Lifestyles category, Page 155
Out & About: Wearing white no faux pas at Animal Friends auction
Wearing white after Labor Day is often considered a fashion faux pas, but not on Oct. 18 at Ferrante’s Lakeview in Hempfield. Animal Friends of Westmoreland called its 14th annual auction gala the White Party, and guests were invited to dress up or dress down for the theme. (Maybe they...
Out & About: Latrobe Art Center show walks the wild (animal) side
Latrobe Art Center promises to take visitors on “A Walk on the Wild Side,” via its current exhibition of animal artwork by Becky Mormack and June Drexler Robinson. Prior to an Oct. 17 reception in the downtown Latrobe art space, executive director Lauren Buches said, “We’ve already sold several of...
Out & About: Latrobe artist’s portraits capture loved ones
Latrobe-based artist Rachel Wheeler specializes in painting portraits of loved ones — both human and animal. According to her website, she accepts commissions to create lasting mementos that include: • Lively pet portraits that capture your animal’s personality. • Stunning images of babies, children and family that emit love. •...
Red Robin’s fall menu has new items, brings back favorites
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews is introducing a new burger and bringing back a few fan favorites as part of a limited-time menu. Through Jan. 26, diners can enjoy the new French Onion Ringer. Topped with Swiss cheese, crispy onion straws, French onion spread and tomatoes on a melted...
Travel tip: In New Orleans, Halloween parties rival Mardi Gras
For a good time in New Orleans, Halloween is second only to Mardi Gras. Long known for its voodoo, vampire and occult undercurrents, the Big Easy offers all kinds of devilish fun leading up to Oct. 31. Here are a few ways the city celebrates: • Voodoo Music + Arts...
Does outsourcing affect our personal connection to food?
The growing options for outsourcing meal planning, grocery shopping and cooking can be called time-saving blessings or culture-destroying curses. In the end, they’re probably a complicated mix of both. The positive spin goes something like this: Assuming you can afford it, you’ll save precious time by clicking a few digital...
Living with Children: The ‘Doctor’ is in
I have good news for parents: You do not need more than a few tools in your disciplinary tool-bag. One especially valuable tool, one that belongs in every modern home, is the “Doctor.” The Doctor is akin to a genie — an invisible parenting sprite, so to speak — whom...
How to grow figs, pick the best varieties for cold climates
You might be surprised to learn that figs (Ficus carica) thrive in Western Pennsylvania, with a little help and winter protection, of course. Though many varieties of this fruit have been selected for improved cold hardiness and early ripening, you’ll want to select a warm location with southern exposure to...
Breast cancer walk in North Fayette to help raise money for research
The “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk” is Saturday morning at Settlers Cabin Park in North Fayette. More than 1,500 cancer survivors, their caregivers, family, friends, and supporters are expected to attend. This October, use or RT the hashtag #IDriveFor & @Chevrolet will contribute $5 to the fight against #breastcancer...
Fashion show lets Down syndrome models strut their stuffVideo
One model sashayed down the runway with a leather jacket and a guitar, basking in applause from the crowd. Another danced and strutted in a multicolored bomber coat. A toddler had a little help with her modeling turn, holding on to an adult as she wore a peach outfit with...
Tree of Life survivor among ‘A Gathering of Authors’Video
An author alone in a bookstore bothers Francine Costello. “I hate to see authors sitting in a bookstore waiting for people to come and buy books so they can sign them, and no one is there,” said Costello, co-owner of Word Association Publishers in Tarentum. “They are all by themselves....
Phipps’ annual fall flower takes ‘Japanese Inspirations’Video
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens’ fall flower show is like the season itself — a brief but welcome respite before the return of a long and cold winter in Pittsburgh. “Japanese Inspirations” is the theme of this year’s fall show, which celebrates not only the nearly 2,900 chrysanthemums that dominate...
Pick the best native shrubs for birds
Question: We have a new area to plant along the property line with our neighbors. We’d like to plant some native shrubs that produce berries because we’d like to help feed the birds in the wintertime. Do you have any suggestions of berry shrubs we can include in the border?...
Dahlias hold special significance for Ross gardener
It is a yearly ritual for me to photograph Amy Krut’s dahlia garden at the end of the season. We became friends on Facebook, and after seeing just about every inch of her landscape filled with the late blooming beauties, I knew I had to photograph them. The low angle...
Greensburg Art Center opens exhibition, plans ‘GIFTing’ event
The Greensburg Art Center is wrapping up one program and gearing up for the busy holiday season with another . Latrobe artist Rachel Wheeler is the final exhibitor in this year’s “Picture This at the Library,” a joint venture between the art center and the Greensburg-Hempfield Library, 237 S. Pennsylvania...
Cherry Springs State Park among top 10 best stargazing spots in world
Are you looking for a better view of the stars and other celestial bodies? A nearby place might be worth a visit. Cherry Springs State Park made the list as one of the top ten best places in the world for stargazing. The park, located in north-central Pennsylvania just outside...
Start your Thanksgiving off with Greensburg’s annual Turkey Trot
For nearly three decades, determined walkers and runners have laced up their sneakers and headed out on Thanksgiving Day morning to take on the streets of downtown Greensburg, before they take on Thanksgiving dinner. The 28th annual Greensburg 5K Turkey Trot, sponsored by Big Brothers Big Sisters Laurel Region, will...
Poll: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups most popular candy
People — and this time of year, trick-or-treaters — really like peanut butter cups. Far and away the favorite candy bar in a new poll was Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, with 36% of respondents picking it as their favorite. Snickers are OK, too, with 18% picking that as their favorite....
Laurel Highlands Meadery sweetens production with expansion in South Greensburg
What began as a home hobby about 15 years ago has grown into an expanding business for Matt Falenski, with the recent opening of a second Laurel Highlands Meadery location. Falenski and his wife, Mandy, began manufacturing at their previous homes in Herminie and South Greensburg around 2010, selling their...
Norwin student-run formal-wear sale continues todayVideo
High school students — and their parents — know how expensive it can be to attend a formal dance. Norwin High School has a way to cut down at least some of the cost, by holding a semiannual formal wear consignment sale. Begun in 2015, the sales are held in...
Make your own applesauce … in a slow cooker
October is National Apple Month, but we don’t need an official title to tell us that. Apples are everywhere — grocery stores, local shops, farmers markets. I’ve seen whole bushels for sale for just $6. They’re probably piling up in your fridge drawer by this point, and you may be...
Heinz History Center celebrates all things ‘Hometown-Homegrown’
Foodie fun at this year’s Hometown-Homegrown celebration Oct. 19 should include plenty of Heinz ketchup and Heinz pickles on the side. The Senator John Heinz History Center is mashing its annual food festival with its current “Heinztoberfest” celebration that marks the 150th anniversary of the H.J. Heinz Co., which grew...
Top tips from the wine cellar: A few to sip, savor during Pa. Wine Month
With glorious autumn colors unfolding across the commonwealth, commercial wineries have plenty of fun events planned to attract visitors as part of Pennsylvania Wine Month throughout October. In Pittsburgh, two restaurants, Cinderlands 3705 in Lower Lawrenceville at 3705 Butler St. and The Allegheny Wine Mixer at 5326 Butler St., are...
Threadbare Cider & Mead opening a tasting room inside Ross Park Mall
Threadbare Cider & Mead is expanding with a tasting room next to Wigle Whiskey inside Ross Park Mall on Friday. Threadbare produces alcoholic ciders and mead from regional apples, pears, berries and honey. Wigle Whiskey opened a tasting room and bottle shop at the mall last November. Wigle, based in...
Yough recognizes trio of homecoming queens, 50 years later
Fifty years ago, three young women attending rival high schools simultaneously shared the title of Yough School District homecoming queen. During Yough’s homecoming festivities on Friday, Oct. 18, that honor will again be recognized with a special ceremony on the high school football field. The event marks a half century...
