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Judy Berne welcomes your comments and column ideas. She can be reached at judyberne@att.net. Rockridge Sales Increase in November

Rockridge Seniors Rally for Democracy — by Judy Berne Photo: Debbie Berne R

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...

Eyes on Rockridge, from previous page Photo by Judy Berne Chabot Canyon Racquet Club, where she plays tennis twice a week. She has been playing tennis since she took it as an undergraduate physical educa- tion class in college. “We call her the captain of the Monday game,” said George Krevsky, a ...

College Avenue Delivery Route Available Photo credit: Judy Berne Phoenix Optical owner Ray Ascher traveled to Africa and Inner Mongolia to get the horn for the glasses he manufactures and sells. Thanks to Kathleen Winzeler for her service as Block Captain and delivering The Rockridge News to businesses ...

...bout life, giving, and generosity.” “It’s hard to believe that so many people aren’t paying attention. The possibility of losing your democracy is something you really have to think about.” To comment or suggest future topics, please email judyberne@att.net. n Yet, she is forthright about the fact that “old age is difficult. I can’t believe I got this old,” she said with a wistful smile. She finds the world “more frightening now than even during World War II when my brother went off to...

By Judy Berne

Norman H. Burg, DDS by Judy Berne Six hundred swimmers and 200 volunteers are expected to participate in the Women’s Cancer Resource Center’s 20th annual “Swim a Mile for Women With Cancer” event scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, October 3 and 4 at Mills...

By Judy Berne

by Judy Berne In my mind Ronald and Reginald Richardson, the new co-principals who will usher Claremont Middle School into its Centennial, are destined to lead by example. The 36-year-old identical twins, who grew up in some of the grittier parts of Wes...

By Stuart Flashman

* Read about the Clifton Street Regulars in Judy Berne’s “Eyes on Rockridge” column, page 6.

...e guys bring a tremendous amount of energy, passion and enthusiasm to the school as well as philosophies and Co-Principals Ronald and Reginald Richardson stand together in their goals to meet the needs of Claremont Middle School students. /Judy Berne Judy Berne is a journalist who moved last year

By Judith Doner Berne

...Kelsey, before. She spent two weeks in Guatemala in 2009 and in Borneo in 2012 through a program sponsored by the Oakland Zoo. Kaitlyn Johnke, Global Citizen Year participant. /J. Berne Abby Falik, founder, Global Citizen Year. /Abby Falik Judy Berne welcomes your comments and column ideas at judyberne@att.net. For more information on Global Citizen Year, go to globalcitizenyear.org.

By Judith Doner Berne

...Is there an abandoned car on your block? For police response, leave a voice mail at 510/777-8622, e-mail AbandonedAuto@ oakland.com, or fax 510/777-8880. Include the vehicle’s location, description and license number, if the last is known. Judy Berne moved to Rockridge from metro Detroit last year. If you have a good story about living in Rockridge, her e-mail is judyberne@att.net. 3rd Floor Market Hall TM Ste. 312 rockdent.com 510.653.6677 Bruce D. Fong, D.D.S. Filippo Cangini, D.D.S,...

...o work each day.” Have a Rockridge story that needs telling? Email judyberne@att.net. n Eyes on Rockridge, from previous page Please join us for our upcoming seminar Bathrooms: any size, any style Creating a space as unique as you Photo by Judy Berne Saturday, June 22, 10-11am “I’ve never given a talk about Forum,” Alexis Madrigal said earlier this year to a Berkeley City Club audience that included his kids,

...as in Erb’s first-grade class shortly before her retirement. Leaving teach- ing was a hard decision, said Erb. “I Now retired, Susan Erb reflects on her more than 40 years of teaching, “We were always activistic in our classroom.” Photo by Judy Berne community. “I love the old-fashioned, family-owned business feel of Cole Hardware.” Her husband, Mark Levin, is a regular at Cole Coffee. “Thank goodness for the small stores and being able to walk everywhere,” Erb said, “that is Rockridge...

Lindsay. “Even in the bustle of a busy marketplace, or the street corners of Mexico City, Alice can spy the truly Newly retired, Alice Erb says she surrounds herself with “things that mean something to me.” Photo by Judy Berne “I was the main hunter-gatherer” for Tale of the Yak, she said. “I liked finding things without necessarily having to own them. That was one of the pleasures of my job. Lauren was a genius in putting it all together.” They closed their sho...

...as a way to come out of the house, do some shopping, but remain safe.” Taylor is a long-time supporter of “Mom being the designer makes it extra special,” said daughter Brenda Sheree (left) who loves selling Taylor Jay’s fashions. Photo by Judy Berne volunteerism at various community events, in-kind donations to provide high quality clothing to under-re- sourced women, and participation in our programs and events.” Both Taylor and her daughter are excited to be part of the Rockridge sc...

launched a warm clothing drive in conjunction with the nonprofit, City Team. You can drop off gently used clean clothing for kids and adults at the store now through December 31. Photo: Judy Berne Clothing designer Devan Gregori at her retail shop on College Ave. “It’s been such a family affair,” Devan said, noting that Matias’ sister is a reliable fill-in salesperson, and their dog Stella (featured in last month’s Dogs of Rockridge...

changing world,” said her neighbor and founding editor of the Rockridge News, Don Kinkead, “and she’s keeping up with it.” If you have questions or suggestions for future columns, please email judyberne@att.net. n Photo by Judy Berne “You always need something to look forward to,” said Anna Kassal, including discussing books with daughter Barbara Kassal. that the couple traveled, gardened, and helped raise their grandson, Ben. Although now confined to a wheelchair and ...

“I’m very people and animal-oriented,” said Postal Service carrier Megan Wilson. Photo/Judy Berne lived on Lawton since 1978. “She acts like she’s part of the neighborhood. A.J., my dog, loves her too.” But Sale is worried about losing Wilson, as other easier routes become available. “Every single mail carrier has said the same thing a...

By Nancy Schaaf

...ke it to Suko Thai, The new mosaics for the sidewalk trash cans will add a splash of color to the area. The unifying theme will be California flora and fauna. Final designs and locations will be posted on scenicstreets.org in late January. Judy Berne welcomes your comments and column ideas at judyberne@att.net. Photos: Trash can/Juan Lopez All others/Davita Corp    
 
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...Good from page 6 them.” Afterwards, I spoke to Lisa Cloud, who bypassed Claremont a couple of years ago to enroll her son at Oakland School for the Arts. Now, as she makes the rounds looking for the best place for twin daughters who attend Judy Berne welcomes your comments and column ideas at judyberne@att.net. College Avenue Presbyterian Church: Christmas Events a 0 Family Advent Craft Fair

...ring the four-month trial period. The hope, of course, is that it will be obvious from the police crime reports and from our Contact the RCPC Transportation Committee with your questions and comments by e-mail: transportation@rockridge.org Judy Berne welcomes your comments and column ideas. She can be reached at judyberne@att.net. LAW OFFICES OF KYLE M. JOHNSTON only the doomed residences and two nearby holdouts, not the ASI. The Baby Hospital survives this most recent expansion, but C...

...dreams.” A retired computer programmer, he drives from his home in the Berkeley Hills because, in his opinion, “the coffee’s the best. They brew each cup individually. The atmosphere is working class.” He doesn’t think the chatter “is much Judy Berne welcomes your comments and column ideas. You can reach her at judyberne@att.net.

...r that project is achieved. LAW OFFICES OF KYLE M. JOHNSTON 5315 COLLEGE AVE. OAKLAND, CALIF. 510.527.1880 CALL FOR YOUR FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION PROBATE LAW ♦ WILLS & TRUSTS ♦ FAMILY LAW NAMASTE WWW.KYLEMJOHNSTON.COM F R E E OUTDOOR YOGA Judy Berne welcomes your comments and column ideas. Contact her at judyberne@att.net. Rockridge design firm providing creative, livable design solutions Henry C. Levy & Co. JUNE 23 TEMESCAL FARMERS MARKET ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Certified Public Accountants and Co...

...k the big box stores that are proposed will affect College Avenue retail. “It’s going to be a different kind of retail,” he says. But Flashman is concerned with neighborhood cut-through traffic, which “hasn’t been properly addressed.” He’s Judy Berne welcomes your comments and column ideas. Contact her at judyberne@att.net. Kitchen Tour Communication from page 1 from page 1 two-thirds of our tour guests are neighbors who are contemplating their own renovations and are looking for inspi...

...her. We need more community,” he says. I counted 20 people this night. Sara says they vary between 20 and 40. Indeed, founder Putnam and husband Bob Hale were out of • Election of RCPC board of directors members Details, Agenda box page 1. Judy Berne welcomes your comments and column ideas. You can reach her at judyberne@att.net.

...thin the Peralta school borders. “Whenever I’m feeling down,” she says, “I just take a walk in my neighborhood and think of what I love about it.” 510.652.2133 3070 Claremont Avenue • Berkeley 510.339.0400 1960 Mountain Boulevard • Oakland Judy Berne welcomes your comments and column ideas. You can reach her at judyberne@att.net. Rockridge Optometry Rockridge design firm providing creative, livable design solutions Your neighborhood family eyecare providers since 1947 Dr. Donald Sarver...

...a café and reminding them to secure their purse or hi-tech device. “It’s really all about relationship-building with the RDA members, the property owners, the residents and,” Jackson says, cracking his only smile, ‘‘most of all, the dogs.” Judy Berne welcomes your comments and column ideas. She can be reached at judyberne@att.net.

By Judith Doner Berne

...). Guest Chef, as you probably have read – and may have tried – is the most innovative in concept of any on the avenue, even though I Squared couples Italian and Iranian dishes.    
 
  ­ 24 Judy Berne welcomes your comments and column ideas. She can be reached at judyberne@att.net.    Wonderful, ongoing, weekday classes for babies or toddlers A Mov e m e nt Prog ram f 3rd Floor Market Hall or Drop-ins or sign ups...

By Jody London

University of California, Irvine University of California, Los Angeles Judy Berne is a journalist who moved to Rockridge a year ago. If you have a special Rockridge story, her e-mail is judyberne@att.net. Community College and other destinations: Berkeley City College College of Alameda Century College Chabot College Ci...

... college kids and just pushed everything out of one house and into the other.” What helps to make Lawton special, Meckel said, are the canopy of sycamore trees planted as a community project – not by the city – 30 years ago and the mixture Judy Berne is a journalist recently moved to Rockridge from the metro Detroit area. If your neighborhood or a person in your neighborhood is special, her e-mail is judyberne@att.net. $5 FREE DRYCLEANING with garment orders over $28 or $3 OFF orders o...

addressed to them at their local address. Judy Berne was a writer, columnist and editor for local newspapers in metro-Detroit. Since moving here in 2011, she is learning about Rockridge through its residents. Her e-mail is judyberne@att.net. $5 FREE DRYCLEANING with garment orders over $28 o...

... 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., at the OFD training facility, 250 Victory Court. For specifics, and to enroll, call the CORE program at 510/238-6351, visit its website at www.oaklandcore.org or e-mail core@oaklandnet.com. I just might see you there. Judy Berne was a writer, columnist and editor for local newspapers in metro Detroit. Since moving here in 2011, she has been learning about Rockridge from its residents. Her e-mail is judyberne@att.net. Coming Soon! Just Sold! Call Me! 10 Offers! Sha...

...re Salon: offering a full deluxe stress reduction facial with massage and eyebrow wax for $59. Gift certificates available. Located 2 blocks from College Ave. Call today for appointment 510/594-1552. www.penelopecalef.com Oakland Historian Judy Berne is a former writer, columnist and editor for local newspapers in metro Detroit. Since moving here in 2010, she is learning about Rockridge through its residents. You can email her at judyberne@att.net. from page 8 from being a 100 percent ...

... school’s reported closing had not been fully addressed. The meeting was continued a half-hour beyond the scheduled end for further questions. Readers: Stay tuned for periodic observations on Rockridge from the new journalist on the block. Judy Berne is a former writer, columnist and editor for local newspapers in and around metropolitan Detroit. You can e-mail her at judyberne@att.net GREG HENDSCH Certified Green Builder Lead Safe Certified Firm CA LIC #835138

By Susan Montauk

small groups to come together to make Rockridge more beautiful. Thank you to Rachel Perls for donating her talents to residents all over Oakland and RCPC for sponsor- ing our activity. n Thank you, Judy Berne! For her service as Block Captain of Coronado Avenue and for her many wonderful stories and interviews that appeared in The Rockridge News’ column “Eyes on Rockridge” over the years. Berne, a career reporter, was a highly valued staff memb...

... layoffs. “I really understood what the toll was.” So, at 14, he stocked grocery shelves, then worked as a busboy and waiter, including in the Catskills. “I saved every penny I made,” which paid for his first year at Albert Einstein Photo: Judy Berne Social Justice Advocate Organizes ‘Seniors for Democracy’ by Judith Doner Berne Mobilizing his fellow Merrill Gardens seniors to protest the current policies coming out of Washington D.C. by staging an ongoing series of Saturday “Walk-ins ...

...e I thought it wasn’t cool to be a musician.” It wasn’t until he graduated from Skyline High that he resumed playing an instrument, taking up the electric bass guitar. While majoring in economics at UC Berkeley, he took enough music Photo: Judy Berne Rockridge Neighbors Share a Lifelong Journey of Music, Mentorship, and Community by Judith Doner Berne Adoor-to-door salesman hawking guitars and guitar lessons started then 10-year-old Dave Brossard “on a lifetime of music,” while John Ge...

By Judith Doner Berne

...rdu,” she said. Brenner’s work runs the gamut — from place cards, to commercial logos, to wedding invitations, to family trees — including two 2x7-foot wall mountings that traced the maternal and fraternal history for a well-known Photo by Judy Berne Jane Brenner’s calligraphic pieces can be found in museums

By Judith Doner Berne

He Knows Rockridge Streets “Like the Back of My Hand” Photo by Judy Berne by Judith Doner Berne Greg Brennan has come full circle. In 2006, the now 67-year-old Rockridge resident moved back to the house in which he grew up. The neighborhood “paper boy” from the age of 10 to 16 years of age, he now delivers the R...

...to providing support, companionship, and net- working for parents of infants and toddlers that she ran for almost two decades. For a $90 annual fee, mem- bers enjoyed unlimited participation in scheduled activities and a subscrip- Photo by Judy Berne by Judith Doner Berne When I first contacted Lee Eisman, she was in Scottsdale, Arizona, playing in a mah jongg tour- nament and selling her Mah Jongg Tchotchkes, a business she started and built up. After flying with two suit-

By Judith Doner Berne

Traveling Abroad During Covid by Judith Doner Berne I Photo: Judy Berne t was a difficult decision, but my husband, adult son, and I are now back from a month-long trip to three European counties — first Romania, then France and Poland. We had planned our journey for May 2020, but of course, canceled when the ...

... youth mental health. Currently, he’s working with a team of college students interviewing organizations that provide escorts or meal delivery for AAPI elders to try to identify best practices. “The program Editor’s Note: This column marks Judy Berne’s 10th year writing for The Rockridge News. Thank you, Judy, for all your wonderful contributions.

Distances Editor: While I appreciate that the retail community can benefit from upbeat articles on the “new life” on College Avenue, such reporting seems a bit biased. Judy Berne’s breezy observation [The Rockridge News, February 2015] that local merchants appear busy, traffic looks OK, and random non-resident pedestrians sound happy is extraordinarily shallow. Yasai is being hurt and four coffee shops within one b...

By Judith Doner Berne

... photo was taken at age 17 when Ben got his citizenship papers. Ben Tamburrino’s father in one of the barbershops he owned on College Avenue, now the Rockridge Barbers, owned since 1986 by Marty Hatton. Original photos copied by camera by Judy Berne and adjusted by Ed Berne. firemen (successfully) blocked our street.” Once their children were in school, she worked part-time at Maria’s, a cheese- cake factory which used to be on Broadway across from Oakland Tech. Most recently, she was...

By Judith Doner Berne

hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. “It had wooden blocks on the pedals,” designed to be removed as he grew taller. He rode it until, when he was 13, he and his two younger brothers got 10-speeds for Christmas. Photo: Judy Berne You just might see Scott Hicks riding around Rockridge on one of his vintage bikes. “I was one of the few kids who rode their bikes to school,” Hicks said. “Then I started logging longer rides. I rebuilt my mom’s bike for her. I did a term...

By Judith Doner Berne

Romance of Elsewhere, subtitled A Half-Century of Connecting By Sea, By Air, By Rail, is a memoir of her travels. “At some point, no matter what career you have, you can be Photo by Judy Berne Bil Banks, Marcelline Krafchick, David Berliner, Ruth Feldman and Dick Williams are among the senior residence’s “book people.” hooked into saying something important about what you are doing. There is something that reaches out and grabs ...

...r young baristas, who is a fixture behind the counter, greeting and waiting on customers primarily through the morning hours when coffee and food Long-time regular Ben Safir loves “the non-corporate atmosphere” of Hudson Bay Cafe. Photo by Judy Berne service is at its peak. Sadri, a nurse who has kept up his credentials, is less of an onsite presence. He does the scheduling, maintenance, shopping, and helps with the hiring process. Importantly, Tanya said, “observa- tionally,” he picks...

By Judith Doner Berne

tabla, taiko, and timbale. “My whole family is very musical. My father was a percussionist for Miles Davis. “My strongest love is singing,” Amikaeyla Gaston’s “Tunnel of Love” embodies her role in the neighborhood, and the world. Photo by Judy Berne nearby field of flowers, she decided to lie down among them. “Five white boys driving by in a white truck” targeted her, dragging her 86 feet as she was lodged between a tire and the exhaust pipe. “I was thinking my mother will kill me if ...

...mmend Sally and her book to my friends with high schoolers,” Putney said. “I wish all kids had someone like Sally for college guidance. It’s definitely one of life’s most important decisions.” Eyes on Rockridge, from previous page Photo by Judy Berne also not included in the book, but they plan to address that on the website as well in any future editions of the book.

By Judith Doner Berne

...tory hours, “We’ve done them for years,” she said, noting that “the protest in San Lorenzo has made the public really turn out.” A July drag queen story hour at the Rockridge Library drew an audience of around 70. Five other Oakland Photo: Judy Berne ‘I have always looked forward to coming to work every day,’ said Oakland Public Library Associate Director Nina Lindsay, pictured at the Rockridge Library. public libraries also hosted drag story hours over the summer.

The Rooftop Medicine Farm features row upon row of organic veggies and herbs as soil appears to meet sky. Photos: Judy Berne

...m, at the Rockridge Library. The agenda includes crime statistics, a neighbor- hood discussion, a Q&A period with a representative from the Oakland Police Department, and a speaker from the Oakland Office of the Inspector General. Photo by Judy Berne After losing 75 pounds,

By Theresa Nelson

Halloween Parade This stunning kitchen will be featured on the 2022 Kitchen Tour. Photo credit: Chris Woodcock Mayor Schaaf encourages Rockridge to fight for appropriate development. (Photo by Judy Berne) “I know I will spend the rest of my life in public service.” No, Mayor Libby Schaaf isn’t saying what’s next once her two terms as Oakland’s top elected official are up on January 2, 2023. “I want to take six months to do some processing ...

...f the house and wanted the kitchen to be more integrated into the family living areas. A solution common to The shortage of police forces the city to prioritize violent crime over property crime, Mayor Schaaf told residents. (Photo credit: Judy Berne) “It’s been the honor of a lifetime to be your mayor,” Schaaf told the gath- ering of about 70 people who came by foot, bicycle, and car to what was billed as “a community conversation with the mayor.” “I live a block from here. I want to ...

“Every single object in this house has a memory behind it,” say Ed and Sharon Jay. Photo by Judy Berne cators, neither has really stopped teaching. Through stories of their frequent, extended travels to India, I have a much better understanding of life there than from classes or books. They are the best neighbors ever.” “Ed and Sharon are o...

...rprised in the least to see him rise in food media at this pace. He deserves every accolade that comes his way — he’s a star!” “I always called Elazar my shining star,” his mom, a retired psychologist and expert witness on the death Photo: Judy Berne “My experience with Elazar is I’m always running to catch up,” said Lorelei Sontag (pictured above with her son). penalty, told me. “The world of food made way for this odd-ball kid to become who he can be. He’s such a people person. I thi...

By Judith Doner Berne

...d about when he can come to visit,” since the Covid restrictions have been lifted. “My uncle just loved his neighbors.” But Davis also enjoyed knowing Isola. “He told me about growing up in Italy.” The teenager’s interest in helping Photo: Judy Berne This past summer, Davis launched an informational website for

By Judith Doner Berne

...ge, aided by Kinkead’s very green thumb, per- meates the dry bed where Temescal Creek once flowed uninhibited. Her early fascination with folklore Author Bobbie Kinkead weaves a tale of female empowerment and overcoming stereotypes. Photo: Judy Berne allowed an education. “Women only get married; their duties are to the family,” her mom was told. So, at age 14 she was farmed out to work for another family where she would “learn women’s skills.” Not so for Kinkead. After earning a tradi...

As ninth graders, we rallied against gun violence, he said. In 10th grade, we went on strike with the teachers. As juniors, we were part of the global youth climate strike and had to switch to distance learning as the pandemic Photo: Judy Berne “I loved my time at Tech,” says Class of 2021 Valedictorian Ahmed Muhammad, pictured here in front of the school. took hold. And as seniors, we were at the forefront of the peaceful Black Lives Matter march that began at Tech in the wake o...

...gulars Drummer Patrick Kitchin and the Clifton Street Regulars jazz combo rehearse every Sunday from 11am to 1pm in front of Kitchin’s house “until it gets too cold or wet,” much to the delight of neighbors and passersby. Photo courtesy of Judy Berne Sidewalk Service Continues at the Rockridge Branch Library Children’s librarians will continue to post online story-time videos for children, with multiple playlists to choose from. Follow the Oakland Public Library on Facebook, YouTube, o...

By Skip Fogarty

article by Judy Berne for the Janu- ary 2020 Rockridge News about the challenges I foresaw facing Rock- ridge in the 2020s, and my hopes for the neighborhood. When I wrote my first paragraph about how resilient the neighbor- hood already is, and how we could im...

article by Judy Berne, Jody London, then president of the OUSD Board, wrote of her hope to expand quality education to include every child in Oakland. Now, Oakland schools have had to pivot to try to reach every child through distance learning — Remember RCPC i...

...profit she was working for told her to return home due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Five days later, she began her 50-hour journey, returning to her Rockridge home on March 24. Here, edited for space considerations, is her story. — Judy Berne

Special thanks to neighborhood photographers: Leonora Sea, Judy Berne, Star Lightner, Julianne Sherback and Audrey Liu

...eree pop- ulation,” he said. “And that’s thanks to State Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berke- ley), who has been a great champion of criminal justice reform generally, and now specifically for exonerees. We should live in a state — and in a Photo: Judy Berne Zavion Johnson (right) took BART from Hayward to attest to the assistance he’s received from Jon Eldan’s nonprofit, After Innocence. Oakland Tool Lending Library and delivers The Rockridge News in his neighborhood. Given his varied history...

ports for grammar, accuracy, punctua­ tion. She goes back and forth between the downtown police headquarters and our Eastmont substation (in East Oak­ land). Wherever she is, she’s figured out ways that she can be of assistance.” Photo: Judy Berne Claire Lomax accompanies her baked goods with dec­ orations to brighten up the holidays for Oakland police who work Thanksgiving and Christmas shifts. And then there’s the food factor. “She loves to bring in food,” Mausz said. “She’s a spe...

...ity of Oakland and the character of Rockridge; • Pursue a substantial increase in affordable housing; • Focus initially on rede­ Residents packed a pair of meetings at the Rockridge Library to evaluate the proposed CCA development. Photos: Judy Berne Lazzaro, who said “I grew up all over the place” including Iran for five years, started XEO Design 26 years ago out of her former Rockridge apart­ ment. As she became nationally and internationally known, she moved the business to her curr...

...ennis Anyone? month with six completely resurfaced courts, LED lighting, and an updated clubhouse. the color — blue courts surrounded by a green border — is easy on the eyes. It makes you feel good about going out and playing tennis.” — by Judy Berne If you are a tennis player, you may have noticed more action on the pub­ lic tennis courts throughout Oakland from early July to mid-August. That’s because the 260-plus members of the Chabot Canyon Racquet Club (CCRC) at 7040 Chabot Road i...

Oakland author of books on renovating arts and crafts bungalows, passed away. — by Judy Berne Oakland Heritage Alliance (OHA) is looking for volunteer guides to resurrect walking tours of Rockridge, one of which could be on its next sum­ mer’s agenda. As part of its mission, the nonprofit membership organization, dedicated to the p...

EpiTor: hanks so much for the wonderful article Judy Berne wrote about the Bambino. (December 2018 issue of The Rockridge News, “Eyes on Rockridge,” page 8.) We have already had new customers as a result of the article! They mentioned they had not known about the Bambino until they read the articl...

The Oakland A’s are commemorating 50 years in Oakland by placing replicas of mascot Stomper throughout the city. One ended up in front of the Rockridge sign at the BART Station. /JuDY BERNE

...hat she does for fun, Sittig-Jackson said, “I start businesses.” Close on the heels of that came, “I hang out with my family and have fun with my kids.” You are invited to comment on this column and suggest subjects for others by e-mailing judy- berne@att.net. Pedal for Education, May 16 Support Ride for a Reason The 2015 Ride for a Reason cycling rally is Saturday, May 16, when a large group of cyclists will ride to the State Capitol to raise money and awareness for quality public edu...

...e waited our turn in the long, snake-like line. Although she is now a ‘bagel maven,’ Laurie Lieber continues to make her signature breads, routinely found on her kitchen counter. She is also working on a new recipe for sourdough crackers. /Judy Berne Detroit Bagel moved to the suburbs, as did my husband and I. And our Sunday bagel runs and the smells and the lines remained constant as we raised our family and as empty-nesters. So when Beauty’s Bagels opened on Telegraph and 38th in the...

...tore in the East Bay. “It’s so good to see the vibrancy they bring to the Avenue.” Added Life from page 6 later, “I came from the bottom.” She started as a bagger at age 16 and worked her way up over 13 years. She was previously manager of Judy Berne welcomes your comments and

By Judith Doner Berne

...e record that started everything we have here.” David A. Forsyth, Lodge Master, researched the history of the long- ago Mason in the framed painting, above, who turned out to be one of the founders of today’s College Avenue Masonic Lodge. /Judy Berne Once Forsyth found out that Spaulding was buried in Mountain View Cemetery, he could have turned to cemetery records to uncover the gravesite. But he wasn’t looking for an easy quest. “My wife, daughter and I love to go rambling through th...

By Judith Doner Berne

... patrols in adjacent areas of Rockridge. David Groves, not pictured, started a third Rockridge area site. The Temescal NCPC is holding public discussions to gauge interest in a similar approach in that neighborhood. See details on page 7. /Judy Berne are faced with a security officer, that they will run.” As of the deadline for this column, approximately 20 percent of residents had signed up, more than $57,000 had been raised from more than 600 contributors and all three geographic are...

Greer Alley, pictured in the garden of her Rockridge home, designed the new Rockridge BART Plaza on a pro bono basis as part of her philosophy that “people should do more community service.” /Judy Berne from page 1 bono project two years ago. By the time she entered the picture, Alley says, “they kind of knew what they wanted. I got really good support. Sara Wilson (owner and manager of Market Hall) was very helpful. She’s been involved f...

...as.” The plaza dedication also honored Bob Franklin, a former member of BART’s LAW OFFICES OF KYLE M. JOHNSTON 5315 COLLEGE AVE. OAKLAND, CALIF. 510.527.1880 CALL FOR YOUR FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION PROBATE LAW ♦ WILLS & TRUSTS ♦ FAMILY LAW Judy Berne welcomes your comments and column

By Judith Doner Berne

...st doesn’t work. Enforcement is the last resort.” Unfortunately, it came down to that when, Although Oakland Police Officer Andy Luty says the department doesn’t get many calls on abandoned cars in Rockridge, Luty and Rockridge News writer Judy Berne spotted this orange-stickered car during a ride through the