/UCWE/ - On January 1, 2006 the first Baby Boomers will turn 60, and celebrating that milestone are such familiar faces as George and Laura Bush, Bill Clinton, Cher, Steven Spielberg, Danny Glover, Sally Field, Connie Chung and Donald Trump.

Born between 1946 and 1964, the generation defined as Boomers is 76 million strong. They grew up in a hopeful, expansive time in America, but also during the menacing years of the Cold War. Raised on television and rock 'n' roll, they saw power pass to a new generation with the election of President Kennedy. They took to the streets to protest against the war in Vietnam, and in favor of civil rights and the women's movement. From Haight Ashbury to Woodstock, from Richard Daley's Chicago to the campus of Kent State, it was a generation hell-bent on questioning authority. And it’s still a generation unwilling to accept the status quo, determined to find new and better ways to do everything, especially as they round the corner of 50 and 60.

As the first Boomers turn 60 in January 2006, a new public television series will join in the celebration. Boomers! Redefining Life After 50, airing on public television stations nationwide, will explore the issues, challenges and opportunities facing Boomers as they contemplate their 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond. A 13-part series of half-hour magazine style programs, Boomers! will examine this generation's innovative approach to work, family, health, love, finance, friendship, learning, travel and volunteerism.

Because of their sheer numbers, Boomers have always had a huge impact on American society. And they are about to do it again. Unwilling to slide quietly into later life, Boomers are already re-inventing the concept of aging in America. Boomers are, and plan to remain, at the forefront of American society -- in politics, culture, sports, finance and more. Boomers are vital, vibrant, and powerful and have no intention of slipping quietly away.

In the past, older Americans have often slowed down and withdrawn from the mainstream world of work and society as they aged. Not Boomers. Rather than retire, most plan to remain in the workforce or start a new business. Career change is a powerful theme with those in their 50s and 60s – Boomers have worked long and hard, and now hope to follow their passions into new, meaningful careers. Boomers are looking to re-invent themselves, figure out how to save and stretch their income, and are eager for advice and guidance on maintaining healthy lifestyles and satisfying relationships. Boomers! provides personal profiles and expert advice in all these areas and more.

Many Boomers are finding themselves in a time of transition. Millions are becoming empty nesters while others are coping with divorce and being single again. Many are still raising children and caring for elderly parents as well. Boomers! tells the stories of people going through life transitions, while providing practical guidance on how change can lead to a successful new chapter in life.

An affluent generation with a proven record for spending, Boomers are already being targeted by eager marketers with products to fit their energetic view of life after 50. Financial service companies, home builders, food producers, automobile makers and the travel industry are among those tapping into the Boomer zeitgeist. Boomers! investigates some of the new travel, leisure and housing options being marketed to this rapidly growing demographic.

Boomers! Redefining Life After 50 is hosted by a Boomer couple, former NBC correspondent Nancy Fernandez Mills, and her husband, Mark Mills, a seasoned broadcast financial journalist. As a certified yoga instructor and massage therapist, Nancy brings years of health expertise to the program. Mark, who holds a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation, has long experience in explaining the complexities of personal finance issues.

Boomers! is filmed in communities across the country. Each program has three feature stories, and shorter segments on health, personal finance, and lifestyle. Boomer trivia questions will be woven into the mix. While some episodes use graphics and music to invoke memories of the 50's and 60’s, Boomers! is forward-looking and substantive, exploring the central life concerns facing the Boomer generation. A companion web site will provide supplemental information for each program (http://www.boomerstv.com).

With longer life spans, a penchant for blazing new trails, and a drive to be active participants in the 21st century, Boomers can look forward to decades of contributing to society and enjoying vigorous, fulfilling lives. If ever a generation can re-invent the way we think about getting older, the Woodstock generation is the one. We invite you to come along for the ride.

Boomers! Redefining Life After 50 is a production of Boomer Media Properties, Inc.

Program funding is provided by Fidelity Investments and Del Webb Corp., a division of Pulte Homes, Inc. The series is available to all public television stations in the U.S. via American Public Television.

About American Public Television
For 44 years, American Public Television (APT) has been a prime source of programming for the nation's public television stations. APT distributes more than 10,000 hours of programming including JFK: Breaking the News, Simply Ming, Globe Trekker, Rick Steves' Europe, Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home, Battlefield Britain, Jungle, America's Test Kitchen, Lidia's Family Table and classic movies. APT is known for identifying innovative programs and developing creative distribution techniques for producers. In four decades, it has established a tradition of providing public television stations nationwide with program choices that enable them to strengthen and customize their schedules. For more information about APT's programs and services visit APTonline.org.

About the Hosts

Nancy Fernandez Mills
Nancy is a writer, producer, and yoga teacher. She spent many years in broadcast journalism, including seven years as a national correspondent for NBC News. She won a national Emmy Award while at NBC and covered everything from White House Summits to the discovery of pirate treasure to America's Cup races.

Nancy became an entrepreneur when she co-founded Lifecycle Productions, an award winning healthcare education company focusing on life transitions. Lifecycle's videos were featured in the New York Times, People Magazine, on Oprah, and CNN. The programs won many awards and were distributed in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Nancy is a certified Kripalu yoga teacher. She loves to swim, bike, and hike through the Berkshire Hills in Western Massachusetts with her family whenever possible. Nancy is on the board of the Alzheimer's Association of Massachusetts.

Mark Mills
Mark Mills has more than 30 years experience as a television and radio reporter, producer and manager. He most recently reported on business for WBUR radio in Boston and co-hosted This Week In Business on NECN cable news. For four years he hosted the daily Market Wrap program on WBIX radio in Boston. Before joining WBIX, Mark was business reporter for WCVB-TV, Channel 5, in Boston. Mills was also Executive Producer for Specials and the nightly magazine show Chronicle at WCVB. Prior to his years at Channel 5, Mills was assignment editor for the Ten O’clock News on Boston's WGBH-TV.

In 2001, Mills was named Best Talk Show Host by Boston's Achievement In Radio Awards. During his tenure at Channel 5, Chronicle won the duPont-Columbia Journalism Award.

Mark Mills holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation and makes frequent public appearances speaking on the financial markets and the economy. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Boomers! Redefining Life After 50
Episode Lineup

Meet The Boomers
In post World War II America the GI’s came home, the suburbs went up, the interstate highway system was rolled out… and lots of babies were born, 76-million between 1946 and 1964. From “duck and cover” to Howdy Doody, from rock ‘n roll to Vietnam, the opening program explores the shared experiences of Boomers. Life transitions are common among Boomers and several 50-somethings are profiled as they undergo major changes in their lives.

Healthy Lifestyles, Longer Lives
With advances in medical science and wide spread knowledge of the benefits of proper diet and exercise, many Boomers look forward to a “longevity bonus.” In this episode, we’ll meet Boomers who share their secrets for maintaining good health. Medical experts provide cutting edge advice on exercise, nutrition, yoga, relaxation, and staying socially active as part of a healthy regimen. Learn how to “Maintain Your Brain” in ways that experts sat may reduce the risk of dementia and how to “Shake Your Soul” in a mind/body path to well-being.

Sex, Love, and Relationships
Once the nest is empty, many boomer couples face new relationship challenges. Mid-life crises, menopause, divorce, medical problems and money woes can all impact relationships. Whether seeking love or working to preserve it, this program looks at the myriad ways in which Boomers find and experience intimacy including a couple of high school sweethearts who reunited in their 50s, a growing trend in the internet age.

Retirement Reconsidered
National surveys show that between 75 and 80% of Boomers say they plan to work beyond age 65. Today, “retirement” is not an event but a process, an evolving chapter that may include part-time work, starting a business, or a late-life career change to pursue a passion. Boomers! explores this new process of retirement. We’ll meet people going through it, get advice on how to succeed at it, and find out whether the world of work is ready for the revolution.

Pack Your Bags
The travel industry is already gearing up for Boomers who want to pack their vacations with action, adventure, and learning. Boomers have “wanderlust” but don’t look for them on a big bus with a tour guide. We’ll explore Switzerland with Untours, as well as Vocation Vacations, in which travelers get the chance to try out a new business like running a winery. Boomers! hits the road, hot on the trail of Boomers experiencing travel on their terms.

Welcome Home
A recent survey indicated more than half of Boomers plan to buy a new home in their “retirement” years. From specially designed active adult communities to co-housing arrangements with shared common space, Boomers will opt for and create living arrangements to fit their lifestyles and budgets. This program explores these new housing options as well as ideas for empty nesters and those interested in retiring to Mexico.

Be Your Own Boss
After years in the corporate world, many Boomer entrepreneurs are starting their own businesses and non-profit organizations; the episode will introduce us to some of these mid-life pioneers.

Fiscal Fitness
Planning for 25, 30 or more years in retirement is a daunting challenge. Never have so many people faced the prospect of financing such extended life spans as do today’s Boomers.
This episode of Boomers! combines a segment on Boomers on a budget with an informative piece on how to plan for retirement. We conclude with financial life planner George Kinder, who takes a Zen approach to money and life.

Friends Forever
Boomers are getting together for fun, support and a cause. In this segment we’ll meet some Boomer social groups including Divas Uncorked, a.k.a. “Sisters who Sip,” a group of African-American women who have parlayed their wine group into consulting to winemakers.

Leaving a Legacy
Boomers grew up as social activists. Are they ready to rekindle those roots as they approach later mid-life? We’ll meet a Boomer couple who have joined the Peace Corps and find out about Civic Ventures founder Mark Freedman, who wants to change national attitudes toward aging. We’ll also meet the founders of the Hestia Fund, a giving circle of Boomer women who run their own charity.

Self and Spirit
Boomers continue to look for spiritual growth and renewal in their lives. This episode shows how Boomers are searching for their “authentic selves” and meaning in their lives, including those finding or rediscovering more traditional religion.

Four Generations: A Family Affair
Longer life spans mean that more families now consist of four generations. This is a great blessing, but also presents many issues and challenges. This segment looks at coping with aging parents through the eyes of Boomer artists at an exhibit called “The Certain Journey,” a look at Boomer parents whose grown children have returned home, and a visit with another couple who are raising their grandchildren.

Living the Dream
Boomers! Redefining Life After 50 will conclude with profiles of Boomers who really are following their dreams -- the people who have decided that if they don’t take that sailboat around the world now, they may never do it. It could be the banker who’s now a teacher, the stock broker who paints or the high tech consultant who’s becoming a chef.

These will be stories of Boomers on their own journeys, spiritual as well as literal. Turning 50 can be a time of awakening. After long careers and meeting decades of deadlines and responsibilities, people often step back and say, “OK. It’s my time. What do I want out of life? What have I passed up as I’ve pressed on?” This episode will be devoted to those who have found answers to the big questions, and are turning their dreams into reality. As Boomers contemplate the next chapter of their lives, as they redefine what it means to age in America, maybe the dreamers can offer the best lesson of all.