Local Tidings
Check out the Center for Sustainable Landscapes, sip local wines, and visit
Tamari’s new location! Edited by Katie Green

Breaking Green Ground

Western Pennsylvania just got greener. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is leading the pack in sustainable architecture and landscape design with its new Center for Sustainable Landscapes. After the project’s completion in Spring 2012, Pittsburgh will be home to one of the world’s first certified living buildings. “We are excited about the opportunity this new building gives us to show how important issues such as green buildings and operations, health, food, and the environment are all interrelated and connected,” says Richard Piacentini, executive director of Phipps. The Center for Sustainable Landscapes will feature vertical axis wind turbines, constructed wetlands, a green roof, and many more sustainable building practices. Phipps accepted the Living Building Challenge as part of their initiative to make our planet a cleaner, safer place for, us to live — and we love that! Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, 412.622.6914. www.phipps.conservatory.org — Abby DiBenedetto

Let’s Do Lunch

From December 1-30, The Pines Tavern will be serving its Chef’s Christmas Luncheon Tasting menu. It’s a three-course meal, starting with Chef Jason Culp’s soup of the day or the house salad. Choose from four entrees (we’re ordering the Crab Mac and Cheese, topped with crispy panko bread crumb crust), and finish it off with the Red Velvet Trifle, served in a martini glass with fresh whipped cream and raspberries. The Pines Tavern, 5018 Bakerstown Road, Gibsonia. 724.625.2010. www.thepinestavern.com

New Location

Tamari, our favorite Asian fusion restaurant in Lawrenceville, is opening a new location in Warrendale this December! Check out the new location with the same delicious menu at 701 Warrendale Village Drive. Tamari, 3519 Butler St., Lawrenceville. 512.325.3435. www.tamaripgh.com

Appliance Alliance

Forty years ago, Don Hillebrand founded Don’s Appliances, and after graduating from high school, his son, Terry, started working for the company. After college, oldest son, Tim, joined the Don’s team, and 11 years later, brothers Jason, Matt, and Nick had joined Don’s. At that time, Tim left and opened up Hillmon Appliance Distributors in Cranberry. “I wanted to concentrate on the architects, the kitchen designers, and the builders a little bit more, and I wanted to move to the North Hills area,” Tim says. “We were friendly competition, but we were still competition with each other. They asked me [in 2010] what I thought about merging and getting everything together, and the more I thought about it, it just made a lot of sense.” Tim says along with avoiding competition with his dad, the businesses would be more effective together than functioning independently. “We were two of the leaders in Pittsburgh with [Don’s] being a little larger,” he says. “Together we’re the strongest appliance retailer in the area. It’s helped everything.”

According to Tim, the merger has encouraged a lot of cooperation back and forth between stores and opened up options for shoppers. “We don’t have to show the same exact model in every store, which gives customers more options if they’re calling and looking for a particular model, and we send them to a store that’s closer to them.”

More than that, the merger of Don’s Appliances and Hillmon Appliance has had a positive family impact. “It’s nice working with my brothers and dad again,” Tim says. Tim’s brother Nick agrees. “We can also now combine resources, saving money and passing that savings on to our customers allowing us to compete on price with anyone,” he says. “Our parents started this business from the ground up, and moving forward, we want to continue to make them proud of what they have created for our family and work hard to be the best appliance store in the Country.” Hillmon Appliance Distributors, 310 Commerce Park Drive, Cranberry. 724.779.9393. www.hillmonappliance.com Don’s Appliances, www.donsappliances.com — Ben Boskovich

Eco-Friendly Eaton

Western Pennsylvania has another green accolade to add to its list — Eaton Corporation, a diversified power management company with offices in Beaver, has received the Green Power: Turn it On! Award from Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future — one of the state’s leading environmental organizations. Eaton was recognized for its contributions to Pennsylvania’s economy and environment, and for furthering the state’s renewable energy market. “Eaton is working to help solve one of our area’s greatest challenges —

delivering more power to help the world grow without consuming more of the world’s resources,” says Dave Tallman, vice president, Americas, Marketing, Eaton’s Electrical Sector. Eaton Corporation, www.eaton.com

Seasonal Updates

We don’t have to give up on fresh food just yet! With bushels of fresh mushrooms still in season, George E. DeLallo Company’s handpicked mushrooms from farms in Bradenville, Pa., add an “earthy nutty” flavor to these winter recipes:

Try a creamy risotto of fresh mushrooms and generous shavings of Parmigiano-Reggiano. • Create a baked lasagna of sliced mushrooms, diced Piquillo peppers, and a smooth cream sauce. • Sauté hearty squares of polenta, then top with a garlicky, mushroom sauce, melted Gouda, and a sprinkling of fresh parsley. George E. DeLallo Company, 6390 Route 30, Jeannette. 724.523.6577. www.delallo.com