Extracted text · highlighting “Jana Good”

Rockridge News "O" illustration by Linda Yamane
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THE
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VOL 40
VOL 40    •    NO. 10
NO. 10    •    ISSUE  NO. 435
ISSUE  NO. 435    •    NOVEMBER 8, 2025
NOVEMBER 8, 2025                 CIRCULATION:
CIRCULATION: 6,700 R
6,700 RESIDENCES
ESIDENCES; 200 B
; 200 BUSINESSES
USINESSES

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

Between Creeks and Hills: Indigenous Life in What We Call Rockridge
by Liam Pierce

When Coyo Tena was 14, he was
hesitant to join Sogorea Te’
Land Trust’s youth program, worried
about putting too much on his plate
his freshman year at Oakland Tech.
But he eventually gave in to his
mother’s insistence, and his skepticism
melted almost immediately.
With Sogorea Te’, Tena developed
a love of nature. He learned how to
weave pouches out of salmon leather,
identify plants and craft medicines,
survived a tsunami warning on a
kayak trip (long story) — and made
many friends. Four years later, Tena,
now 18 and a senior, earned an
internship with Sogorea Te’ this past
summer.
“The main point of the youth
program is to be in touch with the
land — especially as Black and brown
kids,” said Tena, who is part Tejano
and part Yaqui, from what is now
Texas and Northern Mexico. “And to
"Sculpture of Ohlone People," by Jennifer Riley; Photo by Maurice Ramirez
learn from what Ohlone peoples have
been doing and how you can apply
that to your daily modern life.”
Sogorea Te’ is an Ohlone- and
women-led organization focused
on returning Indigenous land and
artifacts to Ohlone stewardship and
revitalizing cultural practices in the
East Bay. Rockridge lies within that
territory — known as Huichin, ances-
tral land of the Chochenyo-speaking
Lisjan, Muwekma and other unaf-
filiated Indigenous peoples. It is
important to recognize whose land it
was and whose land it still is.
Today, within the land that the
Rockridge border fell on, there are
few visible clues of the deep history
Ohlone Land, see page 4
Protest Muscle
Memory: Seniors
Reflect on a Lifetime
of Showing Up
that brisk fall Saturday.
The rally, situated near the intersec-
tion of Broadway and College Avenue,
drew an early and lively crowd. The
event was organized by Donald Gold-
macher (profiled in our June 2025
edition), a resident of Merrill Gardens
senior apartments, who founded it
because the seniors of Rockridge
wanted to protest but traveling
downtown for them might have been
difficult. Not to mention safety issues.
And after starting last fall with only
around 50 people, the Oct. 18 event
was attended by nearly 1,000 people.
But by the time I arrived on the
beat, wearing a bright blue sequined
Photo by Judith Doner Berne
by Nancy Wright
At one point during the Oct. 18
No Kings Rally on Broadway, a
man with a gray beard in an inflatable
eagle costume started to reminisce
on his time protesting grape sales at
grocery stores in 1970. At the time,
he was standing up for the dignity
and wages of farm workers, but was
met with counter-protestors who were
“much less friendly” than the crew of
mostly senior citizens assembled on
Senior Protest, see next page


THE
page 2
NOVEMBER 2025

Senior Protest, from front page
fedora outfitted with a homemade
“PRESS” card and red jacket, the
crowd was already dispersing. Still,
the conversations I had with neigh-
bors heading home told a vivid story
about how today’s demonstrations felt
to those who once filled the streets
half a century ago.
(Note: Some participants are iden-
tified by first name only, per their
personal preference for this story.)
“I love the panache of old people; I
saw a woman with a lace collar and a
sign that read ‘We are Ruthless,’” said
Peggy, laughing about the well-ex-
ecuted Justice Ginsberg pun. “The
issues now feel broader, more global.
One big difference is that today there
was no marijuana on the bus!”
For Barbara, who once marched in
Berkeley, New York and New Haven,
the contrast was sharp. “It’s absolutely
different now,” she said. “No tear gas!”
Alice, who demonstrated in Arkan-
sas in the 1960s for civil rights, spoke
more somberly. “Back then, Johnson
was President, and I thought he was
aligned with us,” she said. “I don’t feel
that way now; it’s scarier today.”
Her younger friend, who joined her
at the rally, added a warm memory:
“I was a toddler back in 1969, but I’d
ask, ‘Mommy, where will we march
today?’”
At 81 years old, I reflect back to the
1960's marches, protests and demon-
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.
Photo of the Author, Nancy Wright
strations. Born in 1944, I always felt
that I was both at the forefront of
some movements and a little late to
others. I never attended a protest
during those times — maybe out of
concern for the consequences or just
not being at the right place and time.
But unprecedented times beckoned
me to show up; this was my third
protest this year.
On my way home, I popped into the
nearby Wendy’s to get a celebratory
frosty and caught up with Tim and
Mara, eating a meal with younger
family members. They were heartened
by the turnout.
“It’s great that people our age are
still enthusiastic,” Tim said, pointing
to his hat, emblazoned with the words
“Chinga ICE,” for me to photograph.
“I talked to many veterans here today;
they’re upset at how things are going.”
While the rally itself had dwindled
from 1,000 to dozens of people by
the time I arrived, the emotion lin-
gered — an intergenerational echo
of conviction, resilience and humor.
What struck me most was how many
of these elders carried both the muscle
memory of protest and the wisdom
of age. The tone may be calmer now
— fewer chants, more conversation —
but the resolve remains.
And one thing hasn’t changed:
community. Nearly everyone I inter-
viewed, when they saw my “Rockridge
News” badge, smiled and said, “I love
that paper. It makes me feel like I’m
part of something.”
For me, too, this little assignment
was a reminder of connection. That
bright blue hat and “PRESS” sign
opened up stories I wouldn’t have
heard otherwise — proof that curios-
ity, like protest, keeps us young. n
Rockridge News Production
Liam Pierce...............................Editor & Layout Artist
Susan Montauk......Business & Distribution Manager
Judith Doner Berne......... Senior Contributing Writer
RCPC Board of Directors, 2025
Casey Farmer.......................................................Chair
Star Lightner...............................................Vice Chair
Jana Good...................................................... Secretary
Paul McDonnell............................................Treasurer
Mark Aaronson, Muhammad Alameldin, Gary Barg,
Kristen Belt, Eli Kaplan, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini,
Robbie Tasker, Zack Walton, Kim Suczynski-Smith
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.
Letters 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.
Newsletter Subscriptions
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 Ave.,
PO Box 22504, Oakland, CA, 94609
ADVERTISING DEADLINE for DEC. 2025:
NOV. 20, 2025
Advertising rates are $32/column inch ($28 for
b/w). Six-month pre-pay discounts available.
For display ads and classifieds:
Email Susan Montauk at smontauk@gmail.com.
Views expressed in published articles do not
necessarily reflect those of the Rockridge
News, its editor, or the board of directors of
the Rockridge Community Planning Council.


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page 3
NOVEMBER 2025

RCPC Partners Up
for Local SNAP Relief,
Will Match Donations
“During the last shutdown we
supported approximately 1,200 federal
employees — including TSA, Coast
Guard, FBP and IRS — with regular
deliveries of healthy nonperishables
and bags of fresh produce, directly
to their places of employment. It was
our goal then and is our goal now to
ensure they have the most convenient
access to nourishment.
Spikes in hunger like this, however
temporary, mean more reliance
on food banks for families to meet
their basic needs. As an emergency
response organization, we remain
prepared to help in these times, and
that requires tapping into our reserves
at a time when we’re already deficit
spending.”
The barrels were delivered to our
partner locations the week of Nov. 6
and the virtual food drive is live, so
you can get started right away! Please
be generous so we can help alleviate
hunger in Oakland during these
trying times. n
Donate to Support Families
Who Were Denied SNAP
RCPC
by Star Lightner, RCPC Vice Chair
donate.accfb.org/
vfd/RockridgeGives
You may have heard that the gov-
ernment shut-down put an end
to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP) funding on Nov. 1.
Even though the program has a $200
million reserve, the Trump adminis-
tration is refusing to disperse those
funds. This means that thousands of
Alameda County residents, particu-
larly children, will be harmed by the
loss of food stamps that would nor-
mally have allowed them to continue
purchasing food.
To help in this crisis, the Rockridge
Community Planning Council (RCPC)
is spearheading a food drive in Rock-
ridge to benefit the Alameda County
Community Food Bank and will
match up to $2,000 in total donations.
With your help, we can potentially
raise $4,000 for the (Alameda County
Community) Food Bank.
The drive runs Nov. 6–Dec. 8 and
will be both virtual and in person.
If donating in person, you can bring
any type of nonperishable food. Items
such as canned meats, peanut butter,
mac and cheese, soups, dry beans and
rice, canned fruits and vegetables,
cereal and granola bars are in particu-
larly high demand.
For in-person donations, RCPC has
enlisted three fantastic partners to
help make this effort possible; Market
Hall, the Rockridge Library and
Claremont Middle School will each
be hosting a Food Bank barrel. The
Market Hall barrel will be located at
the College Avenue entrance near the
new cheese counter and the bakery,
the Rockridge Library barrel will be
in the front lobby and the Claremont
Middle School barrel will be just
inside the main entrance at the corner
of College Avenue and Miles Avenue.
In addition, a fourth wonderful part-
ner, Trader Joe's, is kickstarting the
action with a donation of $100 worth
of nonperishable food items.
The virtual food drive will allow
you to donate funds directly to the
Food Bank — with the added benefit
of being tax deductible. Direct dona-
tions are particularly helpful because
they allow the Food Bank to buy in
bulk for economies of scale.
Here is what the Alameda County
Community Food Bank says about the
current government shut down and
SNAP cuts:
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page 4
NOVEMBER 2025

While labor was often divided along
lines of gender, the Ohlone didn’t
ascribe to rigid gender binaries. They
acknowledged and accepted indi-
viduals with “Two-Spirit” identities.
Two-Spirit individuals often held
special valued spiritual, social and
labor roles within the tribe, effectively
bridging traditional divisions of work.
But how do we know that this is
what life was like within the Rock-
ridge border? Well, we don’t for sure.
In the Oakland History Room, a
1910 Rockridge Gazette celebrates “the
first house built there” 150 years ago,
ignoring the thousands of years of
tule and redwood dwellings that likely
stood on this soil. The Rockridge
BART foundation was unearthed in
the late 1960s with no legal require-
ments for archaeological surveys.
Local property owner John Allen
hasn’t found any artifacts on his prop-
erties, but is currently working with
two tribes using subsurface radar to
detect if there are any artifacts below
his property at 5299 College Ave.
“How would you feel if somebody
dug into your grandmother’s grave?”
Allen said, adding he was happy to
comply.
But the absence of recorded history
(so far) doesn’t mean nothing was
here; Rockridge is surrounded by
evidence.
Three widely known sites frame
the neighborhood — and reveal why
Rockridge’s land was significant. To
the west stood one of the great shell-
mounds, which was largely destroyed
driven by the specialized labor of the
community. The Ohlone diet was
anchored in the acorn, harvested from
oak woodlands and typically pro-
cessed by skilled women. They would
pound and leach the meal with water
to remove bitter tannins, transforming
it into nourishing porridge, soup,
bread or cakes. The woods, marshes,
and creek meadows of the Rockridge
territory were an open pantry of seeds,
berries and bulbs.
“Imagine the redwood trees here
being as tall as the ones up north,”
said Francis Mendoza of the East Bay
Regional Park District, referring to
vast, fog-fed forests east of Rockridge.
“Ohlone would use the redwood leaves
as a natural water break in creeks to
filter the bitter tannins out of acorn
meal, adding a subtle flavor.”
Mendoza noted that like the oak
woodlands that were Rockridge, the
towering redwoods were considered
to be elders, reflecting the belief that
animals and plants were part of their
family, their relatives.
Men, through patient observation
and expert knowledge, hunted deer
and elk with sculpted bows in the
higher hills, utilizing sophisticated
decoys and mimicking animal gait
— a practice that required deep under-
standing of animal behavior.
Children contributed to both men’s
and women’s roles, learning every
hill and plant by name, inheriting an
understanding of the world where
the spiritual was interwoven with the
physical.
Ohlone Land, from front page
beneath the neighborhood’s sidewalks,
shops and tree-lined streets. This
absence itself tells a story of inten-
tional erasure since European contact,
lack of artifacts or lack of searching.
But there is a story to be told in the
absence of Indigenous findings in
Rockridge — and the information that
surrounds its borders.
Imagine Rockridge not as an
assemblage of property lines, but as a
dynamic, living ecosystem. Following
seasonal logic, families moved inland
from the warmer, abundant bayshore
shellmounds in the winter to tule and
brush homes in the oak-rich foothills
during warmer months. This was a
site of sustained residency and special-
ized cultural practice.
The rhythm of life was symbiotic,


THE
page 5
NOVEMBER 2025

in waves. Spanish missions forced
relocations and sterilized Ohlone.
Mexican secularization dissolved land
holdings. Under U.S. rule, the Gold
Rush brought state-sanctioned geno-
cide at $5 per severed Ohlone head.
Shellmounds became construction fill.
Sacred objects were taken by private
collections and museums.
Then development: roads, homes,
rail lines, tunnels. If history is what we
choose to preserve, erasure is what we
choose not to see.
For Tena, the program was a
reminder that Indigenous peoples in
the Bay Area aren’t just sepia-toned
museum displays. They are here today
— still connected to the land, still
shaping it and still reclaiming their
place in it.
“Learning Native history in school
was great, but it was always in the past
tense,” Tena said. “I was like, ‘what the
heck? I’m still here.’”
And despite generations of efforts to
bury that past since European contact,
Ohlone descendants remain. Sogorea
Te’, led by Tribal Chairwoman Corrina
Gould, and their goal to rematriate the
land is a testament to that.
Even if we never uncover a perfectly
preserved village beneath Rockridge,
we know this land was and is lived
on, cared for and shaped by Ohlone
people. That history isn’t gone; it’s
being reclaimed. Everyone in Rock-
ridge has the opportunity to support
that work, to honor the original and
current stewards of the land, and to
help bring its full history into view. n
INDIGENOUS-FOCUSED GROUPS
THAT HELPED WITH THIS ARTICLE
Kanyon Konsulting
kanyonkonsulting.com
East Bay Regional Park District
regionalparksfoundation.org/donate
Indian Canyon
patreon.com/IndianCanyon
Sogorea Te' Land Trust
sogoreate-landtrust.org/shuumi-land-tax
Muwekma Ohlone
Preservation Foundation
muwekmafoundation.org/donate
to make Bay Street Emeryville shop-
ping center.
To the northwest, another shell-
mound near the I-80 University Ave.
exit was successfully returned to Sogo-
rea Te’ stewardship in May 2024.
These shellmounds suggest that
Ohlone communities followed creeks
from there, eastward for springtime
migration. One path likely followed
Temescal Creek, which still flows
mostly underground beneath Highway
24 and the BART station. And where
there was water, there were Ohlone.
The third known site sits at the
boundary between Rockridge and
Temescal, east of 51st and Telegraph.
The word “Temescal” is a Spanish dis-
tortion of the Nahuatl word for sweat
house, a central place of ceremony,
suggesting a permanent village nearby.
While describing Ohlone life is sus-
ceptible to overly romantic imaginings,
we should acknowledge the violent
interruption to that life that came
Home is where gratitude grows.
From our team to yours,
wishing you a happy and
heartwarming Thanksgiving!
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-The Claudia Mills Real Estate Team

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page 6
NOVEMBER 2025

Help College
Avenue Presbyterian
Church Hand Out
Thanksgiving Meals to
Those in Need
Partner with us
to provide 200
Turkey Meals for
our neighbors
at Thanksgiving.
COLLEGE AVENUE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
capcoakland.org
by Rev. Monte McClain
hunger, solitude, joblessness  or eco-
nomic pressures.
A financial gift of $7.50 provides
a hearty turkey dinner with all the
fixings for someone else. For as little
as $30, you can feed a family of four.
Donations from people like you are
what makes this community meal
possible.
You can also give the gift of your
time. We need plenty of volunteers
to help in our effort to provide this
holiday meal. We’re looking for people
who can help by cooking at home,
preparing the site, serving and clean-
ing up — all done in a spirit of joy
and giving while paying the utmost
attention to safety measures. We also
gladly welcome the help of children
accompanied by a parent.
To donate your money and time,
visit the Thanksgiving Meal page on
the church website at capcoakland.
org/thanksgiving-meal. There, you can
sign up for a volunteer slot or make a
safe and secure electronic donation.
Contact the church office at capcoak-
land@gmail.com or (510) 658-3665.
Thank you for partnering with us to
respond to the hungers of Oakland! n
For nearly 50 years, the College
Avenue Presbyterian Church com-
munity has been partnering with you,
the greater Rockridge community, to
host an annual free Thanksgiving Day
community meal.
This year, with your help, we are
hoping to provide 250 to-go meals on
Thanksgiving Day for people in need.
The event will take place on Novem-
ber 27 from 11 a.m.–noon from our
campus at 5951 College Avenue.
We invite you to take part in this
diverse community effort, a collabora-
tion among congregational members,
local merchants and Rockridge
residents. While we can’t solve all the
housing and food-insecurity problems
of our town, together we can respond
to the needs of those struggling with


THE
page 7
NOVEMBER 2025

Photos: The Halloween Parade Had Plenty of Tricks and Treats for All
Photos by Robbie Tasker and Liam Pierce

The Rockridge Halloween Parade is co-sponsored by Rockridge Community Planning Council, Rockridge District Association, the Rockridge Library and Friends of the Rockridge Library.

Safer Rockridge
Expands Patrol
Coverage
The expanded patrols are only
planned for three months, as the
program will be paid for using Safer
Rockridge’s limited reserves. The
patrol service is funded entirely
by contributions from community
members, most commonly $30 per
month. In order to continue offering
expanded patrols beyond the three-
month pilot, Safer Rockridge will need
more regular, recurring contributions
to cover the increased cost of the
second car and additional patrol
hours.
Currently, Safer Rockridge has
around 200 monthly subscribers,
but the neighborhood has over 5,000
addresses. This works out to a contri-
bution rate of less than five percent.
The Safer Rockridge board expects
that if that rate increased to ten per-
cent, it would be feasible to maintain
a second car indefinitely and increase
the hours, too.
Greater Rockridge Neighborhood
Crime Prevention Council
Next NCPC Meeting Date:
Thursday, Dec. 11, 7p.m.
Rockridge Library
conference room
Zoom link: tinyurl.com/274syffw
by Diana Calla, Safer Rockrdige
Secretary & Acting Treasurer
Safer Rockridge, the local non-
profit that organizes and funds
the neighborhood’s private security
service, is excited to announce that
on Nov. 1 it began a pilot expansion
program. For the next three months
there will be two cars on duty in the
evenings, Wednesday–Saturday, which
meaningfully increases the patrol
presence during these key hours.
 Safer Rockridge has been working
towards this goal for several months.
“Expanding the patrols has been on
our roadmap for a while, but recently
we have observed a noticeable uptick
in residential break-ins, so we felt the
time was right,” said Chris Shayne,
Safer Rockridge Board President.
The timing of the pilot is set to coin-
cide with the holiday season, when
there is an increase in packages being
delivered (and potentially, lingering
on stoops) and when it gets dark
earlier in the evening. Safer Rockridge
is also exploring a partnership with
the Rockridge District Association
to ensure there is additional patrol
coverage during December evenings
focused on College Avenue.
For our December speaker, we have a
representative from Safer Rockridge,
a California non-profit public benefit
corporation that pools contributions
from area residents and businesses to
provide professional, unarmed security
in Lower Rockridge.
Safer Rockridge’s website, saferrock-
ridge.org, has information about how
to contribute or modify an existing
recurring contribution. Also, the
board is currently looking to add a
Treasurer. Please email saferrock-
ridge@gmail.com if you are interested
in volunteering or learning more. n
3  Floor in
rd
Market Hall
Ste. 312
(510) 653-6677
www.rockdent.com
Bruce D. Fong, D.D.S.
Trevor J. Fong, D.D.S.
Filippo Cangini, D.D.S, M.S.
5655 College Avenue Suite 312, Oakland, CA 94618
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THE
page 8
NOVEMBER 2025

Beloved Death
Blooming Agave's
Notebook Stolen, But
Its Story Lives On
by Jana Good and Casey Farmer,
RCPC Board Member and Chair
Ironically, a death blooming agave
plant has brought plenty of life to
Manila Avenue. It has captured the
hearts of residents — even tourists
from as far away as New Zealand — in
a remarkable way. As the plant grew to
its current height of 30 feet, so did the
notebook that documented its admir-
ers, racking up hundreds of stories and
reflections from neighbors and visitors.
But sadly, the notebook, which was
kept out front alongside the plant,
was stolen on September 25 — the
same evening that a rock was thrown
through a window next door.
“The notebook is invaluable,” said
Brion Spensieri, the owner of the agave.
“It means the world to us; I’ve never
felt so connected to my community.”
Spensieri and his family documented
the story of their century plant agave’s
death bloom on a small easel outside
their home, just around the corner
from the Rockridge Library. When
Spensieri and his wife bought their
home in 2017, the plant was just 5 feet
tall. But in May of this year, as part of
the death bloom process, a stalk grew
from the center and has since reached
over 30 feet tall. The plant is about 33
names and jotting down encouraging
words on the white board, Spensieri
decided to put out a school composi-
tion book for the community to share
their reflections. Early entries include
drawings of the plant, “love notes”
thanking the plant for its beauty, and
even poems of reverence.
Over time, visitors began writing
more personal reflections in the
notebook, sharing their thoughts on
the grace and dignity of the agave or,
in the face of losing a recent family
member, reflections on the catharsis
of seeing death as a dynamic process.
The first notebook filled up within
just two weeks, so a second was taped
to it and then a third. In total, there
were hundreds of pages of positive
and heartwarming comments.
“A city like Oakland can feel very
years old, per aerial photos located by
Spensieri’s geologist neighbor.
The plant is an agave americana,
from the asparagaceae family, and
the bloom definitely resembles its
edible cousin, the asparagus. The
once-in-a-lifetime flowering event is
a “pollinator’s dream,” Spensieri said.
He also notes that at peak bloom,
the yellow flowers of the seed pods
produce a nectar that attracts hum-
mingbirds, bees and butterflies.
Initially, Spensieri put the easel out
to explain what the plant was going
through for guests at an Easter party
they were throwing. After the party,
he decided to leave it outside for
neighbors to learn too and throughout
each step of the plant’s death bloom
process, he explained the science of
what was happening to it on the easel.
But when people began signing their
Agave Its All, see next page
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THE
page 9
NOVEMBER 2025

HELP FIND THE
NOTEBOOK
Agave Its All, from previous page
city-y or very neighbhorhood-y,”
Spensieri said, noting that the neigh-
bors of his previous home in San
Francisco weren’t quite as warm as
those in Rockridge. “And this really
turned the corner for me; I feel like
I’ve got people here now.”
Spensieri said that nowadays, he
can’t even go to the mailbox without
getting stopped to talk about the plant.
His children, ages 6 and 4, love waving
from their second story bay window at
those who stop to observe the plant.
Neighbor Matty Easton made the
plant “internet famous” through his
robust posts on Instagram, TikTok
and Facebook. Across all platforms,
the plant has nearly 10 million views
and has generated overwhelmingly
positive comments. The online buzz
prompted CBS News to do a segment
on the plant’s impact on the commu-
nity on May 29. Tourists visiting San
Francisco say they went out of their
way to visit the plant.
Spensieri asked fans and followers
to recommend names for the agave
and hundreds were submitted. Sug-
gestions included Spike, Robert Plant,
Tequila, Mamagave and Expira-gus.
But Audrey, a nod to the plant in
the musical “Little Shop of Horrors,”
received the most number of votes.
“Apparently there is a huge cross-
over between plant people and theater
people,” Spensieri said.
Audrey doesn’t need much mainte-
nance or water. Spensieri’s gardener
cuts back the lower leaves when they
extend beyond the sidewalk, primarily
to prevent poking any passerbys. And
Spensieri believes the pruning actually
stimulated her growth.
Spensieri documented Audrey’s
growth using a laser tape measurer
and subtracted a few inches to
account for its leaning nature. As of
October 10, Spensieri believes it has
stopped growing as no new bulbs have
formed atop the plant.
Fittingly, Spensieri believes Audrey
is a female due to her ability to make
babies — and a lot of them! The
bloom has produced over 1000 seeds,
which are all genetically unique.
When the seed pods fall from the
Please keep an eye out for three black
composition notebooks taped together,
with a wide array of reflections and
drawings of beloved Audrey.
If found, please return to the
home on Manila Avenue ­—
no questions asked!
bloom, Spensieri’s chil-
dren help collect them, leave
them out to dry for a few days and
then make them available in a box
next to the easel. Many online follow-
ers requested the seeds and Spensieri
has mailed them — as far away as
Honolulu and Connecticut.
He reports that she is growing
weaker but that it’s not possible to
predict when she will die. Spensieri
plans to replace Audrey with one of
her clones, called pups, when she
completes her death bloom.
Inspired to teach young people
about finding beauty in death, Spen-
sieri hopes to write a children’s book
about Audrey.
“I want to celebrate all that she gives
back, to honor how hard she works
— to display how interdependent
her bloom is on other plants in the
vicinity that are undergoing the same
evolution at the same time.” Spensieri
said. ”And to express how fascinating
it is that this botanical process end-
lessly repeats itself.” n
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THE
page 10
NOVEMBER 2025

Lactose Highs at the
Cruccolo Parade
by Galen Wilson
equation has changed since I was in
middle school 100 years ago, this thing
clocks in at nearly 25,000 cubic inches.
The wheel is shipped by boat from
Italy to New York and then immedi-
ately transported by truck to Oakland.
Alma Avalos, Market Hall’s prin-
cipal cheese buyer since 1998, was
“looking for something amazing and
different” at a 2008 food show in New
York. When she saw the giant wheel
of cheese, she said, “I want that cheese
right now.”
Ms. Avalos’s enthusiasm for the
event and the cheese is palpable as
she hands out samples and answers
questions — all while dressed in
traditional Italian garb. Last year, she
traveled to Italy to pick out the specific
wheel herself. She noted that after
last year’s parade, they sold the nearly
400-pound block in one week. Alvalos
anticipates it will sell even faster
this year; one cashier estimated that
hundreds of people bought a chunk of
Cruccolo on the first day.
The cheese is so popular that no
restaurants or individuals receive
special consideration — it's available
on a first-come, first-served basis. On
parade day, other shops in Market Hall
collaborate by serving Italian-themed
foods and samples (biscotti at the
bakery, Italian vino at Paul Marcus
Wines).
The Cruccolo is enjoying even more
real estate than last year. Highwire
Coffee, which used to operate in the
front corner facing College Avenue,
Photos by Galen Wilson
If you happened to walk down
Shafter Avenue near Market Hall
at almost precisely noon on a recent,
damp Saturday, you may have seen
a 366-pound wheel of Italian cheese
being paraded down the street.
Accompanying it were festively
dressed cheesemongers, an accordion
player and plenty of fanfare from
dozens of delighted neighborhood
onlookers. But to call it an unusual
sight wouldn’t be exactly correct; in
fact, Oct. 25 marked the 10th Crucolo
Parade.
In case you’ve been sleeping under
a wheel of cheese for the last 10 years,
Crucolo is a coveted cheese from the
Trentino-Alto Adige region of Italy.
And Market Hall’s cheese counter is
one of only two shops in the U.S. (the
other is in Concord, Massachusetts)
where cheese enthusiasts can find this
delicious cow’s milk cheese.
In taste, it’s almost as if pecorino
romano and brie had a love child —
with a room temperature texture like
refrigerated butter. And after letting
the Cruccolo sit on the tongue, it fin-
ishes with a faintly numbing tingle.
Part of what makes the Crucolo
Parade such a spectacle is the sheer
size of the wheel. Roughly, it measured
a whopping three feet in diameter and
two feet high. And unless the volume
A gentleman — understandably —
admires the Cruccolo in all of its glory.
has moved to its own space next door,
making way for the relocation and
expansion of the cheese counter.
In prior years, the parade was held
mostly outside, but due to a light driz-
zle and the fact that the cheese counter
now offers much more indoor space,
this year’s celebration took place both
inside and out. After the wheel was
carted into its destination, cheesemon-
gers cut and processed the massive
wheel into smaller blocks for sale at
the adjacent new cheese counter.
If you missed the Crucolo Parade
this year, I highly recommend putting
a reminder on your calendar for
late October 2026. In many ways,
it represents the best of Rockridge:
community, tradition, fun and cheese.
Don’t forget the cheese. n
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THE
page 11
NOVEMBER 2025

BEST BITES
Saffron Celebrates
Its Second
Anniversary
by Christine Garofoli
Saffron Kitchen has one of the most
exciting menus on College Avenue.
Since they opened two years ago this
month, Saffron became my go-to
spot for a cozy dinner for two or to
impress newcomers with Mediterra-
nean-Infused Afghan cuisine. And it
always wows.
Akbar Arghandiwal and Abdul
Yawary are the warm brother-team of
chefs who opened Saffron and set the
restaurant’s friendly tone and inviting
atmosphere. You can often find them
floating around the dining room,
welcoming guests and helping deliver
meals.
Seating choices allow guests to eat
outside under the covered terrace or
inside the large open dining room at
white tableclothed tables, where they
can listen to soft Mediterranean music
playing in the background.
My menu favorite on the menu is
their mantus: steamed dumplings
filled with spiced ground meat and
onions. What takes them over the
top is the unforgettable yogurt-mixed
vegetable sauce that is tangy and
refreshing with just the right amount
of mint. The aushak, or Afghan leek
Photos provided by Saffron Kitchen
Forgotten” — a unique blend of gin,
lemon and orange flower — as well as
a variety of local microbrewery beers
and wines from their extensive list
served by their attentive bartender.
For dessert, either their signature
saffron pistachio or pomegranate
chocolate gelatos are a perfect way to
end the meal.
During their anniversary week of
November 1–11, if you say “happy
anniversary” to your waiter, you
can enjoy a complimentary glass of
champagne with your meal. But more
impressive: throughout the whole
month of November, 10% of their
lunch proceeds will be donated to
Claremont Middle School, where they
are looking to develop an ongoing
supportive partnership.
Whether you’re seeking adven-
turous dishes, a generous happy
hour with unique Afghani flavors
or a warm place that brings people
together, Saffron Kitchen has become
a Rockridge gem worth returning to
again and again. n
dumplings, are equally fabulous and
can be served with or without meat
sauce.
Saffron is loved for their high-qual-
ity meat options like kabobs made
with filet mignon beef and lamb
tenderloin. Their oven roasted lamb
shank (qabuli pallaw), cooked to per-
fection with fall-off-the-bone meat,
is mixed with their signature basmati
rice and three sauce options.
Vegetarians will find plenty to love
too. The cauliflower qurma, a slow-
cooked stew with onion, ginger and
tomato, was a table favorite and paired
beautifully with saffron basmati rice
and butternut squash.
It’s a great place for bigger groups,
as they can accommodate a diverse
range of eaters — vegetarian, vegan,
gluten-free and meat eaters can
choose from a variety of flavorful
Afghan options. Their spice mixtures
fit all diets and complement the food
tremendously.
They have a signature cocktail list
that features specials like the “Not
COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL
Scan the QR code for
upcoming informational events
or visit orindaacademy.org


THE
page 12
NOVEMBER 2025

LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Update from the RCPC Board
regarding Rockridge News Editor:
Hi,
I have been owning a home and
living in Rockridge for 55 years.
RCPC did not exist when I moved
here. I enjoy reading Rockridge News
and like its editorial independence
from RCPC. I have no complaints
against the editors. The firing by
RCPC is extremely disturbing news
to me. Is RCPC now influenced by
MAGA Republicans? Why else would
any organization do this without dis-
closing the reasons for such a major
decision? What have the editors done?
Did the majority of the readers lodge
any complaints against the editors?
Please publish those complaints.
RCPC must reinstate the editors and
present its grievances against the edi-
tors to the community at large. Put it
to a vote in the democratic way. I smell
politics of the MAGA kind. You are
doing exactly the same thing Trump
is doing in Washington. You should
publish this letter to the next issue.
Hopefully, by then you will reinstate
the editors you so wrongfully fired.
– Som Konar
Broadway and College area resident
As you may know, the Rockridge
Community Planning Council
Board recently concluded its
contract with the editor of the
Rockridge News. We recognize that
this has raised some concerns
It was a difficult decision for the
Board and one that was arrived at
after multiple efforts to address
challenges. In the end, we felt this
action was necessary to ensure our
continued ability to deliver the
quality content and diverse views
that our community values. We
would like to express our apprecia-
tion for Anna Marks' contributions
to the content and the look of the
Rockridge News, and we wish her
well.
RCPC remains deeply com-
mitted to sharing the stories of
our neighborhood, reporting on
important local events, and provid-
ing a platform for a wide range of
perspectives. We believe that new
leadership at the Rockridge News
will strengthen that commitment
and bring a level of professionalism
that supports the volunteer board
in continuing to serve our commu-
nity.
We welcome your feedback on
content you would like to see in the
News.
(Please send to info@rockridge.org)
Sincerely,
The RCPC Board of Directors
welcome back
TO PRESCHOOL
Register
your interest
today:
The JCC East Bay Preschool has a new home!
In Fall 2026, our award-winning preschool will
be located at the brand new East Bay Jewish
Community Campus in Rockridge.

To honor RCPC's 40th anniversary, we're
looking for input on our Rockridge logo.
We're curious whether the the current,
iconic craftsman home logo adequately
reflects who we are today.
Do you have an idea for a different
logo or do you think the craftsman
home best represents our community?
Are there other elements you'd
like to see incorporated?
Learn more and share your
thoughts by December 5, 2025
by emailing logo@rockridge.org.
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DRE #1919653


THE
page 13
NOVEMBER 2025

S
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M
SIP
P
L
&
E
Lorem
G
R
E
TS
A
IF
T
Gipsum dol
-
P
O
P
S
P
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&
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ROCKRIDGEDISTRICT.COM
The Rockridge Library
is a place for everyone
Event
Space
Kid
Space
Teen
Space
Quiet
Space
Since 1996, the Friends of Rockridge Library
has helped the library purchase materials,
provide activities, and create great experiences
— all with the help of our community.
Donate Today!
Bibliophile      $250

Champion       $100

Supporter       $50
Friend               $25
Fan                    $ _____
Friends of the
Rockridge Library
Supporting the Rockridge Branch
of the Oakland Public Library
SEND CHECK TO:
Friends of the Rockridge Library
P.O. Box 3723
Oakland, CA 94609
OR DONATE ONLINE:
rockridgefriends.org

Dogs of Rockridge
Yumi (4) is a sweet, curious
Australian cattle dog (though
she may have some kinda mix
going on), who was adopted
shortly after her pawrents
got engaged two months ago.
Her copious energy is satiated
by her daily trips to her new
dad's work at a golf course
in San Francisco. There, she
stares down her mortal foe:
the leafblower. When in
Rockridge, Yumi loves to stroll
to (watch her owners) get
coffee at High Wire.
The dynamic duo of Lola
(Berger Picard) and Bug
(Sheltie) have been dating and
romping around Rockridge
for the last seven years. They
frequent local eateries on
College Avenue and have many
admirers, with particular love
given to and from the youth
at Chabot Elementary. Their
favorite activity is walking
from Rockridge to Cal in the
mornings with their moms.
Does your furry friend live in Rockridge? If so,
send a photo of your four-legged companion and
short commentary to: editor@rockridge.org.
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Includes a full set of
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THE
page 14
NOVEMBER 2025

Letter From the
Editor: Hello Again,
Rockridge
words between the first and last page
of this publication that we get to
define for ourselves, a living record of
this cozy little hamlet nestled in the
crook of the Oakland Hills.
I thought I’d start my brief *interim
tenure in two ways. First, by asking
about Rockridge’s very beginning:
who inhabited the land before we did.
Because, amidst squabbles over land
use — whether affordable housing
should go here or there or nowhere or
be this or that tall — it’s important to
remember whose land it is: all of ours.
And that we should do our best to
honor and share it with each other.
And second, by looking into Rock-
ridge’s future. I recently visited an
Oakland Tech class where they make
their own newspaper, The Scribe,
that has a history much older than
this paper — dating back to WWI.
There, I asked students to contribute
stories about Rockridge to this pub-
lication — stories that pique their
curiosity as young people. Because
while the people who have lived here
their entire lives make for very good
journalists based on their knowledge
of All Things Rockridge, sometimes
it’s the reporters who know absolutely
nothing about Rockridge that can
discover something entirely new.
Either old or new — whether you’re
bending over to view the pastries or
are gazing at them, slack-jawed, at
eye-level — there’s plenty of magic in
Rockridge to go around. I can’t wait
to discover it with you. n
By Liam Pierce
Growing up in Oakland, I always
thought of Rockridge as a magi-
cal place. Even when I bend down to
look at Market Hall's pastries, I can’t
replicate the feeling of viewing them
at eye-level like I did as a young child.
Later, as an elementary schooler, I
was introduced to my love of jazz at
Yoshi’s, back when it was on Clare-
mont Avenue — I even made it my
annual birthday dinner.
Editor photo provided so you can argue with
him about Oxford commas or whatever.
Photo by Julie Bernas-Pierce
ago. I lived in New York, where I pub-
lished an article in the Times about
being a gondolier in Central Park
(thanks to my Lake Merritt training)
and later became a staff writer at Vice.
I also lived in New Orleans — a city
deeply connected to Oakland by way of
the Great Migration — where I was a
crime reporter at the Times-Picayune.
Most recently, I ran a nonprofit that
elevated BIPOC/LGBTQ+ high school-
ers’ voices with journalism, helping
my students get published in the likes
of Teen Vogue and Business Insider,
covering issues such as: gender-fluid
fashion, environmental racism and
abortion rights in the South.
As a pre-teen, my blood type was
classified as “Zachary’s” after maybe
too many trips there as a kid (I always
wanted to win that poster contest but
never entered). As a teen, I’d spend
the early part of my Thanksgiving
Day at the College Avenue Presby-
terian Church, handing out meals,
getting to know our neighbors.
In high school, when I’d commute
into the city, Rockridge BART sta-
tion was the beginning of me being
lamentably pulled into the San Fran-
cisco fog; I longed for my return to
Rockridge each evening. (Why didn’t
I go to school in Oakland, where it’s
always 20 degrees warmer?)
When I was back from college for
Christmas, I remember making Peg-
asus Books my desperate, last-second
shopping spot just to pretend how
'worldly' I had become. (I hadn't.)
There’s one thing I’d teach my
students in the first week of class: that
the two best types of journalists are:
1. Someone who knows everything
about the topic they’re covering. And
2. Someone who knows absolutely
nothing about the topic they’re cov-
ering. Because asking even the most
obvious question can yield a com-
pletely unique and revealing answer.
CORRECTIONS
Oddly enough, despite Rockridge
being in my DNA, I’m the new guy
here. I hadn’t lived in Oakland in 20
years — until I moved back two years
n "Cheers to 40 Years" (Oct. '25)
Claudine Jones noted we should have
included the 1996 RCPC opposition
to the Dreyer’s Ice Cream facility and
neighbors' boycotts. We’re hoping to
do an article that highlights this.
I sit in a kind of cozy in-between
in regards to Rockridge. I know its
past and am extremely curious about
its present. And now I’m deeply
invested in its future. I have a lot of
questions I need to ask about the
place. And because of that, I’m intent
on learning from the people who
know it best: you.
Let’s take a quick moment to appre-
ciate what Rockridge News is: a rarity
in the media world, where people say
print and journalism are dying. What
a delight! There are roughly 10,000
n "Senior Apartments" (Oct. '25)
The developers intend to build a garage
for *96 cars, not 196.
n "Local Artisan" (Oct. '25)
Damon Manni's website is actually:
ManniStudio.com


THE
page 15
NOVEMBER 2025

Rockridge Library
NOVEMBER 2025
For Children 
Storytime: Thursdays and Saturdays; 10:30 am.
Chess Club: Wednesdays; 4 pm. All ages and
skill-levels welcome.
Read to a Dog: Thursdays; 4 pm. Practice read-
ing aloud with Gladys the dog.
Craft Programs: MoChA at the Library! Thurs-
day, 11/20, 3:30 pm. 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: Thursday, 11/6 & 12/4;
3:30 pm. Monthly workshop to write, illustrate,
and tell stories. Make books, zines, stories,
comics, kamishibai, or plays! Join this club of
youth writers and illustrators. For ages 8 to 12.
For Adults
Ask Your Area Home Experts: Every 2nd
Friday, 12:00-2:00. Get answers, tips, and connec-
tions 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,
3:30-4:30. Please call 510-597-5017 for more info
and to get a copy of the book. November's book
is "The Sentence," by Louise Erdrich.
Needlework Circle: every Thursday, 1-3pm.
Bring your yarn and fiber arts projects to Rock-
ridge Library. Build community, share your
passion, learn and have fun!
Artist’s Open Studio: every 3rd Tuesday,
2-4:30pm.
1-on-1 Technology Help: every Saturday,
10am-12pm and 1-3pm, Tuesdays 5:30-7:30 and
Wednesdays 5:30-7:30. Come with your devices and
technology questions and our volunteer tech guru
will help you get sorted.  Signup recommended.
Adult Crafting Series: Tuesday Nov. 4th,
6-7:30pm. Collaborative Painting with lellobird.
Come join this fun community-building exer-
cise. Everyone will get to take home an artwork
or two made by the entire group.
This is for You: Gift-Giving as a Way of Life.
Books will be sold onsite by A Great Good Place
for Books. This program is sponsored by the
Friends of the Rockridge Library.
Rockridge Gardening Series: Saturday Novem-
ber 15th, 2-3:00pm. Composting and Worm
Bins! Learn about the benefits of making your
own fertilizer. The U.C. Master Gardeners of
Alameda County share their expertise.
Medicare One on One’s with Denise Lombard:
Friday Nov. 7th and 14th, 1-3pm, drop ins welcome.
Making Sense of Medicare presented by
Denise Lombard: Saturday Nov. 8th , 1-3pm.
Learn about the ins and outs of the 2026
changes coming to Medicare and how to make
the best coverage decisions.
Chair Yoga: Monday Nov. 3rd  and Nov. 17th,
10:30-11:30, Learn from certified instructor Bett
Bollhoefer, drop ins welcome. n
Holiday Closures:
Veterans Day: Tue., Nov. 9
Thanksgiving: Thu., Nov. 27–Fri., Nov. 28
5366 College Avenue, at Manila; 510-597-5017

RN
RN
Classifieds
Classifieds
HANDYMAN & HOUSEHOLD
CARPENTRY
40 years of responsible, personalized service.
Repairs, custom projects, fine interior plaster
and painting. Free advice, planning and con-
sultation. Serving Rockridge, Montclair, North
Oakland, Berkeley, Albany and Alameda. Len
Lauro (510) 435-9586 lenlauro@yahoo.com.
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 more information, email Susan at
smontauk@gmail.com.
FREE SPANISH CLASSES  
Achieve your language goals with FREE weekly
Spanish classes! Immersive, fun lessons with a
highly experienced Spanish teacher. All mate-
rials included. Three (3) FREE classes offered
weekly.   Visit: spanishwithdenamarie.com Email:
spanishwithdena@gmail.com.
Deadline for DECEMBER News is:
November 20, 2025 (available Dec. 6).
MODERN DOG TRAINING
Need help with leash manners, basic obedience
or problem behaviors? Private, in-home train-
ing can help! Visit dogsquaddogtraining.com or
call (510) 646-9657 for more information.
MELISSA PARKER, NOTARY PUBLIC
SERVICES
Wills and Trusts , Refinance , Reverse mort-
gages, employment matters and more. Please
call Melissa Parker at (415) 527-7647 melissab-
parker@gmail.com
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. blwfloors.com!
SENIOR CONCIERGE SERVICES
JG Life Services provides personalized home,
administrative and non-medical lifestyle sup-
port for seniors and peace of mind for their
families. Visit: jglifeservices.com to learn more.
Go Bears! Jill Gregori (510) 224-3206.
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 yourgreengardeners.com or send an
email to: yourgreengardeners@gmail.com.
THERAPIST-LED SUPPORT GROUP
FOR OLDER ADULTS
Are you an older adult experiencing significant
life changes? Join our 6-week group for a safe,
confidential space to connect with peers. Sarah
Moxon, LCSW  (510) 823-2455 x107; smox-
on@pacificdbt.com.
ELECTRICAL REMODEL & REPAIRS
Need better lighting for your cozy den or
library?  I can help with that. I’ve been doing
electrical work in Oakland and Berkeley for
over 35 years. Sutorik & Company. sutorikand-
co.com. Lic #397149. (510) 655-3677.
IS THIS YOU?
Seeking retiree / someone with time + desire
for easy work! In-home occasional pet-care
stays in a beautifully renovated home 1/2 block
off College. 1 mellow dog, 1 senior cat. Text
me! (510) 919-8997. n
SEEKING WALKING BUDDIES
For 20-35 minute walks/friendly conversation
in the neighborhood. Moderate pace. Starting
in general area of Alcatraz & College. Daytime
or evening, spontaneous or planned. One-time
or ongoing. Email me at: walkjoy@sonic.net.
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.
CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS!
Penelope’s Aesthetics is introducing a seasonal
Rose Facial, neutralizing the effects of emotion-
al stress, while soothing and hydrating delicate
skin. Refresh and rejuvenate! A fabulous gift or
for yourself too! Call (510) 594-1552  penelo-
pecalef.com.
JEWELRY REPAIRS
Formerly of High Strung and Blue Door Beads!
Marilee is now doing repairs as an independent
contractor. Please email her at mjwrepairs@
proton.me for all your jewelry repair needs.


Te GRUBB Co.
R  E  A  L  T  O  R  S
est.               1967
PROFESSIONAL TREE SERVICES
Proudly serving the Rockridge community since 1965!
Fully Insured
Certified Arborists
License #655977
(510) 562-4000
www.treesculpture.com
contact@treesculpture.com

THE
Andrew Pitarre
Celebrating 59 Years of Excellence in
Real Estate Brokerage
For nearly six decades we’ve
earned the loyalty of countless
clients, helping them achieve the
American Dream of home and in-
vestment property ownership. Our
deep-rooted relationships within
the community built on trust, has
been pivotal in our journey. From
first-time home buyers and seller
representation, to seasoned inves-
tors, we’ve been privileged to be a
part of your journeys.
Kevin Brown, Broker
Better Homes Realty, Rockridge
510.593.4780 | dre# 00644175