ARIZONIQUES

A Guide to Places, Events, and People VOLUNTEER TRAIL MAINTENANCE

If you enjoy hiking or riding horseback in the beauty of Arizona's backcountry and have a generous spirit and a strong back, you may want to volunteer to help maintain public pathways. The Volunteers on Trails program encourages people who enjoy the backcountry to help maintain paths within Arizona's national forests, state and national parks, and Bureau of Land Management properties. The program staff helps organize groups and set up flexible maintenance schedules so volunteers can work as little or as much as they like. Many hikers and horsemen find that raking loose rocks, clearing brush or fallen trees, and digging water bars to slow erosion provide an invigorating way to give something back to the land they so appreciate. And in Arizona, with its diverse climates, the work goes on year-round-in winter on the desert trails and in summer on cool highland paths. For the really dedicated volunteer, there's an Adopt-a-Trail program under which individuals or groups care for a specific trail season after season. With reduced federal funding to public land agencies and increased use of the lands by the public, the need for volunteer help has increased dramatically. For information on volunteer trail programs within the state, telephone Trails Coordinator, Arizona State Parks, 255-1996.

ARIZONIQUES HISTORIC HOME FOR TOURISM OFFICE

Long unoccupied and in disrepair, the Evans House at 1108 W. Washington St. in downtown Phoenix once again glows with its original charm and elegance and has begun life anew as the home of the Arizona Office of Tourism. When pioneer physician John M. Evans and his wife, Jennie, built the house in 1893, it faced a quiet treelined dirt road connecting the original Phoenix townsite and the future location of the Arizona territorial capitol. With its oniondomed, metal-shingled tower and other ornamental touches, the Queen Anne Victorian house reigned for most of this century as a distinctive Phoenix landmark on what became one of the growing city's busiest thoroughfares. You can tour the light, airy downstairs rooms of the Evans House with their tall windows and high ceilings Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. While you're there, get acquainted with the Arizona Office of Tourism and the wealth of travel materials available. For specific information on the Evans House and the Office of Tourism, telephone 255-3618.

ARIZONA'S MYSTERY MAMMAL

Arizona's official state mammal, the ringtailed cat, has not let fame go to its head. Still as shy and elusive as ever, this diminutive relative of the raccoon and coatimundi remains largely a mystery to most Arizonans. Ringtails are seldom seen in the wild, since they are cautious creatures that prefer to wait for the cover of full darkness before emerging to tiptoe silently about their business.

But though they may be unseen and unfamiliar, ringtails nevertheless are among the state's prettiest and most appealing animals. Fully grown, a ringtail weighs only two to three pounds, though the fluffy tail often gives an impression of greater size. Nearly as long as the rest of his body, the boldly ringed black and white tail floats gracefully along behind him like a feather boa. Large round ears and enormous black eyes set in a delicate face add to the creature's elegant yet endearing appearance.

Ringtails occupy a wide range of habitats. They especially favor rocky, rugged areas, particularly riparian canyons. There, niches in cliff walls, boulder piles, hollow trees, small caves, and abandoned mine shafts provide good homes.

Although it's unlikely you will spot a ringtail in the wild, you'll find several at the Phoenix Zoo. Currently it is the only zoo in the state with ringtails on exhibit.

FRIENDS' TRAVEL

The Friends of Arizona Highways, the auxiliary that supports our magazine's educational objectives, offers a series of Scenic Tours and Photo Adventures guided by experts and distinguished photographers. Registration closes a month before departure. For more information, call the Friends Travel Desk, 258-6641.

Canyon de Chelly Photo Adventure, October 13 through 16. Explore the spectacular national monument with master photographer Jerry Jacka.

Christmas Tree Lake Fishing-Camping Trip, October 14 through 16. Outdoorsman Bob Hirsch helps you polish your fly-fishing skills in the White Mountains.

Jerome-Sedona Photo Adventure, November 4 through 6. Photographers J. Peter Mortimer and Ernie Weegen lead the way through Jerome's ghost-town facades and mountainside vistas, then on to Sedona's red rocks and Oak Creek Canyon's seasonal color.

Tucson-Tubac Art and Historic Architecture, November 17. Tour participants start this day trip by visiting the studio of Tucson artists Greg Kyle and Amy Renshaw Kyle. The itinerary then continues to Tubac Presidio State Historic Park.

CALENDAR

September 3 through 5, Jerome. The sixth annual antique show and sale takes place at Lawrence Hall. Telephone 634-5716. While you're visiting, don't miss the music festival September 4, featuring bluegrass, jazz, fiddling, and "a little bit of everything." Telephone 634-5716.

September 3 and 4, 9 and 10, and 16 and 17, Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon Chamber Music Festival will take place in Grand Canyon National Park's Shrine of the Ages. Featured performers include violinist Ida Kavafian, cellist Nathaniel Rosen, oboist Ronald Roseman, harpsichordist Kenneth Cooper, flautist Clare Hoffman, guitarist Michael Newman, and harmonica virtuoso Robert Bonfiglio. Telephone 638-9215.

September 9 through 13, Window Rock. Members of more than 60 North American Indian tribes come together for the annual Navajo Nation Fair. Enjoy rodeo, pow-wows, carnival rides, arts and crafts, livestock displays, and horse racing. Telephone 871-4417.

September 11, Sedona. At 3:00 P.M., the Flagstaff Symphony plays an outdoor concert against the backdrop of Sedona's red rocks. Bring a picnic lunch and blankets or lawn chairs to the Sedona Art Center Park on Posse Grounds Drive. Telephone 774-5107 in Flagstaff.

September 15 through 18, Phoenix. The ongoing Fiestas Patrias, celebrating Mexico's independence from Spain, continue in downtown Phoenix with parades, arts and crafts exhibitions, and entertainment. From 9:00 to 11:30 P.M., witness the ceremony of El Grito the cry for freedom. Telephone 257-0700.

Edited by Vicky Hay For a more complete calendar of events, free of charge, write Arizona Office of Tourism, 1108 W. Washington St., Phoenix 85007. Unless otherwise noted, all telephone numbers are within area code 602.