SmartTalk events offer the time you deserve and need to renew, be inspired and to laugh! SmartTalk women are able to treat themselves with a night out during the week without breaking the budget or hinder on time with family or work.  Share ConnectedConversations with all your family and friends as well! You may find our powerful evenings as a unique opportunity to network and entertain clients and colleagues too!

SmartTalk and our sponsors are bringing you the best mix of compelling and relevant speakers.  This year get to know Diane Keaton, Valerie Bertinelli, Lee Woodruff, Liz Gilbert and Jean Chatzky!

General tickets will go on sale to the public November 7th.  Don’t miss out on your chance to be a part of this great experience from the time the doors open for the pre-show until the show ends!  Going to all five shows is where you will connect with others, make new friends and may even discover the speaker you knew so little about has become your favorite!  A series subscription guarantees you the best seats at the greatest savings.  And now, subject to availability, SmartTalk will allow you to purchase single tickets to the performance of your choice in December, making SmartTalk a great gift idea.

Series tickets can be purchased through the State Theatre Ticket Office at 732-246-7469 or for more information go to our website www.smarttalkwomen.com.

SmartTalk still has opportunities for sponsors.  If you are interested in sponsoring our events please contact us at sponsorship@smarttalkmedia.com. We look forward to seeing you in 2010!

Meet and Greet Post Event Reception at The War Memorial with Mike Marino. After Party Price includes Beer, Wine, and Desserts. Hors d’ourves graciously catered by Massimo’s.

The Machestic Dragons Breast Cancer Survivor Dragon Boat Team will host community and survivor crews in a day of races, ceremonies, dragon boat rides, music, entertainment, and dragon boating displays.  Crews come from right here in central New Jersey and as far away as New England and Washington, DC.

A dragon boat is a 40-foot long Chinese canoe, complete with dragon head and tail, that seats 20 paddlers.  It is guided by a steerer, and urged on by a drummer.  All members of the community, men and women alike, are encouraged to sign up to paddle—form a team of 20 and enter, or enter with a smaller group or just by yourself.  No experience is necessary.  All life-jackets, paddles and boats are provided by the race coordinator.  Just complete the registration form found at www.paddleforpink.org and send in your entry fee: $35 per paddler or $600 per team. This is an opportunity to enjoy the day on the water in colorful dragon boats with more than thirty other teams. 

If you’re not sure about paddling, be a spectator.  Come to cheer on your friends, family members, or co-workers; there is no fee.  Spectators and competitors will have the opportunity to take part in a 2000-year old traditional eye-dotting ceremony (to wake the dragons for good luck), and in an emotional “flowers on the water” celebration of life for breast cancer survivors.  And spectators can satisfy their dragon boat fever by signing up for dragon boat rides offered between 10 am-3 pm. 

Race proceeds will be directed to the Breast Cancer Resource Center (BCRC) of the YWCA Princeton, to support its wellness program that offers activities at no charge—support groups, community education, wellness programs, a survivors’ retreat, and much more —designed specifically for women affected by breast cancer. For more information about BCRC, please call 609-497-2100, ext. 346 or 349, or go to www.bcrcnj.org. 

The Machestic Dragons return as hosts of this third-year fundraising event.  These women represent a local team of breast cancer survivors and supporters who raise breast cancer awareness and demonstrate that women affected by breast cancer can lead healthy, active lives through dragon boat paddling.  Interested in joining the group?  For more information, go to www.machesticdragons.org

Founded in 1858 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the YWCA is a women’s membership movement whose mission is to eliminate racism and empower women. Strengthened by diversity, the YWCA draws together members who strive to create opportunities for women’s growth, leadership and power to attain a common vision: peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all people.  The YWCA represents approximately 2 million women, girls and their families in the United States and 25 million women worldwide. The YWCA has more than 300 associations throughout the United States. The World YWCA is at work in more than 100 other countries. For more information, visit www.ywca.org, or contact the YWCA USA at (202) 467-0801.

County Naturalist uses parks as a classroom

After a successful and busy spring season filled with hikes, bird-watching and stream exploration, the Mercer County Park Commission has released its summer edition of the Nature Program and Activities E-Newsletter.  All nature programs and activities are hosted at Mercer County parks, and this summer, the Park Commission is now offering several daylong nature programs just for children.

In addition to popular preschool programs and weekend family programs, the summer lineup includes these NEW nature activities:

• Naturalist I Day Program, Tuesdays, July 28, Aug. 11 and 25, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Baldpate Mountain.  For children entering grades 1-4. Explore the forest’s nooks, search for birds, spy animal evidence and more.  $20 per child per program.
• Naturalist II Day Program, Thursdays, July 30, Aug. 13 and 27, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Baldpate Mountain.  For children entering grades 5-8.  Spend the day hiking the mountain, maintaining trails, monitoring songbirds, sitting alongside babbling brooks and learning about conservation.  $20 per child per program. 
• Nature at the Farm, Wednesdays, June 17, July 22 and Aug. 19, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Howell Living History Farm.  Farms produce a variety of crops and goods such as eggs, butter, corn and peaches.  But they are also home to many forms of nature.  Learn about the different ways farmers rely on the environment and how nature interacts with plants and animals on the farm.  For families. Free.
• Pontoon Boat Tours, June 11, 24; July 9, 23, and Aug. 6, 20 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Mercer County Park Marina.  Spend a relaxing afternoon on the County’s pontoon boat while peering for Lake Mercer’s flora and fauna and hearing about the natural history of the lake. Feel free to bring binoculars to do some off-shore birding.  For families and adults. Free.
• Marsh Trails Volunteer Crew, Fridays, June 26, July 10, 24, Aug.7 and 21 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Marsh Nature and Interpretive Center, Roebling Park.  Join the Park Commission crew on the trails of Roebling Park to give them some much needed TLC.  Volunteers will assist with basic trail maintenance, litter removal, and habitat improvement projects.  Interested individuals or groups can sign up for as many or few days as they would like.  A volunteer application form must be submitted to the Park Commission and can be obtained by emailing jlear@mercercounty.org.  For ages 16 and up.
• METEOR WATCH! Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009, 10 p.m. to midnight, Mercer County Park Northwest, Cold Soil Road at Keefe Road entrance. Co-sponsored by the Lawrence Nature Center and Mercer County Park Commission, and hosted by environmentalists Dave Bosted and his daughter, Anna Bosted.  The Perseid Meteor Showers, an annual natural spectacle, are forecast to peak between Aug. 11 and 14.  Bring flashlights to navigate the dark parking lot, and lawn chairs or blankets for comfort.  For families. Free. No registration is necessary for this event. Rain date is Thursday, Aug. 13.

Be sure to review the e-newsletter for details about these and other programs, including morning bird walks, adult nature hikes, family programs and preschool programs that will continue throughout summer.  Programs planned for May can also be found in our spring program newsletter.  Check the website for the spring issue.  

To view or print the summer e-newsletter, go to http://nj.gov/counties/mercer/commissions/park/natureprog.html. To be added to the e-newsletter distribution list call (609) 989-6540 or email County naturalist Jenn Lear at jlear@mercercounty.org.

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes and the Park Commission announce a exciting new lineup of park nature programs that promise to shed new light on what’s always been right in our residents’ back yards: a park system second to none. Mercer County’s park trails have always been well traveled, but under the guidance of the Mercer County naturalist, users will be encouraged to spot the salamander, gander at our diverse waterfowl population or ramble off the beaten path.

“These new programs are a great way for people who love our parks to expand their exploration and for people new to our parks to receive an orientation from our trained staff. Our goal is to provide our park visitors with the best experience available,” Hughes said.

Program offerings vary, from brisk trail hikes at Baldpate Mountain to pond explorations and discovery-oriented preschool programs. “Sunday Strolls” are relaxed, family-oriented trailside programs, and “Tuesday Treks” are invigorating hikes. The nature programs and activities are simple yet exciting, and there are activities for all ages. 

Spring is right around the corner; the time of new life and new beginnings. Mercer County invites all to share in the spirit of spring and try a new activity — outdoors. For a full list of programs, go to http://nj.gov/counties/mercer/commissions/park/natureprog.html or call (609) 989-6540.

CYO Day Camp
Yardville, NJ (Day Camp) – The goal of the CYO Day Camp is to help each camper have a healthy, happy summer while developing body, mind and spirit. We stress safety first. Catholic Youth Org of Mercer, 453 Yordville Allentown Road, Yordville NJ 08620.  Tel: 609-585-4280 info@cyomercer.org

Hopewell Valley YMCA Camp
Pennington, NJ (Day Camp) –Tel: 609-737-367.  Fax: 609-737-1187.  camphvymca@aol.com

Frogbridge Day Camp 
Millstone Township, NJ (Day Camp) — 86 Acres of fun. A/C facilities, horses, boating, 3 lakes, performing arts, sports, 52,000 sq ft indoor space. Much more Director: Peter Normandia.  Tel: 609-208-9050.  Fax: 609-208-9052.  info@frogbridge.com  www.frogbridge.com

Liberty Lake Day Camp
Columbus, NJ (Day Camp) — A safe, warm, environment where children try new experiences, improve social skills and self esteem, foster strong friendships and create lasting memories. Director: Andy Pritikin.  Tel: 609-499-7820  Fax: 609-499-0025  fun@libertylakedaycamp.com  www.libertylakedaycamp.com

JCC Camps at Medford
Medford, NJ (Day Camp) — On 120 shaded acres, outstanding staff provide instruction in arts, aquatics & athletics. 5 pools & many fields/courts.  Tel: 856-424-4444.  Fax: 856-489-8230.  jcccampsmedford@jfedsnj.org   www.jcccampsatmedford.org

Lake Stockwell Day Camp
Medford, NJ (Day Camp) — Situated on 560 scenic acres of lakes & pinelands, day & overnight camps. A quality experience at YMCA Camp Ockanickon & Matollionequay & Lake Stockwell.  Director: Kate Lemay.  Tel: 609-654-8225.  Fax: 609-654-8895.  gary@ycamp.org.  www.ycamp.org

Rambling Pines Day Camp
Hopewell, NJ (Day Camp) — Rambling Pines encourages each youngester to reach their potential in a relaxed and supportive environment.  Tel: 609-466-1212  funsummers@aol.com, www.ramblingpines.com

Mercer County Camp College
West Windsor, NJ, Tel:609-570-331, email campcollege@mcc.edu.

Kettle Run
Medford, NJ (Day Camp) — This all girls camp is in the Pine Barrens of Medford NJ. Enjoy arts & crafts, archery, swimming, canoeing, and our nature trails. Where girls grow strong. Director: Jennifer Williamson.  Tel: 856-697-3900, Fax: 856-697-2119, camping@gssjp.org, www.gssjp.org

Camp Dark Waters
Medford, NJ (Resident Camp) — Caring Quaker atmosphere where we believe a child’s summer vacation should be a time for play, to venture forth in learning new skills, and to grow.  Tel: 609-654-8846, Fax: 609-654 2022, campdarkwaters@hotmail.com, www.campdarkwaters.org

Teresa Eickel

Twenty years ago, Boheme Opera New Jersey opened its first main stage curtain on Verdi’s endearing La Traviata, introducing the legendary courtesan Violetta.  You may have seen Julia Roberts shed tears for Violetta in the film Pretty Woman when Richard Gere takes her to experience opera for the first time.  For Boheme, that is the core of its mission – to perform and teach an extraordinary art form, to touch people’s souls, and to change the lingering perception that opera is inaccessible to the mainstream public. Throughout the years, Boheme audiences have reveled in acclaimed portrayals of some of opera’s most relevant female characters, including artful Tosca (Tosca), sickly Mimi (La Boheme), fickle Carmen (Carmen), demented Lucia (Lucia di Lammermoor), naïve Gilda (Rigoletto), neglected Santuzza (Cavalleria Rusticana), the self-centered Turandot (Turandot) and devoted Aida (Aida), among others.  These are women – and in some cases young girls – who truly demonstrate tenacity, sacrifice, courage and strength in their roles.  Through their spirits, composers have created some of the great masterpieces of the opera genre.

Boheme is like one of those characters, a grass-roots company that has worked tirelessly in the Mercer Region to reinvent its art form, making it accessible and affordable to thousands of people diverse in age and ethnicity. The company has performed in essentially four different venues during its early and adolescent life.  It began its main stage seasons in Trenton Central High School, moving briefly to the old War Memorial Theater. Then, during the War Memorial’s renovation, it performed in Villa Victoria’s Theater in West Trenton.  Finally, in 1999, Boheme settled into the pristine restored War Memorial Theater, renamed Patriots Theater, and has since remained there as a resident company.  

Celebrating its milestone 20th anniversary in 2009, Boheme will bring to life one of opera’s most beloved yet pitied leading ladies – in fact, Puccini’s personal favorite of all his heroines – sweet Cio-Cio-San, alias Madame Butterfly.  She is the epitome of the Japanese geisha, raised with tradition and grace, but also carrying secrets of family past.  We learn amazing things from Puccini’s adaptation of John Luther Long’s short story and David Belasco’s play about this very young geisha who is wed to a United States naval officer and then forsaken by him for a bride from his own country.  She will take you through a range of emotions as she falls in love and rediscovers life in all its glory and tragedy.

Join us for a new production of this beautiful tale of tenacity, sacrifice, courage and strength as Boheme Opera New Jersey presents Giacomo Puccini’s Madame Butterfly on April 17 & 19, 2009 in Trenton’s stunning Patriots Theater, in the heart of the Capital District. Pre-Curtain Talks and Projected English Supertitles will guide you expertly through the Italian language. For tickets and information, call Boheme’s Box Office at (609) 581-7200.  Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover accepted.