Extracted text · highlighting “Bob Brokl”

www.rockridge.org

VOL. 24    NO. 1    ISSUE NO. 252    January 3, 2009  
 CIRCULATION: 5,100 Residences; 200 Businesses

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

!

BART Station Retrofit Underway
☛ RCPC Wants YOU
Q:	 Are you a Rockridge resident at least
18 years of age?
Q:	 Are you concerned about the future
of the Rockridge area?
Q:	 Would you like to help make Rockridge
even better than it is today?
If your answer to these three questions is “Yes,” we may
have a slot for you as a member of the Board of Directors
of the Rockridge Community Planning Council (RCPC).
RCPC represents Rockridge and its residents before the City
of Oakland and other government agencies. Board members
are elected each April by a vote of Rockridge residents. As
usual, there are six seats up for

Photo: Don Kinkead
RCPC Board, page 6
¤
¤
by Don Kinkead
District 3 BART Board Direc-
tor and Rockridge resident
Bob Franklin, above, points to the
beginnings of the Rockridge sta-
tion seismic retrofit construction
program. When the project is com-
pleted, the station and tracks will be
able to withstand a 7.5 magnitude
earthquake. Proceding in stages, the
retrofit work will first reinforce the
In My Opinion
Governor Calls for 4th
Bore CEQA Exemption
Rockridge Mitigation Efforts Trumped?
by Ann Smulka, chair, Fourth Bore Coalition
Governor Schwarzenegger has used the current state
budget crisis to add one more brick to the wall of
distrust between Californians and their government lead-
ers. He has told the Legislature that he’ll veto any budget
bill that doesn’t exempt the Caldecott Tunnel fourth bore
and other controversial infrastructure projects from review
under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
His excuse is that these
CEQA Exemption, page 10
¤
¤
BART Station, page 4
¤
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Thursday, January 15,
7:30 p.m.
Rockridge Branch Library,
5366 College Avenue at Manila,
Community Room (Upstairs)
RCPC Town Hall Meeting
AGENDA
January 2009
RDA Speaks Out About Rockridge Businesses
■
■
Are you curious about how
the economy is affecting local
Rockridge businesses, or want to
find out more about recent changes
in retail and commercial businesses
in Rockridge? Rockridge District
Association (RDA) representatives
Tiffany Copland and Chris Jackson
will each speak about these topics and
others, including safety and College
Avenue events.
Tiffany is RDA’s Executive Director
and is in charge of events, public rela-
tions, marketing board meetings and
Town Hall Agenda, page 4
¤
¤

2009 Rockridge Kitchen Tour: the Search Begins

Wanted
Land Use
Committee Members
Do urban planning and zoning issues
get your blood pumping? Does a large
project getting built without proper code
compliance trouble you? Do you want to
contribute to the character of Rockridge?
There could be a spot for you on the RCPC
Land Use Committee (LUC). See the LUC
report on page 3 for application details.

by Susan Montauk, Kitchen Tour co-chair
Rockridge is known for its many attrac-
tions including restaurants, shops, and
residential architecture. Among the many
businesses, specialty food and beverage
stores occupy a special place in residents’
and visitors’ hearts (and stomachs).
Having such shops close at hand has,
without doubt, led to broader styles of home
cooking in the area. To do the best job they
can, many residents have improved their
kitchens with updated layouts, new appli-
ances, and new ideas. The finished kitchens
tend to reflect fresh ways of thinking about
food and its preparation.
To celebrate these changes and to share
design and equipment solutions for those who
are planning their own changes – or who are
simply interested observers, RCPC initiated
its now regionally renowned Rockridge
Kitchen Tour. Showcasing local architects,
RCPC Kitchen Tour 2009, page 7
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2.

January 3, 2009

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.

12:30 – 8 p.m.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
12 – 5:30 p.m.
CLOSED
Sidewalks, Street Trees and Liability

by Bob Brokl
At the federal level, all the talk has been
about boosting infrastructure spending
to lift the economy. In Oakland, property
owners may be required to ante up the
stimulus out of their own pockets.
A recommendation from City Attorney
John Russo approved by the Public Works
Committee on December 16 could force
Oakland property owners to share liability
with the City for sidewalk injuries, unless
the accident was caused by sidewalk damage
from City-planted street trees.
Under a 1911 state law, private property
owners are responsible for the maintenance
of sidewalks abutting their property. Now the
City will require property owners to repair
their sidewalks, or face the prospect of the
City undertaking the repairs and putting a
lien on the property. This new program will
add money to the revolving sidewalk fund,
whereby the City repairs the sidewalks of
owners who don’t quickly make repairs
themselves and then collects liens.
According to the Public Works officials,
84% of the City’s sidewalks are considered
satisfactory, 16% are not. Seventeen % of
the damage is attributed to tree damage, and
70% of this damage is said to be caused by
official (approved) City trees.
Based upon the plan approved by the
committee and to be heard by the full
Council on January 20 (Inauguration Day),
sidewalks on residential streets will not be
repaired, except in special circumstances.
Public Works has decided to concentrate
for five years on repairing sidewalks on
commercial corridors where, they say, the
pedestrian traffic occurs. (Is it just a coin-
cidence that these are the corridors favored
for high-density condo projects that would
be serviced by the proposed Bus Rapid
Transit (BRT)?
Sixty-five per cent of the available money
will go to these corridors, 20% will be for
slip-and-fall complaints (after the fact?) and
15% will be for Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) complaints.
But not all stretches of the commercial
corridors have  much foot traffic, and some
sidewalks seem to be in a constant state of
repair; for example, the section of 51st Street
between Telegraph and Broadway.
The prioritization seems to come from
staff, but all the councilmembers on the
Public Works committee voted yes, or
abstained.
A court decision upholding San Jose’s
ordinance forcing private property owners
to share financial responsibility for slip-and-
fall injuries has encouraged Oakland to do
the same. City attorneys indicated liability
tied to street tree damage would be the City’s
responsibility in the event of litigation, but
allowed that any smart attorney would go
after the property owner and their insurance
company, as well as the City.
Councilmember Nancy Kernighan
acknowledged the many concerned calls and
e-mails she had received from citizens, many
not realizing sidewalk replacement was their
charge, and noted Russo’s own report showing
the City only paid out some $260,000/year
in liability claims, but voted yes.
Councilmember Henry Chang stated
that many Hills residents don’t realize “side-
walks” mean all the space including curbs,
right-of-ways, etc., between the street and
their property, but he voted in favor of the
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
Danica Truchlikova	������������Secretary
Joan Martin	��������������������������Treasurer
Jason Burke, Annette Floystrup, Jonathan Gabel,
William Kaufner, Don Kinkead, Colby Lavin,
Katy Taylor, Doug Patton, Ellen Peterson
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
Sidewalk Liability, page 12
¤
¤
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.
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Advertising rates are $26/column inch. Six-
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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.)
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3.
January 3, 2009

On the Way to a Citywide Zoning Update:
Mayor, City Council Take First Steps

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.
by Stuart Flashman, chair, RCPC
Land use is an important issue in
Rockridge, and the zoning ordinance
is usually the primary law controlling land
use. In Oakland, however, for the past 10
years that hasn’t been the case. Instead, both
neighborhoods and developers have had to
deal with unpredictable land use decisions
made by City staff and the Planning Com-
mission on a project-by-project basis. That,
however, may soon change.
The problem began in 1998 when Oak-
land adopted a new General Plan. If zoning
is a city’s land use law, the General Plan
is its constitution. Normally, with a new
General Plan would have come a revised
zoning ordinance. Unfortunately, that didn’t
fit with then-mayor Jerry Brown’s priorities.
Instead, he put the zoning update on the back
burner, and had the City Council pass an
“interim” ordinance allowing the staff and
Planning Commission to consider projects
based on whatever zoning they felt best fit
the General Plan’s broad outlines.
Now, Mayor Dellums and the City
Council are finally moving forward with
the long-overdue zoning revision, with
Assistant Planning Director Eric Angstadt
and planner Neil Grey in charge.
6013 Lawton Ave
Proposal: To construct a new 22' wide, 19' tall
entry structure for an existing church complex
located 1' from the front property line.
Contact: Peter Engel
Phone: 510/919-4333
Owner: Saint Peter’s Church
Planning Permits Required: • Design Review
in R-30 and S-4 zones for a new entry gate-
way structure to an existing church complex.
• Minor Variance to allow an entry gateway in
the required front setback area that exceeds
the maximum 10' height and width
Historic Status: Potential Designated Historic
Property; Secondary Importance; Survey Rating
“C3”
Case Planner: Ulla-Britt Jonsson, 510/238-3322
or ujonsson@oaklandnet.com
Citywide Zoning, page 6
¤
¤
The RCPC Land Use Committee meets the
fourth Wednesday of each month, 7 p.m.,
at the Rockridge Library.
Next meeting: Wednesday, January 28, 2009
an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). At
its December meeting, the RCPC board of
directors agreed and authorized a letter to
the City requesting preparation of an EIR
for the project.
Wanted: New Land Use
Committee Members
Owing to resignations of committee
members, the Land Use Commit-
tee (LUC) has openings for two new
members. Committee members must
live within the jurisdictional boundaries of
RCPC (see http://rockridge.org for a map of
RCPC boundaries). Members also need an
understanding of basic land use concepts
and an interest in preserving and enhanc-
ing Rockridge’s human-scale environment.
Mail your statement of interest to Chair,
RCPC Land Use Committee, 5245 College
Avenue, PMB 311, Oakland, CA 94618,
or via e-mail to chair@rockridge.org.
Deadline is January 30, 2009.
5867 Birch Court
Proposal: To legalize a 297 s.f. secondary unit
constructed above an existing detached garage,
located in the rear yard of a lot containing a
single-family dwelling. (The project converts a
legally conforming accessory structure into a
nonconforming residential structure)
Contact: Abron Yates, Jr., 510/482-1425
Owner: Eugenia Escobar
Case File Number: DV08-268
Planning Permits Required: Regular Design
Review to legalize a secondary unit
Minor Variances to legalize a structure contain-
ing habitable space with a rear yard of 3'-3"
where 15 feet is required and a right side yard
of 1'-8" where 5 feet is required
Zoning: R-35 Special Residential Zone
Environmental Determination: Exempt, Section
15301 of the State CEQA Guidelines
Historic Status: Potential Designated Historic
Property (PDHP)
City Contact: Ann M. Clevenger, Planner III,
510/238-6980 or aclevenger@oaklandnet.com
College Avenue Safeway
■
■
Rebuild (6310 College Avenue
at College and Claremont
Avenues)
After Safeway’s stunning November
announcement that it would not even consider
a new store of less than 50,000 square feet
(The Rockridge News, December 2008, p.
5), both the RCPC Land Use Committee
and the RCPC board decided that Safeway
needed to be told that a 50,000 square foot
store was unacceptable. (The store’s present
size is about 24,500 square feet.)
Still under discussion is what to tell
Safeway about its stakeholder process.
The RCPC board feels that if that process
were limited to dealing with a store of that
size, further RCPC participation would be
futile. However, a remodel or some other
less ambitious project might still provide a
useful focus for community discussion.
RCPC is in discussion with other com-
munity stakeholders about the direction to
go from here.
Project Updates by Stuart Flashman
Rockridge Montessori School
■
■
Expansion Project
(5616 Broadway)
The Rockridge Montessori School expan-
sion would increase the school’s potential
enrollment from 132 to approximately 187
children. After hearing from the school and
its neighbors at the November Town Hall
Meeting and via e-mail, the LUC decided
it was premature to take a position on the
expansion itself, but felt that the potential
for significant traffic, pedestrian safety, and
shadowing impacts required preparation of
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4.

January 3, 2009

Letters to the Editor
Town Hall Agenda
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.
from page 1
related administrative business. Chris, RDA’s
Operations Manager, handles streetscape
concerns and maintains security coverage.
The RDA serves as the advisory board for
Rockridge’s Business Improvement District
(BID), and is staffed by New City America,
Inc. It utilizes assessments paid by businesses
in the BID, and relies on volunteer work by
business owners to carry out many of its
activities.
Visit the organization’s Web site at http://
www.rockridgedistrict.com, then come to
the Town Hall meeting on Thursday, January
15, 7:30 p.m., for more information about
RDA’s work with merchants in the heart of
Oakland’s Rockridge District.
health-threatening organisms. The mission
of the department is “... to prevent human dis-
ease, injury, and discomfort to the Alameda
County population by controlling insects,
rodents, and other vectors ....”
Further information is available from the
district’s Web site at http://www.acvcsd.
org. District offices may also be contacted
by phone at 510/567-6800, or via e-mail at
ehvector1@acgov.org. The office address
is: Alameda County Vector Control Services
District, 1131 Harbor Bay Parkway, Suite
166, Alameda.
It will be important for you and your
neighbors to let Vector Control representa-
tives know how widespread the problem is so
that their response may be scaled appropri-
ately. A response to just a household or two
will not solve a widespread problem.
Thank you for your letter.
How can my neighborhood effectively
fight an increase in rodents?
Editor:
There has been a major increase in
rodents in our area. Part of this is due to
the fact that one of the houses on Ocean
View was occupied by a woman who was
very sick and stopped being able to go out
of the house or take her dog out, and the
rats basically took over. I have seen a lot of
rats on the street and running through the
yards. We have started fighting the problem
at our house by installing traps.
But this is, and should be, a neighborhood
issue. Individually it is not possible to take
care of the problem. We need cooperation
on this and so I am hoping that we might
let people know, through the paper, about
this issue and formulate a plan.
Please let me know how the paper might
address this issue.
— Ann Winterman
BART Station
from page 1
station’s stairways and escalators, and the
canopy over the train platform. Subsequent
work will reinforce every support column
for the overhead tracks.
“Ironically,” said Franklin, “the current
economic environment has enabled BART
to expand its seismic refit projects.” The
bids to retrofit the BART system have been
extremely competitive, coming in at half the
expected cost, he explained. “As a result,
BART is able to expand its seismic safety
program beyond its initial scope to additional
parts of the District. The additional retrofit
work will improve the survivability for an
expanded portion of the BART system,
including the Concord maintenance shop.
If a large earthquake were to hit, access to
an additional shop would help greatly in
servicing cars and facilities on the Pittsburg/
Bay Point line,” Franklin said.
Current project information is available
by phone at 510/874-7425, and at BART’s
construction information Web site: http://
www.bart.gov/about/projects/eqs.
Editor’s Reply:
Ms. Winterman, you and your neighbors
should contact  the Alameda County Vector
Control Services District. Funded from
property tax payments, the district is charged
with the control of a variety of potentially
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5.
January 3, 2009
a group of friends over to cook a meal
together. Many friends are forming cook-
ing clubs where they shop and prepare an
upscale meal together. Start in the morning
creating the menu and doing the shopping.
Prepare the meal in the afternoon. It is
best to work in pairs. The meal should be
a learning experience for everyone. Get
recipes from different books or from the
Internet. Use your best tableware.
Resolve to use new and exotic
spices and herbs in your cooking
Have you ever used nigella seeds, Aleppo
pepper, fenugreek, or sumac in your cook-
ing? The Field Guide to Herbs and Spices
identifies nearly 300 used throughout the
world. Rather than simply follow a recipe
when using new herbs or spices, it is best
to actually taste them before you add them
to the dish. Herbs and spices add nuanced
flavors to a dish; knowing what they taste
like on their own helps to balance the flavor.
A simple rule I learned in culinary school is
that less is more. Continually taste the food
as you are cooking, as many spices intensify
their flavor when exposed to heat.
Have a happy and healthy New Year.
Try this recipe when you’re serving
Indian cusine.
Date–Tamarind Chutney
1	 cup of pitted dates
½	 cup of tamarind pulp (available at
Yasai Market)
1	 teaspoon ground coriander
2	 tablespoons brown sugar
Salt to taste
Combine dates and tamarind pulp in
just enough cold water to cover. Soak
for 30 minutes. Blend the mixture, and
strain. Stir in coriander, brown sugar
and salt to taste.
Rock  ridge
Cornucopia
Cornucopia
Barry A. Kaufman
Culinary Resolutions
about 3 years old, and now my 5-year-old
granddaughter likes to cook and watch Ina
Garten, the Barefoot Contessa. There are
many wonderful children’s cookbooks avail-
able at Pendragon and Diesel bookstores on
College Avenue. Start with simple items like
applesauce or soups. Breakfast is a great meal
to cook with children: pancakes, waffles,
muffins and eggs are easy to prepare and
kids love to eat them.
Resolve to learn and cook a new
ethnic dish each month
There is a Web site for every type of
ethnic recipe. Shopping for the ingredients
and spices is half the fun. We are fortunate
in the East Bay to have so many ethnic
markets: Ranch 99 for Asian; Mi Pueblo
for Latin American; Korean markets on
Telegraph Avenue; Tokyo Fish Market on
San Pablo Avenue; two Persian markets on
Solano Avenue; and Milan International on
University Avenue for Indian spices. Try
cooking a lamb stew with dried Omani
lemons or preserved lemons found at Persian
and Middle Eastern markets.
Resolve to cook a spectacular
meal with a group of friends
I miss the ’60s potluck dinners or having
I
’ll exercise more — I’ll lose weight —
I’ll reduce stress in my life...  the annual

ritual of making New Year’s resolutions
is again upon us. I thought it would be fun to
consider some culinary New Year’s resolu-
tions.
Resolve to eat local and
seasonal produce
Chefs know that, in January, it is best
to use canned rather than fresh tomatoes.
Unless you are willing to pay a fortune,
tomatoes may look red, but they taste like
potatoes. Sure, you can get “fresh” berries
any time of the year, but if you’re baking
a pie in the winter, you’re better off with
frozen. Each season brings fruits and veg-
etables at their peak flavor. Best choices
for winter produce include: beets, parsnips
persimmons, pomegranates, turnips, apples
and winter squash.
Resolve to cook a meal with a child
My dad had me at the stove at about
3 years of age making poached eggs. I
started with my daughter when she was also
Rockridge
Located on Market Hall’s Lower Level
Entry on Shafter Avenue
510-655-8808
Find Out What Homes
in Your Neighborhood
are Selling for. Visit:
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Barry Kaufman is graduate of the California
Culinary Academy. Barry is available for cooking
classes. His email is kaufman42@earthlink.net
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6.

January 3, 2009

City Convenes a Public Economic Roundtable

RCPC Board
from page 1
lowing topics:
What are the key economic issues facing
■
■
Wednesday, January 14, 2009: 7 – 9pm
Oakland City Hall, Council Chambers
election. Board directors serve for a two-
year term (uncompensated) and are expected
to attend Board meetings (usually once a
month) and participate in RCPC committees
and other activities. RCPC is a tax-exempt,
nonprofit corporation.
If you are interested, send a short
statement of interest, including contact
information, to RCPC Board Elections, 5245
College Avenue, PMB 311, Oakland, CA
94618, or e-mail chair@rockridge.org.
Statements of interest must be received
no later than 5 p.m. Friday, February 13.
Questions may be addressed to the above
e-mail address, or by leaving a voicemail
message at 510/869-4200.
Councilmember Jane Brunner’s office has
announced a forum open to the public
that will address the current economic situ-
ation, how it affects Oakland and how the
City and the public might respond.
Convened by Mayor Ron Dellums, Coun-
cilmember Brunner and Assemblymember
Andre Swanson, the forum is entitled “A
Progressive Perspective on the Economic
Crisis.”
Dr. Steven Raphael of the UC School
of Public Policy and other speakers have
also been invited.
Forum speakers will consider the fol-
the City of Oakland and the State?
How will the recent bailouts affect urban
■
■
communities like Oakland?
What should be included in the new
■
■
Administration’s economic stimulus
package to address the needs of urban
communities?
How can we use the current crisis to
■
■
work towards creating a more equi-
table and sustainable economy in the
future?
For more information, contact Councilmember
Jane Brunner at 510/238-7001 or jbrunner@
oaklandnet.com.
providing buffering for high-impact
■
■
Citywide Zoning
uses
recognizing infrastructure (roadways,
■
■
from page 3
transit, water, sewer, etc.) limits in
setting development density
encouraging adaptive reuse of exist-
■
■
As a first step, Angstadt has set up two
technical advisory groups (TAGs), one for
residential and one for commercial areas.*
These panels, made up of representatives
from different Oakland constituencies
Oakland, have been charged with identify-
ing issues to be addressed in the update.
Thanks to our City Council member, Jane
Brunner, RCPC has representation on both
panels. RCPC Chair Stuart Flashman sits
on the commercial TAG, while Land Use
Committee member and former Planning
Commissioner Glen Jarvis is on the resi-
dential TAG.
Each group has now had one meeting.
The residential group’s first meeting was
largely devoted to a staff review of the
current zoning and issues that staff had
identified as needing review. The com-
mercial group’s first meeting included a
similar review, but also left considerable
time for TAG members to point up what
members felt were important issues.
Issues raised by TAG members included
the following (in no particular order):
the importance of thinking about
■
■
ing buildings
using transfer of development rights
■
■
to protect historic properties
allowing “flex” in the zoning for later
■
■
changes.
The next meeting of the TAGs will
probably be some time in the early spring,
though no specific date has yet been set.
Sign up for the RCPC e-news to make
sure you are kept up to date on develop-
ments. Go to RCPC’s Web site at http://
www.rockridge.org and click on the “Join
Email List” button. You will be asked only
for your e-mail address.
Open11am - 8pm Everyday
5418 College Ave. (510) 420-1928
*City staff has prepared two papers; one for resi-
dential and one for commercial issues. Both papers
are posted on the RCPC Web site at http://www.
rockridge.org. Select: Citywide zoning update.
Rockridge
    Optometry
Your neighborhood
family eyecare providers
since 1947
6
%
Dr. Donald Sarver
Dr. Larry Sarver
Dr. Scott Yokoi
Dr. Cindy Sakai
parking requirements and how they
affect development
using incentives to promote com-
■
■
munity benefits
setting height and density limits so
■
■
Since 1986
realtyadvocates.com
5321 College Avenue, Oakland
they take into account the increased
height and density that bonuses might
allow
(510) 428-0757
510-655-3797  Rockopt@yahoo.com


7.
January 3, 2009

Rockridge Real Estate Holds Steady

cess. And a 4.5% interest rate for 30-year
fixed-rate loans should become a reality
shortly. FHA loans requiring a mere 3%
down will be available for buyers whose
personal credit is excellent and whose job
situations are secure.
For those staying put and carrying loans
at 6.5% or higher, this is certainly the time
to consider refinancing. Check with your
existing lender if it has not already contacted
you about re-writing your loan at a lower
rate at no or minimal cost.
by Ortrun Niesar
The spectre of falling real estate values
and home sales nationwide has caused
sleepless nights for many during these past
two years. But the news is not all that bad
for Rockridge home owners, as our survey
of the past five years shows.
Statistics show that Rockridge, despite
overall negative regional reports for
Alameda County, remains a localized bright
spot that does not conform to national or
even regional real estate market profiles.
Sales of single-family homes did
decrease by about 20% in 2008. That was
to be expected; inventory was also consis-
tently below normal. But prices did not fall
appreciably. In fact, the best homes often
received several offers and were sold at
slightly over asking. The bottom line is:
the Rockridge housing market appears to
be holding steady, as do the Elmwood, the
Uplands, Claremont and the Berkeley Hills
markets among other East Bay areas.
This may be important to know for home­
owners who have received form letters in
the mail recently advising them that their
equity lines have been curtailed because
of serious devaluation of their homes in
the current market. If this has happened
to you, explore the validity of the claims
made by your lender. If you can rebut the
assumption of devaluation, by all means
do so. You may find that your bank will
reconsider.
Comparative Sales Analysis
Compare Rockridge sales price aver-
ages for detached single-family homes
over the last five years. Current prices are
approximately at 2005 levels. If you have
owned your home for five years or more
you are in good shape. Average price per
square foot, a good measure to use for a
quick thumbnail evaluation, came in at $593
for 2-bedroom homes, $517 for 3-bedroom
homes, and $454 for homes with four bed-
rooms or more. Remember, the larger the
home, the lower the price per square foot is
likely to be, since other factors such as lot
size will likely not change significantly. To
assure an accurate valuation of your home
for loan refinancing, an appraisal will be
necessary. Check with your lender.
Outlook for 2009
Will this be a good year to get back into
the real estate market? The answer may very
well be yes for both buyers and sellers. The
incentives are out there. But be aware of
several important factors. For one, while
the federal government is committed to
bringing interest rates down to the lowest
level since the late 1950s to reinvigorate the
real estate market, the banks are moving
cautiously, considerably tightening bor-
rower and property qualifications. You
will see borrowing standards that were
familiar in the early ’90s. Be prepared
to respond to questions about
gifted down payment money, and
expect serious employment and
earned-income scrutiny. Debt-
to-income ratios will have been
lowered. Further, the house you
have in mind may not qualify
for a loan if comparable sales
in the area cannot support the
asking price either because there
have been few recent sales in the
area or repossessed homes have
significantly skewed local home
values. Also, the thresholds for
conforming limited and jumbo
loans have been reset to $417,000
and $625,000 respectively as
of the beginning of 2009. That
dream Rockridge home may
thus still be out of your finan-
cial reach. On the other hand,
a substantial down-payment
could smooth your way to suc-
This analysis covers Rockridge homes sales from
the Berkeley border in the north, south to Broadway
Terrace and 51st Street, west to Telegraph and east
to Highway 13. Information supplied by EBRD
2008 is deemed to be reliable but not guaranteed.
Ortrun Niesar is a Realtor with Prudential Cali-
fornia: ortrun.niesar@prurealty.com.
RCPC Kitchen
Tour 2009
from page 1
innovative and classic appliances, and a
variey of new kitchen styles, the tour draws
visitors from throughout the Bay Area.
This September heralds the eighth bien-
nial kitchen tour since the first was held
in 1995. Once again, the tour will proudly
feature nine newly-renovated or remodeled
Rockridge home kitchens.
Past tours have featured exquisite kitch-
ens of all sizes and budgets, from bungalow
style to contemporary, and beyond.
If you have or can recommend a “new”
or “classic” kitchen, the RCPC invites you to
submit it now for consideration for the Sep-
tember 2009 Rockridge Kitchen Tour.
For more information, contact us at
kitchentour@rockridge.org, or call RCPC
at 510/869-4200, attention Kitchen Tour.
Average Sale Prices by Number of Bedrooms
Number
of
Homes
Year
2BR
3BR
4+BR
Sold
2005
$ 802,513
$ 956,722
$ 1,466,920
124
2006
760,782
962,488
1,498,687
112
2007
780,268
986,895
1,330,031
127
2008
757,011
921,476
1,329,080
98
Comparing Rockridge Home Sale
Prices 2002-2008
Norman H. Burg, DDS
Year
Average
Price
%
Change
Median
Price
%
Change
2002
$ 770,604
$ 691,500
2003
847,637
9.9
750,000
8.5
General Dentistry
(510) 652-1517
5700 Broadway, Oakland
2004
902,000
6.4
805,000
7.3
2005
1,032,139
14.4
930,500
15.6
2006
1,111,317
7. 6
903,500
- 3.0
2007
1,106,186
- 1.0
1,000,000
10.3
A Prevention Oriented Practice
2008
1,029,153
- 7.0
905,000
- 9.5


8.

January 3, 2009
When Words Collide:
Communicating
with Your Pet
“I say it’s kibble and I say
the hell with it.”
by Janet Somers with Fluffy the Cat
Do you wish your pet could talk? Appar-
ently, many people think theirs can.
A poll recently released by the Associ-
ated Press and Petside.com found that a
majority of people with companion animals
think they and the creatures understand
each other’s lingo.
Not surprisingly, residents of Rockridge
and its environs are no exception.
“I can tell just from the look on his face
exactly what he wants, or by the speed of his
tail,” Temescal resident Leigh Poindexter
says about her poodle.
Eighteen-year-old Nora Daly also claims
to have good communication with her fam-
ily’s five cats, and even offers a key to their
vocabulary.
“The meows tend to be happy, sad, or
worried,” she says. “The happy meow is
short but it uplifts at the end – it starts low
and then goes to a higher pitch. But the sad
meow is really drawn out -- it starts out high
and then it drops, almost like it’s begging.
The worried meow, it’s usually even longer
than the sad meow, but it’s high-pitched
and it stays high pitched.” Daly, a senior at
Oakland Tech, explains that each cat has his
or her own variations on this scheme.
She believes cats communicate with their
humans better than dogs. “Dogs only really
respond to ‘happy’ or ‘mad,’ sort of a ‘good
boy,’ ‘bad boy’ situation,” she says. “Cats
don’t take direct commands, but I think they
understand what we mean better. They’re
complex, more so than dogs.”
But Larry Rothe, a veterinarian who
lives in Rockridge, says he speaks directly
more to his canine than to his feline patients.
“I talk directly to the cats less than to the
dogs,” he says. “I’ll say [to a dog], ‘I’m just
gonna put you on the table,’ or ‘I’m just
gonna look in your ear.’ But the cats know
what’s going on. They intuit things.”
In that vein, Rothe gives credence to the
intuitive talents of animal psychics. “On
the animal psychic stuff, I believe it, but I
don’t do it,” he says. “I believe pets are as
smart as we are in many ways. If they burn
their finger once, they don’t go near the fire

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Sarah Jackson has good communication
with her cat Seamus.
Photo: Janet Somers
again. They have the same emotions as we
do – fear, love, grief. You see it on a dog[’s
face] more than on a cat. You don’t see it
on a rabbit.”
In keeping with the poll, which found
that fewer men than women say they under-
stand their pets’ language, JB Brantome
thinks this whole animal communication
business is hogwash. “Communication?”
he says. “You mean like when I scream,
‘No, down, bad kitty’?”
Brantome is a cardiovascular intervention
specialist who lives in Rockridge with his
girlfriend, environmental researcher Sarah
Jackson, and the couple’s two cats. The way
Jackson tells it, she and one of the cats,
Seamus, understand each other perfectly.
And if Seamus chooses to ignore her, that’s
just his feline prerogative.
“He understands a lot but he chooses what
to do and what not to do,” she says.
But Brantome holds a different view.
“Seamus, when he wants something, he will
annoy you,” he says. “He’ll jump up on the
countertop or on top of the fireplace and he’ll
start making noise, knocking something over
that he knows will make a lot of noise. Like
early in the morning, if he wants to be fed,
he’ll walk across the computer keyboard.
He knows you’re looking at it.
“He’s like, ‘You gonna feed me now?
No? OK,’ and he’ll tip over the coffee mug
or the jar of pencils. ‘What about now?’ It
works, too. Eventually I have to give in.
“Sarah’s sense is that’s just what cats
do. She’s in complete denial. The cat has
us completely trained.”
Me. I’ve been an Allstate Agent for 10
years. And riding bikes for 17. That means
I can talk all day about insurance features
and discounted rates, but I’d just as soon
talk about a new route you’ve found.
Let’s talk today.
Susan Bernosky, LUTCF
(510) 450 9050
5940 College Ave, #A
Oakland
susanbernosky@allstate.com
The Cupped Hands logo is a registered service mark of Allstate Insurance
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9.
January 3, 2009

The StairWAYs of Rockridge
Enduring Gifts from the Past

walkable routes to shopping areas.
I once took a Claremont Middle School
hiking club on an urban hike that started
at the Rockridge Gates on Broadway, went
up Rockridge Boulevard to the Prospect
Steps and West Lane, then along Alpine
to Locarno Path. We returned via Ocean
View Avenue and Margarido Drive, bounc-
ing down Ridgeview Path to return to
Rockridge Boulevard.
The students and their teacher-sponsor
were exhausted but happy to learn that
urban hikes could be not only physically
demanding but also visually stimulating.
In fact, I would challenge any fit person to
take this route and not realize aerobic gains.
It is an outdoor gym that is heart-healthy
and fun in any weather.
To learn more about the paths and
bicycle routes – including street grades
– of Oakland, look for the excellent Walk
Oakland Map & Guide available at local
bookstores. There is a companion map,
Berkeley’s Pathways Map, that you can
also find in Berkeley bookshops.
Want more? Delve into Hidden Walks in
the East Bay and Marin: Pathways, Essays,
and Yesterdays by Stephen Altschuler (Great
West Books, 2001).
by Bill Kaufner
East of Upper Broadway, there are
public paths and stairways built
long ago and given romantic names
(Verona Path), visually descriptive
names (Ridgeview Path, Buena Vista) and
mystifying names (Gando Path, Ratondo
Path). Leading ever upward from flatter
land, the paths link streets and, as one
climbs higher, provide fabulous views of the
bridges, the Bay, and the hills. All together,
there are 16 or more paths and stairways
meandering through Upper Rockridge.
Most are in good condition, although a few
require the walker/stair climber to mind
winter debris and loose handrails. The
good news is these paths and stairways
provide the intrepid roamer with a myriad
of architectural styles and landscape designs
to ponder, not to mention the health benefits
of vertical aerobic activity.
The earliest stairs were originally built
to serve the rapidly expanding “trolley car
suburb” that was Rockridge in the years
after the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake.
They were an integral part of the streetcar
suburbs at a time when the car was not the
main factor in urban design, according to
Eric Uddenberg, an Oakland Public Works
project manager who designed a set of rebuilt
stairs in the Glenview District. Most stairs
On Prospect Steps off Rockridge
Boulevard. (Buster the Dog checks
to confirm he is not alone in the
wilderness.)
Photo: Don Kinkead
were built during the 1920s and 1930s.
Public stairways in hilly Bay Area
neighborhoods were also created by devel-
opers as shortcuts that pedestrians could
take to avoid the long switchback roads
built to the grade of the hillsides. Stairs
also linked neighborhoods and provided
Bill Kaufner is a retired Claremont Middle School
administrator and RCPC boardmember.


10.

January 3, 2009

CEQA Exemption
Project’s EIR Disregarded
Rockridge Schools
The issue with the Caldecott Improve-
ment Project is not whether a fourth bore
should be built, but to acknowledge and
mitigate the project’s impacts on nearby
schools, residents, and the natural environ-
ment. Caltrans’ environmental impact report
(EIR) for the project closed its eyes to the
project’s impacts.
The EIR, in promoting the project’s traf-
fic benefits, considered traffic operations
over the entire length of the Highway 24
corridor. Yet, at the same time, Caltrans
refused to include in the EIR’s analysis
the impacts on schools and other sensitive
receptors immediately adjacent to Highway
24, claiming they were too far from the
actual construction. Claremont Middle
and Anthony Chabot Elementary Schools,
as well as other local schools and parks,
are already subjected to hazardous air and
noise pollution impacts from the highway,
impacts that will be made even worse by this
project. Excluding the noise and air-quality
impacts of project-generated traffic on these
schools, as well as on thousands of other
nearby residents, is unconscionable.
A governor who is allegedly passionate
about helping kids and who claims a leader-
ship role in creating a greener environment
should not be offering Caltrans a blank check
“...exempting these huge
projects from environ-
mental review would be
penny wise and pound
foolish.”
from page 1
projects need to move forward quickly.
“We’ve got to act on behalf of the people,”
he said, adding further, “and what we have
to do is, we have to create jobs as quickly
as possible, stimulate the economy.” But
exempting these huge projects from envi-
ronmental review would be penny wise and
pound foolish.
The Caldecott Tunnel Fourth Bore
project is a prime example of what’s wrong
with this approach. It is precisely because
Caltrans failed to address the impacts this
project will have on the communities and
environment along the Highway 24 corri-
dor that the Caldecott Tunnel Fourth Bore
Coalition (FBC) filed a legal challenge under
CEQA. The Governor wants a complete
CEQA exemption for this and other major
construction projects, with no attempt to
address the environmental damage that
would result.
Using the budget crisis to eliminate
environmental safeguards is tantamount
to extortion. It also ignores the benefits
CEQA has provided in the past; for example,
replacing Caltrans’ damaging proposal for
a Devil’s Slide bypass on Highway 1 by
what everyone now agrees is a far better
tunneling project.
to do the damage and not the repair.
The Governor also ignores the fact that
measures to mitigate project impacts will
also involve construction and, indeed, will
increase the number of jobs the project will
generate. If the Governor is truly interested
in effective economic stimulus, he should
include mitigating the adverse impacts of the
project on the health and safety of children,
pedestrians, bicyclists, and residents along
the corridor.
Exempting the fourth bore from CEQA
means the project will be built with total
disregard for its environmental costs. Indeed,
the Governor’s blanket CEQA exemption
may even eliminate the token mitigation
Caltrans had agreed to in order to obtain
the City of Oakland’s non-opposition to
the project.
If our Governor truly believes in pro-
tecting and improving the environment,
he needs to retract this unconscionable
exemption proposal and restore our trust in
his leadership. If the voters cannot trust the
State government here, what are we voters to
think when the Governor asks our support
for other potentially damaging projects like
a peripheral canal or a new dam?
We must keep our environmental protec-
tions in place and build wisely, not rashly.
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11.
January 3, 2009

The Brow Lounge
by Cloud Nine
5916 College
510/428-9888
Eyebrow and facial waxing, threading,
lash tinting and extensions
Marilyn Jaeger
Skincare Studio
5257 College Avenue
510-985-8359
Skin care, facials, massage,
waxing, and brows
http://www.marilynjaegerskincare.com
New
I2 (I Squared) Restaurant
5403 College Avenue
(next to Hudson Bay Caffe)
Owners: Sadri Madjlessi and
Tanya Anderson
Iranian and Italian Cuisine
Monday – Saturday: lunch 10:30am –
2:00pm, dinner 5:00pm – 10:30pm
Sunday: lunch only, 10:30am – 2:00pm
Rikyu Japanese Restaurant
5335 College Avenue
Tuesday – Saturday
11:30am – 2:30pm for lunch &
5:30 – 9:30pm for dinner
Sunday 5:00pm – 9:00pm for dinner
Closed Mondays
Sushi bar and Japanese cuisine
Bellies and Babies
5501 College Avenue
Maternity, baby and gifts
belliesnbabiesrock@yahoo.com
In Rockridge, There’s Only One #1
Find Out Why!
Homes SOLD in 2008 by Ron Kriss
List Price $749,000
Sale Price $725,000
www.371Hudson.com
SOLD
List Price $1,095,000
Sale Price $1,065,000
www.6120Hillegass.com
SOLD
List Price $1,375,000
Sale Price $1,402,000
 www.5839Ross.com
SOLD
List Price $799,000
Sale Price $929,600
 www.5333James.com
SOLD
List Price $799,000
Sale Price $875,000
www.5243Locksley.com
SOLD
List Price $1,295,000
Sale Price $1,510,000
www.6468Benvenue.com
SOLD
List Price $875,000
Sale Price $862,500
 www.5133Coronado.com
SOLD
List Price $949,000
Sale Price $900,000
www.365-61st.com
SOLD
List Price $879,000
Sale Price $971,000
www.5315James.com
SOLD
L A W T O N
Ron Kriss, Broker     Lawton Associates
510-547-5970 Ext. 55     ronkriss@jps.net
A S S O C I A T E S
R E A L   E S T A T E
B R O K E R A G E

Vie Vie Boutique
5831 College Avenue
510/547-8780
Monday – Saturday 11:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday 11:00am – 5:00pm
Water Lounge
5634 College Avenue
510/654-5426
Cocktails, raw bar and small plates
Tuesday – Thursday 5:30pm – 11:00pm,
Friday – Sunday 5:30pm – 1:00am
www.waterlounge.com
Closing/Closed
Cotton and Company
5901 College Avenue
http://www.cottonandcompany.com/
Twenty Two Shoes
5856 College Avenue
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.

January 3, 2009

from page 2
Always Room For
One More Story
Time at the Library

children from about 3 to 7 as well as par-
ents and caretakers. Toddler is designed
for children who toddle around and up to
2 years or so. The program is laced with
lots of songs to sing at home and stretches
too. The books and activities for Preschool
story time are chosen for children from 2-½
through 5 years.
We have always felt we needed another
toddler story time, and now we have an
opportunity to provide it. Our children’s
area is jammed with small energetic par-
ticipants for the preschool story time, and
we have noticed an increase in nannies and
parents with children from birth to a little
under 2. We know that these small patrons
would be better served by a story-time that
reflects their interests and ages. The good
news is we can provide that service begin-
ning in January.
On the first and third Wednesdays we
will present both a preschool and a toddler
story time, and both will begin at 10:30 and
conclude at 11. The preschool session will
continue to be in the children’s picture book
area. The toddler story time will be upstairs
in the community meeting room where tiny
ones can toddle around as necessary and
caretakers will have plenty of room too.
Good news, isn’t it? We think so and
we hope you will pass it along to folks who
might like to attend.
Sidewalk Liability
proposal anyway.
Councilmember Nancy Nadel was the
most reluctant to send the matter to Council
before more citizen outreach, and abstained.
Councilmember Desley Brooks pushed
hard to have the matter sent to Council. She
asked Dan Gallagher, Tree Supervisor in
Public Works, to verify the City did indeed
have records of most street trees planted.
He said they were on 3x5 notecards at the
7101 Edgewater Service Center. Gallagher
said anyone could make an appointment to
look at the files. His phone is 510/615-5856,
e-mail is dgallagher@oaklandnet.com.
So, if you have a sidewalk problem, you
may be forced to fix it, or have the City do
it and put a lien on your property. If you
have sidewalk damaged by an official tree,
you’ll likely wait years for repairs.
Currently the City is committed to
repairing street tree-damaged sidewalks
three times, then it’s your problem. We’ll
worry in 300 or so years. And why not call
and e-mail the Councilmembers about the
scheduling conflict with Inauguration Day
and suggest they change the date?
by Gay Ducey, Children’s Librarian,
Rockridge Branch Library
Story Time is the place that children,
books and an adult ready to cut up make
a transitory community for about a half an
hour. A lot happens there. The adult reads
wonderful books tailor-made for the audi-
ence, the children see an adult who enjoys,
really enjoys reading and kids. The books
are punctuated with songs, stretches and that
activity peculiar to story times: the so-called
finger play. You know…Thumbkin and the
Intsy Weentsy Spider and such-like.
In the course of the programs, children
see and hear literature, as well as absorb
rhyme, rhythm and chant in activities. It is
joyful and fun, but it is fun with intent. We
strive to infuse young minds with language
and image, the better to enrich them and
to pave the way for the reading to come.
But the first goal is to give children the
opportunity to enjoy themselves, to see
books as a pleasure.
We are fortunate at Rockridge to have
three sorts of story times: Toddler, Preschool
and Pajama. The first two are, well, for
those age groups, and the third welcomes
Bob Brokl has lived in the Temescal District for 36
years and takes a great interest in civic affairs.
Mary Smyer, M.A.
Psychotherapy
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FINANCIAL STRATEGY DO THE SAME?
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HALLIE HART, CFP®, FINANCIAL ADVISOR
510-208-3823
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1111 BROADWAY, 22ND FLOOR
OAKLAND, CA 94607
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6536 Telegraph Ave., Oakland
510•915•5046
Sliding Scale $100-$65 - Initial Meeting $45
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.
Registered Marriage & Family Intern # 55361
Supervised by Mary Owen, MFT #14190
Real Estate in the New Market
WINSTON’S PLUMBING
HEATING & ELECTRICAL
Selling and Buying in the New Market at:
lic.# 537739/554406
Since 1979
• Trenchless Sewers
www.JLAhomes.com
• Earthquake Protection
Reo Specialist at:
• Tankless Water Heaters
www.REOs-BestDeals.com
1-800-805-8827
• Remodel & Repair
510-652-8014
www.winstonsplumbing.com
Jeff Auen
Remax Accord
“”May your toilet never runneth over!”


January 3, 2009

13.

To Bike or Not to Bike?

In Oakland’s Mediterranean Climate, Almost Any Day is a
Good Day to Bike. Besides, Spring is Just Around the Corner

by Bill Kaufner
Are you seeing more bicycles on the
streets these days? As a result of
increased fuel costs, many Californians
are bringing old bikes out of the garage
or purchasing new ones. Regardless of
the fluctuations in gasoline prices, many
other folks have decided to abandon the
automobile and really go green. Nationwide,
bicycle shops are seeing a 52% increase in
sales and service.
A number of people are also taking up
cycling for the health benefits it can pro-
vide. Many communities are working to
provide better and safer bicycle routes for
riders and legislation that can fund these
improvements. Yet, taking the plunge and
becoming a bike commuter or even a casual
rider can be daunting.
Of primary concern is the simple act of
riding a bicycle in an environment shaped
and designed for automobiles. There are also
issues of theft, weather, and arriving at one’s
destination in need of a shower. Many bike
commuters have overcome these hindrances
through the use of helmets, lights, fenders,
locks, storage lockers, and rain gear. Pro-
gressive employers have installed showers
and given financial incentives for green
commuting. Recent federal transportation
legislation provides for companies to rebate
$20 per month to their bicycle-commuting
employees.
To create greater separation of bicycles
and automobiles, Oakland has marked cer-
tain streets as bicycle routes. A popular route
through Rockridge to central and downtown
Oakland begins in Berkeley on Hillegass
Avenue and connects through Colby and
Forest to Shafter, thence to West MacAr-
thur followed by a short jog onto Webster
and through Pill Hill to exit on
Broadway at 27th Street.
For recreational cycling there
are the Ohlone bicycle path through
Berkeley to Albany and the fabulous
Bay Trail that starts in Emeryville
and ends at Marina Bay in Rich-
mond.
Committed road bike riders
often pedal along Upper Broadway
past Lake Temescal and over the
Caldecott Bridge to Old Tunnel
Road, which ends at the top of
the Oakland Hills. On weekends,
you will be in the company of hundreds of
cyclists on this route.
A non-comprehensive listing of local
bike shops to help you and your family get
started includes: Hank & Frank, 6030 Col-
lege Avenue; The Bent Spoke, 6124 Telegraph
Avenue; Left Coast Cyclery, 2298 Domingo
Avenue at Ashby in Berkeley; and Montano
Velo, 4266 Piedmont Avenue.
If you want to save money, reduce your
carbon footprint, and get fit, start cycling.
But start with a helmet and a well-equipped
bicycle that is the right size for you. Start
small, perhaps riding on bicycle paths first.
As your skills improve, ride on quiet streets
before moving into the mainstream. A world
of cycling opportunities awaits.
Bill Kaufner is a retired Claremont Middle School
administrator and RCPC boardmember.
Already own a
bike or two but
been neglectful?
Spring is on the
way. Start your
tuneup now,
or drop by
your friendly
bicycle store
for support.
Photo: Don
Kinkead
Bicycling Support and Information
• Hands-on Bicycle Classes: Sundays,
January 11 & 25; 10 am-11 am. Learn how
to maintain your bike. Bring your bike and
tools. We'll provide the expert guidance.
REI Berkeley Bike Shop 510/527-4140. Free;
Registration not required
• East Bay Bicycle Coalition: Promoting
bicycling as an everyday means of transporta-
tion and recreation since 1972
http://www.ebbc.org/
Bicycling maps: http://www.ebbc.org/maps/
map.html
Feel like
a kid again...
Rockridge Winter Sales
Address
Bed/Bath
List Price
Sale Price
DOM
Orig Price
	356 Alcatraz Ave
2/1
$629,000
$633,000
10
$629,000
	5532 Manila Ave
3/1
$725,000
$725,000
64
$795,000
	5835 Virmar Ave
3/1
$829,000
$810,000
31
$829,000
	5972 Chabolyn Terr
3/3
$915,000
$900,000
50
$985,000
	6120 Hillegass Ave
3/2
$1,095,000
$1,065,000
13
$1,095,000
• December of 2008 yielded over two times as many closings as December of 2007.
• Surprisingly houses in Rockridge stayed on the market less than half as long this year,
than last year.  • Although we are seeing more & more price reductions, & sooner, in today's
market.  • Only 20% of properties Listed in Rockridge, Sold for OVER asking price, in
comparison to 50% last year.  • The supply of inventory in Rockridge is steady.
Group Classes
Cardio & Weights
Personal Training
Child Care
4444 PIEDMONT AVE, OAKLAND (510) 655-8308
WWW.INSIDEOUTSIDEFITNESS.COM


14.

January 3, 2009

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.
Jazz and Classical
Piano Lessons
Jazz and classical piano lessons from Rockridge
jazz pianist with B.A. in music from U.C.
Berkeley, 15 years experience teaching and
performing. Reasonable rates, patient, dedi-
cated. All ages welcome. Janet 653-6783.
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. February deadline is January 22.
For information: e-mail smontauk@gmail.com
Non-Toxic House Cleaning
Lotus Cleaning Services provides excellent
service while protecting your health and the
planet. Licensed, bonded and insured. Experi-
enced, reliable cleaners. Great for households
with allergies, asthma, small children. Rea-
sonable rates. 510/452-0755, lotusclean@
comcast.net.
Top-Notch Math Tutoring
Middle, high, home-school, college.Help with
classes, enrichment for advanced students.
Clear interactive communication, 60-minute
hours. Over twenty years’ experience. Edu-
cation: M.I.T. (S.B.), U.C. Berkeley (Ph.D.).
Please contact Dan, TNTutor@earthlink.net
or 510/420-8948.
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.
Psychotherapy for Older
Women/Grandmothers
Brief or long-term therapy for women wanting
a better relationship with their adult children/
grandchildren. Older, 25+ years experience,
interactive psychotherapy. Convenient loca-
tion in Rockridge. Maggie Rochlin, LCSW.
510/845-6556.
Kindergym Playdays for
Under 3s
Come join us for climbing, sliding, ball pits,
fire engines, rocking horses, parachute, songs,
stories, bubbles and more. Dawn at 547-7726.
www.tbaoakland.org/kindergym ALL families
welcome!
Home Repairs
Carpentry, electrical, kitchen, bath, decks, fences,
drainage, tile, windows, walls, dry rot, termite
damage. Lic#458473. Don 510/812-0310.
Quality Gardening
Skilled monthly or bimonthly maintenance,
aesthetic pruning, planning, design, irrigation,
consultations, ecological practices. 15 years of
horticultural experience in the East Bay. Local
references. Green’s Gardens, 510/593-3490.
Driver for Hire
Need to go shopping, to the airport or visit
the doctor? For reliable, courteous service,
call 510/841-2891. Your car or mine. Refer-
ences available.
Gardener
Over 15 years of service to the Rockridge
area. Maintenance and garden restoration.
Reasonable rates and excellent references.
Please call Chris: 510/655-0157.
Help with your PC or Mac
College student can help you in your home.
Affordable rates. Experienced & patient. Routine
scans/maintenance $35/hr. Internet applications
training, repairs & upgrades $25/hr. Call Tony,
653-1079. Rockridge only.
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.
Patios, Decks, Fences, Paint-
ing /Custom Artistic Tiling
I build outdoor amenities and have 20 years
experience with lots of Rockridge references.
www.Diegodesigns.com. Call Diego: 510/828-
9473. “We listen to your dreams.”
V & V Trim & Flooring
Update your home with Crown Moulding and
baseboard. We specialize in finished carpentry,
wood, laminate, bamboo or tile floors. Ask
about our special offer. Licensed & Bonded.
510/366-5253.
TaiChi and Qigong Classes
in Rockridge
Thursdays, 10 am and Saturdays, 9 am. Start the
New Year with this gentle practice to cultivate
chi, improve breathing, relieve stress, integrate
mind and body. Please visit harmonytaiji@
yahoo.com or phone 415/786-2469.
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.
Spiritual Journey
Join us on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje and the
shrine of Our Lady of Peace, International
Youth Festival (all ages), July-August, 2009.
Visit www.MyUITour.com or call 866/984-8687.
CST: 2070359-40.
RockridgeResidents.Org
We’re a non-profit, no-ad based website
intended to increase the sense of community
between Rockridge Residents. Connect with
neighbors on the Online Forums. Read resident-
submitted articles, review local businesses. Visit
www.rockridgeresidents.org today!
Psychotherapy for Women
Relational Depth Therapy with older,
experienced, interactive, kind psycho-
therapist. Women of all ethnicities and
sexualities welcomed. Maggie Rochlin, LCSW.
510/845-6556.
Based here in Rockridge,
we specialize in:
INTERIOR-EXTERIOR LEAD
CERTIFIED PAINTERS
Professional preparation. Many local
references. All work Guaranteed
(510) 654-3339
Architectural remodels/additions
Gardens/outdoor spaces
New construction
www.AboutInsideOut.com     510.655.7674


15.
January 3, 2009

An Evening with the Peace Corps

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.

Compiled by Jo Ellis

It’s never too late to serve. Volunteers work in 74 countries
in education, health, business, environment and more.
No upper age limit to join. Information session: Tues.,
1/27, 6 to 7:30pm, Rockridge Library, 5366 College
Ave. More info: Nick Bosustow, 452-8444, nbosustow@
peacecorps.gov, or www.peacecorps.gov.

Community Calendar

Roundtable Discussion
(1/17), 1 to 5pm. 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.
Lawyers in the Library: Free legal advice
■
■
. First
Tuesday each month from 6 to 8pm. Advance sign-up
starts 5pm. More info: 597-5017.
ART EXHIBITS
Gallery: Jan.: Michael Che: Impressionistic landscapes
and animals.
Feb.: Katie Koretzer: Oil and watercolor.
Lobby Display Case:
Jan.: “Season of Non-Violence” display.
Feb.: Leila Warhoftig: prints and handmade
paper objects.
LIBRARY HOURS:
Mon. and Tues, 12:30 to 8pm.
Wed., Thurs. and Sat. 10am to 5:30pm.
Fri., 12 to 5:30pm. Closed Sundays and Monday, 1/19.
Gala Inaugural Ball
“A Progressive Perspective on the Economic Crisis”
featuring, Mayor Dellums, Councilmember Jane
Brunner, Assemblymember Swanson, Dr. Steven
Raphael from UCB School of Public Policy and others.
Topics include key economic issues facing Oakland and
the State; bailouts; a new stimulus package. Wednesday,
1/14, 7 to 9pm. Oakland City Hall, City Council Cham-
bers. More info: Jane Brunner, 238-7001 or jbrunner@
oaklandnet.com.
Celebrate with Obama Campaign volunteers and
supporters. Live music, hors d’oeuvres, no-host bar,
Inaugural highlights on screen. Cocktail attire, please.
Tuesday, 1/20, 7:30 to 11pm. Advance tickets $35 at
www.brownpapertickets.com/event/51898; order online
no later than 1/13 for mail delivery. After 1/13, available
tickets $45 at the door. Sorry, no babies or children
under 16. Montclair Women’s Cultural Arts Club, 1650
Mountain Blvd. Valet parking. Info: vickyfriedman@
yahoo.com.
N’hood Crime Prevention Council (NCPC)
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, 7-8:30pm.
Rockridge Library, upstairs meeting room, 5366 College
Ave. info@rockridgencpc.com or infofordenise@
yahoo.com.
Wisteria Ways Concert Series
Harpist Diana Rowan, joined by other musicians and
vocalists. Music inspired by Eastern European, Middle
Eastern and Western classical traditions. Philip Gelb will
open with a short set of traditional and modern music for
shakuhachi. Sunday, 1/18, 3pm. House opens 2:30pm.
$15-20 suggested donation for musicians (cash please at
the door). 383 61st Street (inside venue, not wheelchair
accessible). For reservations (highly recommended),
RSVP to info@WisteriaWays.org or 655-2771.
Rockridge Branch Library
5366 College Avenue, 597-5017
FOR CHILDREN:
Toddler Story Time: Every Saturday, 10:30am.
■
■
NOTE: New additional Toddler Story Time on the
1st and 3rd Wednesday, 10:30am in the upstairs
Community Meeting Room (same days and times
as pre-school Story Time).
Pre-School Story Time
■
■
: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays,
10:30am.
Pajama Story Time
■
■
: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 7pm (see
special event on 2/10).
SPECIAL EVENTS FOR CHILDREN:
Annual Valentine Making Workshop
yy
: bring colorful
paper scraps and list of “loved ones.” We also provide
paper and envelopes. All ages welcome – if under 8,
please bring an adult. Friday, 2/6, 3:30 to 5pm.
Celebrate Black History Month
yy
: (and in anticipa-
tion of the City-wide “Big Read”) James Henry of
Drummm! presents a musical history of percussion
in African and African-American cultures. All ages
welcome. Tuesday, 2/10, 7pm.
FOR TEENS:
Rockridge Ninjas (Anime Club): Teens 13 and
■
■
Diesel Book/Poetry Readings/Events
All events are FREE and open to the public.
Tuesday, 1/6, 7pm: Paul Miller (aka DJ Spooky):
Sound Unbound: Sampling Digital Music and Culture
with CD.
Sunday, 1/11, 3pm: media and intellectual property atty.
Joshua Kolton and journalist Josh Wilson will conduct
a discussion on the First Amendment and its effects on
and relationship between society and the media.
Thursday, 1/22, 7pm: Susie Bright: X: The Erotic
Treasury.
Sunday, 1/25, 3pm: Poetry Flash with John Isles:
Inverse Sky.
Thursday, 1/29, 7pm: Peter Phillips and Mickey
Huff: Censored 2009: The Top 25 Censored Stories
of 2007-08.
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.
Jazz at the Chimes
Featuring vocalist Ellen Robinson, joined by Murray
Low on piano, Sam Bevan on bass, Bud Spangler, drums
and Kristen Strom on saxophone. Sunday, 1/18, 2pm,
followed by artist’s reception and refreshments. Tickets:
$10-$15 for concert and reception. 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. Free parking. More info
at 228-3218 or www.lifemarkgroup.com/oakland/
special_events.asp.
Singers Wanted
The Distaff Singers, the Bay Area’s longest-running
women’s choral group, is seeking new members. No
auditions necessary, just the ability to match pitch.
Practice Tuesdays, 7:15 to 9:15pm at St. Theresa Church
on Clarewood Ave. A benefit concert in the fall supports
local K-12 music programs. Info: Carola Ingram, 547-1191
or www.distaffsingers.org.
up, watch and talk about anime (Japanese anima-
tion) with other teens. Second Tuesday each month
(1/13), 5 to 6:30pm in upstairs meeting rm. Info: Susy,
597-5017.
FOR ADULTS:
Writers’ Support/Critique Group
■
■
: ALL writers wel-
come. Bring 12 copies of up to 5 pages of your prose for
on-site reading/discussion. Third Saturday each month
Christensen Heller Gallery
American Red Cross
Volunteer Orientations
■
■
: Tour the Oakland Blood
Center. Learn how to: serve, inform and thank blood
donors; deliver blood; call donors; special projects.
Wed. 1/7, 10am to noon; Tues. 1/13 or Wed. 1/21, 6 to
8pm, 6230 Claremont Avenue (across from College
Ave. Safeway). Info or to sign up: Anne at 594-5165
or BlackstoneA@usa.redcross.org.
Donate blood: Mobile blood drive
■
■
: Wed. 1/28, 10am to
4pm, Calif. College of the Arts parking lot, 5212 B’way.
Call 800-GIVE LIFE or go to www.BeADonor.com
(Code: CCAOAKLAND) to schedule an appt.
“Tapestries,” featuring the beautiful fiber art of Boisali
Biswas. Now through Jan. 15. Gallery hrs: Wed.-Sat.,
11am to 6pm; Sun., noon to 5pm. 5829 College Ave.,
www.christensenheller.com 655-5952.
Kimberly Lang
Chabot Space & Science Center
Draperies
Roman Shades
Cushions and Pillows
Fabric and Style Advice
Volunteers wanted to assist visitors and share their
wonder of the Universe with others. No science or
astronomy background needed – extensive training
opportunities available. Call the volunteer department
at 336-7414 or visit www.chabotspace.org.
510.540.6864        www.kimberlylang.com


16.

January 3, 2009

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
E
A
L T
Y
6 0 1 9  C O L L E G E  AV E N U E
30
31
aboutface&body
dayspa      oaklandberkeley
serving you since 1981
Specialists in
Brazilian waxing
3190 college avenue
at alcatraz
berkeley, ca 94705
p 510.428.2600
www.aboutfaceandbody.net
sun-tues 10:30-5:30
wed-sat 10:30-8:00
KEVIN BROWN
Broker
654-8707 or 593-4780
PROVIDING

Professional,

Full Service

Real Estate Brokerage

To Rockridge Clients
 For Over 26 Years.
SPECIALIZING IN

WResidential Sales

WIncome Property

WCommercial

WProperty Management
29
Better Homes
Realty
5353 College Avenue
Oakland

Be a Part of the Change —
Support Your Neighborhood School
Join the Claremont PTA for an evening of fun at the Second Annual
Silent Auction, Thelma Harris Gallery, 5940 College Avenue, on
Saturday, February 21, from 6pm - 11pm. The theme is "$9.99 and
some CHANGE". Tickets are $9.99 each. CHANGE happens with
your support. Delicious appetizers and a no-host bar. For more
information: www.claremontms.org or call 510-350-6419.
Is there a move in your future?
Talk to me about featuring your home
For Sale in this ad space as well as other
creative marketing ideas
Terry Kulka 510/339-4789
terrykulka@att.net
http://www.terrykulka.com
With over 300 homes sold –
Experience Counts
ROBERTS ELECTRIC
RECO
COMMERCIAL
RESIDENTIAL
INSTALLATION  •  REPAIR  •  220 WIRING
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2408 Webster St.  834-6161  Oakland
SERVING THE EAST BAY SINCE 1932            CA. LIC# 728215
Regency Antique Restoration
Professional and Experienced
ALL Furniture Repairs
In-Home Services
New finishes & waxing
FREE ESTIMATES
Pickup & Delivery
517-6280
Bruce Wagg
bruce@bayareaantiques.com
WHAT’S SO SPECIAL
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ASHBY LUMBER?
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years of
Experience,
…as of today.
ASHBY LUMBER
HARDWARE & BUILDING SUPPLIES
Holiday Greetings from Namaste
824 ASHBY AVE    BERKELEY
(510) 843-4832  OPEN 7 DAYS
2295 ARNOLD INDUSTRIAL WAY
CONCORD  (925) 689-8999  Mon-Sat
PEACE ON EARTH
Visit our store for
beautiful & luxurious
organic cotton
clothing and hand-
crafted gifts for your
holiday shopping.
Yoga &
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Certificates
Available
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 )