Seven Free Things To Do In and Around Phoenix - July 2009

This week you can have "the talk" with your significant other, take a photographic journey to a canyon, see bats, play games for prizes, watch a movie while you're wet, make stuff at a museum, and learn lacrosse.

What: Money Talk - Couples and Money
When: Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 6 p.m.
Where: Glendale Main Library
Whether you are planning to get married or have been married for a long time, some couples never get around to having "The Talk." Learn how to communicate with your partner about money. This class offered by Consumer Credit Counseling Services covers communication, assessing your combined finances, setting priorities and goals, determining your new budget, deciding on a plan of action and making the commitment.

What: Canyon Experiences: Sublime to Silly
When: Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 7 p.m.
Where: Foothills Branch Library, 19055 N. 57th Ave., Glendale

The canyons of the Colorado Plateau offer science, beauty and plentiful opportunities to test one's skills in the wilderness. Most canyon trips are carefully planned and carried out, but not every trip into the canyons of the Colorado Plateau proceeds as intended. Blunders, surprises and unlikely situations do occur. Join award-winning landscape photographer Gary Ladd for a photographic trip into these beloved canyons. Ladd specializes in photographing the wilderness interior of Grand Canyon National Park and the sandstone canyons in and around Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. His photographs have appeared in many books and periodicals, including "Life" and "Arizona Highways." Call 623-930-3844 for more information.

What: Bat Viewing Workshop
When: Friday, July 17, 2009 from 7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
Where: Phoenix. See below
Watch as thousands of Mexican free-tail bats exit their roost for the evening at Phoenix’s largest bat colony, near the Biltmore area. Bat biologists will be on hand to answer questions, and they will be bringing some live bats to see up close. Park at the commercial building located at 2400 E. Arizona Biltmore Circle. The building is on the northeast corner of 24th Street and Arizona Biltmore Circle, just south of Lincoln Dr. The workshop will be held on the southwest corner of that intersection at the Maricopa County Flood Control District Tunnel, next to the Squaw Peak Police Precinct. It will be marked with signage. Please arrive on time. The bats leave at sunset and won’t wait! This program brought to you by Arizona Game and Fish Department, along with Maricopa County Flood Control District and Knight and Associates.

What: Money Madness!
When: Friday, July 17, 2009 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Velma Teague Branch Library, 7010 N. 58th Ave., Glendale
Teens, ages 12-18, take over the library for a thrilling money-themed night of team competition, music, video games, and free pizza! Earn "cash" by completing a series of physical and cerebral challenges including: The $100,000 Dollar Cash Grab, Hangman's Wheel of Fortune, and Battle of the Video Bands! The team with the most cash winnings at the end of the evening will take home a fabulous movie prize pack! Registration required. Call 623-930-3431 or register online.

What: Dive-In Movie
When: Saturday, July 18, 2009 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Ahwatukee Community Pool, 4700 E. Warner Road
Residents of District 6 are invited to see “Kung Fu Panda”. The animated comedy is about a lazy, irreverent slacker panda, Po, who must somehow become a Kung Fu Master to save the Valley of Peace from an evil snow leopard. This outdoor movie is a cool treat to bring the whole family for a night of fun. For more information, contact the District 6 office at 602-262-7491.

What: Sizzlin' Summer Saturdays at Heard Museum
When: Saturdays July 18, 25 and August 1, 2009 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Heard Museum, Phoenix
American Indian music and dancing, hands-on activities, artists demonstrating, book signings, take-home activities and goody bags. Everyone is admitted free on Saturdays from July 11 through August 1. All activities are indoors. Sponsored by Target.

What: Instructional Lacrosse Clinic
When: Saturday, July 18, 2009 from p.m. to p.m.
Where: Castle Sports Club, Phoenix
The Glendale Lacrosse League will sponsor a free instructional clinic to kids of all ages. The event is part of registration day for the Indoor Box Lacrosse season beginning July 18th through August 29th. There is no cost or obligation. Equipment is also available free of charge.

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!