Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, October 24, 2020

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Mountain View News Saturday, October 24, 2020 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

HOW SENIORS CAN SAVE MONEY ON PRESCRIPTION EYEGLASSES

Dear Savvy Senior:

What tips can you recommend for finding affordable 
prescription eyeglasses? I used to have vision 
insurance through my work but lost it when I 
turned 65 and signed up for Medicare.

Need Spectacles. 

Dear Need:

Unfortunately, in 2020 it’s still true that original 
Medicare does not cover vision services, which includes routine eye exams and prescription eyeglasses 
– unless you’ve just had cataract surgery. While there’s no one solution to this common need, 
here are a few tips that can help you save.



Medicare Advantage

While original Medicare doesn’t cover vision services, there are Medicare Advantage plans that do. 
Medicare Advantage plans, which are sold through private insurance companies, cover all the same 
medical and hospital services that original Medicare does, but many of them also provide vision as 
well as dental, hearing and prescription drugs too.



To locate Advantage plans in your area that provide vision coverage, go to Medicare.gov/plan-compare 
or call 800-633-4227. But before enrolling in a plan, check the benefit details to ensure the 
plan’s vision coverage includes routine eye exams, eyeglass frames and lenses.



If you are currently enrolled in original Medicare you can switch to a Medicare Advantage plan each 
year during the open enrollment period, which is between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7. Or, if you already 
have an Advantage plan that doesn’t provide adequate vision coverage, you can swap to another 
plan between Jan. 1 and March 31. 



If, however, you don’t want to change your Medicare plan, you can still get coverage by purchasing 
a vision insurance policy – see eHealthInsurance.com. Vision policies typically start at around $11 
to $13 per month for an individual, but before signing up make sure your savings potential is worth 
the cost of the monthly premiums and required copays.



Discount Stores

Purchasing eyeglasses from discount retailers is another way to save. Costco Optical is one of the 
best discount stores for good eyewear and low prices. Eyeglasses cost an average of around $184, 
but to shop there you have to pay a $60 annual membership fee. Some other good retail options for 
low prices include Sam’s Club Optical and Walmart Vision Centers.



You also need to find out if you are eligible for any discounts. Some retailers provide discounts to 
membership groups like AARP and AAA. AARP members, for example, can get 30 percent off a 
pair of glasses (frames and lenses) at LensCrafters and Glasses.com, and you save an additional 
$10 on a complete pair at Target Optical. AARP also offers $55 comprehensive eye exams (dilation 
included) at participating eye doctors. See AARPVisionDiscounts.com for more information.



Buy Online

Buying eyeglasses online can also offer huge savings. Stores like ZenniOptical.com, and EyeBuyDirect.
com sell prescription eyeglasses for as little as $6 and $7. These sites let you upload a photo 
of your face, so you can see what you’d look like in different frames.



Or, for a snappier choice of frames see WarbyParker.com, which offers single-vision glasses starting 
at $95. They even offer a free program where you can request up to five pairs to try on at home for 
five days.



To purchase glasses online, you’ll need a valid prescription from an eye doctor (typically no more 
than a year old), plus your pupillary distance number, which is the distance, measured in millimeters, 
between the centers of your pupils in each eye.



Low-Income Assistance

If your income is low, depending on where you live, there may be some local clinics that provide 
free or discounted eye exams and eyeglasses. Put in a call to your local Lions Club to see what’s 
available in your area. See Directory.LionsClubs.org for contact information.



You may also be able to get free eyeglasses through New Eyes (New-Eyes.org, 973-376-4903), a 
nonprofit organization that provides free eyeglasses through a voucher program to people in financial 
need.



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.


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder

626-355-5700245 W Sierra Madre Blvd,
Sierra Madre, CAEven though you need help 
each day, we agree thatyou’re still in chargeLimited senior living suites are available.
Reserve yours today!
RCFELicense198601953 
any seniors fear that moving out of their home into an assisted living 
residence means forfeiting control of their lives. At e Kensington, 
nothing could be further from the truth. We believe it is our role to 
support our residents, not to assume complete decision-making authority. Of course, 
as specialists in caring for older adults, we monitor routines, behavior and mood 
every day. If we see changes that concern us, then we talk with residents and their 
families immediately. Together, we all decide about making adjustments to care and 
services to preserve comfort, wellness and morale.
We regard ourselves as our residents’ champion, not their boss. 
Call or visit soon to learn about our collaborative approach to assisted living.
M
THE ALLEGED WARRANT FOR MY ARREST

This past week was one of the 
best weeks I've had in a long 
time. I got everything completed, 
as well as some overdue 
projects.

There’s no feeling quite like the feeling of having 
accomplished your goals for the week. As far as 
I was concerned, this called for an Apple fritter 
celebration. Just keep this between us and don’t 
let you-know-who hear.

Driving home from my office, I was whistling 
and just enjoying myself while I was nibbling on 
my Apple fritter. My goal was to get it finished 
before I got home, and because of the week I was 
having, I finished that goal as well.

When I walked into the house, I was met by the 
Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, and I noticed 
a rather serious look on her face. I thought 
maybe she had a bad day, and I was not going to 
let her bad day influence my good day.

So I said, “Hello, my dear. How has your day 
been?”

I wanted to tell her how my day had been and 
how excited I was to complete all my projects. 
I was excited, but that excitement kind of went 
south.

“What have you been up to?” She said as serious 
as I’ve ever heard her.

I have heard this kind of question before. And 
it's very important how you answer that question. 
You might tell something they don't know, 
and that will get you into more trouble. My job 
is to find out what they think they know and 
hide what they don't know.

As you can see, I'm a veteran husband, and I did 
not know what was coming my way.

She then repeated herself, “What have you been 
up to lately?”

At this point, I was a little worried because I 
could see there was something very serious she 
was talking about. I didn't quite know how to 
take the next step because I didn't know how serious 
the situation was from her point of view.

Of course, I wanted to make sure that I didn't 
spill any beans that she didn't know about at the 
time. I wouldn't have known what they were either, 
but that's a different story.

“Listen to this phone message.”

She picked up the phone, pressed the button and 
I heard the message.

"This is a Social Security Officer letting you 
know that a warrant for your arrest has been established. 
They will be at your home tomorrow 
around 4 o'clock to facilitate the warrant unless 
you call this number."

I was speechless, which is not unusual for me. 
Then my wife said, “Do you want to tell me what 
this is all about?”

It’s not enough that I’m in trouble with a Social 
Security Officer, but I’m also in trouble with 
the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. To be 
truthful about this, I’d rather be in trouble with 
a Social Security Officer. But I have to take my 
trouble one step at a time.

I did not know what to say to my wife. I never 
heard of a Social Security Officer or what they 
do. Why would the Social Security come after 
me? I’m certainly not going to call that number.

“Are you keeping something from me?” My wife 
queried.

I did not know how to answer because I have 
never found how to keep anything from her as 
long as I have been married. She knows what I'm 
doing three weeks before I'm actually doing it. 
How could I keep anything from her?

Certainly, I can keep things away from me. So 
when I do something, I forget about it and have 
to be reminded that I did it. But as for keeping 
secrets, that is not one of my strong suits.

“If you’re in trouble,” my wife said in a very sympathetic 
voice, “we can get through this together.

At that point, I only wished I knew some trouble 
that I could talk about that we could work 
through together. The problem was, my week 
had been so wonderful, and everything that 
needed to be done, I was able to do it.

Trouble? I can’t think about any trouble that 
would necessitate a Social Security Officer to 
come and arrest me.

We sat in the living room and tried to figure out 
what kind of trouble would necessitate an arrest 
warrant. We couldn't come up with anything. 
And believe me, if my wife can't come up with 
the definition of trouble, it just doesn't exist.

Believe me, the next afternoon, we were very 
nervous, not knowing what to do. But the afternoon 
led into the evening, and then we went to 
bed.

That was four weeks ago. I have not received any 
more phone calls. No Social Security Officer 
has shown up at my door with a warrant for my 
arrest.

As it turns out, those four weeks of nervous anticipation 
were a complete waste. As far as we 
can understand, it must've been a scam to rattle 
our cage. We were careful for nothing at all.

The other night as I was thinking of this, a verse 
of Scripture came to mind. “There is no fear in 
love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because 
fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made 
perfect in love” (I John 4:18).

I have a choice that I can surrender my fear for 
love. That love that only God can give.

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