Zoomer Week In Review

Former Ontario PC leader Patrick Brown has come out swinging in his new tell-all memoir that contains some blockbuster allegations about sitting provincial politicians and more. Libby speaks with Brown, who is now the mayor of Brampton..the day before the book hit the shelves. And – There’s been a troubling resurgence of antisemitism here at home and across the world. It’s been three weeks since the deadliest attack on Jews in American history took place at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. Toronto based documentarian Dan Rosenburg grew up there, just blocks away from where it happened. He shares his thoughts.

Christine Ross fills in for Libby Znaimer. It’s Remembrance Day and this year is extra special. It marks the 100th anniversary of the end of world war one. 94 year old Canadian veteran Richard Rohmer spoke at the ceremony at queens park. He has many titles: aviator, lawyer, author and historian. But the one he’s most proud of is his current title: Honorary Lieutenant General of the Canadian Armed Forces. And – Don’t ask Canadian comedian Rick Mercer if he’s retiring. The answer is an emphatic NO. His new book, The Final Report, contains a collection of his famous rants he delivered from Toronto’s graffiti alleys during 15 season of his popular TV show.

Holocaust Education Week began just days after the horrific massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. 11 people were murdered and 6 were wounded by a gunman shouting anti-Semitic slurs. Can this become a teachable moment? Libby talks to 98 year old Max Eisen. He survived the notorious death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau and has been sharing his experience for 32 years. And – A very popular renewal of one aspect of Jewish culture is in full swing in Toronto – the food! Anthony Rose is one of Toronto’s most prominent restaurateurs who currently runs a new style Jewish deli, an Israeli middle-eastern restaurant and a takeout and sandwich joint called Schmaltz Appetizing. Schmaltz means melted chicken fat or excessive sentimentality, and it is also the title of his new cookbook “The Last Schmaltz.”

This month marks the 100th anniversary of the great influenza pandemic of 1918 and it was at its worst this very week. The flu pandemic is often considered the deadliest event in human history killing between 50 and 100 million people. Neil Orford is behind a major project to commemorate the history of this tragedy in Canada. And – As we mark the end of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, here is a contrarian view of breast screening. For decades we have been told that mammograms save lives. And the backlash was huge when a major study in 2014 found that was not necessarily true. The emotional force of that reaction prompted Renee Pellerin to write “Conspiracy of Hope.”

Recently we heard about gender bias with heart health…and worse outcomes for women than men with heart failure. Now, there’s evidence the same is true for strokes. But doctors don’t know all the reasons behind the gender bias. This past week, the 11th World Stroke Congress was held in Montreal. Dr. Patrice Lindsay, a director with the Heart and Stroke Foundation, presented this research which she shares with Libby. And – Staying healthy shouldn’t be overly complicated. That’s the message behind a groundbreaking new health show that premiered on Vision TV last week. It’s called A User’s Guide to Cheating Death. Libby caught up with series creator and host Timothy Caulfield to learn all about some of the trends and myths the show debunks.

The largest advocacy group for Zoomers is putting a “face” to the issues impacting older Canadians. This week, CARP launched its 5-point national strategy called FACES in advance of next year’s federal election. And – Recreational marijuana becomes legal in Canada in just 3 days. How will that affect the hundreds of thousands of Canadians who use medical marijuana? Libby finds out from physician, medical cannabis expert, and CMO of Cannabo Medical Clinics, Dr. Danial Schecter.

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.