IN West County by IN Community Magazines

SPECIAL: Back to School Section SPECIAL INSERT ENCLOSED: Fairview School Foundation Annual Report

FALL 2012

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

PLUS! Fairview School District Newsletter Fairview Township Newsletter Fall Parks & Recreation Programs Girard Township Municipal Pages

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Real Fairview SPECIAL:

INSIDE

ion Estate Sect

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

AZINE ITY MAG COMMUN FALL 2012

IN West County | FALL 2012 | sletter rict New PLUS! er School Dist Fairview p Newslett rams Townshi Fairview & Recreation Prog s Fall Park

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Circulatory Centers Fallacies of varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency ...................... | 3

Edward Jones Should you take a pension buyout?

........... | 31

State Farm Insurance ON THE COVER

Coach Bestwick stands at mid-field with Fairview student athletes in the newly renovated Keck Field.

COMMUNITY INTEREST

Fairview School District Newsletter ..............................

Fairview Parks and Recreation ........................................

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Happening in West County .................................

Save the Date: Fit for Fairview ........................................

Girard Township Municipal News ....................................

Fairview Township Municipal News ...............................

Coach Bestwick Honored with Field Renovation ........

The Concerts of the Erie County Fieldhouse ..............

A Place for Everyone ..........................................................

Back to School ......................................................................

Life insurance after divorce ....................... | 37

INPERSPECTIVE STAF F

Welcome to the fall issue of West County magazine. As I write this, we are having one of the hottest summers on record, and it doesn’t look like the record-breaking temperatures will end just because the leaves will be changing colors soon. So while this is the fall issue, I want to reiterate some summer tips from the health department to help you stay safe in the heat. The last two points are probably the most critical because they deal with children and the elderly. Stay cool indoors, preferably in an air-conditioned environment. Fans don’t help much when temperatures are in the 90s. A cool bath or shower is a more effective way to cool off, if you don’t have air conditioning. Better yet, visit someplace that does, such as a senior center, theater, mall or neighbor’s house. Drink plenty of fluids, at least eight cups a day, but avoid alcoholic or caffeinated drinks which actually cause you to lose more fluids. Avoid hot foods and heavy meals, which add heat to your body. Wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing. A widebrimmed hat provides shade and helps keep the head cool. Sunscreen can prevent sunburn, which can affect your body’s ability to cool itself and also cause a loss of body fluids. Avoid strenuous physical activity, particularly during the hotter part of the day. Never leave a child, or a pet, in a vehicle alone on a hot day. A child may become disoriented in just five minutes, unconscious in 10 and brain-damaged in 20. Use the buddy system and check on the elderly and the infirm who do not have air conditioning and are less able to take care of themselves. For senior citizens, local governments also establish cooling centers to help people to beat the heat. Contact your local municipality for the one nearest you before the temperatures top 90 again. As always, enjoy your fall, IN West County! Wayne Dollard, Publisher

PUBL ISHE R

Wayne Dollard RE GION AL E DIT ORS

Pamela Palongue [North and East] p.palongue@incommunitymagazines.com Mark Berton [South, West and Erie] mark@incommunitymagazines.com OF F ICE MAN AGE R

Leo Vighetti leo@incommunitymagazines.com AD PL ACE ME N T COORDIN AT OR

Debbie Mountain d.mountain@incommunitymagazines.com SCHOOL & MUN ICIPAL CON T E N T COORDIN AT OR

Megan Faloni m.faloni@incommunitymagazines.com GRAPHIC DE SIGN

Cassie Brkich Anna Buzzelli Sharon Cobb Susie Doak

Jan McEvoy Joe Milne Tamara Tylenda

W RIT E RS

John Barrera Jonathan Barnes Jennifer Brozak Matt Fascetti Tracey Fedkoe Mike Ference Jacob Flannick Britt Fresa Heather Holtschlag

Nick Keppler Chelsie Kozera Leigh Lyons Dana Black McGrath Joanne Naser Aimee Nicolia Melanie Paulick Gina Sallinger Judith Schardt

PHOT OGRAPHE RS

Mark Fainstein Ginni Hartle Brad Lauer

Len Pancoast Kathleen Rudolph Gary Yon

ADVE RT ISIN G SAL E S MAN AGE RS

Derek Bayer Tom Poljak

Tamara Myers

ADVE RT ISIN G SAL E S

WE WANT TO KNOW: How did you meet your spouse? Some of the best stories we hear are how two people happened to get together. Some met in bars, some in supermarkets, while others met in more unique circumstances. Send us your story of how you met your spouse. We’ll run the best ones in the next issue. Also include a photo of you and your spouse, how many years you’ve been married and when your anniversary is. Send your story to mark@incommunitymagazines.com or mail them to IN Community Magazines, 603 East McMurray Road, McMurray, PA 15317. You can also fax us at 724.942.0968.

Sophia Alfaras Brian Daley David Despot Andrea Graham Julie Graff Jason Huffman Connie McDaniel Brian McKee

Gabriel Negri Aimee Nicolia Annette Petrone Vincent Sabatini Michael Silvert Karen Turkovich RJ Vighetti Nikki Capezio-Watson

This magazine is carrier route mailed to all district households and businesses. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Copyright 2012. CORRESPONDENCE Direct all inquiries, comments and press releases to: IN Community Magazines Attn: Editorial 603 East McMurray Road McMurray, PA 15317 Ph: 724.942.0940 Fax: 724.942.0968 www.incommunitymagazines.com Winter content deadline: October 15

Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.

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of Varicose Veins and Chronic Venous Insufficiency 1. Spider veins are the same as varicose veins. Spider veins and varicose veins are caused by dysfunctional valves within the vein. Spider veins appear as a nest of veins just below the surface of the skin. They typically do not bulge above the surface. Varicose veins, however, are a sign of more significant venous disease and should be diagnosed and treated by a physician. 2. Prolonged standing does not play a role in varicose vein development. Regularly spending a large part of a workday on your feet, puts you at higher risk for developing varicose veins. In an attempt to reduce the strain standing causes, individuals with careers that require prolonged standing should make a point to walk regularly and perform isolated calf exercises by contracting and relaxing the calf muscles to assist the veins in “pumping” blood through the leg veins. 3. Varicose veins are a cosmetic issue and do not need treatment. Varicose veins were previously thought of as a cosmetic condition. However, contemporary understanding of the actual disease process indicates varicose veins can ultimately progress to a more serious condition called chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). If left untreated, CVI is a progressively deteriorating disease that can result in increasingly serious signs and symptoms. Leg pain, swelling, restlessness, skin damage and ulcers are all potential symptoms of untreated venous insufficiency. As a treatable condition, varicose veins should be evaluated by a physician and various minimally-invasive treatments can be explored before the varicose veins progress. 4. Excessive weight does not contribute to varicose veins and CVI. Being overweight is directly associated with the formation of varicose veins. Added pressure on the legs and ankles causes the veins to bulge and the resulting valve stress can lead to failure and CVI. Maintaining a healthy weight through healthy eating and regular exercise is recommended. By exercising and strengthening the calf muscles, improved venous flow by calf muscle augmentation is achieved. 5. Men do not develop varicose veins and CVI. Men and women are both at risk to develop varicose veins and CVI.

More than 40% of men develop venous disease before the age of 60. Unfortunately, the majority of men do not seek treatment until the condition worsens. While this is still able to be treated, early recognition and timely treatment are the best way to treat varicose veins and CVI. 6. Compression stockings and elevating your feet are cures for varicose veins. Compression stockings provide external compression on the leg and this helps to reduce aching and swelling. This is a way to manage symptoms but does not affect the long term management of the disease in any positive way. People with varicose veins, who choose to manage their symptoms with only compression stockings, will need to continue to wear stockings for as long as they live. Similarly, elevating the feet above the level of the heart when lying down will relieve some pressure and swelling, but is also temporary. As soon as the patient resumes an upright posture, the benefit of elevation is lost. 7. Genetics and age do not play a role in the development of varicose veins and CVI. Women older than 50 are most likely to develop venous disease. However, men and women of all ages can develop varicose veins and experience venous insufficiency. If you have a family member with varicose veins or CVI, you are more likely to develop varicose veins in your lifetime. Therefore, genetics and age play a significant role in the development of varicose veins. 8. Varicose veins do not develop after trauma. Trauma to the legs has been shown to lead to the development of signs and symptoms of CVI and varicose veins. Injuries where significant swelling or bruising is produced are at times associated with varicose vein development. 9. Pregnancy does not cause varicose veins. Pregnancy increases blood volume, hormones cause the veins to be more pliable and external compression to the pelvic veins during pregnancy causes increased pressure inside the leg veins. These factors may contribute to the creation of varicose veins in the legs. Contact Dr. Shields at 800-426-9601.

West County | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 3

FAIRVIEW

SCHOOL DISTRICT

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   

West County

                          

                         

 

 West County | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 5

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

            

     

   

District Launches New Website



                   6

West County

                  

     

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

Fairview to Host

 

Edinboro University Pennsylvania State University Pennsylvania State University Kettering University Undecided Kent State University, Ashtabula Pennsylvania State University Pittsburgh Technical School United States Army Belmont University United States Air Force Pennsylvania State University Cleveland State University Pennsylvania State University/Behrend Undecided Attend a technical/trade school Miami University Rochester Institute of Technology Undecided Clarion University Mercyhurst University Gannon University Bloomsburg University Cleveland State University Start College in Fall of 2013 Edinboro University Fortis Institute Gannon University Pennsylvania State University/Behrend Grove City College Edinboro University Employment Clarion University, Venango Erie County Technical School University of Michigan Mercyhurst University Edinboro University Pennsylvania State University Edinboro University Kent State University University of Pittsburgh University of North Carolina, Charlotte Gannon University Edinboro University Slippery Rock University Pennsylvania State University Cleveland State University Edinboro University Pennsylvania State University/Behrend University of Pittsburgh United States Navy John Carroll University Start College in Fall 2013 Bucknell University Vet Tech Institute

West County | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 7

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Kelly Allen....................................... Rikki Anderson .............................. Brianna Armel ............................... Anthony Bacik ............................... Alan Bajek ...................................... Samantha Banister....................... Christina Barnes ........................... Krysta Barnett................................ Christopher Bean.......................... Chelsea Bojewski ......................... Keane Bokol................................... Alexander Borowski .................... Christine Bowser .......................... Nicholas Bowser .......................... ........................................................... Veronica Braunstein .................... Timothy Brink ................................. Jeremy Brinling............................. Daniel Brockwell........................... Carrie Burger ................................. Allison Burton ................................ Emma Chaffee ............................... Lauren Cooper............................... Luke Cramer................................... Kristina Cronin ............................... Baron Denniston........................... Marissa Dewey............................. Joelene Dieter............................... Carlyn Duran .................................. Nicholas Duska............................. ........................................................... Carolyn Eckendorf ........................ Kaitlyn Edwards ............................ Emily Eichler................................... Jessica Elder ................................. Alexandria Enstrom...................... William Esper................................. Kelsey Everhart ............................. Caitlyn Fedei................................... Michael Ferrare ............................ Rebecca Figurski .......................... Kelley Foyle .................................... Emily Frigon.................................... Alina Gidenko................................. ........................................................... Molly Giewont ............................... Sydney Gornic ............................... Connor Gregory............................. Harrison Grimm............................. Laura Groszkiewicz...................... Jonathan Hall................................. Kyle Halmi....................................... ........................................................... Mitchell Haney .............................. Emmet Hardy ................................. Rachael Harrington...................... Nikko Harris ................................... Amanda Hart.................................. Cody Hartley...................................

FAIRVIEW

SCHOOL DISTRICT

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Cassandra Hawley ....................... Christopher Higby......................... ........................................................... Eric Holman.................................... ........................................................... Sara Hood....................................... ........................................................... Brittany Husted ............................. Robert Jackson............................. William Jackson............................ Alison Jelicks................................. Jennifer Kanarskaya.................... Elise Kaveney................................. Ian King ........................................... Jenna Klemm................................. Samantha Kloecker...................... Erica Knoll....................................... Joseph Kocan................................ Derek Kruse ................................... Nathan Lackey .............................. Angela Laird................................... Zachary LaRocca.......................... Natalie Larsen ............................... Benjamin Lee................................. ........................................................... Ean Lee............................................ Emily Lehr ....................................... Lauryn Leonardi ............................ Jordan Lichtsinn ........................... Maggie Louis ................................. Amanda Mangoni......................... Gabriela Marin .............................. Michalla Martin............................. Lauren McDonald......................... Molly McWilliams......................... Matthew Medlin ........................... ........................................................... Katherine Michael........................ Andrea Miller................................. Taylor Miller ................................... Jennilee Mix .................................. Aidan Murphey.............................. Chelsea Murray............................. Kelsey Myers................................. Jenna Nash.................................... Carl Nerthling................................. Hollin Nies ...................................... Gregory North................................ Claire Nowak ................................. Holly O’Brien .................................. Nicholas O’Dell.............................. Nicholas Oleksak.......................... Danielle Pacansky........................ Bradley Parker .............................. Carl Pastore. .................................. Corrinne Pawlowski.....................

West County

Art Institute of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania State University/Behrend Pennsylvania State University/Behrend Fairleigh Dickinson University at Florham College Slippery Rock University Jamestown Community College Undecided University of Pittsburgh Robert Morris University Cleveland State University United States Navy Pennsylvania State University Kent State University Allegheny College Boston College Pennsylvania State University Employment United States Air Force Reserve Undecided University of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania State University/Behrend Employment The Fashion Institute of Technology Mercyhurst University, N.E. Rochester Institute of Technology Mercyhurst University, N.E. Edinboro University Bowling Green State University University of Akron Cleveland State University Pennsylvania State University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University University of Akron University of Pittsburgh Gannon University University of Colorado, Boulder University of Pittsburgh Fortis Institute University of Colorado, Boulder University of Vermont Pennsylvania State University University of Pittsburgh Undecided Pennsylvania State University Pennsylvania State University University of Vermont Edinboro University Mercyhurst University Pennsylvania College of Technology Cornell University University of Pittsburgh at Bradford

Rachel Peterson............................ Richard Petrella ............................ Sarah Podufal................................ Rebekah Pratt................................ Alexandria Publicover ................. Hannah Rea.................................... Sarah Rea....................................... James Reim.................................... Joshua Reinhardt ......................... Erika Richardson........................... Marissa Rickloff ............................ Matthew Rickloff........................... Daniel Roberts............................... Daniel Rosendahl.......................... Derek Rozantz................................ Mackenzie Schneider ................. Melissa Schneider ....................... Megan Silvis .................................. Michael Sitzler............................... Kathryn Slezak............................... Noelle Smith................................... Tiffany Smith .................................. Douglas Squires............................ Lindsay Stephens ......................... Sydney Sullivan............................. Brian Sundberg............................. Michael Suscheck ....................... Emily Symes ................................... Emily Tallmadge ............................ Danielle Truchanowicz................ Rui Wang (foreign exchange student) . Adam Weber.................................. Thomas Weidle ............................. Emily Welch.................................... Kara Wenzel................................... ........................................................... Austin Wheeler ............................. Derek Wheeler.............................. Cody Whitticar............................... Christine Wilson............................ Lauren Witowski........................... Bryn Yurkovic................................. Ashley Zaborowski.......................

Slippery Rock University Washington University, St. Louis University of Pittsburgh Robert Morris University Florida State College Mercyhurst University Westminster College Pennsylvania State University Hocking College Attend a 2 year college University of South Florida University of Champlain Cleveland State University Bloomsburg University Undecided Edinboro University Slippery Rock University Edinboro University Mercyhurst University Bowling Green University Mercyhurst University, N.E. Great Lakes Institute of Technology Pennsylvania State University Undecided Edinboro University Pennsylvania State University United States Marine Corp University of Virginia Baldwin-Wallace College Edinboro University Attend college in the States Geneva College Juniata College Indiana University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State University/Behrend Employment Edinboro University United States Marines Robert Morris University Purdue University Toni and Guy Academy Edinboro University

               

                

               

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FAIRVIEW

SCHOOL DISTRICT

West County

Fairview Parks and Recreation: Fall 2012 Program

ACTIVITIES for CHILDREN FALL LEARN TO SWIM PROGRAM AMERICAN RED CROSS CERTIFIED LESSONS Class sizes are limited and spaces will only be reserved with payment. No checks will be accepted at the pool. The FPRA DOES NOT MAIL CONFIRMATIONS for class enrollments. Please assume you are enrolled for the class you paid for unless otherwise notiﬁed. FOR INFORMATION ON CLASS AVAILABILITY, CALL THE FPRA OFFICE AT 814-474-5077.

Fee for all levels is $40.00 per Session. All classes run Wednesday and Friday.

Session A

Session B

Dates:

August 31 thru September 26

October 3 thru November 2 (No class October 5 and 31)

PARENT WITH TODDLER (ages 6 months to about 3 years)

A water orientation class that will teach a parent how to work safely and eﬀectively with a young child in the water. Skill-appropriate water activities will be included. Time Date

6:15 - 6:45 p.m. Choose from Sessions A or B

PRESCHOOL (ages 4 to 5 years) Designed for the child to develop a comfort level in the water as well as a readiness for learning how to swim. Children will also receive an introduction into the basic swimming skills. Time Date

6:15 - 6:45 p.m. Choose from Sessions A or B

LEVEL 1 (ages 6 years thru adult) Designed for children just beginning swim lessons who may be uncomfortable in the water. Time Date

6:45 - 7:15 p.m. Choose from Sessions A or B

LEVEL 2 (ages 6 years thru adult) Prerequisite: Preschool or Level 1 with no fear of the water. Gives students success with fundamental skills. Time Date

6:45 - 7:15 p.m. Choose from Sessions A or B

LEVEL 3 (ages 6 years thru adult) Prerequisite: Level 2 or equivalent. Builds on the skills in Level 2 by providing additional guided practice. Time Date

7:15 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Choose from Sessions A or B

FAIRVIEW FINS SWIM CLUB The FINS swim team will now be running thru November! This is a conditioning and technique focused team that will cover technique training for all four competitive strokes: Freestyle (front-crawl), Backstroke (back-crawl), Breaststroke and Butterﬂy. While it is not required, it is highly recommended that your swimmer be familiar with at least the front-crawl and back-crawl and be able to complete 100 yards (4 lengths of the pool) with little to no stopping. The fall session will run as follows: Monday thru Thursday, September 4 thru November 8 (No FINS practice Labor Day or Halloween)

Monday thru Wednesday, November 12 thru 28

All programs are available to Fairview residents and non-residents alike. The Fairview Parks & Recreation Authority Board of Directors meets the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the Fairview Township building. The public is welcome to attend & encouraged to bring new program ideas that will beneﬁt the community. This program guide & registration form are also available at www.fairviewtownship.com. You can call 814-474-5077 or email parks-rec@fairviewtownship.com. Oﬃce hours are M-F from 12:00-4:00 p.m.

LEVEL 4 (ages 6 years thru adult) Prerequisite: Level 3 or equivalent. Develops conﬁdence in the strokes learned and improves other aquatic skills. Time Date

7:15 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Choose from Sessions A or B

PRIVATE SWIM LESSONS $10.00 for ½ hour for private $15.00 for ½ hour for semi-private

Call to schedule lessons Kathy Iszkula at 814-474-4739. OPEN DIVING This is open diving time with instruction. Pre-registration only. Signed waivers and payment are due to the FPRA oﬃce prior to participation. Minimum of 5 participants needed to hold the class. Fee Day Time Date Instructor

$40.00 Monday 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. September 10 thru October 29 Amanda Keane, FHS Diving Coach

(No FINS practice November 26)

GRADES K-4

GRADES 5-12

Fee Time

$140.00 4 - 5 p.m. from 9/4 - 11/8 6 - 7 p.m. from 11/12 - 11/28

$185.00 3 - 4 p.m. from 9/4 - 11/8 7 - 8:30 p.m. from 11/12 - 11/28 West County | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 11

Fairview Parks and Recreation: Fall 2012 Program

ACTIVITIES for CHILDREN LITTLE DRIBBLERS BASKETBALL Fee Site Day Date Time Ages Coach

! NEW

LITTLE TIKE SOCCER Fee Site Day Date

$40.00 per child Fairview Elementary School Gymnasium Tuesday September 11 thru October 30 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. 4 year olds & Kindergartners Aaron Garrity, FES Teacher

Time Ages OR

This program will focus on basic basketball skills. A variety of different drills, activities and games will be age appropriate. The correct fundamentals will be taught while incorporating learning skills such as listening, confidence, cooperation and following directions. Please bring a basketball to the gym! A minimum of 8 children needed to hold the program and 20 maximum allowed in either time slot. Please call the FPRA office at 814-474-5077 to confirm availability.

AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS FUN Fee $30.00 per child Registration and payment must be sent to the Recreation Oﬃce and NOT the school. Thank you. Site Day Time Ages Dates

Fairview Elementary School Gymnasium & outdoors if weather permits Monday thru Thursday 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. CUBS (Grades K-2) Session 1 - September 10 thru 13 Session 2 - October 15 thru 18 Session 3 - November 12 thru 15

Ages Dates

TIGERS (Grades 3 & 4) Session 4 - September 17 thru 20 Session 5 - October 22 thru 25

Coach

Aaron Garrity, FES Teacher

West County

$40.00 per child Fairview Elementary School Gymnasium Thursday September 6 thru November 1 (No soccer September 20) 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. 4 & 5 year olds

Time Ages Coach

6:30 - 7:30 p.m. 6, 7 & 8 year olds Lauren Opalka

This program will focus on basic soccer instruction & rules followed by mini games. A minimum of 8 children needed to hold the program and 20 maximum allowed in either time slot. Please call the FPRA oﬃce at 814-474-5077 to conﬁrm availability.

An after school intramural sports program that enables your child to be active while having fun with their peers. A focus will be to teach the correct fundamentals and skills in a variety of different sports and activities. The skill work, sports, and activities are geared toward being age appropriate. Learning skills such as listening, confidence, cooperation, following directions and team work will also be focused on throughout each session. All sessions are different… they include activities and games to keep the children active and having fun. A snack and drink will be provided right after school before all gym activities begin. A minimum of 8 students are needed to hold the program.

INTRAMURAL BOYS SOCCER FOR GRADES 5 & 6 Fee Site Time and Days Date Instructor

$20.00 Fairview Middle School Fields 5 - 6:30 p.m. to follow High School practices September 4 thru October 25 Jim Hrinda

KIDS FUN NIGHT OUT Fee Site Day Time Date

Skills & intramural games for boys in grades 5 & 6th.

LACROSSE CLINIC FOR BOYS & GIRLS Fee Site Day Time Date Ages Instructor

$30.00 (must supply own stick) Pleasant Ridge Park Field Monday & Thursday 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. September 17 thru October 18 Boys & Girls in grades 4 thru 8 Pat Timon and Bruce Gebhardt

This clinic is instructional and is designed to introduce students to the game of lacrosse. It is also intended to allow students who have played to further develop their skills and abilities. Please contact Pat at pjtimon@msn.com for questions.

Ages Instructor

$15.00 per person/$10.00 for each additional family member Fairview Elementary School Gymnasium Friday 7:00 - 10 p.m. September 21 thru November 30 (No class Sep. 28, Oct. 5 and Nov. 9 & 23) Open for ages 5 and up Aaron Garrity, FES Teacher

Kids Fun Night is a fun-ﬁlled evening that allows your child to interact with their peers. There will be plenty of age appropriate games, contests, and activities to keep the interest of all involved. Parents enjoy a Friday night kid free! Pizza and drinks will be served. You may pay when you attend.

TUMBLING PROGRAM UNDERGOING CHANGES Please visit www.fairviewtownship.com for updates on possible class oﬀerings.

LACROSSE FOR HIGH SCHOOL BOYS & GIRLS Fee Site Day Time Date Ages Instructor

Free Turf Field Sunday 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. September 9 thru October 28 Boys & Girls in 9 thru 12 Coach Inks & Coach Fresch

! NEW

An introduction for new players as well as further develop current skills for existing players. Will drill and play pick-up games. Please contact Pat at pjtimon@msn.com for questions. Reminder, though the sessions are free, completed Fairview Rec waiver forms are still required to participate.

BOYS 5 & 6 GRADE BASKETBALL TRAVELING TEAMS Fee Site Time Dates Coach

$80.00 + uniform cost for ﬁrst year players Fairview Middle School Gymnasium 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. November 3 thru February 29 Bill Corbin

Practices and game schedules TBA. Registration/waiver forms are absolutely necessary to participate starting with open gym dates, tryouts & the regular season. * Boys Mini League Basketball information to be in the November mailer *

West County | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 13

Fairview Parks and Recreation: Fall 2012 Program

ACTIVITIES for CHILDREN and ADULTS OPEN RECREATIONAL SWIM Passes may ONLY be purchased at the pool. Evening open swims will take place immediately after summer swim meets. Family Pass Individual Pass 55/Plus Pass Per person Time Day Date

$75.00 $30.00 $27.00 $3.00 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Tuesday September 6 thru November 29 (No swimming Nov. 22)

Bathing caps required for shoulder length hair, no cutoﬀs or t-shirts allowed. Pool users must be 10 years of age and able to swim one length of the pool unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Walk-ins encouraged; you must sign in every day; payment due at every class & exact change is appreciated! Please be respectful of school property and do not throw and/or leave items in/around the pool.

YOUTH & ADULT SOCCER Fee Site Day Time Date

$3.00 per night Fairview Middle School Gymnasium Tuesday 8:30 - 10:00 p.m. September 4 thru November 27 (No soccer Sep. 25, Oct. 9 & 16)

Ages

16 and over

Play pick up games and get some exercise with competitive fun. Signed waivers are a must. Walk-ins encouraged. Please wear shin guards for safety.

BASKET MAKING Fee

! NEW

$40.00 + $15.00 material fee Site Fairview Presbyterian Church Adult Lounge Day Thursday Time 1:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Date September 6 thru October 25 Ages 16 and up Instructor Charles Elliott

Start with a small Berry Basket to practice some basic basket-making skills. We will then move to a wonderful Williamsburg-style handled basket. The ﬁnal project will involve weaving a Cherokee Gathering Basket. Maximum 10 people.

West County

HOOPNOTICA (Level 1)

ZUMBA

Fee Site Day Time Date

$40.00 per Session Fairview Middle School Cafeteria Tuesday & Thursday 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. Session 1 - September 4 thru 25 Session 2 - October 2 thru 25 Session 3 - October 30 thru November 29

Fee Site Day Time Date

(No class Nov. 8 and 22)

Fee Site Day Time Date

Ages 13 and up Instructor Casandra Bardsley, Certified Hoopnotica Level 1 Instructor

What was made popular by Wham-O (remember the Hula Hoop?) has transitioned into a non-impact, fat-burning workout that strengthens your core and calms your mind. The stress of the day begins to melt away as you lose the ability to focus on anything other than keeping the hoop up! In doing so, you are strengthening your core and burning up to 600 calories per hour. The class requires an “Adult Size” hoop. If you have your own hoop, bring it! If not, hoops will be available for rent at $2 per class or purchase for $35 (cash/check only). Recommended clothing: cotton workout pants/tops are suggested (hoop does not “cling” well to synthetic ﬁbers). Bring your own water.

CHAIR CANING & SEAT WEAVING Fee Site

$40.00 + $15.00 material fee Fairview Presbyterian Church Adult Lounge Day Thursday Time 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon Date September 6 thru October 25 Ages 16 and up Instructor Charles Elliott

This course will advance your skills in seat weaving, and chair caning. We can help you select a pattern for your chair seat, solve furniture restoration problems, and add special touches to your seat weaving projects. Bring your project and work under the guidance of fellow weavers and the teacher. Maximum 10 people.

INTERMEDIATE/ ADVANCED KNIT & CROCHET Fee Site Day Time Date

! NEW

$40.00 Fairview Presbyterian Church Adult Lounge Thursday 1:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. September 6 thru October 25

AND/OR

$40.00 per Session Fairview Middle School Cafeteria Monday & Wednesday 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Session 1 - September 5 thru 26 Session 3 - October 1 thru 24 Session 5 - October 29 thru November 21 $40.00 per Session Fairview Middle School Cafeteria Tuesday and Thursday 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Session 2 - September 4 thru 25 Session 4 - October 2 thru 25 Session 6 - October 30 thru November 29 (No class Nov. 8 and 22)

Ages 13 & up Instructor Lisa Sayers, Certified Zumba Instructor

Zumba fuses hypnotic musical rhythms and tantalizing moves to create a dynamic workout system designed to be FUN and EASY TO DO! The routines feature interval training sessions where fast and slow rhythms and resistance training are combined to tone and sculpt your body while burning fat. Zumba is designed for all ﬁtness levels and ages-male and female. All participants are encouraged to wear comfortable workout shoes and clothing. Bring a small towel and water.

BEGINNER KNIT & CROCHET Fee Site

$40.00 Fairview Presbyterian Church Adult Lounge Day Thursday Time 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon Date September 6 thru October 25 Ages 9 and up. Call for details. Instructor Florence Elliott

Learn the basic stitches for both knit and crochet… 4 weeks of each. Bring a size G, H, or I crochet hook, size 8 or 10 knitting needle and some practice yarn, any type. Material list can be found at www.fairviewtownship.com under Program Schedule. Maximum 20 people. Ages 9 and up. Call for details. Instructor Florence Elliott

Designed for those already proﬁcient with basic stitches in both/either knit or crochet. Mini projects and swatches will be created using varied stitches and techniques. Students will have to have a crochet hook, size G, H, or I, and knitting needles, size 8 or 10 and some practice yarn, any type. Maximum 20 people.

ACTIVITIES for ADULTS INDOOR WALKING

TAI CHI

Fee OR Site Days Time Date

Fee

$5.00 per pass for entire session $1.00 per person per night Fairview Middle School Hallways Monday thru Thursday 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. September 4 thru November 29 (No walking Sep. 27, Nov. 8 & 22-26)

Join our walking club in the hallways of the Fairview Middle School. Walk for either time or distance. Must sign in nightly and passes must be purchased on site.

MEN’S OPEN BASKETBALL Fee Site Day Time Date

$3.00 per night Fairview Middle School Gymnasium Wednesday 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. August 29 thru October 31

AND

Time Date

8:30 - 10:00 p.m. November 7 thru 28 (No basketball Nov. 21)

Ages

30 and over

Play pick up games and get some exercise with competitive fun. Signed waivers are a must. Walk-ins encouraged.

TAI CHI on the LAKE Fee Site Day Time Date Instructor

$40.00 per Session Avonia Beach Park Thursday 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. September 6 thru 27 Amy Eisenberg

Class will be held inside the Brugger house if bad weather permits. Enjoy learning the Yang Long Form of Tai Chi: a series of slow, graceful movements developed in China to promote relaxation, increase ﬂexibility, improve balance and enhance overall good health. Beginners are encouraged to attend. Minimum of ﬁve students needed to hold the class.

Site Time Day Date

$40.00 Session 1 $30.00 Session 2 Fairview Middle School Multi-Purpose Room 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Thursday Session 1-October 4 thru 25 Session 2-November 1 thru 29

YOGA for MIND, BODY & SOUL Fee Site Day Time Date

(No class Nov. 8 and 22)

$30.00 per Session Fairview Middle School LGI Room Monday 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Session 1- October 1 thru 15 Session 2- October 22 thru November 5 Cathleen Norris, RYT, CYT

Instructor Amy Eisenberg

Instructor

Enjoy learning the Yang Long Form of Tai Chi: a series of slow, graceful movements developed in China to promote relaxation, increase ﬂexibility, improve balance and enhance overall good health. Beginners are encouraged to attend. Minimum of ﬁve students needed to hold the class.

Yoga, the union of mind, body, and breath will be the focus of these classes, practicing stretching, asanas, and breathing, promoting ﬂexibility, balance, stress relief and relaxation, to improve or maintain overall health and wellness. Class is multilevel, designed for beginners as well as more advanced students. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring your own yoga mat. Minimum of ﬁve students needed to hold the class.

YOGA at the BEACH Fee Site Day Time Date Instructor:

$40.00 per Session Avonia Beach Park Tuesday 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. September 4 thru 25 Cathleen Norris, RYT, CYT

Experience the peaceful space at Avonia Beach Park where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the water and sundown while releasing stress and stiffness in your body from a busy day and week. Not to worry if you are “flexibly challenged”, we will perform yoga poses that are for those of any fitness level that will rejuvenate your body and mind. Dress comfortably and be prepared to release your stress and tension while connecting with nature. All levels of yoga welcome. Please bring your own yoga mat and water. A minimum of four students are needed to hold the class. Class will be held inside the Brugger house if bad weather permits.

*In cases of ﬁnancial hardship scholarship applications are available upon request.* West County | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 15

Fairview Parks and Recreation: Fall 2012 Program

EVENTS at PLEASANT RIDGE PARK BACK TO SCHOOL BLAST FREE CONCERT IN THE PARK Saturday, August 25, 2012 Bands Erie Heights Brass Ensemble, M-4 and one other band will play at this free, end of summer concert at Pleasant Ridge Park. The concert will be held from 4 -9 p.m. on the lawn. Bring your own lawn chairs, blankets, yard games, drinks (non-alcoholic only), and any food you want. Some food will be available for purchase. This family friendly event also allows your four footed family members (must be on a leash). This event will be held rain or shine. Questions? Call the Fairview Parks & Recreation Authority oﬃce at 814-474-5077 or visit www.fairviewtownship.com.

UPCOMING EVENT! SHANNON TEETER’S MEMORIAL NIGHT LIGHT 5K RUN/WALK Saturday, September 8, 2012

Race time: 7:45 p.m. on a candle-lit course. Pig roast and social gathering to follow race. For more information contact Jim Cardman at (814) 392-6224, the FPRA oﬃce at (814) 474-5077 or visit our website at www.fairviewtownship.com.

PUMPKIN LAUNCH The Fairview Parks and Recreation Authority (FPRA) will host their annual Pumpkin Launch at Pleasant Ridge Park on Sunday, October 21st, 2012 from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. This is a free public event for kids and adults. Pumpkins may be purchased and used to carve your favorite jack-o-lantern face or launched on our bungee pull. Land a pumpkin in one of the bins and win prizes! Concessions as well as fun activities and games will be available. This event is held rain or shine and no reservations are necessary. Dress up in your favorite Halloween costume and join us for a fun ﬁlled afternoon! Visit our website www.fairviewtownship.com for directions to Pleasant Ridge Park or call the FPRA oﬃce at 814-474-5077 for further details.

West County

READ AND SIGN THIS WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY INDEMNIFICATION In applying for registration in the program and facility, the following agreements must be endorsed: (1) I agree on behalf of myself and in behalf of my minor children to release and discharge the Fairview School District, Fairview Township, Fairview Parks and Recreation Authority, its officers, representatives, and employees from any and all liability and claims arising out of or in any way connected with any program being operated by the Fairview Parks and Recreation Authority. The applicant hereby assumes all risks of injuries or damages to the person on behalf of myself and any minors to which I am a parent or guardian which might occur as a result of participation in the program of the Fairview Parks and Recreation Authority. (2) I agree to abide by the regulations for operation of the facility used for the program, and regulations for the registered individual activity. (3) I further hereby agree to indemnify and save harmless the Fairview School District, Fairview Parks and Recreation Authority, Fairview Township, its officers, representatives and employees, from any and all liability that may occur to myself or members of my immediate family in any Fairview Parks and Recreation Authority program. This indemnification is to include and is not necessarily

limited to any and all cost of litigation, medical expenses, judgment, or subrogation interests. (4) I acknowledge that passes and registrations may not be loaned or transferred; the permit and privileges associated with it are not transferable and will be lifted, if presented by any other person than the one to whom issued. We will consider your application for registration as acceptance of the above items. THE SIGNATURE OF PARENT, GUARDIAN OR ADULT PARTICIPANT INDICATES ACCEPTANCE OF THIS WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION. The waiver and release of liability must be signed before participation by adult participants or by a parent or guardian on behalf of minors. The Fairview Parks and Recreation Authority, Fairview Township and its Supervisors and the Fairview School District assume no liability for injuries that may be suﬀered as a result of participation in these activities as well as and including transportation to and from any class or program. If you have read, signed and agree to the waiver and release of liability, ﬁll out the registration form to include all necessary information (name, address, telephone number, class, etc.).

MAKE YOUR CHECK OR MONEY ORDER PAYABLE TO: THE FAIRVIEW PARKS AND RECREATION AUTHORITY and mail to 7471 McCray Rd, Fairview, PA 16415

REGISTRATION AND WAIVER FORM - FILL OUT COMPLETELY PARTICIPANT NAME

T-SHIRT SIZE S__

GUARDIAN

AGE

M__

L__

XLG__

ACTIVITY

SESSION

Youth or Adult

CHECK #

HOME PHONE

LEVEL

TIME

FEE

TOTAL

E-MAIL

ADDRESS

WORK HOME

CITY, STATE, ZIP

CELL PHONE

I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE WAIVER/RELEASE FORM

SIGNATURE

DATE

West County | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 17

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West County

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

                      

       

West County

 

 

        

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This issue is also available online www.incommunitymagazines.com ate Real Est Fairview SPECIAL:

Section

GAZINE NITY MA COMMU 2 FALL 201

letter trict News PLUS! School DisNewsletter Fairview grams Township Fairview & Recreation Pro Fall Parks

West County | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 21

Girard Township

Erie Bluﬀs Elk Creek runs through it which is known for it’s excellent steelhead fishing. The Park is mostly in its natural state, with the only developed area being Elk Creek Access. In that portion of the Park you will find several picnic tables and a small pavilion to enjoy your picnic lunch. You are able to launch small boats, canoes, kayaks, etc. at the boat launch. This gives you access to Lake Erie. The Elk Creek Access area of the Erie Bluffs State Park is open to Anglers 24 hours a day.

Girard Township is home to Erie Bluffs State Park, owned and operated by the Pennsylvania DCNR. It is 587 acres along the Lake Erie shoreline, 255 acres being in Girard Township. It is the largest undeveloped stretch of Lake Erie shoreline remaining in Pennsylvania. Erie Bluffs has one mile of shoreline with 90 foot bluffs overlooking Lake Erie.

Erie Bluffs is open to hunting and trapping as well. You will find deer, turkey and small game. There is a trail system that winds through the park for those that enjoy hiking, bird watching and just enjoying nature at its best. Many bald eagles have populated this area and many people hike the Park just to catch a glimpse of these majestic birds. You can reach Erie Bluffs State Park by driving west on Rt 5, about 12 miles west from Erie. It is approximately 1 mile west of the intersection of Rt 18 and Rt 5.

Miller’s Landing Miller’s Landing is Girard Township’s newest park, located on Elk Park Road at the foot of Whiteman’s Hill. This small 8 acre park is located along the banks of Elk Creek. It’s the perfect place for anglers to gain access to the Creek, known for its excellent steelhead fishing. Girard Township purchased this parcel to provide a safe parking area for anglers and visitors. The Elk Valley Sportsmen’s Club coordinated eﬀorts to build a small pavilion at Miller’s Landing, providing a quiet place to have your picnic lunch or dinner. There are two charcoal grills and a fire pit for your use.

  The Erie County Department of Public Safety will be conducting Quarterly Municipal Storm Siren Testing.

The recently updated Erie County Storm Siren Policy states: Municipal storm sirens shall be tested quarterly in January, April, July and October, on the 15th day, and at the following times:

 

 

Please note that these are only TESTS to ensure that in the instances of dangerous weather conditions, the warning sirens are working properly to alert you and your neighbors. Thank you, William Heald, WECEMA EMC

West County

 

Bill Felege, WECEMA President

Fall

Credit Cards Now Accepted Attention Township residents wishing to pay your sewer and tax bills either online or over the phone… 1. Simply go to: www.girardtownship.com Look to the left of this screen. Find the “Sewer and Tax Bill Pay” at the bottom of the list.

2. Click on the appropriate link and follow the directions. Fees may apply. 2.





  

You may also pay at the offices via credit card! Call Lindy Platz with any sewer related questions at (814)774-4738 x100 or Dean Roney with any tax related questions at (814)774-8023 Girard Township has adopted a new ordinance regarding the Local Services Tax, effective January 1, 2013. In past years, this tax has been called the Occupational Privilege Tax and the Emergency Services Tax. In 2007 it had an additional name change to what is now known as the Local Services Tax or LST. This tax is not new to anyone. As of January 1, 2013 however, Girard Township will begin to collect their portion of the tax that is allowable by law. The current rate of this tax is $10 and only those working within the Township will be required to pay. The LST can be assessed at a rate as great as $52. The use of the funds collected can only be used to offset the ever growing expenses of emergency services and road construction and/or maintenance, or to reduce property taxes or property tax relief through the implementation of a homestead and farmstead exclusion. This tax has been in place for many years and the Township has not imposed it, allowing the full amount of $10 to be collected by the school district. The difference now is that only $5 of the assessment will be allocated to the School District (their new maximum allocation) and the remaining $5 will be allocated to the Township.

The new Local Services Tax:

 aﬀect the following: • the  of what you are currently paying •  you currently pay the tax •  you pay the tax to

 aﬀect the following:

•  will now receive the funds and •  the funds are distributed

Save the Date Community Recycling/Clean-Up Day Date: 9/22/2012 Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. As in the years past, we would again like to provide you the opportunity to dispose of various items that might not be easy to find a place for. This program is open to all of the residents of Cranesville, Girard and Platea Boroughs as well as Elk Creek, Franklin, Springfield and Girard Townships. Most items accepted FREE of charge!!! Small fees may apply for some items to offset costs. More information will be coming soon. Call your respective municipality for more details. West County | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 23

Municipality News PAVING & ROAD WORK

Another Detour - Are you kidding?!

Fall is Coming

PennDOT and Fairview Township have been well informed that the multiple detours this summer have been an inconvenience. Thank you for the calls of concern and we hope that they were all addressed. Major travel routes make for diﬃcult detours. It is especially hard when a project occurs that takes months to complete. The improvements to the bridges and roadways are a necessity. A number of major construction projects are yet to follow in the coming years. We ask for your continued consideration and patience.

This has been a hot, dry summer and the coolness of fall will be welcomed. The kids will be headed back to school so pay attention out on the roads. If there are any problems with the Township roadways or storm water drainage that you feel were not resolved this summer please contact us. With the fall foliage soon changing color and dropping to the ground we want to remind you of leaf pick-up days and our recycling site on Millfair Rd. Burning of leaves is not allowed and can be unsafe with how dry our summer has been. Keeping the storm basin grates clear of leaves is very helpful in preventing the streets from flooding with the rain storms we have in the fall. It does concern us, with a low snow fall last year and a dry summer this year, that there will be an impact on our area water wells. The Township and Water Authority are working together to plan for ways to assist those in a crisis situation.

A New Employee This is a good news/bad news deal. We welcome Justin Goodman to our road crew as a new employee but also have to say goodbye to Brian Madara. Brian was oﬀered a job with a plumbing company that he couldn’t turn down. We will miss Brian and wish him and his family the best! Justin is a familiar face from Fairview, as he has grown up here. Justin still lives in Fairview and was an employee at Fairview Hardware. Fairview Township Supervisors are thankful to have Justin join our work force.

Planning/Zoning Oﬃce The 2012 Comprehensive Plan has been adopted. Our Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance has been reviewed and there are amendments needed that we are working on passing. Once that is done we will start finalizing our Zoning Ordinance changes. Animals and where they should and shouldn’t be allowed is one area of change. The mixing of light industry and commercial business in certain areas is being proposed. Most importantly, there are properties that a zoning change is being suggested and we want to be very careful with our procedure in doing this. Thank you for all of the helpful ideas and comments throughout this process.

West County

When the Fairview School Board approved the construction of a $1.5 million athletic complex in May, it would be difficult to imagine the new facility would be dedicated to anyone other than legendary football coach Jack Bestwick. With 163 victories, four undefeated seasons and a dozen Erie County League titles in a career that spanned 21 years, former Fairview High School football coach Bestwick was an obvious candidate. The 74-year-old’s legacy as a coach and educator who touched hundreds of students’ lives is now forever preserved in the Fairview stadium banner that bears his name. “It really is a tremendous honor,” Bestwick said. “I was just in the right place at the right time. I was blessed with talented players and a dedicated coaching staff. They did all the work and I get all the credit.” The football program will honor the winningest coach in its storied history prior to kickoff of the inaugural game against Youngsville High School Friday, Aug. 31, on Keck Field at Jack Bestwick Stadium. The turf gridiron will retain the name of the swampy grass field it replaced in remembrance of Dr. David Keck, the team’s late physician. The Fairview Athletic Boosters Club raised $500,000 to supplement the $1 million in funding used to build the stadium and A-Turf Titan synthetic grass field. The turf is the same used by the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium and a steep upgrade from its marshy grass predecessor. For Bestwick, the new field is long overdue; but it’s not without a hint of sentimental rue that he bids farewell to the old “swamp.” The retired mathematics teacher revisits 21 seasons’ worth of memories on the battleground daily and, despite the exorbitant success between the chalked

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lines of the gridiron, he most fondly reminisces on a muddy 49-20 season-opener defeat against Iroquois High School in his 1972 Fairview debut. “It was raining all day and the mud was so bad you couldn’t tell the teams’ uniforms apart,” he said. “The loss could have been even worse but the kids played their heart out. They never gave up at any point that season and we went 5-4 that year. It was the first winning season Fairview had in quite some time.” Bestwick’s adult son and daughter will return to Fairview from Charlotte, N.C., and Williamsburg, Va., respectively to join dozens of the coach’s former players in witnessing the dedicatory ceremony Aug. 31. The inaugural game marks the 20th anniversary of Bestwick’s retirement following a 1992 season where he lead the Tigers to a D10 title and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association semifinal round. The retired coach and educator is unaware of what the ceremony will entail but anticipates it will be an emotional aﬀair, surrounded by friends and family. “It’s going to be very moving,” he said. “Just to be mentioned in the same breath as Dr. Keck is an honor in and of itself but to see my former players and family gathering around for this is going to be something that’s very, very special in my life.” Bestwick joins a long list of acquainted coaches who have had stadiums or fields named in their honor. The Westminster College football stadium is named after Dr. Harold Burry whom Bestwick played under during his time as a Titan football player at the Wilmington college. Shaler Area High School, Bestwick’s high school alma mater, named their football field after a head coach that Bestwick assisted on the staﬀ

from 1961 to 1964. During that time, he doubled on the high school’s baseball staﬀ, the manger of which had the diamond named in his honor. Prior to his time at Fairview, Bestwick spent seven years as an assistant football coach at Kittanning High School in Armstrong County. Their football stadium now bears the same name as the head coach during that time. The legendary Fairview coach joins the ranks of such men because of the experience he gained under each of them, he said. “I learned from the best,” Bestwick said. “I was able to draw on things that I saw worked from each of them and I also saw things that didn’t work and that I stayed away from. It’s been a huge reason why we were able to find some success throughout those years.” The football man defines success not only by the amount of tallies in the win column, but by the life lessons he was able to render on his players. He took half an hour before each after-school practice to speak with his players about non-football related issues. Several of his players still call the retired coach to tell him how they’ve used the advice that he’s given them to better their lives or turn around a negative situation. The positive feedback is the ultimate benefaction for Bestwick who said he was inspired in one way or another by every player he’s ever coached. “I just couldn’t say enough about what these kids have done for me,” he said. “Every day I was motivated by witnessing their dedication to the game and their toughness. I know it’s a cliché but I learned more from them than they could have ever learned from me. That’s what’s had the most long-standing impact on my blessed life.”

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West County | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 27

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I can vividly remember the first rock ‘n roll concert I ever attended as an adolescent. My mom and my aunt took my cousins and me to see Seals and Crofts. I can recall our seats, and the excitement I felt to be there, but above all I can recall the concert hall. It was the Erie County Fieldhouse - which for anyone who grew up in this area in the seventies and early eighties was the place they too will most likely remember seeing their first concert. And if not their first concert, they will certainly recall seeing the Erie Blades Hockey Team tear it up on the ice. While we locals may have taken for granted some of the great entertainment that was accessible to us there, a younger generation and those not originally from Erie might look at what now appears to be just a very average looking warehouse at the Parade Street exit off I-90, and scratch their heads a bit. Really? Bands by the likes of Peter Frampton, Bob Seger, Foreigner, Alice Cooper, Journey, and Van Halen played at this rather small and non-descript building? You bet! In fact, that surprising little bit of Erie trivia was exactly what prompted Dan Schell to write the book Nine Years of Rock which chronicles the great rock concerts that were a part of the Erie County Fieldhouse’s history from 1974 to 1983. “It always surprised me that so many famous classic

West County

by Aimee Nicolia

rock bands came through Erie in their heydays via the Fieldhouse,” says Schell who explains that he was telling a very skeptical twenty-something year old co-worker about the bands that had played there. “This guy had never heard of the Fieldhouse because it was closed before he was born, so he thought I was pulling his leg.” In his quest to prove what kind of rock and roll scene had existed here in Erie, Schell started with a quick Internet search, which took him to a far more involved search of the newspaper microfilm archives at the library. As he came across concert promotional posters, photos and newspaper coverage of bands like KISS and AC/DC, his interest grew. Schell formed a Facebook fan group of folks who had actual concert stubs as souvenirs of the live rock shows they’d seen. The more memorabilia he accumulated, the more it became apparent to Schell that it would make for a very cool book.

One of the things that I found striking in the book was to see photos of the concert tickets for some of the greatest bands of the day for a general admission of only $5.50 or $7.25. Anyone who’s attended a concert in recent years can attest to the fact that $5.50 would hardly buy you a drink at the concession stand, let alone your admission! But according to Schell, the Fieldhouse wasn’t all that different from many of the concert venues for that time period, or multipurpose “sheds” as they were commonly called. “It was a nofrills arena with poor acoustics and plastic seats,” says Schell. He adds that the concert experience was different back then. “Festival seating was the norm,” Shell says. “Fans would often bring blankets and run in to get a good spot on the floor of the facility. It was a less structured experience than we have today, with fans having the option to change their seat at any time during the show by just finding an open spot, whether it be next to a speaker or high in the top row.” For Schell, some of the shows that probably were most significant to the Field House’s impressive list of shows were those of KISS, Barry Manilow, AC/DC (the first U.S. appearance of Brian Johnson as lead singer), Bay City Rollers, Black Sabbath with Van Halen opening, Peter Frampton, and Johnny Cash. Though the book proved to be a three-year labor of love for Schell, it did have its challenges, one of the greatest of which was finding the time to do the research. And it was sometimes difficult to validate a show that someone would mention on the Facebook group. “Memories get clouded after so many years, and sometimes their recollections were questionable,” said Schell. “The newspaper microfilm helped the most, but I had to do plenty of interviews to confirm details.” The time Schell put in to the book was worth it and in the process, he learned a lot. “I really enjoyed finding out the details and timeline of how the facility came to be built,” he says. “There was a lot of politics involved for years, but then when the decision was finally made to build it, everything happened within a matter of about 6-7 months.” But, Schell adds that his favorite part of the project was hearing the personal anecdotes of the promoters, fans, and employees. Nine Years of Rock seems to have struck a chord for many Erieites. Within its first month of being released it already sold over 200 copies, a pleasant surprise for Schell. It is available at the Erie Book Store, Romolo’s, World of Music, Werner Books, the Bicentennial Tower, the Bayfront Bookshelf, and the Erie County Historical Society. So now that Schell clearly proved his point about the Fieldhouse to his younger, non-believing coworker, what’s next for him? “A lot of people have been suggesting other Erieentertainment-history types of subjects for me to write about,” he says. “However, right now I have no plans... but you never know what might come up in conversation.”

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West County

 Should You Take a Pension Buyout? Have you recently received a pension buyout offer? If so, you need to decide if you should take the buyout, which could provide you with a potentially large lump sum, or continue accepting your regular pension payments for the rest of your life. It’s a big decision. Clearly, there’s no “one size fits all” answer — your choice needs to be based on your individual circumstances. So, as you weigh your options, you’ll need to consider a variety of key issues, including the following: • Estate considerations. Your pension payments generally end when you and/or your spouse dies, which means your children will get none of the money. But if you were to roll the lump sum into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), and you don’t exhaust it in your lifetime, you could still have something to leave to your family members. • Taxes. If you take the lump sum and roll the funds into your IRA, you control how much you’ll be taxed and when, based on the amounts you choose to withdraw and the date you begin taking withdrawals. (Keep in mind, though, that you must start taking a designated minimum amount of withdrawals from a traditional IRA when you reach age 70½. Withdrawals taken before age 59½ are subject to taxes and penalties.) But if you take a pension, you may have less control over your income taxes, which will be based on your monthly payments. • Inflation.You could easily spend two or three decades in retirement — and during that time, inflation can really add up. To cite just one example, the average cost of a new car was $7,983 in 1982; 30 years later, that figure is $30,748, according to TrueCar.com. If your pension checks aren’t indexed for inflation, they will lose purchasing power over time. If you rolled over your lump sum into an IRA, however, you could put the money into investments offering growth potential, keeping in mind, of course, that there are no guarantees.

• Cash flow. If you’re already receiving a monthly pension, and you’re spending every dollar you receive just to meet your living expenses, you may be better off by keeping your pension payments intact. If you took the lump sum and converted it into an IRA, you can withdraw whatever amount you want (as long as you meet the required minimum distributions), but you’ll have to avoid withdrawing so much that you’ll eventually run out of money. • Confidence in future pension payments. From time to time, companies are forced to reduce their pension obligations due to unforeseen circumstances. You may want to take this into account as you decide whether to continue taking your monthly pension payments, but it’s an issue over which you have no control. On the other hand, once your lump sum is in an IRA, you have control over both the quality and diversification of your investment dollars. However, the trade-off is that investing is subject to various risks, including loss of principal. Before selecting either the lump sum or the monthly pension payments, weigh all the factors carefully to make sure your decision fits into your overall financial strategy. With a choice of this importance, you will probably want to consult with your financial and tax advisors. Ultimately, you may find that this type of offer presents you with a great opportunity — so take the time to consider your options.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

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West County

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The Fall is not just a time of changing leaves and cooler temperatures, it’s a time when the dormant diesel engines of the school buses fire up, SAT applications and college inquiry letters are sent, and students return to college campuses across the nation. In the United States, education is a $900 billion a year business, and that investment, either by the federal and state government, parents and students themselves via student loans, is a testament as to how important learning is to making a name for yourself in the world. Fortunately, for individuals and the economy as a whole, everyone is different and educational opportunities abound for people no matter what their interests or aptitudes. College: College remains one of the most traditional avenues for graduated high school students to pursue. Colleges can be public or private and offer two-year or four-year degrees. While postsecondary education is not a requirement for securing work, those who obtain a college degree can expect estimated lifetime earnings of $2.1 million, according to the US Census Bureau. A master’s degree boosts that to $2.5 million, a professional degree averages $4.4 million, and a doctoral degree $3.4 million. High

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school graduates are estimated to earn just $1.2 million over the course of their lifetime, according to the same report. Trade Schools and Vocational Careers: While vocational training can start in high school, thanks to regional vocational/technical centers that serve school districts, post-high school programs can take graduates from apprentices to masters of their field. What’s more, vocational programs aren’t like they used to be in the latter half of the 20th Century. Today’s vocational schools still cover trades such as carpentry, plumbing and stonemasonry, but they also excel in specialty fields such as computer networking, HVAC, and robotics. Online Learning: Online learning is a relatively new form of degree program using the power of the Internet to bring students and schools together. Also known as E-learning or distance education, online programs have brought some big names into the fold as Harvard and MIT recently joined forces, offering a variety of free, online courses. Online education typically costs less than bricks and mortar schools. Financing Education: No matter where you end up after high school, chances are you’re going to need to take out a few loans to make your goals attainable. Student loans come in a variety of forms ranging from federal to private. Scholarships often are attainable for eligible students, and are nice to have, but realistic students shouldn’t expect to garner enough scholarship money to cover their entire academic career. Programs such as the Federal Stafford Loan can offset up to $23,000 of tuition,

school graduates are estimated to earn just $1.2 million over the course The Fall is not just a time of changing leaves and cooler temperatures, school graduates to earn just $1.2 million over the co Thethe Falldormant is not just a time of changing leavesbuses and cooler of their lifetime, according to are theestimated same report. it’s a time when diesel engines of the school fire up,temperatures, of their lifetime, according to the same report. it’s a time when the dormant diesel engines of the school buses fire up, SAT applications and college inquiry letters are sent, and students return Trade Schools and Vocational Careers: While vocational training applications college inquiry letters are sent, and students return to collegeSAT campuses across and the nation. Trade Schools and Vocational Careers: While vocational trainin can start in high school, thanks to regional vocational/technical to college campuses across the nation. can start in high school, thanks to regional vocational/technical centers that serve school districts, post-high school programs can take In the United States, education is a $900 billion a year business, and centers that serve school districts, post-high school In the United States, education is a $900 billion a year business, and graduates from apprentices to masters of their field. What’s more,programs can t that investment, either by the federal and state government, parents and graduatesaren’t from like apprentices oflatter their half field.ofWhat’s investment, eitherloans, by theisfederal and state parents andvocational programs they usedtotomasters be in the the more, students that themselves via student a testament as togovernment, how important vocational programs aren’t like they used to be in the students themselves via student loans, is a testament as to how important 20th Century. Today’s vocational schools still cover trades such as latter half of t learning is to making a name for yourself in the world. 20th Century. Today’s vocational schools still cover trades such as learning is to making a name for yourself in the world. carpentry, plumbing and stonemasonry, but they also excel in specialty Fortunately, for individuals and the economy as a whole, everyone carpentry, plumbing andHVAC, stonemasonry, but they also excel in spec fields such as computer networking, and robotics. Fortunately, foropportunities individuals and the economy as a whole, everyone is different and educational abound for fields such as computer networking, HVAC, and robotics. different andtheir educational Online Learning: Online learning is a relatively new form of degree people nois matter what interests opportunities or aptitudes. abound for Online Learning: a relatively form of degr people no matter what their interests or aptitudes. program using the power of theOnline Internetlearning to bringisstudents andnew schools College: College remains one of the most program using the power of the Internet to bring students and scho together. Also known as E-learning or distance education, online College: remains one of the most traditional avenuesCollege for graduated together. Also known as E-learning or distance education, programs have brought some big names into the fold as Harvard and online traditional for graduated high school studentsavenues to pursue. programs brought some big names the courses. fold as Harvard an MIT recently joinedhave forces, offering a variety of free,into online school to pursue. Colleges high can be publicstudents or MIT recently joined forces, offering aand variety of free, online cours Online education typically costs less than bricks mortar Colleges can be public or private and offer two-year or schools. Online education typically costs less than bricks and mortar offerposttwo-year or four-yearprivate degrees.and While schools. four-year degrees. Financing Education: No matter where you end secondary education is not aWhile post Financing Education: No matter where you end secondary education up after high school, chances are you’re going to need requirement for securing work,is not a high school, chances are you’re going to need requirement for securing work, to take out aup fewafter loans to make your goals attainable. those who obtain a college to take outcome a fewin loans to make your ranging goals attainable. those whoestimated obtain a college Student loans a variety of forms degree can expect Student loans come in a variety of forms ranging degree can expect estimated from federal to private. Scholarships often are lifetime earnings of $2.1 million, from federal to private. 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West County | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 35

Our Back to School which can be increased to $46,000 if parents do not qualify for the Parent PLUS program. The downside to student loans is that you will be graduating with substantial debt to pay down. The upside, however, is that student loan interest rates are generally low, tax deductible and the loans themselves can be deferred until you are in a position to make payments on them, such as the time necessary for you to find a job. Benefits of tutoring services: One of the keys to acquiring scholarships is good grades. While that’s totally on the student to achieve, there are many services available that can help that student put in the extra effort to make the grade. From SAT preparation centers to study centers that cover a broader range of curricula, these investments are well worth the cost if the result is several thousand dollars coming off your tuition bill because you got a 4.0 versus a 3.8 GPA. Private Schools: Private schools are a popular option for parents when it comes to picking an education for their child. A study found that students who attend private school tend to score higher on standardized tests, and sends more graduates to college than public schools, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Private schools also tend to have a lower number of students, leading to a more effective student-teacher relationship. If a student tends to seek more attention or one-on-one help from teachers, private schools might weigh in more benefits. Private schools also create their own funding, including tuition, grants, and fundraising. According to the National Association of Independent Schools, the average cost of private school tuition tends to be around $17,441. Benefits of Preschools: When it comes to early cognitive development, researchers have found that that children who attend preschool tend to show higher intelligence quotients than those who do not, according to Early Childhood Research and Practice (ECRP). Although sending your child to preschool can help them academically, it also improves their early social skills. Preschool is the time when children become aware of sharing and learning how to interact with one another. The classroom gives the young students a friendly, safe environment that allows them to grow and prepare for the later education in kindergarten and Grade School. Children who attend preschool are usually between 3-5 years old. No matter what your path in life may be, being prepared academically for that path is the key to future success.

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Pine-Richland | Summer 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 3

nce Life Insura

Most people buy life insurance to help family members stay ﬁnancially secure after the policyholder’s death. Yet, when a marriage ends, the topic of life insurance is too often overlooked. These ﬁve tips can help you and your soon-to-be-ex discuss important changes to your policies before you sign the papers:

1. Read the divorce agreement carefully. “Life insurance policies are often used to secure alimony and child support payments,” says Steven Weisbart, Ph.D., senior vice president and chief economist at the Insurance Information Institute. Before you sign any documents, make sure they meet your needs and that you’ll be able to comply with them. Divorce agreements are legally binding and can be difficult to alter. 2. Discuss duration of coverage. The time frame for any obligatory life insurance coverage varies, often depending on the length of alimony and the ages of the children. If you’re purchasing insurance to protect a child financially, look into affordable term life or decreasing term life plans with coverage that expires when the child support obligation ends. 3. Decide who will pay the premiums. Having your ex-spouse pay the insurance company may be convenient, but if you’re concerned about the possibility of default, ask your ex to pay you and then pay the premium yourself. Or, have your ex add you to the policy record so that you may receive duplicate copies of billing and lapse notices. “The consequences of your ex not paying you are less than if he or she doesn’t pay the insurance company,” Weisbart says. “Failing to pay the insurance company could cost you the policy.” 4. Re-designate beneficiaries. Depending on the divorce settlement, many couples will rename their beneficiaries from each other to their children. In some states, probate laws automatically disqualify a former spouse from receiving life insurance proceeds unless the insured re-designates their ex-spouse after the divorce. If the children are minors, consider appointing an adult custodian to receive and handle the benefits on their behalf. Be sure to specify when the money will be transferred to the children and the percentage each child is to receive, Weisbart says. And keep in mind that beneficiaries cannot be re-designated after the insured’s death, so it’s critical to keep the policy up to date. 5. Determine how much coverage you’ll need. Examine what your ex-spouse’s financial situation would be like if alimony and/or child support payments ended. Talk with your State Farm® agent and divorce attorney to arrive at a specific amount. The Insurance Information Institute offers more information on reviewing insurance coverages during a separation or divorce.

West County | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 37

By Amanda Fastuca

The prospect of bringing a pet into the family might come up every now and then in conversation, with questions still up in the air. The truth is, it all depends on which house pet is right for you. According to the 2011-2012 American Pet Products Association (APPA), in the National Pet Owners Survey, researchers found that there are about 72.9 million households in the United States that have at least one pet. That’s more than 60 percent of the U.S. population who are considered pet owners! This number has drastically increased within the last 20 years. The survey’s results also show that the benefits of owning a pet include relieving stress, creating companionship, and just making a pleasant change in your daily life. Describing only a few of the many household pets in the U.S., it’s proven that those who have a close relationship with their animals tend to live a longer and healthier life. It especially helps those who might suffer from depression or illnesses.

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–––––– FISH –––––– There are currently about 151.1 million freshwater fish that are owned within the U.S., making them the number one household pet. Because of the way fish peacefully glide through the water, they are known to have a calming effect on their owners. Fish are also an easier, less expensive alternative to a larger pet. Although the prices can vary, depending on the type of fish and aquarium, fish are generally an affordable investment. Owning fish requires little maintenance; however it is very important that they are still cared for on a regular basis. The main and most important responsibilities in caring for fish are as follows: r Appropriate feeding r Checking water temperature and equipment r Cleaning the tank or aquarium when necessary

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West County | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 39

–––––– CATS –––––– Cats are the second most popular pets owned in the United States. With 86.4 million house cats, they are an affordable way to add a loving animal member to your home. For the most part, cats are easy to maintain. Because they have a natural instinct to clean themselves, frequent bathing is not necessary. Although commitment and plenty of care is essential, house cats usually don’t require too much attention, making them great pets for those who are generally busy throughout the day. Prices also vary when it comes to choosing the right cat. Some breeds range from 500-1,000 dollars, plus other expenses like food, vaccines, operations and other necessities. However, adoptions from shelters are becoming more and more popular. Cat adoption varies from about 100-150 dollars, making the purchase much more affordable. In fact, many cat lovers might agree that adoption is the best way to go.

Our Pet

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–––––– DOGS –––––– Number three on the list of the most-owned house pets belongs to “man’s best friend,” a dog. There are about 78.2 million domestic dogs in the U.S. With their energetic personalities and great sense of companionship, dogs require the most attention. Depending on the breed, grooming and hygiene care must be taken with full responsibility. Along with grooming comes time and commitment to training and building a strong relationship. Training can be time consuming, but is well worth it when accomplished. As most of us already know, dogs are known to be quite active and playful. According to the previously mentioned survey, 40 percent of dog owners say that they are more motivated to exercise on a regular basis than those who do not own a dog. Like cats, dogs can get quite expensive as well, depending on the breed. Purchasing a pet-quality puppy can be anywhere from about 300 to over 1,500 dollars. However, adoption can go as low as 60-70 dollars. Additional costs also must be kept in mind. When the topic of animal shelters and adoption comes about, certain points should be highly considered. With such a low percentage of rescued pets being returned to their original owners, about 5-7 million animals are kept in a shelter or rescue society.

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Work hard and play hard this fall and winter by avoiding common injuries The kids are heading back to school, the leaves are going to change, and before you know it the weather forecast will be calling for snow. Whether you have plans to work around the house, take part in your favorite activity, or play quarterback in a backyard football game, there is no good time to have an injury. Everyone wants to stay healthy and active, and by keeping in mind a few simple tips, you’ll safely and successfully do all the things you love, all year long.

Finally, don’t let chores like raking leaves or shoveling snow land you inside all winter. “A majority of the people I treat are referred for low back pain, neck pain, shoulder, knee, and ankle sprains or strains,” says Kobel, who sees patients at the CRS-Peninsula Drive location in Erie. “Many of these types of injuries can be avoided when people keep in mind simple tips for staying healthy and injury free.”

“Warming up is important to help prepare your muscles and joints for physical activity,” says Ryan Kobel, PT, DPT, ATC, a physical therapist with UPMC Centers for Rehab Services. You can warm up with simple activities such as a brisk walk or jogging in place.

Shoveling and raking: Eight tips to help you avoid injury while getting the job done 1. Allow extra time to complete these tasks if you are not used to such heavy activity. 2. Choose a rake or shovel that is appropriate for your height to limit lower back strain. 3. Limit shoulder strain by alternating arms. 4. Try to avoid twisting at the back while throwing snow; instead move your feet to change directions. 5. Bend at your hips and knees, not at your back, so that your large leg muscles can help you pick up leaves or snow. 6. Take frequent breaks, change positions, and limit time in the same bent forward position to promote neck and back health.

In addition to a good warm up, the following tips will help you stay healthy this fall and winter: • Stay hydrated — this is just as important when it is cold outside. • Wear proper footwear to help avoid falls. • Take it easy when trying new activities — injuries are often the result of doing too much, too fast. • Stretch — this is another way to get your body ready for activities, and it may help reduce muscle soreness following new or strenuous activities.

7. If you ﬁnd yourself frequently in a bent position, you can stretch your low back in the opposite direction. Stand upright and place both palms directly on your back (ﬁngertips should be pointing towards each other to the middle of the back). Spread feet to about shoulder width apart and bend backwards for 10 to 15 repetitions. It is important to go as far as is comfortable for you on each repetition. 8. If you feel any chest pain during strenuous activities, stop what you are doing and call 911.

For more tips to help you avoid injury, please visit UPMC.com/ErieCRS. West County | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 41

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603 East McMurray Road McMurray I PA I 15317 724.942.0940 www.incommunitymagazines.com

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