These three tips for happiness in 2012 were provided by Dan Bueller, the author of The Blue Zones. Check out his website for some interesting ideas.

• Volunteer for one new organization this month. Volunteers have lower health care costs and report higher levels of well-being.
• Make one new happy friend this month. Each happy friend you add to your network increases your happiness by 15%.
• Get down to one TV screen in your home. Studies show that the happiest people watch only about an hour of TV a day.

While you consider these suggestions, click here for the True Happiness Survey. 

All of us have dealt with the embarrassment of not remembering a person's name and fumbling through a conversation. Are you losing your memory? No. It has to do with names themselves and not impending senility. This article suggests that names are really "arbitary and meaningless" and need to be linked with something else to keep them in mind. Try joining a person's name with their occupation or thinking of something humorous or vivid when you meet. Repetition also works: if you repeat someone’s name back after introductions and use it at least once in conversation, it can can help fix it in your mind.

If you need to be convinced that being an entrepreneur after 50 isn't a pipe dream, read this article and you may find yourself imagining the logo for your new business. The entrepreneurial path is alluring for boomers with newfound free time and either financial freedom or financial insecurity on their hands. As one boomer business woman put it, "If we do this right, we could be entering ...a "golden age" of entrepreneurship, where smart, educated people embrace business ownership partly out of necessity, partly fueled by their dreams, and partly to grab control of their lives."

Philly’s next great mural is ready!  Come to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts on January 29th, from 2:30 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. for the dedication of the Henry Ossawa Tanner mural just completed by Philadelphia's Mural Arts Program. Add your artistic talent to the face and inspiring words in the smaller version of the mural that will be recreated on-site. In the spirit of Mural Arts, create a poem and block print of someone who has inspired you to contribute to a group mural project.

Anne Rice fans will be delighted to know that she will be speaking at the Free Library, February 14th, at 7:30 p.m. Rice gained notoriety and a vast cult readership for her Vampire Chronicles series, which the Washington Post called "unrelentingly erotic...unforgettable." Her first and most popular book, Interview With the Vampire, (1976) reinvented and refreshed the archetypal Vampire myth, and was later made into a film starring Tom Cruise. The author will discuss her latest work, The Wolf Gift, that describes a modern werewolf with a pull toward goodness, a departure from earlier books. For tickets, click here.

The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education is offering those who have a passion for the natural world a course to become a certified Pennsylvania Master Naturalist. This intensive training program includes natural science training and local conservation service work. The goal is to develop a corps of "master volunteers and service providers" to offer education, outreach, and stewardship dedicated to the management of natural areas in their communities. Applications for the spring session are due by February 17th. To learn more about this exciting program, click here.

Generosity's website is on the cutting edge of of activities and opportunities in the nonprofit world in the Greater Philadelphia area. Check out this article that delves into the day-to-day lives of 12 nonprofit executives. These interesting profiles highlight how each of these leaders keeps their focus on their organizations' missions while using Twitter to communicate what they are doing in humorous, insightful, and interesting ways. Click here to read about this select group. 

If you are just getting started in a new job, or are moving up to new responsibilities, you would probably benefit from having a mentor who both understands the dynamics of your organization and the larger picture in your field. Mentors can help successfully navigate the challenges you will encounter and provide guidance on how to deal with your boss and others in your workplace. Read the suggested steps to take to find a mentor who is right for you. Or consider being a mentor to a younger workmate.

This Volunteer Opportunity gives you a chance help another woman who is working to overcome challenging situations, realize her goals, and dreams. Through the WomenCare mentoring program at The Center Foundation, volunteer mentors and supplemental workshops provide guidance and support to women seeking independence and self-sufficiency. Monthly events are in Media, PA. and mentoring takes place at the location of your choice. Ongoing staff support and resources are provided. Mentoring matches occur in Delaware, Chester, Philadelphia and Montgomery counties.To learn more and to volunteer, click here.

The Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts (CCAHA) is looking for a highly motivated individual with strong managerial and organizational skills to provide support in its day-to-day operations and to work as a vital part of the senior management team as the Assistant Director. This position reports directly to the Executive Director. Excellent leadership. Some travel is required. Generous benefits. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Founded over 100 years ago to provide opportunities for imaginative and creative play for children, Smith Playground, located in East Fairmount Park, provides children aged 10 and under, from diverse backgrounds, free and one-of-a-kind play experiences. A Playground Manager is being sought. This person is the public face of the organization during the season from April to December. The Manager will oversee a staff of 2-3 Playground Monitors. To learn about this position and to apply,

The Samost Jewish Children’s and Family Service, located in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, has a part-time Career Advisor/Entrepreneurship position available. The ideal candidate will provide expertise and guidance to individuals seeking advice on employment, career change or training, job searches, resume and cover letter writing, networking, and will work as a professional coach. This person will also assist emerging entrepreneurs with the development of business plans and marketing concepts. For qualifications,