Lifestyles category, Page 139
Loss for words: Conversations missing from some Sweethearts candy
Sometimes it’s hard to get the message across about your feelings for someone. Just ask the distributors for Sweethearts conversation hearts. After missing Valentine’s Day altogether last year, the candy manufactured for Spangler Candy Co. in Bryan, Ohio, has had issues getting the wording right on this year’s candy hearts....
Alexa, read me a story: Audio content for kids on the rise
NEW YORK — Melanie Musson in Belgrade, Montana, does a lot of driving with her four girls. Juggling a broad age range, 1 to 9, she’s forever searching for ways to keep them all entertained without relying entirely on video. While she still adores paper and tablet books for her...
Pittsburgh’s Cinderella Ball is a dream evening for 11 debutantesVideo
It’s a night that fairy tales are made of — from the young women dressed in pristine white gowns and elbow-length gloves to the glittering pumpkin and illuminated carriage. And, of course, daughters waltzing with their dads and Cinderella dancing with Prince Charming. On Jan. 25, 11 young women were...
Out & About: A few raindrops can’t dampen Ligonier Ice Fest spiritVideo
You could say organizers of the Ligonier Ice Fest are like the dedicated mail carriers of the U.S. Postal Service: “Neither rain, nor sleet, nor dark of night shall stay (them) from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” Rain — both light and heavy — fell upon the 29th...
Calamine or Dead Salmon? The secrets behind paint names
Ever wonder how paint colors get their names? If you’re shopping for pink, say, you’ll find dozens of shades referencing roses, bubblegum and shells. There are some extra-evocative names like Calamine and Dead Salmon. And what about a pink called Harajuku Morning? Modern Love? Names can sway a person, says...
Out & About: Latrobe comedy night just what the doctor ordered
It’s late January, our nation is seriously divided and the Doomsday Clock has just inched closer to midnight. Don’t we all need a good laugh to take our minds off our troubles? A packed house got just what the doctor ordered at Comedy Night, hosted Jan. 25 by Latrobe-GLSD Parks...
Out & About: Young piano virtuoso wows Saint Vincent audience
The reviews are in for pianist Nathan Lee, the latest guest artist in the Saint Vincent College Concert Series. It’s five stars all the way for the 18-year-old virtuoso’s Jan. 25 performance. “He was one with the piano; that’s the only way to describe it,” said Esther Ulery, who attended...
Remember When: Jan. 27
A look at the Valley’s past in the language of the times as compiled by George Guido. 100 years ago New $17K pool to be dedicated Plans have been completed for the dedicating of a new, $17,000 natatorium built by the Summit Hose Co. in the organization’s West Seventh avenue...
Travel tip: What to know for Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney
Sunrise is scheduled for 7:26 a.m. Feb. 2 in Punxsutawney, the hour when Punxsutawney Phil will make his annual winter weather prediction. Thousands flock to Gobbler’s Knob in the small Jefferson County borough for a glimpse of the furry forecaster. Here are a few things to know before you go:...
Comfort food favorite lasagna is trending for the new yearVideo
Lasagna is a hot food trend this year. According to the Wall Street Journal, New Yorkers are salivating at the thought of digging into the rich pasta dish. And celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, in an effort to make a healthier version of the Italian entree, is pushing an eggplant version....
How can you make healthy food resolutions really stick?
For many of us, January is all about giving things up: Maybe we’re going to stop eating meat and embrace a plant-based diet. Or we’re ready to kick excess sugar to the curb after a holiday season awash in sweets. Or we’re committed to avoiding fast food. Starting the year...
Living with Children: When does punishment become excessive?
Question: Your recent series on punishment was thought-provoking. I agree children should have consequences when they misbehave. Nonetheless, would you please clarify when punishment becomes excessive? What is the line between reasonable and too much? When I was young, I was spanked with a belt on numerous occasions. I always...
Cutting-edge Viking cruise ship is headed for the Great Lakes
A big player in the cruise industry is diving into the Great Lakes market. Switzerland-based Viking, which built its name plying the rivers of Europe, is extending its reach into North America in 2022 with voyages exploring the largest surface of fresh water in the world. The announcement was made...
Step outside the box with creative vegetable garden options
If you are eager to start a new vegetable garden this spring, but you don’t want to fuss with removing sod, building fancy wooden raised beds or tilling up the ground, consider stepping outside the box and getting creative. There are several alternative ways to start a new vegetable garden...
Cheers! Some bars and restaurants offer late-night happy hours
Happy Hour doesn’t have to be in the 4 to 6 or 5 to 7 p.m. time frame. Some restaurants and bars offer later deals and specials to accommodate guests who prefer to drink and dine later in the evening, especially on weekends. It also brings in business at times...
Online shoppers embrace subscription servicesVideo
Whether it’s a preference for online browsing, time constraints or anticipating a package’s arrival, many people embrace a “personally curated,” often subscription-based shopping service. “It’s like getting a little present in the mail every month,” Linda Brasile says of her regular Stitch Fix deliveries. Stitch Fix is a clothing styling...
Lichens are a welcome sight
Question: Please help! I just noticed that my wild plum tree in my backyard has some sort of fungus growing on it. Is there anything I can do, or is it diseased beyond repair? It was healthy this summer with many blooms. It has been in my yard for at...
What the pros think we should plant
It’s been nearly a decade that I’ve been making the trek to Baltimore for the annual Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show. It can be overwhelming with more than 1,500 booths, filled with everything you could imagine for gardening. There are new plant introductions, products and nursery stock everywhere for garden centers...
Food harness makes Super Bowl snacking simple, with tongue in cheek
Super Bowl Sunday is fast approaching. And whether you are cheering on Feb. 2 for the San Francisco 49ers or the Kansas City Chiefs, you and your party guests know the game highlight is the halftime — or all the time — grub being served. Calorie counting goes out the...
Oakland Restaurant Week offers special mid-day meal deals
Oakland Restaurant Week returns, with six days of $6 lunches at numerous eateries in the busy Pittsburgh neighborhood. This year’s dates are Jan. 27 to Feb. 1, and 20 eateries are participating this year, according to the Oakland Business Improvement District. Participants can enjoy a meal without making a huge...
In its 29th year, Ligonier Ice Fest offers visitors new additions
Visitors to the Ligonier Ice Fest might be too busy admiring the intricately carved ice sculptures to consider how the crystal-clear ice is made. It’s an intricate process, says Ernie DiMartino, owner of DiMartino Ice Co. in Jeannette, which produces them. “The ice is totally clear. You could read a...
Get spring project inspiration at Monroeville Home Show (and meet ‘Pittsburgh Dad’)
It’s that time of year again – time for making plans to finally tackle those long-overdue home improvement projects, remodeling jobs and decorating updates before it’s time to start spring cleaning. The 5th annual Monroeville Home Show Jan. 24-26 at the Monroeville Convention Center – with more than 200 exhibits,...
Caliente Pizza to open restaurant in Green Tree
Caliente Pizza & Draft House will open a new location in Green Tree this spring. Locally owned and operated, the Green Tree spot is Caliente’s sixth since opening in Bloomfield less than eight years ago. The 6,500-square-foot space is near the intersection of Mansfield Avenue and Noblestown Road, not far...
Legume Bistro in Oakland to close for a rebrand
Family-owned Legume Bistro, once a pioneer in Pittsburgh’s farm-to-table dining scene, is closing at the end of February. But the restaurant plans to reopen after retooling into something new. “It is with a mix of sadness, relief, and excitement that we announce Legume’s last service will be on February 29th,...
Antiques show, sale returns to Greensburg Country Club
Most area residents are too young to remember Oakford Park, the Jeannette amusement park that operated from 1896 to 1940. But if you have a little nostalgia in your heart for the popular recreation destination, John Mickinak has a deal for you. The Greensburg antiques dealer will have a 6-foot,...
