As founder of Z-Ben Advisors, a Shanghai-based fund consultancy, Newtown native Peter Alexander has spent the past seven years (almost… Peter’s company was formally founded in August 2004) helping foreign groups navigate through the financial maze of China. With his company headquartered in Asia, the youngest of Marilyn and the late Paul Alexander’s five children isn’t seen around here too often these days. Anyone who picked up the familiar orange hued Financial Times on Monday, however, probably couldn’t help but recognize the face looking back at them from page 4. FN reporter Robert Cookson spoke with Peter recently, and a full-page feature complete with a drawing of Peter appeared in the March 5 edition of the international business newspaper. It was great to see Peter, and if you didn’t have a chance to pick up a copy of the paper on Monday you may want to check with his mom Marilyn. Rumor has it she may have a few extra copies to show off.

The members of Church Women United of Newtown and Greater Danbury would like to offer a reminder that they will be hosting a Human Rights Day Celebration this weekend. Men and women are invited to join CWU on Sunday, March 11, from 1:30 until 3 pm, in the community room of Cyrenius H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street. “Embracing Our Oneness” is the theme that will highlight the sights and sounds of harmony that will continue to be used in the May Friendship Day and World Community Day celebrations later in year. Dorothea LaBelle, a Newtown resident who has devoted her life and labors to the mentally challenged, will be the guest speaker for the celebration. National CWU Human Rights awards will be presented, and snacks and beverages will be served. Reservations are not needed but additional information is available from Darlene Jackson (203-426-5192) or Linda Manganaro (203-426-3496).

Fresh off their annual Winter Extravaganza last weekend — when Newtown’s three winter guards hosted 27 competing teams and offered their own noncompetitive performances — the varsity, junior varsity and junior teams will return to competition mode this weekend. The teams will be at Shelton High School on Saturday night. A few hours before that, however, parents will be setting up collections at three locations in town for the final round of “Turn Nickels Into Gold,” a bottle and can drive that will help defray the costs of the team attending the Winter Guard International Championships in Dayton, Ohio, next month. Returnable cans and bottles will be accepted from 9 am until noon at Newtown High School’s front parking lot, Newtown Middle School and Reed Intermediate School. If there happens to be bad weather on Saturday, call 203-304-1339 or 203-426-3742.

The winter guard has also arranged with Pizza Palace for a fundraiser in a few weeks. On Tuesday, March 27, from 4 to 10 pm, the Church Hill Road restaurant will donate 15 percent of each bill to the team when diners bring a flier in with them, whether they are eating in or dining out. Fliers are available from Robbin Chaber Allen, at 203-426-3742.

Speaking of fundraisers, I heard about another one this week that I can really curl up around: the Newtown High School’s girls’ and boys’ lacrosse teams will hold a Mattress Sale Fundraiser on Saturday, March 17. Floor models will be displayed from 10 am to 5 pm at Newtown High School. Name brand mattress sets, with warranties, will be sold at 30 to 60 percent below retail prices, and delivery is available (I understand if you can name any member on either team it will earn you an additional $50 off). Proceeds will directly benefit the NHS teams. For additional information, contact Bob Tonne of Custom Fundraising Solutions, btonnecfs@gmail.com.

Newtown High School’s Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) team is set to sell personalized yard signs that will congratulate individual members of the Class of 2012. The yard signs will be 18 inches by 12 inches, will be water resistant, and each sign will also come with a stake. Signs are $22 each, with a $3 extra fee for delivery. Purchasers have the option of choosing blue lettering or gold lettering outlined in blue. The due date for orders is May 1. No orders will be accepted after that time. The PBIS team asks that checks and forms be dropped off at the main office of the high school, at 12 Berkshire Road. The signs will be available by delivery or by pickup during the weeks of June 11 and June 18. For more information about the signs and to get an order form, e-mail hoagj@newtown.k12.ct.us or call 203-426-7651.

If you haven’t already done so, don’t forget to consider supporting St Baldrick’s Foundation when its first Newtown event is held next weekend. McGuire’s Ale House, at 130 Mt Pleasant Road, will host a head-shaving event on Sunday, March 18, from noon to 3 pm. Residents of all ages are invited to “Be Brave & Go Bald” in solidarity with children battling cancer. Men and women, girls and boys can make a pledge to shave their head, and ask everyone they know to donate toward a goal. Funds raised are used to support life-saving childhood cancer research through the St Baldrick’s Foundation. As of this week there were 26 shavees signed up for the March 18 event, and pledges of more than $10,000 had already been made. The local event is hoping to raise at least $30,000 its first time out of the gate. This local St Baldrick’s event is being done in memory of Keaton Raphael, a cousin of Newtown event organizer Michael Connors, who lost his life to childhood cancer when he was just 5 years old. You need to register in advance if you want to have your head shaved next weekend. Visit www.StBaldricks.org, then click on Events and search for Newtown CT or McGuire’s Ale House. Can’t part with your locks? Pledge to someone who is, by making a donation online, sign up to volunteer for the event, donate a raffle or silent auction item, or plan to join the fun. Sunday will be a family-friendly atmosphere with at least three live bands, the silent auction, and plenty of additional hair-raising shenanigans. For more information contact Mr Connors at 203-917-0038 or Michael.Connors0806@yahoo.com.

Broadway veteran and Newtown resident Jan Neuberger has created a new musical called Boomer Girl, with music by Dan Cohn, which she will be performing later this month in West Hartford. The performance, says Jan, “takes a fresh, funny and sometimes poignant look at one woman working out the math when the digits involved are 5 and 0.” All seats are $25 and audiences are welcome to BYOB at Playhouse On Park, 244 Park Road in West Hartford. The performances are scheduled for Thursday, March 22, at 7:30 pm; Friday and Saturday, March 23–24, at 8 pm; and Sunday, March 25, at 2 pm — when Jan isn’t busy with her undergrad studies as a creative writing major at Trinity College (she’s on track to graduate with the class of 2013). Sunday’s matinee will be followed by a TalkBack. Call 860-523-5900 or visit PlayhouseOnPark.org for reservations or additional information.

Sole Savers, one of the teams preparing for the 2012 Newtown Relay For Life, is already planning for its second public fundraising event. This team of high school runners already raised more than $200 a few weeks ago through a bake sale. Now the ladies are organizing a craft-bake-tag sale that will be presented at 82 Main Street on Sunday, March 25, from 11 am to 4 pm. Team member Emily Ashbolt says there will be homemade jewelry, coasters, cards, and treats, as well as a variety of household goods, and of course, all profits will go to Relay For Life.

An annual tradition since 1976, The Elephant’s Truck Flea Market in New Milford has traditionally opened a little later in the season but this year’s warm weather has led manager Gregory H. Baecker to go for an early start. The flea market will launch its 2012 season on Sunday, March 11, at 7 am, at 490 Danbury Road (Route 7), and Mr Baecker is hoping to see plenty of people at the gate that morning. Dealers will be on site by 5 am, and early buying will begin 45 minutes later for $20 for those who want first crack at the antiques and collectibles, new and mixed merchandise. Regular admission is $2 from 7 am until 2 pm. A reminder: pets are not allowed at the flea market. If Sunday should dare to dawn rainy or damp, call 508-265-9911 for updates on field conditions.

I don’t know about you but I’m ready to start looking for good bargains. That, and a good sunny spot to relax in. I’ll let you know how those searches go when you come back next week to… read me again.