Five Free Things To Do In and Around Phoenix December 1 - 6, 2008

Some of these are holiday-related and some are not. One thing they all have in common is that admission for all of these activities is free.

What: Yule School at Paddock Pools
When: Monday, December 1, Tuesday, December 2 and Wednesday, December 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: North Scottsdale, Mesa and Glendale
During Yule School, Paddock's Director of Christmas demonstrates everything from the benefits of artificial trees to how to create your own themed tree and solve lighting problems. Call 480-947-7261 for more information. Locations are:
Monday: 101/Shea (8718 E. Shea Blvd.); Tuesday: Mesa Pavilions (6952 E. Hampton Ave.); Wednesday: Arrowhead (8078 W. Bell Rd.)

What: Holiday Gift Craft for Teens
When: Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Where: Scottsdale Libraries
Recycle and be creative while knocking off those names on your holiday gift list. Visit one of the library teen spaces to create your own fabulous frame from recycled paper. Arabian Library: 2 p.m.; Civic Center Library: 2 p.m.; Mustang Library: 3 p.m.; Palomino Library: 2:30 p.m.

What: Jana Bommersbach
When: Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 7 p.m.
Where: Velma Teague Branch Library, 7010 N. 58th Ave., Glendale
Jana Bommersbach, a well-known author and journalist will talk about her latest book, "Bones in the Desert: The True Story of a Mother's Murder and a Daughter's Search." In December 2004, Loretta Bowersock, mother of prominent businesswoman Terri Bowersock of Terri's Design and Consign stores, disappeared. Mother and daughter had been extremely close, starting Terri's namesake multimillion dollar business together. In 1986, Loretta met the man of her dreams, but those dreams eventually turned into a nightmare…and cost Loretta her life. Bommersbach will share what she discovered while investigating this tragic story. She is also the author of "The Trunk Murderess: Winnie Ruth Judd," which was nominated for an Edgar Allan Poe Award and won Arizona's only literary prize. She has been Arizona's Journalist of the Year, won a Regional Emmy for her television writing and has been honored with two lifetime achievement awards for her newspaper and magazine reporting. She lives in Phoenix. Books will be available for purchase. For reservations and information about this program, call 623-930-3431.

What: East Valley Car Show "Cruisin' With Santa"
When: Friday, December 5, 2008 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Fulton Ranch Towne Center, Chandler
Join Santa at the East Valley Car Show's special holiday event. Santa will greet visitors from 6-8pm. At 7pm, prizes will be given for the most festively decorated vehicles on display. Plus enjoy music, free hot chocolate, kids' activities, giveaways and more.

What: Friends of the Avondale Public Libraries Book Sale
When: Friday and Saturday, December 5 and 6, 2008; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Avondale Civic Center Library; 11350 W. Civic Center Blvd. Avondale
The sales events offer a wide variety of used books, and some of the latest titles in children’s and adult literature. The proceeds raised during the event benefit the Friends of the Avondale Library. The books offered at the sale have been removed from the library’s shelves or donated by area residents. Some encyclopedias, magazines, books on CD, cassettes and videos will also be available.

This is by no means everything! Some of the larger, annual festivals and events are also free. You'll find those listed in the monthly calendar. If you've arrived at this page and find that the event dates are past, check my recent blog entries for more Free Things -- I write about free things to do in Greater Phoenix several times per month!