My mom is a big mahjong person, so naturally I figured I’d see what kind of interest we’ve got here.

Mahjong seems to be having a bit of a moment lately, and I get it. It’s social, a little competitive, and has that perfect mix of “this seems confusing” and “okay wait, now I’m obsessed.”

After seeing how many connections came out of Dinner Club, I started wondering if there’d be any interest in a local learn-to-play mahjong night. Nothing stuffy. Nothing intense. Just a fun way to meet people, learn something new, and spend a night doing something a little more interesting than staring at your phone.

The rough idea would be Tuesday/Wednesday nights, somewhere local, with a group of maybe 50 people max and a 2-hour session to learn and play. If we put it together, I’d expect it would probably cost somewhere around $50 to $60 total per person.

Connecticut Buzz Mutt Madness has officially wrapped, and honestly, it was even bigger than we hoped. Thousands of votes rolled in, the competition got fierce, and Connecticut showed up in a big way for its dogs. Congrats to Elvis, our first-ever champion, and to Ginger, who made an impressive run all the way to the finals. Huge thanks as well to Pet Supplies Plus for sponsoring the tournament and helping turn this into one of the most fun things we’ve done. Safe to say this one was a smashing success.

A reader sent me an idea recently that I liked right away: instead of overthinking where to go, googling it to death, and basically ruining the surprise before you leave the house, just get the coordinates and go. Honestly, that feels like a pretty good trade right now. Less screen time, less overplanning, more fresh air and a little mystery.

So here’s the deal. I’m giving you the latitude and longitude to a spot worth checking out and inviting you to go experience it for yourself. But do yourself a favor and don’t look it up first. Don’t zoom around on Google Maps, don’t go creeping on Street View, and don’t turn this into a research project. Just plug it in and let the place be the point.

Use a GPS coordinate site or drop these into your map app and hit directions: 41.78454, -72.57703. That’ll land you at a Hartford County destination that’s easy to access and known for its gardens and big skyline views, with accessible garden areas throughout.

Go with a friend, bring the kids, or just take yourself for a quiet little detour. And if you end up going, snap a photo or a selfie and send it my way. I may feature one in a future issue.

The next Connecticut Buzz Dinner Club is headed to Wethersfield on Thursday, April 16 at 6:30 pm, and today is the last day to sign up. You voted for the town, and now you can also bring a plus one. It’s $16 to save your seat, and we’ll handle the matching, the restaurant booking, and the mystery element that makes this way more fun than your usual “where should we eat?” group text.

Here’s the deal: you take a quick quiz, we match you with five other Connecticut Buzz readers based on your vibe, and the morning of the dinner we text you the restaurant. Then during dinner, we’ll send the optional secret afterparty spot in case you want to keep the night going.

🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Greg, an 8.5-week-old Rottweiler-pit mix with big-boy potential, a confident little swagger, and the kind of smart, playful energy that says somebody’s future couch is about to get a whole lot cuter.

🏡House of the week: This 1789 colonial is pure old-house chaos in the best way, with three fireplaces, built-ins throughout, and an original hand-dug well still inside the house, which is an absolutely wild detail. Then you get the 0.71-acre level lot, a 3-car carport, and a huge old dairy barn. Check it out!

🥾Trail of the week: East Hartford Riverwalk – This one is about as easy as it gets: a flat, paved riverfront walk with skyline views, benches, and just enough fresh-air virtue to make you feel productive without breaking a sweat. It’s the kind of trail you can do with kids, a stroller, or a coffee in hand and still feel like you got out there.

🔭Sky report: The new moon hits April 17, which means the back half of the week brings your darkest skies, a real shot at catching the zodiacal light after sunset, and maybe even a few early Lyrid meteors before that shower peaks on April 21 to 22. The prettiest, easiest thing to catch is on April 18 and 19 just after sunset, when a thin crescent moon slides in near Venus in the western sky.

Only one person got last week’s trivia right, which honestly feels fair because this was a deep cut: ESPN’s first UConn game in 1978 was an exhibition against Athletes in Action on November 17, 1978. At that point, it was not even really being called ESPN yet. It was still the E.S.P. Network, short for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, and the full channel would not officially launch until September 7, 1979. The next morning, the network also carried a UConn-hosted ECAC soccer playoff game, which means a weirdly large chunk of early ESPN history ran straight through Storrs.

Bushnell Park’s Cherry Blossom Celebration lands on Sunday, April 19 from 12 to 3 pm, and it is basically Hartford in full spring-showoff mode. Expect music, games, kids’ activities, food trucks, and all the pink-and-white petal energy under the park’s Kanzan and Yoshino cherry trees. It is a pretty great excuse to get outside, soak up some peak-spring beauty, and pretend your allergies are not trying to ruin the moment.

Hartford | Yard Goats vs Richmond Flying Squirrels | 7pm | $ - Minor league baseball is back at Dunkin' Park with a fun promo night for singles - grab your friends and a cold one at the ballpark (1214 Main St). Batter up

Bloomfield | Native Plants & Eco Gardening for Beginners | 5:30PM - Learn sustainable gardening basics with Bloomfield Pollinator Pathway. Learn!

Glastonbury | Teatime with the Tulips | 10AM - Spring tea event at The Old Cider Mill (1287 Main St). Sip & Pick

Hartford | Yard Goats vs Richmond Flying Squirrels - Jackie Robinson Day | 7:10PM | ($) - Yard Goats celebrate baseball legend at Dunkin' Donuts Park (1214 Main St). Cheer!

Hartford | Andrew McCarthy on "WHO NEEDS FRIENDS" | 7PM | ($) - Actor and travel writer Andrew McCarthy talks friendship, fame, and his latest book at the Mark Twain House (385 Farmington Ave). Get the deets

Hartford | Wolf Pack vs. Bridgeport Islanders | 7pm | $ - AHL hockey at PeoplesBank Arena - catch Hartford's hockey squad in action (1 Civic Center Plaza). Drop the puck

Newington | Acoustic Wednesdays - Marty Q | 6PM - Live acoustic tunes at The Flying Monkey (2095 Berlin Tpke).

West Hartford | Frank Pepe Wine Dinner | 6PM | ($) - Wine pairings with classic pizza at Frank Pepe's (1148 New Britain Ave). Reservations at [email protected]

West Hartford | Euphoria Trivia | 7PM - Test your knowledge at Euphoria (73 Isham Rd).

Berlin | Gardening Under the Stars: Nocturnal Pollinators | 6:30PM - Learn to protect night pollinators (234 Kensington Rd). Learn!

East Granby | Sushi Making Class at Brignole Vineyards | 6pm | ($) - Roll your own sushi and sip wine at one of the county's most scenic vineyards — this one always sells out fast (103 Hartford Ave). Roll with it

Manchester | D'LAI: "I Beg Your Pardon" Comedy Tour | 7PM | ($) - Stand-up comedy at Funny Bone Comedy Club Hartford. Laugh!

Newington | Mike Childs Soul Jazz | 6pm - Smooth soul jazz vibes to kick off your Thursday evening at the Flying Monkey (2095 Berlin Tpke).

Suffield | Kokedama Workshop | 6PM | ($) - Create Japanese moss ball planters (11 High St Suite 104). Craft!

Windsor | Shad About You, Windsor's Favorite Fish | 6:30PM | ($) - Historical talk about Windsor's fishing heritage (96 Palisado Ave). Learn!

Berlin | CT Social Babes in Berlin | 5PM - Women's social meetup at the Farmer's Cow Calfé & Creamery.

Broad Brook | Voices of Rock! | 8PM | ($) - Rock tribute show at Broad Brook Opera House (107 Main St). Rock!

Farmington | Acoustic Night at Winding Trails – Danielle Miraglia | 7pm - Singer-songwriter plays an intimate acoustic set in a gorgeous outdoor setting (50 Winding Trl). Hear her live

Hartford | Irish Heritage Night at the Yard Goats | 5:30PM | ($) - Celebrate Irish heritage at Dunkin' Donuts Park (1214 Main St). Cheer!

Hartford | Strangecreek Battle of the Bands | 7PM - Local bands compete at Arch Street Tavern (85 Arch St).

Hartford | CMAK Night at Wolf Pack Hockey | 7PM | ($) - Support CMAK Foundation at XL Center (1 Civic Center Plaza). Cheer!

Hartford | Hasan Minhaj & Ronny Chieng | 7PM | ($) - Comedy tour at Mortensen Hall at The Bushnell. Laugh!

Hartford | Jake Kulak and the Modern Vandals | 8PM - Blues rock at Black-Eyed Sally's (360 Asylum St).

Hartford | Trina | 8PM | ($) - The Queen of Miami brings the heat to The Webster for a Friday night hip-hop party (31 Webster St). Turn it up

Hartford | Wolf Pack vs. Springfield Thunderbirds | 7pm | ($) - Friday night hockey at PeoplesBank Arena (1 Civic Center Plaza). Drop the puck

Hartford | Native Gardens Opening Night | 7:30PM | ($) - Hartford Stage opens Karen Zacarías's hilarious comedy about neighbors, fences, and what happens when personal boundaries collide - runs through May 10 (50 Church St). Curtain's up

Manchester | Sound Healing with Maria Del Carmen | 7PM - Relaxing sound bath experience (153 Vernon St W).

Manchester | The Neybas | 9PM - Live music at The Hungry Tiger (120 Charter Oak St).

Plainville | Bingo Night | 7PM | ($) - Classic bingo fun (98 Whiting St Unit B).

Southington | Spirit Shaker Winter | 8PM - Live music at Blackstone Irish Pub (1678 Meriden Waterbury Tpke).

West Hartford | Mystery Paint Event | 6:30PM | ($) - Surprise painting at WeHa Brewing & Roasting (141 Shield St). Paint!

Berlin | Eight to the Bar - Mostly Motown | 7:30PM - Classic Motown hits at Casa Mia at the Hawthorne (2421 Berlin Tpke).

Broad Brook | SUBDEAD Night! Garden Grove & Shakedown! | 8PM | ($) - Grateful Dead tribute at Broad Brook Opera House (107 Main St). JAM!

Canton | New Rescue Facility Open House | 12PM-4PM - Meet adoptable pups at New England Puppy Rescue (166 Albany Tpke).

East Hartford | Ice Cream Social | 11AM - Sweet treats and community fun at Harley Davidson (221 Governor St).

East Windsor | 18th Century Clock Making | 11AM - Historical demonstration (115 Scantic Rd).

Enfield | Mini Book Fair for Grown-ups | 1PM-5PM - Browse books and sip brews at Powder Hollow Brewery (504 Hazard Ave).

Enfield | Kimberly Rene Acoustic | 8PM - Live acoustic rock at The Yarde Tavern.

Hartford | Get a Clue with Sea Tea Improv | 7PM | ($) - Murder mystery improv at Mark Twain House (351 Farmington Ave). Solve!

Hartford | Rakim | 8PM | ($) - Hip-hop legend live at Webster Theater. Listen!

Glastonbury | Rhythm City at Rooftop 120 | 8:30PM - Live music and rooftop energy on a Saturday night.

New Britain | Access for All Community Day - ¡Viva Puerto Rico! | 10AM-5PM | ($) - Cultural celebration at New Britain Museum of American Art (56 Lexington St). Celebrate!

New Britain | Museum After Dark - Chinchorreo | 8PM | ($) - Puerto Rican bar hop experience at NBMAA (56 Lexington St). Party!

North Granby | Sip N Spa | 12:15PM-5:15PM | ($) - Wine and wellness at Lost Acres Vineyard (86 Lost Acres Rd).

Rocky Hill | Mystic at Arch 2 | 8:30PM - Live band at Arch 2 Sports Bar & Grill (632 Cromwell Ave).

Simsbury | Sip, Soothe & Paint - Spring Tulip | 5:30PM | ($) - Paint night with Catherine Elliott (10 Wilcox St). Paint!

Southington | Brewing Up Dreams! | 2PM - Special event all about dreams at Witchdoctor Brewing (168 Center St).

West Hartford | Vegan Sweets Pop-up | 4PM - Plant-based desserts and treats from local vendors take over GastroPark.

Wethersfield | Webb Barn Sale | 9AM-3PM - Antiques and treasures at historic Webb Barn (211 Main St).

Wethersfield | The 11 Chakras & Healing with Color Prana | 11AM | ($) - Energy healing workshop at The Blackbird House (147 Main St). Heal!

Berlin | Build Your Own Bouquet Flower Bar | 3PM - Create a custom spring bouquet (154 Porters Pass). Bloom!

East Hartford | Plant Cherry Blossom Trees at Rentschler Field | 12PM-2:30PM - Community tree planting event.

Granby | Intro to Carving a Sunflower | 1PM - Learn woodcarving basics (17r Trout Dr). Carve!

Hartford | Hi! People Block Party | 1PM-4PM - Community block party (306 Market St). Party!

Hartford | Reverend Horton Heat w/ Black Joe Lewis & Pinata Protest | 8PM | ($) - Psychobilly legends at Infinity Hall Hartford. Rock!

Manchester | CT Social Babes Sip & Paint | 2:30PM | ($) - Paint and socialize at Elicit Brewing Co (165 Adams St). Paint!

New Britain | Spring 2026 Charity Car Show | 10AM-3PM | ($) - Classic cars at CCSU Student Center (105 Ella Grasso Blvd). Cruise!

South Glastonbury | Big (Boozy) Book Fair | 1PM-5PM - Browse books and brews at Hops on the Hill (280 Dug Rd). Browse!

Windsor | LOTUS FLOWER Stained Glass Class | 12PM - Beginners class with DAB Stained Glass (570 Hayden Station Rd). Call at 860-285-0538 to reserve.

Hartford | Circus Fire: Share Your Stories – A Community Gathering | 6pm - An intimate storytelling night at 233 Pearl Street — share your own story or just listen (233 Pearl St). Speak up (source: FB Hartford | 30 interested · 3 going)

4/14

Berlin | Family Fishing | 9AM | ($) - Cast a line at the nature center-registration required (191 Farmington Ave). Fish!

Apr 13-15 | Enfield | Spring Break Welding Mini Camp for Kids | ($) - Kids learn welding basics over 3 days (183 Broad Brook Rd). Weld!

Windsor | Nature Center Animals - Feeding Demonstration | 11AM - Watch animal feedings at Northwest Park & Nature Center (129 Lang Rd). Watch!

4/17

Bloomfield | April Kids Night Out! | 5PM - Drop the kids off for a fun evening at Auer Farm while you get a Friday night to yourself (158 Auer Farm Rd).

Enfield | Pancakes for Pancakes Tortoises | 10AM | ($) - Feed tortoises pancakes at Riverside Reptiles (132 South Rd).

4/18

Hartford | Soar Together – Kite Flying Event | 12PM - Bring the whole family to Colt Park to fly kites, make kites, and enjoy the spring breeze (Colt Park, Hartford).