This week you can grow food, prep for college, see a Scooby flick, a freaky flick, get involved in Litchfield Park, play in Chandler, answer the question 'who ya gonna call?', manage your drips, groove, meet a philharmonic, relax and swim.
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.
Don't forget that this weekend is the busiest for Halloween events -- and many of them are free. Check out The Big Halloween List.
What: Food Day
When:Wednesday, October 24, 2012 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Garden of Tomorrow, 1825 E. Broadway Road, Phoenix
The Phoenix Real Food Community Tour has collaborated with various food leaders in Phoenix to host a free Food Day event that celebrates local growers, farmers and food purveyors. Food Day is a nationwide celebration and movement toward more healthy, affordable and sustainable food. The Phoenix Real Food Community Tour event will focus on showing the public how one can grow local food, and where one can buy local food. Darren Chapman, CEO of Tiger Mountain Foundation, will lead a tour throughout the garden and present on the contribution community gardens make to neighborhoods, health, economies, life skills and communities.
What: College Depot: College 101 (presented in Spanish)
When: Wednesday, October 24, 2012 from 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Where: Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
Make a smooth transition to college by mapping your future. Space is limited. To register or for more information, call 602-261-8847. College Depot is a full-service college planning center that offers free one-on-one assistance, family consultation and workshops on all aspects of the college planning process, from financial aid to career exploration. The service is open to anyone seeking assistance with planning for college.
What: Family Flick Under the Stars
When: Friday, October 26, 2012 at dusk, about 6 p.m.
Where: Kiwanis Park, Tempe
Scooby Doo: Music of the Vampire, rated G. 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: Freaky Friday Film
When: Friday, October 26, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Patriot Square Park at CityScape, Downtown Phoenix
Featuring Ghostbusters, the 1984 comedy classic starring Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd. Vice Mayor Michael Johnson invites residents to attend this free movie in the park event.
What: G.A.I.N. Night in Litchfield Park
When: Friday, October 26, 2012 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Litchfield Elementary School, Litchfield Park
G.A.I.N. stands for Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods and the event celebrates the successful efforts to prevent crime in our community. Come out and meet those who protect our community and find ways to get involved.
What: Chandler Day of Play
When: Saturday, October 27, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Tumbleweed Park, Chandler
The Chandler Community Services Department and ShapeUpUS.org host a community event with activities for the entire family to help celebrate being named a "Playful City USA" by Kaboom. Enjoy a variety of fun health booths, sports, games and safety activities; bounce around the park and explore all sorts of activities.
What: Family Movie
When: Saturday, October 27, 2012 at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Dobson Library, 2425 S. Dobson Road, Mesa
Watch a flick, snack on popcorn, and enjoy quality time with the kids. Thanks to a generous grant from District 3 Councilmember Dennis Kavanaugh, the Meeting Room will transformed into a community theater. Showing: Ghostbusters, rated PG.
What: Water Conservation Landscape Workshop
When: Saturday, October 27, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N Granite Reef Rd, Scottsdale
Drip Irrigation Design & Installation. Simple things you need to know! Learn from an expert how to lay out and install a drip system in your yard and get tips that will make it efficient and easy to maintain. Open to Scottsdale residents. Advanced registration is required and available online or by calling 480-312-5690.
What: Beardsley Concert
When: Sunday, October 28, 2012
Where: Beardsley Park, Sun City West
Night Groove: Motwown, disco, soul, classic rock, jazz. Gates open at 5 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. Concessions sold until 7 p.m.
What: Scottsdale Philharmonic
When: Sunday, October 28, 2012 at 4 p.m.
Where: Scottsdale Center for the Arts
The Scottsdale Philharmonic is a non profit organization made up of professionally trained musicians that donate their time to provide classical music concerts to the public free of charge. Today's concert features Star Spangled Banner; Brahms: Variations on a Theme of Haydn, Op. 56a; Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue - Tom Horne, piano; Bach/Stokowski: Wir Glauben al' an einen Gott; Beethoven: Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Op. 93.
What: Health and Stress Workshop
When: Tuesday, October 30, 2012 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Phoenix Public Library, Yucca Branch, 5648 North 15th Ave., Phoenix
Stress is the underlying cause of most illnesses. This lecture will educate you on the symptoms of stress, how stress affects the body's overall health, and what a person can do to relieve stress both at work and at home, so that they can feel better and enjoy life more.
What: Swim & Gym Festival
When: Saturday, November 3, 2012 from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Hubbard Family Swim School Parking Lot, Kino Plaza, 13832 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix
Indoor Family Swim from Hubbard Family Swim School; Gymnastics, Dance & Karate Lessons from Arizona Sunrays. Other activities include live music, Phoenix Police cars and Fire trucks, bounce houses, food, face painters, local vendors. Donation opportunities for Phoenix Childrens Hospital. RSVP on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/events/387246128014898/).
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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