Shirley McMarlin stories, Page 11
Behind the Art: Ligonier museum intrigues Pittsburgh artist Robert Bowden
Though Robert Bowden is best-known for his cityscapes, the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley is one of the Pittsburgh painter’s favorite subjects. He’s painted the log structure, just south of the borough along Route 711, in both winter and summer. In the winter, he painted while sitting...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Jan. 27-29
Cards and collectibles The annual Joe’s Sports Card & Collectible Show returns to Westmoreland Mall this weekend. For more than a decade, the show has offered attendees the opportunity to buy, sell and trade cards, memorabilia, action figures, gaming products and other items. Vendors will be set up in the...
Greensburg Night Market plans 3 winter dates at Live Casino Pittsburgh
Fans of the Greensburg Night Market won’t have to wait until spring to enjoy another installment of the popular shopping, dining and entertainment event. The market is partnering with Live Casino Pittsburgh at Westmoreland Mall to host three winter night markets in the casino’s new event space. More than 40...
Greensburg Country Club hosts art council’s annual antiques show, sale
Antiques dealer and appraiser John Mickinak eats dinner at a chestnut wood table handmade by monks from Saint Vincent Archabbey. He’ll offer another for the annual antiques show and sale that benefits the Southwestern Pennsylvania Council, from Jan. 27 to 29 at Greensburg Country Club. “Many people are not aware...
Laurel Highlands Pour Tour 3.0 adds new craft beverage makers
Craft beverage makers in Westmoreland, Fayette and Somerset counties usually join the Laurel Highlands Pour Tour to increase traffic and increase sales at their establishments. For Shane Hissem, owner of Tap-It Brewery & Grill in Mt. Pleasant Township, it was the other way around. As more customers found the new...
Out & About: The Westmoreland’s Art on Tap 2.0 showcases local flavors
For Jen and Scott Orris of Hempfield, the Jan. 13 Art on Tap 2.0 at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art was more than just a relaxing end to the work week. The evening kicked off Jen’s 50th birthday celebration, which also included a private party the following night at...
Greensburg Restaurant Week returns with special dishes, deals
General manager Lynn Hepple likes to give diners at Bar Nine “something completely new” when Greensburg Restaurant Week rolls around. This time, special dishes at the Greensburg gastropub will include short rib pierogies, served with garlic gravy, sour cream and scallions. The pierogies are one of two appetizer options for...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Jan. 20-22
Making music A Community Music Program recital will begin at 6:30 p.m. today in the Seton Hill University Performing Arts Center, 100 Harrison Ave., Greensburg. Performers will be people of all ages who receive private musical instruction through the program, taught by Seton Hill faculty and staff members. Admission is...
Madonna’s global ‘Celebration’ tour announces Pittsburgh dateVideo
Madonna will bring 40 years of her greatest hits to Pittsburgh as part of her “Madonna: The Celebration Tour.” The best-selling female solo touring artist of all time comes to PPG Paints Arena on Aug. 7. It will be her third stop in Pittsburgh, having performed at the Civic Arena...
Pittsburgh Opera debuts Handel’s ‘Ariodante’ in all-new production
Pittsburgh Opera will present the first-ever local performances of Handel’s Baroque opera, “Ariodante,” in an all-new production running Jan. 21-29 at Pittsburgh CAPA Theater. “Ariodante” also will be the debut with the company of costume designer Grace Kang and set designer Ningning Yang, both students at Carnegie Mellon University. “Almost...
‘Jagged Little Pill’ crafts Alanis Morissette songs into jukebox musical
Alanis Morissette’s 1995 album, “Jagged Little Pill,” marked an alt-rock, grunge swerve from the Canadian singer-songwriter’s two previous dance-pop albums. Songs like “You Oughta Know” explored hot-button themes like sexuality, sexual harassment, self-help and societal apathy. The songs and themes are incorporated in “Jagged Little Pill,” a jukebox musical that...
Out & About: Fort Ligonier hosts Colonial-style Twelfth Night Celebration
Imagine a Colonial-era dance party. Fortified by a cup of rum punch, revelers kick up their heels in a few rounds of English country dancing. After that, they raise their voices to sing some popular tunes of the day. At least that’s the way it was for the Twelfth Night...
Phipps Conservatory show explores orchid and bonsai history, culture
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens presents an annual show highlighting the beauty and abundance of its orchid and bonsai collections. This year’s show will do that — and more. “Orchid and Bonsai Show: Origin Stories,” opening Saturday in the historic glass house in Pittsburgh’s Oakland section, also will provide historical...
Feathers Artist Market in Irwin to host local author open house
Tracy Alaia, owner of Feathers Artist Market and Gifts in Irwin, describes herself as “a crazy book person.” “I read 48 books last year, and I’ve already read five books in January,” she said. “Reading is my peace and my stress relief. If I can’t sleep, I read; I prefer...
5 thing to do in Westmoreland County this weekend: Jan. 13-15
Local flavors “Taste of Westmoreland” is the theme for Art on Tap 2.0, from 6 to 8 p.m. today at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, 221 N. Main St., Greensburg. The 21-and-older happy hour will feature libations and light bites from local vendors, including Bella Terra Vineyards, Salem Spirits...
Get the Led Out brings annual 2-night Led Zeppelin tribute to GreensburgVideo
Paul Hammond wasn’t enthralled by Led Zeppelin’s music when he first heard it about age 4. But first impressions don’t always last. Now 57, Hammond has been playing in a Led Zeppelin tribute band for 20 years. Philadelphia-based Get the Led Out will play its annual two-night stint at the...
Pittsburgh weather challenged ‘A Man Called Otto’ director Marc ForsterVideo
A movie director can face many challenges — temperamental actors, filming delays, budget overruns, temperamental actors. For director Marc Forster, the biggest challenge of making “A Man Called Otto” certainly wasn’t working with Tom Hanks, whom he labeled a consummate professional. It was something much more elemental. “To be honest,...
Cabaret Theatre hosts Irwin reading of new ‘Gatsby’-inspired musical
It’s widely accepted in the literary world that writer F. Scott Fitzgerald stole ideas and actual words from his wife, Zelda — including lines that went into his widely acclaimed novel, “The Great Gatsby.” Two Westmoreland County theater veterans have imagined Zelda Fitzgerald’s role in the creation of the novel...
Out & About: The Westmoreland’s Late-Night Thursday toasts to 2023
The New Year’s weekend got an early start at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg, with the Dec. 29 edition of Winter Lights Late-Night Thursdays. “New Year’s Cheer” was the theme as the doors stayed open late for guests to enjoy the annual holiday-season illumination of the museum’s...
Jeannette’s Skeptik Innovations gains notice in car customization worldVideo
There’s no denying the influence of the “Fast & Furious” movie franchise on American car culture. The action films sparked interest in both street racing and vehicle customizations. Steve Molans was one of those who took notice, as a high school kid in Jeannette back in the early 2000s. Now...
Aubrey Burchell gets slot in ‘America’s Got Talent’ Las Vegas showVideo
It turns out that Aubrey Burchell’s association with “America’s Got Talent” didn’t end in the September semifinals of the NBC show’s Season 17. The 23-year-old singer from North Huntingdon has been invited to perform in “America’s Got Talent Presents Super Stars Live” at the Luxor Hotel & Casino in Las...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County this weekend: Jan. 6-8
Friday family fun The monthly Family Fun Night is planned for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at Smithton Public Library, 615 Center St. The free event will feature stories, games, crafts and more all-ages activities with a moon theme. Visitors will have a chance to steer a BeeBot moon rover...
New York Bee Gees bring ‘Saturday Night Fever’ to The PalaceVideo
The Bee Gees rode the disco wave of the late 1970s, with hits like “Stayin’ Alive,” “You Should Be Dancing” and “Night Fever.” But there’s more to the catalog of the three Australian Gibb brothers than those catchy, danceable tunes. The New York Bee Gees tribute band will plumb the...
Willie’s Random Acts of Kindness Day honors memory of Greensburg infant
Though William David “Willie” Fennell lived only a few hours after his birth Jan. 6, 2020, his brief life continues to have an impact on others. His parents, Will and Lindsay Fennell of Greensburg, in conjunction with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region, are inviting people to perform...
‘AGT’ veteran Sal Valentinetti brings ‘little big band’ sound to The PalaceVideo
When “America’s Got Talent” veteran Sal Valentinetti comes to Western Pennsylvania, he doesn’t just come to perform. He’ll be crooning the classics at 8 p.m. Friday in The Palace Theatre in Greensburg, but, before then, he’ll visit some favorite people and places, including Pittsburgh’s Strip District and Dom’s Pizzeria in...

