Have you ever thought about going green? Not like being seasick, or the feeling you may get in your stomach after you chug out of the gas station with an empty wallet, but green in the sense that promotes a "Healthy Home, Healthy Kids, Healthy World"? This kind of green is the theme for the second annual Green Earth Expo 2005, and is going down in San Luis Obispo at The Veterans Hall, Oct. 5 at 11 a.m.

The Expo will feature 22 workshops on sustainable, healthy living and various activities that include healthy homes and gardens, solar power, natural health, biodiesel fuel, green home improvement, farms and schools, universal healthcare, local green businesses, nonprofits, and organic farmers.

On the lighter side, delicious food, activities for kids, a Green Car Show, arts and crafts, massage, and great raffle prizes will entertain through the day. When you're ready to boogie, the Fundraiser Dance Party begins at 8:30 p.m. with Hip Deep, the hot jazz, soul, and funk band, last seen at the Mission Plaza summer concerts, will lay down the tracks with a cool vibe. There will also be wine and beer, which Fat Tire is donating for the cause.

"This is a way for people to come together, have a good time, and learn something," said Lucinda Nichols, event coordinator. "We're here to encourage awareness."

The money raised from the dance party will go to ECOSLO, an organization dedicated to environmental health and awareness; proceeds will also go to the Information Press.

Nichols was raised with a green awareness by her parents, but her inspiration to organize The Green Earth Expo in SLO was due to her eye-opening experience and knowledge she gained at the annual Green Festival in San Francisco.

"It was fantastic," said Nichols. "You know, we're losing fish in our oceans due to toxic levels of mercury and over-fishing. Global warming is a big issue. More of our beaches are closed so often that kids in the future may not even have beaches. There is a connection between chemicals in our food and environment and our building materials that influences cancer rates."

For more information on Green Earth Expo 2005, including speakers and schedule times, log on to www.greenearthpromotions.org.

FAST FACTS

Central Coast Printing of Grover Beach recently purchased a MAN Roland six-unit printing press with in-line coating. The press is the largest of its kind on the Central Coast with the capability of printing a 28-by-40-inch sheet of paper. It took four large semi-tractor trailers to move the 138,000-pound press, and 20 cubic yards of concrete was poured specifically to accommodate the weight of the press when put together. Call Central Coast Printing at 489-0661...;

...; The Regional Transit Authority (RTA), on behalf of San Luis Obispo County, is announcing the transition of South Bay Dial-A-Ride (SBDAR) service from county-operated to contract operated by a joint venture between RTA and Southland Transit Inc. New dispatchers will be using new computerized scheduling software so riders can now call in advance to make their trip reservations; riders can also continue to request same-day service. For more info, or to book a ride, call 528-7433. ...;

...; The Creston Chili Cook-off is coming up, so to grind down on some killer grub show up at the Creston Garden on Swayze Road, Sunday, Oct. 9. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for kids. Wine and beer will be available for $3 a glass and chili will be served up from 4-7 p.m. The Creston Women's Club sponsors the event, and proceeds go to its scholarship fund. Buy tickets at Chelsea's Bookstore and Creston General Store or at the cook-off.

Intern Jesse Over compiled this week's Strokes & Plugs. Send your tips to [email protected].