Harvest Blessings
Register for a healthy eating conference, find out about fall festivals,
and bask in greener streetlights for our gorgeous city.
By Jessie Cadle

Power Full

A day of cooking demos, panel discussions, and lunch make up Allegheny General Hospital’s Integrated Medicine Program, “The Healing Power of Food,” on October 23. The event seeks to raise awareness about the best ways to eat tasty food in a smart diet, by discussing programs such as the Mediterranean diet and the Traditional Chinese Medicine diet. “Research clearly shows that the right food choices can prevent and even treat many diseases and conditions,” said Betsy Blazek-O’Neill, MD, Chair of the Integrated Medicine Program. Panel experts will chat about the scientific evidence and case studies regarding how seemingly small food choices create a ripple effect in wellness. The event promotes Allegheny General Hospital’s latest efforts to include nutritional counseling and holistic medicine into their programs. Event Coordinator Dana Peterman is most excited about the panel discussions, because “participants actually get to ask what they want to know.” Though she adds, “the cooking demos aren’t bad either.” For registration and more information, call 877.284.2000.

Idyllic Fall

Quintessential fall activities include tractor rides, picking pumpkins, and eating apples. Now they are available every weekend in October at Soergel Orchards and Garden Center for its Fall Festivals. Each week boasts a different theme, and activities include games for kids and live music for adults, with plenty of fresh apples (sometimes up to 20 varieties) to go around. The orchard has been around since 1850, and has grown up from a farm stand. “Where else can you go and pick your own pumpkin and then have a pot roast sandwich? It’s just a crazy-fun atmosphere for kids and adults,” says event coordinator Jenny Osterman. Soergel Orchards, 2573 Brandt School Road, Wexford. 724.935.1743. www.soergels.com .

The Best Babka

Don’t settle for, in the words of Seinfeld character Elanie Bennis, a “lesser babka.” On October 16, you can get your hands on a chocolate babka bread in celebration of Breadworks’ 31st birthday. The bread gained national recognition on the sitcom, and just like on the show, orders for the round loaf, made with sweet dough and chunks of chocolate should be placed in advanced … because everyone wants to serve the babka that reigns supreme. Breadworks, 2110 Brighton Road, North Side. 412.231.7555.

City Has Green Light For Greener Lights

Three thousand streetlights in 30 neighborhoods in Pittsburgh will be converted to energy efficient light-emitting diode (LED) lights to reduce the city’s carbon footprint. The grant of $816,105 from Governor Edward G. Rendell is part of a four-part program to convert all 40,000 streetlights in Pittsburgh to LED versions. Currently, our lights use 2.3 kilowats of electricity and cost the city $3.2 million per year, with the first wave of changes, taxpayers will save $110,00 per year. These streetlights were chosen by South Side residents when Mayor Luke Ravenstahl installed a pilot program for various green technologies. Work will most likely begin in the summer of 2011. City of Pittsburgh, city.pittsburgh.pa.us.

21st Century Farm Stand

Organic corn? Check. Locally brewed coffee? Check. Homemade pasta?

Check. Thanks to Penn’s Corner Farm Alliance’s new farm stand initiative, consumers can pick exactly what they want from an online list and pick up their food at the Squirrel Hill or new Mt. Lebanon location once a month. Unlike Community Supported Agriculture programs, where recipients obtain a box of pre-selected produce, the online farm stand’s products range from breads to ice cream to cheese all made locally, and the stand is open all year, explains coordinator Lydia Vanderhill. The participating farms are located on the outskirts of Pittsburgh, and the program gives them better exposure in the city. “Having an online ordering system makes it really convenient. Just check what you want and pick it up, we do the rest,” says Vanderhill. Penn’s Corner Farm Alliance, 412.363.1971. www.pennscorner.com .

Use Your Head (of Lettuce)

The Milestone Specialty Produce team never meant to sell their lettuce; the company first grew it as part of its therapeutic program for people with special needs. The lettuce is available at East End Food Co-op, Right By Nature, McGinnis Sisters in Monroeville, and now, Market District from Giant Eagle. Lettuce was the chosen crop because it grows quickly, and Milestone uses a state-of-the-art hydroponic (meaning that it’s grown in water), sustainable system that eschews harsh chemicals and is equipped with a computer to monitor the nutrients, temperature, light, humidity, etc. The greenhouse also boasts a closed circulation system where the plants are fed with nutrient-charged water that is recharged daily, which means no water is wasted. “Consumers purchasing the lettuce are helping those with mental disabilities, and it’s really good lettuce,” says Director of Business Steve Antin. Milestone Specialty Produce, 412.362.4769.  www.growpittsburgh.org .

Fairmont Pittsburgh gets LEED Gold Certification

Fairmont Pittsburgh has officially received its LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The hotel, located at Three PNC Plaza, is Pittsburgh’s only LEED-certified hotel. In order to receive the certification, Fairmont Pittsburgh met criteria in energy savings, recycled construction waste, water use reduction, improved indoor air quality, green building materials, a local focus, and green operations. “We are proud to continue Fairmont Hotels & Resorts’ tradition of operational sustainability and responsible tourism here at the Pittsburgh location,” says Fairmont Pittsburgh general manager Leonard Czarnecki. “In fact, Fairmont Pittsburgh is the first LEED-certified project for Fairmont, and we are looking forward to growing our reputation as a responsible member of this community.” Fairmont Pittsburgh, 412.773.8800. www.fairmont.com/pittsburgh .

Fall Fun

Quality Gardens’ Fall Festival, taking place on October 9, will celebrate the season with beermaking demonstrations, homemade harvest soups made by Martellas, and sweets baked by Perfect Pastry. The free event will also include a seminar presented by master gardener Jan Stirling, with tips for how to add color to your front stoop, music by singer Amanda Noah, and a corn maze and pumpkin patch. Each following weekend during the month, the garden center will also offer crafts for kids, including how to make your own scarecrow and candied nutmaking with Keener’s Just Nuts. Quality Gardens, 724.625.2770. www.quality-gardens.com .

Savor Pittsburgh

The SouthSide Works was the setting for Savor Pittsburgh, the region’s most elite food competition. A panel of judges, including Edible Allegheny’s own Victoria Bradley, tasted while more than 50 restaurants competed for the coveted titles, including the WHIRL Magazine People’s Choice Award, which was given to McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant. The American Respiratory Alliance was the evening’s beneficiary, which collected more than $120,000 for the cause.