If you want to remain in your community as you age, you'll be pleased to read about another growing movement. "Village" programs that provide a range of low-cost home, medical, shopping, and social services to older adults are becoming more available throughout the country. And there are hundreds of other organized efforts to provide services to older residents in "naturally occurring retirement communities." Their common goal is to help people stay in their homes through their 70s and 80s and, in a growing number of cases, into their 90s. To learn more about "aging in place", click here.

Valentine's Day is almost here...and love is in the air. Or is it? For boomers who are not attached, this is a good time to think about new ways to approach the dating scene. This first article provides 10 strategies to find love in your 50s and beyond. Coming of Age takes a broader look at love and aging in The Age for Change: An E-book. In the chapter, "What's Love Got to Do with It", the authors explore the many possibilities facing older adults: long-term marriage, divorce, going solo, same sex relationships, and more. Click here to read this chapter, by yourself or with your book club...and make sure to peruse the table of contents for lots more good reading.

While some hesitate to divulge their age, this article makes it clear that being older has its perks. With baby boomers not showing any signs of slowing down, those turning 62 (you don't have to wait until you are 65!) will be glad to know that this milestone comes with significant discounts. So fess up...and enjoy the deals. Click here to learn more...

Coming of Age is among the nationally-recognized programs featured in this USA Today article about the growing "encore careers" movement -- helping older adults who can't or don't want to retire find work that benefits society. The drive to help them find meaningful employment or volunteer positions has spawned initiatives like Coming of Age with many headed by those in "encore" jobs. Learn about the resources available for those considering next steps.

In his New York Times bestselling biography The Bridge: The Life and Rise of Barack Obama, David Remnick—editor of The New Yorker—offers a personal and historical context for Barack Obama’s extraordinary political career. Remnick’s research illuminates the President’s formative years from student to community organizer to Senator, amidst the backdrop of race and politics in Chicago. The author will be speaking on Thursday, February 17th at 7:30 p.m. at the Free Library, 1901 Vine St., Philadelphia. $15. Click here for tickets.

Don't miss Marc Freedman, CEO and founder of Civic Ventures, a think tank on boomers, work and social purpose, and the author of Encore, Prime Time, and The Kindness of Strangers who will be speaking at Gershman Y, 401 South Broad St., Philadelphia on February 24th. Freedman's presentation, titled "The Big Shift: What's Ahead for Your Encore Career" will begin at 7 p.m. (light dinner offered at 6:30 p.m.) Freedman, a Philadelphia native, offers his insight about the opportunities that await us in the "encore" years. The program is co-sponsored by The Transition Network and the Y. For tickets, click here.

The Center for Emerging Visual Artists (CFEVA), in partnership with NewCourtland, invites Philadelphia area artists to apply for the NewCourtland Artist Fellowship by April 1, 2011.  In order to apply, artists are asked to develop an intergenerational project that brings members of the New Courtland Network together with school-age children/teens to create a meaningful experience and a high quality artistic project. Work created by seniors and their school-aged partners will be exhibited with the work of the artist fellows in an exhibition entitled Art is Ageless.

Let me videotape the ways! WHYY’s two-hour workshop will show you how to record a favorite romantic story. How did you and your significant other meet? Where did your parents go on their first date? Share your own story or interview a family member and take home a DVD you can cherish for many Valentine’s Days to come. To choose a date for your video...and for information about cost and location, click 'Continue Reading' below:

If you have a website powered by Drupal or are thinking of converting to it, this free workshop will give you examples of what this application is capable of doing (social media, building communities, e-commerce, rich interactive sites, and more.) This meeting on February 9th, 6:30 p.m. at 50 S. 16th St., Suite 3200, Philadelphia, will consist of brief, non-technical presentations given by Drupal professionals -- with time to ask questions and network. Light fare provided. To register, click here.

The 4th Annual People's Choice Best Nonprofits to Work For Awards has been announced by Opportunity Knocks...and two of the winners are local organizations! Special People in the Northeast (SPIN) and RSVP of Montgomery County were among a list of 15 awardees whose selection was based on employee submissions of a brief essay on why they consider their organization a great place to work. This award demonstrates how nonprofit organizations can not only make a difference in the community but also have an incredibly positive impact on the lives of the people that work for them. Congratulations to all the winners!

The site is launched! The Mayor's Office for Civic Engagement and Volunteer Services has created a new volunteer matching website, ServePhiladelphia.com as part of its membership in the Cities of Service initiative. This group of more than 100 mayors throughout the country is committed to expanding volunteerism as a way of addressing local needs and making government more effective. Visit this site to find a meaningful volunteer position. 

Journey’s Way, Resources & Programs for People 55+ is currently recruiting Volunteers to lead peer discussion groups about health and wellness, aging issues, retirement and life stories. Volunteers must be at least 55 and enjoy working with people, have good listening skills and provide their own transportation. Discussion groups meet weekly in Philadelphia senior community centers. The volunteer training meetings are held at Journey’s Way, 403 Rector Street in Roxborough. Contact Karen Rouse at (215) 487-1750 ext. 1214 for training times and more.

The Family Service Association (FSA) of Bucks County, PA, has an opening for a School Based Counselor who will provide clinical counseling to children in elementary, middle and high schools. This is a part-time position working with several schools, 2-4 days per week. Prior experience preferred; an LPC or LCSW degree required.  Flexibility; job follows the school calendar, with time off for school breaks, including the summer. For more information, call Eric Levy at (215) 757-6916, ext. 111.

Mighty Writers, located in South Philadelphia, is a nonprofit organization where volunteer tutors deliver free writing instruction and workshops for Philadelphia city students in community-based settings. The program presently needs After-School Tutors in grades 2-5 and 6-9; Writing Mentors for grades 4-9, and teaching assistant for writing workshops (k-12) in the evenings and on week-ends. To learn more about these programs, contact Rachel Loeper at (267) 239-0899. 

The good news is that Medicare will cover the $200 shingles vaccination, the most expensive adult vaccine, through Part D, the drug benefit. The possible problem for those getting their shots at their doctors’ offices is that they might have to pay out of pocket, then file for a reimbursement. Check with your doctor. One solution, in states that allow it, is to get vaccinated at a pharmacy, where Part D simply pays the tab. To learn more about this vaccination, click here.