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Mountain Views-News SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2025

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

FREE ASSISTED LIVING PLACEMENT SERVICE

 

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Safe Path for Seniors. Our compassionate advisors specialize 
in assisting individuals with unique needs. Benefit 
from our extensive network and affordable options. 
Plus, we offer personalized tours to help you explore 
each community firsthand. 

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …AUGUST Birthdays*

Nancy Beckham, Karlene Englert, Juanita Fernandez, Jeanette 
Francis, Joseph Kiss, Jacquie Pergola, Pat Miranda, Margaret 
Aroyan, Phyllis Burg, Beverly Clifton, Rosemary Morabito, Susan 
Poulsen, Joy Barry, Marcia Bent, Joan Spears, Ruth Torres, Jane 
Zamanzadeh. Helen Stapenhorst, Chandy Shair, Heidi Hartman, 
Erma Gutierrez, Margaret Switzer

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


FUN LEARNING


Back-to-School Isn’t Just for Kids: Fall Learning 

Opportunities for Seniors

As children and teens head back to school this fall, many seniors 
are also getting ready to learn something new. Across the country, a 
growing number of older adults are embracing lifelong learning, taking 
advantage of the many educational opportunities offered in their 
communities.

Fall is the perfect time to explore new interests or revisit old passions. Community colleges, libraries, 
senior centers, and local universities are offering classes designed specifically for seniors. These range 
from art, history, and writing workshops to technology tutorials and fitness programs like yoga or tai chi.

For many seniors, learning is about more than gaining knowledge—it’s about staying mentally active, 
socially engaged, and emotionally fulfilled. Studies show that continuous learning can improve memory, 
reduce the risk of cognitive decline, and enhance overall well-being.

Many programs are free or low-cost, and with more virtual options available than ever be-fore, it’s easier 
to participate from the comfort of home. Online platforms now host every-thing from book clubs to foreign 
language classes, allowing seniors to stay connected and curious no matter where they are.

In-person programs are also making a strong return, offering opportunities to meet new people, share 
stories, and build community. These classes often foster intergenerational connections, as seniors join 
younger students in collaborative projects or mentorship programs.

Whether it’s learning how to use a new device, painting a landscape, or diving into local history, there’s 
no shortage of enriching experiences available this fall. The back-to-school season isn’t just for kids anymore—
it’s a season of growth and exploration for everyone, at every age.

Lifelong learning proves that it’s never too late to try something new. This fall, why not take the leap?


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder

HOW TO FIND A GREAT HANDYMAN

WHEN IT WAS, WAS A COOKIE


At least once a month The 
Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage 
and her daughter will 
spend a day visiting thrift 
stores in our community. I’m not sure, so 
don’t quote me, but I think there’s a 100-mile 
radius where they do their shopping.

 This past week was one of those 
days. As she was backing out of the driveway, 
I watched her and smiled as I waved 
goodbye. As she was going, something was 
bothering me, and I just couldn’t fig-ure out 
what it was.

 I closed the door, walked over to my 
easy chair and sat down for a few moments 
to finish drinking my coffee. I was trying to 
figure out what was bothering me, but nothing 
came to mind at the time. Finally, I just 
shrugged it off and got back to my day at 
hand.

 I had to go to the grocery store to 
pick up a few things for The Gracious Mistress 
of the Parsonage. As I got into the store, 
I walked past the bakery section. I wasn’t 
thinking about what I was doing, I was just 
focused on getting what I came to the store 
to get. Walking past the bakery store, it sudden-
ly came to mind what was bothering 
me. What it was, was a cookie.

 The last time I had a cookie is beyond 
my memory because cookies are The 
Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage’s no-no 
for our house. She is obsessed by sugar and 
works very hard to remove it from our culinary 
experience. According to her, sugar is 
not allowed in our home. Since I have to live 
here I had to comply with her desires.

 As I walked by the bakery section, 
I happened to notice it right in front of me. 
There were at least a dozen cookies wrapped 
up in front of me. I couldn’t help but go over 
and look at them, and the more I looked at 
them, the more appealing they seemed to 
be.

 I didn’t know which one to take, but 
all of a sudden there it was, a chocolate chip 
cookie. Who in the world doesn’t like chocolate 
chip cookies? In that cookie box were six 
wonderful chocolate chip cookies.

I picked it up, and then got what I came for, 
went to the checkout and got ready to go 
home.

 Driving home, the aroma of those 
chocolate chip cookies made the drive so 
enjoyable.

 I wasn’t sure what I would do with 
all six of those chocolate chip cookies, but I 
needed to work out a plan so The Gracious 
Mistress of the Parsonage wouldn’t catch me 
with them. That would be a disaster for me.

When I got home, I went to my office and 
opened the bottom drawer of my desk, 
where I put them. Of course, I had to take 
one out before I closed the drawer.

 As I munched on that chocolate chip 
cookie, my head was filled with the amazing 
aroma that just wouldn’t go away.

Before The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage 
got home, I had delighted myself with 
three of those chocolate chip cookies. It’s 
been a long time since I had cookies like 
that.

 I got to work on my latest project 
and was still working on it when The Gracious 
Mistress of the Parsonage got home 
and walked in the front door.

 As she walked in, I heard her mumbling, 
“What is that smell?”

She came into my office, looked at me, and 
said, “What is that smell throughout the 
house? You didn’t buy any cookies today 
while I was away, did you?”

 I sat there somewhat stunned. How 
in the world did she know about those cookies? 
I was very careful in hiding them in my 
desk. How would she know that there were 
any such things in the house?

I looked at her and shook my head and said, 
“I don’t smell anything. I don’t know what 
you’re talking about.”

 “There is a smell in this house that 
wasn’t here when I left this morning.” She 
just looked at me and was waiting for me to 
make a confession.

 I tried to hide my secret as long as 
I could. I wasn’t going to rat out on myself 
because I knew some of the consequences.

She then walked over to my desk and began 
sniffing. “That smell is here in your desk. 
What are you hiding in your desk?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I 
said, “I’ve been working here at my desk all 
day and I haven’t smell the thing.”

 I knew that in the bottom drawer of 
my desk were my last two cookies. I did not 
want her to know about it because my plans 
were to enjoy both of those cookies.

 Looking at me, she said with one 
of her smiles, “You do know I will find out 
what you’re hiding.”

 With that, she walked out of my office 
leaving me thinking on this. As I was 
thinking, I remem-bered a verse in the Bible. 
“For there is nothing covered, that shall 
not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be 
known,” (Luke 12:2).

.

My thoughts got me evaluating my situation. 
One thing that came to my mind was, 
if I can’t hide anything from the Gracious 
Mistress of the Parsonage, how do I think I 
can hide anything from God?

Dear Savvy Senior,

What’s the best way to find a good handyman 
or tradesman that can help with small 
jobs around the house?

Almost 75

Dear Almost,

It’s a great question. Finding a good home repair/handyman can be a bit of a crapshoot. How do you 
find someone who will return your calls or texts, show up on time, do the job right and finish it, all at 
a fair price? Here are a few tips and resources that can help you search.

What Kind of Help

While it may seem obvious, whom you call on for help will depend on what you need done. If, for 
example, you have an odd job or small home repair project that doesn’t require a lot of technical 
expertise, a handyperson may be all you need. But if you have a job that involves electricity, plumbing, 
or heating or cooling systems, you’re better off going with a licensed tradesman. Bigger jobs like home 
renovations or remodeling may require a general contractor.

Where to Find a Pro

Whatever type of work you need, the best way to find it is through referrals from people you trust. 
If your friends or family don’t have any recommendations turn to professionals in the field like local 
hardware or home improvement stores, or even real estate agents.

If you don’t have any luck here, there are a number of online resources you can turn to that can 
quickly connect you to a wide variety of skilled workers in your area.

If you need someone for a home chore or small job, a popular option is Taskrabbit (taskrabbit.com), 
which lists thousands of freelance workers (called Taskers) that have undergone background checks. 
Here you can get help with things like furniture assembly; lifting or moving heavy items; mounting or 
hanging TVs, shelfs or pictures; minor home repairs; cleaning services; yard work and more. Taskers 
set their own hourly rates, which are displayed on their website before you book.

Some other good options for locating handypeople are fix-it franchises like Ace Handyman (acehandymanservices.
com) and Mr. Handyman (mrhandyman.com). These companies vet and insure 
their staff, but they may be more expensive than Taskrabbit. Or, if you use social networking sites, you 
could also post a request for a handyperson in your Facebook group or on Nextdoor (nextdoor.com).

If, however, you’re in the market for specialist like a plumber, electrician, painter, roofer or carpenter 
as well as a handyperson, try Angi (angi.com). They too, vet their independent contractors, and will 
let you request quotes from several candidates.

Thumbtack (thumbtack.com) is another good resource that’s similar to Angi, but they offer more 
details like average response time, specifics about the work they do, and photos of past projects.

Things to Know 

Once you’ve located a few candidates, here are some steps you can take to protect your money and 
ensure you’re satisfied with the results. First, get a handwritten estimate or digital contract that list the 
tasks and the hourly rate or project fee.

Also, ask to see their proof of insurance, which covers any damages they may cause while working on 
your home, and ask for several references from past jobs.

You should also pay after the work is done, not before. But it’s not unusual to be asked for a small 
deposit for material costs upfront.

And if possible, you should pay with a credit card, because you can dispute the payment if something 
goes wrong with the job. Checks and electronic payments like PayPay, Venmo and Zelle don’t offer the 
same level of protection.

Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, 
Norman, OK 73070.

BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT IMPERSONATORS GO 
AFTER OLDER ADULTS’ LIFE SAVINGS

 Scammers posing as government agencies 
or well-known businesses are increasingly 
going after retirees’ life savings. They weave 
a web of lies about some bogus crisis. Then 
they trick older adults into giving them tens 
or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The scams start with lies designed to create 
a sense of urgency and fear.

• Lie #1: Someone is using your accounts. 
Scammers pretend to be a bank 
employee with a warning about suspicious 
account activity. Or claim to be an Amazon 
rep following up on potentially fraudulent 
purchases.

• Lie #2: Your information is being 
used to commit crimes. Scammers might 
say they're with the government and tell 
their target that their Social Security number 
is linked to se-rious crimes.

• Lie #3: There’s a security problem 
with your computer. This lie might start 
with a computer security alert that warns of 
a hacked computer with a phone number to 
call for help.

 Once they’ve convinced their mark that 
this crisis is real, they make empty promises 
and offer fake “help.” They say the only way 
to get out of the situation is to follow their 
very specific in-structions — which always 
involve moving money. They tell their target 
that doing so will pro-tect the money in 
their accounts or clear their name. Some say 
they're helping catch the “real” criminals.

 
A new FTC data spotlight report, False 
alarm, real scam: how scammers are stealing 
older adults’ life savings, shows that reports 
of losses to business and government imposters 
filed by older adults (60+) are soaring. 
Many reported losing tens and hundreds of 
thousands of dollars. In fact, reported losses 
of over $100,000 increased nearly sevenfold 
from 2020 to 2024.

 How can you protect yourself from a business 
or government imposter scam?

• Never transfer or send money to 
anyone in response to an unexpected call or 
message. Even if they claim you’re moving 
your money to “protect it.”

• Talk about it with someone you 
trust. Especially if the stranger on the phone 
says it’s se-rious, involves a crime, or claims 
to be from the government.

• If you think the message could be 
real, verify the story. Contact the organization 
in ques-tion using a phone number, 
website, or email address you know is real. 
Don't use the contact information in the unexpected 
message.

 Government agencies will never threaten 
you, and they’ll never tell you to transfer 
your money to “protect it,” deposit cash into 
Bitcoin ATMs, or hand off stacks of cash or 
gold to a courier. That’s a scam. Report it to 
the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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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