in-fox-chapel-area-spring

Blawnox Volunteer Fire Dept.

Keeping Us Safe

SPRING 2012 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

Inside:

Fox Chapel Area School District

SPRING 2012 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE ox Chapel Area

120 over 80. What’s it worth to U?

Reaching your goals is worth more than ever. It’s worth money. That’s because HealthyU offers fi nancial incentives for making healthy lifestyle decisions. Now when you do things like quit smoking, work with a health coach, or even get a fl u shot, we put money into your very own Health Incentive Account. Money that can be used to help pay for doctor visits, prescription drugs, and even surgery. To learn more about this new, one-of-a-kind plan, talk to your employer or visit UPMCHealthyU.com.

Introducing HealthyU from UPMC Health Plan.

upmchealthyu.com

Fox Chapel Area | Spring 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 1

120 over 80. What’s it worth to U?

Reaching your goals is worth more than ever. It’s worth money. That’s because HealthyU offers fi nancial incentives for making healthy lifestyle decisions. Now when you do things like quit smoking, work with a health coach, or even get a fl u shot, we put money into your very own Health Incentive Account. Money that can be used to help pay for doctor visits, prescription drugs, and even surgery. To learn more about this new, one-of-a-kind plan, talk to your employer or visit UPMCHealthyU.com.

Introducing HealthyU from UPMC Health Plan.

upmchealthyu.com

2 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | Fox Chapel Area


COMMUNITY INTEREST

Presenting Some of the Best Poetry at FCAHS | 6

Fox Chapel Area School District | 9

Dr. Godse’s Medicine | 26

UPMC Today | Health and Wellness News You Can Use | 33

Rick Duffy – A Vital Member of the Community | 52

Stage Right Puts the Spotlight on Studentsand Local Artists | 62

Blawnox Volunteer Fire CompanyProtecting Residents from Fire and Flood | 70

ON THE COVER | Top le� (clockwise): Lieutenant Tom Witas, Captain Jim Vento, Chief George McBriar, and Assistant chief John Simmons of the Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company. Photo by Gary Yon.

FEATURES

Pressley Ridge | 25The Path to Full Potential

Real Estate in Fox Chapel Area | 54

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

BPU Investment ManagementPlanning for Today, Tomorrow and Beyond | 29

bFit StudioLet’s bFit Together! | 30

Perman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc.Oh, By the Way | 42

Fox Chapel Advanced Dental CareAsk the Dentist | 45

Coldwell Banker, Lori CrandellDoes Pittsburgh Have a Housing Shortage? | 46

Hartwood ChiropracticWhat Exactly is a “Slipped Disk”? | 50

Care At HomeOne Doorway, Two Options | 51

Beleza Plastic SurgeryRaise Your Glass and Your Body to Greet the New Year | 64

Circulatory CentersEVLA Minimally Invasive Procedure | 68

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Fox Chapel Racquet Club | 48

DINING OUT

Pho Van | 65

Patron | 67

Curb appeal is notnecessarily somethingthat most people willbe able to dene in precise terms, but theywill know it when theysee it. Simply put, it isabout making yourfront yard and thefront of your housestand out and lookbe�er than the rest.And, if people likewhat they see on theoutside, including potential buyers, thechances are good thatthey will want to seewhat the house lookslike on the inside.

But what can you doto make your housestand apart? To begin,play up your home’sdoorway—one of therst areas people seewhen looking at yourhouse—with color, aclean door free ofnicks, and clean metalxtures. Consideradding a wreath orsome other type ofdoor decoration.

Low-voltage landscape lighting,particularly accentlighting displayed in nearby trees orthroughout other outdoor xtures, cannot only enhance ayard’s appearance butprovide a pathway of lighted safety for visitors.

Po�ed colorful �owers can provide instant curb appealand can be purchasedalready assembled at a local garden center, or you maychoose to buy anempty container to llwith all of your favorite�owers on your own.

On a similar note, window boxes can be lled with your favorite �owers tomatch the rest of youryard’s color scheme.

Consider addingsome xtures like birdbaths and windchimes to add visualappeal to a yard, and a water fountain cansound heavenly on awarm summer day(but be sure to placethem on level groundfor optimum enjoy-ment).

Shu�ers and trimwork not only add texture and ventilationto a home, but provideadded security as well.

To achieve the bestcurb appeal, paint theshu�ers in a color thatmatches the outside of your house and therest of your yard.

In addition, new garden beds are alwaysa welcome sight. Consider planting new gardens in spotsthat will be most pleasing to the eye,such as along thedriveway and in frontof the house.

By Heather Holtschlag

On a similar note, window boxescan be lled with your favorite

�owers to match the rest of your yard’s color scheme.

Add shu�ers or accent trimShu�ers and trim add a welcominglayer of beauty to your home’s exterior.Shu�ers also control light and ventilation, and provide additional security. Exterior shu�ers can be made of wood, aluminum, vinyl, composite, or berglass. New composite materials make trim details durable and low maintenance.

Replace old hardwareHouse numbers, the entry door lock-set, a wall-mounted mailbox, and anoverhead light xture are all elementsthat can add style and interest to yourhome’s exterior. If they’re out of date,your home may not be conveying the aesthetic you think it is. �ese elements add the most appeal whenthey function collectively, rather than as mix-and-match pieces. Oiled-bronze nishes suit traditionalhomes, while brushed nickel suitsmore contemporary residences.

Add outdoor artGive your yard a li�le spunk by addingweather-resistant artwork. Choosepieces that complement your home’snatural pale�e and exterior elements.Birdbaths, metal cutouts, sculptures,and wind chimes are good choices foroutdoor art. Water sculptures not onlyfunction as yard art, but the burblingsounds soothe and make hot days feel cooler. Place fountains on levelground in optimum hearing and sightvantage points.

Make a grand entryEven with a small budget, there areways to draw a�ention to your frontdoor. Molding acts like an architecturaleyeliner when applied to the sides andtop of the doorway.

Install window boxesWindow boxes o�er a fast, easy way tobring color and charm to your homeexterior. Choose boxes made fromcopper or iron for a traditional look, or painted wood for a co�age feel. Mix and match �owers and plants to suit your lighting conditions andcolor scheme.

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S P R I N G 2 0 1 2

Health and Wellness News You Can Use

© 2012 UPMC

What’s Insidepage 2 Have a Pain in Your Leg?

It Could Be Serious

page 3 Fit at Any Age

page 4 Surviving Allergies: What You Can DoPutting Ergonomics to Work for You

page 5 Brightening Lives With Light

page 6 A Walk to Remember

page 7 24th Annual Fitness Classic is May 20

What’s Happening at UPMC St. Margaret

Let’s GetPhysicalWhat can a daily dose of moderate physical activity do for you? Plenty! As you get older, regular exercise is a key to staying strong, energetic, and healthy. To learn more about the link between fitness and aging, turn to page 3.

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INSIDEIN Fox Chapel Area | SPRING 2012 |

IN Fox Chapel Area is a community magazine dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the people of Fox Chapel Area School District and its comprising municipalities by focusing on the talents and gifts of the people who live and work here. Our goal is to provide readers with the most informative and professional regional publication in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

P U B L I S H E R Wayne Dollard M A N A G I N G E D I T O RMarybeth [email protected] R E G I O N A L E D I T O R SMark Berton [South and West][email protected]

Monica L. Haynes [East][email protected] N O R T H Z O N E C O O R D I N AT O RPamela Palongue [email protected] S C H O O L & M U N I C I PA L C O N T E N T C O O R D I N AT O RMegan [email protected] O F F I C E M A N A G E RLeo [email protected] A D P L A C E M E N T C O O R D I N AT O RDebbie [email protected] G R A P H I C D E S I G NCassie Brkich Jan McEvoy Anna Buzzelli Joe Milne Sharon Cobb Tamara Tylenda Susie Doak W R I T E R SHeather Holtschlage Pamela Palongue Leigh Lyons Gina Salinger Dana Black McGrath Judith SchardtJoann Naser P H O T O G R A P H E R SGinni Hartle Kathleen Rudolph Brad Lauer Gary Yon A D V E R T I S I N G S A L E S M A N A G E R SDerek Bayer Tamara MyersTom Poljak A D V E R T I S I N G S A L E SBrian Daley Robert Ojeda Gina D’Alicandro Ralph Palaski Tina Dollard Annette Petrone Karen Fadzen Vincent SabatiniJulie Graf Jennifer SchaeferJason Huffman Michael Silvert Lori Jeffries Karen Turkovich Connie McDaniel RJ Vighetti Brian McKee Nikki Capezio-Watson Gabriel Negri Sophia WilliardAimee Nicolia This magazine is carrier route mailed to all district households and businesses. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Copyright 2012. C O R R E S P O N D E N C EDirect all inquiries, comments and press releases to: I N C O M M U N I T Y M A G A Z I N E SAttn: Editorial603 E. McMurray Rd. Ph: 724.942.0940 McMurray, PA 15317 Fax: 724.942.0968www.incommunitymagazines.com Summer content deadline: 4/18/12Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.

S TA F F

Welcome to the Spring issue of Fox Chapel Area magazine.Hopefully, we are all enjoying the lengthening days as we forge on to

summer. While spring usually brings more rain to the region than we normally get throughout the rest of the year, I’m glad we’ve had a few days of nice weather to get outside and remember what the snow covered up.

We’ve grown once again over the winter, and have shi�ed some sta� around to accommodate that growth. I want to point this out because

you, the readers, give us many of the great story ideas that you see featured in these pages, and I want you to have the right point of contact so that your

story can be heard. As always, we are looking for good news from the community! Please forward your ideas to our north zone coordinator, Pamela Palongue, at [email protected], and she’ll make sure they �nd a place in the magazine. If you’re not sure whether you have a good story, give Pamela a call at 724.942.0940 and ask!

You should know also that we really appreciate your feedback (good and bad) to let us know where we missed the mark and where we hit it out of the park.

Lastly, it’s not too soon to start thinking about the rest of the year! I know we just got through the holidays, and are thawing out, but since we’re quarterly, we’re already looking ahead to fall and beyond. So if you have events planned and would like to promote them, call or email Pamela. If you have an event coming up earlier, let us know so we can send our photographers and document the occasion!

Here’s hoping that the start to your year has been a good one!

Wayne Dollard Publisher

Welcome to the Spring issue of Hopefully, we are all enjoying the lengthening days as we forge on to

summer. While spring usually brings more rain to the region than we normally get throughout the rest of the year, I’m glad we’ve had a few days of nice weather to get outside and remember what the snow covered up.

around to accommodate that growth. I want to point this out because you, the readers, give us many of the great story ideas that you see featured

in these pages, and I want you to have the right point of contact so that your story can be heard. As always, we are looking for good news from the community!

Welcome to the Spring issue of

summer. While spring usually brings more rain to the region than we normally get throughout the rest of the year, I’m glad we’ve had a few days of

around to accommodate that growth. I want to point this out because you, the readers, give us many of the great story ideas that you see featured

in these pages, and I want you to have the right point of contact so that your

Does it feel like spring to you? Are you planning your garden and starting to think about how you are going to, once again, get to all those baseball or

so�ball games? I love it. �is season holds so much promise with the thought of �owers budding, students graduating and moving on to bigger challenges and another forum for us at the magazine to trumpet all of the wonderful things that happen in the Fox Chapel area! I am so proud of the students

who submi�ed poems for our annual Poetry Forum. �ey have, once again, impressed me with their thoughtful and poignant writing. Are you making plans

to a�end the Fox Chapel Area School District Gala on Saturday, April 19, at the Pi�sburgh Zoo? I know it will be a party to remember and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping to support the arts at the school district level.

I would also like to introduce you to the Blawnox Volunteer Fire Department. �is wonderful group of community members not only a�end to �res in the area but they also are a certi�ed water rescue team as well. �is �re department needs your help! �e members are always looking for additional volunteers, but to support their e�orts �nancially they are hosting a Fish Fry on Friday, April 6, at the station. Times and contact information is listed on page 71. Would you try to a�end or send a donation?

I hope you take time to enjoy this spring edition! Please let me know if there is a person or organization that you think we should be writing about. You can always call me at the magazine 724.942.0940 or email me at m.je�[email protected].

Marybeth Je�ries Managing Editor




to a�end the Fox Chapel Area School District Gala on Saturday, April 19, at the




to a�end the Fox Chapel Area School District Gala on Saturday, April 19, at the



St. Margaret Foundation will host the 24th annual Fitness Classic 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, May 20, 2012, starting at 8:30 a.m. Top finishers in running

divisions and in the team challenge will be awarded prizes. All registered runners and walkers will be eligible for dozens of great prizes in a post-race random drawing.

Beginning and ending at UPMC St. Margaret on Freeport Road near Aspinwall, the USATF-certified race course follows a 3.1-mile level loop along Freeport Road, past the Waterworks Mall, and onto Old Freeport Road, and loops back to the hospital.

Race proceeds benefit The Bed Fund of St. Margaret. Since 1930, The Bed Fund has filled in the gaps with hope by providing transportation, medication, and medical supplies, nutritional education and opportunities for physical activity to the uninsured and underinsured patients of UPMC St. Margaret.

Mary Humphrey, CRNA at St. Margaret Hospital and Aspinwall resident, has been participating in the St. Margaret Foundation Fitness Classic 5K for as long as she can remember. “All five of my children compete in the race, my eldest two daughters have been top female finishers and my other children

have won their age bracket. We love this community, we work here, go to school here, go to church here, we love this race and love running it with our neighbors.”

The Fitness Classic preregistration entry fee is $20 before May 9; race-day entry fee is $25. The cost for a three-person running team is $50. Entry forms are available by calling the St. Margaret Foundation at 412.784.4205. For additional information, please visit our 2012 Fitness Classic Events page at www.stmargaretfoundation.org/events.jsp

St. Margaret Foundation Announces

2012 Fitness Classic 5K Run/Walk

PoetryFox Chapel Area School District & IN Fox Chapel Area Magazine

Presenting some of the best poetry at Fox Chapel Area High School

Mermaid’s MemoryErin Rose

You picked me up. And put me on your shoulders.�e salt water crashed.Around your strong legs.I escaped its briny grasp.Nothing could hurt me.I wanted to stand.To prove I was strong.You let me.But I wasn’t.�e waves came.And I fell.I was trapped.And scared.Under the watery blanket.And I was pushed.My face in the sand.And ocean �lling my lungs.�inking I would dieSo you rescued me.But I was mad.And asked:Why didn’t you tell me?

lErin Ross is a senior at Fox Chapel Area High School. She is involved in DESI club, Tapestry, National

Honor Society, as well as volleyball. In volleyball, she le�ered her junior and senior years, and received the honor of making �rst team all section her senior year. A�er graduating in the spring, she plans on a�ending college, and has already been accepted into Fordham University as well as University of Pi�sburgh Honors College. In college she plans to further her education in

creative writing. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and writing poetry.

Honor Society, as well as volleyball. In volleyball, she le�ered her junior and senior years, and received the honor of making �rst team all section her senior year. A�er graduating in the spring, she plans on a�ending college, and has already been accepted into Fordham University as well as University of Pi�sburgh Honors College. In college she plans to further her education in

Croque Monsieur Gray Leonard

Sips of co�ee, dialogue, stained oak

and chit-chat by bushy eyebrows who

glance at us, furrowing into their

eyes. Overcoats and French cafe prints

of cats and mademoiselles smoking

ceramic �lter tipped cigare�es,

wearing feather hats and velvet gloves

who also glance at us, except their

eyebrows are plucked.

lGray Leonard is currently a senior at Fox Chapel Area High School. A college hopeful, he wants to go to school for philosophy or art history. Not only does he write, he lives to laugh and, although he doesn’t do his homework nearly enough, he also lives to learn. �is is his �rst published poem.

Gray Leonard is currently a senior at Fox Chapel Area High School. A college hopeful, he wants to go to school for philosophy or art history. Not only does he write, he lives to laugh and, although he doesn’t do his homework nearly enough, he also lives to learn. �is is his �rst published poem.


�e selected poems are a sample of some of the work published in Fox Chapel Area High School’s literary arts magazine, Tapestry. Tapestry is an annual collection of creative writing and art by the students. Mrs. Jessica Green, faculty sponsor of the magazine, works with a large number of students to organize and publish the magazine each year. �e magazine is an outstanding representation of the creative talents of the students in the high school.

UntitledClaire Kintner

Remember to recognize the quiet ones.My inner child might never leave.I’m �lled up with free spirits.Something to cherish is true happiness.Remember to carry out the ride.It’s really all about the presence.Received a miracle; now I’m scared.Time for the walk of shame.My daddy didn’t raise no fool.Good things come in small packages.I don’t make faulty pinky promises.

Born a Pi�sburgher; might never change.Living out my dreams every day. And the list keeps on growing.�ese are my six word memoirs.Consider them words to live by.

lClaire Kintner is a senior at Fox Chapel Area High School. She has been involved in Tapestry all four years of high school. Claire is a dedicated student varsity athlete. She plays tennis in the fall and runs track and �eld in the spring. Claire hopes to continue being involved in athletics in her college career. �e University of Michigan is at the top of her list, where she is hoping to pursue a medical major. Some of Claire’s other interests include traveling with her family, skiing, and volunteering in her community and church.

A Payment of My DuesMcKenna Trimble

�anks to the crows that call beneath my wisp of sleeping dreams,thirteen shadowed sentinels that shrill for the morning �ight of the moon,those thirteen heralds that chi�er and cha�er like lonely women over the static of a phone call,and murder my reverie with their death ra�le for the dying of the night.You have taught me to embrace my dreams as a lover who is caught between two doorsand to dig my nails hard into my lover’s arm as I lock the door against the screeching din.

�anks to the overgrown weeds that splay wildly like a fraying hem from Earth’s wide skirt,wooden bones that struggle from broken stars in the concrete to snap at my heels and trip me,those forgo�en babes of Eden’s garden that call for a careful step around their scrawny blockade.I have only you to thank for my will to rise up from common ridges and troughs and the talent to throw my arms wide to trip the ignorant passerby.

�anks to the salt of the sea that crowns each murky crest with a rim of frothy sting,

forks and knives that dart in and out of a watery shroud and catch stitches in my eyes,those li�le stones and shards that �ll my gaping mouth and rob me of my tongue.You are the reason why I can walk against the going of the wind even with my eyes shut blindlyand why I can swallow the bi�er taste of failure’s fruit and wait quietly for sweeter nectar.

My thanks go to you, this cruel Earth that spins and spurns me when I cannot stand.All glory to you, my �rst mother who shunned me and threw me to these human wolves.Every honor to you, this world that lets demons of the aboveground strike me with blunt wings.�anks to you, this Earth, for being the hell that beats me and the heaven that feeds me.All of my days to you, World, for you have taught me well.

lMcKenna Trimble is a sophomore at Fox Chapel Area High School. Her interest in writing began in the eighth grade a�er much positive encouragement from her instructors. In high school, her interest grew into a passion, and she is now a senior sta� member in the school’s literary arts magazine, Tapestry. McKenna hopes to pursue writing in college and eventually publish a book.




Dear Residents of the Fox Chapel Area School District,

It has been so exciting to see the enthusiasm that is being generated throughout the Fox Chapel Area School District communities in support of our fundraising event, “�e Arts and All �at Jazz.” �is endeavor is truly turning out to be a show of passion for the arts in the Fox Chapel Area School District. �is edition of IN Fox Chapel Area Community Magazine contains information on how you can become involved in the event as a major corporate sponsor or patron. We are also seeking high-end auction items for the live auction. Nationally-known composer, Marvin Hamlisch, will be the featured entertainment for the evening! We are thrilled to have Mr. Hamlisch at this special event. �is promises to be an evening to remember in our Pi�sburgh area. Most importantly, it will be an evening that brings those of us who support the arts in the Fox Chapel Area School District together to celebrate the past and preserve the future.

Over the past year and a half, three of our teachers in the Fox Chapel Area Music Department have been honored for their accomplishments. Mairi Cooper received the Yale Distinguished Music Educator Award, Craig Cannon was one of 11 educators from across the nation to be featured in the January 2011 Choral Director Magazine’s Annual “Choral Director of Note,” and Shawn Funk recently received the 2012 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 1 Citation of Excellence Award. Ms. Cooper, Mr. Cannon, and Mr. Funk truly represent the Fox Chapel Area School District as exemplary music educators.

In this spring edition of our magazine, you will also read about three new members of the Fox Chapel Area Board of School Directors. Nancy Foster joins Charles Burke Jr. and Joel Weinstein in representing Region III (Aspinwall Borough, Blawnox Borough, Wards 1 and 5 of O’Hara Township, and Districts 1 and 3 of Fox Chapel Borough); Eric Schmidt joins Robin Baum and Sherman Snyder in representing Region I (Sharpsburg Borough and Wards 2, 3, and 4 of O’Hara Township); and Terry Wirginis represents Region II (Districts 2, 4, and 5 of Fox Chapel Borough and all of Indiana Township) along with Sandra Garbisch and Robert Mauro. �e Board of nine brings together expertise in �nance, business, legal issues, community involvement, grant writing, and so much more. Our communities are well represented by this distinguished and caring group of citizens.

It is always important that I continue to thank residents for their support of our wonderful school district. We strive to stay a step ahead in education because of the high expectations set by the residents of our communities. �ank you for choosing public school education in the Fox Chapel Area School District where “Excellence is not an act, but a habit” – Aristotle.

Anne E. Stephens, Ph.D.Superintendent

A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

10 Fox Chapel Area

R eservations are being taken for the second Fox Chapel Area Gala scheduled for Saturday, May 19, 2012, that will feature internationally-known and award-winning composer Marvin Hamlisch. �e theme of the event is “�e Arts and All �at Jazz”

and it will be held at the Pi�sburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium from 6-10:30 p.m. Reservations are $75 each and $100 each for this adult-only event.

�e culminating event of “A Year of Celebrating the Arts,” the Gala is a cooperative districtwide fundraising event involving the support of dozens of community leaders, including PTO and PTA o�cers and representatives, and the art, music, and performing arts teachers. �e money raised through the Gala will be used to create a fund through �e Pi�sburgh Foundation that will be available to district �ne arts teachers to support their programs. �e objective is to maintain the high caliber art, music, and performing arts programs district residents have come to expect, but that could be vulnerable to budget cuts. �e goal is to raise at least $250,000. For more information about “�e Arts and All �at Jazz,” visit the district’s Web site at www.fcasd.edu, or call 412/967-2413.

�e format of the Gala will be similar to the special event held in 2010 and will feature entertainment by Mr. Hamlisch, food, drinks, and live and silent auctions. Once again, students from each of the district’s schools have created themed garden foxes that will be available as part of the evening’s auction. In addition, some of the garden foxes will be auctioned online prior to the Gala. �ere will also be other big-ticket auction items, including an original

Fox Chapel Area School District arts teachers and the Gala Commi�ee are planning the second Fox Chapel Area School District Gala, “�e Arts and All �at Jazz.” In the photo are high school teachers Craig Cannon (seated at piano) and �om le� to right Christine Smith and Mairi Cooper; Superintendent Anne E. Stephens, Ph.D.; and Gala Commi�ee Co-Chairs Ann Ba�istel and Nan Cohen. Not pictured are Gala Commi�ee Co-Chairs Bonnie Markowitz and Elaine Mitsch.

Fox Chapel Area School District Second Gala To Benefit K-12 Art, Music & Performing Arts Programs

Fox Chapel Area School District arts teachers Fox Chapel Area School District arts teachers and the Gala Commi�ee are planning the second and the Gala Commi�ee are planning the second

Photo Courtesy Town and Country Studio

Corporate Sponsorships Corporate sponsorships for the event are still

available and sponsors will be listed in the Gala program. �e levels of sponsorship are

as follows:

Marvin Hamlisch/Burton Morris Level $10,000

•10 tickets to Gala and Patron Party•Reserved table for 10 at the event

•Full-page ad in program•Recognition in program

J.S. Bach/Michelangelo Level $5,000

•8 tickets to Gala and Patron Party•One half-page ad in program

•Recognition in program

W.A. Mozart/Pablo Picasso Level $2,500

•6 tickets to Gala and Patron Party•One quarter-page ad in program


Frederic Chopin/Rembrandt Level $1,500

•4 tickets to Gala and Patron Party•Business card ad in program


For further information on becoming a corporate sponsor, contact Nancy Cohen

at 412/889-4414.

Auction Items�e Gala Commi�ee is seeking auction

items for the event. Auction ideas include goods, services, and/or any other exciting

contribution for the ra�e, silent auction, or live auction. Donors will be recognized with a listing in the Gala program and on the Fox Chapel Area School District Web site. Please

send or deliver your donations to the Fox Chapel Area School District, �e Arts and All

�at Jazz, c/o Candace Chapple, 611 Field Club Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238.

Questions pertaining to the auction can be addressed to auction co-chairs Ann Ba�istel at 412/400-0810 (ann.ba�[email protected])

or Maureen Farino Levicoff at 412/968-0650 ([email protected]). Donations are tax

deductible to the full extent of the law.

To Benefit K-12 Art, Music & Performing Arts Programs

music score signed by Mr. Hamlisch, a lithograph (numbered 207 of 400) signed by Burton Morris, $1,000 scholarship to Point Park University, and $1,000 in orthodontia work from Smiles by Smith Orthodontics. WTAE-TV personality Sally Wiggin will be the emcee for the auctions.

Additionally, Mr. Morris will be visiting the school district prior to the Gala for an evening highlighting his eye-catching, unique art style. A Pi�sburgh native and world-renowned post-pop artist, Mr. Morris has also created a sketch of the district’s fox logo in commemoration of this special year-long celebration. �is original Burton Morris sketch will be framed and auctioned o� the night of the Gala.

�e Gala Commi�ee Co-Chairs are district residents and parents Ann Ba�istel, Nan Cohen, Bonnie Markowitz, and Elaine Mitsch. �ey, along with the entire commi�ee, invite you to join the Fox Chapel Area School District in keeping the arts alive!

Le�: Hartwood Elementary School art teacher Cheryl Galizia gives directions to �rst graders while they work on their colorful garden fox. Every student at Hartwood had the opportunity to participate in the painting of one of the school’s two foxes. Each school is creating garden foxes that will be auctioned as part of the gala.

Middle: A Fairview Elementary School ��h grade student helps paint one of Fairview’s garden foxes that will be auctioned as part of the Gala.

Below: World-renown post-pop artist Burton Morris created this sketch of the Fox Chapel Area School District logo that will be �amed and auctioned o� the night of the Gala.

The Gala Commi�ee is

pleased to announce an evening with Marvin Hamlisch at the May 19 event. Mr. Hamlisch has ties to Pi�sburgh as the principal pops conductor for the Pi�sburgh Symphony Orchestra and most recently conducted at Heinz Hall in January.

Mr. Hamlisch’s life in music is notable for its great versatility as well as substance. As a composer, he has won virtually every major award: three Oscars, four Grammys, four Emmys, a Tony, and three Golden Globe awards. For Broadway he has wri�en the music for “�ey’re Playing Our Song,” as well as the Pulitzer Prize-winning, “A Chorus Line.” He is the composer of many motion picture scores including his Oscar-winning score and song for “�e Way We Were” and his adaptation of Sco� Joplin’s music for “�e Sting,” for which he received a third Oscar. His proli�c output of scores for �lms include original compositions and/or musical adaptations for “Sophie’s Choice,” “Ordinary People,” “�e Swimmer,” “�ree Men and a Baby,” “Ice Castles,” “Take the Money and Run,” “Bananas,” “Save the Tiger,” and his latest e�ort “�e Informant!,” starring Ma� Damon and directed by Steven Soderbergh.

Mr. Hamlisch is also the principal pops conductor for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Pasadena Symphony and Pops, Sea�le Symphony, and San Diego Symphony.

He was musical director and arranger of Barbra Streisand’s 1994 concert tour of the United States and England as well as of the television special, “Barbra Streisand: �e Concert” (for which he received two of his Emmys).

Mr. Hamlisch is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music and Queens College (where he earned a bachelor of arts degree). He believes in the power of music to bring people together. “Music can make a di�erence. �ere is a global nature to music, which has the potential to bring all people together. Music is truly an international language, and I hope to contribute by widening communication as much as I can.”

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Below: World-renown post-pop artist Below: World-renown post-pop artist Burton Morris created this sketch of Burton Morris created this sketch of

Fox Chapel Area School District Second Gala To Benefit K-12 Art, Music & Performing Arts Programs

Photo Courtesy Town and Country Studio


Elementary School art Elementary School art teacher Cheryl Galizia teacher Cheryl Galizia gives directions to �rst gives directions to �rst graders while they work on graders while they work on their colorful garden fox. their colorful garden fox. Every student at Hartwood Every student at Hartwood had the opportunity to had the opportunity to participate in the painting of participate in the painting of one of the school’s two foxes. one of the school’s two foxes. Each school is creating garden Each school is creating garden foxes that will be auctioned as foxes that will be auctioned as part of the gala.part of the gala.

Middle: A Fairview Middle: A Fairview Elementary School ��h grade Elementary School ��h grade student helps paint one of student helps paint one of Fairview’s garden foxes that Fairview’s garden foxes that

To Benefit K-12 Art, Music & Performing Arts Programs

Fairview Elementary First Graders Set Out to

Tour the

WorldWhat started out as a one-time

Skype™ lesson is expanding into a tour around the world. Fairview

Elementary School computer literacy teacher Lisa Lang saw the possibility of using Skype as a tool to expose her students to cultures and people in other areas of the world. She contacted Kerr Elementary School teacher Alison (Morton) Baran, who is currently teaching �rst grade at a school in Slovakia, and asked if the two classes could Skype. Mrs. Baran was thrilled with the idea.

But before the students in Stacey Reese’s �rst grade class could Skype, they needed to work on their map skills and learn some basic information about Bratislava, Slovakia. �ey also brainstormed questions to ask the teacher and the students in this far-away land. Even manners and the proper way to introduce themselves to their new friends were discussed. �e students’ questions addressed topics such as weather, holidays, food, transportation, sports, and school.

Following their Skyping experience, �rst grader Jacob Martin says he learned that because the school day in Slovakia is longer, “�ey have three recesses and they get to play in the snow! We only get one recess a day.” He adds, “It’s fun to see what it’s like there without having to go there. It might take a while to go there.”

�e one-time visit to Slovakia piqued the students’ curiosity to learn more. “I talked to the students about how we could visit places without ever leaving the classroom,” Mrs. Lang states. “I like to discover ways to extend the technology that we are so fortunate to have so that I can expand the learning opportunities for students.”

Mrs. Lang then set out to �nd more Skyping connections. One night in spinning class, she mentioned her project to a woman that she

knew would soon be returning to Japan. She asked if the �rst graders could Skype with her. �e woman eagerly agreed. Another lady in the class who Mrs. Lang did not even know overheard the conversation and said she knew someone in Belgium and would ask if this woman would be willing to Skype. �at friend, Erin Kunkel who works for Westinghouse, has now con�rmed her willingness to participate. She even plans to send a special treat to the class so that they can enjoy it during their chat. �e treat is none other than Belgium chocolate! Another connection will allow the students to speak with Fox Chapel Area alum Brandon Goeller who is in the military stationed in Germany. Additionally, a teacher from Spain, who Mrs. Lang met through an educational Webinar, agreed to have her �rst grade class participate in a Skyping experience.

�e �rst graders also visited Turkey through a connection of Mrs. Reese. �e friend, Seth Packrone (“Mr. Seth” to the �rst graders), is on a fellowship teaching English in Turkey. From that session, the students learned that, in Turkey there is no recess, but there are “tea breaks.”

“In Turkey, some people drink 100 cups of tea a day,” explains �rst grader Lindsay Sche�er. She continues, “Usually people don’t drink that much tea. Tea is more popular than anything else the adults drink.”

Students had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of Turkey’s culture when Mr. Seth turned the computer to face the outside and the students could see a mosque and hear the “call to prayer.”

�e entire travel adventure is made possible with technological tools available in Mrs. Lang’s computer lab. Under her direction, the �rst graders used Apple TV®, an iPad®, and a SMART Board® to Skype. �e iPad allows communication by capturing audio and video

of the large group and individual students to the overseas guest. �e image from the iPad is then projected wirelessly through Apple TV onto the large whiteboard.

But the lesson doesn’t stop once the students end Skyping. �e �rst graders go back to their classrooms and dra� a journal addressing things such as what was most interesting to them and what they learned about the new country and their new friends. �e students then make �nal dra�s of their journals via word processing in class with Mrs. Lang. Mrs. Lang has also created passports for the students to keep track of the countries they have visited. �roughout the project, the students have compared and contrasted the similarities and di�erences between our own country and the other countries they have visited.

Second graders in Kristen Bost’s class are also ge�ing in on the action. �e students hope to be able to visit Tanzania as one of Mrs. Bost’s cousins, Lisa O’Bryan, is there studying the behavior of chimpanzees and recently met Jane Goodall.

“�is is a wonderful collaborative learning experience. Via technology, the students are able to ‘travel the world’ learning about the daily lives of children and the cultures and climates in other parts of the world without leaving my computer lab.” Mrs. Lang continues, “It has truly broadened the students’ perspectives that there is life beyond ‘their world.’ ”

Lindsay concurs that traveling by computer has been a great learning experience. “It’s neat to learn about other countries because you’re not there and it’s neat to see what they do and what it looks like.” She points out that Japan is next and, “I’m really excited about that one!”

A student watches Mr. Seth on the iPad which also picks up her voice and image.

A student watches Mr. Seth on the iPad which also picks


A student watches Mr. Seth on the iPad which also picks A student watches Mr. Seth on the iPad which also picks A student watches Mr. Seth on the iPad which also picks

12 Fox Chapel Area

Fairview �rst grade students prepare to share their school-created passports with Mr. Seth during a recent Skyping session.

The 300-plus students whom he teaches each year didn’t need someone to tell them he was the

best. �ey already knew. But they were still thrilled when O’Hara Elementary School music teacher Shawn Funk was awarded the 2012 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 1 Citation of Excellence Award.

“Someone who spends his whole life teaching music should be recognized for it, especially if they’re as good as he is,” says ��h grader Abby Baldauf, who currently has Mr. Funk for music and is a member of the ��h grade chorus that he directs.

She and several other of Mr. Funk’s students were told in advance by Principal Mike Rowe, Ed.D., that there was to be a surprise for their teacher on January 26.

“It was hard to hold it in,” says third grader John Polcyn, who was called to the o�ce that morning and told the news, along with Abby, third grader Lauren Himmel, and ��h grader Zack Yonas. “I was really happy!” John said.

�e rest of the student body and Mr. Funk thought they were being called to the auditorium for an assembly led by their principal on the school’s Core Values of Respect, Responsibility, and Integrity. Dr. Rowe told the students there was someone in their midst who exhibited the Core Values and was being recognized by the PMEA. He then introduced Mr. Funk to the applause of the students and sta� in the audience.

Elaine Goldsmith, who teaches next door to Mr. Funk at O’Hara said, “I’ve watched him for 11 years. He awakens the musician in you.” She then led the assembly in singing “Congratulations to You!” to the tune of “Happy Birthday.”

Mr. Funk came forward and thanked Mrs. Goldsmith, the sta�, and students and told them that he originally had planned to be a high school choral director. Fortunately, for the thousands of elementary students who learned the fundamentals of music from Mr. Funk over the years, his elementary rotation with two in�uential music teachers in Brookville changed his mind. Mr. Funk said a�er that experience he decided he wanted to teach elementary music, and has never turned back. Coincidentally, the two elementary music teachers who made such an impression on him, have also received the citation of excellence from the PMEA. Mr. Funk said he was humbled that the nominators took the time to write the le�ers of recommendation.

He also a�ributes much of the success of the elementary music program to the support and cooperation of the middle school and high school music teachers. “�ey have always been supportive of the elementary program and are extremely cognizant of what elementary music teachers do. �at doesn’t happen everywhere,” Mr. Funk said.

In addition to teaching 300-plus students each year at O’Hara since 1992, Mr. Funk has served as the music department chair for 12 years. He founded the fourth and ��h grade chorus program in which all four elementary schools participate.

To date, he has served as a cooperating teacher for 58 student teachers from seven universities, as a host teacher for music education students from three universities, and is a frequent workshop presenter and consultant for several national music organizations.

Mrs. Goldsmith says she has observed how Mr. Funk uses child-centered props and stories to engage his students. “At the elementary level, teaching six or seven classes a day, he knows he is the one who needs to get students to fall in love with music.” She points out that the annual ��h grade music programs at O’Hara “are always a delightful display of quality singing, dancing, playing, acting, knowing, understanding, and creating.”

To his students at O’Hara, Lauren sums it up when she says, “He makes sure we learn stu� and we have fun.”

Zack adds, “He’s so dedicated to his students.”

Abby agrees. “He wakes up early every �ursday for chorus,” she says, always arriving at school before anyone else. “If we need extra practice, he helps us during recess.”

�e students say they will never forget the lessons Mr. Funk is teaching them. Zack says Mr. Funk uses sayings to correct students, for example, “Use the ‘Carly maneuver’ to tighten up the notes on the recorder.” �e Carly maneuver is a recorder-playing technique named for one of Mr. Funk’s students who discovered it and shared it with the class.

Lauren pipes in and laughs while describing one of her favorite Funkisms, “Remember to put your le� hand on top of the recorder. I’ll be reminding you until you’re 87!”

Music Teacher Wins Prestigious Citation of Excellence Award

O’Hara Elementary School students and sta� celebrate Shawn Funk’s designation as the PMEA District 1

Citation of Excellence Award winner. He was nominated by music teacher Elaine Goldsmith and

Assistant Principal J.P. Prager.

Mr. Funk speaks with students following the surprise assembly to honor him.



For many high schoolers a career path is clear. For others, not so much. Participating in an apprenticeship program helps Fox Chapel Area High School students focus their career

planning. �is year 50 sophomores, juniors, and seniors are involved in apprenticeships that allow the students to meet with professionals who share their experience and expertise in their work se�ings.

Sponsored by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU), students from high schools across Allegheny County have the opportunity to explore professions ranging from acting, advertising, and animation to visual arts, writing for publication, and zoo animal care. Students must apply online to be considered for participation.

“�e AIU Apprenticeship Program o�ers fantastic hands-on learning opportunities for students who wish to investigate potential career paths in greater depth,” says high school teacher Lisa Giguere, who coordinates the AIU apprenticeship program at Fox Chapel Area. “Every apprenticeship has something unique to o�er and helps these young adults to make be�er decisions about their future.”

�is has proven true for junior Sarah Bradley, currently enrolled in the apprenticeship program, who knows she wants to get her master’s in marine biology. Unsure of exactly what she wants to do with that degree she says, “�at’s why I decided to do this.”

Junior Geena Petrone, who is interested in both math and science, completed a mentoring program in civil engineering last semester at Carnegie Mellon University’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering – Green Design Institute. �e apprenticeship o�ered an opportunity to discover how civil engineers work to �nd answers to questions about sustainability and green design.

Students in the program spend eight sessions learning about a variety of topics dealing with sustainability and the use of raw materials. On one of the days at CMU, Geena said she worked with other participants to take apart a toaster in order to see how much and what type of material goes into it. At another session, students designed a scale model of a windmill and tested it to see if it could light up an LED bulb. �ey also visited and studied a self-sustaining prototype house that was built on campus by CMU students.

Geena would recommend that everyone consider participating in the apprenticeship program. It has led her to �ne-

tune her civil engineering career plans to transportation and she says, “Changing the world through civil engineering is what I want to do.”

Senior Maheen Nadeem got to pet a penguin and see behind-the-scenes areas of the Pi�sburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium that visitors do not generally get to experience. She decided to apply she says because, “Marine biology has always intrigued me.”

A Fox Chapel Area student poses with a new �iend.

14 Fox Chapel Area

Apprenticeships Offer Insight to

Future Careers

She and the other students in the marine biology apprenticeship visited the zoo eight times, and each session o�ered a di�erent experience. Maheen said that her group of 15 students spent a session studying the fresh-water ecosystem at the Amazon tank. During other sessions, she observed how the animals have human-like qualities, as she saw the sea lions move like dancers in perfect synchronization. In a visit to the Allegheny River, the students took water samples using pH-sensing tools and thermometers.

Like Geena, Maheen enthusiastically recommends the mentorship. “Anyone who is even remotely interested should do it,” she states.

Junior Edward Schwartz says he has not yet made a career decision but is keeping his options open. Involved in acting since he was �ve, he chose to participate in his second apprenticeship program – the acting, singing, and dancing apprenticeship at the Pi�sburgh Musical �eater. Last year he completed a conducting apprenticeship under the direction of Duquesne University Music School’s Dr. Robert Cameron.

Although he may not become a conductor, Eddie says it was valuable for him to learn the history of music. “Understanding music helps you in whatever part you do,” he’s says.

In addition to being active with the Act One �eatre School since he was 13, Eddie has also been involved in Fox Chapel Area High School’s Le Grand Salon, performs with the Concert Choir and Madrigal Singers, and is currently enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) Music �eory. He says, “Knowing the names of famous conductors – knowing li�le random facts about music – helps when you talk to people.”

According to Ms. Giguere, “�e students who participate return with amazing culminating projects and stories about their experiences in the professional world. It is so wonderful to witness students relaying their excitement about holding a penguin in the avian care apprenticeship or meeting various television personalities in the broadcast journalism apprenticeship.”


Apprenticeships Offer Insight to

Future Careers

Teacher Stephanie Lind works with a Fox Chapel Area High School student as he prepares metal for enameling as part of the metalsmithing

apprenticeship at the Society for Contemporary Cra�s in Pi�sburgh.

A Fox Chapel Area student examines the underside of a shark as part of the AIU marine biology apprenticeship program.

“The students who participate return with amazing culminating projects and stories about their experiences in the professional world.”

Lisa Giguere, high school teacher and coordinator of the AIU apprenticeship program at Fox Chapel Area.

16 Fox Chapel Area


Kerr “Pawsitively Proud”

of Positive Behavior Program

Fuel Perks!® and reward cards. Now there are “Paw Perks” that Kerr Elementary School students earn as part of a schoolwide e�ort to acknowledge positive behavior. Beginning February 1,

students who are “caught” demonstrating the district’s Core Values of Respect, Responsibility, and Integrity in the classroom and in the hallways will be handed a Pawsitively Proud Paw Perk. Recipients of the Paw Perks then deposit them in their grade-level mailbox to be eligible for prizes awarded at the end of each month.

Principal Paul Noro, Ed.D., explained the new program and its rules at a special assembly on January 30, which also marked the 100th day of school for the students. �e presentation took on the air of a pep rally with the Kerr ��h grade band and the school district’s Fox mascot on hand to help generate excitement for the positive acknowledgement program. Dr. Noro told students that he was pleased with their behavior so far this school year in the classroom and hallways. “�is is the best start to the school year we ever had,” he told the students. �e new Paw Perks program will “show you that we appreciate how you act,” he said. �ere are a limited number of students who can receive the Paw Perks since each teacher is only given eight to pass out each month. Additionally, Paw Perks cannot be awarded to students by their regular classroom teachers.

At the end of February, the �rst names were drawn from all of the entries, and the two winners from each grade level had the opportunity to cut o� their principal’s tie and share a snack with Dr. Noro. Other monthly prizes include “fast passes” that enable recipients to cut to

the front of the line for lunch and other events, a game day with the principal, and “Minute to Win It” challenges. At the end of the school year, all monthly winners’ names will be entered into a drawing for special prizes.

In addition to the Paw Perks program, there are also opportunities for each class to be acknowledged for their positive behavior. A large paw print has been placed on each classroom door, and Dr. Noro and special area teachers (such as art, music, physical education, and library) will put up stars on the paw prints to award an entire class for demonstrating respectful behavior or one of the other Core Values. Classes with the most stars at the end of each month will be chosen to participate in a special activity.

�e new acknowledgement program follows an e�ort at Kerr to promote positive behavior by laying out expectations in the classroom and hallways at school. Dr. Noro said he came to the realization that students may not always understand expectations for in-school behavior – unless they are taught, just like math and reading. He and a team from Kerr a�ended a local training seminar and Dr. Noro also a�ended a national seminar in Oregon to learn about CHAMPS (C for Conversation, H for Help, A for Activity, M for Movement, P for Participation, and S for Success), a classroom management strategy.

Dr. Noro is proud of the progress Kerr students have made in demonstrating “pawsitive” behavior. He points out that referrals for time-outs have been reduced by one third already this school year. With fewer discipline issues, more time can be spent on instruction.

Dr. Noro reminds the students, “We should be ‘pawsitively’ proud of ourselves. Keep up the good work!”

Indeed, students have responded positively to the new reward system and like how expectations are clearly de�ned. For example, ��h grader Ryan Kerr now has a clearer understanding of whether he can talk in the hallways. “Talking levels from zero, which is not talking in the hall, to one, which is a whisper, two and three, and then, four which is outside voices,” he explains.

Fi�h grader Braelyn Henderson said teachers use the CHAMPS program to let students know what behavior is expected in di�erent school activities. “CHAMPS lets us know how you should move, if you should be talking, when you should be participating,” she says.

Braelyn says she likes the Paw Perks program. “It pays o�. You get a reward.”

A Kerr Elementary School student cuts Dr. Noro’s tie as part of his reward for demonstrating the district’s Core Values of Respect,

Responsibility, and Integrity.

Did the Fox make that paw print on the door?!? It’s actually a large paw print put there by Principal Dr. Paul Noro. He explains to students how their class can receive

stars for demonstrating positive behavior.

Fox Chapel Area High School hosted a team of evaluators from the Middle States Commission of Secondary

Schools February 27-March 1, 2012. �e site visit was the culminating event of the high school’s year-long accreditation process.

�e evaluation process, prescribed by the Middle States Commission of Secondary Schools of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, includes a building-level strategic planning process for the upcoming seven-year accreditation cycle. �e site visit then provides the opportunity to showcase all that the high school has to o�er. �ough not required, Middle States accreditation provides a catalyst for school improvement and is highly regarded as the gold standard. Fox Chapel Area High School last went through the process in 2003-2004.

Last spring, the planning team, made up of teachers, parents, students, and administrators, was appointed and began the process of administering the Middle States survey to students, parents, and teachers. �e Middle States survey covered the 12 Middle States Association standards vital to successful high school programs – mission/philosophy, governance and leadership, school improvement planning, �nances, facilities, school climate and organization, health and safety, educational program, assessment and evidence of student learning, student services, student life and student activities, and information resources and technology – in

order to determine strengths and to identify areas that can be improved. A�er compiling the survey results, the planning team delineated three areas of focus which were then sent to the action teams.

�e next step was for action teams to determine speci�c goals, timelines, responsibilities, resources, and evaluation criteria in the three focus areas which included curriculum and instruction; health, wellness, and relationships; and Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM). �e action teams met over the fall semester to develop a spreadsheet plan for each area that detailed steps to achieve the goals. In the area of curriculum and instruction, the high school will continue to work to make improvements, particularly focusing on the new Common Core State Standards to ensure they are incorporated into the curriculum. A second part of that action plan includes re�ning Di�erentiated Instruction to respond to the needs of the students. �e second goal area deals with the health, wellness, and relationships of the high school community. Goals include strengthening transition programs for incoming freshmen, helping students lead healthier lives through cardiovascular activities and nutritional choices, and helping the students to develop positive relationships with peers. �e �nal focus area deals with the STEMM national initiative, and includes goals to increase academic achievement in math and science, to increase

STEMM enrichment experiences available to the students, and to align courses and curriculum to new science standards.

�e 350-page self-study document was presented to the visiting Middle States site team. �e site team included educators from Western Pennsylvania, Lancaster, State College, Maryland, and New Jersey. During their visit to the high school, the visiting team spent time meeting with teachers, students, and administrators; familiarizing themselves with the school; and examining the self-study document and supporting documentation.

According to Brad Ferko, Ed.D., the chairperson of the Middle States site visit team, the team was impressed with the caring educators and the collaboration they witnessed at Fox Chapel Area High School. “We see how the teachers work together in all phases of curriculum development in order to improve student achievement.” He further pointed out that the Middle States process is about accentuating what is right with schools, “and there’s plenty the sta�, students, and community can be proud of here.”

�e visiting team will make a recommendation to the Middle States organization, and the Middle States Commission will make the announcement regarding the school’s accreditation in late fall of 2012.


Above: Fox Chapel Area High School art teacher Ron Frank and two of his jewelry

students talk with the Middle States site visitors.

High School Conducts Middle States Evaluation ProcessCompletes Year-Long Self-Study


W hat you see is only the tip of the iceberg… a well-planned and produced two-hour telethon,

coordinated by marketing management and television production students. �is year’s 22nd annual Fox Chapel Area telethon raised $49,460 for Habitat for Humanity. However, it’s what’s beneath the surface, the behind-the-scenes planning, that provides the real-life learning experience for students.

During the weeks and months before the telethon, marketing management students learn the basics of marketing, study the charity, choose a theme, and design and develop their fundraising plans. According to business education teacher Jill Tabis, students brainstorm ideas, question and pull apart the ideas, and then formulate and carry out their fundraising plans. Along the way,

they study notes and recommendations from past telethons to help in their planning.

Marketing students are also responsible to advertise their fundraising events. In addition to posters and signs, they visit homerooms to personally make their pitch for support. Senior Chris Cavlovich said experience has shown that face-to-face promotion is more e�ective than merely pu�ing up posters. As a result, there was an increase of personal visits to homerooms to promote this year’s fundraising events.

�is year’s theme was “Hammer Time,” to go along with the charity, Habitat for Humanity, and its A Brush With Kindness and Weatherization programs. Telethon donations will help families within the Fox Chapel Area School District. Fundraisers at the high school included a co�on candy sale,

hot dog sale, dancing with the sta�, parking pass ra�e, car smash, garbage can races, pizza sale, Penguins ticket ra�e, pie in the face, cornhole tournament, Rita’s ice sale, and money blast. Ms. Tabis said several of the fundraising concepts were new this year.

Just as in real-world situations, not every fundraiser is as successful as one may hope. “Students learn that even when you plan, there’s success and there’s failure,” Ms. Tabis said.

Chris, who �rst took the marketing management class last year, elected to take the marketing applications class o�ered for the �rst time this year. “I enjoyed it even more this year,” he said about the planning of the telethon.

In the marketing applications class (an independent study), students were involved

Telethon Brings Real-Life

Marketing Experience

The Fox Chapel Area School District Telethon was broadcast live on FCTV and rebroadcast throughout the community via cable television several times. Each of the six schools in the district participated in the event. The proceeds from this year’s telethon will stay local and help families within the Fox Chapel Area School District through Habitat for Humanity’s A Brush With Kindness and Weatherization programs. A Brush With Kindness is an exterior home preservation service that provides painting, landscaping, weather stripping, and minor repair services for homeowners in need. A Brush With Kindness helps low-income homeowners impacted by age, disability, and family circumstances. For further information, contact Dan Webb, the family services coordinator at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh, at 412/351-0512, extension 10.

The students in the Fox Chapel Area School District have donated more than a half million dollars to various charities through their annual telethon over the last 22 years.

18 Fox Chapel Area

�e “Buy a Brick, Build a House!” campaign started December 1 at Hartwood Elementary School. For a dollar students bought paper “bricks.” �ey then put their names, or the name of a family member, on the brick and added it to the paper house

located in Hartwood’s �ont hallway. As the bricks were added to the wooden �ame, it looked like a house was being built. Each year, all six of the Fox Chapel Area schools come

together to raise money for a charity as part of the holiday telethon. Each of the schools puts their own spin on their fundraising plans.

in the fundraising for the telethon by “selling” the charity to corporations through research, le�ers, phone solicitations, and follow up to collect donations. �e class received cash donations from 15 corporations and other donations valued at $10 and up from 45 di�erent companies.

Ms. Tabis says that the business electives provide real-world experience and help to develop workplace skills. “My goal for the students is to build a higher awareness of how marketing impacts them and to understand how to market themselves,” she says. Additionally, the experience is great to put on a resumé or college application.

When it’s all over, and the day of the telethon arrives, Ms. Tabis says that on a personal level, “It’s one of the big joys of my career.” She tells her students a�er all of the hard work and it all falls into place, “In the end you will realize what you have accomplished — and it’s amazing.”


Television production teacher Doug Martin gives direction to a Fox Chapel Area High School

student and a Fairview Elementary School student before they appear live as part of the telethon. Mr. Martin’s television production students

produce the annual telethon.

Television production students interview Maggie Withrow, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of

Greater Pi�sburgh, during the live telethon.

It’s not a New York City hot dog cart. It’s right here at Fox Chapel Area High School! Students served hot dogs during the telethon, thanks to a parent who donated the hot dog

cart and multiple companies who donated the supplies for the fundraiser.

20 Fox Chapel Area


“The school district has a�racted quality teachers and sta� and has been �scally well

managed,” says newly-elected School Board member Nancy Foster, an investment manager. However, she recognizes the �scal challenges, including state funding and employee pensions, that face public education.

Not only interested in the �nancial business of the school district, Mrs. Foster says she wants to see students challenged to meet their fullest potential. “We need to continue to do the best we can for each student.” She observes that Fox Chapel Area is a great school district and states, “�e experience we have had as a family with the schools has been a positive one. I am especially impressed with the teachers.”

Mrs. Foster has a vested interest in becoming more involved in the school system where her two sons are being

educated. Ryan is an 11th grader at Fox Chapel Area High School and Logan is an 8th grader at Dorseyville Middle School. She has wasted no time ge�ing immersed in School Board business, and was elected treasurer at her very �rst School Board meeting in December.

Mrs. Foster has lived most of her life in the district and she says, “I am honored to be serving on the School Board and look forward to representing the residents.”

Along with her husband Kent, the family lives in Fox Chapel Borough. Mrs. Foster has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Duke University and she worked in Chicago for eight years following her college graduation. She joined Guyasuta Investment Advisors in 2001 where she is currently a partner and director of operations.

Board Member Looks Forward to Representing Residents

Eric Schmidt, a Fox Chapel Area High School 1981 graduate, recalls that one of his daughter’s �rst teachers at

Kerr Elementary School was (now retired teacher) Gloria Schrader — a woman who was also his third grade teacher.

As a former student, and a parent of current students, Mr. Schmidt describes his “lifelong experience” with the Fox Chapel Area Schools as a very positive one. He points out that the strength of the school district is the students, parents, and sta�. “Any organization that’s a quality organization, the strength is its people — everybody comes together to make things work,” he says.

He also says he believes it is important to maintain the quality that has always existed. “We need to stay in the forefront with academics,” he comments.

Another goal that is important to Mr. Schmidt is keeping students away from dangerous behaviors such as drug and alcohol use. “�is is very personal to me because of what I do professionally,” he says.

Since graduation Mr. Schmidt has devoted his life to serving the community. For the past seven years he has been the outreach development coordinator for LifeFlight, part of the West Penn Allegheny Health System. Additionally, he serves as a paramedic on a part-time basis with West Deer EMS and as a volunteer with Parkview EMS. He has served twice as chief of the Parkview EMS and is a lifetime member of the Parkview VFD and EMS. He is also on the board for the Allegheny County EMS. Additionally, he has served on the board of the regional a�liate of the American Heart Association and is a past member of the Fox Chapel Area High School Site-Based Management Team.

Mr. Schmidt lives in O’Hara Township with his wife, Beth Ann (Scalise) Schmidt, also a Fox Chapel Area High School graduate. �ey own the house where Mr. Schmidt was raised and they have three children a�ending Fox Chapel Area High School, Deric, a senior, and twin daughters, Abbie and Tori who are sophomores.

Eric Schmidt has Lifelong Experience with School District

Fox Chapel Area New School Board Members

Nancy Foster

Eric Schmidt

Enriching the educational opportunities for all students and holding high standards are

priorities for new School Board member Terry Wirginis, president and third-generation owner of the Gateway Clipper Fleet. “It’s more than just reading, writing,

and arithmetic. It’s the overall total package, which also includes noncore subjects and extracurricular activities,” he says, adding, “We are so fortunate to have so many people commi�ed to making sure our kids have a quality education.”

As the father of seven children, Mr. Wirginis has served on numerous boards for school and community organizations, both in sports and in the arts. “I know my children have been provided with wonderful opportunities and I’ve been pleased with the quality of experiences they have had in our schools.” He stresses that the extracurricular activities the school district o�ers have enriched the overall educational experiences of his children. Additionally, he has seen a “sel�essness” on the part of those who work for the school district. “We have strong leadership in all aspects of the district. It’s not o�en that you see that.”

Mr. Wirginis points out that being �scally responsible is also a major goal,

but that being in a good place with long-term debt gives the district some �exibility. “What we have here in Fox Chapel Area, it takes a lot of e�ort to keep that kind of quality,” he reiterates.

Mr. Wirginis has lived in Indiana Township for almost 33 years. A 1970 Fox Chapel Area High School graduate, he speci�cally moved back here with the quality of the school district in mind, even prior to having children. Sadly, his �rst wife, Barbara, passed away in 1989. He and his wife Pamela have seven children, Trevor, Nicholas Kennedy, Emerson, Alexandria, and Hannah, all grown, and Christian, a Fox Chapel Area High School senior, and Quintin, a Fox Chapel Area High School sophomore.

Mr. Wirginis has a bachelor’s degree from �e Ohio State University. His business experience involves ventures across the United States. He is also chairman of the board of the Pi�sburgh-based Birmingham Foundation, which he describes as one of his “greatest educational joys.” �e foundation has given away nearly $10 million in grants to the South Side Pi�sburgh community, primarily in an e�ort to reduce youth violence and promote educational programs to improve the chances of success for young people in the community. He is also involved with Riverlife and the Passenger Vessel Foundation.

Third Generation Business Owner Steps on Board

The Fox Chapel Area School District continues to work with other regional school districts and nonpublic schools to encourage parents to access Internet-based educational resources related to drug/alcohol abuse and

cyberbullying. �e Pennsylvania Alliance for Safe and Drug-Free Children and the Pennsylvania a�orney general’s o�ce produced the “Prevention Video” series program. �ese short videos, approximately 15 minutes each, are available on the Internet at h�p://www.drug-alliance.org/. No usernames or passwords are required to view the videos. If you do not have high speed access to “stream” the videos, copies of the videos are available on loan from your school’s librarian or guidance department and also at Volunteers of America/All of Us Care in Sharpsburg.


Prevention Video Program Available Online

Terry Wirginis

22 Fox Chapel Area


The Dorseyville Middle School Girls Chamber Chorus performed for the

Fox Chapel Area Board of School Directors in honor of School Director Recognition Month. Each year, the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) designates January as School Director Recognition Month. It has become a tradition at Fox Chapel Area for students from each of the district’s schools to honor the School Board members. �e Dorseyville Middle School Girls Chamber Chorus, featuring 50 students in grades six-eight, is directed by teacher Amy Beresik.

The Fox Chapel Area Board of School Directors held its annual reorganization meeting in December 2011. Joel R. Weinstein was

elected president; Robert Mauro was elected vice president; Sandra M. Garbisch was elected assistant secretary; and Nancy B. Foster was elected treasurer.

�e Board also set the following meeting schedule for 2012:

Agenda Study Sessions April 16 (Fox Chapel Area High School - April 16 is a combined

agenda study session and regular business meeting); May 7 (O’Hara Elementary School); June 4 (Fox Chapel Area High School); August 20 (Fox Chapel Area High School - August 20 is a combined agenda study session and regular business meeting); September 4 (Fox Chapel Area High School - Tuesday); October 1 (Hartwood Elementary School); November 5 (Kerr Elementary School); and November 27 (Fairview Elementary School - Tuesday).

Regular Business Meetings April 16 (April 16 is a combined agenda study

session and regular business meeting); May 14; June 11; August 20 (August 20 is a combined agenda study session and regular business meeting); September 10; October 8; November

12; and December 3. All regular business meetings will be held at Fox Chapel Area High School.

�e School Board will also hold a special year-end meeting June 18 at Fox Chapel Area High School. The School Board’s annual reorganization meeting will be held December 3 immediately following the December regular business meeting.

All Board meetings are held on Mondays (unless otherwise noted) at 7 p.m.

Additionally, three newly elected Board members, Mrs. Foster, Eric C. Schmidt, and Terry L. Wirginis were sworn in, along with re-elected School Board members Robin F. Baum and Mrs. Garbisch. Charles R. Burke and Sherman M. Snyder are also members of the Board of School Directors.

School Board Reorganization Meeting

TFox Chapel Area Board of School Directors in honor of School Director Recognition Month. Each year, the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) designates January as School Director Recognition Month. It has become a tradition at Fox Chapel Area for students from each of the district’s schools to honor the School Board members. �e Dorseyville Middle School

School Director Recognition Month

2011-2012 Student Enrollment

Elementary Schools (K-Grade 5)Fairview Elementary School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360Hartwood Elementary School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351Kerr Elementary School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 479O’Hara Elementary School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 700

Total Elementary Enrollment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,890

Secondary Schools (Grades 6-12)Dorseyville Middle School (6-8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,040Fox Chapel Area High School (9-12). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,446

Total Secondary Enrollment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,486

Total District Enrollment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,376

Class of 2011

�e total number of Fox Chapel Area High School graduates in the class of 2011 was 348. The percentages of 2011 graduates entering some type of post-secondary education were as follows:Four-Year Colleges 279 or 80.2%Two-Year Colleges 46 or 13.2%Total Continuing Education 325 or 93.4%

Average SAT Scores

Critical Reading Math WritingClass of 2011 567 577 563Class of 2010 565 581 560Class of 2009 563 568 562Class of 2008 561 581 560Class of 2007 547 546 539A total of 287 members (82 percent) of the Class of 2011 took the SAT during their junior or senior year. �e national average scores for all 2011 graduates taking the test were 497 in critical reading, 514 in math, and 489 in writing.

2011 PSSA Scores

Reading Math WritingGrade 3 92% 96% n/aGrade 4 90% 97% n/aGrade 5 83% 91% 92%Grade 6 87% 89% n/aGrade 7 92% 88% n/aGrade 8 95% 91% 91%Grade 11 92% 86% 97%

% = Percent Scoring Advanced and Proficient

Professional Staff Statistics

Number of Professional StaffElementary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179Secondary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415

Master’s Degree or EquivalentElementary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70%Secondary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73%

Average Years of Teaching ExperienceElementary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 YearsSecondary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Years

The Community

�e Fox Chapel Area School District is located in a dynamic suburban community about 11 miles northeast of downtown Pi�sburgh. �e district includes six municipalities (the boroughs of Aspinwall, Blawnox, Fox Chapel, and Sharpsburg and the townships of Indiana and O’Hara) representing a wide range of social, economic, cultural, and religious backgrounds. �e schools provide a comprehensive array of educational opportunities to serve the needs of this diverse population and to meet the high expectations of its residents. �e district encompasses an area of about 36 square miles with approximately 30,000 residents.

The School District

�e Fox Chapel Area School District is a nationally recognized, award-winning school district that produces high achievement in students, with a motivated and professional faculty and an involved and caring administration. �e district currently operates six schools.

Vision

Students in the Fox Chapel Area School District will enter schools that are prepared to address individual needs. �e school community will nurture and inspire students’ desire for knowledge and provide the foundation for them to be successful in a global society and to become lifelong learners.

Mission Statement

�e Fox Chapel Area School District exists to provide a rigorous school program that strives to take students to their maximum levels of educational achievement and to develop the whole person in order to accomplish his or her personal best.

Core Values

Respect – Responsibility – Integrity


Fox Chapel Area School District2011-2012 Facts & Figures

24 Fox Chapel Area

District Administration 611 Field Club RoadPittsburgh, PA 15238 412/963-9600 www.fcasd.eduSuperintendent: Anne E. Stephens, Ph.D.Assistant Superintendent:

David P. McCommons, Ed.D.Administrative Assistant for Business A�airs:

L. Douglas McCausland

District Resource StaffCoordinator of Instruction, Sta�

Development and Secondary Curriculum: Shelley Beck, Ph.D.

Coordinator of Elementary Education and Instruction: To Be Determined

Coordinator of Special Education and Pupil Services: Lonnie Carey, Ed.D.

Coordinator of Educational Technology: Sco� Hand

Coordinator of Ancillary Services: Sam MiceliDirector of Athletics & Activities: Michael O’BrienCoordinator of Communications: Bonnie Berzonski

Fox Chapel Area SchoolsFAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 738 Dorseyville Road Pittsburgh, PA 15238 412/963-9315 Principal: Sari E. McNamara, Ed.D.

HARTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 3730 Saxonburg Boulevard Pittsburgh, PA 15238 412/767-5396Principal: Jacquelyn M. Gregory-Rauzan, Ed.D.

KERR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 341 Ki�anning Pike Pi�sburgh, PA 15215 412/781-4105Principal: Paul S. Noro, Ed.D.

O’HA� ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 115 Cabin Lane Pittsburgh, PA 15238 412/963-0333Principal: Michael E. Rowe, Ed.D.Assistant Principal: James Phillip Prager Jr.

24 Fox Chapel Area

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2012 Fox Chapel Area School Board Region I covers all of Sharpsburg Borough and Wards 2, 3, and 4 of O’Hara Township; Region II covers Districts 2, 4, and 5 of Fox Chapel Borough and all of Indiana Township; and Region III covers all of Aspinwall Borough, Blawnox Borough, Wards 1 and 5 of O’Hara Township, and Districts 1 and 3 of Fox Chapel Borough.

School Board regular business meetings are usually scheduled for the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. and are held at the high school. �e public is invited to a�end.

Front Row (l to r): Anne E. Stephens, Ph.D., Superintendent; Sandra M. Garbisch, Assistant Secretary (2015 - Region II); Joel R. Weinstein, President (2013 - Region III);

and Robert Mauro, Vice President (2013 - Region II).

Row 2 (l to r): Terry L. Wirginis (2015 - Region II); Eric C. Schmidt (2015 - Region I); Nancy B. Foster, Treasurer (2015 - Region III); Robin F. Baum (2015 - Region I); Sherman M. Snyder (2013 - Region I); and Charles R. Burke (2013 - Region III).

Row 3 (l to r): David P. McCommons, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent; Martin W. Sheerer, Esq., Solicitor; and L. Douglas McCausland, Board Secretary.

Compliance Statement�e Fox Chapel Area School District is an equal rights

and opportunity school district. �e school district does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, or handicap/disability. �e district shall make reasonable accommodations for identi�ed physical and mental impairments that constitute disabilities, consistent with the requirements of federal and state laws and regulations.

Additional information pertaining to civil rights, school district policies, and grievance procedures can be obtained by contacting the compliance o�cers listed below between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. This notice is available from the compliance o�cers in large print, on audiotape, and in Braille.

Title IX: David McCommons, Ed.D. (412/967-2456)

Section 504 & ADA: Lonnie Carey, Ed.D. (412/967-2435)Address: Fox Chapel Area School District

611 Field Club Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238


DORSEYVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL 3732 Saxonburg Boulevard Pittsburgh, PA 15238 412/767-5343Principal: Ma�hew J. HarrisAssistant Principal: Patricia A. ClarkAssistant Principal: Jonathan T. Nauhaus

FOX CHAPEL AREA HIGH SCHOOL 611 Field Club Road Pittsburgh, PA 15238 412/967-2430Senior/Lead Principal: Michael H. HowerProgram Principal: Daniel E. LentzAssistant Principal – Senior Program:

John J. McGeeAssistant Principal – Intermediate Program:

Rebecca J. Cunningham, Ed.D.

For the latest information on school activities and weather-related delays and cancellations, call the Fox Chapel Area

School District 24-Hour Information Line at 412/967-2500 or visit the Web site at

www.fcasd.edu.

�e athletic events calendar can be found on the Fox Chapel Area School District

Web site at www.fcasd.edu or visit www.highschoolsports.net.

Much has been wri�en lately about the value of laughter for improving health. If that’s true, Dr. Ravi Godse’s patients must be doubly blessed.

�e doctor of internal medicine clearly loves to laugh and make others laugh as well. In addition to his practice at UPMC St. Margaret, Dr. Godse has wri�en and directed several comedy �lms

which have captured the a�ention of Hollywood, Bollywood and some prominent �lm festivals.

�e native of Bombay, India, �rst arrived in Pi�sburgh 16 years ago, prepared with several hundred dollars of American money to spend for food and lodging. Upon landing at Pi�sburgh International, he was certain that the baggage carts would be free in the land of milk and honey. Unfortunately, baggage carts were $1.25. A kind

lady noticed he was having trouble coming up with the change for the carts and gave him �ve quarters to rent a cart. “�ings have go�en be�er ever since,” says the Fox Chapel resident who has found that people here are both friendly and good-natured. Godse’s �rst experience of driving in the snow resulted in a spontaneous detour into the front yard of a nearby neighbor. When the startled lady emerged from her home, Godse rolled

down his window and said, “My name is Bond...James Bond.” Fortunately there was no permanent landscape damage

and the neighbor waved him goodbye.Although Godse’s future in movie-making appears

bright, his career in medicine is his top priority. He is available for his patients seven days a week

and makes house calls. Yes, you did read that last sentence correctly, he makes house calls. He is extremely popular with his patients, which no

doubt stems from his ability to make them laugh at some of the most frustrating and

frightening times of their lives.

which have captured the a�ention of Hollywood, Bollywood and some prominent �lm festivals.

�e native of Bombay, India, �rst arrived in Pi�sburgh 16 years ago, prepared with several hundred dollars of American money to spend for food and lodging. Upon

Dr. Godse’s Medicine

by Pamela Palongue



Godse was treating a lady who was required to fast for 12 hours. She was angry and ranting about her lack of food when Godse entered the room for a consultation. He bravely told her he wanted to begin the consultation by telling her what he had for breakfast. Instead of throwing a bedpan at him, she was completely disarmed and began to laugh. His unique style of humor has a way of defusing an awkward or angry situation.

�at same dry wit is evident in his �lms which have quirky titles like, “Dr. Ravi and Mr. Hyde,” “I am a Schizophrenic and so am I” and “If It Ain’t Broke, Break It.” Godse appears in all of his �lms portraying the role of Dr. Ravi. His humor has been compared to comedic greats Bob Hope, Don Kno�s and Woody Allen. He has even been known to guarantee that patrons will experience laughter during his movie or he will refund the ticket price and send them a personal e-mailed apology.

Although his �lms are meant to be entertaining and have been described as “feel-good movies,” there is a deeper message in each one that is a subtle lesson about life. His latest comedy movie will be set in World War II India and will revolve around the political di�erences of a young husband and wife who have the chance to rewrite history. A work in progress, a title has not yet been selected for the �lm.

Godse’s other passion is history. As a young man in India, he was torn between the career choices of medicine or history. His mother gave him encouragement to pursue both of his dreams and he has combined those loves into a study of the history of medicine. One can only wonder what he might accomplish if he had a few more hours per day with which to work.

At the heart of Godse’s creative talent and medical practice is a genuine concern for others which is evident in all phases of his life. His ability to make people laugh is perhaps his greatest gi� to his patients and to the community.

Dr. Ravi Godse lives in Fox Chapel with his wife and two children who a�end Fairview Elementary and Fox Chapel Area High School. Most of Dr. Godse’s movies are available on Amazon.com and Net�ix. If you would like more information on Dr. Godse and his upcoming movie release, please visit his website at www.ravigodse.com.

Dr. Godse’s Medicine

by Kathy Rudolph

Twenty area young ladies dressed in their best white gowns and gloves were presented into society by their dads at

the 86th Cinderella Ball hosted by the Cinderella Women’s Commi�ee at the Omni William Penn.

Besides looking beautiful and knowing just when to curtsy, which signals their entrance into society, the debutantes had to volunteer for 30 hours at Animal Friends, which was this year’s bene�ciary of the ball. Each year, the Cinderella Women’s Commi�ee chooses a Pi�sburgh-area civic and charitable organization to be the recipient.

�e ballroom looked like a scene from Disney’s “Cinderella” with its rich, purple hues, up lighting, ethereal �ower arrangements by Bill Chisnell and, of course, Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage. �e evening’s other festivities included a delicious dinner, musical entertainment by the Rick Purcell Big Band and Later A�er Dark featuring Sputzy.

To learn more about the Cinderella Ball, visit the website at cinderellaball.info.

Betsy Teti and Diane Waldman, Cinderella Ball Co-Chairs

Elizabeth Hobbs of Fox Chapel and Grandaughters Caroline and Mary Hobbs

Cinderella Ba� The 86th Annual


Laurel Breuner, Cinderella Ball Publicity Chairperson, and Daughter, Liesl Debutante, of Fox Chapel

Betsy Teti and Diane Waldman, Cinderella Ball Co-Chairs


One question I am most commonly asked is, “How can I maintain my same lifestyle today, tomorrow, and into retirement?” My response always is the same,

“Maintaining your lifestyle is first about having enough assets and second, about investing them properly so that your principal and income keep pace with inflation.”

To help my clients plan and invest for today and beyond, we start by getting to know each other in a way that establishes the foundation for a trusting and comfortable relationship going

forward. This includes you learning about my firm and me developing an accurate snapshot of your current financial condition. After all, knowing the starting point is the first step to getting to your goals.

I also encourage clients to identify what is most important to them about money and what could change this view in the years to come. If you are single, what financial changes could occur if you get married? If you have children, are you saving for college? If you are getting ready to retire, what does retirement mean for you? What other issues may you want to consider down the road? I know money is just a resource, but with good stewardship, it could really help you live your life on purpose for the reasons that are important to you.

Investing is a process, so I want to understand your tax status, risk tolerance, expectation of return, asset class preferences and restrictions, and your time horizon. Once you help me understand these issues, I work with our team to assess and compile options that reflect both your financial and emotional needs.

By this point, we’ve covered a lot of ground; however, it’s just the beginning. Moving forward we’ll meet at least once every year, and I’ll work with our team of experts at BPU Investment Management to monitor and evaluate your investments throughout the year.

Another question that comes up frequently is, “How do I plan for future generations?” To that question, I ask them,

“Do you want to creating lasting wealth for your family; pass along cherished values; make an enduring contribution to your community; or some combination of those? No matter your choice, once more it comes down to helping you develop an appropriate plan. I believe that when we view each financial decision as part of the whole, you and I can consider both its short and long-term impact on your life. Together, we can readily adapt to life changes, and you can feel more secure knowing that you are on track to meet your goals. At every stage of the investment process – from discovery to evaluation, to implementation, and monitoring – it is all about a plan.

�e accuracy and completeness of this information is not guaranteed. �e opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of BPU Investment Management, Inc. or its a�liates. �e material is solely for informational purposes and is not a solicitation of an o�er to buy any security or instrument or to participate in any trading strategy. �ough our �rm provides planning services, we do not render speci�c legal, accounting or tax advice. Always consult an appropriate professional before implementing any planning decisions. Asset allocation, diversi�cation and rebalancing do not assume a positive return or protect against loss.©2012 BPU Investment Management, Inc.

This Industry Insight was written by Nadav Baum, Executive Vice President and Financial Advisor.BPU Investment Management, Inc. is a wealth management firm located in downtown Pittsburgh.

BPU Investment Management, Inc.One Oxford Centre301 Grant Street, Suite 3300Pittsburgh, PA 15219www.bpuinvetments.comMember FINRA/SIPCA registered investment advisor

Planning for Today, Tomorrowand Beyond

“To help my clients plan and invest for today and beyond, we start by getting to know each other in a way that establishes the foundation for a trusting

and comfortable relationship going forward.”


Camaraderie, group support, personal a�ention. No, it’s not group therapy, it’s group �tness! In JUNE 2011, personal trainers and group �tness instructors Lori Elias and Rory

Lazear opened the doors at bFit, a group �tness studio providing a twist to the typical tedious workout. You will not hear the droning pound of feet on treadmills and clanks of circuit weights here. Instead, bFit’s primary focus is providing high-intensity group �tness along with the individualized a�ention of a personal trainer. �e popularity of group �tness has increased dramatically since the debut of NBC’s �e Biggest Loser. Individuals are learning the numerous bene�ts of companionship and competition found in group classes.

Group �tness is not the grapevines and high kicks it was in the 90s. Now, the combination of plyometrics, weight repetition and cardio bursts have taken over, providing the variation needed to prevent plateaus in weight loss and toning e�orts. Women and men alike want to be strong and �t. With instructors teaching and coaching group classes, individuals receive a�ention not found in a normal gym se�ing. �is ensures proper form for low injury risk and be�er results. Although working out in a group se�ing, classes can be modi�ed for each individual, allowing them to reach their own �tness goals. So, whether you are an avid exerciser or just starting your �tness plan, you are sure to get a good sweat out of each class.

Nothing makes you push yourself harder than having someone next to you cheering you on. Group studio environments breed camaraderie; if you don’t go to class with a friend, you always leave with one. Although each member is working to achieve his or her own goals, everyone is working together toward a sustainable, healthy lifestyle. When you are having fun with others around you, you don’t even realize you are exercising.

Group classes include one �nal element, fun! With group exercise, motivation and energy radiate o� each individual, creating an exciting, high-intensity workout. �e group exercise environment is a proven success, used to motivate and inspire individuals to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle with the help of others around them. Working in a group se�ing provides di�erent age groups and �tness levels the opportunity to learn from one another, work together and encourage each other to work to his or her fullest potential.

Working out among others provides accountability and support, and instructors o�en challenge you to go beyond your comfort zone, both are combined to create extraordinary results. Lori and Rory created a group �tness studio that brings “FUN” �tness to the Pi�sburgh area. With a variety of non-traditional classes and creative programming, you won’t have time to get bored with your workout schedule!

RORY LAZEAR, NASM, CPT Co-Owner, bFit StudioBS in Nutrition Children’s Fitness Specialist willPower & grace Phase II Instructor Indo-Row TRX Specialist Kangoo Power/ Boot Camp

LORI ELIAS, NPTI, CPTCo-Owner, bFit Studio Kangoo Power/ Boot Camp Indo-Row Kickboxing Outdoor Fitness Boot Camp Youth Programs

Let’s bFit Together!

Fox Chapel Rotary Club Golf Outing

by Pamela Palongue

It always feels good to help others and when you can help several people at once, it feels great. �e Fox Chapel Rotary Club is sponsoring its annual Golf Classic on Monday,

May 21, at the River Forest Country Club in Freeport. �e funds raised by the charity event will help the Cooper-Siegel Community Library, the Boyd Community Center, All of Us Care, North Hills Community Outreach, Aspinwall Meals on Wheels, Camp Guyasuta, Beechwood Farms, the St. Margaret Foundation and educational programs and scholarships for area students.

�is is the major fundraiser for the Rotary club which has several missions, both local and international in scope. Internationally, Rotary partners with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to eradicate polio globally. It is also commi�ed to providing clean drinking water in third-world countries by building wells.

�e gol�ng event will cost $95 per golfer with a luncheon included. �e Fox Chapel Rotary Club is actively seeking sponsors for the outing as well as new members for ongoing service projects. �e club meets every Wednesday at noon at the Pi�sburgh Field Club for those who are interested in possible membership. �e group’s mo�o, “Service Above Self,” is manifested in their work to help others locally and internationally. �eir conduct is governed by the 4-Way Test, which is a series of four questions: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and be�er friendships? Will it be bene�cial to all concerned?

For more information on the Golf Classic, please contact the event chairman Max R. Kirk at 412.782.5999 or [email protected]. For more information on membership in the Fox Chapel Rotary Club, please visit the website at www.clubrunner.ca/Portal/Home.aspx?accountid=4994.


World A�airs Council - Fox Chapel Area RotaryWorld A�airs Council - Fox Chapel Area Rotary

Fox Chapel Rotary Club Annual Golf Classic

Monday, May 21

River Forest Country Club in Freeport


We all love our vacations when we can get them. But while travelling may mean leaving town for a dream

destination, it also means baggage and one the pitfalls that come with it – waste.

From “travel-sized” tubes of toothpaste and shampoo bo�les to disposable razors and eating utensils, travelers o�en plan to return home with less than they take in order to make room for souvenirs or to simply lighten their loads., With a li�le planning, however, one can achieve the same goal while pu�ing less of a burden on the environment.

For starters, many discount stores sell empty plastic �ip-top containers that are perfect for shampoos and conditioners. Instead of purchasing travel size versions of your favorite products, just get a few of these containers and �ll them from products already in your bathroom. Rather than packing disposable razors, consider purchasing an electric razor for travel. Even a�er years of use, a quality electric razor that’s been properly maintained will still deliver a close shave.

If you’re travelling to a major city or tourist destination, public transportation will almost certainly be available. Just like at home, traveling by bus is the most environmentally friendly way of ge�ing around if you can’t walk the distance. Most port authorities in destination cities have routes to all major tourist a�ractions already in place. If you need a car, many major rental companies have added �ex fuel and electric hybrids to their �eets.

Upon arriving plan a grocery stop. Buying from a grocery store for snacks and drinks is cheaper than eating every meal out. If you’re on the go, packing a few sandwiches can also save you time, avoiding long lines at lunch and dinner time. Your hotel room most likely will have a refrigerator; why not use it? �e grocery store also will save you from the enormous mark-up on food items in hotel lobbies,

restaurants and room service. Dining out can also be a vacation highlight

– no need to eat every meal in the room! If you really want to be an eco-tourist, �nd local restaurants that re�ect the culture of your destination. Local cuisine is part of the experience, so treat yourself, and avoid chainrestaurants until you’re back at home. Eating locally also has ecological advantages;

smaller restaurants tend to take advantage of locally grown produce, meats and cheeses. By patronizing these mom-and-pop eateries, you’re not only helping to sustain “mom and pop,” you’re helping the local farmers as well.

If you’ve chosen an exotic locale, chances are that there are ecotours available. �ese unique and exhilarating sojourns are planned around responsible tour routes to preserve the local ecology. �ey typically hire local employees and guides, and will engage local o�cials to plan operations to minimize negative impacts on the ecology and social structure. Another advantage to ecotours is that they o�entimes allow unprecedented access to the local wildlife, so be sure have your camera ready.

�e last thing to know about ecotours is that they are educational. Many tours not only point out fauna and wildlife, but will inform you as to what you can do to keep your favorite destination pristine for generations to come.

In the end, your vacation is your dream. Whether you’re more comfortable in a hotel room or in a tent in Madagascar, you always have options to minimize your impact during your stay. And by being a conscientious traveler, you also leave the locals with a be�er opinion of you and the United States as a whole. When it comes to tourism, you’re not just a visitor, you’re an ambassador.

Travelling Green Is Easier Than

You Think

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restaurants and room service.

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S P R I N G 2 0 1 2

Health and Wellness News You Can Use

© 2012 UPMC

What’s Insidepage 2 Have a Pain in Your Leg?

It Could Be Serious

page 3 Fit at Any Age

page 4 Surviving Allergies: What You Can DoPutting Ergonomics to Work for You

page 5 Brightening Lives With Light

page 6 A Walk to Remember

page 7 24th Annual Fitness Classic is May 20


Let’s GetPhysicalWhat can a daily dose of moderate physical activity do for you? Plenty! As you get older, regular exercise is a key to staying strong, energetic, and healthy. To learn more about the link between fitness and aging, turn to page 3.


2 UPMC.com/Today

Pat Friend was a busy real estate agentleading prospective buyers throughhouses and going to baseball games with her husband, former Pirates pitcherBob Friend. Then, four years ago, an excruciating pain in her right buttocksidelined her.“It was like a hot poker in my backside.The more I walked, the worse it got,”says Pat, an O’Hara Township resident.“I couldn’t climb steps or walk 50 feet without feeling terrible pain.”Like many people with leg or hip pain, Pat stopped walking.Unable to go up and down stairs, she cut back on her real estate business. She even resorted to using a wheelchair at the ballpark. Finding the source of her pain

Although she did seek medical attention, it wasn’t until she underwent a procedure for a blocked carotid artery that her doctor discovered she had PVD — a narrowing of the

arteries carrying blood to the legs dueto plaque buildup. He immediately performed a balloon angioplasty and stent procedure to remove theblockage and restore blood flow. “It was like a miracle. I felt instant relief. That awful pain was gone,” says Pat, now 76. “I’m back to walkingand selling real estate.”Her doctor, John Power, MD, a cardiologist at UPMC St. Margaret,says the Pittsburgh area has a higher incidence of PVD and other types of vascular disease, due to its largenumber of older residents, smokers,and people who are overweight.

In PVD, the narrowed arteries cause pain due to lack of blood flow to the leg muscles. Pain and tightness in the calf orthighs with exertion are classic signs of PVD, says Dr. Power. “People think it’sarthritis, but there’s no joint there. It’s a circulation problem. Unfortunately, patientsdeal with the pain by cutting back on activities, but that can mask the warningsigns,” Dr. Power explains.

Delaying treatment can be dangerous

Left untreated, PVD can lead to amputations because the slowblood flow doesn’t allow sores to heal. Half of all patients withPVD also have silent cardiovascular disease that puts them atrisk for stroke, heart attack, and other serious illnesses, he says. Anyone experiencing chronic leg pain should see a doctor. “Ifyou let these things go, it can be devastating,” Dr. Power says. Doctors can screen for PVD by checking the pulse in the feet or performing an ultrasound. In some cases, PVD can be treated with medication to control blood pressure and lower cholesterol, and lifestyle changes, such as quittingsmoking, switching to a low-fat diet, and incorporating an exercise program. “If conservative measures aren’t enough to restore blood flow, angioplasty, stenting, or surgery may be necessary,” says Dr. Power.

To learn more about our cardiovascular experts and the full range of heart and vascular services they provide, visit UPMCStMargaret.com.

Have a Pain in Your Leg?ItCouldBeSerious

Aches and pains aren’t necessarily due to aging. Leg and hip pain can be a sign of peripheral vascular disease(PVD) — a serious circulatory problem — and increased risk of heart attack and stroke

“Half of all patientswith PVD alsohave silentcardiovasculardisease that putsthem at risk forstroke, heart attack,and other seriousillnesses.”— John Power, MD

PVD warning signs • Pain in one or both calves, thighs, hips, or buttocks• Painful cramping in the leg or hip while walking or

exercising (having pain while at rest could be a sign of more severe disease)

• Pain that disappears within 10 minutes after resting• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs• Cooling or color change in the legs or feet• A sore on the leg or foot that doesn’t heal


Comedian George Burns — who lived to be 100 — often advised his audience to “Look to the future, because that’s where you’ll spend the rest of your life.”Vonda Wright, MD — a practicing orthopaedic surgeon at the UPMC Center forSports Medicine and a nationally recognized author of several books on active aging and fitness — thinks that’s sound advice. “Nothing is more natural than aging,” she says. “Adults over 40 today are redefining what it means to age. They’re lookingahead — and doing what it takes to stay fit and vital.

“With just 30 minutes of daily exercise, you can minimize your risk for 35 common illnesses — including high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes,” says Dr.Wright, who also directs the center’s Performance and Research Initiative for Masters Athletes (PRIMA®), which focuses onmaximizing the performance of both elite and recreational athletes over age 40.

Staying fit as you age“As we enter our 40s and 50s, we’re just starting to hit our stride, with the potential for many years of wonderful living ahead of us. A well-balanced exercise plan is a key to maintaining that quality of life as we grow older,” she maintains.“There’s no age or activity level to prevent any older adult from being active,” explains Dr. Wright. In fact, studies of 90-year-old men doing resistance training on a daily basis showed improvements in their strength and functioning.

Getting started Starting — and sticking with — a fitness plan initially can be hard, says Dr. Wright. “The first

step is to make exercise a part of your daily routine. Schedule it on your calendar, like an appointment,” she advises. “Don’t be a weekend warrior. Instead, try to maintain a moderate activity level throughout the week, and increase your exercise level gradually to reduce your chance of overuse or injury.”

She tells her patients to FACE the future with a balanced, total body workout designed to achieve maximum benefits while avoiding injury:

F — Flexibility with daily stretching exercises

A — Aerobic cardiovascular exercises every other day, using interval-style training

C — Carry a load (or strength train) to build and maintain muscles in your arms, legs, and core (stomach, back, and abdomen)

E — Equilibrium and balance through simple exercises like standing on one foot

“Whenever possible, mix up activities like running, swimming, cycling, or rowing,” encourages Dr. Wright. “Cross training helps promote total fitness while reducing the chance for injury. Most of all, take that first step!”

To learn more about UPMC’s PRIMA program for mature athletes, call 412-432-3651 or visit UPMC.com/SportsMedicine. You’ll find PRIMA listed under Performance in the Our Services section.

Fit atAnyAge

Should you see a doctor first?

Many say that 50 is the new 30 as today’s mature adults enjoy more active,fitter, and healthier lives

than any other generation.

1-800-533-UPMC 3

You’re 50 years old and a pack-a-day smoker. You also have high blood pressure, andyou haven’t exercised sinceRonald Reagan was president.Should you see your doctor before hitting the local gym?“Regular exercise is the best gift you can give yourself. But it’s important to use commonsense when getting started,” says Vincent Silvaggio, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon at UPMC St. Margaret.

If you’re in generally good healthand starting off with light to moderate physical activity, an extensive medical workup probably isn’t necessary. “But ifyou’ve been diagnosed with anymedical condition, have beensedentary for some time, or are atrisk for potential heart problems,it’s essential to talk to your doctor,” advises Dr. Silvaggio.

“Working together, you and your doctor can create the rightexercise plan based on your age,physical condition, family history,and other key factors.”

If you’re over the age of 40, visit UPMC.com/Today to take the American College of SportsMedicine’s Physical Activity Readiness Self-Exam.


4 UPMC.com/Today

Health Tips from UPMC Health Plan

If you dread the approach of spring and the arrival of allergy season, here are a few ways to reduce your sniing, sneezing, and itchy eyes

What to doIf you take medication to control your symptoms, start treatmentearly — before your seasonal allergies flare up, says BJ Ferguson,MD, director of the Division of Sino-Nasal Disorders and Allergyat UPMC, and a professor of otolaryngology at the University ofPittsburgh School of Medicine. In western Pennsylvania, tree

pollen starts flying around bythe end of February or in earlyMarch, when it warms upenough for trees to beginbudding.

Medications to takeDr. Ferguson recommendsstarting with an over-the-counter (OTC) medication,preferably a non-sedating

antihistamine. She cautions that some products can be sedatingor even result in extreme drowsiness that can impair driving. Be sure to read the accompanying instructions or ask your pharmacist about side effects.

OTC decongestants can relieve nasal congestion but should onlybe used on a short-term basis, Dr. Ferguson says. Decongestantscan cause significant side effects, such as insomnia, agitation,heart palpitations, and a rise in blood pressure. A saline nasalwash also can help relieve congestion.

When to see a doctor“If you are getting no relief and it is impairing your quality of life, you should see a doctor about more effective alternativesand testing,” says Dr. Ferguson.

• A doctor can prescribe medications that can provide effective relief from chronic congestion.

• Allergy testing can determine precisely what you are or aren’t allergic to. A new sublingual immunotherapy administered under the tongue is just as effective as allergy shots, and with fewer side effects, says Dr. Ferguson.

• Your doctor also can determine if your nasal blockage is caused by inflammation or nasal polyps, a deviated septum, enlarged adenoids, or an infection.

Surviving Allergies:What You Can Do

The goal of ergonomics is to make our places of work as safe,comfortable, and efficient as possible. But let’s not limit itsuses to our day jobs!

“Many of the aches and pains people experience can be attributed to ergonomic issues like poor posture, excessiverepetitive movement, or improper lifting techniques,” saysMichael Balandiat, OTR/L, team leader/occupational therapyat CRS-UPMC St. Margaret. “Whether you’re at work,home, or play, applying basic ergonomic principles can helpyou avoid injury and perform at your best,” he adds. Here area few tips to get you started:

• Use the right equipment. Makesure the tool fits the job and yourbody, whether you’re sitting at adesk, vacuuming, riding a bike, orswinging a golf club.

• Work at the right height for you.A too-low computer chair or a too-high kitchen counter can wreak havoc on your neck, back, and shoulders.

• Avoid contact stress. Wear glovesor use tools designed to reduce pressure on soft tissue to avoid blisters and other skin damage.

• Keep items within easy reach.Extend your arms out on each side.Picture an imaginary arc in front of you from left to right. Place the tools or supplies you use mostoften within that area.

• Avoid repetitive movements and working long periods in oneposition. Alternate tasks and change your body position regularly.Stretch every 20 to 30 minutes.

Visit UPMC.com/Today where you canfind more ergonomic tips to use at workand at home.

Putting Ergonomics toWork for YouAt home and on the job, ergonomics can help you avoid injuryand discomfort — and even increase your productivity


1-800-533-UPMC 5

Light therapy is proving to be an effective treatment for bipolar depression and other mood disorders

Brightening Lives withLight

Michele Twyman of Penn Hills always dreaded the approach of winter and the holidays. As the days shortened, she grew increasingly tired, sleepy, and depressed. All she wanted to dowas crawl into bed — and stay there.

“I didn’t enjoy anything — from decorating to shopping. I neverfelt like celebrating,” says Ms. Twyman, who has a bipolar disorder and has battled depression for more than 30 years.

But last Christmas was different. For the first time in years, she decorated, shopped, and madewreaths and centerpieces. “I enjoythe holidays again. I realize now how much I missed being happyabout life’s little things,” she says.

New treatment shows bright promiseMs. Twyman credits her new outlook to an artificial light boxprovided by Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC) of UPMC. Every afternoon, she sits in bright light for about a half hour while reading or planning appointments and activities. It took just a few weeks to feel the effects. She now wakes up feeling more rested and relaxed. She’s also better able to care for her 95-year-old father.

“There are few effective treatments for bipolar depression. That’s why we’re exploring novel approaches such as light therapy,” says Dorothy Sit, MD, assistant professor of psychiatryat the University of Pittsburgh, and a researcher at WPIC who is leading an ongoing study in the use of light therapy for treatment of bipolar depression.

“Most patients feel better within two weeks of starting it, and continue to improve for up to eight weeks.”

According to Dr. Sit, treatment is inexpensive and effective. Patients with seasonal depression require 30 to 60 minutes of daily light therapy while patients with non-seasonal depression need 45 to 60 minutes.

People with bipolar depression are especially sensitive to changes in outdoor ambient light and the seasons, she explains.The onset of fall and winter can trigger symptoms similar to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), including fatigue, sluggishness, daytime sleepiness, carb cravings, loss of interest,and inability to experience pleasure. Individuals with bipolar depression also may have suicidal thoughts.

How and why it worksLight therapy replaces lost sunlight exposure and resets the body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythms — important for everyone’s general health,mood, and thinking. That’s why light therapy also can help patients with jet lag, shift workers, and people with sleep disorders.

While light therapy is generally safe, patients with bipolar depression also must be on a mood

stabilizer or they’ll be at risk for manic episodes, says Dr. Sit. Other possible side effects include headaches, eyestrain, irritation, agitation, and insomnia. These symptomsnormally disappear following adjustments in the time and length of treatment.

Light therapy tips• Check with your doctor or mental health professional

to see if light therapy is a good option for you.

• Follow your doctor’s advice concerning any special precautions you need to take.

• Use light therapy only with guidance from your doctor or mental health provider to minimize possible side effects and maximize benefits.

Visit UPMC.com/Today for more information on bipolar depression and the light therapy study. To participate in the study, call 1-800-436-2461. For information on light boxes, visit the Center for Environmental Therapeutics website at cet.org.

“There are few e�ective treatments for bipolar

depression. That’s why we’reexploring novel approaches

such as light therapy.” — Dorothy Sit, MD


Megan Dow was an athletic, carefree 27-year-old with so much to look forward to — from her upcoming wedding to a new house and barn. But a freak ATV accident on MemorialDay 2010 changed her life in an instant, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down.

It took a week for Megan to realize her broken neck and back wouldn’t be a quick fix and another six months to acknowledge that her paralysis might have permanent effects. Despite the diagnosis, the Negley, Ohio, resident was determined to walk down the aisle on her wedding day 16 months later.

“What means more to a girl than walking down the aisle at her wedding?”asks Megan, who became engaged justweeks before the accident.

Regaining the life she lostInitially, she couldn’t sit up without help and wore braces to support herback, neck, and legs. “I went from doing everything to not being able to brush my teeth; from being able to throw a bale of hay to not being able to pick up a gallon of milk,” Megan says.

An avid outdoorswoman, Megan longed to return to her activities, including horseback riding, camping,volunteering as a 4H Club adviser, and working as an interior designer. “I absolutely loved the life I had before the accident. I had to work to bring these things back into my life,” she says.

At the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute’s spinal cord injury unit at UPMC Mercy,Megan’s team of specialists puther to work four hours a day,six days a week in an intensive rehabilitation program.

Luckily, she had use of her quadriceps, which allowed herto walk with the help of bracesand a walker. Slowly, she relearned everyday skills likedressing herself and walking. She also learned new skills, such as transferring to a shower chair from her wheelchair, and did exercises to build her strength.

Megan vowed she’d walk without thewalker by that Christmas (a goal she met by Thanksgiving) and down the aisle without a cane. A few weeks beforeher wedding, Megan donned her gownand practiced walking in the gym withher physical therapist.

Walking happily into the futureOn her wedding day — Oct. 1, 2011 —Megan did walk down the aisle. Amongthe guests were her UPMC doctor, physical therapist, and occupational therapist. “They’re a huge part of my life and the reason I’m where I am today. They had to be there!” exclaims Megan.

“I’m so grateful to everyone at the Rehabilitation Institute. They gave me the tools I needed, and they encouraged and steered me in the right direction.”

Megan and her husband Eric honeymooned in Cancún, Mexico, where they snorkeled, swam, kayaked, and even explored some ancient ruins.

Today, while she still uses a wheelchairand cane, Megan is thankful she can walk up to two hours with just leg braces. She’s also driving again, riding horses, camping, and doing other activities.

“It was a miracle. I’m so grateful I can still do what I used to do — I just do them differently,” Megan says.

To learn more about UPMC RehabilitationInstitute and its services, visitUPMC.com/RehabInstitute. You’ll also find a link to Megan’s story and those of other patients who’ve benefited from the institute’s specialized care.

UPMC Rehabilitation Institute helps make a seemingly impossible wedding dream come true

AWalk to Remember

Megan and Eric Dow walked down the aisle after exchanging marriage vows on Oct. 1, 2011.

6 UPMC.com/Today


1-800-533-UPMC 7

ClassesCOPD Education and Support

412-784-5764

Insulin Pump Class 1-866-334-5227

Look Good ... Feel Better 1-800-227-2345

Managing Your Diabetes 1-866-334-5227

Support GroupsAlzheimer’s Support Group

412-784-5054

Bariatric Support Group 412-784-5900

Diabetes Support Group 412-784-4194

EventsAlive & Well PresentationsUPMC St. Margaret physicians and health professionals speak on a variety of health-related topics at community libraries. For upcoming dates, locations, and topics, visit UPMCStMargaret.com.

Bariatric Information SessionsMondays, March 12 and 26, April 9 and 23, May 7 and 216 to 8 p.m.UPMC St. Margaret Conference Rooms A, B, & C

For more information, or to register, call 412-784-5900.

Smoking Cessation ProgramEight-week program for those who are serious about quitting.

UPMC St. Margaret Conference Center


UPMC St. Margaret Blood DriveTuesday, March 13 Monday, May 14 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.UPMC St. Margaret Dining Rooms A & B


Physician Guide AvailableThe 2012 Physician Guide by Specialty is now available. Listed in the directory are the names and contact information of nearly 600 physicians affiliated withUPMC St. Margaret. Call 412-784-5185 to request a directory.

Volunteer OpportunitiesFor information about volunteer opportunities at UPMC St. Margaret, call Volunteer Services at 412-784-4081.

For more information about any of these classes or supportgroups, call the number indicated, or call CommunityRelations at 412-784-5160, or go to UPMCStMargaret.com.

Join your friends and neighbors at the 24th annual Fitness Classic 5K Run/Walk set for Sunday, May 20, starting at 8:30 a.m. Beginning and ending at UPMC St. Margaret,the USATF-certified 3.1-mile level course follows roadways in neighboring Fox Chapel and O’Hara Township. The individual entry fee for the run/walk is $20 prior to May 9. Race-day registration is $25. Three-person runningteams are encouraged to participate in the team challenge at an entry fee of $50. All registered participants are eligiblefor dozens of great prizes in a post-race drawing.

Proceeds from the Fitness Classic benefit St. Margaret Foundation’s Bed Fund. Since 1930, the fund has provided transportation,medication, and medical supplies to uninsured and underinsured patients at UPMC St. Margaret.Ask your family, friends, neighbors, and colleaguesto help support your efforts through the Pledgesfor Patients program. The registration fee is

waived for individuals collecting $50 or more in pledges, or teams collecting $100 or more. Call 412-784-5169 to request Fitness Classic entry forms, or register online at stmargaretfoundation.org.


Ready … Set … Register 24thAnnualFitnessClassic is May 20


1-800-533-UPMC 7

ClassesCOPD Education and Support

412-784-5764

Insulin Pump Class 1-866-334-5227

Look Good ... Feel Better 1-800-227-2345

Managing Your Diabetes 1-866-334-5227

Support GroupsAlzheimer’s Support Group

412-784-5054

Bariatric Support Group 412-784-5900

Diabetes Support Group 412-784-4194

EventsAlive & Well PresentationsUPMC St. Margaret physicians and health professionals speak on a variety of health-related topics at community libraries. For upcoming dates, locations, and topics, visit UPMCStMargaret.com.

Bariatric Information SessionsMondays, March 12 and 26, April 9 and 23, May 7 and 216 to 8 p.m.UPMC St. Margaret Conference Rooms A, B, & C


Smoking Cessation ProgramEight-week program for those who are serious about quitting.

UPMC St. Margaret Conference Center


UPMC St. Margaret Blood DriveTuesday, March 13 Monday, May 14 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.UPMC St. Margaret Dining Rooms A & B


Physician Guide AvailableThe 2012 Physician Guide by Specialty is now available. Listed in the directory are the names and contact information of nearly 600 physicians affiliated withUPMC St. Margaret. Call 412-784-5185 to request a directory.

Volunteer OpportunitiesFor information about volunteer opportunities at UPMC St. Margaret, call Volunteer Services at 412-784-4081.

For more information about any of these classes or supportgroups, call the number indicated, or call CommunityRelations at 412-784-5160, or go to UPMCStMargaret.com.

Join your friends and neighbors at the 24th annual Fitness Classic 5K Run/Walk set for Sunday, May 20, starting at 8:30 a.m. Beginning and ending at UPMC St. Margaret,the USATF-certified 3.1-mile level course follows roadways in neighboring Fox Chapel and O’Hara Township. The individual entry fee for the run/walk is $20 prior to May 9. Race-day registration is $25. Three-person runningteams are encouraged to participate in the team challenge at an entry fee of $50. All registered participants are eligiblefor dozens of great prizes in a post-race drawing.

Proceeds from the Fitness Classic benefit St. Margaret Foundation’s Bed Fund. Since 1930, the fund has provided transportation,medication, and medical supplies to uninsured and underinsured patients at UPMC St. Margaret.Ask your family, friends, neighbors, and colleaguesto help support your efforts through the Pledgesfor Patients program. The registration fee is

waived for individuals collecting $50 or more in pledges, or teams collecting $100 or more. Call 412-784-5169 to request Fitness Classic entry forms, or register online at stmargaretfoundation.org.


Ready … Set … Register 24thAnnualFitnessClassic is May 20


UPMC St. Margaret815 Freeport RoadPittsburgh, PA 15215

UPMC Today is published quarterly to provide you with health and wellness information and classes and events available at UPMC.

This publication is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or replace a physician’s medical assessment. Always consult first with your physician about anything related to your personal health.

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

Follow UPMC on Facebook.




When someone says those words, it should scare you. It is usually a surprise and it almost always means that money is coming out of your wallet.

Many people who had planned or have to plan a funeral can a�est that there can be “oh, by the way” moments. �is article will help you try to eliminate surprises during this potentially stressful and emotional process.

It is estimated that a person has to deal with a close family death every 17 years. �ink of the myriad changes over those 17 years. Now think of

trying to make sound consumer decisions based on information from almost a generation ago. It is nearly impossible.

I get asked all the time how much a funeral costs. My answer is always, “It depends.” �is is NOT a smart aleck answer. If someone tells you a funeral cost will be X amount of dollars, prepare yourself for the “oh, by the way this or this was not included.” Too many factors enter into the equation for a quick and easy answer. �is is a list of possible questions you may have to think about to begin to come to a determination of the cost of a funeral.

Will the funeral be public or private? Visitation and viewing? Religious services? Services at the funeral home, church or other place? What will the �nal disposition be? Burial or cremation? If buried, what cemetery or mausoleum? How much is opening/closing of grave or mausoleum? Do I need a burial vault? Graveside or chapel? If cremation, what will be done with cremated remains? Will cremated remains be buried, entombed, sca�ered, portioned out, or multiple options? How many death certi�cates are needed? What do you need a death certi�cate for? How much are newspaper death notices? Will a photo added to the death notice change the price? Will there be a funeral luncheon? How much are �owers? How much is a casket, burial vault, headstone, prayer cards, register book, use of facilities, urn, hair dresser, church, organist, soloist, dove release or balloon release? Do you o�er cremation memorial jewelry? As a veteran, am I eligible for free graves at a national cemetery?

�ese are just some of the questions that need to be answered. Sometimes these answers need to be made in a very short period of time. If you have some time to investigate options, by all means do so. People o�en make changes to their plans as they �nd out about more options and corresponding prices. Most importantly, ask questions. An educated consumer makes good choices.

Call for more information about how we can make it easier for your family to say goodbye.

This Industry Insight was provided by Frank Perman, licensed funeral director and owner of Perman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc, 923 Saxonburg Blvd. at Rt 8 in Shaler Township. Mr. Perman believes that an educated consumer makes the best decisions. Questions can be made to Mr. Perman at 412.486.3600 or email at [email protected].

Oh, By The Way

In lovin

g

m

emory


Ask the Dentist

�ank you for this great question; it is very frequently asked and your concerns are warranted! Dental x-rays are essential, preventive, diagnostic tools that provide valuable information to your dentist not visible during a regular dental exam. Without x-rays, hidden dental abnormalities and problems may go undetected until you then have pain, or worse. Let me explain what x-rays are brie�y and ways you are exposed to it.

X-rays are a part of the electromagnetic spectrum which also includes visible light, radio waves, and other energy forms seen and unseen.

As you can see, we are all exposed to natural radiation everyday and it is measured in something called sieverts. �e amount of radiation you are exposed to while dental radiographs are being taken is very small compared to that which you are exposed to everyday from naturally occurring and cosmic radiation.

Below is a comparison chart in regards to other sources of radiation you are exposed to in relation to dental x-rays.

At Fox Chapel Advanced Dental Care, we utilize digital dental x-rays, the latest technology, which produces an even signi�cantly lower level of radiation compared to traditional dental x-rays. According to the American Dental Association, only about 50% of offices are utilizing digital radiography which captures and stores the digital image on a computer. �is image can be instantly viewed and enlarged, helping the dentist and dental hygienist detect problems easier. Digital x-rays reduce radiation by as much as 80-90% compared to the already low exposure of traditional dental x-rays.

Not only are digital x-rays be�er for the health and safety of the patient, they are faster and more comfortable to take, which reduces time in the dental o�ce. And, since the digital image is captured electronically, there is no need to develop the x-rays, thus eliminating the disposal of harmful waste and chemicals into the environment.

At Fox Chapel Advanced Dental Care, we are also proud to be one o�ce of less than 5% worldwide that use an advanced type of

digital radiography, Galileos cone beam technology, which provides the dentist with a three-dimensional digital image. �e dentist no longer needs to rely on two-dimensional radiographs for diagnosing and treatment planning. �e scan only takes 15 seconds and has a comparatively low-dose exposure.How o�en should x-rays be taken?

�e need for dental x-rays depends on each patient’s individual dental health needs. Your dentist will recommend necessary x-rays based upon review of your medical and dental history, a dental exam, signs and symptoms, your age, and risk of disease.

At Fox Chapel Advanced Dental Care, your initial visit will consist of a cone beam scan, which also includes your typical panoramic view, four bitewing x-rays (these show in between the teeth) and any necessary periapical x-rays (these show the root of the tooth). Now that we have a good baseline, at your recall visits, we will typically take bitewings once a year and a new cone beam scan once every three years, again depending on the individual patient. However, it is very important to note that this is di�erent for every individual patient.

As always, check with your dentist concerning his or her philosophy on dental x-rays. Although dental x-rays are extremely safe, it is ultimately a decision you need to be comfortable with! I sure hope this helps.

My dentist tells me I should be ge�ing x-rays every year. Are they really that necessary

and how concerned should I be about ge�ing dental x-rays?

Type Exposure Per

Digital dental bitewings

0.038 mSv Exposure

Medical GI tract 4.060 mSv Exposure

Cosmic radiation 0.510 mSv Year

Environmental radiation

3.000 mSv Year

Cross country flight

0.050 mSv Round trip

* Starting at 100 mSv, noticeable health concerns are present.

This Industry Insight was written by Dr. Kevin Pawlowicz.Dr. Kevin Pawlowicz practices at Fox Chapel Advanced Dental Care on Old Freeport Road in Fox Chapel. Dr. Pawlowicz has trained at the Las Vegas and Seattle Institutes. He is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the Academy of Laser Dentistry. You can learn more about Dr. Pawlowicz on his website www.foxchapeldentistry.com.



As Realtors, the question we are asked the most is “how’s the market doing?” According to data compiled by RealSTATs, a local real estate information service, the number of houses sold

last month rose 4.6% as compared to last January. That’s good news compared to other markets across the country. What is the biggest problem we are currently facing in our area? A shortage of houses

to sell! If you have been contemplating moving up, downsizing or moving elsewhere this could be the opportune time to do so.

Sellers are bombarded by national news quoting the numbers of foreclosures and short sales occurring throughout the nation. And that data is very real – elsewhere. Pi�sburgh is thriving and people are moving into the area and need homes. We have had clients over the past six months who have decided to rent, rather than buy, because they could not �nd a home. Some of these potential buyers had buying power up to $1,000,000.

What does this mean to you? As a Seller, there are three solid reasons to be listing your home TODAY:

• Lack of Inventory. �ere simply is not enough supply to meet the demand of buyers.

• Mortgage Rates are incredibly low. �at means that buyers can pay more for a home and you can take advantage of them yourself when you buy your next home.

• Out-of-Town Buyers love our prices. Generally they can buy much more home for their money here. (But only if they can �nd a home for sale!)

�e Spring Market is quickly approaching. �e busiest times for buying and selling are in April, May and June so buyers can move in during July and August prior to the new school year. If you would like to �nd out what you need to do to get your home on the market, call us today!

Does Pittsburgh Have a Housing Shortage?

A gourmet cooking demonstration by Chef Henry Dewey of Penn Avenue Fish Company, a delicious seafood luncheon, ra�es and silent auctions in the heavenly decorated Fox Chapel Golf

Club were just part of the fun at the Angling for Angels charity event. Bene�ting Angels’ Place, the event was hosted by �e Women’s

Board of Pi�sburgh with Newlin Archinal as the honorary chair. �e board chooses a di�erent nonpro�t organization each year that “promotes the welfare and development of children,” according to its website. �e women’s board then holds an annual bene�t with all of the proceeds going to that organization.

Michelle Smith Tipton is Angels’ Place executive director. “Angels’ Place feels so blessed to be the bene�ciary of this year’s event

hosted by �e Women’s Board of Pi�sburgh,” said Ms. Smith Tipton. “We just consider it such a gi� that they are giving so much time and e�ort to help us raise money that will make such a positive impact on the three di�erent locations that we operate. �e locations provide free child care for children from the ages of birth to �ve whose parents are all low-income, single, full-time students and they are working so hard to create a be�er life for themselves and their children. We couldn’t do it without the support of so many people in our community who understand our mission and �nd value in the work that we do.”

“Commi�ed to the belief that every life is valuable, the mission of Angels’ Place is to provide single parents who are full-time students with the help needed to complete their education, so that they may secure satisfying employment, establish careers and become self-su�cient citizens,” according to its website.

Chef Henry Dewey was happy to lend his talents to help Angels’ Place.

“You work so hard and sometimes you forget about taking care of the community,” said Dewey during the event. “We would like to take this opportunity today to take care of a small part of our community.”

Susan Cri�enden is the bene�t commi�ee chairperson who organized the event with the help of the board’s members.

“Angels’ Place does an impressive job in serving low-income parents and their children,” said Ms. Cri�enden. “If it were not for this charity, many young parents in our community would have no hope of completing their education. Angels’ Place gives parents the opportunity to work for a successful, independent future for themselves and their children.”

To learn more about Angels’ Place, please visit the website at www.angelsplacepgh.org. To �nd out more about �e Women’s Board of Pi�sburgh, visit www.womensboardpi�sburgh.org.

by Kathy Rudolph


Women’s Board of Pittsburgh HostsAngling

AngelsforAngels

Kim Gordon, President of �e Women’s Board of Pi�sburgh

Newlin Archinal, Honorary

Chair and Commentator

Michelle Smith Tipton, Angels’ Place Executive Director

Susan Cri�enden, Bene�t Commi�ee Chairperson

Angela Earley and Chef Henry Dewey,

Partners of Penn Avenue Fish Company

Mary DeRubis, Linda Ban, Jan Boni, Terri Logan, Bene�t Commi�ee Members

It is a well kept secret that the best club in Pi�sburgh for families and racquet sports fans is also the best value in town. “It’s the hidden gem of Pi�sburgh clubs,” says Club Manager Len Chorney. �e Club is a year-round operation. Nearly 300 families partake in the o�erings of its nine world-class tennis courts, �ve platform tennis (paddle) courts and swimming pool. �e club is abuzz all year long with tennis clinics for adults and children as young as 4, a highly competitive swim team, paddle clinics for beginners to advanced players as well as juniors, and competitive paddle teams for all levels. Chorney added that the Club is much more than just tennis, paddle and swimming. “�ere’s an important social aspect to the Club,” he said. “We have entertainment for all ages such as poolside happy hours, father/daughter dances, outdoor movie nights for kids, wine tasting dinners, holiday brunches and more. �is is a very vibrant and active Club.”

�e Club has several di�erent membership classi�cations, including a Summer Associate Trial Membership designed to give families the summer to “test drive” the Club. �is membership category has been very popular, and over 90% of families convert to Full Membership. Over the past few years the Club has a�racted many younger families prompted by a 37-and-under membership class. �e initiation fee can also be paid over the course of two years which makes joining more a�ordable for young families.

While the Club will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year, Club Manager Len Chorney is already looking ahead to 2014, when the Club hopes to host the 2014 American Platform Tennis Association Nationals, which are scheduled to be held in Pi�sburgh. To accommodate that tournament,

as well as improve Club amenities in general, Chorney said the Club is entering a $1.3 million, 4-phase construction project that will not only improve the paddle courts, but renovate the Club’s pool, redesign the tennis court viewing area, and replace the clubhouse roof. “�e pool construction starts in September 2012, a�er Labor Day, and will be ready for the 2013 opening,” Chorney said. “�e biggest di�erence is we are recon�guring the main pool for competitive swimming and adult lap swimming in a way that won’t interfere with recreational users. �e baby pool will be enlarged with a zero-entry level and an active water feature.” �e paddle court renovation will replace one existing court and add one new court, for a total of six courts. �e tennis deck also will be upgraded to o�er a be�er viewing area for tournaments such as the Fox Chapel Junior Open and numerous

club championships.�ese changes are just more of the Club’s

e�orts to meet the needs of its members. Past upgrades include Wi-Fi Internet coverage and a Club web site providing web-based court and event reservations, member communication and a calendar of events.

Even with all of the Club amenities and slated improvements, the Fox Chapel Racquet Club is always mindful of keeping the dues and Club activities a�ordable. From tennis and paddle, to swimming, and a clubhouse that’s active year round with parties, mixers, and events, the Fox Chapel Racquet Club has everything a discerning member could want. For more information about the club, please visit our website at www.foxchapelracquetclub.com or contact Len Chorney at 412.963.8331.

Fox Chapel Racquet Club


“Hidden Gem”

American Association of University Women (AAUW) is a 130-year-old organization that strives to break economic and educational barriers for women and girls. It has

over 100,000 members worldwide, united in a common goal to eliminate gender bias.

�e local branch of AAUW in Fox Chapel helps support several initiatives that bene�t area women and girls. One program for helping both girls and boys to feel more comfortable in social situations is the Manners Program. A formal sit-down dinner is held for middle school students in sixth through eighth grade. �e teens are instructed on how to make introductions, the proper use of eating utensils and the art of making polite dinner conversation. Janice Barrington, former director of the Fox Chapel Cotillion, presents the program. �e last Manners Program was held at the Fox Chapel Golf Club in 2010 and AAUW is hoping to o�er the program again in fall 2012.

Another important program is the Biennial Young Women’s Recognition Night which was held on March 13 at 7 p.m. at the Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church. AAUW recognized approximately 50 girls in the sixth to eighth grades who excelled in math and science. �is program is an endeavor by AAUW to help bring about greater equity in the math and science scores of girls and boys. Girls are fairly evenly matched with boys in their academic skills in these subjects until the age of 12, when grades tend to decrease for girls. Nancy Weinstein, communications coordinator for Fox Chapel AAUW states, “We believe that strong role models can reverse that trend.” Greater equity among the sexes is also important according to research done by Paola Sapienza of Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. �e gender gap in mathematics narrows in countries that have greater gender equality.

�e girls were nominated for recognition by their teachers based on their level of interest in math and science. A dessert reception was held and a panel discussion was presented with women who work in the �elds of science, engineering, math and technology. �ese women served as role models for the girls. A similar program for high school girls called Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Career Achievement Night or STEM-CAN provides a roundtable discussion of career possibilities in these �elds with mentoring women.

AAUW also provides preschool vision screening and participates in Read Across America and other library programs to promote reading among elementary-age schoolchildren.

As young women enter the workplace, AAUW awards three scholarships to Chatham University graduates to assist with expenses associated with beginning their careers in math, science and technology.

�e organization is open to any graduate who holds an associate degree, baccalaureate or higher degree from a quali�ed college or university with a common goal of helping to advance girls and women in education and the workplace. “We are a very active, very welcoming group with a variety of ages,” says Weinstein. �e AAUW also o�ers several social activities throughout the year for members.

If you would like more information on the group, please visit the website at h�p://aauwfoxchapelareapa.wordpress.com.

Fox �a�l American A�ociation of Unive�ity Women

by Pamela Palongue

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Career Achievement Night

AAUW Chatham Grants 2011

AAUW Friend of Equity Award 2011

AAUW Mind Your Manners

“�e gender gap in mathematics narrows in countries that have

greater gender equality.”


This Industry Insight was written by Dr. Frank LeDonne.Dr. LeDonne is a local, graduating both from Fox Chapel Area High School and the University of Pittsburgh. He attained his Doctor of Chiropractic at Life University in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a firm believer in natural healing, and has been involved in physical fitness for most of his life. Dr. LeDonne opened up Hartwood Chiropractic eight years ago in the wonderful shopping center Hartwood Town Center located at the corner of Saxonburg Blvd. and Harts Run Road and has been practicing for 10 years.

Hartwood Chiropractic • 3390 Saxonburg Blvd. • Glenshaw, PA. 15116412-767-0200 • hartwoodchiropractic.com

What Exactly is a

“Slipped Disk”?A s a Doctor of Chiropractic and it being this time of the year

where we all are working around the house, I cannot tell you how common the following statement is.

“I was digging a hole in my garden and hit a rock with the shovel. A�er clearing the dirt �om around the rock, I bent over and reached into the hole. I couldn’t get a good grip on the rock and had to twist my body to get my arm under it. As I started to move the rock, I felt something ‘give out’ in my low back and felt immediate low back pain, but it wasn’t terrible. Like a fool, I gave it another try but this time, the pain in my back was really sharp when I twisted to reach under it. �en, it felt like a knife stabbing me when I tried to stand up. Since then, I can’t stand up straight and pain is shooting down my le� leg.”

�e intervertebral disk is like a shock-absorber located between each vertebra in our spine extending from the tail bone to the upper neck. When healthy, your disks truly do function as shock absorbers. �ere are two parts to the disk – the inner part (called the nucleus) which is the liquid-like center and the outer part (the annulus), which is tough,

laminated and rubber-like whose job is to hold the nucleus in the center of the disk. �e annulus has concentric rings which look similar to the rings of an oak tree trunk and the strength of these laminated rings is due to the �bers crisscrossing, creating a self-sealing, secure border for the nucleus center. In spite of this great anatomical structure, our disks degenerate and can crack or tear allowing the more liquid-like nucleus to leak out of the annulus creating the classic “slipped disk” (technically referred to as a herniated or ruptured disk). When the herniated disk presses into the nerve that goes down the leg, pain is felt along its course and can radiate all the way to the foot. �ere are �ve vertebrae and disks with a pair of nerves that go into each leg and depending which disk ruptures, pain will follow a di�erent course down the leg, which is why we ask you if you feel the pain more in the back or in the front of the leg. When the disk tears prior to both disk herniation and leg pain, low back pain occurs because the nerve �bers that are normally only located in the outer third of the disk grow into the central portion of the disk, making it generate more pain.

So now for the important question, “What can I do for it?” When you visit our o�ce, we will ask you about how you injured your back. O�en, the cause of a herniated disk can be the accumulation of multiple events over time. It certainly can happen a�er one major event, like our example of li�ing a rock out of a hole, but that is usually the “straw that breaks the camel’s back” and not the sole cause. Many researchers have reported it is rare for a healthy disk to herniate. Rather, disk degeneration with tears already present sets up the situation where a bend plus a twist “�nishes the job.” �e orthopedic and neurological examination will usually clearly identify the level of herniation. Chiropractic treatment o�en includes traction types of techniques, some form of spinal manipulation or mobilization, extension exercises, physical therapy modalities like electric stimulation, low level laser, ultrasound, and ice therapy. Core / trunk strengthening and posture management are also commonly applied and proper bending/li�ing/pulling/pushing techniques are taught. We realize that you have a choice in where you go for your health care services. If you, a friend or family member requires care for low back pain, we sincerely appreciate the trust and con�dence shown by choosing our services and look forward to serving you and your family presently and in the future.


National studies have shown that senior citizensfear moving into a nursing home and losing theirindependence. Children of seniors who have suchanxieties feel it is important for their parents toremain at home while at the same time have aconcern about their ability to do so safely.

They fear their parents’ quality of life will deteriorate as a result of fallrelated injuries, medication mistakes and increasing age related healthissues. However, they are caring for their own families while providingphysical hands-on support to their parents whenever they can. Parents inturn do not want to trouble their children with additional responsibilitiesfearing they will become a burden. It’s a dilemma many elderly parentsand their children face day to day. Non-medical home care allows seniorsto maintain their independence and dignity in the comfort of their homewhile receiving assistance with activities of daily living.

Care At Home and Care At Home Preferred strive to make all ofyour home care needs readily available with two convenient options.Services begin with a promise to provide the best care necessary tomeet you or your parents needs. Care At Home provides help withpersonal care needs (bathing, showering and toileting), medicationreminders, meal preparations, ambulation and/or transfers, errandsand light housekeeping. Services can be provided in private homes,nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Care At Home Preferred isa Medicare licensed home health care agency that offers homecarenursing, physical and occupational therapy, geriatric care management,medical social services and registered dietician services.

Both agencies are owned, and under the direction of, SandraDunkel, RN. Sandy has been a registered nurse for 30 years and firstopened Care At Home in 1994 and Care At Home Preferred in 2010.Both agencies provide free assessments of your service needs. Sandy isthe driving force behind her staff motivating everyone to believe thatall clients should be treated as if they were their own parent. Servicecosts are the lowest and most competitive in the tricounty area. Care AtHome and Care At Home Preferred would consider it a privilege to begiven the opportunity to provide you with the best care possible. Toreceive our comprehensive package of information related to servicesfor both agencies just give us a call.

One Doorway,Two Options

CARE AT HOME_Layout 1 3/8/12 2:20 PM Page 1


by Pamela Palongue

Approximately 40 years ago, Rick Du�y fell in love, but not in the usual way. He discovered his �rst love of

emergency medical services and has been a devoted practitioner ever since.

“I was 16 years old and a�ending Shadyside Academy,” explains Du�y, “and one of my friends was volunteering at an EMS service which was located on the east side. I went with him one day and really loved it.” Du�y became a volunteer at the service and, as soon as it was possible, enrolled in emergency medical technician school at Community College of Allegheny County. He enjoyed volunteering so much that he would spend all weekend at the service. “My mom would drop me o� on Friday night and come and pick me up on Sunday,” says Du�y.

He readily admits that the initial a�raction of it was the excitement, but he found that he enjoyed the opportunity to help others. He eventually a�ended a paramedic class at North Hills Passavant receiving his certi�cation in 1976.

Emergency medical services were still in their infancy at the time. Many people will remember the hit TV show “Emergency!”

starring Randy Mantooth, which inspired many individuals to pursue a career in EMS. Pi�sburgh was also the birthplace of ambulance services, with the �rst one being established in the Hill District by Dr. Peter Safar. Du�y wanted his own native Fox Chapel to have an emergency service of its own. In August 1978, he helped to charter Foxwall Emergency Medical Services which became operational in March 1979. It is one of only a handful of volunteer EMS services le�.

�ough Du�y volunteered for years, he currently receives a small stipend as executive director and chief of operations. �ere are only two other paid positions at Foxwall EMS and the rest of the sta� is entirely volunteer. Du�y hopes that it will be able to remain a volunteer service. It answers emergency calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the boroughs of Fox Chapel, Aspinwall and Blawnox and is part of the Allegheny County 911 system. Foxwall EMS is able to maintain services by subscriptions from individuals and businesses in the community, insurance billing and some funding provided by the municipalities. “We hope to replace our 2001 Ford truck with a new ambulance this year,” adds Du�y.

Du�y believes another important function of Foxwall EMS in the


in the community, insurance billing and some funding provided by the municipalities. “We hope to replace our 2001 Ford truck with a new ambulance this year,” adds Du�y.

Du�y believes another important

Rick Duffy – A Vital Member of the Community

“I was always interested in medicine.

I feel that this [emergency medicine]

is my calling.”

His contributions to emergency

medical services have improved care for residents of the

community and saved many lives.

community is that of education. It holds CPR classes, and other potentially life-saving techniques are taught. Many of the volunteer EMTs and paramedics also go on to serve the community as doctors. One former volunteer, Tracey Smart, is now an emergency physician at UPMC St. Margaret and functions as the medical command doctor for the ambulance service where she once volunteered.

Individuals interested in volunteering with the ambulance service must have at least a certi�cation in CPR. �ey must complete an emergency medical technician course and receive their certi�cation within one year of joining the organization. �e EMT course is approximately 140 hours and includes classroom instruction and practical hands-on training.

�ough Du�y can be found most evenings working at the ambulance service, he works as a mortgage banker for Howard Hanna by day to pay the bills. �e son of a cardiologist, Du�y says, “I was always interested in medicine. I feel that this [emergency medicine] is my calling.” His contributions to emergency medical services have improved care for residents of the community and saved many lives.

For more information on a career in emergency medical services, please visit the National Registry of Emergency Medical

Technicians website at www.nremt.org. For more information on Foxwall EMS

or to subscribe to the service, you may visit the website

at www.foxwall.org.


more information on Foxwall EMS or to subscribe to the service,

you may visit the website at www.foxwall.org.

Rick Duffy – A Vital Member of the Community


More than half of the energy used in the average American home goes toward heating and cooling,and if your house is not properly insulated, much of that expense can go to waste. Insulation, particularly when installed in an area such as the attic, requires less work from the air conditioningand furnace systems, translating into less expense and fewer repairs.

There are a number of things to note to properly install attic insulation, the first of which is called R-value. R-value measuresthe effectiveness of types of insulation; the higher an insulation’s R-value, the more effective it is. The recommendedR-value for walls and floors in a mild climate is R-11; for ceilings and attics, it is R-19. In moderate climates, R-valuesshould be a minimum of R-19 for walls and floors and R-30 for ceilings and attics. And, in cold climates, R-valuesfor walls and floors should be R-19, and R-38 to R-49 forceilings and attics.

If you use your attic as living space, it is a good idea to install insulation in the walls and ceiling. If it is not used, you should still insulate, and the empty space will provideample room for installation. If your attic is being insulated forthe first time, it should include a vapor barrier, which is any material that does not absorb moisture and through which vapor will not pass.

After it snows, it is recommended that you check the roof to see wherethe snow has fallen. If you notice specific areas on the roof where the snow has melted, this may signal an area that needs to be insulated or where the insulation is damaged.

When installing insulation in the attic, the best method is to install it from the eaves toward thecenter of the room so as to leave more headroom when you need to cut or fit the insulation properly.

If, upon installing the insulation, you discover that you need an extra layer, you can simply layblankets on top of the insulation already there. To reduce fire hazard, cover the panels with wallboardor use fiberglass panels if you must install panels between the rafters in a ceiling that slopes. Also,if you use cellulose insulation, which is the most common type of loose-fill insulation, be sure that it has been treated with a fire retardant.

Project1_Layout 1 1/23/12 11:59 AM Page 1



If you are thinking of selling your home or just making some updates toyour current living space, you don’t necessarily need to think big expenseand lots of work. Small �xes can increase your home’s value for a big payo�.

For starters, maintain a regular cleaning schedule. �is serves a dual purpose of not just keeping your house tidy and neat, especially for visitors, but will help keep your maintenance issues in check since you will notice relatively early on if something is in need of a �x, thus avoiding costly repairs.

Keep your house looking fresh by adding some new paint. When selecting a color, remember that neutrals appeal to a wide variety of people, and if you are selling your home, a neutral color is easy to paint over should the new owners choose a di�erent color.

Consider consulting a professional real estate agent or a home inspector. Each can walk through your home and pay close aention to its detail and alert you to areas that require improvement or repair. If repairs are necessary, make them in a timely manner to prevent the problem from geing worse.

Buyers tend to favor bathrooms and kitchens, so it could be especially bene�cial to keep these rooms clean and updated. Consult a real estate agent if you need ideas for updating. If these rooms are small,consider what could be rearranged to make them look bigger. Also, keep the appliances clean and in working order, even if you are not planning toinclude them in the sale of the house.

Spend some time in the yard. Remember that curb appeal is a person’s�rst impression of your overall house, so maintain a yard free of debris andcoordinate the colors of your gardens to match the house.

Installing modern light switches and power outlets can help your lightingsystem look newer than it is. Also consider installing dimmer switches,which are a favorite among potential buyers. Show o� the bright sides of

your house by increasing the waage in your light bulbs.

Finally, keep your house free of cluer by cleaning up a�er yourself

and making sure your children dothe same. In addition, keep your

carpets clean by vacuuming regularly and administering deep cleaning treatments.

Small Updates Pay O� BIG for Home ValuesBy Heather Holtschlag

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Delights Young Residents with a

Susan Herald, Dept. Head of �e Children’s Library

by Kathy Rudolph

Melanie Artice-Moore, Children’s and Young Adult Librarian


To learn more about the library’s

upcoming events, visit the website at

www.coopersiegelcommunitylibrary.org.

Cooper-Siegel Community Library

Li�le girls and boys love a good tea party and what be�er way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than at the Valentine Tea hosted by Cooper-Siegel Community Library.

One could tell that it was a labor of love for children’s librarians Susan Herald and Melanie Artice-Moore, who worked hard to make sure everyone felt special and entertained in the festively decorated party room of pink and red hearts.

Besides modeling their pre�y, pink boa tiaras and bracelets decorated with Valentine’s Day candies that they cra�ed, the li�le valentines decorated white gloves in preparation for raising their pinkies while holding their tea cups. Trivia games, a scavenger hunt and treats of tea, strawberries and pink cupcakes also made the celebration complete. It was a great way to bring like minds together and create a sweet, lasting memory and friendships for years to come.

�ere are lots of great upcoming programs to register for at the library including:

• Hunger Games Event – �ursday, March 22, at 6:30 p.m., for 6th grade and up

• Graphic Novel Workshop – Friday, March 23, at 2 p.m., for 4th grade and up

• Pi�sburgh Ballet �eatre Program in conjunction with the Hillman Center – Saturday, March 31, at 1 p.m.


Valentine Tea


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Stage Right Puts the Spotlight on Students

and Local Artists SpotlightSpotlightSpotlight

Residents didn’t have to travel far to experience the joy of a live, quality, and theatrical production by Stage Right Players when they performed the comedy “Art” by Yasmina

Reza. A 1998 Tony Award winner for best play, it went on to a 600-performance run.

Bill Ivins is the president and artistic director of Stage Right, which is a nonpro�t, all volunteer group.

“Stage Right has been producing shows in this community for almost �ve decades,” said Mr. Ivins. “It has grown in size and we’ve really stepped up the quality of performances. We’ve been much more discerning in the audition process and we look for the best actors because we want to put on the best show with the best talent. As a result we have seen an amazing increase in the level of appreciation from our audience and we are able to explore more complicated and slightly edgier theater, instead of always doing silly farces. ‘Art’ is a perfect example. �e show is really smart and di�cult to perform so it requires really talented actors. �is we could not have done 10 years ago.”

To complement each performance of “Art,” the players invited area high school and local artists to display their artwork for guests to view. Jody Shell is a Fox Chapel Area High School art teacher for some of the students whose art was displayed.

“I used to do the sets for the musicals at the high school and Bill’s kids were involved,” said Ms. Shell. He would come in and

help whenever we got really jammed up; always there like the hero that came in at the last minute whenever I thought we’d never get �nished. I got to know him and he always told me about Stage Right. It was great the way he came in and worked with the kids at the school and now this is a way that the kids can come out into the community and show their work.”

Stage Right’s home has been Boyd Community Center, which is going to be replaced with a new center to be�er meet the community’s needs.

“�ere is a lot of excitement with the way the company is going and we hope to have a long future in this community,” said Mr. Ivins. “We are hoping and praying that there is a space for us at the new center to continue this tradition that the community has held for almost �ve decades.”

�e group’s upcoming spring production includes “Rumors” by Neil Simon.

“We have a venue that is falling apart around us but when the lights go down and the performance starts you will see a show equally as engaging and magical as any show that you will catch downtown,” said Mr. Ivins. “We even give you free refreshments and you can bring your own wine and beer! Try to do that at the Benedum.”

To learn more about Stage Right, please visit the website at www.stagerightboyd.org.

by Kathy Rudolph


Bill Ivins, President and Artistic Director of Stage Right

Jodi Shell, Fox Chapel Area High School art teacher with student’s drawing

Fox Chapel Area H.S. Students’ Art

Art

Picasso at the Lapin Agile

Crimes of the Heart Hamlet Cast

Fox Chapel Area H.S. Students’ Art


As people age and gravity is winning the war against aging, patients o�en ask me about lower body li�s. �is particular

procedure tightens sagging skin in the bu�ocks, posterior thighs, hips, and inner and outer thighs.

In the past, plastic surgeons treated skin laxity of the body with individual procedures, dealing with each body area separately. Oversized arms were reduced by brachioplasty. Protruding stomachs were �rmed by abdominoplasty. Drooping breasts were made perkier with mastopexy or breast li� surgery. Lumps and bumps all over the body were treated with liposuction.

A lower body li� can transform several areas of the body in just one operation. Women o�en pursue this surgery a�er pregnancy, massive weight loss or just aging in general. Aging baby boomers and of course gastric bypass patients are the frontrunners in this war against gravity and obesity. �is idea gained popularity in its infancy stages with women in particular. With women wanting families, careers and wonderful bodies, this one surgery bene�ting multiple areas of the body seemed like their ticket to happiness in a shorter amount of time.

Patients think this procedure is performed mainly for the purpose of excess skin and fat removal. Not so—in fact it is quite the contrary. Lower body li�s are performed to produce a natural contour and a beautiful cosmetic outcome requiring the technical expertise, artistic perspective and meticulous a�ention to detail that needs to be brought to each individual.

�e next most obvious question is “Am I a good candidate for lower body

li� surgery?” Here are some examples of someone who would bene�t from this surgery:• Patients with massive weight loss• Loose skin in the bu�ocks, backs or sides of

the thighs, hips, arms, or abdomen• Would the patient be willing to accept thin

scars around the waist?�e anatomy and amount of loose skin in

each patient varies greatly. �e decision to embark on this path of surgery depends on your goals, expectations and the recommendations of your surgeon.

All body li� candidates have extra skin which will be removed through excision. Liposuction may also be used in addition to this to aid in smoothing and contouring the areas. Again, the additional use of liposuction will be determined by your surgeon at the time of your initial examination.

What are the advantages of lower body li�s?First of all, multiple areas can be addressed in

one single operation—such as bu�ocks, thighs and possibly the abdomen. Secondly, it can be combined with liposuction in selected areas. It can even be done in combination with other surgeries, such as arm contouring procedures.

�e next step is the recovery process. If the sutures used require removing, this is usually done about two weeks a�er surgery in the o�ce. �e swelling which commonly occurs a�er body li� surgery is controlled by the use of compression garments in addition to drains. Compression garments play a big role in the recovery period by controlling the swelling, supporting the tissue and helping to �a�en the skin. �e drains collect excess �uid to help the healing process move along more quickly. �e

pain associated with this surgery is controlled by oral pain medications. Your activity level is determined by the progress of the healing of your incision. We encourage patients to walk the day a�er surgery. Once the drains are removed, movement is much easier. Normal activities can usually be resumed in 4-6 weeks a�er surgery.

Another big patient concern is scarring. Your scar will form along the incision line and will be as thin as the doctor can make it. Multiple layers of sutures are used to prevent spread.

�e one thing that o�en accompanies these surgeries is the freeing feeling of le�ing go of all of their insecurities harbored for many years—for some a lifetime. �ey �nally feel like they are no longer held back by body constraints. �ey feel reborn into this new person who can truly enjoy life to the fullest—doing all of the things they could only dream about before. In my opinion, this is the best “side e�ect” that happens.

If you have any further questions about this surgery or wish to schedule a consultation appointment, please call our o�ce. We would love to welcome you to Beleza Plastic Surgery.

is “Am I a good candidate for lower body is “Am I a good candidate for lower body li� surgery?” Here are some examples of li� surgery?” Here are some examples of someone who would bene�t from this surgery:someone who would bene�t from this surgery:

Raise Your Glassand your body

to Greet the New Year

This Industry Insight was written by Anna Wooten, MD.

Dr. Wooten, the founder of Beleza Plastic Surgery, is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Sur-geons. She completed her general and plastic surgery residency and fellowship at one of the leading

plastic surgery training programs in the country, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Her unique and extensive education and training brings a special perspective to the discipline and art of aesthetic plastic and reconstructive surgery.

pho vanVietnamese Noodles & Grill

by Pamela Palongue

When Van Bright came to America with her father, it was their dream to open a Vietnamese restaurant and serve dishes made from her father’s recipes that

he had personally created. Unfortuntely, her father died before ever seeing that dream come to pass. But you can still taste the wonderful dishes he created at Pho Van in the Strip District.

“Van is actually my wife’s �rst name,” says Quang (Howie) Bright, co-owner of Pho Van. “Pho is a well-known Vietnamese dish and it is one of our specialties, along with grilled dishes.” Bright explains that Vietnamese cuisine is very healthy because there is much less oil used and it is made with fresh natural ingredients from scratch.

�e family-friendly atmosphere of Pho Van is very warm and inviting. �e walls are do�ed with scenes of the Vietnamese countryside and Asian markets. One wall is lined with real bamboo and the exotic touches add interest to the ambiance.

We started our meal with the beef noodle soup which is made with brisket, �ank and eye-of-round cuts. Bright points out to

us that the beef broth is cooked for 10 hours. �e soup arrived with a selection of bean sprouts, thai basil, jalapeno and a wedge of lime. I added some jalapeno to mine for a spicy �avor.

�e soup was delicious and the beef was extremely tender. You can taste the di�erence that slow-cooking makes in the wonderful �avor and texture. It also comes with Hoisin sauce and Siracha hot sauce for more options.

Next we had the grilled chicken and grilled pork over a bed of rice vermicelli. �is traditional dish was excellent, served with sweet chili garlic sauce that added just the right �avor. �is dish can be ordered with beef, chicken, pork, shrimp or as a combination. �e grilled dishes are served with a side salad of le�uce, bean sprouts, cucumbers and mint. �e vegetables are fresh and the mint adds a unique �avor. Our meal was fantastic and I can’t wait to go back to try other dishes on the menu. Van’s father would be proud.

Pho Van is open Sun. through �urs. from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Fri. and Sat. from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Taste the di�erence that fresh ingredients prepared in a healthy way makes!

– D I N I N G O U T –

2120 Penn AvenuePittsburgh PA 15222

412.281.7999


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NOW TAKE CARE OF WHAT SUPPORTS YOU.Visit one of our convenient Pittsburgh area locations: Wexford, Fox Chapel, Downtown, Moon, Monroeville and South Hills.

Call today for your FREE consultation! 1.800.426.9601 | veinhealth.com

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everyday you spend supporting others

PATRONPATRONPATRONPATRONPATRONPATRON

– D I N I N G O U T –

There are three basic ingredients in any successful restaurant – great food, great service, great atmosphere. It is a recipe

that has been perfected at Patron Mexican Grill in Fox Chapel.

Located at 1141 Freeport Road, Patron’s menu states “Food is our passion. Service is our obsession.” It shows on both counts. Add to that a truly unique décor of brightly colored tables and booths cra�ed in Mexico, and one can’t help but have a great dining experience here.

Patron Mexican Grill is one of three restaurants owned by Martin Bolaños, in Monroeville, Wexford and the newest location in Fox Chapel. Bolaños’ mantra is “�e customer is always right.” It is one that is shared by his general manager, Raul Carillo, and passed down to the restaurant managers and serving sta�.

“Once they come the �rst time, we make sure they come back,” Bolaños said.

Our hostess, Amber, was bright and energetic and greeted us with a smile. Our server, Travis, could have taught a course in how to provide great service. He was personable, knowledgable and just really seemed to care that we had a great experience at the restaurant.

Patron has an extensive menu that includes plenty of o�erings for lovers of Mexican fare and those who may not be overly enamored of it. �ere are fajitas, quesadillas, tacos, chimichangas, burritos, enchiladas, all made fresh with chicken, beef, or shrimp and in some

cases a combination of all three. �ere are vegetarian versions of some Mexican favorites such as fajitas vegetarian, vegetarian chimichangas, and spinach quesadillas. �ere are also seafood dishes including �sh and shrimp tacos, and chipotle shrimp.

“We specialize in picky eaters,” said Bolaños. “We got a li�le bit of everything,” added Carillo. �e menu is developed by the chef, who is from Mexico and Bolaños, incorporating dishes from various Mexican regions. It also includes suggestions from customers and feedback from them on new menu items. �ere is also a variety of libations including margaritas, domestic and imported beers and wines.

Travis brought the wonderful salsa and chips, plus some cheese sauce, which is really addictive. We started out our ordering with the shrimp nachos, crispy chips topped with peppers, onions, cheese and succulent, perfectly seasoned grilled shrimp. It is more than enough for two people to share as an appetizer or can even serve as a quick meal. Calling on Travis’ expertise, we asked for suggestions for entrees. We decided on La Bahia Special, which is one of Patron’s very popular seafood specialties. It is comprised of a �sh �llet and shrimp, perfectly grilled, served with rice, steamed vegetables, lime and special sauce. It also includes the famous cheese sauce. It was perfection; the �sh was moist and �aky, the shrimp very tasty covered in the special sauce that was not too spicy.

We also ordered Patron Fajitas, a dish where you don’t have to pick one meat because it comes with shrimp, steak and chicken on a sizzling skillet. �e meat is tender, the shrimp is succulent and ready to wrap in the warm tortillas that accompany them. For dessert, we had a delicious, not-too-sweet, �an. Other dessert o�erings include fried ice cream, which comes in a cinnamon-sugared tortilla shell and topped with hot fudge. It was the perfect ending to a perfect dining experience.

Patron currently has a special Dinner for Two which includes two entrees, one appetizer and one dessert for $25, a great meal at a great price!

Patron is open Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.

to 10:30 p.m.; Saturday noon to 10:30 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.

For more information, call Patron at 412.799.0900 or visit the website

at www.patronmexgrills.com.

tender, the shrimp is succulent and ready

also ordered

Fajitas, a dish

meat because it comes with shrimp, steak and chicken on a sizzling skillet. �e meat is tender, the shrimp is succulent and ready

Fajitas, a dish

meat because it comes with shrimp, steak and chicken on a sizzling skillet. �e meat is tender, the shrimp is succulent and ready

MONDAY MONDAY MONDAY SPECIALSPECIALSPECIAL

$.95 Tacos $.95 Tacos $.95 Tacos $2.95 Margaritas$2.95 Margaritas$2.95 Margaritas

such as fajitas vegetarian, vegetarian

cases a combination of all three. �ere are vegetarian versions of some Mexican favorites

$2.95 Margaritas$2.95 Margaritas$2.95 Margaritas

cases a combination of all three. �ere are vegetarian versions of some Mexican favorites




Do you su�er from tired, achy legs with bulging varicose veins., Or maybe you just have clusters of unsightly, small purple veins that bother you and you wonder what can be done about them?

Rest assured you are not alone in these concerns. Approximately 30% of American adults has signs and symptoms of varicose veins. Varicose veins are essentially super�cial veins that have lost the ability to e�ectively transport blood back to the heart. Varicose veins can range from large, ugly, ropy veins to smaller clusters of super�cial (close to the surface) purple veins. Many patients will experience pain, achiness, heaviness and swelling. If le� untreated these varicose veins can lead to in�ammation of the vein (phlebitis), skin discoloration of the lower legs, skin breakdown and ulcers can ultimately occur. Years ago patients ignored this problem or were told the condition was “cosmetic.” Many times, if they did seek treatment, the results were o�en disappointing, or they were le� with dis�guring scars.

Over the past several years, greater understanding of varicose veins has allowed for more e�ective treatments. �e use of painless, noninvasive ultrasound to diagnose the problem and pinpoint the cause is the standard of care. Treatment for even the largest and most problematic veins can now

take less than an hour, require li�le or no anesthesia, and allow patients to return to their normal activities immediately. All this is done in the safety and comfort of an o�ce se�ing. Many times patients are anxious to receive treatment because they have previously heard an unpleasant story or known someone who had been subjected to previous treatment in years past that was much more invasive than what is available today. �e majority of people are familiar with stories of past varicose vein treatments. Unfortunately, many are unfamiliar with the signi�cant advances in treatment for varicose veins that allow for more e�ective and less invasive treatment.

�is minimally invasive, o�ce-based care is standard of care for the physicians at the Circulatory Centers. All new patients are initially evaluated at a no cost, no obligation consultation. A state-of-the-art ultrasound evaluation is performed in our ICAVL accredited vascular lab to diagnose any venous problems. �e Circulatory Center sta� members will then meet with the patient and o�er a customized treatment plan based on each patient’s speci�c needs. At the Circulatory Centers treatment protocols o�en involve e�ective therapies such as sclerotherapy or Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA). �e physicians at the Circulatory Centers continually review the evolving literature and treatment standards so a contemporary and e�ective treatment plan can be individualized for every patient.

Sclerotherapy, performed in one of our local o�ces, by an experienced provider, is o�en used to treat smaller veins. During this visit a small amount of medication is injected into the target vein which causes it to collapse. �e body then reabsorbs this vein over the course of several weeks. A support stocking is worn for a brief period to help compress the veins and allow for them to collapse naturally. Sclerotherapy is performed in a thirty minute o�ce visit and involves no ‘down time.’

EVLA is also performed in the o�ce by a physician. �is procedure is o�en used to treat larger veins. A �exible laser �ber is inserted into the problem vein using ultrasound guidance. �is procedure is done with local anesthesia and takes about forty minutes. �e laser produces intense energy which causes the vein to close down. Patients return to their normal daily activities immediately. A support stocking is worn for several days a�er EVLA and patients are encouraged to walk to promote blood �ow thru the remaining healthy veins. All this is done in the comfort and safety of our office through a 1/8 inch incision and little or no scaring!

With the generally accepted knowledge of venous insu�ciency and varicose veins, 95% of our procedures are covered by insurance. At the Circulatory Center each patient is assigned a Patient Account Representative who will help them navigate the o�en confusing sea of insurance regulations and billing. So what do you have to lose? Only those ugly painful varicose veins.

o you su�er from tired, achy legs with bulging varicose veins., Or maybe you just have clusters of unsightly, small purple veins that bother you and you wonder what can be done about them?

30% of American adults has signs and symptoms of varicose veins. Varicose veins are essentially super�cial veins that have lost the ability to e�ectively transport blood back to the heart. Varicose veins can range from large, ugly, ropy veins to smaller clusters of super�cial (close to the surface) purple veins. Many patients will experience pain, achiness, heaviness and swelling. If le� untreated these varicose veins can lead to in�ammation of the vein (phlebitis), skin discoloration of the lower legs, skin breakdown and ulcers can ultimately occur. Years ago patients ignored this problem or were told the condition was “cosmetic.” Many times, if they did seek treatment, the results were o�en disappointing, or they were le� with dis�guring scars.

take less than an hour, require li�le or no anesthesia, and allow patients to return to their normal activities immediately. All this is done in the safety and comfort of an o�ce se�ing. Many times patients are anxious to receive treatment because they have previously heard an unpleasant story or known someone who had been subjected to previous treatment in years past that was much more invasive than what is available today. �e majority of people are familiar with stories of past varicose vein treatments. Unfortunately, many are unfamiliar with the signi�cant advances in treatment for varicose veins that allow for more e�ective and less invasive treatment.

�is minimally invasive, o�ce-based care is standard of care for the physicians at the Circulatory Centers. All new patients are initially evaluated at a no cost, no obligation consultation. A state-of-the-art ultrasound evaluation is performed in our ICAVL accredited vascular lab to diagnose any venous problems. �e Circulatory Center sta� members will then

EVLA Minimally Invasive Procedure Brings Immediate Vein Relief

This Industry Insight was written by Louis Certo, M.D., F.A.C.S. Medical Director of Circulatory Centers

A graduate of St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Dr. Certo earned his medical degree from the University of Rome in Italy. After completing a five-year residency in General Surgery. Dr. Certo is Board Certified and Recertified in General Surgery. For the past ten years he has devoted most of his practice to venous surgery and has been associated with Circulatory Centers since 1997. Dr.Certo is a current member of the American College of Phlebology.


Houses of Worship

Adat Shalom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.820.7000

All Saints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.0530

Aspinwall Presbyterian . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.2884

Chabad of Fox Chapel . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.1800

Catholic Community Sharpsburg . . . . . .412.784.8700

Christ The Divine Teacher

Catholic Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.7927

Community United

Methodist Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.6951

Dorseyville Alliance Church . . . . . . . . .412.767.4600

Emmanuel Lutheran Church . . . . . . . .412.781.2764

Evangelical Bible Fellowship . . . . . . . .412.726.6684

Faith United Methodist Church . . . . . .412.963.8155

First English Lutheran Church . . . . . . .412.782.1623

Fox Chapel Episcopal Church . . . . . . . .412.963.8938

Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church . . . . .412.963.8243

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church . . . .412.963.9494

Grace United Methodist Church . . . . .412.782.3396

Harmarville United Methodist . . . . . . .412.828.0292

Harmarville United Presbyterian . . . . .412.828.8232

Hoboken Presbyterian Church . . . . . . 412.828.2611

Holy Spirit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.821.4424

Immanuel Lutheran Church . . . . . . . . .412.271.1995

Mt. Olive Baptist Church . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.5554

Pine Creek Presbyterian Church . . . . .412.963.7868

Sharpsburg Family Worship Center . .412.799.0701

St. Joseph O’Hara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.963.8885

St. Mary of Assumption . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.486.4100

St. Mary’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.2866

St. Nicholas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.821.3438

St. Scholastica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.781.0186

St. Edward Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.828.4066

St. Francis of Assisi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.828.4066

St. Juan Diego . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412.784.8700

Trinity United Church of Christ . . . . . . .412.767.4794

If your place of worship was not on our list, please e-mail the information to marybeth@

incommunitymagazines.com.

Places of Worship in your area:


Above le�: Assistant chief John Simmons, Blawnox Mayor Tom Smith, and Chief George McBriar in �ont of the Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company. Photo by Gary Yon.

The Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company has come a long way since its beginnings in 1921 on 7th Street. Firemen, as they were

called then, used to don old Army raincoats and oil skin hats to ba�le blazes and literally had to push the �re truck up Blaw Avenue. Today, they not only �ght �res but have one of the best water rescue units in the state and o�er a quick response team to give residents access to help within minutes.

According to George McBriar, chief of Blawnox VFC, the company’s new building located on Freeport Road has made life much easier for the �re�ghters. �ey now have the space to keep all of their equipment in one location. In addition to equipment lockers, the new building provided by the Borough of Blawnox has a fully-equipped kitchen, a day room or crew room for recreational use by the �re�ghters between calls, and an area that can be used for training. “�is building was built by the citizens of Blawnox and we are happy

to show it to anyone who would like to take a look at it,” says McBriar. “We didn’t even have room to walk around the trucks in our old building,” he adds. �e new building now has room for the arsenal of vehicles and �eet of water rescue cra�.

�e company’s equipment includes two engines, two squad trucks, a police interceptor vehicle, a 24’ pontoon boat, a 24’ Rinker Flotilla, two in�atable water cra� and two jet skis. �e equipment is put to frequent use with approximately 325 �re calls being answered last year and 24 water rescues. �e water rescue team has achieved the highest level of recognition by being certi�ed as a Level 2a Swi�water Team. �ey are the �rst team in the state to do so and also are an Accredited Level II Water Rescue Team with the Pennsylvania Water Rescue Instructors Association.

�e water rescue team sent a detachment to Harrisburg last September when deadly �oods invaded the area. Sixty-two individuals were rescued within just a couple of days according to McBriar, who is also coordinator of Allegheny County Swi� Water Response.

Many of the �re�ghters at Blawnox VFC are also trained emergency medical technicians, able to o�er quick response to medical and trauma patients prior to the arrival of an ambulance.

Although there is now a brand new facility housing it, McBriar points out that one of the engines is 30 years old and will need to

be replaced soon. In order to raise money to continue to o�er the best in equipment and service, the �re company will host a �sh fry on Good Friday, April 6, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the station. All area residents are encouraged to a�end to support the local �re department.

Despite the extensive training and continuing education for maintaining a high level of service, the Blawnox VFC remains entirely volunteer and is always in need of new volunteers who are interested in serving the community. Any individuals interested in volunteering are invited to a�end a weekly meeting at the �re hall held on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.

by Pamela Palongue

Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company

Protecting Residents from Fire and Flood


Lieutenant Tom Witas and Captain Jim Vento get water rescue gear ready.

Fish Fry Good Friday, April 6, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Photo by Gary Yon.


The days of homework requiring just a textbook and a pencil are quickly fading. A computer, Internet access, and technical pro�ciency are necessities now. Whether

used for homework, socialization, or job a�ainment, technology is a large part of a student’s world. And those without access are undoubtedly at a disadvantage.

Unfortunately almost one-fourth of all households nationally do not have a single Internet user.*

�is fact is why All of Us Care, a program of Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania, partnered with the Fox Chapel Area School District four years ago to help close the gap for students who are among such households. �is was accomplished through an initiative originally known as Children’s First Laptop. �is program is undergoing an expansion this year.

�e newly-expanded service is called Children’s First Internet Essentials and is a bridge between Children’s First Laptop, which provides low-income students with a refurbished laptop on loan from All of Us Care, and Comcast Internet Essentials, which helps low-income families get connected to the Internet for only $9.95 a month. Additional bene�ts include the option to purchase a computer for $149.99 + tax upon initial enrollment and access to free digital literacy training—online, in print and in person.

In order to qualify for Children’s First Internet Essentials, families must be eligible for a free or reduced lunch under the National School Lunch Program and cannot have an overdue

Comcast bill or unreturned equipment. �is low monthly rate will remain the same until the child graduates from high school.

In collaboration with the FCASD, Volunteers of America’s All of Us Care program will act as a service site where families can obtain information regarding the program and take the �rst steps to enroll.

All of Us Care manager Hannah Ufnar believes that this program is a great extension of the work already happening. She said, “All of Us Care provides a�erschool programming for children and youth at risk in the Fox Chapel Area community. What Children’s First Internet Essentials o�ers is an opportunity for us to extend our service by linking families with the resources they need to be as informed and connected as possible.”

Interested individuals should contact Ufnar (412.782.5344 x208 or [email protected]) for more details or to attend a monthly informational session at the Volunteers of America o�ce at 1650 Main Street, Sharpsburg.

*U.S. Census Bureau Current Population Survey (CPS) and CPS School Enrollment and Internet Use Supplement, October 2009, and ESA calculations.

The days of homework requiring just a textbook and a Comcast bill or unreturned equipment. �is low monthly rate will

Volunteers of America Partners with School District

to Provide Students with Technology

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