Extracted text · highlighting “Stuart Flashman”

www.rockridge.org

VOL. 23    NO. 9    ISSUE NO. 249    October 4, 2008  
 CIRCULATION: 5,100 Residences; 200 Businesses

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

Council Committee
Revises
Proposed
Permit
Parking
Details, page 4    Fees

Thursday, October 16, 7:30 p.m.
Rockridge Branch Library,
5366 College Avenue at Manila,
Community Room (Upstairs)
RCPC Town Hall Meeting
AGENDA
October 2008
RCPC Program Offers a Look at November Ballot Items
■
■
✔
The Rockridge
Community
Planning Council is
sponsoring a discussion at
the October Town Hall
meeting of the 12 state
propositions and a number
of local measures slated for
discussion.
Join your friends and
neighbors at the meeting
and learn more about cur-
rent political issues in a non-
partisan presentation that
will help you make informed
decisions on November 4.
the November ballot. The
meeting is on October 16
at 7:30 p.m. at the Rockridge
Branch Library. Q & A will
follow the presentations.
Nikki Harris of the League
of Women Voters (LWV)
will lead and moderate the

BART Sets Start Date for Massive Station Retrofit

REPORTS: September RCPC Town Hall Meeting

by Chuff Afflerbach
‘I
t is heavy-duty construction;
we don’t want to sugarcoat
that.” That was how BART
spokeswoman Catherine West-
phall described the earthquake
retrofit work scheduled to begin
at the Rockridge station at the
end of 2008. At the RCPC
Town Hall meeting held at the
Rockridge Library on Septem-
ber 18, Westphall and BART
colleague Molly McArthur
outlined the construction plans
and answered questions from
residents concerned about the
project’s impact on the neigh-
borhood.
BART’s key priority, accord-
ing to Westphall, is to keep the
station open and the trains run-
ning throughout the year-long
project. The work will, therefore,
be done in two phases: the first
will include the station itself
and the east parking lot; the
second phase will involve the
larger west lot.
In the station, stairways and
escalators will be reinforced,
along with the canopy over the
train platform. In the parking lot,
each and every support column
Come year’s end, BART will begin earthquake
retrofit work on the Rockridge station and on
columns supporting elevated trackways. Valet
parking will be available to minimize disruption of
commuter parking.                  Photo: Don Kinkead
Reports: BART, page 10
¤
¤

Reestablishing Native Plants to Repair Ecosystems

by Ellen Peterson, RCPC boardmember
Immediately following BART’s seis-
mic retrofit presentation at the RCPC
Town Hall meeting was a presentation
stressing the importance of planting
native plants and removing non-native
invasives in order to repair the ecosys-
tems on which our native wild animals
and birds depend.
Speaker, Lech Naumovich, Founding
Director of Golden Hour Restoration
Institute, showed a series of slides of
during construction of the playing fields,
using volunteer help. Contact www.
goldenhour.org to volunteer.
Then, biologist Laura Baker, Con-
servation Committee Chair of the East
Bay Chapter of the California Native
Plant Society, discussed the extensive
wildlife living in the Rockridge area
and the importance of planting natives
and suppressing non-native invasive
an ecological restoration project he
currently heads at the Caldecott North
Oakland Sports Field (at the intersection
of Highway 24 and Old Tunnel Road).
This large area, consisting of playing
fields, creek, and wildland, contains
trails linking up with regional parkland
and contains sections of the wildlife
corridor connecting Alameda and
Contra Costa Counties. Golden Hour
Restoration Institute is in the process of
repairing land along the creek damaged
Reports: Plants, page 10
¤
¤


2.

October 4, 2008

In My Opinion

ROCKRIDGE BRANCH LIBRARY
5366 College Avenue
597-5017
HOURS:
Mon, Tues:
Weds, Thurs, Sat:
Friday:
Sunday:
Library program details: See Calendar, page 15.

Measure OO Not Good for Oakland

12:30 – 8 p.m.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
12 – 5:30 p.m.
CLOSED
by Susan Montauk, Oakland Parks &
Recreation commissioner
With the November election so close,
Oakland citizens need to get the
facts about Measure OO, which will be on
their ballots. Its informal name, Kids First
2, will surely appeal to the better side of
everyone—what could be wrong with a
measure that puts kids first? Plenty!
Measure OO is a proposal to more than
double the amount of money that Oakland
must budget for non-public programming
for kids. The original Kids First, Measure
K, was passed in 1996 and, for the past 12
years, Oakland has paid over $72 million
to fund Kids First programs. Last year
alone it paid $13 million! Kids First was
set to expire this year but the City Council
rescued it and renewed it for another 12
years. Now, proponents of Kids First 2 want
much more money. Within three years of
the passage of Measure OO, Oakland would
have to budget about $26 million annually
to Kids First.
Excellent city programs provided to
children, youth, adults and seniors would
have to be cut if Measure OO passes. For
a sampling of those programs visit http://
oaklandnet.com/parks and click on the
“recreation centers” selection in the page
heading. Choose any one of the centers and
see the program highlights to have an idea
of the exciting array of classes for kids,
adults and seniors that our city provides.
Were Measure OO to pass, programming at
recreation centers, senior centers and librar-
ies would be so severely cut that Oaklanders
would have to travel long distances to find
the classes that they now enjoy at their local
facilities, precluding the participation of
those most in need.
The original Kids First was a set-aside
of 2.5 percent of the city’s General Fund
(about $475 million) for programming for
youth. The proposal on your ballots is for
2.5 per cent of the total city budget (about
$1.3 billion). This would boost Kids First
funding to about $26 million by its third
year, an amount that would dwarf all other
city programs other than police and fire.
In a time of financial crisis in the city of
Oakland, it would be unconscionable to
double any program’s budget.
Adding to the outrageous aspects of
Measure OO is the measure’s absence of a
sunset clause. That means that if it passes,
it would go on forever. Only another ballot
initiative could end this exorbitant add-on
and save the city’s budget.
Voter approval of OO would wreak
havoc on Oakland’s budget, which, due to
an overestimation of this year’s revenues,
is already facing emergency cuts of about
$50 million. Vote No on OO and save the
valuable services, activities, and programs
open to all Oakland citizens and visitors.
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 nonprofit 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.
Rockridge News Production
Don Kinkead	�����������������������Editor
Ortrun Niesar.....................The Muse
Barry Kaufman	�������������������Food
Jo Ellis	�����������������������������������Advertising &
Community Calendar
Theresa Nelson	��������������������Neighborhood Merchant
Susan Montauk	�������������������Business Manager
Don Kinkead	�����������������������Graphics & Layout
RCPC Board of Directors, 2008-2009
Stuart Flashman	�����������������Chair
Ronnie Spitzer	��������������������Vice-Chair
Katy Taylor	��������������������������Secretary
Joan Martin	��������������������������Treasurer
Jason Burke, Annette Floystrup, Jonathan Gabel,
William Kaufner, Don Kinkead, Colby Lavin,
Doug Patton, Ellen Peterson, Danica Truchlikova
Contact the Board: chair@rockridge.org
For information: info@rockridge.org
Newsletter Subscriptions
To subscribe to The Rockridge News, send
your check for $20, payable to Rockridge News
Subscriptions, to: Rockridge News Subscriptions at
the address below.
Contacting The Rockridge News
	 Are there community issues you’d like to see
covered in The Rockridge News?
	 Do you have questions about newsletter
distribution?
	 Want to volunteer to be a Rockridge News
block captain?
	 Would you like to write a letter to the Editor?
Contact us at one of the following:
Editor: editor@rockridge.org
www.rockridge.org
The Rockridge News, 5245 College Avenue,
PMB 311, Oakland, CA 94618
RCPC Voicemail: 510/869-4200
Susan Montauk is a former RCPC board member.
The views expressed in this column are her own
and do not necessarily reflect the views of RCPC
or its current board.
<title>RCPC Nav bar</title>
If the line of text above talks to you, RCPC
can use your help. We are looking for help
and some tech support with maintaining
our website, http://rockridge.org. If you
are interested, let us know: E-mail chair@
rockridge.org, and we’ll talk.
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.
Small Office Specialists
Small Office Specialists
For a kitchen,
consult a kitchen expert.
For a closet,
find a closet designer.
For your office,
come to us.
5933 College Ave. (off Claremont) Oakland, 510-654-9500
1265 Veterans Blvd., Redwood City, 650-365-7800
Newsletter Advertising/Deadlines
Publication date of the next issue is
 November 8, 2008
 November deadline is October 23.
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.)
WWW.GALVINS.COM


3.
October 4, 2008

The Zoning Counter
The Zoning Counter is a compilation of re-
cent applications filed with the Oakland
Planning Department. Individuals may contact
the case planner or the Planning Department
for additional information by phone or on-line
at www.oaklandnet.com.
Land Use Update
by Stuart Flashman,
RCPC Land Use Committee chair

Land Use Committee Meeting:
Wednesday, October 22, 7 p.m.
Rockridge Branch Library
Land Use Committee Meetings

The RCPC Land Use Committee meets the
fourth Wednesday of each month, 7 p.m., at
the Rockridge Branch Library. Contact Stu
Flashman at 652-5373 or stuflash@aol.com
for copies of the agenda.
5386 Bryant Avenue
Proposal: To construct a 374 square-foot
addition on the 2nd floor of a 1,529 square-
foot single-family dwelling; the addition would
maintain a four-foot set-back to match the
existing 1st floor.
Contact Person/ Cecil Lee
Phone Number: 510/527-9272
Owners: Leo O’Brien & Vandy Howell
Planning Permits Required: Regular Design
Review for a residential addition requiring a
Variance; Minor Variance for a 4-foot side yard
setback where 5-feet is required.
Case Planner: Ulla-Brit Jonsson, 510/238-3322,
e-mail ujonsson@oaklandnet.com

College Avenue Safeway
■
■
rebuild (6310 College Avenue
at Claremont)
There have now been two Safeway-spon-
sored “stakeholder representative” meetings:
the first on September 10 and the second on
September 22. The stakeholders consist of
RCPC, Claremont-Elmwood Neighborhood
Association (CENA), Rockridge District
Association (RDA), Concerned Neighbors,
the store’s Alcatraz Avenue (Berkeley) neigh-
bors, and a representative of the merchants
on College Avenue across from Safeway.
Safeway also invited two “independents”:
Ito Ripsteen, owner of the building at
3170 College Avenue (northwest corner at
Alcatraz Avenue); and Rockridge resident
Fred Hertz, a land use attorney who shares
office space with Safeway’s attorney, Rena
Rickles. At the first meeting, Concerned
Neighbors, RCPC, and CENA all objected
to the participation of the named persons
as “independents.” Discussion at the second
meeting left the issue unresolved, but the
groups were emphatic that the Safeway
appointees not be allowed to block the rest
of the groups from reaching agreements.
Each stakeholder group has presented its
position. All of the groups felt the proposed
size of the replacement structure was a
paramount issue. Other big issues included
traffic, design, protecting the C-31 zoning
and the vitality of the College Avenue retail
district, and minimizing impacts on neigh-
bors and the community. One other issue
was whether Safeway was taking anything
off the table as non-negotiable.
At the second meeting, Safeway pre-
sented what it calls “essential elements.”
These include use of the Safeway logo and
other characteristics that identify the store
as a Safeway “lifestyle” store including the
peripheral departments (deli, bakery, flo-
rist, etc.) that are part of their larger stores.
Safeway representative Todd Paradis said
he was willing to present other options to
Safeway’s management if the group agreed
on them, but said he was pessimistic that
management would change its position.
The major meeting topic again was size,
and no conclusions were reached, other than
that Safeway’s recent proposed building
was too big and didn’t fit the neighborhood.
Safeway was asked to bring designs from
some of their recently built, smaller stores
to the next meeting.
Meeting minutes will be posted on Safe-
way’s Web site, safewayoncollege.com, and
will also be available at rockridge.org.
More meetings are set for October 13,
and 22, and November 3, each starting at
7 p.m. at the Claremont Middle School gym.
Check the rockridge.org Web site and the
RCPC e-News for updates. All meetings are
open to the public, with a public comment
period at the meeting’s end. (See page 11
for how to sign up for the e-News.)
400 Alcatraz Ave
Proposal:  To establish a new telecommunica-
tions facility at an existing church (St. Augustine
Catholic Church), including 12 panel antennas
within an existing bell tower, a 175 square-foot
equipment cabinet inside the bell tower, and
4 concealed antennas mounted to the west
exterior wall.
Applicant: Shannon McDougall, Cortel LLC,
for AT&T
Owner:  Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland
Planning Permits Required:  Major Conditional
Use Permit and Design Review for a Macro
Telecommunications Facility
Historic Status: Potential Designated Historic
Property;  Survey
Rating C2+ (Secondary importance, contributor
to an Area of Secondary Importance)
Case Planner: Holly Pearson, 510/238-3079
Hauser/Creekside residential/
■
■
mixed-use project (Global
Video Site – 5132 Telegraph)
Hauser Architects, the project applicant,
is seeking support for its revised project
design, which now includes 103 residential
Rockridge Artists Wanted
Local artists planning to participate in “Open Studios”
in December, and who want to join a group to publicize
the event, please contact Liz Maxwell (by October
13) at 654-5741 or lizmaxwell@prodigy.net.
Land Use Update, page 5
¤
¤
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Mon – Fri  9:30 – 6:00
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4.

October 4, 2008

Letters to the Editor
RCPC tries its best to keep the Rockridge community informed
about important events, but we’re sometimes stretched thin. I can
say that we try to do our best; I’m sorry that this time it wasn’t as
good as you (or I) would have liked.
— Joan Martin, e-News production manager
The Rockridge News welcomes letters to the editor. Your
name, address, phone number, 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.
I get more than just exercise when I walk
Editor:
I am a block captain and deliver The Rockridge News to the Upper
Rockridge area of Oakland. I saw the “In my Opinion” article in the
September issue of The Rockridge News [presenting the writer’s
feeling that people should walk more] and thought I should mention
that I have walked 509 miles this year and many walks were in the
Rockridge area. As a follow-up, if someone is looking for a way
to get out and walk, they should consider walking next year in the
Susan G. Komen 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk. It takes place in San
Francisco and participants walk 60 miles in three days.
Our team of four people — the Sole Sisters —raised over $10,000
for the Susan G. Komen breast cancer walk this year. Our two
fundraisers took place at the Montclair Bistro and the Kona Club
in Piedmont Avenue area with raffle prizes from the merchants in
Rockridge as well as other merchants throughout Oakland.
It’s always nice to hear stories of people giving back and I know
there were other walkers who participated in our area. Forming a
team is a great way to meet new people in the community.
— Elisa Uribe
I like Safeway; I don’t like their plans
Editor:
There was no Safeway on College Avenue when I first came
here as a little girl in 1942. The store then on that site was called
Hagstrom’s. It was good then and it’s good now. I like Safeway; I
just don’t like their future plans.
Some Safeways in outside areas sell gas at lower prices. Our
Safeway should consider that idea. There are gas pumps right next
door already. Our Safeway could sell gas and even build a new
pharmacy and/or a shoe repair shop on that property. That would
draw more customers to our Safeway.
I’m not against our Safeway making small changes but I’m very
much against them expanding into the retail shops nearby. Their
plans would hurt our small community. I’m sure their plans would
cause them to lose more customers.
— Josie Lemon
Why isn’t the e-News more timely?
While not a letter to the Editor of The Rockridge News, the follow-
ing e-mail exchange between the producer of the e-News and a
Rockridge reader demonstrates the importance of having a variety
of information sources available to keep up with changes and activi-
ties in the neighborhood. Have you registered for your copy of the
e-News? See page 11 for an explanation of the e-News program
and details on how to sign up. — Editor, The Rockridge News
Council Committee Revises
Proposed Permit Parking Fees
by Jon Gabel and Don Kinkead
When news that the City was considering an increase in Residen-
tial Permit Parking (RPP) fees was announced at a meeting
the City held in February 2008, many program participants were
outraged to learn that the overall increase could almost triple the
current fee amounts. Citing the need to cover costs of administer-
ing the program, the City Administrator’s office proposed raising
initial registration fees to $60 from $25, and annual renewal fees
to $50 from $15.
Insult was added to injury for many participants when notice
of the proposed changes was mailed haphazardly, if at all, to those
who would be affected, blunting an effective response to the pro-
posal. As further information became available, it was learned that
the proposal had been presented to the Finance and Management
Committee of the City Council in November 2007.
When the matter finally came to a hearing before that committee
on September 23, members split on whether to move ahead with
the increase as proposed or make adjustments. After discussion,
District 1 Councilmember Jane Brunner moved that new resident
permit application fees be increased to $35 and renewal fees raised
to $20. Her motion was seconded by Councilmember Nancy Nadel
and passed by the committee. The proposal will be considered by
the full Council at its October 7 meeting. If approved, the increases
would become effective immediately.
The committee also decided to request a performance evalu-
ation of the program because committee members had heard
community complaints of inefficiencies and antiquated procedures
in the program’s administration. The evaluation is expected to
take about a year.
e-News Editor:
It is ridiculous to receive such short notice of the September
10 meeting of the Safeway stakeholders group. Do you think most
people can arrange their lives around this by rescheduling every-
thing else? I realize we now have dates for the next five meetings
of the group, but this short notice to the public was unacceptable
if the public’s presence is, in fact, really welcomed.
— Thomas Koster
Dear Mr. Koster:
The Rockridge e-News is not meant to be your only source of
news about Rockridge. RCPC has only recently begun using it as
an additional way (beyond the monthly Rockridge News and the
rockridge.org Web site) to help keep the Rockridge community
informed about upcoming events. The meeting date was announced
in the Rockridge News (under the Land Use Update column), but
the details of where and when it would be were announced very
near to the meeting date.
The e-News is put out by one volunteer (me) with help from others
inside and outside RCPC who tell me what Rockridge-relevant events
are coming up. I try to put out the e-News twice a month (roughly
every two weeks), but that depends on when I find out about things.
I had planned to put out an issue of the e-News this week, but had
to scramble to even put out this late-breaking news in time for it
to be relevant. I am sorry about the extremely short notice of the
Safeway stakeholders meeting; given the short notice we ourselves
got, I was happy we were able to get the information out at all.


5.
October 4, 2008

The Land Use Committee has now voted
unanimously to oppose the proposal. The
commentary following this article provides
some background for that recommendation.
Please consult the rockridge.org Web site
for the latest update on board action.
Land Use Update
BART Seismic Retrofit Project
■
■
(BART station and aerial
structures through Rockridge)
This project was presented and discussed
at the RCPC September Town Hall meeting.
(See retrofit report, page 1.) Detailed project
information, including the full BART slide
presentation, enforceable light and noise
standards to protect Rockridge residents,
construction schedules (as available) and
procedures for registering complaints,
will be posted at rockridge.org, RCPC’s
Web site.
from page 3
units plus ground floor retail on Telegraph
and Claremont. Parking is to be accom-
modated through shared commercial and
residential spaces, with valet commercial
parking as a back-up solution. The design
incorporates a 20-foot wide walkway
between Creekside and the adjoining
approved, but not yet built, Civiq project,
with a faux creek running through it. While
less bulky than the earlier design, the new
project design still requires a major variance
for height as well as variances for setbacks
and shared parking. RCPC continues to
have concerns, but seeks feedback from
the community about the acceptability of
this alternative. More detailed project plans
may be found on the rockridge.org website.
Comments may be directed to Land Use
Committee Chair, RCPC, 5245 College
Avenue PMB 311, Oakland, CA 94618, or
via e-mail to chair@rockridge.org.
Meanwhile, the Draft Environmental
Impact Report (DEIR) for the project
was circulated for public review. RCPC
submitted an eight-page comment letter
on September 29. That letter, and other
comment letters, will be available at rock-
ridge.org.
In My Opinion
Why Does RCPC
Oppose Establishing
Ground-Floor Office
Use on College Avenue?
Red Oak Realty (5915 College
■
■
Avenue – Dreyers Building)
As noted in the September issue of The
Rockridge News, Red Oak Realty proposes
to move its Oakland office from the corner
of Broadway and Pleasant Valley Road to
the ground floor space currently occupied
by Cotton & Co. in the Dreyer’s building
at the intersection of College Avenue and
Chabot Road. The issue is controversial
because of RCPC’s long-standing opposi-
tion to allowing non-retail uses at street
level on College Avenue. Both the Land
Use Committee and the RCPC board took
up this issue at their August and September
meetings, but neither reached a conclusion.
The issue is now being revisited, espe-
cially in light of comments, both pro and
con, received from Rockridge residents.
by Don Kinkead
Decisions in Rockridge about what uses
can be approved for which commercial
spaces are governed by zoning regulations,
as they are in other parts of Oakland. In
Rockridge the regulations are set forth in the
C-31 chapter of the zoning code, proposed
by RCPC in the late 1970s in response to
conditions which arose in the aftermath of
Highway 24 and BART construction.
Highway 24 and BART Decimate
Rockridge and College Avenue
Reeling from the removal of a swath of
housing and its thousands of residents in
Ground Floor, page 7
¤
¤
Grab Your Kids and Your Costume:
Join the Halloween Parade!
Continuing our neighborhood’s great,
ghoulish tradition, the Rockridge
District Association (RDA) and the
Rockridge Community Planning Coun-
cil (RCPC) invite you to celebrate a
spoooky Halloween on College Avenue.
From noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Octo-
ber 26. Participating merchants will
host trick-or-treating along both sides
of College Avenue, from Alcatraz to
Broadway.
To join the costumed procession,
meet at Halloween Central in front of
the College Avenue Presbyterian Church,
5951 College Avenue, at 11:45 a.m.
At precisely noon, we’ll kick off
trick-or-treating, leading the first group
along College Avenue. Then, at 1 p.m.,
return to Halloween Central for spooky
storytelling and silly, scary sing-alongs.
Storytellers from the Storytelling
Association of Alta California will spin
yarns in the courtyard in front of the
Presbyterian Church.
Join in this holiday fun for kids of
all ages!
Restoration / Renovation
Custom Wood
Windows and Doors
(510) 893 1157
www.woodenwindow.com    Lic 640153
Norman H. Burg, DDS
General Dentistry
(510) 652-1517
5700 Broadway, Oakland
A Prevention Oriented Practice


6.

October 4, 2008

Breaking Out of the Two-Car Rut with a Shared Ride

by Joan Martin, RCPC boardmember
We all know gas prices have gone up a
LOT. I used to fill my Honda Accord
for $18. Now the BMW costs about $67 per
fill-up, and it’s not because the car got nicer.
So what to do when one car is not enough
for a family, but owning a second car is
priced out of the question? Joining a car
share program may be the answer.
City CarShare is one of over 30 indepen-
dent car share companies in North America
and, along with Zipcar, has come to the
rescue of Rockridge residents needing a
temporary second vehicle. You may already
have seen the company’s cars sporting the
City CarShare logo in the neighborhood.
Founded in 2001, City CarShare is a local
non-profit with a large fleet, one third of
which is fuel-efficient cars. Recognizing that
some drivers want form over function, the
company also offers Mini Coopers, trucks
and Honda Elements. Two wheelchair-
accessible vans are also available for use.
Within Oakland, Berkeley, El Cerrito and
Albany, there are almost 200 PODs (Points
of Departure) where the CarShare vehicles
await use. Rockridge has two such locations;
one inside the west side of the BART sta-
tion parking lot and the other at the corner
of Oak Grove and College avenues (across
from Zachary’s Chicago Pizza). Anita Daley,
the company’s director of membership
development and outreach said, “We LOVE
Rockridge!” City CarShare demonstrates a
commitment to community by also placing
its cars for use in neighborhoods that other
companies might not choose.
purchased with a card that City CarShare
provides; no more gas bills coming at the
end of the month. Want to plan an out-of-
town overnight? A drive to Carmel or to
the Monterey Aquarium would cost $40 for
the 24-hour period plus 10¢/mile. Since the
round-trip is about 230 miles, that is $23 in
mileage for a total trip cost of $63.
Are reservations difficult? Vehicles can
be reserved up to three months in advance.
The company asks that cars not be taken
for more than three days at a time. Happy
CarShare user Connie Yip exclaimed, “It’s
great! If you don’t really want [to own] a
car, it’s there when you need one. And, it’s
more sustainable not to own a car.” She is
a happy customer.
Could using a City CarShare vehicle
on an as-needed basis save transportation
costs? It could. The American Automobile
Association (AAA) estimates that owning
a car costs an average of $500 per month.
Actual costs can be even higher. For example,
for a $20,000 car with a 3-year loan at 2.9
per cent, the payment is $580 per month.
Maintenance is about $200 per year or $17
per month. Auto insurance with a $1 million
umbrella liability policy is about $600 per
year or $50 per month, according to Bill
K’Burg of Farmer’s Insurance in Walnut
Creek. Gas to drive 1,000 miles a month
This environmentally-focused, non-
profit company shows its true colors when
Daley remarks, “We encourage people to
walk, take BART or ride their bike first.
Remember: It’s reduce, re-use, then recycle.”
In other words, take our – or any – car as
a last resort.
Asked about the company’s goals for
growth, Daley said, “We are here to serve
the community. Whatever they need is what
we’ll provide.”
The company’s overall goal is to remain
sustainable, a good idea for a non-profit.
Its financial status in the last few months
has been “break-even, maybe a little to the
positive,” Daley remarked.
So, how easy is it to arrange CarShare
transportation? Drivers can sign up for one
of two plans at either $10 or $20 per month.
The difference is in how many long trips
can be taken and at what price. Each plan
averages about $6.50 per hour for local
trips. That includes gas, maintenance and
insurance. (Insurance provides liability
coverage up to $1 million, more than many
other car sharing companies who often offer
only the legal minimum of $15,000). Gas is
Two-Car Rut, page 12
¤
¤
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Located on Market Hall’s Lower Level
Entry on Shafter Avenue
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7.
October 4, 2008

area’s low-rise, Craftsman-style housing and
to encourage pedestrian-friendly retail busi-
nesses. The coalition conceived of, developed,
and prevailed upon the City to adopt new
zoning regulations that could better guide
the area’s redevelopment. These regulations
were numbered “C-31” for commercial areas
and “R-35” for residential areas.
According to C-31’s general description
in the Oakland Planning Code, “The C-31
zone is intended to create, preserve, and
enhance areas with a wide range of retail
establishments serving both short and long
term needs in attractive settings oriented
to pedestrian comparison shopping, and is
typically appropriate along important shop-
ping streets having a special or particularly
pleasant character.” Based on the stated
intention, the regulations designate activity
and use that is either permitted or restricted.
For example, specifications and limitations
for signs, marquees and awnings as to their
size, placement, illumination and materials are
structured to ensure design consistency.
As Rockridge has become more popular
and drawn more traffic, it has also
drawn the interest of a wider variety of
businesses to locate on College Avenue. The
types of businesses permitted to locate in
the C-31 regulated area are another aspect
of development controlled by zoning.
Ground-level uses in particular are
ordinarily limited to certain types of busi-
nesses. C-31 restricts non-retail uses on the
ground floor. As stated more specifically
in the regulations, “no residential activity;
limited child care, community assembly,
community education, administrative, or
health care civic activity; or medical service,
consultative and financial service, group
assembly, administrative, or business and
communication service commercial activ-
ity shall be located on the ground floor of
any building, except upon the granting of
a conditional use permit [CUP].”
The restricted uses have to be approved
by the Planning Commission and meet a
series of stringent conditions, including
“that the proposal will not weaken the con-
centration and continuity of retail facilities
at the ground level, and will not impair the
retention or creation of important shopping
frontage.” That is in addition to the more
general requirement that “the proposed
development will enhance the successful
operation of the surrounding area in its
basic community functions.”
Many Rockridge residents familiar
with the history and intent of C-31
zoning — and with planning issues in
general — feel that allowing more service
types of businesses that do not deal with
retail goods, such as real estate and financial
services (both restricted by C-31), to operate
on College Avenue will drive rents higher,
making it less likely that new retail busi-
nesses could open in Rockridge. The diverse
and robust retail environment in Rockridge
is what draws neighbors and customers to
the area. A loss of that diversity would
threaten College Avenue’s existence as a
vibrant shopping area and successful source
of sales tax revenue for the City.
One of the major goals of RCPC, there-
fore, should be to continue to preserve the
integrity of the C-31 and R-35 zones. This
requires that the organization take a firm
stand against uses that could undermine
College Avenue’s commercial success and
pedestrian-friendly atmosphere and the liv-
able character of the neighborhood.
Ground Floor
from page 5
the area extending from 40th Street to the
Caldecott Tunnel, and the loss of established
College Avenue businesses when the then-
new Highway 24 split the shopping area in
two, some in the city felt that Rockridge and
Temescal were ripe for high-density housing
and franchise business development.
Many residents were concerned that
College Avenue’s local community-oriented
businesses would be crowded out by chain and
fast-food outlets with the potential to turn the
avenue into little more than an automobile-
oriented suburban-type strip mall. Also,
the zoning in the residential areas around
the newly built Rockridge BART station
allowed high-density use buildings, which
would have permitted the construction of
large apartment buildings similar to those
found around parts of Lake Merritt.
Rockridge residents formed a coalition —
the Rockridge Community Planning Council
(RCPC) — with adjoining neighborhood
groups to respond to these threats to the
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
The author thanks Rockridge neighbor and former
RCPC chair Theresa Nelson for material used in
the preparation of this article.
Rockridge Sales Starting to Soar this September!

Closing
Br	 Bth	 Address
  Orig Price	       DOM           LP	                        SP
	 9/2/2008
5
2.5
524 Forest St
$413,250
9
$413,250
$465,000
	 9/4/2008
4
 1
362 Cavour St
$749,000
91
$699,000
$685,000
	9/16/2008
2
1.5
39 Harbord Ct
$749,000
44
$719,000
$725,000
	 9/11/2008
3
2
5218 Shafter Ave
$879,000
13
$879,000
$912,000
	9/18/2008
3
1.5
6762 Manor Crest
$945,000
16
$945,000
$975,000
	 9/17/2008
3
2.5
5329 Broadway
$1,095,000
15
$1,095,000
$1,095,000
	 9/9/2008
3
2.5
6468 Benvenue Ave
$1,295,000
14
$1,295,000
$1,510,000
•
September of 2008 had just over two times as many closings as September of 2007.
•
In September of 2007 the average List to Sell price was 109%. In & 2008 it was 104%.
•
Average days on market 29, in comparison to a mere 13 days a year ago.
•
71% of properties Listed in Rockridge, Sold for OVER asking price, 66% last year.
Kimberly Lang
Draperies
Roman Shades
Cushions and Pillows
Fabric and Style Advice
510.540.6864        www.kimberlylang.com


8.

October 4, 2008

G

College Prep Students Raise Sand at
The Annual FROG Park Clean Up

Photos by Bosky Frederick,
a math teacher at College
Prep since 1972.

F
ROG Park got a thorough
trim and comb-out at the
park’s annual clean-up day,
held Saturday, September
13, as freshman students
from College Preparatory
School g rabbed rakes,
brooms, clippers and trash
bags and swept through the
park in a dusty whirlwind of
cleaning.
College Prep students have
been involved in this clean-up
since 2001 as participants in
the school’s community
service program.
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9.
October 4, 2008

It’s Your Betty…
It’s Your Kind of Place
H
The Neighborhood Merchant
Photo: Don Kinkead
by Theresa Nelson
andmade, locally-designed, and utterly
unique. That’s the kind of clothing,
accessories and art you’ll find at It’s
Your Betty Boutique, tucked into a Col-
lege Avenue storefront between Shafter
and Forest.
It’s Your Betty Boutique offers an unusual
perspective: that too often people judge
us based merely on age, ethnicity, gender,
clothing or other elements of appearance,
and that with effort, we can look deeper
to the real person within. This translates
into women’s and children’s clothing and
accessories that are handmade, express the
“Betty” concept, and feature items made
by local artisans. Many of the items are
priced at less than $20 – perfect for a quick
birthday present or a spontaneous gift. The
store won the East Bay Express 2008 award
for “best retail service.”
Owner Danielle Marinovich makes many
of the items in the store herself, and originally
offered them under the name “Stitches for
Bitches,” now presented as SFB on her Web
site, www.WhosYourBetty.com. A few years
ago at a convention where she sold her wares,
she met the music star Pink, who liked the
Betty character. Coverage in fashion and
other magazines followed. Danielle, who
lives not far from Rockridge, opened the
store in 2006 as a place to sell her work
and stay closer to home than was the case
when she traveled and sold at conventions
and shows all over the country.
The bright, colorful purses, wallets and
clutches are all handmade by Danielle her-
self, and you’ll often find her and other staff
making things by hand behind the counter.
These items are made in a wide variety of
vinyls, which come in textures such as carbon
fiber, metal flake, herringbone, even a white
Photo: Don Kinkead
It’s Your Betty Boutique
Owner: Danielle Marinovich
5517 College Avenue, Oakland
510/597-9897
http://www.whosyourbetty.com
e-mail: info@WhosYourBetty.com
Danielle Marinovich holds volume 1
of a planned 8 volume set of “The Story
of Betty,” a series reflecting her life,
and aimed at encouraging acceptance
of others as individuals rather than
seeing them as stereotypes.
hammered vinyl (as in copper). In addition
to what’s in the store, you can order any of
the items via her Web site in your choice
of 14 colors, all handmade, in sizes from
evening bags to larger totes.
Items for children have a special section
of this small store. T-shorts and onesies, tiny
shoes and accessories include slogans such
as “chick magnet,” “maternika” (a reference
to Metallica), “for those about to walk, and
more.” Almost all of these are handmade
by several friends of Danielle’s.
Jewelry follows the handmade and
locally-made theme, including decorated
barrettes with dice or pink and black checks,
beaded necklaces and earrings, and rings
with Scrabble-like tiles. Throughout the store
you’ll find delicate silver necklaces, rings,
bracelets, and earrings, spoon bracelets,
unusual combinations like blue flowers with
silver beads, and handmade pieces from
Jungle Torch Song (another local artist).
Hand-painted pottery by a local artist has
themes such as “a room with a view,” in
platters, bowls, switch plates, and mugs.
The suns and other wall hangings are made
in Haiti from recycled oil drums, as are
other imported items certified under the
Fair Trade agreement.
Many of the black and white Betty items
include a skull and crossbones, a design that
has different meanings for different people,
and is more popular now than when she
started using it. The idea of the skull is to
Merchant: It’s Your Betty, page 12
¤
¤
6
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Since 1986
realtyadvocates.com
(510) 428-0757


10.

October 4, 2008

gets done and away from the school, the
better for everybody,” she said.
BART expects the work to start as early
as November, but the actual construction
schedule has not been determined by the
contractor, the William P. Young Company
of San Leandro. BART plans to distribute
flyers to passengers and residents before any
work begins. There will also be an infor-
mation hotline at 510/874-7425. Residents
can sign up for e-mail alerts and check the
construction schedule at the BART Web
site: www.bart.gov.
The $4.9 million project at the Rockridge
station is just a small part of the entire
BART earthquake retrofit program. Other
raised track support columns throughout
the Rockridge area will also be reinforced,
including those at the intersection of Hudson
Street and Claremont Avenue. This will
affect Hardy Park and the casual carpool
loading zone some time in the coming year.
Part of the Hardy Park basketball courts
and the dog run will be taken up by con-
struction work, but the unaffected portions
will remain open to the public. The carpool
loading zone will be moved farther east on
Hudson Street until the work is done.
The BART officials emphasized that
the project will not be considered complete
until all areas are returned to their original
condition. BART will withhold 10% of the
contract amount from contractors until the
restoration is approved. Funding for the
entire BART retrofit comes from Proposition
AA, a $980 million bond measure passed in
2004 by voters in Alameda, Contra Costa,
and San Francisco counties.
Reports: BART
Reports: Plants
from page 1
from page 1
for the overhead tracks must be retrofit-
ted to survive a 7.5 earthquake. First, the
buried foundation will be excavated, and
then expanded and reinforced with steel
and concrete. After that, a steel jacket will
be welded around the pillar above ground,
similar to the freeway supports retrofitted
by CalTrans several years ago.
With such extensive work going on in
the parking lot, as many as 100 parking
stalls at a time will not be usable. To ease
the impact, BART plans to use attendants
to park cars. By squeezing the vehicles
close together in areas not affected by
construction, BART hopes to keep the loss
of parking to only 40 spaces. The parking
procedures and hours of operation are still
being worked out, but McArthur said there
will be no additional fee for the attended
parking. The lost spaces will be taken from
the allotment of daily parking stalls. The
number of reserved stalls will remain the
same, as will the existing parking reserva-
tion program.
Noise was a major concern brought up
by residents attending the meeting.
McArthur explained that there will be a
monitoring system in place, and residents
are encouraged to call with their noise
complaints. If the decibel limit is exceeded,
a duty officer will have the authority to
shut down the work and the contractor
will be penalized. Most construction will
take place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., but
some work — particularly work done to
the station — will have to go on during
the night.
Also of concern was the effect the
construction would have on nearby Clare-
mont Middle School. BART has met with
Claremont principal David Chambliss
three times to discuss security and safety
for students. Halting construction during
school hours was not practical, McArthur
explained. “The faster this construction
plants to provide sufficient habitat for that
wildlife.
In addition to glorious photographs of
the local fauna, Baker brought in a sampling
of attractive native plants and the “thug”
plants to be avoided.
The California Native Plant Society holds
its Native Plant Fair on Saturday, October
18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday,
October 19, from noon to 3 p.m.
The fair will be held at Native Here
Nursery, 101 Golf Course Drive (in Tilden
Park across from the Golf Course), Berkeley;
phone 510/549-0211. Visit their Web site
at www.ebcnps.org, click on Native Here
link. The fair is an excellent opportunity
to see and to buy native plants and to learn
more about them.
Rockridge:  5400 College Avenue
 Elmwood:  2930 College Avenue
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cross-cultural congregation
striving to partner with
         the Rockridge community
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COLLINS ROOFING
Family Owned & Operated
College Avenue Presbyterian Church
482-2227  Seamus
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11.
October 4, 2008

RCPC E-News List: Neighborhood Information Direct to You
R
CPC’s new e-News/e-mail tree
has been keeping neighbors and
residents informed about events on the

RCPC calendar, RCPC Town Hall meet-
ings, Land Use Committee meetings and
events of general community interest for
several months. It’s a good way to learn
about what’s going on between issues
of The Rockridge News and Town Hall
meetings.
Have you been getting your copy?
Is your neighbor getting one? Take a
moment now to sign up; it’s easy. Simply
send your e-mail address to source@
rockridge.org.
Also, RCPC gathers names at various
RCPC-sponsored events and, with your
permission, will add you to the e-list.
If you already get the e-News and you
know someone who doesn’t, let us know.
We can add them to the mailing list and
bingo! They’re in!
All contact information is kept con-
fidential and is used only by the RCPC
for specific notifications.

Scene: Out & About in Rockridge

Photos: Don Kinkead
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


12.

October 4, 2008

If you need a second car only now and
then, you might consider City CarShare or
similar shared ride opportunities. It’s good
for the environment, our neighborhood and
your pocketbook. Find more information at
http://www.citycarshare.org.
Merchant: It’s
Your Betty
Two-Car Rut
from page 6
at 25 mpg and $4 per gallon totals $150 a
month. Depreciation of that car over 5 years
with a residual value of $5,000 is about $250
a month. Of course, depreciation is a non-
cash expense but it is a real devaluation of
your asset. So, the total monthly “cost” of
that $20,000 car is $864 plus gas, depending
on how many miles are driven.
The average City CarShare customer
spends $50-60 per month. At $5/hour and
$0.40/mile, and for occasional use, the sav-
ings seem clear.
City CarShare offers a $30 trial program
that is good for 60 days. The cost is applied
as driving credits.
from page 9
convey the message of “we’re all the same
under the skin.” A series of black and white
T-shirts features the Betty character in vari-
ous incarnations: skater Betty, jock Betty,
daddy’s girl Betty, hip-hop Betty, weekday
worrier Betty, punk Betty, ’80s Betty, biker
Betty, and more. Her current window display
showcases these characters, with the ques-
tion “Who’s Your Betty?” Many Ts feature
other designs as well, includes one that says
“Goodbye Kitty…. Hello Betty,” a play on
the commercial Hello Kitty items.
Her short book, “The Book About
Betty,” is dedicated to her sister, Stormy
Marinovich-Coleman, who died from breast
cancer. Supporting her sister through this,
and her own grieving process, gave her the
strength to seek something that would give
meaning to her life and her drive to share
the Betty concept with others. The Betty
character came to her in a dream, as a girl
with needles (Danielle is an accomplished
seamstress), arising from her experience
growing up in a small town where dressing or
acting differently was hard. She developed it
into a book with illustrations by Danny Boy,
based on photos of Danielle as a child. The
book is her passion: getting it into the hands
of anyone who’s interested in changing how
people judge based on looks, to encourage
people to look deeper to the real person.
Because her sister was the inspiration
for the book and how the Betty character
came to be, Danielle donates 5 per cent of all
profits to the Susan G. Komen Foundation all
year round. As one long-time customer said,
“this is a little store, but a store with a lot of
heart.” Come to It’s Your Betty Boutique and
find your own Betty today.
Zipcar is another independent car-share company
operating in the Rockridge neighborhood. Their
available rentals also park at the BART parking lot.
Attempts to reach Zipcar’s corporate headquarters
in Massachusetts for this article were unsuccessful.
Zipcar’s Web address is http://www.zipcar.com.
WINSTON’S PLUMBING
HEATING & ELECTRICAL
lic.# 537739/554406
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• Trenchless Sewers
• Earthquake Protection
Find Out What Homes
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• Remodel & Repair
510-652-8014
www.winstonsplumbing.com
“”May your toilet never runneth over!”
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 ■ Renovation consultation for
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 ■ Over 200 Vendor references
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 ■ What Sellers need to know in
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13.
October 4, 2008

Effective, Safe Disposal of Dated
Digital Debris Made Easy
As the digital age advances and improves
itself, today’s latest new gadget is too
likely to end up in tomorrow’s landfill. There
is a better way to get rid of the obsoleted
stuff. In Berkeley, for example, there is a
full-service computer, electronics and small
appliance recycling center a few blocks north
of University Avenue on Frontage Road east
of Interstate 80/580. The Alameda County
Computer Resource Center (ACCRC) is
located at 1501 Eastshore Highway, Berkeley.
The Center’s slogan: “Obsolescence is Just
a Lack of Imagination.”
copy machine, and even your microwave
and toaster, but not your large appliances
such as a washing machine or refrigerator.
When you give us your computer, you will
receive a tax write-off, and we will attempt
to fix your equipment and then give it away
to someone who is unable to afford to buy
a computer. If we are unable to reuse your
equipment, it will be recycled in an envi-
ronmentally friendly manner.”
Call 510/528-4052 or check out the
web site at http://www.accrc.org for more
information. The e-mail address is info@
accrc.org.
Based here in Rockridge,
we specialize in:
Architectural remodels/additions
Gardens/outdoor spaces
New construction
www.AboutInsideOut.com     510.655.7674
Donating your used equipment is easy:
at the facility, drive into the yard and an
attendant will help unload everything into
sorting bins. For a fee calculated on travel
distance, they will pick up at your location.
According to the organization’s web site,
“We will recycle anything that you can plug
into a power outlet. This means we will
recycle your computer, VCR, television,
INTERIOR-EXTERIOR LEAD
CERTIFIED PAINTERS
Professional preparation. Many local
references. All work Guaranteed
(510) 654-3339
Drop-off hours: 9 to 5, Monday through Friday,
12 to 5 on Saturdays. Closed on Sundays, and
most major holidays. The ACCRC is a 501(c)(3)
non-profit organization, Tax ID 68-0395504, and
is approved by the CIWMB (California Integrated
Waste Management Board; http://www.ciwmb.
ca.gov/) as a Collector/Recycler, as related at the
center’s web site.
YOUR FINANCIAL LIFE GOES BEYOND
STOCKS AND BONDS. SHOULDN’T YOUR
FINANCIAL STRATEGY DO THE SAME?
HALLIE HART, CFP®, FINANCIAL ADVISOR
510-208-3823
MERRILL LYNCH
1111 BROADWAY, 22ND FLOOR
OAKLAND, CA 94607
CFP® is a certification mark owned by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.
Total Merrill (design/words) is a registered service mark/service mark of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
© 2007 Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated. Member, SIPC.

$PMMFHF
"WF
	




14.

October 4, 2008

Women’s Self-Defense Workshop
4 hours. You will learn avoidance strategies
and brutally effective physical techniques.
For women 12 years and older. Danspace,
473 Hudson Street, off College. Saturday
10-2. $95. Registration or more informa-
tion. practicalselfdefenseproject@yahoo.com.
415/990-9230.
The Ultimate Way To Go Green
Buy recycled clothes, jewelry, furniture, art-
work, household goods, linens & more. Finding
affordable treasures is the expectation of our
customers. Bambino Thrift Shop, 5290 College
Ave, 510/658-7473, Tue-Fri., 10-3, Sat. 12-4.
Your Message Could Be Here
Your 36-word message is $22. (Phone number
counts as one word). Mail to: RN Classifieds,
5245 College Avenue, PMB 311, Oakland,
CA 94618. November deadline is October 23.
For information: e-mail smontauk@gmail.com
Judith Glass & Sheila Sabine
Your Grubb Company Agents appreciate
Rockridge. If you are thinking of selling your home
contact us. Moving changes your life. We make
the process easy. www.GlassSabine.com.
Home Repairs
Carpentry, electrical, kitchen, bath, decks, fences,
drainage, tile, windows, walls, dry rot, termite
damage. Lic#458473. Don 510/812-0310.
Weeding and Yard Clean-Ups
Areas below Broadway served. 3- and 4-hour
jobs welcome. Fred. 510/234-2902.
Why Pay 6% (or even 5%)
to Sell your Home?
Realty Advocates charges only 4% for the
same full service including MLS, brokers’
tours, open houses, internet exposure, and
much more… www.realtyadvocates.com or
call 510/428-0757.
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.
Patios, Custom Artistic
Tiling $22/hour
Lots of Rockridge references—have worked
in Rockridge the past 2 years. Over 20 years
experience. See our Web site at: www.
Diegodesigns.com. Call Diego: 510/828-9473.
“We listen to your dreams.”
Unexpected Guests?
Short-term rental, lovely room 2 blocks from
Rockridge BART in owner’s flat. Wi-Fi, cable,
TV. Suitable for one person. Photos available.
Barbird@aol.com 510/652-7044.
Home Interiors Decorative
Painting
I specialize in faux finish, murals, stenciling,
marbleizing, refinishing and color consulta-
tion. Local artist. Visit www.carolinestern.com.
510/652-0683.
School Troubles? Get Tutored!
Help your student take their grades to the TOP,
with Top Rank Tutoring! We have Rockridge
tutors for all subjects and grade levels. The
best tutors help your student succeed! www.
topranktutoring.com 650/438-2100.
Quality Gardening
Skilled monthly or bimonthly maintenance—
pruning, planting, design, irrigation, outdoor
lighting, ecological practices. 15 years in East Bay,
local refs. Green’s Gardens: 510/593-3490.
Non-Toxic House Cleaning
Lotus Cleaning Services provides excellent ser-
vice while protecting your health and the planet.
Licensed, bonded and insured. Experienced,
reliable cleaners. Great for households with
allergies, asthma, small children. Reasonable
rates. 510/452-0755, lotusclean@comcast.net.
Aesthetic Pruning
I specialize in pruning trees and shrubs under
20 feet tall. I work with trees to enhance their
natural beauty. Specialties: maples, camellias,
pines, conifers, fruit trees, focal points and detail
work. Bruce Thompson 510/428-4964.
Art Up Your Party
With expert face painting, body painting or
hand-painted nail art by the artists at The
Art’s On you. Great for birthday parties,
showers, fund-raisers. www.theartsonyou.com
theartsonyou@gmail.com.
Skin Care Salon
Penelope’s Aesthetics, a serene garden setting
in Rockridge 12 years, specializes in professional
beauty needs. Facials, waxing, lash/brow tints,
skin tag/capillary removal, permanent make-
up, reflexology and more! 30% off w/ad. www.
penelopecalef.com 510/594-1552.
Home Services
I offer carpentry, electrical work and electro-
magnetic field consultation. For information
about EMF and my 34 years of home service
experience in the East Bay, visit www.danmatt-
son.net or call Dan at 510/658-2819.
Elizabeth H/The Art of
Hair Design
Your eco-friendly neighborhood hair salon.
Expert stylists for every cut, color, and tex-
ture. All the hair-care products you need.
Manicures and pedicures, too. 5431 College
Avenue, Oakland. 510/652-5431.
Custom Sewing for the Home
Window Coverings: Curtains; Roman shades;
top treatments: Slipcovers; Pillows and Cush-
ions; Duvet covers; bed skirts; pillow shams &
bolsters. Special projects. Decorator fabrics &
drapery hardware. Holly. 510/531-1177.
3 classes for $30*
Psychotherapy for Women
Relational Depth Therapy with older, experi-
enced, interactive, kind psychotherapist. Women
of all ethnicities and sexualities welcomed.
Maggie Rochlin, LCSW. 510/845-6556.
Adorn the Goddess Within!
You can find the Henna Lounge
at Namaste every month
Call 510 547 YOGA for an appointment
as the day does sell out.
Henry C. Levy & Co.
Kiddie Kirtan with Jai Uttal
Sunday, June 29 at 4pm
    
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
Also visit our store for the largest selection of
women’s yoga wear and yoga props in the East Bay
Complete architectural
services since 1970
*new students only; valid for 30 days
for more info and class schedule, visit
www.namasterockridge.com
    5416 college avenue    5 1 0 . 5 4 7 . YO G A
( n e a r  Ro c k r i d g e  l i b r a r y )
5278 College Avenue
Oakland, CA  94618
(510) 654-6755   fax 654-3424


15.
October 4, 2008

E-mail Rockridge News Community Calendar items to: joellis1@hotmail.com, phone 653-3210 (after noon), or mail to: Rockridge News
Community Calendar, 5245 College Avenue, PMB 311, Oakland, CA 94618. Deadline is the next to the last Tuesday of the month.

Community Calendar
Compiled by Jo Ellis

Councilmember Brunner’s
Community Advisory Meeting
about the history of American folk songs, from the
origins of our folk music from the British Isles and
West Africa, through the songs of Woody Guthrie,
and will sign copies of his books.
J. Gary Gwilliam
■
■
: successful attorney will sign and
discuss his book, Getting a Winning Verdict in My
Life: A Trial Lawyer Finds His Soul. Saturday, 10/25,
2 -4pm.
Lawyers in the Library: Free legal advice
■
■
. First
Tuesday each month from 6 to 8pm. Advance sign-up
starts 5pm. Cancelled on Nov. 4 for Election Day.
More info: 597-5017.
ART EXHIBITS
Gallery:	 Oct.: David Hardy: Atelier School of Classical
Realism.

Nov.: Judith Mortensen: Pastel and mixed-
media collage.
Lobby Display Case: Oct.: Photos of Rockridge.
            Nov.: Asian-American Student Art.
LIBRARY HOURS:
Mon. and Tues, 12:30 to 8pm.
Wed., Thurs. and Sat. 10am to 5:30pm.
Fri., 12 to 5:30pm. Closed Sundays.
Diesel Book/Poetry Readings
All events are FREE and open to the public.
Sunday, 10/5, 3pm: Poetry Flash: Ellen Bass: The
Human Line, and Jane Hirshfield: After.
Mondays, 10/13 and 11/10, 7:30pm: Amnesty Interna-
tional Meeting. All welcome.
Monday, 10/13, 7:30pm: Presented in collaboration with
KPFA; Naomi Wolf: Give Me Liberty: A Handbook for
American Revolutionaries. Note different location:
First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way,
Berkeley.
Thursday, 10/16, 7pm: Oakland author Van Jones:
Green Collar Economy.
Sunday, 10/19, 12pm: local mystery novelist Clare
Langley-Hawthorne: The Serpent and the Scorpion.
Thursday, 10/30, 7pm: local authors and editors Risa Nye,
Joan Taylor Cehn and Julie Renalds: Writin’ on Empty:
Parents Reveal the Upside, Downside, and Everything
in Between When Children Leave the Nest. Mingle and
meet other parents and share your own stories.
Sunday, 11/2, 3pm: Poetry Flash: poets Jan Beatty
and Molly Fisk read aloud.
Wednesday, 11/5, 7pm: legendary surfer Laird Hamilton:
Force of Nature.
DIESEL, A Bookstore, 5433 College Ave. Info about other
events, book discussion groups and El Grupito, the Spanish
discussion group: 653-9965 or www.dieselbookstore.com.
songs. Hosted by RCPC and The Rockridge District
Assn.(RDA). See more details on page 5.
Women’s Antique Vocal Ensemble (WAVE)
Saturday, October 11, 10am to noon. Peralta Elementary
School: 460 63rd St. (parking on Alcatraz, east of Tele-
graph). Topic: AC Transit’s Proposal for Bus Rapid
Transit on Telegraph Ave. with and update on the
City Budget. Info: 238-7001, or view Brunner Report
at www.oaklandnet.com (the site for all City-related
information).
Concert of sacred and secular compositions from 200
years of English musical tradition, accompanied by guest
artists on harpsichord and Baroque instruments. Saturday,
10/11, 8pm. Tickets, $15/10 at the door. St. Albert Priory
Chapel, 6172 Chabot Road. 596-1800.
Jazz at the Chimes
Neighborhood Crime Prevention
Council (NCPC)
Vocalist Jamie Davis, Sunday, 10/19, 2pm. Concert
followed by artist’s reception and refreshments. Tickets:
$10-$15. Kids under 12 free. Cash only at the door
starting at 12:30pm.Sponsored by the Lifemark Group
Arts program that features Bay Area talent. Chapel of
the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave. Wheelchair accessible.
228-3218 or www.lifemarkgroup.com/oakland/
special_events.asp or www.unity-music.net/.
Residents and business members of NCPC’s 12Y and
13X areas are invited to voice their concerns about
crime and public safety, 4th Thursday each month,
7 to 8:30pm. Rockridge Library, upstairs meeting room,
5366 College Ave. info@rockridgencpc.com or
infofordenise@yahoo.com.
Rockridge Branch Library
5366 College Avenue, 597-5017
FOR CHILDREN:
Toddler Story Time: Every Saturday,
■
■
 10:30am.
Pre-School Story Time:
■
■
1st and 3rd Wednesdays,
10:30am.
Pajama Story Time:
■
■
2nd and 4th Tuesdays. 7pm.
Special Events for Kids and Families:
The Distaff Singers Annual Benefit
Concert
The women’s chorus will present A Parody Home Com-
panion, a show that will take you back to the days when
radio was king. Saturday, 11/1, 2pm. Tickets $15 - $12
(students and seniors) available in advance from chorus
members or at the door. Donations to The Distaff Singers
are tax-deductible. Oakland Mormon Temple Auditorium,
4770 Lincoln Ave. (take Redwood Rd. exit off Hwy 13).
547-8083 or www.distaffsingers.org.
Making Day-of-the-Dead Altars
■
■
: workshop with
Rachel Palacios. Monday, Oct. 6, from 7 to 8pm.
Best for ages 5 and up but all welcome to participate.
Bring photos/mementos of friends, family or pets you
would like to honor. Items will remain on display from
10/6 to 11/11.
Halloween Story Time:
■
■
 Tuesday, 10/28 at 7pm. Spooky
but not too scary Halloween stories and a little treat.
Everyone welcome to come in costume.
Celebrate Recycling Month: Re-Create Workshop
■
■
Wisteria Ways House Concert Series
Amy X Neuberg, “Avant-Caberet”
■
■
: Sings and plays a
unique blend of cabaret, classical, rock and avant-garde.
Saturday, 10/18, 8pm; House opens 7:30pm. Inside venue
(not wheelchair accessible).
Oscar Reynolds and Karumanta
■
■
: Ensemble of master
musicians performing Bolivian folk and fusion and Black
Bolivian/Peruvian. Saturday, 11/8, 8pm. House opens
7:30pm. Inside venue (not wheelchair accessible).
383 61st Street. $15-20 suggested donation for musicians
(cash only at the door). Reservations (highly recommended):
RSVP to info@WisteriaWays.org or 655-2771.
Christensen Heller Gallery
with MoChA. Thursday, 11/6 at 3:30pm. Kids in
Kindergarten through 12th grade can turn “Trash into
Treasure”, and enter their creations in the city-wide Re-
Create Art Contest, where all entries will be on display
throughout the city. Bring your own discarded materials
or use what we provide. More info: 465-8770.
FOR TEENS:
Anime Club: Teens 13 and up
■
■
, watch and talk about
anime (Japanese animation) with other teens. 10/14,
5 to 6:30pm in upstairs meeting rm.
Teen Read Week is Oct. 12-18. Books with Bite
■
■
:
check out displays about vampires, cooking, and
computers and gaming. Bring a review of any book
of Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Series and enter to win
a ticket to the Twilight movie. Must have a current
library card to be eligible.
Info: Susy, 597-5017.
FOR ADULTS:
Writers’ Support /Critique Group:
■
■
 ALL writers wel-
come. Third Saturday each month, (9/20) 1 - 5pm. Bring
12 copies of up to 5 pages of your prose for on-site
reading/discussion. Sponsored by the California Writers
Club, Berkeley branch (www.berkeleywritersclub.
org.) Info: 420-8775 or Writefox@aol.com.
Knitting Classes for Seniors (50+)
■
■
: 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. Every Tuesday, 12:30-2:30pm,
upstairs meeting room.
Woody Guthrie and the Great American Folksong
■
■
:
Author/performer Tim Holt presents a family program
Botanical photographs by local artist Bruce Schneider;
through 11/2. Gallery hrs: Wed.-Sat., 11am to 6pm; Sun.,
noon to 5pm. 5829 College Ave., www.christensen-
heller.com 655-5952.
Oakland Bird Club
The public is invited to a free open meeting on Wednesday,
10/23 at 7:30pm. Jeff Robinson will give a slide presenta-
tion with bird calls on the Birds of Asia. Rockridge Branch
Library, 5366 College Ave. Info: 444-0355.
Volunteers Needed at Chabot
Space & Science Center
Chabot Elementary Fall Carnival
Sunday, Oct 26, 11am to 3pm. Enjoy delicious food,
games and activities for all ages; live music from local
bands; fire department visit; BIG surprises. Proceeds
benefit music, computer, art and garden programs and
other school improvements. Note new location: because
of renovations on Chabot campus, Carnival will be at
nearby Claremont Middle School, 5750 College Ave.
(across from Rockridge BART). Info: 879-1060 or www.
chabotelementary.org
Next Adult Volunteer Orientation Session: Saturday,
October 18, 10am - 12:30pm. You will complete a form,
noting your experience and skills, and receive a volunteer
handbook that will provide you with the history of the
center and details about the program, job duties and
benefits. Volunteer benefits include: free admission
to the Science Center, Planetarium and Megadome
Theater (like IMAX) shows. More info and to submit an
application: www.chabotspace.org/volunteer, or
contact Volunteer Manager Megan Gray, 336-7414 or
mgray@chabotspace.org.
Rockridge Halloween Parade
Put on your costumes and join the annual Rockridge
Halloween celebration on Sunday, Oct 26, from noon
to 2pm. Meet in front of the College Ave Presb. Church,
5951 College Ave. at 11:45am. Go trick-or-treating along
College Ave., listen to spooky stories and sing scary


16.

October 4, 2008

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
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6 5 5 - 2 3 3 0
ROCKRIDGE
R
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A
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Y
6 0 1 9  C O L L E G E  AV E N U E
30
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p 510.428.2600
www.aboutfaceandbody.net
sun-tues 10:30-5:30
wed-sat 10:30-8:00
KEVIN BROWN
Broker
654-8707 or 593-4780
PROVIDING

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 For Over 26 Years.
SPECIALIZING IN

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28
Better Homes
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5353 College Avenue
Oakland

New on the Market  :  In Rockridge
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terrykulka@att.net
http://www.terrykulka.com
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