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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Many people search the Internet for health information. Research now suggests that the simple act of Googling may actually be a boost to your health ... especially brain function. Scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles, have shown that searching the Internet triggers key centers in the brain that control decision-making and complex reasoning. The findings, to be published in the upcoming issue of The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, should encourage you to keep Googling and strengthening your brain.


Hundreds of people across the country are shaping the future of retirement. They come from different backgrounds: educators, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, or policy makers. But, they all are working toward learning about, and improving, the quality of later life. Aging experts nationwide were surveyed to select 12 people who are in the forefront of making a significant difference in the lives of those 50+. Read this Wall Street Journal article to find out about the work of these "change agents,"including William Thomas, on the right, who is "reinventing nursing homes."


As a boomer, you may feel "sandwiched"between caring for aging parents, while still raising your own kids, to say nothing of working full-time and saving for retirement. In your role as caregiver, how do you balance competing demands on your time, attention and finances? Where do you find help in this situation? And how do you best prepare yourself and your elder loved ones to face this time of life with dignity, grace and minimal stress? This article outlines the steps you can take to make some sense of this difficult stage in your family's life and suggests the kinds of professionals who can offer help.




 
The city of Philadelphia and its 54 branch Free Library system are facing an unprecedented funding crisis. City residents, library patrons and Friends Groups at the 11 branch libraries slated for permanent closure are scheduling meetings and rallies to include a grass-roots voice into the process. A news conference will be held at noon on Monday, November 17th at the Haddington Library at 65th and Girard Ave. An initiative to preserve the entire Free Library System will be announced and City Councilman Bill Green and others will be speaking. Open to the public.




  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:




Philadelphia's Electric Company, PECO, is looking for a paid community relations specialist to develop and implement partnerships with civic organizations and nonprofits in the PECO service area. This person will manage PECO’s volunteer program, with an emphasis on engaging employees at all levels and from all business units, to work as volunteers and serve on the boards of community nonprofits. To learn more about this position, click here. Read More.


SHARE (Self-Help and Resource Exchange) is a non-profit food and community network where people can purchase a package of food for $18 and 2 hours of community service with a retail value of about $35. The food packages contains meat, fresh fruits, vegetables, and staples that are purchased from growers, brokers, and packaging plants. SHARE needs volunteers with office skills and those who can help put together food packages for pick-up. Click here to see the program's schedule. Flexible hours. To volunteer, contact Eloise (215) 223-2220, ext. 108.


Musicians On Call, a nonprofit organization formed in 1999, brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities. These sessions promote and complement the healing process for patients, families and caregivers. The Philadelphia chapter is looking for volunteer musicians and volunteer guides, who are trained to work in one of the facilities and bring the musicians to the patients. The one to two-hour programs are in the evenings, Tuesday through Thursday. A once-a-month commitment is requested. To learn more, contact Kerri.




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 Montgomery County Community College, Science Center Theater, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell, PA
Attention aspiring writers and prospective best-selling authors! Montgomery County Community College’s Annual Writers Conference will provide the opportunity to learn more about how to be creative in your favorite genre. Conference workshops will include sessions on the novel, short story, query letter, poetry, writing for the web, journalism, comics, and literary law. There will also be an agents panel and individual appointments with agents. To register, call (215) 619-7422 or e-mail.


9:00 am at Academy of Natural Sciences, 19th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia
Plan to attend this forum that will be Philadelphia’s signature America Recycles Day event to explore future opportunities for recycling in Philadelphia. Find out how the city can achieve zero waste, learn about the relationship of recycling and composting to climate change issues, and hear Mayor Nutter's thoughts on these issues. Open to the public. Contact Roland Wall at (215) 299-1108 for details.


11:00 am at United Methodist Church, Broad and Arch Sts, Philadelphia
Gary Locklear, a member of the Lumbee tribe in North Carolina will speak at this unique morning service, followed by the Ceremony of Four Directions: Indian drumming, songs, dances, and storytelling. A potluck luncheon, provided by the Native American Indian Awareness Group, is open to all. Donations accepted. Call (215) 568-6250 for more information.


6:30 pm at WHYY Technology Center, 150 N. 6th St., Philadelphia
If you have ever considered starting your own business, you have a "business" to attend this Coming of Age Boomervision! panel discussion that will explore the many questions you have about becoming an entrepreneur. A panel of experts will discuss the nuts and bolts of starting a business, how to predict success or failure, and deciding if this is the right time. To see a flyer, and to register, click here.


10:00 am at Center in the Park, 5818 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia
Center in the Park, a community center that promotes positive aging, will join with the Alzheimer's Foundation of America to provide free, confidential memory screenings, conducted by qualified health care professionals. Come early for an opportunity to meet special guest Orien Reid, renowned television and radio consumer reporter, who has gained praise for her volunteer work and board involvement with the national Alzheimer's Association. FREE. Registration required. Call Delores Palmer at (215) 849-5100, ext. 305.


6:30 pm at National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia
Laurence H. Tribe, one of the foremost scholars of constitutional law, will discuss his provocative new book, The Invisible Constitution, and how the Constitution should be interpreted. Tribe will share how his work may impact our understanding of current constitutional debates. Tribe has published more than 100 books and articles and is currently the Carl M. Loeb University Professor of Law at Harvard Law School. FREE. Reservation required. Call (215) 409-6700.


6:00 pm at University of Pennsylvania, 116 College Hall, Philadelphia
Janet Browne, Aramont Professor in the History of Science at Harvard University, will share what she believes is most important about the life and work of Charles Darwin -- and why his influence continues to resound 150 years after the printing of his seminal work, On the Origin of Species. Brown has written a critically-acclaimed two volume biography of Darwin. This program is being held to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth. FREE. Call (215) 898-7320 for details.





For You and Those You Care For


2008 Medicare Open Enrollment is Nov. 15 – Dec. 3, 2008. Each year Medicare plans change in their cost and what they cover. Now is the time for people with Medicare to review the changes being made in your current plan and compare it to other options to make sure it still meets your needs. Those who don't have prescription drug coverage can also enroll in a drug plan during open enrollment. 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."