SPRING 2013
Curve Ahead of the
Curves of Bethel Park Introduces New Weight Loss Program that Burns More Fat than Diet Alone
+ Spring Feature
Home Improvements page 46
From the Publisher Welcome to the Spring issue of Bethel Park magazine! I hope that you are as anxious as I am to get the cold and snow behind us and get busy planning projects around the house. This issue is dedicated to home-improvement projects great and small. Some projects will give you curb appeal, some will increase your home’s value, and others are for the sheer enjoyment or luxury of it. Regardless of your aims with your home, whether gutting the walls, or just planting the perfect tree in the yard, our homes are a source of pride for us, and not in a status sense. They are where we raise our families, where we feel safe, and where we invite our friends and loved ones for parties and fellowship. Our homes are where our children play, and where oftentimes we tend to sick loved ones. They are where we try hardest in life, and where the challenges of life hit us the most. Our homes bear witness to our triumphs as well as our sorrows, and they are as much a part of our personalities as what we choose to wear or adorn ourselves with. So with so much importance placed on the walls that contain us, we hope that you can find at least one project within these pages to be fodder for your next project around the home.
Have a wonderful spring! Wayne Dollard, Publisher
we want to know
How did you get into
Gardening? Gardens are commonplace in Western Pennsylvania, but why?
Summer content deadline: 4/7/13
What’s the allure of gardening that prompted you to first turn the dirt? Was it a relative who helped you plant your first tulip bulb, or was it your spouse who first introduced you to succulent, vine-ripened homegrown tomatoes? Let us know how you first got into gardening and send us some pictures of your garden as well! Email your submissions to: mark@incommunitymagazines.com and please indicate which of our magazines you receive so we know where to place your story.
INSIDE
IN Bethel Park is a community publication dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the Bethel Park area and its comprising municipalities by focusing on the talents and gifts of the people who live and work here. Our goal is to provide readers with the most informative and professional regional publication in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
IN Bethel Park | SPRING 2013 |
on the cover
59
Industry Insights
Pediatric Alliance Mental Health issues in Children............ | 10 5
The Goddard School
ON THE COVER ❘ Curves of Bethel Park SEE PAGE 5
Preventing Summer Learning Losses..... | 17
Attorney Betty Dillon
UPMC TODAY
Plans to relocate more difficult for divorced parents ....................................... | 23
Health and Wellness News You Can Use | Spring 2013
Dr. Daniel Rairigh Straighter Teeth in Six Months .............. | 28 What’s Inside 2 3 4
Jennings Chiropractic
When It’s More than Just Heartburn Hope and Healing A Healing Touch Food in a Glass
5 6 7
Chiropractic and Whiplash Injuries......... | 37
Clinical Trials Can Change Lives Depression and Older Adults Comprehensive Care for Today’s Urology Patients
44
29
60
© 2013 UPMC
UPMC Today_Mercy_Spring_2013_v16.indd 1
1/28/13 5:50 PM
Features
On the Big Screen In the Big Apple............................................. | 6 BP Third Graders Compete in First Annual Rotary Club Spelling Bee.................................................................. | 12 Raising Hope........................................................................................... | 14 Local Dancer Featured as Sugar Plum Fairy........................... | 18 First Six Inducted into Bethel Park Alumni Hall of Fame on January 18............................................................................ | 38 BPVF Donates Truck For Hurricane Sandy Relief.................. | 42 Home Improvements................................................................... | 46 community interests
Tomosynthesis Offers Women Greater Detection of Breast Abnormalities ................................................................... | 22 Police Chief John Mackey Serving and protecting Bethel Park.................................................................................... | 24 UPMC Today | Health and Wellness News .................................... | 29 New Advanced Treatment for Skin Cancer ............................. | 40
Bill Flinn Agency Making Renovations? ........................... | 55
Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Caring for Aging Parents........................ | 59 Business Spotlight
Curves...................................................... | 5 Circulatory Center............................. | 26 Hawthorne Partners ......................... | 57 State Farm............................................. | 62
Business Spotlight
Curves of Bethel Park Introduces New Weight Loss Program that Burns More Fat than Diet Alone
New Curves Complete® for as low as
C
urves of Bethel Park knows that most people who are serious about losing weight know that they won’t get the results they want by just dieting. They also need to exercise and they need encouragement to stick to the plan. This was the thinking behind the revolutionary new weight loss program Curves Complete - the only program of its kind on the market that offers exercise, customized meal plans, and coaching in one integrated program. And, according to the staff of Curves of Bethel Park, the cost is comparable to what other programs charge for diet alone. “It’s really as simple as 1-2-3,” said coowner Ann Wilson. “The Curves circuit gives you strength and cardio training to protect your muscles and burn fat, our proven nutrition plan is fully customizable to your lifestyle, and your Curves coach helps you set goals and reach them one-on-one. If you simply follow the plan - which you can print as a weekly tracking sheet and take to your coaching sessions - you simply can’t help but lose. Or rather, win.” Preliminary results of Curves members who participated in the program prior to its January public launch have been phenomenal. Findings indicate that nearly 100 percent of weight lost on Curves Complete is body fat, compared to conventional diets in which weight lost typically includes up to 30 percent muscle tissue. “Ninety-five percent of dieters fail - or lose weight only to gain it all back - not
includes exercise, $12.95 a week meal plans, and coaching and no joining fee!
because there’s something wrong with them, but because there’s something wrong with conventional diets,” said Susan Ceklosky, coowner. “It takes a combination of three things: exercise, diet, and coaching, or motivation, to successfully lose weight as body fat rather than lean muscle and then keep it off.” Curves Complete includes a Web portal which features easy meal planning, recipes and shopping lists, goal tracking, motivational tools, a vibrant online community for support, and more. And once a Curves Complete member, always a Curves Complete online member - the Web portal and tools remain 100 percent free for life. Curves works every major muscle group with a complete 30-minute workout that combines strength training and sustained cardiovascular activity through safe and effective hydraulic resistance. Curves also works to help women lose weight, gain muscle strength and aerobic capacity, and raise metabolism with its groundbreaking, scientifically proven method that ends the need for perpetual dieting. For Pam Brace, Lee Zamborsky and Barb Fragasso, all of Bethel Park, the Curves plan worked. Brace lost 160 pounds since joining Curves in 2011. “The real change came with the Curves Complete Program,” she said. ”I loved the whole idea of diet, exercise and motivation and adding sensible meal plans, workouts,
and one on one coaching with Ann , who kept me on track to help me reach my goals. The pounds just started to disappear and it was definitely the jump start that I needed.” “Curves Complete was a lifesaver for me,” said Zamborsky. “I learned how to make healthier food choices and what appropriate portion sizes were. In the last year I have lost over 100 pounds and reduced my cholesterol by more than 100 points. I feel like a new person!” For Fragasso, losing weight wasn’t so much a problem as making better choices for her health. “I didn’t have as much weight to lose but I wanted to eat healthier and gain some definition to my body. I am a vegetarian and have gluten issues and the menus accommodated these,” she said. “The food plans, recipes and shopping lists made it quite simple to attain my goal. Most importantly, all the coaches at Curves were so helpful and encouraged me every step of the way. I am thrilled with the way I feel and my amazing results.” For more information about Curves Complete, please contact Curves of Bethel Park, located at 2940 South Park Rd., at 412.854.9969 or curvesbp@ hotmail.com or visit www.curves.com.
Bethel Park | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 5
FEATURE
On the
Big Screen
in the
Big Apple
BP Student Molly Mathias Appeared in National Down Syndrome Society Video By Tracy Fedkoe
Every child loves family vacations. Last fall, Molly Mathias, a seven-year-old with Down syndrome, got to be the center of her family vacation. When a photo of Molly sent in by her mother was selected to appear in the National Down Syndrome Society’s (NDSS) video presentation last September, her immediate and extended family packed up for a weekend trip to New York City in honor of Molly. Down syndrome is a developmental disor-
6 724.942.0940 to advertise |
der characterized by having an extra copy of the 21st chromosome and affects one in about 800 babies and six million people worldwide. NDSS, a nonprofit organization committed to being the national advocate for the value, acceptance, and inclusion of people with Down syndrome, holds its kickoff to National Down Syndrome month in October in Times Square every year. Molly’s mother, Kim Mathias, heard about the contest and submitted a photo the previous year as well. “I just knew that
Bethel Park
Molly would win someday,” she said. The photo of Molly with a huge smile on her face boarding the bus to kindergarten was chosen as one of 200 that appeared in the slide show out of over 1,000 entries received. The video presentation was shown on the News Corporation Sony Screen, located in the heart of Times Square in New York City on September 22, 2012. Following the presentation, the participants and their families were bused to Central Park to participate in the 18th An-
What they are looking at
nual Flagship Buddy Walk®. Established in 1995, there are now over 250 Buddy Walks® held each year across the country to raise money for local and national organizations that support Down syndrome. Dressed proudly in their shirts with the team name “Molly’s Marchers” on the front, the 11 Mathias family members included Molly, her parents Kim and Michael, sisters Megan (11) and Macy (9), and twin brother Michael. Her aunt, Julie Betz, and her three children along with her grandmother, Maryann Mathias, attended as well. The Mathias family and friends have participated and Continued on next page ›
Bethel Park | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 7
FEATURE
raised money for Pittsburgh’s Buddy Walk®, now called the Dash for Down Syndrome, for the past six years. “It was great to see so many people coming together at the walk to support the cause,” said Kim, who added that they would like to participate in Buddy Walks in other states as part of their family travel plans in the future. While the NDSS event was the main reason for their trip, the Mathias family took advantage of the opportunity to enjoy the best of New York City by taking a bus overnight on Thursday so they could have a full day of sightseeing on Friday. They spent the day on a double-decker bus tour which stopped at popular destinations including NBC studios, the 9/11 memorial, Rockefeller Center, and Central Park. They also took the Staten Island Ferry to view the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from the water. The children got to play a while at the famed F.A.O. Schwartz toy store where Molly loved the walking piano. The tour of New York
8 724.942.0940 to advertise |
City provided many great memories for their family, but Molly’s favorite was still “Times Square on the big screen.” Molly definitely wants to go back to New York again and often sings the words to “New York, New York” since she’s been back to her daily routine. She is in kindergarten at George Washington Elementary, where she spends all of her time this year in the regular classroom and is learning to read with the rest of the class. She also attends the Children’s Therapy Center in Peters Township several days per week for speech, physical, and occupational therapy. “We can really see an improvement in her speech,” her dad, Michael. The Children’s Therapy Center also hosts a Day of Champions where Molly participates in soccer, basketball, bean bag toss and the 50-yard dash. She’s very active and plays soccer for Bethel Park Recreation and the YMCA, as well as Miracle League baseball at the Casey’s Clubhouse field in Upper St. Clair.
Bethel Park
Everyone loves Molly, who in a family of four children is never the center of sibling squabbles. “She’s always so happy and pleasant,” said Kim. She’s just one of the gang in their neighborhood and her siblings and their friends help to raise money for the Dash for Down Syndrome by setting up lemonade stands. It’s definitely a challenge for the Mathias family having three other children and dealing with Molly’s special needs. They relied heavily on the Pittsburgh Down Syndrome Clinic at Children’s Hospital during her first few years and attended a local support group for families of children with Down syndrome. Their goal for Molly is to become totally independent and they are doing everything they can to support that now. “We’re all better people because of her. We’re more compassionate and understanding,” said Kim. Their trip to New York City with Molly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, where the whole family got to see the “up” side of Down
syndrome. It is their hope that Molly can do that for others as well. While Molly Mathias may have been born with an extra 21st chromosome, that’s not the only extra thing that Molly has—she’s also blessed with an extra big smile and an extra big heart. And she definitely deserved the extra bit of attention on their family trip to New York City that was all about her. March 21 has been designated World Down Syndrome Day. Thanks to the support of families like the Mathiases, the Pittsburgh Down Syndrome Clinic, Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh, and NDSS, people with Down syndrome are living longer, happier and healthier lives than ever before. Like Molly, they are attending school, working and enriching the lives of others in many wonderful ways. For more information, visit www.ndss.org. ¿
Bethel Park | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 9
Industry Insights
Mental health issues
in children
More than 14 million children and adolescents in the United States, or 1 in 5, have a diagnosable mental health (MH) disorder that requires intervention or monitoring and interferes with daily functioning.¹ Sadly, there is a well-known shortage of experts (child psychiatrists and psychologists) to access in times of need. Primary care physicians also cannot directly replace a specialist, and struggle daily to deal with important diagnoses that crop up, often very unpredictably and unscheduled. Additionally, few parents have any experience dealing MH issues and often have great difficulty trying to help their children. Thus, children are often left with unmet MH care needs because parents, primary care doctors, and experts are having difficulty providing care. At our practice we take the access problem very seriously and have brought in outside child psychological services to facilitate access to good care. Even then, we still struggle. Few other aspects of medical care are met with as much stigma, misinformation, and resistance to care as MH care. It is my sincere wish to alleviate some common parental concerns and help struggling families team up with caring professionals. I thought it might be useful to discuss, with some levity, some of the concerns most people have. Here are a few… “The doctor will just try and put my child on psych medication.” Families often recall many bad medication stories, witnessed or perceived. As a parent, I agree, medicating children is not to be taken lightly. I let parents know that medicating children is usually last on the list of considerations. A long comprehensive examination of the problems and
getting proper diagnoses is paramount. Only then can we begin to help our children. Education, insight, and support are usually what follow next. I encourage parents to initially, “just say no to drugs” if they wish, but please don’t avoid seeking care and getting more informed. Going It Alone: Americans are fiercely independent. Self-diagnosis and self-treatment, often via the University of Google, have all but become a national pastime. Unfortunately, child psychology can be quite dynamic and abstract. Proper diagnosis can be difficult even for the trained clinician. The Stigma of Crazy: This, by far, is the silent big kahuna for avoiding MH care. We often assume only severely mentally ill people should be “forced” to go to “the shrink.” Nothing could be further from the truth since significant treatable MH issues are found quietly, quite unexpectedly, in people all around us. Remember 1 in 5. ¹ Bad Experiences With Care: Pediatricians, psychologists, and psychiatrists are all unique. I encourage parents not to forsake the whole system because a prior encounter was a poor fit. Clinicians often will have specialized knowledge which may or may not fit “special situations.” Psychology is almost universally made up of “special situations,” by definition. I encourage parents to talk to their friends and physician’s practices to find a good fit. Keep trying. All fixed with one encounter: “One symptom, one diagnosis, one treatment” is rare in MH care issues, certainly not with growing, changing children. Over time children’s diagnoses can lessen/improve based on developmental stage. Often, new diagnoses can arise unexpectedly. “If there is a problem, the school or my doctor will pick it up and let me know.” Although there are many fine teachers in our schools, they are neither trained nor mandated to actively diagnose many MH issues. They may sometimes, as a courtesy, alert you in the early stages. They often may not bring it to your attention until advanced symptoms are noticeably interfering with the school process. Primary care physicians will rarely be able to properly address a MH care issue added onto another appointment. If you have any concerns for your child’s mental health, we encourage parents not to be afraid, get involved, get informed, and see your trusted health care provider. Dr. Edwin King, a board-certified pediatrician, practices at Pediatric Alliance-St. Clair Division in Upper St. Clair. He trained at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. He and his wife Leslie, a family physician, have two children, seven and eleven years old. Dr. King is interested in healthcare reform at the clinical level, taking into account the whole person, and how mental health affects overall health. Dr. King has an eclectic collection of personal interests including the outdoors and art. He is an accomplished glassblowing artist. He can be found twice a week in karate class with his two children. 1. U.S. D.H.H.S., Mental Health Report: 2000. Available online.
10 724.942.0940 to advertise |
Bethel Park
Bphs Musical Tickets to go on Sale March 18 Bethel Park High School will stage “42nd Street” as its 2013 musical offering, Wednesday through Saturday, April 3-6 at 7:30p.m. in the Bethel Park High School auditorium. Tickets will go on sale on Monday, March 18, through Tuesday, March 26. Tickets will be sold daily from 8:30 to 10:30 AM in the high school’s Athletic Entrance Lobby. Evening sales will also be held on Tuesday, March 19, and Tuesday, March 26, from 6 to 7:30p.m., also in the Athletic Entrance Lobby. Tickets are $10 for rows A-O and $8 for rows P-CC. Senior citizens can receive half-price admission to the Wednesday, April 3, and Thursday, April 4, performances only. Students in kindergarten through fourth grade can receive half -price admission to all performances, but only if the seats are obtained at the door on the evening of the performance. Tickets can be purchased with cash or check payable to “Bethel Park School District.” “42nd Street” tells the story of a humble, naïve young actress named Peggy Sawyer who has come to New York to audition for a new Broadway musical. Unfortunately, due to her nervousness, Peggy arrives to the audition late and misses her chance to join the chorus. Luckily, she soon catches the eye of the famous director Julian Marsh, and he gives Peggy her big break. However, the show’s aging leading lady, Dorothy Brock, quickly grows to dislike Peggy. On opening night, Ms. Brock falls and breaks her ankle. Panic spreads through the company, as the show is doomed for closure without its leading lady, until it is suggested that Peggy take over the role. In only 36 hours, Peggy must learn 25 pages of dialogue, six songs and 10 dance numbers. Can she do it in time to save the show? Come and see this dancing spectacle to find out if the show closes or it is a smash success! The musical features well-known standards including “We’re In the Money,” “Shuffle Off to Buffalo” and of course, “42nd Street.” There are over 120 students in the cast, with another 50 comprising the orchestra and stage crew. To hear pre-recorded information about tickets, please call 412.833.5000 and enter extension 8706 when prompted. To obtain information regarding Felser_Layout 1 1/31/13 2:26 PM Page 1 handicap parking and dropoff, please contact the High School Security Office at 412.854.8515. Come out and enjoy the first musical production to be staged in the new Bethel Park High School auditorium!
49 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE • FREE ESTIMATES
Drawing to be held Dec. 24th, 2013. If you make a purchase before the drawing date and then win the contest, your money will be refunded!!
Bethel Park | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 11
Community Interests
BP Third Graders Compete in First Annual Rotary Club
Spelling Bee
By Tracy Fedkoe
A
re you smarter than a third grader? At Bethel Park’s First Annual Rotary Spelling Bee on January 17, it would have been difficult to tell. Sixty-six eager students came to the event ready to test their spelling skills against their peers in Bethel Park. Eleven lists with over 100 words each were posted online as study guides about a month prior to the event—and it was clear they studied them. “The students were very excited. They practiced at indoor recess and we had mock spelling bees in our class,” said Lindsay Crowley, third grade teacher at Ben Franklin. The format was set up as a single elimination tournament where each student was read one word. Not only did they have to spell the word correctly, but they also had to know proper capitalization and any punctuation, such as apostrophes, that may be needed. Only a few students were knocked out in the first two rounds, but the words got more challenging with each round. After 3 rounds, 43 students remained. These students were vying to earn a spot in one of the coveted 25 chairs set up on the stage for the first finalists and after the fifth round 22 students headed into the final rounds. Difficult words like scientists, Pennsylvania, and Antarctica stumped several students in a row and it took 12 rounds to get to the top 3 finalists, with the final two going 10 rounds each without a mistake. The first place winner
12 724.942.0940 to advertise |
66 students line up for round 1 of the Spelling Bee
was Danielle Reiland from Lincoln. Zachary Simmons from Ben Franklin was second and David Jakel, also from Franklin, came in third. The winning word was coyote. The Bethel Park Rotary Club donated the prizes for the top three winners which were gift cards from Toys “R” Us® in the amounts of $150, $100 and $50 respectively. With one of Spelling Bee winners Da
Bethel Park
vid Jakel (3rd), Zachary Simmons (2nd) and Danielle Re iland (1st) with Dr. Do rothy Stark Director of Elementary Educati on and Bonnie Pierce of the Rotary Club.
its missions to being to promote, hosting a Spelling Bee was a natural progression for the Bethel Park Rotary Club, which also provides a brand-new copy of Webster’s Student Dictionary to all students in third grade. “We were so proud of all of the students. They were wonderful,” said Bonnie Pierce, secretary of the Rotary and host of the event. The event was organized by the Rotary, which they also provided many volunteers to help on site. For the selection of age-appropriate spelling lists, the club relied on the help of Dr. Dorothy Stark, director of elementary education and principal at Abraham Lincoln Elementary. The first announcer for the night was Superintendent Nancy Aloi Rose and eight Bethel Park teachers volunteered for shifts to serve as the judges and announcers. The evening went well for everyone involved, but the success was best shown in the smiles on the faces of the students when they showed their pride in learning. Pierce indicated the Rotary plans to continue the Spelling Bee in the future. Second graders . . . get ready for your turn next year. ¿ More information on the Rotary Club can be found at www.bethelparkrotary.org.
Bethel Park | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 13
Community Interests
Raising
Hope
Students at Neil Armstrong Middle School raise money for South Hills Interfaith Ministries NAMS kids having fun at the carnival.
by Vicki Flotta This year’s Neil Armstrong Middle School Charity Carnival raised $2,735.27 for the South Hills Interfaith Ministries. This money was raised by the students in two hours on Friday, December 21. Visitors spent money in a variety of ways, including playing games of chance, purchasing Chinese auction tickets to win one of several specialty-themed gift baskets (such as ice cream, snacks, sports, holidays, crafts and movies), purchasing snacks or trying to hit the teachers with sponges filled with whipped cream. This event was coordinated by the NAMS PTO. Additionally, $125 was raised in a special sale of Hershey’s candy kisses for a quarter with the money going to the fund set up for Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.
NAMS technology education teacher Jeff Lytle getting pelted with whipped cream-topped sponges.
14 724.942.0940 to advertise |
Bethel Park
Students checking out the many gift baskets.
Life’s even better when you get your premium back. Lori Stopperich CPCU CLU ChFC CASL, Agent 5727 Library Road, Suite 1 Bethel Park, PA 15102 Bus: 412-835-7139 www.insuremelori.com
Find out how you can help protect your family for less, build cash value, or even get your premiums back if the life insurance benefit has not been paid out at the end of the level premium period. CALL ME TODAY.
Adjustable Premium Level Term Life Insurance policy series 08025 in all states except MT, NY, WI; 08075 in MT; A08025 in NY & WI. State Farm Life Insurance Company, Bloomington, IL (Not licensed in MA, NY and WI) State Farm Life and Accident Assurance Company (Licensed in NY and WI), 1101001.1 Bloomington, IL
Students having fun participating in an indoor snowball fight.
Industry Insights
Summer Learning Losses Preventing
A
during Early Childhood
s the school year comes to a close, it is only natural for kids to look forward to the leisurely nature of the summer season. The arrival of beach trips, pool parties and sleepovers, however, doesn’t mean that children should depart completely from their daily routine. Keeping particular elements of a child’s day consistent throughout the summer months keeps the brain focused and helps prevent learning losses during the summer. In addition, this can potentially ease the anxiety that often accompanies transitioning into a new classroom or school come fall. According to research conducted by the National Center for Summer Learning, which is based at the Johns Hopkins School of Education in Baltimore, Maryland, summer learning loss accounts for about two-thirds of the difference in the likelihood of a student pursuing a college preparatory path in high school. As these findings indicate, keeping children’s brains challenged throughout the summer is crucial, since the lack of learning that occurs during these months has both short-term and long-term consequences. And, brain growth is 90% complete by age 10 in most children. Keeping your child challenged in these early years can make a difference in the rest of his/her lives. Routine provides structure, which is often lacking during the summer months when children all too quickly become detached from the lessons they learned throughout the school year. Maintaining a schedule throughout the summer supports an environment that is less of a contrast to the classroom and provides a healthy balance between building skills, play and rest. Families can incorporate the following habits into their child’s day to encourage and maintain a routine throughout the summer season: • Early to bed, early to rise: To the best extent possible, children should adhere to a regular bedtime each night and wake up at the same time each day. This will not only ensure proper rest but will establish a sense of discipline as well. • Clean up and get dressed: Upon waking up, it is important that children brush their teeth, get dressed and perform any other hygienic tasks that they normally would before a school day. Allowing kids to stay in pajamas or dirty clothes longer than necessary can result in lazy behavior. • Make eating an event: Keeping a child on a consistent meal schedule is critical to maintaining a sharp body and mind. Establish specific times for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and sit with children at the table to encourage conversation while eating. • Take a rest: If a child partakes in a scheduled nap time while at school, then he or she should be allotted time at home for regular rest as well. Make this time consistent, perhaps after lunch, and have the child rest in the same place everyday. • Perform daily chores: Asking a child to help around the house is an ideal way to get them involved in a daily routine. A morning chore and an afternoon chore can convey a sense of responsibility and supply a sense of rhythm to the day. In addition to providing consistency, routines can present children with security and comfort as they adjust to the changes that come along with their new summer schedules. The purpose is not to create rigidity but to provide a flexible structure that establishes a sense of purpose kids need to grow and mature. Finding a preschool/early childhood center that runs their program year round can be very beneficial in this regard. The very best early childhood centers also offer school readiness programs for elementary school students. If you are looking for such programs, make sure they are facilitated by degreed teachers as well as tailored to meet the specific needs of your child, whether it be concentrating on advanced or remedial material. It also can be helpful that the academic program/curriculum is intertwined throughout the center’s program, so the children readily accept the “summer challenge.”
This Industry Insight was written by Bob & Lori Santo. Bob & Lori Santo are the owners of The Goddard School®, located at 825 East McMurray Rd. in Peters Township. Goddard offers both full- and part-time Infant/Preschool/Kindergarten programs. For more information, visit www.goddardschools.com or call 724.941.6464.
Bethel Park | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 17
RESIDENT Profile
Sugar Plum Fairy Local Dancer Featured as
in Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh’s Rendition of “The Nutcracker” By Melanie O. Paulick
18 724.942.0940 to advertise |
Bethel Park
“Being chosen to perform the Sugar Plum Fairy,”
explains Caroline, “means that you have put in enough time and energy to be personally chosen to perform the legendary and difficult role.”
F
or many young girls, going to see “The Nutcracker” for the very first time is a rite of passage. It is a passage into a magical world, one in which form, grace and beauty are praised. It is an enchanted world: a place where a story and the imagination can play with the music of Tchaikovsky. Undeniably, the most alluring character of the entire ballet is the Sugar Plum Fairy. The audience waits for the moment when she enters the stage during the second act. She is the prima ballerina; she is in command of the evening. All eyes are on her. This is the role that all young girls dream of dancing when they begin learning ballet. For three students at the Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh, dreams were realized when they each got to dance the coveted role at the company’s annual performance of “The Nutcracker.” Lacey Gigliotti of Castle Shannon, Caroline Wilde of Bethel Park and Emily Carskadden of Mt. Lebanon each danced the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy at Independence Middle School Theater in Bethel Park on December 7, 8, and 9, 2012. Both Emily Carskadden and Lacey Gigliotti began dancing at the age of three and Caroline Wilde started when she was six. All have studied ballet at the Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh since its opening in 2006. Lindsay and Steven Piper, directors of the Ballet Academy, have been instrumental in teaching the girls proper technique and form, as well as pushing them to excel athletically. At the academy, Lacey, Caroline and Emily became the dancers that they are today. In
addition to the excellent dance instruction that they received on a daily basis at the ballet academy, Caroline recalls some remarkable dance teachers who guided students through summer intensives and master classes. They include Allison DeBona of the CW’s “Breaking Pointe” and Stephen Hanna and Jock Soto, principal dancers for the New York City Ballet. “These teachers were memorable to me,” Caroline comments, “because their careers are so amazing…and I felt that if I correctly used what they taught me, I could successfully start my own career.” All three girls have vivid memories of seeing “The Nutcracker” when they were young. When Emily was three years old, she went to see her cousin perform in the ballet and was instantly captivated. She remembers “…the magic of the performance: the gorgeous costumes, stunning backdrops and beautiful dancers.” When Lacey was four, her grandmother took her to see the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s production in the city. She recalls that “…it was the most beautiful experience ever. I remember the dancers twirling in the falling snowflakes, the ever-growing Christmas tree, the battle scene between the mice and the Nutcracker, and, of course, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. I stood up to watch their every move. ”It was then that Lacey knew that her life would never be the same. She thinks back to “one moment that will always be my favorite memory: when the Cavalier offers his hand to the Sugar Plum Fairy at the start of the Grande Pas [de deux]. I can honestly say that is the moment I fell in love with ballet, and started dreaming that I would someday get to wear the glistening
tutu and have a hand extended to me.” Emily was also smitten by the magic of the Sugar Plum Fairy. “When [she] performed, I was mesmerized. It was then that I decided that I wanted to start dancing.” It seems that seeing the Sugar Plum Fairy perform once is all it takes to inspire a future generation of dancers. And the role is, indeed, iconic. Emily concurs: “…[she] is the prima ballerina. The ballerina that little girls recognize. The ballerina that inspires.” And so, Lacey, Caroline and Emily fell in love with ballet. As the years went by, the girls performed a variety of roles in the annual winter performance of “The Nutcracker.” Since entering the Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh’s high school program, Lacey has danced the lead Spanish and Mirliton roles, the Dew Drop Fairy and the Demi-soloist in the Waltz of the Flowers. Caroline loves to perform the Marzipan lead, Dew Drop and Snow Queen. Emily has danced a large variety of roles as well, and is so well-versed in the various characters, in fact, that she challenges anyone to “play a random piece of music from “The Nutcracker” and [she] will be able to dance the choreography for that part!” This year, it was their turn to be the Sugar Plum Fairy. “Being chosen to perform the Sugar Plum Fairy,” explains Caroline, “means that you have put in enough time and energy to be personally chosen to perform the legendary and difficult role.” Thinking back to how she was feeling during those tense moments before she went on stage, Lacey recalls that she was “running over the choreography in my mind, reminding myself to breathe, thinking how thankful I am to
Bethel Park | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 19
have parents who support me…and I prayed.” There was one moment on stage, however, that immediately calmed her and brought her confidence and assurance. During the second act, a group of the youngest dancers ran on tip-toe to give the Sugar Plum Fairy her wand. For Lacey, “the smiles on their precious faces took away any nervousness I had. It reminded me of how far I had come.” Emily Carskadden felt like a celebrity walking from the dressing room to the stage on her performance night. “…I was stopped constantly to take photos with the younger students. It took me an extra five minutes to… get to the stage!” For the most part, Emily felt calm leading up to her performance, except for one moment before the show when her partner, who had been having back and ankle problems for a while, told her he wasn’t feeling so well. “I tried to hold myself together,” explains Emily, “but I think by that point, I had been [feeling the] stress for so long that I had a bit of a meltdown.” What abated her stress? Having her friends backstage supporting her and telling her that she was going to be great. Also, one of the
instructors from the ballet academy, Lindy Mandradjieff, made a point to hug Emily and tell her that she was going to be amazing. “I don’t think she realizes how much that meant to me,” recalls Emily, “but I felt so much better afterwards.” Aside from the beautiful costume and the pretty face, perhaps the main reason that the Sugar Plum Fairy is so highly regarded is the level of technique one must master in order to dance that role. Lacey explains that there are so many challenges for this dancer, including solo work, partnering, lead work with the rest of the cast, and working with the youngest dancers. Also, she explains that “the turn sequences have to be timed and spaced so carefully; the choreography is very intricate and specific to that role, not the standard combinations [from class].” Furthermore, incredible stamina is required to perform for the length of time that the Sugar Plum Fairy is on stage. Finally, everyone who performs this role has the pressure of dancing just as well or better than the previous fairies. While Lacey, Caroline and Emily have different plans for the future, each of them
While balancing life as a high school student with life as a dancer can be overwhelming at times, the girls have learned how to budget their time and manage their stress. It is never easy, however, to have to miss out on so many social and extra-curricular activities.
20 724.942.0940 to advertise |
Bethel Park
can’t imagine life without dance. Lacey hopes to make a career out of dancing, although she has not decided what route she would like to take. She is currently looking into college dance programs as well as graduate programs with professional companies. Caroline would like to join a ballet company or Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School’s graduate program. One of Emily’s prerequisites for any college or university that she will attend is that it must have some sort of ballet program – whether that is a ballet major, minor, or student-run ballet company. She comments that “…I have been dancing for so many years – I can’t just stop dancing completely after high school. Ballet has been a part of me for as long as I can remember…to give it up now would definitely leave a gaping hole in my life.” While balancing life as a high school student with life as a dancer can be overwhelming at times, the girls have learned how to budget their time and manage their stress. It is never easy, however, to have to miss out on so many social and extra-curricular activities. But, ballet does
and must take precedence over those things. When asked if they had any advice for the beginning dancer, Emily responds that “…the most important thing is to keep dancing, no matter how hard it is sometimes. You will have days when [you want to quit] because you are sick of missing events and friends, but with those days come [others] when you absolutely love dance and can’t wait for your classes each
day.” Lacey adds that one should “remember to dance for the moment…enjoy every part, every class. The reason you dance should be because it is fun and that there is nothing in the world you would rather do.” ¿ For more information about the Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh, visit: www.balletacademypgh.com.
Bethel Park | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 21
22 724.942.0940 to advertise |
Bethel Park
Industry Insights
Plans to relocate
more difficult for divorced parents
I
f you are a parent in a relationship other than an intact marriage to your minor children’s other biological parent, and you are contemplating relocating with your minor children, you need to be aware of Pennsylvania’s law in this situation. Pennsylvania’s legislature enacted a custody statute which became effective on January 24, 2011, on the subject of a parent’s relocation with his or her minor child(ren). This law applies to “any proposed relocation.” This means that even if you’ve never had Court involvement in your child custody arrangement, you are subject to the provisions of the new act, no matter where you are planning to move. There are stringent procedural requirements. Failure to comply can have a significant impact on your custodial rights. It sounds deceptively simple: No relocation shall occur unless every individual who has custody right to the child consents to the proposed relocation; or the Court approves the proposed relocation. As is so often the case, the devil is in the details. The parent proposing the relocation must notify every other person who has custody rights to the child(ren). There are very specific requirements as to the timing, manner, and the contents of the notice. Failure to comply can have serious, long-term consequences. If you’re not the party planning to relocate, you are still subject to specific requirements as to form and timing if you object to the proposed relocation. Failure to comply with these provisions will likewise have significant impact on your ability to oppose a relocation. In addition to notice and filing procedures, the law provides for hearings in contested cases and sets forth specific factors which the Court must address in deciding the case. The “take-away” here would be to see an attorney as soon as you start formulating plans to relocate with your minor children even if there has never been a problem with custody in the past; or if you receive notification from the other parent about relocation plans, see an attorney to be sure that you don’t waive your rights if you have concerns or objections.
For more information, call 412-835-0933 or go to www.dillonlawoffice.com
Bethel Park | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 23
Community Profile
Police Chief John Mackey Serving and protecting Bethel Park By Tracy Fedkoe
Most people in Bethel Park know that John Mackey is our chief of police. What most people don’t know is that he went to Duquesne University as a political science and sociology major with the intent to go to law school. Lucky for Bethel Park he decided to go to the police academy instead. “If I was an attorney, I would have been a prosecutor,” said Mackey, who later went on to earn a master’s degree in administration of justice from Pitt. Mackey spent 22 years with the South Fayette police force and worked his way up to lieutenant before retiring and joining Bethel Park as the chief of police in 2000. He is only the fourth chief that Bethel has had and is determined to maintain the same high standards dedicated to ensuring public safety and enhancing the quality of life in the community that were established in 1941 when the police department was created. Managing a department with 35 full-time officers that takes an average of 14,000 calls per year is certainly a challenge. “We’re fortunate to have a low crime rate and don’t routinely answer serious calls,” said Mackey. In fact, Bethel Park was listed as #27 on the 2012 Top 100 Safest Communities
24 724.942.0940 to advertise |
Bethel Park
in America based on the total FBI reported crimes in cities over 25,000 residents. “That is a testament to our police department and the community itself,” he said. On a daily basis, it takes most of the chief’s time managing and handling the administrative needs of the department which include staffing, training, budgeting, purchasing, research and more. As his schedule permits, he does take the time to patrol the community and is involved in serious cases as well as any incident where the SWAT team is called out to Bethel or surrounding communities. “I miss being totally hands on. It’s always in your blood,” he said. One of the things Mackey is proud of is that the Bethel Park police have great working relationships with the schools, municipality, businesses and residents here as well as other neighboring police departments and municipalities. Bethel Park has reinstituted Crime Watch and over 1,000 people have signed up, with several successful arrests made recently based on input from citizens. “Not all communities are that lucky,” said Mackey. Since Bethel Park is a member of the 17community municipal group South Hills Area Council of Governments (SHACOG), the police departments work and train together, as well as share equipment and resources. With
government funding decreasing, Mackey works with local businesses to find out about money that may be available such as a recent grant received from Target Corporation that sponsored the supplies for a new child identification system. Officers have also worked with Giant Eagle and Walmart, who are also very supportive of the department. While many of the calls fielded by the Bethel Park Police Department involve traffic, ambulance calls or minor theft, Mackey indicated that there has been a rise in crimes related to technology over the last three to five years. “One of our detectives specializes in identity theft issues, but we have to keep up with training and equipment because the crimes are changing all the time,” he said. Overall, however, the department has enough officers and resources to ensure appropriate coverage on all shifts and in all of the specialized departments including traffic, crime prevention, and investigation. “We have reached a certain standard and we want to maintain that,” he said. While the department doesn’t have it in the budget to have officers at every school, they do routinely patrol the schools and have done extensive work to create safety and emergency plans and have completed drills in the Bethel Park schools. They
are always re-evaluating the plan and will make changes and upgrade safety and security where necessary. Mackey is very involved in police organizations and is currently the president of the PA Chiefs Association, and the chairman of the SHACOG police chiefs committee. He has been in leadership roles with many other law enforcement organizations in the past and feels they benefit the department through the sharing of knowledge. He enjoys attending and speaking at community events and presentations. As for his personal life, Mackey is blessed to have his grown children nearby and has just become a grandfather for the second time in December. He enjoys golfing and fixing things in his spare time and is hoping to plan his dream trip to Europe in the near future. He was a competitive softball and basketball player and looks forward to helping teach his grandchildren when they get a little older. In the future, Chief Mackey and the department are looking to maintain the good relationships and safe community environment they have built over the years. “When we get the opportunity to save a life or help someone—that makes it all worthwhile,” he concluded. ¿
Bethel Park | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 25
The Standard of Excellence in Vein Care Circulatory Centers have been the area’s leading experts in vein treatment for over 30 years – a testament to their unparalleled patient care and focus on vein treatment. As world-class providers in the diagnosis and treatment of varicose veins, Circulatory Centers’ physicians have cultivated a reputation as the leaders in vein care.
Veins Cause Leg Pain The underlying vascular condition that leads to the formation of varicose veins is called venous insufficiency. About one in five Americans have some degree of venous insufficiency, ranging from small surface veins to large varicosities that cause significant daily leg pain, swelling, skin breakdown and, ultimately, various degrees of disability. Symptoms can range from chronic aching or tiredness in the legs to muscle cramps, restlessness and an inability to stand for extended periods of time often interfering in their daily life. While much of the underlying cause can be hereditary, these painful veins are often triggered or worsened with pregnancies, long periods of standing, leg injuries and hormonal factors. The Simple, Affordable Solution Circulatory Centers proudly offers the most modern, state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment options. And, most patients will discover that 95% of treatments are covered by insurance. They utilize top-of-the-line diagnostic equipment, including high resolution Doppler imaging which allows them to examine the vein anatomy and easily determine if a patient has malfunctioning valves within the legs. Accurate and early detection allows Circulatory Centers to diagnose with a high level of precision. Providing the Most Advanced Treatment Many patients require a more extensive procedure to correct venous
insufficiency. And now there’s a much less invasive option as compared to just years ago. The vast majority of their patients can have this medical condition corrected with an in-office laser procedure known as EVLA (Endo Venus Laser Albation). EVLA has taken the place of outdated painful procedures of the past known as “vein stripping.” EVLA has an incredibly high rate of success, and Circulatory Centers’ physicians have become respected within the field of Phlebology as leaders in performing this procedure in their offices.
Highly Recognized Staff and Care Highly recognized for patient care, Circulatory Centers have attained accreditation by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accrediation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL) – the highest recognition for their commitment to providing a high level of patient care and quality testing for the diagnosis of vascular disease. Circulatory Centers are among a select number of private vascular practices in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada to meet or exceed the ICAVL standards for noninvasive vascular testing. During the accreditation process, every aspect of daily operations and its impact on the quality of health care provided to patients is assessed and reviewed. Participation in and completion of the accreditation process
Before
After
Untouched Photos
demonstrates Circulatory Centers’ consistent attention to care and quality. demonstrates Circulatory Centers’ consistent attention to care and quality.
Free Consultation It’s common for patients to have questions about scarring, anesthesia, insurance coverage and recovery time. To thoroughly cover these concerns, all of Circulatory Centers’ offices offer a free vein consultation. This gives patients personal, one-on-one attention with their vascular experts so they become comfortable with the effective treatment process and learn how easy it is to regain their healthy legs. Over 25 Locations In addition to 11 Pennsylvania locations, Circulatory Centers has 15 offices throughout Ohio, West Virginia, Connecticut, Virginia and Georgia. Schedule a free consultation at 1-800-426-9601 or visit veinhealth.com.
The Circulatory Centers Difference • Free Initial Vein Consultation • ICAVL-Accredited Vascular Laboratory • State-of-the-Art Venous Ultrasound Diagnosis • Exclusively Tailored Treatment Plan • 95% of Procedures Covered by Insurance • Dedicated Team of Venous Specialists • Individual Patient Account Representatives • Quick, Virtually Painless Treatments • Lasting Results!
1-800-426-9601 | veinhealth.com | info@circcenters.com 26 724.942.0940 to advertise |
Bethel Park
Students Take the Lead on Road Safety Lectures and scare tactics by well-meaning adults have not yet transformed this nation’s teen drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car crashes remain the leading cause of death for teenagers in America. Thankfully, students—the people best positioned to make change— are taking note and taking a stand against this startling statistic. As one teen states: “Teenagers do not listen to safety messages from their parents as well as they do when those messages come from their friends. It is easier to relate to advice from fellow teens.”
Here’s the advice
proactive students commonly share: Plan Ahead • Designate someone to text for you, and hand over your phone. Or, better yet, turn your phone to silent and lock it in the glove compartment until you arrive safely at your destination. • Connect with your parents on ground rules for driving. Know what the consequences will be if the rules aren’t followed. • Prepare a driving playlist. Don’t let your driving be distracted while trying to find the perfect song. On the Road • Use your head. Remember that there is absolutely no text, song, call or distraction that is more important than your life or the lives of others. • Drive defensively by keeping your full focus on the road and other drivers so you can react to changing situations. • Be prepared with a strong, clear statement to stand up to a peer who isn’t driving safely. Say something like, “We both want to live, so let me answer your phone or text while you focus on driving.”
28 724.942.0940 to advertise |
Bethel Park
UPMC TODAY
Health and Wellness News You Can Use | Spring 2013
What’s Inside 2
When It’s More than Just Heartburn
3 4
Hope and Healing A Healing Touch Food in a Glass
5
Clinical Trials Can Change Lives
6 7
Depression and Older Adults Comprehensive Care for Today’s Urology Patients
© 2013 UPMC
When It’s More Than Just Heartburn UPMC Mercy offers comprehensive testing and minimally invasive surgery for complex problems of the esophagus.
Most of us can count on an antacid or two to tame a bad case of heartburn. But acid reflux, of which heartburn is a symptom, can lead to a far more uncomfortable and potentially dangerous condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
• Large hiatal hernia (also known as giant paraesophageal hernia) repair • Achalasia (a rare swallowing disorder) surgical therapy • Esophageal diverticulum repair and removal “Patients travel hundreds of miles, and most have had prior surgeries,” notes Dr. Awais. “Before and after operating, we use a quality of life test to measure a patient’s degree of reflux. We’ve learned that our patients typically experience better outcomes, less pain, and faster recovery times through our efforts. We also work with patients on long-term lifestyle changes to maintain their health.” Linette says her re-operation “saved my life. I feel like a new person.” She has lost weight and no longer takes medication for diabetes, cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
Testing is key A variety of tests are needed prior to any esophageal or gastric surgery. At UPMC Mercy, patients can get these tests done quickly and efficiently at one location, including: Endoscopy — Allows a doctor to use a thin, narrow tube with a camera and light to view the inside of the throat and stomach Motility testing — Identifies how well the muscles of the esophagus are functioning
Linette Johns of Upper Burrell first underwent surgery for GERD in 2000. But in recent years, severe heartburn and other symptoms reappeared. “I knew the success rate of a repeat surgery on the esophagus wasn’t good, so I was hesitant to have it done,” says Linette. “But my son, Jeff, who’s studying to be a doctor, told me that I could be at risk for esophageal cancer. That motivated me to take the next step.”
Tackling complicated cases In March 2012, Omar Awais, DO, chief of thoracic surgery at UPMC Mercy, performed the repeat surgery on Linette. Under his expertise, some of the region’s most complex, minimally invasive esophageal surgeries are taking place at UPMC Mercy, including: • Minimally invasive surgery to remove all or part of the esophagus to treat esophageal cancer • Repair of recurrent hiatal hernia • Repeat esophageal surgery
2
UPMC.com/Today
Acid ph testing — Measures the amount of acid exposure into the esophagus Impedance testing — Measures the frequency and amount of gastric fluids (both acidic and non-acidic) entering the esophagus and larynx from the stomach
Are you at risk? “Certainly not everyone with GERD requires surgery. Most cases can be controlled through medical therapy, weight loss, modified diet, and medication,” says Dr. Awais. “But early detection and treatment of GERD is key because of its associated risk with esophageal cancer.” At greatest risk are men over the age of 50 who are obese and have suffered from heartburn three or more times a week for five years or longer. To learn more about UPMC Mercy’s programs to diagnose and treat complex problems of the esophagus, call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762).
Hope and Healing UPMC is leading the way with new treatment options for hepatitis C.
Decades after receiving a childhood blood transfusion, Chris Sosinski was shocked to learn he had the hepatitis C virus, which had led to cirrhosis and the prospect of a liver transplant. Today, Chris remains hepatitis C negative, thanks to a new direct-acting antiviral therapy he received at the UPMC Center for Liver Diseases last year. Months after ending treatment in October, his viral load remains at zero. “That means it’s gone,” says Chris, 49, of Jeannette. “No more medicine and — if I take care of myself — no transplant.”
Baby boomers beware Chris is one of a growing number of baby boomers diagnosed with hepatitis C, a problem so serious that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that everyone born between 1945 and 1965 be tested for the virus. The CDC estimates that more than 75 percent of the nation’s 3 million adults currently living with hepatitis C are baby boomers — and most don’t know they’re infected. “Hepatitis C is a silent disease; most people have no symptoms,” says Kapil Chopra, MD, director, UPMC Center for Liver Diseases. “But if diagnosed early, it can be cured or managed successfully before it can develop into cirrhosis or liver cancer.”
A new era of treatment Thankfully for Chris and other hepatitis C patients, two drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2011 ushered in a new era of treatment, delivering improved cure rates and shorter treatment time for the most prevalent — and hardest to treat — strain of the virus. Playing a critical role was the UPMC Center for Liver Diseases, where specialists have been at the forefront in the evaluation and clinical trials of promising new therapies.
Hundreds of UPMC patients took part in groundbreaking clinical trials for those new drugs. (Turn to page 5 to learn about other clinical trials and how they are affecting patients’ lives.) Today, even more are participating in clinical trials of new therapies at UPMC with the potential for even better results in fighting chronic hepatitis C infections. “These are exciting times. Over the next few years, we expect to have several new options that will eradicate the hepatitis C virus in most patients without side effects,” says Dr. Chopra. “It’s a new era of treatment and hope for our patients.”
A leading resource for complex care Treating and managing hepatitis C can be complex for both patients and health care providers. In the tri-state area, UPMC is the leading provider of comprehensive and advanced specialty care for patients with the virus. “Our multidisciplinary specialists are involved in researching and evaluating new treatments. They bring a unique perspective for managing these complex therapies,” explains Dr. Chopra. These specialists work together to assess patients, select appropriate antiviral therapies, educate patients, monitor for adverse effects and drug interactions, and provide support for patients and family members. “They are familiar with the latest, cutting-edge therapies and developing new ones,” adds Dr. Chopra. For those patients who don’t respond to treatment and are experiencing liver failure, the program also provides seamless transition to UPMC’s internationally renowned transplant program. To read about the risk factors for hepatitis C and what you can do, visit UPMC.com/Today. For more information about treatments for hepatitis C, contact the UPMC Center for Liver Diseases at 1-800-447-1651.
1-800-533-UPMC
3
Health Tips from UPMC Health Plan
A Healing Touch There are ways to relieve pain and nausea through alternative medicine. A growing number of patients are adding acupuncture and other alternative therapies to their medical care.
“You don’t have to be a believer for it to work,” says Betty Liu, MD, a physician and acupuncture specialist at the UPMC Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. “I’ve seen dramatic reductions in pain and nausea — some instantaneous, some after multiple sessions.”
Who uses it? Patients frequently turn to acupuncture and other therapies to control pain, including arthritis, back pain, fibromyalgia, migraines, and spasms, or to ease nausea due to pregnancy or chemotherapy. Integrating these therapies with conventional medicine can help patients find relief more quickly, or continue making progress toward their goals.
What are some treatments? Acupuncture, one of the most popular therapies, uses thin needles to stimulate various points around the body. “We’re not certain how it works, but we know it releases endorphins, which act like opiates to relieve pain,” Dr. Liu says. Massage therapy uses acupressure and deep tissue massage to increase blood flow to an injured area and release endorphins.
What is alternative medicine? If you visit an acupuncturist or chiropractor, you’re seeking treatment in the field of complementary and alternative medicine — an increasingly mainstream tool for doctors.
Chiropractic medicine adjusts the spine through manipulation to put the body into better alignment. For more information about alternative treatments, visit UPMC.com/Today.
Food in a Glass Choosing the best milk option for you. Are you lingering longer in the dairy aisle, pondering your ever-increasing options? Should you reach for your usual skim milk — or be adventurous and try rice, almond, or soy? Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, UPMC’s director of sports nutrition, says making the right choice is this simple: “Essentially, milk is food in a glass. Choose the drink that offers the best nutrition for your needs.” Not all milk and dairy alternatives are equal: read labels carefully, comparing the fat and carbohydrate contents. “For example, to reduce soy milk’s ‘beanie’ taste, sugar is added,” explains Ms. Bonci. “That can jump the carbohydrate count from 12 to 24 grams.” Look beyond just calories, too: milk is rich in protein, calcium, and minerals. “An 8-ounce serving of milk has 8 grams of protein, compared to 6 grams for soy milk and just 1 gram for almond and rice milk,” she adds. Unless a food allergy is present, the best choice for most of us is cow’s milk. “For children under two, select whole milk,” says Ms. Bonci. “Otherwise, reach for 1 percent or skim milk — both offer a lower saturated fat content and higher calcium. Enhanced or ‘super’ skim milk features a richer texture many people prefer.” And if you’re debating about organic versus regular milk, Ms. Bonci advises that your pocketbook be your guide. “There’s no nutritional difference between the two,” she says.
4
UPMC.com/Today
Clinical Trials Can Change Lives Bringing patients, physicians, and researchers together to change the future of medicine.
Research opens the door for new possibilities in patient care. But long before a drug, medical device, treatment, or surgical procedure becomes widely available, it must first be proven safe and effective.
therapy from a patient’s own fat tissue,” explains Dr. Rubin. “By harnessing the body’s own regenerative capabilities, we’re applying new technologies and scientific advancements to restore both form and function in patients.” For more information, visit UPMC.com/restore or call 412-864-2587. Solutions for out-of-control blood pressure. Of the 67 million Americans with high blood pressure, more than half fail to keep it under control. Many have difficulty battling the disease despite taking three or more medications, a condition known as treatment-resistant hypertension. As part of the body’s sympathetic nervous system, our kidneys play an important role in regulating long-term blood pressure. In most patients with hypertension, the sympathetic nervous system is overactive, thereby increasing blood pressure and causing heart, kidney, and blood vessel damage.
At UPMC, clinical trials are the bridge between research and the future of modern medicine. As one of the nation’s top-ranked health care systems, UPMC annually directs or participates in hundreds of groundbreaking clinical trials in virtually every medical specialty. Some are offered only at UPMC, while others are part of national and even international trials. Each is carefully monitored and measured by expert UPMC physicians who are leaders in their fields. For a patients whose illness has no cure or no longer responds to current treatment, UPMC’s clinical trials offer potentially life-saving medical breakthroughs. Other patients enroll in clinical trials with the hope of finding a better or more costeffective treatment. The following three UPMC trials currently are seeking qualified patient volunteers: Healing soldiers disfigured in battle. A flash of light, the sound of an explosion … and a soldier’s life is forever changed by a traumatic facial injury. But thanks to two government-funded clinical trials, efforts are under way at UPMC to improve the lives of wounded soldiers through facial reconstruction using the person’s own tissue. The study is enrolling military and civilian patients with visible deformities of the head or face following trauma, applying minimally invasive therapy to restore a more normal appearance. These trials are led by J. Peter Rubin, MD, director of UPMC’s Center for Innovation in Restorative Medicine and an expert in adult stem cells derived from fat. “We’re using stem cell
John Schindler, MD, an interventional cardiologist with UPMC’s Heart and Vascular Institute, is participating in an industryfunded clinical trial in which a device is placed in an artery leading to the kidney. “This therapy uses a catheter to deliver low radiofrequency energy to destroy or disable the renal nerves,” says Dr. Schindler. “If effective, this device could be a valuable alternative to medications for patients with resistant hypertension.” For more information, contact Lisa Baxendell, RN, at 412-802-8672. Eliminating blood clots. In 2013, nearly a quarter-million adults will be diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), in which blood clots form mainly in a deep vein in the leg. DVT can result in persistent leg pain and swelling; if the clot breaks loose and moves to the lungs, a potentially deadly pulmonary embolism can occur. Conventional treatment involves blood thinners and wearing compression hosiery. “We want to dissolve the clot to eliminate its consequences,” says Rabih Chaer, MD, a UPMC vascular surgeon. Dr. Chaer is participating in a national, multidisciplinary clinical trial to determine if DVT patients would benefit from a more aggressive treatment involving the use of an image-guided catheter to dissolve the clot. “In vascular surgery, our work is technology driven; medical devices are constantly changing,” says Dr. Chaer. “By testing innovative devices, we offer our patients new opportunities to alleviate or resolve their illness.” For more information, contact Susan Tamburro at 412-623-8452. For a complete list of clinical trials now available, please visit UPMC.com/Today. To learn more about the benefits of clinical trials in patient care, please turn to page 3 and read about UPMC’s advancements in the treatment of hepatitis C.
1-800-533-UPMC
5
Depression and Older Adults While it may be common, it’s important to know that depression is not a normal part of aging.
Its services include: • Preventive services, evaluation, and consultation • Treatment through therapy and/or medication • Participation in innovative research studies • Educational support • Referrals for assistance
Research studies benefit patients today and tomorrow Among the center’s current research studies are efforts to improve sleep patterns, lower stress levels, promote brain health, and reduce pain as a way of preventing depression among adults age 60 and older. These include: RECALL: A study about reducing stress among seniors experiencing mild memory, language, or judgment loss RAPID: A study for adults with osteoarthritis knee pain More than 6.5 million Americans over age 65 experience latelife depression that can last for months and even years. But many older adults and their caretakers don’t seek treatment because they think depression is inevitable as we age. Its symptoms — irritability, social isolation, poor sleep, loss of appetite, and memory loss — also are easily mistaken as signs of other illnesses. “Depression erodes our quality of life, our productivity, and our ability to have fulfilling relationships,” explains Charles Reynolds III, MD, director, Aging Institute of UPMC Senior Services and the University of Pittsburgh. He also is director of the Center of Excellence in Late Life Depression Prevention and Treatment Research at the University of Pittsburgh. The center is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). “Untreated, late-life depression puts older adults at risk for significant declines in their mental and physical health. It can be so debilitating that it threatens their ability to live independently,” he notes. “But the right professional help and medications can be life changing for these individuals.”
A wide range of support The center offers expertise in the detection, prevention, and treatment of depression, stress, complicated bereavement, or bipolar disorders in older adults. Through its research focus, all visits and medications are provided at no cost.
6
UPMC.com/Today
Addressing Pain and Depression Together (ADAPT): A study for adults living with both depression and back pain Healing Emotions After Loss (HEAL): A study for adults ages 18 to 95 who are experiencing prolonged or acute grief lasting six months or more over the loss of a loved one
One of the nation’s leading programs of its kind The Center of Excellence in Late Life Depression Prevention and Treatment Research is located in the Oakland area of Pittsburgh at both the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC. It is one of only three centers of excellence in geriatric psychiatry funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and the John A. Hartford Foundation. To learn more about the center’s services or to participate in one of its current research programs, call 412-246-6006 or visit latelifedepression.org.
Comprehensive Care for Today’s Urology Patients From medication to radiation to surgical robotic technology, the new UPMC Mercy urology center offers tailored, cutting-edge care for patients.
Whether you need medical care for bladder cancer, an enlarged prostate, urinary tract infection, or sexual dysfunction, UPMC Mercy offers comprehensive care to treat the special urological health needs of both men and women.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy — A highly specialized, minimally invasive keyhole procedure to remove large kidney stones by using high frequency sound waves to break them down and a vacuum to quickly remove fragments.
“Our urologists are experts in caring for even the most complicated and difficult cases,” says Ronald Benoit, MD, a urologic surgeon and director of the UPMC Mercy urology center, where he leads a team of highly trained specialists in general urology, urologic oncology, reconstructive surgery, and kidney stone removal.
To schedule an appointment with a urologist at UPMC Mercy, call 412-232-5850.
As a Center of Excellence in Urologic Care, UPMC Mercy features a skilled multidisciplinary team of urologists trained in treating patients who have disorders and diseases of the kidneys, bladder, or prostate.
The latest in diagnosis and treatment techniques According to Dr. Benoit, the hospital’s urology specialists use advanced technologies, medical equipment, and treatments — including minimally invasive surgical technology and robotic surgery — aimed at reducing postoperative pain, recovery time, and side effects. “Robotic urology uses endoscopic techniques, so patients have smaller incisions and a faster recovery time,” says Dr. Benoit. This technology is ideal for complex and delicate urologic surgeries, such as a prostatectomy, where doctors must operate in a tightly confined area surrounded by nerves affecting urinary control and sexual function. Special procedures at UPMC Mercy’s urology center include: Robotic-assisted prostatectomy — A minimally invasive, nerve-sparing procedure for prostate cancer that preserves potency and urinary control. Laparoscopic nephrectomy — A minimally invasive procedure that allows all or part of the kidney to be removed through a keyhole procedure instead of a large open incision. Prostate brachytherapy (seed implants) — An effective treatment for patients with prostate cancer where seed implants are used to deliver a high dose of radiation to the tumor while reducing the risk of complications to surrounding tissue. UPMC Mercy is the only Pittsburgh hospital using Cesium-131, a newer compound that does not remain in the body as long as traditional treatments, resulting in faster resolution of side effects.
Leaders in urologic care As a Center of Excellence in Urologic Care, UPMC Mercy has recently recruited several prominent experts — all of whom earned medical degrees at the University of Pittsburgh, including: Mang Chen, MD, a reconstructive urology specialist, completed a fellowship in urologic trauma and reconstruction at the Detroit Medical Center. Michelle Jo Semins, MD, a kidney stone specialist, completed her residency in urology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, where she also underwent special training in endourology, a minimally invasive technique to treat kidney stones. Tatum Tarin, MD, a urologic oncology specialist, completed his residency in urology at Stanford University Medical Center and a urologic oncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.
1-800-533-UPMC
7
UPMC Mercy
1400 Locust St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219
UPMC Today is published quarterly to provide you with health and wellness information and classes and events available at UPMC. This publication is for information purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or replace a physician’s medical assessment. Always consult first with your physician about anything related to your personal health.
Follow UPMC on Facebook.
Care that women can believe in as strongly as their Catholic faith.
UPMC Mercy provides a full range of women’s health services rooted in the Catholic tradition. From prenatal education, to menopause diagnosis and treatment, to complete oncological care, and much more, UPMC Mercy strives to ensure the comfort of patients in body, mind, and spirit. This holistic approach is the foundation of more than 150 years of women’s health services. To learn more about UPMC Mercy OB/GYN services, or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762) or visit UPMC.com/Mercy.
Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC is ranked among the nation’s top 10 hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.
Bethel Park | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 37
FEATURE
First Six Inducted into Bethel Park Alumni Hall of Fame on January 18
The Bethel Park High School Great Alumni Hall of Fame inducted six individuals into its first class on Friday, January 18 in the high school gymnasium at the half time of the Bethel Park/Canon McMillan Basketball Game.
Members of the Class of 2013 are: · LTJG Kenneth Beyda, Class of 2003, currently serves the United States as a Naval Fighter Pilot in an FA-18 Super-Hornet aircraft. He attended Ohio State University upon graduation from Bethel Park and was accepted into the Navy as a commissioned officer. Shortly after, he was accepted to Officer Candidate School and was approved to fly jets. He completed his training in Pensacola, FL and received the “Commodores Distinguished Award” for ranking among the top five percent of his peers. He also trained in Texas where he flew with the Blue Angels and earned the “Wings of Gold” award. He has flown numerous missions over Afghanistan and was invited to fly with the Top Gun School. • William Brucker, Class of 2000, has taught several courses in Biochemistry at Brown University and is currently working toward his Ph.D. at Brown. He is the author of two books and numerous journal articles about his continuing research on Cellular Respiration, Cellular Organs and Sickle Cell Anemia. Throughout his educational career he has earned numerous awards and honors, as he focuses his energies to change and improve the teaching of science in today’s educational system. Because of his dedication to improving health and science globally, he has established
38 724.942.0940 to advertise |
Bethel Park
the Providence Alliance of Clinical Educators (PACE). Through this organization, the approach to teaching science has been revolutionized in several hundred schools throughout the country and in Haiti. • Dr. Grant Hammond, Class of 1962, is the Deputy Director of the Air Force Center for Strategy and Technology (CSAT) and a Professor of International Security at the Air War College. He completed his undergraduate degree at Harvard and received his Masters and Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University in the School of Advanced International Studies. In 2007, he was named the Dean and Deputy Commandant at NATO’s Defense College in Rome, a position he held until 2010. Currently he is working on his fourth book about crisis decision making in the 21st century. • Barbara Bowman Pierce, Class of 1962, is the President of the National Federation of the Blind, and as a spokeswoman for the visually impaired in Ohio and throughout the country, she is able to demonstrate how visually impaired people are able to work and be educated. For the past 20 years she has edited the Braille Monitor magazine and has written a book to help bring awareness to visually impaired children. In 2009 she carried the message about the importance of teaching Braille in today’s educational system to a meeting with President Obama. • Admiral Thomas H. Replogle, Class of 1947, served the United States Navy as Commander, Tactical Wings Atlantic. He trained during World War II on the F6F Hellcat and traveled throughout the United States to secure the best training for the Navy’s Jet Transitional Training. After earning his B.S. degree at the Naval Post Graduate School, he toured Korea and Vietnam, and in 1968 he initiated the Navy’s “Top Gun” Program. Throughout his time in the military, he continued to make changes in aircraft designs. He flew over 90 different missions and received numerous medals for his many accomplishments.
By Tracy Fedkoe
• Thomas R. Watjen, Class of 1972, received his B.S. in Economics at Virginia Military Institute and an M.B.A. at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. He started his own business, Unum, which has grown to be a Fortune 250 company. Under his leadership as President and CEO, the company has earned numerous distinctions, including Newsweek’s “Best Places to Work” and “Greenest Companies in America.” At Virginia, he created a $1 million fellowship in honor of his father, to benefit selected military students attending the Darden School of Business. • Dr. Roger Zelt, Class of 1972, is a well-known Pittsburgh ophthalmologist, specializing in cataract and lens surgery, retinal eye care and treatment for laser vision correction. He is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Harvard and earned his M.D. at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Zelt’s community service includes working with Campus Life/ Youth for Christ and participating in mission trips to South America and Africa. He is on the Board of Directors for the Harvard Club of Western Pennsylvania and has served as President for the Pennsylvania Academy of Ophthalmology. He is the recipient of the Academy of Ophthalmology Achievement Award and serves as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Instruction at the University of Pittsburgh. The Bethel Park Great Alumni Hall of Fame was created to recognize and honor Bethel Park High School alumni who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments either personally or professionally after graduating from Bethel Park High School. Honorees were selected because they either significantly improved the lives of others, contributed significant volunteer or community service, or achieved significant advancement in their professional field.
Bethel Park | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 39
40 724.942.0940 to advertise |
Bethel Park
THE SOUTH HILLS COLLEGE CLUB,
realizing the importance of a college education for women, annually awards a scholarship to an outstanding and deserving young woman. The scholarship, in the amount of $2,000 will be awarded at the regular May meeting of the College Club. The applicant will be given every consideration. The following criteria will be used to evaluate and select the awardee: 1. Financial need-the financial income insufficient to adequately finance four years of college. 2. Academic standing - in or near the top fifth of graduating class; courses taken and grades received; various test scores; honors. 3. Personal evaluation-furnished by the high school and TWO individual recommendations. 4. Participation in activities-schools; extra-curricular; community; employment opportunities. This application should be completed by the student with the aid and approval of her parents.
For questions or to request an application, call Janet Lipchak at 412-851-0658
Please fill out the application completely and return by March 15, 2013. All information furnished to the committee is confidential and will be destroyed after due consideration by the committee with the exception of the application of the awardees. The recipient’s information will be kept on file for one year. Returning Woman’s Scholarship opportunity from the South Hills College Club The South Hills College Club has been awarding scholarships to women since 1923. We have two categories: one for high school seniors and one for a woman returning to an accredited four year college/university after an absence of at least a year. The returning woman scholarship may be for an undergraduate or graduate degree. Each award is for $2,000.
Bethel Park | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 41
Community Interests
BPVF Donates Truck
For Hurricane Sandy Relief by Melanie O. Paulick
W
hen the news of Hurricane Sandy broke, Deputy Fire Chief Bob Brown of the Bethel Park Volunteer Fire Company realized that someone in New York could probably make good use of their 1988 Pierce Fire Truck. Although the truck was 25 years old and had recently been replaced, it was still in good shape and proper working order. In fact, about two weeks prior, it was used to put out a fire at the Dorchester Complex. Fire Chief Dave Gerber agreed that it was a good idea to try to donate the truck and immediately began looking into it. Unsure of where to turn to get information on how to make such a donation, Chief Gerber called the Pennsylvania Fire Commissioner’s office in Harrisburg. State Fire Commissioner Ed Mann returned his phone call later that morning. Commissioner Mann
42 724.942.0940 to advertise |
informed Chief Gerber about an organization that would help with the logistics of the donation – the Terry Farrell Fund. This fund, Chief Gerber learned, was “established in memory of Terry Farrell, a decorated member of Rescue4/FDNY and chief of Dix Hills Volunteer Fire Department. Terry, along with 342 of his brothers, perished on September 11, 2001 in the World Trade Center attack. [The] fund is here to assist firefighters and their families with educational, medical and equipment needs” (www.terryfund.org/about). It didn’t take long before Chief Gerber was able to speak directly with Brian Farrell, Terry’s brother, and they both agreed that, between them, the truck should and could get to New York City. It was decided that Chief Gerber would make the shipping arrangements and that the Terry Farrell organization would pay the shipping costs. Chief Gerber
Bethel Park
contacted local moving company McGann and Chester and arranged to have the vehicle delivered to New York at a cost of $2400. A three-way call was made between the Bethel Park Fire Company, Brian Farrell and McGann and Chester to confirm the details. On November 19, the Pierce Fire Truck was delivered to the Gerritsen Beach VFC in Brooklyn, N.Y. (The truck was originally supposed to go to Broad Channel Fire Department, but plans changed when Broad Channel couldn’t accept the rig due to additional concerns about the weather and the condition of the station.) During the hurricane, the Gerritsen Beach station – located just outside one of the hurricane evacuation zones – got flooded with 8 feet of water in about 10 minutes. The sheer amount and force of the water shorted out the wiring in their trucks, and most of their equipment and gear was
damaged and washed away. The Bethel Park Fire Company was able to donate the Pierce Fire Truck because a replacement truck had been purchased last January for $700,000. The new truck was funded completely through donations; no tax dollars paid for it. “We are totally funded on donations,” remarks Chief Gerber. “Everyone around us gets some kind of money, but none have a budget of half a million dollars a year. Donations are what keep us going.” Chief Gerber hopes that the generous and willing spirit of the people of Bethel Park will help enable the municipality to move forward with plans for a new fire station. Volunteer members of the Bethel Park Fire Company were glad to be able to assist their fellow firefighters in New York City during such a difficult and trying time. As Chief Gerber puts it: “…[firefighters] do the best that they can to help other people out.” The donation of the 1988 Pierce Fire Truck was undoubtedly appreciated by volunteer firefighters at Garritsen Beach in Brooklyn. For more information about the Bethel Park Volunteer Fire Company, or to make an online donation, please visit: www.bethelparkvfc.com.
Bethel Park | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 43
FEATURE
Bethel Park Students get
creative with wood MAterials The Wood Materials and Processes Class at Bethel Park High School teaches students learn about woodworking by building wooden clock cabinets or rocking chairs. Those who want to go beyond class requirements also have the opportunity to build other things, such as cabinets. The class is taught by Bill Wells.
Senior Andrew Rinella, working on a cabinet.
44 724.942.0940 to advertise |
Bethel Park
Senior Jake Glotzbach with a bookcase cabinet he made.
Bethel Park | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 45
Home
Improvements In Bethel Park If you have a home, you know how challenging it is to maintain it. Roofs leak, landscapes need weeding, and kitchens and baths need facelifts. If you’re handy, you can get by with your own sweat equity. However, most people don’t have the skills, let alone the time, to tackle major household projects – many of which will require you spending more time at the office just to be able to tackle the price tags such projects come with. Here, we try to cover it all for you – from financing your project to enjoying it when it’s complete. Building a home addition can be a good alternative to buying a new home or building a house from scratch. Besides saving money, it can be a means of investing in your home and customizing your home to serve your family’s specific needs and desires. But additions also bring up potential problems that may not make them the best option for everyone. An addition can drastically change the way a house looks from the road or yard. An addition that isn’t well planned can look like it doesn’t belong or doesn’t match the rest of the house in terms of style or overall shape. Planning an addition carefully with a skilled architect is the best way to ensure that the house looks as good, or even better, than it did before the addition. An architect should be able to produce sketches that give a sense of how the finished addition will look. To minimize the appearance of an addition, homeowners can usually choose to build onto the back of the existing house, thereby hiding the new construction from the road. Depending on the size of an addition and the construction schedule, it may take weeks or months before an addition is completed. Bad weather can cause unanticipated delays, and working with an unreliable contractor can 46 724.942.0940 to advertise |
Bethel Park
prolong the process even further. If a homeowner can’t afford to be patient during the planning and construction process, moving into a new, larger home may be a better option. An addition can be a good investment, helping to increase the value of a home. Using a home equity line of credit or getting a new mortgage that includes money to pay for the addition can be a wise financial decision, especially when interest rates are low. However, if the expected value of an addition – which a homeowner can estimate by studying the sale prices of nearby homes with similar characteristics – is less than its cost, it may be a poor investment. An addition is likely to raise the value of a home. After the addition is completed, a new assessment will raise property taxes. Prior to adding on, homeowners should estimate the value of their home with the addition and compute a new annual tax liability based on current tax rates. Building an addition is an ideal time to invest in energy-efficient fixtures and construction. Windows that prevent hot or cool air from escaping and low-energy-consuming appliances can minimize the cost of an addition by reducing energy bills and its environmental impact. Remodeling your bathroom is another popular way to jazz up your home as well as build equity. In some cases, not only is remodeling the bathroom an aesthetic choice but a functional choice as well. Giving your bathroom a boost doesn’t always have to require a boatload of cash or space – just a little planning and creativity before you get started. Refresh your bath’s look with a wow-worthy makeover that improves its style and function. Perhaps you have an old toilet that you
want to replace with a highefficiency model that will lower your water bill. Or perhaps the old tile is falling off your shower and you need to replace it. Whatever your situation is, there are many options to choose from, including do-ityourself options. One popular and inexpensive option is to have a theme for your bathroom. Examples could be a Disney theme for a child’s bathroom, or perhaps a beach theme. This can be accomplished by painting the walls, adding a wall border and by well-placed décor. Some larger and more costly bathroom updates include new flooring, new sink and vanity and a new bathtub or shower. These improvements will get even costlier if you paid someone to do it for you. Decks on the rear or side of homes have become extremely popular in the United States. Used for entertaining or just relaxing, decks come in all shapes, sizes, designs and material. The most popular, and least expensive, deck material is treated wood. It is durable, however it will need to be painted or stained yearly or every other year depending on your climate. Composite decking products are building materials manufactured using a mixture of plastic and wood fiber. Composite decking materials are very popular because they require less maintenance than wood and often use recycled materials. Composite decking is easy to install and is guaranteed with a 20-year warranty against rotting, splitting, splintering or termite damage. However, composite decking can be very costly.
Our Home Improvement Partners Hess’ Landscape Nursery is located in Jefferson Hills at 1505 Gill Hall Rd., halfway between Pleasant Hills and Finleyville. The nursery encompasses 5 acres of the area’s largest selection of unique conifers, Japanese maples and ornamental trees and shrubs. Owner Chris Hess has been designing and installing quality residential landscapes since 1984 upon graduating from Penn State University with a degree in ornamental nursery management. Hess’ Landscape Nursery 412.384.8002 • www.hesslandscapenursery.com
In 1987 Inks Installations, a home remodeling business was established by Michael T. Inks. Today, Inks Installations is ranked at the top of the businesses involved in home remodeling. Inks is family owned and operated, serving Allegheny County and the surrounding areas, specializing in bathrooms, kitchens, additions, game rooms, roofing, siding, and other small jobs. For more information call or stop by the showroom! Inks Installations 412.653.0850 • www.inksinstallations.com
Vinyl decking made from Cellular PVC is a great choice for decking because it is essentially resistant to stains, mold, insects and fading. PVC material is low maintenance and is a sustainable building material. But like composite, it can get costly.
ARK Home Improvements has been owned and operated by Tony Konopka and has been Powder coated aluminum decking can be used to create a watertight floor servicing the South Hills area with all phases Home Improvements, Inc. for your deck. This unique material will never splinter, rot or rust. LockDry Home of interior and exterior remodeling, garages Improvements, Inc. Aluminum decking is cool to the touch and is available in five colors. and custom addition renovations. As well Aluminum decking is strong and lightweight. The LockDry system can be Anthony R. Konopka as offering preliminary design consultation used to create a dry space to use under your deck on rainy days. www.arkhomeimp.com and final architectural renderings of a proposed project. We have built an excellent reputation in our 28 years of business and our customer service record is impeccable.
ARK – EST. 1985 –
Specializing in Custom Addition Renovations All Phases For Interior and Exterior Remodeling
244 E. McMurray Road McMurray, PA 15317 Email: arkhome@comcast.net
Office: (724) 942-4222 Cell: (724) 350-6763
ARK 724.942.4222 • www.arkhomeimp.com
Decks can be built right on the ground, or be elevated high in the air, depending on the design of your home. If you are building a deck yourself it is very important to check all local building codes and follow all of the guidelines very closely to ensure the safety and long-term durability of your deck.
John R. Swentosky, owner of Oxford Landscaping, has been providing landscaping/ construction services to the South Hills of Pittsburgh for over 25 years. We are proud to offer an extensive variety of hard and soft scape services to commercial and residential customers. Phone (412) 996-7589. Fax (412) 221-6145. www. oxfordlandscapingpa.com. Follow us on Facebook for project photos and tips. P.L.N.A. Member. Oxford Landscaping 412.996.7589 • www.oxfordlandscapingpa.com
Continued on next page Bethel Park | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 47
Home Improvements In Bethel Park Bringing your family together is often difficult. A family game room is a fantastic way to upgrade your home and bring the family together. Whether you have an unfinished basement, an unused attic room or an empty garage, you can transform it into a fantastic oasis where your family can spend countless enjoyable hours. There are many aspects to making your game room remodel a success. First you should talk to a Design/ Build contractor about water access, waste lines and additional electricity needs. The contractor can also offer advice on any changes that might be necessary to update the space, whether it be additional insulation for a garage or attic room or waterproofing for a basement room. Water access could also be an important aspect if you plan to have a bar or sink area. A Design/Build contractor can offer advice on what needs to be done to make the area completely usable. You might also want to speak with the contractor about creating an additional half bathroom for guests and family members to use when you’re entertaining.
the current electric wiring may not be able to handle the additional demands of a game room. The Design/Build contractor can guide you through what will need to be updated and how much it will cost. If finances are an issue there are definitely still projects you can complete yourself including painting, laying carpet, adding shelves or simply updating the décor. Gone are the days when it was frowned upon to bring work home. Today a home is not a home unless it has a home office. Whether you are turning an extra bedroom into a workspace with store-bought furniture or constructing a full-scale two-level library and office, home offices are a regular part of what makes a house a home in 2013. Making the space your own is essential to effective use of a home office. Create a space that makes you more productive and relaxed at the same time and that is a winning combination. A desk is an essential part of most offices. Choose one that meets your needs. If all you need is a work top to use your laptop from, consider a computer cart and save the space for a comfortable chair or small sofa. If you are in the market for a larger desk, consider office furniture resellers. They sell executive-grade used furniture for a fraction of the cost.
Electricity for lighting and appliances is also incredibly important. If you are updating an unused area of your home,
Bookcases or other storage can be a nice addition. Not only can they store books, but they are also great places to display awards or showcase your favorite collection of nicknacks or memorabilia. Decide whether you prefer furniture pieces or built-ins. Antique shops have great deals on beautiful bookcases, and most local cabinet shops can design and install custom built-ins. If you have a closet in your office, visit your local home center for a plethora of storage and organizing options. A comfortable chair or two is a necessity. Choose long-lasting fabrics and sturdy frames. Go with classic styles that won’t end up as next year’s garage sale item. Test out the chair before you buy it. Desk chairs especially need to provide good support and be comfortable. We live in a society of over-indulgence. Nothing shows this like the home theater. So many popular home magazines have a page dedicated to converting your basement into a home theater, or something similar. The HGTV website has 16 home theater features alone. But how doable is the home theater in reality? First, you need a fairly large space, either a big family room or a basement. Second, you need to budget for all the furnishings including, of course, the stars of the show: home theater equipment – a bigscreen TV, DVD player and speakers – and comfy seating. Also very popular for home theaters is floor and aisle lighting similar to real movie theaters, and 48 724.942.0940 to advertise |
Bethel Park
Our Home Improvement Partners Taylor Rental, a premier rental center, has been serving the Pittsburgh area for 34 years. Our products include canopies, tables, chairs, concession equipment, pipe/drape, staging, contractor’s equipment (Bobcats, excavators), lawn/garden, floor care, plumbing, home improvement, etc. Delivery and pickup service is available. Reservations recommended. We fill propane tanks and motorhomes. New and used equipment for sale, and repair available. Visit our newly renovated showroom. Taylor Rental 412.833.7300 • www.taylorrentalpittsburgh.com
perhaps even an old-fashioned popcorn maker. Frankly, home theaters are generally for those with deep pockets because there really is no way to make a home theater cheaply. Still thinking of taking the plunge? The home improvement website Home Time has a really useful feature on home theater planning. It covers everything you’ll need to consider, like the space you’ll need and even suggested room layouts, to maximize your viewing pleasure. Kitchens are the most popular room in the house to remodel. Many people consider the kitchen to be the center of the home and its most important Continued on page 52
The Bill Flinn Agency in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, started with The ERIE Insurance Group in 1972. Launched from scratch, the $5 million agency now serves 5,500 Policyholders. Now in its second generation, agency principal Jason Flinn continues the philosophy that “service is what we sell.” Bill Flinn Agency 412.833.5351 • www.billflinnagency.com
Provides a full range of remodeling, design, and decorating products since 1995. Locally owned and operated, we offer complimentary initial design service, friendly, knowledgeable staff, and quality professional installation. Products offered include kitchen and bath cabinetry, countertops, tile, hardwood, cork and bamboo flooring, carpet, area rugs, bath fixtures, and wallpaper. Walls, Floors, & More, !nc. 412-344-2400 • www.wallsfloorsandmore.com
Bethel Park | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 49
“THE FIRST THING MOST PEOPLE SAY when they walk through our door is “Wow, I had no idea you had all this!” says Mike Rose, president of Walls, Floors, & More. “They drive down Library Road, sometimes for years, and never know everything that we can do.” Although Walls, Floors, & More has been around over 17 years, the exterior of the building is deceiving. It is pretty surprising to walk through the doors for the first time, because the place is packed with kitchen door samples, bath vanities, tiles hanging on walls around every corner, displays with cabinet hardware---you could quickly get lost, if it weren’t for the warm, friendly decorator that steps in to help guide you. And packed is just the way Mike likes it...“It drives my wife crazy, but I am always adding new things that you just don’t see in Pittsburgh. I want to be able to offer everything to my customers— things they won’t see at the big box stores, or anywhere else. When I am helping someone redo their kitchen or bath, I want them to know they can have it all done here. All the cabinets, countertops, backsplash, flooring, hardware – we take care of all of it. We design it for them, help them pick everything out and then install it for them too. People are pleasantly surprised by our prices. We’re trying to get our customers a beautiful, functional room that is in
their budget and 9 times out of 10, we are able to do that.” Of course, not everyone wants a full design ‘package’ and the designers on staff enjoy helping people with DIY projects who maybe need help with designing and choosing the materials and sizes, but want to install it themselves, or have their own contractor. “Some places don’t even want to deal with someone unless they are doing every part of the project. We aren’t like that—we’ll be glad to help you with any part of your project.” Mike doesn’t stop at kitchens and baths. “We have been doing a lot of basement remodels, which has been really fun, because you can make such a big difference in a individual or family’s lifestyle, by adding a “man-cave.” And of course, we have carpet for every room, wallpaper and we do painting... we really do it all!” he finished, waving his arms. Mike waves his arms a lot, and it’s obvious he loves what he does. He’s been in the business for over 33 years, but still gets excited when new samples come in. “Design has come a long way from where I started, and the prices are better than ever before for good quality. There’s really no reason for people NOT to have a home that is can comfortable and beautiful.” Stop in and let them wow you too!
Don’t Pay More—Get More!
✔ ✔ ✔
Kitchen Remodeling Bath Remodeling Basement Remodeling
• Ceramic/Porcelain Tile • Hardwood/Cork • Laminate Flooring • Carpet • Wallpaper In Stock • Window Coverings • Interior Paint
• Granite Countertops • Quartz Countertops • Backsplashes • Vanities • Sinks/Faucets • Showers/Tubs • Bath Fixtures
Friendly, Helpful Design Service Professional Installation PA Contractor #019085
Home Improvements In Bethel Park component. Another reason it is so popular to remodel is there are so many things in the kitchen that can be remodeled….cabinets, cabinet hardware, countertops, floor, appliances, lighting, walls and sinks. There is very little right or wrong when it comes to remodeling your kitchen; it comes down to personal taste. There are so many choices when it comes to style, design and type of material for every component of your kitchen. When remodeling there is much to consider: cost, what is your goal, what is your situation (pets or small children could help decide what type of flooring to use, for example) and what is the cost vs. equity value of the remodel. If finances are an issue and you are not the handiest individual, there are still many simple and easy things you can do to add pizzazz and value to your kitchen. For example, you can paint your cabinets and add new handles rather than buying new cabinets. Adding a stylish splashguard behind your stove and sink is easy to do and adds great appeal. Painting the walls can also make a huge difference in your kitchen, as can changing the light fixture. If done well, landscaping can completely change the character and perception of a home. Landscaping encompasses anything on the outside
52 724.942.0940 to advertise |
Bethel Park
of the home including grass cutting, plants, flowers, rock, mulch, borders, vegetable gardens and more. Beyond the aesthetics, landscaping can be beneficial to a property if designed properly. Solar heat absorbed through windows and roofs can increase cooling costs, and incorporating shade from landscaping elements can help reduce this solar heat gain. Shading and evapotranspiration (the process by which a plant actively moves and releases water vapor) from trees can reduce surrounding air temperatures as much as 9° F (5°C). Because cool air settles near the ground, air temperatures directly under trees can be as much as 25°F (14°C) cooler than air temperatures above nearby blacktop. Using shade effectively requires you to know the size, shape, and location of the moving shadow that your shading device casts. Also, homes in cool regions may never overheat and may not require shading. Therefore, you need to know what landscape shade strategies will work best in your regional climate and your microclimate. Also, if you can determine how much water your plants actually need, then you won’t overwater them and waste water. It is important to not only understand a plant’s particular watering requirements, but also evapotranspiration.
family and neighbors. Options for outdoor living include outdoor kitchens, dramatic lighting, fireplaces or fire pits, a water feature (like a fountain), outdoor living rooms, gazebos and pavilions. With so many options to choose from, for most people it will come down to price, climate where they live and available space in which to be creative. Evapotranspiration (Et) is the amount of water that is evaporated from the soil and transpired through the plant’s leaves. This amount of water needs to be replaced through watering. If you know your area’s Et rate, you can plan the amount of water to be replaced through irrigation. It’s best to water or irrigate your plants in the early morning when evaporation rates are low. This also provides plants with water before midday when the evaporation rate is the highest. Lighting is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to cast an enchanting spell on any outdoor space. It is also very effective for safety and security purposes. Examples of exterior lighting include: torches, candles, lanterns, solar ground lighting, flood lights, lamp posts, landscape lighting and general light fixtures. For setting a mood the most popular lighting is candles or small lanterns. For security and safety purposes, it is critical to have flood light or lamp posts or ground solar lighting or all. A burglar is much more likely to enter a home without a lot of light on the outside illuminating the property.
Ponds can be a wonderful addition to your property’s outdoor experience. Surprisingly, they are not as difficult to build as one might think. Before you start, call 811 or your local one-call center to have electric and gas lines marked so you know where to dig to steer clear of them. Then, when you map out the location of your pond, put it where it will be noticed – visible from a window, off a patio, or along a walkway – but away from the play areas of small children or pets. Keep clear of major root systems or mature trees, which can block too much of the sunlight plants and fish need. You’ll also need to be within reach of a grounded exterior Continued on next page
With countless styles and options available, there are no right or wrong choices. The outdoor lighting a homeowner will choose will come down to budget and personal preference. Many of us take pride in our homes, investing countless hours rearranging and remodeling the interior. But it can also be refreshing to step out of the confines of the inside and spend some time outside. It’s especially enjoyable during the spring, summer and fall months. When the weather is favorable, it’s difficult to miss out on a nice day outside. But spending time outside doesn’t mean you have to forfeit your creature comforts. With a few small adjustments you can make your outdoor space comfortable and inviting. Turning a yard, patio, porch or other outdoor area into a functional living space can be a rewarding task, and will expand your living space to the outdoors. With the right setup, you can spend more time in the sunshine and fresh air, and host events al fresco for friends, Bethel Park | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 53
Home Improvements In Bethel Park outlet so you can plug in a pump, an essential tool for keeping the water aerated; most pumps come with a maximum cord length of 25 feet, and extension cords are not recommended. You may need to bury the power cord a few inches down in PVC pipe to hide it. Space permitting, you need at least 40 cubic feet for your pond – about 7 feet by 4 feet – to keep the water clean. An initial shallow terrace just inside the perimeter of the pond holds rocks that conceal the liner edge and keep it in place. A second, deeper terrace supports plants that live in the water and help balance the pond’s ecosystem. As you dig, you must slope the sides of the pond so that if the water freezes, the ice will push up instead of against the liner. Even in warmer climates, small ponds can change temperature rapidly, so if you’re adding fish you’ll want a deeper pond that will maintain a more consistent temperature and accommodate the fish – 18 to 24 inches for goldfish and at least 3 feet for koi. To maintain the consistent depth of the water, you need to line the pond. A thin layer of sand
and old newspapers or burlap bags softens the jagged edges of rocks and roots. But over that you will need to put a waterproof skin. There are several types of flexible liners meant for small ponds – made from polypropylene and EPDM, among other materials. Look for one that’s weather-resistant, so it will stand up to UV rays and freezing temperatures. It should also be rated “fish-safe” if you plan to stock your pond and come with a warranty of 10 to 20 years so your pond will be watertight for many years to come. Remodeling your home can generate tremendous equity for the future, as well as personal enjoyment in the present. Remodeling projects come in all shapes, sizes and costs. Projects can range from replacing flooring or a faucet, to installing new trim work or tile and replacing windows and doors. Remodeling can also take on the form of revamping or adding a bathroom, redoing a kitchen, overhauling your home’s exterior for improved curb appeal, or completing an addition to increase your home’s square footage and add valuable space. Big and small changes can both have an impact
INKS
54 724.942.0940 to advertise |
Bethel Park
and will improve the way your home looks and functions, increasing its value and making it more enjoyable for you and your family. The key to any remodeling job is to make sure it makes sense financially. Not all remodeling jobs are cost-effective. For example, it is possible to pay $75,000 for a new addition, but an appraiser may be of the opinion that it only raised the value of your house by $50,000. It is very important that you do as much research as possible and talk to as many experienced professionals as possible so you can make an informed decision about what is best for you.
Financing Remodeling Projects While home sales may be sluggish, home remodels are soaring. In the second quarter of 2011, Americans were expected to spend $132.8 billion on remodeling – up 12.8% over the previous year, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. And it’s no surprise that these projects aren’t Continued on page 56
Industry Insights
Making Renovations?
Insurance Coverage Concerns that you may not know about With spring just around the corner many of us are thinking about doing some home improvement or remodeling, However few stop to consider how important it is to make sure that they have the right amount and type of insurance coverage both during the project, and after. Here are the basics to keep yourself protected, whether it’s a DIY job or one being done by a hired contractor.
that the coverage for your home is accurate. This is especially important if your renovations added any additional square footage to your home. The larger living space in the home will increase the cost to rebuild and this will need to be reflected in the dwelling amount on your policy. In fact some policies require your dwelling coverage to be at 100% of reconstruction cost, so it is important to have this reviewed once your job is complete.
Before starting any major projects at your home consult your home insurance agent first.
If your addition happened to be a swimming pool, hot tub or something more elaborate such as a small tennis or basketball court, you may want to look at increasing your liability on your Based on what you are doing your agent can advise you on how you may home. Also consider purchasing an umbrella policy that need to update your policy and if you need any additional coverage during the project. If you are going to do the work yourself with help from friends be provides a million dollars of liability on top of your homeowner’s aware of your liability in case one of them is injured. You may want to discuss liability for a very affordable cost. raising the medical protection on your policy that will directly pay for injuries sustained by friends working on your property. That way injuries can be paid Remember, when planning your next big project to include your insurance agent. We at the Bill Flinn Agency are here to advise for immediately and can reduce the risk of you being sued. and protect you for all major changes in your life. Whether it be home improvements, marriage, kids or even starting your own If you are taking on a large project by yourself that will involve a new construction on the home, you may need a builder’s risk policy which would contracting business; we are here to help. be a separate policy, or in the case of some homeowner’s policies coverage If you are interested in our home improvement coverage can be added to the policy as an endorsement. This type of coverage will checklist go to www.Billflinnagency.com/renovate or give us a take into account the additional risks of construction, including the theft of call at 412-833-5351. building materials that you have purchased. It is extremely important to discuss with your agent what your homeowner’s will and will not cover and This INdustry INsight was provided by Jason Flinn at The Bill Flinn Agency. what coverage may be need to be added when you take on new construcFor over 40 years The Bill Flinn Agency has been tion by yourself. serving the Bethel Park and South Hills communities. Since opening our doors in 1972 our mission has been to treat our customers by the golden rule. Learn more about us at www.billflinnagency.com, or stop by our office on South Park Road in the heart of Bethel.
Having a contractor do the work? Make sure they are properly insured. If you are having a professional come in to do the work don’t assume that your insurance responsibilities end there. Your home is your most important possession, and if anyone is going to be working on it they need to have the coverage to take care of damage from a job gone wrong. It is very important to verify that anyone working on your home be properly insured, and to not just take their word for it. Ask your contractor to have his or her agent send you a certificate of insurance for their company, and be sure it comes directly from the agent. The certificate will show you the types and amounts of liability coverage they currently have. What you want to see is a general liability with at least a million in liability coverage and if they have employees, a workers’ compensation policy. If they don’t have employees and use subcontractors or “trade contractors” make sure that you obtain certificates for them as they are independent contractors as well, and need their own insurance coverage if they are going to work in your home. If a contractor will not provide a certificate for you, no matter how small the job, it’s in your best interest to find another contractor. One mis-wired switch could burn your entire house down, so be sure that anyone working in your home has the proper coverage to protect you . Update your valuation on your insurance once the job is done. Once the job is finished be sure to have your agent run a reconstruction cost estimator for you, based on the changes you have made. This will make sure
Most homes are
underinsured by an average of 19% *
Do you have enough coverage to rebuild? Company A $47,000 Underinsured
Erie Insurance 100% Guaranteed
Company B $51,000 Underinsured
Company C $38,000 Underinsured
Bill Flinn Agency Inc 2754 South Park Rd Bethel Park, PA 15102-3806 www.billflinnagency.com
412-833-5351
*64% of homes are undervalued—and potentially underinsured—by 19%, according to Marshall & Swift/Boeckh, a leading provider of building cost data to real estate professionals. **ErieSecure HomeSM with Guaranteed Replacement Cost requires home improvements over $5,000 to be reported within 90 days. Coverage of costs to comply with laws or ordinances is subject to limits. Depreciation may be deducted until repair or replacement is made. Visit www.eriesecurehome.com/details or talk to your ERIE Agent for more information. Not all companies are licensed to operate in all states. Go to erieinsurance.com for company licensure and territory information. Equal opportunity insurer. S1420b 5/12
Home Improvements In Bethel Park cheap. In fact, the same studies report that 57% of home-remodeling projects cost at least $20,000. Since saving your pennies in a pickle jar is probably not enough to update your master bathroom with a slate walk-in shower or add granite countertops to your kitchen, explore these options to finance your new-and-improved home.
In return for an interest rate that may go up or down, the interest rate often is slightly higher than a traditional CD when you buy it. You make a low minimum deposit and lock in your money for a fixed time – usually at least six or 12 months. If you withdraw your funds before then, you pay penalties and lose the interest.
Open a Home Equity Line of Credit What it’s good for: Long-term projects that can be paid off over five or fewer years.
Purchase a Variable-Rate CD What it’s good for: Projects that can wait until a fixed time in the future with a price tag you can pay by saving. If you plan to pay for the kitchen of your dreams the old-fashioned way – by saving for it – consider a variable-rate certificate of deposit. This savings vehicle is similar to a traditional savings account in that you can add money to it at any time (a fixed-rate CD does not allow additional deposits during the term of the CD).
The beauty of using the equity in your home is that you write yourself checks from a line of credit and pay interest on only what you borrow. Plus, the interest is typically tax deductible. While current low interest rates add to the allure, these credit lines can be tough to come by in this climate of lowered home values and tight credit. When interest rates rise, your home improvement project may become more expensive than you anticipated.
Refinance Your Home What it’s good for: Larger projects for a home you plan to live in for the long term. A “cash-out” refinance allows you to refinance your mortgage for an amount that is larger than your current mortgage. You get the difference in a check – effectively rolling the sum into a newly financed 15- or 30-year mortgage. This can be an attractive option, as mortgage rates have hovered at historic lows in recent years. The downsides include closing fees that can be in the thousands of dollars. Plus, the threshold to qualify, including income and home-value requirements, can be high – both of which can pose a challenge in this economy.
Return on your Investment Thinking about adding a deck or revamping the kitchen so you can up the price of your home before you sell? You might want to crunch the 2010-11 Cost vs. Value numbers, compiled by Remodeling magazine, before you do.
Project with lowest rate of return on investment • • • •
Home office remodel (46%) Sunroom addition (49%) Bathroom addition (53%) Garage addition (59%)
The data includes national and regional averages on over 20 common home improvement projects ranging from kitchens and baths to roofs and decks. Data for both midrange and upscale projects is provided on: • • • •
Average cost of project. Added resale value. Percentage of investment recouped. Change from last year’s report.
The above numbers assume you’re hiring out the labor on the project. If it’s a do-it-yourself project, and you do a good job, the rate of return on your investment will be higher. Unless you plan on doing the work yourself, or not doing the project makes your house undesirable or unsellable, most home improvement projects will return less from your investment than you put in, so you might want to consider staying in your home a while to enjoy the results of your improved home! 56 724.942.0940 to advertise |
Bethel Park
business spotlight
Low Maintenance, Single-Level Living Comes to Cecil Township
M
owing, shoveling or mulching should not fit into the “important” or “celebrate” category of one’s life. For this reason, Epcon Homes and Communities has introduced its newest, low-maintenance community, Mission Hills, to Cecil Township. “We offer a low-maintenance life-style and home to those who are looking to simplify,” says Lisa Scarmazzi, who along with her husband Paul, are owners of Hawthorne Partners, Inc., the Pittsburgh-based Epcon franchisee. “Our residents range from active retirees and single-again adults to young professionals; anyone looking for more time to do the things they want to do, not have to do!” If you’re not familiar with Epcon’s style of high quality, single-level living homes, you won’t have to go far– they have developed seven communities in the area and have providing over 300 families with the low-maintenance lifestyle they desire. Their unparalleled commitment to affording homeowners with a more carefree choice of home ownership has earned Hawthorne Partners the prestigious Guidmaster with Distinction Award, a national recognition for exemplary customer satisfaction, for the past seven years. The EnergyStar carriage/patio homes at Mission Hills range in size from approximately 1,600 to 1,900 square feet. Each home features two bedrooms, two baths, large, open living, dining and kitchen space, laundry room and an oversized 2.5 car garage. Outdoor living is enhanced by a private courtyard or deck, visible from all rooms of the home. Both slab and walk-out basement homes are offered at Mission Hills. Additional
bedroom, bath and entertaining area is available in a basement home, adding approximately 1,000 square feet of finished living space. The exterior of the homes at Mission Hills feature craftsman style architecture with tapered columns, shakes, siding and stone accents. The community is located on a private cul de sac, eliminating drivethrough traffic. A monthly maintenance fee covers lawn services for each homeowner, including mowing, shoveling and seasonal mulching. The homes at Mission Hills are built to an EnergyStar® version 3 rating, resulting in long-term utility savings and enhanced comfort for homeowners. In addition, Epcon has partnered with Owens Corning and is the only builder in Western Pa to build homes with the EnergyComplete™ whole home sealing and insulation system, which Scarmazzi describes as “an effective gasket seal around the entire home.” Two homes, the Palazzo and Portico, are offered at Mission Hills. Pricing starts at $237,900 for a slab home and $263,000 for a basement home. There will be a total of just 44 homes built in the community, with more than 70 percent now sold in Phase I. A Palazzo walk-out basement model home is featured at Mission Hills which is located at 726 Mission Hills Drive, Canonsburg, Pa 15317, just off of Ohare Road in Cecil Township. As part of Hawthorne Partners’ commitment to giving back, a monetary donation is made in each new homeowner’s name to the charity of their choice upon the closing of their new home. To date, thousands of dollars have been given to local and national charities through Epcon’s Give Back Program. For more information on Mission Hills, call 724.223.1844 or visit www.EpconMissionHills.com.
Bethel Park | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 57
Community Interests
BPHS Students
Head to PMEA Concert Eleven Bethel Park High School students successfully auditioned and were selected to play in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association’s District Band Concert, which was held on January 26 at Baldwin High School. Representing Bethel Park in this event was seniors Lucas Beaver (bassoon), Sharyn Braff (trombone),Travis Butler (percussion), Stephanie Carter (flute) and Alex Light (alto saxophone). Also participating in the concert were juniors Tori Chorey (E-flat soprano clarinet), Olivia Dowd (alto clarinet), Phoebe Gorges (French horn), Jonathon Griffith (tenor saxophone), Mary Hannah Swaney (flute) and sophomore Joe Beaver (trumpet). The students are taught by Bethel Park High School Band Director Chad Thompson.
58 724.942.0940 to advertise |
Bethel Park
(Front row, left to right): Tori Chorey, Sharyn Braff, Phoebe Gorges, Stephani e Carter, Mary Hannah Swaney and Olivia Dow d; (back row, left to right): Alex Light, Jonathon Griffith, Joe Beaver, Lucas Beaver and Travis Butler.
Industry Insights
Caring for Aging Parents:
Don’t Wing It My 88 year old mother and I are having dinner at DeLallo’s Restaurant. We are comfortable at the bar while we wait for our table to be ready. Mom orders a “Dr. Morgan” and diet Coke. Todd, the wisest bartender in the world, winks at me and reaches for the “Captain Morgan.” I smiled and recognized how lucky I am to still have my mother to enjoy. As the boomers and their parents’ age, more and more family members are managing eldercare responsibilities. The emotional, physical and financial demands of caring for aging parents can be extensive. What’s more, the healthcare needs of aging parents can become overwhelmingly expensive — and may include costs that affect their family members in ways that aren’t immediately apparent. Healthcare and finances aren’t easy topics for many families to broach. In fact, research from the Money Across Generations IISM study shows that 36 percent of boomers’ parents feel that healthcare discussions with their family members are likely or very likely to create tension or spark an argument. Having a long-term road map and a savings plan in place can help you care for your parents in the way they desire while enabling you to continue working towards your financial goals. This can be helpful in making informed short-term decisions, especially when there are unexpected expenses and emotions involved.
To get started: • Talk about finances now. While it may be uncomfortable for your parents to discuss their finances with you, it’s essential that you are familiar with their financial strategy and resources. This includes knowing what type of medical, disability and long-term care insurance they have and what those policies cover. Use this information – along with if and how much you’re willing to help from your own funds – to evaluate which healthcare options are realistically within reach when medical needs arise. • Create a contact list. Medical emergencies and sudden changes in a person’s health can happen as parents’ age. Because you may eventually need access to your parents’ bank accounts and other financial resources on short notice, make sure they’ve compiled a list of account numbers, computer login names and passwords, and the names, addresses and phone numbers of the professionals they work with. In addition to knowing the location of the list, you’ll also need to know the location of important financial and legal documents and lockbox keys. • Identify current healthcare costs and needs. Become familiar with the medical and pharmaceutical costs that your parent(s) currently incur and determine if there are ways to reduce these expenses. For example, you or your parents may consider moving from a name brand to a generic prescription or, instead of filling prescriptions at your local pharmacy, ordering a long-term supply from a mail-order provider. • Build a support network. Talk with siblings or other family members, neighbors and industry professionals to determine who can help you care for your aging parents — and in what capacity and at what cost. Proactively establishing a support network can help you avoid a strain on your time and energy down the road. • Anticipate future lifestyle changes and challenges. Even if they aren’t yet needed, explore the costs of in-home, senior apartment, assisted living and memory care housing and services, as well as the costs of having a parent live with you. This includes determining whether your home would need to be modified to provide additional space or comforts, such as wheelchair access. Understanding these costs ahead of time can help you identify what you and your parents can afford and will give you time to consider the pros and cons of each option. • Become familiar with assistance programs. Your parents may qualify for government programs, supplements or services. Visit the government hosted benefits site — www.Govbenefits.gov — for information. Also, your county or city has a federally-mandated Area Agency on Aging staffed by professionals who can provide you with information about elder programs and services in your area. • Keep your retirement goals in mind. Continue to manage your budget and save for your future. Be mindful that leaving the workforce even temporarily,
may seem tempting — and in some cases may be necessary — but exiting and re-entering affects your immediate income and can impact your ability maintain your earning power. What’s more, it can impact your ability to take advantage of an employer-sponsored retirement plan. Consider these factors when you evaluate the total costs of any option. • Know your rights at work. The Federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) allows covered employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to provide care for a family member with a serious health condition. If you are caring for a parent, inform your Human Resources department about your situation to take advantage of this legal protection, if relevant, and create a workable plan within your company’s policies. Thinking about caring for an ill or aging parent isn’t always easy to do, but creating a plan now can save you headaches down the road when new circumstances may suddenly arise as your parents age. Consider working with a financial advisor who can help you plan for unexpected expenses and prepare for the costs of healthcare during your own retirement. This Industry Insight was written by Dan Martin, a Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in Pittsburgh, PA. He specializes in financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for since 1976 with Ameriprise Financial (formerly American Express Financial Advisors). Contact Dan’s office at 412-831-6240 extension 208, located at 88 Fort Couch Road, Suite 210, Pittsburgh, PA 15241. Advisor is licensed/registered to do business with U.S. residents only in the states of PA, OH, WV, AZ, CA, CT, FL, IL, IN, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NV, NY, OR, SC, TX, and VA. Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2012 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.
Take the guesswork out of your retirement plan. Discover how our proprietary Confident Retirement® approach can help answer questions you may have about your retirement, like: When will I be able to retire? How do I make the most of the money I have? How can I leave a lasting legacy to my loved ones? Call me today and learn how you can get on track to retire with confidence. Daniel E Martin Financial Advisor 88 Fort Couch Rd Ste 210 Pittsburgh, PA 15241 412-831-6240 daniel.e.martin@ampf.com www.ameripriseadvisors.com/daniel.e.martin
Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Confident Retirement is not a guarantee of future financial results. © 2012 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.
Bethel Park | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 59
RESIDENT Profile
Bethel Park Native April Brucker is
Born to
Perform By Matthew J. Fascetti
W
hen April Brucker was growing up in Bethel Park she was extremely creative, so she knew she was not going to take a traditional path through life. At age 11, after her family watched ventriloquists perform on TV, her parents and brother tried to mimic what they saw and were unable. Brucker tried and performed it perfectly. Soon after, her mother bought her first ventriloquist doll and the rest is history. While perhaps best known as a ventriloquist, Brucker also performs traditional stand-up comedy and is an actress, writer and voice artist now based in the heart of New York City. In the big city she can let her creative side flourish through a variety of outlets. The multitalented Brucker has appeared at well-known clubs throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. She has also had many television appearances such as “The Last Comic Standing 5,” “The Rachael Ray Show,” “Talk Soup,” “Pix with Jeff Foxworthy,” TLC’s “My Strange Addiction,” the “Today Show,” “Entertainment Tonight,” “Inside Edition,” “The Joy Behar Show” and more. Currently Brucker works with 11 different ventriloquist dolls, each having its own personality. Characters include a clown, a gold digger, chef and opera singer, storefront preacher, rabbit in a hat, Pauly the Parrot, Sonny the Frat Boy, a police officer, a dragon, a “Don Juan” and a mother. In addition to being an accomplished live entertainer, Brucker hosts, writes, and produces “Storytime with April and Friends.” This children’s show features Brucker and sidekick Sweetie Pie (an absent-minded six-year-old clown puppet) reading bedtime stories to children worldwide. 60 724.942.0940 to advertise |
Bethel Park
It is amazing to see what a 2003 graduate of Bethel Park High School has been able to accomplish. Brucker is quick to thank her family. “My family was always very supportive of my career,” she says. “They encouraged my creative side.” It also features Cinnamon Toast (a chef who insists on putting cinnamon on everything), Ham Piglet (an agoraphobic actor) and Mr. Fox (a fox who is always hungry). The show airs in 36 states, six countries and online… and is even listed in the New York City TV Guide. Storytime was the first American program in South Korea’s Public TV library and is broadcast on public television in Capetown, South Africa. But one of her most remarkable achievements has been performing live at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto where her performance was broadcast citywide. Brucker’s latest endeavor is a book she just released entitled I Came, I Saw, I Sang: Memoirs of a Singing Telegram Delivery Girl. The book is a fun and delightful tale about her adventures delivering singing telegrams in New York City. It is also sort of a love letter to the town and a story of how someone can make it in “the greatest city in the world.” Brucker still performs singing telegrams in New York for Big Apple Singing Telegrams. She is also currently working on a musical based on her book, in which the main character is graduating college and looking for a job in the city. Brucker is looking for a composer for the musical and shopping it around the city. Despite her hectic schedule marketing her book, working on the musical, delivering singing telegrams and other creative ventures, she still finds time to perform stand-up comedy a few nights a week. It is amazing to see what a 2003 graduate of Bethel Park High School has been able to accomplish. Brucker is quick to thank her family. “My family was always very supportive of my career,” she says. “They encouraged my creative side.” She also said she loves Pittsburgh, but with her busy schedule she doesn’t get back as much as she would like – usually only for Thanksgiving, Christmas and one or two other times each year. When the 28-year-old was asked where she sees herself years down the road, she didn’t hesitate with an answer: “I will always be a creative person and an artist, whether it is singing, writing, producing or ventriloquism. I think I would be open to a family someday if the right guy came along. But right now I am focused on my career and
not even thinking about that.” You can check out Brucker on Facebook and follow her blog at www.missaprilb.blogspot. com. Her book, I Came, I Saw, I Sang: Memoirs of a Singing Telegram Delivery Girl, is available
through Infinity Publishing or online at www. buybooksontheweb.com or at www.amazon. com, where it is available in paper or as an eBook. ¿
Bethel Park | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 61
Business Spotlight
Protecting You
and Your Assets
State Farm Agent Lori Stopperich, CPCU, CLU, ChFC, CASL
F
or nearly 20 years, Lori Stopperich has been working in the insurance and financial services industry. So when Bethel Park agent Don Koenig passed away last summer, she was a natural candidate to take on his clients and open an agency of her own. “Don was beloved in the community and losing him left a huge hole for everyone,” Stopperich said. “We may have moved the location of the agency, but we are continuing the same outstanding services and availability to our clients.” That new location at 5727 Library Road; Suite 1, offers free, onsite parking in a central location, and allows Stopperich and her staff to conveniently serve even more of the community. “I have four people on my team, and each one brings something unique to the table,” Stopperich said. “Amy specializes in auto and home insurance; Lauren specializes in life and health insurance; Amanda specializes in bank products, and Cindy is our customer service specialist.” Stopperich holds four distinct insurance and financial services designations. She is a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), a Chartered Life Insurance Underwriter (CLU), a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), and a Chartered Advisor for Senior Living (CASL) which gives her an unique advantage to insure and assist with your financial needs throughout your life .
62 724.942.0940 to advertise |
Our mission is that we are always striving to protect our clients, their income and their livelihood.
We are a one-stop shop, and we pride ourselves in exceeding all of our clients’ needs and expectations.
“I’ve always believed in continuing my education after I graduated from college, and it’s prepared me to help the clients we have today,” she said. “I can assist more people in more ways through the training and designations that I hold, which is very rewarding for me personally.” Stopperich specializes in all insurance needs, offering client’s solutions for auto, home and renters insurance; life and health insurance; bank products such as vehicle loans, savings accounts, CDs, and credit cards; and retirement, financial, and estate planning. “Our mission is that we are always striving to protect our clients, their income and their livelihood,” Stopperich said. “We are a one-stop shop, and we pride ourselves in exceeding all of our clients’ needs and expectations. I have a
Bethel Park
friendly and energetic team and, together, we look after our clients. I am more than an agent. I am here to protect you when times get tough.” New to the community, Stopperich said she is currently pursuing ways to get more involved in Bethel Park. Whether sponsoring school teams or community events, Stopperich said she definitely wants people to know that she is in Bethel Park for the long haul. Lori and her team want to be more than just another business in the community – they are also your neighbors. For more information on Lori Stopperich and the services that she and her team can offer you, call 412.835.7139, or go to www. insuremelori.com for her hours and helpful tools to help you get started realizing your insurance and financial needs. If you are a current client or just like to promote Bethel Park, you can “Like” Lori Stopperich on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Lori StopperichStateFarmAgent.
Lori and her team: Lauren, Amy, and Cindy. Missing from photo: Amanda.
B u sin e ss Directory Sundays: 9 am & 11 am, 6 pm Wednesdays: 7 pm BAY REVIVAL APRIL 18 & 19: 7pm/ APRIL 19: 10am/ APRIL 21: 9 & 11am
South Hills Assembly
2725 Bethel Church Road, Bethel Park PA 15102 412.835.8900 w w w . s o u t h h i l l s a s s e m b l y . o r g
Dr. Jack C. Stepp
FULLY STAFFED & EQUIPPED NURSERIES ARE AVAILABLE DURING SERVICES
LEAD PASTOR
B u sin e ss Directory
WE ASKED,
YOU ANSWERED
64 724.942.0940 to advertise |
Bethel Park
The faces of experience at
NORTHWOOD Energetic, approachable agents. Industry leading technology. Unique neighborhood offices. Innovative, easy-to-use website. All delivered with the same legendary service you’ve come to expect over the past 50 years.
Welcome to the New Face of Northwood.
Upper St. Clair Office 412-831-0100 1797 N. Highland Road • Pittsburgh, PA 15241 Ann & Karena Allsopp 412.979.5056
Karen Auffenberg 412.303.0046
w w w. n o r t h w o o d . c o m
Janet Caputo
Carri Czyzewski
412.980.6025
412.526.5581
Bonnie Detwiler
Jeff Earley
412.298.6646
412.225.4553
Mary Lou Enrietto
Dan Gillette
Therese Hoetzlein
Mark Gualazzi
Darlene Kruth
Bill Matyger
412.885.8530
412.403.7071
412.606.4702
412.855.0065
412.874.0415
412.951.1005
Marlene McNaughton
Kathi Messinger
412.537.7333
412.414.2199
Marilyn Mielnicki
Maria Poliacek
Kris Price
Judi Scheidler
412.559.5661
412.654.8195
Diane Miller
Dennis Moorcroft
412.377.3422
412.759.0137
412.302.7022
Audrey & Frank Wadsworth
Claudia Wagner
Jim Wihelm
Lyn Wood
412.303.3315
412.537.0154
412.498.0223
412.595.3037
412.983.5671
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PITTSBURGH, PA PERMIT NO. 887