Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, September 3, 2022

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Mountain Views-News Saturday, September 3, 2022


Specializing in Placing

Seniors in Assisted Living and 
Memory Care Communities

A question came up regarding how 
will a person know if their loved 
one will be getting proper care at a 
facility. 

The Department of Social Services 
will give you information on all California 
licensed communities.

One can go to http://www.cdss.
ca.gov. Then go to “find License care” then go to ”search a facility” and go to ”elderly assisted living”. 
There you can find last visits by the state and possible citations. You can also call Safe Path for 

Seniors for these answers and more.

There are many reasons in working with us. At Safe Path for Seniors, we will assess the senior and 
depending on their care needs and budget, make recommendations. You will work with an experienced 
agent who knowsthe industry well and will give you recommendations. The good news is 
that there is no cost for this service.

If you have any questions about senior living options, visit www.safepathforseniors.com or call 
Steve at 626-999-6913

SENIOR HAPPENINGS


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS*

Clem Bartolai, Pat Hall, Donna Anderson, Teresa Chaure, Cathy 
Gunther, Esther Macias, Sheila Pierce, Nancy Sue Shollenberger, Patti 
O’Meara, Judie Cimino, Mary Steinberg, Geri Wright, Parvin Dabiri, 
Denise Reistetter and Nehama Warner, Virginia Mullaney, Gwen 
Robertson. 

* To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. 

YEAR of birth not required

SIERRA MADRE SENIOR CLUB Every Saturday from 11:30am-3:30 pm in the Hart Park 
House Senior Center. Join us as we celebrate birthdays, holidays and pay BINGO. Must be 
50+ to join. For more information call Mark at 626-355-3951.

DOMINOES TRAIN GAME 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 11:00 am— 12:30 pm Hart Park 
House 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. 

PAINT PALS 

Tuesday, 9/8 10:30 am—Hart Park House If you enjoy painting, sketching, water color, or 
making some other form of artistic creation please join our new program, PAINT PALS!!! Bring 
a project that you are working on to the HPH and enjoy some quality art time with other artists 
looking to paint with a new pal. 

TEA AND TALK SENIOR BOOK CLUB Tuesday Se3pt. 14 and Sept. 28 — 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, 9/6 and 9/20 —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, a nonalcoholic beverage, then sit and chat with likeminded fiber friends. 
We meet in the Hart Park House

CHAIR YOGA Every Monday and Wednesday, 10-10:45 am Please 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 or the Hart Park House..

HULA AND POLYNESIAN DANCE Every Friday, 10-10:45 am Bring 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.

BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC - Sept. 13 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Methodist Hospital will be holding a free to seniors clinic once a month in the Hart Park 
House. Walk in are welcome - no pre-registration required.

BINGO: Sept. 22 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Come down to the HPH (Hart Park House) for a lively round of BINGO. Prizes await!

SENIOR CINEMA Wednesday, 9/14— Beginning at 1:00 pm ELVIS PG-13 2h 39m 
The life of American music icon Elvis Presley, from his childhood to becoming 
a rock and movie star in the 1950s while maintaining a complex 
relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. 

Wednesday, 9/28—Beginning at 1:00 pm 9 to 5 PG 1 h 49 m Three female employees 
of a sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot find a way to turn the tables on 
him. Hart Park House.

HOW THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT WILL LOWER YOUR 
DRUG COSTS


Dear Savvy Senior:

What kind of changes can Medicare beneficiaries 
expect to see in the Inflation Reduction Act that 
was recently signed into law? I’m enrolled in original 
Medicare and have a Part D prescription drug 
plan but spent more than $6,000 out-of-pocket 
last year on medications alone.

Overpaying Paul

Dear Paul:

The climate, tax and health care bill known as the Inflation Reduction Act that was passed by 
Congress and signed into law by President Biden last month includes significant improvements 
to the Medicare program that will kick-in over the next few years.

These changes will lower prescription drug prices for millions of seniors by allowing the government 
to negotiate drug prices for the first time and capping seniors’ out-of-pocket drug costs at 
$2,000 annually. Some other popular changes will include free vaccinations, lower insulin costs 
and expanded subsidies for lower income seniors. 

Here is a breakdown of the changes to expect in Medicare and when they will roll out.

2023: Starting this January, all vaccines covered under Medicare Part D, including the shingles 
vaccine, will be free to beneficiaries. And the skyrocketing cost of insulin will be capped at $35 
per month. This will be a significant saving for the more than 3 million Medicare enrollees who 
currently use insulin to control their diabetes.

Also starting next year, drug makers will be penalized in the form of “rebates” that they would 
be forced to pay to the government if they impose price increases that exceed general inflation.

2024: Cost sharing for catastrophic coverage in Part D will be eliminated. Under the current Part 
D benefit, once your out-of-pocket costs reach $7,050 in 2022, you enter “catastrophic” coverage 
but are still responsible for 5 percent of your prescription drug costs, with no limit.

But in 2024, people with Part D coverage will no longer be responsible for any out-of-pocket 
drug costs once they enter catastrophic coverage. This is significant for seniors who use expensive 
medications for conditions like cancer or multiple sclerosis.

Also starting in 2024 through 2029, Part D premiums will not be allowed to grow faster than 6 
percent per year.

And for lower income Medicare beneficiaries, eligibility for the Part D Low Income Subsidy 
(also known as Extra Help) will be expanded to 150 percent of the federal poverty level, from 
today’s limit of 135 percent. This change will mean about 500,000 more seniors will qualify for 
financial assistance to help pay some or all of their prescription drug premiums and deductibles.

2025: One of the biggest cost reduction measures for Medicare beneficiaries will begin in 2025 
when out-of-pocket spending on Part D prescription drugs will be capped at $2,000 per year. 
This will be a major savings for the more than 1.5 million beneficiaries who currently spend 
more than $2,000 out-of-pocket each year.

2026: When Medicare’s Part D program was enacted in 2003, negotiating lower drug prices was 
forbidden. But because of the Inflation Reduction Act, starting in 2026 Medicare will be empowered 
to begin negotiating prices with drug companies for 10 of the most expensive drugs covered 
under Part D. In 2027 and 2028, 15 drugs would be eligible for negotiations and in 2029 and 
subsequent years, 20 drugs would be chosen. 

And, in addition to all the Medicare improvements, the Inflation Reduction Act also extends the 
Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) premium subsidies for three years that have helped millions 
of Americans gain coverage before they’re eligible for Medicare.

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.


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder


A BANANA SPLIT ON MY MIND

I must confess I heavily lean towards being a workaholic; I just love 
working and keeping myself busy.

Years ago, I discovered that the busier I am, the less liable I am to get into trouble. No 
matter the trouble, I just don’t like it.

Sitting at my desk working on a project is the theme of my life.

The other day I took a little break, got a cup of coffee, sat down, and caught up with 
the news on TV. Just as I was ready to turn off the TV, there was a commercial of some 
ice cream company, I don’t remember which one but the focus was on a banana split. I 
didn’t have too much interest and just returned to my office.

As I was working, I started thinking about that banana split. I couldn’t remember 
the last time I had a banana split, but it has been quite a while. Why that commercial 
buzzed in my head is beyond me.

I shook my head and returned to my work, but it didn’t last long. I had a banana split 
on my mind.

If The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage knew I was thinking about a banana split, 
she would have something to say about it. I just shook my head and chased those banana 
split thoughts right out.

It didn’t last long, and a song began dancing in my head, “Tra la la, one banana, two 
banana.” Where that came from, I have no idea. I had never heard that song before in 
my life, or at least I cannot remember ever hearing it.

I set back in my chair and began thinking about that delicious banana split and how 
I would enjoy it.

Not too long ago, an ice cream truck set up not far from our house. I remember one of 
the things they had to offer was a banana split. At first, I didn’t think too much about 
it, but now it was beginning to dance in my mind like never before.

Unable to focus on my work, I began thinking of how I could sneak out, go and get 
one of their banana splits. Then, of course, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage 
would have nothing to do with this. I’m on a special diet that does not include banana 
splits, at least in her opinion.

If I could sneak out and get a banana split without her finding out, that would cause 
me to ease back on my thinking about banana splits all day long. The trouble is, how 
do I sneak out without getting caught?

I thought about it and could not come up with any solution. Certainly, there has to be 
something I could do to get out of the house without being questioned by her Majesty.

Since my office is in the home now, I do not have the freedom I once had. I have to 
devise a foolproof plan for The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage.

I’ve never had this happen before, but I was becoming obsessed with a banana split. 
Why? I have no idea why it obsessed me like this. After all, it’s not an Apple Fritter!

Maybe I can go to the post office and pick up the mail? Or, maybe my wife would like 
me to pick something up at the grocery store? Maybe I need to get gas in my truck?

The ideas flowed in my direction, and I hoped to devise the perfect plan. After all, The 
Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage has perfect plans for everything. If only I could set 
her down and have her explain how she would handle this situation and how in the 
world I could fool her and go get my banana split.

Suddenly, my wife appeared at my office door and said, “I have a headache, and I’m 
going to go to bed and sleep this off. Maybe you can get your own lunch today.”

Talk about being handed a golden goose; my plan came together. I could sneak out 
while she was sleeping and get that infamous banana split I’ve been thinking about all 
morning.

Waiting a few minutes after she went to bed, I very carefully snuck out, got into my 
truck and drove to the ice cream truck. I sat there and enjoyed a wonderful banana 
split. Then, as I was eating, I sang, “Tra, la, la, one banana, two banana.”

I was rather ecstatic as I drove home, parked the truck and went inside the house still 
singing. Then, as I went inside, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage was standing 
there, looking at me with both hands on her hips, and said, “And where were you?”

Trying to change the subject, I asked how her headache was, but it did not work, as 
usual. So I decided to tell her the truth and take my punishment like a husband.

As I humbly returned to my office, I thought of what King Solomon once said. Proverbs 
12: 22, “Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his 
delight.”

Although I sometimes think that lying is a strategy to get me out of trouble it always 
has the opposite effect. I’m not smart enough to be a good liar. Also, to be a good liar 
you have to a very good memory of which I don’t. Telling the truth is one thing that 
delights the Lord.

Dr. James L. Snyder lives in Ocala, FL with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. 
Telephone 1-352-216-3025, e-mail jamessnyder51@gmail.com, website 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