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