in-fox-chapel-area-spring by IN Community Magazines

SPRING 2011

ox Chapel Area COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

Fox Chapel Area Students Perform “Anything Goes” Aspinwall Marina Project Takes Shape

Fox Chapel Area School District

Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 1

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Fox Chapel Area

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 In addition, we now offer every magazine in a fully downloadable PDF format, rather than the outdated flipbook format we used to have.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

Wayne Dollard Publisher

CHArLeS DICkeNS

SPRING 2011 IN Fox Chapel Area is a non-partisan community magazine dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the Fox Chapel 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. PUB LIS H ER

Wayne Dollard AS S ISTA NT TO TH E PUB LIS H ER

Mark Berton mark@incommunitymagazines.com M A NAGING ED ITOR

Marybeth Jeffries marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com OFFIC E M A NAGER

Leo Vighetti leo@incommunitymagazines.com ED ITOR IA L AS S ISTA NT

Jamie Ward j.ward@incommunitymagazines.com W R ITERS

Jonathan Barnes Kelli McElhinny

Pamela Palongue

GR A PH IC D ES IGN

Cassie Brkich Anna Buzzelli Susie Doak Pati Ingold

Jan McEvoy Joe Milne Tamara Tylenda Tracey Wasilco

PH OTOGR A PH ERS

Rebecca Bailey Garyyonphotography.com One Way Street Productions

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

ox Chapel Area

A DV ERTIS ING S A LES

hen I think about spring, I can’t help but think about light. The days get “lighter,” and the sun stays with us a little longer each day. When we have a great idea, a light bulb goes off in our minds. At Fox Chapel magazine we try to spotlight our communities. What are you doing to be a “light”? If you or an organization that you volunteer or work for is a light in the community, will you let me know? So many good deeds are left unsung! If you have a family member who is in the armed forces, or if your church group or Mom or Dad are providing a service to someone in need, we want to know! Please e-mail your ideas and photos to me at Marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com. every spring I look forward to our annual high school poetry contest, and this year is no exception. On page 6, I want to introduce you to some amazing young adults from the community. We truly value the words of everyone who puts “pen to paper.” But when you read some of the talented writing from area students, I’m sure you will be impressed!

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

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

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

Summer content deadline: 5/4/11 www.incommunitymagazines.com

Managing editor

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Fox Chapel Area

Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.

Contents Fox Chapel Area | SPRING 2011 |

SPRING 2011

Health and Wellness News You Can Use

Healthy Family, Happy Family

What’s Inside page 2

Spring Skin Smarts

page 3

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

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

page 4

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

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

page 5

UPMC HealthTrak Lets You Manage Your Health Care Online

page 6

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Could It Happen to You?

page 7

Welcoming New Physicians What’s Happening at UPMC St Margaret

Publisher’s Message FEATURES

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COMMUNITY INTEREST

| |

29 |

Fox Chapel Area Poetry Contest | 6 Real Estate as a Career | 38 Summer Camps Still Keep Summer Fun for Kids Aspinwall Marina Project | 59 Fox Chapel Area School District UPMC Today |

Health and Wellness News You Can Use | 29

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

| |

Looking Forward to Liposuction in 2011

| | | | |

| |

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

ON THE COVER

Older Adults in Fox Chapel Area Special Value Coupons | 61

Kids & Golf: A Lifetime of Enjoyment

Pro Bikes Powered By Passion

H.P. Starr Lumber Company

Fox Chapel Area Students Perform “Anything Goes.”

FOx CHAPeL AreA SCHOOL DISTrICT & IN FOx CHAPeL AreA MAGAzINe Presenting some of the best poetry in the Fox Chapel Area School District.

er n n i W

Gilded Cages for All the World to See

Things I Discovered While eating Lunch at Uncle Sam’s

We live life as if within a gilded birdcage, Bars so narrow we can never quiet break free, Yet to temptingly spare as to allow a view Of the shadow of reality we are given to see. Open to the sights of such a tempting world And knowing not what to do with ourselves We follow the laws placed upon us; Singing, dancing, putting up this great façade Of happiness and innocent stupidity for others to enjoy. That we all know to be false, and horribly so. And still have not the heart to speak up, To shout at the heavens And curse the wretched souls that we are, Bound within our own misery, alone, Always trying to break free, Being starved of a world full of life that should know better But truly is itself hidden away, entrapped and entangled. And the thought that eats most at our empty hearts Is the fact that it is all of our own doing. So quietly one night, in the hollow silence When the keepers are all asleep and only the fair moon, Mother of all thieves and mischief makers, Hangs alone to watch the daring escape Of the clever little songbird, always most obedient, grown so thin As to slip through this beautifully made prison And into the harshness of reality And the truth that therein lies hidden. Only one little bird, who once outside Can pick the lock and set the others free.

I’m being watched as I eat my fries. My fingers reach, retrieve, and feed, Glistening with salt crystals and fat. I rise, and, With napkin in hand, I return, But not without hearing a whisper, And not without feeling unfamiliar eyes. I don’t want that anymore. I don’t want your red raglan t-shirts, your trucker hats, or your dad’s credit card. I don’t want your thinly veiled irony, your pasty skin, or your disheveled red hair. Because somewhere along the line, after I became Your Girl, Your Girl turned into His Girl. And His Girl turned into That Girl and That Girl turned into A Girl and A Girl turned into Nobody. I lost myself somewhere along the line of Being Loved and Being Used, and now that I’m back, I’m never going back to you. I’m never going back to smiling emoticons, or Bobby Flay, or Frisbee golf, Cheap Chinese food and Wiz Khalifa. I’m coming home to lesbian folk singers and bubble tea, Eating cherry pie while John Cusack raises a stereo above his head. I’ll write songs about ghosts and sunshine and Cheshire cats, Maybe even a couple about you. But they won’t be nice. Nothing about you ever was.

Daryna Kutuza was born in the Ukraine, but has lived nearly all of her life in the United States attending the Fox Chapel Area School District continuously since the 7th grade. It was only upon entering the high school, however, that she truly found her niche: Tapestry, the school’s literary arts magazine. Over the course of her high school experience, Daryna has grown from a general club member of this group to working on the editorial staff as the layout designer for this year’s edition. A senior, she wishes to pursue a career in dentistry, but dreams of one day becoming a well known published author. 6 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Fox Chapel Area

Audrey Davis is a senior at Fox Chapel Area High School. She has been a senior staff member of Tapestry, the school arts and literature magazine, for the past two years, and has had writing and photography published in the 2009 and 2010 editions. She has also performed in seven high school theatrical productions during her time at Fox Chapel, in addition to being the regional secretary of B’nai B’rith Youth Organization in the Pittsburgh area. She plans to attend kenyon College next fall.

here talking walls surrounding kids walking tall; “we’ve been standing for 48 years. we have seen a nation in mourning. we have seen Beatlemania. we have seen a nation divide, yet still be unified. we have seen soldiers see home, we have seen soldiers see somewhere unknown. we have seen 500 thousand assemble on a farm. we have seen watergate, a battle not won but not lost, video games, aids, challenger, fall of a wall (no relation), waco, oj, internet, columbine, 9/11, katrina.

we have seen mullets and mohawks, bowl cuts and buzz cuts. rich and poor alike. baseball caps fit uniformly sideways. tight pants at the waist and loose pants sagging at the knees. bohemian, disco gangster, prep we have see them all stroll in and out. though styles do change feelings do not. they want to leave us behind, along with their leaders and their peers, break free from our protection. a life alone, far away, where they can bask in their maturity. all we can say is good luck”

       

Jamie Lynn Pertinaci is currently serving in the United States Navy. She is stationed at NAS Oceana, Virgina. She is an Aircrew Survival Equipmentman. Her official rank is PRAA Pertinaci. Jamie graduated from Fox Chapel Area High School in 2009.

Devon Flaherty is 18 years old and is a senior at Fox Chapel Area High School. He enjoys playing the banjo and singing folk songs, and has performed for many school events. He also enjoys writing his own songs and poetry, as well as drawing and painting. He hopes to attend the Art Institute of Pittsburgh for graphic design after high school.

PHOTO BY DANIeL TrACHT

Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 7

Marney Egan, DJ Egan

Margie Damico, Allie Damico, Marjorie Crimmins, Meredith Crimmins, Melissa Crimmins, Alison Mears Ann Tumolo, Tierney Weitz

Taylor Linaburg, Joyce Oesterling

The Cinderella Ball eIGHTY-FIve YeArS OF TrADITION

O Christina Bartlett, Pegeen Stone, Emily Short

n the arms of their fathers and amongst the elegance of the Grand Ballroom at the Omni William Penn Hotel, twenty-two lovely young ladies were presented to society at the 2011 Cinderella Ball. This ball has been an annual event in Pittsburgh since 1924. It is our city's oldest charity ball and the second longestrunning debutante ball in the United States. More than 500 guests enjoyed an evening of age-old tradition and modern fun. entering the ballroom and finally revealed as Prince Charming, Chase Fisher selected the name of Stella Sotereanos from a big, glittering pumpkin, presenting her as Cinderella of the Ball. The rick Purcell Big Band provided fabulous music during dinner and the Presentation ceremonies, which included the traditional Waltz of the Court and The Grand March. Sputzy and the Soul Providers got everyone dancing afterwards. After much research by the Cinderella Women's Committee, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh was chosen as this year's recipient of proceeds from the ball and over 715 invaluable hours of the debutantes' volunteer time. A scholarship was awarded to debutante katharine reineman for her outstanding volunteer commitment, alone contributing 75 hours to the library. The 85th Annual Cinderella Ball closed at the stroke of midnight!

Margaret Crimmins, Caroline Verstraeten, Haley Mears, Ellen Boyle

Lyle Odelein, Laurel Breuner

Stella Sotereanos, Emily Bongiovanni

Fox Chapel Area School District

A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT Dear Residents of the Fox Chapel Area School District, The spring 2011 IN Fox Chapel Area magazine highlights the use of 21st century technology by students and teachers at Dorseyville Middle School. Fifty-one new technology systems were installed at DMS over the summer months. The Board of School Directors along with our wonderful PTA/PTO groups joined together to raise money for this project by initiating the first-ever districtwide Community Gala held at Heinz Field in May 2010. When you watch the gleam in the eyes of our students at DMS as they use the interactive technology, you realize the impact of this fundraiser on hundreds of Fox Chapel Area students. It was a monumental task, but well worth the time and effort. each month I meet with the other 40 public school superintendents in Allegheny County. The topics of discussion often center around funding for schools, unfunded mandates, and shrinking resources. As co-chair of the legislative committee for the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, time has been spent recently reviewing the language contained in Senate Bill 1. This bill, also known as the voucher bill, if approved, will take thousands of dollars away from public schools to create vouchers for children from low income families to attend private and parochial schools. According to the Pennsylvania Omnibus survey conducted by the Center for Opinion research at Franklin and Marshall College in 2010, two out of three Pennsylvanians oppose using tax dollars for school vouchers, with opposition being held across political parties, all regions of the state, age groups, and races. I will be posting information concerning Senate Bill 1 on our Web site. Please take a minute to read the facts and contact your legislators asking them to vote “NO” on Senate Bill 1 and/or other legislation that promotes the use of vouchers in Pennsylvania. The commonwealth has already established an education choice mechanism by approving charter schools. Loss of funding to charter schools ranges from approximately $400,000 a year to more than $12 million a year for individual public school districts in Allegheny County. Our taxpayers are funding this. vouchers would add another financial obligation to the public schools and to our taxpayers. This time of year, I like to spend some personal time with our seniors. It is great to talk with them about what they liked the most about their education in the Fox Chapel Area School District. For the majority, it is always the caring teachers, curricular opportunities, and positive school environment that makes our district special. every year I think that the next class could not possibly be as great as the last, but I must say, the Class of 2011 is extremely special. We are proud that they attend school in the Fox Chapel Area School District and they seem to be quite proud to be here! The most important organizational goal set by the Board of School Directors and staff in the Fox Chapel Area School District is “To Develop the Total Child and Maximize Each Child’s Potential to Achieve.” That commitment flows through all levels of the Fox Chapel Area School District. We appreciate the partnership between our families and our schools that helps us create and maintain this focus. Sincerely, Anne e. Stephens, Ph.D. Superintendent

Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 9

Fox Chapel Area School District

New Technology at DMS  night of celebration that brought the community together for a common purpose led to a metamorphosis of technology for Dorseyville Middle School. This year, as a direct result of the money raised at the first-ever Fox Chapel Area Community Gala, Dorseyville now has 51 interactive classrooms equipped with LCD projectors, document cameras, DvD/vCr systems, surround-sound speakers, and Mimio® interactive systems.

According to middle school principal Matthew Harris all core content classrooms have been outfitted with the new technology, thanks to the generosity of the community. “Since the installation of the technology at DMS, not only are the students and teachers learning and teaching in more engaging ways, but there has been a change in mentality about how the school of the 21st century should function.”

A teacher demonstrates an interactive timeline to compare ancient civilizations. 10

Fox Chapel Area

In Michael Quinn’s social studies classroom, for example, students are engaged in an observation inference activity and are studying various paintings. They are learning how different artists wanted George Washington to be perceived in their paintings. In this classroom activity, a document camera projects an image of a painting and a student presents the results of his study of the artwork. Classroom discussion is then opened to allow other students to share their ideas. They take turns going to the front of the room and use a whiteboard stylus to point out and share their observations. Because their heads are not down and buried in books, they are interactively engaged in the lesson. Mr. Quinn points out that what was once hard to describe, can now be both demonstrated and shown. “Just using the doc cam in the art analysis activities I do has led to a greater number of students participating in the class discussions,” he says. “A number of them just seem to feel more comfortable walking up to the screen and pointing out specific aspects of the painting rather than having to explain their observations to 25 other students looking at the painting in their respective books.” Mr. Quinn, who uses the equipment two or three times per week, believes that the comfort level attained through the use of the new technology for these students carries over into other subjects and other lessons. He adds, “Needless to say, the more students that are willing to share their opinions and observations the more interesting the classes are.” Aside from displaying historic artwork, Mr. Quinn has used the doc cam to show artifacts and maps. His classes have analyzed several letters written by Washington, the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence, and a letter from a British general that provided an eyewitness account of the British assaults on Bunker Hill. Says eighth grader Matt Werner, “It feels like the class is more central because everyone can focus on one thing. Because I can see what the teacher means, it makes it easier to understand.” educational support teacher Caryn Campbell also finds that the new technology

A student uses

a MimioVoteTM device to take a math m idterm.

A student shows how he solved a math problem on the interactive whiteboard.

involves students in the material in an interactive way. Instead of centering the classroom around workbooks, she centers her lessons around the Mimio and other interactive technologies. “The use of technology typically allows the students to become more connected to the lesson at hand, as they are able to virtually interact with the materials,” she says. “Students are responding to, agreeing with, and commenting on each other’s work, in real time. They also have the opportunity to inquire about information and access the correct answers more independently.” Gifted support teacher Mimi Loeffler says the benefits include a variety of ways to learn, as well as making learning more fun. As a result, students pay better attention. “Now it is easier to reach multiple learning styles within a single lesson,” she reports. In a study of the ancient civilizations of egypt and China covered in late January, students created an interactive timeline to demonstrate what was happening in each region during that era. Sallie kaan sees first-hand, as the kindergarten-eighth grade mathematics coach, the impact technology has on teaching and learning. “The technology and interactivity affords students the opportunity to see the mathematics in action so that they reach a conceptual understanding of the material,” she says. For example, math teachers are effectively using MimiovoteTM to assess student learning in a pre-algebra class. Mimiovote can be used before a test to see what the students already know and what must be reviewed. It can also be used to give an actual test. The results provide in-depth

data to the teacher about how the students are progressing. “The instant access to information allows teachers to make timely instructional decisions to ensure that all students get the level of instruction they need,” Mrs. kaan says. Additionally, Mrs. kaan points out that the teachers have multiple opportunities to master the technology so that it can be used effectively in the classrooms to enhance student understanding. Mr. Harris says he is very pleased at how widespread the use of technology is in his school and the proficiency with which the staff uses it, thus maximizing the effectiveness of student learning. “I have been very pleased with our progress in the use of technology. Our data shows that the vast majority of the teachers and/or students are using the technology.” He continues, “The high number of users indicates that the students and the teachers are ready for a new way of teaching and learning.” Mr. Harris sees teams of students learning to solve complex problems creatively and presenting the solutions in clear and engaging ways. “The use of the technology has opened the door and allowed 21st century skills important to learning to manifest in the classroom.”

The document camera projects an image of a painting so that students can more effectively interact with each other.

A student uses a whiteboard stylus to point out and share his observations with the class.

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Fox Chapel Area School District



 ox Chapel Area High School Assistant Principal John McGee has been selected as the Pennsylvania Association of elementary & Secondary School Principals (PAeSSP) 2011 robert e. Lavely Assistant Principal of the Year. each year the PAeSSP selects one assistant principal in Pennsylvania who has demonstrated meritorious service to his or her secondarylevel school and community to be honored in conjunction with the National Assistant Principal of the Year program. According to a letter to Mr. McGee from Margaret S. Foster, the PAeSSP president, “The tributes paid to you by the individuals who endorsed your candidacy left no doubt that we would be recommending one of our outstanding assistant principals to be recognized in Pennsylvania and at the national level.” Fox Chapel Area High School Senior/Lead Principal Michael Hower, who made the nomination, says he is proud to work with Mr. McGee and that he is very deserving of this prestigious recognition. “Mr. McGee is dedicated to helping students in every aspect of his profession,” Mr. Hower states. “He has a passion for education and is determined to make a difference. He works collaboratively with staff, students, and parents to develop the best possible environment for students to be successful.” Mr. McGee says he was surprised and humbled when he found out about the recognition. “It is an honor to be the recipient of such a prestigious award. I am fortunate to work with an administration and staff that are truly committed to the students of the Fox Chapel Area community.” Mr. McGee also served as Pennsylvania’s 2011 representative to the virco, Inc./NASSP (National Association of Secondary School Principals) Assistant Principal of the Year program and will be honored at the NASSP’s annual State Assistant Principal’s of the Year Forum and Awards Gala in Washington, D.C., in the spring. He will also be honored as part of Photo Courtesy Town and Country Studio

Fox Chapel Area

the 2011 State Principals Conference at the Penn Stater Conference Center & Hotel in State College, Pennsylvania, in October 2011. Fox Chapel Area Superintendent Anne e. Stephens, Ph.D., points out that one of Mr. McGee’s strongest assets is that he cares about the students. “John McGee is an administrator that truly cares about helping each student raise the bar and meet with success. He is a team player in all that he does to meet

the high goals that are set for all who teach and learn at Fox Chapel Area High School.” The State and National Assistant Principal of the Year programs recognize outstanding middle level and high school assistant principals who have demonstrated personal excellence, as well as success in collaborative leadership, curriculum, and personalization. Mr. McGee has been an assistant principal at Fox Chapel Area High School since July 2007.

   ach school in the Fox Chapel Area School District now has a portrait of George Washington, thanks to the Mount vernon Ladies’ Association. In the fall of 2010, each school was invited to participate in the George Washington Portrait Project sponsored by the Western Pennsylvania Superintendent’s Forum. The goal of the Forum was to have a portrait of George Washington hung in each school building of every district represented by the Forum by Presidents Day, February 21, 2011. All schools in the Fox Chapel Area School District met that goal in some very unique ways. • Fairview elementary dedicated their portrait during the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera “Incredible Innovative Innovators” assembly in February. Three kindergarten classes wearing hand-created tricorner hats and carrying American flags paraded through the building leading all other students into the gym for the assembly. Once assembled in the gym, the portrait of George Washington was dedicated to the school.

• Hartwood elementary introduced their portrait also during open house when parents were presented with a flyer of information concerning the portrait which was placed on the upper wall of the library. • kerr elementary prominently displayed their portrait when “George Washington” (re-enactor Bryan Cunning) visited the school the Friday before Presidents Day. • O’Hara elementary displays their portrait along with the flag of the United States in the commons area of the school. The portrait was unveiled to the community during open house in October when families of the more than 700 students were in attendance. • Dorseyville Middle School recently dedicated the portrait with presentations by staff and students. The portrait was then hung by the school’s veterans Honor Wall of remembrance. • Fox Chapel Area High School students view their portrait daily in the history wing of the high school. The portrait was unveiled to students in the U.S. Government classes as part of their curriculum and in celebration of Presidents Day.

The iPad is a powerful educational tool with multiple applications that can be used by students and teachers to aid in learning.

iPad a Powerful Learning Tool or students like O’Hara elementary School first grader Dennis Lamme, the iPad provides a whole new level of learning opportunities. With the advanced technology at his fingertips and about 18 applications that he uses, his mother, Jeanmarie Lamme, is thrilled with the progress Dennis has made since he started using the iPad in October. Dennis is one of a handful of Fox Chapel Area students who keep their iPads with them both at school and home. Of the approximately 80 iPads purchased for learning support students, most of them are used by classroom teachers as educational tools for groups of students with special needs. Funds to purchase the iPads were made available through federal stimulus money. O’Hara elementary School Assistant Principal J.P. Prager says Dennis is the perfect candidate to use the iPad as an educational tool. “Dennis is able to do all the processing and thinking on his own. He simply needs some help with communication and fine motor skills,” Mr. Prager states. “He is an amazing young man.” Mrs. Lamme used to work with her son hand-over-hand to help him write letters of the alphabet. He is now able to practice writing words on his own with the stylus on his iPad. The iPad also helps Dennis learn vocabulary and reading, the sounds of letters to aid in spelling, and number counting. In addition, Dennis uses the verbal prompts to sound out words. Because of the iPad, “He is much more motivated,” his mother reports. “The iPad has made learning a much more enjoyable experience.” Mrs. Lamme says she believes the iPad, as well as the attitude and support for Dennis that the Fox Chapel Area staff have shown, will “take him to a whole other level. When I tell people what he’s doing they’re just blown away.” The iPad, which features a large touch-screen, and weighs about a pound and a half, is a powerful learning tool, says Coordinator of

Special education and Pupil Services Lonnie Carey, ed.D. “kids like to use them and they quickly learn how to use the touch-screen for learning activities,” she says. “The iPads make learning fun.” Dorseyville Middle School teacher Crystal eastly says that technology is a tool she uses to teach, reinforce, and practice skills taught in her comprehensive literacy class. In her classroom, she uses the iPads, a Mimeo®, and a document camera each day to help teach lessons, engage the students, and differentiate instruction for various learning needs. “Students are more enthusiastic, confident, and overall, proud of their work,” Mrs. eastly reports. “Students are actively engaged in every lesson.” High school teacher Nancy rofey teaches a class along with kerrie Barnett called computer technology. In the class, students with Individualized education Programs (IePs) learn how to use technology in everyday life. Mrs. rofey is enthusiastic about the recent addition of the user-friendly iPads as a technology tool in the classroom. She says she uses the iPad for academic reinforcement, as well as teaching schedule management skills and how to e-mail and access the Internet. “even the students who are resistant to change and were resistant to using the iPads at first, really enjoy using them now,” Mrs. rofey says. She points out that the iPad can be used as a communication device and its user-friendly touch-screen helps students with limited motor skills or hand-eye coordination issues. This encourages greater independence for these students. Perhaps Dr. Carey sums it up best when she says, “The students have a real comfort level with this new technology. everyone wants an iPad. It holds their interest and it’s a great educational tool.”

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Fox Chapel Area School District

Photo Courtesy Town and Country Studio

  

ox Chapel Area High School students experienced the genius and passion of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and the worldrenowned musicians who perform his music during the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s two-week Tchaikovsky Festival held in February. It was the first time that high school students were included as participants in this type of music festival, according to Fox Chapel Area music department chair and orchestra director Mairi Thompson. Like the re-encountering rachmaninoff Festival (sponsored by the PSO in the spring of 2009), cultural historian and curator Joseph Horowitz was the driving force behind the Tchaikovsky Festival. Having attended a National endowment for the Humanities Teaching Institute run by Mr. Horowitz, Miss Thompson made an appeal to him and the PSO about involving high school students as a component to the festival. Local universities already were included, and Miss Thompson said her goal was to build a connection between the PSO and education at the high school level. More than 300 high school students took advantage of all or part of the festival that included two weekends of symphony concerts dedicated to Tchaikovsky, as well as seminars, lectures, master classes, and small chamber ensemble and piano performances — including three events held at Fox Chapel Area High School.

Fox Chapel Area

The first high school event of the festival was an orchestra master class with Gianandrea Noseda, principal conductor of the BBC Philharmonic and guest conductor of the PSO performance that featured “Piano Concerto No. 1,” “romeo and Juliet,” and “Francesca da rimini.” Maestro Noseda coached Fox Chapel Area High School’s 25-member Ambassador Orchestra that played the final movement of Tchaikovsky’s “Serenade for Strings.” Chamber orchestras from North Allegheny High School and Mt. Lebanon High School were also invited to each perform one of the movements. Following each orchestra’s performance, the students paid close attention to Maestro Noseda’s words, gestures, and response to their playing. They were mesmerized as he vividly described Tchaikovsky’s world and how the music reflected the artist as he coached them through their playing. High school senior violinist Lukas Scheiffarth, who is the Ambassador Orchestra’s concertmaster, said that Maestro Noseda showed him and the other student musicians how to connect better with the music, but Lukas was most impressed with the energy he projected. Fox Chapel Area junior Caitlin Shneider, who plays the viola and also attended the PSO concert conducted by Maestro Noseda, said, “It was amazing to watch his hand gestures and to experience his passion — then to see him transfer that passion to the

The Fox Chapel Area High School Ambassador Orchestra had the rare opportunity to participate in an orchestra master class led by internationally-renowned conductor Gianandrea Noseda.

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra musicians!” Ninth grader and orchestra member violinist Hannah Song said of Maestro Noseda, “He was a very special person and conductor.” Later in the festival, Mr. Horowitz led a lecture/recital with festival pianists vakhtang kodanashvili and edisher Savitski on the high school stage. Between dual piano selections, Mr. Horowitz led a discussion that explored Tchaikovsky and his circle of friends and played music originally recorded on “Block cylinders” in 1892 and 1895 by Julius Block. He told the students that Tchaikovsky’s voice was actually recorded on a Block cylinder. Approximately 200 high school students attended the presentation, which was followed by a question and answer session. Orchestra member tenth grader Abbie Barnes, a violinist, said the festival tied the music to the man. “The music is an autobiography of his life. We saw the broader context of who he was.” For the students in the audience who are very involved in music, like senior Jenna Hayes, it was exciting to listen to the two pianists and have the opportunity to speak with them at the lecture. Jenna, who plans to study english in college and minor in voice,

was immersed in the Tchaikovsky Festival since the planning began in October. She was one of about 20 students who spent their QrT with Miss Thompson studying the life and music of Tchaikovsky and she was also enrolled in the AP Music Theory class last semester. Jenna had the opportunity during the festival to meet with Mr. Horowitz and she attended most of the events during the festival including the conference on interpreting Tchaikovsky with curator Mr. Horowitz and Maestro Noseda at University of Pittsburgh. She said that even for her friends who had never seen a classical piano performance before, the presentations were unique and interesting. “Once they learned that Tchaikovsky was more than just his music, they could relate to the history or the psychology of his life,” she said about the value of taking part in the music festival. “It was a great way to connect different aspects of education and provided a wider spectrum of knowledge for my friends.” The final event at the high school was a quartet master class that included string quartets from local high schools before the Tchaikovsky Festival Finale, which was a performance of Tchaikovsky’s colorful “Symphony No. 5,” and a wrap-up discussion at Heinz Hall. More than 200 students purchased tickets to one or both of the PSO performances at Heinz Hall. Says Miss Thompson of the

entire music festival, “It is the beginning of a relationship with the PSO that I hope blossoms.” Ninth grader Olivia Hilal, a violist in the high school orchestra, expressed the enthusiasm of many of the students who participated in the Tchaikovsky Festival. “You wouldn’t expect an experience like this could happen to you! It was such a cool experience.”

Festival pianists Vakhtang Kodanashvili and Edisher Savitski performed several piano selections and then spoke with students. The session was moderated by festival curator Joseph Horowitz.

Spaghetti Dinner Benefits kerr Families he kerr elementary School community rallied together to support two Sharpsburg families who recently lost their homes to fires. Wanting to find some way to lend their support, the kerr staff came up with the idea of hosting a spaghetti dinner. They planned, solicited donations of food, and cooked the dinner for the fundraiser, while the kerr PTA and the student council joined in on the efforts by holding a bake sale to add to the donations. Approximately 300 parents, students, and community members attended the dinner and take-out was also available. All of the food was donated by approximately 30 local businesses and kerr staff members. Nearly $4,000 was raised for the families. According to principal Paul Noro, ed.D., the spaghetti dinner was one of the most successful fundraisers to ever be held at kerr. “It is all because of the generosity and kindness from our kerr community. This event demonstrates how we all come together when someone is in crisis, and that is truly what makes us special,” Dr. Noro stated.

Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 15

Fox Chapel Area School District

Social Studies C lass T l a ells S c tory Through Musi

ike the show “1776,” “voting rights History – The Musical” tells a story of historic importance using music and a little humor. But unlike the Tony award-winning musical, it probably won’t land on Broadway…However, it did achieve a firstplace award in a local civics fair, a thumbs up from fellow students, and a nod from the Advanced Placement (AP) Government teacher. It all started as a joke during a brainstorming session, but when the laughter stopped, “We sort of looked around the room and went ‘Wow, we could actually pull it off with this group of people,’” says Fox Chapel Area High School senior Lee Ann Adelsheim. She was one of the masterminds of the government assignment on the history of voting rights that turned into a full-fledged musical. Lee Ann and her classmates were convinced they wanted to do more than a

typical PowerPoint presentation to fulfill their assignment. “The more we talked about it, the more realistic it seemed,” according to Lee Ann, who adds, “Once we discovered how many people in our class were interested in participating, the ‘crazy’ idea became completely doable.” The next step was to convince their teacher, Jennifer klein, who admits she was a bit skeptical at first, even though the group had a number of very musically talented students. “It’s got to be something exceptional if I am going to give you a group grade,” she told them. The students organized themselves into groups and they wrote, composed, choreographed, and rehearsed – the majority of time outside of class. They adapted music

from popular songs to tell the story and composed original music and a narrative script. The final product was beyond any expectation, according to Mrs. klein. “The time and effort put into the musical were much greater than would have been required for a PowerPoint. When you get a group of talented students together, it’s amazing to see what they can come up with.” Senior Matthew Breslof says the project proves that the arts and academics work well together. “It was the most fun I have ever had completing an academic project,” he stated. Aside from learning interesting historic facts, senior Julia Warshafsky said, “I learned a

Members of the AP Government class sing a song about women’s suffrage, sung to the tune of “American Pie.”

Fox Chapel Area

During the 1960s and early 70s young people under the age of 21 fought for the right to vote in the midst of war. Fox Chapel Area High School students set the story to music through “Bet On It” (changed to “Vote On It”) from “High School Musical.”

great deal about voting rights in the United States, and I found out that it is extremely fun and rewarding to create such a product with your peers. We worked hard and there was not one person who did not have an impact. The experience was really memorable, and we definitely bonded as a class through our learning and performing.” The students performed the musical at the Civics Fair, held December 19, 2010, at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture in Pittsburgh. Students from schools around the area participated and their projects were judged by prominent civic, education, media, and business leaders. “voting rights History – The Musical” was also performed for students at the high school. According to senior Salem Hilal, “I learned how willing a class can be to pull together for a project, yet how hard it can be to organize. If it weren’t for a lot of patience and a lot of flexibility on everyone’s part, the musical might not have been possible.” In addition to Lee Ann, Julia, Matthew, and Salem, seniors who participated in the musical included: Brinley Bruton, Miranda Chang, Natalie Fallert, Lloyd Harvey, Talia Hirsch, Jay Jung, Sequoia Leuba, Sofia Manfredi, Maureen McGill, Amanda Myers, katharine reineman, Patrick ryan, Christine Serwon, Christine Soloski, Jennifer Thaete, kelsey Ulanowicz, Trevor Weis, and Alyssa zaidi.

All of the students were proud of their efforts, and Salem, an accomplished musician himself says, “No one associates musicals with something like American history or voting rights. It was a great and unique spin on something people would seem to think static and ordinary. When the goal is to reach a larger audience, and it really is something that everyone can benefit from, there are whole new boundaries that can be unlocked.” Salem’s advice to his schoolmates, “Don’t be afraid to try something unusual or unconventional to get a message out. Most often, it will work better than one might expect.”

“You Can’t Stop the Beat” from “Hairspray” was adapted to tell the story about African-American voting rights.

Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 17

Fox Chapel Area School District

  “What are the basic necessities for children to be ready to learn? A sense of worth, a sense of trust, curiosity, a capacity to look and listen carefully, the capacity to play and times of solitude.” – “The Timeless Wisdom of Mister rogers” he work at the Family Literacy Center, where “Families Learn Together,” reflects the belief that children must play actively beginning in early childhood to support problem solving, novel thinking, and learning. “Play is how little children learn,” emphasizes ron korenich, ed.D., the Fox Chapel Area School District’s coordinator of elementary education and instruction. “Adults also need to be involved in the play by asking questions to act as a catalyst for learning.” That’s what the Family Literacy Center in Sharpsburg is all about. established in 2003 by the Fox Chapel Area School District and under the direction of teacher and early literacy specialist kenda Hammer, the center offers an inviting atmosphere that inspires the love of reading for a lifetime by making activities with books fun. It also encourages caring relationships between families and the schools. A typical class includes 60-minutes of supervised play followed by 30-minutes of reading and song for the children and their families. The Imagination Playground, brought to the Family Literacy Center on loan from the Pittsburgh Association for the education of Young Children (PAeYC) and made possible through a grant from The Grable Foundation, offers many open-ended ways for children to play. For six weeks this winter the children and their parents had access to the large, flexible foam blocks along with foam noodles, chutes, and balls to encourage imagination and creativity. For instance, four-year old Parker, who likes dolphins, points to the blocks that he put together and says his dolphin and killer whale are inside. “They are sleeping,” he replies when asked what they are doing. As Parker continues to work on his construction project, his younger brother, 18-month-old Brady, and their mother also enjoy the large blocks, chutes, and a ball.

volunteers Make It Possible

Beth Hoos, an O’Hara elementary School parent, read from the book she and her husband co-wrote, “Animals in the zoo,” several times during the month of January. Formerly the education director at zoo Atlanta, she brought her expertise about children and zoo animals to share with children and their families at the Literacy Center. Mrs. Hoos is just one of the many volunteers who enrich the programs at the Family Literacy Center by interacting with children and their parents – playing, reading, and engaging individual children in new investigations. Additionally, volunteers assist with clerical tasks, sorting books, preparing new materials, and helping on field trips. According to kenda Hammer, the many volunteers who donate their time, often weekly, are key to the success in building partnerships between families and schools, while helping children get ready for school. Current Family Literacy Center volunteers include: Dr. Jennifer Stockseth-Marsh, Mary ellen Goga, John and Sandy Bennison, Dr. kathy Counihan-vertosick, Barbara Scully, virginia villani, Lorraine Norris, Sophie rodosky, Peggy ranii, Beth Hastings, and kylie LaSota. Additionally, Fox Chapel Area elementary principals Dr. Sari McNamara, Dr. Paul Noro, Dr. Jacquelyn rauzan, Dr. Mike rowe, and J.P. Prager also volunteer their time as guest readers, visitors, and/or learners about the program and families.

Fox Chapel Area

Nearby, Maria, who just turned five, puts a layer of cylinder-shaped noodles on top of a large block and then attempts to pile another large block onto the noodles. It isn’t easy because the block and noodles roll off her structure. Mrs. Hammer asks her about the shape of the noodles and they conclude that blocks placed on top of cylinder-shapes may not stay put. Mrs. Hammer is especially pleased as she and Maria converse, for english is not the only language spoken in Maria’s home. Another positive aspect of the Family Literacy Center is the opportunity for young children and their parents, for whom english is a second language, to practice conversation. Following the play period, Mrs. Hammer encourages the children to sing a song during the transition time as she leads them to sit for story time. Today, a guest author, Beth Hoos, will read from the book “Animals in the zoo.” She co-wrote the sing and act along book (which is sung to the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus”) with her husband. Before moving to Aspinwall from Atlanta, Mrs. Hoos worked with children at zoo Atlanta. She also tells the children that she and her husband sing with their own two children when they travel. That’s what inspired her to write this book about zoo animals and songs for children.

As she reads from the book “The gorillas in the zoo beat their chests . . . just like me!” the children sing along and also pound on their chests. After they finish the story in the book which describes the activity of zoo animals, Mrs. Hoos asks the children to think of more verses they could make up and sing and motion together about other animals. The Family Literacy Center, in partnership with the Sharpsburg Library, also offers Literacy excursions which are field trips made possible through a grant awarded by the LeBoeuf family to strengthen early literacy growth. Children and parents from the Literacy

Center meet on occasion at the library for a story time prior to taking a field trip to a Pittsburgh-area cultural venue. The stories read prepare the children for the trip by introducing language related to the field trip experience. Additional services for families include workshops and seminars for parents, some of which are sponsored by funds generously raised by the Women’s Board of Pittsburgh. For further information on the Family Literacy Center, call 412/696-0065, or visit www.fcasd.edu and click on the “early Childhood: Literacy Center” under Quicklinks.

Teen Appears on I t was an opportunity that was nearly forgotten. Steven Ho, a Fox Chapel Area High School junior, just happened to tune in one evening when the Jeopardy! Teen Tournament was announced last year. “I thought it was pretty sweet,” he says. He decided to sign up to take the online qualifying test but it wasn’t posted yet. He bookmarked it and didn’t think about it again. Then one day last spring while he was doing some computer research for school, he remembered the tournament. He checked the site and saw that it happened to be the last day of registrations for the online test! He took the test and, a month later got an e-mail stating that he was one of 300 students nationwide chosen to audition in Philadelphia. “I was surprised,” Steven states. He and his family arranged some college visits in Philadelphia in June 2010 and while there he participated in an interview process and took a second Jeopardy! test. Steven also played a mock informal game with the other students who were auditioning. When Steven left he was told that only a small number of students would be selected and that he would receive a call in late July or August if he was selected. “I wasn’t even thinking about it because I didn’t think I’d make it,” he states. School started in August and he hadn’t gotten a phone call. But things changed in November. “I was coming home from

swimming and my mom said that they called,” Steven says. “She didn’t think it was real because they called so late!” The Jeopardy! Teen Tournament was filmed in December in Los Angeles. He and his mom (Chaoming zhou) and dad (Dr. kai He) flew to California December 4-8 for the taping where he competed against 14 other students from across the United States. Jeopardy! paid for airfare for Steven and one parent, as well as for the hotel accommodations. They even gave Steven $1,000 in spending money. Steven says the questions were difficult and “everyone was really smart.” In his match, he competed against students from Georgia and California.

When it was Steven’s turn to introduce himself on the show, he explained to host Alex Trebek that his physics class took a field trip to kennywood Park for their final physics exam. “When we got home, after having an entire day of fun, we wrote a one-page report on how that applied to our class,” Steven said. When asked for an example, he talked about the Pitt Fall ride at the park and how it drops straight down. “I calculated the amount of gravitational potential energy at the top,” Steven told Mr. Trebek. “Of course!” Mr. Trebek said, to laughs from the audience. Prior to Final Jeopardy!, Steven was in second place. “Quite a game here,” said Mr. Trebek. “All three of you in contention for a victory!” Steven and several friends had a “Jeopardy! party” the night his show aired, which was February 18 on WPxI-Tv. Aside from a GPA that is above a 4.0, Steven is an avid swimmer and participates in forensics, Model United Nations (UN), and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). He plans to attend college and major in business and, possibly, premed. even though he didn’t win his match on Jeopardy!, Steven says, “I loved every moment of it.” As a quarterfinalist Steven won $5,000 and he has this advice for other students who might be thinking about trying out for the next Jeopardy! Teen Tournament, “They should go and try out. It’s a great experience. You never know. I didn’t think I was going to get on either!” Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 19

Fox Chapel Area School District

School District

Nutrition Standards from saturated fat. The target levels were established in the 1990s, and are expected to be revised within the next few years.

ecently, the Pennsylvania Department of education Division of Food and Nutrition conducted an administrative review of the district’s school lunch program. The review, required every five years, examines three components of the school lunch program. The Fox Chapel Area School District lunch program met or exceeded all of the requirements including the following: • The first of the three parts is the Coordinated review effort (Cre) which included an audit of the free and reduced lunch applications, verification procedures, Point of Service (POS) register reports, and reimbursements for the lunch program. No errors were found. • The second part of the review was the School Meal Initiative (SMI) and school menus were reviewed for nutritional analysis. The report noted that school menus met all the criteria for targeted nutrient levels per the dietary guidelines. These levels were at or above 100 percent of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) targeted nutrients. The audit also showed that the percentage of calories from fat and saturated fat were 26.46 percent and 9.01 percent respectively. These amounts are under the threshold of 30 percent calories from fat and 10 percent of calories

Fox Chapel Area

• The third part was a review of the School Nutrition Incentive (SNI) Program, which includes the Nutrition Standards for Competitive Foods in Pennsylvania Schools. These are food and snacks which students can purchase from the a la carte selections available in each of the school cafeterias. All guidelines were met or exceeded positively. even though Fox Chapel Area’s program is in compliance with all state and national guidelines, the district’s food service department continues to strive to promote and provide healthy foods. In moving forward with school wellness policy, the food service department applies the following practices to the breakfast and lunch program: 1. Menu analysis software is updated annually to assist with the latest revisions in the National School Lunch/School Breakfast Program from the USDA. 2. Menus are analyzed and adjusted to keep fat and saturated fat under the USDA guideline threshold of 30 percent calories from fat and 10 percent calories from saturated fat for the week. 3. Whole grains are offered or available daily on the menu in the form of sandwich buns, dinner rolls, sliced bread, bagels, spaghetti, pizza crust, and even wholesome snacks such as bear grahams.

George Coutsoumbis, the district’s food service specialist, speaks with Fairview Elementary School fifth graders to get menu ideas and how those ideas can fit into a nutritious lunch.

4. All breakfast and lunch foods, including all a la carte foods, are baked not fried. In fact, there are no fryers in the Fox Chapel Area School District cafeterias. In addition, over 75 percent of any snack foods offered have no more than 30 percent calories from fat, 10 percent calories from saturated fat, and less than 35 percent sugar by weight. The foods served in the cafeterias are virtually free of trans fats. 5. Three different fresh fruits are offered daily along with an assortment of canned fruits and 100 percent fruit juice. 6. Dark green leafy and orange vegetables are incorporated into salad recipes as well as some side dishes in the lunch program. 7. Parents may also place individual restrictions on their own children by using the POS serving line message alert system. If restrictions are requested, a special note will appear on their child’s account with specific instructions from a parent or guardian.

Former Steeler and Penn State Linebacker to Coach Foxes our-year starter at Penn State University and former Pittsburgh Steeler eric ravotti was hired as the new Fox Chapel Area High School head football coach. Originally from Freeport, Mr. ravotti played for his high school team where he received numerous regional, state, and national accolades. Following his graduation from Freeport High School in 1989, he played football under Joe Paterno at Penn State and was as an all-conference selection in 1994. Mr. ravotti was then drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers where he was a member of the team that played in Super Bowl xxx in 1996. He retired from professional football in 1998. Michael O’Brien, Fox Chapel Area coordinator of athletics, says he is excited that Coach ravotti is coming to the

district. “We are extremely fortunate to add Coach ravotti to the Fox Chapel Area coaching staff. He brings an exceptional amount of both playing and coaching experience to the program and he will use that experience to help continue what Coach (Bryan) Deal started and move our program forward.” Mr. ravotti is looking forward to the new experiences that being the head coach of the Fox Chapel Area High School Football Team will bring his way. He says he was immediately impressed by the district administration’s commitment to building a competitive football program. “What interested me about the job at Fox Chapel Area was the challenge, as well as the potential that I thought this school district has,” Mr. ravotti states. “It is my belief that the talent level and numbers are there in the school and I think we have a very good plan to ignite the fuse to bring out the players that we will need to be competitive on a long-term basis.” And, Mr. ravotti is serious when he talks about training. He has already begun an off-season training program for football players that will continue yearround. “How successful we are in the fall will be determined by what we do in January and February,” he says. “My goal is to make every player’s high school football experience one that will stay with them for their entire life... If we are able to build a program with

Eric Ravotti’s professional experience as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers brings a rare perspective to high school coaching.

mutual respect and belief in one another, we will be able to accomplish things together that may have seemed impossible to some.” Mr. ravotti also says the booster group at Fox Chapel Area is “second to none” and he looks forward to the true partnership that can be established between the coaches, players, the administration, and the boosters. He predicts great things for the future and says that he hopes his football teachings will be life lessons that will continue to aid the students in their professional careers, even after football. Team success, he says, will come with a familial atmosphere. “At Penn State I was blessed enough to have mentors like Joe Paterno, Jerry Sandusky, and Tom Bradley,” he says. “The lessons I learned from these great coaches are the foundation for how a football program should be run.” He continues by saying that his experience at the professional level has helped him to truly understand the intricacies of the game. Mr. ravotti’s coaching experience includes serving as an assistant coach for the Freeport High School varsity Football Team and he has also been actively involved as a coach for the Pine-richland Youth Football program where his two sons play. He has also acted as a consultant for numerous local high school football teams. Mr. ravotti is currently president and owner of the rAr Insurance and Development Company based in the Pittsburgh area. Mr. ravotti replaces Mr. Deal who resigned for personal reasons in November 2010 after six seasons as head coach of the Fox Chapel Area High School Football Team. Mr. ravotti was hired by the School Board at its January 10, 2011, meeting. Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 21

Fox Chapel Area School District

Fox Chapel Area School Board

Reorganization Meeting

he Fox Chapel Area Board of School Directors held its annual reorganization meeting in December 2010. Charles r. Burke was re-elected president. robin F. Baum was re-elected vice president. Sherman M. Snyder was elected assistant secretary. The Board also set the following meeting schedule for 2011: Agenda Study Sessions April 4 (Fox Chapel Area High School); May 2 (O’Hara elementary School); June 6 (Dorseyville Middle School); August 22 (Fox Chapel Area High School - August 22 is a combined agenda study session and regular business meeting); September 12 (Fox Chapel Area High School - September 12 is a combined agenda study session and regular business meeting); October 3 (Hartwood elementary School); November 7 (kerr elementary School); and November 29 (Fairview elementary School - Tuesday).

Regular Business Meetings April 11 (Fox Chapel Area High School); May 9 (Fox Chapel Area High School); June 13 (Fox Chapel Area High School); August 22 (Fox Chapel Area High School - August 22 is a combined agenda study session and regular business meeting); September 12 (Fox Chapel Area High School - September 12 is a combined agenda study session and regular business meeting); October 10 (Fox Chapel Area High School); November 14 (Fox Chapel Area High School); and December 5 (Fox Chapel Area High School).

Treasurer karen A. Mitesser and Sandra M. Garbisch, Joanne C. Gaus, Frederick C. Leech, robert Mauro, and Joel r. Weinstein are also members of the Board of School Directors.

The School Board will also hold a special year-end meeting June 20 at Fox Chapel Area High School. The School Board’s annual reorganization meeting will be held December 5 immediately following the December regular business meeting. All Board meetings are held on Mondays (unless otherwise noted) at 7 p.m.

COMPLIANCe STATeMeNT The Fox Chapel Area School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, nationality, ethnic origin, age, or disability in the administration of its policies, hiring practices, employment practices, and admission to its programs, services, or activities, in access to them, in treatment of individuals with disabilities, or in any aspect of its operations.

Fox Chapel Area Merchandise Now Available Online foxesfanshop.com Students, parents, alumni, and friends can purchase Fox Chapel Area merchandise online – even when school is not in session. The Foxes Fan Shop, which can be accessed by visiting www.foxesfanshop.com, features apparel plus other popular Fox Chapel Area items like stadium blankets, backpacks, and duffel bags. In addition to offering apparel in all sizes (including infant, toddler, youth, and adult) plus direct shipping to anywhere in the world, customers are able to check their order status online. Another feature the online shop offers is gift wrapping, and gift cards are also available. 22

Fox Chapel Area

Additional information pertaining to civil rights, school district policies, and grievance procedures can be obtained by contacting the officers listed below from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. 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 SCHOOL DISTrICT 2010-2011 FACTS & FIGUreS 2010-2011 Student enrollment

Professional Staff Statistics

elementary Schools (k-Grade 5)

Number of Professional Staff

Fairview elementary School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364 Hartwood elementary School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374 kerr elementary School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 487 O’Hara elementary School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 710

elementary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 Secondary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 426

Total elementary enrollment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,935

Master’s Degree or equivalent

Secondary Schools (Grades 6-12)

elementary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69% Secondary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70%

Dorseyville Middle School (6-8). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,030 Fox Chapel Area High School (9-12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,439

Average Years of Teaching experience

Total Secondary enrollment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,469

elementary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Years Secondary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Years

Total District enrollment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,404

Class of 2010 The total number of Fox Chapel Area High School graduates in the class of 2010 was 342. The percentages of 2010 graduates entering some type of post-secondary education were as follows: Four-Year Colleges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261 or 76.3% Two-Year Colleges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 or 16.1% Total Continuing education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316 or 92.4%

Average SAT Scores Class of 2010 Class of 2009 Class of 2008 Class of 2007 Class of 2006

Critical reading Math 565 581 563 568 561 581 547 546 552 560

Writing 560 562 560 539 557

A total of 277 members of the Class of 2010 took the SAT during their junior or senior year. The national average scores for all 2010 graduates taking the test were 501 in critical reading, 516 in math, and 492 in writing.

2010 PSSA Scores Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 11

reading 92% 90% 81% 86% 89% 96% 92%

Math 96% 94% 87% 89% 86% 91% 82%

% = Percent Scoring Advanced and Proficient

Writing n/a n/a 82% n/a n/a 92% 95%

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 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 23

Fox Chapel Area School District DISTrICT ADMINISTrATION

FOx CHAPeL AreA SCHOOLS

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

FAIrvIeW eLeMeNTArY SCHOOL 738 Dorseyville road Pittsburgh, PA 15238 412/963-9315 Principal: Sari e. McNamara, ed.D.

DISTrICT reSOUrCe STAFF Coordinator of elementary education and Instruction: ronald korenich, ed.D. Coordinator of Instruction, Staff Development and Secondary Curriculum: Shelley Beck, Ph.D. Coordinator of Special education and Pupil Services: Lonnie Carey, ed.D. Coordinator of educational Technology: Norton Gusky Coordinator of Ancillary Services: Sam Miceli Director of Athletics and Activities: Michael O’Brien Coordinator of Communications: Bonnie Berzonski

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 r. rowe, ed.D. Assistant Principal: James Phillip Prager, Jr.

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.

FOx CHAPeL AreA SCHOOL BOArD

Photo Courtesy Town and Country Studio

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.

Front row (l to r): karen A. Mitesser, Treasurer (2011 - region I); Charles r. Burke, President (2013 - region III); robin F. Baum, vice President (2011 region I); and Joanne C. Gaus (2011 - region II). row 2 (l to r): David P. McCommons, ed.D., Assistant Superintendent; Sherman M. Snyder, Assistant Secretary (2013 - region I); robert Mauro (2013 - region II); Sandra M. Garbisch (2011 - region II); and Anne e. Stephens, Ph.D., Superintendent. row 3 (l to r): Frederick C. Leech (2011 - region III); Martin W. Sheerer, esq., Solicitor; and Joel r. Weinstein (2013 - region III).

Fox Chapel Area

Dining Etiquette

Do's & Don'ts

hese well-mannered kids are in the know when it comes to proper etiquette around the table! They're ready for formal dinner parties, fundraising galas and business dinners, thanks to some coaching at Mind Your Manners, a dining etiquette class and four-course dinner offered to middle school students residing in the Fox Chapel Area School District. Members of the Fox Chapel Area Branch of the American Association of University Women hosted the class on Sunday, January 30, at Fox Chapel Golf Club. Table manners, introductions, and polite conversation were the main topics of the evening. The Fox Chapel Area Branch of AAUW promotes equity, education, intellectual growth, individual worth, and the development of opportunities for women and girls. Proceeds from their Mind Your Manners fundraiser benefit the association's education Fund. This fund provides career-launching grants to Chatham College seniors graduating with degrees in STeM fields such as science, technology, engineering and math. For more information, visit aauwfoxchapelareapa.wordpress.com.

Lois Folino, Janice Barrington Members of Fox Chapel AAUW

Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 25

26 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Fox Chapel Area

 Perform

“Anything Goes” he Fox Chapel Area High School spring musical, "Anything Goes" scheduled performances on March 17, 18, and 19, 2011, in the high school auditorium at 7 p.m., and March 20 in the high school auditorium at 2 p.m. Director Craig Cannon was able to steer the ship as the student cast and crew all worked overtime to get the production stage ready! The story is set aboard the S.S. American with a whole cast of characters including Billy Crocker, a stowaway in love with heiress Hope Harcourt, who in turn is engaged to Lord evelyn Oakleigh, along with a nightclub singer, a former evangelist reno Sweeney, and Public enemy #13, Moonface Martin, who is posing as a minister. A series of comical mistaken identities ensues as the passengers and crew sing and dance their way across the Atlantic.

 by Jamie Ward

spinwall Borough Council appointed April Winklmann as Borough Manager in January. The change came after former manager ed Warchol's retirement after 17 years with the Borough. Winklmann grew up in Cheswick. After attending Springdale High School, she went on to graduate from Grove City College with a degree in business and a concentration in marketing. Before coming to Aspinwall, Winklmann worked at Federated Investors in Pittsburgh for 10 years, in their funds financial service division and worked her way up to a manager position. “My experience at Federated helped me learn a lot about bonds and how they worked,” she says. Winklmann made her next career move to the Borough of Springdale, where she worked for 14 years. She left her position as secretary and treasurer to come to Aspinwall. Aside from having her children, she considers her biggest accomplishment to be her

involvement in the Borough of Springdale's bond issue and development plan. “After looking at the needs in each area, we were able to find a way to get the funds we needed and determined we would re-issue a bond,” she says. Winklmann's experience with bonds and how they worked on the bank's side came in very handy. The transition to Aspinwall has been great for Winklmann so far. “I'm still in the honeymoon phase here. The people are just superb,” she admits. “However, there is a lot that needs to be done here. It's a matter of figuring out what current operations should look like and what needs to change to be cost effective.” Winklmann says she will take a lot into consideration while making these decisions. “The changes we make have to improve efficiencies, be cost-saving or reduce errors,” she says. “The municipal government is really a business with the sole purpose to serve a community. I'm looking at how to best serve those broad set of needs.” Winklmann's long-term goal for the Borough is financial strength and stability. The Council has invited the community to be involved in fiveand 10-year planning for the Borough. “It's great to get groups from the community involved,” she says. “In older towns like this one, there really

needs to be a planning process. We are trying to assess the infrastructure and figure out how to get where we need to be and then develop a plan.” Winklmann says she will start the process by looking at all of the residents’ complaints and then finding overlaps. As part of the five- and 10-year plans, Winklmann is developing a list of questions to take to business owners in the borough. “I want to talk to them and find out what they see and what they need,” she says. “These people in the community have a voice, and that's a wonderful thing,” she says. “And the board wants to hear those voices. The challenge will be finding a way to balance them.” Filling Warchol's shoes might be a daunting task after his 17-year history with the Borough. “Not having the history is one of my challenges,” she says. “But the history is easy to gain once I really get started.” The quaint atmosphere of Aspinwall is one of the aspects that drew Winklmann to the town, but the professionalism of the borough staff is what really impressed her. “During the interview process, I was able to see the genuine concern the board has for this borough,” she says. “every time I turn around, there is more evidence of that.”

Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 27

Enhancing

Curb Appeal

D L O S

Sell Your Home Fast

ave you cleaned your house thoroughly, staged it perfectly, and repainted the living room? excellent! Now, let's make sure people actually see it. Curb appeal is the most significant thing you can do to increase your home's chances of selling, especially in a more challenging market. Houses that would otherwise sell in a heartbeat become victim to an instant emotional judgment that sounds something like this: "Oh, keep driving. Next!" You want to insure that the instant emotional reaction is more like this: "Wow! I can't wait to see inside." Okay, did I sell you yet on how important this is? Let's get to work. The first thing you must do to enhance curb appeal is the hardest, which is to become an objective observer. You have lived in your home

Cleanliness is the single most important issue affecting curb appeal. Make sure the exterior of the house is as clean as possible.

for many years, through good times and bad times. Now you need to no longer look at your house as a home but as a commodity. Buyers are looking at a lot of houses right now and don't have an emotional connection to any of them. You must enter the psychology of a buyer. Look at your home, and ask yourself these questions: What is your first impression? What do your eyes see first? Better yet, ask a friend to do this. Is someone walking their dog past your house as you are doing this exercise? Ask them! Pretend you were thinking of buying this house. What, in an ideal situation, would you ask the seller to fix or improve first just looking at the outside? If you had an unlimited budget, what would you want to do to the landscaping, exterior? Now think about how to enhance the good things and minimize the bad things without spending a lot of money. Cleanliness is the single most important issue affecting curb appeal. Make sure the exterior of the house is as clean as possible. If the exterior is in bad cosmetic condition, a new paint job is ideal and can usually make up for itself in a gain in equity and speed of sale. Short of that, cleaning the exterior is the next best thing. Landscaping is next on the list. There is no need to go overboard with landscaping but a few simple things convey to buyers that the current owner really cares about the home and has kept it in good condition. Below I have included checklists for enhancing the home and landscaping for curb appeal. Beyond those items, some other things that make a big difference are replacing the front door with one that is more attractive and making sure that the backyard is also looking good, especially if any of it is visible from the car. Nighttime is also something to think about. Installing some decorative, preferably solar, walkway lights and making sure there is an attractive front porch light fixture will enhance the look and feel of the entire exterior. Follow these simple checklists and sell your home more quickly!

easy Curb Appeal Checklist: • Clean all windows • Clean all gutters • Pressure wash exterior (or get a new paint job!) • kill all mold and mildew (make sure to have a mold specialist check mold problems)

• Make sure any part of the interior of the house that is visible from the curb looks warm and inviting

easy Landscaping Checklist: • Mow the lawn, clear weeds • remove all weeds growing between sidewalk and walkway cracks • rake all leaves • Trim back trees and bushes • edge sidewalks • If possible, add some plants or flowers to beautify the landscape 28 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Fox Chapel Area

SPRING 2011

Health and Wellness News You Can Use

Healthy Family, Happy Family

What’s Inside page 2

Spring Skin Smarts

page 3

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

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

page 4

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

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

page 5

UPMC HealthTrak Lets You Manage Your Health Care Online

page 6

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Could It Happen to You?

page 7

Welcoming New Physicians What’s Happening at UPMC St Margaret

Spring Skin Smarts It’s this simple: Take care of your skin for a healthier you The combination of cold winds and dry indoor air takes its toll on our skin each winter. It’s no wonder we can’t wait to trade coats and boots for T-shirts and sandals when spring arrives. But with sunny days comes the need to devote extra care to the skin that works so hard to protect us. As the largest organ of our body, skin shields our internal organs from damage, fends away infection, warms us up, cools us down, and even helps eliminate waste through perspiration. As we get ready to spend more time in the sun, spring is the perfect time to check for skin problems and adapt a few new habits, says Laura Korb Ferris, MD, PhD, and Melissa Pugliano-Mauro, MD. Both are dermatologists at UPMC St. Margaret who recently opened a joint practice, UPMC St. Margaret Dermatology, in Harmar.

Your top priority: Protect your skin from the sun! “More than 90 percent of all skin cancer is caused by exposure to the sun, so protecting yourself is a year-round job,” says Dr. Pugliano-Mauro, who also is certified to perform Mohs surgery, the most advanced microsurgical treatment procedure available for skin cancer. “Always apply a minimum 30 SPF sunblock when you’re out in the sun. It’s also smart to wear a hat and sunglasses, and cover any skin exposed to sunlight.” Melanoma — the most dangerous form of skin cancer — can occur anywhere on the body, including areas that seldom get sun. Use a mirror or ask for help when checking your back and other hard-to-see areas.

www.UPMC.com/Today

“Skin cancer can happen at any age, but the risk increases as we grow older, so self-examination is particularly important after the age of 50,” emphasizes Dr. Ferris. “Men over age 65 are especially at risk.”

Other helpful spring skin tips Make over your makeup: “Add a quick review of your makeup drawer to your spring cleaning list,” notes Dr. Ferris. She recommends tossing any cosmetics that are older than these recommended timelines: • Mascara: 3 months • Lipstick, moisturizers, foundation, and SPF/sunblock products: 12 months • Powder and eye shadow: 24 months She also advises washing your makeup brushes and sponges every two weeks with a gentle cleanser; the dirt and germs they harbor can irritate skin.

Be proactive with acne: Warmer temperatures mean increased sweating, which can aggravate acne. After playing or working out, remove sweaty clothes and wash affected areas, such as the face or back, with mild soap. “And everyone should wash their face before going to bed to remove the day’s oil, perspiration, or residual makeup from skin,” says Dr. Pugliano-Mauro. Say no to tanning beds: Dr. Ferris says tanning beds cause irreparable skin damage and have been linked to skin cancer, particularly melanoma. “Use self-tanning sprays or lotions instead. They’re safe and effective.” To schedule an appointment at UPMC St. Margaret Dermatology, located at 2585 Freeport Road, Suite 204, call 412-784-7350.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stomachaches: When to Worry Everyone gets a stomachache — or abdominal pain — from time to time. According to John Wood, MD, a gastroenterologist at UPMC St. Margaret, most stomachaches are harmless conditions caused by overeating, gas, or indigestion. Frequent or recurring stomachaches are often due to stress and worry, even in children. But they can point to more serious medical problems. “Harmless abdominal pain usually subsides or goes away within two hours. If you have the stomach flu, your stomach may hurt before each episode of vomiting or diarrhea,” explains Dr. Wood. “In serious cases, however, the pain worsens or becomes constant.”

Call your primary care physician if mild pain lasts more than a couple of days, or if the pain is accompanied by other symptoms, says Dr. Wood. Get medical help immediately if: • You have abdominal pain that is very sharp, severe, and sudden. • You also have pain in the chest, neck, or shoulder. • You’re vomiting blood or have bloody diarrhea. • Your abdomen is stiff, hard, and tender to the touch. • You can’t move your bowels, especially if you’re also vomiting. Bottom line: Trust your gut! Contact your doctor if you’re concerned about lingering or unusual stomach pain.

1-800-533-UPMC

Health Tips from UPMC Health Plan

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

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

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

www.UPMC.com/Today

UPMC Spotlight

UPMC HealthTrak Lets You Manage Your Health Care Online

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Renew prescriptions

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

• Ask billing questions

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

1-800-533-UPMC

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

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

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

www.UPMC.com/Today

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

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

Welcoming New Physicians Please visit www.UPMC.com/FindADoctor or call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762) for more information about any of our physicians.

UPMC St. Margaret is committed to bringing world-class care close to home for the people of our region. We are pleased to welcome the following new physicians: Tania Abi Antoun, MD Renal Medicine

Susan Jordan, MD Orthopaedic Surgery

Peter Protell, MD Emergency Medicine

Medical School: American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine

Medical School: Harvard Medical School

Medical School: University of Nevada School of Medicine

Residency: Emory University School of Medicine

Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital

Residency: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Laura Ferris, MD, PhD Dermatology

Andrew McCall, MD Otorhinolaryngology

Karen Rehder, MD Obstetrics and Gynecology

Medical School: University of Maryland School of Medicine

Medical School: David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

Medical School: St. Louis University School of Medicine

Residency: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Residency: UCLA Medical Center, Office of Graduate Medical Education

Residency: St. John's Mercy Medical Center

John Guehl III, DO Ophthalmology

Joseph Paviglianiti, MD Ophthalmology

Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Medical School: University of South Florida School of Medicine

Residency: St. Francis Medical Center

Residency: Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Happening at UPMC St. Margaret Classes

Event Spotlight

COPD Education and Support 412-784-5764

Fitness Classic 5K Run/Walk Sunday, May 22 Preregister by Wednesday, May 11 Race-day registration: 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Race starts and finishes on the UPMC St. Margaret campus.

Look Good, Feel Better 1-800-227-2345 Managing Your Diabetes 1-866-334-5227 Insulin Pump Class 1-866-334-5227

Support Groups Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Support Group 412-784-5054 Bariatric Support Group 412-784-5900 Diabetes Support Group 412-784-4194

For more information or an entry form, call 412-784-5169.

UPMC St. Margaret Blood Drives Tuesday, Mar. 29 and Wednesday, May 25 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dining Rooms A and B For more information or to register, call 412-784-4077.

Bariatric Information Sessions Mar. 7 and 28; Apr. 4 and 25; May 9 and 23 6 to 8 p.m. UPMC St. Margaret Conference Rooms A, B, and C For more information or to register, call 412-784-5900.

Amputee Walking School Free, one-day clinic to help individuals with leg amputations improve performance. Sponsored by the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute For upcoming dates, visit www.UPMC.com/StMargaret.

For more information about any of these classes or support groups, call the number indicated, call Community Relations at 412-784-5160, or go to www.UPMC.com/StMargaret.

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.

Alive & Well Presentations UPMC St. Margaret physicians and health professionals speak on a variety of health-related topics at community libraries. For upcoming dates, locations, and topics, visit www.UPMC.com/StMargaret. Volunteer Opportunities For information about volunteer opportunities at UPMC St. Margaret, call Volunteer Services at 412-784-4081.

1-800-533-UPMC

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.

Follow UPMC on Facebook.

The service is express. The care is UPMC. UPMC Urgent Care at Natrona Heights It’s never been easier to get fast, expert care from the region’s leader in health care. U Express care for illness and injury, including colds, the flu, rashes, stitches, and fractures U No appointments necessary U Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

U 7 days a week U Board-certified physicians U Free parking U Convenient payment options; most insurance accepted

1870 Broadview Blvd., Heights Plaza 724-224-3701 UPMC.com/UrgentCare

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 he Audiologists at eartique are committed to making us your last stop in successful hearing aid use. We will work with each patient to find the best solution to your hearing difficulty. We look at many different factors. • Our primary concern is that you are hearing the best you can possibly hear in all your different listening situations. • Number two – the devices must be easy for you to handle. • Number three – the devices must be cosmetically appealing. • Number four – the devices must be within your price range. We take all of these factors into consideration during your Free 30 day trial period. There are many different solutions for hearing loss and many different hearing

devices. In this issue, I would like to focus on the only extended-wear hearing device on the market. This device is called Lyric. Lyric is the first and only extended wear hearing device that is 100% invisible. eartique is one of the only practices in Western Pennsylvania that is fitting Lyric. Lyric is comfortably placed in the ear canal and can be worn 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for two to four months. The positioning of Lyric completely inside the ear canal takes advantage of the natural resonances of the ear to provide exceptional sound quality. Lyric can be worn while sleeping, exercising, showering, and talking on the phone. There are no batteries to change, no daily insertion and removal – no maintenance. We insert the devices and you can hear effortlessly 24/7.

Our patients say that Lyric feels comfortable and sounds so natural. They can forget that they’re wearing hearing devices. They love the convenience and the fact that they can wake up “hearing” AND no one knows why they are hearing better, except themselves. We offer a rISk-Free 30 DAY TrIAL PerIOD. To get more information or to find out if you are a candidate for Lyric, call eartique 412.422.8006 to schedule your noobligation free consultation. Debra L. Greenberger, MS, CCC-A, owner/Audiologist and Dr. Allison L. Chase, AuD, CCC-A, Doctor of Audiology are looking forward to finding a successful solution to your hearing difficulty.

Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 37

R E A L E S TAT E

FOX CHAPEL

Real Estateas a Career Many finding the flexibility and income potential excellent As the dwindling job market numbers continue to make the news lately, the professionals in the real estate market seem to have one of the best kept secrets going. For those who need some flexibility but desire a job with excellent income potential, a career in real estate is an excellent choice. Whether a person has just finished college or wants to return to work now that the kids are attending school, joining a sales team at a real estate agency close to home can lead to income rewards and a flexible work schedule that many people desire. In this day and age of electronic media, with all of the tools available to agents to help buyers and sellers in acquiring and disposing of properties, the fast pace of the real estate market is an exciting place to work. People who have just graduated from college have the upper hand when it comes to marketing to their peers through social network sites. The use of Face Book and Linked In is a tool that is being used to make contact with their friends, who are generally first time home buyers.

Those who have taken time off to raise their children and are looking for an alternative to a standard 9am-5pm job have found great success in a real estate career. The flexibility of the job is what makes it such an attractive option. What makes for a successful real estate professional? Cathy Winghart of Howard Hanna Fox Chapel Area Office says “it’s someone who is a self starter. We can teach most anyone the skills involved in selling. What we can’t teach is motivation! The person who is not afraid to pick up the phone or walk up to introduce themselves, can be very successful. This is the largest purchase most people will ever make. It’s important that someone exploring real estate as a career understand that working with people is the name of the game.” Winghart states, “ A person who loves working with and around people and can understand their needs easily is one who will make a successful agent.” The career path to becoming a real estate agent is varied. People who have previously worked in service- oriented fields like nursing, teaching or in the airline industry make great real estate agents. Those who have spent years volunteering their time and are now looking for a paying job, and have honed their skill in dealing with different types of personalities generally make a good transition into the real estate work force. A position within a real estate agency can be rewarding both personally and financially. The flexibility that comes with setting your own schedule and the satisfaction of assisting in one of the largest transactions that most people will make, can make the difference between a just doing a job and a creating a successful career. 38 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Fox Chapel Area

Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 39

Cancer care close to home UPMC Cancer Center at UPMC St. Margaret earned the 2009 Commission on Cancer Outstanding Achievement Award and received a threeyear re-approval as a Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program with Commendation.

State-of-the-art cancer treatment at UPMC St. Margaret ith the growing demand for cancer care throughout our region, UPMC St. Margaret has expanded its oncology services to better serve the needs of patients in surrounding communities. The 249-bed, acute-care hospital near Aspinwall has experienced double-digit growth in admissions and surgeries during the past six years. The new 5,000-square-foot addition houses a new, state-of-the-art linear accelerator, which is used for radiation treatment, and other cutting-edge technology to provide enhanced patient care and streamlined treatment. The linear accelerator also provides support to the hospital's lung and thoracic program. "The new linear accelerator is the newest technology available and allows us to see and treat even more complex cases right here at UPMC St. Margaret," says Douglass Harrison, vice President of Operations at UPMC St. Margaret. This linear

40 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Fox Chapel Area

accelerator is based on one of the most innovative platforms with a broader range of imaging and treatment options. Specially trained radiation oncology professionals at UPMC St. Margaret are now able to target cancer more accurately while reducing the effects on surrounding healthy tissues. Another new piece of equipment, a CT simulator, generates high-quality images for precise treatment planning. This revolutionary technology optimizes patient care by determining the exact location and size of the area to be treated. Patients receive a comprehensive treatment plan through a team of cancer care specialists from disciplines that include pathology; radiation, medical, and surgical oncology; and radiology. “The radiation Oncology team here at St. Margaret is very excited to be able to offer this innovative technology for our patients. Our number one goal of giving the best treatment possible to our patients is greatly enhanced by this technology,” says James Sinicki, MBA, rT, (r)(T), Chief radiation Therapist at UPMC St. Margaret. With a 15 percent increase in the number of patient treatments per day in the hospital’s radiation Oncology program since 2006, this new sophisticated equipment will enable the hospital to meet those increased demands.

   Where your important medical questions are answered! I'm interested in bleaching my teeth, what's the correct process? Teeth whitening continues to reign supreme in the world of cosmetic dentistry. Only about 15% of the population has tried the procedure to date and there is a lot of incorrect information out there about it. The simple fact is that teeth bleaching works. However, it is not a permanent solution and some "touch-ups" are required for a prolonged effect. First let's define some coming terms. Bleaching is a term used to describe lightening the teeth beyond their natural color usually performed by a dental office. Whitening refers to restoring a tooth's natural color by cleaning surface stains on it, it does not lighten the natural color of the tooth. This is often achieved by using toothpastes sold over the counter. Most of us start out with very white teeth, but over the years the enamel wears down, becoming more transparent and permitting the yellow color of the tooth's core to show through. During chewing cracks occur in the enamel and gradually fill up with stains. This gives the teeth a dull, yellow, lack-luster appearance. Teeth whitening removes the stains. There are two types of staining, extrinsic or outside staining, is tooth staining caused by age, eating, drinking and smoking habits. And the other is intrinsic staining which comes from the inside of the tooth and is caused by some medications, trauma or other problems in the developing teeth. Both can now be helped with bleaching, which was not always the case. There are two main options of teeth bleaching available. In-office bleaching involves the controlled use of a light activated gel applied to the teeth after the gums have been protected. Typically the gel stays on the teeth for 15-20 minutes intervals until an hour is reached. The oldest and most trusted of this type is called zOOM which uses a special ultraviolet light. The typical cost nation-wide is $650. The next option is professionally dispensed take-home whitening kits. This option tends to produce very comparable results over the long haul. These kits consist of a lower-concentration peroxide gel that remains on the teeth from one hour to overnight. The gel is applied to the teeth using custom-made bleaching trays that resemble mouth guards. This option typically costs about $400. However, the manufactures of

the products run specials, periodically, for the dental offices which we in turn can offer to our patients. So check with your dentist on possible upcoming specials they may have, as well as which method or combo of methods would work best for your situation. Teeth whitening is considered to be a safe procedure, but there can be a few minor side effects associated with it. One is sensitivity that typically lasts only a day or two. The next concern is gum irritation which typically lasts up to several days and is not usually that bothersome. Both can be dramatically reduced by a professional cleaning just prior to the procedure. This obviously would be a great idea anyway from the standpoint of having a clean surface to work with. Not everyone is a candidate for whitening, however. The last possible issue is caused by having previous bondings, restorations, crowns or veneers. These restorations are not affected by bleach and maintain their color through the process. This can lead to teeth that look somewhat multi-colored. Unless planned for, then the solution would be to have the restorations replaced, matching the new shade. Teeth whitening results are subjective and may vary from person to person. Personal expectations play a major role in the process. Before-and-after tooth color is measured with shade guides in the dental office. Whitening can

lighten tooth color by nine or more shades, but most see a change of two to seven shades. To maintain your bleaching over the longhaul dentists recommend at-home maintenance whitening, avoiding dark-colored foods and beverages, sipping dark-colored beverages through a straw and practicing excellent oral hygiene. As always, only your dentist can recommend what would be best for your situation. Great before and after shots of teeth whitening can be visualized on our practice website: www.foxchapeldentistry.com. Thanks for the question.

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 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 41

 Still Keep Summer Fun for Kids

First off, do your homework. Is your child looking for an outdoorsy experience or one that provides an educational experience? There are specialty camps for virtually every interest out there. Some provide residency during the experience; others are pick-up and drop-off. Parents also should be aware of what kind of safety provisions will be on location in case of medical emergency, what meals are provided (if any), and whether the camp has a list of suggested items parents

should make sure their children bring with them. Mostly all camps that house kids onsite have some such packing list to ensure that their campers have the best experience possible when there. Visit the camp site, when possible, to make sure you’re comfortable with its setting and location. Parents also should consider whether or not their child is going to be attending alone or with siblings or friends. If your child is an only child and introverted, going to summer camp with a friend may be a less stressful arrangement than sending her on her own. Some children have no trouble making new friends, and camp is an ideal place to make long-lasting friendships with other kids from

42 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Fox Chapel Area

different regions. Regardless of whether or not your child is an extrovert or the shy one at the end of the table, all kids can get homesick. Make sure you’re confident that your child is prepared for a two-week stay away from home before you sign them up. The American Camp Association, an organization that works to enhance the camp experience for children and adults, accredits camps that meet up to 300 health and safety standards, listing more than 2,400 camps in their nationwide database, and offers a clearinghouse of information for parents regarding camp benefits, trends, and locations. Their website is www.acacamps.org. Other camps include services by smaller organizations such as Extended Day (www.extendedday.com), where kids can sign up for a cornucopia of activities, field trips, and more. The agenda includes everything from trips to Wildwood Highlands, to children First Aid classes, to presentations on Native American culture. If it’s a specialty camp you’re looking for, Seven Springs will be offering again its Junior Golf and Overnight Adventure camps.

Junior Golf Camp introduces your kids to the finer points of the great game of golf and keeps them close to home. Golf professionals will spend five days with your young players teaching them a game that will be played for a lifetime. Young golfers of any ability will benefit from learning the fundamentals of the game including full swing, chipping, and putting, while introducing them to the rules, course management, and proper golf etiquette. Overnight Adventure Camp is a week-long Outdoor Adventure. The activities will vary by age group, but may include rock climbing, teambuilding challenges, hiking, Rock Wall, Eurobungy, paintball, camping, rafting, fishing, mountain biking, Alpine Slide, and Alpine Tower. Seven Springs’ camps can be reached by calling 1.800.452.2223, ext. 7396. Camp Spirit of the Game (www.campsog.com) is a camp based around building character through Ultimate Frisbee. The camp takes place at LaRoche College’s campus and CMU’s Tartan Stadium. Kids not only benefit from the challenges of the game but by the honesty and integrity that working together fosters. Andy Norman, founder of Camp Spirit of the Game, said character is developed through the game itself. “Ultimate develops character in part because it is a challenging game that kids find utterly captivating. They love the game and are motivated to excel at it,” Norman said. “In the process, they learn a lot about, for example, teamwork and dedication. What

makes the game unique, though, is the ‘spirit of the game’ ethic that pervades it. The rules of Ultimate require players to referee themselves, making all calls on the honor system. Remarkably, this shared expectation of honesty, fairness, and mutual respect engenders these attributes. For over 40 years, at even the most competitive levels, players have resolved their conflicts amicably

and conducted themselves with exceptional integrity. At Camp Spirit we show kids how to apply this ‘spirit of the game’ ethic in sports and games, and encourage them to apply it in other walks of life.” For a full listing of all summer camps and programs in the region, go to www.humanservices.net and search for “Summer Camp.” The website is a collaborative effort between Allegheny County Department of Health and Human Services and the United Way of Allegheny County.

Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 43

Kids Golf Jr Team Golf was started in 2008 by Gregor Meyer as a golf league for kids. Mr. Meyer has been in the golf business since 1993 when he built Pine Creek Golf Center. “I have young kids and would take them to the range and hit balls with them. After a bit, they would start piling about 10 balls at a time on the mat and try to hit them all. They were bored and it struck me how difficult it is for a parent to get their kids interested in golf. At that moment, I made it my mission to get kids excited about playing golf.” “The first thing I wanted to do was to get kids golfing with other kids so I created a league called Jr Team Golf. After our first week, I knew we were on the right track. The kids related to each other as they struggled and got excited for each other when they connected. They had smiles on their faces and were getting focused trying to see who could hit the farthest drive, land their ball on the target, or sink a putt to win a star for their cap!” 2011 will be Jr Team Golf’s fourth season and the program has grown each year. Mr. Meyer explains, “Golf is a great sport for kids because they don’t have to be the fastest, the strongest, or the most agile and aggressive to do well. There are many paths to success, and the skills they learn will provide a lifetime of enjoyment. I am excited about our upcoming season and seeing great kids and great families get involved with this sport. I like to say, families that play together, stay together.” Mr. Meyer is the league director and head coach. Jr Team Golf is for boys and girls ages 7-17 and has a spring, summer, and fall Program. Each program runs for 6 weeks. During those weeks the kids are sorted into groups of about 10 according to their age and meet for a 90-minute training session at Pine Creek Golf Center. On Saturdays, tee times are assigned starting at 10 a.m. and the competitions are held at Clover Hill Golf Course in Franklin Park Borough. Our final competition each season is the Parent Child Tourney, which brings the kids together with the families. Many parents worry about whether their child is ready for the golf course. Of course this is a concern so Jr Team Golf has modified rules for beginners so they can have fun learning and enjoy the experience. “Once the kids get out on the course and start swinging away with other kids, the fear goes away and they realize that everyone struggles. They also feel the excitement of the game and their interest level and focus goes way up.” “It’s important to give kids proper guidance so I have assembled what I believe to be the finest staff of PGA and LPGA golf instructors in western Pennsylvania. Our players put forth a lot of effort during training, and I want them to get excited about improving!” In addition to the professional instructors, Mr. Meyer is the Jr Team Golf Coach. “Golf is a tough game to learn, so each week I have a theme for training to help them through the struggles. These include honesty, determination, perseverance, patience, good sportsmanship, and having fun. My main goal is to have them understand the importance of striving to improve each day and learning from all their experiences, good and bad.” During the season performance records and photos are compiled for each player. “I want our players to have a record of their performance so they can set their own goals and measure their progress. Photos are great aids to improvement because our players are able to compare themselves to tour players and it helps them learn the proper golf swing. Mr. Meyer is excited for the players, “Jr Team Golf is the real deal and gets kids excited about golf and striving to improve!” FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTER PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE: JRTEAMGOLF.COM 44 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Fox Chapel Area

A Lifetime of Enjoyment To see pictures of our kids in action go to Facebook.com/JrTeamGolf. Registration is Open now and space is limited!

2011 Program Dates Spring Summer Fall

April 20 – May 28 June 15 – July 23 Sep 7 – Oct 15

For more information, contact: Gregor Meyer, 412.720.2791, gregor@jrteamgolf.com www.jrteamgolf.com, www.facebook.com/jrteamgolf

North Allegheny | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 41

SPRING

2011

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               

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                             

          

           

G U N U R T L I N X R

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K R R H W I I O S V A

F D G S B L S S O V Q

M T K O K N AW K H E G Z U F O S C S U WG

T E M P E R A T U R E

  X M Y H G R F O J A R

R G X S T N P J B Z W

S N E E Z E N A B F Y

W U L D T G E R M A D

C G U H U S U R I V G

Cough Germ Nose Sneeze Temperature Tissue Virus Wash

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       

       

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germs...

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Fox Chapel Area

raig Cozza knows that biking is addictive, and he wants to do everything he can to get you passionate John F. Kennedy put it best when he about cycling, fitness, and the well being that goes said, “Nothing compares to the simple along with cycling. Not because it sells bikes, but because bikers are part of a unique community of pleasure of riding a bike.” enthusiasts who share fitness, camaraderie, fun, and because biking is “green.” Biking is great physically, mentally, and emotionally. You release your negative energy into nature, and nature recycles it, endorphins flowing. It's really tough to go on a bike ride and come back in a bad mood. Can't do it! “Biking is a no-impact sport, and the second largest sport in the USA, only second to walking,” Cozza said. “But with walking or running, there’s an impact. Runners usually become bikers because you do not get beat up from the impact. You can go out for a long, hard ride and come back with only your muscles being tired, not your joints. Our trails, single-tracks, and roads are great and growing rapidly in the Pittsburgh region.” Pro Bikes supports every organization you can think of when it comes to biking, from a multitude of charity rides like the annual Race to Anyplace, various M.S. 150's, school programs, racers and racing, fitness and fun rides, as well as every type of cycling imaginable. “We support road, mountain, trail, cyclocross, triathlons, unicycles, BMX riding and everything in between” says Cozza. “We currently support 15 plus race teams.” That support brings people back to the shop for service, fittings, bikes, supplies, and training. The success of Pro Bikes has led to the expansion of all three locations, tripling the square footage in the South Hills, Monroeville and Squirrel Hill locations. “We’ll be finished with all three of the expansions by spring, which will help us do a better job of meeting people’s needs,” Cozza said. “Our three major brands are Cannondale, Specialized, and Giant. We carry 15-plus other specialty brands. We buy and sell the best – a true pro shop for every type of riding – and we service and fit everything. We’re the fourth largest Cannondale dealer in the country. Our goal is to get more people on bikes because it is a healthy lifestyle. We can start kids as young as two on balance bikes, and fit people well past their 70s. We also help people train or find them a coach for an event if they need it.” The expanding Squirrel Hill Pro Bikes will have four floors—over 13,000 square feet—making it one of the largest in the country, offering everything biking. It will be a comprehensive, full-service bike facility with something for everyone. Pro Bikes will also be a “spin center” with focused training, coaching, and professional bike fitting. There will be a custom building and teams area, and people can sign up for maintenance and training workshops. By

spring, these amenities will be available in all locations to help even more people with anything from lubing a chain to fixing a flat to riding skills and triathlon techniques. “We’re teamed up with local coaches and can offer training and rides to help everyone accomplish their goals,” Cozza said. “Our big push is to get people out supporting charity events, races, and rides, and to keep growing fitness and cycling in western Pennsylvania.” Cozza hopes that all people will give cycling a spin and stop in to see the enthusiasm for biking that Pro Bikes and its employees can impart. “We are ‘Powered by Passion,’ because we are passionate about cycling, fitness, and well being,” Cozza said. “We’re bike people. That enthusiasm pours over, and you get hooked. It's a way of life—a really good way of life!”

a Cannondale CAAD 9 Road Bike or a Specialized Hybrid Bike. at www.ProBikesLLC.com Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 47

Bread of Life Food Pantry in Etna Helps Keep Food on the Table

ased out of Calvert Memorial Presbyterian Church, the Bread of Life Food Pantry has been distributing food to those in need for the past 23 years in etna, Shaler and Sharpsburg. Not only is that goodwill a Godsend to those who need it, it’s fulfilling a mission of the church, said Marlene Stack. Stack said that residents can apply to the pantry for assistance by proving residence and income, which is certified on an

annual basis. each new patron gets assigned a number and is taken “shopping” once each month by one of the pantry volunteers, who assists them in finding food for their families. “If they have one to three people in their family, they can pick one cereal. If they have four and up, they can have two cereals. either way, they do go out with a full shopping cart,” Stack said. Food gets to the pantry by way of charitable contributions from the Greater Pittsburgh Area

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Food Bank, Giant eagle, Spark of Hope, and Schwoebel’s Outlet Bakery on route 8. “We get produce from the food bank, local churches usually have a box in the back for donating food, and they contact me monthly to see what we’re low on,” Stack said. “Mostly it’s kid cereal. Sometimes it’s canned fruit, baking items, or spaghetti sauce. I’ll request these items as we get low on different things.” Stack said that local schools and community groups like the Boy Scouts and the U.S. Postal Service collect for the pantry on a regular basis as well. “Schools help us, doing collections around the holidays or through food drives. The Scouts help us in April; the postal workers help out in May. In November, we have the etna Food Drive, which is popular,” she said. Monetary donations are always accepted, Stack added. Two donation envelopes go out each year in the pantry’s newsletter, but donations are accepted at any time. As with any community organization, volunteers are the lifeblood of the organization, and the Bread of Life Food Pantry is no different. Stack said she has a corps of 90 volunteers who help collect, shelve, and disburse food for patrons. However, more help is always welcome. “We’re always looking for volunteers,” Stack said. “One moved away, some get sick once in a while. We need people for events like our Superbowl of Caring on Feb. 5, where we stand in front of Sam’s Club and hand out fliers. Hopefully shoppers come out with something they can put in our basket. Some volunteers like working Tuesdays when they stock the shelves with incoming food; some like to take the families around and interact with them on Wednesdays.” volunteering for the pantry takes a few hours a week and requires a little training just to familiarize them with the pantry’s operations, so they can hit the ground running. Despite the poor economy, Stack said that the pantry has served a constant number of residents throughout. Stack credits that stability to the large amount of renters in etna. “etna seems to be a rental community. We see a lot of people come and a lot of people go and the number we serve remains about the same,” Stack said. “Around the holidays, we had exactly 140 families each month for November and December, which is around 300 individuals.” The Bread of Life Food Pantry is located at 94 Locust Street and shares the phone number with the church—412.781.3056. It’s open on first Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon, second Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m., and third Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. Families can come once each month, regardless of time. For more information, go to the Bread of Life Pantry’s website at www.boletna.org.

  he first decade of the 21st Century was not an easy one for investors. The market declined precipitously from 2000 to 2002, and then, of course there was 2008. So, the question is, “How can the average investor move forward with confidence in light of the recent past?” One key word that comes to mind is strategy. A strategy in and of itself is not always a means to an end. Consider a strategy akin to throwing darts at the stock market and letting them hit or fall where they may. That may be a strategy but an impetuous one with little to no focus or discipline. Then there are more well thought out strategies such as: • Diversification – Diversification can be neatly summed up by the timeless adage "Don't put all your eggs in one basket." Although asset allocation, diversification and rebalancing do not assume a positive return or protect against loss, it is one strategy to look at. This strategy involves spreading your money among various investments in the hope that if one investment loses money, the other investments may increase in value. • Dollar cost averaging - rather than investing assets in a lump sum, the investor works his or her way into a position by slowly buying smaller amounts over a longer period of time. This spreads the cost basis out over several years, providing some protection against changes in market price. Finally, consider utilizing the expertise of a financial advisor. In choosing an advisor make sure he or she is committed to: • Understanding your needs and goals. • Helping you avoid emotion-driven mistakes. • Helping you understand the markets. • Providing investment choices and explaining the risks and rewards inherent in each option • Being available to consult with you as markets go through their inevitable ups and downs. As we move into the second quarter of 2011, the timing may be right for you to reassess your financial goals with patience, strategy and disciplined commitment!

 This Industry Insight was written by Nadav Baum, Executive Vice President BPU Investment Management, Inc. is a wealth management firm located in downtown Pittsburgh. BPU Investment Management 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(s) 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. Our firm does not render legal, accounting or tax advice. Please consult your legal or tax advisor on such matters."

How can the average investor move forward with confidence in light of the recent past? Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 49

Good Tidings for the Greatest Generation

Older Adults in Fox Chapel Area                        

ow that the holidays are behind us, you’re hopefully putting that smoking credit card back into your wallet or purse for a while. But even though this may be a down time for you and your credit card, it’s no time to be lax about your credit card security. So what do you need to know about keeping your credit card safe? First, off, don’t give yourself a pin number that’s easy to guess. Issuing banks typically assign you a random pin number when you first get your card that you can change later. keep this assigned number and avoid picking a pin for yourself like “1234” or your birth date. While it may be easy for you to remember, those choices are also very easy for predators to figure out. If you make a lot of online purchases or just want to dip your toes into the world of Internet shopping, get yourself a dedicated card with a low credit limit. You can open up a secured credit card at most financial institutions that require you to deposit a balance to borrow against, allowing you to open a card with a $500 limit. Your deposit will gain interest and you will be able to use your card for online purchases. What’s more, most scammers try to run a small purchase through before running a larger purchase on 50 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

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

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

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

Senior Agencies

The Northern Area Multi Service Center 209 Thirteenth Street Pittsburgh, PA 15215 412.781.1175

Transportation For Older Adults There are several agencies that offer free or reduced rate transportation services to individuals who qualify. Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) 1.888.547.6287 Provides non-emergency medical transportation to residents of Allegheny County who have a valid Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Medical Assistance Card. Free Bus Pass for Senior Citizens The Port Authority allows Allegheny County residents, 65 years of age and older, to ride free on local public transportation (buses, trolleys and rapid-transit lines). Participants must

ACCESS 65 Plus and ACCESS ADA Program 412.562.5353 or TDD 1.800.654.5984 ACCESS is door-to-door, advance reservation, sharedride transportation provided throughout Port Authority's service area. It serves primarily senior citizens and persons with disabilities. There are no restrictions on the purpose or number of trips which may be taken by riders, except that riders are required to share their vehicle with others traveling in the same direction and at the same time.

Older Persons Transportation Transportation for medical appointments, grocery shopping, senior center activities and other needs throughout Allegheny County is available to adults 60 years of age and older who live in Allegheny County. Call SeniorLine at 412.350.5460. Are you a non profit Senior Center serving the needs of our community’s older adults? We would be happy to post your contact information. Contact Marybeth@incommunity magazines.com with your center’s name and phone number.

obtain identification cards, which are available free of charge, from participating transportation providers. Call 412.442.2000 for the location nearest to you.

Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 51

St. Margaret Foundation Welcomes

New UPMC St. Margaret President

New UPMC St. Margaret President Terri Petrick talks with St. Margaret Foundation Board Member Dr. David Garzarelli at her welcome reception hosted by the Foundation on November 17, 2010.

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  A KEY TO A HEALTHY LIFE e all know that exercise at any age is good for us. As you grow older, leading an active lifestyle is more important than ever. Disease prevention is the name of the game for ageing adults. Let’s look at some of the reasons exercise can improve one’s health, and then look at what choices are available for seniors. We cannot change our genetic predisposition, but we can alter our health map by leading an active lifestyle and getting exercise regularly. While leading an active lifestyle through physical activity and regular exercise are important there is a difference between the two. Physical activity is defined as the activity that gets one moving, such as walking to the mailbox, or climbing stairs, or working in the yard. exercise is getting your heart rate up for thirty minutes or more, or lifting weights, or stretching, or participating in a balance class. You can be physically active but still need regular exercise to maintain your health. exercise is definitely the key to healthy ageing. regular exercise is associated with decreased chances of death from heart disease, diabetes, and cancer and lung disease. The stronger your heart becomes from regular cardio exercise the less likely it is that you will develop heart disease. regular exercise helps seniors maintain health, boost energy and improve confidence. Let’s look at what regular exercise programs are available for seniors. There are some wonderful programs available for seniors. At Allegheny river Health Club we have regular exercise classes for our seniors. We also offer a discounted membership and reduced fees for personal training. The exercise classes help build cardio endurance, strength, flexibility and hand eye coordination. You can start at a beginner pace and build your strength as you go. The classes are set in a friendly environment that encourages making new friends. Participating in this type of class a few of times per week will help with overall health and happiness. If the class is not for you, Allegheny river Health Club offers discounted health club memberships for seniors. Our staff will show you how to use the equipment and help you get started. If you need further help with your new exercise program you can hire a trainer at a discounted rate. We are committed to helping our seniors become healthy and stay healthy. We also work with insurance companies to provide free gym memberships for those senior who qualify. Please stop by Allegheny river Health Club for more information.

The truth is that you can’t afford not to get moving. exercise is the key to staying stronger, energetic and healthy as you get older. No matter what your age or current physical condition, you can reap the benefits of exercise. Come see us at Allegheny river Health Club. This Industry Insight was written by Mary Ryan. Mary Ryan is President of Allegheny River Health Club. For the past eighteen years she has been helping people achieve their fitness goals. Opened in 2006, the 9,000 square foot facility overlooks the Allegheny River and provides members with a boutique setting in which to work out. For more information you can call the club at 412.963.6460 or visit their web site www.alleghenyriverhealthclub.com.

Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 53

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

 rom tennis and platform tennis to swimming, and a clubhouse that’s active year-round with parties, mixers, card games and events, the Fox Chapel racquet Club has everything a discerning member could want. And, by the club’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2013, the club amenities will be even better with a complete swimming pool renovation, new locker rooms, and more programming. “We have a long-range planning committee now working on the details of these changes,” Chorney said. recent upgrades include Wi-Fi Internet coverage and a new website providing web-based court reservations, member communication and a calendar of events. even with all the club amenities and slated improvements, Fox Chapel racquet Club is always mindful of keeping the dues and club activities affordable. If you’re looking for a club that offers a great value, Fox Chapel racquet Club’s manager Len Chorney can assure you that the Fox Chapel racquet Club is “the best deal in town.” “We have a couple of different membership classifications, including a Summer Associate Trial Membership designed to give families the summer to try the club out. 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 with children,” Chorney said. “We created a 37-and-under membership class. The initiation fee can now be paid over the course of two years to make joining more affordable.” With an expanded juniors’ tennis and platform tennis program and summer activities that include the swim team and a toddler program, the Fox Chapel racquet Club has become a place for families more than ever. The Fox Chapel racquet Club is a year-round operation. Nearly 300 families partake in the offerings its nine tennis courts, five platform tennis courts, and swimming pool have to offer. If you are not familiar with platform tennis, it is an outdoor racquet sport played in cool or cold weather, combining the best elements of tennis with racquetball and squash. The court is smaller than a tennis court and is surrounded by screens. As the name suggests, platform tennis takes place on a raised platform, allowing for heaters underneath the deck that can melt off snow and ice. Platform tennis can be competitive or just plain social. It is what you make it, and that is what is great about it. The Fox Chapel racquet Club offers instruction and team play for adults and juniors. The club hosts tournaments and Friday Night Socials. “We think we have the best tennis and platform tennis teaching pro in the region,” said Chorney. The Fox Chapel racquet Club’s director of racquet sports, Martin Sturgess, and his platform tennis partner won the Nationals 55 in New Jersey, his second U.S. platform championship win. Sturgess also has won two national tennis championships, accomplishments that Chorney said the club is extremely proud of. Chorney added that the club is much more than tennis, platform tennis, and swimming. “There’s an important social aspect to the club,” he said. We have entertainment for all ages such as ballroom dancing, father/daughter dance, bingo nights for the kids, bridge nights, valentine wine-tasting dinner, monthly theme dinners, holiday brunches and more. We also do outside activities such as bike rides, golf outings, canoe trips, jogs and runs, and go to Pirates and Wild Things games. This is a very vibrant and active club.” “There truly is something for everybody here,” he said.

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For more information on the Fox Chapel Racquet Club, go to www.foxchapelracquetclub.com or call 412.963.8331. Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 55

  by Martin W. Sheerer, Esquire hen you think of attorneys, the first thoughts that come to mind probably include an arsenal of lawyer jokes. But all joking aside, it can be very beneficial to you, both personally and financially, to have a trusted attorney that you can call for advice when you find yourself in a predicament – no matter how big or small the problem may be. There are certain situations where you should definitely seek legal help: If you are accused of committing a crime, arrested for driving under the influence, or named as a party to a significant law suit. However, people often forget that in addition to resolving existing legal matters, an attorney’s advice can help avoid legal problems altogether. Lawyers help clients with estate planning and business negotiations, strategies and transactions. A lawyer’s advice can be invaluable if you need to sign a legally binding contract or agreement. employment contracts, contractor agreements, purchase agreements and leases can be encumbered with legal jargon that you may not

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Once you hire an attorney, the advantages of representation include: • knowledge of the rules and procedures that apply. • The ability to recognize legal problems and solve them. • Skill in investigating and evaluating the relevant facts and circumstances. • experience with the legal system. • Strong references to another attorney should you present a situation that requires specialized practice. understand but that may carry significant legal implications. A lawyer could guide you through these contracts and potentially save you from legal complications that could arise later on. A lawyer can also be of great assistance if you are planning to venture into a business by starting a partnership, limited liability company or corporation. A lawyer will be able to advise you as to the formation that will best suit your needs and, as a result, save you time and legal hardships in the future. These are just a few examples of how lawyers can help you understand your rights and possibly prevent legal problems in the future. If you are unsure as to whether you want or need to consult an attorney, you should first ask yourself “What’s at stake?” Again, the obvious situations will jump out at you. However, if you aren’t sure whether your liberties or finances are in jeopardy, it might be worth your time to schedule a consultation with an attorney. While this can be very intimidating, there are a few things you should also know. Many lawyers do not charge fees for initial consultations. A consultation will afford an attorney the opportunity to determine whether you have a case or need representation or advice. It will also give you the opportunity to evaluate the lawyer for your purposes. The information you discuss with an attorney during a consultation is confidential, and even if you end up having to pay for an attorney consultation, it could be a very wise investment that ultimately saves you time and money, and gives you peace of mind. Once you hire an attorney, the advantages of representation include: • knowledge of the rules and procedures that apply. • The ability to recognize legal problems and solve them. • Skill in investigating and evaluating the relevant facts and circumstances. • experience with the legal system. • Strong references to another attorney should you present a situation that requires specialized practice. No matter how much “Law & Order” you watch, and no matter how badly you want to sit at a lawyer’s table, jump to your feet and vehemently yell “I object” – which, I might add, can be fun – you should first take a serious accounting of your rights and interests that are at stake. At the very least, consult with an attorney to see if the benefit of his or her advice and guidance outweighs the costs of representation.

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Aspinwall Marina Project Coming Together With Site Plan, Fundraising usan Crookson is the perfect example of how creative thinking can make a community better. Armed with the resources available to her – her network of friends and supporters and the generosity of landscape architect Cleland Dowler – Crookson has taken concept of a site at the Aspinwall Marina from being a parking lot to a park with ponds that can help with the area’s storm water overflow problems. “When I had the vision for this, a friend of mine called and said, ‘Hey, what’s going on with the marina being bought and turned into a parking lot?’ Fortunately, that plan didn’t’ go through. I thought, if we could get Landy Dowler to look at it that would be great. Landy did the Trillium Trail and Squaw valley Park, and is well known in the community,” Crookson said. “He came out and looked at the project and a week later, he called and said I have a design for you. I had gotten estimates of $30,000 from novice firms for the site. To have someone of Landy’s caliber do it for free is just amazing.” Dowler’s design is innovative to say the least. “This is just a conceptual plan, just to give them some ideas of something that can happen down there and different functions that a park like that can serve,” Dowler said. “It acts as storm water detention and will help clean the water before it goes into the river. That was the basic idea. There was a report that someone wanted to put in a big parking lot down there and that was a total waste of space.” In older communities in the region, storm water and sanitary sewers are combined. Governmental mandates require that communities work out a way to eliminate wet weather events from overflowing the sanitary sewer system, which puts raw sewage into Pittsburgh’s three rivers before it can be treated safely by ALCOSAN.

Dowler said that by creating a manmade wetland site, natural forces can be used to filter rainwater before it gets to the river. “You can expand the site so that it acts as an infiltration base, which is what a natural wetland does. Smaller versions are called bio-retention facilities,” Dowler said. “The water filters into the ground and the plant material and soil filter out contaminants. You have a combination of those things that you can use to actually claim some of the water. It can actually take in some of the contaminants.” Those contaminants would be absorbed by plants and soil systems and rendered inert. Dowler said that keeping the marina site operational would be a tremendous boon for Aspinwall by providing passive recreational green space and the opportunity for taxable businesses to operate. “keeping the marina there and functioning and having a tax-generation business like a little restaurant, would be a real benefit for the community,” he said. “You also could introduce along the river some additional things, maybe a dock to launch canoes and kayaks.” Further upgrades could be had if Crookson and her group work with the owners of the Allegheny valley railroad, which owns the piers and trestle at the site, Dowler said.

“Susan and I were also talking about using the piers as a place for outdoor sculpture. They’re big, heavy things, and you could have some big installation pieces mounted on those if we can get permission to do it. There are a lot of possibilities, but it needs to be taken to the next step,” Dowler said. That next step includes fundraising. Crookson’s been given a deadline of September to raise the money for the project, which is the major hurdle. She’s currently working with Friends of the riverfront to help raise money and awareness. Administratively, her plans have all passed muster with state and local officials as far as concept and design. Now it’s a question of money. “I’ve been told from multiple people from the state that they’ve never seen a project come together this quickly and I think it’s because we’re not a full organization,” Crookson said. “It’s just a group people working on a vision. We never could have done this without our lawyer, ed Seifert, and a number of Aspinwall Council people, and local volunteers.” If you would like to donate the project, go to www.friendsoftheriverfront.org/files/join.html. If you are interesting in helping out with the project, contact Susan Crookson at scrookston@comcast.net.

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oward Hanna real estate Services held its annual “Choo Choo Chow Chow for Children” Luncheon in December. The event raised $301,000 this year, to combine with other Howard Hanna's across the region for a total of $6.1 million raised over the past 21 years. For 90 days, from mid-September to mid-December, all Howard Hanna offices come together to plan their own Chow Chow events to raise money for the Children's Free Care Fund in their area. This year’s luncheon was attended by Hanna clients, family, friends and businesses who came out to support the care of children while enjoying holiday entertainment, raffles, and auctions. All profits raised from the event stay within the region to help local children.

Tom Ceponis and Helen H annacasey

Susan Kohler, Rosanne Russo

David Cannone, John Carroll, Sarah Kelly, Katie Patrick Ceponis Hoddy Hanna and Tom

Randy Cornelius , Lou Stempkow ski, Patrick Muto, Jim Keating

Boozern rer, Rose Dave Weh

Diane Salava, Jamie McLaughlin, Natalie Guiler, Kelley Disvonik

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Community Magazines NEW DINNER MENU • NEW DINING ROOM

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H.P. Starr Lumber Company Expertise and Experience for your Projects from the Foundation to the Roof here’s a whole world of information out there when it comes to homebuilding and remodeling. Which wood moulding is best suited for staining? Which deck material lasts longest for the price? Which window requires the least maintenance? At H.P. Starr Lumber Company, employees have an average of more than 10 years of experience with the company and are ready, willing and able to answer all of those questions and any more that you can think of. Bruce edwards, one of the owners of H.P. Starr, said that experience, expertise and breadth of product selection are what customers come to H.P. Starr for, not to mention value. “I would describe value as a combination of quality of product, the service provided while selecting the product, and getting the appropriate product for the project at the best price,” edwards said. H.P. Starr has everything you would need to build a house from the foundation to the roof. And while you could call H.P. Starr a “one-stop shop” for your building needs, it’s still a family business at heart. There are two locations, one on route 8 in Glade Mills and the other on route 68 near evans City. The Glade Mills homestead has been in existence since the 1880s, and was once the Starr family farm. This location began serving customers in 1948 and the evans City location later opened in 1984. In 1998, H.P.

Starr merged with another family-owned lumber business, Brookside Lumber, in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. edwards said the merger brought more than just two families together; it combined the experience of dozens of employees, making the company a veritable trove of knowledge when it comes to all the products they offer. “We have conversations with our customers,” edwards said. “We can really drill down into their projects and make sure they leave here with the best products for their projects. Can you go buy a 1”x12” board somewhere? Sure. Can you come here? Absolutely. But what you’ll find here is a broader selection and the people who can give you the appropriate guidance so that you’re getting what you need, not what a brochure says you need.” edwards said that expertise is even more valuable today with the majority of customers perusing the Internet for ideas on projects and materials. “When you’re on a manufacturer’s website, you’ll read that their product is the best for your project, hands down, and you shouldn’t even consider anything

else out there,” edwards said. “But if you’re looking for moulding, for instance, there are many choices, each with their own advantages in their own situations. You could go with a hardwood, a composite, vinyl or MDF. Which is the best value for your project? The manufacturer won’t tell you that, but we can.” Multiply that by the hundreds of quality brands of siding, trim, windows, doors and cabinets, along with building materials, and that wealth of knowledge can be worth its weight in gold to a homeowner. For a tour of many of the products that H.P. Starr Lumber Company stocks, visit the company website – www.starrlumber.com. H.P. Starr Lumber Company is located at 2134 evans City road, 724.776.2800, and 1011 Pittsburgh road, 724.898.1501. Both locations are open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 63

B USINeSS D IreCTOrY

We are looking for experienced writers! If you’re a writer based in the Fox Chapel Area who’s interested in writing features that keep our readers up to date on what's happening, respond to: hr@incommunitymagazines.com

No phone calls please!

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WOrSHIP NeWS Places of Worship in your area: Adat Shalom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.820.7000 All Saints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.0530 Aspinwall Presbyterian . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.2884 Chabad of Fox Chapel . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.1800 Catholic Community Sharpsburg . . . . . .412.784.8700 Christ The Divine Teacher Catholic Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.7927 Community United Methodist Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.6951 Dorseyville Alliance Church . . . . . . . . .412.767.9797 Emmanuel Lutheran Church . . . . . . .412.781.2764 Evangelical Bible Fellowship . . . . . . . .412.726.6684 Faith United Methodist Church . . . . . .412.963.8155 First English Lutheran Church . . . . . . .412.782.1623 Fox Chapel Episcopal Church . . . . . . .412.963.8938 Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church . . . .412.963.8243 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church . . . .412.963.9494 Grace United Methodist Church . . . . .412.782.3396 Harmarville United Methodist . . . . . . .412.828.0292 Harmarville United Presbyterian . . . . .412.828.8232

Hoboken Presbyterian Church . . . . . . 412.828.2611 Holy Spirit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.821.4424 Immanuel Lutheran Church . . . . . . . . .412.271.1995 Mt. Olive Baptist Church . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.5554 Pine Creek Prebyterian Church . . . . . .412.963.7868 Sharpsburg Family Worship Center . .412.799.0701 St. Joseph Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Hara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.963.8885 St. Mary of Assumption . . . . . . . . . . . .412.486.4100 St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.2866 St. Nicholas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.821.3438 St. Scholastica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.0186 St. Edward Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.828.4066 St. Francis of Assisi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.828.4066 St. Juan Diego . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.784.8700 Trinity United Church of Christ . . . . . . .412.767.4794 If your place of worship was not on our list, please e-mail the information to marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com.

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