WINTER 2011
pper St. Clair COMMUNITY MAGAZINE
safety-driven
IN Upper St. Clair is a non-partisan community publication dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the Upper St. Clair 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.
INSIDE
IN Upper St. Clair | WINTER 2011 |
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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Northwest Savings Bank Local Loan Experts ................................... | 13 Louis Certo, MD FACS EVLA Minimally Invasive Procedure Brings Immediate Vein Relief ..................... | 66 ON THE COVER
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Toni Shelaske of Healthy Pet Products and her dog, Meg. Cover photo by Gary Yon.
Dr. Anna Wooten The Eyes Have It ...................................... | 68 Bob & Lori Santo
WINTER 2011
Brain Development at Young Ages ............. | 70 Health and Wellness News You Can Use
BundleUp,Baby
Bill Engel
Remember how Mom made you bundle up before going outdoors in the winter so you wouldn’t get sick? She was right. So be sure you dress for the weather — and that means covering your head, ears, mouth, and hands.
Keeping Our Heads .................................. | 73
Turn to page 4 to learn why your ears, nose, and throat need extra care in winter.
Dr. Daniel Rairigh What’s Inside page 2
UPMC Now Offers Imaging Services in West Mifflin
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When Your Body Talks ... Be Sure to Listen
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Make a Date with Your Doctor Three Cheers for Your Ears, Nose, and Throat
page 5
Technology for 21st Century Hospitals
page 6
Taking on Tourette Controlling a life in motion at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
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Changes Continue to Transform UPMC Mercy Emergency Dpeartment
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© 2011 UPMC
Straighter Teeth in Six Months ................... | 76 SPOTLIGHTS
Metro Restoration Cleaning Service, Inc. ................................... | 45
FEATURES
Healthy Pet Products – My Story Towards Making a Difference ............................................................
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Fun Winter Activities in Upper St. Clair ........................
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Southpointe Chiropractic & Fitness ......................................... | 71 Massage Envy .................................... | 74
New Law Brings Changes to Earned Income Tax Collection in Upper St. Clair .............................................
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USC Teacher Spotlight: Mr. Brad Wilson .......................
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USC Teacher Spotlight: Mr. Eric Magliocca .................
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USC Soccer Teams Claim Gold – Boys & Girls Teams Win WPIAL Championships ...............................................
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A Travel Writer Comes Home .............................................
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UPMC Today | Health and Wellness News You Can Use ...........
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Caring Choices for Senior Care .......................................
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Houses of Worship ...............................................................
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Special Value Coupons .......................................................
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COMMUNITY INTEREST
safetydriven learn more on page 5
safety-driven
f Peoples Natural Gas – more than 650 strong – are bringing a new sense of energy to Western
Peoples Natural Gas is embarking on an extensive program to Safety is the number one priority of Peoples Natural Gas. Every day, we modernize our infrastructure. More than $100 million will be invested strive to keep our customers, our employees and our communities th Peoplesto now fully Pittsburgh and territory. run, decisionssafe. areHere being madeWords locally -- with eye replace pipelines throughout our based 16 county service are 3 Sensible about Natural Gasan to help keep you In 2011 and 2012, this means replacing 40 miles of old cast-iron and your family safe. pipes wherever they exist. This year and next, Peoples Natural Gas Natural gas leaks are rare. But they can happen. Your senses will the energy future of the region. We're making $100 alert million in infrastructure, service and is hiring 60 new pipeline workers. And, we’ll need to employ almost you if a leak occurs. as many local contract workers. Last year, we brought back 200 jobs to SIGHT the region. These are not temporary jobs, but360,000 family sustaining ades to better serve our more than customers. Customer is becoming fully Escaping gas service affects the nutrients in soil, so discolored jobs – the type of jobs that generations build on. soil or dead vegetation near a pipeline may indicate a leak. Through the end of 2012, you will see Peoples Natural Gas Dirt or water blowing up from the group may indicate a a dedicated new hard service staffed bybe experienced peoplenatural whogasthoroughly know the region employees at workcenter on this project. They will working leak. in the snow and sun to improve the infrastructure for our SOUND communities. Our goal is to replace all the cast iron pipe in Our vision:our toentire help Western Pennsylvania move jobs serving our Natural gas new leaks may makeand a hissing or a high-pitched system. This is an extensive project and we will needforward by creating whistling noise. Noises will vary based on the line pressure. your patience and understanding as we work to complete it. In 2010, Peoples Natural Gas was purchased from an IN THE PHOTO J I M M ILLER / CUSTOMER SERVICEMAN t's a commitment we're proud to make. SMELL out-of-state company. We are now a Western Pennsylvania A strong odor of natural gas can indicate unburned fuel in managed company. All our management lives in the region. the air. Because the gas is odorless, a sulfur based odorant Our sole priority is serving our local communities. Our new is added to give it a rotten-egg smell that warns of its company has refocused its total efforts right here. This pipeline presence. Be alert for this odorant or any petroleum smell. replacement program is the first major construction initiative If you believe a natural gas leak is occurring, leave the area of Peoples Natural Gas and it has been made for your safety, immediately and notify Peoples Natural Gas by calling and the need to modernize our infrastructure for the future. 1.800.400.4271.
y o u r e n e r g y p a rt n e r
peoples–ga s.com
Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 5
pper St. Clair PUBLISHER
Wayne Dollard
Welcome to the Winter issue of Upper St. Clair magazine. I hope you and yours had a wonderful fall, that the kids transitioned back to school well, and that you had an opportunity to catch a few Steelers games along the way. We all view winter differently – some see it as the holiday season, some see it as the gloomy period when we put away the swim trunks and patio furniture. Others see it as thei r opportunity to break out the skis and sleds and hit the slopes. No matter how you view it, winter is a time when we have to be the most diligent, despite our mood about snow, or our preoccupation with playing in it, for those who need us the most – our seniors. While it’s hard enough for many of them to get around in good weather, the winter months can be a trial of terror for the elderly. Who’s goin g to shovel the snow? How will I get groceries? Will I be home before it’s too dark for me to see the road well enough to drive? And for those who have transitioned to assisted living facilities, the questions might be of an altogether different, but equally unsettling nature. Will anyone visit me for Christmas? Hanukkah? New Year’s? These are our mothers, fathers, friends and neighbors, and they don’t like to ask anything of us. But they need us just the same. I know the economy is bad, and I’m not saying go out and spend money you can’t afford, but going caroling with a church group, or visiting someone who has no one is free to us all. Chances are, you’ll not only put a smile on their face, you’ll be giving them something money can’t buy – the feeling that someone cares. Have a joyous holiday and a happy New Year!
MANAGING EDITOR
Marybeth Jeffries marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com REGIONAL EDITORS
Mark Berton [South and West] mark@incommunitymagazines.com Dana Black-McGrath [North] d.mcgrath@incommunitymagazines.com Monica L. Haynes [East] m.haynes@incommunitymagazines.com OFFICE MANAGER
Leo Vighetti leo@incommunitymagazines.com AD PLACEMENT COORDINATOR
Debbie Mountain d.mountain@incommunitymagazines.com GRAPHIC DESIGN
Cassie Brkich Anna Buzzelli Sharon Cobb Susie Doak
Jan McEvoy Joe Milne Tamara Tylenda
WRITERS
Heather Holtschlage Leigh Lyons Joann Nase
Pamela Palongue Gina Salinger Judith Schardtr
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Wayne Dollard, Publisher
Brad Lauer Kathleen Rudolph
Gary Yon
PROOFREADER
Rachel Maize ADVERTISING SALES MANAGERS
As the holiday season approaches, I hope you’ll step away from the list making and cookie baking for just a few minutes to enjoy the information we have compiled for this winter edition of Upper St. Clair Magazine. Our goal in offering you this magazine, is to provide a bit of insight into the community. Some of our most interesting features focus on residents and their passion in all things “community. ” As you are going through your busy days (and holiday parties) please don't forget to let us know about any person or organization who you feel would be interesting for us to write about. We get some of our best story ideas and are so inspired, by our readers! We are so looking forward to providing this community with another year of wonderful stories and features! I want to personally thank our advertisers for continuing to whole heartedly support our magazine, and you, our readers for keeping in touch. Your letters and emails letting us how we are doing have been uplifting and very helpful. We are proud to be able to highlight some of the good will and charitable activity that seems to flow from this community. It is amazing and awesome! From all of us at Community Magazines, we hope your holiday will be filled with a good dose of peace, a little bit of joy and surrounded by the love and companionship of those who mean the most to you.
Marybeth Jeffries
Managing Editor
Derek Bayer Tom Poljak
Tamara Myers
ADVERTISING SALES
Bruce Burkley Brian Daley Gina D’Alicandro Tina Dollard Karen Fadzen Julie Graff Jason Huffman Lori Jeffries Connie McDaniel Brian McKee Gabriel Negri
Aimee Nicolia Robert Ojeda Ralph Palaski Annette Petrone Vincent Sabatini Jennifer Schaefer Michael Silvert Karen Turkovich RJ Vighetti Nikki Capezio-Watson Sophia Williard
This magazine is carrier route mailed to all district households and businesses. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Copyright 2011. CORRESPONDENCE Direct all inquiries, comments and press releases to: IN Community Magazines Attn: Editorial 603 East McMurray Road McMurray, PA 15317 Ph: 724.942.0940 Fax: 724.942.0968 www.incommunitymagazines.com
Spring content deadline: 2/8/2012
Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.
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GARY YON
who I am and why I write these articles. While operating my own pet sitting business over an eight-year period, I became increasingly concerned about the various health afflictions that I was seeing in my customers’ dogs and cats. The list of ailments appearing over and over again included allergies, itchy skin, ear infections, autoimmune disorders and a multitude of other problems. I began researching these health concerns and discovered that every symptom seemed to point to food and environment. This made perfect sense because I am a firm believer that we are what we eat. It is apparent that our beloved pets are what they eat as well. I had to do something! Coincidentally there was a local store up for sale that only sold natural pet food and treats. I bought the store in order to spread the word about how important it is to feed quality pet food to our pets. I adopted Meg on February 12, 2002. The Animal Rescue League thought she was around 6 months to a year old. I didn’t know about raw feeding or “what’s really in grocery store kibble” till about 6 months after adopting her. There we were heading down the conventional road of low quality kibble, treats and conventional medicine. Fortunately, I was in the right place at the right time. I walked into a grooming shop to inquire about their services. Literally, as I walked in I witnessed the owner giving her dog a raw chicken leg. I flipped out and said, “Are you crazy? You are going to kill that dog. Dogs can’t have RAW chicken bones!” The owner proceeded to tell me about raw feeding and it was as if someone flicked a switch on in my head. It made total sense to me that this is their evolutionary diet and what they should be eating for optimum health. I immediately went and bought the recommended books and began feeding Meg raw. One day Meg was eating Purina One and the next day raw! And, are you ready for this, NO DIARRHEA! I am so thankful I did. I don’t have a tear jerking life saving story to tell. What I can say is Meg is different. She has boundless energy spending her days chasing moles, squirrels and chipmunks and often catching one! Her coat is soft as angora, which is the first thing people mention when meeting her. Meg has the clearest eyes, cleanest teeth and ears, is
GARY YON
am sure many of you have wondered who I am and what my background is that I think I can sit here and write about pet health and wellness. I don't have any letters trailing after my name after all, “What could I possibly know?” I hope the following will help explain
GARY YON
lean and muscular. Most people think she's about 3 years old when meeting her and she's around 10! Since then I have been doing research on basic pet nutrition and the pet food industry. I have found that many of the ailments our pets are suffering from these days can be greatly improved or completely eliminated with premium pet foods, raw feeding and supplementation (and do I dare mention less vaccinations). My true passion in life is to reach as many people as I possibly can to help them to understand what better nutrition can do for their pet and in turn do for them. I hope you stop in sometime soon to meet Meg, myself and my staff and see what we can offer your pets. North Hills: 9600 Perry Highway Town of McCandless, PA 15237 412.366.0700 Our second location now open at: Crossgates Plaza 1742 Washington Road ( next to Model Cleaners) 412-831-3700 www.healthypetproducts.net
Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 9
Fun Winter Activities in Upper St. Clair
By Leigh Lyons
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or a township that was dubbed one of the “Best Places to Live” back in 2009 by CNN Money magazine, Upper St. Clair does not disappoint when it comes to what it has to offer its residents. From top ranked schools and excelling athletic teams, to all of the new features at the Community Recreation Center on Mayview Road, it seems as though everyone can find something to be excited about within the township. One of the perks of living in the northeast United States is the fact that there are, usually, four distinct seasons. The spring is enchanting and hints at the hot summer to come. The summers are hot without being overwhelming. The fall is crisp and beautifully colored. And the winter is unpredictable, to say the least. The last few winters in this area have been reminiscent of those back in the 1990s with plenty of piled up snow, and free snow days for the kids. Some residents choose to visit the South Hills Village Mall, or maybe see the latest hit movie, or stay inside and do an activity like bowling; however, there are plenty of fun outdoor winter activities to participate in on those snow days as well. The obvious snow day activity is sled riding, which is enjoyed by kids and adults alike. Luckily, in Upper St. Clair, the residents have a variety of options to pick from when
choosing the optimal sled riding spot. The overwhelming favorite sled riding spot in Upper St. Clair is the Upper St. Clair 3-hole golf course hill located on McLaughlin Run Road right before the high school. The 3-hole golf course hill is perhaps the longest, and steepest, sled-riding hill in Upper St. Clair. On any given snow day the hill will have dozens of happy sled riders zooming down it. This hill takes work though. The trek up the hill is no jaunt; it is a 15-minute hike at a fairly sharp angle to reach the top. But the effort is rewarded with the view from the top and the fast, fun ride all the way to the bottom. Young children are often seen being dragged to the highest point by their parents because of the steepness of the hill. This hill is definitely worth the exercise put out by scaling it tirelessly for the ride down. Other popular sled-riding hills in the Upper St. Clair area include Tustin Park on Lesnett Road, and the Upper St. Clair Country Club hills. Besides sled riding in the winter, Upper St. Clair residents have other fun outdoor winter activities to choose from as well. Once a fresh layer of snow has fallen, the Upper St. Clair high school turf football field becomes a different type of powder puff arena. Kids and adults alike can enjoy a game of pick-up snow football where the tackles are cushioned by the powdered snow
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below. If the high school turf is already taken, check out the new turf field at Boyce Middle School. If the snow and winter temperatures are just a little too much, but being active is still important, call the Upper St. Clair Tennis Hut and reserve one of the tennis bubbles for a game with a friend. For a small fee, residents can enjoy an outdoor activity such as tennis without enduring the freezing temperatures outside. Another interesting activity in the area is hiking. Head up to the Community Recreation Center on Mayview Road to hike the forest trails in the winter snow. The Boyce Mayview Park and forest trails are a great way to explore the landscape in our area during the winter. Another chance for the family to spend some wintertime together, but in the comforts of being inside, is at the “Family Prom” held at the recreation center on February 10, 2012. The family can dress up, take a family photo, and enjoy some dancing and quality time together. Although golf is not typically seen as a winter sport, so to say, check out the 3rd Annual Chili Golf Classic on January 28, 2012 at the Upper St. Clair 3-hole Golf Course. Participants will get a chance to tee off against frigid air and putt through frosty greens. Registration begins online
December 1, 2011. The best part about winter is doing things that normally cannot be done without the snow. Sometimes the best ideas are the most creative ones that people don’t normally think to do. Snow golf is a prime example of taking something that is not normally done in the winter and putting a twist in it to add a whole other level of excitement and fun. These are just some suggestions of fun activities to do this upcoming winter season, but creativity and family friends are really the key to any fun winter activity. With any activity though, no matter the season, remember to act responsibly, especially when sled riding. The hills, especially at Tustin Park, often have roads near the end of them with car traffic. Take necessary precautions to ensure that your winter activity is safe and responsible. With any outdoor winter activity, make sure to dress appropriately and not stay out too long. When doing anything physical such as sports and sled riding, don’t forget to hydrate and eat something before the activity. Even though sled riding is extremely fun, energy is still being exhausted from the body. And last but not least, don’t forget to let loose and have some fun. Enjoy all the various activities and settings that Upper St. Clair has to offer!
The Christmas that Almost Wasn't: 2001! By Oren Spiegler, Upper St. Clair resident On 24 December 2001, my then-fiancee Colleen and I were returning home to the Pittsburgh area after a holiday visit with her parents and brother in Philadelphia. Awaiting us here were my beloved mother and my precious collie, Cami. We left Philadelphia in mid-morning, allowing plenty of time to enable us to arrive home before dark, and to spend time with our loved ones in Pittsburgh. While driving on Interstate 476 in the Philadelphia area, we suffered a flat tire. Regrettably, neither of us was able to change it. I went to the nearest pay phone to call AAA (today, we always have a cell phone when on the road), and before a serviceperson could arrive, a good Samaritan stopped. He graciously mounted the small spare tire, the type which is not intended for extensive driving. I attempted to give him $20 for his trouble, but this kind soul would not hear of it, saying, “Just have a Merry Christmas.� We started driving to an auto repair facility to have a new, regular-size tire installed, and after a few miles, before we could get there, the spare tire went flat. We waited by the side of the road for AAA again. While we were waiting, countless individuals stopped to ask what was wrong, and what they could do for us, which under the circumstances, was nothing. I called a Pep Boys store nearby and asked what would be the latest one could come in that day to have a tire installed, and was told 4 p.m. After waiting for more than an hour in the cold for AAA to arrive, we were towed to Pep Boys and the car disengaged from the truck. When we got to the counter before 3, we were told by the service manager, who would not look at us, that it was too late for tire service. I told him that we had been told that the store would accept customers for tire service until 4. He disavowed that information, stating that the facility was too busy to do the work. Despite our pleadings that we would be stranded in Philadelphia over Christmas if he would not help us, he refused to relent. I saw that there was a Firestone store across the road that appeared to be open. I went out to the tow truck driver, who was still present, and asked if he could tow us to another facility down the road. He said that he could not help us, as he had other calls, but that he would eventually try to return. Of course, by then, it would be too late. I slowly drove to Firestone on a flat tire, and encountered a service manager who was an angel. He agreed to help us! I overheard him on the phone speaking to his wife, advising that he was going to be home later than expected, as my wife and I had arrived in desperate need of service, and he could not refuse us. He also delayed the departure of his service technician so that we could get on the road with four roadworthy tires. Although we did not arrive home until 10 p.m., far later than we had hoped and planned for, it was a most joyous holiday. I had never been so happy to see my mother and my dog! During our Christmas holiday that almost wasn’t, I encountered some of the worst in humanity and some of the best, which enabled our unwelcome 2001 Christmas Eve adventure to have a happy ending! Mother would be alive for just three more holiday seasons after this, making our 2001 late Christmas Eve reunion cherished all the more.
Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 11
Vicki Zotis is Fudge-a-Licious By Leigh Lyons Upper St. Clair resident Vicki Zotis loves fudge. Who doesn’t? But Mrs. Zotis has taken her love of chocolate and fudge to a new level by starting her own company called Victoria’s Fudge-a-Licious back in September of 2009. Mrs. Zotis has lived in Upper St. Clair with her husband, Nick, and two children, Megan and Nicholas, for 23 years now. She has always been a working mother as she has worked as an orthodontist’s assistant for 30 years, but more recently, she has explored the entrepreneurial side of herself. Mrs. Zotis’ husband’s family owned a local candy shop up until the late 1990s called Belmar Candy, so the business has always been in this family’s blood. Mrs. Zotis and her husband took some of the old Belmar recipes, and added some of their own creativity and spark to come up with Fudge-a-Licious. Starting your own business, especially in a recession like the one facing the nation right now, is daunting to say the least. To counter the economic frustration of starting a new business today, Mrs. Zotis says that creating and working for her own company “isn’t just work, it’s a passion.” Out of Vicki’s passion and family history came Victoria’s Fudge-a-Licious. The whole family is involved in the business in one way or another, and it keeps the Upper St. Clair family close. Vicki credits her husband, Nick, as being “a huge help to the company.” She says, “He loves meeting new people, customers, and potential buyers for our fudge.” Vicki describes her daughter, Megan, as being “a very artsy young lady.” Megan’s day job is to be in charge of the visual merchandising at Old Navy, but she helps out at the company by designing labels and other graphics that they may
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need. To complete the family dynamic Vicki’s son, Nicholas, is studying entrepreneurial management at Duquesne and uses his education to constantly come up with new ideas on how to further Victoria’s Fudge-a-Licious. The company started out modestly a few years back by attending only a few local farmers markets, but due to the hard work of Vicki and her family, the company is now in about 15 retail locations throughout the Pittsburgh area, including the Carnegie Museum. Right now, the fudge company is in the midst of its “busy” season, and Vicki describes that they are “frantically trying to keep the shelves stocked,” with the holidays coming up. Victoria’s Fudge-a-Licious has many attributes that a local small business needs to survive and thrive in this economy today. The company “prides itself on putting out a quality product that everybody loves and wants to keep buying,” Vicki says. Another quality that this fudge company has is superior customer service. There is always a friendly face waiting to greet you at a farmers market Fudge-a-Licious stand. Vicki and Nick don’t employ others to sit there and sell their fudge; they are out there promoting their product as a family team, and welcome every potential customer with a smile and a genuine greeting. Not to overlook the fact that they offer over 10 different types of delicious fudge year round, plus special holiday flavors as well. As the company expands in years to come, Vicki is starting to cut back hours at her longtime job at the orthodontist’s office. She hopes that one day the fudge company can grow large enough to support her whole family. After all, that’s what Vicki and her family are all about: family.
Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 13
By Amanda S.F. Hartle
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or as long as some Pennsylvania residents can remember they have sat down four times a year and filled out a small postcard. This small postcard asked you to list your wages, calculate approximately 1 percent of your earnings and mail a check to your local earned income tax collector in your community municipal building. But in 2012, every Upper St. Clair Township taxpayer can cross one more chore off their to-do list thanks to a new state mandate. Beginning Jan. 1, all employers who have work sites in the commonwealth are required by Act 32 of 2008 to withhold all earned income taxes from every employee. And all employees have to do is make sure they have filled out a residency certification form. “The legislation affects every single municipality and school district in Pennsylvania,” says Mitch Hoffman, local government policy manager at the state Department of Community and Economic Development. “That in itself is huge. In addition, it also affects every single taxpayer and every single business that operates in Pennsylvania.”
Earned income taxes have been a fixture in Pennsylvania since 1965. At the time, state lawmakers imposed the levy to allow local entities such as school districts and municipalities to raise more funds. “It provided an avenue for local taxing bodies to impose a tax to help fund their operating costs, and it was only imposed on people who actually had earned income, not those who were retired or were not working,” says Hoffman. Earned income tax is unique to Pennsylvania. Neighboring states have similar structures in place, but they are not identical. In theory, the tax is simple. Anyone who works in the state pays on average a 1 percent tax four times a year. Some townships, boroughs and school districts tax a bit higher and some a bit lower. And to pay their bill, an employer could withhold the tax from an employee’s pay or the employees themselves could calculate their tax and send it to their local earned income tax collector. But from the start, issues arose. Pennsylvania has one of the highest numbers of local municipalities in the country, and at one point, there were up to 560 different earned income tax offices in the state, says Hoffman. “It was very fractured and very convoluted. There was no consistency in collections, no consistency in annual returns and no consistency in transfer of records from one tax collector to another.” Confusion about where to send taxes also abounded for companies that are headquartered out of state but have a plethora of work sites and thousands of employees in Pennsylvania. “Many of these companies did withhold the tax, but with so many different
collectors it was difficult for them to comply with all the expectations,” says Hoffman. The cumbersome structure also was not attractive to new business endeavors as it created one more regulation interested companies had to comply with when they opened a site in Pennsylvania. Within decades, people started to question the structure used to collect earned income tax.
By 2002, various organizations sought change and restructuring. Their pleas were supported by a study commissioned by the Pennsylvania Economy League among other entities. The study found that millions of dollars across the state were not being accounted for correctly and millions of potential tax dollars were not being collected at all. The actual amount always remained uncertain, says Hoffman. “I talk to employers every day who have had work sites in Pennsylvania for years and have never collected the tax. We are not just dealing with Pennsylvania businesses though, this hits businesses across North America.” Change was slow to come, but in 2008, state lawmakers passed Act 32 and its effects were so far reaching it gave local municipalities and school districts three years to implement its regulations. Under the new law, the burden related to the tax has shifted from employees to their employers. Every employer in Pennsylvania is required to have each employee fill out a one-page local earned income tax residency certification form by year’s end. On the form, employees list their address, municipality and county of residence. This information matches to a municipality specific code ensuring the tax dollars are automatically withheld and end up at the correct tax collector. Throughout Pennsylvania, except in Allegheny County, earned income tax collector positions were eliminated or altered as taxes will go to a county level tax collector chosen by a tax collection district made up of representatives from every municipality and school district in the specific county. In Allegheny County, four collection districts were chosen to better serve the area’s unique demographics, says Hoffman. “The four collection districts are separated by the rivers. Allegheny County is different than anywhere else in the state due to its diverse populations and number of corporations.” In addition to the more centralized structure, the law has other oversight and accountability features. There are explicit time frames set out for the distribution of dollars as well as training and certification for all tax officers. There also are penalties for late payments and annual auditing, says Hoffman. “All of these are built in to guarantee the amount of monies being collected are collected properly, remitted properly and distributed properly.” Filing returns also will be more uniform throughout the state. “Some local returns were several pages, some half a page and some had none at all. Now there is a standard form for all of Pennsylvania and all the tax collectors are required to use it. We now have consistency.”
Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 15
For the fourth consecutive year, St. Louise de Marillac School has combined fundraising and healthy competition for the students to fuel one of the largest fundraisers the school has each year. The Race for Education was developed in 2002 as a new and exciting way to raise money for St. Louise School. Since that time and with the addition of
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incorporating the school’s Physical Education program, they have seen large gains not only in fundraising, but also with the overall health and wellness for the students. This event is a celebration of the students and the school, while at the same time the goal of raising $65,000 will help to cover the operating costs of St. Louise School.
412.221.2248 724.745.7422 www.colemanmitchell.com info@colemanmitchell.com
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Don’t Forget It’s Time to Tune Up Your Heating System PA6846 Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 17
By Leigh Lyons
Upper St. Clair High School Class of 2002 College Attended: Slippery Rock University Degree Attained: Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education Social Studies Graduate School Attended: Gannon University Graduate Degree Attained: Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction
Ft. Couch Middle School, Upper St. Clair School District 7th Grade Social Studies/Humanities Team 2 The John F. Kennedy assassination George Washington – “He demonstrated through his actions that his number one priority was to do what was in the best interest of the country, not a political party.”- Mr. Wilson
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Upper St. Clair
PowerPoint Special Effects “Black, white, and a little bit of red…”- Mr. Wilson (From Home)Steak Salad; (From the School Cafeteria)Mexican Pizza Football “Probably football, but I like to compete in everything, including: basketball, ultimate Frisbee, and dodgeball to name a few”- Mr. Wilson 7th grade Ft. Couch Middle School football; previously was a high school varsity baseball assistant for 5 years “In college, I organized, as a member of the baseball team, an intramural dodgeball team that won 5 consecutive championships.” - Mr. Wilson
Mr. Wilson says that he was fortunate enough to have many wonderful teachers and mentors while growing up, and attending school, in Upper St. Clair. He felt connected to a lot of his teachers but remembers specifically enjoying those who were energetic and passionate about the subject that they were teaching. Because of this, Mr. Wilson models himself after those energetic and passionate teachers in the hopes of connecting with, and inspiring, more of his students as well. Mr. Wilson says he knew by his junior year in high school that his calling was in teaching. After graduating from Upper St. Clair high school in 2002, Mr. Wilson went on to Slippery Rock University where he pursued his degree in secondary education social studies. While at Slippery Rock, Mr. Wilson also played for his university’s baseball team. Mr. Wilson kept in mind throughout his studies at Slippery Rock the reason why he wanted to be a teacher. “The opportunity to help kids who are growing up to fully accomplish their goals in life and to be ‘successful’ in whatever positive way they define success is the epitome of why I wanted to be a teacher,” Mr. Wilson says. After graduating from Slippery Rock University, Mr. Wilson began teaching at Upper St. Clair’s Ft. Couch Middle School. He wanted to keep up his energy and enthusiasm for the subject he was teaching and basically taught himself to become more technological while asserting his lessons. “I am relatively new to being a technology guy and I have taught myself how to use most of the programs that I use/teach in class,” Mr. Wilson says. Technology is a growing tool throughout the United States, and especially in the Upper St. Clair School District. Technology is unbreakably interconnected into the lives of everyone nowadays, especially students. Mr. Wilson wants to use the student’s interest in technology to grab, and hold, their attention to the subject matter. And when asked what Mr. Wilson believes to be a guiding thought that he lives by, and what he hopes his students will live by, he responds, “Your choices, both big and small, will determine who you become in the future. Choose to be great.”
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“During Activity Time, I love dominating the students at foursquare and ping pong. In three years, I have never lost!”- Mr. Magliocca Gold Steak Tennis Tennis Ft. Couch Middle School, Upper St. Clair Language “In high school and college, Arts I planned on earning a Team 4, the International masters degree in Working film/media. I fell in love with Mr. Duchi, Mrs. Conn, and with teaching, however, and Mrs. Lowell. that seemed to make all the difference, but like Frost’s Grammar poem, ‘The Road Not Taken,’ I’ll never Rebecca by know.” Daphne - Mr. duMaurier Magliocca
Mr. Magliocca says he had many wonderful experiences while growing up in Upper St. Clair, and especially values the education he was given by attending Upper St. Clair schools. He cannot choose just one single favorite teacher because he “had so many great teachers at Upper St. Clair.” Mr. Magliocca went on to say, “It would be unfair to name one, for each of them nurtured my potential and taught me to expand my ways of thinking.” After graduating from Upper St. Clair high school, Mr. Magliocca went on to attend Washington & Jefferson College where he believes he met the most important educator to him. “The most important educator to me was a brilliant college professor of English named Dr. Tara Robbins Fee. She challenged me more than anyone and made me believe in myself when it came to formulating ideas and offering literary criticism. The most productive year of my life, 2008, was made possible through her guidance and positive attitude.” At that point in his life, Mr. Magliocca did not realize he wanted to become a teacher. He still had planned on attending graduate school for film/media, but the idea of teaching came, gradually. “The idea came to me over time, but I suppose it was solidified in 2008 when I was invited to observe Mrs. Dillie (a third grade teacher at Baker Elementary School) in her classroom environment,” Mr. Magliocca says. “She allowed me the opportunity to help teach her students. Before that observation I was still submitting clips of writing to newspapers and magazines and feeling rudderless in terms of the direction that my career would take. But after that visit to Mrs. Dillie’s class, I felt such a connection to the students and the art of teaching that I walked away knowing that I wanted to be a teacher.” That was the moment when Mr. Magliocca knew he should pursue getting his M.A.T. and eventually becoming a teacher. After attending the University of Pittsburgh to obtain his M.A.T., Mr. Magliocca was hired on as a language arts teacher at Ft. Couch Middle School and has been there ever since. Mr. Magliocca is in the middle of his third year of teaching at Upper St. Clair. Since becoming a teacher he has never looked back and loves the challenges that teaching presents. Mr. Magliocca’s favorite part about teaching language arts is that it requires flexibility. “Grammar should not be taught the same way as writing, nor should reading be taught the same way as poetry,” he explains. “The sophistication and the nuance to be constantly switching gears and wearing different hats is what I love about the profession. But if I had to select a favorite unit within language arts, I would have to choose poetry.” Why poetry? “Poetry gives the students the chance to express themselves in more unique, creative ways. From writing their own poems to teaching one to the class, I allow the students to really take charge of their own ideas and their communication of them,” Mr. Magliocca describes. And when asked what Mr. Magliocca has learned in his past few years teaching at Ft. Couch Middle School, he responds, “Success requires someone else’s help. No one amounts to anything alone, and as a teacher, I feel my job is to help each student maximize his/her potential. It’s important to challenge them, to make them understand that it’s OK to make a mistake, and then to help lead them down a path where the choices they make in life are hard because the options are so good.” He wants to do his job so that students see him as someone they can count on for years to come. Mr. Magliocca says, “Sure, you only teach these kids for a year, but if you do it well, you can be a role model for a long, long time.”
Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 21
club’s first organizational meeting took place in February 1949, and after receiving three acres of land on Edgewood Drive, the plans were put into place to build a clubhouse. We have come a long way since that first meeting, and I have been fortunate to have a very cooperative board that meets every month throughout the year to plan upcoming activities for the good of the group.” When the club was founded in 1948, the first president, Mrs. William F. Goffe Jr., presided over a group that consisted of three book departments, one of which began the USC Library; a music department that promoted all fields of music through high school, college, and in the community; and a drama department that put on skits and short plays for local hospitals and nursing This is according to Jean O’Connor of Mt. Lebanon, who joined the group in homes. With the help of the local Boy Scouts, the club’s garden department January of this year, thanks to the built a nature trail and hosted flower persistence of a friend. shows and seminars for the community. “My friend was a member and I Today, the club has three main joined her at some of the club’s prior events,” O’Connor said. “After attending departments: Book Club, also known as the Literary Ladies; Drama, and a couple of events, she asked that I Today’s Living, which consists of become a member, which I did, and I members who gather for outings to have never regretted it.” museums, shows and other points of Although the club still retains the interest throughout the area. “The women in the group have inspired me to do more activities than I would normally do on my own,” O’Connor said. “I look forward to all of the activities. This is a group full of intelligent, active women who are full of ideas for things to do.” This year’s theme for the club is HOPE, which stems, in part, from its motto: The great essentials of happiness are something to do, something to love and something to hope for. “Of all the forces that make for a better world, none is so powerful as hope,” Walters said. “With hope, one can think, one can work, one can dream. If you have hope, you name of the community in which it have everything.” was founded, members, like O’Connor, Not only does the club spread the do not have to live in Upper St. Clair. Take Natalie Walters, for instance, who feeling of hope throughout its membership through its theme, it gives is this year’s president and lives in Canonsburg. This is Walters’ second run that feeling to local high school students as well through three $5,000 at the top position; the first was from scholarships, which are awarded 1997 to 2000. “I was privileged to serve as president annually. “The first scholarships were awarded when the club celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1998,” Walters said. “The in 1950 and were $50 each,” Walters The members of the Upper St. Clair Woman’s Club do not want to solve the world’s problems. They just want to have fun.
From left to right: Dorothy Holden, Woman’s Club; Jessie Klepsic, Angels for Animals; Peggy Wolstoncroft, Catholic Charities Health Center; Jean Brown, Upper St. Clair Historical Society; Eleanor Reigel, Executive Director, Ronald McDonald House; Natalie Walters, Woman's Club.
Top row, left to right: Scholarship winners for 2011, Sara Ann Payo, Kristen Collins, Katherine Thompson, Nicholas Holden. Lower row: Dorothy Holden, Joan Bogut, Doris Farmer, Joan Oliver, Natalie Walters, Jean O'Connor and Ann "Boo" Litton, Upper St. Clair Woman's Club.
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Upper UpperSt.St.Clair Clair
explained. “Currently, we award three $5,000 scholarships annually to USC High School seniors, or to our members’ grandchildren, who attend other schools, in addition to having donated more than $119,000 in the past two years to more than 70 charities.” The group meets once a month, on the third Tuesday, from September to May, except for November. The group used to meet at the clubhouse, but when that was sold in August 2007, they began meeting at Christ United Methodist Church in Bethel Park. There are five members on the executive board and representatives from each of the three departments. The total current membership stands at 81. According to Walters, there is no limit on the number of years that a woman can remain a member, although she becomes an associate member if she moves out of town, and still receive the club’s monthly newsletter. Dues are $50 a year. “I joined the Club in 1984, and at that time, we had a monthly bridge luncheon that I really enjoyed for many years,” said Linda Altopiedi, who is the club’s publicity chairperson. “But when we sold our clubhouse, we stopped having that event. For many years, the ladies of our club catered events such as weddings, showers, and anniversary parties to raise money to support our club and the cost of our clubhouse. It was hard work, though, and as time went on, the cost of maintaining our building took more and more effort and money. Eventually, we realized that we needed to put our beloved building up for sale.” But with events such as a visit from members of the Pittsburgh Symphony and the River City Brass Band, the club is not hurting for fun activities. It also boasts a calendar full of other fun activities, such as luncheons, bunco, holiday parties, dinners for members and couples, fashion shows and escape weekends. “I plan to remain a member for a long time,” O’Connor said. “We are a group of women who truly enjoy each other’s company.” For more information about the USC Woman’s Club, call Walters at 724.746.7163.
Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 23
USC Band
Parents Association For fans and spectators of Upper St. Clair High School’s football team, the Friday night football games provide them an opportunity to cheer the Panthers onto victory. And while the same can be said for the Upper St. Clair Band Parents Association it’s also all in a day’s work for this nearly 200-member group that is, in part, the reason the games are fun and exciting for home and visiting teams alike. “Ab out 40 members of our group are needed to work in various capacities during a typical Friday night football home game,” said Cindy Egeland, 2011-2012 president of the Band Parents Association. “Some of the responsibilities of our parents include walking with the band members to secure their safety, working in the concession stands, providing snacks and beverages to the band members and managing the band uniforms. Even
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the feather plumes that the students wear on top of their hats require special attention.” Egeland explained that the crew of game night chaperones changes each week, as does their duties, and although it takes a lot of work for each home game, it is well worth the fun and friendships. But the USC Band Parents Association does not stop working when football season is over. This organizati on, which began in 1957, shortly after the school opened and the band first started and earned non-profit status in 1988, does enough work for the school and band students to last the whole year through. “The Band Parents Association is open to all parents of band students as well as parents of students in other ensembles, including orchestra,” Egeland explained. “Our goal is simple – we
Upper St. Clair
provide support to the high school’s entire instrumental music program through a variety of ways, including the management of band uniforms and the purchase of major items, such as a band equipment bus. We also give student awards, host banquets and sponsor fundraisers.” Those fundraisers support a variety of expenses incurred by the band each year, including an annual trip to places like New York, Norfolk, and Nashville th at the band takes each spring. Every fourth year, the group goes on a “major trip,” which, for the past few years, has been to Disney World. Each trip coincides with competitions, music clinics, and of course, marching in a parade. In addition, the money raised from the fundraisers help defray the cost of food and beverages, which are needed each time the band marches, and other expenses such as the annua l band festival. There is no shortage of fundraisers that the students can participate in, and although participation is not mandatory, it does help them earn the money that is needed to cover the cost for the trips and other expenses. “Our most popular fundraisers are the hoagie sale, which occurs in August and February, and the citrus sale around November and December,” Egeland said. “The money that the s tudents raise is placed into their individual accounts, and they can pick and choose which fundraisers they would like to do.” When the weather is warm enough, some students also can choose to raise money by painting house numbers on the curbs of homes in the community, according to Egeland, but perhaps
the biggest source of funds are the sales from the concession stands, which go into the band’s general account. There are about 150 students in USCHS’s marching band, and parents are encouraged to join the BPA with the student’s first exposure to the band, which usually occurs during the spring before their freshman year when they attend a mini band camp at the high school. After the camp, the students ge t to march in the USC Community Day Parade and watch as hopeful leaders of the next year’s band try out and are ultimately chosen. A newsletter is then distributed to all of the band parents in July that contains a membership form that they can complete and return with their dues, which are $25 per year. Under Egeland’s leadership, the organization’s board members also made phone calls to all of the parent s of the eighth grade students encouraging them to join. “While parents of band students are not required to join the band parents association, it serves them and their children well if they do join,” Egeland said. “For instance, if a parent decides not to join, the child will not be able to obtain a subsidy for the major trip. Also, the parents will not get to chaperone or work in the concession stand, as it would breach our liability insurance policy.” Egeland’s three sons all were members of the band – Kevin, who is now a 20-year-old engineering student in the marching band at Case Western University, Karl, 17, a high school senior, and Kirk, 15, a sophomore – and her time with the band parents association has been a collective 12 years. “The USC Band Parents Association is a dynamic group that meets a wi de range of needs within the high school’s music department, and it has been a fun way to be involved in this valuable aspect of our children’s education,” Egeland said. “We also enjoy the interaction with other parents who support their children in this way.” Egeland explained that the president’s role is a three-year commitment. The first year is served as vice president, then president, and then servin g as an advisor the following year. In total, the board has six positions: advisor, president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and incentives, a position that tracks the individual accounts of the students who are fundraising. Getting involved with the band parents association is easy and is encouraged. “A ‘parent salute night’ takes place at the end of a summer band camp, during which booths are set up to recruit volunteers and a membership drive is scheduled for parents who want to become more active with the group,” Egeland explained. “We also have a Yahoo! Group email distribution that helps us solicit help when we need it.” For more information about the USC Band Parents Association, contact Egeland at 412. 835.5851 or email heritagefarm@verizon.net.
Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 25
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Upper St. Clair
n Saturday, November 5, both varsity soccer teams for Upper St. Clair were able to raise the prized Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (W.P.I.A.L.) trophy high above their heads, and claim their spots as 2011 W.P.I.A.L. Champions. When the Upper St. Clair boys and girls soccer teams won the W.P.I.A.L. title, it became only the fourth school in W.P.I.A.L. history to have both the boys and girls win soccer championships in the same year. It is only the second AAA school to achieve the difficult feat. Both teams are able to call themselves both section and W.P.I.A.L. champions this year, and 2011 will be added to both championship banners that reside inside the school’s gymnasium that bears the markings of past successful seasons in a storied athletic program. The Upper St. Clair girls soccer team defeated Peters Township 3-2 in the W.P.I.A.L. final in one of the year’s most intense, and exciting matches. The game solidified that USC and Peters were undoubtedly the top two teams in Girls AAA W.P.I.A.L. soccer, and it was as clear as the abnormally sunny November game day that it was going to take a special play for either team to be able to push past the other. The goal by USC defender Val Repischak was nothing short of spectacular, and was just what the Lady Panthers needed in order to push past rival Peters Township for the 3-2 win. Junior Carley Bogan, and senior Katey Woistman provided the first two goals for the Lady Panthers to get them to the point in the game in the second half where Val Repischak’s first varsity goal would prove to be game winning. Bogan was the team’s leading goal scorer and often exploited weaknesses in opposing team’s defenses with her skill and extraordinary quickness, and her play in the final did not disappoint. As a midfielder, Woistman wasn’t called on to provide goals in bunches; however, she often provided a goal when it was needed most for the team which was no different in the championship game. It was Repischak’s 40-yard bomb that was the nail in the coffin for Peters Township though. “It was my first varsity goal, and it was the most thrilling athletic achievement I have made in my high school career!” says Repischak. That goal provided the USC girls team with the 2011 W.P.I.A.L. championship, and the members on the team could not have been more excited about their accomplishment. Senior captain Megan Hindman believes, “Winning W.P.I.A.L.s was a huge and well deserved achievement for the team and it validated all of our hard work.” Hindman also noted that it was a complete team effort, and she gives a great amount of credit to her teammates that were not on the field, but perpetually supported the team through thick and thin. Another senior captain, Hannah Zangara, also provided much of the scoring punch for the Panthers this season. Zangara credits the team’s success to the fact that most of the players on the team this year had been playing together for years and they “knew how to work together to be the best team” they could be. The Lady Panthers were also known this year for playing 80 full minutes without letting their energy level down. Zangara says, “The team’s commitment to play each game to the end helped us to win a few really close games, and our resolve to never give up no matter what made a huge difference this year.” Fellow senior captain, Hannah Wilhelm, agrees with Zangara about the team’s work ethic. “We owed it to each other to put on the best possible performance so we could end our last ever W.P.I.A.L. run with a bang,” Wilhelm recounts. And end with a bang they did. The Lady Panthers then advanced to the state playoffs, where they strung together two solid victories against Penn Trafford and North Allegheny before meeting Peters Township again in the state semifinals. Peters Township was able to knock off the Panthers 1-0, thus ending the Lady Panthers remarkably successful season. For the 14 seniors who will graduate this year, they have certainly left their mark on the girls soccer program. They added another section championship, and another W.P.I.A.L. championship that adds to the fact Continued on page 28 Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 27
Continued from page 27
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that Upper St. Clair girls soccer has more W.P.I.A.L. titles than any other AAA school. Perhaps the most important mark the seniors have left on the program is that they have shown their team the way back to winning. Woistman notes, “I hope that my senior class has left the program showing the underclassmen that achieving your goals and having a successful season is very much a real possibility.” Junior Carley Bogan is looking forward to the challenge of repeating as W.P.I.A.L. champions next year. She says, “Now that we have had that experience of winning, and what it takes, I think that our competitive nature and team unity will be carried on and passed down to the younger players so that they are ready for next season.” The Upper St. Clair Boys soccer team had a familiar opponent as well in their AAA W.P.I.A.L. championship match. They defeated Peters Township for the third time this season to claim the championship. While Peters Township was hoping that the third time would be a charm in playing USC, the Panthers had another thought in mind. The Panthers struck first with a goal by senior Matt Kiernan with five minutes left in the first half. Peters Township netted an equalizer, and it took a goal by senior Mike Worthy to push the Panthers ahead 2-1 in the game. The goal came off of a long throw-in from freshman Garrett Blake. Blake’s throw-ins have been a special weapon for the Panthers this year, as any throw-in in the offensive third quickly became a scoring opportunity for them. The goal by Worthy proved to be the game-winning goal of the match, and Upper St. Clair won the W.P.I.A.L. championship. With seven seniors on this year’s team, the team had solid leadership as well as a plethora of skill and talent to carry them throughout the season. Senior captains Jesse Poljak and Mike Worthy made sure that the team’s work ethic was priority from the start. Poljak recounts, “The feeling we had last year after the loss to Central Catholic really drove us all year long. The attitude was always positive.” With the help of the other five seniors including Shane Heil, Nick Chesko, Steve Machi, Matt Kiernan and Dom Pezzone, Poljak believes that the team’s chemistry deserves a lot of the credit for the successful season. “Team chemistry was huge for us. One of the most important aspects of our team was that we had no one star player that we would assume would just get it done for us at the end of a big game. This made us develop great chemistry and a ‘never say quit’ attitude,” Poljak says. Of course Poljak is being modest because he, along with Worthy, Machi, and junior Kevin Muck, garnered All-Section honors this year for their play on the field. Worthy, Machi and Poljak also received All-W.P.I.A.L. honors, with Machi being named All-State as well. But the important aspect was that a new player stepped up whenever necessary in order to propel this team to an amazing 20-2-2 overall record and a W.P.I.A.L. championship. The boys’ journey did not stop after the thrilling victory over Peters in the W.P.I.A.L. final though, they also continued on in the state playoffs. They were able to defeat Allderdice in the first round and Erie Cathedral Prep in the second in order to advance to the state semifinals. It was in the semifinals where it took Upper St. Clair overtime and then a penalty kick shootout in order to defeat State College to advance to the state finals in Hershey. The game was deadlocked at 0-0 after 80 minutes of regulation and two overtime periods. The shootout was even tied after each team’s customary five player round. Freshman Robbie Mertz’s goal in the 8th round was the final go-ahead goal that USC needed to take the victory. Goalkeeper Joe Conlon played a great game, making 10 saves in regulation and timely, athletic saves in the penalty shootout round. The team was back in the state championship game for the third time in the past 8 years. Previously, they won back-to-back PIAA state championships in 2003 and 2004. This year they had to face an undefeated Conestoga team that had been perfect the entire season. The Panthers put up a great fight in the state final, and it took everything in Conestoga’s bag of soccer tricks to be able to get a goal past Conlon and the incredibly stingy Panther defense. “We had constant great vocal leadership from our center backs Mike Worthy and (junior) Wes Burdette,” commends Poljak. Although the ending wasn’t exactly what the 2011 USC Boys soccer team would have preferred, they still accomplished a great deal and had much to be proud of. Speaking of the journey to the state final, Poljak recounts, “It was definitely an awesome experience that I know we all won’t forget. We enjoyed all of the support from our parents and student fans, and had a lot of fun in Hershey even though we couldn’t get that last win.” The team this year, and the seniors specifically, will be leaving behind all the experience and wisdom gained throughout this magical season. The underclassmen were described as being so supportive of everyone on the team that Poljak believes that they wanted the W.P.I.A.L. and state championship for the seniors as badly as the seniors wanted it themselves. This is a bright sign for the Panthers’ future as these young men will soon be the core of the next team who will look to repeat as W.P.I.A.L. champions next season and finish off that last game with a victory at the PIAA state championship.
Upper St. Clair
Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 29
f one reads the words ‘human trafficking,’ the mind is almost instantly transported to exotic places like Bangkok or Hong Kong; places far enough away that we feel confidently safe from its entangled web of evil. Unfortunately, this is only a false sense of security. Federal age nts are now investigating cases of human trafficking in Pittsburgh and consider the problem grave enough to form a special federal task force in Western Pennsylvania to fight the problem. Nevin James, a native of Mt. Lebanon
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and Upper St. Clair, is using his creative talents to bring awareness to the problem on a global level. James, a pianist and creative writing student at Pepperdine University has writte n a poignant rock opera addressing the issue called “Death & Victory in Paris- A Social Justice Rock Opera.” The story of redemption and rescue was inspired by a walk through Amsterdam’s infamous Red Light District on a trip to Europe. Although Rossebuurt, as the locals refer to it, is considered fairly mainstream in Amsterdam and government regulated, James was struck by the appearance of a young girl in on e of
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the windows who clearly appeared to be underage and a possible victim of human trafficking. The image was powerful enough to compel James to create the rock opera, writing all of the narrative, music and lyrics for the entire production. James realized one of his biggest challenges was convincing individuals that the problem really exists. It’s difficult for Americans to understand how someone can beco me a victim to the slave trade in an industrialized nation like ours. “The problem is very prevalent in all the major European cities and also in New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta. Louisville recently had some major arrests.” James was referring to the May 2011 indictment of nine people after the investigation of two houses in Louisville believed to be a brothel and a front for a prostitution delivery serv ice. According to James, many of the girls are orphans or come from poor families and are given the promise of jobs in another country, while others are kidnapped. “Death & Victory in Paris” traces the steps of a young girl forced into the sex trade and her unlikely defender, a disillusioned young man who has abandoned his faith and his family. Audiences have frequently been moved to tears by the touching story and
simultaneously educated about the horrors of human trafficking. “God gives us all kinds of gifts,” says James, “and it’s our responsibility to use those gifts to help others.” The 22-year-old works closely with Project Exodus and the Zoe Project, a global organization brought to prominence by the support of Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher. Both organizations work to rescue victims of t rafficking while holding governments accountable for stricter laws preventing the enslavement of human beings. After presenting his one-hour rock opera in Pittsburgh, New York, Richmond, Atlanta and Louisville, James finished the tour in Malibu, Calif. A film was made of the performance which stars 12 young, professional musicians, ranging in ages from 20 to 25. The stirring music accompanies a powerful narrative which drives the plot. James is currently negotiating with producers to make a feature length film of the production, which he hopes will be released in the spring. “Keep praying for us in this fight,” says James. “We need your prayers and support.” Those wishing to contribute funding to the filming of “Death & Victory in Paris” in order to help stop human trafficking may visit James’ website at www.nevinjames.com, where there is a short video of the performers on tour. For further information on human trafficking and how you can help, please visit www. Zoechildren.org.
Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 31
CARDIO for Health and Fitness offered at USCTDP
C
ardio Tennis is a high energy fitness activity that combines the best features of the sport of tennis with Cardiovascular exercise. Cardio Tennis delivers the ultimate full body, calorie burning aerobic workout. It’s a fun social class for all abilities, novice players through advanced players and it’s taught at the USCTDP facility by our tennis teaching professional trained in Cardio Tennis. Cardio Tennis is a safe and healthy workout environment because it includes a proper warm-up and cool-down just like other group fitness classes. The Cardio Tennis warm-up includes dynamic movement, tossing and catching skills and light hitting. The cardio portion is about 30% drills (to get all the strokes grooved) and 70% games (may or may not keep score). Every class finishes with a cooldown bringing the heart rate down and flushing the system of metabolic waste. The use of the heart rate monitor also makes it a safe workout. Regardless of your fitness ability level our tennis professionals are trained to provide the ultimate workout for each participant. A true cardio tennis class typically has 6-8 players per court, agility ladders, transition balls, music and heart rate monitors. Each workout includes a 5-10 minute dynamic warm-up, 40 -50 minutes of cardio segment drills and games and 5-10 minutes of cool-down. Most women burn 300 – 500 calories in an hour. Most men burn 500 - 1,000 calories in an hour class. Cardio Tennis can be enjoyed by new and advanced players. USCTDP offers classes for men, women, seniors, family and kids. Marcy Bruce is the Cardio Tennis Director at USCTDP. She is on the Nat ional Cardio Tennis Speaker Team. Marcy Bruce started Cardio Tennis at USCTDP in 2007 after she attended the Cardio Tennis Training Workshop. USCTDP is an authorized provider since 2007. Cardiotennis.com has just launched its new website. USCTDP, as an authorized provider, will be offering the “Tennis Invitation System” in addition to the classes already offered. This will connect players to more cardio tennis classes and give every client a more flexible schedule. Please call the office for more details 412.831.2630. In addition to all this great exciting new news, our latest launch will be the TRX Suspension Training in February 2012. Cardio Tennis TRX will be Cardio Tennis using the TRX Suspension Trainer. Marcy Bruce and Megan Foster, two of our Cardio Tennis professional instructors, just became certified trainers with the TRX Suspension training.
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Upper St. Clair
TENNIS Play days are welcoming and fun ways to experience the social aspects of competition. By rotating opponents in short continuous matches within a 2 hour period, kids have multiple opportunities to play against a variety of players and skill levels. This additional play can promote a sense of achievement and help prepare them for future competition. It will help them develop and refine their skills in a fun and spirited atmosphere, while amplifying their love of the game. Plays days are designed to encourage all levels of players to get out and participate in a fun, low pressure, yet competitive setting. Please come and join us. So drop your kids off to enjoy an evening of playing tennis and games with pizza to follow to end the night. Call 412.831.2630 to reserve your spot today! $15.00 per child. Junior rackets available to purchase if needed. Chris Canady is a new addition to the USCTDP, Inc. staff. Master’s Degree in Education. Certified PTR Tennis professional. Certified in Adult, Junior Development and Performance. One of the only teaching professional in the country to be certified in all three areas. Specializes in high performance juniors. Owner Janice Irwin and Canady plan to take this area of program to an even higher level. Also look for the return of the Mental Mastery Program® that is presented by LPGA Golf Pro Missie Berteotti. This is the indoor classroom where we have conversations and do drills that finally allow us to take all those lessons we’ve had in our sport and actually transfer them onto the court or course for more wins and/or lower scores! Conversations about; how to trust yourself, how and when to train, training with a high level of awareness, how to look at mistakes, being too concerned with disappointing someone, letting go of anger, learning how to ask for what you need, how to NOT TRY too much, seeing where you are not coachable as an athlete...that is where you will rise to be the champion you want to be! That is where the game of life is too! Check out Missie’s website for dates and more details at www.missieberteotti.com.
Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 33
Academically Speaking what’s going on at
Our Lady of Grace School
A Foundation in Gospel Values, Service to the Community, and Academic Excellence. 1734 Bower Hill Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15243 • 412.279.6611 www.olgscott.net
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Upper St. Clair
By Leigh Lyons A group of dedicated Upper St. Clair High School students established an original charity that benefits Upper St. Clair residents, as well as other worthy charities in the area. The students continue to give back to their community through Dairies 4 Charities. Dairies 4 Charities was started in the spring of 2009 by then sophomores Holly Repischak and Derron O’Leary. Since then, both Repischak and O’Leary have graduated and gone on to college, but their legacy of starting such a philanthropic club has lived on through Dairies 4 Charities. Dairies 4 Charities was built on the notion that even though Upper St. Clair is a very safe and nice township, some residents still might need help at some point during their life in one way or another. Founder of the club Holly Repischak says, “We wanted to start a club where students could participate in charitable events and make a difference in our own community.” When the club started back in 2009, most of the members were from a close knit group of friends of Repischak and O’Learys, but through hard work and experience, the group has climbed to nearly 200 members with Upper St. Clair High School principal Dr. Ghilani serving as the club sponsor. Dr. Ghilani has been instrumental in supporting the students in the club while they seek to achieve their goals of helping others. The interesting name of the club came about because the students were trying to make sure that their new club would be unique. While the students attended meetings in forming their newly established club, they noticed that they always had ice cream present. Ice cream seemed to be a perfect fit for the club because the students realized that nearly everyone enjoyed a little ice cream from time to time, and they knew
they could use the selling of ice cream to generate profits for charity. The students in Dairies 4 Charities sponsor events where they team up with Bruster’s Ice Cream and sell different flavors of ice cream in cups at Ft. Couch Middle School to the middle school students. The leftover ice cream gets returned to Bruster’s, and the profits get split evenly, with 100% of Dairies 4 Charities’ profits being donated to those in need. Last year, the club raised nearly $1,000 through middle school ice cream sales. Repischak and O’Leary realized that although the residents of Upper St. Clair are fortunate, there are times when circumstances dictate that residents of USC are in need themselves. For example, the club looks to help those local residents that may be strapped financially during this time because of a loved one’s medical bills, or a family who is dealing with the loss of a parent. The club also sponsors other events besides the Bruster’s ice cream sales. They have done a “Candy Cane Exchange” during the holiday season where students can purchase candy canes to be sent to other students to be delivered during homeroom period. The members of the club also participated in an Autumn Field Trip where they picked pumpkins, decorated them, and then delivered them to patients’ rooms in Friendship Village. This year’s co-presidents are Val Repischak, younger sister of founder Holly Repischak, and Jackie Pion. Both presidents agree that they are looking to expand Dairies 4 Charities events in the future. Pion says the club hopes to expand their Bruster’s Ice Cream sales in the near future. “We are looking into starting the ice cream sales at the three elementary schools in Upper St.
Clair, and possibly the Catholic schools as well.” With the help and guidance from seniors Val Repischak and Jackie Pion, the club looks to be on a solid path to help local residents in need for years to come. Sophomores Joe Repischak and Jim Joyce are co-vice presidents and will take hold of the lead in years to come. As far as Founder Holly Repischak is looking to start a new chapter of Dairies 4 Charities at her college. As a freshman at University of Wisconsin, Repischak says, “The Dairies 4 Charities club at USC exceeded my expectations and showed me how much I could make a difference within my community. I want to extend my efforts to my university.” Repischak is still in the administrative process of opening a club at the university level, but is already beginning to plan and is excited to do great things with Dairies 4 Charities in the future.
Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 35
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ARMS BELLY THIGH
WINTER 2011
Health and Wellness News You Can Use
BundleUp,Baby Remember how Mom made you bundle up before going outdoors in the winter so you wouldn’t get sick? She was right. So be sure you dress for the weather — and that means covering your head, ears, mouth, and hands. Turn to page 4 to learn why your ears, nose, and throat need extra care in winter.
What’s Inside
© 2011 UPMC
page 2
UPMC Now Offers Imaging Services in West Mifflin
page 3
When Your Body Talks ... Be Sure to Listen
page 4
Make a Date with Your Doctor Three Cheers for Your Ears, Nose, and Throat
page 5
Technology for 21st Century Hospitals
page 6
Taking on Tourette Controlling a life in motion at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
page 7
Changes Continue to Transform UPMC Mercy Emergency Dpeartment
UPMC Now Offers Imaging Services in West Mifflin For West Mifflin area residents, the new UPMC West Mifflin facility is bringing UPMC’s high quality care, including the latest in imaging technology, right to their doorstep. “We understand that not everyone can or wants to travel outside their community for treatment or a particular test,” says Stephanie Pankow, administrative director of UPMC West Mifflin. “Our communities and neighborhoods are at the heart of what makes Pittsburgh such a special place to live and work. Helping to keep them strong and healthy is important to us,” adds Ms. Pankow. Located at 1907 Lebanon Church Road in West Mifflin (near Century Square), the new facility is home to the UPMC Cancer Centers, Quest Diagnostics, and UPMC Imaging Services. The new facility also features comfortable and attractive waiting and testing areas, as well as free parking.
Onsite, subspecialty trained radiologists provide your doctor with fast, high-quality readings, important results your doctor uses in making an accurate diagnosis and crafting a treatment plan. “Physicians in the UPMC network can choose to get their patient’s imaging results electronically,” says Ms. Pankow.
“Our communities and neighborhoods are at the heart of what makes Pittsburgh such a special place to live and work. Helping to keep them strong and healthy is important to us.” — Stephanie Pankow
The care you need — close to home Whether your doctor suspects a broken pinky finger and wants a quick x-ray or your specialist has ordered a CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound, UPMC West Mifflin gives residents easy access to a wide range of imaging services.
“UPMC West Mifflin has the most advanced imaging technology available, including a state-of-the-art 64-slice CT scanner that is faster and offers more accurate images,” says Melissa Kovtun, executive director of Imaging Services. Imaging services available onsite include:
Moving the well-established UPMC Cancer Centers to the new UPMC West Mifflin location adds to patient convenience and comfort by making imaging services available nearby. “Patients can be assured that all of the center’s advanced cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment options still will be offered — just in a different location,” says Ms. Pankow. UPMC West Mifflin 1907 Lebanon Church Road West Mifflin, PA 15122 Imaging Services Phone: 412-653-8030 Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday by appointment UPMC Cancer Center Phone: 412-653-8100 Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• MRI • CT • General/Vascular • General Radiology (including x-rays) • Ultrasound
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UPMC.com/Today
For more information about UPMC West Mifflin, visit UPMC.com.
When Your BodyTalks…
Be Sure toListen Being attuned to changes in your body can help in the early detection and treatment of cancer and other serious medical problems Is your body trying to tell you something important? It can be an excellent communicator — if you pay careful attention to its symptoms. There are numerous warning symptoms for cancer, many of which also can point to other serious medical conditions. That’s why you should call your primary care physician (PCP) if you have any unusual or persistent symptoms lasting longer than two or three weeks, says Edward Chu, MD, chief of the Division of Hematology/ Oncology at UPMC and deputy director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. “The vast majority of patients will get a clean bill of health from their doctor,” says Dr. Chu. “But when it comes to cancer, time is often of the essence. Early detection can help keep cancer from spreading, allow for faster treatment, and improve your chances for recovery.”
Symptoms that reveal Most of us know to be on the lookout for such important cancer warning signs as a sore that does not heal; a thickening or lump in the breast, or other parts of the body; blood in the stool or urine; or changes in the size or color of a mole.
Dr. Chu says it’s also important to be aware of more generalized body changes (also known as constitutional symptoms) that can compromise your physical performance and overall well-being. By getting to know what’s typical for your own body, you’ll be better able to recognize unfamiliar changes when they occur. They can include: • Extreme tiredness (fatigue) • Unexplained weight loss (typically 10 pounds or more) or loss of appetite • Changes in how food tastes • Fever and chills • Night sweats • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing “These symptoms don’t necessarily mean you have cancer,” he emphasizes. “But if they linger or worsen, it’s important for your doctor to rule out — or treat — possible problems.” If you are interested in locating a PCP or specialist in your area, visit UPMC.com/FindADoctor or call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762).
Did You Know? The University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI), based at the Hillman Cancer Center in Shadyside, is the only National Cancer Institutedesignated Comprehensive Cancer Center in western Pennsylvania. Learn more about UPCI and its partnership with UPMC Cancer Centers at UPCI.UPMC.edu.
Cancer Screenings: Are they right for you? Another important tool in the early detection of cancer is screenings. “When combined with regular checkups with your family doctor or specialist, screenings like mammograms, PAP smears, and colorectal exams have proven to be invaluable in the fight against cancer,” says Eric Safyan, MD, of UPMC Cancer Center at UPMC Mercy. “Your personal and family medical history, risk factors, age, and other considerations will help your physician recommend the right tests — and frequency — for you.” To learn more about the programs and services at UPMC Cancer Center at UPMC Mercy, visit UPMCMercy.com.
1-800-533-UPMC
3
Health Tips from UPMC Health Plan
Make a Date With Your Doctor You take your car to the mechanic for an annual inspection to be sure it’s running properly. So why aren’t you giving your body the same kind of attention? When you’re in good health, it’s easy to put off going to the doctor. But regular checkups can help you stay healthy, and avoid disease and disability. That’s why scheduling a physical is the one New Year’s resolution you should keep. “Your annual exam is the perfect time to talk with your doctor about illness prevention, healthy lifestyle choices, and any recommended screenings,” says Timothy Campbell, MD, of Campbell/Philbin Medical Associates PC and UPMC Mercy. “That information helps you and your doctor create a plan to maintain your health, or make changes to improve your health.” Building an ongoing relationship with a primary care physician (PCP) also means peace of mind. “There’s real value to being seen by someone who knows you and your health history — someone you trust to guide you through an illness or emergency,” adds Dr. Campbell.
Your exam checklist How can you make the most of your annual exam? Here are four things to do before you see the doctor:
1. Make a list of all medications you are taking Include all prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements that you currently take, how often you take them, and why.
2. Update your family history Your family history can provide important clues about your risk for certain diseases, including diabetes, some cancers, and heart disease.
3. Ask about health screenings Screenings can be important tools in preventing some illnesses and diseases. Get a list of recommended screenings and talk about them with your doctor.
4. Make a list of questions or health concerns Asking questions and sharing your concerns about health issues helps your doctor improve your care. One final piece of advice: Be honest. “Never be afraid or embarrassed to tell your doctor something,” adds Dr. Campbell. “What you don’t disclose could be important for your doctor to make an accurate diagnosis or prescribe the best treatment plan.”
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UPMC.com/Today
Three Cheers for Your Ears, Nose, and Throat Winter is the season for sniffles, scratchy throats, and earaches — often all at once! And with good reason: our ears, nose, and throat all are connected and affect each other greatly. Otolaryngologists (also known as ear, nose, and throat doctors or ENTs) are physicians who specialize in caring for this complex, interrelated system. Test your ENT knowledge with this quick quiz:
Who gets earaches more often — children or adults? Nearly every child experiences at least one ear infection between infancy and the age of five — something weary parents know firsthand. Because children have shorter, straighter Eustachian tubes (which connect the nose to the ears), it’s easier for bacteria to migrate into their ears.
Why are you more likely to get a nosebleed in winter? The same heated indoor air that makes your home cozy in winter also can dehydrate the inside of your nose. It can become crusted or cracked, or can even bleed. A dry nose makes you more susceptible to germs, so exercise good nose care. Lightly coat the inside with petroleum jelly. Overthe-counter saline mists and sprays (not decongestants) also are helpful.
Will antibiotics cure laryngitis? Most cases of laryngitis are caused by viral infections that make the vocal cords swell — so antibiotics are ineffective. Your best course of action? Drink plenty of fluids, rest, and cut back on talking. Straining your voice when you have acute laryngitis can damage your vocal cords. Source: American Society of Otolaryngology
Technology for 21st Century Hospitals How technology is working to transform the quality of your care during hospitalization If you ever have to be hospitalized, you’ll certainly want to be cared for at a place that delivers quality health care using the latest technology available. That’s precisely what patients find when they are admitted to a UPMC hospital. “UPMC’s vision of quality is for every patient to receive the right care, at the right time, in the right way — every time,” says Tami Minnier, RN, and chief quality officer for UPMC. “Technology lets us serve patients more efficiently and accurately. Most of all, we’re able to give patients greater control of their health care.” Here are just two of the ways UPMC hospitals are delivering on that goal.
SmartRoom® technology brings it all to you Launched three years ago by UPMC in partnership with IBM, SmartRoom is an impressive technology. First used at UPMC Shadyside and UPMC Montefiore, it is gradually being introduced in other UPMC hospitals. All patient rooms at the new UPMC East will be equipped with SmartRoom technology. SmartRoom brings all essential data related to your care to your bedside. Its computerized software programs give caregivers fingertip access to all the information essential to your care — from your electronic medical records to the tests you’ll need that day.
The SmartRoom concept simplifies workflow and makes documentation of your care faster and easier. Each room has two screens: one for your caregivers, and another for you to access email, entertainment, and a vast library of patient education videos and information.
The right meds at the right time “It is our goal to make the hospitalization and discharge experience as stress-free as possible for our patients and their families,” says Jacqueline Dailey, UPMC’s vice president for Solutions for Medical Science, Research, and Patient Centered Accountable Care. “Not surprisingly, by the time patients leave the hospital, they’re often confused and overwhelmed by changes in their medications and how to take them.” “We begin when you’re admitted with an electronic assessment of your current medications and how they’re being taken,” explains Ms. Dailey. “As medications are adjusted or eliminated during your stay, this information is instantly available to all your physicians — from your family doctor to the specialists caring for you. That’s especially important if you transition from one level of care to another, such as intensive to acute care.” An added layer of safety: both a pharmacist and the nurse administering the medications verify any new medication orders from your doctors. Throughout your stay, you’ll receive comprehensive instructions on your medications. “We know that people learn in different ways, so this information will be shared multiple times and in multiple ways,” notes Ms. Dailey. “We also urge patients to contact their doctors for help with any questions they may have on their return home.”
1-800-533-UPMC
5
Taking on Tourette Controlling a life in motion at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC That’s especially difficult for adolescents who want to fit in. Tics, such as throat clearing, turning, or shaking, also can cause pain.
Seven Barnishin was just 11, playing with action figures alone in his Pitcairn home, when the tics began — involuntary arm flicks, head jerks, and sounds. “I freaked. It seemed like something else was controlling me,” he says.
At the Tourette Syndrome Clinic, patients have access to a trio of experts: two pediatric neurologists with training in neurodevelopmental disorders, and an adult neurologist trained in movement disorders who provides transitional care for older teens.
Tom and Amy Barnishin first thought their son’s behavior was linked to the start of the school year and peer pressure. When symptoms grew worse, and other tics emerged, their doctor sent Seven to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC where he was officially diagnosed with Tourette syndrome (TS) in January 2009. “We were blindsided,” says Amy.
Be in the know about TS Treatment varies.While there’s no cure, medication sometimes helps control tics. Psychologists can teach habit reversal and relaxation techniques to help patients cope with stress and reduce symptoms. But the most important treatment is education, says Dr. Coffman. “That includes educating families, educators, and the general public about TS.”
Diagnosing Tourette syndrome TS is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting one in 100 people, says Keith Coffman, MD, a pediatric neurologist and co-director of the Tourette Syndrome Clinic, part of the Brain Care Institute at Children’s Hospital. Most cases are diagnosed between ages 3 and 12; the majority are boys. The main symptoms are sudden, repetitive, uncontrollable movements and sounds called tics, including throatclearing, sniffing, blinking, gestures, and head jerking. For a true TS diagnosis, tics must start before age 18, include two or more motor tics and at least one vocal tic, and last at least one year. Tics peak at the onset of puberty. Approximately 60 percent of children outgrow the tics, or the tics become so subtle only that person knows when they occur.
Did You Know? An estimated 200,000 Americans have TS, but misconceptions still surround the disorder. For example, TS is not an emotional or behavioral condition. It is an inherited neurodevelopmental disorder that causes abnormalities in the brain.
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UPMC.com/Today
Coping with Tourette “People with TS cannot control their tics. They experience a sensation that makes them feel like they have to move — like having to sneeze,” Dr. Coffman says. The earlier the diagnosis, the sooner children can benefit. Movements can interfere with school work. Children with TS often are bullied, teased, or viewed as being disruptive.
Other TS facts include: • TS patients have the same IQ range as the general population. • People in every walk of life, including professional musicians, athletes, authors, and scientists, have TS. • Less than 15 percent of TS patients swear or use inappropriate expressions.
“Knowledge is power. I’d be unnerved if I didn’t know what it was,” adds Seven, now age 14. Although he cycled through almost every tic, the movements and sounds have subsided with treatment. The Barnishins credit the team at Children’s for helping them understand TS, guiding them through treatment options, and providing support. “Children’s gave us answers and helped us gain control over an uncontrollable situation. Instead of being spectators, we were part of the process. That helped lower Seven’s anxiety, which helped ease the tics,” says Tom. To learn more about the Tourette Syndrome Clinic and the Movement Disorders Clinic at Children’s Hospital, visit chp.edu, choose Neurology as the service, then click the Clinics and Services button on the left.
Changes Continue to Transform UPMC Mercy Emergency Department Recently completed makeover cuts wait times with focus on care UPMC Mercy’s Emergency Department (ED) has put the finishing touches on a major expansion and renovation project with the opening of a new patient observation unit in December. Known as a Clinical Decision Unit (CDU), the 17-bed facility provides a special transitional area for patients — including those with chest pain, asthma, or abdominal pain — who need more time for treatment or testing before a decision is made to discharge or admit them. Patients will stay in the CDU while awaiting their test results, freeing up beds for other emergency and admitted patients, says Michael Turturro, MD, chief of Emergency Services at UPMC Mercy. “All of our ED improvements focus on enhancing the patient care experience. We’re treating patients more quickly, more efficiently, and more comfortably,” Dr. Turturro says.
Expanded capacity Before the 18-month expansion and renovation project began, the UPMC Mercy ED treated approximately 45,000 patients annually. Last year, the ED reported 70,000 patient visits. Now averaging nearly 200 patients a day, UPMC Mercy’s ED is on track to see at least 73,000 patients this year. The new ED, with 36 beds, also has created more capacity by improving its efficiency. “But no matter how many rooms or beds we add, there are always challenges,” says Valerie Krasneski-Schreiber, RN, BSN, MS, unit director of UPMC Mercy’s ED. “Our top priority is to deliver safe patient care quickly and more efficiently.”
New Super Track: Quick assessments and streamlined care Key to achieving that goal is a redesigned reception area staffed by a clinical nurse who makes quick assessments and assigns patients to one of three levels of emergency care. Dr. Turturro says ED patients now move from the reception area to a treatment room within an average of 10 minutes of arrival.
In addition, the Mercy ED’s innovative new Super Track concept offers speedy care for patients with minor injuries and illnesses needing less urgent care — moving them through treatment to discharge in under an hour. “With Super Track, our goal is to ensure that patients who come to the ED with minor injuries and illnesses quickly get back to their lives after receiving prompt, comprehensive care,” says Tom Gronow, MHA, vice president of operations at UPMC Mercy.
Faster lab results Another important ED upgrade is the addition of a mini-lab providing critical point-of-care-testing for ED patients. That means faster urine tests, rapid strep, blood analysis, and other key tests that can speed up treatment. “Having test results in minutes absolutely makes a difference,” says Ms. Krasneski-Schreiber. “In stroke patients, for example, time is of the essence. We need vital information to make the right decisions and act quickly.” Other ED improvements include: • Thirty-six newly renovated treatment bays • Two new state-of-the-art trauma resuscitation bays for treating the most acutely injured patients • A new 128-slice CT scanner offering the latest imaging technology with faster scanning capability • An expanded and modernized patient and family reception area (featuring stained glass panels from the original Mercy Hospital chapel) • Wireless Internet access and flat-screen TVs To learn more about UPMC Mercy and its ED services, visit UPMCMercy.com.
1-800-533-UPMC
7
UPMC Mercy 1400 Locust St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219
UPMC Today is published quarterly to provide you with health and wellness information and classes and events available at UPMC. This publication is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or replace a physician’s medical assessment. Always consult first with your physician about anything related to your personal health.
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Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 45
BOYS & GIRLS
The start of the 2011-2012 Upper St. Clair basketball season is just around the corner, and both the boys and girls programs are working hard to prepare for the upcoming season.
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On the boys side, three returning starters from last year’s team, and six seniors overall, are putting in the necessary preparation to finish better this year than last. Last season,
Upper St. Clair
the Upper St. Clair boys varsity basketball team finished second in their section, and then lost in overtime in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (W.P.I.A.L.) quarterfinals to eventual W.P.I.A.L. champion Gateway. Senior Derik Young describes the team as having a “moderately successful season” last year, but believes that this year’s team possesses a lot of talent and depth. This will be Derik’s third year as a varsity player at Upper St. Clair, and he understands what it means to be a Panther. “I think being a Panther means playing with heart, playing with pride, and playing great defense.” Derik says. Derik knows that in the past, Panther basketball has been known for defense, but he says that in the past few years the team may have gotten away from their signature a bit. Derik says, “This year the coaches and the
players have been stressing defense and hustle. That is how we won games in the past, and that is how we are going to try to win games this year.” The other five seniors are on the same track as Derik for this upcoming year. Seniors Mike Worthy, Dakota Conwell, Ben Dabat, Joey Selep, and Jack Schwaba want to make this a memorable year as well. The team doesn’t believe that they have only one standout player, but they pride themselves on playing solid as a team. Derik believes that they could have a different leading scorer each and every game this upcoming year. The team vows that whoever has the hot hand that night will receive the ball. By bringing back program staples such as defense and intensity, the team hopes to win the section title, and then go on to win the W.P.I.A.L. championship as well. They will have to go through longtime rivals Mt. Lebanon and Chartiers Valley to get there though. Derik admits, “Mt. Lebanon is probably our biggest game of the year. We split games last year with them, so we are going to do our best to win both games this year.” Chartiers Valley is also a local rival who is always very well coached and puts out a great game versus Upper St. Clair. Derik and the other five seniors will rely on underclassmen talent and depth throughout the season to help strengthen their team. The team also expects to have a great student fan base at every game to provide energy in the stands. The 2011-2012 Upper St. Clair boys basketball team hopes that the one word of “defense” helps translate into another word by the end of the season: “Champions.” The Upper St. Clair girls Basketball program has been preparing tirelessly for this upcoming season much like the boys program. The team finished last year’s season when they were ousted in the first round of the W.P.I.A.L. playoffs to rival Oakland Catholic. Oakland Catholic, who has been a long-time rival of the Upper St. Clair girls program, is always a solid team, but the Panthers will look to get back to them this season. The team is now looking forward to the 2011-2012 season ahead of them, and sophomore Elayna Kaylor believes that they have “big shoes to fill.” The team will return only one starter this year, having lost four to graduation. Elayna says, “Those four starters we lost are going to be hard to replace, but we have been conditioning all summer and into the preseason conditioning, and I know we will be OK.” Although the team had not yet chosen the official captains for the upcoming year, this year’s team features three seniors who the team will look to for leadership and guidance. Besides the three seniors, and one returning starter, the program has a lot of young and upcoming talented players who will vie for a spot on the varsity team, and possibly starting positions. Elayna believes that “this season will be an interesting season because we are a very young team.” Being young isn’t necessarily a disadvantage though. The coaching staff (Coach Koontz, Coach Vuono, Mr. Anselmino, and Mr. Wagner) has been in place for many years at Upper St. Clair, and they are well versed in developing, and molding, young players. The system is clear at Upper St. Clair. An athlete comes into the program, works hard, learns the system, is respectful, and keeps working hard until it’s her time to contribute to the team. The team will be working hard to take on habitual rivals like Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park, and Baldwin. “We all have our good days, and our off days, but it’s nice because someone new steps up every game,” Elayna notes. The Upper St. Clair girls basketball team hopes that a balance of a team full of hard workers and talented players will be the key to triumphing in their section this year, and competing for the W.P.I.A.L championship.
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© Young Pioneers Media
A Travel Writer Comes Home By Pamela Palongue
ravel and pop culture writer Dan Eldridge has lived and traveled all over, but recently he’s turned his attention toward a project a little closer to home. The former Mt. Lebanon resident and Peters Township High School graduate has authored a book called “Moon Pittsburgh,” a part of the Moon Handbook series launched in 1973. “Moon Pittsburgh” is not your basic tourist guide that leads individuals down the well-worn path of standard local attractions. “The book is meant to be a bit quirky, younger, hipper…and it’s not just for tourists,” says Eldridge. The noted author has a talent for ferreting out unique little areas that are sometimes right under one’s nose and yet still a mystery to most Pittsburghers. One place that Eldridge explores in his book is the St. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church in Millvale which is reputed to have a priest no longer on the payroll. The ghostly religious is said to have appeared to several people around midnight and even blew out the light of the eternal flame on one occasion. Haunted or not, St. Nicholas is an unusual house of worship in a category all by itself. The murals which overpower the walls of the church are poignant depictions of war, poverty and the human struggle. They were created by famous artist Maxo Vanka in the 1930’s and yes, Vanka often saw the priestly ghost while painting the murals late at night.
a unique twist on exploring the life of Pittsburgh’s most famous artist. One of the most unusual places in “Moon Pittsburgh” is the Conflict Kitchen. Located in East Liberty, this extremely unique eatery changes its menu and décor every three months to offer dishes from a country with which the U.S. is in conflict. For example, Afghanistan was once the theme country and shish kabobs were served in keeping with the ethnic theme. In addition to points of interest that lie off the beaten path, “Moon Pittsburgh” also offers Themed Tours, which cater to special situations or specific tastes. For example, there are tours created specifically for business travelers who will be in Pittsburgh only a couple of days, travelers on a budget or tourists who want to visit establishments frequented by locals.
The first edition of “Moon Pittsburgh” was nominated for a Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Award and greatly exceeded sales expectations. Eldridge has managed to have a highly successful career as an author in many different genres. His advice to young aspiring authors is to “get as many internships as possible. Be willing to work for free. Be ambitious and learn from the smartest people there.” Eldridge makes another important point, “Reading is at least as important as writing.” He encourages young writers to read as much as possible since reading presents Another church featured in “Moon Pittsburgh” is St. a good picture of how professionals write. In addition to Anthony’s Chapel in Troy Hill. The home of the largest being nominated for a Lowell Thomas Travel Award, collection of relics outside of the Vatican, many miracles of Eldridge is also the founder of Young Pioneers, a Journal of healing are said to have taken place there, although Independent Travel Culture, which was nominated for an Eldridge focuses his attention on the history and importance Independent Press Award by Utne Reader. of the relics themselves. Among some of the more notable are pieces of the cross of Jesus and bits of the veil of Mary, “Moon Pittsburgh” is available at Barnes and Noble the Blessed Virgin. bookstores, Powell’s and also online at Amazon.com. If you would like more information on Dan Eldridge or are Any fan of Andy Warhol will enjoy retracing the steps of the interested in reading more of his books, you may visit his website at http://daneldridge.wordpress.com/press/ or you artist as Eldridge details significant places of Warhol’s life, such as his high school, residence and his burial place. It’s can follow him on Twitter @YoungPioneers. Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 49
By Heather Holtschlag
Some needy people in Pittsburgh had much to be thankful for this past Thanksgiving, thanks to a large donation that an Upper St. Clair couple made to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Mahendra Patel made a promise to God when his wife, Neela, was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2006 that if she recovered, he would make a large donation to a charity. A year later, Neela was declared cancer-free, and as his wife passed the five-year mark on her cancer diagnosis, Mahendra made good on his promise. In honor of her recovery and to make sure people had enough to eat on Thanksgiving, the Patels made a $10,000 donation to the Food Bank, making it a memorable holiday for Pittsburgh residents who otherwise may not have much. “This is a bad time to be homeless or unemployed, and many are looking for food,” said Mahendra, who has worked for 30 years at RT Patterson, an engineering firm located downtown where he is currently a department manager. “It is very self-satisfying to know that we can help.” According to Iris Valanti, director of communications at the Food Bank, the money that the Patel’s donated is enough to buy 460 cases of peanut butter, which is one of the Food Bank’s most needed
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items because of how easy it is to eat and its high protein content. “Or, it would buy more than half of a truckload of cereal, which is another critical item we keep on our inventory because it is especially good for children and seniors,” Valanti said. “A truckload of cereal is equivalent to more than 300,000 bowls.” The money also would underwrite about four “Produce to People,” or P2P, distributions, Valanti explained. Once a month, a couple of trucks go into low-income neighborhoods and give food away to the residents. These P2P distributions, which cost about $2,500, allow the Food Bank to distribute much more fresh foods, such as produce, and to move some big quantities of food that they can get better deals on by placing larger orders. While the Patels have not donated to the Food Bank in the past, Mahendra said they wi ll continue to donate in the future. “We have donated mostly to charities in India, where we are from, because there are a lot of poor people in India,” Mahendra explained. “But for this donation, we wanted to do something that would help needy Americans.” Valanti said that the donation could not have come at a better time. “October through December is the busiest time for the Food Bank,” she explained. “Af ter the summer, and after people get their kids back to school, they seem to turn their attention to the next thing and have energy to take on projects, which results in an increase in food drives. At Thanksgiving and Christmas, two holidays focused on food, it’s not hard to think of people who might not have enough to eat.” When Neela was diagnosed with cancer, she required surgery and six weeks of chemot herapy. A year later, she and Mahendra received the news that they had been waiting for, and in December, she had her final doctor’s appointment and is feeling great. “I am happy because I am cancer-free,” she said. “And it makes me happy to know that we can help poor people.”
Mahendra and Neela Patel, who donated $10,000, with Food Bank CEO, D. Jermaine Husser.
The Patels have two children – a daughter, Sujata, 44, of Royersford in Montgomery County, and a son, Tushar, 43, who lives in Los Angeles. “It was an honor to meet the Patels,” said D. Jermaine Husser, Food Bank chief executive officer. “We were moved by this family who rose above their own serious adversity and decided to ‘pay it forward’ to help others. Where is the true spirit of giving more clearl y illustrated than that?” According to Valanti, the Food Bank is always appreciative of all of its supporters, in any amount. “What it means is that our community has made a decision that hunger ought to not exist in the richest country in the world, and that people of all kinds, from every walk of life, look around at the economic times, at the quality of life for struggling families, and decide to do something about it,” she said. “Taking action against hunger – in any way – gets our attention and earns our heartfelt gratitude.” Beyond the donation that the Patels have made, they have one simple message that they would like to share with those in need: “Have a faith in God that everything will be alright eventually.”
Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 51
F
or every hockey wizard like Sidney Crosby out on the ice, there is a so-called “enforcer” like Eric Godard employed to patrol the rink and protect his more skilled teammates. While Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Alex Ovechkin are NHL superstars that dazzle fans by their superior athletic ability and marvelous hockey talent, other members of their teams are less well known, and must often resort to more gladiatorial tactics to earn their NHL keep. NHL superstars have multiyear, multimillion-dollar contracts and are expected to score goals, make acrobatic saves, and win Stanley Cups. But not all players in the NHL are held to the same standard. Every player in the NHL has supreme hockey skills and ability, there is no doubt about that, but some players are forced into a hockey career made up of devastating fights night in and night out, oftentimes much to their dismay. Upper St. Clair resident Barry Reese is one of three local guys from Pittsburgh who produced a new hockey documentary directed by Academy Award winner Alex Gibney. His film “The Last Gladiators” premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2011. The film debuted to rave reviews from industry powers, including Sports Illustrated. “The Last Gladiators” is a heart-wrenching documentary that follows the NHL’s elite enforcers of the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s, but concentrates mostly on Montreal’s Chris “Knuckles” Nilan. The film opens up with a poignant scene that shows Chris Nilan’s weapons of choice, his hands. The camera focal point is unwavering for seconds, showing Nilan’s surgically repaired, beat up, tired hands that he displays as a badge of honor knowing that his hands reflect his heart and soul, and his even greater love for the game of hockey. The documentary goes on as Nilan is shown as one of the most beloved, and toughest, enforcers of all time. Nilan is seen as a very charismatic and real person who has had wonderful moments in his life, such as helping his team, the Montreal Canadiens, win the 1985 Stanley Cup, and also very painful moments as well. Nilan had a total of 26 surgeries throughout his career, and eventually became addicted to painkillers. But the story is not merely about a former professional hockey player who made his living fighting night in and night out. It is about the trust that teammates have for one another, the respect amongst the hockey community for these men that are labeled, without their consent, as enforcers, and how they are thrust into a role that most of them certainly do not cherish, but their love of the
USC Resident Produces Hockey Documentary By Leigh Lyons
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Jim Podhoretz, Editor; Larry Weitzman, Producer; Alex Gibney, Academy Award Director; Barry Reese, an Executive Producer
game propels them to fill a void that is often left on their team. Mr. Reese started this project nearly five years ago with his partners. The first thing they were sure to do was procure the Academy Award winning director, Alex Gibney. While the documentary does follow other classical enforcers such as Terry O’Reilly, Lyndon Byers, Tony Twist, and Bob Probert, the main focus is on Chris Nilan. Mr. Reese believes that these enforcers are often misunderstood. “They have been essential to the preservation of ‘the code,’ which is a fascinating part of the history of the game,” Reese said. “They believe in honor, loyalty, and courage in the truest sense, and this film humanizes them in a powerful and personal way.” Fans are often seen pounding on the glass at hockey games encouraging fights that are taking place just a few feet away from them. The crowd goes crazy, and fights are often a high point in the fan’s nightly entertainment while they watch the game, but a lot of people don’t necessarily fully understand the essence of fighting. Hockey is the only sport that allows fighting during a game, and although fans may see it as pure entertainment, the essence behind a fight travels much further than what meets the eye. Mr. Reese believes that enforcers are a “dying breed” in the NHL, and that could turn out to be a huge mistake. “Hockey is played with sticks and has no out of bounds. It is very easy for a player to take liberties with another player if he chooses. The enforcers are there to protect the other players, especially their skilled teammates, from being taken advantage of. Theoretically, if the enforcer is free to do his job, then the dirty shots should be curtailed, and the skilled players should have more room to do their thing out on the ice,” Reese explains. So what happens if fighting is eliminated, and enforcers become obsolete? Answer: A lot of the fans’ precious superstars such as Crosby, Malkin, and Ovechkin will be at risk of suffering damaging injuries by illegal, and dirty, hits by opposing teams who have no fear of repercussions from enforcers. Enforcers actually clean up the game, and allow the game to expand and progress into a level that would probably not be possible without their expertise. Barry Reese believes that this project came to him at the right time in his life when he was able to really embrace the creative challenge that was put before him. The project is still ongoing however, as they are finishing a recut of the film and beginning the distribution process, which can often be an overwhelming puzzle. Excited viewers should expect to be able to see “The Last Gladiators” out on film sometime at the beginning of 2012. Mr. Reese urges that this film is not merely for avid hockey players and fans. “This movie is about real people. They are charismatic and interesting. Anyone who likes to watch movies about someone’s individual story will enjoy this documentary because…Chris Nilan is willing to be vulnerable and shares his story completely, without censorship.” Barry Reese never played hockey growing up, and admittedly was not much of a fan until his sons, Dylan and Evan, began playing hockey. Today, Reese is still able to be a fan while he watches his oldest son, Dylan, play for the New York Islanders of the NHL. And no, if you were wondering, Dylan is not considered an enforcer, but he has been glad from time to time to have such players on his side. Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 53
USC Hockey Looks to Defend State Title By Leigh Lyons
Any sports enthusiast will tell you that the only thing harder than winning a championship is trying to defend that championship the next year. For high school hockey players in Pennsylvania, it doesn’t get much better than winning the Pennsylvania Cup. The 2010-2011 Upper St. Clair boys hockey team reached two amazing goals last year by winning the Penguins Cup, and then going on the next week to win the Pennsylvania Cup. This year though, the team isn’t going to be surprising anyone on their journey to defend their state title. If the team thought that they worked hard last year, this year they will have to work even harder. If the team thought they received a few lucky bounces of the puck last year, this year they hope to have a few more. If their goalie stood on his head and made an amazing save in a crucial game moment, well, he’ll have to do just that again, because everyone guns for the champion, and this year, Upper St. Clair will have a huge target on its back. That suits this year’s 2011-2012 Upper St. Clair boys hockey team just fine, because they are ready and eager to accept the challenge of being the defending state champions. Head Coach Gary Klapkowski told us, “This group is very excited to get started. People are not expecting much from us this year with how many we lost from last year, but my team is ready to prove them wrong.” Last year’s state championship was the third in Upper St. Clair’s history of the program. The previous two state championships came in 1980 and 1987, so the third championship has been brewing for a while within the program. The Penguins Cup victory was the fifth for the Panthers, but the first since 1990.
Last year’s team was special for a lot of reasons. They had great talent, and strong senior leadership, but maybe even more important, they had team chemistry. Last year’s coach, Larry Marks, had described his team as being a “family,” and credited the fact that they all stuck together and had poise and focus throughout the state title run. Coach Marks didn’t have much time to celebrate with his team after the state championship though, since the board voted to not renew his contract and instead hire Gary Klapkowski, who was the head coach of the junior varsity last year. Coach Klapkowski, who is very familiar with the program, will now direct the Panther ship for the first time this upcoming year, and will hope to get the team back to where they ended last year. “I hope to have a good year with this young team. We lost 10 players from the state championship team, so it will be a little bit of a rebuilding year, but don't count us out. Anything can happen with a group of young players who are ready to prove themselves.” With a new coach, and the graduation of prominent seniors from last year’s team, the new varsity hockey team at Upper St. Clair is looking to fill some voids with 54 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE |
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young talent. Forward Stephen Gielarowski, along with forwards Luke Stork, Mike Sweeney and Robbie Markwell, look to step in and provide a scoring punch for the Panther hockey team. These forwards have had experience, and are eager to write their own chapter in Upper St. Clair hockey history. It should be noted that Mike Sweeney was responsible for scoring the game winning, overtime goal against Canon Mac in the Penguins Cup last year. This year, Coach Klapkowski says he expects Mike to only improve upon his impressive performance last year. Mike acknowledges that there is a lot that comes with being defending state champs, but he’s optimistic about the challenges ahead. “The hardest thing for us this year will be working in the new and younger players. We lost a fair amount of key players to graduation or moving, and this year we will be building the team back up, while also trying to win and keep pushing toward our ultimate goal: another state title.”
Also back from last year’s team are defensemen Tim Shoup and Ryan Haleski, and goalie Mike Ambrose. Mike also came up big for the Panthers last year, making some outstanding, acrobatic saves to preserve victories for the Panthers in the Penguins Cup final and the Pennsylvania Cup final. Coach Klapkowski also expects a lot out of him again this year. Having that defending state championship target on your back means that every team on your schedule is pumped up to play you. Every night these Panthers skate onto the ice they will be facing a team that wants to knock them off their state championship pedestal, so to say. Their opponent will want to brag that they beat last year’s state champions, as some way of validating their own talent. This may be a lot of pressure for any athlete, let alone a high school athlete who is often juggling schoolwork, friends, family, and a million other things while trying to concentrate on playing hockey. But these boys are ready for the challenge. Coach Klapkowski believes that this year's team will have to rely on “hard work, discipline, and defense to win” games. If the Panthers can stay disciplined and continue to work hard, then they just might have a chance of developing this young talent into another successful Upper St. Clair hockey team. Good luck, boys! Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 55
Nutrition I is Not
by Pamela Palongue
nformation on dieting and nutrition seems to be everywhere these days, and conflicting reports on what’s good for you is a frequent occurrence. A bit of common sense applied to the situation, tempered with some consideration for your particular lifestyle and taste preferences, is in order. Leslie Bonci, director of sports nutrition for UPMC and author of The Active Calorie Diet, has some surprising answers to some frequently asked questions. “Nutrition should be more inclusive, rather than exclusive,” says Bonci. “People give way too much attention on what to avoid and that becomes a negative focus.” Nutrition should be based on positive choices and pursuing good health, rather than avoiding bad health. There is no one perfect diet for every individual, due to age, medical conditions and different activity levels, but there are some general guidelines that make planning a healthy meal a little easier. “Thank goodness we got rid of the Food Pyramid. People don’t eat from a pyramid and it’s too abstract,” says Bonci. “The Food Plate is much more natural with the plate being divided into quarters made up of 50% fruits and vegetables, 25% proteins and 25% grains. The blue circle beside the plate represents dairy products such as milk, which supplies D-3, a vitamin that research has indicated prevents several serious diseases. Dairy products of course also supply calcium, an important mineral for everyone but especially women in the prevention of osteoporosis, a disease that the International Osteoporosis Foundation estimates affects 200 million women worldwide. The fork beside the plate is a reminder that the meal should be a sit-down affair, with time to eat and enjoy and appreciate the meal. 56 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE |
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Noticeably absent from the Food Plate as a category is fat, but Bonci says, “The goal is not to eliminate fat entirely.” It is an important part of the diet which helps the body to use fat soluble vitamins and helps keep skin soft and supple. Unsaturated fats can be found in foods such as salmon, trout, flaxseed oil, walnuts, almonds and olive oil. While these fats are healthy in limited amounts, they still have a high density of calories and will sabotage any diet if left unchecked. They should be consumed in reasonable amounts. One recommendation that is common these days is the advice to eat six meals per day, consuming something every couple of hours. “People in Europe and other parts of the world don’t eat this way; this is an American idea. I would like to see people eat three meals per day with a floating snack in between,” suggests Bonci. Of course she points out that if you only have one meal per day and it is late in the evening, your body will have less time to expend the calories before bed, possibly resulting in excess weight. However, six meals a day is often not practical for those who work regular jobs in an office or other setting that prevents food while at work. While food allergies have gotten a great deal of media attention lately, Bonci explains that actual food allergies are relatively rare. What is more common are food sensitivities and food intolerance, such as those individuals who are lactose intolerant. There are alternative sources for calcium if a person is lactose intolerant, such as soy milk, almond milk, baked beans and canned salmon. These are all acceptable alternatives providing important nutrients. For those people wishing to drop a few pounds, Bonci points out that it is a relatively simple principle, “You have to create a deficit.
There has to be less calories eaten than what is being Nutrition should be used.” This of course can based on positive be done by having smaller portions while still choices and pursuing enjoying a variety of foods good health, rather to enable you to have a balanced diet. One than avoiding suggestion is to use a bad health. smaller plate, making the portion size look a bit large. Another way to create a deficit in your caloric intake is to add activity. Exercise not only helps you to burn more calories, but the benefits are intensified in that most people devoting time to exercise begin to also focus more attention on their nutrition and calorie intake as well. Exercise changes your mindset to a healthier routine. Bonci adds that another advantage to exercising is that “when you are exercising, you’re not eating.” Many times people eat from boredom, and exercise or sports fill a void in an otherwise inactive lifestyle. Healthy nutrition is all about focusing on positive choices and realizing that food is not just something to be gulped down in five minutes on the way to the soccer game. It is an important part of our lives that deserves attention and appreciation and is instrumental in preventing diseases and promoting optimal health for a better life. For more information on eating a balanced diet, you may visit the United States Dept. of Agriculture website at www.ChooseMyPlate.gov. For healthy suggestions on how nutrition and exercise can affect your life in a positive way, Leslie Bonci’s books, Run Your Butt Off and The Active Calorie Diet, are available online at the Prevention Magazine website www.Prevention.com. Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 57
OLDER ADULTS IN UPPER ST. CLAIR Whether you are a mature adult facing changes in your living arrangements or the child of an aging parent, the prospect of discussing this major life change can be a formidable one. Most experts agree that it is best to broach the subject earlier rather than later.
By Pamela Palongue
n the popular 1990s TV series “The Golden Girls,” Dorothy always had a secret weapon she used to coerce her mother into cooperating with her. Dorothy would periodically threaten her with the ominous warning, “Shady Pines is getting your room ready as we speak…” But nowadays, only around 7% of people over age 75 live in nursing homes, according to census figures, and there are more choices than ever for different lifestyles and levels of care. There are as many as 20 different types of senior care facilities, and before looking at any new living arrangement, it’s important to have a basic idea of what the different levels are to avoid feeling overwhelmed with choices. The following are some of the most popular living arrangements for seniors of today. One favorite for mature adults is the active adult community, sometimes referred to as a retirement community or independent living. These dwellings are usually homes or condos with individuals living independently and owning their own home, but in a grouping or housing plan with other seniors. Many times these communities will offer a clubhouse and have planned social and cultural activities 58 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE |
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and limited transportation. They may also provide housekeeping and communal meals for a monthly fee. They are probably best suited to individuals who are active and able to assume total care for themselves, but desire social interaction with others in their own age group. Assisted living facilities usually allow individuals to have the privacy of their own apartment or home, while offering daily assistance with bathing and dressing. Some communities may also help with administering medications. This is an attractive option for many seniors because residents may be able to bathe and dress themselves initially, but as health and mobility decline the help becomes readily available without having to make a change in living arrangements. Communal dining may also be an option for an added fee. Residents rent their apartment or home and may pay one ‘all inclusive’ fee for services or may be charged ‘a la carte’ for each additional service needed. This is a good choice for any mature adult who is currently ambulatory, but who may have concerns about future mobility problems or perhaps has the beginning of mobility issues. Another increasingly popular option for mature adults is home
health care which allows individuals to remain in their homes while receiving professional assistance with bathing, dressing and meal preparation. The care may also extend to medical needs such as the administration of medications and the ongoing management of blood pressure or diabetes. Medicare and Medicaid may provide financial assistance in some cases, but there are several eligibility requirements which must be met. This is a particularly good option for individuals who are emotionally attached to their residence and do not have a strong need for social interaction with other seniors. Rehabilitation facilities are primarily a temporary option for those recuperating from injury or illness. Rehab helps the individual recover and provides adaptive techniques for preparing the patient to return to independent living. While the person may not function at the previous level, the goal of rehab is to enhance the patient’s quality of life by improving mobility, speech and self-care. Though people seldom look forward to going to a nursing facility, skilled nursing homes provide 24-hour care for individuals with serious illness, injury or mental decline. The good news is that there have been several improvements in the quality of care received in nursing facilities since the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987. Nurse aides now have more training, and each resident must be fully evaluated upon admission so that an individual care plan can be established. Meals are planned by a dietician to ensure proper nutrition, and many nursing facilities now include regular exercise as a part of their managed care for residents. Whether you are a mature adult facing changes in your living arrangements or the child of an aging parent, the prospect of discussing this major life change can be a formidable one. Most experts agree that it is best to broach the subject earlier rather than later. Try to discuss the different options with aging parents and find out which ones appeal to them. Certain conditions such as serious dementia may prevent a meaningful discussion of these topics later. By talking about the choices now, your loved one can weigh in on the decision and help you decide based on personal preferences. The topic is also easier to discuss when it seems a long way off, rather than inevitable in the near future. The older person will also have more time to make decisions, rather than hastily settling on a new home. When beginning the discussion, always reassure your loved one that you want him/her to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible. Ask questions rather than offering advice. This will help your parent to feel more in control of the conversation. Try not to force any decisions with only one discussion. Give your loved one a chance to digest the idea and to form some thoughts on the subject. Suggest the possibility of a visit to an independent or assisted living community. Many parents who are initially reluctant to even discuss moving become excited about the prospect of making a change when they are able to see firsthand the positive social aspects and activities offered at assisted living facilities. Finally, enlist the help of one of your parent’s friends already in independent or assisted living as an advocate. Oftentimes parents may feel that their children are “ganging up” on them if they are confronted by several siblings telling them what they should do. However, an individual in their own age group who has made the adjustment and is happy is the best advocate. For more information on finding a home for your loved one, you may want to consult www.aplaceformom.com, a free elder care referral service. For more tips about speaking with your parents or services available for your loved one, visit the Area Agency on Aging website at www.alleghenycounty.us/dhs/aaa.aspx. Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 59
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REAL ESTATE
UPPER ST. CLAIR
Make Your Home
Cleaner& Greener F
Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 61
REAL ESTATE
UPPER ST. CLAIR
Real Estate Service
Janet Hensler Realtor®, SRES
Real Estate Mortgage Title Insurance
Howard Hanna Real Estate Hard Work and and Mortgage Services Determination 412.833.3600 ext. 244 Bring Positive 412.491.2741 cell janethensler@howardhanna.com Results 62 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE |
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REAL ESTATE
UPPER ST. CLAIR
By Pamela Palongue
old winter weather is inevitable in Pennsylvania, but you can make sure your home is warm and toasty by getting your home ready now for the snowy season. One important thing to do is to purchase some nonperishable food items that can be eaten without heating in case of a winter power outage. Also, make sure those flashlights have fresh batteries and are in a handy place. Make sure that smoke detectors and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors have fresh batteries. CO detectors become especially important in the winter months because of increased use of kerosene and gas space heaters, leaking chimneys and furnaces, wood stoves and gas stoves – all sources of carbon monoxide. CO detectors are inexpensive and install easily. Next, insulate all exposed water pipes to prevent freezing pipes in the coldest part of winter. Be sure to leave your heat set to at least 55 degrees if you are going to be away from home for a few days. Consider adding extra insulation to the attic. The U.S. Dept. of Energy recommends approximately 12 inches of insulation in attics in Zone 5. One important thing to remember when adding insulation is to avoid insulation with paper backing which will act as a vapor barrier and may cause moisture problems. Seal up foundation cracks and any entry points into your home such as crawl spaces. This will deter mice and insects from coming into your house and also help with heating bills. Use weather resistant caulking for exteriors and masonry sealer for brick areas. Weather stripping around doors and caulking around windows will help prevent cold air from pouring into your home. Plastic may be used in basement windows for added protection.
If your home has a fireplace, yearly cleaning by a chimney sweep is essential; twice a year if the fireplace is used frequently. The buildup of wood resins forms creosote and can create a combustible fire in the chimney that can destroy an entire home. Make sure that the chimney top has a grate to prevent small animals such as squirrels from entering your home through the chimney. A furnace inspection will not only ensure safety, but help lower heating bills by more efficient use of your furnace. Cleaning the ducts and replacing filters monthly helps your home to have cleaner, healthier air. Dirty filters restrict air flow and can potentially cause fires. One area of your home that may go unnoticed is the gutter spouts. These should be cleaned thoroughly and hosed down before temperatures drop. Leaving gutter spouts clogged with leaves will lead to snow and ice building up in the gutters with no way for melting snow to drain, causing possible water damage to your home. A really easy tip is to reverse your ceiling fan so that the blades turn in a clockwise direction. This will help force warm air down into living space, rather than collecting near the ceiling. With a little planning, your home can be safe and warm all winter long, no matter what the temperature outside.
Stunning two story brick colonial with fantastic updates to the exterior and to interior mechanics. Updated roof, windows, heating and air system, carpet, hot water tank and garage doors. A kitchen island and first floor laundry make this a desirable floor plan. You will find a private, level rear yard easy to enjoy and maintain.
Upper St. Clair ~ $374,000
Ann Allsopp OFFICE 412.885.8530 Ext.135 FAX 412.885.1461 CELL 412.979.5056 EMAIL aallsopp@northwood.com
Karena Allsopp OFFICE 412.885.8530 Ext.183 FAX 412.885.1461 CELL 412.916.3307 EMAIL kallsopp@northwood.com
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Used cars find new purpose in securing employment for low-income families The morning commute for Loretta, a single mother with three children who recently moved her family into her mother’s two-bedroom apartment, used to be a daunting task. Each day she and her children rode the bus, stopping at daycare before Loretta reached her full-time job downtown. Thanks to Community Auto, a program of North Hills Community Outreach that pairs used cars with low-income drivers, Loretta’s commute has become much more manageable, and she feels her independence has been restored. Community Auto accepts donations of used cars, has them repaired and serviced by local mechanics and then offers them for purchase at prices well below market value. Four months ago, Loretta was able to buy a minivan. “Your program is such a blessing to so many people,” Loretta writes. Donors receive the maximum tax deduction allowable for the donation, as well as assurance that their car is directly helping a local family in need. Buyers benefiting from the program must meet income eligibility guidelines and work at least 25 hours per week. Community Auto encourages Pennsylvanians to BE A DRIVING
CHANGE by donating used vehicles. Learn more at
communityauto.org or call 724-443-8300.
Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 65
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Upper St. Clair
HOUSES
We are interested in highlighting your church! If you are a member of the clergy from this area and would like to contribute an inspirational message that all of our readers might enjoy, please contact Marybeth Jeffries, Managing Editor at marybeth@ incommunitymagazines.com for more information.
OF
WORSHIP
A Restoration Church ...............................................724.941.3480
New Song Community Church................................412.341.1293
Berean Fellowship Church ......................................412.220.4673
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.............................724.941.7467
Beth-El Congregation of South Hills ......................412.561.1168
Peters Creek Baptist Church...................................412.833.6111
Bethel Presbyterian Church....................................412.835.0405
Ruthfred Lutheran Church .......................................412.835.7140
Beverly Heights Presbyterian Church ...................412.561.5100
South Hills Assembly of God ...................................412.835.8900
Bower Hill Community Church................................412.561.4114
South Hills Bible Chapel...........................................724.941.8990
Center Presbyterian Church....................................724.941.9050
South Hills Church of the Nazarene.......................412.831.6333
Christ the King Church .............................................412.595.7181
South Hills Community Baptist Church..................412.833.1313
Christ Community Church of South Hills ...............412.519.4097
Southminster Presbyterian Church........................412.343.8900
Grace Fellowship Church ........................................412.334.3803
St. David’s Anglican Church....................................724.941.4060
Christ United Methodist Church .............................412.835.6621
St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church...............412.221.2277
Covenant Family Church ..........................................724.263.7147
St. Gregory Byzantine Catholic Church.................412.835.7800
Faith Lutheran Church..............................................412.835.4590
St. John Capistran Roman Catholic Church .........412.221.6275
First Church of Christ, Scientist ..............................412.561.1125
St. Louise DeMarillac Roman Catholic Church....412.833.1010
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church...........................412.276.2446
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.....................................412.531.7153
Good Shepherd Church............................................724.941.9418
St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church ...........412.833.0031
Holy Child Parish .......................................................412.221.5213
Temple Emanuel ........................................................412.279.7600
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church .......................412.833.3355
Unitarian Universalist Church of the South Hills 412.561.6277
Hope Lutheran Church .............................................724.941.9441
Upper St. Clair Alliance Church..............................412.835.4775
Lebanon Presbyterian Church ................................412.466.7184
Westminster Presbyterian Church.........................412.835.6630
Mt. Lebanon Christian Church ................................412.531.8554 New Day Assembly of God......................................724.941.1661
If your place of worship was not on our list, please e-mail the information to marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com.
Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 67
The
ave you ever seen someone and said those are the most beautiful, hypnotic eyes I have ever seen? A person’s eyes are the focal point of their facial features and are often focused on by others during conversations or first meetings. For that reason, patients are very concerned about how their eyes appear to others. In this day and age with everyone wanting to look as lovely as they can, aesthetic eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, can be beneficial to men and women at any age. How do I know if I need eyelid surgery? This is a common question that men and women alike ask me as well as themselves. Here is a good checklist reference for you. 1. Bags and dark circles under the eyes 2. Lower eyelid droopiness 3. Excessive and loose skin hanging down from the upper eyelids, sometimes even obstructing vision 4. A puffiness to the upper eyelids, making the eyes appear tired 5. Excess skin and fine crepe paper type wrinkles of the lower eyelids
H
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Eyelid surgery can usually correct these problems, but sometimes other treatments may also need to be considered. What we commonly refer to as “crow’s feet” lines may be smoothed out with Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, Chemical Peels or Laser Resurfacing. Dark circles under the eyes that are caused by dark pigmentation may be treated with Hyaluonic Acid fillers, fat injections or sometimes chemical peeling. Often, if drooping upper eyelids is combined with sagging of the brows, an endoscopic brow lift may be the answer. When patients come in for a consultation for this type of surgery, I usually have them look in the mirror and tell me EXACTLY what they want to see improved. This will allow me to understand their expectations and determine whether they can be realistically achieved. Patients should always come to their appointment ready to discuss their medical history. Especially important conditions with eye
Upper St. Clair
surgery are high blood pressure, diabetes and thyroid problems. Allergies are also something I need to know before performing this surgery. Eyelid surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure, which means the patient can go home after their operation and time in the recovery room. With upper eyelid surgery, or Upper Blepharoplasty, the incision is generally hidden in the natural fold of the eyelid. With lower eyelid surgery, or Lower Blepharoplasty, the incision is usually hidden just below the lower lash line. As with other surgeries, I will advise you to stop smoking. The amount of recovery time varies among individuals. The first few days after surgery, you should rest quietly with your head elevated. Remember not to take aspirin or any anti -inflammatory medications. These products tend to thin your blood, which can increase bruising and swelling with surgery. Bruising usually disappears within 7-10 days. Straining, bending and lifting should be avoided during the early post- operative period. But, in most cases, you will be able to resume most of your normal activities within 10 days or less. After you have aesthetic eyelid surgery, people may remark about how rested you look or think you have recently returned from a vacation. When you have eyelid surgery, the healing is a gradual process. Because of this, you will need to wait at least a few weeks to get an accurate picture of your results. Incisions will fade over several months, usually becoming barely visible. The results of this type of surgery are ordinarily long lasting. Removing fat from your eyelids, which is what typically causes the bags and puffiness, is permanent. Patients are normally delighted with their results and feel that they look much younger and refreshed. In today’s world, patients want to look the very best that they can, not only for themselves, but for the workplace. People are working later into their lives and want to have an edge in the competitive marketplace. In summary, eye surgery is not just for reasons of vanity, but can also aid in securing new jobs or advancing to that promotion.
Pittsburgh Youth Ballet Company performing in George Balanchine’s© “Snowflakes” ® The George Balanchine Trust.
The wonder of this holiday season was celebrated with Pittsburgh Youth Ballet Company’s 28th annual full-length performance of “The Nutcracker.” PYBC stands alone in bringing to the Pittsburgh area the brilliant, timeless, and unrivaled choreography of George Balanchine’s ©”Snowflakes.” PYBC’s “The Nutcracker” is a family tradition for many. The show garnered fantastic reviews from families and critics alike! Jane Vranish, dance critic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote “One of the country's top regional ballet companies… PYBC gilds the Nutcracker lavishly… a sugary assortment of characters in a remarkably sumptuous production… a hothouse of talent that is developing a national reputation.” This wonderful full-length Nutcracker was performed at Upper St Clair Theater. Girl Scout and Try It Badges, Patches and workshops along with senior citizen organizational discounts are available. For tickets and more information visit Pittsburgh Youth Ballet’s school and company’s website at: www.pybco.org or call Pittsburgh Youth Ballet Company “The 724.969.6900. Nutcracker” Photo by Michael Haritan
Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 69
he most rapid period of growth for the brain is from birth to age 10 and is documented as being the “window of opportunity.” It is during this time that the brain learns and retains information best. The more experiences and exposure to different things during this time, the more connections are made within the child’s brain. Therefore, learning is taking place with the ability to retain the informat ion. Tiger Woods is a great example--he was probably born with a natural gift for golf. However, if his father wouldn’t have provided him with the experience of golf starting at a young age, would he be the phenomenal golfer that he is today? The brain changes physiologically as a result of experience. The functioning ability of the brain is determined by the environment in which the brain operate s. The brain has an amazing ability to constantly change its structure and function in response to external experiences, emotion, and the environment. The brain at this age can be compared to soft plastic, and is like a sponge. There are dendrites within the brain, which are connections between brain cells. These can grow at any age, but have optimal growth during the “window of opportunity” period . The young plastic, sponge like mind is craving experiences, interaction, and information in order to form as many dendrite connections as possible. Please note that parents and teachers should provide as many
connections as possible, at the earliest age possible. This helps create a foundation for the young learner to fall back on and recall information from any point in their lives, whether it is a t 7 or 70. The brain constantly seeks connections between the new and the known. There is a trick in creating dendrites, and that is providing a safe, secure, loving environment as well as an environment rich in experiences. Another trick is that emotion creates a dendrite connection with respect to the child’s experience as well. By creating this rich, positive, and active learning environment, the child will ha ve a positive experience to either recall at a later date or to further develop a skill. An enriched environment gives children the opportunity to make sense out of what they are learning. Learning is a process of active construction by the learner, and an enriched environment gives children the opportunity to relate what they are learning to what they already know. The brain is essentially curious and is innately social and collaborative. A child’s learning is enhanced when the environment, whether at home or at school, provides them with the opportunity to play, discover, make messes, make mistakes, discuss their thinking out loud, and work collaboratively with their peers, parents, and teachers. We have fun providing that environment here at The Goddard School. The active learning philo sophy formed through extensive research by Jean Piaget supports brain development. Children learn best in a non-threatening environment in which they feel safe, secure, loved and are provided with an abundance of experiences. Have fun providing these important experiences with your child and know that their minds are VERY impressionable. Make the most out of this early childhood timeframe with y our little ones! Missed opportunities cannot be replicated, so make sure your young children are exposed within the confines of a learning environment to as many experiences as possible. You will be fascinated by how much information they can process and retain, and, as time passes, you will be amazed at how they are able to draw upon those experiences as they face more complex problem solving tasks. This Industry Insight was written by Bob & Lori Santo. Bob & Lori Santo are the owners of The Goddard School®, located at 825 East McMurray Rd. in Peters Township. Goddard offers both full- and part-time Infant/Preschool/K programs. For more information, visit www.goddardschools.com or call 724.941.6464.
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business spotlight
SOUTHPOINTE CHIROPRACTIC Now Offering Services Closer to Upper St. Clair Residents
D
r. Tyson Swigart understands that his Upper St. Clair neighbors may not want to drive down to Southpointe to get the benefits his practice offers them. So a new location at the West Penn Allegheny Outpatient Care Center off of Rt. 19 will bring those services closer to them by offering hours from 12 to 4 p.m. once a week. “Upper St. Clair is important to me,” Swigart said. “My family has been a part o f the South Hills all their lives. My sister, sister-in-law, and I all reside in Upper St. Clair. We have 10 children in the Upper St. Clair School District, including my own.” In addition to residing in Upper St. Clair, Swigart also serves as the president of his Neighborhood Association. Swigart heard about the available space through a family practice group that already referred patients to his Southpointe office. Having him on-site would make it easier for patients to receive the care they need. “We do a combination of traditional, hands-on chiropractic care and soft tissue techniques such as massage therapy and stretching,” Swigart said. “We round it out with a customized, individualized exercise program.” As a certified sports physician, former collegiate strength and conditioning coach, and former professor teaching sports rehabilitation, Swigart has worked with athletes from the NFL, NHL, NBA and PGA to help them not only come back from injury, but to train themselves preventatively so that new injuries don’t occur. He was also the former team chiropractor for the Washington Wild Things, and, in his spare time, actively competes in martial arts competitions. “I’d say one of the best things we offer our patients is the experience of our staff,” Swigart said. “We have two registered nurses on staff, an exercise physiologist and massage therapists, all of which are at the top of their game. One of my nurses recently caught a cardiac abnormality in one of our patients during a routine chiropractic screening. We alerted him of a larger problem, and he was able to pursue treatment immediately.” While Swigart is no stranger to the professional athletes, he’s just as thorough on his budding athlete clientele – student athletes from Upper St. Clair, Peters Township, Canon-Mac and South Fayette all frequent Southpointe Chiropractic’s offices for care and performance enhancement. He’s extremely adept at developing programs combining chiropractic care with exercise to treat those suffering from conditions outside of back and neck pain. Those with injuries to the extremities, suffering from Parkinson’s disease and scoliosis all find relief at Swigart’s hands. “My experience has been that more and more, educated people are seeking alternatives to drugs and surgery to cure what ails them,” he said. “Chiropractic care, exercise and stretching suited to their needs fit that bill.”
Southpointe Chiropractic accepts most insurances and payment options. Swigart hopes that the new location will grow from one day a week into a more robust schedule, and because of its proximity to Upper St. Clair, he has no doubt that that will be the case. For more information, go to www.southpointechiropractic.com or call 724.873.0700. The Outpatient Care Center is located at 160 Gallery Drive, McMurray, PA 15317. The primary office is located near Southpointe in Canonsburg.
Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 71
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Fear and Greed make the markets – and none of us are immune from them. That is why having a trusted advisor can be so important.
am not a psychologist, nor was I ever educated or trained to be. But over the last several years, and again over the last few months, I have certainly felt like one. My chosen profession is as a financial advisor. I enjoy helping people identify and realize their financial goals. But events like the financial crisis in 2008, the recent downgrade of U.S. debt by Standard and Poors, the sovereign debt crises in countries like Greece and Italy, and the accompanying volatility in the stock market, have forced me to act more like a therapist for my clients. They have become emotionally exhausted by the economic turmoil. For many of my clients, and I am sure for many people reading this article, the last few years have shaken their confidence in the markets, leaving them skeptical and justifiably “gun shy” about staying invested. For all of the expertise that my firm offers – assessing risk and return ratios, creating and managing portfolios, considering insurance options, education, retirement, estate, and insurance planning, I have come to realize that one of the most important things I do for my clients is to talk them through these tough times, and try to prevent them from making critical investment mistakes based on emotional decisions. This task, however, is more easily said than done when all of the headlines seem to suggest nothing but bad news. How do we keep our heads and hang in there when it seems like the sky is falling? I believe that in order to make sound
investment decisions (and to keep our sanity!), we need to keep perspective, and perhaps reassess our expectations. When I ask people, “What has been the average annualized return of the U.S. stock market over the last 100 years?”, I typically get answers ranging between 6-12%. But most people will guess correctly – somewhere between 9-11%. Understanding that fact helps people set realistic expectations of the returns in their portfolios and helps them assess their tolerance for risk. But here is the big problem: while the market averages about 10%, the actual return year-to-year is almost NEVER 10%! In fact, since 1900, the market has had a return between 911% only four times! This mathematical reality creates a big issue for those who expect the stock portion of their portfolio to consistently return about 10%. What I need to communicate to my clients, and what my clients need to understand, is that in order to average 10%, we need to be willing to endure A LOT of volatility year to year. We must resist the temptation to bail out on equities when the
market fails to meet these unrealistic expectations. A similar piece of data is the number of times the market has had a return of -20% or worse. It has happened twice in the last decade, and that has shaken or destroyed many investors’ “stomachs” for the markets. But it has only happened a total of seven times since 1900 – fairly rare from a historical perspective. So we cannot allow ourselves to get too discouraged when we get those tough down years. Fear and Greed make the markets – and none of us are immune from them. That is why having a trusted advisor can be so important. One of my most critical jobs is to take emotion out of the equation, and instead rely on sound data and facts. Trusting me to help them make the best decisions gives my clients that most sought-after goal in investing – peace of mind. This Industry Insight was written by Bill Engel. Bill Few Associates, Inc. 740 Washington Road, Suite 100, Pittsburgh, PA 15228 412.630.6000 www.billfew.com
Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 73
business spotlight
f you think that massage is a luxury item you can’t afford, you may need to think again. Not only is it affordable at Massage Envy, but it has proven scientific health benefits for everyone.
According to owners Nicole Gelzheiser and Dawn Albert, massage improves posture, circulation, lowers blood pressure and strengthens the immune system. “It’s part of an overall health and welln ess regimen,” says Gelzheiser, who adds that one hour of massage is equal to six hours of sleep. Rest is essential for repairing the body’s tissues and systems. Without it, the body begins to break down making heart disease, diabetes and other malfunctions more likely. The healing power of touch has long been documented and is even more important for those living alone or individuals with little human contact.
“Each massage is totally customizable to individual preference,” says Albert. Massage Envy offers Swedish massage, deep tissue, myofascial, sports massage that includes stretches, prenatal massage and deep muscle therapy where warm towels are applied with heated oil to penetrate deep into muscle tissues. Additionally, hot stone massages and aromatherapy are offered as massage options. Hot stone therapy has Native American origins and penetrates deeply into the tissues by using the stone as a tool to work the stress from the tissues. An aromatherapy massage has seven different kinds of essential oils, each with a specific benefit, including lavender for calming frayed nerves. “We are focused on a single mission, enriching the lives of our members and our guests,” says Albert. “All of ou r 23 massage therapists are both licensed and certified.” Massage Envy has an introductory offer of $39 for a one-hour massage. Massage Envy offers memberships for individuals who wish to receive therapeutic massage on a regular basis, which makes the treatment far more affordable. There are however, also rates for single visits for individuals who only want an occasional massage. “We also have corporate memberships for companies that want to offer the life-changing benefits of massage to their employees,” says Gelzheiser. Healthier, happier employees translates into less sick time for employees and their companies. Massage Envy is open 7 days a week with evening hours available for those with busy schedules or work obligations. Once a membership is purchased locally, it can be used at any of the 715 Massage Envy locations in 44 states. This is especially helpful to those individuals whose careers require frequent travel.
By Pamela Palongue
Massage Envy is partnered with the Arthritis Foundation and is committed to helping those suffering from arthritis. “Gentle massage is offered for clients with special needs such as osteoporosis, arthritis or other problems and we do accept insurance when massage is medically indicated by their doctor,” says Gelzheiser. The vision of Massage Envy is to provide better lives, better families and better communities; a better world through our hands. For further information or to schedule an appointment please call 724.942.0600.
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Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 75
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Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 77
Community Magazines
“In a community recognized for its strong tradition of philanthropy, the recipients of this year’s National Philanthropy Day Awards stand out,” says Susan Salyards, Association of Fundraising Professionals Western Pennsylvania Chapter president. “They are community heroes who exemplify the spirit of philanthropy, giving their time, talent and resources to change lives for the better.” Established in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan, National Philanthropy Day is celebrated in more than 125 communities across the United States; AFPWPA spearheads NPD activities in the Pittsburgh region. One of this year’s recipients of AFPWPA’s 2011 National Philanthropy Day Awards is Jack Mascaro who received a Special Lifetime Achievement Award. As a major donor to numerous organizations (including the University of Pittsburgh and the National Aviary) and supporter of visionary initiatives such as Pitt’s Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation, Jack Mascaro has had a profound influence on the Pittsburgh region and
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embodies the “servant leader” aspect of philanthropy. Throughout his lifetime, Jack Mascaro has lived his life true to the basic tenets of philanthropy; he contributes his time, treasure, resources and expertise to help make life better for others. Recognized and appreciated far and wide for his spirit of generosity, Mascaro’s imprint has had a profound impact on numerous organizations. His legacy at the University of Pittsburgh, for example, will not only be measured in the millions of dollars given but also for the innovations he has helped foster, including the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation at the University of Pittsburgh, a legacy that speaks to his interest in and passion for the environment. His generous support of the National Aviary, which recognizes Mascaro as its first major donor, also reflects his love of nature and his desire to protect it for future generations. Listed among other beneficiaries of his generosity are Holy Family Institute, St. Paul’s Monastery and the Pittsburgh-Italian Scholarship Fund. As founder and chairman of Mascaro Construction, one of the country’s largest general contracting and construction firms, he believes in the value of hard work and setting an example for those around him. As a “servant leader,” he is deeply committed to his family, his faith and the community.
B USINESS D IRECTORY
Upper St. Clair | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 79
B USINESS D IRECTORY Eagle Eye Construction LLC Additions Remodeling Game rooms Painting Decks Windows
PA028061
412.779.6900 eagleeyeconstruction@verizon.net
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603 East McMurray Road McMurray I PA I 15317 724.942.0940 www.incommunitymagazines.com
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