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Mountain View News Saturday, May 31, 2025

FREE ASSISTED LIVING PLACEMENT SERVICE

 

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SENIOR HAPPENINGS


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …MAY BIRTHDAYS*

Beth Copti, Marilyn Diaz, Anne Schryver, Jo Ann Williams, Paul Hagan, 
Lenore Crilly Joann Serrato-Chi, Harriett Lyle, Jean Coleman, Birgitta 
Gerlinger, Luciana Rosenzweig, Linda Wochnik, Marian Woodford, Debbie 
Sheridan, Joanne Anthony, Carole Axline, Kika Downey, Shirley Hall, Janet 
Ten Eyck, Jane Thomas, Ray Burley, Bridget Flanagan,Donna Mathisen,Vicky 
Ryan, * To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 
626.355.2737. YEAR of birth not required 


BEWARE THE DOUBLE CLICK! EVALUATE QR CODES TO PROTECT 
AGAINST FRAUD


(StatePoint) Ancient civilizations had hieroglyphics, we 
have QR codes: the patterned graphic boxes prompting 
you to access restaurant menus, pay for parking, find 
out information about a package and more.

Generally, quick response (QR) codes are safe, but they 
can be used to redirect you to malicious websites, so 
caution is important. Here’s how it works.

• You get prompted to use your device’s camera.

• You scan the code and a link pops up.

• You click the link, exposing you to threat actors.

• You’re directed to apps, websites, locations using your 
maps and much more.

Bad actors understand people are in a rush, so this is 
an appealing form of attack. It’s a cost-efficient scam 
because these codes are easy to generate and distribute. 
And they are creative in finding new ways to make 
them appear legitimate. In public places, criminals can 
cover an official code with a sticker or printout showing 
a fraudulent code. Some of the more prevalent and 
convincing scams include:

• Parking Ticket Scams. Criminals place fake parking 
tickets with QR codes on windshields, causing unsuspecting 
victims to scan the code and click the link to 
learn of their offense and digitally pay the alleged fine.

• Brushing Scams. A criminal will ship goods you 
never ordered, then require you to scan the QR code 
and click the link to see who sent you the gift.

• Payment Scams. Criminals cover a legitimate QR 
code with a sticker that has a fraudulent code that directs 
to a malicious site. This can happen at gas pumps, 
bank windows, parking lots, etc.

• Crypto Scams. Crypto transactions are often made 
through QR codes associated with crypto accounts, 
making this an appealing target for fraudsters, especially 
since once crypto payments are made, it’s 
unlikely those funds will be recovered.

To stay safe when using QR codes:

• Check the URL: Once you scan and the link pops up, 
stop! Examine it for unusual domain names or shortened 
URLs before clicking.

• Verify the source: Only scan QR codes from trusted 
sources, like official websites or apps. Codes from unfamiliar 
sources are more likely to be malicious.

• Check for tampering: Look for signs of tampering, 
like altered graphics, design flaws or stickers placed 
atop original codes.

• Be suspicious: Treat sites asking for a password or 
login information as a red flag.

• Be wary of promotions: Be cautious of offers that 
seem too good to be true.

• Use a secure connection: Look for a secure connection 
(HTTPS) or padlock.

• Confirm validity of request: Before taking action, like 
making a payment or entering personal information, 
confirm a request to scan with the company. If you 
receive a QR code from someone you know, reach out 
to them through a known number or email to verify 
they sent it.

• Protect your device: Use antivirus and antimalware 
software.

• Report. If you identify a suspicious QR code or 
fall victim to a QR code scam, notify your bank and 
report it to law enforcement and the Federal Trade 
Commission.

If you scan a fake QR code, your bank account, email 
and identity could all be at risk. For actions to take, 
consult PNC Bank’s Reporting Fraud page on pnc.com.

Cyber criminals are always finding new ways to defraud 
their victims, and QR codes are no exception. 
With a little caution however, you can better protect 
yourself.


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder

WHAT'S CHOCOLATE GOT TO DO WITH IT?

Did you ever have a morning when everything went exactly as you 
planned? Well, neither have I. I plan my schedule to include everything 
I need for the day. But, unlike The Gracious Mistress of the 
Parsonage, I fall way short of accomplishing that.

When I think I have my schedule in place, something undermines everything 
I've done so far. Oh boy, if I only had the scheduling gift of The Gracious Mistress 
of the Parsonage.

She can plan a dozen projects simultaneously and complete them all at once, 
usually ahead of schedule. After living with her for 54 years, I still don't know 
how she does it. I want to ask her, but you know how that would turn out.

Without her knowing, I could watch her and see how she is doing what she is 
doing at the time. No matter how much I watch, I could never figure out her 
multitasking secret. If I knew that one secret, imagine all the stuff I could do in 
one day.

I took a break one morning and went into the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. For 
some reason, I opened one of the cupboard doors and was surprised to find a 
Hershey chocolate bar. I'm not quite sure where that came from, but I was so 
excited to find it.

The thought in my head was, “Should I, or shouldn’t I?”

The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage cannot eat chocolate. It gives her a headache, 
so she says. So, I don't think she purchased that chocolate bar. Why would 
she? However, it did not matter where it came from; all that matters is where it's 
going. I went to my easy chair with my cup of coffee and the amazing chocolate 
bar.

I can’t remember the last time I had a chocolate bar, but I was really anticipating 
enjoying this one. After taking a sip of coffee, I unwrapped my chocolate bar and 
looked at it briefly.

Do you know how wonderfully delicious a chocolate bar looks? I couldn't keep 
my eyes off that amazing treat.

I took the first bite and found my world flourishing like red roses. I had forgotten 
how chocolate affects my attitude.

No matter how angry, grouchy, or frustrated I feel, one bite of a chocolate bar 
makes it all disappear.

Growing up near Hershey, Pennsylvania, I was very familiar with their chocolate. 
In fact, my father worked there for a short time and often brought home 
samples.

I sighed as I sipped my coffee. I stared at the chocolate bar and wondered who 
created it. Whoever created it deserves a Nobel Peace Prize.

After two bites, I had forgotten all my stress that morning. All I could think about 
were lovely roses floating in my mind and their amazing fragrance. Chocolate 
has a way of doing that for me. My best thoughts come while eating chocolate.

Suddenly, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage burst into the room where I 
was sitting and demanded, "Just what are you doing?"

At first, I was so euphoric that I didn't recognize her. All I saw were red roses 
around her head. I smiled, and then suddenly realized who she was.

At that point, there was no way I could hide that chocolate bar I was enjoying.

"I'm just," I said cautiously, "resting from a very hard morning." I flashed a smile 
at her, but she wasn't smiling at me.

"And where did you get that chocolate bar?"

It's one thing to lie but quite another thing to lie to The Gracious Mistress of the 
Parsonage. There are reciprocations. My head was so euphoric that I didn't quite 
know how to answer her.

"I just found it in the cupboard," I said with a big smile.

She stared at me and said, "You found it in the cupboard? I purchased that chocolate 
bar for our granddaughter's birthday this week. You had no right to eat her 
birthday present."

I wasn't sure I understood what she meant, but eating that chocolate bar made 
me calm. It blocked out any negativity.

"That's okay,” I said cheerfully, “I'll go to the store and buy her a chocolate bar."

My plan was to buy three chocolate bars, hide two, and give one back for our 
granddaughter's birthday.

When I eat chocolate, I can think as clearly as ever. That’s why I like chocolate.

"Okay," The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage said, "as long as you only buy 
one Hershey's chocolate bar. That would be just perfect."

I'm going to fix this problem somehow. But for now, I have at least three more 
bites of this Hershey's chocolate bar.

As I was enjoying this chocolate bar, I had an interesting thought. Will there be 
Chocolate in heaven?

When I finished that amazing Hershey Chocolate Bar, I remember what Jesus 
said in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, 
and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am 
meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is 
easy, and my burden is light.”

Like everyone else, my days can be very stressful. A chocolate bar can only go so 
far. To truly experience peace from Jesus’ perspective, I need to come unto the 
Lord. This invitation requires that I act on it and come to 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

GRAVESITE CARE WHEN YOU CAN'T GET THERE

Dear Savvy Senior:

Can you recommend any services that 
offer gravesite cleaning and care? I 
recently visited my parent’s cemetery 
gravesite over Memorial Day weekend 
and found that their headstones were 
overtaken by weeds and moss and need 
to be cleaned. I live in a different state 
and can’t get back very often. Who can I call on to help me with this? Long-Distance Linda

Dear Linda:

Depending on where your parents are buried, there are a hodgepodge of places you can turn to for 
gravesite grooming, decorating and special care when you can’t get there. Here’s what you should 
know.

Gravesite Care

It’s important to know that as a general rule, most cemeteries, like the one your parents are buried in, 
only provide basic grounds maintenance like mowing the grass and trash pickup. Special gravesite 
care and headstone cleaning is almost always up to the family. But for families who live a distance 
from their loved one’s burial place and can’t get back very often, what options are available?

A good place to start is to contact the cemetery staff where your parents are buried to see if they offer 
any special gravesite cleaning services or know of anyone who does. If not, try reaching out to some 
local funeral homes in the area to see if they can help or refer you.

If you don’t have any luck there, another option is to hire a gravesite care provider on your own. These 
are small or individually run businesses that provide services like plot maintenance including grass 
trimming and weeding, headstone cleaning and restoration, flower and wreath deliveries and more. 
And so you know the work was completed or the flowers were delivered, many companies will take 
pictures of the gravesite and e-mail or text them to you.

There are literally hundreds of small businesses that provide gravesite care services in local communities 
or regions across the country. To find them, do a simple Google or Bing internet search, and type 
in something like “grave care services” or “cemetery headstone cleaning” plus your city or state. Or 
use an AI tool like Chat GPT or Gemini to do a search.

You can also seek help by contacting the local memorial society or funeral consumer alliance program 
near your parent’s gravesite – see Funerals.org/find-an-affiliate for contact information. These 
are volunteer groups that offer a wide range of information on local funeral and cremation providers, 
cemeteries and more.

The cost for most gravesite care services can range anywhere from $50 to over $250 for headstone 
cleaning and memorial restoration (depending on the job size), $50 to $200 for flower and wreath deliveries, 
and $30 to $80 for plot grooming. Special discounts for multiple gravesite services and visits 
may also exist.

Floral Services

If you’re interested in decorating your parent’s gravesite next Memorial Day with fresh cut flowers or 
live plants, another option is to call a local florist to see if they can make a delivery directly to their 
grave site.

Many florists will accommodate this request if you provide them the cemetery location and plot number, 
but you may not get a photo verifying the delivery.

Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, 
Norman, OK 73070.


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