Popular Science's America's 50 Greenest Cities

"Want to see a model for successful and rapid environmental action? Don't look to the federal government—check out your own town. Here, our list of the 50 communities that are leading the way. Does yours make the cut?"

from Novometro

Labels: city of oakland, green, media, sustainability, www

We're installing a beautiful recycled glass tile backsplash in the main cafe area! The tile is from our good friends at Ecohome Improvement -- if you haven't been over to their shop and paint bar and neighboring design studio, we recommend you make a trip! They've got green alternatives for many conventional building applications: tile, countertops, flooring, cabinets, no-voc paints (which we're using at the cafe), and much more! Check them out!

Labels: build-out, community, green, sustainability

We've been working on our main counter for Phase One, the world-class espresso bar. At it's core, is a re-used lab table from UC Berkeley Overstock and Surplus Den. We cut off the legs to make in the legal height for ADA access and added casters. We're now adding to that a redwood facade using the salvaged redwood from the old drop ceiling at the Golden Bull. The countertop was fabricated out of stainless-steel by a friend of the Awaken Cafe and the whole thing was put together by other members of this community! Stay tuned for more photos when we get it complete!

Labels: build-out, community, green, salvage, sustainability

Our new signs are powered by long-lasting, low-voltage LEDs, saving energy and a little bit of our Earth's natural resources. They also look fabulous at night!

Labels: arts, build-out, green, sustainability

A friend of mine, Erica Priggen, produced this really great movie and passed it on to me: "The Story of Stuff".

Since we're planning on selling stuff, it's good to look at our role in this system so that we can be responsible for reducing the impact of the stuff we consume and sell. Check it out and let us know what you think!

Labels: community, green, sustainability, www

Aryana Farsai, a talented mosaic artist, is producing two custom pieces for our entryways using 80% reclaimed materials. Click on the photo for a sneak peak!

You can find out more about her and contact her by visiting her blog.

Labels: arts, build-out, community, green

Labels: build-out, community, green, parnters

Thomas Sepe (www.tomsepe.com) and Orion Fredericks are hard at work on the Awaken Cafe signs. There will be two signs, made up of patina'ed ("a complicated process involving heat and chemicals") letters set off against a polished stainless steel backing, all back lit with low voltage LED lighting.

Labels: build-out, community, green, parnters

The Awaken Cafe has a coupon in the new East Bay Ecometro Guide. The Ecometro Guide is a resource book for healthy and organic living in the East Bay. The bulk of the book is coupons for green businesses. The Awaken Cafe has a coupon in the guide where you can buy one espresso drink and get another free. The guide costs $20 -- if you shop at green retailers, the book could be a good deal.

Ecometro Guide

Labels: community, green

The Awaken Cafe is proud to recently have become a founding member of the new Green Chamber of Commerce. The Green Chamber of Commerce will:

"Provide tremendous networking opportunities for those developing the next generation of clean and green technology

Work with existing organizations in their efforts to create green, sustainable business models, especially in those areas where such efforts have yet to be undertaken

Extend the influence of firms large and small beyond the reach of geographical localities to the community of environmentalists and green businesses and the general public

Recognize that more and more Americans prefer doing business with green companies and provide exceptional promotional opportunities for members to do so

Greatly strengthen the voice and political influence of progressive firms united to create green public policy."

from www.greenchamberofcommerce.net

Labels: affiliations, community, green

Construction has begun on the Awaken Cafe! And with that the drive to use the greenest products available. We've already been educated about the difference between FSC and SFI certifications, we've tracking the flow of waste to recycling centers, and using natural insulation products.

Labels: build-out, green

We started construction on the Awaken Cafe's new facade! We're pleased to welcome Anthony Bush of Bush Construction Company to the Awaken Cafe family and are excited to be entering the next stage of this project!

Our neighbors the Jhava House have closed their doors and we're giving some of their equipment a second life at the Awaken Cafe. We got a group of friends together (including Doug Hawkins, Nik Greene, Katy Perrings, and Alex Zendzian) this weekend to move the equipment (which includes some sinks, a refrigerator, shelving, and other small products) down the street into our space!

Labels: build-out, community, green, salvage

We've begun pulling nails and re-stacking the salvaged redwood beams and sheathing from the old drop ceiling. This wood will be reused to build furniture, counters, accents, and other features in the new Cafe.

Labels: build-out, green, salvage

We recently completed a soft demolition and salvage to prep the space for our remodel. We salvaged tons of redwood sheathing and beams which we will be planing and reusing for siding, accents, and furniture. We also uncovered a beautiful, corrugated art deco ceiling.

Labels: build-out, green, salvage

"Gertrude Stein famously said about her home town, Oakland, California, that 'there isn’t any there there.' Surely she would have a different opinion if she were there today and, in fact, many green urban advocates like us wish we were there."

Read the story at treehugger.com here.

"On the third Thursday of September 2006, in a college auditorium in Oakland, California, 300 people came together to launch a new movement: a campaign for 'green-collar jobs' as a path to economic and social recovery for low-income communities."

Read the story in Yes Magazine here.

Read about the Oakland Apollo Challenge here.

Labels: green, media, www

"It's important that in the concept of a Model City I would like to see Oakland take the lead in an era where the reality of global warming exists. I want Oakland to actually evolve a city based on the notions of environmental and ecological integrity and make Oakland a real leader in green technology. Thirty years out, I see Oakland as a green city that embraced alternative sources of energy and different ways of constructing and living with each other."

From an Interview with Incoming Mayor Ron Dellums in Oakland Magazine.

Labels: city of oakland, green