Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, October 10, 2020

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Mountain View News Saturday, October 10, 2020 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

HOW TO FIND AN ONLINE THERAPIST

Dear Savvy Senior:

What is the best way to find online therapy services 
for my anxiety and depression? I just turned 63 and 
have become increasingly hopeless since the COVID 
pandemic hit and cost me my job. I need to get some 
professional help, but I’m also high risk for illness and 
very concerned about leaving the house.

Need Help

Dear Need:

I’m sorry to hear about your job loss and the difficulties you’re going through right now, but you’re 
not alone. Because of the coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic downturn, fear, anxiety and 
depression is being reported by 45 percent of Americans, according a Kaiser Family Foundation 
tracking poll.

To help you through this difficult time there are a variety of therapists, psychologists, and other mental 
health providers you can turn to. And because of the pandemic, most of them are now offering 
counsel to their clients online through teletherapy services. This will allow you to interact virtually 
with a therapist from the comfort of your home using only a smartphone, tablet or computer.

How to Find a Therapist

A good first step to locating a therapist is to ask your primary care provider or family and friends 
for a referral. You can also look on your insurer’s website for a list of therapists covered under your 
plan. But be aware that some insurers have limited, or even no coverage for mental health, and many 
mental healthcare providers don’t participate in insurance plans. (Medicare does cover mental health 
services.)

Other resources to help you find a good therapist include online finder tools at the American Psychological 
Association (locator.apa.org) and the American Psychiatric Association (finder.psychiatry.
org).

If you want some help, there are also online platforms that can help match you with a licensed mental 
health provider. For example, Talkspace (talkspace.com) and BetterHelp (betterhelp.com), are virtual 
services you can access through your phone or computer, that contracts with thousands of licensed 
and credentialed therapists.

The process starts with a few questions to assess your goals, your condition, and your preferences, and 
then matches you with some top therapists in your state.

If you don’t have insurance coverage or can’t afford therapy, you can call or text 211 (or go to 211.
org) anytime for a referral to a provider who offers support at no cost or on a sliding scale, based on 
your budget.

You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 and ask for a referral to a local resource 
or provider or ask to be transferred to their “warm line” for nonemergency calls, where you can talk 
anonymously to a trained professional at no cost.

Another possible option is Federally Qualified Health Centers, which are community-based health 
centers, some of which may offer teletherapy services at no-cost. To search for centers in your area 
visit FindAHealthCenter.hrsa.gov.

There’s also this website called Open Path Collective (openpathcollective.org), where therapists offer 
low-cost online sessions for between $30 and $60.

Interview Your Therapist

Before you start sessions with a therapist, it’s important to make sure he or she meets your needs. If 
you’re not comfortable with the person, you’re unlikely to benefit from the therapy. So, schedule a call 
or a video chat to get a feel for each other, and to ask about the therapist’s training, years in practice, 
specialties, therapy techniques and fee. Ideally the therapist you choose will be a good personality fit 
for you and will be within your budget and/or covered by your insurance.

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.

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,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


SENIOR ACTIVITIES IN SIERRA MADRE

CHAIR YOGA Every Monday and Wednesday, 10-10:45 am Chair yoga with Paul is coming back! Class will 
begin on Monday, August 10th and will be held in the Covered Pavilion in Memorial Park in front of the Senior 
Center. Please join us for some gentle stretching, yoga, balance exercise and overall relaxa-tion. Class size is limited 
so please call 264-8923 to reserve your spot. 

HAWAIIAN AND POLYNESIAN DANCE CLASS Every Friday, 10-10:45 am Class will also meet in the Cov-
ered Pavilion in Memorial Park in front of the Senior Center. Join the class with instructor Barbara as she leads 
you through the art of Hula. Please call 264-8923 with any questions. 

Classes will maintain a distance of 6 ft between participants. ALL participants must be wearing masks for the 
duration of the class. All equipment used will be sanitized after each use before it is stored. Each participant is 
responsible for providing their own water, masks and needed equipment or sup-plies for each class. Please call the 
Community Services Department at 355-5278 with any questions or concerns.

OCTOBER CRAFT

Wednesday, October 21, 11:00 am. Please join me as we try our hands at making Wooden Owl Orna-ments. This 
will be a new type of program as we create our masterpieces via Zoom to ensure all of our safety. I will have all the 
supplies individually packaged and ready for pickup on Monday, October 19th pickup will be between 10:00 am-
2:00 pm. I will have enough supplies for 10 participants. Reservations are required so please call 355-5278 x 704 
to secure your spot. Please note that this is an ONLINE class that will be held via Zoom. We will not be meeting 
in the Hart Park House Senior Center.

IDEAS

 Do you have any ideas for programming? Is there a class or club you would like to see in our Senior Community? 
Please call or email Lawren Heinz with ideas or questions. 626-355-5278 x 704 lheinz@cityofsierramadre.com

 City staff are monitoring email communication daily, and although employees are minimizing direct engagement 
and interfacing less with 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 time 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 per-son. 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.

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.

 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.

FAMILY MATTERS By Marc Garlett


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder


IS IT TIME TO GO SOLO(PRENEUR)?

 There’s nothing like a major change in the economic climate to make 
you rethink your day job. “Business as usual” currently means a large 
element of uncertainty about what the future holds for your working 
life. Whether you've lost your job, had your hours cut, or have seen 
these things happen to people you know, your feeling of security has 
likely taken a hit. And, maybe that can be a good thing - something 
that calls you to action. 

 You also may have noticed a growing trend that existed even before 
the coronavirus pandemic hit—more and more people are opting out 
of the traditional 9 to 5 and becoming “solopreneurs,” either by becoming 
a freelancer or starting a business. 

 As a freelancer, you would draw on the talents you’ve used as an employee, or even other skills you’ve 
developed outside the scope of your day job, to help support other people’s businesses. And, once you 
see it going well, you may decide to start a business of your own. 

 There are unlimited possibilities, and the way we live and work in today’s world means there’s never 
been a better time to get started. Here’s why.

We Have the Technology

 For a solopreneur, working from home is the norm, and software companies are only helping that 
trend along. New tech tools exist that make it easier than ever for people to use their own computers 
for what would normally be done in an office environment. A lot of these tools have free options, and 
you can scale up your technology according to how much your business is growing.

 Plus, as we become more connected digitally, it’s quicker and easier to coordinate teams online. That 
means you can coordinate with your clients and contractors to have meetings, share documents, and 
pay and get paid more easily.

Be True to Yourself

 There is absolutely nothing wrong with being an employee if your role meets your needs personally, 
professionally, and financially. And many people feel more comfortable as part of a team rather than 
as the leader of the team.

 But for others, working for themselves means they have the freedom to choose who to work with and 
what values they choose to uphold. Which role fits you the best?

Live the Life You Want

 Another reason to be your own boss is to increase your flexibility. When you manage your own 
schedule, you don’t need someone else’s permission to go pick up your kids from school, workout in 
the middle of the day, or work on a project in the evening rather than the middle of the afternoon. 

 In the same way that more technical tools are emerging to meet the new economy, so are new modes 
of health care. Medical, dental, and other individualized and family plans just for gig workers are 
becoming common. Whereas it used to be very expensive and difficult for independent contractors 
to get affordable insurance, the barriers are starting to lower.

Scale Your Income

 On one hand, the idea of not having a steady paycheck could be nerve-wracking. But on the other, it 
could open doors to greater wealth and full control, when you’ve made the transition from employee 
to freelancer or even business owner, wisely. When you work for yourself, you are no longer limited 
to earning the amount of money that your company says you should. You can raise your rates as your 
value increases in the marketplace. You can work more hours, or less. You can charge fees that make 
sense to you and that your best clients will be happy to pay. 

 A steady job is not necessarily a sure thing. If you’re in a place of transition with your life and career, 
it could be the right time to take the leap and begin working for yourself, and then even becoming the 
boss you always wish you had. 

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 your family by calling 626.355.4000 or visit 
www.CaliLaw.com for more information.

JUNK IS A MATTER OF PERSONAL DEFINITION

I thought I had everything 
organized and in order. It just 
shows how useless my thinking 
is these days.

There are many piles in my office and on my 
desk, and I know what is in each pile. Everything 
is organized to my specifications. My rule is: if I 
can't find something, I don't need it. Believe me; 
there's a lot of things I don't need.

At the end of the week, I was finishing up my 
office area and closing it down for the week. I 
sighed a deep sigh of relief, knowing that my 
work for the week was done. Nothing is more 
satis-fying than when a plan comes together.

It was at this point that the Gracious Mistress of 
the Parsonage came into my office area and said 
rather strictly, “What is all this junk?”

At first, I did not know what she was talking 
about. I looked around my office area, and I 
could not see any junk. So I asked her, "What 
junk are you referring to?" It was a very sane and 
in-sightful question, at least from my point of 
view.

I've been married long enough to know that 
there is a different way of thinking and looking 
at something on either side of the marriage aisle. 
After all of these years of being married, I just 
can't figure her side out.

"All this junk in your office is what I'm referring 
to," she replied.

The only junk I could see in my office area was 
the waste can, which was full at the time. So I 
picked up the waste can, took it out, emptied it, 
and brought the empty waste can back.

“There,” I said with a degree of satisfaction, “I got 
rid of all the junk.”

You would have thought that being married as 
long as I have been, I would not have come to 
that conclusion.

My method of organizing is not the same as hers. 
For example, on the other side of the house, she 
has what she calls her "Craft Room." I walked 
into it once, and it was so organized I had to get 
out as quickly as possible. It gave me a headache. 
It looked like a well-organized store of craft 
products. Everything had its place, and every 
place had its thing.

My idea of organization is that I know where everything 
is and if I can’t find it, well, you know 
the rest of that.

“Look at all of the junk in your office. How can 
you work with all of this junk around you?”

Still, I do not understand what her definition of 
junk in my room is. But the fact is, I work better 
when I'm surrounded by what she calls "junk."

Then she said something that froze my liver. “I 
have some time so let me help you organize your 
office.”

I know she meant well. But I also know that if 
she organizes my office according to her specifi-
cations, I will never find anything I want when 
I want it.

Then she briskly walked towards one of my 
“piles.” I almost panicked.

"No, no," I said as gently as I could even though I 
was in panic mode. "Everything is okay; I'll take 
care of it, you don't have to worry."

Whenever my wife gets a project in her mind, 
she can't stop until she has completed it to her 
sat-isfaction. She's a gifted organizer and very 
specific. I know that if she organizes my office, it 
would be supreme.

If she organized my office, it would take me 
months to get it back to the place where it functions 
according to my level of function.

When I'm finished with a project, I go over to 
one of the piles and just sort through it and 
find something I had forgotten about, which 
becomes my next project. If it was organized, I 
would never find the next project to do.

I thought my life had come to an end, at least my 
work life. Then something happened that saved 
me from this predicament.

My wife's cell phone rang, and it was our daughter. 
She wanted to know something about a craft 
project she was working on and wanted to know 
if her mother could help her.

I saw her eyes light up as she left my office 
area and went back into her craft room to help 
our daughter. I think that’s why God gives us 
daughters!

Getting out of this predicament was a great 
thing, but I had to think of what I would do the 
next time it happened. I needed a plan.

One person's junk is another person's workspace. 
Just because you don't understand how 
my office is organized doesn't mean it's not organized, 
and it doesn't mean I don't know what I'm 
do-ing in my office.

My workspace, or junk as my wife says, is my environment 
to think and to work.

While my wife was back in her craft room, talking 
to our daughter, I happen to think of a verse 
of Scripture. "Commit thy works unto the Lord, 
and thy thoughts shall be established” (Proverbs 
16:3).

When in my space, no matter how somebody 
else may do it, I am in an atmosphere to do 
the thinking I need to do. Most of the time, my 
thoughts are rooted in God and how he has marvel-
ously blessed my life.

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