SPRING 2012
ox Chapel Area COMMUNITY MAGAZINE
Blawnox Volunteer Fire Dept.
Keeping Us
Safe
Inside:
Fox Chapel Area School District
120 over 80.
What’s it worth to U?
Introducing HealthyU from UPMC Health Plan. Reaching your goals is worth more than ever. It’s worth money. That’s because HealthyU offers financial incentives for making healthy lifestyle decisions. Now when you do things like quit smoking, work with a health coach, or even get a flu shot, we put money into your very own Health Incentive Account. Money that can be used to help pay for doctor visits, prescription drugs, and even surgery. To learn more about this new, one-of-a-kind plan, talk to your employer or visit UPMCHealthyU.com.
upmchealthyu.com
Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 1
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Fox Chapel Area
INSIDE
IN Fox Chapel Area is a community magazine dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the people of Fox Chapel Area School District 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. Project4_Layout 1 2/20/12 2:13 PM Page 1
IN Fox Chapel Area | SPRING 2012 |
By Heather Holtschlag
Curb appeal is not necessarily something that most people will be able to define in precise terms, but they will know it when they see it. Simply put, it is about making your front yard and the front of your house stand out and look better than the rest. And, if people like what they see on the outside, including potential buyers, the chances are good that they will want to see what the house looks like on the inside. But what can you do to make your house stand apart? To begin, play up your home’s doorway—one of the first areas people see when looking at your house—with color, a clean door free of nicks, and clean metal fixtures. Consider adding a wreath or some other type of door decoration.
Low-voltage landscape lighting, particularly accent lighting displayed in nearby trees or throughout other outdoor fixtures, can not only enhance a yard’s appearance but provide a pathway of lighted safety for visitors. Potted colorful flowers can provide instant curb appeal and can be purchased already assembled at a local garden center, or you may choose to buy an empty container to fill with all of your favorite flowers on your own.
To achieve the best curb appeal, paint the shutters in a color that matches the outside of your house and the rest of your yard. In addition, new garden beds are always a welcome sight. Consider planting new gardens in spots that will be most pleasing to the eye, such as along the driveway and in front of the house.
On a similar note, window boxes can be filled with your favorite flowers to match the rest of your yard’s color scheme. Consider adding some fixtures like birdbaths and wind chimes to add visual appeal to a yard, and a water fountain can sound heavenly on a warm summer day (but be sure to place them on level ground for optimum enjoyment). Shutters and trim work not only add texture and ventilation to a home, but provide added security as well.
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On a similar note, window boxes can be filled with your favorite flowers to match the rest of your yard’s color scheme.
FEATURES
Pressley Ridge
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The Path to Full Potential
Real Estate in Fox Chapel Area
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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
BPU Investment Management
Planning for Today, Tomorrow and Beyond ON THE COVER
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Top left (clockwise): Lieutenant Tom Witas, Captain Jim Vento, Chief George McBriar, and Assistant chief John Simmons of the Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company. Photo by Gary Yon.
bFit Studio
Let’s bFit Together!
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ST MARGARET FINAL_8.375 x 10.875 3/9/12 5:16 PM Page 1
Perman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc.
SPRING 2012
Health and Wellness News You Can Use
Oh, By the Way
Fox Chapel Advanced Dental Care Ask the Dentist | 45
Let’s Get Physical
What can a daily dose of moderate physical activity do for you? Plenty! As you get older, regular exercise is a key to staying strong, energetic, and healthy. To learn more about the link between fitness and aging, turn to page 3.
Coldwell Banker, Lori Crandell
What’s Inside page 2
Have a Pain in Your Leg? It Could Be Serious
page 3
Fit at Any Age
page 4
Surviving Allergies: What You Can Do Putting Ergonomics to Work for You
page 5
Brightening Lives With Light
page 6 page 7
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Does Pittsburgh Have a Housing Shortage? | 46
A Walk to Remember 24th Annual Fitness Classic is May 20 What’s Happening at UPMC St. Margaret
© 2012 UPMC
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Hartwood Chiropractic
62
What Exactly is a “Slipped Disk”?
COMMUNITY INTEREST
Care At Home
Presenting Some of the Best Poetry at FCAHS
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Fox Chapel Area School District
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Dr. Godse’s Medicine
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Raise Your Glass and Your Body to Greet the New Year
UPMC Today | Health and Wellness News You Can Use
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Circulatory Centers
Rick Duffy – A Vital Member of the Community
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Stage Right Puts the Spotlight on Students and Local Artists
One Doorway, Two Options
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Beleza Plastic Surgery
EVLA Minimally Invasive Procedure
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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
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Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company Protecting Residents from Fire and Flood
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Fox Chapel Racquet Club
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DINING OUT
Pho Van
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Patron
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S TA F F
Welcome to the Spring issue of Fox Chapel Area magazine. Hopefully, we are all enjoying the lengthening days as we forge on to summer. While spring usually brings more rain to the region than we normally get throughout the rest of the year, I’m glad we’ve had a few days of nice weather to get outside and remember what the snow covered up. We’ve grown once again over the winter, and have shifted some staff around to accommodate that growth. I want to point this out because you, the readers, give us many of the great story ideas that you see featured in these pages, and I want you to have the right point of contact so that your story can be heard. As always, we are looking for good news from the community! Please forward your ideas to our north zone coordinator, Pamela Palongue, at p.palongue@ incommunitymagazines.com, and she’ll make sure they find a place in the magazine. If you’re not sure whether you have a good story, give Pamela a call at 724.942.0940 and ask! You should know also that we really appreciate your feedback (good and bad) to let us know where we missed the mark and where we hit it out of the park. Lastly, it’s not too soon to start thinking about the rest of the year! I know we just got through the holidays, and are thawing out, but since we’re quarterly, we’re already looking ahead to fall and beyond. So if you have events planned and would like to promote them, call or email Pamela. If you have an event coming up earlier, let us know so we can send our photographers and document the occasion! Here’s hoping that the start to your year has been a good one!
PUBLISHER
Wayne Dollard MANAGING EDITOR
Marybeth Jeffries m.jeffries@icmags.com REGIONAL EDITORS
Mark Berton [South and West] mark@incommunitymagazines.com Monica L. Haynes [East] m.haynes@incommunitymagazines.com N O R T H Z O N E C O O R D I N AT O R
Pamela Palongue p.palongue@incommunitymagazines.com S C H O O L & M U N I C I PA L C O N T E N T C O O R D I N AT O R
Megan Faloni m.faloni@incommunitymagazines.com OFFICE MANAGER
Leo Vighetti leo@incommunitymagazines.com A D P L A C E M E N T C O O R D I N AT O R
Debbie Mountain d.mountain@incommunitymagazines.com GRAPHIC DESIGN
Cassie Brkich Anna Buzzelli Sharon Cobb Susie Doak
Jan McEvoy Joe Milne Tamara Tylenda
WRITERS
Wayne Dollard Publisher
Heather Holtschlage Pamela Palongue Leigh Lyons Gina Salinger Dana Black McGrath Judith Schardt Joann Naser PHOTOGRAPHERS
Does it feel like spring to you? Are you planning your garden and starting to think about how you are going to, once again, get to all those baseball or softball games? I love it. This season holds so much promise with the thought of flowers budding, students graduating and moving on to bigger challenges and another forum for us at the magazine to trumpet all of the wonderful things that happen in the Fox Chapel area! I am so proud of the students who submitted poems for our annual Poetry Forum. They have, once again, impressed me with their thoughtful and poignant writing. Are you making plans to attend the Fox Chapel Area School District Gala on Saturday, April 19, at the Pittsburgh Zoo? I know it will be a party to remember and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping to support the arts at the school district level. I would also like to introduce you to the Blawnox Volunteer Fire Department. This wonderful group of community members not only attend to fires in the area but they also are a certified water rescue team as well. This fire department needs your help! The members are always looking for additional volunteers, but to support their efforts financially they are hosting a Fish Fry on Friday, April 6, at the station. Times and contact information is listed on page 71. Would you try to attend or send a donation? I hope you take time to enjoy this spring edition! Please let me know if there is a person or organization that you think we should be writing about. You can always call me at the magazine 724.942.0940 or email me at m.jeffries@icmags.com.
Marybeth Jeffries Managing Editor
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Fox Chapel Area
Ginni Hartle Brad Lauer
Kathleen Rudolph Gary Yon
ADVERTISING SALES MANAGERS
Derek Bayer Tom Poljak
Tamara Myers
ADVERTISING SALES
Brian Daley Gina D’Alicandro Tina Dollard Karen Fadzen Julie Graf 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 2012. CORRESPONDENCE
Direct all inquiries, comments and press releases to: IN COMMUNITY MAGAZINES
Attn: Editorial 603 E. McMurray Rd. Ph: 724.942.0940 McMurray, PA 15317 Fax: 724.942.0968 www.incommunitymagazines.com Summer content deadline: 4/18/12 Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.
St. Margaret Foundation Announces
S
2012 Fitness Classic 5K Run/Walk
t. Margaret Foundation will host the 24th annual Fitness Classic 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, May 20, 2012, starting at 8:30 a.m. Top finishers in running divisions and in the team challenge will be awarded prizes. All registered runners and walkers will be eligible for dozens of great prizes in a post-race random drawing. Beginning and ending at UPMC St. Margaret on Freeport Road near Aspinwall, the USATF-certified race course follows a 3.1-mile level loop along Freeport Road, past the Waterworks Mall, and onto Old Freeport Road, and loops back to the hospital. Race proceeds benefit The Bed Fund of St. Margaret. Since 1930, The Bed Fund has filled in the gaps with hope by providing transportation, medication, and medical supplies, nutritional education and opportunities for physical activity to the uninsured and underinsured patients of UPMC St. Margaret. Mary Humphrey, CRNA at St. Margaret Hospital and Aspinwall resident, has been participating in the St. Margaret Foundation Fitness Classic 5K for as long as she can remember. “All five of my children compete in the race, my eldest two daughters have been top female finishers and my other children
have won their age bracket. We love this community, we work here, go to school here, go to church here, we love this race and love running it with our neighbors.� The Fitness Classic preregistration entry fee is $20 before May 9; race-day entry fee is $25. The cost for a three-person running team is $50. Entry forms are available by calling the St. Margaret Foundation at 412.784.4205. For additional information, please visit our 2012 Fitness Classic Events page at www.stmargaretfoundation.org/events.jsp
Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 5
Fox Chapel Area School District & IN Fox Chapel Area Magazine
Presenting some of the best poetry at Fox Chapel Area High School
Poetry
The selected poems are a sample of some of the work published in Fox Chapel Area High School’s literary arts magazine, Tapestry. Tapestry is an annual collection of creative writing and art by the students. Mrs. Jessica Green, faculty sponsor of the magazine, works with a large number of students to organize and publish the magazine each year. The magazine is an outstanding representation of the creative talents of the students in the high school.
Mermaid’s Memory Erin Rose
You picked me up. And put me on your shoulders. The salt water crashed. Around your strong legs. I escaped its briny grasp. Nothing could hurt me. I wanted to stand. To prove I was strong. You let me. But I wasn’t. The waves came. And I fell. I was trapped. And scared. Under the watery blanket. And I was pushed. My face in the sand. And ocean filling my lungs. Thinking I would die So you rescued me. But I was mad. And asked: Why didn’t you tell me?
l Erin Ross is a senior at Fox Chapel Area High School. She is involved in DESI club, Tapestry, National Honor Society, as well as volleyball. In volleyball, she lettered her junior and senior years, and received the honor of making first team all section her senior year. After graduating in the spring, she plans on attending college, and has already been accepted into Fordham University as well as University of Pittsburgh Honors College. In college she plans to further her education in creative writing. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and writing poetry.
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Fox Chapel Area
Croque Monsieur Gray Leonard
Sips of coffee, dialogue, stained oak and chit-chat by bushy eyebrows who glance at us, furrowing into their eyes. Overcoats and French cafe prints of cats and mademoiselles smoking ceramic filter tipped cigarettes, wearing feather hats and velvet gloves who also glance at us, except their eyebrows are plucked.
l Gray Leonard is currently a senior at Fox Chapel Area High School. A college hopeful, he wants to go to school for philosophy or art history. Not only does he write, he lives to laugh and, although he doesn’t do his homework nearly enough, he also lives to learn. This is his first published poem.
A Payment of My Dues McKenna Trimble
Thanks to the crows that call beneath my wisp of sleeping dreams, thirteen shadowed sentinels that shrill for the morning flight of the moon, those thirteen heralds that chitter and chatter like lonely women over the static of a phone call, and murder my reverie with their death rattle for the dying of the night. You have taught me to embrace my dreams as a lover who is caught between two doors and to dig my nails hard into my lover’s arm as I lock the door against the screeching din. Thanks to the overgrown weeds that splay wildly like a fraying hem from Earth’s wide skirt, wooden bones that struggle from broken stars in the concrete to snap at my heels and trip me, those forgotten babes of Eden’s garden that call for a careful step around their scrawny blockade. I have only you to thank for my will to rise up from common ridges and troughs and the talent to throw my arms wide to trip the ignorant passerby. Thanks to the salt of the sea that crowns each murky crest with a rim of frothy sting,
Untitled Claire Kintner
Remember to recognize the quiet ones. My inner child might never leave. I’m filled up with free spirits. Something to cherish is true happiness. Remember to carry out the ride. It’s really all about the presence. Received a miracle; now I’m scared. Time for the walk of shame. My daddy didn’t raise no fool. Good things come in small packages. I don’t make faulty pinky promises.
forks and knives that dart in and out of a watery shroud and catch stitches in my eyes, those little stones and shards that fill my gaping mouth and rob me of my tongue. You are the reason why I can walk against the going of the wind even with my eyes shut blindly and why I can swallow the bitter taste of failure’s fruit and wait quietly for sweeter nectar. My thanks go to you, this cruel Earth that spins and spurns me when I cannot stand. All glory to you, my first mother who shunned me and threw me to these human wolves. Every honor to you, this world that lets demons of the aboveground strike me with blunt wings. Thanks to you, this Earth, for being the hell that beats me and the heaven that feeds me. All of my days to you, World, for you have taught me well.
l McKenna Trimble is a sophomore at Fox Chapel Area High School. Her interest in writing began in the eighth grade after much positive encouragement from her instructors. In high school, her interest grew into a passion, and she is now a senior staff member in the school’s literary arts magazine, Tapestry. McKenna hopes to pursue writing in college and eventually publish a book.
Born a Pittsburgher; might never change. Living out my dreams every day. And the list keeps on growing. These are my six word memoirs. Consider them words to live by.
l Claire Kintner is a senior at Fox Chapel Area High School. She has been involved in Tapestry all four years of high school. Claire is a dedicated student varsity athlete. She plays tennis in the fall and runs track and field in the spring. Claire hopes to continue being involved in athletics in her college career. The University of Michigan is at the top of her list, where she is hoping to pursue a medical major. Some of Claire’s other interests include traveling with her family, skiing, and volunteering in her community and church.
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Fox Chapel Area
Fox Chapel Area School District
A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT Dear Residents of the Fox Chapel Area School District, It has been so exciting to see the enthusiasm that is being generated throughout the Fox Chapel Area School District communities in support of our fundraising event, “The Arts and All That Jazz.” This endeavor is truly turning out to be a show of passion for the arts in the Fox Chapel Area School District. This edition of IN Fox Chapel Area Community Magazine contains information on how you can become involved in the event as a major corporate sponsor or patron. We are also seeking high-end auction items for the live auction. Nationallyknown composer, Marvin Hamlisch, will be the featured entertainment for the evening! We are thrilled to have Mr. Hamlisch at this special event. This promises to be an evening to remember in our Pittsburgh area. Most importantly, it will be an evening that brings those of us who support the arts in the Fox Chapel Area School District together to celebrate the past and preserve the future. Over the past year and a half, three of our teachers in the Fox Chapel Area Music Department have been honored for their accomplishments. Mairi Cooper received the Yale Distinguished Music Educator Award, Craig Cannon was one of 11 educators from across the nation to be featured in the January 2011 Choral Director Magazine’s Annual “Choral Director of Note,” and Shawn Funk recently received the 2012 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 1 Citation of Excellence Award. Ms. Cooper, Mr. Cannon, and Mr. Funk truly represent the Fox Chapel Area School District as exemplary music educators. In this spring edition of our magazine, you will also read about three new members of the Fox Chapel Area Board of School Directors. Nancy Foster joins Charles Burke Jr. and Joel Weinstein in representing Region III (Aspinwall Borough, Blawnox Borough, Wards 1 and 5 of O’Hara Township, and Districts 1 and 3 of Fox Chapel Borough); Eric Schmidt joins Robin Baum and Sherman Snyder in representing Region I (Sharpsburg Borough and Wards 2, 3, and 4 of O’Hara Township); and Terry Wirginis represents Region II (Districts 2, 4, and 5 of Fox Chapel Borough and all of Indiana Township) along with Sandra Garbisch and Robert Mauro. The Board of nine brings together expertise in finance, business, legal issues, community involvement, grant writing, and so much more. Our communities are well represented by this distinguished and caring group of citizens. It is always important that I continue to thank residents for their support of our wonderful school district. We strive to stay a step ahead in education because of the high expectations set by the residents of our communities. Thank you for choosing public school education in the Fox Chapel Area School District where “Excellence is not an act, but a habit” – Aristotle. Anne E. Stephens, Ph.D. Superintendent
Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 9
Fox Chapel Area School District Second Gala
To Benefit K-12 Art,
Corporate Sponsorships
Corporate sponsorships for the event are still available and sponsors will be listed in the Gala program. The levels of sponsorship are as follows: Marvin Hamlisch/Burton Morris Level $10,000 •10 tickets to Gala and Patron Party •Reserved table for 10 at the event •Full-page ad in program •Recognition in program J.S. Bach/Michelangelo Level $5,000 •8 tickets to Gala and Patron Party •One half-page ad in program •Recognition in program W.A. Mozart/Pablo Picasso Level $2,500 •6 tickets to Gala and Patron Party •One quarter-page ad in program •Recognition in program
Fox Chapel Area School District arts teachers and the Gala Committee are planning the second Fox Chapel Area School District Gala, “The Arts and All That Jazz.” In the photo are high school teachers Craig Cannon (seated at piano) and from left to right Christine Smith and Mairi Cooper; Superintendent Anne E. Stephens, Ph.D.; and Gala Committee Co-Chairs Ann Battistel and Nan Cohen. Not pictured are Gala Committee Co-Chairs Bonnie Markowitz and Elaine Mitsch.
Frederic Chopin/Rembrandt Level $1,500 •4 tickets to Gala and Patron Party •Business card ad in program •Recognition in program For further information on becoming a corporate sponsor, contact Nancy Cohen at 412/889-4414.
Auction Items
The Gala Committee is seeking auction items for the event. Auction ideas include goods, services, and/or any other exciting contribution for the raffle, silent auction, or live auction. Donors will be recognized with a listing in the Gala program and on the Fox Chapel Area School District Web site. Please send or deliver your donations to the Fox Chapel Area School District, The Arts and All That Jazz, c/o Candace Chapple, 611 Field Club Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238. Questions pertaining to the auction can be addressed to auction co-chairs Ann Battistel at 412/400-0810 (ann.battistel@gmail.com) or Maureen Farino Levicoff at 412/968-0650 (MFarino2@comcast.net). Donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
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Fox Chapel Area
dio
wn and Country Stu
Photo Courtesy To
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eservations are being taken for the second Fox Chapel Area Gala scheduled for Saturday, May 19, 2012, that will feature internationally-known and award-winning composer Marvin Hamlisch. The theme of the event is “The Arts and All That Jazz” and it will be held at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium from 6-10:30 p.m. Reservations are $75 each and $100 each for this adult-only event. The culminating event of “A Year of Celebrating the Arts,” the Gala is a cooperative districtwide fundraising event involving the support of dozens of community leaders, including PTO and PTA officers and representatives, and the art, music, and performing arts teachers. The money raised through the Gala will be used to create a fund through The Pittsburgh Foundation that will be available to district fine arts teachers to support their programs. The objective is to maintain the high caliber art, music, and performing arts programs district residents have come to expect, but that could be vulnerable to budget cuts. The goal is to raise at least $250,000. For more information about “The Arts and All That Jazz,” visit the district’s Web site at www.fcasd.edu, or call 412/967-2413. The format of the Gala will be similar to the special event held in 2010 and will feature entertainment by Mr. Hamlisch, food, drinks, and live and silent auctions. Once again, students from each of the district’s schools have created themed garden foxes that will be available as part of the evening’s auction. In addition, some of the garden foxes will be auctioned online prior to the Gala. There will also be other big-ticket auction items, including an original
Left: Hartwood Elementary School art teacher Cheryl Galizia gives directions to first graders while they work on their colorful garden fox. Every student at Hartwood had the opportunity to participate in the painting of one of the school’s two foxes. Each school is creating garden foxes that will be auctioned as part of the gala. Middle: A Fairview Elementary School fifth grade student helps paint one of Fairview’s garden foxes that will be auctioned as part of the Gala. Below: World-renown post-pop artist Burton Morris created this sketch of the Fox Chapel Area School District logo that will be framed and auctioned off the night of the Gala.
music score signed by Mr. Hamlisch, a lithograph (numbered 207 of 400) signed by Burton Morris, $1,000 scholarship to Point Park University, and $1,000 in orthodontia work from Smiles by Smith Orthodontics. WTAE-TV personality Sally Wiggin will be the emcee for the auctions. Additionally, Mr. Morris will be visiting the school district prior to the Gala for an evening highlighting his eyecatching, unique art style. A Pittsburgh native and world-renowned post-pop artist, Mr. Morris has also created a sketch of the district’s fox logo in commemoration of this special year-long celebration. This original Burton Morris sketch will be framed and auctioned off the night of the Gala. The Gala Committee Co-Chairs are district residents and parents Ann Battistel, Nan Cohen, Bonnie Markowitz, and Elaine Mitsch. They, along with the entire committee, invite you to join the Fox Chapel Area School District in keeping the arts alive!
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he Gala Committee is pleased to announce an evening with Marvin Hamlisch at the May 19 event. Mr. Hamlisch has ties to Pittsburgh as the principal pops conductor for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and most recently conducted at Heinz Hall in January. Mr. Hamlisch’s life in music is notable for its great versatility as well as substance. As a composer, he has won virtually every major award: three Oscars, four Grammys, four Emmys, a Tony, and three Golden Globe awards. For Broadway he has written the music for “They’re Playing Our Song,” as well as the Pulitzer Prize-winning, “A Chorus Line.” He is the composer of many motion picture scores including his Oscar-winning score and song for “The Way We Were” and his adaptation of Scott Joplin’s music for “The Sting,” for which he received a third Oscar. His prolific output of scores for films include original compositions and/ or musical adaptations for “Sophie’s Choice,” “Ordinary People,” “The Swimmer,” “Three Men and a Baby,” “Ice Castles,” “Take the Money and Run,” “Bananas,” “Save the Tiger,” and his latest effort “The Informant!,” starring Matt Damon and directed by Steven Soderbergh. Mr. Hamlisch is also the principal pops conductor for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Pasadena Symphony and Pops, Seattle Symphony, and San Diego Symphony. He was musical director and arranger of Barbra Streisand’s 1994 concert tour of the United States and England as well as of the television special, “Barbra Streisand: The Concert” (for which he received two of his Emmys). Mr. Hamlisch is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music and Queens College (where he earned a bachelor of arts degree). He believes in the power of music to bring people together. “Music can make a difference. There is a global nature to music, which has the potential to bring all people together. Music is truly an international language, and I hope to contribute by widening communication as much as I can.”
Photo Courtesy Stephanie Strasburg
Music & Performing Arts Programs
Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 11
Fox Chapel Area School District
Fairview Elementary First Graders
Set Out to
Tour the
World W
A student watches Mr. Seth on the iPad which also picks up her voice and image.
hat started out as a one-time Skype™ lesson is expanding into a tour around the world. Fairview Elementary School computer literacy teacher Lisa Lang saw the possibility of using Skype as a tool to expose her students to cultures and people in other areas of the world. She contacted Kerr Elementary School teacher Alison (Morton) Baran, who is currently teaching first grade at a school in Slovakia, and asked if the two classes could Skype. Mrs. Baran was thrilled with the idea. But before the students in Stacey Reese’s first grade class could Skype, they needed to work on their map skills and learn some basic information about Bratislava, Slovakia. They also brainstormed questions to ask the teacher and the students in this far-away land. Even manners and the proper way to introduce themselves to their new friends were discussed. The students’ questions addressed topics such as weather, holidays, food, transportation, sports, and school. Following their Skyping experience, first grader Jacob Martin says he learned that because the school day in Slovakia is longer, “They have three recesses and they get to play in the snow! We only get one recess a day.” He adds, “It’s fun to see what it’s like there without having to go there. It might take a while to go there.” The one-time visit to Slovakia piqued the students’ curiosity to learn more. “I talked to the students about how we could visit places without ever leaving the classroom,” Mrs. Lang states. “I like to discover ways to extend the technology that we are so fortunate to have so that I can expand the learning opportunities for students.” Mrs. Lang then set out to find more Skyping connections. One night in spinning class, she mentioned her project to a woman that she 12
Fox Chapel Area
knew would soon be returning to Japan. She asked if the first graders could Skype with her. The woman eagerly agreed. Another lady in the class who Mrs. Lang did not even know overheard the conversation and said she knew someone in Belgium and would ask if this woman would be willing to Skype. That friend, Erin Kunkel who works for Westinghouse, has now confirmed her willingness to participate. She even plans to send a special treat to the class so that they can enjoy it during their chat. The treat is none other than Belgium chocolate! Another connection will allow the students to speak with Fox Chapel Area alum Brandon Goeller who is in the military stationed in Germany. Additionally, a teacher from Spain, who Mrs. Lang met through an educational Webinar, agreed to have her first grade class participate in a Skyping experience. The first graders also visited Turkey through a connection of Mrs. Reese. The friend, Seth Packrone (“Mr. Seth” to the first graders), is on a fellowship teaching English in Turkey. From that session, the students learned that, in Turkey there is no recess, but there are “tea breaks.” “In Turkey, some people drink 100 cups of tea a day,” explains first grader Lindsay Scheffler. She continues, “Usually people don’t drink that much tea. Tea is more popular than anything else the adults drink.” Students had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of Turkey’s culture when Mr. Seth turned the computer to face the outside and the students could see a mosque and hear the “call to prayer.” The entire travel adventure is made possible with technological tools available in Mrs. Lang’s computer lab. Under her direction, the first graders used Apple TV®, an iPad®, and a SMART Board® to Skype. The iPad allows communication by capturing audio and video
Fairview first gr ad school-created e students prepare to share th passports with eir recent Skyping Mr. Seth during a session.
of the large group and individual students to the overseas guest. The image from the iPad is then projected wirelessly through Apple TV onto the large whiteboard. But the lesson doesn’t stop once the students end Skyping. The first graders go back to their classrooms and draft a journal addressing things such as what was most interesting to them and what they learned about the new country and their new friends. The students then make final drafts of their journals via word processing in class with Mrs. Lang. Mrs. Lang has also created passports for the students to keep track of the countries they have visited. Throughout the project, the students have compared and contrasted the similarities and differences between our own country and the other countries they have visited. Second graders in Kristen Bost’s class are also getting in on the action. The students hope to be able to visit Tanzania as one of Mrs. Bost’s cousins, Lisa O’Bryan, is there studying the behavior of chimpanzees and recently met Jane Goodall. “This is a wonderful collaborative learning experience. Via technology, the students are able to ‘travel the world’ learning about the daily lives of children and the cultures and climates in other parts of the world without leaving my computer lab.” Mrs. Lang continues, “It has truly broadened the students’ perspectives that there is life beyond ‘their world.’ ” Lindsay concurs that traveling by computer has been a great learning experience. “It’s neat to learn about other countries because you’re not there and it’s neat to see what they do and what it looks like.” She points out that Japan is next and, “I’m really excited about that one!”
Music Teacher Wins Prestigious Citation of Excellence Award
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Elaine Goldsmith, who teaches next door to Mr. Funk at O’Hara said, “I’ve watched him for 11 years. O’Hara Elementary School students and staff celebrate He awakens the musician in you.” Shawn Funk’s designation as the PMEA District 1 She then led the assembly in singing Citation of Excellence Award winner. He was nominated “Congratulations to You!” to the by music teacher Elaine Goldsmith and tune of “Happy Birthday.” Assistant Principal J.P. Prager. Mr. Funk came forward and thanked Mrs. Goldsmith, the To date, he has served as a cooperating staff, and students and told them that teacher for 58 student teachers from seven he originally had planned to be a high universities, as a host teacher for music school choral director. Fortunately, for education students from three universities, the thousands of elementary students who and is a frequent workshop presenter learned the fundamentals of music from and consultant for several national music Mr. Funk over the years, his elementary organizations. rotation with two influential music teachers Mrs. Goldsmith says she has observed in Brookville changed his mind. Mr. Funk how Mr. Funk uses child-centered props said after that experience he decided he and stories to engage his students. “At the wanted to teach elementary music, and has elementary level, teaching six or seven never turned back. Coincidentally, the two classes a day, he knows he is the one who elementary music teachers who made such needs to get students to fall in love with an impression on him, have also received music.” She points out that the annual the citation of excellence from the PMEA. fifth grade music programs at O’Hara Mr. Funk said he was humbled that the “are always a delightful display of quality nominators took the time to write the letters singing, dancing, playing, acting, knowing, of recommendation. understanding, and creating.” He also attributes much of the success To his students at O’Hara, Lauren sums it of the elementary music program to the up when she says, “He makes sure we learn support and cooperation of the middle stuff and we have fun.” school and high school music teachers. Zack adds, “He’s so dedicated to his “They have always been supportive of the students.” elementary program and are extremely Abby agrees. “He wakes up early every cognizant of what elementary music teachers Thursday for chorus,” she says, always do. That doesn’t happen everywhere,” Mr. arriving at school before anyone else. “If Funk said. we need extra practice, he helps us during In addition to recess.” teaching 300-plus The students say they will never forget the students each year lessons Mr. Funk is teaching them. Zack says at O’Hara since Mr. Funk uses sayings to correct students, 1992, Mr. Funk has for example, “Use the ‘Carly maneuver’ served as the music to tighten up the notes on the recorder.” department chair The Carly maneuver is a recorder-playing for 12 years. He technique named for one of Mr. Funk’s founded the fourth students who discovered it and shared it and fifth grade with the class. chorus program Lauren pipes in and laughs while in which all four describing one of her favorite Funkisms, elementary schools “Remember to put your left hand on top participate. of the recorder. I’ll be reminding you until Mr. Funk speaks with students following the surprise assembly to honor him. you’re 87!” he 300-plus students whom he teaches each year didn’t need someone to tell them he was the best. They already knew. But they were still thrilled when O’Hara Elementary School music teacher Shawn Funk was awarded the 2012 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 1 Citation of Excellence Award. “Someone who spends his whole life teaching music should be recognized for it, especially if they’re as good as he is,” says fifth grader Abby Baldauf, who currently has Mr. Funk for music and is a member of the fifth grade chorus that he directs. She and several other of Mr. Funk’s students were told in advance by Principal Mike Rowe, Ed.D., that there was to be a surprise for their teacher on January 26. “It was hard to hold it in,” says third grader John Polcyn, who was called to the office that morning and told the news, along with Abby, third grader Lauren Himmel, and fifth grader Zack Yonas. “I was really happy!” John said. The rest of the student body and Mr. Funk thought they were being called to the auditorium for an assembly led by their principal on the school’s Core Values of Respect, Responsibility, and Integrity. Dr. Rowe told the students there was someone in their midst who exhibited the Core Values and was being recognized by the PMEA. He then introduced Mr. Funk to the applause of the students and staff in the audience.
Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 13
Fox Chapel Area School District
Apprenticeships Offer
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new friend. poses with a t en d u st a pel Are A Fox Cha
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Fox Chapel Area
or many high schoolers a career path is clear. For others, not so much. Participating in an apprenticeship program helps Fox Chapel Area High School students focus their career planning. This year 50 sophomores, juniors, and seniors are involved in apprenticeships that allow the students to meet with professionals who share their experience and expertise in their work settings. Sponsored by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU), students from high schools across Allegheny County have the opportunity to explore professions ranging from acting, advertising, and animation to visual arts, writing for publication, and zoo animal care. Students must apply online to be considered for participation. “The AIU Apprenticeship Program offers fantastic hands-on learning opportunities for students who wish to investigate potential career paths in greater depth,” says high school teacher Lisa Giguere, who coordinates the AIU apprenticeship program at Fox Chapel Area. “Every apprenticeship has something unique to offer and helps these young adults to make better decisions about their future.” This has proven true for junior Sarah Bradley, currently enrolled in the apprenticeship program, who knows she wants to get her master’s in marine biology. Unsure of exactly what she wants to do with that degree she says, “That’s why I decided to do this.” Junior Geena Petrone, who is interested in both math and science, completed a mentoring program in civil engineering last semester at Carnegie Mellon University’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering – Green Design Institute. The apprenticeship offered an opportunity to discover how civil engineers work to find answers to questions about sustainability and green design. Students in the program spend eight sessions learning about a variety of topics dealing with sustainability and the use of raw materials. On one of the days at CMU, Geena said she worked with other participants to take apart a toaster in order to see how much and what type of material goes into it. At another session, students designed a scale model of a windmill and tested it to see if it could light up an LED bulb. They also visited and studied a self-sustaining prototype house that was built on campus by CMU students. Geena would recommend that everyone consider participating in the apprenticeship program. It has led her to finetune her civil engineering career plans to transportation and she says, “Changing the world through civil engineering is what I want to do.” Senior Maheen Nadeem got to pet a penguin and see behind-the-scenes areas of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium that visitors do not generally get to experience. She decided to apply she says because, “Marine biology has always intrigued me.”
Insight to
Future Careers
She and the other students in the marine biology apprenticeship visited the zoo eight times, and each session offered a different experience. Maheen said that her group of 15 students spent a session studying the fresh-water ecosystem at the Amazon tank. During other sessions, she observed how the animals have human-like qualities, as she saw the sea lions move like dancers in perfect synchronization. In a visit to the Allegheny River, the students took water samples using pH-sensing tools and thermometers. Like Geena, Maheen enthusiastically recommends the mentorship. “Anyone who is even remotely interested should do it,” she states. Junior Edward Schwartz says he has not yet made a career decision but is keeping his options open. Involved in acting since he was five, he chose to participate in his second apprenticeship program – the acting, singing, and dancing apprenticeship at the Pittsburgh Musical Theater. Last year he completed a conducting apprenticeship under the direction of Duquesne University Music School’s Dr. Robert Cameron. Although he may not become a conductor, Eddie says it was valuable for him to learn the history of music. “Understanding music helps you in whatever part you do,” he’s says. In addition to being active with the Act One Theatre School since he was 13, Eddie has also been involved in Fox Chapel Area High School’s Le Grand Salon, performs with the Concert Choir and Madrigal Singers, and is currently enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) Music Theory. He says, “Knowing the names of famous conductors – knowing little random facts about music – helps when you talk to people.” According to Ms. Giguere, “The students who participate return with amazing culminating projects and stories about their experiences in the professional world. It is so wonderful to witness students relaying their excitement about holding a penguin in the avian care apprenticeship or meeting various television personalities in the broadcast journalism apprenticeship.”
Teacher Stephanie Lind works with a Fox Chapel Area High School student as he prepares metal for enameling as part of the metalsmithing apprenticeship at the Society for Contemporary Crafts in Pittsburgh.
“The students who participate return with amazing culminating projects and stories about their experiences in the professional world.” Lisa Giguere, high school teacher and coordinator of the AIU apprenticeship program at Fox Chapel Area.
A Fox Chap el Area stud ent examines of a shark a the undersid s part of the e A apprenticesh IU marine biology ip program .
Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 15
Fox Chapel Area School District
Kerr “Pawsitively Proud” of Positive Behavior Program
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uel Perks!® and reward cards. Now there are “Paw Perks” that Kerr Elementary School students earn as part of a schoolwide effort to acknowledge positive behavior. Beginning February 1, students who are “caught” demonstrating the district’s Core Values of Respect, Responsibility, and Integrity in the classroom and in the hallways will be handed a Pawsitively Proud Paw Perk. Recipients of the Paw Perks then deposit them in their grade-level mailbox to be eligible for prizes awarded at the end of each month. Principal Paul Noro, Ed.D., explained the new program and its rules at a special assembly on January 30, which also marked the 100th day of school for the students. The presentation took on the air of a pep rally with the Kerr fifth grade band and the school district’s Fox mascot on hand to help generate excitement for the positive acknowledgement program. Dr. Noro told students that he was pleased with their behavior so far this school year in the classroom and hallways. “This is the best start to the school year we ever had,” he told the students. The new Paw Perks program will “show you that we appreciate how you act,” he said. There are a limited number of students who can receive the Paw Perks since each teacher is only given eight to pass out each month. Additionally, Paw Perks cannot be awarded to students by their regular classroom teachers. At the end of February, the first names were drawn from all of the entries, and the two winners from each grade level had the opportunity to cut off their principal’s tie and share a snack with Dr. Noro. Other monthly prizes include “fast passes” that enable recipients to cut to
A Kerr Elementary School student cuts Dr. Noro’s tie as part of his reward for demonstrating the district’s Core Values of Respect, Responsibility, and Integrity. 16
Fox Chapel Area
Did the Fox make that paw print on the door?!? It’s actually a large paw print put there by Principal Dr. Paul Noro. He explains to students how their class can receive stars for demonstrating positive behavior. the front of the line for lunch and other events, a game day with the principal, and “Minute to Win It” challenges. At the end of the school year, all monthly winners’ names will be entered into a drawing for special prizes. In addition to the Paw Perks program, there are also opportunities for each class to be acknowledged for their positive behavior. A large paw print has been placed on each classroom door, and Dr. Noro and special area teachers (such as art, music, physical education, and library) will put up stars on the paw prints to award an entire class for demonstrating respectful behavior or one of the other Core Values. Classes with the most stars at the end of each month will be chosen to participate in a special activity. The new acknowledgement program follows an effort at Kerr to promote positive behavior by laying out expectations in the classroom and hallways at school. Dr. Noro said he came to the realization that students may not always understand expectations for in-school behavior – unless they are taught, just like math and reading. He and a team from Kerr attended a local training seminar and Dr. Noro also attended a national seminar in Oregon to learn about CHAMPS (C for Conversation, H for Help, A for Activity, M for Movement, P for Participation, and S for Success), a classroom management strategy. Dr. Noro is proud of the progress Kerr students have made in demonstrating “pawsitive” behavior. He points out that referrals for time-outs have been reduced by one third already this school year. With fewer discipline issues, more time can be spent on instruction. Dr. Noro reminds the students, “We should be ‘pawsitively’ proud of ourselves. Keep up the good work!” Indeed, students have responded positively to the new reward system and like how expectations are clearly defined. For example, fifth grader Ryan Kerr now has a clearer understanding of whether he can talk in the hallways. “Talking levels from zero, which is not talking in the hall, to one, which is a whisper, two and three, and then, four which is outside voices,” he explains. Fifth grader Braelyn Henderson said teachers use the CHAMPS program to let students know what behavior is expected in different school activities. “CHAMPS lets us know how you should move, if you should be talking, when you should be participating,” she says. Braelyn says she likes the Paw Perks program. “It pays off. You get a reward.”
High School Conducts Middle States Evaluation Process Completes Year-Long Self-Study
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ox Chapel Area High School hosted a team of evaluators from the Middle States Commission of Secondary Schools February 27-March 1, 2012. The site visit was the culminating event of the high school’s year-long accreditation process. The evaluation process, prescribed by the Middle States Commission of Secondary Schools of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, includes a building-level strategic planning process for the upcoming seven-year accreditation cycle. The site visit then provides the opportunity to showcase all that the high school has to offer. Though not required, Middle States accreditation provides a catalyst for school improvement and is highly regarded as the gold standard. Fox Chapel Area High School last went through the process in 2003-2004. Last spring, the planning team, made up of teachers, parents, students, and administrators, was appointed and began the process of administering the Middle States survey to students, parents, and teachers. The Middle States survey covered the 12 Middle States Association standards vital to successful high school programs – mission/ philosophy, governance and leadership, school improvement planning, finances, facilities, school climate and organization, health and safety, educational program, assessment and evidence of student learning, student services, student life and student activities, and information resources and technology – in
order to determine strengths and to identify areas that can be improved. After compiling the survey results, the planning team delineated three areas of focus which were then sent to the action teams. The next step was for action teams to determine specific goals, timelines, responsibilities, resources, and evaluation criteria in the three focus areas which included curriculum and instruction; health, wellness, and relationships; and Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM). The action teams met over the fall semester to develop a spreadsheet plan for each area that detailed steps to achieve the goals. In the area of curriculum and instruction, the high school will continue to work to make improvements, particularly focusing on the new Common Core State Standards to ensure they are incorporated into the curriculum. A second part of that action plan includes refining Differentiated Instruction to respond to the needs of the students. The second goal area deals with the health, wellness, and relationships of the high school community. Goals include strengthening transition programs for incoming freshmen, helping students lead healthier lives through cardiovascular activities and nutritional choices, and helping the students to develop positive relationships with peers. The final focus area deals with the STEMM national initiative, and includes goals to increase academic achievement in math and science, to increase
STEMM enrichment experiences available to the students, and to align courses and curriculum to new science standards. The 350-page self-study document was presented to the visiting Middle States site team. The site team included educators from Western Pennsylvania, Lancaster, State College, Maryland, and New Jersey. During their visit to the high school, the visiting team spent time meeting with teachers, students, and administrators; familiarizing themselves with the school; and examining the self-study document and supporting documentation. According to Brad Ferko, Ed.D., the chairperson of the Middle States site visit team, the team was impressed with the caring educators and the collaboration they witnessed at Fox Chapel Area High School. “We see how the teachers work together in all phases of curriculum development in order to improve student achievement.” He further pointed out that the Middle States process is about accentuating what is right with schools, “and there’s plenty the staff, students, and community can be proud of here.” The visiting team will make a recommendation to the Middle States organization, and the Middle States Commission will make the announcement regarding the school’s accreditation in late fall of 2012. Above: Fox Chapel Area High School art teacher Ron Frank and two of his jewelry students talk with the Middle States site visitors.
Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 17
Fox Chapel Area School District
Telethon Brings Real-Life Marketing Experience
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hat you see is only the tip of the iceberg… a well-planned and produced two-hour telethon, coordinated by marketing management and television production students. This year’s 22nd annual Fox Chapel Area telethon raised $49,460 for Habitat for Humanity. However, it’s what’s beneath the surface, the behindthe-scenes planning, that provides the real-life learning experience for students. During the weeks and months before the telethon, marketing management students learn the basics of marketing, study the charity, choose a theme, and design and develop their fundraising plans. According to business education teacher Jill Tabis, students brainstorm ideas, question and pull apart the ideas, and then formulate and carry out their fundraising plans. Along the way,
they study notes and recommendations from past telethons to help in their planning. Marketing students are also responsible to advertise their fundraising events. In addition to posters and signs, they visit homerooms to personally make their pitch for support. Senior Chris Cavlovich said experience has shown that face-to-face promotion is more effective than merely putting up posters. As a result, there was an increase of personal visits to homerooms to promote this year’s fundraising events. This year’s theme was “Hammer Time,” to go along with the charity, Habitat for Humanity, and its A Brush With Kindness and Weatherization programs. Telethon donations will help families within the Fox Chapel Area School District. Fundraisers at the high school included a cotton candy sale,
The “Buy a Brick, Build a House!” campaign started December 1 at Hartwood Elementary School. For a dollar students bought paper “bricks.” They then put their names, or the name of a family member, on the brick and added it to the paper house located in Hartwood’s front hallway. As the bricks were added to the wooden frame, it looked like a house was being built. Each year, all six of the Fox Chapel Area schools come together to raise money for a charity as part of the holiday telethon. Each of the schools puts their own spin on their fundraising plans. 18
Fox Chapel Area
hot dog sale, dancing with the staff, parking pass raffle, car smash, garbage can races, pizza sale, Penguins ticket raffle, pie in the face, cornhole tournament, Rita’s ice sale, and money blast. Ms. Tabis said several of the fundraising concepts were new this year. Just as in real-world situations, not every fundraiser is as successful as one may hope. “Students learn that even when you plan, there’s success and there’s failure,” Ms. Tabis said. Chris, who first took the marketing management class last year, elected to take the marketing applications class offered for the first time this year. “I enjoyed it even more this year,” he said about the planning of the telethon. In the marketing applications class (an independent study), students were involved
The Fox Chapel Area School District Telethon was broadcast live on FCTV and rebroadcast throughout the community via cable television several times. Each of the six schools in the district participated in the event. The proceeds from this year’s telethon will stay local and help families within the Fox Chapel Area School District through Habitat for Humanity’s A Brush With Kindness and Weatherization programs. A Brush With Kindness is an exterior home preservation service that provides painting, landscaping, weather stripping, and minor repair services for homeowners in need. A Brush With Kindness helps low-income homeowners impacted by age, disability, and family circumstances. For further information, contact Dan Webb, the family services coordinator at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh, at 412/351-0512, extension 10. The students in the Fox Chapel Area School District have donated more than a half million dollars to various charities through their annual telethon over the last 22 years.
in the fundraising for the telethon by “selling” the charity to corporations through research, letters, phone solicitations, and follow up to collect donations. The class received cash donations from 15 corporations and other donations valued at $10 and up from 45 different companies. Ms. Tabis says that the business electives provide realworld experience and help to develop workplace skills. “My goal for the students is to build a higher awareness of how marketing impacts them and to understand how to market themselves,” she says. Additionally, the experience is great to put on a resumé or college application. When it’s all over, and the day of the telethon arrives, Ms. Tabis says that on a personal level, “It’s one of the big joys of my career.” She tells her students after all of the hard work and it all falls into place, “In the end you will realize what you have accomplished — and it’s amazing.” Television production teacher Doug Martin gives direction to a Fox Chapel Area High School student and a Fairview Elementary School student before they appear live as part of the telethon. Mr. Martin’s television production students produce the annual telethon.
It’s not a New York City hot dog cart. It’s right here at Fox Chapel Area High School! Students served hot dogs during the telethon, thanks to a parent who donated the hot dog cart and multiple companies who donated the supplies for the fundraiser.
Television production students interview Maggie Withrow, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh, during the live telethon.
Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 19
Fox Chapel Area School District
Fox Chapel Area New School Board Members
Board Member Looks Forward to Representing Residents
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Nancy Foster
he school district has attracted quality teachers and staff and has been fiscally well managed,” says newly-elected School Board member Nancy Foster, an investment manager. However, she recognizes the fiscal challenges, including state funding and employee pensions, that face public education. Not only interested in the financial business of the school district, Mrs. Foster says she wants to see students challenged to meet their fullest potential. “We need to continue to do the best we can for each student.” She observes that Fox Chapel Area is a great school district and states, “The experience we have had as a family with the schools has been a positive one. I am especially impressed with the teachers.” Mrs. Foster has a vested interest in becoming more involved in the school system where her two sons are being
educated. Ryan is an 11th grader at Fox Chapel Area High School and Logan is an 8th grader at Dorseyville Middle School. She has wasted no time getting immersed in School Board business, and was elected treasurer at her very first School Board meeting in December. Mrs. Foster has lived most of her life in the district and she says, “I am honored to be serving on the School Board and look forward to representing the residents.” Along with her husband Kent, the family lives in Fox Chapel Borough. Mrs. Foster has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Duke University and she worked in Chicago for eight years following her college graduation. She joined Guyasuta Investment Advisors in 2001 where she is currently a partner and director of operations.
Eric Schmidt has Lifelong Experience with School District
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Eric Schmidt
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ric Schmidt, a Fox Chapel Area High School 1981 graduate, recalls that one of his daughter’s first teachers at Kerr Elementary School was (now retired teacher) Gloria Schrader — a woman who was also his third grade teacher. As a former student, and a parent of current students, Mr. Schmidt describes his “lifelong experience” with the Fox Chapel Area Schools as a very positive one. He points out that the strength of the school district is the students, parents, and staff. “Any organization that’s a quality organization, the strength is its people — everybody comes together to make things work,” he says. He also says he believes it is important to maintain the quality that has always existed. “We need to stay in the forefront with academics,” he comments. Another goal that is important to Mr. Schmidt is keeping students away from dangerous behaviors such as drug and alcohol use. “This is very personal to me because of what I do professionally,” he says.
Since graduation Mr. Schmidt has devoted his life to serving the community. For the past seven years he has been the outreach development coordinator for LifeFlight, part of the West Penn Allegheny Health System. Additionally, he serves as a paramedic on a part-time basis with West Deer EMS and as a volunteer with Parkview EMS. He has served twice as chief of the Parkview EMS and is a lifetime member of the Parkview VFD and EMS. He is also on the board for the Allegheny County EMS. Additionally, he has served on the board of the regional affiliate of the American Heart Association and is a past member of the Fox Chapel Area High School Site-Based Management Team. Mr. Schmidt lives in O’Hara Township with his wife, Beth Ann (Scalise) Schmidt, also a Fox Chapel Area High School graduate. They own the house where Mr. Schmidt was raised and they have three children attending Fox Chapel Area High School, Deric, a senior, and twin daughters, Abbie and Tori who are sophomores.
Third Generation Business Owner Steps on Board
Terry Wirginis
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nriching the educational opportunities for all students and holding high standards are priorities for new School Board member Terry Wirginis, president and thirdgeneration owner of the Gateway Clipper Fleet. “It’s more than just reading, writing,
and arithmetic. It’s the overall total package, which also includes noncore subjects and extracurricular activities,” he says, adding, “We are so fortunate to have so many people committed to making sure our kids have a quality education.” As the father of seven children, Mr. Wirginis has served on numerous boards for school and community organizations, both in sports and in the arts. “I know my children have been provided with wonderful opportunities and I’ve been pleased with the quality of experiences they have had in our schools.” He stresses that the extracurricular activities the school district offers have enriched the overall educational experiences of his children. Additionally, he has seen a “selflessness” on the part of those who work for the school district. “We have strong leadership in all aspects of the district. It’s not often that you see that.” Mr. Wirginis points out that being fiscally responsible is also a major goal, but that being in a good place with long-term debt gives the district some flexibility. “What we have here in Fox Chapel Area, it takes a lot of effort to keep that kind of quality,” he reiterates.
Mr. Wirginis has lived in Indiana Township for almost 33 years. A 1970 Fox Chapel Area High School graduate, he specifically moved back here with the quality of the school district in mind, even prior to having children. Sadly, his first wife, Barbara, passed away in 1989. He and his wife Pamela have seven children, Trevor, Nicholas Kennedy, Emerson, Alexandria, and Hannah, all grown, and Christian, a Fox Chapel Area High School senior, and Quintin, a Fox Chapel Area High School sophomore. Mr. Wirginis has a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University. His business experience involves ventures across the United States. He is also chairman of the board of the Pittsburghbased Birmingham Foundation, which he describes as one of his “greatest educational joys.” The foundation has given away nearly $10 million in grants to the South Side Pittsburgh community, primarily in an effort to reduce youth violence and promote educational programs to improve the chances of success for young people in the community. He is also involved with Riverlife and the Passenger Vessel Foundation.
Prevention Video Program Available Online
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he Fox Chapel Area School District continues to work with other regional school districts and nonpublic schools to encourage parents to access Internet-based educational resources related to drug/alcohol abuse and cyberbullying. The Pennsylvania Alliance for Safe and Drug-Free Children and the Pennsylvania attorney general’s office produced the “Prevention Video” series program. These short videos, approximately 15 minutes each, are available on the Internet at http://www.drug-alliance.org/. No usernames or passwords are required to view the videos. If you do not have high speed access to “stream” the videos, copies of the videos are available on loan from your school’s librarian or guidance department and also at Volunteers of America/All of Us Care in Sharpsburg. Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 21
Fox Chapel Area School District
School Director Recognition Month
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he Dorseyville Middle School Girls Chamber Chorus performed for the Fox Chapel Area Board of School Directors in honor of School Director Recognition Month. Each year, the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) designates January as School Director Recognition Month. It has become a tradition at Fox Chapel Area for students from each of the district’s schools to honor the School Board members. The Dorseyville Middle School Girls Chamber Chorus, featuring 50 students in grades six-eight, is directed by teacher Amy Beresik.
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School Board Reorganization Meeting
he Fox Chapel Area Board of School Directors held its annual reorganization meeting in December 2011. Joel R. Weinstein was elected president; Robert Mauro was elected vice president; Sandra M. Garbisch was elected assistant secretary; and Nancy B. Foster was elected treasurer. The Board also set the following meeting schedule for 2012:
Agenda Study Sessions
April 16 (Fox Chapel Area High School - April 16 is a combined agenda study session and regular business meeting); May 7 (O’Hara Elementary School); June 4 (Fox Chapel Area High School); August 20 (Fox Chapel Area High School - August 20 is a combined agenda study session and regular business meeting); September 4 (Fox Chapel Area High School - Tuesday); October 1 (Hartwood Elementary School); November 5 (Kerr Elementary School); and November 27 (Fairview Elementary School - Tuesday).
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Fox Chapel Area
Regular Business Meetings
April 16 (April 16 is a combined agenda study session and regular business meeting); May 14; June 11; August 20 (August 20 is a combined agenda study session and regular business meeting); September 10; October 8; November 12; and December 3. All regular business meetings will be held at Fox Chapel Area High School.
The School Board will also hold a special year-end meeting June 18 at Fox Chapel Area High School. The School Board’s annual reorganization meeting will be held December 3 immediately following the December regular business meeting. All Board meetings are held on Mondays (unless otherwise noted) at 7 p.m. Additionally, three newly elected Board members, Mrs. Foster, Eric C. Schmidt, and Terry L. Wirginis were sworn in, along with re-elected School Board members Robin F. Baum and Mrs. Garbisch. Charles R. Burke and Sherman M. Snyder are also members of the Board of School Directors.
Fox Chapel Area School District
2011-2012 Facts & Figures 2011-2012 Student Enrollment
Professional Staff Statistics
Elementary Schools (K-Grade 5) Fairview Elementary School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360 Hartwood Elementary School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351 Kerr Elementary School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 479 O’Hara Elementary School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 700
Number of Professional Staff Elementary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179 Secondary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Total Elementary Enrollment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,890
Master’s Degree or Equivalent Elementary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70% Secondary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73%
Secondary Schools (Grades 6-12) Dorseyville Middle School (6-8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,040 Fox Chapel Area High School (9-12). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,446 Total Secondary Enrollment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,486 Total District Enrollment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,376
Class of 2011 The total number of Fox Chapel Area High School graduates in the class of 2011 was 348. The percentages of 2011 graduates entering some type of post-secondary education were as follows: Four-Year Colleges 279 or 80.2% Two-Year Colleges 46 or 13.2% Total Continuing Education 325 or 93.4%
Average SAT Scores Critical Reading Math Writing Class of 2011 567 577 563 Class of 2010 565 581 560 Class of 2009 563 568 562 Class of 2008 561 581 560 Class of 2007 547 546 539 A total of 287 members (82 percent) of the Class of 2011 took the SAT during their junior or senior year. The national average scores for all 2011 graduates taking the test were 497 in critical reading, 514 in math, and 489 in writing.
2011 PSSA Scores Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 11
Reading 92% 90% 83% 87% 92% 95% 92%
Math 96% 97% 91% 89% 88% 91% 86%
% = Percent Scoring Advanced and Proficient
Writing n/a n/a 92% n/a n/a 91% 97%
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415
Average Years of Teaching Experience Elementary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Secondary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Years
The Community The Fox Chapel Area School District is located in a dynamic suburban community about 11 miles northeast of downtown Pittsburgh. The district includes six municipalities (the boroughs of Aspinwall, Blawnox, Fox Chapel, and Sharpsburg and the townships of Indiana and O’Hara) representing a wide range of social, economic, cultural, and religious backgrounds. The schools provide a comprehensive array of educational opportunities to serve the needs of this diverse population and to meet the high expectations of its residents. The district encompasses an area of about 36 square miles with approximately 30,000 residents.
The School District The Fox Chapel Area School District is a nationally recognized, award-winning school district that produces high achievement in students, with a motivated and professional faculty and an involved and caring administration. The district currently operates six schools.
Vision Students in the Fox Chapel Area School District will enter schools that are prepared to address individual needs. The school community will nurture and inspire students’ desire for knowledge and provide the foundation for them to be successful in a global society and to become lifelong learners.
Mission Statement The Fox Chapel Area School District exists to provide a rigorous school program that strives to take students to their maximum levels of educational achievement and to develop the whole person in order to accomplish his or her personal best.
Core Values Respect – Responsibility – Integrity
Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 23
Fox Chapel Area School District District Administration
611 Field Club Road Pittsburgh, PA 15238 412/963-9600 www.fcasd.edu Superintendent: Anne E. Stephens, Ph.D. Assistant Superintendent: David P. McCommons, Ed.D. Administrative Assistant for Business Affairs: L. Douglas McCausland
District Resource Staff
Coordinator of Instruction, Staff Development and Secondary Curriculum: Shelley Beck, Ph.D. Coordinator of Elementary Education and Instruction: To Be Determined Coordinator of Special Education and Pupil Services: Lonnie Carey, Ed.D. Coordinator of Educational Technology: Scott Hand Coordinator of Ancillary Services: Sam Miceli Director of Athletics & Activities: Michael O’Brien Coordinator of Communications: Bonnie Berzonski
Fox Chapel Area Schools
FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 738 Dorseyville Road Pittsburgh, PA 15238 412/963-9315 Principal: Sari E. McNamara, Ed.D.
HARTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 3730 Saxonburg Boulevard Pittsburgh, PA 15238 412/767-5396 Principal: Jacquelyn M. Gregory-Rauzan, Ed.D. KERR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 341 Kittanning Pike Pittsburgh, PA 15215 412/781-4105 Principal: Paul S. Noro, Ed.D. O’HARA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 115 Cabin Lane Pittsburgh, PA 15238 412/963-0333 Principal: Michael E. Rowe, Ed.D. Assistant Principal: James Phillip Prager Jr.
2012 Fox Chapel Area School Board
DORSEYVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL 3732 Saxonburg Boulevard Pittsburgh, PA 15238 412/767-5343 Principal: Matthew J. Harris Assistant Principal: Patricia A. Clark Assistant Principal: Jonathan T. Nauhaus FOX CHAPEL AREA HIGH SCHOOL 611 Field Club Road Pittsburgh, PA 15238 412/967-2430 Senior/Lead Principal: Michael H. Hower Program Principal: Daniel E. Lentz Assistant Principal – Senior Program: John J. McGee Assistant Principal – Intermediate Program: Rebecca J. Cunningham, Ed.D.
For the latest information on school activities and weather-related delays and cancellations, call the Fox Chapel Area School District 24-Hour Information Line at 412/967-2500 or visit the Web site at www.fcasd.edu. The athletic events calendar can be found on the Fox Chapel Area School District Web site at www.fcasd.edu or visit www.highschoolsports.net.
Region I covers all of Sharpsburg Borough and Wards 2, 3, and 4 of O’Hara Township; Region II covers Districts 2, 4, and 5 of Fox Chapel Borough and all of Indiana Township; and Region III covers all of Aspinwall Borough, Blawnox Borough, Wards 1 and 5 of O’Hara Township, and Districts 1 and 3 of Fox Chapel Borough. School Board regular business meetings are usually scheduled for the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. and are held at the high school. The public is invited to attend.
Photo Courtesy Town and Country Studio
Compliance Statement
Front Row (l to r): Anne E. Stephens, Ph.D., Superintendent; Sandra M. Garbisch, Assistant Secretary (2015 - Region II); Joel R. Weinstein, President (2013 - Region III); and Robert Mauro, Vice President (2013 - Region II). Row 2 (l to r): Terry L. Wirginis (2015 - Region II); Eric C. Schmidt (2015 - Region I); Nancy B. Foster, Treasurer (2015 - Region III); Robin F. Baum (2015 - Region I); Sherman M. Snyder (2013 - Region I); and Charles R. Burke (2013 - Region III). Row 3 (l to r): David P. McCommons, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent; Martin W. Sheerer, Esq., Solicitor; and L. Douglas McCausland, Board Secretary. 24
Fox Chapel Area
The Fox Chapel Area School District is an equal rights and opportunity school district. The school district does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, or handicap/disability. The district shall make reasonable accommodations for identified physical and mental impairments that constitute disabilities, consistent with the requirements of federal and state laws and regulations. Additional information pertaining to civil rights, school district policies, and grievance procedures can be obtained by contacting the compliance officers listed below between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. This notice is available from the compliance officers in large print, on audiotape, and in Braille. Title IX: David McCommons, Ed.D. (412/967-2456) Section 504 & ADA: Lonnie Carey, Ed.D. (412/967-2435) Address: Fox Chapel Area School District 611 Field Club Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238
Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 25
Dr. Godse’s
Medicine by Pamela Palongue
M
uch has been written lately about the value of laughter for improving health. If that’s true, Dr. Ravi Godse’s patients must be doubly blessed. The doctor of internal medicine clearly loves to laugh and make others laugh as well. In addition to his practice at UPMC St. Margaret, Dr. Godse has written and directed several comedy films which have captured the attention of Hollywood, Bollywood and some prominent film festivals. The native of Bombay, India, first arrived in Pittsburgh 16 years ago, prepared with several hundred dollars of American money to spend for food and lodging. Upon landing at Pittsburgh International, he was certain that the baggage carts would be free in the land of milk and honey. Unfortunately, baggage carts were $1.25. A kind lady noticed he was having trouble coming up with the change for the carts and gave him five quarters to rent a cart. “Things have gotten better ever since,” says the Fox Chapel resident who has found that people here are both friendly and good-natured. Godse’s first experience of driving in the snow resulted in a spontaneous detour into the front yard of a nearby neighbor. When the startled lady emerged from her home, Godse rolled down his window and said, “My name is Bond...James Bond.” Fortunately there was no permanent landscape damage and the neighbor waved him goodbye. Although Godse’s future in movie-making appears bright, his career in medicine is his top priority. He is available for his patients seven days a week and makes house calls. Yes, you did read that last sentence correctly, he makes house calls. He is extremely popular with his patients, which no doubt stems from his ability to make them laugh at some of the most frustrating and frightening times of their lives.
26 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
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Godse was treating a lady who was required to fast for 12 hours. She was angry and ranting about her lack of food when Godse entered the room for a consultation. He bravely told her he wanted to begin the consultation by telling her what he had for breakfast. Instead of throwing a bedpan at him, she was completely disarmed and began to laugh. His unique style of humor has a way of defusing an awkward or angry situation. That same dry wit is evident in his films which have quirky titles like, “Dr. Ravi and Mr. Hyde,” “I am a Schizophrenic and so am I” and “If It Ain’t Broke, Break It.” Godse appears in all of his films portraying the role of Dr. Ravi. His humor has been compared to comedic greats Bob Hope, Don Knotts and Woody Allen. He has even been known to guarantee that patrons will experience laughter during his movie or he will refund the ticket price and send them a personal e-mailed apology. Although his films are meant to be entertaining and have been described as “feel-good movies,” there is a deeper message in each one that is a subtle lesson about life. His latest comedy movie will be set in World War II India and will revolve around the political differences of a young husband and wife who have the chance to rewrite history. A work in progress, a title has not yet been selected for the film. Godse’s other passion is history. As a young man in India, he was torn between the career choices of medicine or history. His mother gave him encouragement to pursue both of his dreams and he has combined those loves into a study of the history of medicine. One can only wonder what he might accomplish if he had a few more hours per day with which to work. At the heart of Godse’s creative talent and medical practice is a genuine concern for others which is evident in all phases of his life. His ability to make people laugh is perhaps his greatest gift to his patients and to the community. Dr. Ravi Godse lives in Fox Chapel with his wife and two children who attend Fairview Elementary and Fox Chapel Area High School. Most of Dr. Godse’s movies are available on Amazon.com and Netflix. If you would like more information on Dr. Godse and his upcoming movie release, please visit his website at www.ravigodse.com.
Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 27
Cinderella Ball
The 86th Annual
by Kathy Rudolph
Elizabeth Hobbs of Fox Chapel and Grandaughters Caroline and Mary Hobbs
T
wenty area young ladies dressed in their best white gowns and gloves were presented into society by their dads at the 86th Cinderella Ball hosted by the Cinderella Women’s Committee at the Omni William Penn. Besides looking beautiful and knowing just when to curtsy, which signals their entrance into society, the debutantes had to volunteer for 30 hours at Animal Friends, which was this year’s beneficiary of the ball. Each year, the Cinderella Women’s Committee chooses a Pittsburgh-area civic and charitable organization to be the recipient.
Laurel Breuner, Cinderella Ball Publicity Chairperson, and Daughter, Liesl Debutante, of Fox Chapel
Betsy Teti and Diane Waldman, Cinderella Ball Co-Chairs 28 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
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Fox Chapel Area
The ballroom looked like a scene from Disney’s “Cinderella” with its rich, purple hues, up lighting, ethereal flower arrangements by Bill Chisnell and, of course, Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage. The evening’s other festivities included a delicious dinner, musical entertainment by the Rick Purcell Big Band and Later After Dark featuring Sputzy. To learn more about the Cinderella Ball, visit the website at cinderellaball.info.
Planning for Today, Tomorrow
and Beyond
O
ne question I am most commonly asked is, “How can I maintain my same lifestyle today, tomorrow, and into retirement?” My response always is the same, “Maintaining your lifestyle is first about having enough assets and second, about investing them properly so that your principal and income keep pace with inflation.” To help my clients plan and invest for today and beyond, we start by getting to know each other in a way that establishes the foundation for a trusting and comfortable relationship going
“To help my clients plan and invest for today and beyond, we start by getting to know each other in a way that establishes the foundation for a trusting and comfortable relationship going forward.” forward. This includes you learning about my firm and me developing an accurate snapshot of your current financial condition. After all, knowing the starting point is the first step to getting to your goals. I also encourage clients to identify what is most important to them about money and what could change this view in the years to come. If you are single, what financial changes could occur if you get married? If you have children, are you saving for college? If you are getting ready to retire, what does retirement mean for you? What other issues may you want to consider down the road? I know money is just a resource, but with good stewardship, it could really help you live your life on purpose for the reasons that are important to you. Investing is a process, so I want to understand your tax status, risk tolerance, expectation of return, asset class preferences and restrictions, and your time horizon. Once you help me understand these issues, I work with our team to assess and compile options that reflect both your financial and emotional needs. By this point, we’ve covered a lot of ground; however, it’s just the beginning. Moving forward we’ll meet at least once every year, and I’ll work with our team of experts at BPU Investment Management to monitor and evaluate your investments throughout the year. Another question that comes up frequently is, “How do I plan for future generations?” To that question, I ask them,
“Do you want to creating lasting wealth for your family; pass along cherished values; make an enduring contribution to your community; or some combination of those? No matter your choice, once more it comes down to helping you develop an appropriate plan. I believe that when we view each financial decision as part of the whole, you and I can consider both its short and long-term impact on your life. Together, we can readily adapt to life changes, and you can feel more secure knowing that you are on track to meet your goals. At every stage of the investment process – from discovery to evaluation, to implementation, and monitoring – it is all about a plan. This Industry Insight was written by Nadav Baum, Executive Vice President and Financial Advisor. BPU Investment Management, Inc. is a wealth management firm located in downtown Pittsburgh.
BPU Investment Management, Inc. One Oxford Centre 301 Grant Street, Suite 3300 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 www.bpuinvetments.com Member FINRA/SIPC A registered investment advisor
The accuracy and completeness of this information is not guaranteed. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of BPU Investment Management, Inc. or its affiliates. The material is solely for informational purposes and is not a solicitation of an offer to buy any security or instrument or to participate in any trading strategy. Though our firm provides planning services, we do not render specific legal, accounting or tax advice. Always consult an appropriate professional before implementing any planning decisions. Asset allocation, diversification and rebalancing do not assume a positive return or protect against loss. ©2012 BPU Investment Management, Inc.
Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 29
Let’s
bFit Together! C amaraderie, group support, personal attention. No, it’s not group therapy, it’s group fitness! In JUNE 2011, personal trainers and group fitness instructors Lori Elias and Rory Lazear opened the doors at bFit, a group fitness studio providing a twist to the typical tedious workout. You will not hear the droning pound of feet on treadmills and clanks of circuit weights here. Instead, bFit’s primary focus is providing high-intensity group fitness along with the individualized attention of a personal trainer. The popularity of group fitness has increased dramatically since the debut of NBC’s The Biggest Loser. Individuals are learning the numerous benefits of companionship and competition found in group classes.
Group fitness is not the grapevines and high kicks it was in the 90s. Now, the combination of plyometrics, weight repetition and cardio bursts have taken over, providing the variation needed to prevent plateaus in weight loss and toning efforts. Women and men alike want to be strong and fit. With instructors teaching and coaching group classes, individuals receive attention not found in a normal gym setting. This ensures proper form for low injury risk and better results. Although working out in a group setting, classes can be modified for each individual, allowing them to reach their own fitness goals. So, whether you are an avid exerciser or just starting your fitness plan, you are sure to get a good sweat out of each class. Nothing makes you push yourself harder than having someone next to you cheering you on. Group studio environments breed camaraderie; if you don’t go to class with a friend, you always leave with one. Although each member is working to achieve his or her own goals, everyone is working together toward a sustainable, healthy lifestyle. When you are having fun with others around you, you don’t even realize you are exercising. Group classes include one final element, fun! With group exercise, motivation and energy radiate off each individual, creating an exciting, high-intensity workout. The group exercise environment is a proven success, used to motivate and inspire individuals to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle with the help of others around them. Working in a group setting provides different age groups and fitness levels the opportunity to learn from one another, work together and encourage each other to work to his or her fullest potential. Working out among others provides accountability and support, and instructors often challenge you to go beyond your comfort zone, both are combined to create extraordinary results. Lori and Rory created a group fitness studio that brings “FUN” fitness to the Pittsburgh area. With a variety of non-traditional classes and creative programming, you won’t have time to get bored with your workout schedule! RORY LAZEAR, NASM, CPT Co-Owner, bFit Studio BS in Nutrition Children’s Fitness Specialist willPower & grace Phase II Instructor Indo-Row TRX Specialist Kangoo Power/ Boot Camp
30 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
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LORI ELIAS, NPTI, CPT Co-Owner, bFit Studio Kangoo Power/ Boot Camp Indo-Row Kickboxing Outdoor Fitness Boot Camp Youth Programs
Fox Chapel Rotary Club
Golf Outing
by Pamela Palongue
I
t always feels good to help others and when you can help several people at once, it feels great. The Fox Chapel Rotary Club is sponsoring its annual Golf Classic on Monday, May 21, at the River Forest Country Club in Freeport. The funds raised by the charity event will help the Cooper-Siegel Community Library, the Boyd Community Center, All of Us Care, North Hills Community Outreach, Aspinwall Meals on Wheels, Camp Guyasuta, Beechwood Farms, the St. Margaret Foundation and educational programs and scholarships for area students. This is the major fundraiser for the Rotary club which has several missions, both local and international in scope. Internationally, Rotary partners with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to eradicate polio globally. It is also committed to providing clean drinking water in third-world countries by building wells.
The golfing event will cost $95 per golfer with a luncheon included. The Fox Chapel Rotary Club is actively seeking sponsors for the outing as well as new members for ongoing service projects. The club meets every Wednesday at noon at the Pittsburgh Field Club for those who are interested in possible membership. The group’s motto, “Service Above Self,” is manifested in their work to help others locally and internationally. Their conduct is governed by the 4-Way Test, which is a series of four questions: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? For more information on the Golf Classic, please contact the event chairman Max R. Kirk at 412.782.5999 or maxrkirk@aol. com. For more information on membership in the Fox Chapel Rotary Club, please visit the website at www.clubrunner.ca/ Portal/Home.aspx?accountid=4994.
Fox Chapel Rotary Club Annual Golf Classic Monday, May 21 River Forest Country Club in Freeport
World Affairs Coun cil - Fox Chapel Area Rotary Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 31
ecotourism
W
Travelling Green Is Easier Than You Think
e all love our vacations when we can get them. But while travelling may mean leaving town for a dream destination, it also means baggage and one the pitfalls that come with it – waste. From “travel-sized” tubes of toothpaste and shampoo bottles to disposable razors and eating utensils, travelers often plan to return home with less than they take in order to make room for souvenirs or to simply lighten their loads., With a little planning, however, one can achieve the same goal while putting less of a burden on the environment. For starters, many discount stores sell empty plastic flip-top containers that are perfect for shampoos and conditioners. Instead of purchasing travel size versions of your favorite products, just get a few of these containers and fill them from products already in your bathroom. Rather than packing disposable razors, consider purchasing an electric razor for travel. Even after years of use, a quality electric razor that’s been properly maintained will still deliver a close shave. If you’re travelling to a major city or tourist destination, public transportation will almost certainly be available. Just like at home, traveling by bus is the most environmentally friendly way of getting around if you can’t walk the distance. Most port authorities in destination cities have routes to all major tourist attractions already in place. If you need a car, many major rental companies have added flex fuel and electric hybrids to their fleets. Upon arriving plan a grocery stop. Buying from a grocery store for snacks and drinks is cheaper than eating every meal out. If you’re on the go, packing a few sandwiches can also save you time, avoiding long lines at lunch and dinner time. Your hotel room most likely will have a refrigerator; why not use it? The grocery store also will save you from the enormous mark-up on food items in hotel lobbies,
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restaurants and room service. Dining out can also be a vacation highlight – no need to eat every meal in the room! If you really want to be an eco-tourist, find local restaurants that reflect the culture of your destination. Local cuisine is part of the experience, so treat yourself, and avoid chainrestaurants until you’re back at home. Eating locally also has ecological advantages; smaller restaurants tend to take advantage of locally grown produce, meats and cheeses. By patronizing these mom-and-pop eateries, you’re not only helping to sustain “mom and pop,” you’re helping the local farmers as well. If you’ve chosen an exotic locale, chances are that there are ecotours available. These unique and exhilarating sojourns are planned around responsible tour routes to preserve the local ecology. They typically hire local employees and guides, and will engage local officials to plan operations to minimize negative impacts on the ecology and social structure. Another advantage to ecotours is that they oftentimes allow unprecedented access to the local wildlife, so be sure have your camera ready. The last thing to know about ecotours is that they are educational. Many tours not only point out fauna and wildlife, but will inform you as to what you can do to keep your favorite destination pristine for generations to come. In the end, your vacation is your dream. Whether you’re more comfortable in a hotel room or in a tent in Madagascar, you always have options to minimize your impact during your stay. And by being a conscientious traveler, you also leave the locals with a better opinion of you and the United States as a whole. When it comes to tourism, you’re not just a visitor, you’re an ambassador.
::: Three Rivers Travel 724.260.5341 ::: www.threeriverstravel.com ::: 32 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
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Fox Chapel Area
SPRING 2012
Health and Wellness News You Can Use
Let’s Get Physical
What can a daily dose of moderate physical activity do for you? Plenty! As you get older, regular exercise is a key to staying strong, energetic, and healthy. To learn more about the link between fitness and aging, turn to page 3.
What’s Inside page 2
Have a Pain in Your Leg? It Could Be Serious
page 3
Fit at Any Age
page 4
Surviving Allergies: What You Can Do Putting Ergonomics to Work for You
page 5
Brightening Lives With Light
page 6
A Walk to Remember
page 7
24th Annual Fitness Classic is May 20 What’s Happening at UPMC St. Margaret
© 2012 UPMC
Have a Pain in Your Leg?
ItCouldBeSerious
Aches and pains aren’t necessarily due to aging. Leg and hip pain can be a sign of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) — a serious circulatory problem — and increased risk of heart attack and stroke Pat Friend was a busy real estate agent leading prospective buyers through houses and going to baseball games with her husband, former Pirates pitcher Bob Friend. Then, four years ago, an excruciating pain in her right buttock sidelined her. “It was like a hot poker in my backside. The more I walked, the worse it got,” says Pat, an O’Hara Township resident. “I couldn’t climb steps or walk 50 feet without feeling terrible pain.” Like many people with leg or hip pain, Pat stopped walking. Unable to go up and down stairs, she cut back on her real estate business. She even resorted to using a wheelchair at the ballpark. Finding the source of her pain Although she did seek medical attention, it wasn’t until she underwent a procedure for a blocked carotid artery that her doctor discovered she had PVD — a narrowing of the arteries carrying blood to the legs due to plaque buildup. He immediately performed a balloon angioplasty and stent procedure to remove the blockage and restore blood flow. “It was like a miracle. I felt instant relief. That awful pain was gone,” says Pat, now 76. “I’m back to walking and selling real estate.” Her doctor, John Power, MD, a “Half of all patients cardiologist at UPMC St. Margaret, with PVD also says the Pittsburgh area has a higher have silent incidence of PVD and other types cardiovascular of vascular disease, due to its large disease that puts number of older residents, smokers, them at risk for and people who are overweight. stroke, heart attack, and other serious illnesses.” — John Power, MD
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UPMC.com/Today
In PVD, the narrowed arteries cause pain due to lack of blood flow to the leg muscles. Pain and tightness in the calf or thighs with exertion are classic signs of PVD, says Dr. Power. “People think it’s arthritis, but there’s no joint there. It’s a circulation problem. Unfortunately, patients deal with the pain by cutting back on activities, but that can mask the warning signs,” Dr. Power explains. Delaying treatment can be dangerous Left untreated, PVD can lead to amputations because the slow blood flow doesn’t allow sores to heal. Half of all patients with PVD also have silent cardiovascular disease that puts them at risk for stroke, heart attack, and other serious illnesses, he says. Anyone experiencing chronic leg pain should see a doctor. “If you let these things go, it can be devastating,” Dr. Power says. Doctors can screen for PVD by checking the pulse in the feet or performing an ultrasound. In some cases, PVD can be treated with medication to control blood pressure and lower cholesterol, and lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, switching to a low-fat diet, and incorporating an exercise program. “If conservative measures aren’t enough to restore blood flow, angioplasty, stenting, or surgery may be necessary,” says Dr. Power. To learn more about our cardiovascular experts and the full range of heart and vascular services they provide, visit UPMCStMargaret.com.
PVD warning signs • Pain in one or both calves, thighs, hips, or buttocks • Painful cramping in the leg or hip while walking or exercising (having pain while at rest could be a sign of more severe disease) • Pain that disappears within 10 minutes after resting • Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs • Cooling or color change in the legs or feet • A sore on the leg or foot that doesn’t heal
Fit atAnyAge Comedian George Burns — who lived to be 100 — often advised his audience to “Look to the future, because that’s where you’ll spend the rest of your life.” Vonda Wright, MD — a practicing orthopaedic surgeon at the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine and a nationally recognized author of several books on active aging and fitness — thinks that’s sound advice. “Nothing is more natural than aging,” she says. “Adults over 40 today are redefining what it means to age. They’re looking ahead — and doing what it takes to stay fit and vital. “With just 30 minutes of daily exercise, you can minimize your risk for 35 common illnesses — including high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes,” says Dr. Wright, who also directs the center’s Performance and Research Initiative for Masters Athletes (PRIMA®), which focuses on maximizing the performance of both elite and recreational athletes over age 40.
Staying fit as you age “As we enter our 40s and 50s, we’re just starting to hit our stride, with the potential for many years of wonderful living ahead of us. A well-balanced exercise plan is a key to maintaining that quality of life as we grow older,” she maintains.
Many say that 50 is the new 30 as today’s mature adults enjoy more active, fitter, and healthier lives than any other generation.
“There’s no age or activity level to prevent any older adult from being active,” explains Dr. Wright. In fact, studies of 90-year-old men doing resistance training on a daily basis showed improvements in their strength and functioning.
Getting started
Starting — and sticking with — a fitness plan initially can be hard, says Dr. Wright. “The first step is to make exercise a part of your daily routine. Schedule it on your calendar, like an appointment,” she advises. “Don’t be a weekend warrior. Instead, try to maintain a moderate activity level throughout the week, and increase your exercise level gradually to reduce your chance of overuse or injury.” She tells her patients to FACE the future with a balanced, total body workout designed to achieve maximum benefits while avoiding injury:
F — Flexibility with daily stretching exercises A — Aerobic cardiovascular exercises every other day, using interval-style training Carry a load (or strength train) to build and maintain muscles in your arms, C — legs, and core (stomach, back, and abdomen) E — Equilibrium and balance through simple exercises like standing on one foot “Whenever possible, mix up activities like running, swimming, cycling, or rowing,” encourages Dr. Wright. “Cross training helps promote total fitness while reducing the chance for injury. Most of all, take that first step!” To learn more about UPMC’s PRIMA program for mature athletes, call 412-432-3651 or visit UPMC.com/SportsMedicine. You’ll find PRIMA listed under Performance in the Our Services section.
Should you see a doctor first? You’re 50 years old and a pack-a-day smoker. You also have high blood pressure, and you haven’t exercised since Ronald Reagan was president. Should you see your doctor before hitting the local gym? “Regular exercise is the best gift you can give yourself. But it’s important to use common sense when getting started,” says Vincent Silvaggio, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon at UPMC St. Margaret. If you’re in generally good health and starting off with light to moderate physical activity, an extensive medical workup probably isn’t necessary. “But if you’ve been diagnosed with any medical condition, have been sedentary for some time, or are at risk for potential heart problems, it’s essential to talk to your doctor,” advises Dr. Silvaggio. “Working together, you and your doctor can create the right exercise plan based on your age, physical condition, family history, and other key factors.” If you’re over the age of 40, visit UPMC.com/Today to take the American College of Sports Medicine’s Physical Activity Readiness Self-Exam.
1-800-533-UPMC
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Health Tips from UPMC Health Plan
Surviving Allergies:
What You Can Do If you dread the approach of spring and the arrival of allergy season, here are a few ways to reduce your sniffling, sneezing, and itchy eyes
What to do If you take medication to control your symptoms, start treatment early — before your seasonal allergies flare up, says BJ Ferguson, MD, director of the Division of Sino-Nasal Disorders and Allergy at UPMC, and a professor of otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. In western Pennsylvania, tree pollen starts flying around by the end of February or in early March, when it warms up enough for trees to begin budding.
Medications to take Dr. Ferguson recommends starting with an over-thecounter (OTC) medication, preferably a non-sedating antihistamine. She cautions that some products can be sedating or even result in extreme drowsiness that can impair driving. Be sure to read the accompanying instructions or ask your pharmacist about side effects. OTC decongestants can relieve nasal congestion but should only be used on a short-term basis, Dr. Ferguson says. Decongestants can cause significant side effects, such as insomnia, agitation, heart palpitations, and a rise in blood pressure. A saline nasal wash also can help relieve congestion.
When to see a doctor “If you are getting no relief and it is impairing your quality of life, you should see a doctor about more effective alternatives and testing,” says Dr. Ferguson. • A doctor can prescribe medications that can provide effective relief from chronic congestion. • Allergy testing can determine precisely what you are or aren’t allergic to. A new sublingual immunotherapy administered under the tongue is just as effective as allergy shots, and with fewer side effects, says Dr. Ferguson. • Your doctor also can determine if your nasal blockage is caused by inflammation or nasal polyps, a deviated septum, enlarged adenoids, or an infection.
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UPMC.com/Today
Putting Ergonomics to Work for You
At home and on the job, ergonomics can help you avoid injury and discomfort — and even increase your productivity The goal of ergonomics is to make our places of work as safe, comfortable, and efficient as possible. But let’s not limit its uses to our day jobs! “Many of the aches and pains people experience can be attributed to ergonomic issues like poor posture, excessive repetitive movement, or improper lifting techniques,” says Michael Balandiat, OTR/L, team leader/occupational therapy at CRS-UPMC St. Margaret. “Whether you’re at work, home, or play, applying basic ergonomic principles can help you avoid injury and perform at your best,” he adds. Here are a few tips to get you started: • Use the right equipment. Make sure the tool fits the job and your body, whether you’re sitting at a desk, vacuuming, riding a bike, or swinging a golf club. • Work at the right height for you. A too-low computer chair or a too-high kitchen counter can wreak havoc on your neck, back, and shoulders. • Avoid contact stress. Wear gloves or use tools designed to reduce pressure on soft tissue to avoid blisters and other skin damage. • Keep items within easy reach. Extend your arms out on each side. Picture an imaginary arc in front of you from left to right. Place the tools or supplies you use most often within that area. • Avoid repetitive movements and working long periods in one position. Alternate tasks and change your body position regularly. Stretch every 20 to 30 minutes. Visit UPMC.com/Today where you can find more ergonomic tips to use at work and at home.
Brightening Lives with Light
Light therapy is proving to be an effective treatment for bipolar depression and other mood disorders Michele Twyman of Penn Hills always dreaded the approach of winter and the holidays. As the days shortened, she grew increasingly tired, sleepy, and depressed. All she wanted to do was crawl into bed — and stay there. “I didn’t enjoy anything — from decorating to shopping. I never felt like celebrating,” says Ms. Twyman, who has a bipolar disorder and has battled depression for more than 30 years. But last Christmas was different. For the first time in years, she decorated, shopped, and made wreaths and centerpieces. “I enjoy the holidays again. I realize now how much I missed being happy about life’s little things,” she says.
New treatment shows bright promise
People with bipolar depression are especially sensitive to changes in outdoor ambient light and the seasons, she explains. The onset of fall and winter can trigger symptoms similar to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), including fatigue, sluggishness, daytime sleepiness, carb cravings, loss of interest, and inability to experience pleasure. Individuals with bipolar depression also may have suicidal thoughts.
How and why it works
“There are few effective treatments for bipolar depression. That’s why we’re exploring novel approaches such as light therapy.” — Dorothy Sit, MD
Ms. Twyman credits her new outlook to an artificial light box provided by Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC) of UPMC. Every afternoon, she sits in bright light for about a half hour while reading or planning appointments and activities. It took just a few weeks to feel the effects. She now wakes up feeling more rested and relaxed. She’s also better able to care for her 95-year-old father. “There are few effective treatments for bipolar depression. That’s why we’re exploring novel approaches such as light therapy,” says Dorothy Sit, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh, and a researcher at WPIC who is leading an ongoing study in the use of light therapy for treatment of bipolar depression. “Most patients feel better within two weeks of starting it, and continue to improve for up to eight weeks.” According to Dr. Sit, treatment is inexpensive and effective. Patients with seasonal depression require 30 to 60 minutes of daily light therapy while patients with non-seasonal depression need 45 to 60 minutes.
Light therapy replaces lost sunlight exposure and resets the body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythms — important for everyone’s general health, mood, and thinking. That’s why light therapy also can help patients with jet lag, shift workers, and people with sleep disorders.
While light therapy is generally safe, patients with bipolar depression also must be on a mood stabilizer or they’ll be at risk for manic episodes, says Dr. Sit. Other possible side effects include headaches, eyestrain, irritation, agitation, and insomnia. These symptoms normally disappear following adjustments in the time and length of treatment.
Light therapy tips • Check with your doctor or mental health professional to see if light therapy is a good option for you. • Follow your doctor’s advice concerning any special precautions you need to take. • Use light therapy only with guidance from your doctor or mental health provider to minimize possible side effects and maximize benefits. Visit UPMC.com/Today for more information on bipolar depression and the light therapy study. To participate in the study, call 1-800-436-2461. For information on light boxes, visit the Center for Environmental Therapeutics website at cet.org.
1-800-533-UPMC
5
AWalk to Remember UPMC Rehabilitation Institute helps make a seemingly impossible wedding dream come true
Megan Dow was an athletic, carefree 27-year-old with so much to look forward to — from her upcoming wedding to a new house and barn. But a freak ATV accident on Memorial Day 2010 changed her life in an instant, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. It took a week for Megan to realize her broken neck and back wouldn’t be a quick fix and another six months to acknowledge that her paralysis might have permanent effects. Despite the diagnosis, the Negley, Ohio, resident was determined to walk down the aisle on her wedding day 16 months later. “What means more to a girl than walking down the aisle at her wedding?” asks Megan, who became engaged just weeks before the accident.
Regaining the life she lost Initially, she couldn’t sit up without help and wore braces to support her back, neck, and legs. “I went from doing everything to not being able to brush my teeth; from being able to throw a bale of hay to not being able to pick up a gallon of milk,” Megan says. An avid outdoorswoman, Megan longed to return to her activities, including horseback riding, camping, volunteering as a 4H Club adviser, and working as an interior designer. “I absolutely loved the life I had before the accident. I had to work to bring these things back into my life,” she says.
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UPMC.com/Today
At the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute’s spinal cord injury unit at UPMC Mercy, Megan’s team of specialists put her to work four hours a day, six days a week in an intensive rehabilitation program. Luckily, she had use of her quadriceps, which allowed her to walk with the help of braces and a walker. Slowly, she relearned everyday skills like dressing herself and walking. She also learned new skills, such as transferring to a shower chair from her wheelchair, and did exercises to build her strength. Megan vowed she’d walk without the walker by that Christmas (a goal she met by Thanksgiving) and down the aisle without a cane. A few weeks before her wedding, Megan donned her gown and practiced walking in the gym with her physical therapist.
Walking happily into the future On her wedding day — Oct. 1, 2011 — Megan did walk down the aisle. Among the guests were her UPMC doctor, physical therapist, and occupational therapist. “They’re a huge part of my life and the reason I’m where I am today. They had to be there!” exclaims Megan. “I’m so grateful to everyone at the Rehabilitation Institute. They gave me the tools I needed, and they encouraged and steered me in the right direction.”
Megan and Eric Dow walked down the aisle after exchanging marriage vows on Oct. 1, 2011.
Megan and her husband Eric honeymooned in Cancún, Mexico, where they snorkeled, swam, kayaked, and even explored some ancient ruins. Today, while she still uses a wheelchair and cane, Megan is thankful she can walk up to two hours with just leg braces. She’s also driving again, riding horses, camping, and doing other activities. “It was a miracle. I’m so grateful I can still do what I used to do — I just do them differently,” Megan says. To learn more about UPMC Rehabilitation Institute and its services, visit UPMC.com/RehabInstitute. You’ll also find a link to Megan’s story and those of other patients who’ve benefited from the institute’s specialized care.
Ready … Set … Register
24thAnnualFitnessClassicis May 20 Join your friends and neighbors at the 24th annual Fitness Classic 5K Run/Walk set for Sunday, May 20, starting at 8:30 a.m. Beginning and ending at UPMC St. Margaret, the USATF-certified 3.1-mile level course follows roadways in neighboring Fox Chapel and O’Hara Township. The individual entry fee for the run/walk is $20 prior to May 9. Race-day registration is $25. Three-person running teams are encouraged to participate in the team challenge at an entry fee of $50. All registered participants are eligible for dozens of great prizes in a post-race drawing.
Proceeds from the Fitness Classic benefit St. Margaret Foundation’s Bed Fund. Since 1930, the fund has provided transportation, medication, and medical supplies to uninsured and underinsured patients at UPMC St. Margaret. Ask your family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues to help support your efforts through the Pledges for Patients program. The registration fee is waived for individuals collecting $50 or more in pledges, or teams collecting $100 or more. Call 412-784-5169 to request Fitness Classic entry forms, or register online at stmargaretfoundation.org.
What’s Happening at UPMC St. Margaret Classes
Events
COPD Education and Support 412-784-5764
Alive & Well Presentations UPMC St. Margaret physicians and health professionals speak on a variety of healthrelated topics at community libraries. For upcoming dates, locations, and topics, visit UPMCStMargaret.com.
Insulin Pump Class 1-866-334-5227 Look Good ... Feel Better 1-800-227-2345 Managing Your Diabetes 1-866-334-5227
Support Groups Alzheimer’s Support Group 412-784-5054 Bariatric Support Group 412-784-5900 Diabetes Support Group 412-784-4194
Smoking Cessation Program Eight-week program for those who are serious about quitting. UPMC St. Margaret Conference Center For more information, or to register, call 412-784-5043.
Bariatric Information Sessions Mondays, March 12 and 26, April 9 and 23, May 7 and 21 6 to 8 p.m. UPMC St. Margaret Conference Rooms A, B, & C
UPMC St. Margaret Blood Drive Tuesday, March 13 Monday, May 14 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. UPMC St. Margaret Dining Rooms A & B
For more information, or to register, call 412-784-5900.
For more information, or to register, call 412-784-4077.
Physician Guide Available The 2012 Physician Guide by Specialty is now available. Listed in the directory are the names and contact information of nearly 600 physicians affiliated with UPMC St. Margaret. Call 412-784-5185 to request a directory. Volunteer Opportunities For information about volunteer opportunities at UPMC St. Margaret, call Volunteer Services at 412-784-4081.
For more information about any of these classes or support groups, call the number indicated, or call Community Relations at 412-784-5160, or go to UPMCStMargaret.com.
1-800-533-UPMC
7
UPMC St. Margaret 815 Freeport Road Pittsburgh, PA 15215
UPMC Today is published quarterly to provide you with health and wellness information and classes and events available at UPMC. This publication is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or replace a physician’s medical assessment. Always consult first with your physician about anything related to your personal health. To receive additional copies of this publication, call 412-784-5160.
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Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 41
g y n i r v o o l em n I m
Oh, By The Way
W
hen someone says those words, it should scare you. It is usually a surprise and it almost always means that money is coming out of your wallet. Many people who had planned or have to plan a funeral can attest that there can be “oh, by the way” moments. This article will help you try to eliminate surprises during this potentially stressful and emotional process. It is estimated that a person has to deal with a close family death every 17 years. Think of the myriad changes over those 17 years. Now think of
trying to make sound consumer decisions based on information from almost a generation ago. It is nearly impossible. I get asked all the time how much a funeral costs. My answer is always, “It depends.” This is NOT a smart aleck answer. If someone tells you a funeral cost will be X amount of dollars, prepare yourself for the “oh, by the way this or this was not included.” Too many factors enter into the equation for a quick and easy answer. This is a list of possible questions you may have to think about to begin to come to a determination of the cost of a funeral. Will the funeral be public or private? Visitation and viewing? Religious services? Services at the funeral home, church or other place? What will the final disposition be? Burial or cremation? If buried, what cemetery or mausoleum? How much is opening/closing of grave or mausoleum? Do I need a burial vault? Graveside or chapel? If cremation, what will be done with cremated remains? Will cremated remains be buried, entombed, scattered, portioned out, or multiple options? How many death certificates are needed? What do you need a death certificate for? How much are newspaper death notices? Will a photo added to the death notice change the price? Will there be a funeral luncheon? How much are flowers? How much is a casket, burial vault, headstone, prayer cards, register book, use of facilities, urn, hair dresser, church, organist, soloist, dove release or balloon release? Do you offer cremation memorial jewelry? As a veteran, am I eligible for free graves at a national cemetery? These are just some of the questions that need to be answered. Sometimes these answers need to be made in a very short period of time. If you have some time to investigate options, by all means do so. People often make changes to their plans as they find out about more options and corresponding prices. Most importantly, ask questions. An educated consumer makes good choices. Call for more information about how we can make it easier for your family to say goodbye.
This Industry Insight was provided by Frank Perman, licensed funeral director and owner of Perman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc, 923 Saxonburg Blvd. at Rt 8 in Shaler Township. Mr. Perman believes that an educated consumer makes the best decisions. Questions can be made to Mr. Perman at 412.486.3600 or email at frperman@verizon.net.
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Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 43
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Ask the Dentist
My dentist tells me I should be getting x-rays every year. Are they really that necessary and how concerned should I be about getting dental x-rays? Thank you for this great question; it is very frequently asked and your concerns are warranted! Dental x-rays are essential, preventive, diagnostic tools that provide valuable information to your dentist not visible during a regular dental exam. Without x-rays, hidden dental abnormalities and problems may go undetected until you then have pain, or worse. Let me explain what x-rays are briefly and ways you are exposed to it. X-rays are a part of the electromagnetic spectrum which also includes visible light, radio waves, and other energy forms seen and unseen. As you can see, we are all exposed to natural radiation everyday and it is measured in something called sieverts. The amount of radiation you are exposed to while dental radiographs are being taken is very small compared to that which you are exposed to everyday from naturally occurring and cosmic radiation. Below is a comparison chart in regards to other sources of radiation you are exposed to in relation to dental x-rays. Type
Exposure
Per
Digital dental bitewings
0.038 mSv
Exposure
Medical GI tract
4.060 mSv
Exposure
Cosmic radiation
0.510 mSv
Year
Environmental radiation
3.000 mSv
Year
Cross country flight
0.050 mSv
Round trip
* Starting at 100 mSv, noticeable health concerns are present.
At Fox Chapel Advanced Dental Care, we utilize digital dental x-rays, the latest technology, which produces an even significantly lower level of radiation compared to traditional dental x-rays. According to the American Dental Association, only about 50% of offices are utilizing digital radiography which captures and stores the digital image on a computer. This image can be instantly viewed and enlarged, helping the dentist and dental hygienist detect problems easier. Digital x-rays reduce radiation by as much as 80-90% compared to the already low exposure of traditional dental x-rays. Not only are digital x-rays better for the health and safety of the patient, they are faster and more comfortable to take, which reduces time in the dental office. And, since the digital image is captured electronically, there is no need to develop the x-rays, thus eliminating the disposal of harmful waste and chemicals into the environment. At Fox Chapel Advanced Dental Care, we are also proud to be one office of less than 5% worldwide that use an advanced type of
digital radiography, Galileos cone beam technology, which provides the dentist with a three-dimensional digital image. The dentist no longer needs to rely on two-dimensional radiographs for diagnosing and treatment planning. The scan only takes 15 seconds and has a comparatively low-dose exposure.
How often should x-rays be taken?
The need for dental x-rays depends on each patient’s individual dental health needs. Your dentist will recommend necessary x-rays based upon review of your medical and dental history, a dental exam, signs and symptoms, your age, and risk of disease. At Fox Chapel Advanced Dental Care, your initial visit will consist of a cone beam scan, which also includes your typical panoramic view, four bitewing x-rays (these show in between the teeth) and any necessary periapical x-rays (these show the root of the tooth). Now that we have a good baseline, at your recall visits, we will typically take bitewings once a year and a new cone beam scan once every three years, again depending on the individual patient. However, it is very important to note that this is different for every individual patient. As always, check with your dentist concerning his or her philosophy on dental x-rays. Although dental x-rays are extremely safe, it is ultimately a decision you need to be comfortable with! I sure hope this helps. This Industry Insight was written by Dr. Kevin Pawlowicz. Dr. Kevin Pawlowicz practices at Fox Chapel Advanced Dental Care on Old Freeport Road in Fox Chapel. Dr. Pawlowicz has trained at the Las Vegas and Seattle Institutes. He is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the Academy of Laser Dentistry. You can learn more about Dr. Pawlowicz on his website www.foxchapeldentistry.com.
Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 45
Does Pittsburgh Have a Housing Shortage? A s Realtors, the question we are asked the most is “how’s the market doing?” According to data compiled by RealSTATs, a local real estate information service, the number of houses sold last month rose 4.6% as compared to last January. That’s good news compared to other markets across the country. What is the biggest problem we are currently facing in our area? A shortage of houses
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to sell! If you have been contemplating moving up, downsizing or moving elsewhere this could be the opportune time to do so. Sellers are bombarded by national news quoting the numbers of foreclosures and short sales occurring throughout the nation. And that data is very real – elsewhere. Pittsburgh is thriving and people are moving into the area and need homes. We have had clients over the past six months who have decided to rent, rather than buy, because they could not find a home. Some of these potential buyers had buying power up to $1,000,000. What does this mean to you? As a Seller, there are three solid reasons to be listing your home TODAY: • Lack of Inventory. There simply is not enough supply to meet the demand of buyers. • Mortgage Rates are incredibly low. That means that buyers can pay more for a home and you can take advantage of them yourself when you buy your next home. • Out-of-Town Buyers love our prices. Generally they can buy much more home for their money here. (But only if they can find a home for sale!) The Spring Market is quickly approaching. The busiest times for buying and selling are in April, May and June so buyers can move in during July and August prior to the new school year. If you would like to find out what you need to do to get your home on the market, call us today!
Angling for Angels
Women’s Board of Pittsburgh Hosts
ry Dewey, Angela Earley and Chef Hen Company Fish nue Ave n Pen of Partners
Michelle Smith Tipton, Angels’ Place Executive Director
norary Newlin Archinal, Ho ator ent mm Co d Chair an Susa Benefit Co n Crittenden, mmittee C hairperso n
Mary DeRubis, Linda Ban, Jan Boni, Terri Logan, Benefit Committee Members
by Kathy Rudolph gourmet cooking demonstration by Chef Henry Dewey of Penn Avenue Fish Company, a delicious seafood luncheon, raffles and silent auctions in the heavenly decorated Fox Chapel Golf Club were just part of the fun at the Angling for Angels charity event. Benefiting Angels’ Place, the event was hosted by The Women’s Board of Pittsburgh with Newlin Archinal as the honorary chair. The board chooses a different nonprofit organization each year that “promotes the welfare and development of children,” according to its website. The women’s board then holds an annual benefit with all of the proceeds going to that organization. Michelle Smith Tipton is Angels’ Place executive director. “Angels’ Place feels so blessed to be the beneficiary of this year’s event hosted by The Women’s Board of Pittsburgh,” said Ms. Smith Tipton. “We just consider it such a gift that they are giving so much time and effort to help us raise money that will make such a positive impact on the three different locations that we operate. The locations provide free child care for children from the ages of birth to five whose parents are all low-income, single, full-time students and they are working so hard to create a better life for themselves and their children. We couldn’t do it without the support of so many people in our community who understand our mission and find value in the work that we do.”
A
Kim Gordon, President of The Women’s Board of Pittsburgh
“Committed to the belief that every life is valuable, the mission of Angels’ Place is to provide single parents who are full-time students with the help needed to complete their education, so that they may secure satisfying employment, establish careers and become self-sufficient citizens,” according to its website. Chef Henry Dewey was happy to lend his talents to help Angels’ Place. “You work so hard and sometimes you forget about taking care of the community,” said Dewey during the event. “We would like to take this opportunity today to take care of a small part of our community.” Susan Crittenden is the benefit committee chairperson who organized the event with the help of the board’s members. “Angels’ Place does an impressive job in serving low-income parents and their children,” said Ms. Crittenden. “If it were not for this charity, many young parents in our community would have no hope of completing their education. Angels’ Place gives parents the opportunity to work for a successful, independent future for themselves and their children.” To learn more about Angels’ Place, please visit the website at www. angelsplacepgh.org. To find out more about The Women’s Board of Pittsburgh, visit www.womensboardpittsburgh.org. Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 47
Fox Chapel Racquet Club “Hidden Gem” as well as improve Club amenities in general, Chorney said the Club is entering a $1.3 million, 4-phase construction project that will not only improve the paddle courts, but renovate the Club’s pool, redesign the tennis court viewing area, and replace the clubhouse roof. “The pool construction starts in September 2012, after Labor Day, and will be ready for the 2013 opening,” Chorney said. “The biggest difference is we are reconfiguring the main pool for competitive swimming and adult lap swimming in a way that won’t interfere with recreational users. The baby pool will be enlarged with a zero-entry level and an active water feature.” The paddle court renovation will replace one existing court and add one new court, for a total of six courts. The tennis deck also will be upgraded to offer a better viewing area for tournaments such as the Fox Chapel Junior Open and numerous
It is a well kept secret that the best club in Pittsburgh for families and racquet sports fans is also the best value in town. “It’s the hidden gem of Pittsburgh clubs,” says Club Manager Len Chorney. The Club is a yearround operation. Nearly 300 families partake in the offerings of its nine world-class tennis courts, five platform tennis (paddle) courts and swimming pool. The club is abuzz all year long with tennis clinics for adults and children as young as 4, a highly competitive swim team, paddle clinics for beginners to advanced players as well as juniors, and competitive paddle teams for all levels. Chorney added that the Club is much more than just tennis, paddle and swimming. “There’s an important social aspect to the Club,” he said. “We have entertainment for all ages such as poolside happy hours, father/daughter dances, outdoor movie nights for kids, wine tasting dinners, holiday brunches and more. This is a very vibrant and active Club.” The Club has several different membership classifications, including a Summer Associate Trial Membership designed to give families the summer to “test drive” the Club. This membership category has been very popular, and over 90% of families convert to Full Membership. Over the past few years the Club has attracted many younger families prompted by a 37-and-under membership class. The initiation fee can also be paid over the course of two years which makes joining more affordable for young families. While the Club will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year, Club Manager Len Chorney is already looking ahead to 2014, when the Club hopes to host the 2014 American Platform Tennis Association Nationals, which are scheduled to be held in Pittsburgh. To accommodate that tournament, 48 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
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club championships. These changes are just more of the Club’s efforts to meet the needs of its members. Past upgrades include Wi-Fi Internet coverage and a Club web site providing web-based court and event reservations, member communication and a calendar of events. Even with all of the Club amenities and slated improvements, the Fox Chapel Racquet Club is always mindful of keeping the dues and Club activities affordable. From tennis and paddle, to swimming, and a clubhouse that’s active year round with parties, mixers, and events, the Fox Chapel Racquet Club has everything a discerning member could want. For more information about the club, please visit our website at www. foxchapelracquetclub.com or contact Len Chorney at 412.963.8331.
Fox Chapel American Association of University Women
A
merican Association of University Women (AAUW) is a 130-year-old organization that strives to break economic and educational barriers for women and girls. It has over 100,000 members worldwide, united in a common goal to eliminate gender bias. The local branch of AAUW in Fox Chapel helps support several initiatives that benefit area women and girls. One program for helping both girls and boys to feel more comfortable in social situations is the Manners Program. A formal sit-down dinner is held for middle school students in sixth through eighth grade. The teens are instructed on how to make introductions, the proper use of eating utensils and the art of making polite dinner conversation. Janice Barrington, former director of the Fox Chapel Cotillion, presents the program. The last Manners Program was held at the Fox Chapel Golf Club in 2010 and AAUW is hoping to offer the program again in fall 2012. Another important program is the Biennial Young Women’s Recognition Night which was held on March 13 at 7 p.m. at the Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church. AAUW recognized approximately 50 girls in the sixth to eighth grades who excelled in math and science. This program is an endeavor by AAUW to help bring about greater equity in the math and science scores of girls and boys. Girls are fairly evenly matched with boys in their academic skills in these subjects until the age of 12, when grades tend to decrease for girls. Nancy Weinstein, communications coordinator for Fox Chapel AAUW states, “We believe that strong role models can reverse that trend.” Greater equity among the sexes is also important according to research done by Paola Sapienza of Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. The gender gap in mathematics narrows in countries that have greater gender equality. The girls were nominated for recognition by their teachers based on their level of interest in math and science. A dessert reception was held and a panel discussion was presented with women who work in the fields of science, engineering, math and technology. These women served as role models for the girls. A similar program for high school girls called Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Career Achievement Night or STEM-CAN provides a roundtable discussion of career possibilities in these fields with mentoring women. AAUW also provides preschool vision screening and participates in Read Across America and other library programs to promote reading among elementary-age schoolchildren. As young women enter the workplace, AAUW awards three scholarships to Chatham University graduates to assist with expenses associated with beginning their careers in math, science and technology. The organization is open to any graduate who holds an associate degree, baccalaureate or higher degree from a qualified college or university with a common goal of helping to advance girls and women in education and the workplace. “We are a very active, very welcoming group with a variety of ages,” says Weinstein. The AAUW also offers several social activities throughout the year for members. If you would like more information on the group, please visit the website at http://aauwfoxchapelareapa.wordpress.com.
by Pamela Palongue
AAUW Mind Your Manners
AAUW Chatham Grants 2011
AAUW Friend of Equity Award 2011
“The gender gap in mathematics narrows in countries that have greater gender equality.” Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Career Achievement Night Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 49
What Exactly is a
“Slipped Disk”? A
s a Doctor of Chiropractic and it being this time of the year where we all are working around the house, I cannot tell you how common the following statement is.
“I was digging a hole in my garden and hit a rock with the shovel. After clearing the dirt from around the rock, I bent over and reached into the hole. I couldn’t get a good grip on the rock and had to twist my body to get my arm under it. As I started to move the rock, I felt something ‘give out’ in my low back and felt immediate low back pain, but it wasn’t terrible. Like a fool, I gave it another try but this time, the pain in my back was really sharp when I twisted to reach under it. Then, it felt like a knife stabbing me when I tried to stand up. Since then, I can’t stand up straight and pain is shooting down my left leg.” The intervertebral disk is like a shock-absorber located between each vertebra in our spine extending from the tail bone to the upper neck. When healthy, your disks truly do function as shock absorbers. There are two parts to the disk – the inner part (called the nucleus) which is the liquid-like center and the outer part (the annulus), which is tough,
laminated and rubber-like whose job is to hold the nucleus in the center of the disk. The annulus has concentric rings which look similar to the rings of an oak tree trunk and the strength of these laminated rings is due to the fibers crisscrossing, creating a self-sealing, secure border for the nucleus center. In spite of this great anatomical structure, our disks degenerate and can crack or tear allowing the more liquid-like nucleus to leak out of the annulus creating the classic “slipped disk” (technically referred to as a herniated or ruptured disk). When the herniated disk presses into the nerve that goes down the leg, pain is felt along its course and can radiate all the way to the foot. There are five vertebrae and disks with a pair of nerves that go into each leg and depending which disk ruptures, pain will follow a different course down the leg, which is why we ask you if you feel the pain more in the back or in the front of the leg. When the disk tears prior to both disk herniation and leg pain, low back pain occurs because the nerve fibers that are normally only located in the outer third of the disk grow into the central portion of the disk, making it generate more pain. So now for the important question, “What can I do for it?” When you visit our office, we will ask you about how you injured your back. Often, the cause of a herniated disk can be the accumulation of multiple events over time. It certainly can happen after one major event, like our example of lifting a rock out of a hole, but that is usually the “straw that breaks the camel’s back” and not the sole cause. Many researchers have reported it is rare for a healthy disk to herniate. Rather, disk degeneration with tears already present sets up the situation where a bend plus a twist “finishes the job.” The orthopedic and neurological examination will usually clearly identify the level of herniation. Chiropractic treatment often includes traction types of techniques, some form of spinal manipulation or mobilization, extension exercises, physical therapy modalities like electric stimulation, low level laser, ultrasound, and ice therapy. Core / trunk strengthening and posture management are also commonly applied and proper bending/lifting/ pulling/pushing techniques are taught. We realize that you have a choice in where you go for your health care services. If you, a friend or family member requires care for low back pain, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services and look forward to serving you and your family presently and in the future. This Industry Insight was written by Dr. Frank LeDonne. Dr. LeDonne is a local, graduating both from Fox Chapel Area High School and the University of Pittsburgh. He attained his Doctor of Chiropractic at Life University in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a firm believer in natural healing, and has been involved in physical fitness for most of his life. Dr. LeDonne opened up Hartwood Chiropractic eight years ago in the wonderful shopping center Hartwood Town Center located at the corner of Saxonburg Blvd. and Harts Run Road and has been practicing for 10 years. Hartwood Chiropractic • 3390 Saxonburg Blvd. • Glenshaw, PA. 15116 412-767-0200 • hartwoodchiropractic.com
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One Doorway, Two Options National studies have shown that senior citizens fear moving into a nursing home and losing their independence. Children of seniors who have such anxieties feel it is important for their parents to remain at home while at the same time have a concern about their ability to do so safely. They fear their parents’ quality of life will deteriorate as a result of fall related injuries, medication mistakes and increasing age related health issues. However, they are caring for their own families while providing physical hands-on support to their parents whenever they can. Parents in turn do not want to trouble their children with additional responsibilities fearing they will become a burden. It’s a dilemma many elderly parents and their children face day to day. Non-medical home care allows seniors to maintain their independence and dignity in the comfort of their home while receiving assistance with activities of daily living.
Care At Home and Care At Home Preferred strive to make all of your home care needs readily available with two convenient options. Services begin with a promise to provide the best care necessary to meet you or your parents needs. Care At Home provides help with personal care needs (bathing, showering and toileting), medication reminders, meal preparations, ambulation and/or transfers, errands and light housekeeping. Services can be provided in private homes, nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Care At Home Preferred is a Medicare licensed home health care agency that offers homecare nursing, physical and occupational therapy, geriatric care management, medical social services and registered dietician services. Both agencies are owned, and under the direction of, Sandra Dunkel, RN. Sandy has been a registered nurse for 30 years and first opened Care At Home in 1994 and Care At Home Preferred in 2010. Both agencies provide free assessments of your service needs. Sandy is the driving force behind her staff motivating everyone to believe that all clients should be treated as if they were their own parent. Service costs are the lowest and most competitive in the tricounty area. Care At Home and Care At Home Preferred would consider it a privilege to be given the opportunity to provide you with the best care possible. To receive our comprehensive package of information related to services for both agencies just give us a call.
Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 51
Rick Duffy – A
Vital Member of the
by Pamela Palongue
A
pproximately 40 years ago, Rick Duffy fell in love, but not in the usual way. He discovered his first love of emergency medical services and has been a devoted practitioner ever since. “I was 16 years old and attending Shadyside Academy,” explains Duffy, “and one of my friends was volunteering at an EMS service which was located on the east side. I went with him one day and really loved it.” Duffy became a volunteer at the service and, as soon as it was possible, enrolled in emergency medical technician school at Community College of Allegheny County. He enjoyed volunteering so much that he would spend all weekend at the service. “My mom would drop me off on Friday night and come and pick me up on Sunday,” says Duffy. He readily admits that the initial attraction of it was the excitement, but he found that he enjoyed the opportunity to help others. He eventually attended a paramedic class at North Hills Passavant receiving his certification in 1976. Emergency medical services were still in their infancy at the time. Many people will remember the hit TV show “Emergency!”
“I was always interested in medicine. I feel that this [emergency medicine] is my calling.” His contributions to emergency medical services have improved care for residents of the community and saved many lives.
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starring Randy Mantooth, which inspired many individuals to pursue a career in EMS. Pittsburgh was also the birthplace of ambulance services, with the first one being established in the Hill District by Dr. Peter Safar. Duffy wanted his own native Fox Chapel to have an emergency service of its own. In August 1978, he helped to charter Foxwall Emergency Medical Services which became operational in March 1979. It is one of only a handful of volunteer EMS services left. Though Duffy volunteered for years, he currently receives a small stipend as executive director and chief of operations. There are only two other paid positions at Foxwall EMS and the rest of the staff is entirely volunteer. Duffy hopes that it will be able to remain a volunteer service. It answers emergency calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the boroughs of Fox Chapel, Aspinwall and Blawnox and is part of the Allegheny County 911 system. Foxwall EMS is able to maintain services by subscriptions from individuals and businesses in the community, insurance billing and some funding provided by the municipalities. “We hope to replace our 2001 Ford truck with a new ambulance this year,” adds Duffy. Duffy believes another important function of Foxwall EMS in the
Community community is that of education. It holds CPR classes, and other potentially life-saving techniques are taught. Many of the volunteer EMTs and paramedics also go on to serve the community as doctors. One former volunteer, Tracey Smart, is now an emergency physician at UPMC St. Margaret and functions as the medical command doctor for the ambulance service where she once volunteered. Individuals interested in volunteering with the ambulance service must have at least a certification in CPR. They must complete an emergency medical technician course and receive their certification within one year of joining the organization. The EMT course is approximately 140 hours and includes classroom instruction and practical hands-on training. Though Duffy can be found most evenings working at the ambulance service, he works as a mortgage banker for Howard Hanna by day to pay the bills. The son of a cardiologist, Duffy says, “I was always interested in medicine. I feel that this [emergency medicine] is my calling.� His contributions to emergency medical services have improved care for residents of the community and saved many lives. For more information on a career in emergency medical services, please visit the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians website at www.nremt.org. For more information on Foxwall EMS or to subscribe to the service, you may visit the website at www.foxwall.org.
Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 53
By Heather Holtschlag
Curb appeal is not necessarily something that most people will be able to define in precise terms, but they will know it when they see it. Simply put, it is about making your front yard and the front of your house stand out and look better than the rest. And, if people like what they see on the outside, including potential buyers, the chances are good that they will want to see what the house looks like on the inside. But what can you do to make your house stand apart? To begin, play up your home’s doorway—one of the first areas people see when looking at your house—with color, a clean door free of nicks, and clean metal fixtures. Consider adding a wreath or some other type of door decoration.
Low-voltage landscape lighting, particularly accent lighting displayed in nearby trees or throughout other outdoor fixtures, can not only enhance a yard’s appearance but provide a pathway of lighted safety for visitors. Potted colorful flowers can provide instant curb appeal and can be purchased already assembled at a local garden center, or you may choose to buy an empty container to fill with all of your favorite flowers on your own.
On a similar note, window boxes can be filled with your favorite flowers to match the rest of your yard’s color scheme. Consider adding some fixtures like birdbaths and wind chimes to add visual appeal to a yard, and a water fountain can sound heavenly on a warm summer day (but be sure to place them on level ground for optimum enjoyment). Shutters and trim work not only add texture and ventilation to a home, but provide added security as well.
To achieve the best curb appeal, paint the shutters in a color that matches the outside of your house and the rest of your yard. In addition, new garden beds are always a welcome sight. Consider planting new gardens in spots that will be most pleasing to the eye, such as along the driveway and in front of the house.
On a similar note, window boxes can be filled with your favorite flowers to match the rest of your yard’s color scheme.
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Add shutters or accent trim Shutters and trim add a welcoming layer of beauty to your home’s exterior. Shutters also control light and ventilation, and provide additional security. Exterior shutters can be made of wood, aluminum, vinyl, composite, or fiberglass. New composite materials make trim details durable and low maintenance.
Replace old hardware House numbers, the entry door lockset, a wall-mounted mailbox, and an overhead light fixture are all elements that can add style and interest to your home’s exterior. If they’re out of date, your home may not be conveying the aesthetic you think it is. These elements add the most appeal when they function collectively, rather than as mix-and-match pieces. Oiled-bronze finishes suit traditional homes, while brushed nickel suits more contemporary residences.
Add outdoor art Give your yard a little spunk by adding weather-resistant artwork. Choose pieces that complement your home’s natural palette and exterior elements. Birdbaths, metal cutouts, sculptures, and wind chimes are good choices for outdoor art. Water sculptures not only function as yard art, but the burbling sounds soothe and make hot days feel cooler. Place fountains on level ground in optimum hearing and sight vantage points.
Make a grand entry Even with a small budget, there are ways to draw attention to your front door. Molding acts like an architectural eyeliner when applied to the sides and top of the doorway.
Install window boxes Window boxes offer a fast, easy way to bring color and charm to your home exterior. Choose boxes made from copper or iron for a traditional look, or painted wood for a cottage feel. Mix and match flowers and plants to suit your lighting conditions and color scheme.
Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 55
By Heather Holtschlag
More than half of the energy used in the average American home goes toward heating and cooling, and if your house is not properly insulated, much of that expense can go to waste. Insulation, particularly when installed in an area such as the attic, requires less work from the air conditioning and furnace systems, translating into less expense and fewer repairs. There are a number of things to note to properly install attic insulation, the first of which is called R-value. R-value measures the effectiveness of types of insulation; the higher an insulation’s R-value, the more effective it is. The recommended R-value for walls and floors in a mild climate is R-11; for ceilings and attics, it is R-19. In moderate climates, R-values should be a minimum of R-19 for walls and floors and R-30 for ceilings and attics. And, in cold climates, R-values for walls and floors should be R-19, and R-38 to R-49 for ceilings and attics. If you use your attic as living space, it is a good idea to install insulation in the walls and ceiling. If it is not used, you should still insulate, and the empty space will provide ample room for installation. If your attic is being insulated for the first time, it should include a vapor barrier, which is any material that does not absorb moisture and through which vapor will not pass. After it snows, it is recommended that you check the roof to see where the snow has fallen. If you notice specific areas on the roof where the snow has melted, this may signal an area that needs to be insulated or where the insulation is damaged. When installing insulation in the attic, the best method is to install it from the eaves toward the center of the room so as to leave more headroom when you need to cut or fit the insulation properly. If, upon installing the insulation, you discover that you need an extra layer, you can simply lay blankets on top of the insulation already there. To reduce fire hazard, cover the panels with wallboard or use fiberglass panels if you must install panels between the rafters in a ceiling that slopes. Also,if you use cellulose insulation, which is the most common type of loose-fill insulation, be sure that it has been treated with a fire retardant.
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Small Updates Pay Off
By Heather Holtschlag
BIG for Home Values
If you are thinking of selling your home or just making some updates to your current living space, you don’t necessarily need to think big expense and lots of work. Small fixes can increase your home’s value for a big payoff. For starters, maintain a regular cleaning schedule. This serves a dual purpose of not just keeping your house tidy and neat, especially for visitors, but will help keep your maintenance issues in check since you will notice relatively early on if something is in need of a fix, thus avoiding costly repairs. Keep your house looking fresh by adding some new paint. When selecting a color, remember that neutrals appeal to a wide variety of people, and if you are selling your home, a neutral color is easy to paint over should the new owners choose a different color. Consider consulting a professional real estate agent or a home inspector. Each can walk through your home and pay close attention to its detail and alert you to areas that require improvement or repair. If repairs are necessary, make them in a timely manner to prevent the problem from getting worse. Buyers tend to favor bathrooms and kitchens, so it could be especially beneficial to keep these rooms clean and updated. Consult a real estate agent if you need ideas for updating. If these rooms are small, consider what could be rearranged to make them look bigger. Also, keep the appliances clean and in working order, even if you are not planning to include them in the sale of the house.
Spend some time in the yard. Remember that curb appeal is a person’s first impression of your overall house, so maintain a yard free of debris and coordinate the colors of your gardens to match the house. Installing modern light switches and power outlets can help your lighting system look newer than it is. Also consider installing dimmer switches, which are a favorite among potential buyers. Show off the bright sides of your house by increasing the wattage in your light bulbs. Finally, keep your house free of clutter by cleaning up after yourself and making sure your children do the same. In addition, keep your carpets clean by vacuuming regularly and administering deep cleaning treatments.
Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 57
Cooper-Siegel Community Library
Delights Young Residents with a by Kathy Rudolph
L
ittle girls and boys love a good tea party and what better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than at the Valentine Tea hosted by Cooper-Siegel Community Library. One could tell that it was a labor of love for children’s librarians Susan Herald and Melanie Artice-Moore, who worked hard to make sure everyone felt special and entertained in the festively decorated party room of pink and red hearts. Besides modeling their pretty, pink boa tiaras and bracelets decorated with Valentine’s Day candies that they crafted, the little valentines decorated white gloves in preparation for raising their pinkies while holding their tea cups. Trivia games, a scavenger hunt and treats of tea, strawberries and pink cupcakes also made the celebration complete. It was a great way to bring like minds together and create a sweet, lasting memory and friendships for years to come. There are lots of great upcoming programs to register for at the library including: • Hunger Games Event – Thursday, March 22, at 6:30 p.m., for 6th grade and up • Graphic Novel Workshop – Friday, March 23, at 2 p.m., for 4th grade and up • Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Program in conjunction with the Hillman Center – Saturday, March 31, at 1 p.m.
Melanie Artice-Moore, Children’s and Young Adult Librarian
Susan Herald, Dept. Head of The Children’s Library
To learn more about the library’s upcoming events, visit the website at www.coopersiegelcommunitylibrary.org.
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Valentine Tea
Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 59
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Stage Right Puts the Spotlight on Students and Local Artists by Kathy Rudolph
R
esidents didn’t have to travel far to experience the joy of a live, quality, and theatrical production by Stage Right Players when they performed the comedy “Art” by Yasmina Reza. A 1998 Tony Award winner for best play, it went on to a 600-performance run. Bill Ivins is the president and artistic director of Stage Right, which is a nonprofit, all volunteer group. “Stage Right has been producing shows in this community for almost five decades,” said Mr. Ivins. “It has grown in size and we’ve really stepped up the quality of performances. We’ve been much more discerning in the audition process and we look for the best actors because we want to put on the best show with the best talent. As a result we have seen an amazing increase in the level of appreciation from our audience and we are able to explore more complicated and slightly edgier theater, instead of always doing silly farces. ‘Art’ is a perfect example. The show is really smart and difficult to perform so it requires really talented actors. This we could not have done 10 years ago.” To complement each performance of “Art,” the players invited area high school and local artists to display their artwork for guests to view. Jody Shell is a Fox Chapel Area High School art teacher for some of the students whose art was displayed. “I used to do the sets for the musicals at the high school and Bill’s kids were involved,” said Ms. Shell. He would come in and
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help whenever we got really jammed up; always there like the hero that came in at the last minute whenever I thought we’d never get finished. I got to know him and he always told me about Stage Right. It was great the way he came in and worked with the kids at the school and now this is a way that the kids can come out into the community and show their work.” Stage Right’s home has been Boyd Community Center, which is going to be replaced with a new center to better meet the community’s needs. “There is a lot of excitement with the way the company is going and we hope to have a long future in this community,” said Mr. Ivins. “We are hoping and praying that there is a space for us at the new center to continue this tradition that the community has held for almost five decades.” The group’s upcoming spring production includes “Rumors” by Neil Simon. “We have a venue that is falling apart around us but when the lights go down and the performance starts you will see a show equally as engaging and magical as any show that you will catch downtown,” said Mr. Ivins. “We even give you free refreshments and you can bring your own wine and beer! Try to do that at the Benedum.” To learn more about Stage Right, please visit the website at www. stagerightboyd.org.
Crimes of the Heart
Jodi Shell, Fox Chapel Area High School art teacher with student’s drawing
Bill Ivins, President and Artistic Director of Stage Right
Hamlet Cast
Art
Fox Chapel Area H.S. Students’ Art
Picasso at the Lapin Agile Fox Chapel Area H.S. Students’ Art Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 63
Raise Your Glass
and your body
to Greet the New Year
A
s people age and gravity is winning the war against aging, patients often ask me about lower body lifts. This particular procedure tightens sagging skin in the buttocks, posterior thighs, hips, and inner and outer thighs. In the past, plastic surgeons treated skin laxity of the body with individual procedures, dealing with each body area separately. Oversized arms were reduced by brachioplasty. Protruding stomachs were firmed by abdominoplasty. Drooping breasts were made perkier with mastopexy or breast lift surgery. Lumps and bumps all over the body were treated with liposuction. A lower body lift can transform several areas of the body in just one operation. Women often pursue this surgery after pregnancy, massive weight loss or just aging in general. Aging baby boomers and of course gastric bypass patients are the frontrunners in this war against gravity and obesity. This idea gained popularity in its infancy stages with women in particular. With women wanting families, careers and wonderful bodies, this one surgery benefiting multiple areas of the body seemed like their ticket to happiness in a shorter amount of time. Patients think this procedure is performed mainly for the purpose of excess skin and fat removal. Not so—in fact it is quite the contrary. Lower body lifts are performed to produce a natural contour and a beautiful cosmetic outcome requiring the technical expertise, artistic perspective and meticulous attention to detail that needs to be brought to each individual. 64 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
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The next most obvious question is “Am I a good candidate for lower body lift surgery?” Here are some examples of someone who would benefit from this surgery: • Patients with massive weight loss • Loose skin in the buttocks, backs or sides of the thighs, hips, arms, or abdomen • Would the patient be willing to accept thin scars around the waist? The anatomy and amount of loose skin in each patient varies greatly. The decision to embark on this path of surgery depends on your goals, expectations and the recommendations of your surgeon. All body lift candidates have extra skin which will be removed through excision. Liposuction may also be used in addition to this to aid in smoothing and contouring the areas. Again, the additional use of liposuction will be determined by your surgeon at the time of your initial examination. What are the advantages of lower body lifts? First of all, multiple areas can be addressed in one single operation—such as buttocks, thighs and possibly the abdomen. Secondly, it can be combined with liposuction in selected areas. It can even be done in combination with other surgeries, such as arm contouring procedures. The next step is the recovery process. If the sutures used require removing, this is usually done about two weeks after surgery in the office. The swelling which commonly occurs after body lift surgery is controlled by the use of compression garments in addition to drains. Compression garments play a big role in the recovery period by controlling the swelling, supporting the tissue and helping to flatten the skin. The drains collect excess fluid to help the healing process move along more quickly. The Fox Chapel Area
pain associated with this surgery is controlled by oral pain medications. Your activity level is determined by the progress of the healing of your incision. We encourage patients to walk the day after surgery. Once the drains are removed, movement is much easier. Normal activities can usually be resumed in 4-6 weeks after surgery. Another big patient concern is scarring. Your scar will form along the incision line and will be as thin as the doctor can make it. Multiple layers of sutures are used to prevent spread. The one thing that often accompanies these surgeries is the freeing feeling of letting go of all of their insecurities harbored for many years— for some a lifetime. They finally feel like they are no longer held back by body constraints. They feel reborn into this new person who can truly enjoy life to the fullest—doing all of the things they could only dream about before. In my opinion, this is the best “side effect” that happens. If you have any further questions about this surgery or wish to schedule a consultation appointment, please call our office. We would love to welcome you to Beleza Plastic Surgery.
This Industry Insight was written by Anna Wooten, MD. Dr. Wooten, the founder of Beleza Plastic Surgery, is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. She completed her general and plastic surgery residency and fellowship at one of the leading plastic surgery training programs in the country, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Her unique and extensive education and training brings a special perspective to the discipline and art of aesthetic plastic and reconstructive surgery.
– D I N I N G
O U T –
pho van
Vietnamese Noodles & Grill by Pamela Palongue
W
hen Van Bright came to America with her father, it was their dream to open a Vietnamese restaurant and serve dishes made from her father’s recipes that he had personally created. Unfortuntely, her father died before ever seeing that dream come to pass. But you can still taste the wonderful dishes he created at Pho Van in the Strip District. “Van is actually my wife’s first name,” says Quang (Howie) Bright, co-owner of Pho Van. “Pho is a well-known Vietnamese dish and it is one of our specialties, along with grilled dishes.” Bright explains that Vietnamese cuisine is very healthy because there is much less oil used and it is made with fresh natural ingredients from scratch. The family-friendly atmosphere of Pho Van is very warm and inviting. The walls are dotted with scenes of the Vietnamese countryside and Asian markets. One wall is lined with real bamboo and the exotic touches add interest to the ambiance. We started our meal with the beef noodle soup which is made with brisket, flank and eye-of-round cuts. Bright points out to
us that the beef broth is cooked for 10 hours. The soup arrived with a selection of bean sprouts, thai basil, jalapeno and a wedge of lime. I added some jalapeno to mine for a spicy flavor. The soup was delicious and the beef was extremely tender. You can taste the difference that slow-cooking makes in the wonderful flavor and texture. It also comes with Hoisin sauce and Siracha hot sauce for more options. Next we had the grilled chicken and grilled pork over a bed of rice vermicelli. This traditional dish was excellent, served with sweet chili garlic sauce that added just the right flavor. This dish can be ordered with beef, chicken, pork, shrimp or as a combination. The grilled dishes are served with a side salad of lettuce, bean sprouts, cucumbers and mint. The vegetables are fresh and the mint adds a unique flavor. Our meal was fantastic and I can’t wait to go back to try other dishes on the menu. Van’s father would be proud. Pho Van is open Sun. through Thurs. from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Fri. and Sat. from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Taste the difference that fresh ingredients prepared in a healthy way makes!
2120 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh PA 15222 412.281.7999
Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 65
everyday you spend supporting others
NOW TAKE CARE OF WHAT SUPPORTS YOU. Visit one of our convenient Pittsburgh area locations: Wexford, Fox Chapel, Downtown, Moon, Monroeville and South Hills.
Call today for your FREE consultation! 1.800.426.9601 | veinhealth.com The vascular experts doctors recommend most.
Everyone Has a Story Would you or someone you know like to be featured IN Fox Chapel Area Magazine for our newest feature - Resident Profiles? Please suggest a resident for the community to get to know! Email our Managing Editor at Marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com
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– D I N I N G
O U T –
MONDAY SPECIAL
$.95 Tacos $2.95 Margaritas
PATRON T
here are three basic ingredients in any successful restaurant – great food, great service, great atmosphere. It is a recipe that has been perfected at Patron Mexican Grill in Fox Chapel. Located at 1141 Freeport Road, Patron’s menu states “Food is our passion. Service is our obsession.” It shows on both counts. Add to that a truly unique décor of brightly colored tables and booths crafted in Mexico, and one can’t help but have a great dining experience here. Patron Mexican Grill is one of three restaurants owned by Martin Bolaños, in Monroeville, Wexford and the newest location in Fox Chapel. Bolaños’ mantra is “The customer is always right.” It is one that is shared by his general manager, Raul Carillo, and passed down to the restaurant managers and serving staff. “Once they come the first time, we make sure they come back,” Bolaños said. Our hostess, Amber, was bright and energetic and greeted us with a smile. Our server, Travis, could have taught a course in how to provide great service. He was personable, knowledgable and just really seemed to care that we had a great experience at the restaurant. Patron has an extensive menu that includes plenty of offerings for lovers of Mexican fare and those who may not be overly enamored of it. There are fajitas, quesadillas, tacos, chimichangas, burritos, enchiladas, all made fresh with chicken, beef, or shrimp and in some
cases a combination of all three. There are vegetarian versions of some Mexican favorites such as fajitas vegetarian, vegetarian chimichangas, and spinach quesadillas. There are also seafood dishes including fish and shrimp tacos, and chipotle shrimp. “We specialize in picky eaters,” said Bolaños. “We got a little bit of everything,” added Carillo. The menu is developed by the chef, who is from Mexico and Bolaños, incorporating dishes from various Mexican regions. It also includes suggestions from customers and feedback from them on new menu items. There is also a variety of libations including margaritas, domestic and imported beers and wines. Travis brought the wonderful salsa and chips, plus some cheese sauce, which is really addictive. We started out our ordering with the shrimp nachos, crispy chips topped with peppers, onions, cheese and succulent, perfectly seasoned grilled shrimp. It is more than enough for two people to share as an appetizer or can even serve as a quick meal. Calling on Travis’ expertise, we asked for suggestions for entrees. We decided on La Bahia Special, which is one of Patron’s very popular seafood specialties. It is comprised of a fish fillet and shrimp, perfectly grilled, served with rice, steamed vegetables, lime and special sauce. It also includes the famous cheese sauce. It was perfection; the fish was moist and flaky, the shrimp very tasty covered in the special sauce that was not too spicy.
We also ordered Patron Fajitas, a dish where you don’t have to pick one meat because it comes with shrimp, steak and chicken on a sizzling skillet. The meat is tender, the shrimp is succulent and ready to wrap in the warm tortillas that accompany them. For dessert, we had a delicious, not-toosweet, flan. Other dessert offerings include fried ice cream, which comes in a cinnamonsugared tortilla shell and topped with hot fudge. It was the perfect ending to a perfect dining experience. Patron currently has a special Dinner for Two which includes two entrees, one appetizer and one dessert for $25, a great meal at a great price! Patron is open Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Saturday noon to 10:30 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 9 p.m. For more information, call Patron at 412.799.0900 or visit the website at www.patronmexgrills.com.
Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 67
EVLA Minimally Invasive Procedure
Brings Immediate Vein Relief
D
o you suffer from tired, achy legs with bulging varicose veins., Or maybe you just have clusters of unsightly, small purple veins that bother you and you wonder what can be done about them? Rest assured you are not alone in these concerns. Approximately 30% of American adults has signs and symptoms of varicose veins. Varicose veins are essentially superficial veins that have lost the ability to effectively transport blood back to the heart. Varicose veins can range from large, ugly, ropy veins to smaller clusters of superficial (close to the surface) purple veins. Many patients will experience pain, achiness, heaviness and swelling. If left untreated these varicose veins can lead to inflammation of the vein (phlebitis), skin discoloration of the lower legs, skin breakdown and ulcers can ultimately occur. Years ago patients ignored this problem or were told the condition was “cosmetic.” Many times, if they did seek treatment, the results were often disappointing, or they were left with disfiguring scars. Over the past several years, greater understanding of varicose veins has allowed for more effective treatments. The use of painless, noninvasive ultrasound to diagnose the problem and pinpoint the cause is the standard of care. Treatment for even the largest and most problematic veins can now
take less than an hour, require little or no anesthesia, and allow patients to return to their normal activities immediately. All this is done in the safety and comfort of an office setting. Many times patients are anxious to receive treatment because they have previously heard an unpleasant story or known someone who had been subjected to previous treatment in years past that was much more invasive than what is available today. The majority of people are familiar with stories of past varicose vein treatments. Unfortunately, many are unfamiliar with the significant advances in treatment for varicose veins that allow for more effective and less invasive treatment. This minimally invasive, office-based care is standard of care for the physicians at the Circulatory Centers. All new patients are initially evaluated at a no cost, no obligation consultation. A state-of-the-art ultrasound evaluation is performed in our ICAVL accredited vascular lab to diagnose any venous problems. The Circulatory Center staff members will then meet with the patient and offer a customized treatment plan based on each patient’s specific needs. At the Circulatory Centers treatment protocols often involve effective therapies such as sclerotherapy or Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA). The physicians at the Circulatory Centers continually review the evolving literature and treatment standards so a contemporary and effective treatment plan can be individualized for every patient. Sclerotherapy, performed in one of our local offices, by an experienced provider, is often used to treat smaller veins. During this visit a small amount of medication is injected into the target vein which causes it to collapse. The body then reabsorbs this vein over the course of several weeks. A support stocking is worn for a brief period to help compress the veins and allow for them to collapse naturally. Sclerotherapy is performed in a thirty minute office visit and involves no ‘down time.’ EVLA is also performed in the office by a physician. This procedure is often used to treat larger veins. A flexible laser fiber is inserted into the problem vein using ultrasound guidance. This procedure is done with local anesthesia and takes about forty minutes. The laser produces intense energy which causes the vein to close down. Patients return to their normal daily activities immediately. A support stocking is worn for several days after EVLA and patients are encouraged to walk to promote blood flow thru the remaining healthy veins. All this is done in the comfort and safety of our office through a 1/8 inch incision and little or no scaring! With the generally accepted knowledge of venous insufficiency and varicose veins, 95% of our procedures are covered by insurance. At the Circulatory Center each patient is assigned a Patient Account Representative who will help them navigate the often confusing sea of insurance regulations and billing. So what do you have to lose? Only those ugly painful varicose veins. This Industry Insight was written by Louis Certo, M.D., F.A.C.S. Medical Director of Circulatory Centers A graduate of St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Dr. Certo earned his medical degree from the University of Rome in Italy. After completing a five-year residency in General Surgery. Dr. Certo is Board Certified and Recertified in General Surgery. For the past ten years he has devoted most of his practice to venous surgery and has been associated with Circulatory Centers since 1997. Dr.Certo is a current member of the American College of Phlebology.
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Houses of Worship Places of Worship in your area: Adat Shalom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.820.7000
Harmarville United Presbyterian . . . . .412.828.8232
All Saints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.0530
Hoboken Presbyterian Church . . . . . . 412.828.2611
Aspinwall Presbyterian . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.2884
Holy Spirit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.821.4424
Chabad of Fox Chapel . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.1800
Immanuel Lutheran Church . . . . . . . . .412.271.1995
Catholic Community Sharpsburg . . . . . .412.784.8700
Mt. Olive Baptist Church . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.5554
Christ The Divine Teacher
Pine Creek Presbyterian Church . . . . .412.963.7868
Catholic Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.7927 Community United
Sharpsburg Family Worship Center . .412.799.0701 St. Joseph O’Hara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.963.8885
Methodist Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.6951
St. Mary of Assumption . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.486.4100
Dorseyville Alliance Church . . . . . . . . .412.767.4600
St. Mary’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.2866
Emmanuel Lutheran Church . . . . . . . .412.781.2764
St. Nicholas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.821.3438
Evangelical Bible Fellowship . . . . . . . .412.726.6684
St. Scholastica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.0186
Faith United Methodist Church . . . . . .412.963.8155
St. Edward Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.828.4066
First English Lutheran Church . . . . . . .412.782.1623
St. Francis of Assisi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.828.4066
Fox Chapel Episcopal Church . . . . . . . .412.963.8938
St. Juan Diego . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.784.8700
Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church . . . . .412.963.8243
Trinity United Church of Christ . . . . . . .412.767.4794
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church . . . .412.963.9494 Grace United Methodist Church . . . . .412.782.3396 Harmarville United Methodist . . . . . . .412.828.0292
If your place of worship was not on our list, please e-mail the information to marybeth@ incommunitymagazines.com.
Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 69
Above left: Assistant chief John Simmons, Blawnox Mayor Tom Smith, and Chief George McBriar in front of the Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company. Photo by Gary Yon.
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Fox Chapel Area
Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company
Protecting Residents from
by Pamela Palongue
T
Fire and Flood
he Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company has come a long way since its beginnings in 1921 on 7th Street. Firemen, as they were called then, used to don old Army raincoats and oil skin hats to battle blazes and literally had to push the fire truck up Blaw Avenue. Today, they not only fight fires but have one of the best water rescue units in the state and offer a quick response team to give residents access to help within minutes. According to George McBriar, chief of Blawnox VFC, the company’s new building located on Freeport Road has made life much easier for the firefighters. They now have the space to keep all of their equipment in one location. In addition to equipment lockers, the new building provided by the Borough of Blawnox has a fully-equipped kitchen, a day room or crew room for recreational use by the firefighters between calls, and an area that can be used for training. “This building was built by the citizens of Blawnox and we are happy to show it to anyone who would like to take a look at it,” says McBriar. “We didn’t even have room to walk around the trucks in our old building,” he adds. The new building now has room for the arsenal of vehicles and fleet of water rescue craft. The company’s equipment includes two engines, two squad trucks, a police interceptor vehicle, a 24’ pontoon boat, a 24’ Rinker Flotilla, two inflatable water craft and two jet skis. The equipment is put to frequent use with approximately 325 fire calls being answered last year and 24 water rescues. The water rescue team has achieved the highest level of recognition by being certified as a Level 2a Swiftwater Team. They are the first team in the state to do so and also are an Accredited Level II Water Rescue Team with the Pennsylvania Water Rescue Instructors Association. The water rescue team sent a detachment to Harrisburg last September when deadly floods invaded the area. Sixty-two individuals were rescued within just a couple of days according to McBriar, who is also coordinator of Allegheny County Swift Water Response. Many of the firefighters at Blawnox VFC are also trained emergency medical technicians, able to offer quick response to medical and trauma patients prior to the arrival of an ambulance. Although there is now a brand new facility housing it, McBriar points out that one of the engines is 30 years old and will need to
be replaced soon. In order to raise money to continue to offer the best in equipment and service, the fire company will host a fish fry on Good Friday, April 6, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the station. All area residents are encouraged to attend to support the local fire department. Despite the extensive training and continuing education for maintaining a high level of service, the Blawnox VFC remains entirely volunteer and is always in need of new volunteers who are interested in serving the community. Any individuals interested in volunteering are invited to attend a weekly meeting at the fire hall held on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Fish Fry
Good Friday, April 6, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Lieutenant Tom Witas and Captain Jim Vento get water rescue gear ready. Photo by Gary Yon.
Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 71
Volunteers of America
Partners with School District
to Provide Students with Technology
T
he days of homework requiring just a textbook and a pencil are quickly fading. A computer, Internet access, and technical proficiency are necessities now. Whether used for homework, socialization, or job attainment, technology is a large part of a student’s world. And those without access are undoubtedly at a disadvantage. Unfortunately almost one-fourth of all households nationally do not have a single Internet user.* This fact is why All of Us Care, a program of Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania, partnered with the Fox Chapel Area School District four years ago to help close the gap for students who are among such households. This was accomplished through an initiative originally known as Children’s First Laptop. This program is undergoing an expansion this year. The newly-expanded service is called Children’s First Internet Essentials and is a bridge between Children’s First Laptop, which provides low-income students with a refurbished laptop on loan from All of Us Care, and Comcast Internet Essentials, which helps low-income families get connected to the Internet for only $9.95 a month. Additional benefits include the option to purchase a computer for $149.99 + tax upon initial enrollment and access to free digital literacy training—online, in print and in person. In order to qualify for Children’s First Internet Essentials, families must be eligible for a free or reduced lunch under the National School Lunch Program and cannot have an overdue
72 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
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Fox Chapel Area
Comcast bill or unreturned equipment. This low monthly rate will remain the same until the child graduates from high school. In collaboration with the FCASD, Volunteers of America’s All of Us Care program will act as a service site where families can obtain information regarding the program and take the first steps to enroll. All of Us Care manager Hannah Ufnar believes that this program is a great extension of the work already happening. She said, “All of Us Care provides afterschool programming for children and youth at risk in the Fox Chapel Area community. What Children’s First Internet Essentials offers is an opportunity for us to extend our service by linking families with the resources they need to be as informed and connected as possible.” Interested individuals should contact Ufnar (412.782.5344 x208 or hufnar@voapa.org) for more details or to attend a monthly informational session at the Volunteers of America office at 1650 Main Street, Sharpsburg. *U.S. Census Bureau Current Population Survey (CPS) and CPS School Enrollment and Internet Use Supplement, October 2009, and ESA calculations.
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