Lifestyles category, Page 114
Pandemic brings importance of pets into focusVideo
People aren’t the only ones in the house affected by the pandemic. The lives of pets are subject to disruption, too. At the start, the change has been good for pets: With many owners working from home, or at least spending more time at home, dogs and cats have welcomed...
5-generation dress shop Carlisle’s Bridal of Pittsburgh set to close its doors
There won’t be a happily-ever-after for this wedding business. After 133 years, Carlisle’s Bridal of Pittsburgh, the oldest bridal shop in the U.S. according to store owner Jan Winner, will close Feb. 28. Winner, the great-great-granddaughter of the founder Sophia Carlisle, said there are many reasons for the end of...
Somerset Fire & Ice Festival to feature self-guided activities this weekend
“Roaring ’20s Rise Again” is the theme of the 26th Annual Fire & Ice Festival, beginning Friday in Somerset — although organizers say the word “Festival” is being swapped for “Showcase” to better describe this year’s activities. “This year will be simple, classic, charming and all outdoors,” said Regina Coughenour,...
Airbnb to block, cancel reservations in D.C. next week
NEW YORK — Airbnb says it will be blocking and cancelling reservations in the Washington, D.C. area during the week of the presidential inauguration. The decision, announced Wednesday, came two days after it said it was reviewing reservations in the area ahead of next week’s presidential inauguration and said it...
Tylers Bakery & Cafe brings bubble tea, kombucha on tap to LigonierVideo
Have you ever strolled the streets of Ligonier, thinking, “I could really go for a bubble tea right now”? Until recently, you might have been out of luck — but now you can stroll up East Main Street to Tylers Bakery & Cafe to satisfy your craving. The eatery specializes...
Alcohol is the spirit of Prohibition Pastries
When Eliza Jane Bowman volunteered at a bottling event at East End Brewing Co. in Pittsburgh’s Larimer neighborhood several years ago, she noticed cases of barleywine sitting in the warehouse. Owner Scott Smith said it had gone flat and wasn’t worth anything. She saw a value to it. “I told...
TripAdvisor adds new tool to detect overcrowding in U.S. cities
Travelers hitting the road during the ongoing coronavirus outbreak are concerned about overcrowding, but TripAdvisor has launched a new platform to help avoid those issues in cities around the United States. Engineers with TripAdvisor, Slack, Amazon Web Services and nine other technology companies developed the platform, dubbed Crowdfree.me, to help...
‘Vertical farm’ in Braddock to serve as Penguins’ official greens partner
The Pittsburgh Penguins are partnering with a local farm that will provide greens for the team during the upcoming season. Fifth Season, a “vertical farm” based in Braddock, will serve as the official greens provider for the Penguins during the 2020-21 season. Team chef Geoff Straub will use Fifth Season’s...
Pittsburgh Restaurant Week serves up safe ways to dine
Let someone else do the cooking. Winter Pittsburgh Restaurant Week offers diners options – from food specials to limited-time-only dishes – all done safely so you can enjoy a meal during a pandemic. Most places will offer the deals now through Jan. 24, and some longer into February. You can...
Ligonier Ice Fest to celebrate ’30 years of cool fun’
This year’s Ligonier Ice Fest will celebrate “30 years of cool fun,” said event chair Cindy Purnell. The frozen festivities are scheduled for Jan. 23-24 in Ligonier Diamond Park and the surrounding downtown area. Whether it’s 7 degrees or 70, Purnell said, the event will have all the visitor favorite...
Greensburg Restaurant Week will showcase dine-in, takeout options
Greensburg-area eateries are cooking up special menus for Greensburg Restaurant Week, scheduled for Jan. 25-31. About 20 restaurants are expected to participate, according to Ashley Kertes, executive director of Greensburg Community Development Corp., which organizes the semiannual event. During the week, local restaurants typically offer reduced or fixed price menus,...
Living with Children: After 45 years, I keep right on truckin’
2021 marks the 45th year I’ve been writing this column. I’ve been told it is the longest-running syndicated column written continuously by one author. That takes “Dear Abby” out of contention. In the beginning, I was four years out of graduate school, directing a community mental health program for children...
Pittsburgh rapper Frzy featured on Eat’n Park Smiley cookie
As a little boy, Harvey Daniels’ parents, Brenda and Harvey Daniels, would take him to Eat’n Park in Squirrel Hill. He ordered his favorite — the Mile High Meatloaf — but it was the end of the meal he couldn’t leave without having. “Since I was a kid, I always...
Cupid’s Chase charity race in Latrobe adds virtual option
The annual Cupid’s Chase charity race that benefits people with special needs is set for Feb. 13, beginning at Latrobe’s Memorial Stadium. This year’s event also will have a virtual option, as organizers hope to draw more participants during the covid-19 pandemic. Last year’s foot race attracted about 75 participants....
Doggie desserts: Ben & Jerry’s enters the pet food business
Think your dog deserves dessert? So does Ben & Jerry’s. The venerable Vermont ice cream company said Monday it’s introducing a line of frozen dog treats, its first foray into the lucrative pet food market. Doggie Desserts, sold in 4-ounce cups, go on sale in U.S. groceries and pet stores...
Snap a picture of your dog for chance to be in Biggies Bullies calendar
Have your furry friend strike a pose for a chance to have his or her picture in a calendar. The search is on for 13 dogs to be featured in the 2022 Biggies Bullies pet calendar. The contest begins Monday and is a fundraiser for the organization, which is a...
A Slice of New York brings Big Apple pizzas to ManorVideo
Sean Jefairjian’s dream of opening a pizza shop was partially because of frustration. “It’s very hard to find a traditional New York pie,” he said. A native of the Bronx, Jefairjian has lived in Southwestern Pennsylvania for 20 years. There are a few places in the region to get pizza...
South Hills Village adds Condado Tacos
Condado Tacos is opening a third location in the area at South Hills Village mall. The expected date is late February or early March. “We are so excited about this newest restaurant,” said Hannah Vlk, brand manager for Condado, based in Columbus, Ohio. “Pittsburgh is a market we love being...
Pittsburgh’s Original Oyster House temporarily closed, donated food to Light of Life
The website and social media pages for the Original Oyster House in Market Square explain the closure: They show a person sitting by the water, holding a rod. “WE’VE GONE FISHING,” reads the message. “CLOSED FOR JAN. 2021.” “You can say we have temporarily closed to regroup,” said owner Jen...
Martorano’s Prime restaurant opens at Rivers Casino PittsburghVideo
Celebrity chef Steve Martorano started out as a child making his grandmother’s meatball and Italian hoagies from the basement of his Philadelphia home. He would go door-to-door selling the sandwiches in South Philly. “They called my grandmother ‘Fat Mary,’ ” said Martorano as he stood inside his fourth restaurant, Martorano’s...
Pancakes, pickles, prepared meals tops in 2021 food trendsVideo
Whether home-cooked, dine-in or takeout, food — glorious food — was one of the few pleasures we could depend on in 2020. Food sustains the body and nourishes the soul. Somehow, a bite of something delicious makes a bad day, or a bad year, just a little bit better. Good...
Double duty: Gift cards help businesses, Pittsburgh’s Jewish Community Center
Cathy Reifer and Cheryl Gerson could not bring themselves to ask local, family-owned businesses to make a donation to support an upcoming gala. So they decided to do the opposite. They devised a plan to give money to the businesses through purchasing gift cards. The “Gift Card Give Back” idea...
Thin mints or Trefoils? Girl Scout cookie sales set to begin
Thin mints or Trefoils? Do-si-dos or Tagalongs? It’s time to decide which Girl Scout cookies you’re buying this year — and how many boxes. Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania will launch their 2021 Girl Scout Cookie Program on Friday, hoping to bring smiles to the faces of their customers during a...
Pittsburgh bloggers, influencers launch hashtag campaign to support restaurants
This hashtag is intended to be food for thought. Amanda Narcisi, chief editor of BOLD Pittsburgh, a local media outlet, collaborated with bloggers and influencers to create a social media presence to promote area restaurants. Through her blog, podcast, YouTube and social channels, she is urging people to use #mypghtakeout...
Pandemic-era Mardi Gras: No big crowds, but plenty of cake
NEW ORLEANS — A subdued Carnival season began Wednesday after the coronavirus pandemic put an end to the crowd-heavy balls and street parades that draw thousands of people to the city every year. The Mardi Gras season always starts on Jan. 6 and ends on Fat Tuesday, which this year...
