Antiques Shows______

Saturdays (through mid-Dec): 38th Season Woodbury’s Famous Antiques & Flea Market, 787 Main St South (Rte 6, near Rte 64), Woodbury, 7 am-1 pm, 150± vendors each week; 203-263-2841.

Sundays (through Dec 11): Elephant’s Trunk Country Flea Market, Rte 7, New Milford, 7 am-2:30 pm (early buying 5:45 am, $20), adm $1; 508-896-1975.

Dec 2-4: 48th Annual Antiquarius Antiques Show, Greenwich Civic Center, Old Greenwich, Fri-Sat 11 am-6 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm, adm $10, proceeds to benefit The Historical Society of The Town of Greenwich; 203-869-6899 x14.

Dec 3-4: Holiday Fair at All Saints Catholic School, 139 West Rocks Rd, Norwalk, Sat 10 am-4 pm (early birds 9 am), Sun 11 am-4 pm, regional dealers will fill booths w/ fresh holiday merchandise; 203-222-2259.

Dec 4: Wilton Holiday Antiques Show, Wilton High School Field House, Rte 7, Wilton, 10 am-5 pm (early buying 9 am, $20), adm $9, 130+ dealers in room settings; 203-762-3525.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

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

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room) — Through Nov 30: “Moments: Recent Paintings, 2003-2005,” recent acrylic paintings by Newtown resident Beth Schweitzer, who takes everyday moments & makes them heroic.

In first floor display cases — Through Nov 30: turned wood works by Russell Strasburger.

On library’s main floor — Through Nov 26: “Newtown Historical Society: Recent Acquisitions,” items recently acquired by historical society, incl rare Civil War artifacts that once belonged to Newtown soldier William Sniffen, to illustrate some of the society’s activities in preserving & making town’s history accessible to public.

*(new show) Nov 27-Dec 31: “Al’s Trail,” collection of paintings by Newtown resident Pat Barkman that depict scenes along the 10-mile hiking trail that stretches from Pond Brook to Reed Intermediate School; Nov 27, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

Brookfield Craft Center, 286 Whisconier Rd (Rte 25), Brookfield. Call 775-4526.

Through Dec 31: 30th Annual Holiday Exhibition & Sale, annual event offers unique designer quality hand crafted gifts incl scarves, jewelry & jewelry boxes, hats & gloves, ornaments, glassware, ceramics, kitchen items, clocks, turned wood, frames & much more, inventory replenished constantly, proceeds to benefit American craft artists & craft center’s classes & workshops.

Easton Public Library, 691 Morehouse Rd (at corner of Center St), Easton. Call 261-0134.

Through Nov 30: “Art or Artifice” works by trompe l’oeil/faux painter Victor DeMasi produced during past 30 years incl Greek temple birdhouse, Delft style plates, children’s building blocks, monochrome tapestries & more.

*(new show) Dec 1-Jan 10: hand cut wood silhouettes by Frank F. Turechek, ranging from angels to locomotives, cut using Hegner scroll saw.

Fenn Gallery of Contemporary Art, 345 Main Street/Rte 6, Woodbury. Call 203-263-2821.

Through Dec 4: “2 Artists from Russia,” first anniversary exhibition for gallery features modernist paintings by Zufar Bikbov & Svetlana Rumak.

Gregory James Gallery, 13 Main St (new location), New Milford. Call 860-354-3436.

Through Dec 31: “Holiday Show,” grand reopening in gallery’s latest location offers works by Rick Daskam, Robert Ferrucci, Joseph Grieco, Roger Kastel, Christopher Magadini, Edward Martinez, Alain Picard, Bill Rice, Anda Styler, John Swatsley, Danielle Wexler & Scott Zuckerman.

Gunn Memorial Library Stairway Gallery, 5 Wykeham Rd, Washington Green. Call 860-868-7756.

In Stairwell Gallery — Through Jan 6: “In Living Color,” color photos by Carl Weese, who recently returned to color work & small, hand-held cameras following nearly 2 decades shooting black & white w/ lg tripod-mounted cameras, new works also explore digital capture & printing technology.

*(new show) Nov 25-Jan 8: “No Batteries Required: Toys that Whizz, Buzz, Click & Pop,” toys loaned by area residents that move in some way incl wheeled toys, horse-drawn wagons, spring-wound toys/toys w/ clockwork mechanism, sand toys, optical toys, marionettes, jack in the box, cast iron toys & more; Dec 3, opening reception, 3-5 pm.”

Miller Studio & Gallery, 495 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Call 203-263-3939.

*(new show) Nov 25-Jan 12: “Second Annual Black Tie: Little Works of Art Dressed in Exquisite Frames,” second annual exhibit showcasing select group of little paintings all dressed up for the holidays in Miller Studio’s handmade frames, incl works by Thomas C. Adkins, Pete Bergeron, Joy Bristol, Ella Crampton Knot, Robert Holden & Tom Yost; Dec 2, opening reception, 7-9 pm – non-formal dress.

Osborne Homestead Museum, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby. Hours: Thurs-Sun only 10 am-4 pm. Call 734-2513.

*(new show) Nov 25-Dec 18: “Winter Celebrations Around the World,” holiday decorations of Holland, China & 8 other countries, interspersed w/ floral arrangements by local garden clubs; Dec 2, Twilight Tsour, 4-6:30 pm (ongoing); Dec 9, Twilight Tours, 4-6:30 pm; Dec 16, Twilight Tours, 4-6:30 pm.

River Glen Fine Arts Gallery, 3 Washington Ave/Rte 34, Sandy Hook. Hours: Tues 12-4 pm, Sat-Sun 11 am-4 pm. Call 270-1199.

Through Dec 4: “Artists’ Choice,” presentation of 42 painting selections from 12 award-winning artists – Melody Asbury, Rainie Crawford, Betty Christensen, Ron DeFelice, Loretta Dillman, Daniel Duffy, Frank Federico, Dick McEvoy, Leslie Lillien Levy, Ruth Newquist, Ralph Schwartz & Peter Seltzer.

Paintings by Rainie Crawford, Frank Federico, Leslie Lillien Levy, Dick McEvoy, Alain J. Picard & Peter Seltzer, sculpture by Sterett-Gittings Kelsey.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

St Jude Church Christmas Fair, Rte 111, Monroe. Call 261-6404.

Dec 3: Crafters sought for annual Christmas Fair, 10 am-4 pm (snow date Dec 4, 1-5 pm), tables $50 & $90 available first-come first-served, contact church office by Nov 18 for reservations.

St Peter’s Episcopal Church Holly Fair, Monroe Green, 175 Old Tannery Rd, Monroe. Call 268-4265.

Dec 3: Artists & craftspeople invited to participate in annual event, 10 am-4 pm in church hall, spaces $45, contact Judy Hamilton at church office for application & addt’l info.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Nov 26: Sherman Chamber Ensemble Post-Thanksgiving Concert, at Sherman Congregational Church, 6 Church Rd (off Rte 39), Sherman, 4 pm, free concert will offer “sampler of treats from across the musical spectrum” incl works of Igancio Cervantes, William Ryden, Gershwin & Asto Piazzolla, also jazz improv on familiar themes by guest pianist Ted Rosenthal, program repeats Nov 27 in Kent; 860-355-5930.

Dec 2: CT Choral Society Chamber Singers & Naugatuck Valley Community College Gospel Choir at North Congregational Church, 11 Main St North/Rte 6, Woodbury, 7:30 pm, freewill offering, a cappella performances by 2 choruses will incl arrangements of traditional Christmas carols, holiday music familiar & unusual, familiar carols sung in gospel style & more, reception w/ musicians to follow performance; 203-263-2410.

Dec 3: Vietnamese Concert & Lecture, WCSU Student Center Theater, 181 White St/Rte 6, Danbury, 7 pm, free performance by Vietnamese musician Pham Duc Thanh, who will demo & discuss Dan Bau (monochord), Dan Nhi (Vietnamese 2-stringed fiddle) & Dan Nguyet (long-necked flute), part of university’s Vietnam Week; 837-8565.

Dec 3: The Sanctuary Choir Holiday Concert, First Congregational Church of Bethel, 7:30 pm, free concert by choir & brass ensemble will perform Martin’s holiday cantata A World of Christmas & other Christmas music (follows Yankee pot roast dinner open to public that will run 6-7:30, call church for details); 748-6112.

Dec 3: Elves Gone Wild! at Western CT State University’s Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 8 pm, tickets $25-$35, CT Gay Men’s Chorus’s holiday offering is “a humorous romp through the mad world of little men who live for toys”; 800-644-2462.

Dec 3: “The Voices of Christmas: A Holiday Musical Celebration,” The Waterbury Chorale at The Palace Theater, 100 East Main St, Waterbury, 8 pm, tickets $25-$35, program to incl the cantata The Voices of Christmas (w/ narration & drama), also choral & solo singings, various choral arrangements & sev holiday favorites; 203-755-4700.

Dec 3-4: The Nutcracker, Westover School, Rte 188, Middlebury, curtain Sat 7 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $20 adults, $15 seniors & children ages 12 & under, 100+ dancers from Waterbury’s Brass City ballet & 15 students of Westover School will offer full production; 203-573-9419.

Dec 3-4: Hat City Holiday Pops, at St James Church, 25 West St, Danbury, Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 5 pm, tickets $10/adv, $15/door, holiday performance by recently-formed Candlewood Symphony Orchestra; 746-2694.

Dec 4: Newtown Choral Society Holiday Concert, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 3:30 pm, tickets $9 adults, $7 seniors and ages 12 & under, performance of Britten’s Ceremony of Carols, also O Holy Night, collection of sacred carols, plus Christmas hymns arranged by Rutter; 426-3769.

Dec 4: “B Is For…” by Danbury Community Orchestra, at WCSU Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 3 pm, free concert will feature works of Bartok, Beethoven, Bizet & Borodin; 748-1716.

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

Dec 5, Percussion Concert, 8 pm, free performance conducted by Music Prof David Smith will be largest percussion ensemble (21 percussionists) ever assembled at WCSU for performance, program to incl Lepak’s “Crescendo,” Gillingham’s “Stained Glass,” Cage’s “Living Room Music” & Long’s “Synopsis”; Dec 9-10, Amahl and The Night Visitors by WCSU Opera, 8 pm, tickets $10 adults, $5 seniors & ages 12 & under, 11th annual production of holiday classic being directed by music prof Dr Margaret Astrup.

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

Performances 8 pm unless noted: Nov 27, The Golden Angels Jazz Band, tickets $15 adults, $10 seniors, $7.50 students, mix of classic Dixieland, standard swing & blues favorites w/ vocals.

Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra. Call 203-438-3889.

Concerts at Ridgefield High School, 700 North Salem Rd/Rte 116, Ridgefield, 8 pm, tickets $15-$50: Dec 3, “Elevating Winter Spirits,” program to incl Beethoven’s Leonore Overture III, Dvorak’s Serenade, Op. 44 & Brahms’ Symphony #2.

St Steven’s Episcopal Church, 315 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-3789.

2005-06 Sunday Afternoon Concert Series, performances 4 pm, sugg donation $10: Dec 4, St Stephen’s Concert Choir & Orchestra Christmas Concert, church’s director of music, Kristin Sponheim, will lead 50+ voice ensemble & orchestra in celebratory program of Christmas music to incl choral works of Bach, carols & chorales.

Films _________________

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

Alliance Française Cinémathèque series, free, screenings 2 pm: Nov 27, Chocolat.

Danbury Library, 170 Main St (at West), Danbury. Call 797-4533.

Independent Film Series, free, screenings at 2 pm: Dec 4, Le Grand Voyage.

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

Nov 25-Dec 1: The Fantastic Four (PG-13), daily 7 pm, mat Fri-Sun 1 pm; Mr & Mrs Smith (PG-13), daily 9 pm.

For Kids & Families _________

Dec 1: “Making Merry: An After School Program,” Danbury Library, 170 Main St (at West), Danbury, 4-5 pm, free program (registration required) for children in grades 1 & 2 will offer stories, craft times & sing-alongs, also Dec 8 & 13 (different topics); 797-4528.

Dec 3: Breakfast, Santa, Magic & Cookies, at Danbury United Methodist Church, 5 Clapboard Ridge Rd/Rte 39, Danbury, 9 am-noon, $5 adutls, $3 children, pancakes & eggs breakfast w/ Santa, Kids’ Crafts Corner, homemade cookies to benefit local non-profits & more; 743-1503.

Dec 3: Family Art Adventures, Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 12-5 pm, free, families invited to enjoy drop-in activities during first Sat of each month, explore galleries through docent-led tours & then visit Education Center for hands-on activities based on topics, methods & materials addressed in current exhibitions; 203-438-4519.

Dec 3: Home For the Holidays, David F. Klune Center for the Arts, 396 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, Wilton, 8 pm, general adm $20 (also Sponsor $40, Patron $60 & Benefactor $80), Wilton Kiwanis’s annual variety show w/ many local group participating w/ music of the holidays; 203-834-0308.

Dec 3-10: 38th Annual Gingerbread Village & Christmas Bazaar, St George’s Church, Tucker Hill Rd, Middlebury, Dec 3 (10 am-7 pm), Sun 12-9 pm, Mon-Fri 2-4 & 7-9 pm, Dec 10 (10 am-4 pm), village of 50-60 gingerbread houses, people, animals & scenes, all edible, all handmade & all open to silent auction bidding; 203-758-9557, 203-758-2165.

Dec 3-18: Santa’s Special Train Rides, Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury, Sat-Sun 12-4:30 pm, call for ticket prices, in-yard rides on restored RR cars to visit Santa’s Car for photos & gifts, meet Santa & Mrs Claus, few elves & Frosty, last ride departs at 4:30, displays & refreshments inside museum special shopping area for children; 778-8337.

Downtown Cabaret Children’s Theatre Co., 263 Golden Hill St, Bridgeport. Call 203-576-1636.

Christmas in Candy Land, through Dec 18, curtain Sat-Sun 12 & 2:30 pm, tickets $12.50.

New Haven Colony Historical Society, 114 Whitney Ave, New Haven. Hours: Tues-Fri 10 am-5 pm, Sat 12-5 pm (museum library open Wed-Fri 10-5 only). Call 203-562-4183.

Through Jan 14: “The Faithful Friend: New Haveners & Their Pets, 1880-1920,” New Haven family photos from 40-year period, also paintings, engravings, literary works, needlework & 3-D objects explore cultural changes during 19th C that led to the new definition of the American family, one that began to incl domestic pets.

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

Dec 1, “The Children’s Holiday Journey” by The Learning Station, performances 4:30 & 6:30 pm, tickets $10, music & interactive theater by trio that inspires children to explore, learn, play & grow will celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah & Kwanzaa.

MiscellaSneous ___________

Through Dec 31: 30th Annual Holiday Exhibition & Sale, Brookfield Craft Center, 286 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield, Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5pm, annual event offers unique designer quality hand crafted gifts incl scarves, jewelry & jewelry boxes, hats & gloves, ornaments, glassware, ceramics, kitchen items, clocks, turned wood, frames & much more, inventory replenished constantly, proceeds to benefit American craft artists & craft center’s classes & workshops; 775-4526.

Nov 25-Dec 4: 15th Annual Festival of Traditions, Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm, adm $4 adults (anyone age 16 & over), free ages 15 & under, 10-day extravaganza features decorated theme trees, entertainment, activities, fantasy & decorations w/ various festivities to enjoy during the week, call for details; 203-753-0381.

Nov 25-Dec 22: “Celebrate the Holidays,” Silvermine Guild Arts Center, 1037 Silvermine Rd, New Canaan, Tues-Sat 11 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm, suggested adm $2, work by Silvermine Guild artists in all media, created especially for holiday giving, including “An Enchanted Forest of Holiday Ornaments”; 203-966-9700.

Nov 28: “Reporting From Baghdad: NY Times Reporter Sabrina Tavernise,” WCSU’s Student Center Theater, 181 White St, Danbury, 7:30 pm, free program by Ms Tavernise will offer behind-the-scenes perspective on the challenges of reporting from Baghdad; 837-9043, 837-8486.

Nov 29: “Connecticut’s Economy,” WCSU White Hall Room 024, 181 White St/Rte 6 (midtown campus), Danbury, 5:25 pm, free lecture by former US Rep James Maloney (D-5th) will be open to public, takes place during World Governments, Economies & Cultures class; 860-210-2146 x129, 860-354-3521.

Nov 30: “NVCC Autumn Lunch Series: La Dolce Vita,” Terrace 6 at Naugatuck Valley Community College, 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 12:30 pm, $15 (reservations needed), three-course gourmet meal w/ menu designed, cooked & served by NVCC Hospitality Management Program, call for menu specifics & RSVP; 203-596-8739.

Dec 1: “The Irish in Danbury: Father Kohn Kennedy,” The Marian Anderson Studio, 43 Main St, Danbury, 7 pm, adm $5, lecture by Irish historian Phillip Gallagher will concern the life of Father John Kennedy, pastor of St Joseph Church, & his relationship w/ city’s residents & members of hatting unions, part of ongoing “Irish in Danbury” series offered by Danbury Museum & Historical Society; 743-5200.

Dec 2: “The Strange Intersection of American and Vietnamese History,” WCSU Alumni Hall (midtown campus), James Roach Ave (next to elementary school), Danbury, 7 pm, free lecture by Dr Keith Taylor (chairman, Cornell University Asian Studies & professor of Vietnamese cultural studies); 837-8565.

Dec 2-3: 25th Annual Bethlehem Christmas Town Festival, Rte 61 at Rte 132, Bethlehem, Fri 5-10 pm (opens w/ lighting of Christmas Tree), Sat 10 am-4 pm, strolling carolers, 75+ art & crafts exhibitors in 7 buildings on Village Green, hay rides, entertainment, food concessions, special postmarks from USPO, Annual Pewter Christmas Town Ornament, photos w/ Santa & more; 203-266-5557.

Dec 2-3: Fourth Annual Festival of Trees, at Gunn Memorial Library & Museum, Rte 47 at Wykeham Rd, Washington Green, Fri (opening cocktail party 5-7 pm, adm $10/person, $15/couple, will incl raffles, live music, sale of decorated trees, cocktails & hors d’oeuvres), Sat 10 am-2 pm, display of decorated theme trees; 860-868-7756.

Dec 2-3: Holiday Program at Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, 9 Main St/Rte 61, Bethlehem, Fri 6-9 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm, adm $2 adults (or donation of 2 canned goods for local food bank), children free, historic museum will be decorated for holidays w/ handmade ornaments by Bethlehem school students & items from museum’s collection, guided tours, hot cider, holiday shopping, activities for children incl ornament making & scavenger hunt; 203-266-7596.

Dec 2-4: 21st Annual Woodbury Christmas Festival, along Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury, town-wide festival will offer 80+ craft exhibitors (at middle school 9 am-4:30 pm Dec 3-4), tree lighting Fri, Santa (1-3 pm), Holiday House Tour at Glebe House & Hurd House, more; 203-266-9228.

Dec 3: 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 separate Concerts listing); 426-0617.

Dec 3: Saint Andrew’s Holiday Bazaar: A Country Christmas, St Andrew’s Church, Rte 202 at Wheaton Rd, Marble Dale, 9 am-1 pm, door prozes, crafts, paperback books, baked goods, luncheon, “Christmas Past” & more; 860-868-2275, 860-868-9545.

Dec 3: St Jude Parish Annual Christmas Fair, at church’s Parish Center, Rte 111, Monroe, 10 am-4 pm (snow date Dec 4, 1-5 pm only), artisans & crafters, Chinese auction, quilt raffle, wreaths, Elf’s Corner (shopping area for children), also children’s crafts & games area, lunch & bake sale items; 261-6404.

Dec 3: St Peter’s Holly Fair, Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church, 175 Old Tannery Rd/Rte 111 (opposite Monroe Green), Monroe, 10 am-4 pm, baked goods & refreshments, crafters, cookie walk, Chinese Auction, Grandma’s Attic, live holly & more; 264-4265.

Dec 3: Christmas Festival at The Hurd House, Hollow Rd, Woodbury, 1-4 pm, circa 1680 house will celebrate the holiday w/ decorations, costumed docents will serve refreshments; 203-263-2446.

Dec 3: Christmas Trailside Open House, Flanders Nature Center, Flanders Rd at Church Hill Rd, Woodbury, 10 am am-4:30 pm, free adm, mulled cider & hot chocolate, Christmas caroling, tractor rides, photos w/ one of Santa’s elves, Flanders Store (proceeds too benefit nature center & land trust), all welcome; 203-263-3711.

Dec 3: Dramatic reading of  Dickens’ A Christmas Carol by William Kinsolving, Gunn Memorial Library & Museum, Rte 47 at Wykeham Rd, Washington Green, free reading of holiday classic by celebrated writer & performer will precede opening of library’s holiday exhibit “No Batteries Required: Toys that Whizz, Buzz, Click & Pop,” reservations requested but not required; 860-868-7586.

Dec 3: Planetarium Show & Telescope Viewing, WCSU Observatory (westside campus), University Blvd (off Lake Avenue Ext), Danbury, free, planetarium show at 5 pm, telescope viewing of Pleiades star cluster, Orion constellation & Mars follows 6-8 pm; 837-8672.

Dec 3: Annual Yankee Pot Roast Dinner, First Congregational Church of Bethel, 6-7:30 pm, adm $15 adults, $7.50 ages 6-12, free ages 5 & under, full dinner w/ pot roast & gravy, salad, vegetables, dessert & soft drinks will be followed at 7:30 by free holiday concert of The Sanctuary Choir & brass ensemble; 748-6112.

Dec 3-4: Brookfield Historical Society Annual Holiday Fair, BHS Museum, Rte 25 at 133, Brookfield Center, Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 11 am-3 pm, free adm, holiday gifts & decorations incl live wreaths, poinsettias, handmade ornaments, refreshments, pottery, books, maps, etc; 740-8140.

Dec 3-4: For Art Sake Holiday Show & Sale, Barn Hill Studios, Rte 110, Monroe, Sat 10 am-6 pm, Sun 12-6 pm, art by recently-formed group of artists whose focus is to promote & support art & artists in Fairfield County, also refreshments, stamping, craft table for kids, storytelling, caroling & more; 261-5578.

Dec 3-10: 38th Annual Gingerbread Village & Christmas Bazaar, St George’s Church, Tucker Hill Rd, Middlebury, Dec 3 (10 am-7 pm), Sun 12-9 pm, Mon-Fri 2-4 & 7-9 pm, Dec 10 (10 am-4 pm), village of 50-60 gingerbread houses, people, animals & scenes, all edible, all handmade & all open to silent auction bidding; 203-758-9557, 203-758-2165.

Dec 3-18: Santa’s Special Train Rides, Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury, Sat-Sun 12-4:30 pm, call for ticket prices, in-yard rides on restored RR cars to visit Santa’s Car for photos & gifts, last ride departs at 4:30, displays & refreshments inside museum; 778-8337.

Dec 4: 20th Annual Newtown Holiday Festival, on & immediately around Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 11 am-5 pm, tickets $23 adults/adv, $25 adults/day of, $20 seniors & children, events at Edmond Town Hall, Booth Library, Newtown Meeting House, Trinity Church, etc to incl walking tour of historic homes, Festival of Trees, ballet performances & live music, antiques show (begins at 10), family workshop & more, sponsored by & major fundraiser for Family Counseling Center; 426-8103.

Dec 4: Friends of Booth Library Book Emporium, C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 11 am-5 pm, upscale books, Booth Library book bags, bookmarks, Sarah Booth cookbooks, stocking stuffers & more, proceeds will benefit the library; 426-4533.

Dec 4: Baseball Card & Sport Memorabilia Show, Ramada Inn, 225 Lordship Blvd, Stratford, 9:30 am-2:30 pm, adm $3 adults, 99¢ ages 10 & under, special appearance by 1978 World Series MVP Bucky Dent (12-1 pm only), also dealers from 5 states; 364-1209.

Dec 4: Holiday Boutique, Ridgefield Community Center (The Lounsbury House), 316 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 10 am-4 pm, vendors, refreshments & more, sponsored by Temple Shearith Israel; 203-438-6589.

Dec 7: “Wor(l)ds of Poetry,” WCSU Alumni Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 7 pm, students from Western CT State University’s department of world languages & literature will host & share reading of favorite poems & songs in a celebration of youth; 837-8485.

Dec 7: Pearl Harbor program, Brookfield Museum & Historical Society headquarters, Rte 25 at 133, Brookfield Center, 7 pm, free program by retired engineer & research writer Bob Purssel will offer scenarios of what might have happened had the Japanese not bombed Pearl Harbor & present conclusions about WWII & its aftermath; 740-8140.

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

Programs free unless noted: Nov 28, “Baby Care: What’s New in Their Care and What’s Old But Still Gold,” 7:30 pm, free program by Lalaine Mortera, MD, & Jerome Cariaso, MD (Pediatric Services, Newtown).

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 26, Al’s Trail, Newtown (Sawsan Ali, 426-8911); Dec 3, Sherwood Island State Park Beach Walk, Westport (Jacob Baker, 748-5907); Dec 10, End-Of-Year Pot Luck Luncheon & Short Hike hosted by Maureen Markelon (203-888-3113, call her for directions & food coordination).

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

Meetings 4th Wed/month, 1:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: Nov 30, guest artist Frank Bruckman will demo painting an oil landscape.

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.

Treehouse Comedy Productions.

Shows at Marisa’s Ristorante, 6540 Main St, Trumbull (call 459-4225), tickets $10 unless noted, comedy shows start 10 pm, live music starts at 6 (unless noted), no cover charge (unless stated): Nov 25, Yesteryear, 9 pm.

Shows at The New Sorrento, 32 Newtown Rd, Danbury, 9:30 pm, first act, featured act & headliners as follows, tickets $15 unless noted: Nov 26, headliner Mike Burton (second headliner TBA), opening set by Maria Walsh.

Wednesday Night Poetry, NEW LOCATION: at Molten Java, 102 Greenwood Ave, 5 Depot Place (in former railroad station), Bethel. Call 426-3388 (Faith Vicinanza), 739-0313 (Molten Java).

Series presented ev Wed 7:30-10 pm (featured poets 8:30 pm, poetry workshop 9:15 pm), adm $1 ($3 requested if out-of-state or major guest poet), guest/featured poets as follows: Nov 30, featured poet TBA (host, Faith Vicinanza); Dec 7, Brian Clements; Dec 14, Bruce Weber, also year-end celebration (final reading of 2005, bring poems ot endings & beginnings, celebration or any other poems).

Theatre ______________

Ridgefield Theater Barn, 37 Halpin La, Ridgefield. Call 203-431-9850.

A Funny Thing Happened on The Way to The Forum, through Dec 10, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Nov 27 only) 3 pm, tickets $22 adults, $18 seniors & students; NOTE: no performance Sat, Nov 26.

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

Wild Mushrooms, through Dec 4, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Thurs, Sat-Sun 2 pm, call for ticket prices; Nov 25, Dessert Night; Dec 2, Wine & Martini Night.

TheatreWorks New Milford, 5 Brookside Ave, New Milford. Call 860-350-6863.

Ghost of A Chance (original holiday production is sequel to Christmas Carol), Dec 2-Jan 7, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Dec 11 & 18 only) 2 pm, tickets $17.50; (Thurs) Dec 1, seniors’ sneak pvw, 8 pm, free, area senior citizens invited to final dress rehearsal; (Thurs) Dec 8, Pay-What-You-Want Night, 8 pm, name your ticket price; Dec 31, New Year’s Eve Gala, 8 pm, tickets $35, hors d’oeuvres & open bar.

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Events that appear by date have Newtown items listed first, with additional events listed by their start time. At the time of printing, the information here is accurate as presented; a call ahead is always a good idea to be safe.

DEADLINE INFORMATION

Press releases for the Enjoy calendar of events or the Enjoy section must be received by MONDAY NOON for publication in that week’s edition of The Newtown Bee. Send to the attention of Shannon Hicks, Arts Editor, Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown 06470, or to shannon@thebee.com. Photos are welcome and can be black & white or color, but must be in sharp focus. Please call for specs if you plan to email digital photo files.