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www.rockridge.org
R ckridgeNews
THE
VOL 38 • NO. 10 • ISSUE NO. 413 • NOVEMBER 2023 CIRCULATION: 5,800 RESIDENCES; 200 BUSINESSES
Sponsored by the Rockridge Community Planning Council (RCPC) • 4900 Shattuck Ave., PO Box 22504, Oakland 94609
High Spirits & Great
Costumes at This Year’s
Best Costume
Oakland “Tech Techies” build amazing sets for the school play, “Romeo & Juliet.”
Oakland Tech Performs “Romeo & Juliet,”
A Modern Take on a Timeless Love Story
by Rafael Davis
W
18th. Shows begin at 7pm on all three
days, with an additional 2pm matinee
performance on Saturday the 18th.
The play is set primarily on the
fictitious boardwalk and features tons
of period-appropriate costumes, three
dramatic fights, a moving boardwalk
set, and an absolutely righteous dance
elcome to Verona Beach, Cali-
fornia. Here, in the summer of
1963, the Montagues and the Capulets
battle for dominance over the sunny
boardwalk while their children make
eyes at one another. It’s a tale as old
as modern theater — Romeo & Juliet.
The play, put on by the Oakland Tech
High School drama program, opens
November 16th and runs through the
Oak Tech Drama, see next page
A Thanksgiving Day Tradition Continues at
College Avenue Presbyterian Church
by Rev. Monte McClain
For more than 40 years, the College
Avenue Presbyterian Church
(5951 College) has been hosting a
neighborhood-empowered annual
Thanksgiving Day Community Meal.
This year, on Thursday, November
23, we plan to continue to provide the
meal in to a “To-Go” format, ready-
made for community members to take
home. We feel this is the best way to
care for those who come to eat as well
as for those who help serve — in this
way we can share the holiday, enjoy
community, and stay safe from Covid.
Thanksgiving, see page 10
THE
page 2
NOVEMBER 2023
homies, Benvolio and Mercutio
(Simeon Tedros and Larkspur Vance).
The set designers have put together
a boardwalk that flips like a book to
the other two locations: Juliet’s bed-
room and a church. The boardwalk
set includes a fun house, a gift shop,
and several carnival games, among
other things.
Oakland Tech Drama, from front page
party. The cast and crew have all been
hard at work for the past month and
a half putting together the best experi-
ence possible.
Juliet (Dannys Lumpkin) is from
the house of Capulet. She is accom-
panied throughout the play by her
parents, Lord and Lady Capulet (Aviva
Powers and Jordan Jerrels), and her
nurse (Rafael Davis). Lovesick Romeo
(Carlos Hernandez) is a Montague,
accompanied by his parents, Lord
and Lady Montague (Joseph Keys
and Bryah Gallagher), and Romeo’s
The Rockridge News was founded in March
1986 by Don Kinkead and is published
monthly (except August). It is sponsored by
the Rockridge Community Planning Council
(RCPC), a nonprofit public benefit organization
founded to: preserve and enhance the unique
character of the Rockridge neighborhood;
promote the health, safety and quality of life
of its residents; furnish a forum for community
involvement; and provide leadership and
representation of neighborhood interests.
Support Oakland Technical High
School’s drama program. Tickets will
be available at the door for $10 ($5
for students and staff). The school is
located at 42nd and Broadway. The
theater is designed for 900 attendees,
so there will be plenty of great seats. n
Rockridge News Production
Anna L. Marks .........................Editor & Layout Artist
Jo Ellis......................... Assistant Editor & Ad Manager
Susan Montauk......Business & Distribution Manager
Judith Doner Berne......... Senior Contributing Writer
Rockridge News: Block Captain Routes Available
by Susan Montauk, Rockridge News Distribution Manager
I
RCPC Board of Directors, 2023-24
Casey Farmer.......................................................Chair
Robin McDonnell..................................... Vice-Chair
Ben Friedman................................................ Secretary
Louisa Bukiet.................................................Treasurer
t has come to our attention that several blocks between Colby
and Telegraph have not received their newsletters for a while.
We want to be sure that everyone within the Rockridge
boundaries receives the newsletter, which serves as the voice
and best source of information for our neighborhood.
Block Captains deliver newsletters door-to-door. Their bundles are
generally delivered to their front porches on the first weekend of each month,
except for August (in the area west of Colby, block captains pick up the bundles
at a nearby address). Please look at the list below and let us know if you can
help deliver this invaluable monthly newsletter to our neighbors.
• Route 25A11: 407-439 North Street, from Colby to Dana
Mark Aaronson, Aly Bonde, Andrew Charman,
Annette Floystrup, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini,
Kirk Peterson, Ken Rich, Zac Unger
Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org
For information: info@rockridge.org
Contacting the Rockidge News
Are there community issues you’d like to see
covered in the Rockridge News? Have questions
about newsletter distribution? Want to volunteer
to be a Rockridge News block captain? We’d love to
hear from you.
Want to write a letter to the Editor? Lletters
are limited to 450 words and are published at
the editors discretion. Send letters to: editor@
rockridge.org. Please be sure to include your
name, email address, city and street of residence.
All submissions accepted for publication are
subject to editing for clarity and brevity.
• Route 25A6: 438-485 60th Street, two blocks, Howell to Telegraph; then,
around the corner to 5991-5917 Howell Street (from 60th to McAuley Street)
• Route 20A: On Claremont from 5900 even numbers up Claremont to former
site of Shell station.
Call (510) 547-3855 or email Susan at smontauk@gmail.com to volunteer. n
The Rockridge News reserves the right to refuse any
articles, letters, or advertisements.
Newsletter Subscriptions
To subscribe to The Rockridge News, send your
check for $20, payable to RCPC with “Rockridge
News” noted on the memo line.
Mail payment to: RCPC, 4900 Shattuck Avenue,
PO Box 22504, Oakland, CA, 94609
Display Ad Deadline for DECEMBER 2023:
November 16, 2023
Advertising rates are $28/column inch. Six-month
pre-pay rates available. For display ads, call Jo Ellis
at 510-653-3210 (after noon), or email joellis1@
hotmail.com.
Classified Ads: Email Susan at smontauk@gmail.com.
Views expressed in published articles do not
necessarily reflect those of The Rockridge
News, its editor, or the board of directors of
the Rockridge Community Planning Council.
THE
page 3
NOVEMBER 2023
7th Annual Crucolo Celebration at Rockridge Market Hall
Photos: Anna L. Marks
Juliana Uruburu raises the first cut of Crucolo,
sliced from the biggest wheel of cheese this side of the
Mississippi, for the annual cheese celebration.
Crucolo Parade, led by Rockridge Market Hall cheese buyer
Alma Avalos (right) and cheesemonger Ahmad Allen (left),
anchors the final Rock-n-Stroll of 2023.
Rockridge Neighbor Supports Visually
Impaired with Anonymous Library Donation
by Alona Rivord, Friends of the Rockridge Library
Ahas purchased nearly 300 new large-
type volumes using the funds. As with
all materials in circulation, the large
type books will move throughout the
library system as they are put on hold
or returned to different branches.
“Not only did the donation allow
for the purchase of new titles, but
replacement copies were purchased
for titles that have been around for a
while and are still being checked out,”
generous member of the Rock-
ridge community has made a
large donation toward increasing the
number of Oakland Public Library
(OPL) resources that serve those with
visual impairments. This major gift to
Friends of the Rockridge Library will
be allocated, in collaboration with
Rockridge Branch librarians, to new
resources — physical and digital.
Thanks to the anonymous donor,
the Rockridge Library has become a
hub of large type books. To date, OPL
Library Friends, see page 7
Oakland Tech Gears Up for 2024 Auction
by Leslie Ayers
The Oakland Tech auction com-
mittee has started procuring
donations and planning for the 2024
online Auction and Gala. The auction
raises money for the OTHS Parent/
Teacher/Student Association (PTSA),
which supports students and staff by
funding many enrichment activities
beyond the school budget including
field trips, events, the arts, sports and
enriching campus life for all.
As always, community members are
invited to participate in our online
auction, to be held from Friday, Feb-
ruary 23, through Sunday, March 3,
2024. For information or to donate,
visit oaklandtech.schoolauction.net/
auction2024/donate_items/new.
The Gala is set for Saturday, March
9, but it’s not too early to sign up as
an auction sponsor. Email auction@
oaklandtech.com for details. n
THE
page 4
NOVEMBER 2023
From Rockridge Area Specific Plan to the 2020
General Plan Update: How Did We Get Here?
by Annette Floystrup, RCPC Board Member
Buying ? Selling?
Let me help you!
Anne D. Brandon
Realtor
510.682.6644 | 510.339.9290
Anne.Brandon@corcoranicon.com
AnneDBrandon.com
Lic# 01877719
© 2022 Corcoran Icon Properties. All rights reserved.
Each franchise is independently owned and operated.
Bbuild a new Rockridge library to
replace the temporary one that,
at the time, was confined to two
portables on the Claremont School
grounds. That dream resulted
in hundreds of volunteers putting
in thousands of hours over a period of
nine years — the doors to our current
library opening in September of 1996.
The decisions of Rockridge neigh-
bors, beginning with the creation
of the special Pedestrian Oriented
Retail Zone in the early 1970s, have
contributed to the economic success,
not only of this neighborhood but
all of Oakland as a whole. After the
creation of the special commercial
zoning for College Avenue, several
other neighborhoods contacted Rock-
ridge Community Planning Council
(RCPC) for information and assis-
tance in adopting that new zoning
for themselves. As a result, five addi-
tional Oakland neighborhoods were
rezoned using the RCPC model.
It should be noted that partly as
a result of that special pedestrian
oriented commercial zoning, College
Avenue has consistently ranked as one
of the top economic engines in the
City for over 50 years, often second
only to the economic contributions of
auto dealers. The other rezoned areas
also showed economic improvement.
eginning in 1987, Rockridge
residents challenged themselves
to imagine their neighborhood far into
the future. They started by defining
four categories of interest: Commer-
cial Land Use, Residential Land Use,
Parking and Circulation, and Design
and Public Amenities. This became
known as the Rockridge Area Specific
Plan, or RASP.
Some goals remain desirable
today, including a prominent goal of
retaining, increasing, and developing
additional residential use above the
commercial ground-floor retail shops
along College Avenue. Neighbors
prioritized protecting the fabric of
neighborhood-serving retail uses in
the commercial zone, prohibiting
the encroachment of office and
commercial uses into the residential
zone, and the identifying construction
opportunities for building additional
multifamily housing.
The biggest dream of all was to
Greater Rockridge Neighborhood
Crime Prevention Council
Meeting Date: December 14, 7pm
Rockridge Library Conference Room
Speaker: DA Pamela Price
Questions for the speaker can be submit-
ted in writing or on Zoom, or by email to
chair@rockridgencpc.com. No questions
will be taken during the meeting.
Changes in Population Demographics
This will be a hybrid meeting for those
who prefer to attend remotely. For Zoom link,
visit: https://www.rockridgencpc.com/
While Oakland has gone through
a lot of changes in the intervening
years, many aspects of the Rockridge
neighborhood have remained stable.
Specifically, in all types of housing
units, the ratio of owners to renters
has remained constant — about
55 percent to 45 percent. Accord-
ingly, when RCPC incorporated
in 1985, its membership was spec-
ified to include all adults residing
within the identified boundaries,
not only homeowners. The objective
was always to empower all residents.
NCPC is looking for a new Vice Chair.
The organization meets at 7pm on the second
Thursday of even-numbered months. If interested,
email chair@rockridgencpc.com
General Plan, see next page
THE
page 5
NOVEMBER 2023
: November Events at
the Rockridge Library
General Plan, from previous page
Broadway and Pleasant Valley; and
the Rockridge BART station.
A future possible site for high-den-
sity housing includes the old Safeway
site at Claremont and Clifton. Addi-
tionally, there have been plans under
exploration to move the Claremont
DMV downtown and develop a por-
tion of that site for affordable housing;
but what about the rest of the site?
In 1988, neighbors dared to dream
large. Their top two goals for Design
and Public Amenities were to provide
a public library and to increase and
improve access to recreational and
passive open spaces. This dream
resulted in Oakland gaining a new
branch library — the only neigh-
borhood-funded library in America
built by, and for, its local community.
Now, in 2023, we have an opportu-
nity once again to work collectively
toward another goal: How can Rock-
ridge thoughtfully balance these
concerns while welcoming more
neighbors amidst our affordable hous-
ing crisis? Let's dream big again. n
Although the population of Rock-
ridge has in general become more
racially diverse (from 1990 to 2020,
the white population declined by
approximately 12 percent to 68 per-
cent), Rockridge has unfortunately
also seen a significant decline in its
Black population, which went from
seven percent in the 1990 census to
only two percent now. Oakland as a
whole has seen a mass exodus of Black
residents — 43 percent of all residents
to 22 percent during that same period.
Impact of Housing Cost
Much of this change has been
driven by rapidly rising housing
costs. As a result, Rockridge has lost
the majority of its working-class
residents, those who used to make
up the majority of the Rockridge
neighborhood below College Avenue.
This shift can best be seen by com-
paring the average annual household
income of $213,286 in 2022, to the
average household income of $123,582
in 1990, adjusted for inflation.
During this past year, as part of the
Housing Element of the 2023 General
Plan Update, neighborhood groups
were asked to identify opportunity
sites for building more housing. In
Rockridge, a number of sites were
identified, including the former Cali-
fornia College of the Arts (CCA);
the triangle lot at the corner of Col-
lege and Claremont; the site of the
second phase of the Ridge Project at
Land Use Committee Meeting
The Rockridge community is encouraged
to participate in LUC meetings where
elements of the General Plan Update will
be a primary topic of conversation.
Meetings, now being held at
7:30pm on the 3rd Wednesday of each
month, will resume in January 2024 on
Zoom. To participate, or to request
links, email landuse@rockridge.org.
CollegePrep
A private high school in Oakland
5366 College Ave.
at Manila
510-597-5017
Children:
Storytime Thursdays and Saturdays;
10:30 am
Chess Club: Wednesdays at 4pm
Read to a Dog: Thursdays at 4pm
Intergenerational Origami:
First Tuesday, 11/7, at 4pm,
Third Tuesday, 11/21, at 6:30pm.
Game Night: Tuesday, 11/14 at 6:30pm. Bring
your own game to play with others, or try
some of ours! All ages welcome, this is a great
inter-generational activity.
Teens:
Jeopardy and Snacks Wednesday 11/8; 2pm,
presented by the Rockridge Teen Advisory
Board
Teen Advisory Board: Wednesday,
11/8; 4-5pm. Join the Rockridge Branch
Library Teen Advisory Board (TAB) and
take an active role in creating, planning, and
implementing programs and services you
want to see at your local library. Every 2nd
Wednesday in the TeenZone. New members
welcome.
Adults:
Rockridge Book Club every 2nd Saturday.
Please call 510-597-5017 for more info and to
get a copy of the book. November’s book is
Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora
Holidays: The library will be closed Saturday,
11/11, and Thursday & Friday, 11/23-11/24.
And…
Author Talk: Jeff Horwitz
Thursday, 11/16; 7-8pm
Award-winning Wall Street Jour-
nal reporter, Jeff Horwitz, will
discuss his newly released book,
Broken Code: Inside Facebook
and the Fight to Expose Its Toxic
Secrets.
Moderated by Kevin Roose of
the New York Times.
Tucked into a glen in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland, College Prep’s
informal and welcoming campus provides an educational home for a lively and
talented community of students in grades 9-12. Guided by inspiring teachers
and mentors, they create a vibrant community that is rooted in shared values of
kindness, respect, and a willingness to learn from the perspectives of others.
We invite you to visit us and experience College Prep first-hand.
6100 Broadway Oakland CA 94618 510.652.4364 college-prep.org
Hours:
Mon, Thurs, Sat 10am to 5:30pm
Tuesday and Wednesday - 10am to 8pm
Closed on Sundays
Please also check the online calendar at:
www.oaklandlibrary.org/events.
THE
page 6
NOVEMBER 2023
Oakland Gets Historic Grant
to Plant More Urban Trees
by Annette Floystrup
Uthan their rural
surroundings.
Strategic planting
of the right type
of trees can cool
the air by 4°F to
14°F degrees by
shading asphalt
streets and con-
crete sidewalks.
Large urban
trees are also
excellent filters
for pollutants
and fine particu-
lates. This effect
explains why
there is a row of
redwood trees
planted on the
freeway side of
the Claremont
Middle School playground. A single
tree can help mitigate climate change
by trapping and absorbing up to 330
lbs. of CO2 per year.
nder a $1 billion program paid
for by the U.S. Inflation Reduc-
tion Act, ten Bay Area cities have
been awarded federal grants to plant,
maintain, and restore trees, including
an $8 million award to Oakland. Tree
canopy covers 7,819 acres or 21.5 per-
cent of land cover in Oakland. Urban
tree canopy refers to the amount of
leaves, branches, and stems of trees
that cover the ground in an area when
viewed from above.
Oakland has created a detailed
Urban Forest Plan which became
available for public commentary as of
October 30, 2023.
Why trees?
Trees are the most cost-effective tool
for mitigating climate changes. Trees
greatly improve air quality, reduce
energy consumption, help manage
storm water, reduce erosion, provide
critical habitat for wildlife, and pro-
mote our connection with nature.
Urban areas are “heat sinks.” The
“urban heat island” effect means that
paved streets and sidewalks, buildings,
and dark rooftops, all absorb solar
energy efficiently, resulting in surface
temperatures which can be as much
as 18°F to 27°F higher in the daytime
should take place every seven.
Because street trees are currently
inequitably distributed, with most
of the city tree cover found in the
hills and wealthier neighborhoods
like Rockridge, both Oakland and
the Urban and Community Forestry
Program utilize the Climate and Eco-
nomic Justice Screening Tool to help
identify which communities would
benefit most. Moore noted that stark
differences in tree cover between the
hills and much of the flatlands closely
match historical maps showing red-
lined neighborhoods.
How will the money be used?
According to City tree supervisor
David Moore, Oakland plans to use its
grant money to plant and restore trees
not only along streets but also in pri-
vate yards. Oakland will partner with
local nonprofits Common Vision and
the Oakland Parks and Recreation
Foundation to plant trees in residents’
yards. Street trees planted under the
grant include five years of mainte-
nance by the city, and a one-time
pruning. New street trees typically
only need to be watered for their first
three years, but ordinarily, pruning
Stressing resiliency
Trees selected for planting under the
grant program will be selected using
new criteria for climate resiliency.
Research done by consultant Dave
Muffly, and published on his website
oaktopia.org, points to using native
evergreen trees that are adapted to
warmer climates. The City’s Official
Street Tree List has been updated for
resiliency and can be found online at
https://www.oaklandca.gov/resources/
official-street-tree-list. n
THE
page 7
NOVEMBER 2023
Library Friends, from page 3
said Rockridge Library Branch Man-
ager Brian Guenther. “The number of
books that look newer and fresher is
notable.”
OPL has purchased new titles from
trending authors including M.C.
Beaton, Ibram X. Kendi, Sue Monk
Kidd, Marie Kondo, and Cormac
McCarthy. Replacement copies have
included popular titles such as Agatha
Christie’s Murder on the Orient
Express. Using the donation, OPL
will be able to make more large type
book purchases over the coming year
to keep titles current and to replace
volumes that are in poor condition.
“The donation was also used to
purchase copies of high-demand
audiobooks and eBooks making for
shorter wait times,” Guenther said.
With the funds, OPL has purchased
239 additional eBook licenses and 89
more audiobook licenses.
Licenses span 25 different titles
including:
· Demon Copperhead by Barbara
Kingsolver
· Horse by Geraldine Brooks
· It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover
· Spare by Prince Harry
· The Maid by Nita Prose
· The Thursday Murder Club
by Richard Osman
To access large-type books, visitors
can browse the dedicated shelves
at the Rockridge Library or use the
Advanced Search feature on oak-
landlibrary.org. For audiobooks and
eBooks, patrons can go to the ELI-
BRARY section of the OPL website,
which can be found under the “Read,
Listen, Watch” tab.
Together with OPL and the Rock-
ridge branch, the Friends of the
Rockridge Library is also exploring
other ways to make library resources
more accessible, including new tech-
nologies, emerging content formats,
and device lending programs.
Friends of the Rockridge Library is
a volunteer nonprofit organization
dedicated to enhancing our local
branch and supporting the wider
Oakland Public Library community.
Visit rockridgefriends.org. n
Stella is a happy 8-year-old
standard poodle who thinks
she’s a human. You’ll see her
around the neighborhood
on her morning walks, but
mostly she mans her post as
the professional welcoming
committee at the College
Avenue clothing store, DG
Collective. Come by the shop
and give her a treat or a pat
on the head if you need a
quick pick-me-up.
Does your pup live in
Rockridge? If so, send a photo of
your four-legged friend with a
short commentary to:
editor@rockridge.org.
Dogs of
Rockridge
Sometimes I walk Scout home
after “Read to a Dog” at the
library. And when I walk him
home, he has to smell every-
thing along the way. He’s 100
percent golden lab and lives
on Broadway with Sandy, his
owner. At reading time, he sits
quietly like a bag of flour and
lets kids read to him and pet
him. The best part is he doesn’t
say when you make a mistake.
Sometimes he wiggles his paws
and shakes his head and some-
times he puts his head in my
lap. — Marguerite, age 9
THE
page 8
NOVEMBER 2023
Devoted Librarian Went Looking for a Job,
and Found a Career
by Judith Doner Berne
“P
ublic Libraries are the Latest
Front in Culture War Battle
Over Books.” So read a Washington
Post headline.
“It hasn’t really touched us here,”
said Nina Lindsay, associate director
of the Oakland Public Libraries, who
grew up and lives in Rockridge, a
healthy walk from the house where
her parents, Joe and Dorothy (Dodie)
Lindsay, still reside.
She’s referring both to the book-
banning epidemic that is infecting
communities and even whole states
across the country (think Florida),
and to the disruptions of public
library-sponsored drag story hours
like the ones that took place as nearby
as San Lorenzo, Petaluma, and Los
Gatos, over the summer. Conservative
protestors have argued that these
programs indoctrinate young kids by
sexualizing them at an inappropriate
age, and used the term “grooming” to
describe what happens at these chil-
dren’s events.
“We’re very lucky that we haven’t
had issues with censorship at all,”
Lindsay said, in an interview at the
Rockridge Library. In fact, “It was
a full house at the Banned Books
and Censorship panel discussion at
Rockridge” on Oct. 7, according to
the Oakland Public Library’s October
eNewsletter. Still, Lindsay cautioned,
“It’s a concern nationwide.” Most
books banned last year, she said,
targeted those written by LGBTQ and
Black authors.
As for drag story hours, “We’ve
done them for years,” she said, noting
that “the protest in San Lorenzo has
made the public really turn out.” A
July drag queen story hour at the
Rockridge Library drew an audience
of around 70. Five other Oakland
Photo: Judy Berne
‘I have always looked forward to
coming to work every day,’ said
Oakland Public Library Associate
Director Nina Lindsay, pictured at
the Rockridge Library.
public libraries also hosted drag story
hours over the summer.
“I found it by accident,” Lindsay
said, about her decision to become
a librarian. It was her experience
working part-time at the Berkeley
Public Library, as she pursued an
undergraduate degree in linguistics at
UC Berkeley, which led to a master’s
in library and informational science at
the University of Wisconsin.
“I hadn’t even considered work-
ing in libraries — even though I’m
passionate about learning and spent
plenty of time in them,” she said.
“I got my first library job because I
needed a job… but I found a career. “
That career has been wholly devoted
to the Oakland Public Library (OPL).
OPL, which opened in 1878, has
grown to 16 branch libraries plus
the African American Museum and
Library, and the Tool Lending Library.
Fresh off her master’s degree, Lindsay
spent 11 years as a children’s librarian,
two years as the Children’s Collection
Development Librarian, and another
Market talk: We peaked in median price locally in Spring 2022 and hit a 2 year low last Winter 2022/2023.
The market came back some the first half of 2023, due to lower inventory. A post Labor Day surge in new listings along with
highest interest rates since 2000 (7.75% average) has lead to a Fall 2023 lull. Homes without major drawbacks still perform well
while those with drawbacks may linger on market this winter. Buyers will have opportunities now in terms of market choice
and hedge bets that rates will come down next year to take advantage of timing to buy now. Sellers, while not at peak Spring
2022, will still see better prices than 2020 but could better gear up for an end January-March 2024 seasonally better market.
November Awareness: Native American Heritage, Movember, Diabetes, Hunger & Homeless Youth, Kindness, Giving, Veterans,
Stress, Novel writing, Caregivers, Lung Cancer & Gratitude for family, friends, pets, front-line workers, leaders, healers, nature,
life and of course my clients who allowed me to earn the top 3 most transactions out of 2100+ agents in 94618 and 94609
combined over the last 20 year period.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Nina Lindsay, see next page
THE
page 9
NOVEMBER 2023
small businesses.” Closer to home, she
frequents the Sunday Temescal Farm-
er’s Market and then spends the day
cooking for the rest of the week.
A graduate of Peralta Elementary,
Claremont Middle, and Oakland
Tech, she misses former College
Avenue venues like Chimes Pharmacy
and the College Bowl bowling alley.
Zachary’s Pizza opened when she was
in middle school. She frequents East
Bay Booksellers as well as Pegasus
Books.
The latter kindles memories of its
earlier incarnation, Pendragon Books,
“the first place I bought my own
books. I hope readers think it’s funny
that librarians use the bookstores, but
they serve different purposes and I
feel like we need them both.”
Contact judyberne@att.net if you
have comments or a story idea for Eyes
on Rockridge. n
Nina Lindsay, from previous page
community, we are getting more
requests from people experiencing
crises,” Lindsay said. “Our staff do an
amazing job of helping people to the
extent they can, and we have great
partnerships with Alameda County
Behavioral Health and other outreach
organizations. The City’s MACRO
response teams have been invaluable
to us, and we are working on addi-
tional training and resource support
for our staff and patrons.”
“Everyone finds refuge in Oakland
libraries in different ways,” Lind-
say said, “whether it’s to find new
friends or to be alone, to explore or
contemplate, or sometimes just find a
bathroom you can use without ques-
tion, cost, or scrutiny (we’ve all used
the Rockridge lobby bathroom on a
College Avenue shopping day, right?).”
A feasibility study for rebuilding or
renovating Oakland’s Main Library,
built in 1951, is currently underway.
“It’s beloved, but has outlived its
capacity to serve Oakland,” she
said. Community workshops to help
inform a vision for the new main
library were completed in October.
Residents offered inspiration for
design and programming, responding
to prompts such as “How do you
want to feel when you walk into the
library?” You can search the web for
updates at Oakland Main Library
Feasibility Study.
Lindsay bikes to work. “I like to go
to downtown Oakland, buy my lunch
out, and support the restaurants and
10 years as a Children’s Services Coor-
dinator. She was named Associate
Director in 2019.
Although she misses direct contact
with the public, “I love working with
the staff at all levels.” That includes
Oakland Library Director Jamie
Turbak, support staff, and middle
managers, as well as part-time library
aides whose back stories she finds
particularly interesting. “Many were
once part of our teen advisory board,
some are parents who want part-time
work, some have been volunteers.”
An urgent task is hiring more staff
to reach the approximately 350 full
and part-time employees needed to
keep the libraries open seven days a
week and in the evenings. The passage
of the Oakland Public Library Pres-
ervation Act (Measure D) in 2018 has
pretty much ensured funding. But “It’s
hard to relocate here on a librarian’s
budget,” she said. “The Bay Area has
not become very hospitable to the
middle class.”
In addition, a recent employee
survey commissioned by the library
found that many staff members feel
less safe at work. Similar to libraries
throughout the country, and made
worse by the pandemic, staff members
report verbal abuse, threatening
interactions, and situations they aren’t
equipped to handle.
“As mental health and drug-related
problems take stronger root in our
THE
page 10
NOVEMBER 2023
It’s the contributions from our
Rockridge neighbors that make this
community meal possible. Donations
of money and food are gratefully
accepted and much needed. We
expect the cost for the hearty turkey
dinners with all the fixin’s to be
approximately $2,000.
You can also give your time. We
need volunteers to help in our effort
to provide this holiday meal. We’ll be
looking for help cooking from home,
preparing the site, serving, and clean-
ing up — all done in a spirit of joy
and giving — while paying the utmost
attention to safety.
We also will be distributing “Bless-
ing Bags,” our term for care packages
that include new underclothes, toilet-
ries, a blanket, and jackets.
You can donate gently used jackets
and blankets and/or money to help
purchase new underclothes. More
information about all of this can be
found on our Thanksgiving Day web-
page (see box below). n
Thanksgiving, from front page
This is an opportunity for us to
gather as a community to respond
to the needs of those struggling with
hunger, solitude, and joblessness. We
plan to serve 250 to-go holiday meals
free to anyone who comes by. We’ll be
providing these pre-packaged meals
on Thanksgiving Day, from 11am
to noon, from our campus at 5951
College Avenue. We invite our neigh-
bors to help — this has always been a
joint effort by diverse members of our
Rockridge Community that includes
congregational members, local mer-
chants, and residents.
Visit the church website at www.
capcoakland.org/thanksgiving-meal
and see how you can sign-up for a
volunteer slot. You
can also contact
the church office
at capcoakland@
gmail.com or (510)
658-3665.
Thank you for
partnering with
us to serve the
common good.
DRE 01265873 | 01798658
Competition Drives Price in October
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BR
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DOM
Selling price
10/2/2023
3
2.5
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8
$2,305,000
10/4/2023
2
1
5878 Birch Ct $1,195,000 $1,195,000
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$1,150,000
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THE
page 11
NOVEMBER 2023
Substantive Changes Arrive at BART:
The “Fleet of the Future”
by Rebecca Saltzman, BART Director
Installation at all 50 stations should
be completed by the end of 2025.
For those who want to take your
bike on BART, we are making it easier
than ever. The BART Board recently
voted to update the “Bikes on BART”
rules for the first time in ten years.
The new rules, which I authored,
allow riders to take bicycles on esca-
lators and in all train cars, helping
more people to bring their bikes into
our system and get to where they are
going in a timely manner.
So, if it’s been a while since you
have tried BART, I encourage you
to come, relax, and enjoy the ride. If
you are one of those loyal riders who
has been with us throughout the past
pandemic, thanks for riding!
Rebecca Saltzman represents
Rockridge and seven other stations on
the BART Board of Directors. n
Wsadors, and Fare Inspectors to boost
their visibility and to conduct welfare
checks for the unhoused. Doubling of
foot patrols has reduced the average
incident response time to four minutes.
BART also recently launched the
next phase of our “Not One More
Girl” initiative to address sexual
harassment and gender-based violence
some have experience while riding on
the trains. This youth-led initiative,
in partnership with community-based
organizations, is critical to making
sure BART is safe and welcoming to
all who ride, especially for girls and
gender-expansive youth. To support
this campaign, BART has introduced
new bystander Intervention Cards
that riders can discreetly pass to other
riders to prompt bystander interven-
tion, and that can be used to report
harassment when it is taking place.
Riders can pick one up from any sta-
tion agent.
One of the highest priority projects
at BART is the installation of taller,
stronger fare gates to deter fare
evasion. An initial prototype set of
swing-style fare gates has been in
use at Rockridge for some time now,
and work will begin soon at West
Oakland to install these new prototype
fare gates by the end of December.
ith the fall season upon us, we
hope people don’t just turn
back their clocks but also get back on
track by taking the Bay Area’s Rapid
Transit (BART) system. BART’s new
“Safe & Clean Plan” doubles down on
improvements we have been making
to give riders what they want from us
— a safe, clean, and reliable BART that
we can all be proud of. BART is now
running their “Fleet of the Future”
full-time. These trains are easier to
clean, break down less frequently, and
have improved air conditioning for hot
days like those recently experienced.
We have also doubled-down on the
deep cleaning of all train cars.
I am most excited about our
increased service. For years, I have
fought to improve service on nights
and weekends; our new schedule
increases it by 50 percent. No rider will
have to wait more than 20 minutes on
the platform day or night, and on the
Yellow Line, where Rockridge station is
located, weekday daytime service has
increased to 10-minute frequencies.
BART now provides frequent service at
all times of day, no matter what day of
the week you travel.
Riders have expressed that BART’s
number one priority should be safety,
and we have listened. New BART
Police Chief Kevin Franklin adjusted
patrol assignments to increase police
presence on the trains and in the
stations. BART is also using unarmed
Crisis Intervention Specialists, Ambas-
THE
page 12
NOVEMBER 2023
RCPC’s Kevin Faughnan
Community Grant
Program Helps Fund
Climatescape
by Robin McDonnell
Climatescape is the newest recip-
ient of the Rockridge Community
Planning Council (RCPC) Kevin
Faughnan Community Grant. The
RCPC sets aside funds from the pro-
ceeds of the Kitchen Tour for a grant
program that supports small commu-
nity-led projects in Rockridge. FROG
budgeted $2,000 for the project, and
RCPC granted $750 in funding to help
cover the cost of the plants.
The Climatescape project, located at
the corner of Frog Park near Hudson,
is a true community collaboration.
Since the creation of the park, the
location behind the basketball courts
has been neglected due to the dif-
ficulty of getting water to the site.
Rockridge landscape designer John
Kamp designed the project at no cost,
and local volunteers worked together
to prepare the site for planting.
RCPC grants are intended to
encourage and support new ideas
from Rockridge residents that
improve the neighborhood. This
project will beautify an otherwise bare
corner of the park and become an
educational resource for children and
adults interested in low-water land-
scaping (see article on right). n
Photo: Anna L. Marks
Climatescape Takes Shape at Frog Park
by Carol Kasparek and Theresa Nelson
On September 23, John Kamp,
James Rojas, and Friends of the
Rockridge Greenbelt (FROG) mem-
bers gathered near the Hardy Park
basketball courts to break ground for
a new pocket park. “Climatescape,” a
term Kamp has chosen, refers to a set-
ting in which plants not only endure
shifts in the environment but continu-
ally adapt to changing conditions
(see September 2023 Rockridge News).
The Rockridge Community Planning
Council (RCPC) has awarded this
project a $750 grant to supplement the
funds already raised by FROG board
members (see article on left).
The 30' by 30' area is bounded by a
concrete curb. About 50 years ago, a
small metal play structure had been
installed. By the early 1990s, the
failing structure was removed by the
City — leaving the area to become
overgrown with weeds. The FROG
Committee wanted to start over.
The newest design relies on a careful
choice of plants and an innovative
planting technique to create a pol-
linator garden that will not require
irrigation — an ongoing challenge
at this part of the park. Kamp and
Rojas (https://www.prairieform.
com/), who had also consulted with
neighbor Patrick Cullinane last year
on the two community parks he
created, also funded in part by the
Kevin Faughnan Community Grants
program (see Rockridge News, April
2023), led committee members and
some of their children through a fun,
hands-on design session. Beginning
Climatescape, see next page
THE
page 13
NOVEMBER 2023
Visit Rockridge Artists at East Bay Open Studios
Climatescape, from previous page
Ewith envisioning what they saw as the
future of the garden, they developed a
compelling design incorporating the
group’s input, and which the commit-
tee enthusiastically welcomed.
Once community planning sessions
and drawings were completed, the
plants purchased, and the ground
prepared (with locally sourced
cardboard, thank you Rockridge mer-
chants), training was conducted on
the specific method of planting — and
the team finally broke ground.
Unfortunately, a few shovels later
led to a daunting discovery — a layer
of asphalt stretched underneath much
of the area, preventing necessary air
and water circulation. Kamp brought
in a new tool, a remarkably compact
jackhammer, and wheelbarrows of
asphalt were removed to allow the Cli-
matescape to take shape.
The new plants, almost 140 of them,
were put in over the next few days,
and volunteers have been watering
them according to a specific plan to
get them established. FROG volun-
teers have been hauling water from
the spigot in the Hardy Dog Park with
a handy red wagon and some five-gal-
lon buckets — it takes about 15 trips
to complete one watering cycle. The
plants are expected to thrive inde-
pendently by next spring.
stablished 48 years ago, East Bay Open Studios has presented an annual free
and family-friendly self-guided tour of artist studios and exhibition spaces
throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. As of this year, Oakland Art
Murmur has taken stewardship of the event. Three Rockridge artists will be
participating in the event in early December and neighbors are encouraged to
stop by and learn more about them.
Trina Anderson (www.trinaander-
son.com) is a painter and printmaker
based in Oakland where she’s made
her home for more than three
decades. Her creative passion revolves
around exploring the objects and
structures made, used, and often
discarded and forgotten by humanity.
“I’m deeply fascinated by the stories
they carry. It’s my means of inviting
others to discover the beauty and
stories hidden within the everyday.”
Katie
McCann's
collage piece
“Poppy.”
Marsha
Balian's mixed
media piece
“Boomerang.”
December 2nd and 3rd, 11am to 5pm
at 5240 Shafter Avenue n
Marsha Balian (www.marshabalian.
com) and Katie McCann (www.
beetleblossom.com) are mixed media
collage artists whose work has been
seen throughout the Bay Area, many
parts of the country and interna-
tionally. Their work is accessible,
multi-layered and often has a strong
narrative quality. This is an opportu-
nity to view and purchase their work
at reduced prices.
For more info, contact John at
kamp@prairieform.com. For info on all
park activities, visit frogpark.org. n
December 2nd and 3rd, from 11am
to 5pm at 5495 Kales Ave, between
College and Broadway.
THE
page 14
NOVEMBER 2023
From Kabul to the Mediterranean: Venerable
College Avenue Pub Heads in New Direction
by Skip Fogarty
L
Photo: Skip Fogarty
and a beer — or maybe a cocktail and
a comedy show.
In August, there was another
change in ownership at that won-
derful location, directly across the
street from the Julia Morgan designed
Presbyterian Church. “My family
has always loved this neighborhood,”
says new managing partner Akbar
Arghandiwal. “We were searching for
a new restaurant location and I spot-
ted this place. When we found out it
was for sale, we jumped on it.”
He lives in Walnut Creek, and
at one time resided on Broadway
Terrace. “I want this to remain a
neighborhood gathering place,” Akbar
says. “Rockridge deserves the best, so
we want to establish a new, fresh and
welcoming place for our neighbors.”
He expressed an interest in preserving
some of the Squirrel’s entertainment
events such as trivia games on Sun-
days and perhaps the comedy nights.
Arghandiwal came to the Bay Area
in 1982 from his native Afghani-
stan. His family ran a dry cleaning
business on College. He has a long
career of success in restaurants as an
owner, partner and executive chef.
He presently has part interest in the
well-rated Livermore restaurant Roya
Afghan Cuisine. His brother operates
an Afghan-style restaurant in Santa
ongtime neighbors will likely
remember Barclay’s pub on Col-
lege Avenue. I have recollections of
many family brunches on weekends.
Another memory is bringing my little
league team and parents there for
post-game celebrations. The casual
vibe of Barclay’s was the charm of the
place. Dart games and empty kegs
against the back wall. All the regular
faces at the bar. Crayons and French
fries, often on the floor.
In 2016, Barclay’s was sold to an
ownership duo who were old school
friends and grew up in the neighbor-
hood. Rechristened as the Golden
Squirrel, the new spot came with
many upgrades, a new menu, and a
full liquor license. The Squirrel had
a more upscale feel, but it was still a
relaxed and reliable spot for a burger
Akbar Arghandiwal is preparing
a Middle Eastern-inspired menu for
the space formerly occupied by
the Golden Squirrel.
Cruz and is involved with a string of
Mexican eateries in various airports
around the country.
A couple of weeks ago, Arghandiwal
decided to close the doors while he
makes changes in menu and decor.
He says many neighbors have encour-
aged a more diverse menu — and
he’s settled on a new name. Saffron
Kitchen will be “a delightful culinary
journey from Kabul to the Mediter-
ranean,” he promises. Stand by for a
reopening in early November.
You can reach the new management
team with questions or suggestions at
info@goldensquirrelpub.com. n
YOUR LOCAL
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THE
page 15
NOVEMBER 2023
List your 36-word message here for only $22 (phone number counts
as one word). Make check payable to RCPC, and write “Rockridge
News Classifieds” in the memo line. The deadline for December’s
issue is Nov 16 (available Dec 9). Mail to: RCPC, 4900 Shattuck Ave.,
PO Box 22504, Oakland, 94609-20131. For more information, email
Susan at smontauk@gmail.com.
Penelope’s Aesthetics Holiday
Special!
Meeting the relatives? You’ll need to
freshen up first impressions with a lash,
brow tint and eyebrow wax! On special
through November for $65. penelopecalef.
com. Call today! 510/594-1552
Classifieds
RN
HOLIDAY SEASON AT BAMBINO
Decorate your home for Thanksgiving,
Chanukah or Christmas while supporting
Children’s Hospital Oakland with your
purchases. Nov.5-Dec. 23, T, Th, Fri
11am-3pm & Sun.12-4pm. 5290 College
510/658-7473, bambinothriftshop.org. n
HIRING BRAIN GAMES
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For Seniors throughout the Bay
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Available Nov 15th – Vintage 2-story
home. Close to SF, UC Berkeley/
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Garden Maintenance, Cleanups
& Design
Experienced team of two dedicated
to the art of gardening. We specialize
in garden maintenance, cleanups and
custom garden designs. To contact us,
please email yourgreengardeners@
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ReUp Refill Shop
Every Wednesday
Seniors Get Ten Percent Off
• 6025 College Avenue •
HARDWOOD FLOORS
Install, sand/refinish, repair, re-coat
existing. Large jobs or small. Twenty-plus
years in Piedmont Ave/Rockridge. Bruce
Williams Woodfloors. Please call or text
Bruce at 510/652-8121. CA Lic # 913727;
www.blwfloors.com.
Plan for 2024 Now! Free
Home Evaluation w/Licensed
Neighborhood Realtor!
Market Value, Tax-Related Issues, Estate
Planning, Selling/Buying. Eve Levine
347/526-1383; eve@vanguardproperties.
com; DRE#02133046. Each in-home visit
this month we donate $100 to Friends of
OPL.
Handyman Service –
House Repairs & Remodeling
Dry rot, kitchen and bath tile refurbishing
or installation, window installation,
plumbing, fence, deck & handrail repair,
electrical wiring- fixtures, outlets. And
much more. Call Juan 510/692-6399, or
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Shop ROCKRIDGE
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Does your adolescent pup need help
with basic obedience, leash manners
or impulse control? We offer private
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visit dogsquaddogtraining.com for more
information and to get started.
Handyman for Hire
Multifaceted and well experienced.
Hauling and towing available. No job
too small. Reasonably priced. Lee Self.
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Electrical Remodels and Repairs
The rainy season is coming —
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electrical work in Oakland and Berkeley
for over 35 years. Sutorik & Company,
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LIFE & CHANGE
THE
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