A unique recipe for achievement

When he's not dispensing justice to Yolo County and wisdom to his friends and family at large, Judge David Rosenberg pens his memoirs.

It could be a long volume. The immigrant son of Polish Holocaust survivors, Rosenberg has worked under two governors – Jerry Brown and Gray Davis; served multiple terms as Davis mayor and Yolo County supervisor; chaired the California State Lottery Commission; and forged a successful legal career on both sides of the bench.

Starting today, Rosenberg adds to that résumé, taking on the mantle of presiding judge of Yolo County's Superior Court system.

While many Americans reserve their resolutions for New Year's Day, "I don't do them at New Year's – it's sort of a cop-out," Rosenberg said. "I make resolutions and set goals all the time, and I follow them."

Rosenberg learned to cook as a survival tactic in college, then resolved to become a great chef. Now, he whips up matzah brie ("Jewish French toast"), schnitzel and other gourmet meals and, to his wife's great joy, cleans up.

He resolved to help his daughter start a dress shop and now rings up weekend sales at her West Sacramento boutique.

He resolved to help his 10-year-old grandson with homework, "and now he gets A-pluses and excels in science and math," Rosenberg said.

He decided to pump life into the Yolo Odd Fellows service club and was elected the Noble Grand (grand poobah).

He dreamed of designing his own home, and with proceeds from his law practice, built a 6,000-square-foot mission-style home in North Davis complete with working belltower.

When there were only a few produce vendors in Davis, Mayor Rosenberg resolved to make the Davis Farmers' Market the best in California. "We doubled the size of Central Park, put in that metal awning to protect vendors and consumers from the hot sun and the rain, and turned it into a year-round market."

Rosenberg teaches California's cities and counties how to better govern themselves with "Rosenberg's Rules of Order," a modern, user-friendly version of Robert's Rules of Order. "About a dozen local governments have adopted them," he said.

Let's not forget "Rosenberg's Rules for Life and Health," a 15-point plan he used after resolving to lose 30 pounds in 2005. He lost 34 pounds, and still follows them religiously.

A prolific essay writer, Rosenberg wanted to see if he had the discipline to write a book. "I resolved to sit down and write one page a day," and six months later had finished the science fiction novel "Endgame."

Rosenberg, 61, won't reveal the working title of his memoir: "You don't come up with the title until you finish the book."

His longtime friend Yolo County Supervisor Mariko Yamada suggested " 'The Four-D Man' – he's dedicated, diligent, devoted and driven."

A UC Davis student came up with "For Whom the Cell Tolls," since Rosenberg once carried six cell phones: "One for the Governor's Office, one for the lottery, one as a county supervisor, one personal phone, one political phone and one for the Victim Compensation and Claims Board," he said.

Despite his many jobs, "I never missed a meeting or vote in 19 years," he said.

"And his desk would never have anything on it – it's really a miracle," Yamada said. "It meant all the papers were transferred to one of us."

Though she never saw Rosenberg lose his cool, "He never suffered fools gladly. Dave is someone with very, very high standards and you quickly knew whether you could meet them."

Along with his favorite recipe for "perfect beef brisket," Rosenberg's happy to share his blueprint for success, which starts at 3:30 a.m. "because the world will be owned by early risers."

He's up for a mile walk, then reads the paper, answers e-mails, eats plain cereal with soy milk (Rule Ten: "Never Eat Anything With Sugar") and gets to the courthouse by 7:30.

He tells students, "The second-best way to learn and develop is through great life experience – the best way is through difficult life experiences."

About the writer:

• Call The Bee's Stephen Magagnini, (916) 321-1072.