• 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. Fall listings are now available. Information: (213) 228-7025, www.lfla.org or www.aloudla.org.

• CARPENTER CENTER "ARTS FOR LIFE" LECTURE SERIES, LONG BEACH - Upcoming lectures will take place on September 20 and 27 at 7 p.m. at the Carpenter Center on the CSULB campus, and lectures will feature expert faculty members from CSULB. On September 20 - Contemporary Dance Explained, with Dr. Colleen Dunagan, and on September 27, Sing it, Boys! with Dr. Elizabeth Lindau. Lectures last approximately one hour. Reservations are required and can be made via the Carpenter Center website. Information: (562) 985-7000 or www.carpenterarts.org, go to "Arts for Life."

• "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.

• 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. Many classes have a fee, but some events are free. Information: http://www.williams-sonoma.com, scroll down to bottom of home page for classes link.

• 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.

LIBRARIES

• CITY AND COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY PERFORMANCES AND PROGRAMS - Most libraries throughout Southern California offer patrons a wide variety of free performances, workshops and other events/activities. Some are geared toward adults, and others are special programs for teens or children. This summer many libraries are focusing summer programming around the theme "Read to the Rhythm," so there are many more programs with music-related themes. It is recommended that you check your local library website often for the best and most current information. In addition to individual city libraries, 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.

• LA OPERA "OPERA TALKS" - The LA Opera talks offers one-hour talks at various Los Angeles public libraries during the year, though not usually during the summer. Upcoming programs will include (phone number listed are library phone numbers): September 3 - Redondo Beach Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Topic: La Boheme, (310) 318-0675, option 5; September 7 - El Dorado Neighborhood Library, Long Beach at 2 p.m. Topic: La Boheme, (562) 570-3136; September 14 - Santa Monica Public Library (main) at 3 p.m. Topic: La Boheme, (310) 458-8600; September 16 - Burbank Central Library, at 7 p.m. Topic: La Boheme, (310) 377-9584 x210. October 1 - Redondo Beach Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Topic: The Light in the Piazza, (310) 318-0675, option 5. Information: www.laopera.org.

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, as offers may change periodically without notice. Some of the recently-available offers/products/services include:

• LOS ANGELES (DOWNTOWN AND VICINITY) - Outside the Box (Office) at USC. The current session of USC School of Cinematic Arts' ongoing weekly showcase of upcoming international, documentary and independent films runs from August 26 - December 20. All screenings are free of charge and open to the public (unless otherwise noted), but they also are overbooked to ensure capacity. To subscribe to the mailing list for upcoming free screenings and events, e-mail the word "subscribe" to aago@cinema.usc.edu. To see the current schedule of screenings, visit the website listed. Information: http://cinema.usc.edu/events/event.cfm?id=52444.

• LOS ANGELES (DOWNTOWN AND VICINITY) - Outfest PROUD Picnic + Movie Night. The event will take place on September 14 from 5 - 10 p.m. in Grand Park in downtown LA. There will be a showcase of short films from the Outfest Fusion Festival along with a feature full-length presentation. Filmmakers and actors also will introduce the films and share insight about their craft. There also will be food trucks, and the screening will be held on the Grand Park Performance Lawn near Hill Street. Information: www.grandparkla.org, go to event calendar.

• LOS ANGELES (MID-WILSHIRE/MUSEUM DISTRICT) - Level 8 Drive-In at the Grove LA. Drive up on the top floor of the parking structure for the Grove LA's summer movie series featuring park-and-dine ordering, panoramic city views and photo ops with iconic cars from the films. RSVPs for the films are required and can be made via the Eventbrite links on the website. Tickets are available for future shows after the current show in line has ended. Films will be: July 31 - The Great Gatsby, August 28 - Back to the Future and September 25 - Iron Man. Information: (323) 900-8080 or www.thegrovela.com/events/drive-in-summer-movie-series.

• MARINA DEL REY - Marina Movie Nights. Movies screen at 8 p.m. on Saturday nights at Burton Chase Park, 13650 Mindanao Way, and the screening area will close when at capacity. September films will be: September 7 - Wizard of Oz, September 14 - Mean Girls, September 21 - Solo: Star Wars, amd September 28 - Beetlejuice. Information: (424) 526-7900 or http://marinadelrey.lacounty.gov.

• NEWPORT BEACH - Movies in the Park. Movies are shown at dusk, and activities begin about an hour prior to the movie. There also will be free popcorn. Films will be: July 19 - LEGO Movie 2 at Cliff Drive Park, August 23 - Mary Poppins Returns at Grant Howald Park, and September 20 - Hotel Transylvania 3 at Bayview Park. Information: (909) 625-9479 or www.cityofmontclair.org.

• REDONDO BEACH - Free Movie Nights on the Redondo Pier. Films will screen on Saturdays in September at 7:30 p.m. and will be: September 7 - School of Rock, September 14 - Karate Kid, September 21 - Back to the Future, and September 28 - Grease. Information: www.redondopier.com.

• SAN PEDRO - Movies Under the Guns on the Battleship Iowa. Films screen at 8 p.m. on the deck of the Battleship Iowa and will be: Seating is on a first-come basis beginning at 7 p.m. and is limited to 450 people. Bring chairs; no outside food allowed. Final summer movie will be September 20 - Captain Marvel. The Pacific Battleship Center is located at 250 S. Harbor Boulevard. Information: (877) 446-9261 or www.pacificbattleship.com.

• YORBA LINDA - Movies in the Park. Movies screen at dusk in the park listed. Bring a blanket or low-back chair for seating. Final film will be September 21 - Wonder Park at Hurless Barton Park. Information: (714) 961-7192 or www.yorbalindaca.gov

MUSEUMS

The following is a partial listing of free museum days. It is recommended that you confirm the availability of all events/open days prior to visiting the museum since free entry days and times may change periodically.

This month only:

• SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE MUSEUM DAY - Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day will take place this year on September 21. Participating museums and cultural institutions will offer free entry to anyone presenting a Museum Day ticket. Find a list of participating museums and get a ticket by going to the website listed. Information: www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/museum-day-2019

Ongoing:

• 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