in-west-allegheny

SPRING 2013

Findlay Teen Bravely Fights Autoimmune Disease Home Improvement Special Section “Art in the Airport” exhibit at PIT

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Here’s the Plan At UPMC Health Plan, we believe customer service should be a service to you, not a headache.

That’s why we offer you a personal health care concierge. A live person who lives here and can answer all your questions in just one phone call. Sure, we win awards for our customer service.

But it’s the reaction we get from satisfied members that we find most rewarding.

To find out more visit upmchealthplan.com

INPERSPECTIVE S TA F F

FROM THE PUBLISHER Welcome to the spring issue of West Allegheny magazine!

I hope that you are as anxious as I am to get the cold and snow behind us and get busy planning projects around the house.

This issue is dedicated to home-improvement projects great and small.

Some projects will give you curb appeal, some will increase your home’s value, and others are for the sheer enjoyment or luxury of it.

Regardless of your aims with your home, whether gutting the walls, or just planting the perfect tree in the yard, our homes are a source of pride for us, and not in a status sense. They are where we raise our families, where we feel safe, and where we invite our friends and loved ones for parties and fellowship.

Our homes are where our children play, and where oftentimes, we tend to sick loved ones. They are where we try hardest in life, and where the challenges of life hit us the most. Our homes bear witness to our triumphs as well as our sorrows, and they are as much a part of our personalities as what we choose to wear or adorn ourselves with.

So, with so much importance placed on the walls that contain us, we hope that you can find at least one project within these pages to be fodder for your next project around the home.

Have a wonderful spring!

Wayne Dollard, Publisher

WE WANT TO KNOW:

?

How did you get into

Gardening

Gardens are commonplace in Western Pennsylvania, but why?

What’s the allure of gardening that prompted you to first turn the dirt? , Was it a relative who first helped you plant your first or was it your spouse who first introduced you to succulent, vine-ripened ? homegrown Let us know how you first got into gardening and send us some pictures of your garden as well!

Email your submissions to: mark@incommunitymagazines.com and please indicate which of our magazines you receive so we know where to place your story.

tulip bulb

tomatoes

Summer content deadline: 4/12/13

Industry Insight

You don’t have to live with painful varicose and spider veins.

Should I Have My Veins Evaluated?

Q & A WITH A VEIN SPECIALIST: While finishing charts at the end of my day, I took a few moments to listen to my staff answer questions for a patient on the phone. The questions asked were very important as were the answers that were given.

Here are some examples:

What is Phlebology?

Phlebology is the branch of medicine that deals with veins and the disease of veins. Two organizations dedicated to the advancement of this field are The American College of Phlebology and the American Venous Forum.

Why should I see a board-certified phlebologist to evaluate my varicose veins?

When it comes to any aspect of your health care, it is important to be proactive in the choice and research of who will become medically responsible for your evaluation and treatment. Though venous disease is not always a visible ailment, it can be a serious health problem leading to more serious issues, so choosing a specialist, or board certified phlebologist for your venous care is a wise decision.

Board certification in phlebology identifies a physician who has taken the extra step of becoming specialized in the treatment of venous disease. Not only is the physician often a member of organizations such as the American College of Phlebology (ACP) and the American Venous Forum (AVF) but they have met additional requirements set by the certifying board. After meeting these requirements, he or she must then pass a certifying exam allowing the physician to identify him or herself as board-certified.

Is membership the same as board certification?

This question is particularly important as it defines the specialty of a phlebologist. While a physician may be a member of many different organizations, these organizations only require an interest in the field for joining. Thus membership is unlike board certification where qualification is determined through training and testing. Here’s how the ACP defines its board certification: “The establishment of a Board Certification Exam brings recognition to both the field of phlebology and those providers in the field who have the knowledge, skills and experience to provide quality care to phlebology patients.”

I had a free screening at a health fair and was told that I don’t have venous disease, but I still have aching, pain and discoloration at the ankles. What should I do?

While free screenings can be informative, remember that this is just a brief glance into a patient’s venous system.

A complete venous exam and venous mapping by a boardcertified phlebologist is best to determine if a patient has venous disease.

Since a proper venous ultrasound is such an integral part of this evaluation, the American College of Phlebology has set requirements for it that include the following: • A venous ultrasound should be ordered by a physician.

• A lower extremity ultrasound should study the entire leg, from ankle to groin. Failure to identify and treat all sources of reflux may result in outright treatment failure.

• Evaluation of the venous system should be performed with the patient in the upright position. Sitting or lying down are inappropriate for the detection of reflux or the measurement of vein diameters.

• A venous ultrasound should be performed by a trained physician or a registered vascular ultrasound technician (RVT) and then interpreted by a physician.

If I have had an evaluation elsewhere, can I still be evaluated in your office?

Of course. A free evaluation is commonly ‘free’ because patients are often not meeting with a physician, a physician assistant or a nurse practitioner, so this visit cannot be billed to insurance. However, most insurances allow for a second opinion. If you have any questions about the second opinion being covered, contact member services on the back of your insurance card.

This Industry Insight was written by Theresa Schneider.

Terrance R. Krysinski, MD General Surgeon Board Certified Phlebologist Vein Institute of Pittsburgh 724.934.VEIN (8346)

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West Allegheny

INSIDE

IN West Allegheny is a non-partisan community publication dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the West Allegheny 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.

IN West Allegheny | SPRING 2013 |

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FEATURES

Home Improvement Special Section ................................... | 26 Band Director Welcomes WAHS Students to Join Band .................... | 33 “Art in the Airport” exhibit at PIT | 36 INDUSTRY INSIGHTS ON THE COVER

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The West Allegheny Marching Pride band director sends out an invitation to all West A High School students to join. See story on page 33.

Vein Institute of Pittsburgh ........... | 2 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

JT Landscaping, LLC .......................... | 30

For special values, see coupon on page 25.

Cover photo by Kathy Rudolph.

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COMMUNITY INTERESTS

West Allegheny School District News ..................................... | 4 Parkway West Career Training Center ...................................... | 8 New Advanced Treatment for Skin Cancer .......................... | 11 Findlay Teen Bravely Fights Autoimmune Disease ............. | 12 Oakdale News And Events ............................................................. | 16 UPMC Today | Health and Wellness News ...................................... | 17 Tomosynthesis Offers Women Greater Detection of Breast Abnormalities .......................................... | 32

WE WANT TO COVER YOU! Do you have an event coming up that you’d like to publicize? Do you have an event that you want us to cover? Let us know!

Go to www.incommunitymagazines.com/events and fill out the form. Events will be announced in the upcoming issue. If our deadlines don’t match yours, we may decide to send our photographers to cover the event for an upcoming issue.

We’re looking for fundraisers, charity drives, social functions, class reunions, church festivals, awards presentations and more! If you’re not sure you have an event worth featuring, give us a call at 724.942.0940 and we’ll help you out!

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West Allegheny | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 3

 WEST ALLEGHENY SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS

Team Eicftifmors tof Benefits V Hurricane Sandy

Seventh grader Nate Graziani wins middle school Geography Bee organized by social studies teachers Nancy Watkins (left) and Valerie Meehan (right).

When the West Allegheny Athletic Department was approached to assist the victims of Hurricane Sandy, it responded in typical Indian fashion by organizing a collection of over one ton of shoes, clothing and personal goods.

Soon after Sandy hit the East Coast in October, Rick Burkholder, head athletic trainer for the Philadelphia Eagles, sent a request for donations to benefit underprivileged children from Ocean City, N.J., who lost everything in the storm. Within hours, West Allegheny Athletic Director, David McBain, reached out to

Middle School Geography Bee Takes Students Around the World in Three Days

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fter three days of competition it came down to one final question: “The Yaghan were a nomadic tribe indigenous to Tierra del Fuego, an island group that is divided between Argentina and what other country?” With the correct answer of Chile, seventh grader Nate Graziani won the annual middle school Geography Bee, which was sponsored by the National Geographic Society.

This year’s bee was organized by Middle school students place in top 10 of Geography middle school social studies teachers Bee finals.

Nancy Watkins and Valerie Meehan and National Geographic t-shirts and ribbons. was held January 8–10, 2013. All middle As the District winner, Graziani received school students competed in the initial a trophy and will now take a written test to rounds until only 10 students remained. determine if he will move on to the State Students who competed in the final Championships in April. Should Graziani round included seventh graders win at the state level, he would qualify for the Billy Robertson, Joseph Cook, National Championship competition, Dominic Patitucci, Michael which will be held in Washington, Flesse and Nate Graziani and D.C., May 20-22, 2013. The eighth graders Dannial Cardillo, national winner will receive a Jessica Wasek, Dennis Conway, $25,000 college scholarship and Daniel Shemon and Sai Bhatte. a trip to the Galapagos Islands.

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Athletic director, David McBain, student, Tyler Lyle, and high school life skills teacher, Tony Castelluci package donations slated for Hurricane Sandy victims.

his network of WPIAL schools and established regional collection sites.

With the help of West Allegheny parents from both the cheerleading and girls’ soccer booster clubs the high school athletic office became the central collection site for 2,173 pounds of donated items. Once donations were boxed, FedEx Ground joined the efforts and committed to shipping the 83 packages at no charge. “The ability for West Allegheny and other WPIAL schools to come together to assist in the relief efforts, along with the generous donation of transportation by FedEx, was an opportunity to show our friends in New Jersey what is so special about Pittsburgh,” stated McBain.

 Donaldson Delivers Much More Than Food In an ongoing effort to reach neighbors in need, Donaldson Elementary second grade teachers and students initiated Donaldson Delivers.

Stemming from the theme of helping hands, a set of books titled “10 Ways I Can Help My Community” was purchased through a grant from the West Allegheny Foundation. The ideas noted in the book have since inspired teachers, students and families to collect nonperishable food items for the West Allegheny Food Pantry.

The second grade students started the collection in November and different grades will host the drive every month through April. Donaldson second grade teacher, Cindy Hensler, who organized the program, has afforded the Cindy Hensler’s second grade class loads Donaldson Delivers students an opportunity to give back to their community in a direct and donations with the help of fifth grade members of student council. meaningful way.

High School English Teacher Introduces

“ Writing with the Authors”

“The Prince and the Thorny Wood.” Aikens Wolfe spent time talking with students about the importance of imagery and the development of characters, read selections from her own works, and asked the students to share samples of their writing. “The imagery part is what I liked. Mrs. Wolf showed us how to list details to include in our descriptions of characters, as well as how to weave them into a story,” stated Emily Garvin, an eleventh grade student and workshop participant.

Voltz has a second workshop slated for spring and plans to continue the project next year, incorporating authors with varied styles and backgrounds.

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est Allegheny High School English teacher Beth Voltz introduced her students to the art of composition through a recent workshop “Writing with the Authors,” a creative partnership with local authors and professors. In its inaugural year, the purpose of the program is to further expose students to the craft of writing as well as to help them understand a writer’s process.

Open to AP Composition and Language students in eleventh grade, the workshops were kicked off in the fall by author and professor Christine Aikens Wolfe. Although she is primarily a poet, she also recently wrote a book of fiction titled “Rise Up Singing” and one of fantasy titled

Guest author Christine Aikens Wolfe offers suggestions to students during “Writing with the Authors” workshop.

West Allegheny | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 5

 WEST ALLEGHENY SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS

Middle School Students Place First in

Sumdog Competition

A team of thirty-seven students from West Allegheny Middle School placed first in an online math competition sponsored

by Sumdog, a web-based provider of math tutorials and challenges. As a team, the students answered 18,672 questions correctly and won both the daily and overall contests. With a total of 1,871 students from 18 schools in Allegheny County participating, Horizons teacher Allison McLaren encouraged the students to challenge themselves throughout the weeklong competition.

Individually, seventh graders Billy Robertson and Veronica Heyl placed twenty-second and twenty-third respectively.

Additional members of the winning team included Anden Acitelli, Matt Andrews, Daylan Baust, Cam Bertolotti, Christian Botwright, Isaac Bower, Eric Campbell, Jeremy Cerciello, Jessica Collins, Mikayla Day, Emily Fullard, Darian Hallam, Zach Hoge, Preston Hollis, Trevon Jones, Logan Keast,

Under the guidance of Horizons teacher, Allison McLaren, middle school team places first in Sumdog competition.

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Jason LaGambo, Ryan Locke, Zachary Logan, Anthony Masters, Shana Meola, Tanner Morris, Arielle Moulinie, Spencer Naleppa, Max Oberg, Zachary Painter, Christina Prologo, Logan Scheider, Amanda Schlor, Devon Schmitt, Greg Schriner, Aaron Silvis, Chase Steding, Angelo Wilson and Megan Ye. Sumdog rewarded each team member with a complimentary subscription to the online site and Rick Smith, middle school principal, provided each student with a t-shirt.

Sumdog is designed for students of all abilities and offers self-paced learning in the form of entertaining yet challenging games and tasks. To strengthen a student’s foundation in math skills the lessons are based on the Common Core Standards.

National HonorSociety InductsNewMembers  O

n January 9, West Allegheny High School inducted 31 juniors and seven seniors into the National Honor Society.

To be eligible for membership, students must have maintained at least a 3.75 QPA for juniors and a 3.5 QPA for seniors, and must be taking or have completed three classes of advanced standing in each of the five major academic disciplines: English, world languages, mathematics, science, and social studies. High school Biology teacher Suzanne Lambert is the faculty sponsor.

New members inducted into NHS include (Front row): Alaina Fritz, Heather Amper, Jessica Fesenmyer, Jennie Kriznik, Lindsay Skowron, Brianna Lach, Julie Zanella, Emma Wilson, Maggie Ingram, Brandi Hermes, Lindsay McCracken.

(Middle row): Sarah Becker, Lara Jakiel, Rio Maropis, Catherine Roberts, Vishmayaa Saravanan, Elizabeth Murn, Carli Cardillo, Michaela Gardner, Rachel Smith, Aubrey Leasure, Alexis Irwin, Jordan Gigliotti, Jocelyn Perry.

(Back row): Jordan Grogan, Michael Ross, Jarrett Bordo, Zachary Tarasenkov, Justin Josey, Andrew Becker, Jesse Bolind, Matthew Grebosky, Alec Palmer, Cole Toulouse, Ibrahim Bitar, Michael Belko, Alex Nolte.

Not pictured is Maura Hohn.

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

INDUCTEES

High School Social Studies Teacher, Dan Prevade, Publishes Article For Heinz History Center West Allegheny High School social studies teacher, Dan Prevade, had an article published in the Fall 2012 issue of “Western Pennsylvania History.” The article, titled “Horror and Heroism The Aetna Chemical Explosion,” details the Aetna Chemical Company explosion that rocked Oakdale, Pennsylvania on May 18, 1918, and killed approximately 200 people. This accident, and others like it, caused many government officials to question the safety of placing industrial plants so close to residential areas, and was the impetus for the establishment of zoning regulations.

Prevade’s interest in the story began as a young boy when he came across the ruins of the factory while hiking with his brother. The historical significance of the event continued to fascinate Prevade, which culminated in the two-year research and writing project.

Published through the Heinz History Center, the article is available online at www.heinzhistorycenter.org, the museum’s e-store.

West Allegheny | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 7

PARKWAY WEST CTC

Parkway West Career & Technology Center is NOT Closing It is with great regret we announce that the Alternative Center for Education (ACE), which is located on the Campus of Parkway West Career & Technology Center (CTC), will be closing at the end of the 2012-2013 school year. The decision to close the school did not come easily and all possible avenues were investigated by the Parkway West Joint Operating Committee and sending school district superintendents to prevent this from occurring. Despite efforts, no feasible solution was found. Therefore, the Board of Directors of each of the twelve sending school districts took official action to end their participation in the consortium which makes up the ACE student population.

The closing of ACE will in no way affect students from attending Parkway West CTC. Though Parkway West CTC and ACE share the same sending districts, Parkway West CTC is NOT closing. All the districts remain committed to sending students to Parkway West CTC. As a matter of fact, on Thursday, February 7th, interested students from several of our districts visited two of PWCTC’s fourteen programs to explore the possibility of enrolling for the 2013-2014 school year. In addition, an Open House for interested parents, guardians, and students is being planned for Wednesday, March 6th to allow the opportunity

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for anyone to walk the technology center’s halls, speak to the staff, and learn more about course and career opportunities. Parkway West CTC is looking forward to serving our districts with the best possible career and technical education available. Additional questions about this issue may be answered by calling 412.923.1772, or feel free to email your questions to info@parkwaywest.org.

West Allegheny Students Capture

31 Awards In Scholastic Art Competition

In the 2013 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards program, 20 West Allegheny students in grades nine through 12 won a total of 31 awards in the visual art and photography categories.

Luke Kandracs and Kelly Wiesner captured Gold Key Awards in the ceramics and glass, and drawing categories respectively.

Among the Silver Key Award winners were Blair Conner, with nine silver awards, and Matthew Grebosky, Elijah Kutzavitch, and Kristi Rozum. Angeline Peng and Natalie Wareham were each awarded two Honorable Mentions, and individual Honorable Mention winners included: Aubrey Ayres, Jeff Biers, Carli Cardillo, Blair Conner, Rachel Herman, Katie Hutton, Rebecca Kelsch, Robyn Lutz,

Cassandra McNavish, Alexis O’Shea, Missy Radovich, Colleen Wade and Ian Yawnlis.

High School art teachers Carol DeWitt and Mike Short and video production and digital photography teacher Mike Shaffer, coordinated participation by 48 students in the visual arts, photography, digital art, film, animation, and poetry categories. All artwork earning gold keys, silver keys, and honorable mentions will be on display from February 9 - 24, 2013, at LaRoche College.

Artwork selected for Gold Key Awards is forwarded to the national level of judging.

These award-winners will be displayed in Washington, D.C. with over 500 entries from 19 school districts.

West Allegheny | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 9

Students Take the Lead on Road Safety

Lectures and scare tactics by well-meaning adults have not yet transformed this nation’s teen drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car crashes remain the leading cause of death for teenagers in America.

Thankfully, students—the people best positioned to make change—are taking note and taking a stand against this startling statistic. As one teen states: “Teenagers do not listen to safety messages from their parents as well as they do when those messages come from their friends.

It is easier to relate to advice from fellow teens.”

Here’s the advice proactive students commonly share:

Plan Ahead

• Designate someone to text for you, and hand over your phone. Or, better yet, turn your phone to silent and lock it in the glove compartment until you arrive safely at your destination.

• Connect with your parents on ground rules for driving. Know what the consequences will be if the rules aren’t followed.

• Prepare a driving playlist. Don’t let your driving be distracted while trying to find the perfect song.

On the Road

• Use your head. Remember that there is absolutely no text, song, call or distraction that is more important than your life or the lives of others.

• Drive defensively by keeping your full focus on the road and other drivers so you can react to changing situations.

• Be prepared with a strong, clear statement to stand up to a peer who isn’t driving safely.

Say something like, “We both want to live, so let me answer your phone or text while you focus on driving.”

Take a Stand

• Find out what is actually happening in your community and who your partners are to help make roads safer for teens.

• Know and support effective laws in your state, such as Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL).

• Grab some friends and get involved with a program such as Project Ignition to gain valuable academic and leadership skills while saving lives on the road.

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New Advanced Treatment for Skin Cancer Patricia Sinicki found a scratch on her nose back in 2010 and didn’t think much of it. “I thought that one of my cats had scratched me,” she said.

At the time, she was undergoing total knee reconstruction followed by physical therapy, so she didn’t have time to really worry about that scratch.

As time went on, however, the scratch continued to get worse. Her primary care physician referred her to a dermatologist who biopsied the lesion and confirmed the diagnosis: basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer, according to Melissa Pugliano-Mauro, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at UPMC St. Margaret and Mohs surgeon.

“I have a strong family history of skin cancer, so my primary care physician had prepared me for this type of diagnosis,” Sinicki explained.

Fortunately for Sinicki, her dermatologist referred her to Hakeem Sam, MD, PhD, director, Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery at UPMC Presbyterian and in April 2012, she underwent Mohs surgery, a procedure performed for skin cancer that offers the highest potential cure rate; 99 percent.

During the surgery, Dr. Sam removed layers of tumor until it was gone. Sinicki now ranks among that 99 percent, and though she continues to visit Dr. Sam regularly for follow-up, she feels very happy with the progress she has made.

“I just look at it as one more thing in my life that I have conquered,” she said.

Physicians have been performing Mohs surgery for more than 50 years, according to Dr. Sam, with the majority of procedures done on non-melanoma cancers on the head and neck, specifically the areas of skin around the eyes, nose, mouth, lips, and ears. There also is a type of melanoma, called melanoma insitu, on which Mohs surgery is effective.

Dr. Sam explained that the procedure is done in stages, or layers, of tumor removal and is performed under local anesthetic.

“We remove a layer of tumor along with a small margin of surrounding healthy tissue and examine it under a microscope.

If, upon examination, which can take up to one hour, we find more cancer, we remove another layer.

This process is repeated until all of the cancer is removed. This is the most conservative way of removing the entire tumor while still leaving behind as much healthy tissue as possible.”

When that part of the surgery is finished, reconstruction begins, and that could be as simple as side-to-side closures or as extensive as flaps and grafts. In cases where the tumor is more extensive, the patient also may be referred to appropriate specialists.

“Patients can go home the same day with a pressure dressing applied to the surgical area,” Dr. Sam said. “Pain is primarily managed with over-the-counter medications, though patients who experience more pain can be given a prescription.”

More than 3.5 million people in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer annually, Dr. Pugliano-Mauro said, and one in five will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas are the most common types of skin cancer, with basal cell being the most common out of the two, and melanoma is the deadliest form.

“There are similar risk factors for both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers, and those include fair skin complexion, a lot of outdoor sun exposure, or the use of indoor tanning beds, which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently determined are linked to melanoma,” Dr. Pugliano-Mauro explained. “The most effective way to prevent skin cancer is to limit sun exposure. We also strongly advise using sunscreen labeled ‘broad spectrum and water resistant’ and with an SPF of at least 30.

Sunscreen should be applied every two hours or more often after swimming or sweating.”

To learn more about skin cancer and Mohs micrographic surgery, visit UPMC.com/skincancerprogram or call 855-SKN-SPOT (855-756-7768).

West Allegheny | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 11

A

fter speaking to Joe Lawlor for a few minutes and asking him about his job at Imperial Truck Body and his love of cars, his face lights up.

“I always worked on cars with my mom when I was little,” said Lawlor, of Findlay Township. “That is what got me interested in it.”

His mother, Dori Hill, also has fond memories of their shared hobby.

“I always liked fixing cars and it was something that we did together,” said Hill. “Joey is really mechanically inclined and always enjoyed taking things apart and putting them back together; making them better. At a young age he learned about maintenance and taking care of things.”

Al Marzarrella Jr., also saw this interest in Lawlor, who worked for him at Imperial Truck Body.

“Joe has the best work ethic,” said Marzarrella. “I hadn’t seen that in a long time and I’ve hired a lot of kids in my day. He is a very nice kid that is very conscientious and is a hard worker that has the ability to think ahead.”

U

nfortunately, Lawlor had to put his job on hold because of a sudden illness. The 17-year-old West Allegheny High School junior and automotive technology and cooperative education student at Parkway West Career and Technology Center in North Fayette was diagnosed with sarcoidosis, an autoimmune, inflammatory disease that attacks the lungs, in the fall of 2012.

According to the American Lung Association, sarcoidosis is a disease caused by small areas of inflammation and can affect any part of the body, but is most common in the lungs, called pulmonary sarcoidosis. In pulmonary sarcoidosis, “small patches of inflamed cells can appear on the lungs’ small air sacs, breathing tubes or lymph nodes. The lungs can become stiff and may not be able to hold as much air as healthy lungs.” Some

symptoms may include shortness of breath, cough, skin rash, fatigue and depression.

After complaining of a cold and not being able to breathe, Hill had to take Lawlor to the doctor three times before he was properly diagnosed and was put in the hospital where he received treatment, including being put on a ventilator.

A

lthough Lawlor is slowly improving, he must follow a drug regimen and receive chemotherapy once a week for ten more months.

“Joey is doing okay and I am starting to see some improvements because of the steroids being reduced,” said Hill. “He is homebound and gets chemotherapy every Saturday and the steroids have given him problems such PHOTOS AND STORY as swelling, which

BY KATHY RUDOLPH is painful and makes it hard for him to move. I feel bad enough that he has the disease, but the side effects are really a big issue.”

Lawlor still maintains his sense of humor, even in the hospital. Besides his love of cars and sports, he also loves the Ellen DeGeneres Show.

“When he came to in the hospital, he thought that he had been on the Ellen Show,” said Hill.

“I was in stitches!

Also, when he had his ventilator tube taken out and was coming off of his pain medication, the nurse told him that it would be the hardest day in the hospital. He was so mischievous that day and pretended that he was going to be sick, and then say: “Just kidding,” or pretend to pull out his IV tube.”

Findlay Teen Fights Autoimmune Disease with a Kind Smile and Brave Attitude

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eing the sole caregiver and provider, it has been an emotional and financial struggle for Hill, who cannot work because Lawlor needs 24 hour care and because she is awaiting surgery herself. Always being able to provide for her family of four children with Joey being the youngest, Hill is now having a difficult time with living expenses, including purchasing gluten-free food products. The products can be expensive but improve Lawlor’s joints, which are affected by the rheumatic disease.

“I could never imagine this

happening and never planned or saved for it and it was such a shock,” said Hill. “He is such a great kid and it is heartbreaking that he is 17 and not able to do what he wants to do. He is concerned about how his illness is affecting everyone and sometimes feels that he is letting me and himself down. But he is strong and worked so hard to get out of the ICU in the hospital in only four days, making me walk the hospital hallways with him so he could go home.”

T

he local community has also pulled together to help Lawlor, including Parkway West Career and Technology Center, that sponsored a benefit luncheon for him and the local Marriott, which donated their pool facilities for Lawlor’s strength training therapy.

“I can’t thank Parkway enough because they raised over $2,000 for us,” said Hill. “I am so grateful to everyone that has helped us.”

Since Lawlor was having difficulty breathing and needed to remain in a sitting-up position to sleep, Marzarrella donated a hospital bed for Lawlor.

“It’s not just me, but others in the community like the Lions Club

that have stepped-up to help him,” said Marzarrella, who says that he will rehire Lawlor when he feels better. “He is a good kid and it is a shame that this happened to him. If others can help, it would be appreciated.”

When Lawlor is feeling up to it, Hill takes him for drives, which lifts his spirits.

“I wish that I could do more,” said Hill. “But, it makes me feel so good because Joey always tells me that he is not ashamed to call me his best friend. The best thing to do is pray because Joey’s faith is strong.

I think that God puts us right where we need to be.”

To make a donation, please send a check written out to “Joe Lawlor” in an env elo pe marked with the following address: JOE LAWLOR DONATION TRACY MARSCHIK COOPERATIVE EDUCATION COORDI NATOR PWCTC 7101 STEUBENVILLE PIKE OAKDALE, PA 15071

Parkway West Career and Technology Center Helps Out One Of Its Own:

Spaghetti Luncheon Fundraiser is Hosted for Student Battling Autoimmune Inflammatory Disease

By Kathy Rudolph For most parents with healthy kids, it would be frightening if their child was suddenly stricken with a serious disease that they didn’t see coming. Many would be desperate to do anything to find a cure for them. But, being a single parent that is both breadwinner and caregiver with no other support, it would be an insurmountable hurdle trying to make this

happen alone.

Dori Hill, of Findlay Township, is living this scenario. Her son, Joe Lawlor, suffers from sarcoidosis, an autoimmune inflammatory disease that attacks the lungs. The 17-yearold West Allegheny High School junior and automotive technology and cooperative

Continued on page 14 West Allegheny | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 13

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Continued from page 13 education student at Parkway West Career and Technology Center (PWCTC) in North Fayette was diagnosed with the disease in the fall of 2012.

The single mom of four, with Lawlor being her youngest, has given him round-the-clock care because he must remain at home. Because of this, along with needing surgery herself, Hill can’t work at this time.

PWCTC wanted to help the Lawlor family through this tough time. The school hosted a Spaghetti Luncheon Fundraiser for the community to participate in. Organized by Acting Director, Dr. Darby Copeland and by Cooperative Education Coordinator, Tracy

14 724.942.0940 to advertise

Marschik, along with other staff, the luncheon was prepared and served by Culinary Arts students with the help of their instructors, Mr. Mike Timcheck and Mr. Brad Lakes at the Parkway West CTC Restaurant. All of the proceeds go towards the family’s living expenses.

After contacting Hill and asking if Lawlor needed anything, Copeland came up with the idea for the fundraiser after finding out that the family needed financial support.

Lawlor, who attended the luncheon along with his mother, is steadily improving. His treatments have included being placed on a ventilator, given medication including steroids that make his body swell and create other side effects, such as not being able to move. He also receives weekly chemotherapy treatments, which will go on until next December.

“When I talked to Dr. Copeland I was in such desperation and I didn’t know what to do,” said Hill. “I was so desperate that I had even written to Ellen DeGeneres for help! This luncheon is the nicest thing that anyone has ever done for us. I always say that God takes care of

West Allegheny

us and this is wonderful.”

It took about a month to organize the fundraiser.

“We probably pre-sold between 350 to 400 tickets and we hope to sell out the luncheon,” said Marschik. “Because we have the facility and the program it was an easy decision for us to have a fundraiser that was related to food,” said Marschik. “All of the students from the program are participating and there were also a lot of products that were donated for the luncheon.”

PWCTC offers its graduates “the opportunity to prepare for immediate employment and to earn advanced placement credits at many community colleges, technical school, colleges and/or universities,” according to the website.

The center offers programs from auto body to cosmetology to business technology to countless other programs for students in grades 9-12 from Keystone Oaks and Quaker Valley school districts and students in grades 10-12 in Carlynton, Chartiers Valley, Cornell, Montour, Moon Area, Mt. Lebanon, South Fayette, StoRox, Upper St. Clair, and West Allegheny school districts with half-day sessions, Monday through Friday, at no cost.

“Joe is such a good kid,” said Marschik. “He is very soft spoken and a great student and I can’t say enough about him. It was just a natural step for us to want to help him.”

HEALTH DEPT. ISSUES PUBLIC APPEAL IN RABIES CASE STRAY CAT FROM UNION AVENUE EXTENSION AREA OF OAKDALE TESTS POSITIVE; PEOPLE BITTEN BY THE CAT ARE URGED TO COME FORWARD

The Allegheny County Health Department reported that a black- and graystriped stray cat with a white face, belly and paws from the Union Avenue Ext. area of Oakdale has tested positive for rabies. Anyone who may have been bitten by the cat between January 9 and 19 in or near the 200 block of Union Avenue Ext. is asked to come forward and call the Health Department at 412-687-ACHD (2243).

The cat tested positive for rabies after drooling saliva on a woman while she was feeding it and potentially exposing her to the rabies virus. It was subsequently taken to a veterinarian’s office and euthanized.

The woman is being treated with anti-rabies vaccine as a precaution and not expected to develop rabies.

“We’re encouraging anyone else who may have been bitten or scratched by this cat to come forward, so they can be evaluated and treated if necessary,” said Acting Health Director Dr. Ron Voorhees.

Rabies exposures typically occur through a break in the skin that comes in contact with an infected animal’s saliva. The disease is almost always fatal when left untreated.

Health officials warn people to avoid contact with all stray dogs and cats, even when they appear healthy. It’s possible they might have had contact with wild animals, especially raccoons, and may have become infected with the rabies virus but not yet have any outward signs or symptoms of the disease.

The cat is the first rabid animal reported in the County this year. Seventeen rabid animals, not counting road kill, were reported last year – eight raccoons, seven bats, one skunk and one cat.

West Allegheny | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 15

OAKDALE NEWS AND EVENTS Snow Removal

During winter weather, when shoveling sidewalks and driveways, remember that you are not permitted to shovel snow into the streets. This creates a problem for our road crew and other drivers, so please shovel the snow into your yards. Also, remember to keep walks and steps clear, to help prevent slip and fall accidents to pedestrians and mail carriers/ delivery persons who must be out in adverse weather conditions.

Violation of these offenses could result in fines.

TAX EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT

If you have questions regarding your 2012 Earned Income Taxes, please contact Jordan Tax Service Act32 Hotline, 412-345-7966. Effective January 1, 2013, the Borough office no longer handles EIT concerns.

2013 TAX MILLAGE DECREASES One good thing has come out of the 2013 Property Tax Assessments; the Borough Tax Millage WILL GO DOWN from 4.0 to 2.99 for 2013. This decrease is because of the rule that a taxing body cannot have more than a 5% windfall from a tax increase.

This millage was based on the actual amount of taxes collected in 2012 and the new property values set by the 2013 county assessment.

A report with values good thru December 21, 2012 was used to establish the 2013 property values. The Borough does have the option to review the new property values again in April before the 2013 tax bills are mailed to assure the property values have not significantly changed. There are still ongoing court appeals for 2013 property values.

Pavilion Rental Oakdale Borough Park Pavilions will be available for rent as follows:

More good news regarding tax payer 2013 expenses! PA American Water passed on a small rate increase to the Borough for 2013. The Water/ rate increase was small enough that the Borough has decided to pass this increase on to the residents. Alcosan did Sewer NOT raise their 2013 rates therefore there will be no sewer rate Rates not increase in 2013. The Borough tries to do all we can to help you keep your costs down.

January 2013 CounCil Meeting update • 2013 Borough Millage set at 2.99 in accordance with the 2013 Property Assessments • 2013 Budget Approved

• NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS Available now!

• Letter of Resignation was accepted from Donna Swider, Real Estate Tax Collector effective December 31, 2012.

• OAKDALE RESIDENTS Available now!

• Dawn Ostrander was appointed Real Estate Tax Collector to complete the term of Donna Swider who resigned effective December 31, 2012.

$50.00 (plus security deposit)

$120.00 (security deposit included)

• NON RESIDENTS Available February 28th

$155.00 (security deposit included) Photo I.D. will be required for all renters of the pavilion!

Please contact the Borough office for more information at 724-693-9740 or leopold@oakdaleborough.com

16 724.942.0940 to advertise

West Allegheny

• Oakdale Borough has an official Facebook page. You can find a link to our Facebook page on the borough website at www.oakdaleborough.com • The police responded to 73 varied calls in December • Two new part time police officers were hired • The Borough purchased one (used) police car

UPMC TODAY

Health and Wellness News You Can Use | Spring 2013

What’s Inside 2

When It’s More than Just Heartburn

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Hope and Healing A Healing Touch Food in a Glass

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Clinical Trials Can Change Lives

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Depression and Older Adults Comprehensive Care for Today’s Urology Patients

© 2013 UPMC

When It’s More Than Just Heartburn UPMC Mercy offers comprehensive testing and minimally invasive surgery for complex problems of the esophagus.

Most of us can count on an antacid or two to tame a bad case of heartburn. But acid reflux, of which heartburn is a symptom, can lead to a far more uncomfortable and potentially dangerous condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

• Large hiatal hernia (also known as giant paraesophageal hernia) repair • Achalasia (a rare swallowing disorder) surgical therapy • Esophageal diverticulum repair and removal “Patients travel hundreds of miles, and most have had prior surgeries,” notes Dr. Awais. “Before and after operating, we use a quality of life test to measure a patient’s degree of reflux.

We’ve learned that our patients typically experience better outcomes, less pain, and faster recovery times through our efforts. We also work with patients on long-term lifestyle changes to maintain their health.”

Linette says her re-operation “saved my life. I feel like a new person.” She has lost weight and no longer takes medication for diabetes, cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

Testing is key A variety of tests are needed prior to any esophageal or gastric surgery. At UPMC Mercy, patients can get these tests done quickly and efficiently at one location, including: Endoscopy — Allows a doctor to use a thin, narrow tube with a camera and light to view the inside of the throat and stomach Motility testing — Identifies how well the muscles of the esophagus are functioning

Linette Johns of Upper Burrell first underwent surgery for GERD in 2000. But in recent years, severe heartburn and other symptoms reappeared. “I knew the success rate of a repeat surgery on the esophagus wasn’t good, so I was hesitant to have it done,” says Linette. “But my son, Jeff, who’s studying to be a doctor, told me that I could be at risk for esophageal cancer. That motivated me to take the next step.”

Tackling complicated cases In March 2012, Omar Awais, DO, chief of thoracic surgery at UPMC Mercy, performed the repeat surgery on Linette. Under his expertise, some of the region’s most complex, minimally invasive esophageal surgeries are taking place at UPMC Mercy, including: • Minimally invasive surgery to remove all or part of the esophagus to treat esophageal cancer • Repair of recurrent hiatal hernia • Repeat esophageal surgery

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Acid ph testing — Measures the amount of acid exposure into the esophagus Impedance testing — Measures the frequency and amount of gastric fluids (both acidic and non-acidic) entering the esophagus and larynx from the stomach

Are you at risk?

“Certainly not everyone with GERD requires surgery. Most cases can be controlled through medical therapy, weight loss, modified diet, and medication,” says Dr. Awais. “But early detection and treatment of GERD is key because of its associated risk with esophageal cancer.” At greatest risk are men over the age of 50 who are obese and have suffered from heartburn three or more times a week for five years or longer.

To learn more about UPMC Mercy’s programs to diagnose and treat complex problems of the esophagus, call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762).

Hope and Healing UPMC is leading the way with new treatment options for hepatitis C.

Decades after receiving a childhood blood transfusion, Chris Sosinski was shocked to learn he had the hepatitis C virus, which had led to cirrhosis and the prospect of a liver transplant.

Today, Chris remains hepatitis C negative, thanks to a new direct-acting antiviral therapy he received at the UPMC Center for Liver Diseases last year. Months after ending treatment in October, his viral load remains at zero.

“That means it’s gone,” says Chris, 49, of Jeannette. “No more medicine and — if I take care of myself — no transplant.”

Baby boomers beware Chris is one of a growing number of baby boomers diagnosed with hepatitis C, a problem so serious that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that everyone born between 1945 and 1965 be tested for the virus.

The CDC estimates that more than 75 percent of the nation’s 3 million adults currently living with hepatitis C are baby boomers — and most don’t know they’re infected.

“Hepatitis C is a silent disease; most people have no symptoms,” says Kapil Chopra, MD, director, UPMC Center for Liver Diseases. “But if diagnosed early, it can be cured or managed successfully before it can develop into cirrhosis or liver cancer.”

A new era of treatment Thankfully for Chris and other hepatitis C patients, two drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2011 ushered in a new era of treatment, delivering improved cure rates and shorter treatment time for the most prevalent — and hardest to treat — strain of the virus. Playing a critical role was the UPMC Center for Liver Diseases, where specialists have been at the forefront in the evaluation and clinical trials of promising new therapies.

Hundreds of UPMC patients took part in groundbreaking clinical trials for those new drugs. (Turn to page 5 to learn about other clinical trials and how they are affecting patients’ lives.) Today, even more are participating in clinical trials of new therapies at UPMC with the potential for even better results in fighting chronic hepatitis C infections.

“These are exciting times. Over the next few years, we expect to have several new options that will eradicate the hepatitis C virus in most patients without side effects,” says Dr. Chopra.

“It’s a new era of treatment and hope for our patients.”

A leading resource for complex care Treating and managing hepatitis C can be complex for both patients and health care providers. In the tri-state area, UPMC is the leading provider of comprehensive and advanced specialty care for patients with the virus.

“Our multidisciplinary specialists are involved in researching and evaluating new treatments. They bring a unique perspective for managing these complex therapies,” explains Dr. Chopra.

These specialists work together to assess patients, select appropriate antiviral therapies, educate patients, monitor for adverse effects and drug interactions, and provide support for patients and family members. “They are familiar with the latest, cutting-edge therapies and developing new ones,” adds Dr. Chopra. For those patients who don’t respond to treatment and are experiencing liver failure, the program also provides seamless transition to UPMC’s internationally renowned transplant program.

To read about the risk factors for hepatitis C and what you can do, visit UPMC.com/Today. For more information about treatments for hepatitis C, contact the UPMC Center for Liver Diseases at 1-800-447-1651.

1-800-533-UPMC

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Health Tips from UPMC Health Plan

A Healing Touch There are ways to relieve pain and nausea through alternative medicine.

A growing number of patients are adding acupuncture and other alternative therapies to their medical care.

“You don’t have to be a believer for it to work,” says Betty Liu, MD, a physician and acupuncture specialist at the UPMC Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. “I’ve seen dramatic reductions in pain and nausea — some instantaneous, some after multiple sessions.”

Who uses it?

Patients frequently turn to acupuncture and other therapies to control pain, including arthritis, back pain, fibromyalgia, migraines, and spasms, or to ease nausea due to pregnancy or chemotherapy.

Integrating these therapies with conventional medicine can help patients find relief more quickly, or continue making progress toward their goals.

What are some treatments?

Acupuncture, one of the most popular therapies, uses thin needles to stimulate various points around the body. “We’re not certain how it works, but we know it releases endorphins, which act like opiates to relieve pain,” Dr. Liu says.

Massage therapy uses acupressure and deep tissue massage to increase blood flow to an injured area and release endorphins.

What is alternative medicine?

If you visit an acupuncturist or chiropractor, you’re seeking treatment in the field of complementary and alternative medicine — an increasingly mainstream tool for doctors.

Chiropractic medicine adjusts the spine through manipulation to put the body into better alignment.

For more information about alternative treatments, visit UPMC.com/Today.

Food in a Glass Choosing the best milk option for you.

Are you lingering longer in the dairy aisle, pondering your ever-increasing options?

Should you reach for your usual skim milk — or be adventurous and try rice, almond, or soy?

Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, UPMC’s director of sports nutrition, says making the right choice is this simple: “Essentially, milk is food in a glass. Choose the drink that offers the best nutrition for your needs.”

Not all milk and dairy alternatives are equal: read labels carefully, comparing the fat and carbohydrate contents. “For example, to reduce soy milk’s ‘beanie’ taste, sugar is added,” explains Ms. Bonci. “That can jump the carbohydrate count from 12 to 24 grams.”

Look beyond just calories, too: milk is rich in protein, calcium, and minerals. “An 8-ounce serving of milk has 8 grams of protein, compared to 6 grams for soy milk and just 1 gram for almond and rice milk,” she adds.

Unless a food allergy is present, the best choice for most of us is cow’s milk. “For children under two, select whole milk,” says Ms. Bonci. “Otherwise, reach for 1 percent or skim milk — both offer a lower saturated fat content and higher calcium. Enhanced or ‘super’ skim milk features a richer texture many people prefer.”

And if you’re debating about organic versus regular milk, Ms. Bonci advises that your pocketbook be your guide. “There’s no nutritional difference between the two,” she says.

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Clinical Trials Can Change Lives Bringing patients, physicians, and researchers together to change the future of medicine.

Research opens the door for new possibilities in patient care.

But long before a drug, medical device, treatment, or surgical procedure becomes widely available, it must first be proven safe and effective.

therapy from a patient’s own fat tissue,” explains Dr. Rubin.

“By harnessing the body’s own regenerative capabilities, we’re applying new technologies and scientific advancements to restore both form and function in patients.” For more information, visit UPMC.com/restore or call 412-864-2587.

Solutions for out-of-control blood pressure. Of the 67 million Americans with high blood pressure, more than half fail to keep it under control. Many have difficulty battling the disease despite taking three or more medications, a condition known as treatment-resistant hypertension.

As part of the body’s sympathetic nervous system, our kidneys play an important role in regulating long-term blood pressure.

In most patients with hypertension, the sympathetic nervous system is overactive, thereby increasing blood pressure and causing heart, kidney, and blood vessel damage.

At UPMC, clinical trials are the bridge between research and the future of modern medicine. As one of the nation’s top-ranked health care systems, UPMC annually directs or participates in hundreds of groundbreaking clinical trials in virtually every medical specialty. Some are offered only at UPMC, while others are part of national and even international trials. Each is carefully monitored and measured by expert UPMC physicians who are leaders in their fields.

For a patients whose illness has no cure or no longer responds to current treatment, UPMC’s clinical trials offer potentially life-saving medical breakthroughs. Other patients enroll in clinical trials with the hope of finding a better or more costeffective treatment.

The following three UPMC trials currently are seeking qualified patient volunteers: Healing soldiers disfigured in battle. A flash of light, the sound of an explosion … and a soldier’s life is forever changed by a traumatic facial injury. But thanks to two government-funded clinical trials, efforts are under way at UPMC to improve the lives of wounded soldiers through facial reconstruction using the person’s own tissue. The study is enrolling military and civilian patients with visible deformities of the head or face following trauma, applying minimally invasive therapy to restore a more normal appearance.

These trials are led by J. Peter Rubin, MD, director of UPMC’s Center for Innovation in Restorative Medicine and an expert in adult stem cells derived from fat. “We’re using stem cell

John Schindler, MD, an interventional cardiologist with UPMC’s Heart and Vascular Institute, is participating in an industryfunded clinical trial in which a device is placed in an artery leading to the kidney. “This therapy uses a catheter to deliver low radiofrequency energy to destroy or disable the renal nerves,” says Dr. Schindler. “If effective, this device could be a valuable alternative to medications for patients with resistant hypertension.” For more information, contact Lisa Baxendell, RN, at 412-802-8672.

Eliminating blood clots. In 2013, nearly a quarter-million adults will be diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), in which blood clots form mainly in a deep vein in the leg. DVT can result in persistent leg pain and swelling; if the clot breaks loose and moves to the lungs, a potentially deadly pulmonary embolism can occur. Conventional treatment involves blood thinners and wearing compression hosiery. “We want to dissolve the clot to eliminate its consequences,” says Rabih Chaer, MD, a UPMC vascular surgeon.

Dr. Chaer is participating in a national, multidisciplinary clinical trial to determine if DVT patients would benefit from a more aggressive treatment involving the use of an image-guided catheter to dissolve the clot. “In vascular surgery, our work is technology driven; medical devices are constantly changing,” says Dr. Chaer. “By testing innovative devices, we offer our patients new opportunities to alleviate or resolve their illness.”

For more information, contact Susan Tamburro at 412-623-8452.

For a complete list of clinical trials now available, please visit UPMC.com/Today. To learn more about the benefits of clinical trials in patient care, please turn to page 3 and read about UPMC’s advancements in the treatment of hepatitis C.

1-800-533-UPMC

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Depression and Older Adults While it may be common, it’s important to know that depression is not a normal part of aging.

Its services include: • Preventive services, evaluation, and consultation • Treatment through therapy and/or medication • Participation in innovative research studies • Educational support • Referrals for assistance

Research studies benefit patients today and tomorrow Among the center’s current research studies are efforts to improve sleep patterns, lower stress levels, promote brain health, and reduce pain as a way of preventing depression among adults age 60 and older.

These include: RECALL: A study about reducing stress among seniors experiencing mild memory, language, or judgment loss RAPID: A study for adults with osteoarthritis knee pain More than 6.5 million Americans over age 65 experience latelife depression that can last for months and even years. But many older adults and their caretakers don’t seek treatment because they think depression is inevitable as we age. Its symptoms — irritability, social isolation, poor sleep, loss of appetite, and memory loss — also are easily mistaken as signs of other illnesses.

“Depression erodes our quality of life, our productivity, and our ability to have fulfilling relationships,” explains Charles Reynolds III, MD, director, Aging Institute of UPMC Senior Services and the University of Pittsburgh. He also is director of the Center of Excellence in Late Life Depression Prevention and Treatment Research at the University of Pittsburgh. The center is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

“Untreated, late-life depression puts older adults at risk for significant declines in their mental and physical health. It can be so debilitating that it threatens their ability to live independently,” he notes. “But the right professional help and medications can be life changing for these individuals.”

A wide range of support The center offers expertise in the detection, prevention, and treatment of depression, stress, complicated bereavement, or bipolar disorders in older adults. Through its research focus, all visits and medications are provided at no cost.

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Addressing Pain and Depression Together (ADAPT): A study for adults living with both depression and back pain Healing Emotions After Loss (HEAL): A study for adults ages 18 to 95 who are experiencing prolonged or acute grief lasting six months or more over the loss of a loved one

One of the nation’s leading programs of its kind The Center of Excellence in Late Life Depression Prevention and Treatment Research is located in the Oakland area of Pittsburgh at both the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC. It is one of only three centers of excellence in geriatric psychiatry funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and the John A. Hartford Foundation.

To learn more about the center’s services or to participate in one of its current research programs, call 412-246-6006 or visit latelifedepression.org.

Comprehensive Care for Today’s Urology Patients From medication to radiation to surgical robotic technology, the new UPMC Mercy urology center offers tailored, cutting-edge care for patients.

Whether you need medical care for bladder cancer, an enlarged prostate, urinary tract infection, or sexual dysfunction, UPMC Mercy offers comprehensive care to treat the special urological health needs of both men and women.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy — A highly specialized, minimally invasive keyhole procedure to remove large kidney stones by using high frequency sound waves to break them down and a vacuum to quickly remove fragments.

“Our urologists are experts in caring for even the most complicated and difficult cases,” says Ronald Benoit, MD, a urologic surgeon and director of the UPMC Mercy urology center, where he leads a team of highly trained specialists in general urology, urologic oncology, reconstructive surgery, and kidney stone removal.

To schedule an appointment with a urologist at UPMC Mercy, call 412-232-5850.

As a Center of Excellence in Urologic Care, UPMC Mercy features a skilled multidisciplinary team of urologists trained in treating patients who have disorders and diseases of the kidneys, bladder, or prostate.

The latest in diagnosis and treatment techniques According to Dr. Benoit, the hospital’s urology specialists use advanced technologies, medical equipment, and treatments — including minimally invasive surgical technology and robotic surgery — aimed at reducing postoperative pain, recovery time, and side effects.

“Robotic urology uses endoscopic techniques, so patients have smaller incisions and a faster recovery time,” says Dr. Benoit.

This technology is ideal for complex and delicate urologic surgeries, such as a prostatectomy, where doctors must operate in a tightly confined area surrounded by nerves affecting urinary control and sexual function.

Special procedures at UPMC Mercy’s urology center include: Robotic-assisted prostatectomy — A minimally invasive, nerve-sparing procedure for prostate cancer that preserves potency and urinary control.

Laparoscopic nephrectomy — A minimally invasive procedure that allows all or part of the kidney to be removed through a keyhole procedure instead of a large open incision.

Prostate brachytherapy (seed implants) — An effective treatment for patients with prostate cancer where seed implants are used to deliver a high dose of radiation to the tumor while reducing the risk of complications to surrounding tissue. UPMC Mercy is the only Pittsburgh hospital using Cesium-131, a newer compound that does not remain in the body as long as traditional treatments, resulting in faster resolution of side effects.

Leaders in urologic care As a Center of Excellence in Urologic Care, UPMC Mercy has recently recruited several prominent experts — all of whom earned medical degrees at the University of Pittsburgh, including: Mang Chen, MD, a reconstructive urology specialist, completed a fellowship in urologic trauma and reconstruction at the Detroit Medical Center.

Michelle Jo Semins, MD, a kidney stone specialist, completed her residency in urology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, where she also underwent special training in endourology, a minimally invasive technique to treat kidney stones.

Tatum Tarin, MD, a urologic oncology specialist, completed his residency in urology at Stanford University Medical Center and a urologic oncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

1-800-533-UPMC

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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 information 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.

Follow UPMC on Facebook.

Care that women can believe in as strongly as their Catholic faith.

UPMC Mercy provides a full range of women’s health services rooted in the Catholic tradition.

From prenatal education, to menopause diagnosis and treatment, to complete oncological care, and much more, UPMC Mercy strives to ensure the comfort of patients in body, mind, and spirit. This holistic approach is the foundation of more than 150 years of women’s health services.

To learn more about UPMC Mercy OB/GYN services, or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762) or visit UPMC.com/Mercy.

Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC is ranked among the nation’s top 10 hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.

Tips to Tame the Wild,Wild Web There’s no doubt that mobile phones, tablets, computers and the Internet make accessing and sharing information a lot easier. From pop culture trends, politics and sports updates, to breaking news and social networks, there’s an awful lot of information out there, and trying to stay on top of it all can be overwhelming. If everyone in the family is connected to their devices, are they really connected to each other?

INFORMATION OVERLOAD If you think your email inbox is overloaded, take a look at some of these numbers: • 30 billion pieces of content are shared on Facebook every month.

• 864,000 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every day.

• More than 190 million tweets are sent on Twitter every day.

It’s not just adults trying to consume all that information. The Kaiser Family Foundation says that kids 8 to 18 years old average more than 7 1/2 hours a day using digital media. And they spend a lot of that time using more than one digital medium simultaneously, so they end up packing 10 hours, 45 minutes worth of media content into that 7 1/2 hours.

MANAGE YOUR MEDIA Internet and digital devices aren’t going away so the trick is to find ways to manage your time and the information effectively. When you do that, you’ll have less stress and more time for some fun together.

• Set Internet limits — for everyone For kids, set time limits on their electronics usage. They can earn time by doing chores, for good behavior, or as rewards for good grades. Keep track of time earned with stickers, beads or even candy.

• Monitor mobile usage Go through your monthly statement as a family so you can see exactly how much time you are spending connected.

This can help you determine reasonable limits on texting, Web browsing, game playing and consuming music.

MAKE YOUR ONLINE TIME MORE EFFICIENT Instead of trying to sort through thousands of sites to get the information you want, try one of the many sites that does it for you.

With the right plan, you can tame the wild, wild Web and break free from information overload. And that will go a long way toward getting – and keeping – your family connected to each other.

SPECIAL VALUE COUPONS

Promote your Business, Service or Restaurant on our coupon page. It’s an effective way of tracking your advertising investment.

Call today for more details!

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West Allegheny | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 25

Home

Improvements In West Allegheny

If you have a home, you know how challenging it is to maintain it. Roofs leak, landscapes need weeding, and kitchens and baths need facelifts. If you’re handy, you can get by with your own sweat equity. However, most people don’t have the skills, let alone the time, to tackle major household projects – many of which will require you spending more time at the office just to be able to tackle the price tags such projects come with. Here, we try to cover it all for you – from financing your project to enjoying it when it’s complete.

Building a home addition can be a good alternative to buying a new home or building a house from scratch. Besides saving money, it can be a means of investing in your home and customizing your home to serve your family’s specific needs and desires. But additions also bring up potential problems that may not make them the best option for everyone.

An addition can drastically change the way a house looks from the road or yard. An addition that isn’t well planned can look like it doesn’t belong or doesn’t match the rest of the house in terms of style or overall shape.

Planning an addition carefully with a skilled architect is the best way to ensure that the house looks as good, or even better, than it did before the addition. An architect should be able to produce sketches that give a sense of how the finished addition will look. To minimize the appearance of an addition, homeowners can usually choose to build onto the back of the existing house, thereby hiding the new construction from the road.

Depending on the size of an addition and the construction schedule, it may take weeks or months before an addition is completed. Bad weather can cause unanticipated delays, and working with an unreliable contractor can prolong the process even further. If a homeowner can’t afford to be patient 26 724.942.0940 to advertise

West Allegheny

during the planning and construction process, moving into a new, larger home may be a better option.

An addition can be a good investment, helping to increase the value of a home. Using a home equity line of credit or getting a new mortgage that includes money to pay for the addition can be a wise financial decision, especially when interest rates are low. However, if the expected value of an addition – which a homeowner can estimate by studying the sale prices of nearby homes with similar characteristics – is less than its cost, it may be a poor investment.

An addition is likely to raise the value of a home. After the addition is completed, a new assessment will raise property taxes. Prior to adding on, homeowners should estimate the value of their home with the addition and compute a new annual tax liability based on current tax rates.

Building an addition is an ideal time to invest in energy-efficient fixtures and construction. Windows that prevent hot or cool air from escaping and low-energy-consuming appliances can minimize the cost of an addition by reducing energy bills and its environmental impact.

Remodeling your bathroom is another popular way to jazz up your home as well as build equity. In some cases, not only is remodeling the bathroom an aesthetic choice but a functional choice as well. Giving your bathroom a boost doesn’t always have to require a boatload of cash or space – just a little planning and creativity before you get started. Refresh your bath’s look with a wow-worthy makeover that improves its style and function. Perhaps you have an old toilet that you want to replace with a highefficiency model that will lower your water bill. Or perhaps

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Our Home Improvement Partners In 1987 Inks Installations, a home remodeling business was established by Michael T. Inks.

Today, Inks Installations is ranked at the top of the businesses involved in home remodeling.

Inks is family owned and operated, serving Allegheny County and the surrounding areas, specializing in bathrooms, kitchens, additions, game rooms, roofing, siding, and other small jobs. For more information call or stop by the showroom!

Inks 724.776.0805 • www.inksinstallations.com

Whether it’s building your dream home or making a livable space come alive, Prime 1 Builders, Inc. excels in single home residential projects. From sustainable and energy efficient home design to custom renovations, we work to exceed your expectations and stay within your budget.

Let Dan Meade and his team of craftsman, make your dream home become a reality. Call us today to discuss your project.

Prime 1 Builders, Inc. 412.257.0161 • www.prime1builders.com

In 1991 when owner Joe Tortorea founded JT Landscaping LLC, he never thought the industry would have provided such a diverse set of opportunities for growth. Over the past 22 years, the business has grown from a small one bay garage, to a flourishing four acre parcel that is comprised of a warehouse building, a retail nursery, and a nursery bulk supply yard.

JT Landscaping 724.693.2793 • www.jtlandscaping.biz

• Lawn & Garden • Pet Foods & Supplies • Wild Bird Seed • Animal Bedding • Ice Melters • Horse Feed We Carry The Following Pet Products: Blue Buffalo, Taste of the Wild, Nutrisource, EVO, FROMM, California Natural & Much More!

Got Questions? Talk to our Pet Food Experts.

Brands you Trust. People who know. That’s AGWAY! Imperial Agway 724.695.7388 • www.imperialagway.com West Allegheny | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 27

Home Improvements In West Allegheny Continued from page 26 the old tile is falling off your shower and you need to replace it.

Whatever your situation is, there are many options to choose from, including do-it-yourself options.

One popular and inexpensive option is to have a theme for your bathroom. Examples could be a Disney theme for a child’s bathroom, or perhaps a beach theme. This can be accomplished by painting the walls, adding a wall border and by well-placed dÊcor. Some larger and more costly bathroom updates include new flooring, new sink and vanity and a new bathtub or shower. These improvements will get even costlier if you paid someone to do it for you.

Decks on the rear or side of homes have become extremely popular in the United States. Used for entertaining or just relaxing, decks come in all shapes, sizes, designs and material.

The most popular, and least expensive, deck material is treated wood. It is durable, however it will need to be painted or stained yearly or every other year depending on your climate. Composite decking products are building materials manufactured using a mixture of plastic and wood fiber. Composite decking materials are very popular because they require

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West Allegheny

less maintenance than wood and often use recycled materials. Composite decking is easy to install and is guaranteed with a 20-year warranty against rotting, splitting, splintering or termite damage. However, composite decking can be very costly.

Vinyl decking made from Cellular PVC is a great choice for decking because it is essentially resistant to stains, mold, insects and fading. PVC material is low maintenance and is a sustainable building material. But like composite, it can get costly.

Powder coated aluminum decking can be used to create a watertight floor for your deck. This unique material will never splinter, rot or rust.

LockDry Aluminum decking is cool to the touch and is available in five colors. Aluminum decking is strong and lightweight. The LockDry system can be used to create a dry space to use under your deck on rainy days.

Decks can built right on the ground, or be elevated high in the air, depending on the design of your home. If you are building a deck yourself it is very important to check all local building codes and follow all of the guidelines very closely to ensure the safety and long-term durability of your deck.

Bringing your family together is

Our Home Improvement Partners often difficult. A family game room is a fantastic way to upgrade your home and bring the family together. Whether you have an unfinished basement, an unused attic room or an empty garage, you can transform it into a fantastic oasis where your family can spend countless enjoyable hours. There are many aspects to making your game room remodel a success. First you should talk to a Design/ Build contractor about water access, waste lines and additional electricity needs. The contractor can also offer advice on any changes that might be necessary to update the space, whether it be additional insulation for a garage or attic room or waterproofing for a basement room.

Water access could also be an important aspect if you plan to have a bar or sink area. A Design/Build contractor can offer advice on what needs to be done to make the area completely usable. You might also want to speak with the contractor about creating an additional half bathroom for guests and family members to use when you’re entertaining.

Electricity for lighting and appliances is also incredibly important. If you are updating an unused area of your home, the current electric wiring may not be able to handle the additional demands of a game room. The Design/Build contractor can guide you through what will need to be updated and how much it will cost.

Locally owned and operated, Universal Windows Direct has been in business since 2006.

Servicing the Greater Pittsburgh Area including Allegheny, Washington, Butler, and Beaver counties; Universal Windows Direct is the place for the exclusive UniShield vinyl replacement window, beautiful siding, and quality entry doors. Contact Universal Windows Direct to schedule a free in-home estimate today or learn about financing options!

Universal Windows Direct 412.444.0533 • www.universalwindowspittsburgh.com

great places to display awards or showcase your favorite collection of knickknacks or memorabilia. Decide whether you prefer furniture pieces or built-ins. Antique shops have great deals on beautiful bookcases, and most local cabinet shops can design and install custom built-ins. If you have a closet in your office, visit your local home center for a plethora of storage and organizing options.

A comfortable chair or two is a necessity. Choose long-lasting fabrics and sturdy frames. Go with classic styles that won’t end up as next year’s garage sale item. Test out the chair before you buy it. Desk chairs especially need

Continued on page 31

If finances are an issue there are definitely still projects you can complete yourself including painting, laying carpet, adding shelves or simply updating the décor.

Gone are the days when it was frowned upon to bring work home. Today a home is not a home unless it has a home office. Whether you are turning an extra bedroom into a workspace with store-bought furniture or constructing a full-scale two-level library and office, home offices are a regular part of what makes a house a home in 2012.

Making the space your own is essential to effective use of a home office. Create a space that makes you more productive and relaxed at the same time and that is a winning combination. A desk is an essential part of most offices. Choose one that meets your needs. If all you need is a work top to use your laptop from, consider a computer cart and save the space for a comfortable chair or small sofa. If you are in the market for a larger desk, consider office furniture resellers. They sell executive-grade used furniture for a fraction of the cost.

Bookcases or other storage can be a nice addition.

Not only can they store books, but they are also West Allegheny | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 29

JT Landscaping, LLC

Keeping Properties Looking Great for more Years than

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or more than 20 years, Joe Tortorea has been improving properties with quality landscaping services. From basic lawn mowing and regular maintenance, to high level design strategies, and professional landscape installation teams; there is nothing JT Landscaping LLC cannot accomplish. With tree pruning, retaining walls, French drains, full landscape renovation, hardscaping and excavation, JT Landscaping LLC has grown into an allinclusive landscaping enterprise.

This year, JT Landscaping LLC will have even more to offer its customers by way of greenhouse and nursery facilities.

“A few years back, we bought four acres of land in Oakdale and have been developing it ever since,” Tortorea said. “First we built our warehouse for our equipment and offices, and then we opened up our repair center to the public to service their lawn and garden equipment. Now we’ve developed a nursery with several green houses where you can purchase nursery goods, flowers, perennials, shrubs and ornamental trees. Customers can buy mulch, top soil, and decorative stone in bulk. We stock firewood, boulders and more.”

If you’re overwhelmed by all of the landscape upgrades you can buy, JT Landscaping will gladly deliver and plant your new yard.

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“All of our planting material is guaranteed for 90 days,” Tortorea said. “So people know when they buy from us, they’re getting superior plant stock.

So often, I see people going to a big box store to save a buck, only to see their plants die off in the same season. Our growers, the distributors we go through, take the extra steps to ensure you’re getting a quality product that will thrive in your yard for years to come.”

If you are the type of person who wants to landscape your home, but doesn’t know where to start, JT Landscaping offers “DigiScaping” services just for you. The free consultation includes coming to your home to discuss your needs, taking digital photos of your yard, and creating new landscaping using digital software. Once completed, the pictures will show the homeowner what potential their property could have without ever sticking a shovel in the ground. The before and after visual representation of the property takes the guesswork out of what to plant and where.

JT Landscaping will gladly recommend plantings that are ideally suited for your location and design, to give you a manageable, maintainable yard.

For the homeowner who just wants to live with a nice yard, and not worry about it,

West Allegheny

JT Landscaping can set you up with an annual maintenance plan that can take care of mowing, fertilizing, pruning, aerating, reseeding, weeding, snow removal, salt spreading and winterization.

“We can provide as many or as few services as you need to enjoy your yard to its fullest,” Tortorea said. “Homeowners are proud when their yards look good, and we’re just as proud to make them look that way. Our staff strives to make each of our customers’ homes look their best year round so that they can enjoy coming home to a house and yard that’s the envy of the neighborhood.”

For more information on JT Landscaping and to see a complete overview of all the services they can provide to help you keep your landscaping looking great, go to www.jtlandscaping.com. To set up a DigiScape consultation or to have any of your questions answered by their knowledgeable and courteous staff, call 724.693.2793 today!

Their tool repair shop and nursery are open to the public daily and can be found at 7231 Noblestown Road in Oakdale.

Home Improvements In West Allegheny Continued from page 29 to provide good support and be comfortable.

We live in a society of overindulgence. Nothing shows this like the home theater. So many popular home magazines have a page dedicated to converting your basement into a home theater, or something similar.

The HGTV website has 16 home theater features alone. But how doable is the home theater in reality? First, you need a fairly large space, either a big family room or a basement. Second, you need to budget for all the furnishings including, of course, the stars of the show: home theater equipment – a big-screen TV, DVD player and speakers – and comfy seating. Also very popular for home theaters is floor and aisle lighting similar to real movie theaters, and perhaps even an old-fashioned popcorn maker.

Frankly, home theaters are generally for those with deep pockets because there really is no way to make a home theater cheaply. Still thinking of taking the plunge? The home improvement website Home Time has a really useful feature on home theater planning. It covers everything you’ll need to consider, like the space you’ll need and even suggested room layouts, to maximize your viewing pleasure.

Kitchens are the most popular room in the house to remodel. Many people consider the kitchen to be the center of the home and its most important component. Another reason it is so popular to remodel is there are so many things in the kitchen that can be remodeled… cabinets, cabinet hardware, countertops, floor, appliances, lighting, walls and sinks.

There is very little right or wrong when it comes to remodeling your kitchen; it comes down to personal taste. There are so many choices when it comes to style, design and type of material for every component of your kitchen. When remodeling there is much to consider: cost, what is your goal, what is your situation (pets or small children could help decide what type of flooring to use, for example) and what is the cost vs. equity value of the remodel.

borders, vegetable gardens and more.

Beyond the aesthetics, landscaping can be beneficial to a property if designed properly. Solar heat absorbed through windows and roofs can increase cooling costs, and incorporating shade from landscaping elements can help reduce this solar heat gain. Shading and evapotranspiration (the process by which a plant actively moves and releases water vapor) from trees can reduce surrounding air temperatures as much as 9°F (5°C). Because cool air settles near the ground, air temperatures directly under trees can be as much as 25°F (14°C) cooler than air temperatures above nearby blacktop.

Using shade effectively requires you to know the size, shape, and location of the moving shadow that your shading device casts. Also, homes in cool regions may never overheat and may not require shading. Therefore, you need to know what landscape shade strategies will work best in your regional climate and your microclimate.

Also, if you can determine how much water your plants actually need, then you won’t overwater them and waste water. It is important to not only understand a plant’s particular watering requirements, but also evapotranspiration.

Evapotranspiration (Et) is the amount of water that is evaporated from the soil and transpired through the plant’s leaves. This amount of water needs to be replaced through watering. If you know your area’s Et rate, you can plan the amount of water to be replaced through irrigation. It’s best to water or irrigate your plants in the early morning when evaporation rates are low.

This also provides plants with water before midday when the evaporation rate is the highest.

If finances are an issue and you are not the handiest individual, there are still many simple and easy things you can do to add pizzazz and value to your kitchen. For example, you can paint your cabinets and add new handles rather than buying new cabinets. Adding a stylish splashguard behind your stove and sink is easy to do and adds great appeal.

Painting the walls can also make a huge difference in your kitchen, as can changing the light fixture.

If done well, landscaping can completely change the character and perception of a home. Landscaping encompasses anything on the outside of the home including grass cutting, plants, flowers, rock, mulch, West Allegheny | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 31

Tomosynthesis Offers Women Greater Detection of Breast Abnormalities Donna Peters, 46, was told she had breast cancer in July 2012 – a diagnosis that almost had not happened, had it not been for tomosynthesis, a revolutionary three-dimensional mammography imaging technology being used at Magee-Womens Imaging.

Peters explained that she had a standard mammogram at a local hospital in March, only to be called to have a second one a few weeks later. “My doctors said that my breast tissue was dense, but they were not sure if something else might be going on,” she explained.

She returned for the second mammogram, and had a sonogram immediately after, as her physicians were still somewhat unclear of what they were seeing.

“This is the biggest advance we’ve seen in breast imaging in a long time, and we are excited to provide it to our patients.”

A few weeks later, she had an MRI, which concluded a possibly benign tumor, so another MRI was performed, but this time with a guided biopsy. The results were in and showed no cancer.

That is when Peters took matters into her own hands and sought a second opinion.

“I knew in my heart that they were wrong, so I called Dr. (Marguerite) Bonaventura’s office at Magee and made an appointment for a second opinion,” Peters said. “Thank goodness I did!

She and Dr. (Denise) Chough saw something that my previous doctors had missed.”

- Dr. Margarita Zuley

Dr. Chough ordered tomosynthesis for Peters, who said that it did not feel any different from that of a standard mammogram. The diagnosis was confirmed. Peters had infiltrated ductal carcinoma, the most common kind of breast cancer.

“Tomosynthesis provides physicians with the ability to improve upon the limitations of the standard two-dimensional mammography, which will hopefully allow us to find more cancers with fewer false-positives and limit the number of additional workups and potentially unnecessary biopsies,” said Margarita Zuley, M.D., director of breast imaging at Magee-Womens Imaging.

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West Allegheny

“And although tomosynthesis currently does not replace traditional 2-D mammography, especially in women with dense breast tissue, it does reduce the recall rate of patients by 30 to 40 percent.”

The technology uses precise 3-D digital imaging to create a complete reconstruction of the breast, which gives radiologists the ability to identify certain abnormalities which can be more difficult to detect with traditional 2-D digital mammography screening. One of the main differences between tomosynthesis and 2-D mammography is its ability to capture 60 to 100 pictures through use of an advanced digital platform, compared to two pictures produced by the standard mammogram.

Although the test can be performed on anyone, for now, tomosynthesis is used for patients who have an inconclusive mammogram or for patients who request it, according to Dr. Zuley, who does feel that it will eventually replace the two-dimensional test. Dr. Zuley also stressed that the radiation levels in tomosynthesis are equal to that of traditional two-dimensional mammography.

Much of the research on tomosynthesis was conducted at Magee-Womens Imaging, and researchers there are the most widely published group in the country on the technology.

“I am so grateful for this new technology,” Peters said. “I feel it was a big part in my diagnosis, because it gave my doctors a clearer image of what was going on inside my body. But the equipment is only as good as the doctors who know how and when to use it, and when Drs. Bonaventura and Chough saw something that they did not like, they immediately opted to use tomosynthesis to verify their suspicions. They made the process easy!”

“This is the biggest advance we’ve seen in breast imaging in a long time, and we are excited to provide it to our patients,” Dr. Zuley said.

Tomosynthesis is currently available at Magee-Womens Imaging locations in Oakland and Monroeville and at the Magee Breast Center at UPMC St. Margaret.

Welcoming All West Allegheny High School Students:

An Invitation from Band Director to Join West A. Marching Pride

TJ Fox, Band Director of W.A. High School Bands

By Kathy Rudolph If parents were surveyed about a wish list for their children’s educational experience, some of the top responses might include high academic performance or learning how to form friendships and work well with other classmates and teachers.

Research has shown that there is an available tool that can help make this dream for their kids a bit closer to reality: pick up a trumpet, clarinet or drum and learn how to play it often and with others.

One of the many academic studies that backs up this statement includes the College Entrance Examination Board findings in 2006, where “SAT takers with coursework/experience in music performance scored 57 points higher on the verbal portion of the test and 43 points higher on their math portion than students with no coursework or experience in the arts. Scores for those with coursework in music appreciation were 62 points higher on the verbal and 41 points higher on the math portion.”

In another study reinforcing the relationship of music and effective socialization, Columbia University researchers revealed that “students in the arts are found to be more cooperative with teachers and peers, more self-confident and better able to express their ideas.”

TJ Fox, Director of the West Allegheny High School bands, including the marching band, jazz band, concert band, symphonic band and the wind ensemble, also sees the academic and social benefits of the students that are members of the band.

“My wife and I are both teachers and it’s amazing when you look at your class and in most cases, you know exactly who the band kids are,” said Fox. “There is so much music advocacy out there that shows the intelligence of these kids and that is just phenomenal. I have two young kids myself and they can’t wait to get started in the band.”

The many activities marching band offers include a trip to Disney in Florida every other year to march in the Magic Kingdom parade, participating in summer band camp that lasts two weeks and starts July 29, 2013, performing at all the West Allegheny High School football games, band festivals, gettogethers and much more.

But Fox also recognizes the everyday, social benefits of being in the marching band.

Continued on page 34 West Allegheny | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 33

Continued from page 33 “What is great is when kids come up from the middle school to the high school,” said Fox. “They have this incredible opportunity because they already know 75 kids that they were just with in summer band camp,” said Fox. “When they get lost, because they’re in a new school, it is so nice for them to see a friendly face. Being in the marching band is hard work, but being part of a team and the camaraderie is so important. This is a great opportunity for a lot of kids who are not involved in sports, as well as for the kids that are participating in athletics.”

Fox, who has been band director for four years, enjoys his position. There are 75 students in the marching band and 115 in the concert band.

“The kids in the band are really awesome kids,” said Fox. “I never worry about kids that are in the band.

They give it their all and are all great here. We did a preview show in band camp and took a video of it and then took a video of them a couple of months later and we looked at their progress.

It is amazing to see how far they progressed in that short amount of time.”

This past 2012-2013 school year was an award winning season for the West Allegheny High School Marching Band who won top honors in the AAA classification at the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Marching Band Association (PIMBA) Championships hosted by Penn Trafford High School.

But starting in the 2013-2014 school year, Fox wants to try something new. With keeping the kind of superior performances that the band won at PIMBA in mind, he also wants to try to

Students in the arts are found to be more cooperative with teachers and peers, more selfconfident and better able to express their ideas.

For more pictures from this event, go to our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ICMags. Want us to cover your event?

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West Allegheny

make the marching band more accessible to students so more kids will want to join.

“I am very proud of the kids right now that are in marching band and what they have accomplished and I don’t want to change that at all,” said Fox. “But I want to involve a lot more kids and still keep that standard of excellence. It is such an awesome experience being in the marching band. We want to take the band in a new direction and try to attract a lot more kids.”

Fox will try to reach students that have scheduling conflicts with other activities.

“A lot of the kids choose not to join band because maybe they are athletes and we want to restructure it so that they can do both,” said Fox. “We will work it out somehow and someway, such as changing the time of practices so they don’t conflict with other activities or sports.”

Other ideas include lowering the cost of participating in the marching band and restructuring the time commitment, which will hopefully bring more kids out to participate. He appreciates the feedback that he has received from the community.

“We have gotten a lot of positive feedback from the community, superintendent and principals, about how they love seeing what’s going on between the students and the band at football games and I want to try build on that. We have worked hard to create a new relationship between the marching band students and the rest of the student body.”

Interested students in all grades of high school or eighth graders that will be entering high school in the 2013-2014 school year are welcome to contact Fox to find out more or ask questions.

There are also opportunities for current 7th graders to audition to participate. He can be contacted by phone at 724.695.5279, or by email at tfox@westasd.org.

“When I meet other adults, and they find out I’m a high school band director, it’s fun to see how quickly they begin to remember the good memories they have from when they were in band,” said Fox. “Those are the kinds of memories that we’re trying to build.”

Being in the marching band is hard work, but being part of a team and the camaraderie is so important.

West Allegheny | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 35

photo courtesy of the Andy Warhol Museum

Andy Warhol, Cow wallpaper, on display at the airport.

Pittsburgh International Airport Calms Travelers And Welcomes Visitors With

“Art In The Airport”

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By Kathy Rudolph rom the grumpiness that a flight delay brings, to the anxiety of recovering from a connecting flight of turbulence, or just the boredom of waiting around for luggage, the airport experience sometimes brings out the worst in some of us.

A large cinnamon bun, libation, shoe purchase or just staring at our device of choice might help make us feel better while we wait. But there is also an intelligent and calming addition or alternative that might just do the trick.

A 2011 study from Semir Zeki, a Professor of Neuroesthetics at University College in London, found that “viewing a beautiful work of art creates the same chemical response as love.

Both experiences trigger the feel-good chemical dopamine.” So if you’re feeling stressed, checking out the “Art in the Airport” exhibits at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is a perfect solution.

The program’s mission statement is “to manage an art collection of style, diversity and beauty to be enjoyed by our traveling public and employees that also promotes public art and enhances the airport environment.”

JoAnn Jenny is the Communications Director of the Allegheny County Airport Authority and is also in charge of the art exhibits.

“It is a genuine customer service benefit having 36 724.942.0940 to advertise

art displayed in the airport,” said Jenny. “It’s also wonderful to be able to promote the region and to boost the atmosphere in the airport. It also gives passengers something to do when they are done shopping and dining; to kill some time between their flights. Even if you are just rushing by, you still experience the aesthetics of the exhibits. It has really proven to be beneficial and has had a positive impact on people.”

add some new elements to it, so we added cultural objects, such as the “Tyrannosaurs rex”, the “Mister Rogers Neighborhood” and the “Franco Harris” and “George Washington” statues. Then, when Pittsburgh hosted the 2009 G20 Summit, we formed a new art committee who were members from the art community in Pittsburgh, because we were interested in having more art exhibitions here.

Also, the hub status changed and the functions of the facility had to change and impacted some of the permanent collection. Some of the original art was being altered or wasn’t functional anymore, so we needed to address how to proceed. The art committee helped us to solve these artistic challenges and follow the best practices, and at the same time, attracted new, temporary exhibitions here.”

O The idea for “Art in the Airport” has evolved over the past 20 years at PIT. “In 1992 when the airport was built, there was art installed that was chosen by an art committee, with a few pieces included from the old terminal,” said Jenny. “Later, there were suggestions that we

West Allegheny

ne of the temporary exhibits that changes every six months is located on the ticketing level. Another permanent exhibit that provides visitors with an introduction to Pittsburgh’s art scene includes the Andy Warhol exhibit. Warhol (1928 - 1987), who grew up in South Oakland in Pittsburgh, was one of the most important artists in the pop art movement. His works are based on modern, popular culture and the mass media. The exhibitions are located on Concourses A and D and change once a year.

Eric Shiner, is Director of The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh.

“The Andy Warhol Museum is thrilled to

To learn more about “Art in the Airport,” visit the website at www.flypittsburgh.com/art-in-the-airport. display the work of our native son Andy Warhol at Pittsburgh International Airport,” said Shiner.

“Visitors to our city can feel the Pop Art vibe as soon as they land, and we hope that they make time in their trip to stop by the museum to see our extensive collection of works by one of the greatest artists of our age.”

Another stunner is the immense, Alexander Calder metal sculpture in motion titled “Pittsburgh”, a mobile that floats magically in the center of the main terminal of the airport. Calder (1898 - 1976), who was born in Philadelphia, was a sculptor best known as the originator of the mobile. The mobile was created for the 1958 Carnegie International and won the Carnegie Award for Sculpture. Later it was purchased by G. David Thompson and then donated to Allegheny County. The piece was then moved to the Greater Pittsburgh International Airport in 1959 and then returned to the Carnegie Museum of Art in 1979.

It returned back to the Pittsburgh International Airport in 1992.

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new addition to the collection will include “Arch”, by Glenn Kaino, a 20 ft. steel and fiberglass sculpture that resembles a transformer with multiple bridges sticking out of it; reminiscent of the bridges of Pittsburgh.

Because it was constructed to be temporary and was displayed outside, it is undergoing restoration and will be placed in an indoor space in the Pittsburgh International Airport this spring.

Renee Piechocki is the Director of the Office of Pittsburgh Public Art. “Sculptor Glenn Kaino created ‘Arch’ to celebrate Pittsburgh’s 250th anniversary,” said Piechocki. ”After its three year installation Downtown, the public enthusiasm about the sculpture encouraged us to find a new home for the piece, and we are delighted that it will be accepted into the collection at the Pittsburgh International Airport. It will be on display on the north side of the ticketing level for everyone to enjoy.”

Jenny also looks forward to “Arch’s” arrival.

“The ‘Arch’ is a very unique piece and we are very excited to be able to work with Pittsburgh Public Arts and the Heinz Endowment,” said Jenny. “It has become a very popular piece in Pittsburgh and they are working on the refurbishing of it. We are glad to be able to accommodate them with an indoor space for it.”

The airport will continue its “Art in the Airport” program in the future.

“Over the course of the last several years, ‘Art in the Airport’ has worked very hard at collaborating with the cultural organizations in the region so that we can be good stewards to both the permanent collection in the airport and attracting and promoting future exhibits and pieces here.”

West Allegheny | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 37

Oakdale

Findlay Township

Meetings

Council

Board of Supervisors

Huck Gamble, President 1 Highland Avenue Oakdale, PA 15071 724.693.9906

Caucus Meeting - 1st Thursday each month, 7 p.m.

1271 Route 30 P.O. Box W Clinton, PA 15026 Phone: 724.695.0500 Fax: 724.695.1700

Administration Township Manager

Gary Klingman 724.695.0500 x244 gklingman@findlaytwp.org

Asst. Township Manager/ Planning Administrator Christopher Caruso 724.695.0500 x248 ccaruso@findlaytwp.org

Wage/LST Tax Collector Barbara Coates 724.695.0521 bcoates@findlaytwp.org

Real Estate Tax Collector Dorothy McCullough 724.695.2995

Regular Meeting - 2nd Wednesday each month, 7 p.m.

Administration

Workshop Meeting 4th Thursday each month, 7 p.m.

Mayor

Public Safety Findlay Township Police Department 1271 Route 30, Clinton, PA 15026 Emergency Number: 911 or 724.695.7777 Non-Emergency Number: 724.695.1300

Imperial Volunteer Fire Department

115 Main Street Imperial, PA 15126 Emergency Number: 911 or 724.695.7777 Non-Emergency Number: 724.695.8845 staff@imperialvfd.org

Valley Ambulance Authority 3550 University Boulevard Moon Township, PA 15108 911 or 412.262.2040

Paul Hennemuth 110 Jade Drive Oakdale, PA 15071 724-693-9638

Public Works

Tom Wagner 6115 Noblestown Road Oakdale, PA 15071724-6939740 Fax: 724.693.0100

Real Estate Tax Collector Donna Swider P.O. Box 222 Oakdale, PA 15071 724.693.9889

Borough Secretary

Kelly Rohbeck 6115 Noblestown Road Oakdale, PA 15071 Phone: 724.693.9740 Fax: 724.693.0100 rohbeck@oakdaleborough.com

Mr. Tom Falcioni 724.693.9190 400 North Branch Rd Oakdale, PA 15071 Phone: 412.788.4888 or 724.693.9601 Fax: 724.693.8132

Administration Township Manager

Mr. Robert T. Grimm rgrimm@north-fayette.com

Parks & Recreation Director

Bob Brozovich rbrozovich@north-fayette.com 724.693.3118; 412.788.4888, ext. 118

Board of Supervisors

Mr. Jim Morosetti, Chairman Mr. John Meyers, ViceChairman Mr. J. R. Mangan, Member The Supervisors hold a Workshop meeting the first Thursday of every month at 7:30 p.m., a General Supervisors meeting the second Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m., and a Payroll Meeting the fourth Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. in the Township Municipal Building.

Real Estate Tax Collection Mr. Tom Falcioni 724.693.9366

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West Allegheny

Jonathan DeBor, Councilman 228 Hastings Avenue Oakdale, PA 15071 724-693-8691 Mark Maximovich, Councilman 590 Highland Avenue Oakdale, PA 15071 412-722-3626 Tom Potts, Councilman 305 Clinton Avenue Oakdale, PA 15071

Public Safety - 911 Oakdale P.D.

6115 Noblestown Road Oakdale, PA 15071 724.693.9639 724.693.0740 (Fax) Chief Dr. James J. Lauria

Oakdale Hose Company 6111 Noblestown Road Oakdale, PA 15071 Station: 724.693.9408 Fax: 724.693.0742

North Fayette Earned Income Tax Collection and Emergency & Municipal Services Tax

Bud Sturgeon, Councilman 4050 Noblestown Road Oakdale, PA 15071 724.693.2748

Public Safety North Fayette P.D.

400 North Branch Road Oakdale, PA 15071 Phone: 724.787.8900 Chief: Jeffrey Falconer

North Fayette Twp. Volunteer Fire Dept.

Station 1 Business Office 7678 Stuebenville Pike Oakdale, PA 15071-9300 Office: 412.787.2883 Station 2 8036 Steubenville Pike Imperial, PA 15126 Office: 724.695.3727

NorthWest EMS

Station 195 West Allegheny North Fayette Municipal Complex 400 North Branch Road North Fayette, PA 15071 Non-Emergency 412.331.2600

West Allegheny School District Mailing Address: P.O. Box 55 Imperial, PA 15126 Phone: 724.695.3422

Administration Superintendent

Dr. John DiSanti jdisanti@westasd.org 724.695.5211

Schools West Allegheny High School 205 West Allegheny Road Imperial, PA 15126 Phone: 724.695.7368 Fax: 724.695.8690 Principal: Daniel Smith

West Allegheny Middle School

Asst. Supt. Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Chris Assetta cassetta@westasd.org 724.695.5204

207 West Allegheny Road Imperial, PA 15126 Phone: 724.695.8979 Fax: 724.695.8211 Principal: Richard Smith

Asst. Supt. Personnel & Student Services

Donaldson Elementary School

Dr. William Englert, Jr. wenglert@westasd.org 724.695.5216

Business Manager

George Safin gsafin@westasd.org 724.695.5212

Coordinator of Pupil Services

Elaine Fitzgerald EFitzgerald@westasd.org 724.695.5221

Communications Coordinator Carol Bonnar cbonnar@westasd.org 724.695.5274

600 Donaldson Road Oakdale, PA 15071 Phone: 724.213.1010 Fax: 724.213.1002 Principal: Patricia Nolan

McKee Elementary School 1501 Oakdale Road Oakdale, PA 15071 Phone: 724.693.8451 Fax: 724.693.0924 Principal: Thomas Orr

Wilson Elementary School 100 Bruno Lane Imperial, PA 15126 Phone: 724.695.3300 Fax: 724.695.0610 Principal: Kathleen Sites

School Board Debbie Mirich (president) Patrick Konieczny (vice president) Dr. Anne Bolind Ed Faux Tracy Kosis Robert Ostrander Ronald Pasic Eugene Sciulli John Scott

West Allegheny | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 39

Five Wholesome Snacks

of r Families On-the-Go

A

busy family schedule means there’s less time to gather around the dinner table each night, let alone ensure everyone in the family is getting the nutrients they need to live healthy. And nd what convenience foods offer in terms of portability, they often lack in vitamins and nutrients.

But with a little preparation, you can ensure that convenient, wholesome, on-the-go snacks are at the ready when it’s time to head to play, practice or ballet lessons. Here are a few snack ideas to keep your family happy and healthy.

Homemade Trail Mix

Smoothies While smoothies may not be the first thing that pops in your mind in terms of portability and convenience, with the right to-go cup, straw and lid, smoothies can be a great way to get some key nutrients en route. Pre-packaged smoothies, however, often contain a great deal of sugar. Ensure your family reaps the benefits of a fruit smoothie by whipping up a batch using all-natural ingredients and freezing them for later. Be sure to store blended smoothies in freezer-safe or airtight containers in the freezer, and allow for one to two hours of defrost time before grabbing them and heading for the door.

Whole Food Bars

Just because you’re short on time, doesn’t mean you can’t work wholesome foods in convenient, pocket or purse-sized portions into your diet. But make sure to check the labels when you grab a quick snack. While many snack bars contain few nutrients and may be high in sugar, there are many made using wholesome ingredients such as rolled oats, organic soynuts and almond butter, that are not only tasty, but dairy and gluten-free, as well as vegan. These bars are great go-to options you can feel good about giving your family. Learn more about these wholesome snacks online.

For a shelf-stable snack that’s perfect for storing in the car, at the office, or in your purse, consider mixing up your favorite dry food snack items such as popcorn, almonds, peanuts, dried cranberries, raisins, banana chips and more.

Edamame

While soybeans might not be something you regularly prepare, they’re actually simple to cook, can be modified using different seasonings and are easily eaten on-the-go. The night before a busy day, simply add 1 teaspoon of salt to a large pot of water, bring to a boil and add the edamame. Cook between 4 to 5 minutes for frozen edamame, 5 to 6 minutes for fresh. Drain, and then add your favorite seasoning and store in a zip-top bag or storage container in the refrigerator until you head out the door.

Apple Chips If you’re a fan of apples, consider making apple chips. Simply cut apples into about 1/8-inch thick slices, add a pinch of cinnamon, and place them in the oven at 200°F for roughly two hours. You’ll end up with tasty, wholesome apple chips you can store in sealed sandwich bags for up to three days. Toss them in a backpack, your purse, or leave them in the car for snacking on-the-go.

Keep snacks readily available in your kitchen, such as in a basket on the counter or portioned out in a shelf within the refrigerator to ensure your family will choose wholesome foods over convenient, less-healthy snacks. With a little planning and preparation, you can save time on busy days, while ensuring everyone gets the nutrients they need.

40 724.942.0940 to advertise

West Allegheny

Stay Motivated All Year with These Easy Fitness Tips

Millions of people will make vows to lose weight or start a fitness plan, but many lose the motivation it takes to sustain a fit and active lifestyle within just a few weeks. With the right tools and support, though, finding motivation to stay fit can be a snap.

Follow these simple tips to maintain motivation all year long: START SMALL – If you haven’t been active in a long time, don’t stress your muscles by doing too much too fast. Start slowly by taking the stairs or squeezing in a 20-minute jog on your lunch break.

BUILD UP ENDURANCE – Track your progress and continue to build upon your exercise activities – whether you’re running or jogging a route, walking a path, biking, swimming or weight training – to push yourself a little further each week.

GRAB A PARTNER –You can improve exercise performance by having a partner who pushes you to your limits. But if you prefer to work out solo, there are new devices that track fitness stats including time, distance, heart rate and even calories burned.

MIX IT UP – It’s important to make a fitness schedule and stick to it, but that doesn’t mean doing the same routine over and over. To stay motivated, try changing your workout. From walking to running to cycling, you can always find a new activity to challenge yourself.

B U S I N ESS D I R EC TO RY

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