Peter, the general manager at the Church Hill Road Starbucks, tells me that the coffee shop will be extending its food drive through the winter. The drive benefits the FAITH food bank in Sandy Hook and the Newtown food bank under the police station. So drink up, and don’t forget to drop off a nonperishable food item in the basket by the front door.

Mojo, assistant Bee editor Shannon’s puppy-nephew, was in to visit late last week, and what a fuss! The 3-month-old pug made eyes at everyone and turned the frostiest of days into a melting icecap of oohs and aahs. I trust that a baby or a kitten would elicit at least as much gushing. Oh, all right. I admit it. I succumbed to the charms of the little guy, too. Not even the cattiest of cats can resist the cute factor of a wriggly puppy. I’m not alone. Mojo also managed to beguile Bee housedogs Starr, Rosie, and Deeke.

Newtown schools got off to a slippery start to the New Year on Monday. Icy roads tested the nerves of our local bus drivers as they traversed the roads. But careful driving and years of experience paid off, with all students safely delivered to the welcoming doors of the schools. Thanks, to all of the Newtown bus drivers who care so much about our students and work under some crummy weather conditions this time of the year.

In case you have been wondering, the Old Farmer’s Almanac enlightened me this week as to how this month got its name. “The Roman god Janus gave January its name. He was pictured with two faces, one looking into the past, and the other into the future. Janus presided over the temple of peace, where the doors were opened only during wartime. It was a place of safety, where new beginnings and new resolutions could be forged.” Just a little something to keep in mind in case you end up on Jeopardy!

Just because it’s a New Year doesn’t mean I’m not still seeking Good Egg nominees. Send your nomination for someone in town who works behind the scenes to make Newtown nicer, to Nancy@thebee.com, and earn them the Top of the Mountain Good Egg Award.

Ice skaters created an idyllic New England scene this past weekend, gliding over the frozen Hawley Pond in Ram Pasture. At least there is one good thing about the freezing cold weather that has descended on our area in recent days. I hear that snow shoers and cross-country skiers are pretty happy to have a layer of white stuff on the ground, too. I, on the other hand, am like a January version of Punxsutawney Phil: I put a paw out the door and scurried back inside for another six weeks of lounging by the warm hearth.

Raffles! Contests! Games! Fun! It’s all happening at NHS Friday night, January 8, when the NHS football and volleyball teams open the doors at 6:30 pm for a fundraiser volleyball game to support the families of Newtown resident Ken Ayles, diagnosed with brain cancer, and Jill Bevilacqua, who has severe multiple sclerosis. A good time for a good cause is guaranteed, so I hope to see you there.

Lots of Newtown students will be taking part in making and sending valentines overseas to support the troops, but if you are not a school student, you can still warm the heart of a veteran by taking part in Valentines For Veterans, the Newtown Woman’s Club, GFWC, Inc project. The club has set up two boxes at the C.H. Booth Library and will collect valentines through February 5, after which the cards will be distributed to state veterans’ hospitals and the Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. Homemade or store bought, it makes no difference — just leave off the glitter, please. You can imagine what a mess it makes when those sparkles end up in bed sheets and bandages.

But before we move on to Valentine’s Day cards, let’s solve the dilemma of what to do with those Christmas cards that are just too pretty to toss out. Twelve-year-old Newtown Middle School student Charlotte Gray is collecting used or leftover Christmas cards to be donated to St Jude’s Ranch for Children. The cards will be fixed up and recreated by children at St Jude’s Ranch for Children to be resold and raise money for further research. “It’s their way of going green,” said Charlotte when she called The Bee, Tuesday, to ask for some help. Charlotte will be collecting used Christmas cards from now through February. To help Charlotte’s collection grow, used or leftover cards can be dropped off in drop boxes around town, located at Stop & Shop, Caraluzzi’s, and the C.H. Booth Library. Cards can also be sent to Charlotte Gray, 11 Clearview Drive, Sandy Hook, 06482. Keep a look out around town for more drop boxes in the future also.

NHS graduates Austin McChord and Andy Portnoy are in Las Vegas this weekend at the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Association show, the world’s biggest consumer technology trade show. The guys are promoting the newest device invented by Austin for his company Datto, Inc, out of Wilton, that provides secure, automatic data storage. If you are curious about Datto’s other products and can’t jet out to Las Vegas this weekend, contact the company at info@dattobackup.com.

The ice and snow are preventing me from going any further than my computer this week, but I know that I can count on you next week to…. Read me again.