Antiques Shows______

Feb 13: Antiques & Collectibles Show, Naugatuck High School, 543 Rubber Ave, Naugatuck, 9:30 am-4 pm, adm $3, 60+ dealers; 203-723-2588.

Feb 20: 39th Annual Tolland Antiques Show, Tolland High School, Old Cathole Rd, Tolland, 10 am-4 pm (early adm 8:30-10 am, $15), adm $5, 70 exhibitors, presented by Tolland Historical Society; 860-872-7716.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Hours: Mon-Thurs 10 am-8 pm, Fri 12-5 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 426-4533.

In Children’s Dept — Through mid-February: creations by young Newtown resident Donny Gies done w/ Lego building blocks, also presentation of Lego instruction books & catalogs.

In first floor display cases (near Children’s Dept) — Through Feb 28, “Under The Sea and Over The Snow,” “fish flowers” & “reef fish” from copper alloys and wood & small scale models of Flexible Flyer & Clipper sleds made of nickel silver by former Newtown resident Dick Van Riper.

Bruce Museum of Arts & Sciences, One Museum Dr, Greenwich. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-869-0376.

*(new show) Feb 12-March 27: “A Very Personal Collection,” first in a series of shows that will highlight private collections, this one features 56 works of 20th C, from early decades to more contemporary presentations.

*(new show) Through May 1: “Recent Acquisitions: Photography from the Permanent Collection,” approx 35 photos from over 400 recently given to the museum by 13 donors incl 19th & 20th Century vintage prints – portraiture, travel photography, Civil War photography, modernism & photojournalism, abstract work & color photography

Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury. Hours: (Jan-March) Wed-Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 12-4 pm, (April-Dec) Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 778-8337.

Permanent exhibitions on railroad history (museum is along old New Haven RR line & housed in former Danbury station & railyard), also original & restored rolling stock incl a New Haven RR Mack FCD railbus, Alco RS-1 diesel locomotive, fully operating turntable, etc. (see Misc calendar for ongoing programs schedule)

Fenn Gallery of Contemporary Art, 345 Main Street/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Thurs-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 203-263-2821.

Through Feb 27: “The Drawn Line,” exhibition of works on paper & sculpture; incl surreal landscapes by Marc Chabot, Matisse-like studies & “air drawings” (minimalist wire sculpture) by Michael Paterson, collage-like assemblages by Paton Miller & abstract studies by Ivy Dachman; Feb 12, (rescheduled) opening reception, 4-6 pm.

Golden Age of Trucking Museum, 1101 Southford Rd/Rte 188, Middlebury. Hours: Thurs-Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 12-4 pm. Call 203-577-2181.

Through March: “Yesterday’s Trucks, Tomorrow’s Memories,” commemorative watercolors by Brian Colbath.

Institute for American Indian Studies, 38 Curtis Rd, Washington. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 860-868-0518.

Through March 31: “With beauty all around me, I walk: Native American Body Ornamentation,” items made from stone, bones, shells, quills, metal & glass & used for necklaces, hairpins, headdresses, belts, pouches & more.

Minor Memorial Library, 23 South St, Roxbury. Hours: Sat 10 am-2 pm, Mon & Wed 10 am-7 pm, Thurs-Fri 10 am-5 pm. Call 860-350-2181.

*(new show) Feb 19-March 28: “Human Spirit,” photographs by Wendy Carlson & John Kane; Feb 19, opening reception, 1-4 pm.

New Britain Museum of American Art, 56 Lexington St, New Britain. Hours: Tues, Thurs-Fri & Sun 12-5 pm, Wed 12-7 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm. Museum Highlights Tour offered each Sun at 2 pm. Call 860-229-0257.

Through March 13: “Contemporary Photography in The Age of Mechanical Reproduction,” 40 photographs from public & private collections provide a glimpse into a largely unexplored world at NBMAA incl works of Gregory Crewden, David Levinthal & Cindy Sherman; Feb 17, “Creators, Curators, Collectors, Critics & Conservators,” 5:30-7 pm, $10, lecture at 6 pm by photographer David Levinthal; March 2, “Art Happy Hour,” 5:30-7 pm, lecture at 6 by exhibition curator Kyle Klewin.

Peabody Museum of Natural History, 170 Whitney Ave, New Haven. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-432-5050.

*(new show) Feb 12-July 31: “Elephants!” specimens (incl 13-ft tall Hebior mammoth skeleton) & re-creations combine w/ DVD presentations, computer interactives & other hands-on exhibits to tell the story of the remarkable animal from its early evolutionary history to today’s latest research on complex social interactions; Feb 13, public celebration, 12-4 pm, crafts, games & activities will be ongoing during afternoon (included w/ museum adm), *also at 1 pm – “Pygmy Elephants & Friends in the Ancient Mediterranean: Facts and Myths,” presentation of Peabody Museum curatorial affiliate David Reese.

River Glen Fine Arts Gallery (formerly Grey Horse Gallery), 3 Washington Ave/Rte 34, Sandy Hook. Hours: Tues 12-4 pm, Thurs 7-9 pm, Sat-Sun 11 am-4 pm. Call 270-1199.

Paintings by Rainie Crawford, Frank Federico, Leslie Lillien Levy, Dick McEvoy, Alain J. Picard & Peter Seltzer, sculpture by Sterett-Gittings Kelsey.

Silvermine Guild Arts Center, 1037 Silvermine Rd, New Canaan. Hours: Tues-Sat 11 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-966-5617.

*(new show) Through March 13: “Beauty and the Beast,” exploration of concepts of Beautiful & Ugly in present-day world in variety of media incl video & installation; Feb 13, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

*(new show) Through March 13: “Chaotic Symmetries: Inspired Frames of Nature,” black & white photos by Joseph Jurson that were inspired by the “chaotic symmetries” he sees within nature; Feb 13, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

*(new show) Through March 13: “Realism,” newest Web-To-Wall Gallery exhibition features theme of realism found in art from guild’s Artist Image Bank; Feb 13, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

Walsh Art Gallery at Quick Center, Fairfield Univ, North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Hours: Tues-Sat 11 am-5 pm, Sun 12-4 pm. Call 203-254-4000 x2969.

Through March 20: “Ethiopia: Religious Pageantry and Tribal Traditions,” photos by photographer Barbara Paul that depict the daily life & customs of a region many in the West will never see, images feature cultural dances & body decorations of Omo Valley tribes.

Washington Art Association, Bryant Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 860-868-2878.

*(new show) Through Feb 27: “Paintings,” abstract paintings by Clint Jukkala, paintings by Norman Turner & landscape paintings by Kamilla Talbot.

Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Rd/Rte 7, Wilton. Hours: Mon & Fri 10 am-6 pm, Tues-Thurs 10 am-7 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-762-3950.

Through Feb 28, “Altered Images,” digitally altered photographic prints by Lawrence Murphy.

Wooster Community Art Center, 73 Miry Brook Rd, Danbury. Gallery hours: M-F 9:30 am-6:30 pm. Call 744-4825.

Through Feb 28: “WSAC Faculty Art Exhibit,” paintings, sculpture, photography & ceramics by Wooster School Art Center faculty members Deborah Phillips Chodoff, Marla Cromwell, Katie Tynan Helu, Lisa Longobardo, Janice Mauro, Bobbi Mullen, Lee Rogers, Bettina Sementilli, Alexander Shundi, et al.

Yale Center For British Art, 1080 Chapel St (at High St), New Haven. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-432-2800.

On view indefinitely: “Revisiting Tradition: Painting & Sculpture in The Twentieth Century.”

On view indefinitely: “Taste & Beauty In Three Dimensions: Paul Mellon and British Sculpture.”

Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel St at York, New Haven. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-6 pm. Masterpiece Tours of Permanent Collection every Sat 1:30 pm, Sun 3 pm. Call 203-432-0600.

Through June 5: “Livable Modernism: Interior Decorating and Design During the Great Depression,” carefully edited installation looks at the ways modernism was introduced into the American home, how certain American designers combined steamlines simplicity of modernism w/ middle class desire for comfort & familiarity during economic & social disruption.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Mt Laurel Quilters’ Guild. Call 426-7911, 740-8273.

Feb 15: Vendors & quilts wanted for Mt Laurel Quilters’ Guild Quilt Show to be presented April 23 at New Milford High School, vendors can contact Mary Eddy (first phone # above) for details on space & rental fees, those w/ quilts to loan for the show can contact Katie Pasko (second phone #).

Town Players, The Little Theatre, Orchard Hill Rd, Newtown. Call 426-9850.

Feb 20-21: Auditions for Michael Parker’s The Amorous Ambassador, Sun 2-4 pm, Mon 7-9 pm, director Evelyne Thomas seeks 4 males & 4 females, all ages 20-45, backstage & tech help also needed, call for appt if unable to make auditions.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Feb 13: The Tourmaline String Quartet at St Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 351 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 4 pm, suggested donation $10, performance by soloists from Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra (Betty-Jean Hagen & Rachel Handman on violin; Suzanne Corey, viola; & Melissa Westgate, cello) continues 2004-05 St Stephen’s Sunday Afternoon Concert Series, proceeds benefit church’s Fund For Music; 203-438-3789.

Feb 13: “From The Hearts of Connecticut: A Tsunami Relief Event,” The Waterbury Palace, 100 East Main St, Waterbury, 5-8 pm, tickets $35, live entertainment by local talent incl Jan Maki & The Berkshire Big Band, singer-songwriter Ron Sorensen, pianist Nancy McMillan, vocalist Becca Anderson & clarinetist Dr Vincent Deluise, also wine tasting, food from area restaurants & caterers, silent auction, proceeds will be divided between Feed The children & AmeriCares; 203-755-4700.

Feb 17: Maynard Ferguson & His Big Bop Nouveau Band in concert, 7:30 pm, Newtown High School auditorium, 12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, tickets $20, concert by the jazz legend will also include a performance by NHS Jazz Ensemble; 270-4644 x2263.

Feb 20: “GWCC All Winners Gala Chamber Music Concert,” Post University’s MacDermid Hall, 800 Country Club Rd, Waterbury, $18 adults, $15 seniors & students, $5 ages 12 & under, performance by the winners of Greater Waterbury Classic Concerts’ Chamber Music Competitions incl sopranos Anna Antunes & Diana McCarthy, bass baritone Reuben Barnes, pianists Shannon Bona, Gabrielle Brazauskas, Nicholas Goldbach, Jennifer Hughes, Rebecca Karabus, Danielle Mangini & Sepanta Mohseni, & vocalist Michael Junko, followed by reception w/ the performers; 203-754-5590.

Hartford Symphony Orchestra, The Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave, Hartford. Call 860-246-6807.

Feb 11, “HSO Classical Connections: Mozart at The Symphony,” 7:30 pm, tickets $34 & $42, exploration of Mozart’s symphonies No 25 & 39, hosted by educator & author Robert Greenberg, season-long series of studies of composers & their works continues in March (Beethoven) & May (Schubert); Feb 19, “Big Band Blast,” 8 pm, tickets $16-$58, guest conductor Jeff Tyzik will lead HSO Pops! through some of the biggest hits of Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Cole Porters, et al; March 10-11, “HSO Classical Connections: Beethoven,” 7:30 pm, tickets $34 & $42, exploration of Beethoven’s Symphony #3 (“Eroica”), hosted by educator & author Robert Greenberg, season-long series of composers & their works will conclude in May w/ Schubert.

Newtown Friends of Music, Newtown. Call 426-6470.

Concerts at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 3 pm, $15, free ages 5-14 w/ ticket-holding adult (subscriptions available), reception follows performances: Feb 13, Trio Solisti (violinist Maria Bachmann, cellist Alexis Per Gerlach, and pianist Jon Klibonoff), works of Haydn (Trio in G Major), Brahms (Trio No 3 in C minor, Op 101) & Ravel (Piano Trio in A minor).

Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield Univ, 1073 North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Call 203-254-4010, 877-ARTS-396 (877-278-7396).

Performances 8 pm unless noted: Feb 18, Arturo Sandoval, tickets $30 & $35, performance by founding member of Irakere will offer the trumpeter’s explosive mixture of jazz, classical, rock & Cuban styles (performances preceded by “Art to Heart” discussion w/ Brian Torff, 7-7:40 pm); Feb 19, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, all-Brahms program will incl Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op 115 & Piano Quintet in F minor, Op 34a (performance preceded by “Art to Heart” discussion w/ journalist Robert Sherman, 7-7:40 pm); Feb 25, “Music for the Masters: The Music of Dexter Gordon,” 8 pm, $25 & $30, celebration sax legend Gordon will feature modern-day masters incl members of Dexter Gordon rhythm section, The George Cables Trio, and saxophonists Wayne Escoffery, Jimmy Greene & Jerry Weldon.

Films _________________

Feb 26: Family Movie Day, Bethel Cinema, 269 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, screening begins 10:30 am, adults $5, free ages 12 & under, screening of Annie (1999, starring Alicia Morton, Kathy Bates, Victor Garber & Audra McDonald) is being presented by Newtown Newcomers & Neighbors Club, all welcome; 270-6242.

Bethel Cinema, 269 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. Call 778-2100.

Feb 11-17: Finding Neverland (PG), daily 7:25 & 9:45 pm, mat Sat, Wed 1, 3:05 & 5:15 pm, Sun 3:05 & 5:15 pm; Hotel Rwanda (PG-13), daily 7 & 9:35 pm, mat Fri 4:20 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:50 & 4:20 pm; Million Dollar Baby (PG-13), daily 6:40 & 9:15 pm, mat Fri 3:50 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:10 & 3:50 pm; Sideways (R), daily 6:50 & 9:25 pm, mat Fri 4 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:20 & 4 pm.

Feb 26: special screening of Annie (from 1999, featuring Alicia Morton, Kathy Bates, et al), 10:30 am, $5 adults, free ages 12 & under, sponsored by Newtown Newcomers & Neighbors Club (all welcome; call 270-6242 for details).

Third Annual Young Foundation Film Festival, screenings at noon, free (tickets must be picked up or reserved in advance): Feb 13, Heir To An Execution.

Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-4533.

Independent Film Series, 7:30 pm, free: Feb 22, Light of My Eyes (Italian w/ English subtitles); March 8, Wolves in The Snow (Italian w/ English subtitles).

Alliance Française “Cinémathèque” screenings, 2 pm, free: Feb 27, Bon Voyage (2002, rated PG-13).

Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-2475.

Feb 11-17: Shall We Dance (PG-13), daily 7 & 9 pm, mat Sat 1 & 4 pm, Tues-Wed 1 pm.

Institute For American Indian Studies, 38 Curtis Rd, Washington. Call 860-868-0518.

Winter Film Festival, free screenings, Sat-Sun 2 pm: through Feb 27, Indian Hide Tanning.

Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies & The Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-5795.

Lost & Found Film Series, 7:30 pm screenings followed by guest speakers for Q&A, tickets $15: Feb 18, Man of the Century, guest speaker will be director Adam Abraham & actor Gibson Frazier.

Western CT State University Student Center Theater, 181 White St, Danbury. Call 837-8461.

9th Annual Black History Month Festival of African Films, free, Tues 12:30, Fri 7 pm: Feb 11, Kounandi & Monday’s Girls; Feb 15 & (Thurs) 17, Saaraba (Utopia).

Yale Center for British Art, 1080 Chapel St, New Haven.

New Zealand Film Series (inspired by current William Hodges exhibition), free screenings, 2 pm: Feb 12, Goodbye Pork Pie; Feb 19, The Navigator.

For Kids & Families _________

Feb 12: The Bremen Town Musicians, Housatonic Valley Waldorf School, 40 Dodgingtown Rd/Rte 302, Newtown, 10 am, free marionette play presented by school’s Early Childhood Puppetry Group is open to all, target audience is children ages 3-6 & parents/guardians; 364-1113.

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-4519.

Feb 19, Right Brain Saturday, 10 am-noon, $25, monthly workshops (so different topics monthly) taught by local artists & museum educators allow children to experience artwork in the galleries & then apply the methods, concepts or ideas they see into their own projects, all materials provided; Feb 19-20, Family Drop-In Hours, 12-4:30 pm, included w/ museum adm ($7 adults, $4 students, free ages 12 & under) families invited to visit education center for hands-on activities based on current exhibitions (solo adult visitors also welcome; all children must be accompanied by adult, however).

Bethel Public Library, 189 Greenwood Ave/Rte 302, Bethel. Call 794-8756.

Feb 22, Vacation Day Book Discussion, 12-1:30 pm, readers in grades 6-10 invited to talk about what they think will happen to main characters in next Harry Potter book, Harry Pottery and The Half-Blood Prince, due out in July.

C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-4533 (children’s dept 426-3851).

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: Feb 16, Let’s Talk About: YA Book Discussion, 4-5 pm, young adult book talk concerning Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins; Feb 24, “Freedom Quilts & The Underground Railroad,” 4 pm (adult edition of program will be offered at 7:30 pm), presentation by Civil War re-enactor Trish Chambers will explain Freedom Quilts & their use as communication method between slaves during Civil War.

Downtown Cabaret Children’s Theatre Co., 263 Golden Hill St, Bridgeport. Call 203-576-1636.

Snow White and The Seven Dwarves, through Feb 27, curtain Sat-Sun 12 & 2:30 pm, tickets $12.50.

Miscellaneous ___________

Through Feb 13: 44th Annual Danbury Bowling Association Championship Bowling Tournament, Brookfield Lanes, 840 Federal Rd/Rte 7, Brookfield, call for playing times (Sat-Sun only), spectators welcome, sanctioned by The American Bowling Congress; 775-4343.

Feb 11: Psychic Fair, Holiday Inn, Newtown Rd/Rte 6, Danbury, 6-11:30 pm, free adm, readings by area psychics, clairvoyants, astrologers, tarot & gemstone readers, vendors on site; 470-1806.

Feb 11: “Guys’ Night Out – Miniature Golf Among the Classics,” Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Rd/Rte 7, Ridgefield, begins 7:30 pm, tickets $50, fundraiser for library will incl miniature golf course set up among the stacks, silent auction, gift boutique (w/ Valentine’s Day theme), & abundant food & drink; 203-762-3950 x405.

Feb 12: Planetarium Show & Telescope Viewing, Western CT State University’s Observatory (westside campus), University Blvd (off Mill Plain Rd), Danbury, planetarium show at 5:30, telescope viewing 6:30-8:30 of winter sky & Saturn; 837-8672.

Feb 12: Annual Comic Valentine at Seven Angels Theatre, Hamilton Park Pavilion, Plank Rd, Waterbury, 8 pm, $27.50, performances by comedians Marion Grodin, Doug Karpf, Davin Rosenblatt & Ray Somileno; 203-591-8223.

Feb 12-13: Western New England Home Show, WCSU’s O’Neill Athletic & Convocation Center, Western CT State University’s westside campus, University Blvd (off Mill Plain Rd), Danbury, 9 am-6 pm, adm $6, presentations by home improvement companies; 860-563-2111.

Feb 13: “So What’s the Big Deal About Forgiveness Anyway?” at Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free discussion led by teacher & reiki master Rosemarie Palladino will concern how cultivating an attitude for a life committed to forgiveness can enrich any life, followed by group meditation (free instruction available) & tea reception; 203-263-2254.

Feb 15: Telescope Viewing, Western CT State University’s Observatory (westside campus), University Blvd (off Mill Plain Rd), Danbury, free, 5-7 pm, public invited to join special viewing of the moon near the Pleiades star cluster; 837-8672.

Feb 15: “Birds, Here and There,” Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, socializing 6:30 pm, program begins at 7, photographer Townsend P. Dickinson will share photos & stories of his work following migrating songbirds, presented by The Western CT Bird Club, Inc.; 426-3901, 860-354-8417.

Feb 15: “The Making of The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior,” Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 7:30 pm, $4, program by Chris Elphick will concern his role as co-editor of the popular bird guide, the process of compiling the book & various topics of bird behavior covered in the book; 734-2513.

Feb 16: Housatonic Valley Paddling Club meeting, CL&P Service Center, Barnabas Rd, Newtown, 7 pm, guest speaker Gail Ferris will present “Greenland, My Passion,” about her solo kayak expedition in Aug 2003, public welcome; 203-263-3281.

Feb 16: Mom’s Night Out, Proud Mary’s (at The Inn at Newtown), 19 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, begins 7:30 pm, join other moms for a relaxing and fun night out, presented by Newtown Newcomers & Neighbors Club; 270-6242.

Feb 16: “In Search of America,” Western CT State University Student Center Theatre (midtown campus), 181 White St, Danbury, 7 pm, free lecture by Todd Brewster (journalist, historian & author; co-author of The Century & In Search of America w/ Peter Jennings); 837-8309.

Feb 16: “Preserving Your Documents in A Digital Age,” Monroe Public Library, 7 Fan Hill Rd, Monroe, 7:30 pm, free program for the lay person interested in preserving family photos, family history & genealogy records will be presented by panel of experts from computer & photography disciplines, also members of local historical & genealogical societies; 452-5458.

Feb 18: BBQ Dinner, United Methodist Church of Danbury, 5 Clapboard Ridge Rd, Danbury, 5-7 pm, dinners of ribs, chicken, cole slaw, beans, cornbread, dessert & soft drinks/coffee; 743-1503.

Feb 19: CT ConTacts Singles Dance, Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 pm-1 am, adm $15 incl dinner & dessert buffets, dancing to DJ selections (Top 40, soft rock, recent oldies & requests), no jeans; 203-468-1144.

Feb 19: Church of the Good Shepherd Indoor Flea Market, 680 Racebrook Rd (at corner of Shepherd Lane, betw Post Rd & Rte 34), Orange, 8 am-2 pm, wide variety of vendors, refreshments also available; 203-934-4446.

Feb 19: Alliance Française Café Conversation, Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 10 am-noon, free, join members of Alliance Française of Northwestern CT for conversations in French on various topics, speakers of all levels welcome, topics vary from simple chit-chat to discussions focused on French culture, history or news, call if weather questionable; 262-0626.

C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-4533.

Programs free unless noted: Feb 17, Evening Book Group meeting, 7:30 pm, discussion of The Life of Pi by Van Martel, newcomers welcome; Feb 19, Intermediate Computing, 9 am-noon, $10 (registration required), hands-on class incl downloading files, saving photos, email topics incl sending & receiving attachments, also time for Q&A; Feb 22, Daytime Book Group meeting, 1 pm, discussion of A Trail of Heart’s Blood Wherever We Go by Robert Olmstead, newcomers welcome; Feb 24, “Freedom Quilts & The Underground Railroad,” 7:30 pm (children’s edition of program will be offered at 4 pm), presentation by Civil War re-enactor Trish Chambers will explain Freedom Quilts & their use as communication method between slaves during Civil War.

Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury. Call 778-8337.

Wednesday Lecture Series, around 7:45 pm (follows brief general meeting), free, guest speakers & topics follow: Feb 16, “West Virginia Wonders,” by Steve Gould; Feb 23, historic slides & NH RR discussion led by Pete McLachlan.

Flagpole Photographers, C.H. Booth Library meeting room, 25 Main St, Newtown. Call 364-1719, 426-0558.

April 2-3, Annual Flagpole Photographers’ Exhibition & Competition, myriad subjects.

Meetings 3rd Thurs/month, 7:30 pm, non-members always welcome: Feb 17, “Yellowstone & The Tetons” slide show by Bob Berthier, members’ monthly print competition has snow theme; March 17, slide critique & judging by Paul Hanson, members’ “open slide” competition; April 21, speaker TBA (call for details closer to meeting date), members’ print competition w/ leaves & fall colors theme; May 19, “Mongolia” slide show by Bill Marcy, members’ print competition w/ waterfalls theme; June 16, slide critique & judging by guest judge TBA, members’ slide competition w/ flowers theme.

McLaughlin Vineyards, Albert’s Hill Rd, Sandy Hook. Call 426-1533.

“Wine, Food & Eagles 2005,” through Feb 20, Sat-Sun mornings & early afternoons, begins 9 am, $50, spend mornings watching for eagles at Bald Eagle Observatory in Southbury, then private tour of winery in Sandy Hook, followed by lunch at Compass in Newtown (3-course lunch will be paired w/ McLaughlin Vineyard wines), reservations required.

Newtown Hikers. Call 426-2897 or 788-1398 (Ester Nichols), 270-4340 (Newtown Parks & Rec).

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 9 am, free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders as follows: Feb 12, Oxford Bridal Trail – cross-country ski, snowshoe, or hike (leader is Nancy Ziegler, 732-2618); Feb 19, White Memorial Park, Litchfield (leader is Pat Callan, 264-2153); Feb 26, Topsmead State Park, Litchfield (leader is Mary Jo Zemitis, 203-263-3683.

Newtown VNA Thrift Shop, Edmond Town Hall (lower level), 45 Main Street, Newtown. Call 270-4377.

Shop is open every Wed 12-3 pm & Sat 9 am-noon, access is from town hall’s back parking lot, shop carries discounted items from local businesses & private donors incl clothing, sm home accessories & more.

Sacred Grounds/Trinity Productions workshops, 24 Alpine Circle, Sandy Hook, or Brookfield Commons, 246 Federal Rd (Suite C-23A), Brookfield (call for location), or by appt, or in-home by appt. Call 426-9448.

Programs at Brookfield Commons: Feb 12, “A New You,” 2-4 pm, $30, develop techniques & explore possibilities to make positive change in life through self-discovery; Feb 13, “Spiritually Speaking: Dealing with Non-Spiritual People,” 4-6 pm, $10; Feb 18,”Touched by Angels,” 7:30-9:30 pm, $10, program w/ Kathanna Knapp; Feb 19, “Immunics,” 1-3 pm, $25, learn the yoga of physical, emotional & spiritual immunity, easy to learn, led by Kathanna Knapp.

Shepaug Eagle Observation Area, Shepaug Housatonic Hydroelectric Station, River Rd, Southbury. Call (Tues-Fri 9 am-3 pm) 800-368-8954.

Observation area open to March 17, Wed, Sat-Sun 9 am-1 pm, free adm but reservations absolutely required.

Society of Creative Arts of Newtown, Inc. (SCAN), Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-6654.

Meetings 4th Wed/month, 1:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: Feb 23, guest artist Angalee DeForest, pastel landscape.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-6224.

Non-profit weight loss support group meets every Mon 6-8 pm (weigh-ins 6-6:45, meetings 7-8), meetings $2/week, membership $20/year.

Tarrywile Park, 70 Southern Blvd, Danbury. Call 744-3130.

Guided hikes, free, cancelled if heavy rain, wear rugged, sturdy shoes, bring water, bug spray & light snack, pre-registration requested: Feb 12, 9 am, 2-hour hike; Feb 19, 9 am, 2-hour hike.

Wednesday Night Poetry, Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place (in former railroad station), Bethel. Call 426-3388 (Faith Vicinanza), 270-6202 (Michael Seri), 748-2828 (BAJ).

Series presented ev Wed 7:30-10 pm (featured poets 8:30 pm, poetry workshop 9:15 pm), adm $1 ($3 if out-of-state or major guest poet), guest/featured poets as follows: Feb 16, Third Annual Erotic Poetry Open Mike (host: Alice-Anne), bring favorite erotica, not porn; Feb 23, James Scrimgeour (host: John).

Theatre ______________

Downtown Cabaret Theatre, 263 Golden Hill St, Bridgeport. Call 203-576-1636.

Hair, Feb 18-May 22, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 8:30 pm, tickets $38.50 & $42.50, discounts available for students & seniors (call for details).

Seven Angels Theatre, Hamilton Park Pavilion, Plank Rd, Waterbury. Call 203-757-4676.

No Way To Treat A Lady, Feb 17-March 13, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Thurs, Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $25-$40.

Square One Theatre Company, Stratford Theatre, 2422 Main St, Stratford. Call 203-375-8778.

Talking Heads, through Feb 19, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, also Sat (Feb 19 only) 4 pm, tickets $16 adults, $15 students & seniors.

Stamford TheatreWorks, 200 Strawberry Hill Ave (on Sacred Heart campus), Stamford. Call 203-359-4414.

Blood Knot, through Feb 20, curtain Tues-Sat 8 pm, also Sun (Feb 6) 7 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $20-$33; Feb 6, Conversation Club, post-matinee discussion w/ actors & director.

TheatreWorks New Milford, 5 Brookside Ave, New Milford. Call 860-350-6863.

Kimberly Akimbo, Feb 18-March 19, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun (March 6 only) 2 pm, all seats $17.50; also (Thurs) Feb 17, senior citizens’ preview, all area seniors welcome, free; (Thurs) Feb 24, Pay-What-You-Can night, 8 pm, name your ticket price.

*******************

Events that appear by date have Newtown events listed first, with additional events listed by their start time. At the time of printing, the information here is accurate as presented; a call ahead is always a good idea to be safe.

DEADLINE INFORMATION

Press releases for the Enjoy calendar of events or the Enjoy section must be received by MONDAY NOON for publication in that week’s edition of The Newtown Bee. Send to the attention of Shannon Hicks, Arts Editor, Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown 06470, or to shannon@thebee.com. Photos are welcome and can be black & white or color, but must be in sharp focus. Please call for specs if you plan to email digital photo files.