< Previous40 • Allegheny West Magazine • February/March 2020 Moon Township Senior Connection at Tapestry Senior Living 550 Cherrington Parkway, Moon Township Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Register at www.moonparks.org/ programs/seniors.asp# or call (412) 262-1703 x 415 on Monday-Thursday, 1-4:30 p.m., or Friday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Ongoing Programs: • Tuesday Tea Parties, Tuesdays, 1-2 p.m. • Piano Playing and Sing-Along with Margie, Thursdays, 11 a.m.-noon. • Trivia Challenge Game with Prizes, Thursdays, 1-2 p.m. • Adult Paint by Number with Acrylics, Fridays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Upcoming Special Events: Blueberry Pancake Breakfast, Jan. 28, 10:30a.m.-noon, $5/person, celebrate National Blueberry Pancake Day, line dancing to follow, register by Jan. 20, $5/person. Elvis Movie Fest, Feb. 3, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., free, “Jailhouse Rock,” “Harum Scarum,” “Spinout,” fresh popcorn, hot coffee, tea. Lovebug Miniature Therapy Horse Presentation, Feb. 14, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., informative and interactive presentation about how horses provide comfort and support, photo ops, pizza, beverages, BINGO with prizes, $7/person, register by Feb. 7. Carnegie Science Center & Mummy Exhibition Bus Trip, Feb. 24, 10:30 a.m. departure from Moon Township Senior Connection, 4 p.m. return, motor coach transportation provided, includes admission to the “Mummies of the World” introduction seminar and exhibition, register by Feb. 17, $52/person. Less than two miles away on Brodhead Road, the Apple Blossom Senior Living Community also opened this past fall with 14 independent living cottages, 104 personal care apartments and a 32-unit memory care unit for residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia. As of this writing, the complex was 50 percent pre-leased. One of the first residents to move into a personal care unit at Apple Blossom was the previously mentioned Lillian O’Hara. The shy and independent O’Hara made friends with a woman moving into the apartment next to her on the same day and is now enjoying her new life at the community. Her daughter commented that her mother is able to be alone if she chooses in the one-bedroom unit with a kitchenette and living area, but that it’s a relief to know that help is always on the other side of her door. Construction has also begun on a third facility in Moon called Luna Ridge that will be managed by Harmony Senior Services. The company, which is a division of the Roanoke development company Smith Packett, will manage the 189-unit, 200,000 square-foot complex. The new senior residence will be part of the Village at Market Place, a mixed-use development containing businesses, homes and retail establishments. One portion of the complex will be located above Montour Run Road on land vacated by the Super K-Mart and Gander Mountain stores. Luna Ridge will be divided into 84 independent living residences, 69 assisted living units and 36 memory care units. It will offer various amenities that have become standard at such facilities, including dining options, a pub, fitness center and spa. Comments from HSS CEO Terry Howard provide an interesting perspective on the growth of elaborate, almost resort-like developments like this one for the senior population. Howard, who has been in the business since 1982, stated that in the 1980s and 1990s “people didn’t really understand all of the elements of senior living.” As consumers became more educated and the public markets opened up with equity, senior facilities became much more sophisticated. Additionally, after the 2008 financial collapse, said Howard, the market was the only real estate group with positive rent growth. It began to attract much more capital and venues such as hospitality groups wanted a piece of the action, helping to create a high- end vacation atmosphere. Howard says the “next big wave” in senior care will be secure, amenity-driven residential complexes with a price point scaled down for the middle market. “Nobody has really cracked this code yet,” stated Howard. One such popular option are apartment complexes for those aged 55 and older. Lafayette Square, which opened two years ago in the Hankey Farms neighborhood in North Fayette, has been at capacity for months and has a wait list for new residents. Another, Clover Communities apartment complex, is scheduled to open in the fall in Robinson Township and is already one-quarter pre-leased. Kathleen Codick, a Clover Group leasing consultant, reported that the Cedar Ridge Senior Apartments will be a four-story, 124-unit building with an option of two- bedroom, one-and-a-half baths units, a feature not available at Lafayette Square. Another unique amenity will be a coffee bar lounge on the fourth floor of the building. Codick said that before construction even began on the property, a woman living in Florida heard about Cedar Ridge and began calling her weekly to secure a lease. { Regardless of the direction in which caregivers choose to move forward with aging loved ones, the process can be stressful and costly. Caregivers should seek support from many sources and remind themselves to set aside time for their own health and needs. After nearly a year of transition, Opacic and her family have adjusted to the changes in their lives. The house renovations have provided a private living area for her mother on the lower level, which gives her a sense of independence but still allows her to share dinners and weekend meals with the family. Opacic’s mom is now enrolled in the LIFE Pittsburgh program, which transports her daily to and from a facility where all of her personal care and medical needs are addressed. Her mother has a purpose each day now, said Opacic, adding that she has made new friends at the facility and looks forward to going there. “Establishing new routines for all of us as a family has been crucial to moving forward and creating a new sense of normal,” commented Opacic. •February/March 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 4142 • Allegheny West Magazine • February/March 2020Marketplace AdsCoupons As a neighborhood-based and community focused publication, Allegheny West Magazine encourages complimentary submissions of informational school news, as well as informational (non-promotional) news from community groups, nonprofit organizations and churches. Please submit via e-mail to: info@awmagazine.com. February/March 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 43On the Horizon On the Horizon ; Findlay Parks and Recreation Register for any of the following programs by calling Findlay Township Parks and Recreation at (724) 695-0500 x 240 or by emailing sstrain@findlaytwp.org, unless otherwise indicated. Programs take place at the Findlay Township Community Center unless otherwise indicated. Annual Easter Egg Hunt, April 4, 11 a.m., Clinton Park, Rainbow’s End Playground, see page 43. Garden Workshop, March 14, 8 a.m., $25, see page 43. Pirate and Princess Party, March 21, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $2/child, see page 43. Friday Morning Bingo, Jan. 31, Feb. 28, March 27, April 24, May 29, doors open 9 a.m., bingo starts 10 a.m. Community Tire Collection Program, April 25, 9 a.m.-noon, 1058 Clinton Road, $3 up to 18” off rim/$5 on rim or SUV, $25 tractor trailer, $25 farm tractor up to 75 lbs./$40 up to 150 lbs./$75 over 150 lbs. Computer and Appliance Recycling, March 21, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Findlay Municipal Building, one TV per vehicle, $20 Freon appliances. Indoor Flea Market, March 7, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., $10/table. Women’s Self-Defense Class, March 10, 7-9 p.m., Findlay Municipal Building, free class, call to register. Time for Toddlers, Feb. 24, 25, March 9, 10, 23, 24, April 6, 7, 20, 21, May 4, 5, 11, 12, 10:15- 11:15 a.m., $5/child, WA inclement weather cancellations. Yoga for Beginners and Beyond, Fridays, 6:30-7:30 p.m., $5/class. Senior Yoga and Qi Gong, Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Crochet for a Cause, Feb. 27, March 26, April 23, May 28, 6:30-8 p.m. Rock Painting, March 28, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m., Findlay Municipal Building, free, children under 16 with parent, register by May 4. Project Linus, March 28, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wrapped in Love, Feb. 29, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., registration required. North Fayette Parks and Recreation Programs take place at the North Fayette Community Center at Donaldson Park, unless otherwise noted. Visit www.north-fayette.com or call (724) 307-3725 for more information or to register. Adults and Seniors Total Body HIIT, Mondays, 9 a.m. Total Body Strength, Tuesdays, 6 p.m. Body Weight Plus, Mondays, 6 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m. Yoga, Wednesdays, 7 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m. PiYo, Wednesdays, 6 p.m., Fridays, 9 a.m. Tai Chi Ch’uan, Saturdays, 9 a.m. Adult Volleyball League, Tuesdays, Feb. 18-May 26. Pickle Ball, Mondays-Thursdays, 8-10 a.m., Fridays, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., 5-7 p.m. Senior Luncheons, second Wednesdays, noon. Youth Mommy and Me, up to age 4, Fridays through March 13. Flag Football, ages 6-14, Saturdays through March 21. Soccer, ages 6-7, Thursdays through March 26. Hockey, ages 6-11, Sundays through March 22. Super Kids Basketball, ages 4-6, Wednesdays through March 18. Preschool, ages 2-4, kromano@north-fayette.com. Afterschool Programming, Monday- Friday, 3:30-5:30 p.m., K-8, nkreutzman@north-fayette. com. 44 • Allegheny West Magazine • February/March 2020; On the Horizon On the Horizon SNPJ Lodge 106 Programs Events take place at SNPJ Lodge 106 and are open to the public unless otherwise indicated. Memberships available to the public at clubroom door. For more, (724) 695-1411, snpjimperialpa.com, imperialroomsnpj.com. Bar Bingo, Thursdays, 7-9 p.m., clubroom, kitchen will be open. Fish Fry Fridays, Fridays, Feb. 28-April 10, special Lenten menu. Euchre Tournament, first and third Mondays, 2 p.m., $10 entry fee, food buffet available, public event. Guntown in Concert, Feb. 22, 8 p.m., $6, kitchen will be open. Jitterbug Dance, Feb. 23, 2 p.m. Ash Wednesday Fish Fry, Feb. 26. Slovenian Chef Dinner, Feb. 27, 6:30-9:30 p.m., visiting chefs blend traditional farm-fresh Slovenian cuisine with modern interpretations, call to make reservation. Center Stage in Concert, March 7, 8-11 p.m., no cover, kitchen open. West Allegheny Class of 1958 Meetings, second Thursdays, 9 a.m., Eat’n Park Robinson Township, (724) 747-1773. Western PA Kidney Support Group, second Sundays, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Eat’n Park Robinson, (724) 796-1603, RSVP. Seussical Character Breakfast, Feb. 22, 9-11:30 a.m., OLSH Cafeteria, celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday, green eggs and ham breakfast, activities, story walk with OLSH Spring Musical “Seussical the Musical!” characters, $10 adults, $5 children, (412) 608-6084. West Hills Symphonic Band Concert, March 1, 3 p.m., Montour High School, winter concert: “Bold Ventures,” free, whsb.org. Toast of the Rox, March 15, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., McKees Rocks Rotary, French toast breakfast to support community, call (412)771-6781 for tickets, $8. Montours Presbyterian Church Soup and Salad Dinner, March 28, 4-6 p.m., homemade soups, salads, desserts, beverages, Mancini’s bread, see below. February/March 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 45STORY BY ERMA DODD PHOTO SUBMITTED Back in the 1980s, West Allegheny student Jason Smith realized how much he enjoyed remote-controlled cars. His favorite times were at the Rolling Wheels Skating Rink, where he would race his cars around the rink. Early on in his work life, Jason’s hobby turned into a job. He has since worked for two remote-controlled track shops, where he ran races and repaired and maintained RC cars. Fast forward to 2020. Anyone who has recently traveled along Steubenville Pike past Hankey’s Plaza toward Robinson may have seen a fence on the left and wondered, “What’s that about?” Inside the fence, black corrugated piping circles an empty lot. That’s Jason’s dream come true and it’s called Kick’n Butts Raceway. It’s located at 7120 Steubenville Pike. Jason smiles, and says, “It is a family-friendly oriented fun spot, where parents can spend time with their kids. Time to leave the XBox at home and have family fun time outdoors. Time to connect.” When it opens this spring, it will be a safe place where teens can have fun while racing their RC cars and trucks up dirt banks and jumps. The cars can jump as high as 10 to 25 feet in the air and reach speeds of anywhere from 10 to 60 miles per hour. “Our grand opening is April 3-5, 2020, weather permitting,” says Kathleen Dvorsky, Smith’s business partner. Expect to see a bicycle with a cooler full of ice cream treats from Scoops and More, the ice cream shop just down the street in Tonidale. Scoops and More will also be offering raceway customers a discount if they stop by after their day of racing. For anyone new to the RC hobby, Kick’n Butts Raceway offers an opportunity to get acquainted with it. Choose a rental car or truck, and it’s yours for two hours. Each rental includes a handheld remote control and two batteries for $25. Or you can bring your own RC car or truck and pay $5 for the day. Dvorsky says she envisions party ideas, including kids’ parties with temporary race tattoos, trophies and more. They’ll also offer alcohol-free adult parties with discounted rates. Did someone say, “bachelor parties?” The raceway offers two 60-foot-wide tracks. There’s an oval motor cross track and a converse track. Up until now, the only other closest tracks had been two hours away from the area. The tracks are designed to give the new person, from the youngest to the oldest, an opportunity to win. Winning is not based on the cost of the car and upgrades. Yes, speed plays a role, but how a person handles their car’s speed off the jumps or around corners contributes to winning. Racers also have the option of renting a transponder. During races, a MyLaps lap-counting system keeps track of the cars using the transponder. History of every race by the driver will then be kept and can be accessed by anyone who has an account. The track will also be selling cars and giving away a training session with each purchase. Repairs and upgrades are available also. A longtime friend of Smith’s who works with the National Association for Remote Control Raceways approached Smith and Dvorsky about having a National Demolition Derby at the track the weekend of June 27 and 28. “Of course we jumped at the chance,” says Smith. The Steel City Meltdown is expected to draw 100 members eager to compete. The winner will be the last car standing. Jason’s daughter, Aja,13, loves working with her dad. So does his son, Tristan, 9. They both enjoy driving their Traxxas Rustler vehicles. “My father may never grow up!” says Aja. For more on Kick’n Butts raceway, visit www.Kicknbuttsrw.com and www.facebook.com/kicknbuttsraceway. A dream come true ABOVE: Aja and Tristan Smith show off their cars in front of the shop at Kick’n Butts Raceway in the Hankey Farms Plaza. BELOW: This aerial view shows the two tracks at Kick’n Butts Raceway at 7120 Steubenville Pike. Save the Date Poverty to Purpose Guest speakers Neil Chaffin and Rev. Debra Chaffin Montours Presbyterian Church March 8, 2 p.m. Book Signing: “Little Duke Boy” An RC-powered Jtex35 launches into the air. PHOTO BY STEPHANIE MALONE 46 • Allegheny West Magazine • February/March 2020PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID PITTSBURGH PA PERMIT NO. 5605 Hughey Publications, LLC P.O. Box 220 McDonald, PA 15057 Now in Our 21 st Year Proudly Serving the Airport Area Allegheny West MagazineNext >