Mileposts/Calendar

Zoo-doings

Bam Bam, a white rhino, and a giraffe called High Society will be among the 1,300 exotic animals celebrating the 10th birthday this month of Wildlife World Zoo near Litchfield Park, west of Phoenix. Highlights of the zoo, which encompasses more than 300 species of exotic animals, include It's a Small World, featuring small mammals; aquarium and reptile exhibits; and what they avow is the Southwest's largest walk-through aviary. Director Mickey Ollson says the zoo's most popular exhibit showcases the colorful Lory parrots, which visitors are invited to feed (times vary, call to inquire). The zoo's open daily 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. Admission is $4 to $6.75, free for youngsters

Christmas Bird Count

The annual Maricopa Audubon Christmas Bird Count will take place Monday, December 19, and it's not too soon to make plans to participate. The object of the CBC is to count as many different birds as you can see or hear in a specific area (statewide) during a 24-hour period. Anyone can join in, and it's your choice whether you trek up and down hills from dawn till dusk or peer out your vehicle's window while juggling a cup of coffee and turning up the heater. A $5 entry fee covers the publishing costs of the CBC summary. Forinformation, telephone (602) 931-6677.

rizona's 91 wildlife managers police an average of 1,200 square miles. Wildlife crimes often go unseen and unreported. Common wildlife crimes include:

EVENTS Rex Allen Days

September 29-October 2; Willcox Down in apple-growing country, Willcox honors Arizona's singing cowboy star with a parade, PRCA rodeo, country fair and carnival, and stage shows featuring the honoree himself, a hometown boy who made real good in show business. (Be sure to visit the memorabilia-packed Rex Allen Arizona Cowboy Museum, a onetime saloon.) Admission will be charged for rodeo and stage shows. Information: 1 (800) 200-2272.

London Bridge Days

October 1-9; Lake Havasu City Citywide activities include a parade, an Olde English costume contest, a boat show, and concerts under the famous bridge that once spanned London's River Thames. Allow time to browse in the village shops around the bridge, and sniff out some English-style fish 'n' chips for lunch. Free admission. Information: 1 (800) 242-8278.

Pumpkin Fest

October 1-30, weekends; Dewey Kiddies love riding a hay wagon to the Young's Farm Store pumpkin patch in search of the best potential jack-o-lantern at this get-ready-for-Halloween event in Dewey, just east of Prescott. There'll also be arts and crafts, games, a Critter Corner where (for a small charge) youngsters can see farm animals, live music, and heaps of down-home vittles. New this year: sated pumpkin pickers can head for the hay barn to visit a German village celebrating Oktoberfest. Free admission; possible parking fee. Information: 632-7272.

Blues Festival

October 10-16; Tucson They'll be singing and playing the blues all over town this week, culminating on Sunday, with big-name musicians arriving from Chicago to perform. There'll also be brownbag concerts downtown, music workshops, a street dance, ethnic foods, and blues videos (projected onto the side of a building). Free admission to everything will put a smile on your face. Information: 570-7955.

Cowboy & Indian Congress

October 14-23; Scottsdale For two spectacular weeks, the world's largest gathering of cowboys and Indians will ride, rope, race, shoot, dance, and otherwise re-create the Old West out at WestWorld. With hundreds of events, there's something for everyone, from the thrills of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, The Masters Pro Rodeo, and Inter-tribal Indian Powwow to living history encampments and exhibits, chuck wagon races, Pony Express relays, team penning and roping, reining and cutting competitions, and lively country music. Information: 483-8800.

Anza Days

October 22-23; Tubac Arizona's first European settlement now an artists' colony with a hankering for history celebrates Juan Bautista De Anza's 1775 trek from Mexico north to what's now San Francisco. Activities will include a reenactment of the expedition, cotton-spinning and basket-weaving demos, arts and crafts, a barbecue, and dance. Free admission. Information: 398-2252.