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.

We’re B-a-a-a-a-a-ck!
After taking off some of the summer, Inspiring Opportunities resumes its weekly e-mail blasts today with news, opportunities, and a calendar of events to help you make a difference. We have a new editor, VISTA volunteer Jonathan York. (All right, he's not 50+ -- but he's working on it.) If you have story or other ideas for this weekly e-mail blast, please send them to him at jyork@ComingofAge.org. Happy reading!



What's News
Have We Got an Opportunity for You!
Make-A-Difference Calendar
Past Issues


 
Movies, Face Lifts, 'Droids
While the AARP lobbies for more films that a maturing audience can enjoy, boomers stretch the plastic-surgery business to its limits, and Japan shows us what to look forward to when we really get old. (Hint: Robots!)


Short-Term Solution to Racial Profiling: Get Older
Ever stood on a curb hailing until your arm went limp, and you still didn't have a ride to where you needed to go? Elmer Smith has been there/ done that. It's a small consolation, he says, but this stuff won't happen when you're 50.


'We Replaced Our Boomers With Yuppies. What Were We Thinking?'
Blogger Wendy Spiegel discusses how employers begin to realize that years of experience come from ... well ... years of experience. Is it proof that older adults can get the jobs they deserve? No. But it does give one hope.

Plus, a note from Lancaster on the aging workforce.


Washington Post Tries to Define 'Old'
If Americans now are generally living different sorts of lives from those they were 20 years ago, the Post wants to know when may we call them, you should pardon the expression, old? Nora Ephron (Author of the recent best-seller, I Feel Bad About My Neck) Matt Thornhill of the Boomer Project, Rev. Lee P. Washington and others try to provide answers.


The Internet Says That You Matter
MySpace, Facebook, Friendster? They’re for the kids. Check out some of the new social networking sites for boomers:TeeBeeDee, ReZoom, Maya's Mom, Boomertown, Multiply, and Boomj. And read the New York Times piece reporting this trend.


The 2007 Purpose Prize winners: Just What We Like to See
They were over 60. It didn't keep them from doing a lot of good. They trained dogs to help search teams, saved lives in hospitals, helped children learn by understanding art. They kept siblings together in foster care and made sure nurses visited newborns at home. These are the 2007 Purpose Prize winners. Bravo!



  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:




This Week's Featured VISTA Opportunity
Which is more: the number of unsupervised kids in PA or the number or babies, kids and adults in all of Philly? You guessed it. The former. And that's way too many. Want to help? The Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool Youth Development Network needs a paid volunteer with experience in education, fundraising, and recruitment, and other skills. Check it out.


Don’t Just Make a Difference; Make a BIG Difference
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 connect families to the benefits and tax credits for which they may be eligible.

The Right Way to Live Vicariously
When you were in school, did you wish they had a club where you could paint murals, or make movies or play rock ‘n’ roll? Not too late to start one for another kid. RSVP of the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging needs you to design an after-school program. Call Cheryl Berkowitz at 1-877-TRY-RSVP or email cberkowi@pcaphl.org.


Make Kensington Pretty
The Conrail bridge at Frankford and Lehigh needs brighter paint, and the city needs a brighter future. Come out with the neighbors and put in some sweat at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22 to make that happen. Call Ade Fequa at 215-426-6862 or e-mail afequa@nkcdc.org.


Build and Flirt
Habitat Philadelphia is holding a series of "Singles Build" events this fall. They promise that “every date has a happy ending.” While that may be a stretch, it's safe to say that hammering nails with other eligible boomers never did anyone any harm. The first "Singles Build" is Sunday, Sept. 29. Donation of $75 requested.


Seniors Want to Surf the Web, Too
Teach them the basics of email, typing and Internet use at Casa Farnese, 1300 Lombard St. Two to four volunteers are needed from 6-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 26. Call Robert Starrett, 215-913-2369, or e-mail starrett.robert@gmail.com.


Help Local Nonprofits Capture the Energy and Expertise of People Age 50+
Involved with a nonprofit that could use more 50+ people in compelling roles to further the group’s mission? Here’s info about an upcoming Coming of Age Learning Lab that will help such organizations do just that. Give your group a call or shoot ‘em an e-mail with this link. When people 50+ talk, nonprofits listen.



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!



Silent No More Conference
9:00am 1201 Market Street, Center City
The American Heart Association will host its annual Silent No More Conference, a free interactive, healthy-living conference for African American and Latina women. Seminars will be given in both English and Spanish; pre-registration is required. To register, please call (610) 940-9656 or email silentnomore@heart.org.


Roundtable Discussions: John Coltrane's Life and Works
2:00pm at The Church of the Advocate- 1801 W. Diamond Street (Gratz St. Entrance) North Philadelphia
'Trane may not be coming back, but we can keep jazz alive. Bobby Zankel and other local jazz musicians will conduct a free roundtable discussion on John Coltrane. Help our community preserve the knowledge of this great American urban art form. Questions: info@meeproductions.com or toll-free at 1-888-570-BLUE (2583).



Ethical Society of Philadelphia: Autumn Equinox Festival
11:00am at 1906 South Rittenhouse Square, Center City
Several community members speaking about their approach to this annual September event. The yearly cycle means different things to different people, all focused on self-renewal and regeneration..  Just the ticket for people who want to get in gear to make a difference. (215) 735-3456


Introduction to Word and the Internet
6:30pm at Central Library, 1901 Vine Street, Center City
A special 90-minute evening computer class. Tickets will be available at the Central Library Main Lobby Desk 30 minutes before each class begins. A Free Library of Philadelphia card is required to receive a ticket. Enhance your ability to communicate online— then e-mail elected officials, advocate for change, and pursue other ways of having an impact.


Foreclosure Prevention Community Briefing
6:00pm at 3102 Frankford Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia
Come out to this free session and learn what you need to know about succeeding as a homeowner.


Holding Up — A New Prison Legacy
7:00pm at the Doubletree Hotel at Broad and Locust in Center City
A play that explores the impact violence and the incarceration of large numbers of fathers, brothers, husbands and sons has on families in the city of Philadelphia. The piece juxtaposes the true stories of women and girls who have a loved one in prison with stories of incarcerated men and former prisoners.For tickets and information, call (215) 717-4004.


Collections of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania
5:00pm at The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust Street, Center City
A panel presentation by genealogists Cass Donovan, Lee Arnold, and Jane Clarke about the vast materials available to you with which you can research your family tree through the Genealogical Society. The more you know about your past, the greater your chances of having an effect on the future.


"Evoking Spirit, Embracing Memory: A Panel Discussion"
6:00pm at Temple University Main Campus - Engineering and Architecture Room 126, North Philadelphia
A panel discussion among the curators and the artists of the exhibition, "Evoking Spirit, Embracing Memory." The discussion focuses on the significance of community art to an area of North Philadelphia rich in neighborhood memory but sometimes maligned in the media. For more information please contact Denise Staton at 215-204-8813.


Community Briefing: The Local Real Estate Market
6:45pm at Summerfield Siloam Church (Dauphin and Tulip), Kensington
What are the recent trends in Kensington's housing market? This session will give neighborhood residents and others an opportunity to discuss this issue with local realtors and others.


Microsoft Word Extras
11:00am Free Library Lillian Marrero Branch 601 West Lehigh Avenue, (6th St. & Lehigh Ave.), Norht Philadelphia
Learn how to create labels and business cards, as well as edit pictures using Microsoft Word. Space is limited. To guarantee a spot, sign up at least 24 hours in advance by calling (215) 685-9794 or stopping by the branch. Great skills to develop for activitists and others!


Arcadia University: AWP Philadelphia Chapter Lecture Series
2:00pm at Arcadia University Campus - Landman Library, University Room (Gallery), Wyncote (Eastern Montgomery County)
The Association for Women in Psychology (AWP) and the Arcadia University Psychology Department present The Inspirational Women in Psychology Lecture Series. Dr. Sara J. Corse, Clincial Director, Council for Relationships will address "Healing Relationships: Three Generations of Loss and Discovery." Registration Fee. Contact Carol Lyman at 215-572-4693 to register.



Holistic Learning Conference
Enrich your life at Transformations first annual holistic learning conference -- October 6, 8am to 6pm, in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey.

Family Caregiver Expo
Are you caring for a spouse, caregiver or friend?  This Family Caregiver Expo on October 8th at 10:00am in Trevose, PA could be just the thing for you! Call (215) 968-4593 for more info.

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This Week's Medicare Tip for You and those You Care For
A Healthier US Starts Here. If you have Medicare, or are helping care for someone who does, three steps can put you (or them) on the road to better health:

• STEP 1: Know your (or their) health history
• STEP 2: Talk to your (or their) doctor about Medicare preventive services
• STEP 3: Register for MyMedicare.gov (or help them do so)

Medicare covers many protective services that can help prevent or detect diseases. For help remembering the services you (or those you are caring for) need, register for MyMedicare.gov. Or, visit www.medicare.gov on the web or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Plus: you or someone you are caring for may qualify for extra help with the Medicare Prescription Drug benefit. Call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov to learn about Extra Help!

This information prepared and provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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."




Of Interest on WHYY
Coming of Age founding partner WHYY has a new series coming up that may interest you.


THE WAR
Six years in the making, this epic 14-hour film focuses on four communities that stand in for any town in the country that went through World War II. People from each community dramatize their personal, often harrowing journeys and paint vivid portraits of how the war altered their lives and those of their neighbors. Starting Sunday, September 23 at 8 PM pm channel 12.
Learn More