The expression “tough old bird” is applicable to a certain Laysan albatross named Wisdom that has called the Hawaiian Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge home for six decades. The refuge took a hit from the March 11 tsunami, and US Fish & Wildlife tallied up a loss of 2,000 adult Laysan albatross and more than 110,000 chicks. But they were relieved to find that among the losses was not the 60-year-old bird, first banded in 1956. She has successfully raised 30 chicks, and outlived the average albatross by 20 years at this point. Wisdom is America’s “oldest, free-flying bird,” and the oldest living bird ever banded by USF&W. I guess this is one bird I wouldn’t want to tangle with. And that’s no joke.

I’ve learned that the James Beard Foundation has nominated Newtowner Elissa Altman’s blog, www.PoorMansFeast.com, for Best Individual Food Blog 2010. The James Beard Foundation Awards “shine a spotlight on the best and brightest talent in the food and beverage industry,” according to the foundation’s website. Winners will be announced at the May 6 awards night in Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, in the City. Good luck, Elissa!

Congratulations to Don Droppo, Jr, CEO of Curtis Packaging, who has been named to Connecticut Magazine’s “40 Under 40.” Don was chosen from a group of Connecticut’s most promising young leaders, and recognized for his leadership that makes Curtis Packaging a “model for other small-to-midsized manufacturers” in Connecticut. Thanks to Don’s efforts, the Sandy Hook business became the first folding carton manufacture in North America to use 100 percent renewable electricity, is carbon neutral, and is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and Sustainable Forests Initiative. Oh, I think I feel a Good Egg Award coming on. (Feel free to cut it out and frame it, Don.)

Local butcher Steve Ford of Butcher’s Best on South Main Street (in the Newtown Deli) got a nice write-up in the April issue of Connecticut Magazine, too, by the way. Check out “The Butcher’s Back” article by Elizabeth Keyser to find out about Newtown’s classic meat cutter.

Don’t forget that you can nominate someone for a Good Egg Award. People who fly below the radar doing good deeds are not often acknowledged. If you know some deserving soul, please e-mail my personal secretary at Nancy@thebee.com.

At www.time.com, I came across an article about the “15 Smartest Toys For Young Geniuses,” and what made my whiskers perk up was noticing that one of those select items is a new line of Magic School Bus science lab kits. The kits include everything today’s Young Frankenstein might need to do scientific experiments, such as the slides, microscope, vials, plant parts, and notebook that come with the Microscope Kit. The kits are a spin off to the Magic School Bus book series penned by Connecticut author Joanna Cole and illustrated by Newtown’s Bruce Degen.

Members of Liz Luzietti’s religious education class at St Rose decorated cakes recently with residents of Maplewood at Newtown, on Mt Pleasant Road. Religious Ed classmates Charlie Fletcher, Devin Luzietti, Sam Duffy, Samantha Luzietti, and Julia Barrows spread frosting, and good will. Ms Luzietti, a cake decorator at Andrea’s Bakery, a Maplewood volunteer, and CCD instructor at St Rose, enjoys bringing “some of my world’s together for a good time and a feel good boost.” This class, as well as Amanda Brickner, and Celia and Romy Gold, has also participated in pet therapy, manicures, and Wii games with Maplewood residents, earning community service hours or giving time “just from the bottoms of their hearts,” says Ms Luzietti.

Education reporter Eliza Hallabeck took a quick peep into a conference room at Reed Intermediate School last Friday, and met three chicks: Salt, Pepper, and Yertle. The fuzzy baby chickens were visiting the school courtesy of Reed student Jacklin Gouvea and her mother, Sue. From what Eliza tells me, the chicks, which hatched on Sunday, March 21, will continue to visit the school until they outgrow their cardboard box abode. Yertle received a little extra attention on Friday, for being the only black naked-neck chicken in the bunch. Jacklin held up Salt for our reporter to photograph. Now why wouldn’t they have sent me on this assignment?

If you want to be “bowled” over and support a great cause, be sure to stop by at the Maplewood at Newtown Spring Fever Fest this Saturday, April 2, from 1 to 4 pm. The Mt Pleasant Road assisted living facility is providing Caribbean-style food samples, wine and beer for tastings, and ice cream to turn into “make your own sundaes,” in bowls handcrafted by members of the Connecticut Pottery Artists and students of local potter Karen Pinto. Your bowl can be purchased if you lick it clean and find you love it, and are priced between $5 and $20. All of the proceeds will support Kevin’s Community Center, as will the $5 entry fee for the afternoon. There will be arts and crafts projects for kids, music, and lots of other fun things going on, so spring into Spring!

Then, if you are looking for yet another cause to support, on Sunday afternoon, April 3, a performance troupe from Connecticut Dance!, performers from MegaHurtz Entertainment Company, Brady’s Bunch, and The Coastal Chordsmen, will all perform during the “Symphony of Smiles” fundraiser. The event will begin at noon, at Edmond Town Hall. Admission is $10 per person, with proceeds to benefit Brady’s Smile, a Fairfield-based 501(c)(3) charitable organization that was created by Annie and Matt Hinton in memory of their son, Brady. It is the mission of the Hintons to help do big things for little ones in need, and pass on Brady’s unforgettable spirit through every life they touch. Their primary goal is to help make life easier in the newborn and pediatric intensive care facilities for patients and their families. They currently have four programs established to help accomplish this goal. For additional information call 203-258-5667 or send e-mail to tracy@BradysSmile.org to purchase tickets.

The April Fools’ Day jokes are keeping me all smiles today, and I’ll be all smiles next week, if you…. Read me again.