Lifestyles category, Page 27
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...
Urban oasis: Farms sprout in Pittsburgh’s food deserts
Ebony Lunsford-Evans would like nothing more than to spend all day tending her crops and chickens. “I spend a lot of my time out here,” the woman known to some as Farmer Girl Eb said on a recent August morning, gesturing at the farm she runs in Pittsburgh’s Sheraden neighborhood....
On patrol: Mounted police officers create a presence
Their steps are choreographed, part of the job training the horses and their riders go through. The majestic animals are stationed in stables across the city, county and state. They perform details throughout the year, but spring is when you begin seeing them more often. Typically January through March there...
Mounted police units offer tradition, spectacle and service in modern law enforcement
On Monday, the Allegheny County Mounted Police Unit will add a touch of tradition and spectacle to the South Hills Memorial Day Parade. While officers on horseback are a rarer sight than those in cars or on motorcycles, “They definitely create a presence,” said Sgt. Jason Donaldson of the Allegheny...
Our hair is beautiful: A profile of hair in the Black community
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‘Our hair is beautiful’: A profile of hair in the Black community
The latest in a decades-old movement among those in the Black community to embrace natural hair reached the halls of state government last month when the House of Representatives passed its version of the CROWN Act. The proposed law — CROWN stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for...
5 stories of Western Pennsylvanians who lost a sibling
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