September 12, 2010

A Charlottesville expo is trying to make it a little easier to be green.

Monticello Media hosted the Healthy Green Expo at the Omni Hotel Saturday afternoon. More than a dozen local services set up tables to show people how to lead a greener, healthier lifestyle.

People got some good information and some freebies along the way.

One message from today's vendors was that going green can help you save some green.

"For those who are looking at a green expo, it's not as much always about green for the environment as it's green for the pocket book," said Joe Thomas, a radio host on WCHV. "These are things that you can impact the amount of money you spend every month in a positive way."

Also at the expo, the Local Energy Alliance Program announced 10 local families who are finalists in the Home Energy Makeover contest.

More than 1,100 people applied. The 10 finalists will receive a free energy performance assessment, valued at $400. Then, two of them will win the grand prize of a home energy makeover, valued at up to $10,000.

"The Home Energy Makeover contest that LEAP has been sponsoring is meant to be a way to generate some excitement and interest on energy efficiency, which may be considered a less exciting subject," said Cynthia Adams, LEAP's executive director.

Half of the finalists are from Charlottesville, and the other half are from Albemarle County. A family from each locality will be chosen as the winners.