Mountain Views News          Saturday, January 25, 2014

Mountain Views News Saturday, January 25, 2014 
12 THE GOOD LIFEMountain Views News Saturday, January 25, 2014 
12 THE GOOD LIFE
HOW TO PICK A 
FINANCIAL ADVISOR 


Dear Savvy Senior:

Can you give me some tips on how to choose a good

financial planner or advisor? My wife and I are five


or six years away from retiring and could use some

professional help to get us on track. Seeking Advice 

Dear Seeking: 

With all the different financial advisers and services available today, choosing a trusted professionalthat can meet your needs can be a bit confusing. Here are some suggestions that can help. 

Where to Look 
A good place to start your search is by asking friends or relatives for recommendations. If you don’t 
know anyone who can give you a referral, and you’re looking for broad-based financial advice, hirea Certified Financial Planner, or CFP, who are considered the “gold standard” in the industry. Toget the CFP credential, they must have a college degree and be educated in a wide range of personalfinance subjects, pass a 2-day exam, have at least three years experience, meet continuing-educationrequirements and abide by a code of ethics. 

CFPs are taught to look at the big picture view of your finances, talking you through your goals, aswell as advising you on the details of your financial life. 

You’re also probably better off hiring a CFP that’s a fee-only planner, verses one who earns a 
commission by selling you financial products. Fee-only planners charge only for their services – for 
example you might pay $150 to $300 an hour for a financial tune-up, a flat fee per project or an asset-
based fee. 

To find a fee-only planner in your area, use the Financial Planning Association (fpanet.org) or theNational Association of Personal Financial Advisors (napfa.org), which has online directories. Or 
try the Garrett Planning Network (garrettplanningnetwork.com), which is a network of fee-onlyadvisers. 

If your needs are more specific, some other financial professionals to consider are a RegisteredInvestment Adviser (RIA) who is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission or a statesecurities regulator to manage investment portfolios; a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), whospecialize in insurance and estate planning; and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), who can helpwith tax planning. 

Be leery of many other financial advising titles, designations and certifications that are out therelike the Certified Financial Consultant (CFC) or the Wealth Management Specialist (WMS). Manyof these require no more than a few courses at a seminar or online, which means they’re not worthmuch. You can read more about nearly every certification or designation at www.finra.org/investors 

-click on “Tools & Calculators,” then on “Understanding Investment Professional Designations.” 
How to Choose 
After you find a few candidates in your area, call them up and schedule an appointment to meet andinterview them. Find out about their experience, expertise and the types of services they provide;
how they charge and how much; what is their investment philosophy; and how will they handle your 
ongoing questions or financial needs. Look for someone whose clients are in situations similar toyours and who’s available as often as you need them. 

It’s also wise to do a background check on your potential advisor. You can look up firms andindividuals at finra.org or sec.gov, and even check state financial regulation departments (see nasaa.
org for state contact information) and Better Business Bureau records at bbb.org. Also, ask to see 
the advisor’s ADV Form, part 2. This is a form that the SEC requires advisors to list their education,
services, fees, disciplinary actions and conflicts of interest. 

At the end of your meeting, ask yourself: Do I like this person? If you have any reservations, move on. 
There are plenty of qualified advisors out there who can help you. 

For more tips on choosing a financial advisor, visit the CFP Board at letsmakeaplan.org. 

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. 


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


“GREEN MANSIONS!” PART II

 Welcome back to Part II of “Green Mansions!” For those of you who missed 

my last column (and those of you who wished you had!), here’s a recap. We left our 

hero, Anthony Perkins, rushing back into the jungle to warn Audrey Hepburn, the 

mysterious “lady of the forest” and her grandfather, Lee J. Cobb, of the impending 

danger awaiting them at the hands of the local tribe, headed by Henry Silva. (If this 
summary lacks essential details, it’s only because Part 1 was VERY long. I encourage you to watch the 
1959 movie yourself!) Back to the action...

 Silva stirred the natives into a blood lust for Hepburn by falsely accusing her of murdering his older 

brother. Perkins desperately searches for her, but finds Cobb hiding with an illicit barbequed leg o’ 

lamb instead. (Having grown up in the jungle, Hepburn’s a real vegetarian tree-hugger. But a man 

gets a hankering for a juicy steak now and then!)

 Cobb also confesses that he is not Hepburn’s actual grandfather. In his youth, Cobb took up with 

some bad company who massacred nearly all the inhabitants of a small village, from which Hepburn 

is descended. Despite Cobb’s objections, Perkins spills the beans to Hepburn, who lashes out at Cobb 

for lying to her all these years. The young lovers escape over the hill to Hepburn’s village, Riolama.

 Once there, they find only desolate ruins. By now, Hepburn has softened to Cobb, and the two 

return to find him. But they are too late. Silva has murdered 

Cobb in their absence, and now he and his gang are out to 

get Hepburn. Being the jungle chick that she is, Hepburn 

escapes by scrambling up a tree. This is just what Silva 

wanted. “Burn the jungle witch!” he shouts to his cronies as 

they stack kindling around the base of the tree. The smoke 

rises and it looks as if Hepburn will be fried to a crisp. 

(This is especially bad because her chiffon dress is probably 

flammable.)

 Unable to climb to Hepburn’s rescue, Perkins pursues Silva 

to a waterfall where they duke it out on the slippery rocks. 

Silva boasts that, by taking out the jungle witch, he’s now 

ready to step in as the new chief. In a surge of impassioned 

fury, Perkins strikes Silva and leaves him floating face down 

in the wash.

 Perkins wanders through the charred jungle, but there 

is no sign of Hepburn. Overcome with emotion, he falls 

to his knees and weeps at the sight of a special flower, now 


withered, that Hepburn showed him days before. In the 

midst of his tears, Perkins recalls Hepburn telling him to not cry over the flower when it dies, because, 

somewhere else in the jungle, another one is getting ready to bloom.

 The “Green Mansions” theme music reaches a crescendo as Perkins turns to discover Hepburn 

standing in a light flooded clearing. She smiles as she holds out her hand, beckoning him to join her. 

It’s a happy ending, and I was enjoying the warm fuzzies until my Mom shared her interpretation of 

the ending.

 According to her, Hepburn did meet a toasty end, which is confirmed with her words that “whenever 

a flower dies, somewhere else another is getting ready to bloom.” Then the ending becomes like 

“Somewhere in Time” with Jane Seymore and Christopher Reeve reuniting in a misty afterlife (you 

gotta watch that one, too, it’s a real tear-jerker).

 I have problems with this interpretation. Having Perkins join Hepburn in the bright jungle sunrise 

implies that either Perkins is dead, too, or that he sees dead people (e.g., “The Sixth Sense”). I like to 

think that Hepburn miraculously escaped the fire --that’s what I thought when I first saw it at seven 

or eight years of age.

 By now I imagine that my scintillating summary of the film has you scouring the Internet for it 

(Ha!). If you do happen to watch it, I hope the alternate endings I’ve posed don’t cloud your artistic 

judgment. 

 Next week, “Plan 9 From Outer Space!” (just kidding --but that’s a funny one, too!) 


SENIOR HAPPENINGS 


By Pat Birdsall 

FYI: The Truth About Cataracts and Cataract Surgery- Part I 

Myth: Cataract surgery is painful. Fact: It can be uncomfortable but shouldn’t hurt. After sedating 
you, the doctor will numb your eye, make small incision through which the cataract can be broken up 
with ultra sound and replace the clouded lens with a synthetic one. Myth: I will be able to tell when 
I need surgery. Fact: Most people with cataracts don’t realize how cloudy their vision has become. 
Before surgery most say cataracts don’t interfere with their daily activities. After the procedure, 
62% find they’re enjoying life more. Myth: Cataracts are unrelated to overall health. Fact: “There are 
multiple links between systemic diseases and cataracts,” says Brian Proctor, D.O., an ophthalmologist 
at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Illinois. Cataracts are known side effects of diabetes and high blood 
pressure, for instance. The formation of cataracts is also associated with the use of steroid medications. 
(Part II next week) AARP 

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HELPFUL HINT: Replace traditional wrappings with one giant roll of Kraft paper. A variety 
of ribbon and twine changes the look for any occasion. You’ll save money and free up space. 
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FOR YOUR FUNNY BONE -My friend wanted a boat more than anything. His wife 
kept refusing, but he bought one anyway. “I’ll tell you what, he told her. In the spirit of compromise, 
why don’t you name the boat?” Being a good sport, she accepted. When the husband went to the dock 
for his maiden voyage, this is the name he saw painted on the side: “For Sale.” 

~ ~ ~ 


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! … January Birthdays 

Mary Tassop, JudyWebb-Martin, John Johnson, Mary Bickel, Marlene Enmark, Ross 
Kellock, Ruth Wolter, Sue Watanabe, Sandy Thistlewaite,Bobbi Rahmanian, Fran Syverson, 
Shirley Wolff, Judy Zaretzka and Becky Evans
* To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. 
YEAR of birth not required. 


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Quote of the Week: “Never miss an opportunity to make others happy, even if you have to 
leave them alone in order to do it.” ~ Author Unknown 
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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: Monday, January 27th 11:00 to 11:45 with Shannon Vandevelde. A variety of 
balance exercises are practiced; all ability levels are encouraged and welcomed. 

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: 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 Lem Makupson 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 

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. 

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. 

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. 

Lunch & Learn: Wednesday, January 22nd 12:00 – 1:00pmA representative from the Center for Health Care Rights will be discussing Medicare benefits, co-
payments and deductibles as well as the recent changes in Medicare. Please join us for this informative 
presentation to learn more about Medicare. If you would like to have lunch during the talk, please 
make a reservation with the Senior Lunch Café at 626.355.0256 or bring your own. 


UPCOMING EXCURSIONS: 

Feline Conservation Center (Rosamond, Ca.) Date: Thursday, February 27, 2014 
Time: 9:00 am- 4:00 pm Meeting Location: Hart Park House Senior Center

 Cost: $15.00 (does not include lunch)
Home to over 70 of the world’s most endangered felines; the Feline Conservation Center is a breeding 
zoo and research facility. Cat lovers of all ages are fascinated by the cats (and the peacocks) and unlike 
a zoo, the Conservation Center has no moats so visitors can get as close as 5 feet away from these 
beautiful (but dangerous) cats. Following the one-hour tour is a visit to the gift shop and lunch at a 
nearby restaurant. It is recommended to bring $10-15 for lunch. Last day to register is Wednesday, 
February 19th. Level of Walking: Light to Moderate 

Whale Watching (Long Beach, Ca.) Date: Saturday, March 22, 2014 
Time: 10:00 am-3:30 pm Meeting Location: Community Recreation CenterCost: $31.00 (does not include lunch)
Don’t miss the Community Services Department’s annual whale watching excursion. The 2014 
excursion will visit the same whale watching Charter Company as 2013, which features a narrated 
cruise by Aquarium of the Pacific staff and with indoor and outdoor seating. Participants can bring 
their own lunch to enjoy on the boat, or purchase snack items on board. Children 2 and under are 
free. Last day to register is Tuesday, March 11th. 
Level of Walking: Minimal 

*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. 

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Senior Cinema: FREE movies are shown this month, on the 3rd and 5th Wednesdays. ~Shown in 
Sierra Madre’s City Hall Council Chambers 

January 29: The Producers (1967)
After putting together another Broadway flop, down-on-his-luck producer Max Bialystock teams up 
with timid accountant Leo Bloom in a get-rich-quick scheme to put on the world’s worst show. Rated 
PG Start time: 1:00 (run time 88 minutes 

YOUR AD COULD BE HERE!
Call Patricia at 626-818-2698 Today!