Let’s Move Pittsburgh, the Michelle Obama-inspired program that’s trying to get Pittsburgh fitter and healthier, is holding a symposium from noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 12, at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Oakland.
Parents, teachers and community leaders will share information and ideas on how to advance Pittsburgh’s work toward becoming one of the healthiest cities for children.
The symposium will focus on Let’s Move Pittsburgh’s new initiative, “5-2-1-0,” a campaign to get kids to eat at least five servings of fruits or vegetables every day, spend two hours or less in recreational screen time, spend at least one hour in physical activity, and drink no sugary beverages.
The keynote speaker is Dr. Victoria Rogers, director of “Let’s Go,” a similar program based out of Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center. A panel of students and parents will talk about the challenges and benefits of healthy eating and physical activity, as well as what community resources they use to help with these goals. There will be two breakout sessions — one focusing on healthful eating and the other on physical activity for children.
Cost of $15 includes lunch. To register: phipps.conservatory.org/shop/lets-move-pittsburgh-2015-symposium-registration.
Festivals
Bounty at Boyce Mayview Park Fall Fest: Kids’ crafts, petting zoo, baking contest, s’mores-making, apple slingshots, live music and food. 11 a.m. Saturday at Boyce Mayview Park in Upper St. Clair. Free admission. twpusc.org/rec-leisure/.
Beers of the Burgh Winter Warmer: Seasonal offerings from more than 30 Western Pennsylvania breweries such as spiced and pumpkin ales, plus food trucks and live music. 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at 412 Bingham St., South Side (VIP session starts at 3 p.m.). $45; $59 for VIPs; $20 for designated drivers; ages 21 and up only. Proceeds benefit Variety the Children’s Charity’s programs for children with disabilities. E-mail: beersoftheburgh@gmail.com; website: beersoftheburgh.com/winterwarmer/.
Polishfest ’15: Folk dancing, cultural displays, Polish gift mart, Lithuanian and Polish cooking and folk art demos, children’s crafts, Polish bakery, ethnic foods, live polka music. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Cathedral of Learning, Oakland. Free. 814-969-5940.
Healthful food
ExtraVEGANza Brunch: A slow food, 14-item brunch with chef demos. Meal will include raw acai chia falooda, fermented green tea salad, raw Mediterranean pizza, vegan nog and more. Noon Saturday at Schwartz Market, South Side. $40; $10 for ages 8 to 14; free for younger children. nov7brunch.brownpapertickets.com.
Girl Friday Cooking Co.: This new paleo cooking business at 3540 Washington Ave., Finleyville, celebrates its grand opening with festivities from 3 to 11 p.m. Saturday. girlfridaycookingco.com.
Fermenting classes
Fermenting Foods 101: Jenneta Mammedova of Prescription Foods discusses the health benefits of fermented foods such as kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir and yogurt; food samples will be provided. 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Carnegie Library’s Downtown branch. Free.
Community Create Night — Fermentation: Learn a variety of vegetable fermentation methods to reduce food waste and increase health. 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 17, at Chatham University’s Eden Hall Campus. $10; $5 for students with ID. Register: chatham.edu/events/.
Holiday food gifts
Open House Vino Style: Dreadnought Wines in Lawrenceville invites customers to explore the store’s new location and taste its offerings with a free open house at 6 p.m. Thursday. The event is designed to showcase holiday gifts. RSVP is requested at 412-391-1709.
Rum cakes: The Woodlands is taking orders for holiday rum cakes and apricot brandy cakes through Dec. 23. Cost is $15 for 6-inch cakes or $20 for 8-inch cakes. To order: mywoodlands.org. Proceeds benefit Woodlands programs for individuals with disabilities or chronic illnesses.
Reader input sought
Thanksgiving is a time for tradition; we usually prepare the same dishes year after year for the family feast. However, occasionally we mix it up a little, and the results can be either wonderful or disastrous. Have you ever tried to change it up? We'd love to hear your success stories or your tales of shame and woe. Or, if you're planning something new for this year, we'd like to hear what you're planning to do differently. Share your "changing up Thanksgiving" tales with Rebecca Sodergren at pgfoodevents@hotmail.com.
Charitable events
Urban Grange: Celebrate homegrown food, craft brews and music, and rub elbows with local growers and producers. 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 13, at Spirit in Lawrenceville. $25 benefits Grow Pittsburgh. growpittsburgh.org.
Hot Pink Dessert First: Desserts from local pastry chefs, hors d’oeuvres and dessert-inspired dinner items, silent auction, live music. 7 p.m. Nov. 13, at Heinz Field Champions Club, North Shore. $125 benefits Adagio Health. adagiohealth.org.
Soup N’At: Soup, bread, sweet snack and voting on local artist projects; top vote-getter takes home the evening’s proceeds to put toward their artwork. 6 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 22, at Union Project, 801 N. Negley Ave., Highland Park. $10. facebook.com (search on “Soup N’At”).
Rebecca Sodergren: pgfoodevents@hotmail.com or on Twitter @pgfoodevents.
First Published: November 4, 2015, 5:00 a.m.
