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May 19 to May 25
Inspiring Opportunities is a weekly email from Coming of Age for people 50+ who are making a difference in the world, in their communities and in their lives. Please encourage people you know to subscribe by sending them to this page. Inside:
What's New Have We Got a Volunteer Opportunity for You! This Week What's New
Yoga Unites for Living Beyond Breast Cancer 
Breathe, stretch and relax on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art this Sunday, May 20, to raise funds and awareness for Living Beyond Breast Cancer’s education and support programs.Doing Good in a Virtual World  If you're interested in technology and social change, watch this fascinating video showing how nonprofits are staking "ground" in a viritual world called "Second Life." The American Cancer Society raised $40,000 in a virtual Relay 4 Life. Welcome to the new frontier. Making Flexible Retirements Work Time Magazine gave us a story last week about the "whole new reality" of retirement, where policy makers are exploring how to "get a continuing economic contribution from folks after their primary career has ended and before they start draining the system's pension and health-care assets." Recommending Products to Support a Cause An organization called Squidoo enables you to build a web page or "lens" for free where you can, among other things, recommend books or products. If someone buys one of your recommendations, the money earned can be directed to a cause that you care about. Here's an example of a page someone set up to support the Polly Klass Foundation, here's one to support the ASPCA, and here's where you can build your own. Swimming in the Schuylkill? 
From PlanPhilly.com: "An engineering firm hired by the non-profit Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area is studying a dozen prospective sites – half on the Schuylkill, half on the Delaware – looking for several places where the water is clean and calm enough for bathing."
Two Pennsylvania 'Burgs' Among Five Best Places to Retire Kiplinger's Magainze recently chose the five best cities to retire in the US, and Pittsburgh and Harrisburg were among the winners. (Two of the others were in Florida and one in Virginia. ) The criteria for choosing included the "precentage of workforce in the creative class" (30 percent for both cities) and what they call the "Bohemian Indicator." (95 for Pittsburgh and 67 for Harrisburg). See the slideshow, which also lists the five best cities for empty-nesters. Have We Got a Volunteer Opportunity for You!
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 also find one-time volunteer opportunities below under “This Week.”This Week's VISTA Opportunity 
New York City's World Cares Center is in need of VISTA volunteers! Benefits, a living allowance and an opportunity to make a real difference in the world is provided. Learn more.Read to People with Visual Impairments Liberty Resources needs readers to assist staff, board members and others with visual impairments. Contact Liberty Resources at (215) 634-2000. Theatre Lover? The Walnut Street Theater is looking for volunteer ushers for its' current and upcoming shows. Volunteers see the show for free. Contact Bernard Havard at (215) 574-3550 Help Out with the Sculpture Derby!  The New Kensington Community Development Corporation needs volunteers to help set up, register contestants, ride in the parade and more, this Saturday, May 19, at the First Annual Kensington Kenetic Sculpture Derby. Call Kathryn at (215) 427-0350 x120 for more information. This Week
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. Saturday 5/19
Volunteer Training for Wildlife Rehabilitation and More All Day at the Schuylkill Center in Roxborough There will be various trainings throughout the day for volunteer projects related to wildlife rehabilitation and nature restoration. Symposium on the Iraq Refugee Crisis 1pm to 7pm at the Friends Center in Center City "Gathered together we will learn more about the humanitarian and political dimensions, ways the global community is responding, and develop ideas for education and advocacy in our US communities." Sunday 5/20
Yoga Unites for Living Beyond Breast Cancer 8am at the Philadelphia Museum of Art "Breathe, stretch and relax on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art! On Sunday . . . experience the healing effects of yoga while raising funds and awareness for Living Beyond Breast Cancer ’s education and support programs." Women, Social Justice and Spirituality: Opening New Doors for Young Feminists 11am at the Ethical Society in Center City "A new women’s spirituality movement is sweeping the country. It is not about religion, but rather about a broader spiritual and ethical sense that we are all connected into one web of life. This deep belief is at the heart of much spiritually-based social activism. Can feminists afford to ignore this movement? Is there a way to reconcile feminism and spirituality?" Monday 5/21
A Discussion of "Prescription for Pennsylvania" 6:15pm in Center City The College of Physicians of Philadelphia and the Section on Public Health present: A discussion of Governor Edward G. Rendell’s Prescription for Pennsylvania. Presented by Rosemarie B. Greco, Director of the Governor’s Office of Health Care Reform. Tuesday 5/22
The Rise of the Creative Class 6pm at the University of the Arts in Center City Richard Florida, the economist and author of "The Rise of the Creative Class" and "The Flight of the Creative Class," gives a lecture on the creative forces driving the 21st-century economy. Impact of Globalization on the Cultural Sector Wednesday 5/23
4th Annual Coffee Cup Exhibition and Reception |
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 Subscribe MORE ON BOOMERVISION!® 2007  Igniting a Revolution to Reinvent America A Town Hall Meeting with AARP CEO Bill Novelli. Hear his ideas, ask him questions, influence his thinking. At the National Constitution Center on Wednesday, May 30, 5pm. To register call (215) 351-0511. 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 a Volunteer Opportunity For You."  |