Mileposts/Calendar

Mileposts FEEDING NAU'S DRAGON

Every now and then Flagstaff's Northern Arizona University notifies the Forest Service that the smoke curling above the cam-pus is no cause for alarm: they're just firing up the tozan noborigama kiln, which, when you're standing in front of it, looks a lot like the fire-breathing dragon of fairy tales.

One of two in the world the other is in Japan the kiln was built in 1985 under the direction of 66-year-old tozan master Yukio Yamamoto. Since then the kiln has attracted ceramic artists from around the world, both to fire pottery and attend workshops.

The 400-year-old tozan process requires 15 cords of wood and 24-hour attention for four and a half days from volunteers swathed in coverings to protect them from the 2,500° F. heat. That much heat is what changes the silica in the clay to glass, cre-ating the unique glazing effect on the pottery.

Ceramic pots and sculptures can be produced more easily in modern kilns, but for Yamamoto, the artist/philosopher, that's not the point.

"The important thing is what I learn about myself and about life during the process," says Yamamoto.

To inquire about tozan workshops and the next kiln firing, contact Dr. Don Bendel, Northern Arizona University, Box 6020, Flagstaff, AZ 86011; (602) 523-2398 or 523-9011.

FOREIGN TOURISTS AID

To assist the increasing number of foreign visitors to the "West's Most Western Town," the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce offers travel brochures translated into French, German, and Japanese. The brochures cover everything from the weather to places to go and things to do. To obtain a brochure, contact the chamber at 7343 Scottsdale Mall, Scottsdale, AZ 85251; (602) 945-8481 or toll-free 1 (800) 877-1117.

SPRING TRAINING

Nine major-league baseball Teams the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, California Angels, and Colorado Rockies will come to Arizona for spring practice this year. For information about the 1993 Cactus League games, contact the Tempe Convention and Visitors Bureau, 51 W. Third St., Suite 105, Tempe, AZ 85281; (602) 894-8158 or toll-free 1 (800) 283-6734.

WILDFLOWER HOTLINE

To find out where desert wildflowers are blooming, call the Desert Botanical Garden's hotline at (602) 481-8134. The recorded information is available March 1 through April 30 and is updated each Friday.

EVENTS ART CELEBRATION

March 1-28; Scottsdale Modeled after the summer Festival of Arts held in Laguna Beach, California, this juried local version which has run continuously since January 30 features multimedia works by 120 artists. A special event highlights Sundays: local celebrities join event artists creating art that is auctioned for charity. The festival will be held daily from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. at Scottsdale Road and Highland Avenue (next to Fashion Square shopping center). Admission is $5; kids under 12 get in free. Information: 4437695.

FOUNDERS DAY

March 6; Florence Old-fashioned fun is the attraction at this event, including a parade, arts and crafts, a horseshoe pitch, cake walks, a dance, and live entertainment. Admission is free. Be sure to allow time to savor Florence's Southwestern small-town flavor-Murphy's Romance was filmed there and ask locals for directions to the Tom Mix monument southeast of town on State Route 79. Information: 868-9433.

ANNUAL TERRITORIAL DAYS

March 6-7; Tombstone "The town too tough to die" celebrates its wild-and-woolly past with gunfight reenactments, an 1880's fashion show, a pet parade, and fire-cart championship races. Admission is free. Save some energy to check out the local sights, from Boot Hill Cemetery and the OK Corral to the Tombstone Epitaph newspaper, where the town's sobriquet originated. Information: 457-2211.

INDIAN FAIR & MARKET

March 6-7; Phoenix The Heard Museum's salute to Native Americans attracts huge crowds with displays featuring the works of 400 artists, authentic Indian foods, and continuous entertainment by singers and dancers. Activities run from 9:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M., daily. Admission is $3-$5, and kids under two get in free. Information: 252-8840.

PINAL COUNTY FAIR

March 10-14; Casa Grande Carnival rides, live entertainment, arts and crafts, and car races highlight this event. Admission is $3; kids 12 and under get in free. While you're in the area, visit the nearby Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, a four-story Hohokam structure "discovered" in 1694 by Father Kino. Information: (fair) 723-5242; (ruins) 723-3172. March 11-14; Chandler There's plenty going on at this celebration perfor-mances by nationally known entertainers, a carnival, a pa-rade, arts and crafts, a petting zoo, international food booths - but the big draw is the os-trich races. The big birds can't fly, but they run like the dick-ens (up to 35 mph). The fun takes place in and around A.J. Chandler Park. Admission is free. Information: 963-4571.

OSTRICH FESTIVAL