It seems as though the destruction prophesied by astronomers, due to the March 19 “supermoon,” came a bit early. Our thoughts go out to all of those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Hawaii, and our own West Coast.

“Supermoon” takes place this coming Saturday, when the moon passes the closest it has been to the earth in 18 years — in its full moon phase. Supposedly, this phenomenon portends the wrath of nature’s forces, but as we have seen, nature has her own mind about when and where to strike. Supermoon might be merely a photographic opportunity.

Staying up all night to take pictures will be tough, though, without a little caffeine in my cream. And that reminds me that I want to wish Starbucks “Happy Birthday!” The Seattle-based coffee shops — which include Newtown’s site — celebrate 40 years of java service this month.

Happy Birthday, too, to Dodgingtown Volunteer Fire Company, celebrating its 100th anniversary this month. I think that these firefighters deserve my Good Egg Award this week!  Thanks for all of these years of protecting Newtown, and many wishes for another century of firefighting at its best.

March Madness has booted WFSB Channel 3 Better Connecticut show out of its usual 3 pm air time this coming Friday — and that means that the segment featuring Inn at Newtown Chef Geoff Moore will air at 10 am on Friday, instead. Hope all of the early birds who pick up The Newtown Bee on Thursdays make note of this. It sure would be disappointing to miss Chef Geoff’s television debut.

A festive-sounding group was leaving the dining room of the Inn at Newtown Wednesday afternoon, as I was meandering around (hoping Chef Geoff had left out a bowl or cream or some fish stock), so of course I had to wrap myself around a few ankles to find out what was going on. Turns out, it was a birthday luncheon for Michelle Baier and her daughter, Erin. Erin turns 22 this Friday, and Michelle celebrated a certain special birthday on the 14th. The best part of the day, Michelle says, is that her mom and friends from Louisiana showed up to surprise her. Happy birthday, Michelle and Erin!

Newtown Woman’s Club GFWC, Inc is hoping to see many residents for a fun fundraiser that will benefit local organizations. Spuds & Duds Night will take place Friday, March 18, at 6, in The Great Room at Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street. Cost is $15, which includes a baked potato and potato topping station and beverages. There will also be a fashion show hosted by Coldwater Creek, with jewelry by lia sophia. Tickets may be purchased at Drug Center Pharmacy, C.H. Booth Library, or by calling Jo Anne Albanesi at 203-304-1401. Who knows? You may see the next Super Model there.

It’s time to throw open the windows, spruce up your home, and get rid of clutter. A new website makes it even easier to find organizations — in addition to those we regularly talk about and help right here in Newtown — that need anything from clothing and shoes to food for humans and pets alike. The Giving Effect (www.TheGivingEffect.com) makes it easy to discover who needs your stuff. Donors browse the site by needs, location, or categories to find a cause, then complete a simple form to arrange a pickup, drop off, or shipment. Participating organizations include the American Cancer Society and Habitat for Humanity locations across the country. Hundreds of animal shelters have also listed their needs with The Giving Effect. (I’m sure there are plenty of unused scratching posts to be donated…)

If spring cleaning is too much to think about, think about attending a special concert that is upcoming at WestConn. Eight young musicians will be representing Newtown next weekend when The Fairfield County String Teachers Association presents its annual String Orchestra Music Festival. Featured at the Saturday, March 26, program will be three string orchestras with more than 170 middle and junior high school students participating, representing 17 towns in western Connecticut. Kai Hedin, Nathyn Horvath, Gemma D.H. Hyeon, Sara Lampel, Anna Pinckney, Samuel Omalyev, and Emma Jane Tallon have all been accepted for the public concert, scheduled for 3 pm, at Western Connecticut State University’s White Hall, on White Street, Danbury. Tickets are $6 for the concert and additional information is available from the WCSU box office, 203-837-8449.

Local National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) chapter president and Newtowner Judy Gardner is calling all Newtown neighbors to take in the Bushnell Center for Performing Arts presentation of Next To Normal, playing in Hartford April 29 to March 3. That’s because NAMI Connecticut and The Bushnell have formed a collaboration to spotlight the work and resources that NAMI offers to family members and people living with mental illness. The Bushnell presentation will be the Connecticut premier of Next to Normal, winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and three 2009 Tony Awards, including Best Score. Alice Ripley, who received the 2009 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, will reprise her acclaimed performance in Hartford.

So where does NAMI take an interest in all this? Next to Normal is about a family trying to take care of themselves and each other. The featured character is a mother and wife living with bipolar illness.

The Bushnell is hosting a pre-performance benefit reception for NAMI CT on Friday, April 1, and allowing NAMI information tables at each of the show’s performances. Next to Normal tickets can be purchased at the box office or online at www.bushnell.org. Sponsorship tickets for the benefit reception can be purchased by contacting NAMI CT at 860-882-0236 or at www.namict.org.

History is never dull when presented by Newtown’s town historian, Dan Cruson. If you’re trying to dig up your home’s history and have missed opportunities to hear him speak locally, Dan is holding a House History Workshop Sunday, March 20, at 2 pm, at the Easton Senior Center, 291 Morehouse Road, Easton. He’ll share where to look for house data and how to analyze land deeds, will provide step-by-step guidance, and answers questions. An instructional handbook, written by Dan, will be given to all participants. The fee for this workshop is $25. Reserve your spot today by sending in a check made payable to the Historical Society of Easton at PO Box 121, Easton CT 06612. For more information, call 203- 581-0850 or e-mail HSEastonCT@gmail.com.

This column is history for now, but next week I’ll return, with all the news that makes you “paws,” so be sure to…Read me again.