This week you can make art, build a masterpiece, watch a miracle, hear winds, meet a city, see a kitty, drool over cars, cultivate, listen to sunrise at sunset, improve your digestion, talk to a Gammage, protect your eyes, conserve water, feel better, eat in the desert, avoid repairs and welcome autumn.
This column includes activities and programs in the Greater Phoenix area that have free admission. If you are looking for fundraisers, seminars, workshops, and other community programs that have an admission charge, or where donations are expected, I have a separate column for those. I call them "Phoenix Area Programs, Fundraisers & Events" and you can find those listings in my blog. They tend to cover a wider range of dates than a week, because advance registration is often required. For a long list of programs and festivals that are annual events in Greater Phoenix check the calendar.
What: Free Arts for Families
When: Every Tuesday, October 9 through December 18, 2012 at 10 a.m.
Where: Paradise Valley Mall, 4550 E. Cactus Road
Lauren Salerno, an artist and mentor affiliated with Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona, is offering free 45-minute art classes at Paradise Valley Mall as part of the Free Arts for Families program. The sessions will take place near the children's play area in front of JCPenney and will be supported by Persephone, a performance artist trained in music therapy. Ms. Salerno will teach hands-on creative projects for families. The goal of each session is to inspire families to use creativity in their own home. Each class is based on a children's book and will explore the book's themes through a visual art project and creative movement. Classes are for children and adults.
What: Lego Mania
When: Thursday, October 11, 2012 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Glendale Main Library, Glendale
Children ages 5-12 can come and build Lego masterpieces. This month's theme is haunted houses.
What: Family Flick Under the Stars
When: Friday, October 12, 2012 at dusk, about 6 p.m.
Where: Kiwanis Park, Tempe
Big Miracle, rated PG. Families and friends can bring blankets and a picnic to watch the film on one of the largest inflatable screens in Arizona, located on the west side of Kiwanis Lake near the fire pit.
What: Southwest Winds Quintet
When: Friday, October 12, 2012 at 7 p.m.
Where: Tempe Center for the Arts
Southwest Winds, the woodwind quintet from the United States Air Force Band of the West will present a concert. The Southwest Winds quintet is fashioned after a typical orchestral wind section and comprised of five world-class instrumentalists. The group promotes the concept of using classical chamber ensembles in musical support of Air Force recruiting and retention, troop morale and community relations missions. They perform a wide variety of music, from Mozart and Beethoven to contemporary jazz, popular music, marches and patriotic favorites.
What: Avondale Resident Appreciation Night
When: Friday, October 12, 2012 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Historic Avondale, 495 E. Western Avenue, Avondale
Get acquainted with city services, programs and staff. Resident Appreciation Night will feature fun for the entire family to include interactive city display stations highlighting the programs and services offered by the city, meet and greet with Council Members, raffles, giveaways, and special guest visits by various mascots. Resident Appreciation Night will also feature the Police Department's annual G.A.I.N (Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods) celebration, which encourages neighborhood crime prevention. Kids are invited to take part in a costume contest (6:30 p.m. for kids 12 and under), and to 'Trick or Treat' at each of the department booths for candy and giveaways.
What: Movie Night at the Ballpark
When: Friday, October 12, 2012 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Goodyear Ballpark
Movie is "Puss in Boots" rated PG. Admission and parking are free. Concessions available.
What: Pebble Creek Auto Fest
When: Saturday, October 13, 2012 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Goodyear Ballpark
Classic and antique car show with entertainment, food and vendors. Admission and parking are free.
What: High Five for Fall: 5 Simple Tips for Cultivating your Garden for Fall
When: Saturday, October 13, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Mesa Urban Garden, 212 E. 1st Ave., Mesa
A City of Mesa "Living Green" workshop with tips and tricks on ways to keep your garden thriving this fall. For gardeners of all skill levels. The hands-on workshop is an opportunity for attendees to learn how to care for their Arizona gardens during the fall season. Vynnie McDaniels will share tips on how to get the soil in shape, what vegetables are ideal for this time of year and how to plant them correctly. He will also cover methods for watering, the importance of mulch and ways to protect your garden from any unwanted pests and the ever-unpredictable Arizona weather. The workshop will include onsite instruction, demonstrations, informative handouts and a question and answer session, so come prepared to take plenty of notes and get your hands dirty. No registration is required. The aim of Mesa's "Living Green" series is to inform about why and how to increase the sustainability of our community, and is part of larger effort by the City to develop and implement innovative and effective programs to address environmental issues and concerns.
What: Beardsley Concert
When: Sunday, October 14, 2012
Where: Beardsley Park, Sun City West
Copper Sunrise, acoustic classic rock. Gates open at 5 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. Concessions sold until 7 p.m.
What: Detox and Digestion Lecture
When: Monday, October 15, 2012 from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Where: Fountain Hills Christian Center, 16239 E Ironwood Dr, Fountain Hills
There is an epidemic of digestive problems from acid reflux, indigestion, chronic fatigue and colon issues plaguing our society today. Find out how toxins contribute to these problems. Learn about the natural relationship between detoxification and proper digestion. Suggested age 25+. Presented by Dr. Ryan Sculley, D.C. with AFC Physical Medicine - Fountain Hills.
What: Lecture Series: Historic Phoenix Architecture & Landmarks
When: Tuesday, October 16, 2012 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Burton Barr Central Library, Pulliam Auditorium,
The City of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture lecture series, "Art Works, Culture Connects," highlights Phoenix's historic architecture and landmarks. The talks accompany the opening of "Phoenix Icons: The Art of our Historic Landmarks," at the Gallery @ City Hall. Today's lecture: Grady Gammage, Jr. on Historic Preservation and Phoenix.
What: Protecting Your Eyes from the Arizona Sun
When: Tuesday, October 16, 2012 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Foothills Library, 19055 N 57th Avenue, Glendale
Arizona is one of the sunniest states in the nation, but while the sunny weather is perfect for fun and enjoyment, it can also pose risks to your vision if you do not take steps to protect your eyes. Join Dr. Sara Gaib, O.D., of Midwestern University, as she explores the subject of ultraviolet radiation, how susceptible you may be to its risks and what resources you have to protect your eyes against UV effects.
What: Water Conservation Landscape Workshop
When: Tuesday, October 16, 2012 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N Granite Reef Rd, Scottsdale
Plant Care in the Desert: Wondering how to care for landscape plants in our desert environment? Find answers to your questions and learn how to work with nature to promote healthy plants and reduce landscape maintenance. Open to Scottsdale residents. Advanced registration is required and available online or by calling 480-312-5690.
What: Arthritis: Alternative Approaches to Preventing and Relieving Joint Disease - CANCELED
When: Tuesday, October 16, 2012 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Mesa Main Library, 64 East 1st Street, Mesa
Over 50 million Americans suffer with joint disease. This presentation will educate you on what arthritis is, who is susceptible to arthritis, what causes it, how to relieve it, and steps to help prevent joint disease. Presented by Dr. Petula Morris, D.C. with AFC Physical Medicine - Mesa.
What: Water Conservation Landscape Workshop
When: Thursday, October 18, 2012 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N Granite Reef Rd, Scottsdale
Desert Plants for Edible landscapes: Design your garden to not only provide you with color, shade and easy maintenance, but to also provide you and your friends with edible plants to liven up your meals. Advanced registration is required and available online or by calling 480-312-5690.
What: Irrigation System Maintenance, Troubleshooting and Repair
When: Thursday, October 18, 2012 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Avondale City Hall, 11465 W. Civic Center Drive
Avoid costly professional repairs and irrigation nightmares. If you already have an irrigation system and want to learn how it works, how to take care of it or make simple repairs, this program is for you. Call (623) 333-4422.
What: All in an Autumn Afternoon
When: Friday, October 19, 2012 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Foothills Library, 19055 N 57th Avenue, Glendale
Sunflowers, scarecrows, black cats, mellow monsters. Children ages 5-12 can celebrate the new season with a variety of fun for fall. There will be a free mini-storytime plus a choice of a craft, all in honor of the golden autumn. Registration is required and begins Oct. 5. For more information or to register call 623-930-3837.
More Freebies
If you've arrived at this page and find that the event dates have past, check my recent blog entries for more Free Things -- I write about free things to do in Greater Phoenix several times per month. Also, check that same blog list for another column on upcoming fundraisers, walks, runs, seminars, workshops and programs that might interest you.
If you know about a free event that's open to the public that you'd like me to consider for this weekly column, complete and submit this form at least 8 days prior to the event and I'll consider it.
All dates, times, prices and offerings are subject to change without notice.
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