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By Casey Farmer

RCPC Chair Casey Farmer is a mom of young children and resident on Carl- ton Street, adjacent to the golf course and brought the issue to the Rockridge Community Planning Council (RCPC) board, who voted to join the advocacy effort and co-signed the letter. The ma...

Casey Farmer Leonora Sea Kirk Peterson Robin McDonnell David Garcia Annette Floystrup

By Don Kinkead

Casey Farmer ��������������������Co-Secretary Andrew Masalin, ���������������Co-Secretary Ronnie Spitzer �������������������Treasurer Stuart Flashman ����������������Assistant Treasurer Michelle Boyd, David Garcia, Mary Catherine Haug, Anna L. Marks Ph...

Casey Farmer appointed to an open seat

See you around the neighborhood, Casey Farmer ● Welcoming New Neighbors In 2020, when Oakland purchased the CCA dorm (5276 Broadway) for the purposes of transitional housing, RCPC launched a fundraiser to pro- vide the new residents with supplies for their units. Our goal was two- fol...

RCPC 2024 ELECTION CANDIDATE STATEMENTS Hidden Hand, from previous page Casey Farmer (Incumbent) and functional in our neighborhood. In the late 1960s, RCPC led the way in obtaining funding from HUD for planning studies that resulted in the City of Oakland adopting the new C-31 zoning designation (currently CN-1 pedestrian...

RCPC Chair and rally organizer Casey Farmer was flanked by news media, KTVU, ABC, The Chronicle, and KQED all picked up the story.

RCPC Election 2022 Casey Farmer (Incumbent) Carlton Street Ben Friedman Colby Street Candidate Statements Af ter almost 5 years as a resident of Rockridge, I excitedly announce my candidacy for the RCPC board. I work in environmental philanthropy and advocacy, and will u...

Rockridge Community Planning Council — 2019 Finanical Statement RCPC CANDIDATES Casey Farmer David Garcia Leonora Sea Robin McDonnell Annette Floystrup Barbara Dunne Brett Moyer Diana Mitchell-Chavez Emily Hirschman Jon Gabel Ken Rich Kirk E. Peterson Matt Shintaku Peretz Partensky Travis J. Henry Warren Wells Andrew Martinez RCPC...

M LAshleigh, Casey Farmer, Stuart Flashman, M C Haug, Don Kinkead, Andrew Masalin,

Ashley Cruz, Casey Farmer, Stuart Flashman, M C Haug, Don Kinkead,Andrew Masalin, Courtney Welch Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTIONS To subscribe to The Rockridge News, send your check for $20, payable...

By Casey Farmer

...d John Kamp. They produced a map of Rockridge and provided participants with tactile materials to envision what they wanted to see in the neighborhood — using their hands and imaginations. These well-attended R Photo: Carol Kasparek Photo: Casey Farmer RCPC Board Members engaged the community at the March 20 meeting. events were hosted in multiple loca- tions where residents regularly gather — the Rockridge Library, Safeway Plaza, and the Farmers Market. On March 20, RCPC held its CVP “L...

By Casey Farmer

RCPC Election 2026 Elections for the Board of the Rockridge Community Planning Council by Casey Farmer | Laurie Williams, Andrew Krulewitz and David Garcia Statement: My park design, "Rockridge Commons," creates a ½-acre oasis along the busy College/Claremont corridor for creatures of all ages and backgrounds to rest and relax, gather and c...

By Casey Farmer

by Casey Farmer, RCPC Chair and Morgan Molvig successfully worked with golf courses to adopt organic practices, proving that protecting public health and main- taining excellent course conditions are entirely compatible goals.” With guidance from Beyond P...

By Casey Farmer

Cheers to 40 Years: A Snapshot Of the Rockridge Community Planning Council’s Legacy by Casey Farmer, RCPC Chair reflects many of our successes and recalls some highlights of the evo- lution of the organization. It is my homage to RCPC’s incredible legacy. For those less familiar, RCPC’s focus areas include land use, transportation, and q...

By Casey Farmer

by Casey Farmer and Kristen Belt, CVP Co-Chairs, RCPC Board Members

By Casey Farmer

Community Vision Plan: What We’ve Done So Far; What’s to Come by Casey Farmer and Kristen Belt, CVP Co-Chairs, RCPC Board Members

By Casey Farmer

Listening Sessions and Pop-ups Inform Rockridge Community Vision Plan by Casey Farmer and Kristen Belt, CVP Co-Chairs, RCPC Board Members

By Casey Farmer

RCPC Expands Membership Eligibility to New Rockridge News Distribution Boundaries by Casey Farmer, RCPC Chair S • Upper Rockridge: Acacia Avenue (6300-6346); Buena Vista Avenue (5611-5921); Buena Vista Place; and part of Contra Costa Road, Contra Costa Road; Contra Costa Place; Romany Road (5950-6095); and a new portion of Golden Gate ...

By Casey Farmer

RCPC Town Hall Launches Community Vision Plan — How Should Rockridge Grow? by Casey Farmer, RCPC Chair

By Casey Farmer

...rtation analysts, or land-use attorneys — and many consider themselves urbanists who love living in a transit-oriented neighborhood. Town Hall, see page 3 SAVE THE DATE Interested in Running for the RCPC Board? 2025 RCPC Board Elections by Casey Farmer, RCPC Chair and Election Officer To declare your candidacy, email election@Rockridge.org by Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 5pm. Please include a copy of your California driver license or ID, or a lease or utility/tax bill showing your name and ...

By Casey Farmer

Leah Rothstein Discusses Just Action at RCPC/ WOCAN Event by Casey Farmer O Photo by Anna Marks n January 16, RCPC co-hosted an event with College Avenue Presbyterian Church and West Oakland Cultural Action Network (WOCAN). Dozens of residents from across the city gathered to hear Oak- land author Leah Rothstein...

By Casey Farmer

Development Proposal at 5295 College Avenue by Casey Farmer, RCPC Chair Many in our community are talking about the proposed development project at 5295 College Avenue. The developer, Allen Construction, pro- poses a 15-story building, with 88 apartments, 18 of which would be affordable units, and ...

By Casey Farmer

Message from RCPC Chair Photo by Judy Berne by Casey Farmer National Night Out 2024 is August 6 Plan Ahead for Your Block Party Alexis Madrigal is as comfortable in the kitchen as he is co-hosting KQED’s Forum. The first Tuesday evening in August is known as National Night Out. It’s a time dedicate...

By Casey Farmer

2024 Kitchen Tour Needs Kitchens by Casey Farmer, RCPC Chair F What Does the Process Entail? First, interested homeowners or renters need to send a short descrip- tion and a photo or two of their kitchen to chair@rockridge.org no later than April 30. Next, our KT Committee will review th...

By Casey Farmer

First Time in 30 Years: District 5 County Supervisor Seat is Open by Casey Farmer, RCPC Chair S

By Casey Farmer

A Summary of RCPC’s May Town Hall Home Sharing and Renting Units to Essential Workers by Casey Farmer, Chair, RCPC Board of Directors On Monday, May 15, the Rock- ridge Community Planning Council (RCPC) hosted a virtual Town Hall about home-sharing services and programs which support homeowners seeking to rent out a bedroom or ADU. This To...

By Casey Farmer

by Casey Farmer, Chair, RCPC Board of Directors N Tearly 70 residents gathered for a Town Hall on the topic of affordable housing in Rockridge on Tuesday, March 14. This topic was chosen due to the many questions about how to build affordable housing in a...

By Casey Farmer

Coming in April: RCPC BOARD ELECTIONS j SAVE THE DATE: MARCH 14 j TOWN HALL: The Economics of Housing Affordability by Casey Farmer, Chair, RCPC Board of Directors Oby Ben Friedman, RCPC Election Officer of Oakland’s Housing Community Development, and Chris Norman, Chief of Staff, City of Oakland’s Housing Community Develop- ment. This will be followed by an illustriou...

By Casey Farmer

Raise the Roof: House lifting by Casey Farmer, RCPC Chair YOUR LOCAL REFILL SHOP

By Casey Farmer

by Casey Farmer, RCPC Chair On July 24, the Rockridge Com- munity Planning Council (RCPC) sponsored a vendor fair for Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) architects. The Golden Squirrel,

By Casey Farmer

RCPC & NCPC Want You to Organize Your Block for National Night Out by Casey Farmer, Chair, Rockridge Community Planning Council

By Casey Farmer

The Relevance Of Redistricting by Casey Farmer and Louise Rothman-Riemer Itwo public input hearings: the next one will be held on at October 12, at noon, and will occur online at https:// bos.acgov.org/broadcast/. Voters approved the City’s Inde- pendent Redistricting Commission in 201...

By Casey Farmer

...men Voters (LWV) is hosting a webinar on Redistricting on Monday, October 4, from 6-7pm. Register at: https://bit.ly/3kpEk0D Alameda County: 1,682,353 people ÷ 5 Districts = ~336,000 people per district https://redistricting2021.acgov.org/ Casey Farmer serves as the Director of Community Engagement for Alameda County’s Redistricting 2021 as well as Secretary of the RCPC. Louise Rothman-Reimer has operated her small business on College Avenue for 26 years and is a previous-past President ...

By Don Kinkead

Leonora Sea..........................................................Chair Robin McDonnell..................................... Vice-Chair Casey Farmer......................................... Co-Secretary Michelle Boyd........................................ Co-Secretary Ronnie Spitzer...............................................Treasurer David Garcia, Stuart Flashman, Annette Floystru...

Casey Farmer.......................................................Chair Kim Suczynski-Smith................................... Secretary Paul McDonnell............................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Muhammad Alameldin, Gary Barg, ...

Casey Farmer.......................................................Chair Ken Rich..................................................... Vice-Chair Kim S. Smith................................................. Secretary Louisa Bukiet........................

Casey Farmer.......................................................Chair Robin McDonnell..................................... Vice-Chair Ben Friedman................................................ Secretary Louisa Bukiet..................................

Casey Farmer.......................................................Chair Robin McDonnell..................................... Vice-Chair Ben Friedman................................................ Secretary Louisa Bukiet..................................

Casey Farmer................................................ Secretary Ashley Pandya.............................. Assistant Secretary Ken Rich........................................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Andrew Charman, Stuart Flash...

Casey Farmer ............ccsc00- Co-Secretary

...the majestic Masonic Lodge on College Avenue. Some over 80 years old, some under 12—month after month, they all complete their assigned route as part of an inspired system developed by Don Kinkead at the paper’s inception. RCPC Board Chair Casey Farmer and Business Manager Susan Montauk led the program as the faces of volun- teers appeared on a screen behind them. “Your dedication and consideration make my job a joy and guarantee that this wonderful tradition will prevail,” declared Mont...

Meet Your Neighbor: Alexis Madrigal, Journalist Committed to Equity and Lifting up Community — Interview by Casey Farmer, RCPC Secretary Alexis Madrigal is a contributing writer at The Atlantic, a former staff writer at WIRED, and most recently a co-founder of the COVID Tracking Project. Alexis serves on the board of Chapter 510, which is a “made-in-Oakland ...

Peterson 165; Annette Floystrup 165; David Garcia 162; Casey Farmer 156; Jennifer McElrath 151; Ken Rich 150; Barbara Dunne 143; Brian Chadwick 115; Diana Mitch- ell-Chavez 108; Michael Rosen 62; Brett Moyer 56. Sea was appointed to the RCPC board in 2015, first elected in 2016, and has served as Chair sin...

...he impacts of pes- ticide exposure, will the club commit to implementing immediate 1/4-mile “No-Spray” buffer zones around all neighboring daycares, preschools, and schools? Alignment with State Standards: Recognizing that California law by Casey Farmer, Morgan Molvig, and Sarah Raifman Rockridge neighbors continue to seek answers from the Claremont

...udents, including the Rockridge peacock named “Kevin,” pizza, and musical instruments. The designs come from a school-wide contest launched by the school’s community schools manager, Edana Anderson. A total of 135 students participated. by Casey Farmer, Project Coordinator, former RCPC Chair Thanks to the work of Claremont Middle School students in the art program, and a grant from the Rock- ridge Community Planning Council (RCPC), five trash cans in the Rock- ridge BART plaza now shine ...

By Kristen Belt

by Kristen Belt and Casey Farmer, CVP Co-Chairs meetings and robust resident feedback. It is a framework for initiatives led by the RCPC board, in collaboration with the broader Rockridge community. The CVP has five focus areas: Mobil­ ity, Open Space/Green Infrastructure...

...nd provide leadership and representation of neighborhood interests. Rockridge News Production Liam Pierce.........................Editor & Layout Artist Susan Montauk...............Business & Distribution Mgr. RCPC Board of Directors, 2026 Casey Farmer...............................................Chair Star Lightner.........................................Vice Chair Jana Good.............................................Secretary

...o send a clear message that we support affordable housing here. The Rockridge commu- nity responded with remarkable gener- osity, contributing thousands of dollars and affirming a shared commitment to inclusion across all income levels. by Casey Farmer, RCPC Chair Selfie from Rockridge News volunteer celebration Information Sharing After new legislation streamlined the process for building Accessory Dwell- ing Units (ADUs), RCPC recognized that many residents were interested in building ...

... Tom Lollini and Kristen Belt! I would also like to thank those who are stepping down from the RCPC board after multiple years of service: Zack Walton, Eli Kaplan, Muhammad Alameldin, Kimberly Suczynski Smith and especially our board chair Casey Farmer. ● Natalie Musick

... p.m. and save 20% off the regular registration fee for the ride. ● Rockridge News Production Liam Pierce.........................Editor & Layout Artist Susan Montauk...............Business & Distribution Mgr. RCPC Board of Directors, 2026 Casey Farmer...............................................Chair Star Lightner.........................................Vice Chair Jana Good.............................................Secretary Paul McDonnell......................................Treasu...

Candy Dobert Jason Dobert Jordan Drake Isaac Elia Ann Emerick Casey Farmer Charles Feltman Annette Floystrup

...nd provide leadership and representation of neighborhood interests. Rockridge News Production Liam Pierce.........................Editor & Layout Artist Susan Montauk...............Business & Distribution Mgr. RCPC Board of Directors, 2026 Casey Farmer...............................................Chair Star Lightner.........................................Vice Chair Jana Good.............................................Secretary

...cles written by the RCPC board and by you: the Rockridge community! Rockridge News Production Liam Pierce.........................Editor & Layout Artist Susan Montauk...............Business & Distribution Mgr. RCPC Board of Directors, 2026 Casey Farmer...............................................Chair Star Lightner.........................................Vice Chair Jana Good.............................................Secretary Paul McDonnell......................................Treasu...

...nt; and provide leadership and representation of neighborhood interests. Rockridge News Production Liam Pierce.......................... Editor & Layout Artist Susan Montauk.....Business & Distribution Manager RCPC Board of Directors, 2025 Casey Farmer................................................. Chair Star Lightner......................................... Vice Chair Jana Good.................................................Secretary Paul McDonnell.......................................

RCPC Board of Directors, 2025 Casey Farmer.......................................................Chair Star Lightner...............................................Vice Chair Jana Good...................................................... Secretary Paul McDonnell.......................

By Jana Good

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 ...

By Don Kinkead

.....................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 Jana Good...................................................... Secretary Paul McDonnell............................................Treasurer RCPC’s 40th, see next page Mark Aaron...

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, ...

is involved in the art scene here, I RCPC Board of Directors, 2025 Casey Farmer.......................................................Chair Kim Suczynski-Smith................................... Secretary Paul McDonnell............................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Muhammad Alameldin, Gary Barg, ...

Focus Areas to attend a strategy RCPC Board of Directors, 2025 Casey Farmer.......................................................Chair Kim Suczynski-Smith................................... Secretary Paul McDonnell............................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Muhammad Alameldin, Gary Barg, ...

By Don Kinkead

...buting Writer Residents shared thoughts and ideas at one of three interactive pop-ups. “Dozens of people stopped by to build a better Rockridge using small buildings and landscape elements,” noted James Rojas. RCPC Board of Directors, 2025 Casey Farmer.......................................................Chair

By Don Kinkead

...0 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. by Casey Farmer, RCPC Chair In February, RCPC announced its annual election. Six candidates filed by the deadline for the six open seats, so there will not be a board election this year. Congratulations to Gary Barg, Jana Good, Robbie Tasker, and Paul McD...

By Kristen Belt

Rockridge Community Vision Plan Has Officially Launched: Time to get involved! by Kristen Belt, RCPC Co-Secretary and Casey Farmer, RCPC Chair

By Don Kinkead

.....................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 Ken Rich..................................................... Vice-Chair Kim Suczynski-Smith................................... Secretary

.....................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 Ken Rich..................................................... Vice-Chair Kim Suczynski-Smith................................... Secretary Louisa Bukiet...............................

Jo Ellis........................ Assistant Editor & Ad Manager Susan Montauk......Business & Distribution Manager Judith Doner Berne......... Senior Contributing Writer RCPC Board of Directors, 2024-25 Casey Farmer.......................................................Chair Ken Rich..................................................... Vice-Chair Kim Suczynski-Smith................................... Secretary Louisa Bukiet...............................

..................Editor & Layout Artist Jo Ellis........................ Assistant Editor & Ad Manager Susan Montauk......Business & Distribution Manager Judith Doner Berne......... Senior Contributing Writer RCPC Board of Directors, 2024-25 Casey Farmer.......................................................Chair Ken Rich..................................................... Vice-Chair Kim Suczynski-Smith................................... Secretary Louisa Bukiet...............................

By Don Kinkead

RCPC Board of Directors, 2024-25 Casey Farmer.......................................................Chair Ken Rich..................................................... Vice-Chair Kim Suczynski-Smith................................... Secretary Louisa Bukiet...............................

RCPC Board of Directors, 2024-25 Casey Farmer.......................................................Chair Ken Rich..................................................... Vice-Chair Kim Suczynski-Smith................................... Secretary Louisa Bukiet...............................

...ll join us in voting YES on Prop 5 this fall. n RCPC Op-Ed Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org Yes, on Prop 5 — Empowering Local Communities to Build Affordable Housing and Essential Infrastructure by Casey Farmer, RCPC Chair

...sible out of small spaces while maintaining spaciousness and charm. Not sure you’ll remember the many amazing ideas after taking the tour? Don’t worry, Kitchen Tour guests will receive a copy of the compre- RCPC Board of Directors, 2024-25 Casey Farmer.......................................................Chair

..................Editor & Layout Artist Jo Ellis........................ Assistant Editor & Ad Manager Susan Montauk......Business & Distribution Manager Judith Doner Berne......... Senior Contributing Writer RCPC Board of Directors, 2024-25 Casey Farmer.......................................................Chair Ken Rich..................................................... Vice-Chair Kim Suczynski-Smith................................... Secretary Louisa Bukiet...............................

..................Editor & Layout Artist Jo Ellis........................ Assistant Editor & Ad Manager Susan Montauk......Business & Distribution Manager Judith Doner Berne......... Senior Contributing Writer RCPC Board of Directors, 2024-25 Casey Farmer.......................................................Chair

...f 441 people showed up to make their voices heard — the second largest turnout ever! Bambino Thrift Shop volunteers (left to right) Dee McDonough, Lou Gates, and Carol Maes are making big plans for the store’s anniversary later this month. Casey Farmer (incumbent) 288 Zack Walton 269 Kristen Belt 255 Eli Kaplan 255 Muhammad Alameldin 241 Kim S. Smith 237 Bambino Thrift Shop: A Beacon of Support For Thirty Years infants and young children, regardless of their ability to pay. This dream be...

...hips with the merchants of the Rockridge District Association and to support a successful Kitchen Tour — our nonprofit’s sole fund- raiser and longstanding tradition (coming this fall). n What’s ahead of us? State housing laws have changed Casey Farmer, RCPC Chair CollegePrep A private high school in Oakland Tucked into a glen in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland, College Prep’s

By Annette Floystrup

... in Oakland and Berkeley, the Rockridge District Association merchants’ group, the City of Oak- land, and resident groups to solve problems and create opportunities that make life more vibrant, interesting, RCPC Board of Directors, 2023-24 Casey Farmer.......................................................Chair Robin McDonnell..................................... Vice-Chair Ben Friedman................................................ Secretary Louisa Bukiet..................................

March 20, on Zoom Very truly yours, ____________________ ______________ Casey Farmer Ken Rich Board Chair

By Carol Kasparek

...usy corners of College Avenue, and one at Frog Park. Funds from the Rockridge Kitchen Tour were used to hire a mosaicist and pay for materials. Eileen Fitz-Faulkner, an artist with deep roots in the community, was recommended by RCPC Chair Casey Farmer, and the RCPC board agreed to move the project forward. Fitz-Faulkner is very familiar with the streets and folks of Rockridge. A resident for many years, she was the main project leader for the “Big Build” that created the Frog Park green...

.................Editor & Layout Artist Jo Ellis......................... Assistant Editor & Ad Manager Susan Montauk......Business & Distribution Manager Judith Doner Berne......... Senior Contributing Writer RCPC Board of Directors, 2023-24 Casey Farmer.......................................................Chair Robin McDonnell..................................... Vice-Chair Ben Friedman................................................ Secretary Louisa Bukiet..................................