Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, June 27, 2020

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Mountain View News Saturday, June 27, 2020 

RV TRAVEL TIPS IN THE SUMMER 
OF COVID


SENIOR HAPPENINGS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …June Birthdays*

Joanne Thrane, Nellie Haynes, Dorothy McKay, Donna Doss, Mary Carney, Carol 
Handley, Marilyn McKernan, Pat Fujiwara, John Shier, Beth Smith-Kellock, Ann 
Disbrow, Joan Ellison, Anne Montgomery, Trini Ornelas, Martha Spriggs, Pat 
Starkey, Kathleen Coyne, Suzanne Decker, Jacque Persing, Jeanne Peterson and 
Grace Sanders

 * To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 
626.355.2737. YEAR of birth not required 

Dear Savvy Senior:

Can you write a column on RV travel for novices? 
My husband and I have been cooped up all spring 
and summer because of the coronavirus and would 
like to take a trip using a rented RV but could use 
some tips and want to be safe.

Recently Retired

 

Dear Recently:

Recreational-vehicle (or RV) travel has become 
a very popular option among U.S. retirees over 
the past few decades and is probably one of the 
safest and most convenient ways to get away this 
summer.

 

Because it’s a small home on wheels, RV travel 
will allow you to distance yourself from crowds 
of people and reduce your risk of COVID exposure 
that comes with other forms of travel, i.e. 
air/train travel, hotel/Airbnb lodging and eating 
in restaurants. But there are still risks – especially 
in public places like gas stations, shared restrooms 
and picnic areas – so exercise caution. If 
you’ve never traveled by motor home or RV, here 
are a few tips to consider.

 

Renting an RV

To help you determine the RV size and model 
you need for your trip, consider your budget, 
destination and the number of travelers. If it’s 
just you and your husband, and you’re visiting 
several locations and driving lots of miles you 
may want a smaller motor home with better fuel 
economy. But if you’re taking other family members 
or friends, you may want a larger RV with 
slide outs and more sleeping areas. See GoRVing.
com for a breakdown of all the different types of 
RVs available today.

 

To locate an RV rental dealer near you visit 
CruiseAmerica.com, one of the largest RV rental 
companies in the world or search the Recreation 
Vehicle Rental Association at RVRA.org. Or use 
peer-to-peer RV rental sites like RVshare.com 
or Outdoorsy.com, which are usually a little 
cheaper.

 

Rental costs will vary greatly depending on what 
you choose and how far you drive, ranging anywhere 
from $50 up to $500 per day.

 

When renting a rig, be sure you get detailed instructions 
from the owner or rental company on 
how to use the RV’s systems, including the generator, 
air-conditioning, leveling, slide outs, electric 
and entertainment, as well as how to empty 
waste tanks and refill fresh water.

 

You should also know that because of COVID-
19, most RV rental companies are vigilant 
about cleaning and disinfecting their units. But if 
you want to be extra safe, the CDC offers tips at 
CDC.gov/COVID19 – type “Cleaning and Disinfecting 
Your Home” in the search bar.

 

Trip Planning Tips

It’s always wise to map out your trip route and 
reserve your campgrounds in advance, especially 
now during the pandemic, because some campgrounds 
and RV parks, as well as local, state, and 
national public parks may be closed or operating 
with restrictions.

A free tool that can help you plan your trip 
is Roadtrippers.com, which lets you plot out 
routes, calculate mileage and travel time, and will 
identify RV campgrounds, points of interest and 
restaurants along the way.

 

You should also consider becoming a Good Sam 
Club member (GoodSam.com/club, $29/year), 
which provides access to its web-based trip planner, 
camping and fuel discounts, and a copy of 
the Good Sam Guide Series that features detailed 
information on more than 12,000 private RV 
parks and public campgrounds.

 

Most RV parks rent spaces on a nightly or weekly 
basis with rates typically ranging from $30 to 
$50 per night, however some in city and country 
parks may be $10 or even free.

 

RV parks can also range from rustic facilities 
with limited or no utility hookups, as are more 
often found in state and national parks, to luxury 
resorts with amenities that rival fine hotels.

 

For first-time RV renters, staying at a fully loaded 
RV park or campground with full hookups, 
a dump station, and staff on site is highly recommended. 
Look at Kampgrounds of America 
(KOA.com) or ReserveAmerica.com to browse 
the accommodations.

 

And for more safe travel tips this summer, visit 
Coronavirus.gov – click on “specific resources 
for travelers.”

 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.


SIERRA MADRE SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS PLAN

The City of Sierra Madre is following these procedures to provide current communication in light of 
COVID-19 and keep the Senior Community and families informed of essential information and resources. 
City staff are monitoring email communication daily, and although employees are minimizing 
direct engagement and practicing social distancing in the community, please note that voice messages, 
emails, and social media responses are being addressed in the most efficient and timely manner.

If at any moment additional information is needed, please contact City Hall Administrative Services at 
(626) 355-7135, Monday-Thursday from 7:30a – 5:30p, as they are taking messages and e-mailing the 
appropriate person.

For messages that may trickle in otherwise, please note our team is remotely checking voicemail daily at 
the Community Services Department, (626) 355-5278 x702.

Community Services Department will continue email communication with Senior residents and aging 
community members.

If you know of family members or neighbors who may benefit from accessing information electronically, 
and to receive the department’s Seniors Newsletter via email but may not otherwise have been included 
on an email group list, please send your request with email address to the following team members:

Lawren Heinz Lheinz@cityofsierramadre.com and Clarissa Lowe Clowe@cityofsierramadre.com.

Community Services Department will continue Electronic Seniors Newsletter on a weekly-basis 
distribution.

Community Services Department will continue with mail drop-off of newsletters at the Sierra Madre 
U.S. Post Office Box (unless otherwise advised).

City Social Media will continue via Facebook as well as Instagram, and information sharing will include 
updates as details becomes available.

Mater Dolorosa - Sierra Madre Meal Pick-Up Program provides seal-packaged frozen meals, 5-per 
person every Thursday, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. at Hart Park House Senior Center 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 
Donations are accepted. Call (626) 355-5278; x702 or 704.

YWCA Intervale Meal Program - Effective Wednesday, April 1, 2020

YWCA has transitioned their distribution of take home meals at the Sierra Madre Hart Park House Senior 
Center to a home-delivery meal program. Participants previously reserved for meal pick-up as of 
Wednesday, 3/25/20 were informed that they would begin to have their meals delivered to their homes, 
beginning Wednesday, April 1, 2020 until further notice.

For any additional participants calling in that are at a high risk and need meals delivered to, please 
provide us their name, date of birth (they must be 60+), address and phone number and Community 
Services Department will for-ward this information to our County Contact.

Food Banks Support: Seniors & Families:

If someone is outside of our local area and in need of a food bank, they can find one nearest them by 
going to www.lafoodbank.org and typing in their zip code; or call from the list here:

First Church of the Nazarene-Pasadena 3700 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-351-9631

Wednesday 10:30 am-12 pm 

Pasadena Senior Center 85 E. Holly St. Pasadena 626-685-6732

Foothill Unity Center 415 W. Chestnut Ave. Monrovia 626-358-3486 Monday 1 pm-3:30 pm, 
Wednesday & Friday 9 am-11:30 am

Lifeline Community Services & Economic Development 2556 N. Lake Ave Altadena

626-797-3585 2nd and 4th Wednesday 12 pm-2 pm & 8:15 pm-9 pm

Morning Star Outreach Ministry 1416 N. Mentor Ave Pasadena 626-794-4875

2nd & 4th Saturday 11 am-1

FAMILY MATTERS By Marc Garlett


HOW DO TRUSTS HELP YOU 
SAVE ON TAXES?

Many people come to us curious (or confused) about trusts 
and taxes. So, today’s article is going to sort it out and 
clarify things for you. 

There are two types of trusts, and each have different tax 
consequences.

Revocable trusts, which are the far more commonly used 
trusts, have no tax consequences whatsoever. A revocable trust has your social security 
number as it’s tax identifier, and is not a separate entity from you for tax purposes. It is a 
separate entity from you for purposes of probate, meaning if you become incapacitated 
or die your Trustee can take over without a court order, keeping your family out of court. 
But, until your death, it’s treated as invisible from a tax perspective. At the time of your 
death, if your revocable trust provides for the creation of irrevocable trusts, then the tax 
implications will shift.

When you have an irrevocable trust, either created during life, at death through a revocable 
living trust, or through a will that creates a trust, that trust has its own EIN, or employer 
identification number (also called a TIN or taxpayer identification number). Generally, it 
pays income taxes on income earned by the trust, as if it’s a separate tax paying entity.


Trust income is taxed at the highest tax bracket applicable to individuals as soon as there 
is over $12,950 of income, so in some cases a trust will be drafted to provide that the tax 
consequences pass through to the beneficiary and are taxed at his or her rates. We will often 
do this when creating a Lifetime Asset Protection Trust for a beneficiary, so that the trust 
can provide the benefits of credit protection from lawsuits, divorce, or even bankruptcy, but 
not have the negative tax consequence of the highest tax rates on very little income.

Of course, if you have a trust, and you want us to review it for the income tax consequences 
to your loved ones after your death, please contact us.

Now, let’s talk about estate taxes. Currently, if you die with assets over $11.58M, then your 
estate will be subject to estate tax on all amounts over that $11.58M at the rate of 40%. That’s 
right, 40% of your taxable state will go to the government. You can mitigate these taxes, or 
even eliminate them by using various planning methods, most of which are fairly complex, 
but well worth it if you can save your family that 40% in taxes.

If you are trying to figure out whether an irrevocable trust, or a revocable trust or even a 
Lifetime Asset Protection Trust is best for you and your beneficiaries, you’ll need to weigh 
that decision by looking at your financial assets, personal situation, and family goals so you 
can make the right choice for yourself and the people you love. If you’d like help with that 
analysis, please give us a call.

Dedicated to empowering your family, building your wealth and defining your legacy,

A local attorney and father, Marc Garlett is on a mission to help 
parents protect what they love most. 

His office is located at 55 Auburn Avenue, Sierra Madre, CA 
91024. 

Schedule an appointment to sit down and talk about ensuring a legacy of love and financial 
security for yourfamily by calling 626.355.4000 or visit www.CaliLaw.com for more 
information.

OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder


IT WAS A WEEK THAT WAS SHOT TO PIECES

I only made one mistake last 
week, which is something of a 
record for me. I try limiting mistakes 
to one at a time, but not always in sequential 
order. I once tried to make my mistakes in a logical 
order, but it turned out to be a mistake.

The one faux pas I made was taking Monday off.

I proposed to the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage 
that we take Monday off late Sunday evening, 
suggesting a contest to see who could sleep in the 
longest. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage 
readily agreed to my plan.

This should have been a tip-off for me.

On Monday, we decided to have a "loafing contest" 
to see who was the best loafer. Up to this point, I 
assumed superiority in this area. Many things fall 
into the category of not being able to do by Yours 
Truly but not this. Therefore, I concluded I had this 
contest in the bag.

Monday turned out to be a terrific day. Unfortunately, 
my wife won the best loafer contest, but it was all 
in good fun, and we certainly enjoyed our day off.

That was Monday.

Starting on Tuesday, my week took a decidedly different 
turn.

First, my computer crashed, leaving me stranded. 
Nothing is quite as frustrating as having your computer 
out of commission for a long time.

I set off to take my computer to the repair shop. On 
the way, the car radiator broke. How these things 
break, I have no idea. All I know is, the little red 
light on the dashboard was on, and I knew I was in 
trouble.

I barely got the car to the garage. When the mechanic 
lifted the hood and examined my engine, he 
rubbed his hands with mischievous glee. When he 
looked at me with a smile smeared all over his puss. 
I knew I was in trouble.

"Reverend," he taunted, "Your radiator is shot to 
pieces."

I had no idea what that meant, but knew it involved 
lots of money being transferred from my account to 
his.

I left my car there. What else could I do?

My wife picked me up, and we took my computer to 
the repair shop. When the repair person looked at 
my computer, she rubbed her hands with mischievous 
glee and looked at me with a smile splotched 
all over her kisser. I knew I was in trouble again.

"Reverend," she sneered, "your hard drive is shot to 
pieces."

I had no idea what that meant, but knew it involved 
lots of money being transferred from my account to 
hers.

I left my computer at the repair shop and we drove 
to the optometrist to have my eyes checked. When 
the doctor saw me, he rubbed his hands with mischievous 
glee and looked at me with a smile glowing 
all over his face. I knew I was in trouble.

"Reverend," he observed, "your glasses are shot to 
pieces."

I knew what that meant and perceived it involved 
lots of money being transferred from my account to 
his.

I left my glasses at the eye doctor's office to be 
repaired.

Now I do not have glasses to see.

Fortunately, I don't have a car to drive, nor do I have 
my computer to work with. I do have backup glasses, 
but they are only good for backing up. Somehow, 
a theme was developing for my week.

Between my car, my computer, and my glasses, the 
week was drenched with out-of-pocket expenses of 
which I had run out of pockets. To make matters 
worse, or better depending on your perspective, 
I had a wedding to perform toward the end of the 
week.

Friday night was the rehearsal and Saturday afternoon 
at the wedding ceremony.

I could possibly do without my car, but all my wedding 
information and the ceremony were neatly 
stored on my computer. If worse came to worse, 
and it probably will, I can always ad-lib a wedding 
ceremony.

I've done so many through the years I probably 
could do it in my sleep. Whether I can do it awake 
was another story.

Along about Thursday, I was feeling somewhat blue 
about the whole week. Nothing seemed to go right 
for me, plus I did not know where I was going to 
get the money to pay for these unforeseen expenses.

The wedding rehearsal on Friday was set for 6:30, 
and my computer was ready at 6:15. Now, that's cutting 
the wedding cake rather close.

Between the car and computer repairs, I did not 
know how I would pay for both. Have you ever noticed 
when everything seems to go wrong, something 
unexpected happens?

While I was bemoaning my unfortunate week, several 
things happened.

One, I received an unexpected check from a magazine 
publishing some of my articles.

Two, I received an honorarium for the wedding—
something I wasn't expecting.

These two checks covered my unexpected expenses 
for the week.

Third, the hard drive on my computer had a warranty, 
and I did not have to pay for it.

Thinking about my week, a wonderful verse of 
scripture romped through my mind. "And let us not 
be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall 
reap, if we faint not" (Galatians 6:9).

Fainting is always an option, but the person who refuses 
to allow his week to make him weary will reap 
God's blessing.

Dr. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God 
Fellowship, Ocala, FL 34472. 


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