Pittsburgh Better Times

A Lifestyle Publication for the Pittsburgh Community

Pittsburgh North Hills Harmony Line Chorus Show to Benefit NHCO

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“Like a Bridge over Troubled Water” Barbershop Harmony show will include songs of hope and joy

The Pittsburgh North Hills Harmony Line Chorus will present “Like a Bridge over Troubled Water: Songs of hope and joy,” a show to benefit North Hills Community Outreach, at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 8 in St. John’s Lutheran Church of Highland, 311 Cumberland Road, McCandless.

A chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, the Pittsburgh North Hills Harmony line Chorus (NHHLC) was formed in 1963 and has approximately 32 members.

North Hills Community Outreach (NHCO) is a nonprofit serving local people in crisis, hardship and poverty. Since 1987, the organization has served nearly 80,000 families in need with multiple programs ranging from disaster relief and emergency food and utility help to long-term self-sufficiency programs including budgeting, education assistance, employment and transportation. The agency recently assisted hundreds of local families affected by summer flooding.

“The chorus carefully chose the show’s title in the spring, before the flooding,” Sharon Wolf, NHCO executive director, noted. “‘Like a Bridge over Troubled Water’ reflects what NHCO means to many families…we are there in times of trouble and crisis.” However, she said, “Due to the July floods that have affected so many families in our service area, the title and the song now have a secondary meaning and even deeper connection.”

NHCO has a long history off assisting local people affected by flooding. The 31-year-old nonprofit, which assists local families in crisis, hardship and poverty, was established in 1987 as a direct result of devastating local flooding in 1986. The nonprofit was a leader in local flood relief efforts in 2004, 2007 and 2018.

Admission to the concert is a free-will financial donation to support NHCO’s multiple programs, or nonperishable food for NHCO’s three food pantries. For more information about the concert, please contact chorus member Tom Beecher at 412-486-2550. 

In fiscal year 2016-17, In 2016-17, NHCO assisted 3,692 families in need toward stability and self-sufficiency by providing $1,102,235 in funds, goods and services as well as information, support and advocacy. NHCO offers more than 20 programs ranging from emergency services to long-term solutions that help families regain self-sufficiency. For more information, please visit www.nhco.org or call 412-487-6316 option 1.

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North Hills Community Outreach Updates for August

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NHCO requests donations to assist with flood relief

North Hills Community Outreach is assisting hundreds of families in multiple communities affected by the July floods. Assistance is possible only thanks to donations from individuals, businesses, congregations, and other organizations. Financial donations and gift cards to Lowes, Home Depot, Target, Kmart, Walmart and grocery stores are needed to help people with the costs of cleanup and to replace furnaces, electrical work and appliances. Checks can be mailed to NHCO, 1975 Ferguson Road, Allison Park, PA 15101. Online donations can be made at nhco.org . Those living in NHCO’s service area of northern Allegheny County north of the city of Pittsburgh who were affected by flooding may call 412-408-3820 or email help@nhco.org to inquire about assistance.

NHCO seeks one-time volunteers to conduct home safety checks

North Hills Community Outreach seeks volunteers to do home safety checks for seniors Fridays, July 20, July 27 and or August 24. Interested volunteers who are not available on one those dates can register for future dates. There will be a brief training at 9:00 a.m. in the NHCO office, 1975 Ferguson Road, Hampton. Volunteers will then pair up to visit two homes of area seniors to do safety assessments for fire and fall hazards, and install smoke detectors. Ninety local seniors are waiting for home safety checks. Seniors who would like a safety check or potential volunteers should contact Cathy Pschirer at 412-307-0069 x 3313 or clpschirer@nhco.org. [Read more…]

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Dating Advice for the Newly Single

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When you’ve just become a single person again, sometimes it’s a relief and other times you have hurt feelings that are unresolved. It’s a good idea to take a beat before you make any serious decisions like dating if you recognize that you’re an open wound right now. You’ll at least go through a period of adjustment before you’ll be emotionally ready to consider dating again.

Here is some dating advice for you if you’ve recently become single.

Avoid the Rebound

When you’re newly single, it’s easy to go right back into a relationship. Some people will daisy-chain a series of relationships to avoid either being alone or dealing with the emotional turmoil created by the loss of each past partnership that didn’t work out.

It’s always best to give yourself time to get over any emotional upheaval from the ending of your previous relationship. Even if you were the one who chose to end it – which is almost always easier emotionally – you still may have feelings for your ex that need time to settle. If you think you’ll want a long-term relationship next, allowing a few weeks to get over your last partner is a healthy way to approach it. Otherwise, you won’t be emotionally available for someone who might have been perfect for you and head right into another relationship that’s destined to fail. Don’t do that. [Read more…]

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5 Ways Your Habits Are Negatively Affecting Your Kids

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As parents, it’s natural to want the best for our children. But sometimes, the way we go about parenting them may bring more harm than good. While there is no set rulebook on how to parent a child, it is imperative that we are considerate of our actions since they have the power to either positively or negatively affect them.

Keep reading below to learn the five ways how your habits are negatively affecting your kids:

1. Acting hypocritically: if you don’t follow your own rules, your child will do the same

Don’t tell your child not to do something and then do it yourself! This contradictory action confuses them with understanding what is acceptable versus what is not. If you’re a hypocrite, a child will be unable to perceive consequences for actions. For example, warning your child about the addictive qualities of alcohol but simultaneously choosing to drink it with every meal is counterproductive. No matter what you say, your child will ultimately reflect your behavior since you are the leading example in their lives.

2. Being a helicopter parent: invading too much of their personal space

We don’t need to know what our child are doing every second of the day – especially our teenagers. What children want most is the space to understand themselves and experience the world around them on their own terms. If you’re constantly acting as a helicopter parent to your child, you’re going to make them feel emotionally “suffocated” and anxious with every action they do, which is a recipe for turning your child into a rebel, liar, or both. They will compare the parenting style of their friends’ parents to yours, which will, in turn, make them question both your authority and credibility and cause them to feel more inclined to do things behind your back. [Read more…]

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How Will I Be Able to Afford Care? 

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By Kate Lorig

Next to the fear of physical dependence, many people fear not having enough money to pay for their own and their care partner’s needs. Being sick often requires expensive care and treatment. If you’re not able to work because of illness or you’re caregiving full time, the loss of income, and especially the loss of your health insurance coverage, might present an overwhelming financial problem. You can, however, avoid some of the risks by planning and knowing your resources.

Health insurance and Medicare may meet only a part of the ultimate cost of care. Medicare doesn’t cover everything, and most private “Medigap” insurance policies cover only the 20 percent not covered by Medicare. Usually, they don’t cover procedures or treatment that aren’t also covered by Medicare.

Supplemental insurance policies, however, offer the kind of coverage that provides for care needs that Medicare and Medigap insurance don’t pay for. If you plan to buy such insurance for yourself and/or your care partner, carefully read the sections on limitations and exclusions. Be sure the policy covers nursing home care at a daily rate that’s realistic for your community. Make sure you know how long they’ll pay for care. There’s usually a cap of three months or so in a skilled nursing or rehabilitation facility — less if you or your care partner are judged to not be getting better and only need “custodial” care.  [Read more…]

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5 Tips for Reinvigorating the Retirement Paradigm 

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By Joan Tabb

Baby Boomers are heading into retirement in droves. Each day, about 10,000 close the door to their office for the last time. But, unlike generations before them, they can now look forward to potentially decades of vital life ahead of them. They represent the healthiest and longest living generation ever — translating to endless prospects for vivacity and opportunities in their next phase of life.

In this new era, it’s time to retire the word “retirement.” Its connotation of removing ourselves from the mainstream and biding time with card playing and porch sitting is a throwback. A better term for this stage of life is “ReVitalment” — reflecting a time of meaning, purpose and fun, and for activating the best part of you.

However, many in the 55-plus age range are daunted by the thought of 24-7 freedom. They can’t fathom how to replace the purpose and structure their careers offer. For these people who are about to exit the workforce, a process of self-inquiry and investigation can help in defining what will bring them the most satisfaction in this coming stage of life.  [Read more…]

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What Does an Organic E Liquid Contain?

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Electronic cigarettes have been in the market for more than 10 years, but there are still people who do not know what an organic e juice contains. Moreover, some people, especially those who conceive laws and who should be best informed, believe that the e-juice falls into the category of tobacco products. Moreover, the media puts into circulation unfounded rumors that they contain carcinogenic substances or even antifreeze. If you are accustomed to believing everything the media says, you probably have come to believe that.

If you want to find out what the liquids for the electronic cigarette contains, read this article further and forget what you read in the press, because almost everywhere there are lies that completely ignore the scientific truth.

PG and VG

Electronic cigarette fluids are composed of substances that have strange names. But only the names are weird, because the substances themselves are completely harmless to the body. [Read more…]

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Can Online Counseling Help Me with Social Anxiety?

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By Marie Miguel

Social anxiety is one of the most confusing and isolating mental health conditions. You may know that you need treatment but cannot bring yourself to talk to anyone because you just don’t like interacting with anyone, especially strangers. Social anxiety can be tricky, making you feel awkward and shy around people, no matter how nice or welcoming they may be. Sometimes you may feel like everyone is judging you or talking about you. At other times, you may make plans with a friend or family member, but then cancel them at the last minute. You may feel immediate relief that you do not have to go, but then feel guilty for canceling.

What Social Anxiety Is

Social anxiety can creep up on you gradually, or a sudden onset may happen after an experience that makes you feel uncomfortable. For example, you may have been speaking in front of people and made a mistake, causing a few people to laugh, and now you refuse to speak in public or even go out in public. Maybe you were brought up in a home where you were constantly put down, made fun of, or bullied. Social anxiety is a fear of being being judged negatively by others, and feeling inadequate. It is actually the third most common mental health condition in adults, and affects approximately 7% of the population in the U.S. Some of the symptoms include: [Read more…]

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North Hills Community Outreach Updates for July

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Below is a list of the latest happenings with North Hills Community Outreach.

NHCO provides HomeMeds screenings for seniors

North Hills Community Outreach offers free HomeMeds medication safety screenings for seniors living in northern Allegheny County, north of the City of Pittsburgh. The screenings help seniors understand their medications, assess whether the medications are working for them, and keep track of medications.

Trained volunteers meet with seniors and review all medications. The screening information is sent to a pharmacist for assessment and follow-up. All seniors age 60 or older are welcome to register.

For more information or to schedule a medication safety screening, contact Cathy at 412-307-0069 extension 3313.

NHCO Garden offers summer opportunities for youth engagement and learning

North Hills Community Outreach is offering opportunities for community youth to get involved in the Rosalinda Sauro Sirianni garden this summer. The garden, located at 119 Davis Avenue in Bellevue, is hosting an AmeriCorps KEYS member, who will create learning opportunities for community youth throughout the summer.

The AmeriCorps KEYS member will work with any youth who volunteer in the garden, as well as mentor student interns who are working at the garden during the summer. The garden provides an opportunity for youth to get outside and learn about organic gardening, healthy foods and the environment.

Youth can:

  • Tour the garden and learn how all food produced goes to families in need through NHCO’s food pantries.
  • Engage in a miniature lesson about gardening, healthy foods or the environment.
  • Volunteer.

NHCO welcomes community groups such as Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, youth groups, summer camps, sports teams and more.  For details, please contact NHCO Garden Coordinator Alyssa Crawford at aacrawford@nhco.org or (412) 307-0069 extension 3311. For more information about NHCO or the garden, visit nhco.org.  [Read more…]

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2018 Dads and Grads Gift Guide

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Since Father’s Day celebrations and graduations are just around the corner, to help prepare you to find the perfect gift for Dad and the grads in your life, we’ve assembled our annual Dads & Grads Day Gift Guide. A special thank you to those of who sent in your gift ideas and suggestions for this occasion.

If you’re looking for a gift idea, our annual gift guide features a wide variety of ideas.

For the Traveller

Lay-N-Go 

Lay-n-Go started as a simple idea…  “There has to be a better way to do this!”  Lay-n-Go was originally developed to tame large toy collections with small pieces.  Now, the brand has solutions for travel, play, cosmetics and tech accessories – they’ve literally thought of everything.

For Her (Great For Summer Travel):

The Lay-n-Go® Cosmo is a patented cosmetic bag that allows you to see all of your essentials at once, and clean up in seconds. No more digging and dumping in a traditional black hole make up bag. 

  • Raised lip keeps make up and brushes from rolling off the counter
  • Machine Washable. Broken eye shadow? Spilled foundation? No problem!
  • Home or away! Do your daily make up routine on a clean dry surface
  • Zippered storage pocket, and a convenient handle
  • Available in different sizes and colors.  Shop here!

For Him (Tech & Travel Father’s Day Gift):

The Lay-n-Go® TRAVELER converts into an easily transportable handled pack, allowing for quick and effortless clean-up of toiletries and bath basics.

  • See all your toiletries at once. Clean up in seconds.
  • No more digging through a traditional dopp kit
  • Raised lip keeps items contained
  • Provides a clean dry surface at home, on the road, or in the gym
  • Machine washable
  • Zippered storage pocket, and convenient handle
  • Available in different sizes and colors.  Shop here!

For the Dad and Grad Who Loves to Read

YOU CAN HAVE IT!: More Than 125 Decadent Diabetes-Friendly Recipes by Devin Alexander

Since leaving her position as the celebrity chef on TV’s The Biggest Loser, Devin has turned her focus to the 1 in 3 Americans that have either type 2 diabetes or are in a state of pre-diabetes. She’s on a mission to help people eat healthier and smarter without sacrifice while championing the fight to reverse the growing number of new diagnoses in North America.

A diabetes-friendly diet isn’t a special diet but a smarter diet… and with 1 in 3 Americans living with diabetes or on the brink of it, it is timelier than ever! [Read more…]

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