in-canon-mac

SPRING 2013

Percussive Sounds of the Canonsburg Middle School Symphonic Band

anon Mac FROM THE PUBLISHER Â Welcome to the spring issue of IN Canon Mac magazine! I hope that you are as anxious as I am to get the cold and snow behind us and get busy planning projects around the house.

This issue is dedicated to home-improvement projects great and small. Some projects will give you curb appeal, some will increase your home’s value, and others are for the sheer enjoyment or luxury of it.

Regardless of your aims with your home, whether gutting the walls, or just planting the perfect tree in the yard, our homes are a source of pride for us, and not in a status sense. They are where we raise our families, where we feel safe, and where we invite our friends and loved ones for parties and fellowship.

Our homes are where our children play, and where oftentimes, we tend to sick loved ones.

They are where we try hardest in life, and where the challenges of life hit us the most. Our homes bear witness to our triumphs as well as our sorrows, and they are as much a part of our personalities as what we choose to wear or adorn ourselves with.

So with so much importance placed on the walls that contain us, we hope that you can find at least one project within these pages to be fodder for your next project around the home.

Have a wonderful spring!

anon Mac

Wayne Dollard, Publisher

Summer content deadline: 5/23/13

2 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE |

Canon Mac

INSIDE

SPRING

IN Canon Mac is a non-partisan community publication dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the Canon Mac 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 publication in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

2013

IN Canon Mac | SPRING 2013 |

sive Percus of the ds Soun nsburg Cano School e Middl onic Band Symph

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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

St. Louise de Marillac Catholic School Setting Down Roots ............................... | 14

The Physical Therapy Institute ON THE COVER

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Canonsburg Symphonic Band Director Paul Rush instructs the percussion section; Keegan Decker, Owen Kees and Carter Seroka.

Post Concussion Syndrome .................... | 20

UPMC TODAY

Health and Wellness News You Can Use | Spring 2013

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Gentle Dentle .................................... | 34 Walter Mark Agency ....................... | 56

What’s Inside 2 3 4

When It’s More than Just Heartburn Hope and Healing A Healing Touch Food in a Glass

5 6 7

12

Clinical Trials Can Change Lives Depression and Older Adults Comprehensive Care for Today’s Urology Patients

© 2013 UPMC

UPMC Today_Mercy_Spring_2013_v16.indd 1

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FEATURES

Canon Mac School District ..................................................... | 6 MS Symphonic Band Makes Sweet Sounds ......................... | 12 Lil Macs Football Association Hosts Youth Football Tournament ................................................................ | 16 Canonsburg Lake Celebrates 70th Anniversary ............... | 22 Home Improvements in Canon Mac .......................................... | 36 White: Southern Beltway Announcement Boon for District, Region .................................................................................. | 48 COMMUNITY INTERESTS

Tomosynthesis Offers Women Greater Detection of Breast Abnormalities ................................................................ | 18 UPMC Today | Health and Wellness News ..................................... | 25 New Advanced Treatment for Skin Cancer ......................... | 43 Special Value Coupons ............................................................. | 50 Park, Pool & Camp Dates & Rates ........................................ | 52 Canon Mac | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 5

DEFENDING OUR COUNTRY

CMHS Student and Teacher Share Army Experiences

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randon Mayberry and Matthew Todaro share an important part of their lives. They met last year when Brandon was a student in Mr. Todaro’s World History 11 class at Canon-McMillan High School. And both now are members in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Eighteen-year-old Brandon is a senior and cross-country athlete at CMHS but also a private first class, and Mr. Todaro is a 1st lieutenant and a battalion chaplain, a preacher in boots.

Mr. Todaro has taught at Canon-McMillan High School for a decade. He earned a bachelor’s degree in social studies from Penn State and a master of divinity degree from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. His father is a minister at Bible Alliance Church in West Newton. He joined the Reserves three years ago as part of the 402nd Quartermaster Battalion in New Castle.

“In 2010, I missed school for two months to do officer training. And last summer I was doing additional training while Brandon was doing basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C.,” said Mr. Todaro.

Brandon really listened when Mr. Todaro talked about his experiences and military history, in general.

“I stress accountability and responsibility in my classroom, as we do in the military,” said Mr. Todaro. “I saw some kids giving up – so they had to have a mission: get an A, do an assignment, don’t quit, don’t leave another student behind if you can help. I found some of my high school students lacked motivation, but they now use this concept of looking out for each other.”

Brandon, the son of John Simko and Dawn Mayberry of Lawrence, had some history of the military in his family. “My greatgrandfather was a Marine and my Pap was in the Army,” said Brandon. But Brandon turned to Mr. Todaro and the recruiter when he wanted up-to-

CANON-McMILLAN MILLAN SCHOOL DISTRICT 6

Canon Mac

date information about joining the Reserves.

“Brandon is an amazing young man with so much excitement for life,” said Mr. Todaro.

“Some students I see want to go to college, but don’t know why or what they will do. Brandon chose to give up his summer to defend this country. That’s a noble characteristic.”

Brandon plans to stay in the Army Reserves and attend college to study business administration, with the military providing tuition assistance. Brandon is interested in getting into ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) with the hopes of someday becoming an officer.

Brandon enlisted in November 2011, when he was still 17 and a junior. He had to spend much of last summer in basic training – the first time he had spent away from his family. He admits the first few nights he called home crying because he missed his family. That is not unusual, but where some of the new recruits quit and went home, not Brandon. In fact, he missed the first four days of his senior year because he was at basic training.

“When I said the oath, I knew it was a commitment and there was no way out of it, but I knew it was very beneficial,” said Brandon. Last summer was at Fort Jackson, S.C., and next summer he will spend at Fort Lee, Va., in AIT (Advanced Individual Training).

In basic training, he had mandatory tasks: must score 21 out of 40 in shooting an M-16 rifle and Brandon shot a 31 out of 40, although he had never fired a weapon be-

fore. Then came the physical training test.

“I’m proud that I was the fastest 2-miler out of my whole company of about 200 recruits,” said Brandon, who runs crosscountry and track at CMHS. He had to do a 10-mile march with a full pack over soft sand up and down hills.

The last task was Victory Forge, a 4-day, 3-night field excursion where they had to sleep in hasties which he described as like graves. They had to dig them low enough so no one could see them when the soldiers are lying in them.

“I dug one about 3 a.m. and put foot powder around to scare off bugs. I lined it with my poncho and then we had a big rain.

I woke up and it felt like I was in a bathtub with water splashing in my mouth,” said Brandon. “But my favorite part was learning to breach into a building.”

He is officially a member of the 475th Quartermaster Company, 402nd Battalion, U.S. Army Reserves, headquartered in Cranberry Township. For now he has training one weekend a month. He will be a mechanic in his unit, and knows that by accepting a 6-year contract, deployment is a possibility in the future and he accepts that. Brandon wants to make the military his career.

Brandon says he is taking his senior year very seriously so he can make the grades to enter ROTC. And he is enjoying working on his senior project – writing about his future in the Army. He also has a part-time job as a busboy at Pizzaz restaurant.

Mr. Todaro added, “I have a large number of my students who went on to serve in the military, but he’s the first in one of my companies.”

Several of Brandon’s school friends ask him about the military and his guidance counselors have him discuss the process with them.

“I have had the pleasure of having Brandon both in class and in uniform. He is a great kid and I cannot be more proud of him,” said Mr. Todaro.

REMEMBERING A FOOTBALL GREAT

Pictured from left are: Guy Montecalvo, CMSD athletic director; Karen Macerelli, Jeff’s widow; Scott Macerelli, Jeff’s son; and CMHS Principal Dave Helinski.

Retiring #86 Jeff Macerelli’s Jersey

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anon-McMillan School District has retired football jersey #86 that was worn by Canon-McMillan and West Virginia University football great Jeffrey Scott Macerelli. Jeff’s retired jersey will be displayed in a case on the wall in the Athletic Wing at Canon-McMillan High School, along with the retired jerseys of Doug Kotar #22 and Eric Galbraith #11.

Mr. Macerelli died unexpectedly in 2006 at the age of 48.

While at Canon-McMillan, Mr. Macarelli was a three-year starting member for the varsity Big Mac gridiron squad. He was named a member of the 1974 Western Pa. Football Coaches AllStar Team and was selected to the Big 33 Team. He graduated with the Class of 1975.

In 2009, Jeff was named to the Canon-McMillan Hall of Honor.

In his professional life, Mr. Macerelli enjoyed a 25-year career as an independent State Farm insurance agent, ranking in the top 20 agents in the U.S. and number 1 in Pennsylvania. He also won many awards including the 25-year Ambassador Life Travel Award.

He was president of the Cecil Township Youth Athletic Association and the Canon-McMillan Quarterback Club. He coached both youth baseball and softball. He was the announcer for Canonsburg-Cecil-North Strabane Youth Wrestling Association.

Mr. Macerelli is survived by his widow, Karen, and his children, Scott and Karla.

Scott followed his father’s path to WVU to play football and was the leading receiver and free safety at Canon-Mac in 2003 and 2004 when the Big Macs won more games in back-to-back seasons than at any time in school history.

SOME OF MACERELLI’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS AT WVU • A four-year letterman at linebacker for the Mountaineers • In his freshman year, he and his Mountaineer teammates captured a victory in the Peach Bowl • An All-American in 1976 as a sophomore • Named to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) All-Star team in 1976 and 1977 • Named ECAC Division I Defensive Player of the Year in 1977 • WVU team co-captain in 1978 • Upon graduation, Jeff “Mad Dog” Macerelli was the all-time leading tackler in WVU’s history, ranking fifth in that category today with 432 – 244 of these solo efforts.

• Named to WVU’s 100 Year Team • Second all time in unassisted tackles in a single game vs. Boston College with 17 in 1976, his sophomore year.

• Fourth all time in season tackles with 172.

• Prior to a knee injury, Macerelli was courted by the Dallas Cowboys, the Washington Redskins and the Seattle Seahawks.

• Winner of the Louis D. Meisel Award for Highest Academic Average.

• Graduated from WVU with a bachelor of science degree in sociology and a master’s in mining safety management.

Canon Mac | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 7

PITTSBURGH-THEMED MUSICAL WORK COMING TO CMS

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Robert Buckley Commissioned for CMS Band

ike a detective, Robert Buckley may do research for weeks or longer. Then he goes to bed and when he awakes…voila – the music is there.

Well, that may not happen without a lot of work and expertise, but he says it sometimes happens like that. “The music will come to me during the night and in the morning I just have to write it down.”

He is a composer, arranger, conductor, producer and performer, and people in the Canon-McMillan School District will soon hear his magic.

Mr. Buckley was commissioned to write a musical work for the Canonsburg Middle School Symphonic Band, paid for by the band’s booster club that holds fundraisers throughout the year.

Middle schools and high schools rarely are able to commission works, but Paul Rush, CMS band director, has been commissioning works every year since 2011.

Mr. Rush’s predecessor, Michael Caporizzo, commissioned seven works between 1994 and 2008, from composer Elliot del Borgo. Mr. Rush already has a composer picked for the 2014 commission – Gary Fagan, who did the commission for CMS in 2011, named “Reflections on a Glass Castle.”

“This never happens in Canada,” says Mr. Buckley, who lives in Montreal and Vancouver.

Mr. Buckley has worked professionally on records, commercials, audio-visuals, contemporary dance, musicals, symphonic works, feature films, and theme music for television series and specials. He has worked for Cirque du Soleil, Michael Bublé, Celine Dion, and he composed music for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, the Calgary Olympics and the 1994 Commonwealth Games.

So why did he take on the commission for a middle school?

“I started life as a musician in a school band,” he said. “If you have an inspired conductor, like Paul Rush, what happens when you play together is beyond language and description. It is an amazing thing that happens when you sit in a band and play. It is addictive. Writing band music for young musicians is such a thrill and they are so appreciative. When you have a group focus on a single piece of music – it is quite magical.”

He shares CANON-McMILLAN that magic SCHOOL DISTRICT through his 8

Canon Mac

CMS SPRING CONCERT Thursday, May 9, 7 p.m.

Canonsburg Middle School TICKETS: $3 at the door and on the website CMSBB.org Professionally recorded CDs will also be available for purchase

musical compositions and performances that span the world. Recently he was in Azerbaijan for work with Cirque du Soleil, a company known for its mix of circus arts and street entertainment.

Mr. Buckley will be conducting the world premiere of his new work for the CMS Symphonic Band, “Postcard from Pittsburgh,” at the band’s spring concert on Thursday, May 9, his birthday.

Mr. Buckley is excited about meeting Mr. Rush, although they have communicated often since he started working on the commission in December 2011.

It was a collaborative effort. Mr. Buckley periodically would send a draft of the music to the school and he would receive feedback from the band. “These young musicians will feel a part of this work,” he said. “The part that comes before writing music is most important.”

Mr. Rush described his band to the composer, beginning with the large number of percussion. So the piece begins with percussion and continues with a percussive line throughout.

Mr. Rush had the composer take out the mallet percussion part and spread that part to the tuba, baritone saxophone, and

bass clarinet, to better suit the 170-member band.

Then Mr. Buckley wanted to have the piece reflective of the City of Steel by using drums, anvils and other metallic instruments.

Anthony Popovski, the 8th-grade percussion section leader of the band, added, “We are very excited about how this is being commissioned and playing it. I will play the four-drum, tom-tom part, with a powerful booming sound.

“We are playing a brake drum with brass mallets and it will sound like an anvil.”

Band vice president Catriona “Cat” Watson, an 8th-grader who plays trumpet, said, “I really like it and it is fun to play.

Counting was a little challenging and when we overcame that, the whole band was really happy about it.”

Mr. Buckley did his online research of the history, music and general information about Pittsburgh. He learned about Pittsburgh’s Inclines, the cable-car-like apparatuses that transport people up and down to Mt. Washington. In Quebec City, a similar transport is called a funicular. The end of the new piece ends with the view from the top of one of Pittsburgh’s Inclines.

After several weeks of study and talking with Mr. Rush, Mr. Buckley said the writing of the piece came quite quickly.

“I like doing the research, and that’s when I start hearing the music in my head.

A lot of the music comes to me in the middle of the night – even though I’ve been preparing for weeks.”

Another plus for the CMS Symphonic Band and Mr. Rush is that this new piece is being published by Hal Leonard Music, the largest music publisher in the world – and Mr. Buckley’s publisher. When it is published it will have the names of Canonsburg Middle School and Paul Rush on it. It will be sold all over the world.

Mr. Buckley is in the midst of doing another commission for a “mass band” of 1,200 musicians at the Whistler Music Festival in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Then there are a few movie scores coming up and he hopes to do more work for Cirque du Soleil.

But he is enjoying the work with CMS. “The energy that comes from young musicians is like no other. They are fresh and when they know a new piece, it’s magical.”

Anthony added, “The band’s motto is ‘Prove It.’ Every day we come in and Prove It to show we are a great band.”

CMHS STUDENTS EXCEL AT THE PSAT SYMPHONIC BAND OFFICERS:

PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

SECRETARY

SECRETARY

Jake Schoeler

Shannon McCall

Nate Setar

Cat Watson

Pictured from left are: Kevin Freeman, Benjamin D. Macioszek and Jacob I. Brown.

TREASURER

TREASURER

Danny Kitchen

Megan Virgin

LIBRARIANS

Grace Dahl, Isabella Lucchino EQUIPMENT MANAGERS

Dylan O Neill, Matt Gielarowski, James Zukowski 8TH GRADE REP: Zayne Webster 7TH GRADE REP: Emily Trew BAND BOOSTER OFFICERS: PRESIDENT Mrs. Jennifer O’Neill VICE PRESIDENTS Mrs. Maureen Corwin, Mr. Kevin Decker TREASURER Mrs. Mary Kitchen SECRETARY Mrs. Alma Gelorme COMMISSIONED WORKS

by Elliot Del Borgo 1994 Dorian Rhapsody 1998 Tame the Savage Sea 2000 Everest - Top of the World 2002 Night Cries 2004 Gregorian Variants 2006 Dances with Spirits 2008 Irish Rhapsody

by Gary Fagan 2011 Reflections on a Glass Castle

by Samuel Hazo 2012 Seconds Out

by Robert Buckley 2013 Postcard from Pittsburgh

Three CMHS Students Recognized in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Program

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avid A. Helinski, principal of Canon-McMillan High School, announced that Kevin Freeman has been named a semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship Contest. The son of Carolyn and Daniel Freeman of Canonsburg was chosen by his scores on the 2011 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/ NMSQT®). Finalists must have an outstanding academic record, be endorsed by their principal and earn an SAT score close to their score on the preliminary exam. Students also must submit an essay. About 15,000 Merit semifinalists from across the country are expected to advance to compete for 8,400 scholarships worth more than $36 million, to be awarded during spring 2013.

Benjamin D. Macioszek and Jacob I. Brown have been named Commended Students in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation from National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, was presented by the principal to these scholastically talented seniors. Benjamin is the son of Emily and Ben Macioszek of Canonsburg. The

parents of Jacob are Terry and Charles Brown of McDonald.

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2013 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2013 competition by taking the 2011 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®).

“Recognizing academically talented students plays a fundamental role in the advancement of educational excellence within our nation,” commented an NMSC spokesperson. “The young people recognized as Commended Students represent some of the best and brightest minds in the country as demonstrated by their outstanding performance in our highly competitive program. We sincerely hope this recognition will provide them with additional educational outlets and motivate them in their pursuit of academic achievement.”

Canon Mac | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 9

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

The Art of Giving Baby Book Bags

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embers of Canon-McMillan High School’s Love Your Culture Club and the National Honor Society work together to prepare “Baby Book Bags” for the Literacy Council of Southwestern PA. The Baby Book Bag project features bright yellow totes which are hand-stuffed with children’s books and literature emphasizing the importance of reading to babies from birth. The totes are distributed by the Literacy Council to new mothers at Washington Hospital, pre-natal programs in the Mon Valley, and to pediatric practices in Greene County. The Literacy Council hands out more than 1,800 Baby Book Bags every year.

Mrs. Leatrice Thomas is sponsor of the Love Your Culture Club and Mrs. Joyce Mason is sponsor for the National Honor Society.

Top Left: Senior Michael Burchesky gathers the totes for further packaging.

Bottom Left: senior Marissa Chirumbolo, sophomore Mariah Chandler and freshman Dara Thomas check the hand-stuffed bags. The students packaged 200 totes.

NHS Food Drive

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Pictured are NHS seniors, Jared Barton, left, and Nicole Witkowski, packing boxes of non-perishables for the Canonsburg Food Bank.

CANON-McMILLAN SCHOOL DISTRICT 10

Canon Mac

he Canon-McMillan High School National Honor Society’s annual fall food drive was held to benefit the Canonsburg Food Bank. Cash donations were also accepted.

Loosely based on the popular young adult book, The Hunger Games, the theme for the collection was “Hunger is no game.”

Joyce Mason, NHS sponsor, along with the NHS officers, Jennie Brancho, Nicole Witkowski, Brandon Sterling and Matthew Tilley, divided the school into 12 districts with each district represented by a teacher who volunteered to be a Tribute.

Principal Dave Helinski, who represented the Capitol, gave each of the 12 teachers a “food goal.” The teacher-tributes had to encourage students and other members of their departments to bring in canned goods and other nonperishable items to meet their goal.

Jennie Brancho, NHS president, commented on the student and teacher response, “The Hunger Games theme is connecting with the students, and I am surprised by their overwhelming response. Hunger is not a game, and we want to do our part to support the Canonsburg community.”

The teacher-tributes were: Tera Brownlee, Jeff Conrad, Shannon Crombie, Mark Falvo, Kimberly Gillis, Danielle Gregory, Denise Matthews, Melissa Moore, Karen Rubican, Debbie Steinmiller, Leatrice Thomas and Colleen Yarbrough.

The students delivered over 100 boxes of non-perishable foods to the Canonsburg Food Bank. Danielle Gregory’s gym students contributed over 2,500 cans of food. Social studies teacher Joe Grosso organized the food delivery.

CANON-MCMILLAN HELPS THOSE IN NEED

at Canon-McMillan Clothing Drive for Sandy Victims

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anon-McMillan School District athletic department joined with other WPIAL school districts in sponsoring a Hurricane Sandy clothing/shoe drive. The coaches were asked to donate shoes, warm ups, parkas, etc. A few of the Canon-McMillan High School students used their study hall time to pack up the boxes, label and weigh them. Canon-McMillan shipped out a total of 23 large boxes and over 350 pounds of clothing by Federal Express. Justine Burnquist, left, and Lucy Baker are seen packing the boxes.

Turkeys for Needy Families

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occo Pastore and Maura O’Donoghue from Team Nautilus at North Strabane Intermediate School took part in this year’s donation to the 2000 Turkeys Project. The project received $30 from Team Nautilus that could feed 12 people a holiday meal.

The fifth-graders were asked to do random acts of kindness for one another during the month of November. For their acts of kindness, the students earned a “paper quarter” from a classmate.

The quarters were charted on a table in the classroom. The paper quarters were changed into a real donation to 2000 Turkeys with the money provided by the students’ teachers, Ms. Lynne Douglas and Mrs. Amy Kelemen. Everyone found great joy in knowing that they helped to feed needy families in Washington County at Thanksgiving.

Keep up-to-date on news about Canon-McMillan School District!

Go online to: www.cmsd.k12.pa.us Click on: District Click on: CM News Click on: Highlights You’ll find more stories and photos about the work going on in CMSD.

Check it often!

CANON-McMILLAN SCHOOL DISTRICT CAFETERIA SUBSTITUTES

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! Work during regular school hours.

Great job for semi-retirees or stay at home moms/dads!

CALL: 724-746-1040 for more information Or apply at: Administration Building 1 North Jefferson Avenue, Canonsburg

Canon Mac | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 11

Brandon Kline gets instruction from Band Director Paul Rush From left (back row): Katelyn Greaves and Jaiden Williams; (Front row): Alexandra Yarosh, Jenna Becker Gretchen Gasmire and Maggie Petrarca

Reece Eiben on the suspended cymbal

Natalie Compel, on the tuba, plays next to James Zukowski and Tyler Eckels on trombone.

Brendon Hilker playing the hi-hat

Anthony Popovski on the tom-toms

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Clarinets played by, from left: Abby Loutzenhiser, Lauren Belfiore, Bella Lucchino and Megan Bowers

Canon Mac

Trumpets played by, from left: Cat Watson, Nate Setar, Jacob Schoeler and Zack Myers

Daniel Kitchen on timpani

Matt Pukansky, Ryan Fulton, Jessica Ray and Nathan Weese

Shane Corwin on Vibes

Director Paul Rush conducting rehearsal

Playing saxophone, are, from right: Lois Cass, Samantha Schafer and Robert Lawrence

Keegan Decker playing the temple blocks

Playing bassoon, from left, are Ashlea Daniels, Grace Majestic and Shannon McCall, with Alexa McNeil on flute

MS Symphonic Band Makes Sweet Sounds Dedication and talent would describe the Canonsburg Middle School Symphonic Band members, who gather daily at 7:30 a.m., before their school day even starts, to work on the music that they make sound so great.

Playing clarinet, are, from left: Katelyn Greaves, Jaiden Williams, Elena Yarosh and Samantha Sonnet Canon Mac | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 13

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Canon Mac

Angels’ Place, Inc. offers a practical, progressive and compassionate approach to challenges associated with single parenthood, financial difficulty, and inadequate education. For low-income single parents who attend school full-time and for their children, Angels’ Place, Inc. is a beacon of hope and encouragement. At no cost to the families enrolled, we are able to provide: • Child care while parents attend school full-time • Assistance with food, clothing, and other basic needs • Facilitated discussion of parenting, health, safety, nutrition and legal concerns • Counseling and tutoring when needed • Opportunities for growth through referrals for services from our community partners Angels’ Place, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, offers families with children 0 - 5 years of age some crucial support unavailable from most child care providers. Given this comprehensive backing, the student parents at Angels’ Place are able to get the education they need to be successful in the workforce. They commit to achieve passing or higher grades, attend parenting classes, and give two hours of weekly service. They join hundreds of others who have been able to complete their education, find rewarding employment, and gain parenting and life skills through participation in the program.

Twenty-nine years ago, Angels’ Place began as the result of our founder’s belief that “a choice for life should never mean a choice for poverty.” Since then, we have operated under the assumption that single parent students should be able to complete their education without the lack (or cost) of child care standing in the way. The original Angels’ Place center was founded as Mom’s House in the Brookline area of Pittsburgh.

Five years later we opened a similar comprehensive support center in the borough of Swissvale. The 1998 opening of a third center on Pittsburgh’s North Side, which also houses the Angels’ Place administrative offices, was made possible by an outpouring of community support for a capital campaign and a Kresge Foundation challenge grant. In 2003 the name changed to Angels’ Place, Inc. The combined capacity of the three Angels’ Place facilities is 75 children. All three are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the gold standard of excellence in early education. Fewer than 10% of American preschools have achieved accreditation from NAEYC, which rigorously evaluates such important aspects as curriculum, teacher qualifications, class size, health and safety.

All of those assisted by Angels’ Place live on less than half of the federal Median Family Income.

The accomplishments of Angels’ Place are those of the children and young parents in the program and these frequently include: • Completing secondary education, and often post-secondary education • Enhancing career opportunities and obtaining meaningful employment • Improving problem-solving and planning abilities • Increasing knowledge of effective parenting practices • Gaining confidence as a parent • Improving knowledge of good health and nutrition practices • Advancing management of stress and psychological well-being Over 1,600 volunteer hours were contributed this past year. As a result of the love, kindness and tireless efforts of so many people who care about the mission of Angels’ Place, we are currently in our 29th year of providing services to low-income, single, full-time student parents and their children. We operate Monday - Friday, providing breakfast, lunch, two snacks and quality early education each day.

If you are interested in finding out more about Angels’ Place, please visit www. angelsplacepgh.org or call the center location nearest you: Brookline Center – 412.531.6667 Swissvale Center – 412.271.2229 North Side Center – 412.321.4447 Canon Mac | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 15

champions

7U 8U 9U 10U 11U

16 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE |

12U Canon Mac

Lil Macs Football Association Hosts Youth Football Tournament Over Thanksgiving weekend, the Lil Macs Football Association hosted the Mid-Atlantic Classic Series (M.A.C.S.), which featured six age divisions (7U - 12U).

Twenty-two teams participated, which included over 400 kids. The event started on Friday, November 23 and ended with the championship games being played on Sunday the 25th at North Strabane Park. Each team played one game on Friday and one game on Saturday with the winners competing on Sunday for the title.

412.221.2248 724.745.7422 www.colemanmitchell.com info@colemanmitchell.com

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Four different organizations won an age division (Canon Mac-2, Bethel Park-2, Brownsville-1, Brookline-1). Visiting families donated unwrapped gifts, and, through their generosity, Lil Macs collected more than a truck full of toys for the Washington/ Greene County Toys for Tots organization. Plans are underway for an even bigger event next year.

Results of the championship games: 7U Bethel Park ... 7 Canon Mac ... 0

10U Brookline ... 13 Bethel Park ... 0

8U Canon Mac ... 7 Bethel Park ... 0 Overtime Game

11U Canon Mac ... 19 Bethel Park ... 0

9U Brownsville ... 20 Trinity ... 13

12U Bethel Park ... 27 Canon Mac ... 13

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Canon Mac | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 17

Tomosynthesis Offers Women Greater Detection of Breast Abnormalities Donna Peters, 46, was told she had breast cancer in July 2012 – a diagnosis that almost had not happened, had it not been for tomosynthesis, a revolutionary three-dimensional mammography imaging technology being used at Magee-Womens Imaging.

Peters explained that she had a standard mammogram at a local hospital in March, only to be called to have a second one a few weeks later. “My doctors said that my breast tissue was dense, but they were not sure if something else might be going on,” she explained.

She returned for the second mammogram, and had a sonogram immediately after, as her physicians were still somewhat unclear of what they were seeing.

“This is the biggest advance we’ve seen in breast imaging in a long time, and we are excited to provide it to our patients.”

A few weeks later, she had an MRI, which concluded a possibly benign tumor, so another MRI was performed, but this time with a guided biopsy. The results were in and showed no cancer.

That is when Peters took matters into her own hands and sought a second opinion.

“I knew in my heart that they were wrong, so I called Dr. (Marguerite) Bonaventura’s office at Magee and made an appointment for a second opinion,” Peters said. “Thank goodness I did!

She and Dr. (Denise) Chough saw something that my previous doctors had missed.”

- Dr. Margarita Zuley

Dr. Chough ordered tomosynthesis for Peters, who said that it did not feel any different from that of a standard mammogram. The diagnosis was confirmed. Peters had infiltrated ductal carcinoma, the most common kind of breast cancer.

“Tomosynthesis provides physicians with the ability to improve upon the limitations of the standard two-dimensional mammography, which will hopefully allow us to find more cancers with fewer false-positives and limit the number of additional workups and potentially unnecessary biopsies,” said Margarita Zuley, M.D., director of breast imaging at Magee-Womens Imaging.

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Canon Mac

“And although tomosynthesis currently does not replace traditional 2-D mammography, especially in women with dense breast tissue, it does reduce the recall rate of patients by 30 to 40 percent.”

The technology uses precise 3-D digital imaging to create a complete reconstruction of the breast, which gives radiologists the ability to identify certain abnormalities which can be more difficult to detect with traditional 2-D digital mammography screening. One of the main differences between tomosynthesis and 2-D mammography is its ability to capture 60 to 100 pictures through use of an advanced digital platform, compared to two pictures produced by the standard mammogram.

Although the test can be performed on anyone, for now, tomosynthesis is used for patients who have an inconclusive mammogram or for patients who request it, according to Dr. Zuley, who does feel that it will eventually replace the two-dimensional test. Dr. Zuley also stressed that the radiation levels in tomosynthesis are equal to that of traditional two-dimensional mammography.

Much of the research on tomosynthesis was conducted at Magee-Womens Imaging, and researchers there are the most widely published group in the country on the technology.

“I am so grateful for this new technology,” Peters said. “I feel it was a big part in my diagnosis, because it gave my doctors a clearer image of what was going on inside my body. But the equipment is only as good as the doctors who know how and when to use it, and when Drs. Bonaventura and Chough saw something that they did not like, they immediately opted to use tomosynthesis to verify their suspicions. They made the process easy!”

“This is the biggest advance we’ve seen in breast imaging in a long time, and we are excited to provide it to our patients,” Dr. Zuley said.

Tomosynthesis is currently available at Magee-Womens Imaging locations in Oakland and Monroeville and at the Magee Breast Center at UPMC St. Margaret.

Canon Mac | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 19

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Canon Mac

Canon-McMillan School District Director of Business and Finance earns enhanced qualifications Joni Mansmann, Director of Business and Finance for the Canon-McMillan School District, earned a Certificate of Enhanced Qualifications in the Areas of Human Resources and Materials Management. This has earned her renewal as a Pennsylvania Registered School Business Administrator (PRSBA) by the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO).

Mansmann has been employed by the district since 2007.

In addition to her current position with the district, Mansmann serves as a member of the PASBO Membership Committee and Property Tax Referendum Committee.

She is in her second year of service as the secretary for the Southwest School Business Officials Chapter. She has written multiple articles for “PASBO Report.” She is also a member of the Association of School Business Officials International and a member of the Management Techniques Committee.

She was recognized by ASBO and MetLife as a 2008 recipient

of the Bridges to the Future Scholarship program.

In order to be granted the professional registration status by PASBO, a school business official must meet high personal, ethical and professional standards established by the registration program. These include formal education, experience and continuing education. Once attained, the registration must be renewed every four years through a program of professional development.

PASBO is the state professional association of school business officials whose responsibilities include the business and service functions of public and non-public schools.

PASBO’s purposes are to promote the highest standards of ethics and practices in school business administration and to encourage professional development and improvement of individuals engaged in school business management. PASBO is affiliated with the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO).

Canon Mac | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 21

Canonsburg Lake

C el e b r a t e s A nn i v e r s a r y 70 th

I

n 2010, as you may recall, we shared with you two diverse photographs of Canonsburg Lake. One photo captured the beauty and serenity, while the other witnessed the unfortunate deterioration.

At that time we also provided information regarding the important work being done to “Save the Lake.” Now, as the Lake commemorates a significant anniversary, we have exciting progress to report.

Most importantly, a $2 million project to stabilize Canonsburg Dam was completed 22 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE |

last year. This effort was overseen by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and a state H20 grant. The design was completed

by Michael Baker Jr. Inc. and included high capacity rock anchors, incorporation of a low level outlet and replacement of the training wall in order to remove the dam from the state’s list of unsafe dams. The stabilization of the dam is one component of an effort to maintain and improve the Lake, which over the past 70 years has suffered from the accumulation of silt, resulting in diminished

Canon Mac

fish spawning due to reduced water depth and changes in habitat. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 2008 reports indicated that samples of water quality showed that it was good and did not contain mercury or radioactive materials. What great news for fishermen!

Now that the stabilization of the dam is complete, Michael Baker Jr. Inc. is continuing to work with “The Canonsburg Lake Improvement & Restoration Committee” and has moved on to next phase, which is to

plan and execute the most cost effective and efficient way to remove deposited silt from the Lake which will restore degraded areas and ensure the future health and habitats in and around the Lake. This phase is likely to take some time to implement the full project although smaller phases are being developed to help start the project in 2013. As these phases are being completed, “hands-on� volunteers will be recruited to help transform areas around the Lake.

It is likely that in this anniversary Canon Mac | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 23

year, that you will see ongoing and visible progress. We should feel proud and enthusiastic about this joint community effort to improve and maintain this valuable resource. We have great reason to celebrate! Mark your calendar and look for more details about an upcoming spring fund raiser. It will be held at a local restaurant, where we can celebrate with neighbors and friends, the 70th anniversary of Canonsburg Lake. Next pack your fishing gear, kayak, and binoculars and get prepared to really enjoy the restored depths of the Lake as the phases of the project are completed.

We continue to accept tax deductible donations to help “Save the Lake,� WCWA, Canonsburg Lake Restoration & Improvement Committee, 760 Lakeside Drive, McMurray, PA 15317. Please visit our website, www.savecanonsburglake.org.

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UPMC TODAY

Health and Wellness News You Can Use | Spring 2013

What’s Inside 2

When It’s More than Just Heartburn

3 4

Hope and Healing A Healing Touch Food in a Glass

5

Clinical Trials Can Change Lives

6 7

Depression and Older Adults Comprehensive Care for Today’s Urology Patients

© 2013 UPMC

When It’s More Than Just Heartburn UPMC Mercy offers comprehensive testing and minimally invasive surgery for complex problems of the esophagus.

Most of us can count on an antacid or two to tame a bad case of heartburn. But acid reflux, of which heartburn is a symptom, can lead to a far more uncomfortable and potentially dangerous condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

• Large hiatal hernia (also known as giant paraesophageal hernia) repair • Achalasia (a rare swallowing disorder) surgical therapy • Esophageal diverticulum repair and removal “Patients travel hundreds of miles, and most have had prior surgeries,” notes Dr. Awais. “Before and after operating, we use a quality of life test to measure a patient’s degree of reflux.

We’ve learned that our patients typically experience better outcomes, less pain, and faster recovery times through our efforts. We also work with patients on long-term lifestyle changes to maintain their health.”

Linette says her re-operation “saved my life. I feel like a new person.” She has lost weight and no longer takes medication for diabetes, cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

Testing is key A variety of tests are needed prior to any esophageal or gastric surgery. At UPMC Mercy, patients can get these tests done quickly and efficiently at one location, including: Endoscopy — Allows a doctor to use a thin, narrow tube with a camera and light to view the inside of the throat and stomach Motility testing — Identifies how well the muscles of the esophagus are functioning

Linette Johns of Upper Burrell first underwent surgery for GERD in 2000. But in recent years, severe heartburn and other symptoms reappeared. “I knew the success rate of a repeat surgery on the esophagus wasn’t good, so I was hesitant to have it done,” says Linette. “But my son, Jeff, who’s studying to be a doctor, told me that I could be at risk for esophageal cancer. That motivated me to take the next step.”

Tackling complicated cases In March 2012, Omar Awais, DO, chief of thoracic surgery at UPMC Mercy, performed the repeat surgery on Linette. Under his expertise, some of the region’s most complex, minimally invasive esophageal surgeries are taking place at UPMC Mercy, including: • Minimally invasive surgery to remove all or part of the esophagus to treat esophageal cancer • Repair of recurrent hiatal hernia • Repeat esophageal surgery

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Acid ph testing — Measures the amount of acid exposure into the esophagus Impedance testing — Measures the frequency and amount of gastric fluids (both acidic and non-acidic) entering the esophagus and larynx from the stomach

Are you at risk?

“Certainly not everyone with GERD requires surgery. Most cases can be controlled through medical therapy, weight loss, modified diet, and medication,” says Dr. Awais. “But early detection and treatment of GERD is key because of its associated risk with esophageal cancer.” At greatest risk are men over the age of 50 who are obese and have suffered from heartburn three or more times a week for five years or longer.

To learn more about UPMC Mercy’s programs to diagnose and treat complex problems of the esophagus, call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762).

Hope and Healing UPMC is leading the way with new treatment options for hepatitis C.

Decades after receiving a childhood blood transfusion, Chris Sosinski was shocked to learn he had the hepatitis C virus, which had led to cirrhosis and the prospect of a liver transplant.

Today, Chris remains hepatitis C negative, thanks to a new direct-acting antiviral therapy he received at the UPMC Center for Liver Diseases last year. Months after ending treatment in October, his viral load remains at zero.

“That means it’s gone,” says Chris, 49, of Jeannette. “No more medicine and — if I take care of myself — no transplant.”

Baby boomers beware Chris is one of a growing number of baby boomers diagnosed with hepatitis C, a problem so serious that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that everyone born between 1945 and 1965 be tested for the virus.

The CDC estimates that more than 75 percent of the nation’s 3 million adults currently living with hepatitis C are baby boomers — and most don’t know they’re infected.

“Hepatitis C is a silent disease; most people have no symptoms,” says Kapil Chopra, MD, director, UPMC Center for Liver Diseases. “But if diagnosed early, it can be cured or managed successfully before it can develop into cirrhosis or liver cancer.”

A new era of treatment Thankfully for Chris and other hepatitis C patients, two drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2011 ushered in a new era of treatment, delivering improved cure rates and shorter treatment time for the most prevalent — and hardest to treat — strain of the virus. Playing a critical role was the UPMC Center for Liver Diseases, where specialists have been at the forefront in the evaluation and clinical trials of promising new therapies.

Hundreds of UPMC patients took part in groundbreaking clinical trials for those new drugs. (Turn to page 5 to learn about other clinical trials and how they are affecting patients’ lives.) Today, even more are participating in clinical trials of new therapies at UPMC with the potential for even better results in fighting chronic hepatitis C infections.

“These are exciting times. Over the next few years, we expect to have several new options that will eradicate the hepatitis C virus in most patients without side effects,” says Dr. Chopra.

“It’s a new era of treatment and hope for our patients.”

A leading resource for complex care Treating and managing hepatitis C can be complex for both patients and health care providers. In the tri-state area, UPMC is the leading provider of comprehensive and advanced specialty care for patients with the virus.

“Our multidisciplinary specialists are involved in researching and evaluating new treatments. They bring a unique perspective for managing these complex therapies,” explains Dr. Chopra.

These specialists work together to assess patients, select appropriate antiviral therapies, educate patients, monitor for adverse effects and drug interactions, and provide support for patients and family members. “They are familiar with the latest, cutting-edge therapies and developing new ones,” adds Dr. Chopra. For those patients who don’t respond to treatment and are experiencing liver failure, the program also provides seamless transition to UPMC’s internationally renowned transplant program.

To read about the risk factors for hepatitis C and what you can do, visit UPMC.com/Today. For more information about treatments for hepatitis C, contact the UPMC Center for Liver Diseases at 1-800-447-1651.

1-800-533-UPMC

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Health Tips from UPMC Health Plan

A Healing Touch There are ways to relieve pain and nausea through alternative medicine.

A growing number of patients are adding acupuncture and other alternative therapies to their medical care.

“You don’t have to be a believer for it to work,” says Betty Liu, MD, a physician and acupuncture specialist at the UPMC Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. “I’ve seen dramatic reductions in pain and nausea — some instantaneous, some after multiple sessions.”

Who uses it?

Patients frequently turn to acupuncture and other therapies to control pain, including arthritis, back pain, fibromyalgia, migraines, and spasms, or to ease nausea due to pregnancy or chemotherapy.

Integrating these therapies with conventional medicine can help patients find relief more quickly, or continue making progress toward their goals.

What are some treatments?

Acupuncture, one of the most popular therapies, uses thin needles to stimulate various points around the body. “We’re not certain how it works, but we know it releases endorphins, which act like opiates to relieve pain,” Dr. Liu says.

Massage therapy uses acupressure and deep tissue massage to increase blood flow to an injured area and release endorphins.

What is alternative medicine?

If you visit an acupuncturist or chiropractor, you’re seeking treatment in the field of complementary and alternative medicine — an increasingly mainstream tool for doctors.

Chiropractic medicine adjusts the spine through manipulation to put the body into better alignment.

For more information about alternative treatments, visit UPMC.com/Today.

Food in a Glass Choosing the best milk option for you.

Are you lingering longer in the dairy aisle, pondering your ever-increasing options?

Should you reach for your usual skim milk — or be adventurous and try rice, almond, or soy?

Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, UPMC’s director of sports nutrition, says making the right choice is this simple: “Essentially, milk is food in a glass. Choose the drink that offers the best nutrition for your needs.”

Not all milk and dairy alternatives are equal: read labels carefully, comparing the fat and carbohydrate contents. “For example, to reduce soy milk’s ‘beanie’ taste, sugar is added,” explains Ms. Bonci. “That can jump the carbohydrate count from 12 to 24 grams.”

Look beyond just calories, too: milk is rich in protein, calcium, and minerals. “An 8-ounce serving of milk has 8 grams of protein, compared to 6 grams for soy milk and just 1 gram for almond and rice milk,” she adds.

Unless a food allergy is present, the best choice for most of us is cow’s milk. “For children under two, select whole milk,” says Ms. Bonci. “Otherwise, reach for 1 percent or skim milk — both offer a lower saturated fat content and higher calcium. Enhanced or ‘super’ skim milk features a richer texture many people prefer.”

And if you’re debating about organic versus regular milk, Ms. Bonci advises that your pocketbook be your guide. “There’s no nutritional difference between the two,” she says.

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Clinical Trials Can Change Lives Bringing patients, physicians, and researchers together to change the future of medicine.

Research opens the door for new possibilities in patient care.

But long before a drug, medical device, treatment, or surgical procedure becomes widely available, it must first be proven safe and effective.

therapy from a patient’s own fat tissue,” explains Dr. Rubin.

“By harnessing the body’s own regenerative capabilities, we’re applying new technologies and scientific advancements to restore both form and function in patients.” For more information, visit UPMC.com/restore or call 412-864-2587.

Solutions for out-of-control blood pressure. Of the 67 million Americans with high blood pressure, more than half fail to keep it under control. Many have difficulty battling the disease despite taking three or more medications, a condition known as treatment-resistant hypertension.

As part of the body’s sympathetic nervous system, our kidneys play an important role in regulating long-term blood pressure.

In most patients with hypertension, the sympathetic nervous system is overactive, thereby increasing blood pressure and causing heart, kidney, and blood vessel damage.

At UPMC, clinical trials are the bridge between research and the future of modern medicine. As one of the nation’s top-ranked health care systems, UPMC annually directs or participates in hundreds of groundbreaking clinical trials in virtually every medical specialty. Some are offered only at UPMC, while others are part of national and even international trials. Each is carefully monitored and measured by expert UPMC physicians who are leaders in their fields.

For a patients whose illness has no cure or no longer responds to current treatment, UPMC’s clinical trials offer potentially life-saving medical breakthroughs. Other patients enroll in clinical trials with the hope of finding a better or more costeffective treatment.

The following three UPMC trials currently are seeking qualified patient volunteers: Healing soldiers disfigured in battle. A flash of light, the sound of an explosion … and a soldier’s life is forever changed by a traumatic facial injury. But thanks to two government-funded clinical trials, efforts are under way at UPMC to improve the lives of wounded soldiers through facial reconstruction using the person’s own tissue. The study is enrolling military and civilian patients with visible deformities of the head or face following trauma, applying minimally invasive therapy to restore a more normal appearance.

These trials are led by J. Peter Rubin, MD, director of UPMC’s Center for Innovation in Restorative Medicine and an expert in adult stem cells derived from fat. “We’re using stem cell

John Schindler, MD, an interventional cardiologist with UPMC’s Heart and Vascular Institute, is participating in an industryfunded clinical trial in which a device is placed in an artery leading to the kidney. “This therapy uses a catheter to deliver low radiofrequency energy to destroy or disable the renal nerves,” says Dr. Schindler. “If effective, this device could be a valuable alternative to medications for patients with resistant hypertension.” For more information, contact Lisa Baxendell, RN, at 412-802-8672.

Eliminating blood clots. In 2013, nearly a quarter-million adults will be diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), in which blood clots form mainly in a deep vein in the leg. DVT can result in persistent leg pain and swelling; if the clot breaks loose and moves to the lungs, a potentially deadly pulmonary embolism can occur. Conventional treatment involves blood thinners and wearing compression hosiery. “We want to dissolve the clot to eliminate its consequences,” says Rabih Chaer, MD, a UPMC vascular surgeon.

Dr. Chaer is participating in a national, multidisciplinary clinical trial to determine if DVT patients would benefit from a more aggressive treatment involving the use of an image-guided catheter to dissolve the clot. “In vascular surgery, our work is technology driven; medical devices are constantly changing,” says Dr. Chaer. “By testing innovative devices, we offer our patients new opportunities to alleviate or resolve their illness.”

For more information, contact Susan Tamburro at 412-623-8452.

For a complete list of clinical trials now available, please visit UPMC.com/Today. To learn more about the benefits of clinical trials in patient care, please turn to page 3 and read about UPMC’s advancements in the treatment of hepatitis C.

1-800-533-UPMC

5

Depression and Older Adults While it may be common, it’s important to know that depression is not a normal part of aging.

Its services include: • Preventive services, evaluation, and consultation • Treatment through therapy and/or medication • Participation in innovative research studies • Educational support • Referrals for assistance

Research studies benefit patients today and tomorrow Among the center’s current research studies are efforts to improve sleep patterns, lower stress levels, promote brain health, and reduce pain as a way of preventing depression among adults age 60 and older.

These include: RECALL: A study about reducing stress among seniors experiencing mild memory, language, or judgment loss RAPID: A study for adults with osteoarthritis knee pain More than 6.5 million Americans over age 65 experience latelife depression that can last for months and even years. But many older adults and their caretakers don’t seek treatment because they think depression is inevitable as we age. Its symptoms — irritability, social isolation, poor sleep, loss of appetite, and memory loss — also are easily mistaken as signs of other illnesses.

“Depression erodes our quality of life, our productivity, and our ability to have fulfilling relationships,” explains Charles Reynolds III, MD, director, Aging Institute of UPMC Senior Services and the University of Pittsburgh. He also is director of the Center of Excellence in Late Life Depression Prevention and Treatment Research at the University of Pittsburgh. The center is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

“Untreated, late-life depression puts older adults at risk for significant declines in their mental and physical health. It can be so debilitating that it threatens their ability to live independently,” he notes. “But the right professional help and medications can be life changing for these individuals.”

A wide range of support The center offers expertise in the detection, prevention, and treatment of depression, stress, complicated bereavement, or bipolar disorders in older adults. Through its research focus, all visits and medications are provided at no cost.

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Addressing Pain and Depression Together (ADAPT): A study for adults living with both depression and back pain Healing Emotions After Loss (HEAL): A study for adults ages 18 to 95 who are experiencing prolonged or acute grief lasting six months or more over the loss of a loved one

One of the nation’s leading programs of its kind The Center of Excellence in Late Life Depression Prevention and Treatment Research is located in the Oakland area of Pittsburgh at both the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC. It is one of only three centers of excellence in geriatric psychiatry funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and the John A. Hartford Foundation.

To learn more about the center’s services or to participate in one of its current research programs, call 412-246-6006 or visit latelifedepression.org.

Comprehensive Care for Today’s Urology Patients From medication to radiation to surgical robotic technology, the new UPMC Mercy urology center offers tailored, cutting-edge care for patients.

Whether you need medical care for bladder cancer, an enlarged prostate, urinary tract infection, or sexual dysfunction, UPMC Mercy offers comprehensive care to treat the special urological health needs of both men and women.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy — A highly specialized, minimally invasive keyhole procedure to remove large kidney stones by using high frequency sound waves to break them down and a vacuum to quickly remove fragments.

“Our urologists are experts in caring for even the most complicated and difficult cases,” says Ronald Benoit, MD, a urologic surgeon and director of the UPMC Mercy urology center, where he leads a team of highly trained specialists in general urology, urologic oncology, reconstructive surgery, and kidney stone removal.

To schedule an appointment with a urologist at UPMC Mercy, call 412-232-5850.

As a Center of Excellence in Urologic Care, UPMC Mercy features a skilled multidisciplinary team of urologists trained in treating patients who have disorders and diseases of the kidneys, bladder, or prostate.

The latest in diagnosis and treatment techniques According to Dr. Benoit, the hospital’s urology specialists use advanced technologies, medical equipment, and treatments — including minimally invasive surgical technology and robotic surgery — aimed at reducing postoperative pain, recovery time, and side effects.

“Robotic urology uses endoscopic techniques, so patients have smaller incisions and a faster recovery time,” says Dr. Benoit.

This technology is ideal for complex and delicate urologic surgeries, such as a prostatectomy, where doctors must operate in a tightly confined area surrounded by nerves affecting urinary control and sexual function.

Special procedures at UPMC Mercy’s urology center include: Robotic-assisted prostatectomy — A minimally invasive, nerve-sparing procedure for prostate cancer that preserves potency and urinary control.

Laparoscopic nephrectomy — A minimally invasive procedure that allows all or part of the kidney to be removed through a keyhole procedure instead of a large open incision.

Prostate brachytherapy (seed implants) — An effective treatment for patients with prostate cancer where seed implants are used to deliver a high dose of radiation to the tumor while reducing the risk of complications to surrounding tissue. UPMC Mercy is the only Pittsburgh hospital using Cesium-131, a newer compound that does not remain in the body as long as traditional treatments, resulting in faster resolution of side effects.

Leaders in urologic care As a Center of Excellence in Urologic Care, UPMC Mercy has recently recruited several prominent experts — all of whom earned medical degrees at the University of Pittsburgh, including: Mang Chen, MD, a reconstructive urology specialist, completed a fellowship in urologic trauma and reconstruction at the Detroit Medical Center.

Michelle Jo Semins, MD, a kidney stone specialist, completed her residency in urology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, where she also underwent special training in endourology, a minimally invasive technique to treat kidney stones.

Tatum Tarin, MD, a urologic oncology specialist, completed his residency in urology at Stanford University Medical Center and a urologic oncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

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.

Follow UPMC on Facebook.

Care that women can believe in as strongly as their Catholic faith.

UPMC Mercy provides a full range of women’s health services rooted in the Catholic tradition.

From prenatal education, to menopause diagnosis and treatment, to complete oncological care, and much more, UPMC Mercy strives to ensure the comfort of patients in body, mind, and spirit. This holistic approach is the foundation of more than 150 years of women’s health services.

To learn more about UPMC Mercy OB/GYN services, or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762) or visit UPMC.com/Mercy.

Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC is ranked among the nation’s top 10 hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.

Connie Garbi Retires from the Cecil Township Volunteer Fire Company #3 Ladies Auxiliary

M

ahatma Gandhi once said, “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” This famous quote is quite fitting for Connie Garbi, and all the individuals, at the Cecil Township Volunteer Fire Company #3 Ladies Auxiliary, for they have done quite a bit of a good for the Cecil Township Volunteer Fire Company #3.

Garbi, age 95, recently retired after serving thirty years as Secretary for the Ladies Auxiliary. Upon retired Garbi moved with her son to Virginia where she is now living in an assisted living facility. Ruth Bushmire, President of the Cecil Township Volunteer Fire Company #3 Ladies Auxiliary, shared her fond memories of Garbi’s service. “Connie served with us for 30 years, and each and every day she was so sweet and so dedicated to her job,” she said. “One of her jobs was writing postcard reminders for events as well as thank you cards, and she had an amazing attention to detail.” Bushmire made it clear that Garbi will be dearly missed, and that all the volunteers wish her the best in Virginia.

The Cecil Township Volunteer Fire Company #3 Ladies Auxiliary consists of 22 individuals who are dedicated to assisting, supporting and raising money for the fire department. Specifically, they help through fundraising events such as the yearly week-long summer carnival and many other events throughout the year.

Bushmire added that they are the only Ladies Auxiliary in Cecil Township.

The group holds monthly meetings to plan and strategize about the roughly ten events they hold each year. This year’s events include a Valentine’s Day dance, the Horseman’s Tack Swap on March 17th, a Halloween Dance and Lunch with Santa, which is an extremely popular event. But the biggest event of the year is always the carnival, which is held for a week in late July into early August each year. This event has been going on for many years. “This

event was around when I was a kid, “ Bushmire added.

In 2011 the Ladies Auxiliary raised $10,000 for the fire department, and in 2012 they raised $12,000. Bushmire truly loves the work the group does. “It is a tremendous group of ladies that I work with. Everyone works so hard and is considerate of each other,” she said. “We have a great time working together and we are all great friends. But we never lose sight of the task at hand, which is raising money for the fire department. It is a great thing to be a part of.”

There is no greater act than doing something without wanting or expecting anything in return; a completely unselfish giving of one’s self. That is exactly what the Ladies Auxiliary Volunteer Fire Company Cecil #3 does.

If you are interested in becoming a part of the Auxiliary, or to learn more about any of the events in 2013, contact Bushmire at ladiesauxiliary@cecil3fire.net. You can also visit www.cecil3fire.net or look for Ladies Auxiliary Cecil #3 on Facebook.

Canon Mac | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 33

business spotlight

Nearly 40 Years of Experience in Canonsburg D

r. Philip Kantor has a unique dental practice in that he is now treating the grandchildren of patients who have been with him since he opened his practice over 35 years ago.

And when asked why these patients have been with him for so long and why they bring their children and grandchildren in as well, the answer is simple: Trust. Period.

“I’ve been doing this for probably longer than most other dentists around the region, and while we’re a one-stop-shop for our patients’ dental needs, we don’t push treatments that may not be necessary,” Kantor said. “To make our services more affordable, we offer interestfree financing and take a wide range of insurances. One of the unique services we offer is on-site, same-day repairs of older, existing dentures.

What patients can expect is a professional environment, where their problems are heard and addressed in an expedient manor.

“We appraise the situation they have and give them an idea of what would be an appropriate course of treatment. And we do what it takes to make it right,” Dr. Kantor said. “It’s traditional, conservative dentistry.”

In keeping with that traditional, family dentistry theme, when you go to Gentle Dentle, you’re going to see Dr. Kantor. His staff includes two employees, but his caseload is his alone.

“When you come in, you talk to me, not someone in training, not someone who’s going to be gone the next time you come back,” he said.

In addition to being a staple of Canonsburg’s business community,

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Dr. Kantor has been a staple of Canonsburg’s residential community as well. He was born and raised in Canonsburg, leaving only to attend Penn State University and Pitt Dental School. Dr. Kantor is retired from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and has seen every dental problem imaginable during his 10 years working there.

Dr Kantor says, “I think that patients want quality medical care, no matter what their problem, but with dentists in particular, many patients relate traumatic experiences from their past. In our practice, we are in the business of getting our patients out of trouble quickly and comfortably.

“People come to me with estimates of thousands of dollars worth of treatment that they were told they need and, in reality, it might be a fraction of that.”

For more information on Gentle Dentle, or to schedule your appointment today, call 724.746.3360. They are located at 673 Morganza Road, Canonsburg, 15317. For more detailed information on all of the services they provide, go to www.gentledentle.net online.

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Improvements In Canon Mac If you have a home, you know how challenging it is to maintain it. Roofs leak, landscapes need weeding, and kitchens and baths need facelifts. If you’re handy, you can get by with your own sweat equity. However, most people don’t have the skills, let alone the time, to tackle major household projects – many of which will require you spending more time at the office just to be able to tackle the price tags such projects come with. Here, we try to cover it all for you – from financing your project to enjoying it when it’s complete.

Building a home addition can be a good alternative to buying a new home or building a house from scratch. Besides saving money, it can be a means of investing in your home and customizing your home to serve your family’s specific needs and desires. But additions also bring up potential problems that may not make them the best option for everyone.

An addition can drastically change the way a house looks from the road or yard. An addition that isn’t well planned can look like it doesn’t belong or doesn’t match the rest of the house in terms of style or overall shape.

Planning an addition carefully with a skilled architect is the best way to ensure that the house looks as good, or even better, than it did before the addition. An architect should be able to produce sketches that give a sense of how the finished addition will look. To minimize the appearance of an addition, homeowners can usually choose to build onto the back of the existing house, thereby hiding the new construction from the road.

Depending on the size of an addition and the construction schedule, it may take weeks or months before an addition is completed. Bad weather can cause unanticipated delays, and working with an unreliable contractor can prolong the process even further. If a homeowner can’t afford to be patient 36 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE |

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during the planning and construction process, moving into a new, larger home may be a better option.

An addition can be a good investment, helping to increase the value of a home. Using a home equity line of credit or getting a new mortgage that includes money to pay for the addition can be a wise financial decision, especially when interest rates are low. However, if the expected value of an addition – which a homeowner can estimate by studying the sale prices of nearby homes with similar characteristics – is less than its cost, it may be a poor investment.

An addition is likely to raise the value of a home. After the addition is completed, a new assessment will raise property taxes. Prior to adding on, homeowners should estimate the value of their home with the addition and compute a new annual tax liability based on current tax rates.

Building an addition is an ideal time to invest in energy-efficient fixtures and construction. Windows that prevent hot or cool air from escaping and low-energy-consuming appliances can minimize the cost of an addition by reducing energy bills and its environmental impact.

Remodeling your bathroom is another popular way to jazz up your home as well as build equity. In some cases, not only is remodeling the bathroom an aesthetic choice but a functional choice as well. Giving your bathroom a boost doesn’t always have to require a boatload of cash or space – just a little planning and creativity before you get started. Refresh your bath’s look with a wow-worthy makeover that improves its style and function. Perhaps you have an old toilet that you want to replace with a highefficiency model that will lower your water bill. Or perhaps the old tile is falling off your shower and you need to replace

it. Whatever your situation is, there are many options to choose from, including do-ityourself options.

One popular and inexpensive option is to have a theme for your bathroom. Examples could be a Disney theme for a child’s bathroom, or perhaps a beach theme. This can be accomplished by painting the walls, adding a wall border and by well-placed dÊcor.

Some larger and more costly bathroom updates include new flooring, new sink and vanity and a new bathtub or shower. These improvements will get even costlier if you paid someone to do it for you.

Decks on the rear or side of homes have become extremely popular in the United States. Used for entertaining or just relaxing, decks come in all shapes, sizes, designs and material.

The most popular, and least expensive, deck material is treated wood. It is durable, however it will need to be painted or stained yearly or every other year depending on your climate. Composite decking products are building materials manufactured using a mixture of plastic and wood fiber. Composite decking materials are very popular because they require less maintenance than wood and often use recycled materials. Composite decking is easy to install and is guaranteed with a 20-year warranty against rotting, splitting, splintering or termite damage. However, composite decking can be very costly.

Vinyl decking made from Cellular PVC is a great choice for decking because it is essentially resistant to stains, mold, insects and fading. PVC material is low maintenance and is a sustainable building material. But like composite, it can get costly.

Our Home Improvement Partners ARK Home Improvements has been owned and operated by Tony Konopka and has been servicing the South Hills area with all phases of interior and exterior remodeling, garages and custom addition renovations. As well as offering preliminary design consultation and final architectural renderings of a proposed project. We have built an excellent reputation in our 28 years of business and our customer service record is impeccable.

ARK Home Improvements 724.942.4222 • ARKHOMEIMP.COM

Your local South Pittsburgh Davey Office is your source for expert tree and lawn service. We offer the South Pittsburgh area comprehensive tree and lawn services for your home or business. Our expert staff includes certified arborists that live and work in your community and care about your landscape. We look forward to serving you! Please call 724.746.8852 for more information.

Davey 724.746.8852

Powder coated aluminum decking can be used to create a watertight floor for your deck. This unique material will never splinter, rot or rust.

LockDry Aluminum decking is cool to the touch and is available in five colors. Aluminum decking is strong and lightweight. The LockDry system can be used to create a dry space to use under your deck on rainy days.

Decks can built right on the ground, or be elevated high in the air, depending on the design of your home. If you are building a deck yourself it is very important to check all local building codes and follow all of the guidelines very closely to ensure the safety and long-term durability of your deck.

Bringing your family together is often difficult. A family game room is a fantastic way to upgrade your home and bring the family together.

Whether you have an unfinished basement, an unused attic room or an empty garage, you can transform it into a fantastic oasis where your family can spend countless enjoyable hours. There are many aspects to making your game room remodel a success. First you should talk to a Design/ Build contractor about water access, waste lines and additional electricity needs. The contractor can also offer advice on any changes that might be necessary to update the space, whether it be additional insulation Canon Mac | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 37

Home Improvements In Canon Mac for a garage or attic room or waterproofing for a basement room.

Water access could also be an important aspect if you plan to have a bar or sink area. A Design/Build contractor can offer advice on what needs to be done to make the area completely usable. You might also want to speak with the contractor about creating an additional half bathroom for guests and family members to use when you’re entertaining.

Electricity for lighting and appliances is also incredibly important. If you are updating an unused area of your home, the current electric wiring may not be able to handle the additional demands of a game room. The Design/Build contractor can guide you through what will need to be updated and how much it will cost.

If finances are an issue there are definitely still projects you can complete yourself including painting, laying carpet, adding shelves or simply updating the décor.

Gone are the days when it was frowned upon to bring work home. Today a home is not a home unless it has a home office. Whether you are turning an extra bedroom into a workspace with store-bought furniture or constructing a full-scale two-level library and office, home offices are a regular part of what makes a house a home in 2012.

Making the space your own is essential to effective use of a home office.

Create a space that makes you more productive and relaxed at the same time and that is a winning combination. A desk is an essential part of most offices. Choose one that meets your needs. If all you need is a work top to use your laptop from, consider a computer cart and save the space for a comfortable chair or small sofa. If you are in the market for a larger desk, consider office furniture resellers. They sell executive-grade used furniture for a fraction of the cost.

Bookcases or other storage can be a nice addition. Not only can they store books, but they are also great places to display awards or showcase your favorite collection of knicknacks or memorabilia. Decide whether you prefer furniture pieces or builtins. Antique shops have great deals on beautiful bookcases, and most local cabinet shops can design and install custom built-ins. If you have a closet in your office, visit your local home center for a plethora of storage and organizing options.

A comfortable chair or two is a necessity. Choose long-lasting fabrics and sturdy frames. Go with classic styles that won’t

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end up as next year’s garage sale item. Test out the chair before you buy it.

Desk chairs especially need to provide good support and be comfortable.

We live in a society of over-indulgence. Nothing shows this like the home theater. So many popular home magazines have a page dedicated to converting your basement into a home theater, or something similar.

The HGTV website has 16 home theater features alone. But how doable is the home theater in reality? First, you need a fairly large space, either a big family room or a basement. Second, you need to budget for all the furnishings including, of course, the stars of the show: home theater equipment – a big-screen TV, DVD player and speakers – and comfy seating. Also very popular for home theaters is floor and aisle lighting similar to real movie theaters, and perhaps even an old-fashioned popcorn maker.

Frankly, home theaters are generally for those with deep pockets because there really is no way to make a home theater cheaply. Still thinking of taking the plunge? The home improvement website Home Time has a really useful feature on home theater planning. It covers everything you’ll need to consider, like the space you’ll need and even suggested room layouts, to maximize your viewing pleasure.

Kitchens are the most popular room in the house to remodel.

Many people consider the kitchen to be the center of the home and its most important component. Another reason it is so popular to remodel is there are so many things in the kitchen that can be remodeled... cabinets, cabinet hardware, countertops, floor, appliances, lighting, walls and sinks.

There is very little right or wrong when it comes to remodeling your kitchen; it comes down to personal taste. There are so many choices when it comes to style, design and type of material for every component of your kitchen. When remodeling there is much to consider: cost, what is your goal, what is your situation (pets or small children could help decide what type of flooring to use, for example) and what is the cost vs. equity value of the remodel.

If finances are an issue and you are not the handiest individual, there are still many simple and easy things you can do to add pizzazz and value to your kitchen. For example, you can paint your cabinets and add new handles rather than buying new cabinets. Adding a stylish splashguard behind your stove and sink is easy to do and adds great appeal. Painting the walls can also make a huge difference in your kitchen, as can changing the light fixture.

If done well, landscaping can completely change the character and perception of a home. Landscaping encompasses anything on the outside of the home including grass cutting, plants, flowers, rock, mulch, borders, vegetable gardens and more.

Beyond the aesthetics, landscaping can be beneficial to a property if

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designed properly. Solar heat absorbed through windows and roofs can increase cooling costs, and incorporating shade from landscaping elements can help reduce this solar heat gain. Shading and evapotranspiration (the process by which a plant actively moves and releases water vapor) from trees can reduce surrounding air temperatures as much as 9°F (5°C). Because cool air settles near the ground, air temperatures directly under trees can be as much as 25°F (14°C) cooler than air temperatures above nearby blacktop.

Using shade effectively requires you to know the size, shape, and location of the moving shadow that your shading device casts. Also, homes in cool regions may never overheat and may not require shading. Therefore, you need to know what landscape shade strategies will work best in your regional climate and your microclimate.

Also, if you can determine how much water your plants actually need, then you won’t overwater them and waste water. It is important to not only understand a plant’s particular watering requirements, but also evapotranspiration.

Evapotranspiration (Et) is the amount of water that is evaporated from the soil and transpired through the plant’s leaves. This amount of water needs to be replaced through watering. If you know your area’s Et rate, you can plan the amount of water to be replaced through irrigation. It’s best to water or irrigate your plants in the early morning when evaporation rates are low. This also provides plants with water before midday when the evaporation rate is the highest.

Lighting is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to cast an enchanting spell on any outdoor space. It is also very effective for safety and security purposes.

Examples of exterior lighting include: torches, candles, lanterns, solar ground lighting, flood lights, lamp posts, landscape lighting and general light fixtures. For setting a mood the most popular lighting is candles or small lanterns. For security and safety purposes, it is critical to have flood light or lamp posts or ground solar lighting or all. A burglar is much more likely to enter a home without a lot of light on the outside illuminating the property.

With countless styles and options available, there are no

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Home Improvements In Canon Mac right or wrong choices. The outdoor lighting a homeowner will choose will come down to budget and personal preference.

Many of us take pride in our homes, investing countless hours rearranging and remodeling the interior. But it can also be refreshing to step out of the confines of the inside and spend some time outside.

It’s especially enjoyable during the spring, summer and fall months. When the weather is favorable, it’s difficult to miss out on a nice day outside.

But spending time outside doesn’t mean you have to forfeit your creature comforts. With a few small adjustments you can make your outdoor space comfortable and inviting. Turning a yard, patio, porch or other outdoor area into a functional living space can be a rewarding task, and will expand your living space to the outdoors. With the right setup, you can spend more time in the sunshine and fresh air, and host events al fresco for friends, family and neighbors.

Options for outdoor living include outdoor kitchens, dramatic lighting, fireplaces or fire pits, a water feature (like a fountain), outdoor living rooms, gazebos and pavilions. With so many options to choose from, for most people it will come down to price, climate where they live and available space in which to be creative.

Ponds can be a wonderful addition to your property’s outdoor experience.

Surprisingly, they are not as difficult to build as one might think.

Before you start, call 811 or your local one-call center to have electric and gas lines marked so you know where to dig to steer clear of them.

Then, when you map out the location of your pond, put it where it will be noticed – visible from a window, off a patio, or along a walkway – but away from the play areas of small children or pets. Keep clear of major root systems or mature trees, which can block too much of the sunlight plants and fish need. You’ll also need to be within reach of a grounded exterior outlet so you can plug in a pump, an essential tool for keeping the water aerated; most pumps come with a maximum cord length of 25 feet, and extension cords are not recommended. You may need to bury the power cord a few inches down in PVC pipe to hide it.

Space permitting, you need at least 40 cubic feet for your pond – about 7 feet by 4 feet – to keep the water clean. An initial shallow terrace just inside

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the perimeter of the pond holds rocks that conceal the liner edge and keep it in place. A second, deeper terrace supports plants that live in the water and help balance the pond’s ecosystem. As you dig, you must slope the sides of the pond so that if the water freezes, the ice will push up instead of against the liner. Even in warmer climates, small ponds can change temperature rapidly, so if you’re adding fish you’ll want a deeper pond that will maintain a more consistent temperature and accommodate the fish – 18 to 24 inches for goldfish and at least 3 feet for koi.

To maintain the consistent depth of the water, you need to line the pond.

A thin layer of sand and old newspapers or burlap bags softens the jagged edges of rocks and roots. But over that you will need to put a waterproof skin. There are several types of flexible liners meant for small ponds – made from polypropylene and EPDM, among other materials.

Look for one that’s weatherresistant, so it will stand up to UV rays and freezing temperatures. It should also be rated “fish-safe” if you plan to stock your pond and come with a warranty of 10 to 20 years so your pond will be watertight for many years to come.

Remodeling your home can generate tremendous equity for the future, as well as personal enjoyment in the present. Remodeling projects come in all shapes, sizes and costs. Projects can range from replacing flooring or a faucet, to installing new trim work or tile and replacing windows and doors. Remodeling can also take on the form of revamping or adding a bathroom, redoing a kitchen, overhauling your home’s exterior for improved curb appeal, or completing an addition to increase your home’s square footage and add valuable space. Big and small changes can both have an impact and will improve the way your home looks and functions, increasing its value and making it more enjoyable for you and your family.

The key to any remodeling job is to make sure it makes sense financially.

Not all remodeling jobs are cost-effective. For example, it is possible to pay $75,000 for a new addition, but an appraiser may be of the opinion that it only raised the value of your house by $50,000. It is very important that you do as much research as possible and talk to as many experienced professionals as possible so you can make an informed decision about what is best for you.

Financing Remodeling Projects While home sales may be sluggish, home remodels are roaring. In the second quarter of 2011, Americans were expected to spend $132.8 billion on remodeling – up 12.8% over the previous year, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.

And it’s no surprise that these projects aren’t cheap. In fact, the same studies report that 57% of home-remodeling projects cost at least $20,000.

Since saving your pennies in a pickle jar is probably not enough to update your master bathroom with a slate walk-in shower or add granite countertops to your kitchen, explore these options to finance your newand-improved home.

Purchase a Variable-Rate CD What it’s good for: Projects that can wait until a fixed time in the future with a price tag you can pay by saving.

If you plan to pay for the kitchen of your dreams the old-fashioned way – by saving for it – consider a variable-rate certificate of deposit. This savings vehicle is similar to a traditional savings account in that you can add money to it at any time (a fixed-rate CD does not allow additional deposits during the term of the CD).

Return on your Investment Thinking about adding a deck or revamping the kitchen so you can up the price of your home before you sell? You might want to crunch the 2010-11 Cost vs.

Value numbers, compiled by Remodeling magazine, before you do.

Projects with highest return on investment

In return for an interest rate that may go up or down, the interest rate often is slightly higher than a traditional CD when you buy it. You make a low minimum deposit and lock in your money for a fixed time – usually at least 6 or 12 months. If you withdraw your funds before then, you pay penalties and lose the interest.

• Replacing entry door with steel door (102%)

Open a Home Equity Line of Credit

• Minor kitchen remodel (73%)

What it’s good for: Long-term projects that can be paid off over five or fewer years.

• Vinyl siding replacement (72%)

The beauty of using the equity in your home is that you write yourself checks from a line of credit and pay interest on only what you borrow. Plus, the interest is typically tax deductible.

While current low interest rates add to the allure, these credit lines can be tough to come by in this climate of lowered home values and tight credit.

When interest rates rise, your home improvement project may become more expensive than you anticipated.

• Garage door replacement (84%) • Adding a wood deck (73%)

• Wood window replacement (72%) • Attic bedroom addition (72%)

Project with lowest rate of return on investment • Home office remodel (46%) • Sunroom addition (49%) • Bathroom addition (53%)

Refinance Your Home What it’s good for: Larger projects for a home you plan to live in for the long term.

A “cash-out” refinance allows you to refinance your mortgage for an amount that is larger than your current mortgage.

You get the difference in a check – effectively rolling the sum into a newly financed 15- or 30-year mortgage. This can be an attractive option, as mortgage rates have hovered at historic lows in recent years.

The downsides include closing fees that can be in the thousands of dollars. Plus, the threshold to qualify, including income and home-value requirements, can be high – both of which can pose a challenge in this economy.

• Garage addition (59%) The data includes national and regional averages on over 20 common home improvement projects ranging from kitchens and baths to roofs and decks. Data for both midrange and upscale projects is provided on: • Average cost of project.

• Added resale value.

• Percentage of investment recouped.

• Change from last year’s report.

The above numbers assume you’re hiring out the labor on the project. If it’s a do-it-yourself project, and you do a good job, the rate of return on your investment will be higher. Unless you plan on doing the work yourself, or not doing the project makes your house undesirable or unsellable, most home improvement projects will return less from your investment than you put in, so you might want to consider staying in your home a while to enjoy the results of your improved home!

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Washington County Chamber of Commerce seeking ATHENA Award® Nominations ATHENA Award, presented by First Commonwealth Bank, will be held Friday, May 10, 2013 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Southpointe.

The Chamber is currently seeking nominees for the ATHENA Award. Nominees must live or work in Washington County. The ATHENA Award program promotes women’s leadership and honors outstanding leaders. By recognizing exceptional individuals, the Award program seeks to inspire others to achieve excellence. ATHENA Award presentations are celebrations of excellence and are premiere community events.

The caliber of candidates who receive the ATHENA Award is exceptional and leads to significant and substantial recognition for participating organizations.

Both women and men are eligible to receive the award.

Candidates should meet the following criteria: • Demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession; • Provide valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in their community; • Actively assist women in achieving their full leadership potential.

The ATHENA Award is presented for achievement, service and assistance to others.

The Award is not intended to be a contest between competing nominees, but recognition of excellence.

The Chamber’s selection committee consisting of a diverse group of community leaders will review all nomination forms and select the ATHENA Award recipient. To receive a nomination form, please contact the Washington County Chamber of Commerce at 724.225.3010. Deadline for nominations is Friday, March 1, 2013.

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New Advanced Treatment for Skin Cancer Patricia Sinicki found a scratch on her nose back in 2010 and didn’t think much of it. “I thought that one of my cats had scratched me,” she said.

At the time, she was undergoing total knee reconstruction followed by physical therapy, so she didn’t have time to really worry about that scratch.

As time went on, however, the scratch continued to get worse. Her primary care physician referred her to a dermatologist who biopsied the lesion and confirmed the diagnosis: basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer, according to Melissa Pugliano-Mauro, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at UPMC St. Margaret and Mohs surgeon.

“I have a strong family history of skin cancer, so my primary care physician had prepared me for this type of diagnosis,” Sinicki explained.

Fortunately for Sinicki, her dermatologist referred her to Hakeem Sam, MD, PhD, director, Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery at UPMC Presbyterian and in April 2012, she underwent Mohs surgery, a procedure performed for skin cancer that offers the highest potential cure rate; 99 percent.

During the surgery, Dr. Sam removed layers of tumor until it was gone. Sinicki now ranks among that 99 percent, and though she continues to visit Dr. Sam regularly for follow-up, she feels very happy with the progress she has made.

“I just look at it as one more thing in my life that I have conquered,” she said.

Physicians have been performing Mohs surgery for more than 50 years, according to Dr. Sam, with the majority of procedures done on non-melanoma cancers on the head and neck, specifically the areas of skin around the eyes, nose, mouth, lips, and ears. There also is a type of melanoma, called melanoma insitu, on which Mohs surgery is effective.

Dr. Sam explained that the procedure is done in stages, or layers, of tumor removal and is performed under local anesthetic.

“We remove a layer of tumor along with a small margin of surrounding healthy tissue and examine it under a microscope.

If, upon examination, which can take up to one hour, we find more cancer, we remove another layer.

This process is repeated until all of the cancer is removed. This is the most conservative way of removing the entire tumor while still leaving behind as much healthy tissue as possible.”

When that part of the surgery is finished, reconstruction begins, and that could be as simple as side-to-side closures or as extensive as flaps and grafts. In cases where the tumor is more extensive, the patient also may be referred to appropriate specialists.

“Patients can go home the same day with a pressure dressing applied to the surgical area,” Dr. Sam said. “Pain is primarily managed with over-the-counter medications, though patients who experience more pain can be given a prescription.”

More than 3.5 million people in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer annually, Dr. Pugliano-Mauro said, and one in five will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas are the most common types of skin cancer, with basal cell being the most common out of the two, and melanoma is the deadliest form.

“There are similar risk factors for both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers, and those include fair skin complexion, a lot of outdoor sun exposure, or the use of indoor tanning beds, which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently determined are linked to melanoma,” Dr. Pugliano-Mauro explained. “The most effective way to prevent skin cancer is to limit sun exposure. We also strongly advise using sunscreen labeled ‘broad spectrum and water resistant’ and with an SPF of at least 30.

Sunscreen should be applied every two hours or more often after swimming or sweating.”

To learn more about skin cancer and Mohs micrographic surgery, visit UPMC.com/skincancerprogram or call 855-SKN-SPOT (855-756-7768).

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COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION OF CANON-McMILLAN ACCEPTING MEMBERSHIP AND VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS The Community Scholarship Foundation of Canon-McMillan is in the process of accepting new members and Community Volunteers into the organization. Adults interested in serving on one of our many committees and/or becoming a member of the Organization are urged to attend a monthly meeting held the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. in the Canon-McMillan Guidance Office. Find out who we are, what we do and how you can help us provide scholarships to graduating CM seniors. All questions should be addressed to Jill Shook, auntjill1@verizon.net.

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Jameson’s Army announces the 2nd annual Green Heart Gala at the Lemont in P ittsburgh Jameson’s Army is a non-profit organization whose mission is “Raising awareness and funding for children and families affected by congenital heart disorders.” The creation of the army was inspired by two year old Jameson McKain’s ongoing battle with hyponastic left heart syndrome. Jameson was born missing the left side of his heart. He has undergone six open heart surgeries and a successful heart transplant. Jameson is doing well but it is an ongoing process that is never easy. Jameson’s Army helps to ease this road for other children and families that are on a similar journey.

On Friday, April 12th Jameson’s Army will be holding their 2nd annual Green Heart Gala at the LeMont Restaurant in Mt. Washington, Pittsburgh from 7 - 11 p.m. There will be dancing, cocktails and appetizers. Randy Baumann and Bill Crawford from WDVE will be emceeing the event. If you would like an invite mailed to you or if you know of a company or individual that would be interested in sponsorship or making a donation to the raffle held at the gala please contact us at daniellemckain@jamesonsarmy.org.

You can learn more about Jameson’s Army by following us on Facebook or Twitter or by visiting our website at www.jamesonsarmy.org.

536 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017 • 412-257-4555 • Hours: M-F 12 noon - 6 p.m.

Web Site: www.jmproductions.net • Email: JMProductions@verizon.net

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The Redevelopment Authority and Washington County Board of Commissioners receive Housing Hero Award for Canonsburg Home The Redevelopment Authority and the Washington County Board of Commissioners received the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania’s Housing Hero Award on December 4, 2012 during the Housing Alliance Homes within Reach Conference for supporting affordable, accessible housing. The Washington County project is one of only four projects that received an award.

The Redevelopment Authority recognized the need for accessible, new construction homes and developed the Accessibility Homebuyer Assistance Program in 2011 in collaboration with Accessible Dreams, a 501(c)(3) and affiliate organization of Tri-County Patriots for Independent Living. The mission of Accessible Dreams is to assist persons with disabilities and teach the life skills necessary to achieve independent living.

The goal of the Accessibility Homebuyer Assistance Program is to provide fully accessible, new construction homes to eligible, low-income buyers with physical disabilities that impact their housing choice. The affordable, barrier-free homes constructed under the program are designed to provide open floor plans so that persons with disabilities can live independently.

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The Liadis family purchased the first home constructed under the program, which is located on Grace Avenue in Canonsburg.

The home includes an accessible kitchen, living and dining area, three bedrooms, and two fully accessible bathrooms. Accessible Dreams handled the design and construction of the Grace Avenue home. The Redevelopment Authority is working with Accessible Dreams to identify a second family to participate in the program.

This program is very unique and provides a great option for income eligible persons with disabilities in Washington County.

The Grace Avenue home construction utilized Washington County Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program funds which are received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The HOME Program is the largest Federal block grant designed exclusively to create affordable housing for low-income households. Washington County continues to utilize HOME funds to undertake projects that provide affordable housing to low income residents.

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S

tate Rep. Jesse White lauded the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s announcement to reopen the design phase of the U.S. Route 22 to Interstate 79 portion of the Southern Beltway.

The first construction contract on the $632.5 million project is expected to be awarded in 2014.

Stretching from Route 22 in Robinson Township to I-79 near Cecil and South Fayette townships along the Washington/Allegheny County border, White said work on this portion of the Southern Beltway might be the biggest infrastructure improvement project the region has seen in years.

“Chairman Lieberman and the Turnpike Commission really gave the 46th District, and the entire region, a huge Christmas gift today,” said White. “Their commitment to seeking out funding opportunities and never giving up on this project should be commended, especially with scarce resources and high competition for infrastructure dollars for many worthy projects. Infrastructure

White: Southern BeltWay announcement Boon for diStrict, region

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improvements create jobs and commerce, and I’m optimistic that’s exactly what we’ll have here.”

According to the Turnpike Commission, the first construction contract will be for a bridge to carry the Southern Beltway over U.S. Route 22 and serve as a part of the interchange linking Route 22 and the Beltway. Then, beginning in 2016, the Turnpike Commission expects to begin awarding a number of separate construction contracts for the roadway sections and five interchanges that will make up the Route 22 to I-79 Project.

The project will extend the Southern Beltway to 19 total miles, connecting I-79 to I-376 at the Pittsburgh International Airport; it is expected to double traffic on the Findlay Connector to approximately 6,500 vehicles per day, according to the commission.

“The Southern Beltway was the subject of one of the very first public meetings I ever hosted, along with Senator Barry Stout, nearly six years ago. I’ve been speaking with local residents about it almost every week since,” White said. “My office routinely fields calls for status updates on the roadway, and we spent a lot of time working with residents whose homes were in the right-of-way and being purchased by the commission.”

For more information and a project map of the proposed route, visit: www.paturnpike.com/MonFaySB/22to79/map.htm.

Now is the time to join, open a second account, tell a friend or relative or open an account for a child or grandchild. We have great loan specials, free checking, and personal service.

We are also giving a free gift for each account opened.

Canon Mac | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 49

50 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE |

VALUES

SPECIAL

SPECIAL VALUE COUPONS

Canon Mac

Stay Motivated All Year with These Easy Fitness Tips Millions of people will make vows to lose weight or start a fitness plan, but many lose the motivation it takes to sustain a fit and active lifestyle within just a few weeks. With the right tools and support, though, finding motivation to stay fit can be a snap.

Follow these simple tips to maintain motivation all year long: START SMALL – If you haven’t been active in a long time, don’t stress your muscles by doing too much too fast. Start slowly by taking the stairs or squeezing in a 20-minute jog on your lunch break.

BUILD UP ENDURANCE – Track your progress and continue to build upon your exercise activities – whether you’re running or jogging a route, walking a path, biking, swimming or weight training – to push yourself a little further each week.

GRAB A PARTNER –You can improve exercise performance by having a partner who pushes you to your limits. But if you prefer to work out solo, there are new devices that track fitness stats including time, distance, heart rate and even calories burned.

MIX IT UP – It’s important to make a fitness schedule and stick to it, but that doesn’t mean doing the same routine over and over. To stay motivated, try changing your workout. From walking to running to cycling, you can always find a new activity to challenge yourself.

TURN UP THE VOLUME – Creating playlists of different music that keeps you motivated for different types of activities can really help keep you going.

Remember to refresh playlists, as you can quickly tire of the same music.

Students Take the Lead on Road Safety

Lectures and scare tactics by well-meaning adults have not yet transformed this nation’s teen drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car crashes remain the leading cause of death for teenagers in America.

Thankfully, students—the people best positioned to make change—are taking note and taking a stand against this startling statistic. As one teen states: “Teenagers do not listen to safety messages from their parents as well as they do when those messages come from their friends. It is easier to relate to advice from fellow teens.”

Here’s the advice proactive students commonly share:

Plan Ahead

• Designate someone to text for you, and hand over your phone. Or, better yet, turn your phone to silent and lock it in the glove compartment until you arrive safely at your destination.

• Connect with your parents on ground rules for driving. Know what the consequences will be if the rules aren’t followed.

• Prepare a driving playlist. Don’t let your driving be distracted while trying to find the perfect song.

On the Road

• Use your head. Remember that there is absolutely no text, song, call or distraction that is more important than your life or the lives of others.

• Drive defensively by keeping your full focus on the road and other drivers so you can react to changing situations.

• Be prepared with a strong, clear statement to stand up to a peer who isn’t driving safely. Say something like, “We both want to live, so let me answer your phone or text while you focus on driving.”

Canon Mac | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 51

Here are the 2013 dates and rates for Town

K R A P Pavilion Rentals 2013 First day to reserve: Friday, February 1 at 8 a.m.

30 days or more in advance Main Pavilion: $125 Yoney Pavilion: $125 + $75 refundable cleanup deposit Less than 30 days in advance Main Pavilion: $150 Yoney Pavilion: $150 + $75 refundable cleanup deposit

Company Picnic Package

(includes pavilion/swimming/miniature golf) Companies of 25 employees or fewer: $150 Monday through Thursday $175 Friday through Sunday Companies of more than 25 employees: $175 Monday through Thursday $225 Friday through Sunday

52 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE |

Canon Mac

PO Town Park Pool Hours: Noon to 6 p.m. daily Wednesdays (June 12 – Aug. 21 from 7 – 9:30) Dates: (Subject to Change): Memorial Day Weekend (May 25, 26, 27) then Saturdays and Sundays through June 9 Daily June 10 to Aug. 25 Labor Day weekend (Aug. 31/Sept. 1 & 2)

Park pool, the pavilions and Camp Splash:

OL

P M A C

Camp Splash

Hours: 8:15 – 4:15 daily

Rates: 2013 Adults: $55 Children and Seniors: $50 Family Pass: Three: $140 Four: $170 Five: $195 Six: $220

Dates: June 24 – 28 July 1 -5 (No camp July 4) July 8 – 12 July 15 -19 July 22-26 July 29 – Aug. 2 Aug. 5 – 9 Rates: 2013 Weekly fee $150 ($100 for each additional child in same family) Weekly fee July 1 - 5 only $120/$80

Daily: $6 Wednesday evening: $3 Packages: Splash Pass: $20 Includes swimming and golf for 7 days (a $50 value).

Must be used within 14-day period.

Canon Mac | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 53

B USINESS D IRECTORY

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Five Wholesome Snacks

A

for Families On-the-Go

busy family schedule means there’s less time to gather around the dinner table each night, let alone ensure everyone in the family is getting the nutrients they need to live healthy. And what convenience foods offer in terms of portability, they often lack in vitamins and nutrients.

But with a little preparation, you can ensure that convenient, wholesome, on-the-go snacks are at the ready when it’s time to head to play, practice or ballet lessons. Here are a few snack ideas to keep your family happy and healthy.

Smoothies While smoothies may not be the first thing that pops in your mind in terms of portability and convenience, with the right to-go cup, straw and lid, smoothies can be a great way to get some key nutrients en route. Pre-packaged smoothies, however, often contain a great deal of sugar. Ensure your family reaps the benefits of a fruit smoothie by whipping up a batch using all-natural ingredients and freezing them for later. Be sure to store blended smoothies in freezer-safe or airtight containers in the freezer, and allow for one to two hours of defrost time before grabbing them and heading for the door.

Whole Food Bars

Just because you’re short on time, doesn’t mean you can’t work wholesome foods in convenient, pocket or purse-sized portions into your diet. But make sure to check the labels when you grab a quick snack. While many snack bars contain few nutrients and may be high in sugar, there are many made using wholesome ingredients such as rolled oats, organic soynuts and almond butter, that are not only tasty, but dairy and gluten-free, as well as vegan. These bars are great go-to options you can feel good about giving your family. Learn more about these wholesome snacks online.

Homemade Trail Mix

For a shelf-stable snack that’s perfect for storing in the car, at the office, or in your purse, consider mixing up your favorite dry food snack items such as popcorn, almonds, peanuts, dried cranberries, raisins, banana chips and more.

Edamame

While soybeans might not be something you regularly prepare, they’re actually simple to cook, can be modified using different seasonings and are easily eaten on-the-go. The night before a busy day, simply add 1 teaspoon of salt to a large pot of water, bring to a boil and add the edamame. Cook between 4 to 5 minutes for frozen edamame, 5 to 6 minutes for fresh. Drain, and then add your favorite seasoning and store in a zip-top bag or storage container in the refrigerator until you head out the door.

Apple Chips If you’re a fan of apples, consider making apple chips. Simply cut apples into about 1/8-inch thick slices, add a pinch of cinnamon, and place them in the oven at 200°F for roughly two hours. You’ll end up with tasty, wholesome apple chips you can store in sealed sandwich bags for up to three days. Toss them in a backpack, your purse, or leave them in the car for snacking on-the-go.

Keep snacks readily available in your kitchen, such as in a basket on the counter or portioned out in a shelf within the refrigerator to ensure your family will choose wholesome foods over convenient, less-healthy snacks. With a little planning and preparation, you can save time on busy days, while ensuring everyone gets the nutrients they need.

Canon Mac | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 55

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Walter Mark Agency A Canonsburg Neighbor Since 1973

“F

ull Service” seems to be the trend these days, and when it comes to insurance, you need look no further than the Walter Mark Agency in Canonsburg.

Founded in 1973 by Walter Mark, who had already been associated with Erie Insurance since 1957 servicing clients as a Field Adjuster, the “full-service” insurance agency has grown ever since.

Today, the Walter Mark Agency is owned by Walter’s son, Eric, who started in the business in 1988, and eventually took it over in 1994. Along with his sister, Lisa Mark Cerenzia, the two have more than 50 years of experience since starting with the Agency in 1988. Other staff members include Robin Hershberger, Diana Bruno and Rona Pirollo.

“We’re an independent agency that offers a variety of insurance products, but Erie has pretty much whatever you may need, whether it’s residential or commercial,” Eric Mark said. “They handle auto, home and life insurance, but there are a lot of things that they cover that people may not know, such as vacation homes, motorcycles and boats. In fact, Erie’s Boat Policy is one of the best around.”

On the commercial side, Mark said Erie Insurance

provides coverage for artisans, contractors, landlords, retailers and large building owners. Erie also offers ancillary coverage that goes along with General Liability and Business Owner Policies including commercial vehicle coverage, business umbrella policies, workman’s compensation insurance and bonding insurance.

“Erie is the largest commercial auto writer in the state of Pennsylvania,” Mark said, “and they’re one of the largest writers of automotive and homeowners’ insurance in the state. Why? Because their motto is: ‘Above All In Service,’ which is the Golden Rule that we go by here in our office as well. That’s key in our agency. If we can’t deliver on a promise to our clients, then there’s no reason for us to be 56 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE |

Canon Mac

in business. This promise is kept by an outstanding claims force that lives locally and is on call 24/7.”

In addition to his dedication to his clients, Eric Mark has been dedicated to the Canonsburg community as well. He spent six years on the board of directors for the Canonsburg Chamber of Commerce.

He was a founding board member of the Canonsburg Renaissance

Group, which helped accomplish the Main Street improvements, the Main Street Manager Program, and helped procure the land for the new Frank Sarris Library.

Currently, Mark is on the board of the Greater Pittsburgh Cultural Center, where he helps foster the arts. At home, he helps foster the arts through encouraging his children, Matthew and Marissa, both of whom are musicians in the CanonMcMillan School District band.

“This is a community that I’m proud of,” Mark said. “I grew up here. I’m raising my family here, and it’s the people that make this community great. What’s great about insurance is that I can help the people of this community protect what’s most important to them and what they’ve worked so hard for in their lives. I can be there in their time of need and say, ‘It’s okay. We’re here to help you through this.’”

The Walter Mark Agency is located at 239 West Pike Street, and has plenty of off-street parking. They are nestled between St. Patrick’s Church and the Masonic Lodge. For more information on how they can help Erie Insurance work for you, call them at 724.745.4440. For a full listing of all their services, go to www.markinsurance.com online.

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