IN Monroeville

WINTER 2011

SERVING THE RESIDENTS OF MONROEVILLE AND PITCAIRN

LIFE WRITERS





     

120 over 80.

What’s it worth to U?

Introducing HealthyU from UPMC Health Plan.

Reaching your goals is worth more than ever. It’s worth money. That’s because HealthyU offers financial incentives for making healthy lifestyle decisions. Now when you do things like quit smoking, work with a health coach, or even get a flu shot, we put money into your very own Health Incentive Account. Money that can be used to help pay for doctor visits, prescription drugs, and even surgery. To learn more about this new, one-of-a-kind plan, talk to your employer or visit UPMCHealthyU.com.

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IN Monroeville is a community publication dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the Monroeville area and its comprising municipalities by focusing on the talents and gifts of the people who live and work here. Our goal is to provide readers with the most informative and professional regional publication in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

INSIDE

IN Monroeville | WINTER 2011 |

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FEATURES

New Earned Income Tax Law  | 10 Real Estate in Monroeville  | 17 Older Adults in Monroeville  | 36 ON THE COVER

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Life Writers Remember Christmas • Illustration by Mark Brewer

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Penn State Greater Allegheny A Senior Gift Guide, Some Suggestions  | 38

All Kare Chiropractic & Laser Clinic The Experts in Weight Loss  | 45 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT 8

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Energy Savers, Inc.  | 20

COMMUNITY INTEREST

Gateway School District Earns Prestigious Designation 

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Borough of Pitcairn 

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Maria Caruso Creates Choreography with Heart 

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Monroeville Parks and Recreation Department Provides Activities Galore 

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Life Writers Remember Christmas 

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Monroeville Public Library 

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Student Council to Raise Funds for Orphanage 

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Monroeville Arts Council’s “Weekend of Art” 

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Monroeville’s Heritage Day Festival 

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UPMC Today |     

learn more on page 4

IN Monroeville | WINTER 2011 |

elcome to the Winter issue of Monroeville magazine. I hope you and yours had a wonderful fall, that the kids transitioned back to school well, and that you had an opportunity to catch a few Steelers games along the way.

We all view winter differently—some see it as the holiday season, some see it as the gloomy period when we put away the swim trunks and patio furniture. Others see it as their opportunity to break out the skis and sleds and hit the slopes. No matter how you view it, winter is a time when we have to be the most diligent, despite our mood about snow, or our preoccupation with playing in it, for those who need us the most—our seniors. While it’s hard enough for many of them to get around in good weather, the winter months can be a trial of terror for the elderly. Who’s going to shovel the snow? How will I get groceries? Will I be home before it’s too dark for me to see the road well enough to drive? And for those who have transitioned to assisted living facilities, the questions might be of an altogether different, but equally unsettling nature. Will anyone Wayne Dollard visit me for Christmas? Hanukkah? New Year’s? These are our Publisher mothers, fathers, friends and neighbors, and they don’t like to ask anything of us. But they need us just the same. I know the economy is bad, and I’m not saying go out and spend money you can’t afford, but going caroling with a church group, or visiting someone who has no one is free to us all. Chances are, you’ll not only put a smile on their faces, you’ll be giving them something money can’t buy—the feeling that someone cares.

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Have a joyous holiday and a happy New Year!

PUBLISHER

  MANAGING EDITOR

       REGIONAL EDITORS

             OFFICE MANAGER

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     GRAPHIC DESIGN

      

    

WRITERS

      

    

PHOTOGRAPHERS

   



PROOFREADER

agree with Andy Williams. It is the most wonderful time of the year. Welcome to the winter edition of Monroeville Magazine.

This is is the season of hustle and bustle, Christmas carols, and most importantly good cheer.

In this edition, you’ll find out about Maria Caruso, choreographer extraordinaire, who combines, dance, science and medicine in her work. We also stopped by the Life Writers Group, which meets at the Monroeville Public Library.

They’re a talented group of folks who put on paper the stories of their lives. Our illustrated cover by Mark Brewer is inspired by a story from one of the writers in the group.

It is also the season of giving, and in this edition, we feature the Pitcairn Girl Scouts, who participate in a number of activities that give back to the community. Speaking of giving, student council members at Gateway Middle School are planning fundraising activities to support an orphanage in Uganda. We were at the Monica L. Haynes middle school for a presentation on Malayaka House by its founder Eastern Regional Robert Fleming.

Editor Do you know about all the great programs and activities sponsored by the Monroeville Parks and Recreation Department? Well, we do, and we tell you about them in this edition. You’ll also find the list of winners from the Monroeville Art Show in here.

Our spring edition is next and we’d love to hear from you regarding the people, places and events you’d like to see us cover.

During this holiday season, we’d like to wish you peace and goodwill. And as always we hope you enjoy this edition of Monroeville.

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This magazine is carrier route mailed to all district households and businesses.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Copyright 2011.

CORRESPONDENCE Direct all inquiries, comments and press releases to: IN Community Magazines Attn: Editorial 603 East McMurray Road McMurray, PA 15317 Ph: 724.942.0940 Fax: 724.942.0968 www.incommunitymagazines.com

Spring content deadline: 2/1

Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.

t Earns ic r t is D l o o ch Gateway S

n o i t a n g i s e D s u o i g i t s e Pr

n rates, ACT score trends, graduatio l vita er ups and AP score trends [and oth Every school district has its s wa ay information].” tew downs, and this fall Ga ed a . rise The application also demand the on t tric recognized as a dis tric dis t ent of candid description of other The Pennsylvania Departm nal School aspects needing additio Education named Gateway officials d gne improvement. Department Ali District a 2011 Standard the ify ver to t tric SMD). visited the dis System Model District (SA t. 27, Sep on ss ine rth wo n’s tio the applica tus.

Out of 500 districts across sta al fin of were given one day being notified a commonwealth, only nine sed res exp ls icia “The visiting off including the prestigious designation the of ny ma in st ere int nsylvania great deal of only one other western Pen yed this interventions being emplo t. school distric School and h fied as year at both Gateway Hig “We are thrilled to be identi even and ool Sch dynamic Gateway Middle t ic tr an exceptionally stable yet is could d ts tric e dis h er T oth t e of remarked tha school district that is capabl We also s. nce erie exp is our th m fro er benefit deserved becoming an example for oth the g yin follow,” were applauded for ‘sta districts to examine and to r because and o n o h eph Jos t course’ despite temptations den ten said Gateway Superin or to nt gna n sta io ain at rem Gateway’s pressures to our applic Petrella and Nancy Hines, said ” rts, effo orm ref n or. direct slow dow curriculum and instruction was 100 percent upon ed Petrella and Hines. bas ed ect sel s wa ay tew Ga ed . tic en th au These reform efforts includ e ers its demographically div properly ned trai are rs che tea cess in ensuring all population and recent suc pm elo ent of ent as to best benefit students, dev improving student achievem iews and rev y, ay Cyber Academ as an official word that Gatew ed well as its abilities to serve eiv pment of rec elo ay dev tew , Ga lum schools. revisions of curricu example for other challenged ed a model district in and de nam n twi bee tric dis had ls it goa d was clearly define “SASMD means Gateway after a very candid and ies er ivit act tob Oc and ly ces ear our res lly sfu ting succes elimina evaluation identified as a district that is as many thorough application and acity, cap hindering those goals as well the has and rm refo ting naviga spread rts s. effo ces ese pro resources more initiatives. Th erved this honor des given additional support and t e tric cam o dis wh he ers “T mb me f ve year, to ser across all staf over the 2011-2012 school lication was 100 percent s app say l, our e goa n aus mo bec com a for the er in ts togeth as a model to struggling distric said Petrella and Hines. a and Hines. authentic,” Petrella. rell Pet said “ we h, and ealt nw ed, mo triv com the “Nothing was con “This opportunity speaks to n, atio ign As part of the des n on former, current, ed ake ert ort rep und ly n est bee hon has t tha m that ced hard work den evi we and t ies, Gateway’s 11-member tea tric ivit dis act d ire and planne entation by the members of the ent ough thr ies ivit of act el includes districtwide repres se lev the of new a act ch the imp students to rea stration dent achievement and its stu of at the teacher and admini e sur clo .” dis wth full gro the office staff achievement and , PVAAS data, level as well as key central l data such as PSSA scores wil er mb me it un ate edi and an interm be part of a three-year project under the direction of the state department of education and Grant l reform Wiggins, a renowned schoo expert. n this After creating an action pla will be rs yea two al fin the school year, SM SA D focused on training future ntor and me a districts and serving as egheny All in ts tric liaison to other dis erviews, int h oug thr it Un Intermediate ormation, site visits and sharing of inf e efforts are Th said Petrella and Hines. from the on usi inf 0 funded by a $75,00 . ion cat edu of nt me state depart

Monroeville | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 3

The employees of Peoples Natural Gas – more than 650 strong – are bringing a new sense of energy to Western Pennsylvania. With Peoples now fully Pittsburgh based and run, decisions are being made locally -- with an eye to investing for the energy future of the region. We're making $100 million in infrastructure, service and technology upgrades to better serve our more than 360,000 customers. Customer service is becoming fully local, too... with a dedicated new service center staffed by experienced people who thoroughly know the region and its people. Our vision: to help Western Pennsylvania move forward by creating new jobs and serving our customers well. It's a commitment we're proud to make.

In the photo: DAVE BERTONI / FITTER LEADER

y o u r e n e r g y p a rt n e r

peoples–ga s.com

Peoples Natural Gas is embarking on an extensive program to modernize our infrastructure. More than $100 million will be invested to replace pipelines throughout our 16 county service territory.

In 2011 and 2012, this means replacing 40 miles of old cast-iron pipes wherever they exist. This year and next, Peoples Natural Gas is hiring 60 new pipeline workers. And, we’ ll need to employ almost as many local contract workers. Last year, we brought back 200 jobs to the region. These are not temporary jobs, but family sustaining jobs – the type of jobs that generations build on.

Through the end of 2012, you will see Peoples Natural Gas employees hard at work on this project. They will be working in the snow and sun to improve the infrastructure for our communities. Our goal is to replace all the cast iron pipe in our entire system. This is an extensive project and we will need your patience and understanding as we work to complete it.

In 2010, Peoples Natural Gas was purchased from anI out-of-state company. We are now a Western Pennsylvania managed company. All our management lives in the region.

Our sole priority is serving our local communities. Our new company has refocused its total efforts right here. This pipeline replacement program is the first major construction initiative of Peoples Natural Gas and it has been made for your safety, and the need to modernize our infrastructure for the future.

Safety is the number one priority of Peoples Natural Gas. Every day, we strive to keep our customers, our employees and our communities safe. Here are 3 Sensible Words about Natural Gas to help keep you and your family safe.

Natural gas leaks are rare. But they can happen. Your senses will alert you if a leak occurs.

SIGHT Escaping gas affects the nutrients in soil, so discolored soil or dead vegetation near a pipeline may indicate a leak.

Dirt or water blowing up from the group may indicate a natural gas leak.

SOUND Natural gas leaks may make a hissing or a high-pitched whistling noise. Noises will vary based on the line pressure.

J

SMELL A strong odor of natural gas can indicate unburned fuel in the air. Because the gas is odorless, a sulfur based odorant is added to give it a rotten-egg smell that warns of its presence. Be alert for this odorant or any petroleum smell.

If you believe a natural gas leak is occurring, leave the area immediately and notify Peoples Natural Gas by calling 1.800.400.4271.

y o u r e n e r g y p a rt n e r

peoples–ga s.com

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Monroeville | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 5

BOROUGH OF

Pitcairn

GOVERNMENT INFORMATION Borough Manager Patty Logo Available at the office: • Permit and inspection information • Park Building or Sugar Camp rental information

REPRESENTATIVES

PITCAIRN BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT:

Ark Basement Services, Inc.

State Senator James Brewster 412.380.2242 State Representative Joseph Markosek 412.856.8284

ELECTED OFFICIALS Mayor John McCreary 412.372.6500 Council Orelio Vecchio, Council President John Prucnal, Vice President John Bova George Burkhardt Pat Lorinc Patsy Pizzuto Tom Wiater

BOROUGH MEETINGS 7 p.m. in the Pitcairn Borough Council Chambers Council Agenda Workshop: Second Tuesday Council Business Meeting: Fourth Tuesday

PITCAIRN BOROUGH COMMUNITY EVENTS Advertised on Pitcairn Community Station–Ch. 4: Easter Egg Hunt Harvest Festival Spring/Fall Clean-Up Community Day Summer Lunch Program Fireman’s Fair Summer Recreation Program

Perry emphasized that when Ark does a hen Ark Basement Services, Inc. job, the company, which has 14 employees, wanted to move its business supervises each job site. “One of the key closer to Monroeville, the family-owned and operated business found things is we’re the only company in the industry that comes out for a check up year the perfect location on Broadway Boulevard, after year,” he said.

Pitcairn’s main The company offers a drag. free yearly “The main thing is In business maintenance call for we’re a family-owned since 2003, the its customers. company, which He said after each business, a father and handles basement job, customers can three sons. We have waterproofing evaluate the no salesmen, no and structural company’s work to repair, has been make sure the sub-contractors.” operating in customer is satisfied, Pitcairn for eight and that customers months, said don’t pay until they Mike Perry, president of Ark Basement are. The company also offers, senior Services, Inc. The other company owners citizens discounts, customized pricing and are his father, James Perry Sr.; brother, customer referral programs.

Jim, who is director of sales; and brother, Perry lauded the response the company Evan. “The main thing is we’re a familyhas received from borough officials. owned business, a father and three sons,” “They’ve been very welcoming,” he said.

Mike Perry said. “We have no salesmen, “Pitcairn is striving to get some good no sub-contractors.” people, good businesses in there to try to revitalize [the borough].”

W

Old Fashioned Christmas

For more information on Ark Basement Services, Inc., visit www.arkbasementservices.com « Evan, Mike, and James Perry, Owners of Ark Basements Services, Inc. 6

Monroeville

By Cheryl and Stephanie Kline

THROUGH SERVICE AND LEARNING:

PITCAIRN

GIRL SCOUTS ACTION IN

he story began in 1912 with one inspired woman, Juliette Gordon Low, and an idea for bringing girls of all backgrounds together with an opportunity to become resourceful and self-reliant. In 2012 Girl Scouts across the United States prepare to celebrate Juliette Gordon Low’s enduring mission and the hundredth year of Girl Scouting. In Pitcairn, leaders continue to welcome girls to a wonderful sisterhood with many great experiences of learning and leading.

Throughout the past year, the Pitcairn Girl Scout troops (Daisy troop 54122, Brownie troop 50768, Junior troop 50113, and Cadette, Senior, Ambassador troops 50968) worked together to complete many community service projects. The girls decorated lunch bags to donate to Meals on Wheels, assembled four baskets with donated food items from their families a nd participated in a Caroling for Cans activity – donating the cans and baskets to the Pitcairn Food Pantry. Girl Scouts work with the Pitcairn Parks and Recreation board for the annual Easter Egg Hunt, Christmas in the Park, and run a game and information table at the Harvest Festival. The troops also donated their time to clean up Sugar Camp Park in the spring.

Girl Scouts is a girl-led organization, allowing the girls a chance to learn about and develop leadership skills. In troop meetings, girls choose which badges they would like to work toward, earning the badges as they complete requirements. Girl Scouts is open to girls ranging in grades from Kindergarten through their senior year of high school. Girl Scouts is open to girls in grades K-12. As a progressive experience, older girls have an opportunity to achieve three different leadership awards; the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver Award and Gold Awards. Over the years the Pitcairn troops have been proud to have girls honored with each of these prestigious awards.

In addition to badge work and working towards earning the awards, the girls in the Pitcairn-area Girl Scouts have had the opportunity to attend many field trips over the years. In the past year, girls have gone on trips to Schramm’s Pumpkin Farm and Orchard, the Pittsburgh Zoo, the Gator Greenhouse at Gateway Senior High School, father-daughter cosmic bowling at Lokay Lanes, and mother-daughter camping ay Camp Yough. On November 12, 2011, during the mother-daughter camping weekend, the girls, leaders, and mothers all participated in a formal flag retirement ceremony. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those in the community who donated torn flags so that they may be respectfully and formally retired. With our year of Girl Scouting well underway, we have had some great experiences already and look forward to so many more.

For more information on how to join this amazing girl-driven organization, call 1-800-248-3355 or visit gswpa.org.

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PITCAIRN DIRECTORY Police/Fire Emergency 911 Police Non-Emergency 412.856.1111 Pitcairn Police Department 412.372.6505 Chief: Dennis Hockenberry 412.372.6505 Fire Non-Emergency Pitcairn Hose No. 1: 412.372.7040 Chief – Duane Dick Pitcairn Hose No. 2: 412.856.5630 Chief – Brian Spudy Ambulance Pitcairn Ambulance 412.856.6432 Gateway School District 412.372.5300 Tax Collector Sally DiRobbio 412.372.3009 Wage Tax Collector EIT Collector 412.856.1045 Borough Engineer EADS 412.754.0801 Borough Solicitor Bruce Dice and Associates 412.733.3080 Magistrate Jeffery Herbst 412.372.1125 Animal Control Triangle Pet 412.771.7387 Trash Nickolich Sanitation 412.233.8666 Utilities Wilkinsburg Penn Joint Water 412.243.6200 Equitable Gas Company 412.395.3050 ALCOSAN Sewage 412.766.6696 Verizon Telephone 800.660.2215 Pitcairn Borough Electric/Cable Department Pitcairn Power 582 Sixth Street, Pitcairn, PA 15140 412.372.6500 Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday Monthly bills include electric usage, cable, and garbage. Bills are sent out approximately the 15th of each month, and are due the fifth of each month. There is a drop off box on the front door of the Borough building for payments after office hours.

Trash Days: Trash may be put out after 6 p.m. on the day before collection.

Monroeville | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 7

BOROUGH OF

Pitcairn

A small Town Shows in a Way



BIG

t’s been 117 years since the borough of Pitcairn was born, and though ever changing one thing remains the same - it’s still a small town with a huge heart for the people that call it home.

When people say they’re from Pitcairn, the most common response is “Where’s that?” The simple answer, it’s a small town near Pittsburgh community pride is still very much alive. This was very evident on September 18th 2011, the Annual Community Day Celebration.

This day is planned and run by the Pitcairn Council and Parks & Recreation board. It’s a great opportunity for the people to Pitcairn to come together as families and neighbors to learn about one another and what the town has to offer to the people that call it home. This year 4,000 people attended the festivities.

The day’s festivities were opened by the heartfelt singing of the National Anthem by officer Jim Markel of the Monroeville Police Department. Throughout the day many groups came to provide live entertainment; including the Tim Scott Band, 8th Street Rox, and Wee Jams. Also offered were face painting, pony rides, spin art, crafts, balloon walks, and KDKA Prize Wheel. Some favorite Mascots attended as well, including McDonald’s Hamburglar, the Pittsburgh Zoo Polar Bear, and King’s Frownie Brownie.

Among other activities, there were many groups and organizations from Pitcairn that came to offer information and their support of the town. We had a host of organizations that came and set up a table so that the citizens of Pitcairn could learn about what organizations did around town and how to get involved. It also allowed for everyone to meet some of the members of the organizations. Also present were some of our neighboring community’s doctors.

As a community we would like to thank all of the clubs and organizations that pulled together to make Community Day such a success. A special shout out of thanks to Camp B who kept the kitchen running all day, and all of the people and businesses that donated money, time, and supplies. Although we may be a small town we have so many great things to offer everyone. What a wonderful day and a fantastic way to show pride in your town!

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For as long as some Pennsylvania residents can remember they have sat down four times a year and filled out a small postcard.

This small postcard asked you to list your wages, calculate approximately 1 percent of your earnings and mail a check to your local earned income tax collector in your community municipal building.

But in 2012, every Monroeville and Pitcairn taxpayer can cross one more chore off their to-do list thanks to a new state mandate.

Beginning Jan. 1, all employers who have work sites in the commonwealth are required by Act 32 of 2008 to withhold all earned income taxes from every employee. And all employees have to do is make sure they have filled out a residency certification form.

“The legislation affects every single municipality and school district in Pennsylvania,” says Mitch Hoffman, local government policy manager at the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

“That in itself is huge. In addition, it also affects every single taxpayer and every single business that operates in Pennsylvania.”

 Earned income taxes have been a fixture in Pennsylvania since 1965.

At the time, state lawmakers imposed the levy to allow local entities such as school districts and municipalities to raise more funds.

“It provided an avenue for local taxing bodies to impose a tax to help fund their operating costs, and it was only imposed on people who actually had earned income, not those who were retired or were not working,” says Hoffman.

Earned income tax is unique to Pennsylvania. Neighboring states have similar structures in place, but they are not identical.

In theory, the tax is simple.

Anyone who works in the state pays on average a 1 percent tax four times a year. Some townships, boroughs and school districts tax a bit higher and some a bit lower.

And to pay their bill, an employer could withhold the tax from an employee’s pay or the employees themselves could calculate their tax and send it to their local earned income tax collector.

But from the start, issues arose.

Pennsylvania has one of the highest numbers of local municipalities in the country, and at one point, there were up to 560 different earned income tax offices in the state, says Hoffman.

“It was very fractured and very convoluted. There was no consistency in collections, no consistency in annual returns and no consistency in transfer of records from one tax collector to another.”

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d e n i a l Exp  Confusion about where to send taxes also abounded for companies that are headquartered out of state but have a plethora of work sites and thousands of employees in Pennsylvania.

“Many of these companies did withhold the tax, but with so many different collectors it was difficult for them to comply with all the expectations,” says Hoffman. The cumbersome structure also was not attractive to new business endeavors as it created one more regulation interested companies had to comply with when they opened a site in Pennsylvania.

Within decades, people started to question the structure used to collect earned income tax.

 By 2002, various organizations sought change and restructuring.

Their pleas were supported by a study commissioned by the Pennsylvania Economy League among other entities.

The study found that millions of dollars across the state were not being accounted for correctly and millions of potential tax dollars were not being collected at all. The actual amount always remained uncertain, says Hoffman.

“I talk to employers every day who have had work sites in Pennsylvania for years and have never collected the tax. We are not just dealing with Pennsylvania businesses though, this hits businesses across North America.”

Change was slow to come, but in 2008, state lawmakers passed Act 32 and its effects were so far reaching it gave local municipalities and school districts three years to implement its regulations.

Under the new law, the burden related to the tax has shifted from employees to their employers.

Every employer in Pennsylvania is required to have each employee fill out a one-page local earned income tax residency certification form by year’s end.

On the form, employees list their address, municipality and county of residence. This information matches to a municipality specific code ensuring the tax dollars are automatically withheld and end up at the correct tax collector.

Throughout Pennsylvania, except in Allegheny County, earned income tax collector positions were eliminated or altered as taxes will go to a county level tax collector chosen by a tax collection district made up of representatives from every municipality and school

district in the specific county.

In Allegheny County, four collection districts were chosen to better serve the area’s unique demographics, says Hoffman.

“The four collection districts are separated by the rivers. Allegheny County is different than anywhere else in the state due to its diverse populations and number of corporations.”

In addition to the more centralized structure, the law has other oversight and accountability features.

There are explicit time frames set out for the distribution of dollars as well as training and certification for all tax officers. There also are penalties for late payments and annual auditing, says Hoffman.

“All of these are built in to guarantee the amount of monies being collected are collected properly, remitted properly and distributed properly.”

Filing returns also will be more uniform throughout the state.

“Some local returns were several pages, some half a page and some had none at all. Now there is a standard form for all of Pennsylvania and

 Monroeville and Pitcairn boroughs each have a specific code to ensure all earned income taxes go to the right municipality.

   720301    720302

Monroeville | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 11

  Maria Caruso Creates



“A lot of people want to do things but I will do them.”

–MARIA CARUSO 12

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hile heart transplants and high blood pressure may not seem to have a logical connection to dance, they are among the subjects that inspire Monroeville choreographer Maria Caruso.

Caruso, founder and director of Bodiography Contemporary Ballet, has been able to successfully combine her passion for dance with her interest in science and medicine to create choreography that is bold yet accessible. “Our primary focus is to utilize dance as a way to identify with the human condition,” said Caruso, who did that with her first ballet, “Heart (Function vs. Emotion),” which premiered in 2010 with an original score by Cello Fury. The ballet was a reflection of her experience working with heart transplant patients and patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Caruso actually observed open heart surgeries and shadowed doctors at the UPMC Advanced Heart Failure Monroeville

Program. She worked with Dr. Dennis McNamara, a cardiologist, and Dr. Robert Kormos, a cardiac surgeon.

“Had they not supported my very first ballet, “Heart,” I really wouldn’t be where I am right now,” Caruso said. “It wasn’t until Dr. McNamara approached me in 2009 that I realized I had an amazing opportunity to do something on a broader scale. She even incorporated Dr. Kormos into the ballet. “I wanted a surgeon to be on stage…to emulate the hands of a surgeon during surgery. I thought they were extremely beautiful.”

“I have always been interested in medicine since I was a young girl,” Caruso said. “Dance was always a passion of mine, an art form in which I was offered a tremendous amount of opportunity.”

Earlier this year, Caruso’s company debuted “108 Minutes,” an ode to regenerative medicine. Dr. Kormos had encouraged her to meet with Dr. Alan Russell at the McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine to conduct research for the new ballet she wanted to produce. “I worked with five of the scientists at the institute and had the opportunity to interview them and learn about the science, and I created a full-length ballet about regenerative medicine and how we’re utilizing it right now to heal our wounded soldiers,” Caruso said.

While still in high school, Caruso began taking classes for college credit at La Roche College. By

her senior year of high school, she was also working to complete her first year of college.

She graduated from high school at 16, attended La Roche full time and then transferred to Florida State University as a sophomore.

She graduated with a BFA in dance at the age of 19, moved to New York City and founded Bodiography in 2000. A year later, she had moved back to Pittsburgh and started a local version of her New York company, operating both before letting the New York branch go. In 2001, she went to graduate school at Carlow University, where she earned a Master of Science degree in professional leadership and management for nonprofit organizations. Caruso has conducted master classes at Point Park University, West Virginia University, Slippery Rock University and DeSales University, and has also designed movement programs for The Yeshiva Girls School of Pittsburgh, Shaler Area School District and Carnegie Mellon University’s Cyert Center.

“My parents had encouraged me to come back to Pittsburgh in hopes that I would assist in bringing youth back to Pittsburgh,” Caruso said. She fell in love with Pittsburgh again and wanted to make it her home. She

then opened up a dance conservatory in Squirrel Hill (located in Gene Kelly’s first dance studio) – Bodiography Center for Movement.

“It was a name I thought would celebrate the geography of the body.”

The center celebrates health and wellness as part of the arts, while the concept of the dance company is to encourage numerous body types, not just the typical ballet body.

“Artistically, I have an amazing company of artists who really do exemplify the beauty of diversity in dance, physically, emotionally and technically,” Caruso said.

The choreographer recently returned from a trip to Haiti during which she had the opportunity to visit the Albert Schweitzer hospital. “I could see such a great sense of spirit in each patient I visited. I didn’t pass one child who didn’t smile back at me, despite their circumstances.”

During her visit, Caruso was hosted by Ian Rawson, the hospital’s managing director and his wife, Lucy. “In Haiti I had a strong desire to try to think about how to use my art form to create a ballet that would assist in raising resources and increase visibility for the [Albert

Schweitzer] hospital. I have great admiration for those doctors and nurses, the volunteers, the people that I met at the hospital. I had great admiration for their commitment and strength in actively making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.”

In February, Caruso and Bodiography will mark its 10th anniversary with the “Red Carpet Roll Out Celebration” at the Byham Theater, an event that will showcase a decade of Caruso’s choreography.

“A lot of people want to do things but I will do them,” Caruso said.

Monroeville | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 13

T GatewayCommunityChorus SeeksMembers

 Looking for something to do during those long, cold, winter months? Why not join the Gateway Community Chorus?

The chorus will rehearse on seven Tuesday evenings in the Gateway High School Choir room from 7:30 - 9:00pm. The rehearsals start on January 17 and run each successive Tuesday through January and February.

The Community Chorus will perform as part of the Gateway High School Choir Concert on Tuesday evening, March 6. Ability to read music is not required.

For further information please contact Erich Lascek, Gateway High School Choral Director, at elascek@gatewayk12.org or at 412-373-5751.

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Monroeville

ennis anyone? Or maybe golf is your sport of choice.

Perhaps you’ve always wanted to weave a basket, paint a portrait, shed a few pounds or learn to swim.

Whatever your interest, the Monroeville Parks and Recreation Department has probably got you covered. Co-directors JoAnne Morris and Paul Estok pride themselves on developing a diverse and well-rounded slate of programs for every age and every interest . Programs are open to Monroeville residents and nonresidents. “Basically, we put out a recreational brochure four times a year,” said Morris. The brochure is sent to 30,000 Monroeville residents. “There’s also a couple hundred other people [outside Monroeville] that we send it to, people who’ve participated in our programs in the past and are interested in what’s going on.” NonMonroeville residents pay an extra $10 per course.

Morris and Estok, whose department is also in charge of the municipality’s 24 parks, said they try to introduce new programs each session. For example, courses such as hair braiding and hip-hop dance for children were added to the fall session. “Part of my goal is to offer a wide range of programs for all ages, all interests. It’s a pretty tough bill to fill. I try to off er new programs because things get old,” Morris said. It can be challenging, she added. Some programs she thinks will do well don’t, while others may start slow but then become a big success.

A few of the things Morris is considering offering in the upcoming winter session is rug making class and musical theater. She is working with the police department and the Red Cross to develop a Home Alone Program aimed at teaching 7- to 11-year-olds about how to handle things if they have to be home alone for a bit after school. Participants in the program would learn computer safety, what to do in case of an emergency, when and if it’s okay to answer the phone or the door.

There are programs that are consistently offered like swimming, which is the most popular course. In the fall, swimming lessons are held at the indoor pool at the Gateway High School sports center; in the summer, they are held at the community pool, which is outdoors.

Swimming is offered to everyone from toddlers to adults. Several years ago, Morrison added an adaptive swim program for special needs students. “We get a handful, and the people that do participate are very appreciative,” Morris said. “I always try to have some health and fit ness and some instructional programs.”

One of the health and fitness classes that’s become popular is Zumba, the Latin music inspired dance workout. For this fall session

Monroeville Parks and Recreation Department 

Galore.

there is Zumba Toning, which adds weighted toning sticks to the workout to amp it up. Also among the health and fitness programs are cardio kickboxing, Pilates, Tai Chi, and Mountain Climbing.

But it’s not all exercise programming. The department has other categories of activities including afterschool programs that include SAT prep, French and Spanish classes, science, a monster cartoon workshop and Christ mas art workshop.

There’s also driver’s ed, a one-day piano course, ballroom dancing for youngsters and adults, sports leagues and clinics (including basketball, golf, tennis and volleyball), arts and craft courses, basket weaving, cake decorating…the list goes on and on.

The budget for the parks and recreation department is $300,000-$500,000 a year.

“We’re a revenue generated department,” Estok said. “It’s important for us to break even. We offer a valued program, a good program at a good cost.”

In addition to all the courses, the department also holds special events each session. In the fall session, there’s Family Fun Night. Centered on Halloween, it’s held at the Monroeville Community Park with arts and crafts, costume contests, carved pumpkin contests, hayrides and refreshments. In the winter session, the department collects letters to Santa and has a Snacks with Santa event. The spring Easter Egg Hunt attracts a couple thousand people, Morrison said. The department also sponsors the Jack Sedlak Clean-Up Day in the spring. The Mayor’s Clean-Up Day is held in the fall. During the Christmas holidays, there’s a light-up contest, in which judges travel through the municipality one evening to select, from each ward, the home with the best holiday lights. The following night, the overall winner is selected.

In addition to Gateway School District facilities, courses are held at a number of venues including municipal parks, Integral Ballroom Dance Studio in Murrysville, Maple Crest Golf Course, Monroeville Public Library, and Panera Bread at the Miracle Mile Shopping Center.

“We work in conjunction with a number of outside sources,” Estok said. “One of the things we’re dependent on is the school district. We really rely on them and they really work with us. We appreciate everything they do.” “We always say our students are their students,” Morrison added. The directors also laud the support of the community and the Monroeville Council, which has a representative on the parks and recreation department board.

Also on t he board is a representative from each of the municipality’s seven wards, a teen representative, a senior representative and a representative from the Gateway School Board.

Monroeville has 24 parks, including a skate park, a dog park and the newest park – the three-year-old Monroeville Community Park, which has four pavilions and a gazebo.

The gazebo is a popular spot for wedding photos. There are 10 pav ilions total throughout the park system and they can accommodate 10 to 250 people. “We are completely booked most of the time,” Estok said. The parks also include enough playgrounds so that no child has to go very far to have a place to play, he added. Estok and Morris praised the park crews which have the responsibility of maintaining the parks. “All our parks have real bathroom buildings,” Estok said. “We really, really rely heavily on our public works guys. They cut the grass. Our guys are out there at 7 a.m. cleaning the bathrooms, making sure garbage cans have all their liners in them.

They really are a big part of what we do.”

Monroeville | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 15

ď€‚ď€Šď€ˆď€…ď€„ď€Šď€ˆď€‡ď€‰ď€†ď€€ ď€ƒď€Œď€…ď€…ď€‰ Gateway High

Taylor Alexander was crowned the 2011 Gateway High School Homecoming Queen by her peers during Homecoming Week. Ms. Alexander is a senior and was joined on the field at Antimarino Stadium during halftime by her parents, Paul and Susan Alexander.

This year’s 2011 Gateway High School Homecoming Court included (Senior Court) Nina Quinn, Christina O’Malley, Kayla Henderson, Alexadria Allen, and Taylor Alexander.

The underclassmen court consisted of freshman Marissa Hvizdos, sophomore Dante Josey and junior Samantha Bertoline. This year’s Homecoming activities including the parade of floats and Spirit Week were coordinated by Gateway High School teachers Dawn Caruso and Brittany Maggiore. Also assisting with programs and coordination were Gateway High School teacher Shawn Whelan and library secretary Cathy Laird.  Â

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Attend an Open House: Saturday, Jan. 14 at 10am Thursday, Jan. 19 at 6pm

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ImaginePennHills.com • 412-793-6471 Serving students and their families living within a 10+ mile radius of our campus.

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REAL ESTATE

Monroeville

Make Your Home

Cleaner& Greener F

inding ways to go green in the home does more than help the planet. It helps your home’s environment, as well.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, levels of indoor air pollution can be two to five times higher than outdoor levels.

These pollutants — as well as chemicals found in many products today — can irritate allergy and asthma sufferers.

“More people than ever are looking to mak e natural changes in their home to help improve their family’s environmental health,” said Dr. Shannon Thyne, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at UCSF and Medical Director of the Pediatric Asthma and Allergy Clinic at San Francisco General Hospital. “It only takes a few extra steps to make a home healthier, cleaner and greener.”

To that end, the maker of Green Works ® products, HGTV personality and green living expert Carter Oosterhouse, and Lowe’s have teamed up to showcase ways to give your family a cleaner, greener home.

“Whether you could use help enhancing the look of your child’s playroom, or you’re looking for ways to reduce chemicals and their fumes and residues in your kitchen, there are simple steps you can take to make your home environment healthier, while still keeping it stylish and beaut iful,” said Oosterhouse.

While every home is different, here are some ways to make any home naturally beautiful and healthier.

fewer than 150 grams per liter are often labeled “low-VOC” or “no-VOC.”  Buy only the amount of paint you’ll need for the project. If you wind up with leftover paint, store it safely or dispose of it according to local municipal regulations.  Open windows while painting and use fans to vent fumes.  When sanding or removing old paint, wear a dust mask or respirator to prevent particle inhalation. Keep the area well ventilated. 

PAINT A fresh coat of paint is a great, low-cost way to bring new life to a room.

But that new paint smell comes from Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which derive from vapors released from toxic compounds.

Use non-VOC paint to create an inviting, comfortable and beautiful room. Check the back of the paint can for VOC levels — those with

Clear the air Here are a few tips for clearing the air in your home.  Open the window. Clean with windows and doors open so you don’t trap air pollution inside.  Go barefoot. Take off your shoes when you come inside. That way you’ll bring less dust, dirt, mold and pollens inside, and you won’t track them all over the house.  Buy a plant. Plants serve as natural air purifiers. African violets and ferns are beautiful ways to help clear the air.

Monroeville | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 17

REAL ESTATE

Monroeville



CLEANING PRODUCTS It used to be that buying a natural cleaning product meant paying more money for worse performance. No longer. Natural cleaning products can provide great performance without leaving behind harsh chemical fumes or residues. Plus, they are increasingly cost effective.

Green Works naturally derived cleaners offer a variety of products for the whole house, including naturally derived laundry de tergent and bathroom cleaners that are priced very competitively.

FLOORING Carpets trap dirt, dust and other allergens. If possible, remove wall-to-wall carpeting and replace it with natural wood flooring, such as sustainable bamboo or cork flooring.  Sweep and vacuum floors regularly to control dust.  Wet mop with a microfiber mop to remove dust and dirt more efficiently.  Clean up spills right away.

If the carpets and rugs must stay, vacuum frequently, using a vacuum cleaner with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter. Change the filter regularly to keep it working efficiently.

FURNITURE AND WINDOW COVERINGS Curtains and upholstery can trap dust, dust mites and pollen.  Blinds are a good, contemporary-looking alternative to drapes, but must be dusted occasionally.  Vacuum upholstered furniture — under the cushions, too.

APPLIANCES Upgrading to a more efficient washer and dryer can provide lifetime water and energy savings.  Run only full loads. Full loads use energy and water more efficiently than smaller loads.

Adjust the water levels according to the load.  Wash in cold water. Most of the energy used to wash clothes comes from heating the water.

Only the most stubborn stains really need hot or warm water.

For more tips on getting a cleaner, greener home, visit www.greenworks.com, and watch Oosterhouse’s “Green It Yourself” web series at the Green Works Facebook page, www.facebook.com/greenworks.

What does it mean to be natural?

The Natural Products Association (NPA) recently developed the Natural Standard for Home Care Products, making it easier than ever to tell what makes a product natural.

Here are the NPA’s core criteria:  Natural: Ingredients that are at least 95 percent natural (excluding water) in addition to appropriate manufacturing processes.  Responsible: No animal testing during the development process.  Safer chemistry: Avoid ingredients from the NPA’s list of prohibited ingredients.  Sustainable: Use biodegradable ingredients with environmentally sustainable packaging whenever possible.

For more about which Green Works® products are NPA certified natural products, visit www.greenworkscleaners.com.

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Monroeville

REAL ESTATE

Monroeville

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By Pamela Palongue

old winter weather is inevitable in Pennsylvania, but you can make sure your home is warm and toasty by getting your home ready now for the snowy season.

One important thing to do is to purchase some non-perishable food items that can be eaten without heating in case of a winter power outage. Also, make sure those flashlights have fresh batteries and are in a handy place.

Make sure that smoke detectors and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors have fresh batteries. CO detectors become especially important in the winter months because of increased use of kerosene and gas space heaters, leaking chimneys and furnaces, wood stoves and gas stoves – all sources of carbon monoxide. CO detectors are inexpensive and install easily.

Next, insulate all exposed water pipes to prevent freezing pipes in the coldest part of winter. Be sure to leave your heat set to at least 55 degrees if you are going to be away from home for a few days. Consider adding extra insulation to the attic. The U.S. Dept. of Energy recommends approximately 12 inches of insulation in attics in Zone 5.

One important thing to remember when adding insulation is to avoid insulation with paper backing which will act as a vapor barrier and may cause moisture problems.

Seal up foundation cracks and any entry points into your home such as crawl spaces. This will deter mice and insects from coming into your house and also help with heating bills. Use weather resistant caulking for exteriors and masonry sealer for brick areas. Weather stripping around doors and caulking around windows will help prevent cold air from pouring into your home. Plastic may be used in basement windows for added protection.

If your home has a fireplace, yearly cleaning by a chimney sweep is essential; twice a year if the fireplace is used frequently. The buildup of wood resins forms creosote and can create a combustible fire in the chimney that can destroy an entire home. Make sure that the chimney top has a grate to prevent small animals such as squirrels from entering your home through the chimney.

A furnace inspection will not only ensure safety, but help lower heating bills by more efficient use of your furnace. Cleaning the ducts and replacing filters monthly helps your home to have cleaner, healthier air. Dirty filters restrict air flow and can potentially cause fires.

One area of your home that may go unnoticed is the gutter spouts.

These should be cleaned thoroughly a nd hosed down before temperatures drop. Leaving gutter spouts clogged with leaves will lead to snow and ice building up in the gutters with no way for melting snow to drain, causing possible water damage to your home.

A really easy tip is to reverse your ceiling fan so that the blades turn in a clockwise direction. This will help force warm air down into living space, rather than collecting near the ceiling.

With a little planning, your home can be safe and warm all winter long, no matter what the temperature outside.

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WINTER 2011

Health and Wellness News You Can Use For residents of eastern communities

BundleUp,Baby Remember how Mom made you bundle up before going outdoors in the winter so you wouldn’t get sick? She was right. So be sure you dress for the weather — and that means covering your head, ears, mouth, and hands.

Turn to page 3 to learn why your ears, nose, and throat need extra care in winter.

What’s Inside

© 2011 UPMC

page 2

When Your Body Talks ...

Be Sure to Listen

page 3

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

page 4

A Snapshot of UPMC East Opening Summer 2012

page 6

Technology for 21st Century Hospitals

page 7

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

Monroeville | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 21

When Your BodyTalks…

Be Sure toListen Being attuned to changes in your body can help in the early detection and treatment of cancer and other serious medical problems Is your body trying to tell you something important? It can be an excellent communicator — if you pay careful attention to its symptoms.

There are numerous warning symptoms for cancer, many of which also can point to other serious medical conditions.

That’s why you should call your primary care physician (PCP) if you have any unusual or persistent symptoms lasting longer than two or three weeks, says Edward Chu, MD, chief of the Division of Hematology/ Oncology at UPMC and deputy director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.

“The vast majority of patients will get a clean bill of health from their doctor,” says Dr. Chu. “But when it comes to cancer, time is often of the essence.

Early detection can help keep cancer from spreading, allow for faster treatment, and improve your chances for recovery.”

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

Dr. Chu says it’s also important to be aware of more generalized body changes (also known as constitutional symptoms) that can compromise your physical performance and overall well-being.

By getting to know what’s typical for your own body, you’ll be better able to recognize unfamiliar changes when they occur.

They can include: • Extreme tiredness (fatigue) • Unexplained weight loss (typically 10 pounds or more) or loss of appetite • Changes in how food tastes • Fever and chills • Night sweats • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing “These symptoms don’t necessarily mean you have cancer,” he emphasizes. “But if they linger or worsen, it’s important for your doctor to rule out — or treat — possible problems.”

If you are interested in locating a PCP or specialist in your area, visit UPMC.com/FindADoctor or call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762).

Did You Know?

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

Cancer Screenings: Are they right for you?

Another important tool in the early detection of cancer is screenings. Cancer specialists at UPMC East say that when combined with regular checkups with your family doctor or a specialist, screenings like mammograms, PAP smears, and colorectal exams have proven to be invaluable in the fight against cancer. Your personal and family medical history, risk factors, age and other considerations will help your physician recommend the right tests — and frequency — for you.

To learn more about the programs and services at UPMC Cancer Center at Oxford Drive in Monroeville, visit UPMCEast.com.

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Health Tips from UPMC Health Plan

Make a Date With Your Doctor You take your car to the mechanic for an annual inspection to be sure it’s running properly. So why aren’t you giving your body the same kind of attention?

When you’re in good health, it’s easy to put off going to the doctor. But regular checkups can help you stay healthy, and avoid disease and disability. That’s why scheduling a physical is the one New Year’s resolution you should keep.

According to primary care physicians (PCPs) with UPMC East, an annual exam is the perfect time to talk about illness prevention, healthy lifestyle choices, and any screenings. That information helps you and your doctor create a plan to maintain your health, or get you started on making changes to improve your health.

Building an ongoing relationship with a PCP also means peace of mind. PCPs with UPMC East say there’s real value to being seen by someone who knows you and your health history — someone you trust to guide you through an illness or emergency.

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

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

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

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

4. Make a list of questions or health concerns Asking questions and sharing your concerns about health issues helps your doctor improve your care.

One final piece of advice: Be honest. Never be afraid or embarrassed to tell your doctor something. What you don’t disclose could be important for your doctor to make an accurate diagnosis or prescribe the best treatment plan.

Three Cheers for Your Ears, Nose, and Throat Winter is the season for sniffles, scratchy throats, and earaches — often all at once!

And with good reason: our ears, nose, and throat all are connected and affect each other greatly. Otolaryngologists (also known as ear, nose, and throat doctors or ENTs) are physicians who specialize in caring for this complex, interrelated system.

Test your ENT knowledge with this quick quiz:

Who gets earaches more often — children or adults?

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

Why are you more likely to get a nosebleed in winter?

The same heated indoor air that makes your home cozy in winter also can dehydrate the inside of your nose.

It can become crusted or cracked, or can even bleed. A dry nose makes you more susceptible to germs, so exercise good nose care. Lightly coat the inside with petroleum jelly. Overthe-counter saline mists and sprays (not decongestants) also are helpful.

Will antibiotics cure laryngitis?

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

Source: American Society of Otolaryngology

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Technology for 21st Century Hospitals How technology is working to transform the quality of your care during hospitalization If you ever have to be hospitalized, you’ll certainly want to be cared for at a place that delivers quality health care using the latest technology available. That’s precisely what patients find when they are admitted to a UPMC hospital.

“UPMC’s vision of quality is for every patient to receive the right care, at the right time, in the right way — every time,” says Tami Minnier, RN, and chief quality officer for UPMC. “Technology lets us serve patients more efficiently and accurately. Most of all, we’re able to give patients greater control of their health care.”

Here are just two of the ways UPMC hospitals are delivering on that goal.

SmartRoom® technology brings it all to you Launched three years ago by UPMC in partnership with IBM, SmartRoom is an impressive technology. First used at UPMC Shadyside and UPMC Montefiore, it is gradually being introduced in other UPMC hospitals. All patient rooms at the new UPMC East will be equipped with SmartRoom technology.

SmartRoom brings all essential data related to your care to your bedside.

Its computerized software programs give caregivers fingertip access to all the information essential to your care — from your electronic medical records to the tests you’ll need that day.

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

The right meds at the right time “It is our goal to make the hospitalization and discharge experience as stress-free as possible for our patients and their families,” says Jacqueline Dailey, UPMC’s vice president for Solutions for Medical Science, Research, and Patient Centered Accountable Care. “Not surprisingly, by the time patients leave the hospital, they’re often confused and overwhelmed by changes in their medications and how to take them.”

“We begin when you’re admitted with an electronic assessment of your current medications and how they’re being taken,” explains Ms. Dailey. “As medications are adjusted or eliminated during your stay, this information is instantly available to all your physicians — from your family doctor to the specialists caring for you. That’s especially important if you transition from one level of care to another, such as intensive to acute care.” An added layer of safety: both a pharmacist and the nurse administering the medications verify any new medication orders from your doctors.

Throughout your stay, you’ll receive comprehensive instructions on your medications. “We know that people learn in different ways, so this information will be shared multiple times and in multiple ways,” notes Ms. Dailey.

“We also urge patients to contact their doctors for help with any questions they may have on their return home.”

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

Seven Barnishin was just 11, playing with action figures alone in his Pitcairn home, when the tics began — involuntary arm flicks, head jerks, and sounds. “I freaked.

It seemed like something else was controlling me,” he says.

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

Tom and Amy Barnishin first thought their son’s behavior was linked to the start of the school year and peer pressure.

When symptoms grew worse, and other tics emerged, their doctor sent Seven to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC where he was officially diagnosed with Tourette syndrome (TS) in January 2009. “We were blindsided,” says Amy.

Be in the know about TS Treatment varies.While there’s no cure, medication sometimes helps control tics.

Psychologists can teach habit reversal and relaxation techniques to help patients cope with stress and reduce symptoms.

But the most important treatment is education, says Dr. Coffman. “That includes educating families, educators, and the general public about TS.”

Diagnosing Tourette syndrome TS is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting one in 100 people, says Keith Coffman, MD, a pediatric neurologist and co-director of the Tourette Syndrome Clinic, part of the Brain Care Institute at Children’s Hospital. Most cases are diagnosed between ages 3 and 12; the majority are boys.

The main symptoms are sudden, repetitive, uncontrollable movements and sounds called tics, including throatclearing, sniffing, blinking, gestures, and head jerking. For a true TS diagnosis, tics must start before age 18, include two or more motor tics and at least one vocal tic, and last at least one year. Tics peak at the onset of puberty. Approximately 60 percent of children outgrow the tics, or the tics become so subtle only that person knows when they occur.

Did You Know?

An estimated 200,000 Americans have TS, but misconceptions still surround the disorder.

For example, TS is not an emotional or behavioral condition. It is an inherited neurodevelopmental disorder that causes abnormalities in the brain.

Coping with Tourette “People with TS cannot control their tics.

They experience a sensation that makes them feel like they have to move — like having to sneeze,” Dr. Coffman says.

The earlier the diagnosis, the sooner children can benefit. Movements can interfere with school work. Children with TS often are bullied, teased, or viewed as being disruptive.

Other TS facts include: • TS patients have the same IQ range as the general population.

• People in every walk of life, including professional musicians, athletes, authors, and scientists, have TS.

“Knowledge is power. I’d be unnerved if I didn’t know what it was,” adds Seven, now age 14. Although he cycled through almost every tic, the movements and sounds have subsided with treatment.

The Barnishins credit the team at Children’s for helping them understand TS, guiding them through treatment options, and providing support.

“Children’s gave us answers and helped us gain control over an uncontrollable situation. Instead of being spectators, we were part of the process. That helped lower Seven’s anxiety, which helped ease the tics,” says Tom. To learn more about the Tourette Syndrome Clinic and the Movement Disorders Clinic at Children’s Hospital, visit chp.edu, choose Neurology as the service, then click the Clinics and Services button on the left.

• Less than 15 percent of TS patients swear or use inappropriate expressions.

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UPMC 600 Oxford Drive Monroeville, PA 15146

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.

Follow UPMC East on Facebook.

YOUR WORLD-CLASS HOSPITAL. RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.

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You should be! A re cent survey showed that consumers are likely to purchase go 63% more ods or services from a company that belon local Chamber of Co gs to its mmerce. We Mean Business. Call the ch today at 412.856.0622 am ber or vist us at www.mo nroevillechamber.com .

Barry Layton from Penn Center East and Monroeville Mayor Greg Erosenko join Monroeville Chamber members as they congratulate Bob Stape and Mike Smith from Goodwill of Southwestern PA at the official grand opening of its newest store on Monroeville Blvd.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Beverage Tyler Mountain Water & er. wat We are more than just

Suzy Whelan from Point Pleasant Retirement Community helps CEO Michael Glass from Dress For Success, Pittsburgh gather up business attire donated by the Chamber’s Women in Leadership group during a recent luncheon at the Holiday Inn.

Monroeville Area Chamber members met at Sam’s Club for an early morning networking event in October.

the ut water. Did you know that There is nothing simple abo es? mil ic cub lion th covers 326 mil total amount of water on ear clean amount of available water is al tot the That less than 1% of of up de ma is y lt human bod ffee to tell you about enough to drink? That an adu Tyler Mountain Water & Co m fro l Bel hy Kat Ask er? will also proudly tell you roughly 70% wat t all water is not the same. She tha n lear y ckl qui l wil you water and Aqua Fresh Filter. As a ted their company in 1981 as star Bill d ban hus and she about how n systems to residential, inally sold under sink filtratio orig y the or, vey pur n atio filtr water tomers. commercial and industrial cus became a distributor and the bottled water business and into d ifie e the In 1982 they divers “In fact” says Kathy “we wer ler Mountain Water brand.

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Monroeville | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 29

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    �        

—E.L. Doctorow

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riter Maya Angelou once said, “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” To that we might add that life can also be measured by the moments that bring us joy or make us cry or the moments that thrill us, or the moments that gently pull us back to our childhood.

Those are the kind of moments captured by the Life Writers Group, which meets twice a month at the Monroeville Public Library. The group was established by Sharon Lippincott, who has been teaching life writing since she retired about 12 years ago. “I did a lot of training workshops and I did a lot of writing in my career, but I never taught writing,” Lippincott said.

She began writing her own story just for fun. “I knew if I didn’t have a group to be accountable to, I’d stop writing sooner or later,” she said. Lippincott calls the writing group “more fun than anything I ever do.”

“The group started after I taught a class at the library several years ago,” Lippincott said.

“Everybody’s working on writing stories about their life to hand down to their families. Nobody’s a professional writer except me.”

There are about 12 people in the group, which consists of residents from throughout the eastern suburbs including Plum, Penn Hills, Monroeville, Charleroi, Plum, Pittsburgh, and Greensburg among other places.

Stories by writers in the group have included “Home Made Ice Cream” by Keith Neill, a tale of lazy summer evenings during his childhood in which the family would get out the old wooden ice cream freezer to make a delicious frozen treat, and “Hope” by Ellen J. Dehouske about a young girl in crisis who found hope through the nurturing spirit of her literature teacher. Life Writers member Dr. Chuck Thomas deviated from the typical format and wrote a play about Denny, Stew, Cinco de Mayo and Bernice’s cat. Other group members include Margaret Soboslay, Win Kanop, Nancy Santangelo, Elizabeth Kim, Lois Dabney-Smith and Nancy Stevens.

Each participant reads his or her story and gets feedback from fellow group members.

“Some people go ahead and collect these [stories] and put them into a volume, like an autobiography,” Lippincott said.

In Community Magazines asked members of the Life Writers Group to share a holiday memory. The stories on the following page are a result of that request.

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   Through the windowpane, I saw you.

Your dimpled smile welcomed my view.

Only sixteen; too young they say.

Puppy love, it will fade someday.

Korea beckoned, they called you away.

To finish school, alone I stay.

Mortgage, children and white picket fence, No greater reward, before or since.

Fifty-eight years of married life; We experienced joy and little strife.

Stop and listen, give and take, A stronger bond it did make.

You at eighty, me at seventy-five, In God’s hands, we gracefully strive.

To love each other, another day; On our knees we humbly pray.

We danced beyond the youthful stage.

Now, wrinkled hands, gray and aged, Supporting each other, we strut along.

Too young they say?

Proven wrong!

Merry Christmas, Sweetheart With Everlasting Love, Lois 12/25/10 Lois Dabney-Smith (to her husband James) Churchill

Christmas that year was very special to me for two reasons.

Mom and Dad were going to a party at the home of my mother’s cousin Ruby. Mom surprised me by telling me that I was going to the party with them, but I was not to tell my brothers. I had a new-to-me dress (a hand-me-down from my cousin, Dotty Jean) that was perfect for a Christmas party. It was a dark red floral with white lace collar and a wine-colored velvet sash. With my Mary Janes and my winter coat and hat trimmed in velvet, it was a perfect Christmas outfit for a six-year-old girl. I remember little of the party other than the grand piano in cousin Ruby’s living room and the pile of fur coats on the bed where I fell asleep quite early during the festivities. Daddy had to pick me up and carry me to the car.

That was also the Christmas I received a doll house. It was one of the most special gifts I ever received. Daddy had made it for me, and to this day I remember almost everything about it. It was made of wood, painted white with a red roof. It had four walls; access to the inside was by way of the roof being hinged. He had also made a lot of the furniture: Mom made the curtains, the bedding, tablecloths, napkins and all the other soft goods. There was real tile on the bathroom floor, carpets in the living room, dining room and bedrooms. The doll house was also electrified. Sadly, I don’t know whatever happned to it. My mother probably got rid of it during one of our many moves. In spite of that, the memory of Dad making it for me is one of my favorite childhood memories.

Nancy Stevens Plum

Excerpt

  It was the night before Thanksgiving. Mike and Marie were sound asleep in their bed. A burglar quietly crept in and went through the rooms. He noticed the people in the bed and bent over them to make sure they were sleeping soundly.

He tip-toed back through the house, stopped in the dining room to get something he wanted, and quietly crept back to where he came from.

In the morning, Marie awakened and stretched, got out of bed and dressed. She walked to the kitchen, made coffee, walked into the dining room, and shrieked, waking up her husband.

“Mike, look! Did you do this?” she asked.

Mike looked at the three pies Marie had baked the day before and placed on the dining room table to cool. Someone had eaten out the center of one pumpkin pie. The crust was there but there was no middle.

“Not me,” said Mike. “Ask your Mom.” The thief had eaten the middle of the pumpkin pie, and left the crust.

Their dog, a golden retriever named Emma, came sauntering into the dining room. Mike and Marie both looked down at Emma. Emma looked back up at them. The evidence was on the top of Emma’s nose— pumpkin pie!

The thief was caught—it was Emma the dog.

Margaret Frances Soboslay Monroeville

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 

to a Senior Program

                                                              

Ray of sunshine.

Donate a car, no matter what the condition, and it’ll change someone’s life. Y You ou see, unlike groups who take donated cars to auction, we repair them and put them into use for lowincome families who could really use a break.

And a lift. T To o arrange for your free car pickup or learn more, visit communityauto.org or call 724-443-8300

Community C ommu unity y Auto Be a d B driving i i change h Community Auto, a project of North Hills Community Outreach, is made possible by generous donors to United Way’s Impact Fund.

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724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE |

Monroeville

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T

                    



 

 The Power (+ and -) of Peer Influence  Fair and Appropriate Discipline Strategies

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  How to Handle Jealousy Among Siblings

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 As a Parent, How do I Manage it All?

        

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he Allegheny County Department of Human Services Holiday Project is accepting gift donations for children and youth receiving services from the Office of Children, Youth and Families, the county agency charged with protecting children from abuse and neglect.

Through the generosity of community groups and individual donations, the DHS Holiday Project’s goal is to provide each child in need at least one meaningful gift during the holidays. New unwrapped gifts are needed for children and youth, ranging from toddlers to those 18 years old.

To meet this goal, DHS has partnered with businesses across the county to set up conveniently located donation drop-off sites this holiday season. For a list of drop-off locations, collection dates and gift ideas, visit:  .

Monroeville | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 33

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For children age 3 - 5 Wednesdays, February 22 - April 4: 10:15-11 a.m. and 1:15-2 p.m.

Registration begins February 10

Thursday Book Discussion Group

Winter Storytime

MONTHLY BOOK DISCUSSION GROUPS

Spring Storytime For children age 3 - 5—Wednesdays, April 25 - May 16 Morning session: 10:15 - 11 a.m.; Afternoon session: 1:15 - 2 p.m.

Registration begins April 13

In this series of stories and crafts, parents do not stay during the story portion, but return to help with crafts during the last 10 minutes.

Family Craft Nights Our very popular Family Craft Nights are held in the Program Room on the lower level of the library. Family Craft Nights are fun for the entire family! Space is limited, so register early!

Valentine Family Craft Night Tuesday, January 31—7 - 8:30 p.m.

Registration begins January 17

Easter Family Craft Night Monday, April 16—7 - 8:30 p.m.

Tot Time Second and fourth Tuesdays of each month 10–10:30 a.m.

These story times for one- to three-year-olds with an adult are held in the Gallery Space.

Registration begins one week before each program.

Teen Book Club The Teen Book Club meets the second Tuesday of each month from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. in the Conference Room. Check the Teen Page for book titles.

Mother-Daughter Book Club Mother-Daughter Book Club is for parents and for students in grades 5 – 8. Daughters and mothers (or grandmothers, aunts, or special friends) will read one book each month, then come to the library to discuss what they loved about the book – and what they didn’t. Call 412.372.0500, ext. 18 for more information or to sign up for the club.

724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE |

Wednesday Book Discussion Group The Wednesday Evening Book Discussion Group meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month (except December) at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room. The members of this group choose fiction, with an occasional work of light non-fiction.

This is a lively group with many frank and open discussions. Please join us! No commitment is necessary.

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All Monroeville Public Library patrons are invited to join Monroeville Public Library News, an electronic mail group designed to keep you informed about upcoming programs at the Monroeville Public Library. Members will receive occasional e-mails with information about local history programs, Armchair Adventures travel slide shows, readings by local writers, science programs, health lectures and more.

To join, send a blank e-mail to mplnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. If you have any questions, contact Mark Hudson, adult services librarian, at 412.372.0500, ext. 13.

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Not sure where to start? Our friendly staff will be happy to help you find what you’re looking for. Professional reference librarians are available to answer all types of questions and to assist with research. Reference assistance is available at the Library, by phone at 412.372.0500 ext. 4 or by clicking “Ask a Reference Librarian” from our web page.

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The Thursday Book Discussion Group meets the third Thursday of every month (except December) at 1:30 p.m. in the Conference Room. We read and discuss a wide range of books that are chosen by the whole group.

Monroeville

Through the generosity of a good library friend, the Library purchased an upright display case to showcase special collections. Exhibits are usually changed monthly. If anyone in the community has a special collection or hobby and would like to share it by setting up a display, please contact Evan Karelitz at 412.372.0500, x26.

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Gallery Space is operated by the Friends of the Monroeville Public Library. Most exhibits have an opening reception. Check the Library’s web site for dates and times. Art makes a great, unique gift!

Monroeville Public Library 4000 Gateway Campus Blvd. • 412.372.0500 • Christy Fusco, Director Children’s Room: ext. 3, Teen Librarian: ext. 18, Adult Reference: ext. 4

HOURS OF OPERATION: Monroeville Public Library is now open Sundays from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Additionally, the library is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

–MONROEVILLE NEWS– Monroeville Social Security Office Moves to a New Location

Pastor Bruce "Buck" Schafer Jr. and his wife Amy Schafer

HARVEST FEST

Over 800 prizes were given to children at Grace Life Church’s Harvest Fest, which took place at Tall Trees Amphitheater in Monroeville. The G Factor talent show was another highlight of the afternoon. The winner received a $1,000 professional music video.

The Harvest Fest was an outreach event for the whole family that also included a bake off contest, pumpkin painting, contemporary Christian bands, food, games and a bounce house for children to jump around in.

G Factor Talent Show participants

G Factor Judges: (l to r) Kyle Lawson (Entertainment Reporter); Mary Beth Kratsas (Photographer); Frank Bursic (Global Energy Consultant)

T

he Social Security office located in Monroeville Mall has relocated to 400 Oxford Drive, Suite 210, in Monroeville.

The new location, in the building directly above the Monroeville Kmart garden center, began operating Monday, October 17. Office hours at the new location will be 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The new Monroeville office offers several service enhancements including a location that is easily accessible to the public and provides abundant free parking for visitors. In addition, the office now has interview areas that are said to be brighter, quieter and provide greater privacy.

Residents with access to an Internet connection may conduct business online at www.socialsecurity.gov. Visitors can apply for benefits, request a new Medicare card, get a Proof of Income letter, change their address or phone number, get directions to Social Security offices, download publications or arrange for other services at an easy-to-use, secure and convenient Internet website.

Social Security business can also be conducted at the public’s convenience, 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays, by calling, toll-free, 800.772.1213.

Representatives are available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on business days. Some of the services available include scheduling an appointment, requesting a change of address, and signing up for direct deposit. Automated services are available 24 hours a day to request a replacement Medicare card or a variety of other forms and publications.

I

t’s been a quite a while since folks have had an opportunity to sit in the darkened movie theater in Monroeville, munc hing popcorn while watching Hollywood’s latest cinematic offering. But by the fall of 2013, people in the region may yet again enjoy that simple pleasure.

That’s because Monroeville Mall has announced plans for the construction of a 12-screen, state-of-the art Cinemark movie theater. The theater will be built in JC Penney’s current location. JC Penney, an anchor tenant in the mall since 1969, will get a new 100,000-square-foot store on the upper level in the former Boscov’s.

The new JC Penney location is expected to be completed by fall 2012.

“Our new location offers us the best of both worlds – a brand-new store in a shopping center where we’ve had success for many years,” said Mike Theilmann, group executive vice president, JC Penney. “We look forward to being part of the next evolution of Monroeville Mall, and we’re confident our customers will be delighted with the convenience and modern features of our new store, which will be a showcase for JC Penney’s great brands and industry-leading customer service.”

The theater will be 48,000 square feet with stadium seating and digital surround sound. There will also be a Cinemark XD: Extreme Digital cinema auditorium, which will feature wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling screens, plush seating and custom JBL surround. Cinemark XD auditoriums are able to exhibit the newest movies every week, including 2D and RealD 3D pictures.

“We’re looking forward to this new entertainment component for the mall,” said Monroeville Mall General Manager Tom Gerber.

He said the mall approached Cinemark about bringing a movie theater to the mall because that was identified as a need in this market. “Monroeville has had theaters in the past. We actually had a theater in the mall many years ago where the Best Buy is sitting,” Gerber said.

Monroeville | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 35

OLDER ADULT S IN MONROEVILLE Whether you are a mature adult facing changes in your living arrangements or the child of an aging parent, the prospect of discussing this major life change can be a formidable one. Most experts agree that it is best to broach the subject earlier rather than later.

By Pamela Palongue

n the popular 1990s TV series “The Golden Girls,” Dorothy always had a secret weapon she used to coerce her mother into cooperating with her.

Dorothy would periodically threaten her with the ominous warning, “Shady Pines is getting your room ready as we speak…” But nowadays, only around 7% of people over age 75 live in nursing homes, according to census figures, and there are more choices than ever for different lifestyles and levels of care.

There are as many as 20 different types of senior care facilities, and before looking at any new living arrangement, it’s important to have a basic idea of what the different levels are to avoid feeling overwhelmed with choices. The following are some of the most popular living arrangements for seniors of today.

One favorite for mature adults is the active adult community, sometimes referred to as a retirement community or independent living.

These dwellings are usually homes or condos with individuals living independently and owning their own home, but in a grouping or housing plan with other seniors. Many times these communities will offer a 36

724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE |

Monroeville

clubhouse and have planned social and cultural activities and limited transportation. They may also provide housekeeping and communal meals for a monthly fee. They are probably best suited to individuals who are active and able to assume total care for themselves, but desire social interaction with others in their own age group.

Assisted living facilities usually allow individuals to have the privacy of their own apartment or home, while offering daily assistance with bathing and dressing. Some communities may also help with administering medications. This is an attractive option for many seniors because residents may be able to bathe and dress themselves initially, but as health and mobility decline the help becomes readily available without having to make a change in living arrangements. Communal dining may also be an option for an added fee. Residents rent their apartment or home and may pay one ‘all inclusive’ fee for services or may be charged ‘a la carte’ for each additional service needed. This is a good choice for any mature adult who is currently ambulatory, but who may have concerns about future mobility problems or perhaps has the beginning of mobility issues.

Another increasingly popular option for mature adults is home health

care which allows individuals to remain in their homes while receiving professional assistance with bathing, dressing and meal preparation. The care may also extend to medical needs such as the administration of medications and the ongoing management of blood pressure or diabetes. Medicare and Medicaid may provide financial assistance in some cases, but there are several eligibility requirements which must be met. This is a particularly good option for individuals who are emotionally attached to their residence and do not have a strong need for social interaction with other seniors.

Rehabilitation facilities are primarily a temporary option for those recuperating from injury or illness. Rehab helps the individual recover and provides adaptive techniques for preparing the patient to return to independent living. While the person may not function at the previous level, the goal of rehab is to enhance the patient’s quality of life by improving mobility, speech and self-care.

Though people seldom look forward to going to a nursing facility, skilled nursing homes provide 24-hour care for individuals with serious illness, injury or mental decline. The good news is that there have been several improvements in the quality of care received in nursing facilities since the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987. Nurse aides now have more training, and each resident must be fully evaluated upon admission so that an individual care plan can be established. Meals are planned by a dietician to ensure proper nutrition, and many nursing facilities now include regular exercise as a part of their managed care for residents.

Whether you are a mature adult facing changes in your living arrangements or the child of an aging parent, the prospect of discussing this major life change can be a formidable one.

Most experts agree that it is best to broach the subject earlier rather than later. Try to discuss the different options with aging parents and find out which ones appeal to them. Certain conditions such as serious dementia may prevent a meaningful discussion of these topics later. By talking about the choices now, your loved one can weigh in on the decision and help you decide based on personal preferences. The topic is also easier to discuss when it seems a long way off, rather than inevitable in the near future. The older person will also have more time to make decisions, rather than hastily settling on a new home.

HE ILLAGE AT T. ARNABAS When beginning the discussion, always reassure your loved one that you want him/her to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible. Ask questions rather than offering advice. This will help your parent to feel more in control of the conversation.

Try not to force any decisions with only one discussion. Give your loved one a chance to digest the idea and to form some thoughts on the subject. Suggest the possibility of a visit to an independent or assisted living community. Many parents who are initially reluctant to even discuss moving become excited about the prospect of making a change when they are able to see firsthand the positive social aspects and activities offered at assisted living facilities.

Finally, enlist the help of one of your parent’s friends already in Limited Time Offer independent or assisted living as an advocate. Oftentimes parents ONE MONTH FREE! Call for details may feel that their children are “ganging up� on them if they are confronted by several siblings telling them what they should do. s Maintenance-free living s Safe and worry-free However, an individual in their own age group who has made the s No large entrance fee s Indoor Mall with many amenities adjustment and is happy is the best advocate. s Elegant and spacious s Chef prepared meals in four 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms restaurants s Month-to-Month s Home care, rehab and skilled

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on finding a home for your loved one, you may want to consult www.aplaceformom.com, a free elder care referral service. For more tips about speaking with your parents or services available for your loved one, visit the Area Agency on Aging website at www.alleghenycounty.us/dhs/aaa.aspx.

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Quality. Value. Options. www.stbarnabashealthsystem.com Monroeville | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 37

A Senior Gift Guide,

Some Suggestions

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irthdays, anniversaries, Christmas—all suggest presents, and with the media constantly bombarding us with news of the latest and greatest electronic gadgets it’s natural to consider whether an iPhone or a Kindle might make a good gift. If your gift recipient is a senior, there are however a few factors you should consider before making your purchase.

As we get older our sight and hearing begin to diminish along with our manual dexterity. The loss or reduction of any or all of these three senses can adversely affect the enjoyment of many of these latest and greatest electronic gadgets.

All tablet computers, all e-readers, most music players, and a very large percentage of the newest cell phones now all come equipped with touchscreen displays. These devices are all small (and getting smaller it seems with every new model) and designed to be used with our fingers, not with a mouse or stylus.

While the texts in some of these devices, like tablet computers and e-readers, can easily be enlarged to a more comfortable and easier-toread size, most smart cell phones and music players lack this visual accommodation.

E-readers and tablet computers also lack any mechanism or adjustment feature to control touch or dexterity sensitivity. Since the majority of users for these devices tend to be younger and more dexterous, manufacturers have little financial incentive to produce a “senior” version. Take Apple for example, currently the un-challenged leader in the table computer market. Since it was released more than a

RE WE A STATE! N PEN

The bottom line is that some seniors may not know they want an electronic device until you actually take them into a store and let them try it on for size. year ago, the Apple iPad has sold more than 25 million units, the bulk of which are in the han ds of the 18-35 demographic. Every other tablet manufacturer—HP, Samsung, Sony, Dell—are all targeting this same youthful market segment, seemingly oblivious to the senior market.

So, does this mean that geriatric equals Luddite? Absolutely not!

What this means is that you have to give a little bit more thought to your electronic gift giving. First and foremost, know your recipient. Not everyone wants an e-reader. Some people still prefer the feel of books and manually turning pages. It may take some convincing to persuade the dedicated bibliophile of the advantage of being able to carry around a dozen or more books in a package typically smaller than a single volume.

Some people still prefer turntables and vinyl to MP3 players—in fact the turntable and vinyl markets are still prospering. However, if you have a senior music lover on your gift list it’s usually an easy sell once you demonstrate how they can potentially carry around their entire music collection in a package the size of a deck of cards. And music players, especially the popular Apple iPod, come with and without a touchscreen display. Just remember that someone will have to copy those CDs to a computer and then to the music player. If you’ve never done it, it’s not as daunting a task as it might seem.

If you’re looking for a cell phone you might have slightly better luck. Because of the lower cost of these devices and the fact that most manufacturers usually produce several models concurrently, you might have a better chance at finding one with a larger display and real (larger) buttons.

The bottom line is that some seniors may not know they want an electronic device until you actually take them into a store and let them try it on for size. This is my next recommendation—try before you buy. For example, some of the e-reader manufacturers make more than one size, such as Kindle. The larger sizes may mean the difference between a device that’s uncomfortable to use and one that’s the perfect birthday present.

Galen Grimes, associate professor of information sciences and technology has worked at Penn State Greater Allegheny for 12 years. Prior to that, Grimes worked at Mellon Bank (now BNY Mellon) as an IT project manager.

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Monroeville | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 39

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Student Council To Raise Funds for Orphanage One day Robert Fleming was just an American working in Entebbe, Uganda.

But soon he was caring for a newborn baby, whose mentally ill mother had thrown her in the trash.

He gained custody of the baby girl and named her Malayaka.

Subsequently, more orphaned children were brought to Fleming, who is now the head of an orphanage called Malayaka House, named for the first child he began caring for six years ago. Malayaka means “angel” in Swahili.

“I started it. I took it on. It’s my passion, my life. I love it,” Fleming said.

In September, Fleming, a native of Vermont, took his passion for Malayaka House to Gateway Middle School courtesy of the student council, which is planning a number of events throughout the school year to raise money for the orphanage. He made two presentations, one to about 600 students during the day and another to students and their parents in the evening. Both presentations included the showing of a portion of the award-winning documentary “Malayaka House.” The film was also shown that month at the Oaks Theatre in Oakmont.

During the evening presentation at the middle school, student council members stood on the stage prior to the showing of the film to introduce Fleming to the audience which included Reed Hankinson and his wife Mandy, who met Fleming last year and screened the film at their home. During that screening, 75 DVDs of the film and a letter were passed out to those who attended. The spreading of that information resulted in $6,000 in donations for Malayaka House – all from the Pittsburgh area. “You can’t help but say ‘What more can I do?’” Hankinson said.

Today, the orphanage has 36 children, most of whom are now in school. Malayaka House pays for the children to attend one of the best schools in Uganda, paying roughly $550 per child per year. Other expenses include wages of $200 each month for the seven caregivers, who are called “aunties”: $2,000 per month.

Malayaka House has some sources of income from its baking business, which needs a proper oven. Rent and utilities are paid through income raised from the Malayaka Guest House.

One of the fundraisers Gateway Middle School Student Council has planned is a hand mural. Students will pay $1 to dip a hand in paint and leave their mark on a ceiling tile. “The kids are ready to do that and they’re really excited,” said middle 40

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school teacher and student council advisor Jennifer Antonucci.

“Hopefully, we’re going to do it before the holiday break…We hope to get enough participation that we can put [hand tiles] in the 7th and 8th grade hallways.”

Antonucci said that middle school student council members had gained some ideas from attending the Pennsylvania Student Council State Conference in Altoona in November. “It’s kind of nice we get to go there and we get to swap ideas,” she said. Gateway High School’s student council also attended the conference. “We’re going to try to get the high school on board and see what kind of ideas they have, too,” Antonucci said.

For more information on Malayaka House, visit www.malayakahouse.org .

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Gateway Middle School Student Council members Taylor Jeter and Tiana Fleming-Hogan.

Gateway Middle School Student Council advisor Jennifer Antonucci Gateway Middle School Student Council advisor Jackie Beresford Audience members listen to Malayaka House Founder Robert Fleming at Gateway Middle School.

Gateway Middle School principal Anthony Aquilio Robert Fleming, founder of Malayaka House, an orphanage in Uganda, answers questions.

Mayalaka House founder Robert Fleming amidst members of the Gateway Middle School Student Council (l-r) Sarah Fry, Aiyanna Crawford, Chelynn Dunson, Tiana Fleming-Hogan, McKenna Then, Lauren Bolen.

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23rd ANNUAL ART SHOW AT ITS

“WEEKEND OF ART”

Caricaturist and MAC board member Kim Sauers donated her skills to entertain guests at MAC Art Show.

Larry Cervi’s talented East End Kids performed beside the paintings of the MAC Art Show’s Weekend of Art in July.

Clown Ernie Carns enjoyed entertaining visitors to MAC Art Show.

East Winds Symphonic Band performed on Sunday afternoon in the CCAC Boyce Campus auditorium.

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CAC Boyce gymnasium was awash with beautiful colors and unique shapes in July when 80 artists’ paintings, sculptures, fibre arts, and photographs were on display at Monroeville Arts Council’s 23rd Annual Art Show. Cash and prizes were awarded to the winners in each category from funds raised by the Arts Council.

Walking through the beautifully arranged show, visitors couldn’t help but notice the large white ribbon on Kait Schoeb’s colorful painting entitled “Flo.” The ribbon was a signal the judges had deemed her oil painting the “Best of Show.”

On a table nearby, visitors might see the beautiful necklace Judith Gentile made when she intricately twisted wires to link blue stones and green beads. Her skill earned a first place ribbon.

To experience an entirely different media, guests could touch Babs Blaine’s fibre arts entry entitled “Faerie Warren” that won a Judges’ Award ribbon. In the show’s photography section, Nina Sowiski’s “Seed Pod” entry caught their attention and won a blue first place ribbon.

During the Friday evening awards ceremony that preceded the opening of the show, MAC president Marilyn Wempa congratulated the show’s coordinator Babs Blaine and the art show committee for their work organizing the show. In addition to viewing the variety of artwork at one of the largest shows in the eastern suburbs, MAC members, guests, and artists were treated to pastries and beverages following the ceremony.

MAC’s Weekend of Art activities continued on Saturday and Sunday with free entertainment provided at the art show. The audience enjoyed the singing and dancing talents of the East End Kids from the Larry Cervi School of Performing Arts; Ernie Carns, a multi-talented clown; caricature artist Kim Sauers; the demonstration by Paws With A Cause, a dog assistance group; and the outstanding music played by the East Winds Symphonic Band in Boyce’s air-conditioned auditorium at MAC’s final program of its 2011 Summer Concert Series.

Although MAC members continue to enjoy the success of their summer concert series, art show, and Kids’ & Teens’ Korner art show, they haven’t forgotten the many patrons whose generosity provided the funds and gifts so events could be offered without charge. Babs Blaine expressed a big “thank you” to all the MAC volunteers, merchants, professionals, and individuals for their support.

 BEST IN SHOW “Flo” – Oil by Kait Schoeb

FIRST PLACE OIL/ACRYLIC - “At One” – Oil - Violet Scarpone WATERCOLOR - “Sumac Spectacular” – Barbara Jewell MIXED - “Champoo - the Elephant” – Beth Johnson PHOTOGRAPHY – “Seed Pods” – Nina Sowiski 3-D – ”Fantasy Guitar” – Mitzi Hall FIBRIC/FIBRE ARTS – “Reflections of Fire” – Marty Ressler OTHER – “Dream” - Judith Gentile

JUDGES’ AWARDS

BEST IN SHOW “Flo”

by Kait Schoeh FIRST PLACE AWARD IN PHOTOGRAPHY “Seed Pods”

by Nina Sowiski

OIL/ACRYLIC – “Red Ridges” – Oil – Marvin Fields WATERCOLOR – “Jazzman” – Marci Mason; “Pampas” – Stephany Myers MIXED – “Birds & Butterflies” – Collage – Rita Lee Spalding; “The Wind Cries” – Todd Murray 3-D – “Vanity” – Chris Mozley; “Caterpilla” – Bill Berkey FABRIC/FIBRE ARTS – “Raindrops” – Fibre Arts – Dorothy de Groat; “Apples & Orchids” – Fabric – Jerry Scorpion OTHER – “Fallen Leaves” – Fibre Arts – Dorothy de Groat; “Faerie Warren” – Fibre Arts – Babs Blaine, MS PHOTOGRAPHY – Untitled – Billie Thompson; “Red Leaves” Digital Print – John Jenko

JUDGES’ AWARD FOR FIBRE ARTS “Faerie Warren”

by Babs Blaine, MS

HONORABLE MENTION OIL/ACRYLIC – “Forest” – Oil – Thomas J. Leddy, Jr. WATERCOLOR – “Saw It on the Grapevine” – Marjorie Taylor MIXED – “Sand Pipers” – Pastel – Sheryl Yeager 3-D – “Bowser” – Gloria Goldsmith Hersch FABRIC/FIBRE ARTS – “Falling into Winter” – Fibre Arts – Babs Blaine, MS PHOTOGRAPHY – “Surf’s Up!” – Angela Rocco OTHER – “Disrobed” – Marty Ressler

FIRST PLACE AWARD IN OTHER “Dream”

by Judith Gentile

FIRST PLACE AWARD IN 3-D ““Fantasy Guitar”

by Mitzi Hall

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 For The Pittsburgh Area

To prepare for this issue of iN Monroeville, I had been reading a lot of research papers that are being put out there about the American diet.

There is not much good news coming from it, unless we start changing our lifestyle.

Let’s start with a study that was just released from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana that analyzed the lifestyles of more than 17,000 men and women over the course of 13 years and found out that people who sit for most of their day are 54% more likely to die from heart attacks. In America today, between sitting at a job, watching TV, driving, and computer time, the average American is sitting 6-8 hours per day. TOO MUCH! You may say, “That’s not me!” If you start adding it up however, you drive to work, many of us sit in a chair while at work, then back to sitting in the car, and finally back home to relax while watching TV or playing on the computer—MORE CHAIR TIME. Another looked at people that sat for up to 4 hours per day watching TV or on the computer. They found that for each hour on average of sitting, you increased your chances of death by heart disease by 18 percent, of cancer by 8 percent and all other causes by 11 percent even if they are not obese and regularly exercise.

A study that was funded by the American Cancer Society should get you thinking about changing your eating habits, your exercise habits, and your everyday lifestyle activity. If your pants are feeling a bit tight around the waistline, take note: Belly bulge can be deadly for adults, even those who aren’t overweight or obese. In one of the largest studies to examine the d angers of abdominal fat, it was suggested that men and women with the biggest waistlines have twice the risk of dying in the next decade compared to those that have flat tummies. What was surprising to researchers was that people with larger waists but had a normal BMI (Body Mass Index) still had the increased risk of death. The Lead Author of the study, Eric Jacobs, of The American Cancer Society sai d, “ITS TIME TO START EATING BETTER AND START EXERCISING MORE.” So what can we do? The professional researchers are starting to ask health care professionals, such as myself, to become more involved on the front lines of people’s everyday lives and to start counseling their patients to make better lifestyle choices. In an article from the Archives of Internal Medicine 2004, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle was addressed to health care professionals and was a “Call to Action” for those professionals to start doing a better job to coach, train and advocate better lifestyle choices to their patients. This is to combat a dangerous epidemic in America—Obesity and a Sedentary Lifestyle, as they are both directly linked to an enormous burden of chronic disease, impaired function and decrease in quality of life. It is also liked to an estimated 300,000 premature deaths and $90 Billion in annual health care costs in the United States. LET’S DO A BETTER JOB!

For more information, call ALL KARE Chiropractic & Laser Clinic at 724-864-3310. You can either come in for a free consultation or come to one of our free monthly seminars.

William H. Roscoe, D.C.

At ALL KARE, we are meeting the challenges brought on by the researchers head on. I have personally been on a wellness journey for the last 12 years of my career. During that time, I have lost over 100 pounds. I keep the wellness concepts such as diet, exercise, stretching, and being more active in our daily lives at the forefront of my patient’s care. For those patients who chose not to become chiropractic patients, we offer a Coaching and Wellness/Weight Loss Program that has been extremely effective. Also because the growing epidemic of obesity, I have available, “The Zerona Lipo Laser” to provide a jumpstart for people who need faster results in order to give them motivation to make longer lasting lifestyle changes.

With, or without the laser, I WILL HELP! In finishing, I know that every person’s situation is unique and personal. I have been there. I am available to just talk on a one on one basis and get to the root of the issues. As an expert, I also speak to civic organizations and businesses to help promote a healthier lifestyle to members and employees. The evidence is mounting and this epidemic is something that I am taking personally…MY PROFESSION ALLOWS ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP MANY!

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either gusting winds nor cloudy skies discouraged visitors from traveling to the McGinley and McCully log houses and enjoying the Monroeville Historical Society’s 2011 Heritage Day Festival on October 15. Hardy youngsters and adults alike ignored the weather and surprised the MHS volunteers with their numbers so much that another supply of pumpkins had to be purchased just an hour into the event!

Visit ors were determined to enjoy the variety of outdoor activities offered. It was fun seeing how differently each visitor changed the pumpkins, stones, and scarecrows into works of art with the assistance of MHS members.

On the McGinley House’s front porch, the puppet making involved guests choosing the clothes, accessories, and hair styles for historicalthemed puppets that were assembled by members of Bethel United Presbyterian Church. By the end of the day, it was delightful to see 52 children proudly carrying a variety of 1 puppets ranging from pioneer or fancy-dressed women, to Indians, trappers, and even an Abe Lincoln.

On the grass beside the herb garden fence, visitors were fascinated to learn how the Indians and local pioneers used the special artifacts displayed by costumed reenactors Lora Hearn and Henry Bowden. Guests also learned that making cornhusk or yarn dolls was a unique and fun activity. Others enjoyed churning butter or watching loaves of delicious smelling bread, corn bread, a cake in the 2 shape of a lamb, and spice cake made with black walnuts from the trees in the yard being taken out of the outdoor oven. Everyone said taste testing the butter and bread was their favorite experience.

While inside the McGinley House, others were captivated to see how Jennifer Lis made yarn on her spinning wheel and how delicate lace was made by two members of the Pittsburgh Lace Group in the Joel Monroe Room. They were amazed to learn one of the ladies was blind. While surveying the kitchen utensils used by pioneers, guests were treated to hot mulled cider and popcorn popped over the glowing logs in the nearly 200-year-old McGinley House kitchen’s big stone fireplace.

Those that climbed the stairs to the second floor of the McGinley House were rewarded when they saw the many antiques in the bedroom. The skill and patience required to make the tiny furniture in the dollhouse collections, depicting various historical eras, interested both children and adults in the second room. MHS member Libby Eons, sitting in a rocker in her long dress while crocheting an afghan, looked like she could be someone who lived in the 200-year-old house long ago.

In the nearby McCully Log House, visitors learned the importance of the artifacts like the wringer washer, suspended candleholder, and chicken crate, while in the upstairs bedroom, they found out the whole family slept in one bedroom and used a chamber pot when it was too cold or rainy to walk to the outhouse. One MHS member pointed out

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 the great view of the herb garden from the second floor of the double-decker porch.

In the backyard, guests decided to try their skills at washing laundry in a tub and hanging it on a clothesline with clothespins to dry and were surprised to find a nearby authentic (not functioning) outhouse.

MHS Event Chair Mary Lou Span said, “It is such a pleasure to help children connect the past with the present. This event is made possible because of the work of our wonderful volunteers who come from Monroeville and surrounding communities to share their knowledge and talents. They are Lynn Chandler, Bob Elms, Peg Gomrick, Connie McClain, Dan McClain, Dick McClain, Michele McClain, Patricia Mokel, Rick Mokel, Joe Ventresca, Jill Watson, and Marilyn Wempa, and junior members Julie Cassidy, Kensie Gerhart, and Laney Gerhart.

Scouts from Boy Scout Troop 205 from Murrysville and their family members were a big help. They chopped wood, put up tents, carried supplies, and helped with outdoor baking. All these volunteers are the historical society’s real treasures. They are really special people.”

Connecting People s Resources with People s Needs

Over the past 54 years, Brother s Brother Foundation has connected over $4 billion in people s resources with people s needs across 141 countries.

BBF supplies hospitals with vital medication and equipment, supports hand-carried medical mission groups, funds the rebuilding of schools and fills them with donated books across the world.

1200 Galveston Ave. Pi ttsburgh, PA, 15233 Phone: 412-321-3160 http://www.brothersbrother.org

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Monroeville | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 47

B USINESS D IRECTORY

Allergy Symptoms in the Winter?

Managing Chronic Sinusitis

PA 037930

Sales Service Installation

be effective. Often, the therapy can takke several years, requiring monthly visits to your doctor doctor.r.

For people who are consistent, 85% are found to respond to the treatment. atment. With symptoms gone, most can stop treatment atment for a lifetime. th you choose for relief, there No maatter tter which path paath are other things you can do, such as: 1) Wash ash your bedding regularly and put allergy allerg casings on pillows and mattresses ttresses to protect from dust mites, which are microscopic insects that at aaggravate ate allergies.

2) Remove carpeting and replace it with hardwood floors. void having 3) If you are allergic to them, avoid ha pets in your home.

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“At Premier,r, we recognize that att the wint winter brings a different set of challenges for people with asthma, allergies and chronic sinus problems. The good news is, many options exist to alleviate ate te allergic symptoms,� said Dr.r. Otte.

Dr Otte is a physician with Premier Medical Associates who deals with allergies, asthma and immunology. gyy Too connect with him or learn more about how Premier Medical Associates tes is building better care, please call 412-243-1945 or go to www.premiermedicalassociates.com. w.premiermedicalassocia

PremierMedicalAssociates.com PremierMedicalAssocia ssociates.com 48

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