Mileposts/Calendar

ABC'S OF HISTORY

One of the best ways to experience history is through the people who lived it. And historian Dan L. Thrapp surely agrees since he's produced the Encyclopedia of Frontier Biography (University of Nebraska Press/Arthur H. Clark Co.), a three-volume set of profiles that's the closest thing to an actual roll call of America's frontiers: from Sam Aaron, Arizona pioneer, to Zutacapan, the pueblo chief who fought against Spanish domination. The Chiricahua Apache leader Cochise can be found among the trilogy's 1,698 pages, as can Mary Catherine Elder (Big Nose Kate), who may or may not have married the infamous Doc Holliday, and even a bucking horse called Five Minutes to Midnight, so admired it's buried at Oklahoma City's Cowboy Hall of Fame. Movie personalities such as John Wayne and Gary Cooper, whose careers were stamped with the vigor and drama of the frontier, also are accounted for. The set is available in hard cover or paperback.

ALLERGY-FREE TRAVEL

No one wants to spend a vacation with red, itchy eyes and a runny nose. To help make sure you don't, plan your next trip with an Allerest Allergy Calendar. The free calendar covers the peak allergy times in the continental U.S., and helps you avoid them. You simply select the general area of your destination and twirl the wheel to find out when it's safe to head there without a hanky handy. To obtain the allergy calendar, call the Allergy Information Center and Hotline, toll-free 1 (800) 727-5400.

GUIDES TO AZ'S PAST

Discovering Arizona's frontier forts, ancient Indian villages, Spanish missions, Victorian homes, and log mansions just got easier, thanks to two new brochures available free from the State Historic Preservation Office: Arizona's Archaeological Parks & Sites and Arizona's Historic Parks and Sites. The brochures are organized by county and include descriptions, locations, hours, and telephone numbers for dozens of attractions. To obtain copies, contact the SHPO, Arizona State Parks, 800 W. Washington St., Suite 415, Phoenix, AZ 85007; (602) 5424009 or 542-4174.

CALENDAR

Yuma County Fair; March 31-April 5; Yuma There are lots of reasons to visit this desert oasis on the Colorado River in the southwestern part of the state. A mecca for snowbirds, boaters, and fishers, Yuma also is the site of the infamous territorial prison, and nearby are miles of undulating sand dunes reminiscent of the Sahara. And then there's the county fair each spring which lures visitors and locals alike with its old-fashioned family fun, including a carnival, arts and crafts, a livestock auction, gem and mineral displays, horse shows, a demolition derby, and stage entertainment. Fair admission is $1-$3. Information: 726-4420.

CART/PPG Indy Car World Series Valvoline 200; April 3-5; Phoenix More than 125,000 spectators will pack the stands of Phoenix International Raceway, located at the base of the rugged Estrella Mountains, to cheer their favorites in this major race. The event features some of the biggest names in racing. Information: 252-3833. Tickets: toll-free 1 (800) 6384253; in the Phoenix area, 678-2222.

World Bull Riding Championship; April 9-12; Scottsdale Because bull riding is a rodeo highlight, the event often is scheduled last as a climax to the day's mounting excitement. But this contest is all bull riding from the second the first competitor explodes out of the chute right up to the awarding of the $60,000 prize money. More than 100 top riders will meet up at Rawhide to compete; qualifying rounds precede the finals on Sunday. Information: 9469711.

Easter Egg Exhibit; April 12-17; Phoenix

Hundreds of hand-decorated Easter eggs will be displayed at downtown's Valley Bank Center indoor concourse, including ornate Fabergé-style and "ethnic" eggs representing the art of Southwestern American Indian tribes and a host of countries: Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Czechoslovakia, Estonia, Greece, China, Russia, and Germany. Attendees can learn do-it-yourself tips from decorating demonstrations, and youngsters can make and take home their own decorated-egg creations (Sunday, 2-4:00 P.M. only). The exhibit is open daily, 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.; call for a special-event schedule. Admission and activities are free. Information: 221-1005.

Copper Dust Stampede Rodeo; April 10-12; Globe-Miami It wouldn't be a rodeo without a parade, and this event's no exception; the Copper Dust procession will take place Saturday in downtown Globe. Other highlights of the weekend in these old mining towns include rodeo performances with single steer roping, and rodeo dances. Information: toll-free 1 (800) 448-8983.

Peoria Pioneer Days; April 10-12; Peoria Each year folks in this town get together to celebrate their history, but the emphasis is on fun, not facts. (Just in case you wonder, though, Peoria, located about 10 miles northwest of Phoenix, got its name from early settlers who hailed from Peoria, Illinois.) The activities and entertainment at Washington Park will include a parade, races, a Western band, a chili cookoff, arts and crafts, a barbecue, a petting zoo for the kiddies, and food booths. Admission is free. Information: 979-3601.

Fiesta del Presidio; April 11-12; Tucson The Old Pueblo celebrates its rich Mexican and Spanish heritage with a street fair featuring mariachi music, stage entertainment, arts and crafts displays, a low-rider show, and food booths. Admission is free. Information: 622-6911.