in-penn-hills-spring by IN Community Magazines

SPRING 2012

enn Hills

PENN HILLS STUDENTS

Showcase FOR Talent A

GOOD CAUSE

PROFILE ON ST. BART’S SISTER DOROTHY PAWLUS JOSEPH’S HARVEST FOOD PANTRY HELPS THE HUNGRY

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

120 over 80.

What’s it worth to U?

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

upmchealthyu.com

INSIDE

enn Hills

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

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GOODE CAUS

IN Penn Hills | SPRING 2012 |

T’S ON ST. BAR PROFILEDOROTHY PAWLUS SISTER FOOD HARVEST GRY JOSEPH’SHELPS THE HUN PANTRY

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FEATURES

Spring Kids Page ............................ | 23 Home Improvement Section Reduce Costs with Attic Insulation ............................. | 30 Small Updates Pay Off Big for Home Values ............................ | 31 ON THE COVER | Penn Hills Students Showcase Talent For A Good Cause Monroeville V4_Layout 1 3/7/12 12:45 PM Page 1

SPRING 2012

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

Let’s Get Physical

What can a daily dose of moderate physical activity do for you? Plenty! As you get older, regular exercise is a key to staying strong, energetic, and healthy. To learn more about the link between fitness and aging, turn to page 3.

What’s Inside page 2

To Create the Ideal Hospital ... Start with a Dream Team

page 3

Fit at Any Age

page 4

page 5

Surviving Allergies: What You Can Do Putting Ergonomics to Work for You

Brightening Lives With Light

page 6

A Walk to Remember

page 7

Partnering with the Community for Excellence in Emergency Care

COMMUNITY INTEREST

Fighter Pilot and St. Bart’s Alum Visits School ............ |

An Evening of Music, Chocolate & Roses ...................... |

Penn Hills Native Awarded Purple Heart .......................... |

Sr. Dorothy Pawlus Works to Enrich Parish Life ............ |

The Face of Hunger in Penn Hills ....................................... | 10 UPMC Today | Health and Wellness News You Can Use ................. | 13 A Lesson from the Andy Warhol Museum ...................... | 21 Penn Hills Chamber of Commerce .................................... | 22 The Bridge Celebrates 1st Anniversary in Penn Hills ... | 24 Students Showcase Talent for a Good Cause ................ | 26 Penn Hills High Honors WW II Veterans ........................... | 28

S TA F F PUBLISHER

Wayne Dollard

elcome to the Spring issue of Penn Hills Magazine! Hopefully, we are all enjoying the lengthening days as we forge on to summer. While spring usually brings more rain to the region than we normally get throughout the rest of the year, I’m glad we’ve had a few days of nice weather to get outside and remember what the snow covered up. We’ve grown once again over the winter, and have shifted some staff around to accommodate that growth. I want to point this out to you because you, the readers, give us many of the great story ideas that you see featured in these pages, and I want you to have the right point of contact so that your story can be heard. The editor for the east region is Monica Haynes (m.haynes@ incommunitymagazines.com). Please forward your good news to Monica, and she’ll make sure it finds a place in the magazine. If you’re not sure whether you have a good story, give Monica a call at 412-254-8704 and ask! While our editors have realigned into better-organized zones, we still want everything in those zones to be 100 percent local to you. We also appreciate your feedback (good and bad) to let us know where we Wayne Dollard missed the mark and where we hit it out of the park. Publisher Lastly, it’s not too soon to start thinking about the rest of the year! I know we just got through the holidays, and are thawing out, but since we’re quarterly, we’re already looking ahead to fall and beyond. So if you have events planned and would like to promote them, call or email Monica. If you have an event coming up earlier, let us know so we can send our photographers and document the occasion! Here’s hoping that the start to your year has been a good one!

MANAGING EDITOR

Marybeth Jeffries m.jeffries@icmags.com REGIONAL EDITORS

Mark Berton [South and West] mark@incommunitymagazines.com Monica L. Haynes [East] m.haynes@incommunitymagazines.com N O R T H Z O N E C O O R D I N AT O R

Pamela Palongue p.palongue@incommunitymagazines.com S C H O O L & M U N I C I PA L C O N T E N T C O O R D I N AT O R

Megan Faloni m.faloni@incommunitymagazines.com OFFICE MANAGER

Leo Vighetti leo@incommunitymagazines.com A D P L A C E M E N T C O O R D I N AT O R

Debbie Mountain d.mountain@incommunitymagazines.com GRAPHIC DESIGN

Cassie Brkich Anna Buzzelli Sharon Cobb Susie Doak

Jan McEvoy Joe Milne Tamara Tylenda

WRITERS

Heather Holtschlage Kathleen Rudolph Leigh Lyons Gina Salinger Dana Black McGrath Judith Schardt Joann Naser PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ginni Hartle Brad Lauer

Kathleen Rudolph Gary Yon

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGERS

elcome Spring! While June may not be busting out all over yet, hope springs eternal for warmer weather, blooming flowers, and more occasions to walk in the sunshine, and more opportunities to get out and meet your fellow residents and neighbors. Speaking of meeting your neighbors, in this edition of Penn Hills, we have a feature on Sister Dorothy Pawlus, Parish Life Collaborator at St. Bartholomew Parish. We also catch up with Pastor Rick Cox to talk about the one-year anniversary of his church, The Bridge. Penn Hills also stopped in on the Penn Hills High School talent show and its Valentine’s event. In this edition, we also have a feature on Purple Heart recipient Captain Ed Dice. We also visited Joseph’s Harvest, the food pantry run by Petra International Ministries, which serves several communities including Penn Hills. Remember, this is your magazine. It’s about what’s happening in your community. So let us know what you want to read about, what’s going on, Monica L. Haynes what’s important to you. Eastern Regional Editor For now, it’s time to think spring, and time to enjoy this edition of Penn Hills Magazine!

Derek Bayer Tom Poljak

Tamara Myers

ADVERTISING SALES

Brian Daley Gina D’Alicandro Tina Dollard Karen Fadzen Julie Graf Jason Huffman Lori Jeffries Connie McDaniel Brian McKee Gabriel Negri Aimee Nicolia

Robert Ojeda Ralph Palaski Annette Petrone Vincent Sabatini Jennifer Schaefer Michael Silvert Karen Turkovich RJ Vighetti Nikki Capezio-Watson Sophia Williard

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 2012. CORRESPONDENCE

Direct all inquiries, comments and press releases to: IN COMMUNITY MAGAZINES

Attn: Editorial 603 E. McMurray Rd. Ph: 724.942.0940 McMurray, PA 15317 Fax: 724.942.0968 www.incommunitymagazines.com Summer content deadline: 5/11 Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.

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Penn Hills

Fighter Pilot and St. Bart’s Alum Visits School

E Army Captain Andrew Brennan stood as a living example to our students about their responsibility to serve their school, community, church, nation and world.

ach year in January, Catholic Schools across the country celebrate Catholic Schools Week. This year’s theme was Catholic Schools: Faith, Academics and Service. Examples of each of these aspects of our educational mission were acted out in Tableaux’s on Sunday, January 29 at St. Bartholomew School in Penn Hills. As a special surprise on the topic of Service, Army Captain Andrew Brennan participated in the service. Current students carried and displayed a flag that he had flown as a Black Hawk Helicopter pilot in a combat mission over Afghanistan. He stood as a living example to our students about their responsibility to serve their school, community, church, nation and world. As a Penn Hills native, Brennan attended St. Bartholomew Grade School, Pittsburgh Central Catholic, Carnegie Mellon University and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Linda Pricer, the current Principal at St. Bart’s, who taught Andrew said, “Andrew was a conscientious student. He always tried his best. His concern and compassion for others was apparent even when he was a young boy.” Brennan is also a long-distance runner, who participates in competitions for Team Red, White and Blue, an organization that helps wounded veterans get reintigrated into society. St. Bartholomew School is open to all children, and our goals and expectations are to prepare children to be active, faithful and contributing citizens of the future.

Penn Hills | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 3

An Evening of

Music,

Chocolate & Roses

t’s the Friday before Valentine’s Day and the Penn Hills High School choir sets the mood with various musical selections for the Cabaret, Roses and Chocolate concert. The evening started off with performances from the freshman, sophomore and junior choir members. Penn Hills Got Talent winner, Savanna Wiggins, sang a duet alongside fellow choir member Vivian Sentmier titled, Alone in the Universe. After the intermission senior choir members brought the show home. An evening full of familiar Disney songs, and popular musical selections like, A Whole New World from Aladdin and Popular from the musical Wicked entertained all in attendance. After the concert everyone had the chance to indulge in a variety of chocolate desserts. The proceeds from the concert benefit the senior scholarship fund. The scholarship is presented by the Choral Parents Association of Penn Hills. Each year, at least two deserving seniors are awarded $500 scholarships.

Savannah Wig gins and Vivian Sentmier

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Alex Newby gets an assist from a fellow student

as she performs.

Chesney Mulaski

Alex Newby sings her heart out

Nicole and Alyssa Innes accompanied by Peter Mysels

Imani Wilkerson

Xavier Hickman and Tylynn Brown

Penn Hills | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 5

Penn Hills Native Awarded

PURPLE HEART Afghanistan – 2009

BY DANA BLACK MCGRATH

For Capt. Edward F. Dice, Jr., home is where his heart is. Dice, who has traveled around the world during his 10-year long career in the Air Force, recently has been awarded the Purple Heart medal for injuries he sustained in the line of duty while serving overseas. Now living in Colorado Springs, he says he hopes that his path soon will lead him back to the Pittsburgh area. Dice was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area and is a 1997 graduate of Penn Hills High School. At the time he was a student there, the district did not have an ROTC program. After graduation, he went on to study at Penn State University. There he received an ROTC scholarship from the Air Force. The conditions for the full scholarship were that he would major in engineering and, after graduation, become an engineer in the United States Air Force. “I’ve always been intrigued by the military and serving my country,” he explains of his decision to join the Air Force. “It also was very financially lucrative when you are offered a four-year scholarship as long as you maintain a certain GPA and as long as you enlist.” Dice earned his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Penn State in 2002 and promptly joined the Air Force. On the day he graduated, he was commissioned as a lieutenant and received his duty assignment. He spent time in North Dakota and Las Vegas before being based out of Colorado Springs. “As the wars were ongoing,” he explains, “I was sent overseas to help in whatever capacity was needed.” His first deployment came in 2003. Since then Dice has been deployed overseas five times: twice to Iraq and three times to Afghanistan. Cumulatively, he has spent the equivalent of three years in the region. He returned home from his most recent deployment in July 2011. During one of those deployments, in Iraq, on June 23, 2007, Dice was performing gunner duties during a convoy mission when a roadside improvised explosive device (IED) exploded. Dice was thrown against

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the turret of the vehicle he was riding on and sustained a head injury that left him with a concussion. But, despite that injury, it would be five years before he was approved to receive his Purple Heart medal.

“As good as it has been to me, it is also tough. After 10 years of war, you start to wear out. Life is short, and I certainly am weighing my options.” –CAPT. EDWARD F. DICE

According to an account published by the official website of the Air Force Space Command: “Deployed from the 820th Rapid Engineers Deployable Heavy Operations Repair Squadron Engineers Squadron at Nellis AFB, Nev. at the time, Dice’s logistics convoy was attacked by a roadside IED. The blast from the attack threw Dice against the vehicle turret causing a concussion. During that deployment, Dice’s team performed 82 combat patrols covering more than 5,000 miles.” In the same story, Dice said his award recommendation was previously denied because diagnosis and treatment of traumatic brain injury can sometimes be difficult, it was overlooked.”

A subsequent change in standards provided the opportunity t for his recommendation to be resubmitted and reconsidered. It was approved in December last year. Dice received his Purple Heart medal on Jan. 13 from Air Force Space Command Commander General William Shelton at Peterson Air Force Base. Dice also has been presented three Bronze Star medals, a decoration awarded for bravery, acts of merit or meritorious service. During his service, as an engineer, he does a lot of work with airport runways and access roads, Dice explains. “Overseas, and with the military in general, inevitably, in one form or another, you are supporting the war effort,” he explains of his work. “That includes training, of yourself and as a team, for combat-related or technically-related, to become a better, more efficient war fighter.” While, as an engineer, there are times when he works on a variety of construction projects, his responsibilities also include parachute training, convoy patrol, and weapons training. “Not only do you have to do your job,” he says. “You have to do your job in a combat environment. It is different than what you do stateside.” Experience, he says, is the best training. “By the time you are on your fourth and fifth deployment, you

know the threats and how to combat them while getting your mission done. When he is stateside, Dice is headquarters-based, and takes on managerial-related tasks to support training and base operations. Soon, he will be promoted again. He is scheduled to be promoted to the rank of Major on June 1. “I am really glad I did it,” Dice says of his decision to join the Air Force. “It has made me what I am today.” What he is today, he says, is still a “Pittsburgh boy at heart.” He loves the Pittsburgh sports teams, the city itself, and all of his family and friends who are here. “I really hope to get back there one day,” he says. But, for now, Dice heads home for vacations whenever he can between deployments and work. When he does make it home, he gives back to those who may be considering a similar career path. Now, Penn Hills School District does offer an ROTC program. About once a year, whenever he happens to be in town between deployments and work, Dice heads back to his alma mater to talk with the cadets at Penn Hills High School. “I try to give a military perspective to the cadets,” he says of his visits. “Actually, I really enjoy doing that.” Dice says he has been thinking a lot lately about returning to the area and what his future will be with the military. “As good as it has been to me, it is also tough. After 10 years of war, you start to wear out. Life is short, and I certainly am weighing my options.”

Iraq – 2009

Capt. Edward F. Dice, Jr. received his Purple Heart by the Commander of Air Force Space Command General Shelton.

Penn Hills | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 7

Sr. Dorothy Pawlus Works to

Enrich Parish Life

BY DANA BLACK MCGRATH

s Parish Life Collaborator at St. Bartholomew Parish, Sr. Dorothy Pawlus, Csfn wears many hats while she works on behalf of the church and its parishioners.

Interestingly, she is the only Parish Life Collaborator in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. She was appointed to the position four and a half years ago, but actually began her time at St. Bartholomew Parish nearly seven and a half years ago. “I think it works because people already knew me,” she says of her post. Not only was she the first to be appointed Parish Life Collaborator, today she still remains the only one in the diocese. In the position, she is responsible for overseeing the pastoral and fiscal operations of the parish. That includes making certain sacramental needs and requirements are met so that parishioners may receive their sacraments, including preparing classes for Holy Communion and Confirmation. Also, she meets with couples who are planning to marry to prepare them or their big day. “I do everything except what an ordained minister must do,” she explains. Her responsibilities also extend to the St. Bartholomew Elementary School, where she oversees operations. Although there still is

a principal at the school, the principal is a teaching principal, explains Sr. Dorothy. “It’s fun, most days,” she laughs. Before coming to St. Bart’s, Sr. Dorothy, a member of the congregation of Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, served as the manager of an assisted living facility and went on to earn her masters in theology from Duquesne University. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, she also holds degrees in business and theology and pastoral ministry. She says she feels as though her position at St. Bartholomew is a good fit for her. “I need to not have to do the same thing all the time,” she says. “For me, it’s not all paperwork. Most of the time the work is an even mix of being with people and managing finances.” It is a post in which she hopes to continue for some time. The Parish Life Collaborator is a position that is provided for in Canaan law, she explains. There are about 600 who serve in such positions nation-wide. St. Bartholomew parish does not have a pastor. Instead, Sr. Dorothy handles most of those

“Priests in the area are very supportive and willing to help, without them, I don’t think the program would work as well.” -Sr. Dorothy Pawlus

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“Catholic schools have a reputation of taking children to the best of their ability, but, it is expensive and often hard for families.”

responsibilities and lives in the church rectory. There is a priest director at St. Bartholomew, the Rev. Frank Kurimsky, who also is pastor at St. Irenaeus in Oakmont. But, he is not involved with the day-to-day operations of the St. Bartholomew parish. There also is a sacramental minister assigned to the parish, the Rev. Thomas E. Dansak, to perform rites of Baptism, marriages, reconciliation, anointing of the sick and others, to make certain all the needs of the parish are met. Other area priests also help out when needed. “Priests in the area are very supportive and willing to help,” says Sr. Dorothy. “Without them, I don’t think the program would work as well.” The St. Bartholomew parish serves 1,100 families. Sr. Dorothy says one of her priorities for the parish is an evangelization program that she and others are working on internally at the parish. That includes making a series of calls to parishioners. Some of those calls are to parishioners who may not have been to Mass in a long time, inviting them back to services. Callers also ask parishioners if they may have any needs, or if they would like to receive a visit from someone from the church. The program is going very well, Sr. Dorothy reports. “Some had just fallen through the cracks,” she says. There have been a number of shut-ins who were happy to receive visits and have Communion brought to them. Another goal of Dr. Dorothy’s is to see continued growth at St. Bartholomew Elementary School, which offers classes for children in preschool through eighth grade. The school has experienced much growth over the past several years. Enrollment has jumped from 117 to 176 students over the past six years. Sr. Dorothy believes that growth is because people value the quality of education provided by a Catholic school. That is reflected in the high marks students receive on standardized tests. For instance, the school’s eighth graders are testing at a 12th grade level on Terra Nova tests, and recently the seventh graders took first place at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science in chemistry and physics. “Catholic schools have a reputation of taking children to the best of their ability,” she says. “But, it is expensive and often hard for families. We remind students of the sacrifices their parents are making.” Penn Hills | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 9

The Face of

Hunger Penn Hills

BY PAMELA PALONGUE

ACCORDING TO A 2004 STUDY BY WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY OF ST. LOUIS, AT LEAST 42% OF AMERICANS WILL DEAL WITH FOOD INSECURITY AT SOME TIME DURING THEIR LIVES.

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o many, hunger is someone elseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s problem; a difficulty that will happen to someone elseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family. But according to a 2004 study by Washington University of St. Louis, at least 42% of Americans will deal with food insecurity at some time during their lives. It is interesting to note that this study was done four years prior to the beginning of the recession. It is hard to overestimate the importance of food to quality of life and overall health. Medical experts now tell us that the major factors in determining disease are DNA, exercise and nutrition. A person may be able to stay alive by eating cereal every day, but how healthy is a consistent diet of nothing but cereal? Unfortunately, the poor are many times forced to buy what is cheap without regard for nutritional value. Indeed, many people are lucky to have enough money to buy food at all. As people age, nutrition becomes even more important to sustaining life. For individuals with health problems such as diabetes or heart problems, good food is essential. To growing children, proper nutrition is vitally important for optimal learning in school and normal physical development. Unfortunately, many people in our area do not have enough food to eat, much less the financial resources to buy healthy, nutritious food.

One common misconception is that people who are hungry are unemployed. Although this is sometimes the case, many individuals who work at full-time jobs do not have enough to eat. With employee benefits such as health care decreasing, many workers are faced with the choice of paying for their health care insurance and prescriptions – or food. Workers have also accepted cutbacks in the number of hours worked or decreases in hourly wages in order to retain their jobs. This shortage in pay has to be made up in other areas and one way that individuals stretch their paychecks is by skipping meals, to the detriment of their health. According to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, since August of 2008, area food banks have been serving an average of 2,500 new households every month! This dramatic increase correlates directly to the economic hard times of the past few years. Petra International Ministry’s food Pantry, Joseph’s Harvest, not only distributes food to people who are in need, but also shows them how to prepare that food and more during its summer food demonstrations. “We offer food demonstrations that encompass the idea of food nutrition, showing participants different variations for preparing their meals,” said Denice Matthews, church elder and director of the food pantry. “For example, if someone’s child likes Oodles of Noodles, for instance, we can show them various nutritional ways to make meals that include that ingredient.” The food pantry, which serves residents in Penn Hills, Wilkinsburg, Verona and East Hills, operates from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the last Friday of each month. It serves, on average, more than 460 individuals a month and takes the effort of several volunteers to make it successful. “We need about 10 to 15 volunteers to help with the food pantry,” Matthews explained. “They fulfill responsibilities such as unloading the food truck when it arrives in the morning, stocking the shelves, distributing the food, and helping the people carry their food to their cars.” In addition to the food pantry, there also is a clothing bank, which accepts donated clothing items in gently used condition, and although there are state requirements to be met before someone can use the food pantry services, there are no such requirements for the clothing bank. “While we do not have the storage space for larger furniture items, we will accept them if we know someone is in need of that particular item,” Matthews said. “We

maintain a list of the needs of our members and if someone has a piece of furniture to donate, we can reference the list to assess the needs. We do, however, accept and store smaller household items.” The food pantry also distributes information and helps people who need assistance with issues of daily living, such as housing or utilities. The bulk of the food that is donated to Joseph’s Harvest comes from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, however, donations also come from sister churches as well as individuals. And although members must register with the pantry to ensure they are residents of the serviced communities, and that they meet the income guidelines set by the state, the food pantry offers emergency services to individuals who require it. It also accepts referrals from other organizations such as Just Harvest. “We also collaborate on outreach programs with other churches, such as the House of Bread, which is the food pantry at Covenant Church in Wilkinsburg,” said Matthews, who also volunteers at House of Bread. “And, we distribute a monthly newsletter that comes from the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank. This newsletter, which is given to our food pantry members, is filled with information on nutrition and food and tips for healthy eating.” Though her hard work at Joseph’s Harvest is one the reasons for its success, Matthews attributes the enjoyment of her work to the people she gets to meet. “We minster to people who ask for it and pray for people who need it. That’s just our heart.” For more information on Joseph’s Harvest, call 412.243.7225 or visit www.petra.org. If a family is fortunate enough to have plenty to eat, there are important things that anyone can do to help those who are hungry. One of the most obvious ways is to donate money to your local food pantry. This enables the food bank to buy the nutritious foods that are needed, rather than having to cope with limited amounts of random food items. Although many businesses and corporations support the food banks, they could not survive without help from the general population at large. The support of individuals in the community is crucial. For some families, a donation of $25 or $50 may pose a hardship on their budget. But even with limited income, there are things that almost anyone can do to help. Most grocery stores offer shoppers the opportunity to make a contribution to the local food pantry at the checkout line. If every family who is continued on next page

Penn Hills | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 11

ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT HELPING YOUR LOCAL FOOD PANTRY IS THAT YOU ARE HELPING YOUR NEIGHBORS. continued from previous page

able makes a donation of $1 each week when they shop for groceries, think of the money that could be generated to help feed the hungry! By donating a smaller amount more frequently, it is less painful than writing a check for $20 or more. A small donation of one dollar will most likely not be missed in the family budget, but will help make a big impact when combined with the dollars from other area households. Although monetary donations allow the food pantry the ability to buy food supplies to fill particular needs, food donations are also helpful. Many times we buy things at the store with good intentions, but those items at the back of the cupboard are just not being eaten. Chances are if you take a quick inventory of your pantry, there are a few items that could be donated to your local food bank. In particular need are high fiber cereals, rice, pasta, and canned beans such as kidney, black and navy which are an important source of protein. Peanut butter, canned tuna and salmon also supply much needed protein. Canned vegetables and fruits are always welcomed as well as fruit and vegetable juices,

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although they should be 100% juice so be sure to check the ingredients label before donating. Chili, stews and soups are also valuable items because they offer a quick and easy way to get several daily nutrients in one convenient source. Glass containers cannot be accepted at local food banks because of possible breakage. Although many foods remain nutritious and palatable after they expire, some do not. Therefore donated food items should not be expired. Another practically painless way to donate food is to take advantage of store specials. When your local grocery runs a special where two items may be purchased and the third one is free or there’s a “two for the price of one” special, consider donating that extra can of carrots to the food pantry. If this is done weekly, the items will add up quickly and the surplus will help feed hungry families. Last of all, but in no way least, if individuals cannot afford even small sacrifices of money or groceries, time is another valuable commodity. Most food banks are operated entirely by volunteers. There are many different jobs to

do which allow a person to be matched with a task that fits his/her own unique personality. Groceries must be organized and stocked on the shelves and later packed into boxes for food pantry clients. Individuals are also needed to work directly with clients to determine eligibility and the distribution of food. Still other people are needed for fundraising activities, food drive events and marketing duties. One of the best things about helping your local food pantry is that you are helping your neighbors. Oftentimes the hungry go unnoticed because hunger cannot be seen or felt by those around it. The person who is hungry could be your neighbor, a co-worker or the waitress at your local coffee shop. If 42% of U.S. citizens will have food insecurity at some time in their lives, the hungry person may even be you or your family. Helping the food pantry to help others will build a stronger, healthier community for us all.

SPRING 2012

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

Let’s Get Physical

What’s Inside page 2

To Create the Ideal Hospital ... Start with a Dream Team

page 3

Fit at Any Age

page 4

Surviving Allergies: What You Can Do Putting Ergonomics to Work for You

page 5

Brightening Lives With Light

page 6

A Walk to Remember

page 7

Partnering with the Community for Excellence in Emergency Care

To Create the Ideal Hospital ...

Startwitha

DreamTeam Ultimately, the people who work there will be the defining difference at UPMC East — the first new hospital in Pittsburgh’s eastern suburbs in more than three decades. If you’ve ever been hospitalized, you probably have more than a few ideas on how your stay could have been made more comfortable or the quality of your care improved. For the last few years, planning the ideal patient experience has been the full-time job of Mark Sevco, president of UPMC East, UPMC’s newest facility opening July 2012. “Our goal is to bring a world-class community hospital to the eastern region with the kind of medical excellence, technology, and care that will make us the destination of choice for patients,” he says.

Building a dream team The first step in creating the ideal hospital? Recruit a dream team staff. “At UPMC East, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create our own work culture from the ground up,” says Mr. Sevco. “We want a team of associates with more than just outstanding skills. We’re looking for staff who will embrace UPMC’s core values and are committed to providing the best in patient care at every level.”

Selecting associates who will thrive Michael Anderson, vice president for Human Resources at UPMC East, is spearheading efforts to hire more than 400 new staff before UPMC East opens its doors. An experienced management team is now in place at UPMC East, and more than 500 high quality UPMC and private practice physicians from throughout the area have already requested medical staff privileges. “The community shares our excitement about the opportunities here,” notes Mr. Anderson. “More than 3,000 people attended our job fair in February. We’ve also received tremendous interest on Facebook, and through e-mails, letters, and phone calls.” The recruiting process strives to identify individuals who will thrive in UPMC East’s patient-focused culture and contribute to its growth.“Any hospital can add state-of-the-art technology or create beautiful patient rooms. While those are important, we know we’ll ultimately be judged on the quality of our people and how we treat and care for our patients,” says Mr. Anderson.

That’s why, in addition to interviews and careful reviews of their background and experience, all new staff — from clinical to clerical — will complete an online assessment designed to determine their competencies in five key areas: • • • • •

Focus on patients and customers Dignity and respect Integrity Teamwork Continuous improvement

“Depending on the job, there are other competencies we’ll be measuring as well,” says Mr. Anderson. They include adaptability, dependability, professionalism, leadership, and critical thinking.

Working toward opening day “Our plan is to be fully operational when we open our doors in July,” notes Mr. Sevco. Staff will begin working at the hospital in early May. “During the 60 days before opening, we’ll literally test drive every part of the hospital, from making sure our equipment and labs are running smoothly to simulating the actual patient experience. The minute people come through our doors, we want them to know we are prepared and ready. Our goal is to make them feel welcomed and at home!” For more information about UPMC East, visit UPMCEast.com.

UPMC.com/Today

Fit atAnyAge Comedian George Burns — who lived to be 100 — often advised his audience to “Look to the future, because that’s where you’ll spend the rest of your life.” Vonda Wright, MD — a practicing orthopaedic surgeon at the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine and a nationally recognized author of several books on active aging and fitness — thinks that’s sound advice. “Nothing is more natural than aging,” she says. “Adults over 40 today are redefining what it means to age. They’re looking ahead — and doing what it takes to stay fit and vital. “With just 30 minutes of daily exercise, you can minimize your risk for 35 common illnesses — including high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes,” says Dr. Wright, who also directs the center’s Performance and Research Initiative for Masters Athletes (PRIMA®), which focuses on maximizing the performance of both elite and recreational athletes over age 40.

Staying fit as you age “As we enter our 40s and 50s, we’re just starting to hit our stride, with the potential for many years of wonderful living ahead of us. A well-balanced exercise plan is a key to maintaining that quality of life as we grow older,” she maintains.

Many say that 50 is the new 30 as today’s mature adults enjoy more active, fitter, and healthier lives than any other generation.

“There’s no age or activity level to prevent any older adult from being active,” explains Dr. Wright. In fact, studies of 90-year-old men doing resistance training on a daily basis showed improvements in their strength and functioning.

Getting started

Starting — and sticking with — a fitness plan initially can be hard, says Dr. Wright. “The first step is to make exercise a part of your daily routine. Schedule it on your calendar, like an appointment,” she advises. “Don’t be a weekend warrior. Instead, try to maintain a moderate activity level throughout the week, and increase your exercise level gradually to reduce your chance of overuse or injury.” She tells her patients to FACE the future with a balanced, total body workout designed to achieve maximum benefits while avoiding injury:

F — Flexibility with daily stretching exercises A — Aerobic cardiovascular exercises every other day, using interval-style training Carry a load (or strength train) to build and maintain muscles in your arms, C — legs, and core (stomach, back, and abdomen) E — Equilibrium and balance through simple exercises like standing on one foot “Whenever possible, mix up activities like running, swimming, cycling, or rowing,” encourages Dr. Wright. “Cross training helps promote total fitness while reducing the chance for injury. Most of all, take that first step!” To learn more about UPMC’s PRIMA program for mature athletes, call 412-432-3651 or visit UPMC.com/SportsMedicine. You’ll find PRIMA listed under Performance in the Our Services section.

Should you see a doctor first? You’re 50 years old and a pack-a-day smoker. You also have high blood pressure, and you haven’t exercised since Ronald Reagan was president. Should you see your doctor before hitting the local gym? “Regular exercise is the best gift you can give yourself. But it’s important to use common sense when getting started,” says Robert Kaufmann, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon at UPMC, 600 Oxford Drive in Monroeville. If you’re in generally good health and starting off with light to moderate physical activity, an extensive medical workup probably isn’t necessary. “But if you’ve been diagnosed with any medical condition, have been sedentary for some time, or are at risk for potential heart problems, it’s essential to talk to your doctor,” advises Dr. Kaufmann. “Working together, you and your doctor can create the right exercise plan based on your age, physical condition, family history, and other key factors.” If you’re over the age of 40, visit UPMC.com/Today to take the American College of Sports Medicine’s Physical Activity Readiness Self-Exam.

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Health Tips from UPMC Health Plan

Surviving Allergies:

What You Can Do If you dread the approach of spring and the arrival of allergy season, here are a few ways to reduce your sniffling, sneezing, and itchy eyes

What to do If you take medication to control your symptoms, start treatment early — before your seasonal allergies flare up, says BJ Ferguson, MD, director of the Division of Sino-Nasal Disorders and Allergy at UPMC, and a professor of otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. In western Pennsylvania, tree pollen starts flying around by the end of February or in early March, when it warms up enough for trees to begin budding.

Medications to take Dr. Ferguson recommends starting with an over-thecounter (OTC) medication, preferably a non-sedating antihistamine. She cautions that some products can be sedating or even result in extreme drowsiness that can impair driving. Be sure to read the accompanying instructions or ask your pharmacist about side effects. OTC decongestants can relieve nasal congestion but should only be used on a short-term basis, Dr. Ferguson says. Decongestants can cause significant side effects, such as insomnia, agitation, heart palpitations, and a rise in blood pressure. A saline nasal wash also can help relieve congestion.

When to see a doctor “If you are getting no relief and it is impairing your quality of life, you should see a doctor about more effective alternatives and testing,” says Dr. Ferguson. • A doctor can prescribe medications that can provide effective relief from chronic congestion. • Allergy testing can determine precisely what you are or aren’t allergic to. A new sublingual immunotherapy administered under the tongue is just as effective as allergy shots, and with fewer side effects, says Dr. Ferguson. • Your doctor also can determine if your nasal blockage is caused by inflammation or nasal polyps, a deviated septum, enlarged adenoids, or an infection.

UPMC.com/Today

Putting Ergonomics to Work for You

At home and on the job, ergonomics can help you avoid injury and discomfort — and even increase your productivity The goal of ergonomics is to make our places of work as safe, comfortable, and efficient as possible. But let’s not limit its uses to our day jobs! “Many of the aches and pains people experience can be attributed to ergonomic issues like poor posture, excessive repetitive movement, or improper lifting techniques,” says Kenneth C. Plowey, MD, a specialist in internal medicine with UPMC Primary Care Partners of Monroeville. “Whether you’re at work, home, or play, applying basic ergonomic principles can help you avoid injury and perform at your best,” adds Dr. Plowey. Here are a few tips to get you started: • Use the right equipment. Make sure the tool fits the job and your body, whether you’re sitting at a desk, vacuuming, riding a bike, or swinging a golf club. • Work at the right height for you. A too-low computer chair or a too-high kitchen counter can wreak havoc on your neck, back, and shoulders. • Avoid contact stress. Wear gloves or use tools designed to reduce pressure on soft tissue to avoid blisters and other skin damage. • Keep items within easy reach. Extend your arms out on each side. Picture an imaginary arc in front of you from left to right. Place the tools or supplies you use most often within that area. • Avoid repetitive movements and working long periods in one position. Alternate tasks and change your body position regularly. Stretch every 20 to 30 minutes. Visit UPMC.com/Today where you can find more ergonomic tips you can use at work and at home.

Brightening Lives with Light

Light therapy is proving to be an effective treatment for bipolar depression and other mood disorders Michele Twyman of Penn Hills always dreaded the approach of winter and the holidays. As the days shortened, she grew increasingly tired, sleepy, and depressed. All she wanted to do was crawl into bed — and stay there. “I didn’t enjoy anything — from decorating to shopping. I never felt like celebrating,” says Ms. Twyman, who has a bipolar disorder and has battled depression for more than 30 years. But last Christmas was different. For the first time in years, she decorated, shopped, and made wreaths and centerpieces. “I enjoy the holidays again. I realize now how much I missed being happy about life’s little things,” she says.

New treatment shows bright promise

People with bipolar depression are especially sensitive to changes in outdoor ambient light and the seasons, she explains. The onset of fall and winter can trigger symptoms similar to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), including fatigue, sluggishness, daytime sleepiness, carb cravings, loss of interest, and inability to experience pleasure. Individuals with bipolar depression also may have suicidal thoughts.

How and why it works

“There are few effective treatments for bipolar depression. That’s why we’re exploring novel approaches such as light therapy.” — Dorothy Sit, MD

Ms. Twyman credits her new outlook to an artificial light box provided by Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC) of UPMC. Every afternoon, she sits in bright light for about a half hour while reading or planning appointments and activities. It took just a few weeks to feel the effects. She now wakes up feeling more rested and relaxed. She’s also better able to care for her 95-year-old father. “There are few effective treatments for bipolar depression. That’s why we’re exploring novel approaches such as light therapy,” says Dorothy Sit, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh, and a researcher at WPIC who is leading an ongoing study in the use of light therapy for treatment of bipolar depression. “Most patients feel better within two weeks of starting it, and continue to improve for up to eight weeks.” According to Dr. Sit, treatment is inexpensive and effective. Patients with seasonal depression require 30 to 60 minutes of daily light therapy while patients with non-seasonal depression need 45 to 60 minutes.

Light therapy replaces lost sunlight exposure and resets the body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythms — important for everyone’s general health, mood, and thinking. That’s why light therapy also can help patients with jet lag, shift workers, and people with sleep disorders.

While light therapy is generally safe, patients with bipolar depression also must be on a mood stabilizer or they’ll be at risk for manic episodes, says Dr. Sit. Other possible side effects include headaches, eyestrain, irritation, agitation, and insomnia. These symptoms normally disappear following adjustments in the time and length of treatment.

Light therapy tips • Check with your doctor or mental health professional to see if light therapy is a good option for you. • Follow your doctor’s advice concerning any special precautions you need to take. • Use light therapy only with guidance from your doctor or mental health provider to minimize possible side effects and maximize benefits. Visit UPMC.com/Today for more information on bipolar depression and the light therapy study. To participate in the study, call 1-800-436-2461. For information on light boxes, visit the Center for Environmental Therapeutics website at cet.org.

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AWalk to Remember UPMC Rehabilitation Institute helps make a seemingly impossible wedding dream come true

Megan Dow was an athletic, carefree 27-year-old with so much to look forward to — from her upcoming wedding to a new house and barn. But a freak ATV accident on Memorial Day 2010 changed her life in an instant, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. It took a week for Megan to realize her broken neck and back wouldn’t be a quick fix and another six months to acknowledge that her paralysis might have permanent effects. Despite the diagnosis, the Negley, Ohio, resident was determined to walk down the aisle on her wedding day 16 months later. “What means more to a girl than walking down the aisle at her wedding?” asks Megan, who became engaged just weeks before the accident.

Regaining the life she lost Initially, she couldn’t sit up without help and wore braces to support her back, neck, and legs. “I went from doing everything to not being able to brush my teeth; from being able to throw a bale of hay to not being able to pick up a gallon of milk,” Megan says. An avid outdoorswoman, Megan longed to return to her activities, including horseback riding, camping, volunteering as a 4H Club adviser, and working as an interior designer. “I absolutely loved the life I had before the accident. I had to work to bring these things back into my life,” she says.

UPMC.com/Today

At the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute’s spinal cord injury unit at UPMC Mercy, Megan’s team of specialists put her to work four hours a day, six days a week in an intensive rehabilitation program. Luckily, she had use of her quadriceps, which allowed her to walk with the help of braces and a walker. Slowly, she relearned everyday skills like dressing herself and walking. She also learned new skills, such as transferring to a shower chair from her wheelchair, and did exercises to build her strength. Megan vowed she’d walk without the walker by that Christmas (a goal she met by Thanksgiving) and down the aisle without a cane. A few weeks before her wedding, Megan donned her gown and practiced walking in the gym with her physical therapist.

Walking happily into the future On her wedding day — Oct. 1, 2011 — Megan did walk down the aisle. Among the guests were her UPMC doctor, physical therapist, and occupational therapist. “They’re a huge part of my life and the reason I’m where I am today. They had to be there!” exclaims Megan. “I’m so grateful to everyone at the Rehabilitation Institute. They gave me the tools I needed, and they encouraged and steered me in the right direction.”

Megan and Eric Dow walked down the aisle after exchanging marriage vows on Oct. 1, 2011.

Megan and her husband Eric honeymooned in Cancún, Mexico, where they snorkeled, swam, kayaked, and even explored some ancient ruins. Today, while she still uses a wheelchair and cane, Megan is thankful she can walk up to two hours with just leg braces. She’s also driving again, riding horses, camping, and doing other activities. “It was a miracle. I’m so grateful I can still do what I used to do — I just do them differently,” Megan says. To learn more about UPMC Rehabilitation Institute and its services, visit UPMC.com/RehabInstitute. You’ll also find a link to Megan’s story and those of other patients who’ve benefited from the institute’s specialized care.

Partnering with the Community forExcellenceinEmergencyCare Long before the opening of UPMC East this summer, Emergency Department staff began developing relationships with area emergency medical services (EMS) providers. Their mutual goal: to ensure prompt, quality care for area patients when time is of the essence. When the Emergency Department (ED) at UPMC East opens in July, EMS providers from throughout the region will be familiar with its layout, procedures, and people. That’s because the ED team at UPMC East has joined emergency workers on emergency runs, and EMS workers have visited the new facility. “When it comes to providing emergency care, mutual understanding is key,” says Tamra Minton, chief nursing officer and vice president of Patient Care Services at UPMC East. “We value the incredible work EMS professionals provide, and we’re committed to providing them with the support and technology they need.” That includes access to a room at UPMC East that is specifically designated for emergency simulation training in real-life emergencies like cardiac arrest or breathing difficulties.

Working together to help save lives According to Ms. Minton, nearly two dozen EMS companies from throughout the UPMC East service area — eastern Allegheny County, Westmoreland County, Indiana County, and Armstrong County — have toured the new ED and have received information about its services. “Emergency workers need to know where to go and what to expect when they come in our doors,” says Tim VanFleet, MD, medical director of Emergency Services at UPMC East. “Community paramedic services are stretched thin. Our job is to get them back into service quickly after coming to us with an emergency.” Patient information will be transferred electronically to the nursing staff and back to the EMS station, so that paramedics can drop off the patient, get restocked, and be back in service in about 20 minutes.

High-tech care with a personal touch Dr. VanFleet says UPMC East brings a new, full-service, state-of-the-art ED to the eastern suburbs. Technology incorporated into the design will mean a more streamlined process with shorter wait times for patients and emergency workers. An electronic tracking board will inform arriving EMS exactly where to take patients. The ED’s electronic system includes bedside registration and records, allowing doctors to “spend more quality time seeing patients and giving care in a timely fashion,” says Dr. VanFleet.

UPMC East ED Special Features • 22 treatment rooms, including two extra-large resuscitation rooms to accommodate a team of doctors and nurses. • Breakaway doors on all exam rooms, allowing multiple emergency workers to move through with patients and equipment. • Smart glass technology, enabling care staff to monitor patients through clear glass or switch instantly to opaque for patient privacy. This technology eliminates curtains and improves infection control. • Point-of-care testing, providing diagnostic testing at the patient’s bedside in as little as 15 minutes, enabling doctors to make quicker treatment decisions. Radiology services are conveniently located adjacent to the ED. • Telemedicine services, allowing “virtual consultations” with UPMC specialists, such as a neurologist, plastic surgeon, or burn expert, who can see and talk to the patient, family members, and doctors, view data, and help assess and determine treatment. • High-tech beds, offering built-in fall alarms and electronic controls patients can use to make adjustments.

1-800-533-UPMC

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.

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YOUR WORLD-CLASS HOSPITAL. RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.

OPENING SUMMER 2012 For more information, visit UPMCEast.com

Imagine Charter School Students Get Hands-on Lesson from the

Andy Andy Warhol Warhol Museum Museum

n eager second grade class walks into their classroom after the lunch break with smiles on their faces. They all know they have an activity planned that they can really get their hands on. On the way to their seats, the students greet Emily Jaworski, an Artist Educator from the Andy Warhol Museum. She is conducting the silk screen art project with the classroom; the second part of the two-day lesson on Andy Warhol. The classroom is ready for her direction for their afternoon project: a tote bag with the school’s logo on one side and a picture of Andy Warhol on the other side. While working one at a time with the students to paint their bags, Jaworski had another activity for the rest of the class to do while waiting. The students worked on an acetate collage which included three different acetate paper images. They could choose Marilyn Monroe, Andy Warhol or a Campbell’s Soup can. Each student diligently worked on the collages until it was his or her turn to work on the bag. The purpose of this project is to expand on the curriculum of the Imagine Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship (IPH). IPH provides a hands-on learning program that brings entrepreneurial and economic concepts alive for students. The classroom teacher, Angela Jaworski wanted to collaborate with her sister Emily Jaworski and her work as an Artist Educator with the Andy Warhol Museum. It just made sense to combine the classroom with a program that shows a real example of Andy Warhol, his business, and being an entrepreneur by selling his artwork, his

product. The Andy Warhol Museum partners with a lot of different schools in the Pittsburgh region showing how the arts can help in the learning process. “I studied Art Education and I learned that students can succeed with the skill of art. Maybe a student is not good in math, but if you combine it with art it can make a difference”, says Emily Jaworski . During the lesson that Jaworski gave over her two days with the classroom, she focused on things like mass production, sales, and making a profit. The first day involved an introduction to the life of Andy Warhol, his artwork, and his legacy. Today’s pop culture was a big focus of the day-one lesson. Students were encouraged to think outside the box. “I like Andy Warhol this was really fun,” said student McKenna Kyte about the project. Classroom teacher, Angela Jaworski said, “I love it, it gives kids opportunity to do additional art projects, and brings the museum into the classroom, something many kids don’t get to do.”

Penn Hills | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 21

PENN HILLS

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 12013 Frankstown Road • Pittsburgh, PA 15235 • Phone: 412.795.8741 • Fax: 412.795.7993 www.pennhillschamber.org The Penn Hills Chamber of Commerce is celebrating 62 years as a chamber. We are proud to have served our community and its residents for 60 years.

Chamber Events CURRENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS Name

Denise Graham-Shealey Bruce T. Hall Dominique Ansani Russell Arrington Trent Griffith Jay Hope Bernadette Rose Chris Fedele Dave Smith Bill Trogler Jo Luncher Scott Yusavage Sara Werner Carl Prince

Position

President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Co-Director Co-Director

Company

First Niagara Bank Bruce T. Hall, CPA Penn Hills School District PNC Bank Talk ‘n Tables Penn Hills YMCA Rapp Funeral Home Fedele Insurance Company Dave Smith Autostar Superstore Penn Hills Police Department Anywhere Travel Computer Fellows Penn Hills Chamber of Commerce P.H.C.C.

The Penn Hills Chamber of Commerce is always seeking new members. We have recently added a “resident” level, which allows residents to receive our “Business Times” monthly newsletter. This fee is only $10 per year. Monthly Women in Business Luncheon - Third Wednesday of each month Summer Golf Outing Event - As scheduled Administrative Assistants’ Day Luncheon - April each year Many other events to be announced

www.pennhillschamber.org Please visit our office and our website for more information and a listing of current events. 22 724.942.0940 to advertise |

Penn Hills

ALL MEMBER LUNCHEON Penn Hills and Plum Boro Chambers March 21, 2012 • 11:30 a.m. Edgewood Country Club ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S DAY LUNCHEON April 25, 2012 • 11:30 a.m. Green Oaks County Club WOMEN IN BUSINESS LUNCHEON May 16, 2012 • 11:30 a.m. Green Oaks County Club SHOWCASE PENN HILLS May 31, 2012 Penn Hills YMCA Reserve tables for $10.00 WOMAN IN BUSINESS LUNCHEON June 20, 2012 • 11:30 a.m. Green Oaks County Club WOMEN IN BUSINESS LUNCHEON July 18, 2012 Green Oaks Country Club PENN HILLS CHAMBER GOLF OUTING May 14, 2012 Green Oaks County Club More info to follow PGH PIRATE GAME July 21, 2012 Pirates vs. Marlins Fireworks Night Check with the chamber office for more details at 412.795.8741.

Penn Hills | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 23

THE BRIDGE Celebrates 1st Anniversary in Penn Hills

he Bridge, a Wesleyan Church, which holds its services on Sunday in the Grand Ballroom of the 3 Lakes Golf Course in Penn Hills, celebrated its 1st anniversary in January. “When we moved into Penn Hills, we looked at the idea of Pittsburgh and how Pittsburgh had more bridges than any other city in the entire world,” said Pastor Rick Cox. “We thought that it would be a unique play on the name, that there is one bridge that connects God to man and that is Jesus Christ. We then became that bridge that connects the community to Jesus Christ.” In establishing the church, Rev. Cox, his wife, Eunice, son, Trevor and volunteers from sister Wesleyan churches, who’ve been helping out, have reached out to the community. In that first spring, summer, fall [of 2010], we began to try to do work inside the community to get an idea of what were the needs in the community,” Rev. Cox. We had a strong desire to have a church that was involved in the community. We wanted to see the church have a positive impact on the community itself.” In the summer of 2010, the church held a number of community events and activities, the biggest of which was a family fun day at Universal Park. “By doing not just that event but a number

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Penn Hills

of other events that we hosted over the summer, it helped us to see how we could be involved in our community.” Rev. Cox said. The church began meeting in September 2010 in the Anthony DeLuca Room of the Penn Hills Library. After four months there, services were moved to the Grand Ballroom at the 3 Lakes Golf Course after the owner’s daughter, Megan Hawk, suggested it. “She actually called and asked me if I would come in and talk to her, and she proposed the idea of moving to the golf course.” Rev. Cox explained. He said the golf course had participated in some of the community events held by the church, and that Hawk had a similar interest in reaching out to the community. After moving to the golf course in midJanuary 2011, the church held its grand opening on Sunday, January 30, 2011 with about 65 people in attendance. The one-year anniversary celebration was held Sunday, January 29, 2012. Ninety two folks were on hand for that event. As part of the anniversary service, the church invited community leaders, some of whom were in attendance/ Some others, who couldn’t

“It’s been really neat to see how individuals, who’ve been coming, have been out in the community becoming involved so that they are now making a difference.” -REV. COX Pastor Rick Cox and his

wife Eunice

attend, had videotaped testimonials that were shown during the service. “We wanted to just take time to give recognition to the community leaders, managers, people throughout the community that were helping us build that bridge to the community.” Rev. Cox said. But the videotaped testimonials were not limited to community leaders. One individual who had been attending services at The Bridge, told his story via videotape, as well. “He took video of him sharing how his life had been touched and changed because of the bridge.” Rev. Cox recalled. “It’s been really neat to see how individuals, who’ve been coming, have been out in the community becoming involved so that they are now making a difference.” Rev. Cox had been pastoring in Indiana County before taking his family to Africa in 2000. “So when we had the opportunity to come back and work in North America, we prayed to God about where we wanted to be. This area really touched our hearts,” Rev. Cox said. “It was a very good move and part of our dream. We want to be a church that’s open to everyone. We want to be a church that’s multi-ethnic. We believe the Bible shows that people of all ethnicities can come together.” The Bridge Church meets Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in the grand ballroom of the 3 Lakes Golf Course. There is also a mother of pre-schoolers group that meets every other Thursday and a life transformation group that meets mid-week. For more information on the church, visit www.bridgepgh.com.

Penn Hills | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 25

Penn Hills Students

Showcase Talent for a

GOOD CAUSE

tudents at Penn Hills High School got together and showcased the talent of their students for, “Penn Hills Got Talent”. Student council members organized this event to raise money for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. The evening opened up with Jay Mitlo, the high school’s volleyball coach who shared a story about his son, Trey, who is terminally ill and because of the Make-a-Wish foundation he will be able to go to Orlando, FL with his family, and enjoy spending time at Disney World. Mitlo said, “My son’s wish is to meet Mickey Mouse.”

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Penn Hills

The theme of the evening was “Everyone has their own Trey.” The students, who were encouraged by Mitlo before the talent show, started to cheer on their fellow classmates, no matter how good the performance was, because this was a cause bigger than the talent the students would showcase for the evening. The students entertained everyone in attendance with various talents. There were dancers, singers, rappers, instrumentalist, and spoken word artists. It was clear from the reaction of the crowd that everyone was having a good time. During the judging segment, one student, Julius Ralph, who played the drums, shared his own story of why this event was important to him. He lost his sister to Leukemia. He said, “I do this because of her.” The crowd showed even more support. The judges, Mr. Rocco, Ms. Mosco, and Mrs. Shook played their part like the judges on the hit NBC show, “America’s Got Talent,” and helped to get even more involvement from the students in the talent show and those watching. Some of the judges were a little tougher than others, giving even more of a reason for the audience to show their support for each act. Every student contributed something special for the awareness of what the Make-a-Wish Foundation does for families who deal with their children’s lifethreatening illnesses. With the help of the PTA and student council, there were also gifts raffled off in a basket auction. The proceeds also benefited the Makea-Wish foundation. After all was said and done, the winner of the talent show was Savannah Wiggins, who sand “No One,” by Alicia Keyes. Savannah captivated the crowd with her strong vocals and the whole audience gave her a standing ovation in admiration of her beautiful voice. She showed a talent that left every judge speechless. At the end of the night, Penn Hills High School students truly showed they have talent.

Penn Hills | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 27

Penn Hills High School Honors

WW II Veterans

While Remembering

by explosion after explosion turning it into a battered, smokefilled scene of ravaged ships, submarines and planes, after a two-hour attack by the Japanese. More than 3,500 Americans were killed or wounded and 18 ships badly damaged or totally destroyed, including more than 1,000 lives lost in the explosion and subsequent sinking of the USS Arizona.

Penn Hills High School honors the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor and the veterans of WWII. “A date which will live in Infamy.” Those are the words of President Franklin D. Roosevelt after Japan attacked the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor on Sunday, December 7, 1941. Seventy years later, that statement remains true —so much so that in honor of the 70th anniversary, Penn Hills High School commemorated the attacks and the men who served in World War II. The event was coordinated by Penn Hill High School’s Technology Integration Coach Brian Brown, the ROTC and the PTA. Retired Army Captain Robert Kinzler, a survivor of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, participated in the event via satellite. Captain Kinzler is the president of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Aloha Chapter 1. On December 31, 2011 the association shut down because of the dearth of survivors. Before Captain Kinzler shared his story, the audience viewed a 15 minute documentary that showed video from the attacks. An area that is normally blue skies and clear waters was transformed was rocked

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Penn Hills

The audience included veterans of WWII who from the looks on their faces still felt proud of their contributions to our country. After the video, Captain Kinzler shared his recollection of the events before, during and after the attack. Captain Kinzler, a New Jersey native, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1940. When the attack happened, he was a Morse

code radio operator assigned to Headquarters Company 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, at Schofield Barracks in O’ahu. The barracks was less than a mile from the Wheeler Airfield, which was a target in the attacks. Kinzler and the rest of his division were ordered to move to Roosevelt High School football stadium in Honolulu. “All I could see over Pearl Harbor was a black dense cloud,” he said. After Captain Kinzler finished his story, the floor was opened for a question and answer segment. He wanted to know who in the audience was a veteran of WWII. Each veteran present announced where he was stationed during the war. Captain Kinzler then compared the attack on America on 9/11 to the attacks on Pearl Harbor, explaining that unlike 9/11 attacckers, the Japanese attacked our military. There were no civilians involved. He said there was a medical boat that had a big red

Pearl Harbor

“All I could see over Pearl Harbor was a black dense cloud.” – Captain Kinzler

cross on it and the Japanese did not touch it because there was a certain code to their warfare. The terrorist on 9/11 had no regard for civilians; their goal was to kill as many Americans as possible. Captain Kinzler said war today is very different. Brown said last year, Penn Hills High School did an event with the Veterans History Project, which collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war. This year, year he contacted the Pacific Historic Parks Eyewitness to History and thought the satellite interview with a survivor from the attack on Pearl Harbor on its 70th anniversary would be a nice program. Brown said, “Moments like these aren’t going to last much longer, those veterans aren’t going to be around much longer.”

Penn Hills | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 29

By Heather Holtschlag

More than half of the energy used in the average American home goes toward heating and cooling, and if your house is not properly insulated, much of that expense can go to waste. Insulation, particularly when installed in an area such as the attic, requires less work from the air conditioning and furnace systems, translating into less expense and fewer repairs. There are a number of things to note to properly install attic insulation, the first of which is called R-value. R-value measures the effectiveness of types of insulation; the higher an insulationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s R-value, the more effective it is. The recommended R-value for walls and floors in a mild climate is R-11; for ceilings and attics, it is R-19. In moderate climates, R-values should be a minimum of R-19 for walls and floors and R-30 for ceilings and attics. And, in cold climates, R-values for walls and floors should be R-19, and R-38 to R-49 for ceilings and attics. If you use your attic as living space, it is a good idea to install insulation in the walls and ceiling. If it is not used, you should still insulate, and the empty space will provide ample room for installation. If your attic is being insulated for the first time, it should include a vapor barrier, which is any material that does not absorb moisture and through which vapor will not pass. After it snows, it is recommended that you check the roof to see where the snow has fallen. If you notice specific areas on the roof where the snow has melted, this may signal an area that needs to be insulated or where the insulation is damaged. When installing insulation in the attic, the best method is to install it from the eaves toward the center of the room so as to leave more headroom when you need to cut or fit the insulation properly. If, upon installing the insulation, you discover that you need an extra layer, you can simply lay blankets on top of the insulation already there. To reduce fire hazard, cover the panels with wallboard or use fiberglass panels if you must install panels between the rafters in a ceiling that slopes. Also,if you use cellulose insulation, which is the most common type of loose-fill insulation, be sure that it has been treated with a fire retardant.

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Penn Hills

Small Updates Pay Off By Heather Holtschlag

BIG for Home Values

f you are thinking of selling your home or just making some updates to your current living space, you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily need to think big expense and lots of work. Small fixes can increase your homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s value for a big payoff. For starters, maintain a regular cleaning schedule. This serves a dual purpose of not just keeping your house tidy and neat, especially for visitors, but will help keep your maintenance issues in check since you will notice relatively early on if something is in need of a fix, thus avoiding costly repairs. Keep your house looking fresh by adding some new paint. When selecting a color, remember that neutrals appeal to a wide variety of people, and if you are selling your home, a neutral color is easy to paint over should the new owners choose a different color. Consider consulting a professional real estate agent or a home inspector. Each can walk through your home and pay close attention to its detail and alert you to areas that require improvement or repair. If repairs are necessary, make them in a timely manner to prevent the problem from getting worse. Buyers tend to favor bathrooms and kitchens, so it could be especially beneficial to keep these rooms clean and updated. Con-

sult a real estate agent if you need ideas for updating. If these rooms are small, consider what could be rearranged to make them look bigger. Also, keep the appliances clean and in working order, even if you are not planning to include them in the sale of the house. Spend some time in the yard. Remember that curb appeal is a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first impression of your overall house, so maintain a yard free of debris and coordinate the colors of your gardens to match the house. Installing modern light switches and power outlets can help your lighting system look newer than it is. Also consider installing dimmer switches, which are a favorite among potential buyers. Show off the bright sides of your house by increasing the wattage in your light bulbs. Finally, keep your house free of clutter by cleaning up after yourself and making sure your children do the same. In addition, keep your carpets clean by vacuuming regularly and administering deep cleaning treatments.

Penn Hills | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 31

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