Ideas to Welcome Spring | Empty Bowls Dinner | Build A Dream

Ideas to Welcome Spring and Add Extra Enjoyment to Your Home All Year Round

By Christine Bahr

As we bid farewell to winter, we begin to put away the snow shovels, snow blowers, rock salt, and winter clothes. We welcome spring with open arms and divert our attention to sprucing up and remodeling our outdoor gardens, sunrooms, backyards, and other areas where we celebrate summer holidays and relax in an atmosphere of comfort and serenity. In years past, spring not only signified new growth on the trees and shrubs, but it also meant spring cleaning. In today's world, spring cleaning means replenishing flowers, adding floral gardens, changing the layout of our landscaping, or giving our outdoor furniture a face lift, while adding a variety of color combinations for a whole new look.

Outside Inspirations is a delightful boutique. Located in the Pine Tree Shoppes in Wexford, it carries a wide variety of items for the inside and the outside of your home. Owners, Barbara and Tim Hollihan, a brother and sister team with 25 years of graphic design experience, work effectively with clients to meet their needs. “We bring the inside out and the outside in,” Barbara said.

“We work with you to choose the proper design, color combination and accent pieces to personalize your living space,” Tim said. Areas such as patios, screened or unscreened porches, pool areas, or decks can be made into a unique and wonderful place for family and friends. Materials can be selected to enhance furniture, to blend in with your favorite color selections and surrounding décor. Furniture, fabrics, and a large variety of items that beautify your living space can be purchased at Outside Inspirations, or if you don't see what you like, orders can be placed for a selection you may prefer. Outside Inspirations is open 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Barbara and Tim welcome your calls at 724-933-8850.

The North Hills area is fortunate to have qualified and dedicated individuals and businesses to help beautify our most-lived in areas. K.P. Soergel Associates, Inc., has provided superior quality landscaping services since 1936. Owner Kevin Soergel began working in the family business at age ten with his grandfather who started the business. Kevin's grandfather instilled in him a love of nature and the passion for design and creative thinking. “Dirt is in my blood,” Kevin said.

Kevin's father, Kenneth Soergel, took over the business in 1976 and managed it until Kevin took the helm in 2004. K.P. Soergel Associates, Inc., features landscapes, aquascapes, florascapes, and designs to meet each individual backyard or patio. Waterfalls, decks, sun rooms, screened in porches or new areas can be turned into places of beauty and relaxation. Kevin prides himself on his visual skills that assist his clients in utilizing space for a completely new look. Additional information about Kevin and K.P. Soergel Associates, Inc., can be found on their website: http://www.yourescapes.net/, or call him at 724-444-POND. Also, be sure to visit Sdplete line of outdoor plants and shrubs.

An essential part of all landscaping, floral design, or remodeling, is lighting. Platinum Lighting Concepts, located on Route 19 in Cranberry Township, offers an extensive line of landscape lighting in many different finishes and styles, with line voltage and low voltage to create a dramatic effect on your property.

“The first impression of any home is the outside,” said Joanne Glunt, president of Platinum Lighting Concepts. What better way to welcome your guests than with path lights that brighten their way to your door, while adding a safety feature. Included in their selections of lighting are path lights, deck lights, tier lights, uplighting, and step and brick lights. Also available are outdoor lanterns, post lighting, and mail box assemblies to provide an element of safe access to your driveway, entry way and pathway.

Platinum Lighting Concepts offers a free consultation by lighting experts and designers. Business hours are Monday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m.; and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call Joanne at: 724-772-7474 for additional information.

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Empty Bowls Dinner is Dished Up to Benefit the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and Just Harvest

By Paula Green

A nice, hot bowl of soup accompanied by some fresh bread is a winning combination to combat winter chills. The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is set to serve up some delectable soup and tasty bread during their 12th Annual Empty Bowls Dinner. The event takes place 3 to 7 p.m., Sunday, March 11, at Rodef Shalom Congregation, 4905 5th Avenue in Oakland.

Empty Bowls is held to raise awareness of the problem of hunger in our community. It benefits both the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and Just Harvest. It is often referred to as “Potter’s Day” since those in attendance not only get to enjoy delicious soup, they also enjoy the added benefit of taking home a hand-made, ceramic bowl.

Previously, this popular March affair has drawn an average of 1,000 to 1,200 patrons. Several hundred arrive promptly when the doors open to snatch up the best bowls. The bowls are donated from various pottery studios, schools, art teachers, professional potters and those willing to contribute their talents for this worthy cause.

Recent local contributors include: North Park Lounge, China Palace, North Hills High School, the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Fireborn Studios, St. Edmunds Academy, WAD Clay Institute, Little House Pottery and Southbrook Middle School.

The main contributor for this special event is Carlow University. Chairman of the Art Department and respected potter, Dale Huffman, along with his students, and some local professionals gather at Carlow for “Bowl Night.” The eager team creates a couple hundred bowls during their marathon session.

The Empty Bowls Dinner will be accompanied by an array of entertainment for the family. Live music will be provided by the Hot Matzoh’s and Mark Weakland. Additionally, there will also be children’s storytelling, Mike the Balloon Guy, face painting, silent auction of world-class ceramic art, bake sale, soup-to-go and bowls to take home. As an added bonus, there will be a special guest appearance by Charlie the Tuna. Larry Berger from the Saturday Light Brigade will emcee and local personalities will be on hand to dish out the soup.

Tickets are a $20 donation and they are available by calling (412) 431-
8960 or www.pittsburghfoodbank.org.

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Girl Scouts, Architects, Builders, and Community Leaders Creating Dreams Together

By Christine Bahr

The Girl Scouts-Trillium Council, coupled with respected and renowned local architects, builders and community leaders, are working together to fulfill dreams and celebrate the Second Annual “Build a Dream” event taking place at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center during the Home and Garden Show, Friday, March 2, through Sunday, March 11.

The Girl Scouts’ philosophy of encouraging and inspiring girls to build their dreams and follow them until completion will be the focus of this year’s auction. Featured will be unique, one-of-kind playhouses specifically designed to delight youngsters and their families. These playhouses also add a superior piece of décor to the backyard or play area. The playhouses will be available for viewing and will be auctioned off during the event. The proceeds will benefit the Girl Scouts and help with their mission of offering superb opportunities to girls who will someday be our future citizens, business leaders and professionals.

The Girl Scouts of the USA have been a positive influence on young women for 95 years. Since their founding in 1912, the membership has grown to exceed more than 3.6 million girls and adults. The Girl Scouts, through fun, friendship and the power of the group working together, help young girls and women to foster high self-esteem, strong values and the tools needed to become successful in their personal and professional life.

Online bidding for the playhouses will begin on Monday, February 28, at 9:00 a.m. and will continue until Saturday, March 10, at 5:00 p.m. or until there is a two-minute period of inactivity after 5:00 p.m. Bids may also be submitted by paper during the Home and Garden Show. The paper bids must be submitted by 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 10.