Mover & Shaker of the Month M. J. Wahl 14-year old West View resident Actively involved with two    African missions Click here for article

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Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC announced its recipients of the Hillman Center for Pediatric Transplantation Research Awards.  The award recipients are: Kathy Lawrence, MN, RN, transplant nurse; Judith Martin, MD, Infectious Disease specialist; George Mazariegos, MD, director, pediatric transplantation; and Brian Feingold, MD, pediatric cardiologist.

UPMC Passavant’s Pathology Department has integrated the Dade Behring StreamLAB Automated Workcell System to enhance testing in their automated testing laboratory.  This innovative technology provides state-of-the-art testing and places UPMC Passavant as the first laboratory within UPMC to automate sample processing with testing.

The Pittsburgh Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has named Kathleen (Kathy) Purcell as its new executive director.  She will assume responsibility for Komen Pittsburgh on Jan. 7.

Gateway Rehabilitation Center, a private, nationally recognized not-for-profit organization, recently opened Liberty Station, a halfway house for males, ages 13 through 18.  The 24-bed-program is located in South Fayette Township.

The Watson Institute has purchased property at 215 S. Negley Avenue in the city’s East End (the former Pittsburgh Podiatry Hospital) and will build a new Craig Academy on the site.  The new school will serve approximately 145 students and will accommodate all Craig students in grades K-12.

Family Eyecare North Inc. announced the addition of Timothy J. Smicker, OD, photo left, to their practice.  Dr. Smicker graduated with a BS from IUP before graduating from the PA College of Optometry with Academic Honors.

Butler Health System has opened the first comprehensive wound care center in Butler County at Benbrook Medical Center.  The Center for Wound Care of Butler Memorial Hospital is a comprehensive program featuring a multidisciplinary staff and innovative approaches to wound management and healing, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

The Board of Trustees for Butler Health System recently appointed two new members to the Board – Robert M. Smith, Ph.D., and Patti-Ann Kantermar.

Celtic Healthcare, Inc., photo right, of Mars was recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania.” Celtic earned #40 in the Medium-Sized Company Category in the entire state of Pennsylvania.

Allegheny County chief executive Dan Onorato announced the appointments of Kate Barkman as director of the Department of Court Records and Valerie McDonald Roberts as manager of the Real Estate Division effective Jan. 1.

Oxford Athletic Club’s “Oxford Cares Program” wrapped up a year of community service and donations with 400 gifts donated to the Salvation Army program Treasures for Children.  Donations included: three truckloads of baby items for Genesis of Pittsburgh; 200 backpacks; 150 school supplies and 100 coats to North Hills Community Outreach; $1,000 to the Leukemia Society and 770 non-perishable food items to the Pittsburgh Food Pantry and Jubilee Soup Kitchen.

The Girls, Math & Science Partnership (GMSP), a program of Carnegie Science Center, announced it will receive a $100,000 Innovation Generation Grant from the Motorola Foundation.  This first time grant will be used to replicate the highly successful GMSP program in select cities nationwide.

The board of trustees was recently re-elected for The Washington Place at St. Barnabas Inc.  Serving as trustees are: Susan Mussman, Douglas W. Day, Robert Bergdahl and Helen Bartlett.  Additionally, the board of trustees was recently re-elected for The Village at St. Barnabas Inc.  Serving as trustees for The Village at St. Barnabas Inc. are: Kathleen M. Seaton, Douglas W. Day and Richard Kaminsky.

U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-4) presented a grant in the amount of $142,410 to the Berkeley Hills Fire Company.  The funds will be used to purchase personal protective equipment and a new breathing air cascade system.  The grant was awarded under the fiscal year 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program.

The National Coalition for the Homeless sponsored a National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day to call attention to the tragedy of homelessness.  The event was held on Dec. 21.

Goehring, Rutter & Boehm announced that Brian T. Lindauer,far left, and Jeffrey R. Hunthave been named as 2007 Pennsylvania Super Lawyer Rising Stars.  Each candidate is interviewed by The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania prior to acceptance.

Legend Financial Advisors, Inc.® announced that Louis P. Stanasolovich, CFP™,  CEO, president and founder, has been honored with an award for lifetime service to the organization by the Pittsburgh chapter of the Financial Planning Association at their 25th Annual Financial Planning Symposium.

Participants in HOPE Network’s adaptive racquetball clinic, held Nov. 17 at the Oxford Athletic Club in Pine, had a ball learning how to play the racquet sport.  HOPE Network, a nonprofit organization that provides competitive and recreational sports and fitness opportunities to children and adults with physical disabilities, held the instructional clinic to teach people with disabilities a new recreational activity.

Conditionomics® (coined from the words Economic Conditioning) is being described as an “Industry Transformer” by Financial Industry leaders.  Pittsburgh-based The Conditionomics Coach, LLC is pleased to announce the launch of its new Consumer Products Division with the introduction of the Conditionics Goals Driver Experience™.

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Mover & Shaker of the Month M. J. Wahl 14-year old West View resident Actively involved with two    African missions

By Paula Green Fourteen-year-old M. J. Wahl is a teenager on a mission.  His interests reach beyond his community to the globe.  He is actively involved with two missions in Uganda in northern Africa. M. J. first became involved with the Invisible Children program.  Through their “Schools for Schools” website, students are able to work together to provide relief to northern Ugandan schools. He became affiliated with this organization through his church, St. Athanasius Parish in West View.  M.J.’s interests were sparked by his youth minister, Caroline Roach, and her husband, Chris. M.J.’s passion then branched into another cause, the Gulu Walk.  The walk is held to benefit the children of Uganda.  For the past 21 years, the people in this African country have been caught in a brutal war between the government of Uganda and the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).  The LRA have abducted over 30,000 children to be used as soldiers and slaves. The 1st Annual Gulu Walk was held in Pittsburgh on Oct. 20th.  M. J. was an active sponsor of the walk-a-thon, which is held in over 17 countries and 83 cities. In addition to his global interests, M. J. has been involved in other local and national causes.  Last summer, M.J. joined seven other youths as they ventured to Appalachian country in Kentucky.  “His eyes have been opened to the impoverished people in this country of Africa, as well as people in this country,” said M.J.’s father, Mark Wahl. “M.J. also volunteers his time at St. Benedict Monastery on Perrysville Avenue.  He is involved with Gilda’s Club in the Strip District, which is a cancer support center.  He is a member of the Lead Team at Sarah Heinz House under the direction of Charlie Chmura.  We are very proud of the choices that he is making at such an early age,” Mark said. M.J. is a freshman at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School in Coraopolis, where he made High Honor Roll.  He was nominated as Freshman of the Month for Sept.  He plays the violin and is a member of Pittsburgh Youth’s Pop Orchestra. Thanks to a family friend, M.J. had the pleasure of meeting the King of Uganda when he visited Christ Church at Grove Farm in Sewickley this past year.  It is through this church, M. J. and his father plan to visit Uganda this upcoming summer when they take a mission trip.  He also plans on traveling to Australia in July for World Youth Day. M.J. resides in West View with his parents Mark and Maura, and his two sisters, 21-year old Maura, and 19-year old Alison. Back to top

Spotlight on Schools

Community College of Allegheny County has been awarded $10,000 by Grainger, a local distributor of facilities maintenance products, to benefit the college’s Heating and Air Conditioning program and students enrolled in it.

La Roche College Dance Department hosted its annual Winter Rep series on Dec. 6 & 8, at the Zappala College Center on the main college campus on Babcock Blvd. in McCandless Township.

A Chain Reaction Contraption competition was held on Dec. 7 at the Carnegie Science Center.  The following area local schools participated in the event:  Avonworth High School, Butler Senior High School, Deer Lakes High School, Hampton High School, North Allegheny Intermediate High School, Seneca Valley Intermediate and Senior High Schools.  The winners were: first place, Derry Area High School; Belle Vernon Area High School and third place Greater Latrobe Senior High School.

Students in the Seneca Valley school district participated in several charitable activities:  Students at Seneca Valley Middle School collected coffee mugs and warm winter coats for the Pittsburgh Homeless Shelter.  Rowan Elementary students participated in the Annual Caring Trees Program.  Haine Elementary and Middle School teachers participated in a clothing and toy drive for needy children who attend the school.  Seneca Valley Intermediate High School students decorated two floors of Passavant Retirement in Zelienople.  Evans City Elementary and Middle School raised money for Lexi Smith, a blind student at Evans City, who is having life-altering surgery in China.

The Pine-Richland School Board announced the name of the future elementary school – Eden Hall Upper Elementary School, named for the community landmark.  The school will serve students in grades four, five and six.  It is expected to be completed by August 2008.

1982 Richland High School graduate Stephen Frick, who will be commanding space shuttle Atlantis in Jan., would have been proud of his alma mater on Nov. 19.  That’s when space camp landed in the Pine-Richland School District.  Students in third grade at Hance Elementary school participated in an array of space activities.

Five Pine-Richland High School Jazz Ensemble students participated in the PMEA District 1 Honors West Jazz Festival which was held on Dec. 7 and 8, at South Fayette High School.  The students included: Andy Stadterman, Mike Georgiadis, Alex Toa, Adam Janssen and John Matune.

The Pine-Richland High School Cheerleading squad earned several awards and a bid to nationals.  On Dec. 2, the squad placed second at the Allegheny Regional Cheerleading Competition sponsored by the Universal Cheerleading Association at Slippery Rock University and earned a bid to a national competition which will be held Feb. 8-10 in Orlando, FL.

The Pine-Richland School Board, photo right, swore in four new board members on Dec. 4.  The new members are: Therese Dawson, Aafke Loney, Kevin Nigh and Scott Stedeford.  Additionally, the following officers were elected: Stephen Hawbaker as board president and A. Robert Necciai as vice president.

Pine-Richland School District honored four board members who retired after many years of service.  Those recognized included: Marilyn Reed, Dr. Joseph Merhaut, Dr. James Werkmeister and Michael Hinson.

Dozens of senior citizens enjoyed a holiday feast on Dec. 6.  The Pine-Richland Middle School (PRMS) Leader’s Club hosted the special holiday meal for their special guests.

Pine-Richland High School senior Kevin Connelly gained a valuable career experience.  He reported for www.highschoolplaybook.com.  Playbook is an emerging local site for high school sports and is powered by WTAE-TV 4.

Pine-Richland School students enjoyed an early “petit dejeuner” in celebration of National French Week.  Students dined on “café au lait,” hot chocolate and croissants on Nov. 8, during the second annual authentic French breakfast.

Two North Hills Junior High School teachers, Jennifer DiPasquale and Jacalynn Karenbauer, earned National Board Certification from the Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Members of the North Hills School Board elected a new president and vice president during their annual reorganization meeting on Dec. 3.   Jeff Meyer was elected president and Ed Wielgus was elected vice president.  In addition, the North Hills School Board welcomed two new members – Robert Barto and Lou Nudi.

Six Fox Chapel Area High School students won awards at the Niagara International Model United Nations (UN) Conference.  Emily Feenstra won a second place award.  Honorable mentions were awarded to: Elise Heffernan, Joshua Diamond, Elijah Bucsko, Jennifer Goetz and Katharine Reineman.

The Fox Chapel Area Board of School Directors held its annual reorganization meeting in December.  Charles R. Burke was elected president.  Robert F. Baum was elected vice president; Joanne C. Gaus was elected assistant secretary.

North Allegheny Senior High School art students have joined the Memory Project, a nationwide initiative in which advanced high school art students create original portraits for children living in orphanages around the world.

North Allegheny’s Academic Quiz Team has qualified to compete in the National Championships to be held in Chicago, IL.  The team finished with a perfect 12-0 record at the Carnegie Mellon University’s Mellon Bowl.  Team members are: Nate Carlin, Nimesh Telang, John McElhattan, Cody McCoy, Lily Xu, Stephen Tjader, Kevin Liu, Danny Zemel, Doug Heckmann, Mike Heckmann, and Michael Sinko.

Twenty Carson Middle School students earned honors in the 37th Seventh and Eighth Grade Knowledge Master Open academic competition.  The team earned 1st Place in Pennsylvania and 8th place overall.  Team members are: Amanda Adams, Katya Borisov, Matt Caswell, Ben Gibbs, Billy Gingrich, Emma Gross, Connor Phillips, Ben Sauder, Graham Walker, Ben Ziolowski, Joey Zou, Jake Adzema, Kaitlyn Campbell, Avanti Gole, Ricky Kotermanski, Kelly Pifer, Jack Plichta, Jake Wessel, Elizabeth Furiga and Mehrgol Tiv.

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Business Spotlight: Patricia’s Bookkeeping

By Janice Lane Palko

The ancient Greeks knew the value of time.  It was Antiphon, the orator, who first wrote about its worth saying, “The most costly outlay is time.”  Ben Franklin refined this statement giving us the well-known adage, “Time is Money.”   No one knows the value of time better than a small business owner.  According to the U.S. Census and the Department of Labor, there are 26.8 million businesses and 99.9 percent of them can be classified as small firms, those with fewer than 500 employees.

While small businesses are the driving force in our economy, many of them stall when it comes to keeping financial records.  Often business owners are so stressed with trying to oversee the day-to-day administration of their companies that maintaining financial records becomes a distraction, taking up valuable time that could be put to better use cultivating new clients or attending to the business at hand.  Also, unless you are a financial professional or a math wizard, you probably don’t enjoy keeping financial records, paying bills or figuring taxes. 

The solution to this quandary?  Add someone to the staff to see to the books?  For many smaller firms with limited resources, that is not feasible.  But there is a solution that can save you valuable time and streamline your financial record keeping—Patricia’s Bookkeeping and Payroll Services. 

A small business owner herself, Patricia Odinski, owner of Patricia’s Bookkeeping and Payroll Services, can anticipate your needs and aid you in tackling the daunting task of maintaining accurate financial records and administering your payroll.

Odinksi has 25 years of experience and can manage your bookkeeping, pay your bills and payroll taxes and handle your payroll.  “Since my business is smaller, I can provide more personal service,” Odinski said.

Fees are reasonable and based on volume of business.  Odinski can consult with you and give you an estimate of her fees.  Centrally located in Shaler, Patricia’s Bookkeeping offers pick up and delivery services. 

Perhaps you are just starting up and can’t spare the funds to hire an outside bookkeeping service.  Patricia’s Bookkeeping and Payroll Services is still your solution.  “I can set people up on QuickBooks and even train them too,” Odinski said.

“I have the time to devote to details,” Odinski emphasized, “and that frees the business owner to manage and grow their company.” 

For more information on Patricia’s Bookkeeping and Payroll Services and how it can save you time, call 412-260-3983 or e-mail her at pattyod@msn.com. 

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