shAARP Talk: Observations from AARP

Looking for a cool travel destination? Want to try something new...exotic...something that is NOT Europe? Ever given Indonesia a thought?

My friend came across this neat blog that is all about Indonesia. So whether you're thinking about summer vacation 2009 or you're a venture capitalist they've got something for everyone!

Quick Update to this post: According to a group called International Living, Mexico is the best place to retire. Uh oh...watch out Indonesia!

It's Friday (!!!) and I'm in an exceptionally good mood. Not for any particular reason - maybe it's because I slept well, or maybe just because it's Friday. Either way, I'm trying to do one nice thing for each of the people I love most in my life today and spread the joy along.

I live so far away from most of my friends and my family so I poked around for some easy ways to "be nice" and came across this great article from Real Simple.

Check it out and let me know...how have you been nice today?

A common theme to my posts here is the massive demographic shift the country is going through. Baby boomers are retiring (or trying to) in huge numbers and this means the way we approach many government programs from Medicare to Social Security will have to change. Well, a major part of this shift is the aging of the Latino boomer population. However, next to no data exists for how this segment of baby boomers is preparing to retire. We know that Latinos have, on average, less education than their African-American and Caucasian-American counterparts. It has also been shown that amongst those Americans with lesser education levels, Latinos earn less than other ethnic groups. This would point to more Americans of Latin descent taking jobs with fewer benefits leaving fewer options to prepare for retirement. Despite all of these disadvantages, Latinos live longer than the population as a whole. The combination of low education and earnings with a longer life-span means we could be in for a troubling trend of Latinos who can't afford to retire. Or not. The point is no research has been done so we just don't know, and that's the problem.

Major automakers Nissan and Toyota have announced the release of new convertibles. These will join the heard of drop-tops sold by Ford, Volkswagen, Chrysler, Mercedes and many others. Why are so many car companies vying for such a small market niche? They're betting on the "mid-life crisis" and demographics. With boomers reaching the peak of their buying potential and their kids leaving the house, automakers are wagering that many of these people are going to be looking to spend money on something a bit more extravagant. Any boomers out there thinking of a ride that lets in a bit more air? Tell us about it.

Ever get that feeling that you could be doing more? Feel like you have a lot to contribute to your community but don't know how? Volunteering could be the answer that you and as many as 45 million Americans have been looking for. This is the subject of the "More To Give" report which will be released at the ServiceNation summit in New York tomorrow. Amongst the key findings, the three most popular volunteering options are: work through a faith-based group, mentoring younger people, and helping older people live independently. Another interesting note: the majority of people who haven't volunteered in this country haven't been asked. Do you volunteer or want to get involved? Let us know.

Here's a blast from the past: Lance Armstrong is rumored to be getting back on the bicycle professionally and will compete in five races including the Tour de France. Armstrong is 37 and would be returning in an attempt to win his 8th Tour. This would be just one more amazing example of how older athletes are accomplishing more than ever and knocking down stereotypes along the way. Athletes such as Lance, Dara Torres, and the several Olympians near or over age 50 have really shown the potential for older folks to compete on an elite level. Ride on, Lance!

Judy Collins sat down for a Q and A at Life@50+. Shaarp Session caught a bit of the interview and heard a great story about Collins' early days. She grew up in a family of social activists, and got her start at a very early age. How? Her parents bought her a copy of the < a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_American_Songbook">Great American Songbook, which she learned by heart. (Today, she jokingly refers to the Great American Songbook the "Rod Stewart Songbook," for his acclaimed album. She clearly had talent. And her family's commitment to social justice and activism stayed with her through her long career. Her first benefit concert, she said, was a show for the Jonas Salk Foundation.

Here she is talking to Life@50+ conventioneers.