Extracted text · highlighting “Play Time”

VOL 35   •   NO 2   •   ISSUE 372   •   FEBRUARY 2020

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

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

1951 Coffee Supports Local Refugees
One Cup At A Time
— by Jorja Siemons
Frog Park:
New Equipment
Unveiled February 9
— by Carol Behr,
Lthe wellbeing of refugees, asylum seek­
ers, and special immigrant visa holders
by providing employment and social
networking opportunities.
ast June, 1951 Coffee’s Rockridge
location opened its doors to become
its third cafe working to contribute
more than just specialty coffees. In
addition to serving customers, 1951
Coffee (6023 College Ave.) promotes
Chair FROG Committee
Opening is finally here. Join
us this Sunday, February 9,
10:30am, to unveil the long-awaited
new swings and play
equipment at Big
Frog (Hardy Park).
Friends of the Rockridge Park (FROG)
Committee will host City staff, elected
officials, and FROG Committee an­
nouncements, kid-friendly activities,
coffee and goodies.
When Doug Hewitt and Rachel
Taber founded 1951 Coffee in 2015,
there were few outlets for ref­
ugee employment. Through
their work at the Interna­
tional Rescue Committee
(IRC), one of nine refugee
resettlement organizations
in the U.S., Hewitt and Taber
became witnesses to a nation­
al system struggling with, as
Hewitt puts it, the “herculean”
task of helping refugees. Lim­
ited budget allocations pre­
vent refugee agencies like the
Photo: Anna L. Marks
Bring family and friends to cele­
brate our local community donors and
grantors, The 4th Bore Coalition, and
the City of Oakland for helping raise
more than $235K for upgrades and
improvements. Please check frogpark.
org for more info. n
Co-Founder Doug Hewitt
and Fifi, from Eritrea.
See Coffee, page 12
Masons Open Their Doors For Annual
Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser
— by Shona Armstrong
Elections for RCPC
Board Scheduled
for April
— by Leonora Sea, RCPC Chair
T
You have passed it many times. The
Masonic Lodge at 5449 College
Avenue (between Forest and Hudson)
is normally closed to the public. But,
once a year, the members of the Oak­
land-Durant-Rockridge Ma­
sonic Lodge open their doors,
don aprons, and serve breakfast
to the neighborhood as part
of a fundraiser for Claremont
Middle School. This year, the
11th Annual Claremont Middle
School Pancake Breakfast is
being held on Leap Day —
Saturday, Feb. 29th, and all
are welcome.
Claremont, the local middle school. He
remembered how the brothers were ner­
vous the first time they held the pancake
breakfast because someone had to run
he Rockridge Community Plan­
ning Council’s annual election
of board members will be held at the
April 16, 2020 Town Hall. The RCPC
Board supports local community proj­
ects; represents Rockridge to the City;
strengthens the neighborhood through
its leadership; and keeps the communi­
ty informed on issues of importance
to Rockridge.
See Masons, page 10
Photo: Claremont Dad’s Club
The upcoming election offers an
annual opportunity for Rockridge
residents who love the neighborhood
and want to become more engaged to
declare their candidacy for a board
position. Candidates must be 18 years
or older at the time of the election
Students in the Claremont Middle
School Jazz Band perform live sets
during the pancake breakfast at
the Rockridge Masonic Hall.
Ed Stevenson, a former lodge
master, came up with the idea of
the pancake breakfast to support
See Elections, page 10


January 2020
2

out materials (printed and available
from a new website soon) and ongoing
support to help increase the overall
community preparedness level and to
improve disaster response capabilities.
This program is planned to begin at
the end of this month.
Concerned About
Disasters? Learn How
to Prepare
— by Doug Mosher,
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.
Oakland Firesafe Council
A
Please note that the OCP&R
workshop is not a substitute for
CORE/CERT training, but instead is
an overview of the important steps
folks should take to prepare — start­
ing with organizing their neighbor­
hood. Oakland Fire Dept/Emergency
Management Services is working on
re-starting CORE/CERT training and
hopefully this will be available soon.
lthough wildfires and public safety
power shutoffs may not be fore­
most on your mind, we know another
dry season is just around the corner.
And earthquakes, of course, are a year-
round possibility. In light of devastating
wildfire and earthquake disaster threats
to our city, the Oakland Firesafe Coun­
cil is launching a new program called
Oakland Community Preparedness and
Response (OCP&R).
Rockridge News Production
Anna L. Marks	�������������������Editor
Valerie Knight Design	�������Graphics & Layout
Jo Ellis	�������������������������������Assistant Editor
& Community
Calendar
Judith Doner Berne	�����������Eyes on Rockridge
Susan Montauk	������������������Business Manager
RCPC Board of Directors, 2019-20
Leonora Sea	����������������������Chair
Vacant	��������������������������������Vice-Chair
Casey Farmer	��������������������Co-Secretary
Andrew Masalin	����������������Co-Secretary
Ronnie Spitzer	�������������������Treasurer
Stuart Flashman	����������������Assistant Treasurer
Michelle Boyd, David Garcia, Mary Catherine
Haug, Matt Levy, Eric Lombardo, Anna L.
Marks, Robin Zimpfer McDonnell
Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org
For information: info@rockridge.org
The OCP&R program is focusing
on the Oakland Hills and foothill
areas of our city first, as these are
at the highest risk of a wildfire or
Hayward Fault earthquake disaster.
OCP&R will eventually cover the
entire City of Oakland.
This program will provide an
awareness and educational workshop
(about 90 minutes in length), hand­
If you are the leader of an organized
neighborhood group, please email
ocpr@oaklandfiresafecouncil.org with
your contact information to receive
additional information and to under­
stand how the OCP&R workshop and
materials would benefit your neighbor­
hood. If you are not yet in an orga­
nized neighborhood group but would
like to help build one and receive the
OCP&R workshop and support, please
contact us to get started.
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.
Additional information can be
found at https://oaklandfiresafecouncil.
org/oakland-cpr/. n
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.
law office of
dave karlinsky
725 washington st., suite 313  oakland, ca 94607
(510) 788-5700    www.davekarlinskylaw.com
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.
Practicing exclusively in the area of trusts and estates:
• Estate planning

• Probate / trust administration

• Dispute resolution
Newsletter advertising deadline for the March
issue is February 20.
Advertising rates are $28/column inch. Six-month
pre-pay rate available. For display ads, call
Jo Ellis at (510) 653-3210 (after noon), or email
joellis1@hotmail.com. RCPC reserves the right to
refuse any display or classified ad it deems inap­
propriate. (Classified ad contact: page 14.)
• Special needs trusts
Please contact me during regular business hours to
    schedule an appointment.


January 2020
3

follow-up letter will be sent to OakDOT
(with copies to other Oakland officials
and Council Member Dan Kalb) to try
to get a meeting set up.
The February Land Use Committee meeting will be on Wednes­
day, February 26th at 7:30 PM at the Rockridge Branch Library.
Agenda may include further updates on the use of Safeway
settlement funds, Shops at the Ridge Phase 2, and the Rock­
ridge Housing Study. Please check on https://rockridge.org the
previous week to confirm meeting’s date, time, and place.
Rockridge Community
Planning Council
Land Use Committee
SB 50 (Wiener/Skinner/Wicks)
RCPC Land Use Committee Update — February 2020
—by Stuart Flashman, Land Use Committee Chair
SB 50 was revived in early January, but
was ultimately voted down by the Senate
on January 30th. The bill, which would
have resulted in up-zoning areas around
transit stations and along major bus routes,
was held in committee last year. The bill
was further amended before re-intro­
duction to somewhat increase flexibility
at the local level, but remained highly
controversial. Senator Wiener has already
introduced two “spot bills” with the specific
intent of making another try at a housing
densification bill in this legislative session.
For these reasons, the fight over what to
do about California’s affordable housing
problem is far from over this year. n
Shops at the Ridge Shopping Center
(5100 Broadway)
College Avenue Safeway
Settlement Funds
RCPC notified the City of Oakland
about the blighted condition in the
“Phase 2” area of the “Shops At the
Ridge” project, which has rubble, trash,
and weeds over most of the area. The
City did an initial inspection, however,
no further action has apparently been
taken. RCPC will write a follow-up
letter to the City asking that further
steps be taken to remedy the blighted
situation.
The Committee is continuing to try to
nail down the expected cost of the var­
ious identified improvements intended
to mitigate the new Safeway’s adverse
effects on pedestrians and bicyclists on
the streets near the store. Thus far, RCPC
has not been able to arrange a meeting
with the Oakland Department of Trans­
portation (OakDOT) staff to discuss
the improvements and their costs — a
necessary step before a request is sent to
Safeway to fund those improvements. A
Rockridge Housing Study
The Committee discussed what
further work needs to be done on the
Housing Study to have it ready for pre­
sentation at RCPC’s April 16th Annual
Meeting. Some additional “example”
parcels need to be examined to deter­
mine what size parcels would likely be
developed under the different scenar­
ios. Also, work needs to be done on
specifying the additional incentives that
would be proposed to promote building
affordable housing.  Darin Smith’s work
on analyzing the scenarios will be built
upon, perhaps using help from graduate
students or other volunteers.
BUYING?
SELLING?
LET ME HELP YOU
ANNE D. BRANDON, REALTOR
35+ YEAR ROCKRIDGE RESIDENT AND HOMEOWNER
DRE# 01877719 | 510.682.6644
ANNE@THEHIGHLANDPARTNERS.COM
E
V
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U
I
T
X
I
U
S
O
R
Y
P
T
B
S
R
U
A
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N
T
D
S
O
T


January 2020
4
Letters to the Editor

will undoubtedly not impact the transfer
or sale of the CCA property.
A Better Solution to
High-Rise Living
It is not right for CCA to sell itself to
the highest bidder so it can build af­
fordable housing for its students in San
Francisco. CCA has an unpaid historic
moral and ethical debt to Oakland.
The development of for-profit hous­
ing is appropriate for the large empty
parcel/s at the Rockridge Shopping
Center (Broadway and Pleasant Valley).
CCA should be required to develop
only affordable and low-income prop­
erties and housing on its site in keep­
ing with its past history.
and Merrill Gardens) are models of
adequate density, proportion and
good design. Let’s follow them.
— Julio Ozores, Fairview Park
”Thorny Dilemmas”
Around CCA Sale
Dear Editor,
The proposed development for the
California College of the Arts (CCA)
Campus site that includes a 19-story
tower apparently tries to sweeten the
deal with promises of historic preser­
vation and “green space.”
Dear Editor,
The three January 2020 letters
to the editor regarding the planned
development of the California Col­
lege of the Arts (CCA) property were
well-written and thought-provoking,
but all failed to the address the two
questions that concern me most: The
fiscal obligations of historic nonprof­
it educational institutions; and the
thorny questions of deciding who is
an artist.
It’s a bad tradeoff. If the developer
requires a certain number of units to
make a profit, better to preserve less
and make full use of the site. Skip the
19-story execrable panopticon that
would glare on the neighborhood for
decades to come.
The conversion of 35 student dorms
into 24 artist-occupied low-income
apartment-studios is equally problem­
atic. Ninety-nine percent of all artists
are low-income. Who will decide who
is eligible? And once eligible, how will
future eligibility be decided? Should vi­
sual artists have priority over recording
artists? What about artists who change
their media, make it to the big time, or
switch careers?
The attractive five- and six-story
new buildings on Broadway (Baxter
The CCA land has been a nonprofit
since its inception 113 years ago (found­
ed 1907), and therefore has most likely
not paid market-rate property taxes for
more than a century. And, whether or
not the Prop 13 revision for corpora­
tions and businesses passes in 2020, it
These thorny dilemmas can and
should be decided, but by whom?
CCA has effectively reneged on its
right to nonprofit status.
— Maryly Snow, Chabot Canyon
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
suggestions. Please send them to editor@
rockridge.org.


January 2020
5

Accessory Dwellings
Expand Existing
Livable Spaces
— by Loni Gray
(This is the second article in a
two-part series.)
T
Remember to
Shop Rockridge!
Understand, however, that you will
be required to use one-hour fire-rated
materials on walls closer than five feet
from the lot line you share, and there
can be specific limits to window place­
ment to afford privacy.
Another new element this year is the
maximum sizes that cities can establish:
A studio or one-bedroom size limit must
be at least 850 square feet; a two-bed­
room unit must be 1,000 square feet.
We’re not required to build more than
we need of course, but cities cannot
restrict these dimensions to less than
these parameters. In all, it’s making ADU
o continue our discussion about
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs),
several amendments took effect in
January 2019. They take grand strides to
further empower homeowners to build
accessory units. And as strange as it
sounds, the State has given local control
at the most intimate
level — the family
home. The new law
(§ 65852.150(b))
states that local ordi­
nances shall not be
“arbitrary, excessive
or burdensome so
as to unreasonably
restrict the ability
of homeowners to
create accessory
dwelling units.” The intent is to spur
appropriately scaled infill housing.
regulations more
consistent.
Also, these small
homes invite in
new neighbors with
diverse talents that
keep a healthy mix
in our local area.
It makes us more
resilient as a com­
munity. Parking
is another issue.
Rockridge is a busy place. And the new
law holds that no new parking can be
required if the new ADU is created
inside an existing building; within
one-half mile from a bus stop or public
transit or one block from a rideshare;
is located in an architecturally signif­
icant or historic district; or if street
parking permits are required but not
offered to the ADU occupant.
THE
SPRING
MARKET
IS COMING...
Illustration: Loni Gray
The amendments go on to clarify:
Short-term rentals are residencies
that are less than 30 days. Next, they
standardize more of the design and
development criteria while also limiting
when cities can apply certain land use
tools, such as percentage of main dwell­
ing; lot coverage; or floor area ratio. The
law now requires all ADU heights to be
at least 16 feet. Lastly, there can be no
minimum lot size restriction, a boon to
homeowners with modest lots.
Are you planning accordingly?
Let me guide you on the best
way to spend SMART money
prepping your home for sale...
call me!
That pretty much means Oakland
can’t require off-street ADU parking in
Rockridge. However, when required,
the law explains that homeowners may
use tandem driveway parking and add
off-street parking anywhere on their
property, including the setbacks. Rock­
ridge homeowners building ADUs
could use these places for parking as
well if they chose.
Deep thanks to all my local
 clients and referring friends
for helping me make the Red
Oak TOP 10 again in 2019!
I appreciate you!
In simplest terms, the amended
ADU law gives owners of residential
property the right to build a detached
ADU that’s up to 800 square feet and
does not exceed 16 feet in height if they
can situate the ADU at least four feet
from both the back and side boundar­
ies. Plus, as mentioned in last month’s
article, the law now permits two ADUs
on residential properties — one in an
existing building and one free-standing.
MAXI LILLEY
In my first article, I said that the new
ADU law is a gift that allows us to put
down long-term roots and invest in our
neighborhoods. The question is: How
do we wish to live intentionally as a part
of this community? Would it be politic
to try to help with parking as one way
we keep Rockridge a thriving neigh­
510.919.8997
maxi@redoakrealty.com
As before, if you wish to build with­
in the footprint of an existing garage
that’s at least 150 square feet, then it
can be closer to or even on the lot line.
The Rockridge Realtor® with A Designer’s Eye
       DRE#1919653
ADUs, page 9


January 2020
6

School/Community Events
Treasures for Book Lovers at College
Prep Annual Sale
are Saturday, February 22, from 10am
to 4pm and Sunday Feb 23, from 10am
to 2pm, with the bargain bag sale going
on all day on Sunday.
friends of the school community and
reflect diverse interests: books to enter­
tain and books to inspire, fiction rang­
ing from literary treasures to casual
reading, nonfiction of many types, and
a huge selection of children’s books
for toddlers to teens. Many are recent
works in excellent condition, including
best sellers, and some media.
— by Laurie Dornbrand
F
The College Preparatory School
campus is located at 6100 Broadway,
with ample free parking in the school
lot. Cash or checks accepted. For
questions, contact bookfair@
college-prep.org. n
or one weekend in February, the
22nd and 23rd, the Buttner Au­
ditorium on the College Preparatory
School campus is transformed into a
fabulous used book store offering thou­
sands of quality books at amazingly
low prices.
Glam Gala Raises
Money for Chabot
Elementary
— by Roxanne Azpiroz & Meera Chary
N
This sale, the 26th annual, is a favor­
There are buried treasures and
unique finds,
with occa­
sional special
collections.
One dealer
speaks fondly
of the year a
trove of plays
and theatre
literature from
the 1920s-30s
appeared,
donated from
the estate of a
former drama
critic. Last year there was a selection of
books on Buddhism, another year an
extensive collection of classical CDs by
outstanding artists.
ew Year’s Eve is over but don’t
put away the sequins and glitter.
Chabot Elementary is holding its
annual Auction & Gala on March 14
at The Bridge Yard Oakland where we
will teleport to the glam 1970s.
This year, Chabot will face dis­
trict-wide budget cuts, which makes the
generosity of the local community es­
sential. The Auction & Gala is Chabot’s
biggest spring fundraiser, with a goal of
$200,000 so we may continue to fund
science, art, music, media, library, Phys­
ical Education and Spanish.
Photo: College Preparatory School Parents Association
ite of local book lovers (and book deal­
ers) who are attracted by the vast se­
lection and great bargains. Most books
are $1 to $2, with some even lower and
a few slightly higher. And this year, for
the first time, the entire Sunday sale
will be a $5 bargain bag sale.
How can you help? Do you have
a talent or trade like sewing or wood­
working that you’re willing to offer
up in our Auction? Do you have
access to a vacation home or Airbnb
that could be donated for a weekend
getaway? It's donations big and small
from the Chabot community that
make the Auction & Gala special
every year.
You never know what you will find
at the book sale, but you are certain to
find something — there is truly a book
(or several) for everyone. Sale hours
Books are donated by members and

Peralta’s “Totally 80s Prom” and Spring
Auction Seeks Community Donations
— by Erin Lenhert

O
Many local merchants have already
contributed, as it’s a great way to
promote your business to the Chabot
community. Are you a business owner
who can donate a special item or
service? Would you like to see your
company’s name highlighted as an
official sponsor of the auction?
n Saturday, March 21, look out
for ruffles and big hair. Peral­
ta Elementary is holding its spring
and support a local school all at the
same time.
Oakland public schools thrive with
the support of their communities. Your
donations will help provide music and
art classes, Physical Education, mental
health services, and teachers’ aides to
more than 300 Peralta students.
auction and the theme
is “Totally 80s Prom.”
Parent volunteers are
seeking donations of
items and services from
local businesses. This is
a great way to get your
business's name out to hundreds of
parents and community members,
The online auction begins the first
week of March. For more information,
visit www.chabotelementary.org/
pta/auction or email auction@
chabotelementary.org. n
Donations will be accepted through
March 1. To make a donation, please
contact Erin Lenhert at auctiondona­
tions@peraltaschool.org. n


January 2020
7

Vote Yes on Q: Improve Our Parks —
Care for Our People
— by Brooke Levin, former Director of Public Works, City of Oakland
specific projects and services that will
result from its passage. Independent
community oversight of Measure Q
is required. Measure Q also allows a
parcel tax exemption for single-family
residential units whose owner-oc­
cupants are very low-income or are
low-income seniors. Join civic leaders,
park users, homeless advocates, and
residents from every Oakland neigh­
borhood who’ve come together to
show that Oaklanders value our parks
and all our residents. Vote Yes on Q.
Oakland desperately needs new
revenue for both parks and
homeless services. To address this, the
City of Oakland has placed Measure
Q on the March 3, 2020 ballot. Meas-
ure Q is a Parcel Tax that will raise
$21 million dollars annually for parks
maintenance, homeless services and
water quality improvements.
for parks and homelessness, will assist
with providing support to both.
Measure Q contains strong account­
ability, Annual Financial Audits, City
Auditor’s Audits, citizen oversight, clear
deliverables and a special fund.
The official ballot argument for
Measure Q notes that passage will clean
up our local parks, waterways and
recreation areas while also addressing
Oakland’s homeless crisis. It will pro­
vide our most vulnerable populations
with access to support services that help
them find shelters and housing, and
help to ensure that all Oakland parks,
estuaries, and recreation centers are
clean, safe, and well maintained.
Endorsed by:
1.	 Chris Jackson, Sierra Club, SF Bay
While use of our parks and recre­
ation centers has grown tremendously,
the investment required to keep these
areas clean and protect our water
supply has not increased. Parks have
been living off a funding stream that
was put in place in 1989 and has had
no increase since then. This deficit in
funding has resulted in major reduc­
tions in services to Oakland parks.
Measure Q will bring specific delivera­
bles to improve park maintenance.
Chapter
2.	 Deborah Shefler, President, League
of Women Voters of Oakland
3.	 Rue Mapp, Founder and CEO,
Outdoor Afro
4.	 James Vann, Oakland Tenants Union
5.	 Barbara Leslie, CEO, Oakland
Metropolitan Chamber of
Commerce  n
Specifically, Measure Q will:
•	 Provide programs to help homeless
individuals, including those living
in or near parks, move into shelters
and obtain housing and support
services.
•	 Increase removal of trash and debris
Rockridge Community
Planning Council
Endorses Measure Q
— Submitted by the RCPC Board
A
Oakland’s parks and recreation
centers are critical to our community:
they host after-school programs, arts
instruction, community meetings, se­
nior events, and a variety of sports and
other activities valued by residents.
Additionally, our homeless population
has increased to an all-time high and
city services are stretched thin.
from city parks and recreation areas.
•	 Increase restroom cleaning at parks
t the January Rockridge Commu­
nity Planning Council (RCPC)
Board of Directors meeting, the
board voted unanimously to endorse
Measure Q, the measure designed to
provide funds for park maintenance
and homeless services citywide.
and recreation centers.
•	 Mow playing fields more frequently.
•	 Protect the water quality in Oak­
land’s creeks, streams, Lake Merritt
and the Estuary.
Please read Measure Q (available
at www.yesforoakland.com) to see
Our park system is not equipped
to provide the necessary services for
our unsheltered communities. Our
neighbors struggling with the high
cost of housing in the Bay Area need
assistance to avoid homelessness, and
those who’ve become homeless need
pathways into housing.
Measure Q funds will bring back
regular maintenance to our beloved
Frog and Colby parks, and will
fund some of the services needed
to house the homeless neighbors
currently living in our parks. It’s a
win-win for the Rockridge neigh­
borhood and beyond. Please read
Brooke Levin’s article on this page
for more details on the measure.
Oakland’s services for the homeless
are in high demand as the homeless
population surged to over 4,000 in
the last count — a 47 percent increase
in two years. Oakland is completing
the “Permanent Access to Housing
Strategy” (PATH) with housing and
homeless policies, because steady,
new funding is critical to assuring
that these services can expand along
with the increasing demands. Many
encampments are in the parks, and
the combination of increased funding
The RCPC Board rarely endorses
ballot measures, however, the sense
of the board is that this one will be
of massive benefit to Rockridge and
the City of Oakland. We voted to ac­
tively support it — and recommend
a vote “yes” on Q on March 3rd. n


January 2020
8

Rug Expert Sets Out To Revitalize
Iconic College Avenue Store
— by Judith Doner Berne
Peter Pap, whom you might have
seen as a guest appraiser of antique
leasing the space. He wants to contin­
ue the legacy of The Levant and the
Keshishian family who sold, restored
and cleaned Oriental rugs, and were
students of the the ancient lands they
had left behind.
oriental rugs
on PBS’s
Antiques
Roadshow, hopes to revitalize a build­
ing that has been mostly closed over
the past decade. The 6,275 square foot
building and its adjoining parking lot,
was once our neighborhood Safeway.
Since 1964, it has been home to The
Levant Oriental Rug Company.
Begun in 1927 by Haji Keshishian,
a survivor of the Armenian genocide,
the business first opened on Broadway,
then moved to Telegraph. It was Haji’s
son, Albert, who relocated it to Rock­
ridge where he grew up and attended
public school.
Chris Hudson, one of three new own­
ers, said plans for 5450 College Avenue
(built in 1920) are up in the air. They are
weighing whether to lease it “As-Is” to a
long-term retail tenant, or convert it to
a mixed-use building with retail on the
bottom and living units above.
Peter Pap came upon
more than rugs at The
Levant. A box filled
with the names of the
many Armenian children
his predecessors had
helped were among
his discoveries.
According to a tribute published in
the May 2018 issue of The Rockridge
News, Albert Keshishian was a poet,
singer of opera, horse owner, traveler
and philanthropist as well as an Oriental
rug historian. He often could be seen
playing on his vintage pinball machine as
he awaited customers. But during his last
years, the
store was
open just
two days
a week, so
passers-by
mostly saw a set of barred windows. He
died in 2018 at the age of 91.
Meanwhile, Pap, a rug dealer
himself for 45 years, is temporarily
Pap, 65, who guest lectures at mu­
seums, antique shows and rug society
events throughout the country, is,
according to his PBS capsule bio, “rec­
ognized internationally by collectors
and decorators as one of the country's
foremost experts in antique oriental
rugs, carpets and tribal weavings.” He
owns a gallery, located in an 1830s
Greek Revival farmhouse in Dublin,
New Hampshire, and recently closed
his San Francisco operation in Jackson
Square after 25 years.
“I was actually downsizing,” he
said, and calls it “serendipity” when he
was approached by Albert’s nephew
to evaluate and make an offer on The
Levant Collection. That turned out to
be approximately 1,300 rugs and car­
pets… including 300 or so “of serious
interest.”
His first visit “was like walking into
a time capsule from the 1970s.” He de­
scribed racks hung with rugs that had
long since fallen out of fashion. “The
more I delved into the business’s hist-
ory, the deeper my connection felt and
what arose in me was an intense desire
Continued next page


January 2020
9

ADUs
from page 5
to carry on this tradition,” he said.
also developed a deep respect for the
many Armenian rug dealers he learned
from along the way.
Exploring the back rooms, Pap
found the most treasured rugs jam-
packed into what had been the meat
locker of the old Safeway. “That’s where
he basically kept any rug in any style if
it was the best he had gotten so far.”
borhood? The City cannot require it, so
it falls to us to choose. How can we do
our part in return? I also ask, might it
be useful for the district or the City to
find ways to reward ADU applicants for
creating off-street parking? What might
that look like?
He’s delighted about being in “a real
neighborhood” since his other galler­
ies were primarily destination stores.
“I’ve met more people just stopping by
in my first month in Rockridge than
over many years in my other galleries.”
That prompted him to think about the
possibility of presenting events and
keeping the building open for commu­
nity meetings after business hours. “It’s
such a great space. I’d like to share it.”
Other findings from Albert’s office
include a weathered leather box filled
with photo ID cards of the many
Armenian children in Lebanon, Syria,
and Iran whom the Keshishians aided
during the ’50s and ’60s. One of many
photos on hand shows friends gath­
ered for lunch at a table set up in the
store. Over a vintage stove, “on Friday
afternoons he would cook for them,”
Pap learned. “I think, especially in his
later years, he valued friendship rather
than business.”
So where to begin? As I do in my
consulting work, I suggest you first
discuss current and longer-term po­
tential uses. These goals inform design,
scale, and how the unit interiors will
be finished. Second, assess budget and
sources for funding. Third, do a prop­
erty assessment. What are the prop­
erty assets and issues in meeting both
building and policy requirements?
A classical music recital, a jazz jam
session and a comedy night have been
featured so far. He hopes to host the
jazz jam sessions “at least one evening
per month” And music from Janam, a
band that blends Balkan, Near Eastern
and American roots music, is slated
for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 17. What
he’s calling a “Dog Romp” will be held
from 9-10 a.m. the first Sunday of the
month, beginning in March in the
building’s fenced in parking lot. “This
is a dog-friendly business,” he said,
speaking as the owner of Renny, a
standard poodle.
Taken together, these three legs give
a truer sense of the scope of the job
that the budget must address. Only
then can you make informed choices
about whether to move forward and
which option is best for your needs. It’s
a tantalizing opportunity, and time to
fully explore what ADUs fully allow us
to create. n
He is currently displaying some of
that memorabilia on bookshelves at
the front of the store, highlighted by
a dozen or so samovars and a carved
Indian camel with riders. Black and
white photos of the father and son are
set against the backdrop of another
store fixture, an old player piano.
“It’s like I have come full circle,” said
Pap, because "I started in a space much
like this in Boston in 1974.” At age 20,
with no formal education, but married
and a father-to-be, he got a job as a
stock boy at a rug and carpet company
started by an Armenian family in 1926.
“That began my love affair with rugs,”
Pap said, particularly antique rugs. He
Loni Gray is an East Bay ADU
Advisor and Project Catalyst with a
background in home rehabilitation,
small home and collaborative living de­
sign, finance, and housing policy. Email
her at loni@LoniGray.com to receive her
two-page summary, or visit Lonigray.
com.
Pap and his wife, Teresa, who works
at The Levant two days a week, divide
their time between the Bay Area and New
Hampshire. “What I’m trying to do here,”
he said, “goes beyond just commerce.” n
To comment on this column or
suggest ideas for future columns please
contact judyberne@att.net.
DRE 01265873 | 01798658
Fall Market Competition Drives Price
Closing date
BR
BA

Address                                Original price         List price
DOM
Selling price
12/3/2019
3
1

6667 Chabot Rd                    $1,395,000
        $1,395,000
24
$1,475,000
12/6/2019
2
2

5714 Broadway                        $995,000
           $995,000
26
$1,285,000
12/6/2019
3
2
         5761 Ayala Ave                      $1,182,000
        $1,182,000
19
$1,400,000
12/15/2019
4
2.5

5868 Chabot Ct                     $2,500,000
        $2,500,000
 0
$2,500,000
Homes sold in December closed 9.7% 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.


January 2020
10

Elections
from page 1
decor — including a temple and recre­
ation room. In the 1950s, “if you wanted
to get a hold of the mayor, the fire chief,
or the police chief, you had to come up
to the lodge and join their poker game,”
said Stevenson, who has been a member
of the lodge since the 1970s.
Masons
from page 1
and live within RCPC boundaries (see
www.rockridge.org/boundaries).
the kitchen and organize the event. Ste­
venson stepped in. Now after ten years,
the Masons have the pancake breakfast
down to a science. They buy, cook, serve
and clean — all with good cheer.
To be considered as a candidate, email
info@rockridge.org no later than close
of business Wednesday, February 26,
2020, to express your interest and
receive an informational packet.
The menu offers a traditional break­
fast of pancakes, sausages, bacon, soufflé,
orange slices and coffee. Tickets are $12
($13 at the door, on a space available
basis) and there are three seatings: 8am,
9:15am and 10:30am. There will be a
raffle and the Claremont's jazz band will
perform — transporting attendees to an
earlier era.
Thanks to the Masons and commu­
nity support, the pancake breakfast
has been an incredible fundraiser for
Claremont, raising $4,000 annually for
the school. “We usually start cooking
on Friday night. I do the chopping of
all the oranges. I cut up the onions,”
said Stevenson, who also said this year
would be his last as the organizer.
More information is available at
www.rockridge.org. n
Volunteers Needed
to Adopt-A-Drain
To buy tickets in advance: www.
claremontms.org or www.tickettailor.
com/events/claremontmiddleschoolpta/
335640. n
The breakfast gives the public a rare
look into this historical site — a beauti­
ful, multi-story building with Art Deco
The City will provide volunteers
with tools to help clear the drains.
All too often, storm debris will
block street drains from func­
tioning properly. Leaves, grass, and
even trash can build up at the grates,
preventing the water from flowing
into them. Oakland Public Works
maintains more than 12,000 storm
drains in an effort to reduce street
flooding and prevent debris and
pollution from entering the bay.
Volunteers can help in this effort
by adopting a drain in their neigh­
borhood as a way to better prepare
for rainstorms. It doesn't take much
to keep a storm drain clear, and a
little effort goes a long way. When
you sign up to Adopt-a-Drain, you
become eligible to borrow city tools
and supplies, and receive the city’s
rain alert notifications.
Experience * Knowledge * Performance
Coming:
7133 Norfolk Rd, Year 2000 build, over 3,600 sqft, 4BD 4.5BA, plus spaces
$1.7M
5340 Broadway Terrace #208 Rare 3BD 2BA condo with wraparound terrace  $700k
742Cragmont.com ~3,000 sqft Tudor, 4BD 2BA+1BD 1BA inlaw, pano views  $2.1m
Mixed use/investment property - call for more info
February is the month for Wetlands Preservation, Woman and Girls in Science & Social Justice!
Find a drain near your home or
work that needs attention. Encour­
age your neighbors, friends and
family to help. Pick a drain on this
map: https://adoptadrainoakland.
com and call (510) 238-7630, or
email adoptaspot@oaklandnet.com
to adopt your drain today. n
Happy Valentine’s Day!!
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


January 2020
11

Whole Foods Market Coming to Rad
Urban Development Project in 2021
— by Dwane Kennedy, CITYshapers
ing the following noise mitigation
measures:
1. Stagger delivery times between the
hours of 7am to 10pm.
2. Limit delivery activity noise lev­
Wels standards to 60 decibels for a
cumulative number of 20 minutes in
a one-hour period, 65 decibels for
ten minutes in a one-hour period,
75 decibels for one minute in a one-
hour period.
3. Monitor and document all noise com­
hole Foods Market is planning
to open a new store on the
ground floor of the Rad Urban Devel­
opment located at 51st and Telegraph.
The new store will offer high-quality
foods, beverages, beauty supplies,
household products, as well as beer,
wine, and distilled spirits for consump­
tion off-premises. The store is also pro­
posing to provide instructional tastings
of wine, beer, and spirits in the main
shopping area so customers can learn
more about these products directly
from growers and producers.
structure. Bicycle parking will be avail­
able for use by Whole Foods Market
customers and employees, with a total
of 86 spaces available.
The loading area will run parallel
along 51st Street, conveniently located
close to the store’s receiving area. Mer­
chandise will be delivered to the store
in delivery vehicles that range in size
from wheeled-based trucks measuring
67 feet in length down to smaller UPS
and USPS delivery vehicles.
plaints and record actions that were
taken to avoid future noise impacts.
4. Train delivery staff on best practices
to avoid unnecessary noise.
They expect to hire approximately
150 full-time and part-time employees
at this location. The store will be open
daily from 8am to 10pm. n
Merchandise will be moved
from the trucks to the receiving
area using hydraulic forklifts, pal­
let jacks, and hand trucks. Staff will
receive specialized training to operate
the equipment and ensure the safety
of pedestrians crossing the sidewalk
between the delivery truck and the
receiving door. Whole Foods
Market will prohibit deliveries on
Clarke Street.
In 2016, the Oakland Planning
Commission voted unanimously to
approve the mixed-use development
project to include 204 residential
units, 33,800 square feet of ground-
floor retail space, and 144 automobile
parking spaces reserved for retail
use — and the project is nearing
completion.
Whole Foods Market customer
parking will be located on the first level
of a two-level below-grade parking
The market plans to reduce po­
tential noise impacts associated with
delivery truck activities by implement­
Interior • Exterior
Lead-Certified Painters
For a free estimate
call Cydney
510•652•4034


January 2020
12

Coffee
from page 1
as baristas, and Hewitt spent a year as
a coffee roaster on a project at Marin
County’s Boot Coffee Consulting.
intended to embody.” In a time of polit­
ical turmoil, purchasing a cup of coffee
proved to be an act of solidarity.
“I always thought that coffee would
be a great way for refugees to get in­
volved,” Hewitt says. “Both tea and cof­
fee, pretty much all around the world,
are the beverages of welcome.”
Since then, two additional cafes
have opened: one in the ASUC Student
Union Cafe at U.C. Berkeley, and, most
recently, one in Rockridge on College
Avenue. These three locations provide
only 24 job positions, but 1951 Coffee
also hosts barista training programs in
Oakland and Seattle that train about
100 new baristas every year. Alumni
can go on to work with one of the
nonprofit’s employment partners, a
consortium that includes over 30 cof­
fee companies to date.
IRC from spending more than $1,000
per person, and a six-month period of
assistance makes financial help not only
minimal, but also short-lived.
According to Hewitt, refugees also
encounter significant obstacles in em­
ployment as they exit government assis­
tance. Many American companies don’t
accept educational degrees, professional
licensees, and work experience from
outside the U.S. “It is really hard to get
American companies to just believe in
the idea of hiring someone who is new
to the country,” Hewitt says.
By hiring refugees to work in a com­
munal, hospitable environment, the
cafes would create, in Hewitt’s words, a
“convergence point” where community
members could meet refugees and vice
versa. These experiences would foster
language acquisition, cultural adapta­
tion, and community building.
Taking its name from the year the
United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees first set forth guidelines
protecting refugees, 1951 Coffee opened
its first location on Channing Way in
Berkeley in January 2017. As President
Donald Trump pursued a travel ban
suspending the entry of individuals from
seven Middle Eastern countries, the
shop hung inspirational graphics meant
to, as Hewitt states, “remind people of
the message of freedom that America is
“Working in tandem with the larger
coffee community has enabled us to
not just provide a single job, but a
career path for our trainees,” Hewitt
says, using a specific 2016 training
program graduate as an example. Now
working as a cafe manager at a San
Francisco tech company, the graduate
went from having limited experience
to holding a senior position.
Recognizing the need for external
sources of employment, Hewitt and
Taber were motivated to create their
own business that would truly under­
stand the refugee resettlement process
and cater to individual needs.
The idea to employ refugees
through nonprofit cafes arose in part
from Taber and Hewitt’s experience in
the coffee industry. Prior to their work
at the IRC, Taber and Hewitt worked
In terms of the new Rockridge loca­
tion, Hewitt stresses the importance of
community support. Fueled by the sole
motivation of helping refugees,1951
Coffee locations are fully funded by
customer purchases, and the baris­
ta training program relies on donor
support. This means customer contri­
butions not only promote 1951 Coffee’s
mission, but also sustain the business
model itself. As Hewitt simply puts it,
“this is work we cannot do alone.” n
$5 FREE DRYCLEANING with garment orders over $28
or $3 OFF orders over $15
Dry Cleaning only  Present with incoming order
Garden Cleaners
5808 College Avenue, Oakland
601-1188
Mon – Fri  7 – 7 • Sat  8 – 6
Across from Trader Joe’s and Zachary’s Pizza
EXPERT
SHIRT
LAUNDERING!
Member
www.buttrickprojects.com


January 2020
13

JANUARY TOWN HALL
Laptop Thefts in
Rockridge?
— by Karen Ivy, Greater Rockridge
Residents Learn About Three Significant
Topics of Interest
N
NCPC Secretary
Eearly 100 residents attended the
January Town Hall meeting to hear
from speakers regarding Measure Q,
Census 2020, and local transportation.
and with bike share, car share, electronic
scooters and mopeds ensuring depend­
able and inexpensive travel options. He
noted that the areas of highest injuries
on streets and intersections are often in
low-income neighborhoods, and pointed
to objective ranking and programs like
Safe Routes to School as successes.
ver wonder how many laptop
thefts take place in Rockridge? The
monthly crime stats do not include that
data, so we had our new Neighborhood
Services Coordinator, Angela Moore,
and our new Community Resource
Officer, Josiah Ladd, look into it.
Measure Q
Measure Q will appear on the March
3rd ballot. It addresses various issues of
concern to Oakland residents, ranging
from increased park maintenance to
homeless services.
Mr. Russo discussed recently com­
pleted projects including the Lawton/
Broadway HAWK signal for safer pedes­
trian crossing; previewed the remaining
Caldecott projects along College Ave.;
confirmed the re-installation of Shafter
Ave. stop signs; and conveyed the City
will increase enforcement of residential
parking permits with new license plate
readers. Rockridge streets scheduled for
paving include several streets north of
Alcatraz, College and Miles Ave.
OPD doesn’t use a specific crime
code to identify laptop thefts. That in­
formation gets included in the depart­
ment’s internal data, but exact numbers
for laptop thefts within a specific beat
would require extensive data analysis.
Brooke Levin, former Director of
Public Works, provided a comprehen­
sive overview of the measure. Funding
will come through a $149 annual par­
cel tax — raising $21 million dollars.
Currently, crime reports are classified
according to the California Penal Code.
Officer Ladd finds that most laptop thefts
are classified as Grand Theft (California
Penal Code § 487), which is theft of $400
or more from a person; or $950 or more
from a store. This code also means that
the suspect ran in, grabbed the item, and
ran out, without using force. If force or
threat is used, the crime becomes classi­
fied as “Robbery” (CPC § 211).
For a full discussion of the Measure pro­
visions, see article on page 7 of this issue.
Census2020
District 5 Supervisor Keith Carson
talked about the upcoming census and
explained how political representation
and Federal funds are allocated as a re­
sult of the data collected. Under-count­
ing residents by even a small margin
would have a large impact on federal
monies received by the city, poten­
tially costing millions of dollars. City
services like education, transportation
and housing could be impacted—
making full participation vital.
In answer to a question on updating
the circulation element of the Oakland
General Plan, the audience learned the
City is starting to scope and eventually
update the Plan. Mr. Russo will work
on the transportation element.
Officer Ladd conducted a manual
data search of 2019 in Area 2 beats 12Y
and 13X, specifically for laptop thefts.
The search revealed approximately 50
laptop thefts — particularly occurring
in commercial businesses.
Oaklanders can now use the OAK
311 service to report problems such as
potholes or make an infrastructure re­
quest, in addition to SeeClickFix. There
are four ways to reach the service: 1) call
3-1-1, 2) email OAK311@oaklandnet.
com, 3) report on the web at 311.oak­
landca.gov, or 4) use the OAK 311 app. n
The Census questionnaire will be
available online for the first time, over
the phone using toll-free numbers for
responses, and on paper. For those who
do not respond by April, enumerators
will go door to door to collect respons­
es directly from residents.
To reduce property crime, and to
improve community safety and quality
of life, the OPD is transitioning to new
reporting systems and customizing
those reports to reveal rising trends≠
in crime. Captain Bolton of Area 2 has
several projects under way, including
planned awareness; education; deter­
rence and enforcement strategies.
For more information, go to www.
acgov.org/Census2020.
Oakland Department of
Transportation
The real statement here is, yes,
laptop thefts do happen in Rockridge.
Those who insist on bringing a laptop
into a cafe should consider investing in
a laptop lock for security. And, if your
laptop should be stolen, please report it
to the police. Reporting crimes to the
police, even if they don’t show up to
investigate, gives them data on where
crimes occur, which they then use to
schedule officer coverage. n
Director of the Department of Trans­
portation, Ryan Russo, spoke to Rock­
ridge residents about the challenges and
goals of transportation equity, safety, and
trust. By investing money in all of Oak­
land's communities, transportation costs
can be reduced while also increasing
access for the most vulnerable. Oakland
is now a leader in shared-use mobility,


January 2020
14

Classifieds
RN
Applicants Needed
for Redistricting
Commission
E
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
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 February 20. The March
issue will be available March 6,
2020. For information: Email Susan
Montauk at smontauk@gmail.com.
very 10 years, after the official U.S.
Census has been taken, the City of
Oakland and Oakland Unified School
District must re-establish boundaries
for City Council and Board of Educa­
tion districts.
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
Beginning in 2020, a 15-member
independent Redistricting Commis­
sion made up entirely of community
members, will set those boundaries
in a process that is free from special in­
terests, politics, and political influence.
The Festivities Continue with my
Valentine’s Day Special!
Penelope’s Aesthetics is offering
a full European facial for $64 for
the month of February! Gift cer­
tificates available. (510) 594-1552
www.penelopecalef.com
The Gift of Words
To thank, reward, encourage. Pro­
fessional calligrapher/artist designs
your text in distinctive style. Poems,
wedding vows, quotations, valentines,
logos, family trees. Call Jane at (707)
528-3513. www.artofhand.com
The City of Oakland is seeking
applicants that reflect the geographic,
racial, ethnic, and economic diversity of
Oakland, and who have the relevant an­
alytical skills, ability to be impartial, and
apparent ability to work together well
with other potential commissioners.
Transpersonal Hypnotherapy
Using Dolores Cannon’s method of
hypnosis, Quantum Healing Hypnosis
Technique (QHHT) we will explore
your soul’s wisdom through past-life
regression, higher consciousness
communication and self-healing. Kaya
Sattva, Certified Transpersonal Hypno­
therapist. www.BlueLotusOracles.com
BART Commuter?
Tired of looking for parking? Driveway
available for “rent”. 2 blocks from
Rockridge BART. Call (510) 658-6700
and leave a message.
You can apply to serve on the
Redistricting Commission if you:
•	 Have been an Oakland resident for
Cluttered? Disorganized?
Experienced professional “fallowist”
will help you lighten and tidy your
home. Contact Susan Lorraine today
to open your space and your life to
new possibilities. myredbicycle@
gmail.com (415) 684-5656. New cli­
ents — complimentary ½ hour.
at least the past three years.
•	 Are not registered to vote in a polling
place outside of Oakland city limits.
•	 Are not a current City of Oakland
Handyman for Hire
Multifaceted and well experienced.
Hauling and towing available. No job
too small. Reasonably priced. Lee
Self. (707) 223-1298-call and text.
or Oakland Unified School District
employee, and do not sit on a cur­
rent Board or Commission of either
entity.
•	 Do not have a conflict of interest.
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 (510) 777-3211
which routes directly to OPD dispatch. To report a
crime that has already happened, call the non-
emergency number at (510) 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:
If you are passionate about your
community and believe in the work
tasked to the Redistricting Commis­
sion, we want to hear from you. For full
eligibility requirements and applica­
tion, visit: www.oaklandca.gov/redis­
tricting. The application period is now
open and closes on April 1, 2020. n
Crime Stoppers of Oakland:
(510) 777-8572
Homicide / Robbery Tip line:
(510) 238-7950
OPD Sexual Assault Hotline:
(510) 637-0298
Private Pilates Training
New Client Special:
3 Private Sessions for $195
(510) 658-4000
findingcenter.com
6214 Florio St, Suite 4
Oakland, CA 94618


January 2020
15

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

ate treatment of music for women's voices. From
Bartok to Bjork, from Palestrina to Paul Simon,
their repertoire includes music in many genres
spanning 10 centuries and in no fewer than 14
languages. Hear samples at http://www.solstic­
esings.com/listen. Inside venue: not wheelchair
accessible. $20-25 donations for musicians (cash
only, at the door); simple refreshments included.
383 61st Street. More info and reservations
(highly recommended): RSVP to info@Wisteri­
aWays.org or 510-698-2456.

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

•	 Make Slider Cards: All materials provided. For
N’hood Crime Prevention Council
The next regular bimonthly meeting of the
Greater Rockridge Neighborhood Crime
Prevention Council will take place at 7:00 PM
on Thursday, February 13, at the Rockridge
Library. We will have a speaker from GoRevel.
com, the firm behind the Revel electric mo­
peds which appeared in the neighborhood
in January. We will have a second speaker,
Daryl Dunston from the city’s Human Ser­
vices department, who will address homeless
issues in the Rockridge area. We will also
have our usual presentations from Oakland
PD and discussion of neighborhood crime
and public safety issues.
ages 12 to 18. Wed, 2/19, xxxxx
•	 Poetry Reading and Workshop with local
teen author Greer Nakadegawa-Lee: Sat,
2/22, 3 - 5pm.
•	 Make Art Inspired by Alma Thomas and Odili
Family-Friendly Mardi Gras
Pancake Dinner
Tues, Feb 25, 6-7pm. Bring your favorite frying
pan for traditional pancake games. Donations
welcome to benefit the weekly Friday Night Free
Hot Meal. College Avenue Presbyterian Church,
5951 College Avenue.
More info at www.capcoakland.org.
Donald Odita: All materials provided. For ages
12 to 18. Wed,2/26, xxxx
•	 Make Felt Ear Bud Holders: All materials
provided. For ages 12 to 18. Wed, 3/4, xxxx
FOR ADULTS
•	 eBook Help: Work one-on-one with a librarian
to download eBooks. Fridays, 2 - 3:30pm. Book
appt. online or call 510-597-5017.
•	 Sing at the Library: Join the Rockridge
First and Third Friday
Neighborhood Square Dance
First and third Fridays of every month, 8-10 pm.
Always with 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.
More info: https://squirrellystringband.com/
north-oakland-square-dance/ or https://www.
facebook.com/NorthOaklandSquareDance/.
Library’s community choir. For all ages and skill
levels. No auditions necessary. Selections will
include folk songs and freedom songs. Second
Wed. each month: 6:30 - 7:45pm.
•	 Second Saturday Book Club: Call 510-597-
Rockridge Branch Library
5366 College Avenue, 597-5017
Library Hours:
Mon, Thurs & Sat: 10am–5:30pm
Tues, Wed: 10am–8pm.
Fri, 12–5:30pm
Closed: Sunday: also Wed, 2/12 and Mon, 2/17.
5017 for details and book selection. 2nd Sat
each month, 3 - 4pm.
•	 Writers Support/Critique Group - All
Welcome: Bring 15 copies of up to 5 pgs. of
any prose for reading/discussion (OK to come
empty-handed). 3rd Sat. each month,1pm;
wheelchair-accessible. Info: 420-8775 or Write­
fox@aol.com.
•	 Art Talk - Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of
White Elephant Sale 2020
Annual fundraiser for the Oakland Museum.
Save the dates: Sat. and Sun., March 7 and
8, 10am to 4pm. The biggest rummage sale in
Northern Calif. features an extensive array of qual­
ity used clothing for all, jewelry, books, tools, fur­
niture, household goods, sporting equipment and
more. Organized and presented by the Oakland
Museum Women’s Board and made possible by
donations from the public. The Oakland Museum
warehouse, on the Oakland Estuary at 333 Lan­
caster St. More information at https://museumca.
org/events/white-elephant-sale.
FOR CHILDREN
***Stretching for Caregivers: Every
Wed,10:15am. Exercise class for adults who
take care of infants & toddlers. Bring your
children, get a good stretch, and visit with other
caregivers.
•	 Family Story Time: Stories/songs/rhymes (for
Black Power 1963–1983: Multimedia presenta­
tion from the de Young museum will delve into
highlights of the exhibition which celebrates
art made by Black artists during two pivotal
decades when issues of race and identity
dominated and defined both public and private
discourse. Wed,2/5, 6:30pm.
•	 What’s New in Breast Cancer Research:
all ages); Saturdays, 10:30am.
•	 Toddler Story Time: Songs, active rhymes and
stories (for 9 months to 2 years), Thursdays,
10:30am, upstairs.
•	 Pre-School Story Time: Read-alouds, songs,
and rhymes (ages 2 to 5); Thursdays, 10:30am.
All story times followed by Play Time; parents
and caregivers invited.
•	 Chess Club Is on a break: Check back in mid-
Presented by Alta Bates Summit Medical
Center. Updates on major advances in research,
prevention, diagnosis and treatment of breast
cancer. To register call: 510-204-5656. Tues,
2/25, 6pm.
Upstairs Art Gallery:
February: Photography by Lynn Lazarus; The
Work of Their Hands.
East Bay Booksellers Book/Poetry
Readings
FREE and open to the public.
•	 Sun,2/9, 3pm. Poetry Flash: David Alpaugh’s:
North Oakland Senior Center
5714 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way
Mon. – Fri., 9am to 4:30pm. Programs include:
Arts/crafts; health counseling; dancing and exer­
cise; trips, tours and theater outings; Alzheimer’s
support groups, computer classes/more.
•	 Drug Collection Bin available in the Center.
March. Chess board available at the desk if you
want to practice.
•	 Paws to Read: Sandy’s dog Scout loves to
listen when kids practice reading aloud. You
pick the book. All ages welcome. Every Thurs,
3:30-4:30pm.
•	 Mix-It-Up Family Game Nights: All ages;
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
volunteer opportunities. More info: 597-5085.
bring your favorite game or try one of ours. Get
to know other families. Tuesdays, 6:30-7:45pm.
•	 Valentines Making Workshop: Show someone
Spooky Action at a Distance and Connie Post:
Prime Meridian.
•	 Wed, 2/12, 7pm. Meng Jin: Little Gods.
•	 Mon, 2/17, 7pm. Conor Dougherty: Golden
you care with a lovely, hand-made card. Col­
lage supplies & envelopes provided. All ages
welcome but best for ages 5 to 10. Tues, 2/11,
3:30-4:45pm.
•	 Storyteller Kirk Waller: Both well-known &
Gates: Fighting for Housing in America.
•	 Tues, 2/18, 7pm. Lewis Watts: Harlem of the
Temescal Farmers’ Market
Open Sundays, 9am to 1pm (all year). Locally
grown fruits and vegetables; fresh ranch eggs;
home-made bakery items; fresh cut flowers;
unique prepared foods, fresh locally caught fish,
handcrafts and more. Sample the goods; meet
the grower. Live music. Bring reusable bags.
5300 Claremont Ave. (off Telegraph) at DMV
parking lot. n
West: The San Francisco Fillmore Jazz Era.
East Bay Booksellers, 5433 College Ave. More
info abt. the authors, books and other events:
653-9965 or info@ebbooksellers.com.
Wisteria Ways House Concerts
Saturday Feb 29, 7:30pm. Solstice: Female a cap­
pella ensemble; technically precise and passion­
unknown stories in Kirk’s engaging, musical
style. For the whole family. Sat, 2/15, 10:30am.
FOR TEENS (AGES 12 TO 18)
•	 TeenScape: play video games, table top
games, crafts, and general after-school fun.
Weekdays from 3:30 -5pm (enhanced program­
ing on Wednesdays: 1:30 - 5pm).


January 2020
16

COMING SOON
ROCKRIDGE
Carlton Avenue
This 3 Bed 2 Bath home backs
right up to the golf course.
Great built ins, fireplace
& eat-in kitchen that is
remodeled and opens to the
backyard. Awesome workshop
with a one room detached
family room, office, art studio,
or? I will stop describing this
really nice home now.
ROCKRIDGE RENTAL
KEVIN BROWN
Broker
654-8707 or 593-4780
5+ Beds/ 4+ Baths
$6,500 /mo   1 year lease
4,800 +/- sqft
Private Tours Available
Call Ron 510.612.2547
PROVIDING

Professional,

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Real Estate Brokerage

To Rockridge Clients
 For Over 26 Years.
SPECIALIZING IN

OResidential Sales

OIncome Property

OCommercial

OProperty Management
5844Margarido.Com
L A W T O N
Ron Kriss, Broker
Lawton Associates
(c) 510-612-2547
RonKriss@JPS.net
A S S O C I A T E S
Better Homes
Realty
5353 College Avenue
Oakland
R E A L   E S T A T E
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160+ Successful Sales in Rockridge
www.LawtonAssoc.com

INTERIOR-EXTERIOR LEAD
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Many local references.
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(510) 654-3339
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$15 off camera inspections
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Lic #: 754966