Editor's Picks category, Page 285
From the archive: Ex-Tarentum resident Estelle Harris enjoys role in ‘Seinfeld’
In memory of actress Estelle Harris, who died this weekend at age 93, TribLIVE is reposting a story from 1994 where she spoke about her work on “Seinfeld” and her acting career. Story by Rex Rutkoski. Published on Feb. 17, 1994. She’s been associated with some of the best-known people...
Reinventing the dog crate? This Hempfield native hopes to make it apartment-friendly
When Jack Murray moved into an apartment with his roommates, he quickly noticed something: The “pretty small” three-bedroom wasn’t spacious enough for his dog Heidi’s crate. The crate took up “so much room” in Murray’s home and impacted its visual appeal. If he wanted the crate out of the way...
TV Talk: Western Pa. teen continues to advance on ‘American Idol’Video
From failing to make it onto the show last season to now advancing three times this season, Morgan Gruber of Franklin Township, Beaver County, is on a roll. In Sunday’s duets-themed episode, taped in December, platinum ticketholder Jay Copeland picked Gruber to be his duet partner, and they advanced to...
‘Remember When’ series details history of Westmoreland County trolley linesVideo
When Jean Loughrey thinks of the trolley lines that once connected towns within Westmoreland County, it doesn’t take long for her to recall some “very good memories.” Loughrey, 92, of Delmont said she used to take the trolley from a station in Jeannette to Greensburg, where she took classes at...
Pandemic isolation helps shape Greensburg family band’s new albumVideo
On “Lonely Telephone,” an EP released by Greensburg band Essential Machine about a decade ago, acoustic-based tunes bubble and float, underpinned by quirky xylophone pings and an indie-folk-music aesthetic. As the band — husband and wife R.J. and Karen Dietrich and their son, 20-year-old Robert — prepares to release its...
Meet Pa.’s billionaires: How the Keystone State’s 17 richest people made their cash
Elon Musk sits atop the list of the world’s richest people with an insane $287.6 billion dollar fortune, and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos right right behind him with $189.3 billion, per Forbes. All told, the website tracks about 2,755 billionaires across the world, and the website Stacker.com recently dug into the...
Carnegie Mellon’s 2022 International Film Festival explores what’s ‘Behind the Mask’
Carnegie Mellon University’s theme for its 2022 International Film Festival can be interpreted literally and figuratively. “Faces Behind the Mask,” the title of the festival, explores face coverings — the physical ones people have been wearing during the pandemic as well as those that aren’t seen. “What masks do we...
Robots are on the move at Carnegie Science Center
“Warning, warning Will Robinson!” is how B-9, the robot from “Lost in Space,” might put it. The Carnegie Science Center’s Robot Hall of Fame, of which B-9 is a member, has been permanently moved from the second floor to the ground level lobby of The Rangos Giant Cinema. In addition,...
Will Smith resigns from film academy over Chris Rock slap
LOS ANGELES — Will Smith resigned Friday from the motion picture academy following his Oscars night slap of Chris Rock and said he would accept any further punishment the organization imposed. Smith in a statement released Friday afternoon he would “accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate. I will...
Square Café returns to Regent Square with new name
It’s back to square one for the Square Café. The restaurant reopened a second store – Square One — in the spot where it all began. Square One is located inside My Goodness Market on Braddock Avenue in Regent Square. The café is an addition to the market. The larger...
New wedding/event center unveiled in former Buffalo Township landmark restaurant
Monarch Veil, a new multi-venue wedding and event space, is open on the grounds of the former J-Barn Country Inn in Buffalo Township. Dean and Janae McAfee purchased the popular rural restaurant last year and opened for business this month. The J-Barn, once known as Jardine’s, closed in 2018. After...
Sandcastle to open early with new look, first new slide in 10 years
Like its sister attractions Kennywood and Idlewild & SoakZone, Sandcastle will open earlier than usual this season. On Friday, the water park in West Homestead announced opening day is May 21 — a week prior to the traditional Memorial Day weekend start. Kennywood opens April 16 and Idlewild on May...
TV Talk: Very Local highlights Pittsburgh chefs; PBS offers a biography of Benjamin Franklin
Trib Total Media TV writer Rob Owen offers viewing tips for the coming week. The latest Pittsburgh show on Hearst’s Very Local streaming service, available via Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Android TV and Roku devices, offers profiles of several Pittsburgh chefs in each half-hour episode. Unlike Very Local’s hosted culinary...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: April 1-3
Whodunit? Renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht will engage in “A Pathological Discussion,” with sessions at 8 p.m. Friday and 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday at The Lamp Theatre, 222 Main St., Irwin. With host John McIntire, the 91-year-old Wecht will cover cases of notorious deaths, including those of Jeffrey...
Got a dime? Businesses seek Treasury help with coin shortage
WASHINGTON — Got a dime you can spare? Coins are in short supply. Again. Retailers, laundromats and other businesses that rely on coins want Americans to empty their piggy banks and look under couch cushions for extra change and “get coin moving.” A group of trade associations that represent individual...
TV Talk: Former Pittsburgher directs ‘Better Nate Than Ever,’ based on his novel, for Disney+Video
Tim Federle grew up in the Pittsburgh suburbs as a theater kid, realized his dream of appearing on Broadway, became an author and now is a scriptwriter/showrunner/director with the movie “Ferdinand” and Disney+’s “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” among his credits. But his film directorial debut, an adaptation...
Scene from movie ‘A Man Called Otto’ filmed at Oakmont church, sans a man called Tom Hanks
Oakmont resident Kassandra Stotler held her sons, Glenn and Billy, as the stood outside St. Thomas Episcopal Church. They were watching folks not normally seen in town. Crews moved cars, trucks, cameras and equipment up and down Delaware Avenue and Fourth Street. The place of worship just a few blocks...
Immersive Frida Kahlo exhibit in Pittsburgh encompasses artist’s tumultuous life
Frida Kahlo lived most of her life in pain. Her art reflects the hurt. The Mexico native’s work is being showcased in Immersive Frida Kahlo at Lighthouse ArtSpace Pittsburgh on the North Side. The exhibit opened Saturday and will continue at least through May. “Frida’s parents urged her to paint...
Springdale High School program gives back, offers student social skills
Allegheny Valley School District administrators and teachers were able to enjoy a meal while giving to a good cause Wednesday afternoon. The meal was a part of the Empty Bowls luncheon, “a grassroots movement by artists and crafts people in cities and towns around the world to raise money for...
Bruce Willis, diagnosed with aphasia, steps away from acting
NEW YORK — Bruce Wills is stepping away from acting after a diagnosis of aphasia, a condition that causes loss of the ability to understand or express speech, his family announced Wednesday. In a statement posted on Willis’ Instagram page, the 67-year-old actor’s family said Willis was recently diagnosed with...
TV Q&A: Was Steve Harvey ever a real judge?
Trib Total Media TV writer Rob Owen answers reader questions every Wednesday at TribLive.com in a column that also appears in the Sunday Tribune-Review. Q: I’ve been watching ABC’s “Judge Steve Harvey.” It’s very entertaining. Is he a real judge? – Theresa, Allegheny Township Rob: Unlike the judges on daytime...
TV Talk: ‘This is Us’ gives a shout-out to Eat’n Park
NBC’s partially Pittsburgh-set “This Is Us” has its share of local references – the Steelers, the Pirates and even the late Froggy’s in Downtown Pittsburgh have received multiple references on the family drama – and in Tuesday’s episode it was local chain Eat’n Park’s turn. In the present, while at...
Misuse of books reported at the Sharpsburg Community Library
Sharpsburg police are investigating reported book tampering at the Sharpsburg Community Library, which library officials consider to be attempts at censorship. Branch Manager Sara Mariacher said multiple books were hidden or removed from displays between February and mid-March. A police report was filed March 24. “The library and its board...
Foo Fighters cancel tour in light of drummer Taylor Hawkins’ death
Foo Fighters on Tuesday announced the cancellation of all remaining tour dates, including a scheduled stop in Western Pennsylvania later this spring. The announcement comes days after drummer Taylor Hawkins died while the band was on tour in Colombia. In a statement to fans, the band called the loss of...
Bitter Ends restaurant in Bloomfield to close
After nearly five years of serving diners breakfast, coffee, fresh-baked bread, and inventive brunch and take-out items, Bitter Ends will close in April. The popular spot took over the former Bloomfield Sandwich Shop location in 2017, and quickly built a passionate fan base. Bitter Ends focused on hearth-baked bread and...
