IN Bethel Park

SPRING 2011 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

2 Bethel Park

Welcome to the spring issue of Bethel Park Magazine. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday filled with family, friends, and fun.

Typically, I use this space to talk about your community or features inthe magazine that spotlight the people in your community who are doingwonderful things.

Well, this time I want to update you regarding our newest feature for2011—our new website. Without venturing too far into the realm ofshameless self-promotion, I want to emphasize that this website is somethingfor you, our readers. How so? Well, you can have input and help shape thewebsite just like your ideas help shape your magazine. Now you have aplace to list all of the nonprofit community organizations that are active in the community. We are also developing pages where we list the localhouses of worship. In addition, we now offer every magazine in a fullydownloadable PDF format, rather than the outdated flipbook format weused to have. This will allow you to send the magazine, or links to it, tofriends and family both near and far.

We tied our website into Facebook as well, not to get the biggest list of“friends” we could get but to have a place to keep our readers abreast of all thenews we get between issues. It also gives us a place to upload all the photosfrom community events that we don’t have room for in the magazine.

As with all things, there’s always room for improvement, but we alwayshave open ears. If you have comments about our new website or want tosee your organization listed, e-mail [email protected] your link or feedback. There’s no charge for listing your church, synagogue, or scout troop’s link, so send your links in today!

And if you happen to be on Facebook and like what you see in themagazine, don’t hesitate to click that “Like” button. It’s always nice to be liked!

I hope you have a wonderful spring!

When I think about spring, I can’t help but think about light. The daysget “lighter”, the sun stays with us a little longer each day. When we havea great idea, a light bulb goes off in our minds. At Bethel Park Magazinewe try to spot-light our communities. What are you doing to be a “light”?If you or an organization that you volunteer or work for is a light in thecommunity, will you let me know? So many good deeds, are left unsung!If you have a family member who is in the Armed Forces, your churchgroup or even Mom or Dad are providing a service to someone in need,we want to know! Please email me your ideas and photos [email protected].

I understand that Bethel Park Borough is about to celebrate its’ 125thanniversary! Recently, we heard from resident and author, Kristin Normile.She has written a wonderful book on the history of Bethel Park. I wouldencourage you to read about Kristen on page 12. There you get a bit ofthe rich history of Bethel Park along with the specifics of her interestingbook! As we look forward to warmer and brighter days ahead, I hope you will enjoy this edition of Bethel Park Magazine.

SPRING 2011

IN Bethel Park is a non-partisan communitypublication dedicated to representing,encouraging and promoting the Bethel Park area and its comprising municipalities byfocusing on the talents and gifts of the peoplewho live and work here. Our goal is to providereaders with the most informative andprofessional regional publication in theCommonwealth of Pennsylvania.

PUBLISHER

Wayne Dollard

ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER

Mark Berton [email protected]

MANAGING EDITOR

Marybeth [email protected]

OFFICE MANAGER

Leo [email protected]

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Jamie [email protected]

WRITERS

Pamela Palongue Kelli McElhinny

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Cassie Brkich Jan McEvoyAnna Buzzelli Joe MilneSusie Doak Tamara TylendaPati Ingold Tracey Wasilco

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Garyyonphotography.com

ADVERTISING SALES

Nicholas Buzzell David MitchellBrian Daley Tamara Myers Gina D’Alicandro Gabriel NegriTina Dollard Robert OjedaRose Estes Annette PetroneJason Huffman Vincent SabatiniJessie Jones Michael SilvertConnie McDaniel RJ VighettiBrian McKee

This magazine is carrier route mailed to all district households and businesses.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in partwithout written permission is prohibited. Copyright 2011.

CORRESPONDENCEAll inquiries, comments and press releases should be directed to:

IN Community MagazinesAttn: Editorial603 East McMurray RoadMcMurray, PA 15317Ph: 724.942.0940 Fax: 724.942.0968

Summer Content Deadline is 4/28

www.incommunitymagazines.com

Marybeth JeffriesManaging Editor

Wayne DollardPublisher

"No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another."

-Charles Dickens

2921

Bethel Park | SPRING 2011 |

Contents

11

Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.

Publisher’s Message | 2

COMMUNITY INTEREST | Bethel Park Resident Turns 100 | 4 History of Bethel Park to be Published | 11 UPMC Today |Healthy Family Happy Family | 21

FEATURES | Wedding Etiquette | 5Bethel Cheerleaders Make a Difference | 12New Bethel Park High School | 14Telerama | 16 Fireplaces Create Warmth | 29Female Fix-It-Yourself Revolution | 30 Rethinking the Attic | 32

Older Adults in Bethel Park | 34

American Cancer Society Relay for Life | 38

Real EstateBuyer and Seller Beware | 42 Reeducation of the Seller | 43

Bethel Park’s Heritage Players | 44

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS | Goddard School | 9

Calhoun | 19

Ameriprise | 37

Pro Bikes | 46

Dr. Rairigh | 48

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT | Brookside Lumber | 41

ON THE COVER | The New Bethel Pa rk High School

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s anyone who knows me personally will tell you, I am no expert onsocial occasions. However, based upon the theory that even astopped clock is right twice a day, I have made enough social faux pas to

speak authoritatively on what not to do at a wedding. Some helpful tips are listedbelow to help get you through the season of bliss.

Given the fact that marriage is a formidable undertaking and the courageous souls who dare to tread the rose-strewn path are likely to be distraught, hysterical

and panic-stricken, you owe it to the happy couple to be the best wedding guest possible. These helpful tips are the very foundation of the social

graces. If you follow them carefully, you will glide effortlessly from wedding celebration to reception party in a virtual whirl of neurotic enthusiasm.

Never wear white to a wedding. This includeseggshell, ecru, light cream, pearl lustre and Tahitian coconut.

Never attempt to upstage the bride, (unless of courseyou hate the bride in which case you probably reallyshouldn’t be attending the wedding anyway, given thespirit of the whole love and happiness thing).

At Jewish weddings do not ask, “What is that big thingthey’re standing under?”

At Catholic weddings try to refrain from asking, “Why isthis taking so long?” The well-prepared wedding guestremembers to bring snacks for himself and his friends.(Avoid crunchy snacks that may disrupt the ceremony).

NEVER bet on how long the marriage will last at thereception. All odds making must be done outside thereception venue. (In the event of inclement weather,the lobby or bathroom is acceptable).

Never complain about the food at the wedding receptionwith your mouth full of food from the wedding reception.It’s a credibility issue.

Throw only designated throwing materials at the brideand groom such as rice and rose petals. Shoes, Jell-Oand steak knives are not acceptable. Ever. Even whenthey are within the appropriate wedding color scheme.

The wedding day is NOT the proper time to share thefact that you once dated the groom, the bride or their parents. In fact, the proper time to share this informationmay not actually exist.

If you simply must dance at the reception, remember youare not trying out for “Dancing With The Stars.” If youthrow your partner in the air, make sure you catch them.Missing is considered grounds for divorce in most states.Avoid high kicks which may warrant me dical attention.

Many people ascribe to the time-honored adage, ‘It’snot a party till something gets broken.’ However, avoidbreaking things that are irreplaceable, expensive and likelyto lead to a law suit. Cell phones and glasses are okay.

Bethel Park | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 5


In 1910 Joan Weiss wasjust one of the 91,972,266

people that made up thepopulation of the United States.

Born in the same year thatbrought the world Mother Teresa,

Weiss has lived through more history than is contained in most textbooks and still gets up to polka and waltz every chance she gets.

In her 100 years, the world has seen the Mexican Revolution, thesinking of the Titanic, the establishment of the Federal Reserve, the first edition of “Tarzan of the Apes,” WWI, WWII, the Korean Conflict,Vietnam, the Persian Gulf War, Iraqi Freedom, and Afghanistan’sOperation Enduring Freedom.

To what does Weiss attribute her longevity?Donuts. “You have to have cake donuts, not the ones with chocolate on

them,” she said. Weiss celebrated her 100th birthday on December 2, at PRIME

TIME Adult Care in Bethel Pa rk, an outreach ministry of Christ UnitedMethodist Church.

Mary Ann Weber, director of PRIME TIME, said that Weiss is aninspiration to everyone she comes into contact with.

“She’s friendly. She’s smiling all the time. She loves to dance. She is aphenomenon,” Weber said. “Joan has been with us for little more than ayear and is our only 100-year-old resident.”

Prior to PRIME TIME, Weiss lived with her daughter until a fall in adoctor’s office that resulted in a broken rib got her to thinking thatbeing in a facility like PRIME TIME would be a good idea.

“The good Lord got me better, and I knew I had to change to adifferent place to live,” Weiss said.

It’s been a long road from her hometown of Aliquippa to BethelPark. Weiss said that some of her favorite memories include seeing herchildren and grandch ildren growing up. “They were very sweet, andclose with me all the years from when they were little,” she said. “Whentheir poor mommy died, I took over, and I’m still very close with them.”

During those years, Weiss went to beauty school in Chicago,communing from Gary, Indiana, by bus, and became a hairdresser. “I loved my work, and was a hairdresser for 25 years,” she said.

While she enjoys life to the utmost and dances on a regular basis,Weiss said that she’s seen so many changes in life and is concerned fortoday’s youth. “I’ve lived through so many changes since I was a younggirl—some good, some not so good,” she said. “For the youngerpeople, I feel bad for them. I think they’re missing a lot in life. In mydays we were poor, but we were always happy.”

Weber said that Weiss’ family was invi ted to PRIME TIME for theDecember 2, celebration, and someone from Representative TimMurphy’s office presented Weiss with a commemorative plaque.

“We had a special cake for her, another framed certificate ofappreciation, and we had a series of facts of what life was like when Joanwas born,” Weber said. “We had a group of funny quotes fromcelebrities about age. Overall, it was just a great afternoon.”

To what does Joan Weiss attribute her longevity? DONUTS!

(Earth Mass) is back by popular demand!

B e t h e l P a r k S P r i n g W o r S h i P

Missa Gaia Christ United Methodist Church in Bethel Park invites you to this fun-filled concert presented by the Chancel & Chapel Choirs on

Sunday night, March 20, featuring Joe Negri & members of the symphony.

Call Linda Williams in the church office for more information 412.835.6621.

Bethel Park | Winter 2010 | incommunitymagazines.com 7


Punter Matthew Spegal for the Bethel Park Blackhawks wasinvited to attend the Kohl’s Kicking“National UnderclassmanChallenge” in Orlando, Floridaheld January 8 and 9. Mattreceived a verbal invitation andwas chosen to attend after hisperformance at the Kohl’s EasternShowcase Camp held in Pittsburghon December 5. Kohl’s invites onlythe top freshmen, sophomores, andjuniors that participated in thewinter showcase tour to attend thisevent. The top 15-20 kickers, top16 punters and top 8-10 snappersfrom across the country were inattendance at the prestigious LakeHighland Prep High School inOrlando. The goal of attendingthis camp was to provide theathletes with specific drill work toreinforce the skills necessary to

maximize their talents and possiblyspring-board campers to earlyscholarship offers. In addition toattending this camp, Matt alsoreceived the honor of being namedthis year’s 2010 Quad AAAAGreat Southern Conference, First Team All-Conference Punter.

MATTHEW SPEGAL

Only the top 15-20 kickers, top 16 punters & top 8-10snappers from across thecountry were invitied.

www.incommunitymagazines.com


As the school year comes to a close, it is only natural for kids to lookforward to the leisurely nature of the summer season. The arrival of beachtrips, pool parties and sleepovers, however, doesn't mean that childrenshould depart completely from their daily routine. Keeping particularelements of a child's day consistent throughout the summer months keepsthe brain focused and helps prevent learning losses during the summer. Inaddition, this can potentially ease the anxiety that often accompaniestransitioning into a new classroom or school come fall.

According to research conducted by the National Center for SummerLearning, which is based at the Johns Hopkins School of Education inBaltimore, Maryland, summer learning loss accounts for about two-thirdsof the difference in the likelihood of a student pursuing a collegepreparatory path in high school. As these findings indicate, keepingchildren's brains challenged throughout the summer is crucial, since thelack of learning that occurs during these months has both short-term andlong-term consequences. And, brain growth is 90% complete by age 10 inmost children. Keeping your child challenged in these early years canmake a difference in the rest of his/her lives.

Routine provides structure, which is often lacking during the summermonths when children all too quickly become detached from the lessonsthey learned throughout the school year. Maintaining a schedulethroughout the summer supports an environment that is less of a contrastto the classroom and provides a healthy balance between building skills,play and rest.

Families can incorporate the following habits into their child's day toencourage and maintain a routine throughout the summer season:

To the best extent possible,children should adhere to a regular bedtime each night and wake up at the

same time each day. This will not only ensure proper rest butwill establish a sense of discipline as well.

Uponwaking up, it is important that children brush theirteeth, get dressed and perform any other hygienic tasks

that they normally would before a school day. Allowingkids to stay in pajamas or dirty clothes longer than

necessary can result in lazy behavior.Keeping a

child on a consistent meal schedule is critical tomaintaining a sharp body and mind. Establishspecific times for breakfast, lunch and dinner,

and sit with children at the table to encourageconversation while eating.

If a child partakes in a schedulednap time while at school, thenhe or she should be allottedtime at home for regular restas well. Make this timeconsistent, perhaps afterlunch, and have the child

rest in the same place everyday.

Asking a child to help around the houseis an ideal way to get them involved in a daily routine. A morning chore andan afternoon chore can convey a sense of responsibility and supply a sense ofrhythm to the day.

In addition to providing consistency, routines can presentchildren with security and comfort as they adjust to thechanges that come along with their new summer schedules.The purpose is not to create rigidity but to provide aflexible structure that establishes a sense of purpose kidsneed to grow and mature.

Finding a preschool/early childhood centerthat runs their program year round can bevery beneficial in this regard. The verybest early childhood centers also offersummer tutoring for elementaryschool students. If you are lookingfor such programs, make sure theyare facilitated by degreed teachers aswell as tailored to meet the specificneeds of your child, whether it beconcentrating on advanced or remedialmaterial. It also can be helpful that the tutoring isintertwined throughout the center’s program, so the children readily accept the “summer challenge.”


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A lot happened in 1886: the United States enacted an 8-hour workday, Grover Cleveland became the first president to get married in theWhite House, the Statue of Liberty was dedicated, Ty Cobb was born,and John Deere died.

It was also the year that Bethel Park was formed, and Bethel Parknative Kristen Normile is releasing a book documenting the municipality’shistory that both new and lifelong residents will appreciate.

Normile said that during her research for the book, which will bereleased through Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America Series, she wasable to find out some unique things about Bethel Park, as well as presentsome of the town’s iconic areas.

“Things that were really fascinating include the first documentedarmored car robbery and the development of the Coverdale area,”Normile said. “You heard a lot of stories about speakeasies and crookedpoliticians—things that you don’t think of in a quiet little suburb. Therewas a man killed when he was hit in the head with a bottle when theminers were striking. There’s a lot of interesting things like that.”

Normile said the most difficult aspect of the book was working withthe timeline that Arcadia gave her. “What I thought was that a lot of thisinformation was already gathered somewhere, but the historical societydidn’t have too much by way of photographs or stories,” Normile said.“The only place that had a nice timeline was Bethel Presbyterian Church,but that was all church related. My deadline was in August, and it was an 8-month timeline. It could take years to put together a comprehensivestory.”

Given that time frame, Normile said she worried about having enoughphotos to fit into Arcadia’s 128–240 photo template. “I was afraid Iwouldn’t have enough. But in the end, there were plenty, and with most ofthe pictures in there, there wasn’t anything lacking,” she said. “The things Iwanted to get in there, the iconic things around Bethel, I pretty much wasable to get in.”

Normile said that, overall, the project was a community effort becauseso many people wound up helping her compile all of the information.

In keeping with the community effort aspect of the book, Normile saidshe is working with Bethel Park officials to tie the book into thecommunity’s 125th anniversary celebrations.

“We’re going to have a book lunch at the community center in thespring. A couple people have asked me to speak so far,” Normile said. “I’m

goodBethel Park native’S

hiStory of Bethel Parkto Be PuBliShed in time for

the toWn’S 125th anniverSary

timing

“Things that were really fascinating

include the firstdocumentedarmored car

robbery”

on a committee right now to do some really cool things like takingthe book into the classrooms.”

In addition to being available anywhere books are sold, Normile’s bookwill also be sold through the Bethel Park Community Foundation, whichwas able to get them at a special rate to sell as a fundraising tool.

Normile said she’s more than happy to help the foundation and deepenher own roots in the community, which go back to her grandparents whomoved to the corner of Rittenhouse and Horning Roads in Bethel in the1950s. Normile’s mother, two aunts, and an uncle were all Bethel graduates.As a child, Kristen lived in the Oakhurst neighborhood of Bethel for a fewyears and, in 2001, moved back to Bethel Park in the Boxer Heightsneighborhood with her husband, David, and son, Zachary.

Kristen is a 1990 graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and a 1999graduate of Point Park University with a degree in visual communicationand applied arts. Kristen’s desire to become involved in her communitycomes from her love of Bethel Park and the understanding that strongcommunities build strong families and vice versa. Kristen is a trustee for theBethel Park Community Foundation, of which she has been a member forfive years. She has also volunteered in the schools and in the community formost of the 10 years she has lived here.

She enjoys spending time learning more about the history of her family,community, and country, and is an avid photographer, scrapbooker,designer, and writer. She loves exploring America on road trips, enjoys theoutdoors, and loves spending time with family and friends.

For more information regarding Normile’s book, go towww.arcadiapublishing.com and search for “Bethel Park.”


There is much more to the Bethel ParkCheerleaders than what you see at sportingevents. The bylaws of their booster organizationrequire community service and a special emphasishas been placed on this aspect of their three-seasonsport. This will be the 21st year that the girls andthe Bethel Park Cheerleaders’ Booster Associationhave put on a fashion show benefitting theMake-A-Wish Foundation of GreaterPennsylvania and Southern West Virginia.

Additionally this year, the group decided toalso do something specifically focused in theirBP community and the result was the LifeExtreme Pasta Too Dinner fundraiser to benefitthe Nicholas V. Heisler Leukemia Fund. Lastspring, the food service department at BethelPark High School did the cooking for a pastadinner to help defray the costs of Nick Heisler’smedical expenses which were above and beyondwhat was covered by insurance.

Patti Maloney, president of the Bethel ParkCheerleader Boosters, said “Nick is a sophomoreat Bethel Park High School and many of thecheerleaders and their families know the Heislerfamily because Nancy, Nick’s mom, works inthe BPHS cafeteria. We decided we were goingto do something for Nick but wanted to focus

on the positives of his responding to treatmentand not the fact that he was diagnosed with ascary disease. Pasta Too was a big part of theevent providing the food for us at a very low cost.We sold the tickets, provided the manpower anda number of other school organizations pitchedin to assist.” The fundraiser resulted in morethan 600 tickets sold and a check to the fundfor more than $6,000 was deposited,appropriately, at Thanksgiving!”

Nick has now been accepted into the MakeA Wish program, but has not yet been grantedhis wish and is awaiting approval for the wishhe has chosen.

Every year the BPCBA works with Make-A-Wish to have an ambassador represent themat the fashion show benefit. This year, another14-year-old South Hills freshman namedBethany, who has a spinal tumor will be withNick to represent Make-A-Wish. Bethany’sMake-A-Wish wish was to meet Celine Dion,after a concert in Boston with her best friend.While in town, they also got to go whale watching.

“This year we will have the two ambassadorsfor our fashion show,” Maloney said! “AndNick and Bethany will both be participating in a little commercial that we produce and run on

the Bethel Park Public Access channel. We’retrying to expand awareness to Mt. Lebanon’spublic access channel as well, and promote theevent in Mt. Lebanon since the two ambassadorsrepresent the South Hills this year. Normally,our Make-A-Wish ambassador is fromsomewhere regionally, but to have two SouthHills connections is unique.”

Maloney said that “last year, the fashionshow culminated in a donation of over $13,800which helped to grant wishes for four localchildren on their journey to health and healing.And, more than $128,100 has been raised by the BPCBA over the past two decades that theshow has been held!”

This year, the “Oceans of Wishes” themedfashion show will take place on March 13, atIndependence Middle School. Doors open atnoon. Tickets are available from any Bethel Parkcheerleader or by calling 412.833.3048. Ticketsare $5 for adults and $3 for students, whichincludes light refreshments. The primary sourceof fundraising for the show comes from thebasket auction where all items are donated bylocal businesses. Last year there were more than 90 baskets. This year, items donated rangefrom items for prom packages to autographedNFL items from various teams, to a hockeypuck signed by Mario Lemieux.

“Since every item raffled is donated and all organizers and participants are volunteers,all proceeds go directly to this very worthwhilecharity to enrich the lives of children with life-threatening conditions by enabling thegranting of their wishes.” We’re going to see if some of the businesses closer to Mt.Lebanon would also consider participating in donating items.” Maloney said.

For more information on the Bethel ParkCheerleader Boosters and their upcomingevents, go to www.incommunitymagazines.comand click on the link on our Bethel Park page.


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The final beam was placed on the new Bethel Park High School inearly September after nearly a year of construction. The building isscheduled to be completed in March 2012, so students will be able tostart their 2012–2013 school year there.

A topping-off ceremony was held on September 2 to commemoratethe final steel beam placed on the new building, which consists of over700 tons of steel. Bethel Park High School students and staff had thechance to become a permanent part of the new building by signingbeams. Each class, as well as the staff, got their own beam to sign,which was then installed in the new building.

The current high school was completed in 1959. It was built as acampus-style high school, and now encompasses eight buildings on an80-acre campus. “It was in bad need of a renovation,” says Vicki Flotta,director of public relations at Bethel Park School District.

Three years ago, the Bethel Park Board of School Directors startedconsidering options to renovate their half-century-old buildings. An


ad hoc facilities committee, comprised of administrators, boardmembers, teachers, and parents was formed to study the options andultimately voted on the construction of a new high school. This optionactually turned out to be more cost effective than renovating the existingbuildings or building an academic wing to connect two of the buildings.

In 2007, the School Board hired the architectural firm of Weber MurphyFox, who studied the options and made recommendations on how toproceed. In 2008, the Board of School Directors authorized the architects toproceed with the schematic design phase of constructing the new school.

“What we’re trying to do is create an educational environment that’s going to help our kids with their learning and beyond,” says Flotta,“not only for the immediate need but to prepare them for a future.”

The new school boasts 94 classrooms, a 1,300-seat auditorium, a 2,350-seat gymnasium, an eight-lane swimming pool, a large groupinstruction room/small theater, television studio, band room, andcafeteria with a connecting outdoor courtyard.

“We wanted to keep that campus feel,” says Flotta. “Because of theway the building is built, in a U-shape, there will be an outdoor courtyardthat we anticipate using for outdoor concerts and performances.” Kids will still be able to go outside during class change or eat lunch outside if they want, but they also have the option to stay inside when theweather is bad.

The entire project is costing the district an estimated $88 million. In June 2009, the district borrowed $94,290,000 to complete theconstruction, receiving an interest rate ranging from 1.15% to 5.10%, on a 25-year bond issue. This requires an annual payment of $6.1 million.

The new building is located across the street from the current highschool on Church Road. The current high school will be demolished in2012, after everything has been moved into the new building. Parkinglots, athletic fields, and tennis courts will be built in its place.


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Bethel Park High School's annual Telerama was held in December. The local talent showcase, made up of singers, dancers, instrumentalists, and actors, is a beloved tradition in the district, dating back to the early 1970s.

Some speculate that the origin of the show's name comes from a French magazine originally titled Télévision-Radio-Cinéma. “The

connection to this name could symbolically represent that the show incorporates performance elements that include singing, dancing, andacting,” says Cortney Falce, Telerama co-director.

Falce and co-director MaryAnn Pfeuffer work hard each year to coordinate everything from try-outs to practices and the final show. This year, the show included 27 acts over two nights, with approximately 114 students taking the stage. There were 15 vocal acts, three instrumental performances, one band, one comedyact, and five emcee skits.

The level of talent at BPHS really shines through each year. Five of the acts played original songs composed by the students themselves.

“There is never a shortage of talent. Every year it seems that there is an act or genre of performance that is new to the show,” says Pfeuffer.

Highlights from this year’s event included an ethnic “peacock” dance, contemporary ballet performance, contortionist, rock instrumental “jam” duo, mash-up D.J. performance, and performancesby the Drum Line, Bethettes, Majorettes, Stage Band, and BPHS's Top 21 choral performers.

Each year the show is emceed by students from the senior class. “These hosts man the helm of the show and steer the audience through the performance via their actintroductions and comedic skits,” says Falce. “The emcees have always had a knack for honing in on what the current student body will find humorous.” Bethel Park HighSchool turns out to be the students’ favorite topic to poke fun at.

Telerama is a platform for students to share their talents with their peers, parents,and community, but no prizes or places are awarded.

“Every year I find myself getting choked-up during Telerama,” Falce admits. “I watch these kids on stage – some that I have had in class, some that I have never metbefore the show – and I am just floored by their talent. I find

myself watching them and wishing that everyone knew just how truly great they are.”

Pfeuffer agrees. “I never stop being impressed with the performers,”

she says, “and I never stop being proud of them.”


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He also is a certified carbon monoxide expert with the National ComfortInstitute, and installs low level carbon monoxide detectors. Carbonmonoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can accumulate in homes and istoxic to humans. Elderly homeowners or those with respiratory problems orinfants, are particularly at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning. Calhounprovides whole-house carbon monoxide safety checks.

According to Calhoun, both heating and air conditioning units need to beserviced annually so that they maintain peak performance. Each should beserviced prior to the season they're meant to run during - spring for airconditioning units, and fall for furnaces.

"Many people don't realize that the coils of their air conditioningunits need to be cleaned out annually," Calhoun said. "They may beextremely dirty even though they don't look like it. Dirt will actuallyinsulate the coils from exchanging heat, meaning your unit will have towork harder to get the job done."

Calhoun Repair also installs new equipment for homes where the existingunits have failed, however, servicing and maintaining existing equipment canbe a more economical option for many homeowners.

What's unique about Calhoun Repair, however, is that you can restassured that any unit you purchase will be appropriately sized for your home,by Bryan himself. His operation, while small, guarantees that you're dealingdirectly with someone who cares about your comfort, makes you feel like atrue client and not just a service call.

"Every time I install a new system, I do a heat study, which is ameasurement of the house and what size the equipment needs to be forefficient heating and air conditioning," Calhoun said. "Most of the time, theequipment sold to home owners is oversized and overkill for their homes."

Calhoun said that any number of factors can determine how muchheating and cooling a home needs, including number and type of windows,available shade, home alignment in regards to the sun, and insulation.

"When it comes to air conditioning, most people think that bigger isbetter, and the opposite is true," Calhoun said. "The units are designed to

CALHOUNREPAIR

run 100 percent of the time on the hottest day of the year. Of course, it willcycle off when the temperature gets cooler outside, but generally, the longer it runs, the more it reduces humidity, which makes you feel cooler. Withfurnaces and air conditioners, inefficiency and discomfort can result from

poor ductwork, faultyequipment, bad thermostatlocation and airflow issues.Each furnace is different

and may present its own unique set of problems."This year, the federal and state governments are offering rebate money

to homeowners who replace their existing inefficient units with approvedhigh-efficiency models. To schedule your annual check-up, carbonmonoxide safety check, or consultation on a new air conditioner orfurnace, call Calhoun Repair at 412.655.1529 today.

"Every time I install a new system, I do a heat study. Most of the time, theequipment sold to home owners is oversized and overkill for their homes.”



Likelihood of Success Increaseswith Patches & Counseling TobaccoFree Allegheny, a non-profit organizationaffiliated with the Allegheny CountyHealth Department, is announcingthat free nicotine replacement therapykits are available to help people quitsmoking or stop using smokeless tobacco.

A four-week supply of nicotinepatches can be obtained, while supplieslast, through the PennsylvaniaDepartment of Health’s Free Quitlineat 1.800.784.8669.

Quit coaches ask callers if they areready to set a quit date and whetherthey have any medical condition thatwould rule out the safe use of nicotinepatches. In addition, participants willbe enrolled in a series of free tobaccocounseling sessions.

While it takes most tobacco usersan average of five to eight attemptsbefore they quit, nicotine replacementtherapy with counseling increases thelikelihood someone will be successfulin their attempt to go tobacco free.

Additional information about thestate’s tobacco cessation resources isavailable at: DeterminedToQuit.com.The website offers guidance on developinga quit plan, video blogs of people sharingtheir own stories about quitting, aswell as information for friends andfamily members who wish to supporttheir loved one’s attempt to quit.

DeterminedToQuit.com


What is it about a fireplace that is socomforting? That warm glow and the advantagesof heat efficiency and home resale value, allmake installing a fireplace the ideal homerenovation project. Innovations today incost-efficient, energy-saving models have put fireplaces at the top of the “to-do” list for home remodeling projects. In spite of the new energy efficiency, a fireplace stillcontinues to pr ovide ambience, warmth, and an upgrade in any décor.

What's Your Style?Fireplaces have come a long way from

the typical wood-burning variety. They canbe specifically designed to fit any room, andthere are a large variety of fuels to produceheat or just glow. A wood-burning fireplace is the classic option. They provide a beautifulflame, crackling-wood sound, and heat. Newerto the market are gas fir eplaces, which can bedesigned to imitate real burning wood, buttheir fuel source is natural gas or propane.Gas burns cleanly and is much moreconvenient than its wood-burning counterpart.Electric fireplaces have some of the sameadvantages as gas-burning fireplaces, buthave the extra benefit of being able to flip aswitch and have instant ambience.

Which is the right investment for you?When deciding which option in fireplaces

is right for your home, it is important to lookat the space limitations in your home.Determine how much heat you need fromthe unit and whether you plan to do ityourself or hire a professional. Another thingto consider is that if you do not have achimney in the house, installing one will addadditional expense. Your choice of fuel forthe fire should also be considered. Dealingwith split wood—the stacking and handling,versus turning on a switch to give you thefire, is something to think about whenchoosing options.

Adding a fireplace to any room in yourhome will add value to your home and providea comfortable setting for you to relax.

Add Warmth, Style & Value to Your Home


From pink screwdrivers and mini toolboxes to a surge of female-targeted home improvementsites and guidebooks, the fix-it-yourself revolutionhas come for women in the U.S. More empoweredfemales are taking on household problemsthemselves instead of spending the money to hire a plumber, electrician or contractor.

In fact, a recent study by the Medelia Monitorshowed that more than 60 percent of women aremore likely to tackle the work on their own. Themajority of these women (63 percent) are beingmore resourceful to avoid the high costs of hiring a professional. And 71 percent of women say thedesire to “fix-it-myself” stems from the empoweringfeeling of having the knowledge to improve theirhome.

Sound familiar? If you’d like to empoweryourself and join the fix-it-yourself revolution, startby picking up a few affordable tools and productsto tackle quick fixes. Here are easy tips for solvingfive common household problems:

Unstick sticky windows by opening them and rubbing wax or spraying silicone into thetracks on both sides. Move the window up anddown several times to work the wax or siliconelubricant into the frame.

Fix squeaky wood or tile floors by sprinklingbaby powder on the surface of the floor that’ssqueaking. Then place a chisel between the boardsand gently hammer the top to pry up the tile orfloorboard. Sprinkle more baby powderunderneath the board to seal the excess spacecausing the squeaking.

If your drains are draining slowly or cloggedcompletely, try a de-clogging gel that clears thetoughest clogs at a fraction of the cost of a plumberhouse call. Liquid-Plumr’s new Penetrex Gel is afast-acting, powerful formula that can clear thetoughest clogs in just seven minutes.

Mend unsightly holes or tears in your windowscreens by using a screwdriver to straighten thebends in the mesh and dabbing clear nail polish toseal the hole. Allow it to dry. Then repeat the polishapplication until the hole is completely sealed.

A wobbly table leg may seem hard, but it’s asurprisingly easy repair. Just figure out how it’sattached to the seat. Then either screw the leg backinto its socket or glue it back into place.

Fix-it resources abound online and at your localbookstore. But here’s a few to get you started:

Facebook.com/LiquidPlumr: Most clogged drains arecaused by hair. Get tips on how to keep all drains clear andwhile you’re there, enter the Big Locks Rock! Contest beforeDecember 15th for a chance to win a trip for four to L.A. to gethaircuts by a celebrity stylist.

BeJane.com: A site where women of all ages and skilllevels can find answers to home improvement questions andconnect with others for inspiration and advice.

“Dare to Repair” by Julie Sussman: This book offers a “do-it-herself” guide to fixing almost anything in the home.

FEMALE

SOLVE 5 COMMONHOUSEHOLD PROBLEMS

Fix-It-YourselfREVOLUTION


The first thing you need to consider is thespace itself. Is it finished at all? Many attics in the area are open spaces broken up by roof andflooring joists and wads of insulation. The firstthing you want to do is inspect your attic for leaksand whether those joists are strong enough tosupport extra weight.

You can add flooring by screwing downplywood or other subflooring. Avoid nailingmaterials do wn to prevent damaging the ceilingsunderneath you through the vibrations ofhammer blows.

Once you have your flooring down, you can decide whether or not you want to finish the ceiling joists. You can insulate and attachdrywall or plywood to these joists, depending on how fancy you want to get with the finishedlook; or you may decide that having the recessedareas between the joists is beneficial to yourstorage needs. Keep in mind that a triangularspace is limiting only if you haveboxes or items that you need tostore vertically. Items that aresmaller and that can be arrangedinto nooks and crannies can beideal for these odd-shaped

spaces. Also keep in mind that, because of thenature of attic access in older homes, the route toyour attic may be through a small trap door in ahall closet, so item s you put in the attic might belimited to long-term or permanent storage, likeold college textbooks, holiday decorations,luggage, or all those old National Geographicsthat you can’t throw away because thepictures are too pretty.

If you do have easy access to your attic, eitherby way of a dedicated staircase or pull-down steps,more options may offer themselves to you. Eventight attics have enough room for several twodrawer filing cabinets, allowing you to store manyyears’ worth of tax returns or product manuals.

Easier access means even more versatilitywhen it comes to your storage plan. Rather thanlong term, you can use the space for things thatrequire infrequent use—bins for extra blanketsand pillows for when guests are in town, large

children’s toys or games that don’tget played with during the schoolweek, and sporting equipmentwhen it’s out of season. Storingitems like these in the attic willkeep them out of dank basement

conditions, and, in the case of linens and sportingequipment, keep the smell of mildew away.

Keep in mind that the attic, while dryer thanthe basement, still has its own set of issues.Temperatures often vary wildly in atticsdepending on how insulated they are, so i temsthat can’t stand high heat or low temperatures –like candles, for instance – may not fare well in the attic environment. Each space is different, buteach is unique, and how you use that space can be a fun project for the whole family.

If you’re more than four feet tall and live in western Pennsylvania, chances are that your attic is not a comfortable space that you would consider livable. Your attic can be modified, however, by the do-it-yourselfer into more than adequate storage for a variety of your belongings, if you get creative.

the



When it's time for you to move... Take It To The MAX...Max Stalter & RE/MAX CSI. As a top RE/MAX agent in Pittsburgh, Max offers homes for sale inPittsburgh and the surrounding area. Specializing in Southern Alleghenyand Northern Washington Counties, Max has been successfully servingclients for over 20 years.

Max possesses a unique ability to help sort out the special needs andconcerns of each client, by putting himself in their "shoes". Whetherrelocating, moving up, down sizing , or building your dream home fromthe ground up, Max knows the area, the schools, and communities thatwill match the clients requirements.

ow that the holidays are behind us,you’re hopefully putting that smoking

credit card back into your wallet or purse for a while.

But even though this may be a downtime for you and your credit card, it’s no timeto be lax about your credit card security.

So what do you need to know aboutkeeping your credit card safe? First, off,don’t give yourself a pin number that’s easyto guess. Issuing banks typica lly assign you a random pin number when you first getyour card that you can change later. Keepthis assigned number and avoid picking a pin for yourself like “1234” or your birthdate. While it may be easy for you toremember, those choices are also very easyfor predators to figure out.

If you make a lot of online purchases orjust want to dip your toes into the world ofInternet shopping, get yourself a dedicatedcard with a low credit limit. You can open up a secured credit card at most financialinstitutions that require you to deposit abalance to borrow against, allowing you toopen a card with a $500 limit. Your depositwill gain interest and you will be able to useyour card for online purchases. What’s more,most scammers try to run a small purchasethrough before running a larger purchase

on the card. You may not notice a $0.32charge right away, but when your bank callsyou asking if you tried to purchase a $779laptop, you’ll be happy your limit was lowenough to be declined.

If your credit card number iscompromised, you should call your bankimmediately and report it. While police areable to enforce credit card fraud on a locallevel, with the Internet the person trying torun your numbers m ay be six states away, if they’re in the United States at all. In allcases, the sooner it’sreported, the better. Yourbank will cancel the cardnumber and reissue youanother card.

While you’re online,keep in mind that yourbank will most likelynever contact you via e-mail regarding youraccount. If you do get an e-mail from a bankthat you use, doublecheck the address.Chances are it will beslightly askew from any legitimate address. Instead of

“@yourcreditcard.com,” you may see, “@yourcreditcard1.com” or“@yourcreditcard.uk.” Banks understandthat scammers routinely try to get you togive up your personal information via e-mail.Therefore, most have secured e-mailavailable through their websites, where you can be sure you’re talking straight tolegitimate bank representatives.

Lastly, if you have sever al credit cardsthat you use often, take the time to flip themover and write down the 1-800 customer

service numbers on the back and keep that list in a safe place.It’s also a good idea to keep a copy in yourpurse or wallet. Thisway, when you noticeyour card is missingand are frantic, you can at least go to yourlist and call to reportthe missing card.

In the end, youshould treat yourcredit card like youwould treat yourcash—never leave itlying around.

G o o d T i d i n g s f o r t h e G r e a t e s t G e n e r a t i o n


f the last time you took holidayphotos required clumsily spooling

film into your 35 mm camera, don’tbe intimidated by what technologyhas done to photography in the pastfew years. In fact, once you havesome basics down, you may findthat your digital camera is easier touse than you thought.

So let’s start at the beginningand go over your new toy from stem tostern. We can’t go into detail about every feature of everycamera, but luckily most cameras share the same properties, so wecan cover most scenarios.

More than likely, your camera came with a lithium ion batterypack and charger. All you need to know about this is that this batterycan last a long time. Thanks to self-timers built into your camera, ifyou forget to shut it off, it will shut off automatically for you, savingbattery life and allowing you to take that unexpected shot when thetime comes. That said, the battery won’t last forever, especially if youare shooting with the flash often or shooting video, if your camera hasthat feature. If you know you’re going to be somewhere with a lot ofnatural light, turn your flash off altogether and shoot longer.

The second thing to familiarize yourself with is your memorycard. Cameras come with a variety of memory cards to choose from.Regardless of the kind your camera takes, just remember that bigger isbetter. A 16 gigabyte memory card can hold hundreds of photos, andif you’re not in the habit of printing your photos right away or movingthem to your computer, the extra space is a must. How many picturesyou can store on your memory card depends on your resolutionsetting for your pictures. Your resolution is how big the picture is. Ifyou’re shooting for a website, low resolutions are better because thefile size is smaller. However, if you try to print the same low resolutionphoto as an 8x10, it will appear distorted or “pixilated” because thecamera wasn’t set to capture all of the fine details of the image. Withmost point-and-shoot cameras on high resolution, you can print verylarge prints or zoom in to crop shots for better composition.

The last thing to get to know is the USB cable. This is the cablethat came with your camera and connects it to any USB port on yourcomputer. Through this cable, you can transfer your images for futuresorting, correction, or sharing.

Believe it or not, once you have those things down, your digitalcamera has many of the same features of your old 35 mm. You canzoom in, set a timer so you have a chance to get into frame, and set ascenic mode where you can select how the camera operates in certainconditions, such as a portrait, sports shot, night shot, or landscape.Your manual will list the specific icons and their meanings. Don’t beafraid to leaf through it if you get stuck. Manuals have come a longway as well and are clearly written for users of all experience levels.

Bethel Park SeniorResource CenterBethel Park Community Ctr5151 Park Avenue412.831.7111M-F 9:30 a.m. —2:30 [email protected]

Chabad of the South Hills1701 McFarland RoadPittsburgh, PA 15216www.chabadsh.com412.341.1494

Jewish CommunityCenter of GreaterPittsburgh345 Kane Blvd.Pittsburgh, PA 15243412.278.1975, ext. [email protected]

Transportation For Older AdultsThere are several agenciesthat offer free or reducedrate transportation servicesto individuals who qualify.

Medical AssistanceTransportation Program(MATP)1.888.547.6287Provides non-emergencymedical transportation toresidents of AlleghenyCounty who have a valid

Pennsylvania Departmentof Public Welfare MedicalAssistance Card.

Free Bus Pass for SeniorCitizensThe Port Authority allowsAllegheny Countyresidents, 65 years of age

and older, to ride free onlocal public transportation(buses, trolleys and rapid-transit lines). Participantsmust obtain identificationcards, which are availablefree of charge, fromparticipating transportationproviders. Call412.442.2000 for thelocation nearest to you.

ACCESS 65 Plus andACCESS ADA Program 412.562.5353 or TDD 1.800.654.5984ACCESS is door-to-door,advance reservation,shared-ride transportationprovided throughout PortAuthority’s service area. It serves primarily seniorcitizens and persons withdisabilities. There are norestrictions on the purposeor number of trips whichmay be taken by riders,except that riders arerequired to share theirvehicle with others traveling in the samedirection and at the same time.

Older PersonsTransportationTransportation for medicalappointments, groceryshopping, senior centeractivities and other needsthroughout AlleghenyCounty is available toadults 60 years of age andolder who live in AlleghenyCounty. Call SeniorLine at412.350.5460.

Are you a nonprofit Senior Center serving the needs of our community’s older adults?

We would be happy to post your contactinformation. [email protected] with your center’s name andphone number.


Tuesday, May 3, 2011, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. Council Chambers5100 West Library Avenue Free of charge; Call 412.835.2207 to register.Co-sponsored by Heal from Pet Loss.Panel presentation includes a veterinarian, pet loss counselor, and funeral services professional. Attendees are invited to bring pet food, towels, cat litter or monetary contributions for the Humane Society of Western Pennsylvania

EXPERT ADVICE FOR OWNERS OF AGING OR AILING PETS: The Final Paw of the Journey



Time to write my latest article. I am sitting at the end seat of DeLallo’sbar hoping to be inspired. The magnificent Sharon, is my bartender. Asshe handles my request, she asks, “Where’s the hot place for me to investMr. Dan?” I tell Sharon that the answer to her question is at her fingertips.(rum from Jamaica, cabernet from Italy, vodka from Russia, whiskey fromIreland, beer from Mexico – I was appropriately inspired!)

One of the keys to long-term investment success is to capitalize oneconomic growth. Most investors looking to accumulate wealth make aneffort to identify where growth opportunities exist. As nations outside ofthe U.S. experience more economic development, a number of growthopportunities are emerging in overseas markets.

The growth of the global economy is not new, but in general, it is afairly recent development. Even into the 1980s, investors putting moneyto work overseas concentrated most of their opportunities in developedcountries like Japan, Germany, France and Great Britain. Other countriessuch as China and India had little economic development in place. Manysmaller countries were only in the early stages of incorporating capitalismas part of their economic system.

A global shiftMuch has changed in that time. The U.S. remains the largest economy

in the world, but that may not be the case for long. Most dramatically, anumber of so-called “emerging” markets, nations that are relatively new toeconomic development, may become among the world’s biggest in thenext 40 years. China recently supplanted Japan as the world’s secondlargest economy, and may take the top spot from the U.S. in the coming

the to

This was written by Dan Martin, Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial (formerly American Express Financial Advisors). Contact his office in Bethel Park at 412.831.6240 ext. 208 or by e-mail: [email protected].

The S&P 500 is an index containing the stocks of 500 large-cap corporations, most of which are American. Theindex is the most notable of the many indices owned and maintained by Standard & Poor's, a division of McGraw-Hill.

Morgan Stanley Capital International Emerging Markets index, an unmanaged market capitalization-weightedindex, is compiled from a composite of securities markets of 26 emerging market countries.

International investing involves increased risk and volatility due to potential political and economic instability,currency fluctuations, and differences in financial reporting and accounting standards and oversight. Risks are particularly significant in emerging markets.

Diversification helps you spread risk throughout your portfolio, so investments that do poorly may be balanced by others that do relatively better. Diversification does not assure a profit and does not protect against loss in declining markets.

Investment products, including shares of mutual funds, are not federally or FDIC-insured, are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any financial institution and involve investment risks including possible loss ofprincipal and fluctuation in value.

Advisor is licensed/registered to do business with U.S. residents only in the states of Pennsylvania, Virginia,West Virginia, Ohio, Illinois, Texas, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, and New Jersey.

Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise FinancialServices, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients.

Morgan Stanley Capital International Emerging Markets, mscibarra.com

decades. Other developing nations like India, Brazil, Russia, Indonesia,Mexico and Turkey are projected to be listed among of the world’slargest economies over the next 40 years.

The rise of international markets doesn’t mean that all of your moneyshould be invested overseas. But, depending on your situation andtolerance for investment risk, there may be advantages to having someglobal representation in your portfolio.

Diversification valueAlong with tapping into the world’s growth potential, there is another

important potential benefit to having a global presence in your portfolio– diversification. Global markets often don’t, over extended periods oftime, perform in line with the U.S. market. In the five-year period endingSeptember 30, 2010, the U.S. stock market (as measured by the S&P500, an unmanaged index of stocks) returned 0.64% on an averageannual basis. During that same time, stocks of developed overseasmarkets returned nearly 2% per year, while emerging market stocksgenerated annualized returns of 12.7%.

The benefit of diversification can be having some of your investmentshold steady or gain ground at a time when other investments are losingmoney. The gain in one can offset the risk of loss in another, helping tostabilize the portfolio.

Managing the risksGrowth potential and diversification are two good reasons to

consider global investments in your portfolio. Yet some caution isadvised. There are unique risks to international investing.

One is that many of these markets are less established than is the casewith the U.S. This is particularly true of emerging markets such as China,India and Brazil and smaller countries. Their returns tend to be muchmore volatile over the short term. The risk of a sudden and dramatic losscan be greater than with more conservative investment options.

Another factor is that returns on overseas investments are affected bycurrency fluctuations. If the dollar loses value in comparison to thecurrency of the nation where you are investing, it tends to boost your netreturn. If the dollar gains strength, that typically reduces returns onoverseas investments. Currency markets can be wildly unpredictable, sothat adds to the potential volatility of international investments.

Consult your financial advisor to determine whether global stocksand bonds fit with your risk tolerance and overall investment goals.


Western Pennsylvania – The American Cancer Society Relay For Lifeis a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across theglobe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer,remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease.

Relay For Life events are held overnight as individuals and teams campout at an athletic track, park, or other gathering area, with the goal of keepingat least one team member on the track or pathway at all times throughoutthe evening. Teams do most of their fundraising prior to the event, but someteams also hold creative fundraisers at their campsites during relay. Relaybrings together friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools, faith-basedgroups…people from all walks of life—all aimed at furthering the AmericanCancer So ciety’s efforts to save lives by helping people stay well, by helpingthem get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back.

Relay is a unique opportunity for communities to come together tocelebrate people who have battled cancer, remember those we’ve lost, and fight back against the disease. Many of the participants are cancersurvivors, serving as a reminder that no one is immune to this disease. Byparticipating in Relay, you join the American Cancer Society’s efforts tocreate a world with less cancer and more birthdays.

Ann AllsoppOFFICE 412.885.8530 Ext.135

FAX 412.885.1461CELL 412.979.5056

EMAIL [email protected]

Karena AllsoppOFFICE 412.885.8530 Ext.183

FAX 412.885.1461CELL 412.916.3307

EMAIL [email protected]

A COMPLEX REAL ESTATE MARKETREQUIRES CAREFUL NAVIGATION. LET OUREDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE MOVE YOU.

• multi-milllion dollar Producers• degrees from duquesne university and university of Pittsburgh• recipients of Pittsburgh magazine 2010 and 2011 five Star

real estate agent award for outstanding Client Satisfaction• 2010 office leaders

Funds raised through Relay For Life enable the American Cancer Society to impact the lives of those touched by cancer within the community. The American Cancer Society is currently funding 58 cancer research projects to the tune of nearly $37.4 million throughout Pennsylvania in 2011, including current projects taking place in western Pennsylvania at the University of Pittsburgh,Carnegie-Mellon University, and Robert Morris University.

Funds raised through Relay also enable the American Cancer Society to provide programs and services to cancer patients and their families incommunities across the state. In 2010, more than 25,000 services wereprovided to cancer patients across Pennsylvania. Access to AmericanCancer Society programs and services are available 24 hours a day, sevendays a week by calling 1.800.227.2345 or visiting www.cancer.org.

In 2010, Relay For Life raised nearly $6 million at 62 Relay sitesthroughout western Pennsylvania. Nationwide, more than 3.5 millionpeople participated in Relay For Life, with more than 500,000 cancersurvivors participating. All in all, Relay For Life events held throughout theCommonwealth of Pennsylvania raised nearly $20 million in 2010.

For more information about the American Cancer Society’s Relay ForLife or to find out how you may get involved, call the American CancerSociety at 1.800.227.2345 or visit RelayForLife.org.


The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassrootsforce of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well bypreventing cancer or detecting it early; by helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment ingroundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As thenation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing about $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result,more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more aboutus or to get help, call us anytime, day or night, at 1.800.227.2345 or visit cancer.org.

Moon Township 15108McDonald 15057Glenshaw 15116

Bethel Park 15102Oakmont 15139

McKeesport 15132Carnegie 15106

Pittsburgh 15213Natrona Heights 15065

Leetsdale 15056Pittsburgh 15213Pittsburgh 15219

Mount Lebanon 15228Pittsburgh 15237Pittsburgh 15236

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RELAY FOR LIFE EVENTS IN YOUR AREA


here’s a whole world of information out there when it comes tohomebuilding and remodeling. Which wood moulding is bestsuited for staining? Which deck material lasts longest for the

price? Which window requires the least maintenance?At Brookside Lumber, employees have an

average of more than 10 years of experiencewith the company and are ready, willing andable to answer all of those questions and anymore that you can think of.

Bruce Edwards, one of the owners ofBrookside, said that experience, expertiseand breadth of product selection are whatcustomers come to Brookside for, not tomention value.

“I would describe value as a combinationof quality of product, the service providedwhile selecting the product, and getting theappropriate product for the project at thebest price,” Edwards said. “We’re very good

at mouldings. There are a couple ofhundred different profiles of mould-ings we stock. There are pine mould-ings, hardwood, MDF, primed pine,lots of patterns for floors, ceilings,walls, doors and windows. Our peopleknow what they are, how they are used

and can help you refine what you’re going to be most satisfied with.” Decks are another popular area for Brookside. From treated lumber

to composite decking and railings, the breadth and depth of productcould be confusing or bewildering to a customer without an expert totalk to. Brookside’s employees always deliver that same depth of con-versation with the customer – they can walk you through the features,benefits and advantages of one product versus another.

“How do you navigate that maze of variables? Most people look onthe Internet and you’ll get the manufacturer’s take that their stuff is thebest of all worlds,” Edwards said. “Where do you go to get a neutral per-spective or more than one perspective? We have conversations with ourcustomers. We can really drill down into their projects and make surethey leave here with the best products for their projects. Can you gobuy a 1”x12” board somewhere? Sure. Can you come here? Absolutely.But what you’ll find here is a broader selection and the people who cangive you the appropriate guidance so that you’re getting what you need,not what a brochure says you need.”

Edwards said that expertise is even more valuable today with the majorityof customers perusing the Internet for ideas on projects and materials.

Brookside also prides itself with the ability to help homeowners findthe appropriate person or company to tackle their next home remodel-ing project, regardless of size. Multiply that by the hundreds of qualitybrands of siding, trim, windows, doors and cabinets, along with buildingmaterials, and that wealth of knowledge can be worth its weight in goldto a homeowner.

For a tour of many of the products that Brookside Lumber Companystocks, visit the company website – www.brooksidelumber.com.Brookside Lumber Company is located at 500 Logan Road in BethelPark and can be reached at 412.341.3600. Brookside’s hours are 7 a.m. to7 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays, andSaturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.


As with any major purchase, doing yourhomework should be something you dobefore you sign on a major loan. Neverbefore has this been more true than in thehousing market, where overpricing can cre-ate major headaches for buyers and sellers.

For sellers, overpricing can mean thatyour home sits on the market longer, raisingflags to potential buyers that something isamiss. For buyers, an overpricedhome can mean a loss in seller’s assistance, money that sellerssometimes bring to the table fromtheir profits to help defray closingcosts for the buyer. Worse yet, ifthere is no appraisal contingencyaddendum attached to the agreement of sale, a buyer may beforced to go through with a homepurchase after being told that it is not worthwhat they have agreed to pay.

Sharon Fincham, a Realtor with Prudential Preferred Realty, said that, in addition to including an appraisal contingency addendum to an offer, you need to make sure that your agent is doing the proper legwork before the offer is even made.

“You have to make sure that your agent does comparisons to similar homes in thearea, knows the market, and gets supporting evidence that the house is really worth what it’s being advertised at before you put in an offer,” Fincham said. “If the housedoesn’t appraise for the agreed upon price, it is unlikely that you will receive any seller’s assist.”

What’s more, overpricing is a one-waystreet by way of mistakes. Homeowners wholist their homes for too little may receive multiple offers, allowing the power of freemarket economic supply and demand to take over, driving the price up until it’s comparable to the other homes in the neighborhood.

But there’s no similar failsafe with over-pricing. A home that’s overpriced may get anice offer, but ultimately, the final arbiter ofwhat it’s truly worth is the appraiser,assigned independently by the bank orlender. That appraisal will dictate the futureof the sale.

The resulting appraisal could tank the sale altogether, or force buyers to seek extra

money or alternative financing to compensate for the missed seller’s assistance. Either way, it’s going tomean a hassle for the buyer and frustration for the seller.

However, if an agent does the homework and knows their business,Fincham said the home should be list-ed at a fair price, resulting in a relatively smooth sale in reasonable

length of time.“It is now imperative that agents and

clients know the recent selling prices of comparable homes,” she said. “Buyers and sellers agreeing on a price is not necessarily enough anymore. The study of a neighborhood before an offer is madecan save everyone involved a lot of grief and frustration.”

For buyers, an overpriced home can mean a loss in seller’s assistance, money that sellers

sometimes bring to the table from their profits to help defray closing costs for the buyer.

R E A L E S T A T E B E T H E L P A R K



Reeducation of the Seller R E A L E S T A T E B E T H E L P A R K

In today’s post-housing-bust world, selling your home isn’t the same process that it may have been when you moved in 10 years ago.

Maureen Cavanaugh, with Howard Hanna Real Estate, said that sellers need to re-educate themselves if they want to remain competitive in today’s market and make a profit on their homes.

“Selling your home is very different today, and it’s been a progres-sive thing,” Cavanaugh said. “Ten years ago, you could list your homeas is. Buyers were willing to come in and do updates. With the changes that occurred in the last three and four years, the expectation of buyers has dramatically risen. Many sellers whohave lived in their homes for years with a lot of equity should consider doing as many updates as theyare willing to do.”

Those updates will reap more money when itcomes to their final sale price, Cavanaugh said.No updates will result in a lesser price.

“It really depends on the house. I’mdealing with someone right now that has a nice home of 32 years, and they’ve spent three months and have done everything. They’re spending upwards of $25,000, but it will take their sale pricefrom the $380,000 range to $425,000 or$430,000. They will recoup what they put into it,” Cavanaugh said. “And the reason is that today’s buyers want to move in, put down the furniture, startpaying the mortgage, and get on with their lives. They

don’t want to be bogged down with the projects and upgrades liketaking down old wallpaper.”

If you don’t have a budget for upgrades, Cavanaugh said that evenminor cosmetic changes can improve your odds of getting more foryour home when it comes time to sell. These types of upgradesinclude updating the hardware on cabinets to more contemporarystyles. At the very least, Cavanaugh suggests getting rid of any junk,

cleaning thoroughly, and doing some rudimentary staging. “Exposing hardwood floors is a no-brainer. You don’t

have to paint the whole house beige. You can still havesome color and have some interest,” she said.

“But everything should be sparkling.”Cavanaugh said that now that the

first-time homebuyer frenzies spurredby government tax rebates are over, the bulk of homebuyers are mid-level buyers looking in the$150,000 to $300,000 range

with access to affordable mortgage money.

“These are relocation buyers, and they want all the bells and whistles,”

she said. “They want to buy more, and they want it done.”

While you may have heard of the Heritage Players, you may notknow that this local community performing troupe is in its fourteenthseason, and has a rich history that dates back over 40 years.

In 1962 a group of Bethel Park residents, who were interested inproviding themselves and other theater lovers with opportunities tofulfill their thespian longings, formed a performance troupe. Theoriginal goal was to perform for friends and neighbors, but the groupeventually moved west to Carnegie to continue its contributions to livetheater in that community.

For 15 years, no community theater existed in Bethel Park. However,in the mid-1990s, the Bethel Park Historical Society began to brainstormideas for making better use of their home at the Schoolhouse Arts Centerbuilding. Almost immediately the idea to resurrect live theater in BethelPark was born. A board of directors was formed, headed by then BPHSPresident Don Anderson.

The performance group was dubbed "The Heritage Players" to reflectits connection to and endorsement by the Historical Society. After nearly20 years of hiatus, community theater returned to Bethel Park when theHeritage Players bowed with “Curtain Call: An Evening of One Acts”on October 3, 1997. The plays performed that first 1997-98 season were"Episode in the Life of an Author" and "An Actors Nightmare." Theshows came together quickly, reflecting a commitment by the community to jump head-first into the waters of local live theater. Two full-lengthproductions were undertaken the following spring.

In less than a year, Heritage was making its mark in westernPennsylvania theatrical circles by producing a one-act at the PittsburghNew Works Festival in 1998. Three more full-length productions,including a successful fundraiser at Independence Middle School,proved that Heritage was here to stay in Bethel Park.

It also proved that Heritage was outgrowing its small theater space at the Schoolhouse Arts Center. While ideal for intimate shows, thefacilities on the second floor of the older building could not accommodatea larger-scale production.

The troupe moved to the Bethel Park Community Center in 1999and formalized a schedule of events for the first time.

Despite the quick growth and new facilities, Heritage was still asurprise to many in the community. While our popular theater classeswere attracting more and more students, many area residents were stillsurprised to hear that the group had been around for more than fiveyears. The troupe’s signal that they had arrived came in 2001-2002, when all three of its main stage shows brought in large attendance andcritical review, and its musical production of “Fiddler on the Roof” soldout while serving up six standing ovations.

Heritage remains an all-volunteer organization with membershipactive both onstage and behind the scenes.

Nuela Zalak, publicity director for the Heritage Players, said that 2011promises to be an even better year, with programming for the whole family.

“We have a children’s show coming up in June, and we also have asummer Broadway review that we do, which is more teen-oriented andrun by kids. Usually we do that in August,” she said. “People should comeout to see the community center because it truly is a wonderful place.The community’s paid for it with tax dollars, so they should use it, andour rates are more than reasonable. So while they’re here, they shouldtake in a show.”

For more details and complete season event listings, please visitwww.heritageplayers.org or call 412.831.6800, ext. 745.

BETHEL PARKCOMMUNITYTHEATRECALENDAR OF EVENTS

A Night on Broadway: A Musical RevueSaturday, March 26 at 7 p.m. | Sunday, March 27, at 2 p.m.

Performances will be held at: The South Hills Elks Lodge2425 South Park Road, Bethel Park

T H EHeritage Players

Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and seniors. Box office opens one half hour before curtain.

For more details and complete season events listings please visit www.heritageplayers.org or call 412.831.6800, ext. 745.

The Odd Couple(Female Version) by Neil Simon

May 13, 14, 20 & 21 at 8 p.m. | May 15 & 22 at 2 p.m.

Reservations required by March 19, at [email protected]. Tickets $25 per person. Includes dinner and show.

Please mail and make checks payable to: The Heritage Players, P.O. Box 841, Bethel Park, PA 15102

Performances will be held at: The Bethel Park Community Center5151 Park Avenue, Bethel Park

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