Upper St. Clair - Town Hall South

Transcription

Upper St. Clair
FOR SUMMER FUN —
JUST
ADD
WATER
Local spots for fishing,
kayaking, paddleboarding
and more!
Special Section:
Real Estate
Page 21
Cruise into Summer:
Area car cruises and
car shows
SUMMER 2015
icmags.com
Page 55
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• Over 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs mean countless possibilities
• Small class sizes with 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio
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A University built on Catholic Tradition
Generous scholarships and financial aid packages available
Get involved outside the classroom in over 20 varsity sports and over 80 clubs and organizations
Located in Erie, Pa., Gannon offers small-town friendliness with big-city attractions
find out more
GANNON.EDU
CALL | 1-800-GANNON-U
TOP 10
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ONLINE | gannon.edu/admissions
CONTENTS
summer
•
2 015
features
21 Special Section: Real Estate
Home Sweet Home! Timely news and advice for
consumers ready to buy, sell or build a home.
37 Rollin’ on the Rivers, Lakes, and Ponds
Here are some fabulous locations to enjoy water activities
in your neck of the woods.
42 Town Hall South: 46 Years of Inspiring the
Community
Local lecture series focuses on broadening horizons.
46 Pinball Machines Make Strong Comeback
in Region
National festival this summer grows out of local
connection.
50 Carnegie’s Full-Circle Son
The Red Bull Inn may be a memory, but people still
remember its Italian salad dressing – and it now has a
following.
37
on the cover
Upper St. Clair residents enjoy fishing and kayaking at nearby
rivers, lakes and ponds. See story on page 37.
Photo by Primetime Shots.
55 Cruise into Summer
It’s cruise season and summer is the best time for car
enthusiasts.
60 The Outdoor Classroom
2015 Spring-Summer Events Summary
64 Eat Fresh
Rotary Club of Upper St. Clair-Bethel Park Rescues the
Farmers’ Market.
departments
4
8
12
From the Publisher
IN the Loop: What’s News
in Upper St. Clair
IN Good Taste: Bubba Snider,
Owner, Bubba’s Gourmet
Burghers and Beer
14
18
IN Person: Sandy Dunlop
72
IN Focus: Upper St.
Clair at a Glance
IN Events: Rotary Club of
Upper St. Clair-Bethel Park
sponsored content
Business Spotlights
Industry Insights
45 Desirable Kitchens & Refacing of
Pittsburgh
49 Perri Surgical Associates of
Pittsburgh
66 South Hills Pet Rescue
71 Torrente of Upper St. Clair
7 Dental Health: South Hills Dental
Arts
16 Sports Recruiting: Tier 1 Recruiting
31 Real Estate: RE/MAX - John Davies
35 Home Improvement: 84 Lumber
40 Parenting: The Goddard School
64
IN Community is a publication dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the Upper St. Clair area and its comprising municipalities by focusing on the talents and
gifts of the people who live and work here. Our goal is to provide readers with the most informative and professional regional publication in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Upper St. Clair | Summer 2015 | icmags.com 3
FROM
THE
PUBLISHER
CEO & PUBLISHER
Wayne Dollard
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Julie Talerico / [email protected]
Welcome to the summer issue of IN Upper St. Clair
magazine.
There’s no better way to enjoy the lazy, hazy days of
summer than on one of the area’s waterways. Whether
you enjoy the solitude of a quiet fishing spot or like to
kayak and canoe down a stream with friends, you have
many options. Check out our article, “Rollin’ on the
Rivers, Lakes, and Ponds,” for a list of nearby rivers, creeks, lakes and ponds — and all the water
activities available.
Summertime is also ripe for the great American recreational pastime: car cruises. A perfect
way to spend a warm afternoon or evening, car cruises bring enthusiasts together to celebrate
classic and vintage cars. Check out “Cruise into Summer” for a list of car shows and cruises in
your area.
Also, don’t miss our Real Estate special section for timely advice if you’re ready to sell your
home or in the market to buy or build a new one.
Have a safe and fun-filled summer!
REGIONAL EDITORS
Mark Berton
South, West & Erie
[email protected]
Pamela Palongue
North & East
[email protected]
OFFICE MANAGER
Leo Vighetti / [email protected]
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Jim Paladino / [email protected]
SENIOR DESIGNER
Michael Miller / [email protected]
DESIGNERS
Anna Buzzelli
Sharon Cobb
Jan McEvoy
Tamara Tylenda
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Jonathan Barnes
Heather Holtschlag
Jennifer Brozak
Leigh Lyons
Earl Bugaile
Marilyn Wempa
Trill Dreistadt
Mandie Zoller
Tracy Fedkoe
Wayne Dollard
Publisher
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ginni Klein
Kathleen Rudolph
Primetime Shots
VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES
Tamara Myers / [email protected]
SALES MANAGER
Brian McKee / [email protected]
P.S. We’re looking to publish your best neighborhood and community photos. Please email them
to [email protected]. See the back page for details!
ADVERTISING SALES
Sophia Alfaras
Aimee Nicolia
Kim Davidovich
Vinnie Sabatini
Laura Early
Mike Silvert
Tiffany Marcovsky
Stacey Stranko
Connie McDaniel
RJ Vighetti
ADVERTISING COORDINATOR
Debbie Mountain / [email protected]
Send Us Your Story Ideas!
To Advertise
We’d love to hear from you if you know someone in
your community who is making a difference or has
done something extraordinary. We’re also looking
for interesting story ideas (little-known facts, history
or other news) within your community.
As the largest magazine publisher in
Western Pennsylvania, IN Community
Magazines are direct mailed to more
than 518,000 households, reaching
1.15 million readers. If you’d like to
partner with us, please contact our
office manager, Leo Vighetti, at
[email protected].
If you have suggestions, email us at
[email protected].
4 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | Upper St. Clair
©2015 by IN Community Magazines.
All rights reserved. Reproduction or reuse of any
part of this publication is prohibited without
the written permission of the publisher.
Direct all inquiries, letters to the editor and press
releases to:
IN Community Magazines
603 East McMurray Road
McMurray, PA 15317
724.942.0940; Fax: 724.942.0968 / icmags.com
Please recycle this magazine when
you are through enjoying it.
Health for Emmy, who just graced us with her presence.
Health for Bruno, whose knees aren’t what they used to be.
Health for Trevor, whose elbow cast has begun setting. And
for Elise, whose battle and chemo are nearly won and through.
Ten fingers and ten toes for Drew and for twin sister, Avery.
Surprise! And if health for Luther means a helicopter at four
in the morning, then a helicopter he will have. Health for All,
because we didn’t take an oath to only care for some of the
people. We’re here to help them all. For an appointment,
call 412.DOCTORS (362.8677) or visit AHN.ORG
Health for the South Hills.
No matter where you are, from the city to the South Hills or anywhere
else in between, we’re here for you. With Allegheny Health Network’s seven
hospitals and more than 200 care sites, “Health for All” is more than just words.
It’s our mission. From primary care to specialized care, from new beginnings
to our most loved seniors, we’re committed to getting patients
the world-class care they deserve, close to home.
For an appointment,
call 412.DOCTORS (362.8677) or visit AHN.ORG
Allegheny General • Allegheny Valley • Canonsburg • Forbes • Jefferson • Saint Vincent • West Penn
INDUSTRY INSIGHT
DENTAL HEALTH
SPONSORED CONTENT
Have you been told you
were not a candidate
for dental implants?
D
ental implants have revolutionized dentistry and the way missing teeth
are replaced. They have helped many people to regain their smiles,
their confidence, and ultimately improve the quality of their lives.
Unfortunately, this life-changing treatment was not always able to be offered to
everyone. In the past, many patients were told that they were not candidates for
dental implants due to lack of supporting bone in the jaw. Without the option
of dental implants, these patients were faced with very limited options for
replacement alternatives. Fortunately, today all that has changed! With advances
in dental implant technology such as 3D imaging, optimal digital treatment
planning, and advanced bone-regenerating techniques, it is now possible for
almost anyone to have dental implants!
At South Hills Dental Arts, we specialize in all the latest dental technology and
treatments to extend the highest level of care to patients. We know first hand
the numerous benefits of dental implants which include:
■ Restoring your mouth to its most natural state, since dental implants feel,
fit, and function like natural teeth.
■ Improving your appearance and brightening your smile, which in turn
renews your self-confidence.
■ Improving eating habits immediately and allowing you to eat all your
favorite foods without hesitation.
■ Eliminating messy adhesives used to hold dentures.
■ Eliminating unsightly metal clasps common with partial dentures.
■ Providing a long-term restoration solution that can last a lifetime!
■ Stimulating bone growth and preventing bone loss. Dental implants are
the only restorative option that preserves and stimulates natural bone.
■ Enhancing your overall quality of life and oral health.
As you can see, dental implants are by far the superior option when it comes
to replacing missing teeth. It is amazing to think that
these benefits could once only be experienced by a
select few, but can now be experienced by almost
all. Why not you? Even if you’ve been told in the past
that dental implants were not an option for you, that
is no longer true. South Hills Dental Arts is one of the
few dental practices in the area with the expertise and technology to now make
dental implants a reality for almost everyone.
To help benefit our patients, we are excited to announce that we have a stateof-the-art 3D radiographic CT scanner ,which obtains a full 3-dimensional view
of all interior structures of the mouth and jaw — including the sinus areas and
bone density. Not only does this allow us to evaluate the bone density, quantity,
and quality, it also allows us to know exactly where to position an implant for
optimal results. This significant investment in technology benefits both our
patients and doctors by allowing for rapid and detailed assessment of important
anatomical structures and accurate diagnosis of clinical problems. Please do
not allow any dentist to place an implant in your jaw without first using a 3D
scan to determine the thickness of your bone and the location of the nerves in
your face.
What if the 3D scan reveals there is not enough bone
tissue in the jaw?
We now have the ability to grow bone where needed
and there are a variety of bone-regenerating procedures
we can use to accomplish this. These procedures help
to increase the amount of bone you have in your jaw
region to make it possible for a dental implant to be
placed. These bone-regenerating procedures can either be very minor or
extensive depending on how much is needed to support the dental implant.
The first step is to call us for a comprehensive implant evaluation and 3D scan
so we can present you with your options. If you have been told in the past that
you were not a candidate for dental implants because you “don’t have enough
bone,” you owe it to yourself to visit us at one of our two locations and learn
about the many options that are available to you.
in
the
LOOP
What’s
news in
Upper St. Clair
JEWISH FEDERATION
VOLUNTEER CENTER’S
GOOD DEEDS DAY
CELEBRATES CARING
Good Deeds Day is an international
celebration of volunteering. For this,
Pittsburgh’s 3rd annual Good Deeds Day,
the Jewish Federation’s Volunteer Center
organized six sites across the Pittsburgh
region with volunteer activities representing
core Jewish values: Feeding the Sick, Caring
for the Hungry, Honoring the Elderly, Acts
of Loving Kindness, and Providing for Those
in Need. These photos are from the Acts of
Loving Kindness site at the South Hills JCC
where volunteers put together school supply
bags and crocheted chemo caps.
The United Way “Be There” program
encourages students and adults to have
conversations about school attendance and
fosters a positive outlook on showing up
to school. The school supply bags will be
distributed to students who need them. The
chemo caps will be distributed to patients at
area hospitals.
The Jewish Federation Volunteer Center
provides a network of resources that create
meaningful volunteer opportunities and
a centralized entry point for Pittsburgh’s
Jewish community volunteers to get
involved. Visit jfedvolunteer.org for more
information. The Jewish Federation of
Greater Pittsburgh, a member agency of The
Jewish Federations of North America, raises
and allocates funds to build community
locally, in Israel and around the world. With
the vision of a thriving, vibrant and engaged
Jewish community, the Jewish Federation
of Greater Pittsburgh aims to carry out its
work in the context of cooperation and
inclusiveness. For more information, visit
www.jfedpgh.org.
BUILDING A MOVEMENT
Pittsburgh’s Arts and Culture Community
Embracing Accessibility and Inclusion of
People with Disabilities
Do you know people who love the arts but
stopped going because they couldn’t see the
stage, read the program or hear the dialogue?
Good news! Times have changed!
FISA Foundation has promoted the
inclusion of people with disabilities into
the region’s performing arts, theaters
and museums. Through collaboration
with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, the
Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council and the
Allegheny Regional Asset District, arts
organizations are training staff on inclusive
practices, changing policies and providing
accommodations to ensure that the arts are
available to all members of the community.
Most of Pittsburgh’s cultural organizations
now have accessibility information on their
websites. It’s becoming common to find
large-print programs, hearing amplification,
accessible seating and adapted performances.
FISA Foundation recently released
the report Building a Movement: How
Pittsburgh’s Arts and Cultural Community
is Embracing Accessibility and Inclusion of
People with Disabilities. It can be accessed at
fisafoundation.org/about/centennial-report.
HOOPS,
USC STUDENT IS
HEART ‘N’
NATIONAL MERIT $2,500
HEROES!
SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
3-ON-3
The National Merit Scholarship
Corporation (NMSC) announced this year’s
BASKETBALL
TOURNAMENT National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners.
The first ever
Hoops, HEART ‘n’ Heroes! is a 3-on-3
basketball tournament that will be held
on Saturday, September 12, at the South
Park Fairgrounds, organized by Stephen
W. Englert, Jr., a junior at Moon Area
High School. Stephen has been playing
recreational basketball since third grade
and now is a referee at those same games.
Hoops, HEART ‘n’ Heroes! is a community
service project he is planning for his
future 2015-2016 senior project topic of
“Sports Management.” Proceeds from this
tournament will benefit the American Heart
Association.
Hoops, HEART ‘n’ Heroes! will consist
of four divisions, varsity and junior varsity
boys and girls, 9th – 12th grade, from across
the local and tri-state area with a passion
for playing basketball. It will be a RoundRobin/Single Elimination tournament with a
guaranteed three games for each team. Each
player on the division championship team
will receive a trophy and gift card, while all
the other teams will receive participation
medals. In addition, all players will be
provided a box lunch and receive a free tote
bag and tournament t-shirt.
Several basketball clinics will be hosted
by former NBA star Earl “the Twirl”
Cureton, WNBA star Sheri Sam, Duquesne
University basketball stars B.B. Flenory and
Jarrett Durham, Robert Morris University
basketball star Gabe Jackson and former
women’s basketball coach Stacey JohnsonKlein. Three-Point Shooting and Ultimate
Knock-Out Challenge individual skill
contests will also be highlighted. In addition,
planning is in progress for “The Final Game,”
a 3-on-3 alumni basketball game featuring
former local college basketball players. So
please stay till the end!
Teams must register by August 24
to guarantee your team a spot in the
tournament. Space is limited to about 60
teams; entries will be on a first-come, firstserved basis! Go to www.hoopsheartnheroes.
com to download the registration form.
The $2,500 Merit Scholar designees were
chosen from a talent pool of more than
15,000 outstanding Finalists in the 2015
National Merit Scholarship Program.
National Merit $2,500 Scholarship
winners are the finalists in each state
judged to have the strongest combination
of accomplishments, skills, and potential
for success in rigorous college studies. The
number of winners named in each state is
proportional to the state’s percentage of the
nation’s graduating high school seniors.
These scholars were selected by a
committee of college admissions officers
and high school counselors, who appraised
a substantial amount of information
submitted by both the finalists and their
high schools: the academic record, including
difficulty level of subjects studied and grades
earned; scores from two standardized tests;
contributions and leadership in school and
community activities; an essay written by the
finalist; and a recommendation written by a
high school official.
Eliana M. Ondrejko of Upper St. Clair was
awarded a $2,500 National Merit Scholarship
supported by National Merit Scholarship
Corporation’s own funds. Her probable
career field is international business.
COMBATTING
PRESCRIPTION DRUG
& OPIOID ABUSE
Members Review State Level Responses
to the Epidemic
The U.S. House Energy and Commerce
Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee,
chaired by Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA),
continued its review of the ongoing
prescription drug and opioid abuse epidemic
with a look at what is being done at the state
level to combat these crises.
“The size of this problem and the need
for a new paradigm of treatment can’t be
understated. And the process of developing
legislative solutions has already started,”
said Murphy. “Today we heard from the
states about best practice models, problems
they have encountered, and how states have
addressed these problems. We also received
Continued
in
the
LOOP
honest input and ideas about where there
are problems and successes with any federal
policies.”
“We know that more than 70% of those
who abuse prescription drugs obtain them
from the unused supplies of friends or family,
highlighting the importance of supporting
robust medication collection and disposal
resources throughout the state,” explained
Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment Executive Director and Chief
Medical Officer Larry Wolk, M.D., MSPH.
Wolk, like the other witnesses, explained
how important education and collaborative
work is to fighting this crisis.
“We must take greater advantage of the
evidence-based treatments that we have at
our disposal for opioid addiction,” added
Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner
Monica Bharel, M.D., M.P.H. “However, as
our national data demonstrates, more than
80% of these lethal pain killers came from
non-clinicians – in fact nearly 70% from
family and friends. And so again, this story
highlights an elemental truth: we will fail in
our efforts to address this crisis if we do not
fully involve all partners from all sectors –
family and community of all ages and walks,
law enforcement, public health, healthcare,
schools, and our elected leaders.”
“If we focus on education, patientcentered care, and community and patient
empowerment, I am confident we can
successfully combat the problem of opioid
abuse,” added Indiana Health Commissioner
Jerome Adams, M.D., M.P.H., who explained
that in addition to opioid abuse, Indiana
is also working more broadly to combat
“rampant substance use disorder (SUD).”
CHILD MIND INSTITUTE
HONORS MURPHY WITH
CHAMPION AWARD
Congressman Tim Murphy accepted
the inaugural Champion Award at the 1st
Annual Child Mind Institute Change Maker
Awards. ABC News’ Chief Anchor George
Stephanopoulos presented the award to
Mr. Murphy for his work in advancing his
landmark legislation, the Helping Families in
Mental Health Crisis Act.
The Child Mind Institute, founded
by Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz and Brooke
Garber Neidich, is committed to finding
more effective treatments for childhood
psychiatric and learning disorders, building
the science of healthy brain development,
and empowering children and their families
with help, hope, and answers. The award was
presented a week after Congressman Murphy
introduced a bipartisan congressional
resolution designating May as Mental Health
Month, which aims to eliminate the stigma
associated with mental illness and promote
public awareness of mental health.
“I am humbled and honored to have been
awarded the inaugural Champion Award
by the Child Mind Institute. But truly the
champions in children’s mental health are
those who are in the trenches each and every
day working to further research, treatment
and services for kids with mental illness,” said
Congressman Murphy. “I thank founders
Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz and Brooke Garber
Neidich for their unwavering support in
furthering children’s mental health and the
Child Mind Institute for including me in this
remarkable group of honorees.”
Following the tragedy at Sandy Hook
Elementary in Newtown, Conn., in
December 2012, as chairman of the Energy
and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight
& Investigations, Murphy initiated a topto-bottom review of the country’s broken
mental health system. Based on the findings,
in December 2013, Murphy introduced
the Helping Families in Mental Health
Crisis Act, a groundbreaking, bipartisan
mental health legislation to reform federal
programs, remove barriers to care and invest
in treatment and brain research. His bill
has been described as the most significant
overhaul of the nation’s broken mental health
system since the Kennedy administration,
and has been endorsed by physicians, parents
of children, and a dozen-plus newspapers
including the Washington Post, San
Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee, and
the Wall Street Journal.
As part of the ongoing review by the
House Energy and Commerce Committee
into mental health issues raised by
the Newtown tragedy, Oversight and
Investigations Subcommittee Chairman
Murphy and ranking member Diana DeGette
(D-CO) convened a forum with leading
national experts including Dr. Koplewicz, on
March 5, 2013, to explore issues related to
severe mental illness and violence. ■
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since 1982.
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approach to education.
Now accepting applications for the
2015-2016 school year.
www.hillcrestca.org/admissions
2500 Bethel Church Road • Bethel Park, PA
412-854-4040 • www.hillcrestca.org
INGOOD TASTE
Bubba Snider, Owner, Bubba’s Gourmet
Burghers and Beer
Candid conversations with the dining scene’s most engaging chefs
Bubba’s Gourmet Burghers and Beer
3109 Washington Pike, Bridgeville;
412.564.5638, bubbaspgh.com
Bubba Snider behind the bar of his
Bubba’s Gourmet Burghers and Beer
On the Menu: Fresh burgers made from a
proprietary blend of New York strip steak,
ribeye steak, inside sirloin and brisket. The
chicken and pork—just like the burgers—are
antibiotic, steroid and hormone free. Plus, the
fresh produce is locally sourced whenever
possible.
Why did you open Bubba’s
Gourmet Burghers and Beer?
After many conversations, my
father, Ed, and I created our own
proprietary burger blend. He grew
up in the meat business at Dan Snider’s Meat
Market on Semple Street in Oakland, and as I was
growing up he owned Galaxy Meats on Clay Pike
Road in North Huntingdon. I grew up working
in his meat market and ever since I’ve been in the
restaurant business. It’s my second passion next
to my morning radio host job that I’ve been doing
since I was 19 (Bubba Show on 100.7 Star)—and
I love everything about it. I was operating other
restaurants when I realized I was missing out on
everything going on at home with my wife, Tracy,
and our four children. I coach the Steel City
Spartans Super Elite 13-year-old travel baseball
team and I coached South Fayette Youth Football.
I wanted to open something closer to home. We
opened Bubba’s in September 2012 and offer a
100-percent fresh menu. At Bubba’s, fresh means
fresh. Nothing frozen—ever. We don’t even have
a freezer in the building.
QA
What led you to create this niche restaurant?
I tried my first gourmet burger more than 10
years ago in Hollywood, Calif., when I was staying
at the Roosevelt Hotel while broadcasting live
from the Grammy Awards. I tried the burger
and was blown away not only by how fantastic it
The Classic Burgher—a signature blend of
gourmet burger, lettuce, tomato, onion and
choice of cheese
was, but also by its unique toppings
and the entire upscale culinary
aspect of the overall restaurant. I
filed it away in my mind and knew
with my background growing up
working in my dad’s meat market,
this was something I wanted to
eventually do. Today, I have Bubba’s
Burghers—and yes we spell burgers
with the letter ‘h.’
The KCCO (Keep Calm & Chive On)
Burgher with sautéed onions, Portobella
mushrooms, pulled pork, one huge fried
onion ring and a choice of American,
provolone or pepper jack cheese
Who has influenced your
appreciation for a good burger
the most?
My dad. He told me burgers are
cooked on a griddle and steaks on
a flat top. Because our burgers are made of prime
steak, we combined the two procedures. How we
cook our burgers is one secret I will never let out
of the bag. You’ll have to order a Bubba’s Burgher
and taste for yourself.
Other than Bubba’s, where’s your favorite
place to eat within walking distance of your
restaurant?
Wild Rosemary. I have one word to best describe
this delicious hidden gem: Amazing.
What kitchen tool can’t you live without?
Our chef, Josh Horowitz, says no kitchen can
make it without a sharp set of knives.
What’s your favorite go-to ingredient?
It’s more, ‘What’s my favorite go-to food, period.’
When in doubt—have a Burgher.
Best cooking advice for a novice?
Pay attention to detail by making sure you are
consistently good on every single shift—every
single day. Take great pride in everything you do
and never cut quality for the sake of a profit.
What’s the next big food or dining trend?
Gourmet BBQ made by genuinely talented and
skilled chefs or pit masters.
Your favorite quick meal to prepare at
home?
Shrimp pasta with garlic. My kids love it!
—Reese Randall
Visit us online
For more chef recipes, go to
icmags.com/recipe
INPERSON
Creating
a Greener
Future
USC resident cleans
up Boyce Road as a
personal cause.
BY MARK BERTON
“It’s surprising how
many motorists blow
their horn or roll their
window down and
shout, ‘Thank you!’”
W
hen Sandy Dunlop lived in Mt.
Lebanon, she was recruited by
a neighbor to do a litter cleanup
along Banksville Road. Little did she know
this would compel her to branch out on her
own litter-busting endeavors and begin a
hobby that she still practices to this day.
“After the Banksville cleanup, I kind of
graduated on my own, started doing my own
cleanups,” Dunlop says. “I lived on Cochran
Road, and I noticed down in the lower end
where the gas stations are and shopping
takes place, a lot of trash accumulated. So
I decided to adopt Cochran Road, and
regularly picked it up from Washington Road
to Giant Eagle or Greentree Road.”
About a year and a half ago, Dunlop,
a retired Bethel Park health and physical
education teacher, and her husband moved
to Upper St. Clair, but she took her litterbusting habit with her, and adopted Boyce
Road as her new beneficiary.
“I never saw anyone picking up on Boyce
Road, so I began to attempt to clean the area
from Mayview Road to Rt. 19. Calabria’s
Restaurant offered to pick up my bags. Most
recently, Friendship Village has acquired the
portion of Boyce Road from Washington
Pike to Mayview Road through PennDOT.
Calabria’s is still responsible for Boyce
Road from Mayview to Rt. 19, according to
PennDOT, even though they no longer have
a business at Frosty Valley. This is the section
I regularly care for.
“The section I do is not nearly as bad as
Mayview toward Washington Pike. That’s
real windy and narrow and extremely
dangerous,” she says. “I would never do that
section alone.”
And no matter where she is on the road,
she’s aware of moving traffic. Surprisingly,
Dunlop says that while she wears a
fluorescent vest and walks toward traffic
deep in the grass, most of the motorists will
slow down and pull away from her when it is
safe to do so.
“That keeps me inspired and going,” she
says. “It’s surprising how many motorists
blow their horn or roll their window down
and shout, ‘Thank you!’ One day a truck
driver beeped his horn and gave me two
thumbs up as he drove by. People do that,
and it’s nice to know they appreciate and
recognize what I’m doing.”
Of all the debris she collects, Dunlop said
very little comes from vehicles themselves.
The major offenders are motorists.
“Once in a while, if there’s been a fender
bender, you’ll find some pieces of a car that
weren’t completely swept up,” she says.
“Mostly, it’s cans, water bottles and beer
bottles. There are a lot of cigarette packs and
styrofoam containers, too. It’s so difficult
to accept that people just roll their window
down and throw that stuff right out.”
While she doesn’t keep track of how much
she’s cleaned up in Mt. Lebanon or Upper
St. Clair, Dunlop says that a bad day with
heavy litter can yield three extra-large trash
bags full of trash. A good day results in one
bag. She considers her cleanups as part of her
daily exercise routine and said that she can
easily log a mile per outing. Plus, the weight
of bottles gets heavy fast. A really good day is
when the trash is both light and green.
“I do find money on occasion,” she says.
“Mostly dollar bills, and once in a while I’ll
find a five-dollar bill.”
Finding money would seem like a nice
reward, but Dunlop said her best reward is
keeping the road clean and helping to save
Mother Earth.
“I think people are deterred from littering
when everything looks neat and clean,” she
says. “Since I left Mt. Lebanon, friends of
mine call, email and tell me, ‘You’re missed
on Cochran Road. It’s an absolute mess.’ I
tell them to organize and do it once a month
themselves.” ■
What to Do if You Witness
Someone Littering or
Dumping Trash
If you witness someone littering or
dumping, get details and descriptions,
and give that information to an
enforcement agency as soon as possible.
NEVER approach someone who you
think is littering or dumping!
Information that will be helpful to have
ready when you call:
• License plate number and description
of vehicle involved (such as make,
model, year, condition of vehicle)
• Number of persons involved, with
descriptions
• Date and time of incident
• Traveling direction if you have
witnessed a littering incident
• Type of litter thrown from vehicle
• Location and/or directions to site of
an illegal dumping problem
• Ownership of the site, and whether
public or private, if known
• Your name and telephone number
If a vehicle is involved, the owner of the
vehicle is responsible for trash dropped,
thrown, or deposited from the vehicle,
regardless of who committed the offense.
The vehicle license number may be all
that you need to report, however, the
more information you provide to an
agent the stronger the case will be.
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INDUSTRY INSIGHT
SPORTS RECRUITING
SPONSORED CONTENT
should not give up but get busy and get in touch
with coaches.
We have helped athletes as late as November of
their senior year secure a roster spot at some of the best
academic institutions in the country. In fact, in the class of
2015, we helped “late” student athletes gain admission
to Columbia, University of Chicago and Washington
University. If you have started late, seeking assistance
from a recruiting consultant would be a wise
decision.
Expecting Others to Do the Work.
Many athletes expect their coaches, guidance counselors and
parents to do the heavy lifting in the recruiting process. Others
ollegiate athletic recruiting is extremely competitive.
believe that the college coaches will miraculously find them. Sorry
Thousands of talented student athletes want to play
but that is not how the process works.
their sport and attend elite colleges. Unfortunately, the
SOLUTION: While high school/club coaches can help when college coaches
recruiting process has many nuances which make it very confusing for the novice.
There is no rule book or road map to guide the athlete or parents. As a result, many call, don’t forget they have jobs, families and a team with other players all looking
athletes make mistakes that if not corrected can seriously damage their chances of for help. The athlete needs to be proactive and initiate the recruiting process by
finding schools, programs and coaches that are interested in him/her as a student
gaining admission to the elite schools.
athlete. Then ask the coach or hire a recruiting consultant to help.
Below are 5 Common Recruiting Mistakes and how to correct them.
By identifying and addressing these common recruiting mistakes, a student
Evaluation of Athletic Talent.A common mistake is to overrate an
athlete can increase his/her chances of becoming a recruited athlete and gaining
athlete’s talent. Most athletes have had success on the field and believe they
can compete at the next level. However, despite their confidence and passion, not admission to a great college.
every athlete is a Division l player. When an athlete targets schools above their
Bill Penrod is a recruiting consultant and founder of Tier 1 Recruiting. He represents
recruiting level, they are destined for disappointment and waste valuable time
student athletes from around the world with the goal of assisting them in gaining
and effort.
admission to and playing sports at the top academic institutions in the country. He has
SOLUTION: Do a realistic evaluation of the athlete’s talents. This evaluation will assisted student athletes in gaining admission to schools in many conferences including
help determine the level – D1, D2 or D3 – of play. Ask a high school or club coach
the Ivy League, Patriot League, UAA, NESCAC, ACC and Big 10. Bill is a licensed attorney
in Pennsylvania and was previously a sports agent who represented athletes in contract
to assist with the evaluation. Remember to insist that others be honest in their
negotiations in the NFL, CFL, MLB and other professional leagues.
assessment. In return, accept their honest assessment.
Incorrect Evaluation of Academic Talent. Often B-C student athletes
want to play at and target elite academic universities (e.g. Ivy League
schools). However, the chances of gaining admission are slim with a low GPA or
standardized test scores.
SOLUTION: Research schools and speak with a guidance counselor or
recruiting consultant. Ask him/her to help create a list of schools where gaining
admission is realistic. It’s all right to stretch for a few schools that are beyond the
athlete’s academic abilities. However, the students
should also have schools on their list that are smart fits
for their academic record.
Accurately Interpreting “Coach Speak.”
Just because the student athlete has received
a letter or email from a coach does not mean
that he/she is “being recruited.” Coaches send
thousands of letters out to prospects every year,
inviting them to camps or requesting film.
It’s great to receive these letters/emails, but
it is not “being recruited.” Think of a large
hourglass with all the grains of sand being
student athletes. Of the thousands of recruits, only
a small number, 10-20, come out the other end of the funnel as student athletes
that the coach will seriously recruit.
SOLUTION: Pursue many schools and be proactive in identifying colleges.
Conduct research, contact the coaches and get in front of them. Let them know
who you are and what you can do on the field and in the classroom. The best
solution is to seek advice from a recruiting consultant who can interpret the
correspondences received and guide you through the process.
Late Starts. Most D1 college programs finalize their recruiting classes by July
after the athlete’s junior year. They can do this because they started a year or
two earlier. If you haven’t started the process by your junior year, you’re late and
your odds of landing a roster spot go down considerably.
SOLUTION: My motto is “It’s never too early or too late to begin the recruiting
process.” If you have not started the recruiting process in your junior year, you
Common Recruiting
Mistakes and How
to Avoid Them
C
1
2
3
4
5
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The Rotary Club of Upper St. Clair-Bethel
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SPECIAL SECTION: REAL ESTATE
Home
Sweet
Home!
Timely news and advice
for consumers ready to
buy, sell or build a home.
The U.S. economy is on the upswing,
with the job market gaining an estimated
1.125 million jobs in just the past four
months, and predictions for the 2015
housing market are looking positive.
Rising home prices have led to an
increase in housing equity, pulling
many of the nine million homeowners
affected by the recession out of the red.
Now, many Americans are seeing green
through job security and the hopes of
purchasing a home of their own.
Real Estate in UPPER ST. CLAIR
Homes for Sale: 130
Average Home Price: $356,337
Homes Sold: 114
Average Sold Price: $262,962
➢
CONTINUED
*Data provided by Realtor.com at the time of publication.
MOMS WELCOME
Northwood Realty Services recognizes
and celebrates the unique skills that
working moms bring to their families
and careers each and every day. We
believe you can achieve success in both
your personal and professional life.
Our Northwood Moms prove it every day!
If you are looking for a new, flexible
and rewarding career, visit our
website to see how you can become
the New Face of Northwood.
$
www.northwoodformoms.com
Susie Holmes
Northwood Real Estate Agent
Mother of 3 kids
Outlook for 2015
Although some economists predicted
stronger outcomes for the housing market,
2014 still proved to be a good year for real
estate recovery. With loosened lending
requirements and an improved economy,
buyers gained confidence. The job market
grew, offering options for the unemployed and those looking
for better opportunities. With a steady paycheck and mortgage
rates continuing to decline, would-be renters saw the chance for
homeownership to become a reality.
Homeowners also felt relief with homes returning to normal price
appreciation and foreclosures and short sales declining throughout
the year, which provided additional inventory to the market.
However, the available homes were not enough to satisfy the number
of buyers in the market for a new home. According to the National
Association of Realtors (NAR), the median time on the market was
approximately 90 days, creating a competitive market for the limited
number of homes available. This was a key factor that held back
the full projected recovery, along with tighter credit standards for
young, first-time homebuyers who forwent purchasing to stay with
parents or rent. Additionally, the association noted that the number
of first-time homebuyers was the lowest in 30 years. With the largest
generation since the Baby Boomers due to hit the sprite age of 24 this
year, economists predict that 2015 will be the start of a booming real
estate market.
%
20
720
Where economists see
potential for 2015
$
Millennials. Job security. Options for
mortgage rates. These buzzwords run
rampant through economic predictions for
the 2015 housing market. Millennials are
making their way into the real estate market
in a big way. Economists predict an increase in home purchases
within the next one to five years thanks in large part to millennials, or
Generation Y (individuals born between 1981 and 2000), who are
entering the housing market. Attractive three-percent-down loans
from Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae and conventional five-percentdown loans provide more options for younger buyers who are
ready to buy, but may not have the high 20 percent down payment
needed for a loan. Realtor.com states that 65 percent of first-time
homebuyers are made up of millennials and that, of those, 85 percent
indicated that marriage and change in family size was the motivation
to buy. The youngest of this generation being only 15 in 2015 means
this is only the start of long-term housing market growth.
Compared to previous generations who purchased homes in their
mid- to late 20s, millennials are putting off the decision to buy until
their early 30s. A report from NAR stated that first-time buyers were
at the smallest share since 1987, accounting for only 33 percent of
home sales in 2014. An increase in first-time homebuyers allows
established homeowners to “trade in” toward the purchase of pricier
homes, generating a series of homes being bought and sold to boost
the market. Albeit delayed, early 2015 has already seen millennials
creeping their way into the market. With an increase in employment
opportunities across the U.S. and historically low interest rates, the
next generation is gearing up for homeownership.
Continued on page 25 >>
Terry Abbott
Lynn Banbury
Frank Conroy &
Florine Kelly
Kathy Corazza
Brian & Karen
Cummings
Bob Dini
Wayne Freund
Judy Gelman
Kathy Hallberg
George Herrington
Liz Hoyson
Lori Maffeo
Elva Marotta
Bobbie Mikita
Barbara
Kurdys-Miller
Heather Orstein
JoAnn Robb
Michele Schocker &
Ruth Weigers
Kristin Shaw
Judy Ward
Tony Mete
Manager
Let us help you find your way home!
Call one of our award-winning Mt. Lebanon Regional sales associates
412.833.7700
1679 Washington Road
www.ThePreferredRealty.com
©2014 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchise of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered
service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity. Information not verified or guaranteed. If your home is currently listed with a Broker, this is not a solicitation.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Real Estate Agents
Who Make a Real Difference!
!
SOLD
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a
3 Cr
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Karena & Ann Allsopp • 412.916.3307
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nwo
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LD!
- SO
Jeff Earley • 412.225.4553
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OLD
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6 Co
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Elaine Krelis • 412.889.4192
OLD!
d-S
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7 Be
196
Dennis Moorcroft • 412.302.7022
453
nklaw
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SOL
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Janet Caputo • 412.980.6025
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70 R
Dan Gillette • 412.403.7071
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Darlene Kruth • 412.874.0415
LD!
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Valerie Rose • 412.359.9677
LD!
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nds
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hern
Sout
161
Carri Czyzewski • 412.526.5581
hern
Sout
129
LD!
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nds
a
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Ron Graf • 412.403.7468
LD!
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o
had
25 S
Bill Matyger • 412.951.1005
LD!
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an
3 Tr
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Judi Scheidler • 412.654.8195
Today, the demand for homes in our area has increased
dramatically, resulting in a shortage of homes available
on the market. This situation has led to homes selling
in days - even hours. If you’re considering selling your
home, now is the time. Call us today!
2
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ow
Harr
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Bonnie Detwiler • 412.298.6646
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Anna Jackson • 412.452.3069
LD!
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Marilyn Mielnicki • 412.377.3422
LD!
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High
508
Claudia Wagner • 412.303.3315
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High
Cathy White • 412.973.8184
Upper St. Clair Office
1797 N. Highland Road • Pittsburgh, PA 15241
412-831-0100
www.northwood.com
Increase in
job market
At the start
of 2015, the
U.S. job market
gained 1.125
million jobs,
allowing more individuals the opportunity
for steady income and a chance at the
“American dream.” Yet, a rise in jobs equals
more people spending more money, and
banks ultimately raising interest rates
on mortgages. Luckily, homebuyers are
still seeing significantly lower rates than
even 15 years ago when they were steady
around 8 percent, or three decades ago
when they hit 16.95 percent in December
of 1981 (hopefully those homebuyers
have refinanced since then!).
As the unemployment rate drops and
people re-enter the workforce, rates will
continue to increase, but the odds of it
spiking any time soon are low, due to the
global economy. Investors look to the
U.S. as a safe spot to house their money
because of recent actions by international
central banks such as European Central
Bank and those in Asia. The Federal
Reserve has kept from raising the Federal
Fund Rate, allowing mortgage rates to
hold somewhat steady.
With rates still low and more individuals
feeling financially ready to buy, 2015 will
see a rise in homes being bought and sold
throughout the U.S. According to the
National Association of Home Builders
(NAHB), North Dakota, Texas, Louisiana,
Montana and Wyoming are above the
national average for home purchases
due to their strong economy. Economic
conditions are setting the demand for
home purchases, with higher employment
rates creating healthier housing markets.
%
20
720
Home
Building
Steady
paychecks are
allowing buyers
the option
of renting or
buying, and the increased cost of renting is
causing many renters to take another look
at their options. Once a more affordable
option to owning (leaving the cost of
pricey repairs, utilities, and mortgage
payments to the property owners), NAR
$
Continued on next page >>
marked the rent surge at the highest pace in
six years in December of 2014, making it a
“landlord’s market.” Vacancy rates have fallen
drastically, giving property owners the ability
to hike up rental fees to both new and existing
tenants. A rise in rental demand spurs from
low housing inventory and the inability of
buyers to afford a substantial down payment,
but with steadily increasing job wages and a
decreasing amount needed to put down, the
option to buy or build is becoming sweeter.
The options for buying are endless and
intimidating, whether it is new construction
or a pre-owned home. Many buyers who are
looking for open, multifunctional interiors
that allow for socializing and casual living
look toward new construction for their
answer. Allowing for more energy-efficient
living, homes are being built with the buyer
in mind. The ability to save on heating and
cooling costs with new, energy-efficient
appliances, windows and doors gives building
a home from the ground up just the appeal it
needs to compete with pre-owned homes.
Single-family new home construction is
forecasted to increase 26 percent from 2014
to 802,000 units and reach upward of 1.1
million in 2016, predicts the NAHB. The
increase is due to lack of housing available to
buyers. As long as housing is undersupplied,
new construction home sales will continue
to increase. With expected sales of previously
owned homes lower than expected, new
construction numbers have been high for six
straight months, according to Forbes. It is
predicted by Realtor.com that affordability
of previously owned homes will worsen
throughout the year, with high mortgage
rates also adding to the problem, decreasing
affordability by 5 to 10 percent in 2015.
%
Mortgage
Rates
Young buyers are
struggling to make
a 20 percent down
payment on a house,
leading them to
seek out other options. A survey released by
the Federal Reserve found that 45 percent of
renters put off buying a home because they
did not have enough for a down payment.
In an effort to expand the homebuyer pool,
the government-sponsored Fannie Mae and
Freddie Mac developed programs that offer
a three-percent-down option that targets
potential buyers with good credit, but little
upfront cash. There are other low-downpayment options available through the
Federal Housing Administration and Veterans
Administration, but they include hefty fees
20
720
and mortgage insurance premiums that drive
up monthly payments.
Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is a fee
required of homeowners to protect a lender
in case of a default in mortgage payments.
PMI is required when homeowners put down
less than 20 percent of the appraised value of
a home and must be paid until loan-to-value
ratio (LTV) hits 80 percent. Zillow provides
an easy-to-understand example: “Let’s say you
bought a $100,000 home and put down 10
percent, or $10,000, and got a $90,000 loan to
pay the rest. Your LTV in this case would be
$90,000 divided by $100,000, or 90 percent.”
Once a borrower builds up equity to 20
percent of the price of the home, he/she may
request to have PMI removed. Lenders do not
typically remove PMI on their own until 22
percent, so an owner is wise to stay on top of
the total amount of payments.
Although not everyone will qualify for lowdown-payment loans, the hope is to get more
buyers into the market. It is important for
individuals to research the types of loans that
will work best for their situation.
$
$
Pittsburgh
Housing
Market
According to
Trulia, the average
price per square foot
for the Pittsburgh
housing market has increased 4.3 percent
compared to the same period in 2014, hitting
$98 per square foot. The Pittsburgh market
seems to be following the national trends
with median home sales price increasing by
five percent and with home sales decreasing
by 49.9 percent. Mortgage delinquency
(when homeowners fail to make payments
on their mortgage and owe more on their
home than it is now worth) increased across
the nation during the recession in 2008. Since
then, owners who were once underwater on
their mortgages are finding a way out, with
Pittsburgh’s delinquencies at 2.8 percent,
lower than the national value of 6.4 percent.
Mortgage delinquency eventually leads to
foreclosures, which are also lower here (2.0
per 10,000) than the nation average of 4.0,
according to Zillow.
With home sales on the rise early in the
year, the area has already seen a 6.2-percent
increase from last year and 5.8-percent
increase in new listings. Local realtors agree
that if the inventory of homes continues
to steadily grow over the next few months,
residential real estate will be booming in
southwestern PA by summer.
%
$
20
720
Pittsburghers have a unique variety of
neighborhoods to choose from when buying
a house. HGTV explored a few and
mentioned the following as top locations to
check out:
• North Allegheny — Residents in McCandless
Township are welcoming new, open-air
shopping to the area at McCandless Crossing.
The initial stores in the area include Home
Goods, Dick’s Sporting Goods, True Runner
and Lowe’s Home Improvement and a variety
of restaurants such as Panera, Bonefish
Grill, Carrabba’s Italian Grill and LongHorn
Steakhouse. Foodies will also enjoy the Trader
Joe’s added to the myriad of grocery options
available on Route 19. The area will continue to
build and grow throughout 2016.
• Plum — New construction homes and
communities are on the rise in Plum. A large
number of builders have their “foot in the
door” in this area with new homes ranging
from large, five-bedroom single-family homes
to townhouses and apartment complexes. If
you are looking for a fresh start in a new home,
look no further than Plum.
Mt. Lebanon — Built to satisfy renters and
owners alike, Mt. Lebanon residents have the
luxury of Pittsburgh’s only train line in the city,
the “T.” Taking commuters into and out of
this historic suburb of the South Hills, the T is
just one benefit of the bustling neighborhood.
With homes currently ranging from $125,000
to upwards of $950,000, Mt. Lebanon also
houses a small business district and restaurants
to please its neighbors. If your grandparents
“walked uphill both ways” to school, they most
likely grew up in Mt. Lebanon. With a hilly
terrain and schools within walking distance
from homes, students travel to school by foot in
this part of town.
Moon Township — Not only does Moon
Township offer easy access to the plethora of
shops available in Robinson (Did someone
say IKEA?), but the affordability and options
for homes in the area are reasons to look to the
bright side of Moon. From apartments and
townhomes to new construction and homes
with character, your money will go pretty far in
this Pittsburgh suburb, compared to some of
the others.
Other Suburbs of Interest — If you like a
little more land and prefer to commute by
car, HGTV mentions additional areas to keep
in mind that are located just outside of the
city. Peters Township, Cranberry Township,
and North Huntingdon Township each offer
a unique blend of top-notch school district,
lower taxes, first-rate shopping, strip malls and
plenty of land to suit the gardeners and farmers
in all of us.
$
•
•
•
Continued on page 29 >>
When to sell
The housing market is on the upswing and people are looking to sell. Current homeowners have
a positive outlook with the real estate market on the up-and-up, and may be looking to move into
a new home, cash in on the house of their dreams, or to downsize locally to buy that bucket-list
beach home. Whatever the situation may be, keep in mind these real estate selling tips before your
house goes on the market:
720
Find a listing agent who will get the job done. Whether you decide to list the
home yourself, or find a broker, do your homework! Find comparables in the area to make
sure your home is priced affordably — to avoid over- or underselling your property.
Keep it clean! It’s easy for life to take over and daily chores to fall by the wayside. Don’t let
this spoil your goal of selling your home. Kids, pets, and messy spouses should be kept at bay
during peak viewing hours. Finding it hard to live at home while trying to sell? Invest in a few
extra storage bins with decorative flair to keep toys, clothes and shoes out of sight to potential
buyers. Make sure the dishwasher is empty and the trash is taken out...potential buyers want to
see the house at its very best, free from the odors of last night’s dinner.
Where possible, take the “home” out of your house. As heartwrenching as it may be to not have
pictures of your children or furry friends adorning the walls of your home, it is time to pack away personal
mementos. Remember, buyers are buying their new home, not your old home. Get a head start on moving out
by putting trinkets and collectables in bubble-wrapped boxes in the basement and giving potential buyers the
ability to picture their own unique personalities in the space. Closets are an important selling feature, so start
packing away off-season clothing to give closets the appearance of more space. Where possible, “stage” your
home by moving furniture to maximize space. If you have your great-grandmother’s antique armoire that never
had a proper place in your home, think about moving it to storage to allow for more room.
Make smart upgrades. It is important for prospective buyers to see themselves living
their own lives in your home. Make moderate upgrades that speak to the current market of
buyers. Replace old, dusty carpets with new hardwood or laminate flooring. Not all buyers
will think hot-pink walls will suit their needs, so invest in a fresh coat of neutral-colored paint
for bedrooms and common areas. Fix broken closet doors, replace outdated hardware with
sleek new knobs and handles, clean your mirrors and windows, etc. Thinking small will deliver
big payback.
Cooks in the kitchen. Every buyer has to cook, and every cook wants a nice kitchen. HGTV noted
that remodeling your kitchen would most likely provide an 85 percent return on investment. Buyers shy
away from homes with outdated kitchens because of the hefty fees associated with upgrading. If you have
some money to spend, think about upgrading flooring and countertops to match current styles. Think
about upgrading one or two key appliances to stainless steel. Don’t have much money to spend? Goodquality cabinets can always be painted or updated with new hardware. The upgrades will be worth it.
First things first. “You only have one chance to make a first impression.” Don’t mess it up!
You want to capture potential buyers the minute they pull up to your house. Keep the lawn
tidy and plant a few flowers to make your home approachable. Light a candle or add fresh-cut
flowers to the main entrances or common areas of your home to make it feel more inviting.
Continued on next page >>
In the market to buy – it’s a numbers
game
%
The real estate market is on the rise, and buyers are facing low
inventory on affordable homes. Whether you are looking to purchase
your first home or in the market for a new home, it is crucial to get all
of your numbers in order before starting the search for a new home.
Keeping these tips in mind will help make you an ideal buyer:
$
$
%
20
The BIG 20...percent, that is. Most real estate
agents will start to take you seriously only
after providing a pre-approval letter. If you are
thinking that a home purchase is in your future,
start to look at your finances. You’re going to
need cash, and a lot of it. To avoid PMI and
paying additional fees on top of your mortgage,
aim to put down 20 percent. If you have relatives or really great
friends who are willing to assist you in reaching the 20 percent mark,
make sure you look at the rules of receiving “gift money.” Many
banks only accept up to a certain percentage of your down payment
to be gifted.
20
720
What is FICO and why is 720 important? If
you are in the market to buy, the letters F-I-C-O
are familiar to you. Fair Isaac Corporation, or
FICO, is a well-known software for calculating
an individual’s credit score. When getting
pre-approved by banks for a mortgage, it is
important to have a good score. What is good?
720. According to FICO, the median score in the U.S. is 723. If
you are looking for great credit, shoot for anything higher than 723
(think in the 800-900 range). Most banks will offer similar options if
you are at or above 720, but if you dip below, it may be best to start
by trying to improve your credit before buying a new home.
720
$
$
Pick your budget range. It is almost impossible
to search for a home without knowing what you
can afford. Most likely you’ll fall in love with the
house of your dreams with an updated kitchen,
a claw-foot tub and a man cave, and go to put
an offer on it only to find out it exceeds your
allowable budget provided by a mortgage lender.
Heartbreak will ensue, but you’ll get back on your feet with the
realization that you can still get the home of your dreams, but need
to narrow down your search. By this point, your Realtor will be able
to provide you with options that fit the bill. All real estate websites
also provide the convenient option to search by neighborhoods in
your price range.
%
Make an offer by choosing your numbers
wisely. When you’ve finally found THE ONE,
it’s time to make an offer. Make sure you do
your homework—find comparable houses
that were recently sold in the proximity to see
if the asking price is fair. When comparing, be
sure to take into account number of bedrooms
and bathrooms, updates made to the house, and other factors that
may determine house price. Once you decide on a fair price, you’ll
include earnest money with your offer to show good faith. This
money will be held by your Realtor until the deal is finalized, then
will be put toward your down payment. ■
$
$
20
%
720
$
INDUSTRY INSIGHT
REAL ESTATE
SPONSORED CONTENT
10 STEPS TO SELL YOUR HOME
FAST AND WITH A HIGHER VALUE
8. Roof Review Take a look at your roof and replace any
missing shingles or broken tiles. Sweep off any clinging debris
and clean out the gutters. Caulk leaky areas if necessary.
9. Check all Faucets Buyers are sure to check water
pressure and turn on your faucets. Repair any that leak and
make them sparkly clean. Upgrading outdated faucets can make
a really good impression.
10. Luxury Touches You may be able to peak a buyer’s
interest by adding customized luxury items such as a
built in wine cooler or wine rack, upgraded dishwasher
or laundry system.
1. Review Major Systems Before considering cosmetic and
functional improvements, review your major systems to make sure
they are in proper working order. This includes plumbing, heating,
electrical, and sewer systems. Buyers want assurance that these
systems are functioning well and not in need of repair or
replacement in the near future.
2. Add a Sweet Scent Make the house smell nice with a
sweet yet not overpowering room spray. If the house held any
smokers, be sure to replace the air filters, wash the walls, and prime
them to seal in any cooked in nicotine and then repaint. Check
grounds for cigarette butts, too.
3. Fixture Upgrade Consider lights, doorknobs, curtain rods,
window screens. Replace your fixtures if they are dingy looking or
outdated. Could your living room benefit from a ceiling fan?
Consider adding new fixtures to improve your house even more.
4. Reveal and Recondition Hardwood Floors Older
homes sometimes have hardwood under carpet. Reveal it and
refinish it to make it like new again. Polish all of your floors and
really make them look shiny and new!
5. Update the Entrance The front door is one of the first
impressions your home gives to anyone who walks through it. Paint
it in an inviting color, with a refreshing shade. Update the door
hardware. And get a new welcome mat to really improve your curb
appeal.
6. Wall Refresh A fresh paint job can really make a difference.
Fill in all nail holes. Putty, smooth, sand and then you’re all set to
paint. Choose neutral colors that unify the entire house, making the
space seem larger!
7. Update Landscaping Blooming flowers add color and
bring attention to your home’s exterior. Add potted plants to the
front porch, flowers to the garden bed, solar lights to the walkway,
and trim trees and bushes to keep the lawn looking clean and well
maintained.
This Industry Insight was written by John Davies
John Davies is a full-time real estate agent working at RE/MAX Home Center in
McMurray, Pa. He has been a project manager and business manager working in
real estate for over 35 years. Projects have included residential houses,
apartments, office buildings, hospitals and electricity-generating power plants. His
hobbies include golf, bicycling, soccer, skiing, skeet shooting and sporting clays.
Interests also include travel.
NEW COMMUNITY IN UPPER ST. CLAIR
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888.424.9424 | [email protected] | BUILDINFINITYHOMES.COM |
Real Estate Considerations for Seniors in Pittsburgh
by John R. Davies
Pittsburgh is a wonderful area for seniors to retire or downsize.
For health access, the region has a large number of doctors per capita. The
medical infrastructure includes UPMC, which is ranked 11th nationally among
teaching hospitals according to U.S. News and World Report. This is an important consideration for the quality and quantity of health care services seniors
are likely to encounter throughout their retirement years.
Cultural and recreational activities are available in Pittsburgh with the
downtown venues convenient for plays, concerts, the symphony and sports.
Opportunities for bicycling and boating are also within minutes. Nearby state
parks have facilities within an hour or two by car from Pittsburgh.
The diversity of clubs also provides for many activities. This gives seniors
opportunities to learn new hobbies. Pittsburgh is also among the top cities
for volunteering. There are many ways for
seniors to assist the organizations they
support.
Pittsburgh also has a solid economy with a low cost of living. The real estate
values have been stable for many decades, and property prices generally
increase a little each year unlike in other regions where prices drop when the
economy shifts.
The regional economy currently has various job opportunities that exist in
many job classifications. For southwestern Pennsylvania there is a need to fill
more than 130,000 jobs in industries such as energy and technology in the
next 10 years. This creates opportunities for seniors to work full time or part
time into their retirement years.
For additional information, contact John Davies at 412.889.3427 or email
[email protected].
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Landscapes Since 1880.
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YOUR
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www.davey.com
ONE STOP SHOP
Over 50 Shops & Restaurants
AAA East Central
AT&T
Bath and Body Works
Catherine’s Plus Sizes
Clearview Federal Credit Union
Cost Cutters
Deluca’s Diner
Dollar Tree
DSW Shoe Warehouse
Family Christian Stores
Famous Footwear
First Acceptance Insurance Co.
First Commonwealth Bank
Frank’s Shoes
Gamestop
GNC
Golden Nails
Guitar Center
HobbyTown USA
HomeGoods
HoneyBaked Ham
Ichiban Japanese Restaurant
Ideal Image
IKEA
Invisible Ink
Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store
Justice
Kirklands
L.S. Jewelers
LongHorn Steakhouse
Marshalls
Masquerade
Office Max
Once Upon A Child
Oreck Floor Care Centers
Pearle Vision
Petland
PNC Bank
Police Station Pizza
ReMax Advanced Realtors
Sally Beauty Supply
Scrub Pro Uniforms
Spice n Sabzi
Starbucks
Steak n Shake
TGI Friday
The House of Brews
The New Day Boutique
T.J. Maxx
Tuxedo Junction
UPS Store
U.S. Armed Forces
Recruiting Center
U.S. Postal Service
Value City Furniture
Verizon Wireless
VIP III Nails & Lounge
Wine & Spirits
World of Rugs
YaFei Chinese Restaurant
ROBINSON TOWN CENTRE
Park Manor Boulevard, Robinson Township, PA 15205
www.robinsontowncentre.com
A Zamagias Properties’ Entity
INDUSTRY INSIGHT
HOME IMPROVEMENT
How to Create a
New Kitchen on
a Limited Budget
When we think about the heart of the home, the first place that comes
to mind is the kitchen. Stephanie Martin, an interior designer for 84 Lumber
Design Studios, has some great advice for all of us. “We all dream
of having the ultimate dream kitchen but, as we know, not
everyone can afford to remodel their kitchen.” The national
average for a kitchen remodel ranges from $18,500 to
$54,000. Martin states, “The biggest expense when
re-doing your kitchen is the cabinetry and labor.” She
knows there are many ways to make your kitchen
look brand new without the cost and headaches
you would get with a total remodel.” There are
cost-effective ways to update your kitchen without
spending a fortune.” Here are some of Stephanie’s tips
to give your kitchen a facelift without breaking the bank.
FRESHEN UP YOUR WALLS
“One of the easiest fixes that can give your whole kitchen
a face-lift is paint. Painting the walls can cheer the space up and
add drama.” Martin believes that painting helps set the tone for the
kitchen. The average cost for a gallon of paint ranges from $30- $70.
SPONSORED CONTENT
granite,” states Martin. The average cost for countertops ranges from $40 to
$100 a square foot.
ENHANCE YOUR BACKSPLASH
Adding tile to wall underneath your wall cabinets and above the
countertop can dress up your entire kitchen. There are many different
materials, sizes, colors and patterns that are available. To Martin, this is where
the fun begins. “The backsplash is an area where a client can really bring the
whole kitchen together.” The average cost for backsplash materials can range
from $7 to $20 a square foot.
ADD AN ISLAND
Martin believes that you can never have enough surface
and storage space. “By adding an island you are achieving
both along with adding a great focal point in the
kitchen.” Trends today show that there is no need to
match the cabinetry that is already in your kitchen.
This option is a great one when you are adding to
your existing space. “We design islands today that
look more like furniture than a standard kitchen
cabinet.” The average cost for an island ranges from
$2,000 to $4,000.
To find out more about the Kitchen and Bath Design
Studios at 84 Lumber, go to the website at
84designstudios.com, where you can find the location
nearest you and set up your appointment today.
SWITCHING OUT HARDWARE
Another easy update in your kitchen would be changing out the existing
cabinet hardware. Martin says, “The biggest thing that makes the hardware
date your kitchen would be the finish. Do some research and find a finish that
best suits your style and will complement your other materials in the space.”
The average cost for hardware can range
from $2-$20 per piece.
MODERNIZE YOUR LIGHTING FIXTURES
Lighting fixtures are another element
that can date your kitchen very easily. Martin
believes, like hardware, the finish is reason
that your kitchen may feel obseolete. By
adding lighting over certain areas you can
highlight, add drama and save on energy
costs. The average cost for lighting fixtures
ranges from $100 to $600 per fixture.
UPDATING YOUR COUNTERTOPS
One of the most-noticed materials in
your kitchen besides your cabinetry is your
countertop.
As an interior designer, Martin is up on all of the latest new trends in
countertops. “Customers are amazed at the new laminates, granite and quartz.”
Most people want granite and quartz but many don’t have the budget for it.
Laminate has actually made a major come-back. Both Formica and Wilsonart
now offer a high-definition line that is very comparable-looking to stone. “Most
consumers have trouble telling the difference between the laminates and the
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Rollin' on the Rivers,
Lakes, and Ponds
Here are some fabulous
locations to enjoy water
activities in your neck of
the woods.
BY MICHELLE CROYLE
With the weather warming up and the lazy, hazy days of summer
upon us, what could be better than to spend some time on one of
the area’s many waterways? Whether you enjoy the solitude of a
quiet fishing spot or like to kayak and canoe down a stream with
friends, you have many options —
by river, creek, pond or man-made spot.
Continued
Peters Lake Park 560 Center Church Road, Canonsburg.
For more information, call 724.942.5000, or visit:
peterstownship.com
Ten Mile Creek County Park County Park Road,
Washington. For more information, call 724.228.6867,
or visit: paddling.net/places/
This picturesque 189-acre site includes a stream valley, heavy woods,
Peters Lake, a fishing pier and kayak launch. The Pennsylvania Fish
and Boat Commission stocks this lake with fingerling channel catfish
each year, and the lake’s second reservoir provides anglers with the
opportunity to catch largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill fish. The
shoreline here is beneficial for fishing access, and most of the lake is
accessible by trail, although the eastern portion contains sanctuary for
wildlife, and no fishing is permitted there. Only non-motorized boats
are allowed, such as kayaks and canoes.
Ten Mile Creek is a tributary to the Monongahela River, and the park
offers about 25 acres for outdoor enjoyment. There is a small boat
ramp, and only non-motorized, or motorized but engine under 9.9
horsepower, watercraft are allowed. You will need to bring your own
kayak, canoe, or boat and have a Washington County launch sticker to
use the ramp, but if your desire is to go fishing, you can do that right
from the shore. The fish in these waters are varied along with what you
might expect to catch in the river itself, but smallmouth bass and trout
have been reported as present.
Cross Creek Lake County Park 100 West Beau Street,
Canonsburg Lake Located just past Evergreen Drive at the
Cross Creek Lake runs through 3,000 acres of the county park that
holds its name. This location offers 8 miles of shoreline for the lake
itself which is 258 acres and two miles in length. Complete with a dock
for those needing handicapped access, Cross Creek Lake offers crappie,
largemouth bass, bluegill, saugeye, and channel catfish for anglers
visiting its shores or sailing its waters. While you can ride the water by
boat, canoe, or kayak, there are no rental facilities for watercraft, so you
will need to bring your own. Boating permits and Washington County
launch stickers are required, and there is a horsepower limit of 9.9 HP
or less.
This summer, you might like to fish from the shore or take your boat,
raft, canoe, or kayak out onto the 75 acres covered by Canonsburg
Lake. This lake is formed by the damming of Little Chartiers Creek
and stocked with trout at least twice a year. In fact, it is reported that
15 varieties of fish are actually stocked here annually. Plus you can fish
throughout the year, as it offers ice-fishing in the winter. While every
fishing spot is unique, Canonsburg Lake has a special feature that many
who come to visit hope to see: they dream of catching a glimpse of a
very special fishing icon, a certain bald eagle that likes to fish for large
Suite 101, Washington. For more information, call 724.228.6867,
or visit: co.washington.pa.us/DocumentCenter/View/189
end of Village Green Drive, Canonsburg. For more information,
visit: fish.state.pa.us/water/lakes/canonsburg_lk/00canonsburg.
htm
A SHORT DRIVE AWAY
While there are many fun things to explore close
by, you might also want to consider some other
recreational areas on the water within an hour or
two by car from Pittsburgh.
Ohiopyle State Park Ohiopyle
For more information, call 724.329.8591,
or visit: dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/ohiopyle
carp from the lake. So, keep your eyes peeled when you visit. A launch
ramp is available, and boats must be registered or have a valid launch
permit from either the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission or the
PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Dutch Fork Lake Located off of Lake Road, West Alexander.
For more information, visit:
fish.state.pa.us/water/lakes/dutch_fork/00dutchfork.htm
After being drained for a number of years, Dutch Fork Lake made a
comeback in 2014. The 91-acre lake is currently stocked with trout for
anglers, and those desiring to bring their kayak or canoe to the lake
are welcome as well. This location is best accessed by SUV or truck,
as the road is not paved, and those wishing to boat may need to wait a
bit longer to reacquaint with the water here, as there is not currently a
good access ramp for launch of larger watercraft.
Additional Fishing Options
Here are some other great fishing spots in Fayette County that
you may want to consider. For more information on any of the
following, please visit: hookandbullet.com and fish.state.pa.us.
Big Sandy Creek This stream is located 12.7 miles from
Point Marion.
Chaney Run This stream is located just 6.8 miles from
Hopwood.
Dunbar Creek This stream is located .8 miles from South
Connellsville and contains bream and bluegill, as well as brook,
rainbow, and brown trout.
You may want to try out your fly fishing here, or utilize the fishing
pier, which is handicapped accessible. In addition, this location has a
boat launch ramp for electric motors and unpowered boats, but boats
must be registered or have a valid launch permit from the Pennsylvania
Fish and Boat Commission or the Pennsylvania Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources.
When you seek outdoor water adventure, you may just want to check out the two
natural waterslides in Meadow Run where you can sit in a creek bed and ride,
or hop on a raft, kayak, or closed-deck canoe and brave the whitewater of the
Youghiogheny River for which this location is known. As always, remember to
evaluate your skill and the skill of those in your party before embarking on these
adventures. Conducting an internet search on Ohiopyle rentals will provide options
from which you may obtain your equipment. The Youghiogheny River also provides
good trout-fishing waters.
Meadow Run
Located 2.2 miles from Dinnerbell Road downstream to the
river’s mouth, Meadow Run is a classic mountain stream
flowing down into the Youghiogheny River before entering
the Ohiopyle falls.
Different access points provide various ways to enjoy this stream, the upper portion
of which is in Ohiopyle State Park. This location provides great fly fishing, and from
most parts of a trail, fish are easily accessed. Trout is stocked early in the spring, and
this area holds the extra visual delight of some of nature’s waterfalls.
Raccoon Lake Located in Raccoon Creek State Park,
3000 State Route 18, Hookstown. For more information,
call 724.899.2200, or visit: stateparks.com/raccoon_creek_
state_park_in_pennsylvania.html
You can rent rowboats, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboats to use on the lake’s 101 acres.
Youghiogheny River Water Trail
For more information on the various mile markers along this
waterway and locations of boat rentals, visit:
fish.state.pa.us/watertrails/yough/yough_north_guide.pdf
One of the segments through which this trail flows is that from Connellsville
to McKeesport. There is also a very healthy fish population of bass, panfish,
muskellunge, northern pike, and walleye here.
Georges Creek This stream is located 11 miles from
Claysburg and is technically listed as a Bedford County location.
Virgin Run Lake Located off of Lake Road in Vanderbilt, this
lake offers 33 acres of water for public fishing and boating.
Stocked multiple times a year, it is approved for year-round trout
fishing and is also stocked with channel catfish fingerling to
supplement the warm water species found here. A boat launch ramp
is available for boats powered by electric motors and unpowered
boats which are registered and have a valid launch permit from
the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission or the Pennsylvania
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. ■
INDUSTRY INSIGHT
C
PARENTING
SPONSORED CONTENT
CHOOSING YOUR CHILD’S PRESCHOOL
hoosing the right preschool for a child may be one of the most
complicated decisions parents have to make. An estimated
five million children are in preschool programs (children from
six weeks to six years old) and the number is growing. According
to the Families and Work Institute, children benefit from quality
programs with a competent faculty and good ratios. They suffer fewer
behavioral troubles, have larger expressive vocabularies, feel close
to their teachers, and enjoy more complex, less aggressive play with
peers.
In his book Me, Myself and I, author Kyle D. Pruett, M.D. (worldrenowned child psychologist practicing at Yale University) states,
“Schools can help a great deal by having children listen to both read
and told stories, and then discussing their content. This encourages
a sense of cooperation by listening and playing with others, and
rehearsing self-reliance. Quality schools can further assist children
by allowing them to practice sharing and using their imaginations to
learn language through play, songs, and stories.”
When assessing a preschool program, parents should seek schools
that encourage learning through play. Play and imagination are
possibly the most important resources children possess. In fact,
Dr. Pruett stresses the connection between play and imagination
by suggesting that “imagination surfaces when a child takes what
she has learned through play about how past experiences can be
symbolized, and starts to ‘imagine’ things, beyond mere repetition.”
PARENT TIPS
Parents can begin to evaluate preschools by asking the following
questions:
• Do the lead teachers have a four-year degree in education (certified
by the PA Department of Education [PA DOE])?
• Is the school accredited? If so, as a school or a daycare?
• Will my child’s curiosity and creativity be encouraged?
• Do the teachers write their own lesson plans?
• Is the school cheerful and bright?
• Are all faculty members First Aid/CPR certified?
• Are daily activity reports prepared for each child?
• Is the school licensed by the PA DOE?
• Does the school offer parent/teacher conferences?
• Are parents welcome to visit at any time?
• Is an internal quality assurance program in place?
• Is the school’s environment multicultural and developmentally
appropriate?
• Is a wellness policy in place?
• Are teachers provided ongoing training as well as other
opportunities for professional development?
PRESCHOOL CURRICULUM
Preschool classrooms should be arranged to encourage
imagination and play in order to enhance your child’s learning
experience. They should include easily accessible, age-appropriate
educational materials, art supplies, books, and musical instruments.
Children should be encouraged to: explore learning centers such as
creative art, math, dramatic play, science, music, and computers; ask
questions; and take time making friends and socializing. Teachers
should provide enriching activities and balance each day with quiet
activities, spirited music and movement, and plenty of outdoor
climbing, running, and jumping.
Preschool programs should encourage teachers to develop
their own lesson plans. In fact, be wary of programs developed by
a centralized entity or corporation – they typically neglect some
children’s individual needs within each classroom. Unique lesson
plans allow teachers to consider your child’s development as well
as integrating play and imagination. In other words, in a quality
preschool program, dinosaurs are not extinct during “Prehistoric
Phrenzy Week.” Rather, your child may learn about the foods that
carnivores and herbivores eat by sampling ‘dinosaur snacks,’ and
discussing the differences between various dinosaur footprints while
stamping colorful dino-prints on their classroom floors.
The most ingenious preschool programs are integrating specialty
enrichment resource programs, such as a second language, sign
language, math, science, fitness, and music, into their curriculum.
This seamless assimilation provides optimum learning opportunities
for children in a convenient “all-in-one” package. Choosing the right
preschool means your child will make friends, discover that learning is
fun, and feel safe every day.
This Industry Insight was written by Bob & Lori Santo.
Bob & Lori Santo are the owners of The Goddard School®,
located at 825 East McMurray Rd. in Peters Township.
Goddard offers both full- and part-time infant/preschool/
kindergarten programs. For more information, visit
www.goddardschools.com or call 724.941.6464.
Even he
needs you
to get
back to it.
TheOrthopedicGroup.com
1145 Bower Hill Road | 412-276-7022
Town Hall South:
46 Years of
Inspiring
the
Community
“We try to bring some very new topics, ideas and
Local lecture series focuses on broadening horizons.
some perspectives that are perhaps a bit challenging
BY KATHY RUDOLPH
to the demographic of our community. If everybody
M
aureen Ludwig laughs when she thinks back to a remark
that was made about the volunteers of Town Hall South, a
philanthropic organization, which is an outreach program
of Westminster Presbyterian Church on Washington Road, that
sponsors an annual lecture series showcasing a variety of nationally
and internationally known speakers.
“We were hosting a dinner for one of our speakers after his lecture
and he commented that he was amazed that a bunch of ‘church ladies’
could get so many famous people to come to Pittsburgh,” said Ludwig,
who has been the Town Hall South chair for three years.
And those “church ladies” continue to amaze year after year,
providing their members with an impressive list of famous, or notable,
lecturers. The variety of speakers has run the gamut: from poet,
actress, author and civil rights activist Dr. Maya Angelou, to CNN
journalist and news anchor Wolf Blitzer, to French chef/television
personality and author Jacques Pépin.
“We call ourselves a ‘well-oiled machine’ that varies from 10 to 12
women who serve on the committee,” said Ludwig. “It takes every bit
of those 10 to 12 people to fill all of the positions needed.”
The organization dates back to 1969 and was founded by Edna
Brown and Ruth Bayley, with the support of their Westminster
Church pastor, John Galbreath. The women wanted to inspire the
community by bringing in speakers that would provide them with
cultural and intellectual stimulation and then donate to local charities
with the proceeds from the lectures.
In that same spirit, today’s Town Hall South’s volunteers divide and
conquer the many responsibilities necessary to produce the lecture
series. Tasks include membership, marketing, philanthropy, publicity,
travel arrangements and more.
“For a volunteer group, it is one of the most professional that I have
ever been involved in,” said Ludwig. “There are people from all walks
of life dedicating countless hours of their time.”
Choosing the potential lecturers is a lengthy undertaking. “Nancy
Koch, the Speaker chair, has a huge job,” explains Ludwig. “She spends
the entire summer doing research and then contacts 10 different
speaker agencies. From their staple of speakers, she brings our board
30 potential speakers in the fall and then we, as the board, have several
meetings to decide.”
The audience is always kept in mind in the decision-making
process. “We try to bring some very new topics, ideas and some
thinks the same way and doesn’t challenge their
current thought process, then we don’t grow.”
— Maureen Ludwig, Town Hall South Chair
perspectives that are perhaps a bit challenging to the demographic of
our community,” said Ludwig. “If everybody thinks the same way and
doesn’t challenge their current thought process, then we don’t grow.
But we also want it to be entertaining for the audience.”
Being part of Town Hall South has been a great experience for
Ludwig. “It broadens my life intellectually and culturally,” she says. “I
get to work with a wonderful group of women who challenge me and
help me to grow as a person. It is the best ‘girl group’ I’ve ever been in!
We work for a common goal and bring out the best in each other.”
She also has some favorite lectures. “My number-one favorite
speaker is Eric Greitens, part of our 2013-14 lecture series,” said
Ludwig. “He was a Navy SEAL, wrote several books, was a Rhodes
Scholar and founded a nonprofit called The Mission Continues. He
was the most powerful speaker that I have ever heard. Recently, at
the 2014-15 series, I enjoyed John Miller, the deputy commissioner
of Intelligence and Counterterrorism for the NYPD and David
Pogue, a personal technology columnist for Yahoo Tech, and a tech
correspondent for CBS News
Sunday Morning.”
A portion of proceeds has
benefitted approximately 19 local
charities, including CASA for Kids,
Inc., Girls Hope of Pittsburgh and
Operation Backpack. “It has been
our mission from the beginning
to give back,” she continued. “We
focus on women and children’s
charities that don’t receive huge corporate funding. It is not a huge
amount, about $20,000 annually, but it is an important component.”
With the 2015-16 lecture series already sold out, the volunteers
must be doing something right. Ludwig hopes that each lecture makes
a positive impact.
“I want people to leave with a willingness and openness to learn
something new,” she explains. “It’s interesting to hear someone say
something like, ‘My favorite speaker was so-and-so and I wasn’t even
going to attend the lecture because he/she didn’t appeal to me.’ A lot
of times you take away the most learning when you least expect it.” ■
To learn more about Town Hall South, visit the website at townhallsouth.org.
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To learn more about how Magee is keeping women and their babies strong, visit UPMC.com/MageeOB.
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Ichiban Japanese
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Iddy Biddy Fashions
Italian Village Pizza
Josephine’s Wigs
Leone Animal Supply
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Dr. John McShane-Dentist
Nationwide Insurance
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One Price Dry Cleaners
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Peters Township Chamber
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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Desirable Kitchens & Refacing of Pittsburgh
SPONSORED CONTENT
SPONSORED CONTENT
BEFORE
Q. Where can I get the kitchen I desire at an
affordable cost?
Desirable Kitchens & Refacing of
Pittsburgh, of course! The kitchen is the
most used space in a home, whether it
is time spent with family or friends. Most
homeowners believe there is only one way
to make the space more desirable: remodel.
But it is not always affordable and can be very
time consuming. Jimmy Zoppetti of Desirable
Kitchens & Refacing of Pittsburgh wants you
to know there is an alternative that can cost
up to 30% less than a remodel.
Q. What can I do to make my kitchen more
modern and inviting?
If you like how your kitchen flows and
would like to fully update the look, we can
reface your kitchen for approximately 30%
less than the cost of a remodel and in a
quarter of the time.
Q. What does refacing entail?
Refacing is the removal of all cabinet
doors, hinges, drawers and trim. All frames,
sides and exposed surfaces are sanded down
to a clean surface to prepare the existing
cabinet boxes for a facelift. Then we install
your new exterior frames and bottoms,
doors, drawers, toe kicks, valances, interior
hinges and hardware. Also, we can install
new countertops and backsplash to create a
complete new look.
Q. How long does all of this take?
The entire process is typically completed
within 3 to 5 days.
Q. What should I, as a customer, expect
during the installation process?
We handle everything. All you need to do
is remove everything from your cabinets. We
hang plastic to contain the mess, handle the
electric and plumbing and finally clean up
when we complete your new kitchen. There is
as little interruption as possible to your daily
life.
Q. What are my choices when it comes to
color, material and finishes?
Your choices are limitless. We have all
different colors, and many different finishes.
You can take a dark kitchen to white or vice
versa. During our initial consultation, you will
be able to choose from our full-size samples
exactly the color and finish you would like.
I will bring samples of granite, quartz and
high-end laminate for your countertop and
many different styles of backsplash. And
lastly, to really set apart your kitchen, we can
add under- and in-cabinet lighting, plumbing
fixtures and much more.
Q. What if I don’t like how my kitchen flows,
need more cabinet space or would like to
make it more inviting?
We are unique in the way that we are able
to mix and match our services. We also do full
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Q. How do I get in touch with Desirable
Kitchens & Refacing to schedule a free
consultation?
There are several ways to get in touch.
First, you can contact me directly at
412.515.0582. Secondly, our website,
Pittsburghkitchenrefacing.com, is a
great source of information, pictures
of completed kitchens, and includes a
contact option. Or you can email directly to
[email protected]. You can also find us on
www.Houzz.com under “Desirable Kitchens
& Refacing.” There are many pictures of our
work and reviews from clients. Consultations
are always free and you will be surprised by
how much money and time you can save by
refacing.
Don’t you deserve a new kitchen? Call me today for a free in-home consultation.
★
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pinball
machines
Make Strong Comeback in Region
National festival this
summer grows out
of local connection.
BY EARL BUGAILE
★
I
t was 1969 when Pete Townshend wrote
the song “Pinball Wizard” for The Who,
which was featured on their rock opera
album, “Tommy.”
The song was written about a local pinball
champion who astounded everyone with his
skills, and it soared to the top of the charts in
Great Britain and to the Top 100 in the U.S.
The number of pinball machines and local
arcades has dropped since that time, but
thanks to the efforts of pinball enthusiasts in
the Pittsburgh region, the pinball machine is
alive and well. What began at the Broadway
Arcade in New York City was revived,
and the Professional and Amateur Pinball
Association (PAPA) was reborn here. The
local preservationists of pinball will be
hosting a national convention at the David L.
Lawrence Convention Center this summer.
“The PAPA organization kind of floated
around the New York area in the late ‘80s and
even went dead for a time in the late ‘90s,”
said Mark Steinman, director of operations
for PAPA. “When PAPA became defunct,
the pinball machine community was upset.
After a two-year hiatus, the local Pittsburgh
crowd picked up the banner, and games were
shipped to a warehouse in Carnegie to restart
the organization from scratch. Without the
Pittsburgh/Carnegie effort and connection,
PAPA would be a thing of the past.”
Steinman said that since its inception in
Pittsburgh, PAPA has been a huge success,
and has rejuvenated the pinball community,
as well as arcade gaming. “It was kind of a
kick-start to the economy,” he adds.
The PAPA headquarters has been hosting
numerous tournaments, including the world
pinball championship, for the past two years
and a tournament known as “Pinburgh.”
The latter tournament has become so large
that PAPA will host the 2015 Pinburgh
tournament at the David L. Lawrence
Convention Center. It will also become a
national event.
“We felt that since we were going to haul
this massive arcade to the convention center,
we might as well invite all of our friends
from different parts of the industry to come
together for a full-fledged convention and
gaming festival,” said Steinman.
The event is to be known as the Replay
FX Arcade and Gaming Festival, of which
Pinburgh will be a major part. Steinman
says that when the festival was announced,
PAPA sold 700 spots in the tournament in
10 hours, 500 of which in just 10 minutes.
More than 4,000 daily tickets had been sold
as of early April, and PAPA hadn’t yet begun
advertising for the event. By the time of the
tournament, scheduled July 30-August 2,
Steinman estimates that more than 12,000
visitors and pinball machine enthusiasts will
attend.
Continued
‘‘
Without the
Pittsburgh/Carnegie
effort and connection,
PAPA would be a thing
of the past.
’’
The festival will also include the Walter Days Replay World
Championship of Classic Arcade Gaming, and the Kong-Off,
which is the Donkey-Kong World Championship (the last one
took place two years ago).
Steinman says the PAPA warehouse is a virtual walk through the
history of pinball machines and arcade games. “It goes all the way
from games of the 1940s through the most recent games that have
come out. The collection stands decade after decade, including
games that were popular for nearly 80 years.
One of the most unique games is a “Wizard of Oz” machine that
was released in 2014, which Steinman said rejuvenated the pinball
machine industry. Another is a classic “Addams Family” pinball
machine, one of 22,000 that were produced, which became the
best-selling pinball machine of all time. And there is also Nip-It, a
pinball machine that Henry Winkler, “The Fonz” in the TV series
“Happy Days,” played on the show.
“There are a lot of games in the collection that have classic
touches to them,” Steinman says.
The collection of games at the PAPA headquarters is available to
the public about five days a year, but the center also hosts private
events for gamers during the year. The general public will be able to
see all of them as part of the festival.
Steinman says the popularity of pinball machines and arcade
games has risen in the past several years, encouraging the creation
of newer games and companies to produce them. The perception of
pinball machines and arcade games has also changed dramatically
over the years.
In many states and towns, including Pittsburgh, laws make it
difficult to operate pinball machine arcades. “The current laws are
not favorable to running any kind of arcade in the city,” Steinman
says. “At this point it’s easier to get a liquor license than it is to get a
license to run an arcade with coin-operated machines.
“There used to be a time when pinball machines were believed
to be associated with organized gambling or seedy locations,” he
explained. “The perception and reality of those games since that
time has changed wildly. Pinball is really a wholesome game, and we
invite families to come and experience it.”
Steinman said PAPA is working to change
the laws and perceptions of arcade games.
An admitted pinball enthusiast himself,
Steinman recalls his days as a youth, visiting
the arcades along the beaches, and trying to
win games and additional plays.
“I remember begging my mom for quarters,
and wanting to spend time playing the games,”
he says. “Because if you were good at the
games you would win more and play longer. I
remember playing for hours and hours.”
Maybe even enough hours to become a
“Pinball Wizard” in his own right.
For more information on the Professional
and Amateur Pinball Association, go to
www.papa.org; for more information about the
festival, go to www.replayfx.org. ■
SPONSORED CONTENT
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
SPONSORED CONTENT
Perri Surgical Associates of Pittsburgh
At the Forefront of Breast Cancer Treatment
U
nless you’ve experienced it, it’s
nearly impossible for a woman to
comprehend the anxiety, confusion
and emotional stress that comes with the
diagnosis of breast cancer. Everything in
that person’s life is put on hold for a brief
moment until the diagnosis is confirmed and
a plan of treatment is underway. Only then
can the patient get back to her normal daily
routine. Fortunately, there is an expert in
the field of breast cancer surgery right here
in the South Hills who has been caring for
breast cancer patients for nearly 20 years.
Dr. Jeffrey Perri of Perri Surgical Associates
is a member of the American Society of
Breast Surgeons and Chairman of the
Department of Surgery at St. Clair Hospital.
Dr. Perri, a graduate of Georgetown Medical
School, has been treating women with
breast cancer at St. Clair Hospital since he
took over his father’s surgical practice in
1996. He has had extensive training in the
care of breast cancer patients, and is a fellow
of the American College of Surgeons.
“Breast cancer is a frightening diagnosis
even though most women are cured
today. They hear the word ‘cancer’ and are
sometimes paralyzed with fear,” Dr. Perri
said. “However, they shouldn’t be, because
most breast cancers are diagnosed at a
relatively early stage and are very amenable
to treatment. Women deserve the utmost
respect and support and that’s what they
receive at my practice. Expedient diagnosis
and treatment is key in the treatment of this
disease. Once the surgery is over and the
cancer has been removed, a huge hurdle has
been overcome.”
When Shelley, whose last name is withheld
for privacy, was diagnosed with breast cancer
in 2009, she was shocked and overcome with
fear. That fear was relieved when she met Dr.
Perri.
“Dr. Perri took great care of me. I was
diagnosed on Friday and was in surgery the
following Tuesday. Dr. Perri told me that he
was trained to get rid of the cancer as soon as
possible which provides relief to the patient
right away. I had a partial mastectomy almost
6 years ago and I am fine today. I owe a lot of
gratitude to Dr. Perri. He is from a well-liked
family in Mt. Lebanon. Everyone knows who
they are. It’s nice to run into your surgeon in
the aisle at Giant Eagle.”
Shelley, now 41, was very nervous about
the preoperative procedure to help stage
the cancer. However, Dr. Perri took the
extraordinary step personally taking her
to the nuclear medicine Department and
remained with her throughout the procedure.
“He wheeled me down there himself and
stayed with me until the procedure was over.
He calmed and reassured me. I could hardly
believe that he would do that.”
“Since my father was a surgeon in
Pittsburgh for 40 years and I grew up in Mt.
Lebanon in a family of 12 children, I have
come into contact with many people in this
area. As a result, many of my patients are
friends, neighbors or acquaintances. They
know that they can call me at any time if they
have any questions. It is impossible to have a
more personal physician-patient relationship
than the ones that I have with my patients in
this community,” Dr. Perri said.
Any diagnosis of breast cancer, or
any suspicious breast lump, will be
given either same day or next day
appointments. For more information
on Perri Surgical, call 412.942.5660, or
go to pittsburghgeneralsurgeon.com
for a complete listing of hours. They are
conveniently located in the professional
office building at St. Clair Hospital, 1050
Bower Hill Road, 15243.
Carnegie’s
Full-Circle Son
The Red Bull Inn may be a memory, but people still remember
its Italian salad dressing – and it now has a following.
BY W.B. FRESA
I
f you’ve lived here long enough to remember the Red Bull
Inn, then you can remember a dining experience that can’t be
matched by today’s venues. Thick cuts of prime beef, lobster
tails served with their own tiny cauldrons of butter melted by
candlelight, iconic caricatures of Londoners in a bygone century
– these were what made the Red Bull “the” restaurant to go to for
any special occasion. But in 2007, the last Red Bull Inn closed its
doors, leaving fans with just memories.
“That was a sad day,” said Randy Fleck, owner of Fleck Foods,
Inc., and son of Louis Fleck, the man behind the Red Bull Inn. “I
miss the people who worked there and the atmosphere my dad
created. He was always focused on the customer.”
Indeed, Randy and his wife, Eliana, have quite a history to
draw from. And even now, eight years later, there is still a demand
for the salad dressing that a generation of Pittsburghers grew
up on. As owners of a newly opened Carnegie storefront selling
“Genuine Red Bull Salad Dressing,” Fleck’s out to show people
that they can still have a taste of the richness that was the Red
Bull Inn.
As Randy recalls his start in the food industry, he begins by
talking about his father, Louis, who is famous for opening the
chain of Red Bull Inn restaurants that dotted the southwestern
Pennsylvania and Ohio Valley landscapes from 1964 to 2007.
Louis’ first foray into entrepreneurship began in the 1950s when
he bought a corner bar in Carnegie.
“He catered to the shift workers,” Randy says. “He opened at
7 a.m. and served the hungry crowd.”
But it wasn’t long before Louis wanted to spread his wings
and go bigger. After the corner bar was demolished via eminent
“My goal is to make a quality
product people can enjoy. And, if
things go well, I’d like to add some
food products by the end of this
year or the beginning of 2016.”
domain, he bought a vacant Carnegie storefront in the 1960s
and opened the first Red Bull Inn restaurant.
It was there that Randy, the youngest of the four Fleck
children, got his first taste of restaurant life.
“I was trained in every position,” said Fleck. “I started as a
busboy, and worked as a waiter and cook. I did it all.”
As the Red Bull Inn chain grew to more than 20 locations,
each of the Flecks, including Louis’ wife Lois, found their niche
in the chain.
“My mom did the books for a while, when it was only a
couple of locations. Then she’d had enough,” Fleck said. By
1983, the last Red Bull Inn was built in Robinson and business
was thriving. The famous mural (there was one hanging in
each restaurant) showing people dressed in old English garb
laughing, drinking and eating became a symbol to customers.
Louis Fleck even had an outline of the mural printed on
Continued
“I only use the best, local
ingredients. When you put good
items in, you get good items
out. And I encourage everyone
to read the label to see for
themselves.”
placemats for kids to color. He also handed out matchbooks with
the Red Bull Inn logo on them and playing cards to each patron
who came to one of the restaurants on their birthday.
But, as it turns out, what became most popular was the Italian
salad dressing.
“Oh, everyone loved it,” Randy said. “Our head chef, Alex
Koziak, developed it using basic, local ingredients. We used it as a
marinade and also served it at our salad bars.”
Eventually, customers began asking if
they could have some dressing to take
home. “We’d give them some if they
asked, but the requests kept coming,
which is what led to producing it for
Shop ‘n Save. They were the first to ask
to sell it,” said Fleck. “I was working at
the commissary location at the time
and approached my dad about taking
over the development and production of the dressing. He said yes.
It was as simple as that.”
Customer focus and loyalty is what drives Randy, too. He
started Fleck Foods, Inc., in 1990 and began selling the famous
salad dressing in stores like McGinnis Sisters, Giant Eagle, Sam’s
Club and Costco.
“I only use the best, local ingredients. When you put good items
in, you get good items out. And I encourage everyone to read the
label to see for themselves,” says Fleck. “Sugar, garlic, and a higher
concentration of vinegar than you’ll find in other dressings, plus a
mixture of herbs and spices. It’s all good stuff and a naturally lowcalorie dressing.”
Currently, he produces the dressing in small batches to ensure
freshness and quality control. It’s bottled in 8-, 16-, and 32-ounce
sizes to fit anyone’s need. He’s also expanded his line to
include Tri-Pepper dressing, which has a zestier
Italian flavor.
“My goal is to make a quality product
people can enjoy. And, if things go
well, I’d like to add some food products by the end of this year or
the beginning of 2016.”
Reflecting on where he started and what’s in his future, Fleck
seems pretty optimistic. And when he thinks back to his roots, all
those years spent at the Red Bull Inn Commissary working for his
dad and the family business, he remembers something.
“You know, when my dad was little, his parents owned a small
grocery store in Carnegie. I
guess things really have come
full circle.” ■
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SUMMER
15
e
s
i
i
n
u
t
o
r
C
It’s cruise season
and summer is the best time
for car enthusiasts. Here’s a
list of some of the car shows
and cruises in the area.
Summer
SUMMER
15
tinued
on
C
C
tinued
on
SOME OF THE LISTINGS
COURTESY OF
CARCRUISES.COM.
PLEASE CHECK
CARCRUISES.COM FOR
NEW AND THE MOST
UP-TO-DATE
INFORMATION AVAILABLE
Steel Town Corvette Club All
Chevy Show
Location: Colussy Chevrolet
Address: 3073 Washington Pike,
Bridgeville, PA 15017
Date: 7/26/15
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Entry Fee: $20
STCC 35th annual All Chevy Show is a
judged show with 18 classes, with trophies
in all classes and Best of Show and People’s
Choice. There will be food and refreshments
available. Door prizes and Chinese auction,
shirts and dash plaques for the first 100
entrants.
Contact: Mick Yarina, 724.941.5824,
[email protected]
Cruisin’ Tuesday Nights
Location: Shop’n Save Plaza
Address: West Pike St.,
Canonsburg, PA 15317
Date: Most Tuesdays in the summer
season; call to confirm.
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Entry Fee: None
Back for another season! Check out the
cars and trucks every Tuesday evening. DJs
Fritz and Judy will be back playing your
favorite music.
Contact: Judy, 412.498.1761,
[email protected]
Cars and Coffee
Location: Pep Boys Speed Shop
Address: 390 Clairton Blvd.,
Pleasant Hills, PA 15236
Date: 7/11/15, 8/1/15, 9/5/15
Time: 8 a.m. to noon
Entry Fee: None
Go to Pep Boys Speed Shop for coffee,
doughnuts, and cool cars!!
Contact: Gregg Rawson, 412.655.5636,
[email protected]
Caste Village Car Cruise
Location: Caste Village Shopping Center
Address: 5301 Grove Road, near Frisch’s
Restaurant, Whitehall Borough, PA 15236
Dates: Most Sundays, weather permitting,
through October 2015; check website to
confirm.
Time: 4 to 8 p.m.
The Caste Village Merchants Association
sponsors this weekly event with classic car
lovers in mind. Visit the website for more
details.
Contact: castevillage.com
Cruisin’ Classics Annual
Hot Rod Hoedown
Location: Cecil Twp. Municipal Park
Address: Route 50, Cecil, PA 15321
Date: 8/23/15
Time: 9:15 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Entry Fee: $10
The Annual “Judged Car Show” vehicle
registration (9:15 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Awards
at 3:45 p.m. First 125 registered get dash
plaques and goody bags. First and second
place awards for “Best in Class” and one for
club participation. Event specials are 50/50,
DJ, Chinese auction and door prizes. Great
food and drink available by Cecil Park.
Contact: Norb Andrews, 412.279.6803,
[email protected]
Cruizin for Heroes StangAlley.com Motor
Madness Car Show
Location: Waynesburg Central High
School
Address: 30 Zimmerman Dr.,
Waynesburg, PA 15370
Date: 7/18/15
Entry Fee: $10
All cars, trucks and motorbikes welcome.
Dash plaques to the first 100 cars, 50/50
raffle and Chinese auction. Trophies will be
awarded. All proceeds raised will benefit the
Wounded Warriors Project. Rain or Shine.
Event sponsored by StangAlley.com.
Contact: Eric Popp, 724.889.7827,
[email protected]
Cruisin’ Fridays Mineral Beach
Location: Mineral Beach
Address: 6285 State Route #88,
Finleyville, PA 15332
Dates: Most Fridays in the summer
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.
Entry Fee: None
Back for another season! Check out
the cars and trucks every Friday evening.
DJs Fritz & Judy will be back playing your
favorite music. The Beach House Restaurant
and the BBQ pit will be open for the best
food in town. You can also visit the Tiki Hut
for more entertainment.
Contact: Judy, 412.498.1761,
[email protected]
Location: Wendy’s Restaurant in
McMurray
Address: 3500 Washington Rd.,
Rt.19 South, Finleyville, PA 15332
Dates: Most Mondays in the summer
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Entry Fee: None
Join DJ Grace for a fun night. Oldies, good
food, friendly people.
Contact: DJ Grace, [email protected],
412.537.7447
Mt. Lebanon Police
Department Classic Car Show
and Street Festival
Location: Washington Rd. between
Lebanon Ave. and Cedar Blvd., Mt.
Lebanon, PA 15228
Dates: 7/12/15
Visit the website for more details. FREE to
the public!! Classic cars, food and vendors,
live music. Proceeds benefit police youth
programs.
Contact: 412.343.4068, or
mtlebanonpd.org/mt-lebanon-classic-carshow-and-street-festival
Pennsylvania Trolley Museum
Classic Car and Trolley Show
Location: Pennsylvania Trolley Museum
Address: 1 Museum Road,
Washington, PA 15301
Dates: 6/28/15
Check the website for more information.
Stroll among classic cars and enjoy all day
trolley rides, children’s activities and food
vendors.
Contact: pa-trolley.org/special-events,
724.228.9256
friends Chick-fil-A Pleasant Hills is the place
to be on Thursdays!
Contact: Colleen Kudis, Marketing
Director, 412.655.6562,
[email protected]
Rev ‘em Up for Kids Mega
Car Cruise
Location: South Park Fairgrounds
Address: Corrigan Drive on
Brownsville Road, South Park, PA 15129
Date: 7/26/15
Time: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Entry Fee: $5
This is a great family event with something
for everyone. Don’t miss out on what most
people call the BEST car cruise event of
the season! All proceeds benefit the Bethel
Park Recreation Department. Open to all
special interest vehicles: classic cars, trucks,
motorcycles, exotic and super cars.
Contact: Jim, 412.831.6800 ext. 730,
revemupforkids.com
Sonic Drive-In, Bridgeville
Location: Sonic Drive-In
Address: 1027 Washington Pike, Rt. 50,
Bridgeville, PA 15017
Dates: Most Wednesdays in the summer
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.
Entry Fee: None
Join DJ Grace for the best cruise around
on a Wednesday night. Oldies, good food,
plenty of good parking, friendly cruisers.
Contact: DJ Grace, 412.537.7447,
[email protected]
Cruising the Creek
Location: Peters Creek Church
Address: 6300 Library Road,
South Park, PA 15129
Dates: Most Thursdays in the summer
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Entry Fee: None
Cruise at Peters Creek Baptist Church
every Thursday night. Everyone’s favorite
music by DJ Steve, 50/50 raffle, FREE
give-a-way prizes, fantastic food specials
grilled right in our beautiful new parking lot.
All food sales will directly benefit church
programs. It promises to be another great
cruising season at the Creek.
Contact: Main Office, 412.833.6111,
peterscreekbaptist.org
SUMMER
Gil’s Café Car Cruise
15
Location: Gil’s Café
Address: 2700 Brownsville Road,
South Park, PA 15129
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Entry Fee: None
Hey car enthusiasts! Every Monday
evening cruise on the lawn at Gil’s. Enjoy
some outstanding classic cars and beer and
wing specials as well!
Contact: 412.833.3643, or gilscafe.com
tinued
on
C
Wendy’s Car Cruise
Chick-fil-A Car Cruise
Location: Chick-fil-A Pleasant Hills
Address: 461 Clairton Blvd.,
Pleasant Hills, PA 15236
Dates: Most Thursdays in the summer
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Entry Fee: None
A family friendly car cruise, with great
music, awesome food (driver gets the FREE
dinner item of the week), and a raffle for
everyone to enjoy a shot at some free CFA
goodies! This year there will be a “Best in
Show” Award...details to come! Tell your
Washington Cruisers Car
Club — Cruise-In 2015
Location: McDonald’s Restaurant
Address: I-79 Exit 41 Racetrack Rd.,
Meadowlands, PA 15347
Dates: 7/11/15, 7/25/15, 8/8/15, 8/22/15,
9/5/15, 9/19/15, 10/3/15
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Entry Fee: None
DJ, food, dash plaques, 50/50 drawing.
Cruise is open to all makes and models of cars,
trucks and bikes. NO RAIN DATE! Benefits
Ronald McDonald House. Celebrating the
23rd year!
Contact: Jamie Leichty, 724.263.3335,
[email protected]
Downtown Waynesburg is blocked to
through-traffic and the fest takes over the
town. Park all along the main drag and enjoy
music from the ‘50s and ‘60s from a live DJ all
day, plus great food and fun. All the specialty
shoppes are open, some folks dress in ‘50s garb,
there are contests, door prizes and great goody
bags...and it’s all FREE. Classic cars, trucks,
motorcycles…everyone is welcome!
Contact: Doug Wilson, 724.627.5555,
[email protected]
Car Cruise at The Scoop
(Ice Cream Shop)
Location: The Scoop Ice Cream Shop
Address: 5384 Mifflin Road,
West Mifflin (Lincoln Place), PA 15207
Date: Most Tuesdays in the summer season;
Waynesburg’s ‘50s Fest and
call to confirm.
Car Cruise
Location: Downtown Waynesburg
Entry Fee: None
Address: High Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370
Join D.J. Babe “The Emperor” for one of
the coolest, sweetest and creamiest car cruises
Date: 9/12/15
around. There will be plenty of prizes and
giveaways. You might even see the “Wax Bros.”
Entry Fee: None
Contact: Tim, 412.414.4584
Mifflin Social Club
Location: Mifflin Social Club
Address: 4025 Irene Street,
West Mifflin, PA 15122
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Entry Fee: None
Back at this location for another great year
of cruising!!! D.J. Babe “The Emperor” will be
playing all the music you enjoy listening to.
Great food and drink specials...menu changes
weekly.
Contact: Bar Staff, 412.461.9784 n
Silvester
Landscaping Inc.
Excellence In The Design
and Installation of
Outdoor Living Spaces
• Walls, Walks,
Patios, Steps
• Complete Landscape
Design
• Fire Pits
• Shrub & Tree Planting
• Grill Enclosures • Outdoor Lighting
Servicing the South Hills
for 43 Years!
412-831-5656
silvesterlandscaping.com
WesBanco Bank, Inc. is a Member FDIC. Trust & Investment Services may invest in insured deposits or nondeposit investment products.
Nondeposit investment products are not insured by the FDIC or any other government agency, are not deposits or other obligations of, or
guaranteed by any bank, and are subject to investment risks, including the potential loss of principal. www.wesbanco.com
MORE CAR CRUISES
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Beaver HOT SUMMER NIGHT
Car Cruise 2000 Cars
Location: Third St./Rt. 68
Address: Third St./Rt. 68, Beaver, PA 15009
Date: 8/1/15
Time: 3 to 9 p.m.
Entry Fee: None
The 17th annual Beaver Hot Summer
Night Car Cruise is back after a year off for
road construction. Over 2,000 cars and trucks
will fill the parks and streets of Beaver. DJs
playing oldies, 1,000 dash plaques, food
vendors and new restaurants in town.
Contact: Keith Sevy, 724.775.4970,
[email protected]
Butler Area Street Machine
Association Car Show
Location: Butler Memorial Park
Address: Memorial Drive, Butler, PA 16001
Dates: 7/4/15
Time: Noon to 4 p.m.
Entry Fee: $7
Contact Person: Jim Dixon, 412.614.0917,
[email protected]
Lyndora American Legion Bike
and Car Cruise
Location: Lyndora American Legion
Address:150 Legion Memorial Lane,
Butler, PA 16001
Date: 8/8/15
Time: 4 to 9 p.m.
Entry Fee: None
DJ, dash plaques, T-shirts, 50/50, prize
raffle, crafters, food, U.S. Marines #743 Toys
for Tots Collection (bring an unwrapped
toy — but no stuffed toys — and get a food
discount ticket). Legion Riders Motorcycles
also supports this event to benefit veterans.
Contact: Dan Cunningham, 724.321.8521,
[email protected]
Syria Motor Corps Car Show
Location: Syria Shrine Center
Address: 1877 Shriners Way,
Cheswick, PA 15024
Date: 8/16/15
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Entry Fee: $10
Fee is $10, advance registration $8, dash
plaques to first 200 registered, 11 classes.
Check website www.syriamotorcorps.org for
updates and forms.
Contact: Tony Battilana, 412.367.1201,
[email protected]
Pittsburgh Vintage Grand
Prix’s Waterfront Car Cruise
Location: The Waterfront
Address: Parking lot area between
Steak’n Shake and First Commonwealth Bank
along 650 East Waterfront Drive,
Homestead, PA 15120
Dates: 7/14/15
Time: 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Entry Fee: $5
A large car show open to anyone who
wants to show off their ride — that includes
old cars, new cars, trucks and motorbikes. You
don’t actually cruise around, but upon arrival
you park immediately and become part of the
show. The PVGP Car Cruise is a fantastic place
for auto aficionados, hot rodders, gearheads,
car-crazy people as well as families to gather
for a few hours and enjoy the cars, the people
and the stories. Cruisers are asked to make a
$5 donation to charities the Autism Society
of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Valley School.
A PVGP Race Program will be given for each
donation.
Contact: Don Privett, [email protected],
pvgp.org/cruise
International Car Show at
Schenley Park
Location: Schenley Park
Address: Bob O’Connor Golf Course at
Schenley Park
Schenley Drive and Darlington Road,
Date: 7/18/15, 7/19/15
Time: Gates open at 9:30 a.m. and car shows
run from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on the weekend
Entry Fee: $15 per day
Every July, Schenley Park is the scene of
one of the area’s largest and most unique
car shows. The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand
Prix stages an International Car Show — a
combined show of over 2,000 cars. It’s
a weekend show open to anyone — no
invitation is needed. All makes, all years, all
countries, including the U.S., are welcome,
whether or not you’re with a car club. You’ll
be a part of the show with the best parking
spot all weekend to watch the vintage races
on the streets surrounding the golf course.
Shine up your ride and be a part of the show!
Open to all cars of all years.
Contact: Bob Speer, [email protected]
McKeesport Marina Car Show
Location: 100 Water Street
Address: Bendel Way, McKeesport, PA 15132
Date: 9/20/15
Time: Noon to 4:30 p.m.
Entry Fee: $7
DJ, food, basket auction, door prizes, lots
of fun. Award top 25 cars, truck and bikes
welcome. Plaque for Best of Show.
Contact: Linda Brewster, 412.523.2972,
[email protected]
Oakdale - North Fayette
Township Car Cruise
Location:Donaldson Park
Address:600 Donaldson Road,
Oakdale, PA 15071
Date: 7/12/15, Rain Date: 7/26/15
Entry Fee: None
If you drive it, ride it, or fly it you can bring
it. 100 dash plaques and goody bags, Chinese
auction, 50/50, DJ, trophies for the benefit
of P.A.L.S., aiding special needs children and
adults.
Contact: Bonnie or Rick, 412.496.2540,
[email protected]
Robinson’s Second Annual Car
Cruise
Location: Robinson Town Centre
Address: Park Manor Blvd.,
Robinson Township, PA 15205
Dates: 9/27/15
Time: To Be Announced
Entry Fee: $5
Robinson Township’s second annual Car
Cruise is in the works for Sunday, September
27. Check back for an official time and
location. There’ll be music, activities, and
cars, cars, cars! You don’t have to be a car
aficionado to enjoy Robinson’s Car Cruise, but
everyone is sure to get caught up in the carframed fun for the whole family! There will be
a $5 registration fee with proceeds benefiting
Robinson Parks.
Contact: Robinson Township Parks
and Recreation, 412.788.8120,
townshipofrobinson.com/parks
SNPJ Imperial Car Cruise
Location: SNPJ Lodge 106
Address: 255 West Allegheny Road,
Imperial, PA 15126
Date: 7/5/15, 8/2/15, 9/13/15
Entry Fee: None
Music, food, drinks, 50/50, level and
paved parking, door prizes, air-conditioned
clubroom! Bikes are welcome too! Dash
plaques for the first 50 cars!
Contact: snpjimperialpa.com, 724.695.1411
Ultimate Car Cruise
Location: Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills
Address: 357 Pittsburgh Mills Circle
(off Route 28), Tarentum, PA 15084
Date: Most Wednesdays and Fridays during
the summer season.
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.
Custom cars, street rods, parking for over
1,000 cars & bikes! Prize drawings every
hour! Great food, door prizes, oldies music
by DJ.
Contact: Vito, [email protected],
412.381.5451
Starlite Car Cruise
Location: North Way Christian Community
Address: 12121 Perry Highway,
Wexford, PA 15090
Dates: Most Fridays in season; call to confirm.
Time: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Entry Fee: None
One of the largest weekly car cruises in the
country. Great oldies by DJ Denny Dutko.
Contact: North Way Christian Community,
724.935.6800, starlitecarcruise.com n
2015
SpringSummer
Events
Summary
REGISTER ONLINE AT
www.TheOutdoorClassroomPA.org
Contact Jessica Kester, Program
Manager, at 412.838.0064 or
[email protected]
FAMILY AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
CAMPOUT IN THE PARK
Dates:
Saturday, June 27
Time:
8 – 10 p.m.
Location: The Outdoor Classroom Learning Lab
Audience: Family friendly
Fee:
$10 person or Family Pak of four for $35
Join us for a fun family campout with tents, campfire treats, songs
and star gazing as part of the Great American Backyard Campout
Night! Great as a scout family night and fun for all ages!
MOONSTRUCK HIKES
Dates:
July 2 & August 29
Time:
Varies slightly by season, check website.
Location: The Outdoor Classroom Kiosk next to the Pavilion
Fee:
$4 person over age two
GEO-PUPPING: GEOCACHING WITH YOUR DOG!
Dates:
Saturday, August 22
Times:
10 a.m. – Noon
Audience: Family & dog friendly
Fee:
Free
Bring your family’s furry friends to our first dog-friendly event!
We’ll have activities and temporary caches for people and pup alike!
The Pittsburgh Area Geocaching Assoc. (PAGA) will have its normal
raffles and door prizes. All dogs must be on leash, well-mannered, and
up-to-date on shots. Watch for more information on the website and
www.Geocaching.com.
One of The Outdoor Classroom’s most popular family-friendly
events! A walk in the dark on the peaceful trails of Boyce Mayview
Park as the nocturnal world begins to come alive! Listen for owls,
hear an insect symphony or just enjoy the quiet stillness of the forest.
The constellations and the moon will be the “stars of the show” as the
moon crests the eastern horizon. We walk on relatively flat trails, but
appropriate clothing and footwear are recommended.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE BOY SCOUT MERIT BADGE
Date:
Sunday, June 7
Time:
Noon – 5 p.m.
Audience: Ages 12 and up
Fee:
$20 per child
Join other scouts for an afternoon filled with science and nature
while hiking through the meadows and forests of Boyce Mayview
Park. Learn about the multidisciplinary field of environmental
science. Discuss the impacts that humans have on the environment,
as well as the biological and physical components of this study of
science. Participate in a
meaningful conservation
project while earning your
Environmental Science
Merit Badge. A merit badge
counselor will be present
to sign off on your blue
card. Individual scouts and
interested children age 12
and up are encouraged to
attend. Troop registration is
also available.
COZY CAMPFIRE NIGHTS
Dates:
Saturday, July 25 & Friday, August 28
Time:
7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Fee:
$6 person, or Family Pak of four for $20
Bring the family for an evening of fun to jumpstart the summer!
Enjoy the crackling fire, experience the woods at dusk and feast on
every child’s favorite campfire treat, s’mores, and more! You can tell
your favorite campfire story or make it comedy night and share a
knee-slapping joke! The perfect ending to a summer night!
SUMMER CAMPS
JR. NATURALISTS: “A CLOSER LOOK”
Eligibility: Ages 4 - 6
Dates:
June 22 - 26
Day:
Monday through Friday
Time:
9 a.m. – Noon
Fee:
$160 per child
We will be getting down on our hands and knees for an up-close
look at all the teeny-tiny organisms found in the natural world! Come
ready to dig, poke, and peek at all the small, amazing nature findings!
BULLFROGS AND POLLYWOGS: “NATURE’S
SUPERHEROES”
Eligibility: Children ages 2-4 with an adult
Dates:
July 8, July 15, July 22, July 29 & August 5
Day:
Wednesdays
Time:
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Fee:
$90 for the series, or $20 per class; $2.00 each additional
adult
Special times for preschoolers to enjoy time in the outdoors, listen
to a woodland tale, and create a craft to take home. This summer’s
focus will be on the super strength of animals in nature.
Continued
ECO-KIDS: “EVERYTHING LITTLE”
Eligibility: Ages 7 - 10
Dates:
July 20 - 24
Day:
Monday through Friday
Time:
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: The Outdoor Classroom
Learning Lab
Fee:
$180 per child
This summer everything small and tiny
will be remembered! Join us to discover what
lives, crawls, flutters, and creeps by that has
been hardly noticed until now!
Let’s welcome Patrick Snickles, the
southwest region wildlife education
supervisor of the Pennsylvania Game
Commission, for an encore presentation
of the popular Project WILD
workshop! Project WILD is a hands-on,
interdisciplinary resource and activity guide
for K-12 educators. The curriculum focuses
on classroom and field activities related to
ecology, social and political aspects as well as
sustaining fish and wildlife resources. Spend
a day exploring the world of wildlife!
SEASONAL SCIENTIST SERIES:
“WEATHERED SCIENCE”
Eligibility: Ages 8 – 12
Dates:
July 27 – 31
Day:
Monday - Friday
Time:
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: The Outdoor Classroom
Learning Lab
Fee:
$180 per child
TEAM TADPOLE LEADERSHIP
ACADEMY: NATURE IN EARLY
CHILDHOOD CLASSROOMS
Date:
Monday, July 20 – Wednesday,
July 22
Time:
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: The Outdoor Classroom Offices
Act 48 hrs: 15
Fee:
TBD
Ever wonder how it rains, or why the wind
blows? What do people and other animals do
to stay protected in a storm? Come and find
out all things weather related in this science
experiment-filled camp! Campers can attend
Eco-Kids AND Seasonal Scientists for more
adventure and avian fun. Didn’t attend EcoKids, no problem, you’ll still be able to enjoy
this camp to its fullest.
TEACHER WORKSHOPS
WILD ABOUT BEARS WORKSHOP
Date:
Monday, June 29
Time:
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Act 48 hrs: 7.5
Fee:
$10
WILD ABOUT RAPTORS
Date:
Monday, August 11
Time:
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Act 48 hrs: 4.5
Fee:
$10
Join us in welcoming Patrick Snickles,
the southwest region wildlife education
supervisor of the Pennsylvania Game
Commission, for the first “WILD About
Bears” workshop ever at the Outdoor
Classroom! We will explore the world of
the black bear, focusing on natural history,
management practices, and research and
nuisance conflicts. There might even be a
chance for a close-up view! Join us for an
awesome day of learning about one of this
state’s most revered mammals.
Join us in welcoming Dan Lynch, the
southeast region wildlife education specialist
of the Pennsylvania Game Commission,
for the first “WILD About Raptors”
workshop ever at the Outdoor Classroom!
This workshop will explore the world of
Pennsylvania’s diurnal raptors. Resources
will include Wildlife Notes for each species
and a review of additional materials used
and/or available from the PA Game
Commission. A significant portion of the day
will be a field experience designed to further
develop raptor watching and identification.
Dress for the indoors and outdoors! Bring
binoculars if you have them. This workshop
is appropriate for grade K-12 formal and
non-formal educators as well as interested
adults and pre-service educators. ■
PROJECT WILD EDUCATOR
WORKSHOP
Date:
Monday, July 13
Time:
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Act 48 hrs: 7.5
Fee:
$10
The goal of the Team Tadpole Leadership
Academy is to uncover ways educators can
bring the fascinating world of the outdoors
into the classroom. We will discuss using
manipulatives and sensory bins to bridge
the natural world with the indoor classroom.
The TTLA will include a “Team Tadpole
Explorer’s Kit” which will be filled with
nature-focused materials, games and other
instructional aides to help educators share
their new knowledge with their students.
we’ve got you
covered.
34 COMMUNITIES AND COUNTING
Rotary Club of Upper St. Clair-Bethel
Park rescues the Farmers’ Market.
BY KATHY RUDOLPH
“Our motto is ‘Service Above Self,’ and if we can provide service to our local community, to
the state, to the nation and to the world, we are advancing the cause of Rotary.”
U
pper St. Clair Farmers’ Market offers fresh, local goods all
summer long. From fruits and vegetables to baked goods
and one-of-a-kind finds, Upper St. Clair Farmers’ Market at
Westminster Church has been a convenient way to shop for the best
quality close to home.
But all that could have changed when the Upper St. Clair Lions
Club, which operated the market for years, disbanded in 2014.
Luckily for residents, the Rotary Club of Upper St. Clair-Bethel Park
came to the rescue.
“The Lions Club approached us last fall with the idea of taking
it over,” explained Jim Yusko, who is the volunteer farm market
organizer and has been a Rotarian for 13 years. “We thought it was
good for the community and would give our Rotary Club more
visibility, so we decided to continue the tradition.”
According to the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, the
number of markets in the United States has increased from 1,755 in
1994 to 8,144 in 2013. The growth may be because of the demand for
fresh and healthy foods that are not processed, or for locally grown
food without pesticides. People also enjoy supporting local farms and
small businesses. Plus there is the social aspect of a local market.
“In addition to the vendors providing good, quality merchandise,
coming to the farm market gives you an opportunity to interact with
your neighbors, run into people that you know, or get to know new
people,” said Yusko.
Most would be overwhelmed at the prospect of volunteering to
organize the market, but Yusko uses his past professional experiences
to guide him.
“I retired from my position a couple of years ago,” said Yusko, who
was formerly in charge of the Western PA portion of the PA Dept. of
Environmental Protection Radiation Protection Office. “Part of that
job was that I had to manage people and manage and run a program,
so all that sort of experience is so easily transferred to my role at
the farmers’ market. It isn’t as technical as it once was, but it is still
involving the organizational and people skills.”
The farm market is every Thursday through September 24 from 4 to
7 p.m. in Westminster Church’s south parking lot. This year’s vendors
include Cinco de Mayo Salsas, Gosia’s Pierogies, The Greek Kitchen,
Heritage Farm, Kouskous, Logan Family Farm, Loafer’s Bread, The
Olive Tap, The Pie Place, Pitaland, Sand Hill Berries, Simmons, Uncle
Fester’s, Wu’s Shaved Ice and more.
Proceeds from the vendor fees go toward event marketing and
electricity for the vendors’ equipment, along with church parking lot
rental. The little revenue that is left over benefits the Rotary Club’s
charitable projects.
“Our Rotary Club’s motto is ‘Service Above Self,’ and if we can
provide service to our local community, to the state, to the nation and
to the world, we are advancing the cause of Rotary,” said Yusko.
“One of the goals that we have is the worldwide eradication of
polio,” he continued. “There are only three or four countries present
today where polio [still exists]. India was just declared polio free
last year. With that huge population, that is quite an achievement.
When we reach our goal, it will be only the second disease that was
completely eradicated.”
To learn more about the Rotary Club of Upper St. Clair-Bethel
Park, or the Upper St. Clair Farmers’ Market, visit the website at
USCBPRotary.org. ■
CREATE A SUMMER SALSA WITH SOME
INGREDIENTS FROM THE FARM MARKET:
Sweet Corn Salsa with Black Beans
by Penn State Extension
Ingredients:
3 ripe red tomatoes, washed and coarsely chopped
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, washed, chopped
1/4 cup finely minced sweet onion
1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1 to 2 ears fresh corn, husked, silk removed and
kernels cut off cob
Juice of 1/2 fresh lime
Pinch of salt and pepper
Optional: 1 small hot pepper, washed, seeds
removed and minced
Directions: COMBINE all ingredients in medium
stainless steel or glass bowl. STIR gently and add
pinch of salt and pepper.
Serve with baked tortilla chips. Also good with grilled
chicken, fish, pork or tofu. Cover and refrigerate until
ready to serve. Yield: About 3 cups.
SPONSORED CONTENT
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
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Boarding & Training Facility Opens Doors to Nonprofit Rescue
F
or as long as anyone can remember, South
Hills Pet Rescue has been offering dog
lovers a unique combination of boarding
kennel and complete behavioral training
services. Last year, however, the facility
crossed a new bridge that has been a lifetime
dream of the owners — it became a fullfledged rescue organization.
“We got really big really fast,” said Ashley
Rittle, owner. “We set up a nonprofit 501c3
and became a no-kill dog rescue.”
From puppies to senior pets, South Hills Pet
Rescue takes in all breeds and dogs with special
needs. The onsite professional trainer works
with dogs with behavioral issues to correct the
problems and make them adoptable again. The
shelter also works with local humane officers
and animal control organizations, taking in
dogs that are both owner surrenders and strays.
“We specialize in rehabilitating these dogs
and getting them back on the right track. Once
they’re ready for adoption, we focus on finding
them the right homes,” Rittle said.
All dogs at South Hills Pet Rescue are up to
date on their shots, or as up to date as they can
be based on their age since some shots cannot
be administered before a dog reaches a certain
level of maturity. All dogs are microchipped
in case they wander off. They also are spayed
or neutered and have received some basic
training prior to adoption. South Hills Pet
Rescue offers families the option of having
their new pet fully trained before adoption
to make the transition period even easier, a
service other shelters can’t match.
“Because we have a professional trainer on
staff, we can offer post-adoption support. We
can help you through any issues that may arise
and we can even provide in-home training,”
Rittle said. “Basically, we’ll do anything we can
to keep these dogs in good homes.”
Adoptive families also have a built-in
support system with South Hills Pet Rescue
should they ever need boarding services for
their new pet in the future.
“The dog knows us already, and that can
take a lot of anxiety out of the equation for our
clients if they need to go on vacation or leave
town for business,” Rittle said. “They know
that their dog will be in good hands, with
people who rescued the dog in the first place
and who trained that dog.”
All adoptions include a home inspection
to ensure that the dog will be going into a
suitable environment. Unlike most shelters,
South Hills Pet Rescue will take the dog to
your home to see how it interacts with any
other pets or children.
“How a dog behaves in the shelter can
be drastically different than how the dog
behaves in his or her forever home,” Rittle
said. “Because our goal is to eliminate any
behavioral issues that may present themselves,
we do meet-and-greets in the adoptive homes
to see how the dogs will really behave in that
environment.”
For more information on South Hills Pet
Rescue, go to the website, southhillspetrescue.
com, or call 412.951.2856. It is conveniently
located at 15 Old 88 in South Park, 15129.
Because the shelter is a 501c3, it also accepts
donations, which can easily be made through
the PayPal account at [email protected].
Currently, the staff is fundraising to remodel
the facility, so any help would be greatly
appreciated.
Get back to it!
Visit the Sports Medicine and Spine Center.
Jose Ramirez-Del Toro, M.D., Justin Petrolla, M.D.
and Melissa Guanche, M.D. specialize in non
operative treatment options for sports and work
injuries, arthritic conditions and spine pain.
Cutting-edge non-surgical rehabilitation
Diagnostic and therapeutic treatments
Advanced interventional pain procedures
Patient-centered care
1145 Bower Hill Road
Suite 301
412-276-7022
theorthopedicgroup.com
Dr. Ramirez-Del Toro, Dr. Guanche and Dr. Petrolla
Members of The Orthopedic Group: Scott L. Baron, M.D.; Thomas F. Brockmeyer, M.D.,
Ph.D.; William T. DeCarbo, D.P.M.; Gerson Florez, M.D.; Mark Hofbauer, D.P.M.;
Alexander Kandabarow, M.D.; Richard Mitchell, M.D.; Ari E. Pressman, M.D.;
Daniel Stewart, M.D.; and Shaka Walker, M.D.
MM/CL-ICM/8-14
SPECIAL VALUE COUPONS
BIG
THINGS
ARE
COMING!
Bursca Business Park is adding a turning lane and a
NEW traffic light on Washington Pike, which has real time
cameras to synchronize the traffic flow during rush hour.
Bursca offers Flex, Office, Tech, and Warehouse designs. As well
as providing superior customer service with the ability to expand
your company in a pleasant working environment.
KELLEY HOOVER HECKATHORNE
412.670.4248 | [email protected]
412.250.3000 | Burns-ScaloRealEstate.com
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
NEILL C. STOUFFER
FINE INTERIORS
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Neill C. Stouffer is an award-winning interior designer with an
exceptional reputation for creating distinctive, high-end residential
and commercial environments throughout the United States.
331 CASTLE SHANNON BLVD
MT LEBANON PA 15234
412-558-8672
www.neillstouffer.com
SPONSORED CONTENT
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
SPONSORED CONTENT
T
he stakes are high for any
developer wanting to build
an apartment community
in Upper St. Clair with its excellent
school district, impeccable community
services and large, estate-style
housing.
But Torrente of Upper St. Clair
is meeting those high standards
and then some with the development of
a 220-apartment
apartment luxury community that
delivers everything the contemporary
downsizer might need without making
compromises in quality and comfort.
“This is the first and only community
of its kind in the Upper St. Clair School
District,” said Lauren Hornyak, development
director for Torrente. “There are seven floor
plans to choose from, each with modern
finishes, granite countertops, stainless
steel appliances and open floor plans. Each
apartment has a private balcony and optional
underground parking. They also come with
ample storage space.”
Apartments range in size from 828 square
feet to nearly 1,200 square feet.
Located at Boyce and Mayview roads,
Torrente offers one- and two-bedroom
apartments that are convenient to Rt. 19,
Bridgeville, I-79 and the entire South Hills.
The community also has a number of
perks for today’s modern living, including a
gorgeous clubhouse with a large, in-ground
pool, outdoor kitchen area with fire pit
and walking trail system throughout the
community’s
dedicated
green space.
The community
is pet friendly, with
restrictions, and the entire development is
ADA accessible with several dedicated ADA
suites available. There’s also a 24-hour fitness
center for residents on-the-go to use any
time of day or night.
Torrente will be completely self-managed,
meaning 24-hour emergency maintenance
access, prompt snow removal and
impeccable landscaping without any
community fees.
Hornyak said that the developers recently
completed Marquis Place in Murrysville,
another luxury complex built in a discerning
community that will give prospective tenants
an idea of the quality and craftsmanship the
developers of Torrente are known for.
She also said the community is ideal
for young professionals in addition to
downsizers because of its unique situation in
Upper St. Clair.
“People who grow up and live here want
to stay here,” she said. “Until now, there
haven’t been many options for them. We
give people the chance to move
into something that’s as refined
as what they’re used to. They can
downsize without downgrading their
lives.”
Leasing activity has been brisk at
Torrente with future residents reserving
apartments for immediate occupancy
until as late as October. Phase 1 will be
completed on June 1 with four subsequent
buildings coming online throughout the fall.
Rents at Torrente start at $1,205/month
with residents paying some utilities.
Because of the developer’s dedication to
green building, every apartment comes with
energy-efficient appliances and systems
wherever possible, helping to shrink utility
bills for residents.
Apartments come with full-size en
suite washer and dryer with central heat
and air conditioning. In addition to the
oversized, granite-topped kitchen islands for
entertaining and cooking, the community has
a pub room in the clubhouse, where guests
can be taken to new heights. Community
events also will be celebrated in the great
room, so the traditional concept of the
neighborhood can be shared by all residents
in a fun and friendly environment.
For more information on Torrente of
Upper St. Clair, go to torrenteusc.com, or call
412.551.0520. Private tours of the model
and clubhouse are available by appointment
seven days a week.
IN FOCUS
Dana Palmieri - Boyce-Mayview Park - Boston Terrier Sophie
Send Us Your Photos
Have you taken a photo of something beautiful, interesting or historic around town? Email your photo to us at [email protected] and we may publish it in the
magazine! Be sure to include your name, the specific location where the photo was taken, the approximate date and any other information you would like to include.
The photo must be from the Upper St. Clair area. *To be considered for publication, all high-quality photos must be original size, digital format (1MB or larger)
and highest resolution possible, 300 dpi preferred. Please put “USC Photo” in the subject line of the email.
Your project is
our project.
Remodeling your kitchen or bath is one of the most lasting
yet intricate projects that will enhance your home.
The Kitchen • Bath Design Studio offers
expert design and installation of such
hallmark brands as Decora cabinetry,
Amerock hardware, and name brand
faucets and fixtures.
84DESIGNSTUDIOS.COM
8400 PRESTO-SYGAN RD • BRIDGEVILLE, PA 15017 • 412-221-1188
1019 ROUTE 519 • EIGHTY FOUR, PA 15330 • 724-222-8600
1612 ROSEYTOWN RD • GREENSBURG, PA 15601 • 724-834-0984
1955 LINCOLN HWY • NORTH VERSAILLES, PA 15137 • 412-829-2584
4950 BUTTERMILK HOLLOW RD • WEST MIFFLIN, PA 15122 • 412-469-9684 (Design Office)
109 FEY LANE • MARS, PA 16046 • 724-625-3184 (Design Office)
603 East McMurray Road, McMurray, PA 15317
724.942.0940
icmags.com
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PERMIT NO. 887

Upper St. Clair - Town Hall South

Transcription

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