Corridors August 2018

August 2018

CORRIDORS

Serving Business Corridors in Western Pennsylvania Five Messages to Avoid in Your Marketing What It Means to Be an Authentic Leader & Why It Matters

Member Accolades Photo Gallery

C O N T E N T S

Chamber Headquarters 5000 Brooktree Road, Suite 100 Wexford, PA Cranberry Twp. Office 2525 Rochester Road Cranberry Township, PA P: 724.934.9700

Jim Boltz President JBoltz@PghNorthChamber.com For more information on the Chamber’s program of work, please contact:

Kristina Hall Director of Events & Programs KHall@PghNorthChamber.com Heather Schwartzbauer Membership & Digital Media Coordinator HSchwartzbauer@PghNorthChamber.com Amy VanAtta Executive Assistant AVanAtta@PghNorthChamber.com

3

From the President

4

Business After Hours, Signature Events and Connections Schedules

5 6

Five Messages to Avoid in Your Marketing

8

What It Means to Be an Authentic Leader & Why It Matters

10

Beach, Beer and Business

14

Five Tax Deductions That Disappeared in 2018

16

Community Connections

Member of the Month

From the Being a member of a Chamber of Commerce has many rewards. Here are six benefits that you and your business receive from your membership: 1. Relationship Building- People do business with people that they know, like and trust. With our many varied events, you will come in contact with a vast number of people that will give you the opportunity to build meaningful and lasting relationships.

2. Visibility- You are your business and your business is you. A Chamber offers you many ways to make your business visible. Through networking, sponsorship or advertising, you can quickly get in front of a multitude of potential customers.

Jim Boltz, President

3. Promotion- In order to sell your product, service or cause, you must promote it. There are so many ways that a Chamber can help you do that in print, online or in person. You decide what way is best for you and the Chamber can help you do it in a cost effective way.

4. Community Connection- No matter the size of your company, it is a part of the community and needs the support of its residents. It is where you and your employees live, work and shop. Being a member of a Chamber helps validate your support for your neighbors.

5. Ongoing training and education- Through workshops, educational sessions, speaker series and published articles, a Chamber can help its members be informed and intellectually grow.

6. Programs and events- Chamber events include training/educational programs, networking specific events, awards banquets, golf tournaments, business expos and speaker events. All are designed to build your business in some fashion, whether through training, promotion, networking or community service.

The Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber has many ways that your business can experience these benefits.

So many, some may be unknown, overlooked or forgotten. Several are a benefit of membership. Here is a list of services that come FREE with a Chamber membership:             

An online business directory on the Chamber website A business listing in our annual community resource guide Five different free networking meetings per week Posting of upcoming events in member news and on weekly digital newsletter Promotion of your business on our website in “Member Deals” Small Business membership in the PA Chamber for companies with less than 10 employees A new member business listing in our monthly newsletter Use of our bulk mail permit Validation of Certificates of Origin Ribbon Cuttings Education on business and personal improvement topics through our lunchbox sessions Chamber member benefits for every employee in your company Unlimited free maps of the area

There are so many advantages to being a Chamber member. If you would like more information, contact us at 724 934-9700 or info@pghnorthchamber.com.

Page 3

B USINESS A FTER H OURS August 2 The Sports Grille Cranberry 1294 Freedom Road, Cranberry

August 14 North Park Lounge Cranberry 20810 Rte. 19, Cranberry Twp.

Business After Hours are from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

E VENTS Social Media and Marketing Conference Tuesday, August 7 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

La Roche College 9000 Babcock Blvd.

Pittsburgh, PA 15219 HYPE Tossin’ For Good Cornhole Tournament Saturday, August 25 1:00-7:00 p.m.

Adams Township Community Park- The Rotary Pavilion 698 Valencia Road Mars, PA 16046

M ARKETPLACE L UNCH M EETINGS August 1 Monte Cello’s at The Hampton Shoppes 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., 4655 William Flynn Highway Route 8, Allison Park August 27 Family Bowlaway Fun Center 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

540 Fairground Hill Road, Butler

CONNECTIONS Daily networking events for business leaders throughout our Pittsburgh North region.

Wexford: Tuesdays, 7:30 a.m.

Chamber Headquarters, 5000 Brooktree Rd., Suite 100 Sponsored by North Hills Psychological Associates, Inc

2018 B OARD

OF

D IRECTORS

E XECUTIVE C OMMITTEE Ann Gatty, Ph.D. – Board Chair Strategic People Solutions Philip J. Scolieri, J.D.– Chair-Elect Scolieri Law Group, P.C. Andrew Chiapusio—Vice-Chair First National Bank John Tubridy—Past Chair Franchise Network of Pittsburgh Gregg Hill—Foundation Chair Dollar Bank Lisa Hunt—Treasurer USX Federal Credit Union Kim Yerace—Secretary Petroleum Technical Services, LLC Jim Boltz—President Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber James Roddey—Advisor to the Board St. Barnabas Health System

B OARD

OF

D IRECTORS

Tracy Armstrong, North Pittsburgh Greeting Company Gary Basilone, Basilone Executive Search & Staffing Ryan Breen J.D., Breen Law Firm, LLC Steven W. Diffenderfer, Community Bank Todd Harris, Liberty Insurance Agency Jim Logan, Battery Giant of Pittsburgh Al Marschke, ACN Business Essentials

Warrendale: Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m.

DoubleTree By Hilton, 910 Sheraton Drive Sponsored by Direct Payment Consultants

Alyssa Marsico, Alzheimer’s Association

Cranberry Twp.: Wednesdays, 7:30 a.m.

Council Chambers, 2525 Rochester Road

Robert O’Friel, Luttner Financial Group

Ross Twp.: Thursdays, 7:30 a.m.

Treasure House Fashions, 7607 McKnight Road Sponsored by Sally Power of Treasure House Fashions Breakfast provided by Bountiful Baskets Valencia: Fridays, 7:30 a.m.

The Crystal Conservatories, 100 Conservatories Court

page 4

Tiffany Nolan, i.e. Insurance

Tim Sechler, Sechler Law Firm, LLC Jan Stevens, Coldwell Banker Nicky Voynick, Salem Media Group Mark Prentice, Healthy Environments, LLC

Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

PNRC Member Amanda McCollough Dittman Eyecare Jim Boltz, President PNRC said, “Amanda is one of our most active members. Her passion and energy make her a natural leader. She is on several committees, volunteers or attends most of our events and is a great advocate. Her contributions impact us in so many ways.”

“Amanda is one of the most selfless people that I’ve ever met or had the pleasure to work with. She wants others to succeed and will go to great lengths to ensure that happens. We’re very lucky to have her on the HYPE committee as she’s been the glue that holds us together. Amanda has been a vital leader in planning our first ever Tossin’ For Good event. Without her planning and skills, it wouldn’t be anywhere near the event that we pitched earlier this year. Such an inspiration and role model for young professionals!” said Seth Prentice, ARMSTRONG. Lisa Hunt, USX Federal Credit Union said, “Anyone who has ever met Amanda knows that she is not one to do anything half-heartedly, and her involvement in the PNRC is no different. From the moment that Dittman Eyecare joined the Chamber, Amanda has always been willing to volunteer for events, is active on several committees, and is one of the founding task force members for HYPE, the Chamber’s young professionals group. She frequently brings new ideas to the table to support and build up the many events, programs, and activities that the PNRC offers, including the upcoming first HYPE Tossin’ For Good Cornhole Tournament. Amanda is an outspoken advocate for the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber, and her outgoing personality, community involvement, and personable character make an invaluable asset to Dittman Eyecare and to the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber. She is someone that I am truly grateful to know and count on as both a business partner and friend.”

PghNorthChamber.com

August 2018

page 5

Five Messages to Avoid in Your Marketing By: Ron MacDonald, Step 2Branding & Design As consumers gain greater access to more information, it’s no secret that they’ve become wiser in their purchasing decisions. They’re also more skeptical of old-school sales and marketing tactics that aren’t tailored specifically to them. Common clichés, tired sales pitches and unrealistic claims no longer work. In fact, they’ll likely be viewed as disingenuous and undermine your marketing efforts. Here, we’ve outlined five ineffective marketing messages and what you can do to avoid using them.

“The best.”

Here’s a reality check. Chances are, you’re not the best at what you do. So, stop telling people you are. Instead, tell them why you do things differently and why it matters to them.

Remember, YOU are the only person in the world with your unique experience, talent and passion. Those qualities add real value to what you offer and distinguish you in a positive way that is meaningful to your market. So, leave the accolades to others by earning them. Praise is only credible when it’s in the words of others, anyway. If you do your job well, there will be plenty to share on your website.

“Your one-stop shop.”

You can’t be all things to all people. Wal-Mart can’t even make such a claim, so why should you? By casting the widest net possible, you’ll obscure what makes you special and dilute your brand. We’re not suggesting that you abandon all the other stuff and present yourself as a one-trick pony. Instead, use what you’re truly great at (remember, not the “greatest”) as your marketing foundation and back-fill it with everything else that adds value. Always try to use your unique strengths to make your mark and distinguish yourself from your competition.

“Sign up for a free consultation.”

Everybody offers free consultations. So, they have no real perceived value because the market expects them. It’s okay to offer them. But, they are ineffective as lead-generation tactics. Information is what people need. Educate your target audience and market influencers by offering free advice, tools and tips through webinars, blog posts, downloadable assets, etc. When people feel they’re learning from you, it positions you as the subject matter expert. This brings great value to your business and makes prospects more inclined to jump into your sales funnel. Even if they’re not ready to buy, when they are, they will remember those times you helped them.

“I’m looking to meet anyone who wants to …”

Consider the financial planner who declares, “I’m looking to meet anyone who wants to grow their money.” Do you know anyone who doesn’t? This gives your referral sources no real clarity into who your ideal prospects are.

Try to be more specific about your target audience and what challenges they face, so others know what to look and listen for. What job titles do your best prospects have? What life experiences are they currently facing?

What specific pain might they be feeling? What are they saying to others that should trigger an intro? Identify those people and scenarios you can help the most and how. Consider taking this one step further by identifying those whom you cannot help, which will help eliminate unqualified referrals.

“We do this. We do that.”

Instead of focusing on WHAT you do, focus on WHY it matters and to whom. Remember, most purchasing decisions are emotional ones. Whether you’re selling cars or high-tech widgets, your message should not be about you; it should be about the consumer. Perhaps, there’s a “peace of mind” gained in knowing that a certain problem is being solved. Or, maybe, it’s some form of economic “relief” that the buyer will experience. Or some other pain point that is being “cured.” It could even be about enabling them to spend more time on things that bring them the most happiness. Empathy is your most powerful sales tool. Understand the emotional buttons of your audience and communicate how you can make their lives easier.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ron MacDonald believes that every person, business or organization is great at something. What you offer may be similar to others, but you add special value that sets you above them. Or you have a unique way of doing things that distinguishes you in a positive way. Step2 Branding & Design helps organizations identify what makes them great and use it to get them noticed, influence their markets and add value to their businesses. Learn more at https://step2branding.com.

Page 6

Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

PghNorthChamber.com

July 2017

page 7

What It Means to Be an Authentic Leader & Why It Matters By: Dr. Ann Gatty, Strategic People Solutions We read a lot about how an effective leader is also an authentic leader. But what does that mean, exactly, and why does authenticity matter? Bill George, who pioneered the research on authentic leadership and wrote his seminal book on the subject in 2003, explains that over the past decade, authenticity has become the gold standard of leadership—it’s the coloration of character that has the most influence on the people you lead.

Being an authentic leader does matter, and here’s why. In an age of increased skepticism throughout all business functions, authenticity becomes the foundation for trust with your staff and you customers. As a leader, are you looking to inspire your staff to be committed to a cause greater than oneself while also being highly productive and reaching your vision? They’re looking to you for that needed guidance.

Turning to research studies on the subject, we find that a worker’s perception of the leader is the strongest predictor of their job satisfaction, commitment to the organization, and overall happiness in the workplace. A trusting, open and happy workforce is a productive workforce—one more likely to be aligned with the organization’s purpose and vision. As an authentic leader, you are the one who builds this atmosphere.

Being able to show up as your true self and share your true personality allows others to feel more comfortable in sharing both the good news and bad news. Being authentic often becomes a purposeful work in progress because there are times when you find it’s easier playing the positional authority role and spewing the company line. Yet being able to self-disclose your own vulnerability or trepidation with assorted situations, can result in strengthened relationships with your workers. If you take your leadership development process seriously, you have the opportunity to develop an authentic leadership style that is based on your unique competencies and personality traits.

Being an authentic leader means that you stay true to who you are, what you do, and whom you serve, while consistently having a clear understanding of your work’s purpose. According to Simon Sinek, the things we say and the things we do are things we believe. Here are 3 questions to ask yourself with accompanying suggestions to improve your authentic leadership style and positive workplace engagement.

Are you approachable? Leadership is not about you.

Approachability is all about heart—the ability to show compassion, kindness and understanding of others. Being approachable allows other people to feel comfortable bringing concerns to you, and being able to listen to them, before pronouncing any judgement. Approachability includes a strong dose of flexibility—it provides the ability to accommodate each staff member’s needs in a unique way that strengthens their ability to perform.

Take a look around your workplace. How receptive are you to others’ points of view, including your workers and your customers? Are you listening intently to what they have to say and really hearing the messages they share? How are you allowing their perspectives to inform your decisions and make improvements in the organization?

People will go the extra mile when they know their leader cares. This includes taking time to learn about the whole person who works with you and engaging in meaningful conversations. This includes learning about Each individual’s talents and utilizing these strengths to the benefit of the organization. No leader wants to be viewed as intimidating. That’s a lonely place to be. Opening your office door and opening your heart will bring satisfaction to both you and your team.

Do you embrace transparency? Leadership is all about you.

To improve your ability to be authentic, start with open communication. The image you project in public should not be drastically different from how you are in private. Transparency require you to admit mistakes and learn from them. When you show up as who you are, you are able to show vulnerability which leads others to develop respect, trust and honesty.

Stop and think of the personality traits you utilize at work that are also present in your private life. Curiosity, cheerleading for others, willingness to self-disclose when you don’t know something—shows transparency.

Transparency also includes the information you are willing to share with your staff. Information needs to be shared through good times, in which you can celebrate, and in lean times, in which you might need to have some difficult conversations. Regardless, being honest in your actions and your words brings the best results. As you craft your authentic leadership style, think about how you can maintain consistent transparency in all actions and decisions. (Continued on page 11)

Page 8

Member Accolades Curt Whipple is the new Cranberry Noon Rotary President Congratulations and good luck to Curt Whipple as he begins his 2018-2019 Cranberry Noon Rotary presidency!

Best Mini Golf and Family Fun goes to….Fun Fore All! Congratulations to Fun Fore All for being awarded the Best Mini Golf by the 2018 Pittsburgh Fan Favorites! Fun Fore All was also voted the Best Family Fun!

Top Dentist Dr. Shieh is in the Pittsburgh Magazine’s Top Dentists list again this year, but for the first time under our all new luxury dental boutique. A “Top Dentist” was selected and voted by his/her peers in the city that he/she practices in and then recognized in their city’s premier magazine. Just the nomination alone is a privilege, but to actually be listed as one of the “Top Dentists” is a tremendous honor. Making the list goes to show your colleagues believes in you, appreciates your work, and has all the confidence to work along side of you.

Small Business Academy Graduate Congratulations to Rakesh Unnithan for completing the WesBanco Small Business Academy! This award distinguishes WesBanco Bank as one with a real commitment to helping its employees reach their highest potential.

Pittsburgh Circle of Courage Award Congratulations to Sally Power of Treasure House Fashions for being a finalist for the Pittsburgh Circle of Courage Award, which honors people of faith and courage serving the needs of others in their community.

PghNorthChamber.com

August 2018

Page 9

Beach, Beer and Business By: Jay Duquette, Jay Duquette and Associates What an evening! It’s warm with a great breeze rolling in over the Atlantic Ocean. I’m comfortably sitting on the beach, watching the surfers, and drinking a refreshing cold beer.

There are two groups of surfers. One, is a group of five that seems to spend way more time sitting on their boards than surfing. They are bobbing up and down and going wherever the tide take them. Group two has two surfers, one male and one female, who are riding the waves beautifully. They are actively moving their positions to catch the surge of the wave before the wave develops. They seem to catch all the big waves and ride all the way to the beach. From my perspective, they are having a great time.

Perhaps the two surfers are just lucky. Is it just luck that they happen to catch the surge of all the best waves. Maybe, these two surfers make their own luck. In business, the same thing happens. I’ve been in the entrepreneurial trenches for over 30 years and when it comes to growing a business, luck is entirely within your control. Great companies spend time and consistent effort positioning themselves in front of their industry’s surge. When they catch the surge, they can ride it to remarkable growth.

The Marketplace is like the waves. Constantly changing. Trends change, customers shift demand, and even whole industries change. Technology accelerates change and sometimes disrupts the market. The key to growth is to position your company in front of the best waves of change then ride them to the end. As the saying goes, “timing is everything.”

That’s what a friend, client, and business owner is doing right now. He is presently in the middle of a surge. For over a year, he has been positioning his company in front of a large wave that is changing his industry. When we met for our July (1 to 1) meeting he reported a $800,000 increase in profits over the first half of this year. Our revenue goal was to reach $20 million dollars by 2020. Now, our projections changed. We will reach $20 million in revenues by the end of 2018. Sorry, I can’t tell you what he is doing because we want to ride this wave as long as possible. Unfortunately, business is a journey and not a destination.

You never arrive. This wave will not last forever and we are always looking for the next market change.

Skype is a company that positioned itself in front of two marketplace surges. Skype launched in 2005 as a web-based alternative to making costly international calls. This initial surge helped grow the company through 2009. Then customer usage more than doubled. Skype caught the surge of people turning the camera on themselves. In 2006, Apple Computer built cameras into their laptops. (Before that, people bought a camera that attached to their computers.

They were a little awkward.) Soon all Apple’s competitors included cameras with their laptop. Since people buy computers every three years, by 2009 business was booming. Skype rode the wave all the way until 2013, the year they sold to Microsoft for $8.5 billion.

What’s the change coming in your industry and how can your business better serve the new wave forming? Make sure you clearly understand your niche and what differentiates you. Most companies strive to be better, not different. The best-selling business book, Blue Ocean Strategy offers an excellent analogy. If you strive to be better, you are swimming in the “red sea” saturated with competitors. When you strive to be different, you are swimming in the “blue ocean” with little or no competition.

Most entrepreneurs are visionaries. They can picture what they want and because their purpose or mission drives them, they easily formulate a plan. Results are delayed when they try to implement their plan. Running their businesses gets in the way. To simplify, the process of Think, Plan, DO, goes off track with DO. Most people, not just entrepreneurs, have trouble implementing or doing.

Let me help you get started identifying your marketplace surge. Look for the change coming in your industry. First Google trends in the _______ industry (market.) Fill in the blank with your niche. Next Google history of ______ and put in the niche you are focusing on. Talk to the experts in your industry. Ask, what’s changing? What do your customer’s want and need? Where’s the next wave? Yes, do it now! At the very least, identify your niche and write what makes you different.

Back to enjoying a refreshing cold beer on the beach. Maybe my niche should be meeting with my clients on a beach while we both enjoy a refreshing cold brew. (iced tea for those who don’t drink?) It’s different…. One issue might be that most of my clients are in the Pittsburgh area. Is there a venue in Pittsburgh that offers the same experience?

Thank you, Kristina, for asking me to write a short article for the Chamber. Members, if you don’t like the article please send all complaints to Kristina. If you want to try out my new niche, let’s meet, talk business and enjoy a cold refreshing beer. I’ll bring a picture of the beach.

Page 10

What It Means to Be an Authentic Leader & Why It Matters (Continued from Page 8) By: Dr. Ann Gatty, Strategic People Solutions Do you know what you believe? On what hill are you willing to die?

Authentic leaders know what principles they stand for and why they stand for those principles. Clarifying your principle values and beliefs that shape your perspective in life is a must for any leader. It is these guiding principles which become the tools you use for analyzing all situations. These principles form the guide rails for any decisions you make.

People want to do business with people who are aligned in values, character and beliefs. One way to clarify your principle values and beliefs is to write them down. Writing belief statements documents a true indication of who you are. As the lateCharles Krauthammer stated, “You’re betraying your whole life if you don’t say what you think, and you don’t say it honestly and bluntly.”

So how can you, as an authentic leader, harness the power of values and beliefs to engage your workforce and their customers? Lead with what you believe! It answers why you do what you do. Simon Sinek reminds us that it’s not what you do but why you do it that inspires your team and your customers.

For example, if you are a leader of an HR consulting firm, and you have developed an employee evaluation program that takes a pulse reading of your workers on a continual basis, your belief statement might be something like, “We believe that traditional performance reviews are old and outdated.” If you are leading an IT business development firm, you might have a statement that says, “We believe you should be able to run your business from your phone.” And if you are a mid-level manager working with a product development team, you might craft a belief statement that says, “We believe that the status quo is always worth challenging.”

Keep your belief statements centered around the hearts of the people who work with you rather than the soulless goals described with P & L numbers. More concisely, belief statements describe the hill you are willing to die on.

In summary, being an authentic leader and exercising effective leadership requires a natural self-expression that you can access through a blending of the competency strengths you own. People will follow and will be eager to achieve the purpose you describe because there is trust, honesty and respect. Authentic leadership is much needed in our world today. In a digital age where information and conversations are shared through rapid fire, being able to engage in meaningful dialogue where divergent points of view are acknowledged for their merit allows for a healthier organization and a thriving workforce.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr. Ann Gatty is a partner at Strategic People Solutions, a business consulting firm, helping businesses add value-assets to their businesses. For the past twenty years she and her husband, Gene, have been providing business leadership mentoring and solving HR employment issues. Ann has recently created The Business Sphere of Excellence® a strategic business planning model used to construct annual and long range business plans helping businesses run more efficiently and profitably. Dr. Gatty is an expert in understanding and improving the workplace culture which is foundational for implementing any successful strategic initiatives. In order to better explain the importance of employee engagement, Ann partners with Beretta, her Great Dane therapy dog to present her key findings. For more information about leadership mentoring or building a business to work brilliantly, visit www.strategicpeoplesolutions.com.

Join our highly successful Marketplace Lunch Group (11:30 – 1:00) the first Wednesday every month at Monte Cellos route 8. Our next meeting is Wednesday, 8/1/18 http://members.pghnorthchamber.com/events/details/marketplace-lunch-meeting-08-01-2018-6310 Jay Duquette and Associates - Personal Business Mentoring helping powerful groups of business owners focus on the business drivers that grow companies. jay@duquetteiib.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayduquette/

www.jayduquette.com

Page 11

Mega

The Chamber hosted a Mega Mixer with eight other local area Chambers on the Gateway Clipper Fleet on Monday, July 23! We were happy to be joined by Beaver County Chamber, Butler County Chamber, North Side/ Shore Chamber, Peters Township Chamber, Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber, Southpointe Chamber, Southside Chamber and Westmoreland County Chamber. Photos were taken and provided by Peters Township Chamber of Commerce.

Mixer

Five Tax Deductions That Disappeared in 2018 Under tax reform, taxpayers who itemize should be aware that tax deductions they may have previously counted on to reduce their taxable income have disappeared in 2018.

ADVERTORIAL

The 5 Tax Deductions That Disappeared 1. Moving Expenses Prior to tax reform (i.e., for tax years starting before January 1, 2018), taxpayers could deduct expenses related to moving for a job as long as the move met certain IRS criteria. However, for tax years 2018 through 2025, moving expenses are no longer deductible–unless you are a member of the Armed Forces on active duty who moves because of a military order.

2. Unreimbursed Job Expenses For tax years starting in 2018 and expiring at the end of 2025, miscellaneous unreimbursed jobrelated expenses that exceed 2% of adjusted gross income (AGI) are no longer deductible on Schedule A (Form 1040). Examples of unreimbursed job-related expenses include union dues, continuing education, employer-required medical tests, regulatory and license fees (provided the employee was not reimbursed), and out-of-pocket expenses paid by an employee for uniforms, tools, and supplies.

3. Tax Preparation Fees Tax preparation fees, which fall under miscellaneous fees on Schedule A of Form 1040 (also subject to the 2% floor), have been eliminated for tax years 2018 through 2025. Tax preparation fees include payments to accountants, tax prep firms, as well as the cost of tax preparation software.

4. Personal Exemptions Repealed for tax years 2018 through 2025, the personal exemption enabled individual taxpayers to reduce taxable income ($4,050 in 2017). Each household dependent was able to take the deduction as well. While the standard deduction did increase significantly ($12,000 for individuals, $24,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly, $18,000 for heads of household) to compensate, some taxpayers may still lose out on these tax deductions.

5. Subsidized Parking and Transit Reimbursements for Employers Before tax reform, employees could take advantage of a perk offered by many employers whereby parking and transit pass costs (up to $255 per month in 2017) were reimbursed by their employers tax -free. These reimbursements were not included in the employee’s taxable income and were deductible to companies on their tax returns. However, for tax years starting in 2018, the employer deduction is no longer available.

If you have any questions about tax reform and how these disappearing tax deductions could affect your particular tax situation, don’t hesitate to call the tax professionals at Holsinger, P.C..

The Chamber was pleased to welcome Your Hangout Spot to the Wexford area on Wednesday, July 18.

Your Hangout Spot is the go-to place to hang out, learn something new, and enjoy time with friends.

They provide DIY and crafting, in addition to personal and professional development. Visit them at 12982 Perry Hwy, Wexford.

Ribbon Cuttings

The Chamber is very fortunate to celebrate the grand openings of new businesses into our growing region. On behalf of our members and Board of Directors, welcome!

The Chamber was excited to celebrate with Jason’s Deli at The Block Northway on Tuesday, July 24.

Jason’s Deli is a family-friendly, health-conscious deli offering guests an inviting sit-down atmosphere and providing menu options that meet ever-changing consumer tastes and preferences along with the conveniences of drive-thru, catering and delivery. Visit them at 6300 Northway Mall Drive.

Community Connections will provide the latest updates from our municipality partners.

Stay up-to-date on what is happening in the areas that you live and work in.

Cranberry Township National Night Out

Come and meet your local First Responders on Tuesday, August 7! The parade will include fire, police and EMS units. Food, games, raffles, face-painting, FBI Child ID Kits and more. For more information, click here.

Connoquenessing Creek Clean-up

The Connoquenessing Creek Cleanup Project is an annual event formed by Allegheny Aquatic Alliance in 2012 for the restoration of this important local waterway. Tackling 10-20 mile sections each summer, they aspire to clean the entire creek by removing the physical pollution that consumes it. Connoquenessing Creek was once a beautiful, unspoiled waterway but due to decades of abuse and neglect, it has tragically become an endangered natural resource. It was rated the 2nd most polluted waterway in America in 2000! Please help restore this vital waterway back to its beautiful, natural state by becoming a volunteer or sponsor. So far over 360,000 pounds of garbage has been removed, including over 4,000 tires from 40 miles of the 50-mile creek! For more information, click here.

Pine Township Father/Son Day at the Lake Head out to the Pine Community Park on August 4th for a nice Father/Son day at the Lake! For more information, click here.

Adaptive Open Gym

Starting on August 8th Pine is now offering open gym time for those with special needs! Spend an afternoon engaging in activities just for your child with special needs! Bring the entire family together and participate in fun sport activities and games! Parents and guardians are highly encouraged to participate. Click here for more information.

McCandless Township Heritage Center Vintage Car Cruise

Please join us for a car cruise at the McCandless/Northern Allegheny Heritage Center on Saturday, August 4 from 1 to 3 p.m. Come for the cars and check out the Center while you are there. The Center is located on Aufman Lane (located off Grubbs Road off Ingomar Road west of North Park). Click here for more information.

Heritage Center FDPC The McCandless/Northern Allegheny Heritage Center opened on May 20, 2017. The Center houses the collection of local historian Joe Bullick (as well as other items that were not in Bullick's collection). On August 28, 2017, Town Council established the Financial Development and Promotional Committee (FDPC) to develop programs, events and activities to raise funds to support and promote the Heritage Center. The FDPC will meet every other month (or as needed) at a time set by the Committee and Town Management. This meeting will take place at the Heritage Center (830 Aufman Lane) on Wednesday, August 15 at 4:30 p.m. For more information, click here.

There are over 13

FREE page 16

benefits & services that come with your Chamber membership!

NexTier Bank Nonprofit Spotlight Pittsburgh Mercy

Ring in the season and create a new holiday memory while supporting families and children in need in our community. Pittsburgh Mercy’s 15th Annual Reindeer Ball will be held Sunday, December 9, 2018, from 4 to 7 p.m., at The Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh Hotel, 1000 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (Downtown).

This event offers a fabulous evening of fun for the whole family. Dressed in their holiday finest, children and their families will mingle with some of their favorite characters and storybook friends. New York City-based entertainment company RWS Productions will perform a dazzling holiday revue, “Santa’s Christmas Circus.” Food stations for adults and children will provide a festive holiday meal. The whole family will ring in the season and enjoy an evening of playing, singing, and dancing with Santa’s circus friends.

Tickets are $60 per child and $115 per adult.

Proceeds from the Reindeer Ball benefit Pittsburgh Mercy programs and services that help families and children in need. As one of the largest health and human services nonprofit organizations in the region, Pittsburgh Mercy serves more than 33,000 persons annually. We empower individuals and families to overcome barriers and lead healthy, successful lives in the community.

Many of our programs are unique to this region or address needs that other health and human service providers do not.

Several of our programs have received acclaim for innovation and are being replicated by others as best practices. We continue to serve the most vulnerable women, men and children of our community – individuals with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and addictions, and those who face homelessness, abuse, isolation, and other types of trauma.

Tickets are on sale now. Advance ticket sales only. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

PURCHASE TICKETS TO THE REINDEER BALL For more information or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Connie Murray at CMurray@pittsburghmercy.org or 724-934-3537. Learn more about the many innovative programs and services that Pittsburgh Mercy offers to families and children in our community at www.pittsburghmercy.org or call 1-877-6372924.

Photos by Annie O’Neill Photography

page 17

The Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber would like to thank those who have renewed.

We thank you for your continued support!

Advos Information Technologies, Inc. Apples and Cinema Arnett Carbis Toothman LLP CalTech CFI Choice Restorative Medicine

Home 2 Suites-Cranberry

Robinson Office of Cove Forge

Hope Lutheran Church

Rogers School of Driving Inc.

Jireh Mobile

School of Rock

Keystone Acquisition Services, Corp-KAS Brokerage Services

Scolieri Law Group P. C. Strassburger McKenna Gutnick & Gefsky

La Roche College

Chrome Federal Credit Union

Stryde Solutions, LLC

Compass Self Storage

Mike Kelly Cadillac, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Kia

Confluence Financial Partners

Moes Southwest Grill

Cranberry Highlands Golf Course

My Dog's Care Center

Crescendo Professional Cleaning Services

North Star Buick GMC

U-Haul of Northwestern PA UPMC Urgent Care- Wexford Vector Security Vrabel Plumbing Company, LLC West of Mars

Office Pride Commercial Cleaning

Dan Ryan Builders

Once Upon A Hero

Evangeline's Creative Side

Red Roof Inn #7079

Heartland Payment Systems

Welcome to those who have joined!

Club Pilates Wexford

Zone 28

Edward Jones Investments- Bryan Shoemaker

Donnelly-Boland and Associates

Insperity

Best Buy

Aitken Research Group

Ashley Homestore

PA Career Link of Butler County

Flashpoint Digital Marketing

Allegheny Excavating Inc.

CTR Insurance and Benefits Services, LLC CTR Payroll Services

Thank you for your referrals!

Gary Basilone, Basilone Executive Search

Steve Carpenter, Northwood Realty Services

Greg Heibert, Sears Carpet & Air Duct Cleaning

Ken Scott, RevLocal

page 18

Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

PghNorthChamber.com

August 2018

page 19

Thank you to our Valued Corporate Sponsors and Chamber Partners