40 <strong>Allegheny</strong> <strong>West</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> <strong>October</strong> <strong>2010</strong>
OVGH News A single one-hour, localized treatment can provide up to three months of pain reduction from post shingles nerve pain. Each year, about one millions Americans develop shingles, a painful viral infections caused by reactivation of the same virus that causes chickenpox. It is estimated that up to one in five people with shingles will experience prolonged pain after shingles, a condition known as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Many people who suffer from PHN describe the pain as excruciating. It may feel like a sharp, burning, tingling, shooting, or numb sensation and can persist long after the shingles rash clears up – potentially disrupting sleep, mood, work, and daily activities. The chances of developing PHN increase with age and are especially high for people who experience severe pain or rash during an acute shingles outbreak. To help patients who suffer from PHN, The Institute for Pain Diagnostics and Care is pleased to announce the addition of Qutenza® (capsaicin). Quetenza provides pain reduction by acting on the damaged nerves in the skin that cause pain after shingles. The pain reduction can last three months after only a single, one-hour application. The patch or patches are cut to fit the size and shape of the painful area and can only be administered by a physician or healthcare professional under the direction of a physician. Qutenza can be used as monotherapy and in combination with other medications. The active ingredient in Qutenza is prescription-strength capsaicin. Capsaicin is a naturally occurring compound found in chili peppers that gives them their heat sensation. It is the first prescription-strength topical treatment for PHN to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in more than 10 years. Tour the Montour Trail Results Winners of the King and Queen of the Mountain at this year’s Tour the Montour, a community and family fun ride set up in several distance increments, were Brandon Pauls of Washington with a time of 4:24:60, and Beth Currie of Laughlintown with a time of 5:31:39. They were among the bicyclists who challenge themselves in a short time trial - up Hassam Road in Moon Township (near Mile 1 1/2 of the Montour Trail), a 7/10 of a mile hill with an average 8% grade. The <strong>2010</strong> Tour the Montour was considered quite the success with a record total of 475 participants according to Tim Killmeyer. Scouts Honored with Awards Life Scout Ben Rogers of Boy Scout Troop 248 in Oakdale earned Scouting’s Leave No Trace Award. Designed by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Scouts earn the award for their dedication to the preservation of camping and hiking venues outdoors. Additionally, seven members of Troop 248 earned the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry Conservation Award for showing extraordinary efforts in the preservation and wise use of natural resources. They are Ryan Eberle, Jeremy Carter, Joshua Phillips, William (B.J.) Supan, Maxwell Hanich, Daniel Le ger, and Broderick Haney. NEW IN TOWN My Laundromat Washing one’s laundry is not the most pleasant task of the day. Meet Margie and Greg Bauer, an easy-going, pleasant couple who proudly announce their ownership of the former Essex Laundromat in Essex Plaza. Named “My Laundromat,” the Ross Township couple found the business for sale on Craiglist. “I was working at a cemetery selling at-need and pre-need arrangements,” explained Margie, who also worked previously in tax preparation. “I decided I wanted to work for myself and found this opportunity,” she added. Together with her husband, Greg, also a self-employed business owner (he has owned and operated Bauer Contracting & Electrical since 1987), they dug in and have updated the old Laundromat with all new, stainless steel washers and dryers plus a host of amenities for customers. They include free WiFi in a comfortable waiting area, offsite cameras for security, ATM and vending machines, a change machine, and a laundry bar. Margie says, eyes twinkling, “We have short washer cycle times with a high speed spin cycle – 25 to 30 minutes, and it’s reducing customers’ drying time, which makes the customers happy! Depending on the amount of laundry, you can be in and out in an hour or so.” Greg added that the replacement of the equipment with 18-pound stainless steel washers, versus the industry average of 10-pound units, also means a green effort to use less water and less energy, while cleaning customers’ items better. The washers range from accommodating two loads up to 8 loads in a single machine. Margie said that she wants to thank everyone who uses My Laundromat for being patient during the updating phase. “We are really appreciative of everyone who has continued to come in here to wash his or her items amidst our updating,” she added. The couple has a little bit more time now to add a second business to their days. Two of their three sons are in college now and a third, Joe, is a junior in the North Hills School District. Dan, 22, attends Kent State; and Andrew, 20, is a student at Penn State Behrend. My Laundromat is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the last load at 8:30pm. Drop off service is available at $1.10 per pound with a 10 pound minimum. For information, Margie welcomes calls at (724) 227-0513. NON-PROFIT GROUPS! We offer a significant discount off of advertising rates (call for details). It’s one way we help you get your message out to the entire community affordably! CALL: 724.695.3968 or e-mail: alleghenywestmagazine@comcast.net. <strong>October</strong> <strong>2010</strong> <strong>Allegheny</strong> <strong>West</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> 41