I hear there are going to be some fancy cowboy boots stomping up a storm at the annual Rooster Bash, this Friday evening, September 16. They'll be dancing in the moonlight - that's for sure. Not only is it the Newtown Arts Festival big dinner dance up at Fairfield Hills, but it is the full moon. The Harvest Moon, the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox (September 22) will shed plenty of light on the revelers. A penumbral lunar eclipse, in which just a bit of Earth's shadow crosses the face of the moon, takes place that night, as well. Here in New England, it won't cast a shadow on the fun, though, as it will only be visible in the western Pacific Ocean and parts of Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. You may be able to score a ticket still for the Bash atwww.newtownartscommission.org editor@thebee.comThe Bee is still seeking residents interested in participating in our annual political forum, Tuesday, October 18. The Tuesday evening ETH event starts with a meet and greet at 7 pm, followed by what is hoped to be a town hall-style event, from 7:30 to 9 pm. Selected residents will get to be on stage to pose questions to the participating candidates. For details, contacttfm2013@aol.comWhether you enjoy trout fishing or simply love our waterways, here's a way to help. The Pootatuck Watershed Association is seeking volunteers for Saturday, September 24, from 9 am to 3 pm, to help with planting a riparian buffer along Deep Brook, installing spawning gravel in a tributary of Deep Brook, and improving the pool structure for fish in this same tributary. For more information or to sign up, contact Michael Fatse at 203-650-1359 or editor@thebee.comDid you take your copy of The Newtown Bee on vacation this year? If you have a photo of The Bee abroad, please consider sharing it with us. Submit a high res color photo to www.cvhfoundation.orgI'm keeping my fingers crossed for good weather this coming Sunday, September 18, not only for the Arts Festival, but for Sunday at the Sanctuary, hosted by the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation. There's family yoga scheduled at 9 am; a butterfly program at 11 am, and a "Season's Change" program at 1 am - and it's free. All take place on the grounds of the future Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, Old Farm Road, beyond the dog park. For more on the day's event, go to The Bee online and print calendars to stay up to date.

, but no tickets will be sold at the door. (Cowboy boots optional, by the way...)

Save some energy for the next fun-filled days, when the Arts Festival presents its huge two-day extravaganza of vendors, food, music, theater, and interactive art. Saturday and Sunday, September 17 and 18, the Newtown Arts Festival sets up on the grounds at Fairfield Hills, from 10 am to 6 pm. Be sure to stop by The Newtown Bee booth on Saturday and enter to win a free year's subscription to the paper. You don't want to miss a week of this column, right?

Former NMS tech ed teacher Don Ramsey will be at the Arts Festival. "I should have over a thousand handmade neckties by NMS students to sell at Newtown Arts Festival this weekend - incredible creations that capture the artistic soul of these students over a ten-year period. I hope to raise money for Ability Beyond. I actually have about 2,000," Don tells us, "but that's too many to bring at one time." I would agree with him, that his may be the largest collection of handmade ties in the nation, especially made by middle school artisans. (If our publisher is lucky, maybe there'll be a bow tie or two in the collection...)

Annual Health and Public Safety Fair organizers Mae Schmidle, Della Schmid, and Donna Culbert are excited to host the event at Reed Intermediate School this year. The Health Fair, held in previous years at Newtown Middle School, takes place this Saturday, September 17, from 9 am to 1 pm. You won't want to miss the MEGA Body, which Donna describes as "a larger-than-life, walk through-model of the entire human body." Lots of exhibitors and health screenings mean you can learn all kinds of ways to live a healthy and happy life. Pretty convenient that the Health Fair this year is a hop, skip, and a jump to the Arts Festival at Fairfield Hills, too, so you can have a full day of fun, fun, fun.

, no later than Thursday, September 22 - subject line "Political Forum," with a sample of two questions you would consider asking the politicians - or stop by the office at 5 Church Hill Road.

"He's Got The Whole World In His Hands" and apparently, a few in the congregation, too. I understand there was a little "flash mob" action during the September 11 service at Newtown Congregational Church. You just never know where those choristers are going to pop up.

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, along with names, date, place, and contact information, and we will try to print as many as space permits. Hiking, biking, climbing, meditating, or on a picnic - we'd love to know how you spend time away from home with your hometown paper.

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Thinking ahead to Halloween? The Cornerstone Thrift Center, lower level of Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street, has a selection of very affordable costumes and decor for the spooky holiday - many items less than $5. The Cornerstone is open Tuesday to Friday, 11 am to 4 pm; Saturday, 11 am to 1:30 pm.

Whew. I may need a big cat nap by the time the next few days are over - and there are still more arts and community events falling on days throughout the rest of the month. Check

I'll be done napping and back out and about collecting more news this coming week, though, so please plan to... Read me again.