Thursday, May 20, 2010

A Message from Barbara Thaw, Herald Citizen of the Year

As we gear up for the biggest Quaker Valley Relay for Life EVER, the American Cancer Society's signature event, I thought to email out a schedule of events so everyone can see all of the excitement in store. If you have already received it, pass this copy along to a friend.

May 22nd (noon kick off) to May 23 (8:00 a.m. closing ceremony)
Quaker Valley High School Track

From several Live Bands to Zumba lessons ......... from Life Flight to the Survivor's Victory Lap ....... From the QV Marching Band to FIREWORKS ... From line dancing to the Survivor's Victory Lap .... From a dove release to the inspirational Luminaria Ceremony .....

We will have crafts and games and food and raffles. Please consider attending this most important event, rain or shine!! Sadly, we are all too aware that cancer knows no season, no age, no social status. Let's support our community and this most worthy cause.

Additional information - to donate - to join a team (it's not too late), go to QVRelay.org or send me an email. Hope to see you and yours on the track.

Barbara
RELAY FOR LIFE OF QUAKER VALLEY 2010- HOEDOWN FOR HOPE
SCHEDULE OF MAJOR EVENTS
SATURDAY, MAY 22ND
9:00 A.M. TRACK OPEN FOR TENT SET-UP
12:00 NOON OPENING AND WELCOME
FEATURING: QVHS Marching Band
Performance by: John Tucci
12:15 P.M. PARADE OF TEAMS AND BANNER JUDGING
12:30 P.M. CRAFTS BEGIN & HULA HOOP CONTEST
12:45 P.M. THREE-LEGGED RACE / CAMP SITE JUDGING
1:00 P.M. THE ROX BAND
Pittsburgh’s Rox Performance Academy
2:00 P.M. KENTUCKY DERBY (Relay Race)
2:15 P.M. LIFE FLIGHT HELICOPTER LANDING & DEMO
Presented By: Allegheny General Hospital
2:30 P.M. WALDO- THE ONE MAN BAND
Website: http://www.waldoyoung.com/
3:00 P.M. HORSE/PONY RIDES
3:30 P.M. LINE DANCING LESSONS & ZUMBA LESSONS
5:00 P.M. SURVIVOR LAP, DOVE RELEASE AND RECEPTION
Sponsored By: National Aviary
5:30 P.M. BED SHEET BALLOON TOSS COMPETITION
6:00 P.M. CIRCUMFRENCE BAND (SCOTT & JEFF)
Website: www.MySpace.com/4CatMusic
7:00 P.M. FIGHT BACK CEREMONY
7:30 P.M. ANOTHER WHISPER
Featuring: Amy Lee
8:00 P.M. TUG OF WAR
8:15 P.M. SLEEPING BAG RACE
8:30 P.M. TEAM CAPTAIN APPRECIATION LAP
8:45 P.M. LUMINARY CEREMONY
9:15 P.M. THE STICKERS
Presented by: Froggy Radio (104.3FM)
10:45 P.M. FIREWORKS BY PYROTECNICO
Presented By: Littell Steel Co. / Ace Tire Parts & Parts
11:00 P.M. FROZEN T-SHIRT CONTEST
11:15 P.M. ONE LANE BRIDGE
http://www.myspace.com/onelanebridge79
11:30 P.M. HORSHOE TOSS
SUNDAY, MAY 23rd
1:00 A.M. RELAY IDOL (KARAOKE) $5 ENTRY FEE / PERSON
“Do you have what it takes to be the Relay Idol?”
1:00 A.M. POKER LAPS
1:30 A.M. RED LIGHT / GREEN LIGHT LAP
2:00 A.M. PIZZA PARTY & LINE DANCE PARTY
2:30 A.M. FUNKY SHOE LAP
3:00 A.M. RELAY SPIRIT LAP
3:30 A.M. FUNKY HAT LAP
4:00 A.M. FIND A FRIEND LAP
4:30 A.M. SUNGLASSES AT NIGHT LAP
6:00 A.M. MORNING STRETCH
Sponsored by: Curves
6:30 A.M. SUNRISE SERVICE (TRIUMPH BAPTIST CHURCH)
7:45 A.M. FINAL LAP
8:00 A.M. CLOSING CEREMONY
*SCHEDULE OF EVENTS, TIMES AND ACTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. EVENT IS RAIN OR SHINE.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Website Looks to Start Conversations about Underage Drinking

The US Department of Health and Human Services includes the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA. One of SAMHSA's objectives is to educate the public about the dangers of underage drinking.

To help parents start a dialog with their children, the administration has developed an on-line game designed to set the stage through a fun and interactive experience. You can read more about the on-line game in their January-February newsletter here or check out SAMHSA's other efforts around underage drinking by logging onto http://www.toosmarttostart.samhsa.gov/.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Underage Drinking: The Discussion Continues

On Thursday, April 15th, Youth Connect will host a moderated discussion that continues the group’s on-going conversation about the dangers, ramifications, and consequences of underage drinking.

The discussion, which is being held at Edgeworth Elementary, will center around a series of questions that have emerged at previous roundtable presentations dealing with the topic, including:

What can I do as a parent to keep my kids from drinking?

How do I say “no” when all the other kids are drinking?

Even though my kids have graduated, what can I do to support other teens in the area?

As a student, what should I do when my best friend passes out from binge drinking?

How can I keep track of my kids on weekends?

What else is there to do if students don’t find a place to party?

How do I tell other parents that it’s wrong to allow students to drink alcohol at their house?

This event begins at 7 pm on April 15th, and is free and open to all. Edgeworth Elementary School is located at 200 Meadow Lane. For more information on this important upcoming event, or to find out more about Youth Connect, email youthconnect@hotmail.com.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Boundary Setting during Adolescence: Why it Matters

Adolescence can be a turbulent time for both teens and parents but with the right mindset and parenting tools it can also be an exciting time of new beginnings.

Please join Youth Connect on Wednesday, March 17th 2010 for an informal presentation and discussion about maintaining an appropriate balance between setting limits and encouraging your child's independence during the teen years, led by Quaker Valley Middle School Assistant Principal, Caroline Johns.

Mrs. Johns’ presentation, Boundary Setting During Adolescence: Why It Matters, will take place at the Sewickley Public Library, Thorn Street at Broad, beginning at 1 pm; the event is free and open to the public.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Some Useful Links

Having resources to turn to for insight is always a good thing; here are two that we think offer information worth sharing. Let us know if you have other sites you'd like to share with our readers! Email us!

http://www.drugfree.org/

http://timetoact.drugfree.org/

Wednesday, February 17, 2010


Click on the image to read more about this month's Teen Reads for Adults' book selection!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Laughlin to offer help for teens with anxiety

As a follow-up to the teen stress event, Laughlin Children's Center announced that it would be offering a series of small group sessions for girls aged 13-16 who who show signs of anxiety, are socially isolated, or get so emotional at times that they shut down, can’t think clearly, or misbehave impulsively. The goal of the group, led by one of Laughlin’s licensed psychologists, Dr. Lenore Melmeyer, is to provide the participating teens with techniques to calm emotions, develop new perspectives on themselves and others, and improve their communication skills.

The group will run for eight sessions, and will meet at the center, which is located at 424 Frederick Street in Sewickley. Each weekly session will be 90 minutes. Additional sessions will be available as needed. The teen participants can expect to experience the group as a time of sharing and support, as well as a chance to learn better ways of functioning. Some of the topics that will be worked on include mindfulness, interpersonal skills, problems solving, and techniques for overcoming distress.

Before entering the group, each participating teen and her parents will meet privately with Dr. Melmeyer, a therapist specializing in adolescents, for an opportunity to discuss the details of the group and for an assessment; families will have a chance to ask questions about the group at this initial intake meeting. Handouts will be provided to parents each week, reviewing what topics were covered in the group session.

The group will meet on Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 pm, starting on 3 March and running for eight weeks. All initial meetings with families must be completed before the start of the group, and the group size is limited to no more than 10 girls, aged 13 through 16. Due to expected high demand, interested families are urged to contact the Center at 412.741.4087 or l.melmeyer@laughlincenter.org as soon as possible to schedule the initial intake.

The cost for the eight sessions is covered by most major insurance plans. For interested families without insurance coverage, details about payment can be discussed when the appointment for their intake is made. Financial aid is available for those self-paying families who qualify.

Laughlin Children’s Center has been providing educational supports to children and families from Western Pennsylvania for over 50 years. The staff of licensed and certified clinicians help children discover learning success through a variety of services, such as individual and small group instruction, speech therapy, counseling, and early childhood services, including The Village Preschool. For details on the center’s programs, log onto www.laughlicenter.org or call 412.741.4087.