Mountain Views News          Saturday, October 19, 2013

A11

 

THE GOOD LIFE

Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 19, 2013 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

RV TRAVEL TIPS FOR BEGINNERS

Dear Savvy Senior:

Can you write a column on RV travel for beginners? 
My husband and I will be retiring in a few 
years and have always thought it would be fun to 
spend some of our time traveling around the country 
in an RV. What can you tell us?

Ready to Retire

Dear Ready:

The affordability, combined with the comfort, convenience and personal freedom it offers has made 
recreational vehicle (RV) travel immensely popular among retirees over the past decade.

According to the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, there are approximately 35 million RV 
enthusiasts in the U.S., including a growing number of baby boomers. 

Some of the reasons RVing has become so popular is because of the freedom and flexibility it offers to 
come and go as you please. If you like where you’re at, you can stay put. Or, if your feet get itchy you 
pack up and move on. 

Another popular aspect among retirees is following the seasons. Snowbirds, for example, like to travel 
south for the winter, while southerners migrate north during the hot summer months. 

RVing is also a very affordable way to go. Even considering ownership or rental costs, RV travel is 
cheaper than traveling by car, plane or train – especially when you factor in lodging and restaurant 
costs. 

RV Options

Most people, when they think of RVs, think of huge motorhomes, but RVs run the gamut from folding 
camping trailers and truck campers, to travel trailers and large motorized RVs. 

Cost, too, will range from as little as $4,000 for pop-up campers all the way up to $1.5 million for 
luxurious motorhomes. To learn more about RV options, check out gorving.com, a resource created 
by the RV travel industry that breaks down all the different types of RVs available today, along with 
various videos and other RV information.

The best way to ease into RV travel and find out if you like it is to rent. Renting can also help you determine 
which type of RV best suits your needs. Rental costs will vary greatly depending on what you 
choose, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $30 up to $300 per day. To locate one of the 500 or 
so RV rental outlets around the country check your yellow pages under “Recreation Vehicle” or search 
The National RV Dealers Association website at rvda.org. 

Camping Options 

With around 14,600 public and privately owned RV parks or campgrounds across the country (see 
gocampingamerica.com and trailerlifedirectory.com), RVers can roam coast-to-coast with no shortage 
of places to stop, or options to choose from. 

Most RV parks are open to all comers and rent spaces on a nightly or weekly basis, much like a motel 
or hotel, with rates typically ranging from $15 to $50 per night, however some in city and country 
parks may be $10 or even free.

RV parks can also range from rustic facilities with limited or no utility hookups, as are more often 
found in state and national parks, to luxury resorts with amenities that rival fine hotels. 

To research RV campgrounds, get a copy of the “Good Sam RV Travel Guide & Campground Directory” 
for $10 at goodsamclub.com/publications, or call 866-205-7451. This guide breaks down what 
each campsite offers, along with their policies and costs, and a rating system. Also see rvbookstore.
com for dozens of books and DVDs about RVs and the RV lifestyle. 

There are also a number of RV clubs you can join, like the Good Sam Club (goodsamclub.com), that 
provide member discounts on parks and campgrounds, travel guides, fuel and propane, roadside 
assistance and more. Passport America (passportamerica.com) is another popular club that gives 50 
percent discounts on more than 1,800 campsites across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

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.

 By Pat Birdsall

FYI: TRICK OR TREAT?

 

 Halloween is a time of total fun for the younger set…Candy, costumes, mischief, staying up late 
and did I say candy? Halloween can also be fun for seniors, but some find it a stressful period…those 
living all alone or those suffering from dementia for instance. When elders don’t have any kids in 
their lives there can sometimes be no enthusiasm to enjoy the holiday. Working on Halloween crafts 
with a group of seniors is a great way to spend your time and keeps them “tuned in” to the holiday. 
Perhaps the senior or seniors you know would rather not spend the night answering the door and 
giving ghosts and goblins candy, others might totally enjoy it. Invite seniors to your home or out to 
dinner, in the event they are on the “do not enjoy” list.

 Don’t forget that is a night for tricks. After 55+ years since it happened, this is still a vivid memory 
for me…My friends and I were at that terribly awkward age; too old to go trick-or-treating, but too 
young to have grown-up fun. Rather late in the evening, we arrived at the door of a “senior citizen” (in 
reflection, she must have been forty!) She told us, in what we perceived to be a rude tone of voice that 
she thought we were too old to be going door-to-door and besides, she was out of candy. Well, that’s 
all we needed to hear. Of course we soaped her windows! Not only that, we had the audacity to go by 
her house before we went to school the next morning to see her scrubbing her windows!

 Now, not to excuse what we did, I think soaping windows might be considered very minor…Watch 
out for your older neighbors; ghosts, goblins and vampires are on the prowl and this is a very different 
world. 

.....................................................................................

HELPFUL HINT: If you spill a container of tacks, pins and other little metal objects, spare 
yourself poked fingers by using a magnet to pick them up.

......................................................................................

FOR YOUR FUNNY BONE - While transcribing medical audio tapes, a colleague of 
mine came upon the following garbled diagnosis: “This man has pholenfrometry.” Knowing nothing 
about this particular condition, she double-checked with the doctor. After listening to the tape, he 
shook his head. “This man, he said, translating for her, “has fallen from a tree.”

 ~ ~ ~

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! … October Birthdays

Janda Ferris, Darlene Traxler, Margit Johnson, Sole Krieg, Ann Tyler, Pat Birdsall,

George Maurer, Dick Anderson, Barbara Cline, Eva Poet, Mary Jane Baker, Dixie Coutant, 
Cathleen Cremins, Lillias Eubanks, Alma Mays, Adie Marshall,Darlene Crook, Susan 
Gallagher,Maggie Ellis, Gloria Giersbach, Elva Johnson, Ellen O’Leary, Jenny Piangenti, Gail 
Ann Skiles, Anita Thompson, Linda Boehm and Angela Stella. 

* To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. YEAR of birth 
not required

..................................................................

Quote of the Week: Clothes make a statement. Costumes tell a story. 

 ~ Mason Cooley

 ..................................................................

ACTIVITIES: Unless listed differently, all activities are at the Hart Park House 
(Senior Center) 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre

 

 YMCA San Gabriel Valley Intervale Senior Café: Monday-Friday at 12:00 Noon 

(Participants are urged to arrive no later than 11:45 A.M.) 

All seniors 60 and up can take part in the lunch program. There is a suggested donation of $2.00 for 
those 60 and over and $3.75 for non-senior guests. Daily

 reservations are necessary as space is limited. 

 Please call 24 hours in advance...626.355.0256

Free Balance Class: Every 3rd Monday for 11:00 am to 11:45 am with Shannon Vandevelde. A 
variety of balance exercises are practiced; all ability levels are encouraged and welcomed. 

Get fit, Have Fun with Zumba Gold

Zumba Gold is a low impact fitness class based on Latin and World Music. The upbeat music creates 
a fun atmosphere with easy to follow dance moves that will have you toning your body and improving 
your stamina and balance from your very first class. No dance experience is necessary and all fitness 
levels are welcome. Class is held Mondays from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.Next session begins in September. 
$30.00 class fee. For more information or to sign up call the Community Services Department 
at (626) 355-5278.

Free Blood Pressure Testing: Held Second Tuesday of the month from 11:00 am-12:00 pm: No 
appointment necessary.

 

Bingo: Every Tuesday afternoon from 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm Cards are only .25c each! 

Free Chair Yoga: New Hours: 11:00 to 11:45 Every Wednesday morning. Join Paul Hagen for this 
free class that focuses on senior yoga techniques. No reservation is necessary!

Free Legal Consultation: Pasadena attorney Geoffrey Chin volunteers on the 2nd Wednesday of 
the month. He focuses on estate planning, trusts, wills, probate, conservatorships and business law. 
*Appointments are a must! Please call: 626.355.7394 to make yours* Conflicting court schedules 
can occasionally cause cancellations.

LUNCH AND LEARN: SALT THERAPY

Wednesday, October 23rd- 12:00 to 1:00 pm Hart Park House Senior Center

Listen to Reiki Master Kristen, as she explains the benefits of Salt Therapy. Discover the all-natural, 
drug free treatments that are offered at The Salt Therapy Studio such as salt therapy, massage therapy 
and Reiki. These forms of treatment are helpful with many conditions that affect the body including: 
Arthritis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Muscle Tension, Stress, Sinusitis, Sore 
Throat, Colds, cough and congestion.

 If you would like to have lunch during the talk, please make a lunch reservation with the Senior 
Lunch Café at 626.355.0256 or bring your own.

Birthday Celebrations: The 2nd Thursday of the month the Senior Center celebrates the birthdays of 
our patrons at 12:30 pm. Please join us for free cake and ice cream and “celebration.” (The cakes are 
provided due to a generous donation from the Sierra Madre Civic Club.)

Game Day: Every Thursday at 1:00pm. Poker is usually the game of choice, or should I say chance? 
Board games and other card games are also available. Outside, on the patio, a beautiful, one-of-a-
kind chess table is anxious for players.

Free Strength Training Class: Every Friday from 1:00 pm -1:45 pm Conducted by long-time 
volunteer, Lisa Brandley. The class utilizes light weights for low-impact resistance training. Weights 
are provided by the Sierra Madre Senior Center. It’s a great way to stay in shape and to

 socialize with your peers. 

Senior Citizens Club: Every Saturday at the Hart Park House (Senior Center). Brown bag lunch at 
11:30am; Club meeting at Noon; Bingo 12:30- 3:30 pm. Only .25c per card.

UPCOMING EXCURSIONS:

JEOPARDY TAPING AT SONY STUDIOS - Sony Studios, Culver City, Ca.

Date: Wednesday, November 13, 2013 Time: 9:30 am to 3:30 pm

Meeting Location: Hart Park House Sr. Center Cost: $15.00 (does not include lunch)

Join us as we head to the Sony Studios in Culver City for the taping of Jeopardy!, America’s favorite 
quiz show. The show is a winner of a 2012 Peabody award and 30 Emmy awards, including 
the 2012 Emmy for Outstanding Game/Audience Participation. Participants will have 
the opportunity to see the tapping of three shows which takes approximately 2 hours. 
Following the tapings, at approximately 1:15 pm, participants will lunch together at the 
Overland Café just down the street from the studio. It is recommended to bring $10-15 
for lunch. Tickets are selling quickly so come in today and purchase yours. Last day to 
register is November 5th.

Level of walking: Minimal

Friday, December 13, 2013. “Because it’s Christmas” 

Show at Candlelight Pavilion (Claremont, Ca.) $67.00 (Lunch included) 10:00 am- 4:00 pm

*Registering for Excursions can be done in person at the Hart Park House Senior Center and the 
Community Recreation Center or online at www.cityofsierramadre.com Cash, checks, and credit 
cards are accepted. Make checks payable “City of Sierra Madre”. Payment must be made at the time of 
reservation. CALL (626) 355-7394

 

Senior Movie Program: 

FREE movies are chosen by the seniors themselves and shown on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the 
month (EXCEPT OCTOBER - see below) in Sierra Madre’s City Council Chambers, 232 W. Sierra 
Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. ~ Start time is 1:00pm ~ 

October 30th: Young Frankenstein (1976)

After years of living down the family reputation, Dr. Frankenstein’s grandson inherits granddad’s 
castle and repeats experiments. Rated PG, Start time: 1:00 pm (run time 106 minutes)


KATIE Tse.....................This and That

CRIME, BEAUTIFUL HOMES & CHEAP 
SHOES......

 By now you’re probably familiar with the theft epidemic spreading 
throughout our community. Every week the local crime blotter chronicles 
more cases of break-ins, whether it’s from homes or vehicles. At least there 
haven’t been any incidents of mugging, but we don’t want to give the criminals 
ideas...

 There are many precautions one can take to protect your home or car from break-ins. Don’t 
leave your doors or windows unlocked. Don’t store valuables in plain sight in your car. And 
try to avoid shipping anything you’ve ordered to your home, unless there will be someone there 
to receive it (other than crooks, that is). 

 It was this last one that got me worried. I ordered two pairs of shoes from Payless without 
really thinking about the whole don’t-have-stuff-shipped-to-your-home thing. At the time, my 
thoughts were centered on my strong distaste 
for clothes shopping. I merrily clicked the 
“submit your order” button and forgot all 
about it. But after a couple of weeks, I started 
worrying that perhaps someone had lifted the 
package from my porch. Darn! Criminals 
must be pretty desperate if they’re nabbing 
cheap Payless shoes. I vowed to be more 
cautious in the future. 

 While many people’s response to crime 
is reactionary, (e.g., I lost my shoes, so I’ll 
be more careful next time), some are taking 
proactive measures. My parents, and everyone 
else on their street, have our neighbors, Steve 
and Suzanne, to thank for taking up the role 
of block captains.

 Their first meeting was held at a neighbor’s 
house. Both my parents were invited. 
However, my Dad considered that, if everyone 
who was invited actually went, and if the 
criminals came across a copy of the invitation 
flier, they’d know there’d be a long row of empty, vulnerable houses on that particular night. In 
light of this potential danger, my Dad stayed home to hold down the fort.

 So, my Mom went as the representative for our family. (This makes me wonder if my 
neighbors on my street held a meeting as well. If so, I’m sorry my husband and/or I didn’t 
attend. Honestly, we hadn’t heard about any meeting. Either that or the crooks stole the 
invitation from our mailbox!) On the big night, my Mom walked the short distance to the 
meeting, intending to glean as much information as she could.

 And glean information, she did. Apparently, there are more female “gangs” committing 
robberies. (So much for “the weaker sex!”) Thieves have started stealing rental cars to blend 
in, because their own less-than-pristine vehicles might arouse suspicion. What’s worse is that 
the rental companies usually don’t even realize their cars have been stolen! 

 Besides keeping a look out for suspicious-looking people driving inconspicuous cars, you 
shouldn’t announce your acquisition of a new 5 foot flat screen TV by leaving its box on your 
front yard for the trash service to pick up. Doing so might cause your TV (and any other 
valuables you might have lying around) to be picked up, but not by the trash service!

 Learning about crime prevention is all well and good. But what really made a lasting 
impression on my Mom were not the new trends in crime or the preventative measures against 
them. No --all she could talk about for days after the meeting was the beauty of the house in 
which the meeting was held. I sighed and wondered if my wilting plants and dust bunnies 
might look photogenic in the right kind of light.

 Despite focusing more on the beauty of our neighbor’s home than the actual meeting, my 
Mom was able to relay the information to our long-time neighbors, Dan and his wife, Esther. 
(It was Dan who suggested that I write this article, and I promised I’d give him all the credit. 
Thanks, Dan!) 

 Returning to my apartment, I made peace with my dust bunnies, and accepted the fact that 
my decor will probably never be described as glamorous, or even tasteful. However, I received 
an email congratulating me that my shoes had arrived at the Payless store in the Arcadia 
Westfield mall! Silly me to forget I had ordered them to be delivered there rather than pay 
shipping. At least now I know no thieves made off with my $14.99 flats!

 


We’d like to hear from you! 

What’s on YOUR Mind?

Contact us at: editor@mtnviewsnews.com or www.facebook.
com/mountainviewsnews AND 

Twitter: @mtnviewsnews