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January 26 to February 1

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.


Inside:

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


 
What's New

Why are Philadelphians Sol and Judy Levy, familiar to many from the Coming of Age home page, smiling? They've heard the good news: our initiative is going national! Coming of Age recently was awarded a three-year, $1.8 million grant from The Atlantic Philanthropies to pilot more innovative activities promoting age 50+ connection and contribution in diverse local communities and replicate our work in at least eight communities throughout the United States. Click for The Philadelphia Inquirer announcement.


Plan on joining us at the next session of Boomervision!, the Coming of Age lecture/community dialogues series, hosted by our founding partner WHYY's Wider Horizons: "Creating a New Life Together: A Makeover for the Midlife Couple." Drs. Daniel Monti and Anthony Bazzan (seen here) from the Brind Jefferson Center for Integrative Medicine -- will discuss lifestyle issues that affect mood and intimacy and help midlife couples rekindle the spark. It's a part of this year's Boomervision! series, "50+ the Age of Creativity." February 13 at 5:30 pm.(RSVP by 4 pm) at (215) 351-0511; or click here.


Here are the stories we received describing your involvement in local activities. Two of the responses were about Thresholds, a Delaware County prison program. The photo includes Fran Cooke (left) receiving an award from that organization. We've also included an interview with former President Jimmy Carter, whose passion for volunteering and meaningful connections are inspirational. Now, we're waiting to hear from you! Contact Mady Prowler, our editor. Read More.


Your mouth will water and your heart will pitter pat with happiness when you read, Recipes for Health: An Online Community Cookbook, provided by community organizations throughout the Delaware Valley and compiled by PhillyHealthInfo.org. That New Year's resolution to eat healthy has just gotten easier thanks to groups like the American Diabetes Association, the Food Trust, SHARE, and the Wellness Community.


Too many people facing retirement have not developed a comprehensive financial plan. Don't let that happen to you. The Motley Fool's advice is to get your fiscal house in order with the help of an experienced financial planner. And before you say that you can't afford it, read this article and find out what you need to know... and what services are available... to secure your future.




 
Have We Got an Opportunity for You!
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:




Has Coming of Age helped you connect and contribute? We want to know if the information we've offered in this section of Inspiring Opportunities has helped you find a meaningful paid or unpaid way to make a difference. The Temple University Health Sciences Center is doing a story about Coming of Age and wants to interview people 50+ who we've helped "give back." If you would be interested in being interviewed for this story, please e-mail Dick Goldberg, the initiative's director.


Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pennsylvania (BBBSPA) is actively searching for at least eight caring, full-time adult national community service volunteers willing to make magic happen for local kids in various counties across Pennsylvania. The counties include: Bradford, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fayette, Juniata, Lebanon, Lancaster, Perry, Pittsburgh, and Westmoreland. Big Brothers Big Sisters is searching for highly motivated, passionate, well-spoken individuals to implement volunteer recruitment, mentor retention and agency development. Read More.


"Join the WHYY family" and answer phones during the station's bi-yearly fund-raiser from January 31 to February 8th. Be that inviting voice that encourages just a few more dollars from those who already love 91 FM's great programming, including "All Things Considered" and "Fresh Air" with Philly's own Terry Gross. For more information, call Marjorie Madresh (215) 351-1243 or e-mail her at mmadresh@WHYY.org


You can help close the learning gap for low-income children who don't have computers at home by working with them and their families to learn about software and the Internet at the Clemente Middle School, 122 West Erie Ave, Philadelphia on Saturday, January 26. After this "Computers for Youth" session, the student takes the computer home! No computer training experience needed. Contact Danielle, (215) 564-4544, danielle@gpcares.com to register.


Take part in the Jewish Community of Greater Philadelphia's "Super Sunday" fund-raiser at the Jewish Federation Radnor Campus, 270 S. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Bryn Mawr on January 27th. Your efforts will help ensure that Jewish life and learning in our community and throughout the world are preserved for future generations. Call (215) 832-0630 to volunteer.




Make-a-Difference Calendar
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!

Saturday, January 26

11:00 am at University of Pennsylvania's Museum of Archaelogy and Anthropology, 3260 South Street, Philadelphia
Scurry in to the University of Pennsylvania Museum to deepen (or expand) your cultural awareness by welcoming in the Year of the Rat at the museum's 27th annual Chinese New Year's celebration. Bring the whole family and celebrate the New Year through music and dance performances. A full day of fun activities and workshops ends with a roar as Cheung’s Hung Gar Kung Fu studio leads the popular Lion Dance parade. Free with Museum admission donation.

Sunday, January 27

2:00 pm at Easttown Library and Information Center, 720 1st Avenue, Berwyn, PA
Public transportation is becoming an increasingly important economic, social, and ecological issue in our region. How can you know where we should be going, with respect to this issue, if you don't know where we've been? At this event, Patrick Morrison, Museum Educator with the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, will explain the history of railroad passenger travel in Pennsylvania, with a special emphasis on the Main Line. FREE. Registration is suggested. Call (610) 644-0138

Monday, January 28

6:00 pm at White Dog Cafe, 3420 Sansom Street, Philadelphia
Break bread with Moderator, Matt Ruben, Urban Planner and Professor at Bryn Mawr and a panel of engaged community activists for a discussion about casino development in Philadelphia. (Click here to learn what Michael Nutter, our new mayor, has to say and is doing about this issue.) Table Talks include a three-course dinner at 6 pm, followed by a speaker and discussion at 7:30 pm. $36 per person ($30 for those 65 +). Call (215) 386-9224 for reservations.


6:30 pm at University of Pennsylvania's Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 3260 South St., Philadelphia
Come listen to the Honorable John R. Bolton, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, discuss his "take" on the Mid-East and his latest book, Surrender is Not an Option: Defending America at the United Nations and Abroad. To pre-register for this free lecture, contact lhernandez@philafederation.org or (215)-832-0537.

Tuesday, January 29

12:00 pm at Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine Sts., Philadelphia
Don't miss this opportunity to hear Madeleine Albright discuss her latest work, Memo to the President-Elect: How Can We Can Restore America's Reputation and Leadership, a timely book written by the first woman to hold the position of Secretary of State. She served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations prior to joining the Clinton cabinet. FREE. No tickets required. For information, call (215) 567-4341.


6:00 pm at Women's Business Development Center, 1315 Walnut St., Philadelphia
It's never too late to learn how to manage your personal and business finances. Gain the knowledge and skills that are critical to financial success. $10 fee. Click to register online.

Wednesday, January 30

11:00 am at Haverford College,Cantor-Fitzgerald Gallery,370 Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA
Here's your chance to see a rare collection of 23 advertising posters that played a crucial role during the political change and economic expansion of early 20th-century Shanghai, China's greatest commercial port. Much as it is today, China was seen as a boundless market by the world's industrial powers. And posters of advertising products became popular... and later valuable collectibles. FREE. For information, contact (610) 896-1287.


6:30 pm at Ruth Auditorium (125 Nesbitt Hall), Drexel University, 33rd and Market Sts., Philadelphia
Is that adorable dress, "oh so cute" handbag or leather bomber jacket worth the cheap price tag? Maybe not. This talk by Senior Lecturer Heather Iwanow addresses the real cost of affordable clothes, including their social and environmental impact. FREE.

Thursday, January 31

7:00 pm at Central Branch, Free Library, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia
Don't miss a chance to hear Russell Banks, Pulitzer Prize and PEN/Faulkner finalist, read from his new novel, "The Reserve," which is set in the Adirondacks during the height of the Great Depression. FREE. For more information, contact (215) 686-5322.

Friday, February 1

8:00 am at Laurel Hill Cemetery,3822 Ridge Avenue,Philadelphia
To make a difference in our region, it helps a heap to know our history! Laurel Hill was founded in 1836 as one of America’s first rural garden cemeteries. A National Historic Landmark, Laurel Hill is a unique destination for connoisseurs of history, art, architecture and horticulture. Take a self-guided tour and view the burial sites of renowned statesmen, Civil War generals, and countless visionaries who shaped the country's history. FREE. For information, call (215) 228-8200.





This Week's Medicare Tip
For You and Those You Care For


“[Glaucoma] doesn't prevent me from doing anything that I once did,” says glaucoma patient Sam Polakoff. “I'm fortunate in that mine was discovered early, and I have not lost any sight as a result of my glaucoma.” A simple test helped save Sam’s sight, and it can help to protect against your vision loss too. Early detection and treatment of glaucoma are the only way to slow or prevent a loss of vision or blindness. If you have Medicare and are at risk for developing glaucoma, talk with your doctor about your eligibility for Medicare coverage of glaucoma screening. Read More.
Brought to you by
Coming of Age
a partnership of:

The Temple University Center for Intergenerational Learning
WHYY Wider Horizons
United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania
AARP Pennsylvania

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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."























Coming of Age
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