Extracted text · highlighting “Trader Joe's”

www.rockridge.org

!
Remember:
No Newsletter
in August.

VOL. 25      NO. 7      ISSUE NO. 269      July 3, 2010                         CIRCULATION: 5,100 Residences; 200 BusInesses

Sponsored by the Rockridge Community Planning Council • 4123 Broadway, PMB 311 • Oakland, CA 94611 • 869-4200

June Town Hall: Development; DEIR
by Michael Kan, RCPC boardmember
As a session dedicated to a review of the
most effective ways to prepare written
comments on the City’s Draft Environmen-
tal Impact Report (DEIR) for the College
Avenue shopping center development, June’s
Town Hall presentation attracted many
Rockridge residents.
In addition, attendees heard a preview
of Safeway’s new plans for the Rockridge
Shopping Center (RRSC), located at 51st/
Pleasant Valley and Broadway.
RCPC Chair and Land Use Committee
(LUC) Chairman Stu Flashman outlined
the environmental review process that both
Safeway projects will go through. He noted
that the City is currently preparing a
DEIR for each project, with the Col-
➧➧DEIR: June Town Hall, page 13
➧ LUC Chair Stuart Flashman
reviews DEIR response concepts
at the June RCPC Town Hall
meeting.       Photo: Andrew Charman

Help Wanted: Board of Directors Positions
Open; RCPC Kitchen Tour Co-Chair Vacancy

More Safeway News: See the Land
Use Committee report, page 4.
RCPC Town Hall Meeting
AGENDA
July 2010
Note  Date
Change
July 22, 2010, 7:30 p.m.
Rockridge Branch Library
5366 College at Manila
Community Room (Upstairs)
■
■Rockridge Center Safeway
Development Proposal
Last year, Safeway unveiled plans for a
110,000 square foot revamp and expan-
sion of the Rockridge Shopping Center…
and the silence was deafening. Even the
pro-development Oakland Planning Com-
mission panned the project. Now Safeway
has returned with a bigger (120,000 sq. ft.)
but perhaps better proposal. You be the
judge. David Zylstra, CEO of Safeway’s
Property Development Centers division,
will present their latest plans and take
comments from the audience.
Come. See. Listen. Respond! It’s
your neighborhood, your future.

The Rockridge Community Planning
Council seeks applicants for appointment
to two openings on its board of directors.
One position would replace Christopher
Walters, who was elected to the board in
April but was unable to serve.
The other position is RCPC’s merchant
seat, filled annually by appointment. To
apply for either position, send a short letter
explaining your qualifications and why you
seek appointment. Write either to RCPC,
4123 Broadway, PMB 311, 94611, or via
e-mail to chair@rockridge.org. July 31 is
the deadline to get your letter in.
Time is Running Out:
Kitchen Tour Co-Chair
Urgently Needed!
The biennial Rockridge Kitchen
Tour, RCPC’s main fundraiser, is
still in need of a co-chair for the September,
2011 Tour. The long-time, much-anticipated
event is at risk of being discontinued if this
position is not filled. To apply, write to
Kitchen Tour, 4123 Broadway, PMB 311,
Oakland, CA, 94611, or e-mail chair@
rockridge.org, or call RCPC at 510/869-
4200 and leave a message.
Annual National Night Out: August 3
Is Your Block On Board?
Tuesday, August 3, 7 to 9 p.m. is National Night Out, a
nationwide block party celebrating neighborhood safety.
Last year, some 27,000 Oakland residents participated
in 419 block parties throughout the city.
To set up a block party for your block, you can either
sign up on-line at www2.oaklandnet.com/nno, or call
Brenda Ivey at Oakland’s community services depart-
ment, 238-3809, or e-mail her at bivey@oaklandnet.com.
The registration deadline is July 26.
For further information, visit the Web site of the national organization at:
http://www.nationalnightout.org/nno/about.html
POLICE-COMMUNITY
PARTNERSHIPS

New Address for Newsletter:  The Rockridge News, 4123 Broadway, PMB 311, Oakland, CA, 94611


2.

July 3, 2010

City Audit Raps Residential Permit
Parking Program Performance

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: Sunday and Monday; also 8/13, 9/7, 9/9, 9/10
by Jon Gabel, RCPC boardmember
Called for by the City Council more
than a year-and-a-half ago, the final
Performance Audit of the Residential Permit
Parking (RPP) Program was released in June
by Oakland City Auditor Courtney A. Ruby.
The document, consisting of 167 pages in
three volumes, is strongly critical of almost
every aspect of the way in which the RPP
Program has been administered. Many of
these criticisms have been documented in
The Rockridge News and noted by many
Rockridge residents.
In broad reply to each section of the
audit — “Policies & Analyses,” “Revenue
& Costs,” and “Management Systems” —
recently-appointed Director of Parking
Operations Noel Pinto said, “...the audit
findings reflect actions or decisions made
by the prior parking administration. The
report gives the appearance that the audit
findings reflect current conditions under
the new parking administration which is
not the case.”
A new computer system which has just
become operational (article, page 3) appears
able to address some of the issues raised in
the audit. It is anticipated that City Council
action will be required on other issues.
Given the length of the audit reports,
this article will only touch on the most
important conclusions. Readers can find
the full reports online at the Audit Reports
section of the Auditor’s Web site: http://
www.oaklandauditor.com/audits/reports.
Following are highlights of the audit,
by section:
 Policies & Analyses: Residential
Parking Permit (RPP) Program’s
Policies for Cost and Revenue Analyses
Were Incomplete:
ules. Because of the parking impact of the
Rockridge BART station, RPP holders in
Rockridge pay one of the costs of having a
rapid transit system that serves the entire
Bay Area. Therefore, it is an open question
whether Rockridge residents should have
to pay the entire cost of their RPPs. The
report states:
“The audit found that the City lacks a
clear policy on:
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
Valerie Knight	���������������������Graphics & Layout
RCPC Board of Directors, 2010-2011
Stuart Flashman	�����������������Chair
Andrew Charman	���������������Vice-Chair
Michael Kan	������������������������Secretary
Cesar Angobaldo	���������������Treasurer
Annette Floystrup, Melinda Frey;
Jonathan Gabel, William Kaufner, Don Kinkead,
Alex Naughton, Ronnie Spitzer,  Ann Winterman
Contact the Board: chair@rockridge.org
For information: info@rockridge.org
■
■The level of cost that should be
recovered for providing government
programs and services (i.e., a specific
percentage such as 100% cost recovery
or 50% cost recovery);
■
■When less than full cost recovery
would be appropriate;
■
■What types of cost are to be included
in the cost analysis of City programs
and services.”
One of the questions raised by residents
when the City Council twice voted to increase
RPP fees was: Why was citation revenue
not included in the financial analysis? The
amount of revenue from RPP enforcement
remains unknown. However, regarding all
enforcement costs and revenues, the report
states “…generally the revenue generated
by Enforcement staff exceeds the costs: For
last Fiscal Year the enforcement revenue
collected was $23,930,986 while the cost
of the enforcement staff was $3,327,823.”
The report also stated that the practices
in place “Allow stakeholder input into for-
mulation of the [RPP] policy.” It should be
noted that the last time RPP fees were raised
by the City Council, the public received
three days’ notice that the item was on the
Council’s agenda.
Key Findings:
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, 4123 Broadway, PMB 311,
Oakland, CA 94611
RCPC Voicemail: 510/869-4200
■
■“The City’s policies do not clearly
This report gives a brief history of the
RPP Program, including the fee sched-
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.
➧➧Residential Parking Audit, page 3
$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
 September 4, 2010
 September deadline is August 19, 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.
July 3, 2010

■
■“Parking Management did not have
documented agreements for all rela-
tionships with third party entities.
Residential Parking Audit
from page 2
■
■“Parking Management lacked an
accounts receivable management
system to manage third-party entity
transactions.
	From “Revenue & Costs: Weak
Oversight of Entities that Pay Residen-
define the intended level of cost
recovery for the RPP Program, as
well as the types of costs that should
be included in the Program’s cost
analysis.
tial Permit Parking Program Permits
Resulted in Uncollected Revenue and
Unanticipated Costs:”
■
■“Parking Management did not invoice
third-party entities in a timely manner,
including an estimated $15,000 for
FY 2008-09.
■
■“Parking Management did not track
or include all relevant costs (enforce-
ment, benefits, overhead, etc.) in its
FY 2008-09 cost analysis of the RPP
Program.
This report notes that “not every Oakland
resident who lives in an RPP area and has an
RPP pays for it. Residents in some parts of
Area A, all of Area E, and Area H have their
permits paid for by a third party entity…[such
as] Kaiser Permanente Hospital, Head-Royce
School and Highland Hospital…. Parking
Management did not have proper internal
controls in place to manage relationships
with third party entities that pay for RPPs,
resulting in up to $120,000 in uncollected,
non-invoiced and improperly accounted
for revenue.”
Key Findings:
■
■“Parking Management did not col-
lect outstanding accounts receivables
totaling approximately $50,000 from
two third party entities.
■
■“Parking Management was not able
to provide the evidence necessary to
validate over 90% of its FY 2008-09
cost analysis.
■
■“Parking Management did not main-
tain adequate financial records to
prove payment of invoices, totaling
approximately $40,000.
■
■“Parking Management did not pres-
ent all revenue sources related to the
RPP Program, such as RPP citation
revenue, that should be included in
the RPP Program’s revenue analysis.”
■
■“Parking Management did not charge
third-party entities late fees for
delinquent payments totaling approxi-
mately $15,000.
■
■“Parking Management was not aware
that the City subsidized approximately
$85,000 in Area B RPP sales.”
 From “Management Systems: Weak
Management Systems for the Residential
Parking Permit Program Resulted in
Operational Inefficiencies and Uncol-
Automation Comes to RPP
by Jon Gabel, RCPC boardmember
At its monthly meeting on June 23 in Oakland City Hall, the Oakland Merchants
Leadership Forum (OMLF) presented several speakers, some of whom addressed
parking issues. These included Director of Parking Operations Noel Pinto, Senior
Transportation Manager Bruce Williams, and a member of the Mayors Parking
Task Force, Alton Jelks.
Pinto reported on the new Citation Administration and Revenue Reconciliation
System, (CARRS), which was described in the April 2010 Rockridge News. As of
June 14, CARRS is now up and running, Pinto said, including online features and
a new telephone answering system. Traffic citations are now being handled elec-
troncially by CARRS (as opposed to the paper-based system previously in place),
eliminating the six week delay between the time a citation was issued and the time
when the City was able to accept payment.
Residential Permit Parking (RPP) applications and renewals will be handled
by the program by August 31. Residents will be able to apply for, renew and pay
for RPP permits online. Proof of residency will now be required only every three
years; this will involve mailing in a bill or other such evidence. Another benefit is
that the new telephone system is more accurate regarding wait times and is more
responsive, according to Pinto.
Pinto said he would look into a request by Chris Jackson, operations manager for
the Rockridge District Association (RDA), to increase the number of business RPP
permits, even if this requires a higher price for these permits. Businesses currently
pay $80/year for business RPP permits.
Pinto also fielded complaints from attendees regarding enforcement of paid park-
ing by the use of kiosks. Parking Division personnel are now instructed to check for
people who are in the process of buying time at a kiosk before writing citations. If
the nearest kiosk is not operating, personnel check the next kiosk as well.
Bruce Williams reported that the City is investigating the use of “market based
pricing” for parking. This system changes the price of parking depending upon
several factors, such as the amount of usage,
time of day, and number of open parking
lected Revenue:”
This report says that “the length of
time it takes to process each permit was
approximately 50 minutes” and “permit
expiration is concentrated on one [annual]
date and creates a backlog for RPP Permit
renewal processing.”
Key Findings:
■
■“Parking Management did not
adequately address operational
inefficiencies by streamlining docu-
mentation requirements and utilizing
technology enhancements.
■
■“RPP Program staff efficiency for
processing permits has not been
maximized.
■
■“RPP Area residents are dissatisfied
with the RPP Program because of the
inefficiencies of the program.
■
■“Parking Management did not collect
approximately $20,000 in revenue
from outstanding parking citations
over three fiscal years.
■
■“Parking Management did not imple-
ment a policy and procedure to check
for outstanding parking citations
before issuing a permit.”
➧➧RPP System Enhanced, page 6


4.

July 3, 2010

The RCPC Land Use Committee meets on
the fourth Wednesday of the month.
Next meeting: July 28. Rockridge Branch Library,
Upstairs Meeting Room: 7:30 p.m.
Land Use Meeting Agendas
Contact Stuart Flashman at 652-5373 or chair@
rockridge.org for a copy of the current Land Use
Committee meeting agenda.
by Stuart Flashman,
RCPC Land Use Committee chair
Still to be determined is how or whether
all of the functions now performed by the
CVS drug store (e.g., hardware store, garden
center, housewares store, toy store, school
supplies store) will continue after the store
closes. (CVS’s lease expires next July.)
While the new plans are much improved
over Safeway’s previous proposal, they still
show the center accessed almost exclusively
by automobiles. RCPC boardmembers sug-
gested several ways to create better transit
access. One notable proposal would be to
move the AC Transit 51A/51B turnaround
from the Rockridge BART station to the
interior of the shopping center, installing
a transit station at the center. With a new
signalized entrance off of Broadway, such
a transit station might simplify and expe-
dite the operation of the split line, while
also eliminating a major annoyance to
residents along Keith, Miles, and Forest.
Safeway has also said it is in discussions
with Kaiser-Oakland about adding the
Rockridge Shopping Center to the itiner-
ary of the shuttle that now runs between
Kaiser and MacArthur BART. With that
and a new 51 A/B stop, the Center would
have much improved public transit access,
potentially reducing its traffic impacts.
Much will depend, however, on whether AC
Transit is willing to have a transit station
on private property.
Safeway will present its plans for the
center to the Rockridge community at the
July Town Hall Meeting, Thursday, July 22,
7:30 p.m. at the Rockridge Branch Library.
The meeting may be moved to a larger venue
to accommodate the expected crowd. Check
the rockridge.org Web site or the library
bulletin board for updates, or sign up for the
RCPC e-newsletter to receive timely updates
on this and other upcoming events. (E-mail
info@rockridge.org to sign up for the e-news.)
is scheduled for July 14 at 4 p.m. at Oakland
City Hall, Hearing Room 1 (1st floor). Two
items that Rockridge residents may wish to
comment on are:
1) The lack of any upper limit on project
size in the new CN-1 zone proposed to replace
College Avenue’s current C-31 zoning. (RCPC
suggested putting a 50,000 sq. ft. cap on the
size of projects in the CN-1 zone, but city
planning staff rejected the suggestion);
2) Limitations on the expansion of com-
mercial uses in residentially zoned areas. The
new residential zoning allows commercial
uses to continue at some limited sites (e.g.,
to allow existing convenience stores to con-
tinue as a fully legal use, as opposed to a
legal nonconforming use). Some Rockridge
residents expressed concern that this would
allow continuation and expansion of com-
mercial uses on the residentially zoned
portion of Broadway in Rockridge.
Residents have also expressed a desire
to place a maximum size limitation on the
current provision allowing church and school
uses in residential areas, subject to a minor
conditional use permit.
■
■Rockridge Montessori School
(6516 Broadway)
The RCPC board heard from Rockridge
Montessori’s owners and architect at its
June meeting. Boardmembers expressed
concern about the inadequacy of the traffic
report, potential impact to bicycle safety,
especially after bike lanes are installed
on Broadway, and the school’s continuing
expansion into a residential-zoned area.
In the end, the board voted to oppose the
application unless the school agreed to a
number of conditions, including several
traffic mitigation measures and a bind-
ing commitment not to seek any further
expansion without prior approval from
the RCPC board. RCPC awaits a response
from the school.
Meanwhile, at the land use committee’s
June meeting, committee members heard
from concerned neighboring residents.
Complaints included excessive noise and
traffic, blocked driveways, and the school’s
repeated failure to live up to past promises.
These concerns will be discussed further
at the RCPC board’s July meeting. While
RCPC continues to seek a mutually agree-
able compromise solution, the apparent
lack of trust between the school and its
neighbors is a major obstacle.
The Oakland planner handling the case
is Ulla Britt-Jonsson (238-3322, ujonsson@
oaklandnet.com).
■
■College Avenue Safeway
Shopping Center (Corner of
College & Claremont Avenues)
The Draft Environmental Impact Report
(DEIR) on this 62,000 sq. ft. commercial
project is expected to be released some time
in the next month or two. RCPC will post
information about the DEIR’s availability
on the rockridge.org Web site and will also
send out notification of the publication on the
RCPC e-newsletter. Copies should be available
for review at the Rockridge branch library
and in electronic form on the City’s Web site.
RCPC has received a $10,000 matching
grant from the Rose Foundation to help fund
technical and legal review of the DEIR. Those
wishing to make a donation to help this
important work can send a check, made out
to RCPC/College Avenue Safeway Project to
RCPC, 4123 Broadway, PMB 311, Oakaland,
CA  94611.
Donations may also be made online using
PayPal from the College Avenue Safeway
Project page at the rockridge.org Web site.
■
■Rockridge Shopping Center
(Corner of Broadway and
Pleasant Valley)
The RCPC board also heard a presen-
tation from David Zystra of Safeway’s
Property Development Centers division,
who reported that the newest revised plans
for redeveloping the Rockridge Shopping
Center involve a slightly bigger expansion
(130,000 sq. ft. versus 110,000 sq. ft in the
previous proposal). They also include actual
internal streets within the shopping center,
rooftop parking instead of the subterranean
lot previously proposed, and a new three-
story structure on the corner of Pleasant
Valley and Broadway, where the Chase
Bank building is now.
■
■Citywide Zoning Update
After a series of public meetings where
zoning plans were presented, city staff now
believes the city’s proposed zoning revisions
are ready to begin the formal approval process.
The first step will be a review by the Planning
Commission’s Zoning Update Committee. The
first hearing, which will cover North Oakland
(including Rockridge) and the Oakland Hills,
h fh fh fh fh fhh fh f


5.
July 3, 2010

4th Bore Mitigation Areas Surveyed in
Consultant’s Rockridge Walking Tour
by The 4th Bore Coalition
Representatives from the Rockridge
neighborhood, including Claremont
Middle and Chabot schools, the city of
Oakland Transportation Services Depart-
ment, RCPC, Rockridge District Association
(RDA), East Bay Bicycle Coalition (EBBC),
North Hills Phoenix Association (NHPA),
Fourth Bore Coalition (FBC) and consul-
tants participated in the Oakland mitigation
walking tour early in June.
The tour was to determine mitigative
measures that would help offset impending
noise and traffic expected to result from
construction of the new tunnel and subse-
quent increased vehicle traffic on Hwy. 24.
The lengthy tour started at the Cla-
remont and College Avenue intersection,
proceeded along College Avenue to Manila
Avenue, then cut over to Broadway to finish
at Brookside. Along the way, participants
explained intersection issues and worked
with the consultants on pedestrian and bike
improvements. Pedestrian crossing issues
along Broadway and Claremont Avenues
were also mentioned.
Installation of soundwalls is another
project on the list. A noise study by con-
sultant Wilson Ihrig, commissioned by
Caltrans as part of the Oakland settlement,
ascertained sound levels along Hwy. 24
residences between Hwy. 13 and I-580. Many
locations qualify for soundwalls based on
noise levels equal to or greater than 65 dB,
including residences along Keith, Locksley,
and Miles avenues.*
RCPC has submitted background mate-
rial on potential projects to the city of
Oakland. During the summer, the City
plans to develop project fact sheets for the
public meetings.
The RCPC September Town Hall will be
the Rockridge meeting venue for the public
meetings. Watch for more information in the
September Rockridge News. For additional
information and breaking news, visit www.
rockridge.org.
September
Maintenance Day
for FROG Park:
Save this date! Saturday, September 18,
is Fall Maintenance Day. Work will
continue throughout the weekend and
possibly beyond. The Park will be closed
during this time.
FROG plans to completely replace the
playground wood chips (fibar) and perform
maintenance on the structure itself.
Anyone interested in helping should
contact Howard Ferrier at hwferrier@
frogpark.org.
Praying - Serving - Growing
St. Augustine
Roman Catholic
Church
400 Alcatraz Ave.
Oakland
(between Telegraph
and College
Avenues)
510-653-8631
Mass Schedule
 Saturday: 5 p.m.
 Sunday: 8 a.m.
  & 10:30 a.m.
 Weekdays: 8:30 a.m.
Reconciliation
 Saturday, 4 p.m.
www.staugustineoakland.com
* According to the Web site of the Ameri-
can Speech-Language-Hearing Association,
sounds rated as “very loud” include the
following, listed with their dB rating: 80 dB
= alarm clock, busy street; 70 dB = busy
traffic, vacuum cleaner; 60 dB = conver-
sation, dishwasher. (http://www.asha.org/
public/hearing/disorders/noise.htm)
G
GRUBBCO.COM
510.652.2133
3070 Claremont Avenue • Berkeley
Welcoming boys & girls ages 5 and up
510.339.0400
1960 Mountain Boulevard • Oakland
(510) 547-4441 www.piedmontchoirs.org
PIEDMONT EAST BAY CHILDREN’S CHOIR


6.

July 3, 2010

RPP System
Enhanced

Daily Bread Seeks Refrigerator
Many readers
may remember an article in the January 2010
issue of The Rockridge News seeking to
recruit volunteers for our Daily Bread organization — we gather leftover foods from
many sources in the area, e.g. markets, bakeries, restaurants, and even occasional
parties and social events, and deliver them to shelters and charitable
organizations that provide food to people in need. One of our most
generous providers is Market Hall and we are so appreciative
of their efforts for our organization. We had an overwhelming
response and now have a cadre of new and enthusiastic
volunteers working on this worthwhile project. Thanks to all
who agreed to take on this cause!
In the January article we also mentioned that we were looking
for a donation of a refrigerator—either with or without a site—so that
we could store perishable food donations overnight and deliver them the following
day. The one lead we received ultimately didn’t pan out. But things change, so we are
asking again if anyone has a refrigerator that they are not using and would be willing
to donate for our organization’s use. Please contact me if you fit this description.
Thanks in advance. My contact info is: 510/655-6432; email: joanmsautter@yahoo.com.
—Joan Sautter

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

My neighborhood gym!
“After working out here for years,
 I bought the place!
 Check out our new
 equipment & classes.
 Bring in this ad &
 get a *FREE
 WORKOUT*”
-Lisa
Gartland,
gym owner
Inside
Outside
Fitness
* New members only *
(510) 655-8308
4444 Piedmont Ave
Oakland, CA 94611
www.InsideOutsideFitness.com

from page 3
spaces in an area. San Francisco is trying
out this system, and Williams expressed
the wish for a pilot program in Oakland.
A survey of merchants indicates there
is opposition to both market based pricing
and what is perceived as excessive parking
prices in effect now. Some merchants feel
that this high pricing is leading customers
to go to other cities where parking is less
expensive.
Alton Jelks, who also teaches Business
at Peralta College, is heading an effort to
write a comprehensive parking policy for
the City. Jelks stated that he believed this
policy should be integrated with a retail
policy for each neighborhood.
On June 28, this writer and Rockridge
News editor Don Kinkead met with Pinto,
Administrative Services Manager Joe Litton,
and Sherry Jackson, Accountant. In light of
the release of the Final Performance Audit
Reports on the RPP Program (article, page
2), Pinto was asked that the new CARRS
software be utilized to determine the
actual cost of operating RPP, including
administrative costs, enforcement costs,
and revenue from the purchase of permits
and from citations.
Pinto said that under the new and more
efficient system, specific personnel are no
longer dedicated to RPP tasks. Instead,
many employees split their time between
RPP and other Parking Division activities.
Since the City Council has not mandated
the tracking of RPP administrative and
enforcement costs by the Traffic Division,
Pinto’s department would not be able to
provide the requested information. Were
the council to mandate collection of this
information, a methodology would have to
be developed, Pinto said.
For example, since enforcement officers
write citations for many types of violations
on each shift; some are for RPP violations
but most are not. A method to estimate the
labor and vehicle costs for the RPP portion
would have to be established.


7.
July 3, 2010

Rockridge Masons Host School Fund-Raiser

In April, the Rockridge
Masonic Lodge, known
more fully as the Oakland
Durant Rockridge Lodge
#188, hosted a fund-raising
pancake breakfast on behalf
of Claremont Middle School.
The public was invited to
attend three seatings in
the ornate dining room of
the lodge at 5449 College
Avenue, pictured at right,
to enjoy an all-you-can-eat
pancake feast for a donation
to the school. More than
$4,000 was raised.
Pancake Breakfast Brings in the Bread!

 Oakland Durant Rockridge’s Dining
Hall/Third Floor, full with visitors
during its First Annual Pancake
Breakfast to benefit the Rockridge
District Association and the Parent
Teacher Association of Oakland’s
Claremont School (and which netted
the PTA a little more than $4,000.) 

by Chris Jackson, RDA operations manager
On April 24, the Rockridge Masonic Lodge hosted the First Annual Pancake Breakfast
to support Claremont Middle School. Working closely with the Masons were the
Claremont PTA and the Rockridge District Association (RDA). Proceeds from the event,
which raised over $4,000, will be used to support school programs focusing on arts and
media. This event was not only a fundraiser but a community builder as people from the
school, residential and business communities met and mingled.
The community response to the breakfast was beautifully summed up in an e-mail
Chris Jackson received from Norma Taylor, Vice-Principal Kevin Taylor’s mother:
“It was quite the experience, totally above and beyond what I could have expected. In
my 13 years in education I never participated in such a successful fundraiser, not only in
the money that was earned for the school, $4,000, but in the unique community-building
experience where community stakeholders from all arenas shared in conversation and
bountiful food in a unique environment. I sat down at my table with local firemen, parents
from feeder schools and Mason leadership. I learned about this great community from
a variety of different vantage points and left the community-building breakfast full of
pancakes and knowledge. I wish we could have them once a month.”
Others recognized that the Masons had put on a great feed, one that was not just three
pancakes on a paper plate, but as one person said was a “five star meal” and asked, “Can
we do this every quarter?”
This event was possible because so many folks gave their time and energy to make it
all happen. Special thanks go to the following; Rockridge Masonic Lodge: Ed Stevenson;
Claremont Middle School PTA: Patrick Zak, Chan U Lee, Kathy Rieves, Keith Tramiel
and Julie Parker; The Rockridge District Association and participating merchants, without
whom the bounty would have been much less.
And, here’s to Rockridge merchants: Allstate, Bosko’s Picture Framing, DHR Investment
Counsel, Fit, Garibaldi’s, Green Graphics, Rockridge Rags, Rockridge Home, Rockridge
Royal Cleaners, and Vero. Thanks also to those merchants who showed support by
displaying an event poster.

Breakfast photos and
captions from the
Lodge’s Flickr site.
College Avenue view of
the Lodge: Don Kinkead

 In order to get fed, ODR’s visitors
to its First Annual Pancake Breakfast
had to pass through the serving line
manned (or brothered?) by Lodge
brothers (from far left to right) David
Freed, PM; Joe Bruno; Luchana Chessa;
and David Forsyth.
 During Oakland Durant Rockridge’s
First Annual Pancake Breakast in
support of the Rockridge District
Association and the PTA of Oakland’s
Claremont School, Otha Cotton, the
Lodge’s current Master, watched
Brother Kevin Hulme provide the
Serving Line with more oranges.


8.

July 3, 2010

question. Nearly every recipe gives time
for cooking. However, no two pots or pans
are exactly alike. A 15,000 BTU burner at
high cooks very differently than a 20,000
BTU burner. Oven temperatures vary
greatly. There are too many variables to
give an exact cooking time. Professional
chefs always have an idea of what they are
looking for when cooking on the stove-top
or in the oven.
Rather than sauté onions for 5 minutes,
cook them until they begin to brown or
are translucent. Always use an instant-
read thermometer when checking for the
doneness of meat or poultry. A recipe may
call for a roast to cook for 40 minutes (for
medium rare) in a 425° oven, but depending
on where in the oven you place the roast, it
may take longer.
5. Less is more. When including gar-
nishes or other presentation highlights,
always use sparingly. Garnishes should add
color and nuanced taste to the dish. Presen-
tation elements require a very light touch,
and simplicity should be the rule. Garnishes
should not only be appealing to the eye, but
should also complement the flavor of the
dish. They can vary from a simple sprig of
parsley to curved thin leaves of chocolate
on a chocolate mousse.
Rock  ridge
Cornucopia
Cornucopia
Barry A. Kaufman
Culinary Boot Camp
Whenever I’m asked what it was like
to attend the California Culinary
Academy, my response is “boot camp.”
The follow-up question is, “How was it
like boot camp?” Although I never served
in the military, as a student at the CCA, I
was expected to dress in a spotlessly clean
uniform. If anything was out of place we
were ordered to fix it. Instructors were
always called “chef” and never by their
first name. Knives and other tools in our
culinary kit were checked every morning
before starting to cook. Anything out of
place had to be made right or we would be
asked to leave the kitchen. Every direction
had to be followed with precise detail. Any
deviation from these rules would result in
a lower grade.
That being said, my time at the Academy
was an incredible experience in learning the
culinary arts. I proudly wear my Academy
graduation patch on my chef’s coat. As is
necessary in any art form, perfecting the
basic skills is essential. Here are five culinary
skills that I constantly practice:
1. Use only the highest quality knives.
A good French chef’s knife is a friend for-
ever. Over 40 years ago, my mother-in-law
gave us two carbon-steel Sabatier knives.
I treasure these knives and they surpass
my more recently acquired stainless steel
Wüsthof knives. Knives should be profes-
sionally sharpened twice a year and honed
before every use. I urge all serious home
cooks to purchase Peter Hertzmann’s Knife
Skills Illustrated (Norton Press).
2. Prepare all ingredients called for
in recipe before you start to cook. The
French term for this preparation is mise en
place. Know the difference between chop,
dice, and mince. Avoid using your food
processor for chopping. By using the food
processor, you will never learn appropri-
ate knife skills, and the ingredients tend
to come out mushy. Practice with onions,
carrots and celery.
3. Taste and season as you cook. Most
recipes call for adding salt and pepper to
taste. At the Academy, our chef instructors
would constantly yell at us: KEEP TAST-
ING! Sprinkle salt and pepper from about
6-8 inches above the food you are season-
ing. You will have better control of where
the seasoning goes. Avoid using salt and
pepper shakers; use your fingers to add
the seasonings.
4. When is it done? Ah, the age-old
Barry Kaufman is a graduate of the California
Culinary Academy. Barry is available for private
cooking classes. Email: kaufman42@earthlink.net.
Tuna Au Poivre
(Two servings. Doneness is up to
you; no cooking time noted)
2 tablespoons ground pepper
(how finely to grind the pepper is
up to you)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Two 6-8 ounce tuna steaks
(1-inch thick)
Salt
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup minced (not chopped)
shallots
3/4 cup dry red wine
n	 Put pepper on a flat plate. Put
olive oil in a large skillet over
medium-high heat. Dredge both
sides of the tuna lightly in the
pepper; remember, less is more!
When the oil is hot, add the
steaks to the pan. Turn the heat
to high. Sprinkle with salt and
cook both sides until desired
doneness. Remove from heat and
loosely tent with aluminum foil.
n	 Add half the butter to the pan
followed by the shallots. Turn
the heat to medium and cook
until the shallots soften. Turn the
heat to medium-high and add the
wine. Let it bubble away and add
the remaining butter. Stir until
the butter melts and the sauce
reduces until thickened. Place
each tuna steak on a plate and
spoon a little of the sauce over it.
Jeff Auen
REMAX ACCORD
■
■Residential
■
■Income Properties
■
■REO Specialist
WWW.REO-SFBay.COM
WWW.JLAHOMES.COM
JeffAuen@comcast.net
800-805-8827


9.
July 3, 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.
My wife
and I got a
$55 ticket for
the “infrac-
tion” shown
in the photo—
evidently this
is considered
to be “park-
i n g
o v e r
the marked
space.” When
I asked the
parking officer why he would give some-
one a ticket for something as silly as this,
he commented, “We are giving tickets for
things a lot less worse than that... we’ve
been told to issue as many tickets per day
that we can.” Really?
I then spoke with John Kerns and Bert
Jacobs, owners of Brass and Glass on Col-
lege Avenue. John told me that he and his
customers are getting dozens of tickets
weekly for ridiculous infractions and that
he recently spent an entire day at the city
fighting and winning the reversal of more
than $1,000 of parking tickets from his
trucks and employees’ cars. As I asked
around, I heard more and more horror sto-
ries regarding the parking ticket situation
on College Avenue.
Is this really how we want to treat paying
customers and neighbors? Can anything be
done about this?
— Mike McDonald
51 Bus Line Stops are Dangerous
Editor:
In the June 5 issue of The Rockridge
News, you discussed the new bus stop at
the intersection of Miles and College, and
the traffic back-up that it has caused. I
agree with you and I want to add a further
observation.
I am a driver who regularly drives up
Shafter past Market Hall and straight as it
becomes Keith, crossing the busy intersec-
tion with College that has clearly posted
notices about the traffic lights. Unfortunately,
each time that the bus lets off passengers
on Keith by Cactus Taqueria, at least a
few get off the bus and jaywalk across to
the BART station, regardless of the traffic
flow and the lights. Often, it is impossible
to see the pedestrians until it is too late,
since many of them cross in front of the bus.
Since I regularly drive this route, I know to
slow when the bus is stopped (despite the
occasional honk of the driver behind me)
to make sure that there are no pedestrians,
but I am concerned that it is only a matter
of time before someone is hit.
— Anne Schmitz
Parking Enforcement Goes Too Far
Editor:
I know the budget crunch is the biggest
focus of the City right now, but the parking
enforcement situation is insane on College
Avenue, and I’ve heard it is the same way
city-wide.
Henry C. Levy & Co.
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Certified Public Accountants
and Consultants
A Professional Corporation
■
• tax preparation • estate planning
• tax planning
• business valuation
5940 College Avenue, Suite C
Oakland, California 94618
510.652-1000   FAX 510.654-2363

www.rockridge.org
!
Remember:
No Newsletter
in August.
VOL. 25      NO. 7      ISSUE NO. 269      July 3, 2010                         CIRCULATION: 5,100 RESIDENCES; 200 BUSINESSES
Sponsored by the Rockridge Community Planning Council • 4123 Broadway, PMB 311 • Oakland, CA 94611 • 869-4200
June Town Hall: Development; DEIR
by Michael Kan, RCPC boardmember
As a session dedicated to a review of the
most effective ways to prepare written
comments on the City’s Draft Environmen-
tal Impact Report (DEIR) for the College
Avenue shopping center development, June’s
Town Hall presentation attracted many
Rockridge residents.
In addition, attendees heard a preview
of Safeway’s new plans for the Rockridge
Shopping Center (RRSC), located at 51st/
Pleasant Valley and Broadway.
RCPC Chair and Land Use Committee
(LUC) Chairman Stu Flashman outlined
the environmental review process that both
Safeway projects will go through. He noted
that the City is currently preparing a
DEIR for each project, with the Col-
➧DEIR: June Town Hall, page 13
➧ LUC Chair Stuart Flashman
reviews DEIR response concepts
at the June RCPC Town Hall
meeting.       Photo: Andrew ChArmAn
Help Wanted: Board of Directors Positions
Open; RCPC Kitchen Tour Co-Chair Vacancy
The Rockridge Community Planning
Council seeks applicants for appointment
to two openings on its board of directors.
One position would replace Christopher
Walters, who was elected to the board in
April but was unable to serve in the position.
The other position is RCPC’s merchant seat,
filled annually by appointment. To apply for
either position, send a short letter explain-
ing your qualifications and why you seek
appointment. Write either to RCPC, 4123
Broadway, PMB 311, 94611, or via e-mail to
chair@rockridge.org. July 31 is the deadline
to get your letter in.
Time is Running Out:
Kitchen Tour Co-Chair
Urgently Needed!
The biennial Rockridge Kitchen
Tour, RCPC’s main fundraiser,
is still in need of a co-chair forSeptember,
2011 Tour. The long-time, much-anticipated
event is at risk of being discontinued if this
position is not filled. To apply for this posi-
tion, write to Kitchen Tour, 4123 Broadway,
PMB 311, Oakland, CA, 94611, or e-mail
chair@rockridge.org, or call RCPC at
510/869-4200 and leave a message.
More Safeway News: See the Land
Use Committee report, page 3.
RCPC Town Hall Meeting
AGENDA
July 2010
Note  Date
Change
July 22, 2010, 7:30 p.m.
Rockridge Branch Library
5366 College at Manila
Community Room (Upstairs)
Annual National Night Out: August 3
Is Your Block On Board?
Tuesday, August 3, 7 to 9 p.m. is National Night Out, a
nationwide block party celebrating neighborhood safety.
Last year, some 27,000 Oakland residents participated
in 419 block parties throughout the city.
To set up a block party for your block, you can either
sign up on-line at www2.oaklandnet.com/nno, or call Brenda
Ivey at Oakland’s community services department,
238-3809, or e-mail her at bivey@oaklandnet.com. The
registration deadline is July 26.
For further information, visit the Web site of the national organization at:
http://www.nationalnightout.org/nno/about.html
Rockridge Center Safeway
Development Proposal
Last year, Safeway unveiled plans for a
110,000 square foot revamp and expan-
sion of the Rockridge Shopping Center…
and the silence was deafening. Even the
pro-development Oakland Planning Com-
mission panned the project. Now Safeway
has returned with a bigger (120,000 sq. ft.)
but perhaps better proposal. You be the
judge. David Zylstra, CEO of Safeway’s
Property Development Centers division,
will present their latest plans and take
comments from the audience.
Come. See. Listen. Respond! It’s
your neighborhood, your future.
POLICE-COMMUNITY
PARTNERSHIPS
New Address for Newsletter:  The Rockridge News, 4123 Broadway, PMB 311, Oakland, CA, 94611
Do
You Have
20 Minutes to
Spare Each Month?
Marcy Whitebook has volunteered
to take the Hillegass/Alcatraz
route that opened up in June. Thanks,
Marcy, and we hope you inspire a couple
of other Rockridgians to volunteer for
the two routes that are listed below.
The Claremont Avenue route has been
served by volunteer Niccolo de Luca
for several years. Thank you Niccolo
and good luck in your new digs.  Please
keep the Rockridge News coming to
every home in Rockridge by volun-
teering a bit of your time to deliver to
these routes. Call or e-mail and refer
to the route number below. 547-3855
or smontauk@gmail.com
Route # Description
18Ga Block Captain: Both sides of
Claremont Avenue from freeway to
Clifton.
07 District Captain: 6 bundle drops
on blocks off Broadway


10.

July 3, 2010

Commuters Encouraged to Participate
in ‘Great Race’ for Clean Air
With summer in full swing, the sun is inviting Rockridge residents outdoors to enjoy
some fresh air. To help keep the air fresh, the Bay Area Air Quality Management
District is challenging businesses and their employees to participate in the Great Race for
Clean Air, which runs from August 1 to September 30. Registraion is currently ongoing.
In this friendly competition for great prizes, employees are
encouraged to use commute alternatives such as carpooling,
carsharing, biking, walking or riding public transit to work.
Even skateboarding and telecommuting count!
It is especially important to adopt a more air-friendly
commute because air
pollution ca n have
both minor and seri-
ous health effects: it can irritate your eyes, nose,
and throat; cause shortness of breath; aggravate asthma
and other respiratory conditions; and even affect your
heart and cardiovascular system. By participating in the
Great Race for Clean Air, employees can help protect
their health while they save time, money and the stress
of driving in traffic to work.
Luckily, employees who live in Rockridge have easy access to the Rockridge BART
station, two City CarShare pods, and multiple bus lines that run through the neighborhood.
It’s no wonder Rockridge is nationally recognized as a very sustainable, walkable and
navigable neighborhood. Still, if only one-fifth of Rockridge’s nearly 4,000 residents took
public transportation instead of driving alone, they could reduce their carbon emissions
by 20 percent! Ready to start the race? Get
your company to register before July 15 at
www.sparetheair.org.

The Bay Area Air
Quality Management
District is challenging
employees to partici-
pate in the Great Race
for Clean Air, which
runs from August 1 to
September 30.
Rockridge
Located on Market Hall’s Lower Level
Entry on Shafter Avenue
510-655-8808
www.curvesrockridge.com
Free Parking!
Across from BART
Open 7 Days
Mon- Fri  6:00 -7:30
Sat & Sun 8:00 - Noon

WINSTON’S PLUMBING
HEATING & ELECTRICAL
lic.# 537739/554406
Since 1979
• Trenchless Sewers
• Earthquake Protection
• Tankless Water Heaters
• Remodel & Repair
510-652-8014
www.winstonsplumbing.com
“”May your toilet never runneth over!”

Mon – Fri  9:30 – 6:00
Sat  9:30 – 5:00
CHIMES
PHARMACY
Serving Rockridge Since 1909
3210 College Avenue
Near Alcatraz
652-1990
COLLINS ROOFING
Family Owned & Operated
482-2227  Seamus
www.collinsroofing.com
Quality Work  •  Free Estimates
Lic # 695711
Norman H. Burg, DDS
General Dentistry
(510) 652-1517
5700 Broadway, Oakland
A Prevention Oriented Practice


11.
July 3, 2010

Dust Off Your Old Home Movies and
Share Them with Your Neighbors

If you can’t submit in advance, bring
your films in on:
Home Movie Day
Saturday, October 16
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Screening begins at 1 p.m.
Admission is free to
anyone who submits a film.
Location: 2575 Bancroft Way, between College
and Telegraph. PFA Theater Box Office opens
one hour before the first showtime of the day.
Home Movie Day is celebrated annually
in more than 50 towns worldwide. Bring
it home to Pacific Film Archive (PFA) by
sharing with us one or two reels of your
home movies on 8mm, Super 8mm, or 16mm.
Feel free to come by PFA with your
home movie
gems from now
until August 31
for the October
screening.
The earlier
the better, but
it’s never too
early to start
digging for your home movies. Ask your
great uncle, grandma or dad if they have
movies stashed somewhere…or maybe you
found some at a flea market or an estate sale?
All subjects are welcome, but this year
we’re searching particularly for travel/vaca-
tion/adventure films — by foot, bike, car,
horse, rickshaw, train, tuk tuk, gondola…
We’re also interested in views of the Bay
Area shot from a tourist perspective. We’ll
inspect each reel to make sure the film is
in good condition to project.
For submission instructions, please
visit: http://bampfa.berkeley.edu/
homemovieday.
It is to laugh, if not to cry...

“W
e have made parking easier & more convenient than ever!” say the
little signs on each of the City’s parking kiosks. “Messier, more
expensive, and more confusing,” one retorts. For example, no cost per period
of time is posted anywhere on the kiosks. How shall a user know the cost
to park? What if a user learns that it costs $2 per hour today, the price goes
up tomorrow, and the user puts in the expected hourly amount, feeling no
need to check the receipt and no way to check the price?
“Caveat emptor,” the kiosk will say.                                            — Editor
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.
On The Market
Susan Bernosky, LUTCF
(510) 450 9050
5940 College Ave, #A
Oakland
susanbernosky@allstate.com
5453 Kales Avenue
Great things come in small packages!
2 bedroom ++ / 1 bath jewelbox - just steps
from College Avenue. Dreamy private backyard
and deck perfect for entertaining with a
detached home office or studio.
AVAILABLE NOW
By The Numbers 94618
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,
NY.  Property-casualty insurance products issued  by Allstate Fire and
Casualty Insurance Company, Allstate Indemnity Company, Allstate
Insurance Company, Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Company:
Northbrook, IL. © 2007 Allstate Insurance Company


12.

July 3, 2010

• Stuck?  Depressed?  Anxious?  Overwhelmed?
• People driving you to distraction?
• Doubting yourself?
• Difficulty coping?
It's time to engage the help of
a good Therapist . . .
Sharon Testa-Harker, MFT
CA License No. MFC29310
Berkeley Office near the Claremont Hotel
      Office hours by appt.
      510-655-3289
a
cross-cultural congregation
striving to partner with
         the Rockridge community
   in lifestyle and service.
College Avenue Presbyterian Church
5951 College Avenue, Oakland  510 658-3665
Sunday worShip 10:30 aM • ViSit: capcchurch.org
our wonderful coMMunity Meal, fridayS, 6-7pM
a great opportunity to SerVe
Support Rockridge
News Advertisers
and college Avenue
Merchants –
Shop Locally

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

510-658-2599
Hourly consultation
to fit the size
of your interior or exterior
home projects.
www.angelissekarolcolor.com
りきゅう
After 25 years of preparing
authentic Japanese cuisine
for exceptional restaurants
such as Kiku of Tokyo,
Mikaku San Francisco,
Kirala, and We Be Sushi,
Chef Tatsuya Koyake
decides to have his own
space to share his passion
for cooking. Come join
him for a taste of Japan.
Authentic Japanese Cuisine
ADDRESS 5335 College Avenue,

 Oakland, CA  94618
Rikyu
TEL 510 595 7388
JAPANESE RESTAURANT


13.
July 3, 2010

New
2020 Optometry
5833 College Avenue
510/658-2020
Open Mon – Fri: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.,
Sat: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Owner: Dr. David Poon
Stript Wax Bar
5831 College Avenue, Oakland
510/653-2WAX
www.striptwaxbar.com
Open Mon – Fri: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.,
Sat: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Owner: Katherine Goldman
Expanded and Moved
Crossroads Trading Company
5901 College Avenue
510/420-1952
Open Mon – Thurs: 10 a.m.  – 7 p.m.,
Fri – Sat: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.,
Sun: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
http://crossroadstrading.com/cm/
Store_Locator/Bay_Area/Oakland/
College.html
Closed
Synergy
6019 College Avenue

5431 College Ave
        Oakland Ca 94618
510. 652. 5431

www.elizabethh.net


David Zylstra of Safeway’s Property
Development Centers (PDC) subsidiary
had presented revised plans for the RRSC
redesign at the RCPC board of directors
June meeting, one week earlier. The rede-
sign includes two story buildings with roof-
top parking, relocation of the Safeway store
to the current CVS Pharmacy store area, a
large parking lot in front of the relocated
Safeway and design changes to the area’s
perimeter, most notably along Broadway
and 51st/Pleasant Valley Road. The changes
evoked concerned comments from attendees
regarding traffic congestion in and around
the shopping center.
The questions and discussion of the Col-
lege Avenue Safeway focused on the DEIR
release date and the commenting process.
In closing, Flashman recommended that
Rockridge area residents and community
groups review both projects and submit
written comments on the College Avenue
Safeway DEIR. Safeway will be presenting
its plans for the Rockridge Shopping Center
redesign at RCPC’s July Town Hall meeting.
(See front page agenda announcement.)
DEIR: June
Town Hall
from page 1
lege Avenue Safeway EIR due out some
time this summer. Flashman emphasized the
importance of providing factual evidence
to support the comments. For example, a
comment that “this project will make a mess
or traffic” will be ignored as unsupported
opinion, but a comment stating that, based
on personal experience, driving through this
section of College Avenue now takes 10 to
15 minutes during evening rush hour, and
that adding several hundred additional trips
during that time will make a bad situation
worse, would have to be responded to.
Flashman also outlined the major areas
that the DEIR will probably cover, noting
that traffic will probably be the main focus
of the EIR. He noted that RCPC had received
a $10,000 matching grant to hire technical
experts to review the EIR. (Land Use Com-
mittee Update, page 3.)










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14.

July 3, 2010

Are You Looking for a
Fantastic Childcare Provider?
Our beloved Tibetan nanny is looking for a
new family or families. She is incredibly caring
and reliable. Also helps with cleaning. Many
references. Longtime Rockridge residents.
510/653-7419.
Your Message Could Be Here
Your 36-word message is $22. (Phone number
counts as one word). Mail to: RN Classifieds,
4123 Broadway, PMB 311, Oakland, CA
94611. September deadline is August 19.
For information: smontauk@gmail.com

Spectacular Service
Housekeeping
We provide quality housecleaning. We use
eco-friendly products because the planet is
important to us. Let us create free time for
you. Call today! 510/228.5704. Excellent
recommendations, Licensed, bonded & insured.
Landscape Design
Need to refresh your landscape? Consultations,
plans, planting design, edible gardens, landscape
structure permit drawings, extensive
horticultural education and experience,
complete portfolio and excellent references.
Please call Kathleen Carson-Asher 510/531-
4905 www.landesign.us
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.
Mexican Vacation Home
Rental
Beautiful 4-bedroom, 3-bath beachfront
villa for rent near Tulum, 1.5 hours south of
Cancun. Sleeps up to 8, reasonable rates, sits
on gorgeous, secluded beach. Visit casarosa.
cc or call 510/510-2299.
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.
Home Repairs/Remodeling
Skilled carpentry and handyman services,
36 yrs. Experience. Large and small jobs. Friendly
and accountable. Rockridge neighbor. Hourly
rates available. Licensed (#509690) and insured.
Local references. Jim Harker: 510/381-6401,
jimrharker@yahoo.com
Summer Special!
Penelope’s Aesthetics Skin
Care Salon
25% off waxing and facial services. Come visit
my salon in a serene garden setting and receive
excellent, relaxing services with a gentle and
personalized treatment. www.penelopecalef.
com By appointment. 510/594-1552.
Patios, Decks, Fencing
$25/hr
Earthquake retrofitting, custom artistic tiling,
construction. Quality work. Lots of Rockridge
references; over 20 years experience. See our
Web site at: www.Diegodesigns.com Call Diego:
510/828-9473. “We listen to your dreams.”
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.
Native Sun Gardens/
Ecological Landscape
Design
Complement your home w/a drought tolerant
garden. CA natives, Mediterranean and edibles.
Plant lists, consultation & design. Petrol-free.
Included on the B.B.T. Natives Garden Tour.
Joshua Burman Thayer 510/332-2809. www.
nativesungardens.com
Repairs
Carpentry, electrical, kitchen, bath, decks,
fences, drainage, tile, windows, walls, dry rot,
termite damage, foundation. Lic# 458473. Don
510/812-0310.
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 &
Company, www.sutorikandco.com, lic#397149.
510/655-3677.
My Excellent Housecleaner
has some available timeslots. Fast, friendly,
trustworthy, great references, speaks some
English but I will help translate from Spanish
if you need help. Call Aparna. 510/655-2507.
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

Design, Installation and Maintenance
Native Plant Gardens & Stonework
Andrea Hurd, Horticulturist and Stonemason
License #883905 h tel. 510.558.8429
www.mariposagardening.com
The Right Agent Communicates Well!
The Piedmont Perspective
piedmontperspective.com
Julie Gardner
510.339.0400/264
jgardner@grubbco.com
GRUBBCO.COM


15.
July 3, 2010

E-mail Rockridge News Community Calendar items to: joellis1@hotmail.com, phone 653-3210 (after noon), or mail to:
Rockridge News Community Calendar, 4123 Broadway, PMB 311, Oakland, CA 94611. Deadline is the next to the last
Tuesday of the month.

Compiled by Jo Ellis

teen Rivers Press anthology, The Place That Inhabits
Us: Poems of the San Francisco Bay Watershed.
y
y Mon., 7/12, 7pm. Amnesty International Meeting
(2nd Monday each month): All invited to exchange
ideas on action.

Community Calendar

y
y Sunday, 7/25, 3pm. Stefanie Syman: The Subtle
Body: The Story of Yoga in America.
City Council President Jane
Brunner’s Annual District One
Community Picnic
Tues., 8/17, 7pm.
y
y Mondays, 8/9 and 9/13, 7pm. Amnesty Interna-
tional Meeting.
DIESEL, A Bookstore, 5433 College Ave. Info about
other events and book discussion groups: 653-9965 or
events@dieselbookstore.com.
Rockridge Summer Jazz & Wine Stroll
■
■Free family fun at the Summer Reading Splashdown
at the Oakland Museum (1000 Oak St.) on Sunday,
Aug. 1, 12:30 to 4:30pm.
Book Buddies: For ages 2-9. Have someone read to
you or listen while you read aloud. Wednesdays, 2 to
4pm, through Aug.4.
FOR TEENS
Everyone invited. Sunday, July 11, noon to 4pm. BBQ
and drinks provided — bring a side dish or dessert to
share. North shore picnic site at Lake Temescal: 6500
B’way, next to the highway 24/13 interchange. Park
free on B’way or $5 in the parking lot. If you need a
ride, call 238-7014.
Note: No Community Meetings July and Aug. More
information: 238-7001 or www.oaklandnet.com (the site
for all City-related information).
Rockridge Neighborhood Crime
Prevention Council (NCPC)
Rockridge merchants are hosting another special evening
of live music, wine, food tastings and great deals from
local shops: the Summer Sequel to the hugely popular
Stroll in May. Friday night, July 16 from 5 to9pm along
College Ave. from Claremont to B’way. Info: chris@
rockridgedistrict.com.
Third Annual Temescal Street
Cinema
■
■Rockridge Ninjas Anime Club: Ages 13 and up, watch
and talk about anime (Japanese animation). Second
Tues. each month, 5 to 6:30pm, upstairs meeting rm.
■
■Teen Summer Program: Pick up your Teen Summer
Passport and get it stamped as you explore Bay Area
Hot Spots. Enter raffles to win great prizes.
■
■BOOK BUDDIES: Ages 12–18 volunteer to read to
kids on Wednesdays during the summer. Pick up an
application.
Info about teen programs: Susy at 597-5017.
FOR ADULTS
The residential and business community meets with
OPD to discuss concerns about crime and public safety.
July and Aug.: 2nd Thurs. each month, 7pm. Rockridge
Library, upstairs meeting room, 5366 College Ave. For
time/place of Sept. mtg. go to www.rockridgencpc.
com. Info: chair@rockridgencpc.com.
Rockridge Branch Library
Free outdoor films by Bay Area Artists. Free popcorn.
Live music ranging from Brazilian jazz to old-timey blues
and an a cappella choir. Music begins at 8pm; films
at 8:30pm. Thursdays, through July 22; 49th St. and
Telegraph (side of the Bank of the West bldg.). Limited
seating; come early or bring a chair. Sponsored by the
Temescal/Telegraph Business Improvement District.
For schedule (including trailers): www.temescal-
streetcinema.com.
Wisteria Ways House Concert Series
■
■Writers Support/Critique Group: All writers
welcome. Bring 16 copies of up to 5 pgs. (double-
spaced, manuscript margins) 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 Club, Berkeley
branch (www.berkeleywritersclub.org). Info:
420-8775 or Writefox@aol.com.
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.
SPECIAL EVENTS:
“Make a Splash, Read!” Summer Reading Program
continues through Aug.14 for kids up to age 13. Sign
up, read or listen to another reader; get prizes for
completed hours.
NOTE: The Summer Reading game ends Aug. 14.
Children can participate at any Oakland Library Branch,
each of which is hosting special events. See www.
oaklandlibrary.org, or pick up a calendar for details.
Big Wide Grin: A soulfully acoustic 3 piece band.
Saturday, Sept. 4, 3pm (door opens 2:30pm). $15-20
donation for musicians (cash only at the door).383 61st
Street. Outside concert, wheelchair accessible. Bring a
blanket,/lawn chair and picnic. For reservations (highly
recommended), RSVP to info@WisteriaWays.org
or 655-2771.
Christensen Heller Gallery
■
■Lawyers in the Library: Free legal advice and
referrals. First Tues. each month, 6 to 8pm (call to
confirm). Advance sign-up starts 5pm.
ART EXHIBITS (call to confirm)
Gallery:
■
■July: Lori Fisher: handmade dolls.
■
■August: Adult Day Center
Lobby Display Case: TBA: call for info.
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 7/3, 8/13 and 9/10
for mandatory business shutdown days;
and 9/7 and 9/9 for holidays.
Diesel Book/Poetry Readings/Events
Exhibit of watercolors by local artist Christina Schneck.
Show runs through August 15. Galley hrs: Wed–Sat.,
11am to 6pm; Sun. noon to 5pm. 5829 College Ave.
Info: 655-5952 or www.christensenheller.com.
North Oakland Senior Center
■
■Flute Sweet & Tickle Tunes: Green Golly and Her
Golden Flute. Tues., 7/13, 7pm. *
■
■Swazzle Puppets: glow-in-the-dark spectacular.
Tues., 7/20, 7pm.
Program Highlights: Computer classes; health Insurance
counseling and advocacy program; exercise classes;
trips, tours and theater outings; Alzheimer’s Caregivers
Support Groups and more.
■
■Crab Cove: Creatures of the Bay touch tank of reptiles,
crabs and marine animals. Thurs., 7/22, 11am.
All events are FREE and open to the public.
■
■Buki the Clown: Magic, laughs and fun. Tues.,
7/27, 7pm.
y
y AARP Driving Classes: drive safely and get insur-
ance discounts. Refresher class, 7/22; 1st time
classes, 7/27 and 7/29. Call for details.
y
y Thurs., 7/8, 6pm. Bay Area Writers’ Project Young
Writers’ Camp share their work.
■
■Juan Sanchez: live music, Spanish and English songs,
stories and games. Wed., 7/28, 10:30am.
y
y Sun., 7/11, 3pm. Poetry Flash: contributors Dan
Clurman, Susan Kolodny, Priscilla Lee, Sharon
Dubiago, Al Young and more, reading from the Six-
y
y Giant Community Flea Market: Sat., Aug.7. 8am
to 3pm. Clean out your closet and garage! Vendor
space $15 (cash only). Sign up in advance at
reception desk.
Hrs: Mon. – Fri., 8:45am to 4:45pm. Note: closed Monday,
7/5. 5714 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. Subscribe to “The
North Oakland Senior Times,” for a full schedule of
classes/events, lunch menus, membership, and oppor-
tunities to become a volunteer. More info: 597- 5085.
■
■Puppet Art Theater: Tommy’s Pirate Adventure.
Ortrun Niesar
Senior Marketing Consultant
Prudential California Realty
2 Tunnel Road
Berkeley, CA  94705
510-326-2161
oniesar@sbcglobal.net
Thank you for your referrals!
Staying Home This Summer?
Enjoy local events;
Hike and bike; Wine and dine;
Explore the hills and neighborhoods.
See you in September.


16.

July 3, 2010

INTERIOR-EXTERIOR LEAD
CERTIFIED PAINTERS
Professional preparation. Many local
references. All work Guaranteed
(510) 654-3339
aboutface&body
dayspa      oaklandberkeley
serving you since 1981
Specialists in
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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,

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To Rockridge Clients

 For Over 26 Years.
SPECIALIZING IN

O
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29
Better Homes
Realty
5353 College Avenue
Oakland

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Complete architectural
services since 1970
5278 College Avenue
Oakland, CA  94618
(510) 654-6755   fax 654-3424
Rockridge:  5400 College Avenue
 Elmwood:  2930 College Avenue
Weekend Brunch in Elmwood
For Sale – rockridge
439 65th St.  2beds/1+bath   $569,000
Stunning full floor condo in 2 unit building, yard, deck, redone
www.439-65thSt.com
5556 claremont ave. (price reduced) 2beds/1bath
Huge Private Lot w/Darling Craftsman Bungalow $589,000
www.5556claremont.com  –  chabot elementary
Sustainable Living
Starts at Home
427 61st Street  2+beds/1bath   $769,000
Beautiful Craftsman Bungalow on the Toddler Park!
Amazing wood work & original fixtures.
Fireplace, big sunny yard, decks
award Winning peralta elementary
www.427-61stStreet.com
Sustainable Building
Starts at Ashby Lumber
6511 dana St. 2+beds/1+baths   $769,000
Amazing Craftsman Bungalow
Original Charm, Updated Eat-in Kitchen & Baths
Detached Garage-mahal Office/??
award Winning peralta elementary
www.6511dana.com
Looking for a Contractor?
6067 rockridge Blvd. 4+beds/2+baths   $1,200,000
Grand Traditional 2-Story Home – Perfect Floor Plan for
Entertaining & Family - Master Suite, Huge Living &
Dining Rooms. award Winning chabot elementary
www.6067rockridgeBlvd.com
Visit our Contractor Directory
at ashbylumber.com
.
824 Ashby Avenue    Berkeley
Ph: 510.843.4832  Fax: 510.843.3840
coming Soon – rockridge
canning Street  2beds/1 bath
Cute redone starter, eat-in kitchen, hardwood floors,
fireplace.  award Winning peralta elementary
rockridge & TemeScal
pending
5377 locksley ave.  3beds/2baths   $1,095,000
Redone blending the old & new seamlessly
www.5377locksley.com pending Sale
4803 Webster St. Duplex    $697,000
2beds/1+baths & 1+beds/1+baths
2 Charming Flats w/ Garages & Garden  pending Sale
www.4803Webster.com
5558 claremont ave. (price reduced) 4beds/2baths   $699,000
2-story Craftsman w/full Basement
www.5558claremont.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”
www.lawtonassoc.com
R E A L   E S T A T E
B R O K E R A G E
f h k f v k p f h k