Designing Home Lifestyles

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Designing HOME Lifestyles. Copyright 2011. 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

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSTom Abraham Nancy Hoff Barsotti

Valentine J. Brkich Pamela PalongueDavid Plantowski Steve Stones

ART & PRODUCTION DIRECTORJim Paladino

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTORRenee Butor

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGERSDerek Bayer Tamara Myers

ADVERTISING SALESAimee Nicolia Brian DaleyRobert Ojeda Gina D’AlicandroRalph Palaski Tina DollardAnnette Petrone Karen FadzenVincent Sabatini Julie GraffJennifer Schaefer Jason HuffmanMichael Silvert Lori JeffriesKaren Turkovich Connie McDaniel

RJ Vighetti Brian McKeeNikki Capezio-Watson Gabriel Negri

Sophia Williard

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Black Bear Publishing5107 Clairton BoulevardPittsburgh, PA 15236

(412) 819-5152Fax: (412) 819-5153

Designing HOME Lifestyles is Owned andOperated by IN Community Publications

Owner – Wayne DollardOffice Manager – Leo Vighetti

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Contentscontents

W i n t e r I s s u e 2 0 1 1

Departmentsdepartments

On The Cover:Patete Kitchen and Bath Design Center, located in

Carnegie epitomizes the idea of a “family” business. PatetePresident Steve Erenrich operates the company along with his

son Barry. One thing you can bank on is that they bothunderstand the importance of the kind of personal attention

and quality products you can only find at a local,family-owned business like Patete. See pages 10-14.

AT HOME WITH - Pittsburgh Film Office 65YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD LIFESTYLES - Saxonburg 70COCKTAILS AT HOME - Tea Infused Cocktails 72

YOUR HEALTH AND WELLNESS 16Here at Designing HOME Lifestyles magazine, we love providing you withideas on how to maintain your home and make it more beautiful. Butwhat’s more important to us is your family’s health and well-being. That’swhy we’re introducing this new ongoing feature that will focus on topicsfrom exercise to nutrition to detoxing your home. We hope that you’ll beable to use the information we provide to increase your family’s overallwellness and, in turn, live a fuller, healthier, happier life.

STAYING HEALTHY WITH AN INDOOR HERB GARDEN 30Winter is a challenging time for garden topics in western Pennsylvania.You may not know it, but herbs and spices are a great source ofantioxidants. Many scientists have released studies recently thatinclude both fresh and dried herbs as a wonderful source for helpingto fight those nasty, disease-causing free radicals.

THE BENEFITS OF A HOME GYM 33Do you huff and puff excessively after climbing a flight of stairs? Itmay be time to join the growing number of Americans who exerciseon a regular basis. Increasingly, evidence shows that exercise paysoff, even for those who start a routine late in their lives. “But,” yousay, “I just don’t have time, and health clubs are too expensive!”Why not hurdle those obstacles by bringing the gym home?

WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA’S TOP CHEFS 48In this issue, we’ve asked some of Pittsburgh’s top chefs to sharesome of their favorite recipes with us in order to help ring in the NewYear. Each has incorporated unique flavors, from both local and fromfar away, so that you and your family will be able to enjoy someincredible and memorable meals during this special time of the year.As 2011 comes to a close, we are excited to see what our chefshave in store for you – our readers – this coming year.


Our website offers example photos and detailed information on the variety of wood grades, species, sizes, hand-scraped as well ascutting techniques available including our specialty – rift & quartered red and white oak hardwoods. Learn too about our history ofenvironmental stewardship before it had become politically correct to do so. Customers can now rely on our FSC certification as

proof positive that we follow the sustainable practices set up by this internationally respected organization.

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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:

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If you’re thinking about installing anew kitchen or bathroom, or mayberenovating your current one, it can be

tempting to try to save a few bucks. Butwhen you’re embarking on a project asimportant and involved as a new kitchenor bathroom, you can’t afford to leaveanything to chance. You need to knowthat the materials you’re using are of thehighest quality. You need to know thatyou can count on the installers to bethere every step of the way, from start tofinish, to make sure that your uniquevision becomes a reality. You need toleave it to the real experts—the peoplewho have been doing this kind of workfor decades and, therefore, can honestlycall themselves experts in the field.

I’m talking, of course, about PateteKitchen and Bath Design Center.

Patete Kitchen and Bath, located onWashington Avenue in Carnegie,epitomizes the idea of a “family” busi-ness. Patete President Steve Erenrichoperates the company along with his sonBarry. More than likely you’ve heardboth Steve and Barry talk about Pateteon the radio and on TV ads, and you mayhave even talked to them personally attheir design showroom or at the annualhome shows. One thing you can bank onis that they both understand the impor-tance of the kind of personal attentionand quality products you can only find ata local, family-owned business likePatete.

“I’m not some inaccessible, upper-levelexecutive that hides away in his office,”says Steve. “I want to get to know you. Iwant you to feel comfortable with me,knowing that you can trust what I say andfeel confident that, with Patete, you’regetting the best quality and service pos-sible. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Barry, a third generation Erenrich, alongwith having a hands-on part in the dailyoperations at Patete, manages their othercompany, Luxury Bath by Patete.

“I love what I do,” says Barry. “There’sjust something so satisfying about workingclosely with someone, listening to theirideas, and then coming up with a designthat’s beautiful and unique to them. It’ssomething I’m really passionate about.”

Thanks to Steve and Barry, Patete hasbecome one of the most trusted andrespected kitchen and bath design centersin the region. Through their dedicationand passion for what they do, they makecertain that each and every one of theircustomers is completely satisfied withtheir kitchen or bathroom project. Since1960, Patete has evolved from a modestcabinet shop into the region’s leadingkitchen and bath remodeling center. Andthey’ve done this through a commitmentto family values, as well as by combin-ing the highest-quality products withoutstanding customer service.

Patete’s staff of experts guide youthrough each and every phase of your

PATETE KITCHEN & BATH DESIGN CENTER“Whether your taste is Traditional, Contemporary orEclectic, Patete Kitchen & Bath Center will deliver afunctional and attractive product you will be proud of.”

Continued on next page


project, from custom creation throughexpert installation. Their mission is tohelp you create the most functional andattractive kitchen or bath for your home.They do this by paying attention to detailsand taking care of every aspect of yourjob, from the cabinets and countertops,to the sinks, faucets, and hardware, tocarpentry and tile work, to plumbing,electrical, painting and more.

Patete believes in getting it right the firsttime, and the way they work closely withyou throughout the entire processreflects this.

First, their kitchen and bath designerscome to your home and do a completesurvey of your project including yourwants, needs, and ultimate wish list.Then they return to their showroom andcombine your specifications and yoursuggestions to design a “custom creation”of your project. Finally, they present thisdesign to you when you come in for yourappointment in their impressive show-room, which features many beautifuldisplays to inspire you and spark yourimagination.

“We’ll show you what’s possible, andthen we’ll work closely with you toallow you to put your own personaltouch on your design,” says Barry. “Wehave a lot of great ideas to share withyou. But ultimately, we want to help youmake your own unique vision a reality.”

And of course, they continue to workwith you until they make it a perfect fitfor you and your lifestyle.

“Our goal is your complete satisfaction,”says Barry. “And we’ll do whatever ittakes to meet that goal and provide thekitchen or bath of your dreams.”

Patete has been doing high-quality bath-room renovations and installs for years.Now they’re proud to announce that theyhave added a new line to their impressivelist of bathroom features: Shower Doorsby Patete.

“At Patete we take pride in offering ourcustomers the highest quality of materi-als and features for their bathroominstalls and remodels,” says Steve. “Nowwe’re happy to say that we’ve added thisincredible line of shower doors andenclosures. These products are reallyunmatched in quality and design.”

The Shower Doors by Patete collectionfeatures precision-engineered showerdoors and enclosures made from high-quality materials and finishes. The resultis a product that maximizes performanceand durability. In fact, every showerenclosure features lifetime warranty,which is the best product guaranteeyou’ll find in the industry.

“These are the best shower doors in themarketplace,” says Barry. “And they’reall hand-crafted, so you know they’remade to last.”

Continued on page 16

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One of the coolest features of ShowerDoors by Patete is the new glassoption, AquaGlideXP Clear, anenhanced version of the popularAquaGlide glass protection coating.AquaGlideXP Clear is an invisiblecoating that bonds to the glass andhelps keep the shower doors clean bystopping them from spotting. Itincreases the sheen and luster, repelssoap film, and minimizes mold andmildew. As a result, there’s less workfor you.

No matter how big or small yourkitchen or bath design project, SteveErenrich wants you to know that youcan put your trust in Barry or any oneof their other highly-skilled andapproachable designers.

“Like I’ve said before, we’re all familyhere at Patete,” says Steve. “Every oneof our people are highly trained andqualified, and each is dedicated totreating you—the customer—with theutmost respect and consideration.”

“We’re committed to you and yoursatisfaction,” adds Barry. “Give Patetea try—we know you’ll be satisfied.”

1105 Washington AvenueCarnegie, Pa.

(412) 279-2222 or (800) 255-5099www.PateteKitchens.com

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20273 Rt. 19 • Cranberry Township, PA 16066

(724) 772-3131www.txpgh.com

Design Center Hours10:00 am - 6:00 pmMon – Saturday

Here at Designing HOME Lifestyles magazine, welove providing you with ideas on how to maintainyour home and make it more beautiful. Butwhat’s more important to us is your family’shealth and well-being. That’s why we’re intro-ducing this new ongoing feature that will focuson topics from exercise to nutrition to detoxingyour home.We hope that you’ll be able to use theinformation we provide to increaseyour family’s overall wellness and, inturn, live a fuller, healthier, happierlife.

In this first installment, with the Holidays right aroundthe corner, we thought we’d talk about somethingthat’s become an unwelcome part of everyday life for

so many of us: stress.


By Valentine J. Brkich

In today’s fast-paced, multi-taskingworld, stress is unavoidable. Not onlyare we working harder and longer, butwe’re being asked to do more in lesstime.Additionally, technology like tabletcomputers and smartphones make itimpossible for us to relax by making usaccessible and accountable at all times.And it’s not only limited to the adults,either. Kids have more pressure onthem nowadays trying to juggle school-work, multiple sports, and all the otheractivities that are available to themtoday.

And let’s not forget the ever-presentmedia, which is constantly bombardingus with wonderful news about the direstate of the environment, the economy,the unemployment rate, pollution,overpopulation, the threat of terror-ism, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes,deadly pandemics…the list goes onand on.

It’s no wonder that stress levels are atan all-time high.

Stress is taxing enough on our mentalstate.What’s worse is its effects on ourphysical well-being.When you don’t doanything to combat and address stress,it can actually have major detrimentaleffects on your health. Stress can raiseyour blood pressure; it can weaken


your immune system; it can lead todepression, back pain, and heart disease.

Obviously stress is nothing to sneezeat. Fortunately there are things youcan do to keep stress at bay and preventit from having a deleterious effect onyour and your family’s health.

The first thing you need to do is identifyall the things that are causing stress inyour life. Maybe it’s your job. Maybe it’sthe news you read on the Internet.Maybe it’s your kids.Then again, maybeit’s all of the above. The importantthing is to identify the causes so thatyou can start working to address themaccordingly.

A lot of times stress leads to poornutrition.With our hectic lifestyles, it’seasy to fall into the trap of eating fastfood or simply not eating enough fruitsand vegetables. Good nutrition mustbe a major priority for you and yourfamily.When you don’t eat well, it can

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have immediate effects on your mood and,more important,long-term negative effects on your and your family’s health.

Fortunately good nutrition isn’t hard. It can be as simple ascutting out sugar and sodium and adding more wholegrains, and colorful fruits and vegetables. Keep healthysnacks on-hand to keep you from reaching for the frieswhen you’re hungry.Also, cut your portion sizes andinstead of eating three large meals every day havefour or five smaller ones.When you do thesethings, you’ll look better, feel better, and pro-tect yourself from major health issues downthe road.

One of the easiest and more enjoyable waysto combat stress is to get more sleep. Many of

us work all day, and then, after we put the kids tobed, we keep working until late at night or even the

early morning. Then we drag ourselves out of thebed early the next morning to do it all over again. Sleepdeprivation is no joke. It’s one of the leading causes ofchronic stress and can lead to serious physical and mentalhealth problems. Make sleep a priority.Try to get at leastseven or eight hours every night, and make your bedrooman oasis for you to recharge and reenergize.Your mind and

body will thank you for it.


Another thing you may want to consideris your caffeine intake.This one’s a stickysubject for Americans, considering howmuch we love our coffee and our popand our chocolate. But in reality, we’readdicted to caffeine and often abuse it,which, in turn, has negative effects onour health and mental state. Whentaken moderately, caffeine can havepositive results, as many recent studieshave shown. But when you’re gulpingdown three extra-large mocha cappuc-cinos a day, it can affect your ability tosleep and make you irritable.Try to cutdown on your caffeine consumptionin order to feel more rested and incontrol. You don’t have to cut it outaltogether; just use it in moderation andonly in the morning hours if possible.

You hear it all the time: get moreexercise. Unfortunately for so many ofus, between working and taking care ofour family, exercise gets put on thebackburner.We just don’t have the timeor energy for it. Or at least that’s whatwe tell ourselves. Exercise is just asimportant as sleep and should be oneof your priorities. That doesn’t meanyou have to work out an hour everyday, five days a week. But you should atleast try to do 20 to 30 minutes ofmoderate exercise every day. Runningand walking are both wonderful stressrelievers. So is yoga, which can not onlyhelp you develop lean muscle, butwhich can also help you release stressin your muscles as well as in your mind.The key is to find something that youenjoy and that you will look forward toevery day.

One of the main causes of stress isfeeling overwhelmed with work and life.Sometimes it seems like there’s somuch to do and so few hours in the dayto accomplish everything.When thingsstart to pile up it can seem like we havea mountain of obligations to overcomeand deadlines to meet.The best way tohandle this is to learn to prioritizethings and, clichéd as it may sound,address issues one by one.

Every Sunday night, sit down and take alook at the week ahead. What doyou have to accomplish thatweek? Make a list of everythingand prioritize it according toimportance.Then, every morning,revisit your list and tackle things

“Exercise is justas important assleep and shouldbe one of yourpriorities.”

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one at a time.Nothing feels better thanchecking off tasks as you completethem. If more tasks and responsibilitiesappear throughout the week – as theymost certainly will – don’t panic. Just addthem to your list according to priorityand continue to work at it.

When you take little steps like these tolist your responsibilities and obligationsand prioritize them accordingly, it canhelp you see the list as a series of littletasks instead of one big mountain ofobligations.Will you always be able toaccomplish everything? Probably not.But that’s all right.As long as you workwithin your means and use your timewisely, you can feel good about yourselfknowing that you gave your best effort.

Of course, stress isn’t always somethingyou can tackle on your own. Don’t be

afraid to reach out to others for help,whether it’s your family, friends, or evena professional counselor. Many work-places nowadays offer free, confidentialcounseling for their employees. Takeadvantage of this important service ifyou can. Sometimes simply tellingsomeone about your worries can helpyou unburden yourself and start feelingbetter.

Stress is and always will be a part of ourlives.But it doesn’t have to rule our lives.As long as you take steps to identify itand manage it on a daily basis, you cankeep stress in check and ensure ahealthier, more satisfying life for youand your family. | DHL

“Stress is andalways will bea part of ourlives. But it

doesn’t have torule our lives.”


Five years ago Beth Elko and RobynRace, the owners of Evolve WellnessSpa, made a common observation,

“Most of the people we know are stressedout, tired and chronically unhappy.” Thatobservation lead to the development of adream to create a venue for lifestylechange, where people can begin to reversethe negative effects of living in a hecticworld and move into a more positive andhealthy state of being both mentally andphysically.

The two owners/psychotherapists createdthis vision while earning their graduatedegrees in psychology at Chatham University.“We realized that fatigue, mental andphysical ailments were rooted in patternsof negative emotion and behavior, and theway to break those patterns is to beginimplementing healthy lifestyle choices”said Race, “that requires making changesin both our thinking and our behavior.”However, making significant, lasting changescan be difficult and requires commitment,encouragement and support. Elko and Racehope to encourage and educate others toembrace a self-responsible, holistic lifestyleto support over-all wellness, anti-aging andself-love.

Evolve Wellness Spa, located at 228S. Highland Avenue in Shadyside, featuresmassage therapy, skincare treatments,Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic therapies,and other services. “It’s not just aboutpampering,” Elko said. “It’s about stressrelief and personal self-care. It’s to beembraced as a lifestyle.”

Evolve also offers psychotherapy, lifestylecounseling, wellness workshops, andindividual Tai Chi, yoga, and meditationinstruction. “We believe that adding thepsychological and spiritual components isessential to achieving real balance andmaking change.” said Race. “A person cancompletely relax while they are here, butwhat happens when they step foot out thedoor and back into the daily grind oflife? We want our clients to develop andimplement self-care skills to manage stressand feel vibrant on a daily basis.”

Evolve also partners with The Yoga Hive, anearby yoga studio, offering yoga/spapackages to further encourage their clientsto develop a regular habit of self-care andhealthy living. The partnership has a greatsynergy as both businesses take a fresh,modern approach to time-tested practices.

Evolve limits toxic exposure by usingorganic and natural skin care and hygieneproducts. “One of our therapists hasdeveloped her own skincare line, which weare very excited about. Not only are theproducts fabulous, but we also know withcertainty that the ingredients are highquality, organic and locally sourced whenpossible.”

“There isn’t one specific thing that willbring yourself to wellness,” Elko said. It’sdefinitely a multifaceted concept thatdevelops into your own personal journey.”

One of the truly unique therapies Evolveoffers is Classical Acupuncture, directedby acupuncturist Andrew Macfarlane.Classical Acupuncture, which is distinct yetinclusive of the more commonly practicedTraditional Chinese Medicine, is a profound,ancient holistic medical system, encom-passing a vast understanding of the natureof health and illness and the ability to treatnumerous conditions. It is a healing artwhich has stood the test of time and con-tinues to be as effective in modern societyas it was in antiquity.

ClassicalAcupuncture is based in a multitudeof Chinese medical traditions stemmingfrom Taoist roots. Utilizing a clinical under-standing of all 74 acupuncture meridians, asopposed to the 14 commonly employedtoday, it stands out as a complete stand-alone healing modality.This translates intoprecisely tailored, focused, individualized,and most importantly, highly effectivetreatments for even very complex condi-tions. Mr. Macfarlane L.Ac enjoys treatinga range of things, including promotingwellness and longevity, and has a specialinterest in chronic degenerative disease,autoimmune, psycho-emotional, digestive,and female health issues.

Having studied under the world famousmaster, Dr. Jeffrey Yuen, Mr. Macfarlane hasenjoyed a diversity of clinical experienceincluding being featured in a NationalInstitutes of Health funded chronic painstudy at Montefiore Hospital in New York,working at the AIDS Center of QueensCounty in New York, and treating manydisorders at the Yu Wen Clinic in NewYork. He joined Evolve Wellness Spalast spring and is grateful to share thismodality with the wonderful residents ofPittsburgh.

“Andrew is an incredible healer,” said Race.“His clients have reported profound resultsand we feel fortunate to have him on ourteam.”

228 South Highland Ave. in ShadysidePittsburgh, PA 15206412-441-0860

www.evolvewellnessspa.com

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Tips for keepingyour home healthy(ARA) - Maintaining a healthy home iscritical for your family’s welfare - especiallynow as the weather cools and you begin tospend more time indoors. Applying a fewsimple solutions now will ensure yourindoor living environment is safe andhealthy for seasons to come.

Reduce toxinsLess desirable weather may make fall andwinter seem like an ideal time to tackleyour indoor painting projects. However,you need to be mindful of the volatileorganic compounds (VOCs) found in manyinterior paints and finishes. VOCs are oneof the biggest threats to indoor air quality;they include a variety of chemicals, someof which may have both short- and long-term health effects. For indoor jobs, selectpaint with low or no VOCs to keep your airfresher. Additionally, some houseplantssuch as ivy and gerbera daisies can help tonaturally remove VOCs from your indoorair.

Clean your indoor airRagweed and pollen will trigger allergysymptoms for millions of people this fall;however, the worst allergy triggers areoften found inside the home. Installing awhole-home air filtration system can helpto remove indoor allergens including dust,mildew, pet dander and pollen from the airyou breathe. For example, the AccuClean(TM) System by American StandardHeating & Air Conditioning removes up to99.98 percent of the allergens from yourfiltered air, so even if it’s allergy seasonoutdoors, your indoor air is crisp and clean.

Prevent moldDuring the cooler fall and winter months,people tend to seal up their homes andspendmore time inside, which traps moistureand humidity - both significant contributorsto indoor mold growth. Maintain healthyindoor humidity levels by venting bathroomsand clothes dryers and using an exhaust fanwhile cooking. Install an air humidifier toprovide year-round control of your indoormoisture level, and keep your home at 50percent humidity or lower to reduce thechance for mold growth.

Watch out for COProtect your indoor living environmentfrom carbon monoxide or CO by installingCO detectors or alarms throughout yourhome. This winter, make sure your home’sheating system, including items such as afurnace or heat pump, vents and chimney,are inspected and serviced by a professionalcontractor. And, if there is a fireplace inyour home, open the damper before lightinga fire to help prevent the buildup of poten-tially poisonous gases inside of your home.

Keep a seasonal routineMost homeowners already know it’simportant to test their smoke alarms on amonthly basis, but how often do youchange the alarm’s batteries? One way tokeep track of alarm maintenance is to makebattery changing a seasonal activity. Forexample, beginning in fall, replace thebatteries in your smoke alarms (and COdetectors), every time you reset yourclocks.

By taking these simple steps now, you’llcreate a safer and healthier home, allowingyour family to relax and enjoy all thedelights the fall season has to offer - bothoutdoors and indoors.

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Fun, surprisingcost-saving homeimprovements(ARA) - Who wouldn’t like to save moneyon utility bills this winter? But have youever considered some of the more commonenergy-efficient home improvements -like insulating your hot water heater orreplacing incandescent bulbs with compactfluorescents - and thought “dullsville”?

Sometimes the act of saving money justisn’t fun enough on its own. Fortunately,you can make home improvements thatwill trim your utility bills and boost yourhome’s appeal at the same time. Here arefour fun home improvements that aresurprisingly energy efficient as well:

1. Buy a new dishwasher - Or clotheswasher. Older appliances were not onlybuilt to be less energy efficient, they canlose what little efficiency they had as theyage. If your appliances are more than 10years old, they likely use more energy andwater than newer models, especially newmodels that are Energy Star qualified.

Dishwashers purchased before 1994 use anadditional 10 gallons or more of water percycle than a new Energy Star qualifiedmodel, according to EnergyStar.gov. Andif you don’t have a dishwasher at all, don’tthink of buying one as just a luxury.

Energy Star says you’ll save 5,000 gallonsof water and knock $40 per year off yourutility bills if you give up washing dishesby hand - not to mention 230 hours of yourtime.

2. Beautify your bathroom -Kitchens andbaths sell homes, but they’re also therooms where the most water gets used andwasted. Old fixtures and faucets are amongthe top water-wasting culprits in a home.You can conserve water by turning off thetap when you brush your teeth, but thatwater savings goes down the drain if thetoilet runs constantly when you leave theroom.

Replacing leaky fixtures can reap significantwater savings. Energy Star says a leaky

faucet can waste gallons of water. Justone drip per second can waste up to 1,661gallons of water in a year, according toEnergyStar.gov. You can also conservewater by installing a low-flow showerhead,which can save you as much as 5 gallonsof water during a 10-minute shower. Manymanufacturers now offer stylish, water-efficient faucets and showerheads.

3. Let the sun shine in - A ventingskylight is a fun way to fill your home withnourishing natural light and passiveventilation, but did you know it’s alsoenergy efficient? Installing a ventingskylight can help you lower your electricbill by reducing your dependency onartificial light and electric fans. Naturallight has been tied to a host of healthbenefits, including improving mood. Askylight not only enhances the energyefficiency of your home, it adds decoratingflair and could make you feel better about

living there.

They’re also relatively low-costwhen it comes to “luxury” homeimprovements. You can get anEnergy Star qualified “No LeakSkylight” from Velux for about$1,000 per unit for a remote-controlled electric venting modelthat closes automatically should itrain. Log on to www.veluxusa.comto find a local installer for acustomized cost estimate.

4. Install a fireplace - Zone heat-ing the areas of your home whereyou spend the most time canreduce your home heating bill by

20 to 40 percent, according to the Hearth,Patio and Barbecue Association. Installingan energy- efficient fireplace or a stove is agreat, appealing way to zone heat therooms you use the most.

What’s more, this type of heating can be“greener,” if you use renewable fuels likecord wood, pellets or other plant-derivedmaterials in your high-efficiency stove orfireplace. As for the fun quotient, it’s hardto top a fireplace for a home improvementthat adds warmth and appeal to a room.

Saving money can be doubly exciting,when you opt for energy-efficient homeimprovements that also enhance enjoymentof your home. | DHL

A venting skylight in the bath not only provides natural light and passive ventilation but affords privacy.

Venting skylights provide decorating flair with providingnatural light and passive ventilation.

It’s that time of yearagain. So let’s deckthe halls and, whilewe’re at it, all of thehouse!

The holidays are all about family and thetraditions that we have made over theyears. For example, I collect Christmastree ornaments from every place I visit.And when I hang them on the tree eachyear, it’s like a trip back in time.

It’s also fun to create new ways to decoratethe house. Since the holidays are when weentertain, it’s the opportune time to dosomething unusual that will make ourhomes especially festive.

I love looking at the professionally designedtable tops in stores like Bergdorf’s andTiffany’s and at the shows I attend in NewYork. Even the catalog companies have awealth of ideas where I can glean someinspiration.

Currently the overwhelming trend ismetallic finishes mixed with natural

materials. A combination of texture in thefabrics, flowers, materials, and containersadds a lot of interest, whether you aredecorating the table or the mantel.

Think about the furnishings in the roomand your particular style of decorating.Is it formal or casual? Contemporary or

traditional? Christmas doesn’t mean justred and green and poinsettias. Allow yourpersonal style and the colors of yourrooms to give you direction. What bettertime to be a little daring and have somefun?

When I am doing room-makeovers, I oftentell clients to pull out all the accessoriesthey have tucked away and look for newways to use them. Think about thosecut-glass punch bowls, faux Staffordshiresoup tureens, silver wine coolers, clearglass vases, blue and white Willow patternbowls and baskets.Any of these will createa new look for your tabletop centerpiecesand mantel.

For an organic or more rustic look, usegarlands of greenery tied with burlap orraffia ribbon and bows in a natural color.For texture, look no further than youryard or our wooded landscape forhydrangeas, twigs, pinecones, magnolialeaves, and even pheasant feathers. For afinal touch, add pears and touches of whiteflowers such as tulips.To add some punch,coat the pinecones with a clear spray finishand sprinkle them with glitter. Baskets in avariety of shapes and sizes make greatcontainers. Likewise, tree branches in aterracotta pot filled with plaster and then



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covered with moss can hold acollection of small ornaments.

For a contemporary look,greenery, tree branches, andother natural materials mightbe sprayed with touches ofgold, silver, or even bronze.Ribbons can coordinate withthe colors of your room, andtall spikes of amaryllis cancomplement a modern design.If these are potted, cover the

pots with large white napkins pulled up around them. Whitecalla lilies in the clear glass vases surrounded by the glittery garlandcan also create a dramatic effect.

To give the traditional style an updated, elegant look, add lots ofsparkle. Spray-paint dried roses and other flowers in gold or silver,depending on the colors of your room. Silver looks best with blueand rose shades; gold looks great with reds, greens, and purples.The metallic finishes will punctuate the deep, vivid, traditionalcolors.Vintage ornaments, peacock feathers, red and green apples,or pomegranates dusted with a coat of shine will glisten in largesilver, brass, or crystal bowls.

As for table settings, the rule of everything having to match is longgone. Raid your buffet drawers (or the nearest second-hand store)for linens—white tablecloths covered with sheer fabrics, coloredliners underneath lace cloths, runners trimmed with tassels, oreven mirrored discs for placemats. If your tablecloths are to small,use smaller coordinating ones draped at angles to cover the table.I saw this on a formal dining table in the Schoonbrun Palace inVienna. And if it was good enough for the Hapsburgs, it’s goodenough for you.

Use charger plates in metallic finishes (available in discount stores)mixed with plain and patterned china or ceramic dishes. Cut or plain


NANCY HOFF BARSOTTI INTERIOR DESIGNCreating stylish, timeless and distinctive

interiors for home and office for over 30 years

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2338 East Carson Street, South Side412-381-0845 � NancyBarsotti.com


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stemware in colors mixed with clearcrystal can also add a lot of interest to thetable.Tie ribbon with wired edges aroundnapkins and add a sprig of pine. For a reallyspecial final touch, add handmade placecards and a tiny favor or gift at each placesetting.

Last but not least, the glow of candlesshould be everywhere. Group variousstyles and heights of candleholders –metal, glass, and ceramic – together andunify them with one color of candle. Ivoryseems to harmonize with most finishes,colors, and textures. The more votivecandles in clear glass holders the better.

This year bask in the joy of sharing yourefforts with family and friends. MerryChristmas! | DHL

58 designinghomelifestyles.com28 designinghomelifestyles.com



By David Plantowski

When I caught wind thatour publisher was creating

a feature on family health andwellness in this issue, I thoughtI’d jump on the bandwagon.After all, winter is a challengingtime for garden topics in westernPennsylvania, so I thought I’dwrite about something I’m quitepassionate about: antioxidants.You may not know it, but herbs and spices are a greatsource of antioxidants. Many scientists have releasedstudies recently that include both fresh and driedherbs as a wonderful source for helping to fight thosenasty, disease-causing free radicals.

Free RadicalsAs we age, trying to stay healthy can be a struggle.Having energy, staying mentally sharp, and main-taining overall good health is important for anyone50 years of age or older. The problem is, how you liveyour life in your 20s, 30s, and 40s can dramaticallyaffect your health into your 50s and beyond. Andwhen it comes to aging, the real enemy is freeradicals.

So what is a free radical? A free radical, simply put, isan atom or molecule that has an unpaired electronthat attacks our healthy cells. Generally, free radicalsattack the nearest stable molecule while stealing its

electron. When the molecule is attacked and loses itselectron, it becomes a free radical itself, which startsa chain reaction.

You could read on the Internet all day about studiesthat link age-related diseases to free radicals. Tokeep it simple, it’s like taking a bite out of an apple(hopefully organic!). When you bite into an apple andlet it sit, it will immediately start to oxidate, changecolor, and decompose. It’s very similar to what hap-pens with rust on a car. The same thing is happeninginside your body with oxidation. That is why antioxi-dants are so important to a healthy diet.

Now that we know what a free radical is, where doesit start? Free radicals sometimes come about naturallyto combat viruses and bacteria. They are also causedby toxins mainly from environmental factors such aspollution, cigarette smoke, herbicides, and pollution.Our bodies can usually handle free radicals undernormal circumstances. But when the free radicalproduction becomes excessive, problems can arise,like oxidative stress and inflammation, which cancause damage to your cells and harm to your body.

So how do we combat the effects of free radicals?The answer is simple: eat foods that are rich in antiox-idants. Each food has what is called an ORAC (OxygenRadical Absorbance Capacity) score. The higher theORAC score of the individual food, the better it is infighting free radicals.

Your Indoor Winter Herb GardenEating the herbs you harvest from your indoor gardenwill not cure cancer, but eating a well-balanced dietfull of organic foods, herbs, spices, and plants with a

high ORAC score will help you fight free radicals,which, if not addressed, can cause cancer in the longrun. So it’s definitely something to consider.

In my opinion all fresh herbs are wonderful, but therea few that have a high antioxidant value: sage (ORACvalue 32,400 per 100 grams); thyme (ORAC value of27,426 per 100 grams); marjoram (ORAC value27,297 per 100 grams); tarragon (ORAC value of15,542 per 100 grams); peppermint (ORAC value13,978 per 100 grams); oregano (ORAC value of13,970 per 100 grams); savory (ORAC value 9,465 per100 grams); and basil (ORAC value of 4,805 per 100grams).

The key to a successful herb garden is making surethe plants getting enough sunlight, water, andwarmth during the winter months. If possible, makesure they get eight hours of natural sunlight everyday. You can also supplement your window lightwith a grow-light. Just make sure you follow thedirections for safe use.

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Once you have your lighting arranged, make sure you provideenough moisture to your garden. During the winter months yourhome is often too dry for adequate growing conditions. Considerplacing your herb pots over a tray full of pebbles, with watersurrounding the pebbles. As the water evaporates it will addhumidity to the area around your herb plants. Just makesure you watch the water levels to keep proper moisturein the air.

Your herbs should flourish indoors, but they will requiremuch more maintenance than normal houseplants. You alsoneed to check for pests regularly. Sometimes a little soapywater misted on the plants will do the trick. You canfind many other remedies online.

Container gardening is a great way to control your plants.Choose a container that is small enough to be able to movearound the house, and move it towards sunlight if needed. Youcan also easily move them outdoors once the weather changes.Remember to choose organic potting soil in a bag from your favorite

garden center. Consider using a different clay pot for each herb. Usecare in planting the delicate plants in your container and try topack the soil well around the plants.

Obviously you want to yield great results, so choosingherbs that you’ll have some success with is the key.You want to also make sure that you plant herbsthat you know you’ll use. Do your research beforechoosing your herbs. Some herbs, such as mint, could

possibly cross pollinate if you plant different varietiestoo close to each other. Sage, rosemary, basil, thyme, andoregano will do great with proper care.

For many more valuable tips, just search “indoor herbgardens” in the Internet and you’ll find all the informationyou’ll need.

Just follow my advice and you should yield great results withyour indoor herb garden. Until next time, stay warm and safe this

winter. I look forward to talking to you again in the spring! | DHL

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Doyou huff and puff excessively after climbing a flightof stairs? It may be time to join the growing numberof Americans who exercise on a regular basis.

Increasingly, evidence shows that exercise pays off, even forthose who start a routine late in their lives. “But,” yousay, “I just don’t have time, and health clubs are tooexpensive!”

Why not hurdle those obstacles by bringing thegym home? The home exercise facility offers what

every American seeks — convenience and value. And itsignificantly cuts the number of viable excuses for not sweatingoff those extra pounds.

Why Home?You could save enough for a down payment on a house withthe money you might spend in some health club dues overthe next five years. But if you’re budget conscious and chooseyour exercise equipment carefully, you can get in shape at areasonable price by setting up a home gym.

Budget conscious folks can convert a spare bedroom into anexercise salon. Just clear the room out, buy the needed equipment,and, voila, you have an exercise room.

By Tom Abraham, President, Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh



With a home gym, you save the time youwould spend traveling to a health club.Say it takes you 15 minutes one-way tothe health club of your choice. That’shalf an hour each day you go to the gym.And if you go three times a week fora month, you waste six hours. That’spractically one night’s sleep! Livingtoday’s hectic lifestyle, you could easilyfind better use for that six hours. And,with a home exercise room, you don’thave to pack up the sneakers and getready to go someplace.

Even if you have a health club member-ship and like the facility, you probablycan’t always make it there as often asyou’d like. Again, the best solution is toset up an exercise room in your home.Studies show that 56 percent of peoplewith gym memberships also have homeequipment.

Many people buying or building a newhome mark workout space at the top oftheir wish-lists, right next to homeoffices and media centers. So manyupscale houses now on the marketinclude an exercise room. In some newhomes, exercise areas fit between themaster bedroom and bath area.

Equipping YourExercise RoomBefore you buy home exercise equipment,try it out! If you know what you’re gettingwhen you buy it, you’ll be less likely toone day stuff the equipment into a dustycorner of the attic. Test all machines forat least 15 minutes to determine stability,smoothness and comfort.

What kind of equipment do you need?It depends on what you’re trying to do.If you want to lose fat, purchase cardio-

vascular equipment such astreadmills, stationary bikesand stair steppers. Butto tone or build muscle,you need resistancetraining equipment suchas dumbbells or barbells.In addition to discussingthe equipment with

Some people opt for the home gymbecause local health clubs are toocrowded, instead of waiting in line halfan hour to use a treadmill, they arebringing the treadmill home.Others don’t like to watch sweatfrom a stranger on a neighboringtreadmill or are shy aboutperspiring profusely in front ofothers. The home exercise room solvesall these problems.

Building YourHealth ClubSome home owners are transformingbedrooms, patios, garages and largeclosets into miniature health clubs. Andthose who can’t afford to spare wholerooms are putting exercise equipmentalmost anyplace it will fit. Just rememberto put your equipment in a space largeenough to accommodate it. You needroom to walk around your equipmentand make adjustments or repairs. Ideally,you will have: 30 square feet for a tread-mill; 10 square feet for a stationary bike;10 to 20 square feet for a stair climber;20 to 50 square feet for free weights; and35 square feet for a single-station gym.

The less budget conscious home ownersbuild new exercise rooms onto theirhomes. Typically, such rooms are 15 by18 feet, with eight to nine foot ceilings.But the room’s size should vary based onthe amount of equipment a family willpurchase. These custom-designed roomsoften include a mirrored wall and napcarpet, wood or vinyl floors and can costbetween $8,000 and $10,000.


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experts in physical training tech-niques, you should also consult yourpersonal doctor about how yourcurrent physical condition might beaffected by a new exercise regimen.

Go to an exercise equipment specialtystore. They carry the best products,have the most knowledgeable staff,and will provide services includingdelivery, assembly and repairs. Buythe best equipment you can affordbecause it will give you a betterworkout and won’t break down aseasily. And, most importantly, it willbe less likely to be relegated to theback corner of your garage.

Don’t limit the equipment in your home gym to exercise only.You’ll need some entertainment and motivation. Your roomcould also include a:

• TV and VCR. Time in the ‘gym’ will pass more quicklywhen you can watch your favorite show. And you can playan exercise video on the VCR.

• Stereo. It’s more fun to work out with rhythm.• Large wall clock. You should time your workout.• Bookrack on your stationary bike or treadmill. You canincrease your knowledge while decreasing your waistline.

Make sure the room is properly ventilated with an airconditioner or ceiling fan. You will find yourself more motivatedto exercise and the inches will disappear. Have a great workout!

Need help transfroming that underutilized room into a healthyworkout environment? Be sure to use a professional remodelerwho can help you with the physical improvements beforeyou take on your own physical transformation. To locate aprofessional remodeler near you or for more information abouthome gyms, contact the Builders Association of MetropolitanPittsburgh at www.pghhomebuilders.com. | DHL

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Since 1973 Londonbury Homes has been recognizedas one of Pittsburgh’s premier home builders. Westrive to make building your home one of life’s mostenjoyable experiences. You’ll receive exceptionalquality and tremendous attention to detail whileincorporating our homebuyer’s personal design.Londonbury’s Award Winning custom homes featureclassic details, designs and amenities to address theexpectations of the most discriminating buyer. Yoursatisfaction is our highest priority.

For more information on our Award Winning homesplease call Dion McMullen at

Londonbury Homes: 412-276-3333431 Jane Street

Carnegie, PA [email protected]

1996 - 2003 Housing ExcellenceAward Winner


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There are so many to choose from and most don’trequire much care during their flowering periodor afterward. Orchids, Christmas cactus, Urnplant, Poinsettias, Amaryllis, Cyclamen, and

Kalanchoe all provide great holiday color with minimal careand optimal impact.

Most flowering plants require bright light and additionalwatering with fertilizer before they will set their flowers;others need cooler nighttime temperatures and longerperiods of daylight before they flower.

Bromeliads, orchids, and Kalanchoes require additional lightand water with fertilizer. Bromeliads are sometimes picky and

need to have ethylene gas (what ripening fruit gives off) toconvince them to start their show. Once the plant hasflowered, it will be a great green plant addition; however, itwill not flower again and will produce “pups” or new plantletsthat will start the process all over again.

Orchids will re-flower for years and, in some instances, afterthe first set of flowers, if you trim the stem down at abudding node, they will send off an additional stem with a fewmore beautiful flowers. These plants enjoy cooler nighttimetemperatures with southern exposure to get their flowerproduction going, along with some fertilizer with every

By Steve Stones


watering. After flowering they will need a short rest torecover but will only need further encouragement andpossible repotting in spring to start the show off again.

Kalanchoes are theeasiest to convince toshow off. Just providesome bright light andextra fertilizer and theywill flower in all seasons.They can get leggy, too, sosome pruning of the spentflowers will help maintaintheir compact shape.

Christmas cactus willflower when nighttimetemperatures chill offsome and you decreasetheir light during the day (generally setting their buds in fallwith the shortening daylight, developing fully by Christmas).If the plant is in a room with artificial light at night, youshould consider putting a black plastic bag over it nightly andremoving it in the morning.You can also just move it to a darkspace nightly. Sometimes the flower buds will fall off becauseof drafts or because of over- or under-watering.These plantscan bloom around Easter or whenever the lighting changes.After they flower their rest period can be fairly long and

require only slight watering and minimal care, but they willlast for generations if given some new soil every couple ofyears. They are available in white, pink, rose, red and other

blends. Small Christmascactus also quickly respondto re-rooting in water orin soil, so in no time you’llhave large specimens thatyou can hand down toyour family members.

Poinsettias aren’t for theimpatient or the novicegardener, especially if youwant to keep one fromyear to year. I suggestpurchasing a new oneevery year, since they

require some major effort to repeat their show.

Poinsettias, which were originally shrubs discovered inMexico, were exposed to the general populous many yearsago by a Californian named Paul Ecke and along withScandinavian growers have made them a hit in many colorsranging from red, pink and purple, to white and marble, withmany designer colors reaching the market, including yellow,plum and spotted beauties. Best of all they require just waterto stay happy when you bring them home. Poinsettia flowers


Cyclamen

Amaryllis

Christmas Cactus

aren’t flowers at all but leaf “bracts.” The true flowers, whichare yellow and fuzzy, are at the centers and are insignificant.When purchasing Poinsettias from a supplier, make sure theyhave these little centers as this is a sign they are fresh.These gems need to have plenty of water and fertilizerand require specific lighting requirements if they are toset their spectacular show.They need short-days, i.e., thebract formation can be initiated only by an eight-weekperiod of no more than 10 hours of light and no lessthan 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness per day, whichcan be a major chore for any novice plant enthusiast.They also hate extreme temperatures, too.

Amaryllis is one of the easiest to re-flower. They areshort-lived and aren’t the most handsome of green plantafter-show. Purchased with a container and available inmany colors, the flower is already inside the bulb waitingto share its beauty. Start by keeping them moist but notoverly wet and in a bright window to encourage a shorterstem, and stake it to keep it from bending. After flowering,trim off the stem and allow the leaves to grow and nourishthe bulb for the next season. Mid-fall, trim the foliage andforce them to rest in a cool dark space in the same pot, anddon’t water them. By December, return them into the lightand add some water.You should see the flower head peak outfirst. If green leaves start first, it is unlikely they will re-flower,but let it leaf-out and try again the next year. Amaryllis

enjoys warm room temperatures to get started but nohigher than 65° F or they will fade fast. Every third or fourthyear, re-pot completely.

Cyclamen are very similar, requiring a rest period after theflowers have faded but are more finicky and usually requiremore effort than most home plant enthusiasts are willing toprovide. | DHL

Steve Stones is a professional horticulturist and President of an interior landscapingcompany.

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Poinsettia

Moth Orchid

Kalanchoe

This family-friendly community event is presented by ThePittsburgh Cultural Trust, with generous support fromlead sponsor Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. Duringthis momentous weekend of entertainment, the city willrevel in a joyous celebration of the arts: dance, music,theater, comedy, magic, visual art and film, plus hands-onactivities for children and adults.

First Night® Pittsburgh begins at 6 pm with the DollarBank Children’s Fireworks Display, followed by theFirst Niagara First Night® Parade at 8 pm. The eveningconcludes with a free concert and the First Night®

tradition, The Countdown to Midnight and Future ofPittsburgh Grand Finale atop Penn Avenue Place. TheHighmark Stage, where all the First Night® revelryconcludes, is located on Penn Avenue next to FifthAvenue Place.

FIRST NIGHT® BUTTONSTo join the celebration, simply purchase an all-accessFirst Night® Pittsburgh 2011 Button.A First Night® buttoncosts only $8 in advance, $10 at the door; childrenage 5 and under are admitted for free. First Night®

buttons are available at participating Giant Eagle stores,at The Box Office at Theater Square, online at www.first-nightpgh.org, and by calling 412-456-6666.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in theheart of Downtown Pittsburgh’sCultural District with ThePittsburgh Cultural Trust’sFirst Night® Pittsburgh 2011.


Grapes - New Year’s revelers in Spain consume twelve grapes atmidnight—one grape for each stroke of the clock. This datesback to 1909, when grape growers in the Alicante region ofSpain initiated the practice to take care of a grape surplus. Theidea stuck, spreading to Portugal as well as former Spanish and

Portuguese colonies such as Venezuela,Cuba, Mexico, Ecuador, and Peru.Each grape represents a differentmonth, so if for instance thethird grape is a bit sour,March might be a rockymonth. Formost, the goal isto swallow all the grapesbefore the last stroke ofmidnight, but Peruviansinsist on taking in a 13thgrape for good measure.

Legumes - Legumes includingbeans, peas, and lentils are also

symbolic of money. Their small,seedlike appearance resembles coins

that swell when cooked so they are consumed with financialrewards in mind. In Italy, it’s customary to eat cotechino conlenticchie or sausages and green lentils, just after midnight—aparticularly propitious meal because pork has its own luckyassociations. Germans also partner legumes and pork, usuallylentil or split pea soup with sausage. In Brazil, the first meal ofthe New Year is usually lentil soup or lentils and rice, and inJapan, the osechi-ryori, a group of symbolic dishes eaten duringthe first three days of the new year, includes sweet black beanscalled kuro-mame.

Pork - The custom of eating pork on New Year’s is based on theidea that pigs symbolize progress. The animal pushes forward,rooting itself in the ground before moving. Roast suckling pig isserved for New Year’s in Cuba, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, andAustria—Austrians are also known to decorate the table withminiature pigs made of marzipan. Different pork dishes such aspig’s feet are enjoyed in Sweden whileGermans feast on roast pork andsausages. Pork is also consumedin Italy and the United States,where thanks to its rich fatcontent, it signifies wealthand prosperity.

Cakes - Cakes and otherbaked goods are commonlyserved from Christmas toNew Year’s around theworld,witha special emphasisplacedon roundor ring-shapeditems. Italy has chiacchiere,which are honey-drenched balls ofpasta dough fried and dusted withpowdered sugar. Poland, Hungary, and theNetherlands also eat donuts, and Holland has ollie bollen, puffy,donut-like pastries filled with apples, raisins, and currants.

In certain cultures, it’s customary to hide a special trinket or coininside the cake—the recipient will be lucky in the new year.Mexico's rosca de reyes is a ring-shaped cake decorated with

candied fruit and baked with one or more surprises inside. In Greece,a special round cake called vasilopita is baked with a coin hiddeninside. At midnight or after the New Year’s Day meal, the cake is cut,with the first piece going to St. Basil and the rest being distributed toguests in order of age. Sweden and Norway have similar rituals

What Not to Eat - In addition to the aforementioned lucky foods,there are also a few to avoid. Lobster, for instance, is a bad ideabecause they move backwards and could therefore lead to setbacks.Chicken is also discouraged because the bird scratches backwards,which could cause regret or dwelling on the past. Another theorywarns against eating any winged fowl because good luck could flyaway.

Now that you know what to eat, there's one more superstition—thatis, guideline—to keep in mind. In Germany, it's customary to leavea little bit of each food on your plate past midnight to guarantee astocked pantry in the New Year. Likewise in the Philippines, it’simportant to have food on the table at midnight. The conclusion? Eatas much lucky food as you can, just don’t get too greedy—or thefirst place you'll be going in the new year is the gym.

Bring on the Noise!New Year's wouldn't be complete with noisemakers!Tradition holds that making lots of noise at midnightwill ward off evil spirits from entering the New

Year.

Pick upenough party blowersand noisemakers from theCelebrations Party Store or try the old-fashioned waybang pots and pans with your guests!

Money in Your Pocket - Be sure to keep some change in your pocketat midnight to bring good fortune and wealth in the New Year. Justbefore midnight, pass around a roll of coins to your guests to makesure everyone is prepared!

Wear Something New (and Red!) - Forecast your fashion fortune inthe coming months and wear a new outfit on New Year’s. Even if itis one piece like a fancy new skirt foryou or tie for you guy, this super-stition is a perfect excuse for alittle shopping. Or, doubleyour luck and be sure to wearsomething in red.

The Midnight Kiss - We allknow how important that firstkiss at midnight is, especially sofor spouses and significant others.That first kiss ensures intimacy and aclose relationship throughout the New Year.Pucker up with a special new lip gloss! | DHL

Happy New Year’s fromDesigning Home Lifestyles Magazine!

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

Holiday Pops!December 9, 2011Venue: Scottish Rite Cathedral in New Castle

Highmark Family Holiday PopsDecember 10, 2011

Highmark Holiday Pops with MarvinDecember 15–18, 2011

B. E. Taylor Christmas ConcertVenue: Scottish Rite Cathedral in New CastleDecember 17, 2011

MemphisDecember 27, 2011–January 1, 2012

Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic DancesJanuary 13–15, 2012

“Tribute” ConcertJanuary 20, 2012Venue: August Wilson Center

Fiddlesticks – Skate into WinterJanuary 21, 2012

Marvin, Dave Koz and the MoviesJanuary 26–29, 2012

Brahms’ RequiemFebruary 3–5, 2012

Beethoven, Mozart & RespighiFebruary 10 and 12, 2012

Cirque Dreams Pop Goes The RockFebruary 21–26, 2012

Pittsburgh International Children’sTheater803 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222(412) 321-5520 • www.pghkids.org

Charlotte’s WebJanuary 8–15, 2012

The Way Back HomeFebruary 26–March 4, 2012

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

Cohen & Grigsby TrustPresents SeriesPresented by: The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust

Trust Presents, a programming division of ThePittsburgh Cultural Trust, brings a diversearray of entertainment from live music touproarious comedy to literary luminaries andworld-famous artists. The great mix of per-formances promises something for everyone.

The Agony and the Ecstacy of Steve JobsJanuary 21, 2012

David GarrettJanuary 29, 2012

Cedric Watson & Bijou CreoleFebruary 8, 2012

National Geographic Live: Ocean SoulFebruary 12, 2012

Playing for ChangeFebruary 29, 2012

Featured

Straight No ChaserDecember 13, 2011Venue: Benedum Center

Dance Works Rotterdam/Andre GingrasFebruary 18, 2012Presented by Pittsburgh Dance CouncilVenue: Byham Theater

PNC Broadway Across America

MemphisDecember 27, 2011–January 1, 2012Venue: Heinz Hall

Billy ElliotJanuary 31–February 12, 2012Venue: Benedum Center

JazzLivePresented by: Trust Education andCommunity Engagement Department

BNY Mellon Jazz Presents JazzLive

JazzLive is a year-round FREE* live jazz seriestaking place at The Cabaret at Theater Square,Backstage Bar, and Katz Plaza**. Open to thepublic, this popular Pittsburgh Cultural Trustmusic series showcases some of the region’sfinest jazz musicians every Tuesday from5pm-11pm in the heart of the Cultural District.

*Unless otherwise noted. **From Septemberto May, all performances take place in theBackstage Bar. In the summer, live jazz movesoutdoors to Katz Plaza from 5pm - 7pm

Dining and drinks are available at the BackstageBar.

George Jones New View TrioDecember 13, 2011

Eric JohnsonDecember 13, 2011

George Heid IIIDecember 20, 2011

Benny Benack III & FriendsDecember 20, 2011

Brett WilliamsDecember 27, 2011

Roger Humphries & RH FactorDecember 27, 2011

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre719 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222(412) 281-3973 • www.pbt.org

The NutcrackerDecember 2–23, 2011Venue: Benedum Center

Uncommon with Chamber OrchestraFebruary 3-12, 2012Venue: August Wilson Center

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The Winter 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

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 & BAR

The Waterfront – (412) 476-8844Mt. Lebanon at the Galleria(412) 571-3474www.MitchellsFishMarket.com

Please visit the Chefs andRestaurants in our WesternPennsylvania’s Top Chef section:

CIOPPINO – (412) 281-6593

IBIZA – (412) 325-2227

JG’S TARENTUN STATION GRILLE –(724) 226-3301

NOLA ON THE SQUARE – (412) 471-9100

PARIS 66 – (412) 404-8166

ROCKWELL’S RED LION RESTAURANT –(412) 384-3909

SEVICHE – (412) 697-3120

SONOMA GRILLE – (412) 697-1336

THE ORIGINAL FISH MARKET –(412) 227-3657

South Hills ChoraleMount Lebanon Methodist Church3319 Liberty Avenue(412) 220-4227 • www.southhillschorale.org

The South Hills Chorale begins it’s 52nd seasonwith concerts to be performed at a new location.The Mount Lebanon Methodist Church at 3319Liberty Avenue (across from Laughlin FuneralHome), will host the concert this December.The Chorale will be entertaining with newholiday renditions and some old favorites.

The group has a variety of musical talent and“they love to sing.” The professional perform-ances occur in December and May. Othercommunity performances have delightedaudiences at Heinz History Center in The Strip,South Park Classic Car Show, Kennedy Centerin Washington, DC, Friendship Village andProvidence Point. They have also shared thestage with Mount Lebanon High SchoolPercussion Ensemble as well as PittsburghYouth Symphony.

Auditions for new members can be arrangedby contacting Elaine Moore at (412) 655-8633or email [email protected].

December concerts are December 16 and 17at 7:30 pm.

Ticket Information:Admission: $15, Groups/$10-$12

Phone: (412) 221-9109or E-mail: [email protected]

When you think of theHolidays – the parties,gatherings, and family

get-togethers – one thing comes tomind: food! After all, nothing getsyou into the spirit of the season likeall those delicious treats and dishes.But sometimes, in the hustle andbustle of the Holiday season, it canbe hard to come up with somethingfun and unique that will wow yourguests and make this a year toremember.

Meet Our “Top Chefs” and experience their favorite Holiday recipes

In this issue, we’ve asked some of Pittsburgh’s top chefs toshare some of their favorite recipes with us in order to helpring in the New Year. Each has incorporated unique flavors,from both local and from far away, so that you and your familywill be able to enjoy some incredible and memorable mealsduring this special time of the year. As 2011 comes to a close,we are excited to see what our chefs have in store for you – ourreaders – this coming year.Of course, nothing complements a great meal like a deliciousdrink. But with so many choices out there, it’s hard to pick onethat’s right for each particular meal. That’s why, in addition totheir unique blend of interesting recipes, we’ve asked thesetalented culinary artists to provide a selection of some of theirfavorite champagnes and sparkling wines, all of which areavailable at their various restaurants.It’s always nice to enjoy a home-cooked meal. However, theHolidays are also a great time to go out and enjoy a speciallyprepared meal at one of Pittsburgh’s many fine eateries. Ourfeatured top chefs are dedicated to making sure that yourexperience at their establishment is a special one. They aregenuinely interested in making each meal something that youwill remember for a very long time.If you haven’t made plans for New Year’s yet, don’t panic.Consider choosing one our featured restaurants to welcome in2012. Our featured restaurants are all offering festive menusright now and would like to invite you to come and enjoy yournext special occasion with them. Just be sure you make yourreservations early to ensure you and all of your friends can allenjoy your evening together before all of the reservations aretaken.

Together with our top chefs,we would like to wish you and yourfamily a wonderful Holiday season

and a prosperous New Year!


and champagne and sparkling wine choices on the following pages...

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CevicheINGREDIENTSDozen Oysters (On the Half Shell)1/4 cup Pomegranate Juice1 tsp. Shallots1 tsp. Parsley (Minced)1 Tbsp. Rice Wine Vinegar2 tsp. Black Pepper1 tsp. Olive Oil1 oz Red Caviar

Recipe Provided by:Chef Max Charles Scribner

Seviche

PREPARATION:1. Shuck/half all oysters set aside in refrigerator2. Mix all ingredients other than oysters and red caviar in large mixing bowl

and whisk together3. Chill the vinaigrette for a half hour4. Spoon the vinaigrette over the halved oysters5. Top with small amount of red caviar6. Serve cold

The Original Fish Market RestaurantSean Davies – Executive Chef

Executive Chef of The Original Fish Market since 2009,Sean Davies has kept the downtown Pittsburgh restauranttrue to its concept of delivering fresh fish flown in fromaround the world daily. Davies, who has 20 years ofculinary experience, sources sustainable seafood throughdiligent research, personal travel and dialog withfisherman, and association with organizations such asMonterey Bay Aquarium’s renowned Seafood WatchProgram and Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium’sPartnership Program. He seeks out seasonal ingredientsfrom local growers to enhance his international seafooddiscoveries and deliver the fresh taste and sociallyconscious menus that modern diners crave.

Rockwell’s Red Lion RestaurantOrrie Rockwell III – Executive Chef

Orrie is a fourth generation businessman fromBorough of Elizabeth, PA. He was born and raised inElizabeth and attended Johnson andWales College inProvidence, RI. He graduated in 1988 with a BachelorDegree in Food Service Management. After working atvarious establishments to gain additional experience,Orrie returned to his family’s restaurant in 1992where he took over as Executive Chef. His love of foodand service injected a new excitement into therestaurant. With his creative menu and interestingfood, his family restaurant transformed to a verysuccessful upscale restaurant. Rockwell’s Red Lionattracts guests from all over the Pittsburgh area.

SevicheMax Charles Scribner – Executive Chef

Max grew up in Somerset, PA where he worked atvarious local restaurants. His father taught him a lotabout the culinary world including how to grow agarden and many basic skills needed to becomea chef. It was those early days with his father thathe realized that he wanted to be a chef. In 2009 hemoved to Pittsburgh to train at Le Cordon Blue. Heworked his way through school and ended upworking at Seviche. His hard work paid off becomingExecutive Chef of one of the best restaurants inthe heart of downtown Pittsburgh. “I’ve always beengrateful of my opportunities and I always take fulladvantage of them!”

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Shrimp and Grits with Lobster ButterServes 6-10 people

INGREDIENTS:6 Cups Chicken Stock 3 Cups Half and Half Cream2 Cups Instant Grits 2 Cups Asiago Cheese2 Cups Red Peppers (Diced) 2 lbs Shrimp (Medium, Peeled & Deveined)2 Cups Corn 1/2 lb Butter1 Tbsp. Salt 1/5 lb Lobster (Small Pieces)1 Tbsp. White Pepper 1 lb Broccoli Florets

Lobster ButterUse butter at room temperature. Drain lobster well and mix with butter until well blended. Cover with plasticwrap and refrigerate for about a half hour.

BroccoliBring 1/2 gallon of water to a boil. Place broccoli into boiling water for about 3-4 minutes of until al dente.Drain the broccoli from the water and hold until needed covered on a plate to keep warm.

ShrimpPlace cleaned shrimp into a warm sauté pan and cook until they are firm to the touch. Be sure to not overcook!

GritsIn a large sauce pan bring chicken broth to a boil. Add salt and pepper and the grits stirring with a woodenspoon. Reduce heat to medium. Cook about 3 minutes and then add red peppers and corn. Cook about another3 more minutes and then add cream and Asaigo cheese. Stir until cheese has melted and cream is properlyincorporated.

PlatingDivide grits into equal portions in bowls. Top with hot shrimp that is also divided equally. Cut lobster butter intoslices with a warm knife and place over top of the shrimp. Place warm broccoli florets around the grits.

Recipe Provided by:Chef Orrie Rockwell

Rockwell’s Red Lion Restaurant


Pork with sauerkraut & applesINGREDIENTS:2-3 lb Boneless Pork Loin (Cut into 10 oz. Chops) 1 Fuji Apple8 oz. Apricot Jam 2 Qt Apple Cider1.5 lb Yukon Gold Potatoes 2T Whole Grain Mustard12 oz. Fresh Sauerkraut 4 oz. Unsalted Butter1 Spanish Onion (Small to Medium & Julienned) Dash Extra Virgin Olive Oil1/2 Carrot (Shredded) Kosher Salt & Pepper to Taste

Recipe Provided by:Chef Dan Calve

Nola, Pittsburgh, PA

PREPARATION:

Thinly slice potatoes. In a large mixing bowl tosspotatoes with salt, pepper and olive oil until thoroughlyseasoned and coated with oil. Place potatoes on cookiesheet and bake at 425 degrees until golden brown, setaside to cool.

In a small sauce pot reduce apple cider until slightlythickens, set aside.

The porkmaybegrilled or pan seared to desired doneness.Simply season with salt and pepper. Spread apricot jamover top, place under broiler for approximately twominutes.

Heat up sauerkraut in medium saute pan and place oncenter of plate (season to taste).

In separate large saute pan over medium, heat upbutter, add onions and lightly caramelize. Add roastedpotatoes, salt, pepper, and whole grain mustard. Cookuntil heated through and a creamy consistency isachieved (May need to add a little water or stock toachieve creamy consistency. Watch your heat). Spoonpotatoes over sauerkraut.

Place hot glazed pork over potatoes.

In a small mixing bowl, combine carrots, salt, pepper,apples, olive oil to coat and about 3 fluid ounces ofyour warm cider reduction. Mix until all ingredients arecoated evenly. Place apple slaw over glazed pork.

Garnish plate with remaining cider reduction.

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Lobster Fra DiavoloINGREDIENTS:1 8 oz. Lobster Tail cut into medallions1 oz. Olive Oil2 oz. Thin Sliced Banana Peppers3 oz. Sliced Mushrooms1 oz. Chopped Green OnionSalt and Pepper2 oz. White Wine8 oz. Tomato Basil SauceYour Favorite Pasta (Linguini, Spaghetti, Parpadella)

Recipe Provided by:Chef Joseph Ross

JG’s Tarentum Station Grille,Tarentum, PA

PREPARATION:Sautee the lobster tail in olive oil over medium heat. Add the hot peppers, mushrooms andgreen onion. Cook 3 minutes. Deglaze the pan with white wine and add the Tomato BasilSauce. Simmer until the lobster is cooked through. Toss with pasta and serve.

Sonoma GrillJason Huzzard – Executive Chef

Chef Jason graduated from Pennsylvania CulinaryInstitute in his native Pittsburgh before moving toBoulder, Colorado for eight years. There, he exploredthe diverse indigenous culinary culture and achievedhis first Chef position. After moving back toPittsburgh, he continued to refine his skills at severalesteemed restaurants in the city. He started atSonoma Grille in 2008, and eventually earned thetitle, Executive Chef. He has helped to cultivate theFarm to Table concept at Sonoma, and his focuscontinues to be on fresh, local, and sustainable foods.He says, “Sourcing food from local farmers brings asense of community back to the culinary world.”

Nola on the SquareDan Calve – Executive Chef

Dan is 31 years old andwas born and raised in EasternPennsylvania. He’s been working in the food andbeverage industry since he was seventeen. It wasthose early days when he inspired to be a chef. Heworked in Denver and Manhattan to learn differentcuisine and to hone his skills. His first Sous Chefpositionwaswith Yves Carreau’s restaurant group. Hehas worked in three of his restaurants being promot-ed to Executive Chef at Nola. “I enjoy my work, andI’m excited to continue to grow with our company.Can’t wait to see what our next concept will be. Can itget any better than this?”

JG’s Tarentum Station GrilleJoseph Ross – Executive Chef

Chef Joe is a native Pittsburgher originally from thePenn Hills and later the Natrona Heights communities.He accredits his strong culinary passion to severalgreat Chef Mentors he has had over the years duringhis culinary training, especially those at the EastwoodInn and the Pittsburgh Press Club. Overall Joe hasbeen the Executive Chef at JG’s Tarentum StationGrille for thirteen cumulative years. Joe specializes inall cuisines but prefers a Mediterranean dish with anItalian concentration. His love for food and theculinary arts has been a stable and enthusiasticpresence at the restaurant.


Chef Sean Davies says that there is no better way to bring in the New Year thanwith this incredibly unique bottle of Champagne. It is extraordinarily complex andfull-bodied with a racy fruit character that has a creamy texture with a silky finish.

The bottle is a show stopper! 2006 marked the unveiling of Armand de Brignac in astunning gold bottle originally developed by Cattier. The labels of each bottle aremade from real pewter, polished and applied by hand. The packaging is as eloquentas its taste!

Celebrity comes to Pittsburgh! It’s not uncommon to see the Hollywood starsenjoying a bottle of “Ace of Spades” in a Las Vegas nightclub... now you too cancelebrate with the hottest bottle of Champagne in the country at The Original Fish.Chef Sean looks forward to cooking your favorite meals as you celebrate theHolidays!

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Paris 66Larry Laffont – Executive Chef

Although Chef Larry Laffont is not a native Pittsburgher,his decade-long, award winning career as chef heresure makes him right at home. He started his career inBordeaux, France where his classical French trainingbegan. Since moving to Pittsburgh in 1998 Chef Laffonthas won numerous awards at the restaurants where hewas Executive Chef; 1998 – Le Perroquet (Best NewChef and Best French Rest.), 2002 – Osteria Italian Tapas(Best Restaurant), 2003 – Mallorca (Best Spanish), and2005 – Ibiza (Best Tappas). In January 2011, Larrybrought his award-winning talents to Paris 66. It is nosurprise that in his first year as Chef, Paris 66 wasawarded Pittsburgh’s #1 Best French and #3 BestBrunch.

CioppinoGreg Alauzen – Executive Chef

Heading the creative team at Cioppino Restaurantand Cigar Bar is Executive Chef Greg Alauzen. He wasformerly the Executive Chef of the Steelhead Grill andnationally lauded for placing Pittsburgh on the diningmap. He’s a graduate of the Culinary Institute ofAmerica, in Hyde Park, NY and alumna to several highprofile New York restaurants, including Aureole inManhattan. Alauzen’swork has beenpraised in Esquire,Pittsburgh Magazine, The Wall Street Journal and thePittsburgh Post Gazette. Chef Alauzen’s menu drawsfrom the Italian tradition of seasonally prepared dishesfeaturing local ingredients. His unique approach tofood is creating quite a buzz in Pittsburgh.

IbizaArmand Colarusso – Executive Chef

Armand grew up inMahopac, New York. He discoveredhis passion for food in high school and further devel-oped his skills here in Pittsburgh at PennsylvaniaCulinary, which he graduated from in 1998. Heworkedat the Hyatt Regency at the Orlando InternationalAirport and Greenwich, Connecticut. He also spenttime working at the prestigious Abigail KirschCatering Company in New York. His family broughthim back to Pittsburgh and Ibiza. He’s been workingat this Award-Winning restaurant since 2007. “I lovethe people and friendly atmosphere at Ibiza. It’s funcreating a different cuisine with an Asian Flair.”

Available at:

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At Paris 66, Chef Larry Laffont wanted to choose a sparkling wine thatis as economical as it was flavorful. Consistency and quality were care-fully monitored to create the very fine bubbles in this pleasant wine. Thedosage has been perfected to make this a clean, fruity, but dry sparklingwine of extraordinary quality at a very attractive price.

The wine is pale gold with delicate floral aromas. The taste is very crispand clean with ripe melon flavors. This is an excellent value for theprice and is served “by the glass” at Paris 66. You can come enjoy theholidays with this pleasant sparkling wine while not having to break thebank!

You simply can’t go wrong with this pleasant wine. This pairs well withalmost anything or can be served as an aperitif. Cheers!

Chef Greg Alauzen chose a true classic and fantastic Champagne to feature thisissue. The cold, frostless winter of 1999, coupled with a moderate spring andcool August, were perfect weather conditions that resulted in an excellent harvestfor this Champagne.

The bouquet offers hints of floral, fruits and a touch of honey, apricot and vanilla.The palate is crisp and clean with a touch of almonds that gives it a nutty finish.It is light and elegant and has a surprisingly long finish. This Champagne wasawarded 92 Points from the Wine Spectator and you can enjoy it at Cioppinowhile celebrating the holidays!

Chef Greg Alauzen chose a true classic and fantastic Champagne to feature this issue.The cold, frostless winter of 1999, coupled with a moderate spring and cool August,were perfect weather conditions that resulted in an excellent harvest for this Champagne.

The bouquet offers hints of floral, fruits and a touch of honey, apricot and vanilla. Thepalate is crisp and clean with a touch of almonds that gives it a nutty finish. It is lightand elegant and has a surprisingly long finish. This Champagne was awarded 92Points from the Wine Spectator and you can enjoy it at Cioppino while celebrating theholidays!

’Tis the season at Ibiza!!! This time of year is all about celebration!They offer something quite unique at Ibiza. Stop by for the Holidaysand enjoy a “Flight” of Sparkling Wines. For $20 you can experiencefour different, enjoyable and unique sparkling wines.

What better way to enjoy time with friends and family while enjoyinga nice variety of sparkling wines. Better yet, bring in the New Yearwith an enjoyable evening at Ibiza while enjoying your “Flight.”Chef Armand Colarusso and the entire staff at Ibiza wish you andyour family a wonderful Holiday Season and they look forward toyou making them part of your Holiday Celebration!

Available at:

Available at:

Available at:

Available at:

JG’s Tarentum Station Grille, located in afully renovated Pennsylvania Railroad trainstation in Tarentum, is a unique destinationfor continental cuisine. For a special occasion,or just a relaxing night out in an unexpectedsetting, JG’s offers the right ambiance,menu and wine considerations to make

for an unforgettable experience.The upstairs, once used as the conductors’office is now a cozy dining area that mayalso be reserved for private parties. Callto reserve your upcoming event out or

special event today.

101 Station DriveTarentum, PA 15084

724-226-3301www.jgstation.com

Hours: Monday – Thursday 11am-9pm,Friday - 11am-10pm, Saturday 5pm-10pm

Closed Sunday.

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 jazzand 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 15222

412-471-9100www.nolaonthesquare.comHours: Monday – Saturday,

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

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 Winekeeperthat keeps wines fresh as the moment they

were opened. This system allows therestaurant to offer fifty-two wines by theglass. This restaurant is a “must visit!”

1000 Penn AvenuePittsburgh PA 15222

412-227-3657www.theoriginalfishmarket.comHours: Monday -Friday 11am-1pm,Saturday and Sunday 4pm-1pm

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 colorsand a warm atmosphere. It has an

international cuisine with a California twist.Each dish highlights local, organic or

sustainable food in the peak of their season.

647 Penn AvenuePittsburgh, PA 15222

412-697-1336www.thesonomagrille.com

Hours: Lunch Daily 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 andbistro. Coming Soon! French Pastry Chef,David Piquard is arriving June 15th. He isbringing his award winning recipesstraight from France. We don’t know

about you...but we can’t wait!

6018 Penn Circle SouthPittsburgh, PA 15206

412-404-8166www.paris66bistro.com

Hours: Monday – Thursday 11am-10pm,Friday – Saturday 11am-11pm,Sunday Brunch 10am-3pm

Located in a building dating backto 1906 that was originally a FirstNational Bank. You’ll find a quainthistoric restaurant in the heart ofElizabeth, PA’s business district.

The restaurant is only a few hundredyards off of the Elizabeth bridge exit.

The lower level is open on theweekends and features awood-burning fireplace.

201 South Second AvenueElizabeth, PA 15037

412-384-3909www.rockwellsredlion.com

Hours: Monday – Thursday 11am-9pm,Friday and Saturday 11am-10pm

You start with a grand lookingspace in the heart of Pittsburgh’scultural 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 mixvigorously with searing hot salsarhythms. Welcome to Seviche!Tapas and fun at its best!

930 Penn AvenuePittsburgh, PA 15222

412-697-3120www.seviche.com

Hours: Monday – Thursday 5pm-12am,Friday and Saturday 5pm-1am

At this award-winning restaurant, theyoffer over 45 tapas from all aroundthe world. As the seasons change,so does the dining experience. The

seasonal menus showcase the freshestseafood, meat, vegetables and fruits

you’ll find anywhere. You’ll be delightedby the flavors of European andSouth American regional cuisine.

2224 E. Carson StreetPittsburgh, PA 15203

412-325-2227www.ibizatapasrestaurant.com

Hours: Monday – Thursday 4pm-1am,Friday – Saturday 4pm-2am Closed Sunday

Great location, incredible food, magnificentambiance, fantastic bar and service offeringan eclectic dining experience perfect for

any occasion is what you’ll find at Cioppino.The separate Cigar Bar is a great place tounwind after dinner or a great place tomeet for a drink. The “Tuscan-Inspired”menu features their namesake dishCioppino, chophouse fare and various

incredibly fresh fish features.

2350 Railroad StreetAt The Cork FactoryPittsburgh, PA 15222

412-281-6593www.cioppinoofpittsburgh.comMonday – Saturday 5pm-11pm

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D H L G a l l e r y :By Valentine J. Brkich

For Trout, her art reflects a oneness with herCreator and the spiritual and natural worldaround her. As she says on her website:“Creativity itself is a divine branding on humanbeings, linking our image to the likeness of aCreator.”

Though primarily a painter, Trout works withvarieties of media and enjoys experimenting bycombining mixed media and paint to evoke afeeling of discovery in the textures, colors andmarks within her work. “I pursue to express avivid sense of hope through the art that Imake,” she says.

Born in Johnstown, Pa., Trout now lives inCanonsburg with her husband, Scott, amortgage specialist, and their two children,Jonah, 16, and Sophia, 12. She received a schol-arship for and attended the PennsylvaniaGovernor's School for the Arts program, andshe earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts fromTemple University’s Tyler School of Art, whereshe studied painting, drawing and sculpture.

The vivid array of colors in Trout’s palette hasbeen influenced by many factors, including theavailability of computer-generated hues.

“Color is one of the most natural languagesthat communicates spiritual dimensions withoutthe necessity of literal interpretation,” she says.

The colors she chooses also reflect herfascination with Central American culture,which grew out of the mission work she andher husband have done over the years. For overtwo decades, she has worked professionallyas an artist and art teacher, and hascoordinated creative ministries in countriesaround the world including Guatemala, Finland,Amsterdam, the former U.S.S.R. and Canada. Afocus of her mission trips has been youth wholive in poverty.

“In my twenties, my focus was teaching artto youth and children. I loved teaching kids.

Children are usually expressive withoutreserve,” says Trout. “Now though, as I growolder, I find that my same desire to bringhealing and life to broken children, applies toany age. People tend to stop growing at pointsof life in which they harbored unforgiveness or

The one thing that really jumps out atyou when you see EvaTrout’s art is color.It’s powerful. It’s vivid. It’s warm andbright and striking in how it grabs yourattention and won’t let go.

Her pieces are distinctive yet bring tomind her numerous influences. In someyou hear the echoes of Picasso. Othersare more Rothko-esque.At one momentyou’re in Africa, the next you’re an oceanaway in Central America.

Guatemalan Ruins | encaustic and mixed media on cradled wood | 8" x 10"

Heirloom | encaustic and mixed media on cradled wood | 8" x 8"

Windows | encaustic on cradled wood | 20" x 16"

Photosynthesis | encaustic and mixed media on cradled wood | 18" x 14"


fear. Many adults have inhibited, young souls.Power to forgive and to release comes frombeing forgiven and released. That is from Godand for all. Art, or creative expression plays avital part in experiencing grace...for any age.”

From 2007 to 2010, she and her husband led 3mission trips to Guatemala where they directedcreative ministry sessions with impoverishedchildren.

On each of those trips, the mission teamspainted murals designed by Trout on thewalls of old school buildings. “Each mural wasdesigned to bring continual encouragement.One of the murals we did was of doves inflight and on it was written ‘Because we aresons, God has put the Spirit of His Son into ourhearts, by which we cry out ‘Abba Father’ It is a

quote from Galatians,” she says.“Guatemala hasa very high ratio of children in crisis among itspopulation. God’s heart is in Guatemala. If youembrace any of the children at an orphanagethere, you will experience the love of Jesus andyou will leave more full than when you came.”She says.

While she was in the town of Antigua inGuatemala,Trout photographed the ruins of anold church using encaustic, a wax-based paintshe makes herself by mixing beeswax withDamar varnish, along with various pigments oroil paint. Since then she has been incorporatingimages of churches in Canonsburg and through-out southwestern Pennsylvania into her encausticand mixed media work.

“Churches are a beautiful, architectural symbol(especially in Pittsburgh) of people. To me, thestructures simply represent people in a generalsense – people who profess to believe in theeternal, almighty God,” says Trout. “They (thechurch buildings) are stoic, strong structuresthat ironically will perish. If people elect toidentify their lives purely on the basis ofearthly ideals, they too will perish. My encausticchurch depictions deal with contrasts of thingseternal and things temporal.”

Eva and her husband are the directors ofmissions at Covenant Church of Pittsburgh.There, she has created the campaign,“Covenant Waters Africa.” It’s purpose is toraise funds and faith to build essential waterwells in African villages, and to encouragepeople to pray for those villages. Recenly, thepeople of her church gave a generous amountof money to build two wells in South Sudan.Eva hopes to go there in 2012 to witness thereception of the wells and also to ministerinner healing and teach art.

Trout has been a member of the PittsburghSociety of Artists for four years, where she hasserved as exhibitions Chairwoman in 2010,writing proposals for exhibitions and submittingthem to local galleries. She is also a member ofthe Associated Artists of Pittsburgh and Christiansin the Visual Arts, as well as StoneWorks: AGlobal Arts Partnership.

This past year she has exhibited her work invarious shows and galleries across the regionincluding, the PSA Annual Members Exhibit(January 2011) at The Art Institute ofPittsburgh; the “Black & White” exhibition(March 2011) at the Fein Art Gallery; “Scapes”Hacienda Furniture Art Exhibit (April 2011) atHacienda Contemporary Furniture in theCork Factory. Currently, you can see her soloexhibition, “Color Full” which is on display andavailable for purchase at Hacenda ContemporaryFurniture on 2350 Railroad Street. The exhibitruns until January 30, 2012. | DHL

For more information on Trout and toview her work, visit evatrout.com

You can also follow her on Twitter at@evatrout

Collision | Encaustic on cradled wood | 12" x 16"

Light Breaks | encaustic on cradled wood | 36" x 24"

Seascape | encaustic on wood panel | 32" x 40"

Just Beyond | encaustic and mixed media on cradled wood | 8" x 10"

Wired | encaustic and mixed media on cradled wood | 8" x 10"

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The Australian Shepherd was given itsname because of their association with theBasque sheepherders who came to theUnited States from Australia in the 1800’s.The Aussie rose rapidly in popularity withthe boom of western riding after WorldWar II, becoming known to the generalpublic via rodeos, horse shows, movies andtelevision. Their inherent versatility andtrainability made them useful on Americanfarms and ranches.The American stockmencontinued the development of the breed,maintaining the versatility, keen intelligence,strong herding instinct and eye-catchingappearance.

The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent,medium-sized dog of strong herding andguardian instincts. They are also delightfuland loyal companions and great familydogs.They love to be part of the daily hustleand bustle, and enjoy riding in the vehiclejust to be with their beloved master. Asfarm dogs, they diligently carry out theirresponsibilities, be it bringing in the stock

While there are manytheories as to the originof the AustralianShepherd, the breedas we know it todaydeveloped exclusivelyin the United States.

By Renee Butor

or finding the stray one that got tangled inthe brush. They are easily trained, easilyhousebroken, because they are intelligentand eager to please.

Aussies have been used as seeing-eye dogs,as utility dogs to the physically handicapped,hearing aid dogs, police and narcotics dogs,and search and rescue dogs. In the northernareas they have also been used as sled dogs.Many go with their masters as volunteers tochildren’s homes and nursing homes to dotherapy work.Truly, the Australian Shepherdis a highly versatile dog.

“Aussies” (as they are lovingly nicknamed)are very active dogs that need a great dealof exercise on a daily basis to prevent themfrom becoming bored or frustrated andconsequently developing destructive habits.Because of their high energy level, combinedwith high intelligence, Aussies need to begiven a “job” to perform, be it shepherdingthe children, protecting the house, herdinglivestock or competing in dog events.

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Their bronzes and paintings feature agouticoated cats also found buried in the tombs,with the lithe long body large ears and longtail.TheAbyssinian shape and distinctive coathowever also bears a striking similarly tothe African Wild cats. The first registrationof the breed appeared in English studbooksin 1896.The earliest identifiable Abyssiniancan be found in the Leiden Museum inHolland. The label reads “domestica India,”indicating the origin to the same area. Morerecent studies have indicated the coast ofIndian Ocean between Singapore and Ceylonto be the “homeland“ of the AbyssinianTabby colour pattern - Abyssinians are oneof the oldest breeds and they are possiblythe closest to a natural breed of all thepurebred cats in the world.

The Abyssinian is an affectionate intelligentcat, very people orientated, extremely activeand a cat that thrives on interaction andplay.They are not constant lap cats, rather,they need to know what you are doing; liketo help you make a telephone call; readyour newspaper or make your bed, in fact

they insist on being included in all familyactivities as a right. Whatever it is, anAbyssinian has to be totally involved.Abyssinians are not always ideal for everyone so if this higher level of activity will annoyyou then a quieter breed should be sort.

Abyssinians make good family pets buttend to bond with Adults and older childrenrather than young toddlers. Abyssinians arenot vocal, having a small bell like voice tocommunicate.They prefer and seek higherplaces to sit such as backs of chairs, refrig-erators and scratching poles. They get onvery well with dogs and will quickly teachthe dog who is the boss. Abyssinians canbe taught to fetch and retrieve smallobjects. Once a relationship is formedthere is no breed more loyal than anAbyssinian. Expect to be greeted withenthusiasm and devote 10-15 minutesattention to your Abyssinian on yourhomecoming. Being “people” cats, they canbecome very lonely if left for long periodsof time alone so it’s often wise to have twoas company for each other.

Although many believethe Abyssinian to bedirect descendent ofthe sacred cat of Egypt,the exact origin of thebreed is obscure.Certainly, there is astrong resemblancebetween the modernAbyssinian and the catdepicted in ancientEgypt.


A nationwide survey of more than 5,000veterinary hospitals was recently completedby the American Heartworm Society (AHS)to gauge the incidence of heartworm diseasein the United States. The sad news: Whileeffective and affordable heartworm preventivesfor dogs and cats have been available fordecades, the 2010 AHS survey documentedheartworm in each of the contiguous UnitedStates and Hawaii - as well as in almost every countyand parish.

If you’re a pet owner, here are five facts you should know aboutheartworm disease:

1. Blame the mosquito.Pets don’t infect each other, they require a go-between: themosquito. More than 20 species of mosquitoes are known tospread heartworm, and they can carry the infected larvae formiles, even transmitting the disease from wild animals (such ascoyotes) to pets. And while mosquito repellents are a goodidea for reducing mosquito numbers, they don’t take the place ofmonthly heartworm preventives. All it takes is for one infectedmosquito to bite your dog or cat, and even the best mosquitorepellent won’t provide adequate heartworm protection.

2. Your pet can’t escape the threat of heartwormdisease.Heartworm incidence has been documented in all 50 states.That’s why the American Heartworm Society guidelines recom-mend that all U.S. pets be given heartworm preventive on amonthly basis, and dogs be tested annually for heartworm.

3. Cats get heartworm disease, too.Dogs are more susceptible than cats, but catscan become seriously ill from just a few worms.The bottom line: if you live in an area whereheartworm disease in dogs is prevalent, yourcat should get preventive medication, too.

4. Pets need more than “fair-weather”friends.

While spring is when many pets are tested forheartworm, the American Heartworm Society

recommends that pets be protected from this deadlyparasite year-round. Between varying weather conditions, warmmicroclimates that form protective pockets where mosquitoescan survive and frequent travel with pets, limiting heartwormprotection to warm-weather months can be a risky proposition.

5. Prevention beats the cure any day.Dogs with heartworm disease can and should be treated, but thecost is significant; treating a dog can cost more than $1,000 anddogs need careful monitoring and cage confinement for a monthor more. Meanwhile, there is no effective medication for treatingcats with heartworm disease.The good news: prevention, whichis available for both dogs and cats, is a fraction of the cost oftreatment and is much easier on your pet.

Only a veterinarian can ensure your pet is getting optimal protectionfrom heartworm. For more information, talk to your veterinarian orvisit www.heartwormsociety.org.

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(ARA) - Allergies no longer have to prevent petownership. By taking a few simple precautionarysteps, it is possible to comfortably live with bothpets and allergies. Here are a few helpful tips:

Shut the door.

Keep cats or dogs from your bedroom - and notjust when you are sleeping. If you keep the doorclosed, it will prevent cat or dog hair from driftingin during the day. This also applies to a guestroom if you are hosting a guest with allergies.

Keep pets off the furniture.

You can do this by placing a plastic cover on thefurniture or by placing pieces of aluminum foilon areas where pets settle. They find the noisedisturbing. Or you can try orange peel; catsdislike the smell.

Ditch the carpets.

Pet hair tends to stick to carpets, especially soft,shaggy carpet. Try area rugs on tile or woodfloors. They are convenient because they areportable and usually machine washable.

Bathe pets.

Use an allergen-reducing shampoo and cleandogs at least twice a week.

Clean the air.

Remove irritants with an air cleanerthat has a HEPA filter.

Vacuum and dust frequently.

Use a vacuum designed especially for petowners.These include features such as an odor-absorbing filter and powerful suction for pet hair,while still retaining the dust and dirt that cantrigger allergies and asthma.

The recently-introduced Cat & Dog vacuum, byMiele, the creators of the first HEPA-certifiedvacuum cleaner, is built with a sealed systemdesigned to prevent dirt, dust and allergens fromescaping back into the air.The vacuum providesthe powerful suction and airflow necessary toremove stubborn pet hair and includes a versatilebrush roller that automatically adjusts whentransitioning from hardwood to carpet.

For more information about Miele, visitwww.mieleusa.com or call (800) 843-7231.

Approximately 10 percent ofAmericans are allergic to dogs.

With reactions ranging from itchy eyes to moreserious complications such as asthma attacks orconstricted breathing.While no dog is 100 percenthypoallergenic, there are many breeds with consistentand predictable coats the American Kennel Club®

(AKC) suggests for allergy sufferers.These breedshave non-shedding coats, which produce less dander(it’s the skin dander that is attached to pet hairwhich causes most pet allergies in humans).

Hypoallergenic canine candidates include:

“These breeds may be just what the doctorordered for people with allergies,” says LisaPeterson, spokesperson for the American KennelClub. “There are a variety of sizes, energy levelsand temperaments, yet all are well-established intheir coat type. Dogs that are AKC registered havepedigrees reaching back decades, if not a century,and so the characteristics that make them bettercompanions for allergy suffers are fixed throughdecades of breeding for consistent type.” | DHL

• Bedlington Terrier• Bichon Frise• Chinese Crested• IrishWater Spaniel• Kerry Blue Terrier• Maltese• Poodles (Toy, Miniatureor Standard)

• PortugueseWater Dog• Schnauzer (Miniature,Standard or Giant)

• Soft CoatedWheatenTerrier• Xoloitzcuintli


at home with: Pittsburgh Film Office

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By Valentine J. Brkich


Pittsburgh’s had a lot of nicknamesover the years: The Steel City, TheSmoky City, The City of Champions,The City of Bridges, The Gateway tothe West. How about trying thisone on for size: The Hollywood ofthe East. That’s right, the city that’salways been known for its steel andits tough-as-steel sports teams hasnow become a real hotspot for themovie-making industry.

If you’re into movies, it’s really agreat time to be a Yinzer.


In the last five years alone, over 40feature film and television produc-tions have been completed in The

‘Burgh, including five this year: “Elixir”(working title), an ABC Family televisionmusical; “One Shot”, a crime thrillerdirected by Christopher McQuarrie andstarring Tom Cruise; “The Dark KnightRises”, starring Christian Bale andGary Oldman; “The Perks of Being aWallflower”, starring Emma Watson of“Harry Potter” fame, “Steel Town”, aWalden Media production; and “Locke& Key” a TV pilot for Fox.

The year 2010 also saw a numberof productions film here including“Abduction”, starring Taylor Lautner ofthe “Twilight” series; “I Am NumberFour,” starring Alex Pettyfer and DiannaAgron. In 2009 Denzel Washington wasin town to film the runaway train thriller“Unstoppable.” And in 2008, Pittsburghreally got a chance to shine in theromantic comedy “She’s Out of MyLeague”, starring Jay Baruchel.

So what is it that has made Pittsburghsuch a hotspot for the movie and TVindustries?

“Southwestern PA is open for business,”says Dawn Keezer, director of thePittsburgh Film Office (pghfilm.org),located downtown in the CenturyBuilding on 7th Street. “We have anextremely talented crew, a great diversityof locations, and a film tax credit programthat is considered one of the best in thecountry. Our region is a great place toshoot and we are thrilled that over $500million dollars has been spent in south-western PA’s economy.”

Dawn Keezer –Director of the Pittsburgh Film Office

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As it turns out, Pittsburgh is the perfectlocation for all types of production,from large-scale, big-budget, featurefilms to single-video-camera industrials.Filmmakers can find the “look” theywant, along with the all the personneland vital production resources they needto make it happen. As a result, Pittsburghserves as a one-stop shop for the movie-making industry.

Pittsburgh is also popular for its colorfuldiversity. Within a half-hour drive ofdowntown, you can find historic neigh-borhoods, country estates, and contem-porary suburbs, each of which providesdifferent options for movie settings. Inaddition, the city’s varied architecture,modern skyscrapers, industrial sites, andcharming small towns provide evenmore options for filming locations.

One of the great things about filming inPittsburgh is that filmmakers are able totake advantage of its diverse locations inorder to make moviegoers believethey’re watching scenes filmed in othercities and states. In recent years,Pittsburgh locations have been filmed ascities like New York City, Washington,D.C., Detroit, as well as states likeIndiana and Maine.

“That’s another reason why filmmakersare drawn to the area,” says Keezer.“Pittsburgh has a unique, chameleon-likeability that allows it to become othercities or areas, which enables filmmakersto save on production costs.”

As it turns out, Pittsburgh has a lot ofthings that the movie makers like.According to iatse489.org, the websiteof the Motion Picture Studio ProductionTechnicians, Local 489 of the I.A.T.S.E.,the city’s advantages include “a favorableunion climate, diversity of film locations,a broad and well trained crew base, ade-quate film production support servicecompanies and an effective film office.”Also according to iatse489.org, the filmindustry has brought in over $280 millionto southwestern Pennsylvania since 2007;in 2010 alone the impact on the localeconomy was over $100 million. Filmproduction has also been very good forthe local hotel industry, accounting fornearly 24,000 hotel room nights in 2010.In fact, revenue from hotel stays due tofilm production is up over 800% since2005.

IATSE Local 489 also reports that theirmembership has more than doubled inthe past six years. Furthermore, variouslocal production companies such asSmithfield Street Productions, have beenpopping up and creating new jobs, andthe Community College of AlleghenyCounty has even started a training programfor industry-related jobs.

A lot of this success has to do withthe work of the Pittsburgh Film Office(PFO), which works hard to market theregion as a great location for movie,television and commercial productions.Since its inception in 1990, the PFO has

attracted more than one hundred featurefilms and television productions tosouthwestern Pennsylvania, which in turnhas generated approximately $578 millionfor the region.


00 designinghomelifestyles.com68 designinghomelifestyles.com

The PFO provides film and TV productioncompanies with valuable information onthe region, including where to find thebest locations, vendors, and crew. It alsohelps coordinate government and businessoffices that are vital in supporting aproduction. In addition, the PFO providesvaluable assistance to our own home-grown filmmakers throughout the region.

“Our mission is to attract film productionto the southwestern Pennsylvania regionand, in turn, benefit the regional economy,”says Keezer. “Every time we are featuredon the big or small screen, national audi-ences get another opportunity to see thebeauty of our hometown.”

The PFO’s primary function is to serveas an economic generator for the greatersouthwestern Pennsylvania region byattracting and supporting film, television,and related media industry projects.

Both locally and nationally, it serves as aconduit for information ranging fromlocation photographs and vendor and crewlistings, to general regional information.

In addition, the PFO offers educationand outreach programs throughout theregion to inform and educate studentsand the community about various oppor-tunities. It does this through schoolvisits, information brochures and internprograms. On its website, the PFO listscasting calls, audition announcements,and job opportunities under its Hotlinesection, which is updated weekly or asnew information becomes available.Anyone with questions about local castingagencies is encouraged to contact thePittsburgh Film Office at 412-261-2744.

For full-time college students, everysemester the PFO offers unpaid intern-ships relating to the marketing and

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administrative aspects of the film industry.In order to qualify, students must be ableto give two or three days to the office,totaling 12-15 hours each week. Internswork on administrative projects, maintainlocations photo files, research tradepublications, and help the office updatefiles for the southwestern Pennsylvaniaregion. The application for the springterm is December 15; for the summerterm, it’s May 1. Visit pghfilm.org formore information.

The Pittsburgh Film Office also hosts anannual Academy Awards fundraisercalled “Lights! Glamour! Action!”, whichcelebrates the national and local filmindustry achievements. The 12th annualevent is presented by Highmark BlueCross Blue Shield and will take place onSunday, Feb, 26, 2012, at Heinz Field.During the benefit, attendees will havethe opportunity to film their versions of

favorite movie moments at a pre-partycelebration on Friday, January 27, atJ. Verno Studios. The performances willpremiere on the big screen and awardswill be presented to the best actor andactress.

Guests will enjoy a red carpet entrance,champagne reception, the live telecastof the 2012 Oscars® on the Big Screen,gourmet food stations, fashion presenta-tions, a silent auction, and more. Lastyear more than 900 attendees watchedthe Oscars® in 3D!

“Lights! Glamour! Action!” also offersvarious sponsorship opportunities atdifferent levels and includes signage at allevents, on-site marketing opportunities,tickets to the gala, and much more.Interested parties can call 412-261-2744or email [email protected] for moreinformation.

Pittsburgh may never take Hollywood’splace as the movie-making capital of theworld. But it’s certainly becoming thefilm industry’s location of choice in theeastern half of the United States. Andthanks to the Pittsburgh Film Office,moviegoers will continue to discover thenatural beauty that Pittsburghers havegrown to know and love. | DHL

If you drive north on 28 for about30 minutes and then make a couple

of questionable turns that seeminglylead to nowhere, you will reach anarea where the intense hills ofPittsburgh smooth out into gentlerolling hills with waving stocks ofcorn. And in the midst of this giantcornfield, there is a clearing thatopens up into a dreamy place calledSaxonburg—a charming hamlet withjust over 1600 contented residents,where life moves just a bit slower andthe traffic is a little bit lighter.

Despite its small size, people know how tolive well in this out-of-the-way haven, andPittsburghers sometimes drop by to soakup some of the calm. Not surprisingly, thisidyllic setting has frequently been chosenas a wedding destination. It is easily accessi-ble to Pittsburgh, and yet it seems a millionmiles away. During the summer months,

it’s a familiar sight to see vows being readat the white Victorian gazebo in RoeblingPark.

An unexpected delight is the HotelSaxonburg, a spot for fine dining and aguest house. Built in 1832, the restaurantstill retains its original 19th century copper-topped bar. Their menu offers discerningpatrons classic dishes such as filet mignon,steamed mussels, and lobster bisque.Vegans can dine on capellini marinara,while serious carnivores can dive right intothe New Zealand rack of lamb. The fiveguestrooms are furnished with perioddécor and create a romantic milieu, shoulda traveler decide to stay the night.

Besides fine dining, Saxonburg has somemore casual choices for variety, includingKelly’s Family Restaurant, which is popularwith the locals and offers downhome fareat modest prices.

A popular bed and breakfast is TheMainstay, located right in the heart of the

historic district. It features themed roomswith a garden patio and a library. If youdon’t mind a two-mile drive into the country,Armstrong Farms Bed and Breakfast is afully operational, 200-year-old cattle ranchwith an amazing array of lodging choices.

Whether you are visiting for a weekend ormaking your home in Saxonburg, there arenearby diversions for every level of activity.Fantastic shopping venues await with lotsof unique stores, such as The Stillroom,where you’ll find fine teas and everything

By Pamela Palongue


you need to brew them. The Gray WolfGallery features wildlife art, and TheChandlery sells everything from tablewareto bath soap. Saxon Golf Course is apublic course that was given a 3-star ratingby Golf Digest. There are also many nearbystables for the horse enthusiast. If you’rejust looking to relax, the Yoma Roomoffers reiki, massages, and yoga to smootha ruffled spirit.

For a more laid-back experience, TheSaxonburg Museum is a good place tospend the afternoon. Its nine rooms detail

the history of the founding of Saxonburgby two Prussian-German immigrants to themid-20th century, and it features manyinteresting artifacts. For more history, youcan tour the living museum of theSaxonburg streets by doing a walking tourof the John Roebling House and Shop andthe historic Saxonburg Memorial UnitedPresbyterian Church (originally the GermanEvangelical Church), which sits imposinglyat the head of Main Street. Services areheld every Sunday at 8 a.m. It is also avail-able to rent for weddings if you’re soinclined.

One of the area’s more unique religiousfacilities is the Nativity of the Theotokos, aGreek Orthodox Monastery for women.

For a different sort of spiritual experience,visit the Winfield Winery, located just 10minutes away in Cabot, where you cansample their 30 different winesin their comfortable, rusticatmosphere.

For a small town, Saxonburg cancelebrate like nobody’s business.Some of their events include anannual Memorial Day parade, afiremen’s carnival in June, a bigcar cruise in July, and an artsfestival in September.

Another huge event inSeptember is Penn’s ColonyVillage. This Colonial American

festival has won awards for being one ofthe best in the nation. It draws artists, musi-cians, 18th century dancers, and lots oftourists. Native Americans and uniformedRevolutionary War soldiers stage battle re-enactments and living history displays aswell.

Despite Saxonburg’s historic reputation,there are plenty of new-construction homesfor incoming residents in a variety of priceranges. The location makes it an attractiveoption for those working in Pittsburgh’sNorth Side or Butler, Pa.

Saxonburg is a special place, whetherexperienced as a weekend or a new way oflife. If you would like more information onSaxonburg’s historic places or theirmany festivals, visit their website atwww. saxonburgpa.com. | DHL

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cocktails at home:


Please Drink Responsibly.

INGREDIENTS:• 8 cups Hot tea• 2 cups lemon juice• 16 oz. curaçao• 16 oz. dark rum• 1-1/2 oz. orgeat syrup• One 750-ml. bottle cognac• 1 oz. orange flower water• Cinnamon stick• Lemon peel• Orange peelMix all ingredients (except orange/lemon peels andcinnamon sticks), in the flaming pan of a chafing dishover direct heat and bring to simmering. Serve hot inmugs. Garnish with orange and lemon peels and add acinnamon stick. Makes over 30 servings.

Shangai Punch

INGREDIENTS:• 7 oz. Cranberry Herbal Tea• 1/2 oz. Cointreau• Orange slices halvedPour the tea and Cointreau into an 8 oz. footed coffeemug.Garnish with the orange slices and dried cranberries.

INGREDIENTS:• 5 oz. Orange Pekoe tea• 1 oz. Melon liqueur• 1 oz. Orange liqueur• lemon juice to tastePour hot tea in the glass, and then pour in the Melonliqueur and Orange liqueur. Add lemon juice to taste.Garnish with a split lemon.

INGREDIENTS:• 1.5 oz. Orange Flavored Brandy• 1.5 oz. Amaretto• 1 Dash Simple Syrup• 1.5 oz. Orange Flavored Tea (Hot)• 1 Orange PeelAdd amaretto, orange flavored brandy and simple syrupinto a rocks glass. Top up with orange flavored tea (hot).Garnish with orange.

CC ranberry Orange Tea

Melon Lemon Tea

Blueberry Tea

INGREDIENTS:• 2-1/4 cups water• 1/3 cup mild ormedium-bodied honey• 1/4 cup turbinado sugar• 2 tablespoons sliced ginger• 18 whole cloves• 18 whole allspice

• 1 teaspoon pure vanillaextract• 1 tablespoon Earl Grey(or Earl Green) wholetea leaves• 1 750-ml bottle red tablewine• 1/3 cup dark rumPlace the water, honey, sugar, ginger, cloves, allspice andvanilla in a large pot. Bring the mixture to a boil overmedium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Boil for 5minutes then remove from heat. Stir in the tea leavesand steep for 5 minutes. Strain the mixture into a bowl.Add the wine and rum. Serve immediately.

CC hristmas Eve Tea

White Oolong Mojitea

INGREDIENTS:• 48 oz. boiling water• 1 teaspoon loose oolongtea leaves• 2 teaspoons loose whitepeppermint tea leaves• 16 mint leaves for garnish• peppermint schnapps orlime juice to rim glass• splenda or sugar to rimglass• 12 oz. malibu rum(1) Pour 1 teaspoon each white peppermint and oolongteas in a tea infuser. (2) Pour 6 oz. boiling water over tealeaves. Let steep 5mins. (3) Pour tea into pitcher. Repeat5 more times. (4) Add an additional teaspoon of whitepeppermint tea to the 5th cup. (5) Add the malibu ruminto the pitcher. (6) Rim 6 glasses or cups with eitherpeppermint schnapps or lime juice and splenda or sugar.(7) Tear mint leaves in half and place 4 halves in thebottom of each cup/glass. (8) Pour tea/rum mixtureover the mint leaves. Serve.

INGREDIENTS:• Ice• 15 whole mint leaves• 2 cups pre-madesweetened iced tea• 1 splash Roses lime juice• 1 cup vodka• Lime wedges or wheels,for garnishAdd ice and mint leaves to a cocktail shaker. Close shakerand shake a few times to bruisemint leaves. Add remainingingredients and shake to combine. Pour into ice tea glassand garnish with lime wedge or wheel.

Moroccan Mint Tea

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Makes 6 servings.

Makes Approximately 30 servings.

Although this recipe doesnot contain blueberries or

blueberry flavoring, the name isderived from its fruity taste,

which some compare toblueberries.


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