Today I’m celebrating one of those birthdays that ends in a zero. Yes, October 5th marks my 70th spin around the sun.  Ouch.  Or… Yay!

For reasons that escape me, people keep insisting that reaching such an age is an accomplishment. Personally, I think of it more as an accident, but an accident worth marking if it can do some good in the world. And that’s what I’d like to do with all of you.

A Birthday Fundraiser

To celebrate, we’re announcing a special fundraiser here on the blog to support the charities that all your membership fees already go to. This time, I’ll be giving a live online lecture, and you’re invited.  It will be called “How Things Change: Major Archaeological and Scholarly Discoveries in my Fifty Years of Research“

Here’s the idea:

• The lecture will talk about how much more we know now (and what different things scholars think now, since I devoted myself to this field in the mid 70s.

• Wanna come?  We’re asking for a donation — not for me (though if you want to send a pack of small unmarked bills, I’ll sign for the post).  Every penny will go to our charities, all of whose needs are growing, alas, unlike my now septagenarian attention span….

• Donations:  We have different tiers.  They are gauged to what you’re able and inclined to give.  What we’d like are donations to match my age: $70.01 ((Why the extra cent? Because otherwise we won’t know if your donation is for this fundraiser. So yes, please end it in .01.)

• We’d also encourage donations that move the decimal point (to the right) if you are willing and able, say 700.01.  The max allowed will be $7,000,000.01. (And please, all donors at that level, remember the extra cent).

• Many of you may not be in a position or the vein for a donation of any of those sizes, in which case we would ask for a donation of $14.01 to honor the 14 years I’ve been doing this blog.

• So, choose your tier, and we will shed many tears out of joy for your generosity.

How It Works

1. Make your donation by going to the blog homepage, scrolling to the bottom, and clicking to make a one-time donation.

2. Remember: end your gift in .01 so we know it’s for this event.

3. After donating, use this link to register for the webinar. Your registration will be approved manually (please allow up to one business day).

4. Be sure to make your donation at least one day before the live lecture.

5. Can’t attend live? No problem. Everyone who registers will receive a link to watch the recording afterward.

The Lecture

Topic: How Things Change: Major Archaeological and Scholarly Discoveries in my Fifty Years of Research
When: January 11th, 2026 at 3pm Eastern (Can’t attend live? Don’t worry – it will be recorded and made available to you!)
Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ozneArWuTeCQn-y1RraZnQ

Most important, again, every penny will go to support our charities. Your generosity has already helped raise nearly $3.5 million for those in need. With your help, we can make this birthday a gift not just to me, but to people across the globe who can benefit from our shared commitment.

So join me in turning the big 7-0 into something more than an excuse for cake and champagne (though I’ll be having that too).

Thank you for making this possible. I truly can’t imagine a better way to celebrate.

Bart