Happy Solstice, and, like the sun, Rockridge Voice is now half way through the year—on July 11, we celebrate six months of informing, engaging, and hopefully, enlightening our readers with local news and information.
Much of our recent reporting has focused on the two pending senior housing projects that have been fomenting local debate on the meaning of “progress.” But are we as divided as the NIMBY/YIMBY arguments want us to believe? I think not. I see this more as an artificial means of diverting attention from the larger issue of people vs. profit.
Ultimately, I believe we all want more or less the same thing for our neighborhood—affordable housing, safe streets, a bustling commercial district of mom and pop shops, and accessible open space to enjoy the beauty of our area.
This edition reflects those shared values with stories about Oakland Tech students delivering compassion, the unexpected journeys of two local artists, an accidental activist, a volunteer park cleanup, and updates on efforts to help seniors age in place. To learn more, join the interactive PlaceIt! workshop at the Rockridge Library on July 29.
We love hearing from you, our members. Please continue to send us your story ideas, letters, and opinions.… your voice counts.
Lastly, a big thank you to all the wonderful Rockridge writers who contributed to this edition.
With love and appreciation,
Anna L. Marks, publisher/editor
editor@rockidgevoice.com
Ellis Partners Hold Meeting on Trees, Attendees Wanted More
by Anna L Marks
Ellis Partners, the developer of the proposed senior housing project at 6230 Claremont, held a meeting at the Rockridge Library on June 18. Although trees were scheduled as the primary agenda item, the meeting quickly turned to the project itself. READ MORE
Housing Shortage for Whom?
by Lex Wodtke
We hear people saying we’re experiencing a housing crisis. But what does that really mean? According to a 2024 study commissioned by the City of Oakland, there’s currently a surplus of market-rate housing. READ MORE
Margaret Dorfman’s Art Begins in the Produce Aisle
by Judith Doner Berne
Margaret Dorfman’s Rockridge home is chock full of fruits and vegetables—not in her garden (too shady), but in her art. READ MORE
An Accidental Activist: A Doctor’s Fight for Justice
by Carol Kasparek
Doug Yoshida came by his activism by accident….or did he? After practicing emergency medicine at Stanford, Alta Bates and SF General, he took a short stint at Bellevue in Manhattan where he was scheduled for an evening shift on September 11, 2001. READ MORE
Oakland Tech Students Deliver Comfort and Compassion
by Anna L Marks
The clothing drive and recycling service delivers donated clothes to psychiatric hospitals around the Bay Area, providing physical comfort to those recovering from trauma and mental health challenges. READ MORE
Whole Foods Team Joins FROG for Park Cleanup
by Anna L Marks
As the fog slowly burned off on a recent weekday afternoon, a dozen employees from the Temescal Whole Foods gathered with Friends of the Rockridge Greenbelt (FROG) to spruce up Little Frog Park. READ MORE
Artist Caroline Stern Turns Passion into a Creative Journey
by Molly Porter
Growing up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Caroline Stern wanted to be an artist. Life initially took her in a different direction. READ MORE
Wait, there’s more…
James Rojas
James Rojas
John Kamp
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