Southwest Archaeology Today for Feb 23, 2010

Southwestern Archaeology Making the News – A Service of the Center for Desert Archaeology

State Parks Across the Southwest Facing Closure:
As Utah lawmakers look to reduce spending even more in the future, they have some state parks on a possible chopping block as they explore the idea of privatizing them.A list of six possible candidates will be drafted by an internal audit committee and presented to lawmakers this summer for potential consideration. The step is similar, but not as drastic, as those being taken by other states around the country where bleeding budgets are forcing unpopular decisions. Last month, the largest closure of state parks in the nation began in Arizona, and in California, 278 parks face being shut down.
http://tinyurl.com/yc3kx89 – Deseret News

Arizona Unprepared to Secure Closed Archaeological Parks
With the first wave of state park closures set to begin this week, officials are still struggling with basic questions on how to secure the vast properties. Homolovi Ruins near Winslow and Lyman Lake near St. Johns will close on Monday as a result of steep budget cuts to the parks system. Parks officials will post signs telling visitors about the closures, and a ranger is expected to be on hand to answer questions. More than a month after the shutdown announcement, officials remain uncertain about how to secure the park perimeters and protect their assets.
http://tinyurl.com/yzmeg59 – Arizona Republic

What’s Obama Got Against Historic Preservation?
The Great Recession and federal and state budget cuts are creating hurdles for heritage advocates who see historic preservation and urban revitalization as a way out of the economic doldrums. Obama’s budget is a major setback because it slashes cherished programs.
http://crosscut.com/2010/02/16/mossback/19584/

New Centennial Museum to Open in Phoenix
Governor Jan Brewer today announced that in celebration of Arizona’s 100th anniversary of statehood, an Arizona Centennial Museum will be created for all residents and visitors to enjoy. In a ceremony at the historical Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum located in downtown Phoenix, the governor presented her vision and plans that will be instituted over the course of the next two years to transform the historic Mining and Mineral Museum into the Arizona Centennial Museum. The museum’s exhibits will be devoted to showcasing the enduring legacy of Arizona’s dynamic economic growth and industrial development.
http://www.evliving.com/2010/02/12/arizona-centennial-museum/
http://www.arizona100.org/

Aztec National Monument Seeks Public Opinion on the Future of the Monument
Officials from Aztec Ruins National Monument plan to host a series of informational meetings to gather community input as they update the existing general management plan, which dates back to 1989. The public comment period runs through April 8. Residents can comment in person, mail suggestions, or call the national monument.”I’m really giving people enough time to thoroughly engage in the process,” Aztec Ruins National Monument Supervisor Dennis Carruth said.
http://www.daily-times.com/farmington-news/ci_14443047?source=rss

Time Running Out to Join Archaeoastronomy Workshop
The Archaeoastronomy in the Field workshop, presented by the Conference on Archaeoastronomy of the American Southwest on March 11-12, 2010, is rapidly approaching. Online registration for the workshop will end on March 1. The deadline for the discounted hotel rate at the Crowne Plaza Phoenix Hotel ends this Wednesday, February 24. If you are planning to attend, please get your reservations in by this Wednesday. The revised agenda of presenters, as well as workshop and hotel registration information, is available on our website at
http://www.caasw.org/workshop.html

Profile of Avocational Archaeologist Shelly Rasmussen
Shelley Rasmussen drives 50 miles each way for her one-day-a-week job” and she gets no pay. But she wouldn’t trade her commute for anything. She’s doing what she loves most: helping people learn more about archaeology. Rasmussen, a Wickenburg resident, is a docent at ASU’s Deer Valley Rock Art Center. She drives to the DVRAC every Tuesday to lead tours or do whatever else comes along. It truly is a labor of love for Rasmussen, who says she is an “avocational archaeologist.”
http://asunews.asu.edu/20100218_rasmussen

New Exhibit at New Mexico State University Explores Hopi Mayo and Yaqui Traditions
Explore the cultural worlds of the Hopi, Mayo and Yaqui in two new exhibits opening with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the NMSU Museum, kicking off months of special events and activities. The Hopi have more than 400 katsinam (also known as kachinas) who guide them in their daily lives and help them survive on the arid mesas of northeast Arizona. Learn about some of these spirit beings through the carved dolls that are given to Hopi girls to familiarize them with the katsina world in a new exhibit: “Spirit Messengers: Hopi Katsina Dolls.”
http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-entertainment/ci_14420919?source=rss

Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month Calendar of Events Now Available
Dear Friends of Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month (AAHAM): The 2010 AAHAM statewide Listing of Events brochures have been printed and are ready for pick up at the SHPO. Many thanks to SRP and APS, as well as SWCA, WSA, and Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, for providing corporate and private funding for the printing of this brochure — we literally could not have done it without you all! Thank you all for helping to distribute the Listing brochures to the public. Ann Howard, SHPO
http://www.cdarc.org/sat/aahm_calendar_2010-1.pdf

Interesting Series of Southwestern Archaeology Photo Galleries Now Online
Galleries include places like the Anasazi Heritage Center, Aztec National Monument, Chaco Canyon and the Maxwell Musuem.
http://jqjacobs.net/blog/index.html

Rim Country Chapter of Arizona Archaeology Society Celebrates 24 Years of Archaeological Research and Preservation
They work with some of the oldest elements of the Rim Country. But the organization is one of the newer groups in the area, in spite of celebrating its 24th anniversary at its meeting Feb. 20.
The Rim Country Chapter of the Arizona Archaeology Society organized in February 1986. It traces its roots to a class at Gila Pueblo Community College in Payson, Introduction to Archaeology.
http://www.paysonroundup.com/news/2010/feb/17/touching_past/

Opportunity to Tour Historic Fairbank Townsite and Presidio Santa Cruz de Terrenate
Sponsored by the Friends of the San Pedro River. Come to Fairbank, Arizona for a day of history. Music, re-enactments, walks and a hike. Visit a ghost town that was once a thriving boomtown of the wild west, the cemetery which holds the remains of many residents, the old school house, and the two-story adobe Mercantile building. Walk along the old railroad bed to “Willow Wash,” cross the San Pedro River, and visit the Presidio Santa Cruz de Terrenate. The hike starts at Fairbank Townsite at 8 a.m. and is approximately 6 miles roundtrip over good trails with a few steep inclines.
http://tinyurl.com/yc4rj8e – Sierra Vista Herald