Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, December 14, 2019

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Mountain View News Saturday, December 14, 2019 


SENIOR HAPPENINGS


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! ….December Birthdays*

Maria Decker, Nancy Dorn, Prudence Levine Pat Karamitros, Joan Hufnagel, Mary 
Alice Cervera, Carol Horejsi, Shirley Anhalt, Helen Reese, Levon Yapoujian, Toni 
Buckner, Lottie Bugl, Pat McGuire, Sheila Wohler, Nan Murphy, Eleanor Hensel, Sylvia 
Curl, Elizabeth Levie, Gayle Licher, Cindy Barran, and Melissa Stute.

 * 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. 

Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, December 18th 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.


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

SENIOR CINEMA


SCROOGED December 4th “Scrooged” PG-41; 1 hr. 41 min.

A selfish, cynical television executive is haunted by three spirits bearing lessons 
on Christmas Eve

 

 "THE MAN WHO INVENTED 
CHRISTMAS" 

December 18th "The Journey that led to Charles Dickens "A 
Christmas Carol", a timeless tale that would redefine Christmas

WHY THE RISK OF HEART ATTACK RISES IN WINTER

Dear Savvy Senior:

I’ve read that people with heart problems need to be extra careful during the winter months 
because heart attacks are much more common. Why is this?

Cautions Senior

Dear Cautious:

Everyone knows winter is cold and flu season, 
but many don’t know that it’s also the 
prime season for heart attacks too, especially 
if you already have heart disease or have suffered 
a previous heart attack. Here’s what you 
should know, along with some tips to help you protect yourself.

In the U.S., the risk of having a heart attack during the winter months is twice as high 
as it is during the summertime. Why? There are a number of factors, and they’re not all 
linked to cold weather. Even people who live in warm climates have an increased risk. 
Here are the areas you need to pay extra attention to this winter

 

Cold temperatures: When a person gets cold, the body responds by constricting the 
blood vessels to help the body maintain heat. This causes blood pressure to go up and 
makes the heart work harder. Cold temperatures can also increase levels of certain proteins 
that can thicken the blood and increase the risk for blood clots. So, stay warm this 
winter, and when you do have to go outside, make sure you bundle up in layers with 
gloves and a hat, and place a scarf over your mouth and nose to warm up the air before 
you breathe it in.

Snow shoveling: Studies have shown that heart attack rates jump dramatically in the first 
few days after a major snowstorm, usually a result of snow shoveling. Shoveling snow 
is a very strenuous activity that raises blood pressure and stresses the heart. Combine 
those factors with the cold temperatures and the risks for heart attack surges. If your 
sidewalk or driveway needs shoveling this winter, hire a kid from the neighborhood to 
do it for you, or use a snow blower. Or, if you must shovel, push rather than lift the snow 
as much as possible, stay warm, and take frequent breaks.

New Year’s resolutions: Every Jan. 1, millions of people join gyms or start exercise programs 
as part of their New Year’s resolution to get in shape, and many overexert themselves 
too soon. If you’re starting a new exercise program this winter, take the time to 
talk to your doctor about what types and how much exercise may be appropriate for you.

Winter weight gain: People tend to eat and drink more and gain more weight during 
the holiday season and winter months, all of which are hard on the heart and risky for 
someone with heart disease. So, keep a watchful eye on your diet this winter and avoid 
binging on fatty foods and alcohol.

Shorter days: Less daylight in the winter months can cause many people to develop 
“seasonal affective disorder” or SAD, a wintertime depression that can stress the heart. 
Studies have also looked at heart attack patients and found they usually have lower levels 
of vitamin D (which comes from sunlight) than people with healthy hearts. To boost 
your vitamin D this winter, consider taking a supplement that contains between 1,000 
and 2,000 international units (IU) per day.

Flu season: Studies show that people who get flu shots have a lower heart attack risk. 
It’s known that the inflammatory reaction set off by a flu infection can increase blood 
clotting which can lead to heart attacks in vulnerable people. So, if you haven’t already 
done so this year, get a flu shot for protection. And, if you’ve never been vaccinated 
for pneumococcal pneumonia, you should consider getting these two shots (given 12 
months apart) too. 

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. 


DECEMBER EXCURSION 

* As this is a rain-or-shine event, consider bringing an umbrella in case it rains.

* Lots of great food and drinks are available at the Zoo;

* Spending money is optional for your purchase of lunch & souvenirs;

* Level of Walking: High

Glowing animals welcome you on an unforgettable nighttime journey that includes the world’s largest 
illuminated pop-up storybook, a magical disco ball forest, giant glittering snowflakes, and a twinkling 
tunnel filled with dynamic swirls of color. L.A. Zoo Lights is a not-to-be-missed holiday light experience 
and has grown brighter every year since its debut in 2014. This year’s event features more light 
animals than ever before, spectacular new additions – both hand-crafted and high-tech – and returning 
favorites. 

Take a self-guided 60- to 90-minute stroll through a large area of the Zoo filled with wildlife-inspired 
displays, dynamic lights and projections, immersive interactive experiences, fabulous photo ops, and 
seasonal magic. Enter a fantastical realm to discover more light animals than ever before – with tigers, 
lions, macaws, monkeys, meerkats, and flamingos “decorating” the Zoo just for you! 

**Last Registration Date is Tuesday, December 10, 2019**


LA ZOO LIGHT SHOW (LOS ANGELES)

DECEMBER 17TH 5:00 P.M.- 9:30 P.M

$25 PER PERSON


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder

WHERE DOES SANTA GET HIS NAUGHTY OR NICE LIST? 

This week the Gracious Mistress of 
the Parsonage approached me with 
a serious question.

As far as I am concerned, life is full 
of questions, but coming from her, I need to be very 
careful. I have found out that a question with her is not 
merely a question. It can be a whole lot more than that 
with multiple layers. I am still trying to figure out the 
dimensions of her questions.

If I do not understand her question, my answer is going 
to get me into trouble. Believe me; I know what trouble 
is all about.

I have several cats in the neighborhood that I feed. I am 
not sure where they come from, but they show up at the 
back porch for the free treats I put out for them. This has 
also attracted possums, raccoons, and foxes that come 
for the treats I have there for them.

Most of them are somewhat antsy and try to stay out of 
trouble as much as possible. I can certainly relate to that.

Last week my wife purchased a brand-new rug for the 
back porch. It was red and looked very nice. Showing it 
to me, she said, "Make sure you don't spill anything on 
this new rug."

I must not have been the only one who heard that. Ever 
since then, none of my "critters" coming to my back 
porch has walked on that rug. They all walk around it 
and stare at it as though it is something very special.

I understood their dilemma since I have faced that dilemma 
many times myself.

However, the question posed to me by the Gracious Mistress 
of the Parsonage was, “Are you on Santa’s naughty 
or nice list this year?”

Hearing that question caused me some trepidation. If 
anybody knows the difference between naughty and 
nice, it has to be my wife. I assume that Good Old Santa 
gets advice on this from my wife. If I am on his naughty 
list, then I know who put me there.

I am not sure I can remember any time that I was on his 
nice list. There must be a story behind that, I am sure.

Precisely, what does it mean to be naughty from Santa's 
point of view?

For a moment, the temptation danced in my mind to ask 
my wife about this, but I was sure if I did, she would tell 
me and tell me more than I actually wanted to know.

I tried reflecting over the year to see if there was any 
indication that I crossed the line somewhere into the 
naughty area. I could not think of any, but I am sure I 
was overlooking something.

The thing I try to figure out is, how do I get on his nice 
list? Is there something I can do to get off the naughty 
list? I am open to all kinds of suggestions here.

It is not that I am worried about being on Santa's naughty 
list. I can handle that. I simply do not want to be on 
my wife's naughty list. That certainly is my goal in life. I 
will do anything within reason (if I had any reason) to 
not only get on her nice list but to stay there.

I must confess there are times when I lean toward the 
naughty. I hope Santa never sees me in that stage of my 
life. More importantly, I hope my wife never sees me at 
that stage.

Naughty, for me, is doing something behind my wife's 
back. For instance: eating an Apple Fritter is best done 
behind my wife's back. If she sees me eating an Apple 
Fritter, she will remind me that it is not on my diet.

When she says, "my diet," she is referring to her diet imposed 
upon me. If you look at my diet, it includes Apple 
Fritters and a whole lot more not on hers.

Personally, I do not consider it naughty to eat according 
to my diet. I do not know of anything nicer than sitting 
down with a nice hot cup of coffee and a fresh Apple Fritter. 
Then, it is a lot nicer when I am not caught.

As to the question, am I on Santa's naughty or nice list, I 
am not quite sure. All year long, I tried to stay out of the 
naughty and focus on the nice. I must confess it is difficult 
trying to focus on being nice when naughty comes 
so much easier.

Another consideration is, why should somebody who 
only visits once a year know anything about whether I’m 
naughty or nice? How can their judgment be correct if 
they do not keep tabs on me all year long?

So, to answer my wife's question, I simply said, "I believe 
I'm on his nice list this year."

She simply looked at me with one of “those looks” and 
I knew that her belief and my belief were on different 
pages.

I thought about what I read in the Bible a couple of days 
ago. Something King Solomon said. "That thou mayest 
walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the 
righteous” (Proverbs 2:20).

The important thing is not if I’m naughty or nice or if 
I’m on Santa’s list. The important thing is to surround 
myself with “good men.” The companions I keep are the 
ones that will help me walk in the path of righteousness.


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