Well, it wasn’t the Top of the Mountain, but it was the Top of the Cliff — that’s where seven members of the Newtown Venture Crew 70 found themselves this past Sunday. The middle and high school troop members spent the day climbing up and rappelling down the side of a 50-foot cliff in Orenaug Park in Woodbury as a prerequisite to a caving trip planned for later this month. All of this was under the direction of climbing expert Aaron Cox and advisor Peter Van Buskirk, and the watchful eye of this climbing cat. Congratulations to all the young people who mastered their fears and gained confidence. I liked the mantra I heard them use with each other — “Now you know you can do anything!”

I wonder if Dr Kevin Braun felt singled out when soloist Chuck Magoulos wowed listeners this past Saturday with the wonderfully wicked song, “Dentist!” from Little Shop of Horrors? Local tooth meister Dr Braun was in the audience at the Newtown Choral Society’s spring concert, “Phobias: The Music” and I bet you can’t guess which phobia that piece referred to….

It’s a bird, it’s a plane! No, it’s Supermoon! The full moon this Saturday will be stupendous, as it makes its closest pass to the earth this year. The Supermoon will peak at 11:35 pm, but will definitely catch your eye all night long. You can put away your binoculars for this one.

A little bird tells me (they don’t tweet for nuthin’) that the first New York City production of Listen to Your Mother, a national series of live readings by local writers, will take place Sunday, May 6. Why do we care? Well, a show about motherhood, right around Mother’s Day is one reason, but I’m meowing about it because Newtown’s own Kate Mayer (Eggleston) is in the production. Kate is one of about a dozen writer/blogger/tweeter/moms presenting her own take on what it means to wear the mom hat. The show is sold out (barring any cancellations) but will be on YouTube after Sunday. Find out more about the show at listentoyourmother.com.

Newtown artist Martha LaMarche is excited about the first installment at the education trail in the Saugatuck Falls Open Space in Redding. Martha was hired by the Redding Land Trust to incorporate artwork and written material done by Redding school students in a durable information sign that will be one of many the trust hopes to install along the trail over the years. The challenge, Martha tells me, was to create an informative sign appealing to all ages, while preserving the integrity of the children’s works. This first sign provides info on the natural features, as well as historic information and significance of the Eastern White Pine. The sign was scheduled to be unveiled at 3 pm, this Friday, May 4.

Marleen and Bill Cafarelli’s photography is on display in the Newtown Savings Bank lower lobby, main branch, if you are feeling the need for some photographic inspiration. The Business of the Month exhibit features the portrait, architectural, marketing, and environmental photography of the husband and wife team, in business for 20 years. You don’t want to walk on by this show, viewable during regular bank hours. Visit PhotoArtWorks.info to find out more.

Patients of Newtown Center of Pediatrics are missing Dr Richard Auerbach, who recently had some pretty serious surgery. Dr Rick’s wife, Julie, called this week to let us know that her husband’s spinal surgery was a little more complicated than surgeons expected, which means a recovery time of up to eight weeks. Rick has temporarily lost the use of his legs, but he is expected to make a full recovery, said Julie. Meanwhile, partner Dr Laura Nowacki is holding down the practice, which means it will be busier than usual for the patients who visit 10 Queen Street for their appointments. “Please be patient,” said Julie. “And if anyone would like to write a note or send a card, I think he would appreciate it.” Sometimes it’s drawings and words from the youngest population that seems to be the best medicine available.

National Nurses Week is celebrated annually from May 6, National Nurses Day, through May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. That’s this coming week, folks. Nurses are everywhere that there are people in need, and this coming week is your chance to seek one out and say thanks to him or her for all the care, compassion, and skill a nurse provides.

How about taking your favorite nurse to a concert? WMNR Fine Arts Radio is having a 30th Anniversary concert this Sunday, May 6, at 3 pm, at Edmond Town Hall. In celebration of the Monroe-based radio station’s third decade, there will be performances by WMNR broadcasters Will Duchon, Joanne Moryl, Garrett Stack, Diana Blase, Rosalind Friedman, John Ryden, and Kurt Anderson performing music of Chopin, Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” Debussy, Satie, Cole Porter, and Leroy Anderson — plus performances by renowned violinist Alexander Markov, and the Connecticut Choral Society Chamber Singers. Tickets are $10, at wmnr.org.

If that doesn’t satisfy your musical needs, Newtowner Lindsey Jones will present her senior recital performance on violin, Monday evening, May 7, at 7 pm, at the Ives Concert Hall of WestConn, in Danbury. Lindsey will perform pieces by Bach, Beethoven, and Faure, and will be accompanied by Alexis Zingale on piano.

Put on your tap shoes, ballet slippers, or blue suede shoes and dance your way over to the front steps of Edmond Town Hall, Saturday, May 12, at 12:45 pm. Lathrop School of Dance is having a generational photo taken there, and anyone that has been a part of Lathrop’s School of Dance over the years — dancing, working behind the scenes, whatever — is invited to take part in the photo. For more information, contact the school at 203-426-5757.

Don’t be a bad little kitten: Mother’s Day is coming up, Sunday, May 13. It’s time to think about how you’re going to honor the woman who thinks that you are always the Top Cat. (Not to mention, being the one who gave you life….) Kids ages 5–10 can stop by Ice Cream Heaven on any Saturday in May, from 10 am to 5 pm, to make a craft for mom, if you are stuck for ideas. Practice hugging, is my advice: moms like that.

After I practice hugging my napping chair, I’ll be prowling about for juicy bits of news. So next week, be sure to… Read me again.