Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2017 i Zoomer Magazine

The Queen and Prince Philip have always exuded glamour in the classic sense of the word, but it’s been in advanced old age that they’ve come to telegraph a quality even more ephemeral – an incongruous cool. I pinpoint the beginning of this to when Her Majesty appeared in a video with Daniel Craig where, as James Bond, he braved the corgis to pick her up at Buckingham Palace before they both parachuted from a helicopter into the 2012 London Olympics Opening Ceremony. The fact that this was achieved with body doubles and tech wizardry did little to diminish the allure that this campy wink at her own image brought to Elizabeth II. Then there was the time in 2016 when she was Prince Harry’s mic-drop moment in a video…

Minnesota woman, 92, melts hearts by serving as flower girl at her granddaughter’s wedding “Not my heart,” retorted the bride’s disgruntled four-year-old niece, who just knows she’d have looked cuter in that dress. Well, this explains all the Mars bar wrappers and Victoria’s Secret bags at Grandma’s house Separate studies show that both chocolate and regular sex can improve cognitive function in older adults. Proteins from umbilical cords may offer boost to cognitive function in older adults “We’re good,” say amorous seniors clutching Mars bars. Justin Bieber, 23, gets aspirational age-themed tattoo that reads “Better at 70” Which is similar to one Keith Richards, 73, got, which reads “Can’t remember anything before 70.” On second try, John Oldring, 64, a retired Alberta cabinet minister, becomes one of the oldest Canucks…

After a barrage of beach reads, the waning days of summer have washed ashore lateseason literary treasures from around the globe. Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk’s latest revels in romance and intrigue when a Turkish welldigger’s desires lead to a calamitous chain of events in The Red- Haired Woman. Man Booker-nominee Alison Pick’s Strangers With the Same Dream documents an early 20th-century Jewish group settling the territory that becomes Israel, while Irish scribe John Boyne explores his home nation’s postwar identity through a man’s search for self in The Heart’s Invisible Furies. Linnea Hartsuyker launches an epic Viking-era trilogy with The Half-Drowned King and, south of the border, American author and Oscar-nominated screenwriter Tom Perrotta explores the erotic awakenings of a 46-year-old divorced empty nester in Mrs.Fletcher. Meanwhile, back in Canada,…

On its 375th birthday, Montreal is having a renaissance moment. Famous for its infamous guests – John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s bed-in for peace was held here in 1969 – Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth has reopened its doors after a transformation to the tune of $140 million (www.fairmont.com/ queen-elizabeth-montreal), while Le Mount Stephen (www.lemountstephen.com), a member of Leading Hotels of the World, opened this past May in one of the city’s historic mansions, the former home of Sir George Stephen, a.k.a. the money behind the Canadian Pacific Railway. In Toronto, Ink Entertainment’s restaurant and nightlife entrepreneur Charles Khabouth is dipping his toe into the hotel world with Bisha Hotel & Residences Toronto. The property, in partnership with Loews Hotels, is billed as a cultural hub and sits on Blue Jays…

Do you know any urologists?” That was the email from my friend Harriet. Her mother was having chronic bladder pain, and the simple possibilities, like an infection, had been ruled out. It was going to take months to see a specialist. That didn’t surprise me, but the kicker did. “She will pay to go to a private clinic,” Harriet told me. It seems that more patients are willing to do the same to get quicker access to everything from diagnostic tests to surgery. While it’s illegal for doctors who bill the public system to charge patients for any medically necessary service, a report by health coalitions across the country found that 88 of 136 private hospitals and clinics in six provinces are charging user fees. And they don’t have to…

The announcement came quietly from the Palace on May 4 in the form of a press release sent out to media outlets and posted on the official website of Her Majesty the Queen. “His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh has decided that he will no longer carry out public engagements from the autumn of this year. In taking this decision, the Duke has the full support of the Queen.” Was Prince Philip ill? He was about to turn 96 in June and he had been in and out of hospitals over the past few years but almost always for what was described as minor infections. The answer was a resounding no. The Duke had merely decided that he wanted to retire gracefully before his sell-by date had passed. As…

Co-housing is a concept that’s not new to Canada. A group of older likeminded people get together and buy shares in an existing house. The house is then renovated in an age-friendly manner and run like a fractional – residents split the costs of food, utilities, taxes, insurance, maintenance, property management, etc. The idea is they can age in place affordably in the community without losing their privacy or independence as they might in a seniors residence. British Columbia has embraced the idea – there are 17 co-housing projects currently running in that province, followed by Ontario with five and Saskatchewan with three. In order to further these alternative living opportunities, CARP’s Barrie Chapter has been working toward the promotion of co-housing for a number of years. In a letter…

the light dances below the surface of the pool. Once I fall into my rhythm, the world slips away, and I am lost in the delicious nothingness that comes with swimming lengths. I have no weight. Sounds are muted. And the water, but for its resistance, is barely perceptible against my skin. My mind slows to an easy pace. I am, in the vernacular of fitness buffs, in the zone. “The water holds you in a different way than the earth can,” says Canadian swimming icon Mark Tewksbury, who, among his many accolades, cinched gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. “It’s incredibly meditative.” Unfortunately, the day I interviewed Tewksbury I had messed up and was late. Daylight savings had kicked in the night before and, while my computer and…

Henning is 84 years old and lives in Northern Denmark. He has had operations on both knees, which unfortunately kept creating problems for him. “It felt like someone stuck a knife into my kneecaps several times a day. It was dreadful.” Here is his story: I have worked as a butcher since I was 17. My legs were worn out by 50, and I had both knees replaced. Unfortunately, this was not without problems, as my legs were hurting and swollen. Apart from my legs I am well, so I must admit it took a toll on my quality of life. Tried Active LegsTM My wife read about Active Legs in a magazine and asked if I wanted to try the tablets. I was a bit skeptical, but she convinced…

I recently experienced the new Seabourn Encore and I can say that Seabourn offers a gourmet dining experience that rivals the finest restaurants. They use the freshest quality ingredients and everything is perfectly prepared by their skilled chefs. All dining venues are complimentary and their range of choices allows you to enjoy everything on your own schedule - and that’s luxury. ABOUT CRUISE PROFESSIONALS Cruise Professionals, a division of Tully Luxury Travel, was established in 1987 and has long-standing relationships with the finest travel and tour operators. Tully Luxury Travel offers world-class customer service through its three divisions: Cruise Professionals, African Dreams, and Private Travel Designers. WHY BOOK WITH THE CRUISE PROFESSIONALS? • Exclusive amenities offered on ALL sailings • VIP access to sites often closed to the general public…

Snack Handfuel, which is what you’ll want to take at a time (Get it? “Hand full”?), is a line of munchies aimed at what your body might need in the moment, whether a brain boost for that 3 p.m. slump or to beat hunger from airplane- food avoidance. Varieties include the Antioxidizer: an omega-3 fatty acidpacked mix of fruits, walnuts and pecans; and Energizer: a vitamin E- and mineralrich mix of dried fruits and almonds. All are sources of fibre, contain zero trans fat and are gluten-free. www.handfuel.ca Soothe Not a fan of chewing gum? Vancouver’s Saje Natural Wellness has just the thing: double-duty mints that go beyond freshening breath. Ginger-Aide Soothing Lemon Ginger Drops soothe a sore throat (we found they helped calm the tummy after a winding road…

• Timing is everything, so book now for Christmas Gone are the days when the best airfare deals for the holidays were 10 months out or at the last minute. Global flight comparison website, cheapflights.ca, has developed a tool using its search engine data to pinpoint exactly when prices are at their lowest over the holidays. For example, book the cheapest airfares to London, England, for Christmas in mid-August; if you’re planning Delhi, Mumbai or Paris, book flights the week of Sept. 10 (that’s about 15 weeks before Christmas) and for Bangkok the week of Sept. 17. For more destinations and timing, go to www.cheapflights.ca/news/best-time-tobook- flights-for-christmas —VV • Where’s there’s a whim, there’s a way The premise for a new online goto whipped up by the website, Booking.com. Known as…

For eight years, from 2007 to 2014, registered nurse Elizabeth Wettlaufer delivered toxic doses of insulin to patients. She chose a dozen victims to murder – four survived; eight did not. Repeatedly, individuals and institutions had opportunities to intervene. Repeatedly, they failed to do so. During the four years Wettlaufer worked for Caressant Care Homes in Woodstock, Ont., she was suspended four times for medication errors before finally being dismissed. Shortly thereafter that dismissal, she was hired by Meadow Park in nearby London where she murdered her final victim. From news reports, it appears that Meadow Park was aware of Wettlaufer’s past medication errors but decided to give her a second chance. They weren’t the only ones giving out second chances. Wettlaufer is known to have confessed her murders to…

• Remastered after US$130 million investment by Cunard parent company Carnival UK. • Accommodates 2,961 pas sengers; Britannia Class level now includes 15 solo cabins. • Supervised programs for three age groups of children as well as nursery care for babies and toddlers ranging from six to 23 months old. • A secluded aft deck includes 24 kennels to house cats and dogs. Pets must have up-to-date vaccination certificates and must meet size and breed restrictions. • The largest library at sea houses some 10,000 books. • Three public pools, each with a whirlpool, one with a retractable roof.…

I watched as he ran his hand down the list of names carved in stone. Asad Aryubwal had been in Canada for all of 72 hours, having spent years in exile, fearing for his life every day. Now he was safe, and we were walking around Hamilton, the city that accepted him and his family as refugees. We came across a monument dedicated to Canadians who had died in war. That’s where we found a commemoration to soldiers who had been killed in Afghanistan. Asad was deeply touched by the sacrifice that complete strangers had been willing to make for his country. He wept as he thought about their families. Canada is my birthplace, my home, but it has always been my refuge as well. As I travelled the world…

Diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease all become more common in older men and women. And all can impede blood flow, affecting your sexual response. “Diabetes has two dramatic impacts with sexual activity because it affects both the nerves and the blood vessels,” says Barkin. If you’re obese, “Physically, the act of sex can be more difficult because you just can’t get close enough to your partner.” Naturally, we’ re going to suggest weight loss, better diet and exercise. “More aerobic activity will increase blood flow and oxygenation,” says Barkin. Cut back on alcohol, which makes you less alert and slows your response time. Paulsen suggests: “Get a physical. See if there are things that you can be doing to feel healthier.” ■ Certain medications like antidepressants and blood…

Canada-ha-ha Love your magazine. The Canada 150 issue is particularly wonderful. Have to say I don’t recall ever laughing out loud as often as I did reading Arthur Black’s “The Funniest Country I Know.” Great humour and spot on. —Barbara Brayshaw Trip Tip I usually leaf through Zoomer magazine and possibly read one or two things. I always check the classifieds for the travel I will never afford (you need to have more for the Zoomers with less substantial means). This last issue, Canada 150, however was a wonderfully entertaining and informative cover-to-cover read with insight and humour. An hour well spent. Thank you. —Jim Small Go west Loved your Canada 150 edition! Really enjoyed all the articles. Wanted to mention to David Israelson who wrote “In Their Footsteps” that…

About 97 per cent of climate scientists say climate change is real, but one very non-scientific mind disagrees – U.S. President Donald Trump. It’s no surprise, really, that he isn’t a fan of the popular vote given he’s famously on the losing end of them, whether in elections or when he made America the lone holdout as 19 of the G20 nations re-affirmed their commitment to the 2015 Paris climate accord in June. But while Trump cries “Chinese hoax,” former U.S. Vice- President Al Gore, 69 and a presidential popular vote winner, hopes to raise awareness with An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power, the follow up to his Oscarwinning 2006 doc An Inconvenient Truth, which galvanized public opinion on climate change. The sequel skewers the recent dismantling of U.S. environmental…

This September, as the debuting Star Trek: Discovery boldly goes where no Trekkie series has gone before – the new streaming service CBS All Access – the Toronto-filmed show that boasts two Canucks in supporting roles also serves as a reminder of Canada’s prominent role in the Star Trek lexicon. After all, the USS Enterprise first launched with Montreal’s William Shatner at the helm as Capt. Kirk and Vancouver’s James Doohan as Chief Engineer Scotty. Meanwhile, Christopher Plummer as Shakespeare-quoting Klingon Chang and Kim Cattrall as Vulcan Valeris in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, along with Kids in the Hall alumnus Scott Thomson’s Ambassador Tomin on Star Trek: Voyager, are only a few of the many Canucks who’ve earned their space stripes with the franchise. When the original Enterprise…

In his new book Undoctored: How You Can Seize Control of Your Health and Become Smarter Than Your Doctor, Dr. William Davis is taking aim at his own ilk. “If health care actually doled out health and you came away from the doctor’s office [saying], ‘He told me some things I didn’t know,’ and you become slender and healthy and felt 10 years younger, then the doctor did his job.” Davis says most doctors have a trigger finger for revenue-generating procedures and pharmaceuticals. As a cardiologist, he took flak from health insurers for not following suit. Rather, he helped patients address diet, nutritional deficiencies and metabolic disorders such as high blood sugar. When treated with that protocol, “It was a rare occasion where some health condition persisted,” he says. In…

CLEAR THE AIR The Peace Lily (left) truly is a triple threat. Its elegant blooms flower year-round. It’s low maintenance, requiring little light and water. And, according to a NASA study, it’s one of the best houseplants at filtering toxic chemicals from indoor air. Just be mindful of munchers – pets and little ones alike – as ingestion can cause toxicity. DUST BUSTER From allergens and odours to germs, the new Philips Air Purifier 2000 automatically adjusts to keep indoor air even fresher than a daisy. From $500, Canadian Tire, amazon.ca AU NATURAL In its new Super Leaves line, the eco-friendly folks at Attitude used extracts from lemon, olive, orange and white tea leaves to boost moisture and cleanse, naturally. From $6, London Drugs, www.attitudeliving.com EAU DE VIE Plants…

Decumulation. It’s a word that’s unfamiliar to most people, but one every retiree has to live with. How well you cope will go a long way to determining how happy you feel about those post-earning years. Decumulation is the stage in life when you stop accumulating assets and begin to unwind them. Homeowners who decide to downsize to a condo or apartment are a prime example. When it comes to money, decumulation is the point at which you stop saving and start spending your nest egg. For example, registered retirement savings plans (RRSPs) represent your accumulation phase – you’re trying to accumulate as much capital as possible to fund your retirement years. When you make the switch to a registered retirement in come fund (RRIF), you’re moving into the decumulation…

I first met the Queen in 2005, at a party at Buckingham Palace for Canadians who lived in London. I remember this day well, as you may imagine; she almost certainly does not. In that year, when she was 79, she carried out 378 official engagements in the United Kingdom, and 48 abroad. In other words, opening up the palace and dusting off the Titians for some nice Canadians was all in a day’s work. She did not seem exhausted by this schedule, or perhaps it’s more accurate to say that she has become extremely good at putting on a game face. She greeted each one of us with a polite smile, touched our hands lightly with her black-gloved one, and murmured a few anodyne words. I’m not sure I…

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First time: “So, how’s retirement?” Me: “I wouldn’t know.” Second time: “So, I hear you’re retired.” Me: “You heard wrong.” Third time: “So, how’s retirement going?” Me: “I’ll let you know when I get a pension cheque.” I wasn’t even through the door at the theatre, where I was screening a film for my new blog, and I had already encountered three “retirement” well-wishers. It had been two months since I’d taken a buyout from my job as a movie writer for the Toronto Sun. If you’ve followed the news, you know why I left. (On the other hand, people not following the news are part of the reason newspapers are dying.) In any case, neither my long-time employer nor I had ever made mention on my departure of me…

For people who yearn to trade in their private parts for newer models, is surgery an option? When it comes to surgically treating age-related changes in a bid to improve your sex life, perhaps not. Some cosmetic surgeons offer vaginoplasties, also known as “vagina tightening” for women who feel their slackened vaginas are interfering with their sexual function. That said, medical societies are cautious and concerned and cite a lack of long-term research on safety and efficacy. Like all surgeries, there can be serious risks to these surgeries and, without clear evidence of benefits, the medical experts don’t recommend them. In fact, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada cautions that there’s little evidence to show that having an operation on your vagina will actually enhance your pleasure –…

Canadian Rockies Banff Upper Hot Springs and Radium Hot Springs both promise a mountain-high wellness soak-with-a-view that’s well beyond elevated. The mineral-rich springs at Banff National Park sit at nearly 1,600 metres above sea level, while Radium, a day trip from Banff, features sulphate, calcium, bicarbonate and magnesium in its pools. Both Banff and Radium are open year-round but hours change with the seasons. www.hotsprings.ca Dominica not to be confused with the Dominican Republic – is a volcanic island in the Eastern Caribbean known for its slew of mineral-rich springs. Try Screw’s Sulpher Baths (left, www.screwsspa.com) or Champagne Beach, where the springs bubble up from the ocean like, well, bubbly. www.visitdominica.com England Bath is called so for a reason. When the Romans arrived more than 2,000 years ago, they took…

What advice do you wish you’d given your 25-year-old self? Shut up and listen. What advice would you give your 80-year-old self? See above. What do you know for sure? My limitations. What have you learned? Moral categories (good and evil) don’t apply to people, only to what people do. What will you never learn? How to golf. Best piece of advice? Do not try to write poetry. (From revered English prof, a long, long time ago.) Did it work? Yes. What inspires you? The optimism of decent people. The moment that changed everything? The moment I realized that I’d just been fired by the Chronicle Herald, in Halifax, a long, long time ago. Happiness is … Elusive. But a boat, a cold beer, a still day, infinity of sea…