Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, September 7, 2019

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Mountain Views-News Saturday, September 7, 2019 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …. September Birthdays

Clem Bartolai, Pat Hall, Donna Anderson, Teresa Chaure, Cathy Gunther, Esther Macias, 
Sheila Pierce, Nancy Sue Shollenberger, Patti O’Meara, Judie Cimino, Mary Steinberg, Geri 
Wright, Parvin Dabiri, Denise Reistetter and Nehama Warner. 

 * 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 12:45-1:45pm 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. Will Resume in September 2019

Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, August 14th 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 House for an 
appointment, 626-355-5278 ext. 704.

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.

Gentle Yoga for Active Seniors: Every Monday & Wednesday from 8:15 - 9:45 a.m. with Andrea Walsh at the Hart Park 
House. Classes include complete floor relaxation, standing and floor postures, balancing, and featuring extended 
meditations on the fourth Wednesdays of the month! Call (626)-355-5278 for more information.

August Craft with Lawren—August 19th 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.

Come on into the Hart Park House Senior Center and create one of a kind tea cup bird feeders. Paint a design of your 
desire or use one of several stencils that will be available for use. Then we will glue the two sections together and attach a 
chain or twin to hang from your favorite tree or display at your favorite outdoor seating area. 

8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Senior Cinema - 1st & 3rd Wednesday Beginning at 1:00 p.m. 


SEPTEMBER EXCURSION 

Los Angeles County Fair (Pomona) September 18, 2019 $10.00 

10:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Maximum 47 Participants 

• Level of Walking: High 

• Participants should bring money for lunch and souvenirs (optional)… 

• Must be 60 years or older • Must present I.D. at the gate. 

The Los Angeles County Fair is an annual event, one of the largest county fairs in all the U.S. Fair 
attendance has topped one million people every year with the exception of 1948. It is the 4th largest 
in the country serving as the premiere destination for visitors to engage in all kinds of activities 
including rides, animal shows, sumptuous food, music, concerts, and much more. 

***Resident and non-resident registration Now Open *** 

Last day to register is Monday, September 16, 2019.


HOME SHARING PROGRAMS 
CAN HELP SENIORS FIND 
RENTERS

Dear Savvy Senior:

What can you tell me about senior home sharing 
programs? I’m 76-years-old and am interested in 
renting out a spare room in my house for extra cash and for some help around the house. Senior 
Homeowner

Dear Senior:

Renting out a spare room in your house is a great way to generate some extra income and even 
get some help with chores around the house. To find a good fit, older homeowners often turn 
to “home sharing programs” that will match an empty nester with someone needing affordable 
housing.

But be aware that home sharing isn’t for everyone. You need to carefully consider the pros and 
cons of renting out a spare room in your house and make a list of what you want and don’t want 
in a housemate/renter.

To help you figure this out visit SharingHousing.com, a website dedicated to understanding 
home sharing and which offers a guide and workbook ($25) to help you find and choose a good 
housemate.

Finding a Match

If you decide to proceed in finding a housemate/renter, your first step is to seek out a home sharing 
program in your area.

Home sharing programs, usually non-profits, screen both homeowners and renters. They check 
references, handle background checks and consider lifestyle criteria when making matches. They 
can also help you with the leasing agreement that the renter would sign that covers detailed issues 
like smoking, pets, chores, overnight guests, use of common rooms, quiet hours, etc.

Most home sharing programs are free to use or request a small donation. Others, however, may 
charge the homeowner and potential renter a fee for this service. To look for a home sharing 
program in your area visit the National Shared Housing Resource Center website at NationalSharedHousing.
org.

Other Options

If you don’t find a program that serves your area, you can also search for housemates through an 
online home sharing service like Silvernest.com or SeniorHomeshares.com.

These sites work more like online dating sites that require homeowners and home seekers to fill 
out a profile. Once a match is made, you’ll be responsible for contacting and interviewing prospective 
renters and making the final agreement.

If you don’t have any luck with any of these home sharing sites, put a call in to your Area Agency 
on Aging (call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 for contact information) who may be able 
to offer assistance or refer you to local agencies or nonprofit organizations that offer shared housing 
help. 

You can also check with your local senior or community center, or local church you attend to see 
if you can post an ad on their bulletin board or in their newsletter. Or, you can advertise in your 
local newspaper or online at CraigsList.org. SpareRoom.com or RoomMates.com.

If you find someone on your own that you’re interested in renting to, ask the prospective renter to 
fill out a rental application (see RentalLeaseAgreement.org to download and print one for free) 
and run a tenant screening and background check, and then call their references. Tenant screening/
background checks can be done for free at Naborly.com.

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 CINEMA - 1st & 3rd Wednesday 1:00 pm

September 4th “Men In Black, International ” PG-13; 1 hr. 54 min.

The Men in Black have always protected the Earth from the scum of the universe. In 
this new adventure, they tackle their biggest threat to date: a mole in the Men in Black 
organization.

September 18th “Breakthrough” PG; 1 hr. 57 min.

After a 14-year-old falls into a frozen Missouri Lake, his adoptive parents 
refuse to give up hope on their son, lying unconscious in a hospital bed. The 
boy’s mother prays intensely and inspires others to pray for him too, as she asks God for a 
miracle in this true story.


MEALS - ON - WHEELS PROGRAM

The Home Delivered Meals Program provides healthy meals to homebound Seniors 60 and above. Seven 
frozen meals, milk, bread and fruit are included and delivered once a week. $3 Donation per meal is 
suggested but remains completely anonymous and voluntary. Clients must be eligible and we invite you 
to contact YWCA Intervale Senior Services at 626-214-9467. SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT 
NOTICE SUGGESTED DONATION $3.00 1% LOW FAT MILK INCLUDED

OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder


THE PARSONAGE KITCHEN SHUTDOWN THREAT

A certain situation has been building 
in the Parsonage for the last several 
months. At first, I did not think 
it too serious but alas, we have 
reached a terrible impasse. Quite 
frankly, I’m not exactly sure what to do.

It started a few months ago when I came home, 
walked into the house and was hit in the face so hard 
I almost passed out. At the time, I was hoping I would 
pass out, but no such luck.

I think everybody knows what it is like to be hit unexpectedly 
by something you do not actually expect. 
I guess that is why it is called unexpectedly. It happened 
to me and I am not sure I am over it yet.

Even though I have been married 48 years, of which 
most has been happily, I did not see this one coming. 
Just when you think you have your spouse figured 
out, they do something off the radar. Every husband 
knows exactly what I am talking about.

This makes it hard to buy Christmas and birthday 
presents. What they liked last year is not what they 
like this year. I remember buying my wife a watch one 
year for Christmas. She was so delighted that for the 
next four years I bought her a watch for Christmas. I 
do not hit the relationship lotto that often. How was I 
supposed to know she only wanted one watch!

I think we hit one of those impasses.

Walking into the house, I was hit with the horrific 
smell of broccoli cooking on the stove. I do not know 
if you ever smelled such a smell, but if you are not 
prepared for it and even if you are, it can smack you 
in the face like you have never been smacked in the 
face before.

When I came to myself and gathered what little composure 
I could find, I queried the Gracious Mistress 
of the Parsonage who was in the kitchen.

“What is that awful smell?”

“I don’t know, have you taken a shower yet?”

After being married for 48 years, I know when to 
respond to a question and when not to. I knew if I 
responded to this question the way I wanted to, the 
smell of broccoli would be the least of my worries at 
the time.

“No,” I said, gathering a little bit of manliness about 
me, “Something in this house smells dreadful. I 
smelled it as soon as I walked in the door.”

Then she chuckled. I hate it when she chuckles.

“Oh, that must be the wonderful aroma of broccoli 
cooking on the stove. Isn’t it marvelous?”

Adhering to my rules about questions, I tossed that 
one aside and opted for another one.

“You’re not cooking broccoli for supper tonight, are 
you?”

I was hoping she would catch my attitude of disdain 
and disgust in this question. Obviously, for whatever 
reason, she did not catch the drift.

“Yes,” she said as chipper as I have ever heard her 
chip, “I thought I would surprise you with a wonderful 
dish of broccoli for supper tonight, to go along 
with our pork chops.”

Can you live with a person for so long and not know 
what they like or do not like? Nobody has to be around 
me for five minutes before they will understand that 
broccoli and I have had a feud that has been going on 
since before the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s.

“But I thought you knew I do not like broccoli?”

“Oh, that,” she said with another chuckle, “I just 
thought you were joking.”

Nobody jokes about broccoli, especially me.

Then a brilliant idea reverberated between my ears. I 
thought I could take advantage of this situation and 
sneak in something forbidden in our kitchen and 
house for that matter, a rare delicacy.

“I will then run to the store and get some fresh Apple 
Fritters for our dessert.”

I figured if she wants to put in front of me broccoli the 
least she can do is allow me an Apple Fritter or two.

In a moment, all the chipper drained from her person 
and looking at me said, “Apple Fritters are not allowed 
in this house.”

“Let’s negotiate,” I said as calmly as I have ever been in 
my life. “I will allow you to eat broccoli tonight if you 
allow me an Apple Fritter for my dessert.”

I wonder if there is a husband living today, that has 
ever successfully negotiated with his wife.

“This is how we will negotiate, we will have broccoli 
tonight without any Apple Fritter. I am only thinking 
of your health.”

The way she glared at me, I knew negotiations were 
off the table now and in its place was some steaming 
broccoli.

What I am going to do is sneak behind her back and 
eat two, not one, but two Apple Fritters and I will savor 
every bite.

If only we could act like grownups, come together, 
voice our differences and strike a compromise. After 
all, our government works that way.

I thought about this and came to a certain conclusion. 
The Christian life is not really negotiating your preference, 
but rather honoring Christ. Jesus said, “For 
where two or three are gathered together in my name, 
there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).

When self is at the center of my negotiations, Christ 
is never honored.


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