This past Tuesday a team of medical personnel, our gov. Ed Rendell and our U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire all headed to the rescue  orphans from a collapsed orphanage in earthquake-ravaged Haiti.

Many of the orphans in Haiti are stuck in limbo because their paperwork, identification cards, and adoption process information was completely destroyed or lost during last weeks earthquake.

The rescue mission was in response to messages last week from orphanage caregivers pleading for help to get the orphans out, as there weren’t nearly enough caregivers or supplies to now care for the children, aged 1-6 years at the BRES orphanage in Port-Au-Prince.  Of the 143,  90 have been sent to places in Denmark and France and 53 have now been brought to our beautiful Pittsburgh area.

The mission, food, clothing and medical aid for the children once they reached their new Pittsburgh homes were all funded by  an anonymous donor and Catholic Charities has made arrangements for the orphans’ care until they can be adopted. Many organizations are coming forward to volunteer in helping the orphans settle into their Pittsburgh relocation.

Relocating to Pittsburgh

It is wonderful the Haitian orphans were able to get away from all of the chaos to get the medical attention, food, and care they need, as well as, the Pittsburgh real estate space to house them until forever families are found.

To see how you can help, contact the Red Cross at redcross.org or Catholic Charities at catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Buying Pittsburgh Real Estate

Should you be interested in learning more about Pittsburgh homes for sale, browsing the Pittsburgh MLS, or relocating to Pittsburgh, simply contact me, Jim Dolanch, your expert Pittsburgh real estate agent.

Until next time,
Jim

The buzz word this winter season has been the Swine Flu, also called the H1N1. If you live in the Peters Township area, then you will be happy to learn that the Department of Health will be holding an H1N1 flux shot clinic at the Washington County Agricultural Fair and Expo Center, located at 2151 North Main Street on Jan. 8th and 9th from 8am to 4pm.

Peters Township Communities

Peters Township neighborhoods are glad to be able to offer the flu shot clinic. You can get shots for yourself and your family, or even go down and talk to the nurses and doctors there to learn more information, should you still be debating about getting the shot.

You can also get the regular flu shot anytime by going to the Department of Health during working hours, 8am to 4pm.

Peters Township Real Estate

One of the best things of living in Peters Township is that we are such a close knit community with a great, involved township council, which brings us events like the H1N1 flu clinic. If you would enjoy living in a family oriented community, then feel free to browse Peters Township homes for sale, request our Peters Township relocation guide, and contact me, Jim Dolanch, your Peters Township real estate agent.

Until next time,

Jim

Peters Township Area

The kickoff meeting is set for the 2010 Peters Township Relay for Life. If you want to learn how to get involved or ways to volunterr, then be sure to come to the first meeting at 7pm, October 27 at the Scout House behind Trinity Methodist Church at 530 Center Church Road.

This year’s Relay For Life theme will be “movies”  and participants are asked to bring written suggestions for a slogan to tie the relay in with the theme.

Peters Township Relay for Life teams raised a total of $90122.05 at the June 2009 event and we hope that this year we can raise even more to help the American Cancer Society.

Anyone interested in joining at team, forming a team, or volunteering in onther ways need to try to make this kickoff meeting. The Peters Township Relay for Life is tentatively set for May 15-16, 2010 at the Peters Township High School Stadium, and for more information you can contact Margie Smith at the American Cancer Society office at 724-222-6911.

Peters Township Communities

The Relay for Life is sure to be a huge hit; Peters Township Neighborhoods are  very close knit and family oriented. Every year Peters Township residents step up to support each other in helping to fight cancer.

Peters Township Homes For Sale

To learn more about the Peters Township area, search the Peters Township MLS, or request a Peters Township home buying guide, simply contact me, Jim Dolanch, your Peters Township Realtor.

Until next time,

Jim

Pittsburgh Area Activities

Twilight, oh yes, THAT Twilight, is coming as a special University of Pittsburgh presentation.  On Wednesday, Oct. 28 you at 7pm, you can joinUniversity of Pittsburgh Theater Professor Emeritus, Dr. Patricia Bianco for an exciting presentation on Twilight: Modern Culture and Hollywoodin the Hingham Public Library’s Whiton Meeting Room 66 Leavitt St. Hingham.

The evening is sure to be fun filled and informative event for Twilight fans and for more information you can contact the University of Pittsburgh Film Arts Department or call the Hingham Public Library.

Pittsburgh Real Estate

The Pittsburgh area is lucky to have so many unique and exciting activities for all ages. To learn more about Pittsburgh, search Pittsburgh homes for sale, or request our Pittsburgh Relocation Guide, simply contact me, Jim Dolanch, your expert Pittsburgh real estate agent.

Until next time,

Jim

Going trick-or-treating in the Pittsburgh Area?

Follow these tips to ensure your family has a wonderful, fun night trick-or-treating in our Pittsburgh neighborhoods:

• Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.
• Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
   Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
   Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.
• Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. 
• Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent skin and eye irritation.
• Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible. 
• Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
• Only walk on sidewalks or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
• Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
• Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats unless you know the cook well.
• Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult. Otherwise, stay outside.
• Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

 Throwing a Party in your Pittsburgh Community?

 
Individual packs of raisins, trail mix, or pretzels are great, healthy options to feed your guests, as well as, fruits, vegetables, and cheeses. To help curb some of the energy your younger guests will have, use active party games and trick-or-treat time as an opportunity for kids to get their daily dose of 60 minutes of physical activity.

Pittsburgh Real Estate

If you are looking to relocate to Pittsburgh and would like to search Pittsburgh homes for sale, then be sure to contact me, Jim Dolanch, your expert Pittsburgh Realtor.

Until Next Time,

Jim

Halloween is rapidly approaching, and the Peters Township area has resources to help you find fun ways to celebrate.

While younger kids can be easy to entertain with some simple dress up and trick-r-treating, teens can be a little more difficult to entertain. Never fear though, the Peters Township Community Center is here to give you fun, safe and age appropriate options for your teens that will allow them to have fun with their peers in a supervised fashion, while still letting them have the little bit of freedom by doing something just for their age group. A win win for parents and teens!

Peters Township Family Fun

Here are two upcoming events you will want to make sure you teen has the opportunity to enjoy:

Monsters, Creatures and Costuming

Wednesday, October 28

6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Get ready for an evening of tricks and treats at the
library. We’ll help you work on that perfect costume
and experiment with make-up, fake blood and more!
We’ll screen “The Corpse Bride” to help get you in
that spooky mood and even carve a Teen Room
jack-o-lantern!

Teen Halloween Party

Friday, October 30

5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Celebrate Halloween with us in the Teen Room.
We’ll keep the library open late just for you! Wear
your costume and enjoy an evening of music,
dancing, costume contests, treats and much more!

Peters Township Real Estate

The best part of Peters Township is how family oriented it is. The Peters Township community offers year around family events and entertainment, as well as great night life options for parent date nights. If you would like to browse the Peters Township MLS home search, look for Peters Township homes for sale, or enjoy our Peters Township buying guide, then simply contact me, Jim Dolanch, your Peters Township Realtor.

Until next time,
Jim

Ms. O’Brien teaches third grade at Bower Hill Elementary School, part of the wonderful Peters Township school district. And though her colleagues and pupils know she is special, the entire area of Peters Township is proud to show off just how special of a teacher Ms. O’Brien.

Ms. O’Brien was selected as the Chasing Rainbows award winner and presented with an all-expenses paid trip to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN, where she received her award last Friday. The award is sponsored by the Dollywood Foundation, in conjunction with the National State Teacher of the Year program.

The Chasing Rainbows award honors one teacher a year who has overcome obstacles to inspire children and become an exemplary teacher who enhances the public perception of teaching and who stresses empathy for the students.

We are all so proud of Ms. O’Brien, who has worn a prosthetic device since the age of 15 after she lost a leg to cancer. “Her classroom is the epitome of acceptance and caring”, and her colleague, Ms. Ollendyke said. “It’s truly magic to watch her in the classroom.”

To learn more about the wonderful Peters Township school district, the wonderful teachers and awards our school district consistently receives, then contact me, Jim Dolanch, your Peters Township real estate agent.

Until next time,
Jim

Pittsburgh Schools

will soon be opening their doors for the start of the school year, so now is the time to make sure your children are all caught up on the vaccination requirements (or you have all the paper work and school authorization in line if you choose not to vaccinate-to learn more on that you will need to contact your child’s school directly). For residents of Pittsburgh and Peters Township real estate, some help with the family budget has come.

Pittsburgh Area Residents

This year parents and caregivers can get children caught up with vaccination requirements at free clinics during the month of July-something all of us budget conscious families will enjoy!

When and where in the Pittsburgh area information

The Allegheny County Health Department and Pittsburgh Public Schools teamed up to offer the vaccines your children need at four clinics. The clinics will be open from 10am to 2pm and no appointment is necessary; however, you will need to have your children’s immunization records:

July 21: Grades 7 to 12 at Pittsburgh Peabody School

July 23: Grades 7 to 12 at Pittsburgh Langley School

July 28: Grades kindergarten to 12 at Pittsburgh King School

July 30: Grades kindergarten to 12 at Pittsburgh West Liberty School

You can also take your children for vaccines at the Health Department’s regular walk-in clinic at 3441 Forbes Ave. in Oakland on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9am to 4pm and Wednesdays from 1pm to 8pm.

You can check with your local Pittsburgh Area school to see what vaccines are required.

Pittsburgh Area MLS Search

Would you like to start the search for a Pittsburgh area home? There is still plenty of time to move before the school year starts, and as always, should you have any questions about the Pittsburgh area or Pittsburgh Real Estate, feel free to contact me.

Until next time,

Jim

Searching for that perfect Pittsburgh Area Home For Sale

Well, you don’t have to look any further! This Sunday, July 12th, from 1pm to 4pm you can have the chance to personally view one of The Jim Dolanch Team’s Featured Pittsburgh Properties for sale.

The Pittsburgh MLS Home Search is amazing; however, hours of searching through numerous pictures can be daunting. That is why the Century 21 Jim Dolanch team of expert Pittsburgh Realtors holds multiple open houses for all of our featured Peters Township area homes.

Featured Peters Township Area Open House

This week’s is for 93 Little John Drive Peters Township, PA 15317 with 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms,2 -1/2 bathrooms, and 3590 square feet of living space!

Amazing Kitchen in your dream Peters Township Home

If there is one room that should really shine in your home, it is your kitchen. Your kitchen will be the “hub” of your home, especially if you have children, and you will really enjoy the spaciousness of the kitchen 93 Little John Drive offers.

Would you like to learn more? Feel Free to contact us with any questions, or to even set up a different home tour time if you are unable to make it to our open house on Sunday.

We hope to see you at 93 Little John Drive!
Until next time,
Jim

Living In Peters Township

Living in Peters Township, I have the best of both worlds. I have the big city amenities of Pittsburgh-the action, the shopping (which my wife adores), the night life, and the museums (which I greatly enjoy). And I have the beauty and simplicity of a small town, which is worth more than its weight in gold!

Nature Trails Near Peters Township

But right in my backyard, I don’t have the big city bustle, hustle, or noise. I have a wonderful yard, wonderful neighbors, and tons upon tons of walking/hiking/jogging trails to enjoy!

There are all kinds of wonderful recreational activities to enjoy as a resident of Peters Township, that you usually can’t get when you live in a big city.

Would you like to learn more about why Peters Township is such a wonderful place to raise a family? Feel free to contact me any time with any and all questions about Peters Township Real Estate or browse through our Pittsburgh Area MLS Home Search to start your journey towards living an amazing life in an amazing town.

Until next time,
Jim