Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, July 3, 2021

Mountain View News Saturday, July 3, 2021 

TOP SMARTPHONES FOR TECH-SHY SENIORS 

Dear Savvy Senior:
Can you recommend some good smartphones for older seniors? 
I would like to get my 78-year-old mother to upgrade 
to a smartphone but want something that’s easy for her to 
see and use. Shopping Around 

Dear Shopping:
There are actually several smartphones I can recommend 
that will provide your mother a simpler, less intimidating 
smartphone experience. Here are my top three options. 

Apple iPhones: Because of the quality and functionality of Apple products, an iPhone is a great 
choice for seniors who are inexperienced with technology. But, to make it easier for you mom to use, 
you’ll need to set it up and customize it to meet her needs and preferences. 
To set-up your mom’s iPhone and make it senior-friendly, start by cleaning-up/decluttering the 
home screen, which you can do by deleting the apps your mom won’t use and hiding the apps she’ll 
rarely use in labeled folders or the App Library. The fewer options the better!

 You’ll also want to set up a small number of contacts (with photos) to family and friends that your 
mom frequently communicates with and install some apps she would enjoy using. 

 And finally, iPhones have a wide variety of built-in accessibility features you can turn on depending 
on your mom’s needs. These features, which you access through the phone’s settings, can help users 
that have diminished vision, hearing impairment, hand dexterity problems or cognitive loss.

 Some popular accessibility features among older iPhone users include larger text and icon display, 
zoom (screen magnification), magnifier (turns iPhone into a magnifying glass), increased volume 
and alerts, voice control, find my iPhone, and emergency SOS and medical ID set up. But there are 
dozens of other tweaks you can make to enhance your mom’s experience with her iPhone. 

 For a rundown of the different accessibility features and instructions on how to set them up, see 
Apple.com/accessibility. 

If you’re interested in this option, the iPhone 12 (5G, 6.1-inch display screen, $800) or iPhone 12 
mini (5G, 5.4-inch screen, $700) are excellent choices. Or, for a more budget-friendly phone consider 
the iPhone SE (4.7-inch screen, $400) that came out in 2020. 

Samsung Galaxy: If you’re an android phone user and would like to get your mom a phone that 
you’re familiar with, you should consider a Samsung. 

 All Samsung phones offer an “Easy Mode” feature in their settings that boosts the text and icon size, 
and simplifies the home-screen layout and contacts, which makes these phones a nice option for 
seniors or tech-newbies. 

 These phones also have a variety of accessibility features – see Samsung.com/us/accessibility/galaxy-
mobile for instructions – that can accommodate your mom’s needs. 
The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (6.2-inch screen, $800) or more moderately priced Galaxy A71 5G 
(6.7-inch screen, $600) are good choices to consider here. 

Lively Smart: Another less expensive option to consider is to purchase your mom a smartphone that’s 
specifically designed for seniors. The best one available is the new Lively Smart offered by Best Buy.

 This phone has a 6.2-inch screen, large text and a simple list-based menu that provides one-touch 
access to frequently used features like video chat, camera, email and more. It also offers a nice variety 
of optional health and safety features you can add on like: 
· Urgent Response, which is a mobile medical alert service that would connect your mom to a 
Lively agent in emergency situations, 24/7, who would confirm her location and get her the help she 
needs. 
· Urgent Care, which would let your mom to speak to a registered nurse or board-certified doctor 
anytime. 
· Lively Link, which is an app that sends alerts to family and friends if your mom calls urgent 
response. 
· Personal Operator Service, who can assist your mom with tasks like helping find addresses, setting 
up appointments booking Lively Rides through a partnership with Lyft and much more.

 The Lively Smart is available online at Lively.com or at Best Buy stores for $150. 

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. 

FAMILY MATTERS By Marc Garlett 


AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY AND 
THOUGHTS OF LEGACY 

As we go into the Independence Day holiday, I’m thinking about legacy in 
terms of what I want to ensure my children to know about the country of 
their birth. They already know their maternal grandparents, as teenagers, 
fled the work camp where they were interned during the horror that was the 
Cultural Revolution in China. Together they escaped and made an arduous 
weeks long journey, only moving at night, subsisting on just a small amount 
of rice each day, becoming separated when their small party was ambushed 
by soldiers (and several members of their party were killed or captured), 
separately making their way to the coast, slipping into the water under cover 

of darkness, and swimming all night until finally making it to Hong Kong – and freedom – where 
they were reunited and later married. 

These two incredibly brave souls then immigrated to the United States for the opportunities this 
nation offered them with nothing more than the clothes on their backs and a couple hundred dollars 
in their pockets. They worked hard every day, made something of themselves, gave a better life to their 
children (one of whom is my wife!), and became U.S. citizens. They love this country because, despite 
being ripped out of school as kids and denied an education, having little money and no connections 
when they arrived here, not speaking the language or understanding the culture, they were simply 
given opportunity. And that’s all they wanted. 

My kids know all of that. They also know American values are currently under attack. They see it on 
the news, they hear it at school. And I’m actually okay with that. They should know the truth about 
their country. And the truth is, America is far from perfect – after all, we are a nation governed by 
the people, for the people, and of the people. Since not a single American is perfect, it makes sense 
that neither is our nation. But I also want to make sure my kids never lose sight of that fact that in 
the history of the world, the United States was the first ever nation founded on the belief that every 
person is created equal and has an immutable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Our 
founders dreamed it, then said it out loud, then wrote it down, then fought for and won the right to 
create it, then dared themselves and those that would come after them to strive to live up to it. How 
audacious. How noble.

 I want my kids to know hundreds of thousands of Americans – from white to black to every shade 
in between – sacrificed their lives to push the ugly scourge of slavery from our land. I want them to 
know those same American’s descendants have spilled their blood supporting freedom and standing 
up to tyranny and evil around the world since. I want them to know Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. died 
with a dream that one day in America, people would not be judged by the pigment in their skin but 
by their individual choices, actions, and character. I want them to know that dream did not die with 
Dr. King. 

Experiments are inherently messy things. Grand experiments are messier yet. The great American 
experiment is no exception. But oh, what an experiment! What an aspiration! I want my kids to 
know that being an American means being part of something principled and good. Even as we work 
toward becoming a “more perfect union” we should not despise the messiness of our experiment. 
Messiness is inherent within, and part of the virtue of, a constitutional republic. I hope my kids grow 
up in a country where freedom of speech is always valued and no one – no matter their politics – 
needs to worry about being cancelled for what they say or believe. Most of all, I want my kids to 
know America for what she truly is, a Declaration of values worth aspiring to, a Constitution of laws 
worth defending, a unique and exceptional citizenry worth appreciating, and a genuinely great nation 
worthy of being proud of. 

Happy Independence Day. 


Dedicated to empowering your family, building your wealth and defining 
your legacy, 

A local attorney and father, Marc Garlett is on a mission to help parents

protect what they love most. His office is located at 55 Auburn Avenue, 


Sierra Madre, CA 91024. 

Schedule an appointment to sit down and talk about ensuring a legacy of love and financial security

for your family by calling 626.355.4000 or visit www.GarlettLaw.com for more information. 


SENIOR HAPPENINGS 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …July Birthdays*

V,Nina Bartolai, Mary Lou Caldwell, Louise Neiby, Betty Hansen, Christine 
Durfort, Shahrzad Azrani, Jeanne Borgedahl, Janet Cox, Dorothy Montgomery, Bess 
Pancoska, Janet Swanson, Linda Thunes, Barbara Watson, Pat Alcorn, Karma Bell, 
Alice Clark, Dorothy Jerneycic, and Betty Dos Remedios

* 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 

CHAIR YOGA 

Every Monday and Wednesday, 10-10:45 amChair yoga with Paul is coming back! Class be held in the Covered Pavilion in Memorial 
Park in front of the Senior Center. Please join us for some gentle stretching, yoga, balance exercise and overall 
relaxation. Classes will maintain a distance of 6 ft between participants. ALL participants must be wearing 
masks for the duration of the class. All equipment used will be sanitized after each use before it is stored. Each 
participant is responsible for providing their own water, masks and needed equipment or supplies for each class. 
Class size is limited so please call 264-8923 to reserve your spot. 

TAX ASSISTANCE 

If you are in need of assistance with your 2020 taxes please know that help is a phone call away. Don Brunner, Tax 
Saver, is not accepting in person consultations at the moment but available for a phone or email consult. Please 
call him at 626-447-8829 or email TAXSAVERD@gmail.com 

CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP 

Have you ever thought about trying your hand at writing? Do you have an idea for a book and no idea how to 
begin? This program may be for you! Katy Nishimoto, Senior Editor with Random House, has graciously volunteered 
her time to lead this incredible writers workshop for seniors. Program participants will be given a prompt, 
a 10 minute writing task and a group reading. Discussions, readings and feedback to help guide your creative 
thinking into creative writing. If you have interest in writing nonfiction, a memoir, fiction or poetry then please 
call or email today to reserve your spot. Class will be limited to 10 participants. No writing skills or experience is 
required. Call Lawren Heinz at 626-355-7394 to reserve your spot and receive class information. 

MUG CRAFT 

Tuesday, May 18 at 11:00 am Join Lawren in making a delightful, colorful and artistic nail polish marbled mug! 
All supplies will be provided for you and we will meet in the Hart Park House patio. Please wear clothes you don’t 
mind getting nail polish on. To reserve your spot or ask questions please call Lawren Heinz at (626) 355-7394 or 
send an email to lheinz@cityofsierramadre.com 

IDEAS

 Do you have any ideas for programming? Is there a class or club you would like to see in our Senior Community? 
Please call or email Lawren Heinz with ideas or questions. 626-355-5278 x 704 lheinz@cityofsierramadre. 
com

 City staff are monitoring email communication daily, and although employees are minimizing direct engagement 
and interfacing less with the community, please note that voice messages, emails, and social media responses 
are being addressed in the most efficient and timely manner. If at any time additional information 
is needed, please contact City Hall Administrative Services at (626) 355-7135, Monday-Thursday from 7:30a 

– 5:30p, as they are taking messages and e-mailing the appropriate per-son. For messages that may trickle in 
otherwise, please note our team is remotely checking voicemail daily at the Community Services Department, 
(626) 355-5278 x702. 
SIERRA MADRE SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS PLAN 

The City of Sierra Madre is following these procedures to provide current communication in light of COVID-19 
and keep the Senior Community and families informed of essential information and resources. City staff are 
monitoring email communication daily, and although employees are minimizing direct engagement and practicing 
social distancing in the community, please note that voice messages, emails, and social media responses are 
being addressed in the most efficient and timely manner.
If at any moment additional information is needed, please contact City Hall Administrative Services at (626) 
355-7135, Monday-Thursday from 7:30a – 5:30p, as they are taking messages and e-mailing the appropriate 
person.

For messages that may trickle in otherwise, please note our team is remotely checking voicemail daily at the 
Community Services Department, (626) 355-5278 x702.
Community Services Department will continue email communication with Senior residents and aging community 
members.

If you know of family members or neighbors who may benefit from accessing information electronically, and 
to receive the department’s Seniors Newsletter via email but may not otherwise have been included on an email 
group list, please send your request with email address to the following team members: Lawren Heinz Lheinz@ 
cityofsierramadre.com and Clarissa Lowe Clowe@cityofsierramadre.com.

City Social Media will continue via Facebook as well as Instagram, and information sharing will include updates 
as details becomes available. 

OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder 

ANY PIE À LA MODE IS MY KIND OF PIE 

Choices are a very important part 

As much as I can remember, this has been the only 
of our everyday life. I am what I am 

controversy that we've had. 
today because of choices I made 
yesterday. I would like to blame 

In retrospect, it is a good thing I didn't know about 
someone else, but the truth of the matter is, I am what 

this, and probably it's good that she didn't know about 
I am because of my choices. 

me. That controversy could've kept us from getting 
married and then look at what we would have missed 
I must confess that there are a lot of bad choices I have 

in life. She once suggested that we switch, and for one 
made throughout my life. I will not name them right 

week, I eat broccoli every day, and she will eat an Aphere, 
in fact, I'm trying to forget most of them. It’s a 

ple fritter every day. I tried to consider that but only 
good thing I can’t relive yesterday. 

for one half of a second. So if we did that, I would be 
the great loser, and she would get to enjoy an Apple 
However, I have made a few choices that I have made 

Fritter everyday for a week. That didn't sound fair to 
in my life that has been very good. I don't focus on my 

me. 
bad choices because I can get discouraged. But, I do 
focus on my good choices because that's a real source 

As we celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary, we still 
of encouragement. 

will hang on to these personal preferences. 

I must say that the best choice that I've ever made in 

Just because there are some things that we don’t agree 
my life was marrying the Gracious Mistress of the 

on doesn’t mean there are not some things that we ac-
Parsonage. I'm really not sure it was my choice, but I 

tually do agree on. 
will take credit for it. 
For example, this past week, we decided to go out for 
While we were dating, we were once traveling with 

supper at a local restaurant. It's been a long week and 
a group of people, and as we were sitting together, 

many things were happening that you just can't preshe 
said something like, "Wouldn't it be nice to get 

pare for, so we deserved a little bit of a break. 
married?" 
As we got to the end of our meal, the waitress came 
I thought it was a rhetorical question; how was I to 

by to see if we wanted dessert, and of course, we did. 
know it was an unofficial proposal. In my naivety, I 
said, "It sure would be nice." Well, in that regard, that 

Almost simultaneously, we said, "I'll have an apple 
was a choice I made. 

pie à la mode," which was the featured dessert on the 

menu. 
It also was a prophecy. I did not know I was a prophet. 
But when I said it would be "nice," I was precisely on 

We looked at each other and broke out laughing. The 
target. It has been nice. 

waitress laughed with us, and then she went to get the 
In August of this year, the Gracious Mistress of the 

dessert. 
Parsonage and her husband will celebrate 50 years of 
marital bliss. I can't believe it's that long; I must've 

It was then I realized there are things that do bring us 
been very young when it took place. 

together. I never thought of it before, but apple pie à la 
mode was the one thing that brought us together and 
But 50 years can go by very fast. So after celebrating 

the one thing that we could agree on. 
your wedding for 49 years, what can you do that's different 
for the 50th anniversary? 

We've known each other for about 50 years, and I just 
realized the one thing that we do have in common. So 
I hear a lot about couples having difficulties and prob-

we talked about it for a few moments, and the topic 
lems and arguments in their marriage. Even some of 

was, "What was your favorite pie à la mode?" 
my friends have got to the place where they just divorce 
as if that solves problems. I must say that during 

For me, it's tough to pick out my favorite pie. But, if 
these 50 years of marital bliss, we have had very few 

there's a bad pie, I've never encountered it. 
arguments. That is except for one major conflict. 
Finally, I brought it all together by saying, "Any pie à 
Our one argument is the Broccoli/Apple Fritter con-

la mode is my kind of pie." 
troversy. Up to this point, neither of us has budged 
either way. 

Later on, I was reminded of one of my favorite verses 
in the Bible. “Can two walk together, except they be 
It is a good thing I didn't know she was a broccoli-

agreed?” (Amos 3:3). 
holic, or I might have had second thoughts. How anybody 
can like broccoli is beyond my comprehension. 

Walking together for 50 years has been a great blessing. 
We don’t focus on our disagreements but rather on 
On her side, if she knew I was an Apple Fritter-holic, 

those things that we agree on. As the years have gone 
she might have had second thoughts as well. 

by, what we agree on has become more important.