Mountain Views News          Saturday, March 1, 2014

Mountain Views News Saturday, March 1, 2014 
12 THE GOOD LIFE Mountain Views News Saturday, March 1, 2014 
12 THE GOOD LIFE 
HOW SENIORS CAN GUARD 
AGAINST ROBOCALL SCAMS 

Dear Savvy Senior:
Is there anything that can be done to stop the annoying 
robocalls my husband and I keep getting? It 
seems like we get two or three a day offering lower 
credit card interest rates, medical alert devices, home 
alarm systems and more. What can you recommend? Frustrated Seniors 


Dear Frustrated: 
There’s been a huge spike in robocall scams in the U.S. over the past few years. In fact, the Federal 
Trade Commission (FTC) gets more then 200,000 complaints every month about this widespread 
problem. Here’s what you should know, along with some tips that can help you protect yourself. 


Robocall Scams 
Whenever you answer the phone and hear a recorded message instead of a live person, it’s a robocall. 


You’ve probably gotten robocalls about candidates running for office, or charities asking for donations. 
These robocalls are legal and allowed. But if the recording is a sales message and you haven’t 
given your written permission to get calls from the company on the other end, the call is illegal. In 
addition to the phone calls being illegal, their pitch most likely is a scam. 


Some common robocall scams that are making the rounds these days are offering lower credit card 
interest rates, mortgage relief, free vacations, medical alert devices or home security systems, or they 
falsely notify you about changes in your health benefits or bank account. But be aware that new scams 
are constantly evolving, and they all have only one goal in mind – to get your personal and financial 
information. 


The reason for the spike in robocalls is technology. Fraudulent robocallers are using autodialers that 
can send out thousands of phone calls every minute for an incredibly low cost, and are very difficult 
to trace. When these kinds of calls come in, your caller ID usually displays “spoofed” (fake) numbers, 
or just says “unknown.” 


Protect Yourself 
Your first step to limiting at least some unwanted calls is to make sure your phone number is registered 
with the National Do Not Call Registry (see donotcall.gov or call 888-382-1222). This, however, 
will not stop telemarketing scams or illegal robocalls. 


Another tip, if you have a caller ID, is to simply not answer the phone unless you recognize the number. 
But if you do answer and it’s a robocall, you should just hang up the phone. Don’t press 1 to speak 
to a live operator and don’t press any other number to complain about the call or get your number off 
the list. If you respond by pressing any number, you’re signaling that the autodialer has reached a live 
number and will probably lead to more robocalls. 


You should also consider contacting your phone provider to ask them to block the number, and 
whether they charge for that service. But keep in mind that telemarketers change caller ID information 
easily and often, so it might not be worth paying a fee to block a number that will change. 


Another call blocking option you should check into is Nomorobo. This is a free new service and 
works only for people who have an Internet-based VoIP phone service. Anyone with phone service 
from Comcast and Time Warner Cable can use it too. Nomorobo uses a “simultaneous ring” service 
that detects and blocks robocalls on a black list of known offender numbers. It isn’t 100 percent foolproof, 
but it is an extra layer of protection. To sign up, or see if Nomorobo works with your phone 
service provider, visit Nomorobo.com. 


It’s also important that you report illegal robocalls you receive to the FTC at ftccomplaintassistant.gov 
or call 888-382-1222. 


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 
PHANTOM RELAPSES

 One of my best friends, we’ll call her Carrie, dreamed she fell off the proverbial 

wagon last night. No, she wasn’t using illicit drugs, drinking, or even smoking, 

although as a former smoker, she’s had dreams in which she’s found herself taking 

a long draw from a cigarette. It feels so real that she kicks herself (in the dream) 

for falling back into the habit. But in this most recent dream it wasn’t a pack of 

Chesterfields she was inhaling --it was the left-over Valentine’s chocolates at Rite 
Aid. 

 We’ve all had similarly scary dreams. (Okay, 
maybe not exactly like going on an expired 
candy binge.) In some nightmares you’re back 
in high school, with the teacher passing out 
a midterm exam you have no clue about. Or 
perhaps you’re in a meeting at work, but you’re 
the only staff member who forgot to get dressed 
that morning.

 It’s not so much the fear or embarrassment 
that characterizes these dreams, it’s the 
realization that we’ve done something we 
thought we’d never do in real life. So, you can 
imagine Carrie’s shock and horror when she 
found herself shoveling fun-sized Snickers 
and Twix bars into a shopping cart. Not only 
that; she had started eating the contents before 
making it to the checkout!

 While in line, Carrie dropped some M&Ms 
on the floor. A Rite Aid employee hurried over 
to clean it up, but Carrie insisted on scooping up all the pieces. Brushing off the lint and dust, Carrie 
popped them into her mouth and mumbled “It’s okay. Five second rule.”

 
As if it couldn’t get any worse, when Carrie got to the cashier, she had forgotten her purse in one 
of the aisles. Instead of apologizing for the mess, she asked the cashier to please hold the cartload for 
her. Even in her dream state, Carrie told herself “I can’t believe you’re doing this! PUT DOWN THE 
PEANUT BUTTER CUP!” 

 This is truly the most lamentable part of her dream. Carrie’s conscious was so strong it wouldn’t let 
her enjoy a chocolate binge in her sleep! Instead of savoring the chocolate-y goodness (or badness, 
in this case), Carrie felt the heavy hand of guilt upon her. So many of us struggle with guilt during 
our waking hours, it’s a shame we should have to endure it in our sleep --especially if there are Reese’s 
peanut butter cups to enjoy! 


SENIOR HAPPENINGS 


FYI: SIMPLE HABITS THAT WILL IMPROVE YOUR SAFETY 

The person most responsible for your safety is yourself. Preventing crime within the community iseverybody’s responsibility. If you do see something wrong or unusual, never get physically involved.
Please call the police immediately on 911. 

By following a few simple procedures you can improve your safety. Make things difficult for 
criminals by following the tips below: 

What you can do 

• If you do live alone, don’t indicate the fact. For example, in the telephone directory, don’t state‘Miss’ or a forename. 
• Apart from family, friends and trusted neighbors, beware of telling people that you are alone at 
home. For example, when dealing with delivery and trades people, either directly or on the phone, 
try to indicate that there is someone else living with you. Simply say that you have to consult your 
partner, friend or relative before finalizing any arrangements. 
• Make sure your house number is clearly visible from the street to enable Emergency Services tolocate your house more easily. 
• At night, close all your curtains. 
• Make sure you have a clear view from your windows. If you have plants growing in front ofwindows, consider pruning them so that a potential intruder can’t hide behind them.
From the Perth Office Of Crime Prevention 

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HELPFUL HINT: To store silverware after cleaning and to prevent tarnishing put some 
packs of silica gel beads (moisture packs) or chalk in storage box with silverware. 
...................................................................................... 

FOR YOUR FUNNY BONE - An old woman was arrested for shoplifting at a grocery 
store. When she appeared before the judge, the judge asked what she had taken. The lady replied, “A 
can of peaches.” The judge then asked why she had done it. She replied, “I was hungry and forgot to 
bring any cash to the store.” The judge asked how many peaches were in the can. She replied, “Nine.” 
The judge said, “Well then, I’m going to give you nine days in jail--one day for each peach.” As the 
judge was about to drop his gavel, the lady’s husband raised his hand and asked if he might speak. 
The judge said, “Yes, what do you have to add?” The husband said, “Your honor, she also stole a can 
of peas.”

 ~ ~ ~ 


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! … March Birthdays 

Karen Blachly, Carla Duplex, Ella Guttman, Viky Tchatlian, Mary Cooper, Georgina 
“Snooky” Greger, Sun Liu, Helen Wallis, Joan Crow, Nancy Fox, Nan Carlton, Martha 
Cassara, Rita Johnson, Mercedes Campos, Dorothy Webster,Terri Elder, Carol Cerrina, 
Amy Putnam, Sally Contreras and Lori Cooper. (Thanks Pat Birdsall for putting this list 

together.) To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. YEAR 
of birth not required, however you must be 60 years old or more. 

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Quote of the Week: Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more 
tolerance Benjamin Franklin 
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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 and Learn- “The Story of Old Pasadena”
Wednesday, February 26th- 12:00- 1:00 pm Hart Park House Senior CenterPresentation by The Pasadena Heritage will give an overview of the original downtown, which is now 
listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Pasadena was incorporated in 1886.During the 
next 14 years the population of Pasadena exploded to more than 30,000 inhabitants. Learn why many 
of old Pasadena buildings have split personalities, hear the story of the Castle Green and the snake 
oil salesman who built it. And experience the real Old Pasadena with its fascinating array of historic 
buildings. Mark your calendars and don’t miss this great presentation. 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. 


UPCOMING EXCURSIONS: 

Whale Watching (Long Beach, Ca.) Date: Saturday, March 22, 2014 

Time: 10:00 am-3:30 pm Meeting Location: Community Recreation Center 
Cost: $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 every month, on the 3rd and 5th Wednesdays. ~Shown in 
Sierra Madre’s City Hall Council Chambers