Five Great Deals

We're all watching our family budgets these days. Whether shopping with coupons or looking for two-for-one deals, we're taking advantage of all sorts of offers and savings that help us stretch our dollars.

This column gives you five great local deals each week to help your family’s bottom line. Do you know any great deals this week that we missed? Add them in the comments!

1. Marcia Clark book signing

Deal: On Wednesday, Apr 20 5:30p at Mohegan Sun Cabaret Theater, Mohegan Sun's Winning Authors presents New York Times best-selling author Marcia Clark.

Clark, who is perhaps best known as the lead prosecutor in the O.J. Simpson trial,  is making her fiction debut this month with the release of the crime thriller, "Guilt By Association."

This live discussion with Clark will take place on Wednesday, April 20, in The Cabaret Theatre at 5:30 p.m., followed by a book signing in The Shops at Mohegan Sun at 6:15 p.m. "Guilt By Association" will be available at Spin Street on April 20th.

2. Community Jazz Master Class

Deal: The Garde Arts Center invites musicians to learn about jazz improvisation through the music of jazz trumpet legend Miles Davis. His protege, Wallace Roney will be holding a free community jazz master class on Thursday, April 21, at 3:30 p.m. Registrations can be made by calling 860-444-7373 ,ext. 1 or emailing info@guardearts.org.

 3. Free Book Club

Deal: Children in 4th to 8th grades can call Kente Cultural Center in New London to recieve a copy of the book to read and be ready to share in the discussion. The book is theirs to keep. Call 860-444-1955 to reserve and pick up your copy!

4. Bike repair and safety

Deal: Is your bike not quite ready for spring?  Then bring it to the bicycle repair and safety roundup! Meets Saturday at Fiddleheads Natural Food Coop in New London from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Free helmets to the first 12 kids under 12.

5. Earth Day on Lantern Hill

Deal: For Earth Day, hike and pick-up litter on Lantern Hill in Ledyard.  Litter bags are provided; wear appropriate shoes.  Bring a snack and water.  Meet at the base of Lantern Hill on Friday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to noon. Call 860-411-9671 to register.  Senior Researcher Dr. Jason Mancini, from the Mashantucket Pequot Meseum, will tell about the landscapes and its importance to Native peoples.