IN Canon-Mac by IN Community Magazines

SPRING 2011

anon Mac COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

Canon Mac Students GEAR UP FOR

Prom Wedding Style

Canon Mac School District Info Inside

anon Mac SPRING 2011

"No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another." Charles Dickens

Welcome to the spring issue of Canon Mac Magazine. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday filled with family, friends, and fun. Typically, I use this space to talk about your community or features in the magazine that spotlight the people in your community who are doing wonderful things. Well, this time I want to update you regarding our newest feature for 2011—our new website. Without venturing too far into the realm of shameless self-promotion, I want to emphasize that this website is something for you, our readers. How so? Well, you can have input and help shape the website just like your ideas help shape your magazine. Now you have a place to list all of the nonprofit community organizations that are active in the community. We are also developing pages where we list the local houses of worship. In addition, we now offer every magazine in a fully downloadable PDF format, rather than the outdated flipbook format we used to have. This will allow you to send the magazine, or links to it, to friends and family both near and far. We tied our website into Facebook as well, not to get the biggest list of “friends” we could get but to have a place to keep our readers abreast of all the news we get between issues. It also gives us a place to upload all the photos from community events that we don’t have room for in the magazine. As with all things, there’s always room for improvement, but we always have open ears. If you have comments about our new website or want to see your organization listed, e-mail mark@incommunitymagazines.com with your link or feedback. There’s no charge for listing your church, synagogue, or scout troop’s link, so send your links in today! And if you happen to be on Facebook and like what you see in the magazine, don’t hesitate to click that “Like” button. It’s always nice to be liked! I hope you have a wonderful spring!

Wayne Dollard Publisher When I think about spring, I can’t help but think about light. The days get “lighter,” and the sun stays with us a little longer each day. When we have a great idea, a light bulb goes off in our minds. At Canon Mac Magazine we try to spot-light our communities. What are you doing to be a “light”? If you or an organization that you volunteer or work for is a light in the community, will you let me know? So many good deeds are left unsung! If you have a family member who is in the armed forces, or if your church group or even Mom or Dad are providing a service to someone in need, we want to know! Please e-mail your ideas and photos to me at Marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com. A special shout out to the students and parents from Wylandville Elementary School! You will be able to read about their outreach project on page 10 to benefit the Washington Women’s Shelter. Wylandville Elementary is just another wonderful example of residents of all ages reaching out to help others in need! If you want to find out how to help the Washington Women’s shelter, by becoming a volunteer or through a donation, you can find them online at www.womensshelter.com. As we look forward to warmer and brighter days ahead, I hope you will enjoy this edition of Canon Mac Magazine. Marybeth Jeffries Managing Editor 2 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Canon Mac

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. PUBLISHER

Wayne Dollard AS S I STA N T TO T H E P U B L I S H E R

Mark Berton mark@incommunitymagazines.com M A N AG I N G E D I TO R

Marybeth Jeffries marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com O F F I C E M A N AG E R

Leo Vighetti leo@incommunitymagazines.com E D I TO R I A L AS S I STA N T

Jamie Ward j.ward@incommunitymagazines.com WRITERS

Jonathan Barnes Kelli McElhinny

Pamela Palongue

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Cassie Brkich Anna Buzzelli Susie Doak Pati Ingold

Jan McEvoy Joe Milne Tamara Tylenda Tracey Wasilco

P H OTO G R A P H E R S

Rebecca Bailey Garyyonphotography.com One Way Street Productions A DV E RT I S I N G S A L E S

Nicholas Buzzell Brian Daley Gina D’Alicandro Tina Dollard Rose Estes Jason Huffman Jessie Jones Connie McDaniel Brian McKee

David Mitchell Tamara Myers Gabriel Negri Robert Ojeda Annette Petrone Vincent Sabatini Michael Silvert RJ Vighetti

This magazine is carrier route mailed to all district households and businesses. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Copyright 2011. CORRESPONDENCE All inquiries, comments and press releases should be directed to: IN Community Magazines Attn: Editorial 603 East McMurray Road McMurray, PA 15317 Ph: 724.942.0940 Fax: 724.942.0968

Summer content deadline:4/18 www.incommunitymagazines.com

Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.

Contents Canon Mac | Spring 2011 |

SPRING 2011

Health and Wellness News You Can Use

Healthy Family, Happy Family

What’s Inside page 2

A Clean Sweep Make fire safety a focus of your spring clean-up projects

21 page 3

From Gut-Wrenching Pain to Hope for the Future Stomachaches: When to Worry

Keeping yourself and your family healthy can seem like a full-time job.

page 4

Good Night, Sleep Tight! Are You Allergic to Your Bed?

With UPMC HealthTrak, you now have a convenient way to manage your health anytime and anywhere.

page 5

UPMC HealthTrak Lets You Manage Your Health Care Online

page 6

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Could It Happen to You?

page 7

Publisher’s Message COMMUNITY INTEREST

Canon Mac School District

Canon Mac Student Poetry Contest UPMC Today

Urology 101

UPMC Mercy Emergency Department Project Advances

Health and Wellness News You Can Use | 21

IN Kids

Canon Mac Student Artwork Contest Real Estate in Canon Mac

Both Buyers and Sellers Need to be Aware of Overpricing | 38 Reeducation of the Seller | 39

Older Adults in Canon Mac FEATURES

Home Improvements

Fireplace—Creates Warmth & the Perfect Decor | 5 Rethinking the Attic | 12 Female Fix-It-Yourself Revolution | 13

Proms & Wedding Section

Venue Planning for Your Wedding | 44 Prom Fashion Tips for 2011 | 45 Wedding Reception to Remember | 46 INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Farmer SEO

Why Your Business Needs a Website, or a Better One | 33

Rodger J. Gaydos

Maybe You Didn’t Miss the Boat | 41 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Brookside Lumber Company

Expertise and Experience for your Projects from the Foundation to the Roof | 16

Premier Home Design

Kitchens and Bathrooms—Improvements You Can Appreciate While They Appreciate | 20

RMC Rental

Plan Your Party Now | 36

The Physical Therapy Institute Offering Relief from What Ails You | 40

ON THE COVER

Canon Mac Students building the set for their Spring Musical, Beauty and The Beast Canon Mac | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 3

4 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Canon Mac

firePlaCe

Creates Warmth

the PerfeCt DeCor

Add Warmth, Style, and Value to Your Home

hat is it about a fireplace that is so comforting? That warm glow and the advantages of heat efficiency and home resale value, all make installing a fireplace the ideal home renovation project. Innovations today in cost-efficient, energy-saving models have put fireplaces at the top of the “to-do” list for home remodeling projects. In spite of the new energy efficiency, a fireplace still continues to provide ambience, warmth, and an upgrade in any décor.

What's Your Style Fireplaces have come a long way from the typical wood-burning variety. They can be specifically designed to fit any room, and there are a large variety of fuels to produce heat or just glow. A wood-burning fireplace is the classic option. They provide a beautiful flame, crackling-wood sound, and heat. Newer to the market are gas fireplaces, which can be designed to imitate real burning wood, but their fuel source is natural gas or propane. Gas burns cleanly and is much more convenient than its

wood-burning counterpart. Electric fireplaces have some of the same advantages as gas-burning fireplaces, but have the extra benefit of being able to flip a switch and have instant ambience.

Which is the right investment for you? When deciding which option in fireplaces is right for your home, it is important to look at the space limitations in your home. Determine how much heat you need from the unit and whether you plan to do it yourself or hire a professional. Another thing to consider is that if you do not have a chimney in the house, installing one will add additional expense. Your choice of fuel for the fire should also be considered. Dealing with split wood—the stacking and handling, versus turning on a switch to give you the fire, is something to think about when choosing options. Adding a fireplace to any room in your home will add value to your home and provide a comfortable setting for you to relax.

Canon Mac | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 5

FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude. G Ralph Marston

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anon-McMillan High School hosted a Blue Out on Nov. 18, in support of grieving children through the Caring Team campaign, which works to make a difference in the lives of grieving children, increasing community awareness and raising funds for the Highmark Caring Place, A Center for Grieving Children, Adolescents and Their Families, in downtown Pittsburgh. CMHS students were asked to wear blue that day and also could wear hats, if they donated $1 to the Caring Foundation. Teachers were permitted to wear jeans that day, but had to donate $1 to participate and also wore blue. “We have chosen to silently show our support as a school because we want to show our students and faculty who have lost a family member, friend, or are grieving, that we are here and always will be as a community to support them by having a Blue Out on the National Grief Awareness Day,” said CMHS Principal Dave Helinski. “To support grieving children, CanonMcMillan High School chose to have a Blue Out.” “We know that one child in 20 will have a parent die before he or she graduates from high school,” said Terese Vorsheck, Highmark Caring Place Director. “When a loved one dies, a child’s life is turned upside-down. Grieving children need support, and the work that these Caring Team students do in helping to raise awareness for the needs of their fellow students and friends who are grieving the death of a loved one truly does make a difference.”

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The Caring Team is all about kids helping kids and making a difference for children in need, raising awareness, along with more than $5.5 million in funds, since 1989. The Caring Team is made up of more than 200 schools from throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania, along with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Black & Gold Fundraising, Max & Erma’s restaurant, Starbucks Coffee Company, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and the Highmark Foundation. Co-captains of the Caring Team include Pittsburgh Steelers players Hines Ward and Max Starks, former Steelers running back and current ESPN analyst Merril Hoge and WTAE-TV News anchor Sally Wiggin. &( $&( !% &($ *!&% &+* * (!% $

| February 2011 |

Canon Mac | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 7

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Canon Mac

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STOP PUTTING ME

DOWN T

he Canonsburg Middle School staff participated in a teachercreated, anti-bullying video parody to the song â&#x20AC;&#x153;Downâ&#x20AC;? by Jay Sean. It was viewed by the entire school along with several student-made songs/videos at the Olweus Kickoff. Lauren Paddick, eighth-grade English teacher, and Marcie Killmeyer, special education, wrote the lyrics. The parody was sung by Jill Dennick, eighth-grade social studies, and rapped by Lauren Paddick, Melissa Cashell, eighth-grade social studies, and Sheila Mitchell, special education. The video was directed by Ms. Killmeyer and edited by Ms. Paddick. Teachers and staff stayed after school to accomplish the task of getting their anti-bullying message recorded. This was a great way for the staff to show the students that they will not stand for bullying behaviors at CMS. The video can be viewed through the following link: $$! ''' ( %$%

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PERSONAL LESSON ON KUWAIT

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2 2'$ *("*.%% 123#$-21 5.0$ 2'$(0 .5- 1'(021 (- 13//.02 .% -2( !3++7(-& !.4$ 0$ (+$7 $(1, - -# 7+.0 &-$0 $+.5 30$##("*91 $(&'2' &0 #$ '.,$0.., /32 2.&$2'$0 -3,!$0 %.0 2'$ 1'.5

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

Canon Mac | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 9

ixty minutes – that’s how much physical activity school-age children should get each day. But as they get older, increasing demands on their schedules, and changes in their interests can make getting a full hour of exercise a challenge. Cecil Intermediate School has set out to make its students more able to reach this fitness goal by introducing a new exploratory called “Funtastically Fit.” Fifth-grade teacher Liz Beck, and sixth-grade teacher Shelley McMillon recently won a $7,000 Highmark Healthy High 5 grant. This grant has enabled them to purchase a wide variety of exercise equipment and turn a previous storage room into a complete Fitness Center. This “Get Fit” room is set up with nine different stations. During the 30-minute “Funtastically Fit” exploratory, students will rotate through each station in two-minute intervals. These stations include: Resistance Tubes, Stability Balls, Mini Trampolines, Agility Ladders, Slideboards, Fitness Steps, Jump Ropes, Medicine Balls, and Dumbbells.

G WYLANDVILLE HELPS WOMEN’S SHELTER

CANON-McMILLAN SCHOOL DISTRICT Not only will there be an opportunity for students to participate in this “Funtastically Fit” exploratory, but all teachers will have the opportunity to bring their students down for classes, such as Wellness, or even to reward students for good behavior and academics. The grant also included class sets of yoga mats, jump ropes, stability balls, and agility ladders, which will allow teachers to have their students participate in fullclass activities such as yoga, step aerobics, dance or agility training. Students and teachers of Cecil Intermediate are excited about exercising in the new “Get Fit” room and the addition of the “Funtastically Fit” exploratory. The goal of this new program is to make an active environment that encourages a lifelong healthy lifestyle, while having tons of fun! 10

Canon Mac

'$ 1+(#$ (1 % 4.0(2$ .% 7 0 4$28 $+.5 $-).7(-& 12$/1 0$ 2$ (&$0 ("' $+ 0-$7 7 0 4$28 -# 0 ' ".22

6 8):<6-:;018 ?1<0 <0- ):-6< )+=4<A ;;7+1)<176 <0;<=,-6<; )< &A4)6, >144- 4-5-6<):A "+0774 ;=++-;;.=44A .=4 .144-, <0-1: 0741,)A 7=<:-)+0 8:72-+< .7: <0+755=61<A #0;<=,-6<; 8):<1+18)<-, 16 ) +4);;:775 +758-<1<176 <7 +744-+< ;8):+0)6/- )6, 6-+-;;1<1-; .7: <0- &);016/<76 &75-6E; "0-4<-: #0- +744-+<176 <773 84)+<0- ?--3 16 7>-5*-: 8:17: <7 #0)63;/1> 16/ *:-)3 )+0 ,)A <0-:- ?); ) <0-5- )..14 1)<-, ?1<0 <0- +744-+<176 .7: <0- ;0-4<-: 716+1,16/ ?1<0 <0- 5)<-:1)4; +744-+<176 .7: <0- ?75-6E; ;0-4<-: ?); ) +4);;:775 +758-<1<176 <7 +744-+< 477;- +0)6/- :=+:1+-E; 316,-:/):<-6 +4);; +744-+<-, <057;< 477;- +0)6/- #0+4);; ?); :-?):,-, ?1<0 ) ;5)44 <:-)< *A <0- ):-6< )+=4<A ;;7+1)<176 )6, ) *773 :-),16/ )6, ?16<-: )+<1>1<A *A :16+18)4 ):-44) )B7; )6, ;;1;<)6< :16+18)4 16) $61<); ; ) ;+0774 +755=61<A <0- +014,:-6 /):6-:-, 16 477;- +0)6/4;7 +744-+<-, <0:7=/07=< <0- ,:1>- .7: <0- ?75-6E; ;0-4<-: ?-:- *16; 7. 0)<; /47>-; ):< ;=8841-; *773; ;7+3; )6, <71 4-<:1-; #0- +0)6/- +744-+<-, )..7:,-, 0:1;<5); ,166-: .7: .)5141-; 16 <:)6;1 <176)4 07=;16/ )6, .7: ;1@ 57<0-:; )6, ;1@ +014,:-6 41>16/ 16 <0- ;0-4<-: #0- 5)<-:1)4; +744-+<-, ?144 0-48 <7 3--8 <0- ?75-6 )6, +014,:-6 16 <0- ;0-4<-: ?):5 )6, +75.7:<)*4- ,=:16/ <0-;- +0144A ?16<-: 576<0; 7;< 1587:<)6<4A <0- 0-):<; 7. <0+014,:-6 )< &A4)6,>144- 4-5-6<):A ?-:?):5-, *A 0-4816/ <07;- 16 6--,

G IT’S AN AR CIRCUS AT CECIL ELEMENTARY! "<=,-6<; )< -+14 4-5-6<):A "+0774 !- -):616/ ) +1:+=; <-6< .=44 7. ! 8716<; ++-4-:)<-, !-),-: 1; ) ;=++-;;.=4 :-),16/ ;7.<?):- 8:7/:)5 <0)< 5)3-; -;;-6<1)4 :-), 16/ 8:)+<1+- 57:- -..-+<1>- .7: ->-:A ;<= ,-6< *A 8-:;76)41B16/ :-),16/ 8:)+<1+- <7 -)+0 ;<=,-6<E; +=::-6< :-),16/ 4->-4 "<=,-6<; 16 /:),-; ):- ;-<<16/ <0- *): 01/0 7)4; ):- ;-< -)+0 576<0 .7: ;<=,-6<; <7 +0)44-6/- <0-5;-4>-; *A 16+:-);16/ <0-1: <7<)4 *A .1>- 8716<; -)+0 576<0 #0- +4);;:775 ?1<0 <0- 57;< 8716<; )< <0- -6, 7. <0- 576<0 :-+-1>-; ) ;8-+1)4 :-?):, <0)< 1; *);-, 76 ) +1:+=; <0-5)+0 576<0 )6 16+-6<1>- 1; -):6-, )6, :->-)4-, .7: <0- -6, 7. <0- A-): +):61>)4 #-)+0-:; ):- ,716/ ) .)6<);<1+ 27* -6+7=:)/16/ <0- +758-<1<176 ?1<016 <0/:),- 4->-4; 6 ! *=44-<16 *7):, ,1;84)A 16/ +4);;:775 8716<; /)16; 1; )4;7 ) /:-)< ?)A <7 57<1>)<- <0- ;<=,-6<; &1<0 764A 576<0; <7 /7 *-.7:- <0- .=6 ;<=,-6<; ?144 :-), 57:- *773; <0)6 2=;< 76-

&:1<16/ 1; ) >-:A 1587:<)6< ;3144 <0)< +014,:-6 ?144 =;- <0:7=/07=< <0-1: 41>-; #0- ;-+76, /:),-:; 16 ):A );4)613E; +4);; )< =;4-5-6<):A "+0774 =;- ?:1<16/ 67< 764A 16 )6/=)/- :<; *=< )4;7 16 )<0 #0-A ?-:16;81:-, *A <0- +74, ?-)<0-: <7 ?:1<- )*7=< <0-1: ?16<-:<15- )+<1>1<1-; #0-A )4;7 =;-, <0- ?16<-: ;-);76 <7 ?:1<+=<- ;<7+316/ ;<=58-: ;<7:1-; 16 )<0 #0-A =;-, <0- # # " " % 8:7+-;; <7 ,7 <0-1: )<0 ?:1<16/ #0- +014,:-6 )4?)A; ,7 ) ;4788A +78A )6, <0-6 -,1< <0-1: ?7:3 6+- )44 -::7:; ):- +7::-+<-, <0-A ):- :-),A <7 ,7 <0-1: .16)4 +78A :; );4)613E; ;<= ,-6<; -627A-, 8=<<16/ <0-1: 7?6 8-:;76)4 <7=+0-; 16 <0-1: ?7:3 )>16/ <0-1: 81+<=:-; <)3-6 .7: <0C )*A <E; 74, =<;1,-D ?:1<16/ ?); )6 -@<:) *76=; )6, <0-6 ,-+7:)<16/ <0- 81+<=:.:)5- ),,-, <7 <0- .=6 #0-A )4;7 47>-, ?:1<16/ <0-1: .16)4 ?7:, 8:7*4-5 76 <0- 8=88A ;<7+316/ 8)8-: )6, +747:16/ )6, 8-:;76)41B16/ <0-1: 81+<=:- #0- +014,:-6 ;-- 07? ?:1<16/ 1; -;;-6<1)4 16 )44 ;=*2-+<;

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Canon Mac | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 11

The first thing you need to consider is the space itself. Is it finished at all? Many attics in the area are open spaces broken up by roof and flooring joists and wads of insulation. The first thing you want to do is inspect your attic for leaks and whether those joists are strong enough to support extra weight. You can add flooring by screwing down plywood or other subflooring. Avoid nailing materials down to prevent damaging the ceilings underneath you through the vibrations of hammer blows. Once you have your flooring down, you can decide whether or not you want to finish the ceiling joists. You can insulate and attach drywall or plywood to these joists, depending on how fancy you want to get with the finished look; or you may decide that having the recessed areas between the joists is beneficial to your storage needs. Keep in mind that a triangular space is limiting only if you have boxes or items that you need to store vertically. Items that are smaller

f you’re more than four feet tall and live in western Pennsylvania, chances are that your attic is not a comfortable space that you would consider livable. Your attic can be modified, however, by the do-ityourselfer into more than adequate storage for a variety of your belongings, if you get creative.

12 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Canon Mac

and that can be arranged into nooks and crannies can be ideal for these odd-shaped spaces. Also keep in mind that, because of the nature of attic access in older homes, the route to your attic may be through a small trap door in a hall closet, so items you put in the attic might be limited to long-term or permanent storage, like old college textbooks, holiday decorations, luggage, or all those old National Geographics that you can’t throw away because the pictures are too pretty. If you do have easy access to your attic, either by way of a dedicated staircase or pull-down steps, more options may offer themselves to you. Even tight attics have enough room for several twodrawer filing cabinets, allowing you to store many years’ worth of tax returns or product manuals. Easier access means even more versatility when it comes to your storage plan. Rather than long term, you can use the space for things that require infrequent use—bins for extra blankets and pillows for when guests are in town, large children’s toys or games that don’t get played with during the school week, and sporting equipment when it’s out of season. Storing items like these in the attic will keep them out of dank basement conditions, and, in the case of linens and sporting equipment, keep the smell of mildew away. Keep in mind that the attic, while dryer than the basement, still has its own set of issues. Temperatures often vary wildly in attics depending on how insulated they are, so items that can’t stand high heat or low temperatures— like candles, for instance—may not fare well in the attic environment. Each space is different, but each is unique, and how you use that space can be a fun project for the whole family.

SOLVE 5 COMMON HOUSEHOLD PROBLEMS

From pink screwdrivers and mini toolboxes to a surge of female-targeted home improvement sites and guidebooks, the fix-it-yourself revolution has come for women in the U.S. More empowered females are taking on household problems themselves instead of spending the money to hire a plumber, electrician or contractor. In fact, a recent study by the Medelia Monitor showed that more than 60 percent of women are more likely to tackle the work on their own. The majority of these women (63 percent) are being more resourceful to avoid the high costs of hiring a professional. And 71 percent of women say the desire to “fix-it-myself” stems from the empowering feeling of having the knowledge to improve their home. Sound familiar? If you’d like to empower yourself and join the fix-it-yourself revolution, start by picking up a few affordable tools and products to tackle quick fixes. Here are easy tips for solving five common household problems: ✔ Unstick sticky windows by opening them and rubbing wax or spraying silicone into the tracks on both sides. Move the window up and down several times to work the wax or silicone lubricant into the frame. ✔ Fix squeaky wood or tile floors by sprinkling baby powder on the surface of the floor that’s squeaking. Then place a chisel between the boards and gently hammer the top to pry up the tile or floorboard. Sprinkle more baby powder underneath the board to seal the excess space causing the squeaking. ✔ If your drains are draining slowly or clogged completely, try a de-clogging gel that clears the toughest clogs at a fraction of the cost of a plumber house call. Liquid-Plumr’s new Penetrex Gel is a fast-acting, powerful formula that can clear the toughest clogs in just seven minutes. ✔ Mend unsightly holes or tears in your window screens by using a screwdriver to straighten the bends in the mesh and dabbing clear nail polish to seal the hole. Allow it to dry. Then repeat the polish application until the hole is completely sealed. ✔ A wobbly table leg may seem hard, but it’s a surprisingly easy repair. Just figure out how it’s attached to the seat. Then either screw the leg back into its socket or glue it back into place.

Fix-it resources abound online and at your local bookstore. But here’s a few to get you started: Facebook.com/LiquidPlumr: Most clogged drains are caused by hair. Get tips on how to keep all drains clear and while you’re there, enter the Big Locks Rock! Contest before December 15th for a chance to win a trip for four to L.A. to get haircuts by a celebrity stylist. BeJane.com: A site where women of all ages and skill levels can find answers to home improvement questions and connect with others for inspiration and advice. “Dare to Repair” by Julie Sussman: This book offers a “do-it-herself” guide to fixing almost anything in the home. Canon Mac | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 13

Canon Mac

y r t e o P t n e d u St

Presenting some of the best poetry from Canon-McMillan School District

MYSTERY BOX | by Alexandria Ross A typical boring summer day We’re two childhood friends, Jogging our brains for a new activity to do. After hours of thinking, it dawned on us, A clubhouse!

THE CRY OF A BANSHEE | by Matthew Weldy

Various trees to choose from We decided to make our hideout in the middle of the three Christmas trees. Our spot determined, we couldn’t wait to start. Hammers and shovels flew out of the shed. And the clubhouse transformation began! Not long into our construction we froze in fear A large metal box, Rusted and dented, appeared before us. Neither one of us moved a muscle; We both knew what the other was thinking, What’s in there? Together we took a step closer. And on the count of three, we kicked the box and . . . Without waiting, booked it back to the house! But we knew we had to go back. That next week Everyday We went back to the box to see if we could build up enough courage to see inside . . . But never did it happen. An unfinished clubhouse and an unopened box to this day hidden in those pine trees Awaiting two new little girls with more courage than us to reveal its secrets. LUCKY NO. 7 | by Jake Campbell It was just another day at work. The golf course, unattractive this time of year, Early spring, barely 6 months ago. The only green showing was the perennial Pennsylvania grass that was almost ready for the first cut of the year. Driving along in a work cart, I chat with an acquaintance in the passenger seat.

The family is outside; they asked me to join them. No, I have more important things to do, Television, video games . . . who am I kidding? Excitedly I join them, ready to play; all by myself, Finding nothing better, I play with the hula hoop. I cannot roll it around my waist, so I should throw it, right? Up and down, up and down, until it lands before the green dumpster. I bend down then snap up as I throw it. Wiping the sweat from the top of my head, I hear the sound. The cry of a banshee fills the air. My sisters hide themselves in the shed, Too scared to show their heads. My father is running, but where to… He runs to me, but why I wonder? My hand passes my face, covered in red, As I wipe away still more sweat. Suddenly I realize, I am bleeding! But there is no pain, I feel normal, so I must be fine. “Dad,” I ask, “Do I need stitches?” Slowly and solemnly he says, “Yes, Matt, you will.” The tears settle in. I think of the pain that awaits me, Staples digging into my skin, a feeling I never wanted to think of. No, I don’t want stitches; I will not have my head stapled shut. But fate made it so, only with soft, gentle thread; I can accept this. Nine years, almost to the day, the last hair falls from my head. My ulterior motive shall be met; I shall finally see my wound. I always imagined a long deep scar, but what I find is far from that: A small ‘L’ shape of strange- colored skin is all I can find. This cannot be! All the pain, all the torture, For something as small and insignificant as this!? Was it worth the fight? Was it worth crying over? The scar on my head is nothing compared to The scar in my head.

Rambling at a steady speed, we descend a hill covered in slippery grass. As we pick up speed, the wheels roll faster and faster. Instinctively I slam the brakes, but they lock, and the cart begins to slide! Spinning in circles, we gain speed! The world spins around me faster and faster as I try to hold on to the steering wheel! BOOM! The cart slides across a paved path; the left tires grab the pavement; the cart begins to tip! Like a fighter pilot pulling his ejection cord, fearing what is to come … I look right to see my partner safely land, then to the left. Triggering a reflex, my legs spring, pushing me farther into the air away from the cart, away from disaster and into the air … I am airborne … and the cart is rolling behind. Time seems to stop; I feel like a lone astronaut floating through space. I fall from 10 feet to 0 feet in a quick second. I hit the ground hard, but I feel minimal pain. I reel around on the ground only to see … a solid, rusted cart chassis tumbling my way. “Move! Move! Move!” I think to myself, as my senses come back to me. I can’t flee fast enough; the cart lands upright on top of me, and right in front of my eyes, it appears, the cart’s number, Lucky No. 7! 14 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

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Four creative writing students placed in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards of Southwestern Pennsylvania. Left to right: Rachel Moeser, “Love Never Dies” (Honorable Mention), Kristen Ayres, “The Difference Between Allies and Rivals” (Honorable Mention), Ashley Currey, “Treasured” (Silver Key) and “Brother and Sister” (Honorable Mention), Kaleen Hayes, “For the Best” (Honorable Mention),

by Jessica Britvich Determined, I try harder, Aspire to jump higher, Need to practice longer, Crave to stride farther. Eagerly, I improve my performance. Breathtaking views Enter my vision As a feeling of Calm washes over me. I Hope never to leave this paradise. Sunlight hits my face as I dip Under the refreshing water. Laughing with My friends, we float about, reflecting on Memories, dreaming of the Endless nights to come as we Relax in the July heat.

by Emily Bell Come together to Hear and help yourself and others. Also remember, Never to give up. Cast your line, and Eventually youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll return a better person. Listen to what the world Is saying. Fear no one Except yourself. Chances occur in Life to do Interesting things. Make sure you are anchored Before you start. WRONG GENERATION | by Nick Selker I peer through the glass of the entertainment center. A large gray box beckons me, A dust covered relic begging to be rescued. My friend tells me that It hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been used in years; And after long discussion, We struggle to take the strange device Up the road to my house. I sort the wires that have accumulated in tangles, Returning the plugs to the sockets where they once resided. Hours later, the box looks brand new And ready to play. I look through my new collection Until I come upon one of my favorites, Tommy by The Who. Slowly I lower the needle Onto the spinning record. Magic ensues. Canon Mac | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 15

B u s i n e s s

s p o t L i g h t

Brookside Lumber Company Expertise and Experience for your Projects from the Foundation to the Roof

here’s a whole world of information out there when it comes to homebuilding and remodeling. Which wood moulding is best suited for staining? Which deck material lasts longest for the price? Which window requires the least maintenance? At Brookside Lumber, employees have an average of more than 10 years of experience with the company and are ready, willing and able to answer all of those questions and any more that you can think of. Bruce Edwards, one of the owners of Brookside, said that experience, expertise and breadth of product selection are what customers come to Brookside for, not to mention value. “I would describe value as a combination of quality of product, the service provided while selecting the product, and getting the appropriate product for the project at the best price,” Edwards said. “We’re very good

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at mouldings. There are a couple of hundred different profiles of mouldings we stock. There are pine mouldings, hardwood, MDF, primed pine, lots of patterns for floors, ceilings, walls, doors and windows. Our people know what they are, how they are used and can help you refine what you’re going to be most satisfied with.” Decks are another popular area for Brookside. From treated lumber to composite decking and railings, the breadth and depth of product could be confusing or bewildering to a customer without an expert to talk to. Brookside’s employees always deliver that same depth of conversation with the customer. They can walk you through the features, benefits and advantages of one product versus another. “How do you navigate that maze of variables? Most people look on the Internet and you’ll get the manufacturer’s take that their stuff is the best of all worlds,” Edwards said. “Where do you go to get a neutral perspective or more than one perspective? We have conversations with our customers. We can really drill down into their projects and make sure they leave here with the best products for their projects. Can you go buy a 1”x12” board somewhere? Sure. Can you come here? Absolutely. But what you’ll find here is a broader selection and the people who can give you the appropriate guidance so that you’re getting what you need, not what a brochure says you need.” Edwards said that expertise is even more valuable today with the majority of customers perusing the Internet for ideas on projects and materials. Brookside also prides itself with the ability to help homeowners find the appropriate person or company to tackle their next home remodeling project, regardless of size. Multiply that by the hundreds of quality brands of siding, trim, windows, doors and cabinets, along with building materials, and that wealth of knowledge can be worth its weight in gold to a homeowner. For a tour of many of the products that Brookside Lumber Company stocks, visit the company website at www.brooksidelumber.com. Brookside Lumber Company is located at 500 Logan Road in Bethel Park and can be reached at 412.341.3600. Brookside’s hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays; and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Canon Mac | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 17

Washington Animal Shelter Pairs Veteran Pets with War Vets

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The Washington Area Humane Society (WAHS) is recruiting everyone they can to help with a program geared towards pairing pets with vets. “Pets for United States Vets” is a donation-sponsored program at WAHS that supports free adoption of a dog or cat for war veterans. Shelter officials said that as long as the special “Veteran’s Fund” stays funded, the program will continue; however, based on the success of their fundraising events, that fund may not be used up anytime soon. In October, the WAHS Furry Fall Festival, sponsored by 84 Fitness Center, raised more than $6,500 for the fund. Donations continue to be accepted, and those interested in helping the program can by send a check to: WAHS/PETS FOR VETS, P.O. Box 66, Eighty-Four, PA 15330 (write “Veteran’s Fund” on the memo line). Veterans need only present their military IDs at the time of adoption to take part in the program. As part of the deal, veterans will also be granted a free shelter clinic membership. The first pet adopted through the program was Taz, who was adopted by the Brown family. But all shelter pets are eligible for the program. Shelter officials said the program is just one of the many ways the shelter helps homeless animals. Because of its no-kill status, the WAHS has some pets that have been waiting more than a year for a home.

In addition to companionship, pets have proven benefits to the health of their owners, according to WAHS officials, some of which include improvement in mood, lower stress and blood pressure, social support and fending off loneliness, and incentive for exercising. All pets adopted from the WAHS are spayed or neutered, are up-to-date on vaccinations, and are micro-chipped in case they get lost. Volunteers are always on hand at the shelter to answer questions and give suggestions to people trying to find the perfect pet for their particular home and lifestyle. The WAHS is funded solely by private contributions. Annually, it takes in more than 4,000 animals and investigates 700 abuse cases. To see their available adoptable pets, go to www.washingtonpashelter.org/petlis t.htm and click on the profile of any dog or cat you may be interested in. Adoption fees for puppies are $150; $75 for adult dogs. For kittens, adoption fees are $80; $50 for adult cats. Even better, those interested in adoption should visit the shelter directly at 1527 Route 136, Eighty Four, Pa. (15330), to see the most current pets available. WAHS only has 36 kennels for dogs and room for 75 cats in their cat adoption area, so overcrowding can occur overnight, which is why it’s imperative for interested families to adopt today.

Everyone Has A Story Would you or someone you know like to be featured Canon Mac Magazine for our newest feature – Resident Profiles? Please suggest a resident for the community to get to know! (Must be a resident of the Canon Mac community)

Write for

Email our Managing Editor at marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com

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We are looking for experienced writers! If you’re a writer based in the Canon Mac community and you’re interested in writing features that keep our readers up to date on what’s happening, e-mail hr@incommunitymagazines.com. No phone calls please! Canon Mac | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 19

Bathrooms & Kitchens Improvements You Can Appreciate While They Appreciate No matter how much you paid for that new car, once you drive it off the lot, its value goes down. But if you put that same money into a kitchen or bathroom project for your home, you can actually increase its worth and recoup more than 30 percent of the investment back in some cases. You’ll also have a new, better designed and more useful space to cook in or luxuriate in every day. Laura Reid Riggin at Premier Home Design Center said that the best returns on investments are kitchens, but a lot of the returns can’t be measured in dollars. “All designs are limited by space and budget, but an easy, quick facelift can create a more modern, and cooking-friendly kitchen,” Riggin said. “Replacing counter tops is very popular, as is upgrading appliances to stainless steel. Islands are popular, so long as there’s room to accommodate them. It is important, when you’re focusing and working with an existing structure, to design for the space. It’s not so easy to go into an existing kitchen and add recessed lights, but pendant lights over an island are still a hot accessory, and easily accomplished.” Premier offers clients the ability to work with true designers, not just a person behind a computer screen with the latest home-design software package. The results are nothing short of spectacular. “It’s really important to emphasize the value of using a kitchen

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designer because anybody who’s been in this business knows that there are so many ways we can help plan and help them work within budget,” Riggin said. “We’re not whipping walls out at the computer. We’re designers. You’re talking a lot of money and a major investment in someone’s home. For some people, that can be a little scary. We help them every step of the way from concept to construction.” But once you decide to call Premier, you’ll be amazed at all of the options that open up to you. Not only are kitchens born again, but bathrooms that are now blasé, can find new life through walk-in showers, luxury shower heads and body sprays, rain showers and his and hers vanities. Some clients choose to install heated floors. Riggin said the sky’s the limit. “Bathrooms typically cost more to do because of the amount of labor involved – removing old tile work, laying new plumbing,” she said. “But in the end, kitchens and bathrooms are two rooms that people spend a lot of time in, so you’re not only increasing the home’s value, you’re increasing your family’s ability to enjoy the home.” Riggin said that Premier also does work for homeowners looking to get their home ready for the market. “It’s different when you’re working with a homeowner who plans on living in the home and one who wants to update the home to sell,” she said. “Both look at the projects differently and have different budget expectations. Those who plan on living in the home after the upgrades put a lot of thought into their master baths and kitchens because their wants and needs are coming first. It’s more about creating a truly personal space, and we’ve been doing that successfully for homeowners for quite a while.” Premier Home Design Center can be reached by calling 412.276.5650. They are located at 1597 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, 15017.

SPRING 2011

Health and Wellness News You Can Use

Healthy Family, Happy Family

What’s Inside page 2

A Clean Sweep Make fire safety a focus of your spring clean-up projects

page 3

From Gut-Wrenching Pain to Hope for the Future Stomachaches: When to Worry

Keeping yourself and your family healthy can seem like a full-time job.

page 4

Good Night, Sleep Tight! Are You Allergic to Your Bed?

With UPMC HealthTrak, you now have a convenient way to manage your health anytime and anywhere.

page 5

UPMC HealthTrak Lets You Manage Your Health Care Online

page 6

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Could It Happen to You?

page 7

Urology 101 UPMC Mercy Emergency Department Project Advances

A Clean Sweep Make fire safety a focus of your spring clean-up projects

Consider these potentially lifesaving tips from UPMC Mercy’s Trauma and Burn Center, which recently earned prestigious verification by the American Burn Association and the American College of Surgeons. Spring is a great time to clean up around the house — inside and out. It’s also a great time to do a fire safety check and simple spring cleaning to help make your home safer. “Most home fires and burn injuries can be prevented,” says Jenny A. Ziembicki, MD, medical director of the UPMC Mercy Trauma and Burn Center. “Too often, we see children scalded by bath water that’s too hot, people with painful inhalation burns caused by mixing cleaning products, or deaths in homes with no working smoke alarms.” About 300 people are admitted to UPMC Mercy each year for treatment of burn injuries. Nearly one out of three of those burn patients is under the age of 15. UPMC Mercy is designated as a Level I Regional Resource Trauma Center by the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation. “We were the first burn center in Pennsylvania and the 17th in the country when we opened in 1966,” Dr. Ziembicki says. “Today, we’re the only center in the region with Level I trauma and comprehensive burn capabilities under the same roof.”

Dr. Ziembicki advises families to reduce the risk of fires and burn injuries in their home by following these simple spring cleaning tips: • Check carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, replace the batteries, and vacuum away any dust or debris. • Set your water heater to 120 degrees. Consider using a bath thermometer, especially if you live with young children, the elderly, or diabetics. • Clean out your basement and garage. Properly dispose of any oily rags, and empty paint or aerosol cans. Recycle unnecessary papers and boxes. • Clean out lint build-up in your clothes dryer vents, exhaust ducts, and behind the dryer. Remember to clean the screen/filter after each use. • Read instructions carefully when using cleaning products. Mixing solvents can produce toxic fumes that can burn eyes and airways. • If you have children, look for any evidence they’ve been playing with matches.

• Don’t fire up that propane grill until you check for leaks and cracks, and signs of blockage from insects, spiders, and food grease. • For charcoal grills, use only charcoal lighter fluid, and never add any lighter fluid or other flammable liquids after igniting. • Place your grill away from railings, high traffic areas, windows, heating/air conditioning units, or places with high/dead vegetation. • Make sure all family members know how to respond to a smoke alarm alert. Choose a meeting place such as a tree, light pole, or mailbox that is a safe distance from your home in the event of a fire. • Make an escape plan. Draw a floor plan of each level of your home and discuss it with all members of your household. For more information, contact the Hydrotherapy Department at UPMC Mercy at 412-232-8794.

Did You Know? • Across the nation, someone dies in a fire every 175 minutes, and someone is injured in a fire every 31 minutes.

• Approximately 85 percent of all U.S. fire deaths occur in homes.

www.UPMC.com/Today

• A residential fire occurs every 84 seconds. • Every day, 435 children from infancy to age 19 are treated in emergency departments for burn-related injuries, and two children die as a result of being burned.

• Nearly two-thirds of reported home fire deaths occurred in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Sources: National Fire Protection Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

From Gut-Wrenching Pain to Hope for the Future UPMC’s Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Center wields a powerful “triple threat” against IBD: Groundbreaking immunology, genetics research, and innovative clinical care. The primary goal of drug therapy is to reduce inflammation in the intestines. Medications include anti-inflammatory drugs; antibiotics to kill germs in the intestinal track; probiotics to restore good bacteria; corticosteroids to provide short-term relief during flare-ups; and immunosuppressants.

At age 23, John Oliver* is feeling better about the future. Free from the gutwrenching pain of Crohn’s disease since a second bowel surgery in 2008 — this time followed by a promising new treatment developed at UPMC using biologic-based drug therapy — he is now making plans to attend medical school next fall. “I think the medicine is working. It’s the best I’ve felt and the best I’ve looked,” says John, who earned his biomedical engineering degree from Carnegie Mellon University and a master’s degree in engineering management from Duke University. His gastroenterologist, Miguel Regueiro, MD, clinical head and codirector of the UPMC Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, says the future has never looked brighter for IBD patients. “Ten years ago, a diagnosis of IBD was devastating. Now, we have new medicines, a greater understanding of the disease, and better research,” he says.

IBD: Who’s at risk? Nearly two million Americans live with IBD, which is not to be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBD involves two chronic diseases that cause inflammation of the intestines: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Symptoms include abdominal cramps and pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and bleeding.

Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the small and large intestines, while ulcerative colitis affects the large bowel alone. IBD cuts across all ages, genders, and ethnicities, but generally affects Caucasians ages 15 to 35. While the exact cause is not known, experts believe IBD involves a compromised or overactive immune system. Because IBD may run in families, doctors also believe genetics plays a role. While stress and certain foods do not cause IBD, both can make symptoms worse.

Treatment According to Dr. Regueiro, drugs cannot cure IBD, but they can be effective in reducing the inflammation and accompanying symptoms. While some patients have mild symptoms requiring little medication, others have more debilitating flare-ups, and some patients have severe problems requiring surgery and even transplants.

In addition, the IBD Center recently developed a Visceral Inflammation and Pain (VIP) Center to help patients deal with both the physical pain and emotional stress of coping with IBD.

Exciting breakthroughs The latest generation of drugs, called biologic therapies, are proving very effective in inducing remission so that patients can lead normal lives. At UPMC, doctors took this approach a step further — as in John’s case — by prescribing biologic drug therapy after performing surgery to remove the damaged section of the intestine. In use now at other hospitals, this treatment has reduced the recurrence of Crohn’s disease in patients by nearly two thirds. * John Oliver’s treatment and results may not be representative of similar cases.

Stomachaches: When to Worry Everyone gets a stomachache — or abdominal pain — from time to time. Most stomachaches are harmless conditions caused by overeating, gas, or indigestion. But they can point to more serious medical problems, says Ragunath Appasamy, MD, PhD, chief of gastroenterology at UPMC Mercy. “Most people know when a stomachache is simply a stomachache,” says Dr. Appasamy. “However, if the pain is different — something unusual for you — it’s time to call your doctor.” There are many potential causes of abdominal pain, explains Dr. Appasamy. “It’s important that patients contact their primary care physician if mild stomach pain lasts more than six hours or continues to worsen, or if the pain is accompanied by other symptoms.”

Get immediate medical help if: • You have abdominal pain that is very sharp, severe, and sudden. Pain located on the lower right side of the abdomen can mean appendicitis. • You also have pain in the chest, neck, or shoulder. Some heart attacks and pneumonias can cause abdominal pain. • You’re vomiting blood or having bloody diarrhea. • Your abdomen is stiff, hard, and tender to the touch. • You can’t move your bowels, especially if you’re also vomiting. The bottom line: Trust your gut! Contact your doctor if you’re concerned about lingering or unusual stomach pain.

1-800-533-UPMC

Health Tips from UPMC Health Plan

Good Night, Sleep Tight! Are you among the millions of Americans suffering from lack of sleep? If so, droopy eyelids, wide yawns, and low energy are the least of your worries. Sleep disruption — not sleeping enough or sleeping poorly — can affect your memory, disease resistance, and leave you struggling to stay alert in school, on the job, and on the road. Studies show that people who get the appropriate amount of sleep on a regular basis also tend to live longer, healthier lives than those who sleep too few or even too many hours each night. So, what is a good night’s sleep? According to the National Institutes of Health, most adults need seven to eight hours of sleep a night. School-aged children and teens need at least nine hours of sleep each night. Tips to help you sleep • Stick to a sleep schedule. Get up about the same time each day, no matter how many hours of sleep you got the previous night. • Maintain healthy sleep habits. Go to bed only when you’re sleepy. Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, and relaxing — not too hot or too cold. Don’t text, e-mail, read, or watch TV in bed. • Make sure your mattress is comfortable. Remember, even a good quality mattress needs to be replaced within 10 years. • Exercise is great, but not too late. Avoid exercising within a few hours before bedtime. • Avoid caffeinated drinks after lunch. The stimulating effects of caffeine in coffee, colas, teas, and chocolate can take as long as eight hours to wear off. • Avoid large meals at night. A large meal can cause indigestion that interferes with sleep. • Avoid alcoholic drinks before bedtime. While a nightcap may help you relax, alcohol keeps you in the lighter stages of sleep and tends to wake you during the night. And, for adolescents and young adults: • Avoid stimulating activities around bedtime. This includes intense studying, text messaging, video games, and lengthy phone conversations. • Avoid pulling “all nighters” during exams. • Sleep in on weekends — but not more than two to three hours past your normal wake time. Sleeping longer may disrupt your body clock. Find a more complete list of the benefits of good sleep at www.UPMC.com/Today.

AreYouAllergic toYour Bed? The dust in your bedroom might be making you sick. Dust mites, and dander, and fibers — oh my! These are just some of the microscopic menaces in ordinary house dust that can cause health problems. Dust mites are a common cause of allergies and asthma. It’s not the dust mite itself that can make you sick; it’s the dust mite debris (the mite’s feces and decaying body). Dust collects in every room of the house because it is easily trapped in linens, upholstery, carpets, and draperies. But the bedroom is a favorite habitat for dust mites because it provides a warm, humid environment, and plenty of food (dead skin from humans and pets).

Five ways to help wipe out dust mites While you can’t completely eliminate dust mites, these simple steps may help reduce their numbers: 1. Cover your mattress and pillows in dust-proof or allergen-blocking covers, and encase box springs in vinyl or plastic covers. 2. Wash and dry bed sheets, pillowcases, blankets, curtains, and bedcovers weekly in hot water (140 degrees). If bedding can’t be washed, put the items in the dryer set at a high temperature for 20 minutes. 3. Vacuum carpeting and upholstery weekly. Using a HEPA-filter vacuum can help keep dust from floating back into the air. 4. Use a damp cloth or mop to remove dust from hard surfaces and exposed floors. This will prevent dust from becoming airborne and resettling. 5. Keep the indoor temperature at 70 degrees and humidity at no more than 50 percent. Dust mites aren’t the only puny pests that can invade your bedroom. Bed bugs have made a comeback in recent years. For tips on ways to avoid a bed bug infestation, visit www.UPMC.com/Today. Sources: National Institutes of Health, Environmental Protection Agency

www.UPMC.com/Today

UPMC Spotlight

UPMC HealthTrak Lets You Manage Your Health Care Online

Keeping track of health issues, test results, and medications is challenging for Sandy Hogue*, who is disabled and chronically ill. Because she must rely on cabs for transportation, seeing a primary care doctor can be an all-day affair. That’s why she was eager to sign up for UPMC HealthTrak, an Internet-based service that enables patients to receive and manage information about their health. Sandy uses it to monitor her glucose and high cholesterol levels, check test results, make appointments, renew prescriptions, and diagnose medical conditions — all from the comfort of her home in Westmoreland County. “It’s a good system. I get the medical treatment I need faster without spending a day traveling around,” says Sandy. “It keeps me in contact with my doctor and helps me monitor my medical conditions. And if I have anything contagious, like the flu, it prevents me from infecting other people.” More patients choosing HealthTrak Approximately 42,000 UPMC patients have signed on to HealthTrak, which gives them secure electronic access to their medical records, medications, and other information. HealthTrak recently was expanded to include eVisits — an online digital house call — with a primary care physician. * These patients’ treatments and results may not be representative of similar cases.

During an eVisit, patients select a symptom and complete an interactive questionnaire. A UPMC doctor then reviews the information and makes a diagnosis. If medication is needed, a prescription can be sent electronically to the patient’s pharmacy.

“HealthTrak is great for college students who are far from home, the elderly, and other people who have trouble getting to the doctor. It doesn’t take the place of going to the doctor for regular check-ups, but it’s very useful,” Robin says. “If only UPMC could figure a way for me to see my dentist online!”

Oakmont resident Mark Gleeson* uses HealthTrak primarily to keep track of his medical records. In October, when the computer-savvy 83-year-old came down with a cough and cold late in the day, he decided to “see” a doctor via eVisit. Within an hour of completing the questionnaire, a UPMC doctor responded with medical instructions and a prescription for his sinus infection and chest congestion. “It was so convenient, and it worked! Within three days, I felt good as new,” Mark says. Convenience and comfort As a graduate student, Robin Sales* relied on HealthTrak to connect with her hometown doctor while attending school in Nevada. Now a young professional living in New York City, she continues to use the online service for eVisits, to fill prescriptions, and access her medical records.

UPMC HealthTrak Benefits Manage your health from home with HealthTrak. Here’s what you can do online: • Send a message to your doctor • View medical records and test results

“It’s comforting. Having easy access to a doctor back home gives me the chance to find the right doctor for me locally, without rushing into it. It’s one less thing to worry about,” she says.

• Renew prescriptions

Robin, who first used eVisit to consult a doctor about an eye infection, says the online questionnaire asks the same questions the doctor would ask at an appointment. When she needs medicine, her doctor in Pittsburgh faxes the prescription to her New York drug store two minutes away.

• Ask billing questions

• Track current health issues such as glucose levels and blood pressure • Request appointments • “See” a doctor (digital house call) For more information or to sign up, visit www.UPMCHealthTrak.com.

1-800-533-UPMC

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Could it Happen to You? Most of us associate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with returning military veterans who have experienced the tragedy of war. But you don’t have to be a soldier to undergo the intense feelings of helplessness, horror, and fear that characterize PTSD. Imagine being in a terrible car accident on your way to the mall. For days and weeks afterwards, you constantly relive the accident in your mind. You take a different route to shop and, worst of all, your body won’t let you relax. You can’t sleep — and when you finally do doze off, you’re awakened by nightmares. You can’t concentrate, your heart pounds, and you break out in cold sweats. “We know that anyone who has undergone some kind of trauma can be at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder,” explains Anne Germain, PhD, associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Based at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC, she currently leads several sleep research projects with returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan who have PTSD. PTSD can be triggered by a single event you’ve experienced or even witnessed — be it an accident, violent crime, or natural disaster — or by ongoing trauma, such as child abuse or domestic violence. When we experience a life-threatening event, it’s normal for our body to react with a powerful, stressful response; it’s what enables us to fight or flee. “But for some people, these symptoms persist and worsen,” says Dr. Germain. “The toll can be profound if symptoms are ignored. PTSD has a devastating impact on the lives of people who have it — and on those around them. It also has enormous financial and economic implications.”

Did You Know? UPMC's Sleep Medicine Center — accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine — is the only multidisciplinary sleep medicine facility in western Pennsylvania. The center performs approximately 2,000 sleep studies annually for adult patients with all types of sleep disorders. The staff at the UPMC Sleep Medicine Center include board-certified physicians, certified nurse practitioners, and registered sleep laboratory technologists. To schedule an appointment, call 412-692-2880.

www.UPMC.com/Today

PTSD is a relatively new specialization in psychology, and experts are still trying to determine why it affects some people and not others. Fortunately, for most people, the symptoms of PTSD begin to ease in about a month. “If they continue, it’s extremely important to seek professional help,” notes Dr. Germain. “The best place to begin is to talk with your family doctor and seek a referral to a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist.”

PTSD and sleep disorders Among the most troubling aspects of chronic PTSD for patients are the recurring nightmares and insomnia it can bring. There is growing evidence that such sleep disorders have a direct impact on both a person’s mental and physical health. Individuals with PTSD often say they have problems falling or staying asleep, and that the sleep they get isn’t refreshing and restorative. “Our sleep research studies with veterans show that they have many more sleep disorders than the general public, including sleep apnea and other breathing problems,” notes Dr. Germain. With PTSD, nightmares can become an ingrained behavior, affecting a person’s daytime functioning — from faltering concentration and poor memory, to emotional outbursts. “By stopping the nightmares and helping to make sleep more normal, restful, and restorative, patients can overcome other aspects of chronic PTSD in their lives a bit more easily. And sleep can be improved in a matter of weeks,” she says. Dr. Germain uses several methods to treat PTSD-related sleep disorders, including image reversal therapy. “We help patients replace a recurring nightmare with a more positive, affirming dream. They write it down and rehearse it several times a day to train the brain to have a new dream image.” Individuals interested in participating in Dr. Germain’s sleep research studies for military veterans are invited to call 412-246-6404 or visit www.veteranssleep.pitt.edu.

Urology 101 From prostate cancer to kidney stones, here’s a quick crash course about your urologic health. “Out of sight, out of mind.” That’s how most of us regard our urinary tract — until we’re jarred from a sound night’s sleep by the sudden urge to urinate, or pass a painful kidney stone. These are just two of the many conditions diagnosed and treated by urologists, physicians who specialize in the medical care of the male and female urinary tracts (comprised of the kidneys, bladder, urethra, and ureters), and the male reproductive system. Today’s television commercials may help build public awareness of urological problems like incontinence and impotence. But many people — particularly men — remain steadfastly embarrassed to talk about such issues with their family doctor.

And while urologic problems can happen at any age, they increase as we grow older. Among men over age 50, prostate cancer is a particular concern. “It’s the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the United States,” explains Dr. Benoit. He advises men ages 50 to 75 to undergo an annual prostate exam and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. “If you have a family history of prostate cancer, or are of African-American heritage, you’re at higher risk and should begin annual screening between the ages of 35 and 40.”

“It’s important to be proactive and take a preventative approach when it comes to your urologic health,” advises Ronald Benoit, MD, director of general urology and clinical vice chair, Department of Urology at the University of Pittsburgh. “For example, research shows that erectile dysfunction can be a sign of an underlying medical problem, such as cardiovascular disease.”

Conditions Treated by Urologists

What can you do to stay healthy? “Simply put, live a healthy lifestyle. It’s easy to say, but hard to do,” acknowledges Dr. Benoit, who recently moved his practice to UPMC Mercy. “Eat a heart-healthy diet, avoid too much alcohol, don’t smoke, and exercise regularly — and your whole body benefits.”

• Erectile dysfunction

Your family physician will typically refer you to a urologist for treatment of the following conditions: • Cancers of testicles, prostate, penis, bladder, kidneys, or adrenal gland • Enlarged prostate • Male infertility • Painful bladder syndrome

• Prostatitis • Pelvic organ prolapse • Kidney stones • Urinary incontinence • Urinary tract infections • Urinary retention

UPMC Mercy Emergency Department Project Advances Work on a major $21.3 million expansion and renovation project at UPMC Mercy’s Emergency Department (ED) is humming along with finishing touches scheduled for completion by late fall. Thomas Gronow, executive director of UPMC Mercy’s Emergency, Trauma, and Burn Services, says the project — which began in February 2010 and has been conducted in phases to minimize disruption — is “on time and running smoothly.” “We are pleased to be able to continue providing exceptional care to our patients during this exciting time of transition,” Mr. Gronow says.

Other recent improvements include: • Fifteen newly renovated treatment bays (another 21 are planned). • Two dedicated, state-of-the-art trauma resuscitation bays will be added for the most acutely injured patients. • An innovative ‘Super Track’ design that offers speedy care for patients with minor injuries and illnesses needing less urgent care. • A new 128-slice CT scanner added last year offers the latest imaging technology with faster scanning capability. • An expanded patient and family reception area to provide comfort to families of patients during treatment. By the time the project is completed, 11 beds will be added to the ED.

1-800-533-UPMC

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 informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or replace a physician’s medical assessment. Always consult first with your physician about anything related to your personal health.

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The name you trust in women’s health is right here at Mercy. UPMC Mercy ob-gyn services are growing to provide comprehensive women’s services by bringing you the same experts who practice at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC. In addition to community-based physicians and midwifery, these expanding services for women are consistent with Mercy’s rich tradition of care. UPMC’s complete range of specialty services for women covers obstetrics and gynecology, maternal-fetal medicine, midlife health, women’s cancer, and much more. From checkups and preventive care to testing, diagnosis, and advanced treatments, the superb doctors, nurses, and caregivers at Mercy and Magee are with you every step of the way on the path to good health. We work closely with your primary care physician to provide seamless care. And every service is backed by UPMC’s world-class care, providing peace of mind when you need it most. To learn more about UPMC Mercy ob-gyn services or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762), or visit UPMCMercy.com.

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S P R I N G

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When our bodies need to fight off germs, they make antibodies to attack them and keep us healthy. Just as our bodies make antibodies to fight germs, they may also make antibodies in response to other substances that get inside our bodies. This results in an allergy—an adverse reaction caused by hypersensitivity to a normally harmless substance such as pollen, dust, food, or a drug. Allergens—the substance that causes the allergic reaction—can cause one or several responses.

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he groundhog, or woodchuck, is one of 14 species of marmots. These rodents eat during the summer to fatten themselves up for hibernation during the winter. After the first frost, they retreat to their underground burrows and snooze until spring. During hibernation, the groundhog lives off its body fat, its heart rate plunges, and its body temperature is not much warmer than the temperature inside its burrow. Groundhog hibernation is where the popular American custom of Groundhog Day got its name. Groundhog Day is held on February 2 every year. By tradition, if the groundhog sees its shadow that day, there will be six more weeks of winter. In the spring, females welcome a litter of perhaps a half dozen newborns, which stay with their mother for several months. Groundhogs are the largest members of the squirrel family.

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find these things hiding in this picture. Canon Mac | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 31

Student Artwork

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ANGELA ZANAGLIO • Grade 11 TRUDY LAVRICH • Grade 2 KAITLIN BRECOSKY • Grade 10 ETHAN LINDERMAN • Grade 8 CARLY MISTICK • Grade 1 MEREDITH HARRISON • Grade 12

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Why Your Business Needs a Website, or a Better One! f you’ve resolved to launch or update your business website in 2011, then you’ve made a wise decision. The research firm BIA/Kelsey recently noted that a businesses’ website now serves as the central core of marketing. A website essentially combines all other forms of advertising including print, e-mail/direct mail, video, mobile, Internet Yellow Pages, reputation management, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM). When you hand a prospective client a business card, if they do not see a website or an e-mail address with your corporate domain listed, there is an instant perception that you are behind the times. This, in turn, gets people wondering where else your business falls short. The last thing you want is a customer searching for your business and finding nothing (or worse, finding your competition). Today, any credible business is expected to have a website. Yet, many businesses still fail to establish a web presence. A professionally developed website can serve a business in a variety of ways, providing a platform to convince potential consumers that the business is a legitimate, trusted operation and providing site visitors with important information about the goods and services offered. A business website will also serve as a hub for your social media pages such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, essentially cross-promoting relevant traffic and building your online reputation.

Choosing a Professional Business Website Development Firm Choosing a web design firm can be a daunting task. Many web designers like to show off websites full of flashy designs. Unfortunately, when you “lift the hood” so to speak, these web designers have left an empty shell. Most websites fail to attract traffic due to the fact they are poorly designed in terms of identifying business goals, targeting relevant visitors and following SEO best practices. A well-qualified, web development firm will be able to build your business a professional, traffic generating website that takes into account these critical business aspects: • Specification of business goals for the website • Optimization towards your target audience • Expression of the appropriate corporate message • Promotion of your goods and services However, it takes even more effort by a professional web development firm to create a traffic generating website. For the search engine spiders to crawl and index your website high in the search engine rankings these items need to be taken into consideration: • Relevant content full of business-specific keywords and keyword phrases • Accurate web page titles and descriptions • Search Engine friendly URLs which include keywords relevant to the web pages • Search Engine Optimization (SEO) If the website development firm you choose achieves these goals and you see to it that new content is added to the website regularly to keep the website current, a business should begin noticing increased website traffic and a return on investment within 3 to 6 months.

• • • •

The business goals have changed The current website fails at generating business The current website appears outdated and contains inaccurate information A new product or service line is missing The same rules for a website design apply for a website redesign. You can expect to start noticing an increase in relevant traffic and a return on investment in the 3 to 6 month timeframe.

Professional Web Development Services to Meet Any Business Budget As your New Years’ Resolution for 2011, make sure to launch or update your business website. There will be no shortage of potential clients who will be searching for your business throughout the year and beyond. You deserve to win that business by investing in your website today. Farmer SEO, Inc. offers affordable web development services that will turn your business website into a revenue generating machine! Give us a call today toll-free at 1-877-474-2573 to find out how we can develop or improve your website. This Industry Insight was written by Greg Uhrlen, President of Farmer SEO, Inc., an Internet Marketing company. Farmer SEO specializes in Web Design and Development, Search Engine Optimization and Social Media Marketing. Contact Farmer SEO, Inc. at 1-877-474-2573, via e-mail at services@farmerseo.com or through the website http://www.farmerseo.com

Why Your Business Needs a Website Redesign Many businesses still have websites that were built by web design agencies on older platforms, some of which still utilize frames. Websites such as these may not be indexed in search engines such as Google, Yahoo! or Bing, which can make your website nearly invisible online! If your website looks good and was recently built or rebuilt, but is not generating a tangible return on investment, it was probably created by a web designer with no knowledge of web development best practices. Below are a few reasons why a professional website redesign may be right for your business. Canon Mac | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 33

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South Hills Entrepreneurs (SHE)

A Business Networking Group for Women Going back to work after being a stay-at-home mom for over 20 years isn’t as easy as it sounds.

hat do you do when the kids go off to college and you have the house to yourself again? For Sheryl Whalen, you go back to work. But going back to work after being a stay-at-home mom for over 20 years isn’t as easy as it sounds. Whalen found that there were a lot of women in her situation. So she founded South Hills Entrepreneurs (SHE), a womenonly networking group that helps women spread the news about what they do by word of mouth. The group had its first meeting on September 22, and by its January meeting, its size was on the verge of doubling, thanks to some local media attention. By the April meeting, Whalen is hoping that the group will be established enough to leave the confines of her home and branch out into a regular public meeting place. “I wanted to provide a forum for women business owners. The purpose of the group is women helping women succeed in business,” Whalen said. “There were a lot of other women running in-home businesses who wanted to get the word out on what they were doing and how they were doing it. I started my business last March and was in the same boat.” The first part of each meeting, four people give presentations on their businesses.

Whalen said that she’s trying to keep the membership varied so there aren’t many duplicative services represented. The presenters at the first meeting were Heather Ferri, a yoga instructor, Donna Kavo, a senior citizens assistant, Sue Miller, a Sabika jewelry associate, and Whalen, a Reliv International distributor. The first meeting had 20 in attendance, after which another 15 to 20 inquired about joining the group. Because it’s a fledgling organization run out of Whalen’s home, there are no dues to join as of yet. However, Whalen said she will need more volunteer participants in order to keep the group dues free. “When I gave birth to this organization, I committed to doing it for a year and handling three meetings in the first year. I absorbed the cost of the meetings. Some people have offered to assist with that,” she said. “My home will not be large enough to continue with 40 to 50 people, so we’ll probably have to move to a public facility like a library. Dues are a deterrent for people in these groups, so I’d like to keep it free as long as I can.”

Whalen said the biggest challenge women in the group have reported has been getting the word out that they’re in business at all. “Most were stay-at-home moms for a long time. Once the children are grown and gone, that social network is pulled out from you. There’s no PTA. There’s no carpooling anymore,” Whalen said. “That was the common thread for the first meeting. But once you get in front of the group and you present, it’s easier for other members to see how passionate you are about what you’re doing. It gets easier to say to someone, ‘Hey, I know this person, let me give you their number.’ The referrals help us all get off the ground a little easier.” For updates and details about the organization, look for South Hills Entrepreneurs on Facebook.com. Those who are interested in attending a meeting should call Whalen at 412.496.4051. There’s no geographic radius for the group, so anyone is welcome to attend. Whalen said that most, however, are coming from the South Hills. “Right now, it’s pulling members from Mt. Lebanon, Upper St. Clair, Bethel Park,” she said, “But we also have members from Carnegie and Pleasant Hills. I haven’t limited the range. I think all of that will be determined by the growth.” Canon Mac | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 35

RMC Rental

E Planning a Party? Tents of all Sizes Tent Lighting Tables & Chairs Dance Floors Staging

Moon Bounce Dunk Tank Cotton Candy & Sno Cone Machines Popcorn Machines

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stablished in 2001 by Jim and Ray Cappelli, RMC Rental Enterprises specializes in party rentals, and party tents ranging in size from 10-foot by 10-foot to 80-foot by 300-foot clear span structures. Their main events are graduation parties, weddings and corporate functions, so RMC knows their business when it comes to getting that graduation party right. “When people call, they have the perfect party idea in mind, we just make that a reality,” Jim Cappelli said. While RMC has an enormous inventory of tents, tables, chairs, lighting, heating, air conditioning gas and charcoal grills, and novelty items like inflatable moon bounces for children and dunk tanks, graduation season puts a strain on even his inventory because all of the parties take place within a 3- to 4-week span. However, RMC boasts that they can accommodate last-minute callers in need almost always. RMC’s professionalism and attention to detail were some of the reasons why they were chosen to events like the celebration for the Governor-Elect Tom Corbett, and all of the graduations for W&J College. The company delivers seven days a week, and has an experienced sales team that will help you plan out your event, as well as a trained installation team to make sure your time is spent enjoying your event, not setting it up. RMC will come to anywhere in the tri-state area. Typically, most jobs are set up the day

before the event, and torn down the day following the event. Larger tents, like the 300-foot clear span, needs a lead time of several days for construction. Whether you’re the governor, or just throwing a great backyard BBQ, RMC prides itself on the fact that no job is too big or too small for them. RMC also can provide party machines and accessories to make sure your shindig is a hit. These include popcorn, Sno-Kone, cotton candy hot dog and money machines, as well as dance floors, stages, sound systems with podiums, and bars. Quotes and site evaluations are free at RMC, so don’t hesitate to call if you think your backyard or venue space is too large or too small. RMC Rental Enterprises is located at 600 Jefferson Avenue, Washington, PA 15301. For more information go to www.rmcrentals.com, or call 724.225.7703.

My name is Jeff Moser, owner of Distinct Coatings. We here at Distinct Coatings realize that your home is one of the few areas in the world where you can express yourself, your lifestyle and taste through decorating without any outside interference. Your home is your castle, and can have great impact on your moods, happiness, and comfort. I have been in the paint industry since 1983 and in business since 1994. I have seven years experience in the technical aspect of the paint industry through management for Sherwin Williams and Pratt & Lambert. I am also experienced in the preparation, application and management fields. We stress the importance of a proper work ethic, integrity, doing what we say we are going to do, quality and thoroughness. Our goal is to give you the long-lasting value for your dollers spent, and in return secure a lifelong customer. The quality of our work is not only a step above others, we have the sound foundation of years of experience. A reputable company gives you the secuirty of a professional service. We are not the only safe choice, but we are the right choice. Distinct Coatings is commited to being the best residential paint contractor in service, customer satisfaction, and quality in southwestern Pennsylvania. Sincerely, Jeff Moser Owner, Distinct Coatings, Interior Design Consultant

Canon Mac | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 37

R E A L E STAT E

Both Buyers and Sellers Need to BEWARE of A

s with any major purchase, doing your homework should be something you do before you sign on a major loan. Never before has this been more true than in the housing market, where overpricing can create major headaches for buyers and sellers. For sellers, overpricing can mean that your home sits on the market longer, raising flags to potential buyers that something is amiss. For buyers, an overpriced home can mean a loss in seller’s assistance, money that sellers sometimes bring to the table from their profits to help defray closing costs for the buyer. Worse yet, if there is no appraisal contingency addendum attached to the agreement of sale, a buyer may be forced to go through with a home purchase after being told that it is not worth what they have agreed to pay.

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OVERpricing

Sharon Fincham, a Realtor with Prudential Preferred Realty, said that, in addition to including an appraisal contingency addendum to an offer, you need to make sure that your agent is doing the proper legwork before the offer is even made. “You have to make sure that your agent does comparisons to similar homes in the area, knows the market, and gets supporting evidence that the house is really worth what it’s being advertised at before you put in an offer,” Fincham said. “If the house doesn’t appraise for the agreed upon price, it is unlikely that you will receive any seller’s assist.” What’s more, overpricing is a one-way street by way of mistakes. Homeowners who list their homes for too little may receive multiple offers, allowing the power of free market economic supply and demand to take over, driving the price up until it’s comparable to the other homes in the neighborhood. But there’s no similar failsafe with overpricing. A home that’s overpriced may get a nice offer, but ultimately, the final arbiter of what it’s truly worth is the appraiser, assigned independently by the bank or lender. That appraisal will dictate the future of the sale. The resulting appraisal could tank the sale altogether, or force buyers to seek

For buyers, an overpriced home can mean a loss in seller’s assistance, money that sellers sometimes bring to the table from their profits to help defray closing costs for the buyer.

extra money or alternative financing to compensate for the missed seller’s assistance. Either way, it’s going to mean a hassle for the buyer and frustration for the seller. However, if an agent does the homework and knows their business, Fincham said the home should be listed at a fair price, resulting in a relatively smooth sale in reasonable length of time. “It is now imperative that agents and clients know the recent selling prices of comparable homes,” she said. “Buyers and sellers agreeing on a price is not necessarily enough anymore. The study of a neighborhood before an oﬀer is made can save everyone involved a lot of grief and frustration.”

R E A L E STAT E

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Reeducation Seller

In today’s post-housing-bust world, selling your home isn’t the same process that it may have been when you moved in 10 years ago.

aureen Cavanaugh, with Howard Hanna Real Estate, said that sellers need to re-educate themselves if they want to remain competitive in today’s market and make a profit on their homes. “Selling your home is very diﬀerent today, and it’s been a progressive thing,” Cavanaugh said. “Ten years ago, you could list your home as is. Buyers were willing to come in and do updates. With the changes that occurred in the last three and four years, the expectation of buyers has dramatically risen. Many sellers who have lived in their homes for years with a lot of equity should consider doing as many updates as they are willing to do.” Those updates will reap more money when it comes to their final sale price, Cavanaugh said. No updates will result in a lesser price. “It really depends on the house. I’m dealing with someone right now that has a nice home of 32 years, and they’ve spent three months and have done everything. They’re spending upwards of $25,000, but it will take their sale price from the $380,000 range to $425,000 or $430,000. They will recoup what they put into it,” Cavanaugh said. “And the reason is that today’s buyers want to move in, put down the furniture, start paying the mortgage, and get on with their lives. They don’t want to be bogged down with the projects and upgrades like taking down old wallpaper.” If you don’t have a budget for upgrades, Cavanaugh said that even minor cosmetic changes can improve your odds of getting more for your home when it comes time to sell. These types of upgrades include updating the

hardware on cabinets to more contemporary styles. At the very least, Cavanaugh suggests getting rid of any junk, cleaning thoroughly, and doing some rudimentary staging. “Exposing hardwood floors is a no-brainer. You don’t have to paint the whole house beige. You can still have some color and have some interest,” she said. “But everything should be sparkling.” Cavanaugh said that now that the first-time homebuyer frenzies spurred by government tax rebates are over, the bulk of homebuyers are mid-level buyers looking in the $150,000 to $300,000 range with access to aﬀordable mortgage money. “These are relocation buyers, and they want all the bells and whistles,” she said. “They want to buy more, and they want it done.”

Homes Marketed by Northwood

North Strabane 1023 Highland – $429,900 Paulette DiNardo – 412.217.7221

Cecil 42 Gladden Road – $300,000 Debbie Panza – 412.877.0064

Canonsburg 226 Hooks Lane – $174,900 Sue Muse – 412.398.3444

Canonsburg 256 Smithfield Street – $164,900 Denise Levi – 724.554.6025

Cecil 1190 Valleyview Drive – $155,900 Sandy Lombardi – 724.554.0835

North Strabane 1286 Meadowbrook Drive – $129,900 Janet Sember – 724.747.1193

Peters Township Office Waterdam Commons 4215 Washington Road McMurray, PA 15317

724.941.3340 Canon Mac | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 39

THE PHYSICAL THERAPY INSTITUTE

ORTHOPEDICS AND SPORTS MEDICINE

The Physical Therapy Institute Offering Relief from What Ails You

ccidents happen – from wrenching your back while shoveling snow to aches and pains related to a slip and fall on an icy sidewalk or driveway. And when you’re looking for relief from the aftershocks of those accidents, The Physical Therapy Institute is the place to go for cutting-edge therapy to get you back in shape from head to toe. Facility Director and Physical Therapist Cristy Watson said that from muscle testing to foot scanning, the Physical Therapy Institute’s high-tech, computerized evaluations ensure that you’re getting an objective diagnosis backed by data, that will help guide a physical therapy regimen tailormade to what fix what bothers you. “We have computerized muscle testing, which assesses a patient’s strength and endurance. This allows us to objectively versus subjectively quantify how muscles are working and if there are any imbalances,” Watson said. “For example, someone with lower back pain for 15 years may get treatments for joints and flexibility. If one muscle is stronger or weaker, it creates an imbalance. It’s like driving a car with a flat tire. It’s lopsided.” Watson said the Physical Therapy Institute also has computerized spinal analysis and treatment that allows the physical therapist to assess joint mobility and muscle stiffness. “The treatment aspect of it allows the physical therapist to improve the joint stiffness without causing excess muscle spasm,” Watson said. “You’re able to compare pre- and posttreatment data to make sure there was an improvement in joint function. Results in range of motion and pain are usually immediate.”

The facility also has devices to measure the weight load on feet to help design custom orthotics, and a machine to assess and treat vertigo and dizziness. While that’s a lot of technology packed into one office, Watson said the Physical Therapy Institute never forgets the human aspect of treatment. All patients are treated with compassion and courtesy so that they get the help that they need to advance in their therapy successfully. It’s literally old world, plus new world physical therapy in one location. The majority of patients find their way to the Physical Therapy Institute via doctor referrals, but Watson said the practice also has 30-day direct access care plans that are available without prescription. If therapists find something that would require medical attention, patients would be referred to a physician for corrective care. However, for simple procedures that would take a month of therapy – that snow shoveling back pain, for example – clients can refer themselves. “We do a comprehensive evaluation the patient first to make sure they’re a candidate for physical therapy to make sure that they would indeed benefit,” Watson said. The Physical Therapy Institute accepts most major insurances, and works with patients in cases where they are unable to participate with a plan to apply a self-pay or other budgeted payment plan. For more information on the Physical Therapy Institute, check out their website at www.pt-institute.com, or call 724.223.2061. The Physical Therapy Institute is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m to 7 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They’re located at 480 Johnson Road, Suite 303 Washington, PA 15301.

Our Services Include treatment for the following: /RZ %DFN 3DLQ 1HFN 3DLQ 3RVW 6XUJLFDO 3URFHGXUHV )RRW DQG $QNOH ,QMXULHV 6KRXOGHU ,QMXULHV

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480 Johnson Road • Washington, PA 15301

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Maybe You Didn’t Miss the Boat!! It’s okay that you may not know all the details surrounding your rights and issues regarding the Marcellus Shale, lease offers, royalty percentages, negotiating with the gas company and most important, the tax planning required to shelter and position income resulting from lease bonuses and royalties. You didn’t miss the boat yet, hopefully! Your next opportunity may be right around the bend. Call me. I can help. Roger Estate Planning; Marcellus Shale Planning and Elder Law

This INdustry INsight was written by Roger J. Gaydos, Attorney at Law. Contact him at 724.745.4030 or roger@gaydoslegal.com. www.gaydoslegal.com

If you’d like to choose a subject for a future article, please contact the office at 724.745.4030 or e-mail roger@gaydoslegal.com.

Elder Law Business Succession Marcellus Shale Estate Plans & Estates Canon Mac | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 41

Good Tidings for the Greatest Generation

ow that the holidays are behind us, you’re hopefully putting that smoking credit card back into your wallet or purse for a while. But even though this may be a down time for you and your credit card, it’s no time to be lax about your credit card security. So what do you need to know about keeping your credit card safe? First, off, don’t give yourself a pin number that’s easy to guess. Issuing banks typically assign you a random pin number when you first get your card that you can change later. Keep this assigned number and avoid picking a pin for yourself like “1234” or your birth date. While it may be easy for you to remember, those choices are also very easy for predators to figure out. If you make a lot of online purchases or just want to dip your toes into the world of Internet shopping, get yourself a dedicated card with a low credit limit. You can open up a secured credit card at most financial institutions that require you to deposit a balance to borrow against, allowing you to open a card with a $500 limit. Your deposit will gain interest and you will be able to use your card for online purchases. What’s more, most scammers try to run a small purchase 42 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

through before running a larger purchase on the card. You may not notice a $0.32 charge right away, but when your bank calls you asking if you tried to purchase a $779 laptop, you’ll be happy your limit was low enough to be declined. If your credit card number is compromised, you should call your bank immediately and report it. While police are able to enforce credit card fraud on a local level, with the Internet the person trying to run your numbers may be six states away, if they’re in the United States at all. In all cases, the sooner it’s reported, the better. Your bank will cancel the card number and reissue you another card. While you’re online, keep in mind that your bank will most likely never contact you via e-mail regarding your account. If you do get an e-mail from a bank that you use, double check the address. Chances are it will be slightly askew from any legitimate

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address. Instead of “@yourcreditcard.com,” you may see, “@yourcreditcard1.com” or “@yourcreditcard.uk.” Banks understand that scammers routinely try to get you to give up your personal information via e-mail. Therefore, most have secured e-mail available through their websites, where you can be sure you’re talking straight to legitimate bank representatives. Lastly, if you have several credit cards that you use often, take the time to flip them over and write down the 1-800 customer service numbers on the back and keep that list in a safe place. It’s also a good idea to keep a copy in your purse or wallet. This way, when you notice your card is missing and are frantic, you can at least go to your list and call to report the missing card. In the end, you should treat your credit card like you would treat your cash—never leave it lying around.

Digital Photography for Seniors

f the last time you took holiday photos required clumsily spooling film into your 35 mm camera, don’t be intimidated by what technology has done to photography in the past few years. In fact, once you have some basics down, you may find that your digital camera is easier to use than you thought. So let’s start at the beginning and go over your new toy from stem to stern. We can’t go into detail about every feature of every camera, but luckily most cameras share the same properties, so we can cover most scenarios. More than likely, your camera came with a lithium ion battery pack and charger. All you need to know about this is that this battery can last a long time. Thanks to self-timers built into your camera, if you forget to shut it off, it will shut off automatically for you, saving battery life and allowing you to take that unexpected shot when the time comes. That said, the battery won’t last forever, especially if you are shooting with the flash often or shooting video, if your camera has that feature. If you know you’re going to be somewhere with a lot of natural light, turn your flash off altogether and shoot longer. The second thing to familiarize yourself with is your memory card. Cameras come with a variety of memory cards to choose from. Regardless of the kind your camera takes, just remember that bigger is better. A 16 gigabyte memory card can hold hundreds of photos, and if you’re not in the habit of printing your photos right away or moving them to your computer, the extra space is a must. How many pictures you can store on your memory card depends on your resolution setting for your pictures. Your resolution is how big the picture is. If you’re shooting for a website, low resolutions are better because the file size is smaller. However, if you try to print the same low resolution photo as an 8x10, it will appear distorted or “pixilated” because the camera wasn’t set to capture all of the fine details of the image. With most point-and-shoot cameras on high resolution, you can print very large prints or zoom in to crop shots for better composition. The last thing to get to know is the USB cable. This is the cable that came with your camera and connects it to any USB port on your computer. Through this cable, you can transfer your images for future sorting, correction, or sharing. Believe it or not, once you have those things down, your digital camera has many of the same features of your old 35 mm. You can zoom in, set a timer so you have a chance to get into frame, and set a scenic mode where you can select how the camera operates in certain conditions, such as a portrait, sports shot, night shot, or landscape. Your manual will list the specific icons and their meanings. Don’t be afraid to leaf through it if you get stuck. Manuals have come a long way as well and are clearly written for users of all experience levels.

Senior Agencies

Canonsburg Senior Center 30 East Pike Street 724.745.5443

McDonald/Cecil Senior Center Cecil Township Municipal Building 3599 Millers Run Road 724.743.1827 Washington Area Senior Citizens Center, Inc. (Nutrition Site) 69 West Maiden Street 724.222.9321 Daily Events at Washington Area Senior Citizens Center, Inc. Silver Sneakers Dartball Movie Draw Paint Line Dance Pinochle Bible Study Beginning Line Dance Card Club Bingo Computer Classes Pool Room Wii is available all day on Monday and Tuesdays, after 11 a.m. on Wednesdays, Till noon on Thursdays and Fridays. Schedule is subject to change.

Jigsaw puzzles are available in the back of the dining room. Volunteer Opportunities Class instructors Instructors are needed for Exercise, Ceramics, and Arts and Crafts. Dining Room Volunteers to help serve meals and clean tables. Kitchen Volunteers - to help with meal preparation. Meals on Wheels - drivers and runners to deliver meals to home bound persons in the Washington Area. Income Tax Preparation Volunteers are needed to help file federal and state income tax forms and PACE forms. (February thru April 15)

Are you a nonprofit Senior Center serving the needs of our community’s older adults? We would be happy to post your contact information. Please contact Marybeth@incommunity magazines.com with your center’s name and phone number.

Canon Mac | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 43

Venue Planning for Your Wedding When it comes time to plan for the biggest day of your life, you may not know where to start. Planning a wedding is a challenging, time consuming and expensive task, which is why those who can afford it oftentimes hire wedding planners. But for those of us who have to keep an eye on the budget, knowing what to look for in your wedding venue can save you time and money up front, and less hassle when it’s over. Obviously, you want to pick a venue suitable to the size of your anticipated invitation list, and you want to pick it early. Popular venues can be booked well over a year in advance, and if you’re getting married on a date that’s unique - like Dec. 12, 2012 (12/12/12) - you're going to want to start looking immediately. Robin Craig, Director of Sales for the Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh/Southpointe, said couples should plan out 12 to 18 months when booking a venue. “They need to sit down and find out their guest list and their budget. Once they determine the guest list, we can start quoting pricing,” Craig said. “Next year , 9/10/11 is a big date, and we’re already booked. Also, 10/11/12 would be a hot date. Our hot months are September and October and May and June. If you’re a teacher, June and July are busy months.” Once you have that location selected and it appeals to your personal sense of style and

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aesthetics, you should evaluate anything that may be taken for granted, such as ingress and egress and parking. Is the wedding/reception hall easy to find? Are there covered porticos for dropping off guests in case of inclement weather or for those who have trouble walking without assistance? Will guests be able to find the hall easily, or is it hidden deep in a labyrinth of hallways? And are the restrooms close by? “All of our parking is complimentary,” Craig said. “If you want valet, we can provide it for a fee.” Once you have the building chosen, you should discuss logistics of the day with any facility manager responsible for the site. Important items to discuss include catering – can you hire your own caterer or is there a caterer specific to the venue you’ve chosen? Is there an additional charge for alcohol and can you furnish your own? Will linens be provided and who will be responsible for setting up and tearing down the tables and chairs? Is there a suggested room layout for weddings? Having a tried and true seating arrangement for the venue can save you headaches later on when you’re trying to figure out where to place the bridal table. Lastly, knowing how early you can arrive and how late you can stay will be crucial information for anyone from caterers to your bridal party.

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Craig said her venue offers full linens with chair covers, sashes, mirrors, candles and champagne toasts. It also offers complimentary bridal party refresher rooms. They can tray cookies at no charge and provide a gourmet coffee station. It also offers a complimentary overnight room for the bride and groom. Lastly, find out all of the financial details up front. Many venues have service charges that are above and beyond your bill. Get all of your charges in writing, up front before you sign for your venue. You don’t want to find out afterwards that there was a food and beverage minimum that you didn’t attain, or that it was ok for you to bring your own wine, but forgot to inquire about corking fees. Craig said service charge at her venue is 21 percent and sales tax is 6 percent. They also have food and drink minimums. However, discounts are offered for group room rentals for overnight guests and for offpeak days and months. Weddings in January-March and November, and those held on Fridays and Sundays, are considered off-peak. If you do your homework up front, there’s nothing stopping you from having the fairytale wedding you’ve always dreamed of. Keep in mind, like any successful marriage, wedding planning is hard work, but work that you’ll reap rewards from in the end.

So when it comes to finding that perfect dress and getting your hair done just so, a little planning can go a long way towards making the difference between a night that’s mediocre and a night that’s magical. Jenn Lementowski, co-owner of Reflect, a women’s boutique in Settler’s Ridge in Robinson, said that this year’s fashions will be a lot of the tried and true that proms have been known for in the past few years. “There will be a lot of patterns and a lot of basic silk dresses with beading and rhinestones,” Lementowski said. “Those have always been popular, and they’ll be popular this year as well.” Lementowski, who attends national fashion shows with her business partner, Kristy Picard, said that the duo is bringing long and short dresses to market this year. But, because of the popularity of the short dresses, the long dresses will only be offered in two sizes. Lementowski said that prom shoppers will want to allow time for proper fitting and alterations, so waiting until the last minute should not be an option. Regardless of where they go to shop, Lementowski said that people should plan on spending between $300 and $500 on the dress, depending on the level of detailing and material. “It is a pretty big expense, but I’ve noticed that people are willing to spend that much on a prom dress,” Lementowski said, “especially if their daughter’s a senior. I have seen people spending anywhere from $500 to $600 on a dress.”

While prom is a singular event, there is hope for the dress after it’s over for those who can’t justify spending that kind of money on a dress meant to be worn one time. Lementowski said that many women use the dress after prom to wear to weddings. “Depending on what type of dress they get, a lot of people may cut it and make it into a shorter dress and get it tailored,” Lementowski said. “That’s what I’ve seen, mostly.” As far as hairstyles go, John Gamble of John Edwards Color and Design said this season’s special occasion hairstyles will be a tip of the hat to the 1970s. “We predict this spring’s special occasion hairstyles will be somewhat reminiscent of the ‘70's, with a fuller, more romantic silhouette,” Gamble sad. “Although the smooth, sleek looks we've been doing in recent years will still be around, we’re definitely seeing a trend towards texture and fullness and expect that to carry over into this year’s prom season.” Gamble also said that color will be “multidimensional,” and the trend is toward softer, more natural hair. No matter where you get your dress, or do your hair, make sure you plan ahead and make your appointments for fittings and stylings early. As prom creeps up –and it will be here before you know it – knowing that you’re booked for hair, nails, and fitting will take several layers of stress off of you so that you have more time to plan that after-prom party! Hair styles by John Edwards Salon (photos by Joanna Fassinger)

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Whether it's set in the great outdoors, a lavish ballroom, the couple's favorite restaurant, or at home, the wedding reception is a special time for newlyweds to celebrate with family and friends. The signature dessert â&#x20AC;&#x201C; cake â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is usually the centerpiece for this occasion, a continuing reflection of the wedding theme and colors. An assortment of cupcakes or a tower of layers allows today's cakes to take almost any form, from square to round, even pillow or heartshaped. This stunning all-white creation from the wedding experts at Wilton is both simple yet elegant. Cake layers are covered in pure white fondant, while additional bands of fondant glistening with white sparkling sugar decorate the bottom of each tier. Dots of sugar pearl sprinkles, resembling perfect pearls, add a hint of texture, while a gem-studded monogram topper adds the finishing touch. This unique do-it-yourself wedding topper kit can easily be customized with one initial,

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two, or a trio. Self-adhesive crystal-like gems are used to trace the initials onto the clear disc. Gems can also be used to create a border or other complementary design. After the reception, it makes a perfect keepsake that the couple will treasure for years to come. Guests will want to raise a glass in honor of the newlyweds with the timeless custom of a champagne toast. Decorated flutes for the bride and groom create a long-lasting memory of this special tradition. Individual boxes are ideal for truffles or other candies to send home with guests. Tie these with ribbons reflecting the color theme of the wedding. Another fun memento is a mini champagne bottle favor that can be filled with small candies. Attach a label with a personalized message. Make it elegant or simple, and always make it meaningful and memorable. For more do-it-yourself wedding ideas, favors, and accessories, visit www.wilton.com.

Academically Speaking what’s going on at

Our Lady of Grace School

A Foundation in Gospel Values, Service to the Community, and Academic Excellence. 1734 Bower Hill Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15243 • 412.279.6611 www.olgscott.net

ENROLL FOR PRE-K-8TH GRADE CALL FOR A TOUR SHADOW DAY INFORMATION PACKET 412.279.6611

REGISTRATION EVENING MARCH 3 ~ 7 p.m.

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