Mountain Views News          Saturday, November 21, 2015

11

THE GOOD LIFE

 Mountain Views News Saturday, November 21, 2015 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

HOW TO GUARD AGAINST 

DEADLY AORTIC ANEURYSMS


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …November Birthdays*

Alberta Curran, Carmela Frontino, Kathy Wood, Lena Zate, Joe Pergola, Janice 
Kacer, Valerie Howard, “Mike” Ruggles, Joan Ruggles, Lois Stueck, Jean Wood, 
Shirley Yergeau, Kathi Jefferson, Pat Krok, Irene Nakagawa, Anna Ross, Mary 
Steinberg and Sue Quinn. *To add your name to this distinguished list, please call 
the paper at 626.355.2737. YEAR of birth not required

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

ACTIVITIES: Unless listed differently, all activities are at the 
Hart Park House (Senior Center) 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre

 

 Activities at the Senior Center

 YWCA San Gabriel Valley - Intervale Senior Cafe 

Seniors 60 years of age and up can participate in the YWCA Intervale 
daily lunch program held at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Meals are served Monday through 
Friday at 12:00 pm and participants are encouraged to arrive by 11:45 am. Meals are a suggested 
donation of $3.00 for seniors 60 and over or $5.00 for non-senior guests. Daily reservations are 
necessary, space is limited. Please reserve your lunch by calling 626-355-0256.

Tech Talk: Held on Monday, October 19th and 26th from 1:30-2:30pm. Learn how to use your new 
technology devises. Please reserve your space with the Hart Park House by calling 626-355-7394. 

 

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. 

 

Brain Games: Thursday, October 15th, 10:30am - 11:30am, improve your memory and strengthen 
your brain. Activities facilitated by Swati Puri, Community Liaison for New Wave Home care of 
Pasadena. 

 

Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, October 21st from 10:30am to Noon. Attorney Lem 
Makupson is available for legal consultation. He specializes in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates, 
and Injury. Appointment are required by calling 626-355-7394. 

 

Chair Yoga: Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00 to 11:45 am. A suggested donation of $5 at one 
of the classes is requested, but is not required. 

 

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 at the Hart Park House. The free 
birthday cake is provided by the Sierra Madre Civic Club. 

 

Game Day: Every Thursday starting at 12:00pm. (Please note the time change.) 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. 

 

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. 

CANDLELIGHT PAVILION (CLAREMONT) 

 HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

DATE: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015 

TIME: 10:30AM - 4:00PM 

MEETING LOCATION: HART PARK HOUSE SENIOR CENTER 

COST: $75.00 (LUNCH IS INCLUDED) 

 

Description: Ben D. Bollinger’s Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theatre in Claremont provides 
patrons with a dinner theatre and musicals for a theatrical experience the caliber of the 
Broadway shows in downtown LA. The gourmet food prepared by the executive chef and served 
by his formal wait staff ranks the Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theatre as a fine food restaurant 
that rivals any fine dining establishment in Los Angeles and San Bernardino. For 30 years, the 
Candlelight Pavilion has written and produced each of its Christmas shows with a focus on 
the spirit of Christmas and bringing family and friends together. Appropriate dress requested: 
Jackets for gentleman, tie optional, dress or dressy pant suits for ladies, no jeans, t-shirts or 
tennis shoes. Price includes lunch, show and gratuity. Level of Walking: Low. Last day to register 
is November 2nd. Please call the Hart Park House at (626)-355-7394. 

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. 


Dear Savvy Senior,

My father died several years ago, at the age of 76, 
from a stomach aneurysm, which now has me 
wondering. What are my risk factors of getting 
this, and what can I do to protect myself, as I get 
older?

Just Turned 60

Dear 60,

Stomach aneurysms, also known as “abdominal 
aortic aneurysms,” are very dangerous and the 
third leading cause of death in men over 60. 
They also tend to run in families, so having had a 
parent with this condition makes you much more 
vulnerable yourself. 

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (or AAA) is a weak 
area in the lower portion of the aorta, which is the 
major artery that carries blood from the heart to 
the rest of the body. As blood flows through the 
aorta, the weak area bulges like a balloon and can 
burst if it gets too big, causing life-threatening 
internal bleeding. In fact, nearly 80 percent of 
AAAs that rupture are fatal, but the good news 
is that more than nine out of 10 that are detected 
early are treatable.

Who’s At Risk?

Around 200,000 people are diagnosed with AAAs 
each year, but estimates suggest that another 2 
million people may have it but not realize it. The 
factors that can put you at increased risk are: 

- Smoking: Ninety percent of people with an AAA 
smoke or have smoked. This is the number one risk 
factor and one you can avoid.

- Age: Your risk of getting an AAA increases 
significantly after age 60 in men, and after age 70 
in women.

- Family history: Having a parent or sibling who 
has had an AAA can increase your risk to around 
one in four. 

- Gender: AAAs are five times more likely in men 
than in women. 

- Health factors: Atherosclerosis, also known as 
hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure and 
high cholesterol levels also increase your risk.

Detection and Treatment 

Because AAAs usually start small and enlarge 
slowly, they rarely show any symptoms, making 
them difficult to detect. However, large AAAs can 
sometimes cause a throbbing or pulsation in the 
abdomen, or cause abdominal or lower back pain. 

 The best way to detect an AAA is to get a simple, 
painless, 10-minute ultrasound screening test. 
All men over age 65 that have ever smoked, and 
anyone over 60 with a first-degree relative (father, 
mother or sibling) who has had an AAA should 
talk to their doctor getting screened.

 You should also know that most health insurance 
plans cover AAA screenings, as does Medicare to 
beneficiaries with a family history of AAAs, and 
to men between the ages of 65 and 75 who have 
smoked at least 100 cigarettes during their life.

 If an AAA is detected during screening, how it’s 
treated will depend on its size, rate of growth and 
your general health. If caught in the early stages 
when the aneurysm is small, it can be monitored 
and treated with medication. But if it is large or 
enlarging rapidly, you’ll probably need surgery. 

AAA Protection

While some risk factors like your age, gender 
and family history are uncontrollable, there are a 
number of things you can do to protect yourself 
from AAA. For starters, if you smoke, you need 
to quit – see smokefree.gov or call 1-800-QUIT-
NOW for help.

 You also need to keep tabs on your blood 
pressure and cholesterol levels, and if they are high 
you need to take steps to lower them through diet, 
exercise and if necessary, medication. 

 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.


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UPCOMING EXCURSIONS:

LUNCH AND HOME DELIVERED MEALS PROGRAM

Seniors 60 years of age and up can participate in the YWCA San Gabriel Valley Intervale 
daily lunch program held at the Hart Park House. Meals are served Monday through Friday 
at 12:00pm (participants are encouraged to arrive by 11:45am). Meals are suggested donation 
of $3.00 for seniors 60 and over or $5.00 for non-senior guests. Reservations for lunch must be 
made at least 24 hours in advance by calling 626-355-0256. The Meals-On-Wheels program 
offers hot meals to homebound seniors within the community. Meals are delivered at the 
door, Monday through Friday. For more information on this program, contact the YWCA San 
Gabriel Valley Intervale program at 626-214-9467.

LIFESAVERS PARAMEDIC SUBSCRIPTION PROGRAM

The Sierra Madre Lifesavers Paramedic Subscription Program is an official program offered by 
the City of Sierra Madre which offsets the cost of emergency medical responses. The membership 
program is available to residents of Sierra Madre. Your subscription to the program will perform 
similar to a secondary insurance plan, with no out-of-pocket cost to you. Subscriptions are 
$60.00 per individual (July 1 – June 30). For additional information contact The Sierra Madre Fire 
Department 626-355-3611. 

PleaseRSVP626-355-5700245 West Sierra Madre BlvdSierra Madre, CA 91024www.TheKensingtonSierraMadre.comRCFE License198601953Join Us at The Kensingtonfor Festive Holiday SongsFeaturing talented studentsof the Connie Washburn StudioTuesday, December 1, 2015 from 6:00pm-7:30pmat The Kensington, 245 West Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra Madre, CAHors d’oeuvres and refreshments servedRSVP to SSciurba@KensingtonSL.com or 626-355-5700YOUR INVITATION TO A NIGHT OF HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT
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