With the Presidential election heating things up, and temperatures still soaring in much of the country, fall is the time to make a pilgrimage to Fort Bragg/Mendocino - it's a spectacular season here on the coast. The warm sunny days and cool nights of late summer are the perfect time of year to visit one of the most beautiful areas in all of California. Weather is still delightful for biking, hiking, spending time on the beach and enjoying gorgeous sunsets.

The Fourth Annual Vibrant Living Expo was a huge success! We had over 500 participants, and our incredible staff went far above and beyond the call of duty to make things run smoothly and assure that all of the delicious food was ready on time! Kudos to one and all, and a very special thank you to Living Light graduate and friend, Monica Landry, who served as emcee and managed the culinary studio so beautifully during the presentations! Thanks, also, to the wonderful volunteers who assisted, and to our volunteer coordinator, Johnny Gregory, who returned for the third time this year. We are already planning our vision for the 5th Annual Vibrant Living Expo August 21-23, 2009. This year's EXPO raised funds for The Institute for Vibrant Living scholarship fund: $1,372 from the silent auction, $1,064 from the raffle (Thanks so much to Jennifer Vellucci, for doing a great job organizing and setting those up!) The Rawsome Pie Contest netted $475. The scholarship money will enable a deserving student to attend classes at Living Light! Pie Contest Winner Chef Andi Griffith won $100 in cash and a $450 scholarship for Living Light continuing education with her toothsome confection Chocolate Raspberry Ganache!

Dan and Cherie will be presenters at two large events this fall:

Raw Spirit Festival in Sedona, AZ. September 12-14: Cherie and Dan, along with many other leading raw food experts, culinary artists, entertainers, and raw food enthusiasts in the world will converge for "The Largest Raw Vegan, Eco-Peace Celebration in Creation."

World Vegetarian Day (officially October 1) will be celebrated the weekend of October 4th and 5th in San Francisco. It is the kick-off for Vegetarian Awareness Month, and Cherie and Dan will be featured presenters at the Golden Gate Park event sponsored by the San Francisco Vegetarian Society. Cherie is a featured speaker and will demonstrate "A Taste of Mediterranean Cuisine", and Living Light will prepare the gourmet raw meze meal on Saturday to benefit the organization. Lots of great speakers!! Great gourmet raw food!! Fun in the sun in San Francisco! Click here to view menu and ticket price for the Gourmet Raw Meze Meal. Tickets available online or you may purchase at the Living Light Booth the day of the event, while tickets last.

Cherie will be doing her first-ever Canadian book tour to highlight The Raw Food Revolution Diet and the new 3-week weight loss and detox program coming to Living Light in January 2009, as well as bringing FUNdamentals™ to three Canadian cities! Raw Food Doctors™ Rick and Karin Dina will also provide their expertise during the tour. Stay tuned to our newsletter for exact times and venues!

We all wish you a delightful September, and look forward to seeing you soon!

Blessings of Radiant Health,
Cherie Soria and Dan Ladermann, and the entire Living Light Team