Lifestyles category, Page 5
Grind Hard Conditioning empowers kids to grow on and off the field
When a spontaneous pick-up game of flag football in Brackenridge attracted 80 kids, Julius Johnson and Jonathan Butter were excited to imagine it growing into something more. “We enjoy working with the kids, showing them what hard work can do,” said Johnson, of Brackenridge. “We thought, ‘What more can we...
American passports decline in global power, now ranked 12th
The United States passport is no longer among the top 10 most powerful passports, according to a group monitoring global travel. It’s now ranked 12th on the Henley Passport Index, which ranks passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. American passports allow...
New Italian restaurant Cork & Crust to open in Oakland hotel
Led by an award-winning chef, a new Italian restaurant is expected to open in Oakland by the end of the year. On Thursday, The Oaklander Hotel on on Bigelow Boulevard announced that the new restaurant — Cork & Crust — will have three-time James Beard Foundation Award semifinalist and featured...
Former airplane hangar, grain silo offers country-chic Airbnb stay in Butler County
A former grain silo and airplane hangar are two combined apartment-style lodging options offering upscale accommodations at a Butler County farm on more than 200 acres. Co-owners Jan and Cathy McDonald bought their farm in 1999 and later opened a wedding/event barn-themed venue called the White Barn, separate from the...
Folino family brings The Bocce House to O’Hara
The location has changed for a group of avid bocce players, but the love of the game hasn’t. Creating a sporting atmosphere is what Fox Chapel resident Tony Folino and his sons, Frank and Dino Folino, envisioned for The Bocce House of Pittsburgh. The unique complex in RIDC Park in...
Does ‘6-7’ make you feel old and out-of-touch? Here’s why it’s so popular.
How are you feeling? “6-7.” How tall are you? “6-7.” What time is it? “6-7.” This week, Dictionary.com announced “6-7” (pronounced “six-seven”) as its Word of the Year, putting the nonsense internet slang trend that’s exploded among Gen Alpha and Gen Z – and frustrated parents and teachers – back...
Rachel Carson Ecovillage promises to bring cohousing, a new way of living, to region
The first residents of a new cohousing community in McCandless are expected to begin moving into their homes early next year. After five years of planning and preparation, the homes that will make up the Rachel Carson EcoVillage at Providence Heights were expected to quickly begin taking shape in November,...
Dogs of Sewickley returns after 2 decades
Two decades ago, Nancy Kury’s ex-husband saw images of multiple colorful entry ways from Ireland and New York that were photographed and stacked in rows on a poster. The Doors of Dublin and Doors of New York posters inspired the Dogs of Sewickley. “He said, ‘If there can be Doors...
Mansions at Lake MacLeod in Pine to be featured in Symphony Splendor House Tour
For the first time, palatial mansions in Lake Macleod will welcome guests for an up-close look at these homes dressed for the holidays. Five one-of-a-kind residences in Pine are part of the Symphony Splendor 2025 Holiday House Tour North. Hosted by the Pittsburgh Symphony Association to benefit the Pittsburgh Symphony...
Steelers and lululemon collaborate for NFL gear
Clothes designer lululemon has launched official NFL merchandise, and the Steelers are included in the collaboration. The popular athletic brand added football teams’ logos to some of its most loved items like the Scuba hoodies and joggers. There are six items available in the Steelers collection as of now online,...
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...
