Designing Home Lifestyles

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Spring 2013Complimentary

See Story On Pages 10-12

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Designing HOME Lifestyles. Copyright 2013. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction ofany photographs, artwork, or copy prepared by Designing HOME Lifestyles is strictlyprohibited without written consent of the Publisher. Designing HOME Lifestylesis a free publication and is published four times a year (Spring, Summer, Falland Winter) and is distributed by direct mail. This magazine contains certainadvertorials and first person advertisement articles which are the sole responsibilityof the advertisers, and not Designing HOME Lifestyles and the Publisher. The viewsand representations expressed in the advertorials contained herein express theviews and representations of the respective advertisers and are not those of thePublisher or Designing HOME Lifestyles and are indicated by this symbol atthe end of their advertisement. Neither the advertisers, publisher, Designing HOMELifestyles or In Community Magazines and Media will be responsible or liable formisinformation, misprints, typographical errors, omissions, or rate change information.


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PUBLISHER/EDITORTom Poljak

SENIOR WRITERGina Mazza

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSNancy Hoff Barsotti Mark Berton

Fawn Chang Kim Epp FrenetteDavid Plantowski Steve Stones

ART & PRODUCTION DIRECTORJim Paladino

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTORLaura Twardus

GENERAL SALES MANAGERTamara Myers

ADVERTISING SALESSophia Alfaras Nikki Capezio-WatsonTina Dollard Julie GrafLaurie Holding Connie McDanielBrian McKee Gabriel NegriAimee Nicolia Vincent SabatiniMichael Silvert RJ Vighetti

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Black Bear Publishing5107 Clairton BoulevardPittsburgh, PA 15236(412) 819-5152

Fax: (412) 819-5153

Designing HOME Lifestyles is Owned andOperated by IN Community Publications

Owner – Wayne DollardOffice Manager – Leo Vighetti

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On The Cover:VLC Landscaping’s passion shows in its award-winningdesigns and attention to details. As far back as highschool, Tim Bean of Cranberry Township seemeddestined to run his own landscaping and masonry

company. Today, Tim and his team serve the northernPittsburgh region and surrounding counties, and they’re

having as much fun as ever. See pages 10-12.

FENG SHUI - Elevate Your Lot in Life 56PET LIFESTYLES - Siamese Fighting Fish, Fire-Bellied Toad and Red-Eyed Tree Frog 68AT HOME WITH - Darieth Chisolm 73YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD LIFESTYLES - Greensburg 78COCKTAILS AT HOME - Citrus Cocktails 80

GAL-CAVES 16Creating your own spa is the ultimate in-home female sanctuary for pampering andrelaxation. If your dream is to lounge in a warm, scented tub at the end of a long,hectic day, then you would appreciate having such a space in your home. With alittle creativity and ingenuity, you can create a luxurious spa experience in your home.

“GREEN” IS THE NEW BLACK 22When it comes to fashion, it’s quite possible that “green” is the new black. Notonly is the manufacturing of eco-friendly clothing on the upswing, so is consumerinterest in purchasing it.

DOG-SCAPING YOUR YARD 29The term pet-friendly, as it applies to the outdoors, covers many aspects of youryard. It not only means ensuring the safety of your pets, but also letting themenjoy themselves in the natural surroundings that you create for them.

SHOULD YOU USE AN ARCHITECT FOR YOUR RENOVATION PROJECT? 34Pittsburgh is a football town and we wouldn’t think of entering the stadiumwithout our quarterback. Yet many homeowners don’t understand the dailyand long-term importance of using an architect on even the smallest project.Read about how one family transformed their residence to the home of theirdreams.

TEN EXCUSES FOR NOT EXERCISING AND HOW TO OVERCOME THEM 40Despite it’s impressive list of benefits, surveys show that about 25 percent of USadults get no regular exercise. With the warmer weather upon us and “shortsseason” quickly approaching, now is the ideal time to think about treatingyourself to regular does of this miracle drug called “moving your body.”

GET READY TO PLANT YOUR GARDEN AND START YOUR SEEDS INDOORS 47Seed starting is the foundation of any true gardening independence story.Starting your own seedlings gives you the chance for more varieties (includingorganic) and less costly options than those from the garden centers.

www.aquapoolinc.com

Call (412) 824-6900

Design Innovation,Performance and

above all else, QUALITY.

Aqua Pool, Inc. is a swimming pool company rich in history that takesgreat pride in maintaining a reputation for quality, innovation, serviceand design.

By offering expert design solutions and innovative constructiontechniques, we are able to provide our customers with the highest quality custombuilt gunite pools and spas available anywhere.

Each project is custom designed for your specific application; indoor; outdoor; residential;commercial; therapy or competition.

The applications may change, but our commitment to building a state of the art, qualityproduct while adhering to time-proven standards will not.


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cover story:

kitchen off the back patio. It looks nice and neat on paper butnine times out of 10 we see an opportunity to enhance theoriginal layout after the project has commenced. This is oneway we work. Instead of a blueprint, which can really limita design, we offer a three-dimensional conceptual designpackage.As a team, we’ve been contracted by the industry leadingstone manufacturers to build full architectural showcase displaysof every product they manufacture. It’s quite easy for us, ascontractors, to look at a blueprint and comprehend the finalproduct. Many homeowners are not experienced in this.

Our design package helps our clients really visualize what theproject will look like before it starts so that drastic changesaren’t needed later because they may have pictured somethingcompletely different. It puts the client on the same page as thecontractor so that we can both head into the project confidentwith our expectations. Additionally, while working with you weget a better understanding of your style and preferences. Thisenables us to really create a space that is fine-tuned to fit yourlifestyle. With VLC, our design process doesn’t stop on a pdffile; it ends when we ultimately turn the finished project backover to you. In fact, we want the challenging jobs that no oneelse can do, those custom jobs that can never be replicated, thedesigns that when people walk up for the first time and seeit, they are intrigued at what can be done with an otherwiseunusable space.”

All members of Tim’s crew are encouraged to offer their input.“We work together as a team, and the end goal is a catalog-worthyproject that exceeds expectations. With that being said, each ofus is expected to carry our own weight and to perform each andevery task as well as the next man. That means interacting with

VLCLandscaping’spassion shows in itsaward-winning designsand attention to details

Asfar back as high school, Tim Bean of CranberryTownship seemed destined to run his ownlandscaping and masonry company. In 2002,when Tim was 17 years old at Mars AreaHigh School, he and two of his friends from the

high school football team decided to start cutting lawns aroundthe neighborhood. They acquired a small personal loan topurchase a 26" Craftsman push mower and formed VarsityLawn Care. It was the beginning of bigger things to come.

Upon high school graduation, Tim, the oldest of eight children,was off to college where he played football on a scholarship. Inspite of his full course load and athletic commitments, Timdidn’t just keep the landscaping company alive; he expandedinto three counties (Allegheny, Beaver and Butler) and beganoffering additional services such as mulching, planting andlandscape design.

“I employed a number of my friends from the football team inorder to keep up with the increased demand,” Tim says. Twoyears later, Tim transferred to Geneva College to complete hisfootball career while studying business. “That’s when I foundthat I really enjoyed working with stone and engineering,” herecalls. After Tim completed his college studies three years ago,he relaunched the company as VLC Landscaping (which standsfor Valencia Landscape Construction), and the business hascontinued to grow ever since.

APassion for DesignOne thing that sets VLC Landscaping apart from other contractorsis a passion for ingenuity and innovation. This passion showsthrough the company’s award-winning designs and inventivelydetailed schemes. “I see every job as an opportunity to try some-thing new and get better at what we already do,” Tim shares.“On paper, it's easy to put a fireplace here, a waterfall there, a

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our clients, design management, operating heavy equipment andsuch. As a team, we have learned to manage our individualstrengths and weaknesses collectively, and by doing this wenever lose sight of the big picture. Every day is an opportunityto create something better than yesterday. We pay close attentionto our client’s personalities, likes and dislikes while trying togain a tangible understanding of what they are visualizing.We’ll refine those ideas and work towards a product that trulyreflects the lifestyle of each individual client. It’s our job tocreate an outdoor living space that truly feels like a seamlessextension of your home, to make something great out of nothing.”

One example is a client who really bonded with the VLC crew.“The time came to cast and pour concrete countertops for theirtwo tabletop bars and outdoor kitchen. “We wanted to makethem special not only in shape, coping, polish and color, butsomething that no one else had. Well, inspiration struck when

VLCLandscaping designs and installs:ConcreteCountertops

Dramatic Lighting andAmbianceFire Features • Stone Sculptures

Fireplaces and BrickOvens • Barbeques and BarsWater Features •Composite DeckingStone andConcrete Veneer

OutdoorCookingAreas •Outdoor Living SpacesPool Houses and Pavilions

we were cleaning up the site and noticed that our client had agood number of empty beer and wine bottles left over from theholidays.” The crew gathered up all the brown bottles they couldfind, cleaned them, broke each one into small chips and addedthem to the harvest-wheat-colored concrete mix. When theproduct had cured, the countertops were flipped over andpolished with a high grit diamond-polishing pad. The end resultwas perfectly balanced specs of dark brown exposed throughthe pearl-colored aggregate and tan medium. The countertopslooked amazing, resembling natural granite, but the real storybehind what actually went into the piece was something thatmeant a lot to our client and their large, growing family. Itdoesn’t stop there, we’ve turned a family’s 100-plus-year-oldapple butter kettle into a breathtaking centerpiece waterfall,carved fire pits out of solid boulders, put fiber optics intoconcrete and the list goes on.”

ADedication toQualityVLC Landscaping’s enthusiasm for design is matched by itsdedication to quality and attention to detail. “Every project isbuilt as if it was going in my own house,” Tim says. “For us, it’snot about the bottom line; it’s about the end result. That’s whywe use only the best materials on the market, like Unilock...andwhy our tolerances for course bonds, pitch and compaction ratesfar exceed industry standards set by the Interlocking ConcretePaver Institute and National Concrete Masonry Association. Inthe end, what drives our business is our reputation for premiumcraftsmanship.”

Instead of a blueprint, a conceptual design package isused to generate the design plans. Changes to a designor concept are easily done through this software. Oncecompleted, it gives the homeowner a more realistic viewof what the project will look like when finished.

Continued on next page

This award-winning project fromVLCis currently featured in the

2013UnilockDesign IdeasCatalog.


Tim also keeps a close watch on qualitycontrol by decidedly staying small. “Toomany companies put an emphasis onhow many employees they have, but Ihave yet to see a direct correlationbetween success and the amount ofemployees,” he says. “By staying small,the busyness is eliminated, focus isenhanced and human error is minimized.You get a better finished product, in ashorter amount of time, with less waste.Being a small company also enables usto develop great relationships with ourclients and their families. It’s morecommon than not that our clients inviteour families back over to enjoy, withthem, the outdoor living space that wespent so much time creating. It’s verygratifying to know that we are welcomeat their homes and that our God-giventalents have been used to enrich the wellbeing of others.”

ATop-NotchCrewAnd finally, what sets VLC Landscapingapart is its people. “I’ve been blessedwith a close-knit crew that shares thesame passion for stonecrafting andlandscape design as I do. Our experienceshave shown us that we are most efficientas two- or three-man teams. Each memberis fit, energetic, honest, personable,responsible, trained and experienced.They all take pride in their work.”

The past two years have been especiallydefining for VLC Landscaping, as thecompany has gradually transitioned frombeing a typical landscape contractor(maintenance, plantings, irrigation anda little hardscape) to full-time customhardscaping (stonework, fire and waterfeatures, lighting, retaining walls, decking,outdoor cooking surfaces and more). “Ifthere was a humble way to say we are thebest out there, I’d say it,” Tim comments,

“but I can tell you there are very few whocan do what we do, the way we do it.And above all, the glory goes to God. Healone has truly blessed this company.The men working with me also share inthis core belief.”

Today, Tim and his team serve the north-ern Pittsburgh region and surroundingcounties, and they’re having as much funas ever. “It’s such a fulfilling job,” heconcludes. “As a child, every boy likedto drive Tonka trucks, stack Legos, puttogether complicated puzzles, played inthe mud, and was fascinated with water,fire and light. We just never stopped. It'slike every work day, we clock in at agrown-up playground.”

To learn more about VLC Landscaping,call (724) 400-6006, email

[email protected] or visitwww.vlclandscaping.com.

Like us on Facebook (VLC Landscaping)

VLC Landscaping has won these awards (and more) in just the past two years:

• UnilockAwards of Excellence Runner up for “Most UniqueUse of Unilock Products”in 2011• UnilockAwards of ExcellenceRunner up for “Best Residential Use of Banding/AccentwithUnilock Select Products” in 2011• UnilockAwards of Excellence Runner up for “Best Use of Banding/Accents withUnilock Select Products” in 2012• HardscapesNorth AmericaHonorableMentionAward for “TheMiller Project:InsideOut” in 2012• UnilockAwards of ExcellenceFirst PlaceWinner for “BestOutdoorLivingArea”2012

VLC also has the following qualifications:• ICPI (InterlockingConcrete Paver Institute) Certified Installer• NCMA (National ConcreteMasonry Association) Certified Installer• UnilockAuthorizedContractor• Techo-ProCertified Installer• KeystoneCertified Installer

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(724) 772-313120273 Rt. 19 • Cranberry Township, PA 16066

DESIGN CENTER HOURS 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM: Monday - Saturdaywww.txpgh.com


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By Gina Mazza

In the fall issue of DHL,we dished on man caves.Now it’s the ladies’ turn.If women could have aroom in the home all forthemselves, what would

it be? An indulgentin-home spa? Areading nook? A

craft corner?Here are a few

ideas for“gal-caves”

that youcan create

in yourown home.

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In-Home SpaCreating your own spa is the ultimatein-home female sanctuary for pamperingand relaxation. If your dream is tolounge in a warm, scented tub with aglass of merlot at the end of a long,hectic day, then you would appreciatehaving such a space in your home. Witha little creativity and ingenuity, you cancreate a luxurious spa experience in yourhome.

Start by looking at your existing bathroom.Is there room to incorporate spa-typeelements such as a sauna or tub with jets,into your existing bathroom? If not, youmay want to consider expanding orremodeling the space, or even adding anew room dedicated to your personaldream spa. (Designing Home Lifestyles

Magazine is a great starting point tofinding the right contractors and designprofessionals to help you achieve yourrelaxing oasis.)

From simply replacing a vanity to engag-ing in a complete bathroom re-do, hereare some ways that you can bring spastyle to your bathroom.

Go natural. Spa environments workbest when natural textures and materialslike wood, stone, tile, granite and bamboo,to name a few, are used. Think abouthow you see these materials in natureand replicate it; for example, create apebbled tile floor that feels wonderfulunder bare feet.

Use clear glass.Another natural materialthat instantly opens up a space and createsflow is glass. Strategically placed, it canmake your room appear much larger, andit keeps the shower stall from visuallychopping up the room.

Add shower power: For a better showerexperience, having a special jet systemcan add a light massage to your dailyhygiene routine. Create the idea of asteam room by closing off the showerarea as much as possible, turning the

heat on high, and inhaling deeply beforewashing.

Make space for a sauna.With the rightwall and floor materials, a large showerarea can easily be professionally turned

into a permanent wet sauna. Or, a smallextra room near the bath can be trans-formed into a dry sauna by bordering theentire room with specialized wood andadding a heater. Saunas offer manyhealth benefits, including relaxing tiredmuscles, improving circulation, alleviatingjoint pain, increasing immunity and evenburning calories.


Add a “focal point” fireplace. Fireplaces aren’t just for densand great rooms anymore. A sleek gas or electric model caninstantly add ambiance and warmth to your spa room, as well ascontribute to your aesthetic theme.

Reconsider your commode. These days, stylish toilets are quitethe rage, from hatbox designs and wall-mounted versions tomodels that look like works of art or museum pieces. Upgradingyour toilet instantly upgrades the entire room.

Install a vessel sink. Vessel sinks continue to be popular, andfor good reason. They instantly add flair and a spa-like feel tothe room.Again, choose natural textures like stone or clear glass.

Finishing TouchesOnce you’ve achieved creating your dream spa, you can beginadding personal touches to the room that give it a relaxed,sensuous feel and warm, comfortable glow.

Use calming colors. If you are painting or wallpapering theroom, choose a calm, soothing color palette like neutral brown,taupe or grey, or cool blues. Or opt for crisp white; nothing says"high end spa" like bright, clean walls. Then add color with awhimsical shower curtain, throw rugs and plump, colorfultowels or bath sheets.

Add decorations sparingly.When it comes to spa décor, thinkminimalist. Add a simple striking orchid to the vanity or stream-lined row of tiny candles along the bathtub. Keep the room clearof all clutter, but have the essentials like fresh, stacked towelsand a fluffy, terrycloth robe within easy reach. If expensivefixtures aren’t in your budget, create a few sparkling glass and

metal canisters filled with sand, seashells, glass rocks orbaubles. Place artwork on the walls of your home spa that has a“natural” feel, as well: water flowing over rocks, a beautifullandscape scene or close-up photographs of colorful flowers.

Indulge in bath and beauty products. Next, stock your spawith an assortment of bath products, beauty treatments andskin/hair care specialties. Round up some bubble bath or bathsalts in your favorite scents, body scrubs to exfoliate the skin andmoisturizing bath oils to seal in moisture apres-bath.While your

lounging in the tub, slather a conditioningtreatment in your hair and smootha pore-tightening mask on your face.Rub your skin with a loofah and scrubcalloused feet with a pumice stone. Afteryou dry off from your bath, spread a richmoisturizing lotion on your skin. This isalso the perfect time to give yourself aquick manicure and pedicure. Go ahead,you deserve it.

Cue the music. For the finishing touches,put dimmers on the light fixtures andplay soft, soothing classical or ambientmusic.

Pamper YourselfFrom Head to ToeIn addition to relaxing in the bath, yourin-home spa can be used to take goodcare of your skin, hair and nails withspecial treatments, just like you wouldreceive at a professional spa. Here aresome quick tips and inexpensive DIYtricks for beautifying yourself.

Facial Rejuvenation: Open your poresby placing your face over a bowl ofsteam (make sure the water isn’t too hot),

or simply saturate a small towel withwarm water and place it gently on yourface. Cleanse with a gentle facial wash;add in some lightly ground oatmeal tocreate a gentle scrub. Follow up with anon-alcohol toner such as witch hazelor lemon juice to restore your skin’snatural acid balance.Wrap up your facialwith a trick of the spa trade calledcryotherapy: Place an ice cube inside ofa small plastic bag and gently rub overthe face and eye area for several minutesto tighten pores, and plump up and tonethe skin.

Body Scrubs and Skin Polishing:Create a body scrub called a “gommage”,or salt glow, by mixing one ounce ofground sea salt with 12 drops of a stimu-lating essential oil such as juniper,grapefruit, lemon or thyme. Make apaste by adding enough water to spreadeasily. Before your morning shower,

gently dry brush the skin to with a loofahor terry washcloth in brisk circularstrokes to increase circulation, exfoliatedead skin cells, cleanse the pores, activatecapillaries and stimulate the lymphaticsystem to eliminate toxins and excesswater. Done correctly, your skin withglow with renewed radiance.

Hair Care: Essential oils like rosemaryand lavender can make invigoratingscalp massages. To make dry hair shinyadd 1/4 ounce of lemongrass or rosemaryto 16 ounces of shampoo. Massage yourscalp as you wash your hair.

Foot Therapy. Soak your feet in a basinof water to which you’ve added 2 to 4tablespoons of sea salt and a few dropsof the essential oil of your choice(peppermint is especially deodorizingand cooling for the feet). Afterwards,dust your feet with homemade footpowder made from a few drops ofpeppermint added to baking powder.

By following some of these basicelements, you should be able to create ahome spa experience that will melt awaystress and leave you feeling pamperedand relaxed. But what if soaking in waterjust isn’t your thing?


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A Secret Reading NookWhen asked what you long to do in your spare time, do you say,“Curl up with a good book”? Then a private reading nook isthe perfect gal-cave for you. Look around your home. Do youhave a spare closet or quiet corner of a bedroom or study? Olderhomes have nooks and crannies built in under the eaves ofan attic that are mini-secret retreat spaces. A closet under a stair-case is a great place to hide from the world. Furnish it sparinglywith your favorite things: a comfy fabric chair and ottoman,a good reading light, a lush mohair throw or wool comforter,and a night stand or tea tray to set a cozy cup of tea next toyour favorite novels. When your reading corner is complete,just close the door, turn off the phone, put on some soothinginstrumental music and get lost in that excellent story line.

A Crafty SpaceJust for CraftsAre you obsessed with scrapbook-ing? Sewing? Making wreaths orholiday decoration? Your perfectgal-cave would probably be a roomdedicated to all of your craftingsupplies. This doesn’t have to be anentire room; it could be an artfullyused crafting table or desk in a por-tion of another room, or a space inthe attic, basement, hallway, andalcove or even a closet.

To arrange your space, invoke yourcreative skills and get crafty with

how you find items for this space. Scan thrift shops andconsignment stores for second-hand furniture, architecturalsalvage stores, or places that specialize in DIY projects likeIKEA. Focus on pieces that can be used for storing or organizingyour many crafting accessories like peg boards, bins andbaskets, and wall shelves. If the space doesn’t have natural light,

be sure to add a fewgood lamps or a strandof task lighting. Finishwith a “do not disturb”sign on the door soyour loved ones willknow to let you enjoypeace and quiet whileyou happily becomeabsorbed in yourfavorite hobby.

Okay, ladies, claim your space and get ready to unwind in thatspecial spot that is yours alone.You might be pleasantly surprisedat how easy it is to escape without going anywhere. | DHL

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When it comes to fashion, it’s quite possible that“green” is the new black. Not only is the man-ufacturing of eco-friendly clothing on the

upswing, so is consumer interest in purchasing it. Yet withso many terms abounding—everything from certified organic,

sustainable, Fair Trade and low-impact to local, ethical, artisanaland repurposed—it’s no wonder there’s still a lot of gray areabetween green and black.

Furthermore, finding “sustainable fashion” can be challenge, as cansorting out which “green” claims by manufacturers are legit. Currently,there are no standards in place to measure and promote sustainable supplychains in the apparel industry, but the trend is toward producing clothing thatconsiders the environmental and social impact of the production process. Ifyou are interesting in exploring greener clothing choices, here are some basicsto consider.

What is Eco-Friendly Clothing?Environmentally friendly clothing is madefrom natural materials—think cotton, fleece,bamboo and hemp—that are recycled, organic ordo not wreck havoc on the environment. Forexample, if cotton is used, the cotton plants are notgrown using pesticides, only animal manure orcompost; and toxic materials such as heavy metalsand chemical inks or dyes are not utilized in themanufacturing process. Inks and dyes are typicallyvegetable-based. Buying organic cotton makes itmore likely that you are supporting farmers whodon’t use as many potentially harmful chemicals.And most would probably agree that wearinggarments that have less or no toxic chemicals isa bonus for your health.

Be aware, however, that even clothing madefrom natural fibers can still have an adverseimpact on the environment. That samecotton, for instance, could be treated withfungicides; in fact, a huge amount offertilizers and pesticides are used on conventionally grown cotton. Inother words, just because it’s cotton doesn’t mean it’s eco-friendly.Clothing labels typically list what fibers were used to make a garment,but what they don’t list are the chemical finishes applied to the items.Adding confusion to the mix, some manufacturers offer clothingmade from fabric blends—cotton with recycled fibers, such aspolyester—or from a combination of recycled materials likefoam and rubber.

So is eco-clothing good for the planet? Well, a greatnumber of factors need to be considered when lookingat the sustainability of a material—most notably, thesource of the fiber, how this raw fiber is turned intoa textile, the labor conditions of the employeesproducing the materials, and the material’s totalcarbon footprint. Most of us are far removedfrom the manufacturing process, so we may notthink about the social or environmental impactof what we wear: the amount of energy neededfor mining and processing natural andsynthetic fibers, turning these fabrics intofinished products and shipping them

“Green” is theNew Black: TheNatural Growthof Eco-FriendlyClothingBy Gina MazzaPhotos courtey of international designerBonnie Siefers of Jonäno

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throughout the world, just to name a few.And then there’s the added toll to theplanet from the use of toxic chemicals suchas pesticides, dyes and bleaches. Takingall this into account, you may feel asthough it’s too huge of an issue for youto make an impact—but you can, simplyby starting with your own wardrobe.

How to Look for Eco-FriendlyClothing and Where to Buy ItFirst, let’s look at purchases you may bemaking now or in the future. Look forclothes made from natural fibers foundin nature, such as cotton, hemp, bamboo,jute, flax, ramie, abaca, soy, corn, banana,wool, silk, angora, alpaca, llama, vicuna,cashmere and mohair. Shy away frompetroleum-based fibers like acrylic,nylon or anything containing plastics.Also steer clear of no-iron fabrics andhighly flame-retardant fabrics, which aretreated with formaldehyde finishes. Andno matter what you buy, it’s always wiseto launder new clothing before you wearit to remove excess finishes.

Eco-fashion has come a long way sinceits hippie-hemp days in the 1990s. Withdesigners like Stella McCartney integratingsustainable practices into their productionprocesses and A-list celebrities likeCameron Diaz wearing it, eco-consciousclothing is becoming increasingly chic.But you don’t have to jet off to fashionweek in Manhattan, Milan or Paris tocheck out some cutting-edge attire.

Pittsburgh is home to a haute eco-friendlyfashion house: the Scandinavian/Americanbrand Jonäno, founded in 2006 byinternational designer Bonnie Siefers.The company’s philosophy is shaped by

Siefers’ passion for the environmentalmovement, sociology and world affairs.“Jonäno’s concept of ‘organic essentialism’underpins the collection,” says Siefers,who studied renewable clean energyresources and international affairs atStockholm University in Stockholm,Sweden. “We believe that style and qualityare essential to sustainable design. Ourcompany’s mission is to create cohesivecollections that attract both those devotedto style and fashion, as well as the envi-ronmentally conscious consumers.” Thefabrics used in Jonäno collections comefrom crops of bamboo, flax, cotton, hemp,waste corn and wild “peace” silk. “Theyare carefully selected for their luxuryand quality, as well as their value-addedsustainability factors.”

Jonäno’s “ecoCouture” has caught on bothin the United States and internationally,partly because it appeals to a broad rangeof women from all lifestyles and ages.The brand has been featured in WWD,The Wall Street Journal, Spa Magazineand others, and has been requested forevents like Mercedes Benz FashionWeekand Sundance Festivals. To check outtheir collections, visit.www.jonano.com.

If you have a favorite clothing company,get in touch with them directly and inquireabout their commitment to sustainableclothing. Let your voice be heard.

Not Going Green? How to Make theMost of the Clothes You HaveNow let’s talk about clothing purchasesyou’ve already made. Sure, you may notwant to clean out your wardrobe andswitch completely to eco-friendly clothing,but you still want to do your part insaving the planet. What can you do?Here are some quick tips that can havean enormous impact.

Keep wearing your old clothes: There’sno need to have a new wardrobe forschool every year or to always be up onthe latest fashion trends each season.Consider repairing some of your damagedclothing rather than throwing it out, or buyused clothing at higher-end consignmentshops such as Plato’s Closet. Since allclothing has a fairly hefty impact on theenvironment, using them longer is one ofthe best and easiest things you can do tomake your clothing more eco-friendly.

Clean up your laundry routine: Wash incold water, air-dry whenever possible

How to Care For YourEco-Friendly Clothing

To make the most of your eco-friendly clothing,it is important to care for it properly. Take thesesteps to treat the natural materials gently andextend your garments’ lives.

•As always, read the label for care instructions.Items with natural fibers like organic cottonrequire special care, as they are more apt toshrink. Air dry or dry at lower temperatures.

•Don’t defeat the purpose of buying eco-clothingbywashing them in harsh, toxin-laden detergents.Opt for eco-friendly brands, which, these days,are available at grocery stores such as WholeFoods Market and retail chains such as Target andWal-Mart, as well as local food co-ops. Look forthe Environmental Protection Agency’s “Designfor the Environment” label, or “DfE.”

•Hand wash your items and eliminate the dryerfrom your laundering process. Not only are dryerstough on clothing, they use energy and releaseemissions into the air.

•Wash naturally dyed clothing in cold water toavoid color bleeding from natural dyes.

(use an inexpensive collapsible metalrack), buy only phosphate-free detergent,and use an energy efficient front-loadingwasher and ventless dryer.

Recycle, recycle, recycle: When yourclothes are truly worn out, find a placethat will recycle them (such as thrift shopsand charities) or get crafty by making newstuff out of them.

Yes, you really can help the environmentby being conscious of what you wearand how you care for your clothing. Bydoing so, you’ll not only look good onthe outside, you’ll feel good on theinside. | DHL


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Also new this year, the Paris flight operates five days a week.Formerly the flight would fluctuate between four and fivedays a week. This improved frequency will make bookingthe nonstop easier. “Delta’s five-day-a-week service to Parisis the most expedient and convenient way to travel to Europe,especially thanks to the reach of Delta, the world’s largestairline, and its partner, Air France,” said David Minnotte,Chairman, Allegheny County Airport Authority.

Flight information: DL 631 departs PIT at 6:35 pm andarrives at Paris CDG at 8:35 am (next day). DL 632 departsParis CDG at 2:00 pm and arrives at PIT at 5:00 pm. ThePIT departures days are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday,Saturday, and Sunday. The Paris CDG departure days areMonday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.

The top ten destinations for travelers from PIT connectingthrough CDG include Rome, Amsterdam, Budapest,Bengaluru, Berlin, Barcelona, Prague, Bombay/Mumbai,Istanbul and London. World travelers connecting via CDG toPIT are coming mostly from Rome, Barcelona, London,Athens, Bengaluru, Berlin, Bombay/Mumbai, Bucharest,Stockholm and Nice.

Rome is at the top of the list of places people connect to fromParis when they fly nonstop Pittsburghto Paris and beyond. Other top destinations are in Hungary, Poland, India and Germany.

• Flights can be booked at delta.com

• Learn more at FlyPittsburgh.com/Europe

NONSTOP PITTSBURGH TOPARIS ON DELTA AIRLINESRESUMES SATURDAY MAY 11

Nonstop Pittsburgh to Paris is the fastest way to get to Europeand beyond. At Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), youcan connect to 100-plus destinations in Europe, Asia, Indiaand the Middle East on Delta and their Skyteam partners AirFrance/KLM. The flight returns May 11 and flights can bebooked today at delta.com.

Nonstop transatlantic Pittsburgh to Paris service lifts travelersabove the chaos and congestion of connecting at east coastairports.

This service offers air travelers convenient departure andarrival times at PIT to make this flight the preferred route toEurope and the world beyond. Now, with a new departuretime from Paris, travelers can depart from airports such asLondon Heathrow, Rome and Madrid at 2 pm and be inPittsburgh by 5 pm when connecting through Paris CDG.Passengers traveling back to the United States now havemore connection options with this new departure time.


I am excited about Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2013:Emerald...a vivid, verdant green. As green begins to poke outfrom under the snow and we begin to see nature’s rejuvenation,what better time to think about this brilliant color than spring?Green is the most abundant hue in nature and our eye sees moregreen than any other color in the spectrum. It conjures up gems,

dollar bills and the Emerald City in “TheWizard of Oz.”

Pantone selected this color for its ability to“enhance our sense of well being, as well aspromote balance and harmony.”

Most often associated with brilliant, preciousgemstones, the perception of emerald issophisticated and luxurious. What womanwould not love an emerald as a piece ofjewelry? More precious than diamonds, an

emerald was the engagement ringof Jackie Kennedy and certainlyElizabeth Taylor had several.

But emerald’s special radiance hasmany applications in homedécor and design. I am alwaysencouraging clients to use coloron their walls, and emerald can

really make a room come to life.When looking through color selections of the paint

companies for their shades of emerald, I found PPG’s JewelGreen, Sherwin Williams’ Green Bay and Benjamin Moore’sMing Jade.

Often paired with other jewel tones of ruby and amethyst,emerald works well with many other colors. I believe it could beconsidered a vibrant neutral, as it is a very easy color to live

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with. I have never tired of the emerald green grass cloth walls inmy living room. It is a unifying color throughout my home’sfirst floor, with green and beige wall covering in the foyer, hintsof it in all the Oriental rugs, and the green leaves in the floraldining room drapery fabric. At the Frick Museum in PointBreeze, the background for their permanent collection of masters’paintings is emerald green velvet.

While I tend to like the boldness of the color, you might feel thata whole room of emerald could be a bit too risky. Here are somemore subtle ways to emerald’s vibrancy to your home.

Emerald can be combined with other shades of green. In fact,green is the only color family whose various hues combine welltogether. Try using it with lime green and the even darker shadeof forest green. Since it has a blue undertone, it also works verywell with navy and turquoise. In contemporary interiors, it addsa fresh touch to a room of neutral tones, including black andgrey. In more traditional settings, it is the perfect color with theother jewel tones of reds and purples, and the wood tones ofantique furnishings.

Some ways to add the lushness of emerald to your décor can beas simple as houseplants with dark green foliage. Accessoryitems such as Jonathan Adler’s white and green pillows andAnthropologies’ green glass dresser knobs are stunning.Malachite accessories like small boxes, pictureframes and art objects connote a sense of antiquity.Beautiful fabrics featuring a pop of emerald canbe found in the collections of Brunschwig& Fils, Kravet and Schumacher. And whatbetter way to add green than by being “green”

and purchasing the work of local artists. This gorgeous glass“Potmelt” (top left) is by Vi Laux, glass artist, and featuresemerald with navy and yellow. The piece is created from recycledglass.

Even appliance companies are thinking emerald. De’Longhi hasintroduced a stove in the color. Many companies are featuringenamel cookware in emerald, and houseware items such asglassware and charger plates add brilliance to an otherwise neutraltable setting.

Whether bold or understated,the elegance of emeraldwill never be just a fleetingtrend. You can count on itto add sparkle to yourdécor for many years tocome. | DHL

“Potmelt” by Vi Laux

“Solinas” Rug,Courtesy of PittsbughRug Company

58 designinghomelifestyles.com28 designinghomelifestyles.com

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Theterm“pet friendly”, as it applies to the outdoors,covers many aspects of your yard. It not onlymeans ensuring the safety of your pets, but also

letting them enjoy themselves in the naturalsurroundings that you create for them.

The first area to consider is the lawn or grass. Many ofus are obsessed with our lawns. I confess that I’m onewho must have a perfect lawn. It gives me a sense ofaccomplishmentand is some-thing that Itake greatpride in. Itisn’t aboutbeing theenvy of everyneighbor, it’sabout me!

Those of you whoare in the same clubas me surely wantyour lawn to be weed-free, lush and deep green.Those of us who own a petare always battling tomaintaina nice yard and keep our littlefriends safe at the same time.

Keep Your Pets Happy and Safe by “Dog-Scaping” Your YardSide Note: I refer to this section as “pets” but pleaseknow that I’m only really speaking about my experiencewith dogs, which I love. I use the word “pets” to includedogs and cats, although I’m not so fond of cats. (Sorry,cat lovers!)

Beware of Lawn Care Toxins ThatCould Harm Your PetThat being said, us pet owners want our lawnsinhabited by only one thing: our pets. We have morethan weeds to consider; we need to make sure thatwe keep harmful bugs and pests away, as well. Petowners take great precautions while protecting ourpets indoors, but we sometimes forget to protectthem outdoors from things such as harmful

toxins that can be found in many weed killers,fertilizers and other lawn are products.

These toxins canmake a pet very ill. Most products forlawn care contain ingredients, for example, thatcould cause serious problems for your pet’s digestivesystem. If your dog is anything like mine, he constantlyeats the grass and licks his paws after coming in fromthe outside. Smaller pets, unfortunately,could ingest a lethal amount oftoxins in fertilized lawns.


By David Plantowski


Continued from previous page

So, what to do? We’re in luck.There are actually “green” productsthat are pet friendly, as well asmany home remedies that you cantry. The key is keep a nice lawnwithout using chemicals that couldhurt your pets or the environment.If you insist on using chemicals, atthe very least, keep pets off of

treated grass for at least 48 hours or longer. Do your homework, search the Internet,visit your favorite local nursery and ask questions until you determine what willwork best for you and your pet to keep them safe and happy.

Plan Your Landscaping with Fido in MindThe next aspect of having a pet friendly yard is realizing that our pets (dependingon the breed) can be extremely intelligent. We need to consider this beforeplanning our landscaping and gardening.

While researching this article, I came across an interesting media personality whois sort of a horticultural “rock star.” Maureen “Mo” Gilmer has published manybooks on a wide range of subjects, including why homeowners should take intoconsideration their pets’ behavior and habits before executing a landscaping plan.“If your pets ruins your prized plants or wears a path in the yard, it is probably more

your fault than theirs,” she says. Pet owners can stop the destructive behavior witha little common sense. Below are some tips from Gilmer’s e-book, The Dog-ScapedYard.

• Provide a cool, damp spot for your dog to lie on warm summer days. Many dogslabeled “problem diggers“ are really just trying to keep cool. Select a shadedlocation and dig a shallow pit large enough for your dog to lie in comfortably. Lineit with sand, which is much cleaner than regular dirt. Keep the pit damp with asprinkler or hose.

• Keep 18 inches around the border of your yard plant-free. Dogs are territorialcreatures and will walk their boundary lines daily. They will trample any plantthat grows in this trail, Gilmer points out.

• Locate your dog run in a place that has an optimum view of the yard. We tend toput dog runs in “unused side yards and out-of-the-way places. This makes thedog feel like he or she is in lock-down,” says Gilmer. To avoid this and having yourdog act out as a result, give him or her a view of the yard and the people in it. Yourdog will feel more included and be more content while in the run.

Gilmer covers many other great tips for dog-scaping your yard, including homemaderecipes for various needs. If this topic is of interest to you, I strongly recommendfinding Gilmer on the Internet.

Just remember, the goal is to keep your pets safe and ask yourself how you thinkthey will interact with the environment. If you do this, you are well on your way toa pet friendly yard. Try to think like your pets and predict what you think they’denjoy in the yard. In doing so, you will create an outdoor retreat not only for yourselfbut your pets, as well. | DHL

You can download a PDF of Maureen “Mo” Gilmer’s e-book, The Dog-Scaped Yard bysearching online for the title.

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One of the hottest building materialsamongst contractors and home

owners these days is Cultured Stone®. Itseems like wherever you go, there arerenovations and new homes going upinvolving stone veneer. Whether it’s theentire exterior, an accent around the mainentrance, the foundation, a new addition,a fireplace or interior walls, CulturedStone is a wonderful option to consider.It is a cost effective, maintenance-freealternative to other more traditionalmaterials. It is obviously very durable,provides a level of thermal and soundinsulation and there is a plethora of stonechoices. The beauty of Cultured Stone isthat you need no substantial structuralrequirements to add stone to your house -like a brick ledge. Cultured Stone isessentially a concrete product and is much

Cultured Stone®

lighter than real stone so it can be addedover virtually any vertical surface.

Five Star Stone specializes in CulturedStone. Located in Harmony, just north ofZelienople, Five Star Stone has a beautifulshowroom with 3,000 sq. ft of differentstone on display. Its a great way to chooseyour stone and to see how the stone actuallylooks. They also have a 12,000 sq ft ware-house close by and much of the stoneimmediately available. Five Star Stone hasexpertise in design and installation and canprovide design assistance, stone only orturn key solutions, including professionalinstallation.

Cultured Stone has been around for about50 years. The best stone is ICC certified

and is manufactured under very stringentconditions and comes with a manufacturer’swarrantee. However, “buyer beware.” Thereare a number manufactures (some local)that do not necessarily manufacture theirstone to the same standards. If the stoneis not manufactured according to thesestandards, there are a number of risksincluding spalling, deterioration anddiscoloration. One of the brands that FiveStar carries is Boral®. Boral CulturedStone is the undisputed brand leader and

preferred name in the manufactured stoneveneer products industry. In fact, theyown the brand name “Cultured Stone”which has become the generic term usedwhen discussing manufactured stone.Boral Cultured Stone exceeds ICCrequirements and comes with a 50 yearwarrantee.

Let Five Star Stone help you design andinstall your next project to give your homea beautiful custom look. It’s time you’vegotten the look you’ve been waiting for!

120 N. Perry Highway, Unit 2 Harmony, PA 16037(724) 452-0000

www.5starstonecenter.com


Rotary’s main objective is service— in thecommunity, in the workplace, and around the globe.

The 1.2 million Rotarians who make up more than 33,000 Rotaryclubs in nearly every country in the world share a dedication to theideal of Service Above Self. Rotary clubs are open to people of allcultures and ethnicities and are not affiliated with any political

or religious organizations.

PROFESSIONAL NETWORKINGA founding principle of Rotary was to meet periodicallyto enjoy camaraderie and enlarge one’s circle of businessand professional acquaintances. As the oldest service clubin the world, Rotary club members represent a cross-section of the community’s owners, executives, managers,political leaders, and professionals – people who makedecisions and influence policy.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIESClub members have many opportunities for humanitarianservice, both locally and internationally. Service programsaddress such concerns as health care, hunger, poverty,illiteracy, and the environment. Rotarians experience thefulfillment that comes from giving back to the community.

INTERNATIONAL AWARENESSWith more than 33,000 clubs in over 200 countries andgeographical areas, Rotarians gain an understanding ofhumanitarian issues through international service projectsand exchange programs. One of Rotary’s highest objectivesis to build goodwill and peace throughout the world.

FRIENDSHIPRotary was founded on fellowship, an ideal that remains amajor attraction of membership today. Club membersenjoy the camaraderie with like-minded professionals,and club projects offer additional opportunities to developenduring friendships. Rotary club members who travelhave friendly contacts in almost every city in the world.

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GOOD CITIZENSHIPWeekly Rotary club programs keep members informedabout what is taking place in the community, nation, andworld and motivated to make a difference.

FAMILY FOUNDATIONSRotary sponsors some of the world’s largest youthexchange, educational exchange, and scholarship programs.Rotary clubs provide innovative training opportunities andmentoring for young leaders and involve family membersin a wide range of social and service activities.

ENTERTAINMENTSocial activities give Rotarians a chance to let loose andhave fun. Every Rotary club and district hosts partiesand activities that offer diversions from today’s demandingprofessional and personal schedules. Conferences, conven-tions, assemblies, and social events provide entertainmentas well as Rotary information, education, and service.

ETHICAL ENVIRONMENTEncouraging high ethical standards in one’s professionand respect for all worthy vocations has been a hallmark ofRotary from its earliest days. In their business and profes-sional lives, Rotarians abide by The Four-Way Test:

Of the things we think, say or do:

1) Is it the TRUTH?

2) Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3) Will it BUILD GOODWILL and BETTERFRIENDSHIPS?

4) Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENTRotary is an organization of successful professionals. Teambuilding, fundraising, public speaking, planning, organization,and communication are just a sampling of the leadership skillsthat club members can exercise and enhance. Being a Rotaryleader provides further experience in learning how to motivate,inspire, and guide others.

DIVERSITY IN MEMBERSHIPRotary’s classification system ensures that a club’s member-ship represents a variety of the community’s professionalmen and women, including leaders in business, industry,the arts, government, sports, the military, and religion.Rotary clubs are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open toall cultures, races, and creeds.

The mission of Rotary Internationalis to provide service to others,promote integrity, and advanceworld understanding, goodwill, andpeace through its fellowship ofbusiness, professional, andcommunity leaders.


Pittsburgh is a football town and we wouldn’t think ofentering the stadium without our quarterback. Yetmany homeowners don’t understand the daily andlong-term importance of using an architect on even thesmallest project. An architect can deliver a touchdownthat will increase your home’s value, as well as yourdaily enjoyment of it—and even save you time, moneyand future problems.

Of course, a DIY home renovation is always an optionbut increasingly homeowners are becoming awareof the pitfalls of attempting this alone. A project canbegin simply enough but quickly turn to distress, if notdisaster, when non-professionals attempt to navigatethe construction situation. It’s a vicious cycle that canend up costing not just dollars but even relationships.

Engaging professionals at the beginning of the projectcan actually net greater results, with less time andmoney spent. An option called “design-build” hasbecome increasingly popular. Here is a quick explanationfrom the American Institute of Architects:

• Design-build-contractor: The architect andcontractor work together to develop a set of biddocuments from which a client may choose and thenbuild them according to the contractor’s prescripts.

• Design-build-architect: The architect designs andcapitalizes a project, then engages the necessarylabor to bring it to completion.

• Bridging: The client engages an architect toconceptualize a design, then hires a design-buildfirm to develop the concept and build the projectunder the supervision of the original architect.

• Construction management: The client makesseparate contracts with both an architect and acontractor, then gives construction managementresponsibility to a third party.

Whichever option you might choose, you will probablybe more pleased with the end result for years to come,including increased resale value. | DHL

By Fawn Chang

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Timber Hill Lane is a picturesqueproperty located in the hills highabove the Ohio River Valley,north of Pittsburgh. Juergen andRenate Mross fell in love withthe residence and horse stable,

formerly owned by their good friends.Envisioning a place that their grandchildrencould enjoy, the couple decided to renovate withthe help of an AIA architect.

The home was in fairly good condition but hadsome structural issues and site constraints as aresult of many poorly planned previous renova-tions. AIA Architect William Childs, Jr. foundhimself challenged to accommodate this client’swish list, as the house had 20" thick exteriormasonry walls, 12" thick terra cotta block interiorwalls, stringent site restrictions and historicaldictates.

Childs’ goal was to provide the family withexpansive views surrounding the home. Thebeautiful view in the back of the property and aprivate pond overlooking the valley and hillsbeyond were about the only things left of the

Local Couple EmbraceHome RenovationsWith Help from an AIA Architect


By Fawn Chang


and stucco walls reiterate the main house’soriginal design precisely. A slate roof, coppergutters and downspouts add Old World charm.A large cupola with windows at the center ofthe intersecting gable roofs casts beautiful lightand shadows upon the entry foyer.

The exterior also includes the existing lake,which was drained and relined with barn stonealong its perimeter. The use of timber beams andposts on the front entry, rear balcony and terracepergolas are embellished by handcraftedlanterns that are custom made to fit the home’sstyle and period.

The Mross’ desire for an open floor plan gave Childs the idea touse natural materials to open up walls and use the roof fornatural lighting, design dormers of energy efficient windowswith tinted glass, and incorporate a geo-thermal heating system.In-floor heating, spray foam polyurethane roof insulation, energyefficient appliances, an 880-amp generator and an elevator

original property after design and demolition got under way.The entire house was gutted and the severely out-of-plumbwalls necessitated that the first floor be formed, poured-in-placeconcrete. Many of the original materials were salvaged whenpossible and duplicated in the final design.

The house had limited areas to expand due to site constraintsand local building codes, yet Childs was able to incorporate anew addition of a carriage house. This was positioned to makepossible an intimate terrace area that takes advantage of theextensive landscaping and pond views. Two cars are welcomedby custom, carriage-style doors, and the large overhang abovethe doors is supported by brackets to the house’s entry withtimbers, mortise and tenon detailing. Short- or long-term guestsand grandchildren have separate, private access to the cathedral-ceiling studio apartment above the garages in the carriagehouse.A new driveway and circular cobbled auto court showcasethe newly defined, two-story entry.

More than a century after the original home was built, theexterior’s elegant and spacious redesign with stone wainscot

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make the home green and livable for manygenerations.

Natural and luxurious materials were usedthroughout. The floor of the powder bath onthe first level is finished in a mosaic pattern ofmarbles and onyx. A magnificent custom-designed wrought iron railing enhances themain staircase and wraps the upper landing.The entire area is beautifully finished withpaneled, custom-designed stained walnut. Theentry foyer offers a stunning view up threestories to the newly built cupola. From therehangs a hand-wrought iron chandelier. Thelower floor walls are finished inVenetian plaster.

In the living room and study, existing fireplaceswere replaced by custom ones and ceilingswere made more casual with the addition ofceiling beams. In the study, a handsome cigarbar of dark walnut is elegantly capped with anexotic onyx top. LEDs light the bar and reflectmirrored features on the rear wall.

The second story presented design issues of its own,including situating a laundry room in the small existing space.By reworking the existing first floor kitchen and second floormaster bedroom windows and doors along the rear of the house,Childs created a grand view to the back of the property. Anintimate yet grand master suite was created, complete with “his”and “her” bath/dressing suites and a balcony facing the lake.The baths are clad in Calcutta gold marble inlaid withintricately designed mosaic marble tiles and fixtures. When allwas said and done, Childs was able to accommodate threebedrooms, an office/studio, four full baths and the laundry roomupstairs.

Situated to enjoy the fullest view of the lush landscape, the largemulti-functional kitchen, dining, breakfast and sitting roomscan all be accessed from the courtyard foyer. French patio doorsswing open to the secluded dining patio.

In the end, the renovation went smoothly, and Juergen andRenate can now enjoy hosting their family and friends in theirnew home. | DHL

Architect on this project:AIA Architect William Childs, Jr., www.childsarchitects.com

Design/build team on this project:Builder/contractor: Jeffery C. Ott Contracting, SewickleyInterior designer: Godfrey Design Consultants, Winter Park, FloridaLandscape architect: Werley Associates Landscape Architects, PittsburghLighting consultant: Hilbish McGee Lighting Design, SewickleyPlaster and stucco: Allegheny Plaster and Stucco Company, Sewickley

Materials and furnishings:Pond stone: Van Ness Stone, Newbury, OhioMillwork and some cabinetry: Rino’s Woodworking Shop, Willoughby, OhioLanterns: Bevolo Gas and Electric Lights, New Orleans, LouisianaMetal railings/ironwork: London Pattern Metalworks, Pittsburgh

William H. Childs, AIA


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Visit Our New Showroom at:176 Rochester Road | North Hills | Pittsburgh, PA 15229

412-301-8000 www.kbcpittsburgh.com

N E W S H O W R O O MABOUT KBC:As the preeminent designers and purveyors of high style functional kitchens & interiors, thenational award winning Kitchen and Bath Concepts of Pittsburgh, LLC melds unparalleledpersonal service and attention to detail with the highest quality cabinetry accommodating awide range of budgets.

The design team of Principle Designer Thomas D. Trzcinski, Pittsburgh’s only CertifiedMaster Kitchen & Bath Designer, and Senior Designers Emily Miller, CKD, and AprilSpagnolo, CKD, create time-tested one-of-a-kind living spaces where value is found in thepersonalization of the design and quality of the products that enhance your lifestyle.

ABOUT THE SHOWROOM:After 39 years in business and 26 years at our previous business location in the North Hillson Perry Highway, KBC was presented with an opportunity to purchase a stand-alone build-ing less than 3 miles from that location that supports their business and design needs to a “T”.

The new space allows KBC to effectively show their design capabilities and products in fullroom/multi-room “Living Space” settings and has afforded KBC the luxury of updating itsshowroom with the most current and cutting edge equipment and integrated technology.This is evident in our “Tansu” concept kitchen shown above.

KBC was commissioned by Quality Custom Cabinetry to design their 2012 conceptkitchen. This display not only shows true “fusion” design melding classic Japanese designaesthetics with contemporary style and high function but also integrates the latest ininterior technology, cutting edge appliance integration and unique finish techniques.

PRODUCTS USED IN THE ABOVE PROJECT:Kitchen Design: Kitchen & Bath Concepts of Pittsburgh, LLCKitchen Cabinetry: Quality Custom CabinetryStone Backsplash & Caesarstone Countertop: Ultimate GraniteAged Copper Top: PMIButcherblock Top: Grothouse LumberPlumbing Fixtures:Watermark - Crescent SupplyCustom Iron Hardware: Redstar IronworksPhotography: Simone Associates


By Gina Mazza

Imagine if there was something you could buythat was guaranteed to slow the effects ofaging, promote weight loss, reduce your risk

of heart disease and cancer, stave off osteoporo-sis and adult-onset diabetes, alleviate depressionand sleep problems, make your brain work moreefficiently, and generally make you feel betterboth physically and mentally. How much wouldyou pay for such a “cure”?

Well, there IS something that is totally free andavailable to everyone that delivers all of thesebenefits and more. It is called—drum roll,please—exercise!

Despite it’s impressive list of benefits, surveysshow that about 25 percent of US adults get noregular exercise. With the warmer weather uponus and “shorts season” quickly approaching, nowis the ideal time to think about treating yourselfto regular doses of this miracle drug called “mov-ing your body.” Now, before you can even thinkof an excuse to not exercise, do yourself (andyour body) a favor and read through the rest ofthis article. It just may get you re-thinking thatyour reasons for not incorporating even a little bit(30 minutes a day, ideally) of aerobic activityinto your lifestyle aren’t really that valid.

Excuse #1:I don’t have time. Yes, everyone’s schedule isjam-packed but if something is a priority(religiously watchingModern Family orMad Men

every week, for example), you will make time forit. So make time for exercise. And if 30 minutesseems like a lot of time to exercise each day,think about how much time you spend sitting andbeing inactive. Schedule it into your smartphoneor day planner the same way you plan meetingsor other commitments. Don’t worry if you can’tfind a block of time to exercise. Use time-savingstrategies, such as interval training. Or just inte-grate moderate-intensity activities into your day,such as brisk walking, taking stairs rather thanelevators, and raking leaves. Opportunities to getphysical are everywhere: Park your car in the farcorner of the mall parking lot, walk down the hallto speak with a co-worker rather than sending anemail or text, jump rope during TV commercials,clean your house.

Excuse #2:Exercise is boring. The best way to avoid beingbored is to find an activity that doesn’t bore you.Don’t like to run? Don’t do it. Bike, box, row,dance, garden or do whatever gets you movingand not thinking of it as “exercise.” Moving yourbody doesn’t have to be drudgery; exerciseoutdoors in interesting surroundings, or playmusic or listen to books on tape while doing yourworkout. If you do get bored with any one type ofexercise, vary your activity; for example, climbstairs one day and swim at your community poolanother day.

Exercise: The Best Health Tonic EverTen excuses for not exercising and how toovercome them.

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Excuse #3:I’m too old: You are never too old to buildmuscle and improve your stamina. Studiesshow that even frail, sedentary nursing homeresidents in their nineties showed significantimprovement in both of these areas after justeight weeks of strength training. Trainingwith weights or resistance machines is agood first step for older adults or the trulyout-of-shape to build the muscle necessaryto support more aerobic exercise.

Excuse #4:I don’t have the energy. Didyou know that exercise actuallyincreases your energy? So if youfeel run down, recharge yourbatteries by moving around. Ifnecessary, start with just fiveminutes a day of aerobic activity,and gradually build up to the goalof 30 minutes each day.

Excuse #5:I don’t need to exercise becauseI’m not overweight. Being lean isdefinitely associated with betterhealth but exercise has independentbenefits that you can’t get simplyby keeping your weight down. Lackof exercise increases your risk ofheart disease and other ailmentswhether or not you are overweight.And even if you are in a healthyweight range, you may have anexcess percentage of body fat, orwhat is called TOFI: thin outside,fat inside.

Research actually suggests that you are better off being fit andoverweight than trim and out of shape. So don’t consideryourself healthy just because you look good in a bathing suit.Physical activity doesn’t just burn off calories; it revs up themetabolism for a period of time after exercise.

Excuse #6:I’m too fat. As with age, extra pounds arerarely an excuse for not exercising. Just besure to start gradually—walking, swimming,biking, or other exercises that don’t involve alot of pounding are great. And all of us, notjust the overweight, need to remember thatexercising is not a free pass to eat a lot more.


Excuse #7:I don’t have the discipline. Consider exercisingwith a buddy. Research suggests that this doublesyour changes of keeping at it. Another possibilityis to establish an “unthinking” routine, such asexercising first thing in the morning before you’rereally awake and can talk yourself out of it. Or trygiving yourself a reward for meeting your fitnessgoals. You may have to force yourself at thebeginning but if you stick with it for a few weeks,it eventually becomes an enjoyable habit becauseyou can feel the benefits.

Excuse #8:My kids get in the way.Work around your kids’schedule as best you can; waking up before theydo may not sound appealing, but many parentssay it’s the only time they can be sure to get in anuninterrupted workout and some much-neededalone time. Alternatively, work out with yourchildren—try hiking, walking, biking, or playingan outdoor game.

Excuse #9:I can’t afford to get fit.You don’t need to join agym or buy home fitness equipment to get in shape,although some people find that the investmentmotivates them to actually work out. You canbecome pretty fit through walking alone, withthe only expense being a good pair of shoes. Inaddition, adult education programs and YMCA’soffer low-cost fitness classes of all sorts.

Excuse #10:I have arthritis. Strengthening, stretching andaerobic exercises build up muscles and removestrain from the joints, which greatly benefitsanyone with arthritis. Exercise also helps to keepoff the excess weight that can exacerbate painfulsymptoms. If you have arthritis or have hadcancer or a stroke, talk with your doctor beforebeginning any exercise routine.

So, get a move on and begin reaping the benefitsof exercise, a magic and very accessible healthtonic for all ages. | DHL

Despite it’s impressive list of benefits, surveys show thatabout 25 percent of US adults get no regular exercise.

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Childhood obesity is officially a national epidemic, accordingto the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The numberof overweight children in the United States has more thantripled in the past 30 years, and one in three children andadolescents are now overweight or obese. This has bothimmediate and long-term effects on a young person’s healthand well being. Left unchecked, it can lead to diabetes, highblood pressure, high cholesterol and other diseases—not tomention that it adversely contributes to a public health crisiswhose cost, in terms of dollars and lives, can be devastating.

How can you and your family get involved? Part of the localinitiative is 10,000 Tables, a pledge that encourages house-holds in our region to prepare and eat at least one homemademeal together—at a table and not in front of a TV or otherelectronics—each week for one year. The 10,000 Tablesinitiative is happening now through October 2013.

“We launched the 10,000 Tables pledge because we knowthat kids in families that eat home-cooked, screen-free mealstogether are healthier and have a better chance of developinggood habits that will last them a lifetime,” comments RichardPiacentini, executive director of Phipps Conservatory andBotanical Gardens and director of Let’s Move Pittsburgh.“Ultimately, our hope is to help give our region’s children thebright future they deserve by encouraging them to eat healthy,increase their physical activity and decrease screen time.”

Exercise is a big part of reversing this trend, and so is theimportance of a healthy diet. While a lot of terrific local nutritionresources exist, one Burgh-based initiative is decidedly “onthe move” in terms of fostering better eating habits amonglocal families. Let’s Move Pittsburgh is a collaborative oforganizations, parents, policymakers, healthcare providersand caregivers who are committed to making our regionone of the healthiest places in the nation for children to live.It is modeled after First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Movecampaign.

If you decide to participate in the pledge, you will be able toreceive a lot helpful resources for making smart shoppingchoices, growing healthy ingredients at home, and cookingmore nutritiously for yourself and your family. Free communityevents with partnering local organizations are on tap through-out the year, as well, and your household will have a chanceto offer feedback on your progress. To sign up, simply visitwww.letsmovepittsburgh.org. The website offers furtherinformation on the benefits of healthy foods, screen timereduction and increased physical activity in curbing childhoodobesity, and much more.


Recently, the Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh announced the winners of itsannual Housing Excellence Awards. The Builder’s Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh(BAMP) began the Housing Excellence Awards program in 1996 to showcase the outstandingcraftsmanship of building and remodeling professionals in the metropolitan Pittsburgh area.

Participation is restricted to builders and remodelers who are members of the associationin good standing. Entries are submitted anonymously and are judged on its own merits bya panel of qualified, independent, judges recognized for their expertise in home buildingand design.

The 2012 WinnersAWARD WINNING COMPANY GENERAL CATEGORY PRICE CATEGORYTK Carpentry & Construction, Inc. Best Kitchen Renovation Under $75,000TK Carpentry & Construction, Inc. Best Kitchen Renovation $75,001-$150,000TK Carpentry & Construction, Inc. Best Room Addition Over $300,001TK Carpentry & Construction, Inc. Best Room Addition $150,001-$300,000TK Carpentry & Construction, Inc. Best Multi-Room Renovation Under $300,000Master Remodelers, Inc. Best Multi-Room Renovation $300,001-$750,000Primrose Homes, Inc. Best Multi-Room Renovation Over $750,001Eichenlaub Inc. Best Outdoor Living Project - Existing HomeTraditions of America Best 50+ Housing Single Family Attached Under $250,000Traditions of America Best 50+ Housing Single Family Attached Over $250,000Traditions of America Best 50+ Housing Single Family Detached Home Under $250,000Suncrest Homes, Inc. Best 50+ Housing Single Family Detached Home Over $250,000Signature Homes Best Multi-Family Home of the Year Under $500,000S & A Homes Best Green/Energy Efficient Housing Under $500,000Primrose Homes, Inc. Best Green/Energy Efficient Housing $500,001-$850,000John Hobart Miller, Inc. Best Green/Energy Efficient Housing Over $850,001Traditions of America Best Single Family Home of the Year $251,001-$350,000Heartland Homes, Inc. Best Single Family Home of the Year $351,001-$450,000S & A Homes Best Single Family Home of the Year $451,001-$650,000Suncrest Homes, Inc. Best Single Family Home of the Year $651,001-$850,000Primrose Homes, Inc. Best Single Family Home of the Year $1,000,001-$2,000,000John Hobart Miller, Inc. Best Single Family Home of the Year Over $2,000,001

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This home, situated in front of a beautiful 10-acre lakein suburban Pittsburgh, is a modern-day masterpiece,complete with four living levels and numerous

amenities throughout the home.

The kitchen contains custom cream maple painted andglazed cabinetry, hidden appliances, two dishwashers, andan 8'x3' island. The intricate details of the cabinetry trulymake this home a showcase, from the built-in china closetto the floor-to-ceiling custom cabinetry. Organizationalfeatures such as spice racks, canned goods storage, and amessage center round out the kitchen functionality and easeof use.

This home features a fourth-level master suite, whichincludes a living area (complete with kitchen), large masterbedroom, gorgeous marble and tile-laid shower, lush jacuzzitub within its own room, walk-in closet, and two outdoorliving areas. Two fireplaces (one indoor and one outdoor)complete this suite, which offers spectacular views of thelake.

The lower level contains a fully-equipped theater, a custombar with stained cherry wood, pub and lounge style design,exercise room, playroom, and full bathroom. The designallows for multiple groups to utilize it at the same time.

The Housing Excellence Award for the Best SingleFamily Home of the Year - $1,000,000-2,000,000



The intricate details throughout the home focus on the Tuscantheme – cathedral-style doorways, hardwood ceilings and floors,and rich brown and cream colors. Ornate crystal chandeliers areseen throughout the home, from the entryway and dining areas allthe way to the master suite and walk-in closet.

The exterior completes this home’s European look with its Spanishtile roof, brown and cream color palate, and cultured stone. Thereare four outside living areas that all boast gorgeous views of the

lake. One contains a gazebo for dining and relaxing. Lastly, thehome is uniquely nestled into the lot to provide privacy.

Some of the personal and creative features added to this houseinclude an elevator, marble flooring on the first floor, two laundryrooms, radiant heating, whole house water filtration system, andhome automation controls. Artistic designs were created within thefloors – two in the porcelain entryway, one inlaid in the hardwoodin the master suite, and one brick-laden one within the driveway. | DHL

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Seed starting is the foundation of anytrue gardening independence story.Starting your own seedlings gives youthe chance for more varieties (includingorganic) and less costly options thanthose from the garden centers.

In general, seeds aren’t difficult to start, and any benefits to startingyour own vegetables and ornamentals definitely outweigh thechallenges. The biggest one is figuring out when and how far inadvance to start the seeds before planting them in the garden.Not all seeds germinate at the same intervals or require the sameconditions. If you start some too early, you will have leggy andunmanageable seedlings that will grow improperly in the gardenor die once you’ve transplanted them into the warm earth. Somerequire special handling, such as chipping (scarifying) andsoaking; others germinate only with bottom heat and still othersrequire some chilling before they know when to germinate.

Let’s start with some basics.All seeds need a medium thatis sterilized—that’s to say, notgarden soil with pathogens thatcan kill seedlings in the wink ofan eye (this is called “dampingoff”). Purchasing seed startingsoil mixes is a great start or if youhave older potting soil that youcan water down (absolutely must be moistened to thepoint of puddles forming when you press your fingerinto it). An alternative would be to place your soil inyour oven on a cookie sheet at a low temperature(pre-heated 275 degree F) and sterilize (or pasteurize)it for an hour or so. But with today’s choices on themarket at a relatively low cost, why take this extrastep and make your kitchen smell like burningearth?

By Steve Stones


Another great choice is to buy peat potsthat you can plant directly into the garden.You can see the roots emerging from thepeat and can gauge moisture requirementseasier, as well. They are more earthfriendly than plastic seed six-packs,unless you already have some in thegarden shed or garage waiting to be used.If you do decide to reuse these, you willneed to sterilize them, too, by washingthe six-packs in a warm solution ofbleach water. Even egg cartons and otherkitchen discards can be used but they mustbe cleaned thoroughly. Cleanliness is thekey to the best germination percentage!

Some seeds germinate fast and others areon their own timetable and can’t berushed. Most seed packages give you theapproximate time from germination toyour first picking; they also give you the

time it takes from planting the seed toits emergence from the soil, along withthe depth of seed planting and lightand space requirements. Your timetabledepends on when your area has its lastkilling frost. Seeds like onions andpeppers can be started first, as they canbe planted indoors eight to 14 weeksbefore the last frost, where eggplants andtomatoes should be six to eight weeks,and leafy greens should be five to sixweeks. Cucumbers and melons start theirlife fast, as do Zinnias and Marigolds;you should start these two to four weeksbefore the last frost.

Plant the seeds sparsely. When you over-populate the medium with seeds, youwill have to do some thinning when they

germinate, and yourisk damaging their

fragile roots, stems andfirst leaves. This can be achallenge with small seeds. Tryusing tweezers and placing nomore than two or three seeds perplanting area. If you are up to thechallenge, tap the seed envelopegently over the medium. I suggesttesting your skills by doing the latterover a piece of white paper first tosee how many seeds you tap out.Large seeds can be picked up andplaced on the medium to ensuregood coverage.

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The finer seeds need only to be gentlypressed into the soil with your finger,while the larger one may need additionalsoil. The rule of thumb is that most seedsneed to be covered by three times theirsize in the medium; for example, a seedof 1/8" needs 3/8" of covering. Thengently press the soil down to ensure goodcontact. You can cover the containerswith plastic wrap and place in a sunnywindow or under fluorescent lampsapproximatelyfour to six inchesfrom the soil, stay-ing on for 12 to 14hours daily. You willneed to raise the lampsgradually as the seedlingsemerge and remove the plasticcovering. A heating pad underthe containers will help thegermination process, but makesure the soil temperatures don’texceed 75°. Extreme heat orcold will inhibit the process.Maintaining good moisture andventilation is also a must topromote health and vigor. Manyflowering seeds need light togerminate, while most vegetableseeds are indifferent to it andwill readily germinate as long asthe soil remains at a constanttemperature between 75 to 90degrees. All plants need light togrow but they require darkness

to use the food they produced during thelighted portion of their day.

Keeping all these factors—water, light,temperature, air, soil conditions—inbalance and monitoring them dailyshould lead to successful germination.You must provide optimum conditionsfor them to grow until they are ready formoving to your cold frame, often called“hardening off.” All emerging plants

have seedling leaves;the next leaves to

emerge after them are their trueleaves and are very fragile during this

stage of growth.

After the young shoots have managed tobe growing for a time and have a few setsof their true leaves, reduce their moistureand fertilizer intake along with their soiland air temperatures slightly. This willhelp in the transition or acclimatingprocess. If you are using a cold frame,place the seedlings out for short periodsof time daily then return them to theindoors, gradually increasing their timein the frame. Finally, allow them to stayin the frame with the glass closedovernight, being sure that the outdoortemperatures do not fall too sharply andare well above freezing. After seven to10 days, the seedlings will be able totake a full day of sunlight and theirwatering needs to be monitored to avoidwilting. If you don’t have a cold frame,placing the new plants in a sheltered areaaway from strong winds and intenselight, and returning them daily to thesafety of the house during night, willhelp them acclimate to the brighter lightand get them off to a healthy start.

If you follow the guidelines on the seedpackages for setting the seedlings outand maintaining their space require-ments, you should have spectacularresults. Remember that some failurewill occur but with some effort on yourpart and the help of Mother Nature, youwill not only have great fun growingyour own flowers and vegetables fromseed, you will be providing the comingseasons with color, beauty and noursi-hing food! | DHL

Steve Stones is a professionalhorticulturist and president of aninterior landscaping company.


33rd Latin Americanand Caribbean Festival

Saturday, March 23,noon to midnight

University of PittsburghWesley W. Posvar Hall, Galleria,

First Floor, PittsburghFeatures music, food, dance, arts, crafts

and children’s activities from LatinAmerica and the Caribbean. To learnmore, call (412) 648-7392 or visitwww.ucis.pitt.edu/clas/festival.

Pittsburgh Folk FestivalFriday, April 19 andSaturday, April 20

4141 Fifth Avenue, PittsburghEnjoy an exciting adventure around

the world filled with ethnic cuisine, liveentertainment and cultural presentations

for all ages. Watch live dance andmusic performances and visit the

marketplace. To learn more,call (412) 278-1267 or visit

www.pghfolkfest.org.

47th Annual UkrainianEaster Egg SaleSunday, March 24

Sts. Peter and Paul UkrainianOrthodox Church

220 Mansfield Boulevard, CarnegieMarvel over handcrafted Ukrainian Eastereggs, embroidery and other crafts fromEastern Europe. Enjoy ethnic foods,

basket raffles, door prizes and church andmuseum tours. To learn more, call,

(412) 527-5359.

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JFilm FestivalThursday, April 11 – Sunday, April 21

SouthSide Works Cinema425 Cinema Drive, Pittsburgh

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, theJFilm Festival (formerly the Jewish Israeli

Film Festival) brings authentic Israeli movies,customs and cuisine to Pittsburgh. Moviesare shown in various theaters throughout

Pittsburgh, including SouthSideWorks Cinema, Carnegie Mellon

University and the FrickFine Arts Building. To learn more, call(412) 992-5203 weekdays 1-3 p.m. or

visit www.jfilmpgh.org.

Maple Syrup FestivalSaturday, April 6 and Sunday,April 7, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.The Lodge at Bradys Run Park

Route 51, FallstonGo back in time and enjoy antique

machinery displays, traditional crafters,Civil War reenactment, children’s tent, andmusic and live performances. The festival’sfamous “All You Can Eat” buttermilk or

buckwheat pancake breakfast is not to bemissed. Take home some 100% puremaple syrup, as well as fresh-groundbuckwheat, corn meal and wheat

flour. Free admission,parking and shuttle service.

To learn more, call(724) 378-1701.

AmbridgeNationality Days FestivalFriday, May 17 to Sunday, May 19

Ambridge, Beaver CountyThis festival has been a celebration

of ethnic pride for 48 years.Enjoy mouth-watering localfoods, live entertainment,

crafts and children’s attractions.To learn more, call (724) 266-3040.

MayMarketFriday, May 10

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical GardensOne Schenley Park, Pittsburgh

Browse a wide selection of plants for yourgarden, including organic herbs and vegetableseedlings, botanical specimens grown in Phipps’

greenhouses, native perennials and more.To learn more, call (412) 622-6914.

PittsburghWine FestivalThursday, May 9Heinz Field

900 Art Rooney Drive, PittsburghConsidered “one of the top 10wine festivals in the country”,this event is host to some

of the world’s finest wine makers,educators and chefs. To learn more,

call (412) 281-2681 or visitwww.pittsburghwinefestival.com.

Waynesburgh Sheepand Fiber FestivalSaturday, May 18 and

Sunday, May 19Greene County Fairgrounds

This festival celebrates the heritage ofsheep, wool and fibers in Greene County.Check out juried crafts, a sheep-to-shawlcompetition, shearing, spinning, weaving,live music, a lamb cook-off, shepherding

dog demonstrations, a photographycontest, children’s activities, fiber

arts classes and more. To learn more,call (724) 451-8406 or visitwww.sheepandfiber.com.

Silk ScreenAsian AmericanFilm Festival

Friday, May 10 to Sunday, May 19Hosted at various theaters around the

City of Pittsburgh, this festival highlightsdiversity and multi-cultural appreciation

through film, with an emphasis onAsian and Asian-American art.

To learn more, call (724) 969-2565 orvisit www.silkscreenfestival.org.

Film FestivalSaturday, April 27, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.100 North Main Street, Washington

This second annual festival featuresindependent films and screenplays of

less than 30 minutes. On tap are speakerswith diverse filmmaking experience.Proceeds benefit the Highland Ridgecommunity and supports HRCDC,

which seeks to discover and provideexposure for independent

artists of all ages. To learn more,call (724) 678-4225 or

visit www.washpaelmstreet.org.

increasing exposure for visual arts in theCultural District.

Gallery Hours:Wednesday and Thursday: 11am-6pm; Fridayand Saturday: 11am-8pm; Sunday: 11am-5pm

707 & 709 Galleries

A project of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust andmanaged by the Trust’s Education andCommunity Engagement department, 709Penn Gallery features exhibits by local andregional artists working in multiple disci-plines. 709 Penn Gallery is located at 709Penn Avenue near the intersection of Pennand Seventh Street.


943 Gallery

In late 2008, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trusttransformed the last standing adult bookstoreon Liberty Avenue into a dedicated arts space.Built in the late 1920s, over the years 943Liberty Avenue housed a variety of retail busi-nesses, from home furnishings to hardwareand for a brief time, during the 1960s, thisspace was an arcade and then used as anaccordion school.

Now owned and operated by the Trust, the 943Liberty Avenue showcases exhibitions curatedby the Trust’s visual arts department.

Hours:Saturday 11:00-8:00; Sunday 11:00-5:00

VISUAL ARTS

Wood Street Galleries

Through an agreement with the Port Authorityof Pittsburgh, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trustleases the upper floors of the former MaxAzen Company building, above the WoodStreet subway station, and operates the WoodStreet Galleries. Opened in 1992, the galleriesfeature two floors of exhibition and perform-ance space, and subsidized office space foremerging performing arts organizationsthroughout Pittsburgh.


SPACE

Voted the 2012 BEST GALLERY FOR LOCALARTISTS by Pittsburgh City Paper!

A vital component of The Pittsburgh CulturalTrust’s Visual Arts programming, SPACE pres-ents five to six exhibitions annually, offeringemerging artists an opportunity to advanceprojects in a supportive setting. While SPACEdoes not actively commission new works,many artists that exhibit work at SPACE areprovided with resources – labor, technologyand guidance, as well as funding to executetheir ideas.

By encouraging and facilitating artistic collab-oration, SPACE contributes to a robustCultural District art scene and is helping tobuild diverse visual arts’ audiences. SPACEcreates a platform for artists to meet otherlike-minded artists from across regional,national and international borders: On average,events at SPACE attract more than 1,500people on a single night, ever dedicated to


CULTURAL EVENTSWhat Else To Do?

Take in a show, dine with family and friends, it’s all about enjoyingthe culture in one of America’s true great cities – Pittsburgh, PA!

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra – Heinz Hall600 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222(412) 392-4900www.pittsburghsymphony.org

Lord of the DanceMarch 9, 2013

The Wizard of OzMarch 14–17, 2013

Slatkin, Ax & MozartMarch 22–24, 2013

Elvis LivesMarch 29–30, 2013

The Brandenburg ConcertosApril 5–7, 2013

Bell Plays BernsteinApril 12–14, 2013

Anything GoesApril 16–21, 2013

Beethoven’s Ninth, “Ode to Joy”April 26–28, 2013

Disco Days & Boogie NightsMay 2–5, 2013

Benedetti & TchaikovskyMay 10–12, 2013

Elgar, Grieg & RavelMay 17–19, 2013

FEATURED

Priscilla Queen of the DesertVenue: Benedum CenterMarch 5–10, 2013

Elaine PaigeVenue: Cabaret at Theater SquareMarch 12, 2013

Slask Song & Dance Ensemble of PolandVenue: Byham TheaterMarch 19, 2013

Juan De. Marcos & Afro-Cuban All StarsVenue: August Wilson CenterMarch 21, 2013

Paige in Full: A B-Girls Visual MixtapVenue: Trust Arts Education CenterMarch 22–23, 2013

Bubble TimeVenue: Byham TheaterMarch 22–23, 2013

The Book of MormonVenue: Benedum CenterMarch 26–April 7, 2013

Les Ballets TrockaderoVenue: Byham TheaterApril 5, 2013

Gabriel Iglesias: Stand-Up Revolution TourVenue: Benedum CenterApril 13, 2013

Artie LangVenue: Byham TheaterApril 13, 2013

Anything GoesVenue: Heinz HallApril 16–21, 2013

Bettye LaVetteVenue: Cabaret at Theater SquareApril 23, 2013

Sandra BernhardVenue: Byham TheaterApril 27, 2013

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The

Pittsburgh

SymphonyOrchestra

The Spring Lifestyles Section of Designing HOME Lifestyles Magazineis dedicated to promoting the growth and development of Cultural andTourism related businesses in Western Pennsylvania. Please contact usat [email protected] for information on how toparticipate in future editions. Dates and pertinent information of eventsare subject to change. Please contact each organization directly toconfirm all dates, times and availability. The included events are onlya portion of cultural events in Western Pennsylvania. For additionalinformation and other events try visiting The Pittsburgh Cultural Trustat www.pgharts.org.

Andy Warhol Museum

Disco Days & Boogie NightsVenue: Heinz HallMay 2–5, 2013

Mark Morris Dance GroupVenue: Byham TheaterMay 4, 2013

TarzanVenue: Byham TheaterMay 9–19, 2013

Elgar, Grieg & RavelVenue: Heinz HallMay 17–19, 2013

What Else To Do

Phipps Conservatorywww.phipps.conservatory.org

Carnegie Museum of Natural Historywww.carnegiemnh.org

The Warhol Museumwww.warhol.org

Carnegie Science Centerwww.carnegiesciencecenter.org

Carnegie Museums of Pittsburghwww.carnegiemuseums.org

Mattress Factorywww.mattress.org

Dining Out Around Pittsburgh

MITCHELL’S FISH MARKETSEAFOOD RESTAURANT & BARThe Waterfront – (412) 476-8844Mt. Lebanon at the Galleria(412) 571-3474www.MitchellsFishMarket.com

Please visit the Chefs and Restaurants inour Western Pennsylvania’s Top Chefsection:

NOLA ON THE SQUARE (412) 471-9100

PARIS 66 (412) 404-8166

SEVICHE (412) 697-3120

SONOMA GRILLE (412) 697-1336

THE ORIGINAL FISH MARKET(412) 227-3657


CLASH OF CLANSLead your clan to victory in this epic combatstrategy game. Build your village, trainyour troops and battle with thousands ofother players online. Clash of Clans is anaddictive mixture of strategic planning andcompetitive fast-paced combats. Raise anarmy of barbarians, war wizards, dragonsand other mighty fighters. Join a clan ofplayers and rise through the ranks, orcreate your own clan to contest ownershipof the realm. Driving back the goblins is justthe first step; your quest isn’t over untilyour clan reigns supreme over all others.

PANDORACreate your own radio stations that playonly music you like with this app, and listenwherever andwhenever you’re in themoodfor great music. Enjoy all of your stationsright from your Android, BlackBerry,iPhone, iPad, iPod, Nook or Kindle Fire. ThisPandora app is fully integrated withPandora on the Web, so everything youcreate and personalize on your deviceappears next time you’re back on the Web.

STUMBLEUPONThis app is the easiest way to discover newand interesting things from all corners ofthe Web. Stumble whenever or whereveryou want through interests like humor,music and photography to entertainingweb pages, photos, videos and more.Swipe through slides to quickly browsecontent recommended for you based onyour interests.

Think of anything that you might need to know or do...and it’s probably true that “there’s an app for that.” The term app,short for application, dates back to the 1980s but is suddenly ubiquitous—due in great part to the popularity of the iPhone.Here are some fun, free apps that you may find useful.

ZITEZite is a personalizedmagazine that deliversall the great news, articles, blogs and videosyou want and helps you discover new stuffthat you’ll love.

Zite personalizes your content automaticallyand gets better the more you use it.

Create your magazine your way withthousands of sections and a smart auto-suggest.

Interact with the articles you read on Zite bythumbing them up or down andwatch yourmagazine get more andmore personalized.

Can be syncedwith your Twitter and GoogleReader accounts.

The number of apps for Smartphones and othermobile devices has exploded in recent years. These innocuous little programshave changed the way we use our mobile gadgets and apparently make our lives easier. In two seconds flat, you can use anapp to inform, entertain or educate yourself about virtually anything. When it comes to apps, wonders never cease!

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FIND MY iPHONEIf you misplace your iPhone, iPad, iPod orMac, this app will let you use another iOSdevice to find it and protect your data. FindMy iPhone helps you locate your missingdevice on a map, play a sound, display amessage, remotely lock your device orerase all the data on it.

If the iPhone, iPad or iPod you want tolocate is running iOS 6, Find My iPhone alsoincludes Lost Mode, which locks yourmissing device with a 4-digit passcode andcan display a contact phone number righton the lock screen.While in Lost Mode, yourdevice will keep track of where it has beenand display its recent location history whenyou check in with this app.

PBS VIDEOWatch themost popular and current PBS programs free andwithminimal interruption on your iPhone or iPad.Features more than 300 videos, including full-length episodes, segments and previews with new contentupdated daily. Includes popular PBS primetime programs, such as Antiques Roadshow, Frontline, HistoryDetectives, Masterpiece, Nature, Need to Know, Nova, Secrets of the Dead, PBS News Hour segments andAustin City Limits song performances. Create reminders for favorite shows right in your iCal calendar app.

Appsmay not be available on all portable devices. Please check with your phone’s App Store to verify if theseapps are available for download on your specific device.

The number of apps for Smartphones and othermobile devices has exploded in recent years. These innocuous little programshave changed the way we use our mobile gadgets and apparently make our lives easier. In two seconds flat, you can use anapp to inform, entertain or educate yourself about virtually anything. When it comes to apps, wonders never cease!

GILT TASTEBuy the top names in food and wine at upto 60 percent off retail, plus read exclusivestories and recipes from famous chefs andaward-winning food writers.

Flip through delicious recipes withoutmucking up your iPad, even if your handsare covered in sauce; simply wave yourhand across the camera to move from stepto step. Shop for new deals every day onamazing food, drink and ingredientshand-picked by Taste editors and shippeddirectly from the artisans who create them.

PODCAST ADDICTManage all of your video and audio pod-casts from this single app on your Androiddevice. Import your podcasts subscriptionsfrom an iTunes or Google Reader OPMLexport file, or use the embedded searchengine to browse the app’s database. Copyand paste your podcasts’ RSS feeds in orderto subscribe. This app will soon be availableon tablet devices.

NPR ADDICTBrowse Nation Public Radio (NPR) contentby program, series, on-air personality andmore. Get your daily news and hourly newsupdates from the Podcast directory. (Thisapp does not stream live content.)

Content includes popular programs such as“All Things Considered”, “Morning Edition”,“Car Talk” and “This American Life.”

DICTIONARY.COM ANDTHESAURUS.COMFeatures more than 2,000,000 definitions,synonyms and antonyms. Great for students.APPS of the Day and The Hot Word, audiopronunciation, sample sentences, wordorigin and history, spelling suggestions andmore. You can even shake your iPhone toreceive a random, surprise word.

By Fawn Chang, CFSC

DHL: Feng Shui


For thousands of years, people have sought out the bestland on which to situate their homes. Ideally, we want

to live on piece of ground that not only has a good locationbut a nice flow. Here in western Pennsylvania, the topog-raphy is as varied as life itself—plenty of hills and valleys,rivers and lakes, as well as level, bare lots in housing plans(many of which were converted farm property) andwooded areas with lots of foliage.

According to the ancient art of placement known as FengShui, many of the home sites in western Pennsylvania are“well situated”, which means that they empower theoccupants to good health, happiness and success. FengShui recommends that we place our homes in a way thatcreates flow and removes obstacles, and it goes manysteps further by showing us how the landforms, modernstructures, roadways, surrounding buildings and land-marks around our residences can support us in life. Byusing the principles of this ancient art to adjust our living

environment, even those of us who live on property thatis less than ideal in terms of location or flow, we can stillbenefit from the same advantages as those who havethe ability to find and purchase the best lots available.

Feng Shui is all about energy—its nature, how it flowsand how it influences us positively or negatively. “GoodFeng Shui” on your property means that the drive towardthe front of your house is pleasant, uncluttered andbeautiful. It means that your address is clearly visible, thepath to your door is well tended and lighted, and that thefront door opens to a beautiful interior view. But let’s backup for a moment and look at the number of ways in whichthe location of the lot can support us in life.

Feng Shui looks at location in four main ways: neighbor-hood, surroundings, topography and lot shape. Theseall work together to influence the flow of energy on aparticular piece of property.

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NeighborhoodFeng Shui recommends choosing the best most vibrantneighborhood possible. For instance, look at the treesand plantings; are the healthy and alive? Look at thestreets, sidewalks, businesses and the people; do theylook as though they are flourishing and happy? Arethe streets well cared for? If your home is in a decayingneighborhood, do the best you can to uplift yourindividual property and engage with your community.

SurroundingsIf a home fits well into its surrounding neighborhood butis just different enough to attract attention, it is said tohave good Feng Shui. If your home is at the end of aT-intersection or if your neighbor’s driveway faces yourfront door, Feng Shui sees this as being akin to living at thebottom of a waterfall; too much energy coming towardyour home will exhaust you and bring more opportunitiesthan you have time or resources to take advantage of.Other energy drains include fast moving waterways,highly traveled roadways, power lines and cell towers.Feng Shui also recommends that we look at the buildingsaround our home and the activities that occur thereto determine how it may be affecting our own life force.A hospital, factory or even a church, for example, maydrain your energy.

To mitigate such issues, try placing something betweenyour home and the “offending” energy, such as a line ofbeautiful trees, bushes or shrubbery, or a well-maintainedfence or sculpture. Another “cure” would be to use amirror faced toward the energy drain to deflect it awayfrom your home.

TopographyThe best position isn’t necessarily always the mostexpensive or exclusive. For instance, being on top of amountain can be energetically depleting to the residentsbecause of the wind and weather. Being near the base ofthe mountain is not the most optimal either, as water

tends to pool. The best position in Feng Shui, (whetherfor your lot, desk or bed) is called the Power Positionor the Armchair Position: Your back is supported and aslight protective barrier is on either side, with a fullcommand of the view (sort of like sitting in an armchair).

According to Feng Shui, if your lot slopes downward in theback, you are losing access to much of your wealth, andyour reputation and relationship energy could be drainingaway from you. Nearly half the homes in westernPennsylvania have backyards that slope away, directlyopposing to our sense of safety and security. Luckily, wecan use landscaping, lighting, attention-gathering itemsand color to redirect what might not start out as theoptimal property. For example, to elevate the energy ofa slope, use anything that draws the eye upward. Placesomething tall behind the house to act as a barrier orsecure backing (such as trees), a light that shines upwardtoward the house or wind catchers that effectively stopthe downward progression of energy.

Lot ShapeIn Feng Shui, the most stable shape is a rectangle orsquare. For thousands of years, Feng Shui has used theBagua Map (see graphic), which shows how energyflows through spaces and corresponds to aspects of life.Placing this map over your lot’s footprint, you will see how

your property’s energy fares. Stand at the entrance to yourproperty, as tagged by the Postal Service, which willfall along the bottom of this Bagua. The shape will besomewhat rectangular but not necessarily square; theplaces where your home plan doesn’t touch the sides ofthe rectangle will be what Feng Shui calls “missing areas”,or places where you “don’t have support.” But there areways to “square off” a property to be able to access allthe energy to fuel your life.

Reclaim that support by incorporating “cures.” Oneabstract yet very powerful ways to square off your lot isby using mirrors. Place the mirrors (facing outward) sothat they would seem to draw a laser line completing therectangle of the Bagua; that is, face them outward toessentially draw a line of intersection.

Feng Shui is not magic, nor is it a miracle. It’s a way ofinteracting with the energy, shapes, colors and people sothat we may live with more support and, therefore, morejoy. Consider the above ideas when selecting a lot for yourproperty or enhancing the one where you already live. Afew small changes can make a big difference. | DHL

THE BAGUA GRID

FortunateBlessings

Wealth &Prosperity

Marriage

Partnership

Relationship

Children

Creativity

Life Force

Ch’i / Energy

Health & Family

Ancestors &Inspiration

Knowledge &Self-Cultivation

Wisdom

Journey

Life’s Purpose

Career

Helpful People

&

Travel

Fame

Reputation

Align Entrance Along This Plane

Celebrate spring (and prepare for summer)with nutritious, colorful salads

Pot roast. Mashed potatoes. Hearty stews. Bone-warming chili. These heavier menu optionsworked well for us during the winter months.Now it’s time to lighten up and celebrate thespring season with refreshing, nutritious salads.When spring has sprung, an inevitable question iswaiting right behind it: How many days untilI need to fit into my bathing suit?

Salads can be satisfying while helping you shedsomewinter pounds; just go easy on the dressing.Like anything else, make sure that you addingredients in moderation. Raw vegetables aremandatory; after all, that’s what a salad is!Many of us who don’t like eating vegetables by

themselves enjoy them in salads. The health benefits of eatingraw vegetables are well worth it.

Consider going a little fruity, as well! By adding fruit to yoursalad, you can create some wonderful taste sensations. In fact,youmight be surprised how interesting certain combinations insalads can be. Cranberries, blueberries, strawberries, pears,grapes, apples, avocados (yes, it’s a fruit), even dried bananasand papaya are all good choices. Again, the nutrition factor—especially vitamins and antioxidants—adds a bonus.

When considering the health benefits of salads, think visual.Strive to have as many colors of the rainbow represented inyour salad—from deep greens to yellows, reds and orangesfrom vegetables, and even white and blue from cheddar, brie,goat and bleu cheeses. Create a culinary piece of art!

For tasty and fun salad combinations, search the reputablerecipe websites online, or check out the food category onPinterest; this social networking site makes it super easy tocreate your own recipe board so that, when you’re at thegrocery store, you can quickly scan your board for neededingredients. It also makes it easy to share your favorite recipeswith your family and friends.

Dining out? That doesn’t have to spell disaster for your figure.Visit our chefs’ restaurants in this section for some of the mostinteresting and unique menu items you’ll find in Pittsburgh.They are proud to serve you the finest and freshest ingredientsyou’ll find anywhere. On every menu, you’ll find salads that aretantalizing enough to steer you away from heavy meals.

So dig into spring salads, do it often and watch your waistlineshrink. When you finally do put on that bathing suit, the mirrorwill thank you.

Meet Our “Top Chefs” and experience their


favorite Salad recipes on the following pages...

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SevicheCaleb J. Longacre – Executive Chef

Born and raised in Scott Township, PA, near Scrantonand began cooking at the age of 10 with his fatherwho was a cook at a children’s camp. This fueled hispassion for cooking and had him focused on a culinarycareer at an early age. After high school Caleb joinedthe Army as a food service specialist and entered intoan advanced culinary program. After the Army hegraduated from Le Cordon Bleu Institute of CulinaryArts and began working at Seviche, a Big Restaurant.He started as a line cook, then sous chef and recentlywas promoted to executive chef.


Paris 66Mason Arthurs – Executive Chef

Mason grew up in a family where cooking played alarge role in his childhood. These early experiencesand his love for cooking became his inspiration.

His mission is to continually learn everything he canabout as many different foods as possible, how toprepare them and where the foods and preparationtechniques originated. Also, wants to share any andall of his experiences with asmany people as possible.Not only to enlighten aspiring chefs but also to sharehis love of food and cooking.

He also believes it is essential to be surrounded by aprofessional and dedicated team. He is fortunate atParis 66 to be surrounded by just that.

Sonoma GrilleJim Rogers– Executive Chef

Jim grew up in Clarksburg, WV and started cooking ata young age. His family cooked every day and that iswhere he developed his passion for fresh food andingredients. He graduated from Le Cordon Bleu inPittsburgh and started working at Sonoma Grillewhile attending school. After a short externship hereturned to Sonoma Grille and was recently promotedto executive chef. He is proud to serve the freshest ofingredients while creating meals that are incredibleand unique.

Grilled Endive SaladINGREDIENTS:Endive - 4 heads split in halfSeedless watermelon - 2 large slicesCarrots - 2 each shreddedScallions -1 bunch, thin slicedGoat cheese (Chevre) - 3 oz crumbled

PROCEDURE:Toss the endive halves in olive oil and grill on a char grill untilmarked (1 minute per side).

Drizzle olive oil on watermelon and grill on both sides for 2 minutes.

Julienne the endive, cut the watermelon in cubes (about 1.5 inch cubes).

Combine with the rest of the ingredients except chevre, toss well.

On a large platter arrange the salad so there is some height, topwith chevre.

This salad goes very well with grilled shrimp or chicken.

Recipe Provided by:Chef Jim Rogers –Sonoma Grille

Balsamic - 2 tbspEVOO - 1/4 cupSalt - 3 tspPepper - 1 tsp

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Recipe Provided by:Chef Andrew Hebson –Nola on the Square

Shrimp and New Potato Remouladewith Fresh Herb and Asparagus Salad1# Wild Shrimp1 Gallon Water1# New Potatoes1 package Crab Boil1 Lemon (cut in half)

FOR DRESSING1 T Roasted Garlic1 T Smoked Paprika2 T Tomato Paste1/4 c Lemon Juice1 tsp Lemon Zest2 T Whole Grain Mustard1/4 c EVOO1 T Red Wine Vinegar1 tsp Tabasco1/2 tsp Cayenne1 c Mayo2 tsp Sea Salt1 tsp Black Pepper

FOR HERB SALAD1 bunch Asparagus (blanched)1 bunch Parsley (picked)1 bunch Mint (picked)1 bunch Cilantro (picked)1 bunch Chives (cut in 1" pieces)1 T Lemon Juice3 T EVOO1 tsp Sea Salt1/4 tsp Black Pepper

In large sauce pot add water, crab boil, lemon and potatoes.Bring to simmer and cook until potatoes are tender. Addshrimp and cook until just barely cooked through. Drain andspread on a baking sheet to cool. In a small fry pan cook garlic,tomato paste, smoked paprika and cayenne in EVOO. Allow tocool. Combine all ingredients in food processor. Toss shrimpand potatoes in dressing. Serve with herb and asparagus saladon top.


Roquefort Pear Salad

INGREDIENTS:1 head leaf lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces3 pears - peeled, cored and chopped5 ounces Roquefort cheese, crumbled1 avocado - peeled, pitted, and diced1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions1/4 cup white sugar1/2 cup pecans

DIRECTIONS:In a skillet over medium heat, stir 1/4 cup of sugar together with the pecans. Continue stirringgently until sugar has melted and caramelized the pecans. Carefully transfer nuts onto waxedpaper. Allow to cool, and break into pieces.

For the dressing, blend oil, vinegar, 1-1/2 teaspoons sugar, mustard, chopped garlic, saltand pepper.

In a large serving bowl, layer lettuce, pears, blue cheese, avocado and green onions. Pourdressing over salad, sprinkle with pecans and serve.

Recipe Provided by:Chef Mason Arthurs –

Paris 66

1/3 cup olive oil3 tablespoons red wine vinegar1-1/2 teaspoons white sugar1-1/2 teaspoons prepared mustard1 clove garlic, chopped1/2 teaspoon saltFresh ground black pepper to taste

Nola on the SquareAndrew Hebson – Executive Chef

Andrew grew up in Miami, FL, went to high school atBaldwin and traveled the country for about three yearsafter high school. He ended up back at Pittsburgh andgraduated from the Pennsylvania Culinary in 2000.He did his externship in Vail, CO. He furthered hiscareer at various high-end restaurants and hotels inthe region. He finally found a solid home with theBig Y Group and was quickly promoted and continuedto grow with the company. He helped open Nola asthe Executive Chef and Partner and is currently theCorporate Chef for the group. He takes great pride inproviding only the finest of food and ingredients tohis guests.

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The Original Fish Market RestaurantJason Huzzard – Executive Chef

Chef Jason graduated from Pennsylvania CulinaryInstitute in his native Pittsburgh before moving toBoulder, Colorado for eight years. There, he explored thediverse indigenous culinary culture and achieved hisfirst Chef position. After moving back to Pittsburgh,he continued to refine his skills at several esteemedrestaurants in the city. He is bringing his years ofexperience at some of the finest restaurants to TheOriginal Fish Market. His incredible skills and talentswill be highlighted by seafood and non-seafood itemsonhismenu.He enjoys seeking out seasonal ingredientsfrom local growers, farm-raised and fresh-caught fishand seafood and the finest meat and poultry he canfind.

Salad WedgeThis classic salad is a treat from my childhood.It’s simple to make, but satisfying atthe same time.

INGREDIENTS:1/2 head of Iceberg lettuce cut in half1 Roma tomato quartered1/2 carrot grated or peeled thin-like ribbons1/4 lb Applewood smoked bacon(cut into 1/2 inch pieces and rendered until crispy)

Gorgonzola dressing

Assemble the wedges of iceberglettuce on a plate, cover withdressing and add vegetables.

Any vegetables can be used forvariations; this is also good by usingblanched brussel sprouts insteadof iceberg.

Recipe Provided by:Chef Jason Huzzard –

The Original Fish Market


2 grapefruits, red or white2 navel oranges2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil1 tablespoon honey1 tablespoon fresh lemon juiceSalt2 fennel bulbs—halved, cored and thinly sliced on a mandolin, 2 tablespoons ofchopped fronds reserved2 tablespoons small mint leaves1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

Using a sharp knife, cut the skin and white pith from the grapefruits and oranges.Working over a bowl, cut between the membranes to release the sections into thebowl. Squeeze the membranes to extract the juice.

In a small bowl, stir the olive oil with the honey and lemon juice. Add 3 tablespoons ofthe citrus juice and season with salt. Reserve the remaining citrus juice for another use.

In a shallow serving bowl, toss the fennel and citrus sections with the dressing. Garnishwith the chopped fennel fronds, mint leaves and ground coriander and serve rightaway.

Fennel and Citrus Salad with Mint

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Yves Carreau has done it again!Pittsburgh’s hottest new restaurant isNola on the Square. This new conceptscreams New Orleans with his JazzBrasserie. It is located in the newly

renovated Market Square. A breathtakingtransformation of the storied 1902

Landmark Tavern, a Nouveau Creole menufeaturing Bourbon Street cocktails, live jazz

and blues music at least twice a week.If you’ve not experienced this “Big Easy”

vibe you’re in for a surprise.

24 Market StreetPittsburgh, PA 15222412-471-9100

www.nolaonthesquare.comHours: Monday – Saturday,

Lunch 11am-3pm, Dinner 5pm-11pm

Fred and Lori might be the nicest couplethat own a restaurant...period! Paris 66 isan ambient eatery focused on “everydayFrench cuisine” in a traditional bistro-stylesetting. Paris 66 is both a crêperie and

bistro. French Pastry Chef, David Piquardoffers his award winning recipes straightfrom France. He offers the finest dessertsfor the perfect ending to a perfect meal.

6018 Penn Circle SouthPittsburgh, PA 15206412-404-8166

www.paris66bistro.comHours: Monday – Thursday 11am-10pm,

Friday – Saturday 11am-11pm,Sunday Brunch 10am-3pm

If you looking for the finest Fish andSeafood in downtown Pittsburgh –you’ve found it! This is a wonderful

restaurant with a fun atmosphere. If youare a wine lover they have a Winekeeper

that keeps wines fresh as the moment theywere opened. This system allows the

restaurant to offer fifty-two wines by theglass. This restaurant is a “must visit!”

1000 Penn AvenuePittsburgh PA 15222412-227-3657

theoriginalfishmarket.comHours: Monday -Friday 11am-1am,Saturday and Sunday 4pm-1am

Welcome to a West Coast kitchen andwine bar, where food and wine arecelebrated everyday. Sonoma is a

sophisticated, casual restaurant with anairy dining room displaying vivid colors

and a warm atmosphere. It has aninternational cuisine with a California twist.

Each dish highlights local, organic orsustainable food in the peak of their season.

647 Penn AvenuePittsburgh, PA 15222412-697-1336

www.thesonomagrille.comHours: Lunch Daily 11am-3pm,

Dinner 5pm-11pm

You start with a grand lookingspace in the heart of Pittsburgh’s

cultural district and dress it up witha warm South Beach Art Deco interior.Season with exciting Nuevo LatinoCuisine and colorful Mojito cocktails.Add a dash of Cuban artwork and mix

vigorously with searing hot salsarhythms. Welcome to Seviche!

Tapas and fun at its best!

930 Penn AvenuePittsburgh, PA 15222412-697-3120

www.seviche.comHours: Monday – Thursday 5pm-12am,

Friday and Saturday 5pm-1am


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Stacey Pape, OwnerVeronica Sutyak, General Manager


How to Take Care of a Betta FishSiamese fighting fish, also known as Bettas, are popular pets recognizedfor their aggressiveness, interactiveness, and relatively low cost formaintenance and care. Betta fish can prove to be man’s best friend for upto four years. Follow these tips to make sure your new pal has a happyand healthy life. They are not to be placed with other fish because of theirextreme territorial behavior. They don’t take a lot of space. They alsoenjoy real plants in their habitats.

Research. Consider researching online at sites like bettafish.com,bettatalk.com, ibcbettas.org, etc. You should have a general understandingof what to look for before buying. When purchasing your Betta fish, thinkabout these main things:

• Color. Is the Betta’s color bright and vivid, or is it very dull and pale?Bettas come in a variety of colors, but blues and reds (dark colors ingeneral) are most common.

• Receptiveness. Does the Betta respond to your movement? Does it swimaround rapidly when seeing you, or does it merely sit at the bottom?Don’t repeatedly tap container, as it agitates them. Try moving yourfinger in front of the Betta instead. Don’t be afraid to buy a somewhat

docile Betta though; they generally have many encounters with otherpeople during their day, and may simply be resting.

• Overall health. Are its fins in good condition, or are they torn orotherwise damaged? Are the Betta’s eyes in good shape? Do you seeany odd lumps (parasites) on its body? If you see anything highly out ofthe ordinary, consider another Betta.

Prepare your Betta’s home. You should always have a proper setup ready before bringing home your new pet. Here are some points toconsider:

In the wild, Bettas inhabit Thai rice paddies. Hence, they are fitted toliving in relatively shallow but spacious environments. However, considergiving your Betta a decent sized tank to help prolong its life. ThoughBettas only require a liter of water to survive, more space doesn’t hurt;several gallons is not necessary.

• Add the necessary equipment. The average Betta bought in a petstore has been bred to withstand a lot of the hassles of a pet lifestyle.Make sure to get a heater with a thermostat. Bettas like water temper-atures between 76 to 82°F. Filters are not necessary in tanks smallerthan five gallons, but if you do have one make sure the current is nottoo strong for your Betta.

• Avoid jagged rocks or sharpdecorations, such as hard plasticplants, as they may tear Bettafins when rubbend againstthem. Be safe and use silkplants or real plants.

• While live plants aren’tnecessary, they area great addition toBetta tanks. They’reprettier than fakeones, and Bettas lovelounging on the leaves

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and hiding in them to sleep. Live plants also help the oxygenate thewater and keep the water cleaner for longer periods of time.

Prepare the water. Use a de-chlorinator (also known as a waterconditioner) (sold in the fish department) in the tank to remove chlorineand chloramines as they can harm Bettas, as well as kill off all beneficialbacteria housed in the filter. It is a not a good idea to use bottled waterbecause this deprives your fish of necessary minerals and is not “safe.”Treated tap water is cheaper and a better alternative.

Fill your tank. If your tank is without a top cover, fill it about 80percent high to ensure your fish won’t leap out. Bettas are very activeand can jump over three inches.

Add your Betta. Being careful, slowly tip the container in which youreceived your Betta into the new habitat so that the new water and oldwater canmix, making it easier for your fish to adjust. This way, if you’rehabitat water is much colder or warmer than the previous water, it willnot put the fish in shock. You can also float the bag or container in thewater for about 15minutes so they it becomes the same temperature ofthe tank.

Feed your Betta. Your Betta’s diet should consist primarily ofpellets specially formulated for them. For variety, feed frozen brineshrimp or dried blood worms on occasion. Tropical fish flakes, goldfishflakes, etc. are not sutible for Bettas.

• Feed your Betta no more than three pellets every other day. This isvery important, as overfeeding is the number one cause of death.Bettas will continue eating as long as you feed them and will eatthemselves to death. Also, overfeeding can cause bloating. Though,not serious, it can cause bladder problems later on that can be fatal.Remove any extra food that your Betta does not eat.

Clean your Betta’s tank. Place your Betta in a container filled withthe old water while washing its regular tank. Be sure to cover so it won’tjump out. Simply wash the main tank with hot water, as some soapswill harm your Betta. If your habitat has rocks or decorations, rinse themthoroughly. Fill the habitat half way with fresh tap water, return theBetta and some of the old water, and then fill the rest with tap wateragain.

• Be sure to add a water conditioner to the water; this will remove theharmful chlorine and chloramine that is in tap water that could killyour fish and filter bacteria.

• Be sure that the water you arechanging is the same temperature as theold water the Betta was in toavoid temperature shockwhich can be deadly to yourBetta. Use an in-tankthermometer to check thewater temperatures.

• In order to test water parameters (pH andammonia levels) each week you will need a fresh water test kit. Thiswill allow you to monitor your aquarium and take readings. Thesecan be found in the fish department of your pet store.

Have fun with your new friend. Do not provoke your Betta fish bytapping the glass; instead, play with it by moving your finger aroundthe tank and watching it follow you.

Tips and warnings• Bettas are members of the Anabantoid family (Gouramis are also in

this family) and have a back-up breathing system that allows them tobreathe surface air; however, they still require a filtration system intheir tanks. Bear in mind that long-finned varieties do best with aslittle current as possible.

• Bettas may require a heater in some cases. Mini heaters are ideal andare available for Betta tanks between one and three gallons.

• Bettas recognize their owners and will actually learn faces and games.Keep your Betta company and say “hi” once in a while, so it learnswho you are. Bettas can and do recognize people(mainly because they associateyou with feeding time).

• Male Betta fish buildbubble nests whenhappy!

Continued on page 71

The Oriental Fire-Bellied Toads (Bombina orientalis) get their namefrom their bellies that have fluorescent orange spots. They havegrass-green colored backs with black spots, large eyes and heart

shaped pupils. Themales tend to have a rougher texture to their skin andhave fat front legs compared to females.

Knowing your toad and understanding how to cater to its unique needsis important when you get one as a pet. They are called a “pet” but toadsare not actually a pet you “play with.” Rather, they are to be appreciatedin the habitat similar to watching a fish tank.

Fire-Bellied Toads need both land and water in their habitat. They arevery active and hop around alot, making these little critters very inter-esting to watch. They are native to southern and southeastern Asia.In the wild they live together in groups so you should have several inyour habitat. These toads like their privacy. They dislike being touchedand disturbed so they love to have a hiding spot in their habitat. If theycan’t access the hiding spot they tend to get into the water and stay atthe bottom when they are frightened.

Make sure you don’t keep any other species of frogs or toads with yourFire-Bellied Toads as they have toxins in their skin that can kill otherfrogs. There are cases when some frogs died just five minutes after theybecame the toad’s new neighbor.

These toxins are their defense mechanism. Make sure you washyour hands immediately afterwards if you pick them up for any reason,

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •


especially before touching your face or any sensitive area. The toxinseldom does any more harm than a mild rash or irritation to human skin.But also remember, hand lotion on your skin or even the oils in your skincan do a lot of harm to the toad, so not touching them is also for theirprotection.

These toads need to eat two to three times a week. The Fire-BelliedToads are not particular on their food...if it moves and they can catch it,they will happily eat it. They do need movement to recognize food, sothey will not eat dead food sources. Crickets, worms and other smallcreepy crawlies form the bulk of the toad’s diet. They have been knownto eat small fish like guppies. They can recognize routine; if you feedthem at the same time every day you’ll start to find them waiting fortheir lunch. Any uneaten prey should be removed from the enclosure thenext day to prevent dead insects from polluting the toad’s environment.Every other feeding it is suggested you sprinkle a little calcium or multi-vitamin powder onto the bugs before you drop them into the habitat.

These toads don’t have extendible tongues like most frogs and othertoads- instead they grab their prey with their mouths. Then they usetheir front legs to push their victims into their mouths.

Size: About 2 inches

Expected Life Span: Up to 15 years

Lifestyle: Terrestrial (lives on the ground)

Level of Care: Good for beginners

The Red-Eyed Tree Frog (Agalychnis callidryas) is an amazing animalthat is well known around the world for its bright red eyes and itsexotic colors. As its name suggests, it has bright red eyes with

vertical, ellipse-shaped black pupils. They usually have bright greenbacks and legs, a bright blue side and orange toes. This blue colorationextends along the forearms of the Red-Eyed Tree Frog. This species offrog has a wide variation in color depending on where they are found.The white to gold stripe on the sides appears and disappears according tothe species, and some variations include orange colored thighs.

The Red-Eyed Tree Frog is highly arboreal, meaning that it likes to climb.Be sure to provide lots of things to climb on in their habitat like branchysticks, driftwood, slabs of cork bark, plastic plants/vines or bamboo poles.

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Size: About 2 to 3 inches

Expected Life Span: 4 to 10 years

Lifestyle: Arboreal (lives in trees)

Level of Care:Good for beginners but fairly delicate

These frogs and toads live a long time. If there’s ever areason you can no longer take care of it, please do notrelease the toad outside. They can not survive outsidetemperatures and they may not have learned tohunt on their own. Some suggestions: find a friend orneighbor who would like a pet frog, donate it to aschool for a wildlife display, or give it to a local petshop owner who can possibly find it a home.

Caring for your frog or toad:First and foremost, remember that your new friend isa big jumper...you want to make sure you keep the lidfirmly on your frog’s habitat at all times.

Temperature: Frogs and toads are cold-blooded,meaning they can’t regulate their body temperatureon their own. A heater is not usually necessary asthese frogs are comfortable in room temperature, butif your home is cold, you should consider a small heatlight for extra warmth.

Humidity: These frogs like high humidity. You canhelp keep the humidity high by using a plant misterto spray the habitat with water once a day or more.Air conditioners lower the humidity of the room so ifyou have one on, you must give your frog’s habitat afewmore sprays of water to make sure he doesn’t getdehydrated. Coconut husk bedding is good to usebecause it helps to retain moisture in the habitat.

Cleaning: Make sure the habitat is always clean. Ifyou move the frog into another container to clean itshabitat, gently lift it with your fingers being carefulnot to poke, pinch or squeeze. You must also be verycareful when you clean its habitat. They are extremelysensitive to soaps and detergents. Using only hotwater, rinse the habitat and décor. Remove dirtysubstrate bits or replace the entire substrate. Alwayswash your hands after handling the habitat contents.

The Red-Eyed Tree Frog is delicate and does not like tobe touched too often. This will make it feel threat-ened and this distress leads to illness; so do not touchthem unnecessarily. Hand lotion on your skin or eventhe oils in your skin can do a lot of harm to the frog.

This frog is nocturnal whichmeans it is active at night.During the day it stays in hiding or lays inactive in acorner of the habitat to sleep. However, during thenight you can watch it become more active.

The Red-Eyed Tree Frog likes being in the company ofits own kind, so it would enjoy having a companion ortwo in the habitat. However, no more than four isrecommended.

These frogs need to eat three to four times a week.They are not particular on their food...if it moves andthey can catch it, they will eat it. They also needmovement to recognize food, so they will not eatdead food sources. Crickets, worms and other smallcreepy crawlies form the bulk of the frog’s diet. Theycan recognize routine –if you feed them at the sametime every day you’ll start to find them waiting fortheir lunch. Any uneaten prey should be removedfrom the enclosure the next day to prevent deadinsects from polluting the frog’s environment. Everyother feeding it is suggested you sprinkle a littlecalcium or multi-vitaminpowder onto the bugsbefore you drop them intothe habitat.

• Remember that your Betta is fragile. Many peoplesay they are “hardy” fish and assume that they cankeep rearranging the tank or remove the Bettaoften for cleaning, but this is not true. Bettas areonly “hardy” to different water types such as hardand soft water; meaning you can not change thewater or rearrange the aquarium often.

• Most people keep Betta fish in bowls or smalltanks–this is not ideal for them, it is recommendedto have a larger cycled tank with filter.

• Male Bettas cannot live with other male Bettas.They are named Siamese Fighting fish for a reason!In an aquarium setting, they will fight to the deathin order to protect their living space, regardless ofthe size of the tank. If your tank does not have apartition, do not risk losing one or both of yourBettas by allowing them to live together.

• If you have a relatively large tank, you mightconsider having other fish to coexist with yourBetta. Avoid purchasing other fish that are brightlycolored (such as fancy Guppies), or fish with longflowing fins (again; Guppies, Goldfish etc.) whereyour Betta might mistake it for another Betta. Alsoavoid other aggressive fish or fin-nippers such asBarbs. Danios, some Tetras and most Rasboras willwork. Bottom feeders such as Corydoras and Ottos(Otocinclus) are also good choices.

• No matter what the pet store staff or anybody elsemay say, don’t put your Betta in a tiny bowl, vaseor cup! Place it in at least a five gallon aquarium orlarger if it will share the tank with other fish. Yourfish will enjoy having room to move around and itwill get more exercise. You will also enjoy watchingit more if it can move around and play a bit. | DHL


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By Kim Epp Frenette

at home with: Darieth Chisolm

It’s no wonder why people love Darieth Chisolm. Sheis beautiful, talented, successful, and on top of that,genuinely kind. A Pittsburgh celebrity of sorts, Darieth

is perhaps best known as the polished, intelligent co-anchorof WPXI Channel 11 nightly news. When others come tolearn about all of the roles she fulfills beyond her anchorposition—as a mother, wife, entrepreneur and activecommunity member—the question inevitably arises, “Howdoes she do it?” Her answer? “Love what you do, rely onfamily, let a few things go and don’t be afraid to talk toyourself!”

Photo: Adam Piscitelli, Primetime Shots Inc.



Darieth’s daily routine is quite full.“Each day is different, she says. “Allof the parts are moving and as longas there is no monkey wrench thatgets thrown in...” Darieth pauses to

acknowledges the inevitable. “There arewrenches, but you kick them out of theway and get going with it.”

A typical day might be like this: Up by8:30 a.m.: an hour reading local newsand emails; squeeze in a workout; workon her other career (owner of FullbodyFitness Club). Mid-day: pre-make anevening meal for the family; around2:30, get to the TV station to prep forthe “First at Five” news show then goon the air. Early evening: shoot storysegments, fulfill speaking engagements,check in at Fullbody or make a quickstop home. By 9:30 pm: back to thestation for the 11 o’clock news and goon the air again. Arrive home aroundmidnight.

“I think I would be a miserable personif I didn’t absolutely love the fullnessof my life,” Darieth concludes. “The

Photos Above and Below:Wylie Images

Photo: Tom Poljak, Black Bear Publishing

things I do really make me happy.”

A native of Detroit, Darieth moved toPittsburgh in 1993 to continue herbroadcasting career at WPXI. Herhusband, Dr. Arnold Tarpley, is apodiatrist with a practice in Uniontown.They reside in Jefferson Hills in anattempt to split the commute.

In an arrangement that could be thestage for a modern sit-com, the house-hold includes their teenage son,Arnold’s

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father, and Darieth’s mom. “We have a very eclectic familyat home, but it works.” Darieth’s mom moved in to helpwhen Darieth opened her fitness club in 2011. “Having herhere has meant so much. She balances my house in a waythat I can’t because I’m going in 15 different directions. Weare all in the same house, all in different places, and thekitchen is the meeting place. It works very well.”

Fullbody Fitness Club offers unique forms of exercise suchas aerial yoga, aerial silk dance, and the Reebok/Cirque duSoleil programs JUKARI Fit to Fly and JUKARI Fit to Flex.The business has been a family affair from the beginning.

“The family is very proud of what we’ve created. It camefrom a thought and to see it actually come into being...Ithink we all get a sense of pride from that. We all had somuch to do with it. My husband came in and laid thefloor, my father-in-law was there with his walker, and mysister, cousins and uncle came in from Detroit.”

Darieth’s mom now helps extensively with day-to-dayaspects of the business—another potential sit-com situa-tion, but Darieth says she “loves, loves, loves” workingwith her mother. “We balance each other so well. I am abig picture person. Everything about me is like a big paintbrush and she is very much about the detail. My husbandis that way, too. They both tend to ground me in someways, or else I’d be out there flying around!”

Like many working mothers, Darieth has occasional guiltpangs about lack of time with her son and her busy careerchoices. “Sometimes I wish that he and I would do some-thing together but he is so busy doing other things.Probably I’d be home and he’d be someplace else. He hasno intention of ‘spending time with Mommy’ and he tellsme that all the time, as much as he tells me he loves me,but it still tugs at me. In fact, I would venture to say thatevery mom struggles with that, especially when doingsomething like building a business. We just can’t be in


Photos these pages: Adam Piscitelli, Primetime Shots Inc.

enough places all the time, so that’s achallenge.Yet if I was always at home,I would probably say, ‘I wish I hadbeen following my passion and mydream’.”

Having made the choice to followthose dreams, Darieth concedes that afew things have had to give. “I am thetrue ‘type A’ in every sense of theword—very motivated, very driven,”she explains, “but I have learned it isokay to leave dishes in the sink fordays, if necessary. I used to be like,‘Guys, don’t you see the dishes?’ NowI don’t see them, either! I’ve just foundthere are so many other things that areimportant. So yes, my closet is a mess.I have more than one junk drawer. Athome I am a lot more loose andrelaxed, not as ‘polished’ as I am oncamera. I think people would be sur-prised because what I look likeat home is nothing like what you seeon TV, but deep down inside I am thesame person.”

Darieth contends she has pretty muchalways been a “just do it, let’s go, let’smake it happen” kind of person. Whilethat is certainly part of her successin many areas of her life, she alsoattributes achievement as her lifephilosophy. “I believe the only thingthat stops most of us from getting towhatever it is we want is fear. When

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we live our lives in fear we immediatelycut off any sense of our goal happening.When we say, ‘what if, what if, whatif’, we stop the process. If we justbelieve that the pieces will fall intoplace, that we can do it, then at leastwe allow things to happen.”

Darieth adds that when your job istalking for a living, talking to yourselfisn’t that much of a stretch. So, Dariethgives herself a daily morning pep talk.“Even before I get out of bed, I have aconversation with myself in which Ipreplan my day so I can get up and getgoing without feeling overwhelmed. I gothrough ‘I am’ statements: I am patienttoday. I’ve got a lot on my plate but Ican handle it. It’s going to be success-ful. This may sound a little wacky butI am serious when I say that when Idon’t take time to do this, my day is amess!”

Just as she wraps ups the nightly newsfor us each evening, Darieth makes it a

habit to do some nightly personalreporting. “I kind of reward and thankmyself at the end of my day when I amin bed. I say, ‘Good day, Darieth!’Andthen I get up the next morning and doit all again.” | DHL

Kim Epp Frenette is the founder of Wise Womene-Journal, an Internet publication for and aboutinteresting, dynamic women in Pittsburgh’s

South Hills. Visit Wise Women atwww.wisewomenlife.com.

By Mark Berton

Few cities can claim to have started as a humble inn that serviced wagonstravelling between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, but those are the roots ofGreensburg.

Originally known as “Newtown”, the pre-Greensburg wagon stop was officiallyincorporated in 1799 with the name Greensburg, after General NathanaelGreene, a Revolutionary War hero who was considered second only to GeorgeWashington for his military prowess.

After its incorporation as a borough, Greensburg’s growth was generallystagnant. It enjoyed the small-town accouterments that one would expect—shopkeepers and innkeepers—but it wasn’t until coal was discovered in theregion that Greensburg’s rise to prominence took place. After mergers andannexation of several outlying municipal entities, Greensburg finally graduat-ed to become an official city in 1928, and the early 20th Century broughtGreensburg some jewels that still shine bright today.

Much like its analog Duquesne University in neighboring Pittsburgh, Seton HillUniversity is a Catholic university on a hill, occupying 200 acres of Greensburg.Founded in 1885, Seton Hill’s programs are guided by the teachings ofElizabeth Ann Seton, who founded one of the nation’s first academies foryoung women. While her intentions were just, Seton struggled against anti-Catholic attitudes that were popular at the time. Because of her educationalwork, as well as her charity and religious work, Seton became the first UScitizen canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. Seton Hill University’sprogramming reflects Seton’s dedication, ethics and call to action. The universityboasts more than 80 academic programs for its more than 2,500 students,


Nathanael Greene, by Charles Willson Peale

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garnering Seton Hill several nationalrecognitions from sources including USNews and World Report.

In keeping with intellectual pursuits,Greensburg also is home to theWestmorelandCounty Museum of American Art, whichspecializes in art created between the mid-1700s to mid-1900s. It was founded at thebequest of Mary MarchandWoods in 1949,when she left the museum her entire estate.By 1959, her dream had become a realityand the museum was greeting patrons forthe first time. Today, the WestmorelandMuseum of American Art is much morethan just a museum 35 miles outside ofPittsburgh; it’s a destination for tourists, as

well as state and federal funding. Theirexhibits are diverse and some of them drawas many as 22 percent of their visitors fromout of state. In 2009, the museum celebratedits 50th anniversary and while it was a timeof celebration, museum officials used themilestone to focus on the future, planningits second expansion as well as continueingits robust fundraising campaigns.

Of course, intellectual gems need a well-educated population to appreciate theirofferings. In that regard, children of theregion have no better vehicle to preparetheir growing minds than the Greensburg-Salem School District. Serving nearly3,000 students, the Greensburg-SalemSchool District has been recognizedlocally by the Pittsburgh Business Times

for exceeding academic expectationsacross the curriculum, and nationally byboth US News and World Report andStandard and Poors for student achieve-ment and outpacing peers, respectively. Forthe 2010-11 school year, Greensburg-Salem’s students ranked 43.9 percentadvanced and 38 percent proficient on thePennsylvania System of School Assessment(PSSA) scale. Nearly 60 percent of graduatesattend four-year colleges or universities.Outside of the classroom, the district offersmore than 30 teams or programs for sportsand activities, and seniors have the oppor-tunity to work with Seton Hill Universityon dual enrollment programs.

And what’s a city without recreation?Greensburg residents have several outletsavailable to them, and they use them. Thehistoric Palace Theatre is not only home tothe Westmoreland Symphony Orchestrabut to many live acts that draw crowdsfrom neighboring cities. Originally calledthe Manos Theatre, the Palace was designedby Leon Lempert & Son, an architecturalfirm from New York, and opened its doorsin 1926. It has been operated by theWestmoreland Cultural Trust since 1990and has been renovated in 1996 and 2004,adding both amenities and seating all whilekeeping the majority of the original interiorand exterior design intact. Because of thestewardship and care taken with the Palace,the venue can boast attracting acts likeStomp, Tom Jones, Primus’ Les Claypool,King Crimson and more. The revered latecomedian George Carlin even took a bowat the Palace.

Greensburg also is home to one of the fewmunicipally owned golf courses in westernPennsylvania. The Mt. Odin Golf Course isan 18-hole, par-70 course that welcomesall skill levels at a modest price. Mt. Odinalso has a driving range for golfers whojust want to hit a few balls and don’t havethe time to play a full round. Golfing seasonat Mt. Odin begins in March and laststhrough December.

Finally, when the last putt of the season issunk – hopefully for a birdie – you canhead over to Greensburg’s Kirk S. NevinArena to hit the ice. The arena offers cus-tomers both learn to play hockey programs,as well as public skating times. Because itis a municipal amenity, ice time for publicskating is nominal: $5 for adults, $4 forchildren and seniors. Skate rental is $2.Hockey stick times are just $7. In additionto skating for fun, the Kirk S. Nevin Arenais also a destination for birthday partypackages, which, for just $10 per child,includes admission, skate rental, pizzaand a soft drink. The arena is the home ofthe Westmoreland Hockey Association,Greensburg Figure Skating Team andGreensburg-Salem Hockey team.

As you can see, there are a lot of offeringsto those living in and around Greensburgfrom a city that started as a one-inn pit stopbetween Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.Those who have worked so hard over theyears to grow Greensburg in the face ofadversity and changing times have much tobe proud of. You may still find yourselfpassing through, but you’ll never be sorry thatyou stopped by this unique and welcomingcity in the Laurel Highlands. | DHL


cocktails at home:

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1. Citron Lemon Drop• 13 parts citron vodka • 4 parts triple sec• 9 parts lemon juice • 4 wedges lemon• 7 parts simple syrup

Fill a pitcher glass with ice cubes. Add allingredients. Garnish with lemon.

2. Pink Grapefruit Fizz• 6 parts pink • 2 parts soda watergrapefruit juice • 1 wedge grapefruit

Fill a highball glass with ice cubes. Add allingredients. Stir. Garnish with grapefruit.

3. Key Lime Martini• 3 parts gin • simple syrup to taste• 2 parts orange • 1 slice limebrandy • 3 parts lime juice

Fill a shakerwith ice cubes. Addall ingredients.Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.Garnish with lime.

4. Greyhound Cocktail• 1 part vodka • 1 wedge grapefruit• 3 parts pinkgrapefruit juice

Fill a rocks glass with ice cubes. Add allingredients. Garnish with pink grapefruit.

5. Grapefruit Tonic• 1 part tonic water • 1 slice grapefruit• 1 part grapefruit juice

Fill a chilled highball glass with crushed ice.Add all ingredients. Stir. Garnish with grape-fruit.

6. Sweet Lime Cocktail• 2 parts vodka • 2 teaspoons sugar,• 4 slices Lime superfine

Muddle lime and sugar, superfine in a shaker.Fill with crushed ice. Add vodka. Shake andpour into a chilled rocks glass. Garnish withlime.

6. Loretto Lemonade• 2 parts bourbon • 1/2 Partmelon liqueur• 2 parts apple juice, • ginger beerfresh pressed • 1 wheel lime• 3/4 part lime juice

Fill a chilled highball glass with ice cubes.Add bourbon, melon liqueur, lime juice andapple juice, fresh pressed. Top upwith gingerbeer. Garnish with lime.

7. White Wine Sangria• 1 bottle of white wine • 2 oz. brandy• 2/3 cup white sugar (optional)• 3 oranges (sliced) • 1/2 liter of ginger• 1 lemon (sliced) ale or club soda• 1 lime (sliced)

Pour wine in the pitcher and squeeze thejuice wedges from the orange, lemon andlime into the wine, add brandy if desired.Toss in the fruit wedges (leaving out seeds ifpossible) and add sugar. Chill overnight.Add ginger ale or club soda just beforeserving. If you’d like to serve right away, usechilled white wine and serve over lots of ice.

8. Summertime Soda• 3 parts orange juice • 1 part lemon juice• 2 parts soda water • 1 slice orange• 2 parts pink • 1 slice lemon• grapefruit juice

Fill a highball glass with ice cubes. Add allingredients. Stir. Garnish with lemon andorange.

9. Grapefruit Zang• 8 parts vodka• 8 parts ruby grapefruit juice• 8 parts lemon-lime soda• 4 parts lemon juice• 4 parts simple syrup

Fill a pitcher glass with ice cubes. Add allingredients.

10. Twin Hills Cocktail• 6 parts bourbon • 1 part Benedictine DOM• 1 part simple syrup • 1 part lime juice• 1 part lemon juice • 1 wedge lime

Fill a shakerwith ice cubes. Addall ingredients.Shake and strain into a chilled rocks glassfilled with ice cubes. Garnish with lime.

11. Fresh Sea Breeze• 12 parts vodka • 10 parts white• 10 parts ruby cranberry juicegrapefruit juice • 8 wedges lime

Fill a pitcher glass with ice cubes. Add allingredients. Garnish with lime.

12. St. Clementine Crush• 3 parts gin • 4 wedges lemon• 2 parts mandarines • 1 slice mandarinliqueur

Muddle lemon in a chilled highball glass. Fillwith crushed ice. Add mandarines liqueurand gin. Stir. Garnish with mandarin.

13. Moonlight Cocktail• 1 part cognac • 2 parts cream• 3 parts coffee • 1 part simple syrup• 2 parts mandarines • 1 peel orangeliqueur • 1 peel mandarin

Fill a shakerwith ice cubes. Addall ingredients.Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.Garnish with mandarin and orange.

14. Citrus Rum Cooler• 2 parts light rum • 3/4 part triple sec• 2 parts lemonade • 1 wheel lime• 2 parts orange juice • 1 slice orange• 1 part lime juice

Fill a highball glass with ice cubes. Add allingredients. Stir. Garnish with orange andlime.

15. Citrus Cream Cocktail• 4 parts orange juice • 1 part simple syrup• 2 parts grapefruit • 1 part grenadinejuice • 2 parts cream

Fill a shaker with ice cubes. Add all ingredi-ents. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktailglass.

16. Citrus Martini• 4 parts citron vodka • 1 part simple syrup• 2 parts triple sec • 1 peel lemon• 2 parts lemon juice

Fill a shakerwith ice cubes. Addall ingredients.Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.Garnish with lemon.


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