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.



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It is widely observed that Americans have not prepared well financially for retirement. Coming of Age, of course, is all about taking care of a lot of the other matters about next steps after full-time work and/or familial responsibilities. Alas, it turns out that this lack of financial preparation is the case not only for ordinary working janes and joes, but also for those in more specialized careers. Like punk rockers, say. Or members of the mob.


From London, The Financial Times reports that The Conference Board, which the paper calls "the leading US business research group," is worried managers on this side of the pond will be stymied by dealing with so many of us who say we're never going to retire. The group recently published a guide, co-authored by Philadelphia attorney Deborah Weinstein, pictured here (and who in a burst of full disclosure we must reveal is married to Coming of Age director Dick Goldberg) on dealing with mature workers. The guide, per The Times, "offers lots of sage advice on 'phased retirement,' training, and perks such as eldercare for parents or daycare for grandkids."


If you live in this world, it's likely you've got people to take care of. If you're 50+, those people could include your parents. When Dad's having heart trouble, and Mom just got out of physical rehab, you must take off work to look after them. But what if your boss doesn't understand? Even worse, what if she takes the occasion to replace you? USA Today reports a heartless trend.


Will our our next mayor be able to change the crime, poverty, and decay that are making all our lives worse? Well ... maybe. Here's Philadelphia City Paper (which is "going out on a limb" and prematurely declaring Michael Nutter our next Hizzoner) on what needs to be done, how to do it, and why we would be happier.


Sure, college towns are known for the packs of twentysomethings that spill out of bars and party in the street. But if The New York Times is correct, packs of fiftysomethings are close behind them. And look: they brought their RVs!  




  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:




The greater Philly area has 1.5 million people over 50. As they move into the next phase of life (or are starting to think about it), Coming of Age is here to help. We promote age 50+ civic engagement, life-long learning and community leadership. We hold events that get people excited about life, and work with nonprofits on how to come up with paid and unpaid opportunities that boomers and others 50+ will find meaningful. Our VISTA will help get Coming of Age in the news, assist with this weekly e-mail blast, produce advertisements, and write reports to promote our work in diverse communities. This is a full-time opportunity with benefits and a living allowance. It requires a Bachelor's degree. Send resumes and cover letters to dgoldberg@comingofage.org.


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 connecting families to the benefits and tax credits for which they may be eligible. Team meetings will take place at the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, 7 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, on Nov. 27, from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m., and Nov. 28, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. If you'd like to attend, please e-mail aketchum@temple.edu to say which meeting you'll be coming to.



Coming of Age partner First Person presents memoir and documentary art. The 6th Annual First Person Festival is Nov. 7 - 11 and features life stories by local and nationally-known artists. Volunteers are awarded vouchers for event attendance after completing a shift. Positions include those in the box office, on production crews, as ushers, and more. For info, e-mail volunteer@firstpersonarts.org


Journey's Way needs a part-time Service Coordinator to help older adults at an independent living project. This professional will make sure residents have the resources to age well in place. The preferred applicant has a degree in social services and knowledge of community resources. Send resume and cover letter to Cynthia Wishkovsky, Journey's Way, 6012 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19128, (215) 487-1750 (fax) (215) 487-3716.  


Journey's Way needs a Director of Supportive Services to lead in serving older adults in the greater Philadelphia area. Duties include running a day program and in-home program for frail elders, and working with a team to develop new ways to help. The preferred applicant has a master's in social work, health, or human services, and 3 years of experience. Send resume and cover letter to Cynthia Wishkovsky, Journey's Way, 6012 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19128, (215) 487-1750 (fax) (215) 487-3716.


For those who can sing, write, act, cook, dance, or play... you can help older adults learn something new. Share your passion by teaching a class at a Senior Activity Center or Adult Day Center in Delaware County. Call Lynn Shelton at 610-353-6642 or e-mail lshelton@senrs.org.


Transformations, the Holistic Learning Center in Voorhees, NJ, is currently looking for an Office Administrator. The starting salary will be in the $35,000 range. They want someone who, in addition to possessing office skills, has a passion for holistic learning and personal growth, is a self-starter, and most importantly, can work effectively with a visionary entrepreneur. Interested candidates should send a resume to scott@readytotransform.com.  




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!


8:30 am at Temple University - The Gittis Student Center, 2nd Floor, 13th Street and Montgomery Avenue, Philadelphia
Women & Influence 2007 is a FREE half-day conference focusing on economic self-sufficiency and financial education for women. It is designed to introduce women to the basics of finance and to foster a safe and informative dialogue around economic issues and paths to economic security.


9:00 am at locations throughout the region
Today's the day that Americans will demand real leadership on global warming. From coast to coast, they'll rally and invite politicians to join in. Let's see who rises to the occasion and who has a real plan to tackle the defining challenge of our time. One year before the election, help make sure the world witnesses our national call to action!


7:00 pm at The Playground at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia
A reading of Los Angeles playwright Lynn Manning's newest script, In The Absence of Light, about two blind people with very different pasts who fall in love. The play explores the challenges of their love and future together when one is given the possibility of sight. Part of a series of readings of plays by writers with disabilities. Free.  


2:30 pm at Inglis House, 2600 Belmont Avenue, Philadelphia
Implications for visual representations of music for persons with disabilities are just being explored. Here, a trio of Curtis musicians perform classical chamber music while a visual interpretation of the music is projected onto a screen. Free.
 


6:00 pm at The Cecilian Center for Earth, Arts, and Spirit, 100 Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia
Speakers include Robert Meyer, Ph.D, Professor of Biology, Chestnut Hill College and Virginia Ranly, Director of Environmental Education and Watershed Programs Coordinator. The presentation will help the community learn about regional water quality and its impact on your health and well-being. Cost:$15/person. Light supper (using local farm produce) included.


12:00 pm at Shriners' Hospital for Children, Venango and Broad Streets, Philadelphia
COSACOSA's Healing Art Project presents a series of family art-making events, featuring collaborative visual art workshops where visitors of all ages and abilities can participate in creating new artwork for Philadelphia-based pediatric hospitals. Free. Workshop is available to people who are blind or who have low vision. Sign language available if requested.


12:00 pm at Chemical Heritage Foundation, 6th Floor Conference Room, 315 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
This lecture focuses on how trans fats were installed in the American food system. Oils containing trans fats have long been useful to the food industry. But watchdog groups and other organizations, Schleifer argues, helped make trans fats even more "useful" by helping to frame them as healthy alternatives to saturated fats in the 1980s. Schleifer is a Ph.D. candidate in Sociology at New York University.



6:30 pm at Free Library of Philadelphia, 7422 Haverford Avenue, Philadelphia
Meet Mika Miller, whose novel tells the story of four flawed African-American women who overcome their individual struggles and survive to become beautiful and stronger.


6:30 pm at Free Library of Philadelphia, 6742 Torresdale Avenue, Philadelphia
Join Laurel Weller from the Mütter Museum as she explores body modifications from around the world.


9:00 am at African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street, Philadelphia
 


12:00 pm at Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia
Haifa Zangana is the author of three novels and three short story collections. Her latest work, City of Widows, traces the long line of female activists in Iraq who have resisted foreign aggression and national despotism during the past hundred years.


7:00 pm at Inglis House, 2600 Belmont Avenue, Philadelphia
Award-winning South African poet and filmmaker Shelley Barry will screen a series of her short films including the experimental documentary, “Whole – A Trinity of Being,” winner of three Best Film awards at international festivals in NYC, San Francisco and Philadelphia. This film has also been selected to screen at The Cape Town World Cinema Festival and the Encounters Documentary film festival in South Africa. The director will answer questions after the films are shown. Refreshments. Free.

Panelists Ken and Mary Gergen
Is 50+ the Age of Creativity? We think so. Which is why we're launching our year-long Boomervision! lecture/community dialogue series next month with an incredible tale of re-invention and an evening about how to enrich your life -- and your community-- by becoming more creative. Learn More.



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 some programs coming up that may interest you:

Monday, November 5, 10:30pm, Philadelphia residents discuss political issues regarding the 2007 mayoral race.

Extraordinary Rendition, Tuesday, November 6, 10:00 pm, an examination of the CIA's use of "rendition," in which suspected terrorists are interrogated in countries where torture is common.