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www.rockridge.org
VOL. 25 NO. 3 ISSUE NO. 265 March 6, 2010 CIRCULATION: 5,100 Residences; 200 Businesses
Sponsored by the Rockridge Community Planning Council • 5245 College Ave. PMB 311 • Oakland, CA 94618 • 869-4200
RCPC Board Candidates to Address March Meeting
RCPC Town Hall Meeting
☛ AGENDA
March 2010
Thursday, March 18, 7:30 p.m.
Rockridge Branch Library,
5366 College Avenue at Manila,
Community Room (Upstairs)
Jon Gabel
Stuart Flashman Annette Floystrup Melinda H. Frey
Chris Walters
■
■Zoning Changes: For the past two
years, Oakland’s planning staff
has been working on rewriting
the city’s 50-year-old zoning
ordinance. That job is nearly done,
and will be presented to the Planning
Commission and City Council for approval
later this year. Come hear about the
proposed zoning and what it will mean for
Rockridge, North Oakland and the rest of
the city. Planning staff will present the new
zoning maps and listen to your comments.
[Two other community meetings are scheduled.
See details, page 4.]
Ride for a Reason: California Education
Claremont Parents Peddle Education Concerns in Sacramento
■
■RCPC Board Elections: Also on the
agenda: hear from the candidates for the
April RCPC Board elections. Read their
statements on page 3.
Special Notice
RCPC April Meeting
Date Change
The April RCPC Town Hall meeting
will be held Thursday, April 8, 2010,
beginning at 7 p.m.
It will be a joint meeting with the
Greater Rockridge Neighborhood
Crime Prevention Council (NCPC),
and will feature special guest speaker
Oakland Police Chief Anthony Batts.
Rockridge residents will also be able
to vote for members of the
RCPC board of directors.
Friends of the Rockridge Library (FORL)
will hold its board elections, as well.
The meeting will be held at the
Rockridge Branch Library,
5366 College Avenue at Manila,
Community Room (Upstairs)
Claremont Middle
School parents Mike
Mages, Ron Kriss and
Mike Napolitano, and
John Harkins, a San
Francisco parent and
supporter, bicycled to
Sacramento in 2009 to
meet with other Cla-
remont supporters
and state politicians.
They are ready to do
it again in 2010. You
can help!
Photo: Julie Harris
by Mike Napolitano, Claremont parent
and bicyclist
There is a crisis in funding for education in
California. Over the past two years, state
funding for K-12 education in California has
been cut by almost 20 per cent. California
currently ranks 45th in per-pupil spending
and has the highest student-to-teacher ratio
in the nation.
An announcement at a school meeting
last April that Claremont Middle School
would lose $325,000 from its site budget
for the 2009-10 school year (almost 15
percent) galvanized a group of Claremont
parents to organize a protest to draw atten-
tion to the crisis.
Mike Mages, Ron Kriss, and Mike
Napolitano, parents of students at Claremont,
Chabot Elementary and Oakland Tech, and
John Harkins, a San Francisco parent and
supporter, rode their bikes more than 80
miles to the State Capitol in 2009.
At the Capitol, other parents and stu-
dents joined the cyclists, and all presented
a petition to State Senator Loni Hancock
and State Assemblymen Sandre Swanson
and Tom Ammiano calling for a restora-
tion of the cuts made in education funding.
Hancock accepted the petition and added
her signature to the 200 collected by the
cyclers over a two-week period.
Now, almost a year later, plans are being
made for a second Sacramento ride on May 8.
Ride planners have added a fundraising
component and christened the event “Ride
¤
¤ Ride for Schools, page 13
2.
March 6, 2010
C
HAT-CHAT-CHAT-Krunk! CHAT-CHAT-
CHAT-Krunk! Humm, slush-slush.
Humm, slush-slush. Concrete breakers and earth
borers have taken over a corner of Hardy Park as
BART continues its earthquake retrofit work. With
their intriguing noises and mysterious activities,
construction sites easily attract sidewalk supervi-
sors. One such gawker recently noted the activity
and the noise, and learned from an actual supervisor
that an 8-foot-high plywood sound wall and consis-
tent sound monitoring by a project safety officer
help minimize construction effects on neighboring
residential areas. Hardy Park work is scheduled in
three phases and should be complete in about a
year, the supervisor said. Text/Photo: Don Kinkead
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
Closed Sundays and Mondays, and March 31 and April 6
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
Andrew Charman ���������������Vice-Chair
Michael Kan ������������������������Secretary
Joan Martin ��������������������������Treasurer
Cesar Angobaldo, Annette Floystrup, Jonathan Gabel,
Jennifer Kaplan, William Kaufner, Don Kinkead,
Doug Patton, Ronnie Spitzer,
Katy Taylor, Ann Winterman
Contact the Board: chair@rockridge.org
For information: info@rockridge.org
Climate Coalition Calls for Local Action
to Meet Global Warming Threats
City Council President Jane
Brunner meets with participants
at her February community
advisory meeting as they convene
to consider the question, “How
can we as individuals, and as a
City, address global warming?”
Brunner noted that Oakland is close
to completing an Energy and Climate
Action Plan to address global warming
and set greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Oakland Climate Action Coalition
members also addressed the meeting.
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.
Photo: City staff
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
by Dan Rademacher,
Sierra Club volunteer
About 70 North Oakland residents
turned out on a rainy Saturday morn-
ing in February to talk about what global
warming means for Oakland. The city has
approved an aggressive goal for reducing
greenhouse gas emissions by 36 percent
below 2005 levels by 2020. On March 30,
city officials will present the first draft of
their Energy and Climate Action Plan for
meeting that target.
The Rockridge meeting was convened
by City Council President Jane Brunner,
who foresees many more meetings as the
council solicits input and support for the
climate plan.
Oakland’s Sustainability Coordinator
Garrett Fitzgerald and the Oakland Climate
Action Coalition’s Emily Kirsch presented
the case for taking action locally: Oakland
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.
¤
¤ Climate Action, page 13
$5 FREE DRYCLEANING with garment orders over $28
or $3 OFF orders over $15
Dry Cleaning only Present with incoming order
Garden Cleaners
5808 College Avenue, Oakland
601-1188
Mon – Fri 7 – 7 • Sat 8 – 6
Across from Trader Joe’s and Zachary’s Pizza
Newsletter Advertising/Deadlines
Publication date of the next issue is
April 3, 2010
April deadline is March 18, 2010.
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.)
EXPERT
SHIRT
LAUNDERING!
3.
March 6, 2010
Election 2010: RCPC Board Candidates
Jon Gabel
Ocean View Dr.
When I first ran
for the RCPC
board two years ago,
my platform was “If it
ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
That statement is still – perhaps more —
true today. To us, our neighborhood is a
wonderful place to live. To some others,
it is an opportunity to profit, regardless
of the consequences. RCPC has continued
to fight the good fight to keep Rockridge
livable. As a 35-year Rockridge resident,
I have enjoyed the benefits of living here
and I would like to help pass those benefits
on to my present and future neighbors by
continuing to serve on the RCPC board.
During my term on the board, I have:
served as chair of the Web site committee;
worked to keep offices from replacing
retail at street level on College Avenue;
and led the effort to limit the increases
in Residential Permit Parking fees.
Annette Floystrup
Birch Ct.
I
have lived in Rockridge
since 1955. I have
been a child, renter,
homeowner and home-
based small business
person here.
I currently serve on
the RCPC board. This past term, I have
been a representative to the Safeway talks,
organized the RCPC Out & About booth
and the Halloween Parade. Additionally,
I was a part of the 11-year process that
built the Rockridge branch library, and
also served on the FORL board.
I have a strong background in economic
development, having served as both board
member and chairperson of the Bay Area
Small Business Development Corporation,
overseeing a $19 million revolving loan fund,
with an emphasis on lending to women
and minority owners.
I hope to serve this community for a
final term, as I feel that I bring a unique
perspective, that of community memory,
to the RCPC board, understanding the
needs of residents and business alike.
Chris Walters
Hillegass Ave.
My interest in
serving as a board
member on the RCPC
arises principally from a
desire to contribute to
an amazing community.
I am a relatively recent
resident and Berkeley Law graduate, but
this neighborhood appears to have a way
of attaching itself quickly. My fiancée and
I thoroughly enjoy the livability of the
area — the beautiful mix of residential and
commercial areas — especially as compared
with other places we have lived. As a board
member, I would approach issues from the
perspective of a person who wants to see
the neighborhood remain vibrant without
stagnating.
As a former public school teacher, I
have a keen interest in seeing local schools
succeed and would work towards that goal
as a board member. I also have a background
in land use law. In that vein, as a board
member, I would promote what is often
referred to as “smart growth.”
Stuart Flashman
Ocean View Dr.
Th i s e n d s m y
first term as an
elected RCPC board
member, and my second
year as board chair.
We’ve accomplished
a lot in those two
years. We defended College Avenue’s
C-31 zoning, responded to two Safeway
development proposals, and several other
large development projects. We joined
and settled a lawsuit against Caltrans over
the Caldecott Tunnel, winning several
million dollars to help mitigate impacts on
Rockridge. We participated in revamping
the City’s outdated zoning ordinance, and
worked on many other smaller, but still
important community projects.
I ask you to re-elect me so we can meet
the many challenges still facing us. We may
have turned the corner on the recession, but
Oakland is still in trouble. We need to make
sure we control development, rather than
having it control us. Crime is also an ongoing
problem, and our schools always need more
help. Your support would be appreciated.
Melinda H. Frey
Manila Ave.
I
h ave b e e n a n
Oakland resident
f o r
2 0
y e a r s
and have been a
Rockridge resident
and homeowner for
eight. During this
time, I have sat on
the sidelines reading about the challenges
that face our city. As I see more and more
empty storefronts along College Avenue
and read about the budget deficits Oakland
faces, I feel it is time to take a more active
role in helping keep Rockridge a welcome
place to live and visit.
I am a firm believer in the concept,
“think global, act local.” As such, I feel we
cannot keep the character of Rockridge
we all love without continually grappling
with the struggles of the city as a whole.
To me, the most crucial element to our
community and city right now is making
sure there are no reductions in our police
force. A safe community is key to a healthy
and vital community.
RCPC Board
Election Procedures
At the RCPC Town Hall meeting
Thursday, March 18, which begins
at 7:30 p.m., candidates for the RCPC
board of directors will introduce
themselves and describe their platforms
for Rockridge.
There will be two opportunities
in April to vote for the candidates of
your choice: You may vote at the Town
Hall meeting Thursday, April 8,
starting at 7 p.m. (see page 1), or you
may vote Saturday, April 10, in the
lobby of the Rockridge library, between
11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Voter Eligibility
People age 18 and over who live
within RCPC boundaries are eligible
to vote. Verification will be by driver’s
license or DMV ID card showing an
address within RCPC boundaries,
as depicted on the RCPC website at
rockridge.org.
4.
March 6, 2010
staff will present the new proposed zoning
at RCPC’s March Town Hall meeting. See
front page for details.
The RCPC Land Use Committee meets on the
4th Wednesday of the month.
Next meeting: March 24. Rockridge Branch
Library, Upstairs Meeting Room: 7:30 p.m.
Land Use Update
■
■College Ave. Safeway Shopping
Center Project (6310 College
at Claremont Avenue)
It appears likely that the draft environ-
mental impact report (DEIR) for this 61,000
sq. ft. project will be released for public
review in late March or early April. During
the 45-day review period, there will be a
hearing before the Planning Commission
where oral comments on the DEIR will be
accepted. Written comments on the DEIR
should be directed to the project planner,
Peterson Vollman (238-6167, e-mail: pvoll-
man@oaklandnet.com).
basic goal of promoting pedestrian-oriented
comparison shopping. RCPC also asked that
the zoning limit the number of variances that
could be granted to a single project. Staff
rejected both suggestions. There will be
one final TAG meeting March 25, 6-8 p.m.,
in City Hall hearing room No. 4. Zoning
by Stuart Flashman,
RCPC Land Use Committee chair
■
■Citywide Zoning Update
At February’s meeting of the commercial
corridor technical advisory group (TAG),
City staff provided their responses to public
comments, including those of RCPC. RCPC
had asked that the new CN-1 zoning for
College Avenue set a maximum project size
of 50,000 sq. ft. consistent with the zone’s
Land Use Meeting Agendas
Contact Stu Flashman at 652-5373 or chair@
rockridge.org for a copy of the current Land Use
Committee meeting agenda.
District 1 Meetings: Proposed Zoning Mapping
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 http://www.oaklandnet.com/government/ceda/
revised/planning.html.
Meetings with City Council District 1
neighborhood groups will be held in
March to discuss proposed zoning maps
and new zones. The presentations will be
in three phases:
Phase I includes meeting with active
neighborhood groups to vet the mapping
proposals.
Phase II includes large community work-
shops, sponsored by Strategic Planning,
where mapping proposals will be discussed
with the larger community.
Phase III involves the public hearing
and adoption process: Zoning Update
Committee, Planning Commission and
City Council.
If you cannot attend the March 18 RCPC
meeting, you may attend one of the others.
Hardy Park
Proposal: To construct a 49-square-foot
(approx.) public restroom facility to replace
an existing portable bathroom located 35-feet
from edge of curb.
Applicant: City of Oakland, Park and
Recreation Division 510/238-3682
Owne r: California Depar tment of
Transportation (CalTrans)
Plannning Permits Required: Minor
Conditional Use Permit to construct a public
restroom in a park
Case Planner: Jason Madani, 510/238-4790
or jsmadani@oaklandnet.com
Neighborhood Group
Date & Time
Location
North Hills Phoenix
Association & Panoramic Hill
Thursday, March 11
6:45 p.m.
Kaiser School, 25 S. Hill Court
San Pablo Avenue-Golden
Gate Improvement
Association (SPAGGIA)
Wednesday, March 17,
7 p.m.
Golden Gate Recreation Center,
1075 62nd Street
Rockridge Community
Planning Council (RCPC)
Thursday, March 18
7:30 p.m.
Rockridge Branch Library
(upstairs meeting room),
5366 College Avenue
Information from Zachary Wald, chief of staff for Jane Brunner, District 1 Councilwoman and City Council
President. Additional information is available at the city’s Oakland Citywide Zoning Update Web page:
http://www.oaklandnet.com/government/ceda/revised/planningzoning/ZoningUpdateProject/products.asp
6311 College Avenue
Proposal: To convert an existing 1,483 square-
foot coffee/chocolate shop (formerly Lulu Rae
Confectioners) into a full-service restaurant
with beer and wine sales, under the same
ownership as Wood Tavern restaurant.
Applicants: Rich and Rebekah Wood / R. R
Wood, LLC (business owners) 510/654-6607
Owner: John Chalik Trust
Planning Permits Required: Minor
Conditional Use Permit to establish a Full
Service Restaurant Commercial Activity in the
C-31 Zone
Historic Status: Potential Designated
Historic Property (PDHP);
Survey rating: C3
Case Planner: Jason Madani, 510/238-4790
or jsmadani@oaklandnet.com
Rockridge
Optometry
Your neighborhood
family eyecare providers
since 1947
Dr. Donald Sarver
Dr. Larry Sarver
Dr. Scott Yokoi
Dr. Cindy Sakai
5321 College Avenue, Oakland
510-655-3797
www.rockridgeoptometry.com
5.
March 6, 2010
FROG Park News
Next Meeting
How would you like
to get involved with improving
and maintaining our neighborhood’s park?
Perhaps you can help plan new landscaping,
coordinate creek grate cleanups, or monitor
construction of the new bathroom coming this
year, or help with our database to assist with
volunteer recruitment and communications, or
be part of planning the fall maintenance day.
Whatever your interest and skills, we have
ways for you to get involved. Plus, new ideas
are always welcome. Join us Thursday, March
11, at 7 p.m. Contact info@frogpark.org for
meeting location; bring your friends and
family. If you can’t attend, send an e-mail
to info@frogpark.org and tell us what you’re
interested in. A FROG Park committee
member will get back to you right away.
Restroom Construction
Complete by Year’s End
F
ROG Park was built in 2001 without
a restroom. The present Porta-Potty was
installed by FROG as a “temporary measure”
pending funding. Thanks to Jane Brunner’s
staff and the city of Oakland, construction
will soon begin on a permanent, city-owned,
restroom. The 49 sq. ft. facility, modeled after
the Buena Vista Park facility, will be located
at the current Porta-Potty site, be open seven
days a week and be securely locked at night.
If you have questions or comments, con-
tact Denise Louie, restroom project manager,
at 510/238-3682, or Nila Kim, staff aide to
Councilwoman Jane Brunner, 510/238-7011.
Celebrate Earth Day
at FROG Park
Saturday, April 17, 9 a.m. to noon.
Meet at Hardy Playground (near
Hardy Circle and Hudson/Claremont)
FROG is organizing a fun Earth Day
clean-up Saturday, April 17, 9 a.m. to noon.
Help honor the Earth and lend a hand at our
neighborhood FROG Park. Bring work gloves,
and gardening tools, rake or gardening fork,
if you have them. Projects include playground
cleaning, weeding, planting, turning and
replacing the fibar, sweeping, and clearing
the pond and creek bed in preparation for the
creek turn-on. Hope to see you there! Visit
www.oaklandearthday.com for more informa-
tion. Contact Howard Ferrier at hwferrier@
sbcglobal.net with questions.
Keep Our Park Safe
Please, leave no food in the
playground. Scraps attract pests!
Please clean up after yourself and others.
Deposit trash in the garbage receptacles.
Vagrants or unsavory activity?
Call 777-3211 (cell) or 911 (land line) in an
emergency; non-emergency, call 777-3333.
Dog owners, please leash your
dogs. Please keep your dogs leashed at
all times while outside the dog run area.
It’s the law! Dogs are forbidden in the
playground and should not be tied
to the playground fencing.
Leave the sand in the sandbox.
Please keep your children’s playground
cushioning in great shape, which will help
prevent structure rot.
Rockridge Community
Planning Council
2009 Financial Statement
Fiscal Year January 1 – December 31, 2009
RCPC P&L
All as of 12/31/09
Ordinary Income/Expense
Income
Contributions
488
Rockridge News
46,489
Kitchen Tour
20,366
Total Income
67,343
Expense
Office Expenses
3,411
Contractors
24,397
Printing – Rockridge News
10,968
Programs, Grants, Scholarships
3,658
Taxes, Licenses, Fees & Fines
110
Utilities
613
Total Expense
43,158
Net Income
24,185
FORL (Friends of the Rockridge Library) P&L
Ordinary Income/Expense
Income
Contributions
10,562
Earned
1,552
Total Income
12,114
Expense
Office & Misc Expenses
960
Contractors
5,772
Grants/Scholarships
6,618
Taxes, Licenses, Fees & Fines
359
Total Expense
13,710
Net Income
-1,596
FROG (Friends of the Rockridge Greenbelt) P&L
Ordinary Income/Expense
Income
Earned
220
Total Income
220
Expense
Bank Charges
145
Maintenance/Cleaning
1,588
Misc expenses FROG
-153
Program Expense
35
Total Expense
1,614
Net Ordinary Income
-1,394
Net Income
-1,394
RCPC, FROG, FORL Balance Sheet
ASSETS
CDs
FORL
30,000
FROG
10,119
RCPC
36,815
TOTAL CDs
76,934
Checking/Savings
FORL
18,334
FROG
42,503
RCPC
41,443
Whistlestop
442
Locksley Gardens
499
FROG: Bal of Paygo-de la Fuente
26,607
Total Checking/Savings
129,828
TOTAL ASSETS
206,762
LIABILITIES & EQUITY
Grants Payable
8,000
Sales Tax
388
Total Liabilities
8,388
Equity
Opening Bal Equity
163,172
Unrestrict (retained earnings)
-14,978
Net Income
50,181
Total Equity
198,375
TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY
206,762
RCPC tax records are on file at the
Rockridge Branch Library for public review.
6.
March 6, 2010
Letters to the Editor
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.
COLLINS ROOFING
Family Owned & Operated
482-2227 Seamus
www.collinsroofing.com
Quality Work • Free Estimates
Lic # 695711
Thank you, neighbors, for our cat
Editor:
Hound Sophie for
trying to track Til-
den’s path; to Karl
and the Regent
Street neighbor-
hood group; and to
Burke, Joanne and
Kay on Hillegass
who not only let us
go through their
yards and outbuild-
ing, but also let us
search their basements and crawl spaces.
Too often simple kindnesses and good
deeds go unacknowledged. We did not
want that to happen here. You all have our
heartfelt thanks.
— Julie Hardgrove,
Cliff Cline and Tilden
On February 14 our beloved black-and-
white Tuxedo cat, Tilden, made a daring
escape from our home for a great adventure.
It quickly turned into a nightmare as our
indoor-only pampered pet spent his first
night outdoors alone and frightened. One
night turned into five until he found his way
home, hungry, dirty and scared.
We want to thank all of our friends and
neighbors in the Fairview Park neighborhood
of Rockridge for their help, good thoughts
and words of comfort; for putting up with us
lurking around your shrubbery and for our
middle of the night searches, calling out to
Tilden while shining our flashlight around;
and for seeing our flyers and keeping a look-
out. Special thanks to Teresa and her Basset
Tilden the cat,
safe and sound.
Photo: Julie Hardgrove
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.
What is happening Next Door to the Safeway Center Site?
Editor:
Susan Bernosky, LUTCF
(510) 450 9050
request that if you have any information on
this matter, you share it with the readers.
— Edwin Koumrian
RCPC Land Use Committee Chair
Stuart Flashman responds:
While some buildings and their usage are
followed with detail in The Rockridge News,
I have noticed that one is never mentioned.
I am writing about the large building in the
Rockridge center at the south end of the
parking lot from the Safeway store which
has been covered in past issues.
This building has been empty for an
estimated 15-20 years; when last used, it
was an Emil Villa’s sparerib restaurant.
For some time work has been going on
there, but there is no sign up shedding any
light. It is not clear whether the new usage
planned for this building will be useful or
harmful to people in the neighborhood. I
5940 College Ave, #A
Oakland
susanbernosky@allstate.com
The former Emil Villa’s restaurant site
(actually owned by the Claremont Country
Club) is being leased to CSAA as their new
Oakland office (replacing the building on
MacArthur Boulevard). The site is techni-
cally outside of RCPC’s borders, and the
new use is fully consistent with the site’s
C-30 zoning, so no city zoning approval
was needed and there was no opportunity
for neighborhood comments.
The Cupped Hands logo is a registered service mark of Allstate Insurance
Company. Life insurance and annuities issued by Allstate Life Insurance
Company, Northbrook, IL and Lincoln Benefit Life Company, Lincoln, NE.
In New York, Allstate Life Insurance Company of New York, Hauppauge,
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There is a lot of world to explore.
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7.
March 6, 2010
City Temporarily Suspends Rockridge BID Contract
by Annette Floystrup
The February 16 Oakland City Council
meeting brought yet another surprising
twist to the saga of the Rockridge Business
Improvement District (BID), the special
assessment district that covers the length
of College Avenue from Broadway to the
Berkeley border.
The Rockridge District Association (RDA),
the nonprofit corporation that administers
the assessment funds collected from College
Avenue merchants and professionals, refused
to sign the agreement with the city of Oakland
detailed in February’s Rockridge News.
The contract renewal will come to the
estimated by Brunner’s staff to be $4,300.
The city of Oakland, through CEDA, has
proposed a set of practices for all nine special
business assessment districts that include
deadlines and administrative, updating and
reporting standards. The RDA has objected
to aspects of the draft proposal they deem
more suitable for the property-based tax dis-
tricts known as Community Benefit Districts
(CBDs), and will meet with Brunner and staff
from her office and CEDA prior to the next
renewal hearing to seek agreement.
Of the nine special business assessment
districts, seven are property-based CBDs and
two, Rockridge and Montclair, are business-
license based.
council again March 16, by which time the
RDA should have reached agreement with the
City regarding the new contract. Until then,
the BID is temporarily suspended, and col-
lected assessment funds will not be disbursed
to the RDA. Since it started in 2001, the
RDA has administered assessment funds of
approximately $120,000 to $140,000 per year.
A financial audit requirement seems to
be the sticking point. Sara Wilson, RDA
President, stated in a letter to City Council
President Jane Brunner: “We do not believe
that the RDA should be singled out to be
required to sustain an audit review outside
of a coherent BID/CBD agreement.”
An audit is currently permitted under the
City’s contract with the RDA which states the
RDA “shall permit City and its authorized
representatives to have access” to “books,
records, accounts and any and all data relevant
to this agreement, for the purpose of making
an audit or examination for a period of four
years following the fiscal year of the last
expenditure under this agreement.”
Additionally, one of the five proposed
changes submitted by Brunner at the Janu-
ary 26 Community Economic Development
Agency (CEDA) hearing was to “Require the
submission of an annual CPA-reviewed finan-
cial statement to the City.” The RDA would
be required to pay for the audit review, a cost
Wonderful, ongoing,
weekday classes for
babies or toddlers
Vote: FORL Elections, April
The Friends of the Rockridge Library
(FORL), will hold elections for board
members Thursday, April 8, at the Rockridge
branch library between 7 and 9 p.m. Incum-
bents running for re-election are: David
Brown, Karen Carlson, Kristine Caraway,
Jane McDermott, and Tracy Weber. A new
member running for election will be Kim
Tompson Budinger.
For further information, contact co-
chair of the board Carol Bieri at cbieri@
pacbell.net.
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8.
February 6, 2010
Chinese diners take a small amount of a
single dish, place it in their rice bowl and eat
it in a single helping. They would not think
of putting more than one morsel in their rice
bowl. Proper dining manners require that
food be eaten from a small rice bowl and
not from a flat plate. I would encourage a
visit to Chu at 5636 College Avenue, our
neighborhood’s newest Chinese restaurant,
to practice your dining skills.
Eileen Yin Fei Lo’s “Mastering the Art of
Chinese Cooking” is an invitation to deepen
your understanding of the complexities of
Chinese cuisine. The following recipe from
her book demonstrates the simplicity and
elegance of Chinese greens.
Rock ridge
Cornucopia
Cornucopia
Barry A. Kaufman
Welcome to the Year of the Tiger
Gung Hay Fat Choy – happy Chinese
New Year.
Did you know that Chinese fortune
cookies were invented in America and are
not found in China? Another tidbit: The
little packets of soy sauce that accompany
Chinese take-out were first produced by a
New York Jewish-American owned company
in the 1920s. And: Take-out containers were
first used by Chinese restaurants to deliver
food to Chinese families that did not have
kitchens in their tenement apartments.
Over the past several months I’ve read
three amazing books related to the cul-
tural and gastronomic history of Chinese
food in the United States: “Chop Suey:
A Cultural History of Chinese Food in
the USA,” by Andrew Coe, “The Fortune
Cookie Chronicles,” by Jennifer Lee, and
“Mastering the Art of Chinese Cooking,”
by Eileen Yin-Fei Lo. As we enter the Year
of the Tiger, each of these books provides a
unique perspective on the place of Chinese
cuisine in the American culinary tradition.
My love for eating and preparing Chinese
food goes back nearly 40 years. Nothing
gives me greater pleasure than exploring
Chinese markets in Oakland and San Fran-
cisco. I consider Chinese cuisine one of the
three giants of world gastronomy, the others
being French and Italian. After Italian food,
Chinese food is the second most popular
ethnic food in America. One-third of the
ethnic restaurants in the U.S. are Chinese
and most are family run.
As with any highly regionalized and
complex cuisine, it takes years to truly master
cooking Chinese food. The food of southern
China from Guangzhou (Canton) was the
first known in the U.S. Cantonese sauces are
generally mild with a focus on the diversity
of flavors and colors. Seafood, roast pork,
and poultry are the main ingredients. The
cornerstone of Cantonese cooking is the
quick stir fry in a very hot wok to emphasize
flavor and color. Eastern Chinese cooking,
as found in Shanghai, emphasizes stews,
braising, and soups. Shanghai cuisine tends
to be sweet, with the use of vinegars similar
to balsamic and cane sugar.
The provinces in western China include
Sichuan and Hunan. Here the food incorpo-
rates hot chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns
and spicy bean sauces. This region is known
for its hot-and-sour soup, and twice-cooked
pork. Northern provinces have been influ-
enced by China’s imperial capital Beijing.
Lamb, which is rarely eaten in the rest of
China, is very common in the North because
of the large Muslim population. Because of
the large Mongol communities, communal
hot-pots dominate Northern China’s culinary
experience.
As with most Asian cuisines, the con-
cept of breakfast, lunch, and dinner is not
a rigid affair. All dishes served at Chinese
restaurants are meant to be communal: tra-
ditionally, no one would consider ordering
a dish for just themselves. The dishes are
consumed one by one, in turn. (Americans
tend to put portions of each ordered dish on
their plates and generally not eat the rice.)
Barry’s Recipe
Baby Bok Choy in Oyster Sauce
(serves 4)
2 tablespoons oyster sauce*
2 tablespoons vegetable stock
1 teaspoon dark soy sauce*
1 teaspoon sugar
Pinch of salt and white pepper
2 pounds of baby bok choy (the smaller
the better)
2 tablespoons canola oil
To make the sauce, combine the first
5 ingredients and reserve.
Water-blanch the bok choy in boiling
water. As soon the bok choy turns a bright
green (about 1 minute), turn off the heat and
plunge the bok choy into ice water. Drain well.
Heat a wok over high heat for 30 seconds.
Pour the sauce into the wok until it starts to
bubble, then add the bok choy. Stir-fry for
2 minutes, or until the bok choy is hot and
coated with the sauce. Transfer to an attrac-
tive dish and serve.
* Special ingredients for Asian cuisine are available
at Yasai Market, 6301 College Avenue.
Barry Kaufman is a graduate of the California
Culinary Academy. Barry is available for cooking
classes or answering your culinary questions. His
email is kaufman42@earthlink.net.
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9.
March 6, 2010
Studio One: The
One and Only
Ifor example. Or, is it just a matter of
getting the word out to the community?
If so, how do you do that when City
departments don’t necessarily share
their resources?
Ms. Griffin, who arrived at the center
only two months ago, loaded with
enthusiasm, talent and energy, is very
much interested in having you visit and
voicing your opinions. In fact, there
will be a focus meeting held at
the Center on Thursday, April
The
Rockridge
Muse
t’s amazing to live in a neighborhood
for years and never know about all the
marvelous experiences it has to offer.
Last week I finally got around to visiting
the restored Studio One at 365-45th
Street, next to the Temescal Pool. I found
a wonderful cultural arts resource built
for the people of Oakland but waiting
lonely and forlorn for an adoring public
that, so far, has failed to materialize.
The Center is a true gem. The facility,
you will remember, was shut down
about four years ago for retrofit and
modernization. Money was supplied by
Measure EE and the renovation has been
first-class. The Center was re-opened
almost two years ago, but still has the air
of a lady-in-waiting. Community attendance
has been less than overwhelming. The
question is: WHY?
Karis Griffin, recreation supervisor of
the Cultural Arts Division of Oakland’s
Parks and Recreation Department, would
welcome your ideas. She has just released
the center’s new catalog spelling out
an amazing array of spring and summer
programs designed to nurture Oakland’s
collective body, mind and spirit. I, frankly,
never knew that Oakland cared that
much about me. But there it is.
They want adults to take up everything
from throwing pots and fusing and slumping
glass to making jewelry, learning a new
by Ortrun Niesar
If Studio One offered a
class in making funny faces
and holding outlandish
poses, this group would
graduate with honors. Until
that class is available, Studio
One continues to offer a
rich array of classes from
dance to photography and
more. Photo: Studio One
language, writing poetry and doing yoga.
Dance, ballet, jazz, drama, stage design
and fabrication, print making, improv
theater, photography — the list goes
on — are all offered in age-appropriate
courses to adults, teens and children.
There are fabulous summer camp programs
to choose from. Then there are youth
counselor training classes, cooking classes,
even youth sports (off-site) including
baseball and track. Classes are relatively
inexpensive; teachers are certified and
selected with care. Parking and security is
provided for evening classes. It all sounds
so enticing. So, where is everybody?
To be fair, it always takes time to
rebuild an audience after it has been
moved elsewhere or dispersed. In a four
or five-year period, much can change in
a neighborhood, so perhaps constituent
profiles and needs have changed. Perhaps
public perception is off. The building
exterior does not explain its purpose
easily; it could be a school or an institute,
8, 7 to 8:30 p.m.; you are invited
to attend. The hope is that some of
us will want to become more than just
casually involved.
In the meantime, if you have not
received a catalog in the mail, go to
www.studioartcenter.net or stop by to
pick one up. Registration for the early
spring session is now in progress, so
there is no time to waste.
The Center is open Monday through
Saturday, closed on Sunday. A friendly
staff will welcome you. Parking is
available just behind the building and
is accessible from both 45th Street and
Shafter Avenue. The telephone number
is 510/597-5027. The Web address is
www.StudioOneArtCenter.net
Did I mention that they also rent out
spaces for private events?
Rockridge: 5400 College Avenue
Elmwood: 2930 College Avenue
Weekend Brunch in Elmwood
Ortrun Niesar can be reached at
oniesar@sbcglobal.net.
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PIEDMONT EAST BAY CHILDREN’S CHOIR
10.
March 6, 2010
The Rockridge News
Needs Two
Block Captains
Ask a Cop
by PSO Officer Chew and PSO Officer Gerrans
by Susan Montauk, business manager
We have a couple of delivery routes
available this month. We wish to
thank Michael Hershey and Jeff Rabb for
faithfully delivering The Rockridge News
The “Ask a Cop” column provides
a question-and-answer format for
Rockridge Problem Solving Officers (PSO)
to answer residents’ law enforcement and
crime-related questions. PSOs Chew and
Gerrans hope the column will improve
communications and involve residents in the
Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council
(NCPC) activities. Send your questions
to editor@rockridge.org. Please include
your name and address. Only your name
will be printed.
www.rockridge.org
Dear Officers Chew and Gerrans:
Our NCPC has noted two sets of similar
crimes occurring very close in time and
style. My neighborhood blog noted another,
different set of two crimes — burglaries
two houses apart and a couple of weeks
apart — as well. Does OPD make a point
of noting similar crimes close in time and
location? How can a citizen who hears of
such crimes know if OPD is aware of the
similarities so as not to make extra reports?
— A. Morales
Officers’ Reply:
For the first question, OPD does make
efforts to look at similar crimes concentrated
in close proximity to each other. If the
PSO sees that multiple crimes have taken
place in a short period of time, the officer
will research those types of crimes on that
beat, or more specifically, in a block. We
will look at times of occurrence, method
of entry (for burglaries), MO’s relating to
words said for robberies or similar structures
being burglarized, suspect descriptions, and
number of crimes in a certain area. We use
this information to help identify if a trend is
occurring. This has helped the PSOs solve
multiple trends that have occurred on their
beats in the past.
For the second part of the question, it
is important for the victims of crime to
report the incident. If another person wants
to make a report, we cannot take the report
from that person because they are not the
victim or complainant. Therefore “extra”
reports cannot be made.
It is always helpful for neighbors to
discuss their concerns with their NCPC
because these concerns are relayed to the
PSOs. This is why it is important for those
who have been victims to report these crimes
to OPD. We do look at the reports and we
do our best to keep on top of trends occur-
ring in their neighborhoods. But if they do
not report the crime, then there is no record
for us to review.
VOL. 25 NO. 3 ISSUE NO. 265 March 6, 2010 CIRCULATION: 5,100 RESIdENCES; 200 BUSINESSES
Sponsored by the Rockridge Community Planning Council • 5245 College Ave. PMB 311 • Oakland, CA 94618 • 869-4200
RCPC Board Candidates to Address March Meeting
RCPC Town Hall Meeting
☛ AGENDA
March 2010
Thursday, March 18, 7:30 p.m.
Rockridge Branch Library,
5366 College Avenue at Manila,
Community Room (Upstairs)
Jon Gabel
Stuart Flashman Annette Floystrup Melinda H. Frey
Chris Walters
Ride for a Reason: California Education
■
■Zoning■Changes: For the past two
years, Oakland’s planning staff
has been working on rewriting
the city’s 50-year-old zoning
ordinance. That job is nearly done,
and will be presented to the Planning
Commission and City Council for approval
later this year. Come hear about the
proposed zoning and what it will mean for
Rockridge, North Oakland and the rest of
the city. Planning staff will present the new
zoning maps and listen to your comments.
[Two other community meetings are scheduled.
See details, page 3.]
Claremont Parents Peddle Education Concerns in Sacramento
Claremont Middle
School parents Mike
Mages, Ron Kriss and
Mike Napolitano, and
John Harkins, a San
Francisco parent and
supporter, bicycled to
Sacramento in 2009 to
meet with other Cla-
remont supporters
and state politicians.
They are ready to do
it again in 2010. You
can help!
■
■RCPC■BoaRd■eleCtions: Also on the
agenda: hear from the candidates for the
April RCPC Board elections. Read their
statements on page 4.
Special Notice
Photo: Julie harris
Chabot Elementary and Oakland Tech, and
John Harkins, a San Francisco parent and
supporter, rode their bikes more than 80
miles to the State Capitol in 2009.
At the Capitol, other parents and stu-
dents joined the cyclists, and all presented
a petition to State Senator Loni Hancock
and State Assemblymen Sandre Swanson
and Tom Ammiano calling for a restora-
tion of the cuts made in education funding.
Hancock accepted the petition and added
her signature to the 200 collected by the
cyclers over a two-week period.
Now, almost a year later, plans are being
made for a second Sacramento ride on May 8.
Ride planners have added a fundraising
component and christened the event “Ride
RCPC April Meeting
Date Change
The April RCPC Town Hall meeting
will be held Thursday, April 8, 2010,
beginning at 7 p.m.
It will be a joint meeting with the
Greater Rockridge Neighborhood
Crime Prevention Council (NCPC),
and will feature special guest speaker
by Mike Napolitano, Claremont parent
and bicyclist
There is a crisis in funding for education in
California. Over the past two years, state
funding for K-12 education in California has
been cut by almost 20 per cent. California
currently ranks 45th in per-pupil spending
and has the highest student-to-teacher ratio
in the nation.
An announcement at a school meeting
last April that Claremont Middle School
would lose $325,000 from its site budget
for the 2009-10 school year (almost 15
percent) galvanized a group of Claremont
parents to organize a protest to draw atten-
tion to the crisis.
Mike Mages, Ron Kriss, and Mike
Napolitano, parents of students at Claremont,
Oakland Police Chief Anthony Batts.
Rockridge residents will also be able
to vote for members of the
RCPC board of directors.
Friends of the Rockridge Library (FORL)
will hold its board elections, as well.
The meeting will be held at the
Rockridge Branch Library,
5366 College Avenue at Manila,
Community Room (Upstairs)
¤ Ride for Schools, page 13
to their blocks of Chabot Road and Keith
Avenue for many years. Michael is retiring
and Jeff is moving away.
If you would like to serve your
neighborhood by delivering to one of
these routes please let us know. Refer to
the route numbers (below) when you call
Susan Montauk at 547-3855, or e-mail her
at smontauk@gmail.com to volunteer.
01B,D Chabot Road from 7025 Marie Way
and then to end of Chabot.
09H
Up Keith from McMillan to
5925 Broadway.
The Right Agent Communicates Well!
The Piedmont Perspective
piedmontperspective.com
Julie Gardner
510.339.0400/264
jgardner@grubbco.com
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11.
March 6, 2010
Design, Installation and Maintenance
Native Plant Gardens & Stonework
Andrea Hurd, Horticulturist and Stonemason
License #883905 h tel. 510.558.8429
www.mariposagardening.com
Regency Antique Restoration
Professional and Experienced
ALL Furniture Repairs
In-Home Services
New finishes & waxing
FREE ESTIMATES
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My neighborhood gym!
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Check out our new
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Bring in this ad &
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-Lisa
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4444 Piedmont Ave
Oakland, CA 94611
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winter sale
at the Namaste Boutique
20 - 75% markdowns on the
largest selection of womenʼs yoga wear
and yoga props in the East Bay.
Receive 20% off non-sale items with this ad.
Discount is for retail items only.
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12.
March 6, 2010
March is ‘National Music in Our Schools’ Month: Join
Claremont’s Band and Orchestra in Celebration
Claremont 7th
Graders Are Going
to Yosemite
The Claremont
M i d d l e S c h o o l
Band & Orchestra
performs al fresco
on College Avenue
during its 2009
fundraising Play-a-
Thon. The annual
prog ram is held
to raises funds for
travel and entry
fees at band and
orchestra festivals.
by Amy Vaughan, Claremont PTA
While bureaucrats in Sacramento cut
education funding, Realtor D.J.
Grubb instead came up with a way to help
our beleaguered
schools: a cash
donation.
A check for
$3,000 was given
to the Claremont
PTA for financial
support of the
7th grade Yosem-
ite Club so that
students might
climb, soar, hike,
breathe, and
re-invent them-
selves in the 8th
Wonder of the
World, Yosemite
Valley.
Many of our
students have never seen Yosemite, and
some have never left Oakland. Mr. Grubb’s
generous donation provides seven full
scholarships for our students.
Thank you, Mr. Grubb and The Grubb
Company!
If you, too, would like to support efforts
to send our 7th graders to Yosemite, please
contact Amy Vaughan 510/658-4056 or
e-mail avaughan@stmaryscenter.org
Photo: Mike Mages
by Julie Parker, Claremont Middle
School parent
What better way to celebrate “Music”
than to come to Claremont Middle
School, 5750 College Avenue (across from
Trader Joe’s), Friday, March 19, between
2 p.m. and 6 p.m., and hear the fabulous
Claremont Band and Orchestra perform
100 songs at their annual Play-a-thon. All
proceeds from this fundraiser will go toward
expenses for the upcoming band and orches-
tra festivals in May including the Music in
the Parks Festival at Great America, where
our advanced band took first place last year
in the middle school category.
The state-wide budget cuts to public
education have made us work even harder to
make sure that programs like music continue
to thrive at Claremont. Our dedicated Music
Director Renae Briggs continues to be the
driving force that brings students from all
backgrounds together to experience the
magic of music.
This year, each student must raise $100
to cover the cost of travel expenses and entry
fees for these competitions; please drop by
the school on March 19 and show your sup-
port. Donations will be happily accepted.
Ms. Briggs also invites any community
member who plays an instrument to sit in
and play along with our student musicians.
Together we can make a difference!
D.J. Grubb, pres-
i d e n t o f T h e
Grubb Company of
Oakland, presents
h i s c o m p a n y ’ s
d o n a t i o n
t o
C l a re m o n t P TA
fundraising co-chair
Amy Vaughan.
Photo: Julie Parker
A Piece of Claremont Middle School
History Awaits its More Public Venue
G
Claremont Middle
School Gate Project
A
piece of Claremont Middle
School history is still on
campus and languishing in an
interior courtyard.
Stored in an interior part of
the school when campus build-
ings were rebuilt in the ’70s, the
ornate entry gates to the original
buildings have been hidden from
public view for years.
Now, a group of Claremont parents and
Rockridge neighbors plan to raise money
to refurbish the gate and make it the new
entrance to Claremont’s emerging garden,
located next to College Avenue. Placing this
GRUBBCO.COM
graceful architectural gem can help make
the campus more attractive and enahnce the
connection of the school and College Avenue.
Future articles in The Rockridge News
will describe project plans and how the com-
munity can support this project. Stay tuned!
510.652.2133
3070 Claremont Avenue • Berkeley
510.339.0400
1960 Mountain Boulevard • Oakland
13.
March 6, 2010
Ride for Schools
programs at Claremont and Tech. To ride
or to make a donation, visit our Web site:
www.claremontms.org/Claremontms/
RideDetails.html.
For more information, please contact
Mike Mages at michaelmages@mac.com
or Mike Napolitano at mikenapolitano5@
gmail.com. With your support, the event
is sure to be a success.
from page 1
for a Reason: California Education.” The
ride is a fully supported 100-mile “bike-a-
thon.” In a recently released statement, ride
planners told of their goals and solicited
community support:
Our objectives are:
New
Dress: Luxury Attire on
Loan
Women’s formal wear rentals for
special events
5332 College Avenue, Oakland
Tuesday – Saturday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.,
Sunday by appointment, Monday closed
510/428-2208
http://dress-sf.com/index.html
hello@dress-sf.com
M10 Hair Salon
5467 College Avenue, Oakland
510/450-0508
Bay Functional Fitness BFF
5255 College Avenue, Oakland. 510/891-1123
www.bayfunctionalfitness.com
Personal training, Rockridge boot camp,
group classes
Climate Action
■
■To raise $10,000 each for academic
enrichment programs at Claremont
Middle School and Oakland Technical
High School; and
from page 2
will feel the impacts of rising seas, changing
rainfall, and warmer temperatures, and the
city has an opportunity to take the lead in
responding to those problems.
Fitzgerald and Kirsch said we still have
time to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and reimagine an Oakland where more
people get around with fewer cars; where
many needs are met by local people selling
local products; and where homes are more
efficient and more comfortable — all while
creating local jobs, especially for flatlands
communities that need them most.
The audience broke into small groups
to share ideas about what individuals and
the city should do. Suggestions ranged from
selling one’s car to growing more food to
simply being careful about energy use.
Transit was a big concern, especially
more and better bus service across the city,
from the hills to the flatlands. Other ideas
included collective solar purchasing, better
marketing of incentive programs, installing
LED streetlights, and more.
But it wasn’t all rose-colored glasses.
This is going to take political will and
money. The latter is in short supply, but
groups ranging from labor unions to the
Ella Baker Center to the Sierra Club are
working to build the former. Find out more
at bit.ly/eastbayclimate.
■
■To help draw attention to the crisis
in funding for education.
At Claremont Middle School and Oak-
land Technical High School, many elective
classes and enrichment programs are paid
for by parent and community fundraising.
Our local schools need your help now,
more than ever, to keep these outstanding
programs alive.
How can you help? Right now, we are
recruiting riders. Based on initial outreach
at Claremont and Tech, we have signed
up 20 riders including three teachers, a
security officer and Claremont Assistant
Principal Kevin Taylor. Our goal is to
sign up another 30-to-40 riders, each of
whom would also raise donations from
sponsors. One hundred percent of the
money we raise will go into enrichment
Expanded
Rockridge Kids
5511 College Avenue, Oakland
www.rockridgekidstore.com
Moved
Vintage Bridal
Was at 5405 College Avenue, Oakland
New location:
1807 University Avenue, Berkeley
Closed
Fiddlesticks
5337 College Avenue, Oakland
Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Antiques
5322 College Avenue, Oakland
Inamorata Boutique
5326 College Avenue, Oakland
Dan Rademacher, who has lived in Rockridge since
2001, started volunteering with the Sierra Club on
Oakland climate issues in 2009. He is also editor
of Bay Nature magazine.
Complete architectural
services since 1970
Rockridge
Located on Market Hall’s Lower Level
Entry on Shafter Avenue
510-655-8808
5278 College Avenue
Oakland, CA 94618
(510) 654-6755 fax 654-3424
www.curvesrockridge.com
Free Parking!
Across from BART
Open 7 Days
Mon- Fri 6:00 -7:30
Sat & Sun 8:00 - Noon
14.
March 6, 2010
Aesthetic Pruning
I specialize in pruning trees & shrubs under 20
feet tall. I work with trees to enhance their
natural beauty. Specialties: maples, camellias,
fruit trees, & focal points. Pruning instructor
Merritt College. Bruce Thompson 510/428-4964.
Car Cosmetologist
I can fix the paint chip and scratches on your
car using a patented process. Call for a free
estimate. Ed 510/282-2731.
Spectacular Service
Housekeeping
We provide excellent housecleaning services
with the greatest attention to detail. Let us
create free time for you. Call today! FREE
ESTIMATE Ask for Olivia. 510/228-5704.
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. April deadline is March 18.
For information: smontauk@gmail.com
Rockridge Math Tutoring
U.C. Berkeley Math Ph.D. specializing in over-
coming “math fear,” almost always the result of
poor teaching! I help students gain confidence
in their own common sense. Everyone can
successfully learn math. Janet, 510/653-6783.
Rockridge Hauling
& Dumping
A local resident with a trailer can get rid of
your junk; specializing in small to medium dump
runs; weekends preferred; reasonable rates
Call Steve 415/310-0962 (cell).
Electrical Repairs & Remodels
From doorbell repair to whole-house rewiring,
we’ve been doing electrical work in Oakland
and Berkeley for over 30 years. Sutorik & Com-
pany, www.sutorikandco.com, lic#397149.
510/655-3677.
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.
Record your Music in Rockridge
Comfortable music production studio. Experi-
enced Producer/Engineer/Multi-instrumentalist.
Vintage and modern gear. Professional, afford-
able. www.benbernsteinmusic.com
High Quality Gardening
Skilled maintenance, clean-ups, aesthetic
pruning, irrigation, design and installations.
Ecologically-minded since 1995 in the East Bay.
Personal attention, local refs, free estimates.
Green’s Gardens. 510/593-3490.
Rockridge Bungalow
Vacation Rental
Fully outfitted with style! Best location. Steps
to College Avenue shopping, restaurants &
cafes. Home away from home. www.rock-
ridgebungalow.com
Creative, Fun, Rewarding
Saxophone Lessons
For ages 9 and up. Learning a musical instrument
takes time and individual mentoring. True mastery
takes inspiration! Come get inspired! Georgianna
Krieger, (Glenview, off Park). 415/395-6005.
Landscape Design
Need to refresh your landscape? Consultations,
plans, planting design, edible gardens, landscape
structure permit drawings, extensive horti-
cultural education and experience, complete
portfolio and excellent references. Please call
Kathleen Carson-Asher, 510/531-4905. Visit:
www.landesign.us
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.
Secluded Beach Cottage
Time Share
Point Richmond, beautiful secluded cottage
with 180-degree Bay views. Hear waves 24/7.
Watch migrating waterfowl. Writers, thera-
pists, business, home away. Available up to 3
weeks/month, or all weekdays. 415/515-1960.
Design, Construction
Victorian, Edwardian, and Craftsman rehabs.
Interior, exterior, big, small. Many local ref-
erences. Lic. #813074, insured. See www.
catconstruction.biz Craig. 510/232-5978.
TAI CHI and QIGONG:
New Beginners in March
Thursday mornings: Beginners 9:30-10:30.
Starts March 11. Saturday mornings: Beginners
9-10. Starts March 13. NO CLASS on March 6.
Rockridge Church, 303 Hudson at College. For
detailed directions visit www.harmonytaiji.
com or phone Gail at 415/786-2469.
Reduced Commissions!
Why pay 6% to sell your home when Hal Feiger
with Realty Advocates offers the same full
service as other companies for 4%? Call me
today. 510/428-0757 or check us out on the
Web: www.realtyadvocates.com
Home Improvement
& Repair
Decks, cottages, shingles, seismic engineering
& upgrades, windows, doors, waterproofing,
additions, walls & fences. Competitive rates.
Quality work. Free estimates. Visit: www.
nedworks.us or call Nedworks: 510/301-5448.
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
Stimulus Package,
Penelope’s Aesthetics
Professional Skin Care offering a full custom
facial with massage and eyebrow wax for $44.
Gift certificates available. www.penelopeca-
lef.com 510/594-1552.
Tahoe Condo for Rent
Our lovely 3br/2+ba condo in Incline Village is
available for rent! Sleeps six, is fully equipped!
Close to everything! Call 652-6664.
Norman H. Burg, DDS
General Dentistry
(510) 652-1517
5700 Broadway, Oakland
A Prevention Oriented Practice
15.
March 6, 2010
Joe’s). Info: Renae Briggs at renaeb@california.com.
See article and photo, page 12.
Wisteria Ways House Concert Series
Solstice: Female a cappella ensemble specializing in
music written by women or for women’s voices. Songs
include classical, pop, jazz, and original compositions.
Hear sound clips at www.solsticesings.com/music.
html. Saturday, 3/20, 8pm (door opens 7:30pm). $15-20
donation for musicians (cash only at the door).383 61st
Street (inside venue, not wheelchair accessible). For
reservations (highly recommended), RSVP to info@
WisteriaWays.org or 655-2771.
Singers Wanted
The Distaff Singers, the Bay Area’s longest-running
women’s choral group, is seeking new members. No
auditions necessary, just ability to match pitch. Practice
Tuesdays, 7:15 to 9pm at Bishop O’Dowd HS, 9500
Stearns Ave. A benefit concert in the fall supports local
K-12 music programs. Info: Carola Ingram, 547-1191 or
carolaingram@mac.com.
Christensen Heller Gallery
Exhibit of paintings by Kim Bach. Show runs through
Mar.28. Galley hrs: Wed—Sat., 11am to 6pm; Sun. noon
to 5pm. 5829 College Ave. Info: 655-5952, baird@chris-
tensenheller.com or www.christensenheller.com.
Wanted: Rockridge Artists
and Art Enthusiasts
Volunteer Opportunities at Pro Arts: Be part of an
extraordinary team. Pro Arts provides critical access to
contemporary art in Oakland and the East Bay through
its independent curated exhibitions, artist services,
open studios and juried programs. We are currently
looking for Curatorial interns, Publicity interns, Public-
ity/Communications Manager, East Bay Open Studios
Committee Members, and Strategic Planning Partners.
Email Vicky Chen, Gallery Administrative Coordinator
for details, info@proartsgallery.org or check online:
www.proartsgallery.org/proarts/intern.php.
Shoe Drive For Haiti
Variety of shoes needed, from work boots to sandals for
kids. Goal: to fill 2 to 3 shipping containers with shoes
which will be taken to Haiti by volunteers to make sure
the shoes go directly to the people. Drop off lightly used
or new shoes until March 31 at REI, 1338 San Pablo
Ave., Berkeley. More info. at http://hupfoundation.org.
North Oakland Senior Center
Program Highlights: Computer classes; health Insur-
ance counseling and advocacy program; exercise;
trips, tours and theater outings; Alzheimer’s Caregivers
Support Groups and more. Hrs: Mon. – Fri., 8:45am to
4:45pm. 5714 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. Subscribe to
“The North Oakland Senior Times,” for a full schedule of
classes/events and monthly lunch menu ($2.25 to $4.).
Info about events, membership, and opportunities to
become a volunteer: 597- 5085.
American Red Cross
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
Community Calendar
Neighborhood Crime Prevention
Council (NCPC)
Club, Berkeley branch (www.berkeleywritersclub.
org.) Info: 420-8775 or Writefox@aol.com.
■
■Lawyers in the Library: Free legal advice. First
Tuesday each month from 6 to 8pm (call to confirm).
Advance sign-up starts 5pm. More info: 597-5017.
ART EXHIBITS:
Gallery: n Mar: Bill Turner: photographs.
n Apr: Abba Yahuda: paintings
Lobby Display Case:
n Mar: MOCHA: recycled art.
n Apr: Nila Oaks: photographs.
LIBRARY HOURS
Tues, 12:30 to 8pm.
Wed., Thurs. and Sat. 10am to 5:30pm.
Fri., 12 to 5:30pm.
Closed Sundays and Mondays.
Also closed: Wed., 3/31 and Tues., 4/6.
Diesel Readings and Events
Residents and business members of NCPC’s 12Y and
13X areas are invited to voice their concerns about
crime and public safety, 2nd Thursday each month,
7pm. Rockridge Library, upstairs meeting room, 5366
College Ave. info@rockridgencpc.com or info-
fordenise@yahoo.com. See page 1 notice of joint
meeting April 8 with RCPC.
Rockridge Branch Library
5366 College Avenue, 597-5017
FOR CHILDREN
■
■Toddler Story Time: Every Saturday, 10:30am.
■
■Pre-School Story Time: 1st and 3rd Wed., 10:30am.
■
■Baby and Toddler Story Time: 1st and 3rd Wed.,
10:30am, upstairs.
■
■Pajama Time (stories and crafts/activities): 2nd and
4th Tuesdays, 7pm. Kids invited to come in pajamas.
Special Events:
All events are FREE and open to the public.
■
■Mon., 3/8, 7pm. Amnesty International Meeting
(2nd Monday each month): All invited to exchange
ideas on action.
■
■PlayWell Tek Lego Workshop: Learn engineering
principles while you build fun Lego structures. Sat.,
3/13, 2 -3pm. For kids of all ages.
■
■Wed., 3/10, 7pm. Mary Gaitskill: Don’t Cry.
■
■National Library Week Book Swap and Book-Mark
Making: Bring any book you no longer want to trade
(1 for 1) with others. An open, free, indoor market for
all ages. Bring a mat or blanket to display your books.
Tues., 4/13, 7pm.
FOR TEENS
■
■Sun., 3/21, 3pm. Poetry Flash with Janet Holmes
and Rusty Morrison.
■
■Thurs., 4/8, 7pm. Judith Tannenbaum: By Heart:
Poetry, Prison, and Two Lives, a two-person memoir
she wrote with Spoon Jackson.
DIESEL, A Bookstore, 5433 College Ave. Info about
other events and book discussion groups: 653-9965
or events@dieselbookstore.com.
Chabot Elementary Spring
Auction and Gala
■
■Rockridge Ninjas Anime Club: Teens 13 and up,
watch and talk about anime (Japanese animation).
Second Tues. ea. month, 5-6:30pm, upstairs meeting rm.
■
■Mehendi: get free, temporary East Indian henna
tattoos. Tattoos last 1 -2 wks. Free. Pick up permis-
sion slip at the Library; must be signed by parent or
guardian before or on the day of the event. Thurs.,
4/1, 4 to 5:30pm. Info: Susy, 597-5017.
FOR ADULTS
PTA fundraiser to support enrichment programs, including
music and art, garden and more. Wear cocktail attire
and enjoy fine food, drinks and music. Two auctions with
fabulous items: a live auction at the Gala on Mar. 20,
6:30 to 11pm, and an on-line auction beginning on Mar.
11 at 8am and ending on Mar. 18 at 10pm. Preview the
auction catalog at http://auctions.readysetauction.
com/chabotelementary/catalog/view. Tickets, $35
each, available now at http://auctions.readysetauc-
tion.com/chabotelementary/home. Caffe Verbena,
1111 B’way. More Inf.: Bette, 910-7165.
Oakland Tech Fundraiser
■
■Writers’ Support/Critique Group: All writers welcome.
Bring 15 copies of up to 5 double-spaced pages of
any prose for on-site reading/discussion (you’re also
welcome to come empty-handed). Third Saturday each
month, 1 to 5pm. Sponsored by the California Writers
“Enjoy the World of Oakland Tech!” and support academic
and arts programs, sports, college tours and more. Wear
your party clothes and enjoy delicious international food,
live music and entertainment and live and silent auctions.
Tickets at the door $25. Saturday, Mar. 13, 6 to 10pm, at
the T. Gary Rogers Rowing Center, 2999 Glascock St.
(on the Oakland Estuary). More info: Barbara Vernon,
601-6694 or auction@oaklandtech.com.
Claremont Middle School
Annual Play-A-Thon
www.elitetradealliance.com
Mention Elite Trade Alliance (code ETA-RN)
for your preferred 10% off rate and
priority scheduling!
Fundraiser for the Claremont Band and Orchestra
The band and orchestra will play 100 songs in front
of the school in this annual fundraiser for the music
students’ fees and travel expenses to upcoming band
and orchestra festivals. Neighbors and passers-by are
invited to join in and jam with the students. Bring your
instrument and your checkbook. Fri., Mar. 19, between
2 and 6pm at 5750 College Avenue (across from Trader
Painting & Electrical
Wooden Doors & Windows
Plumbing & Hydronics
Custom Wood Products
■
■Mobile Blood Drives: During March, for all present-
ing donors, there will be 4 weekly drawings for a
$100 gift certificate which can be used toward any
Red Cross Training Course or items sold in our Red
Cross Shop (promotion not available at high school
or college blood drives). Call 800-GIVE-LIFE (800-
448-3543) or visit www.redcrossblood.org to find
a location near you.
■
■Volunteer Orientations: 3/9, 3/17 and 3/23 from 6 to
8pm. Tour the Oakland Blood Center. Learn to assist
blood donors, deliver blood, help with special projects
and more. 6230 Claremont Avenue (across from Col-
lege Ave. Safeway). To get training schedules and to
sign up call Anne at 594-5165 or BlackstoneA@
usa.redcross.org.
16.
March 6, 2010
5431 College Ave
Oakland Ca 94618
510. 652. 5431
www.elizabethh.net
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
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29
Better Homes
Realty
5353 College Avenue
Oakland
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Mon – Fri 9:30 – 6:00
Sat 9:30 – 5:00
CHIMES
PHARMACY
Serving Rockridge Since 1909
3210 College Avenue
Near Alcatraz
652-1990
INTERIOR-EXTERIOR LEAD
CERTIFIED PAINTERS
Professional preparation. Many local
references. All work Guaranteed.
(510) 654-3339
For Sale – rockridge
Sustainable Living
Starts at Home
5326 James ave. 2beds/1bath $769,000
Perfect Craftsman Bungalow on most desirable Street
www.5326James.com - chabot elementary
5238 Miles ave. 3bed/2+baths $879,000
Redone “Top to bottom” Craftsman 2-story
www.5238Miles.com
Sustainable Building
Starts at Ashby Lumber
5556 claremont ave. (price reduced) 2beds/1bath $759,000
Huge Private Lot w/Darling Craftsman Bungalow
www.5556claremont.com – chabot elementary
5558 claremont ave. (price reduced) 4beds/2baths $759,000
2-story Craftsman w/full Basement
www.5558claremont.com - chabot elementary
Looking for a Contractor?
Visit our Contractor Directory
at ashbylumber.com
coMing Soon – rockridge
.
824 Ashby Avenue Berkeley
Ph: 510.843.4832 Fax: 510.843.3840
locksley ave. 3beds/2baths Price upon request
Redone blending the old & new seamlessly
chabot elementary
Pending – rockridge
5809 ross St. 3+beds/2baths $1,279,000
Amazing Storybook Tudor 1st time on market in 55yrs!
www.5809ross.com - chabot elem - Pending Sale
468 58th St. 2+beds/2baths $474,000
Charming Craftsman Cottage
www.468-58thSt.com Pending Sale
463 cavour ave. 3beds/2baths $719,000
Clean and Solid on a huge park-like south facing level lot
www.463cavour.com Pending Sale
460 58th St. 1++beds/2baths $449,000
Sunny Starter Condo Alternative w/ 2nd Living Unit
www.460-58thSt.com Pending Sale
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
“#1 in Rockridge Real Estate”
R E A L E S T A T E
B R O K E R A G E