Everyone talks about going green, but what does it actually mean and how can a community get there?

To mark the 40^th anniversary of Earth Day, the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Sustainability Expo this weekend offers a full day of workshops, presentations and green vendors to answer some of those questions and help improve the environmental health of the community.

"So many people in Larchmont and Mamaroneck are committed to environmental protection but need practical advice on what steps they can take now," said Carol Casazza Herman, chair of the Village of Larchmont Committee on the Environment.  "The goal of the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Sustainability Expo is to provide people with the information and community-based resources they need to start living greener, more sustainable lives."

The Expo, on Saturday, April 24, will be held at the Hommocks Middle School in Larchmont. The entrance fee for adults is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. You can reserve in advance at www.larchmamkEXPO.org.

One of the presentations, How Green Is My Town, will give Larchmont and Mamaroneck a "report card," grading the towns' environmental health and progress and provide a blueprint for action.  The assessment program is part of a national grassroots campaign created by the non-profit Grassroots Environmental Education.

The Expo also gives participants practical advice and resources to make changes in their households, including how to compost waste, how to go solar or take smaller steps toward an energy efficient home, and toxin-free gardening.

The Ask the Environmentalist Booth can answer questions like, "How do I recycle my batteries?" or "What plastics can I use in the microwave?" Participants will also be able to check out more than 70 vendors and organizations that provide environmentally friendly products and services or work on local environmental issues.

Also on tap:

Find out about upcoming natural gas drilling projects that could compromise Westchester's watershed and our drinking water.  

Slow Food Nation: Slow Food is a nonprofit, eco-gastronomic organization founded in 1989 to counteract fast food and fast life. If you worry about McNuggets, high fructose corn syrup and childhood obesity, Chris Roberts of Slow Food Westchester will talk about the movement locally and globally, where you can buy and eat slow, and the importance of the American farmer.

An eight-minute short film, "The Story of Bottled Water," reveals how the bottled water industry fooled Americans into paying billions for water and believing that tap water is dirty.  Guess where a third of all our bottled water comes from? The tap.

Activities for kids include a fun recycling crafts workshop from the Larchmont Public Library children's librarian Rebecca Eller, a reading of Dr. Suess' classic "The Lorax" and other great eco-lit stories, and a kid-friendly presentation about global warming.

Throughout the day, non-perishable food and intact plastic and paper bag donations will be accepted at the Sustainability Expo for the benefit of the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Food Pantry. Drop-offs can be made in the parking lot next to the composting area.

The Expo begins at 9:30 a.m. and runs throughout the afternoon. If you've ordered compost bin and rain barrels in advance, they can be picked up between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. in the parking lot.  

See the full schedule at www.larchmamkEXPO.org.