Inspiring Opportunities is an e-mail from Coming of Age for people 50+ who are making a difference in the world, in their communities and in their lives.



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According to a recent Merrill Lynch survey, 80 percent of today's 76 million baby boomers plan to keep working in the future and more than half of our generation are interested in pursuing new careers. When it comes to seeking a new career or continuing to work for the same employer, many boomers will opt for part-time employment, especially those who want flexibility or cannot find full-time work. To learn about an interesting book, "225 Best Jobs for Baby Boomers,"and read what the U. S. Department of Labor considers the 20 best jobs, click here.


The move is on in senior centers to put less emphasis on the "senior"and encourage boomers to take advantage of creative and community-oriented programs being offered at many centers throughout the country. Linda Collins, (photo on right), the Executive Director of Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County, is making dramatic changes at her three Philadelphia-area sites. She credits Coming of Age's workshop, "Cutting Edge Strategies for Senior Centers," for providing the tools to make it happen. Read More.


Flu season is fast approaching ...and those 50+ are encouraged to get a flu shot to reduce the risk of being one of the 36,000 Americans who die from the disease each year. In addition to those 50 and older, the following are most at-risk: children 6 months through 18 years of age; pregnant women; people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions; and those who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. In addition, people who live with or care for those at risk should also get vaccinated. To find out where you can get a shot in communities in the Delaware Vallley, click here.




 
The last date to apply for absentee ballots is October 28th and the last date for ballots to be received at the County Board of Elections is October 31st. Get your forms in today! For absentee ballot applications, contact Patty Davis, (215) 487-3000, ext. 15 at Supportive Older Women's Network.


For the second year, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is sponsoring a Day of Action. Thousands of volunteers will be gathering on Sunday, November 2nd to take part in Mitzvah Mania, and get involved in a number of community projects: rebuilding and repairing homes of community seniors, painting a mural, sprucing up sections of Fairmount Park, and delivering food and friendship to people at-risk. In short, making a real difference! To sign up, call (215) 832-0564.




  If you know of a volunteer opportunity in the Greater Philadelphia area that you would like featured here, e-mail details to havewegot@comingofage.org. You can find more opportunities at:




The Anna Crusis Women’s Choir seeks a positive, energetic, organized self-starter to fill their part-time, paid Director of Marketing and Promotion position. The oldest feminist choir in the United States, founded in 1975, Anna Crusis’ mission is to promote progressive social change through music. Anna is known for its musical excellence and its diverse repertoire. This position is focused on revenue and audience development. To see a full job description and to apply, click here.


Ten Thousand Villages is seeking energetic, motivated volunteers to help with daily operations of their non-profit, fair-trade shop in Chestnut Hill. The tasks include unpacking, processing and displaying the store's handicrafts, and helping to educate customers on the store's mission of selling fairly traded handicrafts from over 35 countries in Asia, Africa and South America. Familiarity with the computer and cash register would be helpful. To learn more about this opportunity, contact Rena at (215) 242-3040.


Surrey Services exists to help older adults remain independent and living in their homes for as long as they choose. Surrey must keep its membership database current to serve its clients well. and needs a volunteer who is computer savvy, enjoys learning new skills and wants to do something meaningful to make that happen. Training will be provided. Surrey has sites in Berwyn and Broomall, PA. The position is for 4-6 hours a week, with flexibility. To learn more, call (610)-647-6404.




We list events and opportunities here we think will interest people 50+ who want to make a difference. If you know of such events, please send us information. If you attended an event you learned about here, please send us a review.

And don't forget to check out our website Community Calendar too!


9:00 am at Broad and Spruce Streets, Philadelphia
A Clean Break is a modern, green village that visitors can wander through in the center of the city... in fact, in a vacant lot across from the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia! Visit this installation featuring innovative design solutions for full-scale modern, sustainable, and affordable homes; urban farming sites; environmentally-friendly furniture; public art and other high-design, low-waste products. The exhibition is free and open to the public until October 30th.


2:00 pm at Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia
"What David Macaulay draws—churches, cities, pyramids—he draws better than any other pen-and-ink illustrator in the world” (Time). Caldecott Medalist and international bestseller David Macaulay has demystified the world’s great architectural and engineering accomplishments in his elaborately illustrated books that include "The Way Things Work," "Cathedral, City," and "Castle." In "The Way We Work," Macaulay tackles his most complex subject yet—the human body. FREE. No tickets required. Contact: (215) 567-4341.


11:00 am at Valley Forge National Historical Park, 1400 N. Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia, PA
Hear riveting stories about the encampment at Valley Forge and how it became a turning point in the Revolutionary War at a one-of-a-kind storytelling bench located in four locations around Valley Forge National Historical Park. Storytellers, trained at Once Upon A Nation’s unique month-long Benstitute, share five-minute stories at these signature 13-foot curved benches on week-ends until October 26th. FREE


12:00 pm at Community Arts Center, 414 Plush Mill Road, Wallingford, PA
More soup, please! Student potters and members of the Wallingford Potters Guild have been busy creating approximately 500 bowls for the "Empty Bowls"lunch, a national program to benefit the hungry. Bowls will be sold for a minimum donation of $10 and filled with soup donated by generous individuals and local restaurants at the sixth annual luncheon. Everyone is welcome at this community event that benefits local food programs at Chester Eastside Neighborhood Connection, Chester Eastside Ministries and PhilAbundance. Call (610) 566-1713 for more information.


6:00 pm at Penn Book Store, Walnut Street, Philadelphia
Wharton Professor Lawrence Hrebiniak will discuss his latest book, ''The Mismanagement of America, Inc.'' in which he argues that the U.S. is heading toward major problems that could wreack havoc on the country's financial health, social fabric, standing in the global community, and its vulnerability in an increasingly hostile world because of political mismanagement. Hrebiniak explains why and shows what must be done to avoid certain disaster. FREE.


7:00 pm at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, 600 S. 43rd Street, Philadelphia
From independence to emancipation to present day, Philadelphia has played host to historic gatherings of Democrats, Republicans, suffragettes, abolitionists, and the Black Panthers. Set against the backdrop of this year's history-making presidential campaign, student-filmmakers in Scribe Video Center's Documentary History Project for Youth look at these moments in history with fresh perspectives to tell the story of our city where so many have chosen to gather to try their hand at renovating and restructuring our democracy. FREE.


8:00 am at White Dog Cafe, 3420 Sansom Street, Philadelphia
Mark Allen Hughes, Director of Sustainability for the City of Philadelphia, will share his vision for a more sustainable Philadelphia, including: the creation of a sustainability cabinet; expansion of green building initiatives and the creation of green collar jobs; and the development of a comprehensive plan for auditing and reducing energy use in city-owned buildings. $15 includes full breakfast with coffee &orange juice, tax &gratuity, ($12 seniors). Call (215) 386-9224 for reservations.


5:00 pm at Harrison Auditorium, Penn Museum, 3260 South Street, Philadelphia
Launched in the spring of 2005, the Genographic Project is a landmark five-year study of the human journey based on DNA contributed by hundreds of thousands of people from around the world. Geneticist, anthropologist, and Genographic Project Director Spencer Wells shares his latest discoveries in charting the migratory history of the human species as part of the 2008-2009 Penn Humanities Forum on Change. FREE.


3:00 pm at John F. Hartranft School, 720 W. Cumberland Street, Philadelphia
Celebrate Mural Arts Month and the Mural Arts Program's 25th Anniversary with this new mural dedication at the Hartranft School. Come see for yourself the dramatic transformation of this elementary school, restored by the Mural Arts program and community partners.


10:00 am at Abington Art Center, 515 Meetinghouse Rd., Jenkintown, PA
“Global Suburbia” focuses on art regarding the suburbs from around the world. While the show is essentially non-political in tone, it does raise a lot of questions, such as: “What are the suburbs? Where do they begin? Is this the banal cookie-cutter model, an industrially-standardized lifestyle, or 'super-cool' serial living?” Come take a look and find your own answers to these and many more questions. FREE (donations requested.) Contact: (215) 887-4882.





For You and Those You Care For


The Centers for Medicare &Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that beneficiaries, their caregivers, and family members can begin to review the 2009 Medicare prescription drug plan and health plan information online through the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder and Medicare Options Compare Tool at www.medicare.gov. Read More.

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VISTA is looking for experienced, energetic individuals who want to make a full-time, year-long commitment to fight poverty. If you’re retiring soon, already there or want to take a year off for a year of service, VISTA may be for you. Living allowances and other benefits are provided. More About VISTA

See this week's featured VISTA opportunity under "Have We Got an Opportunity For You."