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THE

VOL 39   •   NO. 11   •   ISSUE  NO. 425   •   DECEMBER 7, 2024                 CIRCULATION: 6,500 RESIDENCES; 200 BUSINESSES

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

Festive Holiday
Shopping Starts
In Rockridge
by Jody Colley, Rockridge District
Association
W
A

Zenbooth Arrives
at the Rockridge
Library
Photo:
Josh Soyombo
by Alona Rivord, Friends of the
Rockridge Library
new study booth is now available
for booking at the Rockridge
Branch of the Oakland Public Library.
Located on the second floor, the Zen-
booth provides a private workspace
for individuals or small groups. It
is equipped with a table and three
chairs, motion-activated lights, power
outlets, and a ventilation system.
ith the holiday season upon
us, the excitement of heart-
felt giving while gathering with
loved ones fills the air. Although
online shopping might offer conve-
nience for distant recipients, there’s
something deeply unmatched about
sourcing your holiday shopping and
experiences in the local community,
particularly in a neighborhood as
vibrant and eclectic as Rockridge.
It’s hard not to whistle your favorite
holiday tunes as you stroll along tree-
lined College Avenue, soaking in the
charm created by a diverse selection
of boutique shops in all their holiday
décor and shine. Rockridge offers a
perfect setting for a holiday shopping
experience that’s as personal as it is
meaningful.
Rockridge’s artsy vibe offers plenty
of opportunities to find locally created
Claire Button Down shirt at Devan Gregori.
goods. From works by local artists to
bespoke fashions, and hand-poured
chocolates, shopping in Rockridge
ensures you can pick up distinctive
items that will leave a lasting impres-
sion. Let’s explore some of the unique
discoveries you can find on College
Avenue in Rockridge.
The Claire Button Down Shirt is
a brand-new design found at Devan
Gregori (5540 College Ave.).
Holiday Shopping, see next page
“The reaction has been overwhelm-
ingly positive,” said Branch Manager
Brian Guenther. “As expected, folks
are using it for virtual meetings and
quiet study. We’ve also seen it being
used for one-on-one tutoring and
online therapy sessions.”
Guenther says that the Zenbooth is
being booked up to six times per day
and has gained in popularity since
it was installed in August by the
Berkeley-based manufacturer.
Zenbooth, see page 4


THE
page 2
DECEMBER 2024

joy of nurturing something new
throughout the year,” says Yumi
Day, co-owner of Planterday (6004
College Ave.). As a bonus, the shop
donates a portion of all proceeds to
the Crisis Support Services of Ala-
meda County.
If gently used items are your style,
Bambino Thrift (5290 College Ave.)
goes all out for the holiday season
with winter fashions, housewares,
vintage and decorative items, works of
art, glassware, jewelry, footwear, toys,
games, and more. Your purchases sup-
port a great cause — all proceeds go
to UCSF Children’s Hospital Oakland.
The Wardrobe Project (5461 Col-
lege Ave.) carries a selection of used
vintage and modern clothing, and
local artisan wares. “We love the hol-
idays. It is a way to highlight the local
makers and vendors in our shop, like
Upperline Vintage with vintage decor
and home goods; Bengal Jewelry/
Undecided Studios with their hand-
made jewelry; and Fonzie’s Artisinal
Goods’ hand-poured candles,” says
shop owner Talia Brown.
Home entertaining gets seriously
elevated with a gift of barware from
Maison d’Etre (5640 College Ave.).
“Our barware selection is both stylish
and functional, ideal for the enter-
tainer who appreciates high-quality
glassware and accessories, from
coasters to cocktail shakers,” says Lily
Sosnowski, business owner. They
Holiday Shopping, from front page
“We are so excited to launch it for
the holiday season. Made from soft
brushed cotton, it’s a wardrobe staple
that anyone would be thrilled to
receive as a gift,” says designer and
shop owner, Devan Gregori Meneses.
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.
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
Photo: Matt Day
Studio Ghibli products and plants
at Planterday.
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.
Looking for something therapeutic
that promotes nature, reduces stress,
improves mood, enhances cognitive
function, and instills a sense of
purpose and accomplishment? “A
houseplant is the gift that keeps on
giving. Its growth and beauty are a
reminder of care, patience, and the
Want to write a Letter to the Editor? Letters
are limited to 450 words and are published at
the editor's discretion in the order received.
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.
Holiday Shopping, see next page
Newsletter Subscriptions
To subscribe to The Rockridge News, send your
check for $22, 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 JANUARY 2025:
DECEMBER 16, 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.
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.


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page 3
DECEMBER 2024

list. “Davines has a long history of
great products that are formulated
and packaged using renewable energy
and a neutral carbon footprint. They
offer products for all hair textures
and styles,” says Elizabeth Herzberg,
owner of elizabeth H the art of hair
design (5431 College Ave.). Her salon,
like many others on College Avenue,
has haircare, body, and beauty prod-
ucts, along with professional expertise
to help you pick.
Looking for a chance to do
something good for your neighbors —
housed and unhoused — with friends
and family this holiday season? Con-
sider volunteering at College Avenue
Presbyterian Church (5951 College
Ave.) to serve a free hot meal, distrib-
ute new underclothes and toiletries,
and know you’re making the world a
better place.
Rockridge is home to artisanal
coffee roasters, bottle shops, gourmet
markets, cheesemongers, bakeries,
and chocolatiers that will satisfy any
foodie on your list. What is a guar-
anteed success at any holiday event?
“Wine! Specifically local red wines,
eclectic imported wines, and Cham-
pagne,” says Hannah Ermisch, wine
manager at Vino! (6319 College Ave.).
“Our wines are all from small growers
around the world, creating a unique
selection to pick from. Wine is the
perfect gift for any holiday party.”
You can pair any wine selection
with a gift basket from Rockridge
Market Hall (5655 College Ave.).
“We have designed new gift basket
offerings that feature charcuterie,
cheese, truffles, baking pantry items,
and local offerings,” says Julie Uru-
buru, food director.
What’s a holiday without Panet-
tone? It takes 48 hours to make this
Italian bread, and it is a hand-crafted
holiday specialty at Starter Bakery
(5804 College Ave.). “It is available in
two flavors, Traditional and Chocolate
Orange. We make it using a unique
slow fermentation process, and the
result is a buttery, rich bread with
a light and tender golden crumb,”
explains Annelies Zijderveld.
“Be sure to pre-order it.”
No stocking is complete without
Holiday Shopping, from previous page
Photo: Frances
Fernandez
also offer free wrapping with your
purchase, adding a special touch to
every gift.
Photo: Sharon
Silverstein
Chocolate bars from Xocolate Bar.
delicious chocolates. The Xocolate
Bar (5854 College Ave.) offers
in-house-made artisan chocolate
using organic, fair-trade and natural
ingredients. “Our gift boxes are
available in 4, 9 or 16 piece and we
have sweets for all ages,” says Frances
Fernandez, general manager.
Rapti’s reversible cashmere shawl at
In Full Swing.
When asked what is a popular gift
at In Full Swing (5937 College Ave.)
this season, proprietor Sharon Sil-
verstein says it is the Rapti reversible
cashmere shawls. “They come in a
variety of gorgeous colors and prints
that are fair-trade and handmade
in Nepal. Made from 100 percent
high-quality cashmere, they retail for
$90. It’s the perfect winter layer that
can be worn over a tee, sweater, or
jacket.”
Give a gift that warms both the
heart and the feet. “We carry a large
selection of the popular brand Uggs
and we offer free gift wrapping,”
says Liz Taylor, owner of Tootsies
Rockridge (5525 College Ave.).
Carol Fabretti, owner of Sole
Terra Shoes (5933 College Ave.),
suggests one of their Birkenstock,
Olukai, or Taos slippers made with
sustainable wool and shearling. We
also carry cozy socks from Smartwool
and Socksmith made with hypoaller-
genic wool and bamboo or cotton in
beautiful, fun patterns.”
Davines hair products are an
excellent option for the diva on your
While we could offer more gift sug-
gestions, explore and experience what
Rockridge has to offer for yourself.
Bring a friend with you, enjoy a nice
dinner, and know you are helping to
strengthen the local economy as you
go. In a world where mass-produced
gifts are the norm, there’s something
truly special about receiving a gift
that is unique and meaningful.
Perhaps when giving your gift,
you’ll have a smile and a story to
share about where you found it, how
it was made, and why it was special.
After all, when you shop in Rock-
ridge, you’re not just buying gifts,
you’re sharing our community. n


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DECEMBER 2024

Saffron Kitchen Celebrates
First Anniversary
library staff who lock the booth when
it is not in use. Patrons must also
leave their library card or an ID at
the reference desk and are asked to
respect the space and the time limit.    
The Rockridge booth is one of only
a few such spaces available in the
Oakland Public Library system. The
81st Avenue branch has two study
rooms for up to six people each that
can be reserved in two-hour blocks.
Zenbooth, from page one
Patrons can reserve the 7’ x
7’ booth for one hour per day. It can
accommodate a maximum of four
people. Reservations can be made in
the Meeting and Study Rooms section
of the Oakland Public Library website
or in person at the branch.
Users must check in and out with
Saffron Kitchen is celebrating its
first anniversary at 5940 College
Avenue, bringing a unique fusion of
Mediterranean and Afghan flavors to
the East Bay community of Rockridge.
The restaurant, known for its warm
ambiance and innovative menu, will
mark this milestone with a special
anniversary offer of 15 percent off to
all Rockridge residents during the
month of December.
Since opening its doors in late
2023, Saffron Kitchen has quickly
become one of the neighborhood
favorite, offering a menu that blends
traditional Afghan recipes with
Mediterranean influences. Guests
can enjoy a range of signature dishes,
including saffron-infused kebabs,
various rice dishes, savory stews,
and aromatic rice pilafs, often paired
with handcrafted cocktails and an
extensive wine list. The restaurant was
awarded Best Middle Eastern Restau-
rant by East Bay Express and Diner’s
Choice Award 2024 by OpenTable. n
Zenbooth was made possible by
donations from the community to the
Friends of the Rockridge Library. n
FORL is Recruiting
Board Members
The Friends of the Rockridge Library
(FORL) is seeking volunteers to join
its board of directors, especially
people with experience in design,
digital media, communications, or
fundraising. FORL is committed to
diversity and inclusion in our search.
Email rockridgelibrary.friends@
gmail.com to learn more.


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page 5
DECEMBER 2024

Shop Local at
Peralta Elementary’s
Makers Market
by Jenny Wehrt Burnham
Visit Market Hall —
for Gifts, Raclette
Saturdays, and More
By Roberta Klugman
W
That’s happening at Market Hall
Foods this coming holiday?
Gifts, like house favorite olio nuovo
— fresh, bright, and the first of the
season’s new olive oil harvest. 
Holiday-packaged bread and
confections are available in glorious
seasonal wrapping: Struca, panettone,
pandoro, panforte, lebkuchen, and
more. The bakery’s holiday desserts
include the Uncommonly Good Fruit-
cake, stollen, and Bûche de Noël.
he Rockridge Neighborhood
welcomes back the Peralta Makers
Market this December. Come shop for
holiday gifts from local artisans and
small businesses from the Bay Area.
This free event will take place on
Sunday, December 15th from 11am
to 3pm, and is open to the public.
Shoppers will find handmade
treasures, unique gifts, local eats, and
homemade treats! Vendor fees support
Peralta’s enrichment programs that
fund the school’s art, garden, music,
and Physical Education classes. Make
your dollars count this holiday season
by investing in the neighborhood
and strengthening Oakland’s creative
community. n
Photo:  Anna L. Marks
Peralta Makers Market
Sunday, December 15, 11am to 3pm
Free admission / Open to the public
460 63rd Street, Oakland
Located on the Peralta Elementary
campus, off Alcatraz and behind
the Pet Food Express on Telegraph
Avenue. Follow @peraltamakers
on Instagram to check out the
participating vendors.
ROCKRIDGE LIVING AWAITS!
Market Hall cheesemonger, Calvin.
Raclette Saturdays offer hot, aro-
matic raclette (melted cheese) over
tasty accompaniments. This event has
been very popular and will continue
just outside Market Hall every Satur-
day in December from noon–3pm.
Check out the holiday offerings,
now through New Year’s, throughout
Rockridge Market Hall shops. For
ordering deadlines, pickup days,
holiday hours, and more visit https://
rockridgemarkethall.com/holidays.
Market Hall will ship culinary gifts
and baskets nationwide. n
5 2 2 7  M A N I L A  A V E
5 5 3 9  B R O A D W A Y
Coming Soon
Just Listed
Call Daniel
for details
510.843.6400
DRE # 01221457
DANIEL STEA
O V E R  1 0 0  H O M E S  S O L D  I N  R O C K R I D G E


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DECEMBER 2024

The End of An Era
For 118-Year-Old
Black Walnut Tree
by Anna L. Marks
T
Upon close inspection,
he discovered that the
large deciduous tree was
actually a native Northern
California Black Walnut.
He noted that the tree’s
structure had become a
concern due to a history
of poor management,
extensive trimming by
PG&E due to overlapping
power lines, and natural
declining vitality.
Vought noted that “the
internal decay at the many
old pruning wounds is
the general structural
defect of most concern as
it increases the likelihood
of branch failures. The
tree could be retained and
managed by removing the
dead limbs and pruning,
but the prospects of reha-
bilitating it to a productive
condition aren’t good.”
A few other arborist
reports came to similar
conclusions.
Mark Sherwood purchased the
property for his family back in 2019
and has been fixing it up since —
reroofing, adding new exterior siding,
replacing leaky and damaged win-
dows, adding fresh exterior paint, and
the unexpected removal of the tree.
He hopes to move in soon, despite
the prolonged permit process that has
delayed much of the needed work.
He was very sad that the tree had to
come down.
“I know the feeling of people in
the neighborhood who are a little
steamed. I get it. I had the same
defiance and disbelief when I first
was told that the tree was on hospice.
On the bright side, we have done
extensive research on what iconic
tree to plant as a replacement, and, at
increased expense, we will be trans-
planting as mature a tree as possible
while still allowing for its root system
to take hold.
“We still long for a grand tree for
this grand house, with a tree fort, and,
one day, a tree swing to complement,”
says Sherwood. n
Photo: Anna L Marks
he Black Walnut tree stood tall
and graceful for over a century at
5380 Shafter Avenue, a testament to
nature’s artistry and a cherished icon
in the neighborhood. According to
Gola Fry Woods, one of two sisters
who grew up in the Victorian home
where the tree stood, the seedling had
been brought from Michigan in 1906
where it was native. The intention was
to graft it to a native English Walnut.
Instead, however, it was planted
directly into the soil.
Known affectionately as “the grand
old lady,” the property where the tree
grew was built around 1893. It was
one of the first homesteads in Rock-
ridge before the town was annexed
to Oakland in the late 1800s. It was
designed by architect Leo Nichols at a
cost of $3,418.50.
Michigan attorney H.P. Fry pur-
chased the home in 1906, shortly after
the big earthquake, and became home
to three generations of his family.
The 3000+ square foot, 4+ bedroom
home (with nearly 1,500 square feet
of basement) has seen several owners
since — most of them ignored proper
caretaking of the tree.
In the early 1960s, the house was
divided into three apartments, and
Paul Pilgrim and Gerald Roy rented
two of them while studying at Cal-
ifornia College of Arts and Crafts.
They purchased the home in 1967
after Roy quietly bought the adjacent
property to avoid a speculative sale
to developers looking to construct an
apartment complex on the double lot.
The two spent the next three decades
restoring the house back to a single
dwelling. Roy had UC Davis arborists
inspect the tree about 20 years ago,
and found at the time that it had
reached its limits.
But had it grown from a transported
seedling? Zach Vought of Urban
Forestry Associates thinks not.
7:1 Faculty-Student Ratio | Max Class Size of 13
DARE to be DIFFERENT
DARE to be DIFFERENT
GRADES 8-12  OrindaAcademy.org


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DECEMBER 2024

TNT Strength Voted
Best in the East Bay
Congratulations to TNT Strength
for being voted best in the East
Bay by East Bay Express (October
2024). Known as the personal train-
ing studio where people redefine
aging by getting in great shape in just
two 30-minute workouts per week,
they note that the median age of
TNT’s clients is 50, (their youngest
client is 15 years old and their most
senior client is 91 years old). TNT
Strength has also accumulated more
5-star Google reviews than any other
personal training studio in Oakland.
Founders Liam Bauer and Jesse
Schmidt credit their success to the
incredible synergy within their team.
Bauer and Schmidt are joined by
strength coaches Eric Fong and Ryan
Salcedo, both San Jose State kinesiol-
ogy grads and former physical therapy
aides. Bauer has been in working in
the fitness industry since 1988, and
Schmidt since 2017. Schmidt currently
serves on the board of directors for
Oakland Rotary.
In conjunction with running their
studio, the two owners also produce
the “Truth Not Trends” fitness pod-
cast (available on Apple and Spotify)
dedicated to providing science-based
exercise and nutrition advice. TNT’s
mission is to improve health and pre-
vent disease through evidence-based
strength training to help people
become the best version of themselves.
The brick-and-mortar studio is
open Monday through Friday at 5255
College Avenue in Rockridge. Inquiries
can be made at tntstrength.com or by
calling (510) 768-5421. n

Dogs of Rockridge
Cassie & Cleo love the holidays. Cleo
(top) is a 4-year-old rescue dog from
Taiwan. She acts more like a cat and
loves to sit with her paws crossed, chase
squirrels, and sun soak. Cassie (bottom)
is a 3-year-old rescue who is part Great
Pyrenees and German shepherd. She
loves to steal Chuck-It balls and sing
when she hears sirens. You might see
these two walking in the neighborhood.
Meet Jazzy. She’s 12-years old, but don’t
tell her that because in her mind she’s
still a puppy. She’s half Maltese and half
Yorkshire Terrier, but you can call her a
Morkie. Jazzy has lived in three different
states and has traveled internationally to
three countries, but her best friend is her
New Jersey cousin Koko. “Sometime I
make pig noises when I get too excited. I
love a fluffy blanket and my toy beer. I can
be a little shy, but who isn’t?”
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.


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page 8
DECEMBER 2024

Local Filmmaker
Taps Into Her Own
Coming-of-Age Story
by Judith Doner Berne
“M
aking a film is like a miracle,”
says first-time filmmaker
Lauren Shapiro. “I love every second
of it.” Rockridge resident Shapiro, at
age 40, is pursuing her dream of telling
a story she wrote more than ten years
ago based on her coming-of-age expe-
rience. Entitled Still Life, it depicts how
she, as a 15-year-old, coped over six
months before, during, and after her
mother’s death from cancer at age 47.
She titled it Still Life, “not only
because it offers a portrait of a very
specific place and time that ultimately
alters (and in many ways arrests) the
course of the main character’s life,
but also because it examines how daily
life continues to unfold, still, even in
the face of a monumental trauma. Still
Life is also, of course, a life being told
in stills.”
Photo courtesy of Lauren Shapiro.
Lauren Shapiro, for whom “ballet was a really important part of my life,”
directing a scene from her coming-of-age film.
“The seeds were planted by my par-
ents who said, ‘When something bad
happens, do a story about it.’ I wanted
to be a writer at an early age.” She has
a photo of herself taking notes as she
watched her mother having her head
shaved when she began chemotherapy.
Still Life recounts how a teenager
faced with her mother’s death tries
to go ahead with her daily life —
school, ballet lessons, and falling in
love — only to get her heart broken.
“I’m trying to show how, at the special
time in life in which you are turning
16, your world is collapsing just as it is
opening up,” Shapiro said.
The 98-minute film, expected to be
released in mid-2025, is promoted as:
“A late ’90s Bay Area coming-of-age
romantic-comedy-drama about loving
while losing, and living in the liminal
(that stage between childhood and
adulthood).” If “liminal” sounds like
a psychological term, it’s probably
because Shapiro has a doctorate in
developmental psychology from UC
Santa Cruz, following up her under-
graduate psychology degree from UC
Berkeley. She taught in the doctoral
program at The Wright Institute,
a graduate school of psychology in
Berkeley, from 2014 to 2021, when she
followed her heart into filmmaking.
Still Life, see next page


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page 9
DECEMBER 2024

love letter to the Bay Area. Where
we live is so beautiful, I wanted to
share it. The landscape is almost a
character itself and also has a sym-
bolic function. This film is really
rooted in place.”
“Raising funds for an independent
film is an ongoing challenge,” she
said. In addition to production, post-
production, and publicity costs, film
festivals charge fees. Although Lauren
wrote, co-produced, and directed Still
Life, she had to assume a myriad of
other duties as well. “Some days I’m
the P.A. (production assistant). I get
the coffee and take out the garbage.”
Oakland Tech, appearing in school
classroom scenes “was really cool and
a good work opportunity.” Active in
Tech’s theater program, the Rockridge
16-year-old took part in three days of
shooting. Ten-year-old Chabot Ele-
mentary student Violet Buch played
Lauren’s young cousin.
Lily Fritsch, a junior at Oakland
School for the Arts, was another
teenage extra. “I’ve never been in a
movie, but I was a background dancer
in a music video for a school produc-
tion,” she said. Making friends with
the other teenagers in the film was
a highlight for Fritsch. “We’re going
to have a group watch party when it
comes out. Lauren was super nice. My
parents thought it was super cool.”
Lauren also considers her film “a
Still Life, from previous page
Keepsakes from her past authen-
ticate the film. “The lead (Anika
Jensen, a UC Irving student from
Alameda) is wearing my actual
clothing from high school and a lot
of the textbooks are mine,” she said.
(Jensen’s mother plays Shapiro’s ballet
teacher.) “My actual Honors English
teacher, Beth Furstenthal, is playing
that part in the film.”
“I’m a much older version of
myself,” said Furstenthal, now retired
from teaching, and has lived in
Rockridge for 50 years. “I ran into
Lauren walking down Broadway a
few years back. She recognized me.
It was serendipitous. You see me in
two scenes, one in which I call her
with condolences. She asked me to try
and remember what I had said in the
actual phone call all those years ago.
You always remember a student who
loses a parent.” Furstenthal found her
first time in a film fascinating. “I was
incredibly impressed because Lauren
had never made a movie before.”
“I feel like I have to tell this story,”
Shapiro said, which she dedicates
to her mother, Reva Shapiro, a
motivational speaker, professor, and
psychotherapist, who lived in Rock-
ridge before moving to Walnut Creek.
Lauren and her family now live in the
house where Lauren spent the first
six years of her childhood. She met
her husband, J.D. Zamfirescu, as a
teenager. He’s pursuing his doctorate
at UC Berkeley in computer science
while teaching programming and
electronics at California College
of the Arts. Six-year-old daughter,
Addie, makes a brief appearance in
the film.
“Still Life has been completely
community supported,” said Lauren,
who used an all-East Bay cast and
filmed at East Bay locations as nearby
as Contact Records in Temescal Alley
and Ellington & French gift shop
across from the Claremont Hotel.
“I think the story will resonate with
many people since loss is a universal
experience — and how joy and sorrow
can happen at the same time.”
For Billie Nolfi-Makau, a junior at
Interested readers can follow the
film’s progress and find out how to
support it by visiting the website at
https://www.still-life-the-film.com. n


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page 10
DECEMBER 2024

No More NIMBY-ism
Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor: I read with interest the
letters to the editor in the last issue
regarding the proposed development
at 5295 College Avenue. It was sur-
prising to see so many opposed when
I have read many times in the Rock-
ridge News that people support higher
density development on College
Avenue. Now that there’s a proposal,
those nearby are opposed.
This unwillingness to accept higher
density housing seems to be the
definition of NIMBY-ism. I appreci-
ate Sam Fishman’s letter in support
(September 2024 Rockridge News),
and the recognition that there are
few opportunities for taller buildings
in Rockridge. This College Avenue
site is vastly underutilized and would
make a great place for an apartment
building. While I am not wed to
15 stories, another letter that urged
two to five stories seems to miss the
potential of this location. I support a
robust multi-family residential project
on this site.
Style, and Substance, Matter
break apart the neighborhood feeling,
block sun and views for the existing
homes in the immediate area, and
make that end of College Avenue
undesirable for people to move to.
If the reason the developers are
proposing such an unsightly tall
building is just that it is the only way
they think they can make a profit on
the project, then we think the City of
Oakland should propose designs that
enhance our neighborhood and open
a bidding process for interested devel-
opers. Oakland could work with the
School of Architecture at UC Berkeley
to design multi-family buildings for
Rockridge that would house many
more residents without destroying the
beauty of our neighborhood.
Please do all you can to help Rock-
ridge grow in a healthy way.
Dear Editor: We are seriously con-
cerned about the scope of the project
proposal for housing and retail at 5295
College Avenue. We support more
housing density in Rockridge but feel
strongly that the designs need to fit
the style of our existing neighbor-
hood. We have been happy with the
recent five-story developments around
the intersection of Pleasant Valley and
Broadway. Those two buildings merge
nicely with the surrounding develop-
ment and have increased the housing
stock in the area.
This proposed 15-story building,
rather than integrating smoothly into
the surrounding architecture, would
SOLD in the ELMWOOD!
Barbara Morrissette & Philip Rich
Contra Costa Road  n
Michael Levy
62nd Street  n
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This Berkeley brown shingle on Benvenue Avenue
found its next owners in a private off-market
sale. Once in awhile, a property is preparing to
come to the market, and the listing agent and
the buyers agent just happen to run into one
another, and a transaction comes together quietly
pre-market. Call it real estate kismet. Or call it the
power of the agents’ network connections. But
when the parties find each other in this way, it is
like plucking a needle from a haystack.
• 6025 College Avenue •
One of the sellers is a former colleague of mine
from nearly 30 years ago, many years before I
was in real estate. It’s a good reminder that you
never know where your next call will be from! It’s
a pleasure to be of service to this family.
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A private high school in Oakland
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page 11
DECEMBER 2024

including allowing highrises even
where local zoning laws prohibit
them. All the rules are different now.
Highrises that could not be built in
Rockridge years ago could be built
now, despite local ordinances and
community opposition.
Our neighborhood is highly desir-
able, land is expensive, we expect
future proposals will be for upscale
highrise housing. We must continue
to advocate for housing with substan-
tially more affordable units that still
recognize and respect the beauty and
human scale that make Rockridge so
desirable. We can make a difference,
we already have. If you share these
goals and want to work with us, write
to UBAOakland@gmail.com.
permitted into and out of the site. In
the long term, we would love to see
a traffic circle on Broadway so that
drivers do not cut through neighbor-
hoods.
Our advocacy has resulted in a
much better project. However, we
failed to increase the number of
affordable units. The developer will
provide only the legally required
minimum, in this case five percent
of the units for very low-income
residents (a family of four earning up
to $77,850). We will continue to advo-
cate for higher minimums for future
projects.
Letters, cont'd
Housing Yes, Highrises No
Dear Editor: As reported recently in
the Rockridge News, the City Council
will consider the Broadway/College
CCA project in December. Upper
Broadway Advocates (UBA) has
been actively involved, and at first,
we opposed the proposed 19 story
tower. We advocated for a building
no higher than 7-8 stories and for 20
percent affordable units. Mobilizing
the community, we conducted two
well-attended public meetings at the
Rockridge library to learn what resi-
dents wanted.
Their calls and letters resulted
in a reduction in height, first to 11
stories, and ultimately to the present
7 to 9 stories with 448 units. We
have continued to work successfully
to improve the design with varied
setbacks and roof heights to make
the original box-like structure more
pleasing. We also asked the City to
ensure a stringent Fire Department
review of emergency vehicle access
and escape routes to be done before
building permits are issued.
We will keep monitoring the
project to make sure the public park
really is accessible (including signs
on the Broadway wall saying “This
park is open to the public”), and that
the traffic study will address the fact
that only right-hand turns will be
Recent State laws that facilitate
housing production may have
unintended consequences,
including allowing highrises
even where local zoning laws
prohibit them.
Myrna Walton for UBA
S. Rockridge Blvd.  n
As recent Letters to the Editor indi-
cate, many in Rockridge understand
and accept the necessity of building
mid-rise, dense housing in this com-
munity, 5 to 8 stories at appropriate
sites, with substantial numbers of
affordable units — not just the legally
required minimum.
Our slogan is “housing yes,
highrises no.” Recent State laws that
facilitate housing production may
have unintended consequences,
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page 12
DECEMBER 2024

Planning Commission
Approves Jewish
Community Center
By Mark Aaronson, RCPC Board
Member
residents of Chabot Road between
College and Claremont, the neighbor-
hood block most affected by JCCEB’s
plans. The proposed new uses for the
nearly 3-acre site include a preschool
childcare program, educational and
cultural programming, rental and
nonrental special events, and admin-
istrative office space for mainly Jewish
(RCPC) representatives and designees
of the most immediately affected
neighbors, organized as the Chabot
Village, met with JCCEB representa-
tives to discuss traffic, parking, and
noise mitigation measures, and related
concerns. The Commission’s approval
came after the JCCEB offered several
amendments to the Conditions of
Approval that had been raised during
these meetings. The most notable
amendment involved the elimination
of pickleball as a permissible use on
the site.
Following the Planning Commis-
sion hearing, RCPC and Chabot
Village representatives continued to
meet with JCCEB representatives.
These meetings resulted in the signing
of a Community Benefits Agreement
on November 15. Provisions in the
Agreement include strengthened
requirements for vehicle entrance and
departure to and from Claremont
for special events; limitations on
both the number of attendees and
the number of programs and special
events to be held annually; restrictions
on the use and location of outside
speakers for amplified sound; and
additional measures to reduce the
noise impacts of a small ball court
adjacent to Chabot Road residences.
In addition, the Agreement establishes
a Neighborhood Committee that will
meet at least semiannually to seek
to resolve potential JCCEB site and
programmatic issues of Rockridge
neighborhood concern. n
The Oakland Planning Commis-
sion voted 4-0 at its November 6
meeting to approve the Jewish Com-
munity Center East Bay’s (JCCEB)
application for community education
and community assembly conditional
use permits. The Commission deci-
sion is now final as no appeal to the
Oakland City Council was timely
filed.
There were 20 speakers during
the public comment period at the
Commission hearing, most of them
Special events will be held in
the former Yoshi’s restaurant
and jazz club on Claremont.
nonprofits and charitable organiza-
tions. Special events will be held in
the former Yoshi’s restaurant and jazz
club on Claremont. Office and retail
store use will continue in the former
Dreyer’s office building on College.
For almost three years, Rockridge
Community Planning Council
Land Use Committee Meeting
RCPC
Meetings in December and
January will be canceled due to
the holidays.
Meetings will resume at 7:30pm on the
3rd Wednesday of each month as of
February, 2025.
To participate, or to request links
to any previous meeting, email
landuse@rockridge.org.
DRE 01881682
Happy Holidays
wednesday
december  18

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


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DECEMBER 2024

of Rockridge
Photo by Saeid Kian
Monk’s Kettle:
Monk’s Burger
5484 College Avenue
The sauce, generously applied,
added just the right amount of tang
and creaminess to complement the
other components.
In a nod to healthier choices, I
opted for the kale salad instead of
fries. To my pleasant surprise, this
decision led to an unexpected high-
light of the meal. The salad was a
revelation— its crisp leaves tossed
in an incredibly flavorful dressing.
Thinly sliced radishes added a pep-
pery crunch, making this side dish
far more than an afterthought.
The newly-opened Monk’s Kettle
in Rockridge has successfully
brought the magic of their old
San Francisco location to Oakland.
The perfect recreation of their
beloved Monk’s Burger, coupled
with delightful surprises like the
stellar kale salad, makes Monk’s
Kettle a welcome addition to the
East Bay's culinary landscape. I
can’t recommend Monk’s Kettle
enough and will undoubtedly be
returning soon. n
The relocation of Monk’s Kettle
to Rockridge is a cause for
celebration for those of us in the
East Bay. As a fan of the original
Mission location in San Francisco,
I was thrilled to visit their new out-
post during their soft opening.
The star of the show at Monk’s
Kettle has always been the Monk’s
Burger, a staple that has garnered
a devoted following over the years.
Eager to see if it lived up to my
memories, I ordered this classic
dish at the new College Avenue
location. I’m happy to report that it
did not disappoint.
The patty, cooked to a perfect
medium-rare, was juicy and flavor-
ful. The cheese melted seamlessly
over the meat, creating that irresist-
ible gooey texture that elevates any
great cheeseburger. The bun was
fresh and billowy, providing the
ideal vessel for this masterpiece.
— by Saeid Kian
Send your favorite bite (or beverage) in Rockridge to: editor@rockridge.org
CORRECTION: The wrong address was listed for La Esquinita in our
November newsletter’s “Best Bite.” Their correct address is 5400 College Ave.

Help Deliver the
Rockridge News: Two
Blocks up for Grabs
by Susan Montauk, Rockridge News
Distribution Manager
Thanks to Lynn Delaney for her
service as Block Captain on
Broadway Terrace, and Leila Heid,
Block Captain of the 400 block of
McAuley. Both Lynn and Leila are
ready to pass the baton and hope
someone will step up and volunteer so
there won’t be a break in delivery to
their streets.
The job takes about 20 minutes and
is a great way to get to know your
neighbors. Your residence should be
nearby to the route you choose. Please
let us know if you are available to take
on either of these routes:
• Route 08B: Both sides of Broadway
Terrace, odd numbers from
Broadway to 5409, even numbers
from Broadway to 5400.
• Route 25A3: 400-441 McAuley
(Colby to Howell)
Please help: Block Captains deliver
newsletters door-to-door. They receive
their bundles the first weekend after
the first Friday of each month (except
for August). Call 510/547-3855 or
email Susan at smontauk@gmail.com
to volunteer. n


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page 14
DECEMBER 2024

Safer Rockridge Adds
New Board Members
Safer Rockridge, the local nonprofit
focused on enhancing neighbor-
hood security, has added three new
board members. Diana Calla, Parker
Monroe, and Chris Shayne have
joined existing member Josh Aycock,
who will be transitioning off the
board over the next few months. 
Established in 2014, Safer Rock-
ridge pools contributions from local
households and businesses to provide
unarmed patrols and other security
services at no charge. The expanded
board is focused on boosting com-
munity engagement and increasing
both the coverage and visibility of

Safer Rockridge board members
Diana Calla, Parker Monroe and
Chris Shayne.
the patrol vehicles to provide a more
robust deterrent throughout the
neighborhood. 
All four of the board members

are Rockridge residents who have
volunteered because they appreciate
the importance of keeping the com-
munity safe and secure.
Diana, an attorney at Jones Day in
San Francisco, resides with her hus-
band and daughter on Bryant Avenue.
Parker, a retired symphony orchestra
manager and current board chair of
Chanticleer, lives on Shafter Avenue
with his wife Teresa Darragh. Chris,
the incoming Board President, who is
responsible for content marketing at
Osterweis Capital Management, also
lives on Shafter Avenue with his wife.
They all join Josh Aycock, an
investor with Synchrony Ventures and
long-serving board member, who lives
with his wife and two daughters on
Locksley Avenue.
For more information, visit them
at SaferRockridge.com.  n
Greater Rockridge Neighborhood
Crime Prevention Council
The Greater Rockridge NCPC
meets on the 2nd Thursday of even
numbered months.
The next meeting will be held on:
December 12, at 7pm,
Rockridge Library Conference Room
There will be brief presentations
by the Community Resource Officers
and discussion of crime and
safety issues.
For details, visit
 www.rockridgencpc.com


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DECEMBER 2024

Rockridge Library
DECEMBER 2024
For Children
Storytime: Thursdays and Saturdays; 10:30 am.
Chess Club: Wednesdays at 4pm. All ages and
skill-levels welcome.
Read to a Dog: Thursdays at 4pm every week.
Origami for All: Every third Tuesday at 4pm;
11/19. All ages welcome.
Tinker Tuesdays: Join us for various crafts for
children every Tuesday at 4pm. All ages wel-
come, children under 8 must bring a grown-up.
Winter Bingo: Complete 5 activities in a row on
your bingo card to win a free book. Ages up to
13. Stop by anytime: 12/21/2024-1/21/2025.
For Teens ages 12 – 18
Teen Advisory Board: Wednesday, 12/11; 4-5
pm. 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.
For Adults
Craft & Sip: Saturday, 12/07, 3-4:30pm. Come
and enjoy the good company of your neighbors
while decorating tea towels with block prints.
We are also providing a tasty winter beverage
for a cozy afternoon. All supplies are provided.
Please call Rockridge Library to sign up.
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.
Rockridge Book Club: every 2nd Saturday,
3:30-4:30pm. Please call 510-597-5017 for more
info and to get a copy of the book. December’s
book is Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
Needlework Circle: every Thursday, 2-4pm.
Bring your yarn and fiber arts projects to Rock-
ridge Library. Build community, share your
passion, learn, have fun!
1-on-1 Computer Help: every Saturday,
10am-12pm. Do you need help with a password
or your Email or your phone? Come with your
devices and technology questions and our vol-
unteer tech guru will help you get sorted. First
come, first served.  n
Holiday Closures:
Christmas Eve - December 24
Christmas Day/Hanukka - December 25
New Year’s Eve - December 31 (closing at 5:3pm)
New Year’s Day - January 1, 2025
Library Hours
Mon, Thurs, Sat 10am to 5:30pm
Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am to 8pm
Closed on Sundays.
Please also check our online calendar
at www.oaklandlibrary.org/events for
events throughout the city.
Rockridge Library
5366 College Avenue at Manila
510-597-5017

RN
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Make check payable to RCPC, and write
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Deadline for January's issue is:
December 16, 2024 (available Jan 4).
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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.
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est.               1967

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