A beginner’s guide to Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa has become a nationally recognized celebration of African culture and community in the United States since its founding in 1966 and also is celebrated in countries with large African descendant populations. The holiday, which serves as a nationwide communal event reinforcing self-determination and unity in the face of oppression,...
Volunteering with children can build character and create lasting family memories
NEW YORK — When Cami Teacoach’s son turned three she set out to find volunteer opportunities they could do together. He made Valentine cards for senior citizens. They hiked and picked up trash. He helped harvest produce at community gardens and made seed balls out of mud, throwing them into...
Why your holiday gift returns might go to a landfill and what you can do about it
The holiday season will soon come to a close, but the busiest time of the year for product returns is just beginning. The National Retail Federation estimates 17% of holiday purchases will be sent back this year. More retailers are reporting extended return windows and increased holiday staff to handle...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Dec. 26-28
Christmas is over! Both the craziness and the stress have ended and we have almost a week until the new year. This is the perfect time to eat too much chocolate and too many leftovers, make plans with friends and see what’s going on in the city. Harlem Globetrotters: 100...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Dec. 26-28
Westmoreland County offers several live music performances, museum events and community gatherings to fill the final weekend of 2025. From holiday-themed bingo to the conclusion of a worldwide church jubilee, here are five local events scheduled for this Friday through Sunday. Bon Journey A staple of the Western Pennsylvania music...
3 arrested in $14 million gift card fraud scheme that hit shoppers across Texas
DALLAS — What looked like ordinary gift cards on store racks across Texas were quietly turning into empty plastic. State investigators say a months-long scheme drained millions from unsuspecting shoppers — until it ended with three arrests this week. The Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center has arrested three men accused...
Here’s how to track Santa on Christmas Eve
Santa Claus is hard at work delivering gifts across the globe. By shortly after 2 p.m., the jolly old soul had delivered nearly 3 billion gifts and was nearing Kyiv, Ukraine, according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Santa tracker. He had covered Australia, Antarctica and elsewhere earlier...
A look at aging baby boomers in the United States
The oldest baby boomers — once the vanguard of an American youth that revolutionized U.S. culture and politics — turn 80 in 2026. The generation that twirled the first plastic hula hoops and dressed up the first Barbie dolls, embraced the TV age, blissed out at Woodstock and protested and...
Want to read more in 2026? Here’s how to revive your love of books
NEW YORK — People stop reading in adulthood for lots of reasons. But it’s never too late to turn the page on old habits and start again. Curling up with a good book can reduce stress, increase creativity and boost empathy. A recent analysis of U.S. government data found that...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Dec. 19-21
The holidays are officially underway — Christmas is just days away, Hanukkah is lighting up the nights and the winter solstice is Sunday. Incorporate these events into your holidays for a little extra fun this weekend. Trans-Siberian Orchestra For almost three decades, progressive rock band Trans-Siberian Orchestra has been turning...
Baltimore cyclist finds joy in collecting lost hubcaps and stringing them into artVideo
BALTIMORE — Cyclist Barnaby Wickham has collected more than 700 lost hubcaps, mostly on bike rides around Baltimore. They have inspired a quest to turn litter into art, including Christmas wreaths, a giant fish and a large head of Snoopy. It is a hobby that developed nearly two years ago...
Expert tips to ease financial pressure and avoid holiday overspending
NEW YORK — Are you feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to spend money on gifts, parties and travel this holiday season? The job market is tough, student loan and credit card debt are rising, and prices for many items remain high due to inflation. If you’re feeling financially strained, know...
Here are 5 thing to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Dec. 12-14
Have you started your holiday shopping yet? If you have, reward yourself with a fun solo outing this weekend. If you still have presents to check off your list, take the chance to do something fun in between stops. Here are a few ideas for ways to treat yourself and...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Dec. 12-14
The temperature just keeps dropping, but the ‘Burgh shows no sign of stopping! There’s lots to do and see this weekend all around town, so don’t miss out just because of a chill. Here are a few must-dos this weekend. Holiday storytelling show The holidays can be a complicated time...
Office holiday parties can be dreadful for introverts and people with social anxiety
NEW YORK — The year the radio station company where he worked held its holiday party at a dive bar, Ryan Arnold walked in and saw coworkers passing around a tall glass boot filled with beer. He heard the office manager belting out ’80s power ballads between whiskey shots. Arnold’s...
The holiday shopping season comes with tons of extra emissions. Here’s how to do it sustainably
We’re in the thick of the holiday shopping season, and U.S. residents are expected to shatter the spending record again this year. The National Retail Federation forecasts that 2025 will be the first time we collectively spend more than $1 trillion on year-end gifts. A lot of materials, energy, packaging...
Christmas trees 101: Pros, cons and what experts recommend
Choosing a Christmas tree used to feel simple. Pack up the car, drive to the lot, find the tree that calls you and then haul it home to decorate. But with lifelike artificial trees everywhere (and holiday schedules busier than ever), more people are asking themselves the annual December question:...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Dec. 5-7
There’s no getting around it, this has been a cold week. You may be tempted to stay inside away from the wind all weekend. But you could warm up with some of these events instead. Irwin Cookie Tour Delicious cookies are a hallmark of the holiday season, and Irwin is...
Where to move that Elf on the Shelf? Parents offer some creative tips
A few years ago, Kurt Neesley of Redondo Beach, Calif., was brainstorming where to put his family’s Elf on the Shelf for his three kids to find the next morning. He decided to make it look like the doll, named Elfie, had painted on their kitchen wall. Neesley used Tootsie...
Gen Z and millennials embrace sustainable alternatives to imported fresh flowers
Instead of hiring a florist for her October wedding, Emily Day decided to grow her own flowers in her front yard in Calgary, Canada — a creative challenge that turned into a lesson on the hidden climate costs of the global flower industry. She said her homegrown arrangements were just...
Why doing good also makes us feel good, during the holidays and beyond
WASHINGTON — The holiday season is a time for giving thanks, giving gifts — and for many, a time for giving back. Food banks, services that deliver meals to seniors and other U.S. charities typically see a surge in volunteering between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. But there...
Swung vases see upswing in value among fans of mid-century modern collectiblesVideo
If someone admires your nubby butt, don’t take it personally — but do take it as a compliment. Chances are, they’re among enthusiasts who are paying as much as four figures for swung vases. Available in a variety of colors, this elongated style of handmade glassware first gained popularity in...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Nov. 28-30
The leftovers are packed in the fridge and the family is still hanging around for a couple more days. What to do? You can show them how fun and bright Pittsburgh is with these events. Enjoy! Beers of the Burgh’s Winter Warmer Get ready for some fancy holiday cheer and...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Nov. 28-30
Don’t let the post-Thanksgiving lull last all weekend! It’s time to get fully into the Christmas swing of things with a whole treasure trove of events this weekend. Here are a few. Light Up Ligonier Even if you aren’t putting up your Christmas tree and lights this weekend, the town...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Nov. 21-23
Before the Thanksgiving meal — and then the post-turkey nap — takes hold, you’ve got a free weekend to do something for you. Relax, grab yourself a treat and head to these events. Greensburg Holiday Parade Make a start to the holiday season with the Holiday Parade in Greensburg, a...
