Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, February 1, 2020

10

 Mountain Views News Saturday, February 1, 2020 


SENIOR HAPPENINGS

HOW TO DETECT 
PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Dear Savvy Senior:

What are the early warning signs of Parkinson’s 
disease? I was just diagnosed with it after noticing 
hand tremors for nearly a year, but looking back, I’m wondering if I missed any other early warning 
signs. Tremoring Tom

Dear Tom:

The Holy Grail in any progressive disease is to find it early enough to start effective treatment 
before irreversible damage has occurred. But recognizing the early warning signs of Parkinson’s 
disease is challenging because they’re usually subtle and can be easily overlooked, dismissed or 
even misdiagnosed.

Parkinson’s disease, which afflicts around 1 million Americans, is a degenerative disorder that 
occurs when the brain’s dopamine-producing neurons die or become impaired. This happens in 
the part of the brain that controls movement, which can cause tremors (or shaking), stiffness, and 
difficulty with walking, balance, and coordination.

The symptoms usually begin gradually and get worse over time, and the progression of symptoms 
is often different from one person to another. Some people with Parkinson’s become severely disabled, 
while others may experience only minor motor disruptions.

While the cause of Parkinson’s disease is unknow, scientists believe genetics and environmental 
factors (exposure to certain toxins) play a key role. Most people with Parkinson’s first develop the 
disease around age 60 or older, and men are more likely to develop it than are women.

Early Warning Signs

Parkinson’s disease is difficult to diagnose because there’s no definitive test to confirm it. Doctors, 
usually neurologists, will do an examination and evaluate a combination of warning signs, but 
symptoms can vary greatly by patient which often leads to confusion and misdiagnosis. That said, 
here are some of the key signs and symptoms everyone should know.

Trouble sleeping: Thrashing around in bed or acting out dreams – kicking or punching – when 
asleep. This is a REM sleep behavior disorder and one of the strongest and earliest pre-diagnostic 
symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Loss of smell: Not being able to smell certain foods very well like bananas, dill pickles or licorice. 
This too is one of the earliest symptoms.

Constipation: Problems with digestion and bowel movements are a big problem for people with 
Parkinson’s, and an early sign that can occur up to 20 years before this disease is diagnosed.

Changes in handwriting: Writing may become harder to do, and your handwriting may appear 
much smaller than it has in the past.

Tremors: Slight shaking or tremor in your finger, thumb, hand or chin. The tremor usually happens 
at rest, and when you move the extremity it may disappear. This is the most common and 
recognizable outward sign of Parkinson’s disease, but by the time tremors start, the brain has 
already lost more than half of its dopamine-producing cells.

Slowed movement: Over time, Parkinson’s disease can slow movements, making simple tasks difficult 
and time-consuming. Your steps may become shorter when you walk. It may be difficult to 
get out of a chair. You may drag your feet as you try to walk.

Speech changes: Speaking softly, quickly, slurring or hesitating before talking. Your speech may be 
more of a monotone rather than with the usual inflections.

Loss of automatic movements: Decreased ability to perform unconscious movements, like blinking, 
smiling or swinging your arms when you walk.

Impaired posture and balance: Stooping, leaning or slouching when you stand, and/or balance 
problems can all be a sign of Parkinson’s.

Treatments

Currently, there is no known cure for Parkinson’s disease, but there are a variety of medications 
that can provide relief from the symptoms. In some later cases, surgery may be advised. Other 
treatments include lifestyle modifications, like getting more rest and exercise.

For more information, visit the Parkinson’s Foundation at Parkinson.org.

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! …January Birthdays*

Beatrice DaRe, Cathrine Adde, Hilda Pittman, Anne-Marie Stockdale, Susan 
Henderson, Allie Attay, Ursula El-Tawansy, Gladys Moser, Sylvia Lorhan, Ana 
Ptanski, Winifred Swanson , Janet Gillespie, Marian DeMars, Vickie Vernon, 
Mary Beth Knox, Sharon Lefler. 

 * 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, February 12th 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 1st & 3rd Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m.

February 5th “Moonstruck” PG; 1 
hr. 42 min.

Loretta Castorini, a bookkeeper 
from Brooklyn, New York, finds 
herself in a difficult situation when 
she falls for the brother of the man 
that she has agreed to marry

 

February 19th “Hope Floats” 
PG-13; 1 hr. 54 min

Birdee Calvert choose between 
her morals and her heart after 
her husband divorces her and a 
charming young man, who her 
daughter disapproves of, comes 
back into her life.


AUTRY MUSEUM (LOS ANGELES)—LOS ANGELES

*Date: Thursday, February 20th *Time: 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. *Cost: $20 per 
person

Don't miss a visit to this historic museum and the once in a lifetime exhibit Master 
of the American West Art Exhibition and Sale. See paintings and sculptures by 
more than 60 nationally recognized, contemporary Western artists. A one hour 
docent-led tour of the exhibit will be given upon arrival.

* Lunch will be on your own at the Crossroads West Café at the Autry;

* Participants should bring money for lunch & souvenirs;

* Level of Walking: Medium;

* Bus departs from the Hart Park House Senior Center at 9:00am and returns at 2:30 p.m.

 Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure. 

Sierra Madre Resident Registration starts Monday, January 27, 2020 through Tuesday, February 4, 
2020. Non-Resident Registration starts online or in-person on Wednesday, February 5, 2020.


DECREASE INFLAMMATION SEMINAR 

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH

Dr. Ray Pevey of Arcadia Chiropractic Center will provide extensive insight into the topic of 
nutrition to decrease inflammation. High levels of inflammation in the body can lead to many 
serious medical conditions. Some of which but not limited to are diabetes, dementia, arthritis, 
digestive disorders, heart disease, stroke and many more. Learn how to control inflammation 
through chiropractic, diet and exercise and enjoy a healthy lifestyle in today’s world. 

This seminar meets February 10, from 12:15 p.m.-1:00 pm. If you would like to have lunch please 
make reservation 24 hours in advance by calling the lunch service phone line at 355-0256.


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder

IN PRAISE OF CRAZY 

I made a mistake the other night of complaining 
out loud. It is one thing to complain under your 
breath so that nobody hears you or knows what 
you are complaining about. But when you complain 
out loud, then you run the chance of somebody 
hearing you.

The somebody I was most concerned about was 
the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. Some 
things are meant to be kept to yourself and for 
obvious reasons.

For some reason, who knows what it was, I let 
my guard down and vocalized my complaining. 
I must confess that it rather caught me off guard.

"What are you complaining about," my wife said, 
directing the question to me.

At first, I did not know what she was talking 
about because I did not realize that I was vocalizing 
my complaints.

All I could say at the time was, “Did I say that out 
loud?”

My wife has a delicate way of backing me in a corner 
where I have to say what is on my mind. Fortunately, 
I do not have much of a mind for anything 
to get on. Unfortunately, my tongue is not 
attached to anything, and so it is loosey-goosey.

What I was complaining about were all the crazy 
people, particularly on television. Just when you 
think you have seen the craziest thing, something 
or someone else takes the lead in the race 
to crazyville.

Since my wife asked me, I let go on a very eloquent 
rant against crazy. At this point, I forget the 
exact crazy that set me off. But it does not matter. 
If it were not one thing, it would be another thing. 
I have tried throughout my life to be an equal crazy 
complainer. If you are crazy, you can be sure I 
am going to complain about you.

“You, in particular,” my wife was directing this toward 
me, “ought to be quite thankful about all the 
crazy people in the world.”

That set me off on another rant. I am not thankful 
for the crazy people in this world. The less 
crazy people, the better I am going to like it. And 
I made the mistake of telling her exactly what I 
thought about that. We do not need more crazy 
people, I argued. Someone in Congress ought to 
pass a law against crazy.

While I said that, it occurred to me that most of 
the crazy people are in Congress.

I do not want more crazy people in this world. 
Enough is enough already, move on.

“Really,” my wife argued, “you ought to be happy 
about all the crazy people in the world.”

At this point, I was tempted to direct my complaining 
toward her. But you know what that 
would mean, and so do I.

I finally broke down and asked 
her what in the world she was 
talking about.

One thing I have learned 
throughout the years of marital 
bliss is, if you ask your wife to tell 
you something, she will do it. But I was desperate 
and needed a little bit of clarification.

She looked at me, paused as if she was collecting 
her thoughts, then said, "You should be thankful 
there are so many crazy people out in the world. 
The more crazy people there are, the more you 
are going to fit in. If for some reason, we could 
eliminate all the crazy people in the world, you 
would be a very lonely person."

She continued her explanation by saying, "Every 
crazy person takes the focus away from you. If 
there were not enough crazy people out in the 
world, people would focus on you, complaining 
about how crazy you are."

You do not have to hit me over the head with a 
hammer. That is the thing about my wife. When 
she is right, she is right.

At least it gave me a new perspective on the world 
around me. Also, a new appreciation for crazy. I 
began to see her point of view, as humbling as it 
was, and realize that crazy has a place.

As I further thought about this, I began to realize 
everybody is crazy only in different areas of their 
life. Some people’s crazy is more noticeable than 
others are, but everybody has that crazy gene. I 
guess that is what makes us human.

After some deep reflection on the subject, I have 
come to the point where I want to praise crazy. I 
never thought of it along this line, but everybody 
has the right to change his or her mind about anything. 
Personally, I would like to change my mind 
for one that really works. When I find one that’s 
exactly what I’m going to do.

One man’s crazy is another man’s delight. What is 
crazy to one person may be something rather important 
and enjoyable to another. After all, who 
am I to say what is crazy and what is not crazy. It 
is important to find someone else with something 
that you can truly appreciate.

I thought about that and what Solomon said, “Be 
not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and 
depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, 
and marrow to thy bones” (Proverbs 3:7-8).

Instead of spending so much time complaining 
about other people, I need to exercise the fine art 
of appreciation and learn how to praise people on 
their terms.

Dr. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, 
1471 Pine Road, Ocala, FL 34472. He lives 
with his wife in Silver Springs Shores. Call him at 352-
687-4240 or e-mail jamessnyder2@att.net. The church 
web site is www.whatafellowship.com.

THE MISSING PAGE

Real Life Tips from LIfe's Instruction Manual


LANDING MY HELICOPTER 
AND BUILDING A LIFE

I'm excited about the next decade. When the 
year 2009 whimpered to a close for me, I was 
bored to tears. My daughter was my entire 
world, and she would soon be starting college. 
I recall muttering to myself, within earshot of 
my kid, "I could have a life beside parenting 
her," and she choked on her tea as she laughed 
in my face. Truthfully, I needed the convincing. 
My life was a giant snoozefest. My top 
concerns were lining up all of her necessities, 
college tours that she didn't want to do, scoring 
Coachella tickets for her, and making sure her 
prom experience was spectacular. I was a busy 
body, the ultimate helicopter mom on steroids, 
doing all of the things. 

If she needed art supplies, I never bothered to 
make a decision. I bought them all: the good, 
better, and best. She could run an art school 
and wouldn't need to buy a thing. Her portfolio 
was built with my assistance, even if my 
contribution was invisible on the page. 

After she got her driver's license, I still shuttled 
her the vast expanse of Los Angeles county, 
schlepping her to art classes, meetings, and her 
MOCA internship. 

If she had a problem, I tried to fix it. 

That nasty personal stuff was the only thing 
off-limits. I, somehow, managed to remember 
boundaries when it came to relationships with 
peers.

Once she left for college, I knew I had to build 
a life for myself, not just for her but for me. I 
forced myself to stop building bridges over all 
of her obstacles.

I teased the question of what my life could be 
if I centered myself around what I wanted to 
be, do, and have. 
It wasn't an easy 
process. At first, 
I transferred my 
rescued talents 
to other women, 
and I invited at 
least seven different 
women to 
stay with me from 
time to time. 

When I looked at my life, it was dismal, and I 
didn't know where to begin. Every time someone 
asked me what I wanted, I would think of 
someone else. I want to help my cousin increase 
the annual revenue of her company, or 
attract more prestigious board members for the 
art center. Still, I had no idea what I wanted. 
Guess what, with focused attention both of the 
companies achieved those goals, and my life 
was still empty.

In the last decade, I've faced my desire. I dared 
myself to want more.

 The hardest, most challenging experiences 
reaped great rewards. I have met new people, 
traveled a lot more, and widen my circle. I have 
met and made friends with people around the 
world.

I did this by working with a mentor.

Studying success and applying what I learned. 
I love helping people, and now I do that in an 
organized, effective way.

As a leadership coach and mentor, I get to share 
all of the fantastic things that I've learned. 

If you ever want to know more about what I'm 
up to, I share lots of stuff on Instagram check 
me out @thehappyblackwomanlawyerproj.

What would you learn and contribute if you 
centered your life around your desires? 

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