Saving one of his nine lives last week was a surgery to remove little Joey the kitten’s left front limb. Thanks to the Animal Center of Newtown’s efforts, Joey was rescued from a scavenger’s life in a Danbury parking lot and now waits to fully recover and move into a new home. I hear he is already spoken for, so I am putting together a little bouquet of catnip and toy mice to keep him happy.

No latex gloves will make that care package, however. My own stomach hurts to hear that doctors not only had to remove a nerve-damaged front limb, but a latex glove that Joey had accidentally eaten. If I had been around to give a little one some advice, I would have told him that just because something smells like food doesn’t mean it’s good to eat. A little experience from some of my own nine lives has taught me to lap up anything that may fall from the dining room table or that suddenly appears in my dinner dish, but things littering the ground beside a trash bin are off kitty limits!

Extreme Makeover Home Edition fans, get ready. The episode featuring the Brown family from Bridgeport is scheduled to air October 14, at 8 pm. This episode involved several people from Newtown, including Bill Webb, John Tucci, and Mark and Valerie Principi.

John is the director of marketing for Haynes Materials in Seymour/Oxford, the one-source building supply company selected by Extreme Makeover Home Edition and Gulick Associates, LLC Builders to provide the exterior supplies for the building of the new home. Bill is the principal of Pegasys, Inc. His main role in this event was that of fundraiser and coordinator of the donations.

Mark, president of Caldwell & Walsh Building Construction in Sandy Hook donated his time and staff to the one-week project in which a team of designers, contractors, and volunteers rebuilt an entire home for the Brown family. From demolition to finish work, Mark was there to see the new home rise from the ashes. “When we got the call, it was an easy decision to show our support and be involved in this unique experience,” said Mark.

Valerie was on hand all seven days representing her company, Chicks That Can Shop, as a guest designer for the show. Valerie assisted in making on-the-spot design decisions. “I couldn’t believe how the rooms were coming together so quickly,” said Valerie of her Extreme experience.

So tune in and keep your eyes on the set: you’ll probably spot some familiar faces in the crowd as the Brown family gets their first peek at their new home. And don’t forget the hankies.

Dr Joshua Baum of Orthodontics Specialists on Church Hill Road tells me he and his staff have a fun program they are bringing into second and third grade classrooms this month. October is National Orthodontic Health Month, and in celebration of good dental hygiene, Dr Baum and his entourage of giant tooth cutouts and oversized foam toothbrushes are going to show kids firsthand the right way to brush and keep teeth in good shape. Kids should get ready for a ticklish time assisting Dr Baum as his jump rope “floss” scrubs between the teeth they will be asked to represent. A special goodie bag for each class member is part of the program, too, he says. Teachers can contact Dr Baum to schedule a classroom visit at 426-5900. With Halloween and the sticky treats that play tricks on teeth just around the corner, seems like a good time to “brush up” on tooth brushing techniques.

Dr Baum and his crew aren’t the only ones thinking about Halloween already. When I walked into the town clerk’s office in Edmond Town Hall this week, I experienced an autumnal burst of color throughout the outer and inner offices, with the decorations heralding the coming of fall and specifically, the approach of Halloween.

The fanciful Halloween elements add to the allure, with pumpkins, goblins and jack-o’-lanterns on display and I’m told by the town clerk’s staff that Halloween will be special day with surprises afoot for those who enter the realm.

It’s hard to think about Halloween when the weather is behaving like summer, though. The 2007 Farmer’s Almanac predicted below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation for September and October. Oops. Looks like someone got that backwards. Not that I’m complaining. A few more days of warm weather is always good by me.

Despite the relatively balmy temperatures, a sure sign that fall has descended upon Newtown is the plethora of fairs. Last weekend the Health Fair and Christ the King Lutheran Church hosted well-attended festivities. Head O’ Meadow School hosted the yearly autumn fair there last Saturday with lots of games, pumpkin decorating, special treats, and a big raffle. But if you missed any of that fun, not to worry. Other opportunities abound: Senior Center members are preparing for their annual harvest bazaar October 26 and 27, with lots of handmade items; and the Methodist Church will fill the cafetorium at Reed Intermediate School on October 20 with loads of handcrafts and artworks, to name just two upcoming events.

It’s a great time of year for tag sales and bake sales, as well. I think there is plenty to keep me busy and away from raking up the leaves that have begun to gather in my driveway. At any rate, I hope the fairs and fun don’t keep you too busy to…. Read me again.