More Lifestyles category, Page 24
Why free swag at bars, hotels is so important to brands
Chances are if you’ve been to a great restaurant, bar or hotel, you’ve snagged a coaster, matchbook, napkin or card key. Mementoes like these are talismans that help us remember what a fun experience we had. You may hesitate before you pocket the swag, wondering if doing so is OK....
Liz Weston: How to cultivate a happier retirement
Researchers have identified several factors besides money that contribute to a happier retirement, including good health, strong relationships and a sense of purpose. But setbacks are inevitable, in life and in retirement. Not everyone enjoys good health — and no one enjoys it forever. Loved ones die or move away....
Saint Vincent offers mid-day acoustic guitar concert
Saint Vincent College will present an acoustic guitar performance on Thursday afternoon on its campus in Unity. Joseph Materkowsk, a singer songwriter and professor in the college’s fine arts department, will play cover songs from the 1950s to today as well as original compositions as part of the Music at...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Sept. 23-25
It’s a great weekend for celebrating local and international arts and culture — and seafood — in Pittsburgh. Downtown art crawl Pittsburgh Cultural Trust will host Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday at indoor and outdoor venues throughout Downtown. The crawl will feature exhibitions by...
More consumers buying organic, but U.S. farmers still wary
CHURDAN, Iowa — In the 1970s when George Naylor said he wanted to grow organic crops, the idea didn’t go over well. Back then organic crops were an oddity, destined for health food stores or maybe a few farmers markets. “I told my dad I wanted to be an organic...
Greensburg Turkey Trot registration begins; YMCA partners with race committee
Registration is open for Greensburg’s annual Turkey Trot, set for Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24. This year, the race committee is partnering with the Greensburg YMCA, which is helping with pre-race operations and promotion of the Thanksgiving Day 5K run/walk. The Y also is among multiple community nonprofits that will benefit...
From touchless faucets to voice-controlled lights, technology is making it possible for seniors to age in place
CHICAGO — Mel Washburn is a former firefighter, professor and litigation attorney. Whether fighting fires in a building, a classroom, or the courtroom, he realized once he retired that 90% of his social life had revolved around work. Washburn, 77, knew he needed to find a way to build a...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Sept. 23-25
High seas hi-jinks Stage Right School for the Performing Arts takes to the high seas for a weekend production of the 1934 musical “Anything Goes,” featuring Cole Porter classics such as the title song and “I Get a Kick Out of You.” A multiple Tony Award-winner, the madcap romp tells...
Edmunds: The pros and cons of vehicle touchscreens
There’s no denying the impact that smartphones and tablets have had on modern vehicles. Look into just about any new car and you’ll find a touchscreen and maybe even a bank of capacitive touch buttons that seek to approximate the function of mechanical buttons. The appeal is obvious: A cabin...
How steep Fed rate hikes affect your finances
NEW YORK — Mortgage rates have jumped, home sales have slumped and credit cards and auto loans have gotten pricier. Savings rates are slightly juicier, though. As the Federal Reserve has rapidly increased interest rates, many economists say they fear that a recession is inevitable in the coming months —...
Millennial Money: Furnish your new place on a budget
Moving season is almost over. But if you’re one of the many people settling into a new home right now, you might feel like the furniture-buying season is just getting started. And that can get expensive. After paying rent, a security deposit or mortgage down payment — plus all the...
Loyalhanna Watershed Brewfest returns on Saturday with new fall date
The Loyalhanna Watershed Association’s annual Brewfest, now in its third year, has moved from the summer to the fall. The event, set for 4:30 p.m. Saturday , will feature live music and specialty beverages from area breweries and distilleries. It will be held on the western outskirts of Ligonier, in...
Southwest Greensburg church picnic will benefit first responders
First responders will be celebrated Saturday at the Greensburg Church of the Brethren’s second annual community picnic. The event is set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the church grounds at 554 Stanton St. in Southwest Greensburg. The Southwest Greensburg police and fire departments and Mutual Aid Ambulance Service...
‘Holiday creep’ means seasonal merchandise hits stores earlier every year
It used to be just “Christmas creep,” but now it’s a general “holiday creep” — the practice of stores putting out seasonal merchandise further and further in advance of the actual holidays. It’s not something Cindy Miller of Connellsville is necessarily noticing when she goes out shopping, but she falls...
Ligonier Highland Games return to Idlewild & SoakZone
A friendly disagreement about recipes led to the creation of a shortbread baking contest at the Ligonier Highland Games. The baking contest will be held for the fourth year, as the 63rd games take place Saturday at Idlewild & SoakZone in Ligonier Township. Gates open at 8 a.m., with the...
Sewickley’s Porcupine Needlepoint Shop celebrates 50th anniversary
As shops have come and gone during the past half-century, one has remained a constant in the Sewickley business district: The Porcupine Needlepoint Shop is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month. “It is something for a business to last this long,” said co-owner Nancy Schurman. “I think we’re probably one...
Millennial Money: Get kids set to invest with these accounts
During my late teens, my mom handed me two worn, blue passport-size books with details of my custodial investment accounts. I had no clue what to do with them, but it didn’t matter, because the accounts were empty anyway. Perhaps for the best, because I’m almost certain my assets wouldn’t...
Kimberly Palmer: How to balance competing savings goals
Saving money sounds straightforward — set cash aside for a future purpose — but in reality, people often face competing savings priorities. We want it all: the travel, the house, the flush savings account. So how do we figure out which savings goals to put first, especially when we’re working...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Sept. 9-11
Rockin’ the classics Two musical tribute acts will take the stage this weekend at The Lamp Theatre, 221 Main St., Irwin: • The Jersey Tenors, 8 p.m. Friday. The quartet pairs iconic opera classics with tunes from rock ’n’ roll greats like Queen, Elton John and Bon Jovi, along with...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Sept. 9-11
More than a month of free arts and cultural programming kicks off with the return of RADical Days — but that’s not all that’s going on this weekend in the Pittsburgh area. Radical idea RADical Days 2022 begins Friday and continues through Oct. 16, with more than 75 free events...
Music, storytelling, Vietnam ‘wall,’ Walk of Fame featured at Indiana festival
Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers will headline the musical entertainment this weekend at the 10th annual Northern Appalachian Folk Festival in Indiana County. The Pittsburgh-based band will take to the festival stage at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, bringing to a close two days of free activities focused in the 500 block...
Alphabet Trail and Tales returns to Frick Park after 2-year hiatus
Alphabet Trail and Tales, touted as Western Pennsylvania’s largest read aloud event, returns to Blue Slide Playground in Pittsburgh’s Frick Park this Saturday. “We are super excited to be back in Frick Park this year for this annual early and elementary literacy day of fun,” said Kathryn Vargas, director of...
4 things you should know about working after you turn 65
Continuing to work past the traditional retirement age gives many the opportunity to add more money to their nest egg — and delay Social Security, which will bump up their eventual benefits check. In May, 21.9% of Americans ages 65 and older were working, compared with 19.5% in May 2020,...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Sept. 2-5
Arts and crafts The 29th annual Pennsylvania Arts & Crafts Labor Day Festival takes place Friday through Monday at the Westmoreland Fairgrounds in Mt. Pleasant Township. More than 200 exhibitors from 14 states will be present, selling jewelry, embellished clothing, home and seasonal decor, floral arrangements, candles, lotions and soaps,...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Sept. 2-5
Everyone from Anglophiles to sci-fi fans will find something to do around Pittsburgh during this last official weekend of summer. Soul food showcase A Soulful Taste of the Burgh: Pittsburgh’s Soul Food Festival is set for Friday through Sunday in Downtown’s Market Square, with live entertainment beginning at 11 a.m....
