Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, February 4, 2023

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Mountain View News Saturday, February 4, 2023 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS


ASSISTED LIVING OR NURSING HOME?

There are many myths about Assisted Living being like 
Nursing Homes. This is not true at all. Nursing facilities 
are for those with chronic health issues who require care 
around the clock from medical professionals. 

In Assisted Living, one will get the support as needed, 
such as getting help with showering, grooming, and 
dressing. Again, these services are based on the seniors 
needs.

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. 
For example, we may suggest that the right fit is a Board and Care Home (normally a 6-bedroom house) as 
opposed to an Assisted Living Community or a Memory Support Facility. You will work with an experienced 
agent who 

knows the 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 placing a loved one, visit www.safepathforseniors.com or call Steve at 
626-999-6913


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS*

Tracy Verhoeven, Beatrice DaRe, Catherine 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

DOMINOES TRAIN GAME

1st & 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.

TEA AND TALK BOOK CLUB

Wednesday, 2/15 9:00 am Hart Park House

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, 1/17 10:00 am Hart Park House 

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.

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.

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. 

BINGO 

Thursday, 1/19 Hart Park House 1:00 pm-2:00 pm

Please join in a fun and lively game of BINGO. Several rounds fun will be had with 
prizes for each rounds winner.

HOW MUCH DO YOU HAVE TO MAKE TO FILE TAXES?


Dear Savvy Senior:

What are the IRS income tax filing requirements 
for retirees this tax season? My income dropped way 
down when I retired in 2022, so I’m wondering if 
I need to even file a tax return this year. Recently 
Retired

Dear Recently:

Whether or not you are required to file a federal 
income tax return this year will depend on how 
much you earned last year, as well as the source of 
the income, your age and filing status. 

Here’s a rundown of this tax season’s IRS tax filing 
requirement thresholds. 

For most people, this is pretty straightforward. If 
your 2022 gross income – which includes all taxable 
income, not counting your Social Security benefits, 
unless you are married and filing separately – was 
below the threshold for your filing status and age, 
you may not have to file. But if it’s over, you will. 

• Single: $12,950 ($14,700 if you’re 65 or older 
by Jan. 1, 2022).

• Married filing jointly: $25,900 ($27,300 
if you or your spouse is 65 or older; or $28,700 if 
you’re both over 65). 

• Married filing separately: $5 at any age.

• Head of household: $19,400 ($21,150 if 65 
or older).

• Qualifying widow(er) with dependent 
child: $25,900 ($27,300 if 65 or older).

To get a detailed breakdown on federal filing requirements, 
along with information on taxable 
and nontaxable income, call the IRS at 800-829-
3676 and ask them to mail you a free copy of the 
“1040 and 1040-SR Instructions for Tax Year 2022,” 
or you can see it online at IRS.gov/pub/irs-pdf/
i1040gi.pdf.

Check Here Too

Be aware that there are other financial situations 
that can require you to file a tax return, even if 
your gross income falls below the IRS filing requirements. 
For example, if you earned more than 
$400 from self-employment in 2022, owe any special 
taxes like an alternative minimum tax, or get 
premium tax credits because you, your spouse or a 
dependent is enrolled in a Health Insurance Marketplace 
plan, you’ll need to file. 

You’ll also need to file if you’re receiving Social Security 
benefits, and one-half of your benefits plus 
your other gross income and any tax-exempt interest 
exceeds $25,000, or $32,000 if you’re married 
and filing jointly. 

To figure all this out, the IRS offers an online tax 
tool that asks a series of questions that will help you 
determine if you’re required to file, or if you should 
file because you’re due a refund. It takes less than 
15 minutes to complete.

You can access this tool at IRS.gov/Help/ITA – 
click on “Do I Need to File a Tax Return?” Or you 
can get assistance over the phone by calling the IRS 
helpline at 800-829-1040. 

Check Your State

Even if you’re not required to file a federal tax return 
this year, don’t assume that you’re also excused 
from filing state income taxes. The rules for 
your state might be very different. Check with your 
state tax agency before concluding that you’re entirely 
in the clear. For links to state tax agencies see 
Taxadmin.org/state-tax-agencies.

Tax Preparation Help 

If you find that you do need to file a tax return this 
year, you can free file through the IRS at IRS.gov/
FreeFile if your 2022 adjusted gross income was below 
$73,000. 

Or, if you need some help, contact the Tax Counseling 
for the Elderly (or TCE) program. Sponsored 
by the IRS, TCE provides free tax preparation and 
counseling to middle and low-income taxpayers, 
age 60 and older. Call 800-906-9887 or visit IRS.
treasury.gov/freetaxprep to locate services near 
you. 

You can also get tax preparation assistance through 
the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide service. Call 888-
227-7669 or visit AARP.org/findtaxhelp for more 
information. You don’t have to be an AARP member 
to use this service.

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


UGLY ISN'T FOR THE WEAK, SOFT OR TIMID

Over the years of marital bliss, we’ve not had many disagreements. She likes 
broccoli. I like Apple Fritters. We’ve never been able to come to any agreement 
with that. But, outside of that, everything has been rather smooth.

There’s one controversy that has plagued our house for the last few years, and there doesn’t 
seem to be any solution. There are some problems with no solutions, and I guess this is one 
of them. The controversy I have is about my bathroom mirror; each of us has our bathroom 
with our own mirror. My mirror has some very significant issues with it.

For several years I have suggested that we replace my old mirror with a new one. Once, I even 
suggested I would be glad to pay for the new mirror out of my Apple Fritter account, which 
was a mistake.

When I said that, she looked at me with a long pause and then said, “You have an account for 
Apple Fritters?” I knew I was in trouble for that; I guess I kissed my Apple Fritter account 
goodbye.

The controversy I had is that my old mirror portrays me as some old guy. I find it rather frustrating 
because I have some pictures of myself, and I don’t look old at all. As we discussed this, 
she said, “My mirror portrays me as I really am.” She smiled one of her sarcastic smiles at me.

“Let me,” I said, “go and look in your mirror to see if what you’re telling me is really true.”

I entered her bathroom and was surprised as I looked in her mirror and saw some old guy looking 
back at me. Immediately I went out and said, “Hey, who’s that old guy in your bathroom?”

She laughed and said, “I think it’s you, but all I ever see is some old lady.”

“I am not that old,” I demanded.

I then went and got our family photo album, brought it back, opened it up, pointed to a picture, 
and said, “See, that’s me.” She looked at the picture, then back at me laughingly, and 
said, “Yes, that’s you when you were in high school.” I flipped a few pages and said, “There I 
am.” “That’s our wedding picture,” she said with a smile.

By that time, I was just a little bit frustrated. If I look at those pictures and then look in the 
mirror, I do not see any resemblance whatsoever. How can that old rascal in the mirror be me?

The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage could see that I was just a little bit discouraged. After 
all, pictures don’t lie, but I think mirrors do.

“Don’t you realize that as we grow and get older, our looks change?”

Looking at her, I was shaking my head and unwilling to reach her level of understanding.

“But,” I complained, “I’m not that old looking, am I?” Then she handed me a more recent 
photograph. It was me holding my granddaughter on the day of her birth. 

I looked at it as though I was looking out for the first time. When I first looked at it, I didn’t 
see myself; rather, I saw my great-granddaughter. After looking at it for a few moments, I sat 
back in my chair and sighed deeply. “So, I am an old man.” “Well, my dear, you’re not young 
anymore.”

I stared at her for a few moments and then said, “Tell me, why do you look so good, and I look 
so old?” “Because you’re not looking in my bathroom mirror.” “Maybe,” I said, “we could 
change bathroom mirrors?” She started laughing and a few moments later, I joined her in 
laughing. 

This was the first time I ever seriously looked at myself.

In the morning, when I go to the bathroom to comb my hair, shave, and brush my teeth, I 
ignore what’s in the mirror. Maybe I ought to.

Thinking about this for a bit, I had a thought. Does it really matter how old a person looks? 
After all the only cure for not getting old is dying.

I’ve noted lately that some of these Hollywood stars get facelifts, tummy tucks, and all sorts of 
changes to their body. I wonder if they do that for themselves or for the public that’s looking?

Does it really matter how a person looks?

I believe the next time I’m in my bathroom, I’m going to have a little chat with that old guy in 
the mirror. I will say, “I don’t care how old you look. You don’t scare me.” I had to rehearse that 
line a dozen times to get it right. I’m not sure I can trust that old guy in the mirror.

Of course, one of the great benefits is that I don’t have to see how I look throughout the day. 
The people on the other side of my glasses have that to handle.

I have learned to appreciate what God said to Samuel in, 1 Samuel 16:7, “But the Lord said unto 
Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused 
him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the 
Lord looketh on the heart.”

God does not judge me by my outward appearance, but by my heart. If my heart isn’t right 
with God nothing else really matters.

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.

FAMILY MATTERS

 By Marc Garlett


DO I NEED TO CREATE A NEW WILL IF I MOVE 
TO ANOTHER STATE?

Most states will accept a will which was executed properly under another 
state’s laws. However, there could be differences in your new 
state’s laws that make certain provisions in your will invalid.

Here are a few things you should review when moving out of state:

YOUR EXECUTOR 

Consider whether the executor you’ve chosen for your will, will be able to serve in that role in 
your new location. Every state allows an out-of-state executor to serve, but some states have 
special requirements for executors, such as requiring them to pass a credit screen and post a 
bond. Other states require non-resident executors to appoint an agent who lives within the state 
to accept legal documents on behalf of the estate. 

The former can, and sometimes does, completely prohibit a named executor from being able to 
step into that role. The latter increases the overall costs associated with administering a will. 
Either way, you may want to reevaluate your chosen executor.

MARITAL PROPERTY

If you are married, consider how your new state treats marital property. While a common-law 
state might treat the property you own in just your name as yours alone, community-property 
states treat all of your property as owned jointly with your spouse. If your new state treats marital 
property differently than California (a community-property state), you might need to draft 
a marital property agreement or even a new will to ensure your wishes are honored.

YOUR NEED FOR A TRUST 

While your will is an important part of your estate plan, it may not be the most appropriate 
foundation of your plan. Your new state may have probate laws completely different from California’s. 
If your planning goals didn’t necessitate a living trust in California, it’s likely they won’t 
necessitate a trust in your new state, but it could be costly to make that assumption without first 
seeking qualified legal counsel. Each state’s probate code is unique, and you may be unaware of 
specific detrimental nuances in your new state’s code which could be completely avoided by a 
living trust.

YOUR OVERALL PLAN 

Moving is one of those life events presenting a perfect opportunity to review your entire estate 
plan. Along with your will (and considering whether you also need a trust), you should review 
your trust – if you already have one, power of attorney, health care directive, final disposition 
instructions, kids protection plan – if you have minor children, and your asset spreadsheet to 
ensure each asset you own is catalogued within your plan and titled correctly to receive the full 
protections provided by your plan.

FINDING THE TIME

It may seem overwhelming with everything else you’ve got on your plate during a move, but 
there is no better time to review your estate plan. And because it’s so important to regularly 
review your plan and keep it up to date, you’ll gain additional peace of mind after you settle into 
your new home, and you’ll ensure your plan works exactly as you intend whenever it’s needed. 
That’s an invaluable gift to your family. In other words, it’s well 
worth the effort. 

To your health, wealth, and family legacy,


Marc Garlett, Esq.

Cali Law Family Legacy Matters

www.caliLaw.com

626.355.4000

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