Tribune - Review / Pittsburgh Tribune - Review

Trib's Annual Operation Santa Claus Drive Sets $141,000 Goal

Operation Santa Claus is getting ready to put dinner on the table. But it takes plenty of helping hands to serve up a holiday meal for thousands of needy families in Western Pennsylvania. The Tribune-Review's 2009 campaign will provide a festive and nutritious meal for 8,677 households, with assistance from the Salvation Army and Shop 'n Save.

Wpial Soccer All-Stars

The selected WPIAL Soccer All-Stars from each classification. Boys soccer all-stars

Review: Love Story in 'Young Victoria' Outpaces the Political Story

British political history swirls around "The Young Victoria." Ignore it.

Celebrities Became Designers During Decade That Yielded 'Project Runway'

The most significant news in the fashion industry once had to do with hemlines and silhouettes. Old-guard fashion editors proclaimed Christian Dior's 1947 "Bar suit" emblematic of a "New Look" and the designer ended up on the cover of Time magazine for transforming the way women dressed. When fashion made a profound aesthetic shift in the 1980s and the 1990s with consumers embracing ostentation -- logos, designer handbags and $200 jeans -- the news was mostly greeted as a sign of our moral de...

An in-Depth Look at the Decade in Women's College Basketball

The Tribune-Review staff breaks down the best and worst moments of the decade in women's college basketball. Five signature moments

Trafford's Church Group's Prayer Shawls Knit Full of Compassion

When Jane Pogue of North Huntingdon was undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer in 2008, she received a prayer shawl crocheted by members of the Christ United Methodist Church of Bethel Park. "It had a card that said while it was being made, the person who made it was praying for me, and it had been blessed," Pogue said.

Circle of Friends Change Irwin Man's World

Bill Lutz had it all -- his health, a good job and a wife and a daughter. But one diagnosis changed everything. Lutz, 36, of Irwin was diagnosed with Huntington's disease about five years ago. Shortly after that, he lost his job, his marriage and his ability to drive a car.

Yough Middle School Wins First Place in Lego League Competition

Using a little imagination and a lot of ingenuity, the girls ROBO team from Yough Middle School took home a first-place trophy in this year's Lego League Competition. The annual competition was held at Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Institute and welcomed 71 teams from around the state.

Food Bank Reaps Benefits of Norwin Fun Fair

Christmas is a special time of year, and the students of the Sheridan Terrace Elementary School in the Norwin School District have once again given a gift that reflects the season. The 500 students of the K-4 school participated in a holiday fun fair. All money generated at the event is being donated to a local food bank.

Penn-Trafford Grad Ends Successful Duquesne Career

When looking back at the college football career of Mike Rasky, Duquesne University football coach Jerry Schmitt paid him the ultimate compliment. "He's the perfect student-athlete," Schmitt said. "He was one of those student-athletes that was a pleasure to work with for all the years he was here," the coach continued. "He was a very competitive, very intelligent football player. He was a very reliable receiver who made some big plays for us over the years, and he was very successful in the c...

Franklin Regional Graduate Helps Blaze Trail at Ohio University

A.J. Strum wants to make history -- again. During his high school days at Franklin Regional, Strum was a big part of the history-making football team that won the 2005 PIAA Class AAA title, the school's first-ever state championship.

Penn-Trafford Students Collect Treats for Troops, Toys for Tots

Members of the Community Action Program at Penn-Trafford High School worked to make the holiday season better for military personnel and underprivileged children. The group teamed with the Bushy Run Lions Club to participate in the American Red Cross "Treats for Troops" and the Marine Corps Reserves' "Toys for Tots" programs.

Christmas 2009: Yes, Virginia ...

In September 1897, a letter in the handwriting of a child arrived at The New York Sun. Upon its receipt, the editor summoned Francis P. Church, an editorial writer. "Here," he said, "take this letter and write a reply to it."

Remember Our Brave Troops This Christmas Day

Secularism Harms U.S.

In his column "It's not the White Christmas House" (Dec. 20 and TribLIVE.com), atheist Christopher Hitchens tries to sound like he is relying on historical evidence in arguing that a Nativity display in the White House is problematic for the First Amendment. Mr. Hitchens' argument is refuted by the historical evidence he so studiously avoids mentioning. First, the First Amendment only barred the establishment of a national church, such as the Church of England. It certainly did not prohibit g...

Patient Safety First

The news story "City agrees to narrow zone for abortion protests" (Dec. 18 and TribLIVE.com) by Brian Bowling was filled with inaccuracies and linguistic sleights of hand regarding the recent U.S. District Court ruling about clinic buffer zones. While bringing only one side of the story to the table, Mr. Bowling distorts the facts in a professionally negligent and inflammatory way. Insinuating that the city ordinance was an effort spearheaded to restrict speech, Bowling completely ignores the...

Inane Issue

The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership ("Group serious about 'Light Up Night' name," Dec. 17 and TribLIVE.com) needs to get a life! This group has owned the phrase "Light Up Night" since 2003? It has a federally registered trademark? Research shows it costs about $500 to register a trademark. Tax dollars at work?

Lower That Hemline During Business Hours

Question: I have great legs (if I do say so myself), but I get disapproving frowns from people in my office if I wear a skirt shorter than about eight inches above the knee. How short is too short in the workplace? Answer: The looks you're getting should tell you that eight inches is considered too short in your office. Actually, it's too short in any office -- no matter what the "leg men" in the workplace may think.

Plum Singer Makes Finals in National Talent Contest

Singer Amy Colalella, 16, of Plum has advanced to the final round of the "Are You a Superstar?" national online talent search. The contest is conducted by the Miley Cyrus fan club.

Area Under Winter Weather Advisory Until Noon

A winter weather advisory is in effect from 6 a.m. until noon today. Click here for the latest forecast