It is a wild kingdom over at Renee Baade’s on Obtuse Road. Renee is always happy to invite her feathered friends to her yard to feast, but this winter a few other creatures have paid a visit. Last Thursday, Renee photographed this bobcat crossing her front yard — maybe the same big kitty spotted last week on Albert’s Hill?  This past January, she had a very unbirdlike bird at one of her feeders — a handsome red fox. And, Renee tells me that she is hoping to catch sight again of what was certainly her most unusual guest this winter, a semi-albino deer. With all that activity in Renee’s yard, I think I’ll make sure to keep my pussyfooting far from Obtuse Road. I’m suddenly feeling vulnerable.

You might not get bowled over by wildlife, but get ready to be bowled over by the Bowl-athon coming up at Maplewood at Newtown on Mt Pleasant Road, April 2. The Connecticut Clay Artists of Fairfield County and members of local potter Karen Pinto’s clay classes are busy crafting bowls to be used (and hopefully purchased) by guests at the Maplewood Bowl-athon make-your-own-sundae event to support Kevin’s Community Center. There will be lots of other activities, too, that day, so mark your calendar.

“There she was, a justa walkin’ down the street, singin’…” Hey, George Clooney! Who else but 2010 NHS grad Samantha Kent would this happen to? Gorgeous George is on Miami University campus this week (where Samantha is a freshman) to shoot some scenes for a movie he is directing. Sam spotted his familiar face outside of one of the campus buildings on Tuesday, and managed to stammer out his name. “He smiled/winked/was beautiful in my direction,” she has managed to drool out to those of us in her circle of friendship. I think the cat got her tongue, though, when he asked, “What’s up?” Actor Ryan Goslin is at Miami, too, and my money is on Samantha to connect with him before he leaves campus! Waiting for the photos, Samantha…

I’m always up for a good laugh, and local funny guy Andrew Kennedy is ready to help. Andrew will be appearing Saturday, March 5, at the Downtown Cabaret Theater in Bridgeport, as part of the Barnum Festival event. Tickets are $35 and available by calling 203-367-8495. For more info, e-mail office@barnumfestival.com.

They take their work very seriously, but the members of Newtown Underwater Search And Rescue (NUSAR) also know how to laugh at themselves at times. Take it from me, these guys are definitely going to be laughed at, at least a little, when they play their annual fundraiser-comedy basketball game this weekend. NUSAR will host the Harlem Superstars at Newtown High School on Saturday, March 5. The game starts at 7 and will be in the new gymnasium at 12 Berkshire Road. Tickets will be available at the door and are $10 for adults, $5 for ages 6–18; children ages 5 and under will be admitted for free. Proceeds of the yearly game will help NUSAR purchase new equipment for the volunteer dive rescue and recovery team.

Christ the King Lutheran Church Pastor Greg Wismar’s 11th “Pastor’s Pilgrim’s Trip” to Israel this year will depart November 28 and return December 6. There will be visits to Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the Mount of Olives, and Nazareth. Special activities will include a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and a cable car journey to the top of Masada, near the Dead Sea — all for a base price of $1,698 plus taxes and tips. A special program will be held at the 85 Mt Pleasant Road church, Saturday, March 5, at 7:30 pm. Enjoy a dessert potluck while viewing video and slides by Pastor Wismar that will both outline the November journey while sharing stories from previous trips. The travel group will include first-time Holy Land travelers, as well as people returning to Israel for a repeat visit. Even if you can’t travel in November, if you would just like to join Pastor Wismar as he shares slides from previous trips, all are welcome. Further information is available by calling 203-426-0651.

How many pancakes do you suppose St John’s Episcopal Church has produced during its 53 previous years of hosting its Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper? I don’t know, but I’ll be among those counting up more Tuesday, March 8, from 5 to 7:30 pm, when this year’s annual event is held in the church’s hall on Washington Avenue. The traditional meal of country-style pancakes with home-style corned beef hash, country sausage, applesauce and beverages will be served. Donation is $8 for adults, and $4 for ages children 3–10; children ages 2 and under will be served free of charge. Takeout orders will be available. It may be a small church, but there is plenty of parking available both behind the church and in the community parking lot above the lot. For additional information contact Bruce or Cheryl Moulthrop at 203-426-3112.

I hear that March is “Board of Education Recognition” month. The board is made up of volunteers who give many, many hours of their time to represent the townspeople and because of the volatile nature of the beast, they are rarely thanked for what they do. It is easy to dump on these elected friends and neighbors, but remember, it takes more muscles to frown than smile. (Or to turn your whiskers down than to leave them upright.) Take a moment to offer the olive branch of peace in March!

March is also Women’s History Month, celebrating women’s achievements over the centuries. The 2011 theme is “Our History Is Our Strength.” If you know a strong woman, make sure you thank her for all she does and is. To find out more, visit nwhp.org.

Newtown Middle School eight grade students Sophia Matsis, Veronica Moyer, and Alexandra Dittrich are participating in The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge. This challenge encourages students to identify an environmental issue in their community they are concerned about and then create sustainable improvements. On Friday, March 11, from 3 to 6 pm, the students will be at Stop & Shop in Sand Hill Plaza collecting plastic shopping bags. Individuals who bring 15 plastic bags to be recycled will receive a reusable bag for free. The students will be distributing 100 reusable bags, and there is no limit to the number of bags an individual can bring to be recycled. 

Speaking of recycling… Natural cork, the kind used in wine bottle closures, is a perfect choice for recycling. It’s 100 percent natural, biodegradable, and renewable. Thanks to of a worldwide interest in sustainable agriculture and natural products like cork, an alliance of concerned businesses, individuals, and ecological organizations has been formed, called ReCORK, to address the opportunities to recycle natural cork closures. McLaughlin Vineyards in Sandy Hook is among the collection points for ReCORK, so empty that drawer of used corks at home and drop them by, the next time you’re headed out to the Albert’s Hill Road vineyard.

I try not to recycle the news, but I think that this column will be sustainable, so long as you promise to… Read me again.