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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For travelers with a combination of wanderlust, curiosity, time, and money, there are lots of options for fascinating travel/educational experiences offered by nonprofits, tour operators, and colleges. That's really good news for older adults who have been to the usual tourist spots and are eager to learn about more obscure places, or explore passions, through hands-on experiences and personal interactions. This Wall Street Journal article suggests 10 of the best adventures.


If you have an innovative idea about how to promote education and equity for women and girls, the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Educational Foundation may be able to help you realize your dream. The foundation is offering one-year grants to individuals and organizations for up to $7,000 and two-year grants up to $10,000 as start-up funds for projects focused on K-12 and community college girls' and women's achievements in science, technology, engineering, or math. The deadline for applying is January 15th. For more information, click


This Sunday, organizations throughout the globe will mark World Alzheimer's Day to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. With more than 26 million people living with the disease, and no cure at hand, experts say one of the best ways to ward off the symptoms is to play brain games. Click here to get started!


Much is made of the similarities among boomers - that we were the first generation to grow up with television, that many of us lived through the civil rights era and the Vietnam War. But, researchers and advocates are trying to combat generalizations that depict the 77 million-strong group as all retirees, or suburbanites, or Woodstock groupies. Thinking of the boomers in overly general terms could produce retirement policies that affect some boomers adversely, as well as not appreciate a generation that prides itself on individuality. Check out this Christian Science Monitor article.




 
If you have not registered to vote in the presidential, state, and local elections, the time is NOW! October 6th is the last date to register before the general election and October 28th is the last date to apply for absentee ballots. For voter registration forms and absentee ballot applications, contact Patty Davis at the Supportive Older Older Women's Network (SOWN): (215)487-3000, ext.15.


We can't afford to leave $20 million unclaimed. The deadline is October 15 for the more than 100,000 Southeastern Pennsylvania residents (mostly seniors and veterans) to apply for their "economic stimulus rebate."The rebate is $300-$600 for single taxpayers and up to $1200 for couples. In today's economy, every dollar counts! To find out how you can help, call (215) 557-3180 or contact the Benefits Bank.




  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:




Are you interested in helping disadvantaged adults improve their basic skills... and turn their lives around? The Community Learning Center is seeking volunteers to tutor or teach classes in reading, writing, math, and computer skills, as well as help adults pass their GED (high school equivalency exam.) Classes meet at a number of sites in Center City and at the Center, located at Frankford Ave. and Somerset St. Both day and evening classes are offered. To learn more, please contact Carol at (215) 426-7940.


Feminist.com, a thriving, non-profit, online community fostering awareness, education and activism for women all across the world, is currently looking for interns and volunteers. Volunteers are needed in the areas of grant writing, fundraising, web programming and design, content development, typing (to transcribe interviews, articles and book excerpts), researchers and many other opportunities. Please send them an e-mail with your areas of interest, skills and experience, or call (845) 679-0576.


Hospice care makes it possible for older people with serious, progressive illness to remain comfortably in their homes or receive help in out-of-home facilities. Hospice of Philadelphia, a program of The Visiting Nurse Association of Greater Philadelphia, is looking for volunteers who can visit patients, speak in the community, do administrative work, or provide support to grieving family and friends. If you are interested, please call Grace Jenchura (215) 581-2181.


Lutheran Settlement House (LSH), founded in 1902, is a non-sectarian, community-based organization, that provides comprehensive services to vulnerable children, adults, and families living in inner city Philadelphia. The Settlement House has a number of open staff positions, including a Development Associate, part-time Bilingual Hotline Counselor, Bilingual Administrative Coordinator, and Community Education Employement Department (CEED) Educators. To learn where to send a cover letter and resume, call (215) 426-8610.




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 Boathouse Row, Kelly Drive, Philadelphia
The Olympic spirit of history and competition continues on Philadelphia's Historic Boathouse Row, a city treasure that has defined Philadelphia for 150 years. See the fleet of rowing shells, meet Olympians from the Beijing Olympics and past Olympics, and take a rare tour inside the boathouses. Children have a chance to win a gold medal for a "perfect" stroke. FREE. Tours are $10 adults, $5 students, children free.


11: 00 am at BCTGM Local 6, 5416 Rising Sun Avenue, Philadelphia
Many Cambodians in the City of Philadelphia became U.S citizens in the last decade through ESL-citizenship programs held at the Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia (CAGP) and other supportive services. These new Americans are encouraged to attend this conference to register to vote, better understand their rights and responsibilities, increase their understanding of the election process, and meet elected officials and candidates. To learn more about this event, call (215) 324-4070.


6: 30 pm at St. Peter's Church, 654 N. Easton Road, Glenside, PA
Take time to observe this day of peace... and break bread with people of many faith traditions. A ceremonial breaking of the Ramadan fast (Iftar) will be immediately followed by a covered dish supper. Bring food to share, perhaps from your cultural heritage. A 7: 45 pm service will include stories, songs and prayers from Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Bahai, Sikh and other religions. Come to the Iftar/supper or just the service. To RSVP, call (215) 887-1765.


7: 00 pm at The Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia
Plan to attend the opening keynote lecture of the Mendel in the 21st Century Symposium "The Making of the Fittest: The DNA Record of Evolution" being given by Sean B. Carroll, a leading figure in Evo-Devo, the new science of how evolution, genetics, and embryological development interact. Stunning advances in molecular biology allow scientists to observe natural selection in ways unimaginable even a couple of decades ago. Learn what is happening at the genetic "cutting edge."FREE. Registration is required.


12: 45 pm at Broad Street and Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia
As part of National Homeless and Low-Income Voter Registration Week, the Vote for Homes! Coalition is hosting a march and rally. Speakers will include Mayor Michael Nutter, Sister Mary Scullion and several homeless and formerly homeless persons. The rally will start at Broad St. and Fairmount Avenue and end at 2 pm at Love Park, 15th Street and JFK Boulevard. For more information, e-mail Jennine Miller or call (215) 232-7272 ext. 3042.


6: 30 pm at National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia
The National Constitution Center will host former National Security Advisors Zbigniew Brzezinski and Brent Scowcroft for a discussion about their new foreign policy book and the presidential election. "America and the World: Conversations on the Future of American Foreign Policy"is a collection of unscripted and spontaneous conversations between Brzezinski and Scowcroft, moderated by journalist David Ignatius (who will also moderate at this event.) Their exchanges focus on the challenges and changing nature of power that the U.S. faces as a superpower in a globalized world. $15 non-members. Call (215) 409-6700 to register.


7: 00 pm at Gershman Y, Broad and Pine Sts, Philadelphia
Join the conversation between Mort Zachter, a one-time baker, now author, and Gerald Kolpan of Fox 29 as Zachter discusses his book, "Dough: A Memoir." Mort Zachter’s childhood revolved around a small bakery with a close-knit immigrant family struggling to make it in America. In his book, he recounts his shocking discovery at age 36 that he was heir to several million dollars amassed by his eccentric, baker uncles. The conversation continues over wine and cheese. $10 advance/$15 door. Call (215) 446-3021 to register.


5: 00 pm at Penn Museum, 3260 South Street, Philadelphia
With "change"the byword of the presidential election, this lecture is surprisingly relevant as Alexander Nehamas, Princeton Professor of Philosophy, offers a glimpse of how the ancients viewed change and its relevance to religion, politics, and our lives today. The lecture is part of the Penn Humanities Forum's fall series that encourages the questioning, exploration, and celebration of change. FREE. Click to register or call (215) 573-8280.


6: 00 pm at University of Pennsylvania Bookstore, 3601 Walnut Street, Philadelphia
Author Kim Fellner asks how a coffeehouse chain with a liberal reputation has come to symbolize, for some, the ills of globalization. With over 100 locations in the Philadelphia region alone, this coffee retail giant with humble beginnings has become an actor and icon in the global economy. In her book, "Wrestling with Starbucks", the author explores the forces that affect Starbucks’s worth and worthiness; its profitability and principles. FREE.


6: 30 pm at National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia
Two distinguished scholars, Dennis F. Thompson, professor at Harvard University and one of the nation's leading political philosophers, and Pamela S. Karlan, professor at Stanford Law School and founding director of the school's Supreme Court Litigation Clinic, will lead a lively discussion on the question, ''Are American Elections Sufficiently Democratic?'' Their conversation will be followed by a Q&A session and reception. FREE. Call (215) 409-6600 for information.





For You and Those You Care For


The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released final regulations that will protect Medicare beneficiaries from deceptive or high-pressure marketing tactics, including prohibitions on telemarketing and other unsolicited sales contacts, by private insurance companies and their agents during the upcoming 2009 Medicare Advantage and prescription drug open enrollment period. The regulations also include other non-marketing related Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plan (PDP) provisions. 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."