Happy Earth Day from Northgate!

On Saturday, April 21st, Northgate participated in “Volunteer for Oakland Earth Day”, an event that brought volunteers to locations throughout Oakland to green-up and clean-up the city. Our team worked in The Gardens at Lake Merritt, a seven-acre collection of themed gardens located in the heart of Lakeside Park. The team helped weed, move rocks and soil, and perform other tasks to help further beautify the gardens.

As an added bonus, Northgate’s Molly Ammons and Anya Starovoytov brought their Girls on the Run team to participate in the cleanup. Girls on the Run is a non-profit prevention program that encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running. In addition to Northgate’s financial support of the team, Molly and Anya also donate their time and coach the girls one afternoon a week and every Saturday morning.

Saturday was a true example of our commitment to all aspects of sustainability.

Happy Earth Day!

Help Plant A Tree

Soul of the City, an initiative of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, is partnering with Urban Releaf on Saturday, August 22, to plant 50 trees along West MacArthur Boulevard, between West Street and San Pablo Avenue.

Planting trees is one of the best ways to clean the air, beautify the neighborhood, and raise the standard of living. They will also pick up trash, plant flowers, and talk with community members about the importance of clean air and caring for the neighborhood.

Volunteers are welcome. The fun begins at 10:00 am. Refreshments and entertainment will be provided.

RSVP here, and if you can't volunteer your time, but still want to help, donate a few bucks here.

Adopt-A-Spot - Update 1

Event 1, June 24, 2009

Our first encounter with our newly adopted spot was a success. Northgate volunteers - Brendan Mulholland, Josh Otis, Axel Rieke, Maile Smith, and Ted Splitter - raked, swept, and picked up trash on three median planters near the intersection of Broadway and 15th in downtown Oakland. The work was gratifying, and made safer by the bright, new traffic cones and safety vests provided by the City of Oakland.

Another volunteer opportunity will be scheduled soon. In the meantime, step outside and admire our little slice of nature right here in downtown. And don't be shy about picking up a cigarette butt or two.

View Northgate's Adopted Spot in a larger map.

Adopt-A-Spot

The Northgate Social Justice Task Force is pleased to announce our participation in the City of Oakland’s Adopt-A-Spot program.

Northgate’s Adopted Spot will be the traffic medians located near the confluence of Broadway and Telegraph in downtown Oakland.

Like daffodil planting, Adopt-a-Spot is an initiative of Keep Oakland Beautiful, an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, which endeavors to engage citizens in taking personal responsibility for improving their community environments.

Earth Day - April 22, 2009

How will you celebrate Earth Day?

• Take action in your own home
• Take action at work or school
• Get some inspiration
  
• Consider volunteering...

• "Clean it, Green it, Mean it" in Oakland
• Help clean up a park with the California State Parks Foundation
• Help reduce soil loss and protect water supplies with the Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service
• Consider joining the Green Generation Campaign, which has the following core principles:

A carbon-free future based on renewable energy that will end our common dependency on fossil fuels, including coal.

An individual’s commitment to responsible, sustainable consumption.

Creation of a new green economy that lifts people out of poverty by creating millions of quality green jobs and transforms the global education system into a green one.

Planting Daffodils in Oakland

Northgate participated in the City of Oakland’s 5th annual Plant Daffodils program on Saturday, November 15th. The program is sponsored by the City of Oakland, Keep Oakland Beautiful, and The Home Depot.

Organized by the Northgate Green Team Social Justice Task Force, led by Brendan Mulholland, Northgate planted over 200 daffodil bulbs along a 6-block stretch of 23rd Avenue from East 21st Street to East 27th Street in Oakland. The bulbs will bloom by March or April.

Thanks to everyone who volunteered their time and energy!!