese animation) with other teens. 2nd
Tuesday of each month, from 5 to 6:30pm, upstairs
meeting room. Meet 12/11 to watch Full Metal Alchemist:
Conqueror of Shamballa.
Finca Project Meeting
Rockridge environmentalist Brendan Havenar-Daugh­
ton will show a documentary about reforestation projects
and reducing ecological damage to communities in Costa
Rica (see story on page 12). Share freshly brewed Costa
Rican coffee and conversation about the great potential
of a Rockridge Rainforest Reserve. Older children are
welcome to attend and learn about internship opportuni­
ties where they live and work with Costa Rican families
and participate in community projects. Tuesday, 12/18,
6:30 to 7:30pm at the Rockridge library, 5366 College
Ave. More info at www.fincaproject.org or Brendan:
414-0957 or Brendan@fincaproject.com.
Comedy Show: A night of hilarity combining standup,
improv and sketches giving a big raspberry to 2007.
Joining Will are Jim Short, Johnny Steele, Debi
Durst, Michael Bossier, Steven Kravitz and Arthur
Gaus who come to “mock and scoff and taunt with
taste.” As with all live comedy shows, some language
may not be suitable for younger audiences. Tickets:
adults $20; students/seniors $18. CBON Ticket Line;
925/798-1300.
Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave.
Berkeley. Info: Marilyn Stanley, 845-8542 x301 or
marilyn@juliamorgan.org.
Jewelry Making Workshop
ó
ó
: Local designer and entre­
preneur Chelsee Robinson will guide you in making
your own beautiful jewelry in this free, fun, hands-on
workshop. Tuesday, 12/18, 4 to 5:30pm. Sign up now;
registration required. Call 597-5017 to register or get
more info from Susy, Teen Specialist Librarian.
FOR ADULTS:
Writers’ Support /Critique Group
ó
ó
: ALL writers
welcome. Third Saturday of each month (12/15) from
1 to 5pm. Bring up to 5 pages of your prose for on-
site reading/discussion. Sponsored by the California
Writers Club, Berkeley branch (www.berkeley­
writersclub.org/). For more info: 420-8775 or
Writefox@aol.com.
St. Albert Priory Christmas Concert
Los Hilos de la Vida/
Threads of Life
The combined ensembles of the Schola Cantorum of
St. Albert Priory, the Women’s Antique Vocal Ensemble
(WAVE), the Renaissance instrumental ensemble Alta
Sonora with guitar and organ presents From the Rising of
the Sun, a performance of music for the Christmas season.
Saturday, 12/22 at 8pm. $15 and $10 students/seniors.
St Albert Priory Chapel, 6172 Chabot Road. More info:
Fr. Chris Renz, 596-1800.
Free exhibit of 49 Latina-themed folkloric story quilts by
women and children of the Mendocino County co-opera­
tive. Show runs through Dec. 20 at The Women’s Cancer
Resource Center Gallery, 5741 Telegraph Ave. Gallery
hours: Mon –Fri, 9am to 5pm. Wheelchair accessible.
420-7900; www.wcrc.org.
Knitting Classes for Seniors
ó
ó
(50+): with 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, 12:30-2:30pm,
upstairs meeting room.
Lawyers in the Library:
ó
ó
 Free legal advice. First
Tuesday of each month, 6- 8pm. Advance sign-up
starts 5pm.
ART EXHIBITS
Gallery: December: Photographs by Chris Jennings,
Oakland library staff member.
Bambino Thrift Shop
Holiday Season
“A Joyful Holiday Noise”
All welcome to come and sing with our Christmas choir
at College Avenue Presbyterian Church. Rehearsals are
Fridays, 12/7, 12/14, 12/21 from 7:30 to 9pm and Saturday
12/22 from 2 to 5pm. Performances are Sunday morning,
Do your holiday shopping and benefit Children’s Hospital.
now through Dec. 21. Tuesday - Friday, 10am to 3pm;
Saturday, 12 to 4pm. 5290 College Ave., 658-7473.
WINSTON’S PLUMBING
HEATING & ELECTRICAL
lic.# 537739/554406
Since 1979
• Trenchless Sewers
Based here in Rockridge,
we specialize in:
• Earthquake Protection
• Tankless Water Heaters
Architectural remodels/additions
• Remodel & Repair
Gardens/outdoor spaces
510-652-8014
www.winstonsplumbing.com
New construction
“”May your toilet never runneth over!”
www.AboutInsideOut.com     510.655.7674


16.

December 8, 2007

ROBERTS ELECTRIC
VINITA GOKHALE
ROCKRIDGE REALTOR AND HOMEOWNER
Happy
New
Year!
RECO
COMMERCIAL
RESIDENTIAL
INSTALLATION  •  REPAIR  •  220 WIRING
Visit my new
interactive Website for
NEW CONSTRUCTION  •  REMODEL
FREE ESTIMATES
2408 Webster St.  834-6161  Oakland
Rockridge Neighbors:
SERVING THE EAST BAY SINCE 1932            CA. LIC# 728215
www.myrockridgeneighbors.com
510-717-0630
510-428-0757
Email: Vinita@realtyadvocates.com
510-717-0630
SPY
PI PE
™
• Trenchless Sewer Pipe
Replacement
• TV Pipe Inspections
• Drain & Sewer Service
Free Estimates
Over 25 Years Experience
Helping the Environment =
Compact Fluorescent Lighting.

Ron Kriss of
Lawton Associates
has committed to converting
every home he sells in 2008
to compact fl uorescent lights.
Convert your home and help
make a difference.
IMMEDIATE RESPONSE
(510) 465-3000
License #754966
aboutface&body
dayspa      oaklandberkeley
serving you since 1981
Season’s
Greetings
Specialists in
Brazilian waxing
3190 college avenue
at alcatraz
berkeley, ca 94705
Ron Kriss, Broker
Lawton Associates
510-547-5970 Ext. 55
L A W T O N
p 510.428.2600
www.aboutfaceandbody.net
ronkriss@jps.net
sun-tues 10:30-5:30
wed-sat 10:30-8:00
A S S O C I A T E S
“#1 in Rockridge Real Estate”
R E A L   E S T A T E
B R O K E R A G E
Is there a move in your future?
Talk to me about featuring your home
For Sale in this ad space as well as other
creative marketing ideas
Best wishes to you and those you love
for a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Terry Kulka 510/339-4789
terrykulka@att.net
http://www.terrykulka.com
With over 300 homes sold –
Experience Counts

Jan Fougner
OWNER – BROKER
BUYING OR SELLING IN
ROCKRIDGE? IF YOU
NEED THE SERVICES
OF A REALTOR, CALL
ME. I HAVE 28 YEARS
OF ROCKRIDGE SALES
EXPERIENCE AND THE
EXPERTISE YOU NEED.
6 5 5 - 2 3 3 0
ROCKRIDGE
R
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A
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6 0 1 9  C O L L E G E  AV E N U E
29
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654-8707 or 593-4780
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27
Better Homes
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5353 College Avenue
Oakland