IN Shaler by IN Community Magazines

SPECIAL: Shaler Home Improvement

SPRING 2013

ALSO INSIDE! Shaler Area School DIstrict Township of Shaler

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Shal SPECIAL:

ent Improvem er Home

IN Shaler is a non-partisan community publication dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the people of the Shaler Area 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.

2013 SPRING

INSIDE

Area Shaler to takes

Space... and Beyond!

IN Shaler | SPRING 2013 | INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Edward Jones Become Familiar with Wealth-Transfer Strategies ........................ | 3

Perman Funeral Home Under One Roof ....................................... | 57 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS

Band Fronts’ Friend Equipment and apparel for colorguards, majorettes, dancers and cheerleaders ....... | 16

Cable Orthodontics A Story with a Happy Ending

ON THE COVER

Shaler Area Elementary School’s new and one-of-a-kind spaceship/submarine/ adventure simulator (the IKS Titan) is ready for its maiden voyage.

UPMC TODAY Health and Wellness News You Can Use | Spring 2013

What’s Inside 2 3 4

Surviving a Stroke With FAST Action Hope and Healing A Healing Touch Food in a Glass

5 6 7

Clinical Trials Can Change Lives Depression and Older Adults Taking Steps to Prevent Falls What’s Happening at UPMC St. Margaret

COMMUNITY INTEREST

New Advanced Treatment for Skin Cancer ..................

Shaler Area School District ..............................................

Shaler Area Tech Ed Department is Ready for Projects ............................................................

Local Resident Shines ‘Ray of Hope’ on Victims of Hurricane Sandy .........................................

Fifth Annual Shalerpalooza ...............................................

UPMC Today l Health and Wellness News You Can Use ....

Township of Shaler ...............................................................

Crawford Pool Application ................................................

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Tomosynthesis Offers Women Greater Detection of Breast Abnormalities ................

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Shaler North Hills Library Information

Home Improvement in Shaler

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INPERSPECTIVE STAFF

Welcome to the spring issue of Shaler 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 homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

Summer content deadline: May 16th

Become Familiar with Wealth-transfer Strategies To retire comfortably, you need to save and invest regularly. For example, you need to contribute as much as you can afford to your 401(k) and IRA. But once you retire, you’ll need to “switch gears” somewhat and move from wealth-accumulation strategies to wealth-transfer strategies. An effective wealth-transfer strategy can help you accomplish a variety of goals, such as distributing your assets the way you choose, avoiding probate and reducing estate taxes. And you can explore a variety of wealth-transfer tools, including the following: • Gifting — You can give up to $13,000 per year to as many people as you’d like without incurring gift taxes. And if you want to help a child or grandchild pay for college through a 529 college savings plan, you can “bunch” the $13,000 limit over five years to make one $65,000 gift, or one $130,000 gift if it comes from you and your spouse. (If you group the contributions together this way, you won’t be able to make another $13,000 gift to that same child or grandchild for the next five years.) • Will — A will is simply a plan for distributing your assets to family members and other beneficiaries. If you were to die intestate (without a will), state laws would determine how your assets should be distributed — and there’s no guarantee that the end result would be what you would have chosen. • Beneficiary designations — Many of your financial assets — including annuities, life insurance, IRAs and 401(k) plans — allow you to name a beneficiary. Upon your death, your beneficiary will automatically receive these assets, avoiding the sometimes time-consuming, expensive (and public) process of probate. Because beneficiary designations supersede any instructions you might put in a will or living trust, it’s essential that you periodically review these designations to make sure they reflect your current wishes.

• Trusts — Different trusts can help you accomplish a variety of wealth-transfer and estate-planning goals. For example, a revocable living trust can help you leave assets to your heirs without going through probate. You can also structure the trust to stagger payments over a number of years, rather than all at once, or include other restrictions or incentives. An irrevocable life insurance trust allows you to keep the death benefit of your life insurance policy outside your estate, so the insurance proceeds won’t increase your estate tax liability. And a charitable remainder trust allows you to transfer an appreciated asset — such as a stock or piece of real estate — to a charitable trust, thereby allowing you to defer or even avoid capital gains taxes on the sale of the asset. Plus, the trust can provide you with a lifetime income stream while the remainder of the assets can be distributed to your favorite charities. As you can see, trusts are versatile instruments — but they are also complex. Consequently, you’ll need to consult with your tax and legal advisors regarding your particular situation. In fact, all the wealth-transfer techniques we’ve looked at will require some careful thought and preparation on your part — so don’t wait too long before getting started. Time has a way of sneaking up on all of us — but it’s especially sneaky when we’re unprepared. This article was written by Edward Jones on behalf of your Edward Jones financial advisor. Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. You should consult with a qualified tax or legal specialist for professional advice on your specific situation.

Matt Dudkowski, AAMS l Financial Advisor l 412.487.3300 l matt.dudkowski@edwardjones.com 1007 Mt. Royal Blvd. l Pittsburgh, PA 15223 l www.edwardjones.com Matt Dudkowski has been a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones since 2002, serving individual investors in the Pittsburgh area from his Shaler Township office. Since joining Edward Jones, Dudkowski has obtained the professional designation of AAMS. Prior to Edward Jones, Dudkowski, as a CPA, worked at the H.J. Heinz Company, and as a Senior Consultant and Auditor for Ernst & Young LLP. He currently serves on the board of directors for Community Health Challenge, a local non-profit. He is a native of Butler County and graduated from the University of Notre Dame. He resides in Gibsonia with his wife, two sons, and daughter.

Shaler | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 3

New Advanced Treatment for Skin Cancer Patricia Sinicki found a scratch on her nose back in 2010 and didn’t think much of it. “I thought that one of my cats had scratched me,” she said. At the time, she was undergoing total knee reconstruction followed by physical therapy, so she didn’t have time to really worry about that scratch. As time went on, however, the scratch continued to get worse. Her primary care physician referred her to a dermatologist who biopsied the lesion and confirmed the diagnosis: basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer, according to Melissa Pugliano-Mauro, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at UPMC St. Margaret and Mohs surgeon. “I have a strong family history of skin cancer, so my primary care physician had prepared me for this type of diagnosis,” Sinicki explained. Fortunately for Sinicki, her dermatologist referred her to Hakeem Sam, MD, PhD, director, Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery at UPMC Presbyterian and in April 2012, she underwent Mohs surgery, a procedure performed for skin cancer that offers the highest potential cure rate; 99 percent. During the surgery, Dr. Sam removed layers of tumor until it was gone. Sinicki now ranks among that 99 percent, and though she continues to visit Dr. Sam regularly for follow-up, she feels very happy with the progress she has made. “I just look at it as one more thing in my life that I have conquered,” she said. Physicians have been performing Mohs surgery for more than 50 years, according to Dr. Sam, with the majority of procedures done on non-melanoma cancers on the head and neck, specifically the areas of skin around the eyes, nose, mouth, lips, and ears. There also is a type of melanoma, called melanoma insitu, on which Mohs surgery is effective.

Dr. Sam explained that the procedure is done in stages, or layers, of tumor removal and is performed under local anesthetic. “We remove a layer of tumor along with a small margin of surrounding healthy tissue and examine it under a microscope. If, upon examination, which can take up to one hour, we find more cancer, we remove another layer. This process is repeated until all of the cancer is removed. This is the most conservative way of removing the entire tumor while still leaving behind as much healthy tissue as possible.” When that part of the surgery is finished, reconstruction begins, and that could be as simple as side-to-side closures or as extensive as flaps and grafts. In cases where the tumor is more extensive, the patient also may be referred to appropriate specialists. “Patients can go home the same day with a pressure dressing applied to the surgical area,” Dr. Sam said. “Pain is primarily managed with over-the-counter medications, though patients who experience more pain can be given a prescription.” More than 3.5 million people in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer annually, Dr. Pugliano-Mauro said, and one in five will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas are the most common types of skin cancer, with basal cell being the most common out of the two, and melanoma is the deadliest form. “There are similar risk factors for both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers, and those include fair skin complexion, a lot of outdoor sun exposure, or the use of indoor tanning beds, which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently determined are linked to melanoma,” Dr. Pugliano-Mauro explained. “The most effective way to prevent skin cancer is to limit sun exposure. We also strongly advise using sunscreen labeled ‘broad spectrum and water resistant’ and with an SPF of at least 30. Sunscreen should be applied every two hours or more often after swimming or sweating.” To learn more about skin cancer and Mohs micrographic surgery, visit UPMC.com/skincancerprogram or call 855-SKN-SPOT (855-756-7768).

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Shaler Area School District

A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

Dear Shaler Area Friends and Families, This is a great time to be a Titan. Our students and staﬀ are meeting and exceeding our expectations in academic competitions, regional and state honors band, orchestra, and chorus, athletics, and community based projects. Several teachers have been nominated for Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year. Our leadership team is moving the district to excellence! This year we have tackled major changes to our curriculum in math and English/Language Arts. We are piloting a new, state-wide teacher and principal evaluation process, and we are transitioning from the PSSA tests to the Keystone Exams at the high school. Times like these are very exciting for a school district. One of our most exciting projects that we have undertaken this year is the IKS TITAN. Through an $80,000 grant from the Grable Foundation, we have created the most unique and exciting learning experience for our upper elementary students. The IKS TITAN is a unique classroom experience like no other. Our students are immersed in flight simulation “missions” that integrate science, technology, social studies, health and wellness, and math with problem solving and teamwork. Teams of 16 students must apply what they are learning in their classrooms to their mission. They must work collaboratively to make sure they all complete the mission safely! The end result is that the students demonstrate their learning in the most unique learning atmosphere imaginable. Keep your eye on Shaler Area School District. We’re moving in the right direction. Our students are among the some of the highest achievers in the region. Our teachers are among the best in the state. Our curriculum, classroom instruction, and student achievement are on a path to excellence and innovative ideas are putting our district on the map as a great place to live and learn. Great things are happening in Shaler Area every day! Go Titans! Dr. Shipley

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Shaler Area School District

Shaler Area takes to Space, and Beyond! For months the sound of hammers and the smell of sawdust have filled our halls. Now the rumble of powerful engines and excited voices are heard. Over the past year, “What is going on in there?” has been a common question at Shaler Area Elementary School. After a great deal of planning, building and waiting, the culmination of this incredible project is finally here. Through an impressive public-private partnership with a local technology company, what was once a mundane classroom has been completely transformed into an amazing themed learning environment unlike any other. Shaler Area Elementary School’s new and one-of-a-kind spaceship/submarine/adventure simulator (the IKS Titan) is ready for its maiden voyage, and our lucky kids get to be its inaugural crews. The ship is the inaugural installation of Dream Flight Adventures™ and is part of the fictitious “Infinity Knights,” the renowned protectors of peace and justice throughout the universe, who are called upon exciting missions to solve problems and accomplish tasks virtually anywhere in space and time. Each of the 16 members of the crew is individually responsible for the technological controls of their own work station but will also have to be creative, independent thinkers and proficient communicators in order for their missions to be successful. Upon entering the former classroom, students enter a briefing area that is designed to give the members of the crew their final instructions before they embark on their mission. The missions vary by the grade level of the students and the topics that they are studying in their regular classes. Each Dream Flight Adventures™ mission blends crucial standards-based STEM (Science Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) topics; material from history, literature, and the humanities; and

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thought-provoking social or ethical issues. This creates a richly educational experience with a strong emotional impact, making a memory that remains with our students for their lifetimes. During the simulations, crews of students step out of the world run by adults and enter a new universe where their own decisions determine the fate of the universe. Each team must work together to accomplish its mission; no one person can do it alone. Each crew has a Captain, who is in charge of making command decisions; a First Officer, who is in charge of maintaining order among the crew; a Doctor, who protects the health of the crew; a Biologist, who splices genes to create new creatures; a Hacker, who acts as a computer specialist; a team of engineers, security guards, and much more! The crew must use their left and right brains to come up with creative solutions to urgent problems. “Shields up!”, “Deck Chief, run a Bio scan of that planet”, “Captain, we are receiving a message from an unidentified source.” and “Communications Officer, please contact the Orion Base.” are often heard outside the simulator. The stakes are high, and the clock is ticking! Even though the project has just recently launched, many of our students have had the chance to participate in the testing of the simulator’s software—which was developed right here in the Pittsburgh area. Words cannot express how positive the feedback has been! The kids cannot contain their enthusiasm for bringing this exciting experience to life. But the excitement is not confined to just the students. This project has made Shaler Area a pioneer of innovative education and there is a great deal of interest from many other school districts and leaders in the field of education. This entire project was funded by a generous grant from the Grable Foundation and its director, Gregg Behr. The official launch of the IKS Titan was held on March 20th and was very well attended by school district administrators, Carnegie Science Center leaders and members of the media. We’re thrilled to have this adventure within our own walls, and we look forward to letting the whole community’s dreams take flight.

Shaler Area School District

Educational expectations are on the rise from the national and state levels with the adoption of the Common Core Standards, Keystone Exams at the secondary level (Algebra 1, Biology and Literature), Educator Eﬀectiveness (a more rigorous and in-depth teacher evaluation system in Pennsylvania), and the increasing accountability for our State testing requirements with the PSSA. To meet each of these initiatives with success and to transform the daily educational practices, it is requiring districts all around to sharpen their focus and put their nose By: Mrs. Kara Eckert to the grindstone. SASD Assistant to the Superintendent Shaler Area isn’t exempt from these major shifts, and we have been working diligently on fine-tuning our plan to change the culture of learning in our schools K-12. The type of classroom that many adults recall of their educational experience, will not adequately prepare our current and incoming students for their futures. The students of this era are entering our schools with a diﬀerent capacity of learning styles and base-knowledge. These children are coming into our schools immersed in technology usage, but the current state of our classrooms asks them to power-down. To ensure that we are meeting our students’ needs and learning levels, we must have an open-mind to the tools and resources that are easily accessible to our students across grades K-12. We are in the midst of the most transformational time the world of education has experienced in our lifetime, and we must seize the opportunity for change to happen. Educators are challenged daily with engaging students in their content and providing all students with authentic learning experiences that will capture their interest beyond the textbook and classroom walls. Instructional practices have shifted the teachers’ role in many cases as the facilitator of learning. Research has shown that the “flipped classroom” or “inverted classroom” teaching strategy actually moves the teacher lecture to the homework assignment, and allows the teacher to spend more quality time working directly with the

Instructional Innovation

students in the classroom assisting with their learning process. So in essence, the art of teaching is flipped with the infusion of technology resources of teacher-made videos that clearly explain concepts once taught in the class period. This method of instruction allows for the students to bank the lessons, and refer to the instructional component whenever and wherever they want to. The in-class time is reserved for students to work collaboratively, problem solve, investigate and produce work with direct access to the teacher for guidance and support. Our teachers who have exposed their students to this method of teaching have reported great success with their students, and feel that it has positively changed their role in the classroom, as well as the students’ academic progress in learning and retaining material. Regardless of the instructional strategy, technology resource or the content taught, educators are becoming increasingly innovative in their approach to teaching. As we continue to strive for academic excellence, it is our district priority to improve the level of student achievement, provide students with the most engaging and authentic learning experience and transform the traditional methods of teaching to a more innovative approach to education. We are preparing our students throughout their K-12 experience for careers that don’t even exist yet, and we must do our due diligence to prepare them to be successful in this fast-paced, technology-filled world. Shaler Area School District is committed to widening the horizon of learning to our students, and exposing them to a more global learning environment. Great things are happening in our school district and we are excited for possibilities that lie ahead.

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Shaler Area School District

Student Lawyers Face Off Congratulations Are in Order for Statewide Mock Trial Team By: Brandon McNeill and Marisa Bens (12th grade) Every year, the Young Lawyers Division of the Pennsylvania Bar Association hosts a statewide mock trial tournament involving high school students. This competition involves 290 high school teams from across the state. This year, the Shaler Area High School team was fortunate enough to make it to the regional semifinals, our best placement in recent history. Each team is actually comprised of two teams: one defense and one prosecution, each with three witnesses and three lawyers. The Shaler Area defense team consisted of Rachel Johnson, Emily Pirt, and Alec Imhof as lawyers, and Julie Rankin, Lexi Schnepp, and John Booker as witnesses. The Shaler Area prosecution team was comprised of Collin Ziegler, Katrina Gualtieri, and Brandon McNeill as lawyers, and Marisa Bens, Nick Sladic, and Alex Banfield as witnesses. After trying out to make the team, each team member worked despite other academic and extra-curricular obligations. Students often met in team sessions on the weekends and had practice trials in school against each other with attorney and teacher advisors offering feedback. In addition, they used the experience of past years and collaborated to make the best case possible. This year’s case was entitled the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Tatum Zillias, a case involving a freak crane collapse which killed two people. Who was responsible? Was it Tatum Zillias, the creator of the project? Micah, the crane operator? Or the homeless people who previously lived on the site? For nearly four months, both teams worked tirelessly to build their cases of who exactly was responsible. During the trial, attorneys had to think on their feet while questioning difficult witnesses from the opposing team. Shaler Area witnesses had to know a multipage witness statement inside and out to appropriately answer cross examination questions while keeping their team’s points in mind. Every member of the Statewide Mock Trial team should be extremely proud of the result.

NAGC Mock Trial a Success for 9th and 10th Graders

Members of the Shaler Area Defense Statewide Mock Trial Team: (left to right)Alec Imhof, Rachel Johnson, Emily Pirt, Julie Rankin, Lexi Schnepp, John Booker. GATE teachers, Ms. Katie Elder and Ms. Christina Palladino

Members of the Shaler Area Prosecution Statewide Mock Trial Team: (left to right) Back row: Nick Sladic, Alex Banfield, Collin Ziegler Front row: Marisa Bens, Brandon McNeill, Katrina Gualtieri

By: Taylor Laﬀey and Nick DeBortoli (9th grade) The 9th and 10th grade GATE students have been very busy this past winter preparing for the annual N.A.G.C. (Northern Area Gifted Consortium) Mock Trial at Duquesne University Law School. A total of 24 9th and 10th grade students participated. Preparations for the trial included visiting the Allegheny County Civil Court Division at the City-County Building. Students sat in on trials and met with Judge Colville and Judge McCarthy. The students also met with attorney-advisors who helped them understand real life scenarios for trial lawyers. On January 3, 2013, students from Shaler Area and the surrounding northern districts met at Duquesne University to square oﬀ. The students really enjoyed this real life learning experience. The Pennsylvania BAR Association provided Pennsylvania students with a very interesting civil case. The title was the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania vs. Tatum Zillias. The defendant was charged with third degree murder in the fictitious construction project gone wrong. Students met during lunch periods over several weeks to prepare, practice their parts in the case, and get advice from both teachers and attorneys. Attorney advisor, Anthony Valenti, stated, “The students who participated in the mock trial team deserve a great deal of credit for their hard work. A mock trial is a challenging competition. Not only do the students have to prepare a case and demonstrate public speaking skills, but they have to go head to head with another team of students and think on their feet. The mock trial competition is a great way to combine real world communication Some Members of the N.A.G.C. Mock Trial Team at the City-County Building (courthouse visit) and critical thinking skills with academics.” Kyle Donovan, Tanner Boyle, Anthony Zelina, Jake Potock, Ethan Barranti, Jared Panza, Nick DeBortoli, Jon Magoun, AshLeigh Schelling, Sydney Funtal, Kiera Zehner, Julia Jashinski, Lea Wenger, Samantha LoVerde, James Gualtieri, Lexi Schnepp

Shaler

Shaler Area School District

Future Lawyers The best way to describe our G.A.T.E. class is to say what it is not: it’s not boring. There’s something to interest everyone. If you like poetry, you can read the poems written by the national Poet Laureate selected each year, write some of your own poetry, and send it to the Poet Laureate. If literature is your preference, there is challenging material to read, discuss, and analyze orally as well as in writing. We even have great books to read over the summer with assignments to complete evaluating each character and elements of the plot. Who wouldn’t enjoy a summer project like writing an anthem for a book and singing it the first day back? There are so many opportunities to practice our drama skills throughout the year, too, when we write and perform our plays for other classes. We can’t forget to mention studies of World War II, the American Civil War, classical music, art history, physics, and law. Of all our units of study, it’s the Mock Trial that we really look forward to each year. This year we had a Mock Trial on a civil case about an environmentalist who tries to stop a company from expanding into an area that could be a critical habitat for an endangered species.

7th and 8th grade G.A.T.E. students

We each selected a role to play, and remained in contact with our teammates on Plaintiff or Defense through discussion boards and file exchanges on Blackboard. Using our best critical thinking and deductive reasoning skills, we wrote the questions, prepared the opening and closing, and revised several times to assure the best outcome for our team. On January 7, 2013, we held the trials in our school library in front of a jury selected by the social studies teachers. Attorneys from the area came to be the judges for the trials. Some of us were nervous to speak in a formal setting, but we knew we were well prepared. The judge for the 8th grade trial, Mr. Anthony Valenti, had this to say about our performance: “The students did an excellent job in the mock trial. It is not easy to prepare a case, even using cut down versions of the rules of evidence and courtroom procedures. Standing up in front of a room full of people to speak is even more difficult for most people. The students deserve a lot of credit for all their hard work. The mock trial program offers students a great opportunity to do something that is both creative and educational. I look forward to next year’s mock trial program.” We’re looking forward to next year’s case, too. It’s going to be a criminal case with not one, but two murders! It’s a case made for our drama skills, our ease with public speaking, and our ability to think deeply. We’re ready to get started, but first there’s the rest of this year in G.A.T.E. to enjoy.

Far Left: The jury of general education students. Near Left: In front is Sage Wilson. In the background right to left are Paige Milavec, Becca Helfrich, Kara Jans and Claire Blaha.

Far Left: Right to left in front are Rylee Donovan and Taylor Jones. In the background right to left are Paige Milavec, Kara Jans and Claire Blaha. Near Left: Right to left are Michael Dunn, Judge Anthony Valenti and Rylee Donovan.

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Shaler Area School District

A Very Important Message to 6th Grade Parents about Immunizations In recent years the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) has established new vaccine requirements to further protect our youth. These vaccines are as follows:

GRADES K-6 • A second Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccine. Written documentation from a physician or designee is required if your child has previously had the disease.

GRADES 7-12 • A dose of Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (Tdap) given after the 10th birthday • A dose of the Meningitis vaccine (MCV4) These immunization changes primarily aﬀect the students that enter 7th grade. 6th grade students are also required to have a physical exam. At the time of your child’s exam, be sure to secure a current document of his/her immunizations with dates and submit a copy of that documentation to Mrs. Erdlen, the school nurse at SAES. Physical exams are due by the end of the school year - please have the exam and immunization documents completed and in to Mrs. Erdlen by June 1, 2013. If you have already completed the physical, but have not completed your child’s immunization, please schedule the immunization appointment as soon as possible and then forward the appropriate documentation to Mrs. Erdlen by the date required. (For questions regarding the 6th grade physical exams, Mrs. Erdlen can be reached at 412-492-1200 x8-3510.)

Shaler

The immunization changes are mandated for all schools in Pennsylvania. All students not in compliance will be excluded from attendance at the start of the 2013-14 school year. There will be no provisional enrollment as mandated by the Department of Health. I would ask that you provide the necessary information to Mrs. Erdlen by June 1, 2013 to help alleviate your child being excluded from school in September. Please contact Mrs. Frankle, school nurse at SAMS, at 412-492-1200 x8-2510 with individual questions or concerns regarding 7th grade immunizations requirements for next year. Again, it is necessary for the documentation to be turned in before or on June 1, 2013 to prevent your child from being excluded in the fall. If you have a religious/moral objection or medical exemption for any vaccines, you must submit the proper form to the school nurse by June 1, 2013 as well. The immunization clinic at the ACHD is no longer available to administer these required vaccines to students unless they are uninsured, have Medicaid or are an American Indian or Alaskan native. Please contact your private physician to secure the required appointments for these immunizations. For your information, many of the walk-in clinics now have the required vaccines available.

Shaler Area School District

Kennywood Announcement Mark your calendars â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

Shaler Area School District Kennywood Picnic Date: Saturday, May 4, 2013!!! Tickets go on Sale in the schools on Wednesday, April 24th. See www.sasd.k12.pa.us for the most up to date School District Information!

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Shaler Area School District

Spotlight on the PA Common Core State Standards What Do Parents Need to Know? By: Mr. Bryan O’Black, Director of Curriculum and Technology

The Shaler Area School District has been preparing for the implementation of the new state standards known as the PA Common Core. These new standards will help us achieve our goal of providing the highest standards and rigorous curriculum to ensure all students are college and career ready. The PA Common Core Standards are a coherent progression of learning expectations in English language arts and mathematics designed to prepare K-12 students for college and career success. The PA Common Core State standards will communicate what is expected of students at each grade level, putting students, parents, teachers, and school administrators on the same page, working toward shared goals.

Will there be changes in what my children are expected to know and do in the classroom? As the common core is implemented, students will be expected to read more difficult text sooner, and discuss what they read at a more complex level. For example, instead of pulling out individual text elements, such as characters, plot, and setting, students will be reading or listening to various stories, and will compare stories using their understanding of text elements. In the area of mathematics students will focus on understanding concepts more deeply and making connections among topics instead of rushing to get a particular answer. They will have to explain how they arrived at their conclusion and respond to competing arguments. Students will also work towards being able to solve basic problems accurately and reasonably quickly—seeing beyond basic calculations and understanding the greater mathematical idea.

The Common Core Standards: • Are aligned with college and work expectations; • Are clear, understandable, and consistent; • Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through higher-order thinking; • Build on strengths and lessons of Shaler Area School District curriculum; • Are informed by other top performing countries, so that all students are prepared to succeed in a global economy and society; and • Are evidence based. Source: http://www.corestandards.org/about-the-standards/

How is Shaler Area School District Transitioning? Work has begun in Shaler Area related to the PA Common Core Standards for English language Arts and Mathematics. While more in-depth work is under way in reading, English and math, all departments have begun to discuss future alignment to support these new standards. The Common Core Standards provide a framework for the implementation of reading and writing initiatives across the disciplines and will provide more consistency and rigor to our school-wide assessment practices and instructional strategies related to literacy. While the full implementation is a three to four-year process, changes in assessment practices, curriculum and classroom instruction will be noted immediately in the upcoming school year. Additional changes will be forthcoming in the next several years, as our Common Core implementation goes deeper. 12

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How will the PA Common Core Standards be assessed? The PA Common Core State Standards for students in Grades 3-8 will be assessed on the annual PSSA test that is administered in the spring of each school year. The new PSSA will be aligned to the PA Common Core Standards beginning in 2014-2015. Additionally, the Keystone Exams for students completing course work in Algebra I, High School ELA and Biology will aligned to the PA Common Core State Standards.

What information is available for parents regarding the Common Core? Student progress is a shared priority for teachers, principals, and families. We will be working together as a District over the next several years to help all students master the Common Core standards. Your feedback and support will be critical to our success.

Learn more about the Common Core State Standards and how to support your child at home. • Visit the PA Department of Education PA Common Core Library at pdesas.org (click standards) • Read the National PTA’s Parents' Guide to Student Success that focuses on the Common Core standards at pta.org/4446.htm • To view videos on how the Common Core standards work, visit the Teaching Channel at teachingchannel.org/videos

Additionally, if you have questions pertaining to Shaler Area School District’s response to the PA Common Core please email Mr. Bryan O’Black, Director of Curriculum and Technology at oblackb@sasd.k12.pa.us or by calling (412) 492-1200 ext. 2825

Shaler Area School District

Coming this summer, boys and girls will have a chance to take a break from the summer routine of sleeping in, swimming pools and picnics to work on their basketball skills. The 17th annual Shaler Summer Shootout will be held this July at the outdoor basketball courts located at Shaler Area Elementary School on Scott Ave. “I can’t believe this will be 17 years. I teach sophomores and those kids weren’t even born when this thing started,” said Eric Schott, Shaler Area’s 9th grade basketball coach who founded and still runs the program. The Shaler Summer Shootout is designed for children who will be in grades 3-9 this fall and focuses on the development of fundamental skills and team concepts. “We focus primarily on shooting, ball handling and passing,” Schott said. “For the younger kids, it’s much more drill-based, and then we use those drills in games and competitions. For the older groups, we try to balance skill development with 3-on-3 or 4-on-4 games to build both individual and team skills.” Schott said that his vision for the Shootout is simple: to give parents an aﬀordable option for a summer camp for their child and to give kids an enjoyable yet instructional activity. Those who have attended would agree those goals have been reached. “My son attended the Summer Shootout, and had a wonderful time,” a parent wrote after her son attended the Shootout. “He really benefited from the positive coaching, and looked forward to it each day. He would come home and show us his new skills, and seems to pick the ball up each day now.”

Julia Shane

To help achieve the goals of Shootout, Schott enlists the help of current Shaler players and coaches which allows small groups for kids to get more work on the skills or drills. “(Having players and coaches on hand) really helps us divide groups however we want them: by age, by skill level, by gender, etc.,” Schott said. In addition to the daily dose of basketball, the Shootout also includes special theme days, such as Jersey Day, when players are encouraged to wear basketball jerseys. “Those days are fun. The kids seem to like it,” Schott said. “We give some jerseys out during the camp as awards or prizes. Our goal this year is to have everyone wearing a jersey on Jersey Day.” Whether it’s the basketball or the jerseys or some combination of them, the Shootout has been well received. “Our boys really enjoyed the month and looked forward to coming. We have a basketball hoop in our driveway and I have found that they are often outside practicing what they learned. As a parent, we admired how well run the morning was,” said another parent in her feedback after the program. The Shaler Summer Shootout will be in session Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, starting on July 2 and ending on July 25. The program is spread out over four weeks so that kids who have vacations or other activities planned in July can still attend. The Shootout is divided into three sessions: 3rd and 4th graders from 8:30-9:30 a.m., 5th and 6th graders from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 7th, 8th and 9th graders from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Rylee Donovan

For registration information, please visit www.sasd.k12.pa.us and follow Athletics to Basketball where the information will be available, or contact Coach Schott at schotte@sasd.k12.pa.us.

Shaler | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 13

Jake Brucker (Left) John Heinauer (Center) Ryan Fisherkeller (Far Right) / Variety of Projects / Mr. Marree / Metal Technology 3

Ben Miller, Justin Landry, Aaron Friess, Alecsander Imhof / Mr. Fisher / Robotics and Automation 3

Tech12- RJ Newman / Vex Bot / Mr. Fisher / Robotics 1

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Justin Moore / End Table / Mr. Wells / Wood Technology 3

Jess Yuhas / End Table / Mr. Wells / Wood Technology 3

Ryan Anderson (l) Chris Fisher (r) / End Table / Mr. Wells / Wood Technology 3

Steve Chechack (l) Ryan Ochsenhirt (r) / Flashlight / Mr. Marree / Metal Technology 3

Jake Morris (l) Chris Kagle (r) / Firepit / Mr. Marree / Metal Technology 3

John Heinauer (l) Matt Kocian (r) / Smoker / Mr. Marree / Metal Technology 3

Ethan Barranti / Mini Chopper Frame / Mr. Marree / Metal Technology 3

Shaler | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 15

One of the things that makes a halftime performance so entertaining are the bright flags that color guards wave in razorsharp precision. And who can resist the excitement of a fire baton routine, with the flames lighting up the night stadium? Joanne Gerardi, owner of Band Fronts’ Friend has been a part of band performances since she was six years old! “I come from a family of twirlers,” says Joanne, “I was one of five girls in my family who were majorettes. Two of us were individual solo competitors and my daughter is a competitive twirler as well. My son was a drummer and a former drumline captain in high school.” Joanne was a majorette at Shaler Area High School and has continued to be involved in the area’s band performances ever since. She currently runs the Sensations Marching Unit, which is an independent non-profit youth organization of baton, drum, dance, flags and Winterguard units. “We’ve performed at Disneyworld twice and travel all over the place performing,” adds Joanne. So when Joanne turned 50 years old in December, it just seemed a natural fit for her to begin a new chapter in her life, helping kids and teens with large-venue performing. She opened her store, Band Fronts’ Friend in Glenshaw in the McGuffey Building which was once the Glenshaw School. It’s conveniently located near the Shaler Area Schools, and centrally located to many other school districts, for parents and children and she carries all sorts of supplies for colorguards, majorettes, dancers and cheerleaders. Her supply includes Glow-Stick and fire batons, double-flag batons, pom-poms, rifles, sabres, flags, shoes, tights, clothing apparel and stage makeup. “We can also fit performers with shoes and it’s really important to get the right fit for comfort and the best performance,” notes Joanne. “We carry some of the best lines of merchandise and are able to order anything that performers would need.” “There is nowhere else in Pittsburgh that you can purchase some of these items,” says Joanne. Although they can be purchased online, it’s far superior to be able to hold the item in your hand and see what you will actually be working with and the quality of it. Joanne has also made several emergency runs when performers experienced a wardrobe malfunction, due to rips, tears or breaks. “I’ve had parents or kids call me and need something right away because they’re on a way to a performance and have either lost or ripped something. I just take the merchandise directly to the performance venue for them and they are still able to perform.” For more information on Band Fronts’ Friend, please visit the website at www.BandFrontsFriend.com or give them a call at 412.213.3787. 16

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Shaler | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 17

Local Resident Shines

“Ray of Hope”

on Victims of Hurricane Sandy By Kathy Rudolph

and [former] coworkers, Tony Serkis, had posted a message. According to the New Jersey division of the Salvation Army, He was so sad about what had happened and felt compelled to from October 28, 2012, through January 1, 2013, 208,888 meals, do something, but he didn’t know how to have a fundraiser,” said 301,305 snacks, 264,863 drinks, 3,502 hygiene kits, 7,381 blankets DeMore. “So I sent him a message back that Ray of Hope could and more were distributed to New Jersey residents affected by Hurricane Sandy. Many of us tried to help by putting an extra get it going and gather donations together.” dollar or two into a special collection basket at church or by DeMore has had experience directing food drives and founded participating in a school fundraiser for the Ray of Hope in 2009, wanting to start a small victims of the deadliest storm to hit the region organization to help the local community in honor We need more people of her pappy and uncle, both named Ray, who in 40 years. But successfully organizing and executing a thinking about others, had passed away. donation drive, including delivery, of enough “I had wanted the organization to be named after rather than themselves. them, so I called it Ray of Hope in their memory,” non-perishable items and toiletries to fill three 15-ft. trailers? Not many of us can say we’ve said DeMore. “My mom assisted me and the ever done that. first thing that we did was to have a food drive But Bethany DeMore of Shaler can. The wife of Joe DeMore, for the North Hills Community Outreach in December of 2009. mom of Gianna, and accountant at Preferred Settlement Services It was a big food drive, where we collected from people in our led the effort which raised over $3,000 and filled the trailers neighborhood and work [locations]. What was great is that we through her nonprofit organization, called “Ray of Hope.” were able to get together a huge donation right before Christmas The donations were delivered to the Salvation Army and other of non-perishable items and toiletries for the families. It was such a success that we decided to do one every December after that.” drop-off locations in two separate trips to areas in New Jersey With the assistance of Serkis, owner of Limitless Mind that were affected by the storm. Technology in South Park, a Facebook page titled “Hurricane The project began with social networking. “When Hurricane Relief—Food, Clothing, and Supplies Drive” was created on Sandy hit in October, I was on Facebook, and one of my friends 18

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November 2, 2012. The team also contacted friends and family through emails and text messages to help get the word out about requests for donations. “The response was overwhelming,” said DeMore. “We thought that we’d get enough to fill a van, but by November 7, which was only within five days, we had enough to fill a big rig! Tony’s friend, John Sokolowski, had a special license to drive a big truck and offered his time to drive to NJ. We loaded everything up on November 7 after work and on the following day, Tony and John were on their way to New Jersey to deliver everything to Salvation Army donation centers and other drop-off areas.” But the adventure in giving wasn’t over yet. “We had such a huge response that I was still coming home after work [to find] my front porch full of donations,” said DeMore. “We decided that one time was not enough and needed to do it again. We spread the word again and [until] November 19, we collected food, clothing, toiletries and water and were hoping to fill another truck. We couldn’t believe that we had enough donations to fill two more trucks!” Serkis’ wife, Dawn, a hairstylist at Shear Talent in Bethel Park, contributed $1,100 from the proceeds of a cut-a-thon fundraiser that she hosted at the salon. Her donation and other monetary donations that DeMore received went toward truck rentals, fuel costs and to purchase cases of bottled water. “On November 19, a bunch of my family and friends came over and we loaded both trucks in front of my house and the next day Tony drove one and John drove the other. What was wonderful was that we were able to get all of the donations to people in New Jersey before Thanksgiving. The people didn’t even have a pot to cook noodles in and were so excited to get the food and supplies.” Because the project was so successful due to the generosity of friends, neighbors, coworkers and supporters, another donation drive is being planned for the spring. “We have 1,147 members on Facebook and even had someone from Hawaii who donated,” said DeMore, who has also been a volunteer for six years at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western PA. Along with her husband, she also volunteers for the annual Medford Classic in honor of Brian Medford, a Shaler resident who passed away at age 20 after a 10-year battle with leukemia. DeMore is passionate about helping others in the community. “Whenever anyone is able to give, they should,” said DeMore. “We need more people thinking about others, rather than themselves. One in six households located in the North Hills area doesn’t know where the next meal is coming from. When I heard that statistic, I knew that I needed to do something and organized a food drive. Even though [a family] lives in a nice neighborhood does not necessarily mean that they have enough food to eat. That is why giving to local food banks like North Hills Community Outreach is so important.” For more information about the Ray of Hope donation drive for Hurricane Sandy victims, visit the drive’s Facebook page. Shaler | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 19

Local Musician Gives High School Teens a Chance to Showcase Their Musical Talent at Fifth Annual

Paul Campbell of Tobacco Road

By Kathy Rudolph

There is nothing like the adrenaline you feel when listening to or playing live music at a concert with like-minded people having fun right next to you. Dale Mangold knows what this feeling is like. A musician who has been performing for over 20 years, he has been a member of the band Tobacco Road since 2007. Also including Gabe Dale Mangold, Mangold, Roger Gelik, Tony DeLuca Organizer of and Paul Campbell, the band plays at Tobacco Road different venues around Pittsburgh and is influenced by the Rolling Stones, KISS, Van Halen, Eric Clapton, The Who and many other bands. In his other life, Mangold works as a custodian at Shaler Area High School (SAHS). He came up with the idea to host Shalerpalooza, a benefit to showcase all of the musical performers and bands at SAHS, while performing a gig at Mr. Small’s Fun House in Millvale. “I was thinking about all of the musicians and vocalists that I had seen at school talent shows and thought, ‘Why not have a show where they could open up for our band?’” said Mangold. “There is so much talent at the high school. So, our first Shalerpalooza happened and it was a success. We tried it a second time and it was just as successful, so now it is an expected event, an unofficial-official school district event. What is great is that I still have a lot of liberty to do what I want and I try to empower the teens as much as possible.” In its fifth year, Shalerpoolooza featured four bands, Civil Riot, Prominence, Restricted Highways and Tobacco Road, and six solo artists including Sarah Breen, a senior at SAHS who performed “Little House” from the 2010 film “Dear John.” Over 300 attended the event at Mr. Small’s Fun House which raised more than $2,000 from the sale of tickets and T-shirts that marked the event. “All of the proceeds go toward school class funds, which is an important issue at SAHS,” said Mangold. “It helps to offset the rising costs of everything from school field trips, to assemblies, to prom expenses.”

Sarah Breen

To learn more or to donate to Shalerpalooza, contact Dale Mangold at mangoldd@sasd.k12.pa.us. 20

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Sean O'Connor

Gabe Mangold of Tobacco Road

Prominence

Shaler | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 21

Visit us at: www.GlenshawPublicLibrary.org We are now open every Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. We have a beautiful children’s room! Do you need meeting space? Contact us at 412-487-2121.

Christine & Bret Emick My husband, Bret and I will be celebrating our 6th wedding anniversary this summer. We met seven years ago this fall. It all started while I was working as an assistant manager with a local real estate agency... One part of my job involved interviewing and recruiting new and experienced agents for our agency. I contacted Bret around August of 2006 and he made excuse aer excuse for not meeting with me. I was not discouraged, however and called him repeatedly until finally he agreed to meet with me. Bret told me that even though he agreed to the meeting, he thought he would only spend about 10 minutes before bolting out the door. Well, when we met, that all changed and the meeting lasted around two hours! e second meeting was a little over a week later and this time it was over dinner. Needless to say, Bret and I started dating and fell head over heels for each other and married on July 10, 2007!

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BUSI NE SS SPOT LIGH T

A Story with a Happy Ending – Dr. Clinton Cable Some years ago, there was a small boy who had almost every orthodontic problem imaginable. Not only did he have a malocclusion, or bad bite, his overabundant teeth were jammed into his child’s size mouth and spilled out into his smile. ey were completely out of line, peeking out from behind his lips in odd places, and were the source of much discomfort, both physical and emotional. is small boy with the large-scale orthodontics problem was Dr. Clinton Cable. “I first saw an orthodontist at the age of 10 and that was the beginning of a very long road, ending with jaw surgery in my senior year of high school to correct the problem,” relates Dr. Cable. “ose doctors who helped me [the orthodontists] were my heroes when I was a kid.” From that time on Dr. Cable knew that he wanted to be an orthodontist. He graduated from Pittsburgh’s School of Dental Medicine, where he was inducted into the National Dental Honor Society for outstanding academic achievement. Soon thereaer, Dr. Cable was commissioned in the U.S. Army. He served our nation’s soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen with the most severe dentofacial discrepancies for nine years. He was first stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and then completed assignments in Fort Meade, Maryland, San Antonio, Texas and even South Korea. Aer serving his country on a global scale, Dr. Cable wanted to practice orthodontics on a more local front, a little closer to home. When it came time to put down some roots, moving to Shaler Township was an easy decision for him and his wife Lori and their two young sons. “I grew up in Somerset County in a farming and coal mining community and I wanted that same small town feeling for my family,” explains Dr. Cable. “Shaler has that kind of a feeling, everyone was so friendly and welcoming to us. We just closed on a home and look forward to our children attending Shaler Area Schools.”

He chose an office location on Mount Royal Boulevard to be close to the schools for the convenience of his patients. “I didn’t want parents to have a long commute if they were picking their kids up from school for an appointment.” Although his practice will have that friendly feeling of a neighborhood doctor, it will also offer the latest techniques in orthodontics, including the use of digital x-rays which are far safer and more environmentally friendly than traditional x-rays. Technology has afforded excellent treatment options when it comes to ensuring the brightest smile and the healthiest bite for all ages. Dr. Cable will offer all the latest options, including ceramic braces which are clear and visually blend into the tooth's surface for an inconspicuous treatment option. One of the most popular types of braces are invisible. ey are customized plastic trays which are very comfortable for the wearer and also removable! Another fairly recent development in orthodontics is the use of lingual braces, which attach to the lingual, or tongue side of the teeth, correcting the problem from behind the tooth. is can be a great option for actors, woodwind musicians, athletes and models. “My approach to orthodontics is patient-centered,” explains Dr. Cable. “e treatment is customized to each person and their needs and lifestyle.” at treatment can even be extended to surgical orthodontics for those patients whose jaw abnormalities are severe and can only be corrected through surgery. Dr. Cable is reaching out to his adopted community by becoming involved in the sponsorship of baseball, soccer and lacrosse teams in the area. He also recently donated dental hygiene kits for elementary students to support National Children’s Dental Health Month. “I really love my job. Having the opportunity to help guide patients who are experiencing what I went through as a child and to do for them what was done for me is very rewarding,” adds Dr. Cable.

For more information on Dr. Cable and his new orthodontic practice which is now open, please visit the website at www.cableortho.com or give them a call at 412.213.3674. Shaler | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 23

If you are in the business of selling homes...

Don't get left out of our summer real estate section! Call us for further details on how to get involved. 724.942.0940.

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UPMC TODAY Health and Wellness News You Can Use | Spring 2013

What’s Inside 2

Surviving a Stroke With FAST Action

3 4

Hope and Healing A Healing Touch Food in a Glass

Clinical Trials Can Change Lives

6 7

Depression and Older Adults Taking Steps to Prevent Falls What’s Happening at UPMC St. Margaret

Surviving a Stroke With FAST Action UPMC St. Margaret strives to improve outcomes for stroke patients.

The day began normally for Lawrenceville resident Beth Haug. After seeing her husband and teenage sons off to work and school, she took her dog for a walk. That’s when she began feeling “wobbly.” Thinking she needed to lie down, Beth returned home and tried to go to bed but couldn’t get up the stairs. She called her sister to drive her to nearby UPMC St. Margaret. There, the Emergency Department staff immediately issued a “brain attack” alert, and a team of specialists jumped into action. By then, Beth’s face was droopy, her speech slurred, and her right side was numb.

Window of opportunity “Recognizing stroke symptoms and acting quickly can make a big difference in stroke outcomes,” says Stephen Shymansky, MD, a neurologist at UPMC St. Margaret. Brain cells die without oxygen, so the earlier a person is evaluated and treated, the greater the chance of lessening or reversing the effects of stroke. “Patients and family members often ignore symptoms, thinking they can sleep it off,” says Dr. Shymansky. “But ‘time is brain’ and a delay can be disastrous. There’s a small window of opportunity.”

Promoting FAST action Each year, more than 750,000 people in the United States suffer a stroke. It’s the fourth leading cause of death and primary cause of adult disability. As a Joint Commission-certified primary stroke center, UPMC St. Margaret has specialists available 24/7 to provide rapid evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment, using the most advanced approaches and technologies. “At UPMC St. Margaret, our staff is keenly aware of the need for fast action to get CT scans done and treatment started quickly,” says Dr. Shymansky. Its stroke program has earned several awards, including the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s “Get With the Guidelines®” Gold Plus award. UPMC St. Margaret also has been recognized for educational programs aimed at improving stroke awareness among hospital staff, emergency responders, patients and families, and the community. “Minutes matter. We want everyone to be aware of stroke symptoms and know that they can get critical expert care here in their community,” adds Dr. Shymansky.

Think FAST Strokes require immediate action, so remember these signs:

Within an hour after experiencing her first stroke symptoms, Beth, 52, was having a CT scan to ensure she had no bleeding in the brain. Via telemedicine, she talked to a stroke expert at UPMC Presbyterian who determined she could receive tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) — a clot-busting medication that must be given within four-and-a-half hours after stroke onset. “Thankfully, I reached St. Margaret in time to get that miracle drug,” says Beth, who has almost fully recovered. “Had I crawled into bed, I would have been in big trouble.”

UPMC.com/Today

Face . . . . . . Uneven smile, droopy face Arms . . . . . Numbness, weakness, or drifting arms Speech . . . Slurred speech, difficulty speaking or understanding

Time . . . . . Call 911 immediately To learn more about UPMC St. Margaret’s stroke care program, including rehabilitation services, contact Bobbi-Jo Skurko, BSN, stroke clinician, at 412-784-7889, or visit UPMCStMargaret.com/stroke.

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

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.

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 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

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: đ Preventive services, evaluation, and consultation đ Treatment through therapy and/or medication đ Participation in innovative research studies đ Educational support đ 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, UPMC Endowed Professor of Geriatric Psychiatry at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC, and 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.

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. 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.

Taking Steps to Prevent Falls One in three adults over age 65 falls every year. Here are simple things you can do to help avoid taking a tumble.

Falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults. And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 95 percent of hip fractures are caused by falls.

Ways to prevent a tumble

“Since older patients with hip fractures usually have other complications, our goal is to treat them as quickly and safely as possible,” says Edward McClain III, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon at UPMC St. Margaret. “Evidence shows that when geriatric hip fracture patients have surgery within 24 hours after the injury, they have a speedier recovery with fewer complications and require less pain medication.”

Exercise regularly. Focus on increasing leg strength and improving balance. Tai chi is especially good for older adults. And weight-bearing exercises can help strengthen your bones.

Not every fall can be prevented. However, here are a few steps you can take to reduce your risk of falling:

Make your surroundings safe. Improve lighting in and around your home, add railings on both sides of stairways, and keep all areas free of clutter. Install grab bars inside and outside the bathtub or shower and next to the toilet.

See your doctor. Annual physical and eye examinations can uncover underlying medical problems that could lead to falls. Ask your doctor to review all your medications to identify those that may cause side effects, such as dizziness. Get your bones checked. “When bones are weak, a minor fall or a simple sneeze can cause a fracture,” adds Dr. McClain. “Most hip fracture patients have undiagnosed osteoporosis. Be sure to ask your doctor about screening and treatment for osteoporosis.” Visit UPMCStMargaret.com/ortho to learn more about our orthopaedic services.

What’s Happening at UPMC St. Margaret Classes đ COPD Education and Support, 412-784-5764 đ Look Good ... Feel Better, 1-800-227-2345 đ Managing Your Diabetes, 1-866-334-5227

Support Groups đ Alzheimer’s Support Group, 412-784-5054 đ Bariatric Support Group, 412-784-5900 đ Diabetes Support Group, 412-784-4194 đ Smoking Cessation Program, 412-784-5043

Events Alive & Well Presentations UPMC St. Margaret physicians and health professionals speak on a variety of health-related topics at community libraries. For upcoming dates, locations, and topics, visit UPMCStMargaret.com. Bariatric Information Sessions Mondays, April 8 and 22; May 6 and 20, 6 to 8 p.m. UPMC St. Margaret Conference Rooms A, B, and C For more information or to register, call 412-784-5900.

Get Hip to Preventing Injuries Tuesday, April 9, 6 p.m. UPMC St. Margaret Dining Rooms A and B Visit UPMCStMargaret.com for more information. Fitness Classic 5K Run/Walk Sunday, May 19, 8:30 a.m. Register to participate in the 25th anniversary of this popular event. Race starts and finishes on the UPMC St. Margaret campus. To register online, visit stmargaretfoundation.org. For more information or an entry form, call 412-784-5169. Living Healthy With Arthritis Wednesday, May 29, 6 p.m. Learn how to manage pain from arthritis at this free seminar. Visit UPMCStMargaret.com for more information.

Volunteer Opportunities For information about volunteer opportunities at UPMC St. Margaret, call Volunteer Services at 412-784-4081. For more information about any of these classes or support groups, call the number indicated, call Community Relations at 412-784-5160, or visit UPMCStMargaret.com.

1-800-533-UPMC

UPMC St. Margaret 815 Freeport Road Pittsburgh, PA 15215

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. To receive additional copies of this publication, call 412-784-5160.

Follow UPMC on Facebook.

I lost the weight and found I'm a pretty good dancer.

Bariatric Surgery at UPMC Are you ready to lose weight and gain back your life? UPMC can help. As a pioneer in using bariatric surgery to treat obesity and its related complications, our experienced surgeons work with dietitians, psychologists, and exercise specialists to develop a personalized weight loss plan. We’ll be with you every step of the way because we still enjoy seeing the most obvious change in our patients’ appearance — the smiles on their faces. To learn about bariatric surgery or to learn about an information session near you, visit www.UPMC.com/Bariatrics or call us at 1-800-533-UPMC.

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.

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300 Wetzel Road • Glenshaw, PA 15116-2288 • P: 412.486.9700 • F: 412.487.4107 Business Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. • Telephone Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Township Manager Timothy J. Rogers, Esq. 412.486.9700, x213

Chief of Police Bryan B. Kelly 412.492.2222

Finance Officer Judith Kording 412.486.9700, x214

Public Works Director James Henderson 412.486.9700

Township Engineer Kevin Creagh, P.E. 412.486.9700, x230

Deputy Chief of Police Kevin P. Boyle 412.492.2222

Building Inspector Robert Vita 412.486.9700, x222

Township Solicitor Joseph E. Vogrin, III 412.486.9700

CoMMIssIoneRs David shutter, President Bill Cross, Vice President ed Duss Lori Voegtly Mizgorski Thomas Mcelhone susan Fisher Jim Boyle

TReasuReR anD Tax CoLLeCToR erin Bartkins

DIsTRICT JusTICe

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT MEETINGS Open to the public Board of Commissioners 2nd Tuesday 7:00 p.m. Planning Commission 3rd Monday 7:30 p.m. Zoning Hearing Board 2nd Thursday 7:30 p.m. Library Board 2nd Wednesday 7:30 p.m. (meet at Shaler Library, except July & August) Committee Meetings 4th Tuesday 6:30 p.m. Environmental & Land Use, Public Works, Public Safety, Finance, Parks & Recreation (Except June, July, August and December) Pension & Insurance Committee (meets quarterly) 9:00 a.m.

TOWNSHIP DIRECTORY

Robert P. Dzvonick

Business Hours, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ELECTION DAY May 21, 2013 Shaler Township Holiday Memorial Day May 27, 2013

EARNED INCOME TAX All residents of Shaler Township that work are required to pay Earned Income Tax. Please check your pay stubs to be sure that this tax is being withdrawn from your paycheck by your employer and paid to Keystone Municipal Services. The Political Subdivision Code for Shaler Township (PSD) is 711204. Your 2012 Earned Income Tax payments are collected by Keystone Municipal Collections. Their contact information is: Keystone Collections Group 546 Wendel Road Irwin, PA 15642 1-888-328-0558 www.keystonecollects.com

Business Oﬃce Property Tax Department (MWF 9 a.m. – 12 noon, 1 – 3 p.m.) Shaler North Hills Library Police Administration Hampton Shaler Water Authority (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

412-486-9700 412-486-9700 412-486-0211 412-492-2222 412-486-4867

All Emergencies 9-1-1 Fall Run Road Reconstruction – Phase 1 In March 2013, the Township started excavation of the hillside along Fall Run Road. This project will allow the Township to shift the roadway into the hillside and away from the current eroded edge of road. The new alignment will help eliminate the blind bends and narrow lanes that currently exist on Fall Run Road. The Township is currently seeking funding for Phase 2, which will install a new road bed and asphalt paving, plus replace some of the underground utilities that exist under the current roadway. It is not anticipated that the road will be open for traﬃc until 2014, due to the lack of funding at this time.

Support New Businesses - Welcome to Shaler! Total Karate 1471 Glenn Avenue

Band Fronts’ Friend 1493 Butler Plank Road Second Floor, Suite 5

Cable Orthodontics 2903 Mt. Royal Boulevard

E-mail Notification: Sign up at www.shaler.org for e-mail notifications regarding township news, emergencies or special meetings.

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TOWNSHIP NEWS Shaler Police News New Police Officer Hired Shaler Township hired Scott P. Carney as a police officer on January 28, 2013. He is from Cranberry Township, PA where he graduated from Seneca Valley High School. Scott went onto Westminster College where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Accounting. He was a pitcher for Seneca Valley and Westminster’s baseball teams. He has previous work experience at both Economy and Edgeworth Borough Police Departments. Scott worked for the past three years as a police officer for the University of Pittsburgh. We would like to welcome Scott and wish him much success as a Shaler Township Police Officer!

Bike Rodeo at Kiwanis Park The Shaler Township Police Department in partnership with the Etna Police Department and Shaler EMS will host the sixth annual Bike Rodeo on Saturday, May 11, 2013. Those in attendance will have their bikes inspected, learn the rules of the road and make their way through the obstacle course. We look forward to seeing you at this year’s Bike Rodeo.

Traffic Alert The Shaler Township Police Department continues to step up enforcement of traffic violations and participate in the National and Statewide Aggressive Driving Grant Program, the North Hills DUI Task Force, and the District Attorney Regional Vehicle Inspection Team (RVIT). These grant programs pay overtime for enforcement activities including roving patrols and other traffic enforcement activities. Please remember to BUCKLE UP every time!

Scam Telephone Calls One of our more common calls is that of “scam” or fraud phone calls. The suspect(s) are usually of Jamaican or other foreign descent and they prey on senior citizens. They usually have a phone exchange and address from Jamaica. When they make their calls they usually say something to the eﬀect of; “I can send you a large sum of money if you send me a money order or wire a few hundred dollars?” Please do not send any money to these people and just disconnect the call. Do not give them any information. The diﬃculty in these cases is that prosecution is very unlikely due to them being from outside of our area. Please share this information with your family and friends so that they can avoid being a target of these criminals. You can file a police report by dialing 911.

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Shaler Emergency Medical Service What Advanced Life Support (ALS) Means to You and Your Loved Ones Emergency Medical Services are staﬀed with Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics. EMTs are trained to provide basic first aid assistance and urgent care techniques. Paramedics receive extensive training and can deliver life-saving drugs and procedures normally conducted by physicians. We at Shaler EMS are very proud of our ability to provide Advanced Life Support services to our residents with a group of dedicated paramedics on a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week basis. Other communities rely on ambulance services that only provide Basic Life Support and are dependent on hospitals or others to send a paramedic separately. There are certain events where such a delay can cost a person their life. We believe that everyone deserves to have the best care available to them at their time of need, and are proud to be an Advanced Life Support service.

2013 Subscription Drive We have recently kicked off our annual subscription drive. To our subscribers, thank you so much for your support and generosity which allows us to be there in your time of need. For those that do not subscribe, please take the time to read the subscription request letter you will receive (also available on our website) to understand how critical it is that we increase the number of subscriptions. Many people do not subscribe because they believe their insurance will cover the cost of an ambulance service bill. Unfortunately, insurance does not cover the cost of availability, such as providing sufficient emergency personnel to staff the ambulances. Subscription funds provide this readiness. Also, without a subscription, you are responsible for all co-payments and deductibles. Keep in mind, with some insurance plans those costs can now exceed $1,000. Fortunately for our subscribers, we accept the insurance payment as payment in full and waive subscriber co-payments and deductibles. Please help us to help you by becoming an EMS subscriber. If you cannot locate your subscription letter, you can subscribe online at www.shalerems.com

The Township of Shaler is currently accepting applications for membership as a Fire Police Officer. The primary role of a Fire Police Officer is to assist the Shaler Police with traffic control at emergency scenes. There are special events within the Township where the Fire Police are called upon to assist. The Township of Shaler in conjunction with the Police Department, Fire Departments, and Shaler EMS will provide training to all Fire Police Officers. The training will consist

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VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS We are always looking for new members; firefighters and business members. Remember, you don't have to fight fires to belong. Support your local fire department. Annual Fund Drives starting soon. Please contribute. No donation is too small or too large.

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Pasta Dinner last Tuesday of every month, all you can eat. $7/Adult

Cherry City VFD 3rd Annual Mattress Sale - June 1st and 2nd, 2013, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Name brand mattresses at bargain prices. A portion of the sales goes to the fire company. www.cherrycityfire.org

Sharps Hill VFD Information can be obtained at www.sharpshillvfd.org on Facebook at Sharps Hill VFD and you can follow us on Twitter at @station263

Undercliﬀ VFD Annual Car Raﬄe - 2013 Chevy Camaro will be awarded. Winner based on Pa Lottery Four Digit Number on the evening of July 28, 2013. Donation - $10.00 for two numbers. Super Bingo: Every Thursday. Progressive jackpots. Full kitchen. Doors open 6:00 p.m. Early birds 7:00 p.m.

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2013 Road Paving Program The Shaler Township Board of Commissioners has decided to re-invest back into their community’s infrastructure. For 2013, the Board of Commissioners has authorized an additional $300,000 in funds from the Capital Improvements Budget to bring the 2013 Road Paving Program budget to $1.30 million. The 2013 Road Paving Program is scheduled to run from early June to early August. The tentative list of roads and their order to be paved this year is as follows: Venango Avenue

Bauerstown VFD

(Cambria Point to Greenhill Road)

Edwards Drive Graydon Drive Poplar Drive Schafer Road Nill Street William Street Pfeifer Street Lori Ann Way Over Street Bowens Alley Vermillion Drive Bismark Drive

(Balsam to Tamarack)

(Shaler Township portion)

G Street Heather Drive Mandrake Drive Robin-Del Drive Aleta Street Berner Street

Marjorie Drive Morgan Drive Franklin Street Orchard Street Reese Avenue Braun Street Seel Street Alexander Street Charles Street Rutgers Drive Wooster Drive Mica Drive Hemlock Drive E. Elﬁnwild Road (to Township line)

Fieldstone Drive Henrietta Street Woodland Road (adjacent to Iola)

Clearview Drive Clearview Road Hamilton Avenue (oﬀ of Scott Avenue)

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Shaler North Hills Library

Saturday, April 27, 2013

of Traﬃc Direction, First Aid and CPR, NIMS Awareness, HazMat Awareness, and various orientation courses that involve Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical operations. We look forward to having you join our Emergency Response Team. Please call the Township of Shaler at 412-486-9700 for Sgt. Funtal or send an email to ﬁrepolice@shaler.org for further information.

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Shaler Township Police Department, in cooperation with the Drug Enforcement Administration is going to assist in our Drug Take-Back on April 27, 2013, between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The Fall Drug Take-Back in Shaler Township resulted in over 257 pounds of unwanted or expired prescription drugs or medications being collected. This removed dangerous and unnecessary threats from the medicine cabinets in our immediate area, and permitted the proper disposal of these items. We hope to have more participation in this event. Shaler | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 35

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TOWNSHIP NEWS SNIP Litter Clean-Up Saturday, April 20, 2013 9 a.m. to 12 noon

Shaler Garden Club Plant Sale

Shaler Township Municipal Building Shaler Neighborhood Improvement Committee

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Kiwanis Park

Volunteers should meet at the Township Building located at 300 Wetzel Road. If you would like to register as an individual or for your business or service group, please contact the Township office at: 412-486–9700 Ext. 211 or www.shaler.org

Shaler Township Children’s Fishing Area

9 a.m. to 12 noon The Shaler Garden Club will have a large variety of plants, as well as a bake sale, a ﬂea market, and a basket raﬄe. Come rain or sun, it’s always lots of fun for everyone.

Kids Fishing Day May 11, 2013

Little Pine Creek at Fawcett Field Starts April 13, 2013, 8 a.m. to 12 noon Fishing permitted for children 12 years old and younger. (must be accompanied by an adult)

7 a.m. to 12 noon at North Park Lake Registration starts at 7:00 a.m. at Rochester Grove Sponsored by Allison Park Sportsmen Club

Sponsored by Penns Wood West Chapter and Trout Unlimited. All Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Regulations apply.

North Hills Community Outreach Donate a car. Change lives. Community Auto: Many local families are waiting, and Community Auto needs cars immediately. You can change lives. Call 724-443-8300 or visit www.communityauto.org.

Free Home Repairs Available for Qualifying Individuals! North Hills Community Outreach is partnering with Christ Lutheran Church to provide minor home repairs this summer to qualiﬁed seniors and low-income adults with physical disabilities. Contact: Cathy Pschirer at 412-307-0069 or clpschirer@nhco.org

American Cancer – Relay for Life Who: When: Where: Why:

Anyone interested in creating a world with more birthdays and less cancer! Saturday, June 22 10 a.m. - Sunday, June 23 8 a.m. Shaler Area Middle School, 1810 Mt. Royal Blvd., Glenshaw, PA Join our 2013 Fight as we celebrate all Cancer Survivors. “Remember those we've lost.” Sign up your fundraising team.

Visit Relayforlife.org/panorthhills to learn more and RSVP by calling 412.919.1055

Memorial Day May 27, 2013 Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. at St. Bonaventure Church parking area Memorial Service begins at 11:30 a.m. Mt. Royal Cemetery at Flagstaﬀ Memorial Day Ceremonies are hosted by Shaler Post 785 American Legion and Post 9199 VFW. All are encouraged to attend to commemorate those who have served our country. Scholarship Awards: Post 785 American Legion will award several $1,000 scholarships to graduating students at the Shaler Area High School Awards Night Program on June, 6, 2013. The Awards Program begins at 7:30 p.m. in the High School Auditorium. 36

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Allison Park Sportsmen Club Meetings are held the 3rd Thursday at 7 p.m. September through May at Casey’s Family Restaurant New members are always welcome. Contact Rich Simmens 412-487-2873

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Eagle Scouts BSA Troop 138 is very proud to announce the recent advancement of 5 of its members to the rank of Eagle Scout. Eagle Scout is the highest award in the Boy Scouting program and less than 5% of boys entering the program attain this rank. It requires earning 21 merit badges from various areas of study, as well as planning and completing an extensive community service project. The following four Eagle Scouts are seniors at Shaler Area High School. Larry Lane, Christian Tegge, Zachary Reuss and Nicholas Steiner. Daniel O’Connor is a senior at Hampton High School. We congratulate all these Eagle Scouts.

Glenshaw Century Club Annual Luncheon at Fox Chapel Golf Club New venue!

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Lions Club Boy Scout Spaghetti Pancake Dinner Breakfast

Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast

April 27, 2013

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Saturday, May 18

4 to 7 p.m. Elﬁnwild Presbyterian Church, Mt. Royal Blvd.

8 to 11 a.m. Bethlehem Lutheran Church 1719 Mt. Royal Boulevard, Glenshaw

8 to 11 a.m. Shaler Area Middle School 1810 Mt. Royal Boulevard

The cost is just $7 for Adults, $6 for Seniors and $4 for children 10 and under.

All-you-can-eat breakfast with pancakes, eggs, juice, sausage, choice of milk, coﬀee or tea. $6 Adult $3 Children under age 12

Prices are: Seniors $7, Adults $8, Children $5, Children under 6 eat free. Entertainment provided.

Crawford Pool Senior Citizen Resident Pass

Eﬀective with the 2013 Season, Shaler Township Senior Citizens 62 years of age and older must apply for a new free pass to use Crawford Pool. The new pass will be good for two years. Please bring proof of residency and photo identiﬁcation when applying at the municipal building. The Crawford Pool application can be found in this magazine (page 40) or online at www.shaler.org.

Saturday, April 27 at 10:30 a.m. Glenshaw Century Club will hold its annual luncheon and fashion show at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at the Fox Chapel Golf Club, located at 426 Fox Chapel Road - 15238. This year’s theme will be “A Summer Day.” Cajoli, and One Brilliant will be providing the fashions. All proceeds from the luncheon beneﬁt the scholarship fund for Shaler Area High School students and other worthy recipients. Tickets are $37.50 and include lunch and door prizes. To purchase tickets in advance, please call Pat George at 412-486-8356. Reservation and ticket purchase must be made by April 13, 2013. Once again we will have our beautiful basket raﬄes for which we are so well known for!

Community Day

Kiwanis Park July 4, 2013

Community Day Activities Join friends, family and neighbors for our Annual Community Day Celebration.

Jane Neely Run For Your Life 5k Race 7:45 a.m. Registration Race starts at 8:30 a.m. Proceeds benefit the PA Connecting Communities Connecting Individuals, Disabilities, Communities

Community Tent Attractions 6 to p.m. Clowns, face painters & balloon artists

Fire Truck Rides - 1:00 p.m.

Applications at www.shaler.org

Annual Military Recognition Ceremony 8 p.m.

The Pool will be open from Noon - 6:00 p.m.

D.J. at the Pool 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Registration forms at www.shaler.org

Kids Inﬂatable Attractions 6 to 9 p.m. at Kiwanis Park

Kiwanis Club Concession Stand will be open from 12 noon through the festivities.

Request your favorite music on stage at 7:00 p.m.

Fireworks by Pyrotecnico Dusk (rain date Friday, July 5) Shaler | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 37

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TOWNSHIP NEWS Curbside Yard Waste Collection 1-800-464-2120 or e-mail: shalertwppa@republicservices.com Call Republic Services at 1-800-464-2120 or e-mail shalertwppa@republicservices.com by Wednesday of the date below of that week to schedule Yard Waste Collection. Notify the customer service representative that you are from Shaler Township and you would like to schedule a Yard Waste collection. Call by Wednesday of that week before the date below: April 27 June 22 August 24 May 25 July 27 September 28 • Yard waste includes: leaves, garden residue, shrubbery with no dirt attached, limbs, twigs, brush and tree trimmings, and similar items, but does not include grass clippings. • Yard waste must be placed in a bio-degradable paper bag or 33-gallon trash can. Tree trimmings not to exceed 3 inches in diameter; brush, limbs, twigs and shrubbery must be bundled in lengths not to exceed 4 feet.

Electronic Recycling

Starting January 2013, the Covered Electronic Recycling Act 108 of 2010 prohibits the disposal of ‘covered electronic devices’ such as televisions, computer monitors, laptops, printers, and copiers in landﬁlls.

Kiwanis Park

Saturday, May 18, 2013 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. • Hard disk drive shredding - $8 per drive No fees for the following: • Computer towers and notebook (laptop) computers • Printers, copiers, fax machines and scanners • Telephone equipment • Radio equipment • Cables, hard drives, disk drives and miscellaneous computer components

• • • •

Mouse devices, speakers and keyboards Servers and networking equipment Cell phones and batteries Non-Freon containing appliances and white goods • Computer monitors • Televisions

The Fall 2012 Electronic Recycling event recorded 29,752 pounds of electronic waste collected. The materials consisted of 2,709 lbs. of non-covered electronic device, 5,913 lbs. of covered electronic scrap 4,453 lbs. of monitors, 5,398 lbs. of computers /laptops and 11,279 lbs. of TVs.

Thank you Shaler Township residents and businesses.

Household Chemical Collection May 4, 2013 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. North Park Swimming Pool Parking Lot Cost: $2 per gallon, cash only. This event is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC) and partners. Acceptable materials include: paint products, aerosol cans, automotive ﬂuids, batteries, chemistry sets, CFLs, gasoline & kerosene, household cleaners, mercury, pesticides, photo and pool chemicals, and more. For more information please contact PRC at 412-488-7452 or visit www.zerowastepgh.org.

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Shaler North Hills Library

Books... And So Much More!

1822 Mt. Royal Boulevard 412-486-0211 www.shalerlibrary.org Please call the library to register for all programs. The library will close on Sundays for the summer beginning May 26, 2013. SNHL will be closed for Memorial Day, Monday, May 27.

Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale Blowout! Friday, May 10 - 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friends’ Preview Night. Join the Friends for just $10.00 and enjoy a lovely night of book buying, music and refreshments. Saturday, May 11 - 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Bake Sale too! Sunday, May 12 - 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Bag Sale!) The library opens for full service at 1:00 p.m., only the sale starts at 10:00 a.m. Call 412-486-0211 or email mcraes@einetwork.net if you can spare some volunteer time for baking, set-up, sales or tear down. Great for students! Thank you!

Spadafora’s Bar and Restaurant Fundraiser Days Tuesday, May 14 and Wednesday, May 15. Enjoy lunch or dinner either of these days and Spadafora’s will donate 10% of the proceeds to the library for programming and materials.

Pizza for Pages! An ongoing fundraiser with Papa John’s of Shaler! Order a large one-topping pizza, breadsticks and a 2 liter of Pepsi for $16.00 and Papa John’s will donate $1.00 per order. Call 412-892-8892 and tell them you want the Shaler Library special or order online at papajohns.com and use the LIB16 coupon code.

Mark your calendars for this very exciting event! The Shaler North Hills Library has been chosen to host a visit by children’s picture book author/illustrator Suzanne Bloom on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. Ms. Bloom’s visit is part of Pennsylvania One Book, Every Young Child Reading Initiative, which highlights the importance of early literacy development in preschoolers.

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Extended morning hours for adults are on Mondays and Fridays at 8:30 a.m. Pick-up holds, check out materials and use the computer quietly. 10:00 a.m. Library opens for reference service, fax service and services for children resume.

Great Gardens Tour! Sunday, June 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The library benefits from this wonderful tour sponsored by the Shaler Garden Club. Enjoy five beautiful, area gardens. Tickets are $15.00. Rain or shine! The Great Gardens Contest sponsored by the Shaler Garden Club and SNHL returns! Share your passion and hard work with our community! Deadline for entry is Monday, July 15. Winners will be announced on Tuesday, July 23 at 6 p.m. during the Shaler Garden Club’s membership meeting at the library.

Summer reading starts June 1st for all ages! Dig into reading @ the library. The sky’s the limit when you read. Read, read, and read for book bucks in exchange for great prizes in the library store. Don’t do the summer reading slide---keep up those reading skills by reading for fun. Your brain will thank you. And families that read together, succeed together - so moms, dads, sisters, brothers, grandparents and cousins--we have tons of programs and prizes for you too. It’s our favorite time of year at the library. Did you know that the Shaler North Hills Library ranks first among 44 county libraries with the highest percentage of summer reading participants and return rate? And we rank 1st among peer sized libraries in Pennsylvania for the highest participation in summer reading.

Save the date! Wednesday, April 24, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Library. How to self-publish. Friday, April 26 at 7 p.m. at the Library. Star Wars Family Night. There is always a lot going on at your Shaler North Hills Library. Visit us in person or online at www.shalerlibrary.org to see why we are one of the top five libraries in the nation! Thank you for your constant support!

SNHL Loses a Dear Friend and Board Member SNHL Board member, William Carlson passed away on February 14, 2013. Mr. Carlson was tickled pink when the library received the National Medal of Museum and Library Services in November, 2012. It is an understatement to say he loved music. He sang in the choir at the Glenshaw Presbyterian Church and was a member of the Pittsburgh Metro Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. He had great ideas and I relied on his knowledge and advice as to how to operate the library. We enjoyed chatting about our favorite books and he always had a smile and chuckle to share with the staﬀ. He was so proud of the library and our Shaler community. He will be dearly missed and the Board and Staﬀ extend our condolences to his wife, Ann Carlson and his family. ~ Sharon McRae Shaler | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 41

This issue is also available online 42

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This issue is also available online

vement me Impro Shaler Ho SPECIAL:

2013 SPRING

The

getbacktoquilting

Institute.

rea Shaler tAo takes

Space... and Beyond!

Blessed with talented hands and an independent character, Barbara ran a sewing business and made quilts for friends and family. But a brain stem stroke left her unable to stand or use her hands and arms, requiring inpatient rehabilitation. With seven UPMC locations available, Barbara chose one close to home and worked with expert therapists, doctors, and cutting-edge robotic equipment. She moved from wheelchair to walker to cane and can now walk with no physical support. As for those talented fingers of hers, they’re busily back at work. She’s making quilts once again, and she even found time to make scarves for the UPMC rehabilitation staff.

To learn more about the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute’s seven locations, including UPMC St. Margaret, call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762) or visit UPMC.com/MyRehab.

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.

Shaler | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 43

Tomosynthesis Offers Women Greater Detection of Breast Abnormalities Donna Peters, 46, was told she had breast cancer in July 2012 – a diagnosis that almost had not happened, had it not been for tomosynthesis, a revolutionary three-dimensional mammography imaging technology being used at Magee-Womens Imaging. Peters explained that she had a standard mammogram at a local hospital in March, only to be called to have a second one a few weeks later. “My doctors said that my breast tissue was dense, but they were not sure if something else might be going on,” she explained. She returned for the second mammogram, and had a sonogram immediately after, as her physicians were still somewhat unclear of what they were seeing.

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

A few weeks later, she had an MRI, which concluded a possibly benign tumor, so another MRI was performed, but this time with a guided biopsy. The results were in and showed no cancer. That is when Peters took matters into her own hands and sought a second opinion.

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

- Dr. Margarita Zuley

Dr. Chough ordered tomosynthesis for Peters, who said that it did not feel any different from that of a standard mammogram. The diagnosis was confirmed. Peters had infiltrated ductal carcinoma, the most common kind of breast cancer. “Tomosynthesis provides physicians with the ability to improve upon the limitations of the standard two-dimensional mammography, which will hopefully allow us to find more cancers with fewer false-positives and limit the number of additional workups and potentially unnecessary biopsies,” said Margarita Zuley, M.D., director of breast imaging at Magee-Womens Imaging. 44

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“And although tomosynthesis currently does not replace traditional 2-D mammography, especially in women with dense breast tissue, it does reduce the recall rate of patients by 30 to 40 percent.” The technology uses precise 3-D digital imaging to create a complete reconstruction of the breast, which gives radiologists the ability to identify certain abnormalities which can be more difficult to detect with traditional 2-D digital mammography screening. One of the main differences between tomosynthesis and 2-D mammography is its ability to capture 60 to 100 pictures through use of an advanced digital platform, compared to two pictures produced by the standard mammogram. Although the test can be performed on anyone, for now, tomosynthesis is used for patients who have an inconclusive mammogram or for patients who request it, according to Dr. Zuley, who does feel that it will eventually replace the two-dimensional test. Dr. Zuley also stressed that the radiation levels in tomosynthesis are equal to that of traditional two-dimensional mammography. Much of the research on tomosynthesis was conducted at Magee-Womens Imaging, and researchers there are the most widely published group in the country on the technology. “I am so grateful for this new technology,” Peters said. “I feel it was a big part in my diagnosis, because it gave my doctors a clearer image of what was going on inside my body. But the equipment is only as good as the doctors who know how and when to use it, and when Drs. Bonaventura and Chough saw something that they did not like, they immediately opted to use tomosynthesis to verify their suspicions. They made the process easy!” “This is the biggest advance we’ve seen in breast imaging in a long time, and we are excited to provide it to our patients,” Dr. Zuley said. Tomosynthesis is currently available at Magee-Womens Imaging locations in Oakland and Monroeville and at the Magee Breast Center at UPMC St. Margaret.

Did you know that The Watson Institute has a Sharpsburg location? We have been providing a preschool program for children at 200 Linden Avenue (the former Sharpsburg High School) since the early 1990s. Watson’s LEAP Preschool oﬀers a high quality education program to typically developing children and children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. To best meet the needs of all children, the preschool curriculum is supplemented with learning activities and instructional strategies speciﬁcally designed to concentrate on the development of functional skills, independent play, social interaction, pre-academics, language skills and adaptive behavior. Typically developing children ages 3-5 are an integral component of LEAP Preschool. The curriculum is developmentally appropriate, helping to prepare them for kindergarten and beyond. Also located in our Sharpsburg building is Watson’s Psychological Services department, which provides diagnostic and wraparound evaluations and individual and group therapies, such as social skills groups for pre-teens and teens. Visit our website for more information on all of Watson’s program and service offerings.

It was time to grow my business and reach more customers, but baking a cake that would fit into a mailbox was impractical. Until I found the next best thing... My IN Community Magazines campaign remains my single most cost-eﬀective method of advertising.

IN Shaler reaches directly into 17,995 households

CALL 724.942.0940 Shaler | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 45

IN SHALER

If you have a home, you know how challenging it is to maintain it. Roofs leak, landscapes need weeding, and kitchens and baths need facelis. If you’re handy, you can get by with your own sweat equity. However, most people don’t have the skills, let alone the time, to tackle major household projects – many of which will require you spending more time at the oﬃce just to be able to tackle the price tags such projects come with. Here, we try to cover it all for you – from financing your project to enjoying it when it’s complete. Building a home addition can be a good alternative to buying a new home or building a house from scratch. Besides saving money, it can be a means of investing in your home and customizing your home to serve your family’s specific needs and desires. But additions also bring up potential problems that may not make them the best option for everyone. An addition can drastically change the way a house looks from the road or yard. An addition that isn’t well planned can look like it doesn’t belong or doesn’t match the rest of the house in terms of style or overall shape. Planning an addition carefully with a skilled architect is the best way to ensure that the house looks as good, or even better, than it did before the addition. An architect should be able to produce sketches that give a sense of how the finished addition will look. To minimize the appearance of an addition, homeowners can usually choose to build onto the back of the existing house, thereby hiding the new construction from the road. Depending on the size of an addition and the construction schedule, it may take weeks or months before an addition is completed. Bad weather can cause unanticipated delays, and working with an unreliable contractor can prolong the process even further. If a homeowner can’t afford to be patient during the planning and construction process, 46

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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 energyefficient 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 –

Our Home Improvement PARTNERS just a little planning and creativity before you get started. Refresh your bath’s look with a wowworthy 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. Vinyl decking made from Cellular PVC is a great choice for decking because it is essentially resistant to stains, mold, insects and fading. PVC material is low maintenance and is a sustainable building material. But like composite, it can get costly. Powder coated aluminum decking can be used to create a watertight floor for your deck. This unique material will never splinter, rot or rust. LockDry Aluminum decking is cool to the touch and is available in five colors. Aluminum decking is strong

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh ReStore (412) 271-HOME (4663) • www.pittsburghhabitat.org/shop

Habitat for Humanity’s Pittsburgh ReStore sells reusable house building and home improvement materials to the public. The ReStore accepts donated goods which are sold at 50-70% oﬀ the retail value. All proceeds help secure aﬀordable, safe housing for low-income families in the Greater Pittsburgh area. We accept new and gentlyused building materials, furniture, appliances, and home décor.

A. W. Beattie Career Center (412) 847-1900 • www.beattietech.com A. W. Beattie Career Center students enrolled in the Carpentry/ Building Construction and HVAC programs obtain the necessary authentic skills to be successful in the construction and mechanical systems fields. Students have the opportunity to earn their OSHA 10 certification. Our HVAC students have the opportunity to earn their EPA 608 certification. These programs are endorsed by the PA Builders Association.

Don Walter Kitchens (724) 935-3455 • www.donwalterkitchen.com

Founded 36 years ago by Don Walter and now run by the entire family, Don Walter Kitchen Distribution, Inc. has more than 15 full-time designers on staﬀ. Our kitchens are designed using the latest computer technology, and are available in a variety of woods, styles and ﬁnishes. We strive on designing kitchens and vanities that match your lifestyle and individual needs.

TUDI Mechanical Systems (724) 772-0330 • www.tudi.com

TUDI Mechanical Systems specializes in heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical services in the commercial, industrial and residential markets. They were just named "Best Contractor To Work For" in the eastern United States and granted Best Work Place for Business Ethics, the second year in a row by the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Learn more about their non-proﬁt, Heat for the Needy at tudi.com.

Lighting by Erik (412) 821-6443 • www.lightingbyeriknorth.com

Lighting by Erik North has been serving the North Hills since 1972. We carry exterior and landscape lighting, decorative fixtures, mirrors, fans and lamps for every room. We offer quick, quality repairs and our expert sales staff strive to give that personal service and attention to detail that our clients have come to expect. Allow us to assist you with your lighting needs.

continued on page 48 Shaler | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 47

HOME IMPROVEMENT IN SHALER

and lightweight. The LockDry system can be used to create a dry space to use under your deck on rainy days. 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. 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 youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re entertaining. Electricity for lighting and appliances is also incredibly important. If you are updating an unused area of your home, the current electric wiring may not be able to handle the additional demands of a game room. The Design/Build contractor can guide you through what will need to be updated and how much it will cost. If finances are an issue there are definitely still projects you can complete yourself including painting, laying carpet, adding shelves or simply updating the dĂŠcor. 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. 48

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Our Home Improvement PARTNERS They sell executive-grade used furniture for a fraction of the cost. Max C. Smith Bookcases or other storage can be a (724) 443-0200 • www.maxcsmithcompany.com nice addition. Not only can they store The Max C. Smith Company was founded by John Smith in 1868. books, but they are also great places to Over the decades we have established and earned a reputation for display awards or showcase your favorite conscientious and reliable service. We provide the best quality collection of knickknacks or memorabilia. heating, cooling and indoor air quality products. With our history of over 145 years in business, you know we will be there after the Decide whether you prefer furniture pieces sale to meet any service needs you may have. or built-ins. Antique shops have great deals We guarantee it! on beautiful bookcases, and most local cabinet shops can design and install custom built-ins. If you have a closet in Universal Windows Direct your office, visit your local home center (877) 949-6013 • www.windowsinstallationpittsburgh.com for a plethora of storage and organizing Locally owned and operated, Universal Windows Direct has been options. in business since 2006. Servicing the Greater Pittsburgh Area A comfortable chair or two is a including Allegheny, Washington, Butler, and Beaver counties; necessity. Choose long-lasting fabrics and Universal Windows Direct is the place for the exclusive UniShield sturdy frames. Go with classic styles that vinyl replacement window, beautiful siding, and quality entry doors. won’t end up as next year’s garage sale Contact Universal Windows Direct to schedule a free in-home estimate today or learn about ﬁnancing options! 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. Shaler Self Storage Nothing shows this like the home theater. (412) 486-4852 So many popular home magazines have Shaler Self Storage is a family-owned business from the local a page dedicated to converting your community. In fact, the new owner, Scott Harris, is a Shaler basement into a home theater, or alumnus from the class of 1978. Shaler Self-Storage proudly something similar. The HGTV website has supports the Boy and Girl Scouts of America, Shaler Varsity 16 home theater features alone. But how Swimming and Diving, Shaler Seadogs and Shaler Water Polo doable is the home theater in reality? First, teams. Boxes, moving supplies and Penske Truck Rentals are there for you too! you need a fairly large space, either a big family room or a basement. Second, you need to budget for all the furnishings including, of course, the stars of the show: home theater equipment – a big-screen TV, DVD player and speakers – and comfy seating. Also very popular for home theaters is floor and aisle lighting similar to real movie 49 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE • FREE ESTIMATES theaters, and perhaps even an old-fashioned popcorn maker. Frankly, home theaters are generally for those with deep pockets because there really is no way to make a home theater cheaply. Still thinking of taking the plunge? The home improvement website Home Time has a really useful feature on home theater planning. It covers everything you’ll need to consider, like the space you’ll need and even suggested room layouts, to maximize your viewing pleasure. Kitchens are the most popular room in the house to remodel. Heating & Air Conditioning Established 1868

continued on page 50

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!!

Shaler | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 49

HOME IMPROVEMENT IN SHALER

SPRING IS IN THE AIR! Trust Max C. Smith Company ~ THE provider for all of your cooling and indoor air quality needs. s 3ERVICE 2EPAIRS OR 2EPLACEMENT s 3ERVING YOUR COMMUNITY SINCE

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Many people consider the kitchen to be the center of the home and its most important component. Another reason it is so popular to remodel is there are so many things in the kitchen that can be remodeledâ&#x20AC;Ś. 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 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 continued on page 52

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HOME IMPROVEMENT IN SHALER

shade from landscaping elements can help reduce this solar heat gain. Shading and evapotranspiration (the process by which a plant actively moves and releases water vapor) from trees can reduce surrounding air temperatures as much as 9°F (5°C). Because cool air settles near the ground, air temperatures directly under trees can be as much as 25°F (14°C) cooler than air temperatures above nearby blacktop. Using shade effectively requires you to know the size, shape, and location of the moving shadow that your shading device casts. Also, homes in cool regions may never overheat and may not require shading. Therefore, you need to know what landscape shade strategies will work best in your regional climate and your microclimate. Also, if you can determine how much water your plants actually need, then you won’t overwater them and waste water. It is important to not only understand a plant’s particular watering requirements, but also evapotranspiration. Evapotranspiration (Et) is the amount of water that is evaporated from the soil and transpired through the plant’s leaves. This amount of water needs to be replaced through watering. If you know your area’s Et rate, you can plan the amount of water to be replaced through irrigation. It’s best to water or irrigate your plants in the early morning when evaporation rates are low. This also provides plants with water before midday when the evaporation rate is the highest. 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. 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, 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 continued on page 54 52

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price, climate where they live and available space in which to be creative. 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 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 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

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Shaler | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 53

HOME IMPROVEMENT IN SHALER

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 roaring. 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 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.

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 oldfashioned 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). 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. 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.

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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. Projects with highest return on investment • Replacing entry door with steel door (102%) • Garage door replacement (84%) • Adding a wood deck (73%) • Minor kitchen remodel (73%) • Vinyl siding replacement (72%) • Wood window replacement (72%) • Attic bedroom addition (72%)

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6. Visually check electrical lines for any bad spots or possible loose connections. (Call for service). 7. Make sure outside unit is still level on pad. (Call for Service). 8. Visually check fan motor for oil spots. (Call for Service). 9. Check insulation on tubing, repair or replace. 10. Check wall penetration, add caulking if needed.

1. Check indoor furnace filter, replace if needed. 2. Check condensate drain trap or pump. (Add bleach to pump). 3. Check refrigerant lines indoor and outside, for any oil spots. Maybe signs of a leak (Call for service). 4. Outside: Disconnect power to condensing unit. Hose off coils with gentle water pressure. 5. Unscrew top of condenser, remove all leaves and debris. Hose off inside with gentle water pressure.

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