Lifestyles category, Page 6
5 scary movies filmed in Western Pa.Video
No one can deny that more movies are being filmed in Pittsburgh. Think “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019),” starring Tom Hanks as Mister Rogers, and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020),” Chadwick Boseman’s final film. But the recent boom has not generated the type of spooky movies that made...
Haunted Path in Irwin: Fascination with Halloween helps feed the needy
An Irwin man, whose lifelong fascination with Halloween started when he was a youngster, spent two months and thousands of dollars to create a haunted audiovisual experience in his backyard. The creator of the unique experience, called the Haunted Path, is Jesse Vargo, 38, who worked with his husband, Nick...
McCandless surgeon gets state lawmaker’s help to put antique VW bus from Brazil on the road
When Dr. Sheri Mancini decided to indulge her mid-life crisis, she did it in a way that will bring smiles to others. She bought a restored 1967 Volkswagen Kombi, commonly known as a VW bus, from Brazil. “I probably can accurately say most people do love these buses. There’s something...
Is Halloween a federal holiday? More on Halloween origins, how spooky holiday has evolved
Fall brings a festive lineup of holidays, but one stands out for its costumes, candy, spooky fun and centuries of tradition: Halloween. Other holidays, such as Dia de los Muertos, All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day, Diwali and Thanksgiving, occur around the same time, but Halloween still manages to stand...
Carnegie Libraries across the country to receive $10K in celebration of U.S. 250th anniversary
The same week Scottish immigrant and industrialist Andrew Carnegie was inducted into the Pittsburgh Walk of Fame because of his philanthropy and commitment to learning through libraries, those libraries received a monetary gift. “As I was sitting at the Walk of Fame ceremony on Monday, I thought, every one of...
Here are 5 spooky things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Oct. 24-26
Halloween is next week, so everyone is partying spooky-style the next few days. Hurry up and finish your costume, then hitch a ride on a broomstick to a few of these weekend events. ZooBoo and Jack O’Lantern Extravaganza The Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium is pulling out all the stops for...
Pittsburgh lands on National Geographic’s list of ‘best places in the world to travel’
National Geographic thinks Pittsburgh is a world-class city. Not only has the publication dubbed it “one of America’s most underrated cities to visit in 2026,” it has included the Steel City on a list of the “best places in the world to travel to in 2026,” a compilation of locations...
New Paris Baguette location set for Shadyside
The French-inspired Korean pastry shop Paris Baguette is gearing up to open its largest location in the Pittsburgh area next month. The new 4,000-square-foot shop will accommodate up to 46 people, said Ammar Zafar, owner of Paris Baguette Shadyside. “It’s always been a passion of mine to bring something new...
Africanism Gala is a ‘love letter to Black women’
As a youngster growing up in Hazelwood, Demeatria Boccella didn’t see Black women in arts and fashion. It has been her passion to create opportunities for young people. Now, she is co-producing the third annual Africanism Gala with Darnell McLaurin and Sandra Aristide Soteriou. It’s a love letter to Black...
What’s cooking at WCCC? Culinary students serve meals at campus’ Chef’s Bistro
Fall aromas filled Westmoreland County Community College’s health and culinary center last week as students sauteed vegetables and piled fresh baked rolls with roast beef. Students and community members filed into The Chef’s Bistro — a restaurant tucked into the college’s Hempfield campus. About 25 culinary and baking students are...
Get hooked: Rug-making craft event to be held at Shaler North Hills Library
Some people retire to play golf or travel. Fritz Mitnick left her job because she was hooked on another pastime — literally. Mitnick does rug hooking, a craft where rugs are made by pulling loops of yarn or woven wool cut into strips through a backing or foundation cloth. “I...
Glamping coming to some Pennsylvania state parks next year
Those looking to enjoy Pennsylvania’s state parks will no longer have to choose between comfort and roughing it. The commonwealth next year will offer glamping — glamorous camping — at eight state parks. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will offer “glampsites” at Poe Valley, Hills Creek, Laurel Hill,...
2-tank trip takes Western Pennsylvanians to hobbit resort built by Penn State gradVideo
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — It’s an eight-hour, 500-mile drive from Pittsburgh, but for fans of “Lord of the Rings” and “Harry Potter,” a visit to a Middle Earth-inspired mini-resort might fit the bill, especially as leaves burst with fall color. Mountain Shire offers travelers perhaps the best approximation of J.R.R....
Asking for a Friend: Should I talk to my child’s coach about playing time?
Q: My son’s soccer coach only plays the best players and hardly ever gives playing time to my son. He isn’t a top athlete, but he’s also not that bad. What’s the best way to approach the coach about this? Or should I stay totally out of it? Asking for...
Inside-out: Open space outside, privacy inside become homebuyer priorities in wake of pandemic
Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series on real estate market trends in Western Pennsylvania. The pandemic may have ended, but its impact on how people live — and buy homes — hasn’t. Real estate agents say the once-coveted “open concept” is not as popular as buyers reshape...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Oct. 17-19
While it’s still pretty warm outside — especially for late October — why not venture out and try something new? New music, new food and new fun await in Pittsburgh this weekend. Monster Pumpkins Festival You may have seen plenty of pumpkins already this October, but you probably haven’t seen...
Sewickley Public Library celebrates new outdoor space Broadside Terrace
When the Sewickley Public Library was partially flooded last month, patrons could be found sitting outside reading books on the new terrace. ”People gravitated out here,” said Carol Schurman. “That is community. It is about more than books.” Schurman, with her husband Gary Schurman, was honored at the library on...
Aldi releases cheaper Thanksgiving meal deal this year. Here’s what you get for $40
Aldi’s Thanksgiving meal bundle this year feeds 10 people for just $40, a noticeable markdown from last year’s deal. The grocery retailer launched the deal Wednesday. While centered around traditional Thanksgiving dishes, the offer will be available to purchase through Christmas Eve. The bundle comes with a total of 21...
Trader Joe’s ‘Trick-or-Treat Mini Canvas Totes’ are the moment. But for how long?
Trader Joe’s Halloween-themed mini tote bags are having a moment. Since the “Trick-or-Treat Mini Canvas Totes” became available for purchase at Trader Joe’s stores nationwide on Oct. 8, customers have been posting reviews, customizing their bag on camera, or simply fangirling on social media. The viral bags, despite Black Friday-like...
What are this year’s Halloween costume trends?
With Halloween quickly approaching, costume pieces are starting to be snatched up. Spirit Halloween, the largest North American Halloween retailer, revealed the top costume trends for 2025 — with “KPop Demon Hunters”-inspired outfits taking over. Released in June, the Netflix movie quickly became a cultural phenomenon, becoming the platform’s most-watched...
Sushi Tomo opening a location on Pittsburgh’s South Side
The sushi scene is rolling along in the South Side. South Side resident and owner Keresty Kelly is expanding with a second location of Sushi Tomo in the former Little Tokyo Bistro along the East Carson Street business corridor. A staff of nine, including Kelly, who does “whatever needs to...
Downtown Pittsburgh revitalization pushes holiday market to new location
The annual holiday market that usually fills Market Square will move to Pittsburgh’s Cultural District this holiday season. It’s the latest annual event to be relocated as part of a Downtown revitalization effort that has limited use of public spaces like Market Square, which is undergoing a facelift ahead of...
Sewickley-based Inca Brands creates fashionable, functional looks made of alpaca
When Kim Brooks opened an email in 2006 asking for sock donations for troops in Iraq, she didn’t hesitate. The request came from The Sock Brigade, a project launched by an Oregon alpaca farmer after her Army sergeant son told her his unit needed warm alpaca socks for the bitter...
Season of the Witch: Exploring the magic of Western Pa.’s metaphysical shops
The word “witch” may conjure images of green skin, pointy hats, hook noses and levitating broomstick rides silhouetted against the full moon. But for real-life practitioners of the mystical and magical arts, there are many more candles, crystals and herbs involved. While the number of Americans who identify with paganism...
Who pulled the rubber duck prank on Canonsburg?
You’re not imagining things — thousands of rubber ducks have taken over Pike Street in downtown Canonsburg. And a local candy shop is taking the blame. Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop, a 19-store chain with a location on Pike Street, placed 2,000 small rubber ducks around the Washington County borough on...
