in-chartiers-valley

SPRING 2013

Bridgeville Bridgeville Public Library’s Library’s Public

Tropical Paradise

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INPERSPECTIVE S TA F F

FROM THE PUBLISHER Welcome to the spring issue of Chartiers Valley magazine!

I hope that you are as anxious as I am to get the cold and snow behind us and get busy planning projects around the house.

This issue is dedicated to home-improvement projects great and small.

Some projects will give you curb appeal, some will increase your home’s value, and others are for the sheer enjoyment or luxury of it.

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

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

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

Have a wonderful spring!

Wayne Dollard, Publisher

WE WANT TO KNOW:

?

How did you get into

Gardening

Gardens are commonplace in Western Pennsylvania, but why?

What’s the allure of gardening that prompted you to first turn the dirt? , Was it a relative who first helped you plant your first or was it your spouse who first introduced you to succulent, vine-ripened ? homegrown Let us know how you first got into gardening and send us some pictures of your garden as well!

Email your submissions to: mark@incommunitymagazines.com and please indicate which of our magazines you receive so we know where to place your story.

tulip bulb

tomatoes

Summer content deadline: 5/23/13

Spring content deadline: 00/0/13

Chartiers Valley | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 3

Business Spotlight

Walker’s Ridge’s First Residents Move In E

ven though Chuck Hackett owns a car dealership in West Virginia, he said there’s nowhere else in America he’d rather live than in the Chartiers Valley School District. So when he and his wife, Janice, decided they needed a bigger house for their growing family, Walker’s Ridge was a natural choice for them.

Adjacent to Nevillewood at the corner of Boyds run Road and Hilltop road, the residential development being built by Paragon Homes features ¼ to 1 acre lots with unique brick homes custom designed for each home buyer.

Home and lot packages generally range from $350,000 to $800,000 or more and include in the starting price many features that some builders consider upgrades. There also are some nearby lots available with packages as low as $270,000 At Walkers Ridge, and anywhere Paragon builds, homeowners have total choice over the design they want to call home. Hackett found his home plans online and was able to make several changes before Paragon built it from the ground up, paying close attention to Hackett’s eye for detail.

“My dad was a builder and I used to help him build houses,” Hackett said. “I know just enough

to be dangerous, but I also know when things are built right, and Paragon’s guys build things right. There are details that they pay attention to that you just don’t see from other builders.”

With a new 9 lot cul-de-sac, Hackett said he’s now satisfied that he and his wife chose a safe location for their three-year-old to grow and play in a school district they adore.

As with any new construction, changes to the original design are common. Hackett said that when he and his wife made a change, Paragon was able to go with the flow and never up-charged for the changes. In fact, Paragon not only ensured that the Hacketts were completely satisfied, they were able to complete the build several months ahead of schedule.

“I can’t think of a bad thing to say about them,” Hackett said. “They’ve

There are details that they pay attention to that you just don’t see from other builders.

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For more information on this exciting new development, go to www.VisitParagonHomes.com bent over backwards for us. Every construction project runs into a few problems here and there, but it’s how Paragon handles the problems that was impressive. They make the job perfect.”

For Steve Fink, Paragon’s Marketing Director, these kinds of testimonials are music to his ears.

“Anything you do with Paragon Homes will be special,” Fink said. “You can do like Chuck and bring us some ideas that you saw online or in a magazine, or you can come empty handed and we can suggest plans or you can sit with our professional design team and sketch your design ideas from the ground up. The sky’s the limit.”

For over 25 years, Paragon Homes has offered clients outstanding service and unmatched value. Their homes have ranged in style from villa-styled single-family homes to remarkably spacious luxury estates.

“Paragon is different because we adhere to a higher standard,” Fink said. “We believe in details, vision, affordability, good project management, experience and professionalism, and most importantly we believe that communication with our clients and taking care of their needs is paramount. We provide more care and support before, during and after construction than any other builder in Pittsburgh.”

INSIDE

IN Chartiers Valley is a non-partisan community publication dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the Chartiers Valley 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.

IN Chartiers Valley | SPRING 2013 |

39

FEATURES

Home Improvement ...................... | 30 Chartiers Valley High School Tech Ed Program ................................... | 36 Resident Profile: Mary Jo Weinheimer .................... | 39 INDUSTRY INSIGHTS ON THE COVER

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Bridgeville Public Library turned up the temperature with a Caribbean night of music. See story on page 19.

Henry Wealth Management Financial Advisor Commissions or Fees ... | 29

Julian Gray Associates ............... | 43 Fitness Fanatics ........................... | 47 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Paragon Homes ............................ | 4 8

21

36

COMMUNITY INTERESTS

Chartiers Valley School District ................................................. | 8

South West Communities Federal Credit Union ................... | 32

For special values, see coupons on page 20.

Cover photo by Primetime Shots, Inc.

Tomosynthesis Offers Women Greater Detection of Breast Abnormalities .......................................... | 16 Senate Confirms SGA President’s BOG Appointment .... | 18 Bridgeville Public Library’s Tropical Paradise Patrons enjoyed Caribbean beats during Library’s ongoing concert series .. | 19

UPMC Today | Health and Wellness News ..................................... | 21 New Advanced Treatment for Skin Cancer .......................... | 48

WE WANT TO COVER YOU! Do you have an event coming up that you’d like to publicize? Do you have an event that you want us to cover? Let us know!

Go to www.incommunitymagazines.com/events and fill out the form. Events will be announced in the upcoming issue. If our deadlines don’t match yours, we may decide to send our photographers to cover the event for an upcoming issue.

We’re looking for fundraisers, charity drives, social functions, class reunions, church festivals, awards presentations and more! If you’re not sure you have an event worth featuring, give us a call at 724.942.0940 and we’ll help you out!

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Chartiers Valley | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 5

Bridgeville Borough Celebrates the Expansion of their Recycling Program Effective January 1, 2013

By Nancy J. Alauzen Bridgeville Boro residents, in single family homes, have reason to celebrate their expanded recycling program with Waste Management that became effective January 1st, 2013. Each homeowner received a flyer from Waste Management that was mailed directly to their home in December. This information is also in the new issue (February, March, April 2013) of “It’s a Bridgeville Thing—Read Over It.” If you reside in a single family home, and missed the flyer here are the highlights: Bridgeville now has single stream recycling which means that all of your recyclables can be placed in the same bin! No sorting is required.

While we previously collected, aluminum food and beverage containers, iron, steel and tin food cans, and #1 and #2 symbol plastics (milk bottles, shampoo, and detergent bottles) Bridgeville residents are able to recycle all natural and pigmented plastic narrow neck containers with the symbols #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6 & #7.

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The following are all new items that were added to our recycling contract: Newsprint, printer paper, computer paper, copy paper, cereal boxes, shoe boxes, junk mail, magazines, and catalogs as well as corrugated cardboard that must be flattened and cut, and be no larger than 14’ x 14’.

Another reason for celebration is the NEW e-waste (televisions and computer monitors) and hazardous waste collections (example, aerosols and solvents) available to single family homes in Bridgeville, introduced also on January 1st. The e-waste and hazardous waste is collected separately by Waste Management. Bridgeville is one of the only municipalities in our area to have both e-waste and hazardous waste collections available at our doorstep.

More information on the expanded recycling program and how to recycle the e-waste and hazardous waste can also be found at the Boro’s website at: www.bridgevilleboro. com on the home page under the “Think Green” link and the February, March, April 2013 issue of “It’s a Bridgeville Thing—Read Over It. ” Nancy has been recycling for over 20 years and has been a Bridgeville Borough resident for the past 42 years and recently held the position of Residential Sustainability Educator at ACTION-Housing, Inc.

The BPL Seats a New Board of Directors

O

ur library has seen its share of changes over the past few years. The move from the well-known train station on Railroad Street to the new facility on McMillen Street in 2011 being the most dramatic but now we’re experiencing more change. Several of our long-time BPL board members are leaving due to expiring board terms; Nino Petrucelli, Mary Weise and Elaine Salizonni all sat at the BPL Executive Board table for the last time in November 2012. These individuals each played an important role in the building of the new library facility on McMillen Street.

Becky Wisbon, the new President of the BPL BOD said, “It’s a new board and a new direction for the BPL. For the first time, the board will include members from neighboring communities which is true representation of our library’s patronage.”

The state-of-the-art building will be getting a lot more use, says Kim Losego, Advisory

the library and put a beautiful $4 million dollar facility into use.

The 2013 BPL Board of Directors, Rebecca Wisbon, President; William O’Connor, Vice President; Cindy Ghelarducci, Treasurer; Michael Aquilina, Secretary; John Oyler and Patte Kelly, who all officially met for the first time on Tuesday, January 15, but, preparatory Board member. “There will be a concert, an meetings and discussions have been happening art exhibit or some art form happening at the since November as we plan to immediately library every month, beginning in February with develop Strategic Plans for the BPL. John McDonald and the Mango Men, A Winter The Advisory Board (non-voting board) Margariteville Concert, on February 23rd.” The has seen tremendous growth as a diverse group objectives of the shows are to provide a Center has stepped forward to support the BOD in of the Arts for our local artist, bring awareness to its primary quest of making the BPL solvent.

Becky Wisbon shared that, “People from all walks of life and backgrounds have shared their concern about our financial situation.

The Advisory Board is comprised of artists, accountants, attorneys, marketers, opera singers and homemakers. It’s a very diverse, educated and energetic group who are willing to work and support the BOD in change. It’s an exciting time for the BPL Standing: Patte Kelley, Rebecca Wisbon, Michael Aquilina, Cindy Ghelarducci. and for the community.”

Seated: John Oyler, William O’Connor

Chartiers Valley | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 7

CHARTIERS VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Chartiers Valley School District

Kids reading books at their own skill level

Educators know that not all children in the same grade read at the same level. So it doesn’t make sense to have all students read from the same book when it’s known that each student will not benefit equally from that book. Studies have shown that the best way to teach kids to read is to match them with books at their instructional or independent reading level to better build their fluency and comprehension skills.

Primary School teachers recently began the process of identifying appropriate book levels for their students for the school year with the Fountas and Pinnell leveling system.

The library of books in the Fountas and Pinnell system are arranged in order of difficulty from A to Z. In one-on-one sessions, students read aloud to teachers from selected books. The teachers evaluate how the book’s level matches the student’s reading fluency.

The teacher asks questions about content to determine the student’s comprehension level. Based on the initial evaluation, the teacher will continue with books that are at a lower level, the same level

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or a higher level until they have an appropriate match for the student’s reading ability.

“Leveling has completely changed my classroom,” second grade teacher Robin Moore said.

“Since I started leveling, I found out that I have learners on a J level all the way up to a Y level. I redesigned my library with books for learners at all levels. I was able to find a lot good level books from A to Z.” Providing students with a book to read at the appropriate level helps teachers better meet the individual needs of all students.

“Leveling helps me with instruction because I’m able to know what books are appropriate for my students to read,” said second grade teacher Kylie LaSota. “During both independent time and instruction time, I can choose books that are at each student’s level or I can choose books that are slightly above their level so I can adequately provide support when it is needed.”

For most students, becoming a good reader requires access to a good teacher as well as materials that will support development.

The Fountas and Pinnell leveling system encourages activities that support learning including: Reading aloud to help children understand the structure of written language, expand their knowledge of words and learn new ways of using language.

Individual reading to help students become independent and choose books for themselves.

Instructional reading to help readers expand their skills.

When books are matched to readers, young readers can improve more quickly and become proficient at or above grade level. Though the system was only adopted in the 2011-2012 school year, teachers have already noticed an increase in student achievement.

“I’ve noticed my class’s DIBELS scores have increased, showing that they are reading at a higher level,” Moore said. “We do grouping based on the level the students are at. For the higher level group, I’m able to challenge them with chapter books and research on the computer.”

“As the lower level kids are grouped with their peers, we’re able to select books for them that they can read and understand,” continued Moore. “By doing things at a group level, all students are being challenged and they’re all achieving and succeeding.”

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Chartiers Valley School District

Ambassador Camp 264

Board of Directors

Pamela Poletti, President 412-429-8717 Wendy Huntoon, Vice President 412-279-5048 Jeff Choura 412-221-7704 Robert Kearney 412-279-0813 Bridget Kelly 412-319-7934 Debra Rice 412-722-8021 Jamie Stevenson 724-307-3008 Sandra Zeleznik 412-279-2227

Central Administration Brian White, Ed.D Superintendent Yvonne Hawkins, Ed.D Asst. Superintendent for Curriculum Scott Seltzer Asst. Superintendent for School Leadership Nicholas D. Morelli Director of Finance and Support Operations/ Board Secretary Robert Gold Director of Facilities Arthur Turner Asst. Director of Facilities Lynne Dunnick Director of Student Services Michael Mazzeo Director of Transportation Please direct news items or questions to the public relations office at 412.429.2234. Your input is greatly appreciated!

Questions regarding taxes should be directed to your municipality: Bridgeville, 412.221.6055; Collier, 412.276.5277; Heidelberg, 412.276.5413; Scott, 412.276.5302. Delinquent tax questions should be directed to Maiello, Brungo and Maiello at 412.242.9615.

The Board will hold Workshop and Regular meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month at 7:30 p.m. in the District Assembly Room at the Administrative Offices, 2030 Swallow Hill Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15220.

The Board may take action or conduct business for any particular or general purpose at any of these meetings. Additional special or committee meetings will be called and advertised as needed.

It is the policy of Chartiers Valley School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, marital or parental status, national origin, age, or handicap in its educational and vocational programs, activities or employment as required by Title IX, Section 504 and Title VI.

CHARTIERS VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Eighth grader Samantha Mackey has been selected by the Middle School Diversity Colt Team to receive a $1,200 Luminari scholarship to participate in the “I Want to be an Ambassador!” camp this summer. The seven-day camp at the Heinz History Center will feature roundtable discussions, activity-based exercises, guest lecturers, conflict resolution & negotiation sessions, and a two-day Washington, D.C. field trip to experience how Ambassadors interact.

“I chose to participate in this program because I really wanted to try something new that would not only benefit me now,” Samantha said, “And this will also benefit me in the future.”

The key components to the camp are instruction in diplomacy and a thorough exploration of career opportunities in foreign service. Just as an ambassador must display behaviors and attitudes which respectfully represent our country and solve world challenges, campers will learn to respectfully represent their families, schools, and communities — and start solving problems effectively at a grass-roots level. The curriculum is designed to help campers acquire the tools to negotiate, resolve conflicts, and communicate effectively to generate positive outcomes. Emphasis is placed on problemsolving by evaluating data and considering multiple viewpoints.

“I am really looking forward to meeting new people who have the same interest in leadership as me as well as getting to explore new places and ideas at the camp,” Samantha said.

Members of the MS Diversity Colt Team, which holds the essay contest that helps determine the CVMS representative, include Nathan Browne, Amanda Baustista, Gina Oliphant, Ron Moreschi, Wendy Horne, Adam Sivitz, Shana Colwes, Matt Sepesy, Bill Partridge, Lana Kipp, and Sara Benis.

Published by the Chartiers Valley School District for the residents Bridgeville Borough, Collier Township, Heidelberg Borough and Scott Township.

Chartiers Valley | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 9

Flipped Classroom helps science and math students

CHARTIERS VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

High School math and science teachers Dale Himmler, Susan Marino and Don Zier have adopted the “Flipped Classroom” method of instruction. The concept was developed in 2004 as a collaborative effort

between Woodland Park High School (Colorado) science teachers Jonathan Bergmann and Aaron Sams.

“The Flipped Classroom reverses the role of classroom time and at home time,” explained Himmler. “Instead of students sitting through a lecture at school and completing homework at home, students in a Flipped Classroom watch the lesson at home and complete the homework during class time.”

Himmler is able to record his actions on his computer screen as well as his voice as he works though sample problems and explains the lesson. Marino and Zier use a special pen that enables them to record their voices as they’re writing out sample problems.

These videos are called “Pencasts.”

After watching a video and working on a few sample problems, students are able to

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develop questions specific to their level of understanding of the information provided within the video. Because students do not all learn in the same way, nor at the same speed, teachers can cater instruction based on feedback from the class.

“By flipping the classroom, I am able to work individually with all of my students,” Marino said. “It has made differentiation a natural part of my classroom. Students who are ready to move forward are permitted to do so, while for other students, I am able to reteach topics and look at individual student work daily.”

“The teacher can spend time as needed with individual students in class who may otherwise get frustrated if they were doing the problem solving at home,” Zier added.

Another benefit of the Flipped Classroom is the library of instruction these teachers have created for students.

“Students are able to review the lessons as many times as they need and are always given time during class to have all questions answered,” said Marino.

Students weren’t sure about the method at first, but soon they realized they were receiving more personal and effective instruction from their teacher.

“We were all kind of skeptical of it at first.

We didn’t know how we were going to like actually being taught through a Pencast,” said 11th grade student Ashton Adams.

“But it does work a lot better. If you do not understand something, you can always look back at it. That’s one major benefit.”

As students continue to use the videos and Pencasts, they’re starting to see even more benefits.

“I like the Flipped Classroom because [it’s like having] a teacher at home and it makes you feel more comfortable about the section,” said 9th grade student Michael Weiss.

The teachers are also noticing increased student achievement since they implemented

the Flipped Classroom.

“I have noticed a greater level of understanding of the material,” Himmler said.

“I have been able to assign more complex problems and have been able to discuss these problems with the students.”

Not only has the Flipped Classroom led to a better understanding of mathematical and scientific concepts, but the videos have become an effective tool for test reviews.

“The videos have been a tremendous study tool for exams,” Marino said. “Students’ performance on my first exam this year was significantly higher than in the past. Students have expressed that the Pencasts have made them feel more confident with the material being taught in class.”

Acceptance of the Flipped Classroom has been slowly gaining momentum throughout the world since Bergmann and Sams developed the concept in 2004. The developers believe that the greatest benefit of flipping is that overall interaction increases between teacher to student as well as student to student; it’s not unusual for students to

develop their own collaborative groups in a Flipped Classroom, mimicking the dynamic of a university level study group. The role of the teacher has changed from presenter of content to learning coach. Teachers are able to spend more time talking to students and providing appropriate instruction based on level of comprehension.

“Aunt Bee’s Hive” teaches students conflict resolution “Stop, take a deep breath and count slowly to ten,” 100 Primary School students repeated after Aunt Bee, a hand puppet with a beehive hairdo.

“One…two…three...”

This is all part of a lesson that all 37 classes at the Primary School learn each year from High School students and their puppet counterparts.

Eight High School students spent the day at the Primary School performing “Aunt Bee’s Hive” – a puppet show that teaches elementary students several skills and strategies they can use to resolve conflict.

“Aunt Bee’s Hive” is comprised of nine multicultural people puppets, all with varying personalities and abilities. The puppets promote awareness while helping students develop the skills they need to handle various situations.

The conflict resolution piece also relates to Chartiers Valley’s OLWEUS anti-bullying initiative.

“Teaching students how to resolve conflict and self-regulate can prevent bullying situations,”

explained Dr. Mariellen Kerr, the counselor at the Primary School and creator of Aunt Bee’s Hive.

In addition to conflict resolution, Aunt Bee performances also cover topics such as cultural and educational diversity.

“Mrs. Bee is a great cross age teaching tool,” said Kerr. “The older students are trained in puppetry skills which they use to present the programs.”

Following the performance, the High School students conduct reinforcement activities with the younger students in their classrooms. According to Kerr, when an important message comes from somebody students idolize – like High School students – the lesson is more likely to resonate with them.

“The Primary School students really look up to the High School students and like interacting with them,” said Kerr.

But Aunt Bee’s important lessons don’t end with the performance. Teachers and adults at the Primary School often refer back to the

performance and reinforce the lessons.

“You can’t teach it once and expect students to remember this, so we constantly refer back to it,” said Dr. Kerr. “Teachers have told me that they’ve seen kids using Aunt Bee’s techniques.”

Kerr and the Primary School teachers also use an Aunt Bee weekly bulletin board to help students remember the key messages. The bulletin board is called “Caught Bee-ing Good.” When an adult sees a student doing something extra nice, they get a “Caught Bee-ing Good” sticker and their name goes in a beehive. At the end of the week, Kerr picks three winners. The winners are then recognized for their positive actions and their photos are displayed on the bulletin board. The kids are always proud to be “caught bee-ing good,” which reinforces positive behavior.

Several of the High School students said they remember Aunt Bee from their own days at the Primary School and enjoy coming back to perform the puppet show for a new generation of students. The High School cast was made up of Blessing Okafor, Katie Flynn, Natalie Barrett, Abby Augustyniak-Romano, Hannah Dailey, Danielle Ferrer, Cara Langerman, and Courtney Dawson.

Middle States Accreditation society’s needs. The U.S. Department of Education describes approved accrediting organizations such as Middle States as a “reliable authority as to the quality of education.” Accreditation is an external, objective validation of school quality and student achievement that fosters continuous school improvement.

Profile of A Middle States-Accredited Institution: • Adheres to the Middle States Standards for Accreditation; • Uses its mission, beliefs, and goals as the basis for daily decisionmaking; • Operates in the public interest and in accordance with ethical practice; • Accepts responsibility for the level of performance of its students; • Remains committed to continuous improvement in student learning and to its capacity to produce the levels of learning desired and expected by its community; • Operates in a collegial and collaborative way with all of its stakeholders; • Sustains its focus on implementing recommendations, addressing monitoring issues and correcting stipulations that may be part of its notification of accreditation; • Fulfills its maintenance requirements to the Commission.

CHARTIERS VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Chartiers Valley High School is currently accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. However, the accreditation expires in 2013. Thus, we are currently going through a process to once again earn Middle States accreditation.

As part of the accreditation process, Chartiers Valley High School will receive a visit from the Middle States Association from February 19 - February 22. During this visit, representatives from the Middle States Association will be meeting with administrators, teachers, students and staff. They will be present around the High School and may stop to talk with students and staff throughout the week. Please make them feel welcome at Chartiers Valley!

Want to know more about Middle States Accreditation?

The following information is from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools website (http://www.msa-cess.org/ RelId/606525/ISvars/default/What_is_Accreditation.htm) Since the turn of the 20th century, accreditation has had a major impact on American education, with Middle States Association among the pioneers in the field. Today it is a concept that few people understand and yet one from which many could benefit.

At its inception, accreditation responded to the public demand for improved quality and greater accountability for schools serving

Chartiers Valley | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 11

Students place second at Academic WorldQuest competition

SHOW DATES:

Wednesday March 6th Thursday, March 7th Friday, March 8th Saturday, March 9th

CURTAIN TIME: 7:30 p.m.

Ticket Price:

CHARTIERS VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

$10.00/ticket Reserved tickets ONLY

To Purchase Tickets:

• Calls can be placed for Will Call tickets at 412-2767843. Please leave name, phone number, number of tickets desired, and which performance date.

• Tickets can also be purchased at the door the night of the performance.

Please note when ordering tickets that the content of the show is rated PG. Senior Citizens – Tickets are free for any night of the show, but only in the rear section of the auditorium.

They can be picked up the night of the show.

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9 to 5: al

The Music

Chartiers Valley High School Lead Cast:

Doralee: Megan Henderson Judy: Ranae McIntyre Violet: Rocki Boulis Hart: Matthew Guerry

9 to 5: The Musical is based on the hit 1980 movie Nine to Five with Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin. Pushed to the boiling point by

their boss, three female co-workers concoct a plan to get even with their egotistical, lying, hypocritical boss. They conspire to take control of their company and in the process, learn there’s nothing they can’t do – even as women caught in a man’s world.

Set in the late 1970s, 9 to 5: The Musical is a hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era. Outrageous, thoughtprovoking, and even a little romantic, it’s the story about teaming up and taking care of business.

Chartiers Valley

Greg Price, Shane Murphy, Eammon Bellin and Cody Reinstadtler earned second place at the Academic WorldQuest competition on Friday, February 8, 2013.

The Academic WorldQuest is hosted annually by the World Affairs Councils of America. This event at Soldiers and Saliors in Oakland is a knowledge-based competition with questions focusing on international affairs, current events, the global economy, geography, world history, and general knowledge about the world.

CVHS students participate in Languages Competition Twenty Chartiers Valley High School students participated in The World Languages Competition at Slippery Rock University. Students from French, German, and Spanish classes completed either a language exam, culture exam, listening exam, or comprehensive exam.

“I took the French 3 Language Exam and felt confident in my performance.”

– Christine Champ “I met people from a lot of other schools that shared my same interest in French. The test I took was somewhat difficult and challenging at times, however with my foundation in the language, I was able to complete it.”

– Ashton Adams Ashton Adams, Natalie Blauzdis, Colleen Bodnar, Joe Bonnacorsi, Carly Broccolo, Christine Champ, Hannah Daily, Zach Davies, Katie Formichella, Tom Kubus, Madeline Mason, Shane Murphy, Grace Nowak, Mackenzie Reffert, Cody Reinstadtler, Jen Rickens, Alex Roth, Nicole Singleton, Maura Teti and Keenan Young represented our school’s Modern Language program.

Mrs. Shoats’ and Miss Keane’s Kindergarten class hosted a dance marathon to promote kindness, while incorporating teamwork and a week of academic projects.

And it all started with one question.

Kenny asked K254 if they could help write letters to a friend. His friend is a junior at Penn-State who was dancing at THON, a 46 hour dance marathon that raises money to help pediatric cancer patients. Of course they all agreed and started writing letters to his friend, Amy, so she would have letters of encouragement at mail-call during the last few hours of THON. They learned that Amy was one of eight dancers in a group called Pillar that had been working all year to raise money for the cause, and who were dancing for a boy named Jake. K254 needed some help writing to 8 dancers and to Jake, so they asked some friends and soon enough 6 classrooms were writing letters of encouragement.

They wrote 180 letters, collected 100 snacks, made a card composed of 100 kind words and 100 autographs, and packed it all with 100 hugs and kisses. They then sent it to Amy, the dancers and Jake.

The classroom teachers challenged their students to read for 100 minutes to earn 100 pennies that would be donated, which led to the concept of having a mini-THON at the PS. To prepare for mini-THON they invited Amy’s mom to dance and future Penn-

State students from the HS to help. Keane’s dad came too because he was in one of the organizations that started THON in 1976.

K254 went “canning” after they spread the good news of their project. They collected 54 1/2 pounds of pennies. With a few hundred nickels, dimes and quarters, and a stack of bills we were able to donate $251. 43.

A community member matched it and donated the same amount. MiniTHON saw around 200 kids dancing up a storm for 100 minutes!

All of the kids learned that teamwork makes the hard work easy and fun! The best lesson learned is that being kind and giving makes us feel wonderful!

A special thanks goes to; • The PILLAR dance group • Jake • Amy’s mom • Our teacher friends Miss Bazner, Mrs. Vaughan, Miss Trainor (who can really dance!)

• High school students Lauren Shoats, Berin Simsek, Danielle Rosser and Gavin Calgaro • And everyone that was so kind to make a donation For The Kids!

See www. THON.org for more information.

MiniTHON raises money for pediatric cancer patients

Senior Shane Murphy of Collier has been named a Finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Shane, who scored 221 out of 240 on his qualifying test - the Preliminary SAT, received his Certificate of Merit from NMSC on February 7. Shane is in a select group of 15,000 still in the mix for one of the 8,300 National Merit Scholarships that will be awarded in 2013. Approximately 1.5 million students enter the NMSC program annually. All winners of Merit Scholarship awards are chosen from the Finalist group - the top 1%, based on their abilities, skills, and accomplishments. NMSC selectors evaluate the Finalist’s academic record, information about the school’s curricula and grading system, two sets of test scores, the high school official’s written recommendation, information about the student’s activities and leadership, and the Finalist’s own essay to select scholarship winners. Awardees will be announced throughout the final quarter of the school year.

Congratulations Shane!

CHARTIERS VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Collier student finalist in National Merit Scholarship Program

Chartiers Valley | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 13

Chartiers Valley School District

Eight graders show their work at Scholastic Art Awards Show

CHARTIERS VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Eighth graders Breanna Parker, Emily Smith, Devin Moore, Dawn Young, and Katie Linner have had their artwork selected for display at the Scholastic Art Awards Show, Sunday, February 24, 2013 at 3 p.m. at LaRoche College’s Kerr Sports and Fitness Center. A panel of artists, art educators and art professionals selected 952 pieces from over 2,000 submissions for inclusion in the show and consideration for regional awards.

Awards from the show will include 524 Honorable Mention submissions, 376 Silver Keys for distinguished works in the

Readers’ Theater helps young English Language Learners become fluent Ms. Wehring’s third grade ESL class has been performing a Readers’ Theater for other classes at the Intermediate School.

English Language Learners benefit greatly from reading a text many times. This helps them develop fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. One

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way to reread a text while keeping it interesting for students is through Readers’ Theater.

In a Readers’ Theater activity, students read stories that have been scripted like a play and they act out the story together.

Students practice their parts many times independently,

Chartiers Valley

Pittsburgh Region, and 242 Gold Keys for the most accomplished works. Gold Key winners will advance to the national level of The Scholastic Art Awards. Additionally, five American Visions nominations will be extended to outstanding Gold Key winners.

The American Visions award honors the best in show and one recipient will be awarded a national medal.

with a teacher and as a whole group before acting the story out in front of an audience.

Performing helps students think about their characters and the plot in a more focused way.

As students continue their repeated readings of the script, they are practicing speaking and presentation skills, such as pronunciation, inflection, expression and volume.

Readers’ Theater is also a learning tool for the students who get to watch the performance.

These students are able to immerse themselves in a story, giving them the chance to think about how readers interact with print by acting it out with hand props. Since the script is also educational, the student audience is also likely to learn a thing or two from the student performers.

PMEA Senior High District Band Event Jessica Kerr, Kevin Nelson, Stephanie Russell and Alex Trybus were selected to participate in PMEA Senior High District Band. The event, hosted by Baldwin High School, was held January 24th and 25th. The guest conductor was Dr. Andrew Yozviak from West Chester University. After two days of demanding practice, the evening performance was cancelled due to dangerous weather conditions.

Stephanie Russell will be representing CVHS at PMEA Region 1 Band hosted by Mercer Area High School on March 7-9. The festival will culminate with a public concert on Saturday, March 9th at 1:30 p.m.

Guest conductor for this event will be Dr. Shelley Jagow from Wright State University.

Holy Child Catholic School in Bridgeville W

hile you never say “never” as you peek into the preschool and kindergarten at Holy Child Catholic in Bridgeville you find a learning environment prepared for continuous progress. The child is exposed to the basic elements of education and is challenged by some unique programs in a caring environment rooted in gospel values.

Both started as Montessori Programs when the school was known as St. Agatha’s. Over the years the scarcity of finding Montessori certified teachers forced the school to change direction at that level. Traditional catholic schools strive to nurture and develop the “whole” person spiritually, intellectually and physically much as Maria Montessori did.

As we transitioned programs HCC worked to identify what seemed to be key to the success children found in the Montessori system.

Here it is 2013 and we can say the teachers were successful! Both programs continue to reflect the Montessori philosophy, especially the pride and ownership of “my work.” A preschooler shared a book she had spent time writing with the assistance of her teacher. She had drawn very detailed pictures of a Princess and told the story to her teacher who wrote it on the pages. “This is my book,” she said, “I am the author!”

She was very proud. Moving up, the kindergarteners want you to hear their story as they read the words they wrote under their pictures.

You hear “I can do it!” daily in the early childhood classes at HCC. When help is needed it is there but

finding the answer by trying it first yourself is the norm! PreK’s word wall takes up one side of the room. Comprised of pictures under the proper beginning letter they read their wall. “I can do it!” In kindgergarten letters replace the pictures and “their work” is to learn to sound out letters and blend the sounds to make the word. “I can do it!” As they work to blend the sounds together, to say the word, there is happiness and excitement as they realize they have sounded out their word. “I can do it! I know the word!”

Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed.”

--Maria Montessori, Italian physician and educator

G

reat beginnings last a lifetime and these children have begun the journey. For many they will stand in church at their 8th Year graduation and proudly announce that “I have been at Holy Child for 11 years and will be attending high school at ....” They did it!

Peek into Holy Child Catholic in Bridgeville and discover the 3 Day AM and 5 day AM or Full day Preschool. Visit the full day kindergarten and the elementary (Levels 1 – 8) program because your child is too important to receive anything less than a quality catholic education! Go to www. holychildcatholic.org or call 412-221-4720 for information.

Chartiers Valley | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 15

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

- Dr. Margarita Zuley

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

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

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Chartiers Valley

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

@

Current issues of this magazine are also available online.

www.incommunitymagazines.com Chartiers Valley | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 17

Senate confirms SGA president’s BOG appointment

David Wolfe, chief executive officer and president of the Slippery Rock Student Government Association, was confirmed today as a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s board of governors. Gov. Tom Corbett made the nomination.

Wolfe, an SRU sport management and communication major from Oakdale, will serve as one of three student members of the board. The three students were selected from among the system universities’ student government association presidents.

Wolfe will serve on the board until his graduation. He was elected SGA president last spring and assumed duties with the start of fall semester classes.

The 20-member board of governors is responsible for planning and coordinating development and operation of PASSHE. The board establishes broad educational, fiscal and personnel policies, and oversees the efficient management of PASSHE. Among other tasks, the board appoints the chancellor and university presidents, approves new academic programs, sets tuition and coordinates and approves the annual PASSHE operating budget.

The board meets at least four times a year. Its meetings are subject to the Pennsylvania Public Agency Open Meeting Law. David is a 2009 graduate of Chartiers Valley High School. He is the son of Dave and Toni Wolfe of Collier Township.

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Chartiers Valley

Bridgeville Public Library’s

Tropical Paradise While February saw record low temperatures, it was hot, hot, hot at the Bridgeville Public Library, where patrons were able to enjoy the Caribbean beats of John McDonald and the Mango Men. The sounds of steel drums filled the library, brought smiles to faces, and made the library the hottest place to be on a cold Saturday night.

The concert is part of an ongoing concert series that will help support the library. With one of the

Continued on page 20

photos by Primetime Shots, Inc.

Chartiers Valley | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 19

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Let us know @ICMagazines

Continued from page 19 newest and advanced buildings in the region, the library still needs community support to shine.

Support can come via monetary donations, or volunteerism, which is always appreciated. You can support the Bridgeville Public Library in the following ways: • Make a one time donation to the BPL via cash, check or credit card • Become a sustaining member by sending a monthly donation to the BPL • Honor a family member or friend in a way that benefits the entire community by purchasing a memorial book, DVD or sponsor a specific program • Buy-A-Brick in honor of or in memory of a family member or friend as we “pave the way to the future” at the BPL • Remember us in your will • “Naming Rights” throughout the BPL

SPECIAL VALUES

• Business or private sponsorship of BPL events and programs • In-kind donations of goods or services • Donations via credit card are accepted via the library’s website – www.bridgevillelibrary.org.

• Checks can be mailed to: Bridgeville Public Library 505 McMillen Street, Bridgeville, PA 15017 All donations are tax deductible. Please contact Joyce Heinrich at 412.221.3737 if you have any questions. For more information, go to www. bridgevillelibrary.org for all their event listings.

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UPMC TODAY

Health and Wellness News You Can Use | Spring 2013

What’s Inside 2

When It’s More than Just Heartburn

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Hope and Healing A Healing Touch Food in a Glass

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Clinical Trials Can Change Lives

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

© 2013 UPMC

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Are you at risk?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1-800-533-UPMC

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Health Tips from UPMC Health Plan

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

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

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

Who uses it?

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

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

What are some treatments?

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

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

What is alternative medicine?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Research opens the door for new possibilities in patient care.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1-800-533-UPMC

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1-800-533-UPMC

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UPMC Mercy

1400 Locust St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219

UPMC Today is published quarterly to provide you with health and wellness information and classes and events available at UPMC. This publication is for information purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or replace a physician’s medical assessment.

Always consult first with your physician about anything related to your personal health.

Follow UPMC on Facebook.

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

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

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

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

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

INdustry Insight

TOPIC FOR LUNCH –

Financial Advisor Commissions or Fees How your advisor is compensated may provide an understanding for the receipt of excellent service… or lack thereof Daniel L. Henry Under the valid assumption that there is “no such thing as a free lunch,” financial advisors certainly are entitled to receive compensation for the financial advice that they deliver and the investment vehicles that they recommend and integrate into client portfolios.

This short article will not delve into the quality of the advice rendered, which one hopes would be based on thorough fact-gathering and goalplanning sessions. It is during these preliminary meetings when the parties are also determining if they would be a “good fit” for each other.

Now assuming that there is mutual agreement to enter into a business relationship, certainly the issue of advisor compensation needs to be fully understood and agreed to.

Here’s the issue, viewed from the client’s perspective: Is it better for me to be charged a larger, up-front “commission” upon investing funds, or would the assessment of a lower but ongoing “fee” be advantageous?

At the heart of this matter is how both the client and advisor view the future; if they both are operating under the premise that the act of making an investment is a transaction, an end unto itself, then the client may be better-served by paying an up-front commission. For investment amounts under $50,000, the upfront commission is typically 5.5% in year one and then, a “trail” or ongoing servicing commission of 0.25% is paid in subsequent years.

Conversely, if the client and the advisor view the opening of an investment account as the start of a relationship, one in which ongoing reviews will be held and there will be updates to planning, then a smaller but level, ongoing fee might better serve the client. For example, assuming an annual fee is 1%, let’s do some quick math and for the sake of simplicity, assume there is no growth to the initial investment; The transaction/commission method represents a charge to the client and revenue to the advisor of the initial amount invested; in year one, 5.5%, by the end of the fifth year, 6.5% total (i.e. 5.5% in year 1 then 4 years at 0.25%) and by the end of the 10th year, 7.75%.

The relationship/fee method represents a charge to the client and revenue to the advisor of the initial amount invested; in year one, 1%, by the end of the fifth year, 5% and by the end of the 10th year, 10%.

The cross-over point would be at the end of the 7th year.

While we respect the policies and practices of other financial advisors and firms, the professionals at Henry Wealth Management believe wholeheartedly in the relationship/fee method. Here are three reasons why:

1. We view the act of placing an investment as part of a relational process, one in which initially established goals need to be continually monitored along with the performance of the selected investment strategy.

2. In the event that a change to the investment is recommended, the relationship/fee method does not generate new revenue. The same fee schedule would be applied from the prior account to the new one. This may not be the case with the transaction/commission method.

3. We believe that the transaction/commission method incentivizes the advisor to “chase after new dollars” while the relationship/fee method underscores the advisor’s first responsibility to “serve existing dollars.”

We do not believe that every commissionable advisor “chases” new accounts and neglects existing ones, yet we do feel strongly that the motivation to do so more readily exists when an advisor is compensated largely on the front-end. Every firm needs growth and as such, acquiring new clients is vital. Yet we believe that maintaining existing relationships and delivering on the promise of providing ongoing planning and prompt service is of greater importance and frankly, improves the flow of referrals so that new relationships may be generated.

Is your lunch free? No, it is not. But a clear and transparent understanding of how your advisor is compensated might make the investment and financial planning experience more pleasant.

Dan Henry, CLU, is the Vice President of Henry Wealth Management, LLC, an independent financial services firm located at 1370 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA. He offers Securities through, NFP Securities, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. This article was co-authored with Phil Henry, ChFC, CFS, the firm’s President. Phil offers Securities and InvestmentAdvisory Services through, NFP Securities, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. NFP Securities, Inc. is not affiliated with Henry Wealth Management, LLC. Dan may be reached at 412.838.0200 or through email at Dan@ HenryWealth.com. The firm’s website is www.HenryWealth.com. The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the authors and may not necessarily reflect those held by NFP Securities, Inc.

Chartiers Valley | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 29

Home

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

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

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

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

Depending on the size of an addition and the construction schedule, it may take weeks or months before an addition is completed. Bad weather can cause unanticipated delays, and working with an unreliable contractor can prolong the process even further. If a homeowner can’t afford to be patient during the planning and construction process, moving into a new, larger 30 724.942.0940 to advertise

Chartiers Valley

home may be a better option.

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

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

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

Remodeling your bathroom is another popular way to jazz up your home as well as build equity. In some cases, not only is remodeling the bathroom an aesthetic choice but a functional choice as well. Giving your bathroom a boost doesn’t always have to require a boatload of cash or space – just a little planning and creativity before you get started.

Refresh your bath’s look with a wow-worthy makeover that improves its style and function.

Perhaps you have an old toilet that you want to replace with a high-efficiency model that will lower your water bill. Or perhaps the old tile is falling off your shower and you need to replace it. Whatever your situation is, there are many options to choose from,

including do-it-yourself options.

One popular and inexpensive option is to have a theme for your bathroom. Examples could be a Disney theme for a child’s bathroom, or perhaps a beach theme. This can be accomplished by painting the walls, adding a wall border and by well-placed décor. Some larger and more costly bathroom updates include new flooring, new sink and vanity and a new bathtub or shower. These improvements will get even costlier if you paid someone to do it for you.

Our Home Improvement Partners Whether it’s building your dream home or making a livable space come alive, Prime 1 Builders, Inc. excels in single home residential projects. From sustainable and energy efficient home design to custom renovations, we work to exceed your expectations and stay within your budget.

Let Dan Meade and his team of craftsman, make your dream home become a reality. Call us today to discuss your project.

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

Prime 1 Builders, Inc. 412.257.0161 • www.prime1builders.com

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

Whether you own a newly built home or a 40-year-old fixer-upper, there’s always a project to do. South West Communities FCU SouthWest has home equity loans for projects from painting a bedroom to adding an in-law suite.

Using your home’s equity can be a smart move. It’s your house; let South West Communities help to make it your home.

Vinyl decking made from Cellular PVC is a great choice for decking

Continued on page 33

COMMUNITIES FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

South West Communities Federal Credit Union 412.276.5379 • www.swcfcu.org

Chartiers Valley | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 31

Business Spotlight

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South West Communities Federal Credit Union More Neighbor Than Bank

rust is one of the most important things you need to have when it comes to your money, and at South West Communities Federal Credit Union, trust is in no short supply.

South West Communities Federal Credit Union was established in 1939 as the Union Electric Steel Federal Credit Union, which served company employees exclusively. In 2000, the credit union reorganized, opening up membership to residents of the Carlynton School District under the name UES Federal Credit Union. This past September, the decision was made to open membership up to even more of the community so that more people can enjoy the advantages, rates and services South West Communities Federal Credit Union has to offer.

Today, if you reside, work, worship, attend school in, or do business in Crafton, Carnegie, Rosslyn Farms, Bridgeville, Heidelberg, Collier, Scott, Castle Shannon, Dormont, Green Tree, Robinson, Kennedy Township, Ingram, Thornburg, Pennsbury, Stowe, McKees Rocks or Mt. Lebanon, South West Communities Federal Credit Union is there for you.

Membership with South West Communities means members can enjoy higher dividends than banks, lower loan

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rates than banks, low or no fees, and more personalized service. Members also can enjoy the same conveniences that banks offer such as online banking, mobile banking, free bill pay services, free checking accounts, specialized checking accounts, CDs, Christmas and vacation clubs, traditional and Roth IRAs, health savings accounts, and more. They offer the same great auto loans, home equity loans, personal loans and credit cards to suit your needs at rates that can’t be found in retail banks. And, once you’re a member,

Chartiers Valley

Membership with South West Communities means members can enjoy higher dividends than banks, lower loan rates than banks, low or no fees, and more personalized service.

your membership is good with South West Communities Federal Credit Union in case you would ever move out of the service area.

Unlike banks, your membership deposit entitles you to have your voice heard directly.

You have a say in who runs South West by voting for its board of directors, which is made up entirely of volunteers.

With six employees in its main location, you will be known by your name, not a number, and you can rest assured that your Member Service Representative has your best interests in mind. Even the employees are all living within the scope of South West Communities Federal Credit Union’s service area, which makes them more like neighbors than other banks with big names and branches.

By the time of printing this magazine, South West Communities will have accomplished the opening of a second small office branch in McKees Rocks, which will offer the same great services and rates.

For more information on South West Communities Federal Credit Union, or to open a membership account today, go to 213 Pine Street, Carnegie, call at 412-276-5379, or go to the website at www.swcfcu.org to get current rates.

Home Improvements In Chartiers Valley

Continued from page 31 because it is essentially resistant to stains, mold, insects and fading. PVC material is low maintenance and is a sustainable building material. But like composite, it can get costly.

Powder coated aluminum decking can be used to create a watertight floor for your deck. This unique material will never splinter, rot or rust. LockDry Aluminum decking is cool to the touch and is available in five colors. Aluminum decking is strong and lightweight. The LockDry system can be used to create a dry space to use under your deck on rainy days.

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

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

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

Our Home Improvement Partners John R. Swentosky, owner of Oxford Landscaping, has been providing landscaping/construction services to the South Hills of Pittsburgh for over 25 years. We are proud to offer an extensive variety of hard and soft scape services to commercial and residential customers. Phone 412.996.7589. Fax 412.221.6145. www.oxfordlandscapingpa.com. Follow us on Facebook for project photos and tips. P.L.N.A. Member.

Oxford Landscaping 412.996.7589 • www.oxfordlandscapingpa.com Your local South Pittsburgh Davey Office is your source for expert tree and lawn service. We offer the South Pittsburgh area comprehensive tree and lawn services for your home or business. Our expert staff includes certified arborists that live and work in your community and care about your landscape. We look forward to serving you! Please call 724.746.8852 for more information.

Davey 724.746.8852

Water access could also be an important aspect if you plan to have a bar or sink area. A Design/ Build contractor can offer advice on what needs to be done to make the area completely usable.

You might also want to speak with the contractor about creating an additional half bathroom for guests and family members to use when you’re entertaining.

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

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

Continued on page 34 Chartiers Valley | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 33

Home Improvements In Chartiers Valley Continued from page 33

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

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

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

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

A comfortable chair or two is a necessity. Choose long-lasting fabrics and sturdy frames. Go with classic styles that won’t end up as next year’s garage sale item. Test out the chair before you buy it. Desk chairs especially need to provide good support and be comfortable.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Remodeling your home can generate tremendous equity for the future, as well as personal enjoyment in the present. Remodeling projects come in all shapes, sizes and costs. Big and small changes can both have an impact and will improve the way your home looks and functions, increasing its value and making it more enjoyable for you and your family.

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Chartiers Valley

CV Tech Ed students learn real life skills

Construction and assembly projects, both traditional and high tech, are the normal fare for students in Chartiers Valley High School Technology Education classes.

Manufacturing and Construction

Charles Barber’s Manufacturing and Construction students have made use of general hand tools, portable power tools, woodworking tools and specialty equipment such as a CNC router using Master Cam software and AutoCAD software to design and construct custom furniture pieces such as a Grandmother clock and a mini bar with Steelers and Penguins logos.

Photos Submitted

Robotics

Jeff Macek’s Robotics class has built, programmed and tested several robotic vehicles this school year. Robotics is an introduction to robotics systems where students acquire a basic understanding of many types of robots, how they operate and their application in manufacturing and entertainment. Students design, build, and test various robots to compete in various challenges throughout the course.

In the first project students were challenged to build a robot called the ProtoBot. This robot is designed to use an intake roller and boom type arm to

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Chartiers Valley

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Applied Engineering

Andrew Poppelreiter’s Applied Engineering class had to wait patiently for materials to be delivered to start work on its first project of the year, but was able to use the time for prep work on Autodesk Inventor to create a working blueprint that could be used for the student-designed project. Students used handheld grinders, a power feeding horizontal bandsaw, Miller Plasma Cutter, two Lincoln Electric MIG Welders, and an Air over Hydraulic Tubing bender to cut, bend, weld, grind, paint and assemble the parts into a sturdy vertical metal storage rack. The project provided a first opportunity for many students to work with a MIG welder. The rack, of which similar designs retail for over $500, was completed with $75 in materials.

pick up and place tennis balls in a goal.

Students had to build the ProtoBot and learn how to wire and control the robot to be able to compete in the challenge.

Chartiers Valley | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 37

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Chartiers Valley

RESIDENT PROFILE

Children Thrive at

Heidelberg Orthodox Preschool Story and Photos by Melanie O. Paulick

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he didn’t always want to teach preschool, but after Mary Jo Weinheimer had her children, she became fascinated with the different stages of development.

She became particularly inspired by children that were three or four years of age. “[At that age] they have such complete honesty and such an enthusiasm for learning,” Mary Jo states.

“You can see the wheels turning in their heads.”

Mary Jo appreciates all of the wonderful things that a walking community has to offer. She loves being close to the city and residing in a place where she can walk to the library or to the movie theater. “Sidewalks,” she remarks with a smile. “…after all these years [of living in Mt. Lebanon], what I most appreciate are the sidewalks.”

In 1989, when her son entered first grade, Mary Jo began working as an assistant preschool teacher at Southminster Child Care Center in Mt. Lebanon. While working at Southminster, she earned her private school teaching certificate from the state of Pennsylvania and continued to work there for ten years, until 1999.

She met Dr. Christal Chaney while attending services at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Mt. Lebanon and was asked to participate in the formation of a new school. Dr.

Chaney’s aim was to “establish a school where [children] could be exposed to academic excellence in a nurturing Orthodox Christian environment” (www.theos.school.org/history). Mrs. Weinheimer agreed, and, in 1998, Three Hierarchs Eastern Orthodox School opened its doors. During that first year, Mrs. Weinheimer worked both at Southminster and at Three Hierarchs. After that, she devoted all of her time and effort to Three Hierarchs (T.H.E.O.S.). In September of 2007, the school relocated from Holy Cross to Ellsworth Avenue in Heidelberg.

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he educational philosophy at T.H.E.O.S. is very advanced and quite unique. When setting up the school, Dr. Chaney (who has a Ph.D. in Educational Philosophy) blended together a variety of educational models that have proven to have significant positive outcomes. One of the ways that makes the preschool at T.H.E.O.S. so distinctive is the combination of open-ended and closed-ended activities. For example, the students are encouraged to play imaginatively and creatively. Blocks, objects and other materials can be used and experienced in multiple ways.

On the other hand, certain things, like puzzles, only work in a specific way. Another key element in how the classroom operates is choice. In a very real sense, all of the students “own” the classroom.

Everything is theirs to use and play with, and they are free to make

Continued on page 40 Chartiers Valley | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 39

Continued from page 39 choices about how they spend their time. The room is set up with different “areas” such as the block area, the reading area, and the art area. Listening to their own bodies is also important, and to this end children are not forced to have snack but are free to do so if they wish.

In addition, the preschool is a multiage classroom because it provides a tremendous amount of role-modeling.

The younger children observe the older children engaged in and focused on their work as well as following the classroom rules, and so they are more inclined to follow suit.

Classroom rules address certain behaviors so as to minimize negative interactions. For example, children must ask when they want to play with another child. They must carry their chair a certain way and wash their hands before they eat. In its entirety, the preschool room is a place

In the end, the mission of T.H.E.O.S. is to “educate the whole child for a holy life.” of active learning, filled with developmentallyappropriate materials that enable the children to “build themselves.”

Mary Jo uses her art background to enhance and heighten the creative intelligence of each child. She loves observing the self-expression of each individual and the unique ways that they use materials and objects. Even children who are not always drawn to art will benefit from active participation in it, she claims. A recent classroom

project (for 3rd and 4th graders) was to give each child a bag of “snowman pieces” – cotton balls, small sticks, small parts for eyes and buttons, etc.

They were then asked to use the pieces to construct anything but a snowman. This project was meant to encourage children, especially those who didn’t particularly like art. The challenge was to try to get them to think and see things in a different way. Mary Jo’s own daughter is now a veterinarian, and having to draw negative space when she was younger lead to a greater ease in reading and interpreting graphs and X-rays. “Basically,” Mary Jo says, “art helps children be creative in whatever they do.”

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.H.E.O.S. is, of course, an Orthodox Christian school. That means that the spiritual aspect of human nature is at the heart of it all. What this means for students is that everything is viewed through the lens of Orthodoxy. How we care for ourselves, one another, the world – all of this is addressed in the way

that the church, by its very nature, is. Some days, students will attend Divine Liturgy. Other days, a priest will come in to discuss a topic of interest with the children. Prayer is an essential element to the day.

The Orthodox Church naturally includes children. The liturgy is fluid, much like children are fluid and active. Movement and motion are essential elements of prayer and worship. All of the senses are called upon to heighten the experience of the spiritual life. Beautiful icons are seen, incense breathed in, bread and wine tasted.

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Chartiers Valley

Business Spotlight

Prayers are chanted and sung. The liturgical life of the Orthodox Church is then transposed into the life of the preschool classroom, where all of the senses are gently stimulated to help the children experience the world in their own unique way.

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hile T.H.E.O.S. is an Orthodox school, it is open to everyone. Care is used to fully incorporate all children; for example, when the children who are Orthodox receive communion during the Divine Liturgy, the others may use that time to light a candle and say a special prayer. In the end, the mission of T.H.E.O.S. is to “educate the whole child for a holy life.” Children need a place where they can have their educational needs, emotional needs

and spiritual needs met. “Education is not just about information but about formation,” says Dr. Chaney, “…it’s not just about what they’re learning but about who they’re becoming.”

The preschool students thrive in the classroom due to the diligence and care of Mary Jo. “She’s quite a scientist…an observer,” remarks Dr. Chaney. “She can sit back and watch the children to see what they need.” For her part, Mary Jo is always reminded just how well the classroom works. “Parents come in and tell me that they don’t think that their child will do [certain things],” she says, “and I tell them – ‘yes they will!’” The preschool classroom at T.H.E.O.S. is a safe place, a place where children are respected for who they are as individuals.

It is, ultimately, a happy place.

For more informati on about the school, please visit www.theosschool. org or call 412.278.33 33.

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Chartiers Valley | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 41

t o h f g i T N rivia A Chartiers Valley Education Foundation’s first event, A NIGHT OF TRIVIA, will take place this spring.

The mission of the Chartiers Valley Education Foundation is to inspire high quality innovative instruction and reward exceptional academic achievement in the district through mini-grants, scholarships, endowments, partnerships and awards. Proceeds from A Night of Trivia will help the Foundation support its mission.

A Night of Trivia

Saturday, April 6, 2013 Doors open at 6:45 p.m.

Heidelberg Volunteer Fire Department $20 per person in advance H $25 per person at the door H $180 discount for a table of 10 Visit the Foundation’s website at http:/bit.ly/CVfoundation for more information or contact 412.429.2390 or chartiersvalleyfoundation@gmail.com.

We hope to see you there!

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Chartiers Valley

INdustry Insight

Pennsylvania Death Taxes M

r. and Mrs. Adams worked their whole lives to save a modest nest egg for their golden years. However, when it came to discussing “death taxes,” the Adams were surprised to learn of the numerous potential tax liabilities at both the State and Federal level. With all the changes afoot in our country involving the economy, debt ceilings, funding wars and other financially sensitive issues, this issue invariably boils down to funding our government with taxes. The Adams are certainly aware of their obligation to report and pay their fair share of annual state, federal and local income taxes. This column is devoted to the Pennsylvania inheritance taxes that are triggered at death.

Pennsylvania is one of only a handful of states that still imposes an Inheritance Tax at death. In fact, the last time we checked, there were less than a dozen states still levying such a tax. This means that even after a Pennsylvania resident has satisfied their annual income tax obligations, her/his assets (home, car, bank accounts, IRAs, mutual funds, etc.) are still subject to another tax at death. In our state, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue is in charge of collecting this tax. The tax liability is based on the value of the decedent’s assets on the date of death as well as whom the transferee/recipient of the asset is. There is no “floor” or “ceiling” amount to this tax, although there are various deductions and credits available as well as certain assets which are exempt from this tax.

Pennsylvania has four basic inheritance tax rates. They are: • 0% for assets passing between spouses; • 4.5% for assets passing to lineal relatives (children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, etc.); • 12% for assets passing between siblings; and • 15% for assets passing to anyone else.

So, when Mr. Adams dies, all of his property passes to his wife free of Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax. In fact, if Mr. Adams held all of his assets jointly with his wife or named her as a designated beneficiary on his beneficiary designatable accounts, an inheritance tax return is not even required. However, when Mrs. Adams dies and leaves her estate to her children, a tax in the amount of 4.5% of the value of all the assets she had an interest in on her date of death will be levied.

The Inheritance Tax filing rules require that the tax is paid and the tax return filed within nine months following the date of death. Pennsylvania gives a 5% discount on the amount of tax owed if it is paid within three months following the date of death, (called the “discount date”). Let’s assume that the Adams had no children and Mrs. Adams left her estate to her beloved sister Marge. Marge would then owe a 12% tax on the value of everything she received from her sister. Some would say this is a significant tax given that the assets that are being taxed have or will already be taxed for income tax purposes.

Suppose Mrs. Adams decides she’s going to “beat” this perceived injustice to her sister by giving her sister all of her money and home a few months before her death so that there will be no trace of the assets in her, Mrs. Adams, name. Sounds like a great strategy – but, not so fast.

Pennsylvania has a one year “look back” period for transfers made by a decedent within the last year of life. This tax provision is meant to discourage “death bed” transfers by those knowing their mortality is imminent.

There are some exceptions and planning opportunities, but consideration of the State inheritance tax is just one issue when planning.

This Industry Insight was written by Julian E. Gray and Frank A. Petrich, Certified Elder Law Attorneys and VA Accredited Attorneys with over 55 years of combined elder law experience. Julian Gray Associates is the only law firm in the United States with six Certified Elder Law Attorneys.

The Only Law Firm in the U.S. with Six Certified Elder Law Attorneys.

South Hills Office

412-833-4400

•

Moon Township Office

412-269-9000

Chartiers Valley | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 43

Chartiers Valley Primary School Starts

New Mother/ Son Tradition

Daughters have the Princess Ball to share with their fathers, so it was only natural to have a mother/son dance. And the Chartiers Valley Primary School held the first of what will be many mother/son dances to come.

Held this past November and with a theme of Sadie Hawkins, sons swarmed the gym dance floor with their mothers to celebrate their love.

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Chartiers Valley

photos courtesy of Chartiers Valley School District For more pictures from this event, go to our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ICMags Want us to cover your event? Let us know @ICMagazines

Chartiers Valley | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 45

Got the Fever for a Fish Fry? Here are some local fish fry events available through the end of Lent: ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON, CARNEGIE Ash Wednesday and Fridays of Lent, except Good Friday, parish hall, 330 Third Ave. Menu: $7.50 baked/fried fish dinner; $7.75 crab dinner; $7.50 shrimp dinner; $6 pierogies dinner; $5.75 baked fish sandwich; $5.50 fried fish sandwich. Takeout available. To order, call 412-276-1011, ext. 220.

HOLY CHILD, BRIDGEVILLE Ash Wednesday and Fridays of Lent, including Good Friday, 4-7 p.m., school cafeteria, 220 Station St. Fried fish and baked fish dinners and sandwiches, fried shrimp and cheese pizza. Note, special beer-battered fish on Feb. 22 and March 15. Sides include french fries, cole slaw, haluski, pierogies, stewed tomatoes and macaroni and cheese. Dessert is included with meal.

Dinners are $9 for adults, $5.50 for kids, and include two sides. A $1 “frequent flyer card” entitles holder to a fish sandwich after purchasing five adult dinners. Also, weekly prize raffles and lottery tickets. To order or more information, call 412-221-4720. See ad on Page 11.

OUR LADY OF GRACE, SCOTT TOWNSHIP Ash Wednesday and Fridays of Lent, including Good Friday, 4:30-7 p.m. (3-7 p.m. on Good Friday), Conroy

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Hall, 310 Kane Blvd. Serving hand-breaded North Atlantic cod. Dinners: shrimp, baked fish, fried fish, fish sandwich, crab cake and seafood platter. Cost is $9.50 adult dinner, $9 for seniors and kids, and $11.50 for seafood platter. A la carte menu includes pizza, baked potato, french fries, pierogies, haluski, lobster bisque, clam chowder and more.

OUR LADY OF VICTORY MARONITE CATHOLIC CHURCH, CARNEGIE Fridays of Lent, except Good Friday, 4-7:30 p.m., 1000 Lindsay Road. Fried and baked fish, salads, macaroni and cheese, and a variety of Lebanese dishes.

Chartiers Valley

Cost: dinner with two sides, $10; fish with choice of all sides, $12; fish sandwich, $6. Credit cards accepted. For more information, call 412-278-0841 or visit www.olov.info.

UKRAINIAN-AMERICAN CITIZENS CLUB, CARNEGIE Fridays of Lent, including Good Friday, 4-7:30 p.m., 302 Mansfield Blvd. Fried fish sandwiches, french fries, cole slaw, macaroni and cheese and homemade haluski.

Also, Irish (potato) nachos and Dave Calabria’s shrimp bisque. Sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 32.

INdustry Insight

“Magic Happens Outside of Your

Comfort Zone”

By Lisa Troyer e’ve all heard the saying, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” This is one of the greatest quotes ever and so very true. It applies to everything we do in life.

When applied to fitness, stepping out of your comfort zone may simply mean that you start an exercise program. Walking into a gym for the first time can be intimidating and sometimes pretty uncomfortable.

If you have considered joining a gym but you are lacking the courage to make those first steps, remember… magic happens outside of your comfort zone.

Perhaps your New Year’s resolution was to start an exercise program, but you aren’t seeing the results that you had hoped for. It may be time

W

to step up your exercise intensity. You can do this a number of ways; by adding an additional workout during the week, by working out longer, even investing in a personal trainer can help you reach your goals 40% faster than going it alone. Step over the line where the magic happens.

I

f you are already an avid fitness buff and you are hitting the dreaded exercise plateau, I want you to ask yourself this question during your next workout, “Do I feel comfortable?” If the answer is yes for the majority of your workout, it is safe to say that your body has adapted to your routine. It is time to step it up. It has been proven over and over that individuals that followed a varied, challenging program are going to achieve greater results than those who do the exact same thing week after week. If you jump into a diverse, progressive program, not only will you see impressive results when you look in the mirror, but psychologically the gym will not feel like a chore. There is no better rush than that of finishing a kick-butt workout.

The first step is to do something different.

Shock your body. If you are a runner, try a spinning class. If you only like to work your upper body, try a day of legs. And regardless of how long you have been exercising, working with a personal trainer may be just the push you need to get you to that place where the magic happens. The moments when you are working out at a high-intensity, sweating profusely, and you have completely left your comfort zone are the moments that count the most.

When you want something that you have never had you have to be willing to do something that you have never done. What is that something for you? Make it happen, I promise you that being uncomfortable can be absolutely exhilarating.

This INdustry INsight was written by Lisa Troyer. Lisa has been in the fitness industry for more than 17 years and is the owner of Fitness Fanatics in the Great Southern Shopping Center. She currently holds four nationally recognized fitness and personal training certifications and can be reached at 412.220.4190, ext. 3 or at fitnessfanatics@verizon.net. Check out www.fitnessfanaticsinc.com for more great fitness tips.

Chartiers Valley | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 47

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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