Mountain Views News          Saturday, January 28, 2012

17

THE GOOD LIFE

 Mountain Views News Saturday, January 28, 2012 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

YOUR HEALTH MATTERS

Today’s Subject:

Sick and tired of being sick and tired?

JANUARY ACTIVITIES

WE’RE BACK!

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19th

Senior Programs return to the Hart Park 
House enior Center, 222 W. Sierra Madre 
Blvd. in Memorial Park - Come by and see the 
changes!!

January Birthdays

Loyal Camacho, Mary Tassop, Becky Evans, 
Roberta Rahmanian, Louise Thistlewaite, Sue 
Watanabe, Ruth Wolter,

 
It’s estimated that 20-30% of us feel tired “most 
of the time.” Aside from the big energy drop 
between 3:00 and 5:00 in the afternoon, there 
are those for whom a good night’s sleep is not 
renewing. What’s going on here? Some people 
even say, “I was born tired!”

Some Useful Pointers:

1. Water consumption. Yes, dehydration taxes 
the system and depresses normal function.

2. Starches. Even complex carbohydrates can 
be challenging for an already stressed system ~ 
lean toward healthy proteins.

3. Relaxation. High cortisol levels drain 
the body’s reserves. Herbert Benson, M.D.’s 
“relaxation response” is a must.

4. Coffee. Yup. What goes up must come down 
for some of us. Wean yourself slowly to avoid 
difficult withdrawal symptoms.

5. Toxic overload. A simple cleanse can reduce 
the effect of built-up inflammatory chemicals in 
the body. The New Detox Diet, by Elson Haas, 
M.D., is an excellent source.

6. Get a physical with blood work. A nutritionally-minded doctor will evaluate your findings in 
order to rule out pathology and measure abnormal physiology.

7. Lighten up. Watching too much negativity on the telly? 

8. Get a good night’s sleep. Lights out for a few weeks before ten p.m. Turn off all media at 8:00 and 
read a calming book under a soft light.

9. Join a group. Everyone needs to be heard, seen and appreciated. Heck, start one of your own!

10. Check your prescription drugs. Side effects of many drugs include fatigue. Best yet, seek out a 
natural health care provider to develop a lifelong wellness program.

There are many reasons for chronic tiredness. We do not understand all the factors that contribute 
to this. If we work with the basics, and examine and shore up the fundamentals, some of the hidden 
influences may come to light.

To your excellent health! Dr. John

Meals-On-Wheels


Meals are delivered to home-bound 
seniors by volunteer drivers through 
the YWCA Intervale Lunch Program 
M-F (with frozen meals for the weekend.) 

Meals are delivered to the home-bound seniors 
by drivers through the YWCA Interval Lunch 
Program M-F (with frozen meals for the 
weekend.) 

 

 Call the YWCA at (626) 214-9460 for more 
information. 

MONDAYS: City Hall & Lunch Café 

Closed December 26th - Happy Holidays!

12 noon: Intervale Lunch Café: Come enjoy 
a hot meal with others. Donation for seniors 
(60+) of $2.00; visitors $3.75. Call 355-0256 
to make your daily reservation.

1:00 pm to 1:45 pm: Strength Training with 
Lisa Brandley. FREE class of stretching with 
light hand weights while you sit.

TUESDAYS: 

 FREE blood pressure checks by Methodist 
Hospital Nurse; 11 am to 12 noon.

1:30 pm to 3:30 pm: BINGO; cards are only 25 
cents each so stop by & play

5:15 pm to 6:45 pm: Yoga; $6.00 - 50 & over. 
Please call 355-5278 for more information

WEDNESDAYS:

11 –11:45 am: Balance Class with Teryl. FREE 
class designed to improve balance & refresh 
the joints

12 noon: Intervale Lunch Café; daily reservations 
needed 355-0256

2nd Wednesday of the month: FREE Legal 
Consultations: 10-11:30 am. Appointments 
call 355-7394

Wii Wednesday - 1:00 pm or call the senior 
desk at 355-7394 to arrange another time & 
day to learn how to play. No previous experience 
or skills required and it is great exercise.

THURSDAY:

1:00 to 3:30 pm: Game Day. Join us for Poker 
with Bridge on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays; so 
please call for more information.

FRIDAY: City Hall closed on Dec. 16, 23 & 30 
and Lunch Café closed on Dec. 23

 12 noon: Intervale Lunch Café; daily reservations 
needed 355-0256

Saturday: 11:30 am: Senior Club brown bag 
lunch and BINGO at 12:30 pm. The Senior 
Club will return to the Senior Center starting 
on Saturday, January 28, 2012

Dr. John Talevich, D.C. has practiced in Sierra Madre 
for thirty years. His clinic, LifeWorks! Chiropractic, 
offers patient-specific approaches to the alleviation of 
pain and individually tailored wellness programs. 


LUNCH & LEARN 

Join the Senior

Community Commission

at the 

HART PARK HOUSE

 for a FREE presentation. Lunch is 
available for a 

$2 donation 

Call (626) 355-0256 by 

12 noon the day before. 

John M. Talevich, D.C. 

CHIROPRACTIC: Simple, Elegant, Effective

31 S. Baldwin Avenue Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

626-355-4710

2012 EXCURSIONS

SAVE THE DATES

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN 

THURSDAY, JANAURY 26TH - Bowers 
Museum in Santa Ana. Join us as we return 
to Orange County to visit the Warriors: China’s 
Enduring Legacy exhibit as well as the 
museum’s ongoing exhibits like California 
Legacies.

Cost per person is $22 (includes transportation 
& museum entrance with audio tour). 
Lunch will be on your own.

Bus will depart from the Hart Park House 
Senior Center at 9:30 am and return around 
3:30 pm.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH - San Antonio 
Winery Tour & Tasting. Come enjoy a tour 
of this historic Los Angeles Winery, taste 
their wine, visit the gift shop and savor the 
flavors of their onsite restaurant.

Cost per person is $10 (includes transportation, 
tour & tasting). Lunch will be on your 
own.

Bus leaves the Hart Park House Senior Center 
at 10:30 am and will return around 3 pm.

SATURDAY, MARCH 3RD - Community 
Whale Watching Trip; $28 per person. The 
bus will leave the Community Recreation 
Center at 10 am and return at 3:30 pm. Cost 
includes transportation and a 2 1/2 hour 
charter boat tour out of Long Beach.

Registration can be done either in person 
or online at www.cityofsierramadre.com/
onlineregistration

2011 TAX FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR SENIORS 

Dear Savvy Senior:

What are the 2011 IRS income tax filing requirements for seniors? I had to file and pay federal 
income taxes last year, but my income dropped and I’m wondering if I’m exempt this year. 

Recently Retired 

 

Dear Retired:

According to the Tax Policy Center, 56 percent 
of retirees will not have to file or pay 
federal income taxes this year mainly because 
their incomes are under the IRS filing 
threshold. Here’s a breakdown of the 2011 
filing requirements along with a few other tax tips to help you determine if you need to file. 

 

IRS Requirements

If your gross income is below the IRS filing limits, you probably won’t have to file a federal 
tax return this year. Gross income includes all the income you receive that is not exempt 
from tax, not including Social Security benefits, unless you are married and filing separately. 
You probably don’t have to file this year if: 

· You are single and your 2011 gross income was less than $9,500 ($10,950 if you’re 65 
or older).

· You are married filing jointly and your gross income was under $19,000. If you or your 
spouse is 65 or older, the limit increases to $20,150. And if you're both over 65, your income 
must be under $21,300 to not file.

· You are head of household and your gross income was below $12,200 ($13,650 if age 
65 or older).

· You are married filing separately and your income was less than $3,700.

· You are a qualifying widow(er) with a dependent child and your gross income was less 
than $15,300 ($16,450 if age 65 or older).

Special Situations

You also need to be aware that there are some special financial situations that require you 
to file a tax return, even if your gross income falls below the IRS filing requirement. For 
example, if you had net earnings from self-employment in 2011 of $400 or more, or if you 
owe any special taxes to the IRS such as alternative minimum tax or IRA tax penalties, you’ll 
probably need to file. 

To figure this out, the IRS offers a page on their website called “Do You Need to File a Federal 
Income Tax Return?” that includes a list of financial situations and a series of questions that 
will help you determine if you’re required to file, or if you should file (if you’re due a refund). 
You can access this page at www.doyouneed2file.info, or you can get help over the phone by 
calling the IRS helpline at 800-829-1040.

Check Your State

Even if you’re not required to file a federal tax return this year, it doesn’t necessarily mean 
you’re also excused from filing state income taxes. Check on that with your state tax agency 
before concluding you’re entirely in the clear. For links to state and local tax agencies see 
taxadmin.org – click on “Links.” 

 Tax Help

If you do need to file a tax return this year, you can get help through the Tax Counseling 
for the Elderly (or TCE) program. Sponsored by the IRS, TEC provides free tax preparation 
and counseling to middle and low income taxpayers, age 60 and older. Call 800-906-9887 to 
locate a service near you. 

Also check with AARP, a participant in the TCE program that provides free tax preparation 
at around 6,100 sites nationwide. To locate an AARP Tax-Aide site call 888-227-7669 or visit 
aarp.org/findtaxhelp.

 Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.
org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

DIAL - A - RIDE TICKETS

Tickets can now be purchased at:

Sierra Madre City Hall

Sierra Madre Recreation Center

Sierra Madre Library


Pasadena Highlands, an independent and assisted 
living community, is proud to provide a special 
gift basket on the first Tuesday of each month. 
Accredited In-Home nursing care will provide a 
special prize on the 4th Tuesday of each month. 
Bingo takes place every Tuesday at 1:30 pm at the 
Sierra Madre Recreation Center while the Hart Park 
House is under remodeling. The game begins at 
1:30 pm but those wishing to play must arrive 10 
minutes before to secure your Bingo cards. Join 
us on the 1st & 4th Tuesday of each month 

626-351-8444482 N. Rosemead Blvd., #201 | Pasadena, CA 91107www.elitedentistryofpasadena
Elite Dentistry 
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Oksana Boyechko, DMD, CDIProfessor at UCLA School of DentistryOpen Mon - Fri 9am - 6pm | Sat 2pm - 4pm | Closed TuesdaysSat. & Evening Appts. Available | Please ask about our specials.
The Pasadena Women's Connection invites everyone to the "WHO WIN$ THE RACE? 
WILL YOUR MONEY OUTLIVE YOU?" luncheon and program on Wednesday, February 
8, 11:30A.M. at the Altadena Country Club, 2290 Country Club Drive, Altadena. Keegan J. 
Tanghe, financial planner, will tell how to make important life decisions necessary to get not 
only to retirement, but through it.

Angela Alexander, former member of the U.S. Air Force, author and inspirational speaker 
explains how she was able to turn pain into power and grief into peace in her talk "Love 
Letters".

Tickets are $23. For reservations or information call Darlene (818)353-2212 or Carole 
(818)790-1907.