More Lifestyles category, Page 13
A blender from the 1960s, a restored 1936 piano. What I learned from clearing out my childhood home
NEW YORK — It’s been eight months since I closed the door for the last time to my childhood home in suburban New Jersey and said goodbye to more than a half century of memories. I sometimes still struggle to let it go. Mom passed away in February 2023 after...
Our ancient animal ancestors had tails. Why don’t we?
WASHINGTON — Our very ancient animal ancestors had tails. Why don’t we? Somewhere around 20 million or 25 million years ago, when apes diverged from monkeys, our branch of the tree of life shed its tail. From Darwin’s time, scientists have wondered why — and how — this happened. Now,...
‘Totally cold’ is not too cold for winter swimmers competing in a frozen Vermont lake
NEWPORT, Vt. — Plunging into a frozen lake and swimming laps may not be everyone’s good time but for winter swimmers who return year after year to a northern Vermont lake near the Canadian border, there’s nothing better. The 10th annual Memphremagog Winter Swimming Festival kicked off Friday with the...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Feb. 23-25
In preparation for St. Patrick’s Day, luck has come a little early with all of these unique events happening this weekend in Westmoreland County: Celebrating a lifelong helper As a part of the Fred Rogers Scholars Program, Saint Vincent College students have partnered with Latrobe Art Center, 819 Ligonier St.,...
Greece just legalized same-sex marriage. Will other Orthodox countries join them any time soon?
Greece has become the first majority-Orthodox Christian nation to legalize same-sex marriage under civil law. At least for the near future, it will almost certainly be the only one. Eastern Orthodox leadership, despite lacking a single doctrinal authority like a pope, has been united in opposing recognition of same-sex relationships...
5 Things to do in Westmoreland County: Feb. 16-18
This weekend is all about the parties. Decorations, dancing and unveilings make up a full calendar of things to do this weekend in Westmoreland County. Student exhibition Beginning Friday, the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art Ligonier, off Boucher Lane in Ligonier Township, will open the Artists of the 21st Century,...
Amid artificial intelligence boom, AI girlfriends — and boyfriends — are making their mark
NEW YORK — A few months ago, Derek Carrier started seeing someone and became infatuated. He experienced a “ton” of romantic feelings but he also knew it was an illusion. That’s because his girlfriend was generated by artificial intelligence. Carrier wasn’t looking to develop a relationship with something that wasn’t...
Chocolates, flowers and procrastination. For many Americans, Valentine’s Day is a last-minute affair
In a classic “Saturday Night Live” sketch, a young man hands his girlfriend a Valentine’s Day gift: a bear dressed in a bee costume that he picked up at the drugstore. “When did you get this?” she asks with a strained smile. “One minute ago,” he replies. It has more...
Valentine’s Day gift ideas for any budget
Are you struggling to decide what to give your partner this Valentine’s Day? Here’s a list of ideas for any budget to help get you started: 1. Sweet treats or food You can’t go wrong if you buy your significant other their favorite candy — or snacks for those who...
Edmunds: What you actually need to know about wintertime driving with an electric vehicle
As a big winter storm rolled across the United States in mid-January, many news outlets reported on drivers of electric vehicles dealing with dramatically reduced range and multi-hour waits at public charging stations. It’s true that driving an EV in freezing weather poses extra challenges compared to a gasoline-powered vehicle....
5 things to do in Westmoreland: Jan. 26-28
This weekend is all about education — and a few laughs. Exercise your brain with the local how-to guides for gardening, art, crafts and historic firearms this weekend in Westmoreland County. Investigating pastels On Friday, Cindy Berceli will lead a 10 a.m. class at the Greensburg Art Center , 230...
What to know about changes to this year’s FAFSA application for college students
NEW YORK — A new version of the federal student aid application known as the FAFSA is now available to all college applicants for the 2024-2025 school year. The new Free Application for Federal Student Aid was designed to make it easier for students and parents to apply and to...
‘The colder, the better’ organizers of expanded Ligonier Ice Fest say
The deep freeze that has caused many of us to break out our knit caps is expected to continue through this weekend. Those frigid conditions will be ideal for crews creating sculptures for the annual Ligonier Ice Fest, and for those who come to admire the outdoor display of frozen...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Jan. 12-14
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to be more social, there are plenty of community gatherings to choose from this weekend in Westmoreland County. Museum of Art vintage ball The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg is celebrating its 65th anniversary on Saturday from 6 to 9...
For 2024, some simple lifestyle changes can improve your little piece of the planet
NEW YORK — The fight against climate change requires the mass cooperation of industries, companies, governments and communities, but individuals have a role to play, too. Little things make a difference, and feel good too. At the dawn of 2024, also known as New Year’s resolution season, here’s just a...
Customers battle for specialty Stanley cups at Target, resell them online for hundreds
Usually, you see lines of frenzied shoppers in stores in the weeks before Christmas, not immediately afterward. But the release of a special limited-release cup sold at Target has led to long lines, campouts and people reselling the items for hundreds of dollars in some cases. The limited edition Stanley...
5 Things to do in Westmoreland: Jan. 5 – 7
The first weekend of 2024 is off to a quick start featuring activities for resolution makers and those wanting to get a few more celebrations in before the holiday season is finished. Here’s what’s happening this weekend in Westmoreland County. Holiday light extravaganza Living Treasures Animal Park is hosting its...
En garde! Western Pa. clubs explore historical German, Italian fencing
Jon Mullin and Brendan Bailey’s clash is not flashy like an Errol Flynn duel in one of those classic black-and-white swashbuckling films. Then again, flashiness is not a typical feature of effective, real-world sword-fighting. The goal is not to look impressive; the goal is to win the fight. Mullin and...
After 60 years, Ligonier barbers hang up their clippers
When cousins Ken Knupp and Walt Boyd closed the doors of their Ligonier Borough barbershop Wednesday, one thing was clear — they will miss their customers the most. After working as barbers for more than 60 years, the two decided to retire together from their longtime practice at Knupp’s Barbershop....
Not so fast: You could toss your poinsettias, or help them ‘bloom’ again next year
I tend to view holiday decorations strictly as anticipatory objects. They’re lovely leading up to the big day, but as soon as midnight strikes, I’m ready to drag the Jack-O-Lantern or Christmas tree to the curb. Not so with poinsettias, however. The red and white “flowering” beauties can be kept...
The secret life of gift cards: Here’s what happens to the billions that go unspent each year
Gift cards make great stocking stuffers — just as long as you don’t stuff them in a drawer and forget about them after the holidays. Americans are expected to spend nearly $30 billion on gift cards this holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation. Restaurant gift cards are the...
Holiday togetherness can also mean family fights. But there are ways to try to sidestep the drama
The holidays, a time where families and friends can get together to talk, to laugh — or get into screaming arguments. There are plenty of reasons togetherness can turn into tension — maybe that cousin you mostly love has that one opinion on politics or world events you just can’t...
5 things to do in Westmoreland: Dec. 22-24
There are plenty of festive things to do in Westmoreland County this weekend to foster the holiday spirit as Christmas approaches. The Westmoreland Museum of American Art: Cantilever Tours The Westmoreland on North Main Street in Greensburg will continue its series of free tours from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday....
America’s animal shelters are overcrowded with pets from families facing economic and housing woes
MENANDS, N.Y. — Kaine is a big, buoyant dog looking for a home. But lately, he’s spending a lot of time at the office. Animal shelters around the U.S. are bursting at the seams amid the rising cost of living, so the gray and white 7-year-old has been staying in...
The poinsettia by any other name? Try ‘cuetlaxochitl’ or ‘Nochebuena’
SANTA FE, N.M. — Like Christmas trees, Santa and reindeer, the poinsettia has long been a ubiquitous symbol of the holiday season in the U.S. and Europe. But now, nearly 200 years after the plant with the bright crimson leaves was introduced north of the Rio Grande, attention is once...
