Mileposts/Calendar

Mileposts TOMBSTONE BLOSSOMS

From late March to mid-Aprilif the weather cooperates Fthe "World's Largest Rosebush" will burst into spectacular bloom on the patio of the Rose Tree Inn Museum in Tombstone. A white Lady Banksia, the rosebush has a trunk more than 12 feet around and covers 8,000 square feet. Listed in The Guinness Book of Records, it was sent from Scotland to the rough frontier town in 1885 to cheer up a homesick emigrant bride. Once operated as an inn, the museum, which depicts life in Tombstone during the days of Doc Holliday and other desperadoes, is at Fourth and Toughnut streets. It's open daily from 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Admission is $1.50 for adults, free for age 14 and under. To find out if the tree is blooming, call (602) 457-3326.

THE SAGA OF ST. JOE'S

The first thing you realize About St. Joseph's: The First 100 Years is that the book's author, Trudy Thompson Rice, knows that the story of the vernerable institution is about the people and drama behind the bricks and mortar.

Rice duly chronicles the Phoenix hospital's growth from a tiny red brick building on Polk Street in 1895 to its current status on West Thomas Road as a regional health-care facility serving 32,000 patients a year. But her stats are deftly woven into a narrative rich with anecdotes.

For example, she notes that the hospital's founding Sisters of Mercy were almost evicted from that tiny building on Polk Street where they treated patients with tuberculosis.

And she recounts that, decades later, some non-Catholic guests of the hospital were nervous about dining with "the Cardinals" until they found out they'd be breaking bread not with church officials, but Phoenix Cardinals football players.

The glossy oversize book costs $20 and is available at St. Joseph's gift shop, 350 W. Thomas Road.

ANTIQUING GUIDE

A flyer with a map that shows the locations of antique shops in and around Flagstaff's historic downtown can be obtained from the Flagstaff Visitors Center, 101 W. Santa Fe Ave., Flagstaff, AZ 86001; (602) 774-9541.

The shops feature a variety of vintage collectibles, including clothing, jewelry, glassware, furniture, and tin containers. You could spend hours rummaging in any of these jam-packed stores, but your best bet is to hit several. The browsing's fun, and maybe you'll come across a real find: A shop owner who will dicker on price.

ROSE'S GALLERY

An exhibit of memorabilia, including kachinas and Western sculpture and paintings, collected by former Gov. Rose Mofford during her many years of public service can be seen at Phoenix's Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum.

The museum is in the Polly Rosenbaum Building at 1502 W. Washington. In addition to the Rose Mofford Gallery, its attractions encompass more than 3,000 mineral specimens, including such rarities as a 2,300-pound copper nugget. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and Saturday, 1:00 to 5:00 P.M. Admission is free. Information: (602) 255-3791.

EVENTS PIONEER DAYS

Scenic airplane excursions (including a view of the ASARCO Ray open-pit mine) were so popular at last year's celebration, they'll be offered again this year. There'll also be a parade, arts and crafts booths, a bicycle race, and a queen contest. Admission is free. Information: 363-7607.

FIESTA DAYS

Cave Creek was a mining camp in the 1880s, and there's still a rustic flavor to the place, which each year celebrates its history with a long weekend of Old West fun. Friday night there's a rodeo dance at Harold's Corral, and Saturday at 9:00 A.M. the big two-hour parade down Cave Creek Road kicks off. PRCA rodeo performances at Memorial Arena take place Saturday afternoon and evening and Sunday afternoon. Admission to the dance is $5 per person; rodeo admission is $3-$6. Information: 488-3627.

VERDE VALLEY FAIR

The Little Buckaroo Rodeo, a talent show, a demolition derby, and game booths highlight this annual happening in a town that's familiar to many travelers because of Dead Horse State Park (bird-watching, water recreation), which is just across the Verde River from downtown. The fair opens at 8:00 A.M. daily; it closes at midnight except on Sunday, when it ends at 6:00 P.M. Admission is $1-$4. Information: 634-3290.

ARIZONA HERITAGE FAIR

Folk-art demonstrations, storytelling, and international food booths draw crowds at this annual event, but its biggest attraction may be the authentic folk dancing (fairgoers are invited to kick up their heels with the performers). The fair celebrates the multicultural legacy of Arizona at a site that's a tourist destination itself: Heritage Square, at Sixth Street and Monroe, boasts a covey of restored houses from the original Phoenix townsite of the late 1800s. Fair admission is free. 953-9778.

CHILI CHAMPIONSHIP

Just across the Colorado River from the casinos of Laughlin, Nevada, Bullhead City heats things up with the Arizona State Championship Chili Cook-off, an event guaranteed to fuel the eternal question: does real chili contain beans or meat. or both? The day's fun also will include arts and crafts exhibits and live music. Admission is free; there's a $1 charge for parking. Information: 758-1400.

Information is subject to change; telephone to confirm before planning to attend events. Unless otherwise indicated, telephone numbers are within area code 602. For a free more complete calendar of events, write to Arizona Office of Tourism, 1100 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007.