November 2008 - Allegheny West Magazine

Allegheny West Magazine / www.pghpointswest.com/allegwestmag 1

REAL ESTATE TIPSIT’S NOSECRET!What’s the secretto selling your homein the Pittsburgh areaand receiving the verybest price possible?Well, there is nosecret - only research and hard work.Some sellers price their homebased on their own purchase cost,expecting appreciation for each yearthey occupied the property (say 3%,4%, or 10% per year, plus theiroriginal investment.)Others base their price on need. Ifthey plan to build a new home, theytake into account the cash neededto complete their construction plus alittle extra. Others may need moneyfor college tuition or medical bills.No matter the motivation, it isimportant to understand that theright selling price is the one thatbuyers are willing to pay. It’s reallythe buyers who set the final saleprice, because until buyers agree topay some amount for a home, thereis no sale.Of course, buyers cannot simplyoffer a low price and automaticallybuy the house. The sellers mustagree, too. The sale price will bethat amount that is both offered ...and accepted.Consult a full time professionalreal estate agent with detailedinformation about the prices buyersare currently paying for homes. Withthat information, you have the indepthknowledge needed to arrive atthe right price for your home. Priceyour home correctly from thebeginning, and you can startpacking!Bob Miller is a full time, full serviceprofessional residential and commercialRealtor® with Howard Hanna RealEstate. For answers to your real estatequestions and for a complimentarycomparative market analysis of yourproperties, please contact me.412.498.3664bobmiller@howardhanna.comwww.bobmiller.howardhanna.comwww.howardhannacommercial.comOur AdvertisersAs with every issue, your community businesses are the reason for thepublication of Allegheny West Magazine. Please support thesebusinesses. Their support allows us to mail this magazine, free, into everyhousehold in Robinson, Kennedy, Pennsbury, Ingram, and Thornburgas a community service.1/2 Off Greeting Cards, p. 33724.695.1964A Door to Memories, p. 16724.630.1212, www.adoortomemories.comAirport Authority of Ally. County, p. 28www.flypittsburgh.comAnytime Fitness, p. 7412.788.6388.AW Communications, p. 16412.788.0440, www.awcommunications.nelAwakenings Healing Touch, p. 35412.414.4348Beaver Valley Foot Clinic, p. 33724.375.1577, www.bvfootclinic.comBenchmark Financial, p. 37877.221.2836Bocktown Beer and Grille, p. 11412.788.2333, www.bocktown.comCenter for Organ Recov. & Educ.(CORE), p. 231.800.DONORS-7, www.core.orgChoices Pregnancy Centers, p. 231-877-RU4-SURE, www.aapcc-pa.orgCiti Smith-Barney, p. 14412.392.5885, www.fa.smithbarney.com/davidbiggerClearview Federal Credit Union, p. 91.800.926.0003, www.clearviewfcu.orgComfort Keepers, p. 9412.787.0709, www.comfortkeepers.comContours, p. 17412.922.7755Family Chiropractic, p. 21412.787.3320, www.familychiropracticcenters.bizFirst Steps Pediatrics, inside back cover412.788.1999, www.fspkids.comFitness for Life, p. 37724.695.2239, www.mkfitness4life.comFly Pittsburgh.com, inside back coverwww.flypittsburgh.comHeritage Valley Healthcare, inside front coverand page 5, 412.269.0899, heritagevalley.orgHoward Hanna-Bob Miller, p. 2412.498.3664, www.bobmiller.howardhanna.comHozak Farms, p. 33724.899.2400, www.hozakfarms.comHyatt, p. 11724.899.6050, www.pittsburgh.hyatt.comJanoski’s, p. 33724.899.3438, www.janoskis.comMTO Clean, p. 17412.809.9300, www.allegheny.mtoclean.comNaughton’s Tree Service, p. 25412.331.5952, www.naughtonstreeservice.comNiko’s Coffee House, p. 9412.329.6939Oakdale Inn, p. 33724.693.2802Ohio Valley General Hospital, p. 7, 12412.777.6400, www.ohiovalleyhospital.org/PAINPainted Giraffe, p. 17724.693.8452Paragon Homes-Fayette Farms, back cover412.787.8807, www.FayetteFarms.comPaws Here Awhile Pet Resort, p. 25724.573.4665, www.PawsHereAwhile.comPgh. Airport Area Chmbr. of Comm., p. 20412.264.6270, www.paacc.comPittsburgh Points West, p. 30412.494.9203, www.pghpointswest.comPittsburgh Technical Institute, p. 13412.809.5100, www.pti.eduQuicksilver Golf Course, p. 17724.796.1594, www.quicksilvergolf.comScriva Dance Studio, p. 25412.787.8600Star Baby Action Wear, p. 25412.200.2798Sun Kissed Tanning, p. 16412.490.9044Thomas Studio of Dance, p. 33412.787.7686. www.thomasdance.comValley Church, p. 30724.695.0300, www.valleychurchweb.comVinarski, Dr. Irina, p. 1412.490.2500Wash n’ Go Carwash, p. 16412.490.9044About the CoverAva Rose Esposito, a student at Scriva’s DanceStudio on Clever Road in Robinson Township, won herfirst crown for dancing when she was four years old,capturing the Miss Mini Dance USA Regional title. Atsix years old she won the Miss Petite Dance Regionaland took first runnerup nationally. Now 8, Ava hastaken the Regional Title of Miss Petite from DanceEducators of America.Entertainment and theater runs in her family. Ava istrained by her mother, Gena Scriva Esposito, owner anddirector of Scriva’s Dance Studio, now in its fifth yearin Robinson. Gena is a ten-year Broadway veteranherself and Ava’s father is a Los Angeles filmmaker,having produced 30 films.PHOTO BY STUDIO BADEN PHOTOGRAPHYRIGHT: The Mini Rockettes of Karen Prunzik’sBroadway Dance Studio in Robinson have an excitinglineup of performances scheduled for the holidayseason (see schedule, page 16). Pictured, left toright: Chloe Kehm, Natalie Sciulli, and KarlyKrisovenski from North Fayette, Gabriella Zucckeroand Natalie House from Sewickley, and Giovanna Elo,and Alina Sheykhet from Robinson.PHOTO SUBMITTED2 November 2008

FeaturesTable of ContentsColumns06 An Ear for Beautiful MusicVicky Harmasch grew up in a family where listeningwasn’t an option, and pursued a musical career in spite of it.BY AMANDA BAKER18 West Hills Symphony Toots its Hornsfor the CommunitySymphony director Clem Rolin of North Fayette hasdirected this all-volunteer group with passion. He shares theirstory. SUBMITTED BY CLEM ROLIN24 Meals on Wheels Hungry for VolunteersRobinson and Crafton residents take their cause ofdelivering meals to those unable to get out seriously.BY KILEY DIADDIGO25 Montour’s Musical Alumni Keep the BeatYears, even decades later, these performers are still in thelimelight. BY AMANDA BAKER04 Publisher’s Note08 On the Horizon13 Around Your Town15 Library News22 Fire Beat23 Your House & Senate27 Airport Authority Pages31 Chamber Business Link33 Neighborhood Coupons38 Your Schools40 Community Connections16Shop theNeighborhoodHoliday Gift GuideAllegheny West Magazine / www.pghpointswest.com/allegwestmag 3

Publisher’s NoteAs We Grow . . .Now in our tenth year of publishing, we thought it was a wonderfultime to introduce a new service to the communities we serve.Hence, we proudly announce that we will launch community phonedirectories in 2009.Some of you may remember that we oncehad such a directory -- listings of localbusinesses and even residents (ours will onlybe listing businesses and organizations, andnot residents), with advertisements from yourlocal stores and organizations. It was a handypiece to have around, and certainly helpedboost visibility for those businesses, as theirhometown residents would more readily useservices local to them than travel a distance forsimilar services or go somewhere to someonethey did not know.Our directory will also include a section onall that’s fun to do and enjoy in our airportarea communities -- a recreation guide, so to speak.So, watch out for this new gem to arrive in mailboxes sometime duringthe winter.To make this work, we need your support! Read more about it on page36.This is just one of the surprises we have in store as we celebrate ourtenth anniversary! More are coming!Pat Jennette, APRPublisher & EditorAllegheny WestMagazine“Good News Always, Mailed and Delivered Free, Every Time”Allegheny West Magazine is an all positive, good news publicationmailed free into homes and businesses to connect communities,promote people, heighten awareness about the richness of theairport region, and build pride in the western suburbsof Allegheny County.Montour EditionVol. 6 No. 2, Issue 32November 2008TO REACH US15 Walnut Street, Ste. 101, Imperial PA 15126Phone: 724.695.3968 Fax: 724.695.2089Email: alleghenywestmagazine@comcast.netwww.PghPointsWest.com/allegwestmagPUBLISHING TEAMPUBLISHER AND EDITORPat Jennette, APRalleghenywestmagazine@comcast.netCONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERSTHIS ISSUEKathleen CoatesKiley DiddiagoCONTRIBUTING WRITERSTHIS ISSUEAmanda BakerKiley DiaddigoClem RolinWEBMASTERYvonne Hervolwww.PittsburghPointsWest.comCONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUEJoe KulikPgh. Airport Area Chamber of CommerceRobinson Township LibraryINTERNSAmanda BakerMaggi Normile2004 &2006MOREINFOAllegheny West Magazine -Montour Edition, is published inJanuary, March, May, July,September, and November,6 issues a year, by JennetteCommunications Group, 15Walnut Street, Suite 101,Imperial, PA 15126-1226. Mailedand delivered free to 15,000residents and businesses inRobinson, Kennedy, Pennsbury,Ingram, Thornburg, andsurrounding areas. Extra copiesavailable at municipal offices,schools, stores, businesses,and hotels across the airportsuburbs. Available by mailsubscription for $12 annually.Story ideas welcomed.Community events andannouncements from non-profitgroups only must bereceived by the 15th of themonth prior to publishing date,limited to 30 words and include aphone number. No part of thispublication may be reproducedwithout the written permission ofJennette Communications Group.Copyright 1999 Allegheny WestMagazine. All rights reserved.OUR OTHERPUBLICATIONSJennette Communications Groupalso publishes the WestAllegheny Edition of AlleghenyWest Magazine, the MoonEdition of Allegheny WestMagazine, and the Imperial/Findlay/North Fayette/McDonaldEdition of the Town PlannerCommunityCalendar.MEMBERWE PROUDLY SPONSOR/SUPPORT:Western Allegheny Community Library’s Capital CampaignThe Annual Christmas Light-Up Event in Clinton2007 Winner BBB Torch Award forMarketplace EthicsRegistered with Dun & Bradstreet4 November 2008

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Sometimes, frazzled parents wish that they could tune outtheir screaming, fighting, noise-making children, but whatif they were never able to hear their own children’s voices,their laughter, their music?One local teacher grew up under these very circumstances, yetpursued a career that revolves around the art of sound.Vicky Harmasch, now the choral director at Montour High School,grew up in a household very different from her peers. Both of Vicky’sparents are deaf. Her mother, deaf from birth,can hear very loud noisesthrough her left ear, but herfather, whose deafnessprobably occurred at a veryyoung age, is completely deaf.Being raised by deaf parentsnever seemed strange to Vicky.“It was all I ever knew…it wasmy life,” she explained.In fact, the first language shelearned was American SignLanguage, or ASL.“I was signing before I wasspeaking,” she said.Growing up with both parentsunable to hear created a number ofchallenges in her childhood years.Although one might think that sucha household would be very quiet,Vicky explains that it was quite theopposite.“It was actually very loud,” sheexplained, because her parents werenot aware of the noise they were making doing regular activities.She also had to grow up much more quickly than her peers, taking onresponsibilities at an early age. She had to make and answer all phonecalls, as her parents were unable to do so at the time, and she acted astheir interpreter wherever they went, officially interpreting for them intheir church at the young age of nine.“I had to interpret to them concepts that I did not understandmyself,” she said.Vicky learned English just like other children—by picking it up fromthose speaking around her. Her grandmother and a nanny were alwaysin the house, helping to raise and teach her.Looking back, she says that the most difficult part of her situation wastrue communication. For example, it was difficult to convey anger,when they couldn’t hear the tone of her voice. Instead, she wouldsimply turn her back when she was angry, a gesture understood by all.Music was a part of Vicky’s life from a young age, starting with thepiano her parents bought her when she was seven years old. Sheimmediately began taking piano lessons, which later led to playing thesaxophone in the school band. Interestingly enough, the saxophone6 November 2008AN EAR FOR BEAUTIFUL MUSIC:Musician Pursues Career Despite Parent’s DisabilitiesBY AMANDA BAKERPHOTO SUBMITTEDthat she played had once been played by her mother, who played thesaxophone when she was younger, feeling the vibrations her instrumentmade even when she could not hear the sound it was producing.By her senior year of high school, Vicky was taking piano, sax, andvoice lessons, and decided that, with her love of children, a career inmusic education would suit her well. Her parents, on the other hand,were not so sure.“My dad was very hesitant…hewanted me to go into business,” shesaid.It was hard, she went on, to explainto them why she wanted to pursuemusic, when they had never heard itthemselves. In the end, though,Vicky headed off to Ohio WesleyanUniversity to earn her bachelor’sdegree in Music Education, withher parents’ blessing.“My parents were alwayssupportive of me and mysister…and they continue tosupport me 100%,” she commented.Vicky is not only the choraldirector at Montour HighSchool, but she also became thevocal coach for the school’sspring musical productions lastyear, through the MontourFoundation for the PerformingArts. Her parents are with her every step of the way, from setting upand decorating the stage for concerts, to making sure they are in theaudience for every concert and musical performance in which shetakes part.“They take pride in the fact that their daughter is involved,” shesaid, even if they cannot hear the work she has produced.Knowing that her parents have never heard the music she has madeis, she admits, “sometimes sad,” but she gains solace in the words of afriend.“A family friend once said to me, ‘They’ll be able to hear it all inheaven.’ That thought helps a lot, knowing that they’ll understand inthe end.”Vicky hopes that people will take a few lessons away from herexperience.“Don’t be afraid to talk to deaf people,” she insists. A simple attempt,she explains, whether it be a wave hello or a few words of signlanguage learned in elementary school, is very encouraging to them.“It allows them to feel part of something, instead of ostracized.”ABOVE: Ruth Christopher, seated, center, celebrates her 90th birthdaywith, from left to right, Vicky Harmasch, mom Carla Harmasch, dadWally Harmasch, and sister Amy Jo Harmasch.

NEW IN TOWNAnytime FitnessDenise J. Hardts announces the opening of Anytime Fitness in RobinsonTown Center.Located at 1130 Park Manor Boulevard, adjacent to Ichiban’s Restaurant,Anytime Fitness will open next month with fitness services available tomembers 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.“We are excited to offer a coed boutique fitness center that will includecardio with individual viewing screens, virtual bikes, strength equipment,free weights, and nutrition options,” Denise noted.Prior to starting this business, Denise honed two decades of experience inthe human resources management field, holding positions in variousindustries, including financial services, pharmaceutical research, marketing/public relations, health care, non-profit, and wireless communications. Bornand raised in Pittsburgh, where she also completed her college education,Denise is looking forward to offering a clean, upscale, friendly, hi-tech,secure facility with member access only so, as she explains, “you canexercise anytime YOU want.”Niko’s Coffee HouseFor the past 25 years, the Bonaros and Hareras families of RobinsonTownship owned and managed the Duke of Bubbles Carwash on Route 60.Last year, however, they sold the property to CVS Corporation.Continuing their long tradition of providing services to the community, inOctober, the two families announced that they have taken over the formerCaribou Coffee location in Robinson Court to open Niko’s Coffee Housenext to Petco.Niko’s offers up an alternative to the busy coffee house scene in theneighborhood. Its quiet, comfortable atmosphere features leather seating aswell as tables and chairs, with comfortable corners to settle in for reading orbrowsing the web, and enjoying a hot brew near the fireplace.And, as John Hareras pointed out, “it’s very easy to drive up to, with a lotof parking, and quickly get back out, making it a convenient stop beforework without waiting in a long line.”Among the offerings are coffee specialties, espresso coffee drinks,Nikoccinos (coffee smoothies), fresh fruit smoothies, and fresh fruit yogurtsmoothies, as well as teas and hot cocoa.John added that customers can select from bulk coffee brought in from allover the world, as well as freshly baked pastries and cookies, and thefamily’s specialty -- a 100-year-old rice pudding recipe -- all homemadedaily.Additionally, the menu boasts gelato and specialty cakes.Visitors can enjoy their coffee or tea with free Wi-Fi, and a small meetingroom is available with seating for 15-20.John’s family is not a stranger to the hospitality business. They were partowners of the Tonidale Restaurant in the 1980s and John worked as a districtmanager for Old Country Buffet for ten years.To celebrate their grand opening, Niko’s is offering some specials forcustomers. Their web site has a variety of coupons, located atwww.nikoscoffee.com. John said their “coffee card” is the best deal. Get anextra $3 loaded onto the card for each $10 purchased on the coffee card.Helen and Nick Bonaros have lived in Robinson for 25 years, and Johnand his family have lived in the same community for the past 32 years.“Our concept is to offer exceptional top quality products to our neighborhoodat a reasonable price,” John said.To inquire about Niko’s offerings, its meeting room, and more, call(412) 329-6939 or send an e-mail to: javatalk@nikoscoffee.com.Allegheny West Magazine / www.pghpointswest.com/allegwestmag 7

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○On the HorizonMOON HOSTSHOLIDAY HOME TOURThe Moon Garden Club will host its “Sparkle and MagicHoliday Home Tour” on Friday and Saturday, November 21and 22. Tickets for Friday’s twilight tour are $20 each;tickets for Saturday’s daylight tour are $15 each.This year’s tour will be at the home and beautifullyrestored historic barn of Dick and Nancy Mills -- RoseleaFarm. In addition to the decorations, experience the “oneof a kind” white elephant corner and treats from the bakeshoppe.Transportation will be provided to the home. For ticketsor a brochure, call Ellen at (412) 269-1048, Peggy at(412) 264-7265, or Phyllis at (412) 389-0707.CLASS REUNIONSMontour Class of 1978 will hold its 30th reunion onSaturday, November 29 at "Celebrations" in Imperial.Please send contact information by e-mail todillingerdad@aol.com and/or classof78@joefucci.com.○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○CORY SENIOR CITIZENS○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○The Coraopolis senior citizens group meets at theCoraopolis Vets on the third Thursday of each month at10 a.m. For more information, call (412) 264-4981.TURKEY BINGO○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○Ingram Civic Club is sponsoring a Turkey Bingo onSunday, November 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the IngramBorough building on West Prospect Avenue. Win a turkey orone of many other prizes. Cost is $5 for five bingo cards.Additional cards and specials are also available. Noadvance reservations are needed. For additionalinformation, call Eileen, (412) 937-9737 or Tricia,(412) 922-3216. All proceeds sponsor civic activities inthe community.○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○OAKDALE CRAFT SHOWOakdale Borough will hold its second annual Holiday Craftand Vendor Show on Saturday, November 22 from 10 a.m.to 3 p.m. at the Oakdale Community Center on SeminaryAvenue. Cost is $30 for tables. For more information, call(724) 693-9740.DANCE WITHTHE CELEBRITIES○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○The second annual Dancing with the Celebrities event willbe held on Saturday, December 6 at the David L. LawrenceConvention Center, to benefit the Children’s Hospital ofPittsburgh Foundation’s Research Fund for JuvenileDiabetes.This year’s reigning champion, Sheldon Ingram of WTAE-TV, defends his title against 11 other local celebrities andnotables. Among the celebrities is Montour’s own SonniAbatta. Each celebrity will perform a ballroom dance numberand be judged, and guests will cast their votes.Reservations and more information about the dancersand the event are available at the web site,www.dancingwiththecelebritiesofpgh.net.Available are packages including a formal dinner withmusic, or theater seating for the show and social dancingonly. Call (724) 733-0418 or Delana Murphy at(412) 586-6337.8 November 2008CLASS REUNIONCanevin Class of 1978 will hold its 30th reunion on Saturday, November 29 at Parkway Center Inn,Pittsburgh. Event begins at 6:30 p.m. with a buffet dinner, dessert, five-hour open bar, and entertainment. Costis $50 per person. RSVP by contacting Tricia Roth Slade at (412) 331-0887 or by e-mail atpghslade@pghmail.com.HAVE BREAKFAST HERE○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○St. Malachy School will host a Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, December 7 in the church hall from 8 a.m. to1 p.m. Cost is $5 for adults, and $3 for children ages 2-12. The breakfast includes pancakes, homemadesausage, and beverage.For more information, contact Amy Maxin at (412) 215-1480.HOLIDAY EVENTS IN THE MONTOUR SCHOOLS○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○Forest Grove Elementary School holiday concerts will be held on December 17 for the first grade andDecember 19 for the third grade, both at 10 a.m. at the school gymnasium.David E. Williams PTA will hold a vendor/craft show, Girls Night Out, in the school cafeteria on November 21from 6 to 9 p.m. with more than 50 tables expected to be set up to display products and services.The 7th and 8th grade chorus Christmas concert will be held on December 4 at 7 p.m. The David E. WilliamsShow Choir Concert will be held on December 11 at 11:30 a.m.The 7th and 8th grade concert and jazz band will perform on December 18 at 7 p.m.The 5th and 6th grade band Christmas concert is December 12 at 12:30 p.m.The 6th grade chorus will perform at the Allegheny County Airport on December 9 at 11 a.m.○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○TRY A MASSAGE AT PTIThis winter season, sign up for a massage at Pittsburgh Technical Institute’s Student Massage Clinic. Get a45-minute, full-body massage for $25. Upcoming clinic dates at PTI’s North Fayette campus includeDecember 6, 13, and 20; and January 10. Call Deanna Markesteyn at (412) 370-6719 to schedule anappointment. Appointment times are 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m. Gift certificates are also available.○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○○ENJOY BREAKFAST WITH SANTAThe Moon Area Senior Citizens Association will host a Breakfast with Santa on December 6 at Robin HillPark. Times are 9 to 10:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $5 for adults or children and space islimited. Included are breakfast, crafts, cookie decorating, and visits from Santa. There will also be a SecretSanta area where children can buy presents for parents.To reserve a space, call (412) 264-0955.SWEETWATER ARTS CENTER HOSTING EVENTS○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○Sweetwater Center for the Arts is celebrating its 14 th annual holiday sale of handcrafted, unique works createdby 120 local and national artisans. Admission is free.Special events planned in coordination with the sale help Sweetwater provide vital assistance to the center’sarts and cultural programming. The special events planned with this year’s sale include:Saturday, November 29, 5 - 7 p.m. - Champagne & Shopping Preview Party gives guests an exclusivefirst glance and opportunity to buy finely crafted, one-of-a-kind handmade gifts. and enjoy music, hors d’oeuvres,and champagne. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased by calling (412) 741-4405.Tuesday, December 2, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Holiday Brunch allows shoppers to take a break from theholiday bustle. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased by calling Sweetwater at (412) 741-4405.Friday, December 5, 5 - 9 p.m. - Let the Men Cook! at Sewickley’s Light Up Night—The Village ofSewickley will be glowing with the sights and sounds of the holiday season with many local shops and galleriesextending their hours and hosting special events. At the Center’s annual fundraiser “Let the Men Cook!,” all malevolunteers step into the kitchen and prepare a delicious assortment of dishes. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6for children ages 12 and under and can be purchased at the door.Holiday Mart regular shopping hours will be held November 30-December 7, from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. OnSewickley Light Up Night (Friday, December 5), sale hours are 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. For more information, callSweetwater, (412) 741-4405, or visit www.sweetwaterartcenter.org/holiday.org.○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○FOREST GROVE PRESENTS FABULOUS 50sThe Forest Grove Elementary PTA announces its 2009 Spring Fashion Show and Fundraiser, “The Fabulous50s,” on February 21 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Moon Township. Last year’s event raised more than$18,000 to support educational programs, the arts, and social activities for children at the school.For more information, call Lori Heller, (412) 262-5563 or Pam Roberts, (412) 264-5302.

W E A R E C O M F O R T K E E P E R S®Comfort Keepers® provides the kind of in-homecare services that help people maintain full andindependent lives, all in the comfort and familiarsurroundings of their own home. We would behappy to arrange a free in-home visit to help youlearn more.412-787-0709937 Beaver Grade Road, Suite 4Moon Twp., PA 15108Over 550 independentlyowned and operatedoffices worldwide.© 2008 CK Franchising, Inc.W W W . C O M F O R T K E E P E R S . C O MAllegheny West Magazine / www.pghpointswest.com/allegwestmag 9

On the Horizon10We’re RollingOut a New Lookin 2009, so ...DEADLINE FOR THEJANUARY 2009ISSUE OFAllegheny WestMagazineisDecember 27www.pghpointswest.com/allegwestmag724.695.3968AlleghenyWestMagazineis seekingSTUDENT INTERNSfor the SPRING & SUMMER2009 semesters. Studentsstudying in the fields ofCommunication, Journalism,Public Relations, English, or arelated area are welcome toapply. Must have completed1-2 years of study beyondhigh school, and havesuccessfully completed somewriting courses.For information, call724.695.3968 or e-mail:alleghenywestmagazine@comcast.net.Send a bit of “home” tosomeone you know!Subscribe to Allegheny WestMagazine!Subscription rates are just$12 per year for six issues!CALL: 724.695.3968 ore-mail:alleghenywestmagazine@comcast.net10 November 2008On the HorizonKENNEDY POLICE COLLECTING FOR TOYS FOR TOTSThe Kennedy Township Police Department, in conjunction with the United States Marine Corps, is collecting new toys for theMarine Corps Reserve annual TOYS FOR TOTS. The United States Marine Corps Reserve has been collecting toys forunderprivileged children for over 50 years. Due to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Marines are understaffed. This is thefifth year Kennedy Township Police has assisted with this project.Donating a new toy to TOYS FOR TOTS is a way to give back to the community and give joy to a child. Christmas is a timeof giving and sharing good fortune.Kennedy Township Police Department will be collecting new toys, age range 0-12 years old until December 19. The policedepartment is open 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. seven days a week. Any questions, call (412) 331-2408. Donations of a newand unwrapped toy will be deeply appreciated by this department and the United States Marine Corps.○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○SVH SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS COMING UPSTORKBITES, a new mom’s support group, meets onTuesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. through December 9 atSharon Presbyterian Church in Moon Township. The group isled by nurses from Sewickley Valley Hospital. Questions,contact Diana Cooper at (412) 749-7625.A Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Group meets on thesecond Monday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in thesmall dining room at Sewickley Valley Hospital.ASCENSION OFFERS PARENTS NIGHT OUT○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○Parents are welcome to drop off their children to enjoyan evening of holiday activities, baking cookies, enjoyingsnacks, songs, and more on Saturday, December 6 from6 to 9 p.m at Ascension Church.Children ages 3 and up are welcome to come, so thatparents can go out with each other or take time to do theirChristmas shopping.HELP THE BAND BUY A TRUCK; COME TO DINNERMontour Marching Band is working to raise money topurchase a new band truck. The truck is used totransport instruments to and from football games,parades, and other off-campus activities of the band.Lottery tickets are being sold based on the PA eveninglottery, with a first prize of $1,000 and additional cashprizes every day for the entire months of January andFebruary. Tickets can be purchased from any bandmember at a cost of $10.The band will hold its annual Pasta Dinner on Sunday,November 23 at the Montour High School cafeteria fromnoon to 7 p.m.BISHOP CANEVIN 50TH COMING UPBishop Canevin High School’s 50th AnniversaryRe-Dedication Mass & Dinner Reception will be held onSaturday, November 22. Prior to mass, tours of the schoolwill also be available. The mass will be held in the schoolat 4 p.m. with celebrant Bishop Bradley and Franciscans,chaplains and alumni priests serving as concelebrants. Thedinner reception following mass will be held at theNORTH FAYETTE VFD PLANNING A DIRECTORYAfter 25 years, the social hall at North FayetteTownship Volunteer Fire Department is undergoing amajor renovation. Renovations include a new vestibuleentry, carpeted floors, wooden dance floor, new bar areawith ceramic tile, and new kitchen and restroom facilitieslocated in the hall.A program entitled, “Earth Shattering Events Since theLoss,” focusing on forgiveness of self, others, and thesituation, will be held on December 8.For more information about these programs, call(412) 749-7625.A $5 donation for each child covers the cost for theevening. Pre-registration is required.Space is limited, so call by November 21 at(412) 859-3711 or register online atwww.ascensionlutheranchurchofpa.com.○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○Served by band members, dinner will includehomemade sauce and meatballs and a salad.Baked goods will be available. Spend some timevisiting friends and take a chance at the ChineseAuction and the 50/50 raffle.Cost is $6 for adults and $4 for youth 12 yearsand under. Tickets are available at the door or inadvance from any marching band member.Greentree Radisson and will feature a sit-down dinner and liveparty music by Encore (which will feature music from the 60sthrough today’s top 40). All attendees will receive a limitededition 50th Anniversary Christmas Ornament. Dinner reservationsare $35 per person. No funds will be solicited at the event.For additional information or to place a reservation visitwww.bishopcanevin.org or call (412) 922-7400.○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○As an additional service to the community, a resource guide isbeing developed to assist renters with finding caterers, DJs,florists, party suppliers, beer distributors, bartenders, andwedding planners.To be highlighted in the resource guide or to rent the socialhall, contact Karen, (412) 861-6479. Hall rentals are beingaccepted starting in April 2009.

BENEFIT FOR LOCAL FAMILIES IS DECEMBER 21The “Second Annual Benefit Concert” with special guest comedianventriloquist, David Crone, will be presented by The Hidden Angelson Sunday, December 21 at noon at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in MoonTownship, 1160 Thorn Run Road.The Hidden Angels is comprised of a group of young people fromthe Montour School District area, who have come together to raisefunds to help families that have financial needs during the holidayseason.Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Call(412) 874-6844 for tickets. Also purchase tickets at The Mallat Robinson from November 22 through 29.Bid on an item at the Premiere Silent Auction; last year this tableheld airline tickets for two to an island destination of their choice andmuch, much more. There will also be Chinese Auction items, alldonated generously by businesses and families from thecommunity. Tickets will be sold that day. Enjoy many sweet treats,appetizer items, and beverages, and a special visit from the “JOLLY BIGGUY” himself.All proceeds benefit families and children in the community facingfinancial hardships. Last year this event raised over $4,000.PICTURED:The Hidden Angelsteam, left to right,seated: Crystal Tuite,Bethany Sidun,Ashley Ziccardi, LizWendel, AshleighHenry, MelanieWayne; standing:Mike Ferry, NickWeaver, AdamKrempasky, DeanDavis (President),Nick Stamatakis(Treasurer).11Allegheny West Magazine / www.pghpointswest.com/allegwestmag 11

1212 November 2008

Around Your TownScouts Earn Gold AwardsThe Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania, West Montour community, recentlyspotlighted these young women for their accomplishments of earning theirGold Awards. The Gold Award is the highest award in Girl Scouts, earned bycompleting three prerequisite awards and then completing a minimum 65-hourleadership project that serves the community. Each of the girls worked to meetthe standards of leadership, goal setting, planning, budgeting, project completion,and evaluation as required by the Gold Award guidelines.Diane Elbel and Becky Hasulak, pictured, left, are seniors at Montour HighSchool and are working to complete their Gold Award through several activitiesat the Marian Manor Nursing Home in Robinson Township. They haveorganized a Harvest Moon Ball which was held last month, dedicating manyhours to gather donations of evening wear, jewelry, and other accessories forseniors to wear to their “Senior, Senior Prom,” as well as the entertainment andother festivities for the evening.The pair also have a Winter Cookout planned for January to bring somesummer atmosphere inside when it is cold outside.The girls expect to finalize their Gold Award requirements by March 2009.Diane is the daughter of Fred and Maureen Elbel of Robinson, and Becky isthe daughter of Glenn and JoAnn Hasulak, also of Robinson.Tamiko Yamatani has also completed her Gold Award project. She becameinterested in the Girl Scouts Beyond Bars, a troop for daughters of incarceratedmothers. After investigating, she found that there was no such program in thePittsburgh area. Tami established a troop so that daughters and their motherscould participate together. She continues to work with the group and is lookingto involve additional families. Tami graduated from Bishop Canevin HighSchool in 2008 and is currently a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh. Sheis the daughter of Hide and Kathy Yamatani of Robinson.Allegheny West Magazine / www.pghpointswest.com/allegwestmag 13

FINANCIAL TIPSFrom Citi Smith BarneneyThis is the third in a three-part series on the process involvedwith getting your personal financial affairs in order. Addressingyour financial goals and establishing a game plan does nothave to be an intimidating concept, and this article is meant tohelp the reader begin to break the task down into small steps.In the last issue, we addressed the first step. This series isbeing presented by David Bigger, a Financial Advisor at SmithBarney in downtown Pittsburgh. Smith Barney is a division ofCitigroup Global Markets Inc. Each part of this series will bepresented bi-monthly in this magazine. If you’d like to readthe article in its entirety, you can view it atwww.fa.smithbarney.com/davidbigger.Ways You Can StillReshape Your Future in 2008Increase Retirement Contributions401 (k) and Deferred Contribution Plans. For 2008, the401 (k) salary-deferral limit remains $15,500. Plus, youcan contribute an extra $5,000 if you are at least age 50.If your employer offers to match what you contribute up toa percentage of your salary, be sure you are at leastcontributing that percentage to take advantage of theextra funds.Increase GiftsThe annual limit for gifts in 2008 remains $12,000;together, spouses may give $24,000 per recipient. Besure you’re taking advantage of the opportunity to moveassets out of your estate while working to achievepersonal and family goals. For example, you and yourspouse could contribute $24,000 to a 529 college savingsplan for each of your children or grandchildren. You mayeven accelerate five years’ worth of giving to contribute$120,000 to a 529 plan -- per child! That could help youget a big chunk of assets and future depreciation out ofyour estate, which could mean a lower estate-tax bill foryour heirs.Update Wills andOther Important DocumentsOne of the best ways to simplify your life and do yourloved ones a great service is to create a set of legaldocuments that will make your wishes known. Be sure toconvey your wishes to your family while you are still ingood health and of sound mind.Citigroup, Inc. and its affiliates do not provide tax orlegal advice. To the extent that this material or anyattachment concerns tax matters, it is not intended to beused and cannot be used by a taxpayer for the purposeof avoiding penalties that may be imposed by law. Anysuch taxpayer should seek advice based on thetaxpayer’s particular circumstances from an independenttax advisor.For more information, contact David Bigger at Citi-SmithBarney (412) 392-5885.THIS IS A PAID ADVERTISEMENTAround Your TownFather Ryan Arts Center OpensMore than a thousand guests gathered during the three-day grand openingcelebration of the Father Ryan Arts Center in McKees Rocks last month to expresstheir warm wishes, support the arts, and be a part of history in what has been called“a success story for McKees Rocks” by visitors, residents, artists, and elected officials.The weekend festivities began with a special thank you reception to honor andremember the individuals and organizations that have supported Focus On Renewaland Father Regis Ryan throughout this decade-long project to bring such a facility toMcKees Rocks.The doors opened with wine and hors d’oeuvres in the cafe, casual conversation inthe lobby, a gallery exhibit featuring local professional artists, guided tours, andentertainment featuring Etta Cox and the Al Dowe Quintet in the theater. Gueststransitioned to the Baverso Theater, named for architect John E. Baverso, forannouncements and presentations. Among the guests were Rep. Mike Doyle,Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, Rep. Thomas Petrone, Rep. Nick Kotik,Sen. Wayne Fontana, McKees Rocks borough council members, and cherishedfriends as well as the leaders of major charitable organizations throughout Pittsburgh,whose goodwill and compassion encouraged the center’s organizers to be a resourceof inspiration to children, youth, and families throughout the region.The celebration continued throughout the weekend with hands-on arts activitiesincluding beading, puppetry, and storytelling for children, jazz and hip-hop dancedemonstrations, creative bookmaking, pantomime and comedy improvisation,pottery with Father Don Fisher, block printing with Jim Levendosky, voice andinstrument lessons from Lisa Rae Vaughn Music Studios, and book and poetryreadings with the writers from the Langston Hughes Society of Pittsburgh. In theBaverso Theater guests enjoyed an eclectic program of dance with members of thePittsburgh Dance Ensemble, The Pillow Project, Studio J, Evolve Dance Theatre,and First Baptist Church of McKees Rocks. There were also theater performancesfeaturing Actors Civic Theater and Pittsburgh Musical Theater, and music featuringIonSound Project, Don Obusek’s Tribute to Elvis, Rus’kyj Muzikanty with AndrePidkivka, St. John of God Parish Choir, Hip Hop on L.O.C.K. Project, and JoeGrushecky. Each evening concluded with a feature presentation including DixieDoc and the Pittsburgh Dixieland All-Stars and the Sounds of Pittsburgh women’schorus.Just weeks after opening, the Father Ryan Arts Center announced a new ReadersTheater Program that will bring words and characters from the page to the stage forthird graders in the Sto-Rox School District.The activity is the result of a $76,000 Claude Worthington Benedum Foundationgrant to develop an integrated reading and theater arts program for schools inwestern Allegheny County.The focus of the grant is to create a kindergarten through fifth grade theater andreading curriculum for the Sto-Rox School District and St. John of God CatholicSchool and establish a roster of participating schools for the second year.Starting this month, 130 children from both schools will spend their readingperiod at the center once a week in an effort to enhance and complement eachschool’s current literacy arts curriculum. Through age-appropriate readings, childrenwill discover fun, imaginative ways to build reading fluency, boost listening andspeaking skills, and improve confidence.Sister Anna Maria Gaglia, principal of St. John of God Catholic School, said, “Thisis a wonderful opportunity for our children to experience different methods oflearning outside of the classroom that encourages emotional growth, motivation, andengagement. We are thrilled to be a part of this program and hope this is only thebeginning of a long partnership with the Father Ryan Arts Center.”The goal is to expand the number of schools and children served each year. Withthe guidance of a trained theater arts educator, the center will provide facility and1414 November 2008

technical support for the program by working closely with third grade teachers to develop acurriculum based on children’s author and Readers Theater expert Aaron Shepard, known for aplayful and less restricting approach. Using minimal props, children will form a keen sense ofawareness while interpreting the written word that will aid in the development of academicskills to improve test scores.Patricia Moran, Father Ryan Arts Center director, said, “Our vision for the arts center is rootedin the belief that as an alternative arts education facility, we will support and supplement thecurriculum of local schools; this partnership brings us one step closer to achieving that goal. Asarea schools and teachers are developing their curricula, we hope they will seek our arts center asanother tool that opens the doors to learning all subjects through artistic exploration andexpression.”For more information on the new Readers Theater Program or to learn how schools canparticipate, call (412) 771-3052 or visit www.FatherRyanArtsCenter.org.RIGHT:Father RegisRyan talks withRep. MikeDoyle, a strongsupporter ofthe arts centerproject inMcKees Rocks,in the lobby ofthe arts centernamed forFather Ryan’stireless effortsto create aplace forartisticexpression andexploration.RIGHT: Duringthe hands-onarts activities,professionalartist andMcKees Rocksnative JimLevendoskydemonstratesthe art of blockprinting, a handprocess inwhich the raisedportions of adesign, cut onwood, metal, orlinoleum, arecoated with inkand transferredby pressureonto paper orother materials.PHOTO BY MYLES ROONEYPHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER ROLINSONBY MARY THEOBALDLibrary Newsfrom Robinson TownshipMrs. Claus will visit Robinson TownshipLibrary on Thursday, December 11 at6:30 p.m. for a “Bedtime Storytime withMrs. Claus.” She will share what life islike at Santa’s headquarters with Santaand his friends. Children are invited tocome in pajamas to hear her stories.Parents may bring a camera to takepictures with Mrs. Claus as well. Formore information on this fun holidayprogram please contact the library at(412) 787-3906 or by e-mail atrobinson@einetwork.net.Other fall activities include MotherGoose Storytime for babies up to 18months and toddler storytimes forchildren 18 months to three years onWednesdays. Preschool storytime forages 3 to 6 is held on Thursday at1 p.m. Carolyn Rosenquest, children’slibrarian, has fun stories and songs eachweek to share with the children.Computer classes for beginningcomputer users are held on Mondaymornings at 10 a.m. Those participatingneed to have a computer at home or bewilling to come to the library during theweek to keep the progress rate movingon computer skills. Staff members at thelibrary are ready to help library patronsto fill out job applications online.For other activities, please visit theRobinson Township Library web site andblog at www.robinsonlibrary.org. Acomplete calendar is available on theweb site.For those patrons who have beenwaiting for Church Hill Road constructionproject to be finished, the road openedon October 21 from Steubenville Pikethrough to McMichael Road.robinson township library1000 Church Hill Road, (in the RobinsonTownship Municipal Building)Pittsburgh PA 15205(412) 787-390615Allegheny West Magazine / www.pghpointswest.com/allegwestmag 15

Happy HolidaystoYou!Shop the NeighborhoodHoliday Fun Abounds AroundWith the holidays just a handful of weeks away, there arenumerous ways to get into the spirit right in our ownbackyard.Read here for some highlights of upcoming events. Thereare more activities listed on pages 8-11 as well. Enjoy!Karen Prunzik’s Mini-Rockettes from the Broadway Dance Center inRobinson Township will perform at Pittsburgh’s Light Up Night on November21 at 6:15 p.m. in Station Square.Other appearances this holiday season by the Mini-Rockettes will be onDecember 5 at 5:30 p.m. at The Mall at Robinson, December 6 at 1 p.m. atThe Galleria in Mount Lebanon, December 13 at 11 a.m. at Station Square,and December 14 at noon at the PPG Building.The Mini-Rockettes will wind up their local tour with a performance at theBroadway Dance Studio’s Second Annual Christmas Spectacular on December19 at Massey Hall on the campus of Robert Morris University in MoonTownship at 8 p.m.For more information about these performances, call (412) 920-1841.The Kennedy Township Independent Volunteer Fire Department will host afundraising Breakfast with Santa on Sunday, December 7 from 9 a.m. to1 p.m. at the Kennedy Township Firehall on Pine Hollow Road. This is also thetownship’s annual Christmas event. There will be a breakfast of pancakes,French toast, sausage, and more and a visit from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.All children will receive treats, a photo with Santa, and a special gift. Therewill be tours of the fire station, thanks to the Kennedy Township IndependentVolunteer Fire Company, and a Chinese Auction.Providing Door-to-Door Servicesin the Airport Area1616 November 2008MAKES A GREAT HOLIDAYGIFT IDEA!

Holiday Gift GuideTown This Christmas SeasonTickets are $6 per person, or $3 for children age 10 or younger.For more information, call Township Commissioner Anita Kulik, (412) 787-5422,or Kennedy Fireman Scott Gregory, (412) 596-8457.Robinson Township brings Santa to visit the kids on December 5 to CleverPark. Enjoy the tree lighting, cocoa, cookies, and caroling from 6 to 7 p.m.There’s lots of new displays being unveiled at the Annual Christmas LightUp Drive Through in Clinton Park, Findlay Township, this holiday season.Patty Faux, coordinator, said the volunteers have added an antique car lightupsurrounded by 14 American flags, ten 36” wide poinsettias that fade in and out,a Santa Claus on the lake with fishing and frogs, a display of crosses, and adisplay that includes a potpourri of hearts, doves, and crosses donated by alocal family in their loved one’s memory.The entrance wreaths and the “12 Days of Christmas” banners have all beenrefurbished and/or replaced, she noted.Last year, more than 4,000 vehicles drove through the display. Proceeds ofthe $7 per car fee benefit local and regional charities and needs.Groups can once again reserve a hayride through the light up display. TheFrank Herman Horseback Riders will ride their lighted horses through the parkNovember 29 and December 6, and the West Allegheny Show Choir will performcarols there December 5 and 12.The display is open nightly, November 22 to January 9, from 5 to 10 p.m. Toreach the display travel Route 22-30 West from the Route 60 interchange to theImperial exit, then go four miles from Imperial on Route 30 West to the park inClinton, located on the left. Look for the large lighted sign at the park entrance.For more information, call (724) 899-3602.The Carnegie Performing Arts Center presents “The Nutcracker” overtwo December weekends, from Friday, December 5 through Sunday, December14 at the Andrew Carnegie Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Avenue, Carnegie. Over100 dancers from community dance schools will perform. Enjoy old-fashionedholiday piano music before the performances with audience participation, araffle, and Chinese Auction. Call (412) 279-8887.Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 618 Russellwood Avenue, McKees Rocks, isholding a Christmas Crafts and Bake Sale on December 6 from 10 a.m. to3 p.m. and December 7 from noon to 2 p.m. Call (412) 771-1993.Allegheny West Magazine / www.pghpointswest.com/allegwestmag 17

West HillsSymphonyPICTURED, THIS PAGE, TOP: CiroAloisio, Mark Koszak, and Karen Koszak;BOTTOM: The orchestra on stage.OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP: The trumpetsection; BOTTOM: trombonists Earl Allen, MarkKoszak, and Dale Johnson.1818 November 2008Need a lift in these trying times? There’s a community group that’s beenproviding a major lift to anyone who’s ever attended one of its many concertsduring a 40-year span. Have you heard about the West Hills Symphonic Band? Dueto the large scale renovation project underway on the hilltop, the West Hills Symphonic Bandwas relocated from its long time home in the Montour School District to the West AlleghenySchool District in 2007. Montour has long been the group’s most auspicious benefactor,opening their facilities to the WHSB for both rehearsals and performances since its inception.When legendary Montour band leader Joseph Picchi established the band in 1967 the grouphit the ground running. It provided a well organized civic ensemble where musicians from allspectrums of the business could continue performing the craft they truly love to share.Thankful for the generosity of the West Allegheny School Board, the West Hills SymphonicBand is trying its best to establish a true fine arts presence in their new headquarters as well.Now, the word “Symphonic” placed before the word “Band” requires a brief explanation tonon musicians, since any format associated with heavy or complicated literature has beenknown to actually scare potential listeners away. This is not a symphony orchestra. There are nostringed instruments like violins, violas, or cellos. Also not present is much of the literatureexclusively associated with a symphony orchestra. You’ll never hear a full classical symphony ata WHSB concert. The term “symphonic” comes from the fact that the group employs a fullgamut of wind instruments, providing enough added voicing and color to cross over into someof the classical literature. The WHSB, however, chooses classical selections that are familiar tothe great majority oflisteners. Over the years, the band has programmed popularlight classical pieces like the “William Tell Overture” (thetheme of the old Lone Ranger TV program), “Thus SpakeZarathustra,” (the classical work that became 2001 ASpace Odyssey), the “Nutcracker Suite,” and favoriteStrauss waltzes into its concerts. An eclectic approach toprogramming has kept the band in the hearts of its loyalfollowing throughout its history. At each concert, onewill most likely hear Broadway show music, moviethemes, ethnic favorites, marches, patriotic songs, andorchestrations of the so called “Great AmericanSongbook.”Along with the expanded instrumentation comes amarked increase in the difficulty level of the music.This band’s no place for your run of the mill player.“We’ve got pros with years of experience in themusic business, semi professionals who’ve beenactive in performance groups for years, currentmusic educators, and some younger players whoare bright enough to realize that it can provenothing but positive to rehearse and perform nextto these seasoned veterans,” says associate director and (formerdirector of Bands at Montour HS) Clem Rolin, a North Fayette resident.What’s more, these musicians play for the love of music. They are all volunteers.“The thing that makes the WHSB such an attraction is that we offer a win/win situation allthe way around,” he said.“The music we choose is challenging and fun to play for our members, and in turn proves tobe fun and exciting for our audience! When you can uplift the player AND the listenersimultaneously, it truly makes for an electric atmosphere at our concerts.”

toots its hornsfor the communitySTORY AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED BYCLEM ROLIN AND THE WEST HILLS SYMPHONIC BANDIn their 2007-08 season, the band performed two concerts atWest Allegheny High School, and one each at Hopewell CommunityPark, Oakdale’s town square, Moon Park, Robert MorrisUniversity, and Upper St. Clair High School. The band’s principalconductor is Anthony DiIanni, former U.S. Navy bandmaster,who has held the position since 1996. His brother, muchesteemed area professional musician and founding member of theband, Nunzio DiIanni, continues to provide leadership from hisseat in the first clarinet section.After working with administrators to insure the WHSB’s locationat West Allegheny, Rolin contacted Jason Cheskewicz, currentWest Allegheny director of bands, inviting him to encourage hismost accomplished band members to join the organization. Lastyear’s WHSB edition included six of the school district’s finestFluteLinda AdamsSarah AveryDanielle Brandau ¥Kathleen CosentinoSusan CraftKelly EnglertNicole Grace ¥Tina HoslerKaren KoszakBernice RackeDeb SilversteinRebecca SilversteinEmily WhiteBaritoneArt CraftKate OaksPercussionMarie HubbardDavid LausRich LausBert LeriniNorm MitryDeb WeibleTromboneEarl AllanHoward HartmannAllie HughesDale JohnsonJustin MillerMichael Oswalt ¤Members of theWest Hills Symphonic Band¤ West Allegheny High School Student¥ Robert Morris University Student§ Carlynton High School StudentDick SmithTubaSteve HubbardAlan CuginiJoshua SilversteinOboeRichard ShyanScott CarterStephen Oswalt ¤BassoonKevin LuceyKelli IrelandBass ClarinetRich PawlishDiane VanAmanEb ClarinetLaura SmithSaxophoneNorm GrossCy HaysTom LorenzePaige PalomboKevin Snyder ¤Tom SnyderKelly Steele ¤French HornCiro AloisiIan HughesBill KimesMatt LutzRachel SilversteinDan ZoldosString BassAldo DiIanni, Jr.ClarinetJim BouwkampNunzio DiIanniJenell JacksRyan Karr ¤Jerry LucarelliLaura MacekKathy MasciolaAlexis Ostrander ¤James RumbaughJeromy Slaby ®Lisa SteirheimJoe SullivanGrant ThompsonTrumpetJames ArvanitasTony BanksCharles BrownMatt CampbellKeith CosentinoJulie CosentinoTony CosentinoLarry DavisJoshua Mathianas ¥Paul RolinRichard RoteEd RuffennachKen SlishRyan Wolf Sto-Rox High School Student® Rhema Christian School Studentyoung musicians. West Allegheny’s fine arts coordinator, Tom Snyder,will also be performing.This year the band once again will open its season with a “GalaHoliday Concert” at West Allegheny High School’s Stewart MorganAuditorium on Sunday, December 14 at 3 p.m.Several local choirs will accompany the band in the program’s finale.Among the choirs participating is the St. Columbkille choir under thedirection of Robin Schillo. Any other local choir or experiencedindividual singer wishing to be a part of the opening concert is mostwelcome to contact Clem Rolin at (412) 496-6297.Families are especially encouraged to attend this season’s upcomingconcerts. What better venue for young people to get their first taste ofthe classics? The organization is strictly non profit and all concerts arepresented free to the public.Visit the WHSB website at www.whsb.org for more information.19Allegheny West Magazine / www.pghpointswest.com/allegwestmag 19

Around Your TownPartnership Benefits Breast Cancer FoundationPanera Bread and the Young Women Breast Cancer AwarenessFoundation joined forces for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. OnOctober 7, all 27 Panera Bread locations across the Pittsburghregion celebrated GO PINK. All the locations turned pink for theday to kick off the month.The event was sponsored by theFalconi family of dealerships onUniversity Boulevard in MoonTownship. The dealership hosted twoGuiding Light actors to kick off theevent.The day started at the Panera Breadlocation in North Fayette Townshipwith a live broadcast from Star 100.7radio station. They interviewedfoundation coordinators LisaEdmonds and Jen Kehm, GuidingLight actors Frank Dicopoulos andDaniel Cosgrove, and Panera Breadrepresentatives about how this eventbegan. At any of the 27 Panera Breadlocations in the region visitors foundemployees wearing bright pink teeshirts. Pink balloons were flying, anda special pink table with volunteersrepresenting the Young WomenBreast Cancer Awareness Foundationwas available. The volunteers provided informational brochuresabout the foundation and its cause and handed out samples of thefamous pink ribbon bagel made of brown sugar, cherry chips, andvanilla.The goal of the day was to sell the pink ribbon bagels in supportfor the cause. That day Panera Bread sold over 5,000 pink ribbonbagels.All proceeds of the sales went to the foundation as well as theOperation Doughnations through the month of October.Lisa Edmonds, executive director of the YWBCAF, said it was the mostamazing day to see how many wonderful people really want to make adifference. She gave a special thank you to Ashlee Mauti, Panera Breadmarketing director, and Covelli Enterprises for all their communitysupport.She also thanked John Macuga and their group from the Falconi familyof dealerships in Moon Township for their support, as they too went pinkthat day along with the 27 Panera locations. For more information, visitthe web site, www.breastcancerbenefit.org.ABOVE: Jen Kehm, Guiding Light actors Frank Dicopolous and DanielCosgrove, and Lisa Edmonds, executive president of YWBCAF, kicked offthe event at Panera Bread in North Fayette Township.2020 November 2008

Using Their Voices for a Good CauseThirteen-year-old Catherine Roberts, a seventh grader at HolyTrinity School in Robinson, has a special penchant for Christmascaroling.She started Sing for the Sick four years ago when she wanted toget into the holiday spirit.“I had a previous stay in Children’s Hospital for 11 hoursbecause they thought I might have had a spot on my brain. As Iwas waiting for an MRI, I felt bad for the kids who had it worsethan I did. After they found out there was nothing wrong withme I wanted to make the kids who had a sickness big or smallhave a comfortable time at Children’s Hospital even if theirparents could not pay for it,” Catherine says.So, she enlisted her family and friends, together with the helpof her dad, Mike Roberts, who is the postmaster at the Imperialpost office.The first singing crew -- Catherine and her dad, along withAndrew, Mark, and Luke Roberts, Reilly, Claire, and JoeyMercurio, Lauren Doyle, Katrina Dudukovich, andClayton Rehm -- had a great timesinging carols and raised $100their first year.Since then, Sing for the Sick hasraised about $400.Catherine added, “I plan to doSing for the Sick this year and formany years to come.”Most recently, after talking withKimberley Hammer, the executive vicepresident of Children’s Hospital,Catherine was pointed to the web sitewhere individuals and groups candonate money to Children’s Hospital.Find it at www.givetochildrens.org.What’s more, Catherine said that Kimberley noted that Sing for theSick might even appear on the Children’s Hospital web site.For Catherine, that would be an added bonus. But for now, she’shappy to sing for those children who aren’t as fortunate as she was thatday she spent time at the hospital.Allegheny West Magazine / www.pghpointswest.com/allegwestmag 21

Around Your TownCommunity Builders Join to Unveil Chartiers Landing in RobinsonArmed with what he believes to be thelast “prime ground in Robinson Township”and three of the area’s mostreputable builders, Stan Celich, owner ofFive C Enterprises, LLC, joined theColdwell Banker New Homes Divisionon October 2 for a groundbreakingceremony to kick off the development ofChartiers Landing, a custom built singlefamily home community in RobinsonTownship.Invited to attend were AlleghenyCounty Chief Executive Dan Onoratoand other local dignitaries.In attendance were representatives fromCastelucci Construction, LondonburyHomes, and Paragon Homes, who will bethe custom builders for ChartiersLanding.Londonbury Homes has been a qualityhomebuilder in the Pittsburgh area fordecades. President and principal owner ofCastelucci Construction is KevinPICTURED: Left to right, Sam Abatta, Vice Chairman, Robinson Township Commissioners; DanTallon, Chairman, Robinson Township Commissioners; Stan Celich, Owner, Five C Enterprises LLC;Nick Kotik, State Representative; and Kevin Castelucci, President, Castelucci Construction.22Fire Beat:22 November 2008We Need You!Let me tell you all a story about a man named Joe. Wanted to be a fireman,but his wife kept saying no. Then one day……oops, sorry, had a “BeverlyHillbillies” flashback there…..My great uncles were firefighters in the Moon Run Volunteer Fire Department.Like many young boys, I had a toy fire truck, and even had a really coolmetal fire truck “vehicle” to ride in. As I got older, I still had an interest inbeing a fireman, but those I loved always told me no. Whether they were afraidthat I would hurt myself, or hurt someone else, or whether they felt I was toobusy, for whatever reason, they said no.One day, I received a frantic telephone call from my adorable ex-wife,telling me that her house was on fire, with our children inside. I quicklyrealized that my son was at my house, but that my daughter was indeed at herhouse, a house that was in flames. I hurried there, and found my daughterwas safe. I watched as the house next door burned to the ground, and thehouse on the other side burned, as well. I also noticed that, despite severalfire companies being called out to fight the blaze, there were only about 15firefighters there. At that moment, I made up my mind. No longer could I sitback and say, “someone else will do it.” I knew I had to make that commitment,and become a firefighter to protect and serve my community.Every department in our area needs new personnel. When I went to theFire Academy, I was the second oldest person there. Indeed, mostfirefighters do not decide, in their forties, that it is time to become a fireman.The average age of firefighters is increasing. Even if a department has agood core of personnel, those people are not always around to answer a call.In the good old days, people worked right in their community. When the alarmsounded, a firefighter was only a few minutes away and could respond.Now, for example, I may be in my courtroomin Pittsburgh, and cannot respond when thetones go off. People no longer work in thesame community, and cannot always be there.PHOTO PROVIDED BYSTUDIO TEN, ALL RIGHTSRESERVEDBY JOSEPH KULIKAll departments need and welcomeadditional firefighters. Are you willing tomake that commitment? You are needed. If you are willing to commit 10 to20 hours per week, for no financial reward, here is a job for you! It willcost you a lot of time, you will have to spend your hard earned dollarson gasoline to drive to false alarms at 3 in the morning. You will have torush away from family dinner to get to the station for no reason but thatsomeone thought it was funny to pull the fire alarm. You will put incountless hours training and learning things, and will be asked to sellraffle tickets and work at fundraisers so that you can have a good set ofgear that might save your life if you have to risk everything to saveanother person. Your life will be much more complicated and demandingthan you could have ever expected. However, you will also sense ameasure of self-worth that you may not have thought possible. You willfeel a great deal of gratification as you save the person trapped in thewrecked vehicle, or as you see the look in the eyes of the small child asyou put out the fire that saved their house. You will be placed undergreater demands than you ever could have imagined. But you will alsofeel a sense of brotherhood, a sense of camaraderie, a sense of serviceand commitment that you may never have realized in any other manner. Isit “worth it”? Why not find out for yourself?Join the brothers and sisters that have chosen to become firefighters.Join your local fire department. Make that commitment to serve yourcommunity, to serve your family and neighbors. You are needed.

Castelucci, a Kennedy Township resident.Paragon Homes, owned by Bill Fink, is located inRobinson Township, and has been recognized both locallyand nationally with housing excellence awards.Located just a nine iron away from Chartiers CountryClub, Chartiers Landing is an upscale new homes communityfeaturing 23 lots with packages starting in the$380,000s. This development will respect and reflect thebest qualities of this rural setting, and its amenities willinclude sidewalks, street lighting, and undergroundutilities.“Chartiers Landing is a low density, high quality, customsingle family home community,” said Bill Dietrich, directorof the New Homes Division for Coldwell Banker RealEstate.“I love the location and the setting. It truly is the lastprime ground in Robinson Township for a developmentlike Chartiers Landing,” said Stan Celich. “The closeproximity to the airport and downtown are second tonone.”Paul Musko, an agent in the Coldwell Banker Airport/Beaver Regional Office, will be the lead sales agent forChartiers Landing. For more information, contact him at(412) 264-8300 or visit www.pittsburghmoves.com/chartierslanding.your house & senateState Representative MarkMustio reminds residents that thestate can help make the purchase ofa new fuel-efficient vehicle moreaffordable with a $500 rebate toowners of eligible hybrid vehicles.A hybrid is defined by the stateDepartment of EnvironmentalProtection (DEP) as a motor vehiclethat draws its propulsion energy froman onboard source of stored energythat is both an internal combustionengine using combustible fuel and arechargeable energy storage system.While flexible fuel and diesel fuelvehicles are not eligible, DEPmaintains a list of specific vehicleswhose owners can collect the rebate.Rebates are offered on a first-come,first-served basis until funding is nolonger available.For a full listing of eligible vehiclesor for more information about therebate application process, visitwww.RepMustio.com and click on“Hybrid Tax Credit.”STATE REP.NICK KOTIK1004 Fifth Ave.Coraopolis PA 15108(412) 264-4260STATE REP.THOMAS PETRONE179 Steuben StreetPittsburgh PA 15205(412) 928-9514STATE REP.MARK MUSTIO937 Beaver Grade RoadMoon Township, PA 15108(412) 262-3780www.repmustio.comSTATE REP.MATTHEW SMITH319 Castle Shannon Blvd.PIttsburgh PA 15234(412) 571-2169STATE SEN.WAYNE FONTANA524 Pine Hollow Rd.Kennedy Twp., PA 15136(412) 331-1208STATE SEN.JOHN PIPPY937 Beaver Grade RoadMoon Township, PA 15108(412) 262-2260jpippy@pasen.govNews from St. Clair HospitalSt. Clair Hospital has named Lisan D. Dustevich to the newly createdposition of Director, Physician Practice Management and AncillaryServices.Dustevich previously served as Director, West Penn Specialty PracticeNetwork and Privacy Officer at West Penn Allegheny Health System.At St. Clair, Dustevich serves as the primary liaison between the hospitaland the new physicians’ practices and coordinates their integration into St.Clair.St. Clair Hospital has received the Achieving Patient Care ExcellenceAward (APEX), which recognizes the hospital for meeting or exceedingnational standards in care, from VHA Pennsylvania, the regional arm ofVHA Inc., the national health care alliance. St. Clair won the award for itswork related to surgical infection prevention, falls prevention, catheterrelatedblood stream infections, MRSA infections, and ventilator-associatedpneumonia.Gift a gift that costs nothing but meansthe world to someone. Sign up to be an organ donor.St. Clair Hospital has announced the acquisition of Fatigati-Nalin & Associates, P.C., one of the South Hills’ largest primarycare providers. Associated with St. Clair for more than 20 years,Fatigati-Nalin becomes the first physicians’ practice to join St.Clair Medical Services, a corporate affiliate of St. Clair Hospital.The transaction will become effective January 1, 2009.St. Clair Hospital has announced the addition of Gregory FlinnHabib, D.O., as the latest physician to join the hospital’s networkof specialists. Dr. Habib operates Sports Medicine & JointReplacement Specialists, with offices in Greentree andGreensburg.A graduate of Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, hecompleted his rotating internship at Philadelphia College ofOsteopathic Medicine and his general surgery residency at MercyHospital of Pittsburgh.Center for Organ Recovery & Education800-DONORS-7 ~ www.core.org23Allegheny West Magazine / www.pghpointswest.com/allegwestmag 23

Robinson-Crafton Mealson Wheels Hungry for VolunteersTwenty dollars can pay for two tickets to the movies, a half tank ofgas in a mid-sized vehicle, or dinner with a friend. It can also pay forlunch and dinner for five days through the Meals-On-Wheelsprogram.With the plethora of restaurants in Robinson Township, it’s hardto imagine that someone living here can go hungry. But for peoplewho can’t feed themselves, this is a very real possibility. That’s whythe Meals-On-Wheels program exists “so no senior goes hungry.”The Meals-On-Wheels Association of America, which wasfounded by Lutheran Services, is a non-profit organization thatprovidesfood topeoplewho areunable topreparetheir ownmeals. Thebranch thatservesCrafton,Ingram,Thornburg,andRobinsonemploys acook and asite manager.The rest ofthe kitchenand deliverywork is doneby volunteers.Once daily, Monday through Friday, meals are delivered to clientsin their homes. Each delivery consists of a hot meal, a sandwich,bread, salad, milk, and dessert. The meals comply with dietaryrestrictions, which are provided by the client’s doctors.Nancy Pawlish, who has volunteered with the organization sincethe 70s, says the daily visits go beyond just delivering meals.“Every day someone checks on our clients. Sometimes volunteersare the only people they see.”Catherine Havko, who has volunteered with Meals-On-Wheelsfor about 12 years, explains why she volunteers. “I used to manageHoly Trinity’s school cafeteria and when I retired I wanted to dosomething. [Volunteering] makes you happy. It’s a good feeling,”she says.The volunteers think of their work as a fellowship becauseeveryone has become friends. They even get their families involved!STORY AND PHOTOBY KILEY DIADDIGOAnne Koller, who is Catherine’s sister, helps out by deliveringthe meals to clients in Robinson. She explains that the drivingroute takes her less than two hours to complete. She begins atone end of Robinson Township and loops around, ending theroute, conveniently, near her home in Robinson Township.About ten years ago, the Robinson branch of Meals-On-Wheels merged with the Thornburg-Crafton-Ingram branch.Previously housed by Ohio Valley General Hospital, thekitchen is now located on Division Street, behind the SchepnerMcDermottFuneral Home.Currently, theRobinsonbranch ofMeals-On-Wheels hasonly nineclients.Rose MarieKoslow, aboardmemberand kitchenvolunteer,believesthat manypeople justdon’tknowthere is aprogramin the area. The Robinson branch can accommodate moreclients, but they also need more volunteers, especially drivers.According to Anne, time spent helping others is well worthit. “In the end,” she says, “volunteering is more rewarding forthe person doing it.”Looking for a way to get involved? You can volunteer yourtime, money, and/or baked goods to Meals-On-Wheels.Monetary donations can be sent to: Meal-On-Wheels Crafton,48 Division Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15205. If you are interestedin volunteering, call Rose Marie, (412) 859-3306. To find outif you or someone you know is eligible to receive Meals-On-Wheels, call Joann, (412) 279-0396. To learn more aboutMeals-On-Wheels, visit www.mowaa.org.ABOVE: Volunteers of the Robinson-Crafton Meals-on-Wheelsprogram take a break for a photo last month.2424 November 2008

Around Your TownVolunteer FirefighterScholarships Available at CCACAllegheny County Executive Dan Onorato and CommunityCollege of Allegheny County President Alex Johnson announced theAllegheny County Fire Volunteer Education, Service & TrainingScholarship Program (FireVEST) is accepting applications for 200full scholarships for an associate’s degree or certificate program atCCAC, as well as training at the Allegheny County Fire Academy.Applications are due by November 15, and scholarships will beawarded for CCAC’s spring 2009 semester, which begins on January12, 2009.Of the 200 scholarships, 150 will go to new recruits who committo five years of service to a volunteer fire department in AlleghenyCounty, and 50 scholarships will be awarded to existing volunteerswho commit to five additional years of service.“Volunteer fire departments throughout Allegheny County areexperiencing difficulty in recruiting and retaining firefighters,” saidOnorato. “FireVEST creates a strong incentive to enlist newfirefighters and keep existing volunteers.”Applicants must be residents of Allegheny County and either be acurrent volunteer or join a volunteer fire department in AlleghenyCounty. They must apply and be accepted to CCAC, file for federaland state financial aid, and complete the financial aid process on timeand in its entirety.If awarded a scholarship, the recipient must: serve as a volunteerfirefighter for five years in Allegheny County, maintain an acceptablelevel of service as monitored by his or her fire department, completetwo required courses at the Allegheny County Fire Academy and acourse in first aid and CPR, obtain Firefighter I Certification throughthe Allegheny County Fire Academy, maintain a minimum gradepoint average of 2.0 for the duration of his or her studies, and repay aportion of the scholarship if service or academic requirements are notmet.Applications are available on CCAC’s website at www.ccac.edu,search keyword “FireVEST,” or call the Fire Academy at(412) 931-3158, ext. 5.25Allegheny West Magazine / www.pghpointswest.com/allegwestmag 25

Tammy TownsendA 1975 graduate of Montour High School, Tammy Townsendparticipated in the spring musical productions during her juniorand senior years, the only grades that were permitted toaudition at that time. During her junior year, she played the roleof Amy Spettigue in “Where’s Charley?” The following year,she played the lead role of Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady.”After graduation, Tammy hit the road and traveled, in her ownwords. Following a brief stint with a dinner theater in downtownPittsburgh, she spent time in both New York City and LosAngeles doing various work in theater and music groups.In 1980, she gave up everything and got2626 November 2008BY AMANDA BAKERPHOTOS SUBMITTEDMusical AlumniKeep the BeatEach year high schools around the region begin their ritual of choosing the perfect Broadwaymusical to present for their spring show. And, each year, high school stars come and go.As the winter season brings us closer to hearing the announcements of this year’s crop of highschool musical selections, we thought it would be interesting to dig into Montour’s past andfind out what some of the former musical alumni are up to in the performing arts arena. Hereare some of their stories. Do you know others? Let us know and we will share them in futureissues.married, had three daughters, and slowly left theater. She beganworking as a flight attendant for USAirways in 1984, where shecan still be found today.After a 12-year hiatus, Tammy showed up for an audition withPittsburgh Musical Theater (PMT) for “Jesus Christ Superstar.”Without so much as a resume or a headshot, Tammy was cast asa featured singer in the show.That started a relationship with Pittsburgh Musical Theater thathas lasted until today, she commented.Since then, Tammy has actively pursued acting as a hobby. Shecan be seen in a number of commercials for local businesses,including Magee Women’s Hospital, Allegheny General Hospital,Giant Eagle, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Pennsylvania State University,and Sheetz. She has also participated in shows with theCivic Light Opera (CLO) in Pittsburgh.In addition, Tammy is entering her fifth year as director ofMontour High School’s musical productions, with the latestbeing “And the World Goes Round.”Tammy currently resides in Ingram with her daughters.For more information on the Montour Foundation for thePerforming Arts, which presents the annual spring musicals atMontour, visit www.montourmusical.org.Karen PrunzikKaren Prunzik, a 1974 graduate of Montour High School, wascast as a dancer and student choreographer in her junior year forthe musical, “South Pacific.” By that time, though, Karen wasalready an accomplished, professional dancer in the Pittsburgharea. She spent her summers performing with SummerstockTheater in Ohio, sharing the stage with legends such as GeneKelly, Anne Miller, and Mickey Rooney. She was one of theoriginal members of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, and at theyoung age of 10, studied with Mario Melodia, who taught manyof the great Pittsburgh dancers.Karen moved to Los Angeles after graduation, in the hopes ofbeing in movie musicals. After two years of work with greats likeGene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds, Karen packed her bags andheaded for New York City.

Shortly after arriving, she learned of an audition for a new Broadwayshow called “42nd Street.” Only three weeks after moving to NYC, shelanded the role of Anytime Annie, one of the leads in this Broadway hit,which won a Tony award later that year for Best Musical.She spent two years performing as Anytime Annie on Broadway, tooka short break from theater, and then returned to her role for the Europeantour of the show.In addition to the Broadway stage, Karen performed on television forthe Tony Awards, the Bob Hope Special, and the Jerry Lewis Telethon.Karen also appeared in the movie musicals “Tap” and “The ChorusLine.”Karen has received a number of awards and acknowledgements forher successes, including a Drama Logue Critics Award and a number ofchoreography awards.The City of Pittsburgh also recognized her achievements with aplaque and a declaration making November 9, 1987 Karen Prunzik Day.Today, Karen is putting her talent to good use by bringing up a newgeneration of dancers at her own dance school, Broadway DanceStudio on Steubenville Pike.“Our passion is to pass on what we’ve been given,” she explained ofthe studio.Most recently, Karen learned that she will be choreographing themusical at David E. Williams Middle School this year.For more information on Karen and Broadway Dance Studio, visitwww.prunziksbroadwaydancestudio.com.Shawn SmithA 2001 graduate of Montour High School, Shawn Smith performed inthree of his high school’s musical productions: “The Wizard of Oz” asthe Munchkin Coroner, in the ensemble of “South Pacific, and “Onceon This Island,” as Ton Ton Julian.As a junior, Shawn was selected to join Pittsburgh Musical Theater’sYoung Performers Institute, which allowed him to spend half a day atMontour and the other half at PMTs studios, taking acting, singing,and dancing classes.After graduation, Shawn attended Point Park University, where hemajored in Musical Theater and minored in Stage Management. Hegraduated in 2005.While in college, he participated in such shows as “Jekyll and Hyde,”“Cabaret,” and “Two Gentlemen of Verona,” in roles both on and offstage.In the professional realm, Shawn has worked in a number of shows inthe Pittsburgh area, including “Tony and Tina’s Wedding” at StationSquare and “Miss Saigon,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Footloose,”“The Sound of Music,” and “Beauty and the Beast,” all with PittsburghMusical Theater.Additionally, Shawn has started working in television and film. Hisfilm credits to date include, among others, “Wanted,” which played atthe Toronto Reel HeART Film Festival in 2007. In television, he hasworked on the sit-com “The Zombies,” which is set to air this spring onWTAE, and “Market Squared,” which premiered in September on MyPittsburgh 22.Shawn’s professional acknowledgments include a nomination for aDonna for Best Lead Actor at the New Works Festival, which was forhis performance in a two-man show called “Death on Flagler,” and aPICTURED: TOP: Karen Prunzik, Bottom: ShawnSmith.OPPOSITE PAGE: Tammy Townsend.nomination for Best Supporting Actor atMcKeesport Little Theater for his performance in“Deathtrap.”To high school students considering theater as acareer, Shawn quotes a common theater saying,“Take a day off, and you’re behind. Take a week off,and you’re lost. Take a month off, and you’re done.”“Turn everything into a learning experience,” hesays. “You only stop learning when you’re dead.”For more information on Shawn, visit his web siteat www.shawnandrewsmith.com.Allegheny West Magazine / www.pghpointswest.com/allegwestmag 27

2828 November 2008

Around Your TownKennedy Residents Keep Elvis’ Memory Alive with Vegas TripLEFT: Don Obusek with a member of the Viva LasVegas Fan Club, before singing at the Pete Vallee’s showat Bill’s Saloon and Gambling Casino. ABOVE: Hilda andDon with a member of the fan club during the meet andgreet.Don and Hilda Obusek ofKennedy Township continue tokeep the memory of Elvis alive.They recently were in Las Vegasattending the Star for ElvisCeremony, where Elvis received astar in Vegas, similar to theHollywood Walk of Fame Stars.The star was installed in front ofthe Riviera Hotel.Hilda said, “Members of the VivaLas Vegas Fan Club worked very,very hard to make the star for Elvisa reality and couldn’t have done itwithout the help of the manydonors! Thanks to all for a job welldone. Elvis is proud!”Forest Grove Student is Zoo Poster WinnerHeidi VandenBosche, a kindergarten student at Forest Grove Elementary School, won thePet Week Poster Contest sponsored by the Western Pennsylvania Veterinary MedicalAssociation and the Pittsburgh Zoo.Veterinarian Joni Sarakon, DVM, sponsored the awards.Heidi’s winning poster was based on the theme, “How veterinarians protect animal andhuman health.”She was honored at a presentation at the Pittsburgh Zoo in September at a ceremonyattended by 150 students and their families from across Allegheny County. Heidi’s posterwas chosen from more than 175 kindergarten entries.RIGHT: Heidi VandenBosche and veterinarian, Dr. Joni Sarakon, whoco-sponsored the poster event at the Pittsburgh Zoo.Site Studio!The EASIEST way to build your own web site!Lots of templates . . . copy and paste text fromyour favorite word processor . . . add yourphotos — presto! For your club, family tree,hobby, crafts, or your small business.$175 for the first year,including domain name!Call Pittsburgh Points West —(412) 494-92033030 November 2008

Chamber Business LinkJoin the Chamber for China Trip in 2009The Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce (PAACC) hasannounced that it is offering an all-inclusive trip to China in 2009and invites the community to join them on this incredibleadventure.The nine-day, seven-night China trip runs from April 9-17, 2009at an all inclusive cost of $1,899 per person. It includes charter busto and from JFK International Airport, round-trip air to China,airport tax and air transfers, four and five-star hotel accommodations,hotel taxes, three meals daily, deluxe bus tours, English speaking tourguides, and admission tickets to tourist spots.“Through a special partnership with Chamber memberCITSLINC International, Inc., we have arranged this extraordinaryvacation package at an amazing price for our Chamber members,their families and friends, or anyone simply looking for an adventure,”said Sally Haas, president, PAACC. “We are thrilled to offerthis terrific opportunity. We’ve taken the hard work out of schedulingyour flights and preparing your itinerary, and have selectedluxurious hotel stays, tours and elegant evening events, all whilereducing the overall cost significantly.”The trip’s itinerary will include visits to Beijing, Tiananmen Square,the Temple of Heaven, the Palace Museum, Forbidden City, theSummer Palace, Kunming Lake, Longevity Hill, Seventeen-ArchBridge, Marble Boat, The Great Wall, and Ming Tombs. After aflight to Shanghai and bus trip to Suzhou, the tour continues to theLingering Garden, Tiger Hill, Hanshan Temple, the NationalEmbroidery Institute, a boat cruise on West Lake, Yu Garden, and abusiness visit to the Pudong economic development zone. Optionaltours are available at an additional cost.“We’re calling our China trip ‘Experience China,’ ” said Sally,“because it truly is the experience of a lifetime!” She participated in abusiness investment mission last year with Pittsburgh leaders to helpidentify and begin establishing relationships between businessregions.“The China trip may be used simply for a first-class vacation or as abusiness investment mission,” she noted. Businesses interested inmeeting with Chinese business leaders need only complete a formindicating the types of business they wish to meet with. A specialmeeting will be set up for them to participate to meet with Chinesebusinesses.The Chamber feels there are several great reasons to visit Chinanow:- China’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) hasreduced imported duties an average of 40% and removed keynon-tariff barriers.- The domestic market is expanding rapidly due to increasedgovernment spending on infrastructure (telecommunications,environmental, transportation).- Fortune 500 companies have invested heavily in China as amember of WTO.- Some of the cities on the itinerary are located in an area with thelargest concentration of manufacturing activity in the world.“There are also optional tours travelers can participate in, such asevening cruises, the Peking Opera, a ride on the Maglev, andmore. Even if you stick to the basic tour,” said Sally, “you’ll leavewith a lifetime of memories!”Price is based on double occupancy. A $200 per person nonrefundablefee is due at time of registration and is included in thetotal fare. The trip balance is due before December 31, 2008. Avalid passport is required. All travelers must have a Chinese visa.Travelers may obtain their own visa or may obtain one throughthe PAACC at an additional cost of $150 per person. Travelers areencouraged to secure space early.A free informational meeting will be held on Monday,November 24 at the SpringHill Suites, 239 Summit Park Drive, atthe Pointe at North Fayette, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.To sign up or for more information, contact Jill Kipper, ProjectManager, PAACC at (412) 264-6270 or send an e-mail to:info@paacc.com or visit http://www.paacc.com.COMING UPNOVEMBER 18Business Connections Mixer, Four Points SheratonPittsburgh Airport, 5 - 7:30 p.m.DECEMBER 9Jinglefest, The Club at Nevillewood, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.WelcomeNewMembersAnytime FitnessA-Plus Self Storage ComplexAtwood Lake Resort & ConferenceCenterBeaveRun MotorSports ComplexBrink’s IncorporatedBronze Hood LoungeDQE CommunicationsElite Nursing StaffGirl Scouts of SW PaLeasing Management Assoc., Inc.Legacy Leather Care and RepairMountain State UniversityMountain Top TechnologiesThe Muninn Group, Inc.NAI Pittsburgh Comm. RE Svcs.Platinum CommunicationsRadio Disney AM 540The Community Builders-MeyersRidge Towne HomeTOREACHUS850 Beaver Grade Road Moon Township PA 15108 Phone: (412) 264-6270 Fax: (412) 264-1575Satellite Office: One Veteran’s Way, Carnegie PA 15106 Phone: (412) 276-1414 x1326www.paacc.com E-Mail: info@paacc.com2008 CHAMBER OFFICERSNEAL FANELLI, ChairmanSEAN HENDERSON, 1st Vice-ChairBECKY COURSON, 2nd Vice-ChairDAN MURPHY, Vice-ChairBERNADETTE PUZZOULE, Vice-ChairKEN LAZAROWICZ, TreasurerBOB TERWILLIGER, Immed. PastChairmanCHAMBER STAFFSALLY HAAS, PresidentMICHELLE KREUTZER, VP, Bus. Devel/Mktg.CONNIE RUHL, Spec. Proj. Coord.LINDSAY HEWITT, Events/Mbr. Svcs. Coord.JILL KIPPER, Special Projects RepresentativeServing the Communities of Aliquippa, Ambridge, Carnegie,Clinton, Collier, Coraopolis, Crafton, Crescent, Edgeworth,Findlay, Glenfield, Greentree, Haysville, Heidelberg, Hopewell,Ingram, Kennedy, Leetsdale, McDonald, McKees Rocks, MoonTownship, Neville Island, North Fayette, Oakdale, Osborne,Pennsbury Village, Robinson, Rosslyn Farms, Sewickley,Stowe, and ThornburgAllegheny West Magazine / www.pghpointswest.com/allegwestmag 31

BALLROOM DANCINGPHOTOS BY KATHLEEN COATESTAPS INTOROBINSON“Dancing with the Stars” wasn’t lost on these 12 couples who took advantage of a six-week ballroom dancing class co-sponsored by The Robinson Township Parksand Recreation Board and Karen Prunzik’s Broadway Dance Studio this fall. Under the direction of instructor Earl Grey, they learned the Cha Cha, Fox Trot, Swing,Waltz, Rumba, and more. Currently an adjunct professor at WVU, Earl has worked with people in the entertainment arena for more than two decades, including aSesame Street Live tour and performing as a competitive American Latin ballroom dancer. He has performed and choreographed for Pittsburgh Musical Theater,West Virginia Public Theater, Arthur Murray Dance Studios and multiple area high schools.3232 November 2008

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Around Your TownChamber Announces Annual Celebration of Excellence WinnersThe Pittsburgh Airport AreaChamber of Commerce announcedthis fall the winners and the finalistsfor the 2008 Annual Celebration ofExcellence (ACE) Awards. Chambermembers and business peoplethroughout the Airport Corridornominated individuals and companiesfor special recognition. Thenominees displayed excellence andsupportive and enterprising approachesto business in the region.YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR AWARDRecognizes the Founder, CEO, orPresident (must be under 40 years ofage) of a company who has demonstratedstrong community involvementand displayed a positive and diversesocial impact on the region. Employsno more than 100 employees: WINNER:Dr. Jonathan Buncke, West HillsChiropractic Group; FINALISTS: JessicaGalardini, ChamberChoice; JenniferJohnsen-Nazareth, State Farm Insurance;Morgan Kumpfmiller, Colby FrameCompany.INNOVATIVE BUSINESSOF THE YEAR AWARDRecognizes a business that hasdeveloped a new technology, innovativeproduct or service, or applied abusiness system or service in aninnovative way. Employs no more than100 employees: WINNER: Shared AcresCommunity Supported Agriculture;FINALISTS: GlamSLAM Productions;DiCesaro Spine & Sport; Steel ShieldTechnologies.3434 November 2008ABOVE: The winners of this year’s Awards of Excellence (ACE) Awards are Jessica Galardini ofChamberChoice, Dr. Jonathan Buncke of West Hills Chiropractic, Three Men and a Truck; Dr. Neal Fanelliof Allegheny Medical, Miriem Bauer of SendOut Cards; and Dwayne Bauknight of Shared Acres CSA.SMALL BUSINESS ADVOCATERecognizes an individual who enhances a smallbusiness through his or her employment,community involvement, or professionalaffiliation. This individual should be active in thecommunity (not just networking) - making adifference: WINNER: Jessica Galardini,ChamberChoice; FINALISTS: John Herington,Hampton Inn Pittsburgh Airport; William Ringle,The Callidus Group.SMALL BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDRecognizes a business started in the regionwho has survived for three or more years and hasdemonstrated the ability to overcome obstaclesincluding access to capital, operational efficiency,control of expenses, customer loyalty, andCharities to Benefit from Hockey Books by Local AuthorAuthor Howard Shapiro, a Moon resident, has announced that hisbook, “Hockey Player For Life,” which he markets under hiscompany, Supersonic Storybook Productions (as well as his 2007book, “Hockey Days”) are being sold on the National HockeyLeague’s shop.nhl.com website. Recent sales have been made to theBuffalo Sabres and three other professional hockey teams with anadditional ten NHL and over two dozen AHL, ECHL, SPHL, WHLand QMJHL considering using both of Howard’s hockey books ineither their education/community initiatives or adding it to theirmerchandise mix at their retail locations.Both books have also become very popular with Youth HockeyAssociations and Fan Booster Clubs as well in the United States andCanada in a fund raising capacity. The books provide the associations/groupswith a 33% return per copy sold.The John Challis Foundation has been added to the organizationsdistribution of products or services. Employs no more than100 employees: WINNER: Two Men and a Truck; FINALISTS:Computer Consultant Team, LLC; DDS Web Design; A Basket ofPittsburgh.THE JENNY AWARDRecognizes an outstanding individual who is a chambermember, who has displayed above and beyond service to thechamber, helping the organization achieve its objectives andgoals: WINNER: Dr. Neal Fanelli, Allegheny Medical Occupational& Physical Medicine Center; FINALISTS: Bernadette Puzzuole,Rothman Gordon, P.C.; Sean Henderson, Kelly Services; JohnDaley, Daley & Associates/Lincoln Financial Advisors; TomDingo, Bayer Corporation.Miriam Bauer of SendOut Cards was also therecipient of this year’s Ambassador of the Year Awardfor outstanding service on behalf of the chamber.to receive a portion of the proceeds of the second annual charity raffle.Items being raffled off this year include a Sidney Crosby framedpicture with a piece of a used game stick, an autographed Sabouringoalie stick, and other Penguin collectible items. Last year, the MarioLemieux Foundation, Hockey Fights Cancer, and Shoot For the Curewere the recipients of $125 each; $187 was raised through raffletickets sold, and Howard matched that total. In addition to the ChallisFoundation, this year’s recipients will be the Lemieux Foundation,World Vision Canada, and the Keith and Lisa Primeau ScholarshipFund.“I’m hoping that my charity raffle this year raises at least $500, that ismy goal.”“Hockey Player For Life” can be viewed and ordered online at theshop.nhl.com website: http://shop.nhl.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3341894&clickid=body_bestsell_img.

OVGH Celebrates RadiologicTechnology WeekOhio Valley General Hospital (OVGH) celebrated NationalRadiologic Technology Week (NRTW) November 2-8. Throughthe use of x-rays, radiologic technologists perform sophisticateddiagnostic imaging tests that uncover a wide range of medicalconditions. Physicians use the test results to determine thepatients’ conditions and the best treatment options. Annually,OVGH’s 21 radiologic technologists perform 60,000 exams,including mammograms, bone densitometry screenings, computedtomography, magnetic resonance imaging, cardiac catheterization,and general radiography.NRTW recognizes the importance of medical imaging andhonors the radiologic technologists who care for patients,according to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.Registered radiologic technologists must complete at least atwo-year educational program and pass a national certificationexam. OVGH has its own School of Radiography, in conjunctionwith La Roche College. The 24-month program features a clinicaland didactic curriculum. After earning primary certification, thetechnologists may pursue certification in specialty areas such asnuclear medicine, invasive special procedures, and computedtomography.Clearview Keeps Busy Around the CommunityCommunity Marketplace“Our school’s specialized training opens up a variety of careeropportunities for students,” said School of Radiography Director BarbaraO’Connor.OVGH radiography students may apply for $2,500 scholarshipsupon acceptance into the program. The school only accepts nine studentseach year. For more information, call (412) 777-6210 or e-mailboconnor@ohiopvalleyhospital.orgClearview Federal Credit Union held a garage sale at theirmain office in Moon Township in September to benefit theEpilepsy Foundation.Clearview employees and their families sold items in theparking lot of the office for the public to purchase. Funds forthe Epilepsy Foundation were raised through concession sales,registration fees, table fees, and donations taken during the sale.Nearly $800 was raised for the Epilepsy Foundation throughoutthe event. Unsold items were also donated to the Society ofSt. Vincent de Paul to be sold at their thrift stores.Clearview recently held a book fair at their main office inMoon Township to benefit the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.Clearview employees raised more than $100 for the fund bypurchasing books at the fair.The company providing the fair, Imagine Nation Books, works withorganizations like Clearview to raise funds for charities of theorganization’s choosing.Clearview recently held a free seminar titled, “The How To on Mortgages”for residents and its members, who met with expert speakers thatdiscussed topics such as how to apply for a first mortgage, using homeequity, and home appraisals.Residents unable to attend can call Clearview for more information onbuying a home or for answers to other mortgage questions. ContactCherly Leo at 1-800-926-0003, extension 5120 or via e-mail atcleo@clearviewfcu.org.CAR FOR SALEPOPULAR NAME AWAKENINGS HEALING TOUCHBRAND GREETING Wellness Center is seeking aCARDS FOR EVERY compatible business to rent ’86 Mercedes Benz 420 SELOCCASION - JUST adjacent space located atBody in excellent shape/no rust or dings50 cents each!1229 Silver Lane,mileage approx 60,000100s toRobinson Township.Needs exhaust/brakesselect from!Interested businesses are$2,000 OBO(724) 695-1964welcome to call Irene atCall 724-695-1964412.414.4348.NEED TO MAKE A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT? SELL AN ITEM? WATCHING YOUR BUDGET? TRY THE COMMUNITYMARKETPLACE! THESE SPACES ARE JUST $50 EACH CALL: 724.695.396835Allegheny West Magazine / www.pghpointswest.com/allegwestmag 35

3636 November 2008

THANKSGIVING/CHRISTMAS CHURCH SERVICESASCENSION LUTHERAN CHURCHDecember 21 Children s Program: Heaven s Child, 10:30 a.m.; December 24,Christmas Eve Services: 4 p.m., Holy Communion & Candlelight, 10 p.m.ASCENSION PARISHThanksgiving Mass: 10 a.m.; Christmas Eve Masses: 4:15 and 10 p.m., ChristmasDay Masses: 9 and 11:15 a.m.CRAFTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCHParticipating in the Thanksgiving Services at Hawthorne Avenue UP ChurchCRAFTON UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHDecember 21: Christmas party, play, games, and caroling, 4:30 p.m.; December 24:4 and 7:30 p.m.FIRST BAPTIST CHURCHParticipating in the Thanksgiving Services at Hawthorne Avenue UP Church.December 24: 7 p.m. Candlelight ServiceHILLSIDE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITYNovember 25: Thanksgiving Service, 6:30 p.m., with seasonal desserts; December24: 6 p.m. Candlelight ServiceHOLY TRINITY POLISH NATL. CATH. CHURCHNovember 26: Thanksgiving Eve Service, 7 p.m.; December 24: 10 p.m. Service withCarols; December 25: 10 a.m.HOLY TRINITY ROMAN CATH. CHURCHNovember 27: Thanksgiving Day Mass, 8:30 a.m.; December 24: Christmas EveMasses, 8:30 a.m., 4, 6, and 9 p.m.; Christmas Day Masses, 9 and11 a.m.INGRAM UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHParticipating in the Thanksgiving Services at Hawthorne Avenue UP Church;December 14: Advent DInner and Play, 6 p.m.; December 24: 7 p.m. service; noChristmas Day service.KENMAWR UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHNovember 27: Thanksgiving Day service at 10 a.m.; December 24: Evening servicesat 4 and 7 p.m., Candlelight service at 10 p.m.PROVIDENCE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHNovember 23: Thanksgiving Dinner and Worship, 5 p.m.; December 14: ChristmasCantata, 6 p.m.; December 24, 7 p.m. Candlelight Svc.ST. MALACHY CHURCHDecember 24: 4 p.m. Children s Choir, 6 p.m. Contemporary Choir, 10 p.m. AdultChoir; December 25: 8 a.m. service, 11 a.m. service with Adult ChoirST. PHILIP CHURCHNovember 27: Thanksgiving Mass, 8:30 a.m.; December 15: Live Nativity,7 p.m.; December 24: 4 p.m. children s Mass, 6 p.m. regular Mass, 12 Midnight Mass;December 25: 7 and 10 a.m. MassesUNION PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHDecember 24: 7 p.m. family service, 11 p.m. candlelight serviceGive the Gift of Fitness This Holiday!We Have Gift Certificates!COMMUNITY-WIDE THANKSGIVING SERVICESSt. Malachy Church invites all to an ecumenical Thanksgiving service sponsored bythe Montour Association of Churches on Tuesday, November 25 at St. MalachyChurch, 343 Forest Grove Road in Kennedy Township, at 7:30 p.m. Montour HighSchool chorus and a joint choir from the churches will sing. The offering will bedirected to F.O.R. in McKees Rocks.Hawthorne Avenue Presbyterian Church, 90 Hawthorne Avenue, Crafton, will host thisyear s Crafton-Ingram Ministerium Community Thanksgiving Service on Wednesday,November 26 at 7 p.m. presented by clergy from five local churches. Evening offeringwill be presented to the Crafton-Ingram Food Pantry. Also bring a non-perishable itemfor the food pantry. Fellowship will follow with light refreshments. For information, call(412) 921-9514.NOTE: Addresses and contact information for the churches are listed on page 40under Community Connections. This list of services represents the churchesserved in the Montour magazine area, and represents the information that wasmade available at the time of printing.Read us online!www.pghpointswest.com/allegwestmagAllegheny West Magazine / www.pghpointswest.com/allegwestmag 37

Your SchoolsMontour School DistrictMUSIC DEPARTMENT CONCERT, CHORUS, AND HONORS NEWSThe Montour Music Department is up and running for the 2008 – 2009 school year. The first choral concert of the year is scheduled forWednesday, December 10 at 7 p.m. Due to the construction at the high school, all music department concerts will be held at David E. WilliamsMiddle School Auditorium. All concerts are free; donations will be accepted at the door. The December concert will include performances bythe Freshmen Ensemble, Concert Choir, and Concert Band.Congratulations to the newly elected officers of the high school Concert Choir: President, Dom Carlini; Vice-President, Emily Byrom;Treasurer, Alex Kronz; and Secretary, Katie Sullivan; pictured above, left.Three students were selected to participate in several PMEA Honors Ensembles. Senior, Michael Neiderhauser, and junior, Alyson Bonk,pictured above, right, were selected to participate in PMEA’s District 1 Honors Choir. The festival took place in October at Upper St. ClairHigh School. Approximately 300 students from schools located in Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland countiesauditioned for this ensemble. Senior, Alicia Cersosimo, was selected to participate in PMEA’s Honors Band on November 30.Librarian Receives National EndowmentMontour School District librarian Ellen Jukes received the PicturingAmerica, an exciting new initiative from the National Endowment forthe Humanities, which brings masterpieces of American art intoclassrooms and libraries nationwide. Through this innovative program,students and citizens will gain a deeper appreciation of the country’shistory and character through the study and understanding of its art.Information can be accessed at http://picturingamerica.neh.gov/index.php?sec=home.Internet Safety Seminar ComingVenturing Crew 306 and the David E. Williams PTA will presentan Internet safety seminar on Monday, January 26 at 7 p.m. Theprogram will include information about web sites used by childrenand teens such as My Space, Facebook, Twitter, Xanga, and others.The program will present information about how sexual predatorstarget and maintain relationships with children online and willpresent safety tips to present children from becoming victims.There will be three individual sessions. For the adult session, a paneldiscussion will include experts from the FBI, the Attorney General’s38 November 2008School District Accepting ApplicationsMontour School District is accepting applications for the followingsubstitute positions: professional staff -teachers (all areas of certification);school nurse; school counselor and classified staff – aides;custodians; grounds; secretaries. Interested parties should complete anapplication located on the district website at www.montourschools.com(under Forms) and submit with clearances to: Jean Maravich, Assistantto the Superintendent, Montour School District, 223 Clever Road,McKees Rocks, PA 15136.Ingram Teachers Awarded High Five GrantIngram Elementary teachers Manny Manolis and John Carolus were awarded the Highmark Healthy High Five grant for improving the healthof the students through education and physical activity. This grant will provide educational materials which will be implemented at the schoolfor the elementary students.office, and the Pennsylvania State Police.Alicia Kozakiewicz, a victim of Internet luring, will talk to teens ingrades 7-12 about the realities of cyberspace and how to avoidbecoming a victim.An Allegheny County police officer will take participants in thechildren’s session on a spin through cyberspace with Faux Paw, theTechno Cat.No reservations are needed, and every family will receive a free DVDon personal safety awareness as well as books on cyberbullying,identity theft, and keeping safe online.

Parkway West Career & Technology CenterPARKWAY INVITES BUSINESSESTO SHARE RESOURCESWith a new school year underway, Parkway West Career andTechnology Center (CTC) invites individuals from business andindustry to share their career stories with sophomores, juniors, andseniors at the school.Parkway provides career and technology training in a wide varietyof career disciplines for students from Carlynton, Chartiers Valley,Cornell, Keystone Oaks, Montour, Moon, Mt. Lebanon, QuakerValley, South Fayette, Sto-Rox, Upper St. Clair, and West Allegheny.Many areas of training provided to the students also offer opportunitiesfor industry certifications as well.Parkway coordinates an extensive Co-Op program with areabusinesses throughout the school year, which pairs students withbusinesses for internship and job opportunities.To arrange a visit, call the school at (412) 923-1772, ext. 114 or121.PARKWAY WEST CTC IS ACENTRAL BLOOD BANK PARTICIPANTResidents that donate blood at Central Blood Bank can designateParkway West Career and Technology Center as the donor location.Parkway receives scholarship funds based on the number of creditsthe school accrues from blood donations. Simply tell the intakecoordinator at the donation center to designate your donation toParkway West Career and Technology Center.Each year, Parkway’s Health Assistant Program students andstaff also host blood donation drives. These blood drives will beannounced throughout the year.Parkway has been a consistent recipient of scholarship funds basedon its active participation in the blood donation program throughCentral Blood Bank.PARKWAY STUDENTS PASS HOME CARE/HOSPICE CERTIFICATION EXAMSTwenty-five students from Parkway West Career & TechnologyCenter’s Health Assistant Program have passed certification examsfrom the National Association for Home Care and Hospice. Amongthose passing the exams were, from Montour: Lindsay Zolkiewicz,Emily Gregor, Samantha Wansitler, Shelby Komer, Lindsay Parrilla,and Cassandra Andres; from Carlynton: Taylor Schepis, Jerrica Flose,and Lindsey Redmond; from Sto-Rox: Ignatious Carter, NicoleCarrabia, Sha-Lisa Hudson, Leah Williams, and India Mollett; andfrom Moon: Jamie Swayne and Katarina Rivera.PARKWAY DVD HIGHLIGHTS PROGRAMSParkway West CTC has available a 15-minute DVD showcasing itsprograms and career opportunities for high school students.To receive one, call the school office at (412) 923-1772.CAREER MINDED STUDENTSJOIN GEEK SQUADStudents are coming out of the two-year-old Information TechnologyEssentials (ITE) Program at Parkway with enough experience toland jobs in the area.Tyler Gaylik from Moon Area High School is the assistant managerof the Geek Squad at the Best Buy store in The Pointe at NorthFayette. The school also anticipates that Randy Johnson fromSto-Rox High School will be working at Best Buy through Parkway’sCo-Op Program soon.PARKWAY PROGRAM LINEUP THIS YEARFor the 2008-09 school year, Parkway West CTC offers theseprograms to help high school students jumpstart their careers directlyout of high school: Auto Body Repair, Automotive Technology,Construction Technology, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Drafting &Design, Health Assistant, Information Technology, Machine ToolTechnology, Public Safety Technology, and Welding Technology.For information about any of these programs, call the school officeat (412) 923-1772 and ask for the guidance office.39Allegheny West Magazine / www.pghpointswest.com/allegwestmag 39

Community ConnectionsTAXESCounty: March 31 with discount; Face Amt.: After March,questions: 412/350-4100School Real Estate Tax Payments: See township/boroughinformationSCHOOLSMontour School District, 223 Clever Road, McKees Rocks PA15136, 412/490-6500, www.montourschools.comParkway West Career & Technology Center,7101 Steubenville Pike, Oakdale, PA 15071 412/923-1772www.parkwaywest.orgHoly Trinity, 5720 Steubenville Pike, McKees Rocks, PA 15136,412/787-2656, www.holy-trinity-school.orgRobinson Township Christian School, 77 Phillips Lane,McKees Rocks, PA 412/787-5919, www.rtcsonline.orgRosedale Technical Institute, 215 Beecham Dr., Ste. 2,Pittsburgh, PA 15205, (412) 521-6200St. Malachy, 343 Forest Grove Rd., Coraopolis, PA 15108412/771-4545, www.stmalachyschool.home.comcast.netSERVICES & MEDIABureau of Mine Subsidence 800-922-1678Cable TV: Comcast 412-264-6600Columbia Gas Co. 888-460-4332Equitable Gas 800-654-6335MCA Community Access TV-14 (Comcast) 412-269-1191Robt. Morris University TV 412-262-8377Dept. of Agriculture 724-443-1585Dept. of Elections 412-350-4500Dept. Environ. Protection 412-442-4000Dog Licenses 412-350-4111Duquesne Light Co. 888-393-7100Meals on WheelsCrafton/Ingram/Robinson 412-922-0909McKees Rocks/Kennedy 412-771-4304Pennsbury 412-494-6543MediaAllegheny Times 412-269-1144Allegheny West Magazine 724-695-3968Pittsburgh Post Gazette-West 412-722-0085Suburban Gazette 412-331-2645Tribune Review 412-320-7945Robinson Twp. Public Library 412-787-3906Triangle Pet Control 412-771-7387SENIOR CITIZENSHilltop Seniors, 412-771-4179, 2nd Tues. 12:30 pm,Kennedy Fire HallSt.Malachyy Sr. Citizensens, 412-771-3188, 3rd Sun.KennedennedyTwpwp.Sr.Citizensens, 412-331-0558, 1st &3rd Tues., Kennedy Municipal Bldg.McKees Rocks AARP 2203, 4th Tues. 12:30 pm,Kennedy Fire Hall, 412-331-2673YOUTH & CHILDRENBoy Scouts/Cub Scouts/Venturing, 412-788-4316Boys & Girls Club, 412-771-0428Crafton Children’s Corner, 412-561-5502Cheryl’s Daycare, 412-788-4930Girl Scouts, Recruiting, 724-796-1447Kennedy Township Girls’ Softball, 412-331-5166Little Footsteps Daycare, 412-859-3581Montour Marching Band Boosters, 412-771-9314Montour Baseball Boosters, 412-264-8349Montour Bowling Boosters, 412-787-1452Montour Boys’ Basketball Boosters, 412-331-8620Montour Cheerleading Boosters, 412-788-9246Montour Football Boosters, 412-771-0790Montour Foundation of Performing Arts, 412-850-0512Montour Girls’ Basketball Boosters, 412-859-3320Montour Golf Boosters, 412-787-5019Montour Gymnastics Sponsors, 412-341-2328Montour Boys’ Soccer Boosters, 412-787-7266Montour Girls’ Soccer Boosters, 412-788-2533Montour Softball Boosters, 412-494-0574Montour Swimming Boosters, 412-921-8451Montour Tennis Sponsors, 412-331-1340Montour Track Sponsors, 412-331-2599Montour Boys’ Volleyball Boosters, 412-788-1445Montour Girls’ Volleyball Boosters, 412-331-6322Montour Wrestling Boosters, 412-299-0359Montour Youth Soccer, 412-859-0705, www.montoursoccer.comRobinson Twp. Girls’ Softball, 412-788-6990Tender Care Learning Center, 412-444-4600The Early Learning institute, 412-331-3560Union Church Childcare, 412-787-7553Youthtowne, 724-695-2306PENNSBURY1043 Pennsbury Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15205, 412-279-7876, www.pennsburyvillageboro.com. Council: SteveStecko,Daryl Albert, Trish Notaro, Barbara Sigler, CarolynWaldner, Bob Wable, Marita Haubrick; Mayor: Lucy Harper;Manager: Irv ForemanMeetingsCouncil: Regular - 2nd Tues., 6:30 p.m., Community RoomTrash: Call borough office; Water Info: 412/279-7876Parks & Recreation: Pennsbury Park on Countryview Ct.Personal & Earned Income Tax: Jordan Tax Service,412-835-5243; R.E. Tax: Janice Friedrich, 412/276-6181EmergenciesCarnegie: Police: 9-1-1, Non-Emergency: 412/279-6911;Fire - Emergency: 9-1-1, Para-Medical Emergency: 9-1-14040 November 2008AREA CHURCHESAllegheny West Christian Church, Rev. Faron Franklin7600 Steubenville Pike, Oakdale, PA 15071, 412/788-8818Sun. 11 am, Eve. Svc. 6 pm, Wed. Bible study 7 pm, children’s programsduring both worship and Bible study, www.awcchurch.comAscension Lutheran Church, Fr. Alvin Adams1290 Silver Lane, McKees Rocks, PA 15136, 412-859-3711,www.ascensionlutheranchurchofpa.com, Svcs.: Sun. Sch./Adult Bible Study9:30 am, Sun. Worship, 10:30 am w/children’s church during worshipAscension Parish, Fr. Dennis Bradley114 Berry St., Pgh. PA 15205, 412/921-1230Church of the Nativity, Rev. Scott T. Quinn33 Alice Avenue, Crafton, PA 15205, 412/921-4103, Sun. Svcs.: 8 & 10 amCrafton United Methodist Church, Rev. Douglas B. Myers, Jr.43 Belvidere St., Crafton, PA 15205, 412/921-3381, Sun. School9:45 am, Svcs.: Sun. 11 am, e-mail: craftonumc@att.netCrafton United Presbyterian Church, Rev. Dr. C. Edward Bowen80 Bradford Ave., Pgh PA 15205, 412-921-2293,www.craftonunited.presbychurch.org, Sun.: 9:45 am Sun. Sch., 11 am svc.,Bible study, Weds. 11 am, Youth Club Weds. 3:15-6 pmThe Church of Jesus Christ, Richard Lawson227 Herbst Rd., Coraopolis, PA 15108, 412/771-1335Sun. School 9:45 am, Svcs.: Sun. 10:45 am, Wed., 7 pmFirst Baptist Church, Pastor Marie Brown1 Oregon Ave., Crafton, PA 15205, 412/922-5382Svcs.: Sun. 11 am, Sun. School 10 am, 7 pm Bible study, Wed. noonprayer lunchForest Grove Comm. Presby. Church, Pastor Mike20 William Dr., Robn. Twp., PA 15108, 412/788-1081Sun.: 11 am, Preschool Learning Center, 412/788-1082,www.forestgrovecommunitychurch.orgHillside Christian Comm. Church, Rev. David R. MorganPOB 689, 1050 Campbells Run Rd., Carnegie, PA 15106,412/279-2996, Sun. Growth Hr. 9 am, Sun. Worship, 10 am, Family NightWeds. 7 pm, nursery & children’s classesHis disciples Christian Outreach Ministry, Rev. Reinzl F. Santiago1 Crafton Square/Noble Ave., Crafton, PA 15205, 724/498-6326Sunday School 10 am, Worship 11 am, Bible Study Weds. 7:30 pm, PrayerMtg., Fridays 6 pmHoly Trinity Polish National Catholic Church, Fr. Michael Selep200 Grace Street, McKees Rocks, PA 15126, 412-331-6459CIVIC/SOCIAL/PROFESSIONALAl-A-Non, 724/926-3396American Legion Crafton Post 145, 412/921-9307American Legion Stowe-Rox Post 618, 412/331-9083American Legion Robinson Post 862, 412/787-1113Business Network Intl. (BNI) Airport Chapter, 724-934-0981Char-West Council of Governments, 412/279-3333Coraopolis Gun Club, 412/264-9920Elks BPO, 412/331-9387Forest Grove Sportsmens, 412/269-0942Grtr. Pgh. Busin. Connection, Wed. 7:30 am, Eat n’ ParkHollow Oak Land Trust, 412/264-5354Ingram Women’s Civic Club, 412/490-0835Kennedy Twp. Firemen’s Club, 412/331-5031Kennedy Twp. Garden Club, 412/249-8021Kiwanis Club, 412/264-6419INGRAM40 West Prospect Ave., Pittsburgh PA 15205, 412-921-3625,www.ingramborough.org, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Council Members: Richard“Sam” Nucci, president; Karen Dixon, vice-president; Greg Butler,Russell Dettling, Scott Trevenen, Joe Chesno, Frank Petrell, Mayor:Charles Mitsch, Jr.Meetings: Council: Second Mon., 7 p.m.; Trash: Waste Management,1-800-866-4460; Parks & Recreation: Call for reservation datesand guidelines; Taxes: School Tax, Central Tax Bureau - 800-519-7347Tax Collector - Janet Sulima, 412-922-5877; EmergenciesPolice - 9-1-1, 412-921-6969; Fire - 9-1-1; Ambulance - 9-1-1KENNEDY340 Forest Grove Road, Coraopolis, PA 15108, 412-771-2321, 8 a.m. to4:30 p.m. Commissioners: Anthony Mollica, Pres.; Vince DePascale, VP;Chris Dinardo; Anita Kulik; Myron Staroschuck; Manager: Gary VituccioMeetingsCommissioners - Caucus: 2nd Mon. 7 p.m.; Reg: 2nd Mon. immediatelyfollowing caucus; Planning Commission: Every 4th Wed.; Zoning Hearing& Civil Service Comm.: As neededTrash: Valley Waste, Inc., 724/843-9373; Recycling: Valley RefuseInc., 724/843-9373, collected same days at trash, Mon-Fri, recycling bins$5., available from the officeParks & Recreation: Fairhaven Park, recreation, picnic, baseball, (3)pavilions, deck hockey, tennisTaxes: E.I.T. Tax: Jordan Tax Svcs., 412-835-5243; Melvin Weinstein,412-771-3616EmergenciesPolice: 9-1-1 or 412-331-2408; Fire: 9-1-1, Ambulance 9-1-1THORNBURG1133 Dartmouth Rd., Pittsburgh PA 15205, 412-921-3713, Fax: 412-921-3713, Council: Patti Dodge, President; Vince Coppola, VP; Jerry Clarke;Tim Gordon; Barbara Larimer; Bert McConomy; Scott Quinn; Mayor:Thomas MackinMeetingsCouncil: Second Mondays monthly at 7:30 p.m.Sun. Svcs. 10 am, Bible Study 1st & 3rd Weds. 6 pmHoly Trinity RC Church, Rev. Gary W. Oehmler5718 Steubenville Pike, McKees Rocks, PA 15136, 412/787-2140Sun. Svcs.: 8 am, 10 am, noon w/Sat. eve. vigil, 5 pm, CCD Sun. 9-11 amIngram UP Church, Rev. John C. Free30 West Prospect Avenue, Pgh., PA 15205, 412/921-2323, Svcs.: Sun.11 am, Sun. School: 9:45 am, Bible Study Mons. 7 pmKen Mawr UP Church, Rev. Karl McDonald1760 Pine Hollow Rd., McKees Rocks, PA 15136, 412/331-2863Sun.: 8:30 am & 11 am, Sunday School 9:45 am, nursery at bothservices, children’s church through grade 5, 11 am svcKennedy First Alliance Church, Rev. John Kistler941 McCoy Rd., McKees Rocks, PA 15136, 412/331-6145 or 412/331-8787; Svcs.: Sun 9 am Adult Sunday School, 10 am Worship, Wed 7 pmBible Study & PrayerLighthouse Baptist Church, Pastor Richard Gelfand412/216-8321, 1301 Coraopolis Rd, Moon Twp, PA, Sun School 10 am,Sun.: 11 am & 6 pm, nursery all svcs, www.lighthousebaptistpgh.comLiving Water Fellowship, Pastor Doug DraganP.O. Box 522, Moon Twp., PA 15108, 724-513-8805, www.lwf-church.org,Svcs. held at Grace Church, 1192 Brodhead Rd., 10 amProvidence Presbyterian Church, Pastor Baily Cadman77 Phillips Lane, McKees Rocks, PA 15136, 412/788-6100Sunday School 9:15 am Worship service, 10:30 amSt. Malachy Catholic Church, Fr. Michael Maranowski343 Forest Grove Rd., Coraopolis, PA 15108, 412/771-5483Svcs.: Sat. Vigil, 4 pm, Sundays, 8 am, 11 am, M-F, 7:15 amSt. Philip Roman Catholic Church, Fr. Walter Dworak50 West Crafton Avenue, 412/922-6300Union Presbyterian Church, Pastor Mark. A. Whitsel6165 Steubenville Pike, McKees Rocks, PA 15136, 412/787-1818; Sun.School 9:45 am, Svcs.: Sun. 8:30 & 11 am, www.unionpresbychurch.orgWindhaven Christian Church, Will Santmyer, Minister1040 East Windhaven Rd., Pgh., PA 15205, 412/921-3641Sun. Svcs.: 11 am worship (incl. toddlers, children, nursery); 10 am SunSchool, all ages, 11 am worship, Wed. Family Bible Hour, 7 pm, for all(NOTE: schedules may change for the summer and holidays. Vacation BibleSchool and holiday services are announced elsewhere in the magazineduring the appropriate month.)Masons, Crafton Lodge #653 & Masons, Guyasuta Lodge, #513Montour Run Watershed Assn., 888-205-5778, www.mrwa.infoMontour Trail Council, 412/257-3011, www.montourtrail.orgPgh. Airport Area Chamber of Commerce, 412/264-6270Robinson Lions, 412/787-2695, www.robinsonlions.orgRobinson Twp. Historical Society, 412/788-6795Rotary, Crafton/Ingram, 412/973-1518Rotary, McKees Rocks, 412/771-0900Rotary, Parkway West, 412/292-4140SNPJ Lodge 106, 724/695-1411 or 695/1100Sweet Adelines Sounds of Pittsburgh, 724/283-4294The Small Business Network (TSBN), 412/367-5979VFW-Vesle Post #418, 412/771-7034Western Area YMCA, 412/787-9622, www.ymcaofpittsburgh.orgROBINSON1000 Church Hill Rd., Pittsburgh PA 15205, 412-788-8120,www.townshipofrobinson.com; 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Commissioners: DanielTallon, chairperson; Sam Abatta, vice-chairperson; Jerome Brouker, ,Stephanie Triko-Selelyo, Ronald Shiwarski, Administrator: RichardCharnovichMeetingsCommissioners - Caucus: 1st Mon. , 7 p.m.; Regular: 2nd Mon. , 7 p.m.;Planning Commission: 1st & 3rd Wed. , 7 p.m.; Zoning Hearing Board:4th Wed. , 7 p.m. Other: Civil Service Board - As needed; Parks &Recreation - 4th Thurs. at 7 p.m.Trash: Waste Management of Pa., 800-866-4460; Recycling:Bi-wkly. Special containers available. Contact office for schedule andguidelinesWater: Municipal Auth. of Twp. of Robinson, 412-923-2411Parks & Recreation: Call for reservation dates, fees, andguidelines, 412/788-8120; Pavilion Rentals, 10 am-11 pm, openMay 1-Sept. 30No deposit is required, however, damages occurring will incur a charge.Proof of residency is required for resident rentals.TaxesPersonal EIT Collector: Central Tax Bureau, 800-519-7347; OccupationalPrivilege and Real Estate Tax Collector, Ed Ritter, 412-788-8119EmergenciesPolice, 9-1-1 or 412-788-8111; Fire, 9-1-1 or 412-788-8111; Ambulance,9-1-1 Emergency or 412/787-5044 Business OfficeTrash & Recycling: Waste Management, Inc. 1-800-395-7422Parks & Recreation: Call for reservation dates & guidelines: 412-921-3713Tax Collector: Berkheimer & Associates, 412-881-6630EmergenciesPolice: 9-1-1 or 412-921-2014; Fire: 9-1-1; Ambulance 9-1-1

Allegheny WestMagazineJennette Communications Group15 Walnut Street, Suite 101Imperial, PA 15126-1226PRSRT STDU.S. PostageP AIDIMPERIAL, PA 15126PERMIT NO. 83Publishing in the Airport Area