Mountain Views News          Saturday, September 20, 2014

10

THE GOOD LIFE

Mountain Views-News Saturday, September 20, 2014 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

Food Assistance Programs Can Help Seniors in Need


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! … September Birthdays*

Clem Bartolai, Pat Hall, Donna Anderson, Teresa Chaure, Cathy Gunther, Esther Macias, 
Sheila Pierce, Nancy Sue Shollenberger, Yvonne Osti, Patti O’Meara, Judie Cimino, Mary 
Steinberg, Geri Wright, Parvin Dabiri, Denise Reistetter and Nehama Warner.

 *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: “Grandchildren are God’s way of compensating for growing old.”

 ~ Mary H. Waldrip

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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: Every 3rd Monday, from 11:00 to 11:45 am with Shannon. All ability levels are 
encouraged and welcomed.

Hawaiian and Polynesian Dance Class: Every Tuesday morning from 10:00am to 11:00am. Join 
instructor Barbara Dempsey as she instructs you in the art of hula.

Bingo: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00pm. Cards are only $0.25 each! Everyone is welcome to 
join. May be canceled if less than 5 people. Canceled on August 5th and 12th.

Free Blood Pressure Testing: Held 2nd Tuesday of the month from 11:00am to 12:00pm. No 
appointment is necessary.

Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, August 27th from 10:00am to Noon. Attorney Lem 
Makupson is available for legal consultation. He specializes in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates, 
and Injury. For an appointment call 626-355-7394.

Chair Yoga: Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00 to 11:45 am, except on the third Monday of the 
month when the balance class is held. A suggested donation of $5 at one of the classes is requested, 
but is not required.

Birthday Celebrations: Every second Thursday of the month the Hart Park House Senior Center 
celebrates birthdays of our patrons. The free birthday cake is provided by the Sierra Madre Civic 
Club.

Game Day: Every Thursday starting at 12:45pm. A regular group of seniors play poker. Other 
games available for use.

Free Strength Training Class: Every Friday from 12:45pm to 1:30pm with Lisa Brandley. The class 
utilizes light weights for low impact resistance training. All materials for the class are provided.

 

UPCOMING EXCURSIONS

Gondola Getaway (Long Beach, CA) - Friday, September 19, 2014 

Time: 9:15am to 3:15pm Meeting Location: Hart Park House Senior Center Cost: 
$30.00 (does not include lunch) The Gondola Getaway brings old world charm and a 
thousand year old tradition to Long Beach. Authentic Venetian gondolas gently cruise the enchanting 
canals and waterways of Naples Island near the resort area of Belmont Shores in Long Beach. Join 
us for an hourlong cruise followed by lunch at one of the charming restaurants in Belmont Shores. 
Participants are asked to bring $20 for lunch. Level of Walking: Low

Oasis Camel Dairy & Julian (Julian, CA) Date: Friday, October 17, 2014

Time: 8:00am to 6:00pm Meeting Location: Hart Park House Senior Center

Cost: $20.00 (does not include lunch)

Join us as we visit the Oasis Camel Dairy and Julian, California. The adventure begins with an 
“All About the Oasis Camel Dairy” tour led by Camel Dairy Owner’s Gil and Nancy Riegler. This 
intimate, candid tour includes a seated “show” presentation where camels come to you followed by a 
leisurely, short stroll to the camel enclosures for some camel cuddling. There is also an opportunity 
for a camel ride, please see below for information about camel rides. 

 Following the dairy we visit the historic town of Julian to eat lunch, shop, experience the fall 
foliage, and enjoy the tastes of homemade apple pie, cider & much more. Lunch will be on your own 
and there are a few restaurants to choose from in Julian; participants should bring money for lunch

and souvenirs. Last day to register is Thursday, October 9th. Level of Walking: Medium to Low.

Camel Rides

Camel rides are available after the group tour. The camel rides are the county fair, around in a big 
circle, handled kind of ride. The price is $10.00 per person and we need a minimum of 15 people to 
sign up for the camel rides to occur. If you are interested in the ride please let staff know when you 
register for the excursion. If the minimum number is met, staff will follow up with you regarding 
payment. Please note that there is a 200lb weight limit to ride the camels.

Excursion Refund Policy: Notification of the cancellation must be made at least 3 business days 
before the excursion. A refund will only be issued 1) for a medical excuse or 2) if the Department 
is able to fill the patrons spot from a waiting list. This refund will be issued in the form of a credit 
which will be applied to the patron’s account with the City, less a $10 cancellation fee. The credit 
will remain on your account for one year from the date issued and the credit may be used for any 
program or service offered by the Community Services Department.

1ST & 3RD WEDNESDAY 

Shown at the Hart Park House Senior Center 

SEPTEMBER 3RD: THE BOOK THIEF (2013)

To escape the horrors of World War II Germany, a young girl steals books 
to read and visits with the Jewish refugee hiding in her house. Rated PG-
13, Start time: 1:00 pm (run time 131 minutes) Featuring: Sophie Nélisse, 
Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson

SEPTEMBER 17TH: MANDELA-LONG WALK TO FREEDOM (2013) 

A chronicle of Nelson Mandela’s life journey from his childhood in a rural village through

to his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa. Rated PG-13, 
Start time: 1:00 pm (run time 141 minutes) Featuring: Idris Elba, Naomie Harris, Terry Pheto 

Dear Savvy Senior,

I run a community counseling program for 
needy families and am frustrated that so few 
eligible seniors take advantage of the food stamp 
program. Can you write a column on this to help 
educate seniors to this underutilized benefit?

Reaching Out

Dear Reaching,

 It’s hard to imagine that a government program 
serving more than 46 million Americans each 
month is considered severely underutilized. 
But that’s the reality of the federal Food Stamp 
Program when it comes to serving seniors.

 Nationwide, food stamps (now called the 
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or 
SNAP) reaches around 80 percent of those eligible, 
but the numbers are much slimmer among the 
seniors, age 60 and older. Recent statistics indicate 
only 39 percent of eligible seniors receive SNAP 
benefits. 

 There are a number of reasons for the lack of 
participation. Some seniors are too embarrassed 
or too proud to apply. Others think that if they 
receive SNAP they will be taking food benefits 
away from others (which they won’t). Some think 
it is too difficult to apply for SNAP, and others 
don’t even know the program exists.

 With all that said, here’s a run down of which 
seniors are eligible for SNAP, what they get and 
how they can apply.

Who’s Eligible?

 For seniors to get SNAP, their “net income” 
must be under the 100 percent federal poverty 
guidelines. So, households that have at least one 
person age 60 and older, or disabled, their net 
income must currently be less than $958 per 
month for an individual or $1,293 for a family of 
two. Households receiving TANF or SSI (except 
in California) are also eligible.

 Net income is figured by taking gross income 
minus allowable deductions like medical expenses 
that exceed $35 per month out-of-pocket, 
and shelter costs (rent or mortgage payments, 
taxes and utility costs) that exceeds half of the 
household’s income.

 In addition to the net income requirement, a 
few states also require that a senior’s “assets” be 
below $3,250, not counting the home, retirement 
or pension plans, income from SSI or TANF, and 
vehicle (this varies by state). Most states, however, 
have much higher asset limits or they don’t count 
assets at all when determining eligibility.

 The SNAP pre-screening tool at www.snap-
step1.usda.gov/fns can help seniors, and their 
family members, figure out if they qualify.

 To apply, seniors or an authorized representative 
will need to fill out a state application form, which 
can be done at the local SNAP office or it can be 
mailed or faxed in, or in many states it can be 
completed online.

 If eligible, benefits will be provided on a plastic 
card that’s used like a debit card and accepted at 
most grocery stores.

 Depending on the person’s financial situation, 
the amount of SNAP a beneficiary may be eligible 
for will range between $15 and $189 per month as 
an individual, or $15 to $347 for a family of two.

To learn more or apply, contact your local SNAP 
office – call 800-221-5689 for contact information 
or visit www.fns.usda.gov/snap.

Produce Coupons

 In addition to SNAP, the Senior Farmers’ 
Market Nutrition Program is another underused 
program that provides coupons that can be 
exchanged for fresh fruits and vegetables at 
farmers’ markets, roadside stands and community 
supported agriculture programs.

 This program is currently available in select 
counties in 43 states, seven Indian reservations, 
the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, to 
seniors, age 60 and older, with gross monthly 
household incomes below 185 percent of the 
federal poverty line, which is currently below 
$1,800 for individuals, or $2,426 for a family of 
two. For more information visit www.fns.usda.
gov/sfmnp or call 703-305-2746.

Other Programs

 Seniors that are eligible for food assistance 
may also be eligible for a host of other programs 
that can help pay for medications, health care, 
utilities and more. To locate these programs, visit 
benefitscheckup.org, or call the Eldercare Locator 
at 800-677-1116.

 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

THE NEVER-ENDING MOVIES

What do the titles, “The 
Big Leaguer,” “His Kind of 
Woman,” and “The Wrong 
Man” have in common? If 
you answered that they were 
all produced between 1945 and 1955, you’re right, 
but there’s an even bigger similarity. That’s right 
--you’ve never heard of them! 

 These are just three of an infinite number 
of obscure films made in that small window of 
time. And I wouldn’t know about them either, 
were it not for a seemingly 
unlimited supply of these oldies 
to download. Growing up 
without network television, my 
family and I watched a lot of old 
movies. In elementary school, 
my lack of TV knowledge posed 
somewhat of a social barrier. 
When all my classmates were 
talking about the Smurfs and 
Pee Wee Herman, I could tell 
them about Laurel & Hardy 
or the Road Movies, but I was 
clueless about what was shown 
on Nickelodeon the previous 
night, or anything made after 
1959 for that matter. 

 Even as an adult, my TV-less 
past occasionally comes back 
to haunt me. Every so often my 
colleagues make references to 
some popular show or movie, 
and everyone will get the joke 
except me. I’ve given up trying 
to fake it by laughing along 
with them. Now I just smile and wait until they 
eventually say, “Oh, right. You don’t know about 
that...” Needless to say, I thought I was pretty well 
versed regarding all the old films. But the age of 
downloading has shown me that what I thought 
was a “well of film knowledge” is barely a drop in 
the cinematic bucket!

 Granted, you’ve probably never heard of these 
films, and there’s a reason for that --they stink! 
“The Big Leaguer” is a perfect example. It has 
Vera Ellen wasting her singing and dancing talent 
in a straight role, and Edward G. Robinson is not 
very believable as a fun-loving baseball club scout. 
Hmm... Someone in the casting department must 
have been out sick when they put this together. 
Robinson doesn’t look natural unless he’s clenching 
a sausage-size cigar between his teeth and toting a 
tommy gun. The ball cap and wad of chewing gum 
just doesn’t fit.

 Then there are the flicks with dialogue that’s so 
bad, it’s hilarious! You can tell that all the writers 
were on strike that week. My favorite example of 
this is Barbara Stanwyck in “Blowing Wild.” The 
title itself is ripe with possibilities for ridicule! 
During a particularly dramatic 
scene, she pleads with Gary 
Cooper, “I’d give you my 
teeth for a watch fob!” You’d 
do what? Even Barbara knew 
it was a dumb line, and tried 
to not draw attention to 
herself by saying it really fast. 
But think about it, would 
the dashing Coop be seen 
with a toothless girlfriend 
gumming her food, not 
to mention sacrificing his 
favorite watch fob?

 Beyond the bad casting 
and bad writing, these 
movies are amazing if only 
for the fact that there appears 
to be a never-ending supply 
of them! Just when I thought 
I’d heard of all the good, bad, 
and ugly films from the 40’s 
and 50’s, my dad gives me the 
titles for 20 I’ve never heard 
of. How can a finite period of 
time have produced a seemingly infinite number 
of films? It reminds me of the Energizer Bunny --it 
keeps going, and going, and going.

 Although these films haven’t added much to 
our appreciation of cinematography, there is 
one silver lining to Dad’s gleanings. While other 
people need to worry about the cops coming to 
take them away for pirating Lady Gaga’s latest 
album, one can rest assured that no studio cares 
about someone downloading a “B” movie that 
has played on The Late Show for the last 60 years. 
I’m sure Bella Lugosi’s estate isn’t living off the 
royalties! 


SENIOR 

CINEMA

TECH TALK: TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE

Mondays, September 8th and 22nd

2:00 to 3:00 PM

Tech-savvy youth from Sierra Madre Middle School will provide assistance with the operation 
of cell phones, tablets, and computers. Participants should bring the device with which they 
need assistance; two computers are available at the Senior Center for general instruction. The 
class is free of charge, but registration is required. To register, or for questions regarding the 
program call 626.355.7394.

SENIOR HEALTH SCREENINGS 

(Previously Wellness in the Park)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH • 9:00AM-12:00PM • 

HART PARK HOUSE

Hosted by the Senior Community Commission and City of Sierra Madre Community 
Services Department, this event provides a variety of free to low cost health screenings and 
services for seniors age 55 and older. 

The event takes place on Saturday, September 20th from 9am to 12pm at the Hart Park

House Senior Center located in Memorial Park, 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.

The following health screenings or services will be provided:

• Blood Pressure - Methodist Hospital

• Body Mass Index - Methodist Hospital

• Hearing - Hear Center

• Memory - Family Peace Inc.

• Balance - On the Move Physical Therapy

• Acupuncture - Yoon Min Acupuncture & Herbs

• Chair Massage - The Salt Studio

• Flu shots - Walgreens Pharmacy

*Primary insurance needs to be Medicare, otherwise $25.00

Don’t miss the opportunity to receive these free or low cost services. Screenings

are drop in and appointments do not need to be made. 

Held in conjunction with the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast in Memorial park. For more 
information about this event please contact the Senior Center at 626.355.7394.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com