Extracted text · highlighting “Kristen Belt”

R ckridgeNews

THE

www.rockridge.org

VOL 39   •   NO. 7   •   ISSUE  NO. 421   •   JULY/AUG 2024                 CIRCULATION: 6,400 RESIDENCES; 200 BUSINESSES

Sponsored by the Rockridge Community Planning Council (RCPC)  •  4900 Shattuck Ave., PO Box 22504, Oakland  94609

Get an Early Peek at
Rockridge Kitchens:
Be A Docent
by Star Lightner, Kitchen Tour Chair
Planning for the 2024 Rockridge
Kitchen Tour, scheduled for
Sunday, October 13, is in full swing.
The Kitchen Tour committee has
selected eight kitchens and two ADUs
to be featured on this year’s tour,
and is now turning to the vital task
of recruiting another great group of
Kitchen Tour docents.
Docents fill a very important role
during the tour: they are the people
who welcome the guests at each home;
answer questions about the kitchens;
and make the Kitchen Tour enjoyable
for attendees and homeowners alike.
Whether you’ve been a docent in
the past, or are new to the Rockridge
Kitchen Tour, volunteering as a
docent is a fulfilling and rewarding
experience. It’s also ideal for someone
who wants to help the
Rockridge community
but can’t make a long-
term commitment to
neighborhood boards and
associations. Many people
volunteer year after year
— it’s that much fun!
Docents: What’s Involved?
A week or two before the
tour, all docents attend a
pre-tour training session
(no more than three hours)
that includes visits to sev-
eral of the selected houses.
One of the best parts of
being a docent is getting
a behind-the-scenes look ahead of
the tour and the opportunity to learn
more about the kitchens from the
Photo by Anna L. Marks
This kitchen was featured on the 2022 Kitchen Tour.
owners/architects/contractors.
On your training day, you will visit
three of the selected kitchens and
hear directly from those homeowners,
architects, and perhaps even the con-
tractors about the unique features and
skillful problem-solving approaches
taken during the actual design and
construction for each of them. The
session will also familiarize you with
the layout of your assigned home
to help you guide visitors around,
educate them about the house, and be
able to answer any questions. On the
day of the Kitchen Tour you will be
given a three-hour shift, with the rest
of the day to visit the other kitchens
that you did not see during the pre-
tour training.
Volunteering for the Kitchen Tour is
a great way to get to know more about
the neighborhood as well as first-rate
Rock-N-Stroll, see page 3
Saturday, August 24
11am to 6pm
by Jody Colley
T

he Rockridge District Association has revamped its summer event this
year to take place on just one full day, Saturday, August 24, from
11am to 6pm. It will feature all the popular themes from previous years
— Pup Promenade, Fall Fest, Scavenger Hunt, Family Day, Art Walk, and
other fun highlights — and more bands performing than ever before.
Rock-N-Stroll spans College Avenue from Alcatraz Avenue to Broadway
with pop-up vendors, local artists tabling, music, and special offerings from
businesses all along the way. The free event features kids’ crafts, art shows,
and fun activities for the whole family — showcasing the local wares, fine
dining, savory and sweet treats, and delicious drinks you can only find in
Oakland’s Rockridge District.

Kitchen Tour, see next page


THE
page 2
JULY/AUG 2024

RCPC  Land Use Committee
Kitchen Tour, from front page
kitchen design, but it’s also a chance
to give back to Rockridge. In case
you didn’t know, the biennial Kitchen
Tour is the main
fundraiser for
the Rockridge
Community
Planning
Council
(RCPC).
Since
the first
Kitchen
Tour in 1995, proceeds
have gone to the Friends of the
Rockridge Library for building the
inspiring home for the College Avenue
branch; to the design and building of
the play structure and other amenities
at Frog Park; to the Kevin Faughnan
Memorial Community Grants pro-
gram that supports local projects that
benefit Rockridge; and many other
purposes.
Many hands make light work, and
the Kitchen Tour is an enjoyable
experience for both attendees and
volunteers. In addition to docents, we
are seeking folks interested in helping
put up posters and banners, as well as
volunteers to act as “runners” to trou-
bleshoot on the day of the tour.
Want to be part of the action?
Contact Kitchen Tour Chair Star
Lightner; kitchentour@rockridge.org. n
Next Meeting: July 18, on Zoom
The Rockridge News was founded in March
1986 by Don Kinkead and is published
monthly (except August). It‘s 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.
The Rockridge community is encouraged
to participate in LUC meetings where
elements of the General Plan is a primary
topic of conversation.
Meetings are held at 7:30pm
on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.
To participate, or to request links to
this or any previous meeting,
email landuse@rockridge.org.
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
RCPC Board of Directors, 2024-25
Casey Farmer.......................................................Chair
Ken Rich..................................................... Vice-Chair
Kim Suczynski-Smith................................... Secretary
Louisa Bukiet.................................................Treasurer
Mark Aaronson, Muhammad Alameldin, Kristen
Belt, Eli Kaplan, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Zac
Unger, Zack Walton
Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org
For information: info@rockridge.org
Contacting the Rockidge News
Are there topics you’d like to see covered in the
Rockridge News? Have questions about newsletter
distribution? Want to volunteer to be a Rockridge
News distributor? We’d love to hear from you.
Want to write a Letter to the Editor? Letters
are limited to 450 words and are published at
the editor's discretion. Send letters to: editor@
rockridge.org. Please include your name, email,
and street of residence. Deadline is the 11th of
each month for the upcoming newsletter.
All submissions accepted for publication are
subject to editing for clarity and brevity. The
Rockridge News reserves the right to refuse any
articles, letters, or advertisements.
Greater Rockridge Neighborhood
Crime Prevention Council
Newsletter Subscriptions
To subscribe to The Rockridge News, send your
check for $20, payable to RCPC with “Rockridge
News” noted on the memo line.
Held at the Rockridge Library’s
Upstairs Conference Room
Thursday, August 8, at 7pm
Mail payment to: RCPC, 4900 Shattuck Avenue,
PO Box 22504, Oakland, CA, 94609
There will be presentations by
Community Resource Officers
and discussion of crime and safety.
Display Ad Deadline for SEPTEMBER 2024:
AUGUST 15, 2024
Advertising rates are $28/column inch ($32 for
color). Six-month pre-pay discounts available.
For display ads, call Jo Ellis at 510-653-3210
(after noon), or email joellis1@hotmail.com.
Classifieds: Email Susan at smontauk@gmail.com.
A Zoom link is available to those
who wish to attend remotely.
For more details, visit
www.rockridgencpc.com
The Greater Rockridge NCPC
meets every 2nd Thursday of the even-
numbered months.
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
JULY/AUG 2024

inception in 2021, and has introduced
other talented musicians to the event.
Rock-N-Stroll is pet-friendly and
many of the merchants will welcome
their furry guests with water bowls,
treats, and pup menus. A pet adoption
will be available for those looking to
add to their families.
There will be no street closures for
Rock-N-Stroll — every available space
on the avenue will be involved — with
a focus on highlighting Rockridge’s
many businesses, artists, musicians,
and nonprofits. This is truly an event
hosted by avenue merchants for their
neighbors — all of them welcome you
to relax, discover, and share the day
with the whole family as you leisurely
stroll along tree-lined College Avenue.
For details on how to participate,
visit www.RockridgeDistrict.com. n
Visit RCPC at the Stroll
Visit RCPC at the Stroll
The Rockridge Community
Planning Council will have a
table at Rock-N-Stroll for selling
t-shirts, onesies, and mugs, as well
as informing neighbors about the
Kitchen Tour and the Community
Vision Plan —
Stop by to chat and meet an
RCPC board member!
Rock-N-Stroll, from front page
Restaurants and markets will be
offering seasonal menus and tastings
as well as hosting food and beverage
purveyors on their sidewalks and
patios. Retailers will have sales and
promotions, and will host artisan
vendors and local nonprofits that
they want the community to meet.
You can find vintage sunwear at
Phoenix Optical (5519 College
Avenue), a sidewalk sale at Planterday
(6004 College Avenue), and a local
artist and pop-up vendor at La Esqui-
nita (5400 College Avene), to name a
few neighborhood participants.
New this year, there will be a Rock-
ridge Fair hosted at College Avenue
Presbyterian Church that will show-
case many of the merchants you don’t
typically get to meet. Yoga instructors,
mental health practitioners, archi-
tects, tattoo artists, fitness coaches,
and others will be onsite to greet
you. In addition, several local artists
Optician Tina Satara, of Phoenix Optical,
shows off a pair of Vintage Sunglasses.
have been invited back this year to
showcase their talents and artwork
all along College Avenue. Although
the whole Bay Area is invited to enjoy
Rock-N-Stroll, this is, at its heart, a
neighborhood celebration and event.
The music lineup welcomes Rock-
N-Stroll veterans along with new
bands to the series. Frances Anchata
is a singer/songwriter offering intro-
spective electric acoustic folk, indie,
pop/rock, and tropical new wave
folk. Anchata has already released
three albums, and has garnered inter-
national independent and internet
radio airplay in the US, Canada, the
UK, and Spain. Frances performs
both original songs and her personal
interpretation of covers. She has
participated in Rock-N-Stroll since its


THE
page 4
JULY/AUG 2024

RCPC  Land Use Committee
RCPC Weighs in on City of
Oakland’s Objective Design
Standards for 4-8 Story,
Multifamily Residential Units
Objective Design Standards hold a
promise to be a more efficient,
predictable, and equitable path to
obtaining and granting of planning
approvals for a wide variety of devel-
opment projects, especially those for
affordable housing. The City of Oak-
land’s Planning Department accepted
public comments on these standards
through June 3, 2024. Comments
from RCPC were sent to the Oakland
Planning Deparment: (see letter on
right). You can learn more at: https://
www.oaklandca.gov/topics/objec-
tive-design-standards. n


THE

page 5
JULY/AUG 2024

Urban Studies Students
Rethink Potential of
“The Ridge”
by Kim Suczynski-Smith, RCPC
Boardmember
Thousing access and affordability, tran-
sit access and safety, and inclusion.
The course started out looking at
the City of Oakland’s General Plan,
other available planning documents,
and census data. After then conduct-
ing site walks, surveys, and physical
observations, students tried to answer
the questions of:
the community attended the session
and provided comments to the stu-
dents. The goal of sharing the students’
research and visions for the site was
to not only to prepare the students
for professional practice but to also
help the neighborhood dream outside
conventional constraints around the
possibilities for the site and for this
stretch of Broadway.
One project, titled “Accessibility
Through Public Space,” studied how
Broadway could be reconfigured to
slow traffic, reclaim the natural public
space of the street for pedestrians, and
improve the connectivity of the site
to the adjacent
neighborhoods.
Another project,
titled “Urban
Farming for
Restorative
Justice and Com-
munity Healing,”
proposed
addressing Oak-
land’s broader
issue of food
insecurity by
dividing the site
into two areas —
one for housing
development
and the other for a high-production
urban farm inspired by the City Slicker
Farms project in West Oakland.
These student projects have provided
a glimpse of possibilities for devel-
opment, but ultimately it is up to the
landowner, and the community, to
implement these ideas.
his past spring, a group of Urban
Studies students from UC Berke-
ley studied The Ridge Phase II site
redevelopment of the shopping center
at Broadway and Pleasant Valley.
As part of their capstone course
experience as junior and seniors, the
City Planning studio is designed to
provide students
with a real-world
experience exploring
the intersection of
a city’s zoning and
development stan-
dards; constraints
of land owners;
limitations of
development oppor-
tunities; and desires
of the community.
The Ridge Phase II
site has been vacant
since 2016, and is
listed as an “oppor-
tunity site” in the
City of Oakland’s Housing Element.
It was proposed to be redeveloped as
a Home Depot last year, but received
pushback from the community who
would prefer it to be used for housing.
The site is also adjacent to the Cali-
fornia College of Arts campus, which
is currently undergoing the EIR review
process for repurposing the site as 448
homes, offices, and an open space.
Located at the intersection of two
major arterial streets, the Ridge Phase
II site is disconnected from the neigh-
borhood fabric, and challenged by a
lack of access safety for pedestrians
and cyclists.
Also, the Ridge Shopping Center is
within walking distance to Oakland
Tech High School and utilized daily by
its students. For all these reasons, the
site is an excellent opportunity for stu-
dents and the broader community to
discuss and envision solutions to our
neighborhood’s broader challenges of
• Who belongs to the community?
• What physical, social, economic, and
cultural factors tie the community
together?
• Who is using the public space?
• How would a project impact the
community?

(Left image) Urban Farming for Restorative Justice and Community Healing project
proposal for a mixed-use urban farm and housing design. (Right image) The Accessibility
through Public Space project proposal for Broadway in front of Oakland Tech.

These questions were explored by
first understanding resident, Oakland
Tech, and shopping plaza perspectives.
After the research phase, the students
generated project proposals for the
issues and challenges they identified
from their research. On May 2, 2024,
the students presented their final
projects via Zoom at a Rockridge
Community Planning Council Town
Hall meeting. Nearly 50 members of
Architect Kim Suczynski-Smith
taught this class at Berkeley's College of
Environmental Design. n


THE
page 6
JULY/AUG 2024

History Corner
BART. By 1913, the Sacramento
Northern trains ran along Shafter
through the Chabot canyon, and it
was possible to get to Sacramento
in about the same amount of time
as taking the Amtrak specials from
Emeryville now. Since the opening
of the Grove-Shafter Freeway in 1970
(Highway 24) and BART in 1972,
neighbors once again have commute
options like they had in the 1920s.
BART Station
In the late 1960s, BART helped pio-
neer the development of metropolitan
rail transit around the country. The
initial 1956 plan aimed to provide
service for older city centers and
to reorganize sprawling suburbs by
creating commercial and residential
hubs at BART stations in order to
attract higher-density housing, retail
shops, and offices. To this end, they
proposed special transit zones around
the new BART stations.
In November 1970, a group of
developers, calling themselves the
Rockridge Neighborhood Commit-
tee requested rezoning around the
Rockridge BART Station area to allow
construction of an 83-unit apartment
complex.
The Past and Future
of Development at
Rockridge BART
by Annette Floystrup
Rockridge was founded as a
transit-oriented neighborhood,
uniquely situated to take advantage of
an expanded transportation system
in all four directions. Commuters can
take freeways, BART, or bus to work
in San Francisco and beyond, yet few
know that the routes they take today
were begun 120 years ago to serve the
same purpose.
It took about as long to get to San
Francisco then as it does today by
Higher Density Housing
Higher density housing did not
begin with the construction of BART.
During WWII, many single-family
houses in Rockridge were converted
to duplexes, and there was a rise in
the construction of duplexes and
small apartment houses to meet the
housing demands of workers pouring
in to work at the Alameda Naval Air
Station, the Port of Oakland, and
the Army supply depot in Oakland.
Wartime industries of shipbuilding
and canning fueled industrial growth,
which led to a surge in the popula-
tion. Oakland added almost 100,000
new residents between 1940-1945.
The 1945 special census revealed the
population of Oakland at a then all-
time high of 405,301 residents.
Oakland’s population has decreased
by 20,640, a 4.68 percent decline since
the most recent census in 2020, which
recorded a population of 440,873.
Currently, Oakland has a population
of 420,233, which is declining at a rate
of 1.21 percent annually.
Context is Everything —
The Quarter-Mile Radius
Neighborhood pushback was swift.
Residents were faced with the resur-
rection of the original BART station’s
“mini-downtown” concept to create
a high-density zone that included a
quarter mile radius around the Rock-
ridge Station to be created by using
eminent domain to clear the desig-
nated area for development. Between
1960-1966, urban renewal, freeway
construction, BART construction,
and other government actions had
already destroyed over 7,000 housing
units in Oakland, including over
1,400 (mostly) single-family homes in
BOOK A 5-STAR STAY
★★★★★
⟡
⟡
Sebastopol
West Sonoma County
TheSebastopolRetreat.com
Rockridge BART, see next page

Market talk: We've seen a more balanced market, holding steady even if not at its peak. Buyers are moving on good
properties that are presented well. Every property is unique. Contact me for a specific valuation on yours!

COMING:
Heart of Rockridge: 309 63rd St @ College Ave (Adjacent Cole Coffee). FULLY VACANT 4-plex, roughly $120k/year gross
income. Expansion potential. Listed @ 1.695M
Glen Highlands: 4+ Bd 3+ Ba 3,300+ SqFt 1990s beauty across Hwy 13 from Upper Rockridge - Listed @ $2.1M

⟡
⟡

July is Awareness Month for: Disabilities, Plastic Free, Wildlife, Clean Beaches, Independence Day, Picnics, BE LOVE,
International Justice, Women's Rights
ENJOY SUMMER!

Truckee
North Lake Tahoe
TheTruckeeHouse.com
Save 10% | Promo Code: RN10
Exp. 9/2024


THE

page 7
JULY/AUG 2024

The Second Development Proposal
delayed until 2034 or later. The plans
now reflect the new height limits and
transit-oriented development zones
by the BART Station and along Col-
lege Avenue that were imposed after
expiration of a July 1, 2022 deadline
for local zoning changes persuant
to AB 2923 (see diagram on left).
Allowable building height on College
Avenue is now 55 ft. (up from 35 ft.),
and could be higher with density
bonuses applied. At the BART Sta-
tion, the new maximum height limit
is 175 ft., or about 17 stories tall.
While the Rockridge Station has
been determined to have strong
potential from a Transit Oriented
Development market perspective,
as both a top-ranked residential and
Rockridge BART, from previous page
In 1988, four local developers
made proposals to the BART board
for high-density residential develop-
ments on the Miles side of the BART
Station. The proposals were submit-
ted on the initiative of each developer
and not as a formal Request for Pro-
posal from BART. The BART board
Rockridge taken by eminent domain
to allow for construction of the BART
Station and Highway 24.
The residential and business dis-
tricts in Rockridge had been seriously
harmed by six years of highway and
BART construction. College Avenue
was 50 percent vacant, with boarded
up storefronts and empty lots used
for construction equipment. Local
residents and merchants felt they
now faced the total destruction of
neighborhood and business district
integrity if this new plan to clear a
transit zone was implemented. Both
groups had had enough.
The City of Oakland put a build-
ing moratorium in place in April
1970, and in January 1971, more
than 400 residents, along with the
College Avenue Merchants Asso-
ciation, voiced their opposition to
the Planning Commission. They
requested a rezoning moratorium
and a planning study.
The neighborhood organized
and obtained HUD funding that paid
for a comprehensive planning study
which resulted in the creation of the
C-31 special pedestrian-oriented retail
zone for College Avenue, and a new
residential buffer zone (about one
block deep, abutting the commercial
zone) called R-35. This newly created
residential zone specifically allowed
for higher density than the original
R-30 single-family zone.
Rockridge BART, see next page
rejected development at the Rockridge
Station citing suitability concerns,
additionally saying they could only
consider proposals for stations with
a BART General Plan, and the Rock-
ridge Station had none. As a result,
no proposals were submitted by the
developers to the City or RCPC.
7:1 Faculty-Student Ratio | Max Class Size of 13
DARE to be DIFFERENT
DARE to be DIFFERENT
Impediments to Development
Currently, development plans for
Rockridge from 2020 to 2025 have been
GRADES 8-12  OrindaAcademy.org
389 61
STST
Get ready to fall in love with this charming Rockridge home! Featuring a spacious private backyard and
a versatile ADU, it’s perfect for entertaining and hosting guests.
3 BED
2.5 BATH
1,834 SF
432 MCAULEY ST
This lovely residence offers the perfect blend of modern amenities and classic appeal. Featuring
spacious living areas, updated kitchen and bathrooms, and a serene backyard retreat.
4 BED
2.5 BATH
2,498 SF
Call Daniel
for details
DRE # 01221457
5 1 0 . 8 4 3 . 6 4 0 0


THE
page 8
JULY/AUG 2024

Rockridge BART, from previous page
office site with emphasis on affordable
housing, the site has some specific
impediments and challenges to devel-
opment. The barriers to development
are capacity (limited developable land
area) and easements, which include
mandatory setbacks from the freeway
and BART rails, existing easements,
local regulatory requirements, and the
underground location of branches of
Temescal creek. These must be miti-
gated or overcome before BART can
pursue development.
Few residents know that we are
living in the Temescal watershed, one
of the largest in the East Bay system.
Construction of Hwy 24/BART put
the main branch of Temescal Creek
in a major culvert underneath the
freeway. The Dreyer’s/Nestle cor-
porate building has sump pumps
going 24/7 at the corner of College
and Chabot to keep the understory
of their building dry, and the water
table across the street from their
parking lot on Chabot Road has been
as high as just 12" from the surface.
Two major flood control projects
in 1987 and 1990 finally stopped
the annual flooding of basements
on College Avenue. Above ground
or culverted, Temescal Creek is a
major influence on life in Rockridge.
Learn more: https://oaklandgeology.
com/2024/01/22/temescal-creek-the-
lower-reach/.
Plans for Rockridge were initially
outlined in BART’s Transit Oriented
Development (TOD) Program
Workplan (August, 2020), a 10-year
plan aimed at “strengthening the
connections between people, places,
and services while enhancing BART’s
value as the backbone of the region’s
transit system.” This plan was super-
seded by the March 2024 workplan
update. Given the challenges posed
by the Rockridge site, and facing an
uncertain financial future, BART is
focusing its efforts in the near term
on sites with higher TOD potential.
Both documents are available, and
can be found at https://www.bart.gov/
about/business/tod. n
Maison d’Etre Re-Opens
by Carol Kasparek
Fmix for which the store is known.
When the store first opened on
College Avenue in January 2002,
Fred Womack (Patty’s husband and
father of Daisy and Lily) was the face
of the family on the sales floor. With
Fred onto a new venture, his wife and
daughters have taken it over. “Both
daughters have a great eye for product
and merchandising, and Daisy and
Lily worked around the clock to make
it open on time,” says Patty,
Colors are fresh and different, with
more accent lighting and a cleaner
look for the expansive front window.
Fixtures have been moved or replaced
to create an open atmosphere with
enhanced sight lines. The entire
family pulled off a trompe l’oeil —
moving a back half-wall forward while
inducing a feeling of an expanded
sales floor. This allowed them to
enlarge the minuscule workspace
behind the mirrored doors — they
succeeded, although the room could
still be called “petite.”
The family wants visitors to feel
Photo by
Anna L. Marks
riday afternoon, May 10, at 5pm,
a beloved Rockridge retail estab-
lishment, Maison d‘Etre, re-opened its
doors. “We made it back before Moth-
er’s Day,” proclaimed Maison d’Etre
co-owner Patty Brunn. Daughters
Daisy Womack and Lily Sosnowski
spearheaded the renovations, which
began in January. The updated space
maintains the enchanting product
Come for the Summer Pillow Sale
and save up to 60 percent.
there’s something special for them.
They want the customer experience
to be “rich, uplifting, and inspiring,”
especially when making choices
for their own homes. “The need for
beauty is just behind the need for
air, food, and water,” says Patty. That
need can be filled at this rejuvenated
bright spot on the avenue. n


THE

page 9
JULY/AUG 2024

Thank You, Margaret
Many of our
volunteers
who deliver
your paper to
your doorstep
have been
doing so for
decades now,
some since the
very first issue
was printed
in 1986… and
we thank all of them. This month,
we express our gratitude to Margaret
Wahlberg, a former RCPC boardmem-
ber who has faithfully performed three
different delivery jobs every month
with the Rockridge News over the last
25 years. Wahlberg has served her area
around Ocean View as Marshal, Dis-
trict Captain, and Block Captain. She
recently informed us of her retirement,
which she justly deserves. She will
complete her final route this month
and hopes that another resident will
take on her role as District Captain
(DC) as of September.
District Captain Route
The DC generally receives a box of
bundled papers on his/her doorstep
the first weekend of each month
(except August). The box contains
between five and ten bundles, each
with a cover sheet indicating how
many papers are in the bundle and the
name and address of the Block Cap-
tain (that person then delivers papers
door-to-door).
Margaret’s route has six houses
where she drops bundles on each of
their front porches (listed below) on
the same weekend she receives them.
Bike or car will get the job done.
• 6144 Ocean View
• 5850 Broadway
• 5912 Buena Vista
• 6100 Margarido Drive
• 5825 Margarido
• 6062 Ocean View
To volunteer, or for more
information, contact Susan at 510/547-
3855 or smontauk@gmail.com. n

Dogs of Rockridge
This is Winston, a 10-year-old Wheaten
Doodle (aka “Whoodle”) rescue who loves
long walks down College with his owners Priya
and Sal, as well as his 11-month-old human
intern, Arin. Winston’s hobbies include peeing
where other dogs have peed, chasing squirrels,
and looking for crumbs on the sidewalk. He’s
very outgoing and enjoys meeting smaller dogs
and people with good vibes/snacks. If you see
him in the hood, say hi!
No, this is not a teddy bear; this is Shana.
She’s about 3 years old and has been
living with her family for over two years.
Occasionally, one of her human siblings props
her up into a sitting position, which she seems
to like. However, she’s a dog’s dog and loves
playing with other canines, chasing leaves,
and trying to catch running gutter water. She
sometimes sits in the middle of the street and
won’t budge, so we have regular pep talks.
We’re also working on her courage.
Zena is a senior rescue mutt from West
Virginia by way of New York City. She moved
to Rockridge last year to enjoy her golden
years in the West Coast sunshine. Zena is
a gentle beloved soul, charming everyone
she meets. People are often captivated by
her beauty, her unique blue merle coat, and
her tricks… especially “dance” and “bang!”
She enjoys basking in the sun and long walks
through tall grass, and has been deemed the
“fairest of them all” by shops on College Ave.
Does your furry friend live in Rockridge? If so, send a photo of your four-legged companion
with a short commentary to: editor@rockridge.org.


THE
page 10
JULY/AUG 2024

began playing piano professionally as
a teenager, Nemko said. Now, since
the onset of Dupuytren contracture (a
skin ailment), he can use only seven
fingers, which doesn’t seem to inhibit
his performance.
Maggie Grover was among 16
people and three dogs attending
Nemko’s interactive home concert,
a rehearsal for his quarterly recital
at the Orinda Community Center.
“Marty is a wonderful neighbor,”
Grover said, “always giving out seeds,
tomato plants, and his special hybrid
roses, as well as his books. During
Covid, we would bring chairs and sit
out on the street and he would open
his living room window and play for
us. He came to our house and played
for my husband when he was ill.”
Lana Lee, a tech company manager
who has been his client for 10 years,
drove from Fremont with her mother
and niece for the concert. Nemko
guided Lee’s transition out of engi-
neering and she still sees him monthly.
“Marty helps me with things that can
apply to different parts of my life. A
job is a job, but a career is longer.”
Nemko, now 74, grew up in Flush-
ing, New York, and might have been
described as a wunderkind. He could
read at the 12th grade level by first
grade, he said, having taught himself
at the age of three. “I deserve no
credit,” he said. “I was just provided
with the right genes.”
part of the well-known series designed
as unintimidating instructional guides.
He followed it up with Cool Careers for
Dummies; both are published by Wiley.
“Trying to be a good neighbor, I do
donate my books,” Nemko said, which
he distributes as he walks with his
dog, Hachi. “I like the concept of the
honor-system little libraries in front of
people’s homes.” Although he doesn’t
host such a book exchange box him-
self, two of his self-published books lay
on his sidewalk inscribed “Hi Neigh-
bor, Enjoy!” His latest is In a Word,
which he printed last month, and riffs
on the meanings of 103 words.
Interviewing Nemko is like unrav-
eling a ball of yarn, with each strand
leading to another of his interests
and accomplishments. That’s because
he’s also written hundreds of articles,
including for Family Circle and Time
magazines as well as PsychologyToday.
com. Many of his 2,500 videos are
available on YouTube. He was inter-
viewed on local NPR radio programs
by Ronn Owens on KGO and by
former KQED Forum host Michael
Krasny, and went on to host his own
radio show on KALW for 30 years.
“I’m a worker bee,” Nemko said.
It took a second interview and
attendance at a mid-June piano concert
in his living room to discover that he
is also an avid gardener who creates
new hybrid roses; active in both Mensa
and Toastmasters; and a generous
friend and neighbor. Self-taught, he
Doing Life with Marty
Nemko
by Judith Doner Berne
If you’re a fan of the Little Free
Libraries and wander in and out of
certain streets north of Chabot Road,
you may have seen one or more books
by Marty Nemko.
Nemko, a career and personal
coach who has lived at his Rockridge
address since 1977, has written 33
books — some through publishers
and others self-published. Probably
the most popular, he said, is Careers
for Dummies, published in 2018 as
HAPPY
SUMMER!
Marty Nemko, see next page
4 Beds | 4.5 Baths | 3,662 total living sq ft | 12,196 square foot lot
Step into a world where architectural
brilliance meets sophisticated living.
291 THE
UPLANDS,
On an exclusive semi private road with breathtaking
views of the San Francisco skyline, this exquisite
property located in the lower hills of Berkeley is a
testament to timeless design and architectural heritage.
Berkeley
291-TheUplands.com
D R E  0 1 8 8 1 6 8 2  |  5 1 0 . 3 5 0 . 6 4 1 9  |  C l a u d i a @ c m r e t . c o m  |  w w w . C l a u d i a M i l l s R e a l E s t a t e T e a m . c o m


THE

page 11
JULY/AUG 2024

Marty Nemko, from previous page
His first job, at age 13, was as a
bar room piano player. His parents,
both of whom were Holocaust sur-
vivors, “gave me classical lessons,
but I refused to practice. I learned
to play pop stuff at weddings and
bar mitzvahs by ear.” His teenage
summers were spent entertaining in
the Catskills. One eight-week summer
lodging was spent in a cubbyhole
beneath the stage.
After graduating from Queens
College in psychology, Nemko taught
middle school in an underserved area
of Queens. It was, he said, “a complete
disaster because I couldn’t control
the class.” But he did meet his wife
Barbara Nemko, a fellow teacher at
the time, and now the long-time Napa
County Superintendent of Schools.
Heading west, Marty earned a
PhD in educational psychology from
UC Berkeley, specializing in the
evaluation of education with the idea
that he would teach at the college
level. But first, he set out to master
teaching younger students. After three
years at a Richmond school, working
with another underserved group of
students as they moved through the
4th, 5th, and 6th grades, he went on to
posts at Cal State East Bay, UC Davis
and UC Berkeley.
Although Nemko’s books and
videos often rely on his knowledge
and experience as a career counselor,
his own career “happened by default,”
he said. “I wasn’t planning to be a
career counselor.”
It was his first book, How to Get a
Private Education in a Public School
(Ten Speed Press, an imprint of
Random House), that led him in a
different direction. “It reflected, in
part, what we learned in trying to get
our daughter Amy a decent education
in the Oakland Public Schools,” which
led to the Ronn Owens radio inter-
view. When Nemko returned home to
find 25 calls from parents, he began a
new counseling and radio career.
Nemko’s radio show School Talk,
his counseling, and his writings,
have mirrored the path of his daugh-
ter, now Amy Nemko Zubrensky, as

Photo by Judy Berne

Marty Nemko, a self-taught pianist, says he was hyperactive as a child and, “I still am.”

she went from Chabot Elementary,
to Montera Middle School, to Col-
lege Prep, and then on to college at
UCLA and Yale Law. Her experience
inspired him to write How to Get
an Ivy League Education at a State
University (Avon), and The-All-in-
One College Guide and You’re Gonna
Love this College Guide (both pub-
lished by Barron's).
As Amy entered the job market,
his broadcast morphed into Work
with Marty Nemko, which ended in
2020. His writings and counseling
developed into what he does today –
working with clients by phone, over
Zoom, and in person, “sometimes in
my backyard, which is very nice. I
have some clients, who, like a dentist,
I see twice a year.”
“My father’s words (having escaped
a Holocaust death camp) — ‘Never
look back: Always take the next step
forward’ — have long helped me with
my clients,” said Nemko. “Careers
blend into everything — relationships,
physical and mental health, gender,
race, politics. My job is helping people
make the most of their potential, in
and outside of work.”
Have a Rockridge story that needs
telling? Email judyberne@att.net. n
law office of
dave karlinsky
725 washington st., suite 313  oakland, ca 94607
(510) 788-5700    www.davekarlinskylaw.com
Practicing exclusively in the area of trusts and estates:
• Estate planning

• Probate / trust administration

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


THE
page 12
JULY/AUG 2024

Shop ROCKRIDGE

of Rockridge
Alem’s Coffee
5353 Claremont Avenue
Photo by Anna L. Marks
Alem’s Coffee, in the Rockridge
neighborhood since 1999, serves up a
delightful vegetarian dish known as
“Shihan Ful” — common and pop-
ular in East Africa and parts of the
Middle East. The nutritious, com-
plex, and not-too-spicy dish is made
with fava beans, chopped tomato,
green peppers, chili pepper, cumin,
lemon juice, Eritrean spices, olive
oil, and feta cheese. Served with two
large bread rolls, it's a hearty meal
for one; or combine it with the Enka-
kuho Frittata and share them both
with a friend for breakfast. While
you’re there, enjoy it with a tasty,
strong cup of Ethiopian coffee. Con-
gratulations to Nigisty (pictured on
left) and her husband Alem  — both
from Eritrea — who are celebrating
25 years in business. n
Send your favorite bite or beverage in Rockridge to: editor@rockridge.org
Marin Raw: A New Diet
for Healthier Pets
Rockridge has a new type of pet
food to consider. Marin Raw
recently opened at 5808 College
Avenue, across from Zachary’s Pizza,
and the offerings reflect a deeper
understanding of how a healthier diet
can lead to a healthier pet.
When her dog got cancer, Elizabeth
Davis did some research that swayed
her to try a raw diet. “It blew me
away how much the dog changed,”
she recalls. Her passion became her
business, which slowly grew… from
farmers’ markets to commercial
kitchen to the opening of her first
store in San Anselmo and a produc-
tion facility in Richmond. When John
Lewis saw the potential of Marin Raw,
he made a substantial investment,
enabling her to open a second store
and continue offering a variety of
house-made treats.
Davis is overwhelmed by the
Photo by Anna L. Marks
Elizabeth Davis, owner of Marin
Raw, and her dog Peanut.
reception, enjoying the folks with and
without animals who have come by to
welcome her. “My biggest satisfaction
is helping the animals.” n


THE

page 13
JULY/AUG 2024

Changes Coming
to Market Hall
by Carol Kasparek
Oakland Tech Student
Named Youth Poet
Laureate
R
Aockridge
resident Ella
Gordon, 17
years old, has
been named
2024 Oakland
Youth Poet
Laureate after
competing with
eight other
Finalists, win-
ning a $5,000
college scholarship generously funded
by the Friends of the Oakland Public
Library. A senior at Oakland Techni-
cal High School, she will represent the
community through poetry, media,
and public appearances.
Gordon finds poetry to be a won-
derful vehicle of expression, beyond
words — creating a gateway for her to
navigate the world and find meaning
and purpose — even in the most
mundane aspects of life.
Upon receiving her award, Gordon
said, “Poetry is a voice. It is such a
humbling experience to be appreci-
ated for the very thing that allows me
to speak. This program has given me,
and young poets all over Oakland,
the platform to share our voices and
flourish. I am supremely honored.” n
fter Market Hall opened in 1987,
the European-style gourmet food
store soon became a cornerstone of
the neighborhood and a destination
for fine food in the Bay Area. Sara
Wilson and her family expanded
the food hall to include a bakery,
seafood shop, and a produce store, as
well as a busy catering department.
Independently owned Highwire
Coffee Roasters, Paul Marcus Wines,
Wildflower & Fern, ACRE Restaurant,
and Marin Sun Farms Butcher Shop
complete the marketplace's offerings.
The space next door, previously
occupied by the Alta Bates Thrift
Shop, has remained vacant for some
time. The Wilsons, owners of both
buildings, have decided to use the
spot to relocate Highwire Coffee. This
will allow the coffee shop to expand
and give customers more breathing
space with better visibility for the
store's enticing and informative dis-
plays. “We want customers to have an
easier time getting what they came in
for — and then discover something
delightful,” says Sara.
Extra shelf space means buyers can
bring in more specialty and difficult
to find items, which are only available
online. “We are focusing on less pack-
Architect Julia Mandell of Wilson
Associates with Highwire Coffee
co-owner Rich Avella.
aging and an ever more inspiration to
cook,” says Sara. The new storefront
will include windows that look onto
the street, plus a separate entrance.
Outdoor furniture will be upgraded
along with widened entryways “to
contribute to an enlivened street
scene,” she says.
Once the move is complete, hope-
fully by August, Market Hall's cheese
department will take over the vacated
coffee shop space in September. This
will allow additional room for free-
standing cheese displays, and for a
modified pasta counter inside.
The Wilsons will keep Market Hall
open throughout the remodel. “We
know we are part of the social fabric
of the neighborhood,” Sara said. “We
want to always be available for our
customers.” n


THE
page 14
JULY/AUG 2024

JULY/AUG Events at Rockridge Library
Pathology

by Tyler Maxey
The Game: Follow the rules
below to figure out the order
that BART, the Library, TJs, and
Zachary’s were visited.

For Children
Summer Reading Program: Read a little every
day to get prizes! Come for special programs:
Bomba & Aguacero: 7/9, Tuesday @ 6:30pm
Scientific Adventures: 7/16, Tuesday @ 6:30pm
Persia Drag Queen Storytime: 7/23, Tuesday
@ 6:30pm
Kamishibai Stories: 7/30, Tuesday @ 6:30pm
Storytime: Thursdays and Saturdays; 10:30am.
Chess Club: Wednesdays at 4pm. All ages and
skill-levels welcome.
Build, Make, Play CRAFTS and Read to a
Dog: Thursdays at 4pm every week in July.
Intergenerational Origami: Join Ellen for fold-
ing practice on 7/16, Tuesdays at 4pm.
— Meet the Author —
Wednesday, July 17, 6:30-7:30.
Author Mark Coggins will be in conversation
with Randal Brandt, Curator of the California
Detective Fiction Collection at UC Berkeley’s
Bancroft Library, about his latest book, Geisha
Confidential. Mr. Coggins will be signing copies
of the book, available for purchase.
Wednesday, August 21
Meet the Author Series’ Fall season begins with
Dr. Erwin Chemerinsky, No Democracy Lasts
Forever: How the Constitution Threatens the
United States.
ROCKRIDGE BOOK CLUB
Meets every 2nd Saturday, 3:30pm to
4:30pm at the Rockridge Library
Please call (510) 597-5017 for
info and to get a copy of the book.
July’s book is: Maid, by Stephanie Land

For Teens, ages 12 – 18
Teen Summer Program: Do not miss this
opportunity to earn raffle tickets for our
Summer Program (runs through August 3),
Prizes include a Nintendo Switch, a LEGO
set, and a Chromebook. Earn tickets through
different activities. See oaklandlibrary.org/
summer for more information.
Make Tiny Art: Wednesday 7/3; 3-4pm. Come
in and make a mini masterpiece for our virtual
tiny art show, featuring tiny paintings by teens
all around Oakland.
Super Smash Bros. Tournament: Wednesday
7/10; 3-4pm. Do you play Super Smash Bros?
Think you have what it takes to win it all?
Well, you’re in luck because the library is
having a Super Smash Bros Tournament and
you’re invited! The top two finalists will receive
prizes and will get a chance to compete in the
FINAL Tournament (7/26 3 – 5pm) where they
will battle it out against contestants from other
libraries. Players must be ages 12-18.
Teen Advisory Board (TAB): Wednesday, 7/10;
4-5pm. Join the Rockridge Branch Library Teen
Advisory Board and take an active role in creat-
ing, planning, and implementing programs and
services you want to see at your local library.
Turfin’ for Teens: Wednesday 7/17; 3-4pm. Take
up room on the floor! Learn the step-by-step
foundation moves of TURF dancing with
TURFinc!
Perler Beads: Wednesday 7/24; 3-4pm. Design
tiny, colorful beads; set on pegboards and fuse
together to create an endless array of designs,
from simple patterns to intricate works of art.
Take Tiny Photos at Rockridge: Wednesday
7/31; 3-4pm. Calling all teens — we need your
skills to contribute to our Virtual Teen Tiny
Photography Exhibit. Come by, take an amaz-
ing photo with our great instant camera, then
decorate and embellish your photo however
you’d like! We’ll take a scan of your piece of art
and you get to take it home with you. Photos
will be featured in an online display starting in
the fall!
For Adults
Ask Your Area Home Experts: Every 2nd
Friday, noon-2pm. Get answers, tips, and
connections from a Senior Loan Advisor and a
Realtor, both Rockridge locals. Have questions
answered about home ownership, maintenance,
finance, investing, ADUs, downsizing, moving,
and more.
Hours: Mon, Thurs, Sat 10am to 5:30pm
Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am to 8pm
Closed on Sundays.
Holiday: The library will be closed Thursday,
July 4 in observance of Independence Day.
More August events online at:
www.oaklandlibrary.org/events.
5366 College Avenue
at Manila
510-597-5017


THE

page 15
JULY/AUG 2024

RN
Classifieds
Electrical Remodels and Repairs
Thinking of installing A/C? Need a load cal-
culation? I can help with that. I’ve been doing
electrical work in Oakland and Berkeley for
over 35 years. Sutorik & Company. www.su-
torikandco.com. Lic #397149. 510/655-3677.
Join The Yoni Temple!
Fun part-time front desk role. Holistic
wellness enthusiasts with great customer
service skills are encouraged to apply at
www.theyonitemple.com/careers. Perfect for
retirees! Please do not call or text the salon
to “inquire.” n
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. Mail to: RCPC, 4900 Shattuck Ave.,
P.O. Box 22504, Oakland, 94609-20131.
Reward Based Dog Training
Does your adolescent pup need help with
basic obedience, leash manners or impulse
control? We offer private training custom-
ized to help your dog succeed! Please call
510/646-9657 or visit dogsquaddogtrain-
ing.com for more information and to get
started.
For more information, email Susan at
smontauk@gmail.com.
Deadline for September’s newsletter is:
August 15, 2024 (available September 7).
Penelope’s Aesthetics –
Summer’s here!
Are you using sunscreen? Use mineral sun-
screen and physical protection from harmful
sun rays. I’ll be open in August when the
Rockridge News is on vacation. Please think
of me! 510/594-1552; penelopecalef.com.
JEWELRY REPAIRS
Formerly of High Strung and Blue Door
Beads! Marilee is now doing repairs as an
independent contractor. Please email her at
mjwrepairs@proton.me for all your jewelry
repair needs!
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.
CollegePrep
A private high school in Oakland
Handyman Service –
House Repairs & Remodeling
Dry rot, kitchen and bath tile refurbishing
or installation, window installation, plumbing,
fencing, deck & handrail repair, electrical
wiring- fixtures, outlets. And much more.
Call Juan 341/221-9200 or email 5826.jbv@
gmail.com.

The College Preparatory School is a vibrant day school for grades 9-12 in Oakland’s
Rockridge neighborhood. At College Prep we believe in the foundational importance of
scholarship, the value of dialogue, and the need for academically curious young people
to belong to a kind, creative, diverse, and joyful community. We challenge our students
to engage deeply in learning, appreciate one another, and grow into adults who are
intellectually adventurous, ethically sure-footed, and generous of heart and spirit.

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 your-
greengardeners@gmail.com. Check us out
at www.yourgreengardeners.com.

6100 Broadway    Oakland CA 94618   510.652.4364   college-prep.org


est.               1967

THE
REFRESHED TEMESCAL CONDOS
4811 Telegraph Ave #502
Penthouse Style Unit
3 Bed, 2.5 Bath in 1,726 SF
3 Decks, Bonus Loft
Abundant Storage
2 Car Parking
Fantastic Walkable Location
$1,089,000
414 40th St #202
Sweet Flat w/ New Tile Floor
2 Bed, 2 Bath Flat in 1,002 SF
Balcony, In unit laundry
1 Car Parking
Fantastic Walkable Location
$599,000
ANDREW PITARRE
“I know Rockridge”