Friday, March 23

Planning and Zoning Commission special meeting, 1 pm, Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street.

Knights of Columbus Fish Fry, 5–8 pm, St Rose of Lima Gathering Hall, 46 Church Hill Road, $8 adults, $5 children, $25 family/max, fresh fried dinners (mac and cheese available), also coleslaw, french fries, drinks, dessert and coffee, takeout available; 203-270-1838 (Grand Knight, Tim Reilly), 203-426-1014 (parsonage office).

Opening reception for “Atmospheres,” 5–8 pm, Koenig FrameWorks Gallery, 97 South Main Street, opening night for exhibition to offer very detailed line drawings by DeAnn L. Prosia and oil paintings by Joanne Conant, gallery’s latest exhibition to be produced in partnership with Housatonic Valley Cultural Alliance remains on view until April 28; 203-270-1887.

 

Saturday, March 24

Parent Empowerment University, 8 am–1:45, Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen Street, $5, parents invited to attend two workshops with proactive and positive parenting strategies for children of all ages, also keynote by Bonnie Harris, breakfast and lunch included, Kids University (free, child-appropriate programs) also available, registration strongly encouraged, presented by Newtown Parent Connection, Inc, Brookfield Substance Abuse Coalition and SMART, Inc (Southbury-Middlebury Acting Responsibly Together); 203-270-1600.

American Red Cross Blood Drive, 8 am–1 pm, Reed Intermediate School, 3 Trades Lane, donors must be at least age 18, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in generally good health, appointments available, walk-ins welcome; 203-426-9024, 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2762).

Meadows Seminar, 10 am–noon, Newtown Municipal Center Council Chambers, 3 Primrose Street, speaker Dan Holmes will discuss meadows, why they are important habitats for various plant and animal species, and how to install and maintain a meadow on private property for beauty and natural diversity, sponsored by Newtown Conservation Commission and Newtown Land Use Agency; 203-426-6518.

Flagpole Radio Café featuring Livingston Taylor, 7 pm, Edmond Town Hall Theatre, 45 Main Street, $25, $20 students and senior citizens, performance by Mr Taylor, also performances by The Flagpole Radio Café Orchestra and Flagpole Shakespeare Repertory Theatre; 203-364-0898.

Sunday, March 25

Craft-Bake-Tag Sale, 11 am–4 pm, 82 Main Street, fundraiser for Newtown Relay For Life will be presented by Sole Savers team, with all proceeds to benefit Relay efforts.

Newtown Spring Welcome Craft Fair, 11 am–5 pm, Edmond Town Hall gymnasium, 45 Main Street, free admission, presented by Artisans Alliance; 203-261-2414.

BubbleMania 2012, performances 1 and 3 pm, Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen Street, $8, $30/four patrons, family fun by Casey Carle will offer bubble science, bubble tricks and fun, and “the art of bubbleology,” sponsored by Newtown Junior Women’s Club; 203-270-3767.

Tom Chapin in concert, 3 pm, Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Road, $12–$20/advance, $15–$25/door, performance by nationally acclaimed folk singer and songwriter will also feature The Fairfield County Children’s Choir, jazz violinist Sam Weiser, classical guitarist Yossi Kohrman-Glaser, et al; 203-209-4662.

Monday, March 26

Newtown Youth & Family Services (NYFS) board of directors meeting, 6:30 pm, NYFS office, 17 Church Hill Road.

Board of Fire Commissioners meeting, 7 pm, Hawleyville Firehouse, 34 Hawleyville Road.

Open auditions for Dial M For Murder, 7:30–9 pm, The Little Theater, 18 Orchard Hill Road, director Gene Golaszewski has openings for four men and one woman (all roles open), auditions for Town Players 2012 season opener will be cold readings from script, additional information online, auditions continue March 27.

Tuesday, March 27

“Getting Your Garden Ready For The Returning Birds,” 1 pm, C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street, $5 requested donation, program by Margaret Robbins (owner, Wild Birds Unlimited) will cover plants that are beneficial to hummingbirds and other birds for food or shelter, tips and tricks on attracting specific types of bird to a yard, and more, hosted by The Garden Club of Newtown; 203-512-7320.

American Red Cross CPR course, 6–9 pm, Newtown Youth & Family Services office, 17 Church Hill Road, $55, registration required, course will cover cardiopulmonary resuscitation for infants, children and adults; 203-270-4335.

Conservation Commission meeting, 7 pm, Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street.

Design Advisory Board meeting, 7 pm, Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street.

Public Building and Site Commission meeting, 7 pm, Reed Intermediate School, 3 Trades Lane.

Cultural Arts Commission, 7:30 pm, Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street.

Open auditions for Dial M For Murder, 7:30–9 pm, The Little Theater, 18 Orchard Hill Road, see March 26 details.

Wednesday, March 28

Painting demo by Diane Dubreuil, 1:30 pm, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main Street, free demonstration of creating a landscape using watercolors by award-winning painter, hosted by The Society of Creative Arts of Newtown; 203-426-6654.

Inland Wetlands Commission meeting, 7:30 pm, Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street.

Thursday, March 29

Board of Selectmen special meeting, 7 pm, Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street.

Board of Education Technology Subcommittee meeting, 7:30 pm, Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street.

Friday, March 30

Flashlight Egg Hunt, 8 pm, Dickinson Park, 50 Elm Drive, ages 9 and up invited to grab a flashlight, and bag or basket to collect eggs in, and join Parks & Rec staff for eighth annual event, registration requested, rain date March 31; 203-270-4340.

Saturday, March 31

Boating License Course, 8 am–4 pm, Sandy Hook Fire & Rescue main station, 18-20 Riverside Road, $59 (registration deadline March 28), ages 12 and up will qualify for CT Boating-PWC license by the end of the daylong course taught by Coast Guard Auxiliary instructors, lunch included, proceeds to benefit nonprofit 501(c)(3) Leaps of Faith Water Skiers; 203-426-0666.

“Perfect Prom Newtown,” 10 am–2 pm, The Garage Teen Center, 57 Church Hill Road, Newtown High School senior promgoers are invited to pick out gently used dresses (available sizes 0–22, some new with tags) that have been collected by Newtown Girl Scout Troop 50843, also enter free raffle for manicure, hair styling, and flowers; 203-304-1859.

Plaza South Block Party, 11 am–4 pm, 274 South Main Street, tenants including Union Savings Bank, Sweet Mango, DOrazio Sisters Bakery, Subway, Good Ideas, Pub 25, Z Place for Fitness, et al, will offer discounts, activities and samples, free photos with Easter Bunny, also fire truck and race car display, wine tasting, bounce house, Bubbles the Elephant, raffle for gift baskets; 203-830-6045.

Artist’s Talk: DeAnn L. Prosia, noon, Koenig FrameWorks Gallery, 97 South Main Street, gallery talk by artist known for her very detailed line drawings, one of two artists with work currently on view at gallery until April 28; 203-270-1887.

NUMC Monthly Pasta Dinner, 5–7:30 pm, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road, $9 adults, $8 seniors, $3.50 children, full pasta dinner with beverages and homemade desserts, takeout available, bonus event in March will make up for no coffee house in April due to Easter holiday; 203-426-9998.

NBLA Wine Tasting & Silent Auction Fundraiser, 5–8 pm, McLaughlin’s Vineyards, 14 Albert’s Hill Road, $30 (reservations required & limited), fundraiser by Newtown Bridle Lands Association will offer catered refreshments & wine tastings, auction items to include restaurant gift certificates, riding lessons, fitness workout certificates, home architectural assessment, and more; 203-791-4853.

NUMC Coffee House, 7:45–10:30 pm, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road, admission $4 for those attending earlier pasta dinner (see listing above), $5 otherwise, bluegrass, country and folk music by Roger Sprung & Friends, refreshments available; 203-426-9998.

Sunday, April 1

PALM SUNDAY

APRIL FOOL’S DAY

Escher String Quartet with Jason Vieaux in concert, 3 pm, Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, $20 (season tickets available), free ages 5–-14 with ticket-holding adult, finale of 2011-12 season sponsored by Newtown Friends of Music will include works of Castel-Nuovo, Boccherini, Verdi and Vivaldi; 203-426-6470.

2nd Annual Inter-Faith Passover Seder, 4:30 pm, Congregation Adath Israel, 115 Huntingtown Road, $5 per person (reservations requested by March 25; space limited), all invited to Seder with officiating clergy from Congregation Adath Israel and local churches; 203-426-5188.