Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, September 11, 2021

12 Mountain View News Saturday, September 11, 2021 


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder 

ARE YOU READY FOR FALL? 

With such a tumultuous summer, I’m glad we are now beginning the fall season. 
There for a while, I didn’t think it was going to come. But, contrary to my negativity, 
it has arrived, and I’m delighted. 

Summer wasn’t quite the way summers have been in the past. My family didn’t have 
many get-togethers and picnics like we normally do. However, we did have one, and 

that had to do for the summer. I’m hoping next summer we can catch up. 
I remember when I was young, summer was a wonderful time. But, of course, maybe my memories are 
more wonderful than it actually was. At my age, you can’t always depend upon your memory. But then, 
it goes the other way as well. 

I am so old that nobody can contradict any memories I might have. So I won’t say that I lie, but I do have 
a way of stretching the truth, just a little. And by just a little, I mean just enough to make it look better 
than what it actually was. 

Of course, the best thing about my summers was no school. I was free all summer long to do what I re


ally wanted to do. At the time, both of my parents worked full-time jobs, and I had the rule of my time. 
As I look forward to the fall season, I’m trusting there will be some great times to celebrate. This generation 
seems to be the celebrating generation, but often it celebrates the wrong things. Some of the things 
that are celebrated make no sense whatsoever to me. 

For example, I’ve grown tired of celebrating my birthday every year. After a while, it’s kind of mundane. 

How often can you listen to someone sing happy birthday to you? 
Seasons have ways of coming and going, and by the time you get adjusted to one season, it’s over, and the 
next one is just beginning. 

During the past summer, the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage said several times, “When will this heat 

ever go away?” 
I would always laugh and say to her, “When it is ready to go.” 
She did not send a smile back at that time, but I still was smiling. 

Every season has its individual characteristics, and sometimes we confuse them. For example, we have 
the imaginary expectation of perfect weather every day regardless of the season. But, to be truthful, I’m 
not sure what perfect weather is. 

As we were getting closer to the fall season, the rain just came without a hint of letting up. 
“When,” my wife said, “will this rain ever stop?” 
As soon as she said that, she looked at me and said, “That was not a question for you to answer.” 
I laughed because I had an answer right on the tip of my tongue. 
Contrary to what people think, I do like change. The idea is that when you get older, you don’t like 

change, but I would like to contradict that. 
I look forward to change. 
Of course, the biggest change I like is the change in my pocket. But the other change is that I don’t like to 

get into a rut. I don’t like my wheels spinning and spinning and going nowhere. 
I like to enjoy one season, because it always prepares me for the next season. 
Of course, the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage is entirely against that. She would prefer that the sea


son be the same all year long. But I like change. 
I like to enjoy one season, and then I want to prepare myself for the next season. 
The bad times during one season prepares me for the good times in the next season. If I didn’t have a bad 

time, I wouldn’t recognize a good time. 

As we were sitting watching TV the other night, the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage says, “I really 
don’t like change. I wish things would stay the way they are.” 
“Well,” I said, “you certainly have changed through the years.” 
She looked at me with a scowl and said, “What do you mean?” 
Then I tried explaining to her that we’ve been married 50 years, and when we started our marriage, we 

were quite different than we are today. 
“I’m not the person you married 50 years ago.” 
She looked at me rather quizzically and said, “Who are you?”

She stared at me, and then both of us broke out in hilarious laughter. 

There are two aspects of change; either for good or for bad. Each season brings in the kind of change 
needed to prepare for the next season. 
I don’t know what this fall season will bring with it. I’m glad I don’t know because I probably would start 

the season with great discouragement instead of expectation. 

As we discussed, my wife said, “and you are twice the man I married 50 years ago.” I thought about that 
and looked at her rather strangely, and then she broke out laughing. I was hoping she wouldn’t explain. 
Thinking about that I was reminded of a verse of Scripture, “To everything there is a season, and a time 

to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
Right now, I’m in the season where God can bless me. I don’t know what the next season holds for me but 
I do have faith in God to fully prepare me for the upcoming change. 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …September Birthdays* 

Clem Bartolai, Pat Hall, Donna Anderson, Teresa Chaure, Cathy Gunther, EstherMacias, Sheila Pierce, Nancy Sue Shollenberger, Patti O’Meara, Judie Cimino,
Mary Steinberg, Geri Wright, Parvin Dabiri, Denise Reistetter and NehamaWarner, Virginia Mullaney, Gwen Robertson.

* 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 

THE HART PARK HOUSE SENIOR CENTER IS OPEN!!!! 

IN HOUSE LUNCH DINING SERVICE WILL NOT RESUME AT THIS TIME. 
ACCESS TO THE COMPUTER/CLASSROOM IS TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE. 

All Classes and programs will maintain a distance of 6 ft between participants. All equipment 
used will be sanitized after each use before it is stored. Each participant is responsible for providing 
their own water, masks and additionally needed supplies for each class. 

Please call the Community Services Department at 355-7394 with any questions or concerns. 


SENIOR CINEMA – 2ND AND 4TH WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH 

ANASTASIA, Wednesday 9/8 Could an amnesiac refugee named Anna Anderson truly be the Grand 
Duchess Anastasia, purported sole survivor of the execution of the Tsar Nicholas II and his family 
during the Bolshevik Revolution of 1918, and therefore the rightful heir to the Czar’s fortune? Backed 
by a group of White Russian exiles led by General Bounine, she faces her possible grandmother, the 
imperious Dowegar Empress Maria Feodorovna, and the fortune hunting Prince Paul. 

QUEEN BEES, Wednesday 9/22 

Helen is an independent widow who moves into the Pine Grove Senior Community and discovers 
it’s just like high school—full of cliques and flirtatious suitors. What she initially avoids leads her to 
exactly what she's been missing: new friendships and a chance at love with newcomer Dan. 

TEA AND TALK, SENIOR BOOK CLUB 2nd and 4th Wednesday, 9:00 am

Staff has launched a new book club series, Tea and Talk, which meets twice a month to discuss the 
fun, suspense, intrigue, love and so much more that each selection will have in store! 

FIBER FRIENDS Every Friday, 10-10:45 am 
Bring a lei, your flower skirt or just your desire to dance! Hula in the Park is back and waiting for 
you to join in on all the fun! Memorial Park Pavilion. 

TEA AT THREE WITH CHIEF BARTLETT AND THE SMFD 

Friday, October 8th, 3:00-5:00 pm

Stop by for some bingo, tea and conversations with Sierra Madre Fire Chief Bartlett and crew. Reserve 
your spot with Lawren. 

TISSUE PAPER HANGING ART 

Lawren is making a colorful and artistic piece to brighten up the Hart Park House! We will have 
fun with tissue paper, coffee filters and food coloring. All supplies will be provided for you and we 
will meet in the Hart Park House. Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting messy. To reserve 
your spot or ask questions please call Lawren Heinz at (626) 355-7394 or 
email at lheinz@cityofsierramadre.com. 

 PAINT AND SIP 

Wednesday, 9/22 and Wednesday, 9/29 5:30-7:30 pm—Hart Park House 

Have you wanted to join in on one of these fun and popular classes but didn't know where to go? 
Well look no further...Paint and Sip has come to the Hart Park House! Select one of the two choices 
available and enjoy this fun paint by number with a glass of red or chilled white wine. We will spread 
the fun over two days to ensure we are not rushed and have more time with our art and like minded 
friends. The cost is $10 per person, space is limited so make sure to reserve your spot with Lawren 
today! 

POKER DAY -Tuesday, 9/7, 1:00-3:00 pm—Hart Park House 

Interested in a game of Texas Hold’em or 5 Card Draw? Bring your best poker face and join us in a 
friendly bout of card savvy competition. If this doesn't suit your card playing desires then help introduce 
your fellow seniors to a new and exciting card game. Cards and poker chips will be provided. 

BINGO -Tuesday, 9/14, 1:00 pm—Hart Park House 

Hart Park House Senior Bingo is back by popular demand! Come on down to enjoy this time honored 
game with some old and new friends. We are trying a new spin on your BINGO fun so please 
bring your good luck charms and BINGO markers! 

METRO MICRO— TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION 

Micro is Metro’s new on-demand rideshare service, offering trips within several zones in LA County. 
The new service is for short local trips and uses small vehicles (seating up to 10 passengers). Micro 
is part of Metro’s family of services and has been designed hand-in-hand with Metro’s NextGen Bus 
Plan. The service is meant to be a fast, safe and convenient option for quick trips around town, Monday-
Sunday, 5:30 am-9:30 pm. At this time, a promotional fare of $1 will run six months from the 
date of service launch. The $1 will not include a transfer to Metro bus and rail. Customers can pay using 
their TAP Card/account (stored value only) or with a credit card (no cash). Metro staff will return 
to the Board at the end of the six-moth introductory period to consider potential fare adjustments. 
Service hours of operation are: 
Monday—Sunday between 5:30 am-9:30 pm. 
Download the Metro Micro App: visit: 
book.metro-micro.netor 
call 323-GO-METRO (323) 446-3876 

COULD I HAVE COPD AND NOT KNOW IT? 

Dear Savvy Senior:
I have struggled with shortness of breath for several 
years now. I just thought I was getting old and fat, but 
a friend recently told me about COPD. So, my question 
is could I have COPD and not know it? 
Huffing and Puffing 


Dear Huffing:
Yes. COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a progressive lung disease that affects an 
estimated 30 million Americans, but about half of them don’t know they have it. 

Many people mistake shortness of breath as a normal part of aging, or a result of being out of shape, 
but that’s not necessarily the case. COPD – a term used to describe a variety of lung diseases including 
emphysema and chronic bronchitis – develops slowly, so symptoms may not be obvious until 
damage has occurred. 

Symptoms can include an ongoing cough or a cough that produces a lot of mucus, lack of energy 
and/or shortness of breath especially during physical activity, wheezing and chest tightness, blue 
lips or fingernails, or swelling in your feet, ankles or legs. 

Those most at risk are smokers or former smokers over age 40, and people who have had long-term 
exposure to other lung irritants like secondhand smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes and dust. 
There is also a rare genetic condition known as alpha-1-antitrypsin, or AAT deficiency that can 
increase the risks. 

If you’re experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms, you need to get tested by your doctor. 
A simple breathing test called spirometry can tell if you have COPD, and if so, how severe it is. 
Early screening can also identify COPD before major loss of lung function occurs. 

If you do indeed have COPD, you need to know that while there’s no cure, there are things you can 
do to help manage symptoms and protect your lungs from further damage, including: 

Quit smoking: If you smoke, the best thing you can do to prevent more damage to your lungs is 
to quit. To get help, the National Cancer Institute offers a number of smoking cessation resources 
at SmokeFree.gov or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Or ask your doctor about prescription antismoking 
drugs that can help reduce your nicotine craving. If you smoke marijuana for a medical condition, 
talk to your doctor about edible versions. 

Avoid air pollutants: Stay away from things that could irritate your lungs like dust, allergens and 
strong fumes. Also, to help improve your air quality at home, remove dust-collecting clutter and 
keep carpets clean; run the exhaust fan when using smelly cleaning products, bug sprays or paint; 
ban smoking indoors; and keep windows closed when outdoor air pollution is high (see AirNow.
gov for daily air-quality reports). 

Get vaccinated: The coronavirus and flu can cause serious problems for people who have COPD, 
so if you haven’t already done so, get vaccinated for COVID-19 and get a flu shot every fall to help 
avoid getting sick. Also ask your doctor about getting the pneumococcal immunizations for protection 
against pneumonia. 

Take prescribed medications: Bronchodilators (taken with an inhaler) are commonly used for 
COPD. They help relax the airway muscles to make breathing easier. Depending on how severe 
your condition, you may need a short-acting version only for when symptoms occur, or a long-
acting prescription for daily use. Inhaled steroids may also help reduce inflammation and mucus 
and prevent flare-ups.
For more information, visit the COPD Foundation at COPDfoundation.org or call the COPD information 
line at 866-316-2673. 

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. 

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