The question on the table is: how high can or should the retirement age go, and should it be tied to increases in life expectancy? This "running commentary" in The New York Times asked a number of experts in a variety of disciplines -- labor law, gerontology, economic advising, research, and teaching -- to respond to the question in light of what changes in retirement patterns mean for the United States, compared with Western Europe. Click here to tell us what you think.

People age 50+, those still working and those retired, are seeking out courses at their local community colleges for a lot of reasons...to pursue encore careers, leisure-time interests, learn new skills. Many community colleges have been aggressively expanding their courses for this age group, including developing more user-friendly ways for people to re-enter higher education after decades away from the classroom. This U.S. News and World Report article provides some data on the kinds of programs that community colleges are offering and a check-list of what to look for when considering signing up.

If anyone thinks dealing with aging parents is easy, they haven't been doing it! It is often one of the most difficult challenges people face during their adult lives--and one for which none of us is prepared. Taking away the car keys from an aging father, asking for power of attorney, moving parents to a senior facility...the road from independence to dependence can be truly bumpy. This article provides some proactive ideas to guide you in "parenting your parents" around financial and other issues.

Are you an older adult with questions about your health or prescription drug coverage? A specially-trained counselor from APPRISE is available at the Free Library's Central Senior Services, 1901 Vine Street, on the second Tuesday of every month (June 8th) at 1:00 p.m. Reliable, easy-to-understand information about Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap and prescription drug insurance will be discussed. APPRISE is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program for Pennsylvanians age 60+ that was created to help older adults understand their health insurance options and make good decisions.

Christopher Hitchens has been called “America’s foremost literary pugilist” for his controversial writings and views as a radio and TV commentator. A self-styled “radicalist,” Hitchens has written books excoriating Mother Teresa and wrote a diatribe against organized religion, God Is Not Great, that was a New York Times bestseller and a National Book Award finalist. He will be speaking about his latest book, Hitch-22, on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. at the Free Library on 1901 Vine Street. Marty Moss-Coane, host of WHYY's "Radio Times" will interview the author. To learn more and buy tickets, click here.

Pennsylvania is home to 2.5 million people over age 60 and has the third highest percentage of older adults in the nation, making it a desirable place for con artists to operate. The Watermark at Logan Square, a senior living community in Philadelphia, will host David Shallcross, the Community Liaison for the state's Office of Attorney General in a special presentation of Senior Crime Prevention University on Wednesday, June 16, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Senior Crime Prevention University is a lively, interactive video designed to educate those over 60 of the latest con artist scams. Reservations required; call (215) 240-8915 or (215) 563-1800.

The Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Associations (PANO) is offering an online workshop on Fundraising as a Profession on Thursday, June 10th at 3 p.m. The training covers the essential ingredients of a philanthropic organizational culture, tools fundraisers can use to enhance their professional skills, and key goals for a successful career in development. For more information and to register, click here.

If you're looking to see how social media can make your business grow, consider this opportunity! The Urban League Entrepreneurship Center (ULEC) has an exciting 2-part Social Media for Business Seminar that will help you learn how to become an innovative business owner!  The dates are  June 12 and June 19, 2010, 9:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m., Drexel University's Matheson Hall, 3200 Market Street, Room 201, Philadelphia. Fee: $69.00 ULEC members; $99.00 non-ULEC members. Click here to learn more and to register.

The Collaboration Prize, created and funded by the Lodestar Foundation, is a national award presented to nonprofit organizations. The prize identifies and showcases collaborations among two or more nonprofit organizations that cooperate to demonstrate innovative and effective responses to challenges or opportunities. In 2011, the Collaboration Prize will award a total of $250,000 to the collaborations that best exemplify the impact that can result from working together. Each of the eight finalists will receive $12,500 and the winner will receive an additional $150,000. Applications close on July 16th. For more information and to apply, click here.

WolfBrown, one of the nation’s leading consulting firms serving the arts and cultural sector, seeks the services of a Survey Field Worker to work approximately 10-15 hours per week, including some weekend hours. Candidates must be bilingual in English and Spanish. The work involves driving to libraries, shopping centers and neighborhoods throughout Greater Philadelphia and administering surveys as part of a ground-breaking study of cultural participation in the Philadelphia area. This study is being commissioned by the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance.

Friendship Circle Senior Center (located on the campus of Mercy-Fitzgerald Hospital near Yeadon, PA) is seeking Spanish and Italian instructors to teach an introductory class for older adults in the fall. Instructors should have intermediate to advanced language skills and enjoy working with small groups. Classes run from six to eight weeks and meet once per week between 8 a.m. and noon. In the past, there has been a small stipend offered per class. To sign up, call Michelle McGowan at (610) 237-8100, ext. 25.

Every year, more than 17,000 people experience the transformative power of art by participating in studio classes, exhibitions, and community-based programming at the Samuel A. Fleisher Memorial. A Grants Manager is needed to raise approximately 25% of Fleisher’s $2 million budget. Reporting to the Director of Development and Finance, the Manager is responsible for gaining public and private foundation support for general operations, arts education programs, and special projects.

The Affordable Care Act passed by Congress and signed by President Obama this year contains some important benefits for Medicare recipients. If you have Medicare prescription drug coverage, and aren’t already getting Medicare Extra Help, Medicare will automatically send you a one-time $250 rebate check after you reach the coverage gap (also called the “donut hole”) in 2010. This rebate is the first step toward closing the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap.