Mary Pickels stories, Page 6

Starbucks will make the holiday week’s celebrations a little sweeter, with more than 1,000 pop-up parties planned at select stores across the nation, including in the Pittsburgh region. According to the coffee purveyor, the pop-ups are set 1 to 2 p.m. Dec. 27-31 at more than 200 stores each day....

A lifelong friendship has morphed into a stage show for 1989 Greater Latrobe Senior High School graduates Eric Slivoskey and Erik Piisila. The two, both 49, now live in North Dakota and Maryland, respectively. They will appear at The Palace Theatre on Jan. 4 with “Plain Fun #2 With Eric...

For some holiday celebrants, the greatest gift is a night off from kitchen duty. Several area restaurants will be open Christmas Eve, including Bahama Breeze Island Grille, with a location in Robinson Township, and Braddock’s Rebellion, also open Christmas Day, 107 Sixthth St., Pittsburgh. If you can’t escape to the...

What makes Santa Claus, well, Santa? Beyond the red suit, sack full of gifts and general jolliness, it may come down to how he relates to the smallest among us. If children look past the generous belly, twinkling eyes and white beard and believe, truly believe, then Santa is Santa....

Bringing big name performers to its stage has helped PPG Paints Arena rank 11th in the United States and 21st in the world in ticket sales for concerts and other live touring events in 2019, according to figures released by Pollstar. “That’s probably the highest that we’ve been,” says Gary...

What do the Laurel Highlands; Lausanne, Switzerland; Prince Edward Island, Canada; McLaren Vale, South Australia; and Nova Scotia, Canada, have in common? They are the five winners of the travel site TravelLemming.com’s annual Reader Awards, following an online competition among 30 emerging travel destinations on the site’s annual list of...

Point Park University’s student-operated record label, Pioneer Records, has named Elias Khouri and Dejah Monea, both sports, arts and entertainment management majors, as its 2019-20 Pioneer Stars. Khouri, 18, is a freshman focusing on the rock, blues and soul genres. He cites artists including Peter Frampton, Eric Clapton and Carlos...

When preparing holiday cocktails for friends and family, make the bar cart extra special by offering recipes such as Snowflake Martini, Blitzen’s Bubbles and Vanilla Pear Sangria. Fine Wine and Good Spirits is dreaming up concoctions with eye and flavor appeal, just right for chasing away those cold winter temps....

The Senator John Heinz History Center is opening a new exhibition featuring the work of accomplished local artists. “Master Visual Artists VII: Preserving the Legacy,” opens Dec. 14 and will remain on display in the museum’s Barensfeld Gallery through Sept. 13, 2020. The exhibit is presented in partnership with the...

It’s beginning to look a lot like … well, a holiday season in full swing. From celebrations of historical traditions, to dance and music, to shopping and helping others, opportunities abound to enjoy oneself and reach out in the spirit of the season. Christmas through the centuries Historic Hanna’s Town,...

The 2020 Western PA Local Food Guide, a directory of farmers markets, restaurants, wineries, retail stores and other businesses that produce or support local food in the region, will be available before the new year. Orders can be placed for free delivery by visiting constantcontact.com. It also can be downloaded...

Merchants in downtown Greensburg will hold their 51st Annual Downtown Greensburg Holiday Open House and Customer Appreciation Day from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 15. Mary Wilmes, owner of Penelope’s gift shop on South Pennsylvania Avenue, says the store has participated in the event for over 30 years. “At least...

The Glass City Swing Band will perform music of the 1940s and 1950s during “A Swingin’ Christmas Spectacular,” a fundraiser for individuals with special needs. The 18-piece band will celebrate the nonprofit’s inaugural fundraising event to support GCSB Arts, Education and Wellness. The organization benefits Westmoreland County residents with special...

Fans of Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” and the nostalgic yet still relevant “A Christmas Story,” can enjoy some grown-up fun based on the popular books’ film translations. The Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh University Place, 3454 Forbes Ave., says it is “stealing Christmas” with its Grinch-themed pop-up, open...