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ISSUE NO. 339 gm December 3, 2016

oC | 5,800 RESIDENCES; 200 BUSINESSES

Sponsored by the Rockridge Community Planning Council * 4123 Broadway, PMB 311 * Oakland, CA 94611

Rockridge Groups and Projects Count on Your Contributions

——

Donations: www.
rocKkridge.org.
Check: Mail/
Payto: RCPC, 4123
Broadway, PMB #311,

#311, Oakland,

donate/ Mail/Payto:
FROG Park, 4123
Broadway, PMB

94611. FROG’s 2017

on- and off-ramps.
www.scenicstreets.
org/donate. More
Scenic Streets: Page
10, Letters; page 11,

claremontms.org.
By check: payable
to Claremont PTA
clo PTA, 5750 College
Avenue, Oakland,

programs, furniture,
equipment. See The
Rockridge News,
November '16: www.
RockridgeFriends.

: TONn Halls: Scenic Streets; | Clarem@nt Middle | FORL: Friends ofthe : ,
Supportscommunity; | Online: www. beautify Rockridge | School Fund: | Rockridge Library. | nonprofit orga-
Newsletter. RCPC | frogpark.org/ near Highway 24] Online— www.|Funds' books, | nization, accepts

donations to help
end homelessness in
Alameda Cnty. Dis-
cussed at November
Town Hall: everyone-
home.org

Oakland, 94611. Dog Park. 94618. Story, page 4.

plans, page 8. org

Homeless in North Oakland & Rockridge
Town Hall: Addressing the Needs of the Homeless

by Stu Flashman, RCPC chair Rockridge, including a homeless
y° may have seen the man living in the area with his
tents and campsites of the

dog, learned some answers to
homeless in many leafy areas of

those questions at the special
Rockridge and their more densely November Town Hall meeting.
populated gatherings under

Co-sponsored by RCPC, the
freeways; who are they and what College Avenue Presbyterian
can be done to meet their needs?

Church (CAPC), the Greater
Nearly 50 inhabitants of } Homeless in Rockridge, page 13

See: Helping to House the Unhoused, pg 3.

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in le MILAN Ek, ee « £4

RCPC Chair Stuart Flashman, standing, introduces panel
members Aisha Brown, left, Riley Wilkerson, Anthony Hutsol,
Susan Shelton, Aimee Armata, and Joe DeVries. /D. Kinxeap

What’s Cookin’? Plans for the 2017 RCPC Kitchen Tour

Recipe for a Kitchen: Design; Plan; Create; Enjoy | Recipe for a Kitchen Tour: Volunteers

j Rockridge Kitchens History of the RCPC Kitchen Tour 2017 Kitchen Tour: Coming to
‘oO Your Neighborhood Soon...

| \.
_— by Kevin Faughnan, RCPC board member

he date is set: Sunday, September 24, 2017. Now

all we need are some brave souls who will be
undaunted by 300 people coming through the front
door and commenting on what they and their architects
have done to the kitchen. There are usually several
design solutions not necessarily evident to the observer,
and we'd like > Kitchen Tour 2017 News, page 13

but it wasn’t enough to get
through the year. Those
mini-fundraisers were a lot
of work but it was what the
organization had to do just to
stay alive back then.

At a meeting not long
after, the precariousness of
our finances was discussed,
> Kitchen Tour History, pg 12

by Susan Montauk

n 1994, when I joined the

RCPC board, we were
preparing for one of our
many fundraising events, a
plant sale in the empty lot
where the library was soon
to be built. We made a few
undred dollars, perhaps a
——* little more, from that sale,

i tr i ee i

2.

ee —

Firestorm Commemor

by Annalee Allen
A 1] a.m. on Sunday, October 9, 1n
the midst of the “Out and About”
Rockridge street festival, many folk gathered
on the sidewalk below the Rockridge BART
Station to pay tribute to those who died the
day of the Oakland/Berkeley Firestorm, 25
years ago on October 20, 1991.

The commemorative event took place
next to the Firestorm Tile Mural mounted
on the wall under the station, and was hosted
by the City of Oakland, BART and the
Rockridge District Association. As part of
the ceremony, a new memorial plaque listing
the 25 people who died was unveiled. It was
to be affixed later to a supporting BART
track pillar next to the wall.

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and
BART General Manager Grace Crunican
unveiled the new plaque, and Oakland Fire
Department Chief Teresa Deloach Reed and
Berkeley Fire Department Chief Gil Dong
read the names of each victim. As each name
was read, BART police Lt. Kevin Franklin
tolled the fire department’s bell.

The mural featuring 2,100 hand-painted
ceramic tiles was originally installed in
1994. The tiles were created by individuals —
including neighbors, homeowners and school
children — during workshops organized by
the Firestorm Community Mural Project.
Those affected directly or indirectly by the
disaster were invited to paint the tiles that

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unforgettable day.

A speaker at the event are
now 29, was four yeats old at the time

, ing
fire. She spoke of remembering her nn ane
rescued out of a tree, and losing her teddy

; ac s the
bear collection 1n the fire. Rachel was
ake a tile for the mural an

first person to Mm

Rachel Lomax,

5808 College Avenue, Oakland

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Rachel’s commemorative tile.
/ANNALEE ALLEN

she pointed it out to the audience. |
Funding to create the mural was provided

by the Oakland Community Fund. The
project was conceived by Rockridge resident

Brooke Levin.
For more on the Firestorm, the aftermath

and rebuilding, and images of the tiles,
visit https://oaklandwiki.org/Oakland_

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- Library program details/hours: Calenday Pageys

RockridgeNew,

The Rockridge News, founded March | 99¢ by 1
Kinkead, !s published monthly (except jp A, On
and is sponsored by the Rockridge Comme
Planning Council (RCPC), a nonprofit
benefit organization founded to: presep,
enhance the unique character of the Ro,
neighborhood; promote the health, safe
quality of life of its residents; furnish a fo,
community involvement; and provide leader.

UDli¢
e and
Kridge

ty and
Um for

representation of neighborhood interests NIP and
Rockridge News Production
Don Kinkead....-:ccscrescerees: Editor
JO Eis ...cseesessssnessssserersecesnenen Asst. Editor
Judith Doner Berne ...-.-.00.:. Eyes on Rock dee
JO EMIS ...-sseccsssssssnnanesessersseneee Advertising &
Community Calenday
Susan Montauk....secrcvee Business Manager
Don Kinkead.....-scecerscrees Graphics & Layout
RCPC Board of Directors, 2016-17
Stuart Flashman ........0-0+ Chair
Kevin Faughnan ........--+:+. Vice-Chair
Rekha RaO.....cscessseerersneees Secretary
Ronnie SpitZer......-+-rere Treasurer

M C Haug, Dave Karlinsky,

Don Kinkead, Mike Lin, Christina Wong Masin
Jesse Ortega, Laura Schlichtmann, Leonora Sen

Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org
For information: info@rockridge.org
NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTIONS
To subscribe to The Rockridge News, senq

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 946] |

Articles submitted for publication may be
emailed to the editor or mailed to the addresses above.
Submissions are limited to 600 words, must include
the author’s name, phone number, email address, and
city or neighborhood of residence, and are subject
to editing. Views expressed in articles accepted for
publication do not necessarily reflect those of The
Rockridge News, its editor, or the board of directors
of the Rockridge Community Planning Council. To
reprint a Rockridge News article, contact the editor.

Newsletter Advertising/Deadline
Publication date of the January issue is:

@ january 7, 2017

@ January deadline is December 22, 2016.
Advertising rates are $26/column inch. Six-
month pre-pay rate available. For display ads,
call Jo Ellis at 653-3210 (after noon), or emall
joellisi@hotmail.com. RCPC reserves the right
to refuse any display or classified ad that it deems
inappropriate. (Classified ad contact, page !4.)

December 3, 2016

Rockridge News

3.

How to Help House
the Unhoused

by City of Oakland staff
R“ housing costs have contributed to
a significant increase in the unsheltered
population in Oakland and Alameda
County. The City of Oakland estimates
there are around 1,400 unsheltered people
on the streets each night. The overwhelming
majority of these individuals are from the
very neighborhoods where they are now
homeless. They attended Oakland schools,
have Oakland roots, and are the most visibly
impacted by a housing market that has seen
dramatic increases in Oakland rents and
home prices over the past two years.
The City of Oakland and our partner
Organizations have programs that have

y hon successful in leading participants out

homelessness. City-sponsored programs
such as OPRI, the Oakland Path to Rehousing
Initiative, in partnership with the Oakland
Housing Authority and dedicated nonprofit
homeless services providers, have placed and
sustained chronically homeless persons 1n
supportive housing with a 94 percent success
rate. This has been achieved by providing the
wrap-around support services the individuals
need to remain housed and stabilized.
These approaches are successful but not at
a scale that could visibly change the incidence
of homelessness we now see on our streets.

BROADWAY PET HOSPITAL

In addition to rising rents, some federal rental
subsidies go unused because they do not keep
pace with skyrocketing rents. The City needs
more housing units for very low-income
residents, and more landlords willing to
dedicate existing units to housing programs
tor this population. Thanks to voters who
passed Measure KK in Oakland, which
devotes $100 million to affordable housing,
and Measure 1A in Alameda County, which
provides $600 million for housing county-
wide, new housing for the unsheltered
population will be created. However, it will
likely be at least two years before the new
units become habitable. This is too long for
Oakland’s unsheltered population to wait.
To address the immediate need. the
City is asking for help from Oaklanders
with available housing units, Whether it’s
a couple of units in an apartment building,
an available in-law unit, or even a vacant
space that may need minor upgrades, we

Use Ty" December Land Use Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 28, 7:30
p.m., at the Rockridge Branch Library, 2nd floor meeting room. Check the RCPC website,

www.rockridge.org, the week before for the agenda and to confirm the meeting.

want to talk to you

The City and County can provide
subsidies to ensure landlords are receiving
federal fair market value for their rental]
units. We can also provide the support
services, from case managers to clinicians
to mentors, so critical for success of those
residents who were previously unsheltered.
You can help house the homeless and
improve the lives of those people living on
our sidewalks, under our freeway overpasses,
and in our parks.

If you are a property owner with available
rental space, please join our efforts to resolve
this crisis. Contact Home Management
Specialist Pamela Hall 1n the City’s Housing
& Community Development Department:
510/238-3125, or phall@oaklandnet.com, if
you have rental units available

Learn more about the issue at www

EveryOneHome.org, and find a way to
become involved in addressing homelessness.

ao

—s

Letters to the Editor | More Letters, page 10

Give New NEicusor a CHANCE

Epitor:

Morning wake-up calls
Social network modeling
Curling up with a good book
Gardening together

Making lots of biscuits

Local caregivers who want

to help make great memories.

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

5 910.653.0212

I am writing to encourage my
former fellow neighbors of Barclay’s
Pub to give the new restaurant tenant,
The Golden Squirrel, a chance to
demonstrate commitment to Rockridge.

As a long-term RCPC board
member, two-term former chair, and

actual office tenant in the College
Square building with Barclay’s (for
almost 30 years), I have seen all sorts
of applicants make commitments
they clearly never intended to keep.
However, I have also seen instances
when new, sincerely progressive
applicants were given much grief

> Neighbor, page 15

WvansvAmato, AIA 510.420.0210
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December 3 2

_ r
—_ ——

4.

It's Easy to Support Claremont Middle
School This Holiday

by Tara McCulloch

he Claremont Middle School PTA

Invites the Rockridge community to
help make its neighborhood public middle
school a continued success by giving to the
School’s annual fund.

Under the leadership of Principal
Jonathan Mayer and Assistant Principal
Tonia Coleman since 2014, Claremont serves
a body of 440 students who are racially,
ethnically and economically diverse. While
Claremont’s feeder elementary schools
include Chabot, Peralta, Emerson and
Piedmont Avenue, many students come from
neighborhoods across the city, including
East and West Oakland. About 50 percent
of Claremont’s students qualify for free or
reduced-price lunch.

The Claremont Fund

That’s where the Claremont Fund
comes in. Established in 2011, the Fund is a
meaningful way for parents and community
members to show their support for the school.

Through the Fund, the PTA is able to
pay for more teaching staff than the school
district provides. It also helps fund the many
activities now deemed extra in California
public schools, such as music, sports, art,
animation and other programs, including
the school’s outdoor education trips for all
students.

For example, the Claremont Fund helps
pay for the school’s popular library program,
which supplements the work happening in

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classrooms. ,
“The library is funded 100 percent by the

PTA.” said Carla Riemer, school librarian.
“In addition to my salary, the Fund makes it
possible for me to provide our students with
relevant, high interest, up-to-date books and

magazines.”

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Left: Three Claremont Middie Scho
music program students in rehea, &

ON Li

The Fund also pays for after-schog
athletics, which can make a differeno,
students as they meet new friends, said Andy
Beyer, parent to Noah Beyer, a 7th brad
at Claremont. His son participates j, .
school’s cross-country and soccer teams

“Core academic preparation IS a Must fo
all students, but sometimes it's the learnin,
and experiences outside of the core thy
makes school matter to students.” Beye
said. “The Claremont Fund helps make thi,
a reality.” .

In addition, the Fund gives money t,
Claremont’s music program, recently wri;

the check for a new piano.

> The Claremont Fund, page 1,

Martin Coyle = 510-655-8717 = Mike Tracy
5221 James Ave. Oakland Ca. 94618

www.coylehomeremodel.com

THANKS to my wonderful clients
and this lovely community for
making 2016 such a successful
year for my Rockridge sales!

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December 3, 2016

Rockridge News

- See oe — ——_— le om

Ji

@ ost-Election Candlelight Vigil Stands for Peace and Love

by Cindy Warner, freelance journalist

he evening following the presidential

election returns, a group of about 200
people gathered — apparently in response
to a Moveon.org posting followed by a
Nextdoor.com posting — at Rockridge
BART Plaza in a peaceful candlelight vigil
during late commute hours. Many BART
patrons coming from their trains joined
the gathering.

The group sang spiritual and civil rights

= in au oil ,

songs calling for a spirit of peace and
love. Families wore casual street clothes
with children in shorts and t-shirts; dogs
on leashes and bicyclists in helmets were
among those who gathered

The gathering ultimately formed a close-
Knit circle around a few song leaders who
Sang a capella such songs as This Little
Light of Mine, If | Had a Hammer, Down
by the Riverside (or Ain't Gonna Study
War No More), and America the Beautiful.

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Submitted by a reader

NCPC News and

Coming Events
NCPC Meeting: December 8

he Greater Rockridge Neighborhood

Crime Prevention Council (NCPC)
meets in the Rockridge Library at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 8. On the agenda:

@ Discuss crime and safely priorities.

@ Reports from our OPD Community
Resource Officers (CRQ).

ge Presentation by Mark Pulotin of the
City of Oakland's Public Ethics Commis-
sion, explaining what it does and how to

become involved.

w A formal election: attendees will vote
on a proposal to amend the bylaws, removing
the 15-member quorum requirement, and
then to elect a new treasurer.

About NCPC

The NCPC is your platform to work with
community policing. We share crime and
public safety information and provide input
to our CRO on crime prevention priorities,
City employees and others involved in
crime prevention are invited as speakers.
We meet the 2nd Thursday, every other
month, at the Rockridge Library, 7:30 p.m.
Confirm February 2017 meeting: Www.
rockridgencpc.com.

We wish a happy and safe holiday season
to all.

——— = |

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to see how to best achieve this in 2016!

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—————

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Local choral
director leads
members in
creating song,
friendship

by Judith Doner Berne

Ae" these parts, when the hills
are alive with the sound of music —

currently Christmas music — it is likely

emanating from Devi Jameson’s living room

in Upper Rockridge.

Jameson is the heart and talent behind
the Rockridge Chorale, which she began in
2003 after 20 years as choral director of St.
Theresa Catholic Church in Oakland.

“This is Devi’s labor of love,” says
Jennifer Block, who joined the chorale just
(wo years ago, but who has known her since
both were newlyweds living in another part
of Oakland.

I sat in on one of the chorale’s two-hour
weekly rehearsals for their upcoming holiday
concerts, which they are performing at five
senior centers and retirement homes in early
December. (See concert listings, page 7.)

Jameson’s expansive, two-story living
room easily holds the 20 or more chorale
members who sit in a semi-circle around her,
as well as a Steinway grand piano. Most are
from Oakland, especially Rockridge, but also

99

warm-up, but minds and bodie
Jameson tells them. “Stamina 1s

in singing as in sport,

asks them to place thet
them. as if they were holding the reins O

horse. center themselves on their ch

bounce up and down. That 1s followed by a

breathing exercise and a tongue twister:
“Aristotle lost his battle when he spied

an axolotl (a Mexican salamander).

Now it’s time to run through their
roster of 12 to 15 holiday songs, starting
with “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like
Christmas” and including “Jamaican
Noel,” a Hanukkah song, and the
Brahms “Ave Maria.” “We tailor It,
depending on the audience, ’ Devi tells
me, when we talk later in the week. SO
some of their holiday concerts are more
religiously oriented; some more secular.

In fact, Jameson, a retired
administrator with the Western Contra
Costa Unified School District who holds
a Master’s in science education from
Dominican University, left St. Theresa's
to be able to draw from a wider range
of music — from classical to Broadway.
She began piano studies at the age of
four and is a member of the American
Choral Directors Association.

The chorale has performed in India,
where Jameson grew up, and throughout
the British Isles, where her sister also

s do as well,
as important
* the singers recite. She

ir hands in front of
fa

air and

Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass at C arnegie
in New York City on January 16, The,
will join with choristers from arg

country and world.
They practice for that performance
Saturdays, sometimes breaking 0

over their separate parts in her smal]

© Hal
re, the

© On
P to 20

represent Benicia, Berkeley, Castro Valley,
San Francisco and Walnut Creek.
Like any instrument, voices need a

Devi Jameson conducts the Rockridge Chorale
in a performance at Chapel of the Chimes,
/CourRTESY OF DEV1 Jamesoy

conducts a vocal group. And they are
scheduled to participate in a recital of

studio, equipped with yet another Steinway

grand. (“I do drive an old car,’ Devi adds

by email, punctuated by a smiling emoji.)
“The Rockridge Chorale received this

by

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December 3, 2016

__R&ckridgeNews

if

ee

reating Song,
riendship

from page 6

invitation because of the quality and high
level of musicianship demonstrated by the
singers as well as the exceptional quality of
their audition recording,” writes Dr. Jonathan
Griffith, artistic director and principal
conductor for Distinguished Concerts
International New York (DCINY), the

concert’s sponsor.
“When they called nearly a year ago and
asked us to audition, I thought: ‘Is this for

real?’” Jameson says. And when she found
out that they had qualified to perform, she

feared the dress restrictions of Carnegie Hall.
“*T only wear saris,’ I told them.” That poses
no problem at all, came the response. Then,
“T will be there in a black sari.”

To join the Rockridge Chorale, those who
try out “only need to sing on pitch,’ she says.
“For the rest of it, | can train them. I study
strategy. I study techniques.” And if someone

ee”: it overwhelming, “They self-select out.”

The chorale members are a close-knit
group, having become friendly on the
chorale’s travels and at post-rehearsal wine
and snack gatherings in Jameson’s kitchen.
Birthdays are always marked, with cake and
song. “We sing an old English birthday song
that we sang in India when I was growing up,’
she tells me. “And I always have a birthday

cake and make as much fuss as possible.”

Before joining eight years ago, “I had only

sung in the shower,’ Rockridge resident Nora

Simmons tells me. “But all of a sudden I had

a roomful of friends with a love of music.”

“Singing adds joy to my life,” says Dee
McDonough, also of Rockridge, who has
been singing choral music since the third
grade. “Whenever I have moved to a new
neighborhood, I have joined the church choir.
The Rockridge Chorale was a continuation
of singing in my community after the church
choir we sang with dissolved.”

“I thought singing in nursing homes was
going to be depressing,” Rick Staniland
confesses. “But I watch the people and if
I see two or three singing along, well, I’m
getting back more than I give.”

Staniland, a retired Oakland high school
math teacher (Fremont and Oakland Tech),
has traveled to India, Ireland and England
with the group. Although some of the
chorale’s nearly 30 members will forgo
New York City in winter, he says: “When
would I ever get another chance to sing at
Carnegie Hall?”

Linda Maloney sang under Jameson at
St. Teresa and followed her to the Rockridge
Chorale. When Maloney was diagnosed
last year with breast cancer, she initially
withdrew, thinking the chorale commitment
would be too much for her.

“But then I needed it,” she says. “Singing
takes you somewhere else and you don’t have
to think about anything but singing and the
nice people around you. This has been sort
of a salvation for me. We are like one big
happy family.”

As for Jameson’s actual family, she
is married to Oakland defense attorney
Charles (Jim) Jameson. They have three adult
children: daughters Asha and Anjali and son
Anand, all of whom live in the Bay Area, and

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three grandchildren under the age of four.
“The grandchildren sing on pitch and
improvise their songs,” she tells me. Her
husband, she adds, “was told to ‘mouth the
words’ by his music teacher in 7th grade
because he was too loud. He never sang

after that.”

For more information on joining or listening to
the Rockridge Chorale, go to rockridgechorale.org.
To comment on this column or suggest ideas for
future stories on your Rockridge neighbors and
neighborhoods, email judyberne@att.net.

Rockridge Chorale
Holiday Performances

Saturday, Dec. 3: 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Mercy Retirement Home, 343!
Foothill Blvd.; and from 3:30-4:30
p.m. at North Oakland Village,
2501! Harrison Street, both in Oakland.

Sunday, Dec. 4: 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Cariton Plaza Senior Living,
1000 East [4th Street, San Leandro; and
from 3:30-4:30 p.m., Oakmont at
Cardinal Point, 243! Mariner Square
Drive, Alameda.

Tuesday, Dec. 6: 7:15-8:15 p.m.
Lake Park Retirement, |850
Alice Street, Oakland.

ROCKRIDGE FAMILY DENTISTRY

sherin m. yuan

cosmetic, restorative and implant dentistry

D.D.»s.

p: 510 653 4306
5277 college ave #103
oakland, ca 94618

www.rockridgedentist.com

Questions About
mS x Wills, Trusts,
*. y and Probate?

se) Kyle M. Johnston

Estate Attorney

5315 College Ave.
Oakland, CA 94618
510.527.1880

December 3, 2016

8. Rdckridge News 2016

Help Frog Park with Your Tax-Deductible Gift

k.org/d
New Swings, Play Equipment, Murals in FROG’s 2017 Plans. You Can Help: www.frogpar'<.org/donate/

naanaasanae == =
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YES, I’d Like to Support Frog Park
With My Tax-Deductible Gift!

e

lans for Frog Park enhancements are back on track, and FROG

will break ground in the new year for their installation. They
include additional regular swings, an ADA-accessible swing, a
three-child seesaw, a merry-go-round/spinner, a pole spinner — if it
can fit in the reduced footprint — along with added aesthetic features
such as boulders, trees and a bench.

Meantime, responding to some concerns of neighbors and
technical requirements for protecting trees, FROG is obtaining
new project drawings and working with a new design firm on plan

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dress is used only for FROG correspondence, never shared or traded)

These updates, plus cost increases for the play features, mean [] Swings and more J Maintenance Murals

that Frog Park will need additional funds to complete the project.

Also, Frog Park received a $700 Keep Oakland Beautiful small
grant to create a mural on the park bathroom’s exterior. We'll work
with local artist Caroline Stern of Deco Art (on Claremont Avenue
near the park) on this project in the new year as well.

As you consider your year-end philanthropic giving, we hope
that you'll consider a gift to FROG to support park enhancements,
maintenance, or murals. You may donate by check (use box at right)
or online via: frogpark.org/donate/.

Questions or to volunteer? info@frogpark.org/donate

1 Check enclosed, payable to FROG/RCPC. Mail your
donation check to: FROG/RCPC,

4123 Broadway, PMB 3ll, Oakland, CA 9461!
Contact Carol Behr, 510/919-0627, for more

information.
“Credit Card: Give online at: frog park.org/donate

Gifts are tax deductible to the extent
permitted by law. Tax ID# 94-3011284

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FAST BAY RENTAL SPECIALIST

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725 WASHINGTON ST., SUITE 313. OAKLAND, CA 94607
(SIO) 788-S7OO0 WWW.DAVEKARLINSKYLAW.COM

Expanded =«s-sG Stocking
Rockridge cards! stuffers!

location! ri
Practicing exclusively in the area of trusts and estates:
BERKELEY | GRAND LAKE | ROCKRIDGE ¢ Estate planning
WWW.ILOVENAMASTE.COM ¢ Probate / trust administration

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Please contact me during regular business hours to
SON a : schedule an appointment.

December 3, 2016

Rdckridge News

Fi

Presbyterian Church
5951 College Avenue | 94618
(S10) 658-3665 | www.capcoakland.org
ros safe | open | real LY. Gy

Your Rockridge Neighbor
and Home Specialist

ccrawford@grubbco.com
5 10.339.0400/287
Direct: 510.289.7218

Cat BRE Lic. # 01951131 '

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BROKER
510.504.4960

djworm@centurioninsurance.net

Centurion Insurance Agency
Commercial + Personal + Life + Health

An Independent Insurance Brokerage

providing cost effective, comprehensive
Insurance products and services

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Hoping? Find it in Rockridge!

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Bay Area Bike Share Polled

Public on Location Sites
by Paolo Cosulich-Schwartz

llowing a series of public workshops
and feedback sessions, Bay Area Bike
Share hopes to finalize locations for four
new bicycle stations on College Avenue from
Alcatraz to Broadway. The stations will be
roughly four blocks apart. A location at the
Rockridge BART station, still in planning
with the agency, will bring the total to five.
The organization is excited to bring
service to Rockridge, and thinks the
program will be a great new way for people
to access Rockridge businesses.
Based on public feedback at work-
shops, the following locations have been
identified as feasible and desirable sites

FOR MORE INFORMATION, EMAIL:

5 College Ave Cycle Share Stations Picked

¢

*.

ne .
et —.

{yBayAreaBikeShare =

for new stations. We have vetted these
locations with the City of Oakland, and
they are supportive of the sites. Bay Area
Bike Share will also be talking to the
adjacent businesses and property owners
to see if there are operational uses (1.e.,
loading access) that should be taken into
consideration.
The locations being considered are:
ws Alcatraz and College, on College
in front of Noah's
a Chabot and College, on Chabot in
front of Child’s Play. (We are also
considering the opposite corner on
Chabot, in front of Crossroads.)
s Lawton and College, in front of
Pasta Pomodoro
= College and Bryant, on College in
front of Khana Peena

eeabiKeShare

EXPANSION@BAYAREABIKESHARE.C

Specializing in Rockridge Real Estate

Rockridge has enjoyed solid market performance during this 5 year upswing since the
bottom of the financial meltdown. How long will it last, especially after the surprising
election results? There are many prognosticators and economists, local and regional
chiming in. What we do know is that long term home loan rates have risen about 5/8 of a
point since the election, the highest increase in years. Real estate is extremely local and
every neighborhood performs differently. We do have more demand locally than supply
for now, especially in desirable Rockridge. Indications are that if you are on the fence
about selling, this would be an ideal time to give a call and discuss your specific property.

Happy Holidays!

Perry Riani, Senior Associate
Pacific Union and Christie's International Real Estate

1900 Mountain Blvd Oakland, CA 94611
1625 Shattuck Ave Berkeley, CA 94709
C: 510.813.3799 perry@pacunion.com

PACIFIC
UNION

CHRISTIE'S

MVTEANMATIOWAL 2244 EPTATS
&

License # 01402540

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10.

THE Doc Park is IN BAD SHAPE

Epiror:

Any news about fixing up this grungy dog
park that we all contributed so much to so
long ago? Now we put down planks to get into
the park area and buckets to catch the rain.
— James Zellers

SCENIC STREETS COMMITTEE REPORTS
Doc Park IMPROVEMENTS AFOOT

Epitor:

Plans for improving the Dog Park have
proceeded slowly during 2016 chiefly due to
Scenic Streets founder Peter Lund’s move
out of the area. We share the community’s
frustration with the lack of progress, but
the funds are secure. We anticipate that
individuals who have expressed an interest
in managing the project will get it moving
in early 2017.

Stay tuned for an update. If you want
to help with the project, contact a member
of the Scenic Streets steering committee,
Lee Patterson at leepa2@yahoo.com, or,
to stay informed on dog park news, email
HardyDogPark@yahoo.com

Ed. Note: More Dog Park news on page 11.

PRESERVE THE CLAREMONT HOTEL

EDITOR:
I would like to thank Wendy Markel for

her Op-Ed piece in the October issue of
The Rockridge News relating to the historic
Claremont Hotel and development plans
proposed for it. The photo accompanying
the article, showing the flames and smoke

hee Realtor® | CalBRE #01161032

° Pewee a of ee eee

he Rockridge News welcomes
posted letters and emails to the
editor. Your name, address, phone
number, email address and city/neigh-
borhood must be included in either
for verification. Only your name will

- eae"

sR ckridgeINews CCC
Letters to the Editor

appear with your letter. Letters may

be edited for clarity and brevity at the
editor’s discretion. Views expressed in
any letter are the writer’s own, and may
not necessarily be shared by the editor

or by RCPC.

behind the building during the 1991 Hills
fire, reminded me anew about how close
we came to losing this iconic landmark that
day. When my family first moved here and
I became aware of the white, castle-like
building on the hill, I was fascinated with
its fairytale-like qualities. | was seven years
old. To this day, it is one of my favorite
public places.

I know I am not alone in wanting the
Claremont Hotel to be preserved and cared
for in future years. That is why it is critical
that proposed changes and additions to the
grounds be thought through very carefully.

I am glad that Ms. Markel and other local
preservationists are taking a hard look at
this. As she points out, the Claremont is not
just a local landmark; it is a structure whose
significance qualifies it to be among other
California landmarks such as Hearst Castle
at San Simeon or the Hotel del Coronado
in San Diego. It has been determined that
the Claremont Hotel should be listed on the
California Register of Historic Resources.

I hope The Rockridge News continues
to track the progress of this issue, and
continues to keep us all informed.

Another way to learn more Is to go to the
website of the Oakland Heritage Alliance:
www.oaklandheritage.org.

— Annalee Allen

Ed. Note: Annalee Allen runs the Oakland

Walking Tours program for the city. Find
details at localwiki.org/oakland/Walk-

ing_Tours, or the city’s Walking Tours page,
oaklandnet/walkingtours.

EXPERIENCE THE UNIQUE

ortrun.niesar@sothebysrealty.com

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December 3, 201¢

ne

Repty TO “UNDERSTANDING

THE FINANCING OF OAKLAND’
RESIDENTIAL PERMIT Parking

PROGRAM,” LETTERS; OcTOBER 8.

In my September 2016 Op-Ed piece.
an incorrect statement appeared. Due t,
my misunderstanding of Councilmembe,
Dan Kalb’s November 2015 Rockridge
News article, I interpreted the estimate of
$82/permit/year that he cited as the net
cost of Residential Permit Parking (RPP)
(permitting cost p/us en forcement Cost minus
permit fees minus citation revenue). It never
occurred to me that the City Council woulg
ignore citation revenue when setting Rpp
permit fees, but it did.

Subsequent letters to the newsletter
from Kalb revealed that the City considers
RPP permitting and parking enforcement
separate, each having its own funding and
revenue. The $82 estimate was for permitting
cost only.

I had written my Op-Ed piece based
on his 2015 article before his later letters
were published. I did not understand these
distinctions, which were not explained to me
by City staff, until I read Kalb’s October 2016
letter in the newsletter.

In hindsight, I would not have stated
in my Op-Ed that the $82 estimate was
“inconsistent” with the RPP data | obtained
because the City did not provide me with
actual RPP permitting costs with which to

compare it.
Regarding the assertion that I inflated

my estimate of excess revenue by ignoring
permitting costs: According to a City report,
» Letters, top of page I!

JASON KALDIS
ARCHITECT

INCORPORATED

910.549.3584

WWW.JKALDISARCHITECT.COM

there were 5,119 active RPP permits last
year. $82 x 5,119 gives an annual estimated
permitting cost of about $420,000. Adding
my estimate of annual RPP enforcement
cost ($115,000 for fiscal year 2014-2015)
would make the total cost estimate for
administration and enforcement $535,000/
year by this method. In my Op-Ed I wrote.
“If anyone thinks that [my] cost estimates
might be too low, note that even if they are
multiplied by five, the City still made a profit
on RPP every year.” So my worst case total
cost estimate ($115,000 x 5 = $575,000/year)
was pretty close and my conclusions stand.

Kalb argues that the purpose of RPP
enforcement is compliance. Once there is
compliance there might not be sufficient
enforcement revenue to fund permits; and
tying a service to enforcement revenue is bad

ae Oe ae

RéckridgeNews

wine I might encourage an excessive
Semacke ns Citations. But the problem is the
a are 00 few citations, due to lax RPP
TPG Nevertheless, for years there
oem ently been enough RPP citation
mii all the once 000/year) to fully
af © permits and enforcement. After

years of RPP, we don’t have compliance
and I don’t believe that we ever will.

seen if we are going to compare
aKland’s fees with those of other cities,

what about Emeryvi Pp
y ille? R
$20 hye ‘theses permits cost

.m Writing as a resident of the Rockridge
area. | m wondering if the Rockridge planning
council would consider letting in larger retail

chain stores into the area. Would the council

6, Linda Zunas

e had almost 20 volunteers come help
Wi Seon up Hardy Dog Park on Saturday,

November 5, the first clean-up in a while.

The dog park was raked, swept, and
cleaned of trash and poop. Over the years, as
dogs chased tennis balls and skidded to a stop,
they slowly pushed dirt to the far end of the
park where it had piled up. Volunteers moved
many heavy wheelbarrow loads of dirt from
the piles at the far end of the park to fill the
low spot that floods by the West Gate. A new
hose, new water bowl, new water platform,
and some drainage were installed to reduce
the flooding by the West Gate.

In just two weeks, the permanent water
spot has nearly dried out. We did have some
excitement when a pipe was accidentally

--

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ny
a

Successful Hardy Dog Park Clean-Up

ENNIUM

ONAL & ORFANIS VEGAN CUISINE

Visit MillenniumRestaurant.com for menu, reservations & gift certificates
5912 College Ave 510-735-9459

ruptured and the Fire Department had to
come shut off the water, but that just gave us
a chance to test our new drainage.

The rains just before Thanksgiving proved
that our clean-up helped prevent the reliable
lake, but we will be tweaking the
dirt to keep the lake at bay.

We are restarting the long-
dormant renovation plans
with dog owners and dog park
users at the helm. Please email
HardyDogPark@yahoo.com or
join our Facebook Group: Hardy

Dog Park-Oakland to get informed
and get involved.

> Volunteers at work on Hardy
Dog Park.

/OAKLAND Pet CARE

Happy hour with seasonal
cocktails & small plates

Sunday brunch with live music

Wine dinners & special events

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consider this as part of a future agenda? We
can benefit from a more 4th Street, Berkeley
retail mix of both independent shops and
more recognizable retail chains like Sur La
Table, Anthropologie clothing, etc.

— Connie Min

RCPC Cuair STUART FLASHMAN
REPLIES

RCPC has traditionally opposed letting
in big national chains precisely because
they tend to be able to out-compete and
displace smaller local businesses. The idea
of Rockridge is not that it be an all-inclusive
retail venue, nor that it always offer the best
available price. (These days, that’s usually
going to be found on the web.) Rather, it’s
the idea that a local business is personally
invested in the enterprise and will show
care for its customers the way the larger
national chains don’t and can’t. We aren't
like 4th Street, which has explicitly aimed
at being a subregional equivalent of a mall.
College Avenue certainly has a subregional
component, but it more focuses on a mix of
local-serving businesses with more exotic
or specialized businesses (for example, the
origami store) that simply can’t be found
elsewhere. We are concerned that allowing
lots of national chains would destroy what
makes College Avenue unique and attractive.

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12.

Kitchen Tour
History

from page |

and someone suggested holding a kitchen
tour, apparently an idea floated before.
It sounded like fun to me, and I quickly
volunteered to be the chair, not having the
slightest idea what I was getting into. But with
a committee of some savvy board members
and terrific volunteers, we created the first
Rockridge Kitchen tour in 1995.

That first tour was a trial by fire.
Surprisingly, we were inundated with more
than 30 offers of home kitchens for the tour.
We chose nine lovely remodeled kitchens
— from tiny to spacious — with features we
thought were new, exciting and artful. We
decided to serve food at every one of the nine
houses (crazy idea, that was) and publicized it
as “A Tasteful Tour of Rockridge Kitchens.”

Fortunately for us novices, we had the
good fortune to partner with Chelise Stroud,
a superb organizer who worked in Rockridge
and volunteered to be catering coordinator.
She solicited food from 19 College Avenue
restaurants, and managed the pickup and
delivery of the platters on the day of the tour.
It was a really complicated process but was
very popular with tour-goers. One restaurant,
Gaucho Rotisserie, sent its staff to set up, cook
and serve a barbecue lunch in the back yard
of one of the tour houses. Oliveto, La Farine,
the Pasta Shop, and Katrina Rozelle were

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The caption for the photograph of the late, long-
time park supporter Denyse Stearns, above,
was omitted from the November 2016 issue.

POPES CLES VS wen eww eee

Réckridge News

just a few of the 19 shops that contributed
samples of their wares. We continued the
food tradition at every house for four more
tours held every other year. In 2005 we opted
for food at one house in each cluster of three,
making the tour easier to coordinate.

Other volunteers guided us through
the planning and coordinating. Elizabeth
Opalenik, Jamie Penny, and Julie Kline
helped navigate the publicity and the
implementation of that first tour. One of the
couples who volunteered their house were
Sue Stein and Ted Williams, and we got
lucky again. Ted, a graphic designer, offered
to design and produce our brochure. He
created a wonderful logo of steaming coffee
cups that was used over the next eight tours
for the brochure, gift aprons, and posters and
post cards.

I was adamant that our docents be well-
informed. I’d been to tours where all docents
did was point you to the next room; I wanted
our docents to be able to answer the many

A gr A gt

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December 3, 201¢

questions guests might pose. We Created
docent training program that did the trick.

To get them up to speed, docents were
assigned to a cluster of three houses a couple
of weeks before the tour and given a pre-toyy
of each home with the homeowner,

One of my greatest satisfactions in al] my
years with the tour was to hear docents and
homeowners exclaim what a good time they
had. Not only that, docents returned year afte;
year, and some homeowners even volunteered
to be docents.

I chaired or co-chaired every biennia|
event through the September 2009 tour. The
last three were probably the most enjoyable
because my fabulous co-chair, Jennifer
Edmister, and I shared equally the work and

the fun.
I am proud to have played a part in

creating a fundraiser that put the RCPC
solidly in the black, enabling this wonderful
organization to serve our community as
successfully as it has for decades.

wiveiee three-time tour
WF f | i,
eg RL co-chairs Jennifer

’ »

Susan Montau

shared equally the
work and the fun
of organizing and
sustaining three
years of Kitchen
Tours. Montauk
initiated the
Kitchen Tour in
1995.

/COURTESY SUSAN
MONTAUK

BRE #01452156

510-867-4094

Edmister, left, ui

nt en ee en a. en enn Se re

gi<itchen Tour .
2017 News

RickridgeNews 13.

If you are a born salesperson and

would enjoy Soliciting ads for the
brochure, we need you,

have several good ones already, and are
looking for more. We consider location and

w if seek variety in both the scale (read: cost)
f om page | Re Ate are a budding event planner and the style of the kitchen.
r want some real life experi T il

perience our Event Details

you to share your solutions with us all. This for your resume, we need you. The Kitchen Expo and Berkeley Mills
year, we again invite architects and owners = If you want to h el find and teaic
to provide zpos ar sr candidates. docents, we need you. Thursday, September 21, in the Rockridge
an Sains ve can cen a pis 5 =e mis a special skill you think Branch Library. Attendees will be able to
until late s hg € could use, we need ! | |
as you have plans and an architect/builder we - ed you. meet builders and architects, look at their

can speak with. And, we don’t mind kitchens
with a little age on them. If yours was done
in the last several years, that could be fine.
You Can Be Involved

It’s hard to believe, but this is our 12th
biennial tour event over the past 22 years.
Read Susan Montauk’s article beginning on
page | to learn how it all started in 1995.

Now, you can help keep it going.
Volunteers: We need you! Would you like
to be involved but you have never done
something like this before? Not a problem.
We need you:
mw Ifyou are an interior designer, or enjoy

that area as an avocation, we need you.

Homeless in
Rockridge

from page |

Rockridge Neighborhood Crime Prevention
Council (NCPC), and the office of County
Supervisor Keith Carson, the meeting pre-
sented a panel of six speakers, all of whom
are working to help the homeless through
a variety of programs.

Opening the program, CAPC’s Rev.
Monte McClain dispelled some myths about
the homeless, or, using a term he prefers,
those without housing. He explained that
many so-called homeless do have some-
place they call home, but they lack their
own, private, space. Instead, they live with
friends, or relatives, in a shelter, in their
car, and sometimes in encampments. He
noted that the church has long tried to build

community in Rockridge that includes the
Pprometess living here.

Aisha Brown from Supervisor Keith Car-
son's office and Riley Wilkerson, manager
of the County’s Housing and Community
Development department, said that at any
time, there are more than 6,000 homeless
people living in the County, with about half

If you just want to help somehow,
we need you. (For example, being a

docent is a great way to support the
tour with just a few days of your time,

including training.)

There is a lot of history and many
experienced people to help tour newcomers
learn their tasks. We are all volunteers,
and we'll take good care of you. At the
end, you will have that rewarding feeling
of contributing to your community. Email

rockridge.org and let us know you'd like
to help.

Finding Kitchens

Calling all architects and builders:
please submit your kitchen candidates. We

SS

portfolios and find vetted service providers.
For attendees who love natural wood and
want to understand more of the details of
cabinetry, we’ll have a Saturday afternoon
event at Berkeley Mills. There is limited
seating for this event.

The Kitchen Tour Website will be live in
March 2017 with information for businesses
that wish to advertise, photos of past Tours,
a source list of service providers and more
event information. Tickets go on sale about
June 1. While over 85 percent of tickets for
the 2015 tour were purchased online (the best
way), tickets will also be available at a College
Avenue merchant’s location to be announced
for attendees who prefer that method.

of those living in Oakland. Many of the
homeless are families, and about one-fourth
of the homeless are children. Contrary to
many people’s belief, they said, most of
Oakland’s homeless people are native to
the city with no recourse following a job
loss or pay cut, a divorce, an unaffordable
rent hike or a property foreclosure.

The homeless people we may see along
College Avenue, they said, are only the tip
of the iceberg. Many live in their cars and
struggle to keep up appearances so their kids
aren’t labeled as homeless at their schools.

Brown and Wilkerson said the recent
passage of Measure Al will provide the
County with $580 million to acquire land
and build affordable housing. When lev-
eraged with other funds, this will help the
County, and the cities within it, including
Oakland, to address at least a part of the
housing need. Unfortunately, they said, it’s
far from enough.

Susan Shelton, manager of the City’s
Housing Services Division, and Joe DeVries,
Assistant to the City Administrator, then
addressed what the City is doing. Ms.
Shelton said that although homeless folk
are regularly placed in housing, new home-
less are generated as City rents mushroom.
Even though the City receives housing

—a

voucher funds from the U.S. Housing and
Urban Development Department (HUD),
they can’t keep up with fast-rising rents.
Ironically, sometimes evicted Oaklanders
are being told they would need to move to
Stockton or Modesto to find apartments that
will accept housing vouchers. (See article
on page 3 for suggestions about how you
might help.)

Aimee Armata from Bay Area Com-
munity Services (BACS) then explained
how her group, and other social services
agencies, cooperate with the City and County
to provide services, including physical and
mental health care, assistance in finding jobs
and housing, and help with related needs.

Officer Antony Hutzol, the Oakland
Police Department’s Community Resources
Officer (CRO) for Rockridge, discussed
the importance of interacting in a sensi-
tive and human way when responding to
a dispatcher’s call for service involving a
homeless person. He pointed out that telling
a homeless individual that he or she can’t
live here doesn’t answer the question of
where they can live. Hutzol also noted that
the homeless are no more likely to engage
in criminal activity than anyone else. He
said that some of the behavior complained

i) Homeless in Rockridge, page I4

events will return. The Expo will be held |
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Homeless in
Rockridge

from page 13

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about is because there is no easy access to
services such as bathrooms and showers.

A spirited question-and-discussion
period followed the panel presentation,
including remarks by one homeless person,
Dave, who lives here in Rockridge with his
dog, (You may have seen them along Col-
lege Avenue.) He explained hard luck had
left him homeless, and he has been unable
(0 find housing or a job, His hope remains
to make it back to Alaska where he was a
salmon fisherman until he lost his job in
an economic downturn, Panel members
conterred privately with Dave at the end of
the program to see which programs might
be able to help,

At the end of the evening's presentations,
When asked if people can contribute finan-
cially to the City’s or County’s homeless
programs, Tom Devries said the nonprofit
group www,.everyonehome,org accepts
donations to help end homelessness in
Alameda County on their website or at their
office: 224 W, Winton Avenue, Room 108,
Hayward, CA 94544,

Hoping? Find it in Rockridge!

The Claremont
Fund
from page 4_

The Fund also supports the school’s state-
of-the-art computer animation lab,

“The Claremont Fund has continually
built the capacity of Claremont Middle
School to better serve students,” said
Crystal Eastman, the school’s computer
animation teacher. “From purchasing tables,
to Computer repairs, to needed equipment
and software, the Claremont Fund has
ensured that students get opportunities to
learn computer science, animation, and other
digital arts.”

The PTA aims to raise $45,000 for the
Claremont Fund by the end of the 2017

e Continued next column

i ee ee

Rdckridge News

In Rockridge since 1997

What's shakin?

Yes we do offer:

Earthquake
Insurance

Susan Bernosky
510-450-9050

INSURANCE SERVICES, INC
CA License 0D34069

www.strahaninsurance.com

school year, Please consider supporting
your community middle school by making
a tax-deductable donation during this
season of giving. Visit Claremont’s website
www.claremontms.org to make an online
donation, or make a check payable to the
Claremont PTA and drop it off in the PTA
box in the office with a note specifying that
1's for the Claremont Fund.

You can also mail your check to the
Claremont PTA, 5750 College Avenue,
Oakland, CA 94618, Whatever amount you
choose to give, every gift matters,

December 3, 2016
Classifieds
Ri ‘lassi

Your Message Could Be Here

Your 36-word message is $22. (Phone number
counts as one word.) Mail to: RN Classifieds,
423 Broadway, PMB 311, Oakland, CA 94611.

January issue deadline is December 22. (January

issue distribution begins January 7).
For information: smontauk@gmail.com

Welcome in the New Year!

Penelope’s Aesthetics!

Bring in the New Year witha stress reducing,
anti-aging and relaxing facial. You ll receive
a hand, neck and shoulder massage included
in the treatment! $59. For appointments:
510/594-1552 penelopecalef.com

House Repairs & Rehabs,
interior & Exterior
Kitchen & bath remodel, tile, decks, dry rot,
drainage, walls, termite damage, doors, win-
dows. Professional work for affordable prices,
Local References Available. Lic#458473. Don
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Your home says a lot about you and we are
here to listen. Call 510/326-5055 or email

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Looking to Refinance
and Don’t Want to

Speak with a Bank?
Home Loans —- Refinance -
PreApproval.
David Herrenbruck — Rockridge Resident:
510/918-9799; david@fishmanfinancial.net.
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Graphic Design

Specializing in web and print, collateral,

announcements, ads, logos, cards, and

anything else you can dream of:
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#HeyliInsuranceLady

FREE Policy Reviews — Business Insurance,
Life Insurance, Personal Insurance (home/
auto/umbrella/earthquake bundle). Rules
and Rates are changing — do you have the
best policy?

Ruth Stroup, the Insurance Lady,
Farmers Insurance; 5|0/874-5700 www.
Stroupinsurance.com CA# 0F009S6

December 3, 2016

RéckridgeNews

Email Rockridge News Community Calendar items to: joellis!@hotmail.com hone 653-321

he last Tuesday of the month.

Compiled by Jo Ellis

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

District 1 Councilman Dan Kalb

Drop-in Community Office Hours at the Temes-
cal Farmers Market, 5300 Claremont Ave. (off
Teleg.) at DMV parking lot on the 3rd Sunday each
month,10:30am-12:30pm. For times/locations of other
office hours or more information: mmharris@oakland.
net or www.dankalb.net/contactdan.

Rockridge Branch Library

5366 College Avenue, 597-5017

Technology for all ages:

» Ready, Set, Connect! One-on-one computer
tutoring. Saturdays, 10:30 am-12:30 pm. Get help
with basic computer skills, email, device set up, and
e-book & audio book downloads. Sign up during the
week or just drop-in.

* eBook Help: Tuesdays by appointment, 6 -7:30pm.
Get help downloading eBooks to your Kindle, Nook,
smartphone, or laptop. Make an appointment online
at www.oaklandlibrary.org or in person at any library
location.

FOR CHILDREN

Note — No story times: Sat, 12/24; Thurs, 12/29; Sat,

12/31.

« Family Story Time: Stories/songs/rhymes (for all
ages); Saturdays, 10:30am.

e Toddler Story Time: Songs, active rhymes and
stories (ages 9 months to 2 years), Thursdays,
10:30am, upstairs.

¢ Pre-School Story Time: Read—alouds, songs, and
rhymes (to age 5); Thursdays, 10:30am.

All story times followed by Play Time; parents and

caregivers invited.

SPECIAL EVENTS

¢« 90-Second Newbery: Info session Sat, 12/10,
2:30pm. Films made by young people are due at the
90-Second Newbery website by Jan 7. Chat with

Erica if you need help finding the just-right New-
bery—Award-winning book to summarize in film.
The film festival will be showing in Oakland & SF
Feb 17 & 18, 2017.

Play Winter Bingo: 1) Get your Bingo Card at the
Library. 2) Do 5 activities in a row. 3) Collect your
prize book between Dec 17, 2016 and Jan 14, 2017.
For ages 1 to 12.

Drop-in Snowflake Making: Getscissors & paper at
the Children’s Desk, and help us decorate our windows
with snowflakes. Dec 20-22, anytime.

Play Well Lego Workshop: Tues, Dec 20, 4:30-6pm.
Explore mechanical and electrical construction with
thousands of LEGOs. First, build engineer-designed
projects with the help of an experienced Play-Well
instructor, then build your own ideas. All ages welcome.
T.W.I.G:; The Rockridge Library Tweens’ Interest
Group, a monthly, ‘tween-directed group for ages 8
to 12, will officially re-start in January. Help us set
the agenda, create arts & crafts, read, write, play
games, and prepare & eat snacks. Every 2nd & 4th

Tues evening (1/10 and 1/24), 6:30-7:45pm, in the
Children’s Area.

FOR TEENS
¢ Mosaic Art: Wed, 12/7, 2pm. Create amazing art

with colorful paper.

¢ Emoji Plushies: Wed, 1/17, 2pm. Get creative with

your Emoji.

¢ Teen Advisory Board (ages 14-18): Meet with other

teens, plan and organize library activities, and get
community service credit for school. 1st Sat. each
month, 1 to 2pm.

e Teen ‘Scape: Play video & board games; make

crafts; do homework. Enjoy meals. Tues, Thurs, and
Fridays: 3:30 -5pm and Wednesdays: 1:30 - 4:45pm.

¢ Homework Club: High School Tutors Available: Tues

and Thursdays, 4—5pm; Wednesdays 3:30 — 4:30pm.

fellow filmmakers, potential actors & readers. Talk to

~————_{]

Yu-Gi-Oh Card Game Club: Every Friday, 3:30 —5
pm. Beginners welcome.

FOR ADULTS
e Interactive Collage Workshop with the Rockridge

Neighbor

from page 3

from surrounding neighbors based upon the
guilt by association with the former, poorly
run establishments they took over.

I introduced myself to Andrew Snow,
one of two partners in The Golden Squirrel,
to learn about his concept. To my pleasant
surprise, the architecture @f the space has
been greatly lightened and opened up,
and the menu is broadened. Clearly he is
targeting a more sophisticated clientele.
Small touches showing responsibility to the
GH <ishdorhood are present.

These are good folks and they now have
- atemporary ABC permit. Let’s please step

back and give them a chance to demonstrate

to the neighborhood how responsibly they
will run their business.

— Ray Perman

Community Photography Group: Saturday,
December 10, 11:30am. For aspiring andestablished
artists of all ages. Bring items or photographs you
might want to include, or just use our supplies to make
something all your own.

Writers Support/Critique Group: All writers wel-
come. Bring 15 copies of up to 5 pgs. (double-spaced,
MS margins) of any prose for on-site reading/discus-
sion (also welcome to come empty-handed). Third Sat.
each month (12/17), 1 to 5pm; wheelchair-accessible.
Sponsored by the Calif. Writers Club of Berkeley.
Info: 420-8775 or Writefox@aol.com. Call 597-5017
to confirm.

Lawyers Inthe Library: Free legal information and
referral. ist Tues each month, 6pm-8pm; A lottery
system determines who may see the lawyer. Sign-up
opens at 5pm; must be present for lottery drawing
at 5:45. Call day of program to confirm: 597-5017.

ART EXHIBITS
« Gallery: People, Places and Things with the

Rockridge Community Photography Group. Eclectic
collection of photographs ranging from iconic black and
whites captured on film to boldly colorful geometrics
created by an electronic technique called photomerge.

« Lobby: Holiday Feasting — Cookbooks and More.

LS,

LIBRARY HOURS
Tues, 12:30 to 8pm.
Wed. Thurs & Sat: 10am to 5:30pm.
Fri, 12 to 5:30pm.

Closed: Sun and Mon; also Fri, 12/23 thru Mon, 12/26

and Sat, 12/31 thru Mon, 1/2.

Diesel Book/Poetry and Events

FREE and open to the public.

Wed, 12/14, 7pm. Local Author Michael Chabon:
Moonglow. Note: Ticketed event: Each copy of Moon-
glow purchased reserves one seal, held until the start
of the event. Standing guests can then fill vacant
seats for free.

DIESEL, A Bookstore, 5433 College Ave. More info (other
events and discussion groups): 653-9965 or events@
dieselbookstore.com.

Oakland’s 31st Annual Christmas
Revels Presents “A Revels
Christmas in Wales”

The Revels travels to 1920's Wales and the childhood
village of the great Welsh poet Dylan Thomas this
holiday season. There will be mummers, and Welsh
Bardic storytelling — the Welsh, of course are a nation
of poets — and harps, pipes and fiddles. Expect a visit
froma dark and mysterious ghost horse, the Mari Lwya.
This tuneful excitement comes studded with Revels
touchstones including The Abbots Bromley Antler Dance,
Sussex Mummers’ Carol, and The Lord of the Dance.
And there will be Dragons! Ten performances run from
December 9 - 11 and 16 - 18 at the Scottish Rite Theater,
1547 Lakeside Dr. $5 flat rate parking avallable at
ALCO Park Garage,1220 Jackson St. (3 blocks from the
venue). Information about performance times and tickets
at www.californiarevels.org or 452-9334.

Square Dance in North Oakland

Music by The Squirrelly String Band. Calling by Jordan
Ruyle. 1st Fridays each month, 8 — 10pm. All levels
welcome; all dances taught on the spot. $5-10 sliding
scale donation. The Niebyl—Proctor Marxist Library,
6501 Telegraph Ave. Info: squirrellystringband.com.

North Oakland Senior Center

Programs include: Arts/crafts; health counseling;

dancing and exercise; trips, tours and theater outings;

Alzheimer's caregivers support groups, computer

classes/more.

Annual $12 membership entitles seniors 55 + to discounts

on activities and trips.

¢ Merry, Merry Holiday Party Fundraiser: Thurs, Dec
8, 1 — 4pm. Fun, food, prizes including a delicious
catered dinner. Advance ticket sales only: $10.00
NOSC member/ $15.00 non-member (join now and
get member price).

Get details abt other events at the desk or 597-5085.
Mon. —Fri., 9am to 4:30pm. 5714 Martin Luther King, Jr.
Way. Subscribe to “The North Oakland Senior Times”

for full schedule of classes/events, lunch menus, and
volunteer opportunities. Info: 597-5085.

Volunteers Needed

Racine Point park, across from 58th St. and Telegraph,
needs volunteers to get the new plants and shrubs In
the ground before winter. Tools available (or bring your
own). To arrange times, call John Wagers at 653-1871.

Temescal Farmers’ Market

Open Sundays, 9am to 1pm (all year). Locally grown
fruits and vegetables; fresh ranch eggs; home-made
bakery items; fresh cut flowers; unique prepared
foods, fresh locally caught fish, handcrafts and more.
Sample the goods; meet the grower. Live music. Bring

reusable bags. 5300 Claremont Ave. (off Telegraph)
at DMV parking lot.

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16 Rockridge News December 3, 2016

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