< PreviousCAround Your Town Around Your Town Robinson Township held a ceremonial groundbreaking for its new police station in October. The new 9,600 square-foot station will be located at the top of the sloping lot that sits adjacent to the township’s municipal building, where the department is currently located. The new stand-alone building will have a dedicated sally port; an interview room with two-way mirrors, audio and video; a prisoner processing area; an improved entry; updated servers and radios; and more. “As the township grows, so has the police department, almost doubling in size in 15 years,” Robinson Township Supervisor Sam Abatta said in remarks at the groundbreaking. “Currently, our department has 28 officers and we look to expand next year. The current station lacks space and with the new construction, the department can move into the 21st century, as far as spacing upgrades, technology and proper investigation tools.” At the time of the ceremony, ground hadn’t actually been broken but site work was expected to start soon afterward. Instead, township supervisors, police officers and others were joined by Congressman Conor Lamb to shovel dirt with ceremonial shovels to mark the start of the project. Township manager Frank Piccolino says that the township is hoping to have the station under roof by the beginning of next year and to have the project completed by August of 2021. In all, he says the project is expected to cost $5.3 million and that the $3.8 million price tag for construction came in about $500,000 under budget. Massaro has been hired as the firm for the project. “This is a great day for the department,” was how police chief Timothy Westwood put it following the groundbreaking. Perhaps the most significant benefit the new station will offer to township residents and police officers is improved safety. Currently, the department shares a building with the municipal offices, township library and other departments. Westwood says officers use a board room for their interview room. The new building will have a dedicated area not only for interviews but also evidence storage and prisoner processing. Its sally port will allow officers to drive up directly to the prisoner processing area. Amenities for officers will include a larger locker room, gym and training area. The main entry will also be expanded and provide the dispatcher with a better viewpoint of people entering the building. With the advent of the training room, Westwood says the department will be able to hold trainings in-house and invite in other departments as well. Robinson breaks ground on new police station STORY AND PHOTO BY DOUG HUGHEY Robinson Township residents were supposed to get a brand new playground this past summer. It would have happened, too, if COVID-19 hadn’t shut down the country. Instead, area residents could only look at the township’s brand new playground located in Clever Park from afar as the summer months passed. In October, however, with the beautiful fall weather holding and COVID cases remaining low, township supervisors gave the green light to open the new playground, even if it wasn’t completely finished. “Given the weather kind of broke our way, the commissioners said, ‘Open it up and let people enjoy it,’” says township manager Frank Piccolino. Even though the landscaping wasn’t quite done, benches weren’t installed or the new concrete walkway poured, area families still had plenty to enjoy. “We’ve had a lot of great reviews so far,” says Piccolino. “Day one it was packed.” Piccolino says that, in the months ahead, work on the walkways will hopefully be completed. He says they’re also hoping to add some new additional equipment using the ample space available at the park. “There’s a ton of space there so there’s a lot we can do,” he says. A zipline may even be coming at some point, he says. A proper opening is expected to occur sometime in April or May of this coming spring. In all, the project cost $355,000 but was partly paid for by a $125,000 grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Recreation. Piccolino says that state Sen. Pam Iovino and state Rep. Anita Kulik helped secure those funds and that, without the grant, the project wouldn’t have gotten off the ground. Next, Piccolino says the township will be looking to renovate the existing pavilion and possibly add others. For the time being, however, the playground is open for families to enjoy. Clever Park playground opens STORY BY DOUG HUGHEY PHOTO SUBMITTED The new playground at Clever Park opened in October. Robinson Township police chief Timothy Westwood speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony for the township’s new police station. He is flanked by architectural renderings of the new station. 10 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2020y > Learning Curves Learning Curves Ear nose and throat medicine and surgery is a field that continues to change, grow and innovate for the benefit of our patients. It can be surprising how much change can occur in a specialty that addresses such a tiny area in the body! As the airport corridor’s newest physician specializing in comprehensive ear, nose and throat care, I want to help you understand some ways that our group can help with frequently encountered problems. With autumn already upon us, and winter fast approaching, many patients will notice changes in their sinuses or their comfort with breathing. The anatomy of the nose and sinuses is complex and unique to each patient but many common issues arise. Allergies, frequent sinus infections, frequent nosebleeds, and difficulty breathing through the nose may become more noticeable. Treatment for these conditions varies and spans from medical treatment to outpatient surgeries. Our offices have been newly outfitted as high definition endoscopy suites for painless visualization of each patient’s unique symptoms. This allows us to discuss the exact cause of the problem with you and explain whatever changes need to be made. If surgery is in the best interest of the patient, we use minimally invasive, cutting-edge techniques and instruments. That means no more packing, black-and-blue eyes or prolonged time away from school, family or work. Finally, we also continue to expand our capacity to offer in- office procedures for near-immediate relief of many common sinus complaints. Another area where our endoscopic capacity can help us better treat our patients and impart an understanding of their disease or illness is in the realm of voice care and voice surgery. Oftentimes, this first presents as “hoarseness,” or some acute or longstanding change in the voice or singing quality. We are fortunate to partner with a world-class speech pathologist to coordinate care to diagnose, treat, rehabilitate and, if necessary, operate on disorders of the voice box, or “larynx.” Giuseppe V. Staltari, MD trained at the renowned University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck surgery, where he had the opportunity to work alongside world leaders and innovators in the fields of head and neck surgery, laryngology and professional voice care, sleep surgery, ear surgery, and sinonasal surgery. He practices the full breadth of state-of-the-art ear, nose, and throat care, including diagnosis and treatment of allergies and allergic rhinitis, hearing care, sinus surgery, head and neck cancer care, voice disorders care, salivary gland issues, thyroid surgery, and superficial skin cancers of the head and neck. He works with Dr.s Froman, Orsini, Rago, and McElwain at The ENT and Allergy Specialists of Western PA and with the Associated Hearing Aid Services. He is accepting new patients. He is accepting new patients. To make an appointment with Dr. Staltari at ENT Heritage Valley-Kennedy, call (412) 771-0416. For more about ENT and their sleep apnea treatments, visit www. entallergywesternpa.com. The big little world of the ears, nose and throatBY GIUSEPPE STALTARI, MD November/December 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 11% New in Town New in Town This veteran-owned painting company is thriving by putting customers first STORY AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED The way Dave Sams of Moon Township sees it, everyone needs a painter at some point. It’s just that they don’t always know who to call. Dave can’t blame them. While weathered exteriors, banged-up walls and remodels are things anyone who’s ever owned a business or home has dealt with, finding the right contractor who will deliver both quality work and great customer service isn’t easy. Dave has been striving to deliver both to his customers ever since he started his own painting company, Brush: A Professional Painting Company, two years ago. He knows that’s what customers want when they call him, even if it’s not always what they expect. It’s part of the reason that Dave and his crew of six full-time painters have been so busy lately. They’ve been tackling residential and small commercial jobs across Allegheny County and even into Beaver and Butler. The company never takes a deposit and offers some of the best rates around. They pride themselves on working hard to deliver quality work, while Dave himself operates on a philosophy of treating people well, no matter if they’re a customer or a new employee. It’s something Dave says he learned from his father, who also owned his own painting business. Dave got started in the trade while working under his dad in high school. “Everything I do, I hear my dad’s voice giving me advice,” he says. Dave enlisted in the military right out of high school and attended college for a brief time before returning to the trade he knows best. He worked for a couple of other painting companies for a few years before his fiancé, Jamie, of Kennedy Township, encouraged him to strike out on his own. He lost his father a few months ago and now the couple is carrying on Dave’s dad’s legacy by running the business the way Dave knows his dad would want. With invaluable assistance from his mother, sister (who works on his crew) and in-laws, Dave says the business has become a true family affair. Brush: A Professional Painting Company, is available for both residential and small commercial work. Call them at (412) 627-0884 for a free estimate. Follow them on Facebook: @ brushpaintingcompany. Dave Sams (far right) and his fiance, Jamie, operate Brush: A Professional Painting Company with their crew. Brush is available for both interior and exterior jobs. 12 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2020% New in Town New in Town After graduating from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1997, Nicole Lerda began a career in the financial industry. She quickly realized that, as a woman, she was grossly outnumbered. Women represented just 15% of the industry’s workforce and even fewer held leadership positions. With those statistics against her, Lerda knew she had a difficult road ahead of her. However, with tenacity and an entrepreneurial spirit, she was determined to succeed. As the years passed, Lerda continued to break barriers. She became a director of marketing, a fully-licensed financial planner and a director of new business development. Ultimately, she was promoted to managing sales director of a Fortune 50 company. More recently, her passion to support women led her to procure MaxxCole Salon & Spa in Robinson Township. “I had been going to this salon for 13 years and found it be a compassionate place for women - perfect for helping women to feel confident by serving all of their beauty and self-care needs,” says Lerda. In January of 2020, the former owner of MaxxCole Salon & Spa approached Lerda and explained that she would be moving on from her business. However, she did not want the salon and the careers of its 10 female employees to end. As Lerda had a deep passion for serving women, and a soft spot for the business, she felt compelled to step in and help. Lerda was referred to Duquesne University’s Small Business Development Center by MaxxCole Salon & Spa’s original owner. Lerda was paired with an experienced business consultant, who helped her to realize that buying MaxxCole Salon & Spa was feasible. She and her consultant worked together to discuss legal issues, loan options and business and marketing plans. In the middle of the transition, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the country, but with steady advice and a positive attitude, Lerda was able to use that time to continue work on the business. She designed and built her website, wrote and developed marketing material, created an interior design plan for the space, and developed all of the hiring paperwork she would need. She also developed an employee handbook and salon and spa processes. Through it all, Lerda retained all of MaxxCole Salon & Spa’s 10 employees. On Oct. 24, the business celebrated its official opening with all of its supporters, including the Duquesne SBDC, Beth Caldwell & Pittsburgh Professional Women, Dollar Bank, Beth Lynch, CFP, SVP of Fort Pitt Capital Group, and members of the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce. Lerda is proud to say that she and her husband are continuing to offer the same excellent service and AVEDA product line that MaxxCole Salon and Spa always has. Though Lerda could never have predicted she would have to battle a global pandemic in the first months of owning the business, her passion for supporting women has carried her through. No doubt, it will continue to grow and flourish under her leadership. MaxxCole is located at 5284 Steubenville Pike in Robinson Township. For more, visit www.maxxcole.com or call (412) 788- 2711. MaxxCole Salon & Spa in Robinson celebrates reopening under new ownership STORY AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED Nicole Lerda acquired MaxxCole Salon & Spa in Robinson Township earlier this year. Despite contending with the COVID-19 pandemic, she was able to retain all 10 of the business’ employees. Nicole Lerda (at center) is pictured at the newly remodeled MaxxCole Salon & Spa in Robinson Township with salon employees Oksana Verbitska, Diana Cassagrande, Chelsea Buzzard, Abby Hively, Ashley Lanoue and Stephanie Goehring. Absent from the picture are Lori Lober and Lilly Thrasher. MaxxCole Salon & Spa celebrates its official reopening Oct. 24. November/December 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 13Y Robinson Twp. Historical Society Robinson Twp. Historical Society Remembering Calgon Calgon Corporation, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., was one of the Robinson Township’s largest employers in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. At one time, the company, which was located at the intersection of Campbell’s Run Road and Route 60, employed more than 600 people. The three Pittsburgh buildings included the corporate headquarters (Building 1) and laboratories for producing and testing water treatment chemicals (Buildings 2 and 3). When built in 1957, the buildings were state-of-the-art, with modern research and development labs staffed by top-notch chemists; a medical office staffed by a full- time nurse practitioner; a sizeable science- specific library; and a large, fully-equipped cafeteria. Calgon was a major producer of water treatment chemicals and, in addition, they once produced skin care and bath products, including the bubble bath that introduced the catchphrase, “Calgon, take me away!” Employees often volunteered to do “blind” comparison tests on new skin-care products. In the 1980s, Coty acquired the company’s line of bath and beauty products. Today, the Calgon name lives on, now owned by PDC Brands. English China Clays purchased Calgon from Merck in 1993 for $307 million. In 1999, Nalco Chemical absorbed Calgon and moved most of the operation to Naperville, Illinois, though small Calgon plants still operate in Ellwood City and Green Tree. When the Pittsburgh headquarter facility officially closed its doors in 2000, about 300 jobs were eliminated, with some employees transitioning to Nalco Chemical. Calgon Carbon, which split from Calgon in 1985, remains a leader in systems for air and water purification. The main Calgon Corporation building is still recognizable, but it is now home to Verizon Wireless. Remembering Calgon as it was in its heyday, a former employee commented, “It was a great, creative place to work. There was a real feeling of family there. Once you were hired by Calgon, you felt you were set for life.” STORY AND PHOTO SUBMITTED BY THE ROBINSON TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY The Calgon building in Robinson Township is pictured in 2001, not long after it was closed. 14 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2020y > Learning Curves Learning Curves If you own a house in the suburbs that was built prior to 1980 and it still has the original sewer line, it could be in trouble. Most residential lines are made from materials that were only meant to last upwards of 30 years. Over time, ground movement, tree roots, construction and other factors tend to wreak havoc on these old lines. Whether comprised of cast iron, steel, terra cotta or even plastic, the lines will eventually fail. This can lead to backups and, in a worst case scenario, raw sewage spilling back into the home. To replace sewer lines such as these, plumbers have traditionally excavated the old line and replaced it. Though costly, the new line lasts a lifetime. Unfortunately for many households, old sewage lines tend to be buried underneath new construction and landscaping. Replacing a line by excavating it can thus involve demolishing and replacing costly items such as driveways, retaining walls and landscaping. In that case, replacing a sewer line can run homeowners thousands of dollars above and beyond just replacing the line. Fortunately, new technology allows for the repair of old sewage lines without excavation. A system known as trenchless pipe repair and lining involves digging a small hole down to the old line and coating the inside in an epoxy. The epoxy cures to a plastic that is just as thick as a modern sewer line. It does not mitigate flow, can be installed any time of the year and lasts a lifetime. The process also costs about the same as a traditional sewer line replacement. Homeowners who would otherwise need to replace a driveway, retaining wall or landscaping could thus save thousands of dollars. Trenchless pipe repair for sewage lines isn’t a commonly offered service in this area, however. That’s why Jim Meyers and Son Plumbing in Oakdale decided to invest in machinery earlier this year that would allow them to offer it to both residential and commercial customers. So far, they’ve fixed old sewer lines that would have otherwise incurred significant added expenses. To clear blocked sewer lines, Jim Meyers and Son Plumbing also uses a pressurized water system prior to installing the epoxy that flushes out buildup. Pressurized to 4,000 psi, the system can even clear roots from a line. A camera system allows them to inspect the pipe for blockages. For more, visit meyersplumbingpittsburgh.com or call (412) 787-7805. How to repair a sewer line without destroying your yard or driveway Rather than excavate and replace this old sewer line, it was flushed and then coated in an epoxy that will keep it operating for a lifetime. Jim Meyers and Son Plumbing in Oakdale is now one of the few plumbing businesses in the area offering trenchless pipe repair for residential and commercial sewer lines. The service allows for the repair of a sewer line without excavation and can potentially save property owners thousand of dollars. CONTENT SUBMITTED 16 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2020y > Learning Curves Learning Curves 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. BY MICHELE P. CONTI November/December 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 17 No one wants to believe that it’s a possibility but, over the years, I’ve heard a number of horror stories about kids stealing from their incapacitated parents. Some have “borrowed” money in hopes their siblings wouldn’t find out what they were doing. We advise our clients that having a power of attorney is the foundation of any good estate plan. A power of attorney gives you control by allowing you to name someone you trust to act as your advocate and on your behalf if you are unable to act for yourself. But what if you choose wrong? What if the child you picked turns out to be a bad seed? When naming an agent under a durable power of attorney, he/she has broad rights to control and use your financial assets. A durable power of attorney is one that continues after you have become incapacitated. The advantages to having a durable power of attorney is that you, rather than a judge, appoints the person with control over your assets. As such, you avoid the time and expense of a guardianship proceeding and you have the peace of mind of knowing that if you become incapacitated, you have already implemented a plan. Should you change your mind while you are of sound mind, you can revoke or amend your power of attorney. But what if you are not sound of mind? In that case, the court can remove a fiduciary (your power of attorney agent) if the court believes that the agent has taken actions counter to those in your best interest for breaching their duty. Breaching their duty means that they are acting to achieve their interests rather than your own. A fiduciary’s decisions need be free of conflict and self-dealing. To successfully execute a claim for breach of duty, one must prove that a fiduciary relationship existed; that there was a breach of that relationship; and that the breach caused financial damage that the court can rectify. Clearly, a power of attorney provides a fiduciary relationship but what constitutes a breach is more complex. Improper gifts, commingling of funds and using money for their own expenses are clear illustrations of a breach. But there are also many more gray areas. Interested parties who believe that an agent has abused his/her power have the right to hire an estate litigation attorney to force the agent’s hand and provide a detailed account of their actions. The formal accounting must include information on all assets as well as every transaction that took place during their tenure as agent. If the agent committed a breach of duty, the judge could surcharge the agent, forcing repayment out of the agent’s personal funds. Further, the judge could also remove the agent and appoint a guardian of the person and guardian of the estate to make future decisions for the incapacitated party. To remove the agent, we must have proof. This is one of the areas where our clients tend to waiver. They believe the agent has used mom’s funds for their own benefit but do not have tangible proof. We often find the proof by way of witness testimony, depositions, interviews and/or subpoenaed documents. Judges take the allegation of impropriety seriously and will accept evidence if provided correctly. Keep in mind that the agent is permitted to use estate funds to defend themselves while the plaintiff is not. Some common reasons for removal of an agent are friction between co-agents, failure to comply with terms, non- cooperation, non-compliance with an order of court, asset neglect or mismanagement, misconduct, abuse of discretion, and misappropriation of funds. The agent may also be removed if they have become incapacitated or unfit and they refuse to act. Time is of the essence. If you suspect abuse by an agent, call us today to review your rights. What if your power of attorney agent turns out to be a thief?y > Learning CurvesLearning Curves SUBMITTED BY GEORGE G. HESS, D.P.T, C.O.M.T Shoulder pain: the top five common causes Are you living with pain in your shoulders? Shoulder pain is a nuisance, but not an uncommon one. An estimated 4.5 million people in the U.S. visit a doctor or physical therapist for shoulder pain each year. There are several different reasons you may be experiencing shoulder pain. Here’s a run-down on why your shoulders may be hurting - and what you can do about it. 1. Rotator Cuff Tendonitis Because of its important job and the stress placed on it, your rotator cuff is very susceptible to injury. One common type of rotator cuff injury is rotator cuff tendonitis. Tendonitis simply means inflammation and swelling of tendons - the tissue that connects muscle to bone. There are several reasons rotator cuff tendons may become inflamed, including repetitive movements, sports injuries, aging and poor posture. Many people suffer from shoulder tendonitis because of movements required by their jobs. Symptoms include swelling and pain, particularly in the front of the shoulder. Fortunately, physical therapy is a very effective treatment for rotator cuff tendonitis. 2. Rotator Cuff Tear Another type of rotator cuff injury is a rotator cuff tear. This tear is often caused by an injury or aging. Symptoms of a rotator cuff tear include weakness and pain in the shoulder. If the tear was caused by a traumatic injury, this pain can sometimes be severe. In most cases, physical therapy and other conservative approaches can help heal a rotator cuff tear. In some severe cases, surgery may be necessary. 3. Bursitis A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that cushions the areas around many types of joints. Bursitis occurs when a bursa becomes inflamed. According to the Mayo Clinic, bursitis normally occurs because of repetitive movements, or because of pressure put on the bursa for long periods of time. Shoulder bursitis symptoms include achiness in the joint, pain with movement and swelling. Rest, icing, physical therapy and other conservative treatments usually help to alleviate bursitis pain. 4. Arthritis Arthritis is joint pain caused by joint inflammation. There are several types of arthritis, the most common of which are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In the U.S., arthritis is the leading cause of disability, with an estimated 50 million adults suffering from the condition. Arthritis is more common in older adults, females and those with a family history of the condition. Symptoms of arthritis in the shoulder include pain that gets worse with activity and limited range of motion. Arthritis responds well to physical therapy and exercise. 5. Labral Tear A tissue called a labrum helps to cushion your shoulder socket. This tissue can become torn, causing shoulder pain. Reasons for a labral tear include traumatic and overuse injury. Symptoms may include a popping sensation followed by aching and pain. Your shoulder may feel like it is catching on something when you try to move it. What Can You Do About Shoulder Pain? If you’re experiencing shoulder pain that doesn’t go away on its own, you should schedule an appointment with a physical therapist or doctor. All of these common causes of shoulder pain can greatly benefit from an individualized physical therapy plan. Additionally, over- the-counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen can help to decrease inflammation. Conservative approaches to treating shoulder pain are often the most effective. In some severe cases, surgery or injections may become necessary, but these measures should only be taken as a last resort. A well-trained physical therapist like the shoulder pain experts at Hess Physical Therapy can distinguish between these types of shoulder pain and create a treatment plan for you. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call any of our Hess Physical Therapy locations or refer to our website for further contact information. Our locations: Kennedy: (412)-771-1055; Crafton: (412)-458-3445; Allison Park: (412)-487-2787. Visit us online at hesspt.com. First, a word about shoulder anatomy.... To understand why your shoulders hurt, it helps to know a little bit about your shoulders’ anatomy. Shoulder joints give you a wide range of motion, but this can also make them susceptible to injury. Your shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint, with the ball part located on the humerus bone and the socket part on the scapula bone. Each shoulder also has a collarbone called a clavicle. Surrounding and supporting your shoulder bones are several muscles and tendons called the rotator cuff. 18 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2020Next >