Arizoniques

RIZO RISK-TAKING, FORTUNE-MAKING

Gambling on new ideas has been an integral part of American business since the country began. Now there's a school in Arizona where young entrepreneurs can dream and research new private enterprise schemes with the advice and guidance of the most successful entrepreneurs in America. The Karl Eller Center for the Study of the Private Market Economy, is part of the University of Arizona's College of Business and Public Administration. Any junior in the College of Business and Public Administration can apply for the program, but the center will accept only a select group of thirty to forty students per year. The young Turks must develop a plan which is truly innovative, of national potential, and applicable to such rapid growth industries as high tech, information, and services. Faculty and business leaders are available for consultation, but students make their own decisions. At year's end, they formally present and defend their plans before the business leaders. This year, the first graduating class originated and researched such enterprises as marketing agricultural seeds treated with an enzyme mixture and an electrical ion charge to increase seed yield, a national franchise for the training of dogs and related products and services, and production and marketing of a tool enabling auto mechanics to change oil without crawling underneath a car. The student entrepreneurs haven't made their first million yet, but they've only been out of school for four months.

MOST POWERFUL TELESCOPE

The University of Arizona and Ohio State University will soon place the world's most powerful telescope atop Mount Graham, a 10,717-foot peak in southeastern Arizona. The huge telescope will be constructed with at least one and possibly two 314-inch mirrors dwarfing the current largest telescope, a 236-inch mirror telescope in the Caucasus Mountains of the Soviet Union. Until recently, the casting of a 314-inch mirror was impossible, but new mirror-molding methods at the U of A have now made the giant reflector feasible. The project, expected to cost between 25 million and 35 million dollars, is, according to U of A President Henry Koffler, "...another step in the process of ensuring that Arizona remains the astronomy capital of the world."

GRAND CANYON, JAPAN

Arizona Highways contributor Tom Gerczynski has a spectacular panoramic photomural of the Grand Canyon on display at the U. S. Pavilion at Expo '85 in Tsukuba, Japan. The fifteen meter image was produced by Polaroid from twenty-two one-by-two-meter panels. Congratulations Tom.

BIG GAME

Arizona offers a wide range of big game hunting including deer, javelina, elk, bear, mountain lion, wild turkey, antelope, big horn sheep, and even buffalo. And a lot of Arizonans take part in the yearly hunts. According to a recent study by Behavior Research Center of Phoenix, ten percent of Arizona households had a big game hunter who took to the field last year. One in three bagged their prey. Non-residents can also hunt in Arizona. For information and licenses, contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department, 2222 W. Greenway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85023; telephone 942-3000.

NIQUES

places, events, and people unique to Arizona and the Southwest.

MAKE-A-WWISH

Some children dream of flying in a helicopter, some dream of being on television, others want to go to Disneyland or be in a rodeo or in the circus or just visit Grandma. All children dream, and for many, they come true. But for others struck by terminal childhood illnesses there is little time and often not enough money to fulfill their dreams. That's where the Make-A-Wish Foundation comes in. Founded by a group of volunteers in Phoenix in 1980, Make-A-Wish works to make these children's dreams come true. Make-A-Wish has arranged for one terminally ill boy to be a fireman for a day, for another to go to Hawaii to see Pearl Harbor, and for a little girl to spend a week with her grandmother. Make-A-Wish makes all the arrangements and covers all costs including sending the child's family along to enjoy the wish come true. Today there are forty-seven Make-A-Wish chapters making dreams come true in nearly every state. If you know of a child who Make-A-Wish can help, or if you would like to contribute time or money to Make-A-Wish, contact your local chapter or the Central and Southern Arizona Make-AWish at 1624 East Meadowbrook, Phoenix, AZ 85016; telephone 248-WISH.

NEW IDEAS

Although the West no longer generates the radical life-styles it was known for in the 1960s, Westerners, more so than the rest of the country, still experiment more eagerly with new ideas and products ranging from pastamaking machines to tofu ice cream to jalapeño jelly. A recent study by Sunset magazine also concluded that Westerners on the average read fewer newspapers, watch less television, but read more books. They travel more, eat less pork but more chunky peanut butter, guacamole, and jalapeño peppers than other Americans. But you still can't order a chunky peanut butter and jalapeño jelly sandwich on nine-grain bread in your favorite Arizona restaurant.

For a more complete calendar, free of charge, please write the Arizona Office of Tourism, Department CE, 1480 East Bethany Home Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. All telephone numbers are within area code 602.

SEPTEMBER WEEKEND ADVENTURING

September 1 and 2, Sonoita: Sonoita PRCA Rodeo. The Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association sanctions this exciting event in the heart of Southern Arizona Ranch country. Telephone 455-5553 September 4 through 8, Window Rock: Annual Navajo Nation Fair. The Navajo Tribe celebrates its heritage with Navajo food, crafts, rides, and more. Telephone 871-4941.

September 21 and 22, Payson: Fifteenth Annual State Championship Old Time, Fiddlers' Contest. The West's best fiddlers gather under the cool pines in friendly Payson for a weekend of great entertainment. Telephone 474-4515.

September 21 and 22, Sedona: Call of the Canyon Festival of the Arts. This juried show displays nearly every form of art at locations throughout the town. Open 10:00 to 5:00. Telephone 282-7722.

September 27 through 29, Pinetop/Lakeside: Fall Festival. These lovely White Mountain communities celebrate their centennial with arts and crafts shows, dances, and more. Telephone 367-4290.