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.



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Eat colorfully and stay healthy! The nutrition gurus have discovered that eating red, purple, and blue fruits not only creates a beautiful presentation on the plate, but will help keep your heart in shape, prevent certain kinds of cancer, lower cholesterol, and promote good sleep. Cranberries, pomegranates, red grapes, red grapefruit, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and tart cherries all contain antioxidants, called anthocyanins, that are known for their health and anti-aging benefits. Read this article to learn more.


Are you a ruminator? Do you find that you keep recycling old conversations and can't get troublesome thoughts out of your mind? Does this kind of thinking make you feel depressed? If this sounds all too familiar, it may be time to find ways to stop your "dwelling." Enhance your mental and physical health by trying these techniques to head off the next "full-tilt mental spin cycle."


AARP, a Coming of Age founding partner, has created "50 Ways to Make a Difference" in honor of its 50th anniversary. This suggested list of great ways to get involved in your community, with helpful online links to resources, will come in handy for AARP's Eighth Annual Day of Service on May 8, 2008. Of course, you can also pick a project suggested in Inspiring Opportunities! Start planning today to join thousands of people nationally who will be making a difference locally on this special day.




 
On April 19, the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) will present a workshop providing legal assistance to Pennsylvania residents eligible for naturalization. Those attending will be helped in completing and submitting their citizenship applications at no cost. Place: Nationalities Service Center, 1216 Arch St, Philadelphia. Time: 10 am-4 pm. Register in advance by calling (215) 832-0900 or (215) 609-1534. (Non-English speakers, 50 or older, who have been in the U.S. for an extended period may be eligible to take the test in their own language; call to see if they qualify.)


Go out for dinner, enjoy the meal, and help fight HIV and AIDS -- not a bad way to contribute! On Thursday, May 1, more than 200 restaurants across the Delaware Valley will be participating in Dining Out for Life -- an event that the Philadelphia Inquirer has called "the busiest restaurant night of the year!" The restaurants donate 33% of the cost of the meal to HIV/AIDS programs. Make a reservation and make a difference. Click here.




  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:




Do you want to gain valuable experience in the non-profit field and make a difference in people’s lives? The Mitzvah Food Project (MFP) AmeriCorps *VISTA program is looking for a VISTA worker to support its hunger relief initiative in Philadelphia. The focus of this position is to improve the system of nutritional food donations and develop a volunteer management system that will ultimately support MFP recipients, which include low-income children, adults and older adults. Read More.


By volunteering just a few hours of your time, you can help safeguard the integrity of the April 22 Pennsylvania Primary Election, and ensure that all eligible citizens can freely exercise their right to vote. The Committee of Seventy is recruiting citizens to work a shift on Election Day. A brief training session is required and will be held at the Committee's Center City office. For more information, contact Nina Bloch at (215) 557-3600, ext.124 or register online.


You have reached the point in your life when you think you know a thing or two... all you need is an eager listener! Well, here is the perfect outlet for you; the Philadelphia chapter of Elders Wisdom Circle (EWC) is looking for folks 60+ who want to share their knowledge and wisdom online, at no cost, with 20 and 30-year-olds who need some advice. EWC has gotten rave reviews in the press. Most "Elders" work from home computers on their own schedules. Visit www.ElderWisdomCircle.org and the “Offer Advice” page for more information.


Fairmount Park, Keep Philadelphia Beautiful and the Philadelphia Streets Department have teamed up to offer recycling assistance for some of the larger events taking place along Kelly, Martin Luther King and Memorial Drives. They are looking for 20 volunteers per event to oversee the recycling receptacles and explain to event attendees what can and cannot be recycled. Dates of events: April 13, April 20, May 16, and May 17 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. To volunteer, e-mail Terry Baxter or call (215) 564-4544.




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!


8:00 am at Eakins Oval, 26th Street and the Parkway, Philadelphia
Tie on your sneakers for a 6-mile Walk Against Hunger, sponsored by the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger, to raise fund to provide food for struggling families in our region. Thousands of people will be participating, including a team from the Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Association Coalition (SEAMAAC), a Coming of Age partner, who invite you to join them. The money raised provides more than 41,000 meals per day to people throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey. If you are interested, contact Yuko Sakata at ysakata@seamaac.org


9:00 am at National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia
Take part in this all-day, non-partisan dialogue focused on American foreign-policy options and strategies for what to do next in Iraq. Among the distinguished speakers on the panel are Robert Dreyfuss: author of "Getting Out", Col. Paul Hughes (U.S. Army, Retired): author of "Consolidating Gains in Iraq", and Professor Joseph Schwartzberg: author of "A New Perspective on Peacekeeping." $25 with lunch. To register, call (215) 849-9165 or visit the website.


11:00 am at Montgomery Country-Norristown Public Library, 1001 Powell Street, Norristown, PA
Learn about one of the most fascinating First Ladies’ public and private lives through A Life of My Own: Meeting Eleanor Roosevelt, a play starring the accomplished actress, Linda Kenyon. Immediately following the play, Ms. Kenyon will lead an informative discussion about Eleanor Roosevelt and the production that was commissioned by Montgomery County Senior’s Theatre. This group is dedicated to bringing high quality theater programs to older adults. FREE. Registration recommended. Call the library (610) 278-5100, ext 0.


11:00 am at Gershman Y, 401 South Broad Street, Philadelphia
With Passover fast approaching, Judy Kancigor, author of Cooking Jewish, will discuss how one can trace family history through food, and the importance of food traditions to Jewish families and culture. Learn how to share family stories through cooking and recipe collecting, and pick up some tips on Passover cooking. $15; $20 with brunch Call (215) 446-3021 for reservations or to register online.


6:30 pm at Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut Street, Philadelphia
John Jackson, Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, discusses his controversial new book, Racial Paranoia: The Unintended Consequences of Political Correctness, which identifies a new paradigm of race relations that has emerged in the wake of the legal victories of the civil rights era. Jackson will explain his perception of how paranoia is cultivated, transferred, and exaggerated; how it shapes our nation and undermines the goal of racial equality; and what can be done to fight it. FREE



5:30 pm at White Dog Cafe, 3420 Sansom Street, Philadelphia
Thousands of hate crimes have occurred since 9/11. A Dream in Doubt is a film that depicts the first murder, that of a Sikh man who moved with his family to the United States for religious freedom. The family was determined to realize this freedom even after his death. Hear community leaders discuss the impact of these crimes and suggest strategies for preventing them. Optional dinner at 5:30. Free film and discussion at 7 pm. Call (215) 386-9224 for a reservation.


6:00 pm at Physick House, 321 S. 4th Street, Philadelphiahttp
Paul Levy, President of the Center City District, will discuss recent trends in Philadelphia's economic, social and educational scene. He will present an overview of current projects that are under the watchful eye of the Center City District and explore some exciting prospects for future development and enhancement of our historic city. The lecture is part of Landmarks Series. Click here to register.


5:00 pm at WHYY, 150 N. 6th Street, Philadelphia
AARP and WHYY, Coming of Age founding partners, invite you to watch the debate as the Democratic presidential candidates address issues that matter to you: affordable health care and life-long financial security. Dinner at 5 pm, community discussion at 7 pm, moderated by Coming of Age's Director Dick Goldberg; followed by the debate at 8 pm. Voice your concerns and share ideas. FREE. Space is limited. To attend, you must RSVP by calling 1-877-926-8300.    


6:00 pm at Atwater Kent Museum, 15 South 7th Street, Philadelphia
A 100th birthday is certainly worth a celebration -- and perhaps can offer insight into successful longevity. Building Bridges, Linking Lives: The Walnut Lane Bridge at 100 is a lecture and slide program by David Young, Executive Director of Cliveden, a National Trust property in Germantown. When it was completed, the bridge was the largest concrete span bridge in the world. Discover how this historic landmark was built and what it has meant... and still means, to our city. Admission: $5; Seniors, $3.


6:30 pm at Jeanes Hospital, 7600 Central Avenue, Philadelphia
Learn how low-fat, vegetarian meals can taste delicious and help you fight cancer. The topics for this 7-session free cooking class include fiber and low-fat foods, planning healthy meals, dairy alternatives, antioxidants, and immune-boosting foods. Thursday evenings, April 17 - May 29th. Call (215) 728-3313 to register.


9:30 am at Scott Arboretum, Swarthmore College,Swarthmore, PA
Take time to smell -- and learn about -- the flowers; in this case, magnolias, as the season for their fragrant blooms is delightfully upon us. Gardeners and other nature enthusiasts will gain a lot from attending this course that will use the Scott Arboretum's nationally-recognized magnolia collection to teach participants about these plants and how to add them to your landscape. Dress for the weather and for walking. Registration is limited to 24 and includes lunch. Fee: $50 for non-members. Call (610) 328-8025 to register.





For You and Those You Care For


If you have Medicare, three important steps can help put you on the road to better health: STEP 1: Know your health history. STEP 2: Talk to your doctor about the Medicare preventive services that are right for you. STEP 3: Register for MyMedicare.gov on any Internet-connected computer. Being physically active, eating a healthy diet, keeping your weight down, and saying "no" to smoking all work to keep you healthy and help you live longer. But there is more you can do to protect your health and prevent disease. Read More.

Mark April 30 on your calendar to participate in an exciting BoomerVision! session, 50+: The Age of Creativity -- Finding Your Story, brought to you by Coming of Age at WHYY, co-sponsored by First Person Arts, and underwritten by AARP. Create a personal narrative ... and discover new things about yourself. Marsha Gildin will lead the workshop. Call (215) 351-0511 to register. 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."