Lifestyles category, Page 21
Too early to prep the garden for spring? Nope
As I write this, snow is falling outside my suburban New York window, and I feel like I just stored my gardening tools and patio umbrella for the season. And yet, with the winter solstice in the rearview mirror, it’s already time to start preparing for spring. Testing Seeds This...
Wooden bouquets among the attractions at cultural trust’s wedding expo in Greensburg
Wedding bouquets designed by Grace Stickle never wilt. They are all made of wood. Struggling to find affordable fresh flowers for her own wedding, Stickle learned to make the unique bouquets. Friends and family began asking her to make their wedding flowers, and Stickle Stems was born. Bouquets of the...
For some, Dry January leads to full-time sobriety
For Scott Page, Dry January goes year-round. At the beginning of his sobriety journey, he avoided even being in bars where other people were drinking alcohol. “I was worried it could be triggering,” the South Side resident said. “For me, one drink is too many and 100 is not enough....
Sewickley United Methodist Church pastor lives the message of ‘do the good that is yours to do’
A stack of umbrellas sits in a container at the entrance to Sewickley United Methodist Church. While they represent a functional use, they also have a deeper meaning. To demonstrate that deeper meaning, the Rev. Hannah Loughman stood holding an open umbrella during a recent rainy Sunday at a service...
TikTok could be banned this month. Here’s what users can do to prepare
TikTok has cemented itself as a quintessential entertainment app, offering everything from funny skits and makeup tutorials to social commentary and news. The platform, though, could vanish from U.S. app stores by Jan. 19 if the Supreme Court does not step in to block a federal law that forces TikTok...
Family ties: Jack and Jill Ball is a cherished tradition throughout generations
In 1981, Judith M. Davenport’s daughter, Allison, was a senior at The Ellis School. Her friends were talking about a local debutante ball where young women make a formal entrance into society. Allison submitted her name but was not invited. So Davenport reached out to other members of Jack and...
Red dye could be banned in food, drinks
Are you a fan of red-colored bubble gym, candy or fruit cocktails? Valentine’s Day is almost here, bringing with it bright red- and pink-themes. But the bright cherry-red dye, red dye No. 3, used in drinks and snacks could be banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the...
Smart bird feeders gain popularity and spark interest in bird-watching
CONCORD, N.H. — Marin Plank truly had no interest in birds when she gave her husband a camera-equipped bird feeder for his birthday. But by Christmas, she had become so obsessed with birds that most of the gifts she received this year — books, stickers, notecards — were related. “This...
How to talk to your family about inheritance
Beyond the general discomfort of talking about death, the topic of inheritance brings in a whole other set of sticky issues. Research finds that parents’ and children’s expectations for bequests are rarely aligned, even among those who have a good relationship, which is why it’s so important to get on...
New labels will help people pick devices less at risk of hacking
WASHINGTON — The federal government is rolling out a consumer labeling system designed to help Americans pick smart devices that are less vulnerable to hacking. Under the voluntary program, called the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark Initiative, manufacturers can affix the label on their products if they meet federal cybersecurity standards....
Houseplants that don’t require soil and can be displayed any which way? Look to air plants
If you’re looking for a houseplant that’s as unique as it is low-maintenance, let me introduce you to air plants, members of the Tillandsia genus in the Bromeliad family. I first became acquainted with Tillandsia circa 2007, when I was invited to tour the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival at...
Craft breweries adjust to industry change as closings outpace openings for 1st time in 20 years
Thirty years ago, if someone said, “I’m going out to grab a craft beer,” the person they were talking to might not have known what that meant, let alone where they would go to get it. Today, in Greensburg alone, it could mean eight different taprooms, and that’s not counting...
Western Pennsylvanians react to U.S. Surgeon General’s call for cancer warning on alcohol
On Friday, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said that because alcohol is a leading cause of cancer, warning labels should be on all alcoholic beverages. Murthy said in an Associated Press article that Americans should be better informed about the link between alcohol and cancer, in particular, noting alcohol consumption...
Chetia Hurtt of Mana Meals combines food, healing and wellness
Chetia Hurtt doesn’t just cook food — she crafts an experience, layering flavors and textures with the same intentionality and warmth that she brings to every aspect of her life. As the founder and owner of Mana Meals Catering and the kitchen manager at Braddock Public House, Hurtt, 46, has...
Meet the Danish-Swedish farmdog, the newest breed in the American Kennel Club’s lineup
NEW YORK — Say hello to the latest dog in the American Kennel Club’s lineup of recognized breeds. Or you might say “hej.” The Danish-Swedish farmdog — yep, that’s the official name — joins the pack this week. The designation makes the breed eligible to compete for many best in...
The dill of a lifetime? In a nation that’s enduring its own sour patch, the pickle dominated 2024
SHARPSBURG — When did we know for sure? Was it April, when Nature Made introduced its pickle-flavored gummy vitamins? Was it November, when Petco’s “Pickle Mania” promotion offered 26 different pickle-themed toys for dogs and cats? Maybe it was the December day that a food scholar was heard to utter,...
Pennsylvania towns put unique spin on New Year’s Eve ball drops
While lots of folks will watch the traditional ball drop in New York’s Times Square tonight to ring in the new year, Pennsylvanians will have the chance to watch some unique twists on the tradition. Here are a few examples: Pittsburgh The city will host its annual Highmark First Night...
Running a marathon a day in 2024, she has a world record within her grasp
GHENT, Belgium — Finally coming to a halt on Tuesday — the last day of 2024 — Belgian ultra runner Hilde Dosogne felt she had done all to take the world record as the first woman to run a marathon every single day of the year. Weary but seemingly far...
Small businesses brace themselves for potentially disruptive TikTok ban
A looming TikTok ban could affect the millions of small businesses that use the short-video social media app to help them grow their business. Desiree Hill, owner of Crown’s Corner Mechanic in Conyers, Georgia, started her business solo as a mobile mechanic. Sharing videos of her work on TikTok helped...
Ice maze returns for Highmark First Night Pittsburgh
When Richard Bubin was a child, he would draw pictures of animals in crayon on the walls of his family’s home. The tool and canvas he uses have changed, but he is still creating. On Monday, he guided a chain saw through blocks of ice to carve Pennsylvania-themed items such...
Your guide to Pittsburgh’s First Night 2025 celebration
Pittsburgh is set to host its 31st New Year’s Eve party Tuesday. As the calendar turns to 2025, the city will ring in the new year at Highmark First Night Pittsburgh, a six-hour, arts-focused community celebration that offers free and ticketed events. A production of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, festivities...
Will New Year’s Eve be loud or quiet? What are the top 2025 resolutions? AP-NORC poll has answers
NEW YORK — If you’re planning on ringing in the new year quietly at home, you’re not alone. A majority of U.S adults intend to celebrate New Year’s Eve at home, according to a new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. “As I’ve gotten older over...
Redbeard’s Bar & Grill on Mt. Washington to transform into new spot
The shuttered Redbeard’s Bar & Grill on Mt. Washington will open as a new dining spot next year. Shiloh Plate & Pour will replace Redbeard’s in April 2025, according to a social media post. “The new establishment promises an exciting transformation of this iconic space into a must-visit destination for...
Building blocks: Lego inspires creativity in children and adults
Owen Napierkowski, 7, makes building a Lego set look simple — even a 3,955-piece “Home Alone” house. He has been building Lego sets most of his life. His parents, Lynda and Dan Napierkowski of New Kensington, took him to the Carnegie Science Center on Pittsburgh’s North Shore when they had...
Grandview Heights townhomes under construction on Pittsburgh’s Mt. Washington
Some new homes on Grandview Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Mt. Washington neighborhood will have a grand view. Grandview Heights, a development of luxury townhouses, is currently under construction. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a brand-new home on Grandview Avenue,” said Lorrie Crummie, sales manager for Laurel Communities, which owns the...
