It’s the inaugural Mutt Madness and we’re building the bracket right now. We’ve got 8 spots open, and if we get a bunch more entries, we’ll expand the tournament size.

How it works:

To enter: click the button below and fill out the simple form with your name, email, your dog’s name, and the best photo you can find.

96% of you said you’d be down for a local coffee meetup, so I did the only logical thing and made it official. This Saturday, 9-11am, we’re taking over Rebel Dog Coffee Co. in East Hartford (361 Main St). I’ll be there too, caffeinated and ready to talk life, CT, business ideas, or why we all pretend we like winter. Buzz Bonus: when you order, just mention CT BUZZ and you’ll get 10% off all drink orders! Yes, even your triple-shot oat milk situation.

Rebel Dog has a perfect industrial chic vibe where exposed brick and metal beams make you feel slightly more productive just by existing. My go-to is their signature cold brew. Smooth, rich, kinda chocolatey in that “why is this this good?” way. And they’re not just coffee. Legit breakfast and lunch, plus a bunch of baked goods and ingredients made in-house.

🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Barry, a 2-year-old, 45-lb Catahoula mix with cat-like reflexes, big-time swagger, and a ton of heart, basically your future jogging buddy who’s already house and crate trained (just don’t bring cats to the party).

🏡House of the week: This 1922 West End colonial is pure “I host now” energy: 3,594 sq ft, 5 beds, 4.5 baths, a heated gunite pool, and a rare 0.77-acre fenced lot set back from Bloomfield Ave. Inside you’ve got dramatic arches, a statement staircase, two fireplaces, central air, and a 3-car garage for all your adulting ambitions. Check it out!

💎Hidden gem of the week: Come celebrate women and shop local at the Force de Femme Pop Up Market, a lively Parkville Market event spotlighting women-owned businesses, makers, and creatives this Saturday from 11AM-5PM in honor of Women’s History Month.

🔭Sky report: We just had the Blood Moon, last night and this week Hartford’s sky is basically a bright-moon tour as the Worm Moon fades from full into waning gibbous, so the best stargazing window is early evening before the Moon gets too bossy. Your big “go outside for 5 minutes” moment is Saturday and Sunday evenings (3/7-3/8) when Venus and Saturn link up low in the western sky for about 45 minutes after sunset, while Jupiter stays higher and brighter like it owns the place.

Dinner Club is back in West Hartford on March 19th at 6:30PM, and it’s the easiest way to meet new people without doing the awkward “so… what do you do?” thing in a loud bar. Take a quick personality quiz, get matched with 5 others, then show up to a surprise restaurant and get the after-hours location texted out later. You cover your tab, and it’s $16 to lock your seat. Come hungry, leave with new neighbors.

Support Connecticut Buzz and have an absurdly fun snow-day showdown with CONN-OPOLY, our CT-themed board game where you buy, trade, and build across real Nutmeg towns, landmarks, and industries like you’re time-traveling with dice. Every box also comes with a free digital Field Guide that turns each space into a bite-size CT history lesson, so you can learn something while you crush your family.

Saturday March 7th Hartford is going full shamrock takeover and Pratt Street is basically the afterparty headquarters. After the Greater Hartford St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicks off at the Capitol Building (11AM), head to Pratt Street where the restaurants are all in and the schedule is stacked: free face paint at Hartford Prints (10AM-2PM), Pipe Dream with piper Coreyanne Armstrong (10AM-12:30PM), then ROOST The Band (12:30-3:30PM) to keep the post-parade energy rolling. Vaughan’s opens at 8AM for Kegs & Eggs + live music, Bloom is doing green bagels and Irish cream lattes, Urban Lodge has corned beef on rye and smashburgers, and basically every spot on the street is serving some version of “yes, we’re celebrating” from morning to mid-afternoon. More parade details here

🇯🇲Legacy It’s Tradition is now open on 206 West Center St. Manchester, serving jerk chicken, oxtail, curry goat, beef patties, plus the burger-and-tenders crowd too.

🍪Insomnia Cookies is now open on LaSalle Road in West hartford, slinging warm Chocolate Chunk, Snickerdoodle, Confetti Deluxe, brownies, brookies, and even vegan treats until after midnight.

🥤Robeks is now open on 186 W. Main St in Avon, blending fresh smoothies, juices, açaí bowls, and bougie avocado toasts.

🛍️ Home For Good, a new thrift destination just opened at 591 New Park Ave in West Hartford where every dollar spent goes straight to supporting people transitioning out of homelessness.

🌭Two Brothers Cafe opened in South Glastonbury at 875 Main St, serving up classic breakfast and lunch with Puerto Rican flair, including their famous Two Brothers Benedict plus all the comfort-food staples that cure a rough morning.

From Hartford to Las Vegas, Nevada for 268 bucks* non-stop roundtrip, early May for an extended weekend. See the deal!

From Hartford to Curaçao for 261 bucks* 1-stop roundtrip, end of April. for a week stay. See the deal!

*Prices at the time of writing subject to change

Berlin | Dodgeball Open Gym | 7PM $ - Last chance to warm up before the league kicks off March 9. Foam ball chaos at VALE CO-OP (510 Four Rod Rd). First-timers play free. Play

Hartford | Death of a Salesman (3/3-3/29) | Times Vary $ - This Tony award and Pulitzer prize winner is hitting the Hartford Stage’s (50 Church St) spring run. Classic drama about the perilously high cost of the American dream. Save my seats

Canton | Full 'Sap' Moon Hike | 7-8:15PM $ - Guided night hike under the Sap Moon at Roaring Brook Nature Center (70 Gracey Rd). Maple tapping season vibes. Walk

Southington | Full Moon Goat Walk | 5PM $ - Moonlight stroll with goats and lake views at Bradley Mountain Farm (537 Shuttle Meadow Rd). Fun

Berlin | Intro to Organic Vegetable Gardening | 6-7:30PM - Soil, seeds, and harvesting basics with veggie farmer Joey Listro at Berlin-Peck Memorial Library (234 Kensington Rd). Register

Enfield | Clover Bowl Wheel Workshop | 6-8PM $ - Throw a clover bowl on the wheel at Kil'n It Pottery Studio (610 Enfield St), then come back to glaze it. Create

Hartford | Hartford Wolf Pack vs. Providence | 7PM $ - AHL hockey night at PeoplesBank Arena (1 Civic Center Plaza).

New Britain | Quinnetukut: Our Homeland, Our History | 6-7PM - Indigenous perspectives and CT history at New Britain Public Library (20 High St).

Plainville | Paint Your Partner | 6-8PM $ - Date night gets hilarious! Sit across from your person and paint their portrait. No skill required, just laughs and good vibes at Transcend Brew Crafters (45 Northwest Dr, Unit A). Paint

Southington | Pysanky Workshop | 5:30-8PM $ - Master the ancient Ukrainian art of Easter egg decorating! Create intricate wax-resist designs on real eggs at at SoCCA (93 Main St). Beginner-friendly, adults 18+. Eggcelent

East Granby | St. Patrick's Day Candle-Making | 6-8PM $ - Pour your own lucky candles at Brignole Vineyards (103 Hartford Ave)! Choose festive scents like shamrock mint or clover while sipping wine. Wicked

Granby | Wild Turkey Bourbon Dinner | 6PM $ - Five courses, five premium bourbons, one unforgettable evening. The Barn (17R East Granby Rd) pairs Russell's Reserve with dishes designed to impress. EAT

Hartford | The Wadsworth Atheneum’s First Thursdays | 5-7PM - Free museum night at the Wadsworth Atheneum (600 Main St) with music, drawing, and a cash bar.

Hartford | Hartford Career Fair | 9:30AM-2:30PM - Connect with top employers in Government, Sales, IT, Healthcare, and Engineering downtown at CT-AAP (750 Main St). Register

South Glastonbury | GOZA Latin Jazz | 6-9PM - Samba, salsa, rumba - GOZA brings the heat! This all-star Latin ensemble covers Santana, Jobim, and the Gipsy Kings. At Angelo’s restaurant (2705 Main St).

West Hartford | Gilmore Girls Trivia | 7PM - Oy with the poodles already! Test your Stars Hollow knowledge at WOB Bar & Kitchen (73 Isham Rd, Suite B-30).

Windsor | Dudleytown Brewing Meet | 5:30PM - Book club meets brew pub! Discuss "Run on Red" by Noelle A. Ihli over craft beers at Dudleytown Brewing (1001 Day Hill Rd).

Bristol | Holly Epoxy Workshop | 6-8PM $ - Pour stunning epoxy coasters while grazing on charcuterie! BYOB and get creative at The Bristol Bazaar (67 Race St). Four custom coasters to take home. Create

Hartford | Connecticut Home & Remodeling Show | Hours Vary by Day $ - Explore home improvement, remodeling and design ideas from hundreds of local and national vendors under one roof at the Connecticut Convention Center (100 Columbus Blvd). Neat

Hartford | Mauve Lloyd | 9PM $ - Arch Street Tavern (85 Arch St) show with a tribute to Pink Floyd’s Animals & more.

West Hartford | Charity Fur Ball | 6:30-7:15PM $ - Dance for the animals! Learn ballroom basics, bid on silent auction treasures, and support homeless pets. Semi-formal at Fred Astaire Studios (430 New Park Ave). Ruff ruff

Windsor | Hog Tied BBQ at Luppoleto | 4-8PM - Smoked meats meet craft beer! Pulled pork, candied bacon, loaded potatoes, and Luppoleto's (20 Main St) finest brews. Food truck heaven.

Berlin | Funbags at The Truck Bar | 8PM - Saturday night energy spills into Sunday! Funbags brings the party to The Truck Bar (151 Webster Square Rd).

Broad Brook | Obey Your Master - Metallica Tribute | 8PM $ - America's #1 Metallica tribute rips through every era at Broad Brook Opera House (107 Main St). From Kill 'Em All to present day, face-melting guaranteed. Rock out

East Granby | Used Book Sale | 8:30AM-2PM - Bibliophiles rejoice! Fill your shelves for cheap at the East Granby Community Center (9 Center St). Come early for the best picks.

Farmington | Farmington Valley Symphony | 3PM - Classical music performed without intermission at University of St. Joseph (1678 Asylum Ave). Let the full orchestra sweep you away on a Saturday afternoon.

Hartford | Wolf Pack vs Hershey Bears | 6PM $ - AHL hockey action at PeoplesBank Arena (1 Civic Center Plaza)! Cheer on Hartford's Pack against the rival Bears.

Manchester | Spanish Tapas Cooking Class | 5-7:30PM $ - Cook your way through Spain at The Hidden Kitchen (642 Hilliard St, Suite 1101). Hands-on small plates, big flavors, and all the sangria vibes. Cook

Southington | O'Shenanigans 5K | 10AM $ - Kick off St. Paddy's season on the Farmington Canal Trail! Finishers get custom knit gloves, craft beer, and pizza at Kinsmen Brewing (409 Canal St). Run

Southington | 1 Wild Night - Bon Jovi Tribute | 9PM $ - Livin' on a prayer at Blackstone Irish Pub (1678 Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike). Connecticut's favorite Bon Jovi tribute rocks the house.

West Hartford | THE BROKEN HEARTS: Tom Petty Tribute | 7PM $ - Won't back down from a good tribute! Former Petty bandmate Charlie J Souza's group delivers the real deal at New Park Brewing (485 New Park Ave).

Bristol | Pressed Flower Ring Dishes | 2-4PM $ - Craft beautiful ceramic ring dishes with real pressed flowers and UV resin at The Bristol Bazaar (67 Race St). Create

Collinsville | The Last Five Years | 7:30PM $ - Jason Robert Brown's stunning two-person musical about love and loss. Farmington Valley Stage Company brings the heartbreak and hope at Canton Town Hall Auditorium (4 Main St). Enjoy

Farmington | Women's Day Fill-A-Bag | 10AM-2PM $ - $20 fills a bag with curated women's clothing, shoes, and purses! Sustainable fashion finds for National Women's Day at Koyi Leung Photography (1 Forest Park Dr). Shop

Hartford | Black Eyed Blues | 8PM - Hartford's home of the blues! Sunday night soul at Black-Eyed Sally's (350 Asylum St) with kickin' BBQ on the side.

Hartford | Rumours ATL: Fleetwood Mac Tribute | 8PM $ - Go your own way to Infinity Music Hall (32 Front St) for the ultimate Fleetwood Mac experience. All the hits, all the harmonies. All ages welcome. Tickets

South Glastonbury | Maple Sugar Madness | 1-4PM - Spring's first signs! Watch trees get tapped, sap boiled over fire pits, and sample pancakes at historic Welles-Shipman-Ward House(972 Main St).

Windsor | Tree of Life Sun Catcher | 11:30AM-2:30PM $ - This class keeps selling out at Mondazzi Book, Bead & Crystal (570 Hayden Station Rd). Wire-wrap a beautiful beaded sun catcher to hang anywhere. Call to reserve 860-285-0538.

Newington | Women's Empowerment in Business | 6PM - "Living Solo Fearlessly" with travel agent Trisha Vale. Free networking meetup for women in business and career transition at The Flash Lady Photography (51 Gilbert Rd). Link

Mar 3 | Simsbury | Cartooning With Robin | 4:30-6PM $ - Ages 9-14 build their own comic books in a 6-week series at Gather on Hopmeadow (961 Hopmeadow St). Create

Mar 6 | Manchester | Family Movie Night: Finding Nemo | 6PM - Just keep swimming to Eastside Neighborhood Resource Center (153 Spruce St). Free indoor screening with snacks. Perfect for the whole family. Link

Mar 7 | Children’s Book Fair: Meet the Authors | 12:30-3:30PM - Bring the kids and chat with talented children’s authors at this free event at The Lutz Childrens Museum (247 S Main St).

Mar 7 New Britain | The151CardShow | 9AM $ - Pokemon, YuGiOh, MTG, Lorcana - 45+ vendors under one roof at The Grand Alure Banquet Hall (1375 East St Rear). $5 entry, kids 8 & under free. Full bar and food onsite. Link

Mar 7 | West Simsbury | We Hate to See You GLOW! | 5PM $ - Glow-in-the-dark ice skating at Simsbury Farms (100 Old Farms Rd). Grab your neon gear and glide under the lights. $5 admission, $5 skate rental. Link

Mar 8 | Simsbury | Granby Skate Night | 3PM $ - Lace up for family skating at at International Skating Center of Connecticut (1375 Hopmeadow St). Admission includes hot chocolate, cookies, and rentals. $5 residents, $10 non-residents. Link