in-north-allegheny-fall by IN Community Magazines

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North Allegheny | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 1

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Contents North Allegheny | FALL 2010 |

FA L L 2 0 1 0

Health and Wellness News You Can Use

8 Publisher’s Message

FEATURES

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18 |

What’s Inside p

Secrets of the Successful Middle School Student By Kelli McElhinny | 6 Moms Returning to School |

Face Uphill, But Not Impossible, Battle By Pamela Palongue | 7 | |

COMMUNITY INTEREST

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Alternatives to College | By Jonathan Barnes | 8 Planning Your Way to College By Karen Ferrieri | 13

North Allegheny Sports | 16 Older Adults in North Allegheny

Good Tidings for the Greatest Generation By Josh Wetmore | 18 |

UPMC Today

Health and Wellness News You Can Use | 25

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

IN KIDS

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| | | | |

ON THE COVER

Larissa & Isabelle Oberhauser, Makenna Tuman enjoy the Annual Franklin Park Festival in the Park.

Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.

North Allegheny | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 3

orth Allegheny FALL 2010

Welcome to the fall issue of North Allegheny! As summer winds down, I hope that you and your family had some time to get away and enjoy yourselves - even if it was for the day at some local hidden treasure spot. Those are the places we love to highlight in these pages. I met one of our readers while I was finishing up some business with one of the municipalities we serve. He was sitting at a picnic table near a veterans' monument under a pristine blue sky on a quiet and hot July day. The man recognized my photo from the magazine and said his dad used to enjoy reading about local things. He explained that his father had passed away several years ago. He pointed to the monument and said his father never spoke about the war, but always talked about some close friends he served with that didn't come home. “I come by here about once a week or so to enjoy a cup of coffee and listen to the birds,” he said. “We miss him, but here, I know that he's catching up with some old friends.” To say that I was touched would be an understatement, but you can see how this one little area can mean so much to someone. Tell us about places that are special to you - places with history and a story behind them. Send your story to: Marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com or mail them to IN Community Magazines, 603 East McMurray Road, McMurray, PA 15317.

PUBLISHER Wayne Dollard ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER Mark Berton mark@incommunitymagazines.com MANAGING EDITOR Marybeth Jeffries marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com OFFICE MANAGER Leo Vighetti leo@incommunitymagazines.com WRITERS Jonathan Barnes Karen Ferrieri Kelli McElhinny Pamela Palongue Sandy Trozzo Chris Weber GRAPHIC DESIGN Cassie Brkich Joe Milne Susie Doak Tamara Tylenda Pati Ingold Tracey Wasilco Jan McEvoy PHOTOGRAPHERS Rebecca Bailey Garyyonphotography.com One Way Street Productions

Wayne Dollard Publisher In this fall edition of North Allegheny you’ll find interesting topics related to education. We thought it was appropriate to address this issue as all of us can somehow relate to the “back to school” idea. The notion of continually learning something new whether in middle school or as an older adult in the North Allegheny community, is not a new concept, just one we should consider as the seasons cha nge. A new feature we have begun in this edition is entitled Older Adults in North Allegheny. We address the subject of scams and how older adults can learn to protect themselves. I heard of a couple who was scammed on the phone not too long ago - I was so disturbed by the fact that there are dishonest people who can find personal information about your family via the social networking sites and use it to your take your identity, money and other possessions. Please be careful when speaking to anyone by phone who calls you. Even if you think you know them, verify the information before disclosing anything! I hope you enjoy this new feature and I am looking for other interesting topics that are important to older adults. If you would kindly email me with your suggestions at Marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com, I would so grateful!

ADVERTISING SALES Nicholas Buzzell David Mitchell Brian Daley Linda Mitchell Gina D’Alicandro Tamara Myers Liz Dodson Gabriel Negri Tina Dollard Annette Petrone Rose Estes Tara Reis Jason Huffman Vincent Sabatini Jessie Jones Michael Silvert RJ Vighetti Connie McDaniel Brian McKee

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 2010. 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

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IN North Allegheny is a non-partisan community magazine dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the people of Bradford Woods, Franklin Park, Marshall Township and the Town of McCandless 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.

Winter issue deadline: October 21, 2010 North Allegheny

North Allegheny | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 5

d dle Sch i M l u o s t f t f t h o n e s e S s u e c c r e o c d l u St Se

Success Steps to t book

assignmen n a e s U • r of le one hou • Schedu rk time per day homewo ments for assign ls a o g t e • S

By Kelli McElhinny

hen a preteen leaves elementary school behind to move on to the middle grades, the transition can be a daunting one. The building’s bigger, and it houses more students. All of the new experiences can add up to a trying time for incoming students.

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Most middle graders are anxious about the change that is coming. Going beyond the safety net of elementary school is sometimes hard for a child. Along with the physical, emotional, and social changes they bring, the middle school years can be difficult for a child. Experts agree that a middle school program that emphasizes the importance of addressing any remedial needs is important. The opportunities to do so beyond middle school are few and far between. Honing basic math and reading skills are particularly important. Reading is really the first step towards independent learning. In addition to taking more challenging classes, middle school students also get instruction from a wider variety of teachers, an experience many students relish. Middle school also gives students the chance to explore extracurricular activities like athletics and the arts. Middle school brings adjustments beyond the classroom as well. Changes in the brain can prompt changes in behavior and emotions. The social climate evolves as well, with students meeting an entirely new pool of classmates. Fortunately, parents can take steps to make the transition to middle school a smooth one. The first step is to help students build a good foundation for keeping track of assignments and completing them. Students need to develop a set of study and organizational skills at this age. Students can build those skills by using the assignment book they’re given on the first day of class, for starters. It is also suggested that parents schedule one hour of non-negotiable homework time. Even if a student doesn’t have any assignments on a particular day, that time can be used to plan ahead or review the day’s lessons, for example. Goal-setting, with a focus on short-term objectives rather than longterm ones, also is a priority. As far as the social changes go, parents should be accepting as their children place a greater emphasis on relationships with peers rather than those with family members. Parents should be available, but not nosy, regarding a student’s business. In helping their children conquer middle school, parents’ efforts will endure beyond the eighth grade. Students who are successful in middle school generally can go on to be successful in high school and beyond. Mastering the social and organizational skill set is of utmost importance to a student’s success.

By Pamela Palongue







 ith the high rate of unemployment, it will not come as a shock that many mothers are returning to school for more education in order to be more employable and to be able to provide better benefits for their families. What might surprise you is that more than ever, universities, trade and specialty schools are offering extremely flexible schedules and payment plans for the special challenges that moms face in furthering their education. One of the major drawbacks to attending college is the loss of income while in school. Although night classes have been available at most universities for years now, Saturday classes are now becoming more common and many of the schedules include meeting every other weekend. This gives working moms the ability to hold down a day job for 40 hours

One of the major drawbacks to attending college is the loss of income during the week, while still retaining the allimportant health insurance benefits for their family while attending college on the weekends. More classes than ever are being offered on Saturdays. And, of course, night classes offer greater flexibility for employed mothers as well. Another challenge for moms attempting to advance their education is finding care for their

child while they are in school. The high cost of daycare can be prohibitive for those already on a tight budget. Many mothers have the advantage of family members close by to pitch in with child care duties, but this may not be practical for some mothers whose parents or inlaws live hours away. One great way to resolve this issue is to trade babysitting time. When mothers coordinate their class schedules, they can attend classes at opposite times so the other mother can babysit both mothers’ children. Another great way to overcome the high cost of daycare is to trade services. An individual may be willing to provide child care in exchange for house cleaning or having errands performed. Retired individuals who have the most flexible hours are a great solution in this arrangement. For some, completing afour year college may not be practical either for time considerations or financial reasons. There are many careers available with educational programs that are less than two years. Education and the medical field consistently rank highest for career fields experiencing the most growth. For individuals who already have a four-year degree, universities offer a teaching program that can be completed in one year. Although a bachelor of science in nursing is a four year degree program, some local hospitals offer two year nursing programs sans the degree. Some of these facilities offer free education in exchange for two years of devoted service at their facility. For even shorter programs in the medical field, medical assistants and emergency medical technicians offer alternatives. Local EMT programs last approximately four months and the tuition is under $200.

In addition to the above-mentioned career fields, information technology, massage therapists, barbers, cosmetologists and medical insurance billing all offer programs with shorter duration for busy moms and most offer payment options so that upfront payment of full tuition is not required. Each woman’s path to educational advancement is different, but perseverance is the common denominator. With dedication and hard work, every woman can accomplish her goals. And now more than ever, there are many avenues to achieving your dream.

North Allegheny | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 7

Alternatives to

By Jonathan Ba rnes

hen Tom Kinslow joined the local insulators union 26 years ago, eight sons of union members and two non-relatives of members were admitted to the union each year. Times have changed and now being kin to a union member no longer ensures a candidate entrée into Insulators Local #2, based in Clinton, PA. Competition for the entry slots into the union is fierce. It’s easy to see why, when the economics speak for themselves—work in the trades can often be a high-paying career. Trade work also can provide steady employment that is fulfilling to people who like to work with their hands and who like to work outside an office setting. College is not for everyone and for would-be students who are not fully committed to a university education, taking on the burden of college debt could be foolish when the payoff is unclear. But for those with a strong work ethic, some mechanical aptitude and a desire to be a part of building something tangible, becoming a member of a union could be an ideal career choice. Fortunately for those in the Pittsburgh area, the chance to work with the insulators, electricians, laborers, carpenters or other unions is greater than ever, due to the stateof-the-art training programs these and other local trade unions provide. His career choice has worked well for Kinslow, an Avalon resident, who began work with the union on a permit basis. He made just $6.44 per hour and $11 per hour on his first and second jobs as an insulator. His rate of pay now is $32 hour. He is proud of the work he has done, including his labor in building the Rivers Casino on the North Side, as well as the work he has done on many jobs in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Illinois, Maryland and New York. The fact that he isn’t doing the same thing every work day appeals to Kinslow. “You aren’t going to the same place every day, or doing the same thing,” he said, adding that he also likes to be able to work as much as he wants and has often taken summers off throughout his career. The work isn’t for everybody, Kinslow said, noting that workplace conditions often are dirty and hot. The apprenticeship commitment could make some flinch, too. It took

“

Getting a job is all in who you know. We help you build that network. All of our instructors have worked in the field.

”

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Kinslow four years to get into the union, followed by a four-year apprenticeship. His union admits about 10 apprentices each year and all of those candidates must have math skills in order to perform the work. Not everyone wants to put in the time to apprentice, but the payoff for navigating the process is great. Steamfitters Local #499 takes in from 12 to 30 new members each year, a group that is winnowed from about 300 who take the initial test and interview for a slot with the union, said Ken Broadbent, business manager for Steamfitters Local #449. Unlike some jobs, there is no age discrimination in the apprentice selection process—people in their twenties and middle-aged folks starting a second career have an equal shot at union membership. The average age of an apprentice is actually 27 years old, said Jason Fincke, executive director of the Builder’s Guild of Western Pennsylvania, a labor/management organization that includes both contractors and unions. Apprentices in the trades earn between $10 and $15 per hour their first year, receiving average annual raises of $3.50 per hour during their training. The average building trades worker earns $45,000 per year, Fincke noted. Western Pennsylvania has 17 union apprenticeship schools and all are tuition-free, Fincke said. “One of the primary missions of the Guild is recruitment,” he said. Pittsburgh’s North Hills also is home to one of the many state-of-theart apprentice training centers in the region. The Western Pennsylvania Laborers Training and Education Trust Fund (WPLTETF) is a training center located along Deercreek Road in Saxonburg. At the facility, apprentices for the area’s laborer’s unions are trained. The trainees complete 372 hours of classroom work and perform 4,000 hours of workplace training in the field to become journeymen laborers working in building or highway/bridge construction. Jim Kempinski, training director for the WPLTETF, said applicants need only pay a $25 application fee and pass aptitude tests and drug tests to be admitted to the program. In addition to the high rate of pay a trainee receives, other benefits of the job also are measurable, he noted. “The environment is like going to the gym and getting paid for it,” Kempinski said.

Pittsburgh’s north area also includes a long-standing training center not affiliated with any union. Bidwell Training Center is located along Metropolitan Street in the North Side and provides free vocational training to 225 students per year. The center offers eight majors—four non-medical majors and four medical-related majors. Non-medical majors include crew laboratory technician, office technician, culinary arts and horticulture technology. Other majors include electronic records management, medical claims processor and pharmaceutical technology medical coder. Bidwell devises and revises its courses of study by working with local employers to correctly assess what occupations have the greatest need for workers. Students of the school can have a college degree and still be admitted to a program, which they will be trained in free-of-charge. Students attend classes on weekdays and often work in their field of study in externships which pay with experience and wages. Placement of Bidwell Training Center grads in their fields of study currently occurs with 78 percent of graduates, said Bridgette Kennedy, admissions representative for Bidwell. Entry-level wages of graduates average between $10 and $12 per hour, she said, noting that the school has full-time career counselors to help students find employment. The network created by the school with local employers helps in that process. “Getting a job is all in who you know,” Kennedy said. “We help you build that network. All of our instructors have worked in the field.” For more information on apprenticeships in the trades in the Pittsburgh area, visit the Builder’s Guild of Western Pennsylvania’s web site at www.buildersguild.org.

he Brad-Mar-Pine Bronco-11 Tournament Team won the Championship of the Western Region of the East Zone of Pony Baseball’s Official Bronco 11 Tournament hosted by McCandless Athletic Association at their Vincentian Sports Complex. The bats carried the way for the team as they beat the visiting Bucks County Mavericks 13-5 in the championship game. Throughout the tournament, the Brad-Mar-Pine team compiled a 4-0 record while outscoring their opponents by a collective 46 – 23. The team has had a terrific summer and the notes below capture a few of the team’s successes: • This win was the 13th in a row for the team, improving their record to 16 wins and 3 defeats. • After competing in four tournaments this season, the team has brought home three championships (Deer Lakes, Pine Richland, Bronco 11 Super Regional) and one 2nd place. • A tournament win in the East Zone Finals would mark the first time a Brad-Mar-Pine team would make a Pony League sponsored World Series.

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REAL ESTATE

SCHOOLS Don’t Just Teach, They SELL here your child goes to school involves a lot more than whether their QPA can get them into the right college. It also is a huge factor when people are shopping for an existing home, or looking to build a new home altogether. Jeff Costa of Costa Home Builders said his clients look for top-performing school districts to build in. “With new home construction in some of the top school districts, a lot of times they don’t have a lot of land to build houses. People would love to build a home there, however the land is usually not in the best shape or there’s already a house on it,” he said. “Coming down the list a little bit, where people are building homes is in the best school district where there are nice lots available. It definitely plays a role in where people want to build.” Dori Thaner, who represents developments in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, said school district quality has a “big effect” on peoples’ decision to buy homes. “The people who are buying in the upscale housing developments, they know that it’s all about education, getting their children the best education that they can. And they’re willing to move around and maybe not go into an area that they really want to be in because the school system is not there,” she said. A great, non-biased tool for potential homeowners to access information on school districts is Standard and Poor’s www.SchoolMatters.com, where any schools can be compared based on a variety of factors.

BY JOSH WETMORE

North Allegheny

It’s a comparison that could give you the edge when it comes to your property value when it’s time to buy or sell. “There are a ton of places that have lots available, where their school districts are not as successful with test scores and different reputations, so the lots sell for a lot less money,” Costa said. “The school district, I believe, is the driving force of the real estate market.” I get calls all the time where people don’t have to be in the number one or the number three school district, but they do want to be in the top 20. If you’re looking at the hundred school districts in the Pittsburgh Business Times, the top 20 is probably where you’re going to see the people building houses.”

       – Jeff Costa North Allegheny | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 11

 Planning Your Way to 

ow important is involvement in extracurricular activities? Is doing volunteer work important? How do GPA and SAT scores factor into acceptance? These are the questions many teens and their parents are pondering as they look into the next phase within the education process – college. By Karen Ferrieri

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There are a ton of resources out there to guide you through the process of ‘getting ready for college,’ but this process can be very overwhelming. Many people search online for answers and you can definitely find a number of websites online such as www.ehow.com to help guide you through the process. Ehow.com reads like a ‘how to get into college’ instruction manual.  Work with your school guidance counselor to plan your classes.  Plan out your classes carefully.

 Take the most challenging course work you can because college admission counselors would rather see you tackle harder courses than to settle for easier courses just to get higher grades. They look for overall grade trends and class rank. Be careful though not to take too many or to set yourself up for failure.  Nail your PSATs, SATs and ACT exams.

 Get involved in extracurricular activities in your school and community. Stay committed to following through for a few months or years with that activity.

 Develop a theme that runs through your high school years with the classes and activities that you participate in. For instance, if you love to paint, take art classes at school, volunteer with organizations that promote art awareness, etc.  Plan your summer with college in mind. Stay active and consider what your theme is and stay involved with things that are in line with the theme.  Get to know key people at the college that you want to attend.

Following these steps will enable you to have a college application worthy of acceptance.

high school guidance counselor is there to assist you throughout the process as well. Mr. Bob Atkins, Director of Admissions for “Cons Make sure you have a target list of ider a betwe Washington and Jefferson College summed balan schools that contains three tiers ce en ac adem it up pretty simply. “Most colleges are ics an that you go after. Your first tier is involv d bein ed in looking for the best fit for the college.” For g t h your safety schools, those that you e wheth comm er it’s unity instance, he said, “While academics are feel strongly you will get accepted sports – , emp important, extracurricular involvement, or vol l to. The second tier on the list o ymen untee t, r activ being able to show leadership ability, contains your target schools, those Stude ities. nts sh employment history and progression of o schools that you really would like to overw uldn't helme be grades are also equally as important.” d in th go to, however you have to eir pla Atkins recommended, “If possible, but w nning be really certain to meet the grade ell-rou , nded. find out how to get a face-to-face requirements, etc. to make sure that “ interview with someone within the you stand out against applicants to get college. Consider when you apply for any college accepted. And, finally, the third tier is program that the majority of applicants are all 4.0 high school your reach schools, those schools that students with the SAT scores necessary to get them into a great really are a far stretch for you, but that you’d like to at least try to college. So, what will make you stand out against them? Then, go get accepted to. Having this tiered list of schools that you are out and do what it takes to prove that you have the necessary means applying to will ensure acceptance to a school that you are to show motivation to succeed and the ability to continue to grow interested in. within any program. And, while colleges are seeing more ‘Gap Once you have a career path in mind and a few colleges/ Year’ admission students [those who have chosen to take a year off universities that you are considering, do your research and do not be after high school before entering college] they look at those afraid to consult with your guidance counselor, college admission applicants to see what they’ve done during the ‘off’ year that shows staff and others who currently work within the profession that you productivity.” are interested in. You’ll be amazed at how much information and While all of the information out there is readily available, if you do assistance is out there to help you prepare for college entrance. have questions or run into stumbling blocks along the way, your North Allegheny | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 13

THE GARDEN CLUB OF ALLEGHENY COUNTRY

Creating Beauty and Preserving it for Future Generations A Garden in Every School

he Garden Club of Allegheny County has been helping to create beautiful outdoor surroundings and educating all ages about the importance of conserving our natural spaces since 1914. Some of the projects in the recent past include contributing funds to construct a swinging bridge at Camp Guyasuta in Sharpsburg. The swinging bridge completes the loop nature trail in the campground. Camp Guyasuta has programs for grades K-12 and also features a nature center.

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The Garden Club of Allegheny County also aided in the conservation of Sycamore Island by producing informational brochures on the land. It is the last undeveloped island in Allegheny County and is host to silver maple trees and other rare hardwoods. Conservation is a core objective for the club and they have supported many local projects in an effort to educate our youth about preserving our natural environment. One program in which they have been actively involved is “A Garden in Every School.” This initiative helps schools to create vegetable gardens on campus where the children can learn about growing their own produce which is then served in the school cafeteria. In addition to the wonderful local projects, the Garden Club of Allegheny County has been able to contribute to vital research that is effecting positive global change. Longtime club members Paula Sculley and Susan Clancy launched a program in 1995 called “Botany in Action.” The program was in direct response to the concern for our vanishing rainforests and the loss of indigenous plant species. Many of these plant species are indispensable in the treatment of certain diseases. The Botany in Action program sponsors graduate students who are working in endangered hotspots, such as the South American rainforests to aid them in continuing their education and the groundbreaking research that they are conducting. Some of this research has led to the discovery of using plants for medicinal purposes such as saw palmetto to treat enlarged prostate and a plant commonly known as dragon’s blood to promote faster healing. Although the Garden Club turned the Botany in Action program over to Phipps Conservatory in 2000, they still actively contribute to its funding. Without fundraising, the Garden Club of Allegheny County would not have been able to support so many meaningful projects. Surprisingly, the club holds only one major fundraiser a year called Pizzazz. Sculley and Clancy were also the catalysts in launching this event in 1995. Sculley explains that her daughter was weaving beautiful shawls at the time and Clancy’s daughter was crafting monogrammed duffel bags. The two women got together and decided to hold a trunk show selling the hand-crafted wares to benefit the Garden Club. When other club members learned of the idea, they quickly contacted other vendors to participate. The first Pizzazz event was held at Clancy’s house and according to Clancy was a rainy, stormy, horrible day. “It was terrible weather for getting outside, but wonderful weather for shopping.” In just a few hours they had made $17,000

to sponsor their projects! “There were so many people we had to have them come in and shop in shifts,” says Sculley. This one-day trunk show has evolved into a three-day boutique shopping event. Pizzazz 2010 will be held at the Fox Chapel Golf Club, from October 20 - 22. Admission to the event is just $10 for daytime shopping. A buffet luncheon is included for a $25 admission price. This will be a unique opportunity to shop for exclusive items and Christmas gifts from 34 vendors from various parts of the U.S. Proceeds this year will help benefit local projects and the rooftop garden of the Center for Sustainable Landscapes Building at Phipps Conservatory. This rooftop garden will be beautifully landscaped and contain an edible vegetable garden. Several different green building methods will be used to generate energy onsite and to treat and re-use all water used in the building in an attempt to conserve our natural resources. Sculley adds, “A lot of people think of the outdoors as a dangerous place. But in fact it’s very healing and stress relieving. Nature gives us a different perspective on human life.” If you are interested in attending the event or would like more information on the activities of the Garden Club of Allegheny County, you may visit their website at www. gcacpgh.org.

NEW TREATMENTS FOR ARTHRITIS AND ORTHOPEDIC INJURIES

et-Stem Regenerative Stem Cells are your own pet’s natural healing cells from fat tissue and are capable of differentiating into a variety of tissue types including tendon, ligament, bone, cartilage, and muscle. These treatments have been proven to reduce pain and inflammation in both dogs and cats suffering from arthritis and orthopedic injuries. To determine if Vet-Stem is right for your dog, ask if your dog is not responding well to NSAIDs (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs), has your vet determined that orthopedic surgery would not help, does your dog have osteoarthritis, immune mediated polyarthritis or a partial cruciate ligament tear, does your dog need long term pain medications, or do you prefer a more natural and holistic approach? If you answered yes to

any of these questions, talk to your veterinarian about stem cell therapy. Vet-Stem, the worldwide leader in veterinary regenerative stem cell medicine, has trained thousands of veterinarians across the U.S. and Canada. At Bradford Hills, Dr. Donna Schuring has completed this certification. You may also visit www.vetstem.com to search for other trained vets in your area and read the research and testimonials of other pet owners. The process takes three steps: the collection of adipose cells from your pet that are forwarded to the lab; isolation of cells and extra cells are banked at the lab; and a return visit to your veterinarian for the injection of the therapeutic cells. At 90 days after treatment greater than 33% of dogs discontinued the use of NSAIDs completely, and greater than 28% of dogs decreased their dependency on NSAIDs. James B. Krewatch, VMD Bradford Hills Veterinary Hospital, Pet Hotel, and Pet Salon Conveniently located between Wexford and Cranberry 724.935.5827 • www.bhvh.net AAHA Certified Hospital • Gold Label Certified Kennel • Certified Master Groomer

North Allegheny | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 15

North Allegheny FALL VARSITY SPORTS SCHEDULES Boys Varsity Football Friday Friday

09/24/10 10/01/10

Friday Friday Friday

10/08/10 10/15/10 10/22/10

Friday Friday

10/29/10 11/05/10

Erie McDowell High School Seneca Valley High School (Homecoming) Kiski Area Sr High School Pine−Richland High School Shaler Area High School (Senior Night) North Hills High School WPIAL Playoffs

Boys Varsity Golf Away Home

7:00PM 7:30PM

Home Away Home

7:30PM 7:30PM 7:30PM

Away Home

7:30PM 7:30PM

Tuesday Wed. Tuesday Thurs. Friday Wed. Thurs. Tuesday Thurs. Monday

09/21/10 09/22/10 09/28/10 09/30/10 10/01/10 10/06/10 10/07/10 10/12/10 10/14/10 10/25/10

WPIAL Individual Qualifier Central Catholic High School WPIAL Individual Semi−Finals Shady Side Academy North Hills High School WPIAL Individual Finals Sewickley Academy WPIAL Team Semi−Finals WPIAL Team Finals PIAA Championships

Away Home Away Away Away Away Home Away Away Away

TBA 3:30PM TBA 3:30PM 3:30PM TBA 3:30PM TBA TBA TBA

Boys Varsity Soccer Monday 09/20/10 Thurs.

09/23/10

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09/25/10

Tuesday 09/28/10 Thurs.

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Tuesday 10/05/10 Thurs.

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Tuesday 10/12/10 Thurs.

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10/16/10

Tuesday 10/19/10 Sat.

10/23/10

Shaler Area High School (JV at 6:00pm) Butler High School (JV at 6:00pm) North Hills High School (JV at 10:00am) Kiski Area Sr High School (JV at 6:15pm) Seneca Valley High School (JV at 3:00 pm) Pine−Richland High School (JV at 6:00pm) Shaler Area High School (JV at 5:30pm) Upper St. Clair High School (JV at 1:00pm) Butler High School (JV at 6:15pm) North Hills High School (JV at 5:30pm) Penn Trafford High School (JV at 5:30pm) Norwin High School (JV at 6:15pm) WPIAL Playoffs

16 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Away

7:30PM

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Boys/Girls Varsity Cross Country Away 11:30AM Home

7:45PM

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North Allegheny

Sat. 09/18/10 Tuesday 09/21/10 Sat. 09/25/10 Tuesday 09/28/10 Sat. 10/02/10 Tuesday 10/05/10 Tuesday 10/12/10 Thurs. Monday Thurs. Sat. Sat.

10/21/10 10/25/10 10/28/10 11/06/10 11/06/10

Spartan Invitational − Boardman, OH Away Mars High School Away (with Hampton) Carlisle Invitational Away North Hills High School Home (with Shaler) Pgh. Central Catholic Invitational Away Knoch High School Away (with Pine?Richland) Butler High School Away (with Seneca Valley) Tri−State Invitational (Varsity) Away Tri−State Invitational (JV) Away WPIAL Championships Away PIAA Championships Away PIAA Championships Away

9:00AM 3:30PM 9:30AM 3:30PM 9:30AM 3:30PM 4:00PM 3:30PM 3:30PM TBA TBA TBA

GO TIGERS!

Girls Varsity Field Hockey Tuesday 09/21/10 Thurs. 09/23/10 Sat. 09/25/10 Sat. 09/25/10 Monday 09/27/10 Wed. 09/29/10 Tuesday 10/05/10 Thurs. 10/07/10 Sat.

10/09/10

Sat.

10/09/10

Tuesday Friday Sat. Tuesday

10/12/10 10/15/10 10/16/10 10/19/10

Wed. 10/27/10 Monday 11/01/10

Latrobe High School Norwin High School (JV at 6:00pm) Twin Valley H.S with Coatsville Aquinas Academy of Pgh (JV game only) Pine−Richland High School Penn Trafford High School Hempfield High School (JV 4:30 pm) Hathaway Brown HS − Cleveland, OH (JV at 10:30am) Hawkins HS − Cleveland, OH (JV at 3:30pm) Latrobe High School Norwin High School Hudson (JV at 3:00 pm) Pine−Richland High School (JV 4:30 pm) WPIAL Semi−Finals WPIAL Finals

Home Away

Girls Varsity Tennis 7:45PM 7:30PM

Away 12:30PM Away 3:00PM Home 6:00PM Home Home Away

7:45PM 7:45PM 3:00PM

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9:00AM

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Away Home Away Away

4:00PM 7:30PM 1:30PM 3:00PM

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TBA TBA

Monday Wed. Thurs. Friday Monday Wed. Thurs. Friday Monday Wed. Thurs. Friday Tuesday Monday Tuesday Friday Sat. Friday Sat. Sat.

09/20/10 09/22/10 09/23/10 09/24/10 09/27/10 09/29/10 09/30/10 10/01/10 10/04/10 10/06/10 10/07/10 10/08/10 10/12/10 10/18/10 10/26/10 10/29/10 10/30/10 11/05/10 11/06/10 11/06/10

Monday 09/20/10 Wed.

09/22/10

Monday 09/27/10 Wed.

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Monday 10/04/10 Wed.

10/06/10

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10/09/10

Monday 10/11/10 Wed.

10/13/10

Sat.

10/16/10

Monday 10/18/10 Tuesday 10/19/10 Sat.

10/23/10

Seneca Valley High School (JV at 6:00pm) Shaler Area High School (JV at 6:15pm) North Hills High School (JV at 6:00pm) Hampton High School (JV at 6:00pm) Pine−Richland High School (JV at 6:00pm) Seneca Valley High School (JV at 6:15pm) Butler High School (JV at 5:30pm) Shaler Area High School (JV at 6:00pm) Altoona High School (JV at 6:15pm) Hampton Invitational (vs. South Fayette) North Hills High School (JV at 5:30pm) Norwin High School (JV at 5:45pm) WPIAL Playoffs

Wed.

09/22/10

Away

7:30PM

Monday 09/27/10

Home

7:45PM

Tuesday 09/28/10

Away

7:30PM

Thurs.

Away

7:30PM

Away 7:30 PM Home

7:45PM

Home

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2:00PM

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TBA

Away Home Away Away Away Home Home Home Home Away Away Away Away Away Away Away Away Away Away Away

3:30PM 3:30PM TBA TBA 3:30PM 3:30PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 3:30PM 3:30PM TBA TBA 3:30PM TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA

Girls Varsity Volleyball Tuesday 09/21/10

Girls Varsity Soccer

Seneca Valley High School Butler High School WPIAL Singles WPIAL Singles Mars High School Hempfield High School WPIAL Section Doubles WPIAL Section Doubles Hampton High School North Hills High School WPIAL Doubles WPIAL Doubles Latrobe High School WPIAL Team Tournament PIAA Tournament−1st Round PIAA Team Championships PIAA Team Championships PIAA Championships PIAA Championships PIAA Championships

09/30/10

Monday 10/04/10 Tuesday 10/05/10 Thurs.

10/07/10

Monday 10/11/10 Monday 10/18/10 Tuesday 10/19/10 Thurs.

10/21/10

Sat.

10/23/10

Pine−Richland High School (JV at 6:00pm) Hampton High School (JV at 6:00pm) Norwin High School (JV at 6:00pm) North Hills High School (JV at 6:00pm) Seneca Valley High School (JV at 6:00pm) Upper St. Clair High School (JV at 6:00pm) New Castle High School (JV at 6:00pm) Butler High School (JV at 6:00pm) Penn Trafford High School (JV at 6:00pm) Pine−Richland High School (JV at 6:00pm) Hampton High School (JV at 6:00pm) North Hills High School (JV at 6:00pm) North Allegheny Invitational

Away

7:00PM

Home

7:00PM

Home

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8:30AM

www.northallegheny.org/athletics

North Allegheny | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 17

Good Tidings for the Greatest Generation

Older Adults in North Allegheny A by Josh Wetmore

survey conducted by the Investor Protection Trust in May 2010 revealed that over 7.3 million senior citizens in the U.S. have “been taken advantage of financially in terms of an inappropriate investment, unreasonably high fees for financial services, or outright fraud.” That equates to about one in five senior citizens who have been scammed. Mary Bach, a member of AARP’s Pennsylvania executive counsel, said that fraud against senior citizens can come in just about any form. Some of the more popular scams include lottery scams, sweepstake scams, email scams, charity scams, and even jury duty scams. “Caution and moving slowly are paramount in any of these situations. And not allowing yourself to be pressured into giving either personal information or any amount of money without doing your own personal due diligence or homework on the issue,” Bach said about how to generally avoid scams. Here are some other tips Bach gives to help senior citizens better avoid scams and fraud:

18 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

•

Don’t give money to a charity over the phone. Ask them to mail you something. This gives time to research the charity. Chances are, if the charity is just a scam they won’t send you anything anyway.

•

than one and someone might recognize a red flag that you didn’t see.

•

Sign up for both the state and national ‘do not call’ lists. These will weed out most legitimate solicitors so if a soliciting call gets through, there is already a warning sign.

When dealing with a financial planner or retirement advisor, make sure that both they and what they are selling are Remember the adage “If it sounds too registered with the state of Pennsylvania. good to be true, it probably is.” To check on the registration and history of a salesperson, financial plan, or product call either the Pennsylvania Insurance Commission at 1.877.881.6388 or the Pennsylvania Securities Commission at 1.800.600.0007.

•

Always be wary of any letter, email, or phone call that requires an immediate or quick response. If there isn’t enough time to carefully consider a proposition before committing to it, there is probably a reason.

•

Discuss what you are thinking of doing with a trusted friend or family member before making any final decisions. Two heads are better

North Allegheny

Retirement;

it’s a stage of life

that many people look forward to. It’s a chance to relax, and finally accomplish lifelong goals. It can also be an opportunity to make up for lost time with family and friends. For many, however, retirement can mean having so much time with so little to do, and often no longer having a job can lead to no longer have a sense of accomplishment or self worth. There is a solution to the problem though. Volunteering can not only give retired senior citizens a new sense of purpose but it can also help the community, the economy, and the future of the country. “There is just talk about, as the economy continues to be on a bit of a downslide, how important volunteers are,” said Mary Bach, a member of AARP’s Pennsylvania executive counsel. “Lots of older consumers have really wonderful skills and backgrounds that can be of benefit.” Volunteer opportunities for senior citizens in the Pittsburgh area can range from helping deliver mail at a hospital to working with high school students in a classroom environment through the University of Pittsburgh’s “Generations Together” program. “Volunteering makes people feel good, but it not only is self serving to that degree that you’re happy about doing something

that you enjoy personally, but the beneficiaries of that volunteerism gain so much,” Bach, a senior citizen herself, said. Some other ways for senior citizens to get involved are through senior citizen organizations such as AARP and The Senior Source. Many local libraries also offer volunteer positions. AARP’s “Create the Good” program is focused on helping senior citizens find volunteer opportunities that will fit their schedule, meet their personal interests, and help their community. To get involved with “Create the Good,” go to www.createthegood.org or call 1.800.556.0242.

Senior Agencies Center at the "Y" 8500 Thompson Run 412.367.2221

Transportation For Older Adults There are several agencies that offer free or reduced rate transportation services to individuals who qualify. Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) 1.888.547.6287 Provides non-emergency medical transportation to residents of Allegheny County who have a valid Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Medical Assistance Card. Free Bus Pass for Senior Citizens The Port Authority allows Allegheny County residents,

65 years of age and older, to ride free on local public transportation (buses, trolleys and rapid-transit lines). Participants must obtain identification cards, which are available free of charge, from participating transportation providers. Call 412.442.2000 for the location nearest to you. ACCESS 65 Plus and ACCESS ADA Program 412.562.5353 or

TDD 1.800.654.5984 ACCESS is door-to-door, advance reservation, sharedride transportation provided throughout Port Authority's service area. It serves primarily senior citizens and persons with disabilities. There are no restrictions on the purpose or number of trips which may be taken by riders, except that riders are required to share their vehicle with others traveling in the same direction and at the same time. Older Persons Transportation Transportation for medical appointments, grocery shopping, senior center activities and other needs throughout Allegheny County is available to adults 60 years of age and older who

live in Allegheny County. Call SeniorLine at 412.350.5460. Are you a non profit Senior Center serving the needs of our community’s older adults? We would be happy to post your contact information. Contact Marybeth@incommunity magazines.com with your center’s name and phone number.

North Allegheny | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 19

Kudos... NA Students Dominate Chemistry Competition he North Allegheny School District (NASD) is proud to announce that two teams of North Allegheny students won honors at the twenty-sixth annual Chemathon hosted by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Maryland at College Park. North Allegheny’s level I team comprised of sophomores: Claire Bradshaw, Skanda Koppula, Dominic LaBella, Nadeera Sidique, Joey Zou and freshman Sravya Vishnubhatla took First Place. NA’s level II team comprised of juniors: Akshaya Arijunan, Andrew Beck, Jason Chen, Liyan Fan, Aaron Li and Rona Sun took Fourth Place. The Chemathon is a multi-state competition for high school students. The goal of the Chemathon is to provide an opportunity for high school students to use knowledge and skills gained in the classroom. The events are planned to engage students of varying ability in activities that are enjoyable and rewarding and to give research opportunities to creative and inventive students. The various competitive events such as projects, lab activities, and knowledge-testing games, take place concurrently in nine laboratory rooms and two auditoriums. There are four forty-five minute rounds of competition during which three members of each team compete in four events and the remaining three members compete in another four events. The judges are the chemistry teachers who accompany the teams, as well as volunteers including students and faculty from the University of Maryland. For more information, visit the Chemathon website at www.chem.umd.edu/chemathon.

NA Middle School Student Wins in Poster Contest The North Allegheny School District (NASD) is proud to announce that Ingomar Middle School student Kelly Tagliaferre won Third Place in the Alliance 7th Grade Poster Contest. Kelly received her award at a luncheon attended by 88 poster finalists selected from 3,340 contest entries submitted. The Alliance – a joint venture of school and community leaders representing twelve southwestern Pennsylvania school districts – is dedicated to stopping drug use among youth by linking various groups of people in partnerships, creating self-reliance rather than dependency, providing support to youth drug victims and their families, and raising public awareness about the consequences of drug use. The Alliance has encouraged and supported community-wide participation and leadership and is currently expanding programs across the Allegheny County region. You can learn more about the Alliance by visiting their website at www.drug-alliance.org.

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North Allegheny

Recovery is a Marathon , not a Sprint started out, at least from a ately, many We think the current state financial markets investors have perspective, too fast. We begun to worry of our economy is finding all need to realize the that we are beginning a a sustainable pace for the economic recovery is a second recession. They marathon and that we are concerned that the long term, which should may need to slow down recent lows of March not lead to a big reversal our gains, consolidate our 2009 were temporary investments, and prepare and the economy and the in the equity gains made for a slower path to markets are sinking again. since early 2009. From recovery if we are to We at Bill Few Associates finish the race. think the opposite. mid-March until the end The U.S. economy We think the current of April 2010, the S&P 500 has made progress in state of our economy is finding a sustainable pace index gained 75.4 percent! many areas. For instance, in the U.S., home and for the long term, which auto sales continued to should not lead to a big improve from their lows of a year ago. As the reversal in the equity gains made since early markets consolidated, a slowdown did occur, 2009. From mid-March until the end of April however year over year sales were still up. 2010, the S&P 500 index gained 75.4 percent! Fortunately, at this point our economy still The economy was bouncing off lows and the continues to grow. markets recognized this and some confidence The path forward will not be based on politics returned. Investors decided the tide had turned or policies alone, but on businesses and and it was now time to buy and not to sell. However, some emotional investors were caught consumers moving prudently forward with their plans. That type of positive activity should up in the success of the recovery and may have

The path forward will not be based on politics or policies alone, but on businesses and consumers moving prudently forward with their plans. continue, for a while as we continue to recover from the global collapse of 2008. Even though our economy is facing many domestic and global headwinds, we believe that the U.S. is in a classic business cycleâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the recovery portion. As the marathon of economic recovery continues, you can benefit by discussing financial planning with a Bill Few Associates financial planner. We will meet with you in order to assess if your financial plan and investments are well prepared and positioned for long-term financial success. At Bill Few Associates, we do not represent any specific financial product or service. We are fee-based financial planners who help clients with investments, insurance, estate issues, tax issues, and education planning. That means we are free to select from the best available resources in the financial industry to help clients meet their financial goals. For more information or to speak with a Bill Few Associates financial consultant, call 412.630.6000 or visit www.billfew.com.

North Allegheny | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 21

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eachers Tracy Devlin and Matt Murslack coordinated an in-depth, hands-on interdisciplinary Civil War unit for 8th grade students of Marshall Middle School. Students were able to study science with a topographical study of the battle of Gettysburg, study English by reading about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad, math classes designed web sites using Civil War data and in social studies students recreated Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg by learning marching and drill commands from the NA High School ROTC program. The culminating activity was a grade level dress up day in time period costumes with a Grande March Parade, an 8th grade Civil War Jeopardy Game Show, a presentation made by Abe Lincoln, followed by a Civil War cooking and punch social in which the parents were invited to attend.

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT

orth Allegheny Calling all IN NA Readers! Do you know someone in your school or neighborhood who is doing something positive to benefit our community? We’d like to know about it! Contact Marybeth Jeffries, Managing Editor at marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com.

 22 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

North Allegheny

North Allegheny | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 23

Sean McHugh, Cassie Truden

Brianne Morris, Carly Greene Matt & Julia Baird

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The Craft Family



ranklin Park residents celebrated their 25th Annual Community Day at Blueberry Hill Park. There was lots of food, activities for the kids, music, games and attractions running throughout the day. In keeping with tradition, the festival concluded with a spectacular fireworks display!

Zoey, Jamie & Shiloh Feeney Ryan & Connor Day

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North Allegheny

FA L L 2 0 1 0

Health and Wellness News You Can Use

What’s Inside

Play It Safe Kick off the fall sports season and keep your kids in the game with this guide to help prevent sports injuries. (page 3)

page 2

Back Magic at UPMC Passavant

page 3

Play It Safe Cumberland Woods Village Grand Opening

page 4

Are You Concussion-Savvy? School Lunches That Make the Grade

page 5

Who Knew Rehab Could Be So Much Fun?

page 6

A New Era of Treatment for High-Risk Pregnancies

page 7

What’s Happening at UPMC Passavant

Back Magic at UPMC Passavant Our innovative spine care program is a regional leader in complex back and neck surgeries At some point in your life, it’s nearly certain you’ll experience back pain. In fact, along with the common cold and flu, backaches rank as a leading cause of absenteeism. Fortunately, most back problems can be treated with simple home care and exercise. For some sufferers, the impact of chronic spine and neck pain can be devastating — from limited mobility to job loss. UPMC Passavant focuses on bringing together a comprehensive team of experts and support resources — both surgical and non-surgical — to help restore these patients to a pain-free lifestyle. Services include evaluation, testing, treatment, and rehabilitation for a wide variety of spinal problems. “Our team can perform very complicated surgeries using the most advanced technologies available,” says Matt El-Kadi, MD, chief of Neurosurgery at UPMC Passavant and a clinical professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Minimally Invasive Surgery Means Faster, Better Recovery UPMC’s spine surgeons use the latest in minimally invasive procedures, usually with the aid of tiny microscopes or cameras (about the size of a dime) that let them view the body internally, using only small incisions.

The many advantages of minimally invasive surgery may include: • Reduced surgical complications • Shorter hospital stays and speedier return to daily activities • Smaller surgical incisions • Less scarring • Reduced post operative pain

Common Spinal Disorders Treated at UPMC Passavant

The hospital also has created a “one-stop shop” approach for back and neck patients, giving them access to all the specialists and support they need at one location, including on-site physical and occupational therapy, and comprehensive pain management services.

• Arthritis of joints or spine

Back to the Future: State-of-the-Art Technology at UPMC Passavant’s New Patient Pavilion

• Osteoporosis of the spine

With the opening earlier this year of UPMC Passavant’s new seven-story patient medical pavilion, back and neck patients are now treated in a dedicated spine care unit, featuring spacious, private rooms. And few medical facilities can rival the hospital’s new navigation suite operating room for spine surgeries, where medical professionals from around the world can come to observe complex operations and learn the latest techniques.

• Scoliosis

• Compression fractures of the spine • Degenerative disc disease • Facet joint degeneration • Herniated/ruptured disc • Myelopathy and radiculopathy • Neurofibroma • Pinched nerve • Sciatica • Spinal tumors • Spondylosis • Spondylolisthesis • Stenosis

“Three of the pavilion’s new operating rooms were built specifically for neurosurgery and are equipped with the latest intraoperative microscopes, which are the essential tool for microsurgery and minimally invasive procedures,” explains Dr. El-Kadi. “With our state-of-the-art surgical and medical equipment, UPMC Passavant has evolved into a world-class care center for advanced specialty care. We’re committed to making spine surgery one of our hospital’s centers of excellence for innovative treatment,” notes Teresa G. Petrick, president, UPMC Passavant. For more information on the spine care program at UPMC Passavant, visit www.UPMC.com/Passavant.

www.UPMC.com/Today

Play It Safe Many youth sports injuries can be prevented by following these practical suggestions Sports and exercise offer undeniable benefits. But for millions of young athletes, they also bring risks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sports injuries among high school athletes alone are on the rise, accounting for nearly two million injuries, 500,000 doctor visits, and 30,000 hospitalizations every year. Injuries range from strains, sprains, and fractures to concussions and heat stroke.

Freddie H. Fu, MD, chairman of the UPMC Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and renowned sports medicine expert, blames much of the increase in injuries on today’s trend of kids focusing year-round on one sport.

Experts attribute the high rate of youth sports injuries to:

Dr. Fu says it’s important for parents and coaches alike to understand the dangers and take steps to keep children safe. He recommends the following:

4) Ensure proper techniques are used for throwing, running, and swinging.

1) Cross-train and avoid specializing in one sport to create balance and avoid breakdowns in muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones.

6) Maintain good hydration when playing to avoid fatigue and keep the body cool.

• overuse • trauma • lack of preventive measures (including proper equipment, training, and conditioning) The CDC estimates that more than half of all sports injuries involving children and teens are preventable.

“Kids are doing too much. Now, there’s no off-season. When they’re not playing, they are practicing and at a very intense level,” he says.

Keep Your Kids in the Game

2) Take time off from competition to allow muscles and joints time to rest and recover.

3) Use the right gear and make sure it’s in good condition and fits properly. Insist your child uses the recommended safety gear.

5) Take time to stretch before a workout/game and cool down after.

Remember, playing sports should be fun. Check out our website at www.UPMC.com/Today for details on the top four injuries that occur among young athletes.

Cumberland Woods Village at Passavant Celebrates Grand Opening Mark your calendar! Sunday, Oct. 10 • Noon to 5 p.m. There’s nothing like throwing a party to celebrate a new home. That’s what residents and staff of the North Hills’ newest independent living community — Cumberland Woods Village — have planned for Sunday afternoon, Oct. 10, from noon to 5 p.m. Located on a scenic hilltop above UPMC Passavant, Cumberland Woods Village is just minutes from McKnight Road.

The celebration will be a musical extravaganza for the public, with fun for guests of all ages, including: • • • • • •

Live music and dance entertainment Complimentary buffet Clowns and games for kids Remarks by local dignitaries Tours And much more!

Whether you’re considering worry-free independent living or you are an interested community member, don’t miss this free public event, which will showcase the impressive offerings at Cumberland Woods Village. Most of the festivities will take place in Cumberland Woods Village’s new Passavant Hospital Foundation Conference Center and Legacy Theatre. This impressive, 250-seat facility will be a community resource for professional, cultural, and entertainment programming. For grand opening details, call 412-635-8080 or visit www.UPMC.com/SeniorCommunities.

1-800-533-UPMC

Health Tips from UPMC Health Plan

Are You ConcussionSavvy? Measure your understanding of concussions with these five questions. Most of us think of a concussion primarily as a sportsrelated injury — and statistics show that one out of every five reported concussions is sports-related. But any violent shaking or blow to the head can lead to a concussion. “A suspected concussion should be taken seriously — whether it happens on the playing field, in your home, or on the job,” says Michael (Micky) Collins, PhD, assistant director of the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program. A nationally recognized expert in sports-related concussions, Dr. Collins co-created — along with Mark R. Lovell, PhD, director of the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program and Joseph C. Maroon, MD, vice chairman of Neurosurgery at UPMC Presbyterian and neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers — the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) “Concussion Tool Kit for Physicians.”

How much do you really know about concussions? Take this true-false quiz to test your understanding of this common but potentially life-threatening injury: 1. A concussion is a brain injury. True or False 2. Signs and symptoms of concussion can develop right after the injury or even hours or days later. True or False 3. Concussions occur even if the person has not been knocked unconscious. True or False 4. A repeat concussion that occurs before the brain recovers from the first can slow recovery or increase the likelihood of long-term problems. True or False 5. Concussions can have a more serious effect on a young, developing brain. True or False If you answered “true” to all five questions, you’re ahead of the game — but there’s more you should know. Get the facts about concussion symptoms and treatment at www.UPMC.com/Today.

Did You Know? ImPACT , the concussion evaluation system most widely in use worldwide by professional, college, and high school sports teams, was developed at UPMC by Dr. Lovell, Dr. Collins, and Dr. Maroon. TM

www.UPMC.com/Today

School Lunches That Make the Grade Kids need more than pens, pencils, and notebooks to successfully get through a day at school. They also need healthy lunches. Here are some tips on how to make sure your child eats healthy foods while at school: • Get your child involved with the planning and packing of lunches. • Acknowledge his or her likes and dislikes. • Assemble lunch the night before to avoid morning delays and/or hurried choices. • If your child buys lunch at the school cafeteria, make sure he or she knows the difference between healthy and unhealthy foods. • Teach your child about portions and portion control. • Think healthy and think light. • Teach your child to eat until no longer hungry, not until “stuffed.”

Stumped for ideas on what to pack? Try these healthy options: Main dishes ✔ Sandwich made with wholegrain bread, lean meat, and low-fat cheese; or peanut butter and all-fruit jelly on whole-grain bread ✔ Pita pocket stuffed with shredded turkey, chicken, or light roast beef; or grated vegetables, low-fat cheese, and light salad dressing ✔ Mini pizza, whole-grain English muffin, or bagel topped with turkey pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and garlic herb cream cheese ✔ Low-fat tuna or chicken salad on a mini bagel Fruits and vegetables ✔ Red pepper strips, carrots, celery, sugar snap peas, or green beans with salsa or light ranch dressing ✔ Fresh fruit ✔ Fruit cups ✔ Applesauce

Healthy snacks ✔ Low-fat yogurt, either in a cup or a tube ✔ Wheat crackers with peanut butter or low-fat cheese ✔ Cottage cheese, with or without fruit ✔ Pudding made with skim milk ✔ String cheese ✔ Salsa with baked chips ✔ Peanuts ✔ Small bag of light popcorn Occasional treats ✔ Baked or low-fat potato chips ✔ Fun-size candy bars ✔ Low-fat cookies Foods to limit ✔ Regular snack chips (potato, tortilla, etc.) ✔ Full-size candy bars ✔ Regular cookies ✔ Canned fruits in sweetened syrup

Innovation at UPMC

Who Knew Rehab Could Be So Much Fun? Last November, John Rizzi,* 50, noticed numbness and tingling in his feet. A few weeks later he suddenly fell while hunting. By January, he was paralyzed from the chest down — only able to move his head and shrug his shoulders. Eventually diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that damaged the protective covering of the nerves (myelin sheath) and interfered with the signaling process, John arrived in March at the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute and its Gaming and Robotics Center for intensive therapy. “When I saw the advanced equipment, I was amazed. It inspired me to do whatever I could to walk again,” John says. Playing computer games and doing simulated tasks using robotic devices such as the Armeo Boom enabled John to move his arms and regain fine motor skills. A robotic treadmill called the Lokomat made it possible for him to walk. “I started seeing gains right away. That made me want to work even harder,” he says.

Fun and Games for Effective Rehabilitation The Armeo Boom — available for clinical use at UPMC and nowhere else in the nation — is one of several cutting-edge devices used in rehabilitation at the center. To use it, patients strap their arm into a sling attached to an overhead boom. Robotic supports allow patients to move their arm while playing reach-and-retrieval computer games, such as solitaire and placing apples in a shopping cart, along with simulated tasks such as cooking or cleaning. “Rehabilitation can be very tedious and painful. A lot of repetition is needed to teach the body to move again,” says Michael Boninger, MD, director of the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute. “Using this technology is kind of sneaky. It’s great to see patients enjoy playing a game when you know they are actually working hard at rehabilitation.” * Mr. Rizzi’s treatment and results may not be representative of all similar cases.

John, who has regained most of his abilities, agrees. “It was more like playing a game. You’re working, the sweat is running down your face, but it’s fun. You’re getting the movement and the repetition you need, but you’re laughing,” he says. Dr. Boninger says patients benefit from using the very latest technology. UPMC researchers have developed their own designs, and companies often send their prototypes here for evaluation. Other innovative devices used at the Center include the GameCycle , a machine invented at the University of Pittsburgh that combines a stationary hand cycle with a commercial video game; the Armeo Spring — a companion to the Armeo Boom; and several Nintendo Wii systems. “Technology is very important in rehabilitation. Having a therapist move a patient’s arm repeatedly works, but not nearly as well as having the patient move his own arm while it is supported by a robot and while he is playing a game,” says Dr. Boninger. “Computer games also provide quick feedback and measure improvement, which adds to the sense of accomplishment.”

Virtual Therapy at Home The Nintendo Wii can be a useful tool for patients as they maintain their physical rehabilitation program at home. It’s relatively inexpensive, and many of the games incorporate the repetitive motion required in ongoing therapeutic exercises. “We can tell patients to do an exercise 500 times in the next week,” said Dr. Boninger. “But many people just won’t do it. Tell them to play Wii Tennis and they’ll do it and have fun.”

Dr. Michael Boninger shows how the Armeo Boom’s games and simulated tasks allow rehab patients to work hard and have fun.

1-800-533-UPMC

A Pioneering Force in Maternal-Fetal Medicine

A New Era of Treatment for High-Risk Pregnancies Having a baby is one of the most natural things in the world, but it’s not risk free. For some women and their unborn children, the risks can be especially great, with potential for the development of life-threatening complications. Transforming their treatment and medical outlook is the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC. The program has long been recognized as a leader in MFM, an obstetric subspecialty focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of expectant mothers and their fetuses who may be at high risk before, during, and after pregnancy. Many conditions can potentially put women at higher risk during pregnancy, including: • Pre term labor • Becoming pregnant after age 35 • Multiple birth pregnancies (twins or triplets) • Family history of birth defects or genetic disorders • Medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid or kidney diseases, and pre-eclampsia Working Together for Mother and Child “Many MFM programs nationwide are available only at children’s hospitals. At UPMC, our comprehensive program of caring for mother and fetus is offered through Magee,” explains Stephen P. Emery, MD, director of the division’s Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center. “The maternal component is central to our mission; it’s a natural extension of our hospital’s historic focus on women’s health.” The center’s MFM physicians are supported by a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals with expertise in high-risk pregnancies, including anesthesiologists, geneticists, radiologists, and bioethicists. “We work together and apply our collective knowledge to find solutions for each patient’s needs,” says Dr. Emery.

www.UPMC.com/Today

The goal is to give women and their families the information they need to make informed decisions about their pregnancies. The center then provides critical counseling and planning support, and state-of-the-art diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical services. Magee’s close partnership with Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC also links newborns with congenital abnormalities to neonatologists, pediatric surgeons, and other specialists for ongoing care after birth. “Thanks to the tremendous technological advancements in MFM in recent years, we get to know an unborn child inside and out during a high-risk pregnancy — from his or her chromosomal makeup to cardiac anatomy. We’re prepared to quickly address any health care needs immediately after birth — or even in utero if needed, ” says Dr. Emery. “Just as importantly, we’re also able to ensure that the mother’s continuing health needs are met.”

Typically, an obstetrician, gynecologist, or midwife will refer a woman to Magee’s MFM team for initial evaluation. However, women can contact Magee directly at 412-641-3382. Learn more about Magee’s Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and its Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center at www.UPMC.com/Magee.

Did You Know? Maternal-fetal medicine services are available at UPMC Mercy (412-232-8111) and UPMC Horizon (412-641-6361).

Advancing the Quality of Care Through Research Despite major medical advancements in recent years, the causes of many fetal complications remain a mystery. That’s why research is so critical to the efforts of Magee’s Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center. “Through our research, the quality of our care extends far beyond what patients see,” says Hyagriv Simhan, MD, chief of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and an experienced investigator at the Magee-Women’s Research Institute (MWRI). “Magee is recognized for its pioneering research and medical advancements in MFM,” adds Dr. Simhan. The first research center devoted exclusively to the health concerns of women and infants, the institute’s current MFM research initiatives include preterm birth, genetics, placental function, and pre-eclampsia.

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

UPMC Passavant is pleased to welcome the following new physicians: Michael Bonidie, MD Surgery

Wendy Helkowski, MD Orthopaedics

Betty Liu, MD Orthopaedics

Joseph Sanfilippo, MD Surgery

Jacques Chelly, MD Anesthesiology

Brian Jankowitz, MD Head and Neck Surgery

Jerry Lowder, MD Surgery

Jaspaal Singh, MD Orthopaedics

Chaira Ghetti, MD Surgery

Jeff Krackow, MD Cardiovascular

Marc Oster, MD Internal Medicine

Maria Twichell, MD Orthopaedics

Halina Zyczynski, MD Surgery

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Happening at UPMC Passavant The following events are offered by the Passavant Hospital Foundation: Classes Kidney Disease & Dialysis Sept. 9, 10:30 a.m. Zelienople Senior Center Speaker: Lisa Guthrie, DO Learn more about kidney disease, such as prevention and available treatments, and the relationship between high blood pressure and development of the disease. Over-the-Counter Medicines Sept. 15, 12:30 p.m. Senior Center, Cranberry Township Municipal Building Speaker: Carol Matthews, RPh Join us for a presentation on over-the-counter products and how to reduce your risk of medication interaction.

Autism Spectrum Disorders Across the Lifespan Sept. 21, 6:30 p.m. CCAC North Campus Speaker: John J. McGonigle, PhD This seminar will focus on understanding the core features of autism, the process in diagnosing people with autism spectrum disorders, current prevalence rates in Pennsylvania, and evidence-based interventions and treatments. Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health and Fitness Expo Sept. 28, 10:30 a.m. Passavant Hospital Foundation Conference Center & Legacy Theatre This is an all-day event with numerous seminars, work shops, exhibits, and free health screenings. Registration is strongly suggested. Call 412-367-6640, or visit www.passavanthospitalfoundation.org.

For more information about any of the classes or support groups listed here, call the number indicated or call Community Relations at 412-784-5160.

Support Groups Please check with Information Desk for location.

2010 Breast Cancer Symposium Oct. 12, late afternoon/early evening Passavant Hospital Foundation Conference Center & Legacy Theatre This event will include workshops, a health fair, and will include information on nutrition, genetics, exercise, and hormonal and appearance issues relating to breast cancer. The Doctor Is In Oct. 19, 6 p.m. CCBC Main Campus, Monaca Speaker: Suketu Mansuria, MD This program is focused on gynecology topics, including painful or heavy periods, urinary incontinence, and ovarian cysts. Dr. Mansuria will provide an overview of these conditions as well as new treatments, including minimally invasive options. Food-Borne Illnesses: Prevention Is Key! Oct. 19, 6:30 p.m. CCAC North Campus Speaker: Loraine DeSimone, MEd, RN, CIC Learn about common organisms associated with food-borne illnesses and how to prevent them.

Managing Dizziness and Balance Disorders Oct. 20, 12:30 p.m. Senior Center, Cranberry Township Municipal Building Speaker: Susan Whitney, PhD, NSD, ATC, FAPTA This seminar will explore vestibular disorders and the treatments that can help you return to a safe and active lifestyle. Diabetes Education Series McCandless Campus Sept. 1, 8, 15, and 22 6 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 6, 13, 20, and 27 1 to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 1, 3, 8, and 10 6 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 6, 8, 13, and 15 1 to 3:30 p.m. Cranberry Campus Sept. 7, 14, 21, and 28 1 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 5, 12, 19, and 26 6 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 2, 4, 9, and 11 1 to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 7, 9, 14, and 16 6 to 8:30 p.m.

1-800-533-UPMC

UPMC Passavant 9100 Babcock Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15237

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.

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The strength of UPMC’s advanced spine care is right here. If you’re suffering from back or neck pain, put your trust in the experts at UPMC Passavant. Our world-class, specially trained surgical team delivers high-quality care for spinal injuries and painful disk conditions, including highly advanced fusion techniques and the latest in minimally invasive procedures. And with the addition of several high-tech operating rooms in our new pavilion, our surgeons have access to real-time, integrated, 3-D imaging. This can increase the accuracy of stabilization techniques, minimize operating time, and enable surgeons to perform more complex procedures closer to your home. We even offer a full range of nonsurgical options, including on-site physical and occupational therapy programs. It all adds up to the premier spine care center north of the city. Call us at 1-800-533-UPMC or visit UPMC.com/Passavant

THE NEW PATIENT PAVILION • NOW OPEN

A New Direction in

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How does modern technology help when buying or selling a home? What new tools do we have that can be used in selecting a new home that best fits and enhances your lifestyle or selling your existing home? Decisions – Buying a Home Ok, so, you are actively looking for a new home. You need three bedrooms, two bathrooms, in such-and-such school district/area. You look online, as many people do these days, to ‘narrow down’ your search. Maybe you’ve enlisted the assistance of a real estate professional. Maybe they’ve shown you twenty, thirty homes and you still haven’t found what you want. In the meantime, you work, your partner works, you have social activities, you have children, they have homework, athletics, worship. So you end up taking time away from your life to get in the car, and drive all over the area looking at homes that in no way meet your criteria, taste, needs or lifestyle.

And there are so many more variables with the process than what are readily apparent. Take, for instance, why is this particular school district/area so important to you? Is another equally good? Have you considered the distance this new home may be from your workplace, shopping, workout facilities, restaurants, your place of worship, a park? Location, location, location but located next to what? Location is important because in many ways it defines lifestyle. The closer you are to amenities that are important to you the more likely you will enjoy them. If you have narrowed down the search to a few homes – how do you record and compare the information from your on site visits? Does the home need major renovation; which home had the great view? Do you or any member of your family have allergies? Which home had wall to wall carpet in all of the rooms? How is this going to affect that family member with allergies? Have the ducts ever been cleaned? What about the paint? Is the home insulated, and how much are the energy bills? What variables are you willing to accept? What things are more important than others in selecting your home? Do you have a household budget? Maybe you find a property online that meets all your expectations... maybe it’s overpriced, underpriced, why? We sincerely want to help you make the best decision, for YOU, whether or not you should buy a new home, whether ‘that perfect one’ is really the one for you. Behind the scenes, we are researching, compiling data that’s important to you. We can then match the best possible homes in a region to your criteria, even homes that just came on the market so you will not miss ‘that perfect one.’ One80 Real Estate Services LLC has developed a toolkit for buyers to help answer all these variables. This is our RealSync™ system. Using our state of the art approach to matching your needs with available homes, we can identify homes that best meet your needs before we even put you in the car to look at a property. There are so many variables to making the right home buying decisions. Now is the time to have someone on your side, helping you to make the right decision because it’s right for you. Call One80, give us one hour of your time and we’ll save you time. After all, your Time is Money too! So, you are selling your home. Watch for the next issue of IN North Allegheny Magazine where we’ll discuss how our RealSync™ system can help market your home. North Allegheny | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 33

Marshall Township Community Day amilies, friends and neighbors came together to enjoy delicious food, music and lots of fun at Marshall Township's Community Day. This year's celebration was held at Knob Hill Community Park on Saturday, July 24.

Susan Gottfried, Heather Jerry, Jennifer Moeslein, Kimberly Pinkerton

Luke, Eric & Erica Gazdik

Angelica & Molly Glasgow

Ryan Luther Travis Hartig, Max Guthrie

Stephanie Todd, Kristi Curran

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Ben & Carrie McElroy with Macy, Abby & Kylie

Should I Have My Veins Evaluated? Q & A WITH A VEIN SPECIALIST You don’t have to live with painful varicose and spider veins.

Who should I talk to about my complaints?

hen people at my son’s school, at parties or even at sporting events find out that I specialize in venous disease I often find myself being flooded with a variety of questions. There is a recurring theme to these questions so I thought it might be helpful to answer a few.

I will often use the analogy “when your car is making a funny noise you would take it to your mechanic, not your hair dresser.” As with any medical condition you should have your complaints evaluated by a physician. I advise patients to see a physician who specializes in venous disease, known as a phlebologist. Phlebology is recognized by the American Medical Association and is the field of medicine that focuses on veins. A board certified phlebologist should determine if you have venous disease, determine severity if disease is present and develop a treatment plan. As with many medical conditions there is a spectrum of disease as well as treatment options. Therefore, it is important to seek the help of a specialist who is well rounded in their knowledge of the entire field of phlebology as opposed to just one treatment option.

Do I have to have bulging veins like I see in pictures to get my legs evaluated? No, since most veins lie deep to the skin surface, vein disorders are not always visible to the naked eye. A physical examination teamed with a diagnostic ultrasound should be used to determine the condition of the veins. The ultrasound examination gives us a real time and detailed view of the patients’ varicose vein system. Patients are often surprised to see how extensive and complicated their varicose veins are.

What are some symptoms of venous disease? Not everyone has visible symptoms of venous disease; for some patients, their only indicator is the aching they have in their leg or legs. For other patients, in time, their varicose veins can become enlarged and in some cases quite prominent. They can be seen in some individuals as ropey or raised lumps in the thighs, legs, calves and ankles. Other symptoms of venous disease include pain, aching, fatigue, heaviness, cramping, throbbing, itching, burning and swelling. Symptoms of venous disease may worsen with standing or walking for prolonged periods. Many patients state that after shopping at the mall or Costco their legs are “killing them.” Severe venous disease can compromise the nutrition of the skin and lead to eczema, inflammation or even ulceration.

Who suffers from venous disease? I often hear that patients think that the pain, aching and swelling of their legs is just a part of “getting older” because they remember their mother or father having the same complaints. Although age is not a determining factor, heredity is the number one contributing factor in venous disease, followed by gender, with women being more likely to suffer from venous diseases than men.

What are the health implications of venous disease? Implications widely vary, based on the patient and the extent of disease. Varicose veins can cause a range of unsightly nuisances to medical problems including leg and foot ulcers, spontaneous bleeding, superficial thrombophlebitis (clots in the veins causing painful inflammation) and even deep vein thrombosis which is potentially life-threatening.

Does insurance cover the treatments? An evaluation of venous complaints is covered by insurance. If at the time of evaluation, Dr. Krysinski determines treatment to be medically necessary, then our office will begin the authorization process for you with your insurance provider. This Industry Insight was written by Theresa Schneider. Terrance R. Krysinski, MD General Surgeon Board Certified Phlebologist Vein Institute of Pittsburgh 724.934.VEIN (8346)

724-934-VEIN (8346) 16000 Perry Highway, Suite 2, Warrendale • 6507 Robinson Center Dr., Pittsburgh North Allegheny | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 35

Lift Your Spirits with an Endoscopic Brow Lift ur eyes are a communication toolâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; truly the windows to our soul. Our eyes are what people focus on when we converse or socialize. The younger our eyes look, the better we present. Our appearance is important to us because it affects the way we think about ourselves and react toward others. It can also influence the way others perceive us. When aging causes the eyelids to droop, it can make us seem like we are angry, upset or even tired. Often with age, we feel our facial features do not reflect our youthful spirit and energy level. Our patients are looking for ways to refresh their appearance. The endoscopic brow lift, also known as the forehead lift, can help the eyes become more open, thus

enhancing our looks. It restores the healthy, happy expression of our youth. There is usually a three step approach to the aging face. Depending on age, genetics, and the specific areas that need attention, facial rejuvenation can be done in phases. The three steps are medical injections, laser treatment and surgery, or any combination of the three. Why have Brow Lift surgery? This type of surgery repositions a low or sagging brow, and will raise the eyebrows to a more alert and youthful position. It will also minimize the crease that develops across the forehead, or those that occur high on the bridge of the nose, commonly referred to as frown lines.

Why have Brow Lift surgery? This type of surgery repositions a low or sagging brow, and will raise the eyebrows to a more alert and youthful position. It will also minimize the crease that develops across the forehead, or those that occur high on the bridge of the nose, commonly referred to as frown lines.

When deciding whether or not a patient is a good candidate for brow lift surgery, the entire face is evaluated rather than just facial zones. The hallmark of a youthful face is the smooth transition from zone to zone. Some examples would be from the brow to eyelid, eyelid to cheek, and jawline to neckline. It often comes as a surprise to a patient seeking an eyelid lift, to be told that in addition to that procedure, a brow lift is also recommended. Full facial rejuvenation is often the best option, rather than localized isolated procedures. No brow or forehead lift is complete without consideration of rejuvenating at least the upper eyelid. However, the final decision is always that of the patient. The results will be long lasting. The advantages of the minimally invasive endoscopic brow lift are the shorter recovery period, minute incisions, and the natural looking results. The best way to maintain your rejuvenated appearance is to minimize sun damage by using an effective sunscreen and to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Although Brow Lift and Face Lift surgeries can be done at any time of the year, patients seem to prefer them most often in the winter months. During the snowy season, they can hibernate during recovery without being missed socially. With winter approaching, if this is a surgery you may be considering, call our office to schedule your consultation appointment. Maybe you will spring into 2011 with a more wide eyed look! This Industry Insight was written by Anna Wooten, MD. Dr. Wooten, the founder of Beleza Plastic Surgery, is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. She completed her General and Plastic Surgery Residency and Fellowship at one of the leading Plastic Surgery Training Programs in the country, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Her unique and extensive education and training brings a special perspective to the discipline and art of Aesthetic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

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Children Receive Unexpected Gift from Veterans — a Reply by Sandy Trozzo

hen Lisa Meinert had her first-grade class at Bradford Woods Elementary School write thank-you letters to area veterans last Veterans Day, she didn’t expect any of them to respond. “We got over 70 letters, and I didn’t ask for a response,” she said. “It was supposed to be a oneway thing.” But the letters from the first-graders touched the veterans, some of whom had fought in World War II, and led to cor respondence and visits with many of the veterans. Mrs. Meinert started out years ago having students put together packages for soldiers, including letters. But the school’s student leadership team took that over, so she was looking for another project for her class. She contacted the American Legion post in Wexford, which provided her with name and address stickers for its members. Each of her 23 students, pl us some of their parents, siblings and older classmates, wrote a letter to one of the members of the Legion post. The children used only their first names, and decorated the envelopes with drawings. Their letters, misspellings and all, were heartfelt and sincere. “Thank you for saving our contry from the oter contrys that were being mean,” wrote Kyle Demi. Amanda Wang wrote, “Without your service, we wouldn’t be free. Thank you for protecting the USA.” Amanda was one of the students to receive a personal reply. The veteran she wrote to said that her letter was the first time anybody had ever thanked him for his service.

Other veterans wrote of their experiences. Larry Palmer of Wexford, senior deputy attorney general for Pennsylvania, wrote to the class about attending Bradford Woods Elementary when it was a two-room school that was not yet part of North Allegheny. Raymond Buerster of West Seneca, N.Y., a POW during World War II, sent photographs and wrote that he “especially enjoyed the drawing on the envelope of stick people skateboarding.” The Legion post invited the children to its Nov. 11 meeting at the Camelot restaurant in McCandless. Some of the children decorated the room the night before the meetin g, and they brought treats to the meeting. “We put some decorations around the tables – red, white and blue decorations,” said Sean Moore, 7. “We shook their hands. We set napkins around the tables. And we got a treat bag!” Maggie Laughrey, 6, said veterans “are really special to me.” “I wanted to meet one for a long time, so I’m really glad that we wrote letters and made them feel good.” Some of the veteran s visited the school on Dec. 18 and presented “thank you certificates” to the students, Mrs. Meinert said. “It was just a great experience for everyone,” she said. “We were overwhelmed with our responses and they were overwhelmed with their letters. It turned out to be a win-win.”

Amanda Wang wrote,

“Without your service, we wouldn’t be free. Thank you for protecting the USA.” North Allegheny | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com3737

 by Missa Sangimino

he envelope has arrived. Though it is only paper and ink, the package feels heavy—laden with importance. You are afraid to tear it open and peek inside. Everything is counting on this. As high school seniors begin to make plans for their grand exit, rising juniors are forced to confront their first major life decision—college. The questions stream endlessly: To go or not to go? What school is right for me? Oh, and last but not least: How can I get in? The entire process can be intimidating. However, it is not unmanageable. “It’s scary to think we have to deal with apps soon when so many of us don’t even know where we want to go or what we want to be yet,” comments junior Danielle Kumpf. Perhaps the most useful advice for a high school junior/senior to take to heart is maintain a balance. While it is tough to tell a student that he or she cares too much about school, it is important to remember that a high stress level can do more than cause a student to lose a little sleep; stress can have many negative effects, including a drop in productivity or even health ramifications. Although being passionate about one’s work is crucial to achieving any ambition, it is important to remember that mental health is key to success.

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My take on applying to college

Maddie Jones, a junior at Vincentian Academy, agrees, remarking, “The thought of looming applications forces you to make yourself well-rounded.” Likewise, facing college in with an ah-I’ll-do-it-later attitude can be equally as dangerous. As students work their way through high school, many are sucked into the risky business of procrastination. It is easy for a high schooler, while immersed in the worries and responsibilities of their own world, to forget to think about the future that is speeding towards them. As the questions begin to flow and the summer begins winding down, keep in mind that millions have already gone through the process successfully. While the idea of choosing, applying, and moving forward may be terrifying, it is important to remember that getting in is only half the battle—a student can receive an incredible education at a less prominent college as easily as they can waste their time at a renowned university. Although the school itself plays a large role in matching a student’s personality to their education, much more important is what the student does at the school.

Missa Sangimino is a senior at Vincentian Academy.

F A L L

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Back to School Jokes Adopt a Pet: T-Bone Q: What's the worst thing you're likely to find in the school cafeteria? A: The food! Q: Why did nose not want to go to school? A: He was tired of getting picked on! Q: How do you get straight A's? A: By using a ruler! Q: What did the pen say to the pencil? A: "So, what's your point?" Q: What did you learn in school today? A: "Not enough, I have to go back tomorrow!"

When you meet T-Bone, he will offer you a Beagle smile and shyly, by surely, try to climb into your lap. This gentle fellow is brimming with affection and simply needs someone to give it to. A couple months ago, TBone probably felt like the luckiest, most beloved dog in the world. But then, sadly, his owner passed away. T-Bone came to Animal Friends, 10 years old and hoping to find a second chance and a fresh start. T-Bone is calm, lovable, and simply wants to share your company. He is curious and friendly around other dogs and

enjoys peaceful rides in the car. He is crate trained and always polite. But most of all, T-Bone is lovable. He adores people and constantly wants to cuddle. While it’s obvious that he loves all women, we’ve noticed that he is particularly drawn to men. Perhaps they remind him of his Dad, who he misses so much. If you are looking for a companion who’s more interested in cuddling and relaxing than playing, T-Bone could be the one for you. T-Bone is currently in foster care. If you can help a loving and deserving dog, call Animal Friends at 412.847.7002.

on the go...

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North Allegheny | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 39

R G R O U N D Rules for Being Home Alone L  E S

you and your mom or dad have decided you're mature enough to take care of yourself after school. Every weekday, you'll come home, let yourself in, and then what? Good question! This is why you'll need to set up some rules - before you're home alone.

Some families put up a list of rules where everyone can see them, like on the refrigerator door. Other families write out a contract and have each member sign it, saying they agree to the rules. Or a family might just

go over the rules out loud. But whatever method you use, there are a lot of questions to talk about, like:

 Are you allowed to watch TV, DVDs, videos, or play computer games? If so, which ones and for how long?

Find each of these words in this puzzle.

Back to School!

 Should you call mom or dad as soon as you get home?

 Should homework be done first, even before chores?  Can friends come over? If so, how many?  What can you eat if you want a snack?  Can you go outside, and if so, where?  Which appliances can be used? (microwave, computer, etc.)  Which chores need to be done and by when?  Should your parent call home just before leaving work each day? For example, would it help to have a heads-up in time to finish any lastminute chores before they arrive?

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North Allegheny

   What did you do this summer?    

      

    

    

       

       

    

     

   

North Allegheny | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 41

        

  

Do you know someone who is serving in the armed forces from the North Allegheny area? We would like to honor their commitment by featuring them in

IN North Allegheny Magazine. Please forward your name, the soldier’s name and where they are serving, along with a photo to marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com.

Help us recognize these fine men and women!

Gently Worn Winter Coats Needed for Low-Income Families From September 14 through October 28, North Hills Community Outreach is accepting donations of new and gently worn winter coats to be distributed to low-income families in need. NHCO does not have facilities or funds to wash the coats, so only CLEAN coats can be accepted. Donations may be dropped off weekdays at 1975 Ferguson Road in Allison Park. NHCO will also be open on Saturday, September 11, from 9 a.m. to noon to accept donations. For more information, contact Jennifer Lynn at 412.487.6316, option 1, x3143.

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North Allegheny

  ADVICE AND TIPS TO PARENTS ON SETTING ROUTINES FOR THEIR CHILDREN hildren everywhere have returned to school and are now settling into new routines. This is the time of year when there is excitement about shopping for new clothes and being able to see their school friends. And, while education is an essential part of growing up, other factors like waking up earlier in the morning, brushing teeth and packing a school lunch are also important, as these activities help to develop an organized lifestyle and further a child’s growth. It is important for children to get into the routines of going to sleep at a reasonable and consistent time, knowing what morning chores they need to accomplish each day and other things that bring order to their lives. In addition, the school year is great because it allows children to be around their peers more often throughout the day, and this promotes social stability. We encourage parents to get the ball rolling and start implementing these routines – even during summer months. Having a set routine can be so important in establishing many aspects of healthy living, good habits and good behavior that even the slightest structure can make a huge difference in a child’s dayto-day life. It is a good idea for parents with young children to ask themselves the following questions: • Do you post a list of nighttime and morning to-dos on your child’s bedroom door or on the kitchen refrigerator as daily guidelines for your children? For children who are too young to read, you can use pictures that represent the tasks. • Do you read a bedtime story to your child each night? • Do you have a designated area in your child’s room or elsewhere in the home for your child to store his or her coat and school book bag? • Does your child have a consistent bedtime on school nights and on weekends? • Does your child have an alarm clock in his or her room to wake up on time every day or, better yet, do you wake your child up in the morning?

If you have answered “no” to most of these questions, it might be time to implement more routine! Here are some suggests that could help parents save time and institute organizational skills for their kids:

• Be sure to discuss the highlights and events that happened at school with your child each day. • Help your child prepare for school the night before, including assisting your child in selecting clothes to wear for school. After a while, he or she will be able to do this without your assistance. • Designate a time each night that your child should go to sleep. According to The National Sleep Foundation, children from 1 to 12 years old need 10 to 14 hours of sleep each night, depending on age. • Choose an area in the home, such as by the front door, to store your child’s school bag and any supplies he or she may need for school (e.g., art projects, thank-you notes/gifts for teachers). • Have a daily to-do list posted in an area your child will see each day. Regular schedules create a day with structure. The repetition of routines encourages your child’s memory development, and the consistency helps him or her adjust to a regular schedule.

Having a set routine can be so important in establishing many aspects of healthy living, good habits and good behavior that even the slightest structure can make a huge difference in a child’s day-to-day life. This Industry Insight was written by Mark & Jennifer Rebstock. Prior to opening The Goddard School in Wexford, Mark Rebstock was Training Manager for a national utility company, and Jennifer worked in early childhood education. 3000 Brooktree Road Wexford, PA 15090 724.935.1100 or www.goddardschools.com

North Allegheny | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 43

 

 hy would I take my child to a chiropractor? He has never complained of back pain! We usually take our children for regular check-ups for their teeth, eyes, and hearing, but when it comes to their spine, we fail to realize the benefits of being properly aligned. Did you know that a spinal check-up could be one of the most beneficial and preventive health measures to your child’s overall well-being? The spine, and the billions of nerves that leave the spine, is the information highway of every human being. The brain communicates with every cell in the body through the nervous system. If there is a blockage of nerves along the spinal column it prevents the communication from the brain to that part of the body. Just as kinking a hose will prevent running water from flowing smoothly, a misaligned vertebra will cause blockage in the communication of the body. Even with today’s advanced medical technology, the birthing process can put remarkable stress on a child’s spine. The pulling and twisting forces associated with the birthing process can cause extreme pressures on the newborn’s delicate spine. Chiropractic manipulations have reduced colic, ear infections, and lack of appetite through the use of gentle techniques.

Based solely on experience, we have found that an adjustment on the sacroiliac joint of children has significantly reduced the symptoms of growing pains. Did you know that 10-20% of children complain of vague leg pains? These leg pains are usually a deep pain above or below the knee on one leg. Many times this complaint is categorized as “growing pains”. However, pain at any age is a sign that there is something awry in the body. Based solely on experience, we have found that an adjustment on the sacroiliac joint of children has significantly reduced the symptoms of growing pains. Could you imagine if we were to slip and fall as many times as our children? Do you think that you would be stiff and sore? Childhood is a physically demanding time in our lives. With the frequent falls between learning to walk, riding a bicycle, and playing sports, children are prone to accidents. Chiropractic has been recognized as a safe and non-invasive treatment to reduce pain and improve quality of life. Genesis Chiropractic has helped many of our patient’s children with various musculoskeletal conditions. Regardless of your child’s young age or physical condition, a properly aligned spine leads to a healthier life. Drs. Bentz and Cook, your Genesis Chiropractors, specialize in the treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of your musculo-skeletal system (your spine and your joints) and the effects these disorders have on the function of your nervous system and general health. Treatment at Genesis Chiropractic consists of a consultation and detailed history, a comprehensive examination, digital X-rays (if indicated), therapy, and manual adjustments. Call 412.847.0066 today to schedule an appointment. This Industry Insight was written by Dr. Jeffrey Bentz and Dr. Matthew Cook. Dr. Bentz is a graduate of North Allegheny High School, Pennsylvania State University, and Palmer College of Chiropractic. Dr. Cook is a graduate of North Hill High School, Duquesne University, and Palmer College of Chiropractic. Drs. Bentz and Cook are board certified in chiropractic and adjunctive procedures and are members of the Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association.

44 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

North Allegheny

WORSHIP NEWS Ascension Lutheran Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.364.4463 Bradford Woods Community Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724.935.3135 Franklin Park Baptist Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724.935.3950 Ingomar United Methodist Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.364.3613 Orchard Hill Church . . 724.935.5555 St John & Paul Catholic Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724.935.2104

We are currently compiling an updated list of houses of worship in the North Allegheny School District Area. If you would like your information posted, please contact marybeth@incommunity magazines.com with your name, phone, address and web site.

North Allegheny | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 45

local author

Football Film Captures the Magic hroughout the 20th century, Western Pennsylvania turned out a seemingly endless supply of national football heroes. But more importantly, its lively youth, high school and college football programs produced a steady stream of strong and vibrant people. Together, these players, coaches and fans helped build a great industrial center and then, over time, transformed it into a high-tech and healthcare stronghold – and a force to be reckoned with in the 21st century. In 2000, while working in New York, filmmaker and Pittsburghnative Jeff Sewald conceived an idea to capture for posterity the special relationship that exists between the people of his hometown and their favorite sport. The resulting film, Gridiron & Steel, was released in 2001 and received a Mid-Atlantic Emmy® Award for Outstanding Sports Special. The program, which was seen on public television nationwide through 2005, was recently licensed for broadcast by The Documentary Channel and was released on DVD for the first time on August 31, 2010. Gridiron & Steel features a cross-section of regional personalities, including former Steelers greats Andy Russell, Mel Blount, Franco Harris and Jack Ham, Steelers owner Dan Rooney, and the late Myron Cope, the team’s legendary broadcaster. The film even draws on Pittsburgh rocker Joe Grushecky. His music enlivens the storytelling. “In creating the program,” Sewald says, “I wanted to capture the cultural significance of the sport, the character of the region and the

soul of its people. So I called on the best person I could think of for advice: Dan Rooney. He loved the idea and couldn’t believe it hadn’t already been done.” In the film, several regional legends, including Mike Ditka and Dan Marino, recall the influences of their youth and how their upbringing in Western Pennsylvania helped prepare them for the future. Concurrently, cameras chronicle the enthusiasm and insights of young players and coaches who compete far from the glamour of the NFL. Their focus is not about achieving greatness, but on being part of something that connects them to their communities. From the solemn faces of yesterday’s laborers to the smiles of their white-collar descendants, and from the pee-wee football programs of suburbia to Heinz Field, the true spirit of Western Pennsylvania is brought vividly to life in this film by the people who have been and are still guided by it. “I think the result is a definitive and positive statement about what can happen when a great sport and several generations of strong backs and stout hearts converge – one proud and distinct heritage,” Sewald says. “The film changed my life. It led me back to Pittsburgh with my young family. And it’s now the hub from which I continue my writing and film work.” Since then, among other projects, Sewald wrote, produced and directed Peter Matthiessen: No Boundaries, about the legendary author and conservationist, for national PBS. He is currently producing My Secret Heart, the story of the life and work of famed Chilean author and activist Isabel Allende, for international release.

“Three yards and a cloud of dust. Nothing flashy. But in the end, pay dirt. For the immigrants who settled in Western Pennsylvania to work the mills and mines, football was a godsend. With its requisite struggle for incremental gains, the game spoke to them. It was the perfect metaphor for their lives.” Jeff Sewald Producer, Writer and Director of Gridiron & Steel

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From bottom left, clockwise: Jeff Sewald and Steelers great Andy Russell (circa 2000); Audio engineer Bob Lubomski, Aliquippa High School head coach Mike Zmijanac, and Jeff Sewald (circa 2000); Former Pitt/NFL great Dan Marino and Jeff Sewald (circa 2000); Dominic Cappellett, 8-year-old running back, N.A. Tiger Pride (circa 2000).

Wesley Spectrum’s



esley Spectrum’s Tour of Homes will be held on Sunday, October 10th, 2010 from 12 noon to 5 p.m. in the North Hills. Exquisite homes from the Villas of North Park, Breckenridge, and Lake MacLeod areas will be showcased on the North hills tour. Attending the tour provides homeowners with great ideas for building, renovating, decorating, designing, furnishing and landscaping. This year’s homes include: • A Castle in Marshall Township built on three wooded acres • “Villa Vuoto,” a spectacularly innovative home with a circular architectural design in Franklin Park • A LEED certified Green house in Lake MacLeod • A magnificent Tudor home in Marshall Township with an idyllic outdoor entertaining space • An elegant Victorian reproduction in McCandless All proceeds from the event will benefit the programs of Wesley Spectrum Services. Wesley Spectrum provides a diverse range of education, mental health, and social services to individuals and families in western Pennsylvania. The organization currently serves more than 4,000 children and 6,000 family members. Tickets are $30 for the North Hills Tour and can be purchased by calling Wesley Spectrum at 412.347.3219. Visit www.wesleyspectrum.org for ticket outlets and further details.

North Allegheny | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 47

North Allegheny Restaurant Guide If your favorite NA restaurant isn't listed, let us know. marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com

China House Chinese Restaurant 12037 Perry Highway Wexford PA 15090

Bella Frutteto ~ see coupon (just off the Wexford Exit from I79) Brandt School Road & Rt. 910 Franklin Village Shopping Center 724.940.7777 Brush Creek Inn 295 Northgate Drive

724.935.9166

Carmody's Restaurant

One Free Soda with Order

Chen's Mike China Palace

2620 Nicholson Road 10441 Perry Highway

China House ~ see coupon 12037 Perry Highway, 724.935.9166 Eat 'n Park 2650 Brandt School Road

Ichiban Hibachi & Sushi Bar

Wexford

~ see coupon 1500 Village Run Road, 724.935.8388

12027 Perry Highway Pine Tree Shoppes, Wexford

Bella Frutteto Book Your Holiday Parties Now! Corner of Brandt School Rd. & Rt. 910 (Just off the Wexford Exit from I79)

724.940.7777 $5 off a purchase of $25 or more www.bellafrutteto.com Not valid with any other offers.

King's Family Restaurant 105 VIP Drive

724.935.3200 Free Fountain Drink with purchase of Gyro & Fries

Luciano Pizza 1411 Duncan Avenue

Lucky Chinese Restaurant 11360 Perry Highway

Oriental Express

My Big Fat Greek Gyro ~ see coupon

Franklin Village Shopping Center corner of Brandt School Road & Rt. 910

12027 Perry Highway, 724.935.3200

North Park Lounge

724.940.3303

8701 Babcock Boulevard

Buy One Entree, Get 2nd Half Off

Oriental Express ~ see coupon Franklin Village Shopping Center corner of Brandt School Road & Rt. 910 724.940.3303

WE DELIVER to your Business or Home! Expires 11/31/10. Cannot be combined with other coupons.

Patron Mexican Grill 11676 Perry Highway

Wexford Pizza Hut

2563 Brandt School Road

10650 Perry Hwy (In the Wexford Plaza), Wexford, PA 15090.

885 East Ingomar Road

724.935.5400

Wexford Pizza Hut ~ see coupon

$10 large pizza, up to 3 toppings Mention this ad when ordering.

Pomodoro Pizzeria & Ristorante

(make it stuffed crust $1 more) Dine-in, Carry Out, or Delivery.

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Tomato Pie Cafe

10650 Perry Highway (in the Wexford Plaza), 724.935.5400

Woodside's Grille 1600 Stone Mansion Drive

ICHIBAN

Hibachi & Sushi Bar

724-935-8388

10% off

Every Dinner Order Valid Every Day Offer good at all 4 locations with this coupon. Not valid on take-out orders. Not valid on holidays or with other offers. Expires 12/30/10

 he Eric Knapp Memorial Golf Outing was held on Saturday, July 31, to benefit the Hillman Cancer Center. The outing took place at the lovely Pheasant Ridge Golf Club in Gibsonia, which was owned and designed by Mr. Knapp. Guests enjoyed a sunny day on the course, a delicious picnic dinner, music by The Accelerators, and a silent auction. For more information on the Hillman Cancer Center, visit www.upmcca ncercenters.com.

Ed Foutz & Sandy

Eric & Christian Knapp

Jill Pike, Susan Knapp

Mike Reimer Curt & Harry Knapp

Chuck Flach, Pete Tate, Randy Chiquelin, Jim Terwilliger, Dan Piere and Rich Bondi Arthur Bloom

Kudos... ongratulations to Award Winner Nila Suresh a student at Ingomar Middle School of the North Allegheny School district for her project titled Greenhouse Effect: Friend or Foe? The Allegheny County Health Department honored Nila with an award for outstanding project at the 71st annual Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair held in late March at the Carnegie Science Center.



NA Junior Classical League Wins Thirteenth Consecutive State Championship he North Allegheny School District (NASD) is proud to announce that the North Allegheny Junior Classical League (JCL) has won their thirteenth consecutive State Championship. The PA JCL Convention features athletic, artistic and academic events. Points are awarded to a school for every award won by its delegates. North Allegheny JCL members earned 31 First Place Ribbons, 32 Second Place Awards and 35 Third Place Honors. In addition, the Latin 1 Quiz Bowl team comprised of Connor Phillips, Rachel Steele, Sravya Vishnubhatla and Kevin Zhu, won Second Place in the State. The Latin 2 team also took Second Place in the state. Latin 2 team members were Alan Dai, Erin Bishop, Samir Jindel and Joey Zou. The Advanced Level team of Megan Doerzbacher, Jason Chen, Adam Majewski and Kelsey Steele won First Place in the state.

Special congratulations to freshman Connor Phillips for being awarded the Overall Academic Champion Trophy for placing first in all six academic tests at Level 1. The National Junior Classical League (NJCL), established in 1936, is an organization for middle and high school students in classical courses. It is one of the largest academic youth organizations in the world. There are over 50,000 members in approximately 1,200 chapters, located in almost every state and in several foreign countries. Pennsylvania has 35 chapters consisting of 1,794 members. Sponsors of the JCL team are Latin teachers Ms. Angela Bergen, Ms. Melody Hannegan, Ms. Terry Klein and Ms. Connie Ramsey. For more information on National Junior Classical League, visit their website at www.njcl.org.

North Allegheny | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 49

by Sandy Trozzo

Bradford Woods Couples Club

Promotes Friendship and Charity

Although Bradford Woods is tiny at only 1 square mile, its 450 homes are pretty spread out and it is hard to get to know your neighbors, said resident Vince Cannella. Enter the Bradford Woods Couples Club, a 53-year-old organization that helps promote friendship and charity. The club was founded in 1957 by Phil and Eleanor Berger, who moved there from Harvard, Mass., where a couples club existed. In a history of the organization, Mrs. Berger wrote: “When we moved to Bradford Woods, it was not the transient community it is now. Most of the people had lived here the long time. …People were very nice to us but the social structure of the community was pretty well set.” Mrs. Berger complained about the lack of a couples club to friends so frequently that one of them, Delores Hadley, suggested that she start one, according to the history of the organization. John and Delores Hadley, John and Kay Harris and Jean and Jack McIntire joined the Bergers in forming the club. The club now has 100 couples that meet monthly from September to May at the Bradford Woods Volunteer Fire Department hall. The September meeting is a cookout, and the others are set by committees and usually have a theme, said Mr. Cannella. Last October, for example, the club did a “Derby in the Woods” horseracing theme, with proceeds donated to the fire department. In December, the group has a Christmas party at The Woodlands with all proceeds – between $400 and $500 – being donated back to that organization.

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The big annual event is either a progressive dinner or a play, depending on the year. This year, the group will have the progressive dinner in May. The entire group is together for appetizers and desserts, but split in groups of three or four couples for the dinners, said Mr. Cannella who, with his wife, Sharon, were presidents in 2008-09 and 2009-10. The play is a fundraiser, with the proceeds split among the fire department, The Woodlands, Bradford Woods Community Church and the Spina Bifida Association. The plays usually raise between $4,500 and $6,000, Mr. Cannella said. Last year’s play was a series of skits entitled “Hazardous to Your Health,” a spoof of health care. The topic became pretty clear when the writing committee met for the first time and some members came in casts or recovering from surgery, he added. “It’s all written, acted, all the backdrops, all the music, all the talent, everything is from Bradford Woods,” Mr. Cannella said.

WOODLANDS FOUNDATION’S ELEVENTH ANNUAL

“Bringing out the Stars”

n Friday July 16th, 47 children and young adults took the stage in front of over 400 at the Woodlands Foundation’s eleventh annual “Bringing out the Stars” concert. The concert which featured several young artists was the capstone for the weeklong “Notes from the Heart” music program for children with disability or chronic illness. This special program begin 1999, when a group of musical artists and music lovers in the Pittsburgh area came together with a desire to create a summer program that would bring the joy of music to children with disabilities and

chronic illnesses – children who they felt might not otherwise have such an opportunity. After a series of special musical presentations and a pilot music retreat, the need for the program was apparent. And so the “Notes from the Heart” music program was born. Introducing singing, instruments, music appreciation, composition and improvisation, the program has drawn hundreds of children who yearn for meaningful avenues of creative expression. The “Notes from the Heart” music program has expanded to include special events and guest appearances throughout the year where guest artists and music faculty introduce a variety of new music and musical styles to participants. Whether singing a simple melody, playing a steady rhythm on a drum, listening to music never heard before, or laughing with a new friend, it is the heart that is the origin of all music and the inspiration for “Notes from the Heart.” To support the Woodlands Foundation and programs please give at www.woodlandsfoundation.org. Please call 724.935.6533 for information about the “Notes from the Heart” program or log on to www.woodlandsfoundation.org.

North Allegheny Class of 1985 25th Year Reunion

November 27, 2010 FREE SMOKE ALARMS FOR ALLEGHENY COUNTY RESIDENTS Focus on homes with no smoke alarms or ones too old to be reliable The Allegheny County Health Department has a free smoke alarm program for residents who have no smoke alarms or ones too old to be reliable. “Smoke alarms are proven life-savers but only when they are in good working order,” said County Health Director Dr. Bruce W. Dixon. Nearly half of all smoke alarms don’t work because they have missing, disconnected or dead batteries or are more than 10 years old and no longer reliable. Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a house fire by 50%, yet most residential fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or defective alarms. The program, funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, provides and installs a maximum of two battery-operated smoke alarms per home. To schedule an installation, please call the Health Department at 412.247.7800.

PNC Park - Keystone Corner November 27, 2010 7 p.m. - midnight For more information contact: info@na85.org Vince Cannella (reunion committee) vince.cannella@na85.org Kelly (Berry) Varley (reunion committee) kelly.varley@na85.org Tom Interval (site design and maintenance) tom@na85.org North Allegheny | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 51

he Three Rivers Storytelling Festival was held at Northland Public Library on August 6 and 7. This annual two-day event featured free concerts by national and local storytellers, storytelling workshops for adults and children, book signings, and live music. There were stories for children ages 6 to 13 and Stories & Lunch for Seniors on Friday afternoon. Storyt ellers offered creative tales for everyone to enjoy, such as national teller Kate Danaher, speaking in a heavy Irish accent, who likes to give guests the "fireside experience," by sharing stories of funny country life and village happenings.

10th Annual

Three Rivers Storytelling Festival

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From left to right: Featured teller Tim Tingle shares stories of the Choctaw Nation; Amanda & Kaira Metzger; Alex & Andrea Ward with Wyatt, Dawson & Ayla; Ron & Barb Daniels; Featured teller Kate Danaher; Nadine Oury, Sophie Frizzell, Mya Frizzell, Sam Frizzell.

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Brewing Up A Cure he Members of the Three Rivers Underground Brewers (TRUB) will be hosting their Fourth Annual “Brewing Up A Cure” benefitting Cystic Fibrosis on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at the Pittsburgh Athletic Association (PAA) in Oakland from 7 -10 p.m. The night will be filled with drinks, food and entertainment, including, but not limited to the following: • Musical entertainment by Highway 13 • Appetizers and desserts by local area restaurants and businesses • More than 50 samplings of craft beer available for tasting In addition to the night’s festivities, a special VIP session will be held in advance of the main event, from 6 -7 p.m. The VIP session will feature special home-brewed beers and exclusive foods only offered during this hour. Six-year-old Sadie Terrick, daughter to TRUB member Shane Terrick, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at the age of eight days old. As a result, this event has evolved into an annual event in an effort to raise funds and awareness for Cystic Fibrosis as the members share their love of craft beers and raise money for research. Brewing Up A Cure has raised over $60,000 in the past three years, and has gained popularity as a marquee event in the city of Pittsburgh. The bar has been raised, and TRUB in partnership with Brewing Up A Cure has high hopes to raise a total of $100,000 at the end of this year’s event. Tickets for the event are $30, with VIP tickets available for $40. For more information on TRUB, Brewing Up A Cure, or to buy tickets online, please visit the events website at: www.brewingupacure.org.

WORKING FAMILIES WITH LIMITED INCOMES URGED TO APPLY FOR WIC Families with Young Kids or Child on the Way May Be Eligible for Benefits The Allegheny County Health Department urges working families with modest incomes and young children under the age of five or a child on the way to consider participating in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Supplemental Food Program. WIC isn’t just for families on public assistance. The income limits allow many working families to qualify for benefits. For example, a family of four with an annual income of $40,793 is eligible for the program. Benefits are provided to pregnant women, postpartum mothers, breastfeeding mothers and children under age five. WIC offers participants free nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support and vouchers redeemable at grocery stores for foods such as milk, eggs, cheese, cereal, juices, whole grains, soy milk, tofu, jarred baby foods and fresh fruits and vegetables. Eligibility for WIC is based on both income and medical or nutritional risk. The income limit starts at $20,036 for a family of one and increases with family size. For more information about WIC and how to apply for benefits, please call the Allegheny County Health Department WIC Program at 412-350-5801 or visit its web site at www.achd.net/wic. 54 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

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