IN Chartiers Valley by IN Community Magazines

WINTER 2011

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hartiers Valley PUBLISHER

Wayne Dollard MANAGING EDITOR

Welcome to the Winter issue of Chartiers Valley Magazine. I hope you and yours had a wonderful fall, that the kids transitioned back to school well, and that you had an opportunity to catch a few Steelers games along the way. We all view winter differently – some see it as the holiday season, some see it as the gloomy period when we long for the swim trunks and patio furniture we put into storage. Others see it as their opportunity to break out the skis and sleds and hit the slopes. No matter how you view it, winter is a time when we have to be the most diligent—despite our mood about snow, or our preoccupation with playing in it—for those who need us the most…our seniors. While it’s hard enough for many of them to get around in good weather, the winter months can be a trial of terror for the elderly. Who’s going to shovel the snow? How will I get groceries? Will I be home before it’s too dark for me to see the road well enough to drive? And for those who have transitioned to assisted living facilities, the questions might be of an altogether different, but equally unsettling nature. Will anyone visit me for Christmas? Hanukah? New Years? These are our mothers, fathers, friends and neighbors, and they don’t like to ask anything of us. But they need us just the same. I know the economy is bad, and I’m not saying go out and spend money you don't have, but going caroling with a church group, or visiting someone who has no one is free to all of us. Chances are, you’ll not only put a smile on their face, you’ll be giving them something money can’t buy – the feeling that someone cares. Have a joyous holiday and happy New Year!

Marybeth Jeffries marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com REGIONAL EDITORS

Mark Berton [South and West] mark@incommunitymagazines.com Dana Black-McGrath [North] d.mcgrath@incommunitymagazines.com Monica L. Haynes [East] m.haynes@incommunitymagazines.com OFFICE MANAGER

Leo Vighetti leo@incommunitymagazines.com AD PLACEMENT COORDINATOR

Debbie Mountain d.mountain@incommunitymagazines.com GRAPHIC DESIGN

Cassie Brkich Anna Buzzelli Sharon Cobb Susie Doak

Jan McEvoy Joe Milne Tamara Tylenda

WRITERS

Heather Holtschlage Kelly Lotter Leigh Lyons Joann Naser

Pamela Palongue Gina Salinger Judith Schardt

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Wayne Dollard Publisher

Brad Lauer Kathleen Rudolph

Gary Yon

PROOFREADER

FROM THE EDITOR

Rachel Maize ADVERTISING SALES MANAGERS

Dovetailing off what Wayne said above, he’s right. Through college, I worked one of my part-time jobs as a waiter at Asbury Heights. And while Asbury is known as one of the better “old folks homes” out there, the great quality of the facility and staff couldn’t make up for what many of the residents didn’t have – family. Oftentimes, a new resident would show up in the dining room and feel out of place. Much like high school cafeterias, the two shifts of dinner were comprised of residents who had been together for years. They sat in the same seats at the same tables day after day and even ate the same dinners often enough that you knew what they were going to order before they had the chance to order it. New residents either had to be compellingly outgoing to break into an established crowd, or, more often than not, had to find an open seat and make friends with whoever sat across from them. Sometimes it worked out, sometimes not. But the most heartbreaking sight was around the holidays, when families would show up that you never saw throughout the course of the year – even though they were always welcome for dinner. Many residents had to sit alone, watching those families celebrate the season. I can’t read minds and say they felt sad or envious. But I can say that if it were me, I would be both. I’m not blameless. I have a grandmother in a local “old folks home” that I think of more than I visit, but I'm trying to do better. When we look around this holiday season and see the gifts in the stores or Santa riding on the fire truck and entertaining children in the malls, most of us should be thankful that we have people on our lists to buy for and with whom we can expect to share time together. Others don’t have that luxury, and haven’t for some time. We can all make someone smile this winter, so why not try?

Derek Bayer Tom Poljak

Tamara Myers

ADVERTISING SALES

Bruce Burkley Brian Daley Gina D’Alicandro Tina Dollard Karen Fadzen Julie Graff Jason Huffman Lori Jeffries Connie McDaniel Brian McKee Gabriel Negri

Aimee Nicolia Robert Ojeda Ralph Palaski Annette Petrone Vincent Sabatini Jennifer Schaefer Michael Silvert Karen Turkovich RJ Vighetti Nikki Capezio-Watson Sophia Williard

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

Spring content deadline: 2/5/12

Feliz Navidad, Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.

Mark Berton

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Chartiers Valley

2012 PROGRAM SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES NOW AVAILABLE.

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GEORGE MACINO, Treasurer G & S Signs

PAUL BONOSKY, Corporate Secretary Achieva/Parc-Way Industries

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KELLY HANNA KEYGroup

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2012 January March April

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Chartiers Valley | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 3

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.

INSIDE

IN Chartiers Valley | WINTER 2011 |

Bands compete in the annual Pennsylvania Interscholastic Marching Band Association. FEATURES

Girl Scouts Create Tribute in Memorial Garden ....................... | 47 Real Estate Make Your Home Cleaner and Greener

...... | 46

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS 21

Northwest Savings Bank

............. | 19

Bridgeville Animal Clinic ............... | 32 COMMUNITY INTEREST

Henry Wealth Management ............................... | 45

Chartiers Valley School District .......................................

Riding Out the Storm

UPMC Today | Health and Wellness News You Can Use ...........

Fitness Fanatics ................................ | 48

Chartiers Valley High School Competes in PIMBA ....

Helping Orphans in Zimbabwe .......................................................

Historical Marker to Commemorate Former Raceway and Sports Arena ...............................................

Nutrition is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not One Size Fits Allâ&#x20AC;? ...............................

Heidelberg Borough Borough Receives Grant to Prevent Alcohol-related Crimes ..............

Char Valley Soccer Association Enriching Young Lives for more than Twenty Years ............................ FEATURES

Kathy Surma Profile

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Chartiers Valley

safetydriven learn more on page 40

Chartiers Valley | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 5

chartiers valley school district

CVMS students mark anniversary of 9-11 attack Eighth grade students commemorated the victims of the 9-11 terrorist attacks in their civics classes on Friday, September 9. Each student was asked by civics teachers Mr. Sivitz and Ms. Benis to find or create an item that would be attached to two foam towers symbolizing tolerance and strength. During class as their items were placed on the towers, students wrote a brief essay on why they chose their parti cular item and its symbolic reference to the tragedy. Items placed on the towers included flags, medallions, peace symbols,

photos, pins, and flowers. Each student was also responsible for creating 25 links with victims’ names on them for a paper chain. The chain was draped along the fence at field level for Friday night’s varsity football game as a reminder of the lives lost on that tragic day.

Freshman Academy Team Building Exercises

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The freshman class gathered on the stadium field on the second day of school for team building and leadership exercises conducted by members of the Pennsylvania National Guard. The exercises were part of the new Freshman Academy Program. Activities included the Mohawk Walk, a team walk on balance beams set at 45 degree angles; Spider Web, where each member of a

group had to pass through diﬀerent opening is a r ope web without touching the rope; Minefield, where blindfolded students were directed across a section of field around hazards; and Aqueduct, where student blindly poured a cupful of water over their shoulder into the empty cup resting on another student’s head. The team-building activities were designed to engage students while helping them develop leadership and positive life skills. Several strategies were incorporated to develop skills and awareness in topics such as peer pressure, bullying, teamwork and the building of 6 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

self-confidence. The Freshman Academy or a “school within a school” has been created to help incoming freshmen transition into the high school setting. The Freshman Academy is a small learning community of three teams of approximately 90 students each. Teachers plan and communicate together in a professional learning community to help ensure that students achieve. This small setting will provide a personalized education that will encourage students to develop to their fullest potential. The core courses of English, math, science and social studies will be taught with a team approach. Students will take most classes with their core team when scheduling permits. An interdisciplinary team for the four core subjects will utilize strategies such as projectbased learning, one-to-one computing, and diﬀerentiated instruction to engage and encourage students to become successful learners. Goals of the Freshman Academy include: ■ Increase the number of highly engaged students ■ Increase the number of students passing 9th grade courses

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■ Increase the number of students who participate in extracurricular activities ■ Increase appropriate behavior in school ■ Increase the attendance rate ■ Increase promptness Advantages of Teaming: ■ Provide support within a large school for all levels of learning ■ Increase communication between teachers, students and parents ■ Engage in various team-building activities ■ Provide early interventions when necessary ■ Shared strategies for meeting students’ academic needs ■ Setting common expectations ■ Per sonalized education plans ■ Flexible scheduling will allow for guest speakers, field trips and multi-faceted projects

CHARTIERS VALLEY ENEWS Chartiers Valley School District is excited to announce that we’re moving to an electronic newsletter in 2012! In addition to being environmentally friendly, the Chartiers Valley eNewsletter will allow us to frequently communicate with you about the many wonderful things happening throughout the district. Stay in the loop! Sign up by emailing your name and current email address to enewsletter@cvsd.net. If you do not have an email address, please call 412-429-2234 to request a print version.

chartiers valley school district

Aaron Barnett awarded Kohl’s scholarship Aaron Barnett’s contributions to the local community have earned him a $1,000 Kohl’s Cares Scholarship. The sixth grader’s leaf and snow removal company, Rake-a-ling, has enabled Aaron to make donations in excess of $1,000 to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital to fund cancer research. Aaron started his company specifically to make donations to cancer research after losing his grandmother to the disease. “I was very ups et by her death and I wanted to do something so that other people won’t have to feel the way I did when she died,” Aaron said. Though it’s still quite a few years away, Aaron has his sights set on attending the Air Force Academy, University of Colorado, or University of Texas. Aaron has already been involved in a Junior Air Force prep program, and would most like to

The AP Biology Labs are now integrating new technologically advanced equipment and inquiry based learning instructional strategies to enhance students’ learning. Over

Board of Directors Beth McIntyre, President 412-429-9242 Pamela Poletti, Vice President 412-429-8717 Jeff Choura 412-221-7704 Wendy Huntoon 412-279-5048 Robert Kearney 412-279-0813l) Bridget Kelly 412-319-7934 Debra Rice 412-722-8021 Jamie Stevenson 724-307-3008 Sandra Zeleznik 412-279-2227

Central Administration

follow his father into the Air Force Academy a nd become an engineer or a search and rescue specialist. Kohl’s annually recognizes and rewards volunteers aged 6-18 across the country for their contributions to their communities.

the summer the Science Department acquired PASCO Probeware and handheld SPARK units to collect and analyze sensitive data in their AP Biology Labs. The SPARK units are portable handheld devices designed to provide students with a visual connection to science experiments and aid in data collection. The AP Biology students are responsible for identifying the control group from the experimental groups and the variable in each. Once the data is collected and analyzed in a graph form, the students interpret the data and make conclusions that can be applied to new situations.

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

AP Biology labs incorporate new technology

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

Chartiers Valley | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 7

CVMS Team wins Equations Bowl

chartiers valley school district

The Chartiers Valley Middle School team of Ellen Murphy, John Mucha, Sol LaBruna, Brendan Beale and Baladev Rice won the Middle School Equations Bowl title at the Heinz History Center on October 7. The first place winners prepared for the competition under the tutelage CVMS Gifted Coordinator Mr. Mike Scheinberg. The Equations Bowl competition tests knowledge of positive and negative numbers, negative and fractional e xponents, roots, factorials, reciprocals and other numerical concepts. Also earning

Academic League qualifying scores at the competition were Quinn Boyle, Devin Moore, Jack Barlow, Alex Evans, Matt Smith, Jonathan Uher, Jacob Kundra, Joel Fisher, Kevin Lau, Claire Elko, and Matthew Tolmer.

Turkey Trot raises over $3,000 The annual Middle School Turkey Trot on October 28th raised more than $3,000 to aid needy families this holiday season. The proceeds of the event will be disbursed in the form of grocery store gift cards which can used to purchase ingredients for holiday meals. Thanks go out to all Middle School families who donated to this worthy cause.

A Day Made Better Mrs. Persinger – a second grade teacher at Chartiers Valley Primary School – won OfficeMax’s “A Day Made Better.” Each year, OfficeMax donates $1,000 worth of classroom supplies to 1,000 deserving teachers. On Tuesday, Oct. 4, three OfficeMax employees surprised Mrs. Persinger’s class

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with a total of $1,100 worth of classroom supplies. In addition to the $1,000 from OﬃceMax in Bridgeville, local shoppers contributed $100. Her new supplies included everything from crayons and paper to a camera and printer. She even received a brand new desk chair. Mr. Yasher and Mrs. Persinger’s

Chartiers Valley

colleagues nominated her for this award because she is an excellent educator who exhibits a passion for teaching. Through individualized instruction, she is able to meet the needs of all of her students and engage them in learning. She also builds a wonderful atmosphere in her classroom while working with children as a full class, in small groups or individually. In addition to helping students, Mrs. Persinger serves on our school’s reading committee and works extensively on planning professional development for adults. She also serves as a mentor and role model for others, and never refuses to help anyone in need. Mrs. Persinger has spent her own mo ney on many of the classroom activities that she oﬀers and is truly appreciative of this award. The supplies will be put to excellent use and will certainly benefit her students.

Students offer ideas to improve Collier Towne Square Gifted and talented middle school students shared their ideas for Collier Towne Square with Ms. Emerald VanBuskirk, director of the Southwest Communities Chamber of Commerce in an October 27th meeting. “The students are interested in seeing improvements at the center since it is so close to our school,” said Gifted Program teacher Mike Scheinberg, who designed the project last year after seeing so many vacancies there. Building on last year’s research, the students have identified several problems at the shopping center including the lack of an anchor store, limited parking, and not enough advertising. Anchor stores suggested by the students this year include an Apple Store, Toys R Us, a mini Target Store, J.C. Penney, and a small Macy’s store. Other s tudents called for Dunkin’ Donuts, a Lego Store, Panera, an appliance store, and Barnes and Noble. Some other ideas ideas were a magic shop, a recreation facility for kids, and an ice skating rink. Seventh grader Delaney Molnar suggested the construction of a walkway over Route 50 so that customers could park on the other side of the street and walk safely to Collier Towne Square. “This would relieve the parking problem,” she said. Garrett Pelkofer, also from Grade 7, said there should also be some convenience stores such as Rite Aid to bring people there. Sixth grader James Scalise made a great model of the shopping center out of clay because “I knew that nobody else would do it this way.” Robbie Wanker, from Grade 6, brought in an authentic floor plan of the center, while Dean Roth put in a train ride. “This would get kids and parents to go there,” he said. VanBuskirk applauded the students’ work and ideas and is looking for ways to extend the discussion with other interested parties.

Chartiers Valley Primary School celebrated the grand opening of the new Book Room Sept. 28 with a pancake breakfast. Teachers have long been pursuing the idea of bringing more books at a variety of reading levels to the Primary School. So when Primary School received funds for flexible grouping materials last year, they knew it should go toward their Book Room. The Primary School used the funds to purchase sets of books that are “leveled” A-Z using the Fountas and Pinnell method. Instead of reading a book on “grade level,”

CVSD welcomed more than 140 attendees to a College Board AP Workshop hosted by the district on October. Four members of the high school staff had the opportunity to attend. The AP workshop offered workshop sessions in Biology, Calculus AB, English Literature, French Language & Culture, German Language & Culture, Psychology, U.S. History, Statistics and AP Coordinator. By offering professional development programs to K-12 teachers, counselors and administrators, the College Board hopes to help students develop the skills they need to be successful in college. Each year, the College Board offers about 20 AP and Pre-AP workshops in the Middle States Region. Some of our teachers were able to attend a PreAP Workshop at South Fayette which was also held Oct. 10.

teachers are able to match students to books according to their instructional level. This allows teachers to better meet the varied needs of their students. From researching and ordering the materials to setting up the space, teachers have been instrumental in making the new Book Room possible . They also played a major role in planning and organizing the grand opening celebration Sept. 28. The teachers would like to dedicate the book room to all of their students. They hope to provide students with the instruction and experiences needed to support their desire to learn, read and grow. Chartiers Valley Intermediate School celebrated the grand opening of their new Book Room on Oct. 31.

chartiers valley school district

Primary and Intermediate Schools Celebrate Book Room Openings

College Board holds Advanced Placement Workshop at CVHS

Chartiers Valley | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 9

Commended Students Chartiers Valley High School seniors Grace Moraca and Samuel Rubenstein have been named Commended Students in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program. Commended Students represent some of the most academically talented students in the country. A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation will be presented to Moraca and Rubenstein.

chartiers valley school district

Wizards Clown on the Hardwood The Cavalier Colts (a team of Chartiers Valley teachers, administrators and staﬀ) challenged the Harlem Wizards Oct. 27. The Colts gave it their all, but the Harlem Wizards took home the win. The event — which was sponsored by the CVIS PTG — included Spirit Wear, concessions, and a Chinese auction and souvenirs provided by the Harlem Wizards. In addition, Chartiers Valley fifth graders sang the National Anthem before the game. The Wizards also talked to the Primary and Intermediate schools about bullying prevention. As special thanks to all the teachers, staﬀ, administration and families who came out to support the district and made this event a great success. Several businesses in the community also supported the Harlem Wizards event. The PTG sends a special thanks to Pretzel Factory, Texas Roadhouse, LaBella Bean, Shop ‘n Save, Eat’n Park, Castrol Oil, ‘Burghs, The Bottle Shop, Moe’s, Nobby’s Pizzeria, Sami’s Screen House and the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott.

Rotary Provides 3rd Graders with Dictionaries Representatives of the CarnegieCollier Rotary Club distributed 275 new dictionaries to 3rd grade students and teachers Nov. 4th in the IS auditorium. Representing the Rotary Club were Kay Phanse, Tim Young, and Edgardo LaBruna. Dennis Kirk, and members of the high school’s Interact Club were on hand to aid with the distribution. The Rotary purchased the dictionaries from Scholastic, Inc. for $10.64 each. The Carnegie-Collier Rotary Club participates in and funds projects. The Club also provides community services such as Operation Backpack — which distributes food items to needy families — Relay for Life, and Shoes That Fit.

Author Speaks on Project Based Learning Dr. Bena Kallick, an education consultant, was at Chartiers Valley High School Oct. 31 to work with teachers on Chartiers Valley’s Project Based Learning initiative. Project Based Learning gives students the opportunity to apply what they learn in the classroom to a real world situation. Dr. Kallick began with a presentation for High School faculty on Project Based Learning. She discussed how to get started with projects as well as how to make projects rigorous

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Chartiers Valley

and meaningful. Following her presentation, the faculty divided into groups based on their subject areas. Teachers on the Project Based Learning Colt Team instructed their peers following Dr. Kallick’s presentation. Dr. Kallick spent time with each group to offer suggestions and share her expertise. Several project-based exercises have been developed at the high school following Dr. Kallick’s visit.

Dear America:

History Speaks Students in Mrs. Haley’s class participated in a webcast presented by Scholastic called Dear America: History Speaks featuring authors Lois Lowry, Andrea David Pinkney and Kirby Larson. Each diary in the Dear America book series is written by a diﬀerent author in order to give each story a unique and diverse historical perspective. Whether it is telling the tale of a pilgrim voyage across the treacherous Atlantic, or a young girl fighting for Japanese equality during WWII, the bestselling authors of the Dear America series transport the reader both emotionally and historically to a diﬀerent place and time. In Lowry’s book, Like the Willow Tree:The Diary of Lydia Amelia Pierce, Portland, Maine, 1918, she writes about the turn of the 20th Century in a Shaker Community. In Pinkney’s novel, we learn about the integration of schools in the 1950s and 60s. Larson tells of life in Seattle, Washington during World War II in The Fences Between Us: The Diary if Piper Davis. Before participating, students discussed what they already knew about these topics, as well as what they knew about journaling and writing stories. They also formulated some questions for the authors. Although none of their questions were asked dur ing the webcast, the students heard questions from all over the country including Michigan and California. The three authors discussed the time periods that they wrote about and how they developed their stories and the craft of writing. While

students found all of the authors interesting and insightful, they were most interested in Lowry who is also the author of Newbery Award Winner Number the Stars, a World War II novel that students will read in class this year.

The students in Ms. Schweikert’s and Ms. O’Toole’s second grade classes have recognized that fall is a harvest season. They have completed a unit on apples and Johnny Appleseed. The unit was introduced by creating the four seasons of an apple tree. The students worked in cooperative groups to brainstorm apple words that pertained to their category. An apple taste test was held where students were able to sample Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, McIntosh, and

Granny Smith apples. A graph was designed which revealed Granny Smith as the favorite in

Ms. Schweikert’s room. An individual apple tree was created from apple prints. Students

created the thumbprint apples after selecting their favorite apple from the taste test. The students used their five senses to write about apples. These are just a few of the many activities completed dur ing the unit. As a culminating activity, the students were permitted to dress like Johnny Appleseed, sample a variety of apple foods, and make a caramel apple that was a sticky, fun experience!

Chartiers Valley | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 11

chartiers valley school district

Lessons on Agricultural Harvest Season have Sweet Ending

chartiers valley school district

Mr. Cairns’s 4th grade class discovered that if it wanted to find out what was in an owl’s diet, it could determine the answer by inspecting the raptor’s pellets. Owls, like many other birds, eat their food whole. Since birds do not have teeth, they can’t chew their food. Therefore, they use their strong and sharp beaks to rip their prey apart and then swallow large chunks

whole. The owl slowly digests its m eal by separating the softer materials (such as meat) from the harder material (such as bones). It then regurgitates the harder material along with indigestible items in the form of a pellet. Owl pellets can contain many diﬀerent things, but mostly they contain bones. Other items that are sometimes found in owl

pellets include feathers amd fur. Students dissected owl pellets to look for the different types of bones such as hip bones (with the ball and socket joint), leg bones, curved rib bones, skull, lower jaw bones, vertebrae, and feathers and fur to determine the owl’s prey. The grading rubric for the assignment included: • The student observed and dissected the pellet. • The student collected data by sorting bones by type and counting the number of each type. • The student created a graph with data about the bones in the pellet. • The student estimated the number of animal remains in the pellet. • The student shared conclusions about owl pellets with the class. In birds of prey like the owl, the regurgitation of pellets serves the bird’s health in another way, by “scouring” parts of the digestive tract, including the gullet. Pellets are formed within six to ten hours of a meal in the bird’s gizzard. This same process is used by ornithologists to analyze the seasonal variation in bird’s eating habits. One advantage of collecting pellets is that it allows for the determination of diet without the killing and dissection of the bird. Pellets are found in different locations, depending on the species. In general, roosting and nesting sites are good places to look: for most hawks and owls, under coniferous trees; for Barn Owls, at the bases of cliffs or in barns and silos; for yet other species of owls, at their burrows or in marsh and field grasses.

CVMS places at History Bowl The team of Sol LaBruna, Kylie Johnson, Miranda Marcucci, and Annie Pacella finished just four points short of first place, finishing third in a tightly contested middle school History Bowl in October. The History Bowl is an annual event in which students compete in various history-related activities at the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center. Four-person teams compete in hands-on activities designed to allow the students to explore the rich history of the Pittsburgh region. The event is hosted by the Historical

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Society of Western Pennsylvania and the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. More than 25 teams from area schools competed. Events related to exhibits included taking on the persona of a participant in the French and Indian War and writing a letter home to share details of battle; finding artifacts within exhibits to complete a scavenger hunt; placing flag events in chronological order; and writing a short biography of boxer Charles Burkley.

First graders Read For the Record Room 123 and 111 sat down to read and stood up for preschool children! Millions of adults and children across the country, including our own first grade students from Mrs. Zissis’ and Mrs. Gribben’s classes, took part in Jumpstart’s Read For the Record on October 6. This nationwide campaign promotes the importance of early educat ion and breaks the record for the largest shared reading experience on a single day. This year, the campaign also tracked how many people read the book online through Jumpstart’s partner, We Give Books, to set an additional record for the largest digital reading record on a single day. Our first grade students read Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney online using the smart board. We Give Books will d onate books to preschool children in low income neighborhoods based on the number of participants taking part in the world record. To add to the excitement of the story the first graders wore their pajamas and munched on doughnuts as they listened.

Academies approach gains momentum at CVHS

Chartiers Valley | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 13

chartiers valley school district

Nearly 50 parents, students, teachers and administrators gathered Sept. 20 for the an academies kick-off meeting. Academies are small learning communities that allow students to pursue courses in a specific discipline. The district will partner with Project Lead the Way to provide a rigorous and relevant STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education. In addition, the Engineering Committee – which consists of seven engineers, three parents, four administrators, three teachers, three students, one counselor and the community outreach coordinator – will be instrumental in shaping the direction of the Engineering Academy at CVSD. The first upper classman academy to be instituted at Chartiers Valley High School will be an Engineer Academy. The advisory committee, made up of seven engineers, three parents, four administrators (HS Principal Tom Samosky, MS Principal John Ackermann, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum Yvonne Hawkins, and Director of Administrative Services Dr. Terri Flynn), three teachers (Jeff Macek, Chris Sherman, and Chad Warren), three students, one counselor (Lesley Kunkel), and the community outreach coordinator (Lynn Heasley), held its first official meeting on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011. The meeting started with an overview of the Technology Education Department by

department chair Jeff Macek and overview of the Engineering Program by Chris Sherman. Students Chase Mantini, Josh Hinnebush, and Melanie Wieland then provided their perspective of the program. Professional engineers on the committee include Tony Foster (CEO-Chem Tech), Marc Piccolino, Dave Beachler (URS/Greiner), Megan Roe (PPG), Kirk Young (McKesson) and Patricia Wieland (Bettis Lab). Parents include Steve Reinstadtler, a chemist at Bayer Corp., Mr. Young and Mrs. Wieland. The committee began building a database of contributors for the program and requested assistance from the engineers in the following areas: • Speakers • Student field trips • Mock interviews • Job shadows • Project panel • Promotional ideas to attract girls • Marketing ideas for the Academy Developing this partnership with members of the business community will be of great value to CVHS as it moves forward with the Academies program.

HEATHER SERDY: Serdy has served in the United States Army for over 19 years and was mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. She has been a military policeman, journalist, career counselor and broadcast journalist for the United States Army, just to name a few of the skilled services she has provided. RAYNA CAWLEY: Cawley is a Cadet in the Temple University ROTC and a 2009 Chartiers Valley Graduate. She has spent two years on the Ranger Challenge Team and will attend a Leadership Development and Assessment course, a Cadet Troop Leader course and an Airborne School this summer.

EDWARD GREINER, JR.: Greiner is currently a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army and has served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Mr. Greiner was deployed to Afghanistan from April 2005-06 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He then volunteered for “the Surge” into Baghdad, Iraq, from January 2007 to March 2008. He has served in the army for 7.5 years with 27 months in combat. ANTHONY SHAFFER: Shaffer has served in the United States Army for over 14 years. He was deployed in support of combat operations for Operation Iraqi Freedom for a total of 38 months. Prior to this, he had been stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina with the 82nd Airborne Division and Fort Carson, Colorado with the 4th Infantry Division.

“This is the third time I’ve come in. At first I was a bit hesitant, but it turns out that it’s really fun. I think the main reason for doing this is to give the kids some insight in regards to any misconceptions that young Americans might have about our current conflicts.” – SSG Carlos Burgos “The participants do not come here to recruit on this day. They are here to share their experiences with the students and answer their questions about war and lif e in the military. I can think of few ways to create a better learning environment than to have actual veterans of foreign conflicts come in and talk about their experiences first-hand.” – Mr. Crimone Crimone prepares the class the day before the veterans' visit by asking students to write down at least two things they have wondered about life in the military or war in general. “Talking to the students took me back to high school. I remembered my views and feelings on a lot of things that have since changed. I love what I’m doing, seeing students with interest in the military make me excited for them because of the vast possibilities and experiences they may go through if they join.” – Rayna Cawley, CV Graduate ‘09 In addition to meeting the students, SSG Burgos and Cawley both were members of the Honor Guar d for the Veterans Day Celebration. “What I liked about the veterans is how proud they were about their service and country.” – Jordan Pennine

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chartiers valley school district

CARLOS BURGOS: Sergeant Burgos served in the United States Army in Iraq. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device for Valor for moving under direct enemy fire to save the life of a soldier during a complex ambush on the night of February 18, 2007. Sergeant Burgos served two tours of duty in Iraq of 9 and 15 months as a military policeman and medic. He trained over 300 Iraqi first responders.

MR. CRIMONE’S FRESHMAN AMERICAN CULTURES CLASSES RECEIVED FIRSTHAND ACCOUNTS FROM FOUR ARMY VETEraNS WHO HAD COMBAT ExPERIENCES IN Iraq AND AFGHANISTAN. SSG Carlos Burgos, SSG Edward Greiner, Jr., SSG Anthony Shaﬀer, SFC Heather Serdy, CPT Glenn Mallia and Rayna Cawley, a member of Temple University’s ROTC program, spent the morning answering a wide array of student questions. “Today we had the privilege to mee t and talk to the veterans. The veterans answer all of our questions we asked them. Today we learning that they are truly heroes of our country! We want to thank them again for sharing their time.” – Cara Langerman and Molly Mayhew Crimone wanted students to have an opportunity to talk to soldiers who have put themselves in harm’s way and volunteer to support our country. The students asked questions about wh ere they lived during their time in combat, their scariest experiences, why they joined the Army, how they earned their respective awards, what they were doing on 9/11 and how their military experiences have impacted their family. A few of the participants spent extra time talking about the living conditions when they were away from any oﬃcial United States military instillation for eight months or longer. Others expounded on their positive personal experiences with the nationals (local indigenous peoples of Iraq and Afghanistan). Each participant agreed that the news media has misinformed the public about the relationship between the United States Armed Services and the nationals. They felt the relationship is much more positive than portrayed by the news media.

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Chartiers Valley High School held its 8th Annual Verterans Day Flagraising Ceremony on November 11. The ceremony featured veterans from the past five U.S. armed conflicts (WWII-Afghanistan). Student Council oﬃcers read short biographies of the 11 featured veterans prior to the flag being raised by a military Honor Guard. The Select and Bel Canto choruses performed several pa triotic songs to begin and end the ceremony. More than 30 veterans attended the ceremony and stayed for several hours to discuss their war experiences with students.

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What began as a curriculum-based activity four years ago has been recognized for its continued integration of environmental stewardship and habitat preservation. Working on a photojournalism project for Point Park University, Laura Quinn, a 2009 alumna of Chartiers Valley, covered the classroom study and outdoor work performed by third graders in 3H. In November 2007, 3H participated in the United Nations’ Billion Tree Campaign: Plant for the Planet. They planted and have been caring for twelve pear and maple trees around the Chartiers Valley Intermediate School campus. On September 30, Quinn visited the school and covered how the work and care continues as 3H’s students provide the trees with much needed water during dry periods using recyclable plastic containers to deliver the resource, identify and examine leaf patterns (as part of the FOSS-Full Option Science System), integrate mathematics through measuring growth of the trunk and height of branches, identify nesting locations of birds and other species using the trees as a habitat, record seasonal changes with respect to budding, flowering, and leaf growth, and assist with basic care of the trees. The students learn how a single tree uses the photosynthetic process, converting carbon dioxide to oxygen, and how large forests provide the planet with cooling elements and atmospheric sustainability. Quinn recognized how passionate the students are about the environment. Their enthusiasm for her visit to see them demonstrate stewardship was contagious as she commented, “This is a great way for the students to actively learn and show pride in their efforts. They clearly understand the value and love taking care of something that will be around for their children to enjoy.” The students were excited to have the opportunity to share and show how their hard work is helping the environment. Third grader Lexi Morris proudly commented, “It’s nice having a college student cover our work.”

chartiers valley school district

Ms. Schweikert’s 2nd grade class and Ms. Conley’s 1st grade class hosted family and friends who served in the armed forces at a Veterans Tea. Students read inspirational quotes, sang patriotic songs and recognized their guests at the reception. One guest who was unable to attend due to a current military commitment being served in Afghanistan, Sgt. Andy Garcia – cousin to 2nd grader Mackenzie Minney, sent an email to the class. “Thank you for thinking of me and my brothers and sisters-in-arms today. What we do each and every day, we do for the people we love – like you – and for our country. I would never want anything to harm you and I feel that I was made to defend my family and country. I appreciate your thoughts, love and prayers. Have a good day on Veterans Day and thanks for thinking about us.”

Third Grade Students’ Environmental Stewardship with Point Park University

Chartiers Valley | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 15

Olweus Bullying Prevention KicKoff

chartiers valley school district

EvEnts

Primary School students gathered in the gym Oct. 18 for the school's for the school’s Olweus Bullying Prevention Program kickoff event. Middle School cheerleaders greeted students as they entered the gym and set the mood for the assembly with a routine of tumbling, stunts and cheers. Assistant Principal Julie Hopp followed with a presentation on the Primary School’s Olweus Program COLT theme, leading stu dents through a recitation of the COLT pledge: We are COLTS because we… Choose to cooperate with our teachers and classmates Obey our bullying promise Listen so we can learn Treat others with respect Stop and think before we act The PTG provided each student and staff member with a t-shirt imprinted with the COLT pledge to wear at the event. Students and staff will also wear the t-shirts every Tuesday - the design ated day to discuss bullying issues in their classroom. Guest speaker Tim Hartman of the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh engaged students with stories about treating people with respect and kindness and encouraged the students to stand up for one another to stop bullying in their school. Intermediate School students attended a similar event Nov. 9. Assistant Principal Mr. Marc Hubert introduced the day's special guests, Dialed Action Sports Team, a bicycle stunt team from State College, PA. The team performed numerous jumps and stunts on and off of a ramp, including jumping over Mr. Hubert seated in a chair on top of the ramp and over a group of teachers lying on the floor. Team Dialed also spoke about ways to identify and prevent bullying in our schools.

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Chartiers Valley

Each school in the district will also follow these four anti-bullying rules as set forth in the Olweus Program: 1. We will not bully others. 2. We will help students who are being bullied. 3. We will include students who are left out. 4. If we know that somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.

High 5 Program Receives Grant The Intermediate School has received an $8,328.00 Highmark Healthy High 5 School Challenge grant to fund the High 5 Fitness Program. The program will provide students with enhanced nutrition education and fitness education. With rates of childhood obesity on the rise, this grant will support CVIS’s efforts to help students adopt healthy behaviors that will stay with them for a lifetime. “Physical activity and nutrition play a critical role in reducing childhood

obesity,” said Yvonne Cook, president of the Highmark Foundation. “With this grant, Chartiers Valley Intermediate School will have additional resources available to educate students – and their parents – on simple lifestyle changes that can be made to improve the health and wellbeing of our children.” Physical education teachers Jeff Reicoff and Shelly Thropp, writers of the grant application, plan on purchasing equipment that increase heart rate and

cardiovascular exertion, improve overall fitness and cardio health, burn calories and develop coordination. The Intermediate School plans to purchase several Dance Dance Revolution machines (which will also be used during indoor recess) and pedometers to track progress in the students’ physical education fitness unit.

Freshman Academy calculates an overland trek to understand the Whiskey Rebellion to travel to Philadelphia.” – Mr. Himmler (Sigma Team) Since the Pittsburgh region was not heavily populated, local farmers needed to transport whiskey to Philadelphia to sell in order to make a profit. The activity helped students gain an understanding of why Pittsburgh’s farmers refused to pay the whiskey tax and/or appear at court in Philadelphia to stand trial for refusing to pay the tax. “It was amazing to see how long it would have taken to go to Philadelphia on foot in the 1700s” – Matthew Oelschlager

chartiers valley school district

The goal of an integrated studies activity was to have the Freshman Academy students gain an understanding of the mathematical and logistical complications of growing rye and producing whiskey in the Pittsburgh area in the 1790s. Students began by walking one lap around the High School’s track. Upon completion, the students were given their lap times. Once they returned to the classroom, students began converting their individual lap times into hours, calculating their rate in miles per hour (mph), researching the distance from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, calculating the total time it would take to walk from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, and converting that data into the number of days for the trip assuming the average person can only walk ten hours a day. “At first I didn’t know how math possibly related to the Whiskey Rebellion. I was surprised to know we could find our average speed just by walking one lap around the track.” – Allan Klisavage “The students did a good job applying new math skills with their prior knowledge to complete the task. Converting measurements is something used not only in math, but in many science classes as well. The task challenged them and pushed them outside of their comfort zone, but after collaborating with each other, the students were able to find their rate, and after using the computer to find the distance to Philadelphia, they were able to use skills from their science class to figure out the time it would take

Chartiers Valley | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 17

Bridgeville Area Blood Bank Blood Donor Drive

When: saturday, January, 28 Where: Bridgeville volunteer fire Dept. 370 commercial st.

412.221.1711 This drive is for all firemen, police, EMS and all residents!

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Chartiers Valley | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 19

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Chartiers Valley

WINTER 2011

Health and Wellness News You Can Use

BundleUp,Baby Remember how Mom made you bundle up before going outdoors in the winter so you wouldn’t get sick? She was right. So be sure you dress for the weather — and that means covering your head, ears, mouth, and hands. Turn to page 4 to learn why your ears, nose, and throat need extra care in winter.

What’s Inside

page 2

UPMC Now Offers Imaging Services in West Mifflin

page 3

When Your Body Talks ... Be Sure to Listen

page 4

Make a Date with Your Doctor Three Cheers for Your Ears, Nose, and Throat

page 5

Technology for 21st Century Hospitals

page 6

Taking on Tourette Controlling a life in motion at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC

page 7

Changes Continue to Transform UPMC Mercy Emergency Dpeartment

UPMC Now Offers Imaging Services in West Mifflin For West Mifflin area residents, the new UPMC West Mifflin facility is bringing UPMC’s high quality care, including the latest in imaging technology, right to their doorstep. “We understand that not everyone can or wants to travel outside their community for treatment or a particular test,” says Stephanie Pankow, administrative director of UPMC West Mifflin. “Our communities and neighborhoods are at the heart of what makes Pittsburgh such a special place to live and work. Helping to keep them strong and healthy is important to us,” adds Ms. Pankow. Located at 1907 Lebanon Church Road in West Mifflin (near Century Square), the new facility is home to the UPMC Cancer Centers, Quest Diagnostics, and UPMC Imaging Services. The new facility also features comfortable and attractive waiting and testing areas, as well as free parking.

Onsite, subspecialty trained radiologists provide your doctor with fast, high-quality readings, important results your doctor uses in making an accurate diagnosis and crafting a treatment plan. “Physicians in the UPMC network can choose to get their patient’s imaging results electronically,” says Ms. Pankow.

“Our communities and neighborhoods are at the heart of what makes Pittsburgh such a special place to live and work. Helping to keep them strong and healthy is important to us.” — Stephanie Pankow

The care you need — close to home Whether your doctor suspects a broken pinky finger and wants a quick x-ray or your specialist has ordered a CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound, UPMC West Mifflin gives residents easy access to a wide range of imaging services.

“UPMC West Mifflin has the most advanced imaging technology available, including a state-of-the-art 64-slice CT scanner that is faster and offers more accurate images,” says Melissa Kovtun, executive director of Imaging Services. Imaging services available onsite include:

Moving the well-established UPMC Cancer Centers to the new UPMC West Mifflin location adds to patient convenience and comfort by making imaging services available nearby. “Patients can be assured that all of the center’s advanced cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment options still will be offered — just in a different location,” says Ms. Pankow. UPMC West Mifflin 1907 Lebanon Church Road West Mifflin, PA 15122 Imaging Services Phone: 412-653-8030 Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday by appointment UPMC Cancer Center Phone: 412-653-8100 Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• MRI • CT • General/Vascular • General Radiology (including x-rays) • Ultrasound

UPMC.com/Today

For more information about UPMC West Mifflin, visit UPMC.com.

When Your BodyTalks…

Be Sure toListen Being attuned to changes in your body can help in the early detection and treatment of cancer and other serious medical problems Is your body trying to tell you something important? It can be an excellent communicator — if you pay careful attention to its symptoms. There are numerous warning symptoms for cancer, many of which also can point to other serious medical conditions. That’s why you should call your primary care physician (PCP) if you have any unusual or persistent symptoms lasting longer than two or three weeks, says Edward Chu, MD, chief of the Division of Hematology/ Oncology at UPMC and deputy director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. “The vast majority of patients will get a clean bill of health from their doctor,” says Dr. Chu. “But when it comes to cancer, time is often of the essence. Early detection can help keep cancer from spreading, allow for faster treatment, and improve your chances for recovery.”

Symptoms that reveal Most of us know to be on the lookout for such important cancer warning signs as a sore that does not heal; a thickening or lump in the breast, or other parts of the body; blood in the stool or urine; or changes in the size or color of a mole.

Dr. Chu says it’s also important to be aware of more generalized body changes (also known as constitutional symptoms) that can compromise your physical performance and overall well-being. By getting to know what’s typical for your own body, you’ll be better able to recognize unfamiliar changes when they occur. They can include: • Extreme tiredness (fatigue) • Unexplained weight loss (typically 10 pounds or more) or loss of appetite • Changes in how food tastes • Fever and chills • Night sweats • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing “These symptoms don’t necessarily mean you have cancer,” he emphasizes. “But if they linger or worsen, it’s important for your doctor to rule out — or treat — possible problems.” If you are interested in locating a PCP or specialist in your area, visit UPMC.com/FindADoctor or call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762).

Did You Know? The University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI), based at the Hillman Cancer Center in Shadyside, is the only National Cancer Institutedesignated Comprehensive Cancer Center in western Pennsylvania. Learn more about UPCI and its partnership with UPMC Cancer Centers at UPCI.UPMC.edu.

Cancer Screenings: Are they right for you? Another important tool in the early detection of cancer is screenings. “When combined with regular checkups with your family doctor or specialist, screenings like mammograms, PAP smears, and colorectal exams have proven to be invaluable in the fight against cancer,” says Eric Safyan, MD, of UPMC Cancer Center at UPMC Mercy. “Your personal and family medical history, risk factors, age, and other considerations will help your physician recommend the right tests — and frequency — for you.” To learn more about the programs and services at UPMC Cancer Center at UPMC Mercy, visit UPMCMercy.com.

1-800-533-UPMC

Health Tips from UPMC Health Plan

Make a Date With Your Doctor You take your car to the mechanic for an annual inspection to be sure it’s running properly. So why aren’t you giving your body the same kind of attention? When you’re in good health, it’s easy to put off going to the doctor. But regular checkups can help you stay healthy, and avoid disease and disability. That’s why scheduling a physical is the one New Year’s resolution you should keep. “Your annual exam is the perfect time to talk with your doctor about illness prevention, healthy lifestyle choices, and any recommended screenings,” says Timothy Campbell, MD, of Campbell/Philbin Medical Associates PC and UPMC Mercy. “That information helps you and your doctor create a plan to maintain your health, or make changes to improve your health.” Building an ongoing relationship with a primary care physician (PCP) also means peace of mind. “There’s real value to being seen by someone who knows you and your health history — someone you trust to guide you through an illness or emergency,” adds Dr. Campbell.

Your exam checklist How can you make the most of your annual exam? Here are four things to do before you see the doctor:

1. Make a list of all medications you are taking Include all prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements that you currently take, how often you take them, and why.

2. Update your family history Your family history can provide important clues about your risk for certain diseases, including diabetes, some cancers, and heart disease.

3. Ask about health screenings Screenings can be important tools in preventing some illnesses and diseases. Get a list of recommended screenings and talk about them with your doctor.

4. Make a list of questions or health concerns Asking questions and sharing your concerns about health issues helps your doctor improve your care. One final piece of advice: Be honest. “Never be afraid or embarrassed to tell your doctor something,” adds Dr. Campbell. “What you don’t disclose could be important for your doctor to make an accurate diagnosis or prescribe the best treatment plan.”

UPMC.com/Today

Three Cheers for Your Ears, Nose, and Throat Winter is the season for sniffles, scratchy throats, and earaches — often all at once! And with good reason: our ears, nose, and throat all are connected and affect each other greatly. Otolaryngologists (also known as ear, nose, and throat doctors or ENTs) are physicians who specialize in caring for this complex, interrelated system. Test your ENT knowledge with this quick quiz:

Who gets earaches more often — children or adults? Nearly every child experiences at least one ear infection between infancy and the age of five — something weary parents know firsthand. Because children have shorter, straighter Eustachian tubes (which connect the nose to the ears), it’s easier for bacteria to migrate into their ears.

Why are you more likely to get a nosebleed in winter? The same heated indoor air that makes your home cozy in winter also can dehydrate the inside of your nose. It can become crusted or cracked, or can even bleed. A dry nose makes you more susceptible to germs, so exercise good nose care. Lightly coat the inside with petroleum jelly. Overthe-counter saline mists and sprays (not decongestants) also are helpful.

Will antibiotics cure laryngitis? Most cases of laryngitis are caused by viral infections that make the vocal cords swell — so antibiotics are ineffective. Your best course of action? Drink plenty of fluids, rest, and cut back on talking. Straining your voice when you have acute laryngitis can damage your vocal cords. Source: American Society of Otolaryngology

Technology for 21st Century Hospitals How technology is working to transform the quality of your care during hospitalization If you ever have to be hospitalized, you’ll certainly want to be cared for at a place that delivers quality health care using the latest technology available. That’s precisely what patients find when they are admitted to a UPMC hospital. “UPMC’s vision of quality is for every patient to receive the right care, at the right time, in the right way — every time,” says Tami Minnier, RN, and chief quality officer for UPMC. “Technology lets us serve patients more efficiently and accurately. Most of all, we’re able to give patients greater control of their health care.” Here are just two of the ways UPMC hospitals are delivering on that goal.

SmartRoom® technology brings it all to you Launched three years ago by UPMC in partnership with IBM, SmartRoom is an impressive technology. First used at UPMC Shadyside and UPMC Montefiore, it is gradually being introduced in other UPMC hospitals. All patient rooms at the new UPMC East will be equipped with SmartRoom technology. SmartRoom brings all essential data related to your care to your bedside. Its computerized software programs give caregivers fingertip access to all the information essential to your care — from your electronic medical records to the tests you’ll need that day.

The SmartRoom concept simplifies workflow and makes documentation of your care faster and easier. Each room has two screens: one for your caregivers, and another for you to access email, entertainment, and a vast library of patient education videos and information.

The right meds at the right time “It is our goal to make the hospitalization and discharge experience as stress-free as possible for our patients and their families,” says Jacqueline Dailey, UPMC’s vice president for Solutions for Medical Science, Research, and Patient Centered Accountable Care. “Not surprisingly, by the time patients leave the hospital, they’re often confused and overwhelmed by changes in their medications and how to take them.” “We begin when you’re admitted with an electronic assessment of your current medications and how they’re being taken,” explains Ms. Dailey. “As medications are adjusted or eliminated during your stay, this information is instantly available to all your physicians — from your family doctor to the specialists caring for you. That’s especially important if you transition from one level of care to another, such as intensive to acute care.” An added layer of safety: both a pharmacist and the nurse administering the medications verify any new medication orders from your doctors. Throughout your stay, you’ll receive comprehensive instructions on your medications. “We know that people learn in different ways, so this information will be shared multiple times and in multiple ways,” notes Ms. Dailey. “We also urge patients to contact their doctors for help with any questions they may have on their return home.”

1-800-533-UPMC

Taking on Tourette Controlling a life in motion at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC That’s especially difficult for adolescents who want to fit in. Tics, such as throat clearing, turning, or shaking, also can cause pain.

Seven Barnishin was just 11, playing with action figures alone in his Pitcairn home, when the tics began — involuntary arm flicks, head jerks, and sounds. “I freaked. It seemed like something else was controlling me,” he says.

At the Tourette Syndrome Clinic, patients have access to a trio of experts: two pediatric neurologists with training in neurodevelopmental disorders, and an adult neurologist trained in movement disorders who provides transitional care for older teens.

Tom and Amy Barnishin first thought their son’s behavior was linked to the start of the school year and peer pressure. When symptoms grew worse, and other tics emerged, their doctor sent Seven to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC where he was officially diagnosed with Tourette syndrome (TS) in January 2009. “We were blindsided,” says Amy.

Be in the know about TS Treatment varies.While there’s no cure, medication sometimes helps control tics. Psychologists can teach habit reversal and relaxation techniques to help patients cope with stress and reduce symptoms. But the most important treatment is education, says Dr. Coffman. “That includes educating families, educators, and the general public about TS.”

Diagnosing Tourette syndrome TS is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting one in 100 people, says Keith Coffman, MD, a pediatric neurologist and co-director of the Tourette Syndrome Clinic, part of the Brain Care Institute at Children’s Hospital. Most cases are diagnosed between ages 3 and 12; the majority are boys. The main symptoms are sudden, repetitive, uncontrollable movements and sounds called tics, including throatclearing, sniffing, blinking, gestures, and head jerking. For a true TS diagnosis, tics must start before age 18, include two or more motor tics and at least one vocal tic, and last at least one year. Tics peak at the onset of puberty. Approximately 60 percent of children outgrow the tics, or the tics become so subtle only that person knows when they occur.

Did You Know? An estimated 200,000 Americans have TS, but misconceptions still surround the disorder. For example, TS is not an emotional or behavioral condition. It is an inherited neurodevelopmental disorder that causes abnormalities in the brain.

UPMC.com/Today

Coping with Tourette “People with TS cannot control their tics. They experience a sensation that makes them feel like they have to move — like having to sneeze,” Dr. Coffman says. The earlier the diagnosis, the sooner children can benefit. Movements can interfere with school work. Children with TS often are bullied, teased, or viewed as being disruptive.

Other TS facts include: • TS patients have the same IQ range as the general population. • People in every walk of life, including professional musicians, athletes, authors, and scientists, have TS. • Less than 15 percent of TS patients swear or use inappropriate expressions.

“Knowledge is power. I’d be unnerved if I didn’t know what it was,” adds Seven, now age 14. Although he cycled through almost every tic, the movements and sounds have subsided with treatment. The Barnishins credit the team at Children’s for helping them understand TS, guiding them through treatment options, and providing support. “Children’s gave us answers and helped us gain control over an uncontrollable situation. Instead of being spectators, we were part of the process. That helped lower Seven’s anxiety, which helped ease the tics,” says Tom. To learn more about the Tourette Syndrome Clinic and the Movement Disorders Clinic at Children’s Hospital, visit chp.edu, choose Neurology as the service, then click the Clinics and Services button on the left.

Changes Continue to Transform UPMC Mercy Emergency Department Recently completed makeover cuts wait times with focus on care UPMC Mercy’s Emergency Department (ED) has put the finishing touches on a major expansion and renovation project with the opening of a new patient observation unit in December. Known as a Clinical Decision Unit (CDU), the 17-bed facility provides a special transitional area for patients — including those with chest pain, asthma, or abdominal pain — who need more time for treatment or testing before a decision is made to discharge or admit them. Patients will stay in the CDU while awaiting their test results, freeing up beds for other emergency and admitted patients, says Michael Turturro, MD, chief of Emergency Services at UPMC Mercy. “All of our ED improvements focus on enhancing the patient care experience. We’re treating patients more quickly, more efficiently, and more comfortably,” Dr. Turturro says.

Expanded capacity Before the 18-month expansion and renovation project began, the UPMC Mercy ED treated approximately 45,000 patients annually. Last year, the ED reported 70,000 patient visits. Now averaging nearly 200 patients a day, UPMC Mercy’s ED is on track to see at least 73,000 patients this year. The new ED, with 36 beds, also has created more capacity by improving its efficiency. “But no matter how many rooms or beds we add, there are always challenges,” says Valerie Krasneski-Schreiber, RN, BSN, MS, unit director of UPMC Mercy’s ED. “Our top priority is to deliver safe patient care quickly and more efficiently.”

New Super Track: Quick assessments and streamlined care Key to achieving that goal is a redesigned reception area staffed by a clinical nurse who makes quick assessments and assigns patients to one of three levels of emergency care. Dr. Turturro says ED patients now move from the reception area to a treatment room within an average of 10 minutes of arrival.

In addition, the Mercy ED’s innovative new Super Track concept offers speedy care for patients with minor injuries and illnesses needing less urgent care — moving them through treatment to discharge in under an hour. “With Super Track, our goal is to ensure that patients who come to the ED with minor injuries and illnesses quickly get back to their lives after receiving prompt, comprehensive care,” says Tom Gronow, MHA, vice president of operations at UPMC Mercy.

Faster lab results Another important ED upgrade is the addition of a mini-lab providing critical point-of-care-testing for ED patients. That means faster urine tests, rapid strep, blood analysis, and other key tests that can speed up treatment. “Having test results in minutes absolutely makes a difference,” says Ms. Krasneski-Schreiber. “In stroke patients, for example, time is of the essence. We need vital information to make the right decisions and act quickly.” Other ED improvements include: • Thirty-six newly renovated treatment bays • Two new state-of-the-art trauma resuscitation bays for treating the most acutely injured patients • A new 128-slice CT scanner offering the latest imaging technology with faster scanning capability • An expanded and modernized patient and family reception area (featuring stained glass panels from the original Mercy Hospital chapel) • Wireless Internet access and flat-screen TVs To learn more about UPMC Mercy and its ED services, visit UPMCMercy.com.

1-800-533-UPMC

UPMC Mercy 1400 Locust St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219

UPMC Today is published quarterly to provide you with health and wellness information and classes and events available at UPMC. This publication is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or replace a physicianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s medical assessment. Always consult first with your physician about anything related to your personal health.

Follow UPMC Mercy on Facebook.

536 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017 • 412-257-4555 • Hours: M-F 12 noon - 6 p.m. Web Site: www.jmproductions.net • Email: JMProductions@verizon.net

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Chartiers Valley | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 29

V a l s l e r y High e i t r a h C l Competes in o o h c S PIMBA Event From 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. on October 22, bands from all over Western Pennsylvania gathered at the West Allegheny High School Stadium to compete in the annual Pennsylvania Interscholastic Marching Band Association. Founded in 1996, PIMBA began with seventeen founding member bands for the purpose of providing the philosophical and organizational structure for marching band field competitive events in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The goals of PIMBA include: to promote participation in marching band field events; to promote the art form of competitive marching band based on fundamental principles of music education; and, to promote cooperation and respect among all bands, directors, staffs, student members, parents, parent organizations, adjudicators and all others affiliated with the organization.

COMPETING BANDS FOR THE 2011 SEASON INCLUDED:

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GATEWAY KISKI AREA MARS AREA MCGUFFEY MOON AREA NORWIN PENN TRAFFORD SERRA CATHOLIC SOUTHMORELAND SPRINGDALE TRINITY WEST ALLEGHENY WOODLAND HILLS

Chartiers Valley | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 31

An Exciting

to Veterinary

Medicine

ridgeville Animal Hospital opened its doors in May of 2006. Joanna Rubin, VMD started the ball rolling with the opening of Bethel Park Animal Hospital on Baptist Road in the fall of 2000. After 6 years at that location, the building housing the hospital was leveled to make room for a Lowe’s complex. The attractive castle-like building located at 420 Bower Hill Road in Bridgeville was an inviting location for this hospital looking for a new home. It was double the square footage, allowing for the growing clientele and staff the veterinary hospital was enjoying. The staff and clientele of Bridgeville Animal Hospital are somewhat unique. It is a “familytype” practice where most clients are known to most staff members and the atmosphere is at once professional, warm and inviting.

The hospital, founded by Dr. Joanna Rubin in 2000, currently employs two full-time associate veterinarians, a full-time practice manager, a fulltime client services representative, and a total of 10 full time and 5 part-time employees. Dr. Carolyn Brown, a graduate of Michigan State University Veterinary School, joined the practice in 2009, and Dr. Michael Meneo, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, most recently in May of 2010. Dr. Brown has a strong interest in alternative medicine, including laser therapy, acupuncture and herbal medicine. Dr. Meneo has an interest in orthopedic and emergency medicine, while Dr. Rubin enjoys medicine and soft tissue surgery. The complement of interests further enhances the mission of this veterinary hospital: ”our goal is to help pets live longer, healthier lives and enjoy time with their owners. We do this by providing high quality medical and surgical care for pets and outstanding client education and service to our clients in an inviting and compassionate atmosphere.” They take the time it takes. Though hopefully, your wait for your appointment isn’t extended, when with you, the doctors and staﬀ of Bridgeville Animal Hospital take the time with you to be thorough, gentle, and

provide you with the information you need to inform you and make decisions to keep you and your pet comfortable and reassured. With the assistance of some exciting new treatment, diagnostic and surgical tools, the ability of the staﬀ to provide your pet with the best combination of therapies is comprehensive. Most recently, the hospital purchased a class IV laser to treat inflammation, pain, wound healing, etc., as an alternative or in combination with traditional medications. Laser therapy is an emerging and often potent treatment for conditions like arthritis, ear infections, slow to heal wounds, oral infections, post-surgical reduction of inflammation and in general to reduce inflammation and to expedite healing by increasing circulation to the area of interest. The hospital also has digital radiography, which provides imagery and the ability to manipulate the images for better diagnosis. Most radiographic procedures are done without anesthesia, while keeping the patient quite comfortable and the procedure brief. A surgical laser is available to minimize pain, bleeding and recovery time. During surgery, the patient is monitored with the best available equipment to keep the patient stable and healthy during surgical procedures. An outside lab used by the hospital provides specialist consultation at no additional charge to the client. This is invaluable, as lab work received by the veterinarian in search of a diagnosis, often benefits from assistance of board certified specialists. An in-house lab is also available for more immediate diagnostic needs or monitoring. Bridgeville Animal Hospital, located at 420 Bower Hill Road in Bridgeville, PA is easy to get to, has free parking and a great group of animal lovers and professionals ready to help you and your pet enjoy long lives together.

This iNdustry iNsight was written by Dr. Joanna Rubin, VMD. She is the President of the Bridgeville Animal Hospital. Dr. Rubin graduated in 1997 from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. The Bridgeville Animal Hospital is located at 420 Bower Hill Rd. Bridgeville, PA 15017. Call for appointments: 412.220.9400.

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Heidelberg Borough Gets $11,400 Grant to Prevent Alcohol-related Crimes Heidelberg Borough received a grant from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to help the borough doesn’t fall victim to the dangers of alcohol. The $11,400 grant from the state is part of the PLCB’s Alcohol Education Grant Program, which awarded 77 grants statewide for a total of more than $1 million. "As a partner in the effort to prevent underage, binge and problematic drinking, we provide funds to loc al organizations committed to making a significant difference in their community," said Patrick Stapleton, III, PLCB chairman. "At a time when public funds are stretched thinner than ever, PENNSYLVANIA we know these grant awards will go a LIQUOR CONTROL long way towards improving the health and safety of communities BOARD across the commonwealth." PLCB grants help fund prevention programs focused on underage and college-age alcohol consumption as well as law-enforcement activities. Since 1999, the PLCB has awarded more than $7 million in competitive grants to hundreds of community groups. "Alcohol is the most commonly used drug among young people, according to a recent study released by the Centers for Disease Control," said Jerry Waters Sr., director of the Liquor Control Board's Office of Regulatory Affairs. "We know underage drinking has a trem endous impact on youth, families and communities throughout Pennsylvania, and we are committed to providing the resources necessary to help children make better choices. Of the grants awarded, 27 funded law enforcement efforts, 19 were for mentoring programs, 5 for school districts, and 26 for Joe Kauer, colleges and universities. Heidelberg Manager Heidelberg Manager Joe Kauer said the grant will help the borough remain aggressive by supporting various police programs. “This funding will enable the borough to continue its efforts to be aggressive in regard to high risk alcohol crimes such as DUI, underage drinking and selling to minors,” Kauer said. “The grant will enable the Heidelberg Police Department to conduct more than 60 specialized shifts, thus putting more officers on the streets through the use of grant funds rather than the use of tax revenue. Furthermore, this project will train our officers on various new law enforcement technologies and procedures, and will procure a new portable breath testing devise and camera for the department. We thank the PLCB for its support and confidence in our Police Department.” For more information from Heidelberg Borough, go to: heidelbergpa.tripod.com.

T N A R G

“This funding will enable the borough to continue its eﬀorts to be aggressive in regard to high-risk alcohol crimes…”

Chartiers Valley | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 33

Kathy Surma:

Helping Orphans

in Zimbabwe, Africa by Leigh Lyons

his October, Kathy Surma returned from her second trip to Zimbabwe, Africa. Kathy wasn’t in Africa for a leisurely trip; she had important work to do. Her work varies, but it never stops — not even when she returns home to her family in Chartiers Valley. Surma is working to change lives, particularly the lives of the orphans at the Nyadire Mission in Zimbabwe. The group Surma participates in is called The N yadire Connection (TNC,) and is based in Pittsburgh. It is a faithbased, non-profit organization that seeks to support and sustain the Nyadire United Methodist Mission in northeastern Zimbabwe, Africa. The Nyadire Mission oﬀers a hospital, primary and secondary schools, an orphanage, and many other services to the community. The Pittsburgh group was founded in 2006 and started with 18 volunteers who travele d to Nyadire to volunteer for a period of three weeks. The team provided a day camp for the children, medical and pastoral care, and construction labor. Surma initially made her way to the Nyadire Mission in the summer of 2010 to help clean the orphans’ teeth. She has been a dental hygienist at her husband’s Mt. Lebanon dental oﬃce for many years. Something so simple for most Americans as a dental cleaning i s life changing for the children at the Nyadire Mission. “Six of the children needed dental work, and quite honestly, they are the bravest children I have ever encountered,” she said. “I do not know how they did not complain about the pain I know they were in.” Surma was impressed with how well

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behaved these children were, especially since this was their first time in a dental chair.

t is safe to say Surma's first trip to the Nyadire Mission changed her life forever; on her first trip, she encountered one little boy who showed up twice, hoping that she would clean his teeth again. The very essence of this young boy, named Godknows, has stuck with Surma over the past year and has driven her to keep helping where she could. Since her first trip, she has been focused on helping on a broader scale. Before her most recent trip, Surma put together a viewing of a film about a woman named Betty Makoni, the director and founder of the Girl Child Network — an organization which champions the rights of girls in Zimbabwe. Makoni founded the organization after listening to the horrifying experiences of ten of her female students. Her personal experiences of abuse as a child further fueled her determination to create such a netw ork. Surma had the film event in order to help get her new program started.

he program will help girls in Nyadire and throughout the country of Zimbabwe obtain sanitary hygiene products. This is especially important in this region because girls already have the odds stacked against them in obtaining an education. Many children miss school a great deal due to the obstacles that they are confronted with, an d many girls have to miss a week at a time when they have their period because they do not have any type of sanitary hygiene products provided to them. Surma and Makoni will not only provide the girls with sanitary napkins, but will also provide them with the knowledge to be able to make their own so that they will be self-sustaining.

Between the immense problem of rape in Zimbabwe, and the unyielding consequence of AIDS, the young women have so much going against them that any bit of help, support, and education can help a great deal.

urma implemented her new sanitary hygiene products program during her last trip to Nyadire. She led a team of one surgical nurse, one LPN, an elementary school teacher, a 23-year old woman who works in a glass factory in Brockport, PA, a Methodist pastor, a man who works in management for a locksmith company, and an administrative executive. This group of seven accomplished a great deal. The team took care of “microloans, pharmacy orders for a hospital, hospital

administration work, farm management and seed distribution work, and pastor relationships,” Surma said. “The most important work was done with the 25 orphans at the Home of Hope in Nyadire, though.” Surma believes that the best parts of these trips are the connections that she and her team make with the people in Nyadire. “A missionary by the name of Sister Rut, a nurse, who at age 76 was able to tell her amazingly beautiful story was one of my favorite relationships,” Surma said. The group also worked with the primary school, and the Creche (Ea rly Childhood Development.) Lastly, the group also set up Malaria nets at the orphanage. One would think that this group would be worn out by all of the hard work and emotion they put out while on their last trip, but Surma says, “A lot was accomplished on this last trip, but I honestly cannot wait to visit again next year!”

Chartiers Valley | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 35

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Chartiers Valley

Open Your Heart

to a Senior Program

When Joann Stack needs a ride to the store or elsewhere, she’s got a group of helping hands at her service, thanks to a new initiative geared toward keeping seniors living in their homes as long as they are able. Stack, 86 had a nice outing recently with Kathy, one of the Open Your Heart to a Senior volunteers. She took Stack shopping and Stack returned the favor, buying lunch for the two of them. “It was very enjoyable,” said Stack. “The volunteers are very lovely people, very enjoyable.” The Open Your Heart to A Senior program is made possible through funding from the United Way of Allegheny County. “ We are trying to connect seniors with their neighbors,” stated Rachel Steigerwalt Coordinator of Older Adults for Family Services of Western Pennsylvania. “We like the idea of having residents in every community helping out those who are the most vulnerable and need assistance with things like shoveling snow, getting to the doctors or the grocery store.” The “Open Your Heart to A Senior” initiative is designed to help recruit more volunteers,” Steigerwalt said. “The idea is to let the community know there are seniors who need a ride to the grocery store or to the doctor’s office, or a visit or a friendly call.” Those interested in volunteering to help a senior in need are welcome to join the effort. Training is provided and even if you only have an hour to give, most seniors would welcome your visit! “The nice part about this volunteer program is that everyone can get involved, including families with children. The sight and sounds of children brings a smile to every seniors face,” said Steigerwalt. For more information about the program, please visit their website www.openyourhearttoasenior.org or contact Nancy Jones at 412.307.0071 or email seniors@nhco.org.

Chartiers Valley | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 37

alley Soccer Association Char V

Enriching Young Lives for more than

20 years

By Elissa Emmerling or more than two decades, the Chartiers Valley Soccer Association has been a community non-profit organization dedicated to developing high quality youth soccer players, promoting physical fitness, teamwork and fun. Lori Uher, Registrar of the Char Valley Soccer Association said interest in the association drives high winter and spring registrations. “We have about 300-400 kids who p lay each season both winter and spring,” she said. The soccer program is divided into two programs: In-House and Travel. The In-House teams play against each other, and the Travel teams play other teams within the Tri-State area. Their In-House program is meant to teach new, young players the game and to have a good time. They will develop skills as they progress through the program. There are three age gr oups in the In-House program: Under 7, Under 9, and Under 12. In the Under 7 group, there are 16 teams, both boys and girls. For Under 9, there are 12 teams, both boys and girls, and in the Under 12 group, there are 2 teams, both boys and girls. The travel program encourages players who are nine and older to further develop their soccer skills, teamwork and athleticism. They compete on Sundays against other teams in the region. Half of the travel games are played at home, and half of the games are played away. There are six Travel teams - three girls’ teams and three boys’ teams. The fall season generally runs from late August to early November with registration for that session in late May thru early July. Their spring season generally runs from late March to early June with registration in late N ovember thru early January. However, heavy fall rains have placed restrictions on the Chartiers Valley fields. Restricting the waterlogged and damaged fields for practice will ensure that all games can be played. There are other options for practices such as the Intermediate School oval and baseball fields in the area, Uher said. Unlike other athletic organizations, the Char Valley Soccer Association do es not engage in much fundraising. “We generate money from registration fees and sponsors,” Uher said. “Community businesses will sponsor a team, and then we will put their name on the back of the team’s jerseys. In the past, we have done small fundraising, such as a night at Wendy’s. On a specific night, Wendy’s will give us a part of their proceeds from their sales. Overall, we do not do big fundrai sing.” What the Char Valley Soccer Association definitely needs are volunteers. “We need more volunteers than we have,” Uher said. “All board members, coaches, and assistant coaches are volunteers and there are one to two coaches per team. Essentially, we need 50 volunteers per session. We need even more volunteers for the concession stands and picture day.” The concession stands are important because they generate the revenue to pay referees. It is also a place for the parents to grab a snack or a drink for their player if they have forgotten one at home. At the end of each session, a medal is awarded to each participant in the Soccer Association, and each sponsor is awarded a plaque with a team photo and their name on it. For additional information contact Lori Uher at 412.720.8762 or visit www.chartiersvalleysoccer.countmein.com.

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Former Raceway and Sports Arena Receives approval for Historical Marker Status Last issue, we reported on Heidelberg Borough’s application to erect a state road-side historical marker commemorating the former Heidelberg Raceway and Sports Arena. This issue, we’re happy to report that their application was successful. “The Borough of Heidelberg is extremely excited to make this public announcement today regarding securing this state approval. This roadside historical marker will be a great testament for the ages to recognize the historical significance the Heidelberg Raceway had upon our Borough, region, and let alone our Country”, said Joe Kauer, Borough Manager. The state approved Historical Marker is slated to be installed in the Spring 2012 with a formal dedication ceremony. The Borough is in the process of fundraising the $2,500 needed for the construction of the custom sta te historical sign. If interested in donating to the project, donations can be made to the Borough of Heidelberg and sent to the Borough Building. Located in both Scott Township and Heidelberg Borough, originally intended for horse racing that did not become legal

until much later, Heidelberg Raceway opened on Memorial Day 1948. Heidelberg Raceway had a ½ mile asphalt track, ¼ mile dirt track, seating for 1 5,000 fans and free parking for 8,000 cars The site is home to the four national NASCAR races, including the seventh ever event in the first season of NASCAR’s strictly stock series (now Sprint Cup Series).. Heidelberg Raceway closed in 1973 and was immediately razed to make way for a shopping center that still stands today, ironically named “Raceway Plaza”. Heidelberg Raceway is significant to all people for it being the home of the Country’s final show of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus under tent, its standings in the national NASCAR circuit and marking the eﬀorts by women in professional sports including NASCAR. It was the site of the final performance of Barnum and Bailey under canvas, a tradition since 1871 through the final show here in Heidelberg in 1956. The site of the former Heid elberg Raceway is home to many memories for our residents and we hope to share this piece of local history with the rest of the state through this marker so future generations know what was here and happened here rather than just a shopping center that stands today.

Heidelberg

Chartiers Valley | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 39

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safety-driven Peoples Natural Gas is embarking on an extensive program to modernize our infrastructure. More than $100 million will be invested to replace pipelines throughout our 16 county service territory. In 2011 and 2012, this means replacing 40 miles of old cast-iron pipes wherever they exist. This year and next, Peoples Natural Gas is hiring 60 new pipeline workers. And, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need to employ almost as many local contract workers. Last year, we brought back 200 jobs to the region. These are not temporary jobs, but family sustaining jobs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the type of jobs that generations build on. Through the end of 2012, you will see Peoples Natural Gas employees hard at work on this project. They will be working in the snow and sun to improve the infrastructure for our communities. Our goal is to replace all the cast iron pipe in our entire system. This is an extensive project and we will need your patience and understanding as we work to complete it. In 2010, Peoples Natural Gas was purchased from anI out-of-state company. We are now a Western Pennsylvania managed company. All our management lives in the region. Our sole priority is serving our local communities. Our new company has refocused its total efforts right here. This pipeline replacement program is the first major construction initiative of Peoples Natural Gas and it has been made for your safety, and the need to modernize our infrastructure for the future.

Safety is the number one priority of Peoples Natural Gas. Every day, we strive to keep our customers, our employees and our communities safe. Here are 3 Sensible Words about Natural Gas to help keep you and your family safe. Natural gas leaks are rare. But they can happen. Your senses will alert you if a leak occurs. SIGHT Escaping gas affects the nutrients in soil, so discolored soil or dead vegetation near a pipeline may indicate a leak. Dirt or water blowing up from the group may indicate a natural gas leak. SOUND Natural gas leaks may make a hissing or a high-pitched whistling noise. Noises will vary based on the line pressure.

SMELL A strong odor of natural gas can indicate unburned fuel in the air. Because the gas is odorless, a sulfur based odorant is added to give it a rotten-egg smell that warns of its presence. Be alert for this odorant or any petroleum smell. If you believe a natural gas leak is occurring, leave the area immediately and notify Peoples Natural Gas by calling 1.800.400.4271.

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Chartiers Valley | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 41

“one all” Nutrition Fits is Not

Size

by Pamela Palongue

nformation on dieting and nutrition seems to be everywhere these days, and conflicting reports on what’s good for you is a frequent occurrence. A bit of common sense applied to the situation, tempered with some consideration for your particular lifestyle and taste preferences, is in order. Leslie Bonci, director of sports nutrition for UPMC and author of The Active Calorie Diet, has some surprising answers to some frequently asked questions. “Nutrition should be more inclusive, rather than exclusive,” says Bonci. “People give way too much attention on what to avoid and that becomes a negative focus.” Nutrition should be based on positive choices and pursuing good health, rather than avoiding bad health. There is no one perfect diet for every individual, due to age, medical conditions and different activity levels,

but there are some general guidelines that make planning a healthy meal a little easier. “Thank goodness we got rid of the Food Pyramid. People don’t eat from a pyramid and it’s too abstract,” says Bonci. “The Food Plate is much more natural with the plate being divided into quarters made up of 50% fruits and vegetables, 25% proteins and 25% grains. The blue circle beside the plate represents dairy products such as milk, which supplies D-3, a vitamin that research has indicated prevents several serious diseases. Dairy products of course also supply calcium, an important mineral for everyone but especially women in the prevention of osteoporosis, a disease that the International Osteoporosis Foundation estimates affects 200 million women worldwide.

We would like to thank everyone who came to the Nutcracker performance this year! The show was phenomenal and we look forward to another season of great performances! We here at Pittsburgh Youth Ballet wish all of your families a magical Christmas and Happy New Year!

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The fork beside the plate is a reminder that the meal should be a sit-down affair, with time to eat and enjoy and appreciate the meal. Noticeably absent from the Food Plate as a category is fat, but Bonci says, “The goal is not to eliminate fat entirely.” It is an important part of the diet which helps the body to use fat soluble vitamins and helps keep skin soft and supple. Unsaturated fats can be found in foods such as salmon, trout, flaxseed oil, walnuts, almonds and olive oil. While these fats are healthy in limited amounts, they still have a high density of calories and will sabotage any diet if left unchecked. They should be consumed in reasonable amounts. One recommendation that is common these days is the advice to eat six meals per day, consuming something every couple of hours. “People in Europe and other parts of the world don’t eat this way; this is an American idea. I would like to see people eat three meals per day with a floating snack in between,” suggests Bonci. Of course she points out that if you only have one meal per day and it is late in the evening, your body will have less time Nutrition should be to expend the calories before bed, possibly based on positive resulting in excess weight. However, six choices and pursuing meals a day is often not practical for those who work regular jobs in an good health, rather than office or other setting that prevents food while avoiding bad health. at work. While food allergies have gotten a great deal of media attention lately, Bonci explains that actual food allergies are relatively rare. What is more common are food sensitivities and food intolerance, such as those individuals who are lactose intolerant. There are alternative sources for calcium if a person is lactose intolerant, such as soy milk, almond milk, baked beans and canned salmon. These are all acceptable alternatives providing important nutrients. For those people wishing to drop a few pounds, Bonci points out that it is a relatively simple principle, “You have to create a deficit. There has to be less calories eaten than what is being used.” This of course can be done by having smaller portions while still enjoying a variety of foods to enable you to have a balanced diet. One suggestion is to use a smaller plate, making the portion size look a bit large. Another way to create a deficit in your caloric intake is to add activity. Exercise not only helps you to burn more calories, but the benefits are intensified in that most people devoting time to exercise begin to also focus more attention on their nutrition and calorie intake as well. Exercise changes your mindset to a healthier routine. Bonci adds that another advantage to exercising is that “when you are exercising, you’re not eating.” Many times people eat from boredom, and exercise or sports fill a void in an otherwise inactive lifestyle. Healthy nutrition is all about focusing on positive choices and realizing that food is not just something to be gulped down in five minutes on the way to the soccer game. It is an important part of our lives that deserves attention and appreciation and is instrumental in preventing diseases and promoting optimal health for a better life. For more information on eating a balanced diet, you may visit the United States Dept. of Agriculture website at www.ChooseMyPlate.gov. For healthy suggestions on how nutrition and exercise can affect your life in a positive way, Leslie Bonci’s books, Run Your Butt Off and The Active Calorie Diet, are available online at the Prevention Magazine website www.Prevention.com.

Parkway west

Mentee/Mentor of the Month Selected Congratulations to Kylie MacDougall & Russell Silowash for being selected as November's Mentee/Mentor of the month! Kylie is a student in the Health Assistant II program at Parkway West Career and Technology Center who plans to pursue a career in the medical field. Russell is a medical student at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center who is currently finishing up medical school and applying for residency. This particular mentor/mentee relationship has grown since their first exchange. Russell took his mentoring job in stride and began to jumpstart the thought process for his mentees future. "I wanted to become a PA eMentor in order to help teenagers Kylie MacDougall achieve their educational goals. The transition between high school and college can be exciting, confusing, and sometimes stressful" says Russell. "I know when I was in high school, this time was especially hard. I didn't know a lot about my options regarding institutions of higher learning, funding, or what my ultimate career goal was. I think PA eMentoring provides invaluable services to young people because it lets students talk directly to people that are in the same career that the student is interested in. This provides a great opportunity to ask questions and learn about their career path." Kylie knew coming into the program that she wanted to further her education and find a career in the healthcare field. "I chose Russ because he is a medical student. From my first glance at his profile, I could tell that we were very similar," says Kylie. "Russell completely changed my mind-set on college when he related his own personal experiences. He gave me advice on where to go to college and even helped me choose a career to pursue. All-in-all, I believe that my mentor and I have an awesome relationship. He has been incredibly helpful. Thank you Russ!" Congratulations again to Kylie and Russell. Thank you for your exceptional effort and dedication to the program.

about To learn more , go PA eMentoring entor.org to www.pa-em Chartiers Valley | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 43

Sometimes fact is stranger than fiction. It would seem reasonable that with millions of sperm and only one egg that the majority of infertility problems would lie with the female. Not true, according to the National Library of Medicine which tracks national statistics kept by fertility clinics. Difficulties with fertility are evenly split, with the source of fertility problems being linked to the male one third of the time and the female also having difficulties one third of the time. The final third is a mixture of situations where both parties have infertility issues and those cases where the cause is indeterminate. The good news is that there is hope for males who wish to start a family. Director of Male Reproductive Medicine Surgery at UPMC, Thomas Jaffe, MD, an urologist, offers a hopeful perspective for males experiencing difficulties with reproductive issues. “Because of many technologies and treatments, many men who previously had no hope of fathering a child now have treatment options that can be [effective.]” One important advancement in reproductive research is a relatively new diagnostic test called the DAZ test. The DAZ test detects a genetic mutation in the Y chromosome for sperm production.

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This test is ordered when sperm production is unusually low. Another important factor in analyzing the quality of the sperm is its motility or movement. Generally, sperm with greater motility are able to more easily fertilize an egg. One common problem among men with fertility issues is type 1 or juvenile onset diabetes. Individuals with diabetes may experience what’s called retrograde ejaculation. Simply put, this is when the bladder stays open with ejaculatory fluids washing back into the bladder rather than exiting the body as with normal functioning. “This problem can be treated with Sudafed which helps the bladder to stay closed during ejaculation,” explains Dr. Jaffe. Retrograde ejaculation can also be a problem with spinal cord injuries, nerve damage or certain medications that contain alpha blockers such as high blood pressure medications. Another problem Dr. Jaffe sees among his patients are men who have little to no sperm production. “Even with no sperm, we have found that these men still produce limited numbers of sperm within the tissues of the testicles.” This sperm can be extracted from the tissue and remains viable to fertilize an egg.

Chartiers Valley

One of the most common problems associated with male infertility is when an enlargement of a vein in the scrotum forms. These veins are specially equipped with one-way valves which insure that blood flows upward. When these veins become compressed, they crush the gonadal vein and heat and toxins build up in the scrotum inhibiting healthy sperm production. The vein can be surgically repaired however to promote normal function with increased sperm production and better quality with sperm motility increased. Finally, male cancer patients may experience fertility problems due to chemotherapy and radiation treatments. “Ideally ,we [harvest] sperm prior to treatment. We work with the Pittsburgh Cryobank to store the sperm until needed,” explains Dr. Jaffe. Although no treatment is an absolute guarantee, male infertility can often times be overcome with the right evaluation and treatment. For more information about Dr. Jaffe and treatment of male infertility, call 412.692.4100.

Riding the storm out

say no to the parachute and YEs to the seat belt

By Daniel L. Henry Imagine yourself on Flight 101, headed for Retirement Isles. You have been planning this trip for a long time. In fact, 30 years ago you realized if this trip was ever going to be remotely possible you would have to play your part. You did by maxing out your contribution to your company’s retirement plan. Now on board with a ways to go but with the end in sight, you experience occasional turbulence, which makes you jittery. The Captain does issue warnings. Which one seems more realistic and hence, apt to be agreed to and obeyed by you? Warning 1: This is the Captain. We are about to enter a very rough, turbulent stretch. By all means, feel free to move about the cabin. Flight attendants will be down the aisle soon offering parachutes for those wishing to abandon the craft. Our aim on Self Airlines is to help you do what you want to. Warning 2: This is the Captain. We are about to enter a very rough, turbulent stretch. Please return to your seats and securely fasten your buckles. The first warning would get some great laughs on a Saturday Night Live skit. But it is no laughing matter as it relates to getting you to your retirement destination. Yes, but how low can we go? The Dow Jones Indus. Avg.* declined significantly in the 3rd qt. Here are some quick 2011 stats: (Source: Yahoo Finance) 1-03-11 Opening bell, Dow at 11,577 3-31-11 Close of q1, Dow at 12,350, YTD gain 6.7% 6-30-11 Close of q2, Dow at 12,414, YTD gain 7.2% 7-07-11 Peak for year, Dow at 12,719, YTD gain 9.9% 9-30-11 Close of q3, Dow at 10,913, YTD loss 5.7% 11-16-93 (Time of writing) Dow at 11,905, YTD gain of 2.8% At Henry Wealth Management, we maintain that this present volatile, turbulent stretch has been caused by political backlash and rising global fears. In our opinion, many public companies appear to be doing quite well, especially relative to the last correction/ bear market of late ‘07 to early ‘09, when corporations by and large went into survival mode. Due to a perceived lack of leadership and vision from Washington, many companies are presently holding off on plans for expansion and additional investment/ hiring, as they await more political clarity. Times like this may cause some to wonder if it’s better to take the parachute offer, exit the stock market and re-enter at some future “calm” point, rather than staying the course. We believe that the easiest decision in the world is to jump, or sell, while the hardest one is to re-enter, or buy. Selling and then re-buying requires that the investor be right TWICE. In our opinion, to use asset allocation1, which can be a means to utilize an optimal stock to bond ratio based on ones’ goals, time frames and risk preferences, and to do so using global diversification, requires only ONE right decision, that being, to execute on the strategy once it is identified and agreed to*. Talk about a lesson in extreme jumping! Apparently the City of Pittsburgh Pension Plan Trustees thought they could properly “time” the stock market. According to an Aug. 26, 2011 article in the Pgh. Business Times, acting on the advice of its financial consultants, the plan trustees unanimously voted to sell all equities in August of 2010. Then seven months later in March of 2011, a buy was executed and the plan re-entered the stock market. According to experts who later examined this maneuver, it was estimated that this “timing tactic” cost the city and its over 7,000 employees and retirees, between $25-35 million in lost account value, as compared to simply maintaining their previous 60-40 allocation (60% stocks, 40% bonds). Especially at volatile times like the present, we need to avoid allowing periods of intense negativity result in the derailing of our long-term strategic plans, possibly to the point of thinking that we could successfully engage in market timing, aka, “jumping ship”. Here is the buckle-up mentality that we advocate; however, please consult your financial professional, attorney, or tax advisor with regard to your individual situation. Five years or more to retirement: If your stock-to-bond ratio was set based on long-term accumulation goals and you are more than five years to retirement, you may want to do nothing! In fact, if you have excess cash reserves, you may want to

consider BUYING! This present market turbulence/correction has created an “On-Sale” opportunity. Within five years of retirement: If you are nearing retirement, you should have been considering a decrease to your stock-to-bond ratio, not because of current events, but because your plane has started its’ descent! You may have certainly been impacted by this latest decline but at least, to a lesser degree. Already in retirement: You’ve already arrived at Retirement Isles? To the extent that you can reduce or eliminate portfolio withdrawals during volatile times, opting instead for withdrawals from cash accounts, that can help preserve your principal. Hopefully your retirement plan draws from several income sources (social security, pension, part-time or rental income and/or portfolio withdrawals) so the potential to reduce or put portfolio withdrawals on hold is available. Buckle up and try to do something other than hyper focus on current events. This too shall pass. 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 firms President. Phil offers Securities and Investment-Advisory 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. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendation. NFP Securities, Inc. does not provide legal or tax advice. Using diversification as part of your investment strategy neither assures nor guarantees better performance and cannot protect against loss of principal due to changing market conditions. Past Performance does not guarantee future results. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is a popular indicator of the stock market based on the average closing prices of 30 active U.S. stocks representative of the overall economy.

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REAL ESTATE

C H A RT I E R S VA L L E Y

Make Your Home

Cleaner& Greener inding ways to go green in the home does more than help the planet. It helps your home’s environment, as well. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air pollution can be two to five times higher than outdoor levels. These pollutants — as well as chemicals found in many products today — can irritate allergy and asthma sufferers. While every home is different, here are some ways to make any home naturally beautiful and healthier:

Paint A fresh coat of paint is a great, low-cost way to bring new life to a room. But that new paint smell comes from Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which derive from vapors released from toxic

compounds. Use non-VOC paint to create an inviting, comfortable and beautiful room. n Buy only the amount of paint you’ll need for the project. If you wind up with leftover paint, store it safely or dispose of it according to local municipal regulations. n Open windows while painting and use fans to vent fumes. n When sanding or removing old paint, wear a dust mask or respirator to prevent particle inhalation. Keep the area well ventilated. Cleaning products Natural cleaning products can provide great performance without leaving behind harsh chemical fumes or residues. Plus, they are increasingly cost effective. Flooring Carpets trap dirt, dust and other allergens. If possible, remove wall-to-wall carpeting and replace it with natural wood flooring, such as sustainable bamboo or cork flooring. n Sweep and vacuum floors regularly to control dust. n Wet mop with a microfiber mop to remove dust and dirt more efficiently. n Clean up spills right away. If the carpets and rugs must stay, vacuum frequently, using a vacuum cleaner with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter. Change the filter regularly to keep it working efficiently. Furniture andwindow coverings Curtains and upholstery can trap dust, dust mites and pollen. n Blinds are a good, contemporarylooking alternative to drapes, but must be dusted occasionally. n Vacuum upholstered furniture — under the cushions, too.

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Girl Scouts Create Tribute in Memorial Garden Girl Scouts in Collier Township have created a memorial garden on Panhandle Trail as a tribute to the children who lost their lives in the September 11, 2001 tragedy. The garden is constructed of colorful reused and recycled materials from the community at large. It is in a prominent location near the Sunnyside trail entrance in Rennerdale. This project is an integral part of earning the Silver Award, which is the highest honor in Girl Scouting that girls aged 11-14 can earn. A team of girls from Girl Scouts of Western PA Troop 50310 participated. They are Sarah Dobbins, Katie Linner, Ellen Murphy and Brittany Reinstadtler, all of Collier Township. All four are students at Chartiers Valley Middle School in Bridgeville. The Silver Award represents a girl’s commitment to herself and to her community. The Scouts spent over 160 hours on this project researching, designing, planning, painting and constructing this special tribute. Sincere thanks for donations and contributions go to Fotovich Excavating, Collier Stone Company, Friends of Panhandle Trail, Collier Public Works, Collier Commissioner Kay Downey-Clark, Lowes and Home Depot. The garden was due to be dedicated during a special ceremony on Friday, August 26 at 7:30 during the annual Rock the quarry celebration at the Panhandle Trail.

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Fitness Challenge

By Lisa Troyer Twice a year my facility conducts a fitness challenge. “Spring into Shape” and “Fall into Fitness.” The challenges diﬀer each year and our members totally look forward to them. Whether the grand prize is a trip to sunny Florida or simply a t-shirt, a huge percentage of the club will participate. When you rise to a challenge and you are forced to log or journal your workouts for a competition, even if you are only competing with yourself, it really helps you stick with it. This fall we held a challenge that required 70 hours of fitness over a 10 week period. Believe me; we caught some flack at first. Was this really a reasonable goal? This would mean that 7 hours of exercise would need to be logged every week. Were we crazy? Yes we’re crazy, no doubt about it. But in my opinion, we had a solid reply. You see most of these individuals were working out around 5 times a week already, so if we made the challenge “50 hours of fitness,” would it really be a challenge? Of course not…a challenge needs to be a CHALLENGE! With that being said, I would like to throw out a New Year’s challenge to the readers of

“IN Chartiers Valley.” Similar to the “Fall into Fitness” challenge that I described above, this will also run for 10 weeks. You will have a little more control over your challenge than I do, as you will decide the number of hours of exercise that you are going to strive for during this 10 week period. Consider how many hours you are exercising right now. For example; if you usually work out two hours a week, 30 hours of fitness could be an adequate challenge for you at this time. If you really want to push it th is year, then shoot for 40 to 50 hours. Let’s say that you are currently leading a pretty sedentary life and aren’t exercising at all. In that case, 20 to 25 hours of fitness may be just what you need to jump start an exercise program. If you are already an avid exerciser, go for 70 hours of fitness! Once you’ve set your goal, pick a start date. You may still be busy with holiday stuﬀ the first week in January so it might be more realistic to start midmonth. Print a blank calendar for each month so that you can record your activities. Don’t rely on your iPhone, Blackberry, or computer. You will be more successful when you actually see the calendar in its entirety every day. Activities can include all the things you enjoy; group exercise classes, running, biking, lifting, walking the dog, etc. If you’re moving an d breaking a sweat, count it! Reports from my club indicate that everyone is still on track to complete their “70 hours of fitness.” Our challenge concludes on 12/25. We are witnessing so many success stories. When the work is complete, results are apparent. It’s incredible. You can do it too! Kick oﬀ the New Year with a challenge that will do wonders for your health and wellness. Feel free to email me if yo u need an extra push or any advice. I’d love to hear your stories.

“Accept the challenges so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory.” George S. Patton

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.

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