< Previous%Locally SourcedLocally Sourced MaxxCole Salon & Spa in Robinson Township was recently named the 2021 Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year by the Duquesne University Small Business Development Center and the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business. In honor of National Small Business Week, Duquesne University chose five companies among 600 nominees to recognize, including Women-Owned Business of the Year, Minority-Owned Business of the Year, Family-Owned Business of the Year, Technology Innovation Business of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year. “Being recognized as the Woman-Owned Business of the Year not only validates the work I have done to make this business thrive, but also shines a bright light of appreciation on those who have helped to make this possible, including my MaxxCole team, my business resources and my husband and business partner, Howard Lerda,” said MaxxCole owner, Nicole Lerda. “We are all so incredibly proud of this recognition and are excited to continue serving our clients and community for years to come!” Lerda purchased and took over the business, formerly MaxManni, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic in August of 2020. Despite the industry and economy taking a beating from the countrywide shutdown, Lerda kept looking forward and was determined to succeed. She renovated the business, restructured its marketing, diversified the salon and spa services, and implemented a new customer service model. These strategic plans allowed the business to reopen strong, experience growth and save the careers of her 10 dedicated employees. In addition to this most recent honor, Lerda has also been awarded the 2021 Women of Influence Award by Pittsburgh Professional Women and named among the 2021 Airport Corridor Women in Leadership. MaxxCole Salon & Spa is a full-service salon offering hair care, nail care, hair removal, brow and lash artistry, permanent powder brows, DMK skin and body treatments, professional makeup application, therapeutic massage, and more. “Everyone is welcome at MaxxCole,” said Lerda. “Come in, relax and be yourself. It is our mission to provide consistent, high- quality service to every guest to their complete satisfaction and give them a safe, clean space to nourish their self-care needs.” MaxxCole is located at 5284 Steubenville Pike. For more information, visit maxxcole.com or call (412) 788-2711. See below for their special holiday offers. MaxxCole Salon & Spa named Woman-Owned Business of the Year MaxxCole owner Nicole Lerda (second from right) is pictured outside her salon with her staff members. CONTENT SUBMITTED 10 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2021 When COVID-19 shut down the country last spring, Catherine Cantella found herself with a lot of extra free time on her hands. An athletic trainer by trade, Cantella had been working at an area gym and could no longer work with her clients in person. So, like a lot of other athletic trainers, Cantella turned to an online video streaming service and started holding group classes with her clients virtually. They’d get up early in the morning and not only would everyone get a great workout, they’d also get some of that personal connection time they were all craving. “It really helped me personally while being locked down,” she says. “I had people reaching out and saying, ‘I’m getting up early to do these classes and they’re pulling me through the day.’” Cantella kept hosting the virtual workouts throughout the rest of the year, and with her class numbers remaining strong, by December she was looking for a brick-and-mortar studio space. The following April, she found an open storefront in the Pike Place Plaza along Steubenville Pike in Robinson Township. In August, she opened her own gym, AMP Fitness, and began holding in- person classes with the goal of helping members achieve success and giving back to the community “Now we’re all in person and it’s fantastic,” she says. Being in the physical space offers members several benefits. Not only do they get to see each other in person, but they also get to take advantage of the gym’s full range of equipment. Because the virtual workouts were limited by whatever equipment people had in their homes, Cantella says those workouts mostly focused on cardio. Now, they’ve added lifting components to the workouts. She and the gym’s trainers also get to work directly with members. Cantella says the gym has also taken precautions against COVID-19 by adding sanitizing stations and two air filtration systems. She says people can wear masks if they prefer. During a typical workout at AMP Fitness, gym members will cycle through a range of different stations during a one-hour circuit-training session. One station will likely have them running on a treadmill while another might have them lifting dumbbells, doing pull-ups or working with heavy bands. “There’s a coach telling you what to do every single second, so you’ll never feel like you don’t know what you’re doing,” says Cantella. “Our coaches are incredibly qualified and knowledgeable in their fields, with specializations and certifications in personal training and strength and conditioning certifications.” Since each day’s workout is also different, a member going to the gym three days in a row can expect to work on a different muscle group each day. One day they might be working on back and bicep muscles, while another day they might be working on core and shoulders. “We focus on push/pull style training and target muscle groups individually each and every day to promote greater physical changes,” says Cantella. They also have a name for that feeling you get after a tough workout, when your muscles are burning and letting you know you’re doing something right. They call it “spicy.” “You’re going to feel it the next day when you go to pick up your kids or get the groceries,” she says. Cantella says that anyone new walking in will feel right at home. “If you’re walking into an AMP class for first time, you’ll be welcomed by everyone,” says Cantella. “It’s almost like you’re going to feel like these are my new friends.” AMP Fitness also gives back to the community by donating a portion of its membership fees to charitable causes. Last year, AMP raised $16,000 for a variety of nonprofits, including the Veterans Leadership Program, Americans with Disabilities Association, West Hills Food Bank, Pittsburgh Pride, March of Dimes and others. The gym also holds a monthly workout session where everyone pitches in about $20 and 100% of the proceeds go to a specific charity. Quarterly, they hold a brews and yoga event at the Southern Tier brewery in Pittsburgh’s North Side. “One thing that is very important to me is giving back to communities,” she says. “That’s always something I wanted to do.” Before opening her gym, Cantella worked as a counselor. She holds a master’s from Chatham University in counseling and an undergraduate degree from Westminster College. She says sports counseling has always been an interest for her. Through AMP, she’s been able to realize that passion and continue her eight-year career in the fitness industry. For more, find AMP Fitness online at www.ampfitnesspgh.com and on Instagram @ampfitnesscommunity for regular updates. AMP holds classes seven days per week and offers a variety of membership options. Each works out to less than $13 per class and a portion goes to charity. “We always tell people, ‘When you come in and sweat, we give back,’” she says. AMP Fitness, a studio gym focused on fitness success and giving back to the community, opens in Robinson ABOVE: Catherine Cantella’s gym, AMP Fitness, grew out of an online community that started during COVID-19. BELOW: Members cool down after a workout. STORY AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED November/December 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 11Widening the spectrum of medical care “By bringing in these new physicians and their expertise, we will be able to help more people receive the care they need, closer to home,” says Dan Battista, administrator of UPMC Outpatient Center in Moon Township and administrative director of the UPMC Center for Advanced Robotics Training. One of the new doctors at the outpatient center is Suresh Mulukutla, MD, chair of Cardiology for UPMC Passavant and director of Analytics-Cardiology for UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute. Housed in the outpatient center, Dr. Mulukutla leads the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute Moon office, which offers patients comprehensive cardiovascular care, including: • Cardio-Oncology • General cardiology • Interventional cardiology • Women’s heart health As part of UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute’s UPMC Center for Cardio- Oncology, Dr. Mulukutla collaborates with oncologists at the on-site UPMC Hillman Cancer Center to prevent, diagnose, and treat heart and blood vessel issues as they arise in cancer patients and survivors. UPMC Orthopaedic Care also is new at the outpatient center, enabling patients to receive care and specialized expertise from three orthopaedic surgeons: • Mark A. Fye, MD, Orthopaedic Specialists-UPMC, who specializes in spine surgery. • Thomas B. Hughes, Jr., MD, Orthopaedic Specialists- UPMC, a hand and upper extremity expert. • Kenneth L. Urish, MD, The Bone and Joint Center at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, who is trained in adult reconstructive orthopaedic surgery. The facility also welcomes Edward K. Heres, MD, a pain management physician with UPMC Pain Medicine, who will treat patients with a variety of chronic pain conditions. Expanding diagnostic and specialty care in Moon Township In an effort to broaden the diagnostic and specialty care accessible to families living in the western suburbs of Pittsburgh, the UPMC Outpatient Center in Moon Township is expanding and welcoming new physicians and services. The UPMC Outpatient Center, located on Coraopolis Heights Road, is introducing five specialists in heart and vascular care, orthopaedics, and pain management. Enhanced diagnostic medical care In addition to these physicians and their expertise, the UPMC Outpatient Center plans to introduce on-site x-ray imaging capabilities in November. “Bringing state-of-the-art imaging equipment and technology to the facility will be a valuable and much-needed addition for both our patients and our physicians,” says Battista. “Not only will patients have the added convenience of UPMC Imaging Services much closer to their homes or offices, but physicians from every department in the outpatient center will be able to utilize the x-ray capabilities, helping to heighten the level of on-site care for our patients.” World-class care, closer to home For residents who live west of the city, the UPMC Outpatient Center not only offers expert care, but also convenience and proximity. “Before, patients’ options were limited. Many living in the area would have to drive to UPMC Passavant or one of our other locations to see a physician,” says Battista. “Now, thanks to expanding services and expertise, patients have the opportunity to receive a wide range of care just down the road from their home or office.” At the UPMC Outpatient Center, patients can receive a wide range of specialty and diagnostic care. Services include: “I think the opportunity to provide more services to the people in this area is wonderful,” says Battista. “Our goal is to meet the needs of the community, and we hope we can continue to do so by broadening care options and expanding services for those living here.” These added services and expertise at the outpatient center are just one way UPMC continues to expand care in the western suburbs of Pittsburgh, providing families in Coraopolis, Moon Township, Robinson Township, and beyond with top-notch care, closer to home. With UPMC Urgent Care and UPMC Centers for Rehab Services in Robinson Township near you, it’s easy to find world-class care that’s close to where you live or work. The UPMC Outpatient Center is located at 1600 Coraopolis Heights Road in Moon Township, just off I-376. Free, on-site parking is available. Find and schedule an appointment at UPMC.com/MoonOPC. This article is sponsored content from UPMC. Suresh Mulukutla, MD, chair of Cardiology for UPMC Passavant and director of Analytics- Cardiology for UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, is now seeing patients at the UPMC Outpatient Center in Moon Township. The UPMC Outpatient Center in Moon Township is expanding and welcoming new physicians and services. The UPMC Outpatient Center, located on Coraopolis Heights Road, is introducing five specialists who specialize in heart and vascular care, orthopaedics, and pain management. • Cancer care • Heart and vascular • Lab services • Neurosurgery • Obstetrics and gynecology • Orthopaedics • Pediatrics • Physical therapy and rehabilitation • Primary care % New in Town New in Town 12 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2021y > 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 The three most important estate planning documents everyone needs So long as we are fortunate, we will all grow older. We will all experience life and its set of obstacles. Then, eventually, we will all die. I’m often asked what documents a person NEEDS to have prepared for when they pass away and what the repercussions are should they not plan ahead. Truth be told, if you fail to plan ahead, the state has a failsafe in place. However, the result in such a circumstance is not always what you may have chosen, and nor is it cheap. As a tax attorney, my thoughts stray to the two most important factors of the fail ages: time and money. Attorneys aren’t cheap. Court processes typically take a long time. Therefore, why not plan for yourself in case you require someone to act on your behalf? Here are the three most important estate planning documents that I recommend for my clients and that you should prioritize as well: Powers of Attorney for Finance and Medical Care Without these two documents specifying who can act for you financially, and who can make medical decisions on your behalf if you lose capacity - no matter if for a day, a month or indefinitely - this can result in guardianship. This is the process where someone petitions the court to have the judge decide on an appropriate person or third party company to act on your behalf and make decisions for you. Sounds simple enough, right? Guardianships are expensive and require depositions of a medical professional and testimony from family. This can lead to in-fighting between your family members. Fighting leads to delays and higher costs. All of this, however, can easily be avoided by drafting the appropriate Durable Financial Power of Attorney and Health Care Power of Attorney. If you become incapacitated, your Financial Power of Attorney allows you to appoint someone to act on your behalf and manage your assets. Paying bills is the most common job for this agent. We may also appoint a backup agent if the originally appointed agent is unable to act on your behalf. This role ends upon your passing and then the executor of your will takes over. Your agent and executor can be the same person but it’s important that each party is aware of their role. Your medical agent doesn’t have to be the same as your financial agent, but we can all become unexpectedly ill and it’s important for us to appoint a trusted person to be our advocate and for all of our wishes to be known. This includes not only end of life goals, but also whether you want to be treated for, say, COVID-19 or a traumatic brain injury. Would you want to be put on life support? What about your wishes once you have passed away? Do you want a traditional funeral? Cremation? Or a simple memorial service? All of this can be addressed in your document. Wills Who do you want to receive your assets and when do you want assets dispersed after you die? Who is in charge of settling your estate? Do your beneficiaries require a trust to hold their share rather than distributing the funds to them outright when you die? Without a will, Pennsylvania has you covered: the Intestacy Laws are created to address which loved ones inherit your assets if you don’t have a will. Sounds great, right? Maybe not. Your spouse or children may not receive the amount you intended or thought they’d receive. They may get more or less. Blended families are usually a cause for concern when our clients learn what Intestacy Laws dictate. With a will, you have the ability to voice your true intentions rather than rely on the state. It’s important to let your wishes be known. All too often, families are fractured indefinitely for poor planning. Sometimes siblings can’t remember why they aren’t speaking but know it all started when mom died. Do your family a favor and allow your wishes to be legally drafted so there aren’t any questions when you go and aren’t here to answer them. Let this Thanksgiving be a joyful experience with lots of good memories as we enjoy the opportunity to gather once again. November/December 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 1314 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2021 People go to the gym for lots of different reasons. Some want to lose weight and get in shape. Others, including high school athletes, want to take their athletic skills to the next level. For college and professional athletes, their livelihoods can depend on staying at the top of their game. Not all gyms serve such a wide range of individuals, but that is the concept behind a new training facility coming to the area called D1 Training Pittsburgh West. Located next to Golf Galaxy in Robinson Township, the facility is the latest for the national company, which utilizes proven training methods from top professional athletes and Division 1 coaches to help everyone reach their unique workout goals. It even offers a variety of programs for kids as young as elementary age. “Anyone who has a goal can work out here,” says Michelle Benigni, who is opening the new franchise location. Benigni, who lives in Robinson, says she found out about D1 Training last year while she was stuck at home during the pandemic. Before COVID-19 shut down the country, she had been working as a physical trainer at a gym that eventually closed. “A couple of months into the pandemic, I was really missing my gym and working with my clients,” she says. “So I thought maybe I could open my own gym and find a way to succeed where some other gyms had failed. I started Googling franchise ideas and from the moment I saw D1 Training, I knew it was a fit because it’s the same style of training I like to do.” Prior to becoming a physical trainer, Benigni and her husband started another business that went on to experience plenty of success. Later on, she started to develop a passion for fitness while putting their three daughters - Kelsey, Nicole and Renee - through school at Montour, where all three played sports. Benigni says that one of the aspects that appealed to her about D1 Training was the fact that the gym had programs aimed at a variety of ages, including school-aged athletes. That got her to thinking how much her own daughters could have benefited from the programs. According to Benigni, D1 Training can help student athletes as young as 7 develop athletic skills and healthy fitness habits. Its Rookie program, for instance, helps kids develop core body strength, coordination, balance, agility and technique in a fun and motivating team environment. Its Developmental program for middle school-aged kids helps young athletes continue to improve agility while introducing strength training, advanced running techniques, speed and injury prevention. Its Prep program for high school athletes takes those aspects to the next level with advanced plyometrics and complex strength training. Beyond that, D1 offers a variety of graduate programs for college-level athletes, including personalized one- on-one training, small group training, professional coaching, team training and even on-site training programs. Benigni says D1 also offers its athletic training program to people who don’t play sports. “To us, an athlete is anybody who has a goal and works to get there,” she says. To that end, D1 offers an adult program that involves a high-intensity, 54-minute workout that burns up to 1,000 calories while building strength. “This program is designed using scientifically-based training methods to drive results,” says Benigni. “The holistic training ensures an athletic workout for the entire body while athletic conditioning combined with high tempo metabolic circuits produces a high-calorie burn.” Physical training, however, is only part of what D1 emphasizes. The gym also seeks to build character and has these 12 words stenciled on its walls: respect, determination, fearless, confidence, responsibility, integrity, perseverance, discipline, accountability, honor, selfless and dedication. D1 is also backed by professional athletes, including Payton Manning, Chris Paul, Michael Oher, Tim Tebow and many more. Benigni says that the gym is offering special discounts to those who sign up within the first 60 days of opening. She says she’s looking forward to bringing her passion for fitness to the business, and helping people across the community achieve their athletic goals. For more, visit www.d1training.com/pittsburgh-west. New training facility for all ages opening in Robinson STORY AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED These renderings show how D1 Pittsburgh West will look once the gym is finished. The gym has lots of equipment and plenty of room for workouts. Michelle Benigni, owner of D1 Pittsburgh West, is pictured with Will Bartholomew (left), D1 CEO and founder, and Tyler Dzadovsky (right), D1 Pittsburgh West general manager. November/December 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 1516 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2021y > Learning Curves Learning Curves If you own a house in the Pittsburgh suburbs that was built prior to 1980 and it still has the original sewer line, you could be in for some trouble. Most residential sewer lines in this area were 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 lawns. Replacing a line by excavating it can thus involve demolishing and replacing costly items such as driveways, retaining walls and nicely manicured 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 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 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. November/December 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 17CAround Your Town Around Your Town Seasoned wizards and “muggles” gathered in Moon Park on Sept. 19 to share their love of all things magic. Transforming the park’s hills into a lively and magical market, the Moon Wizarding Festival brought out intricate crafts, interactive fun and entertaining performances to Denardo Way. Everything from live lizard shows and costumed characters, to frosty drinks to beat the heat, there was something for everyone at this year’s festival. “Parents are so excited to share their favorite books and movies with their kids,” said Lisa Shaughnessy, Moon Parks Youth Programming Coordinator. “So many of our favorite stories of magic and fantasy hold up over the years, Harry Potter included. We have a very diverse group that attends our festival and we make sure to have stuff for all ages.” Hosted by the “Moon Ministry of Magic,” the Moon Wizarding Festival is an annual celebration of fantasy and magic. Based on the Harry Potter book series, the festival offered crafts and activities based on the wizarding world and vendors offering goodies for all ages. “The idea was a joint effort between myself and my good friend Jamie Huntsman,” said Shaughnessy. “We proposed the idea and we were given the green light to start planning. The Moon Ministry of Magic is composed of all the Moon Parks and Recreation staff and volunteers. It takes all of us to make this festival happen.” This year’s event was sponsored by T-Mobile, which provided free cups based on the colors of the various houses of Hogwarts. Local police officers and park volunteers also helped bring the magic to Moon Park by creating Dragon Alley for visitors to explore. Travelling through the booths, kids found everything from wands to stuffed dragons. While visiting the festival, they also had the opportunity to make their own arts and crafts projects, play Quidditch on their very own broom, have a rock-papers-scissor style wizard duel, or meet characters from the books at the festival from Fairytale Princess Visits. Festival visitors could also find plenty of food trucks, pastries and other treats behind the main stage next to the Saturn Pavillion. For those over 21, magical-themed alcoholic drinks were available from Wigle Whiskey, Black Dog Wine Company and Cobblehaus throughout the day. The main stage also saw plenty of magical creatures visit. Entertainment included live music, costume contests and live reptiles from the Iceman Reptile Show. Excitement for the festival has been building since last year, when it was cancelled due to COVID-19. While many fans of the festival were disappointed that they couldn’t attend last year’s festival, Moon Parks saw a large amount of support from community members and vendors for this year’s festivities. “We were so disappointed to have to cancel last year but the interest and excitement for the festival has not gone away,” said Shaughnessy. “We have many returning vendors and lots of enthusiasm from people who attended before and people who hadn’t attended one of the previous years. We have worked hard to get the word out and reach new people through social media. It has been great to see all the engagement with the public leading up to this year’s event.” While the wizards of Moon Park will hang up their brooms and hats for now, Moon Parks plans to continue supporting these vendors in the near future with other holiday-themed events and opportunities to gather in a safe, fun way. “Other than already planning for next year’s festival, we plan to invite a number of our Wizarding Festival vendors to the Moon Lights event on December 4 at Moon Park for our Yule Village Market,” said Shaughnessy. “It is something we started last year to help support these small businesses when we had to cancel Moon Wizarding Festival last year and we would like to grow the idea for this year.” Moon Wizarding Festival returns the magic to Moon Park STORY AND PHOTOS BY GARRET ROBERTS Kids help actors portraying Hermonie Granger and Luna Lovegood from Pittsburgh’s Fairytale Princess Visits ignite a cauldron using a magic spell. ABOVE: Vendors showed their support for their local wizards by hosting magic- themed games and activities for kids to win prizes. Throughout the day, kids could also participate in a “Horcrux Hunt” with these vendors. BELOW: A variety of “magical” items were available at the festival, including wands and stuffed magical creatures that allowed families to bring a piece of the enchanted day home. 18 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2021November/December 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 19Next >