More Lifestyles category, Page 41
Homeowners should be proactive to prevent ice dams as thaw approaches, experts say
The weather is expected to warm up this week, which is good news. But it could also bring problems for property owners. All of the snow and ice from recent storms and bitter cold that’s built up on roofs is about to melt — and could cause “ice damming.” Ice...
Pandemic brain fog? Here’s how to clear itVideo
Are you having trouble focusing, feeling lonely or hopeless, lacking motivation, withdrawing from people? These are some of the symptoms of pandemic fatigue, a condition brought on by the stresses and fears of the past year, combined with having too much free time. The hallmark of pandemic fatigue is a...
Greensburg artist Pamela Cooper takes ‘leap of faith’ with new studioVideo
Artist Pamela Cooper is taking a leap of faith by renting studio space in Greensburg. For the first time, she’s hoping to support herself solely by making art. If all goes well, she’ll offer art classes remotely and in her space in the Westmoreland Cultural Trust’s Incubator for the Arts...
Artists brave elements during Ligonier winter paint-outVideo
Painting outside in Ligonier on a 28-degree February day, under a light drizzle, is “not for the faint of heart,” said Jan Pini of Venetia, Washington County. Nevertheless, she worked with pastels en plein air Friday morning at the Loyalhanna Watershed Association grounds, just west of the borough. Pini and...
Pittsburgh panel to address safety for spring bird migration
Many area residents are eagerly awaiting the spring arrival of migratory birds in the Pittsburgh region. Local experts will be featured in an online forum Wednesday, offering tips to help keep these feathered friends on a safe flight path. The free program, presented by the Frick Art & Historical Center,...
Pittsburgh woman creates dual artist market, fundraising website
A Pittsburgh woman has combined her love of art, talent for organization and desire to do good to create a website that is equal parts artist marketplace and fundraising outlet. Desiree Canovic, a senior program manager for Highmark, realized a long-standing dream by creating LocalGood, which launched in October. “It...
Greensburg’s singing florist Gary Pratt has new album, record label
Greensburg’s singing florist Gary Pratt is celebrating two steps forward in his musical career. The owner of Le Jardin Florals and Home Accents has a new album and a new record label. With a March 26 release date, “Something Worth Remembering” will be the country singer’s third full-length album. The...
Gisele Fetterman introduces PA Kindness Poem ProjectVideo
The new PA Kindness Poem Project kicked off today with a video introduction from Pennsylvania’s second lady, Gisele Barreto Fetterman. The Pennsylvania Humanities Council (PHC) has partnered with Philadelphia poet laureate Trapeta B. Mayson on the project, which it describes as “a mission to help spread kindness throughout the state.”...
Things to do in Western Pa.: Feb. 17, 2021
Before February is over, take in some more Black History Month-inspired programming. Then look ahead to March, for an upcoming St. Patrick’s Day bash or spring-themed art classes. Details on those and other arts and educational opportunities are here, in this week’s Big List. Art • Where are they?: Carnegie...
Greensburg Garden Center offers spring ‘Tea-In’ or ‘Tea-Out’
Greensburg Garden Center will offer two ways for supporters to enjoy its annual spring tea on March 20. A “Tea-In” option includes a sit-down meal at Maplewood Presbyterian Church, while a “Tea-Out” option will allow people to pick up a box featuring the same meal to enjoy at home. “We...
Party at The Palace Theatre reimagined as livestream event
There’s no need to dress up and head to downtown Greensburg to enjoy this year’s Party at The Palace. The Westmoreland Cultural Trust’s signature fundraising event, held in the historic Greensburg theater, will be virtual this year. The event will stream live at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 from the theater...
Living with Children: Most shy kids outgrow their shyness
Researchers have found what many personal testimonies will confirm: Most shy children, even the most painfully shy of them, are not shy adults. The progression from introversion to extroversion does not require therapy, behavior modification, or any extraordinary measures. More often than not, it just happens. Most shy kids outgrow...
Wife shows true love for husband through kidney donationVideo
At 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 31, Dan Sturm texted his wife, Tanya. “You awake?” he asked. “Yes,” she answered. “I am coming over,” he replied. Dan, 61, made his way to his wife’s room across the hall on the 11 North hospital floor inside UPMC Montefiore in Oakland. Connected to...
Board games provide low-tech alternative to online obsessionsVideo
A board game called Pandemic was a customer favorite early last year at Mr. Nice Guy Games in Monroeville. “It was our No. 1 seller in February and March,” said Christy Kotwica, who owns the store with her husband, Ron Kotwica. “We ordered four times what we’d normally order, and...
New pups hit the dog park; owners are nervous wrecks
Like a lot of new dog owners, Adriana Magarin recently got a puppy to help brighten up pandemic life. “You can only read so many books, you can only listen to so many podcasts,” she said. Buddy, her husky, is “a troublemaker, but he gets me up in the morning...
Living with Children: Discipline vs. punishment
Misusing terminology is not simply a matter of semantics. A person who confuses the meaning of words is likely to behave accordingly. That occurred to me during a conversation with a parent who was using the word discipline as if it was a synonym for punishment. When I pointed that...
Michigan man killed after cannon used at baby shower explodes
GAINES TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A Michigan man who was fatally injured when a cannon exploded in a backyard during a baby shower was within 15 feet of the device when the blast occurred, police said. Evan Thomas Silva, 26, of Hartland, was struck by metal shrapnel in Saturday night’s explosion...
Here’s how to celebrate Valentine’s Day despite covid restrictions
Valentine’s Day is just a few short days away and even covid-19 can’t stop the celebration of love. Despite the pandemic and its restrictions, there are ways to adhere to Gov. Tom Wolf’s orders and celebrate the day safely. The Feb. 14 holiday falls on a Sunday this year. Make...
5 stories of Western Pennsylvanians who lost a sibling
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‘It is the hardest thing ever’: 5 Western Pennsylvanians share their anguish of losing a sibling
A sibling is often someone’s first friend. The person who best understands the family’s dynamic. Someone who travels through life’s stages, shares memories of childhood. Many forge lifetime bonds. The death of a sibling can leave a cavernous hole. “A sibling’s death becomes an anchor marker,” said Paul Friday, chief...
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh plans safe, outdoor Valentine’s activities
Kids and their families can celebrate Valentine’s Day early with free, socially distanced, outdoor fun at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh in the North Side. Hearts in the Park, planned for 4-8 p.m. Feb. 13, will offer interactive outdoor exhibits and activities, along with drive-through elements. “While, sadly, our doors...
Things to do in Western Pa.: Feb. 3, 2021Video
Feeling down after Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter? Maybe what you need is a good laugh. You’re in luck. Arcade Comedy Theater has a reading of classic Black sitcoms, South West Communities Chamber of Commerce has a comedy date night and Rowhouse Cinema has its annual “Sweded”...
Pittsburgh ranks 19th-worst city for bed bugs
Here’s a list on which Pittsburgh should be relieved it ranks only in the middle of the pack. A survey released Monday by pest control specialists Orkin ranks Pittsburgh as the 19th-worst city for bed bugs. Pittsburgh also ranked 19th last year and 24th the year before that. The worst...
Merriam-Webster adds more than 520 new words to dictionary, including ‘COVID-19,’ ‘second gentleman’ and ‘sapiosexual’
Merriam-Webster, the United States’ leading language provider announced it was adding over 520 new words and definitions to the publisher’s website. These new words include “covid-19,” “second gentleman,” “long-hauler,” “flex,” “ASMR” and “sapiosexual.” Before the pandemic, “long-hauler” was defined as a person or vehicle that travels long distances, but it...
ScareHouse to welcome visitors on Valentine’s weekend
People can swap sweet for scary at the ScareHouse haunted attraction during Valentine’s Day weekend. ScareHouse in Frazer’s Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills is hosting a “twisted tale of holiday horror,” dubbed “Creepy Christmas,” for the holiday weekend. The Creepy Christmas event will run from Feb. 12-14. Since ScareHouse couldn’t host...
