in-penn-hills-fall by IN Community Magazines

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FALL 2010

enn Hills COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

INSIDE:

Dragonboating as a Sport Plus:

Education For All Ages New! Older Adults IN Penn Hills

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Introducing a health plan option for small business designed to save green. asy to use, conomical and Environmentally friendly.

Enjoy a discount and the ease of 24/7 on-line access for all of your health plan needs. Has there ever been an easier business decision? At UPMC Health Plan, we want to make it that simple. That’s why we’ve introduced the region’s most comprehensive all-electronic option. It’s called and it’s an easy-to-use, paperless option that complements any of our Small Business Advantage health plans. With , all enrollment, billing, claims, and payments are conducted online – providing you and your employees with greater convenience. Your employees also enjoy easy access to all their health information, wellness tools, and health support. And, as always, you and your employees have access to our network of more than 80 hospitals and 7,000 physicians, and the award-winning member service you expect from UPMC Health Plan. In other words you get more for less. To learn more about how you can save, go to upmchealthplan.com.

Shouldn’t the people who insure your health understand it? This managed care plan may not cover all your health care expenses. Read your contract carefully to determine which health care services are covered. If you have questions, call Member Services at 1-888-876-2756.

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Contents Penn Hills | FALL 2010 |

21 Publisherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Message

FEATURES

Education Section

22 |

Penn Hills Senior Softball Group By Jonathan Barnes | 7

UPMC Today

Health and Wellness News You Can Use | 13 COMMUNITY INTEREST

INDUSTRY INSIGHT

IN Kids

Adam Walks for the Hungry and Homeless

Penn Hills School District News

Local Dragonboat Team Wins at National Competition

Allegheny Hearing

Lifelong Learning Programs By Pamela Palongue | 30

ON THE COVER

Local dragonboating team practice on the river.

Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.

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enn Hills FALL 2010

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.”

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

Wayne Dollard AS S I STA N T TO T H E P U B L I S H E R

Mark Berton mark@incommunitymagazines.com M A N AG I N G E D I TO R

Marybeth Jeffries marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com O F F I C E M A N AG E R

Leo Vighetti leo@incommunitymagazines.com WRITERS

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 Community Magazines, 603 E. McMurray Rd., McMurray, PA 15317.

Wayne Dollard Publisher

Jonathan Barnes Kelli McElhinny Pamela Palongue Sandy Trozzo Josh Wetmore GRAPHIC DESIGN

Cassie Brkich Amante D’Albora Susie Doak Pati Ingold

Jan McEvoy Joe Milne Tamara Tylenda Tracey Wasilco

P H OTO G R A P H E R S

Garyyonphotography.com Schoolhouse Photography

In this fall edition of Penn Hills, 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 Penn Hills community, is not a new concept, just one we should consider as the seasons change. A new feature we have begun in this edition is entitled “Older Adults in Penn Hills.” 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, and 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 e-mail me with your suggestions to me at Marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com I would so grateful!

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

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 Connie McDaniel RJ Vighetti 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

www.incommunitymagazines.com Marybeth Jeffries Managing Editor 2 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Penn Hills

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dle Schoo d i M l e t s u r o f c f the Success l Student Se

ccess Steps to Su book

nt assignme • Use an ur of le one ho r day u d e h c S • time pe homework ents r assignm o f ls a o g • Set When 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. 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

By Kelli McElhinny

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 long-term 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.

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Penn Hills

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Penn Hills | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 5

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Penn Hills

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r o i n e s s l l i H n n e P P u o r G l softbraolvides P e, i r e d a r a Cam etition Comonpathan Barnes By J

the group are from Penn Hills and are age 55 or older. The t started as a sedentary discussion, the mulling of older men on a slow afternoon. While hanging around the Penn group has six teams that play on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The cost to join is $30 per year. Local sponsors help Hills senior citizens center one day in 1989, the men to pay for the cost of equipment and uniforms. chatted about the days when they played baseball. Would-be new members should Expressing a longing for the attend Saturday morning practices to try sport they played as younger men, “ At this age, to be able to get it out. Saturday morning practices begin somehow the talk turned to action. out there and play ball and at 9 a.m. with batting practice, after One of the group said, “Does which fielding practice occurs. Games anybody still have his glove?” A fellow enjoy the camaraderie is follow at 10 a.m. Inter-league games went and brought out his old baseball between the Penn Hills players happen glove. Another one of the guys came a great thing.” on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. back with a baseball bat, and another The senior softball group has two seasons: summer season, brought a baseball. From that group of 10 men, the longwhen night games are scheduled against other softball teams standing tradition of Penn Hills Senior Softball began. At the time, Sal Molitierno was one of the youngest. “I said to from McKeesport, Uniontown, Murrysville, Sharpsburg and elsewhere; and fall season, when the group is more casual, and myself, I think I can play softball,” he said. pickup games are played. During the competitive summer Now 84, Molitierno said he still enjoys the sport and getting together with his friends a few times a week to play and socialize. season, Penn Hills plays about 30 games. The fall pickup games “At this age, to be able to get out there and play ball and enjoy continue until the snow falls, Molitierno said. the camaraderie is a great thing,” he said. The Penn Hills players range in age from their fifties to their Penn Hills Men’s Senior Softball was one of the first groups eighties. The annual membership fee allows the member to play of its kind, attracting the focus of the national news media. and provides a hat as well. The group has an Opening Day Rules of play for the group are a bit different from other Picnic, a July 4 Picnic and a Fall Picnic in September as well as organized softball teams. The group has two home plates, and an annual Christmas Party. running into the catcher is forbidden. All the catcher has to do is Members are usually retirees, said Keith Watkins. “We call tag home plate to tag out a runner. The team’s field has a the 55-year-olds ‘kids’. The average age of the league’s players is “commitment line” halfway between third base and home plate. 70 years old,” he said. Watkins joined the group after realizing that it offered him First base also has a double base (like home plate), to avoid the chance to pursue a lifelong joy. collisions between players. “A buddy of mine played over there and told me about it. I’ve Penn Hills Senior Softball has about 100 players, and meets played softball all my life,” Watkins said. regularly throughout the year to practice and play. Members of Penn Hills | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 7

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Alternatives to

By Jonathan Ba rnes

yan Harris has always been an athlete, but it wasn’t until his father’s health deteriorated in 2000 that he felt a true calling to be a personal trainer. Harris, 33, of Squirrel Hill, was a champion wrestler in high school in Cleveland and made his way to Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University via a partial football scholarship. Coming to CMU to study business, Harris assumed he’d follow a normal career path from college into the white-collar world. But financial pressures and academic reasons (CMU didn’t have the program of study he wanted) led Harris to quit the university after completing more than three years of coursework but not obtaining a degree. Before he left the school, the deteriorating health of his father, James, led Harris to a life-changing realization. In 2000, James Harris went from being a borderline diabetic to having kidney and heart failure, and ultimately losing most of both of his legs. Diabetes runs in the family, and Harris saw the consequences of bad lifestyle choices combined with hereditary factors. He realized very closely that diabetes could affect him, too. “It was a wake-up call,” Harris said. “It kicked me into gear to commit my life to this. Fitness is about lifestyle choices.” For former athletes and others who enjoy working out, the perfect storm of America’s obesity epidemic has provided a way to make a good living without necessarily having to go to college, or without even having to report to a particular workplace every day. Personal training can be a low-cost career to get into with a relatively short learning curve, especially for those already wellversed in fitness training. It also can be highly lucrative, with hourly rates for personal trainers ranging from $10 per hour and up for some national fitness chains to up to $100 per hour for some trainers with expertise, a solid reputation and regular clients.

should “beAaperson trainer because she really wants someone else to feel better about themselves.

”

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Penn Hills

Nationally accredited personal training programs, which are largely online correspondence courses that sometimes have an in-person final exam at the end, can cost just several hundred dollars and take as little as four months to complete. Of course, one can spend tens of thousands on a fouryear degree and then become a personal trainer, but it isn’t necessary. Starting in 1999, Harris began to train friends for $20 per hour. He now charges $50$75 per hour for his personal training clients. For personal trainers who are trying to gain experience and perhaps get benefits while doing so, chains such as Bally’s and other gyms pay anywhere from $10 to $30 per hour and provide health care benefits. They also can be good spots for networking. Personal trainers can earn anywhere from $25,000 annually as part-time trainers to $100,000 or more per year as full-time trainers. While doing so, they are helping people to improve themselves and feel better. That’s part of what inspires Harris. “When you see how someone’s confidence increases—when you see someone that loses 100 pounds, you can see that transformation in the person feeling better about himself,” Harris said. “It’s very gratifying to see that.” The same sort of motivation inspires Swissvale personal trainer and gym owner Julie Schmitz. Schmitz, 45, began lifting weights 28 years ago with her brothers, who she’d accompany to the gym in high school. Her background is in teaching, but for years Schmitz taught at Pittsburgh Technical Institute and trained people on the side. In 2002, following a lifelong goal of owning a fitness center, Schmitz started her Swissvale gym, East End Fitness. Schmitz charges lower than average rates for personal training—$30 to $40 per hour. She is able to do so because she has her own gym, but she also does so to make it more affordable for people. She said not all trainers are equally good, and the

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motivation of a trainer, as well as her background (or lack thereof) in fitness has a bearing on the level of training a client will receive. People who want to be personal trainers should be doing it for the right reasons, she said. “A person should be a trainer because she really wants someone else to feel better about themselves,” Schmitz said. “Fitness boosts confidence in people, but if you’re just doing it for the money, your trainee will figure it out quick… I’ve seen trainers who charge $50 per hour and they are terrible.” She said the transformation that a trainer will see in a person who’s made progress in their fitness goals is the greatest reward. She mentioned a client, now in his twenties, who came to her for training at age 16. “He took a hold of this weightlifting and it changed his personality. It changed his life,” Schmitz said. Harris is starting a new personal training company, Pittsburgh Fitness Cult (www.PittsburghFitnessCult.com). He said he would recommend personal training to anyone who loves fitness and who would like to help others with fitness. You should be a people person to be a good personal trainer, as well as an inspiring teacher, he said.

Police & Fire Department Exhibits

Penn Hills | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 9

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By Pamela Palongue

MOMS

RETURNING TO SCHOOL

FACE UPHILL,

BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE, BATTLE With 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 during the week, while still retaining the all-important 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.

One of the major drawbacks to attending college is the loss of income. Another challenge for moms attempting to advance their education is finding care for their 10 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

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 childcare duties, but this may not be practical for some mothers whose parents or in-laws 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 mothersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; children. Another great way to overcome the high cost of daycare is to trade services. An individual may be willing to provide childcare 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 a four-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.

Penn Hills

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 womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.

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F A L L

Back to School Jokes 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!"

2 0 1 0

KoolinKids Penn Hills Congratulations to Lauren Trichtinger for earning the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest recognition for achievement in Girl Scouting. Lauren, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. John Trichtinger is a junior at Penn Hills Senior High School. Lauren, a high honor student and starter for the Girls Varsity Tennis team is also editor of the school newspaper and an active volunteer at her church. Trichtinger has been a Girl Scount Member of Troop 580 for the last 10 years. She was supported in her Gold Award Effort by troop leader Mrs. Cheryl Richards and history teacher Mr. Don Grosz. Her project, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Remember Pearl Harborâ&#x20AC;? was developed to aid students in history classes at the high school. Additionally the project was also presented at the William E. Anderson Library in Penn Hills. Lauren will graduate in 2012 and is contemplating a career in education.

on the go...

find these things hiding in this picture.

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Police Appreciation Day South Hills Country Club hosted Police Appreciation Day on Monday, September 13, to honor and thank the officers that work every day, in our community, to keep our streets and homes safe. Officers were treated to a continental breakfast that, of course, included donuts and coffee, a sunny day on the golf course, and dinner that evening.

Donna Tat ko and Ter ry Sands

Fallen but not Forgotten Michael Crawshaw Paul G. Richey

Bernie Sestili, Ron Hu ghes, John DeBasi, and Mike Crespy

Wallander, Linda Boyle Jeanne Pruni, Whitney

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Penn Hills

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FA L L 2 0 1 0

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

What’s Inside

page 2

UPMC Eye Center Monroeville Offers a Clear Choice in Refractive Surgery Tips for Choosing an Eye Surgeon

page 3

Play It Safe UPMC Eye Center Monroeville Is Growing

page 4

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

page 5

Who Knew Rehab Could Be So Much Fun?

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A New Era of Treatment for High-Risk Pregnancies

page 7

For the Perfect Inside View: High-Tech Imaging in Monroeville

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UPMC Eye Center Monroeville Offers a Clear Choice in Refractive Surgery New laser technology is changing the way people see the world Tired of wearing glasses or contact lenses? Millions of people have turned to refractive eye surgery to correct their vision. Recent advancements in technology are revolutionizing laser vision correction even more. Surgeons can now perform highly personalized procedures often with crystal clear results. “This is the next generation of laser vision correction surgery,” says Deepinder K. Dhaliwal, MD, director of the UPMC Eye Center Monroeville. “We can create a treatment, or correction, tailor-made to each person’s vision.”

Dr. Dhaliwal, a certified Visx/IntraLase instructor, says advancements have made laser vision correction procedures much safer, helping many patients achieve the sharpest, clearest vision possible. However, she urges patients to do their homework before signing on for the delicate surgery. “Finding a quality doctor and facility is just as important as determining if you’re a good candidate for refractive eye surgery,” she says. You may be a good candidate for refractive surgery if you:

Precise and Personal

• Are at least 18 years of age

At the UPMC Eye Center where Dr. Dhaliwal also is chief of refractive surgery, doctors are using new laser technology on patients to precisely reshape the cornea and correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and other refractive errors.

• Have healthy eyes

• The first step involves an IntraLase®, which uses tiny, rapid pulses of laser light to create a corneal flap. The computer-controlled IntraLase® results in a smoother, more uniform corneal flap. • Visx®, an advanced customized excimer laser system, is used to reshape the cornea during the second part of the procedure. • WaveScan™ is a three-dimensional digital imaging system that measures imperfections, creating a detailed map of each eye.

• Are in good health and are not pregnant or nursing • Have had a stable eyewear prescription for at least one year

A Surgeon’s Touch Extensive prescreening, examination, and mapping of the eyes are vital for a surgeon to decide which procedure is best for each person. When it comes to choosing who will perform your surgery, don’t cut corners. “Some patients see their surgeon for the first time just minutes before the operation,” says Dr. Dhaliwal. “As with all surgeries, complications can arise. That’s why it’s important for the surgeon to be closely involved from the beginning — from the initial examination and post-surgery, through follow-up care.” To find out if you are a candidate for refractive surgery, contact the UPMC Eye Center at 412-647-2917 or visit www.UPMC.com/East.

Tips for Choosing an Eye Surgeon If you are considering refractive surgery to correct a vision problem, the first thing you should do is talk with an eye surgeon. Following are some tips to help you find one: Do your homework. Talk to people you know to find a doctor — and a center — that has a good reputation. You want to go where the latest technology is being used and where you will feel most comfortable. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Look for the best doctor and surgery center — not the least expensive. This isn’t the time to try to save a few hundred dollars. Ask if your surgeon provides pre-screening and follow-up care.

www.UPMC.com/Today

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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. Experts attribute the high rate of youth sports injuries to: • 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.

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. “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

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

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.

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

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.

UPMC Eye Center Monroeville Is Growing The UPMC Eye Center Monroeville has expanded its 125 Daugherty Drive location by moving to a third floor suite. With twice the space, we’ve added more exam rooms, a larger waiting area, and an Ocular Imaging Center. Expanded services include glaucoma testing and a new subspecialty — neuro-ophthalmology/adult motility (eye disorders caused by or associated with neurologic disease/eye movement disorders). Other subspecialties include cornea, retina, glaucoma, and optometry services. To schedule an appointment at the UPMC Eye Center Monroeville, call 412-647-2200 or 1-800-446-3797.

1-800-533-UPMC

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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

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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

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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: • Preterm 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.

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For the Perfect Inside View High-tech imaging in Monroeville

Does your doctor suspect you fractured your pinky finger but wants a quick x-ray to be sure? Has your specialist instructed you to schedule a CT scan or MRI, but you can’t take time off work to do so? UPMC at Oxford Drive in Monroeville now offers a convenient source for these and other imaging services, with early morning, evening, and weekend hours. UPMC at Oxford Drive features the latest in imaging technology, including the area’s only fixed, permanent PET/CT (64 slice) scanner and the roomier, new wide-bore MRI: • The combination PET/CT gives physicians a more complete picture of what is occurring in the body, both anatomically and metabolically. It’s used to detect the presence and severity of cancers, as well as other diseases. • Individuals who become anxious in tight spaces and larger-built patients, such as athletes, can breathe easier in the wide-bore MRI, which features an extra-large opening and extra half foot of space. Other imaging services include traditional x-rays (no appointment needed); fluoroscopy; bone density scanning (DEXA); regular CT, PET, and MRI scanners; nuclear medicine; peripheral vascular; and ultrasound. UPMC at Oxford Drive offers free parking, comfortable waiting rooms, and free wireless Internet. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Saturday, 7 a.m. to noon. For an appointment, call UPMC at Oxford Drive at 412-372-1600.

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 is pleased to welcome the following new physicians to our Daugherty Drive location: Diagnostic Digestive Diseases Associates

Urology

UPMC Renal-Electrolyte Division

Kotayya Kondaveeti, MD For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 412-621-0220.

Richard Jacobs, MD For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 412-681-6632.

Georgiades Surgical Associates

UPMC Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition

Jose Bernardo, MD Robert Denshaw, MD Laurence Friedman, MD Nitin Kamat, MD For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 412-802-3043.

Athan Georgiades, MD, FACS For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 412-683-2267.

Khan Medical Associates Cynthia Black, CRNP Abdul Khan, MD For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 412-242-8860.

Podiatry Joseph Pasquino, DPM For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 412-325-3778.

Specialists in Cardiovascular Medicine, PC Abdulrab Aziz, MD For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 412-856-4666.

Howard Dubner, MD Andres Gelrud, MD Jason Swoger, MD Lee Weinberg, MD For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 412-647-8666.

UPP Department of Otolaryngology, University ENT Andrea Lewis, MD Anthony Soose, MD For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 412-374-1260.

UPMC Eye Center Eiyass Albeiruti, MD Deepinder K. Dhaliwal, MD Andrew W. Eller, MD Craig Luchansky, MD Ellen Mitchell, MD For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 412-647-2200.

UPMC Pain Management Zongfu Chen, MD For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 412-374-7302.

UPP Division of Surgical Oncology Andrew Watson, MD For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 412-641-4272.

UPP Division of Transplantation, Division of Surgical Oncology David Tsung, MD For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 412-641-4272.

1-800-533-UPMC

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UPMC 600 Oxford Drive Monroeville, PA 15146

UPMC Today is published quarterly to provide you with health and wellness information and classes and events available at UPMC. This publication is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or replace a physicianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s medical assessment. Always consult first with your physician about anything related to your personal health.

Follow UPMC on Facebook.

Our Monroeville-based services are rooted in your community. UPMC has always been proud to be a part of Monroeville, providing residents access to all of the resources of a nationally recognized academic medical center. We offer a breadth of services close to home, including primary care, advanced diagnostic capabilities, specialty physician and surgical services, and cancer care. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our tradition, and commitment, to bring advanced and compassionate care to you where it matters most ... in your very own community. For aa comprehensive comprehensivelist listof ofour ourMonroeville-based Monroeville-basedservices servicesororfor fordirections directionstotoany anyof For of our convenient locations, 1-800-533-UPMC oror visit www.UPMC.com/East. our convenient locations, call call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762) visit www.UPMC.com/East.

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Young Man From Penn Hills to Raise Funds and Awareness for Assistance Organizations

n August 1, 2010, at 7 a.m., 22-year-old Pittsburgh native Adam Brok took a stand against hunger and homelessness in Pennsylvania. Actually, he took a walk, a 365-mile walk from Jubilee Soup Kitchen in the Hill District of Pittsburgh to Women of Change Shelter in Philadelphia to raise awareness and funds for these two issues. He expected to walk 12 to 35 miles each day.

Brok became passionate about working to end hunger and homelessness after living in Philadelphia for a semester during college. “It was impossible to walk around Philly without seeing someone asking for food and money,” he says. “I come from a family where helping people was just what you did. So I decided I had to do something, and the usual donating a few bucks for food wasn’t enough.” According to the Just Harvest Education Fund, in Pennsylvania alone, 30,000 children are homeless. According to Feeding America, in 2008, 49.1 million Americans were “food insecure,” which basically means

they do not have regular dependable access to enough food to live a normal healthy life. Adam began a blog as he prepared for his journey, and has since decided to ask supporters to make donations to Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Central PA Food Bank, Philabundance and/or Project Home in Philadelphia, organizations that fight hunger and homelessness across the state. All four organizations are helping Adam with logistics and generating some of the awareness during different legs of the journey. Interested people can help Adam in this endeavor. Donations in Adam’s name to Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Central PA Food Bank, Philabundance or Project Home in Philadelphia can be made at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank website (www.gpcfb.org; click on Adam’s Walk for Hunger).

Penn Hills | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 21

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The Outreach Council at Trinity Tower United Methodist Church hosted their Annual Car Cruise and Festival to benefit the area homeless. The festival has consistently grown over the last six years and was held on Saturday, July 24, at the church, which sits beautifully atop the highest point in Penn Hills. There were over 20 fabulous classic cars on display, silent and Chinese auctions, lots of delicious food, games, dancing, and music by Paradox, a popular local group that has performed at the festival since it first began in 2005. "We couldn't do this without the local businesses," said Dawn Himes of the Outreach Council, when referring to the many wonderful auction items donated.

Sock Hop

6th Annual Fundraiser

h g u o r Th The Ages

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Penn Hills

For more information on Trinity Tower Church, visit www.trinitytowerchurch.org

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Great Smiles

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Everything!

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Visit our NEW website: www.OrthodonticSmileAcademy.com A Certified Orthodontist Specializing Exclusively in Orthodontics.

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Penn Hills | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 23

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PENN HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT

309 Collins Drive | Pittsburgh, PA 15235 | 412.793.7000

Welcome to Interim Superintendent, Dr. Stephen Vak

In July, the district bid farewell to retiring Superintendent Dr. Joseph W. Carroll, Jr., and welcomed Dr. Stephen M. Vak as interim superintendent. The retired Dr. Vak spent 22 years as superintendent in the Kiski Area School District and also served as interim superintendent in the Franklin Regional School District and interim business manager in the Armstrong County School District. Prior to his time at Kiski, he served as assistant, substitute, and superintendent in the Pine Grove Area School District. He was a Mathematics teacher in the Schuylkill Haven and North Schuylkill Area School Districts. He also taught Mathematics at Penn State University-Schuylkill Campus, taught gifted students at the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit, and was a School Finance Instructor at California State University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Vak's educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Susquehanna University and Master of Arts and Doctor of Education in Educational Administration from Lehigh University. He has authored several articles and has been selected for a National Science Foundation Grant. He has served

as a Pennsylvania Department of Education evaluator for Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) programs, which emphasize equal access to education and establish high standards of accountability. He has presented on a variety of topics at both state and national conferences. He has also taken part in a wide range of community activities, from the Red Cross to the Kiwanis Club to the Boys Scouts of America. The board tasked Dr. Vak with two main priorities: accountability and increasing student achievement as measured by the state assessments. He said his goal for Penn Hills is to show growth and improvement in the district. "If everyone does a good job," he said, "I believe they can reach this goal." Dr. Vak said he is not here just to fill time, but rather to develop areas he feels need to be improved. While he will not be part of the selection process for the next superintendent, he will train that person. Ultimately, he said, he is laying the foundation for the next superintendent, and hopes to provide the necessary tools for a successful tenure for that person. Mr. Bailey said the district considers itself fortunate to have gotten a professional of the caliber of Dr. Vak to step in to the interim superintendent position. "Along with his many years of experience as a superintendent, Dr. Vak specifically has demonstrated an ability to increase student achievement," Mr. Bailey said. "This, along with emphasizing accountability across the district, is what will move the district forward and lay a strong foundation for a new, permanent superintendent," he added.

Changes for 2010-11 School Year The 2010-11 school year will definitely be a year of change. With the move of district administration to Linton Middle School in the spring, demolition of the Roberts site began this summer. The site will be the location of the new senior high school, expected to be completed in two years. Dible Elementary School closed its doors for the final time with the conclusion of the 2009-10 school year. Students who had attended Dible will now attend Penn Hebron Elementary Academy. This building had most recently been a districtwide building for Grades 4 and 5. With the addition of the former Dible students, the building will be Grades K-4, with only Grade 4 composed of students from across the district. The principal of Penn Hebron is former Associate Principal Phillip Woods. The new associate principal at Penn Hebron will be Maureen Dobson.

24 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Penn Hills

Linton Middle School will now be composed of students in Grades 5 through 8. Principal for Grades 5 and 6 will be former Penn Hebron Principal Sandy Barker. Principal for Grades 7 and 8 will be Shaun Cooke. Justin Stephens will be Associate Principal for Grade 6, with Dan Garofalo Associate Principal for Grades 7 and 8. Former Interim Principal Robert Patterson will stay onboard as educational consultant. The Senior High School welcomes Grade 9 this fall. Associate principals at the Senior High School will be Ron Graham, Christopher Horne, and Patrick Gavin.

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PENN HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT

Penn Hills Community Development Committee Needs You! “I'm interested, I think I can help”

High School Student Visits White House Sophomore TeQuila Cole is no stranger to receiving honors. As a 9th grader at Linton, TeQuila was one of 100 students chosen from across the United States to attend the 2nd Annual Disney Dreamers Academy with radio personality Steve Harvey. On June 21, she was one of eight young women from Southwestern Pennsylvania to visit the White House and meet President Barack Obama for a mentoring and responsible fatherhood-themed barbecue. The eight students were chosen by the Women and Girls Foundation, an organization whose mission is to achieve equity for women and girls in the region. TeQuila's story was told by Dave Crawley of KDKA, and the video can be accessed on KDKA.com.

Drums Corps Visits District In July, members of a Drums Corps International (DCI) Marching Unit from San Antonio, Texas, were hosted by the district as they prepared to perform in a competition at Baldwin High School. DCI is a major performing circuit in the marching band arena and is comprised of young musicians up to 22 years of age from across the country. With several corps coming to the competition at Baldwin, local schools were called upon to serve as hosts. In exchange for providing facilities for students to sleep and shower, the corps held an open rehearsal for students to observe. The corps students were housed and rehearsed at Linton. According to District Director of Bands Michael Berkey, “It's a great way for our students to observe a drum corps in action and provide a positive model for our young marching band musicians, as well as every musician in the community.”

was the general attitude prevalent at the public general meeting of the fledgling start-up of the Penn Hills Community Development Committee (CDC) at the Senior Center on Jefferson Road in the center of Penn Hills. A CDC is a citizen sponsored effort to “bootstrap” the community we live in to become more than just another deteriorating neighborhood. Once the CDC becomes organized into a non-profit 501c3 group it may apply for grants from charitable foundations that would not be available if it were a municipal government entity. The continuing success of the East Liberty and Lawrenceville CDCs provides near-by encouragement of successful effort. It is not expecting someone else to fix the problem. This first year is directed by a volunteer board as the framework of by-laws, mission statements and tax status is put in place. The following year will be lead by an elected board from members who have contributed $10 to provide initial working capital. Board members chair the various committees. Jim Black, current board president, opened the meeting with 45 residents attending. Alison Young, education committee chairman, introduced the special speaker Mary Jo Needham-Lincoln of the Good Schools PA organization. She introduced us to their aims of increasing government funding on a more “equitable” basis to school districts that may otherwise may be somewhat slighted. Board President and Safety Committee Chairman Jim Black discussed lack of municipal budgeting for soft body protective vests for our police force. Housing Committee Chairman Jim Getsy encouraged residents to report possible code violations to the municipality even if one were not too knowledgeable of code details. He also applauded various community groups participating in trash pickup along major roads. Economic Development Chairman Al Papa highlighted how the poor reputation of Penn Hills schools has discouraged people and businesses from moving into Penn Hills. He encouraged the committee to work for solutions that enhance the education value being provided. Ed Zullo tackled the start of a community garden on a plot of municipal ground on Jefferson Road. Plots are available for $20 per year, with the vision that residents would plant vegetables and perhaps give their excess harvest to local food banks. Eleven gardens are in use. Jean Meyer, membership chairman, painted the vision of having some 200 to 250 members by the end of this year. It is hoped that local community groups will become actively involved. The new website will be the main source of communication and may be accessed on the Internet at www.pennhillscdc.org. Committees and blogs are listed with the expectation that meetings and times will be published there. Penn Hills | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 25

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W I L L I A M E. A N D E R S O N L I B R A R Y www.pennhillslibrary.org Tyrone Ward Executive Director

Mary Ann Zeak Librarian & Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Services

Jean Kanouff Adult Librarian

Main Branch 1037 Stotler Road Pittsburgh, PA 15235 412.795.3507 Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday & Saturday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday: 1-5 p.m.

Lincoln Park Satellite 7300 Ridgeview Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15235 412.362.7729 Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Saturday & Sunday

Friends of the Library The Friends of the Penn Hills Library is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing together people who are interested in the well-being of the library. The Friends work to provide many extras for the library, items not included in the regular library budget. The Friends welcome gifts of time, money and materials from their members and the community. These donations are channeled into gifts that benefit the library and its patrons. To join the Friends, choose a membership category below: Individual: $10 Donor: $50 Family: $25 Patron: $100 Organizations/ Associations: $30 Dues are paid at the time of registration. Stop in at the library for a membership form or send your name, address, telephone number to: Friends of the Penn Hills Library 1037 Saltsburg Road Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Make checks payable to Friends of the Penn Hills Library. 26 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Penn Hills

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Local Dragonboat Te am Wins at N

ational Competition

ink Steel, a dragon boat racing team headquartered at Fox Chapel Yacht Club, won first place in the USDBA Club Crew National Dragon Boat Racing Championship. The event, held in Chattanooga, Tenn., on July 23, 24 and 25, invited teams from all over the country to vie for the honor to be called the best in the U.S. in their division. Pink Steel won the BCS (Breast Cancer Survivor) division title, a monetary award and the right to display the Dana Nelson Cupâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a traveling award bestowed annually in honor of its namesake who was an avid dragon boat enthusiast. Pink Steel has been training extensively for this competition for several months. The women and their supporters invested a great deal of time and energy to attend the race, confident that they would prevail. Members of the team come from many communities in and around Pittsburgh including Murrysville, Export, New Kensington and Penn Hills. Dragon boat paddling has seen a jump in popularity within our region. The sport requires 20 individuals, sitting side by side and paddling in unison, to propel a long canoe-like vessel through the water. People of all ages and levels of experience are welcome to explore this activity. It provides a great workout in a friendly atmosphere. Participants can decide for themselves what level of competition they want to reach for, from local festival participation to international racing events. Pink Steel is one of the teams within the Steel City Dragon Boat Association. All teams hold practices on the Allegheny River, between Fox Chapel Yacht Club and Oakmont. Information about the group can be obtained from the SCDBA website at www.steelcitydragons.org or by contacting the chairman at info@steelcitydragons.org.

Other teams from the area which raced successfully at Nationals were the Pittsburgh Paddlefish Grand Masters Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Team (Three Rivers Rowing Association), who won first place in their division, and Team Pittsburgh, the Premier Mixed team sent by SCDBA.

Penn Hills | Fall 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 27

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Planning Your Way to

college H

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 processâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;college. By Karen Ferrieri

28 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Penn Hills

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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 an instruction manual for getting into college.

#1:

Work With your school guidance counselor to plan your classes.

#2: plan out your classes carefully. #3: 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. #4: nail your psat, sat and act exams. #5: get involved in extracurricular activities in your school and community. stay committed to following through for a few months or years with that activity. #6: 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. #7: 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. #8: 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.

Mr. Bob Atkins, Director of Admissions for Washington and Jeﬀerson College summed it up pretty simply. “Most colleges are looking for the best fit for the college.” For instance, he said, “While academics are important, extra curricular involvement, being able to show leadership ability, employment history and progression of grades are also equally as important.” Atkins recommended, “If possible, find out how to get a face-to-face interview with

“

We beg in talkin g to ou students r as fresh men ab balance out the betwee n acade being in mics an volved d in their whethe c o mmunit r it’s sp y, orts, em ployme other o nt or rganiza tions. W necessa e don’t rily wan t to see our overwh students elmed, but the well-ro y s h o uld be unded in their pla nning.“

— Heather W aw High School rzeniak, Counselor

someone within the college. Consider when you apply for any college program that the majority of applicants are all 4.0 high school students with the SAT scores necessary to get them into a great college. So, what will make you stand out against them? Go out and do what it takes to prove that you have the necessary means to show motivation to succeed and the ability to continue to grow within any program. And, while colleges are seeing more gap year admission students (those who have chosen to take a year off after high school before entering college) they look at those applicants to see what they’ve done during the off year that shows productivity.” While all of the information out there is readily available, if you do have questions or run into stumbling blocks along the way, your high school guidance counselor is there to assist you throughout the process as well. Peter Berg, superintendent of guidance for the Mt. Lebanon Schools tells students, “Make sure you have a target list of schools that contains three tiers that you go after. Your first tier is your safety schools, those that you feel strongly you will get accepted to. The second tier on the list contains your target schools, those schools that you really would like to go to; however you have to be really certain to meet the grade requirements to make sure that you stand out against applicants to get accepted. And, finally, the third tier is your reach schools, those schools that really are a far stretch for you but that you’d like to at least try to get accepted to. Having this tiered list of schools that you are applying to will ensure acceptance to a school that you are interested in.” Once you have a career path in mind and a few colleges/ universities that you are considering, do your research and do not be afraid to consult with your guidance counselor, college admission staff and others who currently work within the profession that you are interested in. You’ll be amazed at how much information and assistance is out there to help you prepare for college entrance.

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REAL ESTATE

schools 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

“ Th e s c h o o l district, l believe, i s t h e driving force of t h e real estate.”

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By Josh WetmoRe

Penn Hills

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 that 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. It’s a comparison that could give you the edge when it comes to your property value when it comes 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. 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.”

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enn Hills Call 724.942.0940 sales@incommunitymagazines.com

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Contact Kelly at 412-246-5809 or johnstonKL@upmc.edu All calls are confidential.

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