The fog came on little cat feet (as American poet Carl Sandberg once wrote) this Monday, and stayed for a good part of the day, hovering over winter’s first significant snowfall that arrived Saturday. With temperatures rising progressively through the week, it was a brief brush with the snowfall, after all.

While we were quickly making snowmen and shoveling the remains of the storm, though, more than a billion Asians worldwide celebrated The Year of the Dragon, Monday, Chinese New Year’s, with lots of fireworks and dancing. The Year of the Dragon traditionally brings prosperity and power, something everyone could use a little of this year. Happy New Year, to all who rang in New Year’s Day at the beginning of the week.

I know that when I indulge in sweets, it’s not so great for my incisors and molars if I don’t brush. A little help from my human friends is useful in that area, and my friends at Mt Pleasant Animal Hospital remind me that there’s no time like the upcoming month to get in the habit. February is National Pet Dental Health Month, and you can find tips at avma.org. Find out the best way to brush Fido’s teeth on The Bee video, produced last year with Dr Mixon from Newtown Veterinary Center at youtube.com/user/TheNewtownBee, “How To Brush Your Dog’s Teeth.”

Mark Ingram will be at The Institute for American Indian Studies next month, leading a performance-discussion-demonstration program called “African Beat: Ancient Musical Instruments” on Saturday, February 11. The former Sandy Hook resident, now residing in Roxbury, will use traditional instruments and discuss the evolution of musical instruments through time during his one-hour program, which is suitable for all ages. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children, and the program will begin at 1 pm. Reservations are requested. The museum, at 38 Curtis Road, Washington, can be reached by calling 860-868-0518.

The Newtown Rotary Club held the drawing for its fundraising raffle on Sunday, January 22, at Newtown Country Club, and three people went home with some pretty impressive prizes. The first prize, a 55-inch Samsung Smart HDTV and 3D Blue Ray Player with Surround Sound, was won by Samantha Kohler of Newtown. Joanne Caruso of Sandy Hook won the second prize, an Apple 16GB iPad, and third prize, an Acer Netbook computer, was won by Mike Colletti of Hauppauge, N.Y. Rotary Club President Pat Caruso said the fundraiser, which had been co-chaired by Rotary members Bill Calderara and Pat Kelley, was another successful effort for the club. “One hundred percent of the proceeds of this raffle will go to support Newtown Rotary’s charitable efforts both locally, as well as in the greater world community,” Mr Caruso added.

There’s nothing like a good stretch, I always say, and The Graceful Planet and Flow to Fit Yoga are joining forces to help you do just that, in March. Beginning Friday, March 2, they will offer a yoga class to the community in exchange for a small donation of $8 or less to a “spotlighted” charity of the month. The first event takes place at Graceful Planet, 7 Berkshire Road, Sandy Hook, from 7 to 8 pm, led by Amie Meleshkewich of Flow to Fit Yoga. Bring some friends and enjoy the stretching, strengthening and stress relieving benefits of yoga, while at the same time supporting others in need. No prior yoga experience is necessary. For more information visit www.flowtofityoga.com or call 203-910-3141.

It wasn’t a Nighthawk, but it was a hawk that swooped into Newtown High School on Tuesday morning. A call was put in to animal control, but this “day hawk” found its own way back out into the wide world. I guess he found the walls of the school house too confining. Watch out for your smaller pets Newtown — I know I’m keeping my eye on the sky. That’s one bird I’m pretty sure I won’t be stalking.

No stalking, but I hope to do some walking this weekend when Dr Aaron Coopersmith leads a walk at Holcomb Hill, Saturday, January 28, beginning at 1 pm. Dr Coopersmith will give a guided tour of the property off of Great Hill Road and share some interesting bits of history, as well. Wear warm, layered clothes, waterproof and comfortable footwear, and you might want to bring a drink along, too. Meet in the parking lot of the preserve off of Great Hill Road, at 1 pm.

I think I might head over to Plaza South after that vigorous walk and have myself a nice cappuccino or latte at DOrazio Sisters Bakery. JoJo and AnnMarie celebrated one year in business last November by moving from their tiny storefront on the Monroe border to a space in the South Main Street shopping plaza, up the hill, where they can now bake all of their delicious cheesecakes, cannolis, Italian cookies and pastries, pies, and special cakes on premises. The space also include a lovely café area, where the sisters’ tasty treats can be enjoyed along with a specialty coffee. JoJo tells me that they have expanded the business to include entrees and stuffed bread to go, and receive a delivery of bread from New York’s Arthur Avenue each day. Want a cake for a special occasion? Give them a call at 203-270-3671. The bakery is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 9 am to 7 pm, and on Sunday, from 9 am to 3 pm.

If you found yourself in a sticky situation on Wednesday, maybe you were celebrating National Peanut Butter Day. Curious about the creamy, nutty spread on which Americans will spend approximately $800 million this year? Here’s a few facts we scooped out of the Internet jar: It takes about 540 peanuts to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter; the average child will eat 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches before he/she graduates high school; arachibutyrophobia is the fear of getting peanut butter stuck to the roof of your mouth (a fear of which most dogs seem to be oblivious…); the average American consumes more than six pounds of peanuts and peanut butter products each year; peanuts have a higher antioxidant capacity over grapes, Concord grape juice, green tea, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, or carrots; and people living on the East Coast prefer creamy peanut butter, while those on the West Coast prefer the crunchy style.

What can I say? I hope you’ll stick to it next week and… Read me again.