More Lifestyles category, Page 29
Spring cleaning: It’s not what it used to be, but it’s still a good idea
Spring cleaning has roots in ancient cultural and religious practices. In Jewish tradition, it is linked to the Passover, commemorating the Jews fleeing in such haste from slavery in Egypt that they didn’t have time to let their bread rise. Celebrated in early spring, Passover is ushered in by cleaning...
Pittsburgh has plenty of sights for NCAA tourney visitors
National Geographic Traveler got it right by naming Pittsburgh to its “19 for 2019 Cool List” of trending travel destinations. The only U.S. city to make the list, the Steel City ranked third among the coolest places to travel in the coming year. It’s still pretty cool in 2022. Pittsburghers...
Poodles pop in popularity, but Labs still No. 1 U.S. dog breed
NEW YORK — Labrador retrievers are still tugging hardest on U.S. dog lovers’ heartstrings, but poodles just strutted back into the American Kennel Club’s top five most popular dog breeds for the first time in nearly a quarter-century. The club’s annual popularity rankings come out Tuesday, drawn from more than...
As ice festival business booms, Jeannette company looks to train carvers
The work is plentiful, but the laborers are few. With the proliferation of winter ice festivals across Pennsylvania and neighboring states, DiMartino Ice Co. in Jeannette is looking to train ice carvers to fill the demand. “We’re busy from December through February,” said owner Ernie DiMartino. “We’re somewhere every week,...
Realtors to conservatives living in liberal areas: Try Idaho
SANDPOINT, Idaho — Linda Navarre moved to Sandpoint, Idaho, from Cleveland in 1978, when the town consisted of people in the timber industry and hippies “and they all got along.” Now she barely recognizes the small resort community near the Canadian border that is quickly growing as people disenchanted with...
Regent Square event merges litter, fashion and craft beer — for good cause
While there are litter walks, fashion shows and craft beer parties, Allegheny Cleanways has combined all three for an event Saturday in Pittsburgh’s Regent Square. The confab of events isn’t as unlikely as it seems. Anyone who volunteers to pick up litter, especially in colder or wet weather, has to...
Sign-ups start for Greensburg Walk a Mile gender violence-awareness event
All kinds of feet in all kinds of shoes will gather April 23 in downtown Greensburg’s St. Clair Park for Westmoreland County’s 11th annual Walk a Mile in Their Her His Our Shoes, an event that raises awareness of gender-based violence. Participation shows a commitment to ending violence against people...
A guide to Pittsburgh: Strip District blends best of old and new
For a small stretch of land, Pittsburgh’s Strip District has a big history. From its roots as an industrial center, through its reinvention as a produce distribution hub, to today’s vibrant blend of uses, it has continued to evolve. Today’s Strip District is a mix of old and new, traditional...
Romance fraud: Looking for love in wrong place proves costly
FALLS CHURCH, Va. — For the victim, a 78-year-old man from Annandale, it started with an effort to find some companionship. He created an account on a social network called iFlirt, then made contact with someone identifying herself as a widowed woman in her 30s who seemed interested. As the...
Emotional support or hogwash? Man fights to keep his pet pig
CANAJOHARIE, N.Y. — Ellie the potbellied pig snuggles up to Wyverne Flatt when he watches TV and sometimes rolls over to let him pet her belly. The 110-pound pig is “family,” Flatt says, an emotional support animal who helped him through a divorce and the death of his mother. Officials...
PNC Park hosting American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Climb
Competitors can make like a PNC Park hot dog vendor by scaling the steps of the Pittsburgh baseball stadium during the March 19 Fight For Air Climb, hosted by the American Lung Association in Pennsylvania. Now in its 16th year, the local fundraising event joins 41 others across the United...
Yinzer Cards offer unique Pittsburgh-style Valentine’s greetings
The Yinzer Cards Valentine’s Day line eschews the hearts and flowers of the typical Valentine’s card in favor of greetings tailored to a local audience. “They are not exactly your grandmother’s Valentine greeting card or candy,” said Pittsburgh-based comedian Jim Krenn, who started the card line in 2018 with radio...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Feb. 4-6
Read his mind A few seats remain for a concert by Canadian troubadour Gordon Lightfoot at 8 p.m. Friday at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg. In a career spanning more than 50 years, the singer/songwriter has produced a string of hits including “If You Could Read My Mind,” “Carefree Highway,”...
Cure cabin fever with a number of outside activities in Western Pennsylvania
When winter comes, many of us tend to hunker down and get cozy inside. The Scandinavian cold-weather hygge lifestyle has been popular in recent years — cuddling up in fuzzy sweaters and blankets, making a cup of tea and a pot of soup, reading a book or watching a movie,...
Saint Vincent walks attract birdwatchers in fair or foul weather
The rough “chip” of the cardinal and the “potato chip, potato chip” call of the American goldfinch were among sounds that pierced the winter sky Wednesday morning during a bird walk at the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve in Unity. Before leading a group of about 15 Saint Vincent College students...
DIY or call a professional: Which is right for your remodel?
A do-it-yourself remodel can be a budget-friendly way to freshen up your home. For some projects, it may take just a few YouTube videos to show you how to modernize your space. But not every project is right for amateur renovators. Your skill level, budget and how important the project...
Pandemic-era design solution from the past: The Murphy bed
When the vast majority of your life is happening within the four walls of your home, every square foot counts. So the past two years have inspired some serious, space-saving creativity. “Everybody all of a sudden was just surrounded by their environment, just sort of thinking, ‘If I’m going to...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Jan. 21-23
Boogie (some) more Southern rock fans, don’t flirt with disaster by missing Molly Hatchet at 7 p.m. Friday at The Lamp Theatre in Irwin. Formed in Florida in 1971, the band had its heyday in the late 1970s and early 1980s, releasing the platinum-selling hit records, “Molly Hatchet” in 1978,...
Phipps Conservatory orchid, bonsai show highlights prized collections
An orchid that recently was awarded the American Orchid Society’s Certificate of Cultivation Excellence is among specimens displayed in “Orchid and Bonsai Show: An Ocean of Color,” running through March 6 at Phipps Conservatory. “Plants receiving this award represent the highest level of orchid culture,” said Adam Haas, interpretive program...
A new look for New Year’s resolutions as Sewickley gym goers navigate pandemic
The New Year’s resolution to get back in shape is taking on a different look in 2022. While January traditionally has been a time for setting new goals and a new start on a healthier lifestyle, living through a pandemic for nearly two years has had an effect on our...
When it comes to resolutions, don’t forget your home
At the start of a new year, you make resolutions to get in shape, save money, travel or spend more time with family and friends. But what goals do you set for your home? In the spirit of new beginnings, the Spruce has compiled a list of the best home...
Special rescues help ailing owners find pets’ next home
NEW YORK — Who will take your pet when you die? The question often doesn’t have an easy answer, especially for ill or older people headed to residential nursing care or assisted living. During the pandemic, specialized rescue, advocacy and adoption services run by volunteers are trying to fill the...
How to have the wedding you want for less
This one goes out to all you lovebirds who got engaged over the holidays and are now left planning a wedding with zero event-planning experience. Somehow you’re expected to craft a day that’s traditional, yet modern. Well-attended, yet intimate. It’s about you as a couple, but also shouldn’t be offensive...
3 eating and drinking habits that aren’t good for your brain
Brain health is important at any age. To maintain it, you have to be mindful of what you consume. “There is growing scientific evidence that healthy behaviors, which have been shown to prevent cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, also may reduce risk for (subjective cognitive decline),” the Centers for Disease...
How to attract busy contractors to your home remodel
Brian Gawthrop has waited over six months to remodel his home. The Washington state-based certified financial planner and his wife have a long enough wish list to keep a contractor busy: a kitchen remodel, new flooring, a new deck and many other upgrades. They did a cash-out refinance last summer,...
