I write a lot on this blog about things that other people are doing.

But this entry is about things you can do.

Fear not, I will not ask you to do anything so horrid as to install a geo-thermal heating system in your home. But maybe you can spare an afternoon to get better educated about things that could help save you money and help save the planet at the same time.

Needless to say, I get inundated with press releases about events and news that I do no have the time to investigate for proper reporting. However, I do feel safe in at least using this blog to occasionally let you know about upcoming events so long as we have an understanding that I know little more about them than what is pasted here and take no responsibility for how useful they are.

OK, enough disclaimers. First up is a Green Buildings open house Oct. 4 in Lancaster County and the Lehigh Valley.

On that Saturday, the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association will hold open houses . The Green Buildings Open House tours feature homeowners and building managers on-site to describe green building features and answer questions about energy efficiency, design techniques and affordability. To learn more about the free, self-guided tours, visit www. www.nesea.org/buildings/openhouse.

I learned about the above from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Of course that's the same day as another event a little closer to home and one that, if you must know, I will be joining.

On the same day, Green Valleys Association will host a County Solar Tour during which we will tour five sites in the southern part of the county; including a native plants nursery, veterinary center, a brand new green building featuring a green roof, a sustainable winery and two residences, all of which have to some extent taken advantage of the power of the sun.

Guest speaker Ron Celentano, administrator for the Sustainable Development Fund, will update participants on the solar rebates available from the state in 2009.

The tour, sponsored by the Chester County Community Foundation Miller Fund and hosted by Green Valleys and Chester County Citizens for Climate protection costs $10 to go along and runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m..

Transportation will be provided and space is limited to those who pre-register. I already have. How about you?

For more information regarding this event RSVP to 610-469-7543 or welkinweir@gmail.com

Hold the phone! I've just been handed another for the same time, and this one much closer to home.

On Friday, Oct. 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association will hold a Pennsylvania Green Builders Open House at Sunpower Builders, 80 Pechins Mill Road in Collegeville.

Friday's event is called the "Off the Grid Gala" and will showcase larger solar energy installations at work, which completely powers the office there.

Click here for more information about the company. For more information about Northeast Sustainable Energy Association click here or call 413-774-6051.

Now back to the offerings from the DEP:

“Conservation is Survival” is the theme of the Energy Coordinating Agency’s annual Energy Services Conference Oct. 24 in Philadelphia.

Participants will learn how to take advantage of the clean energy and energy efficiency investments Pennsylvania is making through the $650 million Alternative Energy Investment Fund, signed into law by Governor Rendell in July.

The fund includes $100 million for solar projects at Pennsylvania homes and small businesses, $92.5 million so homeowners and small business owners can cover 25 percent of the cost of purchasing and installing energy conservation tools and weatherizing their buildings, and $25 million for homeowners and small businesses to build energy efficient structures or renovate existing buildings to improve energy efficiency.

Highlights include a discussion of the new statewide energy conservation programs for all homeowners, interactive demonstrations of energy audit equipment and a look at how the end of electricity rate caps will affect homeowners, all this according to DEP.

The $30 fee includes breakfast. For more information, visit the Energy Coordinating Agency’s Web site at http://www.ecasavesenergy.org/.

For more information on Governor Rendell's Energy Independence Strategy, visit http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/ and click on the "Fueling Energy Savings" icon.

Well that's it for my recycled press releases. Consider attending, if only to get a taste of the ways you can get help in trying to develop a more sustainable lifestyle. They help is out there, but only you can decide what's right for you.