PLUS: Montour sophomores get a lesson in history, kindness and collaboration FREE Direct Mail Community Publication Allegheny West M agazine Montour School District News Page 29 Serving Ingram, Kennedy, Pennsbury, Robinson, Thornburg and Montour School District One of 4 Editions Serving 16 Airport Area Communities www.awmagazine.com Volume 16, Number 97 March/April 2020 Montour Edition Patio homes: the new trend in single-level living Coraopolis community development update RideACTA to expand New Clever Park playground preview The Mysterious Life and Death of Jimmy Westwood March/April 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 3This digital rendering by General Recreation shows how the new playground at Clever Park will look. For more, see page 18. Dear Readers, Thank you for picking up our March Montour edition of Allegheny West Magazine. Once again this month, we’re bringing you lots of interesting and useful information about western Allegheny County. It’s a pleasure to bring you this information each month as we highlight what makes our communities so great. Raising the profile of the airport corridor has long been the mission of this publication and, as both my wife and I grew up here, we share a deep affection for it. First, starting on page 8, check out news from our readers, including a new update to the VFW Post 402 war memorial in Coraopolis, an upcoming West Hills Art League show and some appearances by the Air Force’s rock band. At the time of this writing, Coraopolis Borough is also in the running to be on an HGTV show. Read about that and other news from the Coraopolis Community Development Corporation, starting on page 10. On page 17, read a brief history of the Airport Corridor Transportation Association and then learn about what’s on the horizon for its popular shuttle service, RideACTA. Every day, the service helps people get to work in the area. We’ve also got renderings of Robinson Township’s new playground at Clever Park on page 18. Starting on page 27, read about all the latest happenings at Montour School District, including a number of efforts that students spearheaded in coordination with local and From the Publisher Allegheny West Magazine-Montour Edition is published in January, March, May, July, September, and November, six issues a year, Hughey Publications, LLC, P. O. Box 220, McDonald PA 15057. Mailed and distributed free to residents and businesses in the Montour School District. Extra copies available at municipal offices, schools, libraries, stores, advertisers, hotels, and businesses. Available by mail subscription for $15 annually. Story ideas welcomed. Community events and announcements from non-profit groups must be received by the 15th of the month prior to publishing date. Announcements are limited to 30 words and must include a contact phone number. Reproduction of any artwork, photographs, or copy prepared by Allegheny West Magazine is strictly prohibited without written consent of Hughey Publications LLC. Copyright 1999-2020 Allegheny West Magazine. All rights reserved. Views and opinions expressed by contributors and/or advertisers are the responsibility of the contributors and not those of the publisher of Allegheny West Magazine. 4 • Allegheny West Magazine • March/April 2020 P. O. Box 220, McDonald, PA 15057 Phone: 724.673.3161 E-Mail: info@awmagazine.com www.awmagazine.com WE PROUDLY SPONSOR AND SUPPORT: A variety of community, school, and nonprofit organizations in our coverage areas of Cornell, Moon, Montour, and West Allegheny. We are committed to recycling our used and leftover products. We encourage our readers to be responsible and dispose of this magazine when finished enjoying it. Consider passing it along to someone else, or placing it in your neighborhood recycling bins. Thank you in advance for doing your part for our earth. Hughey Publications, LLC also publishes the Moon edition of Allegheny West Magazine, the Cornell edition of Allegheny West Magazine and the West Allegheny edition of Allegheny West Magazine. MEMBER “GOOD NEWS ALWAYS, MAILED & DELIVERED FREE, EVERY TIME” Allegheny West Magazine - Montour, is an all positive, good news publication mailed free into the homes and businesses of the Montour School District communities of Robinson, Kennedy, Ingram, Pennsbury, and Thornburg to connect communities, promote people, heighten awareness about the richness of the airport region, and build pride in the western suburbs of Allegheny County. Allegheny West Magazine Now in Our 21 st Year Proudly Serving the Airport Area @AlleghenyWest PUBLISHER AND EDITOR Doug Hughey WRITERS Jill Bordo Pat Jennette Jocelyn Grecko GRAPHIC DESIGN Sarah Kizina WEBMASTER www.ddswebdesign.com CONTRIBUTORS Barb Kleyman Anita Kulik Joe Kulik FOUNDING PUBLISHER Pat JennetteMontour High School sophomores in Integrated Studies 10 pose for a picture with Shulamit Bastacky. After telling students about her childhood experiences of being a hidden child during the Holocaust, Bastacky challenged them to do something kind for children in crisis. That led to them spearheading a teddy bear drive. For more, see page 33. PHOTO BY DOUG HUGHEY Montour Edition March/April 2020 ~ Volume 16, Number 97 ABOUT THE COVER Columns { }Contents Locally Sourced - Chamberlink - Around Your Town - Legislative Update - Your Schools - Robinson Township Library - On the Horizon - Robinson Township Hist. Soc. - Firebeat - 8 12 17 20 24 39 44 45 46 10 17 18 29 33 36 38 - - - - - - - Coraopolis community development update RideACTA to expand New Clever Park playground preview Montour School District Newsletter Montour sophomores get a unique lesson Patio homes: the new trend in single-level living The Mysterious Life and Death of Jimmy Westwood regional organizations. Those efforts include facilitating a a Student Council conference, various initiatives aimed at erasing the stigma of mental health disorders, and another effort to promote acceptance. Also read about a recent poetry slam, upcoming musical dates, planned renovations to David E. Williams Middle School and an artificial intelligence competition that was held at DEW. Finally, for our feature this month we’re profiling several area home developers and taking a look at how they’re tackling new trends in single-level living. Read more on page 36. Look for our next edition in May, when the weather will be warmer and we’ll be bringing you our annual summer fun guide. Doug Hughey, Publisher/Editor March/April 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 5Heritage Valley Health Heritage Valley Health Dr. Lauren Ayersman, D.O. joined the Heritage Valley Multispecialty Group Family Practice in Robinson on March 1. She joins Dr. Denise Wegrzynowicz and Dr. Melissa Kashlan at the practice, which is located in the Heritage Valley Robinson Township Medical Neighborhood. Ayersman obtained her doctor of osteopathic medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her residency at the Lehigh Valley Health Network in Allentown. Before joining Heritage Valley Multispecialty Group, Ayersman practiced at Mon-Vale Primary Care Practice in Finleyville, where she was the medical director of the practice from 2015 through 2018. She is also a member of the American Osteopathic Association, the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians and the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association. Ayersman is accepting new patients. To make an appointment, call (412) 749-6920. Dr. Ayersman joins Family Practice - RobinsonDr. Shah joins Primary Care West Heritage welcomes new physicians Dr. Kehkeshan Shah Dr. Kehkeshan Shah is joining Heritage Valley Multispecialty Group Primary Care West, the practice of Dr. Bradley Heiple and Dr. Melissa Rau. Shah will begin seeing patients in April 2020 at the practice’s new location at 6521 Steubenville Pike in Robinson Township, next to Staples. Shah obtained her medical degree at the State University of New York, Upstate Medical University. She completed her residency in family medicine at UPMC St. Margaret in Aspinwall. Before joining Heritage Valley Multispecialty Group, Shah was a staff physician at the North Side Christian Health Center in Pittsburgh, where she provided comprehensive family medicine care at two locations. She is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Shah is accepting new patients. To make an appointment, call (724) 773-5890. Dr. Lauren Ayersman 6 • Allegheny West Magazine • March/April 2020Heritage Valley Health Heritage Valley Health Let’s Talk About Stroke Presented by: Kristen Ronosky, MSN, RN, Stroke Coordinator, Heritage Valley Health System Tuesday, May 19 5-6:30 p.m. Tapestry Senior Living - Community Room | 550 Cherrington Parkway Moon Twp., 15108 Learn the signs and symptoms of a stroke, how to identify if someone is having a stroke and what you can do to reduce your risk factors for a stroke. Refreshments and appetizers provided. Call (724) 480-8140 to register. Heritage Valley Health System Free Community Events The following events are free, open to the public and are being held in a variety of community locations. Managing Stress through Dialectical Behavior Therapy Presented by: Rebecca Hartjen, LCSW, Supervisor of Outpatient Services, Heritage Valley Health System Staunton Clinic Wednesday, March 25 6-7 p.m. Western Allegheny Community Library | 181 Bateman Road, Oakdale, 15071 Professional staff from the Staunton Clinic will teach stress reduction techniques that can be done at home. Registration required. Visit westernalleghenylibrary.org and click “view events” to register. Call (724) 773-2045 with questions. Diabetes: Don’t Sugar Coat It! • Nutrition & Diabetes Related Lectures • Screenings for Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose & DEXA Heel Screening • Healthy Food Samples & Recipe Ideas, Cooking Demonstration, Diabetes & Nutrition Resources Thursday, March 26 9 a.m.-Noon Doors open 8:30 a.m. Heritage Valley Kennedy Josephine Roseta Auditorium | 25 Heckel Road, McKees Rocks, 15136 Registration required. Call (412) 777-6359 to register. The Dangers of Smartphone Use for Arms & Hands Presented by: Laura Irvine, Occupational Therapist & Certified Hand Therapist Am I My Back’s Own Worst Enemy? Presented By: Alan Blizzard, Physical Therapist (MAPT) Wednesday, April 15 6-7 p.m. Western Allegheny Community Library | 181 Bateman Road, Oakdale, 15071 Join Heritage Valley Health System - Rehab Services to learn about these two very important topics. Visit www. westernalleghenylibrary.org and click “view events” to register. Call (724) 773-2045 with questions. March/April 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 7%Locally SourcedLocally Sourced The West Hills Art League’s annual show will once again take place at Robin Hill Center in Moon Township and feature work by local artists. Pictured below is last year’s reception. CONTENT SUBMITTED Weather and time have taken a toll on the war memorial located adjacent to Keith-Holmes VFW Post 402 in downtown Coraopolis. The memorial, which was installed in the 1970s, is now in need of repair. After assessing the cost of the repairs, however, it has been determined that replacing the current monument with an updated one would be safer, easier to maintain and more inclusive. VFW Post 402 has been in the process of developing designs for a new monument. With those new designs now completed, the post is raising funds to erect the monument on the same location as the current one at the corner of Mulberry Street and 5th Avenue. The new memorial will honor all six branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. The goal of the project is to honor the roots of the VFW and the soldiers who served in the country’s eight major military conflicts since World War I. To raise the needed funds, the VFW is selling personalized bricks that will be mounted around the base of the monument. Bricks can be engraved with a dedication and may be purchased by individuals or businesses. All funds raised will be used for the construction and upkeep of the new monument, refurbishing of the current World War I doughboy statue, and furthering the memory of all veterans who have served. To order, visit polarengraving. com/keithholmesveteransofforeignwarspost402 or stop by the post. VFW Post 402 raising funds for new war memorial This digital rendering depicts plans for the new war memorial adjacent to VFW Post 402. Members of the West Hills Art League will once again welcome the general public to its annual Mother’s Day Sale and Show at Robin Hill Center in Moon Township this May. This year’s art exhibit and sale will take place May 10 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Work will remain on exhibit from May 2 through May 21 during Robin Hill’s regular facility hours. The show will feature artwork - including paintings, sculpture, photography and more - from area artists. Those artists will also be on hand to discuss their work and to have their work judged by guest juror Laura Domencic, an independent artist, curator and educator. The event will again feature entertainment by professional musician James Tobin, plus beverages, snacks and the gift of a handmade bookmark while supplies last. Winners will be announced that day. This show will mark the 53rd for the organization. For more on the West Hills Art League, including upcoming meeting dates and workshops, visit westhillsartleague.com. West Hills Art League to hold annual show in May 8 • Allegheny West Magazine • March/April 2020%Locally SourcedLocally Sourced The U.S. Air Force rock band Full Spectrum will be performing both the National Anthem and during halftime at the Pittsburgh Penguins game March 22. They’ll also be performing at several area high schools that same week. Full Spectrum is an eight-piece, electrifying, high-energy pop/hip hop group out of the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band. The dynamic group of active duty musicians has been assembled from areas throughout the U.S., but they call Langley Air Force Base in Virginia home. Their musical influence stems from their main mission of reaching youth and young adults. The band performs popular hits, including Latin, hip hop, funk, R&B, classic rock and a host of other styles. Full Spectrum delights listeners of all ages, whether performing for U.S. Presidents, high school students, music festivals and concert-goers, or during joint-combined military forces deployed around the globe. Their live performances have earned praise from celebrities around the world, including Conan O’Brien, Michelle Obama, Grace Potter, Harry Connick Jr. and Joe Bonamassa. The group is available for full performances, National Anthems or guest appearances with other artists. Activated in 1941, the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band has a rich history of inspiring public patriotism and enhancing esprit de corps among all U.S. military service branches. These world-class musicians are stationed at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton, Virginia. They travel throughout the Carolinas, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions, presenting over 300 events annually for the general public and in support of airman morale and protocol events. Under the leadership of Maj. Raphael Toro-Quinones, the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band remains at the forefront of communicating Air Force core values and preserving and enriching America’s military and musical heritage into the 21st century. The Air Force has a rock band, and they’re performing around the area in March CONTENT SUBMITTED Members of the Air Force’s rock band, Full Spectrum, will be performing around the area in March. March/April 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 9Next >