Snow Blankets Sewickley Area, But It Falls a Day Late for Some

Heavy morning precipitation makes it a white day after Christmas.

Sewickley-area residents found themselves digging out of the snow on Wednesday. Accumulation in the Sewickley Valley area fell short of the 4 to 8 inches predicted, but heavy midmorning precipitation left plenty of motorists wishing they’d stayed at home. Meanwhile, others were celebrating a white day after Christmas. “I love the snow,” said Sarah Elste, 16, of Sewickley, citing her enjoyment of skiing. “Snow’s my favorite, even if it did come a day late.” She and fellow family members—sisters Lydia, 13, and Clare, 8, along with mother, Amy—ive a couple of blocks from Starbucks on Beaver Street. “We were shoveling snow all day and thought we should walk down to get some hot chocolate,” Amy said as the group relaxed inside the store late …

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Holiday Shopping: Local Gift Ideas Around $25

Now that Thanksgiving's over and the turkey's all in pieces, we'll be looking for gifts that won't cost a wing and a leg. We're out poking around the area shops for just that perfect thing.

Remember when $25 would get you a fine pair of winter boots? Neither do we. We do know that $25 is about right when it comes to buying a holiday gift for a friend or helpful co-worker or the neighbor who brings the trash cans back from the curb when you're on vacation. We've been out looking around, and here's what we found. At House 15143, the new shop in Sewickley Village, they have a bunch of rocks. But these are special rocks. Whiskey Stones are soapstone cubes that keep your drink cold without diluting it with melting ice. Store the rocks in your freezer and toss them into drinks as you would ice cubes. Just be careful that some bleary morning you don't toss the rocks into your mango-banana smoothie. We hate to think what that might …

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Business Notebook

A Warm and Inviting House 15143

The new shop helps you decorate, stage and color your home.

There is a new house on the block. That would be House 15143. House 15143 is at 439 Beaver St. in Sewickley; it’s the house with the slate-gray paint job, clean white trim and flower boxes overflowing with daisies. Even more charming is what's inside House 15143, where owners Danielle Franks and Kristin Bordeau offer retail home accents and furniture as well as design services. "Whether you are a first-time homeowner or simply ready to freshen up your look, we can help you,” Franks said. The business had its grand opening Sept. 10 at the annual Harvest Festival. House 15143 attracted so many shoppers that the store was wall-to-wall people all day long. The space is filled with loads of unique new and vintage finds. Everything from accent …

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