< PreviousCAround Your Town Around Your Town Moon Parks and Recreation celebrated the unofficial opening of its new playground with a ribbon cutting ceremony Aug. 28. Though the playground opened ahead of schedule for crowds to enjoy during July 4 festivities, and has remained open since, the event gave members of the Moon Parks and Recreation Board and other stakeholders the opportunity to recognize sponsors of the project and acknowledge the playground’s importance. The new playground, located in Moon Park, utilizes a modern design and concepts to provide positive experiences that enhance children’s physical, mental and social well-being. The playground features a 2- to 5-year-old play area, a 5- to 12-year-old play area, an adventure play area and an adult fitness area, all joined by a barrier-free accessible pathway. A splash pad, sponsored by Clearview Federal Credit Union, could prove to be the playground’s most popular amenity, however. Thanks to a 10-year partnership with Clearview, the splash pad, which is unique in the area, will provide fun and play for children and families in Moon and surrounding areas. “We’re excited to partner with Moon Parks and Recreation to sponsor the brand new splash pad!” said Ron Celaschi, Clearview CEO. “This sponsorship is the perfect reminder that we’re all kids at heart.” Stacey Sommerfield, Moon Township Parks and Recreation director, commented, “The Clearview Federal Credit Union Splash Pad has brought an exciting new energy to Moon Park. On summer days, it provides a safe space for our community to gather, meet new people, and cool off. It’s been great to see the park come to life with the addition of this new feature.” The project, which totaled over $1 million, was funded by a $250,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and a $200,000 grant from the Gaming Economic Development Fund through the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County. Additional contributors included West-Aircomm Federal Credit Union, Kenny Ross/Brewer Airport Toyota, Bachman Builders, Chevron Corporation, Columbia Sportswear Company, Comcast Corporation, Express Employment Professionals, Greater Pittsburgh Orthopaedic Associates, Moon Township Municipal Authority, Sewickley Valley YMCA, UPMC Fit for Life, Valley Ambulance Authority and West Hills American Legion Post 924. Moon Parks and Rec. recognizes contributors to new playground Local officials, sponsors, Moon Parks and Recreation board members and others celebrate the unofficial opening of the new playground in Moon Park. STORY SUBMITTED PHOTO BY DOUG HUGHEY 10 • Allegheny West Magazine • September/October 2019For more information, visit: alleghenycounty.us/specialevents FREE FALL FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! Hay Rides, Face Painting, Petting Zoo, Arts & Crafts, Inflatables, Special Performances and More! SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 12 NOON-4 PM AT HARTWOOD ACRES PARK AMPHITHEATER SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 12 NOON-4 PM AT SOUTH PARK FAIRGROUNDS Dek Hockey: Ages 4-12 SETTLERS CABIN YOUTH SPORTS STARTING MID TO LATE SEPTEMBER. FOR DETAILS, VISIT: ALLEGHENYCOUNTY.US/YOUTHSPORTS T-Ball: Ages 2-6 Soccer: Ages 2-8 September/October 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 11CAround Your Town Around Your Town On July 19, 1989, just weeks after the first episode of “Seinfield” aired and Tim Burton’s “Batman” broke a box office record, the furniture company IKEA opened its newest store in Robinson Township. At the time, the Swedish-owned retailer was still relatively new to the U.S. market, after opening its first store in the country just four years earlier. Since then, though, the company’s loyal customers, ubiquitous catalogues and giant blue-and-yellow buildings have made it an iconic fixture in American culture. The store now operates 40 stores across the U.S. and, in many cases, those stores have been propped up not only by a strong local market but also traffic willing to drive hours to shop at the closest store. IKEA’S Robinson Township location has been no different. As this past July 19 approached, the store planned a huge 30th anniversary celebration to thank its own customers from both near and far who have contributed to its longevity in the area. Those plans included not only festivities for shoppers, but also a generous donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania. The fun kicked off on Friday, July 19 with a 1980s dance party that took attendees right back to the era when the store opened. Throughout the rest of the weekend, the store gave away thousands of dollars in gift cards and free merchandise to shoppers who were greeted in the lobby of the store with a prize wheel. Throughout the rest of the store, they could create a craft with the store’s interior designers and partake in free snacks and seminars. One shopper who gave her name as Amy drove almost two hours for the fun. Though she said she was in town with some friends for the Hootie and the Blowfish concert that Saturday evening, she said of the IKEA stop, “Honestly, this is a bigger deal for us than the concert.” Others who showed up over the weekend, like retired West Allegheny schoolteacher Karen Meyers of Robinson, have been shopping at the store since it opened. “The turnout was incredible,” says Rachel Kulin, an IKEA communication and events specialist. “We had a line out the door Saturday morning. It was amazing.” She estimates the store attracted well over 13,000 people over the weekend, its largest turnout for such an event to date. At the same time, in the run-up to the celebration, IKEA pitched in to help the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania by furnishing its new offices in the Terminal Building in Pittsburgh’s Southside. “When we learned that IKEA was willing to donate the furniture for our new offices, we had no words to express our gratitude for this extremely meaningful and very generous gift, which directly benefits our club’s kids,” says Eileen Stewart, corporate and community engagement manager with Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania. STORY BY DOUG HUGHEY ABOVE: IKEA communication and events specialist Rachel Kulin watches as a young visitor to the Robinson store spins a prize wheel. BELOW: Shoppers make a craft in the restaurant. PHOTOS SUBMITTED IKEA’s donation to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania helped furnish its new offices. PHOTO SUBMITTED IKEA celebrates 30 years in area 12 • Allegheny West Magazine • September/October 2019CAround Your Town Around Your Town Clinton’s Christmas Light-Up Celebration in need of volunteers to make “light” work of upcoming preparations STORY BY JOCELYN GRECKO PHOTOS BY SARAH KIZINA Christmas in July has come and gone. For some, the summer “holiday” marks a celebration, but for others, it’s a reminder of what’s to come in the months ahead. For Clinton residents Patty and Lloyd Faux, it means it’s almost time to kick off the planning phases of Clinton’s annual Christmas Light-Up Celebration. Now heading into its 26th year, the Light-Up Celebration has become a time-honored tradition in the community. Those from near and far travel to see the light displays during the Christmas season. While it always delivers festive show, the Fauxes explain what isn’t always guaranteed are the volunteers they need to help make the event possible. The Fauxes explain that the light-up is an all-volunteer effort and has remained that way over the years. Whether it’s stringing lights on hundreds of trees or signing up for a shift as an evening greeter, the light-up wouldn’t be quite as grand - or even exist at all - if it were not for the volunteers who make it happen. Several of the volunteers who have helped over the years have either passed away or are unable to help as much they have in years past. That’s why Patty and Lloyd are calling on new volunteers to help “light the way” to ensure this Christmas tradition continues. The Light-Up Celebration began in 1993 when the Fauxes visualized Clinton Park as the perfect setting for a light display to help celebrate the birth of Christ at Christmas. They, along with several other retired community members, organized it and proceeds from the cost of admittance have annually gone back into the community to help those in need. Since its inception, the light- up has injected nearly $400,000 into the community to help meet a variety of needs. “We have nine steady volunteers who have worked with us each year,” Patty explains “but we need more to help make sure the light-up continues.” Beginning in October and running into November, volunteers are needed at Clinton Park to begin stringing lights and setting up displays. The deadline for everything to be finished is one week before Thanksgiving. Anyone who knows Pittsburgh weather knows this might mean working in either warm or snowy conditions. That’s why many hands make light work. “We are thankful to those who have helped over the years,” the Fauxes say, “but we also need some new support. Our volunteers are aging, and additional help is needed. Without the help, we’re not sure how we will carry on this tradition.” Help is needed in the following areas: • Weed whacking before set-up • Tree limb removal before set-up • Light bulb inspections • Light display set up • Greeters Hopes are that several other community members, organizations, schools, churches and individuals will come together to help carry on the tradition. A Light-Up Celebration preparation meeting will be held Saturday, Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. in the Findlay Township Municipal Building. For more information, call (724) 899-3602. Those who like working outdoors and would like to be part of an effort that gives back to the community are ideal candidates. High school student service hours are available. Organizations, such as churches, scout troops and others are welcome as well. TOP: Patty and Lloyd Faux are pictured next to the sign welcoming visitors to the Christmas Light-Up that they organize in Clinton Park. LEFT: Volunteers set up a display for the light-up. Christmas decorations light up Clinton Park for the Christmas Light-Up. September/October 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 13y > Learning Curves Learning Curves Despite much talk over the past decade about how the college admissions process is evolving, SAT and ACT test scores remain the gold standard when it comes to evaluating college applications. The scores may not only determine where a student goes to school, but also how much scholarship money a student receives. Here are some of the more common mistakes we’ve seen that tend to impact a student’s score, along with some strategies we provide on how to avoid them: Mistake #1 - Not taking full-length practice tests Far too many students wade into the tests having limited experience taking them. We recommend students take the entire formal practice test - and not just parts of it on their own - at least twice. Doing so will give the student valuable experience taking the lengthy tests, which require about three hours to complete. Mistake #2 - Answering test questions in order or randomly guessing Difficulty does not determine how questions are ordered or scored, so first find and answer the easier questions. Then, for the more difficult questions, narrow the field of choices by crossing off incorrect answers directly in the booklet. Eliminate careless mistakes by circling selected answers in the booklet before filling in the bubble on the answer sheet. Mistake #3 - Not spending enough time studying to achieve a high score Ideally, students should start exam preparation in the summer in between their sophomore and junior years. Most students will start to see scores increase after a minimum of 10 hours of tutoring. Open Minds Studios recommends two to four hours of tutoring each week and one to two hours of homework for each tutoring session. Mistake #4 - Taking the SAT/ACT a second time without studying The practice test provides valuable feedback that can be used to help a student work toward achieving a better score, but only if that information is evaluated correctly. The student needs to use that feedback and put in additional work in between tests to improve. A tutor can help students improve in their weak areas and develop strategies that work to a student’s strengths. Mistake #5 - Forgetting the math formulas Even though some math formulas are provided on the tests, memorizing them improves mastery and reduces answer time. Flashcards can help the student memorize formulas. Students should also practice using the formulas by completing as many sample SAT and/or ACT math problems as possible. Mistake #6 - Taking the test only once Many colleges and universities allow for a “superscore” that takes the top score from each section of several SAT/ACT exam sittings to create a maximum score. If your school of choice has this policy, take the test multiple times. These common mistakes can sink a student’s ACT and SAT scores Mistake #7 - Taking the test with no game plan Each student should develop a game plan and review that plan prior to test day. Here is a sample: Bob’s Success Strategy for ACT • Science - 35 minutes for six passages • Do 4-5 passages, about 6-8 minutes/passage • Understand what the question is asking • Are you using correct chart/table? • Cross off incorrect answer choices • Leave time to use your guess column on passages that you are not doing • Draw on charts and graphs • Circle titles, labels on charts and legends Self-study can be an effective method to prepare for the SAT or ACT. However, many students derive great benefit from preparing with a tutor who can share tips and techniques unique to each test, help create a game plan, assign appropriate homework assignments, and instruct on the hardest concepts tested on the exam. On tests where only a few points can mean the difference between where a student ends up going to school and how much scholarship money the college offers, ACT/SAT prep is a valuable investment in a student’s future. Open Minds Studios is a locally owned and operated tutoring center that offers individualized instruction for all ages and abilities in subjects including math, reading, writing, science, study, test-taking and organizational skills. Test prep includes ACT/SAT, Keystone and others. Open Minds Studios is located at 5992 Steubenville Pike, Suite 103, near Peace, Love and Little Donuts in the Pike Place plaza. Hours are Monday-Thursday, 3-8:30 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Hourly rates are affordable and there is a sibling discount. Call (412) 600-1125. SUBMITTED BY OPEN MINDS STUDIOS 14 • Allegheny West Magazine • September/October 2019y > Learning Curves Learning Curves It’s a common question that I hear often and have even asked many times myself: “Why learn a ‘dead language’ such as Latin?” The practical application of learning Latin, the language spoken in ancient Rome, is something that eludes children and adults alike. I’ve asked the same question myself many times. After decades of searching for the answer, however, I’ve found many! Here are just three of my favorite reasons to study Latin: 1) Over 60 percent of English is derived from Latin and students who study Latin are not only increasing their Latin vocabulary, but exponentially upgrading their understanding of the English words they use today. For example, when students learn that “mater” is the Latin word for “mother,” they also learn the meaning of English words such as maternal, maternity, matriarch, etc. This understanding becomes increasingly applicable as students read more advanced literature and prepare to take standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT. 2) Unlike English, which is a language full of exceptions, Latin is fairly straightforward. Latin words and sentence structure follow strict rules. Exceptions are few and far between. When learning Latin, a student must develop critical and analytical skills to translate the one language into the other without losing the essence of the sentence. When we translate between Latin and English, we need to fully grasp the grammar of each language. This gives students the tools they need to succeed in areas such as writing and public speaking because they understand the power of sentence structure. Because of Latin’s more formulaic design, it also strengthens skills in more quantitative subjects like math, logic and science. 3) Studying Latin gives students a head start in areas such as medicine, law, music, art and literature. It is a crash course in ancient politics, science, literature, religion and philosophy. A little bonus (literally meaning “good” in Latin) about studying Latin is that Roman influence affects almost every aspect of modern culture. Students learning to read Latin are reading from the works of Caesar, Cicero, Virgil and Augustine. While you may not recognize all of those names, you interact with their ideas and influence on a daily basis. The men who shaped Roman history have consequently shaped American history. Our own legal system is taken from the ancient governments of Rome and Greece! A dead language such as Latin gives students a stationary target to observe the inner workings of language and language acquisition. Its influence is far reaching and builds a great foundation for students to succeed beyond the classroom. It can enrich, encourage and enlighten every area of your life. After all, Latin isn’t dead - it’s immortal! This information is provided by Abby Jackson, classical studies and Latin teacher at Robinson Township Christian School, pre-K through 12th grade. Jackson graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a major in classics and a minor in philosophy. For more information about Latin or classical education at Robinson Township Christian School, call (412) 787-5919 or email info@rtcsonline.org. Robinson Township Christian School is now offering a part-time (a la carte) course program for homeschool students in grades seven through 12. Call or email for a personal tour or for more information. Why learn a dead language? SUBMITTED BY ABBY JACKSON, ROBINSON TOWNSHIP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Abby Jackson September/October 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 15 I often find myself reassuring a client who feels guilty and embarrassed for not updating their plan when a major life event occurs. However, I find it more common for someone to have never created an estate plan in the first place. Do you remember the last time you reviewed your estate plan? Was it after you were married? Or after the birth of our first child? Maybe it was 30 years ago when your children were young? Or was it prior to your second marriage? Part of your estate plan involves determining your fiduciary. However, when I ask most people “Who is your fiduciary?” they tend to respond with a blank stare. A fiduciary is someone or entity who you have appointed to legally control your assets should you become unable to do so. Legally, they have to act in your best interest when acting as your power of attorney, executor and trustee. Keep in mind, their role can be removed if a court feels that they are taking advantage of the situation. However, you have to ask yourself, is the person you named capable of acting in this capacity? Just because you’ve named your child doesn’t mean that they are the savviest when it comes to money. Here are some other questions to ask yourself if you’ve named your child as your fiduciary: Are they age appropriate? Are you still in touch with them? Are they still alive and in good health? The second pitfall is that, if you haven’t updated your documents since your child(ren) was small, they may now be grown, but that doesn’t mean that they may no longer require a guardian. They may now also require a trustee to hold and invest their inheritance if they aren’t as mature as you’d like them to be. Perhaps they have a history of drug and alcohol addiction, gambling, bankruptcy, or poor marriage choices. These are triggering factors to naming a trustee to hold their share in trust until they meet the conditions of having their inheritance released to them. Another pitfall to consider: are your documents up-to-date with the current law changes? Are your documents HIPAA compliant? The financial power of attorney law change is the most recent, with an effective date of Jan, 1, 2015. If you have not had a professional review your documents and revised them, you may be in for a rude awakening in the future. Another big issue for most clients is whether they’ve accumulated more wealth since originally drafting their estate plan. The more money you have, the greater impact not having an appropriate plan will cause. Not everyone should have a basic will. A revocable living trust holds the job of avoiding probate for those assets that normally would pass through probate upon your passing, the reason being it avoids the average time of one year and the cost associated with opening an estate. Lastly, in which state do you hold residency? Many of my older clients relocated or have become snow birds. Does your plan conform to the laws of your true state of residency? y > Learning Curves Learning Curves BY MICHELE P. CONTI Michele P. Conti is an estate planning and elder law attorney. Conti attended Allegheny College in Meadville, Oxford University and Duquesne University School of Law. She received her LL.M. in taxation from Villanova University. She can be reached at (724) 784-0239 or michele@contilawpgh.com. The five common pitfalls of an outdated estate plan 16 • Allegheny West Magazine • September/October 2019y > Learning Curves Learning Curves SUBMITTED BY BRAD COLVIN AND AMY RILEY, FINANCIAL ADVISORS, HEFREN-TILLOTSON A careful approach to retirement can lead to years of enjoyment and financial security. Or you can go down a more reckless path. Here are some of the top ways to run out of money during your golden years: • Withdrawing too much of your money at once during retirement. What percentage qualifies as too much varies from person to person (many advisors suggest no more than four percent to five percent of your total assets per year), but the key is to take a balanced, well thought out approach to your withdrawals. While retirement can be an exciting time, it can also get out of hand. New retirees may find the sudden boost of free time turns into a giant spending spree. It may take some self-control to pick between a home renovation or an amazing vacation, but spacing out big expenditures can make your savings last much longer. • Not thinking carefully about the decision when to take Social Security. Many people are so eager to receive money back from the Social Security system that they sign up for payments at the earliest age possible. This could work for many people, but others would benefit from delaying Social Security and receiving a larger monthly payment. If you are in good health and there is longevity in your family, the odds may be in your favor to wait. • Stopping to save and invest in retirement. There is no law requiring you to spend all of your income in retirement. You may find you actually enjoy continuing to make new investments and watching your pool of assets increase. Those continued savings can add up to a lot of money and provide a nice added cushion. • Paying for other people’s expenses. It’s nice to take one’s family out to celebrate special occasions, which are probably one of the best and most memorable parts of life. However, is buying the grandkids take-out every Monday and Thursday as essential? There’s a line between being generous and financing unnecessary expenses. Consider if your gifts are helpful or indulgent. How to die penniless Brad Colvin Amy Riley • Not considering adjustments to your spending following bad investment results. If your investments dip in value due to a stock market downturn, it may significantly extend the longevity of your savings if you lower the amount you take out. When markets plunge and paper losses mount, consider reducing your withdrawals and let things build back up again. Conversely, when your portfolio zooms up in value, it may be a great time to take out extra and go on that dream vacation. Taking a thoughtful approach to your retirement finances can significantly increase the likelihood of meeting your life’s goals, reduce your financial stress and create an inheritance for the next generation. It may take more time to plan and require more discipline than a seat-of-your-pants approach, but it can leave you much better off over your lifetime. Unsure if you are on track for retirement? Amy and Brad can be contacted for a no-obligation review. Call them at (412) 633-1741 or email Amy.Riley@hefren.com. Learn more about their seminars in Moon at www.hefren.com/seminars. September/October 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 17y > Learning Curves Learning Curves SUBMITTED BY DEB GRAY, OWNER, EXPRESS EMPLOYMENT PROFESSIONALS Summer Job Search? Oces located in Robinson Twp. & Monaca 412.494.2000 ExpressPros.com Let us match you with opportunities in a variety of positions: Administrative, Professional, Industrial, Skilled Labor, Skilled Trades, and Skilled Professional Call to schedule your interview! No Fees! I was recently on vacation at our family cottage in Pymatuning. We have been vacationing there for over 50 years and have many traditions. We enjoy outdoor activities, but sometimes the weather challenges us to do something else. You can always “feed the fish” at the spillway, and we’ve done this many times, rain or shine. We also have alternative activities when we truly get rained out. When my nieces and nephews were younger, it was a little easier to plan crafts and we played board games. However, we often fall back to a movie evening, an attempt at silence and a little more personal space. This tradition continues as we recently revisited the “Toy Story” movies to refresh our memories before seeing the latest release. As a business leader focused on employment solutions, I see many parallels between the toys, business and the business challenges that exist today. I know leaders who are working to improve workplace culture know that, in a tight labor market, personal relationships are still the most effective retention and recruiting source. Let’s revisit the theme of the first “Toy Story” movie and, I challenge you - business leaders, workers and others - to be open minded as you reconnect with the toys and their personalities. I challenge you to look in the mirror and ask yourself if you are doing everything you can to invest in your personal relationships and your most important asset: your people. • What is the allure of “Toy Story?” As adults, it’s the fun of revisiting our past and reminiscing about the toys - a flashback to simpler times when playing with Mr. Potato Head or Slinky the Dog could make your day. I personally loved the Etch A Sketch and have given every one of my nieces and nephews one. I still have one in my living room that sits with the coffee table books. • Think about the parallel between “Toy Story” and business life. Each toy character in the movie has a unique personality and idiosyncrasies. There’s Rex, a dinosaur with security and strength issues, and Bo Peep, a doll who defies outdated female stereotypes. Woody, the long-term leader, gets support from Hamm and the toy soldiers, who jump right into a surveillance activity to help the group of toys as they stress and worry about Andy’s new birthday toys replacing them. The toys collectively unite to overcome their fears of Buzz Lightyear replacing them. They band together to confront Syd and the outside risks that rattled their comfortable life with Andy. Keep in mind, they were already on edge due to the impending move to a new home and fear of being left behind or culled from the toy box. Even leaderless, they were able to see the value of bonding. They recognized a common goal and worked together to get the lost toys, Woody and Buzz, back into the toy box for Andy’s move to his new home. These toys creatively used “out of the box” thinking to be all together again. Despite their differences and individual personalities, they overcame the transportation issue! I challenge you to see the personality similarities between Andy’s toys and your work team, and to ask yourself: • Do you listen lovingly? • Do you talk in a timely manner to learn from each team member? • Do you customize your communication while being consistent? • Do you care compassionately? • Do you approach each unknown situation with an open mind? • Do you help your work team become comfortable with being uncomfortable? • Do you approach all BARRIERS with creative solutions? As a leader in the business world, these are things which we must all ask ourselves daily. Doing so helps us cultivate a strong work culture and ensure that our most valuable asset - our people - feel valued in the roles they play. Recently, we completed a three- part series entitled “It’s All About the People” with the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce on this topic. We’ll also be hosting a Lunch N Learn session with the chamber in November. Visit paacc. com for more, as well as information on our 2020 series as we continue to help business and community leaders navigate current opportunities. Deb Gray is the owner of the award-winning Pittsburgh West office of global staffing franchise, Express Employment Professionals. Hers is one of the largest and fastest-growing of Express’ Greater Pittsburgh offices and has put 6,800+ job seekers to work in a variety of fields, including administrative, professional, engineering, skilled trades, and skilled labor. In addition to providing recruitment service and workforce solutions for job seekers and businesses throughout the Pittsburgh Airport Corridor and Beaver County, Express also provides the ExpressJobs app and online tools and resources such as JobGenius, ExpressLearn, eskills, and America Employed. To learn more, visit expresspros.com/wpittsburghpa/ or call (412) 494-2000. What “Toy Story” teaches us about leading in business DEB GRAY 18 • Allegheny West Magazine • September/October 2019Next >