Women’s Independent Press

Contact: Jolene Miklas
Director of Communications
412.847.7043 (office)
412.719.0031 (cell)
jmiklas@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Animal Friends Rescues Pets on New Years Eve”

WHAT:

For the past 16 years, Animal Friends’ annual New Years Eve Rescue has been a Pittsburgh tradition—and a last-chance lifeline for pets. On Monday, December 31, Animal Friends will once again rescue pets who are slated to be euthanized by the years’ end. Animal Friends’ staff and volunteers will travel to shelters and Animal Control facilities to bring back the pets who would not otherwise live to see 2013. Then, each rescued pet will bask in TLC at Animal Friends’ resource center, where they will be vaccinated, bathed, groomed, given a medical and behavioral evaluation, and scheduled for a spay or neuter surgery.

This year’s rescue will have a candy theme, and every rescued pet will be named after a kind of candy. After all, Pittsburgh is a candy loving town! With the Good Ship Lollipop sailing the three rivers, Clark Candy Company downtown, Sarris in the South, Gene and Boots in the East, Betsy Ann in the West, and Baldinger’s in the North, the Pittsburgh region is a veritable Candyland!

WHEN:

Monday, December 31, 2012
The first wave of pets will arrive at 9am.

WHERE:

Animal Friends, 562 Camp Horne Road in the North Hills, just 10 minutes outside of downtown Pittsburgh. To get to Animal Friends, take I-279N to Exit 8 at Camp Horne Road and turn left at the light. Drive through two more lights to find us on the left.

WHY:

Rescues like this one are a shining example of why adopting from Animal Friends–all year round—is so critical. For every animal who finds a home through Animal Friends, there are others who desperately await a space and a second chance in our kennels. The rescue also casts a light on the staggering number of pets that are euthanized in our community every year.

WHO:

Animal Friends, a team of volunteer trainers, groomers, bathers, and veterinary assistants, and rescued dogs

Healthy Home for the Holidays
1405 Shady Avenue |

Pittsburgh, PA 15217-1350
phone: 412.420.2290 | fax: 412.420.4450
www.womenforahealthyenvironment.org

Recycle wrapping paper or shred it and start a compost container!
Try newspaper, fabric wrap or a reusable item such as a scarf, bandana or dish towel to wrap that special gift.

You can reuse holidays cards to make gift tags and don’t forget to reuse your gift boxes!

Recycle your tree. Visit www.Earth911.com to locate a recycling center near you. If you have an artificial tree,wash your hands thoroughly after decorating. The plastic material, typically PVC, may be a source of lead.

If a new electronic is on the list, don’t forget to properly dispose of the older model. See www.eloop.com for a list of recycling centers.
Toys that are made from cloth or wood are eco-friendly. Avoid children’s
metal jewelry that may contain high levels of lead and cadmium.

Consider buying a gift card for that person who is hard to buy for, especially one to a local, sustainable restaurant.

Less packaging and the recipient gets a gift he or she can truly enjoy.

Consider making a donation to your favorite charity, like Women for a Healthy Environment!

Happy Holidays! Unless They’re Not!
For many of us the holidays are joyous occasions. However, they can also be filled with loss, sorrow and depression. In the article below, my friend Nancy Mramor offers gentle suggestions, filled with compassion and wisdom, for moving through holidays when we feel we can’t deal with our moods for even one more day. For those who feel a need to speak with Nancy directly, please visit www.drnancyonline.com and click on the contact page.
Reprinted from
www.futuredesignstudio.com

by Nancy Mramor, Ph.D.

At the holidays, people are joyfully gathering to spend time with friends and family, eating and drinking traditional foods and enjoying the generous spirit of the season. And it is a time to remember holidays past, and dream of those in the future. So why isn’t everyone happy at this time of year?

Sadness or grief may creep into a typically joyful time, if certain conditions exist:
1.Season Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) is caused when a lack of light upsets the body’s natural balance. The disorder is especially likely to occur, if you are prone to experiencing it, during the winter months. For this reason it is referred to as Winter Blues. Dietary recommendations call for a balanced healthy diet, without too many starchy carbs or sugar and sufficient vitamin D. And remember, it is not a personal sadness, but is a biological one, that can be treated with lifestyle changes.

2.Past Grief, known as Anniversary Depression, occurs when you have had a traumatic event or loss around the holidays in the past. It can be especially severe during the year immediately following the loss or trauma, because the season, weather, events and people serve as reminders of the way things were one year ago. As you make new memories, you can move away from the sadness, building new memories and gradually find yourself enjoying the season again.

3.Life is not going the way you had hoped. Perhaps you have lost a loved one, relationship or job, or maybe you are experiencing a health issue.
Special circumstances:

•Men – Men often react to feelings of loss or depression through busyness. They may exercise more, work or drink more and generally remain busy to avoid feelings of unhappiness. If you see a loved one behaving this way, kind words and an opportunity to express feelings will support them is a constructive way.

•Women – Women may become busier but they are also likely to withdraw during times of sadness. They may isolate themselves, soothe with food or other soft addictions and avoid social contact. Drawing them out may work, but just visiting and offering friendship and acceptance are also powerful tools to address their needs.

•Seniors – The elderly have a special set of issues surrounding the subject of loss. They may have experienced loss of friends, health, mobility, family, mental capacity and even their homes. Providing love and support, friendship, a ride when needed and a companion will let them know they have more to live for in the future.

But there are ways to Cope and Thrive even during sadness or grief.

•Remember to Remember. When grief and loss are a part of the holidays at any time, it is best to avoid suppressing feelings of grief and loss by trying not to think of the loved one who is gone. Remember the person who has passed and invite everyone who is missing them to do the same, recalling happy times, positive memories and what you appreciated about the person.

•Gratitude! Give thanks for every good thing in your life. While there may be things to grieve there are always things to appreciate. Step aside from seeing what is missing and view the blessings that remain.

•Fun. Do things you enjoy to remind you of how to feel the joy of life. Do them with friends and family to increase the social contact that creates happiness.

•Grief. Simply grieve. Allow yourself to go through the stages of grief and feel the feelings that must be resolved before grief can complete itself. Write the person who has passed a letter if there are unresolved issues or words unspoken. Journal your feelings to release them and keep them from being suppressed. Organize a memorial to their life. Make a donation in their name. And remember, recovering from grief is not a linear process. While you will feel better with time, remembrances, objects and times of year may trigger grief, in a spiral fashion. So at the holidays, love and accept exactly where you are, honor your feelings and do what you feel is best to move you forward.

•Seek Help. If you do not feel better or the grief/sadness is persistent or unresolved, seek the help of a professional therapist to help you to heal.

Many blessings to all from Dr. Nancy Mramor, and Transformedia, LLC

Follow these simple steps to create a healthy,
“green” home for the holiday season:

.Use natural scents instead of fragrance products that you plug in or spray.
Set out fresh or dried flowers or simmer spices such as cinnamon, clove or
orange with some water on your stove top.

If you love candles that have a holiday scent, switch to a 100% soy candle.
They are natural and produce less soot than a paraffin candle. Please remem-
ber to use candles wisely and keep away from children!

Consider using natural decorations such as pinecones, evergreen, dried fruits
and flowers. A perennial plant such as a poinsettia, peace lily or prayer plant
makes a great gift and can reduce indoor air pollution! Caution: many plants
can be poisonous, so remember to keep out of a child’s or pet’s reach!

Switch to plant-based and natural cleaning products. Vinegar and baking soda
have proven to be effective cleaners and deodorizers.

Buy locally-grown produce for your holiday meal. And don’t forget to set
the table with cloth napkins.

Consider using LED lights for indoor and outdoor decorating. They use 75%
less energy than conventional lights. String lights are made with PVC plastic
and may contain traces of lead, so wash your hands!

1405 Shady Avenue | Pittsburgh, PA 15217-1350
phone: 412.420.2290 | fax: 412.420.4450
www.womenforahealthyenvironment.org

Business Exchange Networking Lunch
* Give a 1-2 minute commercial for your business.
* Bring business cards, brochures, and samples.
* Make new business contacts.

Four Dates and Locations:
Dec. 5 - Wexford, Atria’s, 12980 Perry Highway, Wexford
RSVP: email Michelle Zmijanac at
Michellezmijanac@bestpracticesdelivered.com
Dec. 12- Mount Lebanon, Atria’s, 110 Beverly Rd, Mt. Lebanon
RSVP: email Tina Noblers at
TinaNobers@CMNNutritionGroup
Dec. 19 - Murrysville, Bella Luna Trattoria, 5060 William Penn
Hwy, Monroeville, Pa 15146
RSVP Carol@CarolBrineyWorkFromHome.com
Dec. 26 - Fox Chapel, Comfort Inn (Old Holiday Inn) in RIDC
Park, Ohara Twp
RSVP: 412-781-8773 or PlanBConsultant@comcast.net
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Cost: $18 (Bring cash; No-shows will be billed for the lunch)
RSVP: By Monday prior to the event

www.blxnetworking.com

Glitz & Glitter Holiday Party
This special holiday event is open to both Pittsburgh Professional Connection members and guests at no charge, but we do ask that you bring a donation of a gift to be given to the guests who are staying at Family House during the holidays on Christmas morning.
A list of suitable items is available on our website under
events. Or if you don’t have time to shop, just bring a check
for $25 or more made payable to Family House.

So put on your finest holiday attire, preferably something
that glitters, and come to the Fairmont for a fun evening
of networking and giving back to our community.
Exciting additions to the Glitz & Glitter Party include:
1. Special guest author & member, Lexi Michaels will be present
for a book signing. Her book, Time For A Fresh One, will be
available for sale with free personalized autograph. Time For
A Fresh One is a chick light fun read and makes an excellent
holiday gift.
2. Jeff Sassano will provide complimentary chair massages from
his talented staff at Massage Envy.
3. Rayna Matz,owner of The McKenzie Collection Traveling
Boutique will be present with a wide variety of jewelry,
dresses, & accessories for all your holiday needs.
The Pittsburgh Professional Connection is Pittsburgh’s fastest
growing and most prestigious networking organization in the city. Visit us on the web to see where we have been and where we are going and to learn more about how you can become a part of this organization.
Date: December 5, 2012
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Place: Fairmont Hotel, 510 Market Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Host: Pittsburgh Professional Connection
Cost: Holiday Gift or $25 Donation payable to Family House
Questions: Lynda Schneider & Erica Troshak
Pittsburgh Professional Connection, pghproconnection@gmail.com
or 724-933-6902

Bizmix Holiday Bash at Olive or Twist
Join the Pittsburgh Business Times, and our partners to mix, mingle and network with Pittsburgh business professionals at BizMix, an evening networking event presented by the Business Times. This is also a great opportunity to meet and visit with Business Times editors, reporters and staff in an informal setting. Enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres and appetizers and receive two drink tickets. All attendees also receive five free auction tickets for chances to win gift cards, baskets and more.
Attendees are welcome to show their holiday spirit. Prizes will be
given for the Most Outrageous Holiday Attire! Pull out the sweaters, reindeer antlers, jingle bells and whatever else will make you stand out to win gift certificates and more!
Convenient parking is located at the corner of Fort Duquesne Blvd. and Sixth Street, as well as the corner of Penn Avenue and Sixth Street. Parking is just $5 after 4:00 p.m.
Date: December 5, 2012
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Place: Olive or Twist, 140 Sixth St., Pittsburgh
Host: Pittsburgh Business Times
Cost: $35-Business Times Subscribers; $45-others
RSVP: Early registration suggested
For more info, contact Kelli Komondor at 412-208-3845 or
komondor@bizjournals.com

Entrepreneurial Thursday Networking Event
Featured Theme:
Speaking Professionals
Interviewees include:
* Julie Ann Sullivan Learning Never Ends www.julieannsullivan.com
* Jay Speyerer, Legacy Road Communication.jayspeyerer.com
Past President, Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Speakers Association
* Sally Chopping, Acting For Business.actingforbusiness.com
A casual weekly networking event for those interested in what’s
innovative and positive in Pittsburgh. A jazz, soul & blues happy
hour show plus open-mike interviews with local executives.

Date: December 6, 2012
Time: 5:30 - 8 p.m.
Place: Little E’s, 949 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh
Host: Jessica Lee
Cost: $5 (hors d’ouevres included)

For further info, email smarshall@pghgateways.org.

Who’s Your Brother Holiday Benefit Party
Come celebrate the culmination of our holiday toy drive. Enjoy a holiday dinner, live jazz, and an evening of fun.
Date: December 6, 2012
Time: 6:00 p.m (Dinner served at 7:00 p.m.)
Place: Churchill Country Club, 800 Beulah Road,
Pittsburgh 15235
Host: Who’s Your Brother
Cost: $25
RSVP: Suggested by December 3
Event Contact Number: 412-328-2301
Register online at
www.whosyoubrother.com/toydrive.php

Business Women Connect Lunch
& Vendor Fair
Business Women Connect is a free monthly networking group open to any woman in business who is interested networking and sharing information about her business with other professionals. This meeting is our ANNUAL VENDOR FAIR AND NETWORKING LUNCH featuring vendors from a wide variety of business professions, networking, door prizes and lunch. Come meet and network with influential & resourceful women entrepreneurs.

Date: Friday, December 7, 2012
Time: 1:30 p.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Place: Penn Hebron Garden Club, 237 Jefferson Rd, Penn Hills
Sponsor: Business Women Connect
Cost: $17
RSVP: By December 4th
To register, contact Donna Cheswick at 724.837.1130 or
dcheswick@bpuinvestments.com

Talk N’ Walk Series: Winter Birding
Sunday, December 9
8:00 - 10:00 AM
$3 per person
.Do all birds fly south for the winter? Which ones stay here?
How can they survive the cold and snow of Pittsburgh?
Learn the basics of bird survival and how to identify our
feathered friends during this two-hour session.
 
Audubon Christmas Bird Count
Saturday, December 15
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
$5 donation to Audubon Society
For one hundred thirteen years, the Audubon Society has been counting birds.
Since the avian species are distributed over such a wide area, the Society
depends on citizen scientists across the United States to help compile data
on bird populations
 
Moonstruck: Full Moon Hike
Friday, December 28
6:00 - 7:00 PM
Family Friendly
 
Save the “chestnuts roasting on the open fire” for later! Here’s a great
way to spend a winter’s evening! Join The Outdoor Classroom for a hike
through the woods on the snow covered trails of Boyce Mayview Park
www.theoutdoorclassroompa.org

December 14, 2012
Noon
South Hills Country Club
BRENTWOOD BALDWIN WHITEHALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
WOMEN’S NETWORKING LUNCHEON
 
The monthly luncheon meeting* of the Women’s Networking of the Brentwood Baldwin Whitehall Chamber of Commerce will meet on Friday, December 14, noon, at South Hills Country Club. Please plan on attending and bring a friend. We welcome members and non-members.  Tables are available for ladies who would like to display products or merchandise.  Everyone will pass out cards and brochures and present a one-minute “commercial.”
 
Guest Speaker: Mrs. Claus
 
Mrs. Claus, aka Kim Adley, is a professional Storyteller and creator and owner of her 17 year business, “Characters By Kim”.  Kim will share her tales of small business growth and how personal passion and enjoyment are the foundation for success.
Join us for a little holiday spirit and some personal inspiration for your own business success story.
Lunch for Chamber Members - $15 - Bring a friend!
Lunch for Non-Members - $18
Display Table $10
 
Please make a reservation by contacting our secretary:
Mary Dilla at: 412-884-1233 / secretary@bbwchamber.com

Brown Bag Lunch
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
12:00 – 1:00pm
Speaker: Elayne Masters, Word Masters
Topic: Write Tweets, Blogs, and Posts that Impress
The Internet provides public access to every word you type, so make sure your writing represents you in your best light. Grammatical structure and stylistic consistency are important, even in 140-character tweets. Join us and learn how to polish your communication skills.
Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania
1650 Main Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15215
FREE
RSVP: 412.782.5344 x 209 or volunteersofamerica@voapa.org

Choosing Gratitude - Holiday Luncheon
Featured Presenter:
Karen Litzinger, Litzinger Career Consulting
Increase your happiness through gratitude! Usher in your holiday season with this special festive program about gratitude. Enjoy reflective and lively exercises with your colleagues over a special lunch to help you personally and professionally.
Learn about research on the gratitude topic including the impact on happiness and physical health. Then learn how coaches nationally and locally are using gratitude in their own businesses and generate ideas for your own. A handout with additional research and resources will be distributed.
Monetary donations will be collected for the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank coordinated by holiday party committee member David Goldman.
Date: December 12, 2012
Time: 11:15 - 11:30 a.m: Registration and Networking
11:30 - 12 noon: Announcements & Luncheon
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.: Featured Presentation
Place: Cambria Suites Pittsburgh at Consol Energy Center
Host: Pittsburgh Coaches Association
Cost: By 5 p.m., Dec. 7: Members -$30, Nonmembers-$40.
After 5 p.m., Dec. 7: Members-$40, Nonmembers-$40
Register online at
www.pittsburghcoaches.org
Further info: contact Roberta Rollings at Pghcoachesassoc@aol.com.

SMC Holiday Mixer
Join us for our annual holiday party, where you will enjoy
cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, while mingling among SMC members and guests. This is your opportunity to rekindle old relationships, and develop new business connections for 2013.
If you would like to donate a door prize for this event, your
company will be mentioned during the event, and in post event
publicity in Dynamic Business. Contact Kim at (412) 342-1608.
Date: December 13, 2012
Time: 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Place: The National Aviary, 700 Arch St., Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Host: SMC Business Councils
Cost: SMC Members & Guests-$35; Non-members: $50
RSVP: Suggested by December 11
Register online at:
www.smc.org/event-holidaypgh2012

Holiday Networking Reception at Stage AE

Come join The Pittsburgh Social Exchange and Whirl magazine for a festive holiday networking reception at Stage AE.
* Complimentary appetizers and hors d’oeuvres
* Hundreds of business owners and other professionals
* Drink specials & signature drink
* Door prizes
* Chinese Auction

December 13th
Choose a Happy Holiday Season
Laughter and Play at the Peters Township Library
Thursday, December 13th at 10 AM
Make a difference in your life and the lives of others.
Please bring a food donation for the Food Bank.
Questions? - Call Julie Ann Sullivan at 724-942-0486

Date: December 13, 2012
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Place: Stage AE, 400 North Shore Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Host: Pittsburgh Social Exchange and Whirl Magazine
Cost: By Dec. 12 $15 for members; $35 for non-member;
After Dec. 12 - $50
RSVP: Suggested by December 11
Event Contact:
Jamie Swarm, 412-320-3016
To register, visit
‘https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e6m99llqafb2b4af&oseq’

Women’s Power Lunch Holiday Event
Theme: Shimmer this Season
The special event will feature a Holiday Buffet, Sizzling Fashion
Show, and Vendor Tables with everything to Shimmer this Season.
As our Holiday Gift to you, the first 15 members to register
will have the opportunity for a free vendor table. Each vendor
is asked to demonstrate how they add Shimmer to the Season.
Our Fashion Show will highlight the season’s hottest dresses
and upcoming trends.
Date: December 14, 2012
Time: 12 noon - 3:00 p.m.
Place: Bella Sera in Canonsburg
Cost: $30.00 (Prepayment required)
RSVP: Suggested by Decmber 11th
Questions: Contact Suzanne at Suzanne@womenspowerlunch.com
or 724-452-5152.
www.womenspowerlunch.com

Balanced Heart Healing Center is moving in order to launch our new clinic and
Women Veterans and Military Families Program.
Please join us in our new location for our Holiday Friend-raiser! Refreshments, food, silent auction and mini-healings (reiki, reflexology, chair massage, etc.) to raise money for the buildout. Come meet our friends and healers.
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 14., 6:30-9:00 pm
WHERE: 12703-B Perry Highway
(Route 19) in Wexford, across from Atria’s Restaurant.
RSVP:Michele Weis weis476@comcast.net for registration or questions.

Disability Resource Breakfast
Thursday, December 20, 2012
8:30 – 9:30 AM
Speaker: Julie Ann Sullivan, Learning Never Ends
Topic: Laughter Helps During Challenging Times
Experience laughter and gain perspective on a healthy lifestyle. Learn the benefits of laughing out loud and how “Good Hearted Living” can help you to reduce stress, get along better, and enjoy life more.
Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania
1650 Main Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15215
FREE
RSVP: 412.782.5344 x 209 or volunteersofamerica@voapa.org

www/pittsburgh.score.org

For Immediate Release
December 5, 2012

For Information, Contact:
Robert DeGusipe
412-395-6560 x 131

SCORE™ Client Atlas Dreams Languages, LLC Celebrates One Year Anniversary; Launches New Languages
{Pittsburgh, PA} Atlas Dreams Languages, LLC, has its origins in the founder and CEO, Zineb Outnouna’s, birth nation of Morocco. As a teenager, Zineb had become fluent in Arabic Modern Standard along with the Moroccan and Egyptian dialects, French, and English. She subsequently added German and Spanish to her language portfolio. After coming to the United States, she began exploring ways to use her language skills to help others. It is from this interest and passion that her business was spawned in December, 2011.
When Zineb decided to take her part-time business full-time and leave the security of a full-time position, she sought out SCORE for assistance. Her SCORE counselor, Bob DeGusipe, was instrumental in the launch of Atlas Dreams Languages. As Zineb stated “Atlas Dreams Languages started with a single instructor teaching Arabic and French, but thanks to Mr. DeGusipe, the company has grown since December (2011) to include thirteen languages and nine instructors.”
SCORE helped Zineb in several key areas; establishing goals that are measurable, tracking progress towards attainment of these goals, and in understanding the different facets of running a business. Her Marketing tag line “Learn a Foreign Language – Connect with the Globe” stresses the importance of having a global perspective in business and life.
The success of Atlas Dreams Languages has as its root the customized approach to each student and the way that each student learns. Atlas Dreams Languages succeeds because they learn the reasons why someone wants to learn the language, the purpose for the knowledge and the time frame. This helps them to develop a customized plan encompassing all of these factors based upon the way that the student learns.
“My clientele base is growing, the number of languages we offer continues to increase, and the business is on track to meet the numerous goals that Mr. DeGusipe helped me to create in January when I was just starting” says Zineb. She is looking to increase the number of instructors who are available. “The instructors have to be patient, caring and fun”, she says. “I can teach them how to teach by my method if they have the right blend of caring, personality and desire.”
And part of the assistance that SCORE has provided is exploring not only the short term goals of the business start-up but on sustaining the growth through the long-term. Bob is working with Zineb on documenting her business and marketing plans and has counseled her on the importance of evolving

from the teacher role to that of business owner. She has created an Advisory Board of other entrepreneurs with whom she is working, along with SCORE, to help her continue to move her business forward.
Her vision for Atlas Dreams Languages is to continue to deliver value through quality one-on-one instruction. Group sessions are in the offing and she plans to tap the corporate market as success in the global economy gains in importance. She would like to eventually expand into a storefront location to support a foreign language homework center for high school and college students. “Parents can usually help their children with math, English or science”, she commented, “but they stumble with helping them with a foreign language.”
About SCORE
SCORE is a business counseling/mentoring organization. SCORE provides free counseling, resources and advice to people who are in business or want to start a business. SCORE also provides free or low cost Workshops on Business Topics. Volunteer counselors are experienced owners or managers of businesses that volunteer their time to help small businesses succeed. www.pittsburghscore.org
About Atlas Dreams Languages, LLC
Atlas Dreams Languages, LLC provides quality one-on-one language instruction based on the principles of:
• Customized instruction based on your goals and availability.
• Flexible hours.
• Convenient locations.
• Consistent progress in speaking, reading, writing, listening.
Visit our website for a complete list of languages offered. http://atlasdreamslanguages.com

By Patricia Thibault
Social Security Manager in Pittsburgh, PA

According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, winter arrives at 6:12 a.m. eastern standard time on December 21. For many people, winter means shorter days, chillier temperatures and more time indoors. There are many ways you can use that extra time inside.

For example, you may want to spend a few minutes checking your earnings history and getting an estimate of your future Social Security benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement, where you can access your online Social Security Statement.

If you’re planning to apply for Social Security retirement benefits, you can do that without going outside or visiting an office. Instead, brew yourself a cup of coffee or tea and sit down at your computer from the comfort of your home to apply online.

Chances are your hot beverage will last longer than the time it takes to apply online for retirement benefits. Our website makes the retirement application process quick, easy, and secure. In most cases, once your application is submitted electronically, you’re done. There are no forms to sign and usually no documentation is required. Social Security will process your application and contact you if any further information is needed.

You can use the online application to apply for Social Security retirement or spouses benefits if you:
•Are at least 61 years and 9 months old; and
•Want to start your benefits in the next four months.

Before starting, we suggest you have the following information on hand:
•Your date and place of birth and Social Security number;
•Your bank or financial institution’s routing transit number and the account number for direct deposit of your benefits;
•The amount of money you earned last year and this year. If you are applying for benefits in the months of September through December, you also will need to estimate next year’s earnings;
•The name and address of your employer(s) for this year and last year;
•The beginning and ending dates of any active U.S. military service you had before 1968;
•The name, Social Security number, and date of birth or age of your current spouse and any former spouse. You also should know the dates and places of marriage and dates of divorce or death (if appropriate); and
•Your Social Security Statement. (Remember you can get your Social Security Statement online at www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement.)

Programs are held on Thursdays and begin at 12:15 pm at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, 612 Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. They are free and open to the public.

December 6 Simplify the Holidays
Jill Yesko, Certified Professional Organizer and President
Discover Organizing

Learn from a professional organizer how to handle the holidays with ease. This interactive class is perfect for those people who get stressed prior to the holiday season when it comes to meal planning, family visits and travel. Lots of take-home checklists and planning tools will help make your holiday easier and much more enjoyable!

December 13 Investment Outlook for 2013, the Fiscal Cliff and You
Michael Fertig, Vice-President
Daniel Dingus, Director of Portfolio Management
Fragasso Financial Advisors

Join us for an overview of the three driving themes for the economy, what the fiscal cliff could mean to the economy and how these factors could impact investors.

December 20
No Programs – Happy Holidays!
December 27