• BASKIN ROBBINS - Free ice cream on your birthday at Baskin Robbins when you sign up on their website. Information: www.baskinrobbins.com.

• COLD STONE CREAMERY - Join the Cold Stone Creamery birthday club online, get free ice cream on your birthday. Family members' birthday dates can also be added to your club account. Information: www.coldstonecreamery.com.

• BENIHANA RESTAURANTS - Birthday Dinner Offer. Sign up for Benihana's "Chef's Table" newsletter with an e-mail address, get a certificate for $30 free toward your birthday dinner. Information: www.benihana.com.

• RED ROBIN RESTAURANTS - Free burger on your birthday when you join the Red Robin e-Club. Information: www.redrobin.com.

• SEPHORA - Ladies! Sephora Beauty Insider "Beautiful Eyes Kit" free in-store for your birthday. See details on website. Information: (877) SEPHORA or www.sephora.com.

LECTURES/LECTURE SERIES

• "ALOUD" AT THE LOS ANGELES CENTRAL LIBRARY - Lecture series. Most programs begin at 7 p.m. in the Central Library's Mark Taper Auditorium. Wide variety of topics. Reservations required for events. Information: (213) 228-7025 www.lapl.org, go to events, or www.aloudla.org.

• CLAREMONT: SCRIPPS COLLEGE HUMANITIES INSTITUTE - "Engagement: Mind, Body and Soul," lecture and film series. Second lecture in series is September 22, films are September 14, 21 and 28 at 5:30 p.m. in Garrison Theater. For full schedule of events and program information, visit website or call number listed. Information: (909) 621-8237 or www.scrippscollege.edu/campus/humanities-institute/index.php.

• "DISTINCTIVE VOICES AT THE BECKMAN CENTER" AT UC IRVINE - Insights on Science, Technology and Medicine lectures begin again in September. Lectures are at 7 p.m. in the Beckman Center on the UCI campus and open to the public. Due to increasing attendance over the last two seasons, the programs will return to a reservation basis this fall. Visit the website listed and join the e-mail list to receive notices for each session and invitations to register online. Seating is limited and registration will open one week prior to each event. The series will resume on Sept. 8 with "Tahiti Wave: The Science of Surfing." Information: (949) 721-2266 or www.voicesatbeckman.org.

• "IRIS NIGHTS" LECTURE SERIES AND OTHER EVENTS AT THE ANNENBERG SPACE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY. - Photography-related lectures and events. Thursday night IRIS Lectures, Slide Shows and other events are at the Annenberg Space for Photography, 2000 Avenue of the Stars, Century City. Reservations recommended. Information: (213) 403-3000 or www.annenbergspaceforphotography.org.

• L.A. OPERA "OPERA TALKS." - "Opera Talks" are 50-minute interactive presentations led by members of LA Opera's speakers bureau. The talks take place monthly at a number of Los Angeles County libraries. September dates, library locations and library phone numbers are: Sept. 4 at 2 p.m. - Claremont Public Library, (909) 621-4902; Sept. 14 at 6:45 p.m. - Platt Branch Library, Woodland Hills, (818) 340-9386; Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. - Redondo Beach Library, (310) 318-0676; Sept. 19 at 2 p.m. - Crowell Public Library, San Marino, (626) 300-0777; Sept. 25 at 2 p.m. - La Verne Library, (909) 596-1934; and Sept. 29 at 6 p.m. - La Canada-Flintridge Library, (818) 790-3330. Information: www.laopera.com.

• SAN MARINO - PUBLIC PROGRAMS AT THE HUNTINGTON LIBRARY. Two public lectures in September. On September 29, "Britain, America and the Written Constitution" with Princeton University professor Linda Colley. On September 30, History of Science Lecture Series, "Medicine in Antiquity: What We Have Learned From Archaeology," with Western Virginia University professor Sarah Yeomans. Both lectures take place at 7:30 p.m. in Friends’ Hall at the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Road (see website for directions). Reservations are not required. Information: (626) 405-2100 or www.huntington.org

• ZOCALO PUBLIC SQUARE LECTURE SERIES - Series of public lectures in a variety of locations throughout the Los Angeles area and on a variety of topics. Information: www.zocalopublicsquare.org.

LIBRARIES

• CITY AND COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY PERFORMANCES AND PROGRAMS - Libraries throughout Southern California regularly offer patrons a variety of free performances, workshops and other events/activities. It is recommended that you check your local library website often for the best information. Some Southern California library system links include:
  
  Los Angeles County Library System - www.colapublib.org
  Los Angeles Public Library - www.lapl.org
  Orange County Public Libraries - www.ocpl.org
  Riverside County Libraries - www.riverside.lib.ca.us
  San Bernardino County Libraries - www.sbcounty.gov/library/home
  City Libraries: For individual city libraries which are not part of a library system, check directly with your local library.

  
  
  

• YOUTH/TEEN SUMMER READING PROGRAMS - Many libraries offer free summer reading programs for youth and/or teens. Some are limited time programs, and some last the duration of the summer. Check with your local library for availability and details.

MISC. FREE PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND WEB OFFERS

Many local and national companies and organizations provide special free offers during the year. Some are open to all; some are open only to specific audiences. Check for availability. Most, but not all, require some type of online registration or submitting an e-mail address to qualify. Read all details/conditions of offers before accepting. Some of the currently-available offers/products/services include:

• CALIFORNIA AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM - Target Sundays are every first Sunday of the month. Hours are 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Live programs generally begin about 1 p.m. General admission to the museum is also free. Museum address is 600 State Drive in Exposition Park (Los Angeles Coliseum area). Information: (213) 744-2132, (213) 744-7432 or www.caamuseum.org

• THE GETTY CENTER - Free admission; parking is $15, but free after 5 p.m. The museum does not require parking reservations. Off the 405 Freeway at Getty Center Drive. There are a variety of art-related and storytelling activities for children and families, free programs, lectures and movies, and more. See the museum's calendar for listing of events and programs. Information: (310) 440-7300 or www.getty.edu

• HOMESTEAD MUSEUM - Free admissions and programs like behind-the-Scenes tours and children's storytelling hours. Some programs require reservations. The museum is at 15415 East Don Julian Road in the City of Industry. Information: (626) 968-8492 or www.homesteadmuseum.org.

  

• HUNTINGTON LIBRARY, ART COLLECTIONS AND BOTANICAL GARDENS - Free admission the first Thursday of every month. Tickets are required and reservations become available on the first date of the month prior to the visit (i.e. reservations for the first Thursday in August become available starting July 1). Reservations for free days fill up quickly. Information: (626) 405-2100 or www.huntington.org

• THE IRVINE MUSEUM OF ART - The Irvine Museum of Art is a small OC museum dedicated to the preservation and display of California art of the Impressionist period (1890 - 1930). 18881 Von Karman Street, Irvine, Ground Level. Free admission and parking. Information: (714) 476-2565 or http://www.irvinemuseum.org/

• LA HABRA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM - The Children's Museum at La Habra offers free admission on the first or second Saturday of each month for the Target Free Saturdays program. Check website for monthly programs. Information: (562) 905-9793 or www.lhcm.org/

• LONG BEACH MUSEUM OF ART - Admission to the Long Beach Museum of Art is free every Friday. Museum address is 2300 East Ocean Boulevard. Information: (562) 439-2119 or www.lbma.org

• LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART (LACMA) - Admission to the museum's regular exhibits is free every second Tuesday of the month and on a pay-as-you-wish basis after 5 p.m., 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles. A schedule of Target Free Holiday Mondays can also be found on the museum website, as well as information on other free lectures, films and performances. Information: (323) 857-6000 or www.lacma.org

• MULTIPLE LOCATIONS - BANK OF AMERICA "MUSEUMS ON US" PROGRAM - Over 70 museums nationwide are now offering free admission on the first weekend of every month for anyone showing a Bank of America check, ATM or credit card. Visit website for list of museums. Information: www.bankofamerica.com/museums.

• MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART (MOCA). Admission to the Museum of Contemporary Art is free on Thursdays from 5 - 8 p.m., 250 S. Grand Avenue. Information: www.moca.org.

• THE MUSEUM OF LATIN AMERICAN ART - LONG BEACH Free Target Sundays programs include special activities each month with a variety of family-oriented art workshops and/or music. Address is 628 Alamitos Avenue. Information: (562) 437-1689 or www.molaa.org/

• NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM - The Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Boulevard at Exposition Park in the downtown Los Angeles/USC campus vicinity, offers free museum admission every first Tuesday of the month. Information: (213) 763-3466 or www.nhm.org

• ONTARIO MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND ART - The Museum is located in the Historic Old City Hall Building, 225 South Euclid. Hours are noon - 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, and admission is free. Also a variety of art and public programs. Information: (909) 983-3198 or www.ci.ontario.ca.us

• ORANGE COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART - Free admission on Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4 and 5. Also Target Free Second Saturday on September 12 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. celebrating Grandparents Day. The museum is located in Newport Beach near Fashion Island at 850 San Clemente Drive. Information: (949) 759-1122 or www.ocma.net

• SKIRBALL CULTURAL CENTER - The Skirball Cultural Center is open with free admission every Thursday, and also a variety of both free and fee performances and activities. Includes Passport Screenings of films one Saturday per month. The Center is located off the 405 Freeway at the Skirball Drive exit. Information: (310) 440-4500 or www.skirball.org

• UCLA FOWLER MUSEUM - The museum regularly offers free admission and a variety of free music, film and art-related programs. The Fowler Museum is located on the UCLA campus. Information: (310) 825-4361 or http://www.fowler.ucla.edu

• UCLA HAMMER MUSEUM The museum offers a wide selection of lectures, poetry readings, music. film and other programs and performances. See the event calendar on museum website for a full schedule of events. 10899 Wilshire Boulevard at Westwood. Information: (310) 443-7000 or http://www.hammer.ucla.edu

SENIORS

• AZUSA - Senior Center Movies - The Azusa Senior Center, 740 N. Dalton Avenue, shows free movies for seniors on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1 p.m. Information: (626) 812-5204 or http://www.ci.azusa.ca.us.

• GLENDORA - Movies at the La Fetra Center - A program for older adults with movie screenings at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays at the La Fetra Center living room, 333 E. Foothill Boulevard. Information: (626) 914-0560 or www.ci.glendora.ca.us.

• LA MIRADA - At The Movies - A program for older adults with movie screenings at 12:30 on Thursdays in the La Mirada Activity Center, 13810 La Mirada Boulevard. Free popcorn and punch served. Also, free weekly open play card games. Mondays - Bridge from 12:15 - 3:30, Tuesdays - Pinochle from 12:15 - 3:30, Wednesdays - Canasta from 12:15 - 3:30. Other games as well. Also at La Mirada Activity Center. Information: (562) 902-3160 or http://www.cityoflamirada.org.

• LAGUNA NIGUEL - Free Bocce Lessons - Seniors get free bocce lessons on the first Saturday of the month from 9 - 10:30 a.m. at Marina Hills Park, corner of Parc Vista and Marina Hills Drive. Program is through the Sea Country Center. Information: (949) 425-5151 or www.ci.laguna-niguel.ca.us.



• MANHATTAN BEACH - Oasis Movie Club - Recently-released movies are every Friday at 1:30 p.m. at the Joslyn Center, 1601 Valley Drive. Also a variety of other daily events/games. Information: (310) 802-5447 or www.citymb.info.

• NORWALK - Movies and Western Dancing - Movies are screened Wednesdays at 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays on July 17 and Aug. 21 at 1 and 3 p.m. at the Senior Center, 14040 San Antonio Drive. There is also a weekly Western Dance every Thursday night at 5:30 p.m. Information: (562) 929-5580 or www.ci.norwalk.ca.us.

• PASADENA - Friday Movie Matinees - Movies are Fridays at 1:30 p.m. Popcorn is provided for the first 30 people, and films are shown with closed captioning for the hearing impaired. The Pasadena Senior Center is located at the corner of Raymond and Holly. Information: (626) 795-4331 or www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org.

• ROSEMEAD - Movie Days - Movies are offered at the Rosemead Community Center, 3936 N. Muscatel, on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month and at the Garvey Center, 9108 Garvey Avenue, on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month. All movies start at 12:30 p.m. Information: (626) 569-2251 (Rosemead Community Center), (626) 569-2222 (Garvey Center) or www.cityofrosemead.org.

• TUSTIN - Bridge Lessons, Review and Play - Informal class for beginning bridge players only takes place every Wednesday from 9 a.m. - noon (except the third Wednesday of the month) at the Tustin Area Senior Center, 200 South C Street. Information: (714) 573-3340 or www.tustinca.org.

• WHITTIER - Favorite Flicks - Favorite Flicks are Wednesdays at 1 p.m. at Parnell Park, 15390 Lambert Road, and Thurs/Fri at the Uptown Senior Center, 13225 Walnut. Some other movies also on additional days. Information: (562) 464-3370 (Uptown) or (562) 464-3350 (Parnell) and www.cityofwhittier.org.