Judson at University Circle is seeking nominations for its 2010 Smart Living Awards, which will be announced on WCLV FM 104.9 in April. Though Judson is well known for its programs and services focusing on active older adults, the Smart Living Awards honor people of all ages who contribute to the vitality of University Circle. Award categories are Arts, Education, Healthcare, Philanthropy and Volunteerism.

Among 2009's Smart Living Award winners was Ella Mae Johnson, who at 105 was the oldest attendee at President Barack Obama's inauguration. Senator Sherrod Brown provided tickets for Johnson, a lifelong social justice worker, to see the historic event.

Considering University Circle's continuing revitalization, it seems Judson could, and should, be swamped with worthy nominees. Volunteers in particular keep the Circle's vaunted institutions rolling along - who do you know that's had a serious impact on the neighborhood?

The deadline for nominations is March 22. For a nomination ballot, and to read about other previous winners, please visit www.judsonsmartliving.org, or call Rob Lucarelli at 216-791-2321. 

If the future of northeast Ohio depends on critical thinking – done very much outside the box – then putting thinking into unobstructed action is the best way to live towards expectations. The future of the region is also the subject of this week’s Fresh Start selections. Whether your fancy is classical music, environmentally conscious living or understanding important political shifts with local implications, these events are sure to serve you (and your community) well.  All you need to do is avail yourself.

CityMusic Cleveland

If the best things in life are free, CityMusic Cleveland most certainly is a case in point. Since 2004, this chamber orchestra has delivered classical music to neighborhoods all across northeast Ohio at no charge. Under the leadership of music director James Gaffigan, CityMusic Cleveland’s performances have astounded critics and residents, with an impressive oeuvre featuring the likes of Mozart, Rossini, Stravinsky and Verdi. Their regular season is a tour de force of performances in non-traditional locations stretching from Willoughby Hills and Slavic Village to Rocky River and Elyria. In addition to free music performance, there is no-cost parking, no-cost childcare and no ticketing – now that's accessible! Score the latest “tour” schedule, which starts Tuesday, February 2 and runs through the weekend, here.

The League of Women Voters

Ohio’s Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner is the first woman Secretary in the Buckeye State’s history. Awarded the coveted John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for her work in 2008, Brunner will speak about her three years in office and her work to ensure the integrity of Ohio voting in the 2008 presidential election. The League of Women Voters’ “First Thursdays” speaker series hosts Brunner at the gorgeous Trinity Commons (the Art Gallery) at Cleveland's Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Avenue, on Thursday, February 4 at 7 pm. Her lecture, A View From the Top, is free, open to the public and will feature a post-talk Q&A. She’ll likely talk about her decision, made one year ago, to run for the U.S. Senate seat to be vacated by Senator George Voinovich.

2010 Cleveland Botanical Garden Sustainability Symposium

The 2010 Cleveland Botanical Garden Sustainability Symposium isn’t free like the first two programs, but the return on investment for the registration fee is almost instantaneous. This day-long, eco-minded happening is packed with amazing local, regional and national speakers, environmental exhibitions and a dynamite vegetarian luncheon. Want to know how to decrease your impact on the earth? Learn what a single person can do to help the environment on Saturday, February 6 at 9 am. Teachers, students, horticulturalists, gardeners, landscapers, conservationists, homeowners and concerned citizens are all promised to learn a thing or 20 about protecting the planet, and their little corner of it. Speakers and program outline can be found here.

All the world’s a stage. As Shakespeare saw it, while seasons, scenes and players all change over time, there’s always something happening, and there’s something for everyone – be it increased time outdoors, challenging theatrical works or music that stands the test of time. In any given week, you can experience the Bard's "seven ages" and learn more about yourself, and your surroundings, in the process. Cleveland really is as you like it; these three fresh picks are sure to make you more than merely players:

Becoming a Naturalist 

For many of you, “more time outdoors” was on that list of New Year’s resolutions. But maybe you want to take that goal to the next level. If so, check out the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association’s open house Thursday, January 21 at 7PM and learn about becoming an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist. Sounds involved, right? Not at all. With 40 hours of “combined classroom and field-based instruction” and an equal number of volunteer service hours, you can learn something new and edify others in the process. Eight additional hours of advanced training and 20 service hours annually is all it takes to maintain your certification – and the CVNPA hosts that service work as well. Their program officially begins in April. 

Big [BOX] at Cleveland Public Theatre 

Bold new work that pushes the envelope is what you get with this venerable artist showcase every year. Over eight consecutive weekends, CPT’s Big [BOX] offers confidence and credence for artists to experiment by producing their own music, dance, dramatic works and performance art. Artists score the keys to the theatre at the beginning of the week and construct their new work without intervention. When the weekend comes, “It’s showtime!” and the audience never knows quite what to expect. If the thrill of the new quickens your pulse, plan to attend these performances, beginning with People4Change, presented by The Them and directed by Raymond Bobgan on Friday, January 22. The Big [BOX] schedule runs Friday-Sunday through early March. 

The Song is You! Our Huckleberry Friend: The Songs of Johnny Mercer 

The Savannah-born songwriter, lyricist and co-founder of Capitol Records has been called the “great folk poet.” Mercer’s lyrics are pure Americana, honored most recently in John Berendt’s (non)fiction novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and the subsequent Clint Eastwood film. The author of “Skylark,” “Come Rain or Come Shine,” and dozens of other unforgettable works would be 100 years old today. Cuyahoga Community College hosts a centennial concert in his honor Saturday, January 23 at 7:30PM, featuring vocalists Vince Mastro, Helen Welch and Evelyn Wright. Hosted by Bill Rudman and jazz pianist Joe Hunter, this should be a treat.

Cleveland is a complex melting pot of cultures, generations, interests and lifestyles. Yes, Israel Zangwill’s term may be overused in describing any metropolitan area, and is most closely associated with New York City, but few would argue against its relevance when talking about the North Coast. The vast range of cultural options in northeast Ohio is extraordinary, though you have to dig to find them sometimes. OhioAuthority.com unearthed this week’s trio of must-do events to scratch your international and historical itches, and (hopefully) explain why you can’t sleep afterwards:

Evan Ziporyn & Gamelan Galak Tika 

The composer and 30-member troupe are a part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Viva! & Gala series, offering a fusion of traditional and modern Balinese music and dance. Gamelan translates as “to hammer,” referring to the percussion orchestras of Bali and the Indonesian island of Java. Gamelan Galak Tika’s performance feature Ziporyn’s compositions Tire Fire, Amok! and Heavy Metal delivered on hand drums, gongs, metallophones, bamboo flutes and spiked fiddles by MIT students. Sound intriguing? Check out the performance at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History on Friday, January 8 at 7:30PM. 

Jerry’s Girls at Ensemble Theatre 

Longing for the Great White Way? We all know you don’t mean snowswept Euclid Avenue. Ensemble Theatre’s musical revue of songs by Jerry Herman is directed by Frank Lucas, and it’s a throwback to the glitz and glamour of Broadway’s heyday. Jerry’s Girls offers a cornucopia of cabaret that channels the star-studded productions that featured memorable leading ladies such as Carol Channing, Jo Anne Worley and Chita Rivera. The timeless music from Mame, Hello, Dolly!, La Cage aux Folles, Mack and Mabel, and more might have you thinking classic cocktails afterwards. In which case, head to the Velvet Tango Room. The production runs from January 8 through January 31. 

Sleep and Counting Sheep 

If you wake up feeling as weary as you did the night before, and are tired of  being, well, tired, you're likely looking for relief. Perhaps you’re struggling with a sleep disorder or related condition, and don’t know it. The latest installment of the Science Café's Cleveland Series at Great Lakes Brewing Company features MetroHealth Medical Center speakers Dr. Ziad Shaman (pulmonary and critical Care) and Dr. Vidya Krishnan (center for sleep medicine) Tuesday, January 12 at 6:30PM. Learn the science behind what’s happening and change your life, or simply hang out for an intriguing happy hour discussion.

Speaking of sleep: don’t lose any more of it thinking about the Paul Gauguin: Paris, 1889 exhibition if you haven’t been to it. The Cleveland Museum of Art’s exhibition is a stunner. Get there before it closes Monday, January 18. www.gogauguin.com  

New Year’s resolutions are trite – at least, that’s what we say after going back on our yearly promises of personal betterment. We vow to lose weight, get fit and exercise, but find our inner gourmand calling to us before Valentine’s Day. We hope to halt those bad habits and be more centered, only to find a tough week at work derails everything. And some of us even attempt to learn something brand new. At OhioAuthority, we think the latter is still a very attainable goal, especially with this trio of local events:

New Year’s Eve Insurrection Mass and Possibilitarian Puppet Service

Usher in the New Year with a whole lotta new: ideas, approach, attitude and friends. On Thursday, December 31 at 3 pm, this out-with-the-old “mass” celebration at the Coventry Village Library in Cleveland Heights includes a papier-mâché puppet service (non-denominational), a fiddle sermon and "Funeral March for the Rotten Ideas of 2009" parade, which steps off at 3:45 pm. All ages and participants are welcome, but plan on arriving at 11 am, if you want to walk in the parade. For more information, call 216-771-8287 or email diana_sette@yahoo.com. Don't forget to head back to Coventry for Tommy's Annual New Year's Day Pancake Breakfast to benefit Heights Arts, Friday, January 1. 

Sergio’s Sarava New Year’s Eve Samba Party 

A change in latitude is good for the soul, as evidenced by the hundreds who flocked to Sergio’s Sarava last year for this Brazilian bash. Sarava offers three different incarnations of their New Year’s Eve Samba Party on Thursday, December 31, including two with prix fixe dinners, live music by Samba Joia, sets by world music DJ Kris Koch and more. One too many margaritas, mojitos or caipirinhas? Sarava has set up special overnight packages (including a continental breakfast) through Glidden House for advance purchase. Equal parts Carnaval and cosmopolitan cool, this is a New Year’s Eve party unlike any other in Cleveland. To make reservations, call 216-295-1200.

Cleveland Area Mountain Bike Association’s New Year's Day Poker Run 

Okay, so we all promise to be healthier and more community-minded in the New Year,  but this event tackles both on Day One 2010. Bring your bike and your balaclava, and get your blood pumping with CAMBA’s ninth annual New Year's Day cycle rally. It all starts Friday, January 1 at Tremont's Lincoln Park, located at West 14th Street, between Kenilworth Avenue and Startkweather Avenue. Riders should meet at noon at the bandstand at the center of Lincoln Park. Take in CAMBA’s road circuit, featuring a brisk journey through downtown, The Flats and Tremont, where The tour ends at The SouthSide for some well-deserved food and drink.