May 2 to May 8
Welcome to Coming of Age: Philadelphia for people 50+ who are making a difference in the world, in their communities and in their lives.
Inside:
What's New
Coming Soon
Have We Got an Opportunity for You!
Make-A-Difference Calendar
This Week's Medicare Tip
Past Issues
What's New The bipartisan Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, signed by President Obama on April 21st, makes national service accessible and inviting for millions who have finished their midlife careers. It recognizes the difficulty of midlife career transition and creates an innovative policy -- "encore fellowships" -- that will provide people 55 and older access to one-year management or leadership positions in preparation for jobs in the public and nonprofit sectors. A great encore opportunity...
Grandma, Gramps, Bubbe, Zayde... say these names around some Boomers with grandchildren and they'll start looking around for THEIR grandparents! While many people are happy with the old appellations, the tried and true just won't do for this group, who pride themselves on being fit, vital, and not ready for traditional names. Read more about a new cohort of "grands" whose anthem is Bob Dylan's ballad, "Forever Young."
The computer networking world moves fast; fall out of step and you're out of the communications loop. The latest rage, twittering, has become the new, cool way to reach out to friends and associates. Even NPR's elder statesman, Daniel Schorr, has a twitter account! If you'd like to join in and "tweet" with others... or feel embarrassed that you don't know a twitter from a blog, click here for some quick FAQs to get you up to speed.
Coming Soon Spring has sprung! and it is time to enlist friends, co-workers, and family members to help clean up the park we use every day. Volunteer for Philadelphia Cares about Fairmount Park Day, Saturday, May 16, 2009 at Fairmount Park, Philadelphia’s backyard. Either start a team or sign up with Philadelphia Cares for a volunteer team for a day of outdoor fun and community activity. Call (215) 564-4544 for more information and to get involved.
Have We Got an Opportunity for You! Unusual ground floor opportunity for an experienced journalist/writer to manage the future Coming of Age: Delaware County website for adults age 50+ and write a monthly electronic newsletter and newspaper column. Minimum eight hours a week. A Delaware County resident preferred to help launch this comprehensive resource for county residents. Computer skills needed include email, excel, MS Outlook. To apply, email resume.
A part-time Outreach Educator is needed at the Philadelphia Zoo to develop and present animal programs for school and camp groups, birthday parties, and zoo visitors. A bachelor’s degree in natural sciences, education, theatre or communications is preferred. Prior animal handling experience and a current, valid drivers’ license are required. Flexible schedule. For more information, call Kristin Lewis at (215) 243-1100.
Senior Community Services (SCS) is looking for environmentally conscious individuals ages 50+ who would like to help its Senior Center "go green." A winner of a Coming of Age Make a Big Difference Team grant, the project will focus on implementing a recycling program, conducting energy audits, and reviewing product usage. Meetings will be held twice a month; the first is at Schoolhouse Center, 600 Swarthmore Ave., Folsom, PA on Monday, May 4, 2009. 11:00 am. If interested, contact Michelle Johnson McGowan, at (610) 237-8100, ext. 25 or e-mail.
The Philadelphia Board of Elections is looking for bilingual individuals to serve as interpreters for the city's May 19th primary elections. Training for volunteers will take place on May 4th and volunteers will be compensated at $100 for their election day work. Languages needed are Korean, Khmer, Mandarin and Cantonese. If you can volunteer for election day or know someone who may be interested and have the language skills, please e-mail Patience Lehrman or call (215)204-3212.
Make-a-Difference Calendar Saturday, May 2
1:30 pm at Kimmel Center Plaza, 300 South Broad Street, Philadelphia The New Horizons Senior Glee Club under the able leadership of Selma Savitz ( see article on the Coming of Age website), proudly presents, "Senior Follies, Scandals, and Vanities," at the Kimmel Center Plaza, for its annual performance. This chorus of 33 singers and musicians are eager to share their musical ability and joy in singing with the public at this free concert.
Sunday, May 3
8:30 am at parking lot of Richie Ashburn Park, at Youngsford and Lafayette Roads, Gladwyne, PA Join Lower Merion Conservancy director Mike Weilbacher for a spring hike through Turtle Hollow, his vote for one of the prettiest locations in the area. May is the height of the bird migration season, with a wide variety of feathered friends, including rare and colorful woodland warblers. Don't miss the wildflowers and Weilbacher's expert commentary. All levels of birders are welcome; binoculars and field guides are recommended. A great way to get exercise and expand your knowledge about our natural surroundings. FREE.
12:45 pm at Al Aqsa Mosque,1501 Germantown Avenue (at 3rd & Jefferson Sts., Philadelphia Plan on joining the Sixth Annual Interfaith Walk for Peace in West Philadelphia. A pre-gathering, including Salat midday prayers, will be held at Al Aqsa Islamic Society at 12:45 PM. The program begins and concludes at the Philadelphia Cathedral--with prayers, teachings, music and dance from Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Bahai and other traditions. This year's theme is People of Light, People of Hope, People of Courage. For more information, click here or call (215) 386-0234.
Monday, May 4
9:00 am at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia,
19 South Twenty-Second Street,
Philadelphia Hear what officials in the Delaware Valley are doing to deal with the outbreak of swine flu. Presenters from the city's Division of Disease Control, Temple's University's Infectious Disease program, Drexel's School of Public Health, The Delaware Valley Healthcare Council, and the University of Pennsylvania's Institute for Strategic Threat Analysis and Response will discuss the city's readiness, protecting yourself, and treatment. FREE. To register, click here.
6:00 pm at University of Pennsylvania Book Store, 3601 Walnut Street, Philadelphia
Dr. Robert Sanjek, will talk about his recent book,
"Gray Panthers," that tells the nearly forty-year story of this intergenerational grassroots movement, founded in 1970 by Philadelphian Maggie Kuhn. Dr. Sanjek examines the inner workings and dynamics of the movement that emerged, drawing from the group's archives, interviews and his personal involvement over the course of thirty years. Maggie Kuhn's work was an inspiration for the creation of Temple University's Center for Intergenerational Learning, a Coming of Age partner.
Wednesday, May 6
9:00 am at Vernon Park, 5818 Germantown Avenue,Philadelphia
May is Older Americans Month, and this year’s theme is Living Today for a Better Tomorrow. Center in the Park (CIP) in Germantown is inviting the community to join it in celebrating positive aging at several special events. Upcoming events include a performance by CIP’s Songsters Unlimited on May 6th at 1 pm, a High Tea with State Senator Leanna Washington at 11 am on May 7th, a Memorial Service for lost members and friends on May 8th at 10 am, a Pre-Mother’s Day Cabaret on May 9th from 1-5 pm, and a Spring Fashion Show on May 20th at 1 pm.
For more information, call (215) 848-7722.
6:00 pm at Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., Philadelphia
Come to the Free Library on the Parkway to learn about changing careers, conducting a job search and having quality materials to share with an employer. Workplace Wednesdays are designed for adult job seekers. The seven sessions include skills assessment, career decision-making, resume writing, resume critique, job hunting tips and techniques, interviewing skills, and computer and Internet resources. Workshops are free. For more information, call (215) 686-5436.
This Week's Medicare Tip Long-term care is a variety of services that includes medical and non-medical care to people who have a chronic illness or disability. Most long-term care is to assist people with support services such as activities of daily living like dressing, bathing, and using the bathroom. Long-term care can be provided at home, in the community, in assisted living or in nursing homes. It is important to remember that you may need long-term care at any age.
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Coming of Age Radio Portraits, produced by WHYY, feature age 50+ Philadelphia-area people who have made exciting life transitions. Click here to see and hear their wonderful stories and to submit your story!
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Read the latest post on the Blog by Coming of Age Director Dick Goldberg 
