Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, November 16, 2019

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Mountain View News Saturday, November 16, 2019 


SENIOR HAPPENINGS


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …. November Birthdays

Flo Mankin, Alberta Curran, Carmela Frontino, Kathy Wood, Lena Zate, Joe Pergola, 
Janice Kacer, Valerie Howard, “Mike” Ruggles, Joan Ruggles, Lois Stueck, Jean Wood, 
Shirley Yergeau, , Pat Krok, Irene Nakagawa, Anna Ross, Mary Steinberg, Mary Bowser, 
Susan Clifton, Mary Higgins, Kim Buchanan, Leigh Thach and Sue Quinn.

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

HART PARK HOUSE MONTHLY PROGRAMS: 

Unless listed differently, all activities are at the Hart Park House (Senior Center) 222 W. Sierra 
Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre

Hawaiian & Polynesian Dance Class: Every Tuesday Morning from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. 
Join the class with Instructor Barbara Dempsey as she leads you in the art of Hula!

Bingo Time: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00 p.m. Cards are only $0.25 each! Everyone is welcome to play! Activity may 
be canceled if there are less than five people.

Free Blood Pressure Testing: 2nd Tuesdays Monthly from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. No appointment is necessary.

Brain Games: Every third Thursday of the month at 12:45-1:45pm Join us for Scattergories, a creative thinking game by 
naming objects within a set of categories; or Jenga, a block-building challenge that keeps you stacking and bal-ancing your 
tower. Everyone is welcome, and no experience is needed. A great way to strengthen your mind and make new friends... 
Games are facilitated by Senior Volunteers. Will Resume in September 2019

Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, August 14th from 10:30 a.m. - Noon. Attorney Lem Makupson is available for legal 
consultation. Specializing in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates and Injury. Please call the Hart Park House for an 
appointment, 626-355-5278 ext. 704.

Senior Club: Meets Saturdays, Weekly at Hart Park House Brown Bag Lunch, great company and bingo at 11:30 a.m.

Chair Yoga: Mondays & Wednesdays 11:00 - 11:45 a.m. with Paul Hagen. Classes include Yoga and balance exercises. All 
ability levels are encouraged and welcomed!

Birthday Celebration: Every 2nd Thursday Monthly at the Hart Park House. Share free birthday cake and ice cream 
kindly provided by the Senior Community Commission!

Game Day: Every Thursday Monthly 12:00 Noon come into the Hart Park House and join a lively poker game with 
friends!

Free Strength Training Class: Fridays 12:45 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. with Lisa Brandley.light weights, low impact resistance 
training and body conditioning. Class equipment provided.

Gentle Yoga for Active Seniors: Every Monday & Wednesday from 8:15 - 9:45 a.m. with Andrea Walsh at the Hart Park 
House. Classes include complete floor relaxation, standing and floor postures, balancing, and featuring extended 
meditations on the fourth Wednesdays of the month! Call (626)-355-5278 for more information.


NOVEMBER EXCURSION 

NOVEMBER 15, 2019 (SANTA BARBARA) 10:15 A.M.-5:45 P.M.

The Santa Barbara Bird Sanctuary is a 501 (C)(3) non-profit organization that is 
dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of unwanted, abused, and orphaned companion parrots. Our 

sanctuary is currently home to more than 60 large parrots, many of which have behavioral or medical 
conditions that prevent them from being adopted. With a lifespan of up to 80 years and the intelligence 
level of a 3 year old child, these birds require an enormous commitment that the average person 
finds difficult to fulfill. 

Following a self-guided tour of the facility our group will enjoy the W.O.W. (World of Wings) program 
where we can get up-close and personal with their flock of avian ambassadors. Discover a vast array 
of species in all their glorious shapes, colors and sized as we explore their geographical distribution. 
Learn about personality and behavioral traits attributed to different types 
of parrots; which ones talk, who is sweet and cuddly, and who is the most intelligent.

$25.00 ****Level of Walking: LOW Money for lunch and souvenirs is optional. 
Sierra Madre registration is 10/29-11/4. Non resident begins 11/5 online or in person. 


HOW TO KNOW WHEN AN 
OLDER PARENT HAS A 
GAMBLING PROBLEM

Dear Savvy Senior:

I’m worried that my 76-year-old father has 
become addicted to gambling. He spends at least 
two days a week at an Indian casino about a half-hour’s drive from his house playing slot machines. 
What can I do? Worried Daughter

Dear Worried:

Problem gambling among older adults is unfortunately on the rise. Studies suggest that more 
than 4 million Americans, age 65 and older, could have a gambling problem. The reasons behind 
this growing problem are because seniors have time and money on their hands and the influx of 
casinos that have cropped up around the country have made access to gambling much more convenient. 
Here’s what you should know, along with some tips and resources that can help your dad 
if he does indeed have a problem.

Problem Gambling

For most older adults, gambling is simply a fun recreational activity, but for those who become 
addicted to it, it can be a devastating disease that can financially wipe them out.

There are a number of reasons why seniors can be vulnerable to gambling problems. For starters, 
seniors are often catered to by casinos with free bus transportation, free drinks, discounted meals, 
special rewards and other prizes as a way to entice them.

In addition, many seniors use gambling as a way to distract or escape feelings of loneliness, depression 
or even a chronic health condition. Some may have financial problems they are seeking 
to overcome. And some may have cognitive impairment that interferes with their ability to make 
sound decisions.

Adding to the problem is that many seniors may not understand addiction, making them less 
likely to identify a gambling problem. Or they may be confused or embarrassed that they can’t 
control their urges to gamble and reluctant to seek help because they think that at their age, they 
should know better. And even if they recognize that they have a problem, they may not know that 
help is available or where to get it.

You should also know that while there are many gambling options for people to get hooked on 
today, casino slot machines are far and away the most popular among seniors. Slot machines are 
much more addictive then the old machines of yesteryear with spinning lemons, cherries and 
melons. Many of today’s slot machines offer intense sensory stimulation with large video screens, 
music and vibrating, ergonomic chairs.

Get Help

How can you know if your dad has a gambling problem? Gamblers Anonymous offers a 20-question 
online test at GamblersAnonymous.org that he can take to help determine if he has a problem. 
In the meantime, here are some questions you can ask to help evaluate his situation.

Is he preoccupied with gambling, constantly talking about it, or planning to gamble versus doing 
his normal activities?

Is he gambling more and more money to get the same level of excitement?

Is he using his retirement funds or other savings to gamble, or is he pawning or selling personal 
items to get money to gamble with?

Has he lost control to the point that he can’t set a limit of time and money to spend in the casino, 
and stick to it?

Does he become uncomfortable, angry or lie when you ask him about his gambling activities?

 If your dad answers yes to any of these questions, he may have a problem. To find help contact the 
National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPgambling.org), a non-profit organization that operates 
a 24-hour national hotline at 800-522-4700. They can direct you to resources in your area, 
including counselors who have been trained through the National Certified Gambler Counseling 
Program.

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.

MEALS - ON - WHEELS PROGRAM

The Home Delivered Meals Program provides healthy meals to homebound Seniors 60 and above. Seven 
frozen meals, milk, bread and fruit are included and delivered once a week. $3 Donation per meal is 
suggested but remains completely anonymous and voluntary. Clients must be eligible and we invite you 
to contact YWCA Intervale Senior Services at 626-214-9467. SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT 
NOTICE SUGGESTED DONATION $3.00 1% LOW FAT MILK INCLUDED

OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder


WHAT'S IN A NAME ANYWAY?

I cannot express how ecstatic I 
was when someone gave me a 
coupon for a free donut. Normally, 
I am not overly excited 
about “free.”

All I had to do was fill out a little survey online and 
they would send me a code that would guaran-tee 
me a free donut. In my “daily diary diet,” I have 
a whole section devoted to the subject that when 
a forbidden food is free it cancels out all calories.

When I first told the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, 
she looked at me rather strangely and said, 
“Who said that?”

I know we are both getting old but we are not that 
old!

I got close to her, waved my hand so she could see 
me and said, “It’s me. I just said it. Can you hear 
me now?”

“That is not funny. You know exactly what I meant.”

My grin drained from my face and I said to her, 
“Well, I said it.”

“Did,” she said inquisitively, “anybody ever say that 
before you said it?”

My wife has many talents, skills and gifts. It would 
be difficult for me to say which is her best gift but 
at the moment, her greatest skill is backing me into 
a corner. And in a corner, I was thus backed.

I then had to explain to her, in detail, how this was 
an observation I worked through with much re-
search. This is an original with me and I am quite 
proud to be the author.

All she said was, “Huh, that is exactly what I 
thought.”

I will go to my grave believing when a donut is free 
it means it is free of calories. Call it what you will 
but free by any other name is still free in my personal 
dictionary.

Getting back to my free donut. I was anxious to get 
to the donut shop, cash in the coupon and en-joy 
a donut. I do not know when the best time to eat a 
donut is, so I just started at my convenience.

I got at the donut shop and walked in and the smell 
was overpowering. Nothing like the smell of donuts 
baking in the oven with a hint of coffee brewing 
in the background. I just stood there for a few 
seconds absorbing the luxury of this marvelous atmosphere. 
It is not often I can enjoy such luxuries, 
especially if my wife knows where I am.

When I became adjusted to the ambiance, I walked 
up to the counter and presented my coupon for a 
free donut. It was at that moment I saw them.

I know I am not the most observant person at the 
circus. Many things get by me without noticing 
them. Sometimes I am just in deep thought and 
not aware of my surroundings. I can relate to Walter 
Mitty in many ways.

There they were, freshly baked Apple Fritters. I was 
stunned. It just never crossed my mind that a donut 
shop would have this kind of delicious tidbit. 
But there they were. Freshly baked and staring at 
me with alluring eyes of desire.

I do not know how much better a day can get than 
this. When I got up this morning, I did not real-
ize this would be a wonderful day. There they were 
staring at me and I stared back and immediately 
there was a connection.

Standing in line I could hardly wait for my turn 
to order. I presented my coupon for a free donut 
and the young woman behind the counter said, 
“Which donut can I get for you, sir?”

I savored the moment, licked my drying lips and 
said, “I’ll have an Apple Fritter.” With that said, I 
sighed a deep sigh of true contentment.

“I’m sorry, sir,” the young woman said.

“There is no need to be sorry, young lady,” I said as 
cheerfully as I possibly could.

“No, sir, I’m sorry but an Apple Fritter is not a 
donut.”

I can take a joke as well as anybody else. In fact, 
I have put forth my share of jokes. However, an 
Apple Fritter is no joking matter.

“Excuse me,” I said almost breathlessly.

“An Apple Fritter is not a donut, so what donut 
would you like me to get for you?”

The thought began unfolding in my mind at this 
point that she was not joking. She sincerely be-
lieved an Apple Fritter was not a donut. I know an 
Apple Fritter is among the Cadillac of donuts but 
in my mind, it is still a donut.

I did not have much opportunity to set this young 
woman straight with one of the great fundamen-
tals of life. I had to take one of her “free” donuts 
along with my coffee, go to a corner and think 
about these things. What good is “free” if it is not 
really what you want?

Sometimes people use the word “free” as a device 
to get you to a place where they can sell you something 
else.

The Bible is the only place I will accept a “free” offer. 
One particular verse sets this forth quite nicely. 
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall 
make you free” (John 8:32 KJV).

This is often used out of context. The truth that 
makes us free indeed is none other than the truth 
about Jesus Christ. He is the only One capable of 
delivering something absolutely free.

Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God 
Fellowship, PO Box 831313, Ocala, FL 34483. He 
lives with his wife, Martha, in Silver Springs Shores. 
Call him at 1-866-552-2543 or e-mail jamessnyder2@
att.net. His web site is www.jamessnyderministries.
com.


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