E-MAIL AND LETTERS

A Human Sundial

Of all the impressive interactive exhibits at the University of Arizona's Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium in Tucson, our favorite, a "human sundial," greets visitors outside the entrance. Kids love the vertical line on the ground that lists the months of the year. In a circle that surrounds the line, are hours of the day. If they find the spot on the vertical line that more or less corresponds to the current date - for example, they stand midway between April and May if the date is April 15th - and then look at their shadow, they see that the point where the shadow crosses the circle of numbers corresponds to the exact time. Grown-ups find themselves looking at their wristwatches and marveling at the sundial's accuracy. They may prefer to think of this as magic, but any 10-year-old will be happy to explain how the whole thing works. Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.; Wednesday through Saturday, 7 to 9 P.M.; Sunday, 1 to 5 P.M. Admission: $3, adults; $2, age 13 and under. You can play around with the human sundial for free. (Just remember that it stops working when the sun goes down.) Information: (520) 621-STAR.

The 'Brothel' Boutique

To the dismay of food lovers worldwide, 77-year-old John Dempsey broke his leg in a bicycle accident, forcing him to give up his beloved kitchen at the House of Joy restaurant in Jerome, 110 miles north of Phoenix. The former mining camp once known as "the wickedest town in the West" today welcomes droves of tourists to its shops and galleries. For the last 35 years, epicures from bishops to bankers traveled to Jerome to bite into John's first-class cuisine, served at the 110-year-old former brothel, with its racy history, Victorian style and mirrored ceilings. The restaurant's reputation and limited seating hours meant making reservations at least three months in advance. Now the tasteful restaurant is closed - but Dempsey operates an establishment that's much easier to get into: a gift shop. Visitors can take in Jerome's splendor from the shop's open

Don't Neglect The Regs

A SERIES OF NEW REGULATIONS and permit fees are in effect on the White Mountain Apache Reservation, and a free publication, The Regs, spells out the new visitor rules. It also delineates such areas as the Black and Salt rivers that require special use permits even for casual drive-throughs. And it shows places that are closed to nontribal members. "Make sure you have the right permits," said David Kitcheyan, of the Fort Apache Wildlife and Outdoor Recreation Office. "Signs are clearly posted. Just obey the signs." Permits can be obtained from authorized vendors around the state or at stores on the reservation. To obtain a copy of The Regs, call the White Mountain Apache Tribe at (520) 338-4385, or write the tribal recreation office at P.O. Box 220, Whiteriver, AZ 85941.

porch and then explore the merchandise, including racy teddy bears and belly dancing costumes - a hint of the past that proves once and for all that some things never really change. Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. Information: (520) 634-5339.

Tips for Wannabe Cave Men and Women

If you travel to Kartchner Caverns State Park hoping to see this stunning limestone cave and forgot to make a reservation, you need not abandon all hope of entering the attraction. Although advance reservations are highly recommended, Arizona State Parks holds back some tickets, realizing people aren't used to needing reservations to tour a state park. You might land a ticket on the day of your visit by calling the state parks' office at (602) 542-4174. The office also can update callers on the length of lines of people waiting outside the caverns. Other tips: Call early in the day and consider a weekday visit to increase your chances of getting a walk-up ticket. If tickets aren't available, you can still tour the 20,000-square-foot Discovery Center, featuring exhibits such as the "Shasta Ground Sloth" discovered in the cave and "Underground Journey," which simulates the cave experience. Kartchner Caverns State Park is open year-round, except Christmas, 7:30 Α.Μ. to 6 P.M. Tour hours: 8:40 A.M. to 4:40 P.M. Park admission: $10 per car. Tour admission: $14, adults; $6, ages 7-14. Information: (520) 586-CAVE. Once you're in, you'll see Kartchner Towers in the cavern's Big Room.

Shiver or Wither

Hot and cold weather extremes often visit Arizona on the same day. For example, if you happened to land at Grand Canyon Airport on June 5, 2000, you might have wanted mittens to ward off the chill of a 34-degree temperature. However, had you touched down instead at Bullhead City that day, short sleeves would have been in order to brave the high of 113 degrees.

Question of the Month

Why is the North Rim of the Grand Canyon 1,000 feet higher than the South Rim?

The Kaibab Plateau, from which the Canyon is cut, tilts to the south, creating the elevation difference in the North and South rims.

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