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THE

VOL 40   •   NO. 1   •   ISSUE  NO. 426   •   JANUARY 4, 2025                 CIRCULATION: 6,500 RESIDENCES; 200 BUSINESSES

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

Milestones  & New Beginnings on College Ave.
by Anna L. Marks

connectedness. It would be impossible
to mention all of them in this issue,
and therefore we have focused on a
few that are new to town or celebrate
big anniversaries and continue to do
what they love despite the challenges.
Look for more of these highlights in
upcoming newsletters.
Right Way Shoe Repair / 5239 College
Soon after the pandemic hit, Right
Way Shoe Repair left Rockridge
to regroup. When the perfect spot
recently became available on College
Avenue they jumped at it. Their new
shop opened on November 1.
“I saw the sign up for rent on the
building by the laundromat at the
top of College Avenue and thought to
myself, ‘Wow, wouldn’t it be awesome
to come back.’ The size and price are
perfect — laundromat next door, a
barbershop two doors down, parking
right up front and a bus stop less than
20 feet away,” says Leslie Casteñeda,
daughter of owner Gerardo.
This multigenerational business
understands how to provide quality
service with an eye for detail. It offers
a rare, old-school repair shop that
Photo by Anna L. Marks
It’s a family affair — Viva, Aza, Merci, Gerardo and Leslie all chip in
at their new shop at 5239 College Avenue.
Athan 100 dedicated hardworking,
business owners who continue to
make Rockridge a vibrant community
and contribute greatly to its economic
vitality and overall well-being. They
provide career opportunities, foster
creativity, and help to build a sense of

s we bring in 2025, this issue of
the Rockridge News honors
and celebrates the many local entre-
preneurs who grace our community
with a mosaic of inspired goods and
services and treat us to an array of
delectable cuisines. There are more
Anniversaries, see next page

RCPC is launching the Rockridge
Community Vision Plan!
The process will include several
opportunities to weigh in on priorities
for our neighborhood within
multiple working groups, as well as
online. On February 10, we will
host a Town Hall to share more about
the upcoming process where we hope
many will participate (see page 6).


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JANUARY 2025

Anniversaries, from front page
fixes, cleans, and restores shoes,
sneakers, and assorted wardrobe
accessories that need a second
chance. The business also plans to
provide temporary job opportunities
for high school students to “keep the
youth busy.”
“My father’s father was a cobbler in
Mexico City. My father was a profes-
sional boxer before he got into shoe
repair. He taught my brother Samuel
how to do it and I’m next. Looks like
mending is in our blood.”

Sadly, Samuel, at age 34, passed
away in his sleep this past October.
“I want to remind anyone who is
reading this to please reach out to
your loved ones, especially the ones
you haven’t talked to in a long time
and put your pride aside and tell
them you still care about them.”
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.
Chocolate Dragon Café / 5427 College
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
Photo by Anna L. Marks
Mark Aaronson, Muhammad Alameldin, Kristen
Belt, Eli Kaplan, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini,
Zack Walton
Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org
For information: info@rockridge.org
In 2015, owner Lise Dale fell in
love with the Bittersweet Café while
working for the owner, and took it
over when they wanted to move on
— relaunching it as the Chocolate
Dragon Café. She has held fast to the
shop’s original vision and now cele-
brates ten years in business.
The shop offers an unusual spin on
some typical café offerings, including
a decadent classic hot chocolate with
a blend of milk and dark chocolate,
and an expansive display of specialty-
crafted chocolate bars — making it a
standout among a host of other coffee
shops on the avenue.
Dale learned to bake at the Univer-
sity of New Mexico and brought the
skills with her. She sees small brick-
and-mortar shops as an endangered
species requiring a delicate balancing
act to keep staff and visitors happy.
“There may be rocky times when we
have to close early or give the staff a
day off, or we run out of your favorite
cake, or people have been working
a long shift with no break and look
glassy eyed. Your patience with all
these things is always appreciated.”
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 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.
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 FEBRUARY 2025:
JANUARY 23, 2025
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.
Anniversaries, see next page


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JANUARY 2025

independent businesses along College
Avenue and feels that Rockridge “gets
it” when it comes to providing local
support. She curates her selections to
individual tastes. “We do affordable
and adorable, cute, comfortable shoes
and we cater to what people are look-
ing for. I’m always looking for new
brands, depending on the times and
what people want. We do a lot more
sneakers than we ever did.”
She is concerned about how online
shopping has taken a bite out of her
business and encourages the com-
munity to continue supporting local
proprietors — and wants us all to
remember to “keep shopping small
and local.”
Tootsies Rockridge/Crush on College
5523 & 5525 College Avenue
Anniversaries, from previous page
LOOP Hair Design / 5257 College
Photo by Anna L. Marks
After a less-than-fulfilling stint as a
buyer in Corporate America’s fashion
industry, Liz Taylor (see photo above)
wanted to go out on her own. Many
of her friends had opened stores that
offered shoes along with manicures
and pedicures — and that’s how it all
started. Tooties offers women’s shoes,
and Crush curates contemporary
women's clothing. They eventually
opened the wall to expand their
eclectic selection with side-by-side
storefronts for ease of shopping.
“I love being here. It’s my commu-
nity. I’ve been here for so long that
I know many people and their kids
when they were babies. Then they
come work for me, and then they go
to college, then their kids come back.
Now they’re grown up and have kids
of their own.”
Taylor appreciates the emphasis on
Anniversaries, see next page
Photo by Anna L. Marks
When Stacy Hambly decided to
retire after 30 years as owner of
Right Angle Hair Salon, the shop was
purchased by her longtime friend and
fellow stylist, Leslie Orvik (see photo
above). After Covid, a core group of
stylists moved to the new location
now called LOOP, which refers to
the cyclical design methodology of
observing, then reflecting, and then
creating — which they use to shape
the best look every time.
All of the shop’s stylists have
worked together for many years,
making for a fun and relaxed envi-
ronment. Orvik appreciates how the
move has allowed the group to stay
together, and equally important, how
it has allowed her to utilize her exten-
sive background in design. She has
since redesigned the outdoor garden
where clients can hang out, as well as
the interior “blank canvas” that has
taken on a new modern look.
We are diverse people gathered as an active community
by our common faith & continuing commmitment to:
Choose Mercy
Speak the Truth
Practice Justice
7:1 Faculty-Student Ratio | Max Class Size of 13
DARE to be DIFFERENT
DARE to be DIFFERENT
Protect the Vulnerable
College Avenue Presbyterian Church
www.capcoakland.org | 5951 College Ave.
GRADES 8-12  OrindaAcademy.org


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JANUARY 2025

Miller (an Alice Waters alum) during
the burgeoning Bay Area’s food
movement — embracing farm-fresh
cuisine. A few years later, in 1984, he
opened Christopher’s Café on Solano
Avenue, which thrived until 1999
when he and his wife, Nedda (they’ve
been married for 47 years) decided to
move to College Avenue, and, in 2000,
opened Marica. The food is based on
high-quality meats and fish with a
California Cuisine twist.
“This is a great neighborhood. It
used to be quiet up on this end of the
street until maybe about 15 years ago.
Since then, many shops have opened
at this end.” The two have seen
many restaurants come and go, and
remember them fondly… Garibaldi’s,
Grasshopper, Crème de la Crème,
Marzano’s, and Filippo’s (whose
owners come often to eat).
Cheung recalls a time when Ver
Brugge’s had a restaurant across from
the Claremont Hotel (now Rick and
Ann’s) where he did a brief stint as
head chef. Now, he looks forward to
retiring soon and enjoying his wife’s
home cooking.
merchandise with a sense of whimsy.
I also adore my customers. They have
been with me since the beginning. I
love the neighborhood and the vibe.
I also love that there are no big box
stores. Rockridge LOVES their small
businesses and supports them one
hundred percent.
“I have a passion for customer
service and visual merchandising, and
love what I do. I’ve been in three loca-
tions on College Avenue. Each one has
been a learning experience and I can
confidently say that I love my current
location. I look forward to more years
in Rockridge. Shop Small.”
Anniversaries, from previous page
Bella Vita / 5511 College
Marica / 5301 College
Photo by  Anna L. Marks
Jennifer Viale (photo above) opened
Bella Vita in August of 1999 after
working as Senior Director of Wom-
en’s Visual Merchandising at The Gap
for 17 years. She celebrated her 25th
anniversary this past year. Her shop
offers an eclectic mix of vintage finds
and a selection of kid fashions from
local and independent designers. In
addition to women’s clothing and
accessories, and baby and children’s
merchandise, the shop offers a great
toy selection.
“I try to stay true to what Bella Vita
stands for — a thoughtful selection of
Talisman Antiques / 6007 College
Photo by Anna L. Marks
Photo by  Anna L. Marks
Berkeley High graduate Christo-
pher Cheung began cooking at the
young age of 23. His love of food
became a passion after eating at
Fourth Street Bar and Grill, noting,
“Wow, this is really, really good.” He
went to work for famed chef Mark
Thirty-plus years ago, a few years
after the earthquake of 1989 and the
passing of his father, Kingsley Moore
(see photo above) closed his shop on
Church Street in San Francisco’s Cole
Valley neighborhood and moved it to
Rockridge. He and one of his partners
at the time, Bill Parkinson, found two
small shops available on either side
of Barney’s Gourmet Hamburgers,
but were inconvenienced due to the
Anniversaries, see next page


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JANUARY 2025

BART Improves
Lighting at the
Rockridge Station
landscape and interior design.
Glen’s first employee, Robin Pen-
nell, was hired in 1978 to help with
the Lucas home. Eventually, Robin
joined Glen as a partner, and the firm
became Jarvis Architects. Needing
more space for the growing business,
they moved to College in 1999, and, of
course, remodeled the building.
After the community was
impacted by the ’89 earthquake
and ’91 Oakland Hills Firestorm,
the firm was able to help rebuild
many of the neighborhood homes
they had become so familiar with.
The company designed more than
75 new houses and continued work
on remodeling homes, commercial
spaces, and restaurants.
Glen spent seven years on the
Oakland Planning Commission and
was chair when Jerry Brown became
Mayor. A long-time Rockridge res-
ident, Glen moved here in 1971. He
participated in the 1974 rezoning of
College Avenue to the current “Neigh-
borhood Commercial Zone.” He also
served on the RCPC board for many
years, and as chair of the Land Use
Committee.
It should be noted that Glen has
delivered the Rockridge News on his
block for decades; and Robin serves
on the Board of the Rockridge Dis-
trict Association, the business and
merchant’s association for College
Avenue. They have truly enjoyed
being a part of Rockridge. n
Anniversaries, from previous page
lack of bathroom facilities. When pre-
sented with the opportunity to move
to the current location several years
later, they jumped at it. Being the
more personable of the two, Kingsley
eventually went solo and hasn’t looked
back. He is proud to be part of the
local community and appreciates its
diversity and positivity.
“I shop at flea markets, auctions,
and the odd estate sale. I like hand-
made things. I’m kind of a textile
junkie. If you look around here, you
see many hand-woven pieces. I love
them, they’re beautiful. I tell people,
this is the land of actual stuff. People
made almost everything in this room.
Our coverlets were all made before the
Civil War.”
Kingsley also does restoration and
has friends who help out with that as
well. Reflecting on his longevity in
the business, he notes that “All we’ve
got is each other, and today, and I’m
just glad to be part of this. It’s been a
really good ride — I’m glad to still be
in the game.”
Abig boost for safety and the over-
all rider experience at Rockridge
BART Station is on the way thanks to
the transit agency’s lighting improve-
ment project.
BART crews are replacing outdated
lights in the Rockridge Station plaza
now, and work on upgrading platform
lighting is expected to happen this
month. BART will replace all 40 pole
lights on the platform and over 60
fixtures in the parking lots with LED
fixtures. The new energy-efficient
lights will provide a dramatic upgrade
in the visibility and brightness of
Rockridge Station.
The work happening at Rockridge is
part of an overall program to upgrade
lighting at stations across the BART
system, including modernizing the
lighting at eight stations across the
system in 2025. n
Jarvis Architects / 5278 College
Glen William Jarvis established his
architectural business in 1970 and for
the first decade ran it out of the back
room in his Rockridge home where
he built local projects during the day
and designed projects in the evening.
Seven years in, George Lucas hired
Glen for extensive remodeling of his
home in San Anselmo and later at his
facilities at Skywalker Ranch.
Jarvis Architects is a community-
based firm of six architects — three
men and three women — who have
worked together continuously, some
for more than 40 years. They have
many diverse talents to augment
their architectural skills, including


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JANUARY 2025

Market Hall’s Epic
Cheese Fest and
Truffle Fest

TOWN HALL MEETING
RCPC
and Oakland’s LINE 51 Brewing
Company will provide samples of
lager for those 21 and older.
The inaugural Market Hall Foods
Truffle Fest takes place Saturday,
February 8, from noon to 3pm, with
freshly foraged truffles from France
and Italy. This free event celebrates
these fragrant earthy gems and their
unparalleled flavor.
Taking place throughout Rockridge
Market Hall, this will be a chance to
taste trufflely goods and house-made
treats, chat with purveyors, and win
prizes. Highlights include the Truffle
Raffle — win a truffle, gift basket,
and chocolate truffles. Samples of
truffled charcuterie, and truffle
dishes from the kitchen and bakery
will be on hand.
Taste truffled cheeses and enjoy hot,
melty truffled raclette at the Cheese
Counter; sample wines that pair well
with truffles at Paul Marcus Wines;
and find cuts of meat ready to truffle
at home at Marin Sun Farm.
Sign up for the Market Hall Truffle
Club to learn about the different
truffles carefully sourced each year,
and be the first to learn when these
treasures next become available. For
information and updates visit https://
rockridgemarkethall.com/events. n

Launching the Rockridge
Community Vision Plan
Monday, February 10, 2025, 7pm
B
The Rockridge Community Planning Council
will hold a Town Hall on February 10
at the Rockridge Library. Learn about
our process to create a vision for our
neighborhood’s growth, open space,
transportation, and more — and how you
can participate.
At the meeting, residents will be invited to
vote on a proposed amendment to Sec. 7.6
of the RCPC Bylaws regarding our election
process. This amendment would require that
in the case of an election tie, the winner be
determined through a coin toss or drawing
of lots, instead of a runoff election.
Voters must be at least 18 years of age
and must present documentation (e.g., CA
driver license) showing primary residence
within RCPC boundaries. Learn more at
www.rockridge.org.
ack by popular demand, the
second annual Epic Cheese Fest
returns to Rockridge Market Hall
on Saturday, January 25, from
noon to 3pm. The event features
free tastings and demonstrations
with some of Market Hall’s favorite
artisan cheesemakers from the
Alps and beyond. Meet the makers,
importers, and industry icons while
sampling renowned cheeses such as
Alp Blossom, Gruyère 1655, and the
famous Comte AOP Symphonie Fort
Saint-Antoine 16/24.
Berkeley’s Squabisch Pretzels will
be on hand with an exclusive cheese-
filled pretzel made just for this event,
HAPPY
NEW YEAR,
ROCKRIDGE!
Piedmont Play
School: Open House
With gratitude,
– - Maxi
All are welcome to visit the play
school located within Piedmont’s
beautiful Hampton Park on Saturday,
January 11, from 10am to 12pm for
its annual Open House. Meet the
teachers, including Director Michelle
Richie, hear from current parents,
and learn about this play-based coop-
erative preschool for children ages
2 1/2 to 4 years. Kids welcome; visit
https://piedmontplayschool.org/. n
MAXI LILLEY
510.919.8997
maxi@redoakrealty.com
Land Use Committee Meeting
RCPC
January’s meeting has been
canceled. Email landuse@
rockridge.org for information
regarding February's meeting.
The Rockridge Realtor®
with a Designer’s Eye
DRE #1919653


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JANUARY 2025

East Bay Booksellers
Relocates to New Home
Photo by Anna L. Marks
Rockridge artist Rachel Perls
(pictured with Brad Johnson)
created a beautiful mural of vibrant
blossoms to bring some color to
the fire-burned and boarded-up
storefront and help brighten the
neighborhood.
After a 3-alarm fire destroyed East
Bay Booksellers, owner Brad
Johnson was down, but not out. The
community rallied with a fundraising
campaign and continued to support
the bookstore by shopping on their
website and assisting with the reloca-
tion to 6022 College Avenue (formerly
occupied by Berkeley Kids Room).
Despite the greatly reduced inventory,
November’s reopening festivities
helped bring in much-needed sales
before the end of the holiday season.
Johnson is unsure how long it will
take to rebuild the prior storefront.
“Our intention is to return to our
old location at some point, but we’re
looking at a matter of years versus
months, so many things related to
such a return are outside of our
control. We’re focusing our energies
purely on where we need to be now.
It’s a nice spot. Smaller, but we’re
settling into it.”
As the crew works to get books into
the store, they are eager for neighbors
to browse the new space, which is
open 7 days a week from 11am to
7pm; closing at 6pm on Sundays. n

Dogs (and sometimes cats) of Rockridge
Hawkeye is a charismatic male tabby
whose striped coat reflects his vibrant
and playful spirit. He adores his humans
and finds joy in their company, yet he’s
also the master of the side-eye, playfully
casting judgmental glances. When it’s
time to unwind, you’ll find him basking
in the sunlight on his cozy window
perch, observing the bustling activities
along College Avenue with a serene and
contented demeanor.
Finn, short for Huckleberry Finn, is a
10-year-old cattle dog / Corgi mix rescued
from Texas. He has a passion for fashion and
for taking naps. He’s mischievous, but even
more so if you have pizza. He loves a warm
patch of sun and always claims the coziest
blankets and pillows in the house. If you spot
him around the neighborhood, be sure to
say hello! He loves making friends.
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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JANUARY 2025

Finding Strength
And Healing through
Music and Art
by Judith Doner Berne
It’s so appropriate that when you walk
by Amikaeyla (“Call me Ami”) Gas-
ton’s Rockridge house you go through
her “Tunnel of Love.”
The overhanging almost 30-foot-long
and sidewalk-wide arch, a regimented
tangle of bougainvillea leaves and
blossoms, truly reflects her talent,
ingenuity, generosity, beauty…
and yes, love.
“Ami is all about giving the world
love,” said Jenny Ray, her next-door
neighbor for nearly 15 years. “She is
down to earth, Mother Earth, and you
just have to hear her laugh,” Ray said,
as well as sing, compose, and play her
own orchestra of instruments.
Starting at age 4, she studied clas-
sical piano, then went on to viola,
western and Indian flute, dulcimer,
and harp. Somewhat later, she took on
percussion instruments from around
the world such as djembe, bata, conga,
tabla, taiko, and timbale. “My whole
family is very musical. My father was a
percussionist for Miles Davis.
“My strongest love is singing,”
Amikaeyla Gaston’s “Tunnel of Love” embodies her role
in the neighborhood, and the world.
Photo by Judy Berne
nearby field of flowers, she decided
to lie down among them. “Five white
boys driving by in a white truck”
targeted her, dragging her 86 feet as
she was lodged between a tire and
the exhaust pipe. “I was thinking my
mother will kill me if I die out here.
I was trying to sing. Three teeny, tiny
women (from the festival) lifted the
truck off me with the boys still in it.
Another ran five miles to phone an
ambulance. They were superheroes.”
She spent a year and a half in and
out of hospitals with third-degree
burns covering 70 percent of her body.
Amikaeyla said, and she does it in six
languages. “I became obsessed with
sacred songs.” She has been the lead
singer on 16 albums (four of them
solo) and performed live with such
household names as Pete Seeger and
Bobby McFerrin in front of the Dalai
Lama, and is often a draw at SF Jazz,
Freight and Salvage, and Yoshi’s. Song
permeated her 2014 Ted Talk, “Dare to
be Dauntless” (see it on YouTube), as
she describes a near-death experience
at the age of 22 that led to her becom-
ing a healer and activist.
It was 1992, and she was attending
the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival
in Hart, Michigan. Attracted to a
Eyes on Rockridge, see next page
DANIEL STEA
 DRE # 01221457
510.843.6400
...and to all, a good night.
Best wishes from Stea Realty Group


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JANUARY 2025

her wife, attorney Susan Callender,
since 2006, raising chickens alongside
their “cheeky” dog Kaya, amidst 14
fruit trees. “We try to grow all our
own vegetables and live off the land
as much as possible.” That’s helped by
the Temescal Creek that runs under
their property, so they never have to
water.
“This is a sweet, darling neigh-
borhood,” she said. “Everyone is so
friendly. It is so thrilling to me to have
this sense of community. They built
Frog Park, then they clean up Frog
Park each year. Where people have
that level of consciousness is where I
want to be.”
If you know of a neighborhood story
waiting to be told, contact judyberne@
att.net. n
College, her own medical experience,
and two years at Howard Medical
School, “I realized this was not where
I would do the best healing,” Ami-
kaeyla said. That was when she opted
for music as the mode of medicine
she wanted to practice. Her ICAHSI
organization was a sponsor of, and
was a performer in, the three-day
2024 Music as Medicine Festival held
last May in Oakland to honor local
musicians, which is planned for this
spring as well.
Her activism is also a result of the
fact that “I grew up marching.” Both
parents were active in the Civil Rights
Movement, Her dad was a member of
the Black Panthers, and luminaries
such as Miles Davis, Cecily Tyson, and
Nina Simone would come over to the
house. A large oil painting of Simone
dominates her living room thanks
to Monica Smith, co-owner of Open
Mind Music at 5521 College Avenue.
Amikaeyla saw the painting hanging
on the vintage record shop’s wall.
“She very much gravitated to it,”
Smith said. After working with local
artist Mike Welch to settle on a price,
Smith combed Scrap, a San Fran-
cisco creative re-use arts education
nonprofit, for a frame that would fit.
“It was a long shot that worked. So, I
bought it (the frame), I framed it, and
I dropped it off.”
That generosity fits into the big
picture of why Amikaeyla loves
Rockridge where she has lived with
Eyes on Rockridge, from previous page
“I was able to rise above the pain.
Music was what saved me. I vowed
one day I would travel the world.”
And travel the world she has, most
often as a cultural arts ambassador for
the U.S. State Department. “My spe-
cialty is refugee kids,” most recently
in Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan, using
music to help them calm down. She
has also brought both spiritual songs
as well as Broadway show tunes to
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakh-
stan, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Sierra
Leone, and before the current conflict,
to Palestine, Israel, and Lebanon. She
most recently was in Qatar, narrating
a live presentation of “The Pearl
Divers Daughter,” which she describes
as “a huge (U.S. State Department)
production all about love.”
Amikaeyla is founder and executive
director of the nonprofit Interna-
tional Cultural Arts and Healing
Sciences Institute (ICAHSI), which
brings together artists and healers to
promote wellness through the arts.
And wait, there’s more… She is also
co-executive director of World Trust,
a nonprofit started in 1998 that works
to provide dignity and respect for all
people regardless of race, gender, or
class.
“My life’s work,” Amikaeyla said,
“is dedicated to guiding and empow-
ering people to heal themselves
and discover their authentic voice.
Then, step boldly into accessing it
consistently, irrespective of their back-
ground, financial situation, skin tone,
or position within their community,
village, or society as a whole.
“I grew up in a scientific household”
in the Washington D.C area, aspiring
to be a doctor like her parents. Her
mom, Dr. Marilyn Hughes Gaston,
was an assistant surgeon general in
the U.S. Public Health Service and
the first African American woman to
direct a public health service bureau,
following her breakthrough work
in Sickle Cell Disease. Her dad, Dr.
Alonzo Gaston, was a professor of life
sciences at Howard University.
But after earning her undergraduate
degree in neuroscience at Wesleyan
DRE 01881682
Happy New Year

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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page 10
JANUARY 2025

Hillegass and Colby
Traffic Calming
Update: Community
Input and Next Steps
evaluated after that. 
The discussion about
traffic calming in
Rockridge is not new.
For the past decade,
cut-through traffic on
Hillegass Avenue has
increased since the
expansion of the Safe-
way on College Avenue.
A settlement agreement
set aside funds to
mitigate these types of
impacts, but Safeway
refused to fund certain
proposed measures and
the city decided not to intervene despite
its ability to do so. OakDOT’s proposal
to implement a pilot project represents
an opportunity to address the long-
standing unaddressed challenges on
Hillegass, Colby, and the surrounding
numbered streets.
RCPC supports evaluating and
implementing appropriate traffic-
calming measures such as speed
bumps, bulb-outs, mini-traffic circles,
and truck restrictions. We believe
measures such as traffic diversions or
outright closures warrant neighbor-
hood-wide input because they could
cause unintended consequences or
disproportionately impact on other
streets. No single block should bear
the burden or reap the benefits of
measures to mitigate traffic.
Thank you all who have engaged in
this process so far. Your input remains
critical as we work together to make
our neighborhood safer for everyone.
And here’s some great news — the
recent discussions have inspired RCPC
to kick off our Community Vision
planning in 2025. This initiative aims
to bring neighbors together to shape
a shared vision for Rockridge that
focuses on housing, transportation,
and safety. By fostering collaboration
and consensus from the get-go we
hope to build a stronger, more con-
nected community that reflects the
needs and priorities of all residents.
by Muhammad Alameldin, —
RCPC Transportation Chair
Over the past several months,
concerns about increasing
cut-through traffic and proposed
solutions such as traffic diverters, have
sparked strong reactions, particularly
in the area east of Telegraph, west of
College, and between Alcatraz and
Claremont. The Rockridge Commu-
nity Planning Council (RCPC) remains
neutral on the specific issue of divert-
ers but has been working to ensure that
all voices in the community are heard
and that decisions about our streets are
made transparently.
RCPC heard the significant con-
cerns of neighbors when Oakland’s
Department of Transportation
(OakDOT) Director Josh Rowan
proposed at a quickly assembled
community meeting a pilot project
for diverters on Hillegass Avenue
and Colby Streets to minimize cut-
through traffic between Alcatraz
and Claremont. In response, RCPC
and interested neighbors pushed for
another community meeting to pro-
vide a space for broader discussion.
On December 4th, over 200 neigh-
bors packed the pews of the College
Photo by Sal Testa
Hundreds of Rockridge residents packed the meeting
at the College Avenue Presbyterian Church.
Avenue United Presbyterian Church
for a community meeting hosted by
Director Josh Rowan. The turnout
was a clear sign that traffic safety and
neighborhood impacts remain a high
priority for the whole neighborhood. 
At the meeting, a path forward was
agreed upon: Director Rowan agreed
to pause the project and to work with
a community task force to evaluate
the challenges of traffic safety and
develop solutions that reflect commu-
nity needs. RCPC has recommended
that the group be comprised of
neighbors and two RCPC representa-
tives, working closely with Director
Rowan and newly-elected District 1
Councilmember Zac Unger. Over the
first three months of 2025, the group
will integrate ongoing community
feedback and proven traffic-calming
principles to shape a pilot program for
improving safety across the area.
Director Rowan will establish the
members of this working group.
RCPC will remain actively engaged
to ensure that the process remains
transparent, inclusive, and iterative.
Community meetings will be sched-
uled during this period to gather
input, share progress, and refine
proposals based on what the working
group develops. It is important to note
that OakDOT retains final authority
over the pilot project — which may
or may not include diverters. Any
selected pilot project, whether the
original proposal from OakDOT or
a new proposal from the working
group will last for approximately six
months, and its effectiveness will be
Sign up at Rockridge.org for updates
on the working group’s progress and for
upcoming opportunities to share your
thoughts on how to improve the Rock-
ridge community. n


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page 11
JANUARY 2025

Upper Telegraph Avenue Completes Plan
for Street Improvement Project

Greater Rockridge Neighborhood
Crime Prevention Council
The Greater Rockridge NCPC meets on
the 2nd Thursday of even
numbered months.
by Muhammad Alameldin, RCPC Transportation Chair
Tthe Berkeley border.
While construction will bring
temporary disruptions, the result
will be a safer, more accessible, and
user-friendly corridor for pedestrians,
cyclists, transit riders, and drivers.
RCPC will keep residents updated as
we learn more about the construction
schedule and impacts. Thank you
for your patience and support as we
transform Upper Telegraph Avenue
into a safer, vibrant corridor for every-
one. For questions or updates, stay
connected at Rockridge.org. n
The next meeting will be held on:
February 13, at 7pm,
Rockridge Library Conference Room, and
on Zoom, with special guest Zac Unger,
the new District 1 City Councilmember.
he City of Oakland’s Department
of Transportation (OakDOT)
is moving forward with the Upper
Telegraph Avenue Complete Streets
Project — a major improvement for
the corridor between 52nd Street and
Woolsey Street.
After months of community
engagement, including surveys with
over 1,100 responses, outreach to
more than 60 businesses, and discus-
sions with transit riders, OakDOT has
chosen to implement a 4-to-3 Lane
Road Diet. This design will enhance
safety, accessibility, and mobility for
all users of Telegraph Avenue.
For details and Zoom link, visit
www.rockridgencpc.com
Sign up
for RCPC
Notifications.
The project will bring safer streets
with a calmer roadway, pedestrian
safety islands, and upgraded cross-
walks. Cyclists will benefit from
fully separated bike lanes designed
for comfort and safety, while transit
riders will see improvements with ten
new bus boarding islands featuring
shelters and seating. Businesses
and deliveries will be supported by
floating parking on both sides of the
street, ensuring better parking and
loading access.
The 4-to-3 Lane Road Diet allows
for significant safety upgrades while
minimizing impacts on traffic and
transit operations. Travel times for
AC Transit’s Line 6 will remain
largely unchanged, with pending
delays of just 3 seconds southbound
and 9 seconds faster northbound.
Construction, which will align
with Oakland’s Measure U-funded
Paving Plan, is part of a citywide
effort to prioritize safety improve-
ments on high-injury streets. This
project closes the final gap on Tele-
graph Avenue, creating a consistent
design from downtown Oakland to
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THE
page 12
JANUARY 2025

use our neighborhood simply as a
place to recklessly speed through on
the way to somewhere else.
The prevailing sentiment at the
December meeting was that some-
thing must be done to change this
status quo. Armed with OakDOT’s
engagement and commitment to
action, we have an opportunity to
work together over the next two
months to agree upon tangible solu-
tions for our neighborhood. I am
optimistic about the forming of a task
force and want to express my grati-
tude for Councilmember Zac Unger
to his commitment to this process
and for his interest in seeing progress
made. This has been a 20-year effort
for many residents. The time is now to
pilot solutions that address the reduc-
tion of traffic volume and speed.
Ben Friedman
Colby Street  n
be reduced significantly in our neigh-
borhood. There have been deaths,
accidents, and destroyed property
as well as intensive air quality issues
when cars idle for blocks during
prime commuting times.
Rockridge is full of children and
families — and the many schools,
parks, daycares, and bike commuters
are a wonderful part of our com-
munity. I welcomed my first child,
Mateo, in early November, and I am
so grateful to live here and watch him
grow up here. But cut-through traffic
from commuters, industrial trucks,
construction vehicles, and app drivers
is endangering our children, threat-
ening bikers, choking our streets, and
compromising our air quality.
We must ask ourselves: What are
Rockridge’s streets and sidewalks for?
I believe we need to prioritize local
residents at the expense of those who
Letters to the Editor
Action Now for Safer Streets
Dear Editor: On December 4, I
attended the meeting at Presbyterian
Church on College Ave (5951 College
Ave) to show my support for a Slow
Neighborhood Pilot Program in the
area bounded by Claremont, College,
Alcatraz, and Telegraph. I was grati-
fied by Oakland DOT Director Josh
Rowan’s commitment to Rockridge,
his patience with a passionate crowd,
and his stated bias toward action and
experimentation. These qualities are
sorely needed in our neighborhood
because intervention is needed to
ensure pedestrian safety and health
are prioritized in Rockridge.
Traffic volume and speed need to
onto ours. During an acrimonious
town hall on December 4, that plan
was suspended. In its place, OakDOT
Director Josh Rowan charged an
as-yet-unformed committee to present
a community-backed alternative plan
by early spring.
Another surprise: The brouhaha
over the traffic-diversion plan became
a great way for my wife and me to
meet neighbors. Regardless of which
side of the conflict they take, the
people we’ve met are good. We hope
Traffic Diversion Surprises
Dear Editor: Everyone buying a
house should expect surprises. This
one was a doozy. While my wife and
I were still unpacking at our new
home on 62nd Street, we, and over
150 neighbors, belatedly learned that
neighbors on Colby and Hillegass had
been working for months on an unan-
nounced, zero-sum traffic-diversion
plan — silently backed by the Oak-
land Department of Transportation
— to dump traffic from their streets
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THE

page 13
JANUARY 2025

Letters, cont'd
many will become friends.
The surprises keep coming: The
neighborhood bounded by College,
Alcatraz, Telegraph, and Claremont
is remarkably disorganized. Several
sub-communities, some as small
as one block, are tightly organized,
with email lists and in-person meet-
ings. But these fragmented groups
don’t connect with each other. Our
capability for collective identity, com-
munication, and action is still at the
starting line — thus, the avoidable
unpleasantness at the Town Hall.
We need to get our act together.
How? We need one effective organi-
zation dedicated to the best interests
of the entire community. Invite
everyone to join with the invitation
and a clear mission statement reliably
delivered to every residence. Use one
comprehensive database of residents
to solicit input on issues and keep
people informed. Take responsibility
for surfacing and resolving conflicting
interests at the start of any change
effort.
After the divisive Town Hall
meeting, many hope the new traffic
committee will be a forum including
representatives from micro-neighbor-
hoods, emphasizing conflict between
hyper-local interests. That might
deepen our fragmentation. Worse, it
risks ending in a deadlock that frees
OakDOT to steamroll us all.
One suggestion is to populate
the committee with representatives
committed to collaborating for the
common good. And let’s remember
that our traffic issues are trivial com-
pared to the challenges facing the City
of Oakland.
Looking back, the root cause of
the traffic-diversion conflict may not
have been malign intent but failure to
communicate. Good people focused
on legitimate issues lost sight of the
responsibilities we all share as part of
this delightful community.
Now’s the time to forgive, forget —
and organize.
Strat Sherman
62nd Street  n

of Rockridge
Congratulations
on 40 years in
business!
Photo by Saeid Kian
Hudson Bay Café:
Breakfast Burrito
5401 College Avenue
potatoes, and juicy sausage. And
the bacon? It’s the star — thick with
a crispy edge that adds a wonderful
crunch.
Another standout aspect of
Hudson Bay is its exceptional
prices. In a time when dining out
often feels like a splurge, this cafe
keeps costs reasonable without
sacrificing quality. But perhaps
what makes Hudson Bay Cafe most
special is its atmosphere. It’s more
than a cafe — it’s a community
hub. The space hums with friendly
chatter, the baristas greet regulars
by name, and you can feel the sense
of connection that only comes from
being a true neighborhood gem.
If you’re in Rockridge, or even
if you’re not, Hudson Bay Café is
worth a visit. Grab a coffee, savor
that breakfast burrito, and soak
in the welcoming vibes of a place
that’s been doing it right for four
decades. n
This year, Hudson Bay Café is
celebrating its 40th anniversary,
and I can’t sing its praises enough. I
have to admit I have a soft spot for
owner Sadri Madjlessi, who shares
my Persian heritage. His warmth
reminds me of my family, and his
dedication to creating a welcoming
space is evident in every corner of
this neighborhood institution.
What truly sets Hudson Bay
Café apart is its incredible food —
something you might not expect
from a spot that could easily focus
on coffee first and food second.
But here, the menu shines just as
brightly as the espresso machine.
Case in point: their breakfast
burrito. A perfectly warm, slightly
charred tortilla wraps around a
perfect combo of flavors — freshly
scrambled eggs, crispy yet billowy
— by Saeid Kian
Send your favorite bite (or beverage) in Rockridge to: editor@rockridge.org


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page 14
JANUARY 2025

mental impact, it’s about protecting
property values and preserving
privilege. This notion of “quality of
life” prioritizes the comfort of a few
over the basic needs of many. Hous-
ing scarcity isn’t accidental, it’s been
engineered through decisions like
these, and it’s way past time to reject
this exclusionary mindset.
California’s housing shortage isn’t
just a policy failure, it’s a moral one.
Housing scarcity has been built, one
blocked development at a time, and
we have a responsibility to stop rein-
forcing this privilege.
I urge the RCPC to stand up for
inclusivity, not exclusion, and sup-
port the future of all Californians,
not just a select few.
Christopher Kaplan
Forest Street  n
Letters, cont'd
Say Yes, to Affordable Housing
Dear Editor: I am writing in response
to the letter concerning the proposed
development at 5295 College Ave. It’s
disheartening to see yet another case of
NIMBYism dressed up as “preserving
neighborhood character.” California is
in the middle of a housing crisis and
resisting new developments like this
actively harms people by driving up
costs, displacing residents, and stifling
economic opportunity. The reality is,
we urgently need more housing —
here in Rockridge and across the state.
Let’s be honest about what phrases
like “visual and environmental impact”
or “terrifyingly large structure” truly
mean. The fear is not about environ-
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More Housing is a Good Idea
Dear Editor: It has been interesting to
see all the letters sent in about the pro-
posed 5295 College Avenue project. In
particular, it has been heartening to see
that some locals support the project.
To remind readers of the context
of this project, the SF Bay Area is
in a housing crisis. For many years,
this area has not created enough new
housing, due to zoning and other
restrictions making housing devel-
opment difficult and costly, if not
impossible.
We have recently started to see some
laws at the state level trying to override
oppressive local laws and development
processes. The 5295 College Avenue
project is aggressively trying to use
these laws, like SB 330 and SB 423, to
build something that would never have
been approved previously.
I live very close to the proposed site
and am very strongly in favor of this
project. The only way out of the hous-
ing crisis is to build much, much more
housing. And not just “affordable”
housing, but housing of every type.
But my opinion should be irrelevant.
I do not think developers should have
to take into account the “character” of
the neighborhood, or even the opinions
of the people in that neighborhood.
If you own a property, you should be
able to build on it to your wishes, not
the wishes of your neighbors. If we can
change our mindset to absorb that idea
then we might have a shot at building a
neighborhood where people can afford
to live, which will build a better and
more prosperous community.
Ian Gilmore
Manila Ave  n


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page 15
JANUARY 2025

Rockridge Library
JANUARY 2025
For Children
Storytime Thursdays and Saturdays;
10:30am. (No storytime on 1/2/25.) 
Chess Club: Wednesdays at 4pm. All ages and
skill-levels welcome.  
Read to a Dog: Thursdays at 4pm every week.   
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.  
Origami for All: Every third Tuesday at 4pm;
1/21. All ages welcome. 
Winter Bingo: Complete 5 activities in a row on
your bingo card to win a free book! Ages up to
13. Stop by anytime! Program ends 1/21/2025. 
East Bay Naturalists: Learn about & meet
animals found in your parks and neighborhood.
Ages 5-12. Saturday, 1/25 11am.
For Teens, ages 12 – 18
Teen Advisory Board: Second Wednesdays, 1/8;
4pm-5pm. Join the Rockridge Branch Library
Teen Advisory Board and take an active role in
creating, planning, and implementing programs
and services you want to see at your library.  
Uno Tournament for Teens: Wednesday, 1/8;
2:30-4:30pm. Bring your card skills to be the
Rockridge Teen Uno Tournament! Snacks pro-
vided by Friends of the Rockridge Library.
For Adults
Shibori Snowflake Garlands: Jan. 15, 6-7:30pm.
Create a magical winter garland with Shibori
snowflakes. A sample is currently hanging in
the adult side of the library if you want to see a
sample. Wintery drinks provided. 
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,
3:30pm-4:30pm. Please call 510-597-5017 for
more info and to get a copy of the book. Janu-
ary’s book is The Art Thief: A True Story of Love
by Michael Finkel. 
Needlework Circle: every Thursday, 2pm-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 from
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:
New Year’s Day – January 1 
Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 20
Library Hours:
Mon, Thurs, Sat 10am to 5:30pm
Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am to 8pm
Friday, noon to 5:30pm.
Please see the online calendar at
www.oaklandlibrary.org/events for events
throughout the city.
5366 College Avenue at Manila
510-597-5017

RN
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$22 (phone number counts as one word).
Make check payable to RCPC, and write
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line. Mail to: RCPC, 4900 Shattuck Ave.,
P.O. Box 22504, Oakland, 94609-20131.
Handyman Service —
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Dry rot, kitchen and bath tile refurbishing
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Deadline for February’s issue is:
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Handyman for Hire
Multifaceted and well experienced. Hauling and
towing available. No job too small. Reasonably
priced. Lee Self. 707/223-1298-call and text.
Greetings from Im Moment Kaffee
Your neighborhood café inspired by the rich
traditions of German, Eritrean, and Italian cui-
sine. We love bringing the community together
with live music, cooking classes, and more.
Check us out https://immomentkaffee.com/.
Garden Maintenance,
Cleanups & Design
Experienced team of two dedicated to the art
of gardening. We specialize in garden mainte-
nance, cleanups and custom garden designs. To
contact us, please email yourgreengardeners@
gmail.com. Check us out at www.yourgreen-
gardeners.com.
HARDWOOD FLOORS
Install, sand/refinish, repair, re-coat existing.
Large jobs or small. Twenty-plus years in Pied-
mont Ave/Rockridge. Bruce Williams Wood-
floors. Please call or text Bruce at 510/652-
8121. CA Lic # 913727; www.blwfloors.com.
Sliding-Scale Therapy: 
The Psychotherapy Institute 
Relationally-based therapy for individual adults
and couples, long or short term, in-person
or via telehealth. 510-548-2250 or https://
tpi-berkeley.org.
Electrical Remodels and Repairs
“Electrifying” your home? I can help with that.
I’ve been doing electrical work in Oakland and
Berkeley for over 35 years. Sutorik & Com-
pany; www.sutorikandco.com. Lic #397149.
510/655-3677.
Penelope’s Aesthetics
Quality facials and reasonable prices!
Honor your New Year resolution and put on
a fresh face! Try a relaxing facial and discover
how even tone, texture and suppleness
complements your new, fresh attitude.
Penelopecalef.com; 510/594-1552. n
User Manual for your dog?
Need help with leash manners, basic obedi-
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training can help! Visit dogsquaddogtraining.
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est.               1967

THE