FUND RAISER

'Spinfest' to raise money for epilepsy

Group cycling trainer Raul “;Boca”; Torres will be pedaling away on a stationary bike for 12 hours starting at 7 a.m. Saturday at the Honolulu Club, to benefit the Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaii.

Prizes, food and fun will be offered throughout the day, and visitors are encouraged to donate $20 an hour to the foundation while Torres is on the bike.

The “;spinfest”; is a warm-up to the foundation's Sharon's Ride, Run and Walk for Epilepsy on Jan. 25, starting at Diamond Head. The bike ride will be of varying lengths, from 10 to 100 kilometers; the run will be both a 5K and 10K, and the walk will stretch out for one mile.

The club is at Ward Avenue and King Street. Nonmembers will receive $3 validated parking at Straub Medical Center on King Street.

Call 225-2965 or visit www.active.com or www.sharonforepilepsy.org.

WINNERS

4 winners named in HECO student contest

Four children have been named winners in the Hawaiian Electric Home Energy Challenge, in which elementary students islandwide submitted New Year's resolutions to help save energy and the environment. They are:

» Kevin Costa, Hokulani Elementary fifth-grader: “;Planting more plants in my yard to make the house cooler.”;

» Shyanne Fullmer, Laie Elementary fourth-grader: “;Using solar-power panels on my house so I won't have to use as much electricity. It will conserve energy for our island.”;

» Hanu Racoma, Mililani Uka Elementary first-grader: “;Instead of using a leaf blower, you can use a rake.”;

» Reyn Tao, Mililani Mauka Elementary fourth-grader: “;I will turn off the TV and play outside!”;

The winners will receive a school performance by the Mad Science of Hawaii, madcap “;scientists”; who bring science education to life with fun, hands-on workshops.

HOME & GARDEN

Learn more about aromatic plants

Ray Baker of the Lyon Arboretum will teach a class on the aromatic Zingiberale plants from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. tomorrow.

Zingiberales, a group of flowering plants that includes ginger, turmeric and cardamom, are favored for their exotic beauty and luxurious scent. They are used as color accents in the garden and for food, spices and medicine. This session includes a walking tour highlighting the arboretum's collections, so dress appropriately.

Cost is $15. Class size is limited. Call 988-0461.

Exhibit features botanical artists

Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens presents “;Variety,”; an art exhibit featuring the works of 12 botanical artists.

An opening reception will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the gardens at the end of Luluku Road in Kaneohe. The show runs through Jan. 30.

Call 233-7323.

Project seminars at Green House

The Green House is hosting two workshops Jan. 24.

Jeremai Cann demonstrates how to make a rain barrel catchment system for the home. Collecting and using water from rooftop runoff could help lower water bills and can provide an ample supply of free “;soft water”; containing no chlorine, lime or calcium. Cost of the class, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., is $15.

Also, learn to make soap and simple cleaners using ingredients you might already have in your cupboards. Class is 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $15.

Advance registration is required for each class. Register online at thegreenhousehawaii.com/register.html or call 524-8427.