Did you know that Chicago’s own Shedd Aquarium rescues wounded, abandoned or otherwise trouble animals from the wild? One of their favorite rescue animals is the penguin. Shedd staffers work with local scientists to rescue them and rehabilitate them. Shedd even maintains a mini-habitat of penguins at Lurie Children’s Hospital so the kids can enjoy watching wildlife close up.
Nickel heading down
One of the many wonders at Shedd is a huge look-up-and-be-amazed round aquarium tank that sits in the middle of a two-floor exhibit. There you’ll see a once-seriously wounded but now seemingly very happy sea turtle whose back legs don’t work because of an encounter with propeller blades. Yet she propels herself just fine around the environment, even working up extra enthusiasm to push herself deep under the water using only her front legs. Her name is Nickel because, when she was rescued, she had a nickel stuck in her throat. And she’s a testament to the resilience of life in all its forms.
Sharks in action
Shedd shark embryo
Shedd shark n friends
Don’t miss the shark exhibit. There’s nothing to compare to watching these creatures from ancient times as they glide noiselessly around their huge tank. The Shedd shark expert has 31 years in the industy, so she can tell you a lot about them. She explains that they are studying microbiome of water with a view to understanding more about the 11 species of shark they keep here. Regular feedings by keepers – the sharks respond instantly when shown a specific shape and given an audio cue – keep them from attacking their fishy tankmates for meal fodder.
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The atmosphere is warm and slightly humid on some of the floors. Everywhere you can gaze at your leisure at the sea creatures in all sizes hanging out in habitats that closely approximate their homes in the wild. Watch a shark embryo moving and growing inside its protective cocoon. Marvel at the colors and the shapes of dozens of other varieties of fish and mollusks. The watery exhibits are in many cases breathtakingly lovely and the gently bubbling or moving water is soothing to the spirit.
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Baby dolphin Makoa swims close to mom
Shedd recently facilitated the birth of a baby dolphin in captivity and invited the public to participate in a naming contest this past July. Thirty-four hundred people participated and voted for Makoa, which means fearless.
Back-legless iguana uses 3-D prosthetic
Shedd experts also have a 3-D printer that actually creates artificial limb replacements out of rubberized material; we saw one for their back-left-legless iguana. Fascinating to see the half dozen iterations they had to go through before they got the size and the flexibility just right. And now the iguana struts around his area like he owns the place.
Shedd offers multiple levels of membership. Give as much or as little as fits your budget and get free entrance and dozens of other perks. It’s a really special place in Chicago that you can’t fully appreciate until you’ve had a relaxed visit there.
And be aware that the CTA will take you right to and from their door. No need to pay big bucks for parking. It’s called the Museum Campus bus and you can plan out your route via the RTA Trip Planner.
P.S. For your viewing pleasure, a few more photos:
As we all know, personal maintenance for past-50 women is just as important (well, almost) as it is to twenty-somethings. The Giraffe Razor Extension sent a sample to review and, for sure, it gives older women who still need or want to shave their legs a way to get a close shave without the hassle of bending over and maneuvering into contortions. Works, incidentally, very well for pregnant women, too, in case you have a daughter or other relation undergoing that experience.
How it works: You fit your razor (disposable or otherwise) into the end of the Giraffe Razor Extension Handle that fits it best. You have two different sizes of grip to hold a razor firmly in place. After you snap it in, you customize the length and angle to your most comfortable fit. I was a little worried about being able to control it – who wants to live with bleeding nicks in all the wrong places? – but the hold was firm enough that I was able to perform the operation without slicing anything. Here’s what it’s got:
Two universal razor attachments (small and large)
Snaps onto the handle of any common disposable and reusable razor
Quick connect and release buttons
Telescoping handle
Extends 15-20 inches
Pivoting handle rotates to 30°, 45° or 90° angle
No slip grip
Wrist lanyard for easy retrieval
Rubberized finish for optimal control
No bending over is always a nice thing for us Boomer ladies. This would also make a great gift to a pregnant lady or to someone who’s recovering from surgery, or anyone struggling with their sense of balance. Could be a boon to people with arthritis and back pain, and it really works nicely for anyone (like me) who has to shave in a shower stall or other confined space. The quality and fit of the materials seems good, so I’d expect this product to give years of service. Available on Amazon.com for $29.99.
Update 3/2017: The Drake Hotel is still a wonderful place to go. Just be aware that one of their restaurants, the Cape Code Room, is no longer open.
Chicago’s own Drake Hotel is one of a growing number of hotels in America that have recently been formally recognized as offering both ambiance and history that go beyond what most hotels can offer. What a great way to enjoy time out with your fellow boomer/senior friends.
Drake Hotel in Chicago where Forbes took a $5,000 bribe. Postcard 1920 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
In the case of the Drake, situated since 1933 at 140 E. Walton at Michigan Ave., you have three unique venues that have hosted untold numbers of famous celebrities, politicians, and gangsters. Everyone from Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra to JFK and Winston Churchill and to Michael Jordan and Oprah Winfrey has found a warm and friendly place to relax and be themselves at The Drake Hotel’s various venues.
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Between the Cape Cod room and the Coq d’Or (both situated at street level but with the feeling of private cellars), The Drake offers a quiet escape from the crush of the crowd. In the Cape Cod Room, guests are often invited to carve their initials into the nearly-hundred-year-old bar, and many famous folks have done just that, without worrying about autograph hounds or ogling eyes. Many came often enough that they had their own designated tables because, here, they are just people. Oprah, Michael, Frank Sinatra Joe DiMaggio, and hundreds of other well-known people have sought refuge and comfort food here.
Cozy nooks to hide in at the Cape Cod Room
Cape Cod Room serves famous Bookbinder Soup at The Drake
Today you’ll enjoy the same decor in the Cape Cod Room as those who came in 1933, though the room added lights during the 40s when electricity became common. And you’ll enjoy the same sense of being in an elegant and private space.
Feast on classic Lobster Thermidor with butter and shallots, served with crisp green beans and mushrooms. And/or slurp the world-famous Bookbinder’s Snapper Soup (changed from the original turtle and served elegantly topped with basil/arugula foam), or enjoy classics like fish and chips with greens (grown, for your enjoyment, on the hotel’s rooftop garden and served fresh daily) or Shepherd’s pie. And trust the Cape Cod sommelier to recommend wines that pair perfectly with each dish.
The corner bar in the Palm Court
Beautifully lit Palm Court at The Drake
If you’re in the mood for something showier and more plush, visit the gorgeous Palm Court room upstairs for drinks or lunch. This is where The Drake, one of the few historic hotels to offer high tea, invites families, elders and up-and-comers alike to partake of delicious and attractive tidbits, both savory and sweet, along with elegant teas (Tropical Garden herbal is just one surprising and delightful flavor). And of course you may also enjoy champagne and/or other wines or cocktails.
Pouring high tea
Sweets and savories
High tea in the Palm Court of The Drake
For dessert, enjoy the kitchen’s creations, some of them designed to be topped with a drizzle of The Drake’s own aged maple syrup. And don’t fail to try the legendary brownie, the classic dessert that was actually invented by the then-chef for the Chicago world’s fair of 1933. The powers-that-be wanted a dessert that was portable, delicious and non-spilling. Voila, the chef created the first-ever brownie, and today you can get one here that’s made with the same recipe – and loaded with nuts.
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If you hunger for the atmosphere of old-time classy cocktail bars, look no further than the Coq d’Or, down the stairs from the Palm Court and through the hallway. Enjoy classic whiskey and other cocktails served with calm and measured aplomb by the long-seasoned staff members who know how to respect your privacy yet be available for conversation as needed. Bartenders here give careful attention to detail in both ingredients and service. Order a meal, a snack or choose from their extensive and carefully curated selection of cheeses. You cannot go wrong here. The dark wood and subtle lighting make for a supremely comfortable place in which to enjoy food and drink in Chicago.
Coq d’Or’s own Few spirits-infused cocktails
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The Coq d’Or (French for Golden Cockerel or “young rooster”) has been voted one of Chicago’s Best Restaurants & Lounges for its historical significance. The legendary bar opened to a line of thirsty patrons after the repeal of Prohibition, on December 6, 1933 being the second outlet to obtain a liquor license and remains a fixture in Chicago today. Their extensive whiskey list including a new addition, a Rye Whiskey locally blended and distilled in Evanston, Illinois, by FEW Spirits in conjunction with The Drake Hotel. Meet up here with local neighbors and international travelers and visiting business executives. Get some work done together, or just socialize in a warm and classy environment. Come for lunch, dinner, or late night with live week-end entertainment at the piano bar.
Gourmet cheese selections at Coq d’Or
The Coq d’Or Whiskey Club
Enjoy a good Old Fashioned? Join the Whiskey Club. All you do is register online. You’ll get a membership card in the mail that shows you’ll be invited to private whiskey club quarterly events and get special discounts in the Coq d’Or. No application fees or dues (must be 21 years old to participate).
In case you haven’t heard enough, why not just schedule yourself for dinner or lunch or high tea or cocktails at one of The Drake’s fabulous venues? Then sink back into the elegance. Enjoy the food and drink while you feel the history.
Got this in an email the other day. Would love to give the author credit, but there was no way to identify who made these up. If it was you, please let us know (email form is below). Some of these are LOL, for sure. My biggest laugh came on #2…
Ramblings of a 70+-Year-Old
Goal for 2016 is to eat healthy foods.
Ate salad for dinner! Mostly croutons & tomatoes.
Well, really just one big, round crouton covered with tomato sauce. And cheese…
FINE! Ok, so it was a pizza.
A pizza with tomato sauce, cheese, tomatos, field mushrooms, onion etc. Português: Uma pizza de queijo feita em casa (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
How to prepare Tofu:
1 – Throw it in the trash.
2 – Grill some Meat.
“I just did a week’s worth of cardio walking through a spider web.”
“I don’t mean to brag but…I finished my 14-day diet in 3 hours and 20 minutes.”
A recent study has found that women who carry a little extra weight live longer than men who mention it.
Kids today don’t know how easy they have it.
“When I was young, I had to walk 12 feet through shag carpet to change the TV channel.”
“Senility has been a smooth transition for me.”
“Remember back when we were kids and every time it was below zero out they closed school? Me neither.”
“I may not be that funny or athletic or good looking or smart or talented…uh, I forgot where I was going with this.”
It’s great being over 70. Learn something new every day…and forget 5 other things.
Most of the exhibits at Adler Planetarium in Chicago may be a bit beyond smaller kids, but if your grandchildren are older, they will likely find a lot to enjoy in the star shows and in a new exhibit called What Is a Planet? The show talks about what happened to Pluto-the-former-planet, but its main purpose is to highlight some of the museum’s prized historical icons relating to the evolving state of knowledge in astronomy.
When you visit What Is a Planet? you might even run into one of the Adler resident astronomers while you’re there. They love talking about astronomy and will tell you quite frankly that many astronomers disagree about a lot of things – another indicator of how our fund of knowledge about space is always growing and changing.
FYI: The new definition of planet, voted on by members of the international astronomers union (many of whom disagreed!), is that it must a) have enough gravity to be round, b) rotate around the sun, and c) clear everything else out of its orbit, meaning asteroids and other such extraneous stuff cluttering up space.
Interested younger kids will like the exhibit also because, right across the hall from the 600-year-old book of calculations by Kepler and other fascinating artifacts from the Adler’s archives, is a Community Design Lab where kids can draw spaceships, imagine visits to planets, and create – to their hearts’ content – models of machines and dioramas of sci-fi scenarios. All drawing and construction materials supplied free of charge. The room is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.
Although first-wave baby boomer women are far into the post-menopausal stage, plenty of later boomers are just approaching this momentous time in life. That fun time when our bodies begin to play sometimes-dismaying tricks with our menstrual cycles: one day heavy, another week light, another month not at all. And if that wasn’t enough, many baby boomers start to feel some discomfort when inserting and removing tampons as aging thins out the vaginal walls.
English: Silicone menstrual cups can be boiled. This picture shows a menstrual cup being cleaned by boiling it. Svenska: Menskoppar av silikon kan kokas. På bilden syns en menskopp som steriliseras genom kokning. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
So, now might be a good time to investigate a method many modern young women have found to handle Mother Nature’s antics: the menstrual cup. The menstrual cup is made of soft, flexible rubber and fits right up inside you against the opening of the cervix and collects the blood. You then reach inside, pull it out, empty it, rinse and repeat.
Diva and Lunette menstrual cups are the two main brands on the market (video comparing the two). Lunette was kind enough to send us a sample for review, so here’s an opinion from a 30-something woman who converted a few years ago to a menstrual cup instead of tampons. She used both brands but writes here about the Lunette brand smaller-size cup:
“I used it on light days, and it was great. It didn’t bother me at all, and if I had to choose (I’d need the larger size for heavier days). I would just go with whatever brand is cheaper.
In general, I love the cups over tampons. They do last much longer, and not having a string is awesome. And, my garbage isn’t disgusting from being full of bloody tampons. And I love that I don’t have to buy tampons all the time! I do still use a backup pad on heavy days and pantyliners on light days.
Maybe TMI, but it works great for me because I can reach the sink from my toilet. If I had to carry it [across the room to empty and rinse it], I think that would be a big/messy problem.
Lunette’s menstrual cup comes in two size
Lunette’s marketing department says its product:
“…is shorter than competitors – making it less obtrusive – yet holds the same amount. It’s also made of softer silicone and the rim is smoother, which makes for a much more comfy fit… The air-holes are bigger, which makes it easy to clean [and theoretically to remove]. The stem is solid yet thin, soft and flexible.” Lunette also apparently comes in crazy colors (see photo) if that appeals to you.
Assuming you’re not someone who is freaked out about touching your menstrual flow, it’s definitely worth checking out this modern invention as you move toward saying farewell to the monthly ritual of menstruation. Read more on Lunette’s website.
Sequoia sempervirens in Redwood National Park (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
America’s 59 national parks are celebrating their 100th birthday this year. Even if you don’ think you’ll be able to visit one or more of these national treasures any time soon, you can have a virtual visit easily by looking at the official National Geographic Guide to National Parks 8th Edition just published recently. Gorgeous photos and clear directions for navigating your way through the parks make this book a must-have – even if you’re only visiting in your imagination. An enriching and relaxing way to while away an hour or two any time.
And if you’ve got grandkids, check out the National Geographic Kids National Parks Guide USA: Centennial Edition. They’ll see cool maps and amazing photos of wildlife; they’ll learn fun facts about forests and about conserving our natural resources. What a fun way to help kids open their eyes to how we can all preserve and protect our precious home planet. If the kids love outdoors, or if you’ll be taking them to a national park soon, they will love this book.
Imagine yourself there:
In the East, parks like Acadia, Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah are among the most popular in the nation. They and six other parks showcase the subtle beauties of eastern scenery.
Midwest, we Chicagoans can experience national parks close to home or far out in the Dakotas. Environments both suburban and rugged/otherworldly await visitors to this, America’s heartland, where water plays a huge part in building and changing the landscape.
South Central hosts four parks – Guadalupe Mountains, Carlsbad Caverns, Big Bend and Hot Springs – with scenery ranging from historical and underground to high and rugged.
The Southwest’s 11 parks contain rivers and historical remains of America’s Wild West. The Grand Canyon is an emblem of American heritage and a natural wonder of the world. Mesa Verde preserves natural wonders and the history of a people.
The Alaska national parks protect and preserve more than 41 million acres of natural treasures like active volcanoes, glaciers, rugged mountains, giant brown bears, sea lions, whales and wild salmon.
The four Rocky Mountain parks feature craggy peaks capped by glimmering glaciers, fields bathed in wildflowers, and lakes as smooth and blue as a summer sky. These also include Southern Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes.
The Pacific Southwest parks stretch from American Samoa and the Hawaiian Islands to the snow-clad peaks of California. Visitors can discover everything from coral reefs to volcanic landscapes, and from deserts to monoliths and domes of granite.
In the Pacific Northwest parks you can hike the cathedral-like glades of Douglas fir, western red cedar and other conifers of Mount Rainier, and the Olympic and North Cascades mountain ranges in Washington state. Redwood National Park is home to 2,000-year-old trees – and some of the tallest on Earth!. In Olympic, enjoy the beauty of temperate rain forests that soar to the sky near some of the nation’s wildest coastline. Here and at Mount Rainier are the only places you can find such forests in the United States.
Thanks to National Geographic for keeping us all entertained, delighted and informed about the wonders of our country and the ways we can respect our natural world. Visit their website for more fascinating guides to our country’s national natural treasures. And very happy one-century birthday to our national parks!
Welcome to the new Chicago Lady Boomer Examiner, the online magazine for Chicago women over 50. It’s great to be alive at this time in history – the Internet, the dynamic technology, the advances in medicine – and we’ve got the wisdom and the experience to make the most of it all.
Chicago skyline
Eventually we’ll have all earlier material from the former Chicago Lady Boomer Examiner website posted, but meanwhile we’re all about helping you get out and enjoy our great city in any way that works for you. Share your ideas on what you’d like to read about – use the form below to connect with us.
Megabus is having a big anniversary – ten years serving the Midwest and the east coast with low-cost inter-city express bus service. Frankly, I love Megabus. When I heard about the $1 fare ten years ago, I couldn’t wait to try it out. Hard to believe they could afford to do that, but yes, for $1 I became one of the first riders back then. I happily gave up flying and driving between Cleveland and Chicago, a trip I made with regularity. At first, I was one of four or five people on the buses. But the service was excellent, the drivers professional and courteous, and I soon began looking forward to relaxing into the refurbished seats inside the bright blue buses adorned with the figure of the little round guy in a yellow cap.
After I moved to Chicago, I kept riding the Megabus back to Cleveland. One of the nicest aspects of riding the Megabus is the fact that I arrive at my destination feeling rested and relaxed instead of stressed out from flying or exhausted from driving. I bring my lunch and drink; they have one half-hour rest stop when you can purchase food and drink and one brief stop to pick up and drop off in Toledo.
I’ve watched the service grow in popularity, add electric outlets and wi-fi access, and introduce a small number of higher-priced reserved seats. Now they’re standing out for their contribution to the well-being of our planet. This earth month megabus.com, a subsidiary of Coach USA, in celebration of its ten years of sustainable travel in the United States, has partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant 10,000 trees along megabus.com routes and on college campuses throughout the country over the next year.
“Bus travel is one of the most eco-friendly ways to travel and it also takes numerous single occupancy trips off the road,” said Sean Hughes, director of corporate affairs for CoachUSA/megabus.com. “In fact, a recent study of megabus.com customers found that traveling alone is the number one way people travel with us.”
The brand kicked off the celebration in New York City with award-winning actor, Skylar Astin who shared the news about this eco-friendly travel option. He helped christen their 10th anniversary bus, featuring the brand’s beloved mascot, Chuck, at one of their Manhattan stops.
As part of its effort to reduce environmental impact, double decker busses are outfitted with a Green Roads system that gives drivers real time information and feedback to drive safer, it also assists with reducing fuel consumption and carbon.
With megabus.com and fares from $1 (plus a reservation fee), the cost of travel is no longer an issue. To purchase your ticket or learn more about available routes visit megabus.com. For more information and the latest news and travel deals, follow megabus.com on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Megabus did not provide any free rides. Opinions are still strictly those of the writer. ” )
Earbuds are all the rage these days, some with built-in microphones and remote control for your device. Apple hands them out with some iPods and iPhones, or you can buy the Apple earbud-remote-mic combo online for $29 (maybe cheaper on Amazon). But their design just doesn’t stand up to the sound quality of a set of 1More brand triple-driver in-ear headphones that was recently sent for review purposes.
What does it mean that it says “triple-driver”? A whole lot, say the experts. The more drivers in your headphones/earbuds, the better quality sound you’ll get and, according to Gizmodo, a well-known online tech blog, it’s hard to get technology into headphones. Even making a single driver (like the ones in your big speakers) so small that it fits in a tiny earbud is tough. To fit in more than one is a true technological achievement. These buds have three of them inside, and they’re all about producing fine sound you can really appreciate.
Experimenting with the 1More headphones (~$99) gives a new appreciation for what good-quality buds can do for you. In a little personal comparison test, these 1More triple-drivers came out way ahead of the Apple product and light years ahead of the crummy disposable phones they hand out on airplanes. You can really tell they have been tuned to their final state by a professional sound engineer/producer/mixer. Good bass and crisp sounding brushes on drums and cymbals and nice piano in a jazz piece. Rich bass and fully twanging strings for a duet by blues giants Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughn. Beautiful violin clarity in your classical favorites (you listen to Nutcracker all year long, too, don’t you?).
Once you find the correct eartips for the 1More – you get three sets to work with – these stay pretty well in your ears. The earpiece is set at an offset angle to the technical part and that helps make them feel more secure as well. Running with them might be a challenge, but with ordinary use and walking around, these minimize or eliminate the falling-out-of-your-ears frustration common with some. Truly handy, too, if you’re on a long call and don’t want to have to hold your phone up or put it on speaker.
Nice extra touches. The cord is strengthened with Kevlar and covered in a braided coating that makes it non-knot-forming (don’t you just love that?). The earbuds come in a classy pleather-covered black magnetic-closure case and also with a shirt clip and and a dual-prong airline adapter. Really nice for traveling, and they also work great with an audio extension cord** to listen to a movie streaming on your computer or your TV or other audio device when you want to listen yourself without bothering anyone else. Or in case your old McIntosh receiver is malfunctioning…
**Get the audio extension cord with three rings on the prong, not two, if you want to also use it on your phone. The third ring is what makes it connect with the remote (volume and call answering) and the mic functions.
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Travel, fun and curiosities for Chicago women over 50
