Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, April 13, 2019

THE GOOD LIFE

10

Mountain Views-News Saturday, April 13, 2019 


SAFE WAYS TO GET RID OF 

EXPIRED, UNUSED MEDICINE

Dear Savvy Senior:

What’s the best, environmentally safe way to dispose 
of old and unused medications? My mother 
has a medicine cabinet chocked-full of pills, some of 
which haven’t been touched in 25 years, and I’d like to clean it out for her. Protective Daughter

Dear Protective:

Cleaning out the medicine cabinet is a chore that most people don’t think about, but it’s an important 
task that can help prevent medication problems, and protect children who may have access to these 
old, unused drugs. Here’s how you can clean out your mother’s medicine cabinet so it’s safe and useful.

Return Them

Your local pharmacy, as well as hospitals, clinics, long-term-care facilities, and narcotic treatment 
programs, might accept your mom’s unused medications, often as part of programs that collect and 
destroy unused drugs. Search for an authorized facility near you at DisposeMyMeds.org.

You can also drop off her unused meds at designated police departments, fire stations, and other sites 
on National Prescription Take Back Day, Saturday, April 27. To find a collection site near you, visit 
TakeBackDay.dea.gov.

Use a Disposal Kiosk

Many Walgreens and CVS stores have free, anonymous, and secure kiosks where you can dispose of 
any medication. Remove your personal information from the packaging and drop unwanted medication, 
including opioids, in the slot.

Mail Them

Costco, Rite Aid and CVS pharmacies sell postage-paid envelopes for customers to mail any prescription, 
including opioids and over-the-counter medications, to a disposal facility.

Throw Them Out

If mailing them in or getting to one of the drop-off sites is not an option, you can dispose of them 
yourself, but do so carefully. The Food and Drug Administration recommends taking the medications 
out of their original bottles and putting them in a sealable plastic bag with an undesirable substance 
like coffee grounds, dirt or kitty litter. Then seal the plastic bag and throw it in the trash. This will 
make the medication less appealing to children, pets or other people who may fish through your trash.

But don’t do this with dangerous drugs, such as opioids, which can be abused. For these, the FDA says 
flushing them down the toilet is OK. But trace amounts of drugs can end up in the water supply so this 
should be done only as a last resort. To see the FDA list of medications that should be flushed when 
they are no longer needed, go to FDA.gov and type “flush list” into the search box.

Or, another option is to purchase some medication disposal bags like the Medsaway Medication Disposal 
System. These are carbon pouches that are designed to neutralize all medication including narcotics, 
liquid medication, transdermal patches and controlled substances so you can just add water, 
and toss them in the trash. You can find medication disposal bags at some local pharmacies or online 
at Amazon.com for around $15.

You’ll also want to make sure to scratch out all your mom’s personal information on the empty medicine 
bottles or other packaging before throwing it away to protect her identity and privacy.

If you have other questions about proper drug disposal, talk to your pharmacist.

 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.

SENIOR HAPPENINGS


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …APRIL Birthdays*

Howard Rubin, Anita Hardy, Hattie Harris, Mary Harley, Bette White, Dorothy White, 
Doris Behrens, Freda Bernard, Beth Copti, Terri Cummings, Marilyn Diaz, Virginia 
Elliott, Elma Flores, Betty Jo Gregg, Barbara Lampman, Betty Mackie, Elizabeth 
Rassmusen, Maria Reyes, Marian DeMars, Anne Schryver, Chrisine Bachwansky, 
Colleen McKernan, Sandy Swanson, Hank Landsberg, Ken Anhalt, Shannon 
Vandevelde * To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. 
YEAR of birth not required 

HART PARK HOUSE MONTHLY PROGRAMS: 

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 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. 
Join the class with Instructor Barbara Dempsey as she leads you in the art of Hula!

Bingo Time: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00 p.m. Cards are only $0.25 each! Everyone is welcome to play! Activity 
may be canceled if there are less than five people.

Free Blood Pressure Testing: 2nd Tuesdays Monthly from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. No appointment is necessary.

Brain Games: Every third Thursday of the month at 12:30-1:30pm Join us for Scattergories, a creative thinking game 
by naming objects within a set of categories; or Jenga, a block-building challenge that keeps you stacking and bal-ancing 
your tower. Everyone is welcome, and no experience is needed. A great way to strengthen your mind and make new 
friends... Games are facilitated by Senior Volunteers.

Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, March 13th from 10:30 a.m. - Noon. Attorney Lem Makupson is available for 
legal consultation. Specializing in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates and Injury. Please call the Hart Park

Senior Club: Meets Saturdays, Weekly at Hart Park House Brown Bag Lunch, great company and bingo at 11:30 a.m.

Chair Yoga: Mondays & Wednesdays 11:00 - 11:45 a.m. with Paul Hagen. Classes include Yoga and balance exercises. 
All ability levels are encouraged and welcomed!

Birthday Celebration: Every 2nd Thursday Monthly at the Hart Park House. Share free birthday cake and ice cream 
kindly provided by the Senior Community Commission!

Game Day: Every Thursday Monthly 12:00 Noon come into the Hart Park House and join a lively poker game with 
friends!

Free Strength Training Class: Fridays 12:45 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. with Lisa Brandley.light weights, low impact resistance 
training and body conditioning. Class equipment provided.

TAX ASSISTANCE—Every Wednesday 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Beginning February 6th – April 10th, Don Brunner 
is available for income tax consultation. Appointments needed, call 626-355-5278 x704


PARKINSON’S DISEASE; HOW YOU CAN HELP 
WITH RESEARCH

April is Parkinson Awareness Month and to help combat this disease actor Michael J. Fox founded 
the Fox Insight Foundation. This foundation has collaborated with Altura a research company. They 
are conducting an important online clinical study, which empowers patients and researchers, to work 
together toward Parkinson’s breakthroughs. This research study is open to people with Parkinson’s 
disease and their loved ones. Participants will use a computer, go to a designated website, and fill out 
health-related questionnaires. To learn more about this research program Altura and Fox Insight will 
be at the Arcadia Community Center, 365 Campus Drive on Tuesday, April 16 at 1:30pm. It is for 
individuals 50 and over. If interested in attending or for additional information please call Arcadia 
Senior Services 626.574.5130 


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder

WHAT IT WAS, WAS A HUMMINGBIRD 

Even as old as I am, there are still things I fear. I do not want to make a list, I’m 
afraid to. When I have conquered one fear, another one knocks on the door and 
introduces itself to me. Out of respect, I fear that fear.

This is not true of the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. As far as I know, she 
fears nothing, but many things and people fear her. I am the president of that Fear 
Group. She has a subtle way of expressing her fear and each day I am learning more of that subtlety.

I am not sure why, but most of her fear has to do with what I am eating at the time. She has some 
phobia about apple fritters, especially me eatinAllg them.

One thing about her is that she always faces her fear head on. That was, until recently.

Last Tuesday I came home from my office and entering the house I heard some screaming, “Get away 
from me. Don't you dare come near me. Leave right away.” I was scared at first. I was thinking these 
remarks were directed in my direction.

I always fear the worst in every situation. My philosophy is, if you fear the worse and it doesn’t happen, 
it’s a good day.

The turmoil going on inside the house as I entered was very mysterious to me. I never heard such 
loud yelling in our home before. My first thought was it was directed to me, then my second thought 
was, there is an intruder in our house. If that was true about an intruder, I felt sorry for him. Crossing 
our doorway and coming face-to-face with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage would not be a 
good thing for him. He would encounter the other side of her graciousness.

I can only remember one time when I encountered that side of her. The details are not necessary, the 
only thing important is, I survived.

Now, I was wondering if this intruder was going to survive. Very cautiously, I crossed the living room 
to where the noise was coming from.

There she was, standing in front of our glass doors leading into the porch area. My wife was standing 
there with a broom in her hand, looking out and screaming, “Get away from here or I’m going 
to hurt you.”

At this point, I did not want to interrupt her. I did not want that fear she was experiencing directed 
in my direction. So, I waited.

Finally, she whirled around, saw me and said, “Come here and help me.”

One fear I have yet to overcome is stepping into a situation I know nothing about. This qualified as 
one of those situations.

I stood there, staring at her not knowing what to do or say. “Don’t just stand there, come and help 
me.” I took one step toward her and she said, “There are bumblebees out on our porch. They tried 
attacking me when I was out there. I’m afraid of bumblebees.”

I did not have a notebook handy, but I wanted to jot down a new “fear” that she had. I had no idea 
that she was afraid of bumblebees. That information may come in handy down the road and so I 
tucked it into the back of my noggin.

When it comes to bumblebees and other kind of stinging insects, I like to keep my distance.

“I want you,” she said as sternly as I have ever heard her talk, “go out there and get rid of all those 
bumblebees.”

I guess she is not afraid of bumblebees stinging me as much as stinging her.

Being the wonderful gentleman husband that I am, or try to be, I put on my big pants and headed 
towards the back porch to deal with those bumblebees. Very carefully I walked out to the porch and 
stood there looking all around. Hiding behind the curtain the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage 
was watching.

Then, I broke out into hilarious laughter. Giving me one of her infamous quizzical looks, she said, 
“What in the world are you laughing about?”

I must admit that in any situation, I always am on the laughing side. Either somebody is laughing at 
me, or I am laughing at someone else. This time it was a little of both.

“There are no bumblebees out here,” I said between laughter.

“What was it then?”

I wanted to tell her, but I was going to relish the moment as long as I could. There is nothing quite like 
getting something over on your wife. It rarely happens and so when it does, I enjoy it.

I came into the house, looked at her with a smile all over my face and said, “What it was, was a Hummingbird.” 
I barely got it out before laughing uncontrollably.

Looking at me she said, “A Hummingbird?”

“Yes, my dear, it was a Hummingbird.”

Looking at me with a rather dismal look she said, “Do you suppose we ought to get a hummingbird 
feeder?”

One of my favorite Bible verses came to mind, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; 
for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right 
hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10).

Fear is only an opportunity to trust God unconditionally.


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