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www.rockridge.org

VOL. 26      NO. 6      ISSUE NO. 279        June 4, 2011                       CIRCULATION: 5,500 Residences; 200 BusInesses

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

RCPC Makes Quorum; Board Election Valid
Failing to field a quorum of voters – 25 Rockridge residents – at its official annual
meeting and board member election at the April town hall meeting, RCPC scheduled
a new vote for the May meeting. Residents again cast their ballots for six uncontested
board seats in an election some referred to as an affirming action. However, without the
vote, the six board members could not have continued to serve in their positions. Board
chair Stuart Flashman declared a qualifying quorum (and more) had voted at the May
meeting and the election was valid.
Elected to continuing two-year terms on the RCPC board of directors were Cesar
Angobaldo, Andrew Charman, Michael Kan, Bill Kaufner, Ronnie Spitzer and Ann
Winterman. In a subsequent administrative action, the board elected the following as
officers: Chair - Stuart Flashman; Vice-Chair - Ashley Etling; Secretary - Michael Kan;
Treasurer - Cesar Angobaldo; At-large Executive Committee Member - Andrew Charman.

‘Merchant’ Sought
for RCPC Board

May Town Hall Meeting Report
Strong Feelings About
Rockridge Safeway
Oakland Planner Darrin Ranelletti
describes the factors involved in
the review process for Safeway’s
Rockridge Center proposed redesign.

Photo: D. Kinkead
Library Offers Big
Boost to Rockridge
DVD Project
by Jon Gabel, co-chair,
Rockridge DVD Project
A
n ew  a g r e e m e nt
between the Oakland
Public Library (OPL) and the Rockridge
DVD Project that accepts a potential change
in policy by OPL has resulted in the library’s
willingness to pay all the costs of cataloging
the DVDs destined for the Rockridge Branch
Library – and for the required security cases
as well. The value to the DVD Project is
$20,000, reducing the fundraising goal to
$13,000, of which slightly over half has
been raised.

by Don Kinkead, editor
‘T
here is a lot of interest in this project,”
City Planner Derrin Ranelletti said,
speaking of Safeway’s expansion plans for
the shopping center at Broadway and Pleas-
ant Valley avenues.
“A lot of people hate it, a lot of people
love it, some are in the middle; it’s all over
the place,” he told audience members at the
RCPC Town Hall meeting Thursday, May 19.
Following presentation of the plans to
the Planning Commission’s Design Review
Committee in December, a divided commit-
tee voted to forward the plans and public
comments to the full Commission for review.
This set the stage for an environmental
review now expected to be ready for public
response by July or August, Ranelletti said.
Although people disagree on the most
satisfactory design elements, Ranelletti said
people broadly see two differing general
goals for the project, goals he does not find
mutually exclusive: “One view of the project
is as an economic stimulator, generating
sales tax for the city. The other view calls
for a design that would extend nearby urban
patterns into the project.”
Regardless of one’s point of view,
however, Ranelletti said the project’s size
Thursday, June 16 | 7:30-9 p.m.

by Stuart Flashman, RCPC chair
R
CPC is still looking for a “merchant”
member for its board of directors.
RCPC has a one-year term appointed seat
on its board of directors.  The seat has
traditionally been held by a merchant from
Rockridge’s commercial area. However,
with the economic slump over the past
couple of years, most merchants are just
➧➧Board Seeks Merchant, page 6
16
AGENDA
June RCPC
Town Hall Meeting

➧➧DVD Boost, page 4

■
■Primer, General Plan and Zoning
Continued. Welcome to the second of a
series of discussions of basic elements of
land use and planning.
Soundwalls in
Rockridge?
What might that be like? RCPC
presents the first in a series of
articles examining sound and soundwalls,
page 3. Future articles will consider
what soundwalls do and don’t do; what
they are made of; how their locations
are planned and reviewed for approval,
and more.

R
CPC Chair Stuart Flashman discusses
use permits, variances and planning
code enforcement as elements of the
plannng process. How RCPC responds
to these planning elements as affecting
Rockridge will be explained, as well.
Rockridge Branch Library,
5366 College at Manila

n
n

➧➧Rockridge Center, page 12


June 4, 2011
2.

Building a Neighborhood CORE

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

Annual City-Wide Earthquake Drill a Success

by Carol Strickman, CORE participant
in Rockridge
After the Loma Prieta earthquake in
1989, Oakland’s fire department
formed CORE (Communities of Oakland
Respond to Emergencies) to train groups of
residents who could, following a disaster,
provide emergency services and support for
the first 72 hours or longer. They would be
their own first responders until professional
help became available. Operational since
1990, CORE is a free training program
for individuals, neighborhood groups and
community-based organizations in Oakland.
For six successive years, Oakland resi-
dents have participated in CORE’s annual
emergency response exercises. Sponsored by
the fire department’s OES (Office of Emer-
gency Services), these neighborhood-based
drills are generally held the last Saturday
in April. Material prepared by the planners
offered different levels of difficulty for the
drill, so a beginning group could choose
simpler components and more advanced
groups could elect more challenging ones.
This year, 80 groups participated, more
than double the number of any previous
year. We’re on a roll!
Each year, the program gets more
elaborate and sophisticated. This year, we
welcomed the participation of Berkeley’s
emergency response program, and 15 Berke-
ley CERT (Community Emergency Response
Team) groups participated. CORE has a map
of the organized neighborhoods and a way
for all to be in touch with each other, both
during the exercise and throughout the year.
Maintaining communication is an
important feature of preparedness. How
will the neighborhoods communicate their
status and needs to the professional first
responders in a major disaster when phone
lines and cell towers may be down, or phone
lines jammed? We practice using walkie-
talkies and runners within the block, as
well as sending bicyclists with handwritten
notes to our local fire station. From there,
volunteer ham radio operators commu-
nicate with the OES office in downtown
Oakland. We were also prompted to phone
our out-of-area contacts, involving them
for the first time in this exercise. (Every
family should select someone outside of
the Bay Area as an emergency contact to
facilitate communication between family
members should they be separated when
disaster strikes.)
There are now 10 Rockridge neighbor-
hood groups officially registered with the
city. Our Rockridge block (62nd Street
between Colby and Hillegass) began its
participation in 2007. We have taken free
CORE classes; gathered and stored a variety
of supplies in an accessible storage area;
applied for and received free supplies from
the city; created a map of our block showing
utilities at each house; and held five block
exercises. Working together on this ongo-
ing project has brought our block together
and we are definitely more prepared than
we were when Hurricane Katrina hit – the
impetus for many of us to get prepared.
Even so, there is more we can do as indi-
viduals and as a block to ready ourselves
for “the Big One.” Our block is a mile from
the Hayward fault. This is “Earthquake
Country.” We all need to do what we can
to prepare. The more block groups that are
trained, the safer we all will be.
For more information, check out the
CORE website (Communities of Oakland
Respond to Emergencies) at www.oakland-
net/com/fire/core or contact the CORE
office at 510/238-6381.
12:30 – 8 p.m.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
12 – 5:30 p.m.
CLOSED
        CLOSED: Sundays and Mondays
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, 2011-2012
Stuart Flashman	�����������������Chair
Ashley Etling	�����������������������Vice-Chair
Michael Kan	������������������������Secretary
Cesar Angobaldo	���������������Treasurer
Andrew Charman	��������������At-Large Exec Comm
Annette Floystrup, Jonathan Gabel,
William Kaufner, Don Kinkead, Alex Naughton,
Ronnie Spitzer, Ann Winterman
Contact the Board: chair@rockridge.org
For information: info@rockridge.org
Newsletter Subscriptions
To subscribe to The Rockridge News, send
your check for $20, payable to Rockridge News
Subscriptions, to: Rockridge News Subscriptions at
the address below.
Contacting The Rockridge News
	 Are there community issues you’d like to see
covered in The Rockridge News?
	 Do you have questions about newsletter
distribution?
	 Want to volunteer to be a Rockridge News
block captain?
	 Would you like to write a letter to the Editor?
Contact us at one of the following:
Editor: editor@rockridge.org
www.rockridge.org
The Rockridge News, 4123 Broadway, PMB 311,
Oakland, CA 94611
RCPC Voice-mail: 510/869-4200
Articles submitted for publication may be e-mailed
to the above address. Submissions are limited to
600 words; must include the author’s name, phone
number, e-mail address, and city or neighborhood
of residence; and are subject to editing. To reprint a
Rockridge News article, please contact the editor.
$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
 July 2, 2011
 July deadline is June 16, 2011.
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!


June 4, 2011

3.

The RCPC Land Use Committee meets the fourth Wednesday of the month
at the Rockridge Branch Library, Upstairs Meeting Room, 7:30 p.m. Next
meeting: June 22. Subject to change. Check www.rockridge.org for meeting updates.

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.
and comment period. (See article, page 1, for additional details.)
As of press time, Peterson Vollman, (pvollman@oaklandnet.
com, 238-6167), the planner handling Safeway’s College Avenue
shopping center project, had not responded to recent inquiries,
but Ranelletti said that the DEIR for that project will also likely
be released some time in July. It looks like Rockridge residents
will have plenty of vacation reading in August.
Both of these projects can be expected to have multiple impacts
on Rockridge, ranging from traffic, to air and water quality, to
overall quality of life. RCPC expects to be involved in commenting
on both EIRs, and encourages Rockridge residents to participate
in the public review process. Look for future updates on both
projects on the RCPC website, http://rockridge.org.
Land Use Update
by Stuart Flashman, RCPC Land Use Committee chair
■
■Rockridge Shopping Center Reconstruction
Project; (Corner of Broadway and Pleasant Valley)
■
■College Avenue Safeway Shopping Center;
(Corner of College and Claremont Avenues)
Both of these large and important projects are slowly moving
forward toward release of draft environmental impact reports
(DEIR) within the next month or two. According to Darin Ranel-
letti (238-3663, DRanelletti@oaklandnet.com), the planner assigned
to the Rockridge Shopping Center Project, that project’s DEIR
will probably be coming out in July for a 45-day public review
On Soundwalls and
Rockridge
A more technical presentation is available
at RCPC’s website, www.rockridge.org.
fast the variation in air pressure occurs,
corresponding to what musicians call pitch.
■
■Q: What sounds make up
freeway noise, and how does it
change with distance from the
source?
A: The hum of tires, the growl of engines
and transmissions, the hiss of air moving past
vehicles, and the vibration of the roadway
make up the cacophony. Sound traveling in
open air from a single car drops by about
6 dB, a noticeable difference, when the
car doubles its distance from the listener.
A decrease of 10 dB makes a sound seem
about half as loud. However, factors other
than distance also have effects.
■
■Q: What is the difference
between “sound” and “noise,”
and how are they measured?
A: Sound is vibrations in the air, and,
basically, noise is any unwanted sound,
obviously a subjective distinction. Sound
vibrations move in waves through air and
other materials. Sound is measured in
decibels (dB), a logarithmic unit. Here are
the measures of some common sounds: Pin
dropping, 15 dB; normal conversation, 60
dB; hairdryer, 80 dB; a car passing at 10
feet, 80 dB; front seat at a rock concert, 130
dB. Government health guidelines suggest
ear damage can occur at as low as 85 dB.
The decibel scale differs from the more
familiar numerical scale used in weights
and measures. For example, if a 100-pound
person gains 10 pounds, his or her weight
has gone up 10 per cent. By contrast, when
a 100 dB sound increases to 110 dB, its
intensity has gone up ten-fold. On the
other hand, your ear will hear it as being
twice as loud.
technical research by Andrew Charman,
chair, RCPC Transportation Committee;
editing by Trish West, former Rockridge
News editor
Since the 1970s, the transportation
system comprised of Highway 24 and
BART that bisects Rockridge has been both
a boon and a bane to the neighborhood: It’s
convenient for getting around but often a
negative in terms of both air pollution and
noise pollution. Could the latter problem
be addressed with the construction of noise
barriers, or soundwalls?
As noted in the May issue of The
Rockridge News, the settlement with
CalTrans providing for mitigations of the
construction effects of the 4th Bore of the
Caldecott Tunnel includes funds to study
the need for soundwalls at points along
Highway 24. Soundwalls can be controver-
sial for their esthetics, and often generate
debate over their effectiveness and their
potential to affect scenic views.
■
■Q: How can weather affect
perception of freeway noise?
A: Weather conditions, such as wind,
can shift noise upwards or downwards.
■
■Q: How do surfaces affect
perception freeway noise?
A: Like light, sound can be absorbed by
some solid materials but bounce off and be
redirected by other materials. Sound can
also “bend” as it passes through holes or
around obstacles. These and many other
factors help determine the usefulness and
construction of a soundwall.
Decisions to place soundwalls along a
roadway involve the wishes of people living
near the road. RCPC and The Rockridge
News present this and subsequent articles
in the newsletter that will attempt to clarify
the issues for those who may ultimately
be affected by soundwall construction.
Because of the topic’s complexity, this
month’s article is presented in Q&A format.
■
■Q: How do we characterize
sound?
A: Sounds have direction, intensity
(loudness), and frequency. Sound waves
typically travel in many different direc-
tions simultaneously, as does light from a
light bulb. A sound’s intensity is a measure
of how much air pressure changes as the
sound passes. Frequency measures how
■
■Q: Are soundwalls the
solution to freeway noise?
A: Not always. Besides technical factors,
other considerations arise, such as costs
and visual impacts. These and additional
issues will be addressed in articles to come.


June 4, 2011
4.

Calling all Kitchen Tour Volunteers!
n
a
Hn Publicity Leader – Our publicity committee has many helping
hands, but no leader. If you have publicity experience and can
develop a strategy to maximize the event’s exposure, we would
love your help.
n Docent – Our team of volunteer docents makes the event a suc-
cess by sharing their knowledge of the kitchens with tour guests.
Volunteer a few hours of your time on the day of tour, and you
can spend the rest of the day enjoying the other kitchens for free.
n Spread the word – Ticket sales are the primary form of
fundraising, and each tour brings guests from all over the Bay
Area. Help us publicize the event by sharing the date with your
networks, family, and friends.
Many hands make light work, and we invite you to join our
team. Please contact Natalie Mehta at 415/279-5148 or natalie.
mehta@yahoo.com, for more information.
by Natalie Mehta
Thanks to an amazing
community response,
we have viewed dozens of
Rockridge kitchens and
are in the process of select-
ing the ones that will be
featured on the Rockridge
Kitchen Tour, scheduled for
October 2, 2011. The tour has
been a Bay Area favorite since
its inception in 1995 and much of
its success is due to the enthusiasm of the
community volunteers who make this event
possible. How can you help?
Ce
l
u
p
o
.
O F  R O C K R I D G E  K I T C H E N S
.
A  T A S T E F U L  T O U R
Y
.
r
e
.
e
.
Rockridge
Kitchens
Sunday,
October 2,
.
t
a
n
P L A N N I N G  C O U N C I L
ROCKRIDGE COMMUNIT Y
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2011
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Until a float system is in place, the donated
DVDs will reside in the Rockridge Branch
Library. If the float system is implemented,
patrons will be able to place holds on DVDs
and CDs located in any Oakland library
branch and have them delivered to their
branch of choice. Any donated DVDs that
migrate to other branches could be delivered
to Rockridge patrons upon request. Currently,
holds on DVDs and CDs are not possible.
If you made a donation to the DVD Proj-
ect, you will receive a letter offering to return
your donation if this new arrangement is not
acceptable to you. RCPC, which provides
fiscal sponsorship for the DVD Project, and
project co-chairs, Annette Floystrup and Jon
Gabel, approved the change and encourage
donors to stay the course. By reducing costs,
this agreement will place the DVDs in the
Rockridge branch sooner.
Go to www.RockridgeDvdProject.org
for details on the new agreement and for
information on how to make a donation.
DVD Boost
from page 1
There is one caveat: the remaining
$6,000 must be raised by October 31 for
the deal to be implemented.
The DVDs acquired through the DVD
Project were destined for permanent
housing in the Rockridge Branch Library.
However, OPL recently suggested sharing
DVDs and CDs across all library branches
by “floating” these collections. Under this
system, DVDs would go onto the shelves
at whichever branch they were returned to
and would not go back to their branch of
origin unless requested by a patron.
Since a float of the donated DVDs was
not part of the original agreement between
the project and OPL, OPL proposed that in
return for being allowed to float the donated
DVDs, it would pay for the cataloging and
the security cases.
Senate President Pro Tem Darrell
Steinberg greets Ride for a Reason
cyclists in Sacramento. Photo: Sarah Mages
Ride for a Reason:
Cyclists Bike for
School Funding
by Michael Napolitano, Claremont PTA
The 2011 Ride for a Reason from Oak-
land to Sacramento to publicize school
funding needs drew 109 participants. Nathan
Lee, the youngest rider at nine years old,
rode 108 miles on a tandem with his dad,
Kenton; 75-year-old Greg Thomas, the oldest
rider and a graduate of Claremont and Tech,
rode 65 miles and looked fresh at the end.
The ride ended with a rally at the Capitol
where Senate President Pro Tem Darrell
Steinberg expressed his strong support for
public schools and called teachers “our
greatest public servants.” We concur, and
dedicate Ride for a Reason to our teachers.
You are our heroes. Thanks so much to
all the volunteers who helped to make the
event possible.
Over 500 individual donations totaling
approximately $41,000 have been received.
Proceeds will be split 50/50 between Clare-
mont PTA and Oakland Tech PTSA.

DVDs: Small Collection – Big Impact
We have a deadline of October 31 to raise the remaining $6,500 under the terms
of the recent agreement with OPL. We need your donations and we also need
volunteers to staff a donations table at the library a few hours a week. Can you give
two hours on Friday afternoons from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to solicit donations for the
Rockridge DVD Project? Contact Annette Floystrup, 510/652-6794.
Completing the purchase and casing of the DVDs will strengthen the Rockridge Branch
overall. Our Rockridge Branch library has over 91,000 items to lend, excluding ebooks
and audiobooks online, which belong to the library system as a whole. Of these, the
current DVDs number only 2,800, yet account for 20 per cent of the annual circulation.
The DVD collection already does yeoman duty drawing patrons to the library and
boosting circulation numbers. Doubling the collection through the Rockridge DVD Proj-
ect can only enhance both numbers and increase the chances of the Rockridge Branch
Library remaining open if further budget cuts are made.


June 4, 2011

5.

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.
compiled by Ronnie Spitzer
Over the past several months, Oakland
Tech students have triumphed in local
competitions.
Rockridge News Fans, But: Too Much Nimby-ism
Editor:
come into Rockridge,” and “less demonizing
any organization” like CalTrans, BART or
other businesses, and “RCPC posturing
as being representative of Rockridge.”
Hallelujah!
We aren’t big business boosters, by any
means, but the nimby-ism that comes up
in The Rockridge News can be ridiculous.
Thanks for letting us know what is
going on in our neighborhood.
— A Rockridge Resident (Name
Withheld)
My husband and I couldn’t agree more
with some of the comments printed in
the Reader’s Survey results in the latest
Rockridge News [May 2011, page 8]. We
are very appreciative of the fact that there
is a local newspaper covering the concerns
of our neighborhood.
We felt strongly about what we would
like to see less of in the newspaper: “cranky
stories by old people complaining” about
change, “local residents being so over-
reactionary about businesses wanting to
■
■Orchestra Wins First Place
Tech’s Orchestra joined ensembles from
around the Bay Area at a grand performance
at Milpitas High School Friday, May 6. The
following day at Great America’s Music in
the Parks, Tech musicians were awarded
the first place trophy for High School Full
Orchestra. Congratulations to the musi-
cians and to David Byrd, music teacher
and conductor.
■
■Oakland Tech Team Wins
Robotics Competition
Oakland Tech Computer Academy
students won first place in the Pioneers
In Engineering High Schools Robotics
competition held in April at UC Berkeley.
Three Tech teams competed against high
school teams from Acalanes, Albany, Berke-
ley, Head-Royce, Ralph J. Bunche, Bishop
O’Dowd, Pinole Valley, and El Cerrito (with
two teams). Congratulations to the first place
Computer Academy team. Hats off to the
second place Engineering Academy team.

Gains Made in College Avenue Blight Fight

by Don Kinkead, editor
In the June 2010 issue of
The Rockridge News,
the declining state of news
racks on College Avenue
was noted in an article on
page 4 (“Battered News
Racks Blight College”). The
article reported “A recent
informal survey of 130
news vending boxes on 22
modular racks on College
Avenue between Alcatraz
and Hudson avenues found
that 99 have significant
damage. Most others suffer from rough
treatment and lack of maintenance.” Calls
made to the city at that time about the decay
of the racks were unproductive.
Now, June 2011, progress! Two news rack
assemblies at College and Shafter avenues
have been tagged with a prominent yellow
tag declaring, “Notice of Removal, Oakland
Municipal Code 12.50” and dated May 24.
A handwritten entry stipulates, “Entire
Assembly.”
According to Kenneth Gunari, Specialty/
Combination Inspector for the city’s Building
Neglected College
Avenue News
Racks Tagged
for Removal
➧➧Tastes of Tech, page 13
D. Kinkead
COLLINS ROOFING
Family Owned & Operated
Services Division, “I got a complaint about
these boxes. It looked like a dangerous situ-
ation, so I put a tag on them.” Gunari said
rack owners have 30 days to respond to the
notice. Gunari acknowledged damage and
neglect evident in other racks on College
Avenue and said he is considering further
taggings.
The city phone line to report damaged
and dangerous news rack boxes and ganged
assemblies is 510/238-3381, Gunari said.
Chris Jackson, Rockridge District
Association, contributed to this story.
482-2227  Seamus
www.collinsroofing.com
Quality Work  •  Free Estimates
Lic # 695711
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

An online form to report street repair problems and other hazards is available at: http://www2.oak-
landnet.com/Government/o/PWA/Connect/ReportaProblem/index.htm. General Public Works
information, including a link to the report form, is available at: www.oaklandpw.com


June 4, 2011
6.

Claremont Boosters Flip Over Pancake Breakfast

by Kevin Keck, Claremont Middle School
Over $5,000 was raised when Rockridge’s
Masonic Lodge hosted the Second
Annual Pancake Breakfast in support of
Claremont Middle School. Working closely
with the Masons were the Claremont Middle
School Dad’s Club and the Rockridge District
Association (RDA).
All proceeds from the event, held April
30, will be dedicated to help support school
programs focusing on music, fine arts and
the state-of-the-art computer lab as well as
the 8th grade’s field trip to Washington, D.C.
The event, both fundraiser and com-
munity builder, brought people from the
school, residential and business
communities together to eat,
meet and mingle. A special treat
was the Claremont School Jazz
Ensemble performing in the
Hall’s second floor lounge under
the direction of music teacher
Renae Briggs.
This event could not have
occurred without the efforts of
so many who volunteered their
time and energy. Graciously
opening their beautiful facility
to the community,  the Masons
put on a great feed again with
three seatings that served over
325 hungry people.
Claremont School student musicians performed
for diners at the second annual pancake breakfast,
held at the College Avenue Masonic Lodge in
support of Claremont School.      Photo: Kevin Keck
Board Seeks
Merchant
Special thanks to: Chris
Ellis and David Forsyth of the
Rockridge Masonic Lodge;
Julie Parker, Julia Marquez, Claudia Mills,
Sam Martinez and Shona Armstrong, of
Claremont Middle School PTA; Chris
Jackson, from RDA; and participating local
merchants, without whom the bounty would
have been less generous:  Strahan Insurance
Services, Inc., Market Hall, Bosko’s Picture
Framing, Rockridge Rags, Fit, and to Stauder
Automotive Service, who will donate five
percent of a customer’s invoice amount to
Tech, Chabot Elementary, Claremont Middle
School or Peralta School per the customer’s
direction. Thanks, too, to those merchants
who displayed event posters.
from page 1
scrambling to stay afloat, so we’ve had
to stretch the definition.  The seat is open
to anyone who owns or runs a business in
Rockridge, even if they don’t live within
Rockridge. Service on the board is not
onerous, but does require attending one
three-hour board meeting a month, plus
attendance at monthly Town Hall meetings
and service on at least one RCPC committee.
If you’d like to help keep Rockridge
alive and well, and have a chance to provide
direction to RCPC’s many programs and
projects, please submit a letter of interest.
Include your address and contact infor-
mation and a short statement about your
background and why you would like to be
appointed to the board.
Letters may be sent via e-mail to chair@
rockridge.org, or via regular mail to RCPC,
PMB 311, 4123 Broadway, Oakland, 94611.
The deadline for applications is June 30, 2011.
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June 4, 2011

7.

Art Installation Invites Discovery of
Oakland’s Hidden Watershed and Creeks
Watershed Markers – Creeks
Beneath Your Feet

FROG
Steering
Committee Sets
June Meeting Agenda
by Kristin Hathaway and
Kristen Zaremba
Pedestrians in five Oakland neighbor-
hoods including Rockridge are noticing
a series of bronze markers embedded in city
sidewalks. These new Watershed Markers
identify the location of buried creeks that
are part of Oakland’s extensive water-
shed system. Designed by the artist team
Wowhaus, each site features five markers
arranged like stepping stones surrounded
by undulating lines evoking water, and
relief images of native fauna that inhabit
the creeks.
The marker locations, identified by the
name of the creek associated with each site,
include Temescal (Creek) at 5655 College
Avenue, Arroyo Viejo at 8501 MacArthur
Boulevard, Sausal at 6110 La Salle Avenue,
Lake Merritt at 3258 Lakeshore Avenue
and Glen Echo at 230 Bay Place. The city
hopes to increase the number of locations as
funding or sponsorship becomes available.
Oakland is home to more than 15 main
creeks and 30 tributaries, Lake Merritt and
the Oakland Estuary. Underground culverts
and storm drains connect to remaining
open portions of creeks and are an inte-
gral part of the watershed system. Today,
new environmental regulations safeguard
Oakland’s 100 miles of open waterways.
The Watershed and Stormwater Manage-
Join with neighbors who care about FROG
(Friends of the Rockridge Greenbelt) at
the upcoming meeting on June 23, 7 p.m., in
the Rockridge Library. The agenda includes:
■
■debrief of Earth Day activities
■
■discussion of the fall maintenance
day on September 10
■
■update on the bathroom and
possible opening
■
■discussion of murals and public art
■
■review of the new signage.
Everyone is welcome.
Correction: Our thanks to graphic artist
Mara Gendell, who created the festive graph-
ics for our new Earth Day posters.
One of five bronze markers depicting
creek scenes installed in the sidewalk
at College and Shafter avenues next
to Market Hall.
ment Program undertakes numerous water
quality protection activities including creek
and wetland restoration and stormwater
pollution prevention through enforcement,
development regulation, education, outreach,
and support of community-based watershed
stewardship organizations.
Funded through Measure DD – Oakland
Trust for Clean Water and Safe Parks – the
project is a collaboration between the Public
Works Agency’s Watershed and Stormwater
Management Program and the Community
& Economic Development Agency’s (CEDA)
Public Art Program. By drawing attention
Visit and Support Frog Park
➧➧Oakland Creeks, page 12
LUCY ARMENTROUT
G
Please review my blog at
FineEastBayHomes.com
510.339.0400/349
The GRUBB Company


June 4, 2011
8.

gift to our Rockridge community.
Paska
10-12 hard-boiled egg yolks
1 Tbsp vanilla
1 Tbsp lemon zest
1-½ cups sugar
½ pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter,
softened to room temperature
1-½ pounds dry, small curd cottage
cheese
¼ pound toasted ground almonds
½ pound golden raisins
½ pound apricots, finely chopped,
sliced almonds and apricots to
decorate.
Force yolks though a fine sieve or use a
food processor to make a paste.
Add vanilla, lemon zest and half the
sugar (3/4 cup) to yolks and beat
well.
In a large bowl, combine butter and
remaining ¾ cup sugar and beat well.
Add the yolk mixture (scrape the bowl
thoroughly with a rubber spatula)
and beat until smooth.
In a food processor, process the
cottage cheese until very fine.
Beat the cottage cheese into the butter-
yolk mixture.
Mix in the ground almonds, raisins and
apricots.
Press mixture in bowl to give a firm
shape.
Unmold from bowl onto a pretty
serving platter.
    As an Easter dessert, the traditional
decoration was a cross made of nuts, dried
fruits and sometimes leaves. You can also
serve it any time with a simple decoration
of sliced almonds and apricots.
    Slice and serve with a cup of good coffee.
Rock  ridge
Cornucopia
Cornucopia
Barry A. Kaufman
‘Soul’ Food, Old World Style
Igrew up in a first-generation Jewish
and Italian immigrant neighborhood
in Brooklyn. There were no super-
markets. Neighborhood families owned
small specialized markets: green grocer,
fish, live poultry, butchers, bakeries and,
of course, the ever-present Jewish deli. I
remember horse-drawn carts coming to
our block selling fruits and vegetables.
Women shopped daily to prepare evening
meals and paid the shopkeeper on family
accounts. Imagine: as a child coming home
from school, I would stop by Rutta’s bakery
for some cookies and the charge would be
put on my family’s account. Visits to these
shops were also opportunities to catch up
on neighborhood gossip.
Apartments had small eat-in kitchens.
Each meal was prepared as a special event.
Many families had only an icebox to keep
their food fresh. Ovens had no temperature
calibration dial, measuring cups or spoons
were not used, and I never saw a written
recipe or cookbook. Yet, each meal was
prepared with love and a sense of connected-
ness to past balabustas (Yiddish for a great
homemaker). I once asked a neighbor for
the recipe for a particular Jewish delicacy.
She used the palm of her hand to suggest
cup measure approximations and pinches of
seasonings for teaspoons and tablespoons.
Timing was never an issue; a dish was done
when it was done.
When you married, arguments would
ensue about whose mother or grandmother
made the best stuffed cabbage or borscht
– sweet or savory, with or without beef
bones. Most of these arguments were based
on where in Eastern Europe your family
came from. Romanians always thought
their dishes were more refined than Polish
versions. And, if your family came from
Russia, that was the crème de la crème. If
you went to a Jewish restaurant, the com-
ment was always the same: “Pretty good,
but not as good as grandma’s.”
Recently, my daughter prepared a Roma-
nian style sweet and sour stuffed cabbage. As
we ate it, there was a collective shout from
my partner and me: “You did it! You have
channeled grandma’s recipe to perfection.”
As an ongoing feature of Rockridge
Cornucopia, I will be celebrating the
“soul-food” of our neighbors. The recipes
will provide a link to our culinary history
and sense of home. This month’s offering
is from my neighbor, Linda Schiavino.
Linda writes:
“This recipe for Paska comes from
a cookbook put together by the Ladies
Auxiliary of the Latvian Relief Society of
Canada. The cookbook was given to me
by next-door neighbor, Ausma Uzans who
lived on Oak Grove Avenue from 1954 to
2010, when she died at the age of 96. Ausma,
her husband Arnold, and son Armand were
refugees – displaced people. They always
yearned for their country and its traditions.”
Linda submits this recipe in their honor.
Paska is a special Easter dessert,
borrowed from an old Russian Orthodox
tradition. Thank you, Linda, for this special
Rockridge readers: Please send or e-mail
me your favorite family recipe and stories.
Barry Kaufman is a graduate of the California
Culinary Academy. Barry is available for cooking
classes and tours of East-bay ethnic markets. His
e-mail is kaufman42@earthlink.net
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June 4, 2011

9.

A Summer Of A
Cultural Nature
Every month, as I sit down to bring
you information on the latest local
arts offerings, I find that, since so many
of them take place in the first week
of the month, by the time the paper
is distributed, they are a thing of the
past. It is a dilemma. We are a monthly
newsletter, published and distributed
the first week of each month. Please,
if your event is scheduled for
the beginning of a month, send
information to me six weeks ahead
of time, if possible, so that I can
include it in the prior month’s
edition.
Following are some of the exciting
programs currently offered locally to
fill our collective summer months with
experiences of a cultural kind.
Art
Pro Arts East Bay Open studios
are upon us the weekends of June 4-5
and 11-12. You can go online to www.
proartsgallery.org or, better yet, get
a catalog, available at many locations
along College Avenue or at the Pro Arts
Gallery at City Center, and make a day
of some really fun studio explorations.
You have over 400 artists to visit, so
put on your running shoes or you’ll
miss some of them. The catalog offers
a sample of the artists’ work along with
studio locator and other information.
You could plan a studio bike tour around
that. Perhaps, too, this is the year that
you will finally decide to become a
“collector.” Original art work is not
necessarily inexpensive, but instead of
buying cheap reproductions that have
little lasting value, why not pool your
“art money” and make a plan to purchase
just one thoughtfully selected piece
each year. Also, please hold on to the
for your listening pleasure this summer.
You can go to www.avonovamusic.com for
more information. I also want to mention
Wisteria Ways here for a different
but equally rewarding Rockridge musical
experience. Call them at 510/655-2771
for upcoming programs, or go to www.
wisteriaways.com.
Also, if you have not yet discovered
the Berkeley Jazz School, it is fast
becoming one more feather of fame in
Berkeley’s cultural cap. During the summer
months the school offers instrumental,
vocal, and music theory and composition
programs for young and old. Get a list of
scheduled performances at: www.jazzschool.
com. June 17-18, you can hear the young
musicians’s year-end performance for free.
Music classes are also offered at
Music a lly Minded Ac ade my,
Rockridge’s only community music
center. Free recitals June 5, 10, and 11.
Information at www.musicallyminded.com.
Theater
Acting, singing, dancing; kids love
musical theater. It is such a wonderful
medium for self expression. Check out
the theatre arts summer camp programs
at the Berkeley Playhouse (located
in the Julia Morgan Center for the
Arts). Besides being immersed in the
theater disciplines, the kids will also be
learning material from “Seussical the
Musical” for a final performance with
costumes and props. See a full schedule
at www.berkeleyplayhouse.org.
The Berkeley Rep also offers a
full range of acting courses for young
and old beginning July 5. The catalog
can be found on www.berkeleyrep.org/
school/index.asp or call 510/647-2972.
Dance
Here is something new for the East
Bay: This summer, Zellerbach Theater on
the UC campus, hosts a segment of the
World Arts West Ethnic Dance
Festival on June 11, 8 p.m., and June
12, 3 p.m. Presentations include the San
Jose Taiko, Balinese dance and music,
Flamenco and Philippine dance, among
others. The festival runs from June 3 to
July 3, with additional performances taking
place at San Francisco City Hall and Yerba
Buena Center. For more information, go
to www.ethnicdancefestival.com.
Enjoy your summer, one and all.
The
Rockridge
 Muse
Submitted by Ortrun Niesar
Petals – Mixed media
Pro Arts East Bay, cover piece
by Michael Cutlip
fabulous catalog Pro Arts produces each
year. Included in it are: a calendar of
cultural events taking place throughout
the next year; directories; advertising for
art-related services; great restaurants
and much more.
Music
If music is your passion, you need to
check out Avonova, Jimmy Pederson’s
cool jazz mecca on Avon Street. On June
12, 3 p.m., Jimmy presents Amikaeyla
and her Improvisoul! Series, a vocalist
and spoken word program. Donations
will go in part to the Haitian Children’s
Relief Fund; you will be doing good while
having fun listening to this extraordinary
performer. I tuned in to some of the music
on the Internet and it is fabulous. Better
make reservations right now. Children
are welcome; it’s all very informal. And
Jimmy has many more programs scheduled
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Ortrun Niesar can be reached at oniesar@
sbcglobal.net or 510/652-6664.


June 4, 2011
10.

Bites on Broadway: Dining à la ‘Cart’
FEaturing
thE BEst OF
Oakland's Own
FOOd culturE
from a submission by Karen Hester
An adjunct to Oakland’s burgeoning
fine foods restaurant scene is Bites
on Broadway, an organization convening a
number of food carts offering a variety of
foods not usually associated with mobile food
vendors. Organizers said food cart vendors
will be at 45th and Broadway every Friday
from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., beginning June
10 through October 21.
“Bites on Broadway is an effort to con-
front the blight on Broadway by jump start-
ing a community gathering in the hopes of
stimulating economic activity on a stretch
of Broadway just starting to show signs of
life with a new karate studio and New Style
Motherlode (hip hop dance studio) opening
up by June,” according to Karen Hester, an
organizer of the Oakland food “pod.”
Hester reports that rotating food carts
for the first month include Fists of Flour,
Guerrilla Grub, 51st State, Tina’s Tamales,
GoStreeteary, Sue’s Sassy Pies, El Tacobike,
Boffo, Vesta Flatbreads and The Grilled-
Cheeze Guy. Food served will be priced
affordably, according to Hester, from $5-$9
for a dinner portion. Foods will be family
fare using the freshest ingredients includ-
ing pulled pork sandwiches, pizza, tacos,
tortas, tamales, savory pies, mac and cheese,
plus fresh juices such as agua frescas and
lemonades.
While Bites on Broadway is the first
mobile food pod in Oakland, pods have
appeared in San Francisco and will begin
in North Berkeley starting in June. Oak-
landish, the Oakland arts support network,
will provide urban games such as Capture
the Flag and 4 Square on the second
Friday of each month, she added.
STREET FOOD
LIvE, LOcAL MuSIc
Bike Parking
Lawn Games
& Oaklandish
urban Games*
*urban Games 2nd Fridays only
Karen Hester of Hesternet Productions is a pro-
fessional events  organizer and produces large
cultural events such as the Temescal Street Fair
and Rockridge Out and About. Joining Hester
in the venture is Elizabeth August, co-owner
of Guerrilla Grub, an Oakland mobile food
vendor started in February, 2010.
Bites on Broadway
Mobile Food and Family Fun
Every Friday June 10th-Oct 21st
5:30-8:30pm
45th and Broadway, Oakland
www.bitesonbroadway.com / Info: 510-654-6346
Produced by Elizabeth August (Guerrilla Grub)
and Karen Hester (Hesternet Productions)
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June 4, 2011

11.

BookPals Literacy Program Supports Bookstore Field Trip
Outerbridge added, “These visits are
good for the community and for readers,
and offer a resource for communities lack-
ing bookstores.”
New Highland Academy teachers, given
the opportunity to select a Bay Area book-
store for this outing, felt Diesel offered an
opportunity to support a local merchant
as opposed to a large chain book outlet.
More importantly, Rockridge provides an
eye-opening opportunity for these students
living just 15 minutes away yet experiencing
poverty, violence, crime and deprivations
difficult to imagine on College Avenue.
Many of the students have never ridden
BART, seen Lake Merritt or experienced
a neighborhood like Rockridge.

Diesel Books
Hosts Avid
Readers
by Donald Carter, teacher,
2nd grade, New Highland
Academy
For the third year in a row,
Diesel Books on College
Avenue will host a group of
second graders from New High-
land Academy in East Oakland’s
Elmhurst neighborhood. Using
a grant from the BookPals Program (http://
www.sag.org/branches/arizona/bookpals-
program) that supports children’s literacy
throughout California, 50 second graders
will journey via public transportation to
the Rockridge District where they will
select and purchase their choice of books
at Diesel Bookstore.
This year’s group will visit Diesel June
Tim Horton, second grade teacher at New
Highland Academy, discusses book selections
with visiting students about to enter Diesel Books
during a prior class visit.           Photo: Donald Carter
7. Each student will have $20 to spend on
books selected from Diesel’s children’s sec-
tion. The students are encouraged to select
books that offer a challenge for emergent
readers and fit within their budget.
More BookPals information at http://bookpals.net/
Diesel manager Grant Outerbridge said
the store was looking forward to the class’s
visit. “Last year’s visit was wonderful,”
he said.
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Rockridge Builds Momentum This Spring!
Closing Date
BR BATH
Address
Original Price
List Price
DOM
Selling Price

4/25/11
3
2
6122 Lawton Ave
$845,000
$799,000
33
$825,000

4/28/11
4
2
5460 Broadway
$759,900
$759,900
20
$725,000

4/29/11
3
2
5806 Lawton Ave
$649,000
$ 629,000
8
$701,000

4/30/11
3
2
5855 Chabot Rd
$799,000
$799,000
33
$860,000

5/3/11
3
2
5485 Taft Ave
$1,080,000
$1,080,000
0
$1,080,000

5/5/11
4
2
5823 Mendocino
$825,000
$825,000
43
$804,000

5/10/11
3
2
5265 Lawton Ave
$1,150,000
$1,095,000
57
$1,051,875

5/16/11
4
1
5931 Taft Ave
$859,000
$859,000
17
$900,000

5/19/11
3
2
350 63rd
$1,175,000
$1,175,000
15
$1,178,000

5/20/11
2
1
 5667 Oak Grove
$ 699,000
$ 699,000
12
$ 726,000

5/25/11
3
3
5925 Manchester Dr
$1,375,000
$1,375,000
12
$1,375,000
• Rockridge currently has a 2.4 month supply of inventory  • Average list to sell is currently 100% - up from an average of 96%


June 4, 2011
12.
Oakland Creeks

Rockridge Center
Oakland creeks. Native fauna depicted on
the markers include rainbow trout, Pacific
chorus frogs, California newts and drag-
onflies. The imagery is rendered in highly
detailed form, referencing the city’s legacy
of art deco and Craftsman architecture.
Oakland’s Public Art Program
commissions original works of art for
public spaces, enriching the city’s visual
environment, integrating the creative
thinking of artists into public construction
projects and providing a means for citizens
and visitors to enjoy and experience
cultural diversity. For more information
about the Public Art Program, visit
oaklandculturalarts.org.
For more information on the Watershed
Markers project and Oakland’s creeks and
watersheds, visit oaklandcreeks.org.
from page 7
from page 1
and location mean it will have definite
environmental impacts that regulators – the
Planning Commission – will be ruling on
as the proposal comes under review.
Ranelletti encouraged audience and com-
munity members to add their comments to
the process, so the Planning Commission has
as full a community response as possible.
Send comments to Darin Ranelletti, 238-
3663, e-mail DRanelletti@oaklandnet.com.
to Oakland’s underground creeks, the art-
work encourages discovery and sensitizes
residents to the ongoing need to protect the
city’s watershed ecology.
“The Watershed Markers are an important
reminder of Oakland’s ecological resources
that are hidden from view,” said Mayor Jean
Quan. “Our creeks and waterways are vital
to a healthy urban environment, and this
is an innovative way to use public art as a
means to help people connect to our natural
world. I really appreciate the interagency
collaboration within the city of Oakland that
led to the success of this project.”
Wowhaus is the artist team of Scott
Constable and Ene Osteraas-Constable. The
artists gathered residents’ input through
public meetings and community dialogue
before generating their designs. The creek
stepping stones idea arose at a public meeting
when one resident described his fond child-
hood memories of playing in and crossing
Kristin Hathaway, CSM, is a Watershed Program
Specialist in the Watershed and Stormwater
Management Program, Oakland Public Works
Agency.
Kristen Zaremba is Senior Public Art Project
Manager in the Cultural Arts & Marketing
Department, Community & Economic Development
Agency (CEDA).
Rockridge
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since 1947
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510-655-3797
www.rockridgeoptometry.com

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        Oakland Ca 94618
510. 652. 5431

www.elizabethh.net



June 4, 2011

13.

d
h
e Rockri
to build their bridge. Parker Merrill, Engi-
neering Academy founder, tests each bridge
by hanging a bucket from the structure and
filling it with sand until the model breaks.
This year, junior Trey King’s bridge was
the strongest, holding 18.6 lbs.
Tastes of Tech
g
t
e
r
o
d
g
i
r
e
k
Nc
25
Years
o
www.rockridge.org
e
Rw
s
Ne
h
•
Tfrom page 5
N
•
e
w
s
e
g
Ad
b
i
o
r
u
k
f
t
c
o
R
Ro
r
c
k
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f
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e
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g
VOL. 26      NO. 6      ISSUE NO. 279        June 4, 2011                       CIRCULATION: 5,500 RESIdENCES; 200 BUSINESSES
Sponsored by the Rockridge Community Planning Council • 4123 Broadway, PMB 311 • Oakland, CA 94611 • 869-4200
e
RCPC Makes Quorum; Election Valid
Failing to field a quorum of voters – 25 Rockridge residents – at its official annual
meeting and board member election at the April town hall meeting, RCPC scheduled
a new vote for the May meeting. Residents again cast their ballots for six uncontested
board seats in an election some referred to as an affirming action. However, without the
vote, the six board members could not have continued to serve in their positions. Board
chair Stuart Flashman declared a qualifying quorum (and more) had voted at the May
meeting and the election was valid.
Elected to continuing two-year terms on the RCPC board of directors were Cesar
Angobaldo, Andrew Charman, Michael Kan, Bill Kaufner, Ronnie Spitzer and Ann
Winterman. In a subsequent administrative action, the board elected the following as
officers: Chair - Stuart Flashman; Vice-Chair - Ashley Etling; Secretary - Michael Kan;
Treasurer - Cesar Angobaldo; At-large Executive Committee Member - Andrew Charman.
r
May Town Hall Meeting Report
Strong Feelings About
Rockridge Safeway
■
■Tech Girls take 1st place in
Technovation Challenge
This spring, 42 high-school girls took
part in Google’s challenge to build the
most innovative Google Android mobile
app. The Berkeley area winning team came
from Oakland Tech, defeating teams from
seven other schools. Congratulations to
Salina Wittmer (grade 10), Carmen Zheng
(grade 10) and Saleeha Bey (grade 9). The
mission of the Technovation Challenge is
to promote women in technology.
ws Team
Voluntee
■
■Congratulations to Tech’s
Winning Sport Teams:
‘Merchant’ Sought
for RCPC Board
by Stuart Flashman, RCPC chair
R
CPC is still looking for a “merchant”
member for its board of directors.
RCPC has a one-year term appointed seat
on its board of directors.  The seat has
traditionally been held by a merchant from
Rockridge’s commercial area. However,
with the economic slump over the past
couple of years, most merchants are just
Photo: D. KinKeaD
Library Offers Big
Boost to Rockridge
DVD Project
by Jon Gabel, co-chair,
Rockridge DVD Project
A
n ew  a g r e e m e n t
between the Oakland
Public Library (OPL) and the Rockridge
dVd Project that accepts a potential change
in policy by OPL has resulted in the library’s
willingness to pay all the costs of cataloging
the dVds destined for the Rockridge Branch
Library – and for the required security cases
as well. The value to the dVd Project is
$20,000, reducing the fundraising goal to
$13,000, of which slightly over half has
been raised.
Oakland Planner Darrin Ranelletti
describes the factors involved in
the review process for Safeway’s
Rockridge Center proposed redesign.
by Don Kinkead, editor
‘T
here is a lot of interest in this project,”
City Planner derrin Ranelletti said,
speaking of Safeway’s expansion plans for
the shopping center at Broadway and Pleas-
ant Valley avenues.
“A lot of people hate it, a lot of people
love it, some are in the middle; it’s all over
the place,” he told audience members at the
RCPC Town Hall meeting Thursday, May 19.
Following presentation of the plans to
the Planning Commission’s design Review
Committee in december, a divided commit-
tee voted to forward the plans and public
comments to the full Commission for review.
This set the stage for an environmental
review now expected to be ready for public
response by July or August, Ranelletti said.
Although people disagree on the most
satisfactory design elements, Ranelletti said
people broadly see two differing general
goals for the project, goals he does not find
mutually exclusive: “One view of the project
is as an economic stimulator, generating
sales tax for the city. The other view calls
for a design that would extend nearby urban
patterns into the project.”
Regardless of one’s point of view,
however, Ranelletti said the project’s size
Thursday, June 16 | 7:30-9 p.m.
Rockridge Branch Library,
5366 College at Manila
■
■The varsity baseball team won the
Transbay Tournament and Oakland Athletic
League (OAL) Championship. It is Tech’s
third TransBay title in school history and
the first time the Bulldogs have won back-
to-back championships.
➧Board Seeks Merchant, page 6
16
AGENDA
June RCPC
Town Hall Meeting
■Primer, General Plan and ZoninG
Continued. Welcome to the second of a
series of discussions of basic elements of
land use and planning.
Soundwalls in
Rockridge?
What might that be like? RCPC
presents the first in a series of
articles examining sound and soundwalls,
page 3. Future articles will consider
what soundwalls do and don’t do; what
they are made of; how their locations
are planned and reviewed for approval,
and more.
➧DVD Boost, page 4


R
CPC Chair Stuart Flashman discusses
use permits, variances and planning
code enforcement as elements of the
plannng process. How RCPC responds
to these planning elements as affecting
Rockridge will be explained, as well.
The Rockridge News is looking for a
Block Captain to deliver papers down
Broadway from Ada to the College Avenue
intersection. This once-a-month volunteer
job (except in August, when the newslet-
ter does not publish) should take 15-20
minutes. Call Susan at 547-3855 or e-mail
her at smontauk@gmail.com to volunteer.
➧Rockridge Center, page 12
■
■The Boys JV Lacrosse team won
the Northern California Junior Lacrosse
Association (NCJLA) JV Championship.
In only its second year and with many first
time players, this team triumphed against
established Bay Area teams.
■
■Tech Student Featured in
Oakland Magazine
Senior Serena Ke is featured in the May-
June edition of Oakland Magazine. The
article, “The Way They Roll,” highlights
10 inspirational Oakland graduating high
school seniors who “have decided to give
back now while keeping stellar grades and
carving a path for success into adulthood.”
Serena’s has served as president of an asthma
peer health education program, and as a
teen tobacco investigator, helping prevent
cigarette sellers from selling to minors.
■
■The Boys Tennis Team won the OAL
title. Skyline had won the OAL Title for the
past four years.
From Ada down Broadway,
delivering to odd numbers
and to the real estate office
on Broadway at the Broadway/
College intersection.
Route
12C
■
■The co-ed JV ice kockey team won
their first-ever division championship
against the Tri-Valley Blues. In their second
year on ice, this team has matured to their
division championship game.
■
■The girls basketball team won the
OAL league title and championships, and
advanced to the second round of the North
Coast playoffs.
Norman H. Burg, DDS
■
■Oakland Tech Engineering
Academy Builds Bridges
Each spring, students in Tech’s Engineer-
ing Academy compete in a bridge-building
contest, using balsa wood, string, and glue,
■
■Boys JV basketball won the JV title
for the second year in a row.
General Dentistry
(510) 652-1517
5700 Broadway, Oakland
SUMMER 2011
CALIFORNIA COLLEGE OF THE ARTS
A Prevention Oriented Practice
CCA EXTENSION
G
Summer registration is happening now!
Register early to ensure your place in class
CCA Extension courses are available year-round and range
from one-session workshops to more comprehensive courses
GRUBBCO.COM
Day, evening, and weekend offerings in
San Francisco (in Potrero Hill) and Oakland (in Rockridge)
DESIGN • COMPUTER COURSES • FINE ARTS
cca.edu/extension
510.652.2133
3070 Claremont Avenue • Berkeley
510.339.0400
1960 Mountain Boulevard • Oakland


June 4, 2011
14.

Gardening Excellence
Serving Rockridge over 20 years. Friendly,
personalized maintenance, expert pruning
and care; garden restoration; make-over to
prepare for sale; consultations. Non-toxic,
earth-friendly practices. Reasonable rates,
excellent references, free estimates. Chris.
510/655-0157.
Quality Gardening
Skilled Maintenance, clean-ups, aesthetic
pruning, real estate prep, irrigation, design
and installation. Local refs. Ecological-minded
since 1995, personal attention, free estimates.
Green’s Gardens: 510/593-3490.
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.
July deadline is June 16, 2011.
For information: smontauk@gmail.com
HELP Me Update Dentist List
ADD Listing using link at bottom of this page:
SFbay.SmarterYellowPages.com/Dentists EDIT
Listing & add Links to Reviews Photos Facebook
LinkedIn Twitter YouTube in form at Listing
bottom. Thx! psmithsr@gmail.com
General Contractor
Craftsman Rehabs, remodels, seismic upgrades,
kitchens, built-ins, gates, windows, doors,
repairs, small jobs. Many local references. Fully
insured. See www.catconstruction.biz Craig.
510/232-5978.
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.
Love Your Surroundings?
Need help getting organized? Want to de-
clutter your home or office? Let me redesign
your environment in your style & create space
and harmony. Free Consultation. Laura Panica,
Organizational Consultant 510/658-6582. www.
liferestyled.com
Tutoring, Credentialed
Teacher
18 years experience. Primary grade expertise
in language arts and math. 4-12 Writing exper-
tise, homework help. Will coordinate tutoring
plan with your child’s teacher. References.
Reasonable rates. 510/420-1898. Jean-rains@
sbcglobal.net
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, relaxing services
with a gentle and personalized treatment.
www.penelopecalef.com By appointment:
510/594-1552.
Excellent Housecleaning
I have 30 years experience, and very happy,
longstanding references in the Rockridge area,
Berkeley, and Kensington. I am mature, reli-
able, honest, consistent, organized, careful and
good with details. Please call Barbara Magrie,
510/387-8433.
Home Repairs & Improvements
Kitchen & bath remodel, tile, decks, dry rot,
drainage, walls, termite damage, foundation
(new/repair). Lic#458473. Don 510/812-0310.
TAI CHI and QIGONG
classes in Rockridge
Thursday, and Saturday mornings. Please visit
our website for details. www.harmonytaiji.com
or e-mail at harmonytaiji@yahoo.com or phone
Gail at 415/786-2469 for more information.
SFbay.SmarterYellowPages.
com
No charge for Listings for all businesses &
organizations in Bay Area. Listings include the
usual plus 500 word Profile, e-mail app & links
to Website Reviews Photos FaceBook LinkedIn
Twitter YouTube psmithsr@gmail.com
Spectacular Service
Housekeeping
We provide excellent housecleaning service
with greatest attention to detail. Local rec-
ommendations. *Let us create free time for
you.* www.spectacularhousekleening.com
510/228-5704. Free estimate.
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.
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.
Design, Installation and Maintenance
Native Plant Gardens & Stonework
Andrea Hurd, Horticulturist and Stonemason
License #883905 h tel. 510.558.8429
www.mariposagardening.com


June 4, 2011

15.

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

dard Time.
y
y Sun., 6/26, 3pm. Publication party for former Diesel
bookseller Charles McLeod: American Weather.
y
y Wed, 6/29, 7pm. Robert Gorter: Fighting Cancer: A
Nontoxic Approach to Treatment.

Community Calendar

y
y Thurs, 7/7, 6pm. Bay Areas Writers Project (BAWP)
Young Writers Camp share their work.
DIESEL, A Bookstore, 5433 College Ave. More info
(and other events and discussion groups): 653-9965
or events@dieselbookstore.com.
Marie Simmons Book Signing
Neighborhood Crime Prevention
Council (NCPC)
More info: Susy, 597- 5017 or smoorhead@
oaklandlibrary.org.
FOR ADULTS
Residents and business members of NCPC’s 12Y and
13X areas can voice their concerns about crime and
public safety. 2nd Thursday each month, 7pm. Rockridge
Library, upstairs meeting room, 5366 College Ave. (at
Manila). Info: chair@rockridgencpc.com.
Rockridge Branch Library
■
■Writers Support/Critique Group: All writers welcome.
Bring 16 copies of up to 5 pgs. (double-spaced, MS
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.
Meet the Author of Fresh and Fast Vegetarian: Recipes
that Make a Meal. Recipe samples and ingredient tast-
ings. Sat., 6/18, noon to 2pm. The Pasta Shop, Rockridge
Market Hall, 5655 College Ave. Info: 250-6055 or www.
rockridgemarkethall.com.
Rockridge Artist Open Studio
5366 College Avenue, 597-5017
FOR CHILDREN
■
■Randy Rutherford, folksinger and storyteller reads
from new work in progress. Tues., 6/7, 6pm, upstairs.
■
■Toddler Story Time: Every Saturday, 10:30am.
Liz Maxwell: paintings, prints and drawings. Sat. and
Sun., 6/11, 6/12 from 11am to 6pm. 5808 Chabot Road.
lizmaxwell@prodigy.net. More about ProArts Open
Studios 2011 events, see The Muse, page 9, or www.
proartsgallery.org.
Wisteria Ways House Concerts
■
■Pre-School Story Time: 1st and 3rd Wed., 10:30am.
■
■Lawyers in the Library: Free legal advice and refer-
rals. First Tues. each month (6/7), 5 to 7pm (advance
sign-up starts 4:45pm). Note: lawyer leaves before
7pm if no more people are present. No July session.
ART EXHIBITS (call to confirm)
Gallery:
■
■Baby and Toddler Story Time: 1st and 3rd Wed.,
10:30am, upstairs.
Special Events:
The annual OPL Summer Reading Program begins at
all locations on Saturday, June 18, ending on Saturday,
August 13. Come by to sign up, get your reading log,
pick out what you would like to read, and collect prizes
for how many hours you read.
Award-winning California Honeydrops, as best R&B/
Soul Band in the SF Bay Area. Saturday, 6/18, 3pm (door
opens 2pm). Sample sound clips at www.cahoneydrops.
com/listen/. $15-20 donation for musicians (cash only
at the door).383 61st Street (outside concert, wheelchair
accessible). For reservations (highly recommended),
RSVP to info@WisteriaWays.org or 655-2771.
Singers Wanted
y
y June: Darril Tighe: abstract watercolor.
y
y July: Irving Wiltshire: photography.
Lobby Display Case:
■
■Summer Reading Program Kick-off Event: bi-lingual
Mexican and Caribbean folk music performance by
Cascada de Flores. Sat, 6/18, 10:30am. (All ages
welcome).
y
y June and July: Rockridge Teen Advisory Board display.
LIBRARY HOURS
Tues, 12:30 to 8pm.
Wed., Thurs. and Sat. 10am to 5:30pm.
Fri., 12 to 5:30pm.
Closed: Sundays and Mondays
Gardening With Native Plants
■
■Stories and Crafts from Asia and the Pacific
Islands: (all ages) Tues, 6/21, 7pm.
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.
North Oakland Senior Center
■
■Paper Craft Series: (ages 3- 10) Every Thurs, 3:30pm.
June 23 thru August 11.
■
■Lawrence Hall of Science – Festival of Matter: 8
science stations for ages 5 and up. Thurs, 6/30, 3:30pm.
“Native Life” in Rockridge. Free discussion with Troy
McGregor: how to plan and implement a garden using
the best native plants for the area; soil, irrigation and
mulch; the impact on wildlife. Tues, 6/21, 6:30-7:30pm.
Rockridge Library, 5366 College Ave. Sponsored by
the Calif. Native Plant Society, East Bay Chapter. Info:
Ed Beggs, 653-5000.
Diesel Book: Readings & Events
■
■Book Buddies: kids ages 2-7; sign up in advance (or
just stop by). Teen Volunteers will read to and with
kids. Every Saturday, 2 to 4pm.
FOR TEENS
BOOK BUDDIES: Teen Volunteers see Susy to sign
up to read to and with children, ages 1 to 7. Will take
place on Saturdays, 2-4 pm, from June 18 to Aug. 31.
Programs include: Arts/crafts; health insurance
counseling; dancing and exercise; trips, tours and
theater outings; Alzheimer’s Caregivers support groups,
computer classes and more.
All events are FREE and open to the public.
■
■Rockridge Ninjas Anime Club: Ages 13 and up,
watch and talk about anime (Japanese animation).
Second Tues. each month (6/14, 7/12), 5 to 6:30pm.
y
y Thurs., 6/9, 7pm. The Free Beer Tour: An evening
y
y Free group tour of the Fox Theater and lunch:
Wed., 6/8.
of pairing great books with great beer. Readings
by Josh Wilker, David Anthony and Pete Nelson
with beer tastings featuring the Lagunitas Brewing Co.
■
■Teen Advisory Board (ages 14-18): Help advise the
library how to better serve teens. Get community
service credit for school. Snacks provided. 1st
Saturday each month, 4 to 5pm. This summer, we
meet weekly and also volunteer outside of the library.
y
y 5th Annual Health & Resource Fair: Thurs., 6/23,
1- 4pm. Free services: Pharmacy and prescription
drug drop-off; vision test; bone density screening.
Sojourner Truth Manor, 5717 MLK Way.
Mon. – Fri., 8:30am to 4pm. 5714 Martin Luther King, Jr.
Way. Subscribe to “The North Oakland Senior Times”
for full schedule of classes/events, lunch menus, mem-
bership, and volunteer opportunities. Info: 597- 5085.
y
y Sun., 6/12, 3pm. Poetry Flash: Bruce Isaacson and
Toni Mirosevich.
y
y Mon., 6/13, 7:30pm. Amnesty International Meet-
ing (2nd Mon. each month): All invited to exchange
ideas on action.
■
■Teen Summer Program: Pick up a passport at the
library and earn stamps by exploring the Bay Area,
writing book reviews, volunteering, and attending library
programs. Great prizes all summer long. 6/18 - 8/13.
y
y Wed, 6/15, 7pm. Local author Cary Groner: Exiles.
y
y Tues, 6/21, 7pm. Lama Surya Das: Buddha Stan-


June 4, 2011
16.

Fabulous Rockridge Tudor
6070 Ocean View Drive
Lovingly maintained 4 bedroom 3 bath home with big living room,
formal dining room, breakfast room, two master bedroom suites &
family room. Near BART & the shops of College Ave. Sweeping San
Francisco, Bay & Golden Gate Bridge views from the Glen Jarvis
designed Master Retreat. See more at www.6070OceanView.com
$1,129,000
INTERIOR-EXTERIOR LEAD
CERTIFIED PAINTERS
Professional preparation. Many local
references. All work Guaranteed
(510) 654-3339
Mon – Fri  9:30 – 6:00
Sat  9:30 – 5:00
CHIMES
PHARMACY
Serving Rockridge Since 1909
3210 College Avenue
Near Alcatraz
652-1990
Terry Kulka & Julie Bartlett
510.682.5917 • terrykulka@att.net
With over 300 homes sold -
Experience Counts
DRE# 00875454
www.terrykulka.com
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
Sustainable Living
Starts at Home
aboutface&body
dayspa      oaklandberkeley
COming sOOn in ROCKRidge
Sustainable Building
Starts at Ashby Lumber
Hudson st.  2+ Beds & 2 Baths
Amazing Restoration of an Arts & Crafts Bungalow.
Stunning “Period” Inspired Kitchen & Bath.
Stroll to BART, Casual Carpooling, & Market Hall
Award Winning Chabot elementary school
serving you since 1981
Looking for a Contractor?
Specialists in waxing
Now offering men’s waxing
FOR sALe – ROCKRidge
Visit our Contractor Directory
at ashbylumber.com
5333 James Avenue – Call for Pricing
2+ Beds & 1 Bath
One of Rockridge’s most sought after blocks.
River Rocks & Big ol’ Front Porch define this home.
This Craftsman Bungalow could grace the pages of
a magazine.
Award Winning Chabot elementary school
www.5333James.com
3190 college avenue
at alcatraz
berkeley, ca 94705
.
824 Ashby Avenue    Berkeley
Ph: 510.843.4832  Fax: 510.843.3840
5707 Ayala Avenue (Lower Rockridge)
Call for Pricing
3 Beds & 1+ Baths
Craftsman Bungalow, Formal Living & Dining
Rooms, Hardwood Floors, Fireplace, Sunny Deck,
Flat Yard & 1 Car Garage
www.5707Ayala.com
p 510.428.2600
www.aboutfaceandbody.net
KEVIN BROWN
Broker
654-8707 or 593-4780
sun-tues 10:30-5:30
wed-sat 10:30-8:00
6409 Benvenue Ave.   $1,045,000
3 Beds/2+Baths
6 Brand New Arts and Crafts Single Family Homes.
1st New Homes in the Heart of Rockridge/Elmwood
in maybe 50+ Years. Amazing Location/Architecture/
Construction – “Nothing Else Compares”
Award Winning Peralta elementary school
www.BevenueCourt.com
Only 1 Left!
PROVIDING

Professional,

Full Service

Real Estate Brokerage

To Rockridge Clients
 For Over 26 Years.
SPECIALIZING IN

OResidential Sales

OIncome Property

OCommercial

OProperty Management
Pending
30
6069 Canning street (Lower Rockridge)
2 Beds & 1 Bath   $574,000
Amazing Cottage Style Home as one of two Condos
on one lot. Great Location, Sunny South Facing Yard,
Deck, Lovingly Remodeled by Architect Owner.
Award Winning Peralta elementary school
www.6069Canning.com
L A W T O N
Ron Kriss, Broker
Lawton Associates
Better Homes
Realty
5353 College Avenue
Oakland
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