Lifestyles category, Page 125
National Aviary virtual summer camps go behind the scenes
In response to the covid-19 pandemic, the National Aviary is moving its upcoming summer camps online. Campers will view exclusive live and pre-recorded content, participate in hands-on crafts and activities, and meet some of the National Aviary’s birds. The format will allow the aviary team to immerse campers in new,...
Hot dogs and hops? New Sheetz beer combines 2 summer favorites
Sheetz is going one better on the classic summer combination of a hot dog and a cold brew. The Altoona-based convenience store chain has announced the release of Project Hop Dog, a new, limited-edition craft beer brewed in partnership with Neshaminy Creek Brewing Co. of Bucks County. “Now available at...
Familiar song returns to No. 1 in WDVE Memorial Day 500 countdown
“Stairway to Heaven” ascended back to the top. The Led Zeppelin song finished first in the DVE Memorial Day 500 countdown, which ended Monday night. It bested Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” Guns ‘N Roses’ “Sweet Child of Mine,” “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd and “Another Brick in the Wall” by Pink...
Living with Children: Appreciate the odd among us
I have come up with a new psychological diagnosis, one that I won’t, however, be submitting for approval to the powers that be: simply, odd. My “odd” is to be distinguished from ODD, the acronym for oppositional defiant disorder, an invention that enables mental health professionals to obtain payment from...
Vendors scramble to replace income from canceled festivals
For Tim Roth of Hempfield, selling his artwork at area fairs and festivals is a hobby. The cancellation of this summer’s events won’t break his budget. But things are different for Grace McCracken of Carnegie, who left her day job in 2016 to produce and market her charcoal drawings full-time....
Pittsburgh-area company’s candles inspired by the city, help raise money for Light of Life missionVideo
A candle brings light to the darkness. Jennifer Ingram provides that illumination. She founded Pittsburgh Candle Works last year. Her candles are made from soy wax and hand-poured in her home studio in Marshall Township. She collaborates with local artists on the label designs. Ingram created a specific candle in...
Moroccan beef burgers get added dose of spice
Here’s a way to spice up your Memorial Day burgers using Moroccan-style spices. Ground cumin, ground cinnamon, fresh mint and parsley may seem unusual additions to burgers, but they add an intriguing flavor to them. Ground spices can lose their flavor after a few months. If yours look grey or...
Make the next ‘Taco Tuesday’ vegetarian
Wrapped with corn or flour tortillas or even lettuce leaves, tacos have become a national favorite. Whether for breakfast, lunch or dinner they’re easy to eat and can be easy to make. Here’s a vegetarian taco made with soft whole wheat tortillas. They fold easily and add an earthy flavor...
Universal Orlando seeks to reopen theme parks in early June
ORLANDO, Fla. — Universal Orlando is aiming to reopen its theme parks in early June, a resort official said Thursday, more than two months after the company joined crosstown rivals Disney World and SeaWorld in closing their gates to stop the spread of the new coronavirus. Universal Orlando executive John...
Let them eat Torte: Prantl’s Bakery reopens in Greensburg, Shadyside
For those craving a burnt almond torte during quarantine, Prantl’s Bakery is back. The famous bakery’s three locations have been closed since mid-March in the coronavirus shutdown, though some products were still available for delivery via online orders. Now customers can once again walk into the Greensburg and Shadyside locations...
Delmont, Murrysville farmers markets will open with some restrictions this season
Annual farmers markets in Delmont and Murrysville will open in June, but with some special measures in place to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. • In Delmont, the market will be open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning June 13, and will add a curbside pickup...
Walnut Grill plans to open 5th Pittsburgh-area restaurant amid pandemic
The newest Walnut Grill American Eatery & Bar is slated to open in July. It will be located in a strip mall at 1001 Cool Springs Road in Bethel Park (at the former Steel Cactus Restaurant). Walnut Grill, which has been in business for more than 21 years, also has...
Disney, Universal may require masks, but will tourists comply and how can it be enforced?
ORLANDO, Fla. — Quarantined alone for weeks, Kristen Hariton listens to Walt Disney World ride soundtracks while she works in her one-bedroom condo. Her music playlist is the best she can do right now since she has lost her happiest place on Earth. Hariton says she would do anything, including...
Author urges gardeners to form 1 big ‘national park’
Imagine if all the back and front yards — and even patio container plants — across the country were seen as one magnificent patchwork quilt, a “Homegrown National Park.” Home gardeners would join forces to bring back a variety of native plants to protect and nurture struggling birds, bees and...
Living with Children: The value of a reward
Psychologist B.F. Skinner, the formulator of behavior modification theory, was attempting to prove that the same principles that govern the behavior of amoeba, planaria, rats, dogs and monkeys also govern the behavior of human beings. A very Darwinian proposition, indeed. What my graduate school professors conveniently “forgot” to tell me:...
Help needed to plant Pittsburgh-area community flower gardens
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is seeking volunteers to assist with planting some of its Pittsburgh and Allegheny County community flower gardens. “Healthy people of all ages who want to get outdoors and help beautify local communities can sign up now to volunteer through mid-June,” the Conservancy says. “To prevent the...
Heading back to the office? Prepare your dog for separation anxiety
While your cat might have resented your recent work-from-home schedule, chances are your dog loved it. Dogs love having their owners around. While science disputes the notion that dogs are true pack animals, no one denies that most dogs are pretty sociable. More time at home for you means more...
West Deer woman to appear on ‘The Price Is Right’
Mary Kay Giarrusso is hard of hearing, so she didn’t know at first that she should come on down. But her husband, and everyone around her in the studio audience, recognized the signature call. “When I heard, ‘Mary Kay Giarrusso, come on down. You are the next contestant on ‘The...
Lemon-flavored halibut with warm zucchini salad is a quick dinnerVideo
I easily found these ingredients for this lemon-flavored fish dinner. Halibut is a firm, white fish with a mild flavor. Fresh lemon sauce brightens the fish. If halibut is not available, any firm white fish such as cod or mahi-mahi can be used. Look for the freshest fish available. Or,...
Mad Mex’s Gobblerito going away, for now
The Gobblerito is almost gobble gone. The famed Mad Mex menu item, normally available in the fall, will see its current run on the menu end next week. On Instagram, the restaurant said the last day to order the Thanksgiving burrito would be May 21 and other favorites would be...
10 quarantine habits to keep after shutdown endsVideo
We breathe a tentative sigh of relief as much of Western Pennsylvania approaches the yellow phase in the gradual easing of coronavirus-related restrictions, beginning Friday. There are a few things we won’t miss when we emerge from the covid-19 quarantine — things like social distancing that keep us apart from...
Western Pa. liquor stores will reopen for in-person sales with some restrictions
More than 100 state liquor stores across Allegheny, Westmoreland and the surrounding counties will open for in-person sales Friday as the region moves into the yellow phase of its tiered reopening. The 155 Fine Wine and Good Spirits stores will open across the dozens of counties that have seen or...
When Disney parks reopen, masks will likely be the normVideo
Disney amusement parks in Orlando, Fla., and Anaheim, Calif., are still closed, but with the park in Shanghai reopened Monday, there are signs of what may be in store for the other parks when they reopen. Among the measures in place in Shanghai are: smaller number of people in the...
Plant-Based Pittsburgh group encourages home gardening amid pandemic
As the weather begins to warm, plants begin to grow far and wide, and not just in Western Pennsylvania’s widespread forests. Gardens throughout the state are beginning to take shape, as gardeners prepare their soil, water seedlings and prepare for another growing season. In Murrysville, the local branch of Plant-Based...
Living with Children: Today’s ‘Good Mommy Club’ does no favors for kids
The biggest problem in the life of today’s all-too typical mother is herself. She is her own worst enemy. Them’s fightin’ words, I know, but please, hold the tomatoes and other vegetables and bear with me. One of the doctrines of the Good Mommy Club, the evil sisterhood to which...
