Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, October 21, 2017

WHAT TO DO WITH CREMATED ASHES? 
Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 21, 2017 10 THE GOOD LIFE THE GOOD LIFE 
FLU SHOTS FOR SENIORS 


Dear Savvy Senior,
What can you tell me about the flu shots made forseniors? I got sick last winter after getting a standardflu shot, and am wandering if the flu vaccine for olderadults would provide me better protection this year. 

Almost 70 

Dear Almost, 
There are actually two different flu shots – theFluzone High Dose and FLUAD – that are designedspecifically for people age 65 and older (you onlyneed to get one of them).

These FDA approved vaccines are designed tooffer extra protection beyond what a standard flushot provides, which is important for older adultswho have weaker immune defenses and have a greatrisk of developing dangerous flu complications.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention 
(CDC) estimates that the flu puts more than 200,000people in the hospital each year and kills, on average,
about 24,000 – 80 percent of whom are seniors.

You also need to be aware that these senior-specificflu shots cannot guarantee that you won’t get the fluthis season, but they will lower your risk. And if youdo happen to get sick, you probably won’t get as sickas you would without it. Here’s more information onthe two vaccines: 

Fluzone High-Dose: Approved for U.S. use in2009, the Fluzone High-Dose (see Fluzone.com)
is a high-potency vaccine that contains four timesthe amount of antigen as a regular flu shot does,
which creates a stronger immune response for betterprotection. This vaccine, according to a 2013 clinicaltrial, was 24 percent more effective than the regular-
dose shot at preventing flu in seniors.

FLUAD: Available in the U.S. since last year, theFLUAD vaccine (FLUAD.com) contains an addedingredient called adjuvant MF59 that also helps createa stronger immune response. In a 2012 Canadianobservational study, FLUAD was 63 percent moreeffective than a regular flu shot.

The CDC, however, does not recommend one 
vaccination over the other, and to date, there have 
been no studies comparing the two vaccines.

You should also know that both the Fluzone High-


Dose and FLUAD can cause more of the mild side 
effects that can occur with a standard-dose flu shot, 
like pain or tenderness where you got the shot, muscleaches, headache or fatigue. And neither vaccine isrecommended for seniors who are allergic to chickeneggs, or those who have had a severe reaction to a fluvaccine in the past.

Both vaccines are also covered 100 percent byMedicare Part B, as long as your doctor, health clinicor pharmacy agrees not to charge you more thanMedicare pays. 

Pneumonia Vaccines 

Two other important vaccinations the CDC 
recommends to seniors, especially this time of year,
are the pneumococcal vaccines for pneumonia.
Around 1 million Americans are hospitalized withpneumonia each year, and about 50,000 people diefrom it. 

The CDC is now recommending that all seniors,
65 or older, get two vaccinations –Prevnar 13and Pneumovax 23. Both vaccines, which are 
administered just once at different times, work indifferent ways to provide maximum protection.

If you haven’t yet received any pneumococcalvaccine you should get the Prevnar 13 first, followedby Pneumovax 23 six to 12 months later. But if you’vealready been vaccinated with Pneumovax 23, wait atleast one year before getting the Prevnar 13.

Medicare Part B covers both shots, if they aretaken at least one year apart.

To locate a vaccination site that offers any of theseshots, visit Vaccines.gov and type in your ZIP code. 

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 showand author of “The Savvy Senior” book. 


IT’S ALIVE! 

What is more irresistible 
than freshly baked, home 
made bread? If I were totally 
uninhibited, I’d sit down with 
a knife and a slab of butter and 
happily polish off the whole 
loaf. My dad is the same way, 

but luckily we have our inhibitions, otherwise we’d 
be have died from who knows what long ago. 

 When I was little, my dad went through a phase 
in which he baked muffins. Now on the surface 
of it that sounds perfectly fine. But when I say he 
baked muffins, I mean he made them EVERY DAY. 


Every day a new 

white stuff you 

batch. Sure, he’d 

rinse off from 

change up the 

grapes is yeast. 

flavors, but they 

It’s even in the 

were essentially 

air. The original 

the same, 

starter is kept in 

smallish slightly 

a heavy glass jar 

domed doughy 

with a loosely 

things. They 

locking lid. Like 

were wonderful, 

a little pet, it has 

but their 

to be fed and 

deliciousness was 

warmed on a 

exceeded only 

regular schedule 

by their sheer 

in order to grow 

number. They 

and develop. It 

were like brave 

bubbles happily 

little soldiers, 

and I try to listen 

a fresh new 

to see if I can 

wave steadily 

hear the yeast 

advancing every 

working.

day, just to get 

 When Dad 

scarfed down 

was getting ready 

by us, my dad’s 

to make his first 

coworkers, and 

batches, he left 

anyone else he 

the starter in its 

could find who 

jar on the kitchen 

looked like they 

counter. In the 

might like a 

morning, he 

muffin. Needless 
to say, the muffin pan was one of the most well 
used items in my parents’ kitchen during that 
period. We started calling Dad “The Muffin Man.”

 And now, nearly a quarter of a century later, 
my dad is experiencing a renaissance of his 
muffin days, but this time it’s with yeast breads. 
This all started because my dad, like most men, 
is simply impossible to shop for. He is a man of 
simple tastes, and if he doesn’t have something, it’s 
probably because he doesn’t want it. I’ve resigned 
to just getting him beer, chocolate, and socks for 
all the gift-giving holidays. But my mom tries to 
be more creative, so last Christmas (or was it two 
Christmas’s ago?) she decided to buy him a sour 

dough starter kit. Like most non-beer/chocolate/
socks gifts my dad receives, the starter kit 
languished in the garage for many months. This 
is understandable, because my parents are busy 
people, and bread making requires the same level 
of constant care and attention one would need to 
look after a young child. 

 At last my dad remembered his forgotten starter 
kit in the garage and recently started making 
sour dough. Time and space do not allow me to 
fully elaborate on the many complexities that go 
into bread making. The sour dough uses “wild 
yeast,” which occurs naturally all around us. That 

discovered that it 
had broken out of its container and erupted in a 
yeasty explosion all over the counter. On another 
occasion, he left it in a warm spot overnight by 
his computer. He had to get something from that 
room during the night and noticed something 
sticky covering his mouse pad. Sometime during 
the night the starter broke free again. Luckily he 
was able to relocate it in time before it completely 
took over the computers and printer. It seems to 
have a willful mind of its own.

 Once baked, Dad’s bread turned out to be 
delicious. He’s made about four batches so far, and 
has found ways to keep the starter in check and in 
its jar --but we always have to keep an eye on it... 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS 


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! ….October Birthdays 

Janda Ferris, Darlene Traxler, Margit Johnson, Sole Krieg, George Maurer, Dick 
Anderson, Eva Poet, Mary Jane Baker, Dixie Coutant, Cathleen Cremins, 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. * 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. to11a.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 welcome to 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 for
Scattergories. A creative thinking game by naming objects within a set of categories. Everyone is
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 Lem Makupson
is available for legal consultation. Specializing in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates, and Injury.
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 each
month, 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 in
a variety of areas. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling the Hart Park House
Office at 626-355-7394. 


Birthday Celebrations: Every 2nd Thursday of the month at the Hart Park House, share some free
birthday 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 poker game.
Other games are offered to all. 

Free Strength Training Class: Fridays from 12:45p.m. to 1:30p.m. with Lisa Brandley. This energetic
class utilizes light weights for low impact resistance and training conditioning. All class materials are
provided. 


UPCOMING EXCURSIONS: 

OCTOBER EXCURSION 

(Huntington Beach)
Date: Thursday, October 19th, 2017
Time: 9:30a.m. – 3:00p.m.
Cost: $18.00 (Including Lunch)
The Old World Oktoberfest Celebration includes live bands playing the most
popular German Oom Pa Pah Music. The crowd is entertained with a variety


of dancing, singing, music and Heidi, the Contortionist Act. Oktoberfest Menu includes potato salad,
coleslaw, bratwurst, baked chicken, Spaetzle, sauerkraut, apple streusel cake, coffee and water. Alcohol is
available for purchase. Participants should bring money for shopping at the market deli and bakery.
Level of Walking: Low.
Call the Hart Park House at 626-355-7394 


Watercolor Painting with Kt Boyce

Monday, October 30, 2017, 12:30p.m. - 1:30p.m. at Hart Park HouseLearn basic watercolor painting and get in the mood for Fall. We will be painting on card stock withwater color paint. Color pencils will be used to enhance and for those who do not wish to paint canenjoy drawing. Come learn and share memories about pumpkins, growing history, and carving.
Instructor Kt will teach beginners to even the most advanced painter. All art materials and supplieswill be provided, however spaces are limited. Reservation are required to save your spot!
...Please call the Hart Park House 626-355-7394... 

SENIOR CINEMA -LUNCH AND LEARN - Transit 101 Class 
October 18th at 1:00p.m.Wednesday, September 27th 12:15p.m. – 1:00p.m.
An American in Paris (1951)

at the Hart Park House If you haven’t used public 
transportation before or it’s been a long time

 A 1961 American Musical film inspired by the

since you tried and you don’t know where to start,

1928 orchestral compostion by George Gershwin.

THIS CLASS IS FOR YOU! No need to stress 

Jerry Mulligan (Gene Kelly) is an American Ex-GI

over mobility or other limitations - Feel confident

who stays in post-war Paris to become a painter,

enough to go out on your own! Come join us for

and falls for the gamine charms of Lise Bouvier

this FREE Transit Training Class

(Leslie Caron). However, his paintings come to the

-Please call the Hart Park House at 626-355-7394. 

attention of Milo Robert, a rich American heiress, 

make a reservation-

who is interested in more than just art. Run time:
1h 55m. 


Keep up with breaking news online at: 
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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