Flagstaff, AZ: This month could be your last chance to visit Riordan - the AZ State Legislature swept the funds for State Parks and Riordan is slated to close on March 20th. So, don’t procrastinate a visit any longer.

Please note that we are now on our Winter hours, open Thursday - Monday: 10:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. with tours beginning at 11:00 a.m. and continuing throughout the day at the top of the hour, the last tour of the day is always 4:00 p.m. Reservations are always recommended. The Park is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.0

Riordan Mansion State Historic Park is scheduled to be CLOSED on March 29, 2010 because the Arizona State Legislature has swept the funds of Arizona State Parks again.

A local group the Riordan Action Network has been formed to raise money in the community in an effort to keep the Park open on a limited basis to protect it. For more information, please email RiordanActionNet@aol.com or see their website www.riordanmansion.org

If you are looking for information on the budget crisis, try the Arizona State Parks Foundation website. This non-profit was created to advocate for Arizona State Parks. www.arizonastateparksfoundation.org . The best thing to do still is to contact your Arizona State Legislators, the Foundation website has a link to help you do this. The other best thing you can do is VISIT Arizona State Parks and bring your friends! We need to generate revenue and attendance!!

On-Going Series of Brown Bag Lunch Lectures, 12:15pm

Note: Our March Lecture is in Celebration of Arizona Heritage and Archaeology Awareness Month
Mar 8 Smithsonian Expeditions to Northern Arizona
Peter Pilles, Archaeologist, Coconino National Forest In the early days of the Smithsonian, leading archaeologists were sent to = northern Arizona to study ruin sites, including Jesse Walter Fewkes. Examine “then and now” photos documenting the ruin sites as they were found and as they are today. Presentation will be illustrated with photos by several early archaeologists.
**Note this is a Monday**

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Evening Slide Presentation Series, 7pm RSVP Free!
(Program is Free. Reservations are recommended due to limited availability.)

Note: Our March Lecture is in Celebration of Arizona Heritage and Archaeology Awareness Month
Mar 20 Excavations at Lizard Man Village
Neil Weintraub, Archaeologist, Kaibab National Forest
25 Years ago, archaeologist Neil Weintraub participated in the second year of excavations of the Grinnell College archaeological field school at Lizard Man Village. Located near Camp Townsend Winona Road, the field school made important contributions to the understanding of local prehistory. 25 years later, important preservation efforts are being made at a nearby petroglyph site called Picture Canyon (contemporaneous with Lizard Man). Weintraub will discuss the importance of these archaeological efforts located right outside our own doorsteps!

Mitchell Butte UT-AZ Border 1995, by Terry Falke
Flagstaff, AZ: Coconino Center for the Arts - Landscape Interrupted is a new photography exhibition focused on the influence, interaction and change that happens within the landscape when humans impact the natural world. Juried by William Jenkins, Professor of Photography at Arizona State University.

Opening Reception
January 16th 2010. 6-8 pm

Exhibition Open to Public
January 19th - February 17th

In contemporary times it is hard to consider nature as having it’s own entity. Humans have become part of the identity of the natural world and it’s becoming difficult to find a spaces in the wilderness that are untouched or unoccupied. Landscape photography has altered its focus away from utopian scenes and artists are using cameras to poignantly display the interaction between people and the landscape. Photographers are pin-pointing the changing landscape and as this natural change becomes accepted, absurdity becomes appealing and the spaces become occupied.

Flagstaff, AZ: Please note that we are now on our Winter hours, open Thursday - Monday, 10:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. with tours beginning at 11:00 a.m. and continuing throughout the day at the top of the hour, the last tour of the day is always 4:00 p.m. Reservations are always recommended.

If you are looking for information on the budget crisis, try the Arizona State Parks Foundation website. This non-profit was created to advocate for Arizona State Parks. www.arizonastateparksfoundation.org . The best thing to do still is to contact your Arizona State Legislators, the Foundation website has a link to help you do this. The other best thing you can do is VISIT Arizona State Parks and bring your friends! We need to generate revenue and attendance!

Riordan Mansion State Historic Park will closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays through March 2010 due to the ongoing State Budget crisis.

On-Going Series of Brown Bag Lunch Lectures 12:15pm, Free!
Mon, Jan 11
History of Postcards
Presented by Kathy Farretta, M.A., Riordan Mansion State Historic Park In conjunction with a new exhibit of family postcards on display, come learn about how postcards became a staple of American family vacations. This presentation will be illustrated with slides of many family postcards. For a special treat, we will unveil the new exhibit in the West House!
**Note this is a Monday**

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Evening Slide Presentation Series, 7pm RSVP Free!
(Program is Free. Reservations are recommended due to limited availability.)

Jan 23
Corvid Lore: Ravens and Crows in the American Southwest Presented by Shannon Benjamin, Museum of Northern Arizona Ravens and Crows are two members of the Corvid family. These enterprising creatures have long been known as tricksters in American Indian stories. Join us for an exploration of Southwestern Native American folklore about these intelligent birds and learn about their surprising traits and abilities.

Flagstaff, AZ: Once again, the Museum of Northern Arizona is hosting Trappings of the American West. This is a sales exhibition that includes contemporary paintings, photography and bronzes.

Exhibit visitors will view and be able to purchase the work of 90 juried artists, from 14 Western states, Hawaii, and Canada, whose art preserves the time-honored traditions of craftsmanship. This year’s artistic mediums will include painting, bronze sculpture, photography, saddles, tooled leather, bits and spurs, boots, hats, knives, engraving, hitched horsehair, braided rawhide, and instrument making. Knife and spur maker Larry Fuegen remarked, “The fascinating thing is that we are all self-taught. There are no schools to learn these trades. They are passed from one generation to the next, and these art forms are really one generation away from being lost.”

Presented by the Dry Creek Arts Fellowship, Trappings is one of three Arizona events this year to be recognized with an ALTE grant (Arts Link to Tourism and the Economy). Funding for this prestigious award comes from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Arizona Commission on the Arts. The ALTE grants support projects that promote a community’s or region’s artistic resources and create cultural tourism.

Museum Hours: 9am to 5pm daily. You can call 928-774-5213 or visit the Museum’s website.

Flagstaff, AZ: Please note that we are now on our Winter hours, open Thursday - Monday, 10:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. with tours beginning at 11:00 a.m. and continuing throughout the day at the top of the hour, the last tour of the day is always 4:00 p.m. Reservations are always recommended.

If you are looking for information on the budget crisis, try the Arizona State Parks Foundation website. This non-profit was created to advocate for Arizona State Parks. www.arizonastateparksfoundation.org.The best thing to do still is to contact your Arizona State Legislators, the Foundation website has a link to help you do this.

Riordan Mansion State Historic Park will closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays through March 2010 due to the ongoing State Budget crisis.

On-Going Series of Brown Bag Lunch Lectures 12:15pm, Free!
A special Brown Bag in celebration of Samuel Clemens’ birthday
Mon, Nov 9 Mark Twain in the American West
Kathy Farretta, Riordan Mansion State Historic Park In celebration of Samuel Clemens’ birthday, we will explore the forces which caused him to make the trip to the newly established Territory of Nevada with his brother Orion, in 1861. From printer’s apprentice to steamboat pilot; prospector to newspaper correspondent, follow Sam Clemens’ journey to the American West.
**Note this is a Monday**

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Evening Slide Presentation Series, 7pm RSVP Free!
(Program is Free. Reservations are recommended due to limited availability.)

Nov 7 The Great Southwest of the Santa Fe Railway
Alan Petersen, Coconino Community College & MNA The Santa Fe Railway introduced a great many visitors from around the world to the people and geography of the Southwest. They were also great patrons of the arts and used the art they commissioned as part of their marketing strategy and materials. The Santa Fe Railway marketing department hired well known artists and their prints and paintings have, in many ways, come to define the stereotypical image of the Southwest.

Nov 14 Lava dams on the Colorado and Little Colorado Rivers
Wendell Duffield, USGS & NAU
Volcanoes are notorious for building dams across rivers that get in their way. Northern Arizona has been a hotbed of this kind of no-bid construction. Eruptions in the Toroweap area created about a dozen dams in the Grand Canyon during the past 700,000 years. The most recent attempt for yet another was only 1,000 years ago, but the volcano ran out of lava before the project could be carried out. The Little Colorado River has seen at least four lava dams created during the past two million years. The youngest of these is at Grand Falls and is only 20,000 years old. From a geological perspective, future eruptions are likely to occur in northern Arizona. It’s interesting and a bit frightening to contemplate the consequences should such eruption create a new lava.

Flagstaff, AZ: This Friday, October 30, BIG WILLIE & THE POLKA MEISTERS
will be at The Matterhorn Grill entertaining you with authentic German Music from 6:30 till 9pm. Mention this E-mail and receive a bottle of Riesling for just 1 penny with the purchase of two complete dinners. (not valid with other offers and promos) Hope to see you there. So make your reservation as soon as possible !!!

Saturday Oct. 31, HALLOWEEN, ROLLIE & THE POLKA KATZEN will be at the Matterhorn Grill entertaining you with authentic German Halloween music, Polkas-Waltzes-Tangos & more. Opening Bell is 6:00 pm and they will be playing till at least 9pm. So dust off your Lederhosen & Dirndl’s, or come all dressed up in your spiffiest Halloween Costume, put on your Dancing Shoes and head on over to The Matterhorn Grill. Mention this E-mail and get a bottle of Riesling for just 1 cent with the purchase of 2 complete Dinners. So make your reservation as soon as possible. The more the merrier! CONTEST ON THE HOUR-EVERY HOUR
See you all on Saturday night, October 31!!

Reminder….. Wine Tasting is coming . Thursday, November 5th We will be serving a Special 4course dinner, along with Imported Cheeses, fresh fruit, breads & crackers. Youngs Market, together with Diamond Back Wine and Spirits, is sponsoring this event. You will be able to taste our new line of German Wines from the Baden & Wuerttemberg Region, light, fruity and more on the dry side , with a crisp, full flavored pallet. So mark your calendar!! Reservations are strongly recommended. The Matterhorn Grill is located downtown Flagstaff at 103 W Birch - Parking Available! (928)226-7388

Flagstaff, AZ: With the cooler fall temperatures upon us, the Aspen leaves are changing the forest into a sea of gold. Many leaf peepers make their annual trips to northern Arizona to see nature in its entire autumn splendor. But there is not much time left, as the colors are currently at their peak.

There are few better vantage points from which to observe this wondrous sight than from the Arizona Snowbowl’s Scenic Skyride.

This weekend Flagstaff is forecasted to have clear skies and temperatures in the mid 60’s making it an ideal time to enjoy the wonders of the fall colors on the San Francisco Peaks.

The Scenic Skyride will be open for its final weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 AM to 4 PM, October 23 -25, 2009. Lunch is served at the Peak Side Cafe. Snowbowl is located minutes from downtown Flagstaff and on the way to the Grand Canyon, at the intersection of Hwy 180 & Snowbowl Rd., then 7 miles up Snowbowl Rd.

Jerome, AZ: On October 3rd, watch the full moon rise in Jerome during the first Saturday Art Walk. Once again, the magical mountain town will be hosting a night filled with art, music and refreshments galore. New members like Joojart in the Jerome Centre on Clarke Street, Patrick Lincoln in The New State Motor Company and Janie Layers and Clive Pates in the Old Jerome High School all bring a fresh energy to the vibrant art scene in Jerome. With 26 participating galleries and studios and many sponsoring businesses and restaurants offering specials, this is a festive night in Jerome. Visit Jerome Art Walk on the first Saturday of every month from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. A free shuttle transports visitors from one end of town to the other throughout the evening. For more information visit www.jeromeartwalk.com or call Donna at (928) 649-2277.

Ceramic artists and long time Jerome residents David Hall and Jane Moore continue with their distinctive pottery creations at Made in Jerome Pottery. Their functional and durable art graces the tables and homes of collectors throughout the United States. Hand thrown and fired in the gas kiln at their studio in Jerome, the simple and elegant designs are enduring classics. Always on hand to discuss their work, Jane and David welcome visitors to their working studio during the full moon Art Walk.

Stop by Spirit Art Gallery to say goodbye to Rosemarie Shemaitis who will close the doors of this lovely gallery to pursue a new phase of her life. The gallery has featured fine local artists and has been a wonderful beacon of art in Jerome. Gallery owner Rosemarie is one of the founding and inspirational members of Art Walk and is responsible for much of the image development of this successful event.

The Fool on the Hill- a gallery of wonderful things- welcomes in fall with a new collection of jewelry from Christy Fisher. Created from recycled glass medicine bottles, the colors of this Slag glass collection are beautifully muted autumn tones that are perfect for this time of year! Come meet Christy and the rest of the gang at the Fool! Join us for refreshments and fun from 5-8. Peace. Love. Fashion. Art. 507B Main Street Jerome, Arizona. 928-649-0334 www.thefoolonthehill.com

Magpie-wearable arts gallery- features the fine feathered work of local accessory designer Tracy Blackwell. Tracy creates beautiful and unusual hair accessories from vintage buttons, jewelry, and feathers! These pieces can be worn in the hair- on a hat- or on your new fall sweaters as an accent. Come, meet Tracy, and let us show you our new fall clothing and jewelry collections from some of the planet’s most unique designers. Refreshments will be served from 5-8. Magpie is located at 509 Main Street in Jerome, Arizona. 928-649-0295 www.magpiejerome.com

Touchdown! It’s gridiron fever at the Janie Layers studio/gallery, with bears, eagles, wildcats, owls, wolves, ravens, and beavers wanting to watch the big game at your house. So, come pick out a ceramic mascot for that pigskin fanatic in your life. And be sure to catch the ultimate tie-breaker, as the Sangiovanni Brothers return for an encore magic show in the main hall of the Old Jerome High School.

New to Raku Gallery this month is artist Bob Howard. His landscape oil paintings capture the warmth and openness of the southwest. Another new artist is Burgard who makes amazing pate de verre glass pendants. Dick Phillips has splashed our walls with four new and vibrant colorful abstracts. The fun of the gallery is the constant change and emerging artists. Now is the time to start thinking about the holidays. Raku Gallery has a wide variety of affordable functional art, gifts and baubles, in addition to outstanding fine art.

Purple Sky Photography and Calling Rain Music are celebrating their One Year Plus One Anniversary at the Old Jerome High School. To kick off their second year at the High School, the gallery will be featuring Kim Hoshal’s new show, “Monument in Silhouette”. This fascinating exhibit centers around images from Kim’s recent journey to Monument Valley Tribal Park. One of the most iconic areas in the American Southwest, Kim’s stunning sunrise and sunset silhouettes lend an additional air of mystery and beauty to some of the most famous monuments in this spectacular location.

Altai Leather has creatively come up with some beautiful new guitar straps designs. Also, check out a new line of shoes made in Poland called “Sanitas” that are extremely comfortable and orthopedic friendly. Leather artist Kelly makes her debut as the Art Walk model in the new ads to be seen throughout the Verde Valley this month.

Pura Vida Gallery proudly debuts the work of Prescott glass artist Mark Hines. Mark will be on hand the evening of the Art Walk to discuss and present his newest work, which includes glass wall clocks, oil lamps, and large table vases. Mark produces a large and varied line of modern slumped glass pieces making use of the knowledge he gained while working with stained glass and ceramics. Sand molds give the glass an organic look and iron stands make the pieces very functional. The brilliant reds created by fusing copper between the glass, and subtle blacks and coppers in his work reflect the beauty of the desert Southwest. Join Pura Vida Gallery and artist Mark Hines from 5-8pm on the evening of October 3rd to see Mark’s latest creations and enjoy the cello and chocolates.

Mary Jardine, a popular artist at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery for nearly a decade, presents a brand new body of fiber art in her featured artist show, “Arizona Landscapes in Fiber.” The show runs through October 21st. Jardine is a fiber artist, known for her “Fabrications”, creating wall hangings and artful scenes, using fabric as her medium. Sewing, quilting, cutting and gluing, she brings together the different colors and textures of the canvas in unusual and delightful ways.

Gallery 527 features plein air painter Ninfa who will show new work painted on the streets of Jerome. This talented artist has been selected to paint in the prestigious Sedona Plein Air Festival at the end of October. Musical guest Janice Paul on keyboard plus the arrival of a new art chair by Craig Nimtz and Lorraine Fexas will round out another great night at Gallery 527 in Jerome on October 3rd for First Saturday Art Walk. For more information, contact Donna at (928) 649-2277 or visit jeromeartwalk.com.

Caption: This southwest geometric designed large vase is a perfect example of the functional, and distinctive pottery of David Hall and Jane Moore of Made in Jerome Pottery.

Sedona, AZ: All aboard for the Magical Murder Mystery Tour when Sedona hosts the annual conference of the Society of American Prestidigitators – SAP – at the Marketplace Café on September 23, 2009 at 6 PM.

You’ll see feats of prestidigitation that will amaze you and make you laugh until a body hits the floor and the call goes out for a detective. Soon Richard Dick appears out of thin air. It’s his job to find out who the murderer is before someone else heads to the Big Magic Shop in the Sky. Everyone is a suspect - including you - as accusations fly and the interrogations begin. Bring your powers of deduction and help Detective Dick solve the crime as murder and laughter take over the Marketplace Cafe!

Was that Lucy in disguise with diamonds? Why was Abbey Road seen arguing with the victim earlier that afternoon? And who really is the Walrus? Come to the Marketplace Café and find out. Who knows, you might even have a chance to engage in magic! The evening begins at 6 PM on Wednesday, September 23, 2009. There is limited seating, so buy your tickets now by calling the Marketplace Café at 928-284-5478. Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre tickets are $39.99 per person including a four- course meal. You’ll have the crime of your life, so don’t miss it!

Flagstaff, AZ: Free Admission Day at Lowell. Sponsored by the Robert Ayers Science Fund, all visitors are admitted free for daytime programs - 9am-5pm. For more information, call 928-233-3267 or visit their website.