IN South Fayette by IN Community Magazines

SUMMER 2013

2013

Case

Award s

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INPERSPECTIVE S TA F F

From the Publisher Welcome to the summer issue of South Fayette magazine, While we focus on the communities that we serve, we don’t live in a bubble. The world throws curveballs at each of us, and each of us has to decide whether or not to swing at it. In the case of the Boston Marathon bombing, the city swung and knocked it out of the park. Residents came together to present a united front. First responders put their lives on hold and on the line until the threat was removed. Boston is not unique in that regard. Over the past decade or more that I’ve been publishing magazines, I’ve had the good fortune to come into contact with a lot of residents in the communities we serve. I’ve met dozens upon dozens of municipal officials, police and fire chiefs, EMS teams, and elected officials. I’ve seen them deal with their own issues, and I’ve seen them from time to time mourn their losses in the press. What I’ve seen and who I’ve met along the way has convinced me that the resilience of Boston is not a regional attribute. It’s a way of life that seems to be somehow tied to our very genes. Fortunately, not every city will face a challenge of that magnitude. But we do have it in us to take the inspiration demonstrated by the people of Boston and apply it to our daily lives. We can take small steps every day to ensure that the community we live in is a little bit better by the time we lay our heads down on the pillow at night. Whether it’s raising money for a cause, or visiting someone who needs to see a smiling face, young or old we can all do something to make our surroundings a little bit better. And by making things a little bit better for each other, hopefully, we can be better prepared to help one another if things suddenly get worse. This May, we honored volunteers and organizations in the community that help make a difference in such ways. Those people and causes were chosen by you, and we are proud to thank them for their service to their communities. We thank you for your dedication to our magazines and hope that you continue to be part of them and contribute your thoughts and ideas to our editors. There are many more stories to be told, and we always welcome your help in finding them. Wayne Dollard, Publisher

we want to know

Featured pet

Bingley

Why is your Pet the Best Pet

in the world? All Animals Welcome!

Fall content deadline: 7/4/13

Write and tell us why your pet is the greatest. Be sure to send us a photo of your best friend and let us know which magazine you receive at your home. Photos should be as large as possible and may be emailed to our editor, mark@incommunitymagazines.com or mailed to IN Community Magazines, 603 East McMurray Road, McMurray, PA 15317. Be sure to include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you would like your photo returned.

There’s nothing quite like the unconditional love of a pet, so share the love! South Fayette | Summer 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 3

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INSIDE

IN South Fayette is a non-partisan community publication dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the South Fayette area and its comprising municipalities by focusing on the talents and gifts of the people who live and work here. Our goal is to provide readers with the most informative and professional regional publication in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

IN South Fayette | SUMMER 2013 |

Industry Insights

Fitness Fanatics............................... | 27 Henry Wealth Management on the cover

The Critical Role of the Financial Advisor ... | 28

Nearly 500 people turned out for the inaugural IN Community Magazines’ Community Awards for Service Excellence (CASE) presented by Northwest Savings Bank in the West Club Lounge at Heinz Field. IN Community Magazines honored community volunteers at the celebration. Story on page 6.

Howard Hanna: Pamela Moore.... | 44 Children’s Community Pediatrics.......................................... | 50 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Dan Ryan Builders.......................... | 46 Hickory Heights Golf Club............ | 59 8

For special values, see coupons on page 54.

community interests

The IN Community Magazines 2013 CASE Awards ............ | 6

Event cover photos by Carl P. Stillitano, CPS Photography

South Fayette Township School District ................................. | 8 South Fayette Township .................................................................. | 16 UPMC Eye Center’s Laser Vision Center ................................ | 24 UPMC Today | Health and Wellness News ...................................... | 29 UPMC Urgent Care: Tips on Summer Sun Safety ................ | 64 Features

Real Estate Special Section ........................................................... | 38 Replenishment Blood Drive Event Helped Sydney Hawk and Her Community ............................................ | 49 Paddle Without Pollution Clean-Up at Chartiers Creek . | 51 We Want to Cover You! Do you have an event coming up that you’d like to publicize? Do you have an event that you want us to cover? Let us know! Go to www.incommunitymagazines.com/events and fill out the form. Events will be announced in the upcoming issue. If our deadlines don’t match yours, we may decide to send our photographers to cover the event for an upcoming issue. We’re looking for fundraisers, charity drives, social functions, class reunions, church festivals, awards presentations and more! If you’re not sure you have an event worth featuring, give us a call at 724.942.0940 and we’ll help you out!

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South Fayette | Summer 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 5

Inaugural

Event photos by Carl P. Stillitano, CPS Photography

CASE AWARDS Honors Unsung Volunteers

Nearly 500 people turned out for the inaugural IN Community Magazinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Community Awards for Service Excellence (CASE) presented by Northwest Saving Bank on May 10 in the West Club Lounge at Heinz Field.

early 500 people turned out for the inaugural IN Community Magazinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Community Awards for Service Excellence (CASE) presented by Northwest Savings Bank on May 10 in the West Club Lounge at Heinz Field. The honorees and their guests were welcomed to the prestigious event following a short reception. A total of 111 awards were presented to individual volunteers, non-profit organizations and corporations who have demonstrated exceptional service to the community either through direct volunteer efforts or support of non-profits. They represented a cross section of both young and old from 33 different communities in western Pennsylvania. Some of the honorees traveled from as far away as Greensburg and Erie to participate. Popular anchor Andrew Stockey of WTAE-TV served as Master of Ceremonies and presented the honorees

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with their certificates. Stockey opened with some remarks on the importance of volunteerism and his own community service background. IN Community Magazines publisher, Wayne Dollard, addressed the assembly, with special thanks to his wife Lisa, his staff and to the honorees for their service. Dollard read a poem about the importance of making every moment count and finished by expressing his hope that the awards will become an annual event to recognize outstanding accomplishments in volunteering. Chris Martin, Northwest Savings Bank president of the southwest region, congratulated IN Community Magazines

on the success of the event in highlighting non-profits. Northwest Savings Bank sponsored the event. Monica Haynes, who originated the concept for the CASE awards, spoke about the process of developing the recognition program. Haynes, a former editor with IN Community Magazines, had visited a local food pantry to conduct interviews on a snowy Pittsburgh day last winter. She was inspired by the dedication of the food pantry workers, who despite treacherous, slick streets, had left their warm, safe homes to honor their volunteer commitment in order that others less fortunate might have enough food to eat.

A total of 111 awards were presented to individual volunteers, non-profit organizations and corporations who have demonstrated exceptional service to the community either through direct volunteer efforts or support of non-profits.

2013

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Chris Martin, President of the Southwest Region of Northwest Savings Bank (far left) poses with the South Fayette area winners Helen Cardillo and Ben Kenawell.

The experience led Haynes to meet with Dollard regarding the possibility of honoring volunteers who donate their time, talents and money to improve the community. Haynes said Dollard’s immediate response was, “Let’s do it!” “I knew they didn’t do it for any recognition or fanfare,” explained Haynes, “I felt if others were able to know about what [they were doing] they might be motivated and inspired to do the same.” With a firm commitment from Dollard, the initial planning began and an appeal was placed in each of IN Community’s 37 magazines to nominate teen volunteers, adult volunteers, nonprofits and corporations who exhibited extraordinary levels of service to the community. The response was overwhelming, with hundreds of names being put forward as possible honorees. A selection committee sorted through the stacks of nominations to narrow the field to just one honoree for each category in

IN SOUTH FAYETTE Volunteer of the Year, Helen Cardillo: Helen started the Circle of Friends Club at South Fayette High School 19 years ago. She has taken the students to volunteer at the Down Syndrome Buddy Walk for past 13 years, held a Mardi Gras dance for special needs teens from all of Allegheny County schools for the past 10 years, and held an annual “Penny Challenge” for 19 years now that benefits programs for kids with special needs. This year, the club raised $13,640, and over the last 19 years, has raised more than $138,000. Youth Volunteer of the Year, Ben Kenawell: Ben is a junior at South Fayette High School and an active volunteer in his community. Some of his volunteering experiences include: walking for JDRF, helping repaint the Hosanna House in Wilkinsburg, participating in community events with the Boy Scouts, helping with Eagle Scout

There were volunteers honored from ages 13 to 86. Non-profits and corporations, both large and small, received awards for their work. every school district. (The magazine coverage area is based on school district lines.) There were volunteers honored from ages 13 to 86. Non-profits and corporations, both large and small, received awards for their work. “As someone who has managed volunteers for 10 years, it is wonderful to witness your recognition efforts of so many deserving individuals and organizations,” commented Vickie Mottern, volunteer coordinator for Brevillier Village, located in Harborcreek in Erie County.

projects, being an altar server at his church, and being a classroom helper the year after his confirmation in one of his church’s CCD classes. Some of the Eagle Scout projects he has helped with have consisted of: building an Adirondack chair for the Rails-to-Trails, painting the Food Bank for Our Lady of Grace, and renovating an historic landmark - the train caboose in Bridgeville - for the Bridgeville Historical Society. Not only has he helped with other Eagle Scout projects, but he has also led his own, which benefited Rails-toTrails and included putting in stop signs and building a ramp for access to a utility trailer. His goals include continuing to be active in his community and going to college for a degree in computer engineering at the end of next year.

“We are so grateful to be recognized as Small Non-Profit of the Year for Norwin,” said Jodi Fowler, one of the founders of Genre’s Kids with Cancer Fund. “Never did we imagine... that we would be at this point, developing our organization and receiving this amazing award because of our incredible volunteers – just a few years later.” “It is a great event!” said Chartiers Valley Volunteer of the Year, Susan Zuk. The night was capped off with live entertainment provided by The Clarks, as guests rocked the night away. IN Community Magazines would like to thank everyone who made the awards event possible. We would also like to congratulate all of our honorees, the nominees and even those individuals who were not nominated and yet serve on a daily basis. It is your constant devotion to helping others, which all too often goes unnoticed, that makes our communities a great place to live!

South Fayette | Summer 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 7

South Fayette Township School District

3680 Old Oakdale Road McDonald, Pennsylvania 15057 Phone 412.221.4542

Fax 724.693.0490

www.southfayette.org

Dear South Fayette Township Community Members, We are very pleased to report that the April 2013 edition of the Pittsburgh Business Times Guide to Western Dr. Bille P. Rondinelli PA Schools has Superintendent of Schools named the South Fayette Township School District as being in the top 10 school districts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The guide rates the academic performance of districts and schools in a sevencounty region and includes information on the public and private schools operating within those regions. The guide also profiles statewide DistrictLevel rankings. South Fayette ranks fifth (5th) in the top 10 Western PA school districts, and eighth (8th) in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Copies of the guide are available through each District building Principal. Information regarding the guide is also available by visiting the Pittsburgh Business Times website at www.bizjournals.com/Pittsburgh. In addition to this state-wide recognition, the South Fayette Township High School has

received national academic recognition through the annual Washington Post review. For the second consecutive year, the Washington Post has identified the South Fayette Township High School as, “One of America’s Most Challenging High Schools” and is ranked ninth (9th) statewide. In the statewide Washington Post ranking, the High School moved into the top 10 by moving past 12 districts in one year. The South Fayette Township High School is one of only two Western Pennsylvania High Schools that made the top 10. In the statewide ranking, the district competes with both magnet public high schools and private 8 724.942.0940 to advertise

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high schools. The Washington Post Challenge ranking is highlighted by data indicating 114 of our High School students have enrolled in Advanced Placement courses. Additionally, these students participated in 279 rigorous Advanced Placement (AP) examinations. Also, the district average SAT score has continued to rise over the last three years. America’s Most Challenging High Schools primarily ranks schools through an index formula with the following ratio: the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Advanced International Certificate of Education tests given at a school each year, divided by the number of seniors who graduated that year. Although very proud of the most recent accomplishments, the district will continue to strive for excellence in academics, the arts, and athletics. Our greatest challenge is to continue to offer high quality services, in a growing community, with fewer state and federal resources. As the district continues the 20132014 annual district budget process, difficult choices must always be made. The Board of School Directors, District personnel, and I are working diligently on reviewing the Allegheny County Assessment information as it impacts the District’s final budget for 2013-2014. The new South Fayette Township Intermediate School needs must also be added to the budget for the coming school year. We are very pleased to report to the community that the South Fayette Township School District’s new Intermediate School Project is continuing

on time and is under budget. We are in the process of reviewing when the Grand Opening Celebration will occur and anticipate the event for the first or second week in August, 2013. Please watch for the date and plan to join us for this historic district event! We have some exciting events to look forward to and celebrate with and for our children: May 20 - Pre-School Graduation May 23 - Kennywood Day May 24 - Prom June 3 - Baccalaureate June 6 - Last Day of School with Early Dismissal for Underclassmen K-11 June 7 - 85th High School Commencement June 14 - District is closed on Fridays, as an energy cost-savings measure with normal hours to begin the week of August 12. Seniors have received a separate end of the year schedule from the high school. As we graduate the Senior Class of 2013, a group of creative and talented young men and women full of potential, we wish them success as they begin their next steps. We know that they have the strong foundation of the South Fayette Township community family to support them as they strive to achieve their dreams. On behalf of the District and its Board of Directors, we genuinely thank the entire community, for your support of the District and partnerships in so many ways. We look forward to our ongoing work together! All the best, Dr. Bille P. Rondinelli

Spreadsheet Applications (5th place) – Danielle Druchniak; Business Communication (8th place) – Lauren Deutsch; Community Service Project (9th place) – Jennifer DeJames and Kirsten Chabalie; Computer Game and Simulation Programming (9th place) – Karan Bokil; and Emerging Business Issues (10th place) - Nick Karafilis and Gavin Alcorn. In the Open Events, JC Patton placed 6th in Investing in the Stock Market. Included on the SF team who competed were: Sidney Becker, Alan Blatz, Nick Blocher, Nikita Bokil, Tyler Cronin, Steve Damico, Joelle Darby, Alec Denison, Kaitlin Dunn, Ryan South Fayette FBLA Seniors Eberle, Carly Evanish, Grant Fetchet, Jessica Fisher, Justin Goodwill, Stephanie Grebinoski, Tiana Marrese, Michael McCartney, Ryan McGowan, Caitlin McLuckie, Jay Patel, Miranda Tedford, Taylor Timmons, and Carrie Torre, who along with faculty advisors Brandon Flannery and Shawn McArdle celebrated their teammates’ awards.

SF FBLA Shines at 2013 State Competition

South Fayette Future Business Leaders of America Club joined over 4000 young men and women from numerous school districts throughout the state to compete in a variety of events during the 2013 FBLA state competitions at the Hershey Lodge Convention Center, April 15 through 17. The South Fayette students received 10 awards in individual and team events. During the annual FBLA state competitions, student chapter members throughout the state compete in more than 70 events spread over two days. The 2012-2013 SF FBLA chapter has 64 members of which 33 students qualified to compete in Hershey. This year’s officers are Joelle Darby, President; Alie Reid, VicePresident; Nikita Bokil and Ryan Eberle, Secretary; and Aaron Fonner, Treasurer. Within the awards ceremony the top 10 team and individual competitors in each Front Row: Danielle Druchniak, Lauren Deutsch, Jennifer DeJames event were announced, South Fayette’s club Back Row: JC Patton, Ryan Lerda, Frank Morelli, Nick Karafilis, Gavin Alcorn, Karan Bokil received eight awards in the following events: (missing from photo - Kirsten Chabalie) Entrepreneurship (5th place) – JC Patton, Ryan Lerda and Frank Morelli; South Fayette | Summer 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 9

South Fayette Township School District

Building Autism Awareness in the

South Fayette Township School District “Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) does not make me who I am, but is a part of what makes me who I am.” These were the last words by a South Fayette High School sophomore, Michael “Joey” Blum when he concluded his presentation to the entire South Fayette Township School District faculty on April 8th, 2013. Joey’s presentation, “Building Autism Awareness” consisted of the personal strengths he possesses, challenges that he encounters, and how he, his parents, and his teachers collaborate to overcome those challenges to allow him to be successful. Joey’s presentation also discussed the social skill deficits that individuals diagnosed with ASD typically present with such as difficulty with conflict, empathy, and maintaining conversations. Following Joey’s presentation, his 1 mother, Maria Blum spoke to the staff and let them know that “it is never too late” to have an impact on a student and to “let Joey and who he is, what he has done and what he will do be a source of hope for you.”

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Mrs. Blum also expressed her gratitude to the staff stating, “We are so very grateful to you and what you do for our children each and every day. You have taken a dream that we had for Joey and turned it into a reality. It is an honor to be a part of the South Fayette High School.” Also in attempts to build autism awareness in the South Fayette Township School District, all buildings were encouraged to “Light it Up

Blue” and wear blue clothing in support of World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, 2013. Donations were also collected on this day. In addition, the South Fayette High School’s Circle of Friends Club sponsored the 19th Annual Penny Challenge to raise money, which will be donated to Autism Speaks for research. Students involved in the the South Fayette Middle School Lion Hearts Club colored small

autism ribbons to shape into a larger ribbon that is located in the main entrance of the middle school to symbolize the importance of autism awareness. The South Fayette Township School District, most specifically, the Pupil Services Department would like to extend the warmest gratitude to Joey and Mrs. Blum for this inspirational presentation.

1. Joey and Student Services staff 2. Abbie and Alex with autism ribbon 3. Dr. Rondinelli and ES principals. 4. Joey’s slide on museums 5. ES staff - light it up blue 6. Riley with autism ribbons 7. Joey and family 7

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South Fayette Township School District

Tom Isaacs, Physics teacher, and student Stephen Zatolochenko

South Fayette BotsIQ Team Scores in Competition The South Fayette BotsIQ Team , under the guidance of Brian Garlick (Technology Education teacher); Tom Isaacs (Physics Teacher); and Morris DeVos (SFSD Maintenance Staff Person) competed in the BotsIQ finals on April 19 and 20. This year’s event was sponsored by KDKA and was held in the new Convocation Center on the campus of California University of Pennsylvania. This competition is known as the “Smart Sport,” since teams from the southwestern PA region compete in a battle of robots that are designed, engineered and constructed through the academic and mechanical knowledge and efforts of the student teams. This is the third year that the SF team has partnered with Western Area Career and Technology Center (WACTC) on SCAR 3. Designed by senior Joe Murrer and machined by SF Teammates and the WACTC machining class, SCAR 3 once again showed its endurance and battle worthy design. During the preliminary competition in March at Westmoreland County Community College, SCAR 3 won two battles which provided the Robot with a top seed for finals. This year South Fayette entered an additional robot “Trollbot” that was designed by senior Stephen Zatolochenko and machined by teammates in the technology classroom and through a collaboration with Volcollect, Inc. A special thank you goes to Matt Alward (parent in the district) for providing the connection to Volcollect and their engineering partners. “Trollbot” was designed to outmaneuver opponents with its sleek design and quick speed. Both SF Bots finished in the Sweet 16 at the final competitions out of a field of 44 schools and 54 teams. Congratulations goes to team members, Ryan Eberle, Bischer Barmada, Stephen Zatolochenko, Joe Murrer, Varun Thangavelu, Radhir Kothuri, Ben Kenawell, Brennan McCann, 12 724.942.0940 to advertise

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Dylan Yankel, Sarah Hertzler, Karan Bokil, Anthony Ciamacco, Nihanth Kotte, Eric Song, John Sherbondy, AJ Rothenberger, and Kirtan Sakariya. South Fayette BotsIQ Team

Fit ‘N Fare: Partnering to

Make a Difference in Our Community… Tricia Wood, Director of Food & Nutritional Services for South Fayette Township School District

n May 22, South Fayette Township School District’s Food and Nutritional Department partnered again with UPMC’s Winifred Torbert and Stefanie Massari to offer an educational hands-on program called “Fit’N Fare.” This event took place on South Fayette’s athletic field and featured specialty food vendors offering samples of fresh fruits, dairy, yogurt, vegetables and whole grain healthy snacks for our 8th grade students. We invited other 8th grade students from area schools to participate and lunch was provided for students that day. As part of the UPMC’s 8th Grade Initiative, “Make me whole … body, mind, and soul” we continued to demonstrate to our students the importance of healthy snacking, eating, and exercise. We featured nationally recognized Jill Jayne, MS, RD from “Jump with Jill,” to lead the students in a fitness routine on our athletic field. Jill reinforces classroom learning and encompasses her love for music and nutrition into a dynamic rock and roll concert. The “Jump with Jill” show has been performed live thousands of times both in the United States and Europe and has been featured in national media outlets including Nickelodeon. We also had a full array of vendors and other professionals offering helpful advice as well. Our selected vendors are current support members of the Pittsburgh Regional Food Service Directors (PRFSD) co-operative purchasing group. These vendors focus their manufacturing and product development practices on the needs of our district. Vendors included: Concept Food Sales, Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association, General Mills, US Food Services, Schwann’s, Gordon Food Service, Wolff Group, and Key Impact to name a few. Each year, we look forward to this amazing event. A special “thank you” to our South Fayette Township School Board of Directors; Dr. Bille Rondinelli, Superintendent; principals; UPMC staff, and our very own South Fayette staff for your support with this project.

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South Fayette Township School District

South Fayette Cafeteria hosts Special Chef Diane Ganci South Fayette Township School District Food and Nutritional Director, Tricia Wood hosted Chef Diane Lee Ganci and Betty Brdar, School Specialist from the Mid Atlantic Dairy Association, with a hands-on cooking program covering individual concept themes and recipe preparation. The training was designed as a professional cooking class where each attendee participated fully. Teams consisted of two

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cafeteria employees assisted by associates and leads preparing the recipes that could be used in our food courts. Approximately 13 staff participated in the process, leaving no time for â&#x20AC;&#x153;observers.â&#x20AC;? The menu for the day was created using the concepts that would comply with the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act 2010 concepts.

Strategies and tools were shared to ensure the success of the program as well as marketing and merchandizing methods to increase participation. Menu items prepared consisted of: primavera grilled vegetables and mozzarella pita; Monte Cristo pita; meatless spicy taco dip and lowsodium baked cheddar corn nacho chips; Buffalo chicken sliders; and Georgia peach

shake. (Georgia peach shake was our favorite). Chef Ganci (former Adjunct Instructor for Culinary Arts/Hotel Restaurant Management at Galveston College, Texas) displayed outstanding knife skills and illustrated to our staff how to “trade out” less healthy ingredients

for much healthier selections. This was certainly a fun filled day, full of life lessons and merchandizing tips to create healthier dishes for our food courts. As you can see from the pictures, our efforts resulted in “edible works of art” enjoyed by all. Thank you to our staff Leaders, Aimee Dernosek, Judy Howcroft, Judy Kirkpatrick and Deb Deep for assisting with this project. A special thank you to Betty Brdar, School Specialist from Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and Chef Diane Lee Ganci from New Jerseyconsultant for M-AD.

Cara Price Takes First Place in Statewide TSA Competition

South Fayette freshman Cara Price took first place in the Promotional Graphics event held at the Technology Student Association (TSA) state competition held April 18 and 19, 2013 at Seven Springs Resort and Conference Center. This year SF TSA was well represented by 27 club members who competed against students from 163 high schools across Pennsylvania. The team included Nate Abel, Gavin Allcorn, Mark Babatunde, Bischer Barmada, Connor Battershall, Tim Bernhardt, Karan Bokil, Allison Brown, Anthony Ciamacco, Ryan Eberle, Aaron Gaunt, Broderick Haney, Sarah Hertzler, James Jablonski, Ben Kenawell, Radhir Kothuri, Brooke Ley, Matt Leger, Brennan McCann, Omar Morsy, Josh Phillips, Cara Price, BJ Supan and Jacob Sustrich. The students entered numerous intense events including but not limited to computer testing, engineering projects, photographic technology, transportation modeling, video production, Auto CAD 3D, and flight and robotics competitions. Cara is eligible to represent the state in the national competition being held in Orlando from June 28 to July 2. Brian Garlick has been actively promoting and advising South Fayette students in the TSA program for over 16 years.

South Fayette Foundation for Excellence Annual Golf Classic The 2nd Annual South Fayette Foundation for Excellence Golf Classic will be held on Monday, July 8, 2013 at Southpointe Golf Club in Canonsburg. The fee per golfer is $150 which includes an 18-hole scramble, riding cart, hot breakfast buffet, luncheon, and door prizes. There will also be a silent sports memorabilia auction, and various awards. Skill prize opportunities include a putting challenge; men’s and women’s straightest and longest drive contests; “closest to the pin” challenge; and hole-in-one prizes that include three $5000 awards and a new car from Colussy Chevrolet. A variety of sponsorship and donation opportunities are available. The South Fayette Foundation for Excellence is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization working to support the students and staff of the South Fayette Township School District to raise funds to award student scholarships and teacher grants for innovative educational opportunities. Visit www.southfayette.org/ foundation4excellence/golfclassic to print out a registration form or call 724.693.3047.

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South Fayette Township

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Age/Grade: _____ must be at least 5 yearsbe of age upon Age/Grade: _____ / _______ Please Note – Child must least years of age upon Age/Grade: Address: _____ / _______ Please Note – Child be at least 5 years of age upon start must of program, in order to participate. start of program, in order to participate. startState: of program, to participate. ______in order Zip Code:________ Address: City: _________________________ Address: Address: City: _________________________ State: ______ Zip Code:________ City: _________________________ State: ______ Zip Code:________ City: _________________________ ______ P A R E NState: T/GU A R D IZip A NCode:________ INFORMATION P A R PARENT E N T / G/UP AARRDE INATN/ INFORMATION I NUFAORRDMI A AN T II O GUARDIAN G NN FORMATION P A R E N T / G U A R D I A N I N FName: ORMATION Name: Relationship Relationship Name: Name: Name: to child: _______________ Name: to child:________________ Name: Name: Home #:( ___ ) _____________________ Home #:(____)____________________ Relationship to child: _______________ Relationship to child:________________ Relationship to child: _______________ Relationship to child:________________ Relationship to child: _______________ Relationship to child:________________ Other#: (____) ____________________ Other #: (___#:(____)____________________ )_____________________ Home #:( ___ ) _____________________ Home #:(____)____________________ Home #:( ___ ) _____________________ Home Home #:( ___ ) _____________________ Home#:#:(____)____________________ Other#: (____) ____________________ Other (___ )_____________________ Other#: (____) ____________________ Other #: (___ )_____________________ Other#: (____) Other #: (___ )_____________________ Email____________________ Address: Email Address: Email Address: Email Address: EMERGENCYCONTACT If neither parent is available event ofTE an EMERGENCY E M E R G E NinCthe CEORNG ANemergency, CCTY C O Nplease EYMCONTACT T A C notify: T E M E R G E N C Y C O N T A C T If neither parent isIfavailable in the is event of an in emergency, please notify: neither parent available the event of an emergency, please notify: If neither parent is available in the event of an emergency, please notify: Name: Name: Relationship to child: Relationship Name: Name: Name: Name: to child: Name: Name: Home #:( __ )__________________ Home #:( ___)____to child: Relationship to child: Relationship to child: Relationship to child: Relationship Relationship to child: Relationship to child: Other #: (____) __ ______________ Other #: (____)____ Home #:( __ )__________________ Home #:( ___)____ Home #:( __ )__________________ Home #:( ___)____ Home #:( __ )__________________ Home #:( ___ )____ Other #: (____) __ ______________ Other #: (____)____ Other #: (____) __ ______________ Other #: (____)____ Other #: (____) __ ______________ Other #: (____)____ H E A L T H R E C O R D / A LL E R G I E S / M E D I C A L I N F O. H E A LHEALTH T H R E RECORD CE O AR LDT/ /H AALLERGIES LLEECROGRI D E/ /SMEDICAL CINFO. H R A/ M LLEEDRI G IAELSI /NMFEO.D I C A L I N F O. H E~AHealth L T HInsurance R E C O Information: R D / A LL E R G I E S / M E D I C A L I N F O. Insurance Company: _____________________________________ ~ Health Insurance~Information: Health Insurance Information: ~ HealthInsurance InsuranceCompany: Information: GroupInsurance Number: _____________________________ _____________________________________ Company: _____________________________________ Insurance Company: _____________________________________ Identification Number:_____________________________ ____________________________ Group Number: _____________________________ Group Number: Group Number: _____________________________ I authorize (please select Identification Number: ____________________________ Identification Number:one): ____________________________ Identification Number: ____________________________ D Emergency care at the nearest medical facility I authorize (pleaseI authorize select one): (pleasemedical select one): I authorizeoD(please select one): D Other (specifically): _____________________________ Emergency medical care at the nearest medical D Emergency medical care at thefacility nearest medical facility medical care at thetonearest medical facility transportation the nearest medical facility by (select OtherI authorize (specifically): _____________________________ oDD Emergency D Other (specifically): _____________________________ D Other (specifically): _____________________________ one): DI authorize Nearest vehicle I authorize transportation toemergency the nearestservice medical facility bymedical (select one) transportation to the nearest facility by (select I authorize transportation to service the nearest medical facility by (select D Other (specifically): __________________________ one): D Nearest emergency vehicle one): D Nearest emergency service vehicle o one): DD Other Nearest emergency service vehicle (specifically): D Other__________________________ (specifically): __________________________ o D Other (specifically): __________________________ ~ Allergies: (please check all that apply) l Insect Stings l Penicillin lcheck Foods (explain) ________________________ l Other ____________ ~ Allergies: (please~ all that apply) l Insect Stings l Penicillin Allergies: (please check all that apply) l Insect Stings l Penicillin o Insect Stings o Penicillin ~ Allergies: (please check all that apply) l Insect Stings l Penicillin l Foods (explain) ________________________ l Other ____________ o l Foods (explain) ________________________ o l Other ____________ l Foods (explain) ________________________ l Other ____________ ~ Medical Information: ~ Medical Information: ~Current Medical Medication(s) Information: & Purpose:______________________ ~ Medical Information: Current Medication(s) & Purpose:______________________ Current Medication(s) & Purpose:______________________ Current Medication(s) & Purpose:______________________ 1 724.942.0940 to advertise South Fayette 1 1 1

Summer

Playground Program REGISTRATION FORM 2013 412.221.8700 OFFICE 412.221.7798 FAX

GEN E R A L IINFORMATION NFORMATION GENERAL

> Registration should be made ASAP. There is limited space and sessions are

filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Please register as early as possible to to ensure insure placement of preferred sessions. Registrations will not be accepted prior to Monday, May 20, 2013.

> For your child’s safety, we require that all parents/guardians/babysitters sign their child out of camp each day. It is imperative that the staff is notified of any persons authorized to pick up your child from camp.

> A copy of the participant’s participants birth certificate must be presented, even if your child has attended in the past.

> Make checks payable to: South Fayette Township > Please send completed registration form and appropriate fee along with a copy of the participant’s birth certificate to: South Fayette Township Summer Playground Program 515 Millers Run Road Morgan, PA 15064 > No refunds will be given after start of program

AUTHORIZATION P A R PARENT E N T / G/UGUARDIAN ARDIANA UTHORIZATION I, the parent/guardian, will be responsible for any undue cost associated with the medical treatment or transportation of my child and will not hold South Fayette Township liable. Parent/Guardian Signature: Date: South Fayette Township will not be responsible for any toys, hand-held and held games or and games, personal belongings your child may bring. I agree to sign my child out of camp each day. If authorized persons are to pick up my child from camp, I will notify the staff. I have read and understand the policies of the South Fayette Township Department of Parks and Recreation. My child and I agree to abide by all the rules and regulations in order to maintain the safety and security of this program. Parent/Guardian Signature: Date: Would you or a member of your family be interested in volunteering to assist with the Playground Program or any other Township Sponsored Event? (YES) 2

South Fayette | Summer 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 17

South Fayette Township

Summer

Playground Program REGISTRATION FORM 2013 412.221.8700 OFFICE 412.221.7798 FAX

Child’s Child’sName: Name:

Last Last

FirstFirst

JUNE JUNE 2424 26 26 28 28 1

JULY JULY 33

10 1212 1515171719 1922 22 88 10 24 24 25 25 29 29 31

AUGAUG 31 2

AM AM PM PM BOTH BOTH

NO WILLBE BEHELD HELD JULY NOSESSIONS SESSIONS WILL JULY 4 4 AM start/endtimes times9:00-11:30 9:00-11:30 – cost $5.00 AMsession session – start/end – cost $5.00 PM start/endtimes times12:30-3:00 12:30-3:00 – cost $5.00 PMsession session – start/end – cost $5.00 BOTH start/endtimes times 9:00-3:00 – cost $10.00 BOTHsessions sessions –– start/end 9:00-3:00 – cost $10.00

ActivitiesSchedule Schedule Activities

Activities Schedule Fairview Park Fairview Park

Location Location Week AM June24, 24, 26, Week11 AM June 26, 2828 9:00-11:30 Location 9:00-11:30 AM AM PM PM Week 1 AM June 24, 26, 28 Fairview Park 12:30-3:00 PM 12:30-3:00 PM 9:00-11:30 AM Week AM Middle School July1,1,3,3, Week22 AM Middle School July PM 12:30-3:00 PM 9:00-11:30 AM 9:00-11:30 AM PM Program Friday, July 5 PM NoNo Program Friday, July 5 Week 2 AM July 1, 3, Middle School 12:30-3:00 PM Swimming-PM 12:30-3:00 PM Swimming-PM 9:00-11:30 AM Morgan Park Week AM July8,8,10, 10, Morgan Park Week33 AM July 1212 9:00-11:30 AM PM 12:30-3:00 PM No Program Friday, July 5 • Swimming-PM 9:00-11:30 AM PM PM 12:30-3:00 PM 12:30-3:00 PM Week 3 AM July 8, 10, 12 Morgan Park Fairview Park Week AM July 15, 17, Park Week44 AM 9:00-11:30 July 15, 17, 1919 Fairview AM 9:00-11:30 AM 9:00-11:30 AM PM 12:30-3:00 PM PM PM 12:30-3:00 PM 12:30-3:00 PM Week 4 AM July 15, 17, 19 Fairview Park Middle School Week 5 AM July 22, 24, 25 Middle School Week 5 AM July 22, 24, 25 9:00-11:30 AM 9:00-11:30 AM 9:00-11:30 AM PM PM PM 12:30-3:00 PM th Swimming (except for 12:30-3:00 PM Swimming –PM–PM (except for the 25the ) 25th) 12:30-3:00 PM Week 5 July 22,July 24, 25 3131 Middle School Morgan Park Week 66 AM AM July 29, Aug Morgan Park Week AM 29, Aug 2, 2, 9:00-11:30 AM 9:00-11:30 AM 9:00-11:30 AM 3 3 PM PM 12:30-3:00 PM Swimming –PM (except for the 25th) PM 12:30-3:00 12:30-3:00 pppPMPM______ pppPMPM______ Week 6 AM July 29, 31; Aug 2 Morgan Park 9:00-11:30 AM PM 12:30-3:00

3 3 18 724.942.0940 to advertise

South Fayette

South Fayette Township Clean-Up Day

On Friday, April 19th, the Township of South Fayette conducted a clean-up effort along our roadways. The “focus area” this year was Millers Run Road from Old Oakdale Road to the intersection with State Route 50. The township staff, along with community volunteers which included many students from the South Fayette School District was involved in this clean-up. We would like to thank our friends at the South Fayette Shop ‘n Save for their donations, Firestone, Gillece Plumbing, Maureen McGraw, John Barnes of Howard Hanna and all the participating businesses for helping in our efforts. We would also like to give a special thanks to the South Fayette School District’s students, faculty, parents, our township public works department and all the volunteers that made this a success.

South Fayette | Summer 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 19

South Fayette Township

Volunteers needed for

Township Offices Clerical Computer Phones Accounting Organization/Filing Engineering Community Outreach

20 724.942.0940 to advertise

South Fayette

New Parks and Recreation Director Hired for South Fayette Township

installed on park grounds. While working in Oil City, he was actively involved in volunteering and serving over 30 community organizations, including youth football, youth baseball, wrestling, basketball, and men’s softball associations - just to name a few. He has also been an organizer and active participant in numerous community events, including Oil City’s “First Night Event,” Jolly July Third Event, Oil City Heritage Festival, and the city’s “Christmas Past,” an annual event.

n exciting chapter in Parks and Recreation in South Fayette Township is about to begin. Miles “Butch” Truitt was hired recently to fill the vacant position of Parks and Recreation Director with the township. Truitt has over three decades of experience in parks and recreation, and perhaps his strongest asset is his proven ability to work collaboratively with a wide variety of individuals, sports associations, and community organizations. Truitt comes from Oil City, in Venango County, where he has served as the Parks and Public Works Director since 1998. In Oil City, he was responsible for overseeing 25 full time employees and an additional 30 seasonal employees, as well as 6 playgrounds, 2 large parks, a boat marina, 7 ball fields, a deck hockey arena, a skate park, 3 pavilions and associated rentals, a band shell, and a state of the art zero depth entry municipal pool. He was also instrumental in the creation of an 18 hole “disc golf” course recently

ollowing several extensive rounds of interviews, South Fayette chose Truitt from roughly 60 nationwide applicants. Township Manager Ryan T. Eggleston commented, “When you look at his energy, abilities, attitude, teamwork skills and his work ethic, they are all going to help tremendously to grow our parks and recreation department in the coming years.” Township Commissioner Lisa Malosh, liaison to the Parks and Recreation Board, said the five member Parks and Recreation Board conducted a separate, intensive selection process and found Truitt to be

the strongest, most qualified candidate to lead the township’s recreation desires forward for South Fayette Township. “He really stood out as not just having the experience but also having the interpersonal skills and the ability to have vision,” stated Commissioner Malosh. Truitt is truly excited to have the opportunity to come and work for a municipality such as South Fayette as it continues to develop. Truitt stated, “I enjoy recreation so very much, and look forward to working with ALL residents of South Fayette to continue to make our parks and recreation department the very best it can be. As the township continues to grow, so will our parks and recreation facilities and our parks and recreation department as a whole.” Truitt’s first day on the job was April 22, and he can be reached via telephone at the Township Municipal Building at 412.221.8700, or via email at btruitt@sftwp.com. Butch and his wife, Rita, will be relocating to South Fayette Township in the upcoming months.

South Fayette | Summer 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 21

South Fayette Township

The South Fayette Police Would Like To Remind Residents That Fireworks Not Sponsored By The Township Are Not Permitted.

22 724.942.0940 to advertise

South Fayette

FIREWORKS EVENT!

The South Fayette annual fireworks display will be held on Wednesday, July 3rd at 9:45 p.m. Rain date will be Friday, July 5th.

South Fayette | Summer 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 23

Seeing Is Believing: Laser Vision Correction Often Eliminates Need for Glasses or Contacts

Imagine waking up in the morning and not having to reach for your glasses or contacts. If that sounds too good to be true, then you should consider laser vision correction surgery, a procedure performed by surgeons at UPMC Eye Center’s Laser Vision Center. This procedure often allows patients to see better without glasses and contacts. According to Deepinder K. Dhaliwal, MD, L.Ac., director of the Cornea and Refractive Surgery Service and the Center for Integrative Eye Care at UPMC, laser vision correction has been performed at UPMC for some 20 years. UPMC was among the first in the region to offer laser vision surgery and was the only center in the area to participate in the initial studies of the procedure that resulted in its approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Focus on Patients “UPMC has the longest continuously running program in Pittsburgh,” says Dr. Dhaliwal. “What sets us apart is our focus on providing patients with a continuity of care that is present from their very first visit with us, through their testing and evaluations that determine their candidacy for the procedure, to the surgery itself, and finally to their post-surgery visits. We also encourage our patients to meet and talk with their surgeon well in advance of their scheduled surgery so they feel completely comfortable with everyone and everything involved in their pre- and post-operative care. All of these things will help achieve good outcomes.” According to Dr. Dhaliwal, good candidates for laser vision correction are healthy individuals with healthy eyes. “People who have eye conditions such as glaucoma or cataracts would not be candidates for this surgery,” she says. Multiple other factors are involved in deciding if laser vision correction is right for you, and these are addressed during a complimentary evaluation with your surgeon.

24 724.942.0940 to advertise

South Fayette

The actual procedure, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes, involves the use of very sophisticated lasers that sculpt the cornea, enabling the patient to reduce or eliminate their need for glasses or contacts. “If I perform a procedure on a Thursday afternoon, I would be surprised if, at the patient’s follow-up appointment on Friday, they did not have improved vision,” says Dr. Dhaliwal. Beyond the potential biggest benefit of the procedure, no longer needing glasses or contacts, other typical advantages include reduced risk of infection related to contact lens wear for those who will no longer require vision correction after surgery. “The number one risk factor for developing an infection in the cornea is sleeping in your contact lenses,” Dr. Dhaliwal says. “And tap water is not sterile. There have been incidents of blindness when people have used tap water to clean their contacts.” In addition, people who wear contact lenses can often develop an allergy to them or can over wear them, particularly if they lead active lives that may prohibit the regular use of glasses. There are some side effects that are associated with laser vision correction, such as a glare or halo effect that seems to be more apparent at night, dry eye, and inflammation, which is mainly treated with eye drops. “All of these things tend to get better over time,” said Dr. Dhaliwal, who trains, teaches, and educates physicians interested in performing laser vision correction nationally and internationally. Although laser vision correction is not covered by insurance, there are discounts available and cost should not deter a patient from engaging in conversation about the benefits of this procedure.

Customized Care “We deliver a truly customized laser vision correction experience to each patient,” Dr. Dhaliwal says. “This includes an individualized map of the patient’s eye, which accounts for conditions such as astigmatism and the amount of their nearsightedness. Each treatment will be tailored and delivered to the cornea so that the patient receives the best possible outcome. This is not a ‘one size fits all’ type of procedure.” UPMC refractive surgeons have been selected to take part in a study that will evaluate a new imaging device used during laser vision correction surgery. The results of this study will be presented to the FDA.

“ What sets us apart is our focus on providing patients with a continuity of care that is present from their very first visit with us, through their testing and evaluations that determine their candidacy for the procedure, to the surgery itself, and finally to their post-surgery visits.” Deepinder Dhaliwal, MD, L.Ac.

For more information about laser vision correction or to make an appointment, call the UPMC Eye Center’s Laser Vision Center at 412-647-2917 or visit UPMC.com/LVC.

South Fayette | Summer 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 25

For Life Skills students get together for prom

or Life Skills students in seven schools in the Mon Valley and South Hills area, getting together with local schools is something they look forward to all month. High school students from Elizabeth Forward, Chartiers Valley, Bethel Park, South Fayette, Baldwin-Whitehall, South Allegheny and Keystone Oaks school districts regularly meet to interact for social and educational opportunities. For the past three years, the schools have included a prom as one of their activities. While encouraged and invited to participate in the high school prom, students with intellectual disabilities often do not have the opportunity to do so. Each year, a new district takes on the task of funding, planning and executing the event. In the past, the prom has taken place in the school’s gym with lunch provided by the cafeteria and entertainment by the staff. This year, Elizabeth Forward School District is hosting the prom. Special Education Liaison Keith Gephart, Transition Coordinator Mike Huber and Special Education Teacher Nicole Corson wanted to enhance the prom to be more like a high school prom. Through one of its district administrators, they were connected with Hello Productions, a premiere wedding and event planning, marketing and public relations company in the region. Director of Marketing & Events Colleen Geletko became involved and offered her event planning

26 724.942.0940 to advertise

South Fayette

services free of charge. After meeting with district administrators, Geletko began spreading awareness about the event within the event industry and signed on some of the region’s most talented vendors. “We wanted the experience to be more prom-like, with an upgraded venue and formalwear,” said Special Education Liaison Keith Gephart. “We never imagined the support we would receive and we are overwhelmed by the generosity of the community.” Bella Sera in Canonsburg, PA will serve as the venue of the prom. Students will attend with dates, many of whom are the partners that they regularly work with from their high school. “Myself, and the teachers from the other districts, are as eager and excited for the prom as the students,” said Special Education Teacher Nicole Corson. “I can’t wait to see their faces as the prom of their dreams, with all their friends from the other districts, comes true before their eyes.” At the prom, students will be entertained by Comedy Magician Lee Terbosic and DJ Mike Ley of Marquee Wedding Company. Josh Mariana Photography will provide photography and videography services, as well as a photo booth for students to capture their experience with friends. A student from each school will be recognized on the Congeniality Court. Each

school voted for a student who possesses the quality of congeniality and is consistently warm and friendly to their classmates. This event has quickly grown to become an impressive event for students who deserve this opportunity. While inclusion in the high school prom for students is encouraged, this event provides an opportunity for the students to have fun with a group they meet with throughout the year. Next year’s prom will be hosted by another of the seven districts. Hello Productions and many of the vendors hope to stay involved with this annual event and help it to continue to grow. For more information on how to get involved with this year’s prom, please contact Colleen Geletko at Hello Productions. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

Industry Insight

70% Diet by Lisa Troyer ave you ever looked at someone that you know is an avid exerciser and wondered why he or she still seems overweight? Or you’re at the park watching the joggers pass you and you’re unimpressed with their physiques? You may have even attended a group class and the instructor had a little too much around the middle. Kind of makes you think exercise may be a waste of time if the goal is weight loss. It’s confusing and perhaps a bit disheartening. In comes the popular fitness quote, “Abs are made in the kitchen.” There is no doubt; exercise is crucial to your overall health. There are a million reasons why physical fitness is the key component to living a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise immediately lowers one’s risk for several diseases. But if your goal is to have washboard abs, 1,000 crunches a day is

30% exercise not going to be enough. It is a widely accepted assumption in our culture that if you exercise, you will lose weight. More than 45 million people in our country belong to a health club. Yet our nation’s obesity problem is at an all-time high. In my years in the fitness industry, I have worked with many frustrated clients. They stay consistent, workout intensely 4 or 5 days a week, but are disappointed by the lack of results when getting on the scale. Does exercise help to burn calories? Absolutely!! However, exercise also makes you hungry. It’s simple science and I can attest to it personally. Particularly if I am training for an event like a half marathon. On those long-run days I am famished and I justify a good meal that consists of way more calories than I burned during my run. A few weeks into training and I’ve gained a couple of pounds. Weight-loss equates to less calories in, more calories out. It’s really easy to overeat after an intense workout. The more physically active you are, the hungrier you will be. The hungrier you are, the more will power it will take to eat clean. Don’t misunderstand me in regards to the importance of exercise. I have written several articles talking about its benefits. But if you want to shed weight, 70% of that will happen in the kitchen. We all know someone who has recently found success with weight loss. I guarantee that not one of them will tell you that they did it through exercise alone. Most definitely they made drastic changes in their eating habits. Hopefully exercise was a part of their equation. This will help them to be successful in keeping the weight off. So if you happen to be one of those frustrated fitness buffs that can’t see their washboard abs, try eating clean (foods of the earth that you will find on the outside perimeter of the grocery store) and you will be amazed - they will soon surface. If you’re just beginning an exercise program in an effort to lose weight you are starting out with a great fact – 70% Diet, 30% Exercise – you will succeed! This Industry INsight was written by Lisa Troyer. Lisa has been in the fitness industry for more than 17 years and is the owner of Fitness Fanatics in the Great Southern Shopping Center. She currently holds four nationally recognized fitness and personal training certifications and can be reached at 412.220.4190, ext. 3 or at fitnessfanatics@verizon.net. Check out www.fitnessfanaticsinc.com for more great fitness tips.

South Fayette | Summer 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 27

The Critical Role of the Financial Advisor

Industry Insight

Questions of Self-Navigating vs. Help Navigating By Philip C. Henry y previous IN Community article dealt with how financial advisors are compensated. I wrote in support of earning smaller but level annual fees as opposed to much larger up-front commissions. It is my contention that the former promotes a long-term planning relationship, while the latter can incentivize the advisor to chase after new dollars at the expense of serving existing clients. I fully realize that some segment of readers quickly glossed over my article, proclaiming as they turned the page, “Why pay fees or commissions? I handle my own planning and investments just fine.” While I do not doubt that some portion of the population actually has the right stuff to self-manage their portfolios - business acumen, keen market perception and the ability to make unemotional decisions - I believe the vast majority of folks would greatly benefit by the planning, implementation and follow-up reviews of a skilled and qualified, fee-based financial advisor, i.e., receive help navigating. So why do some investors choose to ‘go it alone’ to traverse the world of investing based on their own observations, information or feelings? Do they share a belief that investing is easy, that their knowledge is superior or that making their own self-navigating investment decisions are more cost efficient and therefore, able to yield better results? Every year Dalbar, Inc. updates a study, called the Quantitative Analysis of Investor Behavior.* In this study, Dalbar considers 20 year periods, the most recent one 1993 – 2012, and compares the returns that the average equity investor earns (defined as a mutual fund investor only) versus the returns of an index, such as the S& P 500. This most recent 20 year period again found that the returns of the average investor substantially lagged the returns that simply investing in the S&P 500 would have afforded! Here’s the score for this most recent annual average performance; S&P 500, 8.21% - Average Investor, 4.25%.

Why Average Investors May Underperform

The key factors that I believe compel investors to go-it-alone and which may cause investor underperformance relative to staying-the-course in a well-known and well-diversified index, include these four tendencies of the “do-it-yourselfers.” n DIY #1: Tendency to “actively manage” their portfolio and frequently trade. The very popular and hugely funny advertisements featuring the “E-Trade Baby” make frequent trading seem easy, affordable and profitable. I would agree with the first two. n DIY #2: Tendency to sell underperforming investments and replace them with others that have performed well; a pattern of “buying high,” and “selling low.” How easy it would be for fantasy football league enthusiasts to select their team not at the beginning of the year and then watch the season unfold but rather, at the end of the season, once the season-long player statistics have all been tabulated? That fantasy football model does not exist. Yet in the real world of investing, many DIYs adopt that very same philosophy which is to choose good performers after they have posted good performance. That strategy often is flawed for reasons too numerous to expound upon here. n DIY #3: Tendency to concentrate on fewer investments rather than to spread risk and volatility over many. The concentration-method no doubt provides a great chance to hit home runs, yet conversely also opens the gates for a greater probability of striking out. n DIY #4: Tendency to make decisions fueled by emotions, aided by media hype and financial news networks / televised “experts,” which can cause trading at inopportune times. Recall the time period Sept. - Oct 2012 – there was much hype that the upcoming Presidential election coupled with the 1-1-13 Fiscal Cliff would send stocks over the cliff! As we now know, not only did that NOT occur, but the opposite did as stocks soared to new heights. 28 724.942.0940 to advertise

South Fayette

How a Professional Financial Advisor May Help

It is my belief that if an advisor were simply to place a client into an index, such as I just described, that advisor would at least be protecting the client from him/herself, against the four DIY tendencies. Moreover, the advisor could also provide additional guidance in other important areas. Here are a few thoughts regarding the critical role of the advisor within the investment planning realm and extending beyond to the more broad area of wealth management; n Investments: An astute financial advisor should provide help to his/her clients in navigating through frequent, unsettled and choppy waters. He/she should educate and encourage clients to fasten their seatbelts through such rough stretches, and stave off the emotional pull to jump off the vessel into the seemingly next best opportunity, which usually is a flight to cash. For example, the current financial media hype is to watch for an upcoming market correction, which is defined as a 10% decline from a previous high. Who knows, that may well happen between the time I submit this article and the time it is published. A good advisor with a long-term focus can be indispensable in keeping you buckled-in during the hype that precedes the inevitable decline. Then while many DIYs are on the bench, those still on the field and in the game are positioned to capture the often unannounced ascent, when the markets begin their recovery. Those ‘safely’ on the sidelines believe the turn-around will be short-lived and really have no strategy for re-entry, save that they will jump back at some future point when they are ‘feeling better about things.’ n Wealth Management: Beyond an investment-only focus, the true financial advisor also offers holistic and comprehensive strategies to educate and motivate their clients in “other” areas, such as insurance, retirement and estate planning. Insurance is often overlooked by the DIY as well as the investment-only broker. Insurance, especially life, disability and long-term care, can greatly protect the nest eggs of families and business owners and provide a financial rescue at a very critical time. The influx of policy benefits at critical times also lessens or eliminates the need to make forced portfolio withdrawals, which also as luck might have it, could be at a poor time in the markets. Comprehensive retirement planning provides clients a road map to follow and is a staple of the excellent financial advisor. “How much do I need to save and conservatively earn to enable me to retire at a certain age on a desired level of income and not run out of money?” Proper planning provides answers to these all-important questions. Once established, the advisor will prompt the clients to update the forecast at least annually, to ensure that plans continue to project favorably or, to recognize the need to make adjustments. This type of planning sets an appropriate level of risk-based return assumptions, i.e., how much risk does one need to take within their portfolio to achieve a given level of return? Finally, the caring financial advisor goes beyond investment and retirement planning issues to also introduce estate planning concepts designed to provide protection and preservation strategies for their clients’ families. This advisor will also work closely with chosen tax and legal professionals to develop and implement appropriate estate planning. Phil Henry, CLU, is a Partner with Henry Wealth Management, LLC, an independent financial services firm located at 1370 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA. He offers Securities through, NFP Securities, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. NFP Securities, Inc. is not affiliated with Henry Wealth Management, LLC. Phil may be reached at 412.838.0200 or through email at Phil@HenryWealth.com. The firm’s website is www.HenryWealth.com. The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the authors and may not necessarily reflect those held by NFP Securities, Inc. *Source: “Quantitative Analysis of Investor Behavior, 2013,” DALBAR, Inc. www.dalbar.com

UPMC TODAY

Health and Wellness News You Can Use | Summer 2013

What’s Inside 2 3

With Heartfelt Thanks

Health Care Reform: We Have the Plan

A Closer Look at Medical Imaging

Is Assisted Living the Right Choice?

Smart Tips for a Safer Summer

Becoming a Whole New You

With Heartfelt Thanks A local sports fan expresses thanks to fast-acting strangers and his UPMC Mercy medical team for a second chance after surviving a near fatal cardiac arrest earlier this year.

According to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association, SCA is the nation’s leading cause of death, killing more than 325,000 people each year. During SCA, heart function ceases abruptly without warning. More than 90 percent of SCA victims die because the heart cannot pump blood to the rest of the body. At UPMC Mercy, cardiac electrophysiologist Stuart Mendenhall, MD, implanted an internal defibrillator — a device that will shock David’s heart if he goes into cardiac arrest again. Dr. Mendenhall says SCA can strike with little or no warning. While it is more common in older adults, SCA affects people of all ages, gender, and race — even those who are seemingly in good health. Knowing the risk factors and leading a hearthealthy lifestyle can help prevent some possible causes, including coronary heart disease.

Do the right things “Awareness is key. You can significantly lower your risk by staying active, eating healthy, and not smoking,” says Dr. Mendenhall. “If you have risk factors, see a doctor for an evaluation.” Although David’s only warning was shortness of breath, he had several risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and a family history of heart disease.

David Allen, 66, was walking uphill to the CONSOL Energy Center for a Penguins hockey game when he felt short of breath. That’s the last thing he remembers until waking up in the Emergency Department at UPMC Mercy. David had survived a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). A fast-acting team of strangers — an off-duty Pittsburgh police officer and an ex-Army medic who together performed CPR, a bystander who ran for help, and a hotel bellhop who grabbed a defibrillator — saved his life. At UPMC Mercy, doctors determined he had experienced an electrical “short circuit” due to an irregular heart rhythm, or arrhythmia.

A rare second chance “I was lucky people were around who knew CPR and were willing to get involved,” says David, a Beaver resident. Christopher Wentz, MD, a cardiologist from the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute at UPMC Mercy who treated David, says SCA is a serious medical emergency. “Most people don’t get a second chance,” he says. “You can die within minutes if not treated.”

UPMC.com/Today

David says he’s not wasting his second chance at life. The former pack-a-day smoker kicked the habit immediately and plans to start exercising. “I’m going to do a better job of taking care of myself. I owe that much to everyone,” he says.

Who’s at risk If you experience any of these symptoms or risk factors, ask your doctor whether heart testing or evaluation by an electrophysiologist or cardiologist is necessary. • A family history of heart disease, heart attack, or cardiac death • Unexplained fainting, near fainting, or palpitations • Chest pain, shortness of breath • Previous heart attack or SCA • Cardiac risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, smoking, or high cholesterol To learn more about cardiac and vascular services, visit UPMCMercy.com and click on Our Services. To schedule an appointment with one of our physicians, call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762) or visit UPMC.com/FindADoctor.

Becoming a Whole New You Struggling to lose weight or keep it off? The UPMC BodyChangers program can change your body and your life.

Larissa Myaskovsky figures she tried about a dozen diets over 20 years, losing weight only to regain lost pounds. It wasn’t until she enrolled in the UPMC BodyChangers program that she saw lasting results. “BodyChangers was different,” says Larissa, 42, a borderline diabetic who wanted to lose weight without surgery. “It helped me realize losing weight is a permanent lifestyle change. It gave me the tools I needed to succeed.”

A healthier lifestyle Based at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, and a joint venture of the UPMC Life After Weight Loss and bariatric surgery programs, BodyChangers provides a social support system to promote healthy lifestyles. “We offer a comfortable environment for people who want to maintain weight loss — and become healthy and fit,” says Jeffrey Gusenoff, MD, a plastic surgeon at Magee and co-director of BodyChangers. Designed originally for bariatric surgery patients, BodyChangers now supports anyone needing help with their weight loss journey. The program includes: • An exercise class with a personal trainer who tailors activities for each individual • Group sessions with a behaviorist who teaches coping skills • Yoga and belly dancing classes • Cooking classes and “Destination Education” trips to community places, like grocery stores and markets • Group activities, such as biking, kayaking, and walking “We’re showing people different ways to achieve wellness and have fun,” says Vicki March, MD, an internist at Magee and co-director of BodyChangers.

A turning point The program appealed to Larissa, an O’Hara Township resident with two young children and a full-time job. She signed up for BodyChangers’ basic free membership, which includes a newsletter, recipes, and educational seminars. She also attended optional cooking demonstrations and met with a nutritionist. “It was a turning point in my thinking,” says Larissa, who lost 65 pounds and at 5’1” is now a healthy 115 pounds.

BodyChangers saved my life For Beth Walley, 49, of Carnegie, BodyChangers was a lifechanging experience. Having lost and regained a great deal of weight on various fad diets, she knew she was in trouble when she couldn’t keep up with her elderly mother at the grocery store. With her weight topping 400 pounds, she joined BodyChangers to prepare for bariatric surgery, but soon started attending other classes and events. Beth lost 50 pounds prior to her bariatric surgery in January 2012, and she is now down to 170 pounds. “The support I received through BodyChangers was key to my success. I feel great,” says Beth. “BodyChangers saved my life. It changed my body and my mind.” Basic membership includes free educational seminars and a newsletter. Other BodyChangers membership levels range from $25 to $50 a month. To learn more, call 1-855-BODY-CHG (263-9244) or visit UPMC.com/BodyChangers.

Interested in learning more about UPMC’s bariatric surgery programs? Free information sessions are offered several times a month at Magee, UPMC Hamot, UPMC Horizon, and UPMC St. Margaret. Visit UPMC.com/Bariatrics for more information.

1-800-533-UPMC

Health alth Car Care re e Reform: Refform: We We Have Have the th Plan UPMC Health Plan has cr created eated a w website ebsite tto o pr provide ovide inf information ormation tto o help y you ou learn ho how w health car care e rreform eform ma may y aff affect ect y you ou and y your our ffamily. amily.

The formal name for health care reform is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA or ACA). Signed into law in March 2010, the ACA made broad changes to the way health insurance will be provided and paid for in the United States. Several important reforms have been adopted since then. Extended coverage for dependents, full coverage for preventive care, and plain-language coverage explanations were all prompted by the ACA. In 2014, more parts of the ACA will go into effect, including the Health Insurance Marketplace (Marketplace) designed to help you find health insurance that fits your budget. According to the ACA: đ Marketplaces must be operational for open enrollment by October 2013 đ Each Marketplace will have Navigators to help people enroll đ Marketplace plans will be presented in only four cat i (platinum, gold, silverr, and bronze) to help consumer compare plans from different providers

Health car care e rreform eform and yyou ou Health care reform will affect nearly everyone. The qu most people are asking is how health care reform will them personally. To To help you better understand tand chang related to the ACA and the resulting effect on health insur UPMC Health Plan created an informative website. The consumer-friendly site offers unbiased information about Marketplaces and other elements of health care refor wide range of people, including: đ Individuals and family members who want to learn

UPMC.com/T Today

đ Health care providers treating patients in this new environment đ Employers looking for coverage for their employees đ Producers who sell insurance plans to companies and individuals đ Marketplace Navigators who are responsible for providing impartial advice on how to choose among competing plans On the website, you will find the answers to basic questions, such as: đ Who can get health insurance? đ What will be covered? đ Where can I shop for insurance? đ When will changes happen? đ What financial assistance is available? UPMC Health Plan’s website and support staff are committed to providing an unbiased forum in order to make health care reform easier to understand and to explain what changes can be expected as our nation continues to implement the ACA.

A Closer Look at Medical Imaging Medical imaging plays an integral role in diagnosing medical conditions of all kinds — from broken bones to life-threatening tumors. UPMC radiologists are leaders in helping to ensure both quality and patient safety during testing.

Medical imaging lets your doctor take an immediate and detailed look deep inside your body. More than 200 noninvasive tests are used to diagnose medical problems that once required exploratory surgery — or simply went undetected.

Types of medical imaging Imaging tests that use ionizing radiation include: • Computerized tomography (CT scan) • Mammography • Radiography (x-rays)

For women preparing to schedule their next annual mammogram, Jules Sumkin, DO, chief of radiology at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, emphasizes that nothing is more regulated in medical imaging than mammography. “There are very strict guidelines, and UPMC has always operated at or below established national standards for radiation exposure, ” he says. “New technologies like digital mammograms further reduce what are already very low radiation levels.”

Others use a different form of energy: • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) — uses magnetic fields • Ultrasound — uses sound waves As the use of diagnostic tests increases, there’s growing research on their long-term impact on patient health. That’s especially true for radiation-based tests and their possible link to cancer. “Many medical professionals are concerned about some of the methods used to calculate the risk posed by such tests, and the confusion it’s creating among patients,” says Mitchell Tublin, MD, chief of radiology at UPMC Presbyterian and a leading expert on CT scans. “It’s important to talk to your doctor before deferring a test so that you clearly understand both the risks and benefits offered.”

Setting the standard nationally UPMC has one of the largest radiology programs in the United States, and its radiologists include some of the nation’s leading authorities on medical imaging safety. “On many fronts, we are helping to define the national safety standards for both patients and health care personnel,” says Emanuel Kanal, MD, director of magnetic resonance services at UPMC Presbyterian, whose innovative work on MRIs has been adopted by both the Food and Drug Administration and the American College of Radiologists. “As a health care system, UPMC is continually investing in research, training, and equipment to minimize patient risk, such as radiation exposure from medical imaging,” says Christopher Deible, MD, PhD, medical director of radiology informatics at UPMC Presbyterian. “We’re also working to standardize imaging services at all UPMC hospitals, following best practices, and participating in national reporting initiatives.”

What can you do to be proactive? “Ask your doctor if a nonradiation test — like an MRI or ultrasound — can be substituted. That’s not always possible, though, since tests like CT scans may provide a higher level of detail that could be essential in some conditions,” says Janet Durick, MD, vice chair of clinical operations for the Department of Radiology for UPMC. “You should also ask if a test is truly needed — and don’t be disappointed if your physician doesn’t order an imaging test for a condition that could be addressed through a medical examination.” For more information about imaging safety for adults and children, visit Radiologyinfo.org, Imagewisely.org, or Pedrad.org.

1-800-533-UPMC

Is Assisted Living the Right Choice? For seniors and their families, assisted living can offer the ideal solution when extra help is needed for life’s daily activities.

Terry Schwartz of North Huntingdon was dogged in her search for the perfect living facility for her mother, Ethel Yanowitch. “For six years, Mom lived with our family, so I wanted a place that truly felt like home — but where she could also get the increased care and supervision she needed,” says Terry.

“Assisted living is tailored for seniors who need help with daily living activities, such as dressing, grooming, walking, and taking medications — but who don’t require skilled nursing care,” explains Deborah Brodine, president of UPMC Senior Communities and Community Provider Services.

After visiting 10 different senior care facilities, she chose UPMC Senior Communities’ Weatherwood Manor in Greensburg. Mrs. Yanowitch, 90, has been a resident there for two years and, Terry says, “It has exceeded our expectations in every way. Mom loves it there.”

Each UPMC facility provides on-site nursing care and medication management. All residents have spacious apartments with private baths and kitchenettes. Three restaurant-style meals are served daily. Before moving into a UPMC Senior Communities assisted living facility, residents are carefully assessed and individual care plans are created for them. “Because our health and lifestyle needs change as we age, residents also receive regular assessments to ensure they’re receiving the best possible care,” she adds. To learn more about UPMC Senior Communities assisted living options — as well as the personal care facilities at Canterbury Place in Lawrenceville and Sherwood Oaks in Cranberry — visit UPMCSeniorCommunities.com.

Understanding Assisted Living Personal care homes and assisted living facilities once meant the same thing in Pennsylvania — but that’s no longer the case.

Terry Schwartz and her mother, Ethel Yanowitch

For Terry and her mother, assisted living represents the “best of both worlds.” It offers an increased level of services while encouraging and supporting residents to be as independent as possible through activities and socialization. UPMC Senior Communities offers assisted living options at: • Cumberland Crossing Manor, McCandless • Seneca Manor, Penn Hills • Strabane Woods, Washington • Weatherwood Manor, Greensburg

UPMC.com/Today

Pennsylvania now distinguishes the types of basic services that can be provided by personal care and assisted living residences. One of the fundamental differences is that assisted living facilities must provide health care services that will enable the residents to “age in place” as their health declines and their care needs change. Weatherwood Manor recently received licensure as an assisted living facility under new state guidelines. UPMC Senior Communities’ Cumberland Crossing Manor, Seneca Manor, and Strabane Woods also are converting from personal care to assisted living licenses. “Assisted living community licensure is an expression of UPMC Senior Communities’ commitment to offering older adults and their families the kind of continuing care they need and depend on to safely and confidently age in place,” says Ms. Brodine.

Smart Tips for a Safer Summer During the summer, UPMC Mercy sees an increase in its number of emergency, burn, and trauma patients. Learn what you can do to stay healthy and safe this summer.

At the region’s only combined Level 1 Trauma and Comprehensive Burn Center, UPMC Mercy’s physicians and staff know from experience that treasured summer traditions can lead to serious, life-changing injuries. “Accidents can happen in a split second, but with caution, many can be prevented,” says Michelle Fontana, BSN, manager of Trauma Clinical Services at UPMC Mercy. As a Level 1 Trauma Center, the hospital is focused on providing the highest quality trauma and burn care in western Pennsylvania, as well as leadership in education and community outreach. “The UPMC Mercy Trauma and Burn Center offers injury prevention programs year-round, including a free fireworks safety clinic in July,” adds Ms. Fontana.

Fireworks Each year, thousands of people are hurt by fireworks, which can cause severe burns, scarring, permanent disfigurement, blindness, and death. Even sparklers can be dangerous. “The tip of a sparkler burns at 1,200 degrees, hot enough to cause a third-degree burn,” Ms. Fontana explains. To enjoy fireworks safely: • Don’t buy or use illegal fireworks. Only use fireworks permitted under state law • Take the family to watch a professional fireworks display in your community • Teach your children to stay away from firecrackers, sparklers, and other fireworks For more information about fireworks safety, contact the UPMC Mercy Trauma and Burn Center at 412-232-8375.

A Life-Saving Difference According to a study by the National Institutes of Health, severely injured adults who receive care at a Level I Trauma Center like UPMC Mercy are 25 percent more likely to survive than those treated at a nontrauma center.

Here are a few ways you and your family can avoid injury while enjoying two of summer’s favorite outdoor activities:

Riding ATVs As the popularity of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) has increased, so have the number of accidental injuries, especially to the head and spine. “ATVs are powerful and potentially dangerous vehicles that can cause serious injuries,” says Ms. Fontana. To stay safe on the trails, be sure to: • Always wear a helmet • Only ride off-road and avoid unfamiliar terrain • Never let children drive adult ATVs

That designation allows UPMC Mercy to provide the highest level of trauma care. “Our multidisciplinary team of experienced specialists is ready around the clock to care for seriously injured patients,” says Tom Gronow, the hospital’s vice president of operations. The UPMC Mercy Trauma and Burn Center is a state-ofthe-art unit dedicated exclusively to the care of trauma and burn patients. “It requires a serious commitment of resources to provide such exceptional care,” says Mr. Gronow. “However, there is no substitute for the medical expertise of a Level 1 Trauma Center when it comes to treating serious life-threatening and disabling injuries. We see proof of that in the lives we save every year.”

1-800-533-UPMC

UPMC Mercy

1400 Locust St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219

UPMC Today is published quarterly to provide you with health and wellness information and classes and events available at UPMC. This publication is for information purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or replace a physician’s medical assessment. Always consult first with your physician about anything related to your personal health.

Follow UPMC on Facebook.

Don’t let a nonhealing wound slow you down. A chronic wound is cause for concern – and deserves exceptional care. The kind you’ll get from UPMC Wound Healing Services at UPMC Mercy. For conditions ranging from diabetic foot ulcers to slow-healing surgical wounds, our team of experts will develop a treatment plan that works best for you. And our wound experts are leaders in limb preservation technology and treatment. If you want to get back on your feet again, why would you choose to go anywhere else? To learn more about UPMC Wound Healing Services and see if it’s right for you, call 412-232-5744, or visit UPMCMercy.com/WoundHealing.

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.

Is Your Pet

Ready for

Outdoor Weather? When the weather’s nice, many people like to head outdoors – and their pets do, too. Before you let your pet go outside, make sure you’ve taken steps to prevent pests, care for their skin, and know how to spot signs of allergies. Fleas and Ticks: Pets are susceptible to a variety of bugs and pests – especially fleas and ticks. Both should be avoided as fleas can trigger allergies and dermatitis in pets as well as infectious diseases in people and pets. Ticks may also carry diseases that can be harmful to pets. However, in a survey by the American Pet Products Association, only 64 percent of dog owners and 41 percent of cat owners purchased a flea and tick product for their pet last year. Be sure to purchase preventative topical treatments to protect your pet. And after pets go outdoors, inspect them carefully for ticks and other insects to ensure their safety. Grooming: A winter indoors often leaves pets with dry skin, tangled fur and a thick undercoat, which begins to shed when the weather warms. A professional grooming salon will help keep pets cool with services like a haircut and brushing to remove loose hair, and a bath to clean and moisturize their skin and coat. Medicated flea and tick baths or spot treatments can also be added. Allergies: Since pets can experience allergic reactions to inhaled particles like dust or pollen, pet parents should be on the lookout for signs that their pet may be suffering from allergies. Monitor your pet’s behavior and consult your veterinarian if your pet exhibits reactions such as: • Swelling or irritation of the skin, especially around the eyes, face, head and feet. Hives, rashes, blisters, clear discharge from eyes or nostrils, sneezing, itching and mild discomfort may also be present. • Pets may also chew on or lick their feet constantly. • Allergy treatment for pets varies based on severity, but usually includes antihistamines and other medications. To learn more about pet essentials and services for spring, visit a pet store near you. South Fayette | Summer 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 37

Real Estate IN South Fayette Real estate is a big part of our lives. For the vast majority of us it is the biggest purchase we will ever make, as well as the largest investment. Not to mention the fact that our purchase is “our home”…the place we laugh, cry, raise children, share timeless memories with friends and family and so much more. So it is very important that we understand every aspect of the selling and purchasing of a home. This includes mortgage and finance information, curb appeal, new housing developments and new ways to look for homes.

CURB APPEAL Curb appeal is a well-known term that refers to the attractiveness of the interior and exterior of a home. While the term seems overused, it is a very real phenomenon. The old saying goes, “You only get one chance at a first impression.” This phrase perfectly explains the importance of curb appeal. When someone pulls up to a house for the first time, things like paint, landscaping, carpeting and light fixtures, just to name a few, make a huge difference in the person’s opinion. It is much harder for most people to envision the potential of a home when unattractiveness abounds everywhere they look. Most people looking at a home make a snap judgment the moment they enter the property. Sure, these snap judgments can be changed with other positive attributes, but why take the chance when adding curb appeal can be so easy and costeffective?

Real estate by the numbers

IN SOUTH FAYETTE Homes for Sale: 3 Recently Sold: 0 *Data provided by Realtor.com. Data presented is representative of the time of publication. For up-to-date information, go to Realtor.com.

38 724.942.0940 to advertise

South Fayette

Curb appeal can be accomplished by any number of methods including exterior decorations, repainting, extensive attention to the landscaping, timely grass cutting, new or even recently professionally cleaned carpeting, new hardware on the kitchen cabinets, new stain on a rear deck, new exterior and interior light fixtures and de-cluttering of the interior of the home. Always think of curb appeal when marketing your home or looking at a new home. It may not sell your home on its own, or entice you to buy a home on its own, but it does make a difference. You won’t be sorry because it is worth the time and relatively low cost.

STAGING Selling a home requires more than a “For Sale” sign. Competition is fierce, and if you want the best offers and your home to sell quickly, home staging is essential. Staging involves cleaning, de-cluttering, and decorating a home so it appeals to buyers. Never confuse decorating for staging. Décor is an expression of a particular style, while staging is a strategy. According to www.globalspan.net, there are five basic steps to staging your home. #1 - Clean. Your home must sparkle! To achieve this level is often only feasible by hiring a cleaning crew. In fact, having a cleaning service return weekly while your house is for sale is probably a pretty good investment. Get your windows professionally cleaned inside and out too. #2 - Fix. Got a dripping faucet or a cracked tile? These will send the wrong message to potential buyers. Getting them fixed before you put your house on the market is a smart idea. #3 - Eliminate Clutter. The “50% Rule” requires that you eliminate the clutter in your home by at least half. This may be the hardest rule of all! We love our clutter – it reflects our

Our Real Estate Partners

memories, hobbies, and values. But it doesn’t sell homes! Clutter makes homes seem smaller and disorganized. (Have you ever noticed that the really expensive stores seem to have an expansive, clutter-free layout, while “cheap” stores are often a jumble of merchandise?) Even the ancient practice of Feng Shui has as a central focus the elimination of clutter. #4 - Go Executive Neutral. Neutral colors sell. It’s a fact. Try to convey an image of quality and neutrality. Potential buyers walking through your home want to imagine themselves as the owners. If you use styles or colors they would never select, you’ve just turned them off. Staying high-quality, but neutral is safest. #5 - De-personalize. Remove objects that your potential buyers won’t be able to identify with. For example, political and religious items may turn off whole groups of buyers, because they cannot “imagine” your home

Continued on page 41

Northwood agents don’t just represent properties, we represent people. Since 1956, our experience has taught us that lasting relationships are the foundations of our future. Say hello to the New Face of Northwood at Northwood.com today. 1797 N. Highland Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15241 Northwood Realty Services 412.831.0100 • www.Northwood.com

In 1991 when owner Joe Tortorea founded JT Landscaping LLC, he never thought the industry would have provided such a diverse set of opportunities for growth. Over the past 22 years, the business has grown from a small one bay garage, to a flourishing four acre parcel that is comprised of a warehouse building, a retail nursery, and a nursery bulk supply yard. JT Landscaping 724.693.2793 • www.jtlandscaping.biz

For over 50 years, Prudential Preferred Realty has been helping people in Southwestern Pennsylvania meet all of their real estate needs. Whether you are interested in buying a home, selling a home, financing a home or building your dream home, our team of experienced real estate professionals can help. Ready to get started? Give us a call at 724. 941.3000 or visit www.prudentialpreferred.com. Prudential Preferred Realty 724.941.3000 • www.prudentialpreferred.com

Whether it’s building your dream home or making a livable space come alive, Prime 1 Builders, Inc. excels in single home residential projects. From sustainable and energy efficient home design to custom renovations, we work to exceed your expectations and stay within your budget. Let Dan Meade and his team of craftsman, make your dream home become a reality. Call us today to discuss your project. Prime 1 Builders 412.257.0160 • prime1builders.com

South Fayette | Summer 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 39

Real Estate IN SOUTH FAYETTE Continued from page 39 as their home. Buying a home is an emotional decision, and you want potential buyers to make an emotional connection with your home by being able to “see” themselves in it.

REVERSE MORTGAGE According to www.consumer.ftc. gov, if you’re 62 or older – and looking for money to finance a home improvement, pay off your current mortgage, supplement your retirement income, or pay for health-care expenses – you may be considering a reverse mortgage. It’s a product that allows you to convert part of the equity in your home into cash without having to sell your home or pay additional monthly bills. In a “regular” mortgage, you make monthly payments to the lender. In a “reverse” mortgage, you receive money from the lender, and generally don’t have to pay it back for as long as you live in your home. The loan is repaid when you die, sell your home, or when your home is no longer your primary residence. The proceeds of a reverse mortgage generally are tax-free, and many reverse mortgages have no income restrictions. There are three types of reverse mortgages: •• Single-purpose reverse mortgages, offered by some state and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations. •• Federally-insured reverse mortgages, known as Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) and backed by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). •• Proprietary reverse mortgages, private loans that are backed by the companies that develop them. Single-purpose reverse mortgages are the least expensive option. They are not available everywhere and can be used for only one purpose, which is specified by the government or nonprofit lender. For example, the lender might say the loan may be used only to pay for home repairs, improvements, or property taxes. Most homeowners with low or moderate income can qualify for these loans. HECMs and proprietary reverse mortgages may be more expensive than traditional home loans, and the upfront costs can be high. That’s important to consider, especially if you plan to stay in your home for just a short time or borrow a small amount. HECM loans are widely available, have no income or medical requirements, and can be used for any purpose. Before applying for a HECM, you must meet with a counselor from an independent government-approved housing counseling agency. Some lenders offering proprietary reverse mortgages also require counseling. The counselor is required to explain the loan’s costs and financial implications, and possible alternatives to a HECM, like government and nonprofit programs or a single-purpose or proprietary reverse mortgage. The counselor also should be able to help you compare the costs of different types of reverse mortgages and tell you how different payment options, fees, and other costs affect the total cost of the loan over time.

Our Real Estate Partners Angela Mize is a multi-million dollar producer in the Pittsburgh area and has emerged as the #1 Prudential Agent in Peters Township. Angela is highly motivated and adept at assessing her client’s needs by providing honest and detailed evaluations of the real estate process. Whether you’re interested in buying, selling, or investing in the Pittsburgh real estate market, contact Angela! Prudential Preferred Realty 724.263.4548 • www.AngelaMize.com

Our services include: • New Landscape Designs and Shrubbery • Edging and Mulching of Beds • Retaining Walls • Concrete Driveways • Concrete or Paver Sidewalks and Patios • Fire Pits and Seat Walls Santel Landscape and Design 412.835.1854 • www.santellandscapeannddesisgn.com

About Erica Shulsky Erica is a Listing Specialist in the Pittsburgh area. With the backing of an extraordinary Real Estate Company and her Marketing background, her innovative selling techniques have become a key component in her marketing strategies. She’s been nominated by Pittsburgh Magazine as one of “Pittsburgh’s Top Real Estate Agents” three years in a row for “Highest in Service and Overall Satisfaction.” EXP Realty and Victorian Finance 724.986.8688 Realtors specializing in residential sales incorporating farms, investment properties, new and existing construction. Properties in Allegheny and surrounding counties. Over 25 years experience. Award-winning Five Star Realtors 2011 – 2013, million dollars producers. Our community service includes KW Cares, Rotary Club of Upper St. Clair/Bethel Park as well as other charitable organizations. Sandy Goldstein, ABR, e-Pro; Marshall Goldstein, THE GOLD TEAM. Keller Williams Real Estate Professionals 724.941.9400 x215 • www.sandygoldstein.com

Continued on page 42 South Fayette | Summer 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 41

Real Estate IN SOUTH FAYETTE Continued from page 41 You can visit HUD for a list of counselors or call the agency at 1.800.569.4287. Most counseling agencies charge around $125 for their services. The fee can be paid from the loan proceeds, but you cannot be turned away if you can’t afford the fee. How much you can borrow with a HECM or proprietary reverse mortgage depends on several factors, including your age, the type of reverse mortgage you select, the appraised value of your home, and current interest rates. In general, the older you are, the more equity you have in your home, and the less you owe on it, the more money you can get. The HECM lets you choose among several payment options. You can select: •• A “term” option – fixed monthly cash advances for a specific time. •• A “tenure” option – fixed monthly cash advances for as long as you live in your home. •• A line of credit that lets you draw down the loan proceeds at any time in amounts you choose until you have used up the line of credit. •• A combination of monthly payments and a line of credit. You can change your payment option any time for about $20. HECMs generally provide bigger loan advances at a lower total cost

compared with proprietary loans. But if you own a higher-valued home, you may get a bigger loan advance from a proprietary reverse mortgage. So if your home has a higher appraised value and you have a small mortgage, you may qualify for more funds. Reverse mortgage loan advances are not taxable, and generally don’t affect your Social Security or Medicare benefits. You retain the title to your home, and you don’t have to make monthly repayments. The loan must be repaid when the last surviving borrower dies, sells the home, or no longer lives in the home as a principal residence. In the HECM program, a borrower can live in a nursing home or other medical facility for up to 12 consecutive months before the loan must be repaid. If you’re considering a reverse mortgage, be aware that: •• Lenders generally charge an origination fee, a mortgage insurance premium (for federally-insured HECMs), and other closing costs for a reverse mortgage. Lenders also may charge servicing fees during the term of the mortgage. The lender sometimes sets these fees and costs, although origination fees for HECMs currently are dictated by law. Your upfront costs can be lowered if you borrow a smaller amount through a reverse mortgage product called “HECM Saver.” •• The amount you owe on a reverse mortgage grows over time. Interest is charged on the outstanding balance and added to the amount you owe each month. That means your total debt increases as the loan funds are advanced to you and interest on the loan accrues. •• Although some reverse mortgages have fixed rates, most have variable rates that are tied to a financial index; they are likely to change with market conditions. •• Reverse mortgages can use up all or some of the equity in your home, and leave fewer assets for you and your heirs. Most reverse mortgages have a “nonrecourse” clause, which prevents you or your estate from owing more than the value of your home when the loan becomes due and the home is sold. However, if you or your heirs want to retain ownership of the home, you usually must repay the loan in full – even if the loan balance is greater than the value of the home. •• Because you retain title to your home, you are responsible for property taxes, insurance, utilities, fuel, maintenance, and other expenses. If you don’t pay property taxes, carry homeowner’s insurance, or maintain the condition of your home, your loan may become due and payable. •• Interest on reverse mortgages is not deductible on income tax returns until the loan is paid off in part or whole.

FINANCING AND INTEREST RATES There is both good news and bad news when it comes to home financing and mortgage interest rates. The great news is that interest rates are still extremely low. According to bankrate.com, the interest rates on 12/26/12 were 3.59% on a 30-year fixed rate, 2.87% on a 15-year fixed, 2.77% on a 5/1 ARM and 4.07% on a 30-year jumbo. However, the bad news is that, due to new mortgage laws adopted after the nation’s foreclosure crisis of several years back, it is more difficult to get a mortgage than ever before. Credit scores are even more scrutinized and 42 724.942.0940 to advertise

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Our Real Estate Partners debt-to-income ratios are more strict. There is an infinite number of loan types out there, and lenders are constantly coming up with creative ways to wrangle in new homeowners. The type of home loan you choose can make or break you as a borrower, so make sure you fully understand it before making any kind of commitment. Most prospective homeowners these days seem to be interested in 100% financing, generally because they don’t have the assets necessary for a down payment. Unfortunately, the proliferation of these types of home loan programs have increased the number of high-risk borrowers in the United States at an alarming rate. But if you take the time to educate yourself on the many home loan types out there, you’ll effectively decrease your chances of defaulting on your mortgage. That said, let’s talk about the many different loan types and programs available today. Below is a list of the types of loans available to potential homeowners.

Conforming Loans and Non-Conforming Loans One way home loans are differentiated is by their Government Sponsored Enterprise (GSE) eligibility. If the loan meets requirements set forth by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, it is considered a conforming loan. If the loan does not meet all the underwriting requirements set forth by the pair of GSEs, it is considered “non-conforming.”

Some of the most successful real estate agents in the country are right here at Prudential Preferred Realty – Rock Solid in Real Estate! For further information contact Tony Mete at 412.833.7700.

Prudential Preferred Realty 412.833.7700 Dan Ryan builders is a privately-held regional homebuilding company based in Frederick Maryland and current operations include 10 major markets in six states including North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Dan Ryan Builders enters the Pittsburgh market in five new communities in both the north and south markets. Dan Ryan Builders 724.939.1011 • www.danryanbuilders.com/pittsburgh

The main guideline that determines whether a mortgage is conforming or not is the loan amount. Generally, a mortgage with a loan amount below $417,000 is considered conforming, whereas any loan amount above $417,000 is considered a jumbo loan. However, in Alaska and Hawaii the conforming limit is $625,500. Note that the conforming limit may change annually, and has risen quite a bit in the past few years as housing prices skyrocketed. A jumbo loan may meet all of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s loan underwriting guidelines, but if the loan amount exceeds the conforming limit, it will be considered non-conforming and carry a higher mortgage rate as a result. If your loan amount is on the fringe of the conforming limit, sometimes simply dropping your loan amount a few thousand dollars can lower your mortgage rate tremendously, so keep this in mind any time your loan amount is near the limit.

Conventional Loans and Government Loans Mortgages are also classified as either “conventional loans” or “government loans.” Conventional loans can be conforming or jumbo, but are not insured or guaranteed by the government.

Continued on page 45 South Fayette | Summer 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 43

Industry Insight

Real Estate Tips for

Buyersand Sellers

inally, we are enjoying the beautiful awakening of a new spring season, with summer right around the corner. While it’s a busy time with life events, it is also a great time to buy and/or sell a home! The market is hot and houses are selling. In fact, for the first time in several years, multiple offers are being presented to sellers on a fairly regular basis. The main reason for this is that we have a shortage of listings on the market and so buyers options are limited. It is most definitely a great time to sell your home at it’s highest and best price! As a buyer, it truly is also a great time to buy. The mortgage rates continue to be offered at all time lows and there is still first time homeowner incentives. I’d like to offer tips to keep in mind while in your process of making this life decision, to both sellers and buyers.

Sellers:

1) Price your home well! Make sure you have priced your home correctly, considering a market analysis as your most important tool. Buyers will only pay what the market dictates. 2) Depersonalize, declutter, spring clean, start packing, freshen paint & floors, etc. so your home is ready to sell as soon as it

hits the market. You only have one opportunity to create a “first impression” on buyers and on the market. You want it to be the best showing possible, with every potential buyer. 3) Prepare for vacations. With vacation season up and coming, please be sure that your home is accessible while away, and in show condition. Also, either have mail held at the post office, or have a family member or friend pick it up for you during your absence. It is not advisable to let it accumulate, because you don’t want it to appear you are away. 4) Don’t neglect high-quality lighting. Of course, your prospects want to see your place. Seems understandable, right? Unfortunately, as a real estate agent myself, this particular “lighting aspect” has been overlooked quite a bit. Check your bulbs, and just make sure they aren’t dead. Even though I advise checking all lights, I would probably be more concerned with sections that require more pretend lighting. These include areas like the basement and bathrooms. It’s a sound idea to have your windows visible as well. Masses of pure light is what your are most definitely looking for. 5) Offer a decorating allowance. There may be a buyer that likes the home, but just has different decorating tastes. To seal the deal, offer a decorating allowance (for painting, new carpets, or wallpaper). You can offer cash at closing, or put money in escrow to reimburse decorating & remodeling expenses made within 90 days of closing, up to a maximum amount. This may be just the thing to get the deal done.

Buyers:

1) Choose a Real Estate Agent to represent you through the process of buying your home. This will save you from spinning

your wheels trying to determine which homes on the market are actually available, which ones are already under agreement, and maybe most important, which ones are coming onto the market. I will do the footwork for you so that your valuable time can be spent looking at qualified homes that meet your criteria, as opposed to finding a home you love only to find out it’s already under agreement. 2) Get pre-qualified. This will help you to know how much house you can afford. Finding the right home is enough of a task… You want to know in advance that you are financially qualified to afford it before falling in love with it. 44 724.942.0940 to advertise

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3) Allow time for the process. Your personal situation will dictate when you want to move, however, the sellers situation will be a factor of that timing as well. If you are purchasing a home that is in a short-sale situation, the timing is delayed sometimes 90-180 days. If the seller is purchasing another home, those dates will need to be factored in as well. A Real Estate professional will be able to assist you in making the transaction and timing as smooth as possible. 4) Do your inspections! Every home has it’s “quirks”. There is truly no way to know everything about a home just by walking through it. A home inspector can educate you on the mechanics and details of your future home. It is educational and priceless to be an informed buyer. 5) Negotiate your sale. Your Real Estate agent will assist you in this area. You want to be certain you are getting the home for a fair price. A market anaylsis will provide details of comparable homes that have sold, and how much they sold for. Whether you are buying or selling your home, there are many things to consider through out that process. It can be very convoluted and overwhelming going it on your own. As a professional Real Estate Agent for over 17 years, I can assure you that your experience will be much more enjoyable and educated if you allow me to walk through that process with you. Many steps occur before, during and after you decide to buy or sell a home. Let me take the burden away and allow you to focus on the enjoyable part of the process. Let’s go SHOPPING!

Real Estate IN SOUTH FAYETTE Continued from page 43 Then there are government loans, such as the widely popular FHA loan. This type of mortgage is backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Another common government loan is the VA loan, backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The maximum loan amount for these types of loans varies by county. Now that you know a bit about different home loan types, we can focus on home loan programs. As mentioned earlier, there are a ton of different loan programs out there, and more seem to surface every day. Let’s start with the most basic of loan programs, the 30year fixed-rate loan.

Loan Programs The 30-year fixed loan is as simple as they come. Most mortgages are based on a 30-year amortization, and the 30-year fixed is no different. The 30-year fixed loan is just how it sounds, a loan with a 30-year term at a fixed interest rate for 30 years. What this means is that the loan will take 30 years to pay off, and the rate will stay the same during those entire 30 years. There isn’t much else to it. Let’s say you secure a rate of 6.5% on a 30-year fixed loan with a loan amount of $500,000. You’ll have monthly mortgage payments of $3,160.34 for a total of 360 months, or 30 years. You will be required to pay the same amount each month until the loan is paid off. So the total amount you would pay on a $500,000 loan at 6.5% over 30 years would be $1,137,722.40.

LOCAL HOUSING MARKET According to www.buildingpittsburgh. wordpress.com, unlike the overall U.S. market, the housing market in Pittsburgh does not have to bounce back from falling prices and is showing remarkable consistency across a number of metrics. For more than six months the prices of

Continued on page 47 South Fayette | Summer 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 45

Business Spotlight

HICKORY HEIGHTS

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Real Estate IN SOUTH FAYETTE Continued from page 45 houses sold and the number of homes sold has remained solidly up more than 10% year-over-year. That’s an unusual level of consistent growth, especially since the sales took place in periods of both higher and lower seasonal activity. The third quarter also showed a consistent trend in the year-over-year growth in new construction. Through nine months there were a total of 2,396 new dwelling units started compared to 2,155 during the same period in 2011, an increase of 11.2%. The increased activity was constant whether the construction was traditional detached single-family homes (and attached) or multi-family units, with each cohort up between 10-12%. Permits were issued for 1,393 units of detached dwellings compared to 1,264 in 2011 and for 1,003 attached units this year compared to 891 last year. While there is growing evidence that financing conditions are normalizing so that buyers can buy, the dwindling supply of lots are keeping a broader housing recovery from spreading into 2013, although the construction of multi-family apartments will boom for at least the next 18 months. Following is a breakdown of new housing by county. •• Allegheny County — Single Family Detached, 609. Single-Family Attached, 392. Total, 1001. •• Beaver County — Single-Family Detached, 108. Single-Family Attached, 25. Total, 133. •• Butler County — Single-Family Detached, 190. Single-Family Attached, 323. Total, 513. •• Fayette County — Single-Family Detached, 66. Single-Family Attached, 10. Total, 76. •• Washington County — Single-Family Detached, 251. Single-Family Attached, 74. Total, 325. •• Westmoreland County — Single-Family Detached, 169. Single-Family Attached, 179. Total, 348.

SMARTPHONE APPS FOR HOUSE HUNTING This is 2013 and we are an “on the go” society. So doesn’t it just make sense to use apps for house hunting before contacting a real estate agent? According to www.msn.com, today there are dozens of cheap — even free — applications you can download that can make your home buying quest easier and savvier than ever before. So go ahead and download ‘em, take ‘em for a test drive … then hit the open-house circuit. This time, you’re guaranteed to waste less time finding a new “home sweet home.”

Tools to help you find a home — all with GPS •• Realtor.com says its app has more listings — reportedly more than 3 million — than any other app in the country. You can highlight areas of town to search, check for homes for sale near you and search for open houses. Most homes show multiple photos as well as pricing and open-house info. (Free.) •• Zillow not only lets you see listings and the estimated worth of any home — not just homes for sale – but also has rental-rate estimates. (Free.)

Navigating the real-estate maze •• Dictionary of Real Estate Terms. Baffled by a bilateral contract? Confused by carrying charges? You need this dictionary. ($1.99 for iPhone and iPad. Other dictionaries available for different devices.) •• Mortgage Calculator. A solid calculator to help steer you through the finances of a home purchase, this calculator computes monthly rate, price per square foot and your amortization schedule. (99 cents for iPad and iPhone. Other calculators available for different devices.) •• Can you afford that home? Home Buying Power lets you input variables — desired payment or income percentage, plus down payment, loan term and interest rate — and then tells you how

Continued on page 48 South Fayette | Summer 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 47

Real Estate IN SOUTH FAYETTE Continued from page 47 much house you can afford to pay for on a monthly basis. ($1.99 for iPad and iPhone.)

Choosing the right city and neighborhood •• Learn your neighborhood: With Wikihood, you can get a mini-tour of most any neighborhood in the world — everything from the history to the culture to companies in the area. (Free for iPad and iPhone.) •• Wonder where that smell is coming from? Worried by those airplanes flying low overhead? You need Suburb Scout. This app allows users to search for possible nuisances near a home — airports, landfills, sewage-treatment plants and more. ($1.99 for Android.) •• Are you worried about sex offenders? Consider getting Safe Neighborhood. This app gives you access to the National Sex Offender Registry and can tell you locations of sex offenders in your area. It’s a little controversial — not only can you search by address, but you can pull up names and pictures of the offenders. (Free for Android.) •• Trying to pick a new city? You might want to look at the crime statistics. The app Crime Stats lets you see statistics on several violent crimes and property crimes for cities nationwide, using FBI data. The app also lets you compare those stats to the national average and to other cities. (99 cents for iPhone and iPad.) •• Want to know what kind of amenities your neighborhood has?

48 724.942.0940 to advertise

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Download the Walk Score app. It gives a home a score of up to 100, based on residents’ ability to walk to things such as a grocery, a pub, etc. The better the score, the more walkable the neighborhood. Somewhat related, Around Me tells you the distances to key spots such as banks, coffee shops and post offices. (Both are free for iPhone and iPad.) •• SiteWise gives the demographics of your prospective home’s immediate area, using info up to and including the 2010 Census. The app creates a demographic report that includes population by age, education level, number of children, household income, number of renters versus owners and more. ($9.99 for Blackberry and iPhone users.)

When looking hard at a home •• Photo Measures is an app that lets you take pictures of, say, a room and then allows you to save your measurements of the room’s dimensions on the photos. You can take photos during your walkthroughs of an appealing house, note the dimensions of walls and doors and cabinets, then plan your space and refer to the measurements later. ($4.99 for iPhone.) •• ColorSmart. With paintmaker Behr’s ColorSmart app, you can visualize colors in your prospective home. Just take a photo, then fill in the walls with a Behr paint color to check out the new look. (Free for iPhone and iPad.) You now have 13 new ways to find your perfect home — and no excuses.

Event helps

Sydney Hawk

and her community A Replenishment Blood Drive was held at Holy Child Catholic Parish for Four-Year-Old Bridgeville Resident By Kathy Rudolph Sydney Hawk is turning four on May 22nd. Posing in a photo at her first dance class from this past year, with blond curls, a sweet smile and adorned in a pink costume with a skirt of tulle, she resembles an American Girl doll. Sydney loves to dance at a local dance studio along with her big sister, Addison, who is six and is in kindergarten at Chartiers Valley Primary School. She also enjoys playing make-believe with her dolls and helping her mom and dad, Karin and Joe Hawk of Bridgeville, in the family’s kitchen. “Sydney is our baby doll,” said Jo Ann Friday, Sydney’s grandmother. “She is so smart and funny. When she came home for a visit awhile ago, the first day she asked for macaroni and chi noodles! I can just picture her standing in the kitchen

and putting her hands on her hips and asking me: ‘Ya-Ya, what can I do for you?’ She loves to help and play and her best buddy is her sister Addison.” As adults and as parents, we never want to see a child suffer and try to do everything in our power to protect them, but sometimes in life, we have no control. This past March on Karin’s birthday, Sydney was diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a rare condition occurring in less than ten percent of children with ALL. This abnormality is the result of a translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22, which leads to cancer of the white blood cells as they continuously multiply in the bone marrow. During Sydney’s two-and-a-half-year treatment for ALL Ph+, she will require many units of blood, according to Central Blood Bank, a non-profit organization. To help Sydney improve, Holy Child Catholic Parish held a replenishment blood drive in To schedule an her honor on on Sunday, May appointment to donate, 26th at Holy Child Catholic go to the Central Blood School Gymnasium, 220 Station Bank website at www. Street, in Bridgeville. “This special blood drive in centralbloodbank.org honor of Sydney allows family and search using sponsor and friends to wrap their arms code ZRTN1011, or call Lisa around something positive,” Klancher at 412.221.5213 said Marcy Braunstein, of the Central Blood Bank Replenish for more information. the Need Hospital Program. “It directs their care and concern for the patient into a blood drive event that has a life saving effect within the community. These blood drives help to replenish the community blood supply from which their family member or friend is depending upon.” The parish was informed about Sidney’s condition because her sister, Addison, is a student in the parish’s religious education program. The blood drive was organized by Sister Barbara Anne Quinn, Holy Child Catholic School Principal, Lisa Klancher, Holy Child Catholic Parish Protecting God’s Children Administrator and other volunteers from the parish. The family is appreciative of people in the community participating in the blood drive and for monetary donations for Sydney’s extensive treatment. If you would like to donate to the Sydney’s Catastrophic Medical Fund, visit the website at http://www.youcaring.com/medicalfundraiser/help-sydney-please-/54813. “One day Sydney has a good day and then the next day, it’s four steps back,” said Friday. “Sydney is being held by God right now. We just have to pray for her and are so grateful for everyone’s prayers. It is amazing how this tragedy has made me realize that their are angels that walk among us. People that you don’t even know have come out in support of Sydney and we are so appreciative.” South Fayette | Summer 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 49

Industry Insight

Head Injury in Children Aaron Carpenter, MDiv, MSN, CRNP CCP – South Fayette

ave you noticed the increased attention to head injury in professional sports recently? Regulations on return to play following a concussion and extended periods of no contact have highlighted the importance of what Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Pediatricians have been touting for many years: the brain is important, you’re going to need it when you grow up so take care of it! Looking at the statistics of head injury in children is a scary thing, but understanding what we are up against helps us to better understand what puts our kids at risk and how we can better help them to stay safe and healthy. Accidents and unintentional injury are the leading cause of death in boys and girls age one year through age forty four and traumatic brain injury accounts for more deaths from accidents than any other mechanism of injury. Staggering by themselves, these statistics do not include the enormous number of children and young adults who have lifelong complications as the result of a brain injury. So yes, there is quite a bit of attention given to head injury these days and rightfully so, because it affects so many families.

The good news is many of these injuries are preventable and with a little bit of effort many can be avoided.

What can we do?

For starters, ensure that your children are properly restrained while riding in a motor vehicle. If you are unsure what kind of infant carrier, car seat, or booster seat your child should ride in, or if you are unsure where they should sit in the car ask your health care provider. Many local police, fire, and emergency medical service municipalities hold events to fit your car seats properly to your car—take advantage of this service, it may save your child’s life! As early as you put your child on any object that propels forward or backward (wagons, bicycles, scooters, skateboards, rollerblades, etc.) put a properly fitting helmet on their head and enforce wearing the helmet every time they ride; yes, even in the driveway at home. For older children and teenagers who are involved in contact sports, ensure that they are equipped with the appropriate, sport-specific protective gear.

Testing the brain…

Given the enormity of the problem of head injury and concussion researchers have developed a range of computer based tests that assess the functioning of the brain on a few different levels. One of these tests, known as the ImPACT® test, allows us to determine the effect of the concussion or brain injury on memory, reaction times and thought processing. If your child is engaged in any sports or activities that put them at higher risk for head injury, we recommend that you have a baseline test. If a child has had a baseline test and subsequently sustains a concussion, the tests done after the injury are compared to their baseline test. In addition to their physical exam and symptoms, the results of these tests assist your health care provider to determine when or if your child can return to play. While your child is healing from a concussion their ability to focus and learn may also be affected. Giving the brain the appropriate time to rest and heal is very important following a concussion. You can discuss a plan that is appropriate with your child’s primary care provider and their school nurse or administrator. The good news is that you can make a difference in reducing the danger of head injury in your children! Many head injuries are preventable and taking a few simple steps, such as car restraints and helmets, will keep your kids safe. You only get one brain, take good care of it!

This Industry Insight was written by Aaron Carpenter. Aaron Carpenter, MDiv, MSN, CRNP obtained his undergraduate degree at Sacred Heart University and obtained his graduate degree from Yale University. He completed his residency at Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital and in 2004 he relocated his family to Pittsburgh to work in the Emergency Department at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. In 2012, Aaron joined Children’s Community Pediatrics and currently practices at CCP – Moon and CCP – South Fayette. 50 724.942.0940 to advertise

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Paddle Without Pollution clean-up at Chartiers Creek

n Saturday, April 20, 2013, more than 30 volunteers joined a non-profit organization called Paddle Without Pollution to clean litter and debris from Chartiers Creek. The cleanup effort consisted of a land based crew and a water based crew. We met at and launched from the Frosty Valley Golf Course in Upper St. Clair and worked 3+ miles of creek (first upstream then downstream) to Wingfield Landing, on the Wingfield Pines property in Upper St. Clair and South Fayette. The crew worked portions of the stream that wound through both South Fayette and Upper St. Clair. According to David Rohm, Executive Director of Paddle Without Pollution, the volunteers removed 2.6 TONS of litter and illegally dumped debris from Chartiers Creek in about four hours. It was cold, muddy and incredible. For more information on future projects, go to Paddle Without Pollution www.paddlewithoutpollution.com.

South Fayette | Summer 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 51

Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Location in South Fayette

hildren’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC broke ground on a new facility Children’s South - on the site of the old St. Anothony’s Church in South Fayette. The church closed over a decade ago when it merged with St. Agatha’s Church to form Holy Child Parish on the other side of Chartier’s Creek. The land has been dormant ever since, with South Fayette Township looking to convert the neighboring Star City Cinema building into its new municipal complex. The new Children’s South, set to relocate from its current location in Bethel Park to South Fayette Township in the fall of 2014, will house

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Children’s outpatient, primary care and afterhours care. New and expanded services will include: n Increased exam room space for expanded pediatric subspecialty care including adolescent medicine, allergy, cardiology, endocrinology, ENT, gastroenterology, neurology, orthopaedics, plastic surgery and pulmonary medicine. n State-of-the-art pediatric-based radiology to include x-ray, fluoroscopy and ultrasound. n Children’s Express Care (www.chp.edu/ CHP/childrens+express+care) an after-hours pediatric care center. n 15,000-square-feet of open gym and

photos by Primetime Shots, Inc.

exam room space for rehabilitation services to include speech, audiology, physical therapy and occupational therapy. n Expansion of pediatric behavioral health services to include cognitive therapy and developmental testing. n New expansion site for CCP–South Fayette (www.childrenspeds.com/), a primary care practice that is part of Children’s Community Pediatrics.

The new Children’s South is designed to resemble the hospital’s main campus in Lawrenceville — from an abundance of natural light to distraction therapy features for various age groups. Built on 2.6 acres with 60,000-square-feet of usable space, the new Children’s South will expand the services available at Children’s South in Bethel Park and will broaden Children’s Hospital’s service area south of Pittsburgh.

South Fayette | Summer 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 53

Houses of Worship Ahavath Achim Congregation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.279.1566 All Saints Episcopal Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.835.7330 All Saints Polish National Catholic Church. . . . . . . . . . . . 412.276.9677 Atonement Episcopal Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.279.1944 Bahai Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.278.1096 Bethany Presbyterian Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.221.5132 Bible Baptist Church of Pittsburgh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.276.7717 Bridgeville Methodist Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.221.5577 Calvary Full Gospel Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.257.1707 Carnegie Presbyterian Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.279.3223 Cecil Alliance Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.221.4177 Christ U P Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.276.0222 Crossroads Vineyard Christian Fellowship. . . . . . . . . . . . 412.999.0141 Fawcett United Methodist Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724.745.1240 First Baptist Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.221.4232 First Baptist Church of McDonald. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724.926.4216 First United Methodist Church of Bridgeville. . . . . . . . . . 412.221.5577 Gladden United Presbyterian Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.257.0922 Holy Child Roman Catholic Parish. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.221.5213 Hillside Christian Community. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.279.2996 Holy Trinity Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.279.4652 Holy Virgin Russian Orthodox Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.276.6234 Journey Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412.221.9000 Lakeview Christian Life Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724.746.3200 McDonald Presbyterian Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724.926.8561

Methodist Church Parsonage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Miller Gary Minister. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Noblestown United Methodist Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Old Saint Luke’s Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Our Lady of Fatima Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Our Lady of Victory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rennerdale U P Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rennerdale United Presbyterian Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Saint Andrew Lutheran Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Saint John Lutheran Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Salvation Army. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Second Baptist Church of Carnegie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Solid Rock Foundation Ministries Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . St. Barbara Rectory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . St. Bernadette’s Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . St. Mary’s Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . St. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Greek Church . . . . Victorious Faith Evangelistic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Zion Lutheran Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

412.221.9311 412.279.5030 724.693.2755 412.531.9333 412.276.2558 412.278.0841 412.276.2268 412.276.2268 412.279.3615 412.279.2952 412.276.4757 412.276.6606 412.278.3411 412.221.5152 814.763.2831 412.276.1011 412.221.2277 412.221.0595 412.276.9718 412.276.5073 412.221.4776

If your place of worship was not on our list, please email the information to

mark@incommunitymagazines.com.

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Noah Angelici 6t h Annual Memorial Golf Event

The Noah Angelici 6th Annual Memorial Golf Event Mystic Rock Golf Course June 10th â&#x20AC;˘ 10:30 a.m. Shotgun Start/18 hole scramble

Benefiting Noahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s House of Hope

The Noah Angelici Hope Foundation was founded in remembrance of Noah and to help others like him. Noah and his twin brother Jackson developed a rare disorder before birth, Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS), resulting in several blood vessels connecting the twins. This condition required a unique and lifesaving fetal surgery performed by only a few surgeons worldwide. After birth, Noah bravely fought for 2 1/2 years before it eventually claimed his life in December of 2007. For entry form and more information, contact Jane Klimchak at 724.350.2940 or jane@noahshouseofhope.com. Deadline for registration is June 2.

South Fayette | Summer 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 55

Eagle Scout Completes Wild Flower Garden in Fairview Park

Adam Nietsch, who reached Eagle Scout for Troop 1394, created a garden for Fairview Park to fulfill his scouting requirements. Adam did a 24- by 28-foot wildflower garden, choosing every plant, tree and flower, all of which are native species to Pennsylvania. Adam is planning on studying Environmental Science at Clarion in the fall. 56 724.942.0940 to advertise

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PARKWAY WEST CTC

PWCTC to Offer Free Summer Career Camps to Middle School Students Camps will be held on Tuesday, June 18th and Wednesday, June 19th. They are free to any current 7th and 8th grade student from our 12 sending school districts. They include: Carlynton, Chartiers Valley, Cornell, Keystone Oaks, Montour, Moon Area, Mt. Lebanon, Quaker Valley, South Fayette, Sto-Rox, Upper St. Clair, and West Allegheny School Districts. Students will choose two programs to attend out of seven. Programs are subject to enrollment. We do not provide transportation but will provide lunch for both days. There is also a dress code requirement for each of the programs and submission of an application is required. There is no application fee nor a charge to attend.

FAQs, Application, and Dress Code Requirements may be downloaded by going to: http://www.parkwaywest.org/District/1161-Summer-Camps.html

South Fayette | Summer 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 57

Doing Good, All Year Long While charitable giving increases towards the end of the year as important community needs are showcased, such needs continue all year long. Unfortunately, giving tends to drop off after the holidays, leaving many organizations with a shortfall of donated goods, cash and even volunteers in the New Year. While it is true that part of the Christmas and holiday tradition is to give back to others, there are needs in our community throughout the year. What You Can Do Whether you volunteer or collect goods to donate, resolve to take simple steps in 2013 to better your community. To shine a light on ways to give back, here are three tips on how to make giving a year-long tradition: Tip #1: Simple Items Make a Big Difference: Many local charities collect clothes and essentials for families, particularly children, all year long. From warm coats and blankets to socks, toothpaste and soap, the simplest items

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can make a real difference for those in need. Consider donating gently used items after your annual spring cleaning, organize a donation drive in your neighborhood, or if you buy in bulk at warehouse clubs, choose a few items from each trip to set aside for donation to your favorite local charity. Tip #2: Think Outside the Can: Food banks are always in need of cash and food donations throughout the year. Feeding America says that for $1, food banks can provide 8 meals to men, women and children facing hunger; $50 will provide 400 meals. Call your local food bank and ask for their “most wanted” list. Often, proteins are at the top of the list along with peanut butter, baby food and juice boxes. Home gardeners with bumper crops can glean their harvests and share fresh vegetables and fruits so they don’t go to waste. Tip #3: Ways to Help are Closer Than You Think: Your local community center, religious institution or library most likely has programs to help those in need, so you can help as part of your regular routine. Ask if you can volunteer to serve meals to the homeless after church services, or offer to read to children at the local library. There are countless ways to lend a hand, so find one that feels right to you or visit volunteer websites for ideas. Every community will have unique needs and strengths. To make the greatest impact, those wanting to give back should ask about workplace programs that match volunteer hours, find out local donation guidelines, and make giving back a regular family activity.

Business Spotlight

Hickory Heights Golf Club

Looks to a New Season of Smiles From the opening of the front nine in 1991, Hickory Heights has been the golf course for those who want the country club experience at an affordable price. Sam Depe, III, the owner of the club, has more than 30 years of experience as a Class A PGA Professional, and more than 28 years experience as the head pro at South Hills Country Club, so he knows the game and he knows how to treat his patrons. He also knows how important it is to be an active member of the community. Hickory Heights is the home course for the South Fayette Varsity and Junior Varsity Golf Teams. All South Fayette community golf clinics are offered at Hickory Heights, so it’s a wellknown course with a well-known reputation for excellence. They have many packages for golf memberships, golf outings and fundraisers. “Whether you come to Hickory Heights to play golf or dine at Sammy’s Pin High Pub, we want you to leave with a positive experience,” Depe said. “We’d love for you to come back again and again.” And come back they do – with 18 holes of championship golf, four PGA Professionals available for lessons, complete golf outing planning and a delicious lunch and dinner menu at Sammy’s Pin High Pub, Hickory Heights isn’t a course you play and leave. It’s a destination. The full golf shop has everything the big-box sports stores have including offerings from Ping, Titleist, Callaway, Taylormade, Mizuno, Footjoy and Adidas. The banquet facilities on site can accommodate up to 120 people, and is perfect for rehearsal dinners, graduation parties or business meetings. RJ Campolo, Hickory Heights executive chef, will be offering Italian delights to the club, and dining room. The banquet room has been renovated with new flooring, lighting and a new paint scheme. Campolo, who previously was the head chef at Scoligo’s at the Pointe at Robinson, said a lot of the food will be of the same caliber and variety as Scoligo’s, with some new dishes as well. A brand new menu is due out June 1. “It will be a 15- to 18-item menu with specials,”

Campolo said. “*We have added a new pizza oven. We make our dough fresh daily, we have eight specialty pizzas, along with traditional round pizzas. They are awesome!” Designed by awardwinning architect Dr. Michael Hurdzan, Hickory Heights was intended to be 18 beautiful holes of golf on 170 wooded acres with level landing areas, well manicured fairways and challenging greens with great views and water hazards. Scenic beauty abounds with creeks, ponds and waterfalls that provide a challenging round of golf for all skill levels. “We are completing the renovation of 32 greenside and fairway bunkers. This involves removing the old sand, rebuilding the drains, and finally putting in the same quality-grade sand used by clubs like Oakmont, St. Clair and Nevillewood,” said Depe. The addition of Superintendent Mark Yates, who formerly was the Assistant Superintendent at The Club at Nevillewood, means the entire facility is under his watchful eye, with many describing greens as being “country club quality.” And new for 2013 is a brand new fleet of golf carts equipped with state-of-theart GPS systems. “We are proud to be the only area golf course with the new ‘Visage’ GPS system,” Depe said. “This system will definitely speed up

playing time. And it allows us to solicit local companies to advertise on the system.” The facility has a staff of 45 employees and has held 14 membership events. Depe prides himself on the fact that everyone at the club guarantees that members come first. “We manage the facility to provide courteous service,” he said. “We treat people the way they want to be treated.” That word of mouth has been paying off – Depe said golfers who haven’t played the course in years are coming back again and again, bringing their friends with them. “They’re telling their friends of the great golf experience they’re having at Hickory Heights,” Depe said. “You can’t buy advertising like that.” With have four PGA Professionals on staff: Sam Depe III, Sam Depe IV, Donald Strassner and Dave McMahon, individual and group lessons for juniors, beginners and ladies are always available. Junior camps begin June 17th. And run through the summer. Little Tykes, for children 7 and under also available. If you are looking to take a swing at Hickory Heights, the club is located at 116 Hickory Heights Drive, Bridgeville, PA 15017. You can call them at 412.257.0300 or check out their website at: www.hickoryheightsgc.com. You can also email them at: info@hickoryheightsgc.com.

South Fayette | Summer 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 59

each category will receive a trophy. Chess Instructor, Eric Berthoud, oversees the tournament. Register with Eric Berthoud at Monday evening Chess Club.

South Fayette Township Library 515 Millers Run Rd. / P.O. Box 436 Morgan, PA 15064 412.257.8660 www.southfayettelibrary.org Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Friday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday: CLOSED

Fridays, May 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 10:30-11:00 a.m. Tales ‘n Tunes Story Time. For ages 3-5 years with caregivers. A high-energy program for preschoolers and their caregivers. Children sing songs with movements, listen to stories, and enjoy art activities. This program enhances vocabulary, language, social and motor skills. Get ready for Kindergarten with this exciting program! No registration is required.

Tuesday & Wednesday Mornings, May 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 & 29 10:30-11:00 a.m. Mother Goose Story Time. An entertaining program for little ones from birth-3 years and their caregivers. Children interact through songs, finger plays and flannel board stories. This program gently develops awareness of letters, print and images. Motor and social skills are also enhanced. What a fun way to include reading readiness into a child’s schedule! No registration is required.

Wednesdays Evenings, May 8 & 22 6:00-7:30 p.m. E-Reader Drop-in Help Sessions. Need help using your e-reader or mobile device? Library staff will guide you in using library resources on e-readers or smart phones the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month. Support available for all e-reader types including Kindles, Nooks and iPads. If possible, please bring your laptop to the session. Call 412.257.8660 or go to www.southfayettelibrary.org for more information.

Saturday Afternoon, May 11 1:00-3:00 p.m. Chess Tournament. Beginning and experienced players in Grades K-8 who have attended at least 4 Chess Club sessions are eligible for our May 2013 Chess Tournament. There are two categories---Grades K-4 and 5-8. First and second place winners in 60 724.942.0940 to advertise

South Fayette

Tuesday, May 21 12:00-1:00 p.m. PALS Book Club. Bring a brown bag lunch and join PALS members for a spirited discussion of The Paris Wife by Paula McLain. Book selections are popular titles recommended by club members and Barnes & Noble Booksellers. This program is co-sponsored by the Allegheny County Library Association. Registration is requested, but not required. To register, click on Calendar of Events at southfayettelibrary.org or call 412.257.8660. Sign out your book at the beginning of May at the library checkout desk.

Monday, May 20 6:30-7:30 p.m. Adult Book Club. Book club members have a lively discussion and suggest their favorite books for upcoming sessions. This month’s selection is The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton. Registration is requested, but not required. Go to southfayettelibrary.org or call 412.257.8660 to register or request books.

One Saturday Afternoon a Month Writers Unleashed for Grades 5-8. Writers Unleashed! is a fun, no-cost writing program that middle school teens (grades 5-8) who share a passion for writing explore their craft. Teens write novels and scripts, share word-count goals and achievements, and brainstorm with other writers via online

message boards. Brittany Ketter, a seasoned NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and ScriptFrenzy veteran, guides teens through the Young Writers Program. Participants learn about inciting incidents, character building, plot making, dialogue and also work to improve writing skills, grammar and formatting of novels. Please email Brittany at ketterb@einetwork.net for information on upcoming online, in-library and Skype sessions.

One Saturday Afternoon a Month Writers Unleashed! High School Writing Program. Writers Unleashed! is a Young Writers Program directed by Brittany Ketter and designed for high school teens who share a passion for writing. At Writers Unleashed! participants learn the art of storytelling, sharpen their writing skills and learn how to create inciting incidents, build strong characters, craft plots and work through dialogue. Participants also write a novel and, if desired, are taken through the publishing process. Please email Brittany at ketterb@einetwork.net for information on upcoming online, in-library and Skype sessions.

Encyclopedia Britannica With a valid library card you can access directly from our website Britannica Online providing you with two sites in one—a child-friendly collection and an adult general reference collection. Students can access encyclopedias, Britannica-approved Web sites, and a Student Center with an atlas, biographies, multimedia, “How To” guides for school reports, and other learning materials. Older students and adults will find similar resources created for advanced information seekers in the Britannica Reference Center (adult) section. Go to http://library.eb.com/storelibrarycard?id=sout hfayettetl or click the Encyclopedia Brittanica button on our homepage.

June-August Summer Library Activities. Join us for fun, enriching activities and programs for all ages at the South Fayette Twp. Library this summer! All summer long, computers are available for children in Grades K-5 to take Accelerated Reader book quizzes or do online research activities on Questyinz. And for every book children (under age 18) read or have read to them, they can submit a raffle ticket for a weekly drawing at the library. Prizes will be awarded every Saturday from June 22-July 27. Winners need not be present.

June-August Summer Read-to-Me Program for PreReaders. Pre-readers can also participate in the Summer Library fun. Preschool children can pick up a reading log during the month of June. Return it during the month of August (with stickers for each book read) and receive a fun prize.

Saturday, June 15 1:00-4:00 p.m. Summer Library Open House. Find out more about summer programs & activities then enjoy refreshments and bubble fun on the patio! No registration is required.

Mondays-Thursdays & Saturdays, June 17-July 26 (No Summer Bridge on Fridays.)

Noon - 1:30 p.m. Summer Bridge Activities for Kids Entering Grades K-5. New this year: weekly science experiments! The program is FREE (except for the cost of workbooks) due to a generous donation from the South Fayette Elementary PTA. Staff and volunteer tutors will guide kids in Summer Bridge Workbook activities, science experiments, Accelerated Reader quizzes & Questyinz activities. Kids will also watch short educational videos while enjoying their lunches. Fun prizes for completion of workbook pages, AR tests and Questyinz provided by SFEPTA and The Friends of the South Fayette Twp. Library. Register for each day your child will attend under Calendar of Events at southfayettelibrary.org or call 412.257.8660.

Saturdays, June 22-July 27 3:00-4:00 p.m. Race for Order! for Teens Entering Grades 6-8. Find materials that are out of order, then race to put them back! After the race, refreshments are served, and the winners receive fun prizes. Register for each day you will attend under Calendar of Events at southfayettelibrary.org or call 412.257.8660.

Summer Bridge 2012 Dotty Kinder Table

Monday-Friday, June 24-28

Calendar of Events at southfayettelibrary.org or call 412.257.8660.

2:00-4:00 p.m. Beginners Chess Camp.

Monday-Wednesday & Friday, July 1-3 & 5

Saturday, August 3

2:00-4:00 p.m. Intermediate Chess Camp. Now only $5 per class. Please pay instructor before each day of class. Chess Instructor Eric Berthoud will help beginning and intermediate players entering Grades K-8 focus on improving their chess skills through play and strategy instruction. Register for each day your child will attend under Calendar of Events at southfayettelibrary.org or call 412.257.8660.

Monday-Friday, August 5-9 2:00-3:00 p.m. Silly Science for Kids Entering Grades K-2. Now only $5 per class. Please pay instructor before each day of class. Make the most of your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural instinct to explore and understand their surroundings. All classes have fun, gooey, hands-on science experiments. The instructor shares a book relevant to the class theme. A snack is also provided. Register for each day your child will attend under

1:00-3:00 p.m. Finale Party! Every child who participates in a summer program or activity (Summer Bridge Activities, Silly Science, Chess Camp, Read-to-Me, Accelerated Reader or Questyinz) is invited to a Summer Library Finale Party! There will be a special performer, recognition of Summer Bridge, Accelerated Reader & Questyinz achievements, refreshments, and lots of fun!

Every 4th Monday Evening 6:30-7:30 p.m. Adult Book Club. Book club members have a lively discussion and suggest their favorite books for upcoming sessions. Registration is requested, but not required. Go to southfayettelibrary.org or call 412.257.8660 to register or request books.

Tuesday & Wednesday Mornings 10:30-11:00 a.m. Mother Goose Story Time. An entertaining program for little ones from birth-3 years and their caregivers. Children interact through songs, finger plays and flannel board stories. This program gently develops awareness of letters, print and images. Motor and social skills are also enhanced. What a fun way to include reading readiness into a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s schedule! No registration is required.

Every 3rd Tuesday 12:00-1:00 p.m. PALS Book Club. Bring a brown bag lunch and join PALS members for a spirited book discussion. Book selections are popular titles recommended by club members and Barnes & Noble Booksellers. This program is co-sponsored by the Allegheny County Library Association. Registration is requested, but not required. To register, click on Calendar of Events at southfayettelibrary.org or call 412.257.8660.

Stirring Goo Activity

Continued on page 62 South Fayette | Summer 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 61

Sign out your book at the beginning of the month at the library checkout desk.

energy program for preschoolers and their caregivers. Children sing songs with movements, listen to stories, and enjoy art activities. This Happy Chess Players program enhances vocabulary, language, social and motor skills. Get ready for Kindergarten with this exciting program! No registration is required.

Every 2nd & 4th Wednesday Evening

One Saturday Afternoon a Month

South Fayette Township Library continued Continued from page 61

6:00-7:30 p.m. E-Reader Drop-in Help Sessions. Need help using your e-reader or mobile device? Library staff will guide you in using library resources on e-readers or smart phones the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month. Support available for all e-reader types including Kindles, Nooks and iPads. If possible, please bring your laptop to the session. Call 412.257.8660 or go to www.southfayettelibrary.org for more information.

Fridays Mornings 10:30-11:00 a.m. Tales â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;n Tunes Story Time. For ages 3-5 years with caregivers. A high-

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Writers Unleashed for Grades 5-8. Writers Unleashed! is a fun, no-cost writing program that middle school teens (grades 5-8) who share a passion for writing explore their craft. Teens write novels and scripts, share word-count goals and achievements, and brainstorm with other writers via online message boards. Brittany Ketter, a seasoned NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and ScriptFrenzy veteran, guides teens through the Young Writers Program. Participants learn about inciting incidents, character building, plot making, dialogue and also work to improve writing skills, grammar and formatting of novels.

Bottle Experiments Please email Brittany at ketterb@einetwork. net for information on upcoming online, in-library and Skype sessions.

learn how to create inciting incidents, build strong characters, craft plots and work through dialogue. Participants also write a novel and, if desired, are taken through the publishing process. Please email Brittany at ketterb@einetwork.net for information on upcoming online, in-library and Skype sessions.

Teens Entering Grades 9-12… Summer Bridge Tutors Needed! Make a Difference & Earn $100 as a Summer Bridge Activities Tutor. Complete at least 35 volunteer hours & receive a $100 stipend provided by the South Fayette Elementary PTA. Volunteers are needed: Mondays-Thursdays & Saturdays, June 15 - July 27 from 11:45 - 1:45 p.m. To set up an interview, please contact Jody Wilson at wilsonj@einetwork.net or 412.257.8660.

Ebooks, Audiobooks and more You can check out and download ebooks, audiobooks and videos at http://carnegie. lib.overdrive.com. To access these digital materials you need, a valid library card, Internet access, and a computer or device that meets the system requirements for the type(s) of digital materials you wish to check out. You will need to download free software for the computer or device

on which you wish to use the materials. A guided tour of the service is available. If you need additional assistance, schedule an appointment with a librarian by calling 412.257.8660.

Memorial & Honor Books A memorial or honor donation to the South Fayette Township Library is a special way to remember a friend or loved one. Donations may also be made in honor of a special person or event (such as a birthday, anniversary, retirement, graduation, etc.). Your gift will be used to purchase an item for the library’s collection and a nameplate will be placed inside the item indicating the name of the

honoree and the donator. To make a donation, go to www.southfayettelibrary. org/memorialdonationinstructions/ or call 412.257.8660.

New Book Alerts Want to know what is new in our collection? Click on New Book Alerts at southfayettelibrary.org. Sign-up for newsletters, place holds for new materials, read & write reviews and more!

Become a Friend of the Library The Friends of the South Fayette Township Library Group is looking for members. If you’re interested in library advocacy and helping the library provide quality materials and programming, come join us. Pressed for time? You can help a little or a lot, depending on your schedule. Call Friends President, Lois Levi at 412.969.1396.

Ink Cartridge Recycling Gather up those empty ink jet cartridges for recycling at the library!

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South Fayette | Summer 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 63

Tips on Summer Sun Safety from UPMC Urgent Care The mid-March snowstorm and the lingering cold weather had many Pittsburghers running for the sun at the first sight of warmer weather. But not so fast, caution two UPMC Urgent Care physicians, who urge awareness and protection when outdoors in the sun.

Minimize Sun Exposure

“Sunburn and heat-related illnesses are the two most common sun-attributed ailments we see in the UPMC Urgent Care centers during the summer months of June, July and August,” says Bret Rosenblum, MD, medical director of UPMC Urgent Care Wexford. “That said, we advise everyone to reduce their sunburn risk by limiting sun exposure during the peak hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., wearing protective hats and clothing, and using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, but 30 or higher for individuals with a family history of melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. Also, avoiding indoor tanning beds altogether will help prevent significant skin damage.”

If a person suffers a milder form of a heat-related illness, with symptoms such as headaches, weakness, dizziness, or an inability to continue current activity, Dr. Rosenblum suggests, seek out a cool area, preferably one that is air conditioned, removing excess clothing and hydrating with water or electrolyte solutions, and monitoring their condition closely. “Evaluation at a UPMC Urgent Care center could help determine if a higher level of care is necessary, such as a referral to an emergency department,” he says. “However, if the condition is not improving or is getting worse, and the person begins to faint, or experiences nausea, vomiting, or confusion, immediate medical evaluation at the closest emergency department for a more serious heat stroke condition may be necessary. In these situations, cold water immersion, ice packs, and IV hydration may be needed.”

Special Care For Children And The Elderly

According to Rachel Schroer, MD, medical director of the UPMC Urgent Care with Washington Health System, located in McMurray, Pa., people can still get sunburn even if the sun is not shining. “The harmful UVA and UVB rays that cause sunburn can penetrate the clouds and cause sunburns,” she explains.

Children and the elderly are the groups most at risk for developing sunburn and sun exhaustion, which is caused by spending too much time in the heat and direct sun, Dr. Schroer explains. “Great care should be taken to limit their sun and heat exposure.”

Self-Help Measures For Sunburn

In addition to the prevention methods previously mentioned, Dr. Rosenblum also adds that the ability to swim can be life-saving. “All children and adults who will be around water should have this skill which they can acquire through lessons at local YMCA centers and community pools,” he recommends. “Furthermore, while at the beach, heed warnings and signage regarding current conditions such as rip tides and rough water.”

If you take all of these precautions and you still find yourself suffering from sunburn, there are a number of ways you can care for yourself at home, Dr. Schroer advises, including drinking plenty of nonalcoholic fluids and water, staying well-hydrated, and applying a soothing aloe vera gel. “Severe sunburns fall into the category of first-degree burns, which puts you at risk for excess fluid loss and dehydration,” she adds. “However, should your efforts toward sunburn prevention and sunburn care at home fail to offer relief, a medical evaluation at a UPMC Urgent Care center can assess your condition and offer additional recommendations for aid.”

Avoid Strenuous Activities During Peak Temperatures

To prevent heat-related illnesses, Dr. Rosenblum recommends limiting strenuous activity during the hottest portion of the day, drinking plenty of fluids containing water or electrolyte solutions before, during, and after exercise, and avoiding soda or energy drinks, which can actually cause dehydration. In addition, wearing lightweight and light-colored clothing, and taking frequent breaks in shaded or air conditioned areas, will help cool the body. “Sports teams also should be encouraged to schedule practice sessions in the morning or evening hours during the summer,” he notes. 64 724.942.0940 to advertise

Seek Medical Attention

South Fayette

Consider Life-Saving Swimming Lessons

Medical Treatment Available Without An Appointment

A person with concerns about sun-related illness, can visit a UPMC Urgent Care center for further examination any day of the week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., without an appointment. “Our providers can access a patient’s electronic health records within the health system. This can be critical during an evaluation with regard to past medical history, medications taken, allergies, and results from previous tests and x-rays,” Dr. Rosenblum explains. “Additionally, a treatment summary, which is an important aspect of care, will be provided to the patient’s primary care provider and attached to their electronic health record if they visit a UPMC physician.”

For more information and a complete list of UPMC Urgent Care locations, please visit UPMC.com/UrgentCare.

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