The unpredictable Mother Nature keeps even the Farmer’s Almanac on its toes, it seems. The 2008 Almanac predicted sunny and mild weather for last week (remember that bitter cold snap of two days?) and for the week of the 6th to the 11th, “Snow, then sunny, cold.” Oops. The week started off with unseasonably warm weather that had me wishing that my furry coat could be unbuttoned. Having the January thaw before there has been an actual deep freeze seems such a let down. But who knows? Maybe snow and cold are still to come as the week winds down.

They are kind of keeping their fingers crossed for a snow day at Newtown Youth & Family Services, I hear. Program organizers Beth Agen and Amanda Walsh have set up a “Blizzard Brigade,” pairing up Newtown youth with a neighborhood resident needing assistance to shovel walkways and steps after a storm. The Blizzard Brigade is part of the youth Job Bank at NYFS, meaning interested students will have to apply for the positions and provide references. It’s a great way for both the youth and community members to benefit, though, so I am going to make a wish upon a star for at least one good snowfall before spring.

Christmas arrived a little early last month for 128 Catholics in the Diocese of Bridgeport who were honored with the 2007 Saint Augustine Medal of Service. William and Daniel Honan, members of Saint Rose of Lima, were among those honored with the medal by Bishop William Lori during a special prayer service at Saint Augustine Cathedral. The medal recognizes outstanding service by individuals or a couple to a parish, diocese, Catholic charities, and/or Catholic education. Recipients were nominated by the pastors or supervisors so in this case the Honans were selected by Father Bob Weiss for their service as Mass ushers and also for providing a yearly calendar to the Newtown parish. Congratulations guys!

Congratulations, too, to the Newtown High School Boys’ Swim Team on their triumphant win over Brookfield on Tuesday evening. The meet was an exciting example of showmanship and good sportsmanship all along, and the first time in several years that the NHS team has dunked the Brookfield boys. The Brookfield/Newtown competition is one of only a few home meets that charges admission, but it’s all for a good cause. Each year when the two teams meet, the admission charge is donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Fairfield County Chapter in memory of Greg Chion, a former NHS swimmer who lost his struggle with leukemia in 2000. Giving deeply emotional impact to the evening were introductory remarks from Brookfield coach Brian Rieff, who was the NHS coach at the time Greg swam on the team. A heartwarming evening all around, I’d say.

I guess it is already time to think about the next upcoming holiday, and I don’t mean Presidents Day. Signup for the 2008 C.H. Booth Library’s annual Creative Chocolates program Tuesday, February 5, from 3 to 5 pm, with Marie Walker is now open at the main floor circulation desk or by calling 426-4533. The program is for Newtown residents or students in grade 6 and up, and is limited to 12 students. A supply fee of $6 is payable at the program. Join the group and make chocolate lollipops, peppermint bark, dipped pretzels, and chocolate-covered cherries for Valentine’s Day. And just in case it does snow, there is still time to make those delights for your delight on February 12, instead.

I see that the Mattatuck Museum Arts and History Center in Waterbury has announced the appointment of Newtowner Karen Pierce as Education Coordinator. Karen, a teacher, has been at the Mattatuck since October and designed a curriculum that matched the interim exhibits. Fifth graders, for example, can now experience a model assembly line that gives them a taste of what life was like in the Brass City. Karen is currently working on other ideas to bring in older students from middle to high school. Tours for the lower grades can be booked through May 16, except for March, which is typically the month for state testing. Sounds like a fun way to learn about state history. Way to go, Karen!

Andrew Kennedy is still going strong in Comedy Central Showdown Showcase, but he still has a few weeks to go and he (yikes!) slipped out of the top 20 this week. Comedians across the country are hoping to be one of the top comedians to receive votes through online voting (allowed once a daily, every day) and text-messaging (as much as you want, every day!) that’s going on until January 26 because the following day Comedy Central will run a countdown of the top 20 beginning at noon on Sunday, January 27. Andrew would like to see a hometown push on Monday, January 14. Are you up for it? To vote online, go to ComedyCentral.com, click on the Stand-Up button near the top of the page, and then click on Vote in Stand-Up Showdown. If Andrew doesn’t show up in the Daily Top 20 listing, click on the H-K selection and find him in there (PS — make sure you vote for Andrew, not the other Kennedy in there).

To vote with your cellphone or other mobile device, text STANDUP KENNEDY to 44636. Andrew would love to see a slew of votes, especially on Monday… and beyond. Remember that standard text messaging rates will apply to each vote you cast but hey, this is a Newtown guy we’re rooting for. Sure hope to see his special on Comedy Central in a few weeks!

Peg Forbell has been sporting a new look for the past few weeks — a sling around her right arm. But a broken bone hasn’t slowed down this active community woman one little bit. I saw her writing notes at the Newtown Woman’s Club meeting this week, signing checks at Newtown Congregational Church, and she has even been doing cross-stitch since the fall that left her one-handed, she tells me. Oh, that is way too much energy for me, even with four paws. I think I’ll curl up in Shannon Hicks’s cozy office chair and wait for next week when you can…. Read me again.