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By Ortrun Niesar

Ortrun Niesar is a realtor with East Bay Sotheby’s International Realty: ortrun.niesar@sothebys- realty.com. 2008 1,029,153 -7.0 905,000 -9.5 2009 904,954 -12.0 850,000 -6.0 2010 962,757 6.4 838,000 -.02 2011 907,628 -5.7 837,000 0 2012 975,426 7.5 905,...

By Ortrun Niesar

Ortrun Niesar can be reached at oniesar@sbcglobal.net

ORTRUN NIESAR Golden Oakland = | aca Gate 510.547.8288 a o.niesar@gegsir.com h b . : GoldenGateSIk.com Sot e 'S |

Ortrun Niesar can be reached at 652-6664 or oniesar@aol.com. "SHOULD YOU SAVE FOR YOUR KID'S COLLEGE OR FOR YOUR RETIREMENT? OR BOTH?"     
 

Ortrun Niesar can be reached at 652-6664 or oniesar@aol.com.

ORTRUN NIESAR Golden 510.326.2161 Realtor © Gate

» ORTRUN NIESAR 510.326.2161

ORTRUN NIESAR 510.326.2161

ORTRUN NIESAR 510.326.2161

ORTRUN NIESAR 510.326.2161

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By North Oakland Village

ORTRUN NIESAR 910.326.2161

Ortrun Niesar can be reached at Jucy’s

Corner of College and Miles Ortrun Niesar can be reached at oniesar@aol.com. or 986-9560. Stephanie Farrow  " 428-2100 new menu with coffee, sandwiches and           other food, plus a piano Most property owners realize that select...

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The Rockridge Muse by Ortrun Niesar

The Rockridge Muse by Ortrun Niesar

By Ortrun Niesar

...s 2002–2006 This analysis covers Rockridge homes sales from the Berkeley border south to Broadway Terrace and 51st Street, west to Colby and east to Highway 13. Information supplied by EBRD 2006 is deemed to be reliable but not guaranteed. Ortrun Niesar is a realtor with Prudential California. (ortrun. niesar@prurealty.com) Year Avg. Price % Change Median Price %Change 2002 $770,604 $691,500 2003 $847,637 9.9 $750,000 + 8.5 2004 $902,000 6.4 $805,000 + 7.3 2005 $1,032,139 14.4 $930,500 + ...

By Ortrun Niesar

mortgage interest rates and the cor- rection expected Ortrun Niesar is a Realtor with Prudential Cali- fornia: ortrun.niesar@prurealty.com The median price per square foot for all homes sold was $527, and the average price per square foot was very close at $530. For real estate market analysis, price per s...

By Ortrun Niesar

...rticipate by invitation at special gatherings only. How retro is that! But, perhaps there is a need for an oasis where male bonding can take place. So let’s not be too hasty in condemning this practice. Welcoming boys & girls ages 5 and up Ortrun Niesar can be reached at oniesar@ sbcglobal.net or 510/326-2161 cell (510) 547-4441 www.piedmontchoirs.org PIEDMONT EAST BAY CHILDREN’S CHOIR

By Ortrun Niesar

... as a skyscraper. It’s our turn to sign a book and stand in yet another line. There are four lines, four books to sign, and four officers dead. Our hearts are filled with so much sorrow. This is our city, I thought, our Rockridge Optometry Ortrun Niesar can be reached at oniesar@sbcglobal.net. Your neighborhood family eyecare providers since 1947 Norman H. Burg, DDS Dr. Donald Sarver Dr. Larry Sarver Dr. Scott Yokoi Dr. Cindy Sakai General Dentistry (510) 652-1517 5700 Broadway, Oakland S...

By Ortrun Niesar

...rary will hold a History Fest on Saturday, October 27, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. with a talk and slide show by three local history authors. Robin Wolf, Annalee Allen and Don Hausler will present tales and images of historic Rockridge, Oakland Ortrun Niesar can be reached at oniesar@sbc- global.net or 510/652-6664. YOU MAY LIVE 30 YEARS PAST RETIREMENT. ARE YOU PREPARED? Rockridge Resident

By Ortrun Niesar

of Rockridge life. His first reading took place at Cody’s on Telegraph (sadly, soon to be gone) last month. There Rockridge Annual by Ortrun Niesar Photo Exhibition The show will go on after all, due to popular demand and many new photographers coming out of the dark room or Photoshop and craving an audience. Scheduled for October at the Community Gallery in the Rockridge Library, the...

By Ortrun Niesar

... Open Studios 2006, visit Pro Arts Gallery at 550 Second Street in the Jack London Square area, call 510/763-9425 or go to www.proartsgallery.org. Murray Silverstein: Architect, author, poet, Rockridge resident. Median Sales Prices Up 8.4% Ortrun Niesar, the Rockridge Muse, can be reached at oniesar@aol.com or 510/652-6664. Address Bed/Bath List Price Sales Price 5100 Lawton Avenue 2/1 $ 485,000 $ 485,000 5332 Bryant Avenue 2/1 $ 679,000 $ 710,000 5357 Shafter Avenue 2/1 $ 749,000 $ 835,0...

By Ortrun Niesar

...ories in cafes and store windows. The East Bay Express will carry the entire map as an insert during the two-week open studios period. Many artists will also have their work on line for preview at www.mesart.com and www.proartsgallery.org. Ortrun Niesar can be reached at oniesar@aol.com or 510/652-6664.

By Ortrun Niesar

...bring some appropriate value exchange mediums such as money—and ripe tomatoes, I suppose. Note: The Death of Meyerhof is now playing under the old conventional payment system. Please do go see it. Call the Julia Morgan theater at 845-8542. Ortrun Niesar can be reached at 986-9560 or oniesar@aol.com.

By Ortrun Niesar

Whether it is new or old, worth a lot or not so much, enjoy your Rockridge home. by Ortrun Niesar, Rockridge News Contributor In reviewing real estate statistics for 2013, we are happy to announce that Rockridge home values have clearly returned to pre- recession levels. In fact, we have recovered better and more quickly than most othe...

By Ortrun Niesar

chanticleer.org/), not cheap, but how wonderful to be able to hear this fabled group in person. The Rockridge Muse by Ortrun Niesar A Silent Christmas — Not During the December holidays, the sound of song, joyful and festive, sacred or secular, will once again fill the air. There is something wonderful and exhilarating about human voices, young and old, male and female...

By Ortrun Niesar

gargantuan proportions, with thousands of visitors strolling up and down Telegraph by Ortrun Niesar Avenue, hungry for the unique creative energy Oakland’s diverse community has to offer. Open Studios The opening salvo for East Bay Open Studios took place on First Friday, May 4, with a preview gala and artists’ reception at Pro Arts Gall...

By Ortrun Niesar

...l ensembles uses classical music to reach across generational and cultural lines. Under the direction of Andrew Chung, BACH gives young musicians the opportunity to work alongside seasoned artists. Go to www.bayareabach.org for information Ortrun Niesar can be reached at oneiser@ sbcglobal.net or 510/652-6664. Rockridge: 5400 College Avenue Elmwood: 2930 College Avenue Weekend Brunch in Elmwood Henry C. Levy & Co. Faith for the iPod generation! Announcing a NEW Mass time, Sunday at 6:00p....

By Ortrun Niesar

families still live here and opened their family albums to contribute wonderful photos to the publication. We thank them for helping us understand our community history. Go buy the book. by Ortrun Niesar their first jobs at the Bilger Quarry, now the Rockridge Plaza shopping center at 51st and Broadway. Others rode wagons through the streets of Oakland collecting garbage, forming the beginnings of the Oakland Scavenger Company. Women found...

By Ortrun Niesar

66th Street at San Pablo Avenue in Emeryville. My guess is that our Italian community will continue to thrive as by Ortrun Niesar long as there are these wonderful places where people can meet and share a common cultural heritage, language, food and drink. Rockridge should be so lucky as to have a community center like this for all its residents. The Germans Versus t...

By Ortrun Niesar

art work can be previewed at the Pro Arts Gallery on Second Street in Jack London Square, where artist receptions by Ortrun Niesar will be held on Thursday, June 4. You can pick up the Directory of East Bay Arts at stores and cafes along College Avenue, or look for the insert in the June 3 edition of the East Bay Express. You can also log on to www.proartsgallery. org...

By Ortrun Niesar

joggers passing by me and strains of music wafting from the quaint bandstand on the green, while kayaks and gondolas glide silently into the dark across the by Ortrun Niesar water’s glassy surface. And I found myself grateful for the work and visions of others who created this environment. Thank you, Mayors Merritt and Mott, for creating this jewel of an urban lake and park and wildlife sanctuary from what use...

By Ortrun Niesar

at that, we don’t necessarily buy them in a bookstore. Best-sellers top the list of titles sought, but more than one person by Ortrun Niesar I asked said they found it easier, cheaper and often faster to buy online. Book venues are changing, as well. Gift shops have become pseudo-book sellers by offering free fancy wrapping and attractive displays of their wares. Audio books ar...

By Ortrun Niesar

The Rockridge Muse by Ortrun Niesar

By Ortrun Niesar

Ignacio De La Fuente and Councilmember Jean Quan to cut Oak- land’s Cultural Arts Program, a council majority voted for $1.1 million in arts funding. As Muse Ortrun Niesar explains below, the decision was likely influenced by the more than 100 artists and art supporters who spoke out at the budget hearing. — Ed. 100 Reasons for Keeping Arts Funding Alive On October 21 the arts community rallied in extraordin...

By Ortrun Niesar

by Ortrun Niesar the featured homes for free and meet fellow history buffs. Poetry Readings Last year I wrote an article about Murray Silverstein and his new collection of poetry entitled “Any Old Wolf,” which had been chosen in 2005 for publication by Six...

By Ortrun Niesar

Who’s the New Kid on the Block? Condos in Rockridge? Yes. And they are affordable and popular too. Comparative Sales Analysis by Ortrun Niesar A Buyers were willing and able, but they were definitely looking to get full value for their money. What Sold? s we enter the first quarter of the new year, Rockridge home sales continue to be solid but are decidedly conservative. The tota...

By Ortrun Niesar

Rockridge Muse ■ ■ by Ortrun Niesar ■ Rockridge as History The history muse has come to stay awhile. Lately we all seem to have gotten the bug of burrowing and digging around in our personal and communal past. Why now? Practically speaking it probably has to do with a curren...

By Ortrun Niesar

in an overheated real estate market. Rockridge residents do not believe that we are going to be greatly affected by this situation. A mild leveling off in aggressive pricing will happen. by Ortrun Niesar Rockridge real estate values reached new heights in 2005. The number of single family homes sold was 125, about normal for Rockridge; but the overall median price for a Rockridge home topped out at $930,500, up 15.6% from $805,000 in 2004....

By Ortrun Niesar

The Rockridge Muse by Ortrun Niesar In her weekly column in the Oakland Tribune, Allen writes about landmarks and local history. She also orchestrates the Oakland Walking Tours program. She is widely recognized as an authority on Oakland’s architecture and has served as pres...

By Ortrun Niesar

The Muse by Ortrun Niesar Iing the forgotten and testing the new as they play works of great masters and young local composers alike. f you haven’t yet heard about the Del Sol String Quartet, be prepared for a wonder- ful surprise that just might change your life, ...

By Ortrun Niesar

Anderson Valley Barn. Oil — Peter Heelan pheel55@yahoo.com by Ortrun Niesar Fabulous Pro Arts June 3, from 7 to 9 p.m., or stop by in the morning of the designated days and then head out for studios, which are open from 11a.m.-6 p.m. Pro Arts is now open Wednesday through Sunday. This year you can also sign up for...

By Ortrun Niesar

Oakland resident Siu Tuita, musician and by Ortrun Niesar dancer and member of the Tongan royal family, who has dedicated much of her energy to preserving the Tongan way of life for Tongan youth born in America. Demonstrations, including traditional chanting and dance, and lectures for the genera...

By Ortrun Niesar

by Ortrun Niesar As we wrap up our reports for the year 2003, we are once again astounded by the enormous popularity of real estate in Rockridge. Compared with 2002, our homes, already listed at prices reflecting a surging market, still sold substantially ...

By Ortrun Niesar

for me. I stuck these precious little billets into the stockings of those who I thought would enjoy the experience, and it made me feel super good. by Ortrun Niesar Here I gave some pretty wonderful gifts and, at the same time, had an opportunity to support the arts in our communities by getting people to go to the theater or a concert more than just once or twice a year. This may come as a surprise t...

By Ortrun Niesar

by Ortrun Niesar “Another dimension to be explored,” thinks Patrick Dooley, director of the Shotgun Players, the new acclaimed resident theater group. Patrick is already working on how he can incorporate the unique spatial concepts the building presents in...

By Ortrun Niesar

...February 14, for Julia’s Cabaret, a Valentine’s Day celebration and benefit for “our” Julia Morgan Center for the Arts. Call the Center at 845-8542 for all information. Their website is www.juliamorgan.org. Wishing you a wonderful holiday! Ortrun Niesar can be reached at

By Ortrun Niesar

by Ortrun Niesar he Third Annual Rockridge T Photography Exhibition turned out to be a wonderful blend of humor, whimsy, esthetic sensitivity, wit and passion for both the medium and the subject. We thank all of those who participated and look forward to n...

By Ortrun Niesar

by Ortrun Niesar, Prudential Real Estate

Ortrun Niesar can be reached at oniesar@ sbcglobal.net, or by calling 510/326-2161. East Bay Open Studios June 5 & 6 and 12 & 13, 11 – 6 p.m. During the first two weekends in June, June 5-6 and June 12-13, and throughout the year by appointment, East Ba...

ORTRUN NIESAR Rockridge Real Estate Marketing Consultant Direct: 510/986-9560 Email: oniesar@aol.com "SHOULD YOU SAVE FOR YOUR KID'S COLLEGE OR FOR YOUR RETIREMENT? OR BOTH?"                       ...

ORTRUN NIESAR Rockridge Real Estate Marketing Consultant Direct: 510/986-9560 Email: oniesar@aol.com "SHOULD YOU SAVE FOR YOUR KID'S COLLEGE OR FOR YOUR RETIREMENT? OR BOTH?"                       ...

ORTRUN NIESAR Rockridge Real Estate Marketing Consultant Direct: 510/986-9560 Email: oniesar@aol.com "SHOULD YOU SAVE FOR YOUR KID'S COLLEGE OR FOR YOUR RETIREMENT? OR BOTH?"       

By Arthur Boone

Each office is independently owned and operated. EXPERIENCE THE UNIQUE ORTRUN NIESAR 510.326.2161 Realtor® | CalBRE #01161032 ortrun.niesar@sothebysrealty.com baysir.com Local with Global Reach. Specializing in the East Bay. Discreet and Professional. law office of dave karlinsky 725 washington st., suite 313 oakland, ca 9...

... has been given to people who live on Lawton and Ocean View between Broadway and College, most of whom use cars to get around. In the ➧➧Problematic Improvements, page 5 Each office is independently owned and operated. EXPERIENCE THE UNIQUE ORTRUN NIESAR 510.326.2161 Realtor® | CalBRE #01161032 ortrun.niesar@sothebysrealty.com baysir.com Local with Global Reach. Specializing in the East Bay. Discreet and Professional. Lic. 691894 law office of dave karlinsky Martin Coyle 510-655-8717 Mike ...

...lard Junior High         Re-Fi ➧➧Easing Transitions, page 7 David Herrenbruck david@fishmanfinancial.net Pre-Approval Cell 510-981-9799 510-528-2255 NMLS# 1384117 Each office is independently owned and operated. EXPERIENCE THE UNIQUE ORTRUN NIESAR 510.326.2161 Realtor® | CalBRE #01161032 ortrun.niesar@sothebysrealty.com baysir.com Local with Global Reach. Specializing in the East Bay. Discreet and Professional.

By Linda Zunas

...see what’s necessary as you drive up the on-ramp. If you’d like to participate in making things look a bit better, contact Lee Patterson at lee.scenicstreets@gmail.com. Each office is independently owned and operated. EXPERIENCE THE UNIQUE ORTRUN NIESAR 510.326.2161 Realtor® | CalBRE #01161032 ortrun.niesar@sothebysrealty.com baysir.com Local with Global Reach. Specializing in the East Bay. Discreet and Professional.

to see how to best achieve this in 2017! ORTRUN NIESAR 510.326.2161 Realtor® | CalBRE #01161032 ortrun.niesar@sothebysrealty.com baysir.com FMS FMS Inc. Inc. 5429 Telegraph Avenue Oakland, CA 94609 Local with Global Reach. Specializing in the East Bay. Discreet and Professional. Ofc: (510) 547...

... Please mark your calendars and save the date for the 2016 Annual Chabot Fall Carnival on Sunday, October 16, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All residents and neighbors are welcome to join in the fun and festivities – and, as always, admission is free. ORTRUN NIESAR 510.326.2161 Realtor® | CalBRE #01161032 ortrun.niesar@sothebysrealty.com baysir.com Local with Global Reach. Specializing in the East Bay. Discreet and Professional.

facing many Rockridge residents. I’ve received a number of inquiries and complaints over the past few months about the apparent lack of parking enforcement on Each office is independently owned and operated. EXPERIENCE THE UNIQUE ORTRUN NIESAR 510.326.2161 Realtor® | CalBRE #01161032 ortrun.niesar@sothebysrealty.com baysir.com Local with Global Reach. Specializing in the East Bay. Discreet and Professional.

... measures there; Nautilus expressed openness to such For more information and to submit comments or questions, see RCPC Land Use Committee report, second item (page 3). Each office is independently owned and operated. EXPERIENCE THE UNIQUE ORTRUN NIESAR 510.326.2161 Realtor® | CalBRE #01161032 ortrun.niesar@sothebysrealty.com baysir.com Local with Global Reach. Specializing in the East Bay. Discreet and Professional.

By Leonora Sea

... originally designed in 1978. While the equipment may not be quite that ancient, the controls don’t even have a digital readout. A request for a new system is in order. Each office is independently owned and operated. EXPERIENCE THE UNIQUE ORTRUN NIESAR 510.326.2161 Realtor® | CalBRE #01161032 ortrun.niesar@sothebysrealty.com baysir.com

By Leonora Sea

Each office is independently owned and operated. EXPERIENCE THE UNIQUE ORTRUN NIESAR 510.326.2161 Realtor® | CalBRE #01161032 ortrun.niesar@sothebysrealty.com baysir.com Local with Global Reach. Specializing in the East Bay. Discreet and Professional.

...e roots, putting them in a plastic bag and then into the trash (not the green bin). – Sari Kulberg, 653-6432. Serving Rockridge since 1992 5400 College Avenue at Manila Each office is independently owned and operated. EXPERIENCE THE UNIQUE ORTRUN NIESAR 510.326.2161 Realtor® | CalBRE #01161032 ortrun.niesar@sothebysrealty.com baysir.com Local with Global Reach. Specializing in the East Bay. Discreet and Professional.

...ily eyecare providers since 1947 Dr. Donald Sarver Dr. Larry Sarver Dr. Scott Yokoi Dr. Cindy Sakai 5321 College Avenue, Oakland 510-655-3797 www.rockridgeoptometry.com Each office is independently owned and operated. EXPERIENCE THE UNIQUE ORTRUN NIESAR 510.326.2161 Realtor® | CalBRE #01161032 ortrun.niesar@sothebysrealty.com baysir.com Local with Global Reach.

By Rick Prime

PLANNER™ at Prime Wealth Management, Inc. Sources for average and maximum social security amounts from www.ssa.gov. Each office is independently owned and operated. EXPERIENCE THE UNIQUE ORTRUN NIESAR 510.326.2161 Realtor® | CalBRE #01161032 ortrun.niesar@sothebysrealty.com baysir.com Local with Global Reach. Specializing in the East Bay. Discreet and Professional.

...re are additional proposals not listed. Learn more at the Wednesday, December 9 RCPC Special Meeting. Be sure to make your voice heard: email Councilmember Dan Kalb (dkalb@ oaklandnet.com) and City planner Neil Gray (ngray@oaklandnet.com). ORTRUN NIESAR 510.326.2161 Realtor® | CalBRE #01161032 ortrun.niesar@sothebysrealty.com baysir.com Local with Global Reach. Specializing in the East Bay. Discreet and Professional.

MS margins) of any prose for on-site reading/discussion Each office is independently owned and operated. EXPERIENCE THE UNIQUE ORTRUN NIESAR 510.326.2161 Realtor® | CalBRE #01161032 ortrun.niesar@sothebysrealty.com baysir.com Local with Global Reach. Specializing in the East Bay. Discreet and Professional.

...ily eyecare providers since 1947 Dr. Donald Sarver Dr. Larry Sarver Dr. Scott Yokoi Dr. Cindy Sakai 5321 College Avenue, Oakland 510-655-3797 www.rockridgeoptometry.com Each office is independently owned and operated. EXPERIENCE THE UNIQUE ORTRUN NIESAR 510.326.2161 Realtor® | CalBRE #01161032 ortrun.niesar@sothebysrealty.com baysir.com Local with Global Reach. Specializing in the East Bay. Discreet and Professional. law office of

By Judith Doner Berne

...opes to graduate five more police academy classes. “I don’t want to have to wait two years to feel safe,” one resident said. Another said: ➧➧Sometimes a Village, page 7 Each office is independently owned and operated. EXPERIENCE THE UNIQUE ORTRUN NIESAR 510.326.2161 Realtor® | CalBRE #01161032 ortrun.niesar@sothebysrealty.com baysir.com Local with Global Reach. Specializing in the East Bay. Discreet and Professional.

...510) 652-1517 5700 Broadway, Oakland OAKLAND, CALIF. 510.527.1880 FREE CONSULTATION PLANNING, TRUST ADMIN & PROBATE WWW.KYLEMJOHNSTON.COM A Prevention Oriented Practice Each office is independently owned and operated. EXPERIENCE THE UNIQUE ORTRUN NIESAR 510.326.2161 Realtor® | CalBRE #01161032 ortrun.niesar@sothebysrealty.com baysir.com Local with Global Reach. Specializing in the East Bay. Discreet and Professional.

...ia Learn more about the bicycle plan: http://www2. oaklandnet.com/Government/o/PWA/o/ EC/s/BicycleandPedestrianProgram/ OAK024597 Questions?: centennial@oaklandtech.com Each office is independently owned and operated. EXPERIENCE THE UNIQUE ORTRUN NIESAR 510.326.2161 Realtor® | CalBRE #01161032 ortrun.niesar@sothebysrealty.com baysir.com Local with Global Reach. Specializing in the East Bay. Discreet and Professional.