IN Carlynton-Montour by IN Community Magazines

FALL 2011

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

Riders Gearing up for the

9th Annual

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Tour the Montour Trail Ride

Thank you, Pittsburgh. At UPMC Health Plan, we don’t set out to win awards. We simply focus on doing what’s right for our members. Like providing them with access to world-renowned UPMC doctors and hospitals as well as outstanding community hospitals and physicians. Giving them the tools and programs they need to live a healthy lifestyle. And offering them a personal Health Care Concierge and online chat capabilities to answer all of their questions. So when J.D. Power and Associates ranked us Highest in Member Satisfaction among Commercial Health Plans in Pennsylvania, we don’t see it as adding another award to the trophy case. We see it as doing our jobs.To learn more visit upmchealthplan.com.

“Highest Member Satisfaction Among Commercial Health Plans in Pennsylvania” UPMC Health Plan received the highest numerical score among commercial health plans in Pennsylvania in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Member Health Insurance Plan StudySM . Study based on 33,039 total member responses, measuring 11 plans in the Pennsylvania-Delaware Region (excludes Medicare and Medicaid). Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of members surveyed December 2010-January 2011. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

Contents Carlynton-Montour | Fall 2011 |

Publisher’s Message | 2 COMMUNITY INTEREST

Robinson Township 9th Annual Autumn Fest | 4 Carlynton School District News | 6 Girl Scouts Create Tribute in Memorial Garden | 40

FEATURES

Heartland Homes | 34 INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Strategic Financial Design | S&P Delivers on its Warning | 29

Ingram Family Dental | 26 Robinson Chiropractic | 37 Pittsburgh CLO

“We Believe in Kids” | 39 ON THE COVER

Bike rider enjoying the Montour Trail.

FALL 2011 Welcome to the Fall issue of Carlynton-Montour Magazine. As the summer winds down, and the kids get ready to go back to school, I sincerely hope that you and your family had some time to get away from it all and relax. It seems that these days, parents driving the family taxi, and kids with their sports/lessons/parties rarely get a chance to enjoy the slow pace of an ever more elusive “lazy summer.” Ask yourself – when was the last time everyone ate together around a family table? When did everyone gather to play a board game? Does anyone remember board games? If your answer was “That one night that the power went out,” then you might be trapped in the 21st Century jail of hyper-life. (I made that term up, but I can do that – I’m the publisher.) I’m not an old guy, unless you ask my kids, but I think that life should be simpler. Moms, dads, brothers, sisters, should all try to spend some time with each other as a family more than that one night when the power goes out. Family time is an important part of being a community. And every community should value quality time with their families – it’s how we teach our children values, etiquette, and more importantly, how to participate in a family structure so they can pass on to their kids what you worked so hard to build. Recently, I saw a commercial where a father shut off the main power to the house so that the family could enjoy dinner together and blamed the outage on a thunderstorm. The Xboxes were dead. The Facebook was closed. The kids came downstairs in disillusionment to ask what happened. While the commercial was pushing some tasty dinner product, the message was more palatable – you have to make family time. I would take that message one step further – you have to make family time a priority. I hope that it’s one of yours. Have a great Fall!

Wayne Dollard

FROM THE EDITOR While my boss waxes poetic about family time, I’d like to address something along a similar line – neighbors, or your family outside of your family. My wife and I recently bought a house and moved from the one-bedroom condo that I had lived in for nearly 10 years. While it was good for a bachelor, it quickly became small for a married couple looking to start a family. During those years in the condo, I shared a building with nine other neighbors, most of whom were friendly and goodnatured people like Don who lived across the hall from me. Don enjoyed going to the high school football games on Friday nights, watching the races at the racetrack in Imperial and fishing. More often than not, he would bring over a couple of extra fillets that I would season up and devour. He had a nephew that re-shafted golf clubs as a hobby and gladly delivered my broken clubs to him for repair at a more than reasonable price. Then there were some cranky people who just looked out for themselves. They would gawk from their windows into the parking lot to see who was walking by or what was going on, convinced that they were up to no good; would complain about everything from the height of the grass to the paint job on somebody’s car; and really never knew what it was to be part of a community where other people also had a voice and an opinion. Sure, Don would complain if the stock market was down or the price of gas was up, but he never complained that someone left their holiday decorations up a few days longer than everyone else or that the community dues were going up because natural gas was rising and landscapers won’t work for free. He knew how to be a neighbor, and I appreciate that. Now we have new neighbors. All of which are friendly and what every new couple hopes for when they move into a new neighborhood. We hope that we can be the same to them. Because in the end, I didn’t consider Don just a neighbor, I considered him a friend and friends are what neighbors can eventually turn into if you let it. Don asked us when we were selling our condo to sell it to a “pretty, young blonde.” I couldn’t come through for him, but Don – I’m still looking for you, buddy. Don’t lose hope! Mark Berton

IN Carlynton-Montour is a community publication dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the Carlynton-Montour 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. PUBLISHER

Wayne Dollard M A N AG I N G E D I TO R

Marybeth Jeffries marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com R E G I O N A L E D I TO R

Mark Berton mark@incommunitymagazines.com O F F I C E M A N AG E R

Leo Vighetti leo@incommunitymagazines.com WRITERS

Pamela Palongue GRAPHIC DESIGN

Cassie Brkich Anna Buzzelli Sharon Cobb Susie Doak

Jan McEvoy Joe Milne Gail Murray Tamara Tylenda

A DV E RT I S I N G S A L E S

Derek Bayer Brian Daley Gina D’Alicandro Tina Dollard Rose Estes John Gartley Jason Huffman Lori Jeffries Rita Lengvarsky Connie McDaniel

Brian McKee Tamara Myers Gabriel Negri Robert Ojeda Annette Petrone Vincent Sabatini Michael Silvert RJ Vighetti Nikki CapezioWatson

P H OTO G R A P H E R S

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

Fall content deadline: 10/17/11 www.incommunitymagazines.com

PS – If you have an exceptional neighbor that you think we should profile, drop me a line at mark@incommunitymagazines.com. There are more Don’s out there that deserve to be recognized.

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Montour

Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.

Robinson Township to Celebrate obinson Township’s 9th Annual Autumn Festival promises to be bigger and better than ever with free attractions, plenty of festivities, games, entertainment, food and fun! New to Robinson Township’s Autumn Festival? Just come to the Burkett Sports & Recreation Complex where there is free parking and free shuttle service to the event. This year’s Autumn Festival will have new attractions as well as old favorites, and a shuttle service will get you to the event from the free parking area. Kongo Krazy is back! Climb and slide in the midst of an inflatable battle between a life-size King Kong and a T-Rex. From the depths of the most secluded jungle of the world comes the most powerful forces that man or beast has ever seen. Challenge yourself to climb the waterfall and deal, face-to-face, with these giant creatures! Other inflatables not to be missed include: Wacky World Obstacle Course where you run, climb, crawl, hopscotch, slide, jump, dodge, squeeze and twist yourself wacky, Joustman where you are armed with your large, padded jousting pole where you face your opponent, Ocean Playland and the Dalmation Moon Walker with a 22-foot slide. Try and hold onto our Mechanical Bull ride for as long as you can. For those inclined to take in the sights and sounds of the Autumn Festival from a calmer perspective, Timothy the Trackless Train will be there from 2 to 8 p.m. Bring your appetite and a bib for the return of the popular Pie Eating Contest! Plenty of entertainment too including the

4 724.942.0940 to advertise

9th Annual Autumn

return

Festival

of Balloon Art by Carla, Strolling Magician Robbie Wise, Tang Soo Do Karate, Broadway Dance Studio, Montour Drum Line, Scriba Dance Studio, Pittsburgh Poison all Stars, and the MLS Cheerleaders. Don’t forget to cool down or heat up (your choice!) with some jazz from Clem Rolin and the Pittsburgh Jazz All Stars. Entertainment continues throughout the day and into the evening with headliner group, The Stickers, a popular country band who has opened for a number of country superstars, including Hank Williams, Jr., Alan Jackson, Billy Ray Cyrus and others. They are three-time Billboard Song Writing Award Winners and will take the Autumn Festival stage around 7:30 p.m. Fireworks will light up the sky for a climax to the day. Zambelli International will set in motion an ending to a perfect day. Fireworks will begin around 9:45 p.m. Come early, stay late, and be sure to bring your family and friends. Don’t miss out on any of the fun! For up to the minute details, go to .

Carlynton-Montour

Robinson Township Autumn Festival Saturday, September 17, 2011 Burkett Sports & Rec Complex Rt. 60 - Robinson Twp. 412.788.8120

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Class 2011

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6. Peter Doyle – Peter has chosen to attend Geneva College with a $11,000 per year Geneva Scholar Award and a $3,000 per year Denomination Affiliation Grant, over the University of Pittsburgh. He too is a member of the 700 Club for high scores on the SAT.

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1.Valedictorian Shelby Pelesky – Shelby will attend Boston University in the fall, where she received a $20,424 per year University Scholarship and a $17,800 per year Boston University Grant. She was a member of the Hometown High Q Team and The 700 Club, which honors those who score higher than 700 on any portion of the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT). During her senior year, she was honored with the Outstanding French Award, Outstanding Young Citizen Award and was named a member of the Four Seasons Club for maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout the last year of high school.

★ ★★ ★ ★

The Top 10

7. Julia Schock – Julia will attend Allegheny College, where she received a $17,500 per year Trustee Scholarship, a $2,015 per year Bicentennial Scholarship and a $5,000 Allegheny Grant. She was also accepted, but declined, admissions to Unity College in Maine with a $5,000 per year Presidential Scholarship and a $5,870 per year Unity Grant, Warren Wilson College in North Carolina with a $17,800 per year Warren Wilson Grant, the University of Pittsburgh Honors College, Pennsylvania State University with a $1,500 per year General Scholarship and the University of Vermont with a $6,000 per year Presidential Scholarship and a $15,667 UVM out of State Grant. During the senior recognition ceremony, Julia was honored with a Broadcast Journalism Award and the Outstanding Young Citizens Award.

Carlynton-Montour

2. Salutatorian Lauren McCarl – Lauren was accepted to and will attend Pennsylvania State University, while declining acceptances to the University of Pittsburgh, Syracuse University, where she was offered a $12,000 per year Founders’ Scholarship, the University of Michigan and George Washington University with a $15,000 per year Academic Scholarship. Honors included the Kurt Cerny Memorial Book Scholarship and the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Award. Lauren was also a member of the Hometown High Q Team, the 700 Club and the Four Seasons Club.

8.Yuriy Zayats – The University of Pittsburgh is the school of choice for Yuriy, despite receiving acceptances to Pennsylvania State University, Washington and Jefferson College with a $13,000 per year Scholar’s Award, and St. John’s University with a $11,000 per year Academic Achievement Award. Yuriy received the Outstanding Spanish Award at the end of his high school career, quite the accomplishment for someone who was born in the Ukraine and spoke broken English when he enrolled in second grade at Carnegie Elementary.

3. Jacob Steiner – Jacob accepted admission to American University in Washington, D.C., where he was awarded a $41,500 per year academic scholarship. He applied, but turned down acceptances to the University of Pittsburgh with a $2,000 per year scholarship, Carnegie Mellon University and Duquesne University with a $15,000 per year Academic Scholarship. Jacob, too, was a member of the Hometown High Q Team, 700 Club and Four Seasons Club.

9. Danielle Millikin – Danielle was happily accepted to and will attend her top school of choice, Oklahoma State University, where she was offered a $12,500 per year OSU Nonresident Achievement Scholarship, a $1,000 Joseph Fleming Memorial Freshman Scholarship and a $500 Ed and Pat Warner Freshman Scholarship. She was awarded a $250 Carlynton Federation of Teachers Book Grant at the end of her senior year.

4. Chelsea Lanish – Chelsea will attend Lehigh University, where she was offered a $38,000 per year Lehigh University Grant. She was also offered admission to the University of Pittsburgh with a $2,000 per year Merit Scholarship, Case Western Reserve University with a $10,000 per year Dean’s Award, Pennsylvania State University and Clemson University. Chelsea was a member of the 700 Club and received an Academic Improvement Award and Society of Women Engineers Award.

10. Steven Bevan – Steven will attend the University of Cincinnati. He rejected acceptances to Eastern Michigan University with a $16,500 per year Academic Scholarship, Michigan State University with a $9,000 per year Academic Scholarship, and Ohio State University with a $9,000 per year Academic Scholarship. At the close of his senior year, he was honored with a $250 Carlynton Federation of Teachers Book Grant, the Congressional Leaders of Tomorrow Award, Comcast Leaders and Achievers Award, Outstanding Young Citizen Award and The Spirit of the (Musical) Ensemble Award.

5. Connor Handerhan – Connor will join his brother Kevin (’09) at Carnegie Mellon University, accepting a $21,679 per year CMU Undergraduate Grant. He declined acceptances to the University of Pittsburgh Honors College with a $4,000 per year University Scholarship and a $250 Alumni Freshman Book Grant, and the Georgia Institute of Technology with a $9,000 per year Georgia Tech Undergraduate Grant. Connor was honored with the U.S. Marine Scholastic Excellence Award and an Outstanding Young Citizenship Award and was also a member of the 700 Club and Four Seasons Club.

Total cash value of declared scholarships by the 109 members of the Class of 2011, reported as of June 6, 2011, was $3,019,326.

Carlynton-Montour | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 7

Class 2011

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The Top 10 ★ ★

DECLARED MAJORS

1 1. Valedictorian Shelby Pelesky delivers the commencement speech held in HS auditorium on June 10

★

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1. Valedictorian Shelby Pelesky – Political Science with a minor in Psychology

2. Prior to receiving his diploma, Justin Smith offers a joyful hug to Principal Dr. Robert Susini

2. Salutatorian Lauren McCarl – Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Spanish

3. Salutatorian Lauren McCarl delivers commencement speech

3. Jacob Steiner – International Studies 4. Chelsea Lanish – Industrial Engineering 5. Connor Handerhan – Mechanical/Biomedical Engineering

6. Peter Doyle – Chemical Engineering

4. Friends Ryan Laepple, Troy Heidenreich and Shane Isasky share a proud moment prior to the graduation ceremony 5. Julia Schock helps Lauren McCarl straighten her cap while waiting in the gym before the processional begins

7. Julia Schock – Environmental Science with a minor in Communications 8. Yuriy Zayats – Engineering 9. Danielle Millikin – Pre-Veterinarian/Animal Science 10. Steven Bevan – Urban Planning

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Carlynton-Montour

Carlynton Student named 2011 Young Playwright City Theatre has announced that Carlynton High School student Lana Meyer was named one of six 2011 Young Playwrights from the region who will receive professional productions of their one-act plays at City Theatre. The 12th Annual Young Playwrights Festival will run September 26-October 6, 2011 on City Theatre’s Lester Hamburg Studio Stage. The Festival features six exciting and imaginative new one-act plays selected from submissions to the 2011 Young Playwrights Contest. Students from middle and high schools in western Pennsylvania were eligible to submit. Meyer’s play is entitled, “A Cradel of Beliefs.” City Theatre’s 2011 Young Playwrights Contest received more than 200 submissions. Each script was read by at least three members of the Literary Committee, comprised of theatre professionals across the nation, who also provided each writer 12TH ANNUAL with constructive feedback. City Theatre’s senior artistic staff YOUNG made the final selections. PLAYWRIGHTS “We’re thrilled about this year’s plays,” says Kristen Link, FESTIVAL City Theatre’s Director of September 26 through Education & Accessibility. “We received some of the most October 6, 2011 charming and thought-provoking plays in the history of the Young Playwrights Contest. Our six winners receiving productions span a range of worlds and styles, from the historic trenches of World War I, to a mixture of real and magical in a rural mining community, to a

Elementary Citizenship Awards Near the conclusion of the school year, the sixth graders are recognized for achievements throughout their elementary years. Both Carnegie and Crafton elementary schools host year-end ceremonies to recognize this all-important rite of passage, especially since these youngsters will be moving on to the “big school on the hill.” Honors are given for academic achievement, volunteering for student safety patrols, community service and reaching reading goals through the Accelerated Reading program. One of the most esteemed awards is the Citizenship Award. This award is granted to an individual that conveys kindness and respect to

futuristic military interrogation chamber, to a comic quest for love by a determined little pig down on the farm. I can’t wait to see actors bring these imaginative stories to life.” The full schedule for the 2011 Young Playwrights Festival will be announced in August. Tickets will go on sale in September. City Theatre Young Playwrights is a comprehensive, dynamic approach to arts education serving teachers, students, and the Pittsburgh community. The program fulfills state academic standards, including Arts & Humanities and Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening. Four major components make up the Young Playwrights program: the Young Playwrights Teacher Institute, In-School Workshops, the Young Playwrights Contest, and the Young Playwrights Festival. City Theatre, located on Pittsburgh’s historic South Side, specializes in contemporary and new plays and has brought to Pittsburgh playwrights such as Adam Rapp, Christopher Durang, and Jeffrey Hatcher. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Tracy Brigden, Managing Director Mark R. Power, and a 45-member Board of Directors, City Theatre’s mission is to provide an artistic home for the development and production of contemporary plays of substance and ideas that engage and challenge a diverse audience.

teachers and peers, is helpful, prepared for class and illustrates a strong work ethic. The Citizenship Award winner at Carnegie Elementary was James Vrana. Crafton Elementary has traditionally selected both a male and female winner; due to a tie, Crafton’s Citizenship Award winners were Parker Downs, Molly Kozy and Justin Stengel. The honorees are presented with a plaque and their name is inscribed on a much larger plaque that hangs in the office of each elementary school. These plaques contain the names of all Citizenship Award winners from the past three decades. READY OR NOT, HERE IT COMES! The first day of school for students, August 25, will be here before you know it. Students will enter schools with shiny floors-soon to be scuffed by new shoes-and a flurry of excitement as friendships are renewed and stories of summer vacation are traded at lockers. Textbooks will be distributed, teachers will present guidelines and expectations, and before you know it, waking up at dawn will once again become routine. While maintenance and custodial crews have worked hard to offer a renewed interior to schools, administrators and teachers, with a refreshed spark of creativity, are geared to begin lessons to impart knowledge and skills to students. Some of the new things students can expect this year are: • A district-wide Olweus Bullying program • Co-teaching in core subject areas for the inclusion of Learning Support students • An elementary Student Assistance Program (SAP)

• A new football coach, who hopes to revitalize the program, starting with a new logo and uniforms • Newly revised curriculums for Language Arts, social studies and mathematic departments and a New Carlynton new year-long reading program athletic logo for grades 7-8 • All high school classrooms are now equipped with Promethean Whiteboards and multimedia projectors installed into the ceilings to be used inactively with mobile carts containing lab tops. Ten additional elementary classrooms were equipped with the same • Healthier choices on the lunch menus (breakfast and lunch prices will remain the same) • Additions to positive student recognition and character building programs at all grade levels • An after-school behind-the-wheel and driving certification program for high school students • A district-wide technology coach • An Educational Government Channel (EGV) through Verizon (Channel 28) and Comcast (Channel 765) to broadcast school board meetings, news events, football games, choral concerts and the like (this will be operated through the high school video studio) • An Internet Essentials program to offer the opportunity for low income families to purchase high speed internet at the low cost of $9.95 per month. Low cost lap tops will become available shortly thereafter, along with training programs for parents

Carlynton-Montour | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 9

   Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania is honored to announce that six seniors from Montour High School were awarded their Gold Award pins at a council wide ceremony held at the Airport Marriott on Sunday May 15, 2011. The Gold Award is the highest award in Girl scouting, only 5% of the eligible girls actually earn the Gold award. Gold Awardees must complete 30 leadership hours, which can be earned through activities such as serving as a leader in a community organization or serving as an officer at school, and 40 career hours, which can be earned by activities such as working, job shadows or volunteering. Additionally, the girls must design and complete a community leadership/service project that will take no fewer than 65 hours to complete. There are also various other badges and requirements the girls must earn before they submit a final

report to the Gold Award Committee. All six girls are members of Girl Scout Troop 395 and reside on Robinson Township. The girls and their projects are: Carly Charochak and Samantha Wildman - “Marian Manor’s Family Day Goes Tropical” - Carly and Samantha worked together to plan and organize an afternoon festival on 8/11/10 at Marian Manor Nursing Home. Invited guests included residents of the nursing home and their families and neighbors of the nursing home. They put together an event binder containing all

event details to make it easy to plan a similar event again. Libby Coleman - Libby renovated and refurbished the 2-4 year old class room at Ken Mawr UP Church. This involved cleaning and painting the walls, organizing storage, cleaning the toys and teaching the children how to take care of the toys. Vanessa Kessel and Cassandra Wozniak - Vanessa and Cassandra worked with the Sto-Ken-Rox Boys and Girls Club to present Have Fun! Get Healthy. They presented a week long day camp in June 2010 followed up with an afterschool program in November 2010. They presented a variety of ideas for members to stay fit by doing Latin dances, hip-hop, yoga and Tai-Chi. They also enlisted the assistance of a dietician who

taught the participants about diet and ways to make healthy snacks. Vanessa and Cassandra provided a recipe book and DVD’s of the dance routines to the participants to help them in their goal of staying fit and eating properly. Staci Sutermaster - Staci renovated and refurbished the sanctuary at Montours’ Presbyterian Church. The project provided Staci the opportunity to give back to the Church and community members that use the space by providing a freshly cleaned and renovated area. As the premier leadership experience for girls in the United States, Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. For more information visit www.gswpa.org.

               10 724.942.0940 to advertise

Carlynton-Montour

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Carlynton-Montour | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 11

Montour Senior Earns a Full Scholarship to Ohio Technical College

Business Technology Students Take First Place in Stock Market

Sto-Rox Junior, James Latimer

Montour senior Zach Scribner, recent winner of the state SkillsUSA competition in collision repair, has been awarded a full scholarship to Ohio Technical College. Ohio Technical College (OTC) is an accredited private, post-secondary technical college located in Cleveland, Ohio. It offers specialized technician training and degree programs ranging from diploma programs to associate degrees in applied science. Zach has elected to enroll in their welding program. According to Zach’s Auto Body Repair instructor, Mr. Todd Kieffer, “Zach is one of the best automotive welders I have ever seen. He truly has a talent and takes great pride in his work.” Richard Sokol, Admissions Representative from OTC, states, “It’s impressive that the 1st place State SkillsUSA winner came from Parkway West. Zach possesses the necessary character and work ethic to be successful in this industry. Obviously, you are teaching the right skills in your auto body repair program.” OTC offers scholarships to students who win SkillsUSA competitions at the regional and state levels. For Zach, having participated and placed for the past two years, and especially with earning first place at the state level this past April, the $10,000 in scholarship sealed the deal for him to enroll at OTC. PWCTC Administration and staff applaud Zach for his tremendous achievement and wish him continued success in his chosen field of study. Good luck at OTC, Zach!

GameBusiness Technology students, under the direction of Mrs. Lisa Love, made their mark when they participated in the Stock Market Game sponsored by EconomicsPennsylvania. Mrs. Love had seven teams consisting of three students each participate. Beginning on February 14, 2011, each team received $100,000 of virtual money to invest in select companies. Teams based their virtual investing on a company’s financial performance and trend reports. They studied the company’s weekly and monthly earnings, their year-end numbers and their past five-year reports. The close to the Stock Market Game occurred on April 21, 2011. As a class, ‘Biz Tec’ students ranked first over all eight participating school districts in Allegheny County. One of the seven teams in Business Technology ranked second of all total teams which were 112. In these economic times, to earn $8,000 in a two month time span is not too bad. Way to go, Business Technology students!

Parkway West Career & Technology Center Students Win State Competitions Senior Zack Scribner and juniors David Ball, Emily Gollick and Rachel Zolkiewicz of Montour, and James Latimer of Sto-Rox, all placed first in their events on April 7th and 8th at the statewide SkillsUSA competition in Hershey. The students’ professional skills, which they acquired in their programs at Parkway West CTC, were judged on both written and performance tests. Zack Scribner won the Collision Repair Technology competition. James Latimer, David Ball, Emily Gollick and Rachel Zolkiewicz won the Entrepreneurship competition as a team. These students are eligible to participate in the national championships in Kansas City, Missouri in June. Their advisors, Todd Kieffer, Auto Body Repair instructor, and Lisa Love, Business Technology instructor, are very proud of their student’s accomplishments, as are the entire staff and Administration of Parkway West CTC. In all, ten Parkway students competed in Hershey. Those also placing in the competition include Montour seniors Nikki Luc and Kayla Garbera, who placed third in Nail Care. Also, West Allegheny students Tyler Kashella placed 4th in Technical Drafting, Anjelica Ayres placed 8th in Cosmetology, and Christopher Carr placed 10th in Architectural Drafting. SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit student organization that serves students enrolled in career and technical education programs nationwide. Pictured from left to right is: Zach Scribner – Montour, David Ball – Montour, Anjelica Ayres – West Allegheny, Christopher Carr – West Allegheny, Nikki Luc – Montour, Tyler Kashella – West Allegheny, Kayla Garbera – Montour, Rachel Zolkiewicz – Montour, James Latimer – Sto-Rox, and Emily Gollick - Montour 12 724.942.0940 to advertise

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Carlynton-Montour | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 13

Robinson Alumni Annual Reunion Picnic Held

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

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Onorato Announces $500,000 Grant from Richard King Mellon Foundation for New Sports & Athletic Complex at Montour Junction llegheny County Executive Dan Onorato announced that the Richard King Mellon Foundation has awarded a $500,000 grant to the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County (RAAC) to be used toward Phase 1 development of the Allegheny County Sports & Athletic Complex at Montour Junction, a new recreational facility located on a 78acre brownfield in Coraopolis, Moon Township, and Robinson Township. “Our goal is to transform this vacant brownfield into a worldclass recreational facility,” said Onorato. “I want to thank the Richard King Mellon Foundation for its generous grant, which will help us make this dormant property a wonderful asset for our region.” The development plan includes a number of nontraditional

athletic fields, such as rugby, soccer and lacrosse, as well as recreational programming, trout fishing, and an extension of the Montour Trail. The site, commonly referred to as Montour Junction, is bordered by Pa. Route 51 to the west and south, the Coraopolis Bridge and CSX Railroad to the north, and residential areas to the east. The head of the Montour Trail is approximately one-fifth of a mile to the south. Montour Run, a stocked trout stream, bisects the property. The County expects to take ownership of the property this fall through a donation from the Sports Legacy Foundation. The RAAC has obtained all necessary environmental approvals from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and completed a transportation study for the site. RAAC also continues to actively seek the remaining funding needed to complete all phases of the development. “I also want to thank the Sports Legacy Foundation for its vision and for partnering with the County to add to our parks, trails and greenways,” added Onorato. “Allegheny County has more than 12,000 acres of parkland, and our trail system continues to grow along our rivers and throughout our communities. This Montour Junction property will be a great addition to our parks and trails.” The property was formerly owned and operated by the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad.

Carlynton-Montour | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 17

                 The Bradley Center “Record breaking heat wave, temperatures in the high 90s, feels like 105 degrees”– these are not good descriptions if you are going to be doing heavy labor outside. But that was the forecast for Eaton Day of Caring, Friday, July 22. Alternate plans were discussed with Lisa Wise, HR Manager and Day of Caring team leader at Eaton – just work outside in the morning and come inside for the afternoon to paint. But Eaton volunteers would have no part of changing what their minds were set on doing, so along with cases of bottled water, mega bottles of Gatorade and even frozen washcloths distributed by Lisa Fox, Bradley CEO nearly 70 Eaton volunteers were spread about the Bradley campus to work their magic. Several residents’ bathrooms were converted into much needed storage space by another Eaton crew. This job provided its challenges yet 4 new areas are ready to be filled up! The walking trail was cleared of weeds and new stone put to level out the surface. New mulch was also spread in the area near the gym to enhance the beauty of the campus and make safe areas

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for the residents at play. And the lucky straw of the day was drawn by the painting crew who helped to brighten some of the school rooms. Being inside in the air conditioning surely was a good thing for them. The highlight of the day was the installation of a new flagpole and American flag thanks to Eaton’s generosity. They also planted a Japanese maple tree and inserted a plaque in memory of Paul Arnal, late member of the Bradley staff. A service was held to dedicate the memorial followed by a wonderful reception hosted by Eaton, providing attendees, volunteers, residents and staff with cake and refreshments. This is the third year of Eaton’s Day of Caring at Bradley. The improvements that they bring to our campus are amazing. Their hard work and dedication are impressive as is the $2,500 check brought in by Dave Bucklew, Eaton VP and also a member of Bradley’s Board of Trustees. The Bradley Center is thankful to have friends in the community like Eaton.

ss Owners: dents and Busine si Re ip sh wn To Dear Robinson vironmental Department of En ia an lv sy nn Pe s recycling The ly announced it nt ce re ) EP (D roughProtection municipalities th r fo d ar aw t an of performance gr ally thank all on rs pe to ed nt I wa st triple out the state. terials to almo ma gh ou en g s. in you for recycl to previous year ed ar mp co nt ou am Robinson’s grant ars er $41,000 doll ov th wi d de ar s aw residents The Township wa itment from the mm co d an rt fo . due to the ef roughout Robinson th rs ne ow ss ne and busi issioners on Township Comm ns bi Ro e th of ank you On behalf to sincerely th nt wa I t, en nm even better and the enviro I hope to have d an s rt fo ef for your news next year. – Enjoy the summer

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AFTER THE DOWNGRADE Unimpressed with U.S. deficit reduction plans, S&P delivers on its warning. Presented by: G. Benjamin Rovee, MBA Unprecedented and unsettling. Standard & Poor’s issued a historic downgrade of U.S. debt on August 5, sensibly waiting until the market week had concluded to send a shock wave toward global investors. It reduced America’s long-term debt rating – which had been AAA since 1941 – to AA+.1 S&P felt Congress did too little too late. The credit rating agency had threatened to lower the boom if Congress passed any deficit reduction plan smaller than $4 trillion in scope. The Budget Control Act of 2011 “falls short of what, in our view, would be necessary to stabilize the government’s medium-term debt dynamics,” an S&P statement noted. It also retained its “negative” credit outlook on the U.S.2 S&P is also skeptical that the federal government can collect more money from taxpayers. Its analysts do not think the Bush-era tax cuts will sunset at the end of 2012 “because the majority of Republicans in Congress continue to resist any measure that would raise revenues.”2 On August 5, S&P sovereign ratings committee chair John Chambers told Fox News that the new AA+ rating could be cut to AA within 6-24 months if the U.S. doesn’t arrange to slash $4 trillion from its deficit in the next decade. The implication: Congress better agree on more cuts by February.3 China’s comments. The world’s largest holder of U.S. debt issued a withering critique of Congress through Xinhua, its oﬃcial news agency. The state commentary stressed that the U.S. has a “debt addiction” only curable via major cuts to defense spending and entitlement programs. It also said that

the option of a “new, stable and secured global reserve currency” should be explored.4 The Treasury’s claim. Friday evening, the Treasury argued that S&P’s analysis contained an accounting error that unnecessarily added $2 trillion to its projection of U.S. debt. S&P admitted the error but stuck with the downgrade.1 So what happens now? The early August global response aside, analysts are divided as to what the short-term impact might be for the American economy. Could it cripple the recovery, or just prove inconvenient to it? Demand was big for Treasury notes even before the threatened downgrade and Treasuries still symbolize comparative safety to institutional investors, so an August selloff might be short-lived. If this turns out to be the case, the effect on interest rates might be less significant than feared. Could the Fed launch QE3*? The possibility exists, particularly if foreign investors ditch dollar assets. The Fed’s Open Market Committee will make an announcement on August 9, and few analysts expect another wave of bond buying – but it is an option. When might the U.S. recapture its AAA rating? It might take years for that to happen. S&P has cited political gridlock on Capitol Hill as a major reason for the downgrade, and it doesn’t see that going away in upcoming months. On top of that, the U.S. economy expanded just 1.3% in the first half of 2011 - about half the pace needed to dispel the lingering effects of recession.5

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

   

   

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

Are mortgage rates going to go north? Maybe; maybe not. Rates on conventional mortgages have a direct relationship with 10-year Treasury yields. Recently, those yields have dramatically fallen, and demand for longer-term Treasury notes has been palpable. Interest rates on auto loans might see a spike, as those rates are pegged to 2-year notes and factors like the LIBOR rate. The hardest hit might come from credit card issuers. Credit card interest rates reflect the prime rate. Credit.com credit card advisor Beverly Blair Harzog told CNNMoney that she believed credit card firms could possibly jack up rates 1-5% as a result of jitters over the downgrade.6 What’s your outlook? You might be considering some major moves in the wake of the S&P decision. Remember that impulsive decisions are often regretted down the line. Confer with the financial professional you trust to determine what you may (and may not) want to do. Ben Rovee is the Co-Founder of Strategic Financial Designs, LLC, a Pittsburgh-based planning firm. Ben received his undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1987. He earned a Masters in Business Administration from Pitt's Katz Graduate School of Business. Ben combines his extensive education and personal experience to create a comprehensive strategy that educates, guides, and facilitates a high value game plan for his clients. His ability to simplify and explain complex financial and estate planning strategies makes him an invaluable advisor to the people he works with. For more information, call (412) 733-4003. G. Benjamin Rovee is a registered representative of securities and investment advisory services offered through Hornor, Townsend, & Kent, Inc (HTK)* Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA, SIPC* 130 Springside Dr, Suite 100, Akron Ohio, 43333 Phone: 330-668-9065 Strategic Financial Designs, LLC and 21st Century are Independent of HTK Carlynton-Montour | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 21



School District revamps, renews and renovates

n case you haven’t notices, the Montour School District has been renovating and changing its curriculum for the better. These changes will serve to better the overall learning experience for the students of the district. Montour School District's new, state-of-the-art High School is currently on schedule and set to open September 6, 2011 for staff. The first day for all students in the District is Friday, September 9th. A dedication ceremony will be held at a date to be

Elementary

K-4

▼        ▼      ▼       ▼      

determined in October or November. Over $1.8 million dollars in new technology has been put into the building including: Interactive Promethean boards, enhanced sound systems, netbooks, laptops, desktops, digital display boards and ipads. A roboust wireless network will provide instant access to online applications.

INCLUDED AMONG THE MANY CHANGES PARENTS WILL FIND AT MONTOUR Middle School THIS YEAR ARE:

5-8

◆   ◆   ◆    ◆    ◆   

A new website which will provide better access to Montour news, events, content about educational programs, academic achievements, and resources for all stakeholders. Visit www.montourschools.com 22 724.942.0940 to advertise

Carlynton-Montour

The building renovations at the new high school include the following upgrades and improvements: TECHNOLOGY:

High School

9-12

★   ★       ★      

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975 netbooks (39 carts)

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30 iPads for library

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All Classrooms have enhanced sound systems

325 laptops (13 carts) 300 desktops (student labs and teachers) 1,630 total devices 64 Interactive Promethean Boards

GENERAL:

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550 Doors 72,400 Square feet of Carpet 14,700 block units used for the North Road Retaining Wall

ELECTRICAL:

✤

MC cable - 46 miles (245,000 ft)

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Security wiring – 8.5 miles (45,000 ft)

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Sound and clock wiring – 12 miles (64,000 ft)

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Fire Alarm wiring – 12 miles (65,000 ft)

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Fiber optic cable – 10 miles (53,000 ft)

PLUMBING:

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Copper Pipe (for water service) – 5 miles (28,000 ft)

MECHANICAL:

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Pipe: 5 miles (25,000 ft)

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VAV Boxes: 123 units

Sheet Metal: 78 tons (155,000 lbs) Heating & Cooling Water System uses: 15,000 gal of water/glycol

Carlynton-Montour | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 23

 

You’ll be Surprised at the Results



ith the advent of travel sites on the internet, the way travelers plan their trips has changed in more ways than one. So with all of the online sites out there to choose from, you would think that finding a real flesh and blood travel agent would be near impossible these days. However, you would be very wrong. Live travel agents are still out there making quite a good living from all the shortcomings of the DIY websites. If you enjoy taking a cruise, going to an actual travel agent can save you a lot of headaches. Cruises entail planning multiple aspects of one trip — airfare to the port of departure, which stateroom has the best view, whether you go on the paragliding excursion or tour the Mayan ruins. All of those aspects can be easily handled for you by a travel agent, saving you time and money.

Think you can outbid a travel agent for discount airfare? Think again. You may like the appeal of naming your own fare on a website, but keep in mind that even the giants of internet travel booking still have a limited pool of airlines to pick from. Travel agents don’t. A travel agent can work with smaller or foreign carriers to find you a discount, and some have access to private, reduced fares that can be well worth the cost of the agent’s fees.

Looking for more than just a pair of round-trip tickets? Sometimes travelers have more than one destination in more than one country. Some agents specialize in these global itineraries and can save you the hassle of trying to plot a complicated route for

24 724.942.0940 to advertise

Carlynton-Montour

your trip. What’s more, if you’re going somewhere that has a warning for Americans issued by the state department, is known for being diﬃcult for tourists, or is simply oﬀ the typical American itinerary, your travel agent can make recommendations to help you navigate the terrain, both figuratively and literally.

Special Needs? A Travel Agent Will Accommodate Them. Whether you’re a senior citizen, or looking for an Asian-language safari in the Sahara, travel agents know more about special needs and requests than any website out there. They can help with alternative lifestyle requests such as easily finding a seat on a tour bus for someone with a disability. Your travel agent has likely heard it all when it comes to meeting the specific needs of travelers, so don’t hesitate to ask them about your particular requirements.

What if I’m really stuck? Travel agents can do more than simply rebook your flight if it’s cancelled. Agents can assist in getting you the medical help you need or even cash if your wallet is stolen. A dot-com can’t and won’t do that for their customers. The peace of mind alone can be worth the agent’s fees.

What if I’m not on the internet? Believe it or not, many people still don’t have – or want – access to the internet. Or they may have access, but don’t feel comfortable giving out their credit card numbers online. That’s totally understandable, and yet another reason why having a courteous travel agent smiling back at you can be the diﬀerence between getting sunburned…or just getting burned.

A D V E RT I S E HERE! Call 724.942.0940 sales@incommunitymagazines.com Carlynton-Montour | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 25

A Solution for

    

NOW WITH THE ADVANCES AND BREAKTHROUGHS IN DENTISTRY LOSING ONE TOOTH OR MULTIPLE TEETH DOESN’T MEAN YOU NEED TO SUFFER FROM INADEQUATE APPEARANCE OR FUNCTIONALITY. Through the use of dental implants patients have the option of fully restoring their mouths, replacing all missing teeth, and restoring their confidence and the smile of their youth. There are three main reasons for tooth loss. The first, and most obvious, is due to decay. When repairing a first time decaying tooth a dentist will normally place a tooth colored composite filling in the decayed area. This maintains the natural look of the tooth and will restore it to its proper function. When a filling gets too large a crown will be placed on the tooth protecting what is left. When a patient waits to long to crown a tooth they run the risk of that tooth being non-restorable. If there is insuﬃcient tooth structure remaining then the tooth may need to be extracted. The second reason for tooth loss is periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is mainly seen in adults. This type of disease refers to a bacterial infection in the gums that disrupts the harmony between the tooth, supporting bone structure and periodontal ligament (which holds our teeth in place). If this type of bacterial infection goes untreated a patient will notice loosening of their teeth and eventually will experience the loss of one or several teeth. Thirdly and less commonly diagnosed is occlusal disease. Occlusal disease is the miss alignment of the upper and lower teeth. Overtime grinding and clenching can occur, disrupting the equilibrium of our teeth and jaw, causing tooth fractures and tooth loss. The loss of one or two teeth may not seem very detrimental to an individuals’ function and appearance, especially if the teeth are in the back. But, once these teeth are gone the patient will experience bone loss where the tooth once was. This will cause surrounding teeth to drift, creating spaces; opposing teeth will begin to supper-erupt, loosen and eventually will fall out. There is no doubt that it is very important to replace missing teeth. When deciding what replacement solution is best for a particular patient, they must decide what fits their needs best. In addition they must think about what type of lifespan they would like to see out of their replacement solution. Dental implants have been around for over 50 years and serve as the best solutions for replacing missing teeth. A dental implant serves as a prosthetic root that adheres to upper or lower jaw bone in the area of the missing tooth. This is what creates a structurally integrated fixture where a crown can then be placed. The implant and the crown on top serve as the replacement tooth; the implant mimicking the root of a real tooth and the crown mimicking the tooth area that is visible above the gum line. If you are missing one of your teeth, a large section of your teeth or all of your teeth dental implants may be the longest lasting and best solution for you. With dental implants it is possible to replace a 26 724.942.0940 to advertise

Carlynton-Montour

single tooth, create implant to implant bridges for larger tooth loss areas, and even restore full arches. Another option for the use of implants is to place them strategically and conservatively creating a platform for denture support. Implant supported dentures create a tight fitting denture and eliminate the need for messy adhesives and allow you to smile with confidence. For more information on what can be done for your smile using dental implants visit ingramsmiles.com and select “Patient Resources” to see educational videos the help explain the dental implant steps and procedures.

Need a reason to smile? Let us give you a smile that will last a lifetime. Our dentists are caring doctors that have your best interests at heart. We can assist you, comfortably, to achieve your greatest dental desires.

Now, relax and smile. MOST INSURANCES ACCEPTED

• Cosmetic & Restorative Procedures • One Day Cerec Crowns

• Root Canals • Bone Grafting • Implants

• Dentures • In-office Whitening • Snap-In Dentures

E.J. HESTER, DMD 2725 Center Street Pittsburgh, PA 15205 412.922.9292 www.IngramSmiles.com

Carlynton-Montour | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 27

 

  

  

f you are into bicycling, you know about the Montour Trail. Miles upon miles of trail, the Montour Trail not only is good for walkers, rollerbladers and joggers, it’s a nice trail for pedalers as well. This September, starting at Mile 0 off of Route 51, the 9th Annual Thermo Fisher Scientific “Tour the Montour Trail Ride” will take place and is open to riders of all calibers. The ride starts at 7 a.m. and is finished at 3:30 p.m. The 9th Annual Tour the Montour continues the tradition as one of Western Pennsylvania's finest Fall rides. For men, women, and children, it includes rides of 6, 12, 24, 44, and 62 miles on the beautiful Montour Trail. The ride has become well known for its sumptuous lunch as well as its unique t-shirts. T-shirts are only guaranteed for riders who pre-register by Sept. 9th. All riders have the option to be timed individually up a 7/10ths of a mile hill (Hassam Rd - closed to traffic, not part of the main Trail Ride). At an average of an 8% grade, the man and woman with the fastest times will truly be the "King" and "Queen" of the Mountain and will receive a special bicycling jersey for their effort. The rides start time depends on how far you plan on riding. The 62-mile ride begins at 7:45 a.m.; the 44-mile ride starts at 8:15 a.m.; the 12- and 24-mile rides start at 8:30 a.m.; and the 6-mile ride begins at 9 a.m. Registration for all rides begins at 7 a.m. Post ride amenities include lunch and refreshments available at Brothers Grimm at Mile 3 of the Trail (Old Beaver Grade Road). Then it's a leisurely 3 miles downhill back to Mile 0. There also is a King and Queen of the Mountain Challenge. Adult registration is $25 before Sept. 9, and $30 after Sept. 9. Children 12 and under are $5 each. Family rates also are available. Montour Trail members receive a $5 discount on registration fees. All proceeds benefit the maintenance and expansion of the Montour Trail.

 

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

28 724.942.0940 to advertise

Carlynton-Montour

  Let us do the cleaning so you don’t have to! Schedule us to work weekly, monthly, bi-weekly, one time or move in, move out!

• LIVING ROOMS • KITCHENS • DINING ROOMS • BEDROOMS • FAMILY ROOMS • BATHS Also: Stairs, Foyers, Hallways and Wall Washing Insured and Bonded • Trained and Uniformed Staff Free Estimates • Satisfaction Guaranteed 

412.885.4705 kathyskleaning@comcast.net www.kathyskleaningservice.com

Sewickley Cemetery

The Cremation Garden

“Where a family’s needs and wishes come first.” Before deciding, drive through, see for yourself and compare.

ST TIM E 20% FIR CLEAN ING

OFF

Visit our web site sewickleycemetery.com 412.741.4409

NEW CLIE NTS ONLY!

   

        Send your tradition or recipe to m.jeffries@icmags.com

Carlynton-Montour | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 29

Imperial Landfill

It takes in 1,700 tons of garbage every day from 220 trucks.

FUN FACTS

t seems oxymoronic to describe a landfill as “clean.” If you’re a resident of the West Allegheny region, all of your non-recyclable garbage leaves the curb via hardworking trash haulers, travels down the road to Imperial and is dumped at the Imperial Landfill, which is run by Republic Services. That’s the image in your head, probably, and it would be correct, except “dumped” is a misleading term. There’s no mountain of trash surrounded by swarming birds picking open sun-baked trash bags. In fact, the reality is, well, clean. Brett Bowker, general manager for Republic, said the reason for the landfill’s cleanliness isn’t just for public relations, but for efficient landfill management surpassing what’s expected of them by agencies such as the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Allegheny County Health Department, both of which inspect the landfill regularly and permit the site for operations. From the moment one of the more than 200 garbage trucks enters the site to deposit their haul, they are met with multiple systems tasked with keeping the landfill as clean and orderly as possible. The first thing that happens with every truck is that it is weighed at a scale house at the front gate. The entire truck rolls onto a giant scale. As the driver checks in with the scale house operator, the scale reads the tonnage of the truck. After the truck deposits its trash, it’s weighed upon exiting the landfill and the difference in the before and after weights is recorded. The trash hauler’s operating company then pays fees to the landfill based on that number. But not only is the truck weighed at the gate, it’s also scanned for radioactive materials. Bowker said the detector is so sensitive that it has been known to pick up radioactivity from the disposable undergarments of people who have undergone chemotherapy, which uses radioactive chemicals to fight cancer. If anything radioactive happens to be detected, the truck is parked and searched by authorities to uncover the cause and remove the offending matter for proper disposal.

nce a truck has been checked in, it makes its way down a long, winding road to the day’s active work site – a section of the landfill that’s about the width of six garbage trucks parked side by side. Each truck will back into the site, dump their hauls and head back down the road. What happens to the trash next is key to the landfill’s organization and success.

30 724.942.0940 to advertise

Carlynton-Montour

It collects gas from hundreds of wells onsite for renewable energy.

It’s estimated to be in operation for another 39 years before reaching capacity.

For added security, a base of 8 feet of dirt is laid over the liner before garbage starts filling it in. As it fills in the hole, it’s covered with dirt and more garbage, eventually growing to about 30 to 40 feet high. Each night, workers cover the day’s trash with a layer of dirt, to alleviate odors and keep trash from blowing about the site. Once it reaches its maximum height, it is capped with the same liner, covered over with dirt and seeded just like a field. With the passage of time, the landfill begins to look more like natural, rolling hills. In 40 years, if it’s decommissioned, the site may become home to passive recreational facilities such as a golf course, or simply green space. Gas from decomposing garbage is collected via a system of hundreds of interconnected wells, refined onsite by a contracted refinery, and sold to various outside interests. Literally nothing is wasted, and the site is able to actively contribute to the energy needs of the region.

D A bulldozer pushes the dumped trash into a mound, on top of which, a 55-ton compactor – a giant machine with spiky, steel tires – drives over and over the trash, flattening it as far as it will go. At the end of each work day, the active work site is covered with a layer of dirt and another site is made ready for the next day’s haul. All of this

activity starts below ground, where the landfill is excavated to about 30 feet deep. A thick plastic liner is laid into the pit, ensuring that no trash or leachate seeps into the soil. The liner is described by Bowker as a giant trash bag that the garbage sits in. However, the material is thick, rigid and practically impervious to ripping, tearing or puncturing.

avid Borowicz, environmental manager for the landfill, said the amount of gas collected via the site’s 339 wells for 2010 was 900 million standard cubic feet of gas. That converts to the equivalent of 155,070 barrels of crude oil. A sister Republic landfill in Loraine County provides enough power to meet the needs of 8,500 homes with the gas collected from its wells. “It’s enough to power a small town or city,” he said. “It’s not just one home’s worth of power generation, it’s thousands.” Jeff Kraus, spokesman for Republic Services, said the company, which is based in Phoenix, has 30,000 employees servicing 193 landfills in 40 states. It also operates 76 recycling centers as well, and is very innovative when it comes to green technology and programs. “We have landfill gas-to-energy programs

continued on page 32

Carlynton-Montour | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 31

Imperial Landfill

It takes in waste from most of Western Pennsylvania.

FUN FACTS

Continued from page 31 all across America. Anheiser-Busch in Houston and General Motors in Fort Wayne use our landfill gas for electricity in their plants,” he said. “When visitors come here, they always go away impressed with our operations. We actually have people on site who will go and pick up litter. These are extra steps that we do to help keep our site clean and efficient.” Borowicz said that the site also has 32 groundwater monitoring wells that are tested quarterly, with results reported to multiple regulatory agencies. “These facilities are very monitored,” Kraus said. “A lot of data is collected on landfills. Landfills are the most sanitary and best way to dispose of waste. Because of our professionals, every day of their lives are devoted to the operations of our landfills. We take pride in our operations. We also take pride in our employee safety here. That’s very important. Safety is something that everybody from office to operations are conscious of safety and it’s reinforced here.”

n their way back to the weigh-house, the trucks pass through an automatic rinsing station, which is essentially a drive-in bath tub with six automatic spray nozzles that wash the lower half of the truck and undercarriage, guaranteeing that no loose garbage finds its way on the roadway leading to and from the facility. Water trucks also routinely drive up and down the road leading up to the dump site, spraying water to eliminate dust and particulates from becoming airborne. The work is endless, starting at midnight 32 724.942.0940 to advertise

It follows strict guidelines and regimens to ensure that all groundwater, rainwater and leachate (water that comes into contact with garbage) is tested, treated if necessary, and disposed of in accordance with the law.

each night. Trucks end their deliveries by 3 p.m. to allow landfill workers to cover up the day’s active work phase and start a new phase for the next day. While it might be endless, not to mention thankless work, Krauss and Bowker said the work does have peaks and troughs just like any other industry. “Typically your summer months are heavier than your winter months because construction’s going on, people are cleaning their houses, things like that,” Bowker said. Kraus added that the economy also has impacted the garbage business. “People are buying fewer things and they’re disposing of fewer things, and I’ve observed that at some of other landfills, like in Ohio, that has resulted in a decrease in garbage at those sites,” he said. When the site finally does wind up its life of operations 39 years from now, it will continue to be monitored and regulated for decades to come. Borowicz said the closure period on landfills in Pennsylvania is 30 years, so during that time, while there won’t be any new garbage added to the site, wells will continue to collect gas, and officials will continue to monitor groundwater, storm water runoff and numerous other indicators to ensure the site remains properly capped. Republic will continue monitoring the site as well, during that closure period. After that time, Kraus said anything could happen. “There are former landfill sites that are golf courses. Others have been turned into nature areas,” he said. “It takes a while to get there, but over time, uses can be found.”

Carlynton-Montour

“We have landfill gas-toenergy programs all across America. AnheiserBusch in Houston and General Motors in Fort Wayne use our landfill gas for electricity in their plants,” David Borowicz, environmental manager

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As Western Pennsylvania’s premier stone masonry contractor we are committed to serving our residential and commercial clients by providing high quality, reliable and consistent results at competitive rates. Our showroom is located at 3464 Babcock Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15237. For additional information please call (412) 596-2114 or visit us online at www.stoneageinc.net. Andersen windows use natural wood to create a timeless combination of beauty and durability – plus All Andersen windows feature the Perma-Shield system, which protects the window’s exterior beautifully for decades. Never settle on your home builder or the window they use! Dow Building Solutions has a 60+ year legacy of providing innovative insulation and air sealing solutions such as STYROFOAM SIS™ Brand Structural Insulated Sheathing and GREAT STUFF™ Insulating Foam Sealants to home owners that help

to reduce energy costs and effectively seal a home’s building envelope from wind, rain and moisture. Heartland Homes is creating homes with the whole building envelope in mind that are not only well-built, but are actively saving money for the homeowners every month Since 1873, Kohler has been improving people’s lives with exceptional products, including kitchen and bath fixtures, faucets and accessories, furniture, cabinetry, and tile and stone. As a global leader, Kohler offers its customers world-class products to create a complete design solution. For information, ideas or inspiration, visit www.KOHLER.com.

Rex Glass & Mirror Co has been serving Greater Pittsburgh since 1958. As a family owned and operated business, we strive to provide customer service and quality craftsmanship that exceed the expectations of our customers. We design, fabricate, and install high quality residential and commercial glass products. For nearly 100 years, the Whirlpool brand has helped people all over the world find better ways to take care of household tasks. We want our customers to live cleaner, more organized, less busy and more flavorful lives through our appliances. So every Whirlpool® product is born of our decades of experience creating incredibly useful features.

Precision Stone Products is engaged in the production and distribution of premium grade architectural synthetic stone products and accessories resembling natural stone to the finest detail. Our full product line is backed by a 50 year limited warranty. Call (724) 282-2022 for more information or visit us online at www.pspstone.com. Carlynton-Montour | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 35 www.LoveHeartland.com

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s Pittsburghâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier Musical Theater training academy, the Pittsburgh CLO Academy is dedicated to celebrating talent, encouraging dreams, and helping develop the abilities of area students. By providing the finest training in dance, voice, and acting in a positive fun-filled class setting, the CLO Academy encourages both an appreciation of musical theater and a well-rounded education. AďŹ&#x192;liated with one of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most respected musical theater organizations, the CLO Academy provides students with an exciting curriculum taught by university instructors and experienced industry professionals. Recently, seven Pittsburgh CLO Academy students enjoyed the incredible opportunity to perform in

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preparing for and performing in an exciting musical theater production. Pittsburgh CLO Academy also offers New Horizons, a program specially created to give students with physical or developmental disabilities an encouraging environment to explore music, movement and drama. Whether a child is hoping to connect with new friends or meet professionals who can help them pursue a career on stage, Pittsburgh CLO Academy is the place where dreams can come true. For more information, visit pittsburghCLO.org.

took the chance to put what they learned in class to the test alongside some of Broadwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading performers. This fun and unique experience taught these students valuable lessons about theater and provided them with Academy Ac ademy of o Music Musical al Thea Theater ter memories to last a lifetime. In addition to the opportunities to Stta art here Start h perform with Pittsburgh CLO at the Benedum Center and Byham Theater, the Pittsburgh CLO To get there Academy also offers students special community connections that provide opportunities for commercial, film and television auditions. The CLO Academy offers professional quality courses designed eegi Register R for the NEW Semester! ggii to fit the needs of individual students. Three diverse programs: the Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School (5-11 year olds); the Student School (12-18 year olds); and the Pre-Professional Âˇ Âˇ Âˇ Âˇ School (10-18 year olds interested in exploring musical theater) allow

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Girl Scouts Create Tribute in Memorial Garden Girl Scouts in Collier Township have created a memorial garden on Panhandle Trail as a tribute to the children who lost their lives in the September 11, 2001 tragedy. The garden is constructed of colorful reused and recycled materials from the community at large. It is in a prominent location near the Sunnyside trail entrance in Rennerdale. This project is an integral part of earning the Silver Award, which is the highest honor in Girl Scouting that girls aged 11-14 can earn. A team of girls from Girl Scouts of Western PA Troop 50310 participated. They are Sarah Dobbins, Katie Linner, Ellen Murphy and Brittany Reinstadtler, all of Collier Township. All four are students at

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Chartiers Valley Middle School in Bridgeville. The Silver Award represents a girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to herself and to her community. The Scouts spent over 160 hours on this project researching, designing, planning, painting and constructing this special tribute. Sincere thanks for donations and contributions go to Fotovich Excavating, Collier Stone Company, Friends of Panhandle Trail, Collier Public Works,

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Collier Commissioner Kay Downey-Clark, Lowes and Home Depot. The garden was due to be dedicated during a special ceremony on Friday, August 26 at 7:30 during the annual Rock the Quarry celebration at the Panhandle Trail.

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