Help Generations help kids generationsfoundation.com O 514-933-8585 MARCH2010 www.theseniortimes.com VOL.XXIVN 5 INSIDE Gemma Rayburn-Baynes — community activist p. 3 Bringing Seniors Home Guide to senior living Private Residence Listings and Special Housing Features Be prudent before you purchase p. 6 Floors that float p. 20 Easter advice: What to do once the chicks have flown p. 29 Take that window of opportunity p. 31 ADVENTURESOME FEATURES Planning for the inevitable p. 8 Menopause can take the fun out of your sex life p. 9 Want a touch of uncertainty Breaking news: in your destinations? p. 40 CAUTIONARY TALES No retirement for Avoiding bad investments p. 12 Don’t spam your friends p. 39 this broadcaster p.5 Editorial Faamillemille L alondealonde Ethics and religious culture course necessary and timely There is a simmering and potentially divisive of French, by far the largest single group of immi- Familleamille d’épiciers’épiciers impliquésimpliqués Familyamily ofof Grocers,rocers, debate under way about a compulsory course grants – 23 per cent for the first three months of auau seinsein dede lala communautécommunauté activeactive inin thethe communitycommunity depuisdepuis 1949.1949. sincesince 1949.1949. called Ethics and Religious Culture being taught last year – is from Muslim North Africa. There is at elementary and secondary schools, public and also a growing Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh presence Terrasse de l’île Marché de l’Ouest 640, Jacques Bizard, Île Bizard 11800, de Salaberry, DDO private. The course is broaching the once-taboo here. Given the kind of misunderstandings flow- Tél. 514.620.4443 Tél. 514.685.5252 subjects of diverse religious and ethical cultures ing from interaction – or rumours – from this that inhabit our province. Our schools once ig- relatively new religious and ethnic mix, Quebec’s nored these areas because the dominant Roman education department has wisely decided to de- Catholic and Protestant religions controlled the velop a program so students can familiarize them- political decision-making process and the cur- selves with these belief systems and practices. ricula in our schools. But as Bob Dylan observed This is not a comparative religion course. Teach- almost half a century ago: “The times they are a ers have broad leeway in methods to stimulate dis- changin’,”and in the climate of pluralism, this is cussion. They must attach value judgments to any no longer possible. of these beliefs and practices and encourage dis- Affiliated Real Estate Agent 514.445.4488 The course was introduced in the fall of 2008 to cussion in a climate of respect. A mix of national- replace the choice then offered: Catholic religious ists and conservative critics has challenged this Committed to offer and moral instruction, Protestant moral and aspect. Nationalists say this is really promoting the superior service regional education, or the more amorphous moral hated multiculturalism of Pierre Elliott Trudeau. to my buyers, education, which examined Judeo-Christian values They want students to be immersed in Quebec cul- sellers and renters. inherent in our civilization. The new course, being ture. Sociologist Joëlle Quérin says the aim is to taught in all grades except Grade 9, emphasizes the smooth the way for “unreasonable” accommoda- historical importance of Catholicism and Protes- tions, citing the cancellation of exams during the tantism, but also discusses aspects of Judaism, month of Ramadan, when Muslims fast during 5517 Monkland Avenue www.century21.ca/jennifer.gaudo native spirituality, Buddhism and Hinduism. the day, as an example. Montreal, Quebec It was introduced to help students understand National Post columnist Barbara Kay says the the religious and ethical traditions that our newer course is “a creepy state foray into social engineer- neighbours have. Quebec, and all of Canada for ing” because it imposes normative pluralism. that matter, is becoming a cultural rainbow thanks Catholic critics say this is akin to moral relativism, to the continuing – and welcome – influx of im- and contrary to their deepest convictions. Catholic migrants. The total fertility rate in Canada was parents in Drummondville and Granby have gone only 1.66 children per woman in 2007, well below to court and lost in their bid to argue the course is the generational replacement level of 2.1, the rate contrary to freedom of religion. At least two ultra- • Private Nursing that must be maintained to replace those who die orthodox Jewish schools – The Tash community’s • Personal care and homemaking or leave, in the absence of migration. Rabbinical College in Boisbriand and the Satmar’s • Diabetes and Hypertension monitoring With Quebec giving bonus points for knowledge Yeshiva Toras Moshe in Mile End – have indicated and education they will not teach the full curriculum, the Cana- • Blood & other tests in your home • Santé-TELE-Health dian Jewish News reported. This is not surprising, (home monitoring by RONDA BLY and the government has indicated it will suspend a nurse via the internet) B.COM., M.ED., CPPA 60 per cent of funding to any private school that does not teach the prescribed curriculum. One Estate & Moving Sales Jewish scholar has urged the Orthodox commu- Home Content Liquidation nity forgo grants if the price is teaching material Certified Appraiser that clashes with its most profound beliefs. So be it. COMPLETE CLEANUP AVAILABLE We believe the course is necessary, timely and Planning a move or 514-236-4159 open to fine tuning. As the course outline states, it prepares students for a better comprehension of [email protected] do wnsizing this year? our society and its cultural and religious heritage Let me do t he le gwork t o hel p you and encourages “tolerance, respect and openness.” make a n i nfo rmed deci sion . We say Bravo and encourage the government to stand firm in insisting the course be given as pre- scribed. Private schools that believe it clashes with their convictions can forgo government support. • Final Expense Protection... Affordable! Paul Patterson B.CO MM • Funeral arrangements... Char tered Rea l Estate Agen t Guaranteed! Cell : 514 -714 -7363 Fulfilling Needs • Peace of mind... Email: pp att erson @sutt on. com Senior Residence Web: www .ppa tt ers on .ca at Every Stage Priceless! • Retirement lifestyle of distinction & quality • Round-the-clock FAMILYSIDE caregiving by full nursing staff • Quality service • Luxurious accommodations • Recreational programs • At-home atmosphere Group e Su tt on – Centre -Ou est In c. Ch artere d Real Estate Broker Visit us today! For FREE information 4432 St. Catherine St. West, Westmount Per son alize d ser vice Rainer Schmalhaus 5 1 4 9 3 5 - 1 2 1 2 rschmalhaus@ 514 606-9426 Prof ess ion al re su lts w ww .p la c ekens in gto n.c o m lakeviewmemorial.ca A DI VISION OF FAI RWAY MANAGEMENT CORP. 2 THE SENIOR TIMES March 2010 www.theseniortimes.com Photo: Kristine Berey Kristine Photo: Gemma Raeburn-Baynes pairs youth with mentors in a culinary-arts program. Breaking through the mainstream Kristine Berey mentors,” Raeburn-Baynes says of the serendipitous encounter. Her son calls her the Energizer Taitt recognized her from a recently Bunny “because she never stops.” aired TV commercial, where she That’s a perfect description of speaks about what local broadcasting Gemma Raeburn-Baynes, a commu- means to her. nity activist and remarkable woman The Triumph Through Adversity who has worked tirelessly for the scholarship program provides aspiring wellbeing of young people through- chefs age 16 to 24 a chance to attend out her professional life. St. Pius X culinary institute to work In the five minutes she waited in a alongside professionals. Candidates restaurant for this interview, she are recruited from among disenfran- forged a connection with chef Richard chised kids in the black community. Taitt, who wants to learn more about “Wegive them the tools,they get a lit- Raeburn-Baynes’s most recent initia- tle bit of knowledge and then they can tive, the Triumph Through Adversity go out and get a foothold in the pro- culinary arts program. fessional world,”Raeburn-Baynes says. “He’s black, and I’m looking for Continued on Page 4 Specializing in meeting your needs whether buying or selling Dale C. Bayers Affiliated Real Estate Agent 4 Westmount Square, bureau 110 Westmount, Qc H3Z 2S6 Off: 514-934-1818 Cell: 514-730-4465 Fax: 514-934-0478 HERITAGE WE WILLIAMS & ESBER INC. TRUSTED SINCE 1957 INDEPENDENT INSURANCE BROKERS • AUTO • HOME OWNERS INCLUDING HIGH VALUED HOMES • CONDO OWNERS & TENANTS INSURANCE • TRAVEL • LIFE INSURANCE PRODUCTS “Don’t Buy Insurance Until Talk!” 514-481-0181 4999 Ste. Catherine St. W., Suite 208, Westmount www.weinsure.ca www.theseniortimes.com March 2010 THE SENIOR TIMES 3 Raeburn-Baynes levels the playing field AGE WITH DIGNITY Continued from Page 3 she noticed her friends were not as fortunate as she. Raeburn-Baynes’s desire to level the “They didn’t go to school, they were playing field has been a guiding force walking barefoot when I had shoes. I since she began her career at the saw the difference.” Bank of Montreal Financial Group in Raeburn-Baynes has been hon- can make your later years 1973. Throughout the years, she con- oured with several awards, including tributed to the bank’s social-inclusion the YWCA’s Woman of Distinction more comfortable. and workplace-equality initiatives. Award, the Woman of Achievement “I was the research co-ordinator of Award from the Business & Profes- the task force for the advancement of sional Women’s Club of Montreal, Ask about women, visible minorities, people and several more. with disabilities and aboriginal peo- Some may find it shocking that LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE ple,” Raeburn-Baynes says.