MILEPOSTS

Tour a Dam, Stroll a Prairie Preserve, Hear Cowboy Poetry or Mexican Folk Music GET ACQUAINTED WITH A COWBOY LEGEND

Sequined cowboy suits, guitars and movie posters adorn the Rex Allen Arizona Cowboy Museum in Willcox. The late Rex Allen cowboy crooner, radio and TV personality, silver screen legend, voice of Disney's nature films and Willcox native has delighted audiences since the 1940s. In the museum, visitors listen to Allen's famous cowboy tunes and stroll among paraphernalia of a career that spanned six decades. Some visitors might recognize a buggy used by Allen in the TV series "Frontier Doctor" or a saddle worn by his trusty steed, Koko.The museum is at 150 N. Railroad Ave. Hours: Daily, 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. Admission: $2, individual; $3, couple; $5, family. Information: (520) 384-4583.

MINING TALES TOLD IN JEROME MUSEUM

Tales of 77 years of local mining echo through the Jerome Historical Society Mine Museum, where paintings and old photos show sequenced scenes of mining methods and artifacts. New exhibits at the recently reopened museum depict everyday life of the town's inhabitants of yesteryear.Built in 1898, the museum's building, at the corner of Main Street (State Route 89A) and Hull Avenue, where two large iron half-wheels mark the spot, originally housed the Fashion Saloon. During Prohibition it became a drug store, then a dime store and finally, in 1953, a museum.

Hours: Daily, 9 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas. Admission: $1, adults; free, 12 and under. Information: (520) 634-5477.

SATURDAY NIGHTS HEAT UP IN TUCSON

Tucson's 10-year tradition of Downtown Saturday Night is "bigger and better" than ever, according to Tucson Arts District's program coordinator Mary Glenn. On the first Saturday of each month, visitors to the 6-square-block area hear live music and now may participate in interactive works. During a recent film and video arts presentation, a Kids' Corner allowed children to create original videos, while their umbrella-toting parents sang in the rain and leapt over puddles along with Gene Kelly (projected onto a wall). Third Saturday Craft Markets, now held the third Saturday of each month, feature wares by local craft artisans, including furniture and pottery.

Hours: Downtown Saturday Night, the first Saturday of each month, 7 to 10 P.M. Third Saturday Craft Market, the third Saturday of each month, 7 to 10 P.M. Admission: Free. Information: (520) 624-9977

EXPLORE A PRAIRIE PRESERVE

Guided one-and-a half-hour nature walks at Hart Prairie Preserve, 14 miles north of Flagstaff, acquaint visitors with the wildlife, botany and forest ecology of this globally uncommon wetland. The preserve of aspen groves and mountain meadows at an elevation of 8,600 feet protects many species of rare and threatened plant life, including the Blumer's dock, a flower.

While visiting the preserve, check out the original (circa 1877) homestead. Scheduled two-day programs at the preserve this month include a "Weekend in the Aspens," August 4-6; and a "Monsoon Mushroom and Wildflower Foray," August 11-13. Nature walks are offered at 10 A.M. Wednesdays and Sundays through October 15. Meet at the Grand Canyon Trust Building, 2601 N. Fort Valley Road. Nature walks are free; fees for weekend programs vary. Information: (520) 774-8892.

TOUR GLEN CANYON DAM

Take a tour of the secondlargest gravity arch dam in the United States while visiting Lake Powell in far northcentral Arizona. Rangers lead free guided tours into the Glen Canyon Dam and power plant from the Carl Hayden Visitor Center. The center features historical exhibits relevant to the Glen Canyon area, ranging from the mammals that inhabited the canyon during the Ice Age to the construction of the dam and the filling of Lake Powell. A large window at the center offers views of the canyon, dam and lake.

Hours: Daily, 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. (until 7 P.M. during summer

SECRETS OF NAVAJOLAND

Photograph the hidden wonders of the Navajo Indian Reservation with LeRoy DeJolie, an award-winning Navajo photographer whose works have graced the pages of Arizona Highways, books, posters and calendars.

October 29-November 2, LeRoy retraces the steps of his youth to offer opportunities to photograph secret vantage points along the limestone ledges in Walnut Canyon, the golden cottonwoods of Canyon de Chelly and the sienna light of Coal and Waterhole canyons. He'll capture the sunrise 400 feet above the Colorado River at Horseshoe Overlook, and photograph Susie Lee as she weaves her colorful, world-renowned Navajo rugs.

For more information and a schedule of workshops, contact the Friends of Arizona Highways at (602) 712-2004, toll-free at (888) 790-7042, or see its Web site at friendsofazhighways.com.

Upcoming Photo Workshops include: Sep. 23-26 Sedona-Oak Creek with David Smith. Oct. 2-6 Autumn at the North Rim with Peter Ensenberger. Oct. 18-22 Best of the West with J. Peter Mortimer. Oct. 29-Nov. 2 Secrets of Navajo Land with LeRoy DeJolie.

EVENTS Beer Tasting Festival

August 12; Flagstaff More than 200 microbrewed beers from around the Southwest will be on tap for sampling at the 8th Annual Made in the Shade Beer Tasting Festival. Beverages range from ciders, lagers and ales to brewed nonalcoholic drinks such as vanilla nut cider. Held at the Coconino County Fair Grounds, the event also features food from Flagstaff's best restaurants and the tunes of local bluesman Steve Reynolds and other musicians. Proceeds benefit the Sun Sounds Radio Reading Service, a community outreach radio program for the blind.Hours: 4 P.M. to 7 P.M. Admission: $25, in advance; $30, at the door; $10, designated drivers. Information: (520) 779-1775.

Bluegrass Music Festival

August 12-13; Pinetop-Lakeside The best bluegrass bands in the Southwest gather for the 10th Annual White Mountain Bluegrass Music Festival. A jampacked daytime schedule offers bluegrass and gospel concerts, children's games, arts and crafts and food booths. Informal afterhours jam sessions inevitably happen under the stars.Hours: Saturday, 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.; Sunday, 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Admission: $6, general; free, under 12. Camping fees: $6 each night. Information: (520) 3674290 or toll-free (800) 5734031.

Cowboy Poets Gathering

August 17-19; Prescott Have you written a poem about life on the open range? If so, you might want to join in one of the many workshops at the Sharlot Hall Museum, rangurday, 5 and 8 P.M. Daytime events at Sharlot Hall Museum: Friday, noon to 5 P.M.; Saturday, 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. Admission for evening performances: $10, advance; $11, at the door. Free, daytime events. Information: (520) 445-3122.

Norteño Music Festival

August 25-26; South Tucson teño Music Festival and Street Fair. A concert of Norteño music entertains on Friday, and a battle of the bands picks up the pace Saturday night. Developed in Sonora, Mexico and Arizona, Texas and New Mexico during the 1920s, this folk music style warbles on about everything from bootlegging to broken hearts. Rides keep kids entertained while adults browse art exhibits. Traditional Mexican foods for sale include fish tacos, popovers and chullos.

Hours: Daily, 4 to 11 P.M. Admission: Free. Information: (520) 622-2801.

ARIZONA HIGHWAYS ON DISPLAY, CELEBRATING 75 YEARS

The 75th anniversary year celebration continues with ongoing photographic exhibits.

ARIZONA HIGHWAYS: CELEBRATING THE TRADITION

The Arizona Highways Photography of Ansel Adams, David Muench and Jack Dykinga.

Organized by the Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona, Tucson; Phoenix Art Museum; and the Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff; in association with Arizona Highways.

THROUGH NOVEMBER 5 Museum of Northern Arizona, 3101 N. Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff Celebrating the Tradition is sponsored by Eller Media.

ARIZONA HIGHWAYS: CELEBRATING OUR LAND, OUR PEOPLE

Seventy-five images from the pages of Arizona Highways in the signature style of the magazine - dramatic landscapes, intimate portraits, flora and fauna - all seen through the eyes of today's best photographers.

OCTOBER 7 NOVEMBER 12

Tubac Center for the Arts, 9 Plaza Road, Tubac

Celebrating Our Land, Our People is sponsored by Ramada Express Hotel Casino, Laughlin, Nevada; Northern Trust Bank; and Image Craft Photo Imaging Services.

ARIZONA HIGHWAYS GALLERY

A permanent exhibit features favorites from the pages of the magazine - landscapes and a few desert creatures by various contributing photographers.

PERMANENT EXHIBIT Mesa Southwest Museum, 53 North MacDonald St., Mesa

ARIZONA HIGHWAYS: CELEBRATING THE GRAND CANYON

Photography by Gary Ladd from Arizona Highways' 75th anniversary coffee-table book, Grand Canyon: Time Below the Rim.

AUGUST 5 NOVEMBER 5 Mesa Southwest Museum, 53 North MacDonald St., Mesa

NOVEMBER 17 MAY 27, 2001

The Sharlot Hall Museum, 415 W. Gurley St., Prescott

ARIZONA HIGHWAYS: CELEBRATING OUR NATIVE CULTURES

The photography of Jerry Jacka.

SEPTEMBER 30 MARCH 11, 2001

Heard Museum, 22 E. Monte Vista Road, Phoenix

Support funding for all special anniversary activities is provided by Motorola.