An exciting new feature of this year's Earth Day Expo will be the Connections Café. It will give expo-goers a chance to join small roundtable discussions on topics and issues relevant to  sustainability, the environment, wellness and green living. Discussions at each of the roundtables will be facilitated by a Connector, who will offer practical experience and useful resources. The topic tables will be very interactive and can be joined and left at any time throughout the one and one-half  sessions: 11-12:30 & 1-2:30 both days. This open format will allow participants to both gather and share information and viewpoints on a number of topics and issues of their choosing.

The session will offer 10 concurrent roundtables on a wide variety of topics which will focus on individual opportunities for reducing our carbon footprint, while improving quality of life, as well as strategies that can best be achieved through cooperative efforts at the community level (neighborhood, city, region, state), including efforts to promote the cultural changes needed to implement community solutions.

Check below for a growing list of Connections Café topics.

Saturday PM Roundtables (1:30 -3:00 PM)
 

Composting & Gardening Q&A - Linda Pegg, Road Apples in the Garden

A discussion of organic composting and gardening with Linda Pegg, Advanced Master Gardener, Association of Professional Gardeners, Grosse Pointe Rose Society, MSU's Innovators & Entrepreneurs Club, Jr. Master Gardener instructor/mentor.

Fitness Evaluations - Dan Graff, Dan's Personal Training
Free fitness evaluations for anyone interested in improving or maintaining their fitness levels, including body-fat test, circumference measurement analysis, strength test (optional) and flexibility (optional). Physical fitness and cardio-respiratory health is very important for everyone of all ages and needs to be promoted for a healthy future. Dan Graff has a B.S. in Industrial Engineering (Western Michigan University) and MBA in Finance (Eastern Michigan University).

Sunday PM Roundtables (1:30 -3:00 PM)

Green Events - Jacqueline M. Northrop, Opal E Event Planning LLC
Opal E Event Planning will present a roundtable event on Green Events.  This roundtable will provide information on giving "earth friendly" events at reasonable prices. Opal E Event Planning is an event company, focusing on producing creative, quality events.

The Advantages of HypnoBirthing® - Janice Rex Weaver, Peaceful Birthing
HYPNOBIRTHING® combines relaxation and visualization techniques that are used to control pain during childbirth.  It empowers women to build confidence in themselves - allowing the body's muscles to work the way they’re intended to during birthing. Janice is a 2-time HypnoBirthing Mom dedicated to supporting women to birth easily and comfortably whether at home or in a hospital setting. 

Community the True Green Solution - Will Rex-Weaver, Upland Hills
Intentional Community: a discussion about the power of community, the great
opportunity that these times give us to deepen our roots in living together and in creating a better world for our children. Will Rex-Weaver, member of the intentional community the PeaceWeavers for nearly 20 years also worked with Danaan Perry and did a citizen diplomacy trip to the Middle East in 1990.