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ileposts AU WHAT FUN!

Experts say just 20 percent of the world's gold has been discovered, meaning there's plenty more in them thar hills and you don't need a burro and a pickax to go after it. You can go gold panning. And, while even amateurs may find small amounts of gold, panning offers other rewards: it's great family fun and affords loads of sight-seeing, hiking, picnicking, and camping opportunities. It's also relatively cheap recreation: all you really need is a gold pan and a copy of Gold Panning in Arizona ($3, plus $1.50 for postage and handling; Department of Mines & Mineral Resources, 1502 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007; (602) 255-3791). Bursting with nuggets of goldpanning facts and tips, this booklet gives directions to good panning spots, tells you why you might want to take along a magnet, and reveals why grizzled prospectors told greenhorns: “If you wonder if it's gold or not it's not.”

CREATIVE RECYCLING

Looking for an unusual gift or souvenir? When volunteers at Prescott's Sharlot Hall Museum weave rags on the museum's loom, the results are fashioned into colorful rugs for sale in the museum's gift shop. There are no set patterns for the rugs, which measure approximately 4 feet by 6 feet, and the supply depends on how much time the volunteers have available to work on them. For information, contact Sharlot Hall Museum, 415 W. Gurley St., Prescott, AZ 86301; (602) 445-3122.

PLEASE JOIN US

The annual meeting of the Friends of Arizona Highways Magazine Foundation will be held at 10:30 A.M. February 29 at the Arizona Hall of Fame Museum, 1101 W. Washington St. in Phoenix. The Friends are volunteers who assist the magazine by conducting photo and scenic tours, helping at the spring sale of Arizona Highways books and other products, and speaking to groups on behalf of the magazine. All subscribers are invited. If you're interested in being an active Friends' member, this would be a great opportunity to get started.

CALENDAR

Historic Tour; February 1; Florence Founded in 1866 and named after a settler's female relative (according to one story) Florence is one of the oldest communities in Arizona, and its annual tour makes the most of the town's history. Stops include: the county courthouse (ask someone here why “it's always a quarter to noon in Florence”), Brunenkant's City Bakery (used as the City Hall in the movie Murphy's Romance), the John P. Clum House (he was an Indian agent in the era of Geronimo and published Florence's first newspaper), and the Pinal County Historical Museum. $2.50-$5. Information: 868-5216.

Winterfest; February 8-9; Pinetop-Lakeside Highlights of this highcountry salute to Jack Frost include sleigh or wagon rides in the park, a snow-sculpture contest, a hot-air balloon rally, an art show and sale, and a wine and cheese tasting. Allday activities are planned at varied locations. Admission is free to some events; others are $3 to $10. Information: 368-6700.

Great Fair; February 22-23; Fountain Hills Site of the world's tallest (560 feet) fountain, this community east of Scottsdale hosts an annual fair that lives up to O'Odham Tash; February 13-16; Casa Grande Purity of tradition is a hallmark of this Native American celebration in the town named for the nearby Casa Grande Ruins (Hohokam, circa A.D. 1350). All-day activities include a powwow, a rodeo, ceremonial dances, parades, a barbecue, arts and crafts, and the opportunity to sample Indian fry bread. Some events are free; others are $3 to $7. Information: 836-4723.

its name. There's fun for everybody, with arts and crafts exhibits, magicians, jugglers, clowns, amusement rides, hotair balloons, skydivers, and food booths. And you can't miss the action: it's on the Avenue of the Fountains in the center of town. Free admission. Information: 8371654.

La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Rodeo; February 27-March 1; Tucson “Clowning around” is a rodeo tradition the comic antics are meant to divert the attention of a bucking horse or charging bull away from a downed cowboy. But the real attraction is top competitors vying for big prize money in events like saddle-bronc and bareback riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing, and calf roping. There's also a big rodeo parade February 27 at 9:00 A.M. Rodeo performances are at 2:00 P.M. Information: 741-2233.

Lost Dutchman Days; February 28-29 and March 1; Apache Junction Folks who head into the nearby Superstition Mountains in search of Jacob Waltz's legendary gold mine may go home discouraged but not those who attend this annual celebration of the lost treasure: anyone who's looking for a good time will find it. This year's activities include Wild West rodeos, a parade, and a carnival. Information: 982-3141.