It’s hot enough outside that opening your car door now counts as a sauna session, so I put together a Hartford County Swim Spots Guide with places where you can actually get in the water. Pools, ponds, splash pads, lake beaches, the whole “please get me near water before I become beef jerky” situation.

Mahjong 102 is happening Monday, July 13 from 6 to 9 PM at Work_Space in Manchester, and only 40 spots are available. Tickets are $75, which includes hands-on instruction, your American Mahjong card, full Mahjong setups, table lights, and a night of actually getting comfortable at the table.

Connecticut Buzz Dinner Club #7 is coming to West Hartford on July 23rd.

Here’s what people have said after sitting down for dinner with 5 friendly strangers…

“So much fun! Such easy conversation. We were joking about the “algorithm” that put us at a table together - so many connections and coincidences!”

“This was my first time, and it will not be last. I had a great time and met wonderful people. Look forward to next one.”

Almost 200 of you have joined with an average rating of 4.5/5 stars!

Quick reminder: we launched the event calendar last week and would still really love your feedback, especially on what feels useful, confusing, or missing.

The plan is to make it a clean, reliable place to check what’s happening anytime, then trim some event listings from the newsletter so we can make room for more guides, local finds, and fun stuff.

🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Zeppelin, a 3-year-old hound mix with big adventure energy, a cuddly side, and one firm request: he wants to be your one-and-only pet.

🏡House of the week: This one is for the person who sees 200 feet of waterfront, a guest house, cabana, carriage barn workshop, and immediately starts mentally canceling every future vacation. Inside, you’ve got soaring ceilings, big natural light, a fireplace, wood stove, 2 primary suites, and a lower-level in-law setup with its own private deck. It needs some love, but the bones are there for a full-time lake life glow-up. Check it out!

🔭Sky report: On Thursday around 9:15 PM, look low in the west for bright Venus near Regulus, the heart star of Leo. Then set the alarm for Saturday or Sunday around 4:30 to 5:15 AM, when the crescent Moon helps point out Mars and Saturn in the eastern sky, with Uranus nearby if you’ve got binoculars.

Flight Buzz: Hartford to Bridgetown, Barbados from $394 bucks* 1-stop roundtrip end of August for a week trip. Pack your bags. *Price may change from time of writing

New Openings:

Don’t miss the continued festivities of America 250 with fireworks parades and more. Great for the whole family or solo!

Bristol | Rockin Out at Rockwell: Country Steel | 6:30 PM - Country tunes kick off the summer concert series at Rockwell Park (63 Dutton Ave). Hear It Live

Hartford | Yard Goats vs. Binghamton Rumble Ponies | 7:10 PM - Catch the Yard Goats at Dunkin’ Park this week (6/7-6-12) for summer nights of baseball. Play Ball

Manchester | Pottery Painting | 6 PM | ($) - Sip brews and paint pottery at Urban Lodge Brewing (35 Purnell Pl). Get Crafty

South Windsor | The Bernadettes Summer Concert | 7 PM - Doo-wop and classic girl group sounds at Evergreen Walk Park.

Canton | Winged Jewels | 1 PM - Discover the dazzling world of Dragonflies at Roaring Brook Nature Center (70 Gracey Rd). Explore

Glastonbury | Desperados Eagles Tribute | 6:30 PM - Take it easy with this Eagles tribute at Riverfront Park (300 Welles St).

Simsbury | Simsbury 250 Kick-Off Night | 6 PM - Launch the town's 250th anniversary celebration at Simsbury Meadows (800 Hopmeadow St). Celebrate

Suffield | Watercolor Card Workshop | 6 PM | ($) - Learn to paint beautiful watercolor greeting cards at Karenoughcrafts. Get Crafty

West Hartford | Latanya Farrell Concert | 6:30 PM - Soulful sounds at Elizabeth Park's summer concert series. Hear It Live

Bloomfield | Isaac Monts Collective | 7 PM - Free outdoor concert at Bloomfield Town Green (800 Bloomfield Ave). Listen Up

New Britain | Wildlife Out Your Window | 6 PM - Learn about backyard wildlife at New Britain Public Library (20 High St). Discover

Plainville | 60s Satisfaction Concert | 6:30 PM - Groovy 60s hits at Norton Park summer concert series. Catch the Show

Southington | Mini Wrestling All-Stars | 8 PM | ($) - The shortest fight of them all at Cadillac Ranch—hilarious mini wrestling action. Watch Now

West Hartford | Brown Eyed Women | 7 PM | ($) - All-female Grateful Dead tribute at New Park Brewing (485 New Park Ave). Tune In

Windsor | 250th Celebration | 2-8 PM - Historic celebration on Windsor Town Green with activities and entertainment. Be There

Bristol | Glow Air Plant Terrarium Night | 6 PM | ($) - Create your own glowing terrarium with air plants (50 Pinehurst Rd). Get Crafty

East Windsor | Drafts & Dyes Tie Dye | 6 PM | ($) - Make your own tie dye creations while sipping craft drinks (2 North Rd Unit 4). Get Creative

Farmington | Dueling Piano Night | 5 PM | ($) - Two pianists battle it out at Farmington Polo Club (152 Town Farm Rd). Sing Along

Farmington | Ruckus Country Trio Acoustic Night | 7 PM | ($) - Country acoustic vibes at Winding Trails (50 Winding Trl). Listen Up

Granby | Lee Totten Music Adventures | 7 PM - Interactive musical journey at Cambridge Brew House (357 Salmon Brook St).

Hartford | Lionel Richie & Earth, Wind & Fire | 7:30 PM | ($) - Legendary double bill at PeoplesBank Arena (1 Civic Center Plz). Catch the Show

Hartford | Steely Dead | 8 PM | ($) - Fusion of Grateful Dead and Steely Dan—the ultimate jam mashup. Tune In

Marlborough | Friday Night Lights: Iron Sabbath | 5 PM - Black Sabbath tribute rocks The Farm at Carter Hill (86 East Hampton Rd). Rock Out

Simsbury | Spirit Shaker at Talcott Mountain Collective | 7 PM - Live music and craft beverages at the collective (140 Nod Rd). Hear It Live

Simsbury | Infinity Rising: Journey Tribute | 7:30 PM | ($) - Don't stop believin' at Simsbury Meadows with Hartford Symphony (22 Iron Horse Blvd). Catch the Show

Bristol | 250 Years of Buttons | 1 PM - Explore button history through the centuries at this unique exhibit (98 Summer St). Discover

Bristol | Sea Glass Christmas Tree Workshop | 4 PM | ($) - Craft a festive sea glass tree at The Bristol Bazaar (67 Race St). Get Crafty

Hartford | Bridgerton Ball on Pratt | 6 PM | ($) - Don your Regency finest for an elegant evening on Pratt Street. Dance Away

Hartford | Spooky Popcorn: Hereditary | 8 PM - Outdoor horror screening at Constitution Plaza—bring your nerve. Screen It

Manchester | Nightshift at Independence Day Celebration | 7 PM - Classic rock favorites at Dutch Fogarty celebration with fireworks (1090 Main St). Celebrate

Marlborough | North East Gas Bash Summer Show | 7 AM - 12 PM - Vintage gas and oil memorabilia show at The Farm at Carter Hill (86 East Hampton Rd).

Milldale | Presence Led Zeppelin Tribute | 7:30 PM | ($) - Hammer of the gods rocks Kinsmen Brewing (409 Canal St). Rock Out

North Granby | Simsbury Camera Club Photo Show | 4 PM - Photography exhibition and reception at Lost Acres Vineyard (86 Lost Acres Rd). Browse Around

South Windsor | Garden Artisan Market | 10 AM- 3 PM - Local artisans and garden goods at this outdoor market at CT Valley Brewing Co.(765 Sullivan Ave). (runs 6/12 too)

Suffield | Wicked: Outdoor Movies on the Green | 8:30 PM - Free movie under the stars at Suffield Town Green (1 N Main St).

West Hartford | The Berkshires at GastroPark | 7 PM - Live music at West Hartford's outdoor food truck park.

Wethersfield | 5 Channels of Somatic Healing | 11:30 AM | ($) - Mind-body healing workshop at The Blackbird House (147 Main St). Find Balance

Bristol | Houseplant Bingo | 12 PM | ($) - Win beautiful houseplants at this botanical bingo at Bristol Bazaar (67 Race St). Play Along

Broad Brook | Beginnings: Chicago Tribute | 6 PM | ($) - Celebrate the music of Chicago at Broad Brook Opera House (4 Depot St). Hear It Live

East Granby | A Thing Called Dave | 2 PM - Live music and wine at Brignole Vineyards (103 Hartford Ave).

Hartford | Pratt Street Sunday Market | 11 AM - 3 PM - Browse local vendors and artisans at downtown Hartford's weekly market.

Manchester | Revolutionary War Encampment | 10 AM - Step back in time with colonial reenactors at Cheney Homestead (106 Hartford Rd). Explore

South Glastonbury | July 4th at Glastonbury Marina | 1 PM - The Leftovers perform lakeside at Glastonbury Marina's delayed celebration (684 Tryon St).

Southington | Christmas in July Music Bingo | 5 PM - Holiday-themed bingo fun at Smoke and Muddle (15 N Liberty St).

New Britain | Nightshift at Walnut Hill Park | 7 PM - Classic rock favorites return to Walnut Hill Park's summer concert series. Rock Out

7/9

Manchester | Ed Pop Magic Show | 11 AM - Dazzling magic tricks for kids at Wickham Park(1329 Middle Tpke W).

7/10

Avon | Unicorn Day | 4-6:30 PM | ($) - Magical unicorn-themed fun for kids at Avon Valley Show Stables. Join the Fun

East Windsor | Storytime Trolley | 10:30 AM | ($) - Ride a vintage trolley while listening to stories at CT Trolley Museum (58 North Rd). Hop Aboard

7/11

East Hartford | Summer Splash Party | 1-4 PM - Pool party fun at Goldstar Pool in Goodwin Park (1236 Forbes St). Splash In

7/12

Manchester | Brunch with Princesses in the Park | 12 PM - Dine with your favorite princesses at Wickham Park. Join the Fun