IN Peters Township by IN Community Magazines

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011

eters Township COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

Vets & Pets McMurray Rotarians Help Out Peters Township Reading Rec & More Recycling Information Inside

New bury - The N e w H e a rt o f t h e S o u th H i l l s ! LIVE, WORK, PLAY….SHOP and DINE!

ELS D O M NOW ! OPEN • THE FIRST RESIDENTS HAVE MOVED IN! • 27 homes sold; only 7 homesites remain for single family homes in Phase One • Quality second to none: mandated architectural design and energy performance that leads the region in quality • Single family homes including Cottage, Park, and Manor Homes ranging in size from 2,700 – 5,000 Square Feet priced from the $300’s to over $1 million. • Paired Homes including Courtyard Townhomes with integrated outdoor space and Carriage Homes or Doubles. Ranging in size from 1,700 – 3,000 Square Feet and priced from the $200’s. • Look for the Phase 2 VIP Release Event for the largest lots in the South Hills (18 single family home sites available) in the coming weeks • Award winning South Fayette Schools: South Fayette receives Blue Ribbon National Award for Education Excellence • Purchase now for Summer move in • 1.2 million Square feet of retail commercial spaces coming soon including banks, hotel, supermarket, small shops, national retailers and restaurants. • Every home has a front porch • Neighborhood NOT subdivision: sidewalks, tree lined streets, park with sled riding hill, soon a pool and clubhouse. • Floor plans new to region; come see what an e-nook is! • Look for our updated website to help you and your family find the home of your dreams at Newbury in the coming weeks

Come see what all the excitement is about

www.newburymarket.com Call Kelly Smith at 412.680.5200

Contents Peters Township | FEB/MAR 2011 |

7 32

Publisher’s Message | 4 FEATURES

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COMMUNITY INTEREST

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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS

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Newbury | 2 Burnett Family Chiropractic & Physical Therapy | 69

ON THE COVER

Christine Eshelman is a 13-year old 8th grader at McMurray Middle School. One of her favorite subjects at school is, of course, Art. She has always had a love for art and has had exhibits in every school district-wide art show that she can remember. She loves painting animals and nature scenes – especially flowers. She also loves dance and has had lessons since she was 3. She is currently taking ballet/pointe, jazz, and musical-theater dance at Kickline Dance Studio. She is also a Girl Scout and is working towards her Silver Award. Her troop finished its community service project in the fall – they painted a scaled representation of the United States on a playground for a local Christian Academy. The finished product is 30’x50’ and has been used as the palette for geography lessons, retracing Louis and Clark’s travels for history class, and a kindergarten’s re-creation of Curious George’s trip across America.

Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.

Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 3

Welcome to the spring issue of Peters Township Magazine. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday filled with family, friends, and fun. Typically, I use this space to talk about your community or features in the magazine that spotlight the people in your community who are doing wonderful things. Well, this time I want to update you regarding our newest feature for 2011—our new website. Without venturing too far into the realm of shameless self-promotion, I want to emphasize that this website is something for you, our readers. How so? Well, you can have input and help shape the website just like your ideas help shape your magazine. Now you have a place to list all of the nonprofit community organizations that are active in the community. We are also developing pages where we list the local houses of worship. In addition, we now offer every magazine in a fully downloadable PDF format, rather than the outdated flipbook format we used to have. This will allow you to send the magazine, or links to it, to friends and family both near and far. We tied our website into Facebook as well, not to get the biggest list of “friends” we could get but to have a place to keep our readers abreast of all the news we get between issues. It also gives us a place to upload all the photos from community events that we don’t have room for in the magazine. As with all things, there’s always room for improvement, but we always have open ears. If you have comments about our new website or want to see your organization listed, e-mail mark@incommunitymagazines.com with your link or feedback. There’s no charge for listing your church, synagogue, or scout troop’s link, so send your links in today! And if you happen to be on Facebook and like what you see in the magazine, don’t hesitate to click that “Like” button. It’s always nice to be liked! I hope you have a wonderful spring!

Wayne Dollard Publisher

eters Township FEB/MAR 2011 IN Peters Township is a non-partisan community publication dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the Peters Township area and its comprising municipalities by focusing on the talents and gifts of the people who live and work here. Our goal is to provide readers with the most informative and professional regional publication in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. PUBLISHER

Wayne Dollard 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 E D I TO R I A L AS S I STA N T

Jamie Ward j.ward@incommunitymagazines.com WRITERS

Jonathan Barnes Kelli McElhinny Pamela Palongue GRAPHIC DESIGN

Cassie Brkich Anna Buzzelli Susie Doak Pati Ingold

Jan McEvoy Joe Milne Tamara Tylenda Tracey Wasilco

P H OTO G R A P H E R S

Rebecca Bailey Garyyonphotography.com One Way Street Productions A DV E RT I S I N G S A L E S

Isn’t nice to at least think about spring? As I look out the window this morning, I wonder if it will ever get here while the forecast still looks so…snowy! We have sure had a lot of good things happen in the Peters community in the last few months! I love to get your letters and emails, keeping us all up to date on the “latest and greatest.” I just heard from Casey’s Clubhouse. This is former Pittsburgh Pirate Sean Casey’s foundation, dedicated to giving all kids the chance to play baseball- even those with disabilities. Did you know they are raising money for a Miracle Field in the South Hills? Stay tuned- they have plenty of activity coming up to raise funds for the field. You can also visit their website caseysclubhouse.org to donate. Given the generous nature of this community, I know that field of dreams can’t be too far off! Let me know about your charitable project! I’m always interested in promoting what is good and beneficial to this wonderful community. You can write to me at Marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com

Marybeth Jeffries Managing Editor

Nicholas Buzzell David Mitchell Brian Daley Tamara Myers Gina D’Alicandro Gabriel Negri Tina Dollard Robert Ojeda Rose Estes Annette Petrone Beatriz Harrison 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 April/May issue deadline: March 7, 2011

4 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Peters Township

TAX PREP SAVINGS

PAYROLL SAVINGS

$15 off basic, $25 off regular, and $50 off complex tax return preparation ~ new customers only ~

1 month of free payroll ~ new customers only ~

Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 5

oyster perpetual cosmograph daytona

OFFICIAL ROLEX JEWELER

6 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Peters Township OYSTER PERPETUAL, COSMOGRAPH AND DAYTONA ARE TRADEMARKS.

ROLEX

VETS

PETS

The Washington Area Humane Society (WAHS) is recruiting everyone they can to help with a program geared towards pairing pets with vets. “Pets for United States Vets” is a donation-sponsored program at WAHS that supports free adoption of a dog or cat for war veterans. Shelter officials said that as long as the special “Veteran’s Fund” stays funded, the program will continue; however, based on the success of their fundraising events, that fund may not be used up anytime soon. In October, the WAHS Furry Fall Festival, sponsored by 84 Fitness Center, raised more than $6,500 for the fund. Donations continue to be accepted, and those interested in helping the program can by send a check to: WAHS/PETS FOR VETS, P.O. Box 66, Eighty-Four, PA 15330 (write “Veteran’s Fund” on the memo line). Veterans need only present their military IDs at the time of adoption to take part in the program. As part of the deal, veterans will also be granted a free shelter clinic membership. The first pet adopted through the program was Taz, who was adopted by the Brown family. But all shelter pets are eligible for the program. Shelter officials said the program is just one of the many ways the shelter helps homeless animals. Because of its no-kill status, the WAHS has some pets that have been waiting more than a year for a home. In addition to companionship, pets have proven benefits to the health of their owners, according to WAHS officials, some of which include improvement in mood, lower stress and blood pressure, social support and fending off loneliness, and incentive for exercising. All pets adopted from the WAHS are spayed or neutered, are up-to-date on vaccinations, and are micro-chipped in case they get lost. Volunteers are always on hand at the shelter to answer questions and give suggestions to people trying to find the perfect pet for their particular home and lifestyle. The WAHS is funded solely by private contributions. Annually, it takes in more than 4,000 animals and investigates 700 abuse cases. To see their available adoptable pets, go to www.washingtonpashelter.org/petlist.htm and click on the profile of any dog or cat you may be interested in. Adoption fees for puppies are $150; $75 for adult dogs. For kittens, adoption fees are $80; $50 for adult cats. Even better, those interested in adoption should visit the shelter directly at 1527 Route 136, Eighty Four, Pa. (15330), to see the most current pets available. WAHS only has 36 kennels for dogs and room for 75 cats in their cat adoption area, so overcrowding can occur overnight, which is why it’s imperative for interested families to adopt today. Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 7

Dates to Remember 3/7

From the TownshipManager We hope you will enjoy this issue of In Peters Township Magazine. Peters Township is proud of the variety of services it provides our residents and businesses. You will see in our Reading, Recreation and More section that there are a wide range of cultural and leisure services we have available for our community. The Council is pleased to provide you these services and more at an efficient cost to you. The Township has a strong emphasis on basic services and infrastructure. The efforts in maintaining our infrastructure of roads and storm sewers were significantly increased over 2010. We are also working to improve many of our current infrastructure problems by funding improvements to key intersections, such as Valley Brook/Rt. 19, Center Church/E. McMurray and the Bebout Trail Bridge. These projects all involve PennDOT as the agency to bid the projects, and, unfortunately, timing and control of the construction are not always as we would prefer. We are working with our partners at PennDOT to get these projects underway and keep you as informed as possible. We hope you will enjoy our special recycling issue. The Township is committed to recycling and will continue to work to make it easier for you to be able to recycle. We are also in a challenge with our neighbors to increase our efforts and hope that you will participate in this friendly challenge. The Township is encouraged that our financial situation will improve in 2011. Construction activity improved in 2010 and we anticipate 2011 will be better. Most of the vacant buildings on Route 19 are being occupied or have plans for occupancy. We believe this to be a very positive sign for the future. The budget is available for review, on our website, under the “Manager/Business” tab. Please check it out. Peters Township is always looking to engage our residents, and the Township staff and I are available to speak to your organization on specific topics if you wish. Just contact my office for more information.

CRC Session 2 begins

3/13 Daylight Savings Time begins 3/31 First Quarter Earned Income Tax due 4/16 Bunny Hop at CRC 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. 4/15 Earned Income Tax 2010 Year End Reconciliation due 4/22 Municipal Offices/CRC/Library closed 4/29 Taste of the Township 7 p.m. at Valley Brook CC 4/30 Clean Up Day CRC at 9 a.m.

Township Wins Award For Newsletter 4/30 Special Recycling at Public Works 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Peters Township was selected as a winner of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors' (PSATS) 43rd Annual Township Citizen Communication Contest. The township came in 3rd place for their Annual Report and their Newsletter. Judges commented that the township’s newsletter had creative ideas, well written content and a nice layout. The PSATS gives out 30 awards in 10 categories, including Most Improved Newsletter, Newsletter, Annual Report, Other Publications, and Miscellaneous Communications Media. The winners receive a framed certificate and coverage in the Township News.

Peters Township Council Members

Frank Arcuri

Robert Atkison Chairman

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David M. Ball Peters Township

James F. Berquist

Robert Lewis

Monica R. Merrell Vice Chairperson

Gary J. Stiegel, Jr.

Valley Brook/Route 19 Intersection Project Started

Peters Township is happy to announce that PennDOT has issued a contract to commence the Valley Brook/Route 19 intersection project. Shown is a drawing of the proposed intersection. The intersection will be moved approximately 100 feet north of the current intersection and connect to Old Washington and Valley Brook Road to form a 4-way intersection with signals on Route 19 and at Valley Brook Road. There will be plenty of turning lanes to permit a continuous and efficient flow of traffic. Old Washington and Valley Brook roads will also be relocated, which will necessitate closing of the entire intersection. The project is to start in March, but there will be no major impact on traffic until at least June and maybe longer. The Township is currently in communication with PennDOT to keep up to date on the traffic status so that we can keep our residents and businesses informed as soon as possible. Based on the information we get, additional traffic controls and detour signs will be implemented to assist our residents and businesses. Our goal is to make sure every reasonable measure will be taken to minimize impacts on local roads and to make sure access to businesses will be maintained.

Spring Garden Projects Last year garden projects were conducted at the Thomas Road Trail Entrance, Route 19 North and South Gateway signs, Center Church and McMurray roads and at the Municipal Center. The volunteer groups doing these plantings were the Lexington Court Garden Club, the Swim and Dive Team Boosters and Boy Scout/Cub Scout troops 1320. These groups earned $500 to plant, maintain and remove the flowers. If any other groups are interested, there may be opportunities if we add a location or one group chooses not to continue with the project. If you are interested, please contact Township Manager Michael A. Silvestri.

Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 9

Peters Township Municipal Pages

Meet your Councilwoman Monica Merrell Age: 57 Occupation: President, Vesta Services, Inc. – Our company offers consulting services to business owners for administrative and operational projects involving human resource management, workspace planning, facility management, construction project management and safety programs and training for OSHA compliance. Family: Husband Bill Merrell, through whom I gained two children, their spouses, and four beautiful grandchildren, and also my birth family of two sisters, one brother, and their children (my two nieces and five nephews). Council History: Elected by write-in vote to finish a two-year Council term 2008-2009, then reelected for a four-year term 2010-2013. I am currently in my fourth year of township service.

update to the Township Comprehensive Plan. Long-term challenges include finding alternative sources of revenue different from reliance on continued residential growth and taxes on our residents; planning and managing infrastructure improvements (storm water lines, sewer service for both parts of the township, road repairs and ongoing What made you want to run for Council? maintenance of the parks and recreation I’m a joiner. I like Peters and wanted to help facilities), exploring opportunities for more resolve issues and shape its future. My cooperation with our neighboring husband Bill was actually elected to Council communities and ongoing efforts to sustain the and held office in 2006, and he is very fiscal strength of Peters Township and keep it passionate about keeping the good things about Peters and making the future here better. an attractive and affordable place to live and raise a family. His passion for Peters was contagious – I became interested in how Council worked and What would you want residents to know how the township was governed. He had to about you, the Council or the township resign when he took a job out of state. After a in general? year passed and we knew that we would not How has Peters Township grown and Our residents already know that Peters relocate, I decided to pursue the position. changed in the time you’ve been involved Township is a great place to live, and I hope with the township? I became a resident in that they understand it is so, because of the What are some of the near-term and 2004 when my husband and I married and commitment of the people who work together built our home here. We chose Peters because long-term challenges that you see facing to manage it—the Council members who have it is my husband’s hometown. He grew up here the township? been elected, the volunteers who serve on the Near-term challenges include fiscal and graduated from PTHS, where he was various township boards and the employees management, completing all of the capital selected to be the “Indian” mascot one year. who do their jobs every day. As for me, I’d like My knowledge of the area is more recent. I was projects currently in progress and under the residents to know that I appreciate the consideration, and the traffic improvements initially impressed with the combination of opportunity to serve as the representative for that are planned for this year in a timely rural landscape and proximity to urban the “B” districts, but I do feel that all the manner, and without cost increases; dealing amenities already available in Peters when we residents of the township are my constituents, with the natural gas drilling industry and its moved in. Over the past six years since we’ve and so everyone is welcome to contact me with lived here, I have seen interest in our township potential impacts, pro and con, on residents, their ideas and opinions. continue to grow, bringing new neighbors and and the township’s character; and starting the businesses into the municipality. Peters is expanding its attractiveness in the Pittsburgh market as a desirable place to live and raise a family. Unfortunately I have also seen the changes that this increased population brings, such as more traffic, the need for more services and amenities and a requirement for better planning and tighter fiscal management.

Character Counts

The next Character Counts Award applications are out. The applications are due by February 28. The award ceremony is scheduled for April 12. If you wish to nominate someone, you can download the award from the township website. 10 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Peters Township

Winter Sidewalk Maintenance

Property owners are reminded that it is your responsibility to maintain the sidewalk in front of your property. During the winter, this means that if there is a snow of 1 inch or more, the sidewalk must be cleared off within 24 hours of the snowfall. Sidewalks should also be kept free of ice and slipping hazards. The goal is not to have anyone get hurt. If not cleaned, the Township can if it chooses clean that sidewalk and charge the cost to the property owner with a 10% penalty.

New Budget Highlights Strong Infrastructure The Peters Township Council has adopted a $17,941,710 budget that reduces the real estate tax by 1mill and provides a year-end surplus of over $7,000,000. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s budget will provide for a balance of projects designed to meet the needs of all aspects of the community. A focus is on making sure we have a strong infrastructure. The 2011 resurfacing program will be increased by 40% over last year with $1,400,000 allocated. In addition, the Township will be committing $235,000 toward storm sewer replacements and stormwater pond renovations. There are a number of major transportation projects in the budget including the Center Church/McMurray Roads intersection project and the Bebout Trail Bridge project. The Township will be continuing the Peterswood Park expansion projects with construction of dugouts, a plaza with a restroom/concession/ storage and overlook building as well as a picnic shelter. We will also plan to install field lighting on the current soccer fields and convert the current softball fields to a rectangular style field. The Township will also be implementing the recommendations of the energy audit to reduce our long-term energy costs. The Township has already entered into a contract for energy purchase through the Chamber Choice program, reducing our electricity procurement cost. There will be no staff increases in 2011 as part of our efforts to maintain control of costs and to be able to assess the impact of new labor agreements with the police and fire departments. We are also looking towards our future with the commencement of a new Comprehensive Plan, to ensure we continue to be a viable, affordable and vibrant community in the future.

CAPITAL PROJECT SUMMARY Energy Plan Improvements $170,976 HVAC Design Municipal Center $10,000 Information & Technology Upgrades $115,500 Emergency Radio Improvements $15,000 Police Vehicles (3) $ 70,000 Speed Radar Signs $9,820 Comprehensive Plan $50,000 Road Paving Program $1,400,000 Storm Sewers/SWM $235,000 Center Church Road Int. $430,000 Public Works Vehicles (3) $178,000 Bebout Trail Bridge $908,000 Other public works projects $96,500 Peterswood Expansion $ 186,000 Field Lighting $369,000 Other Parks projects $105,700 Field 3 & 4 Conversion $73,125 Cable TV Production Equipment $ 50,000 TOTAL

$ 4,472,621

Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 11

Peters Township Municipal Pages

Reward Tomorrow… Recycle Today Expanded and Enhanced Recycling Services Peters Township residents are encouraged to continue the Township’s tradition of recycling. As in the past, recyclables will be picked up every week on the same day as your garbage collection. > > > > > > > > > >

Items to be recycled include: All metal food containers All types of plastic containers All glass food and beverage containers All magazines All junk mail Phone books Newspaper Paper board boxes such as cereal boxes Corrugated cardboard All recyclables regardless of type can be mixed in a single recycling container. Before being placed in the recycling bin all food containers should be rinsed and all lids should be removed. Corrugated cardboard must be no longer than 3 feet in length and must be flat (broken-down). The cut pieces must be tied or bundled or placed in a plastic grocery bag before being placed a the curb. All paper products including newsprint, magazines, mail, and cardboard should be placed in a brown paper bag or a newspaper recycling container with a lid. Wet paper products cannot be recycled.

Township Keeps Garbage and Recycling Rates Steady Peters Township is pleased to announce that for the fourth year in a row, we are able to maintain the same garbage and recycling collection rates. The basic quarterly fee for curbside pickup of garbage and recyclables is $46.50. Due to the Township participating in a regional bidding of this service by the South Hills Area Council of Governments, we were able to take advantage of economies of scale to keep the rate the same. This was done while at the same time increasing the recycling opportunities to you. The Township is in a competition this year with it South Hills neighbors to see which community can increase it percentage of recyclables. We ask all residents to make sure they are recycling.

Le av es

If you need an extra recycling bin to accommodate your recyclables they are available for a fee of $10 at the municipal building. Pennsylvania's recycling law requires residents in Peters Township to recycle their leaves. Under the act, burning of leaf waste is prohibited. Other yard waste may still be burned. The Township’s burning ordinance restricts open burning of acceptable materials to four days per week. These are Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Permitted hours for burning are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 12 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Peters Township

Spring Leaf Pick Up Dates The Township will provide spring leaf pick up, on the following Mondays; April 4, 11, and 18. To arrange a pick up, you will need to contact public works at 724.941.6161 by the Friday before to let them know you will need a pick up. All leaves must be in the biodegradable paper leaf bags. You may also order a curbside vacuum collection at a subscription price of $55 per collection by coming to the municipal building to pick up a coupon.

Q&A

R e cy c l i n g

Why recycle? Recycling saves natural resources, reduces the costs of waste disposal, provides raw materials to manufacturing industries, and reduces air emissions. In Pennsylvania, it is also the law.

What items can be recycled?

How does residential recycling work? Recyclables are picked up curbside every week on the same day as your garbage collection. A list of streets with their corresponding days can be found on the Township website or in the Township calendar.

Peters Township residents have many items Do recyclables have to be eligible for recycling. Please see the complete list on page 12. Please feel free separated? to contact the Township with any questions There is no need to separate different types of recyclable materials; all eligible on specific items. items can be placed together in a single What size recycling recycling container. This approach is container can be used? referred to as single stream recycling. Peters Township provides 22 gallon plastic recycling bins to all residential properties. Where can I recycle Replacement bins can be purchased at the electronics? Municipal Building for $10. Residents may If you would rather recycle these items, the Peters Township Public Works and also use their own recycling container. If Environmental Quality Board sponsor Eusing a non-Township container, it is Recycling twice per year at the special recommended that residents obtain recycling events at Public Works. There is a recycling stickers from the Municipal small charge for some items. Building to place on their containers. At the special recycling events at Public Works, tires and scrap metal are also collected. At the spring collection, old bikes will also be collected. Tires will also be collected for a small charge. For more information or the fee associated with some of the items, call Public Works at 724.941.6161. Due to a new state law that will be phased in during the next year, many retailers will also be collecting these items and it will eventually not be permitted to place these items for curbside disposal. Peters Township will update you on this issue as information becomes available from the state.

Where can I recycle hazardous waste? Chemicals and other hazardous products will not be collected curbside. Only empty paint cans may be left for collection. Please leave the lid off so that the driver knows the can is empty. If you have hazardous items, Peters Township sponsors a Household Hazardous Waste Collection, the next collection will be in September of 2011. If you have items in the mean time that you would like to dispose of, see the Southwestern PA HHW Task Force's website for a collection date and location.

Who is the collection contractor? Waste Management is the largest waste collector in North America with more than 20 million municipal, commercial, industrial, and residential customers. In western Pennsylvania, the company serves 171 communities representing 375,000 homes. Waste Management is also increasingly involved in green energy production.

Where do the recyclables go after pickup? The recyclables collected from Peters Township are taken to the Greenstar Recycling Center on Neville Island where they are sorted and processed.

Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 13

Peters Township Public Library 616 E. McMurray Road McMurray, PA 15317 724.941.9430 www.ptlibrary.org

T o m A tk i n s a s “ Th e C h i e f” Tuesday, February 22, 7 – 8:30 p.m.

March 19, 2011 10 a.m.– 3 p.m. Do you have spring fever? If so, the library has just the cure! The Peters Township Public Library GO Green Club will be hosting a GREEN FAIR at the library on Saturday, March 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join us as we welcome local vendors whose products or services will help our community live a greener and more sustainable lifestyle. There will also be brief presentations throughout the day highlighting green topics, including a program by Doug Oster, the Organic Gardener. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about how you can help the earth, your pocketbook, and your peace of mind!

eBooks are Here!

Downloadable circulating eBooks have been added to the library’s Digital Media Collection. Click on the “Audiobook and eBook Downloads” icon on the main page of the library’s website to begin accessing our collection of free eBooks. While not all portable electronic readers are compatible with the format available (most notably the Kindle eBook reader), many are. A list of supported eBook devices can be found in the left hand column of the eBook main page.

www.ptlibrar y.org 724.941.9430 Peters Township

9 a.m. – 9 p.m. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 12 noon – 4 p.m.

GREEN FAIR

Join us as we welcome Tom Atkins, veteran actor of the stage, screen and TV, as he discusses his 44-year life in the theater and his preparation for the role of his lifetime portraying Art Rooney Sr., legendary founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise, in the one-man stage triumph “The Chief.” Mr. Atkins will perform one of the stories from “The Chief,” and then show part of “The Chief” DVD, which will include the story he just told. There will be a question and answer session following the DVD viewing.

14 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Library Hours Monday – Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday (Sept.–May)

Update Your Records! Has your address or phone number changed since you received your library card? Do you now have an email address and/or cell phone number that the library could use to contact you, if needed? If you’ve answered “Yes!” to any of these questions, please stop by the circulation desk to update your records. Alternatively, if you are planning on moving out of the area, please let us know so that our records are current. Thank you!

Reading, Rec & More CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS Please register in the Children’s Department unless otherwise noted.

For Babies through Kindergarten… Spring Session: 9 weeks, March 21 – May 20 (Signups begin February 21 for residents and February 28 for non-residents)

Book Babies Ages: Birth – 12 months with an adult Day/Time: Tuesdays, 10 – 10:20 a.m. You can’t start too early at the library! In this 20-minute program, babies will gain contact with language through stories, songs, rhymes, and finger plays, helping them take their first steps toward a lifetime love of books and reading.

Mother Goose Story-Time Ages: 12 – 24 months with an adult Day/Time: Tuesdays, 11 – 11:20 a.m. OR Thursdays, 10 – 10:20 a.m. They’re just learning to talk—give them something to talk about! 20 minutes of books, fun rhymes, songs and finger plays encourage language growth and love of reading.

Toddler Tales Ages: 2 – 3 ½ with an adult Day/Time: Wednesdays, 11:15 – 11:45 a.m. OR 1 – 1:30 p.m. They can walk, they can talk—and they can learn! This 30-minute program adds crafts and fun to stories for further encouragement on the way to becoming lifelong readers.

Preschool Story-Time

Tiny Tunes Preschool

Ages: 3 ½ - 5 Day/Time: Tuesdays, 1 – 1:45 p.m. OR Wednesdays, 10 – 10:45 a.m. They’re almost ready to read on their own—help them get there with this parent-optional preschool story-time. Stories, games, activities, movies, crafts and more make this 45-minute program a big hit.

Ages: 3 ½ – 5 Day/Time: Wednesdays, 2 – 2:30 p.m. A fun, casual program of playing with and learning about music. Every week preschoolers explore a different theme and way to make music.

Bodies in Motion Ages: 2-5 with an adult Day/Time: Thursdays, 11 – 11:30 a.m. OR 1 – 1:30 p.m. Have fun and keep fit at the library! A 30-minute program filled with wiggling, giggling, jiggling fun!

Bodies in Yoga Ages: 3-6 with an adult Day/Time: Mondays, 2 – 2:30 p.m. Library fun—with a twist! This new yoga class adapted for preschool children develops body awareness, language, and good listening skills while inspiring the imagination through guided “play.” Yoga postures and breathing techniques will be taught in a fun and playful way. Children will stretch, sing, move, and imitate in this 30-minute yoga class for youngsters. Have your child dressed comfortably and prepared to “play” in bare feet!

Tiny Tunes Toddler Ages: 2 – 3 ½ with an adult Day/Time: Mondays, 11 – 11:30 a.m. OR 1 – 1:30 p.m. A fun, casual program of playing with and learning about music. Every week explore a different theme and way to make music with your toddler.

Kindergarten StoryTime: Anything Goes! Ages: Kindergartners and 5-year-olds Day/Time: Fridays, 10 – 11 a.m. OR 1:15 – 2:15 p.m. (no class April 22) This one-hour program goes the next step in learning and loving reading through stories, activities, crafts, and movies, all about anything and everything!

Kitchen Science Ages: 2 – 5 with an adult Day/Time: Thursdays, 2 – 2:30 p.m., March 10, 17, 24, 31 OR Saturdays, 9:30 – 10 a.m., April 2, 9, 16, 30 Ever wonder what amazing and awesome science you can do—all with what you may find in your own kitchen? Come to Kitchen Science and find out!

An easy and fun science program for toddlers and parents. Enrollment limit of 25 per class, so sign up today!

For Grades One and Up… Indian Beading Ages: Grades 2 and up Day/Time: February 3, 10, 17, 24 Thursdays, 4:30 – 5:15 p.m. Learn how to make an awesome Indian beading craft. Take home a new project each week and impress your family and friends!

Fans of Fantasy Book Club Ages: Grades 4 - 8 Day/Time: February 24, March 31, April 28 Thursdays, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Fans of fantasy get together for a fun-filled night of games, snacks, prizes, crafts, movies, and much more! We’ve already traveled through the lands of Inkheart, Eragon, Narnia, Spiderwick, Ember…and beyond. Join us as we meet once a month to talk about the new books we’ve read and what we will read next.

Check out these exciting new releases— kid tested, librarian approved! The Children’s Librarian picked out some of her favorites for the year 2010, including follow-ups from favorite series and hilarious new picture books. And don’t forget to check back for 2011’s Newbery, Caldecott, and Printz Award Winners, announced this January! Chapter Books The Unicorn Chronicles: The Last Hunt by Bruce Coville Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth by Jeff Kinney Scumble (Sequel to Savvy) by Ingrid Law The Heroes of Olympus: The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan 100 Cupboards: The Chestnut King by N.D. Wilson Picture Books Miss Brooks Loves Books (and I Don’t) by Barbara Bottner Cupcake by Charise Mericle Harper Shadow by Suzy Lee Todd’s TV by James Proimos Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion by Mo Willems Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 15

Reading, Rec & More CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS (cont.) Paws for Reading Ages: Grades 1 and up Day/Time: March 12, April 9, May 14 Saturdays, 10 – 11:40 a.m. Come into the library, curl up with a canine companion, and…you guessed it, read! In this returning program, children in grades 1 and up can visit with a registered therapy dog at the library to gain extra selfconfidence and fluency by spending time reading to these attentive animals. Call or stop in to sign up for your twentyminute time slot.

March 15, April 12, May 10 Tuesdays, 6 – 6:45 p.m. Bring the whole family to this once-a-month evening storytime. Come in your pajamas for a night of crafts, movies, and of course stories! A great way to end the day with family and friends.

Movie Nights

Ages: For Kids and Parents of all ages! Day/Time: TBA—check with Children’s Department staff for each month’s date Tuesdays (Usually), 6 – 7:45 p.m. It's movie night at the library! Bring your whole family and Art Through the Ages watch terrific new release Ages: Grades 2 and up movies. We'll provide the Day/Time: April 7, 14, 21, 28 popcorn and candy – you don't Thursdays, 4:30 – 5:15 p.m. even have to buy tickets! What Explore Art through the Ages could be better? Just bring a with hands-on crafts! Take home sleeping bag or stuffed animal a new project each week and friend. See you at the movies! impress your family and friends!

Girls’ Night Out Ages: Girls Grades 4 - 8 and their moms Day/Time: February 7, March 7 April 4, May 2, Mondays, 6 – 8 p.m. It’s a girls’ night out! All mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and daughters are invited to meet once a month—just us girls! Enjoy reading together, watching chick flicks, and sharing in this special book club!

For All Ages Family Pajama Story-Time Ages: For Kids and Parents of all ages! Day/Time: February 15,

Thomas the Tank Engine Story-Time

Cowboys (and Cowgirls!) Story-Time

1st Day of Spring Story-Time

Ages: For Kids and Parents of all ages! Day/Time: Tuesday, April 12, 6 – 6:45 p.m. Yippee ki yay! It’s the best of the west at our Cowboys and Cowgirls Story-time! Giddyap on in for rootin-tootin crafts, stories, and more.

Ages: For Kids and Parents of all ages! Day/Time: Monday, March 21, 6 – 6:45 p.m. Come celebrate the First Day of Spring at the library with a special story-time! Stories and crafts celebrate the return of the beautiful, colorful, flowery season of spring.

Easter Story-time and Egg Hunt Ages: For Kids and Parents of all ages! Day/Time: Tuesday, April 19 OR Thursday, April 21, 6 – 6:45 p.m. Celebrate Easter with a special story-time followed by our very own Easter Egg Hunt!

Mars and Martians Story-Time

Ages: For Kids and Parents Ages: For Kids and Parents of all of all ages! Day/Time: Tuesday, March 15, ages! Day/Time: Tuesday, February 15, 6 – 6:45 p.m. This story-time is out of this 6 – 6:45 p.m. world! Hear extra-terrestrial Choo-Choo! Thomas the Tank stories and make weird alien Engine coming through! Stories crafts at an evening all about and crafts all about trains and Mars and Martians. engines, especially our friends Thomas and his pals. Includes a St. Patrick’s Day showing of a special new Story-Time Thomas & Friends episode! Ages: For Kids and Parents American Girl Tea Party of all ages! Day/Time: Tuesday, March 17, Ages: For girls of all ages! 6 – 6:45 p.m. Saturday, March 26, 1 – 3 p.m. Come for a night of green Bring your American Girl snacks, lucky movies, and friends along to a special tea shamrock stories, and then party just for them…and for you! make a craft to take home and Enjoy sharing in crafts, treats, decorate just in time for and more all about being an St. Patrick’s Day! American Girl.

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Peters Township

Mixed Media: Watercolor Paints and Pen and Ink Drawing Ages: 4-6 Day/Time: 4 weeks, March 1 – 22 Tuesdays, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Limit: 12 children Cost: $13 plus supplies Ages: : 7 – 13 Day/Time: 4 weeks, March 1 – 22 Tuesdays, 4 – 5:30 p.m. Limit: 15 children Cost: $15 plus supplies Students will learn mixed media techniques with watercolor paints and pen and ink drawing. Register at the library’s circulation desk; please see supply list when registering.

Colored Pencil Drawing Ages: : 4-6 Day/Time: 4 weeks, April 5 - 26 Tuesdays, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Limit: 12 children Cost: $13 plus supplies Ages: : 7 – 13 Day/Time: 4 weeks, April 5 – 26 Tuesdays, 4 – 5:30 p.m. Limit: 15 children Cost: $15 plus supplies Students will learn basic techniques with colored pencils. Register at the library’s circulation desk; please see supply list when registering.

YOUNG ADULT PROGRAMS Programs for Tweens and Teens in 6th – 12th grade unless otherwise noted; please register at the Teen Desk unless otherwise noted.

TOURNAMENTS Mario Kart! Ages: All Ages are Welcome! Day/Time: Saturdays, January 15, February 12, March 5, April 9 and May 14, 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Please arrive at 11:30 a.m. to check in) Cost: $2 entrance fee Start your engines and join us in the Teen Reading Room to show off your racing skills to all your friends. Each participant will have the chance to race once, and the top two winners will move onto the final three qualification rounds.

Pokémon! Day/Time: Saturdays, March 12 OR March 19, 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Please arrive at 11:30 a.m. to check in) Ages: All Ages Welcome! Cost: $2 entrance fee Join us once again for an awesome Pokémon competition! Our tournament was so successful last year that we are now splitting it into two sessions. 16 players will compete for the title of Pokémon champion on March 12 or March 19. You must register at the Teen Desk in order to play!

PROGRAMS Wii Sports for Seniors Day/Time: Mondays, 10:30 a.m. – 12 noon Seniors, do you love to golf, but don’t want to deal with the weather? Maybe you were a

bowler, but your arthritis keeps you from lifting the ball. Stay active in the comfort of the Peters Township Public Library. We’ll use the large plasma TV and Nintendo Wii in the new Teen Reading Room to stay fit. Join us and learn to play Wii Sports!

Valentine’s Day Party Day/Time: Monday, February 14, 3:30 – 5 p.m. Join us in the Teen Reading Room to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your friends. We’ll have food, games, crafts and much more!

SAT and ACT Comparison Workshop Day/Time: Tuesday, March 22, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Ages: Students in grades 9 – 12 and parents Instructor: Jane Engel Robbins, Huntington Learning Center Are you wondering whether the SAT or ACT is right for you? Join us as we explore the differences between the tests.

Homework Help Workshop Day/Time: Tuesday, February 22, 7 – 8:30 p.m. For parents of elementary and middle school students Instructor: Jane Engel Robbins, Huntington Learning Center Does your young student struggle each night to get his or her homework done? Is it a constant battle to study for tests or complete projects? Join us for some helpful hints about how to make the at home learning process more enjoyable for you and your child.

Readers’ Theater Day/Time: Thursdays, February 24, March 31, 3:30 – 5 p.m. The Young Adult Department is calling all future actors for our winter Readers Theater program. Join us monthly to act out a play complete with costumes in the Teen Reading Room!

Unplug and Play Day/Time: Tuesday, April 12, 6:30 – 8 p.m. Turn off your TV, cell phone, computer and video games, and join your friends at the library to play board games and card games—both old favorites and new. Play games in the library’s collection or bring a game from home to share. Light refreshments are provided by the library and program participants.

SPA-aaaahhh AFTERNOON Day/Time: Wednesday, February 9 3:30-5 p.m. Need an afternoon to pamper yourself? Want to make a gift for someone special? Then join us to make your own perfumes, soaps and more!

ON-GOING PROGRAMS Anime Club Day/Time: Fridays, January 7 – May 20, 3 – 5 p.m. Join us in the Teen Reading Room to celebrate your love of all things Anime and Manga. We’ll discuss and watch the latest trends in comics, DVD’s and magazines. All otaku are welcome!

Afternoon Movie & Munchies Day/Time: Thursdays, February 17, March 10, April 7, 4 – 6 p.m. Need a break from class and homework during the school year? Then join us for a relaxing afternoon of movies and munchies in the Teen Reading Room!

New Year, New Gear! It’s a new year and we have brand new resources for you to use in the library! Stop by the Teen Desk to try out our new iPad, Sony eReader, iPod and Xbox Kinect.

Young Adult Literature 2010 was a great year for Young Adult Literature. Some of our favorites have been the explosive finale to a popular trilogy (Mockingjay), a moving novel about a brother returning from Iraq (The Things a Brother Knows) and a twisting tale of adventure and suspense (Incarceron). 2010 Printz Award winners will be announced in January. Be sure to check for the winning title at the Teen Desk! Young Adult Librarian’s Favorite Books of 2010: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins Incarceron by Catherine Fisher The Things a Brother Knows by Dana Reinhardt Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld Hate List by Jennifer Brown

Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 17

Reading, Rec & More ADULT PROGRAMS For all free programs, please register at the library’s circulation desk, by telephone at 724.941.9430, online at the library’s website (www.ptlibrary.org) through EventKeeper or by email at programs@ptlibrary.org (please include name of program, name of participant, and phone number). For those programs with fees, registration must be completed in person at the circulation desk; registration is not complete until payment has been received.

YOUNG ADULT PROGRAMS (cont.) Teen Crafternoons Day/Time: Wednesdays, February 23, March 23, 3:30 – 5 p.m. This winter, flex your creative muscles in the Teen Reading Room. Join us monthly for a unique and fun craft experience!

After Hours Movie Night Day/Time: Fridays, February 4, March 4, April 1, 6 – 8 p.m. (Teen Room is open from 5 – 8 p.m.) All Ages Welcome Love going to the movies, but hate paying full price for a ticket? Then join us monthly in the Teen Reading Room to watch a movie and have popcorn, FREE OF CHARGE! For your convenience, the Teen Room will remain open after hours, from 5-8 p.m.! Call the Teen Desk or check our website to see what movie we’re showing each month.

Youth Advisory Council Meetings Day/Time: Sundays, February 6, March 6, April 3, 3 – 4 p.m. Do you have ideas about how to improve the Young Adult Department? Are there programs you’d like to see offered or titles you’d like to see added to our collection? Join us in the Teen Room and we'll discuss your ideas and how to make them happen. All teens interested in participating in the Council are welcome to join.

Culinary Creations Day/Time: Tuesdays, February 15, March 8, April 5, 3:30 – 5 p.m. Join us after school to make delicious treats in the Teen Reading Room. We’ll make pizza, candy sushi and much, much more! 18 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Wii Sports for Seniors Day/Time: Mondays, February 7 – May 23, 10:30 a.m. – 12 noon Seniors, do you love to golf, but don't want to deal with the weather? Maybe you were a bowler, but your arthritis keeps you from lifting the ball. Stay active in the comfort of the Peters Township Public Library. We'll use the large plasma TV and Nintendo Wii in the new Teen Reading Room to stay fit. Join us and learn to play Wii Sports! Bring a friend or two and give it a try! No registration required – just drop in!

Coupon Club

GO GREEN CLUB GO Green Club Day/Time: 3rd Monday of the month, 7 – 8:45 p.m. The PTPL GO Green Club is growing and thriving! Our mission statement is “to provide the community with educational resources through programs, library materials, and volunteer activities to help create a more environmentallyfriendly and responsible lifestyle.” Check the library website for upcoming GO Green programs/activities and join us at our next meeting in the Conference Room on the second floor of the library. For more information or to join the club please email caweaver@ptlibrary.org or call 724.941.9430.

Day/Time: 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, 6 – 8 p.m. The PTPL Coupon Club meets at the library to share coupons and to discuss money saving strategies for groceries and much more! Please sign up for the club at the circulation desk or call 724.941.9430. Questions about the club? E-mail ptplcouponingclub@gmail.com.

Cooking Club Day/Time: 1st Thursday of the month, (next meeting is March 3), 7 – 8:45 p.m. Registration is required by Thursday, February 24 to attend the March 3 meeting Cost : $5 per meeting (collected at each meeting) to defray the cost of food samples and plates/utensils. Are you interested in trying a new cuisine or healthier recipe options? Do you want to learn new techniques or where to shop for that hard to find ingredient? The PTPL Cooking Club meets for the members to share their knowledge about various cuisines with others

in the club, to discuss cooking trends, and share food samples. Participants must register for the upcoming meeting one week in advance so that enough food can be purchased/prepared for all to sample. Questions? Please email the club at ptplcookingclub@gmail.com.

Is Your Home Healthy? (a GO Green Club program)

Day/Time: Saturday, February 12, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Presented by: Faith Starr, host of the local radio program “Living Green with Faith.” Are there unhealthy, toxic materials lurking in your kitchen, bathroom, and childrens’ rooms? Are your vet bills high because your animals keep getting sick? It could be a reaction to products you have in your home. Find out how easy it is to have a natural, healthy home for your family! Faith’s radio program, “Living Green with Faith”, offers tips for living a healthier, organic lifestyle, and can be heard live every Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m. on 620 AM WKHB radio.

Threats to National Security Throughout the World: Panelists from the United States Army War College Eisenhower Series College Program Day/Time: Thursday, Tuesday, February 15, 7 – 8:30 p.m. President Obama announced the official end of the United States combat mission in Iraq this past August, yet viable threats to national security still exist across the world. From the recent package bombing attempts, to piracy in

www.ptlibrar y.org 724.941.9430 Peters Township

the Gulf of Aden, to the drug wars in Latin America, to the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, national security is still of utmost concern to the current administration. How will the United States strengthen existing alliances and forge new partnerships in an effort to remain secure? What effects will these security threats have on America’s future foreign policy decisions? How will the Obama administration balance national security with the domestic agenda amidst a recovering economy and a shift of power in Congress? Visiting panelists from the Eisenhower Series College Program will share personal views based on their own experience, research, and reflection. Each panel member focuses on his/her study on a geographic region such as Europe, Russia/Eurasia, Asia, the Americas, Middle East, and Africa. A discussion about current national security and military issues will follow the presentation.

Dialysis Dining On the Go and Lifestyle Medicine Day/Time: Wednesday, February 23, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Presented by: Cynthia G. West, M.D., and Allyson Almeida, RD, LDN Good nutrition is one of the most important factors for living well on dialysis. The ability to make good choices both when

eating out or for quick meals at home is critical to maintaining good health while receiving dialysis therapy. In this program, participants will learn important factors to consider when selecting “fastfoods,” convenience foods, and when dining out casually. Specific menu items will be discussed. Seventy percent of chronic disease in this country – diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, weight problems and stress related conditions is related to poor lifestyle choices. By making better choices that become a permanent way of life, we can improve or prevent many of these conditions. Lifestyle medicine is a new specialty of medicine whose purpose is to provide patients with the necessary tools to change the way they live in order to treat or prevent many of these chronic diseases. The program will introduce this specialty which is now available locally. A question and answer period will follow the presentation. Dr. West is board certified in nephrology and hypertension. She is on the staff at the Washington and Canonsburg Hospitals and is the medical director of the Liberty Dialysis Clinic in Washington, Pa. Allyson Almeida is a registered, licensed dietitian who has over seven years of dialysis experience as a renal dietitian. She currently works with dialysis patients at the Liberty Dialysis Clinic.

Planning for Profits – a Seminar Presented by the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center The Planning for Profits Seminar series will help you look at your business from all angles in order to position your business for future growth. We will take you through every aspect of your business including Marketing, Operations, Financial Analysis and Business Strategy. Join our seasoned consultants along with special guest speakers to learn how you can improve your business in 2011. When: Thursday evenings, 7 – 8:30 p.m. • February 24: Marketing: Defining and capturing your customers, including targeting your customers and marketing communications • March 24: Financials: Understanding the financial condition of your business, including cash-flow planning and forecasting • April 21: Operations: Understanding your operations including human resources and management control • May 26: Strategy: How to position for future growth including strategic analysis and management control systems Cost: $30 per workshop, $100 if you register for all workshops Presented by: Consultants from the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center along with special guest speakers. Registration is limited to 30 individuals, therefore registration is required. To register for this seminar or to receive further information, please contact Lindsey Biddle at 724.229.8078 or e-mail at lbiddle@katz.pitt.edu

Save the Date!

10th Annual Taste of the Township Friday, April 29, 2011 Valley Brook Country Club 7 - 11:30 p.m.

Please join us for a night of food, fun and festivities. Silent auction … Chinese auction … raffles … entertainment. Tickets are available at the circulation desk at the Peters Township Public Library $50.00 per person Proceeds benefit the Peters Township Public Library. Questions? Call 724.941.9430

Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 19

Reading, Rec & More ADULT PROGRAMS (cont.)

Recycling Clothing into Coverlets Session 1: Saturday, March 5, 1 – 2:30 p.m. Session 2: Saturday, March 12, 1 – 2:30 p.m. Presented by: Emma Diamond Do you have a stash of clothing you no longer wear but hate to part with? Consider repurposing your treasured wearables into coverlets! You don't need to be an expert sewer to learn this fast and easy method. In session 1, students will learn about necessary tools, possible resources for materials, and how to refashion clothing into the building blocks of a coverlet. In session 2, students will learn how to put the coverlet together with a discussion of design issues, finishing techniques, and care and maintenance of the finished coverlet. A display of several coverlets using this technique will be available for inspiration!

The Secrets of Landscape Design

This presentation will offer an overview of the grantseeking process involved in researching private funders: foundations, corporations, and community foundations. The programs includes a discussion of what a nonprofit organization needs to know about itself and its community to prepare to apply for grants; the world of philanthropy; how to conduct grantseeking research, and a short look at the grant application process.

Guide to Government Funding for Nonprofit Organizations Day/Time: Wednesday, March 30, 6 – 9 p.m. Limit: 12 Presented by: Jim Lutton, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Foundation Center This presentation will offer an overview of government grantseeking, including a discussion of the various kinds of funding available at the federal, state, and local levels, and a hands-on demonstration and exploration of the major websites involved in government funding.

Day/Time: 4 weeks, February 7 – 28; March 7 - 28 Mondays, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Cost: $30 per 4-week session (includes a start-up kit with crochet hook and yarn) Maximum: 6 Instructor: Cathy Layton Join us for a 4-week class to learn the basics of this old, now-new-again art of crochet. We’ll enjoy learning about the originality of this craft and see how to use it in decorative and creative ways that are limited only by your imagination. It’s not just about afghans!

ARTS PROGRAMS

Day/Time: Wednesday, March 16, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Presented by: Evan Evanovich Whether you do-it-yourself or want your landscape done for you, come learn from Penn State Horticulturalist Evan Evanovich how to make your landscape compliment and add value to your home or business. Learn how to design and shape your shrubbery beds, how to use the shapes and heights of shrubs to elongate your home or business, and how to coordinate textures, colors, and flower patterns in your landscape. A question-and-answer period will follow the presentation.

Beading Club Day/Time: 3rd Wednesday of the month, 6 – 8 p.m. Ages: 12 and up Facilitator: Karen Krohner of Beads 2 Wear Join us for an evening of beading, work on an existing project, or begin a new one in the company of fellow beaders. Beginners and experienced beaders welcome. Bring your supplies and a small task light, if you have one. Additional supplies and tools will be available for purchase. A monthly project will be planned. Participation in project optional.

Grantseeking Basics for Nonprofit Organizations

ON-GOING PROGRAMS Afternoon Book Club for Adults Day/Time: 3rd Wednesday of every month, 1 – 2:30 p.m. Upcoming titles: February 16: Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller. March 16: The Reader by Bernhard Schlink.

Evening Book Club for Adults Day/Time: 2nd Wednesday of every month, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Upcoming titles: March 9: Planning Meeting; April 13: Half-Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls.

Mystery Book Club for Adults Day/Time: Last Wednesday of every month, 1 – 2:30 p.m. Do you love mysteries? So do we! That’s why the library has started its first ever Mystery Book Club. Upcoming titles: February 23: Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie March 30: Rules of Prey by John Sandford

Day/Time: Wednesday, March 23, 7 – 9 p.m. Presented by: Jim Lutton, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Foundation Center 20 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Introduction to Crochet

Peters Township

Adult Writing Workshop

Writer’s Workshop

Day/Time: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every month, 6:30 – 9 p.m. Leader: Linda Folz Are you passionate about writing and looking for someone to critique your work? If you would like to give and receive inspiration, motivation, and encouragement in a group atmosphere, consider joining the Adult Writing Workshop. Adult writers of all skill levels and genres are welcome. Please register for this program at the library’s circulation desk or call 724.941.9430.

Day/Time: Mondays, 7 – 9 p.m. OR Wednesdays, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Cost: $20 per month The Writer’s Workshop meets weekly at the library and focuses on writing for children and teenagers. Anyone with an interest in this area is encouraged to attend. Both fiction and non-fiction are welcomed as well as work for the magazine or book market industry.

COMPUTER PROGRAMS All computer classes require a $5 fee (unless otherwise noted), and require basic mouse and keyboarding skills. There is a limit of 12 students per class, unless otherwise noted.

Word Processing 1 Day/Time: Tuesday, February 15, 7 – 8:45 p.m. In this class, students will learn how to create and save documents, work with text, format characters and paragraphs, print documents, and discuss compatibility issues related to the Microsoft Office 2007 programs at the library.

Word Processing 2

Internet Assisted Job Searching

Computers 101

Day/Time: Tuesday, March 8, 7 – 8:45 p.m. Students will learn about Internet job sites, Internet e-mail, how to research jobs and employers in business databases and in newspaper help wanted ads from all over the country.

Digital Photography – Hardware

Day/Time: Tuesday, February 22, 7 – 8:45 p.m. In this class, students will learn about indents, tabs and tables, automating tasks, formatting pages, styles and themes, and discuss compatibility issues related to the Microsoft Office 2007 programs at the library.

Day/Time: Tuesday, March 22, 7 – 8:45 p.m. Limit: 25 Consists of a discussion and demonstration of the various pieces of equipment useful in digital photography. Includes cameras, scanners, printers, PCs, connectors, and terminology.

Word Processing 3

Day/Time: Tuesday, March 29, 7 – 8:45 p.m. Limit: 25 Consists of a discussion and demonstration of the various software products that can be useful in digital photography. Includes photo editors, photo albums, stitchers, Internet technology, and terminology.

Day/Time: Tuesday, March 1, 7 – 8:45 p.m. In this class, students will learn about templates, multiple columns, adding graphics, mail merge, and discuss compatibility issues related to the Microsoft Office 2007 programs at the library.

Day/Time: Tuesday, April 5, 7 – 8:45 p.m. Determine what computer to buy by looking at what you want to do with it. Participants will learn about the various parts of a computer and what they do, computer terminology, software that will be needed, and useful techniques that will make using computers easier.

Powerpoint Presentations Day/Time: Tuesday, April 12, 7 – 8:45 p.m. Learn how to prepare slide presentations using different themes and layouts. Then add text, drawings, charts, photos, clipart, and wordart.

Digital Photography – Software

Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 21

Reading, Rec & More Parks and Recreation Department 700 Meredith Drive / Venetia, PA 15367 724.942.5000 www.peterstownship.com COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER HOURS Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday 1 – 5 p.m.

SESSION 2 March 7 through April 30, 2011 Registration begins February 21, 2011

CLOSED for the respective holidays April 22 Good Friday April 24 Easter Sunday

EASY WAYS TO REGISTER: Online: www.peterstownship.com Walk in: cash/check/Visa/Master Card accepted Mail in: check and registration form to the Parks and Recreation Department, 700 Meredith Drive, Venetia, PA 15367

BunnyHop

CLASS AND EVENT REGISTRATION: REGISTERING AT THE FIRST CLASS IS RISKY.

Join us for a fun-filled morning with the Easter Bunny, crafts and games galore for the kids with prizes, and a popular balloon artist will “wow” the kids and adults alike with balloon creations. Fun for the whole family! All children must be accompanied by an adult. Would you like to volunteer for this event? Contact the Parks and Recreation for more information. Date: Saturday, April 16 Time: 10 a.m. – Noon Fee: $5 Resident / $7 Non-Resident (per child age 2 and up) Pre-registration not required.

Special Events

33rd Annual Community Day Mark the Date! Saturday, June 25, 2011

What if a program is cancelled? Please register for programs at least one week prior to the start date to avoid cancellation. All classes must meet a predetermined minimum number of participants to be held. The Parks and Recreation Department reserves the right to cancel, combine or change any aspect of a program it deems necessary. Residents are given first priority during the registration process for events and classes. Sports programs are open to residents only. Refund policy: Full refunds will be given if requested more than 7 days before a class begins. All refunds requested by participants less than 7 days before a class begins will be assessed a $5 processing fee, plus any supplies already purchased. Refunds will not be given after the second class. Sorry, but refunds are not offered for special one-day classes or events, unless canceled. Call 724.942.5000 for information regarding day trips. Please allow 2-4 weeks for refunds to be processed.

Do you enjoy attending this annual event? Plan to return next year? How about joining the Community Day Committee to help plan and make it an even bigger success? Our next planning meeting is Tuesday, February 22, 6 p.m., at the Community Recreation Center. For vendors interested in a booth space, application packets will be available on March 9. Applications will be accepted until June 3 or until all vendor spaces are filled. If you are an area business that would like to donate to the event, donors will be acknowledged in our publicity if received by June 3. Don’t miss these wonderful opportunities to get involved in such a great community-wide event. Contact Parks & Recreation for more information.

www.peterstownship.com 724.942.5000 22 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Peters Township

Reading, Rec & More PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS BASKETBALL FOR CHILDREN (AGES 3 – 6 YEARS) Minimum 8 – Maximum 15 Enjoy learning the glorious team sport of basketball. Have a blast learning to make baskets, dribble, pass and play. Enthusiasm, excitement and energy will be a part of every class! Instructor: “Koach” Tim Conroy. Day: Monday Time: 1 – 1:45 p.m. OR Day: Thursday Time: 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. Fee: $72 Member / $108 Non-Member

JOYFUL MOVEMENT AND PLAY (AGES 3 – 6 YEARS) Minimum 8 – Maximum 20 Running, hopping, sliding… Throwing, catching, kicking… Movement the essence of Life! Have your child experience the thrill of it all. Instructor: “Koach” Tim Conroy Day: Monday Time: 10 – 10:45 a.m. OR Day: Thursday Time: 12:30 – 1:15 p.m. Fee: $72 Member / $108 Non-Member GROOVY SCIENCE (AGES 2 – 6 YEARS)

SOUTH ARTS CLASSES CREATIVE CLAY & SCULPTURE DRAWING & CARTOONING FOR KIDS FOR TEENS (AGES 5 – 11 YEARS) Minimum 3 – Maximum 10 In this fun “hands on” class, students will express their creativity with air-dry clay. Exciting projects will include: a pinch pot, a coil vase, an animal sculpture, and their hand print in clay. Day: Monday Time: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Fee: $85 Member / $128 Non-Member

GO GREEN WITH ART

Minimum 5 – Maximum 20 Class will include dinosaurs, geysers, kaleidoscopes, ice cream making and other fun science experiments specifically for the preschooler. This interactive class allows all young children to work together and captivate their attention in science at an early age. This is a great class for siblings to work side by side and enjoy time together too. Instructor: Kathy Heinz Day: Monday Time: 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. OR Day: Friday Time: 10:15 – 11:15 a.m. Fee: $80 Member / $120 Non-Member Material Fee: $30 paid to instructor paid at the first class

(AGES 5 – 12 YEARS) Minimum 3 – Maximum 10 Students will enjoy creating environmentally friendly art projects. Clay, recycled paper, charcoal, and paint will be used along with lots of imagination for projects such as a clay bowl, a painting of the earth, and much more earth friendly, fun projects. Day: Monday Time: 6:45 – 7:45 p.m. Fee: $85 Member / $128 Non-Member

KITCHEN SCIENCE (AGES 2 – 6 YEARS)

JR. DRAWING & CARTOONING

Minimum 5 – Maximum 20 Ideal for 2 – 6 year olds who like to do science in the kitchen. Experiments will include things such as making homemade ice cream, edible slime (yum!), growing edible crystals, and fashioning a soap sculpture along with other fun activities. Fun for siblings to join in together too. Instructor: Kathy Heinz Day: Tuesday Time: 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Fee: $80 Member / $120 Non-Member Material Fee: $30 paid to instructor paid at the first class

DANCING TOGETHER! (ADULT PARTICIPATION) (AGES 1.5 - 3 YEARS) Minimum 7 – Maximum 12 This class is designed to give children the beginning elements of dance in a fun, comfortable, and creative learning environment. The instructor will guide you through both listening and moving activities, and dances to get you both dancing around hand in hand. We will use props, sing songs, let the children explore the dance space, and have fun! (Adult participation required.) Instructor: Richelle Pastula, Dance Force Kids Day: Thursday Time: 11:15 – 11:45 a.m. Fee: $62 Member / $93 Non-Member

(AGES 5 – 12 YEARS) Minimum 3 – Maximum 10 Let’s draw realistically and, then, turn that drawing into a cartoon! Students will learn the basics of drawing such as shading and drawing marks of a specific subject and, then use their imaginations for a fun cartoon. Please bring an 11 X 14 sketchbook or larger, a #2 pencil and a black sharpie marker. Day: Tuesday Time: 6 – 7 p.m. Fee: $85 Member / $128 Non-Member

(AGES 12 – 17 YEARS) Minimum 3 – Maximum 10 Do you like to doodle? In this fun class, your doodles will be turned into cool drawings. We will explore word art and graffiti, drawing marks used for cartooning, and simple perspective. We will use markers, pencils and charcoal to create lots of imaginative drawings. Please bring an 11 X 14 sketchbook or larger, a black sharpie, and a #2 pencil. Day: Tuesday Time: 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Fee: $85 Member / $128 Non-Member

WATERCOLOR PAINTING FOR CHILDREN (AGES 5 – 12 YEARS) Minimum 3 – Maximum 10 Students will create colorful paintings while learning fun techniques of watercolor. Rice and salt washes will be explored to create texture and to make the colors run into each other for a totally colorful result. Day: Wednesday Time: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Fee: $85 Member / $128 Non-Member

PAINTING FOR ADULTS (AGES 16 AND UP) Minimum 3 – Maximum 10 Students can create wonderful paintings in the medium of their choice. Basic techniques along with brush strokes and washes will be explored in the mediums of acrylic, water color and oil painting. Students may bring in their own subject to paint or the instructor will supply a subject. Also the “Alla Prima” style of painting may be utilized for our classes. Supply list will be discussed during the first class. Day: Wednesday Time: 7:15 – 8:15 p.m. Fee: $85 Member / $128 Non-Member

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YOUTH AND TEEN CHOI KWANG DO / MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTION Come and experience all the benefits for all ages with this martial art. Along with physical and mental conditioning also comes increased self esteem, attention span, self control, respect of others and learning to become a leader in all aspects of life. Like the traditional martial arts there will be belt ranks and testing, but done with positive encouragement. Instructor: Dawn Childers Day: Thursday Ages: 3 – 5 Time: 4:30 – 5 p.m. Minimum 2 - Maximum 8 per class Ages: 3 – 5 Time: 5 – 5:30 p.m. Minimum 2 - Maximum 8 per class Ages: 6 – 13 Time: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Minimum 2 – Maximum 25 per class Family class for ages: 7 and above Time: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Minimum 2 – Maximum 25 per class Fee: $70 Member / $105 Non-Member Uniform Fee: $25 uniform not included; to be paid to instructor

ADVENTURE GAMES (AGES 7 – 13 YEARS) Minimum 6 – Maximum 15 If your child likes to learn news games, be active and meet new people, then this is the class for them! They will be learning a variety of activities while incorporating team building, leadership, confidence and cooperation. The main objective is for the kids to be having fun while being active and learning in a positive, energetic environment. Instructor: Jamie Quel Day: Wednesday Time: 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Fee: $30 Member / $45 Non-Member

SAQ (SPEED – AGILITY – QUICKNESS) CLASS (AGES 8 – 18 YEARS) Minimum 8 – Maximum 15 SAQ is targeted to help improve your child’s athletic performance. This class will progressively incorporate and develop the skills needed to attain optimal efficiency in the primary component of the athlete: SPEED. This class will specifically address the attributes of balance, core body strength, agility, and conditioning through the implementation of such drills and exercises. Instructor: Ralph Schmidt Day: Monday Time: 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Fee: $70 Member / $105 Non-Member 24 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

YOGA FOR TEENS (AGES 13 – 19 YEARS) Minimum 4 – Maximum 20 Get ready for a lean, toned body! This one hour class will introduce you to Hatha Yoga or refine your current yoga practice. Emphasis will be on body awareness, flexibility and breathing techniques. Benefits include increased muscle strength, coordination, flexibility and body and mind relaxation. We recommend two classes a week to get full benefits. This class is taught by a Himalayan Institute certified teacher. Please bring your own mat. Instructor: Sylvia Dooley C.Y.T. Day: Tuesday OR Thursday Time: 4 – 5 p.m. Fee: $50 Member / $75 Non-Member

BALLET WORKOUT (AGES 14 – ADULT) Minimum 3 – Maximum 20 Learn the concepts and techniques of classical ballet as studied in center floor. You will be guided through a full-body workout. Start with a series of warm-up exercises. Increase your progression to include fluid body movements, jumps, turns and leaps all while strengthening core muscles, building stamina and increasing your balance. Enjoy the beauty, benefits, and pleasure of ballet exercise for toning/elongating muscles, cardiovascular fitness and mental alertness. No prior experience required. Instructor: Janet E. Furtney of Improvement thru Movement Day: Tuesday Time: 11 a.m. – Noon OR Day: Thursday Time: 7 – 8 p.m. Fee: $64 Member / $96 Non-Member

KIDS HIP HOP BOOGIE (AGES 5 – 8 YEARS) Minimum 7 – Maximum 14 Bounce, Jump, & Spin! Your child will love this energetic and action packed class. They will learn basic hip hop dance moves to fun kid's music while building confidence, coordination, and rhythm. Movement games, using their imagination, and being creative is all a part of this great class. Kids will perform in class on last day of class. Instructor: Richelle Pastula, Dance Force Kids Day: Wednesday Time: 4:45 – 5:30 p.m. Fee: $69 Member / $104 Non-Member

PARTNER FITNESS Minimum 6 – Maximum 20 Like working out with a friend or partner? Why not get a full-body workout with that person? In this class, that is exactly what you will be doing. While working with a partner you will be using each other’s body weight for resistance, limited equipment, and encouragement to practice and learn basic fitness skills and exercises. This is a fun, positive way to bond with a friend or make new friends! All exercises can be accommodated to all fitness levels. Instructor: Jamie Quel Day: Tuesday Time: 6 – 7 p.m. Fee: $30 Member / $45 Non-Member

STRETCH AND TONE (ALL AGES) Minimum 5 – Maximum 15 Would you like to release some tension and see more tone/muscles in your body? This class provides a mixture of full-body stretch along with utilizing our own body weight for some toning. We will incorporate upper body and lower body strengthening and stretching. All fitness levels are welcome. Instructor: Stacy A. Ball is a certified personal trainer. Please bring a mat and a positive attitude! Day: Monday Time: 6 – 6:45 p.m. Fee: $35 Members / $53 Non-Member

MIXED LEVEL BELLY DANCE (ALL AGES) Minimum 5 – Maximum 15 Shimmy and sweat as you learn the ancient art form of Middle Eastern Dance otherwise known as Belly Dance from the ladies of Sadiqa. This class will focus on fundamentals of Belly Dance from technique to stylization. Learn creative combos and drill them fast and slow for a fun Belly Dance workout. Experience is a plus, but class is suitable for all levels whether you are brand new or wanting to improve your skills. Wear something comfortable and bring a bottle of water! Instructor: Joanna Abel and Karianne Merlina of Sadiqa Belly Dance Day: Wednesday Time: 7:30 – 8:45 p.m. Fee:$80 Members / $120 Non-Member

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Peters Township

Reading, Rec & More Adult Fitness TM

CORE AND MORE Minimum 6 – Maximum 20 We all know a strong core is the foundation to a strong body. This one-hour class focuses on core strengthening and conditioning. Class members will utilize weights, stability balls, bands, and their own body weight to strengthen the core muscles of the body. Also included will be small intervals of cardio activity to increase the heart rate and boost calorie burning. Start today to build that strong body for the future!! Instructor: Christy Fennell Day: Wednesday Time: 6 – 7 p.m. Fee: $45 Member / $68 Non-Member

FAB ABS IN 30 MINUTES Minimum 6 – Maximum 20 Who doesn't want fabulous abs?!! This 30-minute class will strengthen and tone your abs using different methods beyond the traditional crunches you are used to. Utilizing the floor, the ball, or just standing movements, this class will have your abs in an uproar!! So bring that mat and get ready to work! Instructor: Christy Fennell Day: Wednesday Time: 7– 7:30 p.m. Fee: $25 Member / $38 Non-Member

PILATES WITH PROPS Minimum 10 – Maximum 20 A fresh spin on basic Pilates matwork, using all sorts of props rings, bands, balls and weights. Each class will be different, introducing new props

and choreography for a fun, exciting, and effective workout. Instructor: Marjorie Kay Conrad Day: Tuesday Time: 8 - 9 p.m. Fee: $40 Member / $60 Non-Member

BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE YOGA Minimum 6 – Maximum 20 Terry Gustas is certified through Yoga Alliance in the 200-hour certification. She is currently pursuing the completion of the 500-hour advance yoga training program at Kripalu. She will offer to her students a unique blend of various styles of Hatha yoga. Increase strength, flexibility and endurance and reduce the effects of stress using breath work, meditation, and yoga posture. YOGA MAT REQUIRED! Instructor: Terry Gustas Day: Monday Time: 9 – 10 a.m. Fee: $50 Member / $75 Non-Member

DIRTY 30 BOOT CAMP Minimum 10 – Maximum 20 This is a 30-minute boot camp that will help kick you into shape or better shape. It is structured to pack in a full-body workout each class combining muscle strength and endurance with cardio. This class will challenge you and all fitness levels are encouraged to join (modifications will be demonstrated). Find out why this class is called a Dirty 30! Instructor: Suzie Bode Day: Monday OR Wednesday OR Friday

Time: 9:30 – 10 a.m. Fee: $25 Member / $38 Non-Member

20/20/20 Minimum 6 – Maximum 18 This class will keep you moving with two 20-minute segments of cardio exercise and 20-minutes of total body sculpting. Each class will be different with cardio segments consisting of basic step aerobics, and kickboxing. Each workout will challenge you with the perfect mix of cardio and strength-training exercises, without boring you with the same weekly routine. Certified Instructor: Jennifer Alexander Day: Monday Time: 10 – 11 a.m. Fee: $40 Member / $60 Non-Member

BALLS ‘N BANDS Minimum 6 – Maximum 20 Trim, tone and tighten without ever using free weights! This 30-minute class will use only resistance bands and stability balls for improved muscle tone and endurance. Obtain that sleek look while eliminating stress on your joints. Any fitness level can be accommodated with the various ball sizes and variety of resistance bands. Certified Instructor: Jennifer Alexander Day: Monday OR Wednesday Time: 11 – 11:30 a.m. Fee: $25 Member / $38 Non-Member

CARDIO COMBO Minimum 6 – Maximum 18 This one hour class will keep you moving with five-minute cardio and three minute weight segments. The cardio will consist of basic step, kickboxing, and plyometrics while the sculpting segment will include weights, resistance band, ball, and abdominal work. Get all of your cardio and sculpting done in one fast-paced hour! Certified Instructor: Jennifer Alexander Day: Wednesday

Time: 10 – 11 a.m. Fee: $40 Member / $60 Non-Member

TOTAL BODY SCULPTING Minimum 6 – Maximum 18 Join this strength training workout designed to shape and tone the body without building muscular size or bulk. This class will complement your fitness program by helping to retain lean muscle tissue while boosting metabolism. The class will challenge your body by using free weights, resistance bands and the body ball. Any fitness level can enroll. Certified Instructor: Jennifer Alexander Day: Friday Time: 10 – 11 a.m. Fee: $40 Member / $60 Non-Member

CARDIO KICKBOXING Minimum 4 – Maximum 12 A high-energy workout for everyone! We will use (noncontact) kicking and punching moves to get a fabulous cardio, flexibility and strength workout. You WILL see results! Instructor: Jen Milavec Day: Tuesday OR Thursday Time: 10 – 11 a.m. Fee: $56 Member / $84 Non-Member

ADULT TAP (AGES 18 YEARS AND UP) Minimum 7 – Maximum 20 Bring your friends. It's time to tap your toes and have some fun! You will learn basic tap steps, technique, across the floor movements, and combinations. This is a beginner class with a relaxed environment so everyone will feel comfortable while learning their new moves. Tap shoes are required. Instructor: Richelle Pastula, Dance Force Kids Day: Wednesday Time: 5:30 – 6:15 p.m. Fee: $69 Member / $104 Non-Member

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Adult Fitness YOGA - EVENING Minimum 8 – Maximum 30 Suitable for all levels of healthy students, we don’t just sit in this class… we use our muscles, especially our core. We focus on body and breath awareness. Some of the benefits you can expect from participation in this form of yoga are increased muscle strength, endurance, and coordination and progress in balance, flexibility, and relaxation. Reclaim energy and enjoy a more joyful, stress-free life. Please bring a yoga mat! Instructor: Lynn Duda Day: Tuesday Time: 6 – 7 p.m. Fee: $56 Member / $84 Non-Member

STEP IT UP Minimum 6 – Maximum 18 High energy, heart pumping classes using step choreography to keep you moving and grooving to the beat of the music! No two classes are ever the same! Intermediate to advanced levels. Instructor: Marjorie Kay Conrad Day: Tuesday Time: 7 – 8 p.m. Fee: $40 Member / $60 Non-Member

Day: Tuesday Time: 7:15 – 8:15 p.m. Day: Wednesday Time: 9 – 10 a.m. Day: Friday Time: 9 – 10 a.m. Fee: $50 Member / $75 Non-Member

MIXED LEVEL – YOGA FOR EVERY BODY Minimum 8 – Maximum 15 This class offers students a well rounded practice including meditation, pranayama (breathing exercises), and a flowing asana practice exploring variations of Surya Namaskara (sun salutations), with a wide range of standing, seated and restorative poses. This class is designed to increase strength, balance and flexibility for overall health and well being. Instructor: Gayle Zacharia, Certified RYT Day: Wednesday Time: 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. OR Day: Thursday Time: 9 – 10 a.m. Fee: $55 Member / $83 Non-Member

TAI CHI FOR HEALTH

Minimum 3 – Maximum 15 Learn traditional Chinese exercises known to energize the body and calm the mind. Meditation in ZUMBA movement, Tai Chi is a very effective Minimum 10 – Maximum 75 way of improving balance and ZUMBA—It’s the largest Latin coordination while generating inspired fitness program in the vitality and strength in the body as world. Zumba is the fitness craze that is sweeping the nation and has a whole. Movement sequences are become the favorite group exercise done slowly with a minimum of class in health clubs throughout the force to promote concentration, self awareness and fluidity. Relaxing yet world. *Includes Zumba Toning challenging, Tai Chi can be which utilizes lightweight toning rewarding for all ages and fitness sticks or dumbbells. This Latinlevels. Make up dates: November. inspired dance 'n tone program Instructor: J. Gurney Bolster takes Zumba to the next level. Day: Thursday Sticks can be purchased from the Time: 6 – 7 p.m. OR instructor or you can bring 1-3 lb. Day: Friday hand weights. Time: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Certified Zumba Instructor: Fee: $56 Member / Debbie Colditz $84 Non-Member

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Peters Township

INTRODUCTION TO BALLROOM DANCING; FORGET YOUR TROUBLES! LEARN BALLROOM!! EXERCISE, CRUISE, WEDDING, SCHOOL DANCE! OR JUST FOR FUN!! (AGES 14 – ADULTS) Minimum 6 – Maximum 24 This course gives an introduction to the most popular dances requested at this time. It includes the slow and fast social dances in Ballroom and Latin styles. You will learn Basic Steps, Patterns, Styling, and Floor Craft in Foxtrot, Swing, Waltz, and Cha Cha Cha. Other Ballroom and Latin social dances will be introduced, time permitting, and according to participant interest. Instructor: Kathy Burchill of Dryden Dance Center Day: Tuesday Time: 7 – 9 p.m. Fee: $75 Member / $113 Non-Member

LINE DANCING – IN THE MORNING Minimum 5 – Maximum 15 Come join us for some great fun, good exercise for the mind and the body! You will lose weight while you are having fun! Line dancing has been proven to be the best exercise to help prevent Alzheimer's disease! Come on out and meet some great people. Line dancing will open your life to a whole new world!! Two left feet?? No problem! Instructor: Frieda Hayson Day: Thursday Time: 9:15 – 11:15 a.m. Fee: $40 Member / $60 Non-Member

SKINNY MIX PILATES – LEVEL 1-3 Minimum 8 - Maximum 20 Finally a class tailored to fit you, and help you fit into your favorite jeans. Experienced pilatean and the

rookie get exactly what they need, whether it be slimming down, improving posture or reducing pain. Upbeat class includes free weights and small equipment. You will get motivated, transform your body, and be entertained. Not to be missed! Instructor: Nancy Griffin. Day: Mondays Time: 7 – 8 p.m. Fee: $56 Member / $84 Non-Member

BEST BODY PILATES LEVEL 1-3 Minimum 8 – Maximum 20 Looking for more! Nancy doesn’t “waist” a minute or a motion, every sequence is purposeful, well-taught and precisely targeted to flatten your tummy and give you a great butt and thighs. Fast-paced, challenging, pilates program will quickly reshape your body. This is for the Intermediate level student who wants faster pacing and lots of movement variety. Dynamic warm up, free weights, and complete mat repertoire followed by a great muscle lengthening warm down. Two Classes per week recommended. Instructor: Nancy Griffin Day: Tuesday OR Thursday Time: 9 – 10 a.m. Fee: $56 Member / $84 Non-Member

MEN’S ADULT VOLLEYBALL A drop-in format. Meets on Thursdays from 6:30 – 9 p.m. Must be a township resident and a member of the Community Recreation Center. Coordinator: Dave Davis.

MEN’S OVER 30 BASKETBALL Drop-in program meets on Thursdays from 7 – 9 p.m. and Sundays from 1 – 3 p.m. Must be a township resident and a member of the Community Recreation Center.

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Programs for Families “BEHAVE”…MANNERS MAKE IMPRESSIONS (AGES 6 – 13 YEARS) Minimum 5 – Maximum 12 May I Leave the table without saying “Excuse Me?” No, you may not. Good manners will promote self-confidence. Bring your child to a “Mother, May I” class to learn proper behavior, social skills, and common courtesies. Instruction will include tips on introductions, mealtime manners, and understanding why proper behavior is important. Impress upon your children that good manners will make a difference. Instructor: Mother, May I (Demetria Pappas) Day: Thursday, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 or April 7 (Individual classes are offered on six consecutive Thursdays sign up for one or all) Time: 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Fee: $15 Members / $23 NonMember (per each date offered) Meal Fee: $2.50 not included paid to instructor

pictures and the Internet to share them. Adults and teens welcome. Instructor: Melissa Robb Day: Sunday Time: 3 – 4 p.m. Fee: $55 Member / $83 Non-Member

CHESS (AGES 6 AND UP; ADULTS WELCOME) Minimum 6 – Maximum 20 Meet at the Recreation Center for Chess instruction and playtime. Instructor: Eric Berthoud Day: Wednesday Time: 6 – 7 p.m. Fee: $30 Member / $45 Non-Member

FENCING – BEGINNER 1/BASIC SKILLS 1 CLASS

(AGES 7 AND UP) Minimum 6 – Maximum 20 Sometimes called physical chess, fencing combines power, finesse, strategy, speed and balance to form an exhilarating sport that is enjoyable for a lifetime. The beginner class covers a brief history of fencing, teaches the EAT LESS, MOVE MORE: proper technique, and introduces MAKING IT HAPPEN fencers to the rules, including how You’ve heard it before: to lose to compete against each other in weight you need to eat less and move more. You know what to do a bout. Instructor: Three Rivers Fencing so why aren’t you doing it? This class will present weight loss from Day: Wednesday Time: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. an internal, holistic, permanent Fee: $70 Member / lifestyle change perspective and will focus on taking action. We will $105 Non-Member Additional Fee: $35 paid to discuss how to: establish new instructor for equipment rental habits, create solutions to your personal obstacles, recognize your FENCING – BEGINNER 2 eating cues, and discover your CLASS exercise personality. (AGES 7 AND UP) Instructor: Laura Crooks, RN, Minimum 6 – Maximum 20 certified wellness coach Day: Saturdays March 19, 26, and For fencers who have passed Beginner 1 Class test. This class April 2. takes the basics learned in the Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Beginner Class and expands the Fee: $45 Member / options for fencers wanting to $68 Non-Member know more. This class includes an introduction to electric fencing, PHOTOGRAPHY 101 (AGES 10 YEARS – ADULT) and will conclude with a mini tournament for participants during Minimum 4 – Maximum 12 the last class. If a picture is really worth a thousand words, what do you want Instructor: Three Rivers Fencing Day: Wednesday yours to say? This course is Time: 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. designed to help your photos Fee: $70 Member / $105 speak by teaching you how to Non-Member better use your camera, how to improve your pictures, and how to Additional Fee: $35 paid to instructor for equipment rental use your computer to edit your

DOG OBEDIENCE CLASSES PERFECT PUPPY CLASS: TRAINING THE FAMILY DOG Requirements: All puppies must be in good health and have upto-date vaccinations. Vaccination records and a current health certificate from a veterinarian MUST be presented at the first session. Class designed for puppies between 10 weeks and 5 months of age who have had no previous training. Experts agree that the first months of life make up the most important time in your puppy’s physical, intellectual and social development. Learn to safely and humanely introduce your puppy to the leash, and basic obedience commands. Learn safety with dogs in the home, proper nutrition, grooming. Housebreaking and crate training will be discussed, and puppies will be introduced to clicker training. Managed puppy play sessions are included. Instructor: Deborah MillerGurchak Dates: Thursdays, March 17– April 21 (6 one-hour classes) Time: 7 – 8 p.m. Fee: $90 Residents / $135 for Non-residents, for a six-week course. (Fee covers one dog and one handler.) Location: Community Room, 200 Municipal Drive, in the back of the Police Station (off of McMurray Road, near the Library)

PUPPY/DOG BASIC OBEDIENCE PART 1

properly on a leash. Topics covered will include safety with dogs in the home and understanding dog body language and behavior. Clicker training will also be introduced. Instructors: Deborah Miller-Gurchak Dates: Thursdays, March 17– April 21 (6 one-hour classes) Time: 8:15 – 9:15 p.m. Fee: $90 Residents / $135 for Non-residents, for a six-week course. (Fee covers one dog and one handler.) Location: Community Room, 200 Municipal Drive, in the back of the Police Station (off of McMurray Road, near the Library)

DOG TALK - SEMINAR Day: Saturday, March 5 Time: Drop in any time between 1 – 4 p.m. Location: Peters Township Parks and Recreation Center on Meredith Drive Fee: Free!!! Humans only, please! Presenters: Deborah MillerGurchak, of Hollybush Dog Training Services, Who can attend?: Anyone who owns a puppy or adult dog, or is thinking about getting a dog in the future. No dogs allowed as this is not a training session. For additional information check out the website or pick up a complete flyer at the Recreation Center.

Requirements: All dogs must be in good health and have up-todate vaccinations For puppies and dogs six months of age and older. Course designed to encourage dogs and handlers to work as a team, with the dog owner as leader. Learning all basic obedience commands as well as how to handle their dogs Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 27

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ONE-DAY CLASSES AND E V E NT S GET CHARGED UP! Adrenal fatigue is one of the most common problems in American today. Overcome the mid-day crash and learn healthy alternatives to help boost your energy and keep you going throughout the day. Enjoy taste-testing midday pick me up snacks and energizing drinks. Instructor: Lindsey Smith Day: Wednesday, February 23 Time: 6 – 8 p.m. Fee: $20 Member / $30 Non-Member WOMEN’S SELF DEFENSE CLASS (ONE DAY EVENT) Minimum 3 – Maximum 20 A great class for all women 13 and older. Each class is customized to the participants’ needs and abilities. We discuss scenarios of the places we visit and the things we do in everyday life and how to make ourselves safe. We practice very simple techniques if ever needed and more importantly how to prevent getting into a bad situation. Great for a group of friends or a bonding class for mother and daughter to take together. Instructor: Dawn Childers, a second-degree Black Belt trained by several law enforcement agencies in women’s self defense. Day: March 10 and April 14 Time: 7:30 – 8:15 p.m. Fee: $35 Member / $53 Non-Member SEED STARTING 101 Learn to start your own transplants and have a greater selection of varieties: whether its heirlooms or unusual varieties of plants. Learn what you need to do to succeed at starting and growing your own transplants. Instructor: Laura Delach Day: Saturday March 19 Time: 10 – 11 a.m. Fee: $15 Member / $23 Non-Member Material Fee: $5 paid to instructor DECORATIVE VEGETABLE GARDENING No room for a vegetable garden. Learn how to incorporate decorative herbs and vegetables into your landscape and already existing beds. Instructor: Laura Delach Day: Saturday, April 16 Time: 10 – 11 a.m. Fee: $10 Member / $15 Non-Member

28 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

SPRING FLING: STRATEGIES FOR DE CLUTTERING YOUR HOME (ONE DAY CLASS) Do you want to spend less time managing the “stuff” in your life and more time doing what you enjoy? Is clutter getting in your way? Learn why people struggle with disorganization, how to get started, and how to make simple changes that get big results. Students can expect to learn: diagnosing, trouble spots, where to begin, organizing principles, tips and tricks from a pro. Instructor: Leslie McKee Day: Wednesday, March 23 Time: 7 – 8:30 p.m. Fee: $25 Member / $48 Non-Member STOMACH/REDUCTION MIND WORK Commonly referred to as lap band therapy mind works. Learn how to use, cognitive behavior therapy, NLP or neuro ligulstic programming hypnosis to reduce your desire for unnecessary food. Learn how to eat with intention and attention. Imagine your stomach the size of a ping pong ball. Know that you have the ability to make fantastic changes in your health and appearance. This is an informative talk for those interested in weight reduction. Introduction to Stomach/reduction mind works. Instructor: Lois Reich Day: Saturday, March 5 Time: 3 – 4 p.m. Day: Saturday, March 12 Time: 3 – 4 p.m. Day: Sunday, April 10 Time: 2 – 3 p.m. Day: Saturday, April 16 Time: 3 – 4 p.m. Fee: $30 Member / $45 Non-Member HYPNOSIS/ POSITIVE BEHAVIOR CHANGE Minimum 5 – Maximum 15 Want to stop smoking, manage your weight, worry less, relieve anxiety and stress? You can change your thoughts and make great changes happen. Hypnosis has proved effective according to The American Health magazine study. Six sessions of hypnosis had a 93% satisfaction rate. Instructor: Lois Reich, Certified Hypnotist, President of the Hypnotism Society of Pa., Pgh. Chapter and Member of Natl. Guild of Hypnotists. Day: Wednesday Time: 7 – 8 p.m. Fee: $65 Member / $98 Non-Member

Peters Township

PROGRAMS FOR MATURE ADULTS SILVERSNEAKERS® I – MUSCULAR STRENGTH & RANGE OF MOVEMENT (AGES 65 AND OVER) Have fun and move to the music through a variety of exercises designed to increase muscular strength, range of movement, and activity for daily living skills. Handheld weights, elastic tubing with handles, and a ball are offered for resistance; a chair is used for seated and/or standing support. Free to select Medicare/Local health care plan qualified participants. Instructor: Suzie Bode Day: Monday, Wednesday and Friday Time:10 – 10:45 a.m. Fee: $80 Member / $120 Non-Member (Fee, if not covered by health insurance) CARD GROUPS AT THE CRC 500 BID Card Players meet the fourth Tuesday afternoon of the month at the community center from 1 – 4 p.m. Dropins welcome. No pre-registration required. Men and women of all ages are welcome. Beverages and snacks are provided. Donations welcome. For more information call Rae Helman at 724.941.1081.

SENIOR MONTHLY LUNCHEON These luncheons offer seniors a chance to mingle and enjoy lunch with others. Bring a covered dish to share. Co-sponsored by the Area Agency on Aging. Ages 55 and over may participate. March 9 – Learn how to prepare your garden/flower beds for the season with Master Gardener Laura Delach. April 13 – Blood pressures, ice cream and a brief presentation by Southern Care. Time: 12 – 2 p.m. Fee: FREE SENIOR TRIP: BLENNERHASSETT ISLAND A trip into a bygone century, a place of elegance and adventure, you will start the day with a lovely lunch at the Lafayette Hotel. Then it’s on to Blennerhassett Island by a sternwheeler boat. A tour of the Blennerhassett Mansion unfolds the history of the Blennerhassett family and their association with Aaron Burr. You will see the island by horse-drawn wagon with a stop a gift shop to finish the day. Day: Wednesday, May 25 Fee: $80 Deadline for Registration: Friday, April 1

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Don’t Forget It’s Time to Tune Up Your Heating System PA6846 Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 29

Rotarians Help The Community W

hen the McMurray Rotary received a call from the daughter of an elderly township resident in need, it was no time at all before the group leapt into action. Antonio Zuloaga, president of the McMurray Rotary, said that the daughter had called many community organizations out of desperation. Her father was in danger of losing his homeowner’s insurance because of violations on his property. What’s more, he suffers from Alzheimer’s, which complicated his ability to act on those violations. Zuloaga said the insurance company gave the resident, who is not being identified to preserve his privacy, a deadline to fix all of the infractions on his property. If he failed to address them, he would lose his insurance. “His house was in a little disrepair,” Zuloaga said. “There was debris in the yard, steps were loose or broken. There was an old playhouse in the yard that was in danger of

30 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

falling. Between his condition and his financial situation, he did not have the means to correct all of this.” Al DeLucia, community service director for the club, said he made the original contact with the homeowner’s daughter. “I got the original phone call on Halloween. The insurance company had this long laundry list of things that had to absolutely be done,” DeLucia said. “There was a front porch that had been damaged by the snowstorm in the winter, and it needed a front railing. In one place, the roof was leaking. There was a back deck that had to be torn off and redone. There were a number of trees hitting the gutter and roof of the house. All of the bushes around the house had to be removed or cut back significantly. Storm damage to pine trees in the back of the house left them snapped over. They were cut up and left in a gigantic debris pile. There was debris along the side of the house—car batteries, tires, and old wood. One of the front windows had a sash that had been replaced, but the trim had not been replaced. There was a place where at one time there was an above ground pool. There was a dip in the yard where the pool backed into part of the yard. The whole outside needed an awful lot of maintenance. It was in pretty bad shape.” Within a span of two weeks, working weekends and after hours, Rotarians and their families went to the house and helped. They cut down trees and trimmed overgrown shrubbery. The playhouse was demolished and taken away. Local churches and neighbors also assisted in the goodwill mission as well, Zuloaga said. The groups pitched in and came up with the money to rebuild the deteriorating deck, and the final touches were all in place before the Nov. 17 deadline set by the insurance company. “We went out that first Sunday in November, and we took down the playhouse and cleaned up debris. We were coordinating with the daughter, and she found help the next weekend from Bethel Presbyterian, Waterdam Church, and the Peters Township Newcomers. That next weekend, they had a large number of volunteers show up,” DeLucia said. “They had probably 50 volunteers over there to help. The next weekend we went back

Peters Township

over again and did some more clean up. There were four different times we had club members go over. Neighbors helped out as well. They donated labor and financial support from other organizations.” “This is part of our mission,” Zuloaga said. “Part of our community service is hands-on service. A few weeks after this project, we were working with Habitat for Humanity in the new store location that they will be opening. It’s part of the Rotary organization’s beliefs to try to do as much for the community as possible, depending on the need in the community.” Other than being a resident of Peters Township, the gentleman who received the help in this instance has no connection to the Rotary, Zuloaga said. “He’s functional, but he’s up in age. He can walk around, he can talk and converse, but you know there is some degree of confusion there. He would not have been able to do this on his own or have the ability to hire people to do this work,” he said. “We do have something lined up in the spring to go back and work on the inside of the house,” DeLucia said. “We’re going to add new flooring, and there’s a bathroom that needs some work. According to his daughter, his spirits are greatly improved and very positive.” Helping out is just one aspect of Rotary. The club encompasses service to the club itself, vocational service, community service, international service, and service to younger generations. For more information about McMurray Rotary, go to www.mcmurrayrotary.com. The club is holding a Health Awareness Day on May 7, which will be open to the public and offering blood screening, other health related testing and information about health related educational opportunities. Details can be found at the Rotary’s website closer to the date.

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BEINHAUER CARES Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 31

s Photos by Debbie Mountain

Tom Shope, Head Chef, and Carrie Vanistendael.

Amy Chess, “Head Meatball,” her daughter, Annie Chess, and Tiffany Trunk

Rhonda Stasik, Band Booster Secretary, and Michael Benya, Godfather of Meatballs and Music. Maggie Rickman

Meatballs & Music What do meatballs and music have in common? They are the main ingredients in the annual fundraiser “Meatballs and Music” sponsored by the Peters Township High School Music Boosters. The event was held at PTHS on Saturday, Jan. 22. In it's eleventh year, Amy Chess, “Head Meatball,” says more than 3000 spaghetti dinners were served by over 200 PTHS music students and countless volunteers. The “Godfather of Meatballs and Music,” Michael Benya and his wife Mary started the event to help raise funds for the PTHS Music Department. It is now one of Peters Township’s biggest events, second only to Peterswood Park Community Day, according to Amy Chess.

Concert band warming up.

Jim Kotar, Rich Dorman, Bill Spangenberg and Ed Corbett 32 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Doug Daley and his daughter Kellin

Gail Varcelotti (Basket Raffle Coordinator) and Mary Ellen Meola

Peters Township

Wynne Keatly and Morgan Hoge

Jay Hofmeister, Kim Hofmeister and Gail Trunk

Trisha Steitz

Warren Kipling with John and Eileen Theroff.

Adam Shope and Lauren Alexander

Madison Mincone, Taylor Young, Lexi Marlett, Erin Kilberg, Tracy Burket, McKenzie Fritz and Kimie Ellis.

Amy Shope, Mary Anne Smith, Nancy Kotar, Mary Ellen Krawiec, Chris Dipaola, Tammy Palocias and Toni Jacobs.

Kirsten Kowalczyk, Maria Lyle, Mitchel Kreider, Maple Chen and Anna Zerkle

Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 33

Good Tidings for the Greatest Generation

Older Adults in Peters Township

Keep Your Credit Card Secure

ow that the holidays are behind us, you’re hopefully putting that smoking credit card back into your wallet or purse for a while. But even though this may be a down time for you and your credit card, it’s no time to be lax about your credit card security. So what do you need to know about keeping your credit card safe? First, off, don’t give yourself a pin number that’s easy to guess. Issuing banks typically assign you a random pin number when you first get your card that you can change later. Keep this assigned number and avoid picking a pin for yourself like “1234” or your birth date. While it may be easy for you to remember, those choices are also very easy for predators to figure out. If you make a lot of online purchases or just want to dip your toes into the world of Internet shopping, get yourself a dedicated card with a low credit limit. You can open up a secured credit card at most financial institutions that require you to deposit a balance to borrow against, allowing you to open a card with a $500 limit. Your deposit will gain interest and you will be able to use your card for online purchases. What’s more, most scammers try to run a small purchase 34 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

through before running a larger purchase on the card. You may not notice a $0.32 charge right away, but when your bank calls you asking if you tried to purchase a $779 laptop, you’ll be happy your limit was low enough to be declined. If your credit card number is compromised, you should call your bank immediately and report it. While police are able to enforce credit card fraud on a local level, with the Internet the person trying to run your numbers may be six states away, if they’re in the United States at all. In all cases, the sooner it’s reported, the better. Your bank will cancel the card number and reissue you another card. While you’re online, keep in mind that your bank will most likely never contact you via email regarding your account. If you do get an e-mail from a bank that you use, double check the address. Chances are it will be slightly askew from any legitimate

Peters Township

address. Instead of “@yourcreditcard.com,” you may see, “@yourcreditcard1.com” or “@yourcreditcard.uk.” Banks understand that scammers routinely try to get you to give up your personal information via e-mail. Therefore, most have secured e-mail available through their websites, where you can be sure you’re talking straight to legitimate bank representatives. Lastly, if you have several credit cards that you use often, take the time to flip them over and write down the 1-800 customer service numbers on the back and keep that list in a safe place. It’s also a good idea to keep a copy in your purse or wallet. This way, when you notice your card is missing and are frantic, you can at least go to your list and call to report the missing card. In the end, you should treat your credit card like you would treat your cash—never leave it lying around.

Digital Photography for Seniors

f the last time you took holiday photos required clumsily spooling film into your 35 mm camera, don’t be intimidated by what technology has done to photography in the past few years. In fact, once you have some basics down, you may find that your digital camera is easier to use than you thought. So let’s start at the beginning and go over your new toy from stem to stern. We can’t go into detail about every feature of every camera, but luckily most cameras share the same properties, so we can cover most scenarios. More than likely, your camera came with a lithium ion battery pack and charger. All you need to know about this is that this battery can last a long time. Thanks to self-timers built into your camera, if you forget to shut it off, it will shut off automatically for you, saving battery life and allowing you to take that unexpected shot when the time comes. That said, the battery won’t last forever, especially if you are shooting with the flash often or shooting video, if your camera has that feature. If you know you’re going to be somewhere with a lot of natural light, turn your flash off altogether and shoot longer. The second thing to familiarize yourself with is your memory card. Cameras come with a variety of memory cards to choose from. Regardless of the kind your camera takes, just remember that bigger is better. A 16 gigabyte memory card can hold hundreds of photos, and if you’re not in the habit of printing your photos right away or moving them to your computer, the extra space is a must. How many pictures you can store on your memory card depends on your resolution setting for your pictures. Your resolution is how big the picture is. If you’re shooting for a website, low resolutions are better because the file size is smaller. However, if you try to print the same low resolution photo as an 8x10, it will appear distorted or “pixilated” because the camera wasn’t set to capture all of the fine details of the image. With most point-and-shoot cameras on high resolution, you can print very large prints or zoom in to crop shots for better composition. The last thing to get to know is the USB cable. This is the cable that came with your camera and connects it to any USB port on your computer. Through this cable, you can transfer your images for future sorting, correction, or sharing. Believe it or not, once you have those things down, your digital camera has many of the same features of your old 35 mm. You can zoom in, set a timer so you have a chance to get into frame, and set a scenic mode where you can select how the camera operates in certain conditions, such as a portrait, sports shot, night shot, or landscape. Your manual will list the specific icons and their meanings. Don’t be afraid to leaf through it if you get stuck. Manuals have come a long way as well and are clearly written for users of all experience levels.

SeniorAgencies Chabad of the South Hills 1701 McFarland Road Pittsburgh, PA 15216 www.chabadsh.com 412.341.1494 Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh 345 Kane Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15243 412.278.1975, ext. 208 dgarfinkel@jccpgh.org www.jccpgh.org

(buses, trolleys and rapidtransit lines). Participants must obtain identification cards, which are available free of charge, from participating transportation providers. Call 412.442.2000 for the location nearest to you.

ACCESS 65 Plus and ACCESS ADA Program 412.562.5353 or TDD 1.800.654.5984 ACCESS is door-to-door, advance reservation, shared-ride transportation provided throughout Port Transportation For Authority’s service area. Older Adults It serves primarily senior There are several agencies citizens and persons with that offer free or reduced disabilities. There are no rate transportation services restrictions on the purpose to individuals who qualify. or number of trips which may be taken by riders, Medical Assistance except that riders are Transportation Program required to share their (MATP) vehicle with others 1.888.547.6287 traveling in the same Provides non-emergency direction and at the medical transportation to same time. residents of Allegheny County who have a valid Older Persons Pennsylvania Department Transportation of Public Welfare Medical Transportation for medical Assistance Card. appointments, grocery shopping, senior center activities and other needs throughout Allegheny County is available to adults 60 years of age and older who live in Allegheny County. Call SeniorLine at 412.350.5460. Are you a nonprofit Senior Center serving the needs of our community’s older adults? Free Bus Pass for Senior Citizens The Port Authority allows Allegheny County residents, 65 years of age and older, to ride free on local public transportation

We would be happy to post your contact information. Contact Marybeth@incommunity magazines.com with your center’s name and phone number.

Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 35

Older Adults in Peters Township T

Dom Care Provides Home Like Setting

he Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging has been in existence for over 30 years, providing foster care homes to adults, age 18 years or older who are not able to live alone. Dom Care has enabled many people to live a comfortable life in safe and nurturing surroundings in the Washington County area. Through Dom Care, individuals are matched with families who offer a home and assistance with daily activities, as well as support and companionship. The Dom Care Program is particularly helpful to seniors and people with intellectual disabilities, who might benefit from the care and supervision of a family home. By opening their homes, Dom Care providers enable these individuals to remain within the community in a home-like setting. Providers are only permitted to care for up to three residents. Dom Care providers assist with activities such as personal hygiene, grooming and medication management. They also provide three nutritious provide meals a day along with housekeeping and laundry services.

36 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

To become a Dom Care provider, an approval and certification process must be completed. It includes home inspections by both a care manager and the Allegheny County Health Department. Providers are also required to have certification in First Aid and CPR. Additionally, they must present personal and financial references, submit to a police record search and obtain a medical clearance from a physician. Care managers will assist with this process. Anyone interested in becoming a resident in a Dom Care home can inquire on their own or can be referred by someone else, including family members, health care professionals or agencies that serve people with disabilities. In return for the room, board, and personalized care they receive, Dom Care residents pay a set monthly fee. Those with limited income and resources may be eligible for a financial supplement to assist with the payment and to assure that they have personal spending money. The benefits of being a Dom Care provider include companionship, support from professional staff, and a monthly

Peters Township

payment for the services they give. Most importantly, it is the feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment for sharing a warm and caring home. To learn more about the Dom Care program, to make a referral for an individual, or to find out how to become a provider, call the Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging Domiciliary Care Program at 724.489.8083, ext. 4617

Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 37

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Peters Township

R E A L E STAT E

PETERS TOWNSHIP

Both Buyers and Sellers Need to BEWARE of OVERpricing But there’s no similar failsafe with over“You have to make sure that your agent As with any major purchase, doing your pricing. A home that’s overpriced may get a does comparisons to similar homes in the homework should be something you do nice offer, but ultimately, the final arbiter of area, knows the market, and gets supporting before you sign on a major loan. Never what it’s truly worth is the appraiser, evidence that the house is really worth before has this been more true than in the assigned independently by the bank or what it’s being advertised at before you housing market, where overpricing can crelender. That appraisal will dictate the future put in an offer,” Fincham said. “If the house ate major headaches for buyers and sellers. of the sale. doesn’t appraise for the agreed upon price, For sellers, overpricing can mean that The resulting appraisal could tank the sale it is unlikely that you will receive any your home sits on the market longer, raising seller’s assist.” altogether, or force buyers to seek extra flags to potential buyers that something is money or alternative financing to amiss. For buyers, an overpriced compensate for the missed seller’s home can mean a loss in seller’s For buyers, an overpriced home can mean a loss assistance. Either way, it’s going to assistance, money that sellers in seller’s assistance, money that sellers mean a hassle for the buyer and sometimes bring to the table from sometimes bring to the table from their profits frustration for the seller. their profits to help defray closing However, if an agent does the costs for the buyer. Worse yet, if to help defray closing costs for the buyer. homework and knows their business, there is no appraisal contingency Fincham said the home should be listaddendum attached to the ed at a fair price, resulting in a agreement of sale, a buyer may be relatively smooth sale in reasonable forced to go through with a home length of time. purchase after being told that it is not worth “It is now imperative that agents and What’s more, overpricing is a one-way what they have agreed to pay. clients know the recent selling prices of street by way of mistakes. Homeowners who Sharon Fincham, a Realtor with comparable homes,” she said. “Buyers list their homes for too little may receive Prudential Preferred Realty, said that, and sellers agreeing on a price is not multiple offers, allowing the power of free in addition to including an appraisal necessarily enough anymore. The study market economic supply and demand contingency addendum to an offer, you of a neighborhood before an offer is made to take over, driving the price up until need to make sure that your agent is can save everyone involved a lot of grief it’s comparable to the other homes in doing the proper legwork before the and frustration.” the neighborhood. offer is even made.

Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 39

Homes Marketed by Northwood

Cecil 42 Gladden Road – $300,000 Debbie Panza – 412.877.0064

Independence 127 Mount Hope Ridge Rd. – $137,900 Joseph Bogo – 412.427.9016

City of Washington 660 Murdoch Street – $214,900 Jodie Gallagher – 412.370.9930

North Strabane 1023 Highland – $429,900 Paulette DiNardo – 412.217.7221

Cecil 1190 Valleyview Drive – $155,900 Sandy Lombardi – 724.554.0835

South Strabane 1427 Willowbrook Drive – $339,900 Janet Sember – 724.747.1193

Peters Township Office Waterdam Commons 4215 Washington Road McMurray, PA 15317

724.941.3340

Homes Marketed by Northwood

Fallowfield Township 31 Ernest Avenue – $234,900 Joe Farmer – 412.398.3199

East Washington Boro 245 N. Wade Avenue – $144,900 Jodie Gallagher – 412.370.9930

South Strabane 1431 Willowbrook Drive – $359,900 Janet Sember – 724.747.1193

McDonald, Washington County 120 Fannie Street – $85,000 Joyce Miller – 412.310.3617

Peters Township 547 Justabout Road – $224,200 Susan Accetta – 412.953.0686

Canonsburg 256 Smithfield Street – $164,900 Denise Levi – 724.554.6025

Peters Township Office Waterdam Commons 4215 Washington Road McMurray, PA 15317

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Peters Township

R E A L E STAT E

PETERS TOWNSHIP

Reeducation of the Seller In today’s post-housing-bust world, selling your home isn’t the same process that it may have been when you moved in 10 years ago. Maureen Cavanaugh, with Howard Hanna Real Estate, said that sellers need to re-educate themselves if they want to remain competitive in today’s market and make a profit on their homes. “Selling your home is very diﬀerent today, and it’s been a progressive thing,” Cavanaugh said. “Ten years ago, you could list your home as is. Buyers were willing to come in and do updates. With the changes that occurred in the last three and four years, the expectation of buyers has dramatically risen. Many sellers who have lived in their homes for years with a lot of equity

should consider doing as many updates as they are willing to do.” Those updates will reap more money when it comes to their final sale price, Cavanaugh said. No updates will result in a lesser price. “It really depends on the house. I’m dealing with someone right now that has a nice home of 32 years, and they’ve spent three months and have done everything. They’re spending upwards of $25,000, but it will take their sale price from the $380,000 range to $425,000 or $430,000. They will recoup what they put into it,” Cavanaugh said. “And the reason is that today’s buyers want to move in, put down the furniture, start paying the mortgage, and get on with their lives. They don’t want to be bogged down with the projects and upgrades like taking down old wallpaper.” If you don’t have a budget for upgrades, Cavanaugh said that even minor cosmetic changes can improve your odds of getting more for your home when it comes time to sell. These types of upgrades include updating the hardware on cabinets to more contemporary styles. At the very least, Cavanaugh suggests getting rid of any junk, cleaning thoroughly, and doing some rudimentary staging. “Exposing hardwood floors is a no-brainer. You don’t have to paint the whole house beige. You can still have some color and have some interest,” she said. “But everything should be sparkling.” Cavanaugh said that now that the first-time homebuyer frenzies spurred by government tax rebates are over, the bulk of homebuyers are mid-level buyers looking in the $150,000 to $300,000 range with access to aﬀordable mortgage money. “These are relocation buyers, and they want all the bells and whistles,” she said. “They want to buy more, and they want it done.”

Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 41

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Peters Township

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Peters Township

Many finding the flexibility and income potential excellent

Real Estate As A Career

s the dwindling job market numbers continue to make the news lately, the professionals in the real estate market seem to have one of the best kept secrets going. For those who need some flexibility but desire a job with excellent income potential, a career in real estate is an excellent choice. Whether a person has just finished college or wants to return to work now that the kids are attending school, joining a sales team at a real estate agency close to home can lead to income rewards and a flexible work schedule that many people desire. In this day and age of electronic media, with all of the tools available to agents to help buyers and sellers in acquiring and disposing of properties, the fast pace of the real estate market is an exciting place to work. People who have just graduated from college have the upper hand in marketing to their peers through social network sites. The use of Face Book and Linked In is a tool that is being used to make contact with their peers, who are also first time home buyers. Those who have taken time off to raise their children and are looking for an alternative to a standard 9am-5pm job have found great

success in a real estate career. The flexibility of the job is what makes it such an attractive option. What makes for a successful real estate professional? “Patience,” says Sandy Goldstein of Keller Williams. With the economy still in turmoil, real estate transactions don’t just happen. You need to be

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I have moved and I am very excited to be in the Peters Township office!

R E A L E STAT E

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For Sale in Peters Township

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willing to educate clients on the real estate process, show them properties and then wait for the decision. Patience is key,” states Goldstein. People wanting to get into the real estate industry must be willing to invest in their brand. “You must brand yourself as a real estate professional, and that takes time”. Goldstein, who has been in real estate for over 20 years says you must be willing to work hard to establish yourself in the community. The career path to becoming a real estate agent is varied. People who have previously worked in service-oriented fields like nursing, teaching or in the airline industry make great real estate agents. Those who have spent years volunteering their time and are now looking for a paying job, and have honed their skill in dealing with different types of personalities generally make a good transition into the real estate work force. A position within a real estate agency can be rewarding both personally and financially. The flexibility that comes with setting your own schedule and the satisfaction of assisting in one of the largest transactions that most people will make, can make the difference between a just doing a job and a creating a successful career.

Real Estate As A Career Continued...

Real Estate, Real Easy! Peters Township

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Contact Mary Eve at: Office: 724.941.8800 x239 Cell: 412.889.7244 email: maryeve@att.net

Peters Township

PETERS TOWNSHIP

hen Kim Spierto and her husband joined the Peters Township Referrals two and a half years ago, she thought it would be a good way for them to network and promote their fire and water restoration company. Today, she’s the membership chair of the 13-member organization and has professional relationships with many of those members.

“Peters Township Referrals is a business networking group of professionals who offer our services to businesses, families, and individuals in the South Hills,” Spierto said. “Our primary purpose is to meet on a regular basis to form strong, mutually beneficial relationships to help generate more business and develop contacts through qualified referrals.” The group spun off from another networking group nearly a decade ago, Spierto said. In that time, it has done more than just bring business to its members, it has decided to support nonprofits as part of their goodwill efforts. On Dec. 17, 2010, the Peters Township Referrals Group presented Angels' Place with a donation of over $3,500. Peters Township Referrals held a bowling event fundraiser to benefit Angels' Place, a nonprofit, whose focus is to help single, low-income, full-time student parents complete

their education and build stronger families. The charity has been around since 1984, and provides services at no cost to those that need them. Services include early childhood education, parenting classes, career exploration, tutoring, counseling, and assistance with basic needs such as food, clothing, and nursery supplies. Accepting the donation were Paul Hinnebusch, vice-president of the executive board, and Michelle Smith Tipton, executive director. The money was generated from the group’s ninth annual fundraiser, which was held at the Meadows Racetrack Bowling Lanes. Spierto said the group meets once a week, year-round, to increase referrals and common ground between members. “Personally, it has generated more business for our company,” she said. “It has also helped me in that I have access to professionals. My accountant is in the group. A signmaker is there who does all of our signs. I find vendors that I need for my company through the group.” Peters Township Referrals meets every Friday at the Kings Family Restaurant in Canonsburg on Route 19 at 7:30 a.m. sharp. Each week, one of the members presents information about their business.

The group then promotes each others’ business by exchanging qualified referrals. First-year’s dues are $325 and $200 per year after that. The group can also host a business page on their website (peterstownshipreferrals.com) for a one-time cost of $75. Members are obligated to provide two referrals each month as part of their commitment to the group. Member businesses represented include accountants, auto repair businesses, bankers, photographers, computer service professionals, damage restoration companies, insurance companies, Internet consultants, mailers, massage therapists, printers, sign shops, and wellness clinics. Those interested in joining the group can stop by any regular meeting for a complimentary breakfast to see if they can benefit from membership. While the group markets to the entire South Hills of Pittsburgh, its direct target is McMurray, Peters Township, and Canonsburg.

Charity Through Networking

Peters Townships Referrals

For more information, potential members should visit the website for details, or call Peters Township Referrals President David Townsend at 412.882.8200, or Vice President Rich Kosanovic at 412.965.9380.

Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 45

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Peters Township

f you’re more than four feet tall and live in western Icomfortable Pennsylvania, chances are that your attic is not a space that you would consider livable. Your attic can be modified, however, by the do-it-yourselfer into more than adequate storage for a variety of your belongings, if you get creative. The first thing you need to consider is the space itself. Is it finished at all? Many attics in the area are open spaces broken up by roof and flooring joists and wads of insulation. The first thing you want to do is inspect your attic for leaks and whether those joists are strong enough to support extra weight. You can add flooring by screwing down plywood or other subflooring. Avoid nailing materials down to prevent damaging the ceilings underneath you through the vibrations of hammer blows. Once you have your flooring down, you can decide whether or not you want to finish the ceiling joists. You can insulate and attach drywall or plywood to these joists, depending on how fancy you want to get with the finished look; or you may decide that having the recessed areas between the joists is beneficial to your storage needs. Keep in mind that a triangular space is limiting only if you have boxes or items that you need to store vertically. Items that are smaller and that can be arranged into nooks and crannies can be ideal for these odd-shaped spaces. Also keep

in mind that, because of the nature of attic access in older homes, the route to your attic may be through a small trap door in a hall closet, so items you put in the attic might be limited to long-term or permanent storage, like old college textbooks, holiday decorations, luggage, or all those old National Geographics that you can’t throw away because the pictures are too pretty. If you do have easy access to your attic, either by way of a dedicated staircase or pull-down steps, more options may offer themselves to you. Even tight attics have enough room for several two-drawer filing cabinets, allowing you to store many years’ worth of tax returns or product manuals. Easier access means even more versatility when it comes to your storage plan. Rather than long term, you can use the space for things that require infrequent use—bins for extra blankets and pillows for when guests are in town, large children’s toys or games that don’t get played with during the school week, and sporting equipment when it’s out of season. Storing items like these in the attic will keep them out of dank basement conditions, and, in the case of linens and sporting equipment, keep the smell of mildew away. Keep in mind that the attic, while dryer than the basement, still has its own set of issues. Temperatures often vary wildly in attics depending on how insulated they are, so items that can’t stand high heat or low temperatures – like candles, for instance –

may not fare well in the attic environment. Each space is different, but each is unique, and how you use that space can be a fun project for the whole family.

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Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 47

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Peters Township

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FIREPLACE CREATES WARMTH THE PERFECT DECOR

Add Warmth, Style and Value to Your Home

What is it about a fireplace that is so comforting? That warm glow and the advantages of heat efficiency and home resale value all make installing a fireplace the ideal home renovation project. Innovations today in cost efficient, energy-saving models have put fireplaces at the top of the “to-do” list for home remodeling projects. In spite of the new energy efficiency, a fireplace still continues to provide ambience , warmth and an upgrade in any décor. What's Your Style Fireplaces have come a long way from the typical wood burning variety. They can be specifically designed to fit any room, and there are a large variety of fuels to produce heat or just glow. A wood-burning fireplace is the classic option. They provide a beautiful flame, crackling wood sound and heat. Newer to the market are gas fireplaces, which can be designed to imitate real burning wood, but their fuel source is natural gas or propane. Gas burns cleanly and is much more convenient than its wood-burning counterpart. Electric fireplaces have some of the same advantages as gasburning fireplaces, but they have the extra benefit of being able to flip a switch and have instant ambience! Which is the right investment for you? When deciding which option in fireplaces is right for your home, it is important to look at the space limitations in your home. Determine how much heat you need from the unit and whether you plan to do it yourself or hire a professional. Another thing to consider is that if you do not have a chimney in the house, installing one will add additional expense. Your choice of fuel for the fire should also be considered. Dealing with split wood – the stacking and handling – versus turning on a switch to give you the fire is something to think about when choosing options. Adding a fireplace to any room in your home will add value to your home and provide a comfortable setting for you to relax.

Robert W. Bragdon, M.D., F.A.C.S. Board Certified in Plastic Surgery Complete plastic surgical services including cosmetic (breast augmentation-silicone and saline, facelift, liposuction, tummy tuck, rhinoplasty) reconstructive, skin care, BOTOX and Restylane. St. Clair Hospital Office 1050 Bower Hill Road, Suite 105 Pittsburgh, PA 15243 412.572.6164 West Penn Hospital Office 4815 Liberty Ave, Suite 235 Pittsburgh, PA 15224 412.681.0586 Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 49

From pink screwdrivers and mini toolboxes

FEMALE

Fix-It-Yourself

REVOLUTION

SOLVE 5 COMMON HOUSEHOLD PROBLEMS

to a surge of female-targeted home improvement sites and guidebooks, the fix-it-yourself revolution has come for women in the U.S. More empowered females are taking on household problems themselves instead of spending the money to hire a plumber, electrician or contractor. In fact, a recent study by the Medelia Monitor showed that more than 60 percent of women are more likely to tackle the work on their own. The majority of these women (63 percent) are being more resourceful to avoid the high costs of hiring a professional. And 71 percent of women say the desire to “fix-it-myself” stems from the empowering feeling of having the knowledge to improve their home. Sound familiar? If you’d like to empower yourself and join the fix-it-yourself revolution, start by picking up a few affordable tools and products to tackle quick fixes. Here are easy tips for solving five common household problems: Unstick sticky windows by opening them and rubbing wax or spraying silicone into the tracks on both sides. Move the window up and down several times to work the wax or silicone lubricant into the frame. Fix squeaky wood or tile floors by sprinkling baby powder on the surface of the floor that’s squeaking. Then place a chisel between the boards and gently hammer the top to pry up the tile or floorboard. Sprinkle more baby powder underneath the board to seal the excess space causing the squeaking. If your drains are draining slowly or clogged completely, try a de-clogging gel that clears the toughest clogs at a fraction of the cost of a plumber house call. Liquid-Plumr’s new Penetrex Gel is a fast-acting, powerful formula that can clear the toughest clogs in just seven minutes. Mend unsightly holes or tears in your window screens by using a screwdriver to straighten the bends in the mesh and dabbing clear nail polish to seal the hole. Allow it to dry. Then repeat the polish application until the hole is completely sealed. A wobbly table leg may seem hard, but it’s a surprisingly easy repair. Just figure out how it’s attached to the seat. Then either screw the leg back into its socket or glue it back into place. \

Fix-it resources abound online and at your local bookstore. But here’s a few to get you started: Facebook.com/LiquidPlumr: Most clogged drains are caused by hair. Get tips on how to keep all drains clear and while you’re there, enter the Big Locks Rock! Contest before December 15th for a chance to win a trip for four to L.A. to get haircuts by a celebrity stylist. BeJane.com: A site where women of all ages and skill levels can find answers to home improvement questions and connect with others for inspiration and advice. “Dare to Repair” by Julie Sussman: This book offers a “do-it-herself” guide to fixing almost anything in the home. 50 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Peters Township

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Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 51

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Peters Township

South Hills Entrepreneurs (SHE)

A Busin Nworking Group for Women Going back to work after being a stay-at-home mom for over 20 years isn’t as easy as it sounds.

hat do you do when the kids go off to college and you have the house to yourself again? For Sheryl Whalen, you go back to work. But going back to work after being a stay-at-home mom for over 20 years isn’t as easy as it sounds. Whalen found that there were a lot of women in her situation. So she founded South Hills Entrepreneurs (SHE), a womenonly networking group that helps women spread the news about what they do by word of mouth. The group had its first meeting on September 22, and by its January meeting, its size was on the verge of doubling, thanks to some local media attention. By the April meeting, Whalen is hoping that the group will be established enough to leave the confines of her home and branch out into a regular public meeting place. “I wanted to provide a forum for women business owners. The purpose of the group is women helping women succeed in business,” Whalen said. “There were a lot of other women running in-home businesses who wanted to get the word out on what they were doing and how they were doing it. I started my business last March and was in the same boat.” The first part of each meeting, four people give presentations on their businesses.

Whalen said that she’s trying to keep the membership varied so there aren’t many duplicative services represented. The presenters at the first meeting were Heather Ferri, a yoga instructor, Donna Kavo, a senior citizens assistant, Sue Miller, a Sabika jewelry associate, and Whalen, a Reliv International distributor. The first meeting had 20 in attendance, after which another 15 to 20 inquired about joining the group. Because it’s a fledgling organization run out of Whalen’s home, there are no dues to join as of yet. However, Whalen said she will need more volunteer participants in order to keep the group dues free. “When I gave birth to this organization, I committed to doing it for a year and handling three meetings in the first year. I absorbed the cost of the meetings. Some people have offered to assist with that,” she said. “My home will not be large enough to continue with 40 to 50 people, so we’ll probably have to move to a public facility like a library. Dues are a deterrent for people in these groups, so I’d like to keep it free as long as I can.”

Whalen said the biggest challenge women in the group have reported has been getting the word out that they’re in business at all. “Most were stay-at-home moms for a long time. Once the children are grown and gone, that social network is pulled out from you. There’s no PTA. There’s no carpooling anymore,” Whalen said. “That was the common thread for the first meeting. But once you get in front of the group and you present, it’s easier for other members to see how passionate you are about what you’re doing. It gets easier to say to someone, ‘Hey, I know this person, let me give you their number.’ The referrals help us all get off the ground a little easier.” For updates and details about the organization, look for South Hills Entrepreneurs on Facebook.com. Those who are interested in attending a meeting should call Whalen at 412.496.4051. There’s no geographic radius for the group, so anyone is welcome to attend. Whalen said that most, however, are coming from the South Hills. “Right now, it’s pulling members from Mt. Lebanon, Upper St. Clair, Bethel Park,” she said, “But we also have members from Carnegie and Pleasant Hills. I haven’t limited the range. I think all of that will be determined by the growth.”

Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 53

Do You Understand Your Health Insurance Coverage?

has a $500 deductible with 90% coinsurance, you would have to meet the first $500 of medical costs, following which you would pay 10% of the costs and the insurance carrier would pay the remaining 90%. Out of pocket maximum is another very important and necessary part of all insurance policies. Simply, this is the maximum you would need to pay in expenses prior to your carrier paying 100%. So, with the above example, lets say you have a hospital bill of $100,000 (which unfortunately is ealth insurance easy to accumulate). You would pay 10% up to can be very confusing. There a certain number, at which time you would then are several components, all with different be covered at 100%. This number does not terminology. In addition, changes have occurred include your premiums (monthly costs). Many times, due to health care reform. I will try to simplify some major factors you still may have your copays for doctor visits, ER and prescriptions. related to health insurance. There are too many terms to explain and I oversimplified many to help If you don’t have health insurance, you need it. There are with basic understanding. many people who think that either they are healthy and don’t need Be a smart consumer. More and more employers as well as insurance, or that if something happens to them the government will families are switching to higher deductible plans and/or coinsurance take care of them. Things happen, and little things can cost a lot of plans to reduce their monthly premiums. You have to be able to look at money. For example, a broken bone can cost over $10,000 in medical the whole picture. What are you saving on your lower premiums? Does bills. An illness or accident can put you in debt for years. it justify taking a deductible or higher deductible? What is your Learn what options are available to you. Many companies maximum exposure? Learn about Health Savings accounts (HSA), and provide group health insurance to their employees. The beauty of group in terms of employer groups, health reimbursement accounts (HRA) insurance is that, for the most part, it is guaranteed issue, which means and flexible spending accounts (FSA). Consult your accountant the insurer accepts you regardless of your medical conditions and covers regarding tax advantages to you as an individual and/or employer. you from day one for preexisting conditions. Learn what you can about the health care reform act. On March 23, Individual/family insurance options offer a wonderful low cost 2010, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and option for individuals and their families who are relatively healthy, if Affordable Care Act. This law specifies certain time periods in which group insurance is not provided to you and/or your dependants. major provisions need to take place. Simplistically again, some of the However, presently these options are medically underwritten, with the earlier provisions include: exception of children under 19 years of age (this will be addressed later). • Dependants are able to remain covered by their parent’s health Sometimes, there is also a one-year preexisting condition limitation. insurance up to their 27th birthday If health insurance is unaffordable to you, there are options available • Children under the age of 19 years with preexisting conditions through the government. If you are not offered group insurance and cannot be denied coverage (This is a little confusing because the cannot medically qualify for individual insurance, there are programs guidelines are not set in terms of how the carries will implement and available that are guaranteed issue, one of which is based on income. rate up due to this guideline) Learn your options to protect yourself financially. • Insurance companies will not be able to impose annual and Understand your policy. Too often when meeting with lifetime limits employers, individuals and families, they do not know what type of Small business tax credits are available to certain small employers health coverage they have and how it works. It is very important to know that provide health insurance to their employees beginning with the what is covered and how to utilize it to your advantage. First, is there a 2010 tax year. network of providers and hospitals that you need to use? If you go out of Two good resources to access this information are www.irs.gov and network, except in the case of emergencies, you may not be covered or Kaiser Family Foundation at www.kff.org your coinsurance may be significantly higher. Know how to access your Perform a yearly checkup. Things are constantly changing – network; you can usually go online to the carrier’s website and look up always review what options are available to you. What is being offered by provider search. your employer? What is the percentage you are paying, if any, for the Does your plan have a deductible, and if so what goes towards that premium for your family? If the premium rises (which unfortunately deductible? A deductible is a specified amount that you have to pay happens all the time), quote other carriers for comparable coverage. prior to having your coverage paying. Some plans have copays for doctor Employers should be working with their brokers a couple of months visits, emergency room, and prescriptions, while basically most of the prior to renewal to make sure that their plan is the most comprehensive other components go towards the deductibles. With qualified high and cost effective for their company. deductible health plans, mostly all expenses go toward your deductible. In addition, with these plans, many of which you make This Industry Insight was written by Nancy Glicksman. Nancy is into health savings accounts (HSA), they have aggregate deductibles. the owner of Blue Peak Insurance located in McMurray, PA. She is a licensed insurance agent who specializes in health, Basically that means if more than one person is on the plan you have life, and disability insurance. She is licensed with several to meet the family deductible, there is no longer an individual companies in Western PA, Ohio and West Virginia. Nancy is deductible. also a licensed clinical social worker. She feels that her strengths are truly educating, advocating and supporting her Coinsurance is a percentage of the covered cost that an insured clients. She lives in McMurray with her husband, John and has to pay after the deductible has been met. For example, if a policy 3 sons, Ben, Mike and Josh.

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Peters Township

Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 55

McMurray Elementary Gives Back for the Holidays Students at McMurray Elementary got into the true spirit of the holiday through their annual Caring Tree Program. Organized by Ms. Alyson Boyer and the homeroom teachers, the students in grades 4-6 were able to provide holiday gifts for 110 children in our area. Each year, the students in all of the Districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elementary buildings work with the United Way and the Community Action Southwest Caring Tree program to collect and distribute gifts to local families.

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Cross Country Team Floats to the Top Three Years in a Row Once again, the Peters Township High School cross country team won the homecoming parade float contest. Team member, Amanda Moore, organized over 20 volunteer team members to make the float. Keeping with the cross country theme, the team made their float into a giant can of athletic foot spray complete with a functioning spraying nozzle. It took over 6 hours to construct. The team was very proud of the float with 40 team members joining in on the night of the parade. The float was decorated with balloons, window paint, PTCC arrow signs, music, and dragging cross country shoes tied to the back. The team enjoyed launching t-shirts with a sling shot to the crowd of spectators. It was a great way to end a wonderful season.

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Peters Township

Child Proofing Your Home

s a parent, you probably never stop worrying about your child. Is he or she happy? Healthy? Safe? While you can’t control everything, there are steps that you can take in your home to help improve your child’s safety and well-being. Childproofing your home can be an overwhelming task. The most effective way to start is to evaluate your home, room by room, from your child’s perspective. If your child is crawling, get down on your hands and knees. Is your child toddling or walking? Get down to his or her level and check out the view. If you were crawling, toddling or walking where would you go? What looks tempting or interesting? What is within reach? Where could you climb? While not all accidents can be avoided, below are some general childproofing tips to help you get started. Remember to evaluate every area in your home for potential dangers. Also keep in mind that childproofing is an ongoing process. As your child grows and develops (e.g., crawling, toddling, walking), you will need to reevaluate your childproofing efforts upon each milestone.

in case of emergency. • Use door stops or door holders on doors and hinges to keep little fingers safe. • Place marks or stickers on glass and sliding doors to make them visible. • Keep furniture away from windows. • If you have double hung windows, open them from the top. • Never open low windows more than four inches. • Use window stops, to prevent windows from opening more than four inches.

Blinds, Curtains & Draperies • Keep your child’s crib or bed away from blinds, curtains or draperies. • Keep blind, curtain and drapery pull cords out of your child’s reach. o Cut or remove pull cords. o Replace pull cords with safety tassels. o Use inner cord stops. • Make sure that older blinds and drapery cords have tie-down devices to hold the cords tight. • When purchasing new window coverings ask for those with child safety features.

Furniture & Appliances • Secure heavy furniture and appliances to walls wherever possible. • Store heavy items on the bottoms of furniture such as bookshelves and cabinets so they are not top heavy. • Keep furniture and/or office drawers closed when not in use – climbing children tend to use these as ladders. • Make sure heavy appliances, such as televisions and computers, are pushed back from the edges of furniture – bolt them to the wall if possible. • Cover pointed edges of furniture with guards or bumpers • In the kitchen, use a stove guard to prevent your child from touching the burners or pulling at hot pots. • Use plastic covers if the stove’s knobs are within your child’s reach. • Always lock your oven or invest in a lock to prevent your child from opening the oven door.

Bathroom • Keep the toilet seat down when not in use. • Install a toilet lid lock to prevent your child from lifting the lid. • Always unplug appliances such as curling irons and hair dryers, after each use (and never keep anything plugged‑in near water). • Keep all medications and vitamins in a locked cabinet. • Keep razors, scissors, tweezers and other sharp bathroom objects in a high or locked cabinet. • Set your water heater temperature to 120 degrees or lower to help prevent burns from hot water. • Install anti-scald devices on faucets and showerheads. • Use a non-slip mat in the bathtub and on the floor next to the bathtub to prevent slips.

Doors & Windows • Keep windows and doors closed and locked when not in use. • Use door knob covers. Be sure that these covers are sturdy enough not to break, but also allow doors to open quickly by and adult

Cabinets, Closets & Drawers • Secure cabinets, closets and/or drawers with locks or child-proof latches. • Store sharp, potentially harmful objects and dangerous products in high cabinets, out of your child’s reach.

Stairways & Other Areas • At the top and bottom of stairs, use safety gates that screw in place; they are more secure than those that stay in place with pressure. • Use safety gates that children cannot dislodge, but that you can easily open and close so you will be less likely to leave them open. • Use safety gates to prevent your child’s curious exploration into dangerous areas around your home such as the kitchen, bathroom, pool and hot tub.

Electrical Outlets • Cover or replace all electrical outlets. o Plastic Outlet Protectors –These devices fit directly into the outlet holes to prevent the insertion of foreign objects. If using these protectors; make sure they are large enough not to be a choking hazard. o Tamper Resistant Outlet Covers – These outlets look just like regular outlets, but use a plastic shutter to prevent the insertion of foreign objects. o Tamper Resistant Outlet Face Covers – These receptacle covers have plates that slide over the outlet holes when not in use. Some require replacing the entire outlet cover, others install over the existing outlet face cover. • Use a power strip safety cover on all in-use power strips.

This Industry Insight was written by Bob & Lori Santo. Bob & Lori Santo are the owners of The Goddard School®, located at 825 East McMurray Rd. in Peters Township. Goddard offers both full- and part-time Infant/Preschool/K programs. For more information, visit www.goddardschools.com or call 724.941.6464.

Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 57

M a k e Yo u r S m i l e L a s t a Lifetime! A s much as it pains me to say so, I have heard that regular dental checkups are not on every one's list of favorite things. There are certainly exceptions: My office staff and I do appreciate those enthusiastic patients who arrive fifteen minutes early and are kind enough to engage in handmuffled conversations while we work. Patients who tend to miss regular visits often have a personal reason for doing so, the most common of which are the expense of treatment, fear of pain and general indifference due to a lack of troublesome symptoms. Regardless of which factor is keeping a patient away, I believe even the most apprehensive types can learn the importance and yes, pleasure, of routine dental care. Frugal patients, be informed: Dental care is not as expensive as many are led to believe. The cost for two preventive visits per year is less than most people will spend on haircuts in the same period of time. Dental neglect, on the other hand, can be painful when allowed to continue, and consequential treatment is more costly than routine disease prevention. Detecting small cavities with X-Rays and exams and then promptly filling them is more affordable than restoring teeth with progressed decay. A

Artwork by Molly Feuer, feuerillustration.com

cavity requires that decay be removed, and removing a large area of decayed tooth leaves less of the healthy tooth structure necessary to support a filling. If a cavity gets too large, a filling may not be possible and the tooth may require a cap or crown. If decay gets too close to the tooth’s sensitive pulp, a root canal may be necessary to save the tooth. Saving a tooth is not always possible when a cavity progresses far below the gum line or when too much of the tooth is destroyed. Extracting a tooth completely is sometimes necessary as a last resort. Dentist-fearing patients, please consider: Dentists are aware of patient apprehension and take great care to ensure a comfortable experience. Personal care is customized to address patient concerns and to create the best treatment plan for each individual. It is true that past neglect may result in a longer first-time appointment, and patients may be nervous before they get accustomed to seeing their dentist. However, subsequent appointments become more enjoyable as patients learn to relax and reap the health and cost benefits of regular care. Small cavities and problems are always more comfortably treated than large, complex ones, as they take less time to treat and require less invasive procedures. For the forgetful or negligent patient, remember: Dental diseases are often asymptomatic in their early stages, but develop over time to cause pain, swelling, infection and decay. It is important to allow a dentist the opportunity to detect and prevent problems that may otherwise go unnoticed or untreated. Cavities start out small, for example, and may cause little or no pain until they are large. Bleeding gums may be a small nuisance until the inflammation of gum disease (gingivitis) progresses far enough to cause tissue destruction (periodontitis), the consequences of which include bone loss and therefore loose or missing teeth. Ignoring a dental problem until it is painful allows it to become much worse than need be. Worse yet, attempting to “wait out” a painful condition is a recipe for emergency treatment. Dental diseases do not heal themselves, even if pain temporarily subsides. Professional intervention is necessary to resolve problems that regular brushing and flossing cannot. Patience is a virtue, but I’m partial to the kind of patients that don’t wait around for dental care (and thanks to an efficient office run by supportive staff, mine never do.) Making the first step toward effective, affordable and enjoyable oral care is as easy as visiting the dentist once every six months. Just a few hours out of every year can provoke a smile and make it last a lifetime.

This Industry Insight was written by Dr. Jay Feuer. Jay Feuer D.D.S., M.A.G.D. is a family dentist practicing at 3035 Washington Road in McMurray, PA. Call the office at 724.941.2200 for more information or visit our website at www.drfeuer.com.

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Peters Township

Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 59

The Boon and Bane of Marcellus Shale I

a signing bonus, land rental fees and/or royalty payments. You should ask for a written description of how you will be paid and what payments you might receive in the future. Additional revenue opportunities may be associated with pipelines, gas storage, well-siting fee and selling resources from your land, such as stone, timber or water access. Potential expenses may include legal fees, property tax increases and grew up on a farm in Washington other expenses. When negotiating a County. We never had much lease you may want to include a money, but most people thought we provision to require the gas company to did because we owned property. indemnify you for any liability you Farmers understand that their land is might incur as a result of drilling. You often worth more than their farm should be indemnified if you are pulled business. A common joke among into litigation. One example might be if farmers is that if they come into some your neighbor’s water supply is money they will just keep farming until contaminated from the drilling. it’s all gone. Now that the exploration Another could arise if someone is and extraction of natural gas from the injured on your property as a result of Marcellus shale has become profitable, coming into contact with drilling many farmers and property owners are equipment. benefiting financially. There may be other contingencies Companies such as Range to consider, not the least of which is Resources, EOG and Halliburton are your future financial management. The bringing an army of experienced drilling income you may derive from a gas lease people into Washington County to may require a new approach to tax develop our natural gas resources. All planning, estate planning and wealth this is good for our local economy and management. landowners may be particularly excited The income you receive from about the possibility of significant natural gas leasing is subject to federal financial gains from signing a natural and Pennsylvania state income taxes, gas lease. The problem is that it is hard but not local taxes. If you receive an to find trustworthy, nonbiased upfront payment, that amount will be information about leasing and considered ordinary income and is payments. subject to regular income tax. As a In this article, we will focus on result, you may need to file a quarterly financial issues you should consider estimated tax return to avoid penalties. surrounding natural gas leasing. As a landowner, you have to The gas lease is a legal document consider the “cost basis” in your and as such should be reviewed by an property. The only time you can attorney. The lease agreement usually recover your basis is either when you lasts for about five years. It could lead to sell the property or sell resources from a secondary term that could last as long the property. Tax law on natural gas as the production is active on the royalties allows you to deduct property. annually from your basis as the gas is A typical leasing agreement will give depleted, thus saving you taxes. This the energy company a fair amount of is called a depletion allowance. leeway as to surface rights. You may In addition, property taxes may want to limit those rights within the be affected, especially if you have agreement. For example, you may want enrolled in Pennsylvania’s Clean and to stipulate where a well is to be located Green program. You may have to on your property or where the drilling reimburse the state for the lower real company can build access roads. You estate taxes you paid prior to the gas can also ask for protection in the event exploration and drilling on your land. there is damage to livestock, crops or Consulting with a certified public buildings. accountant (CPA) regarding these tax The types of income available planning matters is definitely advisable. through a natural gas lease may include Also, it might be wise to consider

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Peters Township

planning for the transfer of your estate after your death. With recent tax law changes the amount of assets in an estate that can pass to others before incurring estate taxes will increase to $5 million per person ($10 million for couples). The estate tax rate has been reduced to 35% for estates with assets above the exemption level. Most estates will continue to be subject to the Pennsylvania State Inheritance tax and other administrative and probate costs. When planning your estate, you will want to consider all of your assets, including the potential assets that may relate to natural gas. The rights to natural gas and royalty income streams should be viewed separately from the surface land itself when assessing a value. A financial windfall or “sudden wealth” is almost always a welcome event, but a certain amount of stress comes with the territory, especially if you have never had to manage a large sum of money. This is why many people seek out a professional – someone they can trust to help them. A certified financial planner (CFP) typically has a process for managing your money that is based on your personal goals and lifestyle. Look for an advisor who takes a comprehensive approach to money management, who has knowledge of the financial implications of natural gas income sources and years of practical financial management experience. If you would like more information regarding natural gas exploration in this area please call our office and we will send you a free copy of “A Landowner’s Guide to Leasing Land in Pennsylvania” and “A Landowner’s Guide to Financial Management” provided to us through Penn State Extension. This Industry Insight was written by Garrett S. Hoge. Garrett S. Hoge, RFC, CFP®, MS of H Financial Management, is a private wealth manager based in Southpointe serving the everchanging financial needs of his clients. Please contact Garrett at H Financial Management, 400 Southpointe Blvd., #420, Canonsburg, PA 15317, Phone: 724-745-9406, Email: garrett@hfinancial.net, or via the Web: www.hfinancialmanagement.com. Securities offered through Triad Advisors, Member FINRA/SIPC • Advisory Services offered through H Financial Management. H Financial Management is not affiliated with Triad Advisors.

Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 61

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A Restoration Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724.941.3480 Beth Israel Congregation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724.225.7080 Bethel Bible Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724.941.2259 Center Presbyterian Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724.941.9050 Crossroads Church of Christ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724.941.4942 Faith Community Church - Lakeside . . . . . . . . . . 724.941.9035 Library Baptist Church (Crossroads Ministries) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724.348.1620 New Day Assembly of God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724.941.1661 Our Redeemer Lutheran Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724.941.7467 Peace Lutheran Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724.941.9441 Peters Creek Presbyterian Church . . . . . . . . . . . 724.941.6210 Peters Creek United Presbyterian Church PC (USA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724.941.1712 St. Benedict the Abbot Catholic Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724.941.9406 St. David’s Anglican Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724.941.4060 South Hills Bible Chapel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724.941.8990 Thomas Presbyterian Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724.941.8910 Trinity United Methodist Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724.941.4770 Unitarian Universalist Church of the South Hills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.561.6277 United Faith Baptist Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.341.8381 The Waterdam Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724.745.2158 Wright’s United Methodist Church . . . . . . . . . . . .724.348.5718 If your place of worship is not on our list, please email the information to marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com.

SCHOOLS SECONDARY SCHOOLS Bishop Canevin, Crafton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.922.7400 Seton-LaSalle, Mt. Lebanon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.561.3583

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Houses of Worship

Peters Township

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Holy Child, Bridgeville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.221.4720 Jubilee Christian School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.561.5917 St. Katharine Drexel, Bethel Park . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.833.0223 St. Thomas More, Bethel Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.833.1412 St. Sylvester, Brentwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.882.9900 St. Louise de Marillac, Upper St. Clair . . . . . . . . 412.835.0600 St. Anne, Castle Shannon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.561.7720 St. Margaret, Green Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.922.4765 St. Joan of Arc, Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.833.2433 St. Bernard, Mt. Lebanon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.341.5444 St. Elizabeth, Pleasant Hills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.881.2958 Our Lady of Grace, Scott Twp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.279.6611 St. Simon & Jude, Scott Twp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.563.1353 St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin, Whitehall . . 412.882.3353 WASHINGTON COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Madonna Catholic Regional, Monongahela . . . 724.379.5977 St. Patrick, Canonsburg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724.745.7977 John F. Kennedy, Washington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724.225.1680

If you need more space in your house but have a limited budget for home remodeling, consider converting a garage into living space. You can usually add 200 to 400 square feet, depending on the size of the garage. You can even save a bundle compared to an addition because a garage already has walls, a floor, a roof, and electrical wiring. Depending on where the garage is in your house, you can convert to suit just about any need your family has. Many homeowners use the garage for an extension of the kitchen or to add a bathroom. Family rooms and playrooms are other popular choices. If your garage isn’t near the house’s main living area, it might be good for adding a home office, fitness room, or extra bedroom. If you have a relative or nanny living with you, it can be made into an apartment with its own entrance. Below are some things to consider before starting a garage conversion:

First Steps: First assess the garage space and think about what you can do with it. Think about cracks in the floor or other issues that would need to be fixed before you start. Set up a budget and then look for a designer. Your designer doesn’t have to be an architect, but even if you’re doing the work yourself, you’re better off consulting with someone who has experience with garage conversions.

E G A GAR ONS SI R E V CON DD A N CA E L B A LI V E R MO O T E C SPA ME O H YOU R

Garage Door: This can be the biggest challenge. If you remove the garage door, you will have a large empty space to fill. Some homeowners put in sliding doors, French doors, or a large bay window. You can also frame the empty space and install standard size doors or windows. Floor: Most garages have concrete floors, which are generally cold and ugly. Many garage floors are also sloped so that water will run out of the garage door, so check to see if your floor is level before you start your conversion. You can use the concrete as a subfloor and put hardwood, tile, or carpeting above it. If the garage floor is lower than the floors in the rest of the house, you may want to elevate the entire floor.

This Industry Insight was written by Jeff Morris, owner and CEO of Case Handyman & Remodeling, located at 2335 Washington Rd. in Canonsburg, PA. Case offers a variety of home repair services, from full-house remodeling to simple handyman jobs. For more information, visit www.caseremodeling.com or call 724.745.9888.

Plumbing: If you are adding a kitchen or bathroom, you will need to figure out how to run pipes into the new room. You can cut into the existing floor or elevate the floor for the entire room. It’s best to consult a plumber during the planning phase to avoid any nasty surprises. Heating and Cooling: Although your garage has walls, they aren’t insulated, so the first step is to add insulation before putting up drywall. Then see if you can extend your existing HVAC into the new space. If not, you can add a separate system to the converted garage. Aesthetics: Think about how you can make the renovated garage blend in to the rest of the house. You want it to be pleasing from the outside and inside, especially in the space where the garage door used to be. If the interior is dark, use light colored paints and carpeting to make the space feel lighter and larger. Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 63

Venue Planning forYourWedding When it comes time to plan for the biggest day of your life, you may not know where to start. Planning a wedding is a challenging, time consuming and expensive task, which is why those who can afford it oftentimes hire wedding planners. But for those of us who have to keep an eye on the budget, knowing what to look for in your wedding venue can save you time and money up front, and less hassle when it’s over. Obviously, you want to pick a venue suitable to the size of your anticipated invitation list, and you want to pick it early. Popular venues can be booked well over a year in advance, and if you’re getting married on a date that’s unique – like Dec. 12, 2012, or 12/12/12, you’re going to want to start looking immediately. Robin Craig, Director of Sales for the Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh/Southpointe, said couples should plan out 12 to 18 months when booking a venue. “They need to sit down and find out their guest list and their budget. Once they determine the guest list, we can start quoting pricing,” Craig said. “Next year , 9/10/11 is a big date, and we’re already booked. Also, 10/11/12 would be a hot date. Our hot months are September and October and May and June. If you’re a teacher, June and July are busy months.” Once you have that location selected and it appeals to your personal sense of style and

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aesthetics, you should evaluate anything that may be taken for granted, such as ingress and egress and parking. Is the wedding/reception hall easy to find? Are there covered porticos for dropping off guests in case of inclement weather or for those who have trouble walking without assistance? Will guests be able to find the hall easily, or is it hidden deep in a labyrinth of hallways? And are the restrooms close by? “All of our parking is complimentary,” Craig said. “If you want valet, we can provide it for a fee.” Once you have the building chosen, you should discuss logistics of the day with any facility manager responsible for the site. Important items to discuss include catering – can you hire your own caterer or is there a caterer specific to the venue you’ve chosen? Is there an additional charge for alcohol and can you furnish your own? Will linens be provided and who will be responsible for setting up and tearing down the tables and chairs? Is there a suggested room layout for weddings? Having a tried and true seating arrangement for the venue can save you headaches later on when you’re trying to figure out where to place the bridal table. Lastly, knowing how early you can arrive and how late you can stay will be crucial information for anyone from caterers to your bridal party.

Peters Township

Craig said her venue offers full linens with chair covers, sashes, mirrors, candles and champagne toasts. It also offers complimentary bridal party refresher rooms. They can tray cookies at no charge and provide a gourmet coffee station. It also offers a complimentary overnight room for the bride and groom. Lastly, find out all of the financial details up front. Many venues have service charges that are above and beyond your bill. Get all of your charges in writing, up front before you sign for your venue. You don’t want to find out afterwards that there was a food and beverage minimum that you didn’t attain, or that it was ok for you to bring your own wine, but forgot to inquire about corking fees. Craig said service charge at her venue is 21 percent and sales tax is 6 percent. They also have food and drink minimums. However, discounts are offered for group room rentals for overnight guests and for offpeak days and months. Weddings in January-March and November, and those held on Fridays and Sundays, are considered off-peak. If you do your homework up front, there’s nothing stopping you from having the fairytale wedding you’ve always dreamed of. Keep in mind, like any successful marriage, wedding planning is hard work, but work that you’ll reap rewards from in the end.

for the gue By Pamela Palon

s anyone who knows me personally will tell you, I am no expert on social occasions. However, based upon the theory that even a stopped clock is right twice a day, I have made enough social faux pas to speak authoritatively on what not to do at a wedding. Some helpful tips are listed below to help get you through the season of bliss

1 2

Never wear white to a wedding. This includes eggshell, ecru, light cream, pearl lustre and Tahitian coconut. Never attempt to upstage the bride (unless of course you hate the bride, in which case you probably really shouldn’t be attending the wedding anyway, given the spirit of the whole love and happiness thing).

Never complain about the food at the wedding reception with your mouth full of food from the wedding reception. It’s a credibility issue.

Throw only designated throwing materials at the bride and groom, such as rice and rose petals. Shoes, Jell-O and steak knives are not acceptable. Ever. Even when they are within the appropriate wedding color scheme.

At Jewish weddings, do not ask, “What is that big thing they’re standing under?”

At Catholic weddings, try to refrain from asking, “Why is this taking so long?” The well-prepared wedding guest remembers to bring snacks for himself and his friends. (Avoid crunchy snacks that may disrupt the ceremony.)

The wedding day is NOT the proper time to share the fact that you once dated the groom, the bride, or their parents. In fact, the proper time to share this information may not actually exist.

If you simply must dance at the reception, remember you are not trying out for “Dancing With The Stars.” If you throw your partner in the air, make sure you catch them. Missing is considered grounds for divorce in most states. Avoid high kicks, which may warrant medical attention.

NEVER bet on how long the marriage will last at the reception. All odds-making must be done outside the reception venue. (In the event of inclement weather, the lobby or bathroom is acceptable.)

Many people prescribe to the time-honored adage, “It’s not a party till something gets broken.’ However, avoid breaking things that are irreplaceable, expensive, and likely to lead to a lawsuit. Cell phones and glasses are okay.

Given the fact that marriage is a formidable undertaking and the courageous souls who dare to tread the rose-strewn path are likely to be distraught, hysterical and panic-stricken, you owe it to the happy couple to be the best wedding guest possible. These helpful tips are the very foundation of the social graces. If you follow them carefully, you will glide effortlessly from wedding celebration to reception party in a virtual whirl of neurotic enthusiasm.

Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 65

WHEN IT COMES TO DESIGN…

or years we have chased the All All-American Dream: larger and larger homes. Having large spaces around us gives us comfort in knowing that we are doing well and providing a beautiful surrounding for our families. There is absolutely nothing wrong with desiring a larger home. This article is about making sure that you are satisfied with whatever size home you have. As in all things there are pros and cons to what decisions we make. The size of your home presents challenges whether you home is large or small. The balance comes in when you understand the things that you need to think about to make your house a better home and enhance the physical attributes that your house possesses. When I say size matters, I don’t mean that the size of your home matters for anything. I am addressing the issues that need looked at in order to make your home the “castle” you want it to be. The three main considerations when space planning your home is 1. Scale, 2. Scale, and 3. Scale. The most common mistake made in designing your home is in not understanding how the size and proportion of the items you place in your room dictates how the room feels and will make or break a room.

SIZE MATTERS.

First, I will address large rooms. Having a large “greatroom” is widely coveted. The problem arises when you start to place furniture. The most common complaint that I hear from new clients that have hired me to fix rooms is that these large rooms just don’t feel comfortable and they can’t find the right items that feel like they fit in the room, enter scale. It is difficult to balance the large open volume of a room and place large enough furniture to balance the volume. The first consideration you need to look at is creating an intimate conversation space. Most people try to center this around a fireplace or bank of windows or some other significant feature in the room. In order to make the room intimate enough to be comfortable you need to look at whether one or two conversation areas are more suitable. If you choose the first, you are most likely needing to place your furniture in the core of the room and use the perimeter of the room for other furniture uses. Bottom line, pull your seating off the wall and use the center of the room for your seating. Use the walls to accessorize or place furniture that helps balance the room. Large room can be fantastic, but it takes large accessories and meticulous thought to pull off the right look. You don’t want the room to look large, you want the room to “feel” large. Make the right selections and reign the room in and you will be amazed with the effect.

Next, lets talk about small houses. When I start working with families that are considering a new home, one of the first things I address with them is what they want to accomplish with their new space. I am a firm believer in balancing the size and cost of your home with your budget to finish the home. You are much farther ahead in both investment and satisfaction when you balance these two things. It is much easier to create intimacy in smaller or average size homes. It is much easier to succeed in your space planning because there are usually less options as to furniture placement. The thing to keep in mind is that the same principles of scale apply hear as well. It is easy to fall into the trap of placing too many items in a room because you have selected smaller scale furnishings and accessories. When I design smaller spaces, I believe less is more. Use larger scale furnishings and accessories, but use less of them and you will create a room that draws you right in. Incorporate larger paintings, artwork or mirrors behind upholstery. Fill in the corners with larger drapery treatments, pedestals or trees. In this case leave the middle of the room open in scale but thoroughly design the perimeter spaces. Bottom line, every room has the highest potential no matter what the challenges. The last tip I can provide is if you are considering a new home, also consider the things you now own and balance that with the budget you have so that you can select the right home that also minimizes your investment to make it feel like home. As always, when in doubt, please look to the design professional of your choice. No matter what level of involvement you need, we are here to help. This Industry Insight was written by Mark Logston. Mark Stephen Logston is principal of Mark Stephen Design, LLC dba Watermark Gallery 30-32 N. Main Street, Washington, PA. Mark is a graduate of California University of PA and the Art Institute, Pittsburgh. With over 30 years experience as a Design Professional, he has designed such projects as the Consol Energy World Headquarters and Mylan Laboratories World Headquarters at Southpointe.

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Peters Township

DISTANCE RUNNING AND STRENGTH TRAINING. CAN/SHOULD YOU DO BOTH?

f you have ever spent quality time with a runner before, it is no secret that you are spending time with a runner. Runners truly eat, sleep, and drink running. They also read about running, watch running on TV, spend too much time in the running store, and are always researching events and mapping out their training schedule for the next race. When they are not immersed in dialogue, study, or general thought about their sport, they are, of course, probably running. A committed runner can’t run enough and when they miss a run, it is their perception that they have lost an opportunity to maximize their performance. Furthermore, try convincing a runner that they should skip a run or reduce their weekly trainings. You’ll have better luck talking that peeling wallpaper off of the bathroom walls. The question is: Can you effectively substitute 1-2 weekly training runs with a proper strength training regimen and actually improve performance? This runner is convinced that you can. First it is important to distinguish between strength training and proper strength training. Traditionally. strength training for a runner consisted primarily of leg strengthening. Furthermore, quadriceps (the front thigh muscle) strengthening is what most runners would focus on. This approach to strengthening causes 2 problems. First, focussing on just the quads facilitates imbalance in the legs. The hip flexors and knee extensors (quads) essentially become stronger than the hip extensors and knee flexors (hamstrings and glutes). For this reason, most competitive runners have been limited at some point in their training by nagging posterior hip pain, or the inevitable pulled groin or hamstring. Simply put, the back of the leg is not as strong as the front of the leg and it breaks down in comparison, during training. Second, and most important, the process of propelling the body forward during running is in fact a function of the hamstrings & glutes, and not the quads. As the foot hits the ground, the hip extends or pulls the leg backwards in order to move the body forward. Knowing this, more strength in this region of the leg would, in fact, be more desirable than strengthening the quads if increasing performance is the goal. Now that we know that isolated strengthening is undesirable for many reasons, let’s focus on what works. ”Core strengthening” are the most common buzz words in the fitness industry as of late. The concept of strengthening the center of the body to improve performance in most sports is, in fact, correct. The problem that exists is that most programs are deficient in that they focus only on abdominal strengthening. This again facilitates imbalance as the core truly means the center of the body. This includes hips, upper thighs, back, obliques, and aspects of the shoulder girdle. For the runner, this kind of strengthening needs to take place in an explosive functional manner in order to best duplicate the sport. Kettlebell training or a good functional plyometrics regimen would produce the quickest results as there is direct carryover since most of this training occurs from the foot-fixed or weightbearing position. Excellent alternatives would be high intensity Yoga or Pilates based programs, but these philosophies would lack in their direct correlation to the act of running. Now that you understand the concepts of proper strengthening, the question is: How do you fit this additional training into a busy 5-6 day per week running schedule? The answer is simple: Reduce your running schedule by 1-2 days per week and supplement them with 1-2 high intensity, 60-90 minute core strengthening exercise sessions. This will accomplish 2 very important objectives. First, by running less, you will actually reduce the wear and tear that is unavoidable with long distance running. This concept will allow you to actually feel stronger come race day. In addition, by maximizing the strength in the center of the body, running will become more effortless with better posture and body mechanics resulting. This will facilitate better stamina, in particular, toward the final phases of the event. There is an excellent book that all runners should have in their library. CHI RUNNING, by Danny Dreyer, clearly and competently breaks down the act of distance running. In an eye opening manner, he identifies the practicality and necessity for the competitive runner to essentially run from the core.

Reading this book completely changed all of my traditional thought processes associated with running and training. Mark Williams, a Peters Township resident and a seasoned marathoner read this book as well, before becoming a client at Alliance Physical Therapy and Performance Center. “Kettlebell and core training concepts have completely changed my approach to race preparation. Since initiating this philosophy of strength training into my weekly schedule, I have reduced my personal best time by 40 minutes. I convinced my wife, Tammy, to give it a try as well and in just a short time, she posted her personal best in the Disney Half Marathon” says Williams. I can tell you from both personal and professional experience that this approach works. Try it and find out for yourself. Enough talk, let’s get out there and train smart. Please contact our office at 724.941.7070 or email me at cliffordmilowicki@verizon.net if you have any questions regarding getting involved in this kind of training. This Industry Insight was written by Clifford Milowicki, MSPT, CGFI. Cliff is the owner of Alliance Physical Therapy and performance Center in Peters Township. He obtained his Masters of Science in Physical Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.He is a competitive triathlete who has worked closely as a fundraiser and as a participant mentor for TEAM IN TRAINING of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. He is also a Certified Weight Trainer through the International Weightlifting Association, ( IWA ) and received his training as a kettlebell instructor through the Art of Strength Punch Kettlebell Gym in Rhode Island. He has worked with world class distance runners like Malcolm East ,as well as various college, high school, and novice recreational endurance athletes. He has over 19 years of experience as a practicing physical therapist.

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Peters Township

New Lipo Laser Technology Comes To Bur nett Family Chiropr actic & Physical T her apy b u s i n e s s

s p o t l i g h t

urnett Family Chiropractic & Physical Therapy has always been on the cutting edge when it comes to the services they offer. Now they are offering a new laser technology that melts away fat without surgery. Known as the Lapex BCS by Meridian, the lipolaser penetrates the bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fat

and by further stimulating the body to undergo its natural process of releasing it, the Lapex BCS LipoLaser achieves its impressive results. The Lapex BCS is designed to provide inch-loss in problem areas, including the waistline, mid- and lower-abdomen, the back, buttocks and thigh areas, arms and underarms, even under the chin. The laser energy is administered through a set of paddles placed in strategic locations. The ensuing release of the water, free fatty acids and glycerol from the cells are naturally removed by the body, with immediate results. Dr. Max Thomas, D.C., said that clients like the fact that the procedure is cells and stimulates them to naturally completely painless, relaxing and 100 shrink, said Dr. Kevin Perris DPT. percent non-invasive, as opposed to The science behind the Lapex BCS other body contouring or sculpting LipoLaser lies in its ability to stimulate techniques. the release of triglycerides from the The Lapex BCS is just one of the many targeted fat cells. In this process, the ways that Burnett Family Chiropractic & release of water, free fatty acids, and Physical Therapy has to help their glycerol, from the fat cells, is not only natural, it is essential for the human body patients. They also offer Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, and Massage Therapy. to function. The center, located at 3540 The human body is an energy machine; it intakes fuel (caloric intake), it Washington Road in McMurray,(Next to Eat'n Park) handles vast array of converts the fuel into an energy source and stores it (as triglycerides in fat cells), conditions for people in all walks of life. Burnett Family Chiropractic & Physical and then releases it when the need Therapy accepts most insurance plans arises (fat cells release stored and has self-pay options for the triglycerides). The challenge in this uninsured. The practice also participates fantastic process is that sometimes the body stores more energy than it needs in with auto accident and workers its fat cells, resulting in an increase in an compensation claims for those who are seeking care after a traumatic injury. individual's physical size. Thus, it is by Burnett Family Chiropractic & Physical targeting this excess energy storage,

Therapy accepts patients of all ages for Pre & Post surgical conditions, athletic injuries and complex spinal conditions. Those wishing to find out more about Burnett Family Chiropractic & Physical Therapy can go to their comprehensive website at www.burnettfamilychiropractic.com, where they can find overviews on the services offered and an interactive 3-D patient education model, where patients can learn about the various maladies and how they can be treated through comprehensive multidisciplinary care. To schedule an appointment or a free consultation, please call 724.941.0707.

Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 69

eauty, rarity, and durability are the essential characteristics of a precious gemstone. Diamond, sapphire, ruby, and emerald hold a reputation that surpasses other gems; however there are a variety of options that have long been admired and appreciated by collectors and jewelry enthusiasts. Beauty is often found in less familiar gems as well. A relatively unknown stone such as Spinel is very similar chemically and in appearance to rubies and sapphires. Spinel is magnesium aluminum oxide while ruby is aluminum oxide. In fact spinels were often mistaken for rubies until Scientist Rome de Lisle made the distinction between the two stones in 1783. Red Spinel and Ruby have similar density and hardness. Spinel is one of very few natural stones that are not subject to treatment such as heat and irradiation which enhance the color. Like a diamond, Spinel is a single refractive gemstone and is truer in transparency, while rubies are a double refractive stone which doesn’t allow as much light to pass though. Spinels are a wonderful alternative to rubies due to the confusion and concern that exists in today’s ruby market due to importation bans. Spinels are natural stones and while they are actually much rarer than rubies, there is no importation ban resulting in a cost efficient gemstone available in a variety of colors. Not to mention a new and interesting addition to any jewelry lover’s collection!

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Peters Township

Photo courtesy of Eclat Jewels

This Industry Insight was written by Amie Guarino Yadouga. Yadouga is a jewelry stylist for Louis Anthony Jewelers. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising from West Virginia University and has studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Amie has been involved in the family business since high school. For more information, visit Louis Anthony Jewelers at 1775 North Highland Rd., call 412.854.0310 or visit www.louisanthony.com.

When Your Big Toe Will Not Bend The joint at the base of the toe is called the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint. This is a joint that bends each time you take a step to help your big toe push off and allow you to follow through the walking cycle. This is one of the essential joints that needs to function in a pain-free fashion to allow you to proceed with your everyday activities and exercise activities. Pain in this area can be debilitating to a patient and affect their active lifestyle. Degenerative arthritis is found more often in the MTP joint than other location in the foot. A bone spur can often develop in the area at the top of the metatarsal bone. This bone spur makes it difficult to move the great toe and causes increased pressure from shoe gear, which can become tight. The medical term for when the MTP joint has decreased motion is hallux limitus. Hallux limitus can have many causes. It can be a simple overuse injury to longstanding abnormal mechanics that are congenital to an injury sustained from trauma both with and without shoe gear. Hallux limitus is a condition that when treated early can have a significantly high success rate and the patient can return to an active

Upcoming Events

VIP Event at Newbury this spring for Phase II, visit www.newburymarket.com Miracle Field Fund Raiser Help Build A Miracle Field for Kids with Disabilities Library Fire Hall Feb 26th at 7:00, entertainment by Pat McCurdy. For more information: Caseysclubhouse.org

lifestyle in a short period of time. A podiatric examination and x-rays are utilized to accurately diagnosis a hallux limitus condition. Treatment can consist of some simple conservative measures such as modification in shoe gear, non-custom and custom orthotic appliances, and sometimes injection therapy. If the great toe pain does not decrease after attempts of conservative therapy, then surgical procedures can bring long-lasting relief with a long-lasting satisfaction of this condition. If surgical intervention is needed, the earlier you begin treatment, the less extensive the surgery will be and the sooner normal activity is returned. This INdustry INsight was written by Karen K. Luther.. Karen K. Luther, D.P.M., Director of Pittsburgh Family Foot Care, P.C., Chief of Podiatry, UPMC Mercy Hospital, Board certified, American Board of Podiatric Surgery, Board certified, National Board of Podiatry Examiners, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine. 2001 Waterdam Plaza Drive, Suite 207, McMurray, Tel: 724.941.9440 www.pffcpc.com

Pain Relief…Every Step of the Way! Don’t Wait Until Each Step Causes Pain… Pittsburgh Family Foot Care, P.C. doctors don’t just work wonders for aching arches, swollen ankles, and hurting heels. They are experts in foot pain prevention! Treatments and techniques for: s Bunions s Digital Custom-made orthotics and shoes s Sports injuries s Traumatic foot and ankle injuries/fractures s On-site X-rays s Skin problems including warts s Hammertoes (crooked toes) s Diabetic and arthritic foot care s Endoscopic procedures with less cost, discomfort, and recovery time s Extracorporeal Shock Wave therapy for heel pain

Evening and lunchtime appointments. Handicapped accessible. Payment plans and most insurance plans accepted.

Pittsburgh Family Foot Care, P.C. Dr. Karen Luther & Associates

2001 Waterdam Plaza Drive, Suite 207 Centralized Scheduling (724) 941-9440 Visit our doctors and many locations: www.pffcpc.com 6RXWK +LOOV 830& 0HUF\ 3ULPDU\ &DUH 'HHU /DNHV 0HGLFDO *UHHQVEXUJ 830& 0HUF\ *UHHQWUHH

Peters Township | February/March 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 71

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