• ACAPULCO RESTAURANTS - Free guacamole now, free entree on your birthday when you sign up for the Acapulco e-mail club. Information: www.acapulcorestaurants.com.

• BASKIN ROBBINS - Free ice cream on your birthday at Baskin Robbins when you sign up on their website. Information: www.baskinrobbins.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. Policies for the offer have changed recently in that your offer is only good if other paying customers are dining with you; check website for most current information. Information: www.benihana.com.

• BJS RESTAURANTS - Get a free Pizookie dessert on your birthday at BJs Restaurants when you join their e-club. Information: www.bjsrestaurants.com.

• BOOMERS PARKS - Get a free unlimited 4-hour play pass good on all attractions when you join the Boomers discount club. The pass is good on any day during your birthday month. Go to the website, pick a location, and enroll online. Information: www.boomersparks.com.

• CINNABON - Sign up for Cinnabon's e-mail list and get a free Minibon now plus an iced coffee on your birthday. Information: www.cinnabon.com.

• DEL TACO - Get two free chicken soft tacos now plus a birthday shake for joining the Del Taco Raving Fan eClub. Information: www.deltaco.com/connect.html.

• EL TORITO RESTAURANTS - Free guacamole now, free entree on your birthday when you sign up for the El Torito e-mail club. Free birthday meal no longer advertised, so you'll have to wait until your birthday to see if a free entree coupon arrives. Information: www.eltorito.com.

• FAMOUS DAVES - Get a free burger or sandwich on your birthday when you sign up for the P.I.G. (Pretty Important Guest) e-mail club. Information: www.famousdaves.com or www.facebook.com/famousdaves.

• FARRELL'S ICE CREAM PARLOR - Sign up for Farrells Fan Club e-mail and receive a free small sundae on your birthday. Information: www.farrellsusa.com.

• GOLDEN SPOON YOGURT - Get a free frozen yogurt on your birthday when you sign up for Golden Spoon Yogurt's G Club. Information: www.goldenspoon.com.

• HOOTERS - Join Hooters Hoot Club, get special e-mail offers and a free entree (up to $7.99 value) on your birthday. Information: www.hooters.com.

• JERSEY MIKE'S - Join Jersey Mike's e-mail club, get special e-mail offers and a free sub and a 22 oz. drink on your birthday. Information: www.jerseymikes.com.

• PANERA - A "My Panera Rewards" card can be picked up at any location, or sign up online for the program. Free pastry on your birthday. Information: www.panerabread.com.

• RA SUSHI - Sign up for RA Sushi's "The Hook Up" e-mails and get a certificate worth $20 during your birthday month. Information: www.rasushi.com.

• RED ROBIN RESTAURANTS - Free burger on your birthday. Stop in any Red Robin and pick up a Red Royalty card, then register the card online. Information: www.redrobin.com/redroyalty.

• RUBIOS - Rubios offers a free taco upon sign-up to their Beach Club e-mail, plus a free birthday meal. Also news on free products testings, other events. Information: www.rubios.com.

• SAN MANUEL CASINO - Go to San Manuel on your birthday and get a $10 food credit and a chance to spin the wheel for up to $100 in free slot play (but also can be $5). Club Serrano membership required, but membership is free. Information: www.sanmanuel.com.

• SCHLOTZSKY'S DELI - Free small sandwich or 8" pizza on your birthday when you sign up for their e-club. Information: www.schlotzskys.com.

• SONIC DRIVE IN - Sonic will give you a choice of one of three items for your birthday. Sign up on website for Sonic Cruisers e-club. Information: www.sonicdrivein.com.

• SPRINKLES CUPCAKES BIRTHDAY CLUB - Sign up online for Sprinkles Birthday Club and get a free cupcake on your birthday. Information: www.ilovesprinkles.com.

• TGI FRIDAYS - Free dessert or appetizer now plus free line pass; free birthday treat when you join TGI Friday's "Give Me More Stripes." Information: www.tgifridays.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. New September listings are now available. Information: (213) 228-7025, www.lfla.org or www.aloudla.org.

• "DISTINCTIVE VOICES AT THE BECKMAN CENTER" AT UC IRVINE - Insights on Science, Technology and Medicine lectures. Events usually run September through June. Lectures are at 7 p.m. in the Beckman Center on the UCI campus and open to the public. Programs are by reservation only and fill up quickly. Visit the website listed and join the e-mail list to receive notices for each session and invitations to register online. Seating is limited. 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.

• LA 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. Visit the LA Opera website for current schedules; talks usually take place from September through June. Information: (213) 972-3157 or www.laopera.com, go to "Community."

  September "Opera Talks" The talks take place monthly at a number of Los Angeles County libraries, and upcoming dates are listed here. Phone numbers included are for the library in which the lecture takes place. September 2 - Torrance Public Library at 6:30 p.m. September 16 - Santa Monica Main Library at 3 p.m. Topic: Carmen, (310) 458-8600; September 16 - Bell Library at 3:30 p.m. Topic: Carmen, (323) 560-2149; September 18 - Burbank Central Library at 7 p.m. Topic: Carmen, (818) 238-5600; September 23 - Cypress Library at 2:30 p.m. Topic: Carmen, (714) 826-0350; September 28 - Westwood Branch Library at 6:30 p.m. Topic: The Pearl Fishers, (310) 474-1739. Information: (213) 972-3157 or www.laopera.org, go to "Community."

• LAMPS PLUS FREE WORKSHOPS - Lamps Plus offers a variety of free 1-hour workshops throughout Southern California (Basic lighting, room makeovers, etc.). Register online by visiting the Lamps Plus website. Scroll to the bottom of the home page and click "Workshops." Participants will also receive a $20-off coupon for Lamps Plus merchandise. Information: www.lampsplus.com.

• MUZEO ANAHEIM - MUZEO in Anaheim offers two monthly lecture series. The first, Lunch and Learn, features a variety of speakers on topics of general interest. The monthly Open Book series features local authors speaking about their books. RSVP required for some events. Check website "event" section for upcoming dates. Muzeo is located at 241 S. Anaheim Boulevard. Information: (714) 956-8936 or www.muzeo.org.

• WILLIAMS-SONOMA - Williams-Sonoma offers a variety of classes in cooking techniques and junior chef sessions. No set time; check website listed for most current information. Information: http://blog.williams-sonoma.com/cat/learn/classes-events/.

• 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. Reservations are required for most events. Information: www.zocalopublicsquare.org.

• BOWERS MUSEUM - First Sunday of the month - family programs are generally from about 12:30 - 3 p.m. (see concert pages). Museum address is 2002 N. Main Street in Santa Ana. Please note: museum admission is no longer free during the first Sunday programs. Information: (714) 567-3100 or www.bowers.org

• BROAD MUSEUM - The Broad is LA's new contemporary art museum. It is located in downtown Los Angeles on Grand Avenue next to the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The museum is closed on Monday; hours vary on other days of the week. Advanced tickets may be reserved online, or there is an onsite standby line each day for admission on a first-come basis. See website for additional details. Information: (213) 232-6250 or www.thebroad.org

• CALIFORNIA AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM - Target Sundays are every second 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

• CALIFORNIA SCIENCE CENTER - There is free admission to all permanent exhibition galleries at the California Science Center (excludes IMAX and special exhibits). The museum address is 700 Exposition Park Drive (Los Angeles Colisum area). Information: (323) 724-3623 or www.californiasciencecenter.org

• CHINO YOUTH MUSEUM - The Chino Youth Museum offers Free First Friday programs from 3 - 5 p.m. Programs include art projects, snacks, time to explore the museum, exhibits and entertainment. Also for July, first 1000 people at Museum get in free. The museum is located at 13191 6th Street in Chino, one block north of the Chino Transit Center. Information: (909) 464-0499.

• FIRE STATION/MUSEUM OPEN HOUSES - Two area historical fire stations offer free tours on Saturdays. In San Pedro, Old Fire Station 36 (located at 638 Beacon Street) is open from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. In Hollywood, Old Fire Station 27 is open from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Both offer a variety of artifacts and exhibits. Information: (323) 464-2727 or www.lafdmuseum.org.

• THE GETTY CENTER - Free admission; parking is $15, but $10 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

• GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY - There is no admission charge to enter the observatory, but a fee for planetarium shows. Monthly public star parties offer the public a chance to try out telescopes and talk with amateur astronomers from 2 - 9:45 p.m. Check for upcoming star party dates. Information: (213) 473-0800 or www.griffithobservatory.org

• 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. Also, check monthly schedules for free lectures and other presentations. 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. Admission policy had changed; admission is free now only for seniors, students and children. 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 Saturday of each month for the Target Free Saturdays program. Check website for upcoming dates. Information: (562) 905-9793 or www.lahabracity.com/section.cfm?id=41.

• 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 to LA County residents with ID 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 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

• NORTON SIMON MUSEUM - The Norton Simon Museum, 411 W. Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, offers free admission from 6 - 9 p.m. on every first Friday of the month. Information: (626) 449-6840 or www.nortonsimon.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 - The Orange County Museum of Art offers free admission on Fridays. There also are Target Free Second Saturday programs with free admission and family-friendly activities. The Museum is located at 850 San Clemente Drive near the Fashion Island shopping center. Information: (949) 759-1122 or www.ocma.net

• PAGE MUSEUM AT THE LA BREA TAR PITS - The Page Museum allows visitors to watch fossil excavation and assembly and has interactive displays of the Tar Pits and Southern California during the Ice Age. Free admission day is the first Tuesday of the month (except July and August). The museum is located at 5801 Wilshire Blvd. Information: (323) 934-7243 or www.tarpits.org

• 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

• SOUTHWEST MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN - The Southwest Museum of the American Indian, part of the Autry Museum system, is open to the public from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m on Saturdays. The Museum is located in the Mt. Washington area at 234 Museum Drive. Information: (323) 667-2000 or www.theautry.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 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

NATURE CENTERS/PROGRAMS/EVENTS

• BOLSA CHICA WETLANDS TOURS (HUNTINGTON BEACH) - Free Bolsa Chica Wetlands tours every first Saturday of the month. Tours depart every 15 minutes from 9 - 10 a.m. No reservations required. Meet at the south lot of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, across the street from the main entrance to Bolsa Chica State Beach. Information: (714) 840-1575 or www.amigosdebolsachica.org/

  

• GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY STAR PARTIES (LOS ANGELES) - Look through a large variety of telescopes to view stars, moon and planets, and talk to amateur astronomers. Monthly free star party events take place from 2 - 9:45 p.m. This summer's star parties will be on June 3, July 29, August 26 and September 30. Admission to the Observatory grounds and building is also always free (with a fee for shows in the Planetarium). Information: (213) 473-0800 or www.griffithobservatory.org

• IRVINE RANCH CONSERVANCY ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS - The Irvine Ranch Conservatory and the City of Irvine offer a variety of free hiking, mountain biking, and interpretive programs as well as wilderness access days in Bommer Canyon, Hicks Canyon, Quail Hill Trail Head and other areas. Though many are free, advance registration is required. Register at website listed. Information: (949) 724-6610 or www.irlandmarks.org.

• LOS ANGELES ARBORETUM - The Los Angeles Arboretum, 301 N. Baldwin Avenue in Arcadia, offers free admission every third Tuesday of the month. Trams are not available on this day. See website for details. Information: (626) 821-3222 or www.arboretum.org

• ROGERS GARDENS, COSTA MESA - Free weekend gardening lectures most months. Ongoing; variety of topics. Information: (949) 640-5800 or www.rogersgardens.com.

• TORRANCE/MADRONA MARSH PROGRAMS - Nature Walks are every fourth weekend of the month on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. - noon. Explore the preserve with a trained docent. Also Audobon Bird Walks every 4th Saturday of the month at 8:30 a.m., plus special lectures, classes, habitat restoration opportunities and more. The Madrona Marsh Nature Center is located at 3201 Plaza Del Amo. Information: (310) 782-3989, www.torraceca.gov or www.friendsofmadronamarsh.com

• VARIOUS LOCATIONS - NATIONAL PARKS - A free annual pass is available from the National Parks System to all active duty military personnel with proper identification (CAC Card or DD Form 1173). The pass admits owners and accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas, or the pass owner and up to three additional adults at sites that charge per person. Information: www.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm, or go to "Stores" at www.store.usgs.gov.

SENIORS

• LA COUNTY FAIR - Senior Wednesdays - The LA County Fair in Pomona will take place from September 1 - 24. Admission is free on Wednesdays from noon - 3 p.m. for seniors ages 60+. No coupon is required, but proper ID is. Information: (909) 623-3111 or http://www.lacountyfair.com.

• 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 served. Also, free weekly open play card games, at La Mirada Activity Center. Information: (562) 902-3160 or http://www.cityoflamirada.org.

• VETERANS STORYTELLING PROJECT - VOICES. VOICES is an opportunity for veterans to explore their creativity by sharing the stories that have shaped their lives. Free writing workshops led by theater artist Dave Barton will take place on Sept. 13, 20 and 27, and October 4, 11 and 18 at 6 p.m. at Heroes Hall at the OC Fair and Event Center (OC Fairgrounds). There will be a public reading of the stories on October 20 at 6 p.m. (Not suitable for children) Veterans of all wars and military branches, with or without combat experience, are welcome. Information: (714) 598-7406 or www.artsoc.org.

SPECIAL EVENTS/OTHER

• HUNTINGTON BEACH - Breitling Huntington Beach Air Show - The Breitling Huntington Beach Air Show will take place September 29 - October 1 over the water in Huntington Beach in the area between the pier and Magnolia, with the center being across from the Hilton. Friday is a practice day and Saturday and Sunday are show days with flights between noon and 4 p.m. Seating is your own seating on the beach. Traffic is expected to be heavy those days, and beach parking will increase to $30. A complimentary shuttle will be available at 13 stops throughout the city. See website for full information. Information: http://www.hbairshow.com (show) and www.surfcityusa.com/shuttle (shuttle).

• IRVINE - Activities at the Orange County Great Park. - The Orange County Great Park offers movies, garden workshops, lectures, concerts and a variety of activities on an ongoing basis. Movies will be listed above; see website calendar for other information. The OCGP is located off the 5 Freeway at the Sand Canyon exit. Information: (949) 724-7404 or www.ocgp.org.

• LONG BEACH - Long Beach Sea Festival. Variety of events through the end of August include sports competitions, concerts (will be included in listings), festivals and more. Some events free, others fee. Visit website(s) for a full list of activities. Information: (562) 426-7670, www.100daysofsummer.org or www.longbeachseafestival.com, and (562) 434-1542 or www.alfredosbeachclub.com.

• SANTA MONICA - Beach=Culture Events/Performances at the Annenberg Community Beach House. The Annenberg Community Beach House is located at 415 Pacific Coast Highway at Beach Coast Way. The Beach=Culture programs take place on varying nights and reservations are required. Events with music will be included in the listings; there are also poetry readings, docent tours, photography exhibits and more. Most events required ticket or reservation. Check for current schedules and parking fees. Information: (310) 458-4904 or http://beachhouse.smgov.net.