Though it is the middle of summer, learning should still be a part of the day for your children. Summer vacation is wonderful and great; however, you can’t deny that many of the skills learned through the school year can get rusty over the long summer months, even for students at our highly rated Pittsburgh area schools. Never fear though, there are numerous area school related camps and fun learning activities can cut down on summer boredom while reinforcing  school skills, as well.

Pittsburgh Community Schools

If you are are relocating to Pittsburgh, sending your children to our outstanding Pittsburgh area schools for the first time, or simply looking for learning oriented activities to keep summer boredom away, you will love these great ideas.

The activities are simple enough to enjoy at home-and very little cost beyond supplies, most you may already have at home or are able to print from the specific sites. All of these sites and activities have been put together by our wonderful school system, showing just one of the numerous reasons why Pittsburgh is a great place to raise a family.

Pittsburgh Family Learning Things To Do

Follow the following links to find school related activities on the topics that interest your child:

Art Games

Reading and Spelling Games

Math Games

Science Games

Other Games

Learn More About Pittsburgh

Not only is this a wonderful place to live, Pittsburgh was recently ranked 7th in the nation for best places to raise a family, so if you would like to browse Pittsburgh homes for sale, or learn more about our area, simply contact me, your expert Pittsburgh real estate agent.

Pittsburgh Zoo

The summer months are some of the best time to enjoy everything the Pittsburgh real estate area has to offer families. The Pittsburgh Zoo is one of my favorite places to recommend to clients relocating to Pittsburgh because it offers something for everyone.  From the extensive animal habitats to the stroller friendly trams, the Pittsburgh Zoo is perfect for a family adventure.

Family Fun in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh home buyers often mention to me that they love how family friendly the city is, and our great local zoo is a perfect example. There are several regions to the zoo, with exhibits and entertainment geared to reach every member of your family, regardless of ages or stages. The regions include:

• African Savanna
• Asian Forest
• Kids Kingdom
• Bears
• PPG Aquarium
• Tropical Forest
• Water’s Edge

The Kids Kingdom makes it easy for little ones to embrace learning about the animals with exhibits and activity areas where kids can learn how to act like the very animals they are visiting. There are also animals native to Pennsylvania, a petting zoo, reptiles, small mammals and much more to keep your children entertained. For more mature family members, there is a special “Speak with a Zoo Keeper” area where you can observe them working, talk with them about animals, and how to care for the animals.

Pittsburgh Real Estate

The Pittsburgh Zoo is only one of the things that make the entire Pittsburgh communities and surrounding suburbs-like the Peters Township community a great place to raise a family. To learn more about our wonderful area, or to start your own home buying adventure, simply contact me, your expert Pittsburgh real estate agent.

Until next time,

Jim

Pittsburgh Is One Of Best Cities for Education

I am quite honored to say that my home town Pittsburgh area has been voted by Parenting Magazine as one of the 2010 10 Best Cities in the Country for Eduction. Honestly though, it is not a huge surprise. After all, families are essential like and all of Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas, like Peters Township, take great pride in ensuring Pittsburgh is a wonderful environment to raise a family. if you are relocating to the Pittsburgh area, you will find great family activities and entertainment around every corner.

Pittsburgh Area Schools

Eduction is the key to success-and when you buy Pittsburgh real estate, you truly become part of a village that will help raise your children to be productive, educated, and confident members of society. From our 50 NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) accredited preschools to our top ranked Blue Ribbon awarded schools with an average of 11.9 students per teacher, you can easily see why Pittsburgh Schools are highly desired.

Raising A Family in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is one of those cities that offers it all-a wonderful environment for families with all the amenities and entertainment for adults. From the outstanding numerous Peters Township area golf courses to the amazing Pittsburgh area shopping, you will find plenty to keep mom and dad happy, as well. Would you like to learn more about our schools? You can browse the Pittsburgh area communities, or simply contact me, Jim Dolanch, your expert Pittsburgh real estate agent, to find the answers to all your questions.

Until next time,
Jim

Memorial Day In Pittsburgh

Of all the holidays, there is not one that moves me the way Memorial Day does. Just about everyone has someone they care about serving-or that has served-in our military services, and to those men and women, I forever feel a deep dept of gratitude for their sacrifice and bravery.

Regardless how you feel about the government, war, or any of the like, we have to tip our hats and say a huge “thank you” to all brave men and women who serve, protect, and sacrifice for all of us.

Pittsburgh Area Events

This weekend, the Pittsburgh area will be celebrating in style, with a full 3 day celebration in downtown Pittsburgh. There will be lights and parades all around town, with most starting at the local community VFW centers around 9am. The East Pittsburgh parade begins at 9am at the VFW center and ending at Churchill Cemetery with honors given to the Soldier’s Plot at 11am.

There are so many ceremonies and parades that will be taking place in all the Pittsburgh area neighborhood communities, that I can’t list everything here; however, if you want to check for your specific area’s celebration, browse here: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06146/693382-85.stm

Pittsburgh Area

Soldiers an Sailors Memorial Hall, at 4141 Fifth Ave will be open at 10am until 4pm, with special stations for visitors to get a more engaging and interactive look at the exhibits.

There will also be entertainment for the children, with Uncle Sam’s Kid Tent, where children can learn age appropriately and entertain tales and games of our patriotic history and the meaning of Memorial Day.

There will also be great patriotic prizes given out throughout the day as well as a “mess tent” where you can get a hot dog, soda, and US Flag for only $1.00 while a DJ plays music. A memorial service for Pennsylvania’s Fallen Soldiers in the War against Terrorism begins at 11, and at 2pm the Hall of Valor induction ceremony will start in the auditorium.

Pittsburgh Things To Do

Pittsburgh real estate communities offer abundant parks, green spaces, and recreation, as well, and they would make the perfect places to hold a family picnic or bbq before catching some of the community firework displays.

Should you have any questions about events for Memorial Day, simply contact me, your expert Pittsburgh area real estate agent.

Until next time,
Jim

Peters Township School District Events:

• The Imagination Celebration: Arts For Life 2010 is an event where the kids of Peters Township get to showcase their artistic talents. There will be performances and art displayed from across the district, not to mention plenty of hands on entertainment for the kids. The event is hosted at the High school May 14 & 15th.

• Peters Township High School Prom 2010 is another exciting upcoming event. Who can forget a favorite pastime like the prom? This year Hilton Garden Inn Southpointe will be hosting this right of passage. The Prom is Friday, May 21, 2010 from 7 pm – midnight.

• The Peter Township School District presents “Beauty and the Beast” May 6th-8th Our High school will be performing the classic fairy tale.

Other Fun Events Include:

• April 2-6th Spring Break (all schools)
• April 16st Bower Hill’s Beestro
• May 4th  McMurray’s Spring Celebration
• May 14th Bower Hill’s Reading Olympics
• May 14th McMurray’s Spanning the Globe

Testing Events:

In addition to Peters Townships School Districts entertainment we also have some upcoming testing events:

• April 10th ACT Tests

• April 12-16th PSSA Math and Reading Exams Begin for 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11 grade

• May 3-14th High School AP Tests

The Future

Whether you’re relocating and you have children or your just thinking about the future, Peter Township is a school district that offers an array of valuable education and fun-filled entertainment for everyone in the family. If you are interested in learning more about the townships school district or just schools in the Pittsburgh area check out our school information. Also, you can follow the district on its Twitter account @ “PetersTwp” or contact me for more information.

Until next time,

Jim

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

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

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

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

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