reason #4

we're almost halfway--is anybody feeling that warm denton glow yet?

4. free things
if you're a denton resident, you have access to a gigantic swath of free things through your library. i really should say "libraries." there are three branches, each with material that occasionally overlaps, but usually differs, which connect to give you more access to more materials than would ever be necessary in your puny lifetime. thousands of dvds, cds, hundreds of thousands of books, a selection of magazines & newspapers, free internet access. the mind boggles. book clubs, storytimes, esl workshops, movie screenings, knitting classes, author visits (gregory macguire, author of "wicked" will be visiting as a part of the "denton reads" program!) and hey, tattooed librarians. tell me that's not way more fun than you thought your local library would be.

in the "free with purchase" category, there's always the denton coupon book. it will run anywhere from $20-$40, costing more if you buy it in october or soon after, when you have the most time to take advantage of the savings, and less as it gets closer to the expiration date the following year. coupons include 2-for-1 dinners at many local restaurants, 50% off haircuts at select salons, 2-for-1 tickets to performances at denton's community theater and at unt's theater and dance program, and last year there were at least two free oil changes offered by area mechanics. in the last few months, i have saved more than double what the book initially cost, and am looking forward to getting next year's book. it's a good way to remind yourself to get out of the house and enjoy what our town has to offer.