COMMUNITY-DRIVEN
SUMMER 2011
COMMUNITY MAGAZINE
Congratulations West Mifflin Graduates! The Trolleys of Mifflin Township
Contents West Mifflin | SUMMER 2011 |
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Publisher’s Message
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COMMUNITY INTEREST
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Garbage Recycling Info | 3 West Mifflin Community News | 4 West Mifflin Lions Club News | 5 Peoples Natural Gas | Community-Driven | 11 Houses of Worship | 15 School District/West Mifflin Borough Info | 16 UPMC Today | Health and Wellness News You Can Use | 17 Older Adults | 20 Real Estate in Canon Mac | Costa Homebuilders | 27 An Enjoyable Living Space is as Close as Your Backyard | 32 Enjoy Summer in West Mifflin | 40
FEATURES
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Graduation Day 2011 | 6 The Trolleys of Mifflin Township | 12 Nurses Club Celebrate Golden Anniversary
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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
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Weight Loss is More Than Just a Matter of Looking Good
ON THE COVER
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The West Mifflin Area High School graduating Class of 2011 line up in the school hallway prior to the commencement ceremony held in June. Photo by Michael Haritan.
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SUMMER 2011 Welcome to the summer issue of West Mifflin Magazine. Summer is the time for home improvement projects, and this issue contains information about house maintenance, landscaping and real estate. Our annual advertising section on real estate in Washington and Allegheny Counties reminds us of the beautiful, affordable homes – both old and new – that are available in our region. If you’re in the market to buy or sell a home, we hope you will find this issue to be helpful. For those you who plan to stay in your home but want to fix up the outside, this issue contains plenty of tips from professional landscapers and gardeners. This issue includes includes photographs from West Mifflin Area High School’s commencement ceremony held in June. We send our best wishes to these young adults as they enter the workforce or the military, or go off to a two- or four-year college or technical school. Finally, this issue has updates on recent activities with organizations in the borough, a profile of Jim Hartman, who is a one-man encyclopedia of West Mifflin, a piece about the trolleys that used to go up and down West Mifflin’s roads, and much more. Have a great summer!
IN West Mifflin is a community publication dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the West Mifflin 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. PUB LIS H ER
Wayne Dollard M A NAGING ED ITOR
Marybeth Jeffries marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com R EGIONA L ED ITOR
Christina Clinton Evans c.evans@incommunitymagazines.com OFFIC E M A NAGER
Leo Vighetti leo@incommunitymagazines.com STA FF PH OTOGR A PH ER
Jack Megaw j.megaw@incommunitymagazines.com
Wayne Dollard Publisher
W R ITERS
Pamela Palongue GR A PH IC D ES IGN
Cassie Brkich Sharon Cobb Susie Doak
Summer is finally here! This season in western Pennsylvania is a special time, and there are plenty of yearly events and activities that can quickly become a tradition for your family. There are the obvious ones – such as a school or community picnic day at Kennywood but there are some less-obvious ones that your family can adopt as traditions and begin to create summer memories that will last a lifetime. A visit to a local farmers market is a great way to spend time with your kids while teaching them that fruits, vegetables and other commodities can come from places other than a mega grocery store. There’s a farmers market in Pleasant Hills every Thursday through October from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at the Pleasant Hills Presbyterian Church at 199 Old Clairton Road. Another summer tradition that my family looks forward to every year are the church fairs and community days held throughout the region every summer – there are a ton in the area – and most are just a short drive away. West Mifflin’s Community Day is scheduled for Saturday, September 10 at the Allegheny County Airport. Finally, take some time to do some exploring around your own town. Spend some time with the family playing horseshoes or having a picnic at Community Park. Above all, have a great summer full of family traditions and memories, and West Mifflin magazine will see you in the fall!
Christina Clinton Evans Editor
Jan McEvoy Joe Milne Tamara Tylenda
PH OTOGR A PH ERS
Garyyonphotography.com A DV ERTIS ING S A LES
Derek Bayer Brian Daley Gina D’Alicandro Tina Dollard Rose Estes John Gartley Jason Huffman Lori Jeffries Rita Lengvarsky Connie McDaniel Brian McKee
David Mitchell Tamara Myers Gabriel Negri Robert Ojeda Annette Petrone Vincent Sabatini Michael Silvert RJ Vighetti Nikki CapezioWatson
This magazine is carrier route mailed to all district households and businesses. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Copyright 2011. CORRESPONDENCE All inquiries, comments and press releases should be directed to: IN Community Magazines Attn: Editorial 603 East McMurray Road McMurray, PA 15317 Ph: 724.942.0940 Fax: 724.942.0968
Fall content deadline: 8/6/11 www.incommunitymagazines.com
Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.
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West Mifflin
ALERT! ALERT! If you see someone other than the Borough Recycling Crew taking recyclables that have been put out at the curb for pick-up . . . PLEASE CALL THE POLICE DEPARTMENT at 412.461.3125 IMMEDIATELY. It is illegal for anyone other than the Borough to pick-up recyclables and it takes money away from the Borough and YOU!
Boro Code Chapter 20, Part 1 Section 103 #10 It shall be unlawful for placement of solid waste and / or recyclables to be collected to be placed at curbside for collection prior to 5 p.m., prevailing time, of the day before scheduled collection. [Ord. 1094]
Collected curbside on an as needed basis. If you have tree branches and shrubs that need removed please call the Public Works Department at 412.461.5300 and they will put you on the schedule for collection. There is NO PICK-UP during the months of May through August due to the Borough paving program
Such as old refrigerators, freezers, washers, and dryers, etc. are collected curbside by the Public Works Department. To arrange for a pick-up call the Public Works Department at 412.461.5300.
Collected curbside usually during the months of October and November on your normal recycling day. The leaves MUST BE PLACED in the BROWN BAGS that can be composted. Leaves in plastic bags WILL NOT BE PICKED UP!
The Borough Public Works Department does residential recycling on a bi-weekly basis. The borough’s recycling program has many facets to it.
SINGLE-STREAM RECYCLING No need to separate recyclables ALL RECYCLING MATERIALS IN ONE BIN !
West Mifflin | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 3
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 ‘Intrepid’ Commander Charles Krebs and Post Quartermaster Mike Mauer are pictured with this year’s Walt Kuczma Scholarship award winners (from left) Emily Saxon, Jewlina Matthews and Kelly Cochrane. The annual scholarship award is open to West Mifflin High School seniors who have had a family member serve in the armed forces of the United States. The annual scholarship is named after Walt Kuczma of West Mifflin, founder of VFW Post 914 and a World War II veteran. Kuczma served on the famous aircraft carrier U.S.S. Intrepid when it was attacked by Japanese kamikazes in November 1944.
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West Mifflin
We are plannin g to go
Hats Off to t o S e niors day at P NC Par kA C ug 24th ontact J at 412.4 essica Gettig . at 64.1 or Alice 300 at ext.121 at e more in xt.123 for formatio n
The 58th Officers Installation and Awards Dinner The 58th Officers Installation and Awards Dinner was held on Sunday, June 12th at the Westwood Golf Club at 4 p.m.
(L-R front): Cathy Yurosko, Director; Jean Colantoni, President; Florence Davis, Director; William Crevar, Tail Twister and Michael Demko, 1st Vice President. (L-R rear): James Hartman, PDG, Secretary; James Stone, Treasurer; Paul Ludwig, Director and Patricia Hlad, 2nd Vice President.
Lions receiving awards were (L-R): Paul Ludwig, Appreciation and Richard McGartland, Lion of the Year.
Lions Bro oms & B a g s . . .
Sight R e C y c le 4
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West Mifflin
Photos by Michael Haritan
West Mifflin | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 7
west mifflin military news
LOCAL MEN CURRENTLY SERVING IAN EVANSKY, CTT-3
ANTHONY GYKE, ENFN
A 2009 graduate of West Mifflin High School, Evansky is currently stationed in Everett, WA.
A 2009 graduate of West Mifflin High School, Gyke is currently stationed in San Diego, CA aboard the USS Germantown LSD 42.
OUR NATIONAL EMBLEM Pennsylvania 38th Legislative District Representative Bill Kortz, left, presents a donation of a POW/MIA and a United States flag to Walter Miller, club steward of the Thompson Run Athletic Association on Ball Avenue, West Mifflin, and to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 ‘Intrepid’ Commander Charles Krebs. The State Representative was on hand at the TRAA May 26 to attend the VFW Post’s meeting and listen to constituents’ concerns regarding veteran’s affairs and other issues.
HELPING THOSE WHO SERVED Members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 ‘Intrepid’ on Memorial Day May 30 prepare to sell Buddy Poppies to support disabled veterans in front of America’s Finest Traditional Amusement Park – Kennywood Park in West Mifflin. Pictured from left to right are Mike Mauer, Jeff Filicko, Kennywood public relations, Bernard Zurawski and Jake Bradich.
SUPER MEMORIAL SERVICE
Bernard Zurawski, Post 914
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Members of the rifle detail from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 ‘Intrepid’ pose with three-time Super Bowl winner and former Marine John Banaszak. Mr. Banaszak delivered the keynote address at the Community Memorial Day Service May 30 at Lebanon Church Cemetery in West Mifflin.
Mike Mauer, Post 914
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West Mifflin
Ken Curcio, Post 914
John Banaszak
Gener Staudt, Post 914
Jake Bradich, Post 914
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 ‘Intrepid’ Quartermaster Mike Mauer and members of the West Mifflin Air Force Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps stand in front of the M-101A2 105 mm howitzer at Mitchell Paige Park. The Corps of Cadets conducted an American Flag Folding Ceremony headed by Cadet SMSgt Dustin Pienkoski during the May 28 Memorial Day Service.
Nonagenarian and World War II Company Commander James W. Leerberg prepares for the West Mifflin May 28 Memorial Day Service. The service was organized by West Mifflin Mayor Chris Kelly, and featured members of the West Mifflin Area High School Titan Brass Ensemble. Also honored during the ceremony were members of the West Mifflin Police Department, firefighters and Emergency Medical Service personnel.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 ‘Intrepid’ Commander Charles Krebs, below, and fellow Army veteran and Post 914 member Eugene Staudt. Staudt sang two songs as part of the May 28 Memorial Day Service.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 ‘Intrepid’ Adjutant and Marine Ken Curcio, left, and WM AFJROTC Chief Master Sergeant Shane Anderson stand before wreaths at West Mifflin Veterans’ Memorial. Anderson intends on becoming a Marine after graduating high school.
West Mifflin | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 9
The employees of Peoples Natural Gas – more than 650 strong – are bringing a new sense of energy to Western Pennsylvania. With Peoples now fully Pittsburgh based and run, decisions are being made locally -- with an eye to investing for the energy future of the region. We're making $100 million in infrastructure, service and technology upgrades to better serve our more than 360,000 customers. Customer service is becoming fully local, too... with a dedicated new service center staffed by experienced people who thoroughly know the region and its people. Our vision: to help Western Pennsylvania move forward by creating new jobs and serving our customers well. It's a commitment we're proud to make.
IN THE PHOTO
JIM MILLER / CUSTOMER SERVICEMAN
y o u r e n e r g y p a rt n e r
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peoples–ga s.com
community-driven
y o u r e n e r g y p a rt n e r
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West Mifflin
West Mifflin | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 13
The Mifflin Township Historical Society’s goal is to document, chronicle and preserve artifacts and sites of the historical significance from the original Mifflin Township of 1788. What was Mifflin Township is today Baldwin (part), Clairton, Duquesne, Dravosburg, Hays, Homestead, Jefferson Hills, Lincoln Place, Munhall, Pleasant Hills, West Elizabeth, West Homestead, West Mifflin and Whitaker. While the website, www.mifflintownship.org, is still a work-in-progress, because the content is updated by volunteers, it is beginning to take shape as an excellent historic resource for the Monongahela communities it represents. The group also maintains a reference room in suite 202 of the municipal building which contains various newsletters and other printed information, old yearbooks, historical maps, family photos and histories, and CDs of old newspapers from Clairton, Duquesne, Homestead and other communities. Donations of documents and other historical items also are welcome (in original or copy form). The Mifflin Township Historical Society is run entirely by volunteers and its office and reference room is only open on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The office is located at 3000 Lebanon Church Road, Suite 202, West Mifflin, PA 15122. Other hours are available by appointment which can be made by contacting President Jim Hartman at 412.600.0229 or at jhartman15122@gmail.com
To say that Jim Hartman has been keeping busy since he retired over a decade ago is an understatement. The 65-year-old formal postal worker has always kept a busy schedule. When his daughters were younger, he coached their softball teams and was president of the band boosters. Today, he keeps busy building and designing websites, acting as president of the Mifflin Township Historical Society, and volunteering with the West Mifflin Lions Club. “It’s easy to sit around and complain about how bad things are,” he said. “I would rather get involved and make the bad things better.” Hartman taught himself how to design and update websites using various software programs and is now responsible for maintaining several dozen for local non-profit groups and businesses, including the site for the Mifflin Township Historical Society. “I’ve always like history, even when I was back in grade school,” Hartman said. “It’s the story of what we are and why we are.” When his father died in 1996, Hartman said he started researching that side of his
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family’s genealogy and initially had a difficult time finding any information. A mixed religious marriage in his family history alienated other members of the family and ties were broken. Today, he’s the keeper of a family tree with over 5,000 names. Every time there’s a birth, marriage or death, his extended family calls him so that he can add the information to the database and expand the tree, and how relatives use the tree to explain their own roots to others. “My cousin’s granddaughter took a three foot by nine foot copy of the family tree to school for show-and-tell,” Hartman said. “The kids in her class were very impressed. They got to see how all of us are related to each other in some way.” From that point, his interest in history kept growing. Shortly before retirement he started the Mifflin Township Historical Society and approached the Homestead Historical Society into a merger. “Mifflin Township at one time included Homestead, West Mifflin and a dozen other communities, so it made sense for us to combine our resources and form one organization,” he said. “ As president, Hartman speaks to groups, maintains the website, and continuously adds materials to the organization’s reference room. He received some funding from the state to transfer decades of out-of-print local
West Mifflin
newspapers from microfilm to CDs. Some of the old papers now on CD include the Clairton Crucible (last published in 1906) and the Duquesne Times. “What most people find interesting are the death notices and obituaries,” Hartman said. “It’s a great way for them to research their own family trees.” When he’s not building websites or gathering information for the historical society, Hartman can be found volunteering his time with the West Mifflin Lions Club. The Lions Club is an international public service organization probably best known for recycling used eyeglasses and paying for other vision services for the visuallyimpaired in the community. In addition to the vision services, the 53-member West Mifflin chapter has helped the local food banks, purchased emergency services equipment for local EMS providers, and holds fundraisers throughout the year for different causes. Hartman now served as the district governor for several years and he traveled all over the state of Pennsylvania. He will finish the year as the immediate past district governor but said he plans to stay very active in the organization even though plans to stay very active in the organization in the years to come. “I don’t plan on being a Lion in name only,” he said.
West Mifflin | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 15
Municipal Building 3000 Lebanon Church Road West Mifflin, PA 15122
West Mifflin School District
West Mifflin Borough
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Phone: 412.466.8170 Fax: 412.466.8173
3000 Lebanon Church Road Suite 300 West Mifflin, PA 15122
Phone: 412.466.9131
Administration
Schools
Administration
Departments
Superintendent:
West Mifflin Area High School
Mayor:
Dr. Janet Sardon 412.466-9131 ext. 3002 sardonj@wmasd.org
91 Commonwealth Avenue West Mifflin, PA 15122 Phone: 412.466.9131 Ext: 1001 Principal: Dr. Mark Hoover
Chris Kelly ckelly@westmifflinborough.com
Recreation/Community Development
Assistant Superintendent: Dr. Daniel Castagna 412.466.9131 ext. 3003 castagnad@wmasd.org
Board Secretary/ Business Manager: Mr. Dennis Cmar 412.466.9131 ext. 3004 cmard@wmasd.org Director of Buildings & Grounds: Mrs. Sandra Wells 412.466.9131 ext. 3006 wellss@wmasd.org Director of Technology: Mr. Joel Tachoir 412.466.9131 ext. 3020 tachoirj@wmasd.org
School Board Board President: Mrs. Kathleen Bracco Term Ends: 2011
Board Vice President: Mr. Richard Fialkovich Term Ends: 2011 412.466.9131
West Mifflin Area Middle School 371 Camp Hollow Road West Mifflin, PA 15122 Phone: 412.466.9131 Ext: 2099 Principal: Brian Plichta (Grds. 7 & 8) Principal: Michael Sable (Grd. 6)
Early Childhood Education Center 515 Camp Hollow Road West Mifflin, PA 15122 Phone: 412.466.9131 Superintendent/ECEC Principal of Record: Michael Sable, Ext: 2001
Clara Barton Elementary 764 Beverly Drive West Mifflin, PA 15122 Phone: 412.466.9131 Ext: 4001 Principal: Mrs. Noelle Haney
New Emerson Elementary 1922 Pennsylvania Avenue West Mifflin, PA 15122 Phone: 412.466.9131 Ext: 6001 Principal: Mrs. Cathryn Brundage
Homeville Elementary
Mr. Nicholas Alexandroff Term Ends: 2013 412.466.9131
4315 Eliza Street West Mifflin, PA 15122 Phone: 412.461.9131 Ext: 7099 Principal: Melissa Bracco
Mrs. Kathleen Bracco Term Ends: 2011 412.466.9131
New England Elementary
Mr. Richard Fialkovich Term Ends: 2011 412.466.9131
2000 Clairton Road West Mifflin, PA 15122 Phone: 412.466.9131 Ext: 5001 Principal: Noelle Haney
Dr. Albert Graham Term Ends: 2011 412.466.9131
Mr. Phil Shar Term Ends: 2013 412.466.9131
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Walter "Butch" Anthony banthony@westmifflinborough.com
Administrative Assistant:
Field Inspector:
Anna Marie Kuzma amkuzma@westmifflinborough.com
William L. Best bbest@westmifflinborough.com
Administrative Assistant:
Public Works
Diane Wrobleski dwrobleski@westmifflinborough.com
412.461.5300
Public Works Director:
Homeville Volunteer Fire Company #1 3900 Greensprings Avenue West Mifflin, PA 15122 412.461.9475
James Hess jhess@westmifflinborough.com
Recreation Administrator: Lance Maha 412.464.1918
Council President: Regis L. Stephenson
Vice President: John T. Munsie John Andzelik Joseph B. Falce Robert Kostelnik Michael Olack Rhonda Popovich
Elected Officials Pa State Representative: William C. Kortz 38th Legislative District 751 Pittsburgh-McKeesport Blvd. Dravosburg, PA 15034 Phone: 412.466.1940 Fax: 412.460.3023 Jay Costa, Jr. 43rd District 3000 Lebanon Church Road First Floor West Mifflin, PA 15122 Phone: 412.466.2784 Fax: 412.466.2700
Mrs. Diana Olasz Term Ends: 2011
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Chief Building Inspector:
Richard Janus rjanus@westmifflinborough.com
PA State Senator:
Mr. Ned Mervos Term Ends: 2011 412.466.9131
West Mifflin
412.466.8174
Borough Manager:
Fire Departments
Duquesne Annex Volunteer Fire Company #2 1620 Pennsylvania Avenue West Mifflin, PA 15122 412.466.7500 Volunteer Fire Company #3 3722 Rodeo Drive West Mifflin, PA 15122 412.469.0219 Skyview Volunteer Fire Company #4 660 Noble Drive West Mifflin, PA 15122 412.461.9553
Ambulance Service Prism Health Services 4821 Buttermilk Hollow Road West Mifflin, PA 15122 Business Office: 412.466.5111 Emergency: 911
Police Department: 4733 Greensprings Ave West Mifflin, PA 15122 Phone: 412.461.3125 Fax: 412.461.3944 Emergency: 911
SUMMER 2011
Health and Wellness News You Can Use
Heart Health Is a Family Affair Every member of your family could have some degree of risk when it comes to developing heart disease. Look inside for ways to get your family heart healthy.
What’s Inside page 2
Team Up for a Healthy Heart
page 3
The Good News About Heart Disease Six Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure
page 4
Young Athletes and Sudden Cardiac Death What Parents Need to Know Exercise: Too Much of a Good Thing Can Be Harmful
© 2011 UPMC
page 5
The Downside of Falls
page 6
Choosing the Right Doctor for You
page 7
UPMC McKeesport Comprehensive Cardiac Care Is Here for You
Team Up for a Healthy Heart Your family doctor is your first line of defense when it comes to caring for your heart As you’ll read throughout this issue of UPMC Today, there’s a great deal you can do to prevent heart disease. You might be surprised to learn, though, that a strong relationship with your family doctor is one of the best steps you can take to protect your heart’s health. “Primary care physicians (PCPs) focus on prevention as the key to a long and healthy life,” explains Edward Goralczyk, MD, chairman, Department of Family Medicine at UPMC McKeesport, and a family practitioner with Elizabeth Township Family Medicine–UPMC. “Our goal is to help educate you to avoid or minimize serious health problems — and that includes your heart.” Heart disease can stem from a variety of factors, including age, genetics, and lifestyle. “These are key elements your PCP will monitor regularly and review with you,” explains Dr. Goralczyk. “It’s very important for patients to keep their doctor involved and current in their lives. Simply put, the better we know you, the better the advice and care we can provide.”
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www.UPMC.com/Today
“It’s very important for patients to keep their doctor involved and current in their lives. Simply put, the better we know you, the better the advice and care we can provide.” — Edward Goralczyk, MD
Here are a few steps you can take with your PCP for a healthier heart:
Tell your story Help your doctor understand your background by compiling and sharing a comprehensive medical history. In addition to your own medical background, find out who in your immediate family has had heart disease or contributing factors like high blood pressure or diabetes. Be sure to let your PCP know about past illnesses, tests, and any specialists you may have seen. “New technology, like UPMC’s electronic health record system (eRecords), has the potential to give PCPs instant access to a patient’s medical history, including recent tests or medications prescribed by a specialist,” notes Dr. Goralczyk.
If you don’t have a family doctor, take steps now to locate a physician with whom you can establish a sense of trust and rapport (see Choosing the Right Doctor for You on page 6 of this publication for help). Don’t wait for an emergency to find a PCP!
Help your doctor see the big picture There are many factors that create stress and disruptions in our lives. That’s why it’s important to keep your doctor informed about your total health — mental, physical, emotional, and even financial. “Stresses like a job loss, change in relationship, or financial problems can take a real toll on your heart’s health,” says Dr. Goralczyk. “Patients often don’t realize there are multiple factors at play in their lives.”
Be candid Talk to your doctor about any troubling physical conditions — such as chest pain or shortness of breath — that you’re experiencing. It’s also important to speak openly about lifestyle habits that can affect your heart, such as diet, exercise, and substance use and abuse (including smoking and drinking). “We’re not here to judge but to help you,” says Dr. Goralczyk. “Withholding information makes managing your heart health more difficult — and can even lead to a missed diagnosis.”
The Good News About Heart Disease Take charge of your heart through health screenings and heart-healthy lifestyle changes Heart disease is the nation’s leading cause of death for both men and women. Every 25 seconds, someone experiences a coronary event; every minute, heart disease claims a life. The good news? You can take steps to reduce your risk of heart disease through routine screening and lifestyle changes — even if you’ve already had a heart attack or stroke. “Heart disease is a disease we can do something about. In most instances, it is preventable,” says Daniel Edmundowicz, MD, associate professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, and director of preventive cardiology at the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute. “Screening absolutely saves lives. We can help people change the outcome once we know the risk-factor levels,” Dr. Edmundowicz says. Heart-Healthy Resources at UPMC McKeesport
If needed, you also can take advantage of the region’s only low radiation electron beam CT scan at the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute. It looks specifically for calcium in the coronary arteries as a marker of the cholesterol accumulation that can cause sudden heart attacks. Dr. Awan recommends regular health screenings that will tell you your numbers and whether you need to take action. For example, high blood pressure and high cholesterol can damage your heart and blood vessels, but you wouldn’t know you have these conditions without testing for them. The more risk factors you have, the greater your chance of developing heart disease, says Dr. Awan. While you can’t control genetics, you can take steps to control many other risk factors by eating a healthy diet, exercising, reducing stress, not smoking, and maintaining a healthy body weight. Some changes — like quitting smoking — can have an immediate impact.
Six Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure High blood pressure puts you at risk for heart attack, stroke, and other serious diseases. Follow these recommendations from Dr. Awan to take charge of this “silent killer”: • Increase physical activity. Aim for at least 30 minutes each day (most days) of brisk walking, bike riding, or other aerobic activity. • Monitor your sodium. Limit your sodium intake to less than two grams (2,000 mg) a day. Beware of “hidden” sodium in processed foods, including canned soup, lunch meats, frozen dinners, and crackers. • Eat healthy. Follow a lower-fat diet that’s rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods. • Control your stress. Take 15 minutes each day to decompress and focus on yourself. Listen to music, read, pray, or meditate. • Don’t smoke! Nicotine causes your blood vessels to constrict and your heart to beat faster, which raises your blood pressure.
Ihsan Awan, MD, cardiologist at UPMC McKeesport, says doctors use tools such as EKGs, stress testing, ultrasound, and CT scans to look for signs of atherosclerosis in the heart, neck, legs, and arms — especially if you have a family history of cardiovascular disease.
“The bottom line is: If you know your numbers and know your risk, you can do something about it,” Dr. Awan says.
Risk factors that can’t be changed
Know your numbers
Become heart smart
Aim for these vital numbers to keep your ticker in good working condition:
BMI (body mass index) 18.5–24.9
Take time to educate yourself about heart disease and the treatments available. The UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute website is a one-stop source of information about cardiac conditions, as well as UPMC’s full spectrum of cardiovascular services from routine screenings to advanced cardiac care.
Ask your doctor
Be sure to check it out at www.UPMC.com/HeartandVascular.
• Family history of heart disease, carotid artery disease, or peripheral artery disease • Age (65 and older) • Gender (men have a greater risk of heart attack)
Risk factors that can be changed • • • • •
Smoking High blood pressure High cholesterol levels Obesity Physical inactivity
Monitor
Target Levels
Cholesterol
less than 200 mg/dL
Blood Pressure
below 120/80
• Take your medicine. If medicine is needed to control your blood pressure, make sure you take it as prescribed by your doctor.
If you have questions or concerns about your heart health, call your physician to schedule an appointment.
1-800-533-UPMC
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Health Tips from UPMC Health Plan
Young Athletes and Sudden Cardiac Death
What Parents Need to Know Is your child among the three to five million young people in the United States who play organized sports each year? If so, you know that a pre-participation physical examination can help identify young athletes who may be at risk for an injury or illness that could require additional medical evaluation. Recently, identifying young athletes who may be at risk of sudden cardiac death has become a hot topic among sports medicine professionals, focusing the attention of parents on the need for better cardiovascular screening of young athletes. “Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young athletes is extremely rare,” says Vivekanand Allada, MD, clinical director of pediatric cardiology at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC and professor of pediatrics. “In fact, it’s a one in a million risk.” According to Dr. Allada, sudden death in young athletes is most often due to heart problems, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (an abnormal thickening of the heart). Other causes include congenital coronary anomalies, arrhythmia (which can be caused by a blow to the chest), and Marfan syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that can weaken the aorta and lead to a tear or rupture. “Unfortunately, there’s no perfect test to find a needle in a haystack,” says Dr. Allada. However, parents can take steps to uncover risk factors that may require more testing or a consultation with a pediatric cardiologist. The American Heart Association recommends that young athletes undergo a screening medical history to check specifically for: • Chest pain, palpitations, or fainting during exercise (red flags that require immediate attention) • A history of a heart murmur or hypertension • Family history of coronary disease, sudden death, or Marfan syndrome Children with any of these risk factors or an abnormal physical exam should see a pediatric cardiologist, who is specially trained to look for cardiac problems in children and teens, Dr. Allada says. Further testing might include an EKG, echocardiogram, and stress test. He offers these tips to parents: • Don’t let your child play through chest pain. Pain can be a warning sign. • Teach your child to avoid energy drinks that have high levels of caffeine. Such drinks can make the heart race and cause cardiac arrhythmias. They are particularly dangerous for athletes with undiagnosed cardiac problems. To learn more about caring for your child’s heart, visit www.chp.edu, then click on Child Health A-Z. To schedule an appointment with a Children’s-affiliated physician, call 412-692-PEDS (7337).
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www.UPMC.com/Today
Exercise:
Too Much of a Good Thing Can Be Harmful Regular exercise is an important part of maintaining a healthy life. Many of us, however, still struggle to fit even a moderate amount of exercise into our schedules. But there are plenty of people who are getting too much exercise. If some exercise is good, they think more will be better. Not true. In fact, excessive exercise can lead to a host of physical issues, including injuries, the loss of lean muscle mass, a weakened immune system, sleep problems, irritability, and depression. A study in the American Journal of Cardiology suggests that too much vigorous exercise also can increase the risk of heart problems.
Are you exercising too much? Experts say that if your workouts suddenly seem more difficult than usual and you aren’t making progress, you may be overexercising. Other trouble signs include: • Insomnia • Aches or pain in muscles and/or joints • Fatigue • Feeling unmotivated and lacking energy • Increased susceptibility to colds, sore throats, and other illnesses If you’re experiencing any of these signs, see your doctor to find out if something else is causing the problem.
Just starting an exercise program? Congratulations on taking an important step to improve your health. Here are a few tips to help your body adjust to a new routine: • Create a reasonable exercise program based on attainable goals. • Exercise in moderation. • Begin slowly and build up gradually to avoid injuries. • Cut back the volume and intensity of your workouts at the first sign of injury. • Listen to your body. When it needs a rest, give it a rest. Sources: American College of Sports Medicine, American Heart Association
UPMC Spotlight
The Downside of Falls Preventing tripping, falling can be key to maintaining independence Falls may be funny on comedy shows, but they can be traumatic for older adults. Simply tripping on a rug or slipping on a wet floor can change an older person’s life in an instant — posing serious threats to his or her health and independence. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in three people over 65 experience at least one fall each year, and more than two-thirds of them are likely to fall again within six months. Falls also are the leading cause of accidental death in seniors. And, as many as 30 percent of those who fall end up with debilitating hip, pelvic, or spine fractures that make it harder to get around and adversely affect self-confidence. Even those who don’t suffer serious injury can become fearful. “The most obvious concern when an older adult falls or trips is injury,” says Stephanie Studenski, MD, MPH, director of the Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center at the University of Pittsburgh and associate director of research at the Aging Institute of UPMC Senior Services and the University of Pittsburgh. “But the fear of falling can cause people to restrict their activity and sacrifice their independence. In some cases, it can lead to social isolation,” she says. Everyone is at risk for falls, but that risk increases with the changes that come with aging, plus other medical conditions such as arthritis, cataracts and glaucoma, and balance problems. “Fortunately, there’s a lot people can do to prevent most risk factors,” says Dr. Studenski. “Taking care of your overall health, staying active, socializing with friends, and taking a few common-sense precautions can help you avoid falls and broken bones.” To learn more about the Falls Clinic, located at UPMC Senior Care-Benedum Geriatric Center in Oakland, call 412-692-4200.
Three things you can do to prevent falls Exercise! Exercises such as tai chi or other relaxation exercises that improve balance and coordination can help lower your chances of falling and make you feel stronger. See your doctor regularly. Annual physical and eye examinations can uncover underlying medical problems that can lead to falls. See your doctor if you feel unstable or dizzy, possibly due to medications. Tell your doctor if you fall; a medical evaluation can help. Make your home safer. Seventy-five percent of all falls occur at home. To help make your home fall-proof: • Improve lighting. As you get older, you need brighter lights to see well. Use night lights in your bedroom, hall, and bathroom. • Remove small throw rugs. Tack down all carpets and area rugs so they are firmly fastened to the floor. • Remove things you can trip over. Clear books, clothes, and shoes from stairs and places you walk. Keep cords and wires near walls. • Use handrails. Install grab bars near toilets, and both inside and outside your tub and shower. Always use the handrail when using the stairs. • Store items within easy reach. Don’t store things too high or too low. Avoid using stepladders or step stools. Most of all, think before you reach. • Wear shoes with non-skid, non-friction soles. Avoid going barefoot or wearing only socks or loose-fitting slippers.
Leading the Work in Falls Prevention Dr. Stephanie Studenski received the 2010 National Award for Falls Prevention Research and will be honored as the grand champion at the third annual Celebrating Senior Champions benefit dinner and auction Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011. For more information about the event, sponsored by UPMC Senior Services, the Aging Institute, and the Division of Geriatric Medicine of the University of Pittsburgh, call Peggy VanHorn, benevolent care advocate, at 412-622-9239.
1-800-533-UPMC
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Choosing the Right Doctor for You Taking the time to find “Dr. Right” is one of the most important investments you can make. We’ve all heard about the importance of the doctor/patient relationship, often described as the cornerstone of quality medical care. “In fact, the stronger that relationship, the better your chances of receiving the right care at the right time in the right way,” says Tami Minnier, vice president of UPMC’s Donald J. Wolff, Jr. Center for Quality Improvement and Innovation. “At UPMC, our goal is to help you develop a long-term partnership in which your doctor is your number one health care champion.” According to a 2010 survey by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, most of us are very satisfied with our physicians. It usually takes something major — like moving to a new area, changing medical insurance, or being diagnosed with a serious condition — to prompt us to look for a new doctor. “If you’re in the process of changing doctors, there are some exciting new options to consider,” says Ms. Minnier. “For example, UPMC’s Health Plan is working with a growing number of primary care physicians to implement patient-centered medical homes in their practices.” In this medical model, your family doctor becomes the hub for all your care by linking you to a collaborative team of medical professionals — from physician assistants to specialists. Medical homes are designed to ensure that you receive appropriate and comprehensive care over your entire lifetime, including preventive health care, treatment for acute or chronic illness, and assistance with end-of-life care. Studies show that medical homes are resulting in improved care, access, and communication between patients and their “medical team” — as well as improved quality, safety, and cost of care.
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www.UPMC.com/Today
When searching for “Dr. Right,” here are five helpful tips to locate the best match:
Determine what’s important to you “Finding the ‘right’ doctor often involves personal preferences apart from a physician’s skills or qualifications,” says Ms. Minnier. “For example, are you more comfortable with a doctor of your gender? Is a primary care physician right for you, or do you have a medical condition that requires treatment by a specialist? And if easy access is a concern, do you need a doctor located close to your home or workplace?”
Get the opinion of people you trust “Begin your search by asking your circle of family, friends, and co-workers about the positive experiences they’ve had,” she advises. “If you’re moving, or seeking a specialist, your current doctor also can be an excellent referral source.”
Do some homework “There are a number of credible online resources, including UPMC’s Find a Doctor (www.UPMC.com/FindADoctor), with information on more than 5,000 physicians, that allow you to confirm a physician’s medical credentials, board certifications, and specialties,” says Ms. Minnier. You also can check with the state medical board at docboard.org. In general, avoid “doctor ranking” sites, which are unregulated and difficult to verify for accuracy.
At UPMC, a variety of tools are used to assess physician quality, including patient satisfaction surveys. “We literally review thousands of surveys monthly, which provide us with invaluable insights and feedback,” says Ms. Minnier.
Verify your doctor’s insurance plans and hospital affiliations “Most practices accept a variety of insurance plans, but be sure yours is among them,” advises Ms. Minnier. “And should you ever require hospitalization or special tests, it’s important that your doctor be affiliated with a hospital you know and trust.”
Call for an appointment “Bring a written set of questions covering your concerns and expectations. When your visit is over, evaluate the experience,” suggests Ms. Minnier. “Was it easy to get an appointment? Were you treated with respect by both the doctor and the staff? If your answers are positive, you’re on the right path to a doctor/patient relationship characterized by quality care, compassion, and open communication.” For more information, or to schedule an appointment with a UPMC-affiliated physician, visit www.UPMC.com/FindADoctor, or call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762).
UPMC McKeesport Comprehensive cardiac care is here for you UPMC McKeesport has a longstanding tradition of offering the community excellent cardiac care that includes services to prevent, diagnose, and treat heart and vascular disease. Our heart health care is of the highest quality and is delivered by highly skilled, specially trained, and compassionate cardiologists, radiologists, and staff.
UPMC McKeesport Cardiac Resources
A glossary of heart health resources
1500 Fifth Ave. McKeesport, PA 15132
• Arterial Doppler Ultrasound Test: Evaluates arterial blood flow in the arms and legs. • Cardiac Catheterization: This imaging procedure may be both diagnostic (to determine the presence and extent of restriction of blood flow in the coronary arteries and heart, and to examine the heart’s valves and walls) and interventional (to perform coronary angioplasty and stenting to improve blood flow to a coronary artery that has been obstructed by a build-up of plaque). • Cardiac Rehabilitation: Enables the heart patient to regain strength and stamina through a closely monitored and personalized regimen of exercise, lifestyle assessment, and counseling. • Carotid Doppler Ultrasound Test: Detects obstruction of blood flow in the carotid arteries of the neck and monitors proper blood flow to the brain. • Echocardiogram: Creates a moving picture of the heart and its workings. • Electrocardiograph (EKG): Monitors the heart’s electrical activity to diagnose unexplained chest pain and other symptoms of heart disease.
UPMC McKeesport Imaging Services
Phone: 412-664-CARE (2273) UPMC McKeesport Outpatient Center 2020 Ardmore Blvd. Forest Hills, PA 15221 Phone: 412-636-5333 UPMC McKeesport Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Center Oak Park Mall 2001 Lincoln Way White Oak, PA 15131 Phone: 412-664-3010
• Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) studies: Evaluate blood circulation in the lower extremities for the early detection and possible prevention of heart disease and stroke.
UPMC McKeesport Cardiac Catheterization Lab
• Pacemaker Implantation: A surgical procedure to insert a pacemaker into the chest to help stabilize and control the pace of the heart.
1500 Fifth Ave. McKeesport, PA 15132
• Stress Echo Test: Couples a treadmill test with real-time monitoring of heart rate, blood pressure, and echocardiogram to visualize the heart’s anatomy and monitor the heart’s response to the heavier demand of physical activity.
Phone: 412-664-2055 Coming soon — new, enhanced, state-of-the-art Cath Lab.
• Stress Nuclear Test: A radioactive agent is introduced to the bloodstream and monitored by a special nuclear camera to actively monitor blood flow into and out of the heart at rest and during the stress of exercise. • Tilt Table Studies: Monitors heart function, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation in varying degrees of incline to determine possible heart-related causes of dizziness and fainting. • Venous Doppler Ultrasound Test: Evaluates blood flow in leg veins to reveal possible blood clots.
1-800-533-UPMC
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UPMC McKeesport 1500 Fifth Ave. McKeesport, PA 15132
UPMC Today is published quarterly to provide you with health and wellness information and classes and events available at UPMC. This publication is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or replace a physician’s medical assessment. Always consult first with your physician about anything related to your personal health.
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Even the smallest discovery is important. Doctors rely on quality images to make accurate diagnoses and treatment decisions for their patients. UPMC is a leader in creating and adopting cutting-edge technologies to enhance medical imaging and improve patient care. In fact, some of the most innovative advances in the field of radiology have happened in our hospitals. And our state-of-the-art computer system allows imaging scans to be quickly accessed and viewed by physicians across our network with just the click of a mouse. Our advanced technology and expert radiologists can make a real difference in your care. Whether you need an x-ray or advanced radiology testing, trust Imaging Services at UPMC McKeesport. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 412-664-CARE (2273) or visit UPMC.com/Imaging.
older adults
in
WEST MIFFLIN
Older adults in the West Mifflin community now have a place to go to expand their friendships and to take advantage of educational opportunities and recreational activities. Located in the West Mifflin Borough Building (first floor), the center is open on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.). Various programs are run daily at the center including a card club, exercise classes as well as health management programs. Jessica Gettig, Lifespan Coordinator, says that many activities are planned for the summer, including Coffee Club, Card Club, an exercise class, and a "Hats Off to Seniors Day" at PNC Park in late August. Adults wishing to get involved visit the center for more information, or call Jessica Gettig at 42.464.1300 ext 121 or Alice at ext. 123.
Lifespan West Mifflin Community Community Expansion Program officially opened Monday, April 4, 2011. Seniors of the West Mifflin area are invited to join in the programs there. The center is open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. The center is easily accessible on the first floor of the West Mifflin borough building. Stop by and join in the activities and programs!
UPCOMING EVENTS JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
1st Card Club & Boxed Lunch 4th Closed 8th Card Club 15th Card Club & Boxed Lunch 16th Lifespan booth at Community Days Celebration 18th Meadows Trip 22nd Card Club 29th Card Club
5th Card Club & Boxed Lunch 12th Card Club 19th Card Club & Boxed Lunch 26th Card Club Lifespan Regional Picnic More Info coming
2nd Card Club & Boxed Lunch 5th Closed 9th Card Club 16th Card Club & Boxed Lunch 23rd Card Club 30th Card Club Bi-Monthly Casino Trip Date TBA
Book Club Every 3rd Wednesday
Craft Club Needs Members!
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older adults
Pamela Palongue
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WEST MIFFLIN
When fair weather arrives, the call of the road beckons. For seniors, travel options abound in various lengths, styles and price ranges. If you find that you are on a limited budget, why not consider a day trip to a nearby attraction? Many churches and civic organizations offer day trips to interesting destinations such as Gettysburg or Fallingwater and you usually do not have to be a member to attend. Transportation, admission and one or two meals are usually included in one reasonable fee. If you can’t find a group going to the destination of your choice, why not form your own? A small group of three or four friends can carpool to save on gas and enjoy a day in the country. McConnells Mill State Park is less than an hour away and features a covered bridge and 19th century gristmill. The hiking trails are scenic and great exercise. A Pennsylvania winery is never more than a 45 minute drive from anywhere in the state. Most offer tours and free samples and some even have a restaurant onsite. Be sure to have a designated driver! If the fact that you are single or widowed is keeping you at home, you will be pleasantly surprised to learn that most local travel agencies offer group tours to U.S. and European destinations especially for those over 50 at discounted prices. You may also be surprised to learn that most of the individuals on these tours are also traveling alone or with a friend. Within a few hours into the trip, you will have new friends and feel a part of group. Many older Americans are interested in exploring their European roots. Be sure to let your travel agent know of your interest and they can customize your tour with travel connections to records offices and churches. Before departing on any kind of trip, be sure to take into consideration any mobility issues that you or your travel companions may encounter. Many travel agencies have specially designed itineraries for those with limited mobility. Additionally, don’t forget to pack all the medications you will need for the duration of your visit since refilling them may prove difficult. Be sure to keep them in their original containers. A little planning can make your trip a success, so get out there and have some fun!
RETIREMENT
Allegheny County Senior Golf Passes The Allegheny County Parks Department has announced that senior golf passes for the 2011 regular season are on sale at the North and South park golf courses. Golfers ages 55 and older are eligible for the special $60 senior passes. The passes may be purchased Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the North and South park clubhouses. Locker rentals may also be purchased for $25 each beginning on March 14. Regular season play has already begun at the North and South park golf courses. For additional information, contact the North Park Golf Course at 412.961.0512 or 724.935.1967 and the South Park Golf Course at 412.835.3545. Information is also available online at www.alleghenycounty.us/parks/fees/golf.aspx.
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West Mifflin
Dare to Dream...
C Timeless
Beauty
osta Homebuilders is a fourth generation, family-owned construction company based in Pittsburgh, PA. At Costa Homebuilders, our goal is simple: Provide our customers with the most positive experience possible throughout the building process. We are one of the area’s leading building companies, and our clients receive the finest product at the greatest value possible.
Visit our website and take our Costa HomeBuilders New Life™ Questionnaire
Positive feedback and customer referrals have helped Costa Homebuilders achieve its solid reputation. We have built our reputation by making the process as worry-free as possible, and by using only the finest quality materials and craftsmanship.
“Creating a home with the lifestyles of the clients in mind gives home buyers not just a house, but a vacation, making every turn into the driveway a peaceful retreat from the world” – Jeff Costa
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412.384.8170
West Mifflin | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 27
The New Life™ Custom Home Five Star Builders Program makes buying your dream home… easy as 1-2-3. With our New Life™ Custom Home Five Star Builders Program we show you: How to get more house for your investment How to save time and money How to choose a lender that fits your needs How to understand pricing step by step How to reduce stress and help you save time and money
Step 1
Evaluate
The first step in the process is doing the evaluation and initial contact! Our process will include: Filling out the New Life™ Questionnaire Phone Consultation with our expert which will include: • Home building finance options • Budget • Full review of wants and needs. Evaluating price range Deciding area - Washington, Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette or Westmoreland Helping you locate a lot to build on and reserve it if possible.
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PA#0 3 1 4 9 6
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Step 2
Educate
Step 2 involves a two hour Personal Home Building Workshop, customized for you and your family. During this workshop we will: Study your lifestyle and provide insight into your true needs and desires Show you how to use 100% of your floor plan daily Enlighten you about your custom options Finalize the budget Review specifications Educate you on the “most wanted” home trends in the industry Explore the standard features at our 3,500 square foot showroom
Step 3
Excite
In the Five Star Proprietary Process you will enjoy watching your dream come alive. The design experts at Costa HomeBuilders will cover: Deposit Small scale drawings will be developed until the layout is enthusiastically agreed upon and the budget is met. Sign Contracts Laying out your new home on the lot The step by step process to building your home Timelines and expectations Selections guided by our professionals in multiple categories Move in
Legendary Quality
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West Mifflin | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 29
For Jeff Costa, operating manager of Costa Homebuilders, building a custom home is more than picking countertops and crossing items off a punch list. It’s as unique as the clients he builds for. “We get to know our clients as individuals and study their lifestyles,” Costa said. “This provides unique insight into a client’s true needs and desires.” Costa provides small-scale drawings and works with clients until the layout of the home is enthusiastically agreed upon and that their budgetary plan is met. “Every step is significant, and our clients tell us that our process is enjoyable because of its organization,” Costa said.
Personal Design
Our Mission Our mission, supported by a commitment to excellence, is to operate a total quality building system. We are a construction team full of people who take pride in what we do and put forth our greatest effort to accomplish team goals. Our construction team is made up of in-house departments, subcontractors, and vendors that demonstrate a high standard of quality that our customers depend on. We are determined to provide superior service, quality workmanship, pleasing job appearance, and a safe working environment. The end result will be nothing less than a quality product. 30
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West Mifflin
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A Quality Home
&
a Great Neighborhood
Atlas Clay & Metal Products d
Phone: 412.384.8170 Fax: 412.405.9513 Showroom: 600 Hayden Boulevard (Rt. 51), Elizabeth, PA 15037 www.CostaHomebuilders.com
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West Mifflin | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 31
REAL ESTATE
WEST MIFFLIN
IN Community Magazines proudly announces a comprehensive look at the West Mifflin real estate market. In this section, you’ll find interesting information about creating beautiful spaces to live in, and other interesting facts about your community.
F E AT U R E S T O R Y
If you’re looking for ways to increase your property value, attract buyers or just improve your way of life, you may find the answer is in your yard. Figures in the last two years suggest that the landscaping of your home is worth somewhere between 5% and 15% of the total home value. We’re all familiar with the term “curb appeal,” which basically means that buyers must be attracted to the outside of the house before they will ever see the inside. If your yard is unappealing, it may kill the sale of your home in the first few seconds. And the new outdoor room is increasingly appearing on the list of “must-have” features for new homebuyers. Today, landscaping is more than just plants and bushes. Some of the features you may want to consider in making your space more attractive are lighting, color, foliage, fencing and water features. Lighting goes a long way in defining an outdoor space for nighttime enjoyment, but it’s also a wise investment for security. Motion detector lights can illuminate pathways and deter crime. They are inexpensive, and solar-powered models are available that are wireless. For more subtle lighting, wall sconces can create ambience in heavily-used areas. For dining spaces, outdoor chandeliers come in a variety of styles from old world to contemporary. Next, try adding some color. Pick a shade that will coordinate with the color and hue of your home, but add some contrast. The color theme can be achieved through the use of chair cushions, throw pillows, table umbrellas, canopies and flowering plants. Keep in mind that wooden patio furniture can also be painted to further carry out the theme.
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West Mifflin
REAL ESTATE
Peters Township
Trees, bushes, plants and flowers can breathe new life into a barren space. Trees increase in value over time as they grow. Bushes and hedges can be used to add beauty and also to add security. Thorny rosebushes or holly bushes with their pointy leaves can be strategically planted in front of ground floor windows to discourage would-be intruders. Lavender bushes generally grow fairly quickly and will add a wonderful scent to your outdoor area. They are also a good deterrent for spiders since they avoid the lavender scent. When choosing plants and flowers, keep in mind that most people prefer low maintenance if you are planning on selling your home. Some good low-maintenance flowers for our area, Zone 6, are Shasta daisies, irises, coneflowers and peonies. These perennials come in a variety of colors to highlight your yard and your color scheme. Don’t forget the lawn. It’s the foundation for your landscape. Be sure to replace all the “bald” spots with new sod to cover these worn areas. Consider using paving stones for heavy traffic areas. If your grass is brown in spots and you are having a party or open-house showing, consider using a green lawn spray that is specially made to dye your lawn, giving it a lush, verdant look. The dye is permanent and will last until you mow the lawn. Although fencing may be one of the more expensive improvements to your landscaping project, it is also one of the most attractive and efficient. A fence defines property lines, and adds privacy and security. A lattice fence is a less-expensive option and lends a cottage flair to most yards. It may be purchased in sections for fairly quick installation. Chain link fencing is a sturdier but more expensive option. Fencing is generally available in brown, green or black to blend in more easily with natural surroundings. Split rail fencing adds a rustic feeling and may be lined with chicken wire to keep small pets secure. Water features are extremely popular and offer the greatest opportunity for creative expression in your landscape design. They can be as complex as a custom-designed waterfall and as simple as a birdbath. Keep in mind that still water breeds mosquitoes. If your water feature is not going to be aerated with a circulation pump, it will need to be flushed out and cleaned weekly or you can add fish which will eat the mosquito larvae. Many solar-powered pumps are available for use with water fountains which eliminate the need for electricity or cords. Most come with a back-up battery for cloudy days and nighttime use. An outdoor space is a great place for the entire family to spend time and enjoy nature while adding to the value to your property. by Pamela Palongue
3 Bed 1 1/2 bath $119,125 Call Matt 412-760-5460
3 Bed 1 Bath $92,900 Call Jackie 412-260-9509
3 Bed 1 1/2 Bath $84,500 Call Laura 412-651-1377
2 Bed 1 1/2 Bath $73,500 Call Rose 412-535-3157
3 Bed 2 Bath $74,900 Call Mary 412-480-7466
4 Bed 1 Bath $69,900 Call Carlene 412-378-3014
3 Bed 1 1/2 Bath $60,000 Call Patricia 412-403-8683
5055 Buttermilk Hollow Rd. • West Mifflin, PA 15122 Phone: 412-469-2340 • Fax: 412-469-2396 • www.kaybrookrealestate.com
Kathleen Masley Cunningham Northwood Realty Services OFFICE 412.885.8530 Ext.109 CELL 412.916.8117 FAX 412.885.1461 EMAIL kcunningham@northwood.com
West Mifflin | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 33
Nurses’ Club
W
est Mifflin’s Mary Ann Rosko couldn’t be more proud of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Nurses Club, an organization she joined after her service as a military nurse. Rosko was in the Army Nurses Corp from 1955-1958 and was stationed at Fort Benning in Georgia and in Honolulu. After her discharge, she remained a Reservist at the 339 General Hospital Unit in East Liberty until the start of the Vietnam War. And then she became a member of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Registered Nurse’s Club, which meets regularly at Hamilton Presbyterian Church in Whitehall and recently celebrated its 50th Anniversary. During those meetings, members share stories and watch programs about happenings in the medical field at home and abroad. They also plan fundraisers for their scholarship program, one of which is their annual card party in September. “The club promotes nursing education for its members through lectures at the monthly meetings, raises money for yearly scholarships for senior nursing students, and promotes civic interest in nursing in the community through a Veterans Day program, Memorial Day parade participation, and a Florence Nightingale tribute to members at their funeral,” Rosko said. “We have given out more than $184,500 since 1962 for scholarships and goodwill.” Nurses in their third year of schooling are encouraged to apply for the scholarship. Their applications are then reviewed by a club committee, which determines which applicant will be awarded the money based upon financial need. “They have to be in their third year of nursing, because we want them to be already established in the nursing program in order to qualify for the scholarship,” Rosko said. “We want them to be really involved with the nursing program and not skip around in between classes.” The 161-member group was founded in 1961 and members need to be an RN to qualify for membership and sustain the club by paying annual dues. Rosko spent two years as president of the club and was instrumental in establishing a nurses’ memorial in South Park. “After I went to see the memorial that they have in Washington, D.C., for all the military women, I said I need to do this. I need to get a monument, and South
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West Mifflin
Park was very obliging,” she said. “It’s made of pink granite and was dedicated five years ago. Every year, we have a program on Veterans Day. This year, I got another flag for the flag pole, and South Park personnel do a tremendous job putting things in place, and they go out of their way to maintain it.” The monument was paid for by a state grant and with the help of local legislators, Rosko said. “The monument is something that was dedicated to the nurses that served in the wars,” she said. “It was a lot of work to get that monument, but it was definitely worth it. We need to remember the nurses who served, and we need to let people know of our organization and the good that it does. We welcome and want as many nurses as we can get because it’s a great club to belong to, and we do so much for the profession and the community.” For more information regarding the Southwestern Pennsylvania Registered Nurses Club, call 412.835.2204.
West Mifflin | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 35
If you’re looking for a manageable diet to improve your quality of life, how about this: Steel City Chiropractic in West Mifflin is now offering a physician-supervised weight-loss program proven to act quickly and provide long-lasting results. “It is manageable and has predictable outcomes because the program is engineered in a certain way,” says Dr. John Montesano of Steel City Chiropractic. “Women lose three to five pounds per week and men lose five to seven pounds.” Montesano lost four pounds in four days on the program, but his biggest success story is his office manager, Marybeth Freund, and her weight loss of 20 pounds in six weeks. Freund has a thyroid condition and anticipated a slow weight loss, if any. “I proved them wrong!” Freund says. “I found it a very easy diet to follow. I wasn’t hungry. I feel great and have a lot of energy. I now find it’s easier to say ‘no’ to the wrong things than before.” The method works by keeping protein intake high to preserve lean body mass while simultaneously limiting carbohydrate intake, forcing the body to use its fat stores for energy. “Amino acids are a building block of protein. Most people are deficient in their protein intake, particularly women,” Montesano says. “People just don’t eat enough nutritious food. This is giving them enough food to have sufficient energy. You’re eating less more often, which stimulates your metabolism.” Montesano and his staff not only offer chiropractic services, but total body wellness support. “We want to change health care in our community and we want people to embrace all of the facets of health,” Montesano says. “We look at the body as a whole. Everything works together.”
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Dedicated coaches at Steel City Chiropractic, including Montesano and Freund, will provide weekly support sessions and nutrition education. You will learn valuable nutritional information to ensure you keep the pounds off and enjoy the renewed skin, body shape, health and energy level you deserve. Feel free to check out the Ideal Protein official website, but you will learn even more about the method at one of Steel City Chiropractic’s free informational lectures. You can sample some of the Ideal Protein products, learn more about how the plan can help you with blood sugar and cholesterol problems, and meet people whose lives have changed because of this healthy program. To reserve your spot at the next free lecture, call the office at 412-205-3094 or send an e-mail to steelcitychiropractic@yahoo.com.
West Mifflin | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 37
Robert Friedlander, MD, left, and Michael Horowitz, MD, discuss treatment options with a patient who has an unruptured aneurysm.
On the
TO
ROAD By Mark Berton
Ashly Hunt
UPMC neurosurgery patient making strides after suffering a near fatal brain hemorrhage.
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When you think of someone who has suffered a stroke, common images arise: paralysis on one side of the body and difficulty with speech and coordination. While stroke can occur at any age, most people associate strokes with older people. So if you’re an athletic 24-year-old with no history of brain injury, on the beach at Ocean City, Maryland during the Fourth of July holiday with stroke-like symptoms, denial is a natural response. And for Ashly Hunt, she denied her symptoms until the moment she was loaded into a helicopter. “I remember thinking I wanted water. I am a huge runner. I ran before this and thought I was dehydrated,” she said. “It literally took the life-flight to believe that I wasn’t dehydrated. When it’s happening to you you’re not thinking the worst.” Within a matter of hours, what she thought was a simple headache evolved and robbed her of her sight and ability to speak. She also had trouble moving her arms and hands. Emergency responders decided to life-flight her to the nearest hospital in Baltimore, where she was diagnosed with a brain stem hemorrhage. Blood from the hemorrhage was pooling in an area that connects her brain to her spinal cord, causing her to lose movement on her right side, and creating a major dilemma for the neurosurgeons because they believed the site was too risky to treat with surgery. Soon after the diagnosis, Ashly entered a rehabilitation program in her hometown of Johnstown, Pa., to help her regain movement of the extremities that were affected by the hemorrhage. However, after several weeks in rehabilitation and slight improvements in her vision and speech, Ashly’s overall condition began to worsen. Ashly still maintained her hearing, but what she heard going on around her, she didn’t like. Until she met Robert Friedlander, MD, at UPMC.
“I’m pretty close to 100 percent now. My hand and foot are the last things I’m waiting for to come back. I’m writing again. It’s like a 3-year-old, but I am. I’m going to be 100 percent.” Ashly Hunt
From left to right, Brian Jankowitz, MD, Paul Gardner, MD, Daniel Wecht, MD, and L. Dade Lunsford, MD, discuss a complex neurovascular case.
Dr. Friedlander was called after Ashly’s family doctor consulted with a neurosurgeon at The Johns Hopkins University, who recommended that Dr. Friedlander manage this complex situation. Within four hours of the initial consultation, Ashly was in an ambulance headed for Pittsburgh where, she said, she met the doctor who made all the difference. “I couldn’t speak and had a hard time seeing, but my brain was processing everything. All of the other doctors were talking above me and not looking at me, not doing anything with me even though I understood them all,” she said. “Until I went to Dr. Friedlander and he worked with me through my condition to give him the answers he needed. He never came off as pompous. He’s the most caring person I’ve dealt with to this day.” Ashly’s hemorrhage was caused by an underlying condition called a cavernous malformation, which is an abnormal, berry-like patch of blood vessels located inside her brain stem. Because the brain stem is deeply situated within the base of the brain and controls important functions such as movement, sensation, breathing, and instructing the heart to beat, surgery to remove the malformation was extremely risky. However, if left untreated, the malformed vessels could again bleed and result in additional critical neurologic damage or even death. Dr. Friedlander and the neurosurgeons at UPMC faced the challenging task of removing the malformation without causing further complications. Using advanced brain imaging technology known as High Definition Fiber Tracking, pioneered at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Friedlander was able to view the detailed wiring of Ashly’s brain fibers to determine the best way to execute the surgery with as little damage to her brain as possible. In order to obtain appropriate access to the brain stem, Dr. Friedlander turned to Dr. Barry Hirsch, a skull base ENT surgeon at UPMC. Using a special microscope and image guidance device, Dr. Friedlander approached the brain stem and was able to completely remove the cavernous malformation.
After surgery, Ashly’s vision and speech began to improve. She also could move her right hand, which had been paralyzed. She improved daily, making strides with her balance, speech, movements, and other functions, and credits her improvement to her strict discipline in following her doctors’ recommendations and her physical therapy program. “If I could say one thing to inspire anyone going through this it’s that you can’t just sit there. It becomes your job,” she said. “I’ve seen a lot of people who have had strokes. You can’t just sit down and think you’ll get better. You have to follow the therapy and give your body time.” While she’s been living with her parents in Johnstown during her recovery, Ashly is looking forward to getting back to her life in Baltimore. “I’m pretty close to 100 percent now. My hand and foot are the last things I’m waiting for to come back,” she said. “I’m writing again. It’s like a 3-year-old, but I am. I’m going to be 100 percent.” Her road to recovery has been long. Approaching the anniversary of her ordeal, she and her family are thankful to Dr. Friedlander and everyone on the UPMC staff who helped her through this challenging time. She maintains a blog at ashlystatus.com, where family and friends post updates on her condition. “I’ll never forget, Dr. Friedlander said to me, ‘We’re a team. I’ll do my part as long as you do yours,’” she said. “That’s big in my mind. That made an impact.” For more information, please call the UPMC Department of Neurological Surgery at 1-866-979-1336 or visit UPMC.com/nv. This patient’s treatment and results may not be representative of all similar cases.
West Mifflin | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 39
Enjoy Summer in West Mifflin Whatever your interests, you’re bound to find something to do in West Mifflin this summer. Here’s a rundown of some of the activities and events that will heat up (or cool down) the summer of 2011!
Farmers Market
Reunions
Community Day
Thursdays through October 13 3:30 to 7 p.m. Pleasant Hills Presbyterian Church 199 Old Clairton Road Pittsburgh, PA 15236
West Mifflin All-School Reunion Saturday, July 30 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. West Mifflin Community Park on Bettis Road Pavilions 3 and 4
Saturday, September 10 Allegheny County Airport parking lot (on Lebanon Church Road) Booths are available for community groups and local businesses.
In addition to food, fun and games, there will be raffles and three bands. Participants are encouraged to bring a covered dish to share as well as their own drinks and lawn chairs. Group photos of different schools will be taken.
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For more information or to reserve your booth (limited amount are available) call 412.466.2127.
603 East McMurray Road McMurray I PA I 15317 724.942.0940 www.incommunitymagazines.com
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