Redwood Heights Neighborhood News

by Denise Davila

Rettig Ave Update

The City has responded to the community and recommends that Rettig Ave. be reopened to vehicle traffic. Metro readers who have followed this story may recall that over 1200 community members petitioned the City to establish a traffic-free street (allowing only emergency vehicle access and a neighborhood evacuation route) between 4206 and 4315 Rettig Ave.'

But, in an e-mail to Rettig residents, Deputy City Administrator Niccolo De Luca indicates that city staff (traffic, fire, and police) has decided that the street must remain open to traffic at all times.

Under the Oakland General Plan, the city's official guide to community planning and decision-making, residential neighborhood streets should "discourage: through traffic, large traffic volumes, and high-speed travel." In fact, the city's Neighborhood Traffic Safety Program serves to facilitate these guidelines in order to improve community safety.'

Understandably, traffic, fire, and police staff want Rettig Ave. to remain clear at all times. So do residents. To learn more, go to the Rettig Ave. Meeting on Wednesday, November 28 at 7 p.m. The RHNA will host a community discussion with City and Council staff at the Redwood Heights Recreation Center. All are welcome.'Excerpts of the Oakland General Plan can be found at www.redwoodheights.org/plan.

For other articles on Rettig Ave., go to www.macarthurmetro.org.

Harvest For Learning Auction

On Saturday, November 3, Redwood Heights School will host its largest fundraiser, the Harvest for Learning Silent Auction/Cocktail Party, featuring a no-host bar, catered hors d'oeuvres and desserts, and live entertainment in the Faculty Lounge at Mills College.'

Leave the kids at home and mingle with friends and neighbors. Bid on a variety of fine quality items, such as restaurant certificates, original home decor, handmade crafts, gift cards to retail stores, and much more. Shop for holiday gifts, or perhaps find something for yourself.

The auction harvests approximately $40,000 to help fund the school programs, electives, and initiatives that recent district budgets have reduced or cut, such as science, art, music, and physical education classes that augment and enhance the quality education provided by our neighborhood school. Saturday, November 3, 7 to 11 p.m. For more information, contact Ferdinand Ramos at 530-1287 or f.f.framos\@sbcglobal.net.

RH School Kindergarten Enrollment Information Session

A bumper crop of neighborhood children are looking forward to enrolling in school next fall. RHS will host a Kindergarten Information Night in the school auditorium on Wednesday, November 7, from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.'

Thanksgiving Week Day Camp

The kids will be on vacation soon. Redwood Heights Recreation Center is offering an all-day kids camp for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Thanksgiving week. Information: 482-7827.

Denise Davila can be reached at d2davila\@yahoo.com.