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Welcome, Travelers At the Painted Cliffs Welcome Center, visitors who enter Arizona on Interstate 40 from New Mexico (Lupton exit) can watch a travel video covering the entire state, view seven regional exhibits (River Country, Canyon Country, West Coast, Central Territory, Golden Corridor, High Country, and Indian Country), pick up helpful travel information, and use a central reservations phone board to find a place to spend the night. The center, which was designed to happily harmonize with the area's scenic red rocks, is open Thursday through Monday, 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. A covered kiosk with information panels and vending machines is available 24 hours a day.

Celebrity Cookbook Browsing through What's Cookin' in Arizona! will set your taste buds atwitter - and make your eyes bug out to realize how many famous folks can, with an occasional stretch, be called "Arizonans."

Mesa writer Sandy Bruce, who tracked down the celebrity cooks and pried their favorite recipes out of them, says she was inspired by Washington D.C.'s Congressional Club Cook Book. Good for her. And for us. Because now we can find out what's cookin' with the likes of Erma Bombeck (Taco Salad), Barry Goldwater (Arizona's Fine Chili), Bil Keane (Dolly's Mud Pie), and Walter Cronkite (Herring Copenhagen). The most unusual contributor? Ruby The Elephant (Bananas Glazed with Guava-Rum), the artistic Phoenix Zoo pachyderm whose pretty paintings bring in a trunkful of money.

The cookbook serves up 240 recipes and costs $9.95 plus shipping and handling. To order, call Arizona Highways toll-free at 1 (800) 543-5432. In the Phoenix area or outside the U.S., call (602) 258-1000.

EVENTS

New Year's Powwow December 30-January 1; Tucson One of the many special things about this annual competitive Indian event at the Amigo In-door Soccer Arena is the "Friendship Dance," which takes place at midnight, Decem-ber 31, to usher in the New Year. Spectators are invited down onto the floor to participate in a round dance with experinced folks who'll demonstrate the easy steps. Other highlights include dance and drumming performances, storytelling, crafts demonstrations, hands-on activities for youngsters, and booths serving up traditional foods. Admission is $5, daily, for age seven and up. Information: 6224900.

door Soccer Arena is the "Friendship Dance," which takes place at midnight, December 31, to usher in the New Year. Spectators are invited down onto the floor to participate in a round dance with experienced folks who'll demonstrate the easy steps. Other highlights include dance and drumming performances, storytelling, crafts demonstrations, hands-on activities for youngsters, and booths serving up traditional foods. Admission is $5, daily, for age seven and up. Information: 6224900.

Civil War Encampment January 14-15; Yuma Historic Yuma Crossing Quartermaster Depot, used by the Army to supply military posts during the Indian wars, will host a Civil War salute that includes Union and Confederate encampments, drills, and battle reenactments. Refreshments will be available, and the museum and gift shop will be open. Don't miss the depot's commanding officer's quarters, perhaps the oldest restored Anglo structure in the state. There will be a nominal admission charged. Information: 329-0404.

Edited by Rebecca Mong Illustrations by Russ Wall Wings Over Willcox January 20-22; Willcox Gar-oo-oo, gar-00-00! Their call can be heard a mile away, and they like to dip their beaks in mud and then proceed to discolor their feathers. They're sandhill cranes, and each fall about 12,000 of the huge (73inch wingspan) birds swoop in to Willcox Playa, a 60-squaremile usually dry lake bed that becomes a mirage-inducing shallow pond when the rains fall. This event celebrates the birds' presence with guided tours to the Playa, Cochise Lake, Muleshoe Ranch, and Chiricahua National Monument; a "hawk stalk"; seminars, workshops, and field trips; kids' activities; a wildlife products trade show; a banquet; and an art auction. There's a charge for the tours and banquet. Information: 1 (800) 200-2272.

Quilt Show January 20-22; Tucson Handmade quilts were ubiquitous in earlier days, and they did more than keep frontier folks warm: the handicrafts reflected the spirit of women who worked long hard days but still found the time to express their artistic talents in a homey way, making the quilts for their families and as gifts for newlyweds and new babies. Many are considered treasured heirlooms and works of art. More than 100 of the showpieces will be displayed at the Tucson Quilter's Guild's 17th annual show at the Tucson Convention Center. Also featured: a gift gallery, quilt raffle, and vendor section. Admission is a $2 donation at the door. Information: 744-0930.

Winterfest '95 January 21-22; Pinetop-Lakeside If the weather cooperates, there'll be plenty of snow-related activities, but if not, you will still have a bunch of fun things to choose from at this annual coldweather salute. Highlights include a hot air balloon rally (with tethered rides for kids) and a simultaneous "Tastefest" and art show and balloon "glow," with the illuminated gas-filled balloons lined up for a spectacular view. There'll also be kids' activities. It's all free except for the Tastefest and art show. Information: 368-6700.

Friends' Meeting The annual meeting of the Friends of Arizona Highways Magazine Foundation will be held at 10 A.M., Friday, February 24, 1995, at the Hall of Fame Museum, 1102 W. Washington St., Phoenix, Arizona.

The Friends are volunteers who assist the magazine by conducting Photo Workshops and Scenic Tours. Subscribers interested in becoming active with the Friends are invited to attend. For additional information, telephone (602) 271-5904.