Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, August 12, 2017

WHAT TO DO WITH CREMATED ASHES? 
Mountain Views-News Saturday, August 12, 2017 10 THE GOOD LIFE THE GOOD LIFE 
LOW-COST WIRELESS PLANS FOR SENIORS WHO 


USE SMARTPHONES 

Dear Savvy Senior, 

I’m interested in downsizing my smartphonewireless plan, and am looking for the best lowcost options. I use my phone primarily for talkingand texting, but also need some cellular data forchecking my email and other functions when I’maway from WiFi. What can you tell me? 

Senior Saver 

Dear Saver, 

There are several great low-cost deals I canrecommend for older smartphone users who arelooking to save some money by paring downtheir bloated cell phone plan. Here are three goodoptions to consider.

 Republic WirelessIf you’re an Android smartphone user, RepublicWireless (RepublicWireless.com) offers one ofthe cheapest deals available for light data users.
Republic uses a mixture of Wi-Fi and cellularnetworks – Sprint and T-Mobile specifically –
to transmit calls, texts and data. This patentedtechnology automatically offloads as much aspossible to WiFi when available, so you’ll consumeless data than you would with traditional carriers.

Republic’s no contract service plans withcellular data start at only $20 per month forunlimited talk, text and 1 gigabyte (GB) of data. Ifyou need more data, their $30 per month plan getsyou 2GB, and $45/month buys you 4GB.

How much data do you need? The best wayto find out is to check your current phone bills.
The average smartphone owner uses between2GB to 3GB of data each month, but most older 
smartphone users use less than 1GB.

To use Republic you’ll need a compatibleAndroid phone (you can’t currently use AppleiPhones), or you can buy a new phone through thecompany. It currently offers eight Android phoneswith prices starting at $99. 

Consumer Cellular 

Another excellent low-cost option for lighterdata users, and one that caters to older adults is 
Consumer Cellular (ConsumerCellular.com, 888532-
5366). Rated the number one wireless serviceby Consumer Reports seven years running,
Consumer Cellular offers a variety of “pay forwhat you need” talk and connect plans that let’syou choose exactly what you want. 


Their talk plans start at $10 per month plus 25cents per minute used for infrequent callers, or$15/month for 250 minutes, $20/month for 1,500minutes, and $30/month for unlimited minutes.

And their connect plans for text messages andcellular data run $2.50 per month for 300 texts and30 megabytes (MB) of data, $5/month for 2,000text and 200MB data, $10/month for unlimitedtexts and 500MB, $20/month for unlimited textsand 1.5GB, $30/month unlimited texts and 3GB,
and $40/month for unlimited texts and 5GB.

Consumer Cellular, which offers 5 percentmonthly fee discounts to AARP members, also letsyou bring your own smartphone by offering freeSIM cards. Or, you can purchase a wide variety ofAndroid and Apple iPhones along with the senior-
friendly Doro 824 SmartEasy for $100. 

Lifeline Program

If your income is low enough, another option tocheck into is the Lifeline Assistance Program. Thisis a federal program that provides a $9.25 monthlysubsidy that could go towards your smartphoneservice. 

To qualify, you’ll need to show that your annualhousehold income is at or below 135 percent ofthe Federal Poverty Guidelines – which is $16,281for one person, or $21,924 for two. Or, that you’rereceiving certain types of government benefits,
such as Medicaid, food stamps, SSI, public housingassistance, veterans pension or survivor’s pensionbenefit, or live on federally recognized Triballands. 

To apply, contact a wireless provider in yourarea that participates in the Lifeline program (seeLifelineSupport.org or call 800-234-9473) andask for an application form. Be sure to check allwireless providers in your state because some offerbetter services – like a free smartphone, monthlytalk time minutes, unlimited texting and somecellular data – than others. 

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 Todayshow and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. 


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! ….August BirthdaysBill Nelson, Karlene Englert, Juanita Fernandez, Jeanette Francis, Joseph Kiss, John 
Luke, Jacquie Pergola, Maury Whitaker, Pat Miranda, Phyllis Chapman, Jerry Burnett, 
Margaret Aroyan, Phyllis Burg, Beverly Clifton, Rosemary Morabito, Susan Poulsen, 
Dorothy Quentmeyer, Genevieve Stubbs, Miep Tulleners, Joy Barry, Ellie Baudino, 
Marcia Bent, Daryls Brechwald, Joan Spears, Ruth Torres, Jane Zamanzadeh. * To 
add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. YEAR 
of birth not required but you must be over 60. 
ACTIVITIES: Unless listed differently, all activities are at the Hart 
Park House (Senior Center) 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre 
Hawaiian & Polynesian Dance Class: Every Tuesday morning from 10a.m.
to 11a.m. Join instructor Barbara Dempsey as she leads you in the art of Hula. 
Bingo Time: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00p.m. Cards are only $0.25 each! Everyone is welcometo join. May be canceled if less than five people. 
Free Blood Pressure Testing: 2nd Tuesdays of the month from 11a.m. to 12p.m. No appt. is 
necessary. 
Brain Games - *New Activity*: Join us on Thursday July 20th, at 10:30a.m. to 11:30a.m forScattergories. A creative thinking game by naming objects within a set of categories. Everyoneis welcome, no experience needed. Great way to strengthen your brain and make new friends.
Activities are facilitated by Senior Volunteers. 
Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, August 16th from 10:30a.m. to Noon. Attorney LemMakupson is available for legal consultation. Specializing in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates, andInjury. Appointments are required by calling 626-355-7394. 
Senior Club: Meets every Saturday at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Brown Bag Lunch at 
11:30a.m. 
Chair Yoga: Mondays & Wednesdays from 11:00 to 11:45a.m. with Paul Hagen. 3rd Mondays of eachmonth, a variety of balance exercises are practiced.All ability levels are encouraged and welcomed! 
*A suggested donation of $5 at one of the classes is requested, but is not required. 
Case Management: Case Management Services are provided by the YWCA and offer assistance ina variety of areas. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling the Hart Park HouseOffice at 626-355-7394. 
Birthday Celebrations: Every 2nd Thursday of the month at the Hart Park House, share some freebirthday cake provided by the Sierra Madre Civic Club. 
Game Day: Every Thursday starting at 12:00p.m. Come join this group of Seniors in their pokergame. Other games are offered to all. 
Free Strength Training Class: Fridays from 12:45p.m. to 1:30p.m. with Lisa Brandley. This energeticclass utilizes light weights for low impact resistance and training conditioning. All class materials areprovided. 
AUGUST EXCURSION 
Gondola Getaway in Long BeachDate: Friday, August 25thTime: 9:15a.m. to 2:30p.m.
Cost: $35.00 (Not including Lunch)
Gondola Getaway brings old world charm and a thousand year old tradition toSouthern California. Authentic Venetian Gondolas gently cruise the enchanting canals and waterwaysof Naples Island, near the resort area of Belmont Shore in Long Beach. It’s a unique way to enjoy thearchitecture of Naples Canals and its beautiful homes and yachts. The cruise is approximately one hour.
Lunch is on your own around 2nd Street, Belmont Shore District with many dining options and shops.
Level of Walking: Medium; please call the Hart Park House for reservations at 626-355-7394. 
Draw from History with Kt Boyce - Free Art Class -
Monday, August 28th at 12:30p.m. – 1:30p.m. at Hart Park HouseJoin us as we use color pencils to learn color theory and value. Portraits of Sierra Madre’s heroe are ready for youto shade and bring them back to life as we enjoy learning about their history. Kt will read the bios of Geronimoand Lucky Baldwin and a few others. Participants will reflect on their legacy, how things have changed, andothers stayed the same in Sierra Madre. All art materials and supplies will be provided freely, however spaces 
are also limited. Reservations are required to save your spot! Please call the Hart Park House 626-355-7394. 
SENIOR CINEMA -
THE IRON LADY 
August 16th at 1:00p.m. 
Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (Meryl Streep) reflectson her life and career as she finally prepares to dispose of the belongings ofher later husband. Daughter of a Grantham grocer, she successfully brokethrough a double-paned glass ceiling of gender and class. Thatcher becamethe first female prime minister of the United Kingdom and remained as suchfor 11 years, until declining popularity forced her to resign. Run time: 1h45m. 
SENIOR HAPPENINGS 
ATTENTION SENIORS: 
Insurance Resource Table 
If you have any questions on your health plans, please come to the Insurance 
Resource Table at the Senior Center Hart Park House on Monday, August 7th from 
12:00p.m. - 1:00p.m. A licensed representative will be available on hand to answer 
your questions as well as gather additional information. 
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