More than 500 copies of "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" for the entire freshman class. Dissection kits and science lab materials. Field trips. PE equipment. LCD projectors. Teaching tools for students with special needs. These are just a handful of the dozens of programs and projects financed by the Oakland Technical High School PTSA this year alone.

We are faced these days with great challenges whose magnitude can push us toward apathy, indifference and inaction: gentrification; failing schools; ecological collapse; food injustice; racial profiling; homelessness; financial inequality; and the deafening isolation of social media. These forces can make us believe we are impotent to make a difference, or to have a voice in our world. We can"t let this boisterous brouhaha keep us from being present. There is no room for apathy in our great and changing city of Oakland.

Join the merchants and members of the Rockridge District Association (RDA), Saturday, November 28, from 3-6 p.m. at the College Avenue Rockridge BART station to celebrate the holiday season. Kids have fun playing in snow, visiting Santa with his elves, and listening to live holiday music presented by Musically Minded Academy. Pony rides will be available for a small charge. Donations for One Warm Coat and Toys for Tots accepted.

Rockridge Shopping Center Redevelopment (AKA - Shops at The Ridge): Broadway and Pleasant Valley Avenue
Members of the community met with representatives of Terramar Properties on October 13 at the Rockridge Library. As those passing the site have noticed, work is well underway, especially on the new Chase Bank building (two-story structure near the Pleasant Valley entrance) and the new Safeway (further back from that same entrance). Plans are largely unchanged from those approved by the City, but there have been two design changes:

You may know the opening song "Tradition" from "Fiddler on the Roof" (which the Berkeley Playhouse performed so well this summer).

But with new edifices going up all about those of us on the southern end of Rockridge, I can't help substituting "Construction" to the same three notes.

My neighbors to the rear are putting in a backyard pavilion, a next-door neighbor is adding a second story, and neighbors across the street are building a deck and patio.

Established by John Knight, Sr., Rockridge Furniture & Design at 5601 College has been on the Avenue since 1970. John was an accountant by trade, but his passion was as an antique collector, repairman and salesman. The business evolved as his clientele's tastes began to support the Arts and Crafts furniture style more complementary to the many bungalows in Rockridge. Meanwhile, John Knight, Jr., who received his B.S.

For those of you who live in a Residential Parking Permit (RPP) zone, you probably have noticed that the RPP fees have increased. This occurred as part of the annual adjustments made to the Master Fee Schedule for our entire city. We discussed this at two public hearings at the Council's Finance Committee, and at a full City Council meeting back in June of this year.

Have you thought and talked about end-of-life issues with your family and loved ones? In this inaugural program of our "Health & Wholeness" forum series, all are invited to come view a presentation of the recent bestselling book "Being Mortal" dealing with these issues. The video will be followed by a time of community conversation and Q & A.

Wednesday's Land Use Committee meeting (7:30 PM at the Rockridge Branch Library upstairs meeting room) will focus on discussion and a vote on the Nautilus Group's 204 unit residential/mixed use project on Telegraph Ave.  See last month's article for details on the project.  The committee will vote on its recommendation to the RCPC Board.