Extracted text · highlighting “North Oakland”

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ISSUE NO. 343. @ April 8, 2017

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CIRCULATION: 5,800 RESIDENCES; 200 BUSINESSES

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

RCPC Set for Thursday, April 20 Town Hall & Board Election

hat should Rockridge’s role be
in helping to meet the need
for new housing in Oakland? The
Land Use Committee has studied this
question for several months and will
present background information and
preliminary recommendations for a
Rockridge Housing Policy at the Town
Hall. A panel will provide reactions and
comments, and audience questions and
ideas will be welcomed. The current

report on the committee’s discussions
follows:

Town Hall: Toward a Rockridge Housing Policy

@ Land Use Committee
Continues Work on
Rockridge Housing Policy
The Land Use Committee’s

third meeting discussing housing in

Rockridge focused on the question of

how affordable housing fits into the

picture. There was general agreement
that having more affordable housing
would be good for promoting economic
diversity in Rockridge. Almost all
the new housing being built in or just

p Land Use Committee, page 2

‘

—#

RCPC Election

he April RCPC Town Hall doubles as RCPC’s annual

meeting at which RCPC members — those living within
RCPC’s boundaries (www.rockridge.org/boundaries) and
18 years or older are eligible to vote to elect members of
the RCPC board of directors. At least 25 residents must
cast a ballot at the meeting to establish a quorum. If the
quorum is met, residents unable to attend the
April 20 Town Hall may vote Saturday, April
22, in the lobby of the Rockridge Branch Library, between

[1 a.m. and 2 p.m.

— s

lection procedures: Five candidates (three
incumbents and two new candidates) are running
for six available seats. (Statements, page 3.) Each
candidate will give > Town Hall/Election, page 12

by Judith Doner Berne

6 J want to get out to your neighborhoods,”
new Oakland Police Chief Anne
Kirkpatrick told Oakland Mayor Libby

Schaaf.

And so the first of a series of neighborhood

New Chief Seeks ‘Complete
Turnaround’ of OPD

“the Super Bowl champs of law enforcement

agencies.”

town halls began at Montclair’s Montera
Middle School, where an estimated 150
North Oakland residents met and questioned
the Oakland Police Department’s (OPD) first
woman chief for an hour or so.

The Rockridge Neighborhood Crime
Prevention Council (NCPC) was aco-sponsor
of the March 23rd forum, which also featured
Vice Mayor Annie Campbell Washington,
Councilman Dan Kalb and new Director of
Public Safety Venus Johnson as well as police
Captains Darrin Allison and Randy Wingate.

& Introduced by Schaaf, the 57-year-old,
e

Frennessee-bred, somewhat diminutive-
appearing but clearly take-command chief
announced a large goal: to make the OPD

OPD Chief Anne Kirkpatrick

Schaaf praised Kirkpatrick’s “passion
for nurturing leadershio,’ adding,
her to be the last outside chief we hhire.”

7“ *l really gave chase
all violent ; :
crime, tothis city and this
cown = police department.’
percent; . .
“Fcoart _: homicides OPD Chief Anne Kirkpatrick

—a

Kirkpatrick commented, “I really gave chase
to this city and this police department’; and,
taking up the mayor’s theme, “This should
be your last outsider.”

Although the mayor cited Oakland's
decreasing crime rate over the last four

and shootings, down 40 percent; home
burglaries, down 60 percent; a 70 percent
reduction in officers’ use of force —
Kirkpatrick noted that the per capita crime
rate in Oakland is actually greater than in
Chicago, her last posting.

“I want to get us out of the top 10 [most
crime-ridden cities],” Kirkpatrick vowed.
“We're going to do a complete turnaround.”

Then, charmingly asserting her Southern
accent, she opened the floor to “y’all.”
Following is a sampling of the questions
and her replies:

» On the new civilian police
commission: “I’m accustomed to working
with a police commission. I welcome the
opportunity.”

avVaNNIY NOG/

> OPD’s New Chief, page 13

i es

9) Rodckridge News

In Memoriam | Kevin Faughnan
April 20, 1945 — March 22, 2017

n March 22, while fishing near Mammoth Lakes — a

favorite pastime — RCPC Vice-Chair Kevin Faughnan
suffered a fatal heart attack. In his four years on the board,
Kevin took on increasing responsibilities. He served as the
liaison to the Rockridge District Association (RDA), improving
communication and contact between the merchants and RCPC,
and, later, as vice-chair, he developed enhanced features for the
biennial RCPC Kitchen Tour, attracting still more attendees
and increasing revenue to RCPC. Over the years, he helped
with the monthly packing of newsletters for delivery and
delivered two Rockridge News routes of his own. Long after
the shock of Kevin's untimely death wears off, the board will
muss him, his humor, his drive, and his adopted motto: “Make
it fun, get it done.”

Arn? the tributes to Kevin is this letter by his friend

sl%..5 366 College Avenue
\P~= at Manila | 597-5017

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Library program details/hours: Calendar, Page 15 #3
RoéckridgeNews

SEE

——

The Rockridge News, founded March 1986 by Do,
Kinkead, is published monthly (except in August)
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 ang
quality of life of its residents; furnish a forum fo,
community involvement, and provide leadership ang
representation of neighborhood interests,

Rockridge News Production

Brendan Havenar-Daughton, former RCPC Chair and rag pe RE es
fellow boardmember with Kevin: Kevin Andrew Faughnan ta dich Pte diane Eyes on Rockridge
Dear Friends: RPE a0e VN Caeeeaier a JO Ellis ....ssessseescsssssesesossssoessese Advertising &
Like many others, the news of Kevin's passing shocked me. Community Calendar
Tonight, | took a moment to reflect on the time we spent Susan Montauk... Sooo Pore
together. Kevin was a champion for our community. He cared Condolences may be sent ee pean scone ee
deeply about the work that often goes unnoticed, and he was to Kevin’s wife, Agnes Sessare Flashamiamn zines Chair
driven by a commitment to action. He was unimpressed by Faughnan, c/o RCPC, Coen 2 Vice-Chair
endless talk, and, thus, it was often his voice that moved us 4123 Broadway, PMB 311, ODI sine i a tactitaocsc Secretary
to action. Oakland, CA 94611 Ronnie SpitZer’......--.serneveeens Treasurer

Kevin will be missed by those he touched throughout Oakland. M C Haug, Don Kinkead, ee

My heart goes out to Kevin's family during this difficult time.

We love you, Kevin.
Your Friend, Brendan

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dw next Land Use Committee meeting will be |

Branch Library upstairs meeting room. Please check |
the rockridge.org website for updates on future |
meetings and agendas. |

_Wednesday, April 26, 7:30 p.m. at the Rockridge |

1

Cont’d From Page I!

outside the borders of Rockridge is market-
rate. (In the Nautilus Project on Telegraph,
11 percent of the units will be set aside for
very-low-income units.)

It was pointed out that the state’s density
bonus program can add extra floors along
College Avenue. The maximum 35 percent
density bonus would increase the height
limit on College from 35 feet to 47 feet,
which means going from three stories to

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four. To get the maximum density bonus,
a project would need to be 11 percent very
low income, 20 percent low-income, or 40
percent-moderate income units. The city
could, however, provide for density bonuses
beyond those mandated by the state.

It was also noted that while much of
Rockridge’s residential area is zoned RM-1
(single-family, moderate density), some

areas are zoned RM-2 (duplexes allowed),
» Land Use, page 14

Garden Cleaners

601-1188
Mon-Fri 7-—7°*Sat 8-6

Laura Schlichtmann, Leonora Sea

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 9461!

Articies 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 April issue is:

@ May 6, 2017.

@ May deadline is April 20, 2017.
Advertising rates are $26/column inch. Six-
month pre-pay rate available. For display ad
call Jo Ellis at 653-3210 (after noon), or em
joellisi@hotmail.com. RCPC reserves the right
to refuse any display or classified ad that it deems
inappropriate. (Classified ad contact, page 14.)

Christina Wong Masalin, Jesse Ortega,

April 8, 2017

Réckridge News

Alden Conner
@Pitiegass Avenue Ga

moved to Rockridge
in 2009 to pursue a
graduate degree at UC |
Berkeley, and after
graduating with my Ph.D.
in Molecular and Cell Biology in 2015 | have
been lucky enough to be able to stay in the
neighborhood while working in biotech.
| originally learned of the RCPC through
The Rockridge News, and | particularly
appreciated its advocacy on behalf of the
community in the planning of the College
Avenue Safeway just a couple blocks from
my home.
| would like to join the board of RCPC so
that | can represent the interests of Rock-
ridge residents in shaping the future of our
neighborhood. | think the RCPC board has
done a great job of addressing issues that
will be affecting our community for years
to come, and | am eager to contribute to

their efforts in areas such as transportation
and housing.

tuart Flashman
cean View

Incumbent
‘mM an attorney and
resident in Rockridge
(25 years). | first joined
the RCPC board in 2007. |
| have served as board
chair, at different times, for a total of five
years. Over that time, Rockridge has faced

Re a

RCPC Election 2017: Statements of Candidates

challenges. Now, just as in 1974 when
RCPC first formed, we face major threats.

Back then, completion of BART and
Highway 24 led Oakland leaders to propose
making Rockridge a high-density residential
“feeder” for Downtown. This proposal would
have displaced residents and demolished
homes. Instead, the neighborhood organized
— successfully — around RCPC’s proposal of a
moderate-density residential area anchored
by local retail on College Avenue. RCPC’s
solution proved successful, while the leaders’
model has been discarded.

We can’t close our eyes to crises, but |
don't accept “simple” solutions that would
radically change Rockridge. Thoughtful
residents, business owners, and RCPC board
members can again come up with better
solutions. | want to continue working for that.

Andrew Masalin
63rd Street

‘d like to be considered

as a board member
for RCPC because |
care deeply about the
long-term health of
the community. As a
Rockridge homeowner
and father of an |8-month-old, I’m
dedicated to seeing this community
thrive. My goal is to continue to help keep
Rockridge thriving both economically and
socially. | want to ensure that College
Avenue remains vibrant and local. | want
to make sure that all our residential
areas remain diverse and able to keep
communities safe.

A private high school for grades 9-12

The College Preparatory School

Our approach to learning requires collaboration, patience,
and creativity—all within a kind and joyful community.

Be inspired. Refine your thinking. Express yourself.
G100 Broadway Oakland CA 94618 510.652.4364 college-prep.org

Jesse Ortega
Claremont Avenue

Incumbent

have been an RCPC

boardmember for
one year. | am eager
to be re-elected so |
can continue to learn
how to serve our
community. | believe that our neighborhood
has a spirit that will thrive in our advancing
and changing city. | want to continue
representing our neighborhood when we
face community challenges and give our
residents a voice when community decisions
must be made. | ask for your vote to allow
me to continue to serve you. Thank you.

Ronnie Spitzer
Taft Avenue

Incumbent

I" dedicated to
representing the
community’s interests
in the areas of land use
and transportation.

Rockridge is a
successful walkable community that can be
even better. Preserving and enhancing the
community by upholding all provisions of
existing Rockridge planning codes is one
element of our continued success. Making its
streets and air quality safer for pedestrians,
bicyclists and school children through better
transportation planning is also important.

During my past RCPC board term, |
interfaced with the city, the community, and
Caltrans on numerous Rockridge develop-
ment projects and transportation improve-
ments. My activities include: RCPC Treasurer
& Transportation Co-Chair; Fourth Bore
Coalition representative and Vice Chair:
Halloween Parade organizer: and Kitchen
Tour publicity Chair.

Update: Rockridge Security Patrols
nthe Mayissue of The Rockridge
News, Safer Rockridge will

review the past three years

of private security patrols in

Rockridge and give an update

on where the service stands now.

4.

Rockridge News

Celebrate Earth Day With

by Leonora Sea, chair, DMV Neighbors
his winter in Northern California is on

track to be the wettest in 122 years of
record keeping, according to the National
Weather Service. Looking around in Frog
Park and along Temescal Creek, it’s not
hard to believe. Everything is lush, green,
and beautiful, and many of the shrubs and
trees are looking healthier than they have in
a long time. It’s a pleasure to see.

Another pleasure in the park is coming
soon: Earth Day, Saturday, April 22. The
many storms over the winter season have
left behind a riot of weeds, much downed
tree bark and many fallen branches, some
erosion of the creek bed (made worse by foot
and bicycle traffic), and generally plenty to
do to tidy up before summer. Earth Day is

our annual celebration of community care
for the park and greenbelt.

The DMV Neighbors Association and the
FROG Committee are jointly sponsoring the
2017 Earth Day cleanup, 9 a.m. to noon. Sign
in at the table at Cavour and Redondo to work
on the creek, greenbelt, and ‘Little Frog” (the
tot park at Redondo and Clarke). Sign in at

College Avenue
Presbyterian Church
5951 College Avenue | 94618
(510) 658-3665 | www.capcoakland.org

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www.buttrickprojects.com

the table near the big play structure at “Big
Frog” (Hardy Circle) to work on the pond,
play areas, butterfly garden, and path. Come
rake redwood duff out of the pond, sweep the
greenbelt path, trim ivy, turn over the fibar
(the soft material under the play structures
at Big and Little Frog), prune overgrown
shrubs and trees, weed the creek bed, cut
back willow roots, pick up trash, and install
the erosion mitigation barrier logs along a
section of the creek south of Clifton.
Cleanup starts at 9 a.m. Tools and gloves
will be provided, or bring your own, marked
well as yours. Many tasks are kid-friendly.
Parents or guardians must sign for volunteers
under 18. Snacks, coffee, and drinks for
volunteers will be at the tables, and water

piedmont dental

Or. Jit A Martenson, ODS

April 8, 2017

——e —_

FROG and DMV Neighbors

will be available. As always, remember
your sunscreen. For more informatio
contact LeonoraSea@comcast.net or inf
frogpark.org.

Be sure to check out the special events
happening in the park this Earth Day ip
addition to the cleanup. Funded by a grant
from Keep Oakland Beautiful, local artist,
muralist, and teacher Caroline Stern will be
painting a nature mural on one outer wall] of
the bathroom at Hardy Circle. You can see
her drawing for the work in last month’s issue
of the Rockridge News and on the next page.
At 9:30 a.m., there will be a celebration at
“Big Frog” with Fremont Bank, a new park

sponsor. (See more, page 5.)

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March 4, 2017

Playground ‘Swings & More’ Park
nhancement Project Update

he Frog committee has submitted all
necessary design documents to the
city to begin the approval process. We are
entering several permitting review phases,
and we hope to have all official approvals
in fall 2017.

We will be meeting with city officials
over the next two months to see if there
are any ways to expedite the approvals and
completion of the project.

Please see our layout and the final set of
equipment we are adding to the park. The
ADA-compliant swing was changed back to
its original type due to space and fall zone
factors.

The final set of drawings can be found on

In Rockridge since 1997

What's shakin?

Yes we do offer:

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510-450-9050

INSURANCE SERVICES, INC
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Frog Park Updates and Activities

Rdckridge News

a

our website at frogpark.org. Our playground
expansion will add:

m 2 toddler-bucket swings

a | belt swing

= | large ADA bucket seat (not a
two-person-facing swing).

= | Apollo (triangular climbing

merry-go-round)

3-way seesaw/teeter-totter

| bench

|-3 boulders

New surfacing, for the ADA

accessible equipment and moves.
View the new playground layout and

more project information at frogpark.org.

Contact us: chair@frogpark.org.

Website Revamp

We are working on revamping our web-
site. Thank you to Joel, owner of Adachi
Consulting (www.adachiconsulting.com),
for their volunteer work to help address the
redesign, recent hack and to implement
further security.

Planned Playground Equipment

(Below right and right.)

Below: proposed mural (front left)
to be painted by Caroline Stern, and
its location-to-be at right.

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Realtor® | CalBRE #01161032

Ean rth Day: See Pu blic
Art Being Created

ark your calendar for Earth Day at Frog
Park, April 22,9 a.m. - noon. The Frog
Park committee will have family-friendly
clean-up activities, and artist Caroline Stern
of Deco Art, will start the mural painting.

Join us and watch Stern paint a mural
on the west wall of the bathroom at Frog
Park. This art is funded by a Keep Oakland
Beautiful grant.

To work with the artist as a volunteer, or
to help create an educational art component
for children and youth, contact info@

frogpark.org.

Also: Fremont Bank (coming soon to Rockridge,
corner of Claremont and College Avenues, near
Safeway), will present a donation check to FROG
on Earth Day, 9:30 a.m. We look forward to
seeing you on Earth Day and to Fremont Bank’s
support of Frog Park and our community.

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BART Tower Story INFLAMMATORY
AND FACTUALLY INCORRECT

EDITOR:

Page 2 of The Rockridge News of March
4, contains an inflammatory and factually
incorrect article, and I think RCPC owes
Rockridge residents better than to publish
an article like that.

Robert Brokl’s article about the tower
at MacArthur BART covers an important
topic but in a manner that could only be
called one-sided if it even reflected a side
based in truth and reality. His first sentence
says “making it the second tallest building in
Oakland...” which wouldn’t have even been
true 100 years ago. Oakland has nearly 20
towers that are taller; some that are taller date
to the early 1900s. He then says “neighbors
want appropriate scale development.” If
you've been to the hearings you would see
there is debate in the neighborhood. I’ve
seen more neighbors speak in favor than
in opposition. A fairer article would a) be
based in fact and b) be accompanied by a
counterpoint either in the same article or in
an article representing the position of support
that many other neighbors share.

This is an important discussion and
one that the Rockridge News should cover.
Though the project is in neighboring
Temescal, it impacts us and we should really
think and talk about it. But we should discuss
it fairly and honestly.

This article discredits not just the author
but also the Rockridge News in my mind.
— Greg Pasquali

BART Tower Story FACTUALLY
INCORRECT AND A DISSERVICE TO
READERS

EpiTor:

Robert Brokl’s article in the March 4
Rockridge News on the proposed residential
development at the MacArthur BART
station is factually incorrect. Its publication
is a disservice to the residents of our
neighborhood. Brokl falsely claims the
tower would be the “second tallest building
in Oakland.” This is simply not true. In fact,
according to the real estate information

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

Réckridge News

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.

company Emporis, which maintains lists
of high-rise buildings in cities around the
world, the proposed 260-foot tower would
be the 19th tallest building in Oakland. Also,
Brokl’s article provides few informative
details on the project, such as the fact it
would provide 45 new affordable housing
units, and 200 more housing units overall,
compared to the previously approved design
Brokl references. Including information in
the article directing readers to financially
support legal action against the project makes
it clear Brokl’s article is an opinion piece,
and should be identified as such.

Housing in our neighborhood, city, and
region has become preposterously expensive
because there isn’t enough housing to
meet demand. This project will provide
desperately needed housing just steps from
a BART station. Someday, I might want
to move out of my small rent-controlled
one-bedroom apartment if my partner and I
decide to start a family. The more housing
options we can provide here, the more likely
it is that I can afford to stay in the city I love.
— William Bacon

BART Tower CouLtp EASE
Housinc. More, DENSER
HlousING NEEDED

EpITOR:

In reading the most recent issue of

April 8, 2017

———

i

The Rockridge News (March 4), I was

disappointed by the one-sided position of
“Could the ‘Tallest Tower’ be built at the
MacArthur BART station?” The article ;
unequivocal in its opposition to the residents
tower project at MacArthur station, which
could set a precedent to help ease some of the
housing affordability issues facing Oakland.
It was particularly galling to see complaints
about a large housing project directly across
the page from the Land Use Committee notes
discussing the desire for increased housing
production and efforts to curtail housing
prices. The only thing that will get us out of
this housing crisis 1s more, denser housing,
even if it has to be in my backyard.

— George Leslie-Waksman

Wuy Was THERE No EAruier
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE BART Tower?

EDITOR:

I received my newsletter on Wednesday,
March 8 noting the huge apartment building
planned for the MacArthur BART station.
On March 9, I read that the City Council,
with Dan Kalb’s highly visible support,
already approved the construction on
March 7 of this out-of-place monstrosity. My
question: why the late notice from RCPC?
Or did I miss a much earlier notice regarding)
this proposed apartment building?

P.S.: Why is the state mandating a
“share” for each city and neighborhood
to fulfill its “obligation” for “affordable”
housing? Housing and zoning decisions
are to be designated to the lowest entity
and thus are the sole responsibility of the
local community, not dictated from above.
Every time a question is raised about any of

> Letters, page 7

Experience * Knowledge * Performance

Are you aware of new short term rental restrictions the city of Oakland is considering?

Are you aware of proposed repeal of single family home exemption from rent control in the state.of CA?
Are you aware that as of 1/1/17 all homes in California are required to have water conserving fixtures?

Coming Soon: 6101 Margarido Drive @ Oceanview - Gorgeous Traditional, 3 Bed, 3 Bath plus
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Go Warriors!

Perry Riani, Senior Associate ’

~ 2016 Realtor of the Year”

1900 Mountain Bivd Oakland, CA 94611

_ 1625 Shattuck Ave Berkeley, CA 94709

C: 510.813.3799 perry@pacunion.com
License # 01402540

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April 8, 2017

Thi

GesrigeNews _

Letters

rom page 6

~ this. the answer always is “because the state
mandates it.” Really?
— Name withheld by request

Epitor’s Norte:

It is the longstanding policy of The
Rockridge News that bylined pieces (those
that identify an author by name) do not
necessarily reflect the positions of either
The Rockridge News or RCPC, as stated
in the right column of page 2 of every
issue (“Articles submitted for publication”
section). However, the Editor agrees that,
in this instance, it would have been helpful
to introduce the article with a prominent
statement that it expressed a personal opinion
of the author. In addition, the Editor and
RCPC regret that the author’s statement that
the building would be the second tallest in
Oakland was not corrected to “one of the
tallest in North Oakland.”

RCPC Chair and land use attorney

EAST BAY RENTAL SPECIALIST

ROCKRIDGE J PIEDMONT BMONTCLAIR

Caldecott

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—

if

responds to the writer who had not heard
about the building previously.

Why didn’tanarticleaboutthe MacArthur
BART housing structure appear earlier? The
RCPC board briefly discussed this project
severa! months earlier. The board decided
that since the project was well outside of
Rockridge, presented issues unlikely to
occur in Rockridge, and appeared to sharply
divide the local community, RCPC would
not take a position on it. Consequently,
publishing an outside opinion or even a
report of the project was nota high priority,
compared to covering Rockridge issues.

The writer also asks why the state is
mandating that “each city and neighborhood
fulfill its ‘obligation’ for ‘affordable’ housing?”
To clarify, starting about ten years ago, in
response to a growing statewide housing
shortage, the Legislature mandated that
each regional council of governments (in
the Bay Area, the Association of Bay Area
Governments, ABAG, identify expected
future population growth and allocate to

each city or county a “Regional Housing
Needs Allocation” as its “fair share” of

meeting that need. (See Government Code
Section 65584 and following.) That allocation
must be addressed in the city or county’s
General Plan Housing Element. There is
no requirement on how to distribute that
housing within a city, but most cities try to
do it equitably and in an environmentally
sustainable manner. From that standpoint,
placing high-density housing next toa BART
Station makes some sense. However, the
State did not mandate that Oakland approve
this project at this site. That was the City
Council's call.

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Friends of the
Rockridge Library

Supporting the Rockridge Branch
of the Oakland Public Library

The Library
Friends Need You

by Sarah Washburn
he Friends of the Rockridge Library
seek a new board member fo join us as
we support our library together. Read on to
find out if this person might be you...

Our all-volunteer board collaborates
with library management and staff to fund
programs and resources not covered under
Oakland’s budget. We fundraise, spearhead
awareness Campaigns, and, most recently, we
helped the library celebrate the Rockridge
branch’s 20th anniversary last fall.

We're a creative and active bunch, eager
to hear your ideas on how you might lend
your time and skills to support the library we
all love. Most of all, we have fun supporting
our library.

The board meets 5 to 6 times a year on
Tuesday nights. Please get in touch with us to
discuss your interest: info@rockridgefriends.
org.

The Friends of the Rockridge Library is a
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Learn more
about us at www.RockridgeFriends.org.

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_Réckridge News

April 8, 2017

— NCPCSets Bimonthly Meeting

he Greater Rockridge Neighborhood
Crime Prevention Council (NCPC)
will hold its regular bimonthly meeting on
Thursday, April 13. We meet at 7:30 p.m.
in the upstairs conference room of the
Rockridge Library at Manila and College
avenues. Come hear Officer Anthony
Hutzol, Rockridge’s Community Resource
Officer (CRO), report on crime and public
safety issues over the last two months, and
share any neighborhood concerns you have
that may need police attention.

Officer Hutzol recently announced he is
restarting his “Coffee with a Cop” sessions:
Telling the community that “I would like to
let everyone know that I will be starting up
CWAC again in Rockridge,” Hutzol hosted
his first session of this year in March at
Philz Coffee in the College Avenue Safeway
plaza. “Since Philz has proven to be a good

place in the past— plenty ae

of coffee and plenty OAKLAND
of space,” Hutzol will
likely schedule future
meetings there, which he
usually announces via

NextDoor Rockridge.
(https://rockridgeca.nextdoor.com/news

feed/.)

Feel free to join Officer Hutzol if you
have any questions. “T will stay as long as
folks are there and want to chat,” he said
before the March meeting.

Email the NCPC at CHAIR@
ROCKRIDGENCPC.COM if you have
items you'd like to add to the NCPC meeting

agenda.

— Karen Ivy
Secretary, Greater Rockridge NCPC

secretary@rockridgencpc.com

NCPC

Greater Rockrid9®

the June issue of The Rockridge News.

Mark your calendar and/or cell phone: The Rockridge NCPC and the Rockridge
Community Planning Council hold a joint meeting in June. Watch for details in

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_ Rockridge News

¥:

New Book Tells Rockridge Soccer Club Founder's Story

Four Dollars and a Dream Tells

E% rue Story of War, Immigration,
Achievement

by Jeff Gilliland, Author

f you've lived in Rockridge for more than

a few years, you've probably heard his
name. Shouted on the street, from the backs
of garbage trucks, outside St. Augustine’s
Church or his personal “church.” the Oaks
Card Club: “Hey, Gino!” “That Gino
Chegia?” “What a guy!” But did you know
that Gino Chegia, long-time Rockridge
resident and the founder of the Rockridge
Soccer Club, is actually named Cino?

“When I came to America, nobody could
pronounce my name,” says the 81 year-old
Italian immigrant. “They all started calling
me Gino, so I just went with it!” He laughs
his unforgettable laugh: a rolling guffaw, that
shakes his shoulders and flushes his jovial
cheeks bright red. “What a country, eh?”

In his 60-plus years in America, the
soccer enthusiast formerly known as Gino
has found a lot to love about this country,
and about Rockridge in particular. Born in

@.::.. in the Tuscan fishing village of Porto

rcole, as a boy Cino watched American
forces fight to liberate Italy from the Nazis,
and “began to dream of a faraway land [he]
had never seen.” He got his first taste of

CAITLIN CRAWFORD

Your Rockridge Neighbor
and Home Specialist

ccrawford@grubbco.com
510.339.0400/287
Direct: 510.289.7218 |

Cat BRE Lic. # 01951131

+ Cino/
we Gino in his

= Columbus
T-Shirt.

PHOTO/ JEFF
GILLILAND

America at age 15, working as a deck boy
on a merchant ship that docked in New York
City. Three years later, he found himself in
Alameda, and fell in love with Oakland’s
Temescal neighborhood, where Italian rang
out from every open window and produce
stall. On May 5, 1954, Cino jumped ship: an
18-year-old illegal immigrant, sustained by

the generosity of Oakland’s Italian-American
community.

After getting married, earning his
citizenship and becoming a partner in the
Italian-owned Oakland Scavenger Company,
Cino moved to Rockridge in 1971 to raise his
four sons. “My boys really wanted to play
soccer,’ he remembers, “but the closest team
was in Montclair!” So he took it upon himself
to start a local youth team: he rented fields,
ordered uniforms, negotiated a sponsorship
deal with Rockridge Realty and soon found
himself at the head of a thriving club.
Within years, the Rockridge Soccer Club
grew to be one of Oakland’s premier youth
soccer franchises, spawning the Bay Oaks
traveling team (which Cino co-founded)
and eventually forming the heart of the East
Bay United Soccer Club. A beloved coach,
referee, team parent and grandparent, Cino
stands as one of the most important figures
in local youth sports.

Nowadays, Cino still lives in Rockridge
and spends his days going to “church,”
cooking at the Fratellanza Club and driving
his candy apple-red roadster around the same
hills he walked for years as a garbageman.
His most recent pet project is his own
biography, “Four Dollars and a Dream: The
Life and Times of Cino Chegia.” Written

y Christopher

by his great-nephew, “Four Dollars and a
Dream” follows Cino from a World War
Il refugee camp to his home on Harwood
Avenue, through citizenship and civil rights
battles, personal tragedy and family triumph.
Alternately sad and inspiring, the story is
buoyed by its hero’s upbeat personality,
ribald humor and the infectious laugh that
lets the whole world know that Gino—er.
Cino—has arrived.

“Four Dollars and a Dream: The Life and Times
of Cino Chegia”’ will be available at Diesel Books
and Pegasus Books on College Avenue. Each
will carry 3 books to start, then order more
as they are sold. The book is also available in
paperback and for Kindle on Amazon.com. For
more information, or to purchase a copy there,
visit tinyurl.com/fourdollars.

Cuddle Kittens and
Cats; Help Them Meet
People, Get Adopted

e are looking for volunteers to cuddle,

Wi ocen up, and socialize kittens and cats
at the Hopalong adoption center located
in the Rockridge Center’s Pet Food Express
store at 5Ist and Broadway. Two hours, once a
week. Email Volunteer Manager Dani Clark
at dani@hopalong.org for more information
or go directly to sign up for orientation
at www.eventbrite.com/e/hopalong-cat-
care-orientation-at-pet-food-express-
rockridge-tickets-28263261175

— Submitted by Rockridge resident and
volunteer cat cuddler Betsy York.

SO Tr er a

10. Réckridge News

Were You Flamingled, or Simply Bemused?

In all, 92 homes were visited by th
flocks, raising $1,720 for the school!
However, the campaign served an even
bigger purpose: publicity. Every flock
brought with it a sign advertising the
upcoming Spring Gala at Chabot. This
annual auction is always the PTA’s biggest
fundraiser, and the theme for the party on
March 25 was “Let’s Flamingle.”

At the end of the flocking project,
co-organizers Lisa Klein and Tracy Boyd
discovered that their fickle faux-feathered
friends had come home to roost. Lisa said,

way: one flock found itself face-to-face with
a coop of real live chickens; another arrived
at a lawn already occupied by a permanent
placement of resident flamingos.

by Chuck Afflerbach
mong the spring flowers popping up
all over Rockridge last month came a
colorful addition; flocks of bright flamingos
roamed from yard to yard, surprising
passersby on the street as well as residents
inside their homes.
These pink plastic peregrinations were
part of a fundraising drive by the Chabot
Elementary School PTA. Donors could
sponsor a flock of about twenty birds to
be surreptitiously placed on a friend’s or
neighbor’s lawn for 24 hours. The following
morning, the fake fowls would migrate
to the next unsuspecting recipient.
The flamingo flocking went on —
rain or shine — for three weeks. One
hundred flamingos in five flocks were
distributed daily. More than a dozen
volunteer flockers, including some
students from Chabot, enjoyed sneaking
into yards to perch the plastic pieces on
porches and lawns, in flowerpots and
trees. There were surprises along the

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nd the winner its... Chabot! Thank

during the build-up to Chabot’s 2017 Gala.
Ax to everyone who supported the

PHOTO/LISA KLEIN

online auction, silent auction, live auction, and
raffles. The crowd “flamingling” at the Gala
on Saturday night clearly enjoyed themselves
and showed their Bobcat pride. For the first
time ever we ended the night with a fantastic
dance party. A special thank you to Tamara
Spokane who rocked it on the turntables as
a spectacular DJ.

There is much information to share, but
we wanted to start out with a huge Thank
You to all for your contributions of time,

donations, and bidding enthusiasm.

Though we are still tallying the numbers.
it is clear that we exceeded our financial
goal. We are so pleased that the community
continues to show its ardent support for

725 WASHINGTON ST.

April 8, 2017

“A fter flocking so many houses, it was a
delight to wake up on the last day to see
our own houses flocked by the auction
committee.”

But the flamingos’ work was not yet
done. Twenty of the birds were “adopted”
by bidders at the auction. These pink
pets made an extra contribution to the
many enrichment programs funded by
the PTA at Chabot Elementary.

Flock on!

is
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>

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ff Pon . . Se lie y _
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PHOTO/CHUCK AFFLERBACH

the many programs funded and
coordinated by the Chabot PTA.

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April 8, 2017 RéckridgeNews 11.
Pi and Pie Rule at Claremont’s Annual Math/Science Night

rincipal Puts Himself Revere at Claremont Middle — famous of math dates, March 14 (3/14): Pi Day.
nthe Line school’s Science and Math Pizza pie, dessert pie and pie in the face were all part

for Math’s Sake Night was into the fact that the of the scene, as an estimated 300 students and parents
annual family event fellon the most (based on the number of slices served) engaged in science
and math activities throughout the school’s classrooms and
outdoor areas.
Students dressed in lab coats demonstrated how to get
DNA out of strawberries in the sixth grade science room.

Rockridge residents Ed Berne and Science Night. The two students solving the diameter and circumference
(standing at left) and Joe Claremont grandfathers also of an ordinary paper plate were cleared to throw

Que: (not pictured) posed run a weekly after school that plate, newly covered with whipped cream, at

ath questions for parents Math Club for interested sixth Claremont principal Jonathan Mayer.
and students during Claremont graders.

Middle School’s annual Math PHOTO/CLAREMONT SCHOOL In one courtyard, students tried to create packaging for a

raw egg designed to protect it when dropped
by a teacher from the Claremont roof. Splats
were common.

% Happy hour with seasonal

£ é cocktails & small plates And the school library was the place to
| ii : i . . ini mini-marshmallows
M E N Ni MI Sunday brunch with live music form molecules, lining up
CONTEMPORARY, SEASONAL & ORGANIC VEGAN CUISINE on wooden skewers.

Wine dinners & special events Solving the diameter and circumference

of an ordinary paper plate was a problem with
a just reward. If you were correct, you were
cleared to throw that plate, newly covered
with whipped cream, at Claremont principal
Jonathan Mayer.

But the (pie)ce dé resistance came at the
end of the evening. Twenty students competed
in the Digits of Pi competition in front of a
crowd of parents, teachers and students.

Three of the five winners were sixth
graders. Sophie Klein (6th grade) took
first place with 147 digits, Marley Sonke
(6th grade) came in second with 121 digits
and Max Andelman (6th grade) and Josie
Goodson (7th grade) tied for third, each with

100 digits. Caitlin Lee (7th grade) came in
fourth, reciting 86 digits.

Pi was not pie in the sky for them. Each
won prize money, with Sophie the winner
of, yes, you guessed it, $314.

— Judith Doner Berne

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12.

A Pink Ribbon On a BART Parking Lot

_Roéckridge News

Redwood Worries a Watchful Neighbor

by Justin Horner

ye may have noticed a pink ribbon
wrapped around one of trees at the stand

of redwoods at the Rockridge BART station

parking lot at Shafter and Forest.

About five years ago, a few trees were
removed on BART property along Keith
across from Market Hall, and when I saw that
ribbon I thought more tree removals were to

come. I contacted BART to ask about plans
for the trees.

After a helpful conversation with BART
Division Manager Mary Grace Houlihan, I
learned about BART’s plans for tree removal
and reforesting at the Rockridge BART
station. BART has identified some hazardous
trees, and it has a plan to manage them. The
principal points of the plan are:

= Identified hazardous trees are planned
to be removed in fall 2017;

= Prior to the removal of these trees,
a reforesting plan will be finalized;

= Public input into this reforesting plan

Town Hall/
Election

from page |

a short presentation and answer questions
at the meeting. Ballots will be available in the
lobby. Bring your ID: Voter addresses will be

verified by driver’s license or DMV ID card
or other item, such as a utility bill showing

an address within RCPC boundaries.

Rockridge
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will occur in the summer; and

= The specific tree with the pink ribbon
at Shafter and Forest will be removed
before the end of April. It is dead
and needs to be removed promptly.

[ was encouraged to learn that there will
be a reforesting plan, developed with public
input, and in place before any additional trees
are removed. This is aclear improvement over
previous removals (including the ones along
Keith) which have occurred without notice
and without a reforesting plan.

[ hope this process leads to opportunities
for the neighborhood and the city to work
with BART to leverage resources to improve
landscaping throughout the station area. A
goal of actually having a net increase in trees
with the reforesting plan would be great to
achieve.

If you are interested in being kept abreast
of this issue, please email justinhorner01@
gmail.com.

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Claremont Avenue
Route Available

W Te of The Rockridge News staff

pledge to deliver The Rockridge
News to everyone in our community and,
thanks to our generous residents, we have
been able to keep our pledge for over 30

years. But some routes are harder to fill
than others: such is the case for a Claremont

The Rockridge hews

Avenue route.
[f you live in the area and want to help

us fulfill our pledge and ensure that those,
such as yourself, who look to the newsletter
for a local viewpoint, receive the newsletter
regularly, please let us know via email or

phone as given below:

Both sides 5200 Claremont.
including apartment at 5248, and
16D | 5400 block of Claremont Avenue,
west side only, from Clifton to

Cavour.

The newsletter is published the first
weekend of each month except August. To
volunteer, call 510/547-3855 or email Susa

at smontauk@gmail.com.

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_ RéckridgeNews

i

OPD’s New Chief

from page |

& s On changing peoples’ percep-
tion of the police department:
“We've wounded a lot of people. We own
it. Part of my being here is to change that
perception. Many police officers are also
wounded. | want to champion our officers
and heal their wounds as well. I hope to
have a new beginning with you.” (That
response drew applause.)

Mayor Schaaf discusses change in the
Oakland Police Department.

2s On more of a police presence
in the Oakland Hills: “The issue is
how do we deploy our resources. We are
at a stage as a team looking at this.” At the
same time, she said, “It’s common logic that
areas of high crime demand high resources.”

2 On the question of more
diverse officers, especially Latinos:
“We want to mirror our community. We want
to be diverse in every kind of way: diverse

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thinking, diverse beliefs, diverse mindsets.”
That revolves around “a recruiting strategy
that is different from the past.” Traditionally,
police departments have hired people with
military backgrounds, she said. “Why not
the Peace Corps?”
# On freeing the department
from 14 years of federal oversight:
We need to move toward transformation

but not over-focus” on meeting federal
requirements,

: = On how young people can help:

Come join us. Your core has to be a heart
of service. When I look at new
hires, I think: Do I want you to
be dealing with my mother or my
father? I’m looking for people who
like people and who have integrity
and courage. We’re going to have
only the best of the best.”

s On why few police
officers live in Oakland:
“I'm not critical. It’s expensive
to live here. But I have ideas
for Oakland people to police
themselves,” suggesting that she
would seek out Oakland residents
for police jobs.

s On preserving the
rights of immigrants ina
sanctuary city: “I’ve never
worked in a city that wasn’t a
sanctuary city. We do not and will
not enforce immigration law. That
is civil law; we do not practice
civil law. What troubles me is the fear that
people have. I’m here to say that enforcing
immigration laws is not what we do.”

»s On curbing protest move-
ments that may define Oakland for
outsiders, but have often resulted
in vandalism and violence: “I love
that Oakland is known for protests. I love
that fact. But I will not tolerate tearing up

property or hurting anyone.”

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Mayor Schaaf dittoed Kirkpatrick:
“I’m not going to discourage people from
demonstrating,’ she told the audience,
“I don’t want to change that. But I have
no tolerance for vandalism. We want to
facilitate peaceful protest. Our officers are
flown around the country [to advise other
departments]. Policing demonstrations is a
touchy and sensitive art. But mostly I want to
make sure we have fewer reasons to protest.”

Rockridge residents | talked to following
the session were favorably impressed.

“I thought the chief was very poised
and confident,” said Karen Ivy, secretary
of the Rockridge NCPC. “I was reassured
by her reaction to the new civilian police
commission. She said that she’s worked with
those before and thinks they are no big deal.

“She understands that Oakland has
money issues and needs more officers,” Ivy
added. (They are budgeted for 792 officers
but have only 760 currently.) “I was interested
in her comment that Chicago has more crime
than Oakland because Chicago is bigger;
but that on a per capita basis, Oakland is
more violent than Chicago. I hadn’t heard

that before.”

“Seeing a woman as chief made me proud
and interested. There is obvious strength
there. She also has a cute sense of humor and
I like the way she responded to my question
on diversity.”

“] definitely like her style,” said Chuck
Afflerbach, who is married to Juarez. “I wish
we had more police officers who thought the
way she does. I was particularly impressed
with her saying that they should look to the
Peace Corps instead of the military. Her
appearance is so different from what you
would think of as a police officer. [t might
change people’s thinking about whata police
officer might be.”

To comment on this column or to make suggestions
for future columns, please email judyberne@ att.net.

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

www.coylehomeremodel.com

Martin Coyle

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14.
Land Use

from page 2

and a shift from RM-I to RM-2 would
allow subdivision of some existing houses
into duplexes.

Some members expressed concern that
going up too high (e.g., five or six stories)
might result in a canyon-like effect along
College Avenue. There was also concern
about the extra traffic that large projects
would generate, as well as the parking
problems if there was not enough off-street
parking provided, e.g., by subdividing
houses. It was also noted that commercial
developers might not be interested in the type
of small project that could fit in Rockridge.

Town Hall Meeting/Housing

fter the April Town Hall meeting (see

article on front page), the April Land
Use Committee meeting will include further
discussion of housing policy, including
considering comments from the Town Hall
meeting and evaluating options for moving
forward towards making recommendations
to the RCPC Board. Scheduled meeting
date is April 26, 7:30 p.m., at the Rockridge
Branch Library. Check with rockridge.org
website to confirm date and time as the
scheduled time approaches.)

alvans’Amato, AIA 510.420.0210
> AmatoArchitecture.com

\

Hoping? Find it in Rockridge!

Réckridge News

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.
May issue deadline is April 20. May issue

distribution begins May 6,
For information: smontauk@gmail.com

It’s Spring at Penelope’s
Aesthetics! |
Refresh, rejuvenate, renew and enrich with
an Express facial for only $49! www.penelo-

pecalef.com. Please call for an appointment,
510/594-1552.

Your RockripGE SPECIALISTS-~
JupitH Grass & SHEILA SABINE-

THe Gruss Company.

Now may be the right time for a move.
Your home says a lot about you and we are
here to listen. Call 510/326-5055 or email

SSabine@Grubbco.com

Gardener

Over 20 years of service to the Rockridge
area. Garden Restoration. Great References.
Reasonable Rates. Please call Chris. 655-0157.

Looking to Refinance and
Don’t Want to Speak With

a Bank?

Home Loans-Refinance-PreApproval. David
Herrenbruck — Rockridge Resident-Call
510/981-9799; david@fishmanfinancial.net.
FISHMAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.,
NMLS#1384117 — CA BRE#01986477.

TREE SCULPTURE

COMPLETE TREE CARE
Proudly serving Rackridge since 1965!

(510) 562-4000

www.treesculpture.com
Fully Insured | Certified Arborists | Lic #655977

April 8, 2017

Compassionate Caregiver,
CFA Certified

Over |5 years of experience with demen-
tia, Parkinson’s and hospice clientele. Can
chauffeur to appointments, cook and ‘@
light housekeeping. Excellent references!

Available Sun-Thurs days and some nights,
Call or text Sharon, 925/705-3249.

Handyman Services,

interior & Exterior
House repairs, kitchen & bath remodel,

tile, decks, dry rot, drainage, walls, termite
damage, doors, windows. Professional work
for affordable prices. Juan 510/692-6399,

Cat Person or Know One?
Living in the Meow creates t-shirts and totes
for cat lovers. Support a local business and
order today! Free delivery in Rockridge with
code ROCKRIDGE. livinginthemeow.net.

Happy Hour!
Sponsored by Scott Murray, RPM Mortgage.

Join us at The Golden Squirrel, 5940 College

Avenue, Oakland, Tuesday, April 1, 5:30 p.m.
Your first drink is on us! Email your RSVP to

smurray@rpm-mtg.com. No presentation,
no handouts, just happy hour.

Happy Hour Continued!
Feel free to bring | friend. Cheers! Scott
Murray, Loan Advisor, 510/852.5150,
NMLS#1020834 RPM Mortgage Inc.,- NMLS
#9472 — Licensed by the Department o
Business Oversight under the Residenti
Mortgage Lending Act. Equal Housing
Opportunity. C-000.

Refresh Organizers

Here to help you organize your entire home
or workspace, from top to bottom. Let's
work on “stress-free” decluttering, down-
sizing, space-planning, staging and photo
organization. Call for a free consultation:
510/984-1607. RefreshOrganizers.com.

It’s a Seller’s Market

No need to pay high commission fees in a
seller’s market. Professional, experienced
Realtor®. Free home valuation of estimated
seller proceeds. 510/517-9969. Sharon

Medairy Ca. Bre #10885305. Real Estate
Source, Inc. www.medairy.net

Conversations for Older

Adults and their Loved Ones
April 27, 1-2 pm. Rockridge Library. “How
Do | talk to my Family?,” and “Finding the
right Next Home.” RSVP 510/706-5534.
www.facebook.com/rushglosliteam

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istrict 1 Councilman Dan Kalb

Drop-in Community Office Hours: Temescal
Farmers Market, 5300 Claremont Ave. (off Teleg,
at DMV lot), 3rd Sunday each month,10:30am-

42:30pm. More information: mmharris@oakland.
net or www.dankalb.net/contactdan.

Rockridge Branch Library

5366 College Avenue, 597-5017

Technology for all ages:

Computer Help: Saturdays 10am-12pm and
Tuesdays 5:30pm-7:30pm.
e Make appt. online at www.oaklandlibrary.org
or at any library.

FOR CHILDREN

NOTE: No story time the first week in
April: Story times resume on 4/13.

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

e Toddler Story Time: Songs, active rhymes and

stories (for 9 months to 2 years), Thursdays,
10:30am, upstairs.

e Pre-School Story Time: Songs, and rhymes
(ages 2 to 5); Thursdays, 10:30am.

All story times followed by Play Time;
parents and caregivers invited.

Special Events

e TWIG - Rockridge Tween Interests Group:
For ages 8 to 13. Creative work, friendship,
and snacks. Help plan projects of your choice.
Every 2nd & 4th Tues, 6:30-7:45pm, in the
Children’s Area. In April we will be making
Kamishiba (4/11, 4/25) and every Tues
night in May will perform stories and serve
Japanese treats. All ages welcome. More
info: Erica, 597-5017.

¢ National Letter Writing Event: Write aletterto
your favorite book character, superhero, world
leader, friend, family member...or whomever
you like. Writing supplies provided; postage
stamps not included. Tues, 4/18, 3:30-8pm.

e Dia de los ninos /dia de los libros: Alicia
Retes tells West Coast Native American
Stories and plays indigenous instruments to
celebrate Children’s Book Day. Every child
will receive a free book. Sat, 4/29, 10:30am.

FOR TEENS

* Teen Advisory Board (ages 14-18): Help
advise the library how to better serve teens;
get community service credit for school.

Note changed day: 2nd Sat. each month,
1 to 2pm.

* Teen ‘Scape Program: Play video & board
games; make crafts; enjoy meals. Tues, Thurs,
and Fridays: 3:30 - 5pm and Wednesdays:
1:30 — 5pm.

* Homework Club: High School Tutors

Available: A quiet place to do homework.

Tues and Thurs, 4 - 5pm; Wednesdays 3 -

4:30pm.

Yu-Gi-Oh Card Game Club: Beginners

welcome. Every Friday, 3:30 -5 pm.

Learn about making comics with CCA student
Thomas Meyer. Design your own characters
and story. 4/12, 4/19, 4/26, from 2to 4pm. Art

Compiled by Jo Ellis

CALENDAR

Supplies provided.

° te & Bolts Band: Use nuts, bolts, and
wine to make a band. 4/20, 2pm.

FOR ADULTS
* Lawyers in th

@ Library: Fr |
information and : reds det

zh referral. ist Tues each
onth; 6pm-8pm. Lottery system determines

who may see the lawyer. Sign-up opens at
SPM; must be present for lottery drawing at
9:45. Call day of Program to confirm.

° Spring Plant Swap: Bring cuttings, starts,
bulbs, full-sized plants and take home new
Plants. Master Gardeners will answer your

questions. Sat, 4/8, 11am- 2pm.

U.S. Constitution Refresher: Retired judge
John True from the American Constitution
Society will discuss the meaning and
Importance of the Constitution, with Q&A

and light refreshments. All ages welcome.
Tues, 4/11, 6:30pm.

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

NOTE: 4/13 meeting of the Women Bike Book

Club will be at the Oakland Main Library.
Call 597-5017 for details.

Gallery Exhibit

May: Artwork by students of Samuel Merritt
College.

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

Friends of the Oakland Public Library
(FOPL) 2017 Spring Book Sale: April
20 -23

Thursday 4/20 - Members’ Preview - 50% off
For all other book lovers:

Friday 4/21 -- 30% off

Saturday 4/22 -- 40% off

Sunday 4/23 -- 50% off

Special sale hours: 10:30am — 5:30pm.

The Bookmark Bookstore (open every day), 721
Washington St., 444.0473.

Info: bookmark_bookstore@yahoo.com; FOPL
Membership & Board: info@fopl.org.

Diesel Book/Poetry Readings

FREE and open to the public.

e Sun, 4/9, 3pm. Poetry Flash featuring Martha
Rhodes and Bruce Willard.

e Wed, 4/12, 7pm. New release of Oakland
Noir with editors and contributors.

e Thurs, 4/13, 7pm. Marcus Thompson Il:
Golden: The Miraculous Rise of Steph Curry.

° Tues, 4/18, 7pm. Morgan Parker: There
Are More Beautiful Things Than
Beyonce. Joined in conversation by poet

15.

Charif Shanahan.

e Thurs, 4/20, 7pm. The latest bilingual books
by Mark Haber, Scott Esposito and Editorial
Argonutica.

° Sun, 4/23, 3pm. West Marin Review Vii.
Group reading with contributors,

e Wed, 4/26, 7pm. Andres Barba: Such Small
Hands.

e Fri, 4/28, 6pm. Pajama Party Story Time for
Kids. Come in PJs; bring teddy bear; have
milk and cookies. Sandra V. Feder reads
bedtime stories from The Moon Inside.

¢ Sat, 4/29, All Day - Independent Bookstore
Day, 10am to 9pm. Literary Happy Hour from
4-5pm. Pouring their signature cocktails from a
Literary Cocktail Party willbe Edan Lepucki-
Tequila Negroni; Novella Carpenter- Beet
Kvass Shots; and Jacqueline Luckett- Dirty
Martini.

¢ Sun,4/30, 3pm. Melanie Salvatore-August:
Fierce Kindness: Be a Positive Force for
Change.

¢ Thurs, 5/4 7pm. Patricia Lockwood:
Priestdaddy: A Memoir.

e Sun, 5/7, 3pm. Christopher Bernard: new
poetry collection, Chien Lunatique.

° Tues, 5/9, 7pm. Publication party for Edan
Lepucki: Woman No. 177.

DIESEL, A Bookstore, 5433 College Ave. More

info abt the authors, books and other events:
653-9965 or events@dieselbookstore.com.

Square Dance in North Oakland

Music by The Squirrelly String Band.
Calling by Jordan Ruyle. Ist Fridays each
month, 8 — 10pm. All levels welcome. $5-10
Sliding scale donation. The Niebyl-Proctor
Marxist Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave. Info:
squirrellystringband.com.

North Oakland Senior Center

Mon. —Fri., 9am to 4:30pm. 5714 Martin Luther
King, Jr. Way: 597-5085

Programs include: Arts/crafts; health counseling;
dancing and exercise; trips, tours and theater
outings; Alzheimer’s caregivers support groups,
computer classes/more.

e Older American Month Celebration at
City Hall Plaza: Free shuttle from the

Center. Wed, May 3, 10am — 2pm.
* Spotlight on Senior Services: Denise
Vaughnes hosts speakers on various Sr.
services. 4th Wednesdays 9:30-10:30 AM.
* Eat Smart, Live Strong: Free nutrition
class sponsored by UC Cooperative Extension.
Free cookbooks; food demos and tasting.
Pre-register now. 4 sessions from 10am to
noon, starting Tues, May 9.
Get event details at the desk or 597-
9085. Seniors age 55+ join for $12 annual dues
to get discount and other benefits. Receive
“The North Oakland Senior Times” for full
schedule of classes/events, lunch menus, and
volunteer opportunities. Info: 597-5085.

Temescal Farmers’ Market

Open Sundays, 9am to Ipm (all year). Locally
grown produce 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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Rdéckridge News

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Quality Work + Free Estimates

Lic # 695711

Do you have a story about Rockridge
you would like to tell? Let’s get in touch.
Email editor@rockridge.org.

Mortgage solutions tailored to

Do you have a gripe about Rockridge
you would like to tell about? Let’s get
In touch. Email editor@rockridge.org.

Spring Update!
Another year brings another booming
market w/multiple offers, low inventory
& houses selling way over asking. And,
I mean WAY OVER ASKING!
Want to chat? Call me.

For Sale - Rockridge
2240 Locksley ;

7

3+/2++ Carmel Style Home
with Garage-Mahal.
www.5240Locksley.com

Coming soon - Rockridge

Colby St. Bungalow
2bd/1ba North of Alcatraz
Deep yard. Livable, but needs it all!

Rare Live/Work Opportunity

for lease - in ROCKRIDGE
www.5/76/Broadway.com

——

Ron Kriss, Broker
Lawton Associates
RonkKriss@JPS.net
510.547.5970 ex. 55
BRE#00784235

LawtonAssoc.com

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ASSOCIATES

you and your family.
Local. Knowledge. Integrity

Scott Murray

Loan Advisor

NMLS #1020834

925 743 3512
smurray@rpm-mtg.com

www rpm-mtpg.com/smurray
3240 Stone Valley Road West

ie Alamo, CA 94507

RPM Mortgage NMLS #9472 - Licensed
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April 8, 2017

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O54- 8707 or 593- 35-4780

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