Mountain Views News          Saturday, July 25, 2015

Mountain Views News Saturday, July 25, 2015 
13THE GOOD LIFE Mountain Views News Saturday, July 25, 2015 
13THE GOOD LIFE 
FINANCIAL AID FOR OLDER ADULTS GOING 
BACK TO SCHOOL 

Dear Savvy Senior, 

Are there any financial aid resources you canrecommend to baby boomers who are interested ingoing back to school? I’ve been thinking about takingsome classes at a nearby college, and wanted tocheck into financial aid opportunities first. 


in expenses.

Looking For Aid To learn more, visit the IRS’s Tax Benefits for 
Education Information Center at irs.gov – typein “tax benefits for education” in the search bar to 

Dear Looking,find it. Or call 800-829-3676 and request a copy ofIf you know where to look, there’s quite a bit ofIRS Publication 970: Tax Benefits for Education 
financial assistance out there that can help working(irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p970.pdf).
baby boomers and retirees go back to school. HereOpen a 529 account: If you don’t plan to go backare some steps to take that can help you find it.to school right away, you should consider opening 

Fill out the FAFSA form: A good place to startup a 529 college-savings plan for yourself (seeis by filling out the Free Application for Federalsavingforcollege.com). Available in every state,
Financial Aid (FAFSA). This will help you learn529’s allow you to save money for college tax-free.
about grants, federal student loans (which are And in many states you can even deduct part or alla better option than private student loans), andof your contribution on your state tax return.
even work-study jobs. But, be aware that for mostSign up for a free or low cost MOOC: That’s thetypes of federal financial aid you will need to beacronym for the popular “Massively Open Onlineenrolled at least half time in a degree or academicCourses,” which offers thousands of certificate 
program to be eligible. To learn more or to fill outand no-certificate courses by the best universitiesan application online, visit fafsa.gov. Or call 800-around the world. MOOCs offer a free or cheap way433-3243 and request a paper FAFSA.to learn from their instructors anytime, anywhere.

Search for scholarships: While most scholarshipsSee mooc-list.com to search for courses. 
are aimed at traditional undergraduates, there areConsider lifelong learning: If you’re interesteda number of national and local scholarships offeredin taking classes just for fun, consider Lifelongspecifically to older, non-traditional students. ToLearning Institutes (LLIs). These are noncredit 
find them try fastweb.com and scholarships.com.educational programs designed for retirees thatBoth sites will prompt you to enter your birth dateinvolve no tests or grades, just learning for the pureto find ones that are age appropriate.joy of it.

Contact financial aid office: Call the financial aid Usually affiliated with colleges and universities,
office at the college or university that you plan toLLIs offer a wide array of courses in such areas asattend to see if they offer any other financial aidliterature, history, religion, philosophy, science, artoptions you may be eligible for. Also, find out ifand architecture, finance, computers and more.
they offer any special tuition wavers or discountsTo find an LLI, call your closest college or searchfor students over age 50. Many community collegesthe websites of the two organizations that supportand some four-year colleges offer discountedand facilitate them – Osher (osher.net) and Roadtuition rates, and many allow older students toScholar (roadscholar.org/ein/intro.asp). Togetheraudit courses for free. they support around 500 LLI programs nationwide.

Seek a tax break: Uncle Sam may also be able toSend your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O.
help you with a tax credit, like the annual $2,500Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.
American Opportunity Tax Credit, or the Lifetimeorg. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC TodayLearning Tax Credit, which is worth up to $2,000show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. 
per year. Or, if you’re not eligible for the tax credits,
the government also provides tuition and feesdeductions for students that can cover up to $4,000 

KATIE Tse..........This and That 
BATES MOTEL, AND OTHER FUN DESTINATIONS


 
Ah, summer, the most wonderful time of the year! And summer just wouldn’t 
be summer without a family vacation! This year our vacations were fun and 
memorable without being scary, like the time my Mom, Grandma, and I went to 
Michigan about 20 years ago. Unbelievable as it may sound, parts of Michigan 
are very nice (or at least they were 20 years ago). 

 We were there for two or three weeks. The time not spent going to various 
touristy places was filled with family visits and get-togethers. At one point, too many guests had 
used up all the available beds at my aunt’s farm house where we were staying. This meant that 
Mom and I had to find a motel until the crowd cleared out and we could get our beds back. So 
Mom and I left Gran at the farm house and looked for lodging for the night. Already you can tell 
this is going to be bad.

 Based on the advice from a relative, 
Mom and I decided to spend the night at 
the “Airport Motel” in Sebewaing. Keep in 
mind that this was before the days of cell 
phones, GPS navigation, and other helpful 
devices that make life more livable. All we 
had was the address, a map book, and the 
smiling endorsement from our relatives as 
we drove out into rural Sebewaing.


 At the time, Sebewaing was mostly 
cornfields with a double lane highway 
running through it with deep ditches on 
both sides. Needless to say, it gets darker 
than the inside of a cow at night! Practically 
all we could see were the yellow lines on the 
road until late at night we finally came to 
our destination --the Airport Motel. By 
“motel,” I mean six rooms separated by an 
office in the middle. There were maybe one 
or two other cars in the lot, and the man 
at the desk was creepy. This being 20 years 
ago, I don’t remember what specifically was 
creepy about him, but there must have been 
something for me to remember 20 years 
later that he was creepy.


 We got our room and tried to forget the 
creepiness of the whole situation, but it was 
difficult. The faucet and shower ran muddy 
reddish sulfuric-smelling water whenever you first turned it on (this isn’t that uncommon in 
Michigan, but it still didn’t add anything to the ambiance). The knobs on the TV were missing 
and the beds were different sizes. It wasn’t as if one bed was a king and the other was a queen, 
they were totally different designs, as if they had been found at a yard sale earlier that day. But 
what was most disturbing was a door behind one of the beds. I can forgo TV and a shower, but 
having Norman Bates come in and murder us during the night in the middle of Sebewaing was 
just too much! 

 
Luckily, Mom and I have no shame when it comes to things like this, and were perfectly fine 
with returning our key to the surprised, but still creepy, manager. The long drive back through 
the cornfields was still as dark and scary as it was the first time, but at least we knew where we 
were going --and it wasn’t the Airport Motel! Thank goodness for Best Western!
*Preserve Sierra Madre from overdevelopment! This last Thursday I had the opportunity to 
attend a rally to preserve the open space at Mater Dolorosa. Many thanks to the tireless work 
of the Steering Committee. Also, be sure to come to the Town Council meeting this coming 
Tuesday, which will involve the selection of another member for the Planning Commission. 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS 



HAPPY BIRTHDAY! … July Birthdays* 

Nina Bartolai, Mary Lou Caldwell, Louise Neiby, Eunice Banis, Betty Hansen, Christine 
Durfort, Shahrzad Azrani, Jeanne Borgedahl, Janet Cox, Dorothy Montgomery, Bess 
Pancoska, Janet Swanson, Linda Thunes, Barbara Watson, Pat Alcorn, Karma Bell, Alice 

Clark, Dorothy Jerneycic, and Betty Dos Remedios. 
*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: Seize the moment. Remember all the women on the Titanic who 
waved off the dessert cart. - Erma Bombeck 


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



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 

HAWAIIAN AND POLYNESIAN DANCE CLASS: Every Tuesday morning from 10am to 11am. 
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. 


FREE BLOOD PRESSURE TESTING: 2nd Tuesday of the month from 11am to 12pm. No appt. 


is necessary. 
CASE MANAGEMENT: Meets the 2nd Thursday of the month. Case Management services are 
provided by the YWCA and provide assistance in a variety of areas. Appointments are required and 
can be scheduled by calling the HPH Office at 626-355-7394. 


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. 
TAX ASSISTANCE: Every Thursday February 5th through April 9th from 1:00pm-2:00pm. Don 
Brunner is available for income tax consultation. Appointments are required, call 626-355-7394. 


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. 


SENIOR CLUB: Every Saturday at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Brown bag lunch at 11:30am. 
Club meeting at noon. Bingo 12:30-3:30pm. Annual Membership is only $10.00. 



UPCOMING EXCURSIONS: 

Ganna Walska Lotusland (Santa Barbara) Date: July 17, 2015 

Time: 7:30am to 5:00pm 
Meeting Location: Hart Park House Senior Center Cost: $45.00 (Does not include lunch)
Description: Lotusland features an enormous diversity of exotic plants from around the globe 
arranged in nearly 20 gardens, each distinctive in design. The garden now covering the estate 
were created by Ganna Walska, a well known Polish opera singer and socialite, who owned the 
property from 1941 until her death in 1984. She spent 43 years of her life designing unusual 
display gardens with exotic plants. We will take a two hour docent guided walking tour. The tour 
includes both horticultural and historical information. There will be time to visit the Garden 
Shop at the end of the tour. Lunch will be on your own at nearby restaurants. Participants 
should bring money for lunch and souvenirs. Last day to register is Wednesday, July 2nd. Level 
of Walking: Medium to High 

California Science Center (Los Angeles) Date: August 12, 2015 
Time: 9:30am to 5:00pm
Meeting Location: Hart Park House Senior Center Cost: $28.00 (Does not include lunch) 


Description: The California Science Center in cooperation with the Israel Antiquities Authority 
is Proud to present the largest Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition ever mounted outside of Israel, 
featuring over 600 ancient artifact on display. We will also see Jerusalem in the IMAX Theater. 
Through breathtaking aerial footage, eye-opening personal stories and remarkable historical 
perspective, Jerusalem takes views inside the heart of the ancient city in ways never seen before. 
Lunch will be on your own. There is Trimana-Grill, or Market and Coffee Bar at the Science 
Center for you to enjoy a meal or light snack during your visit. Participants should bring money 
for lunch and souvenirs. Last day to register is Wednesday, August 5th. Level of Walking: High 

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 $11 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 Dept. 

SEASONAL FUN AT THE SENIOR CENTER 

Need a way to keep cool during the warmer months? Paper fans are a breeze to make and a greatsummer craft project. Come and join us on Thursday, July 16th, in making paper fans and stay cool!
Craft making will begin at 11:00am. All supplies will be provided. 

Increased Fees for Senior Meals 
After several meetings of the YWCA Senior Services Advisory Council, the Council Members votedto increase the suggested donation for both group-dining meals and home delivered meals from

$2.00 to $3.00 per meal and non-senior meals from $3.75 to $5.00 per meal beginning July 1, 2015.
This was not an easy decision for the Council Members to make but unfortunately both generaloperating costs and the cost of purchasing meals from various caterers have increased significantlyover the past years. However, it is very important for you to know that we want you to continue toparticipate in our meal programs and that we want to emphasize that the suggested donation is andwill remain a voluntary and confidential donation. Anyone having questions about the suggesteddonation policy and the donation procedures may call the YWCA Senior Services Director at626-214-9466. 

Ex-covert operative Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) and his ex-wife, Lenore (Franke Janssen), are 

SENIOR CINEMA SHOWN AT THE HART PARK 
HOUSE SENIOR CENTER 


July 15th– TAKEN 3 (2014) 

enjoying a reconciliation with his ex-wife when she is brutally murdered.
Consumed with rage and framed for the crime and flees, Bryan goes on therun to evade the relentless pursuit of the CIA, FBI and police. For the lasttime, he channels his rage and particular set of skills into hunting downLenore’s real killers, taking his revenge and protecting the one importantthing left in his life: his daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace). Start time: 1:00pm(run time 89 minutes) 

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