ARIZONIQUES

A Guide to Places, Events, and People LOST DUTCHMAN REDEDICATION

On February 27 at 3:00 P.M., appreciative Arizonans will gather at the junction of the Apache Trail and U.S. Route 60-89 to honor the old prospector and faithful burro who for 50 years have informed travelers of the legend of the Lost Dutchman's Mine in the Superstition Mountains. An iron silhouette comprising the stalwart pair tops a stone monument erected in 1938 by the Dons Club, a civic group whose purpose is to preserve and interpret the history of the Southwest. A plaque mounted on the base tells the romantic story of the Dutchman, the presumed vast wealth of his mine, and the treasure hunters who have died seeking it. Designed by Phoenix architect Fred Guirey, then state highway landscape engineer, the monument was one of Arizona's earliest roadside historic markers. Nearly 400 dignitaries attended its dedication on April 12, 1938. In its early years, it graced empty desert beside the highway. Today the monument stands in the heart of Apache Junction, a community of more than 14,000 that has sprung up in the shadow of the Superstitions.

The rededication, part of Apache Junction's celebration of Lost Dutchman Days (see "Calendar," page 47), will include speeches, mariachis, and dancers, along with an exhibit of historic photography of the area. For information, telephone 820-8112.

Unique to Arizona and the Southwest. LIBERTY WILDLIFE

Exploring along an Arizona back road, you come upon a helpless, injured bird. Perhaps it has been hit by a car or wounded by a gunshot. It can't fly, and will surely die if someone doesn't help. But what do you do with a shattered living bird?

Enter Kathy Ingram, a Scottsdale veterinarian and founder of Liberty Wildlife. The volunteer organization rehabilitates sick and hurt birds and whenever possible returns them to nature. Those too crippled to survive in the wild stay with Liberty Wildlife or go to zoos and other wildlife centers around the country.

Dr. Ingram houses most of the convalescing birds at her Scottsdale home, where a large yard holds several aviaries. A superb caracara occupies one large pen. A huge exercise cage permits a great horned owl to fly far enough to regain its strength before release. Baby hummingbirds occupy a warm box indoors, and various finches, mockingbirds, owls, and hawks recuperate in draft-free quarters.

Liberty Wildlife hopes to build a nature center where visitors can see live birds and animals up close, similar to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. "Our big goal right now is to find funds and affordable land so we can build a facility that would be open to the public," says Dr. Ingram. In addition to operating its bird hospital, the group has a special educational program for schools and organizations, featuring trained handlers with live Southwestern raptors. To arrange for a wildlife presentation, or to obtain information about what to do for a sick or injured bird, call 998-5550 or write to Liberty Wildlife, 11825 N. 70th St., Scottsdale 85254.

LOTSA LOGOS

Over the years, the City of Phoenix had accumulated at least 20 different phoenix-bird logotypes that appeared on stationery, buildings, police cars, fire trucks, and so forth-and all were official. The avian profusion caused confusion, but Mayor Terry Goddard had the solution: conduct "The Great Phoenix Bird Design Competition" for the best logo, then designate it the only official city symbol.

The winner (RIGHT), created by the Phoenix design firm of Smit Ghormley Sanft, now reigns as the official logotype of the City of Phoenix. And the firm is $25,000 richer for its efforts.

Phoenix was built on the ruins of an ancient Hohokam village, a fact that led Arizona pioneer Darrell Duppa to name the new town for the beautiful bird of Egyptian mythology that lived for centuries, then built a pyre of aromatic woods and was consumed by the flames-only to be reborn from the ashes.

GRAND CANYON BY VIDEO

Soar above the rainbow-hued chasm of the Grand Canyon, ride a mule into its dizzying depths, run the rapids of the mighty Colorado River in a tiny inflatable raft-all in the comfort of your living room. "Arizona Highways Presents the Grand Canyon," a 60-minute videocassette narrated by the late Lorne Green, highlights the history, natural history, scenic beauty, and adventure of this wonder of the world. The videocassette is available in Beta or VHS for $34.95 from Arizona Highways, 2039 W. Lewis Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85009; telephone 258-1000 or (toll-free within Arizona) 1-800-543-5432.

GOLF GALORE

Golfers spend more than $200 million each year at Arizona's 190 golf courses. And those figures are on the rise as a number of new links are currently under construction to accommodate the rapidly increasing number of golfers. For information on golf and golf courses, telephone the Arizona Golf Association, 953-5990.

CALENDAR

February 6 through 14, Tubac. The annual Festival of the Arts presents a juried show of works by members of the Tubac Center of the Arts. Telephone 398-2371.

February 12 through 14, Wickenburg. Gold Rush Days. State championship gold panning competition, a mucking and drilling contest, Old West melodramas, a family carnival, parade, dances, and a rodeo celebrate Wickenburg's early days. Telephone 684-5479.

February 20 and 21, Tucson. The Tucson Balloon Festival. The nation's largest gathering of novelty-shaped hot air balloons-depicting animals, faces, etc. is expected to draw more than 125,000 spectators. Telephone 578-3082.

February 26 through 28, Apache Junction. Lost Dutchman Days recall the legendary gold strike in the Superstition Mountains with a festival featuring a parade, arts and crafts show, softball, shuffleboard, and horseshoe tournaments. Telephone 982-3141.

February 27 through March 6, Flagstaff. Fairfield Snowbowl's 50th anniversary. Arizona's oldest ski area celebrates with a celebrity ski race, snowboard races, torchlight parades and barbecues, an old-timers' race, photography contest, and formal banquet. Telephone 774-1863.

For a more complete calendar, free of charge, please write to the Arizona Office of Tourism, Department CE, 1480 E. Bethany Home Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85014. Unless otherwise noted, all telephone numbers are within area code 602.