October 2010 - Allegheny West Magazine

Transcription

PHOTO SU
BMITTED
RIGHT: A new ballfield at the new Donaldson Park in North
Fayette Township was dedicated during community days in
memory of coach Lou Huebner, who died of breast cancer in
2003. Pictured is Lou’s family, left to right: children Emily and
Ryan, and wife, Lynn. Read the story on page 22.
Now in Our
12th Year
Serving The
t Communities
or
rp
Ai
TO REACH US
“GOOD NEWS ALWAYS, MAILED & DELIVERED FREE, EVERY TIME”
Allegheny West Magazine - West Allegheny Edition, is an all positive, good news publication mailed free into the homes and businesses of
the West Allegheny School District communities of Findlay, North Fayette, Oakdale, Sturgeon, and McDonald to connect communities,
promote people, heighten awareness about the richness of the airport region, and build pride in the western suburbs of Allegheny County.
15 Walnut Street, Suite 101, Imperial, PA 15126
Phone: 724.695.3968 Fax: 724.695.2089
E-Mail: alleghenywestmagazine@comcast.net
www.alleghenywestmagazine.com
West Allegheny Edition
VOL. 12, NO. 68, ISSUE 2
OCTOBER 2010
FEATURES
12
13
26
56
Friends at the End of the Rainbow
Clinton Park: A Gift for All Seasons
A Place for P.A.L.S.
Meeting Adversity Head On
SPECIAL SECTIONS
30 Senior Living
42 Home Improvement & Fix-Up
ABOUT THE COVER
All smiles before a West
Allegheny Indians varsity
football game were, left to right:
Bryn Smiley, Sarah
Davis,Taylor Marcellus, and
Jake Smiley. They are children
of coaches Steve Smiley, Mark
Davis, and Ed Marcellus.
PHOTO BY G. PAUL DeBOR
COLUMNS
06
08
19
20
37
48
49
50
51
52
53
62
64
65
69
70
Publisher’s Note
On the Horizon
Youth Corner
Around Your Town
Your Schools 1
ACTA Transportation
Sidelines
Groundwork
Your Schools 2
Your House & Senate
Business Briefs
Municipal Roundup
Chamber Business Link
Library News
Community Connections
Personal Perspective
MORE INFO
Allegheny West Magazine-West Allegheny Edition is published in February, April, June, August,
October, and December, six issues a year, by Jennette Communications Group, 15 Walnut Street, Suite
101, Imperial PA 15126. Mailed and distributed free to residents and businesses in Findlay, North
Fayette, Oakdale, Sturgeon, a portion of McDonald, and adjacent areas. Extra copies available at
municipal offices, schools, libraries, stores, advertisers, hotels, and businesses. Available by mail
subscription for $12 annually. Story ideas welcomed. Community events and announcements from nonprofit groups must be received by the 15th of the month prior to publishing date. Announcements are
limited to 30 words and must include a contact phone number. Reproduction of any artwork,
photographs, or copy prepared by Allegheny West Magazine is strictly prohibited without written
consent of Jennette Communications Group. Copyright 1999 Allegheny West Magazine. All rights
reserved. Views and opinions expressed by contributors and/or advertisers are the responsibility of the
contributors and not those of the publisher of Allegheny West Magazine.
PUBLISHING TEAM
PUBLISHER AND EDITOR
Pat Jennette, APR
PHOTOGRAPHERS
G. Paul DeBor,
Dave Knoer, Christopher Rolinson
WRITERS
Kiley Brady, Kaitlin Busch,
Dick Glovier, Jessica Harman,
Heather Schiefer Murray
ADVERTISING SALES
Michele Shafer
WEBMASTER
www.ddswebdesign.com
FALL INTERNS
Jocelyn Grecko, Shane Zysk
CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE
Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce
Findlay Township, North Fayette Township
Oakdale Borough, McDonald Borough, West Allegheny
School District, North Fayette Garden Club,
Western Allegheny Community Library
Erma Dodd, Catherine Roberts
OUR OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Jennette Communications Group also publishes the
Montour Edition of Allegheny West Magazine, and
the Moon Edition of Allegheny West Magazine.
MEMBER:
2007 Winner
BBB Torch
Award for
Marketplace
Ethics
Registered with Dun &
Bradstreet
WE PR
OUDL
PROUDL
OUDLYY SPONSOR AND SUPPOR
SUPPORTT:
The Western Allegheny Community Library Capital Building
Campaign and the Annual Christmas Drive-Through Light-Up
Display in Clinton Park
The Montour Valley Grange was started in 1935. This fraternal farm
organization purchased land on Enlow Road and constructed a building there
for its meetings. To pay for the building, they held dances, dinners, and
other activities. Once they paid for the building, they sold it. The Grange
still exists.
Allegheny West Magazine partners with Knepper
Press in Clinton to print its magazines. Knepper
Press purchases wind energy credits to offset 100%
of its electricity usage, energy which is used to print
our magazines. We are also committed to recycling
our used and leftover products by sending them to
Shared Acres, a Community Supported Agriculture
(CSA) program in Findlay Township, of which we are a member.
We encourage our readers to be responsible and dispose of this
magazine when finished enjoying it. Consider passing it along to
someone else, or placing it in your neighborhood recycling bins. Thank
you in advance for doing your part for our earth.
October 2010
Allegheny West Magazine
3
Advertisers
OUR
As with ever y issue, your community businesses ar e the reason for the publication of Allegheny West Magazine. Please
support these businesses. Their support allows us to mail this magazine, fr ee, into the households of Findlay , North
Fayette, Oakdale, Sturgeon, and portions of McDonald as a community service.
A Door to Memories, p. 27, (724) 630-1212, www.adoortomemories.com
Advantage Heating & Cooling, p. 46, (724) 695-1985, www.advantagehvac.org
Allegheny West Eye Care, p. 32, (724) 695-3371, www.alleghenywesteyecare.com
Aunt Mini Storage Center, p. 24, (724) 695-8700
Bob’s Diner, p. 66, (412) 695-7400
Business Legal, p. 29, (724) 693-0588, www.businesslegal.net
Carol Leone, Inc., p. 6, (412) 262-1638, www.carolleones.com
Center for Organ Recovery (CORE), p. 67, 888.DONORS.7, www.core.org
Christmas in the Village, p. 16, (724) 947-9015, www.christmasinthevillagepa.com
Cindy’s Carriages, p. 17, (412) 266-6190
Clearview FCU, p. 21, 800.926.0003, www.clearviewfcu.org
Clearview Stables, p. 66, (724) 693-9686, www.clearviewstablesinc.com
Clinton Wesleyan Church, p. 27, (724) 695-7076, www.clintonwesleyan.org
Cool Home Improvements, Inc., p. 43, (412) 262-1140,
www.coolhomeimprovements.com
Covenant Family Church, p. 66, (724) 263-7147, www.covfamchurch.org
D’Angelo Office Cleaning, p. 48, (724) 693-2703
Danielle Thomas Massage, p. 31 (412) 519-4566, www.ddtmassage.com
Davey Tree, p. 67, (724) 746-8852, www.davey.com
DDS Web Design, p. 18, (412) 965-0688, www.ddswebdesign.com
DiSanti, Dr. Judy, D.M.D., p. 66, (412) 264-6229, www.coraopolisdentist.com
El Campesino, p. 16, (412) 787-2225, www.elcampesino.net
Family Chiropractic Ctr., p. 24, (412) 787-3320, www.familychiropracticcenters.biz
Findlay Township, p. 5, (724) 695-0500, www.findlay.pa.us
First Steps Pediatrics, p. 28, (412) 788-1999, www.fspkids.com
Fitness for Life, p. 14, (724) 695-2239, www.mkfitness4life.com
Frametech Construction, p. 43, (412) 849-1512
Freedom Fellowship of Pittsburgh, p. 47, (412)787-2393, www.ffop.org
Gabriel Pain & Spine Ctr., p. 36, (412) 490-0400, www.gabrielpainandspine.com
Gallagher Home Care, p. 35, (412) 279-7800, www.gallagherhhs.com
Graff Grooming, p. 22
Half Crown Hill Orchard, p. 5, (412) 913-4981, www.hchorchard.com
Heritage Valley Health System, ins. fr. cover, 877.771.4847, www.heritagevalley.org
Heritage Valley Healthcare, p. 31, (724) 695-2411, www.heritagevalley.org
Imperial Tax & Accounting, p. 18, (724) 695-7354
Janoski’s Farm & Greenhouse, p. 68, (724) 899-3438, www.janoskis.com
Kovach Body Shop, p. 66, (724) 926-8706
LaStone Therapy by Michelle, p. 66, (412) 809-9809
Lazarowicz & Associates, p. 23, (412) 299-7390
Levinson, Dr. Brad/Colo-Rectal Assoc., p. 15, (724) 741-6070,
www.colo-rectalassociates.com
Liechti, Fred E., JD, CPA, p. 66, (412) 787-5280
Luther Dentistry, p. 32, (412) 788-6300, www.pittsburghlaserdentist.com
Mac’s Landscaping, p. 67, (724) 612-2926
Manpasand Restaurant, p. 61, (412) 787-0713, www.manpasands.com
Medical Group Robinson, p. 7, (412) 490-2500, www.medicalgrouprobinson.com
Meyers, Tom Plumbing, p. 29, (724) 693-2880
Mike’s Tree Service, p. 67, (724) 947-2677
Montour Dental, Dr. Picciano, p. 24, (412) 787-3366, www.montourdental.com
Montours Presbyterian Church, p. 24, (412) 787-1050
Moody Funeral Home, p. 14, (724) 695-0411
MTO Clean, p. 43, (412) 809-9300, http://allegheny.mtoclean.com
My Laundromat, p. 41, (724) 227-0513
Naughton’s Tree Service, p. 67, (412) 331-5952, www.naughtonstreeservice.com
Oakdale Foot & Ankle Center, p. 33, (412) 787-8380, www.oakdalepodiatrist.com
Oakdale U.P. Church, p. 61, (724) 693-8950
PA Fitness West, p. 6, (412) 787-1518, www.pafitnesswest.com
Painted Giraffe, p. 22, (724) 695-2333, www.thepaintedgiraffe.com
Parkway West Career & Tech. Ctr., p. 51, (412) 923-1772, www.parkwaywest.org
Pave-Rite, p. 68, (412) 264-8404, www.paverite.net
Pgh. Comfort Tech, p. 44, (412) 788-8654, www.pittsburghcomforttech.com
Pgh. Airport Area Chbr. of Commerce, p. 64, (412) 264-6270, www.paacc.com
Pgh. Technical Institute, p. 28, 1.800.784.9675, www.pti.edu
PIttsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, p. 53, (412) 665-3640, www.pittsburghzoo.org
Play Academy, p. 15, (412) 299-0616, www.play-academy.org
Polidor Family Dentistry, p. 34, (724) 695-8447
pT Group Physical Therapy, p. 33, (412) 262-3354, www.theptgroup.com
Pustover Financial Services, p. 61, (724) 695-8885
Richard Felser Company, p. 45, (724) 728-0988, www.richardfelser.com
Rick Murray & Sons, Inc., p. 45, (412) 596-1337, www.rickmurrayandsonsinc.com
Robinson Chiropractic, p. 31, (412) 706.7129, www.myrobinsonchiropractic.com
Robinson Self Storage, p. 18, (412) 809-0900, www.robinsonstorage.com
Robinson Township Christian School, p. 28, (412) 787-5919, www.rtcsonline.org
Rohm Dental Offices, p. 66, (724) 695-2100, www.drjohnrohm.com
Self Storage of North Fayette, p. 48, (724) 695-8875
Sleep Wellness Center, p. 33, (412) 264-4611, www.sleepwellnesscenter.org
Spotlight Players, p. 21, (412) 375-7601
Thomas Studio of Dance, p. 16, (412) 787-7686, www.thomasdance.com
Thomas-Little Funeral Services, p. 23, (724) 926-2800,
www.thomas-littlefuneralservice.com
Today’s Hair, p. 23, (724) 695-0478
Total Home Renovations, p. 44, (724) 899-3726
Up in Arms Tattoo, p. 67, (724) 695-1313, www.upinarmstattoo.com
Valley Presbyterian Church, p. 50, (724) 695-0300, www.valleychurchweb.com
Volant Mill Winery, p. 6, (724) 899-3438, www.volantmillwinery.com
Wade Heating & Cooling, ins. bk. cover, (412) 787-1341, www.always70wade.com
West Hills Electric, p. 45, (412) 860-7318
Wharton-Herrick Funeral Home, p. 27, (724) 695-7332
Willows, The, p. 31, 1.888.219.4105, www.integracare.com
We list each advertiser’s Web site here, too, where available, to provide readers with access to additional information about each business.
4
October 2010
October 2010
5
PUBLISHER’S
Note
SPECIAL STORIES
ABOUT SPECIAL PEOPLE
Despite a world full of depressing news, with the economy down
and unemployment up, putting together yet another issue of this
magazine for you, the reader, reaffirms for me the sincere goodness
in people.
There is the group of volunteers who formed P.A.L.S. (read the
story to see what they’re about!). And meet the friends group at the
end of the rainbow! Did you ever meet Matt? You will here! Read
his inspiring story! And see how the North Fayette Police Department and the West Allegheny varsity football team are making
each home game a special memory for a special child!
We share news of student achievers and one little girl with a big
heart who cut off her hair to help those with cancer.
I don’t know about you, but when I finish putting together all of
this good news, I am comforted by knowing that we have a great
community full of wonderful and generous people.
Keep the good news coming! Thank you for everything!
And, being the good news people that we are, we are
happy to announce that our new Web site is up:
www.alleghenywestmagazine.com. Take a peek and tell
us what you think! We will continue to add to it over
time with news and information for you.
Pat Jennette, Publisher & Editor
Celebrating our
12th Y
ear
Year
Serving the
West Allegheny Communities!
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6
October 2010
October 2010
7
on the horizon
Fall “Hard to Recycle” Collection Event
sponsored by the Pennsylvania Resources
Council, Inc. and the Allegheny County Health
Department, is Saturday, October 16 at The
Mall at Robinson parking lot from 10 a.m. to
2 p.m. (412) 488-7490, ext. 2361 or visit
www.prc.org. On the site, a list of items being
accepted is available, along with which ones
require a nominal fee and which ones are free.
Pittsburgh Technical Institute Fall/Winter
Massage Clinics are Saturdays, October 30,
November 6 and 20, December 4 and 18.
Clinic format has changed. Massages are one
hour long and cost $30. Offered are Swedish,
Deep Tissue, Sports, Reflexology, Pregnancy,
Pediatric, Geriatric, and a limited number of
Hot Stone, (412) 370-6719.
Election Day Spaghetti Dinner and Bake Sale at
Resurrection Lutheran Church, 7600
Steubenville Pike, Oakdale on Tuesday,
November 2 from 4 to 7 p.m. Cost is Adults, $6
and children under 12, $3. Menu items include
tossed salad, spaghetti and meatballs with
sauce, bread and coffee or tea. Take out is
available.
GriefShare: Surviving the Holidays - Attend an
encouraging seminar to help survive the
holidays and discover new reasons to enjoy
them again, Saturday, November 20, 9:30 to
11:30 a.m. at Crossroads Church in North
Fayette. Contact (412) 494-9999 or e-mail:
GriefShare@www.crossroadsumc.org.
Heritage Public Library, McDonald, Flea Market,
November 6, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch will be
provided to vendors. Bring an item for the raffle.
Fee is $25 to reserve a table, (724) 678-1372 or
e-mail, so isson@windstream.net.
Boy Scout Troop 830’s Annual All You Can Eat
Pancake Breakfast is Sunday, October 24,
8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Findlay Township Activity
Center, Main Street, Imperial. Cost: $5 Adults,
$4 Seniors, $3 Children. All you can eat
pancakes and sausage, fruit cup, hot coffee,
tea, milk, and juice. Enjoy a good meal with
friends and family and support local Scouts.
TAKE A WALK THROUGH
THE LIGHT UP . . .
The annual Christmas Light Up
Drive Through Display at Clinton
Park in Findlay Township opens
to the public on November 19.
On November 17 and 18, bring
the family out for a stroll through
the park from 5:30 to 10 p.m. The
first “walk through” last year was
such a success that a second
night has been added this year.
For details, call (724) 899-3602.
8
October 2010
COMING UP IN NORTH FAYETTE . . . .
North Fayette Recreation Department will sponsor a fall Movie in the Park and Bonfire on Saturday,
October 16, 7:30 p.m. at the township park. The movie will be “Ironman 2.” Refreshments will be
served and the evening is FREE.
The following programs are being offered all
winter long at the North Fayette Community
Center:
Zumba - Tuesday/Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Get Personal - Monday at 5:30 p.m. &
Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
YogaStretch - Tuesday and Friday at
11:15 a.m.
Beginner’s Yoga - Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.
Gentle Yoga - Saturday, 8 a.m.
Cardio Sculpt - Thursday, 11:15 a.m.
Interval Circuit - Tuesday, 5:30 pm
Target Zone - Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. & Saturday,
9 a.m.
Line Dancing - Monday, 9:15 a.m.
Step and Sculpt - Tuesday, 9 a.m.
The Community Center Gym is open at 7:30 a.m.
for anyone wanting to walk during the winter
months.
Water Walking is held at the Donaldson
Elementary School Pool Monday through Thursday
from 6 to 8 p.m. Cost is $2.
CPR class is scheduled for Thursday night,
October 21 from 6 from 9 p.m. in the Community
Center Community Room. Cost is $5.
For more information about any of North
Fayette’s events, (412) 788-4888.
The Learning Center at North Fayette is a new preschool program for 2, 3, and 4 year olds that
began this fall, concentrating on preparing children for kindergarten readiness.
Future Stars Flag Football offers kids 4-6 years old the chance to begin to develop skills, learn
team play and the rules of football. The program is offered Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon
at the township park.
Future Stars Basketball offers kids 4-6 years old the chance to develop skills and learn team play
and the rules of the game. The program starts Saturday, November 6 at the North Fayette Community Center and runs from 9 a.m. to noon.
Abrakadoodle is fun art classes, imaginative teachers, creative materials, and inspiration. Programs are offered for children 20-36 months and 3 years old to kindergarten. A four-week session
begins Monday, November 1 and is held at the Community Center.
Mommy and Me returns for another fall and winter of fun playtime in the Community Center. Run
around, color, and just play when you can’t take the kids outside. Held at the Community Center
gym, it is now offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. starting October 12.
Master Chess Coach Henry Doktorski returns to instruct Chess for Kids, ages 7 through 14, on
Mondays at 4:45 p.m. in the Community Room. The seven-week session starts November 1.
West Hills Symphonic Band will present a four concert season series
at West Allegheny High School beginning this fall. Sunday, October
31, 3 p.m., Great “Ghostly” Pieces including Saint-Saens’ “Danse
Macabre” and Moussorgski’s “Night on Bald Mountain;” Sunday,
December 12, 3 p.m., Gala Holiday Concert featuring local choirs
and festive favorites; Sunday, March 27, 3 p.m., Spring Concert with
Music of the Masters and Broadway Gems; Sunday, May 15, 3 p.m.,
Swing into Summer with the Best of the Great American Songbook.
The WHSB will once again perform outreach concerts for many
other local events. Last year’s outdoor venues included Paris, PA ,
Oakdale, Moon, and North Fayette. Organizations interested in
hosting an outreach concert, contact Principal Conductor/Music
Director Clem Rolin, (412) 788-4713.
Comm
unity Gr
oups
Community
Groups
oups,, Chur
Churcches
hes,, Scout Troops
& Mor
ents in our
Events
Moree...List Your Ev
“On the Horiz
on” pa
Horizon”
pagges
Her
Heree FFrree of Char
Chargge!
SNPJ Lodge 106 Jam Night / Dinner Nights have returned on the
Class Reunions
third Saturday of each month. Call (724) 695-1411. Jam nights
are open to the public; bring an instrument and play along. Also,
every Saturday during the college football season, the lodge
clubroom offers half-price pizza, whole wings, and all you can
eat Spaghetti dinners (dine-in only) for $8 from 2 to 6 p.m. Also,
the lodge will once again hold its New Year’s Eve Party in the
clubroom.
ten-year high school reunion is
the weekend after Thanksgiving
of 2010. For info, e-mail:
westaclass2000@yahoo.com.
Event details will be posted at
www.westasd.org.
West Allegheny Class of 2000
helping others
Haunted
Cabin
Oakdale Boy Scout Troop
248 brings its Annual
Haunted Cabin event to the
community October 27-30
from 7 to 9 p.m. each night
at their Boy Scout Cabin,
248 Clinton Avenue,
Oakdale. The experience
includes a full acre of
haunting fun for everyone.
Cost is $3 per person.
Scouts and youth groups
attending as a group will
receive a discount. To
make arrangements for
groups, call (724) 6930549. Parking is limited;
overflow parking is within a
block of the cabin. A
refreshment stand will be
available.
100th Anniversary of Scouting
Boy Scout Troop 248 Alumni
Celebration
Calling all Alumni members of
Boy Scout Troop 248 to join in
an alumni celebration at
Oakdale Community Center,
Saturday, February 12, 2011,
between 2 and 4 p.m.,
(724) 693-0549 or
www.Oakdaletroop248.org.
SAVE THE DATE!
22nd Annual Auction Excellence
Hosted by Ohio Valley General
Hospital Foundation
Saturday, November
Sheraton,
Station Square
(412) 777-6161
13
HALLOWEEN
HAPPENINGS
IN THE
TOWNSHIPS
FINDLAY TWP. PRE-PARADE PIZZA PARTY
AND MAGIC SHOW - Come to the Activity Center,
Main Street, Imperial, on Saturday, October 30 before
the parade and enjoy a pizza party and a unique magic
show with family and friends. After the show, head out
to the parade. Pizza party is from noon to 12:30 p.m.
with “Dustin the Magician” performing from 12:30 to
1:15 p.m. Donation is $1 per person and RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED, (724) 695-0500, ext. 246
“NO WALK-INS; SEATING LIMITED.” Also, the
township is looking for volunteers to dress up and help
with the party. Call to participate.
FINDLAY TWP. ANNUAL HALLOWEEN PARADE
The Annual Halloween Parade will be held on Saturday,
October 30 at 1:30 p.m. Participants will meet at the
Activity Center in Imperial and march down Main Street
to the Imperial Fire Hall for treats. All ages are welcome
and prize drawings will be held for each age group. In
the event of inclement weather, everyone will remain at
the Activity Center for prizes and treats.
FINDLAY TWP. TRICK OR TREAT NIGHT
Findlay Township will have Trick or Treat Night on
Halloween, Sunday, October 31 from 6 to 8 p.m.
NORTH FAYETTE TWP. TRICK OR TREAT
Sunday, October 31 from 6 to 8 p.m.
OAKDALE HALLOWEEN PARADE
AND
TRICK OR TREAT
Sunday, October 31, line up at 4:30 p.m. on Union
Avenue across from Willow Creek Crossing. Parade
starts at 5 p.m. and travels through downtown Oakdale,
followed by community-wide trick or treating from
6 to 8 p.m.
Fall Events at The ROCK in Oakdale
The ROCK, Youth & Family Center After School
Program re-opened for the 2010-2011 season
on October 4. The facility is open from 3 to
4 p.m. for Homework Hour and 4 to 7 p.m. for
Open ROCK, Monday through Thursday.
Come to Family Night Saturdays, 7 to 9 p.m.
Season memberships are $15/child or $30/
family. For information, (724) 693-2777,
www.rockoakdale.org.
The Parkway West Rotary is looking to support
additional families in its service areas of Coraopolis,
Robinson, Oakdale, Kennedy, and Imperial during the
2010 holiday season. The Rotary for the Thanksgiving
holiday will provide turkey, potatoes, and assorted
canned goods. Delivery of these items is scheduled for
the Saturday before Thanksgiving, November 20. For the
Christmas holiday season, the Rotary will provide toys
and other items for families who need additional support.
The Rotary also provides a ham and potatoes with
assorted food items for delivery. Delivery of the toys and
food will take place on Saturday, December 19. To
become involved in the program, contact Marcy McKivitz
at (412) 292-4140 or by e-mail, mmckivitz@callos.com.
All information needs to be received by the Rotary no
later than October 15 to participate in the program.
Choices Pregnancy Center in Coraopolis announces
its fall Benefit Banquet on November 4 at the Airport
Hyatt Hotel. Seating begins at 6:30 p.m.. New York Times
best-selling author, Stephen Mansfield, is guest speaker.
Choices is also planning its fall program called “Great
to Wait” in area middle and high schools. The program
presents abstinence education in a small group setting.
Choices is seeking someone who is practicing abstinence
or is in a faithful married relationship to consider making
presentations to young people about “Great to Wait.”
The position is paid on a per diem basis. Call (724) 4571220 for the banquet or the position.
Florence Flenner, 38, a local resident who
successfully battled breast cancer, has started a project
called the Faces of Breast Cancer, a calendar featuring
local breast cancer patients going through treatment,
who are in remission, or families of people who have
died from the disease. All of the money raised goes
toward gifts such as dinners, hair styling, nail salons,
bakeries, and more for breast cancer patients.
Additionally, Florence is hoping to hold a homecoming/
prom dress sale this year. She is seeking donations of
dresses. To donate a dress, or inquire about the
calendar, call her at (412) 335-6441.
Carissa McComas was seriously injured while kayaking
at Raccoon Creek State Park with a friend this past
summer. She struggles to recover while a patient at the
UPMC Neuro Intensive Care Unit. To help parents Scott
and Ruth McComas with expenses as they stay with her
regularly, please consider a donation to the family. They
can be sent to: Scott and Ruth McComas, 355 Route 30,
Lot 59, Clinton, PA 15026.
Let us know about a project or
event that helps others. We will
post it here. These are always
free listings.
(724) 695-3968 or e-mail:
alleghenywestmagazine@comcast.net
October 2010
9
on the horizon
COMING UP IN FINDLAY . . .
KID’S CREATIVE COOKING
This hands-on class will introduce participants to the preparation
of a variety of easy and delicious seasonal recipes that will
satisfy those after-school hunger pangs. Cost listed is per
month. Payment is taken at the class. Please pre-register at
least two days before class to attend. NO WALK-INS.
WHO: Youth in grades K – 5
WHEN: Thursdays, October 14, November 4, and December 9
TIME: 3:45 – 5:15 p.m.
WHERE: Findlay Township Activity Center / Main Street /
Imperial/ Upper Level
COST: Residents - $8 per month, Non-residents - $10 per
month
LUNCH BUNCH
Bring your preschooler with a packed lunch and drink to the
Activity Center for lunch and fun activities. This program is
open to all children who turned 4 years old by September 1.
Kindergartners are welcome too! Cost listed is by the month.
Payment is taken at the class. Yo u must call by Monday
before the class to guarantee a spot. NO WALK-INS
WHEN: Tuesdays, October 26, November 30, December 14
WHERE: Findlay Township Activity Center / Lower Level /
Main Street / Imperial
TIME: 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
COST: Residents - $5 per month, Non-residents - $7 per
month
TIME FOR TODDLERS
This is for a child who will two by September 1. Bring your
toddler to the Activity Center for an hour of music, movement,
activities, and a snack. This is a great opportunity to meet
other families with toddlers. An adult must stay with the child.
Cost listed is per class and is payable on the day of the
activity. You MUST pre-register to attend.
WHERE: Findlay Township Activity Center / 310 Main Street /
Imperial / Lower Level
WHEN: Tuesdays, October 5 & 19, November 9 & 23, and
December 7
COST: Resident - $3, Non-resident - $4
WATER AEROBICS
This is a low impact workout. Aquatic exercise is a fun way to
exercise heart and lungs while toning various muscles. The
water provides a great form of resistance with little to no impact
on your muscle and skeletal systems. All levels of ability can
benefit from this activity.
CLASS DAYS HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO MONDAYS AND
WEDNESDAYS. CALL NOW FOR INFORMATION OR TO
REGISTER
LOCATION: Wilson Elementary School / Bruno Lane, off of
Boggs Road in Imperial
WHEN: MONDAY CLASS - 6 to 7 p.m.
Nine week session October 4, 18 & 25, November 1, 8, 15 &
22, and December 6 & 13
COST: $45
WEDNESDAY CLASS - 6 to 7 p.m.
Eight week session, October 20 & 2,7 November 3, 10 & 17,
and December 1, 8 & 15
COST: $40
COST FOR BOTH CLASSES - $80
Classes cannot be held when there is no school that day or if
there is a special school sponsored activity. This includes snow
or emergency days. If West Allegheny School District is
cancelled, so is water aerobics.
For all programs, above, call (724) 695-0500, ext.246.
10
October 2010
News from the
The Western Area YMCA will be offering two nutrition classes to help
participants survive the holiday season
Eat Well For Life begins October 27. This four-week program promotes
making healthy food choices and adopting practices necessary to achieve a
balanced life and long-term weight management. It is free to Highmark
members; $65 for non-Highmark members.
Drop 10 in 10 begins Jan 5, 2011. This is a ten-week weight management
program designed to help participants lose ten pounds or 10% of body
weight through a program of balanced nutrition, sensible activity, and
meaningful lifestyle changes. Cost is $15 for Highmark members; $95 for
non-Highmark members. Space is limited. Call (412) 787-9622 to register.
Participants of Highmark health plans, Freedom Blue, Security Blue or HOP
can participate in a variety of classes and become members of the Western
Area YMCA at no extra charge. Stop by the Y for more information.
The Western Area YMCA provides a wide variety of group exercise
programs for all ages and fitness levels. The next session begins October
25.
A new Active Older Adult Program offers a series of Silver Sneakers
classes and line dancing that meeting in the mornings, Monday through
Friday. Classes also begin October 25.
There are also programs for individual one on one training, sports training
for ages 14 and up, youth group fitness training, and youth strength and
conditioning classes for ages 10-15.
For a complete program brochure outlining the details of the programs,
above, as well as the Y’s other programs, which include aquatics, youth
sports, youth skill classes, and adult league sports, call (412) 787-9622. The
Western Area YMCA is located at 195 Montour Run Road, Coraopolis, PA
15108, between Ventana Hills and Pit Stop Airport Parking.
Animal Friends Hosts Fun Events
for “Adopt-a-Dog Month in October”
Animal Friends is gearing up for October, National Adopt a Dog Month,
with two very special dog adoption events.
Dog Speed Dating Adoption Event
Saturday, October 16, 12 to 4 p.m. - Lovable dogs seek lifelong commitments! Meet your perfect match at the Dog Speed Dating adoption event.
We’re serving snacks and beverages and trotting out our most eligible
canine bachelor and bachelorettes. Keep track of the dogs you click with
on our Speed Dating Scorecards. Be ready – our dogs aren’t looking for
one-night stands…they’re ready to move in and love you forever!
Beagles and Bagels Adopt-a-Thon
Saturday, October 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Enjoy a bagel brunch while you
browse a bunch of adoptable beagles! Meet Animal Friends’ homeless
beagles and learn why beagles can make great family pets: they’re
typically sweet, social, calm, and curious. Animal Friends’ Adoption
Counselors will be on hand to help you meet a beagle who needs you.
Animal Friends is committed to finding loving homes for homeless dogs,
cats, and rabbits—for as long as it takes. Every adoption means that we
can admit another pet who would otherwise not have a chance–a hungry
stray, an animal removed from a situation of
cruelty or neglect, or one in the custody of
an organization who may not be able to
guarantee the pets’ survival.
Animal Friends is located at 562
Camp Horne Road in the North
Hills. Call (412) 847-7000 or visit
www.ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org.
The Fraternal Societies of Greater Pittsburgh (FSGP) is sponsoring its
Fourth Annual Kidz Bowling For Kidz fund-raising bowling tournament to
benefit Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The event will be held on Sunday,
November 7 at the Princess Lanes in Whitehall Borough.
There is no cost to enter the tournament, however, each child must have
a minimum of $25 in sponsorships or promised sponsorships prior to
entering. The bowler who collects the most donations will receive a prize.
The children need not be a member of a fraternal benefit society to
participate.
For an entry form, contact Karen Pintar, (724) 695-1100 or by e-mail, at
kpintar@snpj.com. For details, visit the Web site at www.bowling4kidz.org.
The Slovene National Benefit Society, originally named Slovenska
Narodna Podporna Jednota is now known for its Slovenian initials, “SNPJ.”
Founded in 1904 to provide low-cost life insurance to Slovenian immigrants, today SNPJ is America’s largest Slovenian-based fraternal
insurance organization and maintains its status as a not-for-profit fraternal
benefit society. SNPJ is headquartered in Imperial.
also coming up ar
ound the ar
ea
around
area
Kennedy Township Independent
Volunteer Fire Company and the
Forest Grove Volunteer Fire
Department cash bash, 6 p.m.,
Saturday, November 6,
Kennedy Fire Hall, Pine Hollow
Road, Kennedy Township.
Benefits both fire departments.
Doors open at 5 p.m. Drawings
every 15 minutes, with three
$1,000 prizes, other prizes,
drawings, and games of
chance. Food and refreshments
will be served all evening.
Tickets $20, (412) 787-5422.
Bingos support local fire
departments which rely on funds
for equipment, training, and
facilities.
Bingo at the Oakdale Hose
Company in the Oakdale
Community Center is 7 p.m. on
the first Saturday of each month
Doors open at 5 p.m. Call (724)
693-9408. Sturgeon VFD holds
bingo on Friday nights. Early
bird is 6:30 p.m. and regular
games at 7 p.m.in the Sturgeon
Fire Hall. Call (724) 926-9149.
Andrew Carnegie Free Library &
Music Hall Black Tie Bingo
Benefit, Saturday, November 6,
Club at Nevillewood. Event
includes a “roving feast” served
by Nevillewood’s Chef Bill
Brown, prizes, and more.
Tickets, $150 per person ($100
is tax deductible). Proceeds
benefit Andrew Carnegie Free
Library & Music Hall operations,
(412) 276-3456, ext. 6, or
www.carnegiecarnegie.com.
Forest Grove Community
Church, 20 Willam Drive,
Robinson Township, Spaghetti
Dinner, October 16, 4:30 to
7:30 p.m. Adults $7, children
$4, dine in or take out,
(412) 788-1081 or email:
forestgrovechurch@gmail.com.
Members of The Three Rivers
Underground Brewers (TRUB) will
host their Fourth Annual “Brewing
Up A Cure” benefitting Cystic
Fibrosis on Saturday, October 16,
at the Pittsburgh Athletic Association (PAA, Oakland, from 7 to 10
p.m. Tickets, $30; VIP tickets,
$40, www.brewingupacure.org.
Robinson Township Area Chapter
of Women’s Business Network
Holy Trinity School - 2010
Auction, “A Night in Tuscany,”
meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays
monthly, 7:30 a.m. at Giant Eagle
Market District, 100 Settlers
Ridge Center Drive. Open to area
women business owners and
those in sales to network and
share ideas to expand their
businesses. Contact Denise Carr
at (412) 490-2204 or by e-mail,
d.carr14@yahoo.com.
Saturday, November 20,
7-11 p.m., Embassy Suites, Moon
Township. Call (412) 787-2656.
Allard Elementary Pancake
Breakfast, Saturday, November 20,
8 a.m.-noon, J.A. Allard Elementary School Gym, 170 Shafer
Road, Moon Township, $5 in
advance or $6 at the door, auction
baskets, raffles and entertainment,
(412) 269-6844.
Stage 62 will present The Mystery
of Edwin Drood Friday and
Saturday, November 5-6, 12-13,
and 19-20 at 8 p.m., and Sunday,
November 7 and 14 at 2 p.m. at
the Andrew Carnegie Free
Library & Music Hall in Carnegie.
Call (412) 429-6262 or e-mail:
gfleitman@verizon.net.
Enjoy lunch at Christy House, an
historical landmark and former
rector's home on Frederick Street
in Sewickley. Each Friday, lunch is
served by friendly volunteers from
various churches. Enjoy shopping
in the Needle's Eye for new gifts
and in Earthly Treasures for used
items. Also, celebrate Octoberfest
on Friday, October 15 when
German fare is served. Call (412)
741-5960 on Fridays for groups
over four.
Moon Township Garden Club
Christmas Sale is Saturday,
December 4, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at
Robin Hill Park, 949 Thorn Run
Road, Moon Township. Fresh
and artificial items will be for sale
including wreaths, mailbox, lightpost, and table decorations, plus
home baked treats from the
Sweet Shoppe.
Trick or treat at Settler’s Ridge, Robinson, is Saturday, October 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for elementary school-age children and under.
Cosmetology students from Parkway West Career & Technology Center will be doing facepainting for the children. Information,
(412) 809-8301.
October 2010
11
12
October 2010
STORY AND PHOTOS
BY JOCELYN GRECKO
A Gift for All Seasons
Whether you’ve traveled through the
Christmas Light Up each Christmas
Season, enjoyed a funnel cake and
entertainment at the Fair in the Woodlands, played on the baseball fields, or
cheered in the stands, chances are you’ve
experienced the beauty of Clinton Park.
Yet, the park is home to much more than
annual, seasonal events held in Findlay
Township. While many members of the
community pass through the park on a
daily basis, they might not stop to realize
everything the park has to offer. In many
ways, Clinton Park is a treasure waiting to
be discovered.
In July of 1974, West Allegheny School
District donated the land where the park
is now located to Findlay Township. At
the time, most of the land was undeveloped. Findlay Township Manager, Gary
Klingman, explained that only the ball
field and Oriole Pavilion existed. Without
road access, the park remained unused.
“It wasn’t until the 1990s that the
master plan for the park was laid out,”
Gary said. At the time, township supervisors, Danice Brinkley, Ray Chappell, and
Joe Nester, were influential in developing
the land and creating the park.
“We walked it without a road to decide
where the road should be. The path gave
access to things we never knew existed,”
Gary shared. He added that when
developing the park, they wanted to use
the land and its natural beauty to their
advantage,
“We used the trees to our ability,” he
said. Darlene Howell, the township’s
recreation coordinator, explained how
special and significant the park’s location
is.
“People are always impressed that the
park actually sits in the woods. I think it
makes it unique,” she said.
Gary explained that for a period of 30
years, the park was a work in progress.
“As the needs of the community
changed, you do more,” he said.
In 2001, the first agricultural building
was constructed and, in 2003, the
permanent amphitheater was built. As
the township leadership saw a need to
develop the land, they relied on the help
from members of the community.
“In 1974, it was just the woods, but over
the years, a nice synergy between the
community and township took place,”
Gary shared.
He expressed his gratitude for Boy Scout
Troop 830 by acknowledging their many
contributions to the park.
“It’s nice for the scouts to get involved…
the park gives them a place to do their
projects. It’s nice for them and it’s nice for
us.”
The fitness trail, bridge over the creek,
and pavilion outside of Rainbow’s End
Memorial Playground are just some of the
many projects scouts from Troop 830 have
constructed. Darlene and Gary added that
the bridge is a popular attraction by
explaining that some couples have
exchanged wedding vows there in the
park.
“It’s very pretty there with the waterfall,”
said Darlene.
Gary explained that the fitness trail
provides an excellent workout for those
who want to exercise and enjoy nature.
The 15 stations throughout the trail
provide instructions on each type of
exercise to perform along with suggested
repetitions. The trail is three quarters of a
mile long.
“Generally, an individual would jog
through the trail and then stop at each
station and perform the necessary skill,”
he said, “The skills vary from sit ups and
push-ups to pull-ups.”
The many attractions within the park
would not have been possible without the
help of the community. Darlene explained
CENTER: Park entrance welcomes visitors. BOTTOM, LEFT: This bridge was designed and constructed as an Eagle Scout project. BOTTOM, RIGHT:
A 15-station fitness trail that winds throughout the p ark for the community’s use was another Eagle Scout project.
LEFT: top row left to right: JoAnn Frank, S teph Schmader, Carol Hurley, Jenn Lindemuth; bottom row left to right: Val Brandy, Darlene Larson-Howell,
Sherri Browning, Diane Krivan. Not pictured are Kim Bailey-the original force behind the construction of the playground who has provided invaluable
assistance, and Cookie Menegon.
October 2010
13
the hard work that was put into the
construction of Rainbow’s End Memorial
Playground. The playground was built in
remembrance of Bobby and Emily Spik.
While numerous grants made the
construction of Rainbow’s End possible, it
took the labor, love, and determination of
many individuals to become a reality.
“Everyone in the community helped,”
Darlene said. “Kids from Wilson School
helped design and build the playground.”
She explained that families who made
monetary donations to the effort have
their names on the posts of the fence that
surrounds the playground. Darlene also
shared that the playground was not built
by the township; however, it was built
with the intention that after ten years, the
township would take ownership.
“In 2011, the township will take over
Rainbow’s End,” Darlene said. “The most
wonderful group of people, ‘Friend’s of
Rainbow’s End,’ are helping with this
transition.”
Darlene remarked about the generous
people in the community who want to
play a role in maintaining the playground.
“They have seen their kids play there
and now they want to give back.”
In addition to offering a place to exercise
or enjoy a day outside, the park is home to
many township-related events. While
Darlene does the planning of the recreational events, she relies on the help of
Findlay Township Parks Director, Steve
Sarachine, and his crew for maintaining
the physical aspects of the park. Gary and
Darlene explained that the park is funded
through taxes, fees, sponsorships, and
14
October 2010
many private donations. They added that
the township supervisors create a budget
for the Parks and Recreation Department.
Gary and Darlene explained that all
events held in the park, with the exception
of pavilion rentals, are free. Events such as
flea markets, car cruises, and summer
concert series allow for the community to
join together and can sometimes draw in a
crowd of over a thousand people. These
events would not be possible without the
help of dedicated individuals and businesses in the community. Darlene said
that she relies on the help of local
businesses to make the summer concerts a
success. This past summer, concerts were
made possible by sponsorships from
Armstrong Telephone Company and the
Shell Gas Station, Fast Eddie’s Food ‘n
Fuel, of Clinton.
During the spring, summer, and fall,
one can always count on a baseball or
softball team to be playing at either the
“Big Clinton” or “Little Clinton” baseball
fields. Because many people use the park’s
fitness trail, Darlene shared that throughout the spring, summer, and fall, the
park’s gates are open from 8 a.m. to
11 p.m.
Since 1993, the park has been home to
the Clinton Light Up – one of the best
kept holiday secrets of the area. In fact, it
was because of the park’s beauty that the
volunteers, when looking for a place to
hold the light up, chose the park.
Because many events take place in the
township, it’s no doubt that the park has
helped create special memories. With two
baseball fields and four picnic pavilions,
the park is a place where many people
come together.
“It’s a great gathering place. It’s a place
for family events,” Gary said. “
A lot of people use it for fitness
purposes; graduation parties are held here
too,” Darlene added. “The Boy Scouts
and Girl Scouts use the park often and
will camp at some of the pavilions,” they
added.
The park is also home to the annual
“Evening Under the Stars,” the Western
Allegheny Community Library’s
fundraising event. “If we can work with
people for a cause, we will,” said Darlene.
These events are a reminder that the
park is not just a home to many t-ball,
baseball, and softball games in the spring,
summer, and fall. It is also a place to
exercise, be entertained, and experience
the beauty of the area.
Darlene explained that after attending
an event in the park, many people will
say that they didn’t know the park was as
big or beautiful as it is.
“I think people enjoy the park’s unique
location,” she said. “ You’re literally in the
woods, sitting under the trees, it’s
something pretty special.”
Year after year, whatever the season,
Clinton Park offers something special to
residents of the community. What was
once a wooded gift just waiting to be
opened has unfolded into a place where
games are won, songs are sung, paths are
run, Christmas lights are strung, and a
community has fun. It’s a gift that keeps
on giving.
After years of planning, some roadblocks
along the way, and much fundraising, The
Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is set to begin work
on the first gardens on the upper portion of the
454-acre site. The site is adjacent to Settler’s
Cabin Park. In August, volunteers began to
carve out the first trails of the Gardens.
Volunteers will also clean up the trail areas on
October 9.
Once the trails are carved out, work will begin
on the first actual garden. These trails will
ultimately run though the Temperate Forests of
the World that will include five separate
woodland gardens covering 30 acres. These
woodland gardens will include the Eastern
European Woods, English Woods, Woods of the
Appalachian Plateau, Asiatic Woods, and a
Shade Garden.
The first trail being constructed will be one
mile long, with a lower wildflower trail being
constructed as an Eagle Scout Project. When
the Gardens open, it will be a local and regional
attraction bringing not only beauty but positive
public recognition and financial benefits to the area.
Explains Greg Nace, Botanic Garden President,
Pittsburgh is the only known metropolitan region of
its size in the United States without an outdoor
Botanic Garden. Botanic Gardens are destinations
that stimulate cultural, educational, and economic
enrichment far beyond their boundaries.
Construction and reclamation has begun. The
Botanic Garden now has three permanent irrigation
ponds which will also serve as erosion and
sedimentation (E&S) ponds during the reclamation
of the abandoned deep mines. Once complete, the
Pittsburgh Botanic Garden will be the only such
garden in the country built on reclaimed land,
demonstrating a commitment to cleaning up the
local environment.
For information about volunteering, about the
Gardens, to become a member of the Gardens, or to
make a donation, call (412) 444-4464. Visit the Web
Site at w ww.pittsburghbotanicgarden.org.
October 2010
15
16
October 2010
Library Thanks Sponsors of
“An Evening Under the Stars”
Under a starry night in Findlay Park, Clinton, as rain started to
drizzle midway through the evening, 150+ attendees enjoyed the
wine tasting event, “An Evening Under the Stars” last month.
The event included tastings by five area wineries -- Glatz,
Greenhouse, Kavic, Starr Hill, and Volant Mill, and beer tastings
by the Erie Brewing Company, a new addition to the event.
Food tasting vendors were Buffalo Wild Wings, Janoski’s, Jo Jo’s,
King’s, McDonalds, Pepperoncini’s, and Fabulous Homemade
Cookies.
Sponsored by members of the board of the Western Allegheny
Community Library and a volunteer committee, the event raised
just over $9,000 for the library’s future facility.
The committee wishes to thank all of the attendees for their
support, and the following supporters of the event:
Chairman’s Council: West Allegheny Foundation
Benefactors: Allegheny West Magazine, Anonymous, Findlay
Township Supervisors, Imperial Tax & Accounting, New Age
Environmental, Inc., North Fayette Township, Pustover Financial
Services
Patrons: Anonymous, Boni Orthodontics/Del R. Boni, D.M.D.,
Cool Home Improvements, Elmhurst Group/William E. Hunt,
Kehm Oil Company, Moody Funeral Home, Pittsburgh Technical
Institute, Small Diamond Umpire Association
Sponsors: Action Supply Products, Inc., Anytime Fitness, Anonymous, Edge Studio, Jim Meyers Plumbing & Heating, Inc.,
Oakdale Borough, WAFEL.
Additionally, numerous businesses and organizations donated
Chinese Auction items.
It’s easy to make a buck.
It’s a lot tougher to
make a difference.
Tom Brokaw
NEW IN TOWN
Cindy’s Carriages
In today’s difficult economy, one local woman with a vision has found a way to
provide a much-needed service to the community. Cindy Sleva of Kennedy
Township has launched Cindy’s Carriages LLC, a fully licensed and insured taxi
service providing transportation within the communities of Robinson, Kennedy,
Findlay, North Fayette, Oakdale, Moon, and Coraopolis.
Together with her husband, Dale Sleva, they started the service last month.
Dale, who retired from his job after 33 years as a youth counselor at the
Shuman Center, manages the operation and does some of the driving. His wife,
Cindy, handles driving and other duties in between her job as assistant manager at
the Comfort Inn-Tonidale, where she has worked for 33 years.
Cindy is the second generation employee of her family working for the Comfort
Inn, which is now in its third generation of family ownership under Erica and Kris
Kruze. Cindy’s mom, Ellen Walkauskas, worked at the Tonidale Restaurant for many
years before she left. She has since passed on. Cindy said that the hotel owners
are fully supportive of her new venture.
“They are a wonderful family to work for; I can’t say enough how great it is to
work with them,” Cindy noted.
Cindy’s step-father was also a cab driver who made it his full-time job, even
though he held a psychology degree.
Cindy said that working at the hotel she saw a constant need for reliable, timely
transportation service for the customers. Working in the hotel and living in the
area all of her life, Cindy is very knowledgeable about the Pittsburgh region.
Likewise, so is her husband, Dale. He notes that he considers himself to be an
“ambassador” to the communities. Dale ticks off a number of historic points about
Pittsburgh that he is already sharing with customers.
The couple has three grown sons -- Dale, Jr., Doug, and Dan, plus eight
grandchildren.
Both of their polite, friendly, and conversational demeanors lend themselves to
providing a unique
touch to the
transportation
industry here in the
western suburbs
surrounding the
airport.
Cindy’s Carriages
is available daily,
6 a.m. to 2 a.m. Call
(412) 266-6190.
Send a bit of “home” to someone you know!
We Do Gift Certificates!
Send a Holiday Gift Subscription of
for that out-of-town relative,
college student, or someone who has moved away.
Subscription rates are just
$12 per year for six issues!
CALL: (724) 695-3968 or
e-mail: alleghenywestmagazine@comcast.net.
October 2010
17
18
October 2010
BY CATHERINE ROBERTS
You are walking alone on a dark autumn night. The only light that you can see comes
from the pale moon that shines overhead. Suddenly, as if by magic, a barn comes in sight.
As you peer in its cracked, wooden doors, you see something strange. You see a shadow
of a person in one of the corners, coming from an angle that could not possibly be your
own. You look again, but the shadow is gone. Did you just see a ghost, or was it your
imagination?
The Western New York Ghost Hunters of Southern Tier (W.N.Y G.H.O.S.T) finds out
just that. W.N.Y G.H.O.S.T is a paranormal team of investigators that visits supposedly
haunted sights looking to prove if they are haunted or not. Dan McCarthy founded the
group in December of 2009 with little equipment and only a few members. Since then
their group has doubled in size and has around14 members.
When I asked him what type of tools he uses to determine if a place is haunted or not
he replied, “I film and review footage from my Digital Video Recorder which I film with
full spectrum, infrared, and ultraviolet lights. I also listen to digital voice recorders, and
review all notes and personal experiences.”
He explained to me that if a place is paranormally active then it will show specific signs
including shadows, disembodied voices, temperature fluxes, orbs of light energy, or items
appearing to move by themselves.
One of Dan’s more memorable experiences was when he was investigating the White
Inn in Fredonia, New York. He determined it was haunted when he recorded the images
of unexplained shadows.
Not every place that W.N.Y G.H.O.S.T visits turns out to be haunted, however. Some
places that seem to be paranormal are really only high electromagnetic fields caused by
microwaves, electric boxes, or an open electrical fixture.
But reports of haunted sights keep coming up, including one in this area. In October,
the W.N.Y G.H.O.S.T team is coming to Findlay Township where they are investigating
some old barns that have been said to have spirits lurking about.
According to Ashley Neumeister, an investigator and W.N.Y G.H.O.S.T member, the
claims about the barns are that there have been sightings of full body apparitions that
suddenly seem to disappear; strange, unexplained knocking is sometimes heard in one of
the barns; and there is a sensation of being watched when
you are inside of them. The barns have been there for many
years so it is possible that they could be haunted. With
Halloween approaching, the idea of spirits becomes more
realistic than ever. Whether you believe in ghosts or not,
the season brings a chill to the senses, and
one experience can
change an opinion
forever.
ABOVE: The Fredonia Ghost Hunters
changed their name and are now the
W.N.Y G.H.O.S.T. Top, an orb that they
saw on a case. The picture of the orb is in
the circle, taken by an ultraviolet spectrum
camera (which is a ball of light energy
thought to be a spirit) Bottom, Dan
McCarthy and Ashley Neumeister, the
paranormal investigators coming to
Findlay Township. For privacy purposes,
the owners of the barn asked that their
contact information not be released.
To learn more, www .wnyghosts.webs.com
and GhostHunters Of the SouthernT ier.
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About People You Know ....
BELOW: Kellie Mackey, a senior at West Allegheny High
School, spent several weeks this summer volunteering at
Hanbury Children's Home in Mandeville, Jamaica. While
working at Hanbury, Kellie was responsible for 20
children ranging in age from 2 years old to 6 years old.
Her daily responsiblities included teaching a daily arts
and crafts class to the children and supervising all of their
daily activities. During Kellie's time in Jamiaca, she lived
with a Jamaican family, attended Patois language
classes and reggae dance classes, and visited patients in
an adult assisted living home.
Emma Wilson, 14, of Clinton, won her class
at the District XI 4-H horse show and will
compete at the 4-H State Finals in
Harrisburg on October 30. She won her
class - Classic Hunter Under Saddle,
Junior Division, and will be riding her
horse, Zippos Mistress, whom she trains
herself. She is a member of Silver Spurs 4H group led by Kim Fisher and Jessica
Swogger.
Amanda Schiavo, (#2 in picture), a 10th
grader at West Allegheny High School, was
selected to the K RVA (Keystone Region's
High Performance Youth Team). The KRVA
team represented Pennsylvania at the 2010
USAV High Performance National Championships in Wisconsin Dells this past July.
Over 150 girls from across Pennsylvania
tried out and 10 girls were selected to
represent the region. The KRVA team
finished third to take the bronze medal in
the regional championships.
Kimberly Rojas
was named the
winner in
Round 4 of
Project: Style at
The Mall at
Robinson.
Project:Style is
the ultimate
fashion
competition for
guys and gals
age 13 and up.
Each month, two semi-finalists receive a
$150 gift card along with the challenge to
create the ultimate outfit and vie for votes.
Semi-finalists get the opportunity to move
on to the Style-Off competition in October
for ultimate bragging rights as the Top
Trendsetter and a $1000 Shopping Spree.
Kelly Daniels, of Imperial, has been
accepted as a member of the 2010
freshman class at the University of
Pittsburgh at Greensburg. The daughter of
Dan and Sue Daniels, Kelly graduated in
June from West Allegheny High School,
where she played soccer and softball.
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October 2010
ABOVE: Elena Turner, 9, of Imperial, was named as a
Pennsylvania State Finalist and earned the opportunity
to compete in the Pennsylvania state competition of the
National American Miss pageant this past August.
A fourth grader at Donaldson Elementary, she was
third runner up in the talent competition at the pageant
which took place in Harrisburg in August.Elena performed a jazz gymnastics routine choreographed by Lisa
Winning, owner of Pittsburgh Pro Performance Center.
The National American Miss is dedicated to developing the success of young women across the nation with
a program that is designed to be age-appropriate and
family-oriented.
Patrick Cannon, a 2007 graduate of West
Allegheny High School, recently concluded a run as J. Pierpont Finch in the
musical "How To Succeed In Business
Without Really Trying" at the Reber
Center for the Performing Arts in Chicago.
Patrick is currently in rehearsals for "The
War Plays" at the Athenaeum Theater
which opens on October 28. "The War
Plays" is a world premiere of Chicago
Dramatists' resident playwright, and 2008
Chicago Reader Playwright of the year,
Emily Schwartz. Other performances in
Chicago this year have included the role
of Billy Flynn in the musical “Chicago,”
and “ You Took Away My Flag,” a rockopera set in worn-torn Kosovo. This
Christmas, Patrick will be reprising the
role of Jim in Michael Smith's “Gift of the
Magi.”
As a freshman at Robert Morris
University, Patrick was nominated for the
Kennedy Center Irene Ryan Award for his
portrayal of John Adams in “1776.” Now a
junior at Columbia College in Chicago,
majoring in Musical Theater Performance,
Patrick's professional credits in Pittsburgh
include Narrator/Fred in “A Lyrical
Christmas Carol,” John the Baptist in
“Godspell,” “West Side Story,” and
“Beauty and the Beast.”
At West Allegheny High School he was
a member of the WA "Kid's Cast," and
later had lead roles in high school
productions of “Oklahoma!” and “Honk.”
Patrick is the son of Ed and Peg
Cannon of North Fayette Township.
The “Face of the Y” is Retiring
The Western Area YMCA and Priscilla Salvatore are synonymous with each other. Since 1983, when
Priscilla started part-time serving customers at the front desk, it’s most likely that just about anyone
who has ever been a member of the community’s YMCA has seen or knows Priscilla.
That era came to an end when she retired on September 24.
Priscilla was “in the building” long before it became the Y. Back in 1977, she played tennis there
when it was called the Airport Racquet Club.
In 1983, the Y asked her to work part-time, greeting members at the front desk, handling their
reservations, and passing out locker keys. Just a year later, she was working there full time. After 26
years, she is now retired and ready to spend more time with her family, doing some traveling, and
spending time with her partner, Aldo.
Kim Black will move into the position vacated by Priscilla.
October 2010
21
Dedicating Lou’s Field of Dreams
A field dedicated to the passion and hard work of the late Lou
Huebner was dedicated at the new Donaldson Park in North
Fayette Township during community days in August.
On hand for the dedication were 50+ coaches, players, former
co-workers, family, and friends .
Lou died in 2003 from breast cancer.
In January, 2005 the North Fayette Township Board of
Supervisors approved a request by Lou’s family -- his wife, Lynn,
and children, Emily and Ryan -- to name one of the new baseball
fields after Lou, posthumously, who coached North Fayette
baseball since Ryan was six years old.
Lynn notes, “He not only coached the regular season, but also
All-Star and competitive teams. He was respected throughout the
community for his knowledge of the game and interaction with
the players.”
The township approved the request. Lynn explained that
monies from a memorial fund that was set up when Lou died
were used to provide the sign.
Ryan also designed a special uniform with a memorial patch for
an entire team within the local league, and the family paid for the
uniforms out of the fund, too.
At the completion of the fields within Donaldson Park last
spring, the township contacted Lynn to make arrangements for
the dedication.
Delayed from the spring due to medical procedures Lynn
underwent, the dedication was held in August and the field was
officially named the Lou Huebner Memorial Field.
“Although it was a long time in coming, it was a very special day
for Emily, Ryan and I,” Lynn said. “I still have emotional flare-ups
when I think about it. And the most incredible thing is that every
time you drive into the complex, the first thing you see is our
awesome sign (also designed by Ryan) reminding us of such an
amazing man and the amazing things he did both in life and for
youth baseball.”
PHOTO SUBMITTED
ABOVE: Friends, family, players, coaches, and co-workers of Lou Huebner gathered during the dedication ceremony in August to remember
Lou and dedicate the ballfield in his memory.
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October 2010
A Little Girl with a Big Heart
Gives Her Hair for a Good Cause
Most youngsters get ready for
their first day back to school by
going shopping for new outfits,
getting a backpack, and,
especially for the girls, getting
that new hairdo. For eight-yearold Dusty Morrison, however,
she had a different idea in mind
for the latter. She spent a
morning at Uncle Carl’s Cuts in
Oakdale getting her hair cut and
styled. The cut -- all eight inches
of the length -- she donated to
Pantene Beautiful Lengths.
Explained her mom, Cindy
Morrison, “Dusty has been
letting her hair grow for about
two years and decided to donate
it in honor of a teacher, Shirley
Smith, from her school and a
mom from her dance class, Jody
Startare.”
Because of Dusty’s donation,
someone facing cancer and the
loss of their hair will have a wig
made from Dusty’s hair in the
future that they can wear as they
deal with their illness.
TOP TO BOTTOM: Scott
Darenkamp, owner of
Uncle Carl’s Cuts in
Oakdale, gives Dusty a
wash and blow dry; Scott
measures the amount to be
cut; cutting is complete;
Dusty with her new look.
October 2010
23
412-787-1050
24
October 2010
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Airport Receives
Patriotic Employer Award
Officers of the United States
Navy presented a Patriotic
Employer award to the
Allegheny County Airport
Authority for Employer
Support for the Guard and
“It was very
Reserve at Pittsburgh
rewarding for us to International Airport in
August.
meet with many
Under United States law, all
patriotic citizens at
companies
are to provide a
the Airport
leave
of
absence
to those who
Authority. Your
serve in the Armed Forces.
organization’s
“The Airport Authority has
support of all
taken the policy one step
military personnel further by granting 15 paid
was extremely
military days for leave of
evident,” said
absences. This benefit is an
Admiral Moon.
important asset for our
employees in the military and
makes us a leader among
other Pittsburgh employers,” stated Bradley D. Penrod,
Executive Director/CEO, Allegheny County Airport
Authority.
Rear Admiral Timothy Moon, Director of Maritime
Partnership Programs, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and
Africa, paid a special visit to thank ACAA for providing
outstanding support to Chief Petty Officer Kurt Parent
and our other military reservists/employees.
“It was very rewarding for us to meet with many
patriotic citizens at the Airport Authority. Your
organization’s support of all military personnel was
extremely evident,” said Admiral Moon. Moon and
others presented the award to Stephanie Saracco,
COO. Lisa Morrow, Director of Human Resources,
provided an overview of the ACAA’s military benefits
program and Nino Sapone, Director of Operations,
provided a tour of the Operations Center and the
Military Family Center.
CPO Parent, Fixed Assets/Grant Accountant,
Finance Department at ACAA, said, “These benefits
provide me with additional time off which I can utilize
to support these missions and I am appreciative of the
leave policy.”
Parent has been in the U.S. Navy Reserve for over 22
years. During this time, he has been on numerous
military missions with two extended tours to Baghdad,
Iraq and Naples, Italy.
Captain Alison S. McCrary, Commanding Officer,
said, “The tour of the Operations Center was outstanding and I especially enjoyed seeing your Military
and Family Center in the concourse itself - what a great
service to all military members! You are an example to
all of us of what going above and beyond the call of
duty is all about.”
Heritage Valley News
Heritage Valley Health System was recently named as one of the top 25 most connected
facilities by Health Ima
Imaging
ging & IT magazine. The “2010 Top Connected Healthcare Facilities”
list recognizes hospitals, health systems, imaging centers, and physician practices that
seamlessly integrate imaging and information technology (IT) systems, provide physicians
with immediate, anywhere access to patient data, and demonstrate a return on investment
and high patient and staff satisfaction.
This year’s winners distinguished themselves by linking patient images with an electronic
health record (EHR) as well as providing employed and referring physicians with remote
access to clinical images and data.
More than 250 physicians use a wireless handheld device application that provides
access to three years of online clinical data from any Wi-Fi or broadband connection. More
than 200 primary care and specialist physicians and 1,600 clinicians and support staff
access the EHR through a clinical portal on a daily basis.
The Heritage Valley Heart & Vascular Center welcomes Dr. Philip D.
Nicol to the office located in Leetsdale. As a practicing cardiologist in
Moon Township since 1999, Dr. Nicol brings to Heritage Valley years
of experience and clinical specialty interests in nuclear cardiology,
congestive heart failure, cardiac transplantation, and myocardial
infarction. He will be relocating to a new office in Moon Township this
fall.
Dr. Nicol completed his residency at Toronto General Hospital and
earned his medical degree at the University of Toronto, where he completed his Cardiology
Fellowship. He then joined the staff of the Cardiac Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital. In
1993, he moved to the Department of Medicine at Allegheny General Hospital, where he
became Director of Nuclear Cardiology in 1998 and Cardiac Transplant from 1996–1999.
Dr. Nicol has maintained a successful private cardiology practice in Moon Township for the
past ten years.
Heritage Valley Health System is pleased to announce the 2010 recipients of the Cameos
of Caring Awards Program. The Cameos of Caring Award honors exceptional bedside
nurses who work in acute care hospitals. This year’s winners from Heritage Valley are
Renea Esoldo, RN, Open Heart Critical Care Unit (CCU) at Heritage Valley Beaver and
Bob Messick, RN, Orthopedic Unit, 5 South at Heritage Valley Sewickley.
Recently, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and Fitch Ratings, both of New York,
performed their routine bi-annual reviews on the financial health of Heritage Valley
Health System. Standard and Poor’s (S&P) re-affirmed its ‘AA-’ underlying rating and
Fitch re-affirmed its ‘A+’ rating for Heritage Valley Health System.
In their report, Standard and Poor’s stated that the rating affirmation reflects Heritage
Valley’s solid business position in suburban Pittsburgh due to improved operating income
for the first ten months of fiscal 2010, expense controls, and excess income from
positive investment market conditions.
Sewickley 5K Heart & Sole Run
Saturday, October 16, registration day of the race at 7 a.m., race starts at 8:30 a.m.
Parking available at Heritage Valley-Sewickley. This fun run/walk is open to everyone! Families are encouraged to
participate together. For more information, email sabercrombie@hvhs.org or
(412) 749-7050. Proceeds benefit the Cardiology Fund at Heritage Valley Sewickley.
Holiday Shopping Event
Friday, November 12, The Mall at Robinson, 5:30 – 9 p.m. , “A Night of Holiday Shopping.” Special discounts at
select stores. Buy tickets online at www.heritagevalley.org or tickets will also be available at the door.
Unique Boutique
Presented by Heritage Valley Sewickley Auxiliary, Saturday, November 13, Edgeworth Club, 511 East Drive,
Sewickley, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Shopping & Chinese Auction), $10 Admission or $25 Admission & Lunch, 11 a.m. to
2 p.m. (Buffet Lunch), Reservations Required, RSVP/Questions:
(412) 749-7052. Benefits: Heritage Valley Childhood Obesity Program.
Heritage Valley Beaver Auxiliary Holiday Ball
Saturday, November 13, Seven Oaks Country Club, registration at 7 p.m., Dinner at 7:30 p.m.
For information, call Susie Abercrombie at (412) 749-7050.
October 2010
25
STORY AND PHOTOS BY PAT JENNETTE
A Place for
P.A.L.S.
ABOVE: front, left to right, Linda Muller, Debbie Unger, Deanna Pellegrino, Becky Lisotto, Ashlea
Smith; back, Bob Brozovich, Richard Zelesnik, Melissa Zirwas, Kelly Cain, Mike Lisotto, Maddy
Lisotto, and Kaitlin Kaulius. Not pictured - Michelle Psaros and Sirisha Gunt aka.
Providing assistance, love, and support, or P.A.L.S.,
is the name of the new special needs recreation
program established by North Fayette Township in
collaboration with a group of volunteers from the
community.
Bob Brozovich, recreation director for the township, explained, “The township, along with a small
group of citizens, has identified a need to have
regularly structured recreational programs for our
citizens of all ages with special needs.”
According to 2009 statistics from the Pennsylvania
Department of Education, West Allegheny School
District reported a total of 15% of enrolled students
as having a disability. The group acknowledged that,
while there are many opportunities for students with
special needs to participate in school-based activities,
there was a void to be filled out in the community.
The group kicked off its activities in September
with a free picnic at the park, where all in attendance
voted on a name for the group. P.A.L.S. was the
winning entry.
North Fayette supervisors Jim Morosetti and J.R.
Mangan were on hand to help, as were members of
the police department and fire department. Police
Chief Jeff Falconer also grilled hotdogs and hamburgers, with help from Jeff Lutz, a member of the
township’s recreation committee.
Township resident Linda Muller, who is an
instruction technology specialist at the Allegheny
Intermediate Unit, is overseeing the group of
volunteers.
The volunteers have developed a fall schedule of
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October 2010
activities that include kickball/soccer skills clinics
at the North Fayette Township Community
Center on Fridays, October 8, 15, 22, and 29
before the West Allegheny varsity football games
(the activity runs from 6 to 7 p.m.), and a
children’s Halloween costume party on Saturday,
October 23 for ages 1-16 from 1 to 4 p.m. That
same evening, a Guys and Ghouls Dance Party
for ages 17 and up will be held, also at the
center, from 7 to 10 p.m.
The group’s mission statement reads, “We are a
volunteer, community-based organization
dedicated to developing and facilitating regularly
structured opportunities for citizens with special
needs to participate in recreational activities in
order to build a community where all citizens are
treated with compassion, respect, and inclusion.”
The organization serves all residents of
Clinton, Findlay, Imperial, North Fayette, and
Oakdale, which essentially comprises all who live
in the West Allegheny School District.
The committee of residents, under the
direction of Bob Brozovich, is working diligently
to make the program a success.
If the kickoff picnic was any indication, the
program is off to a great start. More than 100
children, parents, adults, and guests attended
and enjoyed the day’s events.
For more information, to participate in
activities, or to get involved, call Linda Muller at
(724) 709-9207 or Bob Brozovich at (412) 7884888.
TOP TO BOTTOM:
Police Chief Jeff Falconer
and Jeff Lutz cook on the
grill while chatting with one
of the picnic attendees; the
new township mascot and
District Justice Anthony
Saveikis pose with some of
the guests; a little one and
his mom stop for a picture;
Police Sgt. Chad Slovick
chats with the children on
the playground.
NEW IN TOWN
Volant Mill Winery at Janoski’s
What goes well with cheese and fruit? Wine, of
course. Volant Mill Winery has opened its third location
right here in the neighborhood at Janoski’s Farm Market
in Clinton. Janoski’s is a popular destination for area
residents. The upcoming Pumpkinland weekends in
October would be an excellent time to come out, enjoy
the festivities, taste the wines at Volant, and buy some
for fall and winter.
Volant offers 21 wines, from dry to sweet, produced
from grapes grown in the vineyards near the town of
Volant, located north near Grove City.
Father and son, Gary and Bryan Rhodes, envisioned
the winery while talking business over a few glasses of
vino back in 2003. Gary already owned vineyards, so
the possibility of a new Pennsylvania winery emerged.
They chose to establish Volant Mill Winery in the town
of Volant, a perfect fit amidst the small town’s quaint
shops and rustic atmosphere. In 2004, the winery
opened to the public. Bryan and his father carefully built
the business and, seeing a need for their product in the
Pittsburgh area, established a second location in
Cranberry. Their location within Janoski’s Farm Market
marks their third site.
Among their current wine offerings are fruity selections
such as Elderberry, Pear, and Red Raspberry Splash; white
wines that include their Wilmington White (their best selling
white wine) and a sweet and crisp Riesling; and a variety of
red wines, including Volant Red, their number one selling
red wine. Prices are affordable, and a ten percent discount
is offered for those purchasing a case at one time.
The store also offers a variety of wine-themed items for
gift giving.
Volant Mill Winery is open seven days a week. Hours are
currently 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon
to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Hours may change seasonally. Customers can receive a free wine stopper by presenting the
coupon in the winery’s ad, located in this magazine on page
6.
For information and to be alerted about specials and
upcoming events, visit their Facebook page or their Web
site at www.volantmillwinery.com. Or, call the store at (724)
899-3438.
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St. Clair Hospital News
St. Clair Hospital’s Emergency Department has been ranked No. 1 in the country for patient
satisfaction, according to Press Ganey, an independent national survey firm. The ED had previously been
ranked No. 2 nationally and No. 1 across the commonwealth.
The new No. 1 in the U.S.A. ranking is based on random surveys that were mailed to patients treated
in St. Clair Hospital’s ED between April 1 and June 30, 2010. St. Clair’s ED was deemed No. 1 in the
country when its survey results were compared to 279 “like-sized” EDs - those that treat 50,000 or
more patients a year.
St. Clair attributes the No. 1 ranking to an employee-led effort to redesign processes within the ED,
which recently underwent a $13.5 million expansion and renovation.
St. Clair has opened an extension of the ED called an Observation Unit.
The 35-bed unit is designed for patients who enter the Hospital through
the ED, but require further testing and monitoring before being admitted
as an inpatient or discharged within 16 to 24 hours.
St. Clair Hospital has added three new operating rooms to
accommodate growing patient volume.
The Hospital performs more than 11,000 surgical cases a year. That
volume is expected to increase approximately 3 percent to 4 percent
annually.
Two of the new rooms are 600 square feet and the third – the largest in
the hospital – is 750 square feet (pictured, left). Each is equipped with
state-of-the-art technology, including operating equipment and flat panel,
high definition (HD) monitors mounted to the ceiling via “booms,” which
allow for easy access to and return of equipment. The new ORs feature the most advanced minimally
invasive surgical tools, an integration system for routing radiologic images (e.g., CT scans) and pathologic
data (e.g., biopsy results) between the new ORs and other departments, large windows to allow for
natural light flow, and even satellite radio, and CD and iPOD docking stations. The new ORs are also
designed to address future technological advances.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
GSK Employees Volunteer on Montour Trail
ABOVE: GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare associates left the office to roll up their
sleeves and serve the Pittsburgh community by painting, cleaning, landscaping, and providing other
services at nine local nonprofit organizations during Orange Days. Orange Days of Caring are
regular business days that are set aside by GSK for associates to take time away from the office to
volunteer at nonprofit organizations. Locally, associates volunteered their time on the Montour Trail
where they painted bridges, trimmed shrubs, and cleared brush along the trail.
Type in “Allegheny West Magazine” in the “search” box at the top
of the Facebook page, and you will find us. Become a fan so you can
receive updates of information around the community. We post events and
news that we receive in between magazine issues so you don’t miss anything going on in your hometown.
Share news about your neighborhood or your group, too! Become a fan! Start posting!
Facebook is another way we are connecting the community with good, positive news about the people, places,
and events that make this region a great place to live and work.
October 2010
29
SPECIAL SECTION: SENIOR LIVING
30
Seniors: Don’t “RETIRE” from Dental Care!
Many people maintain their oral health while in
the workforce by using the dental insurance
provided through their employer. These benefits
often terminate at retirement, placing the financial responsibility for care directly on the patient.
Retired patients often resort to visiting their
dentist only when they have an emergency,
leading to the deterioration of their overall dental
health and general health.
Don’t neglect your dental health! Our healthy
gums and teeth are necessary for the proper
and efficient chewing of food from which we
derive our nutritional needs. Recently, the
medical community has come to realize the vital
connection between good oral health and its
impact on general health and quality of life.
Over the past several years of research, an
important link between periodontal (gum) health
and cardiovascular health has been discovered,
Since many seniors have had teeth replaced
with partial or complete dentures, it is also very
important to replace these prostheses as they
wear out or become ill fitting. When this is
neglected, seniors may stop wearing their
dentures entirely, again leading to poor chewing
of their food and diminished nutritional health.
You can maintain your oral health through
regular dental check ups and teeth cleaning.
Many dentists encourage continued care for
seniors through senior discounts or no interest
payment plans to help those who need it. Ask
about special payment plans at your next appointment.
These issues are of particular concern to seniors
as their oral health may become more challenging
with age. Many people have lost several or all of
their teeth by the time they retire and this affects
their ability to chew their food for the maximal
nutritional value. Periodontal disease may also be
threatening the remaining dentition and causing
infection in the gums.
Your retirement plan should include a quality
dental care plan. Well maintained oral health is an
integral part of the plan for those who wish to
maintain excellent general health and quality of
life. Keep that beautiful smile throughout your
entire lifetime and don’t “retire” from the dental
care that you need.
www.pittsburghlaserdentist.com Robert Luther, Jr. DMD, 1050 Oakdale Rd
Oakdale, PA 15071 412-788-6300, Dr. Robert Luther, Jr., is a limited partner of
Luther & Noel Dental Associates LLP.
Fall (ing) Help with Balance Therapy
Are you able to answer yes to the following
questions:
1. Do you experience a spinning or whirling sensation?
2. Do you have a feeling of lightheaded, floating, or rocking
sensation?
3. Do you have a sensation of being heavily weighted or
pulled in one direction?
4. Do you feel off balance or have difficulty walking?
5. Do you feel difficulty maintaining an upright posture?
6. Do you have a tendency to touch or hold onto objects?
7. Do you have trouble focusing or tracking objects with
your eyes?
If you answer yes to a majority of these questions, you may be experiencing difficulty with
your vestibular system. The vestibular system
includes the parts of the inner ear and the brain
that help control balance and eye movements.
You may be a candidate for vestibular rehabilitation, which is an exercise-based program for
reducing the symptoms of movement-related
dizziness and imbalance.
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy is an alternative treatment involving specific exercises that
can eliminate or significantly reduce symptoms
October 2010
by promoting central nervous system compensation for inner-ear deficits. The program is designed
to: 1) Decrease dizziness and visual symptoms; 2)
Increase balance and walking functions; 3) Increase general activity.
The program may include exercises for:
· Coordinating eye and head movements
· Stimulating the symptoms of dizziness in order to desensitize the vestibular system
· Improving balance and walking ability
· Improving fitness and endurance
Exercises vary depending on the type of innerear disorder and the associated symptoms.
Remember to follow-up with your primary care
physician for a general healthcare check-up. If
appropriate, you may be referred to an otolaryngologist or neurologist to diagnose your vestibular
problem. From there, you will be referred to a
physical therapist that performs vestibular rehabilitation.
At THE pt GROUP Physical Therapy, the physical
therapist will work closely with you to design a
comprehensive home exercise program that will
start you on your road to recovery.
Presented by pT Group Physical Therapy, 980 Beaver Grade Road, Moon
Township, (412) 262-3354; Reference: Vestibular Disorders Association
Publication No. F-7, M-3
October 2010
31
October 28 - Senior Expo, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Crowne Plaza, Moon Twp.
Flu shots will be provided. Contact the Moon
District Office of State Representative Mark
Mustio at (412) 262-3780
to obtain your time and number.
Age-Related
Macular Degeneration
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is
the leading cause of severe vision loss in adults
over age 50. The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention estimate that 1.8 million people
have AMD and another 7.3 million are at substantial risk for vision loss from AMD. Caucasians are at higher risk for developing AMD than
other races. Women also develop AMD at an
earlier age than men. This eye disease occurs
when there are changes to the macula, a small
portion of the retina that is located on the inside
back layer of the eye. AMD is a loss of central
vision that can occur in two forms: “dry” or
atrophic and “wet” or exudative.
Most people with macular degeneration have
the dry form, for which there is no known
treatment. The less common wet form may
respond to laser procedures, if diagnosed and
treated early.
Some common symptoms are: a gradual loss
of ability to see objects clearly, distorted vision,
a gradual loss of color vision, and a dark or
empty area appearing in the center of vision. If
you experience any of these, contact your
doctor of optometry immediately for a comprehensive examination. Central vision that is lost
to macular degeneration cannot be restored.
However, low vision devices, such as telescopic
and microscopic lenses, can be prescribed to
maximize existing vision.
Researchers have linked eye-friendly nutrients
such as lutein/zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E,
and zinc to reducing the risk of certain eye
diseases, including macular degeneration.
(presented by Dr. David Quinn, Allegheny West Eye Care,
reprinted from the American Optometric Association).
Did You Know ...
•78 million people were born between 1946 and 1964,
which is defined as the baby boomer era, the largest
in American history. (U.S. Census). They make up
28% of the American population.
•In 1957, 4.3 million babies were born in the U.S. This
is more than any year before or since. (U.S. Census)
•A second boom has not occurred as Boomers
reached childbearing years. Boomers waited longer to
have children and many have not had children. Many
experts say the Baby Boom phenomenon is a onetime event.
•In 1965, 36% of the U.S. population was under 18
years of age; today 18% is under 18. (U.S. Census)
32
October 2010
Senior Section
Sponsors
Allegheny West Eye Care
Dr. Robert Luther, Jr.
Oakdale Foot & Ankle Center
The Sleep Wellness Center
The Willows
Polidor Dental
pT Group Physical Therapy
Robinson Chiropractic/Danielle
Thomas Massage
Gallagher Home Care Services
Gabriel Pain and Spine
West Allegheny Health Care
Dr. Burns of Robinson Chiropractic specializes
in low force adjusting that is gentle but effective
enough to make appropriate adjustments to the spine
and extremities. She also utilizes physiotherapies in
form of electric muscle stimulation, therapeutic
ultrasound, mechanical traction, and therapeutic
exercise rehabilitation to aid in the healing process.
Danielle Thomas specializes in Pain Management
Massage by targeting the muscle that is in
dysfunction from Trigger points that can cause
debilitating referral pain to different regions of the
body (i.e. headaches, numbness and tingling down
the back of the legs). They can be contacted at
(412) 706-7129 or (412) 519-4566. Visit
myrobinsonchiropractic.com.
There are many beautifully appointed Assisted and
Independent Living Residences in Pittsburgh and the
surrounding area. Some have larger campuses; some
have smaller campuses, and most offer a variety of
programs and amenities geared toward their specific
population. But what separates The Willows from
other residences?
That’s easy: our Integracare Distinctives – that is to
say, our distinguishing characteristics. First of which is
our three-dimensional focus, which is reflected in our
mission statement. At The Willows, we want to
“improve the quality of life for our employees, our
Residents and our families.” Why put employees first?
Because when an employee feels valued and
respected, they have greater job satisfaction, when
there is greater job satisfaction, there is greater
retention. Statistics have shown that job retention and
job satisfaction translate to a higher quality of care
for our Residents. So, our employees are happy; our
Residents are happy and in turn their families are
happy. It’s a win-win-win situation!
The second distinctive is our Family and Friends
Concept. Families and friends are a very important
component to the happiness and well-being of our
Residents. We want to make sure that when families
and friends visit, they have a place to socialize with
their loved ones. That is why you will find so many
common areas where friends and family can gather.
We want to make visiting The Willows a warm and
inviting experience – from our courtyard, to our patio,
our Pub, or to the spacious and comfortable living
rooms – it’s all about the joys of community, and that
includes a sense of family between staff and
Residents too!
October 2010
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34
Options Exist for Seniors Seeking Services
Senior living has taken on a whole new meaning with the burgeoning growth of those Americans who are reaching retirement age from the
baby boomer generation.
In the Allegheny County area, resources
abound to find the right type of living arrangement for one’s needs. From high-rise, independent apartment living to attended nursing home
care, the options are numerous.
New state regulations and a plan for government funding officially incorporate assisted living
as a new category of retirement living that starts
in Pennsylvania in 2011.
Assisted living has “unofficially” existed in the
state for a long time. However, this new designation, which was approved in June by the
Department of Public Welfare regulations that
cover assisted living, will allow personal care
homes to apply for assisted-living status once
the regulations take effect in January 2011.
Besides the Yellow Pages, there are numerous resources for older adults to research
options in living arrangements.
“Pittsburgh Senior News,” published since
1993 by Lynn Hogan Webster, is a nugget of
valuable information published monthly. She
also publishes “Beaver County Senior News,”
“Butler County Senior News,” and both the
Allegheny County and Beaver County “Senior
Resource Guides.”
Lynn’s publications offer resources from adult
living resources and tips and suggestions to
October 2010
nutrition, medical resources, and entertainment.
She can be reached at (412) 367-2522.
“New Lifestyles: The Source for Seniors,”
(www.NewLifeStyles.com) is published out of
Texas, and offers a guide to the levels of care,
where to find that care, and information about
senior programs and services. It is available on
local newsstands and area churches.
Locally, a group of community residents and
church members formed a committee several
years ago to seek options to bring adult living
opportunities into the West Allegheny community.
The committee meets with different organizations
that provide these services to help make them
aware of the need for housing in the West Allegheny community. Recently a study was conducted
to determine the need.
Presently, while construction of one such facility
in North Fayette Township is on hold, the lone
facility in the neighborhood is Molinaro Manor,
which provides primarily nursing home care.
Allegheny County Department of Human Services offers its Area Agency on Aging program.
Seniors can reach them at (412) 350-5460. The
agency provides social services and senior center
services.
Among those many services is LifeSpan, a
program that provides mid-day lunches, activities,
and trips for older adults. LifeSpan operates
locally out of the Oakdale Community Center on
Seminary Avenue in Oakdale. To reach LifeSpan,
call (412) 464-1300.
October 2010
35
Local Senior Resources
MEALS ON WHEELS RESOURCES
NORTH FAYETTE PROGRAMS
The local Meals on Wheels chapters continue to need drivers.
Volunteers can deliver meals to neighbors just once a month
for a few hours, or more, as their schedule permits. It is a
simple gesture, yet a tremendous support to those who count
on these meals as their nourishment for the day. By delivering
meals to neighbors, volunteers are also able to check in on
them to make sure they are not ill, hurt, or in need of something.
Call (724) 899-3602 or (724) 695-0634 for the West
Allegheny Meals on Wheels, or (724) 693-8540 for the
Oakdale Meals on Wheels.
North Fayette Senior Citizens luncheons return with an
Oldies Luncheon & Dance on October 28 (also Goofy Dress
Up Day in the spirit of Halloween) and Thanksgiving
celebration on November 11. Doors at the Community
Center open at 11 a.m..
Monthly movies are scheduled for October 13 and
November 10. Doors open at 9 a.m. in the Community
Room.
Seniors can participate in Silver Sneakers exercise
classes on Tuesday and Thursdays from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
in the Community Center gym.
In the afternoon, the Silver Sneakers Splash class is
offered at the Donaldson Elementary School from 4:305:30 p.m. Both of those programs are ongoing throughout
the winter. Senior Citizens should contact Parks and
Recreation at (412) 788-4888 to be added to the mailing
list.
Senior Groups in the Community
Oakdale
Community Center
Contact: 724.693.8540
Findlay
Senior Citizens
Contact: 724.695.0500
St. Columbkille
Senior Citizens
Contact: 724.695.7325
OAKDALE CENTER
Lifespan, located at the Oakdale Community Center on
Seminary Avenue in Oakdale, offers, besides its daily lunches,
bingo, games, and other activities. The center is open to
seniors age 60 and over. Call (724) 693-8540.
Gallagher Home Care is the private duty division of Gallagher Home
Health Services, led by Katie Riedinger, Director of Home Care Development.
Diane Karcz, RN, President of Gallagher Home Health Services states, “Since
2005, we have kept our vision and mission close to our hearts and the values
that our mother, Iva Gallagher instilled in us. Recognized by OCS for four
consecutive years as one of Home Health’s Elite, our Home Care division
continues to model the integrity, honesty and professionalism for which our
Home Health Division is recognized.”
Katie says, “Gallagher Home Care provides our clients with the same excellent
service model that we demonstrate within our home health division. Personal
care is a service that most of us will need at some time in our lives and is not
36
North Fayette
Senior Citizens
Contact: 724.693.3118 or
412.788.4888
October 2010
just for seniors.”
Covered services within our Home Care Division include: personal care, bathing,
dressing, grooming, light housekeeping, meal planning and preparation, medical
assistance, companionship, and other tasks as needed.
Katie states, “We perform criminal clearances on everyone and carefully screen
and orient our staff before they are sent into our client’s homes. We are always
looking for people who have the integrity and compassion needed to excel at
Gallagher Home Care. We provide nursing evaluations and supervision on every
case to ensure that our team is providing the best possible care anywhere.”
For personal care in your home or employment opportunities, Call Katie Riedinger
at 412-279-2257 or 412-722-6111.
38
October 2010
October 2010
39
40
October 2010
OVGH News
A single one-hour, localized treatment can provide up to three months of
pain reduction from post shingles nerve pain.
Each year, about one millions Americans develop shingles, a painful viral
infections caused by reactivation of the same virus that causes chickenpox. It
is estimated that up to one in five people with shingles will experience
prolonged pain after shingles, a condition known as postherpetic neuralgia
(PHN).
Many people who suffer from PHN describe the pain as excruciating. It may
feel like a sharp, burning, tingling, shooting, or numb sensation and can persist
long after the shingles rash clears up – potentially disrupting sleep, mood,
work, and daily activities. The chances of developing PHN increase with age
and are especially high for people who experience severe pain or rash during
an acute shingles outbreak.
To help patients who suffer from PHN, The Institute for Pain Diagnostics and
Care is pleased to announce the addition of Qutenza® (capsaicin). Quetenza
provides pain reduction by acting on the damaged nerves in the skin that
cause pain after shingles. The pain reduction can last three months after only
a single, one-hour application. The patch or patches are cut to fit the size and
shape of the painful area and can only be administered by a physician or
healthcare professional under the direction of a physician.
Qutenza can be used as monotherapy and in combination with other
medications. The active ingredient in Qutenza is prescription-strength
capsaicin. Capsaicin is a naturally occurring compound found in chili peppers
that gives them their heat sensation. It is the first prescription-strength topical
treatment for PHN to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) in more than 10 years.
Tour the Montour Trail Results
Winners of the King and Queen of the Mountain at this year’s Tour the
Montour, a community and family fun ride set up in several distance
increments, were Brandon Pauls of Washington with a time of 4:24:60, and
Beth Currie of Laughlintown with a time of 5:31:39. They were among the
bicyclists who challenge themselves in a short time trial - up Hassam Road in
Moon Township (near Mile 1 1/2 of the Montour Trail), a 7/10 of a mile hill
with an average 8% grade.
The 2010 Tour the Montour was considered quite the success with a record
total of 475 participants according to Tim Killmeyer.
NEW IN TOWN
My Laundromat
Washing one’s laundry is not the most pleasant task of the day. Meet Margie and
Greg Bauer, an easy-going, pleasant couple who proudly announce their ownership
of the former Essex Laundromat in Essex Plaza. Named “My Laundromat,” the Ross
Township couple found the business for sale on Craiglist.
“I was working at a cemetery selling at-need and pre-need arrangements,”
explained Margie, who also worked previously in tax preparation.
“I decided I wanted to work for myself and found this opportunity,” she added.
Together with her husband, Greg, also a self-employed business owner (he has
owned and operated Bauer Contracting & Electrical since 1987), they dug in and
have updated the old Laundromat with all new, stainless steel washers and dryers
plus a host of amenities for customers. They include free WiFi in a comfortable
waiting area, offsite cameras for security, ATM and vending machines, a change
machine, and a laundry bar. Margie says, eyes twinkling, “We have short washer
cycle times with a high speed spin cycle – 25 to 30 minutes, and it’s reducing
customers’ drying time, which makes the customers happy! Depending on the
amount of laundry, you can be in and out in an hour or so.”
Greg added that the replacement of the equipment with 18-pound stainless steel
washers, versus the industry average of 10-pound units, also means a green effort
to use less water and less energy, while cleaning customers’ items better. The
washers range from accommodating two loads up to 8 loads in a single machine.
Margie said that she wants to thank everyone who uses My Laundromat for being
patient during the updating phase. “We are really appreciative of everyone who has
continued to come in here to wash his or her items amidst our updating,” she added.
The couple has a little bit more time now to add a second business to their days.
Two of their three sons are in college now and a third, Joe, is a junior in the North
Hills School District. Dan, 22, attends Kent State; and Andrew, 20, is a student at
Penn State Behrend.
My Laundromat is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and
Sunday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.,
with the last load at
8:30pm. Drop off service is
available at $1.10 per
pound with a 10 pound
minimum. For information,
Margie welcomes calls at
(724) 227-0513.
Scouts Honored with Awards
Life Scout Ben Rogers of Boy Scout Troop 248 in Oakdale earned Scouting’s
Leave No Trace Award. Designed by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Scouts
earn the award for their dedication to the preservation of camping and hiking
venues outdoors.
Additionally, seven members of Troop 248 earned the Pennsylvania Bureau
of Forestry Conservation Award for showing extraordinary efforts in the
preservation and wise use of natural resources. They are Ryan Eberle, Jeremy
Carter, Joshua Phillips, William (B.J.) Supan, Maxwell Hanich, Daniel Leger, and
Broderick Haney.
NON-PROFIT GROUPS!
We offer a significant discount off of advertising rates
(call for details). It’s one way we help you get your
message out to the entire community affordably!
CALL: 724.695.3968
or e-mail: alleghenywestmagazine@comcast.net.
October 2010
41
SPECIAL SECTION: HOME IMPROVEMENT & FIX-UP
PHOTO
COURTESY
OF
PARAGON
HOMES
October 2010
43
44
10 Auspicious Autumn Home Design & Décor Trends
With temperatures reaching record highs throughout the U.S., thoughts
of autumn seem but a woeful wish. The fall season evokes thoughts of
home and hearth, as families and friends eagerly anticipate re-connecting
with one another amid busy lives. Of course, most want a home design
and décor that will impress, and help de-compress, impending company –
one with that autumn sensibility that exudes comfort and warmth…and
duly stimulates the senses.
With this in mind, internationally regarded interiors expert Elaine
Williamson of Dallas-based Elaine Williamson Designs, an award-winning
luxury interiors group, offers these 10 fall design and décor trends and
tips:
1. Vintage accents. What’s old is new again. French-burlap is no
longer just for sack-racing. This Earth-friendly fiber is being utilized for chic
pillows imprinted with a vintage stamped design or even a family initial.
Accent chairs can also be seen covered in grey linen imprinted with vintage
“document” script writing. Vintage couture lamps (and their replicas) are
October 2010
utter perfection this year, especially those with milk glass and natural
material bases, drum shades, and antique brass finials. Aged, colorwashed wood accessories such as candlesticks, urns and bowls are
popular as oversized accessories to accent and update a time-worn
look.
2. Wallpaper! With a decreasing demand for faux finishes and walls
painted in solid primary colors, wallpaper is making a comeback in a big
and decidedly fashionable way. From bright and bold to subdued and
elegant, today’s wallpapers are easy to apply and even easier to
remove, making updating the seasonal look of a room easier than ever
before. There are a seemingly endless number of choices from solids
to patters, and everything in between.
3. Timeless art. When shopping for items to occupy wall space,
ditch the quick fix, “matchy-matchy” picture. Art doesn’t have to be
expensive but it should certainly have meaning. Buy what you love. Mix
mediums and styles. To add depth and character to your pieces, forego
the glass cover that can be distracting and casts a glare that actually
detracts from your interior design. Remember…if you love it, it works!
4. Elemental color. While neutrals have made a strong showing in
design this year for primary design elements like walls and baseline
furnishings, boldly colored accent pieces give a space visual interest
and appeal. Brightly colored and/or patterned pillows, rugs and other
accessories will bring an otherwise bland space to life. Of course, these
accessories can be readily transitioned to exude the spirit of a given
season.
5. Space simplification. With a strong desire to ease and
reprioritize our homes and lifestyles, de-cluttering – even with respect
to editing down furnishings and accessories - is the best way to gain
control of your surroundings and feel a refreshed sense of purpose. It
is very important to streamline not only the lines of your furniture, but
the bulkiness as well. But, this does not mean giving up comfort for
style. Many times we place too many items in a room by way of
accessories, pillows, throw rugs, and family photos. Pick and choose
very carefully the most important items and then pare down from there.
There is brilliance in restraint.
6. Rug rage. There has never been a more exciting time than now in the
area rug industry. Whatever style, shape, and design you can imagine is
within your reach. Even if a space has wall-to-wall carpeting, place an area
rug to establish a layered look and add depth and personality to a room
and also tie in other disparate color components. A rug’s color palette and
pattern can easily establish the desired style and tone of a season.
7. Bed basics. Bedding has also changed this year. The pomp and
circumstances of overstuffed pillows that seem to multiply in the night are
out. Way out. Exquisite, neutral colored linens are in, especially when
paired with a luxurious top blanket and a clean lined duvet. For those who
desire more color that’s representative of fall or any other season, indulge
in two medium sized pillows placed in front of each sham.
8. Pillow talk. Today’s pillow designs offer an array of textures, colors,
shapes, sizes and accents, and can completely transform a room’s
aesthetic. Accordingly, pillows have become the ultimate interior design
accessory, especially since they are so versatile. Choose an assortment of pillows
for the spring and summer and other set for the fall and winter. This is an easy
way to seasonally transition a room in an easy and budget-friendly way.
9. Window treatments. While many love luscious fabrics, an overuse of
material on your windows can quickly overpower an otherwise streamlined room.
Linen panels are now very trendy since they beautifully outline and soften
windows. This classic and timeless fabric is now available in a staggering array
of colors to coordinate with any interior palette.
10. Brass. Yes, brass is back but a bit older and wiser. Antiqued brass and even
antiqued gold have both made a large comeback on everything from drapery
rods, to cocktail tables, to door and cabinet knobs to décor figurines. The light
reflecting surface of brass adds warmth, glow and movement to a space and,
thus, is perfect in a room with a fireplace.
(presented by Elaine Williamson of Elaine Williamson Designs)
WEST HILLS ELECTRIC
Fred Mack II
(412) 860-7318
October 2010
45
46
Home Improvement & Fix-Up Section Sponsors
MTO Clean - Murray Construction - Richard Felser Advantage Heating & Cooling - Total Home Renovations
West Hills Electric - Cool Home Remodeling - Comfort Tech Frametech
Murray Construction is a family owned and operated home improvement business
with over 35 years of experience. Operated by a father and his sons, Murray
specializes in residential remodeling and new construction that includes: Kitchens,
Bathrooms, Decks, Porch/patio roofs, Screen/sun rooms, Finished basements and
game rooms, Home Theatre rooms, Sound Studios and soundproofing, Custom built
in shelving and carpentry. Murray is a registered Home Improvement Contractor with
the PA Office of the Attorney General (PAOAGHIC# PA008218). They are insured
and committed to total customer satisfaction. And, they can customize any job to
meet one’s desires and exceed one’s expectations. They can provide references
from many satisfied customers. Murray would appreciate the opportunity to talk with
you and give you a free estimate. They welcome you to view some of their many
projects on their Web site or Facebook page.
Cool Home Improvements is locally owned by Bob Cool of Clinton. Bob has
dedicated 34 years of his life to home improvements and the satisfaction of his
clients. The majority of our clientele is received from referrals of past clients. We
offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our work. Our team of professionals
can assist the home owner with design concepts to best suit the needs of the home
owner. If you depend on consistent quality, and professional design options, you will
feel confident knowing that your job is being handled by our experienced staff of
carpenters, electricians, and fabricators. We will ensure that your job is handled with
the highest regard. Every job is important to Cool Home Improvements, big or small
we can handle you home improvement needs. Our company specializes in
bathrooms, kitchens, game-rooms, siding, soffit & fascia, roofing, or that special
customized project.
MTO Clean of Allegheny County is locally owned and operated by John and
Marilyn Walters. We provide residential, office, commercial, construction, move-in,
and move out cleans. Additionally, power washing services are available. MTO
personalizes all services to meet your cleaning needs whether you are looking for a
regularly scheduled weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or one time clean, or, you need a
spring or fall clean. We send one maid to one home. MTO is fully insured and
bonded and we provide all the cleaning supplies. Gift Certificates are always
available. You can receive a complimentary estimate at (412) 809-9300 or
allegheny@mtoclean.com.
Imperial area resident Charles Selinsky announces his new construction company,
Total Home Renovations. Born and raised in Imperial, Charles built his own
home from the ground up in the Clinton area nine years ago. Prior to starting his
new company, Charles accumulated more than 20 years of experience working for
Wyndham Construction, Ryan Homes, and Mid-State Builders. He offers potential
customers the opportunity to receive a free estimate He has available photos of
his work and can also provide references. Among the projects Charles can provide
are decks, additions, gamerooms, bathrooms, kitchens, roofs, ceramic and
hardwood floors, electrical, and plumbing. He holds a license from the State of
Pennsylvania. Call (724) 899-3726 or (412) 953-4743.
October 2010
To Fix or Not to Fix?
Many minor or cosmetic repairs are inevitable when
preparing to sell your home here in the Pittsburgh area.
Such projects are usually inexpensive and don’t require
much time or effort. But what about the bigger repairs
going beyond the aesthetic but not approaching the level
of health or safety hazards?
Whether or not you “take care of business” before
listing your home depends on the market situation, and a
full time professional real estate agent can advise you on
whether or not the repairs will benefit your sale time and
price.
In a “hot” market like the mid 2000’s, you may not
need to take much action, but in today’s buyer’s markets;
you must make the repairs just to compete. First-time
buyers and those with busy schedules won’t even
consider a home in need of repairs they simply don’t
have the time or inclination. Condition is everything in
today’s market, and experience proves that the homes in
the best condition sell faster and for a higher price.
Anticipate the inspection report – most home sales
include a clause that allows the buyers to withdraw their
offer if the inspection report is unsatisfactory or needed
repairs are left unfinished. If they don’t back out, the
buyers will offer significantly less money in anticipation of
their repair time, costs and inconvenience.
If you’re in a lower end market, over-improvement can
be an issue you want to avoid, but most sellers realize
that “new” or “newly replaced” will be music to most
buyer’s ears, so play on!
(presented by Bob Miller, Howard Hanna Real Estate)
New Theatre Opens in West End
In an effort to provide a theater laboratory for the student performers at
Pittsburgh Musical Theater (PMT) and Robert Morris University (RMU) and as
an adjunct to PMT's 20th anniversary season, Ken Gargaro, founder of PMT
and coordinator of theatre at RMU, announced that a new theatre venue
located in the West End of Pittsburgh would begin operation this season.
It has been christened the Little Victorian Theatre because it was built in
that fashion at the turn of the century. Formerly the St. James School, it has,
in recent years, under the name of the James Centre, housed the PMT
studios on the top floor and a banquet facility in the theatre on the first floor.
Banquets will continue be booked in the space, but a portion of the
schedule will be devoted to offering theatrical performances of an edgier kind
that will be appealing to young audiences. Some of the titles being considered are: Toxic Avenger; Cannibal the Musical; Life Is a Drag, Celebrities in
Their Own Words, and other legit shows that are not usually programmed in
Pittsburgh that will work well in the 299-seat space.
“In a challenging economy, instead of ducking and running, it makes sense
to focus our mission around the students and innovate artistically for the long
term,” said Gargaro.
Gargaro plans to involve students not only in performance but to encourage them to helm the artistic aspects of production-design, direction,
marketing and producing–with faculty supervision.
Said Gargaro, “The hope is to draw a diverse crowd comprised mainly of
young professionals.”
More information is available at (412) 397-5454.
NEW IN TOWN
Freedom Fellowship of Pittsburgh
Freedom Fellowship of Pittsburgh Church announces its new location at 140
East Main Street in Carnegie. The church opened its doors in October 2006.
Leading the church is Pastor Deborah Roden. Prior to joining Freedom
Fellowship, she was the assistant pastor at Inner City Church.
“We at FFOP want people to know that in this day and age we are living in there
is something beyond the news. We are a Christian organization that knows God is
not mad at us. God loves us and when we know we are loved we can reign in this
life,” Pastor Roden said.
Freedom Fellowship holds services on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. for both adults and
youth. There is also a children’s service. A nursery is available.
On one Saturday each month, the church holds Super Saturdays for youth ages
4-12, and on one Friday each month, game night is offered for women. Men’s
activities such as bowling and the shooting range are also offered on one
Saturday each month.
For more information about Freedom Fellowship of Pittsburgh, call (412) 7872393. Visit the Web site at www.ffop.org.
STORY AND PHOTO
SUBMITTED BY ERMA DODD
Deemed #1 Fan of the Air Show
RIGHT: front,
Kindred staff
Kathy Peck
and Carrie
Allen, William
Brooks,
Kindred staff
Kristen Allen
and Kristen
Comport;
back, several
flight crew
members with
Lt. Col. Dave
Kraft, second
from right, and
Major Ed
Jackson, right.
McDonald resident and Air Force veteran, William Brooks, was deemed the
#1 Fan of the Air Show held last month at the 911th Airlift Wing. He had a
front row seat as he watched from the sixth floor of Kindred Hospital.
The week before, U.S. Air Force Major Ed Jackson was on a mission to “pay it
back.” Jackson’s wife’s grandmother had been so well cared for at Kindred, he
wanted to do something to show the family’s appreciation.
Knowing both men, Jim Malady asked the major to stop in and see William
Brooks. Imagine their conversation when Major Brooks told William he had
recently returned from one of his many missions in and over Afghanistan.
William was thrilled.
Then Friday, the day before the air show, after a morning of flying and
practicing for the air show, another surprise awaited William. In their flight
uniforms, Major Jackson, Lt. Colonel Dave Kraft, and three more crew members
paid a visit to William’s room. The Kindred staff shared in his excitement.
Each of the five officers presented a commemorative coin and then they
presented William with a leather flight jacket bearing his name.
DEADLINE FOR THE HOLIDAY ISSUES
SERVING WEST ALLEGHENY,
MOON & MONTOUR:
October 30
CALL: (724) 695-3968 or
e-mail: alleghenywestmagazine@comcast.net
for this year’s incredible holiday rate package!
Needless to say, it made the day for William.
Saturday was the airshow. William’s wife and family were also at the front row
window, watching. His grandchildren were standing on their parents’ laps, one
watching through binoculars. And their cassette recorder was playing “God
Bless America.”
Merri Conway, nursing supervisor at Kindred, visited his room. She said, “it
touched me so much I had to leave and go have a cr y.”
Williams slept well that night with his flight jacket under his pillow.
October 2010
47
Port Authority Route Changes Outlined in a
Helpful Brochure by ACTA
“Commuting in the Airport Corridor,” a colorful, easy-tounderstand brochure, outlines in both text and diagram
format the changes to bus service that were made in the
airport corridor in early September. Additionally, ACTA has
produced a second brochure of the same, “Just in Time: Ride
ACTA” which describes its FREE shuttle service (see bus
below), originating from IKEA in Robinson Town Center. The
Ride ACTA shuttle bus offers two convenient routes. One
serves the West Busway Carnegie Station to Penn Center
West and back. The other route serves the Robinson retail
district as well as the RIDC Park West complex, the Marriott,
FedEx Ground, GlaxoSmithKline, and Settlers Ridge.
Visit Ride ACTA for more
information at
www.rideacta.org or call
1-888-600-1100.
other place to stay,
Call the ACTA office at
cause
family
the
number,Alli’s
below,host
for
not
at
home,
all
3
of us
copies of these
brochures.
slept on Alli’s king size
bewas
bed
under the net. We
Robinson
Plaza
Two,
Routetogetherness.
60 & Park Manor Drive
actually didn’t do too badly. It was great
Suite
PA 15205
(412) 809-3505,
July 22, On
the420,
wayPittsburgh
out of Sasina,
we stopped
at PuiFax: (412) 809-3509
www.acta-pgh.org
Pui’s home to take pictures. Rusty and I received gifts
from her of ie lava lavas. These are a 2 yard piece of
fabric that everyone wears tied around the waist. This
was very touching. We exchanged kisses and said our
good-byes. We headed to the Canopy Walk. The walk
consisted of climbing up what we would call a fire
tower. Then we had to walk on a board that had wires
strung along it on both sides and netting on the sides
Expires 10/31/10
and below, several feet up in the air to the next stop. It
was very scary to me because half way across, it
began to sway. I held on tight! At the other side, you
start climbing very steep steps that wrap around the
largest tree I have ever seen. If you have seen Avatar,
this is the tree of souls! We went up about 50 meters.
At the top was a platform that we could see, I think,
the whole island! Going down we had even steeper
steps. We made it all the way down without having to
do the swinging walk, thankfully. Of course, Alli chose
to anyway. Afterwards, we all went to see Spencer’s,
another PC, project of aquaponics at the farthest west
point on the island. We were staying at Va’i Maona, a
beach resort. Our room was right on the ocean. Took a
swim. A PC, Matt who lives near there, joined us and
stayed for dinner in the restaurant. Before dinner, he
and Alli hung out playing house guitars. Some of the
staff sang and played guitars after dinner.
48
October 2010
PATTERSON HOPES FOR ANOTHER SHOT AT BIGS
Scott Patterson, Oakdale’s link to professional baseball, capped a season
at Class AAA Tacoma in the Pacific Coast League by being selected to play in
the league’s All-Star game. Scott, 31, was instrumental in helping the Rainers
to capture the Pacific Coast League Northern Conference Championship as a
late inning reliever. He had a regular season record of 2-1 with an ERA of
2.67 and six saves in 33.2 innings while appearing in 29 games.
Scott became the first ever former West Allegheny baseball player to make
it to the major leagues in June 2008 when the New York Yankees called him
up. He appeared in one game with the Yankees but a bout with pneumonia
weakened his performance capabilities and he was claimed off waivers by
The San Diego Padres that September. He appeared in two games with the
Padres before a back injury almost ended his career two weeks later.
After recovering from the back injury, Scott played winter league baseball
south of the border and spent the 2009 season bouncing up and down the
Pacific coast optioned out to class AAA teams. Since 2006 he has been
affiliated with six major league organizations, including the Yankees, San
Diego, Oakland Raiders, Boston Red Sox, and the Seattle Mariners. His
numbers this year at Tacoma will probably get him another shot at the
majors. Meantime he will put in another year of winter ball in Venezuela.
An avid hunter, Scott and his wife, Niki, live in Pike County, Illinois, where he
has property that he plans to turn into a hunting lodge that features guided
tours.
Scott visits home in Oakdale as often as his schedule will allow. His dad,
Bob, is looking forward to making the trip to hunt this fall on Scott’s grounds.
ACES IN THE HOLE
Add Chris Nardi and Joe Sladick to Golf’s elite list of ace makers. Nardi
made his second career hole in one at the 17th hole at the Ponderosa Golf
Club on September 13. His partners were D. Dinino and Tom Presutti. Nardi
made his first hole in one 11 years ago, also at the Ponderosa.
Sladick can no longer be considered the best golfer from Imperial never to
have made a hole in one. Never mind that he has matured to the point where
he now sometimes plays from the senior tees.
Sladick aced the 147-yard second hole at Reserve Run Golf Course in Ohio
on August 23. Witnesses to the event were Joe’s playing partners that day,
Jim Bernard, Don Henry, and former North Fayette Township Police Chief Mike
Smith.
VOLLEYBALL LOOKING FOR THREE-PEAT
The West Allegheny girls volleyball team has compiled a winning percentage
of .863 over the past four years prior to this season. In that span, the team
won 69 games and lost only 11 while winning a State Championship in 2006
and back-to-back WPIAL titles in 2008 and 2009.
Despite having only four returning seniors in their starting rotation of nine
after losing Koren Wengryn, Jaimie Borchart, Haley Hanzar, Alexa Seybold,
Angela Devereaux, and Chelsea Katkich to graduation, the Indians were preseason favorites to three-peat in the WPIAL. They were ranked number one
at the start of this season despite having a new head coach. Brian Begor is
the fourth Indian varsity volleyball head coach in five years.
The "Terrific 21" Girls Volleyball Program All-Stars versus the Ohio
District One All-Stars is Sunday, November 28, 4 p.m., at Bishop
Canevin High School. Tickets prices are $8 for 18 and over, $4 for
students under 17, and $3 for each youth group member who attends
the event with (10) or more players in their group. Tickets will be
available at the door. For more details, contact Jonathan Whaley via
e-mail at stwjwhaley@comcast.net or call (724) 289-8376.
The four returning seniors are Carissa Miara, Katelinn Long, Jess Borrella,
and Lindsay Keeley. Miara already has a scholarship to IUP.
Also in the starting rotation mix are juniors Jaclyn Placha, Morgan Seybold,
Barele Lesko, Emily Murn, and Kaci Vandergrift.
IT’S A GENE THING
For years, Hankey Farms resident Chuck Singiser was a regular on Saturday
mornings at Blackhawk Golf Course. Chuck’s knowledge of the course must
have rubbed off on his grandson, Chris, who is a sophomore on the West
Allegheny golf team.
Chris Singiser shot a career high -- one under par 71 -- to win the WPIAL
Division I Section 5 qualifying tournament that was held at Blackhawk on
September 20.
“Winning the sectional has to be the biggest win so far for Chris,” says his
dad, Mark, who is a member at Quicksilver Golf Club, which is also the home
course for West Allegheny.
Singiser and five of his teammates advanced to the Division 1 play-offs that
culminate in an individual championship on October 6 and a team championship tournament on October 14. The WPIAL champions advance to the PIAA
semi-finals to be held later in October.
In the sectional qualifier, WA junior Garrett Browning, the defending state
champion, tied for second with an even par 72. Other Indians that shot 80 or
better to qualify were Donnie Hall, 75; Matt Kocher, 78; Tyler Cherilla, 79; and
Alex Reilly, 80.
The Indians followed up their dominant showing at the Individual Sectionals
by repeating as Midwestern Athletic Conference Champions two days later at
Fox Run Golf Course. Browning led the Indians with a 74. Singiser had a 76
and Reilly had a 77 as the Indians amassed 227 team points for the win.
ABOVE: The Pittsburgh Spirit 12U Gold team compiled a 51-5-1 record, complete with 5 championships and three runner-up titles, during the summer
2010 fast-pitch softball season. In addition, the team placed third in the PONY Nationals tournament. Spirit 12U Gold posted a 7-2 record falling to
eventual champion Michigan Finesse, 6-3, in the semifinals. Played in Cary, North Carolina, the PONY Nationals featured 38 teams from 20 different
states including Florida, North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Delaware, Connecticut and
Michigan. Spirit 12U Gold produced championships in the ASA Spring Explosion in Garrettsville, Ohio; NSA Diamond Dogs tournament in Peninsula,
Ohio; NSA IUP Showcase; NSA Firecracker Showcase in Zelienople; and NSA Blast in the Burgh in Monroeville as well as runner-up acclaim in the
PONY Northern Virginia Shootout in Winchester; NSA state championships in Penn Trafford and NSA Lou Gehrig Lady Lasers event in Amherst, N Y.
Pictured from left to right are (front row) Heather Mueller, Ashley Brady, Alayna Jones, Molly Welsh, Taylor DiPerna and Tara Lesick. Middle: Niki
Orzechowski, Laura Cotter, Makayla Shore, Kelly Haslett, Emily Quinn and Brooke Bagnell. Back: Don Brady, Greg DiPerna, Jim Welsh and Doc
Quinn.
October 2010
49
Preparing the Soil for Fall
Fall is the perfect time to prepare your soil for the spring
planting season. Begin by testing your current soil for soil pH and
a breakdown of available nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium.
Most plants like a soil pH between 6.5 and 7.5 but some plants
like more acidic soil so consider what you will be planting before
adding things to your soil. The nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium,
and mineral needs of individual plants also vary so be sure to
research your plant’s needs before amending your soil.
Once you have tested your soil and conducted your research on
the nutritional needs of your individual plants you may find that
you have to raise (make the soil more alkaline) or lower (make
the soil more acidic) your soil pH. To raise the pH add dolomite
limestone or wood ashes. To lower your soil pH, add sulfur.
To address your plant’s nutritional needs you may need to add
several things to the soil. If you need to enrich your soil’s
To learn more about the
North Fayette Garden
Club, call (724) 693-8413.
50
October 2010
nitrogen content, add animal manure or consider planting some
green manures (also called cover crops). Be careful to till fresh
animal manures into the soil in the fall in order to avoid burning the
roots of plants in your spring garden. If you choose to plant green
manures, consider planting crimson clover, winter rye, hairy vetch,
or a variety of legumes in the fall and tilling them into the soil in the
spring. Fall is also a great time to gather leaves and grass clippings
to till into your garden soil. These items will add beneficial microbial
properties to your soil.
If you find it necessary to increase the phosphorus content of
the soil, add colloidal phosphate, rock phosphate, or bone meal. To
increase potassium levels, add granite dust, green sand, or
langbeinite. Always follow label instructions on these products when
enriching/amending your soil. You can easily have too much of
something and this will negatively impact your plants.
presented by the
North Fayette Garden Club
Parkway West Career & Technology Center
Lincoln Electric Awards Portable MIG Welder to School
Lincoln Electric, a leader in the manufacture of top
quality welding equipment, donated three portable
MIG welders to the World of Wheels Custom Car Show
in January 2010. Due to the high level of participation of students from Parkway West Career &
Technology Center at the Lincoln Electric booth, the
Parkway Auto Body Repair program was awarded one
of the three welders.
Sean Ulanowicz, show chairman of World of Wheels,
delivered the welder to Mr. Todd Kieffer and Mr. David
Pallerino, instructors of the Auto Body Repair
program at Parkway West CTC on September 21. Mr.
Ulanowicz was representing Mr. David Daugherty, of
Lincoln Electric’s Aliquippa office.
According to Parkway West’s Auto Body instructors,
the MIG unit is one that is common in any full service
auto body shop. Basically, a MIG welder is used in
vehicle re-construction to weld body panels and
seams and to replace factory spot welds after an
accident.
ABOVE: Students in the Parkway Auto Body Program with instructors Todd Kieffer, left, and David
Pallerino, right, and the welder the school received from Lincoln Electric.
October 2010
51
State Rep.Mark Mustio and State Senator John Pippy both offer a variety of resources, information, and
news items on their Web sites. Their site addresses are listed to the right.
The legislators will jointly host a senior expo on Thursday, October 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Crowne
Plaza Hotel in Moon Township. This is a free event.
Flu shots will be available. However, participants must call Rep. Mustio’s office in Moon Township at
(412) 262-3780 to schedule their timeslot, as spaces are limited.
Additionally, both Senator Pippy’s and Representative Mustio’s offices offer a wealth of resource information
that is available during office hours. Their offices are located in the office building behind the Hoss’s Steak
House in Moon Township. Elevator access is available to their offices on the second floor.
STATE SEN. JOHN PIPPY
1009 Beaver Grade Road,
Suite 210
Moon Township, PA 15108
(412) 262-2260
www.senatorpippy.com
jpippy@pasen.gov
STATE REP. MARK MUSTIO
1009 Beaver Grade Road,
Suite 220
Moon Township, PA 15108
(412) 262-3780
www.repmustio.com
News from Community College of Allegheny County
The Community College of Allegheny
County (CCAC)–West Hills Center will partner
with the Pittsburgh Regional Clean Cities
(PRCC), Three Rivers Clean Energy, and the
National Alternative Fuels Training
Consortium (NAFTC) to raise awareness and
foster a greater understanding of alternative fuels,
alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs), and advanced
technology vehicles as part of the DOE Clean
Cities Program’s Odyssey Day on Friday, October
15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is open to CCAC students
as well as the general public. The CCAC West Hills
Center is located at 1000 McKee Road, Oakdale.
The goals of Odyssey are to enhance understanding and enthusiasm regarding AFVs to
advance the nation’s economic, environmental and
energy security by supporting local decisions to
adopt practices that contribute to the reduction of
petroleum consumption and dependency on
foreign oil.
The CCAC–West Hills Center will offer hybrid
training classes in the spring. The CCAC Green
Institute programs will also be showcased during
Odyssey.
For more information, call Bob Koch, (412) 7887378 or Gretchen Mullin-Sawicki, (412) 3693616.
County (CCAC) now offers free training for
veterans in two healthcare-related fields.
The goal of the Veterans Health Career Education
Project is to train qualified veterans to become
certified paramedics or nursing assistants.
Through a grant from the U.S. Department of
Education, the training is free to honorably
discharged veterans and their spouses who are
currently unemployed, underemployed, or on
public assistance.
For those who may want to explore alternative
career opportunities, the CCAC Veterans Services
Center provides a variety of services and
education options to veterans. The Post-9/11 GI
Bill is in effect for a second year, giving those who
have served in the armed forces on or after
September 11, 2001 access to education benefits
and financial support in continuing their education. CCAC currently has over 500 veterans
utilizing their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits this year.
“Student veterans bring with them enthusiasm,
optimism and a host of complex social, family,
financial and educational issues,” related Donald
Wall, CCAC coordinator of Veterans Services. “It is
essential that community colleges understand the
profile of this student population and are
prepared to provide the necessary support and
services across campus to guide them as they
make the transition.”
In addition to offering education, workforce
training and business opportunities to veterans,
the CCAC Veterans Services Center also provides
academic advising, counseling, disability services,
financial aid and other support services. In 2008,
CCAC expanded the Online Early Intervention
program - a web-based system that allows faculty
members to refer struggling students for
assistance via a secure website—to include all
credit students. While only veterans themselves
can disclose their military status, the Early
Intervention program is an available resource
to all students who may need extra support.
For more information about the Health
Career Education Project please call
412.237.2560 or for CCAC Veterans Services,
please call 412.237.2635.
County (CCAC) is introducing a new online
Job Placement Assistance program this
fall for all residents of southwestern Pennsylvania interested in obtaining or changing jobs.
CCAC is providing this program as a free
service to the community.
Residents who may be interested will be able
to find solutions online to help them build job
searching skills, discover a new career path,
and identify job prospects. The program
services can be found at www.ccac.edu, where
individuals will find the CCAC Job Search
Manual and receive more information about
jobs, careers and searching strategies. They
will be able to review sample interview
questions and find links to other search
engines that provide local job postings.
Those that find this program useful may also
prepare and upload a resume online and
search through job postings from local
employers by creating an account at CCAC
College Central. Please visit
www.collegecentral.com/ccac to sign up.
WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED!
Since 1999, we have served the airport area. We publish three distinct community magazines,
all mailed free into the homes across 14 area communities, with 42,000 copies. To learn more
about our publications, call 724.695.3968 or visit our new Web site at:
www.alleghenywestmagazine.com.
52
October 2010
BUSINESS BRIEFS
Chef Jeff Moore, owner of A Taste for Something Moore, located in
Clinton, has recently updated his Web site, www.tastemoore.com.
PA Fitness West will open in January 2011 in the former Body Systems
Fitness center in Penn Lincoln Plaza in Imperial. The new fitness facility is the
result of a merging of services from Body Matrx in the RIDC Park West and
House of Fitness on Steubenville Pike in North Fayette.
The Archer’s Edge indoor archery center held its grand opening on
Hunting & Fishing Day, Saturday, September 1. The store is located at 7261
Steubenville Pike in North Fayette Township.
Papaya Asia Food has opened in the former location of Honey Baked Ham
on McHolme Drive near Panera Bread. The 60-seat restaurant features
Chinese and Thai food and includes a sushi bar.
Clearview® Federal Credit Union has merged with A-K Valley
Federal Credit Union. As a result of the merger, all of A-K Valley FCU’s
nearly 11,000 members automatically became members of Clearview. In
addition to A-K Valley FCU’s member base, they reported assets valued at
over $61 million as of June 30. Clearview will maintain A-K Valley FCU’s four
branches in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, bringing the credit
union’s total to 17 branches in Southwestern Pennsylvania. A-K Valley FCU
branches will continue to be staffed by the same employees who have
served their members for years.
Premier Boutique, a boutique store featuring Avon products, has opened
under the ownership of Joyce Shaffer. The store is located at the corner of
Clever Road and Silver Lane in Robinson Township. Joyce’s store is the only one
of its kind in the region, the closest being Erie and Philadelphia.
Selma’s Texas Barbeque has opened at 9155 University Boulevard in
Moon Township. The store is owned by David Brown, who formerly managed
the Chartiers Country Club in Thornburg.
Businesses: Ha
ded a Web site?
Havve You Mo
Movved? Ad
Added
Won an Awar
d? Expanded? Let us kno
w her
ard?
know
heree aatt
Alle
ghen
Alleghen
ghenyy West Ma
Maggazine: (724) 695-3968.
New Degree Program Offered
Mountain State University and Airline Transport Professionals (ATP) have
signed an academic services agreement to reflect a new bachelor’s degree
for aviation students, the Bachelor of Science in Airline Transport Professional Pilot Operations, with flight training being completed through ATP.
The program allows students to complete flight training through one of
ATP’s 22 locations across the country while attending college classes through
MSU. Approximately 16 months into the degree program, students will be
qualified to work as a flight instructor and begin working towards their total
flight experience time while also pursuing an airline-respected bachelor’s
degree. In addition to gaining the necessary FAA pilot certifications and flight
instructor certificates, students will develop skills in leadership, business and
management, communications, and aeronautics.
For additional information, call 800.255.2877.
The Cornerstone at Tonidale opens this month to the public. The
banquet facility has been completely revamped. The original banquet room at
the Tonidale and the adjacent restaurant have been fully renovated. The
original Tonidale Restaurant was owned by Richard Saveikis, who retired from
the business after his family had operated it since its original opening in 1952.
3 Sisters Spa Salon at 5022 Noblestown Road, Oakdale, held its open
house on October 8 and 9. The business offers hair care, manicures,
pedicures, tanning, massage, and other services.
Sturgeon VFD Purchases Canine Resuscitation Kits
With the help of a grant from the Pennsylvania American Water
Company, the Sturgeon Volunteer Fire Department recently
purchased 2 “Pet Resuscitation Kits.” These devices assist
firefighters and medical personnel in providing oxygen or
administering CPR to a pet if they are overcome by smoke at a fire
scene or involved in an accident. Each kit is made up of three
different size masks, one for cats, small dogs and large dogs.
Melanie Culley, EMS Coordinator and K-9 Officer for the Sturgeon
Volunteer Fire Department stated, “Pets become a very important
part of a family. Losing your house or personal belongings can be
devastating enough, but losing a pet can be additionally overwhelming.”
The kits were purchased from a vet hospital Arizona. Fire Chief
Craig Delaney said we would be running one kit on the QRS (Quick
Response Medical Vehicle) and the other would be placed on the
first out fire engine. He said the department has had several
incidents in the past where this equipment could have been
utilized.
The equipment has a special meaning to this department; they
are one of the few in Western Pennsylvania providing a K-9 Search
and Rescue Team, made up of several dogs and handlers.
The equipment has already been placed in service and all of the
department personnel have been trained. To see the Pet
Resuscitation Kits or their K-9 team dogs, contact the department
through their Web site at www.sturgeonvfd.org.
October 2010
53
54
October 2010
October 2010
55
Meeting Advertisity Head On
BY PAT JENNETTE
PHOTOS BY JJ
The journey to recovery can be slow ..
or it can open up doors of opportunity.
Matt Berwick chose the latter.
February 2003
“Come on, Matt, get up; quit fooling around”
were the words that resounded that fateful day of
February 1, 2003. That was the day that Imperial
resident Matt Berwick’s life changed in an instant.
Matt, always full of life and a prankster, slipped
from a railing at Valley Church while waiting to
go with a group of youths for what was to be a
fun skiing trip to Hidden Valley. Everyone around
him at that moment thought he was laying on the
ground making “snow angels.” Even his parents
insisted, “Come on Matt, get up off the ground,”
until Matt said, “I CAN’T MOVE..I’M
SERIOUS; I CAN’T MOVE.”
Then 15 years old, the life that Matt envisioned
for his future changed drastically. Now being
rushed to a hospital to have emergency intervention on his vertebrae, it seemed all too unreal.
He spent the next three months in intensive
rehab at Harmarville Rehabilitation Center. His
life had changed forever.
Life sometimes doesn’t go the way we plan it.
This talented teenager played soccer and loved
performing in school musicals. He even attended
Parkway West Career and Technology Center in
his sophomore year to take its Travel and Hospitality Program, thinking he could parlay his acting
talents into a career as the entertain-
ment director on a cruise ship.
His hopes and dreams began to melt away on that
fateful winter day.
Suddenly, Matt had to focus on the task at hand.
He spent the rest of his sophomore year trying to
regain his strength, getting used to being wheelchair-bound. He was now paralyzed in both legs
and had lost some motor movement of his arms and
hands.
Fortunately, Matt confronted his disability and
chose to forge on.
There are desperate times in one’s life where there
are angels along the way to help. Matt found some
of his angels in the people he met who had similar
physical problems, but they refused to let those
problems keep them down.
Coupled with the need to keep physically fit and
have some camaraderie with people facing similar
challenges, Matt joined the wheelchair rugby team.
There, he drew off the strength of those who chose
to fight. He also joined the Pittsburgh Curling
Club. While not nearly as intense as rugby, Matt
got to interact with individuals with and without
disabilities.
June 2005
It’s a standing ovation when Matt is helped across
the stage to receive his high school diploma. It had
been two long years to reach that
point. There wasn’t a dry eye in the
packed gymnasium as he held up his
diploma.
Fall 2005 to present
Matt decided to attend Point Park
University in downtown Pittsburgh
and pursue a major in Elementary
Education.
His parents, Kevin and Joanne
Berwick, who both work downtown, have been a constant force in
his educational career. At first, they
drove him into school every day
until he was able to obtain his
license.
“They have been wonderful and
ABOVE: West Allegheny alumnus Matt Berwick, Class of ‘05, seated in the back, center , with the students in Diane Wiechelt’s second grade class at
McKee Elementary where he is undertaking his student teac hing this semester.
so supportive of everything,” he says.
For the past four years, he has achieved so much already. Matt is
getting some strength back in his legs, he has gotten his driver’s
license, and he is on his third modified van that he drives himself.
It’s not a typical drive; Matt must get out of his wheelchair,
manipulate it into the van, drive to his destination, then retrieve the
wheelchair, get in it and get to where he needs to go. But he is a
determined young man.
And he does get around. His sports schedule is an endurance test
even for one without a disability.
“Sports keep me going, they help with my upper body strength,”
Matt explains. He practices rugby every Sunday from mid-September through mid-March, making the drive to Harmarville where
the team practices. He’s now a veteran player on the team. He also
travels to Slippery Rock, and even out of state, to play in the
tournaments.
Starting next month, he will start playing with the Pittsburgh
Curling Club on a regular basis at the RMU Island Sports Center.
It will be challenging because, he explains, “There are players
with and without disabilities and in ages ranging from 20 to 60
years old.”
August 2010
It’s a typical fall day in the classroom at McKee Elementary
School. Matt is in his final year at Point Park and doing his student
teaching right in his own back yard, at his alma mater -- West
Allegheny School District.
He is excited to have the opportunity to student teach in the
second grade at McKee Elementary under the tutelage of Diane
Wiechelt.
“I’m currently teaching math, spelling, and science (the students
were learning about frogs on this particular day).
Because of today’s technology in the classroom, teaching for
someone like Matt is a bit easier. No longer using the traditional
chalkboards that required standing in front of the class and
reaching up to write on the board with chalk, Matt can comfortably instruct the students from his seat, using a Smart Board. The
board also allows the children to interact with the material being
presented.
“The kids have been good,” he says. “It feels good to be back in
the district.”
Matt will move to Tom Hamm’s fifth grade class soon, and help
teach his students, until graduation from Point Park University in
December.
When asked what his long-range goals are, besides landing a fulltime teaching job, he says, “I think I’d like to pursue maybe further
education to get a certificate in technology, or a degree in adaptive
physical activity, so I can not only be a teacher, but a mentor to
others with disabilities.”
So, when on that cold February day seven years ago when Matt
was told to get up, quit fooling around, and get going, he obviously
was listening. But this 23-year-old young man has done it in a
much different way.
October 2010
57
BY PAT JENNETTE
PHOTOS BY G. PAUL DeBOR
Football Is Underway!
and it’s not just football this year ...
Attending a home football game to watch the W
est
West
Allegheny IIndians
ndians play has taken on a whole new meaning
this yyear
ear
olden K
nights
ear.. W
Wee’re talking about the G
Golden
Knights
par
achuting onto the field, the JJunior
unior R
OTC paying
parachuting
RO
tribute to local emer
gency rrescue
escue pr
essed in
dressed
emergency
prooviders and dr
unifor
ms of the same, football play
ers walking a ““special
special
uniforms
players
eek
” -- that home game
ar
“honorar
aryy
week
eek”
game’’s “honor
child of the w
captain,” -- onto the field befor
beforee each game, and police
officers pr
esenting a signed football to that special child.
presenting
But then again, this is W
est A
llegheny
West
Allegheny
llegheny,,
and W
A people do things in a special way
WA
way,, on a field
named after a special man.
If only the late Joe DeMichela could see it now, this spot here
on earth called the Joe DeMichela Stadium at West Allegheny
High School.
He would be proud.
Those who have been around the neighborhood for awhile,
whether having gone to school here since childhood, or having
put their roots down here a few decades ago, would remember
the infamous Joe DeMichela, West Allegheny’s former football
coach who also served as junior high principal from 1969-1977.
“Joe D” was also a teacher in the district, and held the
distinction of being one of just a few district employees to hold
40 years or more tenure. In fact, he served the district for 50
years. He also was an attendance officer during his years in the
district, and even worked in summer maintenance.
58
October 2010
Anyone who attends a West Allegheny High School football
game and gets a program will see prominently displayed at the
front of each year’s book a tribute to “Joe D” from his son,
Michael.
When the football field was dedicated in Joe’s name, it
became a place where students of all ages and all abilities took
part in activities ranging from competitions for Special
Olympics and playoff games, to powderpuff football games
that raise funds for community needs. It became the setting for
proud moms and dads walking their sons and daughters onto
the field for senior nights and the Little Indians testing the
waters for the first time in a football setting.
It’s become a field of dreams for many. It’s the way Joe D
would have wanted it.
OPPOSITE PAGE: Left, Students from the West Allegheny High School Junior R.O.T.C. carried the colors into the stadium to open the home
game against Central Valley. Each of the students wore the uniform representing a facet of those who protect our safety -- police, fire, EMS, and
military. Right, members of the Golden Knights parachutists hit their mark on the field before the game.
THIS PAGE: Top, Zach Wajda, center, is escorted onto the field prior to the game as honorary chairperson for the evening. He is escorted by
C.J. Revtai and Jesse Broda. Zach also got to wear player Mike Caputo’s shirt.
THIS PAGE: Bottom left, North Fayette Police Chief Jeff Falconer, Ron Beaumont, Zach Wajda, and Sergeant John Bates. Ron is helping to
coordinate the honorary captains for the games. Bottom, right, Mike Caputo, Aaron McKinney (wearing Mike’s shirt as honored player of the
week), C.J.Revtai, Jesse Broda, and Chris McGough, with Zach (front) and members of the Golden Knights.
October 2010
59
ar
ound yyour
our to
wn
around
town
Sam’s Club Cuts Ribbon for Renovated and Enlarged Addition
ABOVE: A crowd was on hand at the newly renovated and enlarged Sam’s Club at The Pointe at North Fayette, when the ribbon was cut, cake was
served, and dignitaries were on hand to applaud the store’s continued involvement in the North Fayette and surrounding neighborhoods. Sam Tyra,
store manager, also presented checks to a number of local community organizations as part of the celebration. Counterwise, from top left: Sam’s Club
associates, members of the Pittsburgh Airport Chamber of Commerce, and Sam Tyra officially cut the ribbon; the Robinson American Legion honor
guard led the opening of the ceremony and stand at attention during the presentations before the assembled guests; Sam’s Club associates cut the
official cake; a number of local dignitaries spoke and applauded the store for its continued growth and service.
News from Heritage Public Library
LIBRARY HOURS:
Mondays: 4-8
Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday: 12-8
Fridays: 10-2
Saturday: 10-4
PHONE: (724) 926-8400
www.heritagewpublib.org
60
Computer classes are being held at the library
on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants
are required to sign up in advance so the library
is prepared for the class. For details and the
types of computer activities being offered,
contact the library at (724) 926-8400.
Weight Watchers meets at the library on
Tuesdays starting at 6 p.m.
The Fall Auction is underway, and will continue
through October 30. Tickets for the drawing of
more than 24 items are available at the library - 3/$1 or 15/$5. There will also be a bake sale
on the day of the draw.
The library offers a community meeting room.
It is available for meetings and parties. Call to
inquire.
October 2010
The Friends of Heritage Public Library
want you to take a chance on their
BLACK FRIDAY RAFFLE!
A $10.00 donation ticket with
two numbers for the month of November!
Drawings are on the 7:00 pm
PA Daily Lottery.
Thursday, November 25 is worth
$750.00!!
Every day is a winner!
Tickets available at
Heritage Public Library
724-926-8400
Little Dribblers Program to Help
Youngsters with Basketball
North Fayette resident Tony Castelluci is sponsoring a Little Dribblers 2010
clinic for youngsters this fall at Donaldson Elementary School.
Tony is also a teacher at West Allegheny High School, where he works with
students with special needs.
The program will teach children how to improve their ball handling and
dribbling skills. The children will practice in two age levels -- grades 1 through 3
and grades 4 through 6. Practices will be held on Tuesdays from October
through December 7. Grades 1-3 will practice from 6 to 7 p.m.; grades 4-6 will
practice from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Cost of $60 per child includes all practices
sessions, a t-shirt, and basketball.
Following the practice sessions, the dribblers will have the opportunity to
perform at the West Allegheny Boys’ Tip-Off Basketball game on December 10.
For more information, contact Tony at (412) 787-5934.
Since 1999, we have served the airport area’s
churches with placement of a variety of
announcements, etc. over the years. Keep in mind
the upcoming holiday season and send us your
news. Thank you!
October 2010
61
LEAF AND YARD WASTE COLLECTION
Findlay Township News
www.findlay.pa.us
Chapman Commerce Center has begun construction of Phase I-A off of
the Westport Interchange of the Findlay Connector. Phase I-A will comprise
a reconfiguration of Westport Road to a Boulevard entrance into the site and
prepare 64 acres for commercial development of industrial and flex space
buildings.
Sun Ridge has begun to install utilities and the roadway for Phase I of the
residential planned development off of Birch Street in Imperial. Phase I will
have 22 single family dwellings.
Findlay Township plans to design and build a new fire station for the
Imperial Volunteer Fire Company. The new station will be located on a lot
on Pine Street in Imperial which was donated by the township. It would replace
the current station on Main Street, also in Imperial. The township approved a
five-year, $125,000 loan to pay for the design of the new station, and other
related items.
The firefighters have operated out of their current location for 85 years.
The fire department also has substations on Aten Road in Westbury and on
Matchette Road in Clinton.
In a continuing effort to comply with PA Department of Environmental
Protection regulations, Findlay Township will provide SEPARATE PICK-UP
OF LEAF AND YARD WASTE ON TWO (2) SATURDAYS THIS FALL. This
is being done as an effort to reduce use of landfill space for these
materials. Leaf and yard waste collection will occur on Saturday,
November 6 and 20. During these separate collections, material must
be placed in paper (30 gallon) biodegradable bags only and put at
curbside before 6 a.m. that day. Limbs and branches are to be bundled
and are not to exceed 3 inches in diameter and 36 inches long. Waste
Management, the Township's Contractor, will be doing the collection.
LEAF BAGS CAN BE PURCHASED AT MOST HARDWARE STORES (HOME
gs
DEPOT, LOWES, IMPERIAL HARDWARE ETC.). Do not use plastic ba
bags
since the
theyy ar
aree not biode
biodeggrada
adabble
le..
Another option for addressing disposal of Leaf Yard Waste is backyard
composting. Composting is the natural decomposition of organic
materials into a form that returns nutrients to the earth and allows for
better soil aeration. Findlay Township strongly encourages the practice
of backyard composting. Composting workshops sponsored by the
Penn State Cooperative Extension are held seasonally. Call (724) 7743003. In the Spring of 2011, Findlay will schedule a Saturday for
Yard Waste collection.
www.north-fayette.com
FROM THE POLICE CHIEF
North Fayette Township News
Facebook can be a wonderful and useful source of information; but it can
also lead to unwarranted concerns due to unsubstantiated misinformation.
To that end, the North Fayette Police Department is in the process of
establishing its own Facebook site to inform residents of current concerns
and issues. It will also contain an anonymous “Tip” line for residents to
report your concerns.
In addition to Facebook, the department is discussing the feasibility of a
Citizens Emergency Notification System with a number of companies which
would deliver a voice, email, or text message or notification via cable to
resident’s phones and computers.
On August 31, North Fayette Township Police Department responded to a
“Home Invasion Robbery” on Green Meadow Drive in Walden Woods. Over
the next several days, Police Chief Jeffrey Falconer spoke with numerous
residents concerning this incident as well as other alleged “home invasions”
in North Fayette Township.
All concerns seemed to be generated through Facebook among the
neighbors and residents of this community.
Chief Falconer notes that, there has been only one reported “home
invasion” and, by the victims own statement, he was targeted. There have
been no other random home invasion robberies.
Chief Falconer also reminds residents to lock their vehicles at night.
Unlocked vehicles are easy targets for the criminal wishing to take GPS
units, iPods, cameras, lap tops, and CD’s, even as it sits in your driveway.
He said, “It takes the thief only seconds to enter your vehicle and take
what they want. It takes you less time to lock the vehicle or remove these
valuable items from your vehicle.”
“If you have any concerns, please fill free to call me at the police
department at (412) 787-8900, or stop one of our police officers.”
The Tonidale Bridge replacement project is underway. Traffic is
being detoured for those traveling Montour Church Road at the Tonidale
exit. Traffic on Route 22-30 is being funneled into a single lane, and traffic
delays may be possible during the bridge project.
62
October 2010
Patrick Felton was hired as the new public works director in North
Fayette. He will work with Vic Rogale during the transition of Vic’s
retirement, and will assume all responsibilities thereafter.
REAL ESTATE TAX RELIEF PROGRAMS
Did you know that the township and Allegheny County offer tax relief
programs for qualifying residents?
Allegheny County offers the Act 50-Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion.
Under this program, the initial $15,000 in assessed value of each owner
occupied property, and certain farmstead properties, within the county are
exempt from county real property taxation. If you have filed for this
exemption, there is no need to do it again. Call (412) 350-4100.
Both the township and county also offer Act 77-Senior Citizen Property
Tax Relief Programs. Qualified applicants are entited to a flat 30% discount
from the county (25% from the township) of the real estate tax on their
primary residence for each year they are eligible. Qualifications are: 1) must
have owned and occupied a primary residence continuously for the past ten
years; must be 60 or older, or if married, either spouse must be 60, or may
be a widow or widower age 50 to 60 years, or may be permanently disabled
and age 18 to 60; gross household income must be $30,000 or less.
(excludes up to 50% of certain incomes).
For more details and applications, call (412) 350-4600, or contact Tom
Falcioni at the township tax office at (724) 693-9366.
Grant Gives McDonald Borough Storefronts New Facelifts
PHOTO BY JJ
A new face on buildings and places is in progress in downtown McDonald.
The Facade Improvement and Parking Lot projects were initiated, explained Tim
Thomassy of McDonald Borough Council, on the recommendation of a formal
downtown redevelopment study that the borough completed in 2006 by a
professional urban renewal consulting company, Mullin and Lonergan Associates,
Inc.
Tim said the company recognized the borough’s downtown commercial district
for its significant historic architecture, efficient layout, and future commercial
Oakdale Borough
Oakdale Borough has received a $40,000 grant for the
beautification and development into a parklet of the
empty lot in the downtown area where Boock’s Bar was
formerly located. The borough purchased the vacant land for
$10,000.
Sprout, the organization that provided the artist for the
mural, pictured, right, will host a dedication of the lighted
mural and greenery in the park on Saturday, November 27 at
7 p.m.
This will coincide with the borough’s Light-Up Night
event that same evening.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
potential. The study also identified the need for some cosmetic improvements and
sprucing up the storefront facades.
“The bridge repair projects are part of our ongoing community infrastructure
improvement program,” Tim noted of the Arabella Street Bridge replacement and
the School Street Bridge repair.
Five property owners were awarded funds to improve the facades of seven
buildings from the grant monies totaling $45,000. Total costs for the seven
projects was estimated at $145,000.
A $30,000 grant was awarded from the state Department of Community and
Economic Development, which represented monies from the Meadows Casino
local share account program. McDonald Borough provided another $15,000 for
the program.
A number of prominent and historic buildings in the community will receive a
new facelift as a result. They include the Pitt Hotel, the Cook and Shane
Buildings, the former Murphy 5 & 10, China Dragon, Gladden Building, and
Municipal Place.
In total, these buildings house 17 different store fronts. Work is underway on
some of the facades, including the former Murphy 5 & 10 building owned by
Dale Csonka, pictured, left.
Tim said it is anticipated that the facade improvement projects will be
complete by the end of this calendar year.
In addition to the facade and bridge improvement programs, McDonald
received a separate local share account grant from casino money to purchase
a large undeveloped lot in the middle of the downtown commercial district. The
lot sits between Barr and O’Hara Streets. Once the design is complete, the lot
will be constructed next spring, and hopefully be available to the general public
by summer of 2011.
“The parking lot was also identified by the study (by Mullin and Lonergan
Associates, Inc.) as a strong need in the downtown area to provide easy to
reach public parking for potential customers,” Tim explained.
By the end of 2011, McDonald’s downtown district will be more accessible
with new or renovated bridges and a public parking lot, and with a more
pleasing exterior presentation that will hopefully encourage more customers to
enjoy the downtown shopping ambiance.
Oakdale Borough will hold its annual leaf pick up on the
following dates: Wednesday and Thursday, October 27 and
28, Wednesday and Thursday, November 10 and 11.
Residents are reminded to rake their leaves to the curbs;
and keep the height reasonable. No bags are needed. Long,
narrow piles are easier for the maintenance department to
pick up.
www.oakdaleborough.com
October 2010
63
October is
Pennsylvania
Chamber Recogni
tion
Month
Coming Up . . .
October 14
BizBlast@Noon, Cornerstone at Tonidale,
11:45 am – 1:30 pm
October 20
Core Four Business Planning Course
Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of
Commerce – Carnegie Location
6 – 9 pm
October 28
3
Look for
the
Chamber
on
Facebook,
Twitter, 1
and
LinkedIn
4
5
2
ABOVE: Chamber Ambassadors welcome members who have reached membership milestones.
1) Bayer, 30 years; 2) Greater Pittsburgh Business Connection, 20 years; 3) State Representative
Mark Mustio, 5 years; 4) Doubletree Pittsburgh Airport, 4 years; 5) Embassy Suites, 20 years.
Welcome
New
Members
64
ADP, Inc.
Baby Boomers & Beyond Realty
Bean Counters Tax & Accounting Service
Compuwiz, Inc.
ConCorrx Holdings (medical services)
Courtyard by Marriott-Settlers Ridge
October 2010
Ditto Document Solutions
Edible Arrangements
Eyetique
Interactive Swim
Mattress Discounters
Mutual of Omaha - Ernie
Faulds
New York Life Insurance John W. Cucarese
The Winery at Wilcox
Visual Spotlight
Wrecking Crew Media
Breakfast Briefing - Economic Forecast
Radisson Hotel - Pittsburgh
7 - 9:30 am
To Reach Us
850 Beaver Grade Rd., Moon Twp., PA 15108
Phone: (412) 264-6270
Fax: (412) 264-1575
Satellite Office:
One Veteran’s Way, Carnegie PA 15106
Phone: (412) 276-1414 x1326
www.paacc.com E-Mail: info@paacc.com
Serving These Areas
Aliquippa, Ambridge, Carnegie, Clinton, Collier,
Coraopolis, Crafton, Crescent, Edgeworth,
Findlay, Glenfield, Greentree, Haysville,
Heidelberg, Hopewell, Ingram, Kennedy,
Leetsdale, McDonald, McKees Rocks, Moon
Township, Neville Island, North Fayette,
Oakdale, Osborne, Pennsbury Village,
Robinson, Rosslyn Farms, Sewickley, Stowe,
and Thornburg
Chamber Officers
SEAN HENDERSON, Chairman
GLENN LYTLE, 1st Vice-Chair
BERNADETTE PUZZUOLE, 2nd Vice-Chair
JOHN DALEY, Vice-Chair
RONALD PASIC, Treasurer
DR. NEAL FANELLI, Immed. Past Chairman
Chamber Staff
Sall
Sallyy HaasHaas-President
helle Kr
eutz
er
Michelle
Kreutz
eutzer
er-- VP, Business Dev. & Mktg.
Mic
Tamm
ynnynn-Bookkeeping
ammyy LLynnCase
Caseyy Maha
Mahavv enen-Special Events Rep.
Connie RRuhluhluhl-Special Projects Coordinator
Amber Bee
el-Communications Coord.
Beezz elea DeLor
enz
oAndr
Andrea
DeLorenz
enzoo-Membership Services
Jill Kipper
Kipper-- Special Projects Assistant
libr
ar
ws
librar
aryy ne
news
Birth-24 months with parent or caregiver. Delight and
stimulate your baby’s senses with books and music.
Build brain power! Mondays, 10:30 -11 a.m. through
October 25
PRE- K-KAPERS
Ages 4-6. Preschoolers: join us as we build pre-reading
skills and enjoy stories, crafts and fun! Tuesdays, 1:302:30 p.m. through October 19
BODIES IN MOTION
Ages 2 and up: join us as we wiggle, giggle, move and
groove! We’ll have stories, music, dancing….even
parachuting! Thursdays, 1:30- 2:30 p.m. through
October 21
TODDLER TALES
Ages 2 and 3 with parent/caregiver. Interact with your
toddler to nurture a love of books. Learn letters,
sounds, and new words. Be active with music and
movement. Mondays, 11:15 a.m.-12 p.m. through
October 25
CREEPY CRAFTERS
Creepy, crawly, lots of fun...it’s crafting time for
everyone!(All ages, little ones with a parent.) Wednesday, October 20, 6:45 p.m.
HALLOWEEN
SPOOKTACULAR!
Join us for ghastly goodies, spine-tingling tales, and
spooky fun! Costumes welcome! All ages! (Little ones
with a parent), Saturday, October 16, 1 p.m.
POP CULTURE
What’s the most popular pet in America? What color are
Spongebob’s square pants? Come whiz through our
quiz and see who will be the reigning queen or king of
pop culture! Ages 8 and up, Wednesday, October 13,
6:45-7:30 p.m.
GOING BATTY!
We’re batty with excitement to bring you a day filled with
freaky, creepy flying friends! Preschool/Kindergarten,
Friday, October 22, 10:30- 11:30 a.m. OR 1-2 p.m.
TEENS
Follow the WACL Teen Department (Grades 6 –
12) on Facebook (WACL Teens) for updates on the
latest books and programs OR www.freewebs.com/
waclteenscene.
ORIGAMI
Thursday, November 11, 6-7:30 p.m.
Practice the traditional Japanese art of paper folding,
origami. Make a variety of shapes, including paper
cranes, lilies, boxes and other forms.
CHRISTMAS CARDS
& DIY GIFTS
Thursday, December 2, 6-7:30 p.m. First, design a unique
Christmas card for residents of a local nursing home.
Then, create one-of-a-kind gifts for friends and family,
including photo magnets, an homemade message board
and others.
BOYS ONLY
TABLE FOOTBALL
Thursday, October 21, 6-7:30 p.m. Participate in some
lively table football using quarters. Think of a team name
and compete against others players following a bracket.
DESIGN YOUR
OWN COMIC BOOK
Thursday, November, 6-7:30 p.m.
Write and illustrate a comic book with exciting superheroes
and action-packed adventure
GIRLS ONLY
RE-FASHIONED T-SHIRTS
Thursday, October 14, 6-7:30 p.m. Need a use for a
favorite T-shirt that’s too small or old? Bring it and
transform it into an iPod or cell phone holder.
CUPCAKE QUEEN
COMPETITION
Thursday, November, 6-7:30 p.m. Try a hand at cake
decorating on cupcakes. The participant with the best
cupcake design will be crowned the Cupcake Queen.
Don’t forget to check out the monthly contests in the Teen
Department!
p.m. * Call the library for titles.
Wii WEDNESDAYS
October 27, 3:30-5 p.m.
November 17, 3:30-5 p.m.
December 8, 3:30-5 p.m.
Bring Wii games, rated T or less.
WISE WALK
W.A.C.L. & North Fayette Recreation invite you to
once again join us for a Wise Walk. Visit us every
Friday 10-11 a.m., report your steps, receive a
healthy snack, and discover great resources.
W.A.F.E.L.’s
FALL BOOK SALE
During Regular Library Hours – November 16 –
20. Titles available for both children and adults.
In addition to bestselling titles are audio tapes,
CDs, videos, DVDs, puzzles, and games.
FUNDRAISER
Macy’s Shop for a Cause Tickets on sale at the
library for $5. Tickets to be used @ Macy’s on
OCTOBER 16. Call the library for details.
LIBRARY IS
CLOSED:OCTOBER 11TH –
In Service Day
PHOTO BY JJ
BOOK BABIES
MAKE A SOCK MONKEY
FOR LOCAL HOMELESS
CHILDREN
In partnership with A.C.L.A. & THE SOCK CAMPAIGN “PUT
YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD” - The entire family is
welcome to participate in this great community service
project. Stop by between 11:00 a.m. and 2 p.m. to make a
sock monkey. Please provide one pair of socks per
person. For more information, contact Ms. Carrie at
(724) 695-8150
MOVIE NIGHTS
& FOOD DRIVE
Food Drive hosted by the W.A.C.L. Teen Advisory Board
(TAB) to benefit the West Allegheny Ministerial Association
Food Pantry. TAB will be collecting canned goods and nonperishable food items as admission, if possible. Thanks for
your support. October: Scary Movie, Saturday, October
16, 7-9 p.m; November: Saturday, November 13, 7-9 p.m.;
December: Holiday Movie Saturday, December 11, 7-9
Carrie Nurnberger,
above, has joined
the library as the
new young adult
librarian. Stop in and
say hi to Carrie
when you’re at the
library!
M-Th 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Fri 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
8042 Steubenville Pike, Oakdale PA 15071 (724) 695-8150
www.westernalleghenylibrary.org
Please register on the library’s Web site or at the library’s Circulation Desk, or by calling for all programs
October 2010
65
Community Cards
ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS, ORGANIZATION,
PRODUCT, OR SERVICE HERE! Just $115 for a
black and white business card, or $125 for a business
card in color.
No contract required. For more information, call (724)
695-3968.
Community Marketplace
66
October 2010
Gift a gift that costs
nothing but means
the world to
someone.
Sign up to be an
organ donor.
COMMUNITY CENTER
ASSISTANT
(Must be 55 or older, unemployed at least 6
months, and meet income eligibility)
Assist in nurturing an atmosphere of
friendliness, service toward the neighbor,
welcome and respect; creating and
maintaining a dignified, attractive atmosphere for all persons who enter the Center.
Assist with food pantry stocking, seasonally
decorate the center, etc., answer phone.
Contact: Focus on Renewal:
(412) 771-6460, ext. 230
Sell An Item, Post a
Job Opening,
Offer a Rental,
Provide a Service ...
Do it Right Here for
JUST
$50!
Center for
Organ Recovery & Education
800-DONORS-7 ~ www.core.org
REACH
14,000 in each
of 3 editions -42,000 total,
for just
$50 EACH!
October 2010
67
Neighborhood Coupons
10/31/10
JANOSKI’S PUMPKINLAND!
October 9 & 10, 16 &17, 23 & 24, 30
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Costume party Saturday, October 30
Corn Maze ~ Haunted Barn
Tractor ride to the pumpkin patch
Petting Zoo ~ Bike Path
Straw Jump ~ Face Painting
Refreshments Available
and much more!
WEST ALLEGHENY EDITION
An effective yet affordable way to reach 14,000 homes and businesses plus copies distributed around the
neighborhood each issue. Just $125 for these spaces costs LESS THAN ONE PENNY EACH! It’s the most affordable
way to reach out with your product or service! The coupon page is available in all three editions -West Allegheny, Moon, and Montour. To inquire, call (724) 695-3968, or send an e-mail to:
alleghenywestmagazine@comcast.net.
Be Part of Our Annual “Shop the
Neighborhood Gift Guide” in Nov. & Dec.
Colorful, information-filled, center section of all three issues serving West
Allegheny, Moon & Montour with INCREDIBLE RATES! Deadline is October 30
for November issues, November 20 for December issue.
E-Mail: alleghenywestmagazine@comcast.net 724.695.3968
Offer expires 10/31/10
68
October 2010
Community Connections
MUNICIPALITIES
FINDLAY TOWNSHIP
1271Route 30
Clinton, PA 15026
(724) 695-0500
www.findlay.pa.us
NORTH FAYETTE TOWNSHIP
400 North Branch Road
Oakdale, PA 15071
(412) 788-4888
www.north-fayette.com
OAKDALE BOROUGH
6115 Noblestown Road
Oakdale, PA 15071
(724) 693-9740
www.oakdaleborough.com
PUBLIC & PRIVATE
SCHOOLS K-12
West Allegheny
School District
600 Donaldson Road
Oakdale, PA 15071
(724) 695-3422
www.westasd.org
Parkway West Career &
Technology Center
7101 Steubenville Pike
Oakdale, PA 15071
(412) 923-1772
www.parkwaywest.org
This list includes only those public and private
schools located within the municipalities served
by the West Allegheny Edition of Allegheny West
Magazine
McDONALD BOROUGH
151 School Street
McDonald, PA 15057
(724) 926-8711
www.mcdonaldboro.com
EMERGENCIES:
Dial 911
CHURCHES
Allegheny West Christian Church
Noblestown United Methodist Church
7600 Steubenville Pike, Oakdale, PA 15071
(412) 788-4988
7313 Noblestown Road, Oakdale, PA 15071
(724) 693-2755
Church of Jesus Christ
Noblestown United Presbyterian Church
57 Moore Road, Imperial, PA 15126
(724) 899-3935
(724) 693-8250
Church of The Living Christ
Oakdale United Presbyterian Church
220 West Allegheny Road, Imperial, PA 15126
(724) 695-7188, www.cotlc.com
62 Hastings Avenue, Oakdale, PA 15071
(724) 693-8950
Church of the Nazarene
Resurrection Lutheran Church
507 Route 30, Imperial, PA 15126
(724) 695-7669, www.nazarene.org
7600 Steubenville Pike, Oakdale, PA 15071
(412) 788-4513
Clinton UP Church
St. Columbkille Church
25 Wilson Road, Clinton, PA 15026
(724) 695-7993
103 Church Road, Imperial, PA 15126
(724) 695-7325, www.saintcolumbkilleparish.org
Clinton Wesleyan Church
St. Patrick’s Church
1022 Clinton Road, Clinton, PA 15026
(724) 695-7076
(724) 693-9260, www.saint-patrick-parish.com
Covenant Family Church
P. O. Box 15533, Pittsburgh, PA 15244
(724) 263-7147, www.cfc-church.com
(meets at Springhill Suites)
The Bible Chapel
Crossroads Methodist Church
Valley Presbyterian Church
@ PIttsburgh Technical Institute
(724) 941-8990, www.biblechapel.org/robinson
1000 Crossroads Drive, Oakdale, PA 15071
(412) 494-9999, www.crossroadsumc.org
237 Main Street, Imperial, PA 15126
(724) 695-0300, www.valleychurchweb.com
Hebron Presbyterian Church
West Ridge Christian Church
100 Gorwood Drive, Coraopolis, PA 15108
(724) 695-7500, www.wrccc.org
1767 Route 30, Clinton, PA 15026
(725) 899-2276
Montours Presbyterian Church
3151 Montour Church Road, Oakdale, PA 15071
(412) 787-1050
COMMUNITY GROUPS
Al-A-Non, West A area, (724) 926-3396
American Legion Post 171 Oakdale, (724) 693-8759
American Legion Post 335 Imperial, (724) 695-0491
Boy Scouts-Grtr. Pgh. Council-Frontier, (412) 325-7971 or 7995
Findlay Athletic Assn., (724) 255-3139
Girl Scouts WPA, (724) 774-3553
Heritage Public Library-McDonald, (724) 926-8400
Kiwanis Club #1571, (724) 899-3695
Lions Club Imperial, (724) 513-7616
Masonic Lodge #669, (724) 693-8274
McDonald Area Redevelopment Assn., (724) 926-4617
Meals on Wheels-Oakdale, (724) 693-8540
Meals on Wheels-W.A., (724) 695-0634
Montour Run Watershed Assn., (888)205-5778
Montour Trail Council, (412) 257-3011
Montour Valley Grange, (724) 695-0481
Mothers of Preschoolers-Crossroads, (412) 494-9999
Mothers of Preschoolers-Hebron, (724) 899-2276
Mothers of Preschoolers-Valley, (724) 695-0300
North Fayette Athletic Assn., (412) 580-0655
North Fayette Garden Club, (724) 693-8413
Oakdale Youth League, (724) 693-8951
Rotary - Parkway West, (412) 287-9273
Senior Citizen Groups:
- Findlay Township, (724) 695-0500
- North Fayette Township, (724) 695-9118
- Oakdale Community Center, (724) 693-8540
- St. Columbkille, (724) 695-7325
SNPJ Lodge 106, (724) 695-1411
Sturgeon Athletic Club, (724) 926-2150
The ROCK Community Center, (724) 693-2777
VFW Ladies Auxiliary, (412) 788-4674
VFW Post #7070 Oakdale, (412) 427-9195
VFW Post #7714 Imperial, (724) 695-8866
West Allegheny Food Pantry & Thrift Shop, (724) 695-1305
West Allegheny Foundation, inquiries@wafounation.org
West Allegheny Friends to Enhance the Library (WAFEL), (724) 695-8150
West Allegheny Ministerium, (724) 693-8950
West Allegheny Booster & PTA Groups, visit www.westasd.org
Western Allegheny Community Library, (724) 695-8150
West Allegheny Aqua Club, (412) 608-4583
West Allegheny Arts Advocacy, (724) 695-3374
West Allegheny Inline Hockey, (412) 334-2640
West Allegheny Youth Assn., (724) 695-2449
West Allegheny Youth Soccer Assn., (724) 695-1984
West Allegheny Youth Wrestling, (724) 695-3787
October 2010
69
PERSONAL
Perspective
“True greatness knows gentleness.”
Unknown
By
Erma Dodd
North Fayette Township resident
Kyle did a bad thing. He had to face
the magistrate.
The magistrate sentenced Kyle to
community service. He had to spend
time with helping the emergency medical
service staff. He learned First Aid, CPR,
etc.
Time passed. One day Kyle was
hanging out at his friend’s house. Anger
took over Kyle’s friend. He put his fist
through a plate glass window. Blood was
everywhere. Jorden’s arm had been cut
open. An artery was severed and the
second artery was hit, too. “It looked like
a murder scene,” one said.
Jorden’s uncle applied pressure to the
wound. Kyle made a towel into a
tourniquet. Paramedics and ambulance
arrived. They made the statement, if Kyle
had not done what he did, Jorden would
have bled to death before they arrived.
A five-hour surgery saved his friend’s
arm. But Kyle saved his friend’s life.
Kyle did a good thing, a very good
thing.
P.S. We thank you, Kyle.
Riley, age 7, went to gramma’s house to
help her get ready for Thanksgiving
dinner. As they were properly setting the
table, she asked, “Can I say the prayer
tomorrow gramma?”
What a pleasant surprise.
Grandmother, Kay Wilson, answered,
“Of course you can.”
70
October 2010
Riley told Kay, “I’m going to write
it, so I can remember it.”
This second grader at Holy Cross
School, Dover, Delaware, was ready
when her family joined hands. She
began her prayer.
“Let us praise the Lord,
For the Indians and the Pilgrims.
We thank you God,
for the Indians teaching how to
grow the corn.
And for the Pilgrims that went all
this way,
Just to find America and this place
we all love.
Thank you for this wonderful day.
Amen.”
(NOTE: Kay and Bob Wilson made
their home in Hankey Farms for 20
years. Their oldest daughter, Tracey,
was diagnosed with leukemia in
1974 at age 9, and lived ten
months. In her honor, the Wilsons
hosted 14 leukemia benefits until
they moved back home to Dover in
1988. Granddaughter Kiley is the
daughter of David and Robin
Wilson McQuaid.)
Nic Mink and Natalie Vattimo
were planning their wedding and
future.
At the same time, plans and
difficult decisions had to be made
about the Tonidale Restaurant’s
future. Competition of 60+ area restaurants led to the January decision to tear
down.
Then in March the decision became
“bring it back as a banquet facility, and a
pub.”
That decision came just in time to say
“Yes” to Nic and Natalie’s wedding
reception.
How amazing is that? Nic is the first
great-grandson of Tonidale’s founders,
Tony and Lurline Saveikis. Nic is fourth
generation Tonidale. He and his bride
were the first to be announced as the new
Mr. and Mrs., the first to dance the
wedding dance, the first to laugh and
celebrate with friends and family in the
all new Tonidale Cornerstone Banquet
room on October 2, 2010.
Second cousin, Judge Anthony Saveikis,
married Nic and Natalie on Janoski’s
Farm. Second cousins, Kris, Erica, and
Kirk Kruze worked along with Great
Aunt Toni and Uncle Harry to be sure the
renovation was complete and this
wedding celebration was a dream come
true for Mr. and Mrs. Mink.
It was ... a new beginning and a new
beginning.
Erma Dodd has launched a Web site,
www.ermajournals.com. Soon readers will be able
to find Erma’s articles on the site. Log on to
ermajournals.com.
Jennette Communications Group
15 Walnut Street, Suite 101
Imperial, PA 15126-1226
PRSRT STD
U.S. Postage
PA I D
IMPERIAL, PA
15126
PERMIT NO. 83
NOW IN OUR
12th YEAR
Publishing in the
Airport Area
Our new Web site connects readers and
advertisers to our community like never before...
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and More!
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As 35-Year Residents of Our
Community, no one knows our
neighborhoods better to tell their
stories than . . .

October 2010 - Allegheny West Magazine

Transcription

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