Inspiring Opportunities is an email 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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Are you considered an idle chatterer? Do you love to get on the phone with a friend or meet at Starbucks for an hour of good old-fashioned gossip? Well, you will be pleased to know that your talking and socializing is not just broadening your knowledge of neighborhood news but is actually building your brain power. Talk more...and test higher. (See third item).


So you aren't sleeping much at night and you're sure it is because you're getting older. For once, age is not the issue -- healthy folks from 60 on don't develop new sleep patterns. In an eye-opening article in The New York Times, researchers report that how much you sleep doesn't change a lot after middle age. If you aren't sleeping, there may be other issues to consider.


Well...here you are in the dating world and you're attracted to someone who has lost a spouse. Is this a "run-as-fast-as-you- can" kind of thing or should you put your toe in the water and start swimming? Those in the know say take the plunge... but be aware of a few rules to live by if you're interested in building something meaningful with a widow or widower.


Okay, let's say the 9 to 5 routine has gotten pretty old, but you know you can't afford to give up the perks of a job. Well, work can now have the flexibility you crave... and the benefits you need... says Careerbuilder.com. Nationwide retailers and other employers are looking for harder working, more qualified workers and are willing to hire part-timers who want to keep healthcare coverage, vacation time and 401 k plans. Check it out!



Retirement isn't for everyone. Of those 65+ surveyed about their plans for retirement, half said they enjoyed work and wanted to keep on keeping on. For those who have taken the big step, nearly 40% are bored and about 20% complain that their spouse is driving them nuts. The good news is that there are ways for older adults to get back into the workforce. Marketing the positives of being older is one of the recommendations to being re-employed.




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




For more than 30 years, Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) in 47 states have been dedicated to bridging the gaps between primary health care and the population. The Northeast Pennsylvania AHEC serves nine northeast Pennsylvania counties and works to increase access to primary health care services, promotes workforce diversity for health care professions, and advances community education and public health initiatives. This VISTA position will involve developing a training program to promote healthy behavior in children, encouraging good dental heath, good nutrition and physical activity, all cited as health issues for poor urban and rural populations. Required are a B.A. degree, good communication and computer skills, fund-raising ability and the ability to work with volunteers. Spanish is helpful, but not required. Contact Amy H. Rowe, NEPA AHEC, Keystone College Campus, One College Green, LaPlume, PA 18440 or e-mail her at amy.rowe@keystone.edu.


Donating an hour of your time could be worth $5,000 to a family in need. Become a part of the "Coming of Age Make a BIG Difference Team," working with The Benefit Bank and connecting families to the benefits and tax credits for which they may be eligible. Team meetings will take place at the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, 7 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, on Nov. 27, from 5:30 - 7:00 pm and Nov. 28, 2:00 - 4:00 pm. If you'd like to attend, please e-mail aketchum@temple.edu to say which meeting you'll be attending.



Pitman Manor is gearing up to send 100 "Care Packages" to the troops oversees and asks you to support their "Packed with Love" program. Ways to help: start a collection among friends and family; place collection box in schools, churches, businesses, or community organization. A wish list of needed items will be sent to you. Contact Sharon Butler at 856-589-7800 ext. 1476, or at sbutler@pm-umh.org if you are interested. Items will be collected until Friday, Nov. 30 so that boxes arrive for the holidays.


Mid County Senior Services needs experienced drivers to take older adults on errands. These folks 65+ need to buy groceries, see doctors, and pick up prescriptions, but they don't drive. Volunteers are expected to work four hours a month. Call L. Lynn Shelton at 610-353-6642 or e-mail lshelton@senrs.org.  


Philadelphia Senior Center (PSC) seeks volunteers to help in their computer lab, at 509 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia. The lab's hours are Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4 pm. Volunteers answer general questions and teach a variety of computer skills. The program will begin in December or early January, 2008. If interested, call Matt Connell at (215) 546-5879 or e-mail mconnell@philaseniorcenter.org with your name, address, contact information, availability, and a resume that, if possible, shows your computer experience.




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!


11:00 am at National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia
In honor of Veteran’s Day, visitors to the National Constitution Center can participate in a special Memorials Program that explores how Americans commemorate past military events and honor those who served our country. These events will take place on Saturday, November 10, from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm; Monday, November 12, from 12:00- 3:00 pm.; and on Sunday, November 11. Veterans receive FREE admission on Sunday. For more information please call 215-409-6700.


8:00 pm at Performing Arts Council Harold Prince Theater (Annenberg Center), 3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia
African American Arts Alliance and the Inspiration present their Fall Show: Soul Expressions Featuring: "Monologues on Black Life" by Gus Edwards at 8pm at Annenberg's Prince Theater. Tickets are $8 on Locust Walk or $10 at the door.


12:00 pm at First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut Street
Come to the Truth About Dialysis event and meet community leaders, performers, doctors, and dialysis patients. Eat, drink, socialize, win prizes, and most important -- learn how dialysis at home can give you back control of your life. FREE admission. Contact: Courtney Decker-Mawhinny, (215) 901-6258.


6:00 pm at The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society,100 N. 20th Street, Philadelphia
How can we arrange our lives so that we spend more time doing things that move us, inspire us, serve others, and bring us joy? In this illustrated lecture, Chris Woods will demonstrate how you might answer the question... and talks about the beauty of plants, gardens, landscape, travel, food and other things that help give a sense of meaning to life.


8:00 pm at Free Library, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia
The speaker, Joseph Ellis, is the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Founding Brothers and the National Book Award for American Sphinx. In American Creation, Ellis argues that part of what made the American Revolution so extraordinary was its gradual pace and the fact that it was brought about by a group of (now iconic) leaders, rather than a single individual. Cost: $14 General Admission, $7 Students


1:00 pm at Abington Memorial Health Center, Abington
Women 40 years of age and older who are uninsured and underinsured are encouraged to participate. Free clinical breast exam and mammogram are offered. APPOINTMENT NECESSARY TO PARTICIPATE. For further information, please call 215-481-2586.


6:00 pm at Career Wardrobe, Falls Presbyterian Church, Midvale and Vaux Ave., Philadelphia
Help transitioning women make a good first impression with employers by sorting and sizing donated professional clothes for women returning to the workforce. If interested, contact Jeneen N. Lane at jeneenlane@yahoo.com


6:30 pm at Arcadia University's Main Campus, Dining Complex, Glenside, PA
Join the entire Arcadia community in celebrating the cultural diversity on campus. Enjoy colorful table displays, ethnic cuisine, traditional performances and an international fashion show.


8:30 am at The Main Line Chamber Committee Room, 175 Strafford Avenue, Suite 130, Wayne, PA
Join the Main Line Chamber of Commerce (MLCC) for an innovative two-hour interactive workshop to develop better teams within your organization and improve communication, cooperation, and listening skills. The workshop is free to MLCC members, their guests and the community-at-large, so pass the word and bring a friend!

Panelists Ken and Mary Gergen
Is 50+ the Age of Creativity? We think so. Which is why we're launching our year-long Boomervision! lecture/community dialogue series next month with an incredible tale of re-invention and an evening about how to enrich your life -- and your community-- by becoming more creative. Learn More.



SPONSOR:




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."