This week you can see a movie nightmare, cook healthy, have a night out, master your water, have fun at the dentist, get screened, party in the street, pursue your dreams, tour if you're older and manage stress.
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: Family Movie
When: Thursday, November 1, 2012 at 5:30 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: The Nightmare Before Christmas, rated PG.
What: How to Cook for a Healthy Lifestyle
When: Thursday, November 1, 2012 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Sagewood Retirement Community, 4555 East Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix
A free event on learning how to cook for a healthy lifestyle for today's seniors. Sagewood's Director of Food and Beverage Greg Hanson will be making a presentation on healthy diet and nutrition for seniors, gluten-free cooking and creating favorite dishes for a healthy menu. Attendees will receive a free copy of the book, The New Mayo Clinic Cookbook featuring 200 recipes including James Beard award-winning recipes for discovering elegantly simple ideas for healthy eating and entertaining. Seating is limited for this event and reservations are required by calling 480-948-1398.
What: Adults' Night Out at the Arizona Science Center
When: Friday, November 2, 2012 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Arizona Science Center, Phoenix
Explore the Center's exhibit galleries from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Ages 18+ only. Additional evening options include a lecture presentation at 7 p.m. (free); and an IMAX film or planetarium presentation at 8:15 p.m. (Regular admission fees apply for film and planetarium presentations.) Additional fees apply for entrance to featured exhibitions.
What: Water Conservation Landscape Workshop
When: Saturday, November 3, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N Granite Reef Rd, Scottsdale
Irrigation Maintenance, Troubleshooting & Repair. Get the basics on good maintenance practices, advice on problem solving and techniques you can use to keep your landscape irrigation system running smoothly. Open to Scottsdale residents. Advanced registration is required and available online or by calling 480-312-5690.
What: Grand Opening and Childrens Fair
When: Saturday, November 3, 2012 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Team Orthodontics and Jungle Roots Children's Dentistry at SanTan Village Mall, Gilbert
Team Orthodontics and Jungle Roots Children's Dentistry have joined forces to offer convenient, coordinated dental and orthodontic care for kids from 18 months to 18 years old in SanTan Village Mall. They are celebrating the grand opening of this combined practice with a 12:45 p.m. Ribbon-Cutting led by Gilbert Mayor John Lewis and a Children's Fair complete with activities for the entire family and entertainment by Radio Disney AM 1580. Kids can jump and play on an assortment of inflatable bouncies and games, scale the rock climbing wall, tour the kid-friendly office (complete with a video arcade), giveaways every hour and enjoy tasty treats. Bring a canned food donation for Open Arms Care Center food bank and be entered in a special prize giveaway.
What: West Valley Health & Wellness Fair
When: Saturday, November 3, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Communiversity @ Surprise, 15950 N. Civic Center Plaza, Surprise
"Developing Mind, Body, and Spirit," is the theme offering participants access to health assessments, education and more. Take advantage of free screenings: Blood sugar tests, hearing and blood pressure checks, skin and chiropractic exams, podiatry screens. Flu shots ($25). A variety of health & wellness education seminars will be offered by Sun Health, Banner E. Del Webb, The American Cancer Society and AARP of Arizona on the following topics: Preventing falls, Body mass testing, Ask a Pharmacist, Dental issues, Diabetics, Financial & estate planning. For more information call 623-866-3544.
What: Alma School Ray Heyday
When: Sunday, November 4, 2012 from noon to 4 p.m.
Where: Southwest Corner of Alma School & Ray roads in Chandler
The four corners of Alma School and Ray are back to business. Celebrate the end of the construction on Alma School and Ray Road with fun for the whole family. Live music by The Chubby Dog Band, bouncy houses, face painting, pony rides, and more. Free admission.
What: Pursue Your Dreams Seminar
When: Wednesday, November 7, 2012 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Glendale Civic Center
American Family Insurance and Siempre Mujer, the largest Spanish-language magazine for Hispanic women in the U.S., invites Hispanics in the Phoenix area to participate in a seminar led by Elianne Gonzalez, personal finance editor, writer, and columnist, who focuses on financial education issues. The seminar aims to shed light on the tools available to Hispanics to help them achieve their dreams by taking control of their personal finances. The 45-minute seminar will focus on different topics such as owning a home, sending your kids to college, achieving a comfortable retirement and starting a business. People who are unable to attend the seminars in person will have the opportunity to attend via a live webinar (check online for details). The seminar will be followed by an interactive Q&A session in which attendees and those tuning in to the live stream will have the opportunity to receive one-on-one advice from Gonzalez. A reception follows the seminar. Raffle: four winners will receive $500 to help in the realization of their dreams; whether that means taking classes at a local college, buying an iPad to help in a business, starting a college fund for kids or renovating a home. Register online.
What: Senior Tour of SMoCA
When: Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
Explore two current exhibitions with other seniors, led by a SMoCA Docent. Light refreshments after the tour. RSVP to 480-874-4641.
What: Managing Stress
When: Thursday, November 8, 2012 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Center for Attention Deficit and Learning Disorders, 10229 N. 92nd St., Suite 101, Scottsdale
The holiday season is here and with that comes stress! Learn about stress, the impact it has on your mental well-being, when it is left unchecked, and how you can manage it more effectively. Free parking. Registration required.
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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