November 14 – Riordan Mansion State Historic Park
Lava Dams on the Colorado and Little Colorado Rivers
Evening Slide Presentation Series. 7 pm. Presented by 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 dam. Reservations are recommended due to limited availability. Call (928) 779-4395.

November 28 – Sonoita Creek State Natural Area
Aldo Leopold Centennial Event
9 am – 3 pm. Kim Stone will be portraying Aldo Leopold at this event.* Join us for a unique canoe/kayak trip on Patagonia Lake. Or reigster for an overnight backpack trip into the natural area with park staff the day & night before (a max limit). There will also be kids activities, a guided horse back ride with readings from Leopold (max limit), nature walks with readings from Leopold, plus, author David Brown will be on hand for a book signing. Call the park to reserve your spot for the backpack trip, canoe outing or the guided horse back ride. Please register in advance for the nature walks.(520) 287-2791. Learn more about the Aldo Leopold Centennial Celebration and Events.

November 29 -Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park
Plein Air “Paint Out” (Fall Festival)
Additional Children’s Paint Out Activity
8 am – Noon. Plein Air “paint outs” are an open invitation to all artists, amateur and professional, to paint the treasures of Arizona State Parks. These live outdoor painting competitions take place in 4 hour blocks. After the painting period, the artists gather to judge their peers’ completed work.

Artists are welcome to bring their easels, brushes, drop cloth, canvas and capture scenes around the park. The park entrance fee is waived for participating artists. Learn more and see photos on the Plein Air Home Page.

December 2009
December 8 – Riordan Mansion State Historic Park
“Christmas Music during the Riordan Years”
Brown Bag Lunch Lecture. 12:15 pm. Presented by Erik Larson, Volunteer & Music Historian, Riordan Mansion State Park. Christmas has always been an anticipated time of year, and the music that accompanies it is a key factor to its magic. Music filled the two residences of the Riordan families year around and was given particular emphasis during the month of December. Sheet music abounds in the house giving clear evidence of its importance in their daily lives and holiday traditions. Most Americans share this love of seasonal music – is there any better example than Bing Crosby’s 1942 recording of “White Christmas”, which over the years has sold more than thirty million copies?

You will have a rare opportunity to hear some of the best musicians and vocalists of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s perform the songs that have become standards during the holidays. Whether or not the names of Jo Stafford, Johnny Mathis, Ted Weems, Harry James, Kay Kyser, Guy Lombardo or Spike Jones, to name just a few, mean anything in your musical memories, this program is sure to put you in a holiday mood.

Erik Larson, music historian and decade-long volunteer docent at the Riordan Mansion, will bring his extensive knowledge and vintage recordings to life on this one December afternoon. Join your friends and enjoy a sampling of Christmases past.

December 12 – Riordan Mansion State Historic Park
Holiday Party and Crafts
9 – 11 am. The community is invited to attend our annual Christmas Party which will be held in the Visitor Center. From 9– 11 am Santa will be on hand to give out candy and Mrs. Claus will read Christmas stories to the children. In addition, there will be crafts for the children to make and take home, as well as Christmas music and general good cheer. To help fend off the cold, hot cider and cake will be served.

Plein Air Artist “Paint Outs”
Learn more on the Plein Air Home Page. Arizona State Parks and and Arizona Plein Air Painters sponsor live outdoor painting competitions. After the painting period, the artists gather to judge their peers completed work. Artists are welcome to bring their easels, brushes drop cloth canvas and capture scenes around the park. This is a series of “paint outs” planned throughout the year at Arizona State Parks. 2009 Event Dates & Parks.

Note
* = Portrayal of Aldo Leopold at these events is subject to change.

Source: Arizona State Parks