A free seminar on "green" initiatives in home building is scheduled today from 9:45 a.m. to noon at the Crown Plaza Hotel on Fort Couch Road in Bethel Park, by South Hills Village.

Speakers will discuss the benefits to the environment and cost savings of energy-efficient construction and materials. They will include experts from the Pennsylvania College of Technology, Structural Modulars Inc. and Keller Williams Realty. Sponsors also include Kenmar Development and Enhanced Building Systems.

Information: Mike Davic of Keller Williams at 412-841-8871.

Appliances, televisions, computers and other hard-to-recycle items will be collected from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 21 at The Mall at Robinson in the lower level parking lot near Sears and Dick's Sporting Goods. Items that will be accepted include appliances with or without Freon, electronics, tires without rims, junk mail, magazines, catalogs, newspapers, crutches, walkers, alkaline batteries and cell phones. Fees are charged for appliances, electronics and tires. For fees and information, go to www.prc.org or call 412-488-7490, ext. 236.

Doug Oster writes a blog, "Growing With Doug," exclusively at PG+, a members-only web site of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.