Editor's Picks category, Page 173
Planning and patience required when traveling with children over the holidays
Traveling with small children can be stressful. Traveling with small children during the hectic holidays can add another layer of stress. Thankfully, local experts have tips for surviving holiday travel with young ones. “You have to have patience,” said Joe Weigler, who owns Pittsburgh-based Shadyside Travel. “You have to go...
Pittsburgh Pop podcast: Talking Mr. McFeely, ‘Rustin,’ Charissa Thompson, the return of Urkel, ‘Wolf Hall’
In this episode of the Pittsburgh Pop podcast, host Tim Benz and TV Talk columnist Rob Owen discuss Pittsburgh pop culture news of the moment, including filmed-in-Pittsburgh “Rustin,” now streaming on Netflix, and new Emmy honors for Pittsburgh actor David Newell, who played Mr. McFeely on “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Benz...
Hat worn by Napoleon fetches $1.6 million at an auction of the French emperor’s belongings
PARIS — A faded and cracked felt hat worn by Napoléon Bonaparte fetched $1.6 million at an auction Sunday of the French emperor’s belongings Yes, $1.6 million. The signature broad, black hat — one of a handful still in existence that Napoléon wore when he ruled 19th century France and...
No more Thanksgiving ‘food orgy’? New obesity medications change how users think of holiday meals
For most of her life, Claudia Stearns dreaded Thanksgiving. As a person who struggled with obesity since childhood, Stearns hated the annual turmoil of obsessing about what she ate — and the guilt of overindulging on a holiday built around food. Now, after losing nearly 100 pounds using medications including...
Driving or flying before feasting? Here are some tips for Thanksgiving travelers
CONCORD, N.H. — Getting a big holiday meal on the table can be stressful for the cook (see “The Bear,” Season two, Episode six.) But for guests, just getting to the table also can be difficult, and there’s no Butterball hotline for harried travelers. The number of people traveling 50...
Bethel Park JFK expert: ‘Warren Commission, I think, got most of it right’
Six decades after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, a frequent lecturer on the subject agrees with the original official version of what transpired: “Even all these years later, I generally have come out and said, ‘The Warren Commission, I think, got most of it right.’ ” Bethel Park resident...
Cheers! A bottle of Scotch whisky sells for a record $2.7 million at auction
LONDON — A bottle of Scotch whisky billed as “the most sought-after” in the world sold Saturday for almost 2.2 million pounds ($2.7 million), an auction record for a bottle of wine or spirits. The Macallan Adami 1926 sold at Sotheby’s in London, after a bidding war between would-be buyers...
Winning Food Network’s ‘Summer Baking Championship’ sweetens life of pastry chef Zoe Peckich
Zoe Peckich has always had a sweet tooth. Growing up in Canonsburg, the town where Sarris Candies was founded, was a huge inspiration for her love of dessert. Things have gotten even sweeter for the pastry chef at Ritual House in Downtown Pittsburgh since claiming the title of Food Network’s...
Behind the art: Gavels mix with grandeur in Westmoreland courtroom
Editor’s note: Behind the Art is a recurring series highlighting artistic works throughout the county. When new faces enter Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio’s courtroom, they often appear awestruck. There’s so much to look at — the magnificent paintings on the ceiling, the portraits of past judges along the walls and the...
Annual Tarentum-Brackenridge Holiday Parade brings festive fun, sense of community
Kathy Linderman started designing a Charlie Brown-themed Christmas float for the annual Tarentum-Brackenridge Holiday Parade in October. The float — which she rode with her kids, Gabrielle, 11, and Benjamin, 13 — included Snoopy’s dog house, cut-out decorations of beloved Peanuts characters, and a small Charlie Brown Christmas tree made...
Alleged ‘forgotten’ notebook latest disagreement in Springdale injunction case
Attorneys representing the property owner of the former power plant in Springdale are calling into question a “forgotten” notebook with “hundreds of photographs” from a site visit in October and are asking the judge presiding over the case to not allow them to be used in the hearing. Attorneys Dave...
Visit with therapy dog a treat for Acmetonia fourth graders who display positive behavior
A four-legged friend visited Acmetonia Elementary School on Friday morning as part of a new initiative to reward students’ positive behavior. Elizabeth Newill, a fourth grade science teacher, has started bringing Finnegan, her 7-year-old English springer spaniel, into her classroom every two weeks as part of a positive behavior reward...
Study: skin-to-skin for premature babies has positive outcomes
In a dark room, Nichole Kurtz lifts the blanket on the side of the incubator and carefully navigates the tubes and wires. She reaches for her son, Lennox Lee-Heyward, who was born premature on July 17 at 26 weeks three days, weighing 2 pounds 4 ounces. He lets out a...
Phipps winter flower show open in Oakland
A topiary cat greets guests perched on an antique chair next to a fireplace. Poinsettias bloom throughout. Gnomes sit atop the soil, topped in pointed red hats. A tall tree constructed of metal spheres illuminates. The lush scenery encapsulates the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens “Holiday Magic! Winter Flower Show...
TV Talk: David Newell, aka Mr. McFeely on ‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,’ to receive Emmy honorVideo
Pittsburgh actor David Newell, who for more than three decades played Speedy Deliveryman Mr. McFeely on “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” will be inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Gold Circle at the second Children’s & Family Emmy Awards in Los Angeles Dec. 17. The Gold Circle is...
Marijuana master Snoop Dogg announces he’s giving up smoking
Pot proponent Snoop Dogg is seemingly dropping his obsessive weed habit. The 16-time Grammy-nominated hip-hop star, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, announced on Thursday that he’s giving up smoking. “After much consideration & conversation with my family, I’ve decided to give up smoke. Please respect my privacy at this...
Patti’s Pasticceria bakery in White Oak moves to larger location
Patti Fiasco worked at the former Feig’s Bakery in White Oak while she attended college at nearby Penn State McKeesport, now Penn State Greater Allegheny. She manned the counter at the shop known for its specialty egg buns and bread and learned to bake and decorate cakes. Four decades later,...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Nov. 17-19
It’s one of the biggest event weekends of the year in Pittsburgh: the Downtown Partnership’s Light Up Night. But there are things to do beyond the season lights. Here are five fun ideas for you. Holiday happenings This weekend is the unofficial start of the holiday season with the city’s...
Etna Girl Scout leader honored for 50 years of service
Ruth “Ruthie” Hidek is a woman of her word. Following through with a pact that she made in high school, she’s been a Girl Scout troop leader for the past 50 years. Hidek was a scout until high school. She ended up leaving the program because “they wanted to have...
TV Talk: 5th ‘Fargo’ TV installment explores ‘Minnesota nice’ in uncivil societyVideo
Trib Total Media TV writer Rob Owen offers a viewing tip for the coming week. Sometimes you don’t realize just how good an actor can be at their craft until you see the actor in a completely different role. From her work as bubbly Keeley Jones on “Ted Lasso,” I...
5 things to do this weekend in Westmoreland County: Nov. 17-19
The last of the season’s farmers markets, along with an unusual poultry bingo, are on tap for this weekend in Westmoreland County. Greensburg YMCA Family Fun Night The Greensburg YMCA is hosting its first in a series of monthly Family Fun Nights from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday in the...
Amazon will allow U.S. customers to buy cars on its site from local car dealers starting next year
NEW YORK — Want to buy a car on Amazon? Well, now you might get your chance. The e-commerce giant will launch vehicle sales in the U.S. next year and allow local car dealers to sell directly to customers on its site. In a joint announcement with car manufacturer Hyundai...
Here’s what to know about 2023 Light Up Night
Pittsburgh kicks off the holiday season with Highmark Light Up Night on Saturday. This weekend will also be the debut of a new light display at Point State Park. Duquesne Light’s familiar “Tree of Lights” at the park’s fountain was retired after 30 years in 2021. It will replaced with...
Point State Park holiday tree set to return with new name, look
For years, it was an iconic holiday fixture in Pittsburgh. The Point State Park Christmas tree dotted the city’s confluence as an annual beacon of the season. Until last year. Sponsored by Duquesne Light, the tree stood near the fountain in Point State Park since its introduction in the 1988...
TV Talk: Godzilla (and friends!) attack; ‘Cartoon Academy’ returnsVideo
Despite its presence on one of the smaller streaming services, WhipMedia’s anticipation report said Apple TV+’s new 10-episode live-action Godzilla series, “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters” is the most-anticipated new series in November. Turns out there’s a huge fandom for Godzilla – and not just in Japan – that I only...
