Portland, Oregon is one of the greenest cities in the U.S. and is a great place to see first-hand the latest sustainable technologies in action.  Take a self-guided tour through 22 remodeled and new homes that have implemented measures to save energy and natural resources.  Learn about green building, solar energy, rainwater harvesting, green roofs, earth-friendly landscaping and more, during the 10th annual Build It Green! Home Tour.

Before the tour, have some fun at the free Info Fair with green vendors, demonstrations, food, drink and music.

The event takes place on Saturday, September 24th.  Learn more here.

If you’ve built or remodeled a home, or business, that features energy-efficient and eco-friendly elements, why not let others see what you’ve done?!  The American Solar Energy Society’s 16th annual tour takes place this October 1st in most areas of the country, and you can add your place to the tour list!

Or, if you’re interested in learning more about solar energy, green technologies and earth-friendly design, join the other 165,000 people who will tour homes and businesses in neighborhoods across the U.S.!  You’ll see first-hand innovative technologies and materials that allow home and business owners to save money on utility bills, help protect the earth and create inspiring environments.  You’ll learn what costs are involved, as well as any applicable tax incentives available to help you go green and save some green!

pictured above is a solar-powered workshop in Maine

My top 5 St. Patrick’s Day tips to bring out your green side are:

1. Enjoy nature by taking a walk in the park.  Maybe you’ll even come across a lucky four-leaf clover!
2. Make some homemade Irish soda bread with all natural and organic ingredients.
3. Walk, or take mass transportation, to your favorite Irish pub to celebrate the holiday.
4. Try some beer made by eco-friendly brewing companies, like Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (California), Great Lakes Brewing Co. (Ohio), New Belgium Brewing (Colorado), Kona Brewing Co.(Hawaii),  Full Sail Brewing Co. (Oregon), and the Alaskan Brewing Company.  Please drink responsibly and don’t forget to recycle those bottles and cans!
5. Save energy and turn off the lights before you pass out tonight!

photo by MsBarrows

Looking for a chic way to help save the earth?   How about attending the second annual gala event, the Green Ball, in St. Louis on April 2, 2011.  Proceeds will benefit the Missouri Botanical Garden’s EarthWays Center,  whose mission it is to spread the word about conservation of natural resources and sustainability of the built environment.

The boutique hotel, Moonrise Hotel, will be hosting the affair and featuring live music, local cuisine, and even an eco-friendly fashion contest.  Guests will celebrate the earth under the moon, as the signature revolving rooftop moon will be lit green in honor of the event.

Register by March 28 and receive a discount.  Learn more about the EarthWays Center and the event here.

CARBON NATION, an optimistic and solutions-based film, tackles the issue of climate change.

The documentary is directed and produced by Peter Byrck and narrated by Bill Kurtis.  It includes interviews and commentary with some of today’s top innovators including: Richard Branson (CEO, Virgin Group), Thomas L. Friedman (The New York Times), Former CIA Director James Woolsey, Van Jones (Founder, Green For All), Col. Dan Nolan, U.S. Army (Ret), Bernie Karl (Geothermal pioneer from Alaska), Denis Hayes (Founder of Earth Day), and Cliff Etheredge (West Texas wind pioneer).

Find it playing at a theater near you.

I came across an intriguing grassroots organization that is working to make upcoming holidays “Good for people, good for planet and good for communities” across the country.  This non-profit group has many great ideas for parties, costumes and even replacing handouts of overly sweet treats on Halloween. 

Nationwide events and participation have been increasing significantly since 2007, so apparently, kids can have fun without getting all hopped up on sugar!  They’ve compiled a long list of fun treasures and healthy treats that kids love.  Great ideas include homemade crafts made with recycled materials, gifts from nature, stickers, collectible cards, coloring books, organic snack packs, and coins to raise money for charity.  For chocolate lovers, fair-trade and organic is a delicious choice.  Besides, dark chocolate is healthy since it’s so rich in antioxidants, right?!

Kids can collect their goodies in reusable and/or personally decorated bags.  Wind-up LED flashlights can light the way while walking through spooky neighborhoods.

So, for this haunted holiday, practice your purchasing power and look for the Green Halloween logo at your local retailers. The group hopes to inspire more people to incorporate eco-friendly practices and products into other holidays and birthdays too.

For a host of other festive suggestions for kids, schools and communities, visit Green Halloween®’s website here.

Pictured above is one of last year’s winning “Pumpkinfest” jack-o-lanterns, Peace, Love and Happiness by Katie and Louisa Scott.

Each year, the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) organizes a FREE tour of homes and businesses that showcase innovative energy solutions.  Last October, over 500 sites were toured by 16,000+ people!  This is your opportunity to see first-hand the latest in energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy systems.

Learn about solar panels, geothermal systems, pellet stoves and other clean-energy solutions.  Many homes and buildings also feature non-toxic, recycled and/or local materials, water-conserving fixtures, straw-bale construction, super-insulated structures, and amazing style and architecture.  The tour takes place on Saturday, October 2nd.  Visit the NESEA’s website to see pictures and profiles of tour destinations (like the one shown here, in Franconia, NH) in your area.

Looking for a new love nest?  This Saturday, you and your special someone can take a tour of the Beau Developments new urban lofts project in Seattle’s Judkins Park Neighborhood.  What could be more romantic than saving money on energy bills in your new pad?  These homes are estimated to have 40% lower energy bills than homes built to 2004 International Energy Codes.  You’ll see first-hand how green building methods and materials accomplish this feat.

Your eco-friendly experience will begin at the green building supply store ecoHAUS, with an introduction to earth-friendly elements for the home such as flooring, kitchen cabinetry, paint, solar tubes and insulation.

Learn more and pre-register here.

GO GREEN EXPO, the nation’s premier green business and sustainable lifestyle show known for its innovative and interactive programming, returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center on January 22-24, 2010 for the second year in a row as the first stop on a nationwide tour that also includes New York City, Philadelphia and Atlanta. Following last year’s show that reached more than 10,000 attendees, Go Green Expo 2010 will focus on the next steps in environmental responsibility and the growing green revolution.

Go Green Expo invites all business leaders, eco-minded consumers and
their families to explore the latest innovations in energy-efficient and
environmentally-friendly products and services and participate in
interactive seminars featuring leaders in the green industry, local
politicians and community organizations.

Joining the lineup this year are keynote speeches by actress and holistic living author Mariel Hemingway, award-winning actor and director Ed Begley Jr., industry adored eco futurist John Picard, son of famed Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Paul Pelosi, Jr., eco-fashion icon Linda Loudermilk and Sarah Backhouse, host of The Planet 100 on Discovery’s Planet Green.

Highlights to include:

• 300+ local and national businesses showcasing products and services in all areas including Business & Electronics; Energy, Conservation & Recycling; Food & Beverage; Health, Beauty & Fashion, Home & Building, Media, Education & Careers, and Travel & Transportation.
• Career Fair featuring 16 companies such as Coca-Cola Enterprises, ITT Systems, California Solar Innovations, ICF International and Sun Edison.
• The latest in cutting edge and high performance greener transportation including the sleek and chic Tesla Roadster, Honda’s 2010 Insight, Honda Element, more Electric Vehicles, Electric Bikes and Converter Kits.
• Organic Food & Spirit Pavilion.
• Screening of top enviro-film “Tapped,” an inspiring movie that features an alarming look at the bottled water industry, its rampant growth and damaging effects on the environment, and what’s been called the greatest marketing swindle of all time.
• Pet Expo USA, the nation’s green pet show where attendees can peruse eco-friendly pet products from toys to food and bedding to accessories, learn about new pet services, enjoy pet training demonstrations and even adopt a furry friend.
• Kids Zone, featuring eco-friendly games, non-toxic art, fun
  folk music and other earth-loving activities.
• Complimentary Yoga Classes for people of all ages and
  experience levels.
• Indoor Rock Climbing Wall.

Visit GoGreenExpo.com for more information.

The self-guided tours will feature 80+ sites across the state, where the homeowners, builders and green experts will be on hand to answer questions and provide information about the latest renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency solutions and green building techniques.

Tour dates will be held on October 3, 10 and 17. Visit the NCSEA website to find a tour in your area.