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R ckridge News
THE
VOL 40 • NO. 8 • ISSUE NO. 433 • SEPTEMBER 6, 2025 CIRCULATION: 6,700 RESIDENCES; 200 BUSINESSES
Sponsored by the Rockridge Community Planning Council (RCPC) • 4900 Shattuck Ave., PO Box 22504, Oakland, 94609
Big Dreams, Small Space: Inside Rockridge’s Newest Gathering Spot
by Carol Kasparek and Gary Fine
When Alexis Madrigal says, “I’m
an Oakland maximalist,” he’s
not just expressing hometown pride
— he’s laying the foundation for
something bigger. For Madrigal and
his partner Sarah Rich, Oakland
isn’t just where they live; it’s where
their vision of true community is
taking root. Through a lifetime of
seeking connection, they’ve learned
New Development at
6230 Claremont Avenue
he Rockridge Community Plan-
ning Council will be monitoring
Tthe planning and permitting of
the redevelopment of the former
blood bank site on Claremont near
College, now proposed by the Ellis
Partners/Spirit Living Group as a
senior living project. We will be
especially attentive to the affordabil-
ity of units, design and structural
features, neighborhood impacts, and
community benefits. Please submit
comments to landuse@rockridge.org.
Meet with the Developers —
Ellis Partners & Spirit Living Group
Date: Wednesday, September 17
Time: 7pm to 8:30pm
Location:
College Avenue Presbyterian Church
5951 College Avenue
(More info on page 7)
that belonging is built, not found.
That belief now pulses through Local
Economy, their new gathering space
at 6028 College Avenue, where coffee,
conversation, creativity, and care
for one another will converge. It’s a
deeply personal project born of shared
values, designed to offer Rockridge
something rare and vital — a space to
come together with intention.
Alexis and Sarah bring a wide range
of experiences and personal journeys
to the project. From her late teens,
Sarah was a member of intentional
communities and cooperatives in
the East Bay. “We did everything
together,” she noted. The groups were
the center of their life. She has led
brand building for local businesses,
including Good Eggs and Heath
Ceramics. She is also the founder of
the Department of Invisible Labor,
which brings awareness to unseen,
mundane, essential work.
Alexis was born in Mexico, where
he lived for several years before
moving with his family to Los Angeles
and then to rural Washington state.
In the small town of Ridgefield, he
saw his mother “decide to be a force
for civic good,” with her participation
in social and political organizations.
“We’ve been craving a way to
connect people and strengthen local
Local Economy, see page 3
Supporting Local
Businesses Has Never
Been Easier
by Jody Colley, Rockridge District
Association
The Rockridge District Associa-
tion (RDA) — a nonprofit that
supports our local business commu-
nity — rolled out a new website, www.
RockridgeDistrict.com, to make it
easier to find what you need and to
support the neighborhood businesses.
The website introduces a robust
events calendar, business spotlights
and directories, a district gift card,
wellness blog, and mental health
resources.
Photo: Sydney Arkin
Devan Meneses, owner of Devan
Gregori, uses her Rockridge Card
at Bad Walter’s Bootleg Ice Cream.
Rockridge District, see next page
THE
page 2
SEPTEMBER 2025
which made it very convenient to use.”
Gift card holders can take their
pick of Rockridge’s best restaurants,
shops, salons, and other goods and
services where the card is accepted
(now redeemable at over 37 locations,
and growing). You can even purchase
Rockridge Cards in bulk for gifting to
coworkers, schools, or large groups.
Katy Winter, owner of Vita, under-
stands the underlying importance of
the gift card program. “In the days
when everything can be ordered
online and delivered to your doorstep,
it’s more important than ever to shop
local. If you enjoy combing through
home goods stores, bookstores, wine
shops, and bakeries, we need to keep
these places alive by giving them our
business. Shop local!”
The new RDA website also offers an
event calendar covering a wide range
of happenings in the district — from
author readings, to live music, to
crafts workshops, and more. Whether
you want to go out tonight or next
month when family is in town, you
can plan all your entertaining without
leaving the neighborhood. There’s a
visual business directory and profiles
of local business owners. Have a spe-
cial event coming up? The directory
includes a list of all the venue rentals
and catering options available in
Rockridge.
Next time you are looking for
something to do or somewhere to go,
start at www.Rockridgedistrict.com,
and support our local community. n
Rockridge District, from front page
Whether you’re looking for some-
thing engaging to do, want to learn
more about a business, are working
on your fitness regimen, or want prac-
tical mental health tips, the website
brings all of Rockridge to your fin-
gertips. And, the new Rockridge Card
(available at www.RockridgeDistrict.
com) offers something for everyone.
“It’s the ultimate gift card to give
and receive — shop what you love and
keep our local shops thriving,” said
Devan Meneses, owner of Devan Gre-
gori, and a Rockridge resident. “What
a treat it is to shop Rockridge. I prefer
paying with my phone instead of car-
rying a wallet around, so I added the
Rockridge Card to my Apple Wallet,
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, 2025
Casey Farmer.......................................................Chair
Kim Suczynski-Smith................................... Secretary
Paul McDonnell............................................Treasurer
Mark Aaronson, Muhammad Alameldin, Gary
Barg, Kristen Belt, Jana Good, Eli Kaplan, Star
Lightner, Tom Lollini, Robbie Tasker, Zack Walton
Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org
For information: info@rockridge.org
Contacting the Rockidge News
Are there topics you’d like to see covered in the
Rockridge News? Have questions about newsletter
distribution? Want to volunteer to be a Rockridge
News distributor? We’d love to hear from you.
Want to write a Letter to the Editor? Letters are
limited to 350 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.
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For a yearly subscribtion 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
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Advertising rates are $32/column inch ($28 for
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Classifieds: Email Susan at smontauk@gmail.com.
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Enhancing today’s home lifestyles
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Views expressed in published articles do not
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THE
page 3
SEPTEMBER 2025
neighbors — East Bay Booksellers,
PlanterDay, Re-Up Refill, and Redfield.
Their association with Coyote Media
and the Oakland Review of Books
could bring the literary community
together for regular gatherings.
Also being considered are commu-
nity preparedness trainings to help
the neighborhood prepare personally
and collectively for potential crises.
Neighbors can participate in the pro-
cess by submitting their ideas through
the repurposed mail slot, now serving
as a suggestion box; thirty events and
workshops are scheduled already for
this autumn.
A unique aspect is their membership
program, which includes special invita-
tions, discounts, and ongoing access to
a variety of community-focused activ-
ities. The tiered subscription model
provides opportunities for non-mem-
bers to participate. Over 120 new
Local Economy, from front page
Sarah and Alexis invite
Rockridge neighbors to join
them around the table on:
Opening Day
Wednesday, October 1
6028 College Avenue
networks. Local Economy will be a
“place where a lot of different things
will happen, and all of them will serve
community.” Central to the space will
be a long wooden table handmade by
a neighbor — the heart and soul of the
activities envisioned for the enterprise.
“We will be holding workshops and
events, hosting readings and pop-ups,
serving excellent coffee, selling goods
from independent makers, and build-
ing a space where we can collectively
experiment.” They believe every com-
munity needs an anchor, which is what
they plan to provide.
Local Economy will offer a coffee
cart run by Painted Leopard Coffee
featuring specialty blends from El
Salvador, and a retail section for local
artisans. Planning has already begun
on events and promotion with retail
members have already signed on, with
more coming each day (information on
memberships and events can be found
online at thelocaleconomy.com.)
Sarah will be at the shop full-time.
She envisions programming where chil-
dren can gather, including their own
two children. “With all these grownups
talking about the state of the world …
they can see us building something.”
The tiny space can “add a light side to
the darkness.”
Alexis currently co-hosts KQED
Forum, and was previously an editor
and writer for The Atlantic, and
co-founder of the COVID Tracking
Project. He authored Powering the
Dream: The History and Promise of
Green Technology and The Pacific Cir-
cuit: A Globalized Account of the Battle
for the Soul of an American City.
Rockridge is fortunate to have
neighbors dedicated to fostering an
expansive sense of home for all of us. n
Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant Comes to Rockridge
The Enssaro family is excited to
relocate their Grand Avenue
restaurant, Enssaro, to 5897 College
Avenue. Pending inspections and
final approvals, they plan to be open
next month.
The Rockridge menu will feature
all the Grand Avenue favorites, plus
a few new dishes, including Ethio-
pian flatbread with toppings, spiced
chicken wings, and cauliflower wings.
They plan also to introduce a spice
corner where guests can purchase the
same spices used in their kitchen.
“One of the experiences we’re most
excited about is hosting traditional
Ethiopian coffee ceremonies on
weekends, with beans freshly roasted
in front of guests and brewed in a clay
pot (Jebena). And for the first time,
Enssaro will have a backyard, perfect
for private events and intimate gath-
erings,” says family member Nesanet
Tamirue.
“We’re grateful for the warm wel-
come from the Rockridge community
and can’t wait to share our authentic
food, traditions, and hospitality with
you in our new home.” n
Photo: Chris Jackson, RDA
Rachel Perls has completed a
new mural of matilija poppies, fondly
called “fried egg flowers,” for the
Enssaro family. “I love how their
delicate paper white petals sway
and dance in the breeze. Another
in my series of temporary public
art projects, this piece is meant to
discourage graffiti while drawing
attention and excitement
in anticipation of the opening.”
A special thank you to Cole Hardware
for paint donations, and to the
Rockridge District Association.
THE
page 4
SEPTEMBER 2025
How Should Oakland Grow?
Let the City Know Your Views
by Thomas Lollini, FAIA, RCPC Land Use Committee Chair
Aside of targeted development areas. The
three options for Oakland’s growth are
followed by an excerpt of each concept
diagram, illustrating how they might be
realized in our neighborhood.
The report poses questions highlight-
ing where input is needed most to help
shape a plan that works for everyone.
Questions in the report correspond to a
survey, available until September 24 at
oaklandgpu.mysocialpinpoint.com, or
as a paper version available at City Hall
(contact generalplan@oaklandca.gov for
copies). Online and paper copies of the
survey must be returned by
September 24, 2025.
Additionally, if time is a concern,
the survey includes a summary of
the options, allowing participants to
complete the survey without reading
the entire report. Comments on this
report or any part of the GPU2 process
may also be sent to the project team at
generalplan@oaklandca.gov. Most of
the potential housing development sites
in Rockridge could qualify for these
various incentives, thus reducing time
from planning to completion.
To learn more about what this all
might mean for Rockridge and, more
importantly, the rest of Oakland, visit
the links above to join the fun and
share your views… and encourage your
friends and neighbors to do the same. n
s its next step in the update of
Oakland’s General Plan (GPU2),
the City of Oakland has released
“Oakland for All: Options for How
We Stabilize and Grow.” This report
(available online) explores conceptual
alternatives for how Oakland could
stabilize and grow over the next 20
years, such as where new homes, jobs,
parks, and transportation might go.
It includes a summary background
on past and current planning efforts,
key data about the City’s future, and
three options for what growth might
look like. Community priorities and
technical research shape these options,
and the report compares each option
across a range of goals and consider-
ations.
The report is a tool to help Oakland
residents learn more about the Gen-
eral Plan and share feedback. Your
feedback will help shape a “Preferred
Plan,” which will go into more detail
on specific policies and actions related
to land use, mobility, open space, and
other quality-of-life topics.
The report lays out approaches
and assumptions regarding land use,
including current projects in the enti-
tlement pipeline, all aspects of the 2023
Housing Element Update, the Down-
town Development Plan, and the fact
that some development will occur out-
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THE
page 5
SEPTEMBER 2025
A Breakdown of
Recent Updates to
CEQA
by Star Lightner, RCPC Board
Member
miss CEQA exemption criteria. The
details of these bills are as follows:
require mitigation to reduce the VMT
to produce a less than significant
environmental impact. Money gener-
ated by such mitigation will be used
toward funding for affordable housing
or related infrastructure projects,
including infrastructure necessary
for higher-density uses. However, AB
130 does not prohibit the lead agency
from imposing additional fees or
requirements on the project to miti-
gate transportation-related impacts.
AB 130 also expands projects
qualifying for expedited litigation
timelines. Such projects now include
housing developments of four or more
units that invest at least $15M and
dedicate a minimum of 15 percent of
units to lower-income households.
Assembly Bill 130
AB 130 exempts infill housing proj-
ects from CEQA review on sites up
to 20 acres in size (Builder’s Remedy
projects are also eligible, but only for
projects on up to five-acre sites).
To qualify, a project must meet all
of the following requirements:
• Be located within city limits and
not be on environmentally sensitive,
hazardous, or conservation sites;
• Must (1) be either previously
developed with or predominantly
surrounded by urban uses; (2) be
consistent with either the general
plan or zoning ordinance; and (3)
meet at least 50 percent of minimum
density for housing element sites.
• Must not require the demolition of
a historic structure that was placed
on a national, state, or local historic
register prior to when the preliminary
application was submitted.
• Must complete a mandatory but
expedited tribal consultation process.
• Must complete a Phase I Environ-
mental Site Assessment and mitigate
any hazardous substance release
found, as well as the potential for
exposure by surrounding properties
or activities.
• Must meet certain labor standards.
• Allows project sponsors to mitigate
transportation impacts through
contributions to the Transit-Oriented
Development Implementation Fund.
The California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) requires
State and local agencies to identify
and publicly disclose the environ-
mental impacts of proposed projects
before approving them, using a three-
step process:
1) Determine whether a proposed
activity constitutes a “project”; if so,
2) Determine whether the project
qualifies for an exemption from
CEQA; and if not,
3) Determine whether the project
is likely to have environmental
impacts, and if so, mitigate them as
appropriate.
Senate Bill 131
Senate Bill 131 creates CEQA
exemptions for infrastructure
projects of statewide importance,
such as rezonings that facilitate an
approved housing element; wildfire
risk reduction projects; water system
improvements; nonprofit food banks
on industrial land; and high-speed
rail maintenance and passenger facil-
ity projects.
The bill authorizes streamlined
review of “nearly exempt” housing
projects — defined as those projects
that would qualify for a CEQA
exemption but for a single disquali-
fying condition. Such projects would
undergo limited environmental
review, limited to the single triggering
condition.
The bill also mandates mapping of
urban infill sites eligible for the new
infill housing, which would facilitate
faster site selection for eligible housing
project sponsors. n
CEQA is primarily an informational
statute. Even when environmental
impacts may be significant, an agency
has the option of issuing a statement
overriding considerations and approv-
ing a project anyway, as long as the
proper environmental information
has been shared.
Two new laws, AB 130 and SB 131,
were recently passed with the primary
goal of accelerating the approval
of specific projects and facilitating
required infrastructure. They provide
new statutory exemptions to CEQA
regarding infill housing projects; a
mechanism to mitigate transportation
impacts; exemptions for a variety of
infrastructure projects; and targeted
streamlining for projects that narrowly
Vehicle miles traveled (VMT)
measure the amount and distance of
automobile travel generated by a pro-
posed project. A project that results
in a significant increase in VMT may
THE
page 6
SEPTEMBER 2025
Join the Effort:
Clean Up Frog Park
for Oakland’s 30th
Creek to Bay Day
by Will Sheldon
I
Meet at the big oak tree by the
Big Frog play structure on
Saturday, September 20,
from 9am to noon
to sign the waiver to participate.
a non-toxic sealant to the Little Frog
play structure. Families and groups
are welcome. Students needing service
hours for school can receive a signed
letter verifying their participation.
Please bring your gardening gloves,
tools, and refillable water bottles.
Some gardening gloves and tools will
be on hand, if you’d like to borrow
them. Coffee and snacks provided to
volunteers.
n celebration of Oakland’s 30th
annual Creek to Bay Day Cleanup,
a cleanup of Big Frog Park, Little Frog
Park, and the Temescal Greenbelt
(Redondo @ Clark to Miles @ Cla-
remont) is being held on Saturday,
September 20, from 9am to noon.
Tasks include weeding, pruning,
trash pickup, raking, sweeping, fluff-
ing up the fibar, and possibly applying
Terry Lee Honored
for 50 Years of Service
A viral post
on Nextdoor
praising her for
her milestone
received nearly
1,000 likes.
Terry Lee began her Safeway
career in 1975 and celebrated
50 years of dedicated service on
August 15. A beloved presence
at the 5100 Broadway store, she’s
known for her kindness, profes-
sionalism, and deep community
connection. Terry’s radiant spirit
has touched generations of Rock-
ridge shoppers, many of whom go
out of their way to be in her line.
Terry Lee embodies excellence in
customer service and community
care — a local treasure and true
Rockridge gem.
Top photo:
Joe Johnston
Photo on right:
Anna L Marks
Thank you, Keara O’Doherty, Chief of Staff
for District 1 Councilmember Zac Unger, for
providing Terry’s Proclamation. Thank you,
Joe Johnston for sleuthing this story. n
THE
page 7
SEPTEMBER 2025
Proposed Senior
Living Housing on
Claremont Avenue
work, and sometimes they leave little
gifts as a thank you. Tourists love
to tell her where to visit, should she
ever find herself in their country, and
sometimes leave her with an assort-
ment of treats they’ve picked up on
their travels.
As for the locals, there is one
woman in particular who brings
her little scraps of paper with bits of
wisdom written on them. “She’ll come
in and tell me, ‘I’ve been thinking
of you,’ and she’ll manage to give
me something that’s exactly what I
needed to hear that week.”
So, next time you’re at the Rock-
ridge BART station, make sure to give
Janae or her coworkers a wave and a
thank you for all the hard work they
do to keep us safe and connected to
the rest of the Bay. n
Rockridge Transit Spotlight
Photo: Robbie Tasker
by Mark Aaronson, RCPC Board
Member
Ellis Partners, Spirit Living Ellis
Partners and Spirit Living
Group have filed an SB 330 prelim-
inary application with the City of
Oakland for a new senior housing
community at 6230 Claremont
Avenue, the site of the former Red
Cross blood bank donation center
and office. The seven-story project is
currently planned for 197 units across
a spectrum of studio and one- and
two-bedroom unit types. There will
be independent living, assisted living,
and memory care units.
The developers made an informa-
tional presentation to the RCPC Board
at its August meeting. The RCPC
Board has not taken a position on this
project, which is in an initial stage of
planning but is likely to move quickly
through the Oakland permitting
process during the next 6 months to
a year. The developers plan to have a
project website to update the commu-
nity as plans unfold. An informational
community meeting has been set for
September 17 (see front page).
RCPC has contacted the site’s prop-
erty management team about blight
and vagrancy issues and will continue
to do so as issues arise. n
Janae Hall: Rockridge
BART Station Agent
by Robbie Tasker, RCPC Board
Member
Janae Hall greeted me with a warm
smile and the friendly disposition
of a real “people person” when we
met. It was no surprise, then, when
she told me that her favorite part of
the job was helping the riders. While
her job as a Station Agent means she
often monitors the safety of riders
across the station, Janae told me that
Rockridge is a station where any sort
of violent incident is rare. Usually,
Janae finds herself helping riders
reunite with lost items and figuring
out the new station gates.
“Some folks are really shy about
asking for help, but I always tell
them ‘It’s my job, I’m happy to!’” she
laughed. Both “Regulars” and tourists
appreciate her and her coworkers’
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THE
page 8
SEPTEMBER 2025
Investing in Our
Children: a Message
from Your OUSD
District 1 Director
who is also an OUSD parent, I show
up to every meeting with one focus:
our students. I know firsthand that
our public schools are not only places
where children learn, but also com-
munity anchors that strengthen and
revitalize our neighborhoods. When
schools are strong, families put down
roots, local businesses thrive, and
neighborhoods feel more connected.
Investing in our schools is investing in
the future of Oakland — they are the
heart of our communities.
This year has shown what’s possible
when we focus on practical solutions
that help students, families, and edu-
cators thrive. For the first time, OUSD
issued a multi-year academic calendar
that gives families the ability to plan,
educators and staff the time to prepare,
and students the consistency they need
to be successful.
OUSD opened its first in-district
Montessori program this fall at Brook-
field. The program is an innovative,
hands-on model that offers families
a new high-quality option within
our public schools. Both changes are
the product of collaboration between
educators, families, and community
leaders — and they’re proof that when
we listen to our community, we create
schools that work for everyone.
Here in District 1, we are fortunate
to have stable schools with strong
teacher retention, but, unfortunately,
that is not the case for all Oakland
schools. As parents, we know how
important it is for families to build
lasting relationships with teachers
and to see those familiar faces year
after year, knowing that the person
guiding your child in the classroom is
someone who understands them, their
siblings, and their community. Every
family in Oakland deserves that same
strong foundation. Making sure every
school has the resources to recruit and
keep great teachers and staff is not
just about fairness, it’s about giving
all of Oakland’s kids the strong, stable
education they deserve.
Our schools are strongest when
families and community members
know their voices matter in shaping
the future of their community. That
is why I share updates via a monthly
newsletter, respond to every email
received, and host a community coffee
on the third Saturday of each month
at 11am. Together, we can ensure
Oakland’s schools reflect the very best
of our city and give every child the
excellent education they deserve.
Please reach out to me at Rachel.
Latta@ousd.org with your concerns
and ideas, or to sign up to learn more
about what I am working on. n
by Rachel Latta
Hello Rockridge neighbors! For
those of you who are just getting
to know me, I’m a Bay Area native, a
nurse midwife, a long-time District
1 resident, and your representative
on the Oakland School Board. My
husband and I have three children
attending Oakland public schools
— an 8th grader at West Oakland
Middle School, a 5th grader, and a
TK’er at Prescott Elementary.
As the only school board member
If you pray with words & actions,
we might be the church for you.
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THE
page 9
SEPTEMBER 2025
Rockridge News
Route Available
Along Taft Avenue
by Susan Montauk, Rockridge News
Distribution Manager
Taft Avenue Block
Captain Ruby
Naughton is leaving
Oakland to start
her first year of
college. Thank you, Ruby,
for your service, and best of luck!
Ruby’s departure leaves a vacancy for
her delivery route on Taft Avenue. We
are looking for someone who lives
on her route or nearby to replace her,
beginning in October.
The job takes about 20-30 minutes,
and it’s a great way to get to know
your neighbors better. Please let us
know if you are that person.
• Route 07D: Along 5900 and
6100 Taft, from Broadway to Manila
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
Dogs of Rockridge
Albus “Albi” is a 6-year-old
rescue who embodies the
qualities of his namesake,
Professor Dumbledore. His
passions include playing with
his ball, going on road trips,
belly rubs, hiking through
redwood groves, being
the campground host, and
spending time with his two-
legged friends. He is deeply
sensitive, daringly kind, and
loves smelling the flowers of
Rockridge.
Originally from Chicago, Boon
(9, half Chow Labrador mix) and
Luna (5, Red Fox Labrador)
have recently relocated
to the vibrant Rockridge
neighborhood. They’re looking
forward to embarking on
new adventures, discovering
hiking trails, and enjoying the
dog beaches where they can
do zoomies and soak up the
sun. Boon and Luna’s unique
personalities complement
each other perfectly, making
them the ideal duo for any new
exploration.
Does your furry friend live in Rockridge? If so,
send a photo of your four-legged companion and
short commentary to: editor@rockridge.org.
The Rockridge community
is invited to attend the
art opening for
Marc Foster Grant
Marc is a local artist and designer
who, along with his wife, created
the internationally renowned
clothing line, Jeanne Marc.
He will be presenting his
latest collection of paintings
exploring portraiture including
Bad Bunny and Parker Posey.
Come meet Marc on
Saturday, October 4,
from 4pm to 7pm
Mercy Vintage
5505 College Avenue
THE
page 10
SEPTEMBER 2025
Despite her illness,
Leslie Correll (seated
right) wasn’t going to
miss the June meeting
of her long-time book
club with neighbors
(left to right) Beth
Johnke, Nancy
Bryan, Dona Turner,
and Shirley Parini.
Leslie Correll
1944-2025
by Judith Doner Berne
There’s a void on our block and in
our hearts. Leslie Correll, an
artist and social justice advocate who
was an integral part of the Rockridge
community for decades, died on July
31 after a long battle with chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD). She was 81.
Like the forward-thinking person
she was, Correll decided when she
could no longer fight the disease,
availing herself of California’s “right
Photo: Kaitlyn Johnke
— compassion, understanding, and
concern for others — characterized
my dear friend.”
Already a Rockridge resident,
in 1991 she inherited the home
of her parents, Alice Correll and
the renowned print artist Richard
Correll. She also inherited her dad’s
artistic talents and both parents’
activism. In the book, Richard V. Cor-
rell Prints and Drawings (2004) that
Leslie, their only child, championed,
contributed to, and edited, she wrote:
“All three Corrells were involved with
the anti-war and anti-nuclear move-
ment, the civil rights, women’s, and
environmental movements, and in the
drive for increased rights for Chicanos
and Native Americans.”
Leslie’s mother, Alice, in her 90s,
could be seen holding protest signs,
sitting on the sidewalk outside Otter-
bein Manor, the senior community
near to College Avenue where she had
to die” law. “It was so beautiful, so
dignified and peaceful,” said her best
friend, Anne MacLachlan, who was
among those at her bedside. “She had
been in so much pain.”
As a long-time member of our
neighborhood book club, “Leslie
pulled herself together” to attend
the group’s June meeting, said block
captain Dona Turner. “She came, she
participated, even though she was
quite unwell. I think she wanted to say
good-bye.” A few weeks later, in typi-
cal Leslie fashion, she texted Turner to
say: “I’m going bye-bye sooner than I
thought.”
“It was typical that she never
complained about her condition,
instead making funny jokes about
going to Kaiser, and until the end, she
always kept up an incredibly cheerful
demeanor,” Iris Stetson said. The two
Rockridge residents, friends for more
than 40 years, met studying Flamenco
dancing in San Francisco’s Mission
District. “Leslie’s innate goodness
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510.919.8997
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The College Preparatory School is a vibrant day school for grades 9-12 in Oakland’s
Rockridge neighborhood. At College Prep we believe in the foundational importance of
scholarship, the value of dialogue, and the need for academically curious young people
to belong to a kind, creative, diverse, and joyful community. We challenge our students
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The Rockridge Realtor®
with a Designer’s Eye
6100 Broadway Oakland CA 94618 510.652.4364 college-prep.org
THE
page 11
SEPTEMBER 2025
Greater Rockridge Neighborhood
Crime Prevention Council
Eyes on Rockridge, from previous page
Rockridge Chorale Sings at St.
Patrick’s Cathedral in Ireland
by Jacquelyn McCormick
Tsubsequently moved.
At that time, Leslie described herself
as “a multimedia artist and consultant
in product design, development, and
marketing for women and minority
artists in the United States, and those
practicing traditional crafts in several
countries.” Her personal research
interests, she wrote, “center on textile
and fiber arts and their social and
economic importance to Indigenous
communities.”
Under the logo of Correll Studios,
Leslie created and sold her jewelry in
the 1970s and ’80s, notably to high-
end stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue
and Bergdorf Goodman, MacLachlan
said. She went on to manage profes-
sionals from developing countries for
10 years at UC Berkeley’s International
Environmental Leadership Program
for Sustainable Development.
“She invested so much in social jus-
tice issues,” MacLachlan said. “She was
very careful with her money so that all
the organizations that she believed in
locally, nationally, and internationally
would get a maximum amount.”
Her activism always included
making her Rockridge neighborhood a
better place. Despite her illness, Leslie
was a force on the steering committee
for Upper Broadway Advocates (UBA),
formed in 2019 to advocate for build-
ing affordable housing at the former
California College of Arts campus.
“She designed the website, the logo,
and the structure of it,” said Janis
Brewer, a friend, neighbor, and sister
UBA board member. “I think it was
her baby.” She firmly believed that “If
we aren’t building affordable housing,
we’re not doing the right thing.
“She was so proud of being a career
woman, wanting to do something
for the world,” Brewer said. The two
also worked together when various
projects threatened the neighborhood’s
quality and safety. “I’ll just miss her
community spirit, selflessly trying to
make things better for other people. I
am overwhelmed with Leslie’s bravery.
Even when she was sick, she was a
joyful person.”
Across the street, her neighbors
Next NCPC Meeting Date:
Thursday, October 9, 7pm
The upcoming meeting will be held
in the Rockridge Library
Conference Room, and on Zoom.
Zac Unger will be speaking at the
October 9 meeting. Come and meet
your City Councilmember.
For details, or for the Zoom link,
visit www.rockridgencpc.com.
his past June, the Rockridge
Chorale joined forces with 120
singers from across the country to
deliver an awe-inspiring perfor-
mance at the prestigious Dublin
Choral Festival, held at St. Patrick’s
Cathedral. The highlight was the
premiere of Jake Runestad’s Secrets
of the Sea, under the direction of
the acclaimed composer himself.
This composition, an homage to
Runestad’s best friend, resonated
deeply with the audience, earning
three memorable standing ovations.
Steve and Denise Kazan remembered
that, some years back, Leslie happily
cared for their cat, Samantha, when
they were away. That was even though
“Samantha liked no one but Denise,”
Steve said. “Even the vet was afraid
of the cat.” When the cat died at
age 21, Denise invited friends for a
memorial dinner and asked them to
say something about Samantha. She
received utter silence. “Leslie came to
the rescue,” Steve said. “Not only did
she say something good about Saman-
tha, but she wrote a little poem in her
honor. Leslie made the day.”
In recent years, she was often con-
fined to her home, unable to do the
gardening she loved so much. But sur-
rounded by her collections — family
photographs, drawers filled with
her artful jewelry, and shelves and
furniture displaying fiber art, often
gathered on her travels – she stayed
busy and involved. “Leslie was always
Singers Wanted!
The Rockridge Chorale is inviting
SATB (soprano, alto, tenor and bass)
singers to join them in Oakland at 3pm
on November 1. They are also seeking
singers for their concert at Carnegie
Hall in NYC. The repertoire will
include both classical and pop music
Details at www.rockridgechorale.
org; or by calling 510/435-0820. n
abreast of things,” block captain
Turner said. “She was interested in the
bits and pieces of the world.”
A tribute to Leslie Correll can be
found on Upper Broadway Advocates’
website. And, if you have a Rockridge
story, email judyberne@att.net. n
THE
page 12
SEPTEMBER 2025
Rockridge Little
League Standout
To Play at Cal
on-base percentage and 56 runs batted
in across 68 games.
But pitching is at the heart of Ezra’s
excellence. The left-hander was named
Pitcher of the Year by the Bay Counties
League (BCL-East) last season after
being recognized as the division’s
Most Valuable Player as a 10th grader.
Remarkably, over the past three years,
he has amassed 228 strikeouts in 133
innings. Opponents bat a measly .152
against him. Ezra’s earned run average
is a minuscule 1.21. He once racked up
17 strikeouts in a seven-inning game
versus College Prep.
“He’s the easiest kid I’ve ever worked
with,” says Head Royce pitching
coach Dave Rapson. “He’s cool on the
mound, a hard worker, and he simply
has great stuff. I think he could be an
outstanding college player.”
Yeshayah pitched at UC San Diego
and says he never pushed Ezra into
playing baseball. “He’s a very purpose-
ful athlete and student,” he says. “We
look at a lot of video together, of Ezra’s
play and also some pro players too. He
asks a lot of questions, and he under-
stands how his body moves. We have
give-and-take around any adjustments
I might suggest about his swing or
throwing motion.”
Among some unusual training aids
the Goldfarbs have employed since he
was little: Standing on a raised beam
to improve his balance while batting
corn kernels with a bat and wiffle golf
balls with a broomstick.
Photo courtesy of the
Goldfarb family
by Skip Fogarty
He loved baseball from the time he
could walk. His father was
a college pitcher and a baseball opera-
tions executive with the San Francisco
Giants. “I would watch a three-hour
baseball game on TV when I was two
years old,” says Rockridge neighbor
Ezra Goldfarb. “My dad and I were
always playing catch and doing drills. I
just loved the game.”
Ezra went on to play for the North
Oakland Little League, a series of
elite summer travel teams, and has
been captain of the Head Royce squad
for the past two seasons. Earlier this
summer, ahead of his senior year, he
committed to play for Cal, marking
the end of his illustrious high school
career. “Committing to Cal basically
means I have a roster spot and that
the coaches want me there,” Ezra
explains. His father, Yeshayah, says
he’s “delighted that Ezra will be
playing college ball near home at an
academically challenging university.”
His high school statistics bear out
his skills and hard work over the years.
Playing in the outfield and at first base
over the span of three seasons with the
Jayhawks program, he has compiled
a .353 batting average, with a .467
The left-handed pitcher also excels
as a hitter at Head Royce and is
heading to play at Cal.
How do Ezra’s coaches respond
to his father’s inputs? “I think they
recognize Ezra is open to their sug-
gestions as well as mine. There’s never
been any friction there.” He adds,
“Ezra is a student of the game, with a
drive to improve.”
As far as possible areas of study
at Cal, Ezra says: “Maybe psychol-
ogy… but I’m not 100 percent sure.
I’m interested in how people make
decisions and understanding their
motives. I’d like to study that through
an athletic lens.”
Ezra is also the captain of the Head
Royce basketball team, and come
spring, he’s looking forward to contin-
ued success on the baseball diamond.
“We finished second in our league last
year with a 10-2 record, and we played
in the North Coast Sectional champi-
onships against much bigger schools.
A lot of our best guys will be back.”
When the season is over, Ezra
says he’ll begin playing in Cal’s fall
development program. He expects to
concentrate on pitching, “but they’ll
give me a chance to hit in the fall
and we’ll see how that goes.” Don’t
bet against this kid continuing as a
two-way star. n
7:1 Faculty-Student Ratio | Max Class Size of 13
DARE to be DIFFERENT
DARE to be DIFFERENT
GRADES 8-12 OrindaAcademy.org
THE
page 13
SEPTEMBER 2025
Rockridge Moms Turn Warehouse into
Vibrant Creative Space
asserted Burnett.
One day over coffee, they noticed
an empty building across the street
for rent. “We spent the next hour just
fantasizing about what we would each
do,” said Burnett. That building was
no longer available, but they soon
found a tenant-occupied warehouse
on Claremont Avenue. Although they
purchased it about four years ago, the
majority of the tenants remained until
just over a year ago.
By July, they gained access to the
entire space, but had lost a significant
portion of the incoming rent, so
Burnett and Cecil decided to generate
income another way: renting out the
space for private events. While other
owners might focus first on reno-
vating the building, Cecil explained,
“We’re kind of the opposite; we have
this raw space and we want to find the
right people and then build out.”
The two women are constantly
looking for “people who are cre-
ative-minded and critical thinkers,”
said Cecil. To foster creativity, the
warehouse currently houses four
private studios rented by a variety
of freelancers, including an abstract
painter and a carpenter. However,
most of the warehouse is available to
rent for private events — from gender
reveal parties to large-scale dinners.
While they plan to continue to
add private studio spaces, Burnett
explained, in the spirit of community,
“part of our core vision includes events
that we want to host ourselves.” n
by Ella Smith
Photo: Laura Burnett
Iand supportive,” said Burnett.
The two women first met when
their children attended kindergarten
together at Chabot Elementary School
where they collaborated to create a
visiting author program. Burnett later
expanded the initiative to other local
schools before transitioning to a career
as a piano teacher, while Cecil pursued
a profession in architectural design.
Then came the Covid pandemic.
“Both of us have had previous careers
and felt like we were on the cusp of
shifting gears,” explained Burnett.
With Burnett’s background in finance
and Cecil’s in design, their compat-
ibility as business partners spured
them to imagine how to collaborate
on something bigger: “Why don’t
we build our own dream rather
than someone else’s dream?”
nside the warehouse on Claremont
Avenue, cement floors stretch nearly
10,000 square feet beneath exposed
wooden beams. A floral mural deco-
rates the exterior. For years, Oakland
residents Morgan Cecil and Laura
Burnett have worked to turn the raw
space into a welcoming community
brimming with creativity, naturally
allowing the building’s “internal
flexibility to have lots of different
identities,” said Burnett.
Less than a month ago, they suc-
cessfully launched Summer Market.
The premiere event featured approx-
imately 25 vendors that lined the
central area of the warehouse with
vendor booths and tables offering
everything from acupuncture to
herbal supplements. “Everyone was
warm, happy, friendly, interactive,
THE
page 14
SEPTEMBER 2025
National Night
Out Becomes a
Neighborhood
Tradition
By H. L. Onstad
When I moved from chilly SF to
sunny Lower Rockridge 25
years ago, I met many neighbors, and
was informed there was an annual
National Night Out block party. For
more than 30 years, during the late
summer, 59th Street between Canning
and Howell is closed to through-traffic
for one evening. Neighbors bring food,
fire up the grill, and put a name to a
face. Everyone is invited, and everyone
has a chance to meet one another in a
casual setting. Our humble little block
party has had a range of activities:
egg-on-spoon races, water balloons, a
jump house for kids, impromptu magic
tricks, a professional DJ, a visit from an
Oakland fire truck, a council member,
and our local beat cop.
Rory Darrah and the late Jo-Ellen
Spencer, both of whom worked at
BANANAS on Claremont, maintained
our block party tradition for decades.
Later, they initiated me (and neighbors
Rachel and Boris) into the ranks of
organizers, passing along their wisdom
and the ceremonial bin filled with
paper napkins, paper plates, cups,
caution tape, name tags, and Sharpies,
and our community directory. My son,
Top photo: 59th Street / Bottom photos: Presley between Miles and Chabot
3. One to two weeks before the
event: Make flyers for the event; put
them in mailboxes, and post them
around your block. Remind people
about the sign-up sheet.
4. Three or four days before the
event: Send a reminder message alert-
ing people to move their cars one hour
before the start of the event, and what
time you will block off the street.
5. Day of the event: Use string
caution tape, balloons or crepe paper
to rope off recycling and garbage bins
placed strategically to block off the
street entrance. Set up tables and food.
Pro tip: Having name tags on hand
makes introductions easier.
Enjoy the party, and plan to repeat
steps 1 through 5 next year! n
who is now 24, was lucky enough to
grow up with this tradition, and this
year, he took on the role of grill master.
5 Steps to Start a Block Party Tradition:
1. Solicit a few neighbors to help
pick a date at least two months in
advance. Try to hold it on National
Night Out, or request a short-term
encroachment permit with the city of
Oakland for any date. Brainstorm fun
activities, or arrange a casual potluck.
2. One month before the event:
Send an email to your neighbors and
let them know when it’s happening and
include a sign-up sheet for things you’ll
need (tables, chairs, a grill, soft drinks,
appetizers, salads, buns, grill items,
napkins, plates, cutlery, condiments,
clean-up crew, etc).
THE
page 15
SEPTEMBER 2025
RN
Classifieds
Rockridge Library
SEPTEMBER 2025
List your 36-word message here for only
$24 (phone number counts as one word).
Make check payable to RCPC, and write
“Rockridge News Classifieds” in the memo
line. Mail to: RCPC, 4900 Shattuck Ave.,
P.O. Box 22504, Oakland, 94609-20131.
For Children
Storytime: Thursdays and Saturdays; 10:30am.
Chess Club: Wednesdays; 4pm. All ages and
skill-levels welcome.
Read to a Dog: Thursdays; 4pm. Practice flu-
ency with Scout or Gladys.
Craft Programs: MoChA at the Library!
Third Thursdays, September to April, 3:30pm.
Monthly art workshops for children and
families led by teachers from the Museum of
Children’s Art. For ages 5-15, and caregivers.
Build creativity, social-emotional & academic
skills through art.
Making Stories Club: First Thursdays, Sep-
tember to May, 3:30pm. Monthly workshops to
write, illustrate, and tell stories. Make books,
zines, stories, comics, kamishibai, or scripts!
Join this club of youth writers and illustrators.
For ages 8 to 12.
For more information, email Susan at
smontauk@gmail.com.
AFSP Out of Darkness
Oakland Walk
Deadline for OCTOBER News is:
September 18, 2025 (available Oct. 4).
Be part of the movement to connect
with others and save lives. Walk side-
by-side with mental health advocates,
prevention organizations, survivors,
allies, and community members to
promote suicide awareness.
JEWELRY REPAIRS
Formerly of High Strung and Blue Door Beads!
Marilee is now doing repairs as an independent
contractor. Please email her at mjwrepairs@
proton.me for all your jewelry repair needs.
Register Today at:
afsp.org/oakland
Rent a goat (herd)!
Goat grazing reduces fire fuel and reclaims
yards from invasive plants like poison oak,
blackberry bushes, and English ivy. Grazing is an
environment-friendly alternative to herbi-
cides--plus goats are fun! eastbaygoatgrazing.
com.
Saturday,
October 18, 7am
For Teens, Ages 12 to 18
Lotería Flowerpots: Thursday 9/18 3-4pm:
Join us to paint and decorate a flowerpot with
cards from the traditional Mexican card game,
Lotería. Take home succulent cuttings or seeds
from our seed library to plant in your new flow-
erpot! All supplies (except soil) provided.
(Onsite registration: 6am)
Snow Park at Lake Merritt,
Oakland, CA
For Adults
Ask Your Area Home Experts: Every 2nd
Friday, noon to 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. September’s
book is James, by Percival Everett
Needlework Circle: Every Thursday, (time
change! starting Sept. 18th), 1-3pm. Bring your
yarn and fiber arts projects.
Artist’s Open Studio: every 3rd Tuesday,
2-4:30pm.
1-on-1 Technology Help: every Saturday,
10am-12pm and 1-3pm and Tuesdays 5:30-7:30.
Come with your devices and technology ques-
tions and our volunteer tech guru will help you
get sorted. First come first served.
Adult Crafting Series: Tuesday Sept. 2nd,
6-7:30pm. Play with ink, explore techniques and
tools.
Meet the Authors: Wednesday, 6:30pm, Sept
19, Dr. Vanessa Grubbs will discuss her book,
Negligent by Design: Anti-Blackness in American
Medicine and How to Address It. Books will be
sold onsite by A Great Good Place for Books.
This program is sponsored by the FORL.
Rockridge Gardening Series: Saturday Sept. 20,
2-3pm. Native Plants: explore the beauty and
benefits of California Native Plants for our area.
The U.C. Master Gardeners of Alameda County
share their expertise. n
Electrical Remodels and Repairs
Does your new workshop need wiring? I can
help with that. I’ve been doing electrical work
in Oakland and Berkeley for over 35 years.
Sutorik & Company. www.sutorikandco.com. Lic
#397149; 510/655-3677.
Positive-Reinforcement (R+)
Dog Walking
For 20+ years, we’ve been hiking and walking
Oakland pups on the trails and in neighbor-
hoods. We practice good trail manners and
reinforce R+ training. Puppies & senior dogs
welcome! doggylamapetcare.com.
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.
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.
Visit us at www.yourgreengardeners.com or send
an email to: yourgreengardeners@gmail.com.
Modern Dog Training
Need help with leash manners, basic obedi-
ence, or problem behaviors? Private, in-home
training can help! Visit dogsquaddogtraining.
com or call 510/646-9657 for more information.
Fat Loss Personal Training
1-on-1 training at Harding Method Fitness on
College Ave. Military background, expert in fat
loss. All levels welcome. Burn fat, build strength,
boost confidence. Call/text Gabriel: 415-712-
5313.
Rockridge-based Professional
Genealogist
Hit a research brick wall? Unknowns in your
DNA results? Interested in the history of your
house? Let me help! Schedule a free consulta-
tion at rshawresearch.com. Text 510-479-0990.
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 comple-
ments your new, fresh attitude.
penelopecalef.com; 510/594-1552.
HARDWOOD FLOORS
Install, sand/refinish, repair, re-coat existing.
Large jobs or small. Twenty-five years in Pied-
mont Ave/Rockridge. Bruce Williams Wood-
floors; CA Lic #913727. Call or text 510/652-
8121. www.blwfloors.com!
Piano Teacher
For students of all ages and levels. I have
decades of teaching experience, and offer
a comprehensive approach to learning the
piano, which includes technique, sight-reading,
ear-training, theory, learning piano pieces and
more. Please contact phyllisplotkin@att.net. n
Lunata Eyelid and Cosmetic Surgery
Light touch procedures that optimize the
function and appearance of your eyelids and
brow. Call 510-899-7466 to schedule a consul-
tation with Dr. Kasra Eliasieh, MD. Visit www.
lunataeyes.com for more info.
Holiday Closures:
Admission Day: Tuesday, September 9
5366 College Avenue, at Manila; 510-597-5017
est. 1967
THE
Andrew Pitarre
Compass
415.342.9950
DRE #01867911
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