Young is good, old is bad. That is the message that surrounds us in all kinds of media, conversations, at the workplace...even in our birthday cards! This article strongly offers some proactive ways of dealing with anti-aging messages that are destructive to boomers' psyches and can have dangerous social, political, and economic ramifications. Where to begin? Read the five flags outlined by the author and then gather a group who are determined to change the ageist mindset that surrounds us. Perhaps you will want to create a Fierce with Age Consciousness Group and start by proclaiming "old is good!"

A new "digital destination" for boomers called Next Avenue just launched and includes a refreshing blend of journalism by veteran reporters, information gleaned from trusted government leaders, nonprofit agencies, and commercial media outlets, and insights from a renowned private university and PBS stations around the country. The website aims to help boomers deal with the full range of concerns and interests that come into play during this next stage of life —“adult part 2.” Next Avenue invites readers to share their journeys and comment on articles and blog posts.

For almost a decade, Gretchen Johnson's popular column in The New York Times, PhysEd, has been focused on the science of health and fitness. Her book, "The First 20 Minutes: Surprising Science Reveals How We Can Exercise Better, Train Smarter, Live Longer," a distillation of her work, will certainly surprise those who believe that people need to exercise strenuously to stay healthy. Johnson's research shows that just doing something, even standing for 20 minutes a day, will help you maintain good health and prolong life. For those who question how that can be true and what it means in terms of losing weight, keep reading. Just wish that the PhysEd teachers of the past had read the book!

As you enter your "encore" years, you might be considering a career change -- maybe leaving your present job and doing something completely different, even starting a business. You feel ready for change, but are unsure of what to do. Here are some helpful books to guide you. Some are practical, offering step-by-step basics, while others serve as motivation to just get out there and do it. Click here to see what interests you. And, speaking of next steps, check out this book review by Carolyn Walter, Professor Emeritus, Widener Univ.ersity, of Susan Abel Lieberman's "Getting Old is A Full Time Job: Moving on From a Life of Working Hard." There is a unique 12-task approach for dealing with "what's next."

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts has a mission to share the arts with the community and presents a rich variety of free events year-round, from pop art and jazz to educational sessions and children's concerts. To read about the upcoming acts appearing at the Center's Commonwealth Plaza (with delectable snacks and happy hour specials) in May and June, take note of the calendar on the Kimmel Center's website.

There are a group of people in Northwest Philadelphia who envision their future as residents of a multi-generational neighborhood that will be called Wissahickon Village Cohousing. Their plan is to build a range of differently sized, energy efficient homes where they will also enjoy a shared common house, play area for kids, and a community garden. If this idea appeals to you and you are eager to learn more about this intentional environmentally conscious neighborhood, plan to attend "Introduction to Cohousing" at the Lovett Library, 6945 Germantown Avenue, on Monday, June 11th, 7-8:30 p.m. To find out about additional events, click here.

Anndee Hochman, a Philadelphia-based nationally-recognized author who has written a number of chapters for Coming of Age's The Age for Change E-Book, is writing an article for the Philadelphia Inquirer's upcoming special section on baby boomer health issues. She would like to speak to both men and women, ages 50 to 65, who are dealing with anxiety, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, panic attacks, specific phobias, social phobia or post-traumatic stress. If you are interested in sharing your experience, contact Anndee at aehoch@aol.com.

The Princeton Senior Resource Center and Princeton Public Library offer a monthly speaker series for people thinking about retiring or making a major life change. Their upcoming presentation, "Senior Travels: Pack Your Pills and Leave Your Doctors Behind," is on June 12 at 7 p.m. at the library. Celia and Dick Lidz, world travelers, will talk about traveling with disabilities, finding the right trips for you, and the "what ifs"--what you can and cannot plan for. The speaker series is part of the Princeton Senior Resource Center’s Next Step: Engaged Retirement & Encore Careers program. FREE, no registration required.

Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) will hold a public hearing on Thursday, May 31 to obtain comments on the agency’s four-year plan, proposed budget, and programs for 2012-2013. The hearing, beginning at 10 a.m., will take place at PCA, 642 North Broad Street in Philadelphia. PCA President Rodney D. Williams will discuss the dire financial issues facing programs that serve older adults. Older adults, community advocates, aging services professionals, and members of the community are invited to attend the public hearing. Attendees will have an opportunity to testify. To learn more about the meeting, click here.

Tom’s of Maine will offer grants of up to $50,000 to grassroots nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations across the country working to provide volunteer-driven environmental, health, and human service programs through its 50 States for Good program. Deadline is June 12th.  For more information, click here.

The John Bartram Association seeks a part-time Seasonal Educator to teach lessons in environmental science, history of natural science, gardening, and Colonial American history to a wide range of visitors, many of whom are Philadelphia school children, pre-K to 5th grade. Bartram's Garden covers 45 acres and includes the National Historic Landmark Bartram house, America's oldest botanic garden, a 15-acre wildflower meadow and a recreated tidal wetland on the banks of the Schuylkill River in Southwest Philadelphia. To learn more about the position,

The Food Trust, founded in 1992, is a non-profit organization working to ensure that everyone has access to affordable, nutritious food. It works to educate the public about good nutrition and to increase the availability of fresh food in neighborhoods throughout the region and state. There is an immediate opening for a part-time Communication Associate who would be responsible for supporting the organization's efforts to raise awareness about food issues and nutrition in the popular media and the fund's profile to attract partners, donors, and potential participants/customers to its programs. 

The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation is seeking a Project Coordinator for the One Book, One Philadelphia program that the library co-sponsors with the Office of the Mayor. This program runs annually from January through mid-March, with events geared toward promoting literacy and encouraging the Greater Philadelphia community to come together through reading and discussing a single book. The position includes a full benefit package: health, dental, life, and disability insurances; flex benefits and retirement plan; and a generous leave time allowance.

Volunteers are essential in helping the Appel Farm Arts & Music Festival run smoothly. The Festival, to be held on June 2nd, hosts thousands of people in rural Elmer, New Jersey each year with all proceeds benefiting Appel Farm’s summer arts camp scholarship program and community arts outreach residencies in public schools. Volunteers help children with crafts, assist with food service, work on stage crews, help recycle, and much more. A free ticket, a T-Shirt, and a chance to make new friends await you! Contact Jason at jblacketer@appelfarm.org.