Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Positively Pittsburgh Live News 12-17-12



Positively Pittsburgh Live News
12-17-12


First Night Pittsburgh Celebration
December 31 | 6pm - midnight
Pittsburgh's Cultural District
ALL ACCESS BUTTONS AVAILABLE NOW!
Have fun downtown at the region’s biggest New Year’s Eve celebration! Highmark First Night Pittsburgh celebrates the arts and our community. Experience live music, dance, theater, magic, comedy, visual art, film, and hands-on activities for all ages. There’s something for everyone! See up to 150 arts-focused and family-friendly events at nearly 50 indoor and outdoor venues.  See the full schedule of events.

Subscribe to the Highmark First Night Pittsburgh email list to receive email updates about Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2013.To Buy Buttons: Online at TrustArts.org; Call 412-456-6666; or visit the Box Office at Theater Square.
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***************WIN FREE PASSES TO OVERLY'S!!!!***********

Share your Christmas Decoration pictures and have a chance to get one of ten passes for a carload to Overly Country Christmas at Westmoreland Fairgrounds. Send your pictures of your home or office decorations to: info@pplmag.com

Jpeg's only please. Also need: full name, address, email, and phone number

The best ten pictures will be chosen to receive the Carload Passes for Overly but all pictures will be posted in a video with Christmas music with your name so we all know how wonderful your lights are. The video will be posted between Christmas and New Year's on the front page of: http://pplmag.com

Last date to send in your pictures so that you can get and use your passes: December 20, 2012 at Midnight. Overly's runs through January 5.
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"Jessica Lee's Entrepreneurial Thursdays"
Musical Networking Happy Hour, EVERY THURSDAY!!! Cover Charge: Only $5.00
Vocalist Jessica Lee & Friends, Little E's Jazz & Blues Club,
949 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222, 2nd Floor above Mahoney's Restaurant
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Jessica Lee
Pre-show networking session at 5:30 pm. Informal matchmaking for job seekers, employers & new entrepreneurs! Live music starts at 6:00 pm.


December 20, 2012:
"Holiday Show  Last Minute Shoppers"

Featuring interviews with:

Co-host:  Amy Calligaro, Miche Handbags www.amycalligaro.miche.com

Katie Calligaro, Silpada Designs Jewelry www.mysilpada.com/katie.calligaro

Lynn McQuire, Mary Kay Cosmetics www.marykay.com/lmcguire2

Ken Heusey, Kenneth Heusey Productions www.khprod.com

Mary Beth Kratsas, MBK Photography www.mbkphotos.com

Martin Thomas Stone Jewelry

J. Gregory Olverson, Artist

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Andrew Varela (Javert), Les Misérables
 Photo by Deen van Meer
LES MISÉRABLES CASTING ANNOUNCEMENTCasting for Cameron Mackintosh’s new 25th anniversary production of Les Misérables has been announced for the premiere Pittsburgh engagement at the Benedum Center, Tuesday, January 15 through Sunday, January 27, 2013. The all new production of Les Misérables features glorious new staging and spectacular reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. 
Les Misérables is part of the PNC Broadway Across America – Pittsburgh series presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony and Broadway Across America.

Peter Lockyer portrays the fugitive Jean Valjean. He is joined by Andrew Varela as Javert, Timothy Gulan as Thénardier, Shawna M. Hamic as Madame Thénardier, Genevieve Leclerc as Fantine, Jason Forbach as Enjolras, Briana Carlson-Goodman as Éponine, Devin Ilaw as Marius and Lauren Wiley as Cosette.  Erin Cearlock and Ava Della Pietra alternate in the role of Little Cosette/Young Éponine.  Joshua Colley and Hayden Wall alternate in the role of Gavroche.  For more information on the production, engagement dates, and locations please visit www.LesMis.com.


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Ready to Run
Local election season is upon us and we are asking members of the community to identify and recruit women in the community (perhaps yourself!) to consider participating in the public leadership process. The Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics at Chatham University is offering-- Ready to Run™, a one day, bipartisan campaign training for women.

This is the only one day program that utilizes both national and local experts to build your skill set. It will be offered on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at the Chatham University, Shadyside Campus.The early bird rate of $50 expires next Friday, December 21st! Register online HERE!

Ready to Run program attendees walk away with: "How to" instructions on running for office; Fundraising and media skills; Real world advice and best practices from experts; Strategies for positioning yourself for public leadership; Inspiration to launch a campaign; and a better understanding of party politics.

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Immaculate Reception Memories
It has been 40 years since the famous “Immaculate Reception” play was set in history. The History Center will host a special public event on Saturday, December 22, titled, “Immaculate Reception Memories,” where fans can relive the greatest play in NFL history with those directly involved in it. The event, which begins at noon, will feature the screening of a new NFL Films documentary along with special appearances by members of the 1972 Steelers team, including Franco Harris, John "Frenchy" Fuqua, Andy Russell, Rocky Bleier, Mike Wagner, and more.

Franco Harris, Courtesy of Heinz
History Center website
Also scheduled to appear are fans involved in the play, including Jim Baker, who owns the Immaculate Reception game ball that is currently on display in the Gridiron Glory: The Best of the Pro Football Hall of Fame exhibition, and Sharon Levosky, who helped launch the name of the "Immaculate Reception" on Myron Cope's television show.

The "Immaculate Reception Memories" event is expected to sell out, so fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance. Tickets are $40 for general admission and $25 for History Center members. All tickets include admission to Gridiron Glory and all History Center exhibitions. For complete information, visit the Heinz History Center Website.


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‘SINGING CITY’ CHORAL CONCERT SHOWCASING 2,300 SINGERS OPENS PSO’S INAUGURAL MUSIC FOR THE SPIRIT FESTIVAL IN APRIL

Tickets available for April 20-28 festival events, including Singing City concert at Petersen Events Center, world premieres, lectures, recitals, concerts, book discussions and much more

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) will hold its first Music for the Spirit Festival in April, with an extraordinary series of special concerts, recitals, discussions and other events throughout the city of Pittsburgh.


Through Music for the Spirit, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra demonstrates its deep commitment to the community, using the power of music to promote and spread a spiritual and universal message in churches, synagogues, mosques and community centers. As part of Music for the Spirit, the PSO held free concerts at St. Paul Cathedral in 2011, and at Rodef Shalom Congregation earlier this year.

Tickets for the Singing City concert are $20 for the general public, $10 for students with valid I.D., and $5 for children 12 and under. For tickets or more information, visit www.pittsburghsymphony.org.

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Steeltown Heroes: A Teen One!

Amber Liggett is a junior in high school, a member of the National Honor Society and the international Tri-M Music Honor Society.

Amber Liggett
Amber won the Shyne award for the business category for Amber's Amazing Animal Balloons this August and Black Enterprise's Teenpreneur of the year in May! On New Year's Eve, she will be at 5th Avenue Place doing balloons for First Night.

She is also in the process of further developing her business and hiring young people to work with her. You can see Amber’s creations at wwwambersballoons.com, on her Facebook and on Twitter @ambersballoons.



In her freshmen year in high school, Amber wrote a bill that would go on to become HB 1535 in the PA State House. She decided to write this bill after a personal experience in which she was being stalked and harassed by an adult and sought protection under the law with no success. 
She could not get a restraining order from her stalker because in her case the stalker was a stranger. In our state you have to be related to the person, or have had an intimate relationship with them to get a PFA or restraining order from them. In 38 other states she would have been protected, but not in Pennsylvania. Amber’s bill would change that.

Her bill will allow those who don’t meet the current “relationship nexus” to obtain a restraining order. It covers a variety of different offenses including stalking, harassment, kidnapping, sexual assault, and more. State Representative Harhai, introduced her bill to the legislature in 2010.

Fast forward three years later to WGF’s GirlGov program 2012.Amber’s bill was still sitting in committee. She learned at GirlGov about the importance of advocacy which is a skill many other programs leave out. If you want to make a difference, and get results, then you need advocacy skills.

WGF has helped Amber personally with her bill in many ways. WGF is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure women have the support they need to overcome barriers. She is so thankful for having the support of WGF and the GirlGov girls behind her bill. They are helping Amber to develop a strategy to reintroduce her bill into the legislature this year, and will be with her 100% every step of the way. And Amber will be calling on all of you to engage in advocacy efforts with her to help this bill become law before she graduates high school in June 2013! She supports WGF because of their commitment to ensuring that women have the skills, opportunities, and support they need to reach their goals.

Please consider making an online donation to WGF before the end of the year. WGF will use your gift to support the efforts of women and girls like Amber working to advance women’s rights at the policy level in our state. The support of WGF, the GirlGov girls, and donors like you means so much to Amber.

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Roving Pittsburgher Report

Manheim Steamroller
If you were a first timer showing up at the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Concert at the Benedum Center on December 11 or 12 looking for traditional Christmas Carols played by an orchestra, well you got a pleasant surprise. This was like no other concert I have ever been to. Just the level of talent and diversity of instruments of each member of the group was truly inspirational. 

The multimedia presentation behind the music was revolutionary in its ability to keep the audience’s mind planted solely on the theme for each rendition. The comments after the show on the way out were, “Where were all of those sounds coming from?” I mean the wind instrument echoed a choir and it was a bit confusing when you didn’t see one on stage or on the screen behind it. We sat in a row with a young couple who had five girls with them aging from 6 to 11 and they were as spellbound as the adults. Read the full review here

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Burgatory: 300 McHolme Dr.,Pittsburgh, PA 15275, 412.809.9400
There are plenty of places to get a good burger, but not many to get a great burger. You can get a great burger here. But to me, that was not the highlight, the highlight was the homemade chips and the loaded nachos with everything but the kitchen sink on them. They are listed as a starter but are a meal in themselves. Also, the sides are amazing, especially the quinoa salad. There is plenty of local color if you like to read signs and don’t’ know what to talk about to your dinner partner.

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Lazzaro Law Party at Latitude 40
The Law Office of Martin E. Lazzaro has concentrated its efforts for over fifteen years on fighting for the rights of accident victims. Their primary goal has been to efficiently and thoroughly handle claims of accident victims with the personal and professional attention that each client deserves. They represent automobile accident victims on a contingent fee basis. That means they do not get paid a fee unless a recovery is made.
Call them at 1-800-I-GOT-HIT or visit them online. http://1800igothit.com/

What a great place to have a party, over 200 guests attended in one of the private banquet rooms at Latitude 40. The place includes a game room with over 80 interactive video & redemption games, the Axis Bar with stage and dance floor and the 360 Grille, an upscale, casual contemporary-American restaurant that features fire-grilled entrees to the freshest seafood and hand-crafted salads.

We were able to see videos of all of the previous parties on the amazing huge screen at the front of the room. There were also strolling performers and as always the Latitude 40 buffet, appetizers and dessert were amazing.

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This was reported as a reproduction of PositvelyPittsburghLive news done by Joanne Quinn-Smith. (c) Joanne Quinn-Smith and PositivelyPittsburghLive(TM) 2012 All rights reserved.



Tara Darazio is a Positively Pittsburgh Live reporter, an independent copywriter, blogger, article writer, and social media strategist. If you are in need of writing assistance, or need help with your social media efforts connect with Tara on LinkedIn here.






Thursday, December 13, 2012

Positively Pittsburgh Live News 12-10-12



Positively Pittsburgh Live News
12-10-12

PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INVITES PUBLIC TO ENJOY CHRISTMAS TREE, MENORAH AT HEINZ HALL
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) invites the public to enjoy this holiday season by visiting Heinz Hall to view a majestic Christmas tree and Hanukkah menorah.

The tree and menorah are displayed in the Grand Lobby and will be open to be viewed by the public from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., starting Wednesday, Dec. 12. People of all faiths are invited to visit Heinz Hall and take photos of the tree and menorah, which will be lit during Hanukkah.

Read the entire release here





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From Positive Pittsburghers at Pittsburgh Today
In public safety indicators, Pittsburgh continues to be among the safest of the benchmark regions.  Please click on the links to see rates for burglary, murder, robbery, and a variety of other crimes.  In 2011, the Pittsburgh region had the lowest motor vehicle theft rate compared to its benchmark regions. 
Pittsburgh held the highest hotel occupancy rate year-to-date through September 2012 with a rate of 69.4 percent, outpacing destinations such as Philadelphia with 67.6 percent, Baltimore with 66.8 percent, and Charlotte, where the 2012 Democratic National Convention was held, with 65.1 percent.

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Help rescue missing children
Annual Parade of Trees
The Ramada Inn of Greensburg is hosting its 29th annual parade of trees. This is a festive opportunity for the community to support local charities. Local organizations each decorate a Christmas tree to be displayed at the hotel until January 3, and patrons and guests have the opportunity to vote for their favorite by making a donation. American Association For Lost Children, Inc. (AAFLC) would like you to consider voting for their tree.

We need your help to make this a success. Anyone who would like to ‘vote’ for our tree may do so by making a donation in any of the following ways:

1. Of course the best way would be to visit the Ramada Inn and see the tree in person.

2. If visiting isn’t possible, you could send a donation by check through the mail to AAFLC, 539 Fred Rogers Drive, Latrobe, PA 15650. Simply put Christmas tree in the memo.

3. Donate online through our website with Paypal or credit card. Simply put Christmas tree in the comment section. 

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Brit Floyd, March 1, 2013, Benedum Center
Having performed to over a half a million fans around the world since it's first show in Liverpool, England in January 201, The World's Greatest Pink Floyd Show, Brit Floyd, returns to the USA in February, March & April 2013 to present P-U-L-S-E 2013, The Pink Floyd Ultimate Light & Sound Experience, a stunning new three hour show featuring note-for-note performances of five full album sides, including 'Wish You Were Here', 'Animals', 'The Wall', 'The Division Bell', and, in celebration of the 40th anniversary, Pink Floyd's classic defining album, 'The Dark Side of The Moon'. 
Inspired by the record breaking 1994 'Division Bell' Tour and including the trademark Pink Floyd arch and circle light show, and brand new Floydian animation and projection, P-U-L-S-E 2013 will be Brit Floyd's biggest show yet!
Read the entire release here

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Heinz Hall
PSO CONTINUES SEASON’S GRAND TRADITION – POPULAR HIGHMARK HOLIDAY POPS CONCERTS RETURN TO HEINZ HALL
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) continues its grand seasonal tradition when the hugely popular Highmark Holiday Pops concerts return to Heinz Hall this month.
This year’s concerts begin at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 20; 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 21; 2:30 & 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 22; and 2:30 & 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 23. Tickets, ranging from $20 - $98, can be purchased by calling the Heinz Hall box office at 412.392.4900, or visiting the PSO online at www.pittsburghsymphony.org.

The concerts will feature holiday favorites, including music by John Williams, Here Comes Santa Claus, A Holly Jolly Christmas, O Holy Night, Silent Night, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, as well as music from The Nutcracker, and a Christmas sing-along. Read the entire release here

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NEW RICK SEBAK PROGRAM PREMIERES NATIONWIDE CHRISTMAS DAY
Mmm, smell the bacon! How about some red-eye gravy on your grits? It’s time for Rick Sebak’s new PBS special BREAKFAST SPECIAL 2: REVENGE OF THE OMELETS, another celebration of getting up and going out for a memorable morning meal.

This delicious new documentary premieres Christmas night, Tuesday, December 25, 2012 at 8 p.m. on WQED-TV.
Read the entire release here


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***************WIN FREE PASSES TO OVERLY'S!!!!***********

Share your Christmas Decoration pictures and have a chance to get one of ten passes for a carload to Overly Country Christmas at Westmoreland Fairgrounds. Send your pictures of your home or office decorations to: info@pplmag.com

Jpeg's only please. Also need: full name, address, email, and phone number

The best ten pictures will be chosen to receive the Carload Passes for Overly but all pictures will be posted in a video with Christmas music with your name so we all know how wonderful your lights are. The video will be posted between Christmas and New Year's on the front page of: http://pplmag.com

Last date to send in your pictures so that you can get and use your passes: December 20, 2012 at Midnight. Overly's runs through January 5.

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Roving Pittsburgher Report

Shakespeare Meets the Stooges in The School for Lies
Reviewed by Joyce Kane, owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh and Irish Classical Theatre's production of David Ives' School for Lies melds the elegance of language with the comedic tour de force of slapstick. Ives renders Moliere's original dialogue in over the top rhyme, blending contemporary themes with 17th Century cultural ennui.

PICT's production, mixing the classy and the crass in somewhat balanced proportions, stars Leo Marks as Moliere's truth-telling society hater, Frank. An unlikely name for a Frenchman of 1666, true, but Ives takes lavish liberties with his model. He adds farcical fanfare to The Misanthrope plot and blends generous helpings of current vulgarity into verse that mimics the simpering style of the Paris salon aristocrats. Read the full review here.
 

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Review of The Nutcracker Ballet
by Good News Reporter, Joanne Quinn-Smith

Sugar plum fairies, toys coming to life, magicians, a man walking on stilts, oh my! What a fantasy performance The Nutcracker is for both children and adults. This was my four year old granddaughter’s second year to see it but it was the sixty something previous date who suggested we should go ahead.  

If the truth were to be known he knows all the songs and starts to hum them as soon as they begin.  What a family tradition if you haven’t started it, START NOW. Read the full review here




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Shatner's World, We Just Live in It: Review of a Legendary Raconteur
by Good News Reporter, Joanne Quinn-Smith

Even if you are not, as one of my associates said to me on an encounter on the way out of the theater, a Shatner Geek, you at least have seen him on the Priceline Commercials as the Negotiator. It is obvious in Shatner's World: We Just Live in It that he has navigated life with as much gusto as he navigates these commercials. In his show, he describes his life growing up in Montreal and reflects on his many acting roles using an assortment of photos and video clips.   

William Shatner
He tells many memorable stories and talks a great deal about the effect his role in Star Trek had on his life and career. His presentation runs a gamut of theatrical talents from corny vaudeville jokes to theatrical pathos and laugh out loud slapstick.  

His only prop, his co-chair, he wields a rolling office chair to wend his way through an interesting life story. A multi-media presentation with music and video and Star Trek Sound Bites make the show both fast paced and believable, truly drawing you into the world of William Shatner. Read the full review here




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Entrepreneurial Thursdays-Funny Business
Great panel at Entrepreneurial Thursdays, but TechnoGranny was outshone by British/American Comedienne Sally Chopping who regaled the panel audience with her rendition of not understanding that Britts and Americans do not speak the same language.

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This was reported as a reproduction of PositvelyPittsburghLive news done by Joanne Quinn-Smith. (c) Joanne Quinn-Smith and PositivelyPittsburghLive(TM) 2012 All rights reserved.


Tara Darazio is a Positively Pittsburgh Live reporter, an independent copywriter, blogger, article writer, and social media strategist. If you are in need of writing assistance, or need help with your social media efforts connect with Tara on LinkedIn here.










Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Positively Pittsburgh Live! Pittsburgh Christmas Lights 12-10-12


Positively Pittsburgh Live!
Pittsburgh Christmas Lights
12-10-12

Guests:
Caren Knoyer, Marketing Director, Oglebay Resort & Conference Center
Stephanie Tomasic, Executive Director, Overly's Country Christmas

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Oglebay Resort - Wheeling, West Virginia 

November 9, 2012 - January 6, 2013 
Sunday - Thursday, 5:30-10:00 p.m. 
Friday - Saturday, 5:30-11:00 p.m. 
Admission: a onetime per car donation is requested; $20 donation includes Oglebay Lights DVD. Trolley tours are offered for $10 per seat.


Special Festival of Lights overnight packages are available at Wilson Lodge. 

Call 800-624-6988 or book online!

Carousel Display
One of America’s largest holiday light shows, the Winter Festival of Lights at Oglebay in Wheeling, West Virginia, will begin November 9, 2012 and continue through January 6, 2013.  This holiday tradition began in 1985 with just five light displays and landscape lighting covering about 125 acres over a three-mile drive throughout the resort. Since then, the show has grown into one of the nation's largest light shows, covering more than three hundred acres over a six-mile drive throughout the resort. Seventy eight larger-than-life light displays are now part of this glowing show including the new amusement park themed Strong Man display added next to the Ferris Wheel and Carousel. Also new this year is the Leaping Frog display and an animated Volcano has also been added to the popular Dinosaur Dell display this year.

Caren Knoyer
Four years ago, the Winter Festival of Lights entered a new “green” era with the commitment to use energy-efficient LED lights in all new displays and to begin converting all existing displays to LED. “We are proud to announce that all the displays at the Festival of Lights are now LED!”  said Caren Knoyer, Marketing Director for Oglebay. “We expected the conversion to take five years so we are actually ahead of schedule.” 

 Rocking Horse Display
Knoyer said that LED lights use 85% less energy than traditional bulbs and last five times longer. “We want to ensure that the Winter Festival of Lights will be glowing for many more years!” Knoyer added. “For example, the animated Rocking Horse Display was first added to the Festival of Lights in 1992, using 85 amps of electricity with traditional light bulbs. Now that the display has been updated with vibrant LED lights and it uses just 12 amps of electricity.”

The Gardens of Light is located in the Oglebay hilltop and gardens area, and features 150 hanging baskets of light plus thousands of lighted flowers, trees and shrubs, combined with distinctive holiday music. Knoyer said that the best way to enjoy the Gardens of Light is to take a stroll along the brick path that leads from Carriage House Glass to the Mansion Museum.
“And after numerous requests, a special CD with the Gardens of Lights music is available at our gift shops this year,” said Knoyer.

Carriage House Glass, the first stop on the Gardens of Light tour, features a large selection of decorative glass and other collectibles. Carriage House Glass is also home to the sparkling Oglebay Institute Glass Museum featuring an extensive collection of West Virginia glass and glassblowing demonstrations. The Gardens of Light continues next door to the Visitors’ Center and the new Farmhouse Sweets and Treats Shoppe. “This new shop features a very large selection of chocolates, plus other candy and regionally produced food products,” said Knoyer.  “Custom gift baskets are also available at Farmhouse Sweets and Treats.”  

Mansion Museum
Just outside the Visitors’ Center lies the magical Christmas Tree Garden.  Introduced in 2003, the Christmas Tree Garden consists of 30 live trees decorated with various colored lights.  Situated in the center of the Christmas Tree Garden is the Nativity Display. The life-size Nativity was designed and created by a local artist, and has been a much-loved display at the Winter Festival of Lights since 1985. The red brick walking path leads from the Christmas Tree Garden to the Greenhouse, Palm Room and Garden Center Gift Shop, where visitors can find live holiday flowers, garden gifts and silk floral arrangements. 
The final stop on the Gardens of Light tour is the Mansion Museum.

The popular Light and Music Extravaganza returns to the Good Zoo again this year. “The show is better than ever this year with new music, new choreography and more lights,” added Knoyer.  The Light and Music Extravaganza takes place nightly on the zoo patio with more than 35,500 LED lights choreographed to exciting holiday music. The zoo at Oglebay will also have their annual holiday model train display at the state’s largest O-Gauge Model Train Exhibit and holiday laser shows at the zoo’s Benedum Theater. Admission to the zoo is $8.00 for adults and $5.50 for children ages 3-12, and this admission includes the Light and Music Extravaganza on the zoo’s patio. 

The 271-room Wilson Lodge at Oglebay offers special overnight packages during the Winter Festival of Lights. Many changes have taken place at the lodge over the years but it is still the centerpiece of Oglebay.  It is festively decorated, inside and out, and bustles with activity including children’s events, delicious holiday dining, cordial gatherings and live musical entertainment. 

The Poinsettia Wreath and Candles
 is the festival’s tallest display.
There is plenty to do and see at Oglebay while waiting for the lights to come on.  The Ihlenfeld Dining Room at Wilson Lodge offers a popular holiday buffet nightly and the family-friendly Glass Works Grill at the lodge is open daily for lunch and dinner. The Winter Festival of Lights is also a special time at all of the Oglebay specialty shops. In addition to the Carriage House Glass, Farmhouse Sweets & Treats, Palm Room and Garden Center shops in the Gardens of Light area, the Resort Shop and West Spa Boutique at Wilson Lodge, Nature Express at the Good Zoo, and the Christmas Shop at the Speidel Golf Club are all fully stocked for the holiday season.  The Christmas Shop is open only during the Festival of Lights and offers a large selection of one-of-a-kind decorations, ornaments and holiday collectibles.  Gift cards are available at all shops, at the Visitors Center and online at Oglebay’s website.

Snowflake Tunnel 
This year, Oglebay is looking for ideas for next year’s Winter Festival of Lights.  “If you have a great idea, enter our Festival of Lights New Idea Contest and your idea could come to life at the 2013-14 Winter Festival of Lights,” said Knoyer.  Entries should be on poster board with name, age, address, phone number and email printed on the back and delivered to the Good Zoo office by January 6, 2013. Complete contest rules are available on the Oglebay website at www.oglebay-resort.com/fol.htm.


The Winter Festival of Lights was listed as one of the 10 Best Christmas Light Displays in the US according to AOL Travel and has been featured on the Travel Channel’s “Most Extreme Christmas Celebrations.” The show is also listed on the American Bus Association's Top International Events, was named as a top 100 event by Eventcrazy.com and was recently listed as one of the top 200 events in the country by Discover America. In 2009 the Festival of Lights was named one of the top 10 best holiday light and tree shows by HotelsCombined.com, a leading hotel search engine.

For more information about Oglebay and the Winter Festival of Lights, call 800-624-6988 or 304-243-4000 or visit www.oglebay-resort.com

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Westmoreland County Fairgrounds, Greensburg, PA
November 16, 2012 - January 1, 2013
Sunday - Thursday, 5:30-10:00 p.m.
Friday - Saturday, 5:30-11:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve Hours, 5:30-9:00 p.m.
Weekday Admission: $10 per car or family van
Weekend Admission: $12 per car or family van
$15 per limousine, extended passenger van or minibus
Gates open nightly at 5:30 p.m., weather permitting
Get Social With Us On:  Facebook, Twitter (@overlys), Pinterest, Foursquare

Train Ride
Overly’s Country Christmas started at the home of Harry Overly in Armbrust, PA in 1956 for his children.  Over the years, it grew in popularity and attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors, sometimes causing traffic problems for the neighbors of his small hometown.  In 1994, the display was moved to the Westmoreland Fairgrounds. Also, in the same year, Harry incorporated into a nonprofit charitable organization to assure the lights and his charitable work would continue long after he was gone.

Sadly, in 1998, Harry died after a two year struggle with leukemia. Dedicated volunteers willing to give of their time each year to continue this Westmoreland County holiday tradition and work hard to assure that Christmas Village and the charitable work continues long after all of us are gone.

Henny Hemlock
Net proceeds from the display and Christmas Village plus other fund raising activities done throughout the year go to the "Lights for Little Ones" endowment fund which was established in July 2001. The fund provides for Overly’s year long work with troubled youth and community outreach initiatives such as the Family Moments Holiday Packages for area families at-risk in Westmoreland, Fayette and Allegheny Counties.       
   



Santa at Overlys
During the Season, Overly’s is a permanent collection site for new, unwrapped toys, nonperishable food items, cat/dog food and kitty litter and personal care items. Through the Share the Magic collections, donations are made to the Mt. Pleasant Salvation Army Angel Tree, the Good Samaritan Center of Mt. Pleasant, In Care of Cats & Others and the veterans at the John Heinz Veterans Hospital in Aspinwall.

Lights Galore at Overlys
Throughout the year, 600+ volunteers willingly give of their time to plan, set up, operate and finally, to tear down and store the display. Nightly, it takes 15 to 45 volunteers to run the display and operate Christmas Village including Santa and Mrs. Claus, the bonfire, outdoor eateries, gift shop and numerous behind the scenes activities.
Overly’s Country Christmas sits on 15 acres at the Westmoreland Fairgrounds in Greensburg, PA with five acres accessible for visitors to come to Christmas Village where they can:

  1. Visit Hartman Station, a g-guage model train display and see a collection of railroad memorabilia
  2. Shop in C. Edgar & Sons General store
  3. Enjoy a char-grilled hamburger or hotdog or a cup of hot chocolate or hot apple cider at our outdoor barbeque, the Country Kitchen.
  4.  Have a snack of kettle korn, a funnel cake or cheesy beef fries at one of the other outdoor eateries.
  5. Visit the life size nativity with live animals
  6. See the lights on a horse drawn wagon or sleigh
  7. Have your photo taken with Santa through December 23
  8. Sing carols ‘round our bonfire
  9. Talk with Henny Hemlock, our quippy Talking Christmas Tree
 And above all, enjoy the sight, smells, tastes and sound of an old-fashioned Christmas with your children and family. For more information, visit www.overlys.com 

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A few other places to view lights this holiday season:

Kennywood Amusement Park, West Mifflin
November 23–25, November 30 - December 2, and December 7-9, 14–16, 21-23, and 26–27, 2012 (Friday, Saturday & Sundays, plus December 26 and 27)
Friday - Sunday, 5:00-9:00 p.m.
Admission: $14.99 per person; children 2 and under are free.

Clinton, PA
November 17, 2012 - January 6, 2013
Open daily from 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. (including holidays)
Admission: $10 per car donation goes to support area charities
FINDLAY TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL BUILDING. PO BOX 177 CLINTON, PA 15026

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***************WIN FREE PASSES TO OVERLY'S!!!!***********

Share your Christmas Decoration pictures and have a chance to get one of ten passes for a carload to Overly Country Christmas at Westmoreland Fairgrounds. Send your pictures of your home or office decorations to: info@pplmag.com

Jpeg's only please. Also need: full name, address, email, and phone number

The best ten pictures will be chosen to receive the Carload Passes for Overly but all pictures will be posted in a video with Christmas music with your name so we all know how wonderful your lights are. The video will be posted between Christmas and New Year's on the front page of: http://pplmag.com

Last date to send in your pictures so that you can get and use your passes: December 20, 2012 at Midnight. Overly's runs through January 5.

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This was reported as a reproduction of PositvelyPittsburghLive news done by Joanne Quinn-Smith. (c) Joanne Quinn-Smith and PositivelyPittsburghLive(TM) 2012 All rights reserved.


Tara Darazio is a Positively Pittsburgh Live reporter, an independent copywriter, blogger, article writer, and social media strategist. If you are in need of writing assistance, or need help with your social media efforts connect with Tara on LinkedIn here.