Zoomer Week In Review

A new VisionTV documentary “Follow the Money shows how radical Islamic terror groups are linked with organized crime. It exposes how Jihadists fundraise on the dark web and how they make millions from human trafficking and looted art and antiquities. Libby speaks with the documentary filmmaker, Martin Himel. And – Author Bella Bathurst lost her hearing in her 20’s. Twelve years later, she was able to hear again. The experience transformed her life…and she’s written about it in a memoir…called “Sound: A memoir of hearing lost and found”. Libby talks to her to find out all about it.

Bob Komsic fills in for Libby Znaimer. This week, marbles! The popular yet simple toy that many Zoomers grew up with. Can you believe in these times of high tech toys, there’s an American company that still produces a million glass marbles every day! Bob talks to Marble King CEO Beri Fox. And – The Beatles’ classic 1968 White Album is commemorating its 50th anniversary with a re-issue. It’s been remixed by “fifth Beatle” George Martin’s son, Giles Martin, and repackaged with additional demos and session recordings. It will be available as a 7 disc set on November 9th. Bob talks to Toronto-based music exert Eric Alper.

To mark World Alzheimer’s day, Libby talks to world-renowned neurologist Dr. Howard Chertkow. He has recently arrived in Toronto to become the inaugural director of the Kimel Family Centre for brain health and wellness at Baycrest Health Sciences Centre. And – Andy Kim has sold more than 30 million records and is still making music and performing. And this year, he’s one of 8 inductees into Canada’s Walk of Fame. Libby talks with him about his career and his upcoming annual charity Christmas show.

This year marks a century since the end of the First World War. To commemorate the sombre anniversary, there’s a powerful project called The World Remembers, dedicated to the millions of lives lost. Libby talks with the Canadian behind the project: famed actor and playwright R.H. Thompson. And – Tennis is at an all time high in popularity in this country thanks to newcomers like Denis Shapovalov and Eugenie Bouchard, but it was Canada’s Daniel Nestor who paved the way over two decades ago. And the Zoomer is still playing, but this weekend marks his final pro event at the Davis Cup. Libby talks to him about his career and what’s next for him.

Canada’s first prime Minister is once again at the forefront of the current conversation. A new Angus reid poll finds most Canadians want his name and his statues to stay in public view. Libby talks with historian Patrice Dutil to re-examine John A. Macdonald’s history with indigenous peoples. And – As TIFF begins, Libby talks to Toronto filmmaker Barry Avrich about his fascinating new documentary Prosecuting Evil, which focuses on the last living prosecutor from the Nuremberg Trials.

It’s back to school time. Libby talks with Marie Bountrogianni, Dean of Ryerson’s Chang School of Continuing Education about what’s it like for Zoomers hitting the books this fall? And – Shattering the myth about declining health as you age. You CAN be in the best shape of your life in your 50’s and older. Libby speaks with Margaret Webb’s about how she transformed herself in her 50s to be able to run a marathon.

It’s a taboo subject…sex in mid life. But it seems many Zoomers have problems in the bedroom. In fact, 40% of women and 30% of men report ‘not being in the mood’ according to new Canadian research on 40 to 59 year olds published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. Libby talks to study co-author Robin Milhausen from the University of Guelph. And- it’s the 20th anniversary of Sex and the City. The groundbreaking TV series that changed our view of the older single woman. Libby talks with author Jennifer Keishin Armstrong about her new book Sex and the City and Us: How Four Single Women Changed the Way We Think, Live, and Love

She was the Queen of Soul, the first woman inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame, and arguably the greatest singer of the 20th century. This week Aretha Franklin passed away at the age of 76. Libby spoke with Zoomerradio music programming consultant Larry MacInnes. And – Zoomer Lawrence Franklin has taken a 360 degree turn in his professional life. At 63, the retired Mississauga urban designer IS launching a new career in radio broadcasting with an internship right here at Zoomer Radio. Libby talks with him about how his past, present, and future plans.

Christine Ross fills in for Libby Znaimer. With an aging population, Canada is bracing for a wave of new cases of Alzheimer’s and dementia. There’s a groundbreaking program that allows caregivers to feel what it’s like to live with the disease. Christine speaks with Kim Grier, the lead trainer of ‘Virtual Dementia Tour’. And – Next time you clean out the fridge and throw that head of lettuce or yogurt in the compost or trash, think about this fact: 60 percent of food Canadians throw away could have been consumed! And there’s now a movement gaining momentum to change our attitude about food waste. Christine talks to Vince Sferazza a waste policy planner with the city of Toronto.

In the aftermath of last week’s horrific mass shooting in Toronto’s Greektown, victims, witnesses and an entire city grieves. Libby speaks with University of Toronto psychologist Dr. Norman Farb about recovery from trauma ..it’s not a one size fits all process. And – important new details on the gender gap when it comes to heart disease. Libby speaks with Dr. Louise Sun, lead author of an important Canadian study on heart failure.

The Federal Liberal government has its first ever Minister of Seniors in a newly created portfolio announced in this week’s cabinet shuffle. The Zoomer advocacy group CARP is celebrating the decision. Libby talks to CARP’s VP of Advocacy Wanda Morris. AND The Canadian-made Avro Lancaster was the most famous bomber used during the Second World War and is still wildly popular with aircraft enthusiasts around the world. Ontario and British Columbia are currently locked in a battle over ownership of one that’s currently sitting in pieces in a Toronto area hanger. Libby gets all the details from Dave Rohrer from the Hamilton Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum.

We’re headed into another heat wave after the recent one that was responsible for a total of 70 deaths in Quebec and 3 suspected in Ontario. The drastic difference in numbers is because the provinces use different protocols for reporting. The question is does the Quebec model make it easier to intervene and save lives? Libby is joined by Dr. David Kaiser from Montreal’s public health office to talk about it. AND Do you have an extra bedroom? Can you use some extra cash, some help around the house and some company? That’s the starting point for a new house-sharing project that will pair seniors and young people. CARP is getting behind it along with the City of Toronto. Laura Tamblyn Watts and Andrea Austen dropped by the studio to talk about it.

Tensions are rising between Canada and the US as the trade war ensues. And it affects all of us. First – your finances! Investment guru Gordon Pape shares his strategy on how to make your portfolio defensive. AND The trade war has many Canadians resolving to cancel plans to travel to the United States this summer. Zoomer Magazine’s executive editor and travel expert Vivian Vassos has tips on the best Canadian destinations.

Dementia has many victims… not just those suffering from the mind-robbing disease. A new report shows caregivers pay a heavy cost in terms of their own health..with over half suffering from ‘burn-out’. Lead author of the study by the Canadian Institute for Health Information Tracey Johnson join Libby to talk about it. AND What are you doing to celebrate Canada day? will you be one of the 300 thousand planning to trek to Parliament Hill for the big bash? Those official birthday celebrations have evolved with changing times and government. We’ll get a little history lesson from University of Guleph professor Matthew Hayday.

A staggering 72% of Canadian men have unhealthy lifestyles that are bound to catch up to them. The Canadian Men’s Health Foundation is hoping that giving the details about smoking, drinking, diet, sleep and exercise will motivate change. Libby reached Joe Rachert of the CMHF in Vancouver. AND – It’s already a reality in Japan and it’s coming here soon. Robots can provide the answer to the two big worries for people as they age: Safety and loneliness. A company called Avatarmind makes a personalized robot called iPal and it’ll soon be available to consumers for about the same cost as a high end computer. Libby spoke with Avatarmind CEO, Dr. John Ostrem, ahead of his talk at ideacity.

The suicide rate among Zoomers has increased more than any other age group in the United States. It’s part of an alarming report that came out just days after the suicide deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain. Libby talks with CAMH psychologist Dr. David Gratzer to get his take. AND – Mental health is just one area of healthcare that is both underfunded and under serviced. Hospital wait times are rising as the demand grows. It’s a crisis that was the centerpiece of the 3 main party leaders in the provincial election. Libby speaks to Domenic Pilla, CEO of McKesson Canada, about the right prescription for an inefficient system.

Managing chronic pain with medical cannabis is becoming the treatment of choice as the opioid crisis grows. And it will be a hot topic at the 2018 edition of Moses Znaimer’s Idea City. Libby talks to Chief Medical Officer of Starseed Medicinal, Dr. Peter Blecher, ahead of his talk at ideacity. AND – The newly elected government has promised to build tens of thousands of long term care beds to solve the crisis. Libby talks to Director of Geriatrics at the Sinai Health System and government advisor, Dr. Samir Sinha, to get his opinion.

Christine Ross fills in for Libby Znaimer. Healthcare could decide the Ontario election. Seniors are worried about the future of healthcare and they’re making that message loud and clear in the provincial election campaign. A just-released poll by CARP and the Ontario Medical Association suggests people want a significant new investment in care. Christine talks to the president of the Ontario Medical Association, Dr. Nadia Alam to get her take. AND – Eating 12 ounces of protein a day and doing strength training 3 times a week is your best weapon against weight gain as we age. Christine speaks with Dr. Caroline Apovian, a Boston based weight management and nutrition expert, about how to feel better and keep the pounds off in our Zoomer years.

Two hidden pages from the Diary of Anne frank have been revealed through the use of new technology…and they’re all about sex! Libby talks to Ronald Leopold, the Executive Director of the Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam. AND – At 85, Ruth Bader Ginsburg is an unlikely celebrity. The outspoken U-S Supreme Court Justice was instrumental in landmark cases involving equal rights for women and she is still making news headlines with her comments on everything from the METOO movement to her criticism of Donald Trump. Now her story is being told in a new documentary called RBG. Libby talks with the filmmakers, Betsy West and Julie Cohen.

Bob Komsic fills in for Libby Znaimer. Today is Mother’s Day. It can trigger sadness for many Zoomers who’ve lost their Moms, with constant reminders of this special day on social media, TV and radio that stir up old memories. Bob talks to bereavement researcher and Sociology Professor Deborah Carr who reminds us that it’s ok to be sad, but focus on positive memories because Mother’s Day is just one day, but Moms stay with us for life. And – A good night’s sleep usually means improved mood for the day ahead. But our sleep patterns can change as we age due to a number of sleep disorders. And less sleep means less time for the body to heal and repair. Cutting edge research is currently underway at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto where major breakthroughs are happening. Bob talks with Neurologist Dr. Brian Murray, the head of the hospital’s sleep lab.