Antiques Shows______

Saturdays: Woodbury’s Famous Antiques & Flea Market, Rte 6 near Rte 64, Woodbury, 7 am-1 pm, 150± vendors each week, event runs weekly through mid-Dec; 203-263-2841.

Sundays (through Dec 19): Elephant’s Trunk Country Flea Market, Rte 7, New Milford, 7 am-2:30 pm (early buying 5:45 am, $20), adm $1.

Nov 6-7: Simsbury Historical Society’s 35th Annual Simsbury Antiques Show, Henry James Junior High School, 155 Firetown Rd, Simsbury, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm, adm $6, proceeds to benefit Phelps Tavern Museum & Homestead; 860-658-2500.

Nov 14: 51st Edition of Greater Hartford Vintage Clothing & Jewelry Show & Sale, Emanuel Synagogue, Mohegan Dr, West Hartford, 10:30 am-4 pm, adm $5.50, 50 booths; 860-342-2520.

Nov 19-20: 4th Annual Wethersfield Antiques Show, Pitkin Community Center, 30 Greenfield St, Wethersfield, Fri early buying 4-6 pm (adm $10), then preview party at 7 pm (adm $25), regular show hours Sat 10 am-4 pm, adm $6, 46 Northeast dealers, lecture (Sat 2 pm, “Joined Furniture of Hartford County, 1650-1725” by Historic Deerfield curator Joshua Lane), proceeds will benefit Wethersfield Museum & its related programs; 860-529-7656.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Hours: Mon-Thurs 10 am-8 pm, Fri 12-5 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 426-4533.

In first floor display cases (near Children’s Dept) — Through Nov 26: “The Woodchuck’s Toys,” handmade wooden toys by Sandy Hook toymaker Jim Makowicki.

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room — *(new show) Nov 4-30: photographs by members of Candlewood Camera Club; Nov 7, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

On library’s main floor —Through Nov 23: “Near And Far: Water Colors and Oils by Betty Christensen,” new views of familiar sites and street scenes by Newtown artist Betty Christensen.

Fenn Gallery of Contemporary Art, 345 Main Street/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Thurs-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 203-263-2821.

*(new show) Nov 6-Dec 5: group show celebrating grand opening of new gallery; Nov 6, opening reception, 2-6 pm.

Fine Line Art Gallery, 586 Main St South/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Thurs-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 203-266-0110.

*(new show) Nov 5-7: “Festival in Color,” original art, pottery & jewelry by gallery members, coincides w/ annual autumn show at Woodbury’s Old Town Hall.

Golden Age of Trucking Museum, 1101 Southford Rd/Rte 188, Middlebury. Hours: Thurs-Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 12-4 pm. Call 203-577-2181.

*(new show) Through March 2005: “Yesterday’s Trucks, Tomorrow’s Memories,” commemorative watercolors by Brian Colbath.

Grey Horse Gallery, 3 Washington Ave/Rte 34 (in old Masonic Temple, 1st floor; behind St John’s Episcopal Church), Sandy Hook. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-4 pm. Call 270-1199.

Permanent display of oils & pastels by Dick McEvoy.

Knights of Columbus Museum, 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven. Hours: Labor Day to May 1, Wed-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm; May 2 to Labor Day, daily 10 am-5 pm. Call 203-772-2130.

*(new show) Through Jan 9: “Jerusalem and The Holy Land Rediscovered,” 90 tinted & hand-colored lithographs of the Scottish painter David Roberts evoking the artist’s journey to the Holy Land & its sites during the 1830s, on loan from Duke University.

Miller Studio & Gallery/Beaux Arts Gallery, 495 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Sun 12-4:30 pm. Call 203-263-3939.

Through Nov 15: “Thomas C. Adkins: Recent Paintings,” new works by Mr Adkins sharing his “visual journey into the hills of New England.”

Minor Memorial Library, 23 South St, Roxbury. Hours: Sat 10 am-2 pm, Mon & Wed 10 am-7 pm, Thurs-Fri 10 am-5 pm. Call 860-350-2181.

*(new show) Nov 6-Dec 1: “Two Views: Photographs of The American Scene,” platinum/palladium prints by Carl Weese incl pcs from his “Shepaug Suite,” “Flatland” and “Virginia Hills” series, digital color photography of the Southwest by David Peter Arnold; Nov 6, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

Ridgefield Guild of Artists (RGA) Gallery, Halpin La, Ridgefield. Hours: Thurs-Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-438-8863.

*(new show) Nov 12-Dec 19: “Holiday Market,” RGA’s annual sale of fine art & artisanry, all priced for gift-giving.

Sadelier, 69 West Wooster St, Danbury. Hours: Tues-Thurs, Sat 11 am-5 pm, Fri 11 am-6 pm, Mon by appt. Call 743-4830.

Through Nov 20: intricately sculpted ceramic pcs by Mary Lou Alberetti.

Washington Art Association, Bryant Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 860-868-2878.

Through Nov 18: “Annual Student Exhibition 2004,” works by students who have taken classes or workshops at WAA during 2003 & 2004.

White Silo Farm Winery & Gallery, 32 Rte 37, Sherman. Hours: Fri-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 860-355-0271.

Through Nov 14: paintings, drawings, collages & assemblages by Carolyn Cohen, watercolors by Ellen Hoyt, oils, watercolors, drawings & collages by Ann Price, also works by Kristin Muller.

Wilton Art Gallery & Framing, 379 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, Wilton. Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am-6 pm, Sat 9:30 am-5 pm, Sun by appt. Call 203-762-8311.

*(new show) Nov 8-Dec 6: “Fred Stein photography: Paris 1930s – New York 1940s – Portraits,” street scenes of Paris in the years just before German occupation, New York during & just after WWII, plus portraits of intellectuals, artists & statesmen who shaped the political & cultural events of the 20th Century; Nov 12, opening reception, 6-8 pm.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Diaz Memorial Video Festival, c/o Charter Communications, 11 Commerce Rd, Newtown. Call 860-350-4630, 860-354-8930.

Nov 19 (deadline extended): Videos due for 2nd annual festival, awards in 2 age groups (students/ages 14-18 & adult), contact Charter for full competition details, winners will be announced in Dec, non-winning entries from last year may be resubmitted.

St Jude Church Christmas Fair, at church’s Parish Center, Rte 111, Monroe. Call 261-6404.

Dec 4: Seeking crafters & artisans for annual Christmas Fair, will run 10 am-4 pm, rain date Dec 5 (1-5 pm), table fees $50 & $90, available first-come first-served, contact parish office for details.

Washington Art Association, Bryan Memorial Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot. Call 860-868-2878.

Nov 20: Artists & fine crafters invited to submit work for annual Holiday Gift Sale, entry fee $20, accepting contemporary & traditional original fine & crafts incl pottery, jewelry, metalwork, textiles, woodwork, fused & blown glass, sculpture, fine art, photos, cards, calendar & prints, no manufactured items, imported crafts, work from kits or any items made w/ plastic or silk floral elements, no portfolios, art must be ready to hand & is limited to 2 pcs per artist, max size 2 by 2 ft incl frame, receiving will be Nov 20-21, show will run Nov 26-Dec 24, WAA retains 30% of retail of anything that sells.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Nov 5: “Musical Memories,” The Wind Ensemble of Western Connecticut Concert Band at Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St, Newtown, 7:30 pm, donations welcomed, performance of folk songs, jazz & Broadway favorites, orchestral hymns & more, proceeds will benefit NCC; 426-9024.

Nov 6: NUMC Coffee House, Newtown United Methodist Church’s Rauner Hall, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 7:45-10:30 pm, adm $3 for those attending earlier pasta dinner (see details under Miscellaneous), $4 otherwise, live bluegrass & folk music, refreshments, suitable for all ages; 426-0617.

Nov 6: “Music for A Great Space: Annual Chorus Angelicus, Gaudeamus, Battell Brass and Chamber Ensemble Concert,” at St John’s Episcopal Church, 16 Church St, Waterbury, 5 pm, free performance of Alfred Schnittker’s Requiem, also works of Byrd, Mawby, Pärt, Harris, Mendelssohn, Fauré, Gabrieli & Rutter; 860-496-8841.

Nov 6: “Fiddlers in Concert for The Mountains,” United Congregational Church of Bridgeport, 877 Park Ave, Bridgeport, 8 pm, tickets $12/advance, $15/door, evening of music & dialogue ranging from old-time Appalachian fiddle tunes to blues, jazz, klezmer & beyond, audience welcome to bring instruments to play during open & closing tunes (“Over the Waterfall” in D, “Old Joe Clarke” in A), guests will incl environmental activist Judy Bonds, author, composer, fiddler & violinist Julie Lyonn Lieberman, guitarist Len Cascia, fiddler David Finch, cellist Andy Woodruff & percussionist Marty Quinn, plus klezmer fiddler, filmmaker, photographer & author Yale Strom, proceeds will benefit Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition & The Coal River Mountain Watch; 203-375-8633.

Nov 7: The Whiffenpoofs at St Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 351 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 4 pm, suggested donation $10, performance by the oldest collegiate male singing group in the US continues 2004-05 St Stephen’s Sunday Afternoon Concert Series, proceeds benefit church’s Fund For Music; 203-438-3789.

Nov 14: “Harvest Home: An American Journey,” Danbury Concert Chorus concert at Ives Concert Hall, WCSU’s midtown campus, 181 White St, Danbury, 3 pm, free performance by DCC under music director Richard Price, w/ guest musicians Germantown “Ancients” Fife & Drum Corps, also accompanist Maxim Vladimiroff; 748-1716.

Nov 18: Acoustic Celebration: Bernice Lewis, Temple Shearith Israel, 46 Peaceable St, Ridgefield, 7 pm, tickets $13/adv, $15/door, performance by accomplished singer-songwriter who writes of the victories & defeats of everyday life w/ humor, insight & compassion; 203-431-6501.

Nov 20: Compelled at The Homesteads at Newtown, 166 Mt Pleasant Rd/Rte 6, Newtown, 7:30 pm, free performance by 6-member contemporary Christian band will incl Christian music & patriotic selections, donations will benefit lead singer Kari Frawley’s future studies at Hillsong International Leadership College; 426-8118.

Ives Concert Hall at WCSU, White Hall, Fifth Ave & White St, Danbury. Call 837-8350.

Nov 7, “American Memoirs” by Danbury Symphony Orchestra, 3 pm, free performance will offer a musical, nostalgic look back to “earlier & simpler times”; Nov 9, WCSU Symphonic Band & Wind Ensemble, 8 pm, free performance of works by Copland, Hindemuth & Brahms, also musical salute to veterans; Nov 14, WCSU Jazz Combos concert, 8 pm, free performance of works by Sonny Rollins, Charlie Parker, et al; Nov 17, Father-Daughter Piano Recital: Volodymyr & Victoriya Koshuba, noon, free (donations accepted & forwarded to university’s music dept); Nov 18, WCSU Student Recital, 8 pm, free performance by nearly a dozen WCSU piano students (donated accepted & forwarded to university’s music dept).

Newtown Friends of Music, Newtown. Call 426-6470.

Concerts at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 3 pm, $15, free ages 5-14 w/ ticket-holding adult (subscriptions available), reception follows performances: Nov 14, The Enso Quartet (violinists Maureen Nelson & Tereza Stanislav, violist Robert Brophy & cellist Richard Belcher) w/ guest baritone Thomas Meglioranza, works of Haydn (String Quartet #27 in D Major, Op 20, No 4), Corigliani (String Quartet), Barber’s Dover Beach (w/ Mr Meglioranza) & Brahms (String Quartet in A minor, Op 51 #2); Feb 13, Trio Solisti (violinist Maria Bachmann, cellist Alexis Per Gerlach, and pianist Jon Klibonoff), works of Haydn (Trio in G Major), Brahms (Trio No 3 in C minor, Op 101) & Ravel (Piano Trio in A minor).

Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies & Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge Ave, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-5795.

Concerts 8 pm unless noted: Nov 13, Manhattan Transfer, $80 & $85, Grammy winners continue their celebration of 2003’s Couldn’t Be Better, first live album in 7 years; Nov 17, Peter Concotti, $60 & $65, pop-jazz pianist, vocalist, composer & arranger in his 20s has already made incredible strides since release of self-titled CD, sponsored by Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art; Nov 20, Shawn Colvin, $70 & $75, solo performance by the multi Grammy Award winner.

Films _________________

Bethel Cinema, 269 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. Call 778-2100.

Nov 5-11: Being Julia (R), daily 7:10 & 9:25 pm, mat Fri 5 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 12:40, 2:50 & 5 pm; I ? Huckabees (R), daily 7:30 & 9:45 pm, mat Fri 5:10 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 12:50, 3 & 5:10 pm; The Motorcycle Diaries (R), daily 7 & 9:35 pm, mat Fri 4:25 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:50 & 4:25 pm; Vera Drake (R), daily 6:50 & 9:15 pm, mat Fri 4:15 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:40 & 4:15 pm.

Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-4533.

Independent Film Series, 7:30 pm, free: Nov 23, The Middle of The World (Portuguese w/ English subtitles).

Alliance Française “Cinémathèque” screenings, 2 pm, free: Nov 21, Les Triplets de Belleville (PG-13, animated, nearly dialogue free).

Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-2475.

Nov 5-11: Hero (PG-13), daily 7 & 9 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Thurs 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

For Kids & Families _________

Nov 6: NYS Community Opportunities Fair & Amber Alert ID Session, Newtown High School cafeteria, 12 Berkshire R/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, 10 am-4 pm, 100-plus providers of services & resources for families participating incl Scouts, PTAs, preschools, music & dance schools, also creation of child’s ID cards (first card free, additional cards $2), presented by Newtown Youth Services; 270-4335.

C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-4533 (children’s dept 426-3851).

Children’s programs, free unless specified: Nov 6, Nappy’s Puppets, 2 pm, performance of shadow puppetry by Jim Napolitano; Nov 13, Thanksgiving Craft, 1 pm, $3 materials fee due at registration, ages 6 & up invited to join Marie Walker for craft program; Nov 20, Steven Kellogg, Back for A Visit, 1 pm, children’s author & illustrator will return to former hometown for program about his new books, book signings will follow.

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: Nov 7, Scrabble Club, 1-5 pm, ongoing games for young adults; Nov 12, 2nd Annual Poetry Reading Night, 7 pm, young adults invited to read their original poetry or works by authors they admire (poems must be submitted to YA Librarian Mrs Brown by Nov 8 for approval), public invited to attend readings; Nov 17, Let’s Talk About…, 4 pm, discussion of The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich.

Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Ave, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-5795.

Nov 7, Spencer Theatre of Illusion, 2 & 6 pm, $22.50 & $28.50, illusion team of Kevin & Cindy Spencer combine scenery, music, lighting, special effects & cutting-edge illusions.

Miscellaneous ___________

Nov 5: Art Auction, Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown, preview 7 pm, sale begins at 8, tickets $10, art in many media and price ranges, sales will partially benefit Merryhill Child Care Center & Reed Intermediate School; 364-1660 x 1.

Nov 5: “Technology and The War on Terror,” WCSU Higgins Hall Room 114, White St (behind Fairfield Hall), Danbury, 3 pm, free lecture by Dr David Schiering (director of product management & senior scientist, Smiths Detection) on technological advances & their uses in hazardous materials response, homeland security & the war on terrors, reception w/ Dr Shiering will follow lecture; 837-8440.

Nov 5: Mark Riley at First Congregational Church Meeting House, on the green, Rte 47, Washington Green, 7 pm, presentation by (Newtown native) radio personality & host of Air America Radio will continue 2004-05 Gunnery Speaker Series; 860-868-7334 x251.

Nov 5-6: United Church of Christ Food, Crafts & More Fair, in church’s fellowship hall, 3 Academy Lane, Oxford, Fri 6-9 pm (roast pork dinner, ziti available for kids), Sat 10 am-3 pm, area artists & crafters participating, Peg’s Pantry, raffles, silent auction, Nearly New Room, Chinese auction, children’s room, handmade items by church members & more, proceeds will benefit church’s expansion fund; 262-6288, 203-888-6934.

Nov 5-7: “Paul Stroli: Straight Up With A Twist,” Ridgefield Theater Barn, Halpin La, Ridgefield, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 3 pm, tickets $25, comedian will perform his award-winning one-man show, proceeds to benefit Ridgefield Theater Barn Capital Improvement Fund; 203-431-9850.

Nov 5-9: Annual Friends of Ridgefield Library Book Sale, at the library, 472 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, wide variety of books available, proceeds benefit staff of library, programs & special purchases; 203-438-8093.

Nov 6: Scholastic Book Fair, Fraser Woods Montessori School, Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown, 10 am-3 pm, books & educational items, also children’s activities, craft & gift items, costumed characters, baked goods sale.

Nov 6: NYS Community Opportunities Fair & Amber Alert ID Session, Newtown High School cafeteria, 12 Berkshire R/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, 10 am-4 pm, 100-plus providers of services & resources for families participating incl Scouts, PTAs, preschools, music & dance schools, also creation of child’s ID cards (first card free, additional cards $2), presented by Newtown Youth Services; 270-4335.

Nov 6: Third Annual Newtown Hooked Rug Show, Reed Intermediate School, 3 Trades Lane, Sandy Hook, 10 am-4 pm, adm $7, exhibition of rugs from across the country, appraisals by Jesie Turbayne (2-3 pm, $10/rug), also program by Ms Turbayne at noon on “Hooked Rugs: Unrolling The Secrets,” display of rug hooking project by students of Fraser-Woods School, Visitors’ Choice Award, ongoing demo of rug hooking by members of ATHA/Nutmeg chapter members, return of author Amy Oxford (Hooked Rugs Today) and more; 270-8293.

Nov 6: NUMC Monthly Pasta Dinner, Newtown United Methodist Church’s Rauner Hall, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 5-7:30 pm, adm $8 adults, $7 seniors, $3.50 children, full spaghetti dinner incl salad, desserts, and soft drinks/coffee raises funds each month for church, all welcome, coffee house/musical event follows (see details under Concerts); 426-0617.

Nov 6: 13th Annual Festival of Crafts, Whisconier Middle School, West Whisconier Rd (off Rte 25), Brookfield, 9 am-3 pm, juried show will offer 50+ vendors with unusual, mostly hand crafters products incl jewelry, decorative pcs, art selections, holiday treasures, toys & more, presented by Brookfield Hist Society; 740-8140.

Nov 6: Alliance Française Café Conversation, Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 10 am-noon, free, join members of Alliance Française of Northwestern CT for conversations in French on various topics, speakers of all levels welcome, topics vary .

Nov 6: Antiques Appraisal Clinic, Danbury Museum & Historical Society, 43 Main St, Danbury, 10 am-2 pm, $5/item (up to 3 items/person), appraisals by Jack DeStories (Fairfield Auction, Newtown), proceeds will benefit Danbury Museum; 743-5200.

Nov 6: Oxford’s 33rd Annual Arts-Crafts Show, Oxford School, Rte 67, Oxford, 10 am-4 pm rain or shine, free adm, arts & photos, fiber arts, folk art & much more.

Nov 6: WCSU Planetarium Show & Telescope Viewing, Western CT State University westside campus, University Blvd (off Mill Plain/Lake Ave Ext), Danbury, planetarium show at 5, telescope viewing 6-8 pm, free & open to public; 837-8672.

Nov 7: Odd Fellows & Rebekas Scholarship Breakfast, Odd Fellows’ Hall, 25 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, New Milford, 8-11 am, $6 adults, $3 ages 12 & under, all-you-can-eat eggs, pancakes, sides, coffee, etc breakfast presented by Odd Fellows & Rebekas’ Lodge will benefit lodge’s scholarship fund; 860-354-1062.

Nov 7: Maccabee’s Marketplace: Third Annual Israeli Fair, Maimonides Academy, 103 Miry Brook Rd, Danbury, 10 am-4 pm, suggested donation $2 adults, free ages 18 & under, Israeli & Judaic merchandise & many non-religious items, also arts & crafts area for children (by Greater Newtown Hadassah Chapter), raffle table, non-perishable food items & more, proceeds will support Afula Gilboa region in Israel, shuttle bus service from Waterworks available; 748-7129.

Nov 7: WCSU Open House, William O’Neill Athletic & Convocation Center (WCSU westside campus), University Blvd (off Lake Ave Ext/Mill Plain Rd), Danbury, 11 am-3 pm, free campus tours, info sessions & more; 837-9000.

Nov 7: Poetry at Promisek, Promisek at Three Rivers Farm, 694 Skyline Ridge Rd, Bridgewater, 2 pm, suggested donation $10, author Cortney David will be reading, cover to cover, her just-published book Leopold’s Maneuvers, discussion to follow; 860-354-1788.

Nov 7: “From Wags To Whiskers: DAWS 30th Anniversary Fundraiser,” at The Fox Hill Inn, Rte 7, Brookfield, 3-6 pm, tickets $50 & $90 each, food & drinks, live jazz by The Richie Hart Trio, silent auction & more, proceeds to benefit Danbury Animal Welfare Society; 744-3297.

Nov 7: “Living In Contentment: Understanding and Practicing the Principles of Yoga,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free discussion led by WCC director & co-founder Janaki Pierson will be followed by group meditation (free instruction available) & tea reception; 203-263-2254.

Nov 8: Bridal Fashion Show at Holiday Inn, Newtown Rd/Rte 6, Danbury, 6-9 pm, new collections of formalwear designer gowns, also exhibits of catering, music, food & more; 270-1152.

Nov 9: Pre-Dawn Telescope Viewing, WCSU Westside Observatory, University Blvd (off Lake Ave Extension/Mill Plain Rd), Danbury, 5 am, free event, public invited to view alignment of moon, Jupiter, Mars & Venus; 837-8672.

Theatre ______________

Nov 10: “Destination Newtown: Chamber of Commerce Business Expo,” Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown, 4-8 pm, exposition of local businesses, samples of cuisine from Newtown restaurants, mini workshops, door prizes, food & beverages; 426-9193.

Nov 10: Town & Country Garden Club of Newtown meeting, Multi-Purpose Building (in senior center), Riverside Rd, Sandy Hook, 7:30 pm, free & open to non-members, program about water gardens by Rob Dietter; 426-5359.

Nov 11: Laurel Christian Women’s Club Annual Craft Fair Luncheon, Villa Bianca, Rte 34, Seymour, doors open 11 am, $15, free nursery available, program by Kathryn Good on “How To Craft A Successful Home”; 426-0106, 203-888-7047.

Nov 11: WCSU Planetarium Show & Telescope Viewing, Western CT State University westside campus, University Blvd (off Mill Plain/Lake Ave Ext), Danbury, planetarium show at 5, telescope viewing 6-8 pm, free & open to public; 837-8672.

Nov 12: “Earth Fragments: Nature, Design and Color,” Flanders Nature Center, Flanders Rd at Church Hill Rd, Woodbury, 7:30 pm, $5, Newtown artist (& SHU professor emerita) will discuss a recent series of paintings of rock outcroppings & recesses within the earth’s surface, using ideas based on nature; 203-263-3711.

Nov 13: SNAN Crafts & Collectibles Fair, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road, Sandy Hook, 10 am-4 pm, 23 vendors with handmade pottery, quilting, knitting, faux painting, stamping, dolls and bears, wreaths, collectibles, and other items, sponsored by and benefit for Spay & Neuter Association of Newtown.

Nov 13: 27th Annual Holiday Bazaar, Center Firehouse, Main St/Rte 6, Southbury, 9 am-3 pm, free adm, annual event by Southbury Volunteer Firemen’s Assn Ladies Auxiliary incl 40 booths w/ crafts, toys, jewelry, neckties, ceramics, holiday decorations & more, refreshments also available, visits w/ Santa (10 am-noon & 12:30-2); 262-8138.

Nov 13: Christmas Boutique, First Congregational Church Fellowship Hall, 40 DeForest St, Watertown, 9:30 am-3 pm, specialty items incl centerpieces, creche sets, snowflake ornaments & more, also holiday decorations, hand crafted & wooden items, silent auction, snacks & lunch available, presented by Women’s Fellowship of First Congregational; 860-274-3317.

Nov 13: Annual Holiday Bazaar, River Glen Healthcare Center, 162 South Britain Rd/Rte 172, Southbury, 10 am-3 pm, arts & crafts, white elephant, raffles, baked goods, proceeds will benefit Resident Council Fund; 264-9600.

Nov 13: Newbury Congregational Church Turkey Dinner, 126 Tower Rd, Brookfield, 5-7:30 pm; 775-1392, 775-5956.

Nov 13: CT ConTacts Singles Dance Party, Colonial Tavern, Hawley Rd (off Rte 67), Oxford, 8 pm-1 am, adm $15 incl dinner & dessert buffets, dancing to DJ’s selections (Top 40, soft rock, recent oldies & requests), no jeans; 203-468-1144.

Nov 14: Western CT Orienteering Club meet, Paugussett State Forest, off Hanover Rd, Newtown, registration & starts from 10 am-noon, $6, participants can use orienteering map & compass to find their way across marked terrain, standard courses available (beginner to expert), instruction & compasses also available; 860-658-7963.

Nov 14: Newtown Crafts Show & Sale, C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 1-5 pm, crafts artists from Newtown participating, proceeds will benefit Newtown Newcomers & Neighbors Club scholarship fund and other community service events; 270-6481.

Nov 14: CT Catholic Singles Fall Brunch & Dance, Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown, 11 am-3 pm, all welcome (call for adm fee); 261-2414.

Nov 17: Housatonic Valley Paddling Club meeting, CL&P Service Center, Barnabas Rd, Newtown, 7 pm, non-members welcome, photos & program by original member Susie Hackel, who spent time last summer hiking & kayaking out west; 203-263-3281.

Audubon Center at Bent of the River, 185 East Flat Hill Rd, Southbury. Call 264-5098.

Free programs unless noted, reservations requested, call if weather is questionable, leave pets home: Nov 6, Bird Banding Demo, dawn-10:30 am, master bander Mark Szantyr will capture migrant & resident birds in mist nets, fit them w/ lightweight leg bands & then release them, suitable for all ages, weekly until Nov 13; Nov 13, Bird Banding Demo, dawn-10:30 am, master bander Mark Szantyr will capture migrant & resident birds in mist nets, fit them w/ lightweight leg bands & then release them, suitable for all ages.

Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, 9 Main St/Rte 61, Bethlehem. Call 203-266-7596.

Special Events: Nov 6, “Antique Books: Their Care & Appreciation,” 1-4 pm, $5, program on collecting antique books, their care & the activities of a serious collector presented by Bill Goring (Nutmeg Books, Torrington) & Bellamy-Ferriday archivist Arleen Mitchell, admission incl one book appraisal, $2 for each addt’l book (those without books also welcome to attend lecture only).

C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-4533.

Programs free unless noted: Nov 8, Daytime Book Group (newcomers always welcome), 1 pm, discussion of Balzac’s Eugenie Grandet; Nov 9, “Let’s Wok Again,” 7 pm, return of Norma Chang for another Chinese cooking demo that combines cooking, gardening & a sense of humor; Nov 16, “Advanced Directives: A Healthy Panel Discussion,” 7:30 pm, members of Danbury Hospital Ethics Committee will discuss how to plan for the end of life incl living wills, power of attorney, donor procedures & related issues; Nov 18, Evening Book Group meeting, 7:30 pm, discussion of The Bell by Iris Murdoch, newcomers welcome.

Flagpole Photographers, C.H. Booth Library meeting room, 25 Main St, Newtown. Call 364-1719, 426-0558.

Meetings 3rd Thurs/month, 7:30 pm, non-members always welcome: Nov 18, “Indonesia” by Bert Schmitz, open print competition for members (guest judge Antoinette Gombeda).

Devil’s Den, Pent Rd, Weston. Call 203-966-9577.

Free programs, registration required: Nov 9, Late Autumn Ramble, 1-3 pm, adult hike led by Ray Rauth, about 3-4 miles long, topic & trail TBA; Nov 13, “Find the Features” hike, 1-4 pm, moderate 4-mile hike led by Steve White will visit Chief Den, Devil’s Footprint & more.

Newtown Hikers. Call 426-2897 or 788-1398 (Ester Nichols), 270-4340 (Newtown Parks & Rec).

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 9 am, free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders as follows: Nov 6, Platt Park, Southbury, 8 miles (leader is Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025); Nov 13, Saugatuck Falls, Redding (leader is Evelyn Schonberg, 426-0425); Nov 20, Moreland Sanctuary, Bedford Corners, N.Y. (leader is David Wesley, 203-438-1459).

Newtown Singles, meetings at Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 261-4210.

Monthly “Meet & Mingle” events, 7-9 pm: next program/meeting Nov 5.

Newtown VNA Thrift Shop, Edmond Town Hall (lower level), 45 Main Street, Newtown. Call 270-4377.

Shop is open every Wed 12-3 pm & Sat 9 am-noon, access is from town hall’s back parking lot, shop carries discounted items from local businesses & private donors incl clothing, sm home accessories & more.

Society of Creative Arts of Newtown, Inc. (SCAN), Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-6654.

Meetings 2nd Wed/month, 7:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: Nov 10, pastel program by Joel Spector.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-6224.

Non-profit weight loss support group meets every Mon 6-8 pm (weigh-ins 6-6:45, meetings 7-8), meetings $2/week, membership $20/year.

Theatre ______________

Downtown Cabaret Theatre, 263 Golden Hill St, Bridgeport. Call 203-576-1636.

Sugar Babies: The Burlesque Musical, Nov 5-Feb 6, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 5:30 & 8:30 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $37.50-$45.50.

Kent Community Players, Kent Community House, Main St/Rte 7, Kent. Call 860-364-0684.

Blithe Spirit, Nov 5-20, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Nov 7 only) 2 pm, tickets $13 adults, $10 seniors & students.

Seven Angels Theatre, Hamilton Park Pavilion, Plank Rd, Waterbury. Call 203-757-4676.

Fully Committed, through Dec 5, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Thurs, Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $24-$36.

Town Players of Newtown, Little Theatre, theatre is on Orchard Hill Rd (mailing address is PO Box 211), Newtown. Call 270-9144.

The Art of Dining, through Nov 16, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, tickets $15 evenings, $12 mat.

WCSU/Berkshire Theatre, Osborne St at Seventh Ave (midtown campus, off White St), Danbury. Call 837-8732, 837-8486.

The Mystery of Edwin Drood, through Nov 20, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, tickets $18 adults, $15 seniors, children & students; note: interactive production calls on audience to decide on the play’s ending.