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Brooke Levin, from previous page parks and trees division with over 400 employees, as well as the 304 Oakland-owned buildings. “That included everything from city hall to restrooms at the lake,” she said. We can also thank her for creating the one-stop...

Brooke Levin, Kitchin’s across-the-street neighbor, has heard the band play both at his home and at events. She can make out faint strains when they practice, only if she happens to be walking by. “It’s a nice sound. You kind of want it in your living ...

ticipation Center, a nation-wide effort to increase voter registration among young people, people of color and unmarried women. A founding artist of Oakland’s Autumn Lights Festival, her own work “My bells are about healing,” says Brooke Levin. includes creating strings of energy bells. “I did a COVID series that featured turquoise, which is a healing stone and an evil eye for protection.” A Yoga enthusiast, she practices “at least four times a week” and bemoans the permanent cl...

Artist, Activist, and Organizer Brooke Levin Gets it Done

Director Brooke Levin Retires from Public Works Dept Role

Call Brooke Levin at 653-7522 — evenings — for further information.

RCPC Boardmembers Brooke Levin and Don Kinkead spoke to the BART Directors about the Neighborhood’ s inter- est in working with the transit district to resolve the parking issue. They pointed out that parking and traffic circulation were a major part of the Specific Pla...

Commmunity Planning Council, Chaired by Brooke Levin,

Ed Sue, 834-2400 Brooke Levin

By Brooke Levin

by Brooke Levin Brooke Levin, a member of the RCPC Board of Directors, prepared and submitted these remarks to reflect her personal views. Her observations are not necessarily those of the Board as a whole.

time, directed his staff to lead the recovery. He charged staffer and Rockridge resident Brooke Levin to find a location for a one-stop shop where people could go for answers and to figure out next steps. It would also be a place where they could rest, reconnect with neighbors and take stock. Brooke found the perfect place, the then- vacan...

By Annalee Allen

Brooke Levin. For more on the Firestorm, the aftermath

Brooke Levin and public works staff. Snacks and drinks were donated by Zachary’s Pizza, Bakesale Betty, and real estate consultants Janine & Paul Hunt. Photographer Ken Rice captured the event. ➧ Volunteer Everett Dolton works at Frog Park during the A...

...uld help the children and their parents,” said Rockridge resident and local historian Annalee Allen, who administered the proj- ect. “It was Brooke who made it all happen. Whatever she’s involved in ’m sorry there’s so much informa- tion,” Brooke Levin apologized, as I was descending her porch steps. We had been chatting on her front porch, masked and distanced, for two hours. Still, I only know — and can relate to you — the bare bones of what Levin has done and is still doing to serve R...

...ter that, “I stirred up and got involved with City directors. I got engaged with the public works and worked on the 1991 mayoral cam- paign for Elihu Harris,” she said. “He offered me a job.” During the preceding years, she was a member of Brooke Levin has served under five mayors. she gives 1,000 percent.” Levin went on to serve under five mayors. Working her way up the city ladder, in 2014, she became director of the Public Works Agency with a staff of 750, an operating budget of $199 ...

By Liam Pierce

your drain reporting: notebooks, mugs and (appropriately) water bottles. Rockridge resident Brooke Levin was assistant director of Oakland Public Works in 2012, when she helped oversee the launch of Adopt-A-Drain. She said the program was started after a particularly heavy bout of rain. “It makes a big difference when you rake and dispose of ...

...r. As assistant director of public works (2004-2013), Levin’s responsibilities included the envi- ronmental services department she had created, the newly reorganized 510.843.6400 5830 Clover Dr. 3 bed / 2 bath / 1,590 SF Call for details! Brooke Levin, see next page

...Annalee Allen will provide tile-making materials — tiles, brushes, paints — for those who wish to make a keepsake tile.  Pictured at the Firestorm Memo- rial Tile Wall located under the BART sta- tion overpass are Annalee Allen, left, and Brooke Levin. Annalee coordinated the p a i n t i n g a n d installation of completed tiles. Brooke conceived o f a n d f o u n d funding for the tiles and their installation. /B. Levin Norman H. Burg, DDS Adapted from a press release issued by the off...

By Leonora Sea

... forks to partially clear it, which helped slow the flooding of their basement. Park Supervisor Lydia Swann, Ronnie, and I were on our cell phones trying to contact different city and county departments. Lydia reached public works director Brooke Levin, who immediately called in OFD. The firefighters came in their ladder truck with sandbags to divert the water into the Clifton storm drain. OPW’s drainage department’s evacuator truck and crew cleared the culvert under Clifton. Finally, Ke...

...s to lead the tours,” Allen says. “I also end up leading quite a few of the tours myself – especially the African-American-themed tour. “She’s the go-to person in Oakland if anyone wants to know the history of a building or an event,” says Brooke Levin, a fellow Rockridge resident who first met Allen at a Rockridge Community Planning Council (RCPC) meeting in 1987. “Annalee has a passion for the sig- nificance of our history and our past to our future,” says Levin, now Oakland’s assistan...

...ue. Rockridge was still rebuilding from the disruption of Highway 24 and BART, which divided the community. Finding opportunities for ground-floor retail, restaurants, and services was critical for creating activity in the neighborhood.” — Brooke Levin, RCPC Board, 1987–1991

...e Non-Emergencies, call (510) 777-3333 Fire & Medical Emergencies: (510) 444-1616 • Carry pepper spray and a whistle (or other loud noise device) at all times. Cole Hardware on College has ordered more whistles and pepper spray (thank you, Brooke Levin). • Leave your porch lights on when you go out, or, if at home, sit on your porch and stay alert. If you hear a whistle, respond by making lots of noise or intervening in any way you can while staying safe. • Stay alert while walking in th...

...unity response, the RDA board voted to fund the series for another year, which means Rock-N-Stroll is here to stay. Bands may pop into local shops for short sets should rain appear on any particular day of the series. n Artist and activist Brooke Levin displayed her artwork at last month’s Rock-N-Stroll. Don’t miss the next Rock-N-Stroll Saturday, October 8th Featuring Las Brujas, Calle Ocho, Sej Miles, Aiden Alexa, Parts & Labor, among others. For more info, visit www.RockridgeDistrict....

... was removing the hab- itat of local native bees that I hadn’t even know existed. Then I realized that nobody else I worked with knew that either. That’s when we decided to build the Bee Hotel. Fortunately, then Direc- tor of Public Works, Brooke Levin, gave full support to the idea and had the City carpenter build the bee hotel that’s on display in the gardens now. We call it the Air Bee-N-Bee.” When local science teacher Terry

... a native variety. Anyone interested can contact the Posse for free Narrowleaf seed. “Now would be the perfect time to think about converting to the native milkweed,” confirms Rockridge resident and founding member of the Pollinator Posse, Brooke Levin.

mother’s platinum wedding band, totally blackened by fire, but intact, and Michael Endlich’s staff jewelers at Pavé spent weeks cleaning and restoring it without charge. Many similar kindnesses were extended to the wildfire survivors. Brooke Levin, who had gone to work for Mayor Elihu Harris after her term as RCPC Chair, had a brilliant idea that was quickly implemented. The old Safeway on Claremont Avenue was turned into a one-stop disaster recovery center with rep- resentatives fr...

...ces of the puzzle of our life.” And on the second floor is Bliss’s model train room — a labor of love for the last 10 years. “I had a box of trains that I carried around until then.” “It’s always a happening place,” said Rockridge resident Brooke Levin, the former Oakland public works director, who co-chaired last year’s successful Measure Q campaign along with Bliss. The two continue to oversee the implemen- tation of the funds raised for the city’s parks, recreation, permanent housing,...

A Quick Retrospective — 35 Years of The Rockridge News In 1993, Rockridge residents Brooke Levin and Annalee Allen (Allen is also featured in this issue) helped organize the Firestorm Commu- nity Mural at the Rockridge BART station. The hand-painted tiles recognize the 3000+ homes that were destroyed in the Oakland Hills Fire, and rem...

...as been frozen due to the economic fallout from the pan- demic, is in jeopardy. “The Oakland Tours Program has provided a window into Oakland history for many Oakland residents, visitors, and businesses considering Oakland as a home,” said Brooke Levin, retired Oakland Public Works Director and fellow Rockridge resi- dent. “Now is the time to expand the tours to be inclusive of many other aspects of Oakland, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the landscape of our communit...

Vote Yes on Q: Improve Our Parks — Care for Our People — by Brooke Levin, former Director of Public Works, City of Oakland specific projects and services that will result from its passage. Independent community oversight of Measure Q is required. Measure Q also allows a parcel tax exemption for single-family re...

... back regular maintenance to our beloved Frog and Colby parks, and will fund some of the services needed to house the homeless neighbors currently living in our parks. It’s a win-win for the Rockridge neigh­ borhood and beyond. Please read Brooke Levin’s article on this page for more details on the measure. Oakland’s services for the homeless are in high demand as the homeless population surged to over 4,000 in the last count — a 47 percent increase in two years. Oakland is completing th...

...s Ave. OPD doesn’t use a specific crime code to identify laptop thefts. That in­ formation gets included in the depart­ ment’s internal data, but exact numbers for laptop thefts within a specific beat would require extensive data analysis. Brooke Levin, former Director of

...he first Town Hall of the year. The meeting will be held on January 16, from 7:30-9pm, at the Rockridge Library, 5366 College, in the upstairs meeting room. January’s event will feature several topics of interest. To start the evening off, Brooke Levin, former Director of Public Works at City of Oakland, will briefly introduce Oakland Measure Q, a parcel tax to clean up our local parks, waterways and recreation areas. The homeless crisis will also be addressed. Illustration: Loni Gray

had informed RCPC and others that the Rockridge BART bike share station would not be moved to a new location but would be reconfigured from a U shape to an L shape to move the bikes farther from the memorial. Brooke Levin and Annalee Allen, involved in creating the memorial, expressed their disappointment with the City’s decision. Attendees discussed the possibility of asking the City to improve lighting, signage, and maintenance of the location.

“Mick and Louise have had a key to my house for years,” said Brooke Levin, retired director of Oakland’s public works department, who has been their neighbor for 32 years. “My parents didn’t live here. She took care of my kids on numerous occasions. They are just really down-to-earth people who are generous with...

...vidual tiles, visit oaklandwiki.org/ Oakland_Firestorm_Mural. Annalee Allen is a long-time Rockridge resident and is the Oakland Tours Coordinator. She was, for many years, a columnist for the Montclarion newspaper and the Oakland Tribune. Brooke Levin

By John Gussman

... with an asterisk. Succession of RCPC Chairs: Pre-Incorporation: Ted Burton (1971-80) Warren Chupp (1981) Jack Brown (1981) Ray Perman (1982-84) Nina Robinson (1984-85) Post-Incorporation: Nina Robinson (1985-86) Barbara Anderson (1987-90) Brooke Levin (1990-91) Kathy Walsh (1991-93) Mary MacDonald (1994-96) Cliff Cline (1996-97) The Rockridge News, founded in 1986 by Don Kinkead, is published monthly in Oakland and is sponsored by the Rockridge Community Planning Council (RCPC), a nonpr...

...ive list) Jack Brown Ray Perman Nina Robinson Richard W. Smith (*) Barbara Anderson Don Kinkead Bonneau Dickson Annette Floystrup (*) Sue Parker Bill Chung Mark Aaronson Nancy Dutcher Barry Epstein Peter Goldsmith Eddie Zeidan Marc Beyeler Brooke Levin John Gussman Kerry O’Banion

...to others, I urge them to follow it up. — Ron Sipherd from page 10 Chabot Repaving Leaves Smoother Pavement and a Safety Hazard Editor: Editor’s Note: Mr. Sipherd reports that, since sending his letter, “Jody London of the school board and Brooke Levin at Public Works were quite responsive. Councilmember Kalb’s office said city staff told them: ‘Based on the review of the Google street views of the pre-existing and current conditions, the ... stretch ... is very much flush between the pa...

... behind many a ruffled tutu. Sister Ginny remembers Esther walking to which she collected, and the drama around opening up the round table to add extra leaves. I remember how sweetly she welcomed our kids who often came along after school. Brooke Levin and I fondly remember a special decoration in her living room at Christmastime. On a small table sat a two-foot tall artificial tree heavily encrusted with pins, bracelets, brooches, earrings all dazzling with rhinestones, pearls, cloisonn...

By Stuart Flashman

...se require signatures of residents, not property owners. (More than 70 percent of resident owners signed the petition supporting the studies; getting signatures from absentee landlords was much harder!) The committee awaits the decision of Brooke Levin, Interim Public Works Director, on the appeal. Many Rockridge residents complained that they never received the letter from the city, certain addresses were excluded from the petition for no apparent reason, and the

son, Annette Floystrup, Sue Parker, Bill Chung, Mark Aaronson, Nancy Dutcher, Barry Epstein, Peter Goldsmith, Eddie Zeidan, Marc Beyeler, Brooke Levin, John Gussman, Kerry O’Banion, Elizabeth Allen, Steve Belcher, Glen Jarvis, Michael Peltz, Jean Astrinsky, Bill Manley, Andrea Walhof, Lisa Curet, Alisa Metzner, Shelley To subscribe to The Rockridge News, send your check for $20, payable ...

By Sepeedah Zabala

...r of the neighborhood and is balanced with the need for open space and parks.” Aggie Brenneman: “This is the first time I’m voting because I want to maintain what I’ve been striving for the last 20 years. Rockridge is a place for familes.” Brooke Levin: “I’m here voting because it’s important to show commu- nity interest in this issue.”

...ness plans with your family… we have only a few more years until the next firestorm may be upon us. The Firestorm Memorial Tile Wall The first tiles for the Firestorm Memo- rial Tile Wall were created just four months after the hills fire. Brooke Levin, a new City employee at the time, originated the idea for an art project to memorialize, commemorate and heal the wounds of the community. If you have not taken the time to read the tiles, you are missing something essential about Rockridg...

... were still actively fighting the fire, City government, at the behest of then- Mayor Elihu Harris, established a one-stop disaster recovery center (DRE) at the old Safeway site adjacent to the DMV on Cla- remont Avenue. Rockridge resident Brooke Levin, now Deputy Director of Oakland’s Department of Public Works, headed the

By Nancy Dutcher

...he fundraising and support group for the planning and construction phases of the library, discussed goals and ob- jectives of the new organization. An Interim Friends’ Steering Committee was formed, with the following appointments: Chair - Brooke Levin, Co-chair - Alice Sung, Treasurer - Annette Floystrup, Secretary - Ron Heckart, Membership -

...ied in the organization’s by-laws and was printed in the November Rockridge News. The description willalso be printed in the January issue of the newsletter. If you have a question about your resi- dency and your candidacy, call RCPC Chair Brooke Levin at 653-7522.

...fforts (none required). Volunteers should be aware that the RASP Steering Commit- tee with be a working committee and will require time outside of monthly or bi- weekly meetings. Anyone with questions can call Shelley Poticha (655-7463) or Brooke Levin ( 653-7522).

...SP is still pending contract ap- proval. Sign up now to work with the steering committee. The RCPC Board will make Steering Committee appoint- ments at its November meeting. Call Shelley Poticha at 655-7463 or Andréa Walhof at 420-1593, or Brooke Levin at 653-7522 for more information.

...for the proposed Rockridge Station parking lot and com- mercial development is still being reviewed - “atthe administrative level”. To participate in the EIR review, or to have a copy of your own, mail the coupon on page 5. Call RCPC Chair Brooke Levin at 653- 7522 for further information and to help with the RCPC review and response.

...strup Ben Hong Allison Anderson Tony Diaz Jim Clarke Liz Maxwell Shelley Poticha Julie Dewey Shelley's friend Nancy Dutcher Kathy Walsh Beth Allen Barney Smits Theresa Nelson Trish West Annalee Allen Linda Sensabaugh Don Kinkead Ray Perman Brooke Levin Steve Parmeice Glen Jarvis Lisa Curet

boundaries. Mail to: RCPC Attn.: Brooke Levin, Chair 5856 College Avenue #130

ANNETTE FLOYSTRUP: 652-6794 Brooke Levin: 653-7522 BARBARA ANDERSON: 655-3499

Desicn Review Glen Jarvis EARTHQUAKE Prep Drew Shagrin LIBRARY Marc Beyeler Nancy Dutcher Andréa Walhof Don Kinkead Bill Manley David Reinke John Gussman Brooke Levin

Monitors applications before the Plan- ning Commission and works with poten- tial developers to ensure that the spirit as well as the letter of our R-35 and C-31 Zoning is respected. Co-Chairs: Ms. Brooke Levin 653-7522, Mr. John Gussman 655-8817

...bers of the ten member RCPC Board of Directors. The new directors will serve a two year term, until 1992, Outgoing directors are Beth Allen, Barbara Anderson, Lisa Curet, Nancy Dutcher, and John Gussman. Directors Glen Jarvis, Don Kinkead, Brooke Levin, Bill Manley and Andréa Walhof will serve through 1991.

RASP RockxripcE News Don Kinkead TRAFFIC Bill Manley David Reinke ZONING Brooke Levin

Nancy Dutcher 653-6018 RASP Andréa Walhof 420-1593 Rocxripce News Don Kinkead 655-7474 TRAFFIC Bill Manley 658-2419 David Reinke 653-5312 ZONING John Gussman 655-8817 Brooke Levin 653-7522

Nancy Dutcher 653-6018 RASP Andréa Walhof 420-1593 Rockripce News Don Kinkead 655-7474 TRaFFic Bill Manley 658-2419 David Reinke 653-5312 ZONING John Gussman 655-8817 Brooke Levin 653-7522

Nancy Dutcher 653-6018 RASP Andréa Walhof 420-1593 RockripcE News Don Kinkead 655-7474 Trarric Bill Manley 658-2419 David Reinke 653-5312 ZONING John Gussman 655-8817 Brooke Levin 653-7522

Nancy Dutcher 653-6018 RASP Andréa Walhof 420-1593 Rocxripce News Don Kinkead 655-7474 TRAFFIC Bill Manley 658-2419 David Reinke 653-5312 ZONING John Gussman 655-8817 Brooke Levin 653-7522

Persons interested in participating ina meeting for preliminary “scoping” of the project should contact RCPC Zoning Co- Chair Brooke Levin at 653-7522.

John Gussman (655-8817) Brooke Levin (653-7522)

lot. For much] Andréa Walhof 278 | Russ Johnson 108 Results of the evening, | Bill Manley 273 | John Steuart 106 | of the ballot- the line of vot- | Brooke Levin 269 | Michael Kraszulyak 99 | ing paral- ers stretched | Glen Jarvis 264 leled the two out of the groups.

j : i 989 RCPC Boardmembers (from left, in back): Barbara Anderson, Glen Jarvis, Bill Manley, Don Kinkead, ({,ont) John Gussman, Beth Allen, Brooke Levin, Nancy

Three of the remaining incumbent directors intend to stand for election at the January, 1989 Annual Meeting: Glen Jarvis, Don Kinkead, and Brooke Levin. To date, no additional nominations have been received in writing by the nominating committee.

Speaking for the Rockridge Commu- nity Planning Council, Ms. Brooke Levin, Vice Chair, called for improved commu- nication and public awareness. She urged that staff analysis of proposed projects be

By Brooke Levin, Vice-Chair, RCPC

... developers to ensure that the spirit as well as the letter of our C-31 Zoning is respected. Recent activities include working with Broadway area neighbors opposing conver- sion of residential to commercial use at Monroe Avenue. Chair: Ms. Brooke Levin 653-7522

Six directors were re-elected to serve another term: Barbara Anderson, Nancy Dutcher, John Gussman, Don Kinkead, Brooke Levin, and Ray Perman. In addition, four new directors were elected: Beth Allen (Boyd), Steve Belcher (Locksley), Glen Jarvis (Benvenue), and Michael Peltz (Shafter). An eleventh Director remains to be appointed by the College Avenue Mer- chants...

The following Directors were elected Board Officers at the first Board meeting on February 1, 1988: Chairperson, Barbara Anderson; Vice-Chair, Brooke Levin; Secretary, Ray Perman; Treasurer, Don Kinkead. Also, Chairpersons were appointed for the following committees:

Current Planning/Zoning: Brooke Levin (653-7522) Design Review: Glen Jarvis (654-5953) RASP Steering: Kerry O’Banion, Chair (658-1608 ) Michael Peltz (658-2713) Board Liaison Rockridge News: Don Kinkead, Editor (655-7474)

Mr. John Gussman Mr. Don Kinkead Ms. Brooke Levin Mr. Kerry O’Banion Mr. Ray Perman Nominations may be entered until declared closed by the

public health nuisance. —Brooke Levin

local sources, private foundations, and corporations. If you have ideas or suggestions for RASP funding, contact Brooke Levin,

Donna Goldman 653-0732 Sylvia de Trinidad 653-7686 Brooke Levin 653-7522 Kathy Herman 652-3160. The next meeting is scheduled for July 29, 1987, 7:30 pm.

¢ there are two new faces on the RCPC Board of Directors: Former Board member Annette Floystrup (652-6794) and Clifton Street Neighbor Brooke Levin (653-7522) were appointed by the Board to complete the terms of Mssrs. Aaronson and Goldsmith.

Call Mr. Lenzini at 273-3846 or RCPC Board Member Brooke Levin at 653-7522 (eves.) for more information.

If you are able to assist with the petitions in the areas mapped below or in other areas of Rockridge, please call Brooke Levin at 653-7522 or Donna Goldman at 653-0132.

Barbara Anderson (H: 655-3499) Richard Smith (W: 981-6076) Brooke Levin (H: 653-7522) Bill Chung (W: 653-1567)