< PreviousCAround Your Town Around Your Town 10 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2023 Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald became the first visitor to officially travel across the front bridge to what will be the entrance to the new Pittsburgh International Airport terminal on Oct. 16. Fitzgerald’s inaugural drive both celebrated a distinguished career of public service and marked a significant milestone for one of the Pittsburgh region’s most ambitious construction projects. “Rich has been a tireless advocate and supporter,” said Christina Cassotis, CEO of the Allegheny County Airport Authority. “He has been really focused on what is best for this community.” ACAA and county leaders, along with staff and members of the press, joined Fitzgerald and Cassotis on a tour of the terminal construction site. The recently completed bridge connects the roadways that will one day guide passengers to and from the new PIT terminal and complementary buildings. It marks yet another key achievement on the road toward the opening of the new terminal in 2025. The Terminal Modernization Program will provide visitors with a more efficient travel experience via a larger security checkpoint and faster baggage claim while cutting long-term maintenance costs for the airlines, which are paying for the vast majority of the project. No state or local tax dollars are being used. In addition to the new landside terminal, the construction includes a multi-modal parking garage and airport roadway system, including the new bridge. Fitzgerald last visited the construction site in August. Since then, all structural steel has been completed. Workers are now installing curtainwall glass, roofing, walls and utility lines. “We now have the most dynamic airport in the country in many ways, and when [the new terminal] opens a year and one-half from now, it is something that is going to be unbelievably great for the region,” Fitzgerald said. After the drive up the terminal bridge, the tour began in earnest on what will be the departures level of the new airport terminal. The broad expanses of exposed concrete and girders seen by visitors are the bones of what will ultimately be a warm, inviting environment filled with ticket counters, concessions, tree-like columns and constellation lighting. As the tour progressed further into the construction site, visitors observed open spaces for large window arrays before moving to the connector bridge between the new terminal and the existing Airside Terminal. The connector bridge represents a significant change from the current train that runs between the terminals, which will be decommissioned. The connector bridge will guide travelers quickly to their gates while eliminating the train’s travel time and maintenance costs. Construction of the new terminal’s arrivals level is based on design studies that showed locals wanted to stay inside the terminal to wait for their friends and family. The area will offer visitors and travelers seating, concessions, considerably shorter baggage wait times and access to outdoor garden terraces adorning either side of the terminal. The new Multi-Modal Complex nearby features a parking garage with 3,300 public spaces - three times the amount of covered space currently available at PIT. The daily construction workforce, made of people from the Pittsburgh region, said they take great pride in seeing the structures begin to resemble what many have seen only in blueprints and computer-generated images. “It is an investment in the future of Pittsburgh, as we build an airport that is for Pittsburgh, by Pittsburgh,” said Fitzgerald. “The new terminal replicates what Pittsburgh is, and it is something we can all be so proud of.” Officials showcase passenger journey at new PIT terminal STORY AND PHOTO BY BLUE SKY NEWS/ PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Pittsburgh International Airport CEO Christina Cassotis lead a tour through the airport’s new terminal, which is currently under construction, on Oct. 16. CAround Your Town Around Your Town CONTENT SUBMITTED The landscape for pharmacies that prepare compounded medications is currently changing. This change will require pharmacies to adapt and comply with a compounding standard named “USP 800.” Pharmacies that do compounding prepare medications that are classified as either “non-hazardous” or “hazardous,” depending on what chemical powder(s) is being used to prepare the compounded end-product. The differentiation of these two classifications is important for pharmacy staff who are handling chemicals during the making, storing and shipping phases of the compounding process. USP 800 specifically sets the standards for the use of hazardous chemicals in compounding. This standard will result in many pharmacies either significantly cutting back on the compounds they prepare or may impact them in a way that causes them to decide to stop compounding altogether. The pharmacy compounding landscape is going to look significantly different as things will not be allowed to continue as they have in the past. Porter’s Pharmacy is proud to say they have already been complying with the USP 800 standard the past couple of years, even though this standard did not become enacted/enforceable until Nov. 1, 2023. Porter’s continues to compound both non-hazardous and hazardous designated chemicals while adhering to USP 800. United States Pharmacopeia (USP) is a scientific nonprofit organization that sets medicine standards. USP 800 is designed with the intent of protecting the safety and health of pharmacy staff when compounding is being performed while using any drug chemical that appears on a defined hazardous chemical list. It will be the responsibility of state boards of pharmacy and the FDA to provide oversight and assure compliance of USP 800 with compounding pharmacies moving forward. To comply with this standard, it is the responsibility of the pharmacy to construct a lab that has negative pressure airflow technology for compounds being prepared using any of the designated hazardous chemicals. This type of lab is called a “Hazardous Drug Negative Pressure Lab.” The air must move in a constant direction that will result in air being pulled out of the room and then vented out of the building. The specifications call for the lab’s complete air space to be completely turned over 12 times per hour. This protects workers by eliminating any lingering powders from the air within the lab. After much planning and time, Porter’s Pharmacy previously built two new labs inside the pharmacy, one of which is the Hazardous Drug Negative Pressure Lab. Porter’s is accredited by the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board. Fewer than 1% of pharmacies that perform compounding are PCAB accredited. To further differentiate their HD Negative Pressure Lab, Porter’s has electively achieved the additional certification of “Distinction in Hazardous Drug Handling.” This further shows their commitment to excellence. Porter’s is proud to be a leader in compounding within the tri-state area. They are licensed in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia to service the region. Count on Porter’s for compounding. They can help. Porter’s Pharmacy and Compounding Standard “USP 800” ABOVE: Porter’s Pharmacy and Compounding Lab in Moon Township proactively built two new compounding labs, including a negative-pressure lab. The labs can be seen through this window situated at the front of the pharmacy. BELOW: Technicians at Porter’s prepare medication inside the new lab. LEFT: Porter’s Pharmacy electively achieved the certification of “Distinction in Hazardous Drug Handling” to demonstrate its commitment to safety and excellence. November/December 2023 • www.awmagazine.com • 11Business Profile Business Profile People might not like doing laundry, but they sure love My Laundromat It’s no secret that most people don’t like doing laundry. The idea of spending a day or evening off work waiting, sorting and folding is enough to make just about anyone cringe. The often dank and depressing setting of the laundromat also doesn’t help much. In this area, though, there’s at least one laundromat that people don’t seem to mind visiting. In fact, they seem to downright love it. On sites like Google and Yelp, people are raving about My Laundromat in Imperial. Reviewers speak glowingly about its cleanliness, right down to the bathrooms. They love the thoughtful touches, like having card readers right on the machines, and the fact that there are plenty of oversized washers always available. People also love the business’ wash-and-fold service, where they can drop off their laundry and have My Laundromat wash it for them. The clothes are sorted, folded and deposited in a locker. Customers get a code texted to them when their clothes are ready and they can pick up their laundry when they want. They even get one free bag with their first order. It isn’t just locals who love the laundromat. Travelers love it, too, like one reviewer who writes, “I think this is honestly the best laundry facility I have ever been in. I travel all over the US. Other facilities could learn from this owner. Great Job!” Reviews like that make Marge Bauer, who has been operating My Laundromat in Imperial’s Essex Plaza since 2010, feel pretty good. She calls owning the laundromat “the best job I’ve ever had,” and it shows. She first purchased the business with her husband, Greg, after the couple found it listed for sale on Craigslist. They updated it with stainless steel washers and driers, free WiFi, comfortable seating, offsite security cameras, an ATM, vending machines, a change machine, and laundry bar. In 2015, they expanded into the neighboring storefront and added their drop-off service. Greg built lockers so customers could pick up their laundry when they wanted. In 2019, they started keeping their doors open 24 hours. Over the years, My Laundromat has garnered a reputation as one of the cleanest and friendliest laundromats in the area. Most days, Marge and Greg can be found chatting with and getting to know customers. Greg, an electrician by trade, works on the machines while Marge turns out bags of laundry with the help of a couple employees. Because of their location in the airport corridor, Marge says they have people from across the globe walk through their doors. They also get local traffic from as far away as Pittsburgh. “It’s kind of like the Cheers of Laundromats,” says Marge. A North Side native, Marge says she always wanted to have a neighborhood type of place where people knew each other and felt comfortable visiting. Since laundry isn’t at the top of anyone’s list of things they’d like to do, she says she tries to make it as pleasant as possible. For those who don’t have the time to do laundry, the business makes them pretty happy, too. “You should see the guys’ eyes when they realize we do a drop-off service and they don’t have to do laundry anymore,” says Greg. “Their eyes get real wide. They can’t believe it.” The service is particularly popular among shift workers, busy parents and travelers flying in and out of Pittsburgh International Airport, he says. The business charges $1.50 per pound and loads under 30 pounds dropped off before 10 a.m. on weekdays usually get done the same day. For those who prefer to do their laundry themselves, My Laundromat has high-efficiency machines that wash loads in as little as 25 minutes and cut down on drying time. My Laundromat also has a number of larger loaders for bulky items like comforters that people can’t wash at home. In all, they have 12 double loaders, five triple loaders, five four-loaders and four six-loaders. They also have 22 driers. The only thing Marge says she’d like to improve about the business, but can’t, is their location. She says people often have trouble finding them, as they’re located behind the Essex Plaza. To get to the laundromat, drivers have to turn down Logan Road, which runs immediately adjacent to the plaza, and turn left into the parking lot. My Laundromat can be reached at (724) 227-0513. Find their reviews on Google and Yelp by searching “My Laundromat Imperial.” The Essex Plaza is located at 7900 Steubenville Pike in Imperial. CONTENT SUBMITTED ABOVE: Marge and Greg Bauer are pictured at their business, My Laundromat, which is located at the rear of the Essex Plaza in Imperial off Steubenville Pike. BELOW: My Laundromat has garnered a sterling reputation among customers as one of the cleanest laundromats around. Touches like card readers right on the machines and change machines are mentioned in many of their online reviews. My Laundromat’s drop-off laundry service is also very popular, and utilizes lockers so customers can pick up their laundry at their convenience. There are also vending machines and an ATM. 12 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2023CAround Your Town Around Your Town When Dr. Josh Slomkowski took over the local chiropractic practice Nicola Chiropractic Center on Steubenville Pike in 2016, he did so with the goal of offering new, cutting-edge pain management techniques to patients. He renamed the practice Hometown Spine & Sport, and began utilizing a number of methods to help relieve his patients’ debilitating conditions. Since then, he’s been helping patients avoid the use of further medication and even surgery. In August, Slomkowski, who has since teamed up with Dr. Taylor Easter, relocated the practice just down the road to 7231 Steubenville Pike. Their office is now in the same plaza as 2 Buds Flower Shop. There, Hometown Spine and Sport is continuing to expand its range of treatment options. “We’re expanding the business to offer more cutting-edge treatments while we specialize in spinal and sports-related injuries,” says Slomkowski. “For example, we recently just expanded our non-invasive treatment options to include shockwave treatment. We have seen amazing results with hip arthritis, foot pain, rotator cuff injuries and elbow tendinitis using our methods. It’s great to hear someone say that they won’t need another steroid injection to help with their pain.” Addressing pain without medication Slomkowski says one of the primary goals of the practice continues to be helping patients address the underlying causes of their pain. Medications, he says, can sometimes only mask the root causes of pain while some have serious side effects. Pain medication can also be addictive, as many people have realized in recent years in the wake of the opioid epidemic. Hometown Spine & Sport therefore uses a wide variety techniques to address pain without medication, including chiropractic, physiotherapy and Myofascial release, which can be used to treat everything from headaches to shoulder or elbow tendinitis. The practice has even been using a class 4 infrared laser to treat joint pain. Many patients have experienced improvement, including one patient who was able to avoid surgery for plantar fasciitis. Treating sports injuries Hometown Spine & Sport also works with many athletes to address the root causes of their injuries. One such patient was a runner with leg injuries. Slomkowski determined his injuries were the result of underdeveloped gluteal muscles that were causing his knee to buckle. Slomkowski helped the patient work some new exercises into his routine to help him avoid future injuries. “My main goal is to make sure that people understand how injuries occur and give them the proper exercises to prevent an injury from happening in the future,” says Slomkowski. Treatments for peripheral neuropathy Two years ago, the practice also started to implement a new neuropathy reversal protocol to treat patients with peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathy is a debilitating condition that causes a range of symptoms, from pain in the extremities to cramps and muscle loss. Slomkowski encountered a number of individuals with neuropathy who had been prescribed medication that only masked their condition. Through Hometown Spine and Sport’s neuropathy reversal protocol, 92% of patients with peripheral neuropathy have experienced improvement. Some of these patients had been experiencing pins and needles every time their bed sheets touched their feet. Over the course of treatment, these patients experienced significant improvement in sensory functioning. The practice’s neuropathy reversal protocol takes a four-pronged approach to treatment, restoring blood flow to the nerves with a combination of at-home therapies, nutritional protocols and in-clinic treatments. DOT physicals Both Dr. Josh Slomkowski and Dr. Taylor Easter are medical examiners for DOT physicals. The doctors can conduct physical examinations right in their offices. Certain commercial drivers must have this physical in order to satisfy federal regulations. Special offer for Allegheny West Magazine readers Allegheny West Magazine readers who are not yet patients of Hometown Spine & Sport but who would like to undergo an examination can do so for a discounted rate of $49. New patients will undergo a full medical examination, which includes a review of X-rays and MRIs, a health history screen, and chiropractic treatment. Hometown Spine & Sport accepts most major medical insurances. “There is a growing desire for people to find a safe and natural option that does not involve medication, injections or surgeries to fix their problem,” says Slomkowski. “We try to empower our patients by teaching them to put their health first with adequate stretching, exercise, proper nutrition and even mindfulness techniques.” Hometown Spine & Sport is located at 7231 Steubenville Pike. Visit them online at www.hometownspineandsport.com. For an appointment, call (412) 490-1700. Hometown Spine & Sport moves into larger office just down the road CONTENT SUBMITTED RIGHT TO LEFT: Dr. Josh Slomkowski is pictured with Dr. Taylor Easter and medical assistants Lisa Morgan and Barb D’Angelo at Hometown Spine and Sport’s new office on Steubenville Pike. Pictured is Hometown Spine & Sport’s new location, with a newly renovated lobby and examination rooms. 14 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2023CAround Your Town Around Your Town As any homeowner will attest, it takes a range of specialized knowledge to maintain a household. From electricians, to HVAC specialists, to plumbers and carpenters, owning a house means relying on a multitude of professionals with a variety of backgrounds. That’s why some contractors tend to branch off into other specialties in order to better serve their customers. Doing so provides homeowners with the peace of mind that they can rely on a single business and not have to search out a number of different contractors who will not only do the work, but do the work right. Locally, Jim Meyers & Son Plumbing and Excavation in Oakdale has been doing exactly that. Over the past few years, the company has expanded from its bread-and-butter plumbing services into a range of specialties, including HVAC. The company now offers furnace and air-conditioning maintenance, ductwork, furnace installations, air- conditioner installation, duct cleaning and more. “We’re now your one-stop shop for any mechanical upgrades or commercial work that you might need,” says Matt Meyers, who began running the business four years ago with his parents, Jim and Sue Meyers. “I can’t even express to you how many calls we get on a daily basis from homeowners with different questions, and not just plumbing-related ones. We really wanted to branch out to better serve these homeowners in whatever way we can.” The business, which was originally founded in 1979 by Jim Meyers, has also seen some significant growth over the past few years. During that time, Jim Meyers and Son Plumbing has added 10 employees and they’re looking for more, says Matt. “We’re always hiring,” he says. “We need plumbing technicians and HVAC technicians. We know our clients can’t wait so that’s why we need good people who can get the job done when needed.” In addition to its new services, Jim Meyers and Son Plumbing is still offering all of its plumbing services, from installing dishwashers and hot water heaters to repairing drains and sewer lines. The company also does bathroom remodels and has a showroom at its location on Oakdale Road where homeowners can view sample remodel displays and get ideas. Unlike the giant box store, the business offers personalized service and experienced, reliable workmanship. By walking homeowners through the entire remodel process, the team at Meyers ensures that homeowners are getting everything they need and want, from start to finish. Meyers is now also performing both furnace and air- conditioning installations and maintenance. That includes installing energy-efficient heat pumps, which can be run inside a house without traditional ductwork and are also great for regulating temperatures on a second floor. The company even installs energy-efficient boilers for those older homes with radiators. As well, they can run new ductwork for remodels or on new builds. “We’re offering a full range of HVAC services now,” says Matt. A couple of years ago, Meyers also began offering vent cleaning services, which can remove a multitude of harmful substances from ductwork. Dust, mold spores, fungus, bacteria, insect larvae, harmful chemicals and even garbage all tend to find their way into vents. When the furnace or air conditioning clicks on, all of that stuff gets spewed into the air, thereby irritating allergies and chronic conditions like asthma. To clean the vents, Meyers uses a specialized rotating brush attached to a powerful suction hose. As the brush rotates, it dislodges pollutants which are then captured by the suction. The process is safe to use on nearly all vents. Matt says everyone should have their vents cleaned about every three years. Homeowners living in a home that recently underwent construction or where there was smoking, however, should have their vents cleaned much sooner, he says. The company has also added some new plumbing- related services, including trenchless sewer line repair. This process involves lining an existing sewer line with new plastic pipe. It’s like installing an entirely new sewer line right inside the old line, but allows homeowners to avoid having to excavate the old line. This can be particularly useful for homeowners who have a sewer line running underneath a driveway or landscaping. Typically, Matt says, homes that were built in the 1980s or earlier are in peril of experiencing sewer line failure due to shifting ground conditions and roots that can compromise the lines. Many older homes may also have ceramic pipes that tend to break apart as the ground shifts and roots dig into the joints. “It’s saved some homeowners thousands of dollars and lots of headaches,” says Matt. “Not only did they not have to replace a driveway, they now have the peace of mind of knowing that their sewer line isn’t going to fail and back up on them. Our area is vulnerable to that type of thing given the age of the homes and the construction methods that were used when some were built.” For those who do need excavation, however, Meyers can also handle that. In fact, it’s one of their specialties. “Our goal over time is to continue growing and expanding our services,” says Matt. “We want to be our clients’ go-to for all of their plumbing, HVAC and excavation needs.” Meyers and Son Plumbing is located at 1561 Oakdale Road. They can be reached at (412) 787-7805 or at (724) 693-9823. Visit them online at www.meyersplumbingpittsburgh.com. Jim Meyers & Son Plumbing expands to offer HVAC and other services CONTENT SUBMITTED FROM ABOVE: From excavation and sewer line repair, to installing tankless water heaters, boilers and commercial work, Jim Meyers and Son Plumbing does it all. November/December 2023 • www.awmagazine.com • 15Perspectives Perspectives 5 A couple of years ago, as the father of two emerging Boy Scouts, I committed myself to being the next scoutmaster of Troop 905, which at that time was headquartered at Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Moon Township. During my tenure, seven scouts in the troop committed themselves to each other and finished the scouting program as Eagle Scouts all at the same time. In so doing, they joined a fraternity of 124 scouts who had earned their Eagle designation from Troop 905 in its nearly 60-year history. For now, at least, these Eagle Scouts will be the troop’s last, but I can’t think of any better ending to the troop than to have these seven scouts representing the absolute best of its traditions of excellence. Over the past couple of years, they did just that. Back when it was clear I would need to lead, I decided that the only way being a scoutmaster was going to work for me was to do challenging stuff. I’d need to go places known and unknown as often as possible, all while trying to learn something new and teach whenever I could. This mindset proved to be quite convenient because, all along, all I’ve wanted for my own kids is for them to develop their own wandering and adventurous spirits. They embraced it and I relish the time I had with my two sons during their scouting adventures. It was a bonus to have the experiences with a wider group of their peers and to get to know some of their parents, my community peers. When the pandemic took hold in March of 2020, it temporarily changed the way scout meetings and leadership worked. Rather than weekly scout-led, in-person meetings, we shifted to scout-led Zoom meetings. While they were not at all similar experiences, it provided a unique leadership opportunity for the scouts and required them to answer the question of, “How do we stay together and keep the troop rolling through this?” While the pandemic was a challenge for Troop 905, the scouts persevered, but the same cannot be said of the cub scout pack we relied on for new scouts. Sadly, that feeder cub scout pack folded without leadership or scouts shortly after, all but sealing the fate for Troop 905. With no new scouts coming to fill its ranks, Troop 905 would soon also be a lagging victim of the pandemic. When this became apparent, we came to the difficult decision that the right thing to do for all of our scouts was to plan an exit. Needing someone to lead, our younger scouts joined Troop 198, also based in Moon Township. Those within striking distance of obtaining Eagle Scout status stayed with the troop to the end and finished as a group. For all of these young men, scouting had started as something cool to do with their dads, moms and school friends as cub scouts. They’d walked sheepishly into the scout meeting room, which also doubled during the day as St. Margaret Mary’s kindergarten, standing at about half the size of the tallest and oldest scouts. It was probably a bit intimidating for them, but quickly they found themselves as part of Troop 905, even though they were a bit short in stature for at least a few more months. They got to spend time outside and offline doing interesting things and getting to know other scouts. Pretty soon, they became much more than just school friends. They also learned by osmosis about their fellow scouts’ parents, what they enjoyed and where their skills lie. They gained additional adult perspectives on how to approach a problem. The scouts, for sure, learned quite a bit about all of their adult leaders’ musical interests on drives to camp and also from the live music regularly performed around the campfire. The campfires let the scouts’ personalities shine. They were able to figure out who was funny or stoic. They identified the actors and comedians in the troop. Together, they went on some of the most spectacular adventures western Pennsylvania has to offer. Backpacking and camping life outdoors in Pennsylvania is very pretty and always fun. With a couple of years of summer camping behind them at Camp Merz in Mayville, New York, this group began to coalesce. You could see it on the camp load in and outs. They started to know where things should go around camp and in the troop trailer, how to make and break camp, and how to help younger scouts acclimate to camp life. With only limited guidance from leaders, they became efficient in their own group working style. On one relatively recent campout, they worked so well together that they broke camp and were on the road before 7 a.m. It was quite a pace and record time, I might add. As troop mates, they seamlessly worked and lived well together. At summer camp, they were always competitive in camp-wide games. For example, they set the stage with Jack Cipriani, dominating the water carnival several years in a row. Together, the scouts knew who to assign to what event for the best chance of a win. Most importantly, they knew how to win their leaders over by letting them avoid the notorious and noxious Camp Merz tradition: The Water Carnival Sandwich Relay. Since you might be about to eat reading this, I’ll let you paint your own picture on how that sandwich and Lake Chautauqua might work together. For the scouts, this proved to be a winning strategy. They easily won the entirety of Week 1 Camp Merz Summer Camp 2022. It was an amazing final summer camp for the scouts and leaders of Troop 905. To rewind a bit, in August of 2021 this group of seven future Eagle Scouts went from simply troop mates to crew mates during a trip to Philmont Scout Reservation in New Mexico. It would prove to be a leadership trial by fire for Gage Therrien, who, unbeknownst to him, was assigned his first true leadership role as crew leader. He was responsible for moving seven other scouts and four leaders on horseback over 50 miles in the Sangre de Cristo The legacy of Troop 905 will live on with its final class of Eagle Scouts BY CHRIS ROLINSON PHOTOS SUBMITTED Maxwell Rolinson, Andrew Rolinson, Jack Cipriani, Ben Fogle, Bennett Short, Thadeus Novak and Gage Therrien, pictured here with their families, all earned their Eagle Scout ranks within a year of each other. They are the last members of Troop 905, for now, to do so. 16 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 20235 Perspectives Perspectives Mountains of northern New Mexico. For Ben Fogle, Bennett Short, Max Rolinson and Andrew Rolinson, they left it all on the side of 12,441-foot Mt. Baldy. During the trip, they did not quit, breakdown, whine or otherwise complain, even during a sudden onset of acute mountain sickness at about 10,000 feet on the way down. Thaddeus Novak ensured the group fulfilled their Duty to God, leading a stunningly beautiful sunset service at the camp chapel at the edge of the Head of Dean Camp wilderness on the last night in the field at Philmont. To obtain their Eagle status, each scout had to take on an independent project that they had to plan, organize and fundraise to complete. Eagle projects also must benefit the community. Jack organized a student theater production to raise funds and collect food pantry donations for the Coraopolis Community Development Corporation. Maxwell created an ongoing citizens science project that collects data on the type and time of year frogs emerge in Hollow Oak’s Montour Woods Conservation Area. Andrew designed and installed an orienteering course at Hollow Oak’s Nike Missile Site in the Montour Woods Conservation Area. Thaddeus built and installed new signage for Hollow Oak’s newest conservation area, Thorn Run Conservation Area. Gage completed renovation and maintenance projects at the Cliff Mine Station for the Montour Trail Association. Ben built benches and maintained outdoor relaxation spaces at the Moon Township Public Library. Bennett designed and installed a butterfly garden at Hollow Oak’s Nike Missile Site at the Montour Woods Conservation Area. This past August, all seven scouts participated in their Eagle Court of Honor. I also fully expect that this isn’t the end of the adventures or the end of learning for any of them. I am confident this group will be lifelong learners beyond school and into their chosen careers. The curiosity habit has been firmly implanted. I expect them to be uniquely prepared for leadership and ready to meet the expectations and challenges that face their generation. While Troop 905 will no longer meet on Thursdays, have musical campfires or attend summer camp, these seven scouts will carry the tradition forward by remaining curious, adventurous, courageous, flexible, ingenious, determined and positively restless. I am so proud of these young men committing to this project. They represent the absolute best of Troop 905’s traditions of excellence. Congratulations to all seven of them. Best of all, America’s future is in good hands. Troop 905 scouts are pictured here during their trip to Philmont Scout Reservation in New Mexico in 2021. November/December 2023 • www.awmagazine.com • 17y > Learning CurvesLearning Curves SUBMITTED BY MIA A. KOVACS, CFP®, BILL FEW ASSOCIATES Changed jobs? Consolidate your IRAs It’s not uncommon for an individual to change jobs several times throughout the course of their career. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average person will hold 12 different jobs and spend five years or less at each. This can lead to having retirement plans strewn about and begging the question: Who is in charge of your retirement? Having multiple company plans can lead to forgotten assets, unintended investment allocations and unintended beneficiaries. Naming your parents as your beneficiary may have been a good idea in your 20s but I doubt you and your spouse would make that same beneficiary designation today. As for your investment allocation, you may not even be aware of what fund choices you made one year ago, let alone 10. I’ve had clients tell me that they are extremely risk adverse, only to find out their older company plans have them in some rather aggressive investments. That being said, deciding whether or how to consolidate old company plans requires considering multiple factors. 18 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2023 Mia A. Kovacs, CFP®, is a vice president and a financial consultant with Bill Few Associates. She can be reached at (412) 630-6041 or at mkovacs@billfew.com. There are a lot of considerations when it comes to your retirement. A financial planner can help you devise an appropriate strategy for your retirement plans, putting you in charge of your retirement. Investment choices IRAs provide a large array of investment choices, whereas company plans limit you to a finite amount of investment choices that are dependent on the company handling your retirement plan. If you determine that an IRA isn’t the right vehicle for you to consolidate your company plans, you may want to consider your current employer’s plan. This may or may not make sense based on the investment choices available and how you prefer to invest your savings. Access to funds Company retirement plans can be accessed penalty-free as early as age 55. Funds within an IRA cannot be accessed penalty free until age 59 and one-half. In both company retirement plans and IRAs, a 10% penalty will apply for early distribution unless you meet an exception. Certain exceptions, though, are only available with an IRA, such as withdrawal for health insurance payments while unemployed, higher education expenses and a first-time home purchase. Roth IRA contributions Roth IRAs are great retirement vehicles. Roth IRAs allow you to contribute after-tax funds that grow tax free and remain tax free upon distribution. However, there are income limits that restrict some higher income earners from contributing directly to this type of account. For a high-income earner who wants to contribute to a Roth, it is actually beneficial not to have an existing IRA balance so we can employ backdoor Roth contributions.y > Learning Curves Learning Curves Your estate planning checklist 1. Get a Living Trust and/or a Last Will and Testament - If you’re anything like the majority of Americans, you may not have a living trust or a last will and testament. You may not even know what those documents do or which one is better. While both wills and trusts control what happens to your estate after your death, there are some major differences between the two. For one, contrary to popular belief, having a last will and testament does not avoid the need for probate. In fact, a will must be probated after your death in order to be effective. A fully funded trust, however, may eliminate the need for probate by providing for the transfer of assets after your death without court approval. Probate can easily cost 5% of the value of your estate in attorneys’ fees, court costs and other expenses. A living trust, however, can make things MUCH easier and be more cost effective on your loved ones. 2. Sign a Power of Attorney and/or Advance Directive - Who will take care of you when you become incapacitated? This can be determined with a durable power of attorney and/or an advance directive for health care. Generally speaking, a durable power of attorney gives someone the ability to act for you in financial and/or medical situations when you are unable to act for yourself. A living will allows you to appoint a health care agent to make your medical decisions if you are incapacitated. On the other hand, a power of attorney and advance directive affect you NOW while you are alive. They are some of the most important estate planning documents you can have. 3. Fund Your Trust and/or Review Title - When you sign a trust document, you simply have some sheets of paper. But paper alone does not avoid probate. In other words, by itself, a signed trust can be pretty useless. A trust must be “funded” to be truly effective. Trust “funding” is the process of transferring assets from your individual or joint name(s) to the name of your trust. If an asset is not titled in the name of your trust at the time of your death, it may be subject to probate. A good rule of thumb is to talk to the custodian or institution that holds or manages your asset. They should be able to tell you how to change the title. Reviewing the title, however, is still important, even if you don’t have a trust. Assets titled in joint tenancy or with a pay-on-death beneficiary may be able to avoid probate. However, those designations can also have unintended consequences, as they override the provisions of your will or trust. Thanksgiving is coming fast and is nearly upon us. What are you thankful for this year? Personally, I’m thankful for the love and support of my family and friends, my health, the constant love from my pets, and the relationships made with my clients - new and old - who have provided me with the opportunity to do what I truly love. All too often, we, including myself, take for granted our everyday interactions: talking to a friend on the telephone, holding my husband’s hand, yelling at my kids and then kissing them good night, and cuddling with my dogs, Lola and Duke. Too often, I hear from clients who recently lost a loved one that they regret not saying what was in their heart to their mom before she passed, like, “I’m sorry,” over a stupid argument that happened years prior, or just letting someone you deeply care about know that you’re fortunate to have them in your life. Other times, I’m asked by a client, “Why didn’t my parents plan accordingly?” “Why didn’t they clean their stuff out before they died?” “Why are they leaving this for me to figure out?” When someone you love is no longer here, sadly, the person left in charge isn’t given the full opportunity to grieve because they have a job to do. That job is to clean up the “mess” that their loved one left behind. This year, I’m making the bold recommendation that everyone create a New Year’s resolution to clean up their own estate while they are able. Here’s a checklist to help get you started: BY MICHELLE CONTI Michele P. Conti is an estate planning and elder law attorney. She is also the owner of Conti Law, a concierge law firm. 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 at michele@contilawpgh.com. 4. Review Your Beneficiaries - Does your will or trust accurately reflect who you want to inherit your estate? Many different factors can influence how you want your estate distributed, including divorce, separation, marriage, birth and more. Review your assets and beneficiaries to be sure the people you want are going to receive them. Remember, beneficiary designations can also override the provisions of your estate plan. 5. Inventory Your Assets - When you die, how will your representatives know where all your “stuff” is? They may know where you bank or what cars you have. But do they know what insurance policies you own? Whether you have prepaid for funeral plans? Who is the custodian of your IRA? Compile and regularly update an inventory of all your assets along with locations and any titles. Make a list of personal effects and sentimental belongings, and decide who you want to have them. Include them in your formal estate planning documents or refer to the written list in your trust or will. 6. Create a Digital Estate Plan - Who gets your Facebook account when you die? What happens to your Twitter, photos on Instagram, e-mail account or Bitcoin? Your internet accounts are your property and, like your other property, you should provide instructions for disbursement after your death. 7. Draft an Estate Planning Letter of Instruction - If you died today, would your representatives or loved ones even know where to start? Create an estate planning letter of instruction with what estate planning documents you have and what your representative needs to do next. 8. Review Your Estate Plan With an Attorney - Estate planning can be complex and confusing. There is no “one size fits all” solution. To create your estate plan or improve an existing one, contact the experienced attorneys at Conti Law for a free, no-obligation consultation. November/December 2023 • www.awmagazine.com • 19Next >