Extracted text · highlighting “Safeway”

VOL 34   •   NO 10   •   ISSUE 369   •   NOVEMBER 2019

www.rockridge.org
CIRCULATION: 5800 RESIDENCES; 200 BUSINESSES

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

Thanksgiving Feast: A Rockridge Tradition
— by Rev. Monte McClain
Volunteer Donates
Unwavering
Support… And
Sweets to OPD
— by Judith Doner Berne
For 40 years, the College Avenue
Presbyterian Church (CAPC) has
been hosting a neighborhood-em­
powered annual Thanksgiving Day
Community Meal. The brainchild of
a College Avenue merchant, birthed
when the Rockridge Community was
emerging from the shadow of the
neighborhood transformation caused
by the building of Highway 24 and
the BART Station, the meal continues
to provide a space for community
Claire Lomax is a one of a kind
person with a one-of-a-kind
passion. The
long-time
Rockridge res­
ident — she lives on Harwood Avenue
in a 1913 bungalow first occupied by
her grandparents — is happily spend­
ing her retirement years as the Oak­
land Police Department’s (OPD) only
administrative volunteer.
relationship building
and solidarity. It makes
a place for us to use our
skills, resources and
time to serve others:
renewing our muscle
memory of compassion,
altruism, and empathy.
Photo: Rev. Monte McClain
This Thanksgiving,
CAPC will once again
be hosting its annu­
al Thanksgiving Day
Community Meal on
“It’s a calling,” she said of her deci­
sion to use the administrative skills she
honed working at UC Berkeley, to sup­
port the day-
to-day needs
of the general
crime patrol
units with
whom she
spends the
most time.
She goes in
for three-
hour or so shifts sev­
eral days a week, all at
her own choosing. A
bonus, for them and
for her, is that she loves to bake.
Volunteers prep for
Thanksgiving meal.
Thanksgiving Meal, page 9
A Labor Of Love: Establishing The
Temescal History Archive
— by Pamela Magnuson-Peddle, Past President, Oakland Heritage Alliance
Photo courtesy of
 Clare Lomax
(This article is reprinted with permission
from the Oakland Heritage Alliance Newsletter,
Nov. 2019 issue.)
Claire Lomax and
Lt. Erin Mausz
celebrate at
the OPD on
Thanksgiving
Day, 2017.
In the spring of 1997, local artist and
historian Jeff Norman found himself
standing on a sidewalk in Temescal
wondering what the neighborhood
looked like before there were any
buildings. Two decades later, he’s
making it possible for all of us to
answer that question with a gift to the
Temescal branch library in honor of its
100th anniversary — an archive of the
neighborhood’s history.
Photo: Anna L. Marks
“I’ve wanted to do this for years and
practically had to kick down the door
because I'm not the kind of volunteer
the coordinators are used to dealing
with.” She was referring to volunteers
“who help out with public events, in­
cluding handing out teddy bears, etc.”
Norman’s books can be found
at the Temescal Library, and
are available for checkout.
the integrity of his content. In par­
ticular, he described Norman’s book
Temescal Legacies as a “monumental
piece of work that set a new standard
for what local history can be.”
Accepting the Temescal History
Archive collection for the library,
Steve Lavoie (himself a historian and
researcher) described Norman as a
community artist and graphic designer
known for his historical accuracy and
“Not my thing,” Lomax said. “I'm
good at administrative support. They
saw I had a lot of business writing
experience, and I’m a passable baker —
Norman moved to Temescal in 1984
and, as a visual artist and writer, was
Eyes on Rockridge, page 8
Temescal Archive, page 12


November 2019
2

Community Choir Seeks Members
— by Alona Rivord, Friends of the Rockridge Library
The Rockridge News, founded March 1986
by Don Kinkead, is published monthly (except
in August) and is sponsored by the Rockridge
Community Planning Council (RCPC), a non-
profit public benefit organization founded to:
preserve and enhance the unique character
of the Rockridge neighborhood; promote the
health, safety and quality of life of its residents;
furnish a forum for community involvement;
and provide leadership and representation of
neighborhood interests.
Anew community choir has formed
in Rockridge and is seeking mem­
bers. Participation is free and open to all
ages and skill levels. Organizer and choir
conductor, Pete Feltman, led the first
rehearsal at the Rockridge Library on
October 9, and the group plans to con­
tinue meeting one evening per month.
Rockridge News Production
Anna L. Marks	�������������������Editor
Valerie Knight Design	�������Graphics & Layout
Jo Ellis	�������������������������������Asstistant Editor
“I love libraries almost as much
as I love music, so I thought it might
be fun (and slightly ironic) to see if a
community choir could exist in a li­
brary,” said Feltman. “Singing together
has a special way of creating bonds in a
community and I definitely feel like we
could all use more of that these days.”
& Community
Calendar
Judith Doner Berne	�����������Eyes on Rockridge
Susan Montauk	������������������Business Manager
Choir Director,
Pete Feltman
Photo: Alona Rivord
RCPC Board of Directors, 2018-19
Leonora Sea	����������������������Chair
Casey Farmer	��������������������Co-Secretary
Andrew Masalin,	���������������Co-Secretary
Ronnie Spitzer	�������������������Treasurer
Stuart Flashman	����������������Assistant Treasurer
Michelle Boyd, David Garcia, Mary Catherine
Haug, Anna L. Marks
singing scales, first in unison then in
four part harmony, with the assistance
of a guitar accompanist. The 75-minute
session ended with the group practic­
ing a piece of classical music as well as
a “do-wop” song.
The first rehearsal began with a
rapid introduction to music terms
and the elements of sheet music. The
dozen or so participants then practiced
Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org
For information: info@rockridge.org
Feltman has been singing in choirs
since age five. He is the choir director
at College Avenue Presbyterian Church
and teaches music lessons at Acme
House of Music. He contacted Adult
Services Librarian, Ally Hack, about
starting a choir at the branch after
hearing about unconventional uses of
the Oakland Public Library during a
recent NPR broadcast.
Newsletter Subscriptions
To subscribe to The Rockridge News, send
your check for $20, payable to RCPC with
“Rockridge News Subscription” on the memo
line. Mail to 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 the Editor?
Contact us at one of the following:
Editor: editor@rockridge.org;
www.rockridge.org; The Rockridge News,
4123 Broadway, PMB 311, Oakland, CA 94611.
“Library programs offer the oppor­
tunity to learn something new and feel
connected to others in your commu­
nity,” said Hack. “I'm always excited to
try new programs, especially those that
I think will enrich the lives of partici­
pants. I love the idea of bringing all ages
together to create something positive.”
Articles and letters submitted for publication may
be emailed to the editor or sent to the address
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 for clarity
and brevity at the editor’s discretion and without
notice to the submitter.
Those interested are encouraged to
attend the upcoming choir rehearsals
at the library Community Room on
November 13 and December 11,
6:30-7:45pm. n
A NEIGHBORHOOD
for
EVERY LIFESTYLE
Views expressed in articles and letters 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.
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Newsletter advertising deadline for December’s
issue is November 21.
Advertising rates are $26/column inch. Six-month
pre-pay rate available. For display ads, call
Jo Ellis at 653-3210 (after noon), or email joellis1@
hotmail.com. RCPC reserves the right to refuse
any display or classified ad it deems inappropriate.
(Classified ad contact: page 14.)
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November 2019
3

The next Land Use Committee meeting will be on Wednesday,
November 20, at 7:30pm at the Rockridge Branch Library. Agen­
da will include updates on CCA campus redevelopment proposal;
use of Safeway settlement funds, Shops at the Ridge Phase II; the
Rockridge Housing Study. Please check https://rockridge.org one
week prior to confirm the meeting date, time, and place.
Rockridge Community
Planning Council
Land Use Committee

second meeting, RCPC representa­
tives, along with two other community
groups involved in the settlement,
reached a consensus to recommend that
Safeway provide funding for several pe­
destrian/bicyclist safety improvements
and address cut-through traffic caused
by the Safeway project on Hillegass Ave.

RCPC Land Use Committee Update — November 2019
— by Stuart Flashman, RCPC Board Member

California College of Arts Oakland
Campus Redevelopment Proposal
(5200/5276 Broadway (between College
Ave. and Broadway Terrace)
Subject to approval by petitions
from residents of the blocks involved,
these improvements would include:
Installing speed bumps on remaining
blocks of Hillegass; placing pedestrian/
bicyclist-activated LED beacons at the
crosswalks on Alcatraz at Colby and
Hillegass; and placing bulb-outs at the
crosswalk across Alcatraz at Hillegass.
buildings of historic or architectural
importance that the project proposed
to demolish; issues around emergency
access and evacuation with only a single
vehicle access point into and out of the
campus; the need for back-up miti­
gation plans; and the need for project
phasing to ensure that before full build-
out occurred, mitigation measures
would actually be effective at avoiding
significant environmental impacts.
After the long-delayed Planning
Commission Hearing, the RCPC Land
Use Committee reviewed the scoping
comments for the EIR on the Califor­
nia College of Art Oakland Campus
redevelopment project.
Lower priority projects to be con­
sidered, pending funding availability
and residents’ approval, include: A
new crosswalk and bulb-outs across
Alcatraz at Benvenue; speed bumps on
Benvenue; and placement of a pedes­
trian-activated beacon on Alcatraz at
Lewiston (this would accompany a to-
be-installed crosswalk across Alcatraz).
At the beginning of the hearing, the
project planner, Rebecca Lind (510-
238-6472; email RLind@oaklandca.
gov) asked speakers to limit their
comments to identifying areas the EIR
needed to address, to not repeat others’
comments, and to not voice their opin­
ions on the project’s merits.
Project supporters pointed to
the spread of commuters into the
greater Bay Area including Tracy and
beyond due to the lack of sufficient
local housing, and argued that the
project would, by providing 600 new
units, help reduce that commute traffic
and associated impact.
A number of other potential im­
provements proposed by community
members were rejected due to lim­
itations placed by Safeway on how
the funds could be used — primarily,
they had to directly address a problem
created or exacerbated by the Safeway
project, yet not already addressed in
the EIR for the project.
Most speakers ignored those requests.
There were about 70 speakers, divided
seemingly equally between those sup­
porting and those opposing the project
— although most of those who said they
were Rockridge residents opposed.
Nearly all (95%) of this project’s units
proposed are market-rate, but these
units are not affordable for low- and
middle-income commuters who are the
bulk of the new outer East Bay residents.
Opponents objected primarily to the
19-story tower, the relative paucity of
affordable units, and expected parking
and traffic impacts. A few comments
identified non-obvious areas the EIR
needed to address – e.g., specific
College Ave. Safeway Settlement
Funds
These proposed improvements still
need final approval by the RCPC board
before they are submitted to Safeway. n
Committee members briefly dis­
cussed proposals for use of the $400,000
of Safeway Settlement funds. At a


November 2019
4
Letters to the Editor

development that maintains our area
as a place where people want to live.
High Rises In Rockridge?
What can you do? Write Dan Kalb
at dkalb@oaklandca.gov. Dan has said
he has not gotten much opposition to
the tower or the upzoning of College
Avenue. Ask to meet with him.
Planning department must approve
the choice of consultant before the
city reviews the consultant's work.
Developers count on support for
the development from local groups,
including ones that receive free office
space from developers.
Dear Editor:
Readers of The Rockridge News
know that developers are proposing
a 200-foot tower at the California
College of Arts (CCA) site. Did you
also know that this tower will be encir­
cled by 60- to 90-foot glass and steel
buildings, and will abut Broadway?
Have you heard that BART will be
proposing a 6-story building on the
Rockridge BART parking lot? (Note:
The new MacArthur BART high-rise
started as an 8-story proposal.)
Get involved. Join UBA’s email list
and volunteer at UBAOakland@gmail.
com. Help us fund new architectural
visualizations. Visit UBAOakland.org
for ways to help. Attend RCPC com­
mittee meetings, or join the board.
There are several vacancies available.
2) The ultimate decision about
future Rockridge development has
the potential to be controlled by
those who live outside the area.
The ultimate vote that matters is the
Oakland City Council vote. Because
the CCA site involves General Plan
amendments, including a change in
zoning from 35 to 200 feet, and, be­
cause it is a nonprofit site turning into
a residential complex, the project will
have to go for approval before
the City Council.
Join the debate. Participate in city
hearings that will review these materi­
als. Read and post your comments and
suggestions on Nextdoor. Write to The
Rockridge News with your input.
There is no master plan for North
Oakland like the one in preparation
for downtown Oakland. Rockridge
residents need to wake up to the
impending building boom. We need
to get organized now to ensure this
will add value to the community and
is not just a win for developers.
The new buildings have the poten­
tial of overwhelming Rockridge before
citizens realize what is happening.
Rockridge residents have worked
hard to create a neighborhood that is
livable, pedestrian-oriented, and cele­
brates the Arts and Crafts architecture.
We need to make a decision about the
future and advocate for what we want.
Otherwise, others will decide for us.
Based on what I have heard at the
Planning commission over the last few
months of meetings, the City Council
members can expect to hear speakers
say Rockridge should have high-rises
due to restrictive local laws written
100 years ago; that all new Rockridge
residents who can afford market-rate
apartments will all take public transit,
and will not have cars; that 200-foot
towers in an area of single-family
homes won’t impact anything; and
that the project should be approved
as is, with no account for parking, traf­
fic, number of affordable units, or its
effect on the neighborhood. I, along
with other Upper Broadway Advocates
(UBA) members, would like to see new
The most important point here
is that we need to have input, and
that those supporting development
without restrictions are ahead in the
game. Rockridge residents may decide
to support high towers. However, we
need discussion and need to decide
through a process that doesn’t put
current residents at a disadvantage.
To hear the Planning Commission
speaker comments from October’s
meeting, visit the Oakland Planning
commission website https://www.
oaklandca.gov/boards-commissions/
planning-commission.
Why does this matter? For two
reasons:
That’s my input. Join the discussion
and let residents have a say in the
future.
— Kurt Scherer
Room for More in
Rockridge
1) The process favors lobbyists
and people who know how the
system works. The developer pays
the EIR consultant, but the Oakland
Dear Editor:
Rockridge is a wonderful neighbor­
hood, but with a median home value
of $1.4 million in the 94618 zip code,
it is completely unaffordable. There
has been no significant new housing
built here for decades.
Rockridge as a community has
been viewed as being uniformly
opposed to new housing, and as
being more concerned about park­
ing and traffic than addressing the
housing crisis.
The neighborhood’s history of exclu­
sionary housing policies has kept other
Letters, next page


November 2019
5

Letters
from previous page
about the appearance of the tower. The
person responsible for that misrepre­
sentation then founded an opposition
organization (UBA), and The Rock­
ridge News dedicated several pages
of its latest issue to their cause. I hope
you plan comparable space for those
who support the project.
building sites at 5212broadway.com
and ecbsf.com for a full picture.
We all know we need more density
around mass transit, and to me this looks
like a much more appealing and respect­
ful project than some others I’ve seen.
Oaklanders out of our great schools,
out of our neighborhood businesses,
and out of our lives. Recent discussions
about the proposed California College
of the Arts (CCA) site in the pages of
The Rockridge News have done little
to change that image.
Thank you for your time and your
good work!
— Stephen Cole
After attending multiple presenta­
tions and reading from various sources,
it’s my understanding that the cost of
developing that site requires a mini­
mum number of units to make it worth­
while to any developer. A plan can
reach that minimum through dense
mid-height buildings without any pub­
lic open space, or with lower buildings,
and one higher tower to allow for open
space and preservation of Macky Hall.
I strongly prefer the latter.
Editor’s Note:
Views expressed in articles and letters
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.
We welcome your comments and sug-
gestions. Please send them to editor@
rockridge.org.
— Anna L. Marks
There are many Rockridgers, how­
ever, who see things differently; who
believe that our community should
be part of the housing solution. They
welcome more housing, bigger build­
ings, and more neighbors.
They know a dense CCA project
will help our local shops and restau­
rants thrive, and that housing on
the scale proposed at the CCA site
matches the scale of our responsibility
to our greater community to tackle
the housing crisis and live our values
of inclusion and diversity. Indeed,
more than 100 community members
— Rockridgers and, yes, people from
outside Rockridge — have signed the
“East Bay for Everyone” petition for a
dense, housing-rich CCA project that
prioritizes access to open space and
transit, pedestrian and bike safety,
and affordability.
I also really appreciate the efforts
to maintain CCA’s arts heritage by
providing for nonprofits and studio
space. The proposed Arts Walk on
Clifton could be really lovely, and
make that corridor even more public
friendly than it is now.
Tool Lending Library
Lends a Hand to
Do-It-Yourself’ers
Since 2000, the Oakland Tool
Lending Library has been an
excellent resource for residents
and homeowners in Oakland,
Emeryville and Piedmont. Located
behind the Temescal Library at
5208 Telegraph, they loan power,
gardening, construction, and DIY
tools for home projects and home
improvements.
All the tools are rented free
of charge with proof of home
ownership or residency. For more
information, call (510) 597-5089.
I would like to see more demo­
graphic diversity in Rockridge, and it’s
not clear to me whether this will bring
it or not; but doing nothing certainly
won’t. I am still skeptical of any devel­
oper (their bottom line will always be
their top priority) and I will attend fu­
ture meetings with an open mind for
all neighbor concerns, but Emerald
Fund and Equity Community Builders
have a pretty good track record and
I encourage neighbors to visit their
Our neighbors should know there
are other views out there and that
Rockridge’s “traditional” views against
new development are changing.
— Justin Horner
East Bay for Everyone
Building for Our Future
Dear Editor:
I write in cautious support of the
proposed development on the CCA
campus on Broadway in Oakland. I
know there is strong opposition from
some residents, especially those who
have lived in Rockridge for many
years, and I truly admire their activist
spirit and genuine concern for the
neighborhood — it’s one of the rea­
sons I moved here seven years ago.
I am concerned, however, that
some of those sentiments were
drummed up by scare tactics with­
out proper context. I’m referring to
drawings published by The Rockridge
News that were not submitted by
the developer, misleading readers


November 2019
6

OpEd
width and breadth of all the emotions
they will experience.
Stop Giving Out Awards Like Candy
—by Jorja Siemons
I
The more young people face sadness
and frustration, the more they will
come to accept failure as a learning
experience — each time becoming less
upset. If adults continue to give out
awards like candy, children’s emotional
maturity will be held back and delay
them from entering adulthood.
was the worst player on my middle
school basketball team. Save me no
sympathy and stop shaking your head,
I am not exaggerating. I scored only
two baskets during the whole duration
of my four seasons competing.
these days simply receive too many
trophies, awards, and “certificates of
excellence.” You have permission to call
me blunt or pessimistic, for the typical
anxious teenage stereotype fits me well.
But my childhood made me realize how
important it is to experience failure.
At the final party, when everyone
gathered at a teammate's house to eat
watermelon in itchy jerseys, the coach­
es handed out plastic medals hanging
from thick blue ribbons. I hung back,
playing with my braids and averting
eye contact. Then I heard my name.
The truth of the matter is that the
world is unfair. To clarify, that’s not
the same thing as saying that nothing
should be done about it. In actuality,
this fact reveals that aspects of our
world are horrifying — sexism, racism,
homophobia, etc.
The simple truth is that when chil­
dren are as over-praised, as I had been,
and told consistently how “special” and
“excellent” they are, they do not know
how to deal with setbacks. I am not
saying that failure is a good thing, or
I had won the “most improved player”
award, but I most definitely had not
improved. There is something to be
said for improvement, but I would not
be the one to say it. Still, I had won a
medal. Everyone did that day.
Parents often coddle their children
because they worry harmful truths will
pressure kids to give up. Maybe this will
happen, but only for a little while. Being
complacent gets tiring when you realize
change doesn't just happen by itself. So
children will opt to pick themselves up
and try to transform the world that hurts
them. This is called joining society.
My childhood made me
realize how important it is
to experience failure.
In today’s society, this situation is
repeated over and over again on the
field, court, and on the stage. Children
that children should be brutalized by
criticism. Nevertheless, not everybody
is good at everything.
You may think your kids love their
“best benchwarmer” or “most mem­
orable” award, but in reality they
only appreciate what they think they
have truly earned. Do not sugarcoat
the world for your children, or force
rose-colored glasses onto their faces.
Let them experience failure and help
them through it. In the long run, they
will thank you. n
I like to think of failure as a learning
experience that provides children with
knowledge equally valuable to what is
learned in a classroom. Initially, failure
does not seem beneficial in the slight­
est. It makes children sad, annoyed,
and even angry. But contrary to the
popular belief that all children should
be coddled with rainbows and uni­
corns, it’s essential for kids to learn the
Experience * Knowledge * Performance

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Grateful for family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, health, home and joy!
                            Happy Thanksgiving!!
Perry Riani, Senior Associate
“2016 Realtor of the Year”
1900 Mountain Blvd Oakland, CA 94611
1625 Shattuck Ave Berkeley, CA 94709
 C: 510.813.3799  Perry.Riani@Compass.com
License # 01402540


November 2019
7

New Online Marketplace Allows Neighbors
to Directly Support Local Merchants
—by Anna L. Marks

Remember to
Shop Rockridge!
D

have supported their local community
directly. IAmLocal.io enables all these
stores to be united and offer customers
the convenience of one-stop online
shopping without being worried about
the online marketplace stealing their
product ideas,” said Garje.
o you love the convenience of
shopping from home, but would
prefer to support your local stores
instead of lining the pockets of online
giants? One Oakland-based company
has made this possibility a reality.
Co-Founded by Ashesh Patel and
Sanjay Garje, IAmLocal.io aggregates
products from local small businesses, and
hosts an online eCommerce platform
that allows customers to order any items
listed on the site for on-demand same-day
delivery, or pick up at local stores.
The Rockridge district is well repre­
sented on the site, with a growing list
of local retail shops to choose from,
offering a wide variety of goods.
Need a beautiful scarf from Lesley
Evers, baby moccasins from Bird &
Bean, or a new
office chair from
Rockridge Furni­
ture? These shops,
and others includ­
ing Golden Bug
Shoes, Bella Vita,
Maison d’etre, and
Stitch & Sparrow,
are all currently
available,
(or will be
available
shortly) on
the website.
Emily Goldenberg of Golden Bug
Shoes is intending to be a client as
soon as her sister store, GoldenBug
Kids, opens on Fourth street.
Co-Founders
Ashesh Patel and
Sanjay Garje
“It is clear that the convenience of
online shopping is hurting local shops,
and most of them find it difficult to
build a competitive online web pres­
ence on top of running their physical
shop. Our aim is to provide the same
cutting-edge technology to our local
businesses as the large companies have,
so they can compete on a level playing
field,” said Patel.
“What I love about this platform is
that it would be the same kind of con­
cept as a miniature Amazon. We started
as a brick-and-mortar store specifically
so that we would get people in the door.
“I do think, however, that there are
parents who just want to do their shop­
ping at 11 o'clock at night, so why turn
that away if I don't have to? Who has
time to bounce around to five different
stores hoping to find the specific thing
you're looking for? We, especially as
parents, have so little time to get things
done,” Goldenberg explained.
On the IAmLocal.io website, visitors
can search products across all local
area retail stores’ inventories, shop
for items across different stores, and
then check out all at once. Customers
can choose to pick up the items in
the shops or have them delivered by
a friendly IAmLocal delivery person
from the neighborhood.
Think you’ll pay more for this
convenience? According to Patel, “We
don’t do anything to product pricing.
Except for the delivery fee, the online
“By unifying all local shops on a
single online platform, local shops can
provide consumers the online con­
venience they love — knowing they
Online Marketplace, page 14


November 2019
8

Eyes on Rockridge
from page 1
a robust volunteer program that
would give people perspective
and point of view at the ground
level. We’re severely under­
staffed. If I could clone her and
duplicate her, I would.”
that's what I wanted to do.”
Carving out her role wasn’t easy. “I
had to undergo a very thorough back­
ground investigation, which is expensive
and time-consuming for the depart­
ment.” But by the time it was complete,
“I’d already proven myself dependable
and committed to helping them.”
“She reviews some of our
paperwork,” patrol Sgt. Antoine
Owens said. “It’s good to have
that second pair of eyes.” In
addition, “She’s very personable,
knowledgeable and reliable. She’s
more than a colleague, she’s a
friend, and she’s an extended
family member of the OPD. I’m
glad we have her.”
“She’s a spreadsheet wizard,” said Lt.
Erin Mausz. “She reviews a lot of re­
ports for grammar, accuracy, punctua­
tion. She goes back and forth between
the downtown police headquarters and
our Eastmont substation (in East Oak­
land). Wherever she is, she’s figured
out ways that she can be of assistance.”
Photo: Judy Berne
Claire Lomax accompanies
her baked goods with dec­
orations to brighten up the
holidays for Oakland police
who work Thanksgiving and
Christmas shifts.
And then there’s the food
factor. “She loves to bring
in food,” Mausz said. “She’s
a specialist with butter. She
makes blondies and brownies.
That creates bonds.”
Mausz, who said he worked as a
civilian in animal control before he
joined the force, recounted plenty of
volunteers in that department because
“everyone loves animals.” But over
his 20-year OPD career, “What Claire
does is unprecedented. We don’t have
upon herself
to make sure
we have these
treats. For the holidays, she’ll have
something to eat for the line-up for all
three shifts. (Officers generally work
10-hour shifts, starting at 6am; 2pm;
and 10pm respectively.)
While Mausz says that he tries to
watch his weight (she brings in pis­
tachios for him), Owens owned up:
“I have a sweet tooth. Claire takes it
Along with food, a decoration
Lomax has fashioned for past OPD
Thanksgivings features quotes taken
from the Nextdoor website in which
respondents thank police for coming
through for them.
“The officers are so very thankful for
any words of support, in person or like
those I forward from Nextdoor,” she
said. “Even the veteran officers, who've
seen and heard it all, tell me that a few
words to tell them their work made a
positive difference for someone blocks
out the negativity.
“Unlike the average citizen, I see
first-hand the huge volume of work,
the number of calls they handle daily,
how long they take, how many officers
they tie up,” Lomax detailed. “They
don’t know until they show up how
serious it is. I see the crushing amount
of administrative work sergeants and
lieutenants have to grind through with
no help besides me. “
And it goes both ways. “There isn’t
a day I’m there when I’m not thanked,
sometimes by people who barely know
me,” Lomax said. “I'd be there anyway, but
Eyes on Rockridge, next page


November 2019
9

Thanksgiving Meal
from page 1
Eyes on Rockridge
from previous page
due to generous donations from neigh­
borhood locals.
Volunteers are also very appreciated
and needed. The most help is needed on
Tuesday, November 26th, and Wednes­
Thanksgiving Day, November 28th,
from 11am-1pm, at 5951 College Ave­
nue. The meal
is a joint proj­
ect that in­
cludes diverse
members of
our Rockridge
Community,
including con­
gregational
members, lo­
cal merchants
and local
residents.
the thanks do help keep the Rice Krispie
treats (the officers’ favorites) coming on
days when my energy's going.”
Photo: Rev. Monte McClain
Indeed, she started out bringing in
her homemade cookies, but two knee
replacements early this year have lim­
ited her time on her feet. So brownies
and Rice Krispie treats are quicker
to make.
“The OPD took such good care of
me when I had my knees done. I got
texts throughout the night from the
group I work with. Someone was there
when I came home from the hospital.
They brought me food,” said Lomax.
In the
emotional
exhaustion of
today, it is an
opportunity to gather as a commu­
nity to respond to the needs of those
struggling with hunger, solitude
and joblessness. The meal general­
ly serves between 200-300 people
with the assistance of a multitude of
volunteers, all gathered in the shared
desire to make this event possible.
The meal is open and free for every­
one.
“This department is my family,”
Lomax said. So she questions why the
OPD website lets you click to criticize
officers but not to show appreciation.
Last year's meal was
enjoyed by many.
day the 27th,
to prepare, set
up and decorate the church gym for the
next day. Significant assistance is also
needed the day of the event to set up,
cook, serve and cleanup. The latter shift
requires the most work, and often is the
one with the fewest volunteers, so we
could really use a few more hands.
“I would like Rockridge residents to
know how much this job takes out of
those who do it,” Lomax said. “Because
they are understaffed and overworked,
they can’t always do the job they would
like to do. I’m not speaking for, or rep­
resenting OPD in any way apart from
trying to give a sketch of how few there
are for a city of more than 400,000
with this level of constant violence.
They live with the constant expectation
of the unexpected.” n
Visit www.capcoakland.org/thanks­
giving-meal to sign up for a volunteer
slot or to make a donation via PayPal.
You can also contact the church by
email at capc1@sbcglobal.net, or by
calling (510) 658-3665. n
Donations of money and food are
gratefully accepted and needed. We
spend approximately $5 for each meal
served with all the fixings. This totals
to roughly $1,500 — made possible
To comment or to make suggestions
for future columns pertinent to Rock­
ridge, please email judyberne@att.net.
DRE 01265873 | 01798658

Fall Market Skyrockets in Rockridge

Closing date
BR
BA

Address                                Original price         List price
DOM
Selling price
10/01/2019
3
1

5318 Manila Ave                   $1,050,000
        $1,295,000
22
$1,295,000
10/08/2019
2
1.5

5499 Kales Ave                         $995,000
           $995,000
12
 $1,450,000
10/10/2019
2
1
         6532 Dana St                            $898,000
           $898,000
13
$1,515,000
10/15/2019
3
1.5

400 McAuley St                     $1,250,000
        $1,250,000
23
$1,362,000
Homes sold in October closed 34% over the asking price on average.
Specializing in Rockridge | 510.459.4338 | MotleyTeam.com
Want the highest possible price? Call us and we will show you how we will get it!
Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01866771. All material presented herein is intended for informational
purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of
any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate.


November 2019
10

Riding the Slopes of Rockridge
—by Robert Firehock
Fire Safety and PG&E
Shut-Offs in Rockridge
W
— by Stuart Flashman,
orking on the on-ramp, your
Scenic Streets volunteers have
long appreciated the steepness of the
landscaped areas, in some parts bor­
dering on treacherous footing.
Recently, someone anticipated a
better way to navigate these slopes
(see the
trash
treasure
in the accompanying photo). We antic­
ipate a milder winter than this unusual
find among the litter suggests.
RCPC Board Member
Wildfire season has arrived again,
and this year it comes with the
threat of electrical shut-offs, courtesy
of Pacific Gas & Electric. The first such
shut-off happened a few weeks ago,
and fortunately, most of Rockridge
(except the very upper-most reaches)
were not affected. However, more
power outages are likely until the fire
season ends.
If you don’t mind our local weath­
er and would like to be a part of
making your neighborhood a bit
nicer, and have a cou­
ple hours a month to
contribute to that, please
join us. Get in touch
with Lee at lee.scenicstreetsoakland@
gmail.com. n
Kathryn and
Patrick, Scenic
Streets Moguls
For those concerned about fire
safety, a map was recently released
by UCLA that rates every structure
in California for relative fire risk.
Most of Rockridge does pretty well
— except, once again, the upper areas
and hills of Rockridge, which, not
coincidentally, were the areas that
were burned in the 1991 Hills Fire.
Residents in that area need to pay
special attention to clearing “defensible
space” as well as having a fire-resistant
structure. The map is also online at
shorturl.at/ADMS7. n
Photo: Robert Firehock
Holiday Bazaar at College of Arts Campus
Every year during the holiday season, The Office of Student Life
transforms the CCA campus into a bustling outdoor fair with
food, music, glass blowing demonstrations, and a wide variety of art.
Students, staff, faculty, and alumni of the arts school all contribute
one-of-a-kind offerings including clothing, jewelry, ceramics and prints.
As part of their Homecoming Festivities, the “Half Century Club
Celebration” runs earlier in the day, where CCA welcomes alumni
who graduated from the college 50 or more years ago. The newest
members being honored this year include the graduating class
of 1969.
All are welcome to stroll the scenic campus at 5212 Broadway,
on Saturday, November 23, for the fair (11am-3pm), homecoming
celebration (9-11am), and the 112th Annual Lawn Bowling Tourna-
ment (1-3pm).
For questions or more information, please visit https://portal.cca.
edu/events-calendar/ 2019-holiday-fair/ n


November 2019
11

Save The Date: Frog Park Ribbon Cutting
Ceremony & Celebration Party

— by Fay Gordon, FROG Park volunteer
After months of construction
and years of fundraising and
planning, Frog Park’s Children’s
Lot is finally ready for 2020. Join
Friends of the Rockridge Green­
belt (FROG) members and the
local community on Sunday,
December 8 at 11am, to celebrate
the new playground.
Over the years, many community
members donated time, money
and sweat to build a better play
center for children. This event will
be a true celebration of this valu­
able community effort. We’ll cut
the ribbon and toast (hot choco­
late) in commemoration. All are
welcome to partake in treats, chil­
dren’s games, and to join the party.
Photos: Anna L. Marks
For those interested in being a
part of the FROG Park Commit­
tee and supporting our treasured
local park, please send an email to
info@frogpark.org. n
Private Pilates Training
New Client Special:
3 Private Sessions for $195
(510) 658-4000
findingcenter.com
6214 Florio St, Suite 4
Oakland, CA 94618

Newly added — a climbing
merry-go-round spinner
and a three-way see-saw.
Interior • Exterior
Lead-Certified Painters
For a free estimate
call Cydney
510•652•4034


November 2019
12

Temescal Archive
from page 1
Temescal” (2005).
Some are published
works, such as his
two books, Temes­
cal Album (1997)
and Temescal
Legacies: Narratives
of Change from
a North Oakland
Neighborhood (2006).
interested in how words can change
the meaning of an image. The question
of what his own neighborhood might
have looked like in the past inspired
him to approach his work differently.
His first project, the Temescal History
Project (1997), an exhibit in several
contiguous storefront windows on
Telegraph, explored the neighbor­
hood’s development. Working closely
with neighborhood artists and histo­
rians, he created a video documentary
of longtime residents and a walking
tour guide published by the Oakland
Heritage Alliance.
Historian and
archivist,
Jeff Norman
Other projects
are permanent: “Fire
Station 8 History Walk” (2003), a tiled
walkway of images and text that tells
the interweaving histories of Temescal’s
development and Station 8; “Postmark
Temescal” (2004), a seating area on
the Shattuck side of the post office in
Temescal that incorporates interpretive
elements about the neighborhood’s
social and natural history; and “You Are
Here” (2004), a lobby map installation,
window graphic, and interpretive marker
revealing the history of 4811 Telegraph.
“Reading History,” at the Temescal
With this first project Norman
created Shared Ground, a nonprofit arts
initiative, under whose name he contin­
ued to work. Some of his projects were
temporary: the Temescal History Project
(1997), “Beyond the Pussycat: Nine Lives
of a Neighborhood Landmark” (2000),
“Follow the Creek” (2002); and “Faces of
Temescal Archive, next page

Walk in the Shoes of A 20-Year Veteran
Block Captain
— by Susan Montauk, The Rockridge News Business Manager
V

olunteers have been the heart
and soul of The Rockridge News
home-delivery service, and it’s really
remarkable how so many have volun­
teered for over the years to bring you
our local neighborhood news.
to volunteer to be the Block Captain
for one of these routes? Maybe one of
them is on your block?
•	 Route 22C2: 500 block of Forest
Street and 500 block of Martin
Street
•	 Route CAv: College Avenue mer­
It’s been almost 20 years since
Rhonda Righter and her daughter
Helen, who was 3 years old at the time,
started delivering the newsletter to
merchants on College Avenue. Al­
though she says that she has thorough­
ly enjoyed delivering the newsletter
all these years, Rhonda is going to be
traveling a lot and must step down
from her routes (she has two).
chants from Hudson Street to the
BART station
•	 Route Cav1: Businesses and Apart­
ments (3 each) along College Avenue
from Claremont Avenue to BART
•	 Route 10D: Even numbers along
College from 5620, up Ocean View
even numbers to 5656 Ocean View,
across street to 5659 Ocean View
odd numbers and then along Col­
lege to 5540 College.
The newsletter is published the first
weekend of each month except August,
and Captain’s bundles are delivered di­
rectly to your doorstep. Call (510) 547-
3855 or email Susan at smontauk@
gmail.com to grab your route today. n
We have Rhonda’s two routes to fill,
as well as Mary Ann’s Ocean View route
which is also now available (Mary Ann
is retiring this year as well). Thank you
to Rhonda, Mary, and all those who
continue to assist with deliveries.
Are you just the right person or
family that lives nearby and would like


November 2019
13

This image of
Telegraph Avenue
at 50th Street is
part of a large
panel that Jeff
Norman created
to showcase an
historical timeline
of development.
Temescal Archive
from previous page
photographs,
and 20 years of
oral-history tran­
scripts, as well as
maps of storm
sewers, Rancho
San Antonio,
and the Temescal
Creek watershed.
Photo: Ray Rainieri
Branch Library, is an exhibit of photo­
graphs, maps, documents, and timeline
that shows the history of the library and
the role it has played in the community.
Early on, Temescal was defined as
a place by Temescal Creek, by whose
banks the Huichin Ohlones lived. “Te­
mescal” is a Nahuatl name for sweat
lodge, a nod to both the early Native
presence and the Spanish settlers, in­
cluding Vicente Peralta who later built
his adobe near the creek. Temescal was
incorporated into Oakland in 1897.
Newspapers
in the archive
include the local
Claremont Press
(1960s) and Oak­
land Telegraph
(1950s). These papers were published
when the Temescal Merchants Associ­
ation, and, at its height, promoted their
businesses. They ran ads for local busi­
nesses, but also included articles about
the neighborhood’s past. The collection
also contains documents relating to
such landmarks as G&G Hardware, the
Pussycat Theater, Idora Park, and the
Lusk Cannery.
Temescal Over Time website, for
which Norman designed a prototype.
(The website is in need of fundraising
for a professional website developer.)
It will allow for the user to learn about
the history, geography and evolution
of Temescal. It will also offer “Extras,”
such as the “ThenNow” feature, which
provides 150 side-by-side photos of
locations historic and current.
An Italian-American communi­
ty grew up around jobs at the Bilger
rock quarry. This is reflected by many
local names like Genova Delicatessen,
Bertola’s restaurant, and the Colombo
Club, all of which gave the neighbor­
hood much of its flavor from the 1910s
through the ’60s. The late ’50s to early
’60s construction of the Grove-Shafter
Freeway (Hwy 24) divided the Temes­
cal neighborhood, contributing to the
loss of many local businesses.
Documentation of community
efforts, with Norman’s involvement,
include materials about two groups:
Temescal Neighbors Together (TNT),
formed around the controversial
reopening of the Pussycat Theater in
1989, and Standing Together for Ac­
countable Neighborhood Development
(STAND), created over neighbors’
concerns about large mixed-use devel­
opments between 2005 and 2008.
This archive is a rare gift. The com­
bination of the paper collection, soon
to be housed at the Temescal Branch
Library, the digital database, and
the website, is a special resource for
historians and residents alike who are
interested in this neighborhood and
how it has developed, and in Oakland
history in general. n
For the past 10 years, Norman was
working on another Shared Ground
project: The Temescal History Archive.
It has three components:  a paper col­
lection,  a database of over 1250 digital
documents with descriptive text, and a
website that, when completed, will pro­
vide access to these digital documents.
The paper collection consists of ephem­
era, maps, newspapers,
Editor’s Note: Jeff Norman died Aug.
24. It is a deep loss for our community,
and we are grateful for the legacy he has
left for future generations.
Another key component of the Te­
mescal History Archive is the planned


November 2019
14

Classifieds
RN
Online Marketplace
from page 7
ROCKRIDGE BRANCH LIBRARY
                  5366 College Avenue
                   at Manila | 597-5017
price of items is the same as what a
customer would find in the store.”
List your 36-word message here
for only $22. (Phone number
counts as one word.) Make check
payable to RCPC and write
“Rockridge News Classified Ad”
on the memo line. Mail to: RN
Classifieds, 4123 Broadway,
PMB 311, Oakland, CA, 94611.
The next deadline is November
21. The December issue will
be available December 6. For
information: Email Susan Montauk
at smontauk@gmail.com.
Library program details/hours: Calendar, page 15
There are many products to choose
from stores outside Rockridge as well,
including Montclair, Temescal, Lake­
shore, Piedmont and the Laurel Dis­
trict — and the offerings are growing
every week as new businesses come
on board.
Hardwood Floors
Install, sand/refinish, repair, re-coat ex­
isting. Large jobs or small. Twenty-plus
years in Piedmont Ave/Rockridge.
Bruce Williams Woodfloors. Please
call or text Bruce at (510) 652-8121.
www.blwfloors.com
“IAmLocal is a potential game
changer for small independent retail,”
said Barbara Leslie, President & CEO
of the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber
of Commerce. “Oakland is fortunate
to have a vibrant and entrepreneurial
small business economy as well as a
customer base that wants to shop local.
IAmLocal will connect customers and
small retailers to enable Oakland busi­
nesses to flourish, and sales tax dollars
to stay in The Town.”
Short-Term Rental Rockridge:
Spacious Furnished Mid-Century
Modern Rockridge Home for Rent.
6mo. to 1year lease available Dec. 1.
Remodeling your house, Need a short
term rental? 5+ Bedrooms/ 4+ Baths.
Continued next ad.
Celebrate the holidays!
Penelope’s Aesthetics is offering
a full European facial w/eyebrow wax
for $65! Relax and refresh for the
holidays. Gift certificates available.
What a fabulous gift! For yourself too.
Call (510) 594-1552 or email
penelopecalef.com
Short-Term Rental Rockridge
Continued:
All bedrooms w/bathrooms, Huge
Master Suite w/Panoramic Views, Very
private yard. Just above Broadway but
still Walkable to BART and College.
$6,500/mo. No Pets. Tours available.
Ron Kriss, Broker (510) 612-2547
Your Rockridge Specialists–
JUDITH GLASS & SHEILA
SABINE–The Grubb 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
Visit IAmlocal.io for more details
about the local products available here
in Rockridge. n
When A Crime Occurs
If you see a crime in progress, call the police. Do not
call 9-1-1 from a cell phone. Call 777-3211 which
routes directly to OPD dispatch. To report a crime
that has already happened, call the non-emergency
number at 777-3333, or fill in OPD’s Online Crime
Reporting form at www.oaklandca.gov/services/
report-a-crime-online. If you do need to call 9-1-1,
be sure to only use a landline.
Use these numbers to send
OPD an Anonymous Tip:
Gardening Cleanups and
Maintenance
Experienced team of 2, dedicated to
the care and maintenance of plants
and trees. Garden design and resto­
ration, pruning and vegetable garden
installation, affordable prices, free
estimate. Chris Rausch Gardening @
(510) 655-0157.
Crime Stoppers of Oakland:
(510) 777-8572
Homicide / Robbery Tip line:
(510) 238-7950
OPD Sexual Assault Hotline:
(510) 637-0298
law office of
dave karlinsky
725 washington st., suite 313  oakland, ca 94607
(510) 788-5700    www.davekarlinskylaw.com
Practicing exclusively in the area of trusts and estates:
• Estate planning

• Probate / trust administration

• Dispute resolution
• Special needs trusts
Please contact me during regular business hours to
    schedule an appointment.
Member
www.buttrickprojects.com


November 2019
15

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

•	 Sunday, 11/17, 3pm. Jami Attenberg: All This
Could Be Yours. Joined in conversation by local
author Jasmine Guillory.
•	 Tuesday, 11/19, 7pm. Tomas Moniz: Big Familia.
•	 Thursday, 11/21, 7pm. Scott Duane: Nonbinary:

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

Memoirs of Gender and Identity.
•	 Sunday, 11/24, 3pm. Poetry Flash with Marcia
Greater Rockridge N’hood Crime
Prevention Council (NCPC)
Meets on the 2nd Thurs, in even-numbered
months, 7:30pm: Next mtg. Dec12. Discuss
crime and public safety with reps of OPD. Rock­
ridge Library, 5366 College (at Manila). Email the
NCPC at secretary@rockridgencpc.com if you
have items you'd like to add to the NCPC agenda.
Confirm mtg. at: www.rockridgencpc.com.
FOR ADULTS
•	 eBook Help: Work one-on-one with a librarian
Falk: Inner East: Illuminated Poems and Bless­
ings, and Steven Rood: I Say Your Name.
to download eBooks. Fridays, 2–3:30pm. Make
appt. online or call (510) 597-5017.
•	 Second Saturday Book Club: 2nd Saturday each
East Bay Booksellers, 5433 College Ave. More
info about the authors, books and other events:
(510) 653-9965 or info@ebbooksellers.com.
month, 3–4pm. Call for details and book selection.
•	 Writers Support/Critique Group: Bring 15
Book Signing, Conversations,
Tastings
•	 Catherine Fallis presents her new book Ten
copies of up to 5 pgs. of any prose for reading/
discussion (OK to come empty-handed). 3rd
Saturday each month,1pm; wheelchair-accessi­
ble. Info: (510) 420-8775 or Writefox@aol.com.
•	 Making Sense of Medicare: Medicare options:
Rockridge Branch Library
5366 College Avenue, (510) 597-5017
Hours:
Mon, Thurs & Sat: 10am–5:30pm
Tues, Wed: 12:30–8pm
Fri: 12–5:30pm
Closed: Sun; also, Mon, Nov. 11 and Thurs
and Fri, Nov. 28 and 29.
Grapes to Know: The Ten and Done Wine
Guide on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2–4pm. Hosted
by Paul Marcus Wines, Rockridge Market Hall,
5655 College Ave.
•	 John McReynolds, culinary director of Stone
learn the difference between Medicare Advan­
tage Plans, Medicare Supplements & Tradi­
tional Medicare, and Prescription Drug Plans.
Saturday, Nov. 2, 10:30am.
•	 NaNoWriMo: November is National Novel
Edge Farm in Sonoma, presents his new book,
Stone Edge Farm Kitchen Larder Cookbook.
Taste a few sample recipes and discuss seasonal
recipes for the pantry and table. Sunday, Dec 8, 2–4pm.
Nathan & Co, 5636 College Ave. More info:
(510) 601-1677 or https://nathanandco.com.
Writing Month. Write at the library every Sat­
urday, 10am–noon and every Tuesday, 6–8pm
throughout Nov. Teens also welcome.
•	 Empowerment Self Defense: Introductory
**New program: Sing at the Library. Join the
Rockridge Library’s community choir. All ages
and skill levels. No auditions necessary. Selections
will include folk and freedom songs. 2nd Wed.
each month: 6:30–7:45pm. See story, page 2.
workshop for women and non-binary individ­
uals. Learn defensive strategies and fighting
techniques to protect yourself. Saturday,
Nov. 23, 2–4pm. Advance registration
recommended. Visit or call (510) 597-5017
to register.
Neighborhood Square Dance
First and third Fridays of every month, 8–10 pm.
Live music and calling. 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.
FOR CHILDREN
•	 Family Story Time: Stories/songs/rhymes
(for all ages); Saturdays, 10:30am.
•	 Toddler Story Time: Songs, active rhymes and
UPSTAIRS ART GALLERY
Nov: Artwork by Sarah Stricherz
stories (for 9 months to 2 years), Thursdays,
10:30am, upstairs.
•	 Pre-School Story Time: Read-alouds, songs,
North Oakland Senior Center
5714 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way
Mon–Fri, 9am–4:30pm. Programs include: Arts/
crafts; health counseling; dancing and exercise;
trips, tours and theater outings; Alzheimer’s sup­
port groups, computer classes and more.
•	 Free Blood Pressure and Health Screenings:
LOBBY DISPLAY CASE
Nov: Lori Anne Fischer: Dolls from Children’s
Hospital
and rhymes (ages 2 to 5); Thursdays, 10:30am.
All story times followed by Play Time; parents
and caregivers invited.
•	 Chess Club: Learn the basics; instruction
East Bay Booksellers Book/
Poetry Readings
and chess sets provided. Best for ages 6 to 14
(all ages welcome). Call Erica, (510) 597-5017,
to confirm day & time.
•	 Paws to Read: Sandy’s dog Scout loves to lis­
FREE and open to the public.
•	 Sunday, 11/3, 6:30pm. Bushwick Book Club,
Provided by Alameda County Public Health
Nursing. Thursdays (Nov. 21 and Dec. 19),
10 am–noon in TV lounge.
•	 Medicare and Annual Enrollment Counseling:
ten when kids practice reading aloud. You pick
the book. All ages welcome. Every Thursday,
3:30–4:30pm.
•	 Mix-It-Up Family Game Nights: All ages; bring
Oakland: Presents a free performance of orig­
inal songs inspired by There There by Tommy
Orange. More info at www.ebbooksellers.com/
event/bushwick-book-club-oakland-there-there.
•	 Thursday, 11/7, 7pm. Mary Ladd: The Wig
Monday, Nov. 18, 10am–2:30pm in computer
room.
•	 Drug Collection Bin available in the Center.
your favorite game or try one of ours. Get to
know other families. 1st, 3rd, & 4th (and 5th)
Tuesdays, 6:30–7:45pm.
•	 Family Craft Night: All ages. 2nd Tuesday
Diaries; joined in conversation by Julia Scheeres.
•	 Tuesday, 11/12, 7pm. Shira Erlichman: Debut
Put your old medications in a plastic baggie to
dispose safely. Do not flush or pour down the
drain. Sponsored by EBMUD.
Seniors age 55+ join for $12 annual dues. Pro­
vides discounts, other benefits, and a subscription
to “The North Oakland Senior Times” with full
schedule of classes/events, lunch menus, and vol­
unteer opportunities. More info: (510) 597-5085.
book of poetry Odes to Lithium. Joined by
Monica Sok, sam sax, Safia Elhillo, Charif
Shanahan, & Hieu Minh Nguyen.
•	 Wed, 11/13, 6:30pm. Freud's Bar: Talks by Bay
each month. 6:30–7:45pm. 11/12; toilet paper
tube puppet creatures; 12/10: magazine bead
necklaces.
•	 World Kamishibai Day: Saturday, Dec. 7. Ask
Area psychoanalysts/psychologists: (refresh­
ments provided). Topic: Mourning Freud.
Madelon Sprengnether, Ph.D. examines the
losses of Freud's early life and their impact on
his theorizing and explores how psychoanaly­
sis has developed post-Freud and how Freud
himself might have extended his thinking into
the 21st century.
•	 Thursday, 11/14, 7pm. Katherine Silver: Echo
Erica for details about this event; esiskind@
oaklandlibrary.org or (510) 597-5017.
FOR TEENS
•	 TeenScape: Play video games, table top
Temescal Farmers’ Market
Open Sundays, 9am–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.
games, crafts, and general after-school fun.
Weekdays, 3:30pm–5pm (Wednesdays
1:30–5pm).
•	 Pinecone Craft Animals: Make cute and
lovable animals using pinecones and felt. All
materials provided. Ages 12–18. Wednesday,
Nov. 20, 3pm, in the TeenZone.
Under Story.
•	 Friday, 11/15, 7pm. Cherrie Moraga: Native
Country of the Heart: A Memoir.


November 2019
16

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L A W T O N
A S S O C I A T E S
R E A L   E S T A T E
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