I will reveal my Top 25 Favorite Historic Sites in Arizona. These are the places, still preserved and protected, that define the Arizona of today. This special event is brought to you by the Cottonwood Historical Preservation Commission in partnership with the Cottonwood Public Library. Free. 100 S. 6th St., 928-634-7559.
I will give a presentation on the Route 66 centennial. This is the actual 100th birthday of the Mother Road and festivities will be going on throughout the town. Admission to the museum is $18 adult, $16 for seniors and $13 for youth, (10-17). 3101 N. Fort Valley Rd., 928-774-5213, www.musnaz.org.
I will give another Route 66 presentation. $10 for just the program. Free with museum admission, $28 adult, $25 for seniors and $12 for youth, (6-17).3830 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, AZ. 480-686-9539, www.westernspirit.org.
I’ll be reading selections from my book of humorous Arizona-based short stories, Crazy for the Heat: Arizona Tales of Ghosts, Gumshoes, and Bigfoot, and teasing my upcoming mystery novel set in Jerome. The event will feature several authors with books for sale and is sponsored by Peregrine Book Company (www.peregrinebookcompany.com). Come out and support local authors
I’ll be at the Phippen Museum in Prescott with a presentation on my latest book, Arizona Boots and Burgers: A Guide for Hungry Hikers. The talk, which includes a slide show, Q & A, and book sales, begins at 1 p.m. It is free with museum admission: $12 per adult, $10 per senior. 4701 Hwy. 89, 928-778-1385, www.phippenartmuseum.org.
I’ll be giving a very special presentation to raise money for a very worthy cause. I’ll be in Scottsdale giving an Awesome Arizona presentation. Cost is $35 for lunch and the talk, but with all ticket sales and donations going to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. It starts at 11 a.m. and will take place at the Bob Bové Neuroscience Institute at Honor Health (7242 Osborn Rd.). Tickets are limited so you do need to register. And you can do that here.
Free. Topic: Route 66 Centennial. 300 W. Aspen Ave., 928-213-2330, www.flagstaffpubliclibrary.org.
Free. Author’s Day with several authors in attendance, additional book talks, raffles, a silent auction, and more. Topic: Route 66 Centennial. 12950 N. 7th St., 602-343-5125, www.northmountainvisitorcenter.org.
Free. Topic: Arizona National Parks and Monuments. 3250 White Bear Rd., 928-282-7714.
Free. Topic: Route 66 Centennial. 700 S. Green Valley Pkwy, 928-474-3483, www.rimcountrymuseum.org.
Topic: Route 66 Centennial. I’ll be giving the keynote talk at this event, filled with great authors, which also serves as a fundraiser for SEEDs for Autism. Warehouse 215 at 215 Grant Street.
Route 66 book signing. This is part of their Seligman Days celebration of the Route 66 Centennial.
Cottonwood/Sedona leading a guided hike for the Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival, 8:30 a.m. Registration required. 928-641-6013. Your chance to go hiking with me!
Topic: Boots and Burgers. This is one of the few chances to hear this talk in the Phoenix area. Don’t miss it. Free but might be a good idea to RSVP. 602-274-0067.
Topic: Route 66 Centennial. I’ll be the keynote speaker for their big, colorful annual event, Poppyfest. It’s a great weekend in an intriguing town.
Topic Boots and Burgers.
Topic: Boots and Burgers. 2600 E. Willcox Dr., 520-515-5492.
Topic: Route 66 Centennial. 2980 S. Camino del Sol.
Topic: Route 66 Centennial. 6 Main St., 520-432-4232.
Topic: Route 66 Centennial. Cottonwood Public Library, 100 S. Sixth St., 928-634-5526.
Topic: Arizona National Parks and Monuments. 3830 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, AZ, 480-686-9539.
Topic: Arizona National Parks and Monuments. 3830 N. Marshall Way, 480-686-9539. $10 admission. Reserve your seat at https://westernspirit.org/project/arizona-national-parks-and-monuments-with-roger-naylor/
Topic: Boots and Burgers. 2700 E. Speedway Blvd.
Topic: Route 66 Centennial. 34250 N. 60th St., Bldg. B, Scottsdale, AZ, 480-488-1090. $10 admission to benefit Cave Creek Museum. Classic cars will be on hand.
Topic: Route 66 Centennial. 12880 N. Vistoso Village Dr., Oro Valley, AZ, 520-622-6014.
Topic: Route 66 Centennial. 300 S. Chandler Village Dr., Chandler, AZ, 480-782-2717.
Topic: Route 66 Centennial. 18160 N. Maya Angelou Dr., Maricopa, AZ, 520-568-2926.
Topic: Arizona National Parks and Monuments. 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler, AZ, 480-782-2800.
After many years away, it was great to return to the White Mountain Nature Center in Lakeside last year to be greeted by a rollicking packed house. I’m thrilled to return this summer to share my love for this astonishing state. I look forward to catching their legendary free raptor show while I’m in town. White Mountain Nature Center is located at 425 N. Woodland Rd, 928-358-3069.
If you’ve never visited this fascinating state park, now’s your chance. Riordan Mansion is an overlooked gem in the heart of Flagstaff, right next to the NAU Campus. It will be a bit of a reunion for me since this is where I first arrived in Arizona in the summer of 1975. Ostensibly, I was there to go to college. In reality, I was beginning my lifelong love affair with Arizona. Let’s celebrate! 409 W. Riordan Rd., 928-779-4395.
