Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, October 9, 2021

12 Mountain View News Saturday, October 9, 2021 


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder 

WHAT WOULD LIFE BE WITHOUT MISTAKES? 


Let me be clear from the be


ginning. I have made a lot of 

mistakes during my life. I have 
made mistakes that I don’t even know about to 
this day. Even the ones I do know about, I cannot 
remember very clearly. 

Mistakes are a part of life. Unfortunately, some 
people believe they live their whole life without 
making any mistakes. 

That’s mistake number one. 

I am where I am today because of the mistakes 
in my life. I have learned a lot from my mistakes, 
except I have not learned not to make any more 
mistakes. 

If somebody has not made mistakes in life, I 
would have to give that award to the Gracious 
Mistress of the Parsonage. Perhaps the closest she 
has ever come to making a mistake was in marrying 
me, but that certainly was not my mistake at 
all. Marrying her was the best choice I have ever 
made in life. 

I suppose she does make mistakes, but she knows 
how to fix them before anybody notices them. I 
wish I knew how she does that. 

Those who think they make no mistakes in life are 
just kidding themselves and are not really living. 

I remember several years ago a mistake I made. I 
planned to fill up my truck with gas for the week. 
It was clearly on empty. I should never have let it 
get that low, but I did. 

As I drove to the gas station, I thought of something 
I needed to pick up at Publix, which 
was on the way. So I stopped, went in and bought 
the item I wanted and then went out to get in my 
truck and go get some gas. 

As I turned the key to start the engine, it did not 
start. I didn’t know what to do at the time. I tried 
my best to start it, but nothing I did managed to 
start it. 

Then, I looked at the fuel tank gauge and saw that 
it had passed empty, and according to that, the 
truck was out of gas. 

That was a big mistake. That mistake brought me a 
terrible consequence. 

I sat in the truck for a few moments staring at my 
cell phone. I knew what I had to do, but I didn’t 
want to do it. In a few minutes, I tried to start it 
again, and I had the same result. 

Quietly sitting in the truck, I continued staring at 
my cell phone. I had no option at the time. I had 
to do what I had to do. 

So, I called the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. 

“My dear,” I said as sweetly as possible, which is 
above my pay grade, “could you get a can of gasoline 
and bring it to me? I’m over here at Publix.” 

I heard silence on the other end, and then I heard 
chuckling. 

“Are you telling me,” she said, trying not to chuck


le, “that your truck is out of gas?” 

Of course, she knew the answer to that question, 
but she used it to poke me. 

“No,” I said sarcastically, “I just want to know if 
you can bring me a can of gasoline to Publix.” 

I think she could feel the frustration in my voice. 

That certainly was another mistake added onto 
the first mistake. 

“Oh,” she said, “I might be able to get over there in 
about three hours.” 

I did hear her chuckling over the phone. I pretended 
I did not hear her chuckling, which was 
another mistake. 

I hung up the phone and sat in my truck thinking 
that I had a three-hour wait until she got there 
with the gas for the truck. 

On my fourth deep sigh, I saw my wife driving 
her van and park right next to my truck. I saw her 
through the window with the biggest smile I’ve 
ever seen her wear. 

She got out of her van and said, “Is this the truck 
that’s out of gas?” 

At this point, I had exhausted all of my mistakes 
and just soberly nodded my head in the 
affirmative. 

She got a can of gas out of her van and set it down 
next to my truck. I picked it up and emptied it into 
my truck’s gas tank. 

When finished, I put the can back in her van and 
closed the door. Then, I looked at her and simply 
said, “Thank you so much for your help.” 

She chuckled and said, “Do you think you ought 
to go and fill your truck up with gas now?” 

Being all out of mistakes at this point, I told her, 
“I’m going right now and fill this truck up with as 
much gas as I can get.” 

I took my time going to the gas station and filling 
up my truck because I knew I would experience 
the next stage of my wife’s giggling about my mistake 
as soon as I got home. 

My biggest lessons have come from mistakes I’ve 
made. But the lessons only come when I deal with 
the error and make it right. 

I like what David said, “Who can understand his 
errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults” (Psalm 
19:12). 

It’s one thing to deal with the mistakes at hand, 
but it’s another thing to be cleansed from secret 
faults. So I’m learning to deal with the mistakes 
that I don’t know I’m making each day. 

Dr. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God 
Fellowship, Ocala, FL 34472, where he lives with his 
wife. Call him at 352-216-3025 or e-mail jamessnyder51@
gmail.com. The church web site is www.
whatafellowship.com. 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS 


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …October Birthdays* 

Janda Ferris, Darlene Traxler, Margit Johnson, Sole Krieg, George Maurer, Dick 
Anderson, Eva Poet, Mary Jane Baker, Dixie Coutant, Jill Franks, Cathleen Cremins, 
Adie Marshall, Darlene Crook, Susan Gallagher, Maggie Ellis, Gloria Giersbach, Elva 
Johnson, Ellen O’Leary, Jenny Piangenti, Gail Ann Skiles, Anita Thompson, Linda 
Boehm and Angela Stella

* 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 

THE HART PARK HOUSE SENIOR CENTER IS OPEN!!!! 

IN HOUSE LUNCH DINING SERVICE WILL NOT RESUME AT THIS TIME. 
ACCESS TO THE COMPUTER/CLASSROOM IS TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE. 

All Classes and programs will maintain a distance of 6 ft between participants. All equipment 
used will be sanitized after each use before it is stored. Each participant is responsible for providing 
their own water, masks and additionally needed supplies for each class. 

Please call the Community Services Department at 355-7394 with any questions or concerns. 


SENIOR CINEMA – 2ND AND 4TH WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH 


FRANKENSTEIN (1931) – Wednesday, 10/13 at 2:00 pmIn James Whale's timeless adaptation of Mary Shelley's masterpiece 
novel, Boris Karloff stars as the screen's most tragic and memorable 
horror giant, when Dr. Frankenstein dares to tamper with life and 
death by piecing together salvaged body parts to create a human 
monster. 

SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES – 

Wednesday, 10/27 at 2:00 pm


Can two young boys overcome the worst the devil himself can deal out? Wishes are 
granted, but twisted as only the esteemed Mr. Dark can make them. Based on the Ray Bradbury novel. 

CHAIR YOGA – Monday and Wednesday each week, 10-10:45 amPlease join us for some gentle stretching, yoga, balance exercise and overall relaxation with Paul. 
Classes are ongoing and held in the Memorial Park Covered Pavilion. 

TEA AND TALK, SENIOR BOOK CLUB 2nd and 4th Wednesday, 9:00 am

Staff has launched a new book club series, Tea and Talk, which meets twice a month to discuss the 
fun, suspense, intrigue, love and so much more that each selection will have in store! 

FIBER FRIENDS – Tuesday, 10/12 & 10/26 AT 10:00 AM

If you enjoy knitting, crocheting, embroidery, needlepoint, bunka, huck, tatting or cross stitch then 
we have a group for you! Bring your current project, sit and chat with like-minded fiber friends. We 
meet in the Hart Park House. 

HULA AND POLYNESIAN DANCE – Friday, 10-10:45 amBring a lei, your flower skirt or just your desire to dance! Hula in the Park is back and waiting for you 
to join in on all the fun! Memorial Park Pavilion. 

TEA AT THREE WITH CHIEF BARTLETT AND THE SMFD Friday, October 8th, 3:00-5:00 pm

Stop by for some bingo, tea and conversations with Sierra Madre Fire Chief Bartlett and crew. Reserve 
your spot with Lawren. 

DOMINOES TRAIN GAME AT 11:00 AM ON 10/6

The object of the game is for a player to play all the tiles from their hand onto one or more trains, 
emanating from a central hub or “station”. Call Lawren with questions that you may have. 

BINGO -Tuesday, 10/12, 1:00 pm Hart Park House 

Hart Park House Senior Bingo is back by popular demand! Come on down to enjoy this time honored 
game with some old and new friends. We are trying a new spin on your BINGO fun so please 
bring your good luck charms and BINGO markers! 

SKELETON WREATH – Tuesday, 10/19, 10:00 amWhat would Halloween be without a skeleton or a wreath? I invite you to join me in combining the 
two for a whimsical and fun door greeting. Space is limited to six participants so please call Lawren 
to reserve your spot. 

METRO MICRO— TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION 

Micro is Metro’s new on-demand rideshare service, offering trips within several zones in LA County. 
The new service is for short local trips and uses small vehicles (seating up to 10 passengers). Micro 
is part of Metro’s family of services and has been designed hand-in-hand with Metro’s NextGen Bus 
Plan. The service is meant to be a fast, safe and convenient option for quick trips around town, Monday-
Sunday, 5:30 am-9:30 pm. At this time, a promotional fare of $1 will run six months from the 
date of service launch. The $1 will not include a transfer to Metro bus and rail. Customers can pay using 
their TAP Card/account (stored value only) or with a credit card (no cash). Metro staff will return 
to the Board at the end of the six-moth introductory period to consider potential fare adjustments. 

Service hours of operation are: Monday—Sunday between 5:30 am-9:30 pm. 
Download the Metro Micro App: visit: book.metro-micro.netor 
Call 323-GO-METRO (323) 446-3876 

HOW TO FIND A BETTER MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN 

Dear Savvy Senior:
Is it important to compare Medicare Part D prescription 
drug plans every year? My pharmacist highly 
recommends it, but it’s such a hassle sorting through 
all those different plans. Is there an easier way to shop 
and compare Medicare drug plans? Lazy Beneficiary 


Dear Beneficiary:
Because Medicare’s prescription drug plans can change their costs and benefits from year-to-year, 
comparing Part D plans every year during the open enrollment season (which is Oct. 15 – Dec. 7) 
is always a smart idea.
Even if you’re happy with your current coverage, there may be other plans out there that you’re not 
aware of that offer better coverage at a lower cost. You never know until you look. Here are some tips 
to help you shop and compare Medicare drug plans. 

MEDICARE ONLINE 
If you have internet access and are comfortable using a computer, you can easily shop for and compare 
all Medicare drug plans in your area and enroll in a new plan online if you choose, and it only 
takes a few minutes. 

Just go to Medicare’s Plan Finder Tool at Medicare.gov/find-a-plan, and choose the type of coverage 
you’re looking for, enter your ZIP code, financial assistance (if you receive any), select the drugs 
you take and their dosages, and choose the pharmacies you use. The plan finder does the math to 
identify the plan in your area that covers your drugs at the lowest cost. 

This tool also provides a five-star rating system that evaluates each plan based on past customer 
service records and suggests generics or older brand name drugs that can reduce your costs. 

When you’re comparing drug plans, look at the estimated drug costs plus premium costs that shows 
how much you can expect to pay over a year in total out-of-pocket costs. 

Also, be sure the plan you’re considering covers all of the drugs you take with no restrictions. Most 
drug plans today place the drugs they cover into price tiers. A drug placed in a higher tier may 
require you to get prior authorization or try another medication first before you can use it. 

Any changes to coverage you make will take effect Jan. 1, 2022. If you take no action during open 
enrollment, your current coverage will continue next year. 

NEED SOME HELP? 
If you need some help choosing a new plan, you can call Medicare at 800-633-4227 and they can 
help you out over the phone. Or contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), 
which provides free Medicare counseling. They also conduct seminars during the open enrollment 
period at various locations throughout each state. To find a local SHIP counselor see ShiptaCenter.
org or call 877-839-2675. 

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 
If you’re lower-income and are having a hard time paying your medication costs, you may be eligible 
for Medicare’s “Extra Help” program. This is a federal low-income subsidy that helps pay Part D 
premiums, deductibles and copayments. 

To be eligible, your income must be under $19,320 or $26,130 for married couples living together, 
and your assets (not counting your home, personal possessions, vehicles, life insurance policies or 
burial expenses) must be below $14,790 or $29,520 for married couples. For more information or to 
apply, call Social Security at 800-772-1213 or visit SSA.gov/extrahelp. 

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. 

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