Mt. Lebanon's Romantic, Upscale Luma A Shining Light

At Luma restaurants, cold, rain, sleet and snow don't bother customers who want to enjoy al fresco dining.

Chefs and co-owners Greg Ackerman and Michael Rudman employ a "patio-driven concept" at all three of their restaurants -- Luma in Aspinwall, Willow in Ohio Township and another Luma, which recently opened in Mt. Lebanon. The atmosphere is as romantic and upscale as the food, and the menu is changed three times a year to add seasonal depth, says Rudman, who oversees the kitchen. Ackerman is in charge of the front of the house.

Link: www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/living/fooddrink/cookingclass/s_544805.html

Association Aims To Boost Castle Shannon Boulevard Business

Take a walk along Mt. Lebanon's Castle Shannon Boulevard between Pennsylvania Boulevard and the Shop 'n Save and you might be one of the few people out there.

Lots of vehicles pass by -- about 18,000, according to a 2002 study by PBS&J, a civil engineering firm with offices in Coraopolis and Canonsburg. But not too many who drive them stop and shop at the 45 or so establishments located on the one-mile stretch of road.

"People forget we are a business community down here," said Cassie Gillen, 37, who owns Josephine Florals Furnishing Finds at 190 Castle Shannon Blvd.

Link: www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/today/s_515642.html

Park Plaza Work Begins

Developers have started clearing the forest and grading a five-acre parcel in Mt. Lebanon, near its border with Castle Shannon. Kossman Development Co. will build an office complex called Park Plaza on land it has owned for more than 50 years.

Attempts to develop the land as townhouses and a drugstore failed after neighbors protested that the area was too congested with traffic and that other plans were too big for the site.

Link: www.postgazette.com/pg/07137/786570-55.stm