Lifestyles category, Page 49
Couples ditch traditional wedding dress codes in favor of out-there themes
NEW YORK — “Space Disco Cowboy.” “Yacht Shabbat.” “Burning Man Formal”? More couples are tossing tradition when it comes to what wedding guests should wear, to some befuddlement among invitees. Maggie Long, 34, recently attended the nuptials of a close friend in a low-key Denver lounge. The suggested dress? “Dive...
They’re back: Furries frenzy arrives in Pittsburgh
Instead of the Kaufmann’s Clock, Pittsburgh will have a new meeting spot this weekend — “Meet me at Anthrocon Avenue and Furry Way.” The Downtown intersection of Penn Avenue and 10th Street has been renamed in honor of the annual Anthrocon convention at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Every...
Hills Snack Bar food truck gets OK from health inspector
The return of the Hills Snack Bar is now one step closer to becoming reality. Just last year, Jason Powell of Aliquippa revealed he was bringing back a version of the famed snack bar from Hills department stores in the form of a food truck. On Tuesday, Powell announced that...
A wall painting found in Pompeii doesn’t depict Italy’s iconic dish
MILAN — A still-life fresco discovered recently in the Pompeii archaeological site looks like a pizza, but it’s not, experts at the archaeological site said Tuesday. They noted that key ingredients needed to make Italy’s iconic dish — tomatoes and mozzarella — were not available when the fresco was painted...
With increased interest in self-defense classes, instructors focus on situational awareness
Fourth-degree black belt Bob Makowski doesn’t mind scaring students in his self-defense classes. The harder he grabs their attention, he said, the better chance they learn tools that can thwart danger. “About 65% of assaults occur with someone you know and also happen indoors,” said Makowski, owner of a martial...
Flight canceled amid bad weather? What you need to know
WASHINGTON — Amid peak summer travel, thousands of air travelers faced flight cancellations and delays this weekend and Monday as thunderstorms rolled in across the U.S. East Coast and Midwest. In addition to bad weather, a technology failing also contributed to to airline disruptions. The Federal Aviation Administration briefly paused...
Out & About: WSO plays ‘Classics on the Rocks’ at West Overton
Classical music lovers were presented with a casual concert experience at “Classics on the Rocks,” presented June 8 at West Overton Village in East Huntingdon. The “classics” part of the event was the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s cello ensemble playing a program of music by familiar composers such as Bach, Debussy...
Out & About: The Westmoreland’s Pride Prom celebrates self-expression
A popular disco-era song said, “Express yourself/You don’t ever need help from nobody else/All you got to do now/Express yourself.” Sung by Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, the tune could have been the anthem of Pride Prom, held June 17 at The Westmoreland Museum of American...
Out & About: Hempfield Park concert ‘amps up’ Vogues fans
There’s something about the music you like when you’re young that just sticks with you. So it was with the crowd who came to hear Chuck Blasko and The Vogues at the Amp Up Your Summer concert on June 18 in Hempfield Park. Many of them were fans of the...
The Grandeur Estate boutique hotel opens in historic Greensburg mansion
Tony and Julia Taneja liked road trips that took them about four hours from their home in the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. One of those trips took them through Greensburg, where they came upon a stately property for sale — a three-story brick edifice near downtown built in...
Pittsburgh Roller Derby hosting tournament in Harmar
When Heather Groll was 12 years old she made sure to do all of her homework after school, especially on Wednesdays. “If my sister and I finished our homework, our dad would take us roller skating,” said Groll, of those times at Roll R Skate in Canonsburg. “We would meet...
Observatory Hill House Tour features 12 homes
Jeremy Lawler was taking down his Christmas tree in February when he noticed two cars pull up and people get out to take pictures in front of his house. “Thinking that was odd, I went outside to see what was going on,” Lawler said. “I spoke to one of the...
The U.S. has tons of leftover food. Upcycling seeks to turn would-be trash into ice cream and pizza
LOS GATOS, Calif. — At Tyler Malek’s ice cream parlors, one cook’s trash is another chef’s frosty treat. The head ice cream maker at the Portland, Oregon-based Salt & Straw uses the whey leftover from yogurt makers in upstate New York to make his lemon curd flavor. For chocolate barley...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County this weekend: June 23-25
Something good Two big names in music take the stage this weekend at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg: • Ben Folds, 7:30 p.m. Friday. Best known for songs like “Brick” and “Underground” with the alt-rock trio, Ben Folds Five, the singer/songwriter/pianist is touring after his fifth solo studio album,“What Matters...
Is it chicken? Here’s how the first bite of ‘cell-cultivated’ meat tastes
When I told friends and family I was reporting on the first chicken meat grown from animal cells, their first comment was “Eww.” Their second comment was: “How does it taste?” The short answer (you’ve probably heard this sentence before in other contexts): Tastes like chicken. The longer answer, which...
Know how to shop at a farmers market
Shoppers come into markets hoping to gather fresh ingredients for their families and to support small businesses in the area. But shoppers shouldn’t walk into a farmers market thinking only of finding the freshest ingredients and nothing else. Just like any shopping trip, it’s important to go into a farmers...
Farm fresh? Yes, but farmers markets offerings are months in the making
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the days, times and location for the Central Westmoreland Farmer’s Market near Greensburg. Kira Karpinski’s farmers market offerings in June take root six months earlier in a sun-drenched room in her house. Not a greenhouse — her actual house. “I start...
Good things come in small package at Ligonier Valley Home Tour site
A house doesn’t need to be a McMansion or historical edifice to merit a spot on a home tour. One of the properties featured on the 17th Annual Ligonier Valley Home Tour, set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, is small in size but big on style. Just blocks...
Bare minimum Mondays: A healthy work-life balance or just slacking off?
A new concept is taking a turn on social media among Millennials and Gen Z — bare minimum Mondays. This new trend has gained popularity for seeking to emphasize a healthy work-life balance. Essentially, a bare minimum Monday is a Monday where someone eases into the work week by doing...
Out & About: YWCA Westmoreland honors high-achieving young women
A group of high school movers-and-shakers were recognized at the YWCA Westmoreland County Women of Achievement Awards, held June 6 at Ferrante’s Lakeview in Hempfield. The program is planned by local women business leaders to honor young women who excel in their academic and extracurricular pursuits and make a difference...
Out & About: Westmoreland Hospital Auxiliary awards annual scholarships
Six area young people are a step closer to careers in the medical profession following Westmoreland Hospital Auxiliary’s annual scholarship luncheon, held June 7 at Greensburg Country Club in Hempfield. The auxiliary presented $2,500 scholarships to the group, including two new awards in honor of organization members. Recent high school...
Greensburg Garden Center tour features 7 special outdoor spaces
The seven locations on Greensburg Garden Center’s upcoming garden tour feature themes spanning the globe from Hawaii to the British Isles. The self-guided driving tour is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 24. Five of the featured gardens are in the Greensburg area, the other two are in...
Taylor Swift Eras Tour outfits: Fans dress to the nines in styles with meaning behind the music
There are four major eras in the development of the world. But in the world of Taylor Swift, there are 10. In tribute to Swift’s discography, the singer launched an eight-month Eras Tour, a global series of shows that cover all styles of music from her 10 studio albums, ranging...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County this weekend: June 16-18
Take a break Looking for a new way to unwind after a long workweek? Break Stuff Night is planned for 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday at Green Beacon Gallery, 235 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg. The gallery will provide a stash of smashables, including dishes, furniture and old electronics, along with...
Pride Prom brings dance party, fashion promenade to The Westmoreland
Pride Prom at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art is an opportunity for “people to come and be themselves and be comfortable doing so,” said events manager Hannah Vincent. An annual event since 2019, Pride Prom is set for 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday in the facility at 221 N....
