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By Natalie Mehta

by Natalie Mehta, Tour chair Planning for this fall’s Rockridge Kitchen To u r, RCPC’s bien n ia l fundraising event, is building steam, and the first step is to identify fantastic kitchens to feature on the tour. Have you just completed your own kitchen r...

By Natalie Mehta

by Natalie Mehta A The 2003 Kitchen Tour Committee. Top row (l to r): Brian Deans, Marilyn Mansfield, Susan Montauk, Nancy Sale, Laura Gentile. Bottom Row: Natalie Mehta, Maureen Alano, Deborah Larson, Jane Meyer. Not pictured: Don Kinkead and Jo Ellis. ho...

By Natalie Mehta

Chabot Elementary School Prepares for Spring Auction Community Donations Develop Educated Citizens by Natalie Mehta, Chabot parent and auction co-chair The Chabot Elementary School community is now planning one of our biggest fundraisers: the Spring Auction. This year, our hard work is focused on meeting (or beating!) our $160,000 goal, which supports t...

By Natalie Mehta

Chabot Elementary School Spring Auction Community Donations Help Bridge the Funding Gap by Natalie Mehta, Chabot Parent Gone are the days of the school PTA when bake sales funded “bells and whistles” for our schools. As OUSD budgets continue their downward trend, more community resources are needed to bridge the public funding shortfall. At C...

By Natalie Mehta

Scenic Streets’ Efforts by Natalie Mehta, Kitchen Tour chair A fantastic variety of kitchens is what this fall’s Rockridge Kitchen Tour is all about, and we need a few more options to round out the tour. Do you have – or know of – a project that should be considered? T h e pl a n...

By Natalie Mehta

O F R O C K R I D G E K I T C H E N S A T A S T E F U L T O U R by Natalie Mehta, chair, RCPC Kitchen Tour Given the economic and financial woes of the past few years, the Kitchen Tour planning committee had concerns about the supply of recently renovated kitchens necessary to support the biennial tour. How- ever, afte...

By Natalie Mehta

RDA Brings Art to College Avenue Get the Inside Scoop on Rockridge Kitchens by Natalie Mehta, chair, RCPC Kitchen Tour Come join the fun and get the inside scoop on Rockridge’s recently reno- vated kitchens by volunteering to be a docent for the 2011 Rockridge Kitchen Tour. Docents, who guide guests in the tour’s featured kitchens...

By Natalie Mehta

Interview: Mayor Jean Quan Nine Kitchens for Ninth Tour Event 2011 Rockridge Kitchen Tour: the Search Is On! by Natalie Mehta, chair, Rockridge Kitchen Tour As the holidays have wound down and the New Year is gathering speed, planning for this year’s Rockridge Kitchen Tour is now in full swing. For those of you who may be new to the neighborhood, this fall will m...

By Natalie Mehta

by Natalie Mehta, Kitchen Tour Co-Chair

By Natalie Mehta

by Natalie Mehta While the winter rains have had many Rockridge residents checking for roof leaks and cleaning gutters, others are busy with more aesthetic pursuits. Paul Weinstein and Deborah Larson are continuing work on a kitchen renovation that include...

By Natalie Mehta

Rockridge Kitchens by Natalie Mehta, Tour Volunteer The Rockridge Kitchen Tour committee is gathering a list of renovated kitchens to consider for the 2003 tour. Past tours have featured a variety of styles including bungalow, traditional, and contemporary. If you or someone...

...of fundraising, and each tour brings guests from all over the Bay Area. Help us publicize the event by sharing the date with your networks, family, and friends. Many hands make light work, and we invite you to join our team. Please contact Natalie Mehta at 415/279-5148 or natalie. mehta@yahoo.com, for more information. by Natalie Mehta

Last Call for Kitchens for RCPC Tour! t Cs a a l Ll . by Natalie Mehta, RCPC Kitchen Tour In preparation for this fall’s Rockridge Kitchen Tour, set for October 2, the planning committee has been visiting many neighborhood kitchens and has been truly impressed by the creativity and craftsmanship of these Rock...

the wonderful kitchen renovations that have taken place over the past few years, and selecting the nine kitchens to be showcased in this fall’s tour. — Natalie Mehta A T A S T E F U L T O U R designs, we want to see it all! If you have or can recommend a kitchen to be included on the tour, the RCPC invites you to submit it now for the fall 2011 tour. For more information, please contact Natalie Mehta a...

By Stuart Flashman

...d registration committees, and docents to show off our fabulous kitchens. Volunteers are treated to a preview of the tour kitchens. To find out which job may suit you, to advertise and/or sponsor, or to recommend a special kitchen, contact Natalie Mehta at 415/279-5148 or natalie.mehta@yahoo.com.

As returning tour chair, Rockridge resident Natalie Mehta will supervise the selection of nine kitchens homeowners offer for viewing, and coordinate a small army of volunteer docents and writers and a host of advertisers, food providers and tour guests. Newsletter Advertising/Deadlines Publicatio...

...mation.  Purchase Advertising: Do you have a business that serves the Rockridge neighborhood? Our tour brochure offers print advertising space, and our website offers an online presence for the two-year period until the next tour. Contact Natalie Mehta at natalie.mehta@yahoo.com for more information.  Spread the Word: Ticket sales are the primary form of fundraising for this event, and each tour brings guests from all from page 1 day of the event. If you enjoy “backstage” access and hav...

...from page 1 from page 1 two-thirds of our tour guests are neighbors who are contemplating their own renovations and are looking for inspiration. Share your knowledge and experience with them. Any questions or submissions may be directed to Natalie Mehta at 415/279-5148, or Natalie.mehta@yahoo.com. an important first step. Next, plan to attend “Communication in Rockridge” Town Hall meeting, Thursday, May 16, at 7:30 p.m. If you have suggestions and questions, or want to arrange a smaller n...

...mmittees, as well as docents to show off our fabulous kitchens. All our volunteers are treated to a preview of the kitchens that appear on our tour. To find out which job may suit you or to recommend a special kitchen for the tour, contact Natalie Mehta at 415/279- 5148 or natalie.mehta@yahoo.com. Land Use Meeting Agendas Contact Stuart Flashman at 652-5373 or chair@ rockridge.org for a copy of the current Land Use Committee meeting agenda. ■ ■Recommend a kitchen: The committee has toured...

...hborhood projects, especially larger scale projects like Dreyers, Market Hall and the CCAC dormitory, devote as much attention to Rockridge Kitchen Tour Seeks Volunteers  Rockridge Kitchen Tour Co-Chairs Deborah Larson, Susan Montauk, and Natalie Mehta (pictured from left to right) are busy cooking up plans for the 2003 Tour. You can help. PHOTO: LYDIA GANS by Natalie Mehta T

By Judith Doner Berne

by Judith Doner Berne ‘S he smiles when she talks about kitchens.” That’s what my 18-year-old granddaughter said after she sat in on my interview with Natalie Mehta, chair of the Rockridge Community Planning Council’s (RCPC) 10th Rockridge Kitchen Tour. This year’s event, to be held between 12:30 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, September 29, is Mehta’s third go-round as either chair or co-chair of the biennial ...

By Judith Doner Berne

...ht she was terrific. She does more of the work herself than I did. She’s amazing.” It’s the RCPC’s principal source of funds, raising, on average, $20,000 for community projects. They include the restroom facilities RCPC Kitchen Tour chair Natalie Mehta knows first-hand the trials of a kitchen remodeler. Relocated temporarily to the basement, the

...ovation. We look forward to working with local experienced talent to gather this informa- tion and share it with you. So, if you have a fabulous kitchen, a burning question, or an insight to share, please contact Natalie at 415/279-5148 or natalie.mehta@yahoo.com. Cooking instructions: Include pre- heated oven temperature, type of cookware used, and timing (or signal that the cooking is done). For example, you can say “sauté chopped onions for 5 minutes” or “sauté onions until soft.” You ...

shared some advertising placements with us. And a big thank-you to previous tour chairs Natalie Mehta and Jen Daskal, whose willingness to share past experience and advice was incredibly valuable.

By Jody London

...e New Year, there has been a lot going on in the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). As the District 1 Board Director serving North Oakland, I want to share recent developments. Chabot School Sets Online Auction Bidding: March 18-25 by Natalie Mehta, Chabot PTA Treasurer and parent Chabot Elementary invites the community to bid on amazing donations by our parents, neighbors, and local businesses. This year’s “Gold Fever” auction has a goal of raising $150,000 or more to support enrich...

...ll of the refreshment stations. As always, RCPC will use the funds raised during this event to continue investing in our community for the benefit of all. For more information, please see the Tour website at www.rockridgekitchentour.org. — Natalie Mehta, chair General Dentistry (510) 652-1517 5700 Broadway, Oakland A Prevention Oriented Practice Design, Installation and Maintenance Native Plant Gardens & Stonework  Kitchen Tour planning and support: Andrea Hurd, Horticulturist and Stonem...

Elizabeth McLeod, left; Ronnie Spitzer ; Don Kinkead; Natalie Mehta; Nancy Sale and Keziah Moss. Not pictured: Kelly Patrick Dugan and Annette Floystrup. Photo: Liz Monaghan Rockridge design firm providing creative, livable design solutions •  Residential Remodels •  Kitchens + Baths •  Green Building Desi...

This self-guided tour offers guests an opportunity to experience a variety of kitchen styles and sizes. The event brochure is full of photos, resources, a floor plan, and the stories behind what you will see. How can an art collection by Natalie Mehta, tour chair The 2013 Rockridge Kitchen Tour is nearly here. This year marks the tenth biennial event since 1995, and continues to offer guests a personal look inside nine beautifully remodeled residential kitchens in our historic Rockridge...

By Stuart Flashman

... reason for the large turnout was the presence of Oakland Mayor Jean Quan and Interim Police Chief Sean Whent, who both focused their remarks on public safety issues. Before Chief Whent and the Mayor arrived, NCPC Chair Frank Castro and by Natalie Mehta, Tour chair Your RCPC Kitchen Tour committee has been visiting many beautiful kitchens in the neighborhood and has selected those that will be featured on this fall’s Rockridge Kitchen Tour set for Sunday, September 29. T h e t o u r h a s...

Rockridge Kitchen Tour: How You Can Help by: Natalie Mehta Mark your calendar now: the Rock- ridge Kitchen Tour will be held Sunday, September 29. This RCPC biennial fundraiser has been a Bay Area favorite since its inception in 1995, and much of its success is due to the enthusiasm of the communi...

... your company’s name in lights as an official sponsor of the auction? Visit our Chabot auction page at http:// www.chabotelementary.org/calendar/ auction for more details. Sarah Drekmeier is happy to help you shape a great auction item and Natalie Mehta is coordinating sponsorships. You can e-mail them both at auction@chabotelementary.org. Our auction donation deadline is February 1, so act now. The on-line auction runs February 27 through March 7; the Gala, live auction and silent auctio...

Experienced Renovators Offer Project Advice T o w n H a l l pa nelists Ron Kriss, left, Michelle Medeiros, Al Flor, Sharon Flor, and Burt Alper discuss considerations for successf ul kitchen and home renovations. by Natalie Mehta, RCPC Kitchen Tour chair Thanks to a knowledgeable panel of experienced renovators, those that attended the September RCPC Town Hall meeting walked away with some great advice for their next renovation project. If you missed the event in p...

... Bay Area Sunday sprinkled with cooling zephyrs out of the west. With 500 or so good-humored Tour guests strolling through Rockridge neighborhoods stirred in, the event rose to the occaision, leavened by the organizing skills of Tour Chair Natalie Mehta. Congratulations and thanks to all the dedicated volunteers who gave so generously of their time and talent.  Tour guests enter a Harwood Avenue home.  G u e s t s d i s c u s s kitchen improvements and renovation ideas w i t h P re s l ...

by: Natalie Mehta, Rockridge Kitchen Tour chair The 2011 Rockridge Kitchen Tour, set for Sunday, October 2, is nearly here. This year marks the 9th biennial of this popular fundraising event, first held in 1995, which again offers guests a rare look inside ...

...on to work and envision a new life for old parts. An old window could be backed with mirror and used as a design element in the front entry. An old cabinet could be retrofitted with a stone top and made into a new bathroom sink cabinet. by Natalie Mehta, chair, RCPC Kitchen Tour Reduce – Reuse – Recycle. We sort our weekly items into the grey, brown, and green bins, but can these principles be applied to a kitchen renovation? There are many options available that are kinder and gentler to...

...Use Committee meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at the Rockridge Branch Library, Upstairs Meeting Room, 7:30 p.m. Next meeting: April 27. Subject to change. Check www.rockridge.org for meeting updates. Safeway Projects Updates Photo: Natalie Mehta ■ ■Rockridge Shopping Center Reconstruction Project: (Corner of Broadway and Pleasant Valley) ■ ■College Avenue Safeway Shopping Center: (Corner of College and Claremont avenues) Each of these large and important proj- ects is slowly movin...

...quality of life. RCPC expects to be involved in commenting on both EIRs, and encourages Rockridge residents to participate in the public review process. Look for future updates on both projects on the RCPC website, http://rockridge.org. by Natalie Mehta, chair, RCPCKitchen Tour Long ago, when many Rockridge homes were first built, the kitchen was a room tucked behind a door and hidden from view. A utilitarian space, it housed an ice box, sink, and modest storage. In contrast, today’s home...

...ober 2 ■ ■Spread the word: Kitchen Tour ticket sales are the primary form of fundraising for RCPC. Each tour brings guests from all over the Bay Area. Help publicize the event by sharing the date with your networks, family, and friends. by Natalie Mehta, chair, RCPC Kitchen Tour Mark your calendars — the Rockridge Kitchen Tour will be held Sunday, October 2. The tour has been a Bay Area favorite since its inception in 1995 and much of its success is due to the enthusiasm of the community ...

...nity and Economic Development Committee will be considered by the City Council at its meeting March 15. See Land Use Committee Update, page 3. Rockridge Kitchens Sunday, October 2, P L A N N I N G C O U N C I L ROCKRIDGE COMMUNIT Y 2011 by Natalie Mehta, Chair, Rockridge Kitchen Tour Do you love your kitchen? Does it serve your every need? Is there nothing you would change about it? Is it your favorite space in the house? If so, we would love to hear about it and consider it for inclusion...

Kitchen Tour 2011 Planning Begins Kitchen Tour Planning for the 2011 Rockridge Kitchen Tour event is now under way, with Rockridge resident Natalie Mehta as commit- tee chair. While there were some concerns that the recession may have dampened renovation activity over the past few years, early indications are that many residents have used this opportunity to engage great architects, designe...

...d the board appointed Alex Sinunu, a builder spe- cializing in green projects, to fill that seat. Kitchen Tour 2011 We are pleased to announce that we have two co-chairs to head up preparations for the 2011 Rockridge Kitchen Tour. They are Natalie Mehta, who also serves on the Land Use Committee, and Rachel Gardunio. You can expect to hear more from them in the coming months as the kitchen tour begins to gear up for next fall. — Stuart Flashman, RCPC chair

...s, Rustica Café, Ruta’s Indian Kitchen, Schokinag Chocolate, Spenger’s Seafood Grotto, Tootsies, Twenty-Two, Vino!, Zachary’s Chicago Pizza. Maureen Alano, Karen Cilman, Brian Deans, Jo Ellis, Don Kinkead, Akasha Madron, Marilyn Mansfield, Natalie Mehta, Nancy Sale, Susan Shawl, and the RCPC board members; Docents Ron Kriss /Lawton Realty Associates; Ticket Sales Shari Adams, Fatima Ali, Allison

..., Rene Diene, Karen Donald, Anne Emerick, Sue Emmons, Robin Emory, Bill Garcia, Kathy Garcia, John Gomes, Cheryl Goodrich, Lynne Hoffman, Carolina Juarez, Barbara Kline, Terry Kulka, Esther Larsen, Bill Leeden, Melly Levy, Barbara Littwin, Natalie Mehta, Sharon Miller, Caroll Moore, Nancy Morton, Janie Page, Judith Paquette, Maison d’Etre/Fred Womack; Tour Refreshments Great Harvest Bread Co.; Photography Kenneth Rice Photography; Raffle Donors A Côté, A Different Angle, Berkeley Kid’s Ro...

... Kitchen Tour planning board has some newcomers and quite a few veterans. Volunteers are still needed to round out several committees (see article below). Standing (l to r): Jennifer Edmister, Akasha Madron, Marilyn Mansfield, Ehab Bandar, Natalie Mehta, Brian Deans. Sitting (l to r): Jo Ellis, Nancy Sale, Karen Cilman, Deborah Weinstein, Susan Shawl. Also included is Susan Montauk, who took the picture.

...zza Home Owners : Lisa Aliferis & John Storella, Kate Elder & John Barth, Luann DeVoss & Michael Tompkins, Chris & Rick Frost, Brenda & Jim Given, Barbara & Bill Houston, Judith Paquette, Rhonda Righter & Edward Lee, Susan Shawl. Planners: Natalie Mehta (tour co-chair), Maureen Alano, Connie Calica, Brian Deans, Gail Durkin, Jo Ellis, Sally Fitzhugh, Ahroon Henderson, Claire Isaacs, Don Kinkead, Marilyn Mansfield, Susan Merrell, Jane Meyer, Nancy Sale

... be protected under proposed city rules governing new residential construc- tion in Rockridge. Similarly, sunlight entering outdoor patios would be protected but not the sunlight that brightens kitchens and other spaces inside the home. by Natalie Mehta I Jane Powell, author of Bungalow

2 1 Text and Photos 1-4: Natalie Mehta Photo 1: Visitors waiting their turn to visit a Tour home enjoy a moment of coffee and conversation as they anticipate their visit. Photo 2: Stainless steel ventilator hood shows unusually soft details for such a robust job. Photo 3: Tourg...

Rockridge Kitchen Tour Is Here Order tickets now for the September 28 tour a g e n d a: RCPC General Meeting a g e n d a: RCPC General Meeting by Natalie Mehta N Thursday, September 18, 7:30 p.m. Michael Tompkins and Luann DeVoss get cooking tips from Christopher Cheung, owner and chef of College Avenue’s Marica Seafood Restaurant. The couple’s kitchen will be featured on the September 28 Rockrid...

...dar for the September 28 Kitchen Tour! Advance tickets on sale now!  Friends of the Rockridge Temescal Greenbelt (FROG) Sally Fitzhugh (Chair of FROG) will update us on the implementation of Phase II of FROG Park and review of Phase I. by Natalie Mehta, Kitchen Tour Co-Chair Lthe Rockridge Community Planning Council as we proudly present nine beau-

...ease note that we can only process check payments for mail orders and only credit card payments for online orders. Docents Needed  Publicity: Deborah Larson, 595-3352  Day-of-Tour Coordination: Susan Montauk, 547-3855  Raffle Committee: Natalie Mehta, 415/783-5467

retain more funds to invest in our comniu- Natalie Mehta, 415/783-5467

her array of old canning jars. “It’s probably rooted with my grandmother,” mused Mehta, who was born in Australia but grew up in the South Bay. “I never really thought about that. She always stored everything in jars. “I also wanted vintage lighting in the kitchen,” Natalie said. “No cans.” She was struck by fixtures designed with o...