The way everyone was watching Alan Greenspan so closely on Tuesday this week reminded me a little bit of the great groundhog vigil in Punxsutawney, Penn., every February 2. Evidently investors still felt the chill wind of winter in his words, since the market headed south immediately afterwards.

Talk about anxious times. As if the stock market’s instability isn’t enough, Newtown resident and Legislative Council member John Kortze (a VP at Prudential Securities) is also dealing with the excitement of becoming a father for the second time. His wife, Tara, was due to give birth to their second child at any time this week. Best wishes to mom, dad, and baby.

A big crowd turned out for last Saturday’s fundraiser for Newtown Youth Services at the Fireside Inn. Among the highlights were a visit from a man who was the spitting image of Michael Jackson, Sue Shpunt winning $875 in the 50-50 raffle, and a New York Jets autographed football getting auctioned off for $900.

The first selectman’s office seemed more like a real estate agency this week as numerous calls came in from people looking to buy the town-owned homes along Queen Street. The callers were promptly told that the homes were not for sale at this time. No doubt, the homes will sell like hotcakes should they ever go on the market.

If the Newtown police show up at your house after you’ve telephoned a person with a 914 area code in New York State, don’t be surprised. It seems that sometimes, people dialing the 914 area code mistakenly dial 911 on their telephone’s keypad. As soon as that happens, the Emergency 911 system in Newtown is activated and police learn the point of origin of the call. Because the call was misdialed and doesn’t go through to New York State, the person who placed that call probably dials New York State again, so that when the police telephone that address to check on the nature of problem which caused the 911 call, they get a busy signal. The busy signal requires that the police go to the address to learn the nature of the problem. What the police often find is someone at that address who is contentedly chatting with a friend in New York State.

Edgar Beers is not one to get too excited, but the chairman of the Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers seemed somewhat giddy this week. It may be due to the fact that the landscaping around town hall is about to get a lot nicer. The Town & Country Garden Club and Planters Choice has offered to lend a green thumb to the cause. Planting in the front of the building is scheduled to begin in April.

I’d like to wish Sandy Hook School Secretary Joanne Didonato a happy birthday again this year. She has worked at Sandy Hook School for 13 years. She will be celebrating her 52nd birthday on Sunday, March 25. So be sure to wish her a happy birthday when you see her.

Everybody seems to be talking about last week’s Republican nomination of Owen Carney for first selectman. Most people say they know Owen from his years in the Newtown Police Department and his involvement with the Congregational Church. Owen is less known for his politics and everyone wants to know what’s up his sleeve.

At a recent fire, we saw a firefighter suiting up in a bunker coat who looked suspiciously like town engineer Ron Bolmer. In fact, it was Ron. It seems that after years of considering it, Ron has joined the Dodgingtown Volunteer Fire Department.

Everyone in town knows that there is a going-out-of-business sale at the Grand Union. But I was surprised to hear that the discount – currently 40 percent – also applies to baked goods that are freshly made each day. Even custom-ordered birthday cakes!

Tom McKirdy, a Monroe police officer who lives in Newtown,  will be honored Friday by the American Red Cross. Tom is one of 14 community-nominated individuals receiving the “Heroes of Southeastern Fairfield County” award. The award honors Tom’s heroism in saving the life of a an 18-month-old child who nearly drowned in her family’s swimming pool this past July. Congratulations Tom.

Abigail Modelowitz from Washington Manor Middle School in San Leandro, California, is doing a school project of planning a vacation to Connecticut. She would like information sent to her about the area, such as family activities, historical sites, or unique artifacts that make Connecticut special. Information can be sent to her at 1170 Fargo Avenue, San Leandrao, CA 94579.

Finally, Health District Director Mark Cooper is back at work after having his gall bladder removed during emergency surgery last week. Mark had been suffering with from gallstones but was trying to control the problem with his diet. Mark brought his pebbles in to work this week for show and tell. I didn’t have the nerve to ask if they had been tested for uranium.

I promise I’ll get my nerve back in plenty of time for next week’s column, so…

Read me again.