FALL 2012
Whitehall Community Day Plus! Brentwood Borough News Brentwood Borough School District News Baldwin Borough News
COMMUNITY MAGAZINE
IN Community Magazines (ICM) is seeking nominations for its Community Awards for Service Excellence (C.A.S.E.). We know that what makes communities great are the special people who volunteer their time, talent and effort to help others. ICM would like to honor those special people, but we need your help. IN Community Magazines’ C.A.S.E. Dinner will recognize volunteers from each of ICM’s 36 magazines.
Awardees will be selected in the following categories: Volunteer of the Year; Youth Volunteer of the Year (21 years and younger); Small non-profit of the Year (staff of 10 or less); Large non-profit of the Year (staff of 11 or more). Awardees and those who nominated them will be honored at the awards dinner in Spring 2013. During the dinner an awardee from the Volunteer of the Year and Youth Volunteer of the Year categories will be selected to receive a donation for his or her chosen charity.
Name of nominee: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone: ____________________________________________ Email: ___________________________________________ Category (circle one): Volunteer of the Year, Youth Volunteer of the Year (21 years and younger); Small non-profit (staff of 10 or less); Large non-profit (staff of 11 or more) Which IN Community Magazine is this nomination for? ___________________________________________________________ Name of person submitting nomination: _____________________________________________________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone: ___________________________________________ Email: __________________________________________ Why are you nominating this person or non-profit organization? (Please, submit a typewritten statement of no more than 600 words) Send nomination form and statement to: Monica Haynes, IN Community Magazines, 603 E. McMurray Road, McMurray, PA 15317 If you have any questions, please, contact Monica Haynes at 412.254.8704 or monicahaynes2012@gmail.com. Deadline for nominations is 10/19/2012.
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INSIDE
IN Brentwood Baldwin-Whitehall is a non-partisan community publication dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the Brentwood Baldwin-Whitehall area and its comprising municipalities by focusing on the talents and gifts of the people who live and work here. Our goal is to provide readers with the most informative and professional regional publica tion in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
2012
White Comm hall unity Day
COM MUN ITY MAG AZIN E
Plus! Brentw Boroug ood h News Brentw Boroug ood h Distric School Baldwi t News n Boroug h News
IN Brentwood Baldwin-Whitehall | FALL 2012
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COMMUNITY INTEREST
Briefly Brentwood Borough News . | 7 Brentwood Baldwin Whitehall Chamber .............................................. | 24 ON THE COVER
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People of all ages came together for the Whitehall Community Day to celebrate the things that make Whitehall great. Cover photo by Primetime Shots Photography
UPMC Today | Health and Wellness News You Can Use ................................... | 33 Baldwin Borough News ................... | 42 Brentwood Borough School District News ...................................................... | 44
UPMC TODAY Health and Wellness News You Can Use | Fall 2012
Get Ready for Fall Soon the leaves will change color and fall to the ground — a welcome mat for cooler days, chilly nights, football games, hayrides, warm sweaters, and everything else that makes fall special.
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
What’s Inside 2 3
Elevating Cancer Surgery for Women to a New Level
Hayes Chiropractic
Give Your Back a Break Using Your Blood for Natural Healing
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A Partnership of Hope and Transformation
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Magee’s Newest Baby Is Two Stories Tall — and Ready for Guests
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Your Doctor and You: A Healthy Relationship
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What You Might Not Know About Going to the Chiropractor (Part 2)! ............................ | 58
Southwestern Group, Ltd. FEATURES
Whitehall Community Day 2012 .......................................
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Car Buffs Abound in the Region .......................................
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Back to School ........................................................................
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Comcast Scholarships ..........................................................
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In the Garden of Trains .........................................................
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Baldwin Library Teen Summer Drama Club Performs “Squeal” ................................................................
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A Vision of Freedom .............................................................
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Equitable Gas ..........................................................................
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Accent Music and School of Performing Arts .............
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Supercuts .................................................................................
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SPOTLIGHTS
Assisted Care Residence, “Make the Right Choice” ............................................. | 69
Welcome to the fall issue of Brentwood Baldwin-Whitehall magazine. As I write this, we are having one of the hottest summers on record, and it doesn’t look like the record-breaking temperatures will end just because the leaves will be changing colors soon. So while this is the fall issue, I want to reiterate some summer tips from the health department to help you stay safe in the heat. The last two po ints are probably the most critical because they deal with children and the elderly. • Stay cool indoors, preferably in an air-conditioned environment. Fans don’t help much when temperatures are in the 90s. A cool bath or shower is a more effective way to cool off, if you don’t have air conditioning. Better yet, visit someplace that does, such as a senior center, theater, mall or neighbor’s house. • Drink plenty of fluids, at least eight cups a day, but avoid alcoholic or caffeinated drinks which actually cause you to lose more fluids. Avoid hot foods and heavy meals, which add heat to your body. • Wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing. A wide-brimmed hat provides shade and helps keep the head cool. Sunscreen can prevent sunburn, which can affect your body’s ability to cool itself a nd also cause a loss of body fluids. • Avoid strenuous physical activity, particularly during the hotter part of the day. • Never leave a child, or a pet, in a vehicle alone on a hot day. A child may become disoriented in just five minutes, unconscious in 10 and brain-damaged in 20. • Use the buddy system and check on the elderly and the infirm who do not have air conditioning and are less able to take ca re of themselves. For senior citizens, local governments also establish cooling centers to help people to beat the heat. Contact your local municipality for the one nearest you before the temperatures top 90 again. As always, enjoy your fall, Brentwood Baldwin-Whitehall!
Wayne Dollard, Publisher
WE WANT TO KNOW: How did you meet your spouse?
Some of the best stories we hear are how two people happened to get together. Some met in bars, some in supermarkets, while others met in more unique circumstances. Send us your story of how you met your spouse. We’ll run the best ones in the next issue. Also include a photo of you and your spouse, how many years you’ve been married and when your anniversary is. Send your story to mark@incommunitymagazines.com or mail them to IN Community Magazines, 603 East McMurray Road, McMurray, PA 15317. You can also fax us at 724.942.0968. Winter content deadline: 10/29/12
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Briefly Brentwood Borough News FROM THE DESK OF MAYOR LOCKHART…
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he summer was so great. With so many people out and about, it makes you want to hold on to the warm weather for a bit longer; that is the 80 degree temperatures or lower. The extreme heat is now behind us and we look forward to the cooler fall temps where sweaters, jackets and falling leaves will be the items of the day.
As the new school year begins, I ask that you take extra caution when driving; young children and students will be more visible when walking to school. Also, be prepared for the vehicle in front of you to stop when dropping off children on the side streets, close to the school. I recommend you consider safety first when driving, as the children are anxious for the first week of school to see their friends and make new friends. In this issue of the IN Community Magazine, there are several events that will be taking place in the Borough, up to the end of the year. There are many organizations within the Borough that plan events that are family oriented and the cost is minimal. Hopefully you will attend these functions that are right in your back yard. I would like to thank all the volunteers that have worked the 5-K Race Committee and the 4th of July Committee, which involves a lot of time and effort to continuously make these annual events a DATES TO REMEMBER success. It was another great 4th of July Below is a listing of several events in the celebration in Brentwood! Borough. Please call a friend and plan to spend some time together and participate. There’s something here for everyone! Respectfully, Ken Lockhart, Mayor
BPI Golf Outing – Friday, Sept. 14th 51 Corridor Golf Outing – Monday, Sept. 17 October Fest – Thursday, Oct. 4 EMS Fall Craft Show – Saturday, Oct. 13 EMS – CPR Classes – Saturday, Oct. 20 Redd-Up Day – Saturday, Oct. 20 Halloween – Wednesday, Oct. 31 Light Up Night – Tuesday, Nov. 13
Brentwood Baldwin-Whitehall | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com
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Briefly Brentwood Borough News BOROUGH MEETINGS: Committee Meetings are the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m., if necessary. Council meetings are the 3rd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m., at the Brentwood Municipal Building.
BOROUGH OFFICES CLOSED: On the following dates the Borough Offices will be closed: • Veteran’s Day – Monday, Nov. 12th • Thanksgiving Day and day after, Thursday and Friday, Nov. 22nd and 23rd. • Christmas Day – Tuesday, Dec. 25th
DON’T FORGET YOUR VOTE COUNTS! The General Election is on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
VOTERS REGISTRATION FORMS AND ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING. Deadline date for Registration Applications is Tuesday, October 9, 2012. All Absent Ballots Applications must be received prior to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 and the Absentee Ballot must be received prior to 5 p.m. on Friday, November 2, 2012. Mail to: Allegheny County Elections Division, County Office Building, 542 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-2953.
2012 Leaf Pick Up The Borough leaf pick-up will begin on October 22 through November 23, 2012. Please place your leaves in biodegradable bags for pick up. As always, your cooperation is appreciated during the leaf pick up season.
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FROM THE DESK OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT David Wenzel, Brentwood Borough Council
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s we approach the ending months of summer we will soon see the coming of fall and with it the change of temperature and color of the leaves on the trees. Like fall, Brentwood will soon be seeing a lot of change. Change that is not only necessary but welcomed. As the many colors of the leaves add beauty to the environment, the changes coming to Brentwood will too bring beauty to our community. It’s been nearly five years since Council undertook the mission of renovating the park. It began with a detailed and comprehensive master plan. Plans can often end up on a shelf, but that wasn’t the fate of this park redevelopment plan. Through the efforts of the Borough Council, the Borough Staff, and the Brentwood Park Initiative group they all made sure that this project remained on the Borough’s radar. Monthly meeting s were held religiously by the BPI to develop fundraising ideas. Borough staff researched and undertook the arduous task of writing grants to come up with funding for Phase I of the park redevelopment. Borough Council earmarked funding each year that went into a special Park fund to be used when the time came to turn the plans that were presented on paper into concrete fields, basketball courts, deck hock ey rink and synthetic turf and track. There were many “non-believers” who said that everyone would get tired and this project would “fade out.” There were, and still are, people who want to get involved and be a part of this project but are sitting back until they actually see some construction taking place. (Seeing is believing.) I hope that those who have been sitting by waiting are now ready to roll up their sleeves and help with the effort to continue to see the different phases of this project become a reality. By the time you are reading this article, not only Phase I but also Phase II construction bid documents will be going through their final reviews and approvals before going out to bid. This is only one of the positive changes that you will be seeing very soon. Another positive and
much needed change that will also add beauty to the Borough and provide another amenity to the community is the construction of a new municipal complex and community room. This is another project that Council has been working on for the past few years with first conducting feasibility studies and exploring all options. Remember, the municipal building is home to many Borough services. In addition to Administration, the buil ding currently, (as will the new facility), houses the Police Department, EMS, and Department of Public Works. It will also house Code Enforcement and Planning. New community and meeting rooms will be available for the public to enjoy for small gatherings or to conduct their organization’s monthly meeting. Brentwood’s niche is a walkable community and the new facility will continue to serve in this capaci ty as well. It will be built at the same location as the existing building. One can walk to the Borough Building to pick up a building permit as they drop their child off at school. They can then walk to the library and pick up a book and then walk down to the park and read that book on one of the new park benches or perhaps they would then like to take a walk around the new track before jumping in the pool to cool off. Sure, all of these changes will cost money and the Borough has been working tirelessly as is the BPI to raise funding and grants to help subsidize the cost of these much needed changes. However, as grant funding gets cut it does become necessary to fund these improvements and amenities. As you can see Council has not carelessly entered into these projects. Years of planning and studies w ere conducted to ensure we were all confident that the best and most economical decisions were made. These types of projects as with future projects that the Borough is looking into is an investment in our future. In the future, perhaps our children will not want to leave town and will perhaps see what we see in the beauty of Brentwood and what a great community and place it is to live and raise a family.
Briefly Brentwood Borough News BOROUGH MANAGER’S MESSAGE “What are my Borough Property Taxes used for???!!” “All Politics is Local” – Former House Speaker Thomas “Tip” O’Neill
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he above quote by Speaker O’Neill could not be more accurate. Local politics, or government, is perhaps the most important to us all. It is the decisions made on the local level that can have an immediate impact on our day to day lives and affect our quality of living. We can see where our tax dollars go by witnessing the various Borough operations. We see this every time we see a Police Vehicle drive by patrolling the streets and keeping us safe. We see our tax dollars at work when Public Works is plowing the streets or repairing that pothole. We experience the effects of our tax dollars when we enjoy a day in the park or at the swimming pool. Local government is also the most accessible to all forms of government. What other governing body permits us to see our elected officials walking the streets or at Sunday mass? We know our Borough employees by sight and sometimes know their names. We can stop the Borough Manager in Giant Eagle while he picks up some chipped ham and inform him of an issue (really I do not mind!). We can easily attend a Borough Council meeting on the third or fourth Tuesday of the month. When was the l ast time you attended a session of Congress or went to Harrisburg to sit in on a session of our State Legislature? We can actually drive down to the Mayor’s house and knock on his door to talk about an issue. Try that at the White House and see what happens. With all of this accessibility to local government, many are unaware of how much the Borough collects in revenues and spends for these services we have come to enjoy and expect. When I receive a call from a distraught resident over an issue that is very important to them, the first thing they want to be made known is how long they have lived in the Borough. The second thing they stress is that they have been paying property taxes for all of those years and would like to know what their tax dollars are used for. I hope this article is able to answ er the perpetual question “What are my Borough Property Taxes used for?!” All of the figures used in this article are based on the Brentwood Borough 2011 Audit Report. You can find a copy of this Audit on the Borough’s Web Site (www.brentwoodboro.com). In addition, the 2010 U.S. Census has Brentwood with a population of 9,643 (which is an 8% decrease from the 2000 Census). Let’s begin the conversation with determining how much it costs to operate, maintain, and build an exceptional community. Including all funds (General, Sanitary Sewer, Capital, Highway Aid, and BPI) the Borough spent approximately $7,650,000.00 in 2011. This equates to a per capita value of total spending for 2011 at $793.32. This is NOT how much we paid for these services; it is what was spent on each of us. Now let’s explore how much most of us paid to support these services by paying our property taxes. In 2011 the Borough received $2,654,121.00 in Real Estate Taxes. This includes delinquent Real Estate Taxes collected by the Borough in an amount equal to $238,474.00. Based on this, the per capita cost to each resident in 2011 was $275.24. This is a difference of $518.08 per person. In other words, per capita, we are receiving $793.32 of Borough services for $275.24. Not a bad deal if you ask me. Granted, this does not include Earned Income Taxes that most of us pay. Also not all of the 9,643 residents identified in the 2010 census are property owners or pay property taxes; this
exercise is just a means to demonstrate a cost associated with each resident. For comparison, the City of Pittsburgh per resident outlays are just under $1,500.00 and Liberty Boro, South Versailles, and West Elizabeth spent less than $300 per capita. Overall, roughly 30 municipalities in Allegheny County spent less than $500 per capita. Next, let’s break down the costs associated with various key Borough Services. In 2011, the largest component of total general fund spending is public safety at $2,488,854.00. The category of public safety includes costs associated for police, fire, EMS, code enforcement, planning, and zoning. Remember the Borough has a volunteer fire company and primarily a volunteer EMS. The average per capita amount for public safety is $258.10. So based on the fact the 2011 per capita cost associated with property tax revenues to each resident was $275.24 and the average per capita amount spent by the Borough for public safet y is $258.10. To break this down further, let’s forget about any of the Borough’s special fund accounts (Sanitary Sewer, Highway Aid, Park Initiative, and Capital Improvement Fund) and only look at the Borough’s General Operating Fund. The Borough’s General Operating expenses are broken down as follows: GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES 2011 Brentwood Per Capita GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS Expenditures @ 9,643 General Government Public Safety Public Works Parks and Recreation Conservation and Development Miscellaneous Debt Service Totals
$669,818 $2,488,854 $873,350 $269,810 $65,500 $590,153 $338,001 $5,295,486
$ 69.46 $ 258.10 $90.57 $27.98 $6.79 $ 61.20 $35.05 $ 549.15
This is what it costs to simply operate the Borough each year. It does not include any major capital expenses such as road improvement/paving projects, sewer projects, new equipment, or any major improvements to existing facilities. Remember, in 2011 the Borough only realized $2,654,121.00 in real estate tax revenues. The remaining $2,641,365 revenue needed to cover these General Operating Fund expenditures is made up through other means. Again, an average per capita cost to a Borough Resident of $275. 24 for $549.15 of general government services, a nearly 2 for 1 deal, is a pretty good deal. I think it is safe to say that the answer to the question “What are my Borough Property Taxes used for?” should be, “roughly half of what it actually costs to provide such Borough services.” (Of course I would never say that... or I think I just did?) Enjoy the wonderful season of fall. George Zboyovsky, PE Borou gh Manager Brentwood Baldwin-Whitehall | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com
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Briefly Brentwood Borough News Borough Will Use SeeClickFix to Improve Quality of Life, Encourage Greater Civic Participation Brentwood Borough, Pennsylvania (September 1, 2012) Today, the Borough of Brentwood launches a new program that will allow residents to report quality-of-life issues and request Borough services through an online and mobile interface. Powered by SeeClickFix, the place-based reporting platform allows residents to document neighborhood concerns and improvements alike, ranging from potholes and graffiti to damaged sidewalks and storm damage. “We’re hoping to leverage this comprehensive platform to increase efficiency when responding to service requests while improving the Borough’s infrastructure and quality of life along the way,” said George Zboyovsky, PE, Borough Manager. “More important, SeeClickFix will help us empower the citizens we serve and push them to actively engage with each other, their neighborhoods, and us. When I walk along Brownsville Road I always see other walkers and runners with their smart phones. Now, if they see an issue that the Borough needs to be aware of they can first identify if it has already been reported and if not they can “See it,” then “Click” a photo of it and send it immediately to the Borough, who will then “Fix” the problem,” Zboyovsky continued. With the online and mobile reporting platform, residents can report quality-of-life concerns through service request categories via the Brentwood Borough website (www.brentwoodboro.com), custom mobile applications (iPhone, Android, Blackberry), Facebook App, and SeeClickFix.com. When submitting issues via the SeeClickFix mobile app with our custom branding and request types, for example, residents can provide locational, descriptive, and photographic information as they see the issue in real time. Once the resident submits an issue, the reporter, Brentwood Borough, and anyone ‘watching’ the area will receive an alert. The Borough can then acknowledge the service request, route it to the proper department, and update the request—and residents following the issue—once it’s been resolved. The partnership allows residents to not only report community issues, but also view, comment on, and vote to fix problems submitted by their neighbors. Citizens can even create their own “watch areas” to receive notifications about all issues reported in their community, enabling them to follow the progress of all service requests---not just the ones they report. “We are incredibly excited to have Brentwood Borough as a 10
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municipal partner in the state of Pennsylvania, joining over 80 other cities and counties across the U.S. that are using our Plus CRM platform to improve quality of life and promote active citizenship,” said Ben Berkowitz, SeeClickFix CEO. “With our online tool and mobile apps, we place the power directly in the hands of the Borough’s residents and hope this partnership allows them to realize their full potential as citizens to enact offline results.” The Brentwood Borough SeeClickFix website can be found here: www.brentwoodboro.com and residents can download iPhone, Android, and Blackberry apps here: http://www.seeclickfix.com/apps. About SeeClickFix SeeClickFix allows citizens anywhere in the world to report and monitor nonemergency community issues ranging from potholes and planted trees to garbage and graffiti. Launched in 2008, it empowers citizens, community groups, media organizations, and governments to work together and improve their neighborhoods. Through mobile web, web, iPhone, Android, and Blackberry apps, the SeeClickFix platform is the most widely-distributed citizen reporting tool in the country. SeeClickFix supports the Open311 standard that promotes improved communication between local municipalities and the citizens they serve. The platform is fun and easy to use for citizens while being inexpensive and easily adaptable for governments. Over 60 percent of issues reported on SeeClickFix are ultimately resolved. For more information or to report an issue, visit www.seeclickfix.com.
Briefly Brentwood Borough News
From the desk of Police Chief Robert Butelli CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RETIREMENT! I report with regret the retirement of Police Officer George Swinney effective July 31, 2012. Officer Swinney was hired as a patrolman on August 31, 1980 with the Brentwood Police Department. Through the years, Officer Swinney was involved in many of the day-to-day police department duties, investigations, and administrative paperwork. Officer Swinney considered “safety” a numb er one priority. At the July 24, 2012 Council meeting, Mayor Lockhart presented Officer Swinney a plaque in recognition of Exceptional Service and Dedication to the Brentwood Community and Law Enforcement. Mayor Lockhart, on July 24, 2012, at the Council meeting presented Jim Ryan a plaque in recognition for Exceptional Service and Dedication to the Community he provided through the years as a School Cro ssing Guard for Brentwood Borough. Mr. Ryan was hired on August 18, 1998 and worked at several school crossing areas during his tenure. Mr. Ryan retired in June 2012. The Brentwood Police Department, Borough Officials and Borough Employees wish Mr. Swinney and Mr. Ryan a happy and healthy retirement. Thank you for your many years of dedicated service to the Brentwood residents.
WELCOME – NEWLY HIRED POLICE OFFICERS! I am pleased to announce the Brentwood Borough Council recently hired two (2) full-time Police Officers to join the Brentwood Police Department. Our Police force is currently at 14 full-time officers. On July 23, 2012 Brentwood Borough Council hired David Coleman as a full time police Officer. Mr. Coleman was previously a Police Officer in East Pittsburgh and Braddock Hills. Mayor Lockhart swore in Officer Coleman at the Council meeting held on July 24, 2012. Mr. John Skrip was hired as a full-time Police Officer on March 20, 2012. Officer Skrip was a former patrolman for the City of Clairton and Peters Township. Mayor Lockhart swore in Officer Skrip at the March 20, 2012 Council meeting. I welcome Officer Skrip and Officer Coleman to the Brentwood Police Department and look forward to working with them in an effort to provide safety to the residents of Brentwood and the surrounding communities.
If the offer seems like it is “too good to be true,” it probably is. Con artists are rarely violent. Once the con artist has gained your "confidence," he/she will use it to get your money. Some of the consumer con games to be aware of are: • Home Repair· offers of free estimates and inspections • Debt Consolidation· offers with high interest rates • Medical Fraud· never buy “miracle cures” If you feel uneasy about an offer or someone, trust your instincts. Check out the company or person by asking for references and ask to see their state licenses. Check with your local Better Business Bureau. • Must pay to win or must pay now • Must decide now • Pressure you for a credit card number • They instruct you not to tell anyone • Tell you that the initial investment will be well worth it The phone rings, you pick it up, and the caller identifies themself as an officer of the court. They tell you that you have failed to report for jury duty and that a warrant is out for your arrest. You say you never received a notice. To clear it up, the caller then says they’ll need some information for “verification purposes”- your birth date, social security number, maybe even a credit card number. This is when you should hang up the phone. It’s a scam. The judicial system does not contact people by telephone and ask for personal information such as your date of birth, social security number, or credit card numbers. If you receive one of these phone calls, do not provide any personal or confidential information to these individuals. To read more about this scam visit www.fbi.gov and type “jury scam” in the search box.
Brentwood Baldwin-Whitehall | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com
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Briefly Brentwood Borough News
PHASE I & II PARK REDEVELOPMENT
Did you know that PALS has served the children of Brentwood for over 35 years? PALS is a playgroup that meets weekly during the school year from 9 to 11:30 a.m. in the Brentwood Civic Center. Children ages 0-5 are invited with their mom, dad, or caregiver for crafts, songs, games, snacks, field trips, and FUN!
Status Update: The Brentwood Park Redevelopment Plan for Phase I and Phase II are proceeding. Brentwood Council awarded the final design and bid document preparation to J. T. Sauer & Associates who were the low responsible bidder for $63,910. The estimated construction costs for Phase I is approximately $900,000 and for Phase II is roughly $1,700,000.
NEW MUNICIPAL COMPLEX PROJECT Representatives from Architectural Innovations gave a comprehensive presentation to Brentwood Borough Council on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 that included 10 options for Council to consider regarding the need for a new municipal complex. Some of the options included renovations to the civic center to include a new banquet room, park garage, and bath house. Some options involved building a brand new civic center building that would also include Borough Administrative Offices and build a smaller building at the location of the existing Borough Building for Police and EMS. The costs for these options ranged from $10.5 million to $14.7 million. The option that was chosen to pursue included the following:
Cost per year: $40 for the first child $10 for each additional sibling For more information, please call Kristin at 412.892.9568 OR e-mail: brentwoodpals@gmail.com Brentwood Residents Only! 12
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Option 1. Construct a smaller Municipal Building at the loc ation of the existing Borough building that will house 5 Borough Departments including the Police Department, EMS, Public Works Department, Code/Planning Department, and Administrative Offices. It would also include Community Space and Meeting Rooms as well as Council Chambers. This option would eliminate the need to construct additional buildings. The estimated cost for this option is $10.5 million. This option would not address the existing civic center. Council will investigate a General Obligation Bond in the amount of $12 million to $15 million to fund this project as well as additional phases for the Park Renovation Project and other much needed Capital Improvement Projects.
2012 POOL ADA UPGRADES PROJECT The Borough will be making ADA upgrades at its swimming pool and pool restroom following the end of the swimming season (September or October): 1) Installation of a new lift to ensure primary ADA access to the pool, designed to be used without assistance. 2) Removal and replacement of urinal, commode, partition and partition door in the pool bathroom to correct clearance issues. Project Summary Contractor Awarded (07/24/12) Project Costs Engineering Total
Briefly Brentwood Borough News KAUFMANN AVENUE SIDEWALK This project involved the demolition of a deteriorating walkway along Kaufmann Avenue. Project Summary Contractor: Project Costs Total
Excalibur Construction $ 9,651.00 $9,651.00
Investment and Enterprise $ 31,390.00 $ 11,000.00 $42,390.00
This project is partially funded through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
2012 DEFECT AND EMERGENCY REPAIRS The 2012 Sewer Repair Contract was approved at the July 24, 2012 Council Meeting. The contract consists of excavation repairs, liner repairs, and special repairs to be awarded independently of each other. It is anticipated that construction would begin in September 2012. Contract A – Soli Construction Contract B – Robinson Pipe Cleaning Contract C – Fleming Walker Engineering Costs Total
= $175,865.00 = $261,957.00 = $58,846.00 = $81,700.00 = $578,368.00
PINKNEY WAY PROJECT The much anticipated Pinkney Way rehabilitation project is underway and should be completed soon. Project Summary Contractor Awarded (07/24/12) T.A. Robinson Asphalt Paving, Inc. Project Costs Engineering Total
$ 83,567.00 $ 19,000.00 $102,567.00
Cantilever Walkway on Kaufmann Avenue
HILLSON AVENUE/DAUB WAY Hillson Avenue/Daub Way stormwater improvement project is also underway and nearly completed. This project should help alleviate flooding issues in this area as well as renovate a roadway that was in deplorable condition. Project Summary Contractor Awarded (07/24/12) T.A. Robinson Asphalt Paving, Inc. Project Costs Engineering Total
ZONING CODE REVISIONS PROJECT The Borough is halfway through with the revisions to their outdated Zoning Ordinances. The firm, Delta Development, was retained to meet with Borough officials to look at bringing the Borough Zoning Code up to date with best practices. This project includes revising the Borough’s Zoning districts to include more R-1 Residential areas as well as outdated provisions that are deterrents to business development along RT. 51
$ 51,888.50 $ 21,000.00 $72,888.50
Brentwood Baldwin-Whitehall | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com
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Briefly Brentwood Borough News
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Briefly Brentwood Borough News By Fay K. Boland, CPA Brentwood Borough Tax Collector
Now that we are in the middle of Real Estate tax collecting season, I thought I would answer some questions that I seem to be getting on a regular basis. 1. Can I pay with one check? Yes, you can pay your Borough and School District taxes using one check. Individual checks are not necessary. 2. Why do I have three blue school district tax bills and only one yellow Borough tax bill? You have three blue school district tax bills in case you would like to pay in installments. The Borough does not allow you to pay in installments. 3. Can I pay by credit card? No, I only accept cash or check.
4. Why is my assessed value different on the school district bill and the Borough bill? This is because of Act 1 which was implemented when the state legislators legalized gambling. For more information, I have a new website www.brentwoodtaxcollector.com. Visit my website for directions and FAQs. Remember discount ends on August 31st. If you mail in your taxes, I accept the postmark date as the date you submitted your taxes. I will be in my office on August 31st all day if you would like to pay in person. Remember my office is in the pink building that is between the Brentwood Medical and St. Sylvester’s Church, 3730 Br ownsville Road. I am not located at the Borough Building.
Pennsylvania American Water has decided to no longer collect sewage fees for any communities as part of their monthly water bills. Please note: Beginning in October, Pennsylvania American Water will no longer be including sewage on your water bill. As such, on July 24, 2012 Brentwood Borough Council passed Resolution 2012-36, contracting Jordan Tax Services Inc. to do third party sewage billing. You will receive a separate sewage bill from Jordan Tax Services, Inc. All sewage charges will be billed monthly and are due upon receipt of the invoice. Charges are as follows: ALCOSAN $4.32 per 1,000 Gallons – $3.02 per bill Brentwood $4.71 per 1,000 Gallons – $2.39 per bill Anything over 30 days past due will be considered delinquent, and will continue to be collected by the Borough. If you have questions concerning your sewage bill, please contact Jordan Tax Services Inc, at 412.835.5243 and choose option #4 from the menu before the due date. You may also contact Jordan Tax Services via e-mail at sewage@jordantax.com.
Brentwood Baldwin-Whitehall | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com
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Briefly Brentwood Borough News Brentwood Park Initiative The Brentwood Park Initiative meetings are held on every second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m., at the Community Room. These meetings are open to the public. Hope to see you there!
Join the fun at the 5th Annual BPI Golf Outing Seven Springs Golf Course 11 a.m. Shotgun (Scramble Format) Cost: $100 (Paid by Friday, September 7th: 18 holes of golf, cart, prizes, dinner, beer and soft drinks) $50 (dinner, beer , soft drinks and prizes) For a Registration Form please contact: • David Reinhart – 412.973.3217 • Charlie Johnson – 412.996.7285 • Frank Cappetta – 412.901.7293 Make checks paya ble to: Brentwood Park Initiative (BPI) 3903 Clairton Boulevard Pittsburgh, PA 15227
Take a chance on the BPI Fundraiser Donation $20 : Trip for 4 Dallas for the Steelers-Cowboys Game 4 Nights – December 13-17, 2012 Trip for 4 includes: Round trip Airfare from Pgh to Dallas All Transfers: Airport-Hotel-Game 4 Nights Accommodations at the Dallas Steelers-Cowboys Game All Trip Taxes $2,000 Cash Spending Money Winner to be determined on Monday, October 15, 2012 based upon 3-digit PA Lottery – Daily Evening Number Winner Guaranteed: If the winning ticket is not sold, prize will be awarded to the next ticket number sold. Tickets available at the following locations: • Cappetta Dentistry • Spartan Pharmacy – Brownsville Road Location • Keener Hardware • Brentwood Library • Pampered Pet 16
Brentwood Baldwin-Whitehall
FROM THE DESK OF
Robert Mackewich Public Works Supervisor reports:
Retirement Greg Michalski, a Brentwood resident, recently retired from the Brentwood Public Works Department. Greg was hired as a general laborer April 1, 1978. Greg was assigned to the Brentwood Park for 32 years, and with all the daily events in the park, he referred to it as the “zoo.” While working in the park, he was known as the “fix it man” when i t came to any type of equipment or vehicle. Greg has done everything from cutting grass to operating the swimming pool. Many hours have been spent behind the wheel of a salt truck covering Unit 8’s territory from Marylea Avenue to Colonial Park. Although Greg has the look of a tough guy, he has a great sense of humor and was an employee who cared about his work and the residents of Brentwood. During the Chr istmas holidays he would be seen driving a salt truck wearing a Santa Claus hat. Greg had extensive knowledge in small engine repair and saved the Borough money by repairing the lawn mowers, weed whackers, and any type of gasoline engine. If he didn’t know how to fix something he would take it apart and figure it out on his own. Greg was an original member of the Corrective Action Program or Consent Ord er by identifying, locating and measuring sanitary manholes. On behalf of the Public Works Department and myself I want to thank Greg for the 34 years of dedicated service to the Borough. We wish Greg a healthy and wonderful retirement!
Newly Hired Full-time Laborer With the retirement of Mr. Michalski, I am pleased to announce the hiring of Bill Hubenthal as the newly hired full-time Laborer for the Department of Public Works. Mr. Hubenthal began work on July 16, 2012. At the August 1, 2012 Brentwood Safety Committee meeting, Bill was appointed to serve on the Board as the Rotating Alternate for the Department of Public Works. I along with the Public Works Department welcome Bill and look forward to working together to serve the residents and the community. He has lived in the Borough for 6 years with hi s wife Casey and two children Tyler and Ethan. Bill previously was a union carpenter who enjoys working with his hands and putting in a good day’s work. His hobbies include family time and golf. Welcome aboard!
Briefly Brentwood Borough News
Story and Music Times for Little Ones
Book Clubs for Adults
Musical Mondays - At 11 a.m. is for children aged 2-5. A program full of singing, dancing, and playing instruments. Family Storytimes - The first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. we invite families with members of all ages to come for stories and songs. November’s gathering will focus on Veteran’s Day. Book Babies - 10 a.m. every Thursday, is a program especially for babies aged birth to 18 months and their caretakers. Program includes songs, rhymes, and stories. Toddler Tales - Thursday at 11 a.m., is crafted for children aged 18 months to 3 years. The program includes stories, songs, finger plays, and free-play. Preschool Parables - Fridays at 3 p.m. is for chiIdren 3 years old and older. Program includes a variety of stories, songs, finger plays and crafts. The program concludes with free-play and a snack.
(New members are always welcome! If you’re interested, let us know so we can get you a copy of the book that will be discussed. Call 412.882.5694 or stop in.)
Events Especially for Elementary School Aged Kids Each Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. 1st Week - Gaming - Join us in the Program Room for Wii and Xbox gaming! Snacks included! 2nd Week - Storytime - This time is all about sharing our favorite book and stories. Come ready to listen, read (if you want), and discuss the books you love. 3rd Week - Rec Room - Stop by after school and enjoy pool, air hockey, ping pong, and basketball in our downstairs Rec Room! All kinds of snacks and drinks are available for purchase, so bring your change! 4th Week - Craft Time - In September, bring your own t-shirt to make a Sharpie tie dye! Future crafts TBA. Something fun for Teens Every Wednesday at 3:15 p.m. 1st Week - Gaming - Join us in the Program Room for Wii and Xbox gaming! Snacks included! 2nd Week - Reading Event - Let’s talk about books, movies, and music you’ve enjoyed lately, whether for fun or for school (or both?!). Share it here! A complimentary snack will be provided. 3rd Week - Rec Room - Stop by after school and enjoy pool, air hockey, ping pong, and basketball in our downstairs Rec Room! All kinds of snacks and drinks are available for purchase, so bring your change! 4th Week - Movie - Our monthly movie will be showing this week! Popcorn provided!
*NEW* Classics Book Club - Second Wednesday of each month at 6 pm - Do you love the classics, or maybe you’ve always wanted to explore those canonical books but never had the opportunity? Join us! *NEW* Cook’s Book Club - Second Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m. - We’ll meet to discuss cookbooks and other books that feature food. Of course we’ll try out some of those recipes for ourselves, too, so bring your appetite! The Mystery Book Club will meet on 9/18, 10/30, and 12/4 to discuss "who done it" in the mystery of choice. The Sunsetters Book Club will meet on 9/24, 11/5, & 12/17 to share thoughts about the featured title of the month. Programs for Adults Bingo! - On the third Thursday of each month, meet in the Program Room at 2 p.m. to play Bingo and win prizes! Card Club - Stop by Monday mornings at 10 a.m. for card games. Crafters Circle - Join fellow area crafters to work on projects, or learn a new craft. Crafters Club is a patron-run club which meets every Monday at 6 p.m. Game Day - Wake up with games, word puzzles, logic riddles, and plenty of coffee! Game Day is held every other Wednesday at 11 a.m. Movie Mondays - Watch a recently released feature film and enjoy some popcorn every Monday beginning at 2 p.m. in the program room! Wii Bowling - Join us the second Thursday afternoon of each month at 1 p.m. Bowling is held in the Program Room. Wii Carnival Games - Come the fourth Thursday of the month at 1 p.m. to play skee ball and other such games. Wii Jeopardy! - Stop into the Program Room on the first Thursday of the month at 1 p.m. to play our Wii version of the hugely popular game show! Wanderlands - Join us every Friday afternoon for a documentary or travelogue! Visit a different place or time each week! Wise Walk - Lace up your sneakers and join us every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. to rack up enough miles to walk all the way to Machu Picchu.
Family Costume Party! Friday, October 26th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Come for games, treats, and prizes! Registration required at www.brentwoodpubticlibrary.org. Brentwood Baldwin-Whitehall | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com
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Briefly Brentwood Borough News
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Brentwood Baldwin-Whitehall
After a long illness, on June 5, 2011, John Vogt, Brentwood resident and member of the Brentwood Business Owner’s Association passed away. In memory of John’s active participation and dedication to the business community, Mayor Kenneth Lockhart declared June 7, 2012 as “John H. Vogt Day” in Brentwood Borough. Mr. Vogt and his wife Jan, owned and operated the “Brentwood Station” and a landscaping business for many years. In appreciation of John’s special interest in Brentwood, volunteering his time and effort for several annual events within the Borough, a tree and memorial placard was dedicated and placed in Brentwood Park, near the entrance to the Civic Center ADA parking area.
Brentwood Boy Scout Troop 296
Briefly Brentwood Borough News
After a great scouting year that concluded at summer camp in July, St. Sylvester’s Boy Scout Troop 296 is starting a new scouting year and will be selling popcorn for a fundraiser to help support the boys for the 2012-2013 scouting year. Hopefully you will support the scouts by purchasing popcorn. Please call 412.881.6532 for information. Is you son is between the ages of 1 1 to 18 and enjoys the outdoors? If so, please consider coming to the meetings and join the Troop. The Boy Scout Troop 296 meetings are scheduled for Tuesday evenings at St. Sylvester’s Church hall, 7 p.m., beginning on September 4, 2012 and continue throughout the year. Help keep scouting in the area. Join, bring a friend and make new friends. The fun is about to begin!
On Friday, June 1st, Brentwood School district hosted its first annual Art in the Park event at Brentwood Park. The event showcased local talent and students of the district exhibited a number of different works in the fields of fine arts, industrial, arts, video production, and musical performance. Local bands took the stage early on in the event and played throughout the duration of the evening as parents, students, and community members were free to wonder through the exhibit. Brentwood’s elementary and high school art teachers Ben Miller, Carrie Niederberger, and Barb Girone organized the event and featured their student’s work as well as the works of Industrial Arts teacher Beau Sedlar and Communications teacher Jennifer Hughes. Despite the rain, Art in the Park proved to be a wonderful success bringing in a few hundred spectators to the free event. With this very first event being such a success, it is certain that Art in the Park will become a wonderful tradition here in the Brentwood community that will hopefully, with each passing year, grow in size and attendance.
Supporting October 20, 2012 Redd-Up Day For the past several years Brentwood has successfully conducted an Annual “Redd Up Day” in the Borough. Brentwood Borough Council adopted Resolution No. 2011-27 on June 28, 2011, in support of the residents and business owners with the goal to enhance the aesthetics of all properties and participates, promote and market clean well-maintained properties throughout the neighborhoods. Saturday, October 20, 2012, is designated as “Redd Up Day” in Brentwood. Volunteers and community groups will be canvassing the borough from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you wish to participate, volunteers will be gathering at the Brentwood Community room at 9 a.m. Vest, gloves and bags will be provided. Note: Do not bring your trash to the park. We ask that you take part in this “Clean Sweep” on a weekly basis by sweeping and gathering debris along Brownsville Road, the sidewalks, curb/gutters and all roadways in Brentwood. “Redd Up Day” is only a success because the residents and business owners participate by volunteering their time to make our Borough a nice, clean place to live and visit.
Brentwood Baldwin-Whitehall | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com
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Briefly Brentwood Borough News
“Serving Brentwood Borough for 35 Years”
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Brentwood Baldwin-Whitehall
Brentwood EMS – Upcoming Events! If you are looking for something to do on a Saturday afternoon, consider stopping in at St. Sylvester’s Church Hall and browse your way through the Brentwood EMS Fall Craft and Vendor Show on Saturday, October 13, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This annual event is a great way to support your local EMS. There are many professional crafters on hand selling their wares; and, also vendors that provide a variety of products for sale. As you know, time flies; think of the holiday season approaching and consider making a purchase or two. While you are there, take a break and have lunch; the food is good and the price is right. Every year the Chinese auction has an array of items available; purchase a few tickets as it’s an easy way to support the EMS. There’s something there for everyone. Your support is very much appreciated. Hope to see you there! CPR Classes The Brentwood EMS conducts CPR classes at the Brentwood Municipal Building for those interested. The next sessions will be Saturday, October 20, 2012 and Saturday November 17, 2012 at 9 a.m. The cost is $55. For more information or to register please call the EMS business office at 412.884.8740. 2013 Subscription Drive If you are a resident of Brentwood Borough and are in need of emergency service, you Dial 911 and the Brentwood EMS, your local emergency service, will be dispatched immediately to the site. To have the EMS within our Borough with the professional medical personnel and the excellent response time is a comfort to all in the time of medical need. The EMS is now conducting the 2013 Subscription Drive with the applications and information sent to the residents and businesses in late October or early November. The Brentwood EMS is a very important entity within the Borough; your contributions and donations are vital to the EMS in order to purchase the newest and most updated equipment for the emergency vehicles. Your donation makes it possible to supply and equip the ambulances with numerous medical tools and medical instruments available when dispatched to emergency calls. Keep in mind, the cost of the subscription for one year is minimal in comparison to the excellent professional care that is provided by the Brentwood EMS when an emergency arises. The Brentwood EMS requests you continue your annual donation; if you are a new resident, please call 412.884.8740 for more information regarding the subscription drive and the many services available to you. Help Us Help You!
Briefly Brentwood Borough News If you weren’t in attendance, you missed out on a great night. On Thursday, June 21st the Brentwood Business Owners Association sponsored the Community Night at PNC Park and Tailgate Party. This annual BBOA event draws several hundred residents and friends to board the reserved buses to journey down to PNC Park to attend a Pittsburgh Pirate ballgame. Prior to the game, the tailgate party was well attended; there was a variety of delicious food available along with cold beverages, and plenty of prizes to win. It was a great night for the Pirates winning 9-1 over the Minnesota Twins! For more information on BBOA events visit the website at www.bboaonline.com.
Sportsmanship and the Dignity and Respect Campaign The Borough of Brentwood, in conjunction with the Brentwood School District and the Monessen School District, conducted a kick-off assembly on May 30, 2012 at Brentwood High School to encourage a bond by promoting a working relationship with each other and with students from the Monessen School District. Mayor Kenneth Lockhart presented a Proclamation declaring September 7, 2012 as “Sportsmanship and the Dignity and Respect Day” in Brentwood. Also present at the assembly was Pittsburgh Steeler Charlie Batch promoting working relationships for students in all school districts to embrace the opportunity of a well-rounded education, encourage students to instill and present themselves as kind and caring individuals and to participate in the extracurricular programs offered to them by the school districts. We thank the Borough, Charlie Batch and the school district officials for their effort in encouraging the students and residents to be role models of the community.
Brentwood Baldwin-Whitehall | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com
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Photos by Primetime Shots
To see more photos of this event, visit facebook.com/icmags
ty Day 2012
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GENERAL MEETING DATES GENERAL MEETING LUNCHEONS The Brentwood Baldwin Whitehall Chamber of Commerce meets the first Thursday of each month, noon at various area locations. Lunch for Chamber members with a reservation is $15, non-members and members without a reservation will be charged $18. Please make reservations with Mary Dilla, Chamber secretary, at secretary.bbwchamber.com.
All luncheons begin at noon October 4, 2012 ~ The Georgetown Centre ~ Speaker: Pamela Countouris, Workplace Bullying Institute November 1, 2012 ~ Salvatores ~ Speaker: Summer Tissue, (a chamber member). She is the founder of Military Connections and her organization has phenomenal growth. It will be a Veterans Day theme. December 6, 2012 ~ The Georgetown Centre ~ Speaker: Steve Blass, formerly of the Pgh Pirates January 3, 2013 ~ Thee Olde Place Inn February 7, 2013 ~ Calabria's March 7, 2013 ~ Salvatores April 4, 2013 ~ Blvd. Café location TBA May 2, 2013 ~ Legacy Lanes June 6, 2013 ~ South Hills Country Club
BOD MEETING DATES GBU Building, Room 300 All meetings begin at 8 a.m. September 25, 2012 October 23, 2012 November 27, 2012 December 18, 2012 January 22, 2013 February 26, 2013 March 26, 2013 April 23, 2013 May 28, 2013
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THE WOMEN’S NETWORKING GROUP The Women’s Networking Group of the Brentwood Baldwin Whitehall Chamber of Commerce meets the second Friday of each month at 12 noon for lunch at South Hills Country Club. We welcome members and non-members. Tables are available for ladies who would like to display products or merchandise. Lunch for Chamber members is $15, nonmembers, $18 and a display table is $10. Please make reservations with Mary Dilla, Chamber secretary, at secretary.bbwchamber.com. – Dottie Coll, Chairman
WOMEN’S NETWORKING MEETING DATES South Hills Country Club All luncheons begin at noon October 12, 2012 November 9, 2012 December 14, 2012 January 11, 2013 February 8, 2013 March 8, 2013 April 12, 2013 May 10, 2013 June 14, 2013 July 12, 2013
Brentwood Baldwin-Whitehall | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com
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or some, the smell of car wax, the heat of the summertime sunshine and the strains of Fifties music take them back to their younger days. In their minds, they go back to a time when having good weather and a great car for the afternoon, and the free time to enjoy it, were all that you needed for some fun. Nostalgia lovers, dust off the Turtle Wax car polish and break out the buffer. Thankfully, it’s again the time of year when you can lower the convertible roof on the car and go cruising, allowing the wind to blow through your hair, smelling the summer flowers and watching the gawkers staring at you as you roll past them in your classic car. After all, what’s the sense of having an antique car or a classic muscle car if you can’t show it off and allow others to enjoy it? Sharing the love of design, beauty and mechanics of a classic car or muscle car is part of the joy of collecting such vehicles. It also can be a quick cure for any lingering winter blues. The weather has warmed up—prematurely, in the eyes of some weather observers—but not too early for the many car buffs in
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Western Pennsylvania who have been waiting for the Car Cruise season to begin. Car cruises are an American tradition in which owners of classic and high-performance cars meet together in parking lots and other wide-open spaces, to show off their vehicles and to enjoy an afternoon or evening of fun with other car lovers. Often these events include music or entertainment and food, and sometimes, they even have races. Western Pennsylvania is home to many of these events, thanks to the many gearheads who live in the region. Here is a sampling of some of the many popular car cruises in the Pittsburgh area: Mineral Beach (in Finleyville) – This popular event happens every Friday night starting the first Friday in May, and often includes motorcycles as well as cars. This larger cruise usually includes several hundred cars. Wendy’s (in Peters Township, along Rt. 19) – This cruise is every Monday night beginning April 16th, and is a smaller cruise that usually has about 50 to 100 cars. McDonald’s (Meadowlands - Racetrack Road) – This event is held every other Saturday, beginning May 5. It is a medium-sized cruise sponsored by The Washington Cruisers Car Club (www.washingtoncruisers.com). Wexford Star Lite Car Cruise (Wexford) – Wexford Star Lite Car Cruise is held every Friday night from 6 to 10 p.m., starting May 25, through Labor Day. This is one of the largest weekly cruises in the region, and usually has more than 1,000 cars attending each week. The Wexford Star Lite Car Cruise is free and is hosted and presented by North Way Christian Community (www.starlitecarcruise.com). Ultimate Car Cruise (Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills) – Every Wednesday from 5 to 9 p.m., May 16 through October. This cruise and many others can be found listed at the website www.carcruises.com. Flashlight Drags (Waynesburg) – Features a car show, a car cruise, a vendor’s midway, music, food and more. The idea behind this
event sprang from the need for local hot rodders to have a place to legally and safely race each other. The essence of the event is providing a safe environment in which to enjoy the excitement of street racing, with an equal measure of nostalgia—which is where the antique and classic cars displayed at the event make their greatest impact. www.flashlightdrags.com. Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix International Car Show (Schenley Park, Pittsburgh) – Held every July and touted by international media including National Geographic magazine, the Vintage Grand Prix once hosted competitive races between racers in vintage cars around the park’s winding roads, but for years the entire event has been for show, and as always, still benefits charity. More than 2,000 cars, many of them very high-end, will be displayed at the event, in which all makes of car are welcome. Held annually since 1983, the Vintage Grand Prix has raised more than $2.75 million to benefit autistic and developmentally disabled people. All local car cruises are weather-dependent. Check the web sites for each cruise regularly to determine if a cruise will be held when foul weather could be imminent. While each car cruise is unique in its location and the makeup of vehicles, owners, and attractions, every car buff comes to the hobby by his or her own path. It could have started with a secret childhood yearning for a hot rod, or by catching a glimpse of something extraordinary in a shop window, seen totally by happenstance. Like a lover retelling the story of his romance, each classic car owner has a tale to tell about how he and his car were united.
By Brady Ashe
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eeing a 1987 Ford Thunderbird on the road is kind of like spotting Bigfoot—it almost never really happens and what it does, it’s probably long-gone by the time you realize what you’ve seen. At least that’s the feeling JoElla Mang of South Baldwin Borough procures from the befuddled stares of fellow motorists her way when she zips around the South Hills in her 25-year-old, two-tone blue convertible. “As far as I know, it’s the only one of its kind left in the Pittsburgh area,” she said. “It’s extremely rare to see people driving one around. People look at it and they’re like, ‘what in the world is that car?’” The 61-year-old Baldwin woman purchased the TBird from a local Ford dealer in the year of its manufacture. Twenty-five years and 108,383 miles later, the old sports car is still running as well as it ever has. Mang, whose everyday driver is a 20-year-old Ford Explorer, is a selfproclaimed “Ford lady for life.” The Carrick native said she enjoys the reliability she’s experienced with Ford vehicles and never has, or ever will, buy from another manufacturer. “I only buy American and, as far as American cars go at least, I think Ford is the absolute best,” she said. “They didn’t get the bailout. They’re just quality vehicles. I’ve driven the TBird regularly for 25 years and it’s held up like a champ.” For a sports car that’s 25 years old, the TBird has received minimal restoration work to keep it up and running. Apart from reconditioning the transmission and repainting the sports car with a two-tone blue finish in 2007, the car’s only maintenance work has been the occasional engine cleaning every odd couple of years. Mang knows it’s just a matter of time before the car’s due for a major mechanical makeover. With engine gasket leaks occurring more and more frequently, the first stage of which is most likely going to be a complete engine replacement within the near future. The Ford lover has also been searching for a power antenna motor that can complement the radio she had installed shortly after her 55th birthday. She also plans on replacing the sports car’s carpeting and rubber strips as well as slapping on a few Ford decals to show her pride for America’s second oldest car company. Considering the palpably dated design of the old TBird, it’s clear to observers that the owner takes meticulous care of the car to keep it up and running in prime condition. “I get compliments from people all the time who say my husband must take really good care of my car,” Mang said. “But it’s me! I’m the one who takes care of it. It’s my baby.” Brentwood Baldwin-Whitehall | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com
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The Fall is not just a time of changing leaves and cooler temperatures, it’s a time when the dormant diesel engines of the school buses fire up, SAT applications and college inquiry letters are sent, and students return to college campuses across the nation. In the United States, education is a $900 billion a year business, and that investment, either by the federal and state government, parents and students themselves via student loans, is a testament as to how important learning is to making a name for yourself in the world. Fortunately, for individuals and the economy as a whole, everyone is different and educational opportunities abound for people no matter what their interests or aptitudes. College: College remains one of the most traditional avenues for graduated high school students to pursue. Colleges can be public or private and offer two-year or four-year degrees. While postsecondary education is not a requirement for securing work, those who obtain a college degree can expect estimated lifetime earnings of $2.1 million, according to the US Census Bureau. A master’s degree boosts that to $2.5 million, a professional degree averages $4.4 million, and a doctoral degree $3.4 million. High
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school graduates are estimated to earn just $1.2 million over the course of their lifetime, according to the same report. Trade Schools and Vocational Careers: While vocational training can start in high school, thanks to regional vocational/technical centers that serve school districts, post-high school programs can take graduates from apprentices to masters of their field. What’s more, vocational programs aren’t like they used to be in the latter half of the 20th Century. Today’s vocational schools still cover trades such as carpentry, plumbing and stonemasonry, but they also excel in specialty fields such as computer networking, HVAC, and robotics. Online Learning: Online learning is a relatively new form of degree program using the power of the Internet to bring students and schools together. Also known as E-learning or distance education, online programs have brought some big names into the fold as Harvard and MIT recently joined forces, offering a variety of free, online courses. Online education typically costs less than bricks and mortar schools. Financing Education: No matter where you end up after high school, chances are you’re going to need to take out a few loans to make your goals attainable. Student loans come in a variety of forms ranging from federal to private. Scholarships often are attainable for eligible students, and are nice to have, but realistic students shouldn’t expect to garner enough scholarship money to cover their entire academic career. Programs such as the Federal Stafford Loan can offset up to $23,000 of tuition, which can be increased to $46,000 if parents do not qualify for the Parent PLUS program. The downside to student
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Our Back to School loans is that you will be graduating with substantial debt to pay down. The upside, however, is that student loan interest rates are generally low, tax deductible and the loans themselves can be deferred until you are in a position to make payments on them, such as the time necessary for you to find a job.
PARTNERS
Benefits of tutoring services: One of the keys to acquiring scholarships is good grades. While that’s totally on the student to achieve, there are many services available that can help that student put in the extra effort to make the grade. From SAT preparation centers to study centers that cover a broader range of curricula, these investments are well worth the cost if the result is several thousand dollars coming off your tuition bill because you got a 4.0 versus a 3.8 GPA. Benefits of Preschools: When it comes to early cognitive development, researchers have found that that children who attend preschool tend to show higher intelligence quotients than those who do not, according to Early Childhood Research and Practice (ECRP). Although sending your child to preschool can help them academically, it also improves their early social skills. Preschool is the time when children become aware of sharing and learning how to interact with one another. The classroom gives the young students a friendly, safe environment that allows them to grow and prepare for the later education in kindergarten and Grade School. Children who attend preschool are usually between 3-5 years old.
Accent Music and School of Performing Arts 412.653.3340
Accent Music and School of Performing Arts has offered private vocal and instrumental lessons in Pleasant Hills, PA since 2004. They also offer classes in acting, dance, and musical theatre. Accent’s private lessons and classes are a terrific way to encourage children and teens to express their talents in a fun and educational way. In addition to working skills related to the performing arts, students also learn how to multi-task and think on their feet! For more information, go to www.accentmusic.co or call 412.653.3340.
No matter what your path in life may be, being prepared academically for that path is the key to future success.
Brentwood Baldwin-Whitehall | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com
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Accent Music
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ccent Music and School of Performing Arts has been offering private vocal and instrumental lessons in Pleasant Hills since 2004. In the years since, they have added an Annual Musical Theatre Summer Camp, Performing Arts Classes, and Semi-Annual Theatrical Productions. The most recent addition to the company is Themed Birthday Parties, where kids can choose between themes such as actin g, dance, karaoke, and princesses. Executive Director, David Cooke, continually strives to expand the school in order to better serve the community. He believes that performing arts play an essential role in a child’s educational experience and wants to ensure that they have the opportunity to pursue the arts. With the potential of continuing budget cuts in the arts, Accent Music will continue offerin g a wide array of classes and private lessons in order to provide an artistic outlet for local children, teens, and young adults. This is not only Accent Music’s mission statement, but the individual teacher’s as well. David takes careful consideration and prides himself in the selection of teachers at Accent. He comments, “I believe we have assembled some of the best teachers in the Pittsburgh area, wh ile still being able to offer competitive prices. All of the teachers have either a degree in music or significant performance experience, and in most cases possess both.” If you are looking for private lessons in voice, guitar, piano, woodwinds, brass or percussion, Accent Music has a teacher enthusiastic to help. They also recently started offering private acting and dance classes, which is a rarity among independent music schools. Additionally, they have expanded the class schedule and added acting workshops to this fall’s agenda. Accent Music’s Performing Arts Teacher, Meg Greenlee, expressed excitement about the upcoming semester. “My students were asking when Fall Classes started before the Spring Semester even ended!” Meg is also directing the Sound of Music at Accent this October. She said , “It was great to have so many kids and teens at auditions. Everyone was saying it was their favorite show and they couldn't wait to be a part of it.” With the turnout being so high at auditions, it was no easy task for Meg and David to cast the show. David said, “We strive to choose shows with large cast sizes because we believe it is important to give opportunity regardless of an actor’s level of traini ng.” Meg added, “We believe that everyone deserves a chance to be on stage if they have a passion to do so. If we can give everyone who comes out and auditions an opportunity to perform, we do. Not many theater companies do that.” Through thick and thin, and even if it means going against the normal protocol, Accent Music’s mission statement will remain the same – To provide quality music, dance, and dramatic instruction; and encourage students to have fun while realizing their full potential in music and performing arts. Furthermore, they are committed to assisting students in the fulfillment of their goals whether that be writing recommendation letters, providing career counseling, matching them with other musicians and artists, or helping them find performance opportunities. For more information visit www.accentmusic.co or call 412.653.3340. 30
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UPMC TODAY Health and Wellness News You Can Use | Fall 2012
Get Ready for Fall Soon the leaves will change color and fall to the ground — a welcome mat for cooler days, chilly nights, football games, hayrides, warm sweaters, and everything else that makes fall special.
What’s Inside 2
Elevating Cancer Surgery for Women to a New Level
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Give Your Back a Break Using Your Blood for Natural Healing
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A Partnership of Hope and Transformation
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Magee’s Newest Baby Is Two Stories Tall — and Ready for Guests
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Your Doctor and You: A Healthy Relationship
Elevating Cancer Surgery for Women to a New Level Robotic surgery is transforming the treatment of gynecologic cancers with minimally invasive techniques that offer greater precision and promote faster healing.
For women diagnosed with cervical, endometrial (uterine), and early ovarian cancer, the use of minimally invasive robotic surgery is offering impressive results. “The robotic surgical system is truly revolutionizing the way we operate on certain cancers,” says Alexander Olawaiye, MD, a gynecologic oncologist and director of robotic surgery at UPMC Mercy. Also certified to perform robotic surgery at UPMC Mercy is gynecologic oncologist Wayne Christopherson, MD.
Enhanced clarity and precision With robotic surgery, surgeons also get a magnified, threedimensional view of the inside of the body — up to 12 times what the human eye can see. “That enhanced vision allows us to navigate with far greater precision around delicate internal organs, nerves, and large blood vessels,” says Dr. Olawaiye. “We’re able to see and dissect tissue and lymph nodes more thoroughly, which allows us to do a better job of removing any cancerous growths.” While surgeons applaud the robot’s surgical applications, patients appreciate the benefits it offers after surgery. “Because the incisions are small, there is less bleeding, less pain, and less risk of infection,” explains Dr. Olawaiye. “Most patients go home the day after surgery and return to their regular activities in a week or two.” The most advanced surgical care for all types of cancers is available to patients at the UPMC CancerCenter at UPMC Mercy. To learn more about all the cancer services and treatments offered at UPMC Mercy, visit UPMCMercy.com and click Our Services.
How robotic surgery works
Traditionally, women with gynecologic cancers faced a 12to 14-inch open incision that often involved weeks of recovery. Laparoscopic surgery offered patients a less invasive option, but its stick-like instrument often limited a surgeon’s range of motion. With today’s robotically assisted surgery, the robot becomes an extension of the surgeon’s hands, offering flexibility and a 360-degree range of motion that’s virtually impossible for humans to achieve. “We’re able to manipulate the tips of the surgical instrument at highly unusual angles,” says Dr. Olawaiye. “That gives us critical access to very compact and limited areas of the body.”
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Once you are put to sleep, your surgeon generally makes a series of small incisions (“ports”) in your abdomen. The number and size will vary based on your condition. A surgical cart is then attached to the ports, and specialized instruments are inserted into your body. Your surgeon controls the movements of these instruments from a nearby consol, using controls to guide the surgery. Your surgeon is always in charge — the robot moves only as directed.
Typical benefits of robotic surgery for select gynecologic cancers đ Smaller incisions đ Minimal scarring đ Reduced blood loss
đ Less pain đ Shorter hospital stays đ Faster recovery
Health Tips from UPMC Health Plan
Give Your Back a Break
“And studies show that smokers have more back problems than non-smokers, which is another good reason to quit,” she adds. To help keep your back healthy and strong, Dr. Moon also recommends the following: Sit up straight. Use good posture when sitting or standing. That improves muscle tone and makes breathing easier.
Tips that can help you avoid back pain.
Work out. Back and abdominal exercises strengthen the core muscles that support your back, while low-impact aerobics strengthens bones and improves blood flow to muscles.
Amazingly complex, remarkably strong, and incredibly flexible, your back is one of the most important parts of your body. Without it, you couldn’t stand up straight, walk on the beach, chase after the kids, or dance the night away.
Lose it. Being overweight puts added strain on your back muscles. Carrying weight around your midsection isn’t good for your heart either.
Like most people, you probably take your back for granted — until it starts to hurt. “Eight out of 10 Americans will have back pain at some point in their lives,” says M. Melissa Moon, DO, a physician in the UPMC Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. So what’s causing all those achy backs? “Everyday habits like hunching over your computer, toting a heavy purse or backpack, or picking up a toddler are often to blame for the pain,” says Dr. Moon.
Using Your Blood for Natural Healing Even after having surgery for a sports-related groin injury, recovery was slow for Megan Cortazzo, MD, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist with UPMC. A fellow physician suggested platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy — and her results were so positive that she now offers the service to patients at UPMC.
Think before lifting. Remember to keep your back straight and bend at the knees or hips when lifting something. Ask for help with a heavy load. Pay attention. If you feel back pain during any activity, stop and rest. Your body may be trying to keep you from getting hurt. Call the doctor. Most back pain can be relieved with self-care. However, Dr. Moon recommends that you see a doctor if: đ You have pain after a fall or injury. đ You have weakness, pain, or numbness in one or both legs. đ The pain is severe and doesn’t improve with medication and rest. đ The pain is accompanied by trouble urinating, fever, or unintentional weight loss. Learn more about building a healthy back at UPMC.com/Today. Source: National Institutes of Health
It also can be an effective alternative to surgery for patients with a wide range of conditions, she says, including: • Chronic tennis elbow (tendinosis) • Mild to moderate rotator cuff tears • Chronic ankle sprains • Mild arthritis of the knee For best results, Dr. Cortazzo recommends combining PRP therapy with physical therapy.
What is PRP therapy? PRP therapy is a type of regenerative injection therapy (RIT) that promotes the healing of injured or deteriorated tissue. “Platelets are rich in growth factors that stimulate healing,” explains Dr. Cortazzo. “We draw a small quantity of the patient’s blood and spin it in a special centrifuge machine. The process extracts platelets, which we then inject at the point of injury or inflammation,” says Dr. Cortazzo.
Is PRP therapy covered by insurance? Because it is still in its infancy, medical insurance does not cover PRP therapy. “Although it’s a self-pay procedure, many patients feel it’s worthwhile because it can eliminate lost work time and the cost of a deductible for surgery,” explains Dr. Cortazzo. “Most of all, they want the relief from pain it offers.”
Who should use PRP therapy? “PRP therapy’s use by professional athletes has generated tremendous interest in the procedure,” says Dr. Cortazzo.
For more information about PRP, call UPMC Rehabilitation Institute at 412-692-4400, or go to UPMC.com/prp.
1-800-533-UPMC
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A Partnership of Hope and Transformation Every year, the lives of 74,000 cancer patients and their families are transformed by the care, specialized services, and research of UPMC CancerCenter, Partner with University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.
Applying good science, investing in smart technology, and putting patients first. That’s the philosophy driving the cuttingedge research and lifesaving care offered through UPMC CancerCenter, Partner with University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI).
A network like no other UPMC CancerCenter is one of the nation’s largest integrated community networks of cancer physicians and health care specialists. Its more than 30 locations throughout western Pennsylvania and Ohio — including UPMC Mercy — bring outstanding cancer care close to home for many patients. “One of the main strengths of the UPMC CancerCenter network is its ability to obtain virtually identical results wherever patients are treated,” says Peter Ellis, MD, director of the medical oncology network. “Our Clinical Pathways are evidence-based care standards that provide uniformity across the network.”
Three powerful pillars supported by 1,700 experts “Through our quarter-century-long partnership, UPCI and UPMC CancerCenter have identified three pillars that enable us to achieve our common goals: clinical care, specialized care, and research,” says Stanley Marks, MD, chairman of UPMC CancerCenter.
UPMC is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as having one of the best cancer programs in the nation.
“We’re committed to being a leader in the fight against cancer today and tomorrow, with the patient always at the center of all we do,” says Nancy Davidson, MD, director of UPMC CancerCenter. “From the groundbreaking research that takes place in our laboratories to our delivery of the latest cancer therapies in locations throughout the region, we’re at the frontline of cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment,” she says. “We also play a key role in inspiring and educating the next generation of bright young scientists and cancer specialists.”
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“It’s not always easy to see the ‘behind the scenes’ story of who we are and what we do. With these three pillars, we marshal the resources of nearly 250 medical, radiation, and surgical oncology physicians; more than 1,160 nurses, technicians, and staff; and 350 research and clinical faculty,” he explains. “Few organizations in the country can match the level of scientific and medical expertise, state-of-the-art technology, and physical locations found here.”
Pillar I: Clinical Care From the moment of diagnosis, UPMC CancerCenter’s network of nearly 100 medical oncologists links patients to a full range of treatments and services that include: đ Conventional chemotherapy đƫStem cell transplants đƫBiological therapy
đƫTargeted therapies đƫHormone therapy đƫPerfusion therapy
Pillar III: Research UPCI physicians and scientists are recognized leaders in molecular and medical oncology research. Their primary goal is to discover new ways to prevent, treat, and cure all types of cancer, particularly those with the lowest survival rates. Working hand-in-hand with UPMC CancerCenter, UPCI’s investigators strive to translate their research into actual treatment. More than 300 clinical trials now underway at UPCI give patients access to cutting-edge therapies long before they are broadly available. The National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) 12th most-funded cancer research institution, UPCI received more than $174 million in support in 2011. UPCI is also western Pennsylvania’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Mark Sosinski, MD, a nationally recognized lung cancer specialist who joined the UPMC CancerCenter and UPCI team in 2011, says “This was a good fit for me and my research, but the strong leadership really stood out.”
The UPMC CancerCenter radiation oncology network includes 16 community-based radiation oncology centers and 10 dual radiation and medical oncology centers. Many of these sites offer innovative, advanced technology that allows for more precise tumor imaging and radiation treatment. The surgical oncology network specializes in the surgical treatment of a wide variety of cancers, including many rare and difficult tumors. Its multidisciplinary team of physicians has attracted national attention for work in areas such as minimally invasive surgery, including robotic surgery; specialized procedures, such as the pancreatic Whipple; and regional perfusion therapy, which directs high concentrations of chemotherapy to the tumor site.
Pillar II: Specialized Care For patients with challenging or late-stage cancers, UPMC’s Hillman Cancer Center is a beacon of hope and innovation. It is home to internationally regarded surgical, medical, and radiation oncology specialists who perform treatments and procedures unavailable elsewhere in the region. Hillman also has the area’s most advanced imaging technologies to detect cancer and monitor treatment. Nationally ranked Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC features dedicated and comprehensive women’s cancer care, including breast, ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers. For patients with hard-to-treat cancers, UPCI and UPMC CancerCenter offer disease-specific multidisciplinary clinics called Specialty Care Centers (SCC) designed to provide quick access to leading specialists. Many SCC reviews are done over the Internet, eliminating the need for long-distance travel. Care for children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer is provided at the highly-ranked Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.
To learn more about UPMC CancerCenter, Partner with University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, visit UPMCCancerCenter.com.
Hillman Cancer Center Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary When the Hillman Cancer Center opened its doors in 2002, it was hailed as an architectural gem — its spectacular, glass-block walled atrium serving as a symbolic link between research and patient care. Today, Hillman Cancer Center is the treatment and research flagship of the growing UPMC CancerCenter network. A 350,000-square-foot comprehensive cancer center, Hillman is home to UPMC CancerCenter’s pre-eminent clinical care for patients and UPCI’s internationally recognized academic and research programs. Here, patients and their families have access to specialized cancer diagnosis, prevention, care, and treatment, including multidisciplinary outpatient stem cell transplant services.
Architectural rendering of the patient waiting area of the Mario Lemieux Center for Blood Cancers, currently under construction at Hillman Cancer Center.
Opening in January 2013, the new Mario Lemieux Center for Blood Cancers will offer comprehensive diagnostic services, individually designed treatment plans, and long-term follow-up services to patients with leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and other blood malignancies. For more information, visit UPMCCancerCenter.com.
1-800-533-UPMC
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Magee’s Newest Baby Is Two Stories Tall — and Ready for Guests New state-of-the-art intensive care and cancer care units blend the latest in medical technology with the best in patient comfort.
It’s no coincidence that the words hospital and hospitality share the same Latin root, hospes, which means to treat guests with kindness and care. That spirit of welcome is immediately evident in the thoughtful design of two newly opened patient care units at MageeWomens Hospital of UPMC — one of Magee’s major expansion projects during a century of providing medical service.
“Their ideas and suggestions helped us create a quiet, calming, and safe environment for patients and caregivers. Each patient room is filled with natural light and decorated in soothing earth tones, blending comfort with technology. That kind of setting is very important to healing.”
Emphasizing patient and family-centered care Because studies confirm that the presence of loved ones promotes recovery, each patient room in the new unit features a comfortable sleeper sofa to encourage overnight stays. Family members also can order in-room meals for a modest fee, and all patient rooms have free Internet access and cable television. “Every room has separate zoned areas for families and caregivers, minimizing disruption and reducing infection,” explains David Muigai, MD, medical director of Magee’s ICU. “Visitors comment on how quiet it is here, thanks to acoustical features to minimize sound. And the ICU rooms are designed to accommodate changes in a patient’s condition, eliminating the need to transfer patients as they continue to recover.”
The patient rooms are warm and spacious, with a comfortable sleep sofa to encourage overnight stays by a family member or close friend.
“We wanted Magee’s latest major construction to focus on our patients with the greatest medical needs: those requiring intensive care and women undergoing cancer treatment,” says Leslie C. Davis, hospital president. “We’re still among the leading deliverers of babies in the nation, but we also care for men and children, from infants to centenarians. The additional beds also allow us to expand our core obstetrical (OB) services to the units that relocated. Adding space for our OB patients was a primary reason for this expansion.” Two floors were added to a three-story section of the hospital to create the new 14-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 28-bed Cancer Care Unit, more than doubling the number of critical care beds. Completed in record time, the new units increased the hospital’s overall bed capacity by 13 percent. “Before starting the project, we sought the advice of former patients, as well as our doctors, nurses, and staff,” says Joseph Kelley, MD, director of both the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and the Gynecologic Cancer Program at Magee.
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Each floor also has a family lounge and a meditation room. They offer privacy when needed, and company when desired. Both floors also incorporate the latest technology and best practices in green building solutions to minimize environmental impact. “We couldn’t be prouder of our newest addition,” says Dr. Kelley. “It reflects the kind of signature care and compassion Magee has delivered for more than 100 years.” Several of Magee’s programs, including cancer care, are again ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News and World Report (2012-13). Learn more about Magee’s services for women and men at UPMC.com/Magee. The meditation room on each floor provides patients and families with a private space that is peaceful and soothing.
Your Doctor and You: A Healthy Relationship
Someone to watch over you
Whether you have a minor concern or a more serious medical issue, your primary care physician (PCP) is the first line of defense in getting well and staying well. If you don’t already have a PCP, it’s best to find the right one before you get sick.
Since early detection can minimize the impact of many illnesses, your PCP will recommend screenings, including annual physicals, Pap tests, breast examinations and mammograms; prostate screenings, and colonoscopies. “Without a PCP, you might ignore important health maintenance issues,” he says.
A trusted partner in your good health “It’s important to have a relationship with a PCP you trust and are comfortable with, even when you feel great,” says Jorge Lindenbaum, MD, an internal medicine specialist with Lindenbaum Perryman and Associates-UPMC and medical director of the UPMC Mercy South Side Walk-in Primary Care Clinic. By getting to know you and your health history, your PCP can provide you with the best care possible.
Research indicates that people who have an ongoing relationship with a PCP are healthier than those without one. “Personalized care leads to patient trust, and that is vitally important in the doctor-patient relationship,” says Dr. Lindenbaum. Patients who trust their doctors are shown to have improved outcomes, such as better control of their diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. If you need advanced care, your PCP is the most effective and efficient link to medical specialists, or advanced services or treatments. “For patients and their families, having a PCP to coordinate their care with specialists and other providers is a huge relief,” adds Dr. Lindenbaum.
Finding Dr. Right A PCP can be a family medicine physician, internal medicine specialist, pediatrician, or obstetrician/gynecologist. With so many types of PCPs, how do you choose? For many adults, internal medicine specialists or family practitioners are their PCP of choice. These physicians are equipped to deal with all kinds of health problems, whether simple or complex. “The benefit of having access to highquality, comprehensive care at one convenient location is something patients really appreciate,” says Dr. Lindenbaum. Two new physicians recently joined Lindenbaum Perryman and Associates-UPMC and are accepting new patients. Kelly Chaney, DO, an internal medicine specialist, earned her medical degree from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisberg, W.Va., and completed a residency in internal medicine at UPMC Mercy. John Wohar, DO, also completed a residency in internal medicine at UPMC Mercy. He received his medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, Pa. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Chaney, Dr. Wohar, or any UPMC physician, call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762).
Did You Know? Back-to-school and sports physicals as well as vaccinations for children of all ages are available at the UPMC Mercy South Side Walk-in Primary Care Clinic, located at 2000 Mary St. Appointments aren’t needed, and parking is free and plentiful. Clinic hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 412-488-5705.
1-800-533-UPMC
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UPMC Mercy 1400 Locust St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219
UPMC Today is published quarterly to provide you with health and wellness information and classes and events available at UPMC. This publication is for information purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or replace a physician’s medical assessment. Always consult first with your physician about anything related to your personal health.
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The name you trust in women’s health is right here at Mercy. UPMC Mercy ob-gyn services are growing to provide comprehensive women’s services by bringing you the same experts who practice at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC. In addition to community-based physicians and midwifery, these expanding services for women are consistent with Mercy’s rich tradition of care. UPMC’s complete range of specialty services for women covers obstetrics and gynecology, maternal-fetal medicine, midlife health, women’s cancer, and much more. From checkups and preventive care to testing, diagnosis, and advanced treatments, the superb doctors, nurses, and caregivers at Mercy and Magee are with you every step of the way on the path to good health. We work closely with your primary care physician to provide seamless care. And every service is backed by UPMC’s world-class care, providing peace of mind when you need it most. To learn more about UPMC Mercy ob-gyn services or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762), or visit UPMCMercy.com.
business spotlight
SERVING YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITY C
utting hair isn’t just a business for Supercuts stylists, it’s also a way to give back to the customers they love and the community they call home. Guests know that they can always count on superb service and a welcome smile when they visit the Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall area Supercuts. Our expertly trained stylists offer a multitude of services including haircuts, waxing, blow-outs, color and more. A s the owner of the Supercuts franchise in Southwestern Pennsylvania, Laurel Breuner has not only added over 350 jobs to the region through her stores, but she and her employees have also been supporting local schools, sports teams, civil services and charities in those communities for more than 20 years. “We support the communities we serve,” Breuner said. “Giving back is important to us because the co mmunities have given us so much.” Supercuts also invests in its employees through extensive training programs and prides itself on hiring aspiring stylists graduating from local trade schools. “Pittsburgh is filled with talented people and we are thrilled to be able to hire vibrant employees, many of whom have recently graduated and are entering the work force for the first time,” Breuner said. Supercuts hires only licensed stylists and mandates extensive education with two weeks of in-store training before stylists are sent to Supercuts’ own Hair Stylist Academy. Stylists attend an advanced training course conducted by the Supercuts Certified Trainer/Artistic Director. New stylists must pass the five-day, 40-hour course before
Baldwin stylists Missy, Nicole, Laura, Jamie & Ali are ready to help you with your new look today.
they are able to actively work on the floor of the salon. After mastering t his level, stylists will continue to undergo regular training to enable them to keep up with the latest styles and trends. “We take what they’ve learned at school, provide additional and ongoing education, and look to retain these employees for many years,” Breuner said. This strategy is apparently working because Supercuts was just rated one of the top places to work in 2012 by a Pittsburgh Post-Gazet te survey. “It’s an honor to be recognized as a great place to work,” Breuner said. “Our employees are happy and that attitude is passed on to our guests. We not only offer a superior salon experience at an affordable price, but our locations are full of people who love and take pride in what they do and the community they serve.” If you haven’t already experienced the full services Supercuts offers, ple ase visit us soon. Supercuts has 30 Pittsburgh area locations; the nearest ones in the Brentwood, Baldwin, Whitehall area are located at 5217 Clairton Boulevard in Baldwin, and at Caste Village at Baptist and Grove Road. Both are open 7 days a week, with Caste Village open from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The Baldwin Locatio n is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays. For more information on all of Supercuts locations and services visit www.supercuts.com, or to call ahead for faster service, call 412.886.0460 for the Baldwin location or 412.881.8558 for the Caste Village Location. Walk-ins are always welcome!
Caste Village stylists Chelsea, Michelle, Brittany, Amy, Ashley, Lindsy, Natalie, and Amanda look forward to seeing you.
Brentwood Baldwin-Whitehall | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com
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BALDWIN BOROUGH’S 15TH Annual Halloween Event Saturday, October 20, 2012 12-3 p.m. BALDWIN BOROUGH MUNICIPAL COMPLEX 3344 Churchview Avenue For children 12 years old & under Games, Prizes, Pumpkin Patch, Face Painting & Balloon Twisters, Haunted Log Home, Candy, Treats, and much, much more!
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3344 Churchview Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15227 412.882.9600 www.baldwinborough.org
Beginning in 2013, the Baldwin Borough real estate tax (yellow bill) will be mailed to you in February and will be due at discount on March 31, 2013. The face amount of the tax will be due on May 31, 2013. A 10% penalty will be assessed after June 1, 2013. This change was made by Baldwin Borough Council to reduce costs for the taxpayers. Under the present arrangement, the Borough must take out a bank loan at the beginning of each year to pay expenses until tax collections
Beginning in October, Baldwin residents will receive sewage bills from Jordan Tax Service. This service was previously provided by Pennsylvania American Water, who issued Baldwin residents one bill for both water and sewage charges. Pennsylvania American Water notified the Borough in early 2012 that they would no longer provide sewer billing services, causing the Borough to find an alternative means to distribute sewage bills. After receiving the notification from Pennsylvania American Water, the Borough participated in a South Hills Areas Council of Governments (SHACOG) competitive bidding
start coming into the Borough in August. Moving up the due date for the real estate tax eliminates the need for a bank loan, saving the Borough and taxpayers the significant expense of bank loan interest. NOTE: The school district tax will still be billed in July.
process to secure a third party to provide sewage billing services. Participation in the SHACOG process helped the Borough receive a competitive price for the service, with the additional volume from our neighboring South Hills communities providing an economy of scale. Residents will continue to receive a water bill from Pennsylvania American Water; however, sewage charges will now be included in a separate bill and be sent to residents from Jordan Tax Service. As always, if residents have questions about how this transition will impact them, they can contact the Borough a 412.882.9600.
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SCHOOL DISTRICT
Superintendent’s Message A new school year is here. Our schools are operating as if there had been no summer vacation at all. The buildings are alive with the energetic voices of new and returning students. Personally, I prefer it that way. The schools are just too quiet during the summer months. Walking through the schools, I see students eager and willing to learn as teachers provide the needed instruction and guidance nece ssary for success. A key component to student success is family support. As your district leader, it is extremely satisfying to experience the continued support our families provide to their children, as well as, to our schools. As it has in the past, the Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP) will once again provide direction for the school district. Approved at the August 20, 2012 General Purpose Meeting by the Board of School Directors, the CIP for 2012-2013 contains five primary goals. Those goals are for further improvements in the following areas: 1. Student performance and achievement in all academic areas 2. Curricular and extracurricular programs offered in the school district 3. Communications with all stakeholder groups 4. Appearance, upkeep, safety, and security of all facilities 5. School district fiscal matters Specific action plans for each of the goals have been developed for implementation throughout the school year. The academic standards in Pennsylvania are being revised. Consequently, changes will follow in curriculum. To that end during the 2011-2012 school year, the school district’s K-12 English/Language Arts curriculum was reviewed and revised for compliance with the newly adopted Pennsylvania Common Core Standards. The revisions made in the English/Language Arts curriculum will be implemented throughout the year as part of the district’s continuing efforts in preparing students for the PSSA and Keystone Exams. This year the district’s K-12 Mathematic curriculum will be reviewed and revised for compliance to the Common Core Standards. Unlike last year, students returned from s ummer vacation to see new faces among the staff. Mrs. Kathryn Klein greeted students as the new secretary in the middle/high school Guidance Office. Two new teachers joined the professional staff replacing those who retired or resigned. Mrs. Jamie Dobson is the new special education teacher at Elroy Elementary School and Mrs. Cynthia Hebestreit is the new German teacher at the middle/high school. We w elcome these individuals to our district staff and look forward to working with them. Again this summer, no major facilities improvement projects were undertaken due to budget constraints. The maintenance and custodial staffs dedicated their energies to making repairs to the existing facilities and completing the summer cleaning process that occurs between school years. Students and staff returned to clean well-maintained buildings. As I enter my seventh year as the Superintendent of Schools for the Brentwood Borough School District, I continue to consider it both an honor and a privilege to hold the position. I look forward working with everyone to continually improve our school district while addressing our mission to educate and prepare our young people to meet the challenges and demands that will be placed upon them by a constantly changing world. Ronald W. Dufalla, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools
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SCHOOL DISTRICT
Under Act 1, the school district is required to adopt a final operating budget for the upcoming school year by June 30th. The Board of School Directors officially adopted its final budget for 2012-2013 on June 18, 2012 at its General Purpose Meeting. The $19,458,340 budget is a 3.13% increase over the operating budget from the previous school year.
A breakdown of revenues (Where the Money Comes From) and expenditures (Where the Money Goes) by category is shown in the accompanying pie charts. As you can see, the majority of revenues primarily come from real estate taxes and state funding. Revenue from local real estate taxes remains in our schools to educate the children who reside in the school district. The “Other Taxes” category also includes approximately $1.57 million from the fund balance that was used to offset the difference between expenditures and revenues. On the expenditure side, the majority of the operating budget is designated for salaries and benefits. These expenditures account for 68% of the budget. This is true for most school districts. Services are comprised of three types: educational, professional, and property. They account for 17% of the school district’s expense budget. The 2012-2013 operating budget required no increase in real estate taxes. Real estate taxes remain at 28.27 mills on every dollar or $2.827 per $100 of the assessed valuation.
Creating a budget for the school district is always a challenge due to increasing costs and a stagnant tax base. For example, there was a 4.75% increase in employee health insurance costs and a 3.71% increase in the employer contribution rate to the Pennsylvania School Employees Retirement System. This, in addition to level funding in state subsidy, made the challenge in developing the 2012-2013 budget just as great as it was in the previous year. To meet that challenge, the administration made extensive reductions to original budget requests that were submitted when the budget process began in January. Capital and/or building improvement projects were placed on hold. The Board of School Directors reviewed numerous aspects of academic and extracurricular programs offered in the school district and made adjustments where possible, being extremely careful not to cut programs that directly benefited the students.
This rate has been in effect since the 2006-2007 fiscal year. The earned income tax and real estate services tax remain at ½%. The local services tax remains at $5. The proposed final operating budget was on public display at all district schools and the Brentwood Library from May 15, 2012 until its final adoption on June 18th.
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The meeting schedule of the Brentwood Board of School Directors for the remainder of the 2012 calendar year is as follows: Agenda Planning Meetings September 10 October 8 November 12 December 3
General Purpose Meetings September 17 October 15 November 19 December 10
(Organization Meeting)
(Combined Agenda/General Purpose)
Committee Meetings September 24 October 22
All Agenda Planning, General Purpose, and Committee Meetings are held in the Board Room in the Administration Offices of the Brentwood Borough School District, 3601 Brownsville Road. The public is always invited to attend. All meetings begin at 7 p.m. A Joint School Board/Borough Council Meeting is scheduled for October 30 at 7 p.m. in the Brentwood Middle/High School Cafeteria.
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will be ger” card A n e ld o G “ r. The ears, the ge or olde a revious y f p o s in r a s e a in the ents 65 y Once aga nsored by ood resid o p tw s n ts e r n B e to r” card is n to all ev available lden Age admissio o e G e “ fr e s h e T vel id t. ol Distric e lower le card prov o h th c in S s h e g 4 d Borou tion Offic s 8 a.m. to Brentwoo dministra r u A o t h ic e tr ic is at the D gular off during re available l o o h c s dle/high of the mid riday. through F y a d n o M p.m.
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Are you unable to attend a meeting of your school board due to a schedule conflict, but would like to review actions taken at those meetings that are often not covered in newspaper articles? If this is a question that applies to you, the answer is only several clicks away on the web. By going to the school district website at http://brentwoodpgh.k12.pa.us, clicking on School Board and then Board Notes, you can view actions taken by the Board of School Directors at their most recent meeting or previous ones. School district policies are also available on the web. By going to the school district website noted above, clicking on School Board and then Board Policies, you will find the entire Brentwood Borough School District Policy Manual. Periodically, it is necessary to make revisions to various policies. Once the Board of School Directors officially adopts revisions, policies on the web will be updated to reflect those changes.
Substitute Personnel Needed Are you an individual who has the desire to substitute on an occasional basis as a teacher, nurse, custodian, secretary, teacher aide, security, or cafeteria worker? Substitutes in these areas are always needed to replace personnel who are absent for illness or attendance at meetings. If you are interested in placement on the school district substitute list in any of the categories noted, please contact Nancy Brown in the District Administration Office at 412.881.2227.
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In the event of a change in the school calendar due to inclement weather or emergency situations, necessary information for parents and students will be provided on the following television and radio stations:
TV STATIONS KDKA (Channel 2) WTAE (Channel 4) WPXI (Channel 11)
RADIO STATIONS KDKA (1020 AM) FROGGY (98.3 FM) KQV (1410 AM)
In addition, the AlertNow notification system will continue to be used to contact homes in the event of school delays or school closures. AlertNow is a Web-based rapid notification and communication service that allows the school district to contact hundreds of parents within minutes, having the capability to deliver both voice and e-mail messages. In order for AlertNow to work efficiently, updated contact information is a must and should be submitted to your child’s school office. Every effort will be made for all schools to remain open as originally scheduled on the school calendar. In order to reduce the number of days the schools may be closed due to inclement weather or emergency situations, delayed starting times will be used when conditions allow. On days when delayed starting times are used, all schools will begin at 10 a.m. unless otherwise noted in television, radio, or AlertNow announcements.
All schedules for middle school and high school athletics and activities can be found at www.usatodayhss.com. This website is used by high schools throughout the area to keep the community up to date on school events. Those visiting the website will have “live” information about Brentwood athletics and activities including team and season schedules; daily, weekly, and monthly events; student transportation; event locations; scores; opponent information; and schedule changes.
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Admission Fees Set for Athletic Events The admission fees charged for various athletic events sponsored by the Brentwood Borough School District are as follows: • Football – Adult $4, Senior Citizen $3, Student $2 • Basketball – Adult $4, Senior Citizen $3, Student $2 • Volleyball – Adult $2, Senior Citizen and Student $1 • Swimming – Adult $2, Senior Citizen and Student $1 In addition, active military personnel will be admitted free of charge with military ID. These fees remain unchanged from last school year. For any athletic events not noted above, admission is free.
With the start of the 2012-2013 school year, students will see SCHOOL changes in the school menus they have become accustomed DISTRICT to. These changes are the result of new nutrition standards issued by the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for school meals that were mandated in the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act. The goal of the changes is to provide students with opportunities to eat more fruits and vegetables at lunch. Research studies have shown that there is a connection between eating healthy and improved performance in the classroom. School lunch menus will include larger serving sizes for fruits and vegetables, more dark green, red and orange vegetables, an increase in Breakfast and lunch prices for the 2012-2013 school year beans and legumes, and smaller amounts of grains, including breads, cookies and chips. The daily fruit requirement will be one-half cup for have been set as follows: elementary and middle school lunches and one cup for high school • Elementary Student Lunch $1.95 lunches. The daily vegetable requirement will be three-quarter cup in the • Middle/High School Student Lunch $2.20 elementary and middle schools and one cup in the high school. The new • Middle/High School Student Tiered Lunch $2.70 regulations require that students take at least one fruit or one vegetable (Larger portions and different menu items) item from the selection offered. Other new USDA nutrition standards • Elementary Student Breakfast $1.25 include increasing the amount of whole-grain foods and serving only • Middle/High School Student Breakfast $1.25 low-fat or fat-free milk. Changes required in school breakfast menus are • Milk (A la Carte) $0.50 scheduled to occur in the 2013-2014 school year. The ten cent increase in lunch prices from 2011-2012 was needed as per State mandate in order to bring the amount charged to students up to the free lunch reimbursement rates received by the district. Breakfast prices remain unchanged from last year.
Families that have children attending any school in the Brentwood Borough School District can apply, if eligible, for free and reduced price school meals through the National School Lunch Program. Those participating in the free and reduced price school meal program receive healthy nutritious meals from the school cafeteria. Possibly, these could be the only meals that some students receive during the day. Research shows that students concentrate and perform better in school when consuming nutritious school meals. Did you know that in addition to providing well-balanced nutritional meals to students who qualify, the number of students receiving these meals impacts those who do not qualify? The number of students eligible for free and reduced price meals is used to determine various types of federal and state categorical aid that a school district may receive. The number of students receiving these meals is also used to determine a school district’s E-rate. Districts receive discounts on technology, advanced communications services, and library purchases based on E-rate. In addition, charitable foundations that provide funds to improve schools often base their awards on need as determined by the number of students receiving free and reduced price meals. The free and reduced price school meals program benefits all students, those in financial need as well as those who are not.
Families that have children attending any school in the Brentwood Borough School District can apply for free and reduced price school meals through the National School Lunch Program. There are several ways to apply. For those who have access to the Internet, you can go to the school district website at http://brentwoodpgh.k12.pa.us, click on District and then Food Services. Paper applications are available by clicking on Free and Reduced Lunch Letter – Middle/High School or Free and Reduced Lunch Letter – Elementary Schools. If you prefer not to use the paper applications, you may apply using the COMPASS Free and Reduced Lunch Application link. For those who do not have access to the Internet, paper applications are available at all schools in the district. Regardless of the method you select to apply for free and reduced school meals, keep in mind that applications must be submitted, processed, and approved before children may take advantage of the program.
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By Frank Krawiec, MSW, LCSW, Wesley Spectrum School Based Services Mental Health Intervention Specialist (This is a reprint of an article that appeared in the Fall 2011 issue of In Brentwood Baldwin-Whitehall. Because the information is both timely and relevant as a new school year begins, parents will find the article of value.)
Many students often fall out of their school routine during the summer months. It is often difficult to re-establish a routine when school starts back up. Here are some suggestions for establishing a structured routine and improving school behaviors and attitudes. Call a Family Meeting and Talk About What is Going to Change This is most helpful when it is done before the school year begins to start with a clean slate, but it can also be effectively done at certain times during the school year such as at the beginning of a new quarter. It is most helpful to sit down as a family to talk about the school year structure. Talk about what rules you’re going to change and what will stay the same. It is best to go into this meeting with a set agenda, which may include bedtime, homework routine, or getting to school on time. Make this an open conversation with input from all family members. When an agreement is made about new rules or routine, try to stick to it as best as possible. Write down the agreed upon schedule and post in central locations where all family members can see. Be Realistic…Don’t Tackle Everything…Focus on the Problems That Are Most Crucial If the last school year was difficult for your child, you may be tempted to lay out a long list of new rules. Instead, pick out the things that are most important such as morning/evening routine, homework time, or balancing academic time with sports and/or outside activities. Once you see your child make a positive change with a new rule, notice and give praise immediately to begin to shape this positive behavior. Talk to Your Child—Specifically—About What Needs to Change If your child had a difficult year behaviorally or
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academically last year, it is important to have a conversation about what needs to change. You want to address this as a problem you are going to solve together. Ask what he/she needs from you to make this a better year. Your child will have a better understanding of what change looks like and how to do it since you model it. For younger children, developing a chart or poster that lists out the new structure and expectations may be helpful. Set the Expectation for a Better Year Set an expectation with your child from the start that it’s going to be a better school year. Be both hopeful and realistic. Think about last school year and ask yourself, what went smoothly? What needed to change? Remind your child of the things that worked last year and try to build on them. Catch good behavior early in the year and give them some momentum to last for the rest of the semester.
You need to plan how the school week looks, how you will get everyone to their activities, how you will fit in homework time, and how you will manage to keep things going smoothly. This is challenging but not too late. If structure is needed now, it will always be needed. Add in times for breaks, snacks and to celebrate accomplishments. Celebrating small changes will lead to more confidence in tackling big goals.
A Special Note About Kids with Learning Disabilities or Anxiety It is particularly challenging for kids with learning disabilities to go back to school because they know that it is going to be a struggle for them. As their parent, and biggest advocate, it is beneficial to set clear limits and have a positive discussion with your child about school. Talk with the school about coming up with realistic goals and rewards and partner with the school to support the needs of your Find Someone at the School Who Will child. Let your child know that whatever the Support You school year may hold, that together you can get If your child’s school year has started and you’re through it, no matter what. Let them know that noticing issues cropping up, you are probably you are in their corner, cheering for them and feeling frustrated already. Try to find somebody proud of them. Make sure you celebrate every in the school who you can ‘partner’ with, success, even small ones. someone’s who’s going to help you help your child do better academically, socially or Looking Ahead... Even though we don’t want to think about the behaviorally. This might be a teacher who understands and likes your child, or a guidance winter months while we are enjoying the fall, counselor or school social worker that can now is a great time to plan for the potential of connect you with resources. The important school delays and snow. Hide a few board thing is to make some positive relationships games, crayons, markers, toys, and puzzles now with school personnel. that you may find at the Dollar Store or a garage sale. Tuck away for winter when you Remember That It’s NEVER Too Late may need that surprise “bag of tricks.” It is never too late to establish a structure. Happy Fall! Often the difficult part is trying to stick with it. Parents need to realize that a new routine actually requires a whole new set of organization for them.
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Determining Eligibility: Your child may be eligible for special education if your child: Has a physical, sensory, mental, or emotional disability and Needs special education as determined by an evaluation team.
Indications of Physical, Sensory, Mental, or Emotional Disability: Some indications that your child may be a child with a disability in order to meet the first part of the two-part definition are: Difficulty performing tasks that require reading, writing, or mathematics, An emotional disturbance over a long period of time which affects your child’s ability to learn, Consistent problems in getting along with others, Difficulty communicating, Lack of interest or ability in ageappropriate activities, Resistance to change, Difficulty seeing or hearing that interferes with the ability to communicate, Health problems that affect educational performance, including attention problems. Your child may need specially designed instruction that isn’t normally needed by other children in the general education classroom to make progress in school. This need for special education is the second part of the two-part decision to qualify a child for special education services.
Screening: The Brentwood Borough School District has a screening process within each student’s home school that identifies students who may need special education. This process includes: screening preschool and early intervention students in the spring and summer prior to their entering kindergarten; screening students for speech and language
services in Kindergarten and by referrals throughout the school year; routine health screenings, including height, weight and vision, for all students Kindergarten through 12th grade, hearing (K-3, 7, 11), physical exams (K, 6, 11), scoliosis screening (6, 7), and dental screenings (1, 3, 7); monitoring student progress on reading and math performance assessments (K-11) at selected intervals throughout the year; multidisciplinary team referrals; screening student records (discipline reports, progress reports, standardized test scores); screening referrals to the Student Assistance Program; and screening student enrollment records throughout the school year. For students with academic or behavior concerns, an intervention is developed based on the results of the screening. The student’s response to the intervention is looked at closely and if screening activities have produced little or no improvement within 60 school days, the student will be formally referred for an evaluation for special education. Parents may request that the evaluation take place without going through these screening activities.
The Evaluation: The evaluation process collects the information that will be used to determine if the student needs special education and, if so, the types of programs and services needed. The evaluation shall include information provided by the parents; review of school records (attendance, report cards, standardized test scores); information provided by the classroom teacher and school nurse; screening by a speech and language therapist; observation of the student’s behavior in the classroom; curriculum based assessments; evaluation by a school psychologist; and input from an occupational or physical therapist, if therapy may be needed.
The student may be referred for the evaluation in several ways: The parent may ask the school to evaluate the student for special education at any time. This can be done by sending a letter to the student’s school principal. The Permission to Evaluate will then be issued. The school may contact the parent and request permission to have the student evaluated. The parent must consent in writing to the student’s evaluation. School officials cannot proceed without the parent’s written permission on the Permission to Evaluate form. If permission is not received and the school continues to find that an evaluation is necessary, they may ask for a due process hearing and get approval from an impartial hearing officer to evaluate the student. All evaluations needed to determine the student’s eligibility for special education will be provided by the student’s school district at no charge. Results of the evaluations will be made available to the parents for their review. The parents may also get evaluation reports from professionals outside the school district and send them to the student’s school. The results of these outside evaluations will be considered in determining if the student has a disability and needs special education. Evaluations must take into account the student’s language skills and ethnic background so that the testing and evaluation will not be unfair for the student of a different race or culture. Tests are given in the language or form that is most likely to give accurate information, unless it is clearly not feasible to do so. Evaluations also take into account the student’s disability to be sure the results are reliable. If the student is eligible, a reevaluation is conducted at least every three years unless the student is intellectually disabled, in which case reevaluations are conducted at least every two years.
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The Evaluation Report (ER): The Evaluation Report will include information about the student’s skills, social behavior, learning problems, learning strengths, and educational needs. All evaluations and reevaluations include a review of the testing and assessments that were conducted, information from the parents, classroom observations, and the observations of teachers and related service personnel. The evaluation or reevaluation will also tell you what additions or changes are needed to help the student take part in and progress in the general curriculum. The Evaluation Report will indicate if the student has one or more disabilities and if the student needs special education. It may recommend the type of programs and services the student needs. The ER may state that the student is not eligible and does not need special education services. The parents will receive a written notice of this determination and have the right to dispute it at a hearing. The entire evaluation process will be completed within 60 calendar days, excluding summer vacation, from the date the district receives the parent’s written permission on the Permission to Evaluate form. A copy of the ER will be given to the parents. If the parent does not agree with the ER, they may submit a dissenting opinion, which will become part of the final ER.
The Individualized Education Program (IEP): If the student is eligible for special education, a team meeting with parent involvement is scheduled for the student. The IEP will be written at the meeting and will include a description of all the programs and services necessary to help the student be successful. The IEP team uses information that is contained in the ER to write the IEP. Required members of the IEP team are: The child’s parent(s); at least one of the child’s 52
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general education teachers (if the child is, or might become, part of general education classes); at least one special education teacher; the school district administrator/local education agency representative; someone who can interpret the evaluation results, who may already be a member of the team; a representative from a vocational-technical school if a vocationaltechnical program is being considered for the child; and at parent request or that of the school district, other people who know the child well or who have worked with the child. The parent may bring an advocate to advise them or anyone else who will be able to add information about the child’s educational experience. One person may fill more than one of the above roles. Mandated members of the IEP team may be excused from the meeting if the parent and the school district agree in writing. If a member is excused and his/her area of expertise is being discussed, he/she must provide written input before the meeting. If the parents choose to not attend the IEP meeting, it may be held without them.
IEP Timelines: The IEP will be completed within 30 calendar days after the evaluation team issues the Evaluation Report. The IEP plan will be implemented as soon as possible, but no later than 10 school days after the IEP is completed. The student’s program is reviewed every year at an IEP meeting or more often if requested by the parent or any other IEP team member. Educational Setting: The IEP team will consider different classes or schools to determine where the program can be delivered. The first consideration will be the general education classroom in the student’s neighborhood school. The law requires that students with disabilities be placed in situations that will provide as many opportunities as appropriate to be with students who are not disabled. This is called placing the student in the Least Restrictive
Environment (LRE). The LRE is the general education classroom in the neighborhood school unless the IEP team determines that the special needs of the student cannot be met there even with supplemental aids and services.
The Appropriate Class: The classroom chosen for the student will depend upon the amount and kind of special instruction or services the student needs. A special education teacher may be able to provide instruction in the general classroom (Inclusion). For some students, placement in a special education Itinerant, Supplemental or Full-time classroom for some of the day is necessary. Students who receive most of their instruction in basic academic subjects in special education classes will still have opportunities to participate in other activities in school with general education students. These opportunities might include participation in elective subjects such as art or music, belonging to a general homeroom, socializing in the lunchroom, and attending assemblies and other enrichment programs with general education students. The IEP team decides what type of support class is appropriate for the student with special needs. These classes are formed around the learning needs of students who are assigned to them: Learning support class – for children whose greatest need is for help in academic areas such as reading and math; Emotional support class – for children whose greatest need is for social, emotional, and behavioral help; Life Skills support class – for children whose greatest need is to learn skills that will allow them to live and work independent of their families; Sensory support skills class – for children who require help in dealing with disabilities resulting from limited vision or hearing; Speech and language support class – for children who have difficulty speaking and communicating; Physical support class – for children who need programs that consider their physical disabilities; Autistic support class – for
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children with autism; Multiple disabilities support class – for children with more than one disability, the combination of which results in needs requiring many services and much support.
Notice of Recommended Educational Placement (NOREP): Upon completion of the IEP, the parent will receive a NOREP. The NOREP will indicate the educational placement for the student and requires parent approval in writing before the school district will begin implementation.
child with a disability. These are called procedural safeguards. The school has the duty to inform parents of these procedural safeguards: Upon initial referral or parental request for an evaluation; With notice of a disciplinary change in placement; Upon the first occurrence of filing for a due process hearing. In addition, the law requires parents to be informed:
Basic Rights for Parents: Parents have a right to be notified of the safeguards that serve to protect the rights of their child who is a child with a disability or thought to be a
When the school proposes to change the identification, evaluation, educational placement, and the provision of a free
appropriate public education or refuses a parent request to change the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of a free appropriate public education; Of the student’s progress toward annual IEP goals on a periodic basis, such as quarterly; Of the procedures to maintain the privacy of the student’s education records. Only those who need to work with the student will see the student’s record. For additional information contact Dian Saltzberg, Coordinator of Special Education, telephone 412.881.4940, extension 2216, or e-mail dsaltzberg@brentwoodpgh.k12.pa.us.
Determining Gifted Eligibility: Mentally gifted is defined as “outstanding intellectual and creative ability, the development of which requires specially designed programs or support services, or both, not ordinarily provided in the regular education program.” A child may be eligible for gifted education if he/she: Is a year or more above grade achievement level for the normal age group in one or more subjects. Demonstrates an observed or measured rate of mastering new academic content or skills that reflect gifted ability. Demonstrates achievement, performance, or expertise in one or more academic areas. Shows early and measured use of highlevel thinking skills, academic creativity, leadership skills, intense academic interest areas, communication skills, foreign language aptitude, or technology expertise. Has documented, observed, validated, or
assessed evidence that intervening factors are masking gifted ability.
Screening and Evaluation: The term mentally gifted includes a person who has an IQ of 130 or higher and other factors that indicate gifted ability. Gifted ability cannot be based on IQ score alone. If the IQ score is lower than 130, a child may be admitted to gifted programs when other conditions strongly indicate gifted ability. The other factors to be considered include: achievement test scores that are a year or more above level; observed or measured acquisition/retention rates that reflect gifted ability; achievement, performance, or expertise in one or more academic areas that demonstrates a high level of accomplishment; higher level thinking skills and; documented evidence that intervening factors are masking gifted ability.
The Gifted Multidisciplinary Evaluation (GMDE): A Gifted Multidisciplinary Evaluation is a process to gather the information that will be used to find out if a
child qualifies for gifted education and, if so, the types of programs and services needed. Part of this process includes an evaluation by a certified school psychologist. A child may be referred for the first GMDE in several ways: Parents may request the school to give their child a GMDE at any time, but there is a limit of one request per term. The parent may ask for this evaluation by sending a letter to the school principal. A child’s teacher may also ask to have a child evaluated.
The Gifted Written Report (GWR): A multidisciplinary team reviews all materials and prepares a GWR that recommends whether a child is gifted and needs specially designed instruction. As a member of the GMDT, a parent may present written information for consideration. The GWR must include the reasons for the
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recommendations and list the names and positions of everyone who was part of the team. The entire GMDT process must be completed within 60 calendar days, excluding summer vacation, from the date the school district receives the parent’s written permission on the Permission to Evaluate form.
The Gifted Individualized Education Program (GIEP): If the GIEP team decides the student is gifted and in need of gifted education, the team writes the GIEP at the meeting. The GIEP is based on the unique needs of the gifted student and enables the gifted student to participate in
acceleration or enrichment programs, or both, as appropriate, and to receive services according to the student’s intellectual and academic abilities and needs.
Notice of Recommended Assignment (NORA): Upon completion of the GIEP, the parent will receive a NORA and a Notice of Parental Rights for Gifted Children. The NORA will indicate the educational placement for the student and requires parent approval before the school district will begin implementation. The Notice of Parental Rights for Gifted Children describes your rights and the procedures that safeguard your rights.
Parent Rights: At all times, a parent has certain rights with all gifted education services received by their child: The right to be notified about a child’s program and progress and any changes that take place; The right to approve or reject programs and testing; and The right to privacy. For additional information, contact Dian Saltzberg, Coordinator of Special Education, telephone 412.881.4940, ext. 2216, or e-mail at dsaltzberg@brentwoodpgh.k12.pa.us.
Students who have disabilities, which substantially limit their participation in, or access to school programs, but who do not need special education, may qualify for reasonable accommodations in the general education classroom under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. These services will be provided by the Brentwood Borough School District without cost to the student or family. The required accommodations are those which are needed to afford the student equal opportunity to participate in and attain the benefits of the school program and extracurricular activities without discrimination. The rules (Chapter 15) are
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different from those for students needing special education who qualify by meeting the two-part criteria listed above. In compliance with state and federal law, the Brentwood Borough School District provides to each protected handicapped student without discrimination or cost to the student or family, those related aids, services or accommodations which are needed to provide equal opportunity to participate in and obtain the benefits of the school program and extracurricular activities to the maximum extent appropriate to the student’s abilities. In order to qualify as a protected handicapped
student, the child must be of school age with a physical or mental disability, which substantially limits or prohibits participation in or access to an aspect of the school program. These services and protections for “protected handicapped students” are distinct from those applicable to all eligible or exceptional students enrolled in special education programs. For further information on the evaluation procedures and provisions of services to protected handicapped students, contact your child’s school principal.
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The Early Intervention System Act (Act 212) entitles all preschool age children with disabilities to appropriate early intervention services. Children experiencing developmental delay in the areas of cognitive, communicative, physical, social/emotional and self-help development may be eligible for intervention services. If you have questions regarding difficulties your child may be experiencing please contact one of the following agencies.
The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare is responsible for providing services to infants and toddlers, defined as children from birth through two years of age. For additional information contact Alliance for Infants and Toddlers, 2801 Custer Avenue, Second Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15227 (telephone 412.885.6000).
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is responsible for providing services to preschool age children from age three to school age. For additional information contact the Allegheny Intermediate Unit Dart Program, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, Pennsylvania 15120 (telephone 412.394.5736).
The law guarantees that the student’s school records are kept confidential. Only those who have an educational interest in the student will be permitted to see the student records. Someone has an educational interest if that person teaches the student or otherwise is responsible for some aspect of the student’s education. The district maintains a record of individuals who access a student’s educational records. Records cannot be given to anyone outside the school system without parent permission unless there is a legal reason for doing so. The privacy rights of parents and students are mandated by federal legislation known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA – 20 U.S.C. 1232g, 34 C.F.R. Part 99), state regulations (Chapter 14 – Special Education Services and Programs,
Chapter 12 – Student Rights and Responsibilities), and district policy. The different categories of information maintained by the school district are as follows: educational and health records, personally identifiable information, and directory information. With the exception of school officials, receiving school districts, Federal, state or local officials or authorities to whom information is specifically required to be reported or disclosed pursuant to Federal or state statute of regulations, educational and health records and personally identifiable information cannot be disclosed or released without parental consent or adult student (a student who is 18 or older, married, or attending an institution of post secondary education) consent. Directory information means information, which would be considered not harmful or an invasion of
privacy if disclosed. This information includes the following: student’s name, address, e-mail address, photograph, date and place of birth, courses taken, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student. Complaints asserting FERPA violations are filed with and reviewed and investigated by the U.S. Department of Education, Family Policy Compliance Office, Washington, DC 20202-4605. For additional information contact Dian Saltzberg, Coordinator of Special Education, telephone 412.881.4940, extension 2216 or email dsaltzberg@brentwoodpgh.k12.pa.us.
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Federal public law 107-110, section 9528 of the ESEA, “No Child Left Behind Act,” requires school districts to release student names, addresses, and telephone numbers to military recruiters upon their request. The law also requires school districts to notify students and parents of their right to opt-out of having this information released. If you would like to exercise your right to opt-out, please submit this in writing to your child’s building principal.
Under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), parents have a right to request professional qualifications of their children’s teachers or paraprofessionals. Parents have the right to ask for the following information: whether Pennsylvania has licensed the teacher for the grades and subjects he or she teaches; whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which Pennsylvania licensing criteria have been waived; the teacher’s baccalaureate degree major and whether the teacher has any advance degrees, and if so, the subject of the degrees; and, whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications. Please contact your building principal if this information is desired. 56
Brentwood Baldwin-Whitehall
Make Back to
n the rush to get everyone off to school, it’s easy to fall into a food rut, serving the same things for breakfast, lunch and snacks. But with some inspiration and a little planning, going back to school can taste a whole lot better than it used to. To make things even more fun, have the kids help with these recipes and ideas. Once they get the hang of it, they can experiment with new ingredients and do it themselves, taking one more thing off your to-do list. BREAKFAST: Start the day off with pizza — Breakfast Pizza, that is. This recipe layers eggs, cheese, turkey bacon, hash browns, sour cream and guacamole on your favorite pita or flatbread. Kids can make it as hot or as mild as they like. It’s a great way to sneak in avocados’ 20 vitamins and minerals, and it will give them energy to get going on their busy day. LUNCH: Skip the same old sandwiches and liven up the lunchbox with these tasty creations. Try a Tortilla Wrap made with chicken, Wholly Salsa, Wholly Guacamole and a hint of lime juice. Experiment with different kinds of tortillas, from whole wheat or sundried tomato, to spinach or jalapeño. For a full-of-flavor favorite, make a Mexican Turkey Torta. Thin turkey slices get topped with a zesty black bean and corn relish, crisp lettuce and your favorite guacamole. To help keep all the delicious flavors inside the roll, hollow it out a bit so the other ingredients don’t fall out. AFTER SCHOOL SNACK: Whether they need something to hold them over until dinner or a quick bite on the way to practice, these Wrap It Ups will do the trick. Turkey, garlic and herb spread, Havarti cheese, guac, lettuce and tomato get wrapped up in a tortilla or flatbread, then sliced into bite-sized swirls of deliciousness. Make them ahead of time, then just slice when it’s time to enjoy. Get more back to school inspiration — including quick-fix dinner recipes for busy school nights — at www. eatwholly.com.
I
BAN THE BORING LUNCHBOX Keep school lunches interesting — and healthier — by including something nutritious to munch on. Guacamole and salsa are perfect for dipping into, and individually portioned packs of all natural Wholly Guacamole and Wholly Salsa are the perfect fit for a lunch box. Here are some “and” options to make lunch something fun to dip into:
Guacamole and Zucchini sticks Baby carrots Whole grain pretzels Sweet potato chips
Salsa and Blue corn chips Sliced jicama Cucumber slices Baked pita chips
School Taste Better
Yield: 1
WRAP IT UPS
1 flatbread (tortilla, w ra 1 tablespo on garlic a p, lavash) nd herb fla 2 tablespo vore on 1/4 cup sh s Wholly Guacamole d spreadable cheese re classic avo cado 1 small tom dded lettuce ato, diced 2 to 3 slice sH 2 to 3 slice avarti cheese s turkey (o ptional) Spread th eg Spread gu arlic and herb spre adable ch acamole o eese on fla n On one e tbread. nd of the top. flatbread, Layer che sprinkle a ese and sl line ice inches of untopped d turkey beside lett of lettuce and dice d to uc b re Starting fr om the le ad at the other end e and tomatoes, lea matoes. ttuce/tom ving at lea . vegetable ato st two sw Stick in to ith the first roll and end, roll up bread/ tortilla, tu othpicks to proceedin ckin g to keep the ro ll rolled, a the cheese/meat. g in the nd slice in two-inch thick spira ls. Brentwood Baldwin-Whitehall | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com
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Dr. Sean Hayes
When people hear “going to the chiropractor” their thoughts normally go immediately to treatment for lower back pain. It is true Dr. Michael that low back pain is one of the most common problems that people Martini seek Chiropractic care for, but what many people don’t know is that lower back pain is only one of many problems chiropractors are trained to treat. At Hayes Chiropractic, Drs. Sean Hayes, Michael Martini, and Matthew Houston treat what they refer to as “neuromusculoskeletal pain.” These are conditions that involve the muscles, nerves, and joints in the body. This could be the neck, back, shoulders, elbows, knees, ankles, and any other joint in the body. Chiropractic is all about anatomy and physiology, or simply put structure and function. If you are experiencing pain, spasm, stiffness, decreased range of motion, headaches, numbness, tingling, or any combination of Dr. Matt Houston these symptoms then you most likely have a problem that can benefit from Chiropractic treatment. If you practice good habits on a regular basis you will be able to minimize the pain, but even good habits can’t completely eliminate the need for a Chiropractic treatment. Just like going to the dentist for a routine cleaning, or to your Medical doctor for a yearly physical, Chiropractic care can be used as maintenance to keep the body healthy and working properly.
You are sitting in your car at a red light, singing along to the radio, when suddenly, BANG – you have been rear-ended. Accidents happen, and what happened in just a few seconds can have serious consequences. What you do in the days and weeks that follow can affect your health forever. Of course you are going to get your car checked for damage, but what about your body? The effects from the accident on your body, especially if they are soft-tissue injuries, may not be immediately obvious like that of a broken windshield or crushed plastic and metal. Don’t minimize your injuries if there was very little damage to your car. Getting a Chiropractic evaluation as soon as possible is essential. Pain pills, muscle relaxers and cervical collars won’t heal inflamed tendons, injured muscles and ligaments, or restore proper alignment to the spine. Chiropractic care, massage, and rehabilitation help restore proper motion and position of the spine and help to ensure proper healing. Symptoms may be present immediately after the accident, but can also take days, weeks, or months to show up. Pain can be present in the neck, upper and lower back, shoulders and arms, or manifest as headaches. The doctors at Hayes Chiropractic can help you to get well and to stay well after the trauma of a car accident.
High school, college, weekend warrior, and pro athletes all want to have the best possible performance in their sports, but injuries do happen. While their risks can be minimized, they cannot be totally avoided. The ways that these injuries are treated can determine how fast one can recover and how fast they get back to competing. Chiropractic offers a balanced approach to the treatment and the healing of sports injuries. The doctors at Hayes Chiropractic use spinal manipulations, Active Release Techniques (ART), massage and trigger point therapies, rehabilitation, and home care recommendations to help the injured areas return to their optimal function. Many professional athletes are using Chiropractic care more frequently because it helps them to maximize their athletic performance and to return to competition following injury. Famous athletes such as Sidney Crosby, Jerome Bettis, Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Evander Holyfield and many others have utilized the benefits of Chiropractic care in their competitive careers. More and more professional and college teams are reaping the benefits of Chiropractic.
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We are pleased to announce that Hayes Chiropractic is once again offering massage therapy to our patients and our community. Stop and meet our new therapists – they are sure to rub you the right way! We have gift certificates available for all occasions (the gift that keeps on giving).
Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program Recognizes Pennsylvania Students for their Academic Achievement and Community Service
From left: Governor Tom Corbett; Camara Copeland of Shady Side Academy; Shealyn Williamson of Allderdice High School; Farrah Cornick of Northside Urban Pathways School; Jordan Gaston of Plum Senior High School; Rebecca Wytiaz of Thomas Jefferson High School; Isabella Egloff of Fox Chapel Area High School; Sarah Espy of Baldwin High School; Alicia Carson of Penn Hills High School; Ms. Barb Mowery of Rep. Harry Readshaw’s office; Shannon Evans of North Hills High School; and Dave Breidinger, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for Comcast.
The Comcast Foundation, founded in 1999 to provide charitable support to its local communities and to empower and enrich lives, is awarding 163 Pennsylvania high school seniors $1,000 scholarships through its annual Leaders and Achievers® Scholarship Program. The program, one of the Comcast Foundation’s signature community investment programs, recognizes students’ leadership skills, academic achievement and commitment to community service. Comcast officials were joined by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett and state legislators in recognizing the students at a special event held Tuesday at the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg. “I commend the students honored by Comcast today for their hard work and dedication to academics,” said Governor Corbett. “Not only have they excelled in the classroom, but they have shown a commitment to making their communities a better place to live. Each one of them makes Pennsylvania proud.” The Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program provides one-time, $1,000 scholarships to students who strive to achieve their potential, who are catalysts for positive change in their communities, who are involved in their schools, and who serve as models for their fellow students. The philosophy behind the program is to give young people every opportunity to be prepared for the future, to engage youth in their communities, and to demonstrate the importance of civic involvement and its value to the business community. Each year, Comcast works with high school principals, guidance counselors and school administrators to select the scholarship recipients. Since the program's inception there have been over 17,000 scholarship winners totaling more than $17.2 million. “Comcast is proud of its Leaders & Achievers scholarship recipients. They represent some of the best and brightest high school seniors who also demonstrate civic involvement in the communities we serve across the country,” said Charisse Lillie, Vice President, Community Investment, Comcast Corporation and President of the Comcast Foundation. “We are thrilled to support their educational efforts with these scholarships.” Brentwood Baldwin-Whitehall | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com
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InDave the Garden of Trains Maynard of Baldwin takes life-long hobby outside
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By Earl Bugaile
B
y day, Dave Maynard spends his time servicing copying equipment at dozens of offices in western Pennsylvania. By night, he combines his technical knowledge with the love of trains, by operating a railroad empire in his back yard on Page Drive in Baldwin. He is one of a small but dedicated group that has taken the hobby of model railroading outdoors, in the form of Garden Railroading. “I started with Tyco HO trains when I was four years old,” Maynard, 43, said of his passion for model railroading. “When my mother and I bought this house in 1996, it didn’t provide any space inside for a train layout. I thought I would have to give up trains until I discovered the G scale while visiting a hobby shop.” By way of introduction, G scale is the largest of the scales or gauges that is available on the market. For example, HO, which is commonly seen in many indoor layouts, is 1/87th the size of a real train. G scale is three times as large, and are designed to be more durable, and suited to withstand the outdoor elements. Track is also designed to withstand the weather, since it is laid on a planned right of way, and stays down 12 months out of the year. “I really wanted one of everything when I first saw the G scale trains,” Maynard said. “Of course the cost was something to consider, so I had to begin small.” Maynard returned home that day and took a visual survey of his back yard. He plotted a track plan that includes two reverse loops, and decided to use stainless steel track, a new and more expensive alternative to brass. He had to wait additional time for the manufacturer to make the switches he wanted in his layout. He had to scale several hurdles created by the landscape behind his home, including the need for special bridges that needed to be built to span natural valleys. Since no such bridges were available on the market, he bought an HO guide for building bridges and trestles, and tripled the dimensions to make them fit. Maynard’s backyard railroad was completed over the course of a weekend in 2002. “I started laying the track on a Friday night, and by Monday night I was running,” he said. Maynard said he dug a 6x6” trench along what would be the railroad right of way, and used crushed limestone for the ballast to support the track over the wiring that was required. Every piece of the track is connected to wiring to ensure smooth operation. “Out here I’m dealing with the freeze-thaw cycle of the weather, the natural elements and also animal traffic, so I tried to make the tracks as bullet-proof as possible,” he said. Maynard said some garden railroaders even run their trains during the winter months, and even have snow plows that attach to the front of locomotives. He is not one of them. “I’ve tried it a few times, but snow tends to build up on the inside of the rail which leads to derailments,” he said. Each spring, he does a complete re-leveling of the track, and replaces any that has been damaged or deteriorated due to weather conditions. The highlight of Maynard’s layout is a reverse loop, which takes a train around a tree in the far end of his yard, and then reverses back the other direction. At the same time, another train is programmed to stop when it reaches a certain point while the first train passes. “I wanted to create a single track main. In model railroading, it’s almost unheard of to have the double reverse loop, because it’s very difficult to do with DC power. I was able to work out all the logistics to make it work.” Maynard’s layout has been visited by many neighborhood children and adults. He said most of them who have visited have been captivated by not only the trains, but the scratch built scenery and buildings, and by the way the railroad wends its way through his back yard. He has written numerous articles for online modeler’s magazines on how he built his layout. continued on next page
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continued from previous page Aside from the endless work that is associated with garden railroading, the cost of track and trains is more expensive than trains available in the more traditional scales. It is the likely factor in the considerably smaller number of people who are into the hobby. There is a Pittsburgh Garden Railway Society that has about 50 members, but only a handful of them are actually operating a layout. Maynard belongs to the Pittsburgh Model Railroad Club, which meets regularly to exchange ideas. “It’s a hobby, and it can be as expensive as you want it to be,” Maynard said. “But it depends on what you consider as ‘expensive.’ Diesel locomotives can run into the hundreds of dollars, but you can generally pick up a starter set for a few hundred dollars.” Maynard’s rather extensive collection has been put together over the years. Currently he has numerous cars and over 30 different locomotives. “It’s something you can’t afford to do overnight. I only buy one car at a time,” he said. For Maynard, operating his garden railroad is his chance to relax after a busy day. From his back patio, he can hear the trains on the Wheeling & Lake Erie rolling through Longview, about two miles from his house. Then he watches his own freight chugging by on his self-created line. “There’s nothing better than to come home in the evening and sit outside and watch the trains,” he said.
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Brentwood Baldwin-Whitehall | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 412.653.3548
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“SQUEAL”
Baldwin Library Teen Summer Drama Club Performs “Squeal” Students took to the stage of Harrison Middle School to perform the play “Squeal” for the public. The play is a play within a play where performers are trapped within a school play. This amusing spoof within a spoof strings together misleading clues, vegetable jokes, the theory of relativity and a Hamlet-loving pig hostage in a hysterical chain of events leaving the audience to “squeal” with delight. Student s of the club rehearsed all summer long to put on the production.
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Brentwood Firecracker 5K~Thanks all of you! The last runner has crossed the finish line, and the packets have been handed out, and the trophies have been awarded. After months of planning, the 29th Annual Brentwood Firecracker 5K is over. This Brentwood tradition continues only because so many people have given their time and energy to make this event possible. We truly appreciate the support of Brentwood Borough – from Council who allowed the race to occur to the police, Public Works, EMS, and crossing guards for the services they provided and coordinated with the neighboring communities. The Brentwood Library and staff offered space for our activities and gave race information to the public. Local sponsors generously provided financial and in-kind support. And we most certainly appreciate the volunteers - VOLUNTEERS ROCK: Thank you to all. As the saying goes, “it takes a village.” So, too, it takes many hands, hearts and commitment to make an event such as the Brentwood Firecracker 5K a success. The planning process starts slowly in December and comes to a roaring crescendo in June. We start with requests for sponsorship. By early April, sponsorship must be confirmed prior to the printing of the race form which is mailed at the end of May. Thanks to the overwhelming
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response from volunteers the preparation and delivery of the race forms to the post office took 4 hours vs. 7 hours last year. We move on to selection of the T-shirt design from the entries submitted. Once the T-shirts and “stuffers” have arrived the task of putting together the race packets is quite a production line with volunteers of all ages. Again this was completed in record time. Since participants can pick up and also register for the race just prior to race day at the Brentwood Library, many volunteers are pressed into multi-tasking for preregistered packet pickup and registration duty. On the day of the race while many people are still sleeping, volunteers are gearing up for the event: the trophies and raffle prizes are delivered, the registration and timing chip tables are assembled, water stations are set up, timers move onto their designated spots, and finally, as racers come across the finish line, volunteers collect the timing chips. Lastly, the clean up process begins. Imagine the clean up after hosting over 1,900 people! Yes, Virginia, there are volunteers to help. So a round of applause goes out to all of our volunteers for helping to make our biggest ever 5K a success. Many thanks to all everyone who made the Brentwood Firecracker 5K possible.
What is an Assisted Care Residence? An Assisted Care Residence is a residential facility offering personal care services, which is inspected and licensed. Assisted Care Residence/ Personal Care provides communal living, meals, supervision and assistance with personal care tasks (activities of daily living). They are typically for older individuals or people with physical and cognitive disabilities who are unable to care for themselves but do not need a skilled nursing facility (Nursing Home). Assisted Care offers a schedule of daily activities encouraging social interaction with people who share similar interests. Services provided by most Assisted Care: Services vary and are based on individual needs; typically they include assistance with: • Eating/ Drinking • Toileting • Bathing/ Personal hygiene • Dressing • Managing healthcare/ Administering medications • Recreational activities • Emergency call system • Trained staff available 24 hours a day • Scheduled local transportation • Performs maintenance, housekeeping, linen and laundry services upon request. Costs: The cost of Assisted Care ranges from $1,400 through $4,400 per month. In Pennsylvania the average cost is $2,600 a month. Medicaid does not reimburse or supplement the expense of living in an Assisted Care Residence. Veterans aid and attendance benefits may help supplement costs. Many Assisted Care Residences have different levels of care that help to identify the daily cost.
Finding the Right Assisted Care Facility: Making the choice is challenging, and stressful. Use the following steps as a guideline: • Evaluate you or your loved one’s needs. How much help do you need? • Can you or your loved one manage physician appointments on your own? • Contact facilities close to family and friends and request basic costs, services and other charges. • Tour and meet the administrator, (unexpected visit) and notice interaction between staff and residents, view activity schedule, observe meal and menu, review contract and ask about any additional fees, if any. • Go for the comfortable feeling. If you feel welcome, make the move! An Assisted Care Residence may be the right choice for you or your loved one if: • You’re uncomfortable living alone • There is a fear of falling • Fear of safety • Forgetting medications • Poor nutrition • Difficulty with daily chores If Assisted Care is what you need, call us today. Many individuals qualify for Veterans benefits which can make choosing this option affordable. At Southwestern, we offer three levels of senior living all at one location with your independence as our #1 goal. This Industry Insight was written by Linda Weir RN, CLNC, PCHA, Southwestern’s Director of Senior Living. For more information on the Southwestern Group Continuum of Care and the services provided, call us at 412.466.0600 and for Southwestern Assisted Care Residence 412.460.1099.
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riving is perhaps the most basic human task that people take for granted. You need to be somewhere, so you grab keys and wallet and run out the door to your car and off you go. Or perhaps it is crossing a busy intersection in the heart of downtown--you watch the crosswalk signs, you look both ways, you watch for buses, cars, bikers or even other pedestrians and then you step out and walk across. Think h ow easy it is to browse a store and pick out fun, new outfits for upcoming special occasions. You peruse the racks, try things on and gaze your appearance in three-way mirrors. Once you like what you see, you walk to the nearby cashier and reach for your cash or credit card, knowing by memory exactly where it is in your wallet or purse. Now imagine being blind or someone with low vision: you could neve r drive yourself anywhere; you would be almost paralyzed by the noise, confusion and speeding vehicles to cross by yourself at any crosswalk. And how would you know where to shop, what the clothes look like, how you look in them, or even where your money is in your wallet? These are among the extreme challenges that individuals with vision impairments experience every single day. Estimates vary, but according to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 10 million people in the United States are blind or visually impaired. Over the next 30 years, as the baby-boomer generation ages, the number of individuals with vision impairments is expected to double. They define "vision impairment" as eyesight that cannot be corrected to a "normal level" by corrective lenses, exercises/therapy or surgery. So for those facing these challenges, is their only option to just stay home with family or friends who will care for them, sheltered from the potential dangers and trials of a visual world that they cannot navigate? Of course not. Where can they get expert training on how to survive sightless in a sighted community? “Strength does not come from 70
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winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.” Arnold Schwarzenegger (actor, former Governor of California) For 102 years, a facility now called the Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Services (BVRS) with sites in Homestead, Baldwin and the North Shore, has helped thousands of people with vision loss find their way to independence. There are not many agencies like BVRS in the United States and it has drawn clients from as far away as Hawaii, Montana, Oklahoma, Maine, and occasionally from other countries. Their motto is: Changing the lives of persons with vision loss and other disabilities by fostering independence and individual choice. Here's how it all began: In 1910, a number of Pittsburgh organizations and private citizens worked together to create the Pittsburgh Blind Association (PBA). Their goal was to provide employment for blind people and increase awareness of blindness prevention. They were motivated by the growing number of vision impaired men who lost their sight in industrial accidents. Industrialization was new and laden with unsafe conditions. For workers who were maimed or blinded on the job, the choices were few. No social safety nets existed like job retraining, wo rkers’ compensation, social security, or welfare. The injured turned to their families, friends or the streets to survive. Nearly fifty years later, Monsignor Paul M. Lackner, of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, formed an organization called The Greater Pittsburgh Guild for the Blind. The Guild focused on rehabilitation, teaching people to manage their vision loss. Their mission: Independence through Rehabilitation. With PBA’s focus on employment and blindness prevention and the Guild’s mission of rehabilitation, vision-impaired Pittsburghers were well served. In 1997
B USINESS D IRECTORY
they merged and became Pittsburgh Vision Services, maintaining their facilities at Bridgeville and Oakland. By 2005 the buildings of both agencies were sold and the new agency, renamed Blind & Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh, moved to its current location in the former Homestead Hospital at 1800 West Street, Homestead. BVRS is where vision impaired indivi duals learn to enhance all their skills and senses so as to “see” and function in unique ways. “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.” Helen Keller Today the private nonprofit agency carries out the missions of both predecessor agencies. It provides treatment and blindness prevention programs at Homestead and low vision services at their newest office in Baldwin. It offers employment through its manufacturing and assembly division and the commercial services division, both located on Pittsburgh’s North Side. The multiple, nationally-acclaimed programs of BVRS include: Personal Adjustment to Blindness Training; Vocation and Employment Services; Low Vision Services; State-of-the-Art Computer Access Technology Center; Summer Youth Programs; Services for Seniors and U.S. Military Veterans; Preschool Vision Screening; In-Home Instruction; Community Services and Day Programs for People with Disabilities. If you need assistance in any way due to a vision problem, or find the need to help by volunteering, mentoring or donating (they are affiliated with the United Way), please contact Debra Meyer, Public Relations Coordinator at 412.368.4400 x 2287 or log onto to their www.pghvis.org. They can really use your help and your “vision” for their future. Brentwood Baldwin-Whitehall | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com
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