Spring 2010
COMMUNITY MAGAZINE
Introducing a health plan option for small business designed to save green. asy to use, conomical and Environmentally friendly.
Enjoy a discount and the ease of 24/7 on-line access for all of your health plan needs. Has there ever been an easier business decision? At UPMC Health Plan, we want to make it that simple. That’s why we’ve introduced the region’s most comprehensive all-electronic option. It’s called and it’s an easy-to-use, paperless option that complements any of our Small Business Advantage health plans. With , all enrollment, billing, claims, and payments are conducted online – providing you and your employees with greater convenience. Your employees also enjoy easy access to all their health information, wellness tools, and health support. And, as always, you and your employees have access to our network of more than 80 hospitals and 7,000 physicians, and the award-winning member service you expect from UPMC Health Plan. In other words you get more for less. To learn more about how you can save, go to upmchealthplan.com.
Shouldn’t the people who insure your health understand it? This managed care plan may not cover all your health care expenses. Read your contract carefully to determine which health care services are covered. If you have questions, call Member Services at 1-888-876-2756.
Features
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4 26 Industry Insights
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SOCIAL - LITE Dedicated to the Fine Art of Living Within the Community
Butler County, PA A Different Kind of Vacation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 By Lisa Kay Salser
Question and Answer with a Vein Specialist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 By Lisa Kay Salser
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VACATIONS ON THE FLY
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UPMC TODAY
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A BLOOMING SUMMER
Planning for Future Health Care Needs Allows Seniors to Enjoy Today . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 By Donna Sell
Health and Wellness News You Can Use
Sections North HIlls School District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
on the cover
Students from NH High School perform Beauty and the Beast. PHOTO BY GARY YON PHOTOGRAPHY
IN Kids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it. Spring 2010 | IN Ross Township |
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Summer
Science
Camps!
Take a walk on the science side! Go on a science-filled adventure with Summer Science Camps at Carnegie Science Center! Unearth science mysteries, discover the binary brilliance of robots, fly high with roller coaster science, build a bridge, and more. For the full list of available camps, visit our website. Call 412.237.1637 to register!
CarnegieScienceCenter.org One Allegheny Avenue | Across from Heinz Field | 412.237.3400
Ross Township Ross Township Municipal Center 1000 Ross Municipal Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15237 412.931.7055 www.ross.pa.us Business Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday
Municipal Departments Building Inspector . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.931.7055 Code Enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.931.7055 Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.931.7055 Ext. 207 Fire Marshall . . . . . . . . . . . .412.931.7055 Ext. 236 Parks & Recreation . . . . . .412.931.7055 Ext. 204 Police Department . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.931.6200 Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .911 Public Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.931.3956 Real Estate Tax Office . . . . . . . . . . .412.931.4200 Tax Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.931.4200 Monday–Friday 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Ross Township Administration Manager: Wayne Jones Building Code Official/ Zoning Officer: Dan Hankins Chief of Police: Ralph Freedman Building Inspector: Dennis Schack Engineer: Art Gazdik, P.E. Finance Director: Wayne Jones Fire Marshal: John Reubi Parks & Recreation Director: Pete Geis Public Works Director: James Stack
Ross Township Commissioners Daniel DeMarco Chris Eyster Daniel Kinross Lana Mazur Grace Stanko David Mikec Gerald O’Brien Peter Ferraro Grant Montgomery
1st Ward 2nd Ward 3rd Ward 4th Ward 5th Ward 6th Ward 7th Ward 8th Ward 9th Ward
If you need to know what Ward you are in and who your Commissioner is or if you want to get in contact with a commissioner, call the Ross Township general number at 412.931.7055.
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FROM THe PuBlISHeR
oss Township Spring 2010 IN Ross Township magazine is a non-partisan community magazine dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting Ross Township 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 ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER Mark Berton mark@incommunitymagazines.com MANAGING EDITOR Marybeth Jeffries marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com
elcome to the spring issue of IN Ross Magazine. Spring is a season of hope, change and new beginnings. The harsh cold and freeze of winter gives way to the gentle thaw of a growing sun’s strengthening rays. For us at IN Community Magazine, spring is a time of new beginning as well. Our staff works diligently to plan out the entire year of features and news that will keep you informed and entertained. We have received numerous story ideas from you and have been putting them together for your friends and relatives to read and enjoy. You, our readers, continue to be the single most important “employee” of the magazine. Without your ideas, input and critique, this magazine would be a shell of the vibrant and lively magazine that it is. So keep all of those great story ideas coming in! Call 724.942.0940 with your story and we’ll be delighted to include it in an upcoming issue. Sincerely,
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OFFICE MANAGER Leo Vighetti leo@incommunitymagazines.com
GRAPHIC DESIGN Cassie Brkich Susie Doak Bridget Michael Katelyn Ruffing Tamara Tylenda PHOTOGRAPHERS Rebecca Bailey Garyyonphotography.com One Way Street Productions WEB DEVELOPMENT DS Multimedia ADVERTISING SALES Stephanie Baker-Wolfson Renee Bennett Tina Dollard Rose Estes Linda Hall Jason Huffman Brian McKee David Mitchell Tara Reis Vincent Sabatini Michael Silvert Maureen Smith RJ Vighetti
pring! even the sound of the word gets me brewing with excitement about the beautiful days which I know must be coming soon! Days spent in the garden, walking my boys to school or watching the days sun set just a bit later. With the beginning of each season, you can expect a little bit of good news from us. Our staff is hard at work following up on all of your phone calls and emails which let us know about things that are happening in the community. Whether it is a resident who is volunteering and making a difference, or your favorite organization hosting a fund raiser, please, keep me up to speed! You can email me at Marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com. enjoy!
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FROM THe eDITOR
WRITERS Jonathan Barnes Karen Ferrieri Kelli McElhinny Pamela Palongue Sandy Trozzo Chris Weber
Calling all IN Ross Township Readers!
Summer Issue Deadline: May 6, 2010
Do you know someone in your school or neighborhood who is doing something positive to benefit our community? We’d like to know about it! Contact Marybeth Jeffries – North editor at marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com with your suggestions!
IN Ross Township, published quarterly, is carrier route mailed to all Ross Township and West View households. Extra copies of the magazine are available at the Ross Township building. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Copyright 2009.
www.incommunitymagazines.com
Spring 2010 | IN Ross Township |
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Dedicated to the Fine Art of Living Within the Community
Hosting a Party Where to Have Your Party
by Marybeth Jeffries ave a reason to celebrate? How fabulous! Party planning may seem a little daunting, but with the right organization, you are on your way to a fun and entertaining time for you and your guests. The “how to” starts with a software program or a good oldfashioned notebook. For my purposes, I always rely on a software program that will list and locate all of my contacts for a guest list, required vendors, and a place to establish a timeline leading up to the party.
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establish a Goal and Theme To make your party a success, you will need to establish what the goal for the party will be. Try to think about this in terms of who the guest of honor is and how to best make him or her happy. Generally, a theme for the party should be established. This will make your job so much easier! For a graduation party, you might want to plan the party around your graduate’s favorite activity. If those themes don’t work, then create one! I love island-themed parties; guests dress in their favorite resort wear and drink tropical drinks to the sounds of a steel drum band.
Timeline Once you have established a theme, get busy with a timeline. Figure out when you want to host your party and work backwards, noting when to order food, send invitations, and RSVP dates. Now you have some deadlines to work with and can keep your cool because you’re so organized.
Decide if You Need Help You’ll want to decide early in the process whether you will require help in the planning or execution of your party. For those who decide that they don’t want the work of planning their own party, a full-service event planner can handle all of the details including what foods to suggest, hiring service staff, coordination of rentals, and decorations to make your party special. Other planners may decide that all they need is one person to run your kitchen while you are attending to guests. Many times a family member or close friend will step in to take over the kitchen. You’ll want to enlist the help of family and friends, or hire an event planner as soon as possible.
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There are many places to host a great party. Most people choose their homes, and are able to set up their backyard, garage, or deck to accommodate their guests. There are other really great choices if you simply don’t have enough room to handle a large crowd. Check out local fire or church halls, hotels or parks located in your municipality. Hosting your party at home can be done easily with the right setup. Party rental houses can rent tables and chairs, a dance floor, as well as tents and lighting to create the perfect atmosphere. Also, it is always a good idea to have a rain plan. I always count on it raining in Southwestern Pennsylvania in late spring or early summer! If you get lucky, you’ll have a beautiful day and if it rains, you’ll be prepared with a tent to keep everyone dry!
Day of the Party Once the basic plan is in place, you can cut down on your “day of party” stress by taking care of the party preparation ahead of time. “Make-ahead” food items will cut down on your time away from guests, so try to give that some additional thought when planning your menu and drink selections. Most rental companies will deliver your party items the day before the party to give you time to set up. Arrange a beverage station where guests can help themselves to cans of soda or premade punches. A good caterer will help you choose foods that don’t require a lot of extra handling and will remain delicious throughout the party! Placing trash receptacles in places where guests can dispose of paper products will help cut down on your after-party cleanup. This gives you the time to meet all of your guests and enjoy the fruits of your labor! Once your party has started, you can enjoy spending time with your guests and seeing the results of all of your hard work. Party planning doesn’t have to be a chore. If you stay organized, you may actually enjoy the process.
Marybeth Jeffries has been planning corporate and social events for over 20 years. www.alleghenymedia-events.com
Do you know someone who is doing something good for the community? Maybe it's your Mom — does she volunteer with a charitable organization? Has your child volunteered their time somewhere? We want to know about it and honor their commitment! Email marybeth@incommunity magazines.com with your story. (We love photos!)
ree Rivers Quilters to Host Annual Quilt Show The Three Rivers Quilters will present their 2010 Quilt Show, April 15 - 17, at the IBEW Circuit Center and Ballroom at 5 Hot Metal Street on the South Side of Pittsburgh. Over 100 quilts will be displayed, quilting demos, Grannie’s Attic and many vendors with quilt related items. The show theme is the “Nine Patch” - a tribute to a simple yet versatile block design. For more information about the show and the Three Rivers Quilters Guild, please visit our website www.threeriversquilters.org or call Kathleen at 412.431.4722. Hours: Cost:
Thurs., Apr 15th 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Fri., Apr 16th 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sat., Apr 17th 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.. $7 per person. Special $5 admission on Thurs. from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
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Vacations on the Fly
Trips That Pack a Ton of Fun Into a Tank of Gas hen thinking about vacations, sometimes it’s easier to just get in the car and go, rather than spend hours comparison shopping through various mind-withering online sites. Fortunately, living in Western Pennsylvania makes it easy for us to get away for the weekend (or a few days more) without much hassle. The trick is looking at the map as if it’s your own little neighborhood, not some destination. We planned a few trips for you that are all based within a 100mile radius of Pittsburgh - as the crow flies, not as the car drives. Most of these trips are 250 miles or less and within three hours, give or take.
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Cleveland, Ohio – The bane of Steelers fans during the football season, this drivable city has amenities that definitely make it worth visiting. Boasting a world-class orchestra directed by Franz Welser-Most, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Botanical Gardens and the Cleveland Playhouse, there’s never a lack of things to do in this booming town. More than 1,000 restaurants mean that you’ll never be stuck for cuisine, either. If you are in town, be sure to check out Trattoria on the Hill, for third-generation, authentic Italian cuisine after a night at Severance Hall. Erie, Pennsylvania – Ah, lake erie. Pennsylvania’s little oceanfront. lake erie is not only a beautiful seascape destination to one of the Great lakes, it’s also a great family funspot. From the historic Flagship Niagara and erie Maritime Museum to the lake erie Speedway, whether your tastes are a little edmund Fitzgerald or a little Carl edwards, erie is a place you’ll go back to again and again. literally one of the easiest places to get to – due north on I-79 – erie and its southern little brother, Conneaut, can give any family a full weekend of enjoyment year-round. Geneva, Ohio – Also known as “Geneva on the lake,” this quaint destination is a great weekend getaway option. More recreational in nature because of its lakefront location, Geneva also has a bevy of nightclubs, restaurants and more to keep the cabin-fever away. If the weather’s cooperative, you can plan on plenty of fishing, boating, swimming, camping, concerts and golf. The Wild Water Works offers more than 750 feet of waterslides for those looking for a serious soaking. look for the Mediaeval Fair in late July and August, and annual events at the abundant wineries throughout the region. Mansfield, Ohio – A perfect day trip into small-town America, Mansfield is home to an incongruous amount of interesting sights. From blueberry festivals to the Mansfield
Memorial Museum to the famous Carousel in the heart of town, Mansfield is a great family-oriented trip for all ages. One of the highlights for the technology and sci-fi fan in the family is elektro, the 7-foot-tall robot created by Westinghouse in 1937. This wonder of the time walked on command, had a 700-word vocabulary, and could discern between red and green light. elektro is on permanent display at the Mansfield Memorial Museum. Martin’s Ferry, Ohio – Founded in 1794, Martin’s Ferry is Ohio’s oldest settlement, and you can expect a lot of history in this destination, which is minutes from Oglebay Park. every June, Martin’s Ferry sponsors the All-American Soap Box Derby, the largest stock car division race in the u.S. Morgantown, West Virginia – Another destination rich in history, Morgantown is an eclectic blend of the past and the present. From its thriving cultural community to the Cheat River Watershed, with its annual festivals and riverfront events, the sky’s the limit in Morgantown. Highlights include the WV Bass Federation Tournament, the WV Wild and Wonderful MountainFest Motorcycle Rally, and the Triple S HarleyDavidson Hoop Group Summer Jamfest. Moundsville, West Virginia – Just outside of Wheeling West Virginia is Moundsville, home to Grave Creek Mound, the largest conical burial mound in the united States. This structure dates back to 250 B.C. and houses a visitor’s center and museum onsite. Across the street is the West Virginia State Penitentiary, a Gothic prison that was shut down in 1995. Today, the prison is open to ghost hunts, prison tours and a special “Dungeon of Horrors” tour each year around Halloween. Burial mounds and haunted prisons – a definite one-two punch of history and adventure!
Somerset, Pennsylvania – Ski, ski, ski! But did you know there’s a lot to do in this town of antique shops and wineries when the snow’s gone? If you can think of it, you can do it in Somerset. From horseback riding and hiking to mini-golf and white water rafting, you can find it all within two hours of Pittsburgh. Home to Seven Springs and Hidden Valley ski resorts, Somerset is a popular winter destination, no doubt. But when trying to find a nice place to get away from it all in the mountains, put this one on your calendar and just go. Sandusky, Ohio – Missing that warm weather and water? Then surf over to Sandusky where we found Great Wolf lodge.(www.greatwolf.com) This indoor extravaganza of a water park is great for kids up to age 12 and their parents. They will love the water slides, giant fort and five separate pools filled with 200,000 gallons of water. You’ll love the fact that it’s always 87˚, very clean and when the kids get tired, they bunk down in their own sleeping area. This all suite resort got high marks for kid friendly fun. Butler County, PA – April is the perfect time to take a short trip up I-79 to Slippery Rock where you can enjoy the Kaleidoscope Arts Festival from April 14-25. Dance and music ensembles, lectures, theatre productions and a children’s day feature nationally and internationally known artists. Be sure to allow time to explore the area’s unique shops, like the Birdwatcher’s Store, Native essence, Slippery Rock Florist and Winfield Winery. You can also enjoy a delicious meal at a variety of eateries. To learn more about all you can see and do in the Slippery Rock area, check out www.visitbutlercounty.com.
Living in Western Pennsylvania makes it easy for us to get away for the weekend (or a few days more) without much hassle. Spring 2010 | IN Ross Township |
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Need a Photographer/Artist?
Let Us Do Your Special Occasions Ask Us About Printing On Location
• Wedding • Military Ball • Family Reunion • Prom • Birthday Parties • Senior Photos • Cabaret • Memorial DVD • Award Ceremony For Appointment or Information Call 412.417.8251 Bigharryphotos@yahoo.com
The North Boroughs Rotary Club he North Boroughs Club has been very busy this year in their “Hands On” projects. At the beginning of this Rotary Year, President Jena Silkwood had as one of her stated objectives that of more “Hands On” projects. North Boroughs Rotary has maintained its tradition of Service Above Self and dedication to serving our local communities, while conducting more hands on projects. earlier this fall, North Boroughs Rotary Club, collected new and gently worn coats to assist the North Hills Community Outreach organization in its efforts to provide coats to the needy. In December, we donated Christmas gifts to children who are part of Holy Family Institute. Much like the Angle Tree tradition, the children made their Christmas wishes known to Santa and North Boroughs fulfilled those wishes. This made for a warm and welcoming Holiday for many young people who need to know of the true meaning of the Christmas spirit. In the last week of December, North Boroughs again reached out to the young. On December 28, we donated student dictionaries to several schools in our Northern Area. Donations were made to all third graders at St. Teresa elementary School in Perrysville, St. Sebastian elementary School in Ross Township, Assumption elementary School in Bellevue and St. Athanasius elementary in WestView. A Donation was also made to “Beginning with Books Center for early literacy” on Pittsburgh’s North Side. In 2010, North Boroughs has plans to collect food for the local Food Pantry and provide Backto-School backpack to deserving youngsters in our area. For more information on becoming a member of the North Boroughs Rotary contact www.rotarydistrict7300.org.
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ADMINISTRATION Dr. Joseph Goodnack Superintendent David Hall Director of Finance & Operations Dr. Marilyn Cain Director of elementary education & Professional Services Dr. Rita Neu Asst. to the Superintendent, Pupil Services Jeff Taylor Director of Curriculum and Assessment Valerie Mengine Director of Human Resources Tina Vojtko Communications Coordinator George Zappas Director of Food Services Dan Cardone Director of Athletics & Activities Patrick Mannarino Principal, North Hills Senior High Kevin O’Toole Asst. Principal, North Hills Senior High
NORTH HIllS SCHOOl DISTRICT 135 Sixth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15229 412.318.1000 Fax: 412.318.1084 For more information on North Hills School District activities, athletics, events and more, visit www.nhsd.net
Johanna Vanatta Asst. Principal, North Hills Senior High John Kreider Principal, North Hills Junior High Jonathan Peebles Asst. Principal, North Hills Junior High Bill McGahee Asst. Principal, North Hills Junior High
NORTH HIllS SCHOOl BOARD OF eDuCATION edward M. Wielgus President
Beth Williams Principal, Highcliff elementary
Thomas l. Kelly Vice President
Amy Mathieu Principal, McIntyre elementary
Robert l. Barto Arlene J. Bender Timothy F. Burnett Jeffrey A. Meyer lou Nudi Kathy Reid Sharon A. Schrim
elaine Obidowski Principal, Perrysville elementary David lieberman Principal, Ross elementary Marc Thornton Principal, Seville elementary Walter Rodriguez Principal, West View elementary
The North Hills School Board, which is comprised of nine members who are elected to four-year terms, welcomes your comments and suggestions and invites public participation at its meetings. The board secretary, lynne Phillips, can be reached as follows: Administration Center 135 Sixth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15229 Phone: 412.318.1004 Fax: 412.318.1084 email: phillipsl@nhsd.net
Michael J. Witherel, esq. Solicitor lynne Phillips Board Secretary
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North Hills School District
North Hills participates in
Haiti relief efforts ommunity service plays an important role in each school throughout the North Hills School District. In response to the Jan. 12th earthquake that devastated Haiti, students and staff participated in a variety of activities that demonstrated their support and compassion for others:
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• The North Hills Junior High Blue Team, Highcliff Elementary, Seville Elementary third graders, and West View Elementary joined the efforts of Brother’s Brother Foundation, an international relief organization, by collecting personal hygiene products throughout the month of February including baby/wet wipes, bar soap, toothpaste, combs and brushes, buckets, wash cloths and toothbrushes. • Perrysville Elementary students in grade 4, 5 and 6 performed “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” during Open House. Admission was a voluntary donation – half of all proceeds benefited Haiti relief efforts. • Twenty-five students from Ross Elementary School participated in “Build a Bear” for Haiti. On Feb. 3, students constructed bears at Build-A-Bear Workshop in the Ross Park Mall and attached a handwritten message of hope to the children of Haiti. All bears were sent by Build-A-Bear Workshop to children in Haiti. In addition, Ross Elementary Student Council sponsored a lollipop Tree – all proceeds benefited the American Red Cross Haiti Fund. • Seville Elementary Student Council sponsored a Penguins Spirit Day. Students were asked to donate to the Haitian relief efforts in order to wear their Pens gear. Approximately $250 was raised to support World Vision. • North Hills Senior High Hands for Service club raised $875 by selling t-shirts designed by juniors Sami Waters, Ali Patton, Tara Morrison and Savana Shepard. The shirts – printed with the words “helping healing Haiti” – were sold during lunch periods and during the senior high Curriculum Night. In addition, North Hills Senior High students collected more than $180 for the American Red Cross during lunch period collections. • North Hills School District employees held a “Denim Day” to benefit earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. As a result, staff members donated more than $2,250 to World Vision, Pittsburgh.
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IN Ross Township
North Hills celebrates Music in our Schools Month he North Hills School District is celebrating nationally-recognized “Music in our Schools Month” with a series of concerts and performances showcasing its elementary and secondary programs. The month-long celebration began with the choral concert, “Around the World in a Song,” on March 4, which featured the 4th through 12th grade choral ensembles. Members of the Children’s Choir, 7th Grade Chorus, 8th Grade Chorus, Freshmen Girls Choir, Junior High Concert Choir, High School Symphonic Choir and Jazz Choir shared music from various cultures in several different languages. In addition, the event featured a special performance by the World Drumming ensemble, which is comprised of students in grades 7 – 9. The North Hills Junior High and Senior High Jazz Bands hosted the 15th annual Mardi Gras celebration on March 5. The event, which features music from the junior and senior high school jazz bands, is a fundraising event to support the North Hills music commissioning series.
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The month also highlighted several instrumental ensembles. Students in the district’s strings program performed during the Orchestra Night concert on March 9. The concert featured students in the elementary Strings program, Junior High Orchestra and Senior High Orchestra. The March 11 event, “BandO-Rama,” included performances from the junior high Beginning Band, Cadet Band, Varsity Band, Concert Band, as well as representatives from the senior high bands. North Hills Senior High School will present the musical, “Beauty and the Beast,” during the weekends of March 18 – 20 and March 25 – 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the North Hills Senior High auditorium, 53 Rochester Road in Ross Township. The last week of March features two band concerts – the Senior High Bands Winter Concert and the elementary Bands Spring Concert. The Senior High concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 29. The elementary Bands Spring Concert, which features students in grades 4 – 6 from all six elementary schools,
begins at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 31. Both concerts will be held in the North Hills Junior High auditorium, 55 Rochester Road in Ross Township. Admission is free and open to the public. March has been officially designated by MeNC: The National Association for Music education for the observance of Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM®), the time of year when music education becomes the focus of schools across the nation. MIOSM began as a single statewide celebration in 1973, and has grown over the decades to encompass a day, then a week, and then in 1985 to become a month-long celebration of school music. The purpose of MIOSM is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children – and to remind citizens that school is where all children should have access to music. MIOSM is an opportunity for music teachers to bring their music programs to the attention of the school and the community and to display the benefits school music brings to students of all ages.
Two named National Merit Finalists wo North Hills Senior High School seniors were recently named National Merit Finalists by the National Merit Scholarship Program. Julieta Gomez-Frittelli and Kelsey Nurmi were recognized for their academic performance. “Being named a National Merit Finalist is one of the highest academic achievements available to high school seniors,” Mr. Patrick Mannarino, North Hills Senior High principal, said. “Julieta and Kelsey, as well as their families and teachers, should be very proud of this outstanding accomplishment.” In September 2009, Julieta and Kelsey were among the school’s three National Merit Semifinalists and 10 commended students based on their top performance on the PSAT/NMSQT®. As semifinalists they had the opportunity to submit their application, transcripts, letters of recommendation and an essay in order to compete for a finalist position. Of the 1.5 million entrants, 50,000 students with the highest scores qualify for recognition in the National Merit Scholarship
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Program. The top one third (approximately 16,000 students) are notified that they have qualified as Semifinalists – 15,000 of which earn the designation of Finalist. As Finalists, Julieta and Kelsey are being considered for more than 8,000 merit scholarship awards offered by colleges, foundations, corporations and the not-for-profit National Merit Scholarship Corp. itself. Students are notified of scholarship awards beginning in March and continuing to mid-June.
“Being named a National Merit Finalist is one of the highest academic achievements available to high school seniors.” Mr. Patrick Mannarino Principal, North Hills Senior High School Spring 2010 | IN Ross Township
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North Hills School District
n Kicke t r a g r e Off d n i K set for March 26th indergarten registration for the 2010-11 school year will be held from 4 – 8 p.m. on Friday, March 26, 2010, at McIntyre elementary School. All incoming kindergarten families should register during this Kindergarten Kick-Off event. Completed registration packets will be processed and elementary principals, school nurses, and other staff will be on-hand to answer questions and address concerns. In addition, junior and senior high school students will entertain incoming kindergarteners with organized activities. Kindergarten registration packets are available from any of the district’s elementary schools or in the lobby of the district’s Administration Center, 135 Sixth Avenue in Ross Township. Packets may also be downloaded from the district’s website at www.nhsd.net. The packets provide necessary forms as well as information regarding required documents – such as proofs of residency and health immunizations – for kindergarten entrance. The North Hills School District is in the process of redistricting its elementary school boundaries to the new four-school configuration that includes Highcliff, McIntyre, Ross and West View elementary schools. School assignments will not be known until a final redistricting plan is approved by the school board, which is expected in mid-March. Students registering for kindergarten must be five years of age before Sept. 1, 2010, to be enrolled for the 2010-2011 school year. For more information regarding Kindergarten Kick-Off, contact Dr. Marilyn J. Cain, Director of elementary education and Professional Services, at 412.318.1006 or email cainm@nhsd.net.
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orth Hills Junior High School is currently processing new student registration for students entering grades 7-9. Information pertaining to registration as well as required documents are available on the district website www.nhsd.net. Registration is accepted by appointment only. Please contact Nataly Price, Central Registration Clerk, at 412.318.1045 or via email pricen@nhsd.net. Appointments are available Monday – Friday from 7:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m. at the district’s Administration Center, 135 Sixth Avenue in Ross Township. Students entering ninth grade are required to complete a math placement exam to ensure proper course assignment. This exam will be administered at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 31st at the junior high school. Families will receive additional information following the completion of the registration materials. Ninth grade student/parent orientation for those new to the North Hills Junior High is planned for April 16, 2010.
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The Strength of UPMC’s Advanced Care Is Right Here With the addition of advanced specialty services and technology over the past several years, UPMC Passavant is hurdling well beyond its historical role as a traditional community hospital. We’ve built a team that includes world-renowned physicians; we’ve invested in clinical innovation and research that will change the face of tomorrow’s treatments; and we’ve transformed our campus by adding a new, seven-story pavilion that enhances our cardiac, spine, and cancer capabilities. As a result, our patients can now find the strength of UPMC right here in the premier hospital north of Pittsburgh.
It adds up to strength you can count on: • More than 400 open-heart surgeries performed each year • Specialized treatment for pulmonary hypertension and congestive heart failure • One of the region’s busiest spine programs, with more than 1,000 spine procedures performed last year alone • Minimally invasive spine procedures, which typically allow for a smaller incision, shorter hospital stay, and quicker recovery time • A UPMC Cancer Center on-site that has tripled in size (second largest next to Hillman Cancer Center) • Nine surgical, four medical, and two radiation oncologists on-site • Six new, high-tech operating suites, custom-designed to provide patients with the highest level of care
Specialized Emergency Care At UPMC Passavant, we realize that not all emergencies are the same. That’s why we’ve worked to reengineer our ED to feature three levels of emergency care: • Acute and critical care areas, designed specifically for patients needing more advanced care, have been built near the ambulance entrances, allowing our team of emergency experts to assess and treat our patients faster. • Our new "Fast Track" area provides triage, quick assessments, and discharges for patients needing minor treatment, such as stitches or an ankle wrap. • We’ve also added a designated area for critical heart patients and a new space for our stroke telemedicine program. For more information about the UPMC Passavant difference, please go to www.upmc.com/passavant.
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www.UPMC.com/Today
We’ve transformed our campus by adding a new, seven-story pavilion that enhances our cardiac, spine, and cancer capabilities.
North Hills Athletics
North Hills scores in athletics n the North Hills School District, the 2009-10 school year has brought success in the classroom as well as on the athletic field. The following is a brief listing of some of the athletic accomplishments of North Hills’ student athletes:
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• Congratulations to the North Hills Senior High School girls’ varsity basketball team for earning a spot in the WPIAL playoffs. The team last made the playoffs in 1999. • The boys and girls varsity cross country teams had outstanding seasons – earning several individual and team honors. The boys’ team finished 8th in the commonwealth with several top finishes including Joe Kush, 5th; Juris Silenieks, 13th; and Zack Hebda, 27th. Joe Kush was named first team all-state, and Juris Silenieks second team allstate.
Cameron Weber, Ben Amrhein and T.J. McElwaine posted their 100th win on the same day during the Chartiers Valley Duals in January. The team finished its season 17-8, the second most wins in school history. • Seeded 12th in the WPIAL playoffs, the North Hills varsity football team made it to the semifinals by defeating fifth seed McKeesport and fourth seed North Allegheny.
The girls team finished 9th in the State in 2009. Individually, Margo Malone finished 5th; Shannon Malone, 11th; and Emily Enzerra, 101. Margo Malone was named first team all-state and Shannon Malone second team all-state. Four runners were named AllState for 2009: Joe Kush, Juris Silenieks, Shannon Malone and Margo Malone. • The North Hills varsity wrestling team qualified for the WPIAL playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. In addition, three North Hills varsity wrestlers reached 100 career wins. Seniors
Pride... Tradition... Excellence Spring 2010 | IN Ross Township
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North Hills School District
staff news
North Hills teacher earns National Board Certification North Hills School District teacher recently earned National Board Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Shannon Shannon Diven Diven, a sixth grade teacher at West View elementary School, successfully completed the rigorous assessment process. “Achieving National Board Certification is a rigorous process that requires a significant commitment,” Dr. Joseph Goodnack, superintendent, said. “Mrs. Diven is to be commended for her dedication to providing the highest quality instruction for students in the North Hills School District.” National Board Certification is a voluntary assessment program designed to recognize and reward great teachers—and make them better. While state licensing systems set basic requirements to teach in each state, National Board Certified Teachers have successfully demonstrated advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices. Certification is achieved through a rigorous, performance-based assessment that typically takes one to three years to complete. As part of the process, teachers build a portfolio that includes student work samples, assignments, videotapes and a thorough analysis of their classroom teaching. Additionally, teachers are assessed on their knowledge of the subjects they teach. “The process allowed me to closely examine my own teaching practices and evaluate what I was doing on a daily basis to ensure student achievement,” Mrs. Diven said. “It encouraged me to plan lessons that were cross curricular in nature and better suited to the needs of all the students in my classroom.” Mrs. Diven graduated from edinboro university of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in elementary/early childhood education. In addition, she earned a master’s degree in reading from
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Duquesne university. She has served as a North Hills teacher since 1998. Mrs. Diven earned National Board Certification as a generalist/middle childhood. In a congressionally mandated report, the National Research Council confirmed that National Board Certified Teachers advance student achievement and learning, stay in the classroom longer, support new and struggling teachers and assume other school leadership roles. The NRC acknowledged that students taught by National Board Certified Teachers make higher gains on achievement tests than students taught by non‐board‐certified teachers. “I’m a big fan of National Board Certification….What if every child had a chance to be taught by a National Board Certified Teacher? I think the difference it would make in our students’ lives would be extraordinary,” u.S. Secretary of education Arne Duncan said. “As we move forward on this turnaround agenda nationally, I would love for National Board Certified Teachers to be at the forefront of that movement.” Mrs. Diven brings the total number of National Board Certified Teachers in North
Hills School District to seven. There are currently 639 National Board Certified Teachers in Pennsylvania and more than 82,000 nationally. Pennsylvania ranks 15th nationwide in the number of teachers achieving board certification this year and ranks 21st in the total number of National Board Certified Teachers. For more information about the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and National Board Certification, visit www.nbpts.org. National Board Certified Teachers: • Mrs. Mardy Byrnes, West View elementary School • Mrs. Shannon Diven, West View elementary School • Mrs. Jennifer DiPasquale, North Hills Junior High School • Mrs. Jessica Friedrich, West View elementary School • Mr. Stephen Garcia, West View elementary School • Mrs. Jackie Karenbauer, North Hills Junior High School • Mrs. Amy Myers, West View elementary School
Assistant principal appointed to Ross Elementary for 2010-11 arc Thornton, who currently serves as principal of Seville elementary, has been appointed assistant principal for Ross elementary for the Marc Thornton 2010-11 school year. He will assist Principal David lieberman while the school is temporarily split between Northway and Perrysville elementary schools as the Ross facility undergoes an extensive renovation. “Mr. Thornton has provided exceptional leadership at Seville elementary School,” Dr. Joseph Goodnack, superintendent, said. “As assistant principal, he will provide stability and support to Ross elementary students, families and teachers during this time of transition.”
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Mr. Thornton was named principal of Seville in August 2009, which is a one-year appointment as the school will close at the conclusion of the current school year. Previously, he served as a learning support teacher at North Hills Senior High School since 1999. He completed his bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from the university of Pittsburgh and earned a master’s degree in education of the mentally and/or physically handicapped from the California university of Pennsylvania. In addition to his teaching duties, Mr. Thornton served as the assistant director of the district’s alternative education program for four years and has served as curriculum leader for the district’s special education department. Mr. Thornton was selected as one of 30 semifinalists in the 2010 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year recognition program.
School Board College Board recognizes Members senior high teacher North Hills teacher Recognized has been named a
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2010 Advanced Placement Program Outstanding Teacher, Middle States Region, by the College Board. Mr. Jerry White, a senior high gifted education teacher, is Jerry White one of three regional awardees and the only teacher in Pennsylvania to receive this honor. each year the College Board recognizes those who have demonstrated leadership and service in the field of education. “Jerry White is a staunch advocate for increasing rigor and expanding Advanced Placement opportunities for our students in all disciplines,” Patrick Mannarino, North Hills Senior High principal, said. “His commitment to improving teaching and learning make him the ideal recipient of this honor.” Mr. White has served as a teacher in the North Hills School District for more than 30 years – moving from the science classroom to gifted education in 2007. In addition to his role as a gifted education teacher, Mr. White continues to teach College in High School Organic Chemistry and serves as curriculum leader for 7-12 science, a position he has held since 1997. Mr. White was nominated for the AP Award by Mr. Fredrick ebert, a North Hills Senior High chemistry teacher. “The most impressive and unselfish gesture that Mr. White has made was his move to the Gifted and Talented education Department. He felt that he could benefit a wider range of students, as well as faculty members, by being a mentor,” Mr. ebert said. “Mr. White’s clear and consistent success has made him the perfect role model for students and teachers alike.” The College Board’s Middle States region includes Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the u.S. Virgin Islands. The College Board is a not-for-profit association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Among its best-known programs are the SAT, the PSAT/NMSQT and the Advanced Placement Program. 2010 AP Award winners were recognized during the Middle States Regional Forum in February.
embers of the North Hills School Board were recognized on Jan. 18, 2010, by a group of students representing each of the district’s eight schools. led by senior Paul Shields and junior Ashley Mittereder, two of the school board’s student representatives, students presented each board member with a book that had been purchased in his/her honor. All books will be placed in school libraries throughout the district. The Pennsylvania School Boards Association declared January as School Director Recognition Month, a time to spotlight the contributions of public school board members. The theme for this year is "educating for Success – Inspiring excellence!" The following is a list of school board members and the books that were selected in their honor: • North Hills School Board The Big Book of Jobs by McGraw-Hill • Mr. Robert Barto The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan
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• Mrs. Arlene Bender Olivia Forms a Band by Ian Falconer • Mr. Tim Burnett Crash by Jerry Spinelli • Mr. Thomas Kelly Years of Dust: The Story of the Dust Bowl by Albert Marrin • Mr. Jeff Meyer The National Parks: America’s Best Idea by Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns • Mr. louis Nudi Truce: The Day the Soldiers Stopped Fighting by Jim Murphy • Mrs. Kathy Reid Greatest Moments in Sports by len Berman • Mrs. Sharon Schrim Dream: A Tale of Wonder, Wisdom & Wishes by Susan Bosak • Mr. ed Wielgus Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Journey to Change the World by Greg Mortensen (Adapted by Sarah Thomson) • Mr. Michael Witherel, solicitor Oxford Guide to United States Supreme Court Decisions by Kermit Hall and James ely Jr.
Logo selected for statewide conference logo created by a North Hills Junior High teacher has been selected by the Pennsylvania Art education Association to represent the organization’s annual conference. Art teacher Matt Simon submitted the winning entry. Mr. Simon’s logo will be featured on all conference materials as well as PAeA’s website, www.paea.org.
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The statewide conference will be held in October 2010 in Pittsburgh. Mr. Simon holds a degree in fine arts from Indiana university of Pennsylvania as well as certification in art education from Carlow university. A resident and graduate of the North Hills School District, Mr. Simon previously worked as a graphic designer.
Spring 2010 | IN Ross Township
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North Hills School District
Redistricting vote set for March 15
Verizon grant to improve teaching and learning orth Hills School District is one of only 11 districts in Pennsylvania and the only school district in Allegheny County awarded a Verizon Foundation Grant for 21st Century Teaching and learning Initiatives. North Hills will receive $20,000, the largest amount awarded to any school district in the commonwealth. The Verizon Grant will provide North Hills teachers access to an array of new educational resources to help them develop mathematics and literacy courses. Teachers will receive training on Pennsylvania's new Standards Aligned System (SAS) ed Portal and the use of Verizon Thinkfinity (www.thinkfinity.org), the Verizon Foundation's comprehensive educational Web site. The mathematics and literacy lessons developed by the teams will be aligned with Pennsylvania's new SAS. “This is a great opportunity for our students, our teachers and the entire North Hills School District,” Dr. Joseph Goodnack, superintendent. “The Verizon grant will provide the necessary resources to further improve teaching and learning.”
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The Verizon Foundation and the Pennsylvania Department of education announced the grant recipients during the department's using the Standards Aligned System to ensure 21st Century Teaching and learning Institute. earlier this year, the Verizon Foundation, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of education, issued a request for proposals, allowing school districts across the state to compete for grants from the foundation totaling more than $150,000 for training on Pennsylvania's new SAS and Verizon Thinkfinity resources. "We were pleased with the number of innovative proposals submitted by schools across Pennsylvania, but even more impressed with the commitment by teachers to participate in this endeavor," said Gale Y. Given, president, Verizon Pennsylvania. "Thinkfinity and Pennsylvania's new SAS provide educators with tools to help them prepare students for future academic success. The Verizon Foundation is thrilled to support educators in their quest to challenge students to reach even higher goals."
North Hills School District joins Facebook orth Hills School District has expanded its communication efforts to include a Facebook page. Founded in February 2004, Facebook is a social utility that helps people communicate more efficiently with their friends, family and coworkers. “Social networking sites – like Facebook – are valuable tools for communicating with our community,” Tina Vojtko, communications coordinator, said. “We need to continue to find new ways to push information out to our constituents in ways that fit their lifestyles.”
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The number of Facebook users doubled in 2008 with the fastest growing demographic being those over age 30. Currently, more than 60 percent of the nearly 95 million Facebook users in the united States are between the ages of 25 and 64. According to Facebook, the average user spends more than 55 minutes on Facebook each day. Facebook users can become “fans” of the district’s page by logging in to Facebook, searching “North Hills School District,” and clicking “Become a Fan” at the top of the page.
he North Hills School Board is poised to approve an elementary redistricting plan during its meeting on Monday, March 15, 2010. During the March 1 work session meeting, a majority of the board indicated its support of the School Board 1 redistricting map. The map, based on the philosophy of moving as few students as possible, moves nearly all of the Seville area into Highcliff elementary. under this plan, 60 percent of Perrysville will attend Highcliff, 20 percent will attend Ross and the remaining 20 percent will attend McIntyre. Perrysville and Seville elementary schools will close at the end of this school year. In addition to Perrysville and Seville students, approximately 30 other students will change schools under this scenario. letters will be mailed to all elementary families in April confirming each student’s school assignment. Tours and/or open houses will be scheduled for all four elementary schools prior to the start of the school year. For the most up-to-date information on redistricting, visit www.nhsd.net.
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Alumni marching band reunion set for Sept. 11 – Band Festival ust off the instrument, find that senior flag and majorette baton and plan to reconnect with your band friends and family at the North Hills Alumni Marching Band Reunion on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010. This alumni band event will be held in conjunction with the annual North Hills Marching Band Festival – which is celebrating its 50th year and is the longest running festival in the region. The first reunion even was held in 2007. The 260-member North Hills Alumni Band made its debut performance at Martorelli Stadium during the 47th Annual North Hills Marching Band Festival. Alumni traveled from 17 states as well as New Zealand to participate in the inaugural event. “What a wonderful celebration of over seven decades of the West View/North Hills High School Band legacy,” Areta Kalogeras, retired marching band director, said. “It was ‘Pride, Tradition and excellence’ at its best!” Marching band members from the 1940s to the present are invited to participate. For more information, contact Ms. Areta Kalogeras at aretak108@comcast.net and join the growing NH Alumni Band group on Facebook.
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Butler County, PA A Different Kind of Vacation icture green trees and beautiful buds. Springtime in Butler County is a time for defrosting and new life. The freshness of spring is wonderful reason to get out and dig in to Mother Nature! Travelers are now looking to get more out of their vacations – they want to get their hands dirty and maybe learn something while doing it. You’re invited you to do that in Butler County!
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Wake up. A Butler County experience begins right when you wake up. Camping sites are available for anyone, from primitive tenting areas to cabins complete with amenities. And then there’s another choice – a farm stay. Butler County has traditional bed and breakfasts sprinkled across the area’s charming and quirky small towns. But there are also a few bed and breakfasts that will let you pitch some hay and get a glimpse of farm life. You can even befriend an adorable alpaca!
If your idea of getting out is hitting the greens, fear not! Butler County has plenty of golf courses. And with our Golf Trail Card, you can receive buy one get one green fees! Just go to www.VisitButlerCounty.com to sign up for free! Dig in. There are plenty of other activities you can dive into! ever tried extreme croquet? Do you know how to make wine or brew beer? How about blacksmithing or woodworking? You can do all of those in Butler County! You can also learn how to cook, pair wines with food, or all about teas and their history. There are about a dozen golf courses in the county and if you’ve never played, you can take lessons. Visit a museum or experience life on an 18th century farm. Create jewelry from attractive
beads; try your hand at glassblowing; test out toys; paint your own pottery… the list goes on. If you were wondering what there is to do in Butler County before reading this article, hopefully you’re aware now. Despite the lack of a typical tourist attraction, like a beach, mountains or theme park, Butler County holds a lot of small treasures. These treasures make the area perfect for a weekend getaway to escape from life’s pressures. Another (and possibly one of the most important) reasons a Butler County vacation is different, is that it’s affordable. Chances are you can make the trip on less than a tank of gas. And we urge you to do so! This Industry Insight was written by the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau.
Chow down. From quaint cafés to fancy restaurants, there is a little bit of everything in the food department. eaters on a budget and those looking to splurge can both find an eatery to satisfy their needs. While chowing down, you can drink up, too. The county has three wineries and a microbrewery. Don’t forget one of the season’s most tempting options – fairs and festivals! A full calendar of events is available to give you the where and when; but believe us, there are plenty of chances to indulge in funnel cake and cheese fries. Get out. When there isn’t something on the calendar, we urge you to get out and explore the county’s wonderful green space. Go birding or hiking at Todd Nature Reserve or along the North Country Trail; take a guided hike or participate in a nature program at Jennings environmental education Center; or go geocaching and biking along the ButlerFreeport Trail. last but not least, Moraine State Park (Pennsylvania’s #1 State Park) offers just about every outdoor activity imaginable: biking, birding, boating, disc golf, fishing, geocaching, hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, swimming, wildlife watching and windsurfing. Spring 2010 | IN Ross Township |
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by Jonathan Barnes
s the remaining winter days dwindle and the weather mellows, green-thumbed folks itch to get out and do a bit of digging in the dirt. So even before buds shoot from vegetation that’s been asleep all winter, many folks don their boots and gloves to put spades into the soil, or take clippers to the shrubs. They should remember that completing yard maintenance tasks is just half of the work needed to have a fresh and vibrant yard. With yard maintenance, timing is everything, since completing yard chores at the proper times is almost as important as doing them, if you want to get the full benefit from the work. Doing certain tasks at the wrong times can do more harm than good. experts sometimes vary on when or how often they prefer to prune shrubs, mulch flowerbeds or re-seed lawns and do other common yard maintenance tasks performed in springtime. But most landscape pros agree that not completing yard maintenance tasks could haunt a homeowner when the weather is nice.
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Greening lawns Proper lawn maintenance early in the year can help ensure that in the dog days of summer, family and friends will be barbecuing, playing and lounging on a soft green carpet of grass, rather than scuffing around on a ragged lawn riddled with brown spots and bare spots. Creating or maintaining a verdant lawn doesn’t have to be a difficult task, if you plan wisely. Regular maintenance is necessary, though, because a lawn left unchecked can soon become a dandelion-clover-infested unsightly mess. So plan ahead, and stick to a schedule of yard maintenance that begins each year in the spring. Begin with the lawn care. 26 724.942.0940 to advertise
| IN Ross Township
Start the process by warding off crab grass through a treatment to inhibit the weed’s growth, said George Girty, owner of library-based George Girty landscape and Design. “Once crab grass is growing, you can’t kill it,” Girty said. “Put down a pre-emergent crab grass control in March or April… If you don’t do it, you’ll probably have to live with crab grass until you can apply the treatment in the fall.” Crab grass control comes in granular form and as a liquid. The treatment works to inhibit growth of the weed when it goes to seed at different times of the year. Cleaning out the dead stuff is key to maintaining an attractive yard, be it a tree, or shrub, but especially with a lawn. Marco Viglio, owner of Wilkins-based Viglio landscaping, likes to dethatch and re-seed his clients’ lawns in springtime in order to start the lawn’s growing season off strong. “De-thatching gets all the dead thatch out and then you seed right into the lawn. That new seed helps to thicken up the lawn,” Viglio said. When re-seeding a lawn, it is important to use the most appropriate seed. Viglio and Girty both recommend using the brand Penn State Mix because it is made for this climate and its soil, which has a heavy clay content, and also because the mix is resistant to dry seasons. William Dugan, owner of Finleyville-based Wm. “Dirt” Dugan landscaping, prefers a seed mix that is a three-way blend of Perennial Rye, which is compatible with a lawn made up of mostly Kentucky Bluegrass, he said. Both types of seed mix are available at Home Depot and other garden stores. Southern grass seed varieties, such as Zoysia Grass, should be avoided when seeding or re-seeding a lawn, local experts agree. Zoysia Grass is drought-resistant, but it stays green for only about five months, browning out for the winter after the first frost. It also is an invasive species that is hard to contain once it is well-established. The best time to seed a lawn is from mid-April to mid-May. Soil temperatures at that time of year are warm enough to germinate seeds, and it’s not going to be too hot or too dry for seed growth. A good rule of thumb for applying seed for a new lawn is nine pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet. After seeding, cover the seed with mushroom manure, peat moss or straw, and water the lawn once or twice a day for up to two weeks. The idea is to keep it moist. After two weeks, water it every other day, and cut the grass once a week.
blooming s ummer Yard-lovers should not apply crab grass control if they plan to re-seed the lawn, because crab grass control will kill a lawn.
Mulching, Pruning & Fertilizing In spring, homeowners also should start to fertilize their lawns with a fertilizer of high potassium content, for healthy root development. This should be done in early May, Girty said. Girty and Viglio both recommend using the widely popular fertilizer Milorganite. It’s an organic fertilizer with a high potassium content (for root development), and a lot of nitrogen for good green color. Girty said it’s crucial to fertilize new lawns and lawns comprised of freshly installed sod. “They’ll check out without the help,” he said. In preparation for the bursts of seasonal color that happen in Spring, homeowners should pay attention to their flowerbeds, which may look bedraggled from winter. usually, Viglio edges flowerbeds for his clients in springtime. It’s one way that he works to clean up the contours of yards. He also mulches flowerbeds at that time, because his clients prefer that he do so and because spreading a fresh layer of mulch over the beds brings back the color in those beds and spruces up planting areas. Mulching also controls the weeds in the flowerbeds and helps to retain moisture. Standard mulch is double-shredded hardwood bark, and usually goes for $15-$25 per yard, picked up. Triple-shredded mulch runs $18$30 or more per yard. Dyed mulch costs even more, but since it is chunkier, it retains its color and can last two or three years. Dugan shies from the brighter-colored mulches. “Anything in the outdoors should be subtle,” he said. Trees and shrubs in the yard should be inspected for damage, with dead growth and “dieback” parts of the plant removed. Roses, which are pruned in fall, also are pruned in spring because they usually have winter dieback. That pruning will ensure that the bush grows properly and looks good as it’s blooming. With rhododendrons, azaleas and other spring-blooming broadleaf perennial bushes, there is a six-week window after blooming during which these plants can be cut back. Pruning these bushes later will result in decreased blooms later in the yard, or worse yet—no blossoms at all. “You can’t see the flower buds, but you’re cutting them off,” Dugan said.
Hay Sing om
oss Township ADVERTISE HERE Please email
marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com or call
412.445.6683
Spring 2010 | IN Ross Township |
www.incommunitymagazines.com 27
Question and Answer
with a Vein Specialist
hen people at my son’s school, at parties or even at sporting events find out that I specialize in venous disease I often find myself being flooded with a variety of questions. There is a reoccurring theme to these questions so I thought it might be helpful to answer a few.
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Do I have to have bulging veins like I see in pictures to get my legs evaluated? No, since most veins lie deep to the skin surface, vein disorders are not always visible to the naked eye. A physical examination teamed with a diagnostic ultrasound should be used to determine the condition of the veins. The ultrasound examination gives us a real time and detailed view of the patients’ varicose vein system. Patients are often surprised to see how extensive and complicated their varicose veins are. What are some symptoms of venous disease? Not everyone has visible symptoms of venous disease. For some patients, their only indicator is the aching they have in their leg or legs. For other patients, in time, their varicose veins can become enlarged and in some cases, quite
prominent. They can be seen in some individuals as ropey or raised lumps in the thighs, legs, calves and ankles. Other symptoms of venous disease include pain, aching, fatigue, heaviness, cramping, throbbing, itching, burning and swelling. Symptoms of venous disease may worsen with standing or walking for prolonged periods. Many patients state that after shopping at Walmart or Costco their legs are “killing them”. Severe venous disease can compromise the nutrition of the skin and lead to eczema, inflammation or even ulceration. Who suffers from venous disease? I often hear that patients think that the pain, aching and swelling of their legs is just a part of “getting older” because they remember their mother or father having the same complaints. Although age is not a determining factor, heredity is the number one contributing factor in venous disease, followed by gender, with women being more likely to suffer from venous disease than men. Who should I talk to about my complaints? I will often use the analogy “when your car is making a funny noise, you would take it to your
mechanic, not your hair dresser.” As with any medical condition you should have your complaints evaluated by a physician. I advise patients to see a physician who specializes in venous disease, known as a phlebologist. Phlebology is recognized by the American Medical Association and is the field of medicine that focuses on veins. A board certified phlebologist should determine if you have venous disease, determine severity if disease is present and develop a treatment plan. As with many medical conditions there is a spectrum of disease as well as treatment options. Therefore, it is important to seek the help of a specialist who is well rounded in their knowledge of the entire field of phlebology as opposed to just one treatment option. What are the health implications of venous disease? Implications widely vary, based on the patient and the extent of disease. Varicose veins can cause a range of unsightly nuisances to medical problems including leg and foot ulcers, spontaneous bleeding, superficial thrombophlebitis (clots in the veins causing painful inflammation) and even deep vein thrombosis which is potentially life-threatening. Does insurance cover the treatments? When a patient comes for the evaluation of their complaints, their visit is covered, just as if they were going to their primary care physician for an office visit. If a patient has a co-pay, deductible or co-insurance that would, as in any doctors visit, be applicable. If a patient’s insurance requires a referral for a specialist then that would be required for their visit to the Vein Institute of Pittsburgh, because I am a general surgeon. This Industry Insight was written by Lisa Kay Salser. Terrance R. Krysinski, MD General Surgeon Board Certified Phlebologist Vein Institute of Pittsburgh 724.934.VEIN (8346)
28 724.942.0940 to advertise
| IN Ross Township
SPRING
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inner is... W l a d Me The 2010 Caldecott Medal winner is The Lion & the Mouse, illustrated and written by Jerry Pinkney (Little, Brown and Company Books for Young Readers). The screech of an owl, the squeak of a mouse and the roar of a lion transport readers to the Serengeti plains for this virtually wordless retelling of Aesop’s classic fable. In glowing colors, Pinkney’s textured watercolor illustrations masterfully portray the relationship between two very unlikely friends.
2010
Hey kids- swing
by the library to check out the new Caldec ott Medal Winner! The Caldecott M edal was named in hono r of nineteenth century English illus Randolph Caldec trator ott. It is awarded annual ly by the Association for Libr to Children, a di ary Service vision of the American Librar y Association, to the artis distinguished Am t of the most erican picture book for childre n.
on the go...
Spring 2010 | IN Ross Township |
www.incommunitymagazines.com 29
Calling All Scouts!
Snow Fun!
How big are the faces?
11 ft
60 ft. 21 ft
18 ft
Z A S O I D U T S A N M 5 7 7 1 2 Y L P E
T N G T P J I Y N O N E 7 2 6 4 2 U K L G
A M A U K I J I S G G T 9 9 5 9 3 P B I D
O G B E T R K R D J H I 4 1 7 1 5 O V J I
G E C O S Z E T I M A N Y D O I R H B F L
N X D I S F O O Y C J A P I P G O J N C O
I Z G L F G G N U V U R L I L C O K C B O
A I I E D J H O I B I G M U G V S L Y A C
T F J L D O I P E Z F V M F C L E D O M Z
N R J A D P U J K R D H U N V N V S P E S
U E L F C N O H J X O N O C B O E A L R T
O E P S A K P G T H S M I P Z I L G B I I
M D N I C M H D R W A S H I N G T O N C B
C O M O E V S A A R X V G S C N C Q S A L
G M R I R X R B M T C O H G U X B I A J L
K R E M M A H N N M V P K S I R V O U F I
I J J P U C T S T N E D I S E R P P I D R
P S N L O C N I L L M R L S R E K R O W D
Heads: approximately: 60 feet.
MOUNTAINGOAT
ROCK
1941
MODEL
Nose: Washington s is 21 feet the rest are
STUDIO
JEFFERSON
RUSHMORE
BORGLUM
GUTZON
TRAM
WASHINGTON
AMERICA
Eyes: approximately 11 feet wide.
JACKHAMMER
DYNAMITE
ROOSEVELT
FREEDOM
Mouths: approximately 18 feet wide.
LINCOLN
GRANITE
COOLIDGE
HAMMER
PRESIDENTS
1927
DRILLBITS
WORKERS
approximately 20 feet.
30 724.942.0940 to advertise
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“My husband and I had lived in our home for 41 years. Once our children were grown, it was too large for us. We planned together to move to Vincentian Villa independent living community, and when he passed away I was so glad we’d made this decision together. The location is perfect for me – it’s right in the community where I live. And it’s sponsored by a name I know and trust.” – Rose Marie Hogan, resident of Vincentian Villa
Planning for Future Health Care Needs Allows Seniors to enjoy Today Have you ever asked yourself these questions? Or thought about them for a parent or loved one? Could I stay independent longer if all my living space were on one floor? My family are scattered across the country, maybe if I didn’t have such a large house to take care of I would have more time to visit them? What if I experienced some sort of traumatic accident, how would I ever begin to choose a nursing home to go to if I required that service? Could I remain independent longer if I had a shower with a molded seat and grab bars instead of trying to step into and out of my tub? I don’t want my family to have to worry about me; what can I do now to insure that they will not bear this burden?
a safe, secure continuing care Vincentian Villa is a new North Hills independent living community for ages 60+. Just off McKnight Road at Babcock Blvd, Vincentian Villa sits on 16 peaceful acres and offers 24 apartments and 40 patio homes – all brand new 2 bedroom, 2 bath units with integral garages and patios or balconies. Discover the security, peace of mind, and pleasant surroundings found at Vincentian Villa. Apartments and patio homes are still available, but filling fast. Call 412-364-6592 today to schedule a tour and learn more!
What is a CCRC? According to www.helpguide.org, a Continuing Care Retirement Community, or CCRC, is a residential community for the remainder of one’s life, with a choice of services and living situations. Seniors can move between Independent living, Assisted living, and Nursing Home or Rehabilitation Care and back again, based on changing needs at each point in time.
Could a CCRC be right for you?
Sometimes the first step to your future begins by taking a look at your life realistically, considering your immediate needs as well as planning for possible future needs, and making changes and adjustments to allow those transitions to happen as smoothly as possible. There are many different types of CCRCs available and many different payment structures based on services provided. Shop around, do your homework, ask questions, talk to friends, and investigate your options as you choose which CCRC setting may be right for you. But here’s a general idea of what to expect: • Coming to live at a CCRC allows you to be as independent as possible for as long as possible. The amenities included support your current independent lifestyle by providing access to medical/hospital services, family, church life, community activities and community shopping, more. • As needs change, you can continue to remain in your new independent living home by adding individual services that allow you to age safely in your home. • If you are unable to return home, you have the security of knowing that you’ll receive the services you require from a organization you’ve selected in advance, whose reputation stands for not only quality of care, but also compassionate care. By moving to a CCRC like Vincentian Home’s independent living community, Vincentian Villa, you take the worry out of your future, allowing you to focus on the present. This Industry Insight was written by Donna Sell.
Donna is the Manager at Vincentian Villa, the independent living community for Vincentian Home, a Continuing Care Retirement Community in the North Hills. 412364-6591 or dsell@vcs.org
Vincentian Villa is a project of Vincentian Home, a trusted name in quality living since 1924 Spring 2010 | IN Ross Township |
www.incommunitymagazines.com 31
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
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Do you know someone who is serving in the armed forces from the SV area? We would like to honor their commitment by featuring them in SV Magazine.
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HIGH SCHOOL REUNION?
Please forward your name, the soldiers name and where they are serving, along with a photo to marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com
Are you planning a High School Reunion? Let us know!
Help us recognize these fine men and women!
We'll post your contact information so that your classmates can get in touch!
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| IN Ross Township
“My doctor told me I can treat my fibroids without a hysterectomy.” — Tanya, age 43
Heavy Periods? Pelvic Pain? Frequent Urination? Constipation/Bloating? You might have uterine fibroids Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that grow on or in the muscles of the uterus (womb). At least 25 percent of women in the U.S. have fibroids. Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is a safe, non-surgical procedure for treating uterine fibroids and providing symptom relief.
• No surgery • No general anesthesia • Overnight stay • Covered by most insurance plans
For more information contact:
866-241-7215
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oss Township