Whew! Thank G-d we made it through the Holiday Season! I don’t know about you, but I always look forward to the calm and serenity that January brings—it’s the thought that keeps me going during the hectic days of November and December. For many, however, the first month of the year is the best time to step it up, to get organized, to get in gear, and to make things happen. Since we’re now two weeks into 2007, it’s high time to get started! And, judging by the list below, we’ve got a lot of work to do in January alone.

So that you are fully in-the-know, here’s a quick summary of what’s going down this month:

Major Holiday: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, celebrated on the third Monday of January. For more info, visit The King Center Website: http://www.thekingcenter.org/

National Mentoring Month: be a mentor, find a mentor, or support mentors. What better way to greet the New Year than with a new relationship built on trust and learning? For more information, visit the National Mentoring Partnership Organization. http://www.mentoring.org/

National Hobby Month: pick up a hobby, dust off a hobby, join in someone else’s hobby or teach a new hobby…whether it’s crossword puzzles, photography, or playing the guitar, January is the time to kick it off.

National Blood Donor Month: created to help raise awareness of the importance of donating blood. If you’ve got some life force to spare and the okay from your doctor, give it up and get some great cookies, o.j. and the great feeling that comes from knowing you’ve helped someone in need. Find out where you can donate: http://www.aabb.org/Content/Donate_Blood/Where_to_Donate/

National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: In the U.S. approximately 14,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. PLEASE educate yourself and get your annual pap smear without fail. The more you know, the better your chances are of early detection and of maintaining good reproductive health. http://www.nccc-online.org/

National Birth Defects Prevention Month: Statistics say that 1 in 33 children born in the U.S. are born with some sort of physical or mental defect. To understand the causes and preventative measures, it’s important educate yourself, and to visit your doctor regularly ESPECIALLY if you plan to have children. For more information, http://www.nbdpn.org/current/resources/bdpm2007.html

National Glaucoma Awareness Month: Typically associated with increased pressure in the eye, glaucoma can damage the optic nerve and, if left untreated, lead to permanent vision loss or even blindness. Visit your eye doctor to find out if you’re at risk. To help others in need or for more information, visit Prevent Blindness America’s website http://www.preventblindness.org/

National Oatmeal Month: created by The Quaker Oats Company to promote a healthy diet including whole grains such as hot oat cereal. I love mine with a little bit of vegan butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar! Low in fat and high in fiber, oatmeal is part of a diet recommended for the prevention of various ailments include high cholesterol and cancer. Plus, who doesn’t want a hot bowl of cereal on a cold winter morning?

National Hot Tea Month: used medicinally or just for taste, hot tea has been helping us warm up and feel better for centuries. Put on the kettle! http://www.teausa.com/general/hottea.cfm

National Soup Month: right up there with oatmeal, a bowl of soup is comforting and good for you! It’s an inexpensive, hearty meal that can go a long way in helping you keep that resolution to lose a few pounds. For more information on soups… http://homecooking.about.com/library/weekly/blsoupgloss.htm?once=true&

National Careers in Cosmetology Month: if you have never considered it, don’t knock it. Maybe you’re not a glamour puss or you feel your time is better spent fighting for a woman’s right to choose, but a career in cosmetology could land you on a film set, a photo shoot, in a high end salon, backstage in a theatre, making a bride look beautiful, or any number of creative environments. Everyone likes to look nice.

National Radon Action Month: Understand the effects of radon exposure and learn about radon testing. Or just learn what radon is. http://www.epa.gov/radon/rnactionmonth.html

National Skating Month: What better month than January to strap on your skates and try your best not to fall flat on your face (I’m from Cali and I can’t quite master the blades)! Maybe you’re a figure-eighter or a triple lutzer…either way, it’s time to get in the rink or on the ice.

National Polka Month: put on your big layered skirt and your dancin’ shoes! And support local Polka shows during a time when attendance dips due to stormy weather. It’s another great way to warm up! http://www.letspolka.com/2007/01/january-is-national-polka-month/