Mountain Views News          Saturday, October 18, 2014

10

THE GOOD LIFE

Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 18, 2014 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN 

CHOOSING A WALKIN 
BATHTUB

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. Very special wishes to Artie Sanders 
who turns 80 this month!

 *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: “Of all the seasons, autumn offers the most to man and requires the least 
of him.” ~ Hal Borlund

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

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

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. 


Dear Savvy Senior,

I’m interested in getting a walkin 
bathtub for my wife 
that’s easy for her to get into and out of, but could use 
some assistance. Can you offer any consumer tips?

Need Help

Dear Need,

A walkin 
bathtub is a great option for seniors with 
mobility problems who have trouble getting in and 
out of a traditional tub. But with so many options 
available today, choosing one can be challenging. 
Here are a few tips that can help.

Bathtub Basics

Walkin 
bathtubs are specialty products that have a 
watertight, hinged door built into the side of the tub 
that provides a much lower threshold to step over 
(usually 3 to 7 inches) versus a standard tub that’s 
around 15 inches.

 In addition to the low threshold, most walkin 
tubs 
also have a builtin 
seat, grab bars, antislip 
floors and 
a handheld showerhead. And many higherend 
models 
offer therapeutic spalike 
features that are great for 
seniors with arthritis and other ailments.

 The kind of walkin 
tub you choose will depend 
on the size and layout of your bathroom, your wife’s 
needs and preferences, and your budget. Prices for a 
good walkin 
tub typically run between $3,000 and 
$10,000 installed. Here are some other things you 
should know.

Quality check: The best walkin 
bathtubs on the 
market today are made in the USA. Also, make sure 
the company you choose has a lifetime “leakproof” 
door seal warranty and lengthy warranties on both 
the tub and the operating system.

Tub size: While walkin 
bathtubs vary in shape 
and size, most models have highwalls 
(three feet or 
higher), are 26 to 32 inches wide, and will fit into the 
same 60inch 
long space as your standard tub without 
having to reconfigure the room. If the walkin 
tub 
doesn’t quite fit your old bathtub space, extension kits 
are available to ensure a good fit.

Door options: Most walkin 
tubs have an inward 
opening door, but if your wife uses a wheelchair or 
is a large person, an outward opening door may be a 
better option because they’re easier to enter and exit. 
But, be aware that because these doors swing out, they 
require more bathroom space.

 One other style to consider is the “risingwall” 
bathtub made by Kohler, which sits about two feet 
off the ground and has a side panel that slides up 
and down. These tubs can be entered from a seated 
position, which makes it a nice option for wheelchair 
users.

Tub type: Most companies offer several different 
types of walkin 
tubs. The most basic type is a soaker 
tub, or you can get a therapeutic tub that offers either 
whirlpool water jets or bubble massage air jets, or a 
combination of the two.

Fast fill and drain: One drawback to using a walkin 
bathtub is that the bather must sit in the tub as it fills 
and drains, which can make for a chilly experience. 
To help with this, choose a tub that has fastfilling 
faucets and pumpassisted 
drainage systems, which 
significantly speeds up the process.

Where to shop: While there are many companies that 
make, sell and install walkin 
bathtubs, some of the 
best in the industry are Safe Step (safesteptub.com, 
8003466616), 
Premier (premiercarebathing.com, 
8009347614), 
American Standard (americanstandard.
com, 8664230800) 
and Jacuzzi (jacuzzi.com, 8002884002). 
Many big box retailers like Lowes, Home Depot 
and Sears sell walkin 
bathtubs too. Unfortunately, 
Medicare does not cover walkin 
bathtubs, but many 
companies offer financing with monthly payment 
plans.

 To get started, contact a few companies who 
will send a local dealer to your home to assess your 
bathroom, and give you product options and estimates 
for free. 

 

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

DAY AT THE MUSEUM

The days are getting shorter, 
pumpkin patches are popping 
up on street corners, and giant 
spiders lurk around hedges and 
doors (more on giant spiders 
later). Fall is here! And fall just wouldn’t be complete 
without a visit to Oak Glen. You must make the trip 
to these wonderful apple orchards if you’ve never been 
before. Nestled in the foothills of Yucaipa, Oak Glen is 
close enough for a day trip, and far enough away to get 
you out of the congestion of L.A. And, of course, there’s 
the apples. Not only are there all kinds of exotic varieties 
like Mutsu, Winesap, and Pippin, 
but there’s also an endless number of 
apple-inspired breads, pastries, and 
jams. My parents and I tried a few of 
these delicacies when we went there a 
couple of weeks ago, but it was our first 
visit to the Oak Glen Museum.

 A short walk up from the main 
thoroughfare, the museum looks like a 
pet store when you first walk in. There 
are several parrots in cages, pet food, 
toys, and a box with large, unusual 
beetles on the counter (that should 
have been the first tip off). A nice lady who worked there 
talked with us for a while and then asked if we’d like to 
take a $3 tour of the museum in the back. “It has over 
500 different species of animals” she said. As we paid 
she added, “Some are even live.” (That should’ve been 
the second tip off).

 The first thing I noticed on our self-guided “tour” 
was the abundance of textured plaster on the interior 
walls, reminiscent of the line for “Thunder Mountain” 
at Disney Land. We turned the corner and were met by 
a large polar bear and two small seals --all stuffed. The 
polar bear was fixed in a walking position, facing the 
viewer, teeth bared. The seals, on the other hand, were 
lying there stiff as boards. This just isn’t the sort of thing 
one expects to see, especially in southern California. We 
must have lingered there for a moment with our mouths 
open. “So, I guess this isn’t the live portion” my dad 
remarked.

 The following displays included a bobcat, mountain 
goat, and a wolverine. It didn’t seem to matter whether 
or not these animals would have actually shared the 
same habitat in real life. In death they were all brought 
together in one big, stiff family. Eventually we came 
along to the live exhibits.

 In most of the small enclosures the animals were 
either hiding or being attended to by a museum worker 
I supposed (more on that later). There wasn’t anything 
as dramatic as a giant polar bear, but they had some 
frogs, lizards, snakes, and spiders. 
Eventually we came to the rabbits, 
chickens, parakeets, and a large, 
animated iguana. Most of them 
were roaming around in open-
air pens. One of the rabbits was 
missing an ear. The iguana was by 
far the most lively of the bunch. It 
took a keen interest in my mom, 
and kept vigorously nodding its 
head and sticking out its tongue at 
her. When she moved to the other 
side it followed, and climbed up the 
cage walls to get closer. There were two huge “things” 
on its neck that looked like thick slices of zucchini. 
Maybe it had iguana goiter. Although it seemed bent 
on captivating Mom, we eventually pulled ourselves free 
from it and exited the museum.

 Driving home, we laughed about the odd displays 
and their unusual use of taxidermy. “You know, a lot 
of those cages weren’t secure” Dad said. “What do you 
mean?” we asked. “Well, a lot of them were closed, but 
not actually locked. That’s why I was real careful where 
I was stepping.” “Well, I guess it would be bad to squish 
one of their frogs or lizards,” I remarked. “No,” Dad 
replied, “I was more concerned about the scorpions. 
They appeared to be missing.” And so ended another 
exciting trip to Oak Glen. I’m sure we’ll be back, but 
we’ll probably skip the museum next time.


TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION • GET A SENIOR TAP CARD

Thursday, October 9th from 9:00am-10:00am

Learn the ins and outs of public transportation while enjoying each other’s company over coffee, tea, 
and pastries. On Thursday, October 9th at 9:00 am, a representative from Metro will be presenting 
information on MTA buses and the Metro Rail. Attendees will learn trip planning strategies, gain 
a better understanding of their transportation options, and become master TAP card users. Also, 
attendees who are 62 years of age and older will be given the opportunity to apply for a Senior TAP 
card on site.

CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES COMING SOON

Beginning on Thursday, October 9th, Case Management services from the YWCA San Gabriel 
Valley will be provided every 2nd Thursday of the month from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm to assist in 
linking and helping seniors apply for supportive services. Schedule an appointment to learn more 
about the supportive services available to seniors living in the San Gabriel Valley and those that 
specifically cater to your own individual needs. Appointments last approximately 30 minutes and 
reservations need to be made in advance. To schedule an appointment, contact the Senior Center 
at 355-7394. Please call the YWCA Case Management Intake line at (626) 214-9465 if service is 
required at any time other than the 2nd Thursday of the month. The case manager can schedule an 
appointment to meet with you either at the Senior Center or at your home.

Furthermore, all individuals interested in utilizing the service are encouraged to come into the 
Senior Center on September 18th at 11:45am to learn more about the YWCA Case Management 
Program and meet the case manager who has been assigned to our location.

AARP SMART DRIVER COURSE

Tues. October 21 and Wed. October 22 from 9am to 1pm This class focuses on learning current 
rules of the road, defensive driving techniques, and how to operate your vehicle more safely in 
today’s increasingly challenging driving environment. You’ll also learn how you can manage and 
accommodate common age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time. Many states 
including California offer discounts on auto insurance rates for those who complete this course. 
Class held at the Community Recreation Center located in Sierra Vista Park, 611 E. Sierra Madre 
Blvd. Must attend both dates in order to complete course.

Cost: $15.00 AARP members, $20.00 non-members (Payment due to instructor on the first day of 
class) Registration is required, for more info or to register call 626.355.7394.

HALLOWEEN BRUNCH AND DANCE OCT. 25 

AT PASADENA SENIOR CENTER

 Calling all ghosts and goblins: Don your favorite 
Halloween costume and have a spooktacularly good 
time Saturday, Oct. 25, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Pasadena 
Senior Center, 85 E. Holly St.

 The Scott Pavilion will be decorated as a pumpkin 
patch as guests enjoy a brunch that will include cheddar 
baked eggs, cinnamon apple and potato pancakes, 
pumpkin bread, a variety of meats, jack-o-lantern bars 
and a special witch’s brew. The Great American Swing 
Band will provide music for listening and dancing.

 The cost is only $8 for members and $10 for non-
members of all ages. Prepaid reservations will be 
accepted at the Welcome Desk through Wednesday, 
Oct. 22.

 For more information visit www.
pasadenaseniorcenter.org or call 626-795-4331.

 Founded in 1959, the Pasadena Senior Center is 
an independent, nonprofit organization that offers 
recreational, educational, wellness and social services 
to people ages 50 and over in a friendly environment. 
Services are also provided for frail, low-income and 
homebound seniors. 


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