For the person who is facing a move and needs to downsize or for anyone who has reached the point where there is just too much "stuff" in their lives, this article will speak to you...and provide tips on how to begin changing the way you live. A motivational speaker quoted in the article talks about expanding the definition of "tchotchkes," a Yiddish word for knicknacks, to mean "stuff that gets out of control" and can be anything, mental or physical, that is unneeded or unwanted (examples might be electronic equipment, people who are an emotional drain and don't bring joy.) An interesting outlook that may be worth considering.

NPR's Family Matters: The Money Squeeze series, that airs each Tuesday on Morning Edition, is about caregiving and multigenerational families. The latest story, the third in a series of eight, profiles the story of Yolanda Hunter's family in print and audio. For the Hunters, what started out as an act of love has become a difficult and costly decision that has no easy solution and brings up many questions of how caregiving impacts our society. Nearly 10 million people over the age of 50 are caring for their aging parents, and the number of caregivers has more than tripled over the past 15 years. Stayed tuned for the rest of these profiles...

What should we call people age 65 and older? Are they “seniors,” "older adults," "the elderly?"  The author of this article "unscientifically" interviewed professionals in the "aging" field to help clarify the word(s) to describe people of a certain age. Among those queried are Harry (Rick) Moody, 67, director of academic affairs for AARP, Jane Glen Haas, 74, nationally-syndicated newspaper columnist, and Dr. John Rowe, 67, chairman of the MacArthur Foundation Research Network on an Aging Society. To weigh in on this touchy topic, check out the Philadelphia-based blog, Elder Chicks. 

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – starring Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkerson and Dev Patel (star of Slumdog Millionaire) – is about adventure, love and purpose in the encore years. If you love to laugh and travel – and are wondering what’s next in your life – you’re in for a treat. And you could be in for a prize, too… if you enter the Marigold Ideas for Good Contest. The contest is for people over 50 who have great ideas for doing something to improve the quality of life in their communities.Thirty people will win $5,000 each and six will win the trip of a lifetime. Find out more and enter here.

New York Times best-selling author Anna Quindlen will be discussing her latest work, Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake, a memoir filled with funny, heartfelt, and wise observations on friendship, faith, and marriage at the Free Library, 1901 Vine St., Philadelphia on May 10th at 12:30 p.m. Quindlen earned the 1992 Pulitzer Prize for commentary for her New York Times column, “Public and Private,” and now writes the “Last Word” bi-weekly column for Newsweek. Her books include the novels Object Lessons and One True Thing. Free, no reservations needed.

Mother's and Father's Days are quickly approaching and here are gifts that are not only unique, but will live on long after the celebratory dinner or flowers. Bring your mom or dad to WHYY and conduct an interview for a video your family will cherish for years. Gain hands-on experience shooting video and conducting interviews while sharing a great conversation with your parent. Leave with your video keepsake. Member course fee: $50; Non-member course fee: $100 Click to Register for Stories of Mom Course on Saturday, May 12, 2012 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.  Click to register for Stories of Dad Course on Saturday, June 16, 2012 from 1:00:-3:30 p.m.

The Urban League of Philadelphia is hosting Empowerment Week, starting on May 14th, that will include an excitingl array of free presentations and activities. There is a Job Summit, Community Empowerment Day, and an Entrepreneurship Showcase where fun and business are combined as entrepreneurs showcase their products and a panel discussion entitled, “So You Think You Want to Run Your Own Business" gets you thinking about how to make that happen. Check out these links to learn more about the offerings during the week and career programs that are available throughout the year. Don't forget to RSVP!

JEVS Career Solutions for 55+ invites those looking for work to a free, half-day program: "Strategies for Success Employment Seminar."  Held on May 31st at International House, 3701 Chestnut St., 2nd floor, Philadelphia from 8:30 a.m. till noon, the seminar will include a panel discussion with Human Resources recruiters discussing what they look for in a job candidate and how to make the most of your resume and the interview process. In addition, representatives from organizations will be available for questions...and lots more. Click here for information on pre-registering by May 16th. Space is limited.

There is still time to register for the 27th Annual Games for Adults 50+. This week-long event, starting on June 2nd, includes many sports (basketball, track and field, tennis, ping pong, golf, and swimming, to name a few) and board games (checkers, chess, Scrabble, pinochle, and dominoes.)  New this year are events on Saturdays to accommodate those in the workforce and a triathlon that will feature a 200-year swim, a six-mile bike ride and two-mile run. If you register before May 18th, the fee is $10; after that date, $15. To sign up, click here. Cheerleaders are welcome!

Mastering Drupal: A Six Week Online Course is being offered, starting on May 23rd, by Sam Cohen, a web strategist, Drupal consultant and principal of New Media Solutions (as well as the Coming of Age webmaster!) The course can help you master the management of your Drupal site, take advantage of all Drupal can do, and allow you to create new sites, with highly complex functionality -- including e-commerce. Inspiring Opportunities readers receive a 10% discount: just enter Coming of Age as the association's name. To learn more about the training and to register, click here. 

KIPP, or the Knowledge is Power Program, is a national network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools in educationally underserved communities. KIPP Philadelphia Schools (KPS) is a part of the national KIPP network and currently has four schools, serving approximately 1,000 students in North and West Philadelphia. There is an opening for a full-time Director of Talent who reports to the COO and is responsible for ensuring that KIPP schools attract, develop, and retain a diverse staff of talented individuals. To learn more about this position, click here.

Encore.org has compiled a wide ranging group of websites and resources that can help you find job openings throughout the country. Their target audience is the 31 million people ages 44 to 70 who would like to find an encore career combining purpose, passion and a paycheck. In addition to websites, there are links to job boards that focus on health care, nonprofits, education, green, and government jobs, tips on using LinkedIn and other social media, and a podcast with a career expert. To explore this treasure trove of possibilities, click here. 

The Franklin Institute has a paid part-time opening as a Program Educator for their Dead Sea Scrolls galleries. This position, which will take up to 30 hours/week, including week-end hours, needs a person who can assist with the running and upkeep of the "Conservation Cart", a volunteer-led program outside the exhibit, serve as an educational ambassador for this program, and assist with office duties. This position is temporary through October 2012. To learn about the qualifications and how to apply, continue...

SquashSmarts is a nonprofit organization that combines the sport of squash with tutoring and mentoring of under-served, urban youth in order to develop self-esteem and discipline while achieving in academics and sports. Volunteers are needed as tutors, mentors, and squash instructors. It is rewarding and fun. Watch this video to see and hear what this program means to the participants. Meetings are held Monday-Thursday, 4:15-6:15 p.m. To learn more, contact katie@squashsmarts.org or (215) 221-6860.

The University of the Arts is seeking an Exhibitions Coordinator who will be responsible for all aspects of the daily operations of the various exhibition galleries at the university, including dealing with coordinating shipping and installation. The Exhibitions Coordinator works closely with the Exhibitions Director, Faculty and Staff of the University, as well as dealing with exhibiting artists from outside the institution and assisting with planning and designing exhibitions. Start: June 1st, 2012. Ends: May 31st, 2013.