FALL 2011
COMMUNITY MAGAZINE
Inside:
North Hills PCPs with Access to UPMC Passavant
RAMS KICK-OFF NEW SEASON
FALL 2011 Welcome to the Fall issue of Pine-Richland magazine. As the summer winds down, and the kids get ready to go back to school, I sincerely hope that you and your family had some time to get away from it all and relax. It seems that these days, parents driving the family taxi, and kids with their sports/lessons/parties rarely get a chance to enjoy the slow pace of an ever more elusive “lazy summer.” Ask yourself – when was the last time everyone ate together around a family table? When did everyone gather to play a board game? Does anyone remember board games? If your answer was “That one night that the power went out,” then you might be trapped in the 21st century jail of hyper-life. (I made that term up, but I can do that – I’m the publisher.) I’m not an old guy, unless you ask my kids, but I think that life should be simpler. Moms, dads, brothers, sisters, should all try to spend some time with each other as a family more than that one night when the power goes out. Family time is an important part of being a community. And every community should value quality time with their families – it’s how we teach our children values, etiquette, and more importantly, how to participate in a family structure so they can pass on to their kids what you have worked so hard to build. Recently, I saw a commercial where a father shut off the main power to the house so that the family could enjoy dinner together and blamed the outage on a thunderstorm. The Xboxes were dead. The Facebook was closed. The kids came downstairs in disillusionment to ask what happened. While the commercial was pushing some tasty dinner product, the message was more palatable – you have to make family time. I would take that message one step further – you have to make family time a priority. I hope that it’s one of yours. Have a great fall!
IN Pine-Richland is a community publication dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the PineRichland 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 MANAGING EDITOR
Marybeth Jeffries marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com REGIONAL EDITOR
Dana Black McGrath d.mcgrath@incommunitymagazines.com OFFICE MANAGER
Leo Vighetti leo@incommunitymagazines.com STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Jack Megaw j.megaw@incommunitymagazines.com WRITERS
Pamela Palongue GRAPHIC DESIGN
Cassie Brkich Anna Buzzelli Sharon Cobb Susie Doak
Jan McEvoy Joe Milne Tamara Tylenda
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Garyyonphotography.com
Wayne Dollard Publisher
Hello and welcome to the fall issue of Pine-Richland magazine. As I write this, the late summer temperatures are still scorching outside and I find myself wishing away the days until I feel that first crisp breeze of autumn. I have to admit, fall is my favorite season. I love the cooler temperatures, the blazing colors of fall foliage, the sound of leaves crunching under your feet, and the smell of the season’s first bonfires. Maybe it is because there is a part of me that anticipates new chapters in life each September, much like the start of a new school year – only now I am busy getting my children ready to go back to school. Come October, our family’s weekend schedule will become packed with all of the fun fall activities our region has to offer, from trips to the farm for pumpkin picking to a host of fall festivals and not-so-spooky Halloween events. Each year I find it more challenging to fit everything in that we want to do and see. It’s my favorite time of the year for family outings, because no matter where you go or what you do – the western Pennsylvania foliage assures that getting there will be spectacularly beautiful. We hope that you will utilize this magazine to find all the interesting people and places there are to explore in the community during this season and throughout the year. Happy Fall,
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Derek Bayer David Mitchell Brian Daley Tamara Myers Gina D’Alicandro Gabriel Negri Tina Dollard Robert Ojeda Rose Estes Annette Petrone John Gartley Vincent Sabatini Jason Huffman Michael Silvert Lori Jeffries RJ Vighetti Rita Lengvarsky Nikki CapezioConnie McDaniel Watson 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 2011. CORRESPONDENCE All inquiries, comments and press releases should be directed to: IN Community Magazines Attn: Editorial 603 East McMurray Road McMurray, PA 15317 Ph: 724.942.0940 Fax: 724.942.0968
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Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.
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Contents Pine Richland | FALL 2011 |
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21
Publisher’s Message | 2 COMMUNITY INTEREST
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Touch-A-Truck Day Puts Kids in the Driver’s Seat | 4 Rams Ready for Friday Night Lights | 6 Jackie Evancho to Perform Special Concert with Pittsburgh Opera | 8 Acting Scholarships Set the Stage | 10 Girl Scouts Grow Gold at St. Barnabas | 12 Community Garden Provides Produce for Area Food Banks | 14 Pine Community Day | 16 Izzazu Salon Hosts Benefit for the MS Foundation | 19 18th Annual Richland Township Community Day | 34 Car Cruise Raises Awareness and Funding for Ovarian Cancer Research | 36 “A Taste of Pine” Returns for Second Annual Event | 40 Food and Wine Classic to Benefit HEARTH | 41 Halloween Party in the Park | 46 St. Barnabas Celebrates 20 Years of Valencia Woods | 58
FEATURES
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UPMC Today
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Health and Wellness News You Can Use | 21
UPMC Special Insert Real Estate in Pine Richland Fall Landscaping Ideas | 48
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Making Your Home More Accessible to All Generations | 49
IN Kids INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
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Edward Jones | 18 The Goddard School | 38 Vein Institute of Pittsburgh | 55 Scott Spine and Rehabilitation Center
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS
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Mish Farms Meat Market J. Hilburn | 60
ON THE COVER
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Pine-Richland Football Team
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Pine Richland | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 3
Touch-A-Truck Day Puts Kids in the Driver’s Seat By Dana McGrath
If your kids – or you – have ever wanted to sit in the driver’s seat of a huge truck, police car, bus or any other type of vehicle imaginable, now is your chance. Pine Township is preparing to host its annual Touch-A-Truck day. During the event, children – and adults – have the opportunity to see, touch, interact with and learn about a wide variety of vehicles, from heavy equipment to race cars to emergency vehicles. “We say it’s for the kids, but I think the parents are just as excited,” says Rusti Null, staff member at Pine Community Center. “Kids can do more than just look,” says Null. Visitors actually will be able to climb inside. There will be a representative present for each vehicle who can explain how it works and answer just about any question you may have. Set for Saturday, Oct. 1, from 1 to 4 p.m., the event will be held in the parking lot at Pine Community Center (100 Pine Park Dr., Wexford, Pa. 15090). In case of rain, the event will be held on Sunday, Oct. 2, instead, from 1 to 4 p.m. Last year’s event featured a variety of fun activities including a large inflatable, face painting and a refreshment stand – all of which are expected to be included at this year’s event as well. There were more than 30 vehicles on display last year – and about the same is expected this year, including: backhoes, a cement mixer, police car, fire truck, S.W.A.T. vehicle, race cars, semi-tractors, a milk truck, school bus and more. This is the third year for the community event that has been a big hit with families in the community. “One of our staff members had the idea for this event, and it just took off,” says Null. During the first year, more than 200 people attended, according to Null. “We were really blown away.”
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This year, at least 300 visitors are expected to turn out for their chance to have an up-close experience with a wide variety of trucks, cars and more. “It’s just a wildly popular event,” Null says. Admission is $3 for kids under 12 years. Adults are admitted free of charge. Parental supervision is required. And, don’t forget to bring your camera!
By Dana McGrath
coaches. Many of last year’s coaching staff did not return this year due to personal and family obligations, the demands of graduate school, and one for a head coach position.
There are 10 starters returning on defense, and just three starters returning on offense. But, the coach says, the younger players are stepping up well.
But, Altemus says, “The changeover is great for the kids, because now they have to re-prove themselves. They can’t be complacent.” As a result, he says the attitude of the players is “fantastic” and they have a great work ethic. He believes the changes put a new spark into the program. Pine-Richland Athletic Director and Varsity Head Coach Clair Altemus is ready for the start of football season. This season, the biggest change to “the family,” he says, is that there are several new
Each year, as the graduating class leaves, “we always lose a good group of kids,” says Altemus. “Every senior who left, we will miss, but the retuning players are very capable of filling those voids.” One of the team’s greatest strengths, he says, is the camaraderie of the players and their positive attitude. “The ‘Xs and Os’ take care of themselves,” he says, “but if you have good chemistry and camaraderie, you have a really good chance of being successful.”
Photos by Gary Yon
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During a recent scrimmage with Bethel Park, Altemus was impressed with his squad. “They moved the ball really well, and I liked what I saw.”
by KDKA as the Triple A Coach of the Year and presented with the Pittsburgh Coach’s Corner Award, and in 2006 was honored by the ECFOA as the “Sportsman of the
The first home game, set for Friday, Sept. 2, promises to be a big event as the Rams will face Mt. Lebanon. About 7,000-8,000 fans are expected to turn out for the game. “Both teams are undefeated, the bands will be performing their halftime shows, the cheerleaders have new routines…it’s going to be really great,” Altemus says. This is Altemus’ 37th year as a coach and his 15th as head coach at PineRichland. He is the most winning coach in PR history with more than 100 victories, seven section titles, one WPIAL title and a PIAA State Runner-Up award. He has been named Coach of the Year three times, once at Grove City High School and twice at Pine-Richland. In 2003 he was honored
Year.” He has coached in the prestigious Big 33 All Star Classic (Pa. vs. Ohio) and in the NAFCA All Star game.
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JaCkie evanCho to Perform Special Concert with
Pittsburgh Opera By Dana McGrath
Now 11-year-old singing sensation Jackie Evancho is returning home and will make her debut with the Pittsburgh Opera on Sunday, Oct. 16, at 5:30 p.m. in the Benedum Center. “Everyone is just mesmerized by her,” says Christopher Hahn, Pittsburgh Opera general director. “She has a wonderfully natural response to music that just warms our hearts.” The event is part of a celebratory weekend that kicks off Pittsburgh Opera’s new season. The seasonopening performance of Verdi’s La traviata is set for Saturday, Oct. 15. “We thought we would like the extra splash with opening weekend,” Hahn says. “We will have the full opera Saturday and this special event on Sunday, which will be a full weekend of great music.” It will be Jackie’s first live performance in the region as part of her “Dream With Me” tour. “Dream With Me” also is the title of Jackie’s new CD, for which she
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Photos by Michael Lavine
partnered with multiple Grammy Award-winning producer David Foster. The CD, which debuted at number two on the charts and sold 161,397 in its first week, is a collection of pop tunes, opera arias, and classical crossover melodies that includes duets with the legendary Barbra Streisand and “Britain’s Got Talent” finalist Susan Boyle.
Pine Richland
While the nation and the world have been charmed by the sweet songbird, Hahn speaks highly of the quality of Jackie’s voice. “The quality of sound is very unusual for a young child. It doesn’t sound forced. She has a beautiful, more mature sound than what one would expect. The easiness of production sounds healthy and appropriate.”
Hahn admits that the upcoming concert is “out of the norm” for the company. Usually he would shy away from concert because, historically, they do not sell well. Patrons prefer to see a full operatic production. But, he says, “Jackie has become a special part of the world of classical music and hers is such an interesting story.” He sees the concert as a good way to expand the company’s audience reach to those who may not be familiar with a full opera but would like some experience. “It’s a nice mix,” he says, “so we decided to program a concert to showcase her, the orchestra, the opera chorus and promote the young resident artists in our training program.”
The program will include Jackie’s renditions of “When You Wish Upon a Star,” “O mio babbino caro,” “The Lord’s Prayer,” and other songs and will headline a concert that will also feature rousing opera selections such as “Triumphal March” from Aida, and “Anvil Chorus” from Il trovatore, featuring Pittsburgh Opera resident artists, with a full orchestra and chorus conducted by Anthony Walker, Pittsburgh Opera music director. Response to the concert has been extraordinarily good, Hahn says. At press time, the concert had already sold out. “This being a Pittsburgh story adds to the excitement,” he says. “I think we are all looking forward to this.”
For ticket information, visit www.pittsburghopera.org.
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By Dana McGrath
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Girl Scouts
at St. Barnabas
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“Our troop was formed in kindergarten as Daisy Girl Scouts at St. Alphonsus School and they are now Ambassador Girl Scouts working toward their Gold Award, the highest in scouting.” – Marchell Palguta Parent facilitator
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he garden pavilion at St. Barnabas Nursing Home and The Arbors at St. Barnabas has been transformed into a welcome oasis thanks to the efforts of a local Girl Scouts troop whose members are hoping the project will earn them the Gold Award, the highest award in scouting. Members of the Girl Scouts troop 51027 include North Allegheny seniors Sydney Owens of Franklin Park and Jacquelyn Palguta who lives in Marshall Township, along with Laura Cottington, a senior at North Catholic High School who lives in Cranberry, and Rose Dixon, a junior at Vincentian Academy who lives in Mars. Their work at the pavilion included repainting railings, planting flower beds, constructing a new wishing well, and even building elevated beds that residents in wheelchairs can enjoy. “Our troop was formed in kindergarten as Daisy Girl Scouts at St. Alphonsus School and they are now Ambassador Girl Scouts working toward their Gold Award, the highest in scouting,” explains Marchell Palguta, who helped to facilitate the project. Cindy Dixon, who has served as troop leader for the past eight years, explains that the Gold Award takes nearly a year to achieve. First Pine Richland
the project is planned, proposed, and sent to council for review before work even begins. The girls completed much of that process last summer and received approval in late August/early September of last year. They spent many months fundraising and started the project in April, completing the work at the garden in June, just in time for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Paperwork has been submitted and they are awaiting word on whether their efforts will earn them the Gold Award. If all goes well, they will celebrate in May at a special event for all area Gold Award recipients. “They really are a great group of girls,” Dixon says. “They are good students, active in clubs, plays, sports...and to take time out to stay with scouting, and be determined to finish this Gold Award, is really something.” Some of the girls in the troop have been working on projects at St. Barnabas since they were in first grade. “It’s really wonderful and it is something that is close to their heart,” says Palguta. “This is something they really wanted to do.” The project began in June 2010, she explains. “Our project was to create a more resident-friendly gathering place for the residents and their families,” says Palguta. The project involved months of planning
From left: Rose Dixon, Sydney Owens, Laura Cottington and Jacquelyn Palguta.
that included fundraising such as cookie, magazine, nut, and garage sales, along with donations from local businesses. The girls also organized craft nights for decorating gardening gloves, watering cans, and planting flower seeds. And, they also led activities with younger Girl Scout troops that included painting flower pots, bird houses, garden labeling sticks and game table pieces. As part of the project, the girls also designed and made two gaming tables along with game pieces with the assistance of their parents. Other elements of the project included: organizing donations of puzzles, games, dice, and garden supplies; repairing and/or replacing picnic tables, pavilion railings and poles, and a wishing well; adding two storage cabinets; painting the pavilion and metal furniture; building a raised herb bed of parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme so that it is wheelchair accessible; planting a vegetable garden including corn, peppers, tomatoes, beans, squash and cucumber plants; removing old plants and adding new trees, hostas, and forsythia. They also incorporated into the wishing well design four stepping stones that represent the “4 Bs� of the Girl Scout Law: Become, Belong, Believe and Build. In addition to meeting and planning during the yearlong project, the girls worked on Fridays and Saturdays during May and June to complete it in time for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Residents, staff members, officers of St. Barnabas, family, friends and other supporters all were invited to attend the ceremony that was held in June. Fr. Peter Murphy of St. Alphonsus Church in Pine Township gave the blessing to dedicate the renovated grounds. Dixon says the troop will stay together one more year before the girls leave to pursue their college educations. They plan to do service projects as well as enjoy some fun activities together. Pine Richland | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 13
he Rosalinda Sauro Sirianni Garden, an organic community garden developed through North Hills Community Outreach, will help to bring fresh produce to area families in need. Two food banks supported by NHCO – the Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, located in Hampton/Allison Park, that serves residents from Hampton, McCandless, Ross, lower Richland, and upper Shaler; and the North Boroughs Food Pantry, located in Bellevue, which serves Bellevue, Ben Avon and Avalon – will distribute produce harvested from the garden to their clients along with dry goods and canned goods. Those who meet income and residency requirements are eligible to utilize the food pantry services once a month for one year. During the 2009-2010 fiscal year, the pantries served 1,248 families. While the pantries do sometimes receive fresh products for distribution, what is donated isn’t always the freshest, explains Rosie Wise, garden coordinator. Items from the community garden will be harvested fresh and taken directly to clients. The land that houses the garden was donated to NHCO by Teresa Amelio back in 2008. She asked that the land be utilized for a garden to provide the needy with fresh produce. This year, the project finally was able to get rolling thanks to a grant from Allegheny Grows, with support from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Grow Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Economic Development. Additional funding was received from the Comcast Foundation and the Grable Foundation. “It really pushed us ahead to have our first planting season this year,” says Wise. Funding from the Grable Foundation enabled NHCO to hire three youth leadership coordinators to work on the garden. They help with any and all garden chores, including weeding, watering, and coordinating volunteer efforts. The garden, which is located on Davis Avenue in Bellevue, has provided an outlet for those looking for volunteer opportunities, Wise says. Volunteer workdays
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are scheduled at the garden, and volunteers have ranged in age anywhere from four to 80 years old. “The garden is a good opportunity for volunteering,” Wise explains. “We often get requests from younger students to volunteer, and this is a good fit.” The experience, she says, is a very hands-on, learn-as-you-go task, with “no green thumb required.” Amelio’s family, who previously owned the land, lived in a house across the street from the property. Because the plot where the garden is now located was never developed, NHCO was able to actually plant in the ground. Several cleanup days were held in March in preparation for the planting, and volunteer Wade Cupcheck cleared the land for his Eagle Scout project. Planting started in late winter/early spring. A volunteer workday was held in April to build two raised beds, one at 2 feet high and one at 4 feet high, to allow those who may have some physical impairment that prevents them from bending to participate in the effort. Grow Pittsburgh helped with plowing in April. Then volunteers utilized the lay of the land, following the property’s contours, in the garden design. Plantings include tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, potatoes, parsley, basil, onions, pumpkins and chard. The food pantries surveyed their clients to see what types of produce they would like to receive. That input was taken into consideration when deciding what types of vegetables to grow in the garden. And some plants, like the chard and parsley, were donated. Chard, planted in April, already has been distributed and is so plentiful that volunteers are working on finding recipes to pass along to food bank clients so they can learn how to prepare it. Tomatoes and peppers were expected to be ready by midsummer. Nearly 75 people attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the garden, which was held in June.
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Pine Township celebrated its annual Community Day at Pine Community Park on July 16. Sponsored by the Pine Parks and Recreation Commission and the Wexford Volunteer Fire Company, the event featured fun for the whole family including food vendors, children’s activities, musical performances and a fantastic fireworks display to close out the day’s activities. Next year’s date has already been set for July 21, 2012. Mark your calendars now!
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Melissa Williams, Richland Parks and Recreation Director
Pine Richland Youth Football Players
The King Family
Richland Volunt
eer Fire Depa
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Pine Richland
rtment
Laughing kids running from inflatable bouncers to the Duck Pond game at record speeds gave parents a workout, but also some great memories, at The 18th Annual Richland Township Community Day. Held at the 800-acre Richland Park, the celebration resembled an old-fashioned picnic and carnival. Pine Richland Youth Football Players gave fans a chance to dunk a player for donations and The Northern Tier Regional Library booth offered a chance to spin the wheel for a prize. A Barrel Squirt exercise by Richland Volunteer Fire Department demonstrated the skill and strength of the dedicated, volunteer firefighters. Crafts and games, including beautiful bracelets by Girl Scout Troop 363, were located in The Park Barn while a
Troop 363 Girl Scout
petting zoo and an animated story teller entertained families outside on the hill. Hungry guests could enter The Wing-Eating Contest supplied by Buffalo Wild Wings or indulge in delicious homemade french fries by Boy Scout Troop 150 that rivaled any local amusement park treat. Steely McBeam and Ronald McDonald stopped by to visit and talented dancers from The Laura Lynn School of Dance and Fairgrave School of Dance performed on the large stage. Finally, bands kept the crowd grooving all afternoon into the evening and continued until fireworks finished off the fun celebration.
Madeline Sciullo
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By Dana McGrath
Gemma was diagnosed at age 18 and passed in 2008. She was a resident of Perrysville and was a student at Pittsburgh’s Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) high school, where a scholarship has since been established in her memory. Despite her brave battle against the disease, Welsh says, “her cancer came back with a vengeance.”
The Richland Mall Car Cruise is a fun summertime event with a serious mission – raising awareness in the fight against ovarian cancer. Organizer George Walsh started the event in memory of his niece, Gemma Marie Glass, who died of ovarian cancer at just 20 years old. Photos by Ginography
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Sadly, her story is the same for many women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Each year, 22,000 American women are diagnosed with it, according to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund; and of those, more than half (13,500) will die from the disease. In the U.S., it is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women and accounts for more cancer deaths than all other gynecologic cancers combined.
Early detection is key, but often the symptoms present like those of other noncancerous conditions. There is no effective screening test and only 20 percent of cases are caught before the cancer has spread. Welsh and his wife, Cindi Glass Welsh, a graduate of Pine-Richland School District, honor the memory of their niece by raising much-needed awareness for early detection.
“We decided to do this in memory of her, to increase awareness and make other people aware of ovarian cancer, which is often undetectable,” Welsh says. “We want to promote the importance of early detection.” The car cruise, held on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 5 to 10 p.m. is in the parking lot in front of the SHOP ‘N SAVE store. There are a total of 10 dates this season, which started in June and will wrap up in October. Welsh says he plans to continue the car cruise events next year as well.
Welsh knows how to put together a fun event. “I am sort of a car, kids and movie addict,” laughs Welsh, who previously owned the Wexford Starlight Drive-In and the former Welsh’s Deli in Hampton. He and his wife now live in Allison Park. Participation in the car cruise is strictly voluntary, he explains. Those who want to join in the fun need only show up to the roped-off area in the lot. New cruisers, spectators and sponsors are more than welcome.
He solicits sponsors to help defray the cost of the event. One of the largest expenses, he explains, is the required liability insurance. Proceeds from a 50/50 raffle and food concessions, along with any other contributions, are donated to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.
“We want to provide money to help find a cure for this devastating diagnosis,” says Welsh. “It is not preventable because we don’t know the cause.” To donate to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, visit the website at www.ocrf.org. For more information about the Richland Mall Car Cruise, contact Welsh at 412.973.2979.
Attendance varies, depending on the weather, but whoever comes is sure to enjoy the classic cars, good food, and lively fun music.
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“A Taste of Pine” Returns for Second Annual Event By Dana McGrath
Calling all foodies – here is your chance to sample specialties from some of the area’s best purveyors of food and spirits, all under one roof and close to home. “A Taste of Pine,” an event that was initiated last year, features hors d’oeuvres, drinks and music and proved to be a big hit with attendees. “It was an overwhelming success last year,” says Rusti Null, staff member at Pine Community Center, “so we are expecting it to be very popular this year.” Set for Thursday, Sept. 29, from 6 to 9 p.m., the event will be held at Pine Community Center (100 Pine Park Dr., Wexford, Pa. 15090), in the large community room. All vendors are local to the area, she explains. They will offer everything from dinner and dessert to wine and vodka. “What they brought last year was wonderful,” says Null. “You thought you were getting a small sample, but it really was more like a meal.” Vendors expected to participate in this year’s event include: Atria’s, Beechers Coffee, Betsy Ann Chocolates, Blue Water Tavern, Boyd and Blair Vodka, Dudt’s Bakery, Giant Eagle, Grazie, Ichiban, Narcissi Winery, The Pines Tavern, Walnut Grove and Wexford Post Office Deli. Proceeds from the event support Friends of Pine Community Parks, a nonprofit organization that provides sports, recreational and social facilities and activities for the betterment of the community. Recent projects of the organization include a new putting green at Pine Community Park and a new bocce court. In August, a gazebo was being built. The organization also was responsible for the addition of a playset at the borough’s Karrington Woods Park. Tickets for the event, which are being sold in advance at Pine Community Center, are $40 each or two for $75. Cost of admission includes a personalized wine glass and limited wine tasting. Admission to “A Taste of Pine” is limited to 160 guests. Because alcohol is being served, those attending must be over age 21. To add to the liveliness of the evening, music will be provided by local disc jockey K2Roadjocks. “People who came last year couldn’t say enough positive things about it,” says Null, “so we expect the same response this year.”
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Food and Wine Classic
to Benefit HEARTH
T
he Chamber of Commerce, Inc., including members from the Pine-Richland area, offered more than 16 varieties of wines and over 20 restaurant and specialty foods for sampling at its fourth annual Food and Wine Classic held in June at the Greater Pittsburgh Masonic Center. Sponsored by UPMC Passavant, Consolidated Communications and many other North Pittsburgh businesses, the evening also included wine connoisseurs, beer experts and a chocolate chamber for dessert lovers. The Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is a non-profit organization that includes members from the North Shore into Zelienople, and from Route 8 to Beaver County. Since merging the Cranberry Area Chamber of Commerce and the Northern Allegheny County Chamber of Commerce in January of 2010, the Chamber has grown to approximately 950 members. “The Food and Wine Classic is part of our six signature events including the Neighborhood Business Expo, Golf Outing, Chamber Chase, Taste of Cranberry and Holiday Social,” said Susan H. Balla, executive director. “Tonight we invited the community to come in and sample food and wine, see what we are all about and help raise money for the recipient that we select to give part of the proceeds to. The funds also go to programs and services for our members.” “Joining the Chamber is the first step and becoming involved in the Chamber is the second step to success,” said Mike Hall, Chamber board
member and owner of General Rental Center in Cranberry. “It is great to have a line of communication to government. They listen to our opinions.” Kathleen Sain, Esq., of Sain Law, LLC, chair of the Chamber board of directors, said, “Merging the two Chambers together was a positive move that has made us stronger,” and continued, “It is also nice to be able to provide service to the community.” Another function of the Chamber is to give back to the community; such as donating part of the proceeds from The Food and Wine Classic to HEARTH. HEARTH provides transitional housing for homeless women with children and permanent affordable rental housing for working families and individuals. HEARTH recently moved from Benedictine Place to temporary housing in Scott Township for their transitional housing. They plan to purchase the former Zoar Home in Shaler for their new facility and are embarking on a $1.5 million capital campaign. “We are using the proceeds from The Food and Wine Classic for operational costs such as rent and utilities,” said Judith Eakin, executive director. “In 2009 we served 15 families and today we serve 32 families.” Along with donations, volunteers are needed to help at both locations. If you would like to learn more about The Chamber of Commerce, Inc., please visit their website at http://thechamberinc.com/. If you would like to find out more about HEARTH, please call 412.366.9801.
Lucy Kish, Rose Vange, Armin and Becky Hooman
Susan H. Balla, Executive Director
Kathy Sain, Chambe r Board of Directors Chair and Mike Hall, Chamber Board Me mber
Donna Phillips , Mari William s, Lori Bullm an, Diane Munizz a
Crystal Manning and Ron Smuch of JRG Advisors
Bruce Czaja and Pam Golubski Caryl Skinneir and Henri Chatman
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ish Farms Meat Market is not only your old-fashioned butcher shop, it is much more. We have been raising ALL-NATURAL BEEF for 40 years and 15 years ago, we opened a retail store on the farm to deliver our great product to you! We believe in raising our cattle WITHOUT the use of antibiotics, hormones or growth steroids.
M
Today, the meat processing industry has turned towards large feed lots that consequently make large processing plants. This mass production of animals is to accommodate the huge supercenter stores with a low cost product, but ultimately the quality suffers. Processing plants then add unnecessary salt solutions and flavor enhancers to make their product better. These additives are simply unnecessary and unhealthy. We ask you to take a moment and think about what kind of meat is important to you. Many people are now understanding the difference and returning back to the real product. We are proud to produce a healthy, natural beef product for you. Because of these trends, we have noticed a change in consumer’s buying habits. People are now more conscience about how animals are raised and processed. They are interested in a healthier, natural product. We know that cattle should grow for a certain amount of time without synthetic help. We know that they should be in a pasture allowed to graze and eat grass. This is why we raise the animals the way we do.
We are frequently questioned if our cattle are GRASS or GRAIN fed. Our answer is BOTH. We raise FREE TO CHEWS BEEF™. Our cattle are on pasture, but have the option of grain as well. We do not force feed any one product. We feel that a quality life and nutritious food results in an outstanding product. Cattle are natural grazers; however they enjoy the taste of grain as well. We feel the grain offers a more balanced, more nutritious diet for the animals and also results in a more flavorful, tender end product. To complement our beef products, we carry ALL-NATURAL chicken, pork and lamb products. These products are always fresh, never frozen and are raised locally. Whether we raise the animal or buy from another farm, all our meats are raised without the use of hormones, steroids or antibiotics. They are raised with excellent nutrition and care. We guarantee a fresh, great tasting product. Our retail meat market is open all year with regular business hours. We are open Monday-Friday 9-6 and Saturday 9-5. At our retail store, we have all service meat cases. This means that no products are prepackaged. Any quantity may be purchased. All items are wrapped in cellophane or freezer wrapped in the quantity the customer requests. Absolutely, no quantity is too small or large. For customers who would like to purchase in bulk, we offer many solutions. We have freezer packages available that can be customized to each buyer. These packages offer a choice of beef, pork and chicken selections. We specialize in cutting hind quarters, fore quarters and sides of beef. These orders are custom cut and wrapped to the customers’ specifications. For current pricing and information on all meat packages, contact the retail market or go to www.mishfarms.com. We also attend three farmers’ markets in which we sell a variety of our meats out of our refrigerated truck. Customers can also pick up orders at these markets. We are in East Liberty on Monday, Oakland on Friday and Monroeville on Saturday. Please check our website for dates and times for these locations. This fall, we will be having our annual fall festival. This year’s Corn Maze Theme…Pirates!!! The fall festivities are every Saturday and Sunday starting Saturday, September 17th and ending Sunday, October 30th. Join us for some fall family fun. Find your way through our 3 acre corn maze. A true maze with one way in and one way out and dead ends to add to the fun. Complete your maze game sheet and receive a pirate eye patch. Too easy? Try the maze at night. Flashlight nights will be on select Saturdays in October. It is a true day of family fun. Come for lunch or dinner. We will have tons of food. Also, try our straw bale puzzle maze. Looks easy, but is it? Enjoy a hayride and don’t forget to leave with a pumpkin. For the little ones, our straw bale hay climb and corn box offers the parents a little down time while the tots play. NEW this year for the older kids, a pirate themed obstacle course. Race your friends through an eight station obstacle course. Be the first one to the finish line and you won’t have to walk the plank! Come have your BIRTHDAY PARTY at the corn maze. We offer a great organized birthday party package that includes all the attractions, food and pirate gifts! For more information about Mish Farms Meat Market and the Corn Maze Fall Festival, please call 724-449-6328 or log onto www.mishfarms.com.
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Pine Richland
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Pine Richland
Melissa Nemetz School of Dance Performs at Walt Disney World
Front row: Carolina Celedon (PR), Hannah Rust (PR), Katie Costa (Plum). Back row: Director Melissa Nemetz Costa, Abby Costa (Plum), Becca DeVenzio (PR), Haley Ference (NA), Elizabeth Hassett (PR), Katie Clouse (PR), Emily Weis (Mars), Elizabeth Durosko (NA), and Melissa Daltner (NA).
Pine Richland | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 45
Halloween Party in the Park Pine Township once again will host its popular Halloween Party in the Park. Set for Saturday, Oct. 22, from 2 to 5 p.m., the event will be held at Pine Community Park. Those attending are asked to use the Warrendale Road/Red Belt entrance. There will be costume contests for kids starting at 4:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the cutest, scariest and most original costumes in each of three age categories: ages 1-3 years, ages 4-6 years, and ages 7-9 years. Cost to attend is $3 per child, and children under 2 years old will be admitted free of charge. The event is sponsored by the Pine Parks and Recreation Commission and Friend of Pine Community Parks. For more information, call 724.625.1636, ext. 3, or pinecenter@twp.pine.pa.us.
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Pine Richland
Pine Richland | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 47
REAL ESTATE
Pine Richl and
IN Community Magazines proudly announces a comprehensive look at the Pine Richland real estate market. In this section, you’ll find interesting information about creating beautiful spaces to live in, and other interesting facts about your community. F E AT U R E S T O R Y
FALL LANDSCAPING IDEAS When the dog days of summer are behind us and that first crisp snap of fall is in the air, energy seems to make a rebound and even the animals around the Pine-Richland area seem livelier, more alert. During this time, there’s nothing more wonderful than taking advantage of those last mild days to get outside and enjoy the outdoors by doing a little yard work. If you need some inspiration, just take a look around some of the Wexford area's nearby farms and markets - one look at the blazing color of fall blooms and pumpkins there will have you itching to get your yard autumn-ready. This is a great time to rake up all those leaves on the ground. But don’t just throw them into a trash bag to be hauled away. Leaves are great for composting and may have as much as three times the amount of minerals as fertilizer. They need to be shredded to be easier to work with, but this is easily accomplished by running a mower back and forth a few times over a pile of leaves. Also, be sure to add a little nitrogen to your compost pile with the leaves. If your summer flowers have faded, be sure to trim back dead leaves and blooms and add some fall flowers for some more vibrant color. Mums and sunflowers can be purchased in pots to accent any garden with a fall palette, but don’t forget purple as a great contrasting color to oranges, yellows and sienna. Some fall
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Pine Richland
flowers with purple accents are pansies, purple coneflowers, asters and mums. All of these will grow well in zone 6, which includes PineRichland. For some green accent, you might try growing some arugula in a pot or selfwatering container. This spicy, leafy plant has long been popular in France and Italy and actually grows better in the fall than in the summer. The leaves will add zest to your salads and other fall dishes. Although the planting time for arugula is in the spring, seedlings can be purchased and transplanted, however they also do well if left in containers or pots. Even if you’re not particularly good at growing plants and flowers, there are many ways to accent your lawn and garden with minimal effort and maintenance. Brightly colored pumpkins (plentiful at Pine-Richland area farms) placed around pathways and steps give a whimsical touch to decorating. Avoid placing them in direct sunlight and directly on the ground and your pumpkin may well last for two to three months in the cool fall climate. Other low-maintenance decorations for fall are corn stalks and bales of hay. Hay bales also provide extra seating in outdoor areas. Summer may be over but your yard can still be a bright, cheerful place full of beautiful, living things. - by Pamela Palongue
REAL ESTATE
Pine Richl and
MAKING YOUR HOME MORE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL GENERATIONS According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center in Washington, D.C., homes where multiple generations of family have blended together under one roof are on the rise. With economic constraints and the high cost of child care, it is easy to see why children, parents and grandparents living together in one dwelling makes sense in many situations. It’s easy to see why multigenerational dwellings which appeal to the needs of all ages are quickly becoming the trend. From this perspective a ranch-style house on one floor is a good choice. Seniors with mobility problems will not have to deal with steps, but also parents will not have the added worry of their young children falling down stairs. Another important feature of multi-generational homes is the ‘mother-in-law suite,’ which could just as easily be called the ‘father-in-law suite.’ This is generally an area of the house that is designed for an aging parent, giving them a degree of privacy and independence while
still being a part of the nuclear family household. They are sometimes located in a basement for easier access for those with mobility issues and often times will have a separate entrance, giving it the appearance of a mini-apartment. They usually always include a bedroom and private bath, however they may also come with kitchenettes and a small living area as well. When accessibility becomes an issue with an older adult, there are many options for making the home more accessible without giving it the industrial-style, nursing home appearance. This is an important consideration when it comes to the re-sale of the house. First of all, if an individual is wheel-chair bound, doorways must be made larger to accommodate the chair. With a modern contemporary home,
this may be accomplished by removing walls for a more open floor plan which appeals to buyers or widening doorways with attractive archways. This will make the change look more intentional and less like a temporary fix for a mobility problem. Many times it becomes necessary to install grab bars in baths and showers for the safety of senior family members. Although there are many industrial style models from which to choose, there are a few companies on the web that are sensitive to the attractiveness of the grab bars and offer styles in decorative brass and silver. Walk-in showers and baths can be constructed with attractive glass enclosures that fit everyone’s style and are still accessible for seniors. A few changes to your home can help make it safer for seniors and children and more valuable when it comes time to re-sell. - by Pamela Palongue
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Pine Richland
Pine Richland | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 55
Questions, Concerns and Misconceptions
about Chiropractic Care Over the years, I have noticed that people have many questions, concerns, and misconceptions about chiropractic care. This is understandable due to the variance among practitioners within the profession. The most common concerns I have encountered are addressed below. I hope this provides a clearer picture of the current evidence-based approach to conservative pain management through chiropractic care.
Once I start going to a chiropractor, will I have to go forever? Absolutely not. Although the length of treatment necessary is dependent upon many factors, evidence-based chiropractic treatment is most often effective within a short series of visits. In the vast majority of musculoskeletal pain/injury cases, chiropractic care is effective in just 1-4 weeks. Patients are treated using passive therapies to relieve them of their initial pain and aid in the healing process from injury. Once the pain is eliminated or significantly reduced, the patient will be transitioned to an efficient, customized in-office rehabilitation program designed to stabilize and protect against recurrence of injury and exacerbation of pain. The patient is then released from care with a home exercise program to maintain their progress and eliminate the need for constant visits to the office. Factors that can affect the longevity of care include the diagnosis, severity of the issue, length of time it has been present, age and overall health, daily activities and work duties, complicating factors in the patient’s history, etc...
At Scott Spine and Rehab, we see the majority of our patients for an average of 4-6 visits.
Will I have to have x-rays taken? X-rays are only taken when clinically indicated from the musculoskeletal and neurological examination performed by the chiropractor. Clinical indicators for imaging include concern for the presence of a fracture or more serious pathology. In the vast majority of cases, we are able to initiate care without the need for x-rays. However, if x-rays are warranted, they will be performed by a local imaging facility and reviewed by a licensed professional, such as a radiologist, before any care is administered. Generally speaking, x-rays are only capable of showing boney abnormalities whereas Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the gold standard for soft tissue abnormalities. If the exam shows reason to suspect a soft tissue complication such as a disc herniation, space occupying lesion (tumor), or muscular/ ligamentous tear, an MRI may be necessary to determine the presence and/or severity of the issue.
Does my insurance cover chiropractic care? Most medical insurance includes coverage for chiropractic care in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain and/or injury and no referral is necessary. You can check your coverage by calling the “member services” number listed on the back of your insurance card. Feel free to call our office and we will gladly verify your chiropractic coverage for you at no charge. Chiropractic care is also included in worker’s compensation, auto, and personal injury insurance coverage in the event that you are injured on the job, in a motor vehicle accident, or due to the negligence of another.
What conditions can be treated with chiropractic care? Chiropractors specialize in the conservative, non-invasive treatment of musculoskeletal pain and injuries. T h i s includes back pain, neck pain, whiplash, certain types of headaches, sciatica, posturally induced pain, disc issues without the presence of s e vereneurological compromise, as well as many other musculoskeletal issues. A common misconception is that chiropractors only treat pain associated the spine. However, many repetitive-use/over-use and sports injuries of the extremities are great candidates for conservative treatment as well. It can be helpful to use the general rule, if it hurts when you move it, chances are you are a good candidate to be evaluated for conservative care through chiropractic. There are cases of musculoskeletal pain and/or injury that are beyond the capabilities of conservative care or in which chiropractic care may be contraindicated. In these cases, a referral will be provided to a specialist best suited to treat your condition. At the Scott Spine and Rehabilitation Center, we use the latest research-based techniques in manual therapy to provide the highest quality chiropractic care to the North Pittsburgh area. We pride ourselves in both the effectiveness and the efficiency of our care. Our goal is to get you in, get you better, and get you home, back to doing the things you enjoy… pain free. We accept most major medical insurance and Dr. Scott is an in-network provider with UPMC, Highmark, Cigna, Aetna, United and many others.
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Pine Richland
20 Years
Valencia Woods Valencia Woods, a nursing home and living assistance facility that is part of St. Barnabas Health System, celebrated 20 years of serving the elderly. poor, to a convalescent home for those with heart problems.
Left to Right: Kathy Seaton RE/Max North, John Wohleber, board of trustees St. Barnabas; Karen Tabacchi, president St. Barnabas Clinical Services.
But the history of the five-story building itself dates back much further. Nearly a century old, the building was constructed in 1915, it has served many purposes through the decades, from a vacation home for a Hollywood actress, to a sanctuary for Pittsburgh's industrial
Throughout its history, the building has been utilized to help improve the lives of those who pass through ever since opening as the Lillian Convalescent Home nearly 100 years ago. The property has endured changes over the years and has been utilized as a home for underprivileged women and children in need of health care, a rehabilitative center for cardiac care patients, and even a “fresh air” camp for children.
Situated in Valencia, on a high hilltop in Butler County, the property was acquired by St. Barnabas in 1991 and a new wing was added in 1996. The health system had a vision of enhancing it's mission and expanding to serve even more residents, patients, and families. Today, the 96-year-old building is known as Valencia Woods at St. Barnabas and The Arbors at St. Barnabas, providing both skilled nursing care and living assistance. The epicenter of the Valencia campus and a premier location for quality, skilled patient care, the Valencia campus has been home to thousands
Jim Roddey, former Allegheny County chief executive and St. Barnabas spokesman, served as master of ceremonies. The event also featured live entertainment by the Joe Lagnese trio featuring Johnny Angel; presentations by St. Barnabas trustees and health system president William V. Day; a citation presented by Dale Pinkerton, Butler County Commissioner; and a toast to the first 20 years of operations as Valencia Woods at St. Barnabas. Now the Valencia Woods at St. Barnabas section of the building is a 47-bed skilled nursing facility, down from 91 beds just 10 years ago. As the need for skilled care has declined,
Left to Right: John Turnbull, treasurer board of trustees St. Barnabas; Jim Roddey, St. Barnabas spokesperson with Millie and Dale Pinkerton, Butler County Board of Commissioners.
of seniors who have benefited from quality skilled care, living assistance, home care, and the many amenities of our independent living community. The milestone anniversary was celebrated with a special reception on June 29.
there has been an increase in the need for living assistance. The expansion of The Arbors at St. Barnabas living assistance added approximately 100 rooms and suites for those who need living assistance. There is also a chapel, rehab therapy gym, kitchens with dining areas, and indoor and outdoor recreation.
The Pine Community Center is offering a Flu Shot Clinic on Tuesday, October 4. Flu shots are $30 (free for some insurance plans). Please call 724-625-1636 x3 to schedule an appointment. 58 724.942.0940 to advertise |
Pine Richland
Community Magazines
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Pine Richland | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 59
Most men face many obstacles when it comes to clothes shopping... they strongly dislike the shopping experience, they don't have the time in their busy schedules, they have trouble finding clothes that fit them well, or, they simply don't have a well-developed sense of style. Jacki Smathers of J. Hilburn Men’s Clothier, provides a solution for these men. She provides a personalized shopping service that will have men looking their best without ever leaving their home or office. Ms. Smathers, through Dallas-based, J. Hilburn, provides her clients with a unique opportunity to have custom-made clothing made of high-end luxury fabrics at affordable prices. One of the company’s favorite quotes is, “We provide luxury without breaking the bank,” Smathers says. “While gaining much national press this year, we are relatively new to the Pittsburgh region – a best-kept style secret for men,” she says. “We produce clothing that is made from the same Italian fabrics that are used by renowned designers who
grace the pages of high-end fashion magazines. But, because we sell directly to our customers and not through the traditional retail store, our prices are about one-third of what a similar quality item would be sold for in a retail setting - and, that includes a custom fit.” Ms. Smathers meets customers at their home or office and helps them select a professional and/or casual wardrobe – unique to their size, style and preferences. She takes about 10-12 different measurements, then helps them choose from a swatch book of hundreds of fabrics and customize their items with choices of collars, cuffs, thread colors, etc. There is no minimum purchase required to order. Ms. Smathers says shirts start at about $89 each and range to about $159. In the traditional retail world, these same shirts would range as high as $400 without any personalization. “You truly can’t beat what we offer in terms of quality and price,” Smathers says. “The Founders of J. Hilburn are seeking to revolutionize the world of men’s retail,” she adds.
“And, they have made amazing progress in that regard producing over 60,000 custom shirts last year alone.” Smathers is excited to announce that J. Hilburn recently unveiled a new line of suiting, tailored to the customer’s measurements. Sports coats start at about $525 and a starting price of about $700 for suits. “Again, in the traditional retail world, for the quality and craftsmanship we provide, these items would be two to three times our cost,” she says. Also fully customizable, suiting customers choose the fabric, style of pocket, buttons, lining, fit, etc. – over 120 various style configurations. “It makes such a difference to have clothes made of premium fabrics that fit perfectly. It brings a whole new level of professionalism to the customer’s look.” The company also offers ties, cufflinks and custom belts to complete the image. Orders are filled relatively quickly. Shirts take about two and a half weeks, suits about four weeks – not months. All products are fully-guaranteed. And, Smathers reports, the company has an impressive 93 percent re-order rate. For more information, visit www.jhilburn.com or e-mail jacki.smathers@jhilburnpartner.com
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B USINESS D IR ECTORY
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