Equita, a new retail shop in the old Ice House Factory, 43rd Street, Lawrenceville, has brought something new to the 'Burgh -- a selection of Fair Trade, organic and green essentials for the environmentally conscious.

Equita is owned by Sara and Amanda Parks, sisters who were born and raised in Pittsburgh, and Amanda's husband, Michael Solano.

Their inventory includes food and other products from around the world that are made under safe, sustainable and fair working conditions by artisans, farmers and cooperatives in developing countries.

Besides Fair Trade coffee, chocolate, tea, honey, cashews, jams, hot chocolate, spices and other items, the store carries home furnishings, kitchen and bath items, clothes, jewelry, handbags, body care products and baby clothes. Details: 412-353-0109.

A green happy hour

WYEP's Allegheny Front environmental radio program is hosting a Holiday Happy Hour from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday with regional food and drink.

Featured will be local meats, vegetarian wraps, fruits and cheeses, as well as locally brewed beers, regional wines and nonalcoholic drinks.

Anyone interested in the environment is invited to WYEP's Broadcast Center, 67 Bedford Square, South Side. A $5 donation is requested. Details: 412-697-2933.

Victorian Christmas Festival

The music hall at Carnegie Library of Homestead, Munhall, will be the setting for dinner and holiday music at its annual Victorian Christmas Festival on Dec. 9.

The Candlelight Dinner will be at 5:30 p.m. and a concert at 3 p.m. by Valley Voices and East Wind Saxes. Food is by Conrad Catering and tickets are $30. Reservations are a must and are due by tomorrow.

Tickets for the concert only are $10. Call 412-462-3444, ext. 227.

Takeout lasagna for dinner

As holiday shopping segues from leisurely to frantic, frazzled gift buyers are often too whipped to even think about making dinner. Wouldn't it be lovely to have a homemade lasagna waiting in the fridge?

The Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God in Whitehall can make that happen with their first Holiday Shoppers Lasagna Takeout Dinner on Dec. 8.

Choose between vegetable or meat lasagna; dinner includes coleslaw, roll and a brownie. Deadline to order is noon Tuesday. Call 412-885-7232.

Time for the All-Clad sale

All-Clad cookware will hold its annual seconds and overruns sale at the Washington County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m .to 7 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Crate in Scott also participates Friday through Sunday.

Crate hours are 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Please don't call the store because clerks will be busy. Check out details on www.cratecook.com.

Swiss fudge to order

Have a yen for rich, creamy fudge made with imported Swiss chocolate? Stefan Cueni, formerly of Basel, Switzerland, and now living in McCandless, is ready to fill that sweet tooth with a variety of flavors -- dark chocolate, chocolate almond, peanut butter, amaretto and butterscotch.

Cost is $4 for a 1/4-pound slice. What's more, he'll even deliver within a 10-mile radius on orders of $16 or more. Details: 412-780-9245.

The last word

"'Roast Beef, Medium' is not only a food. It is a philosophy... safe, sane and sure." Author Edna Ferber