CERCA CALENDAR

It's almost May, the fairest season the Southwest affords. This calendar offers two dozen ways to enjoy it; help yourself.

Thursday-May 31, Overton: "America the Beautiful at Night." Exhibit by celebrated astronomical photographer Wally Pacholka, at Lost City Museum. Personal appearance May 18 (702) 397-2193.

Thursday-May 4, Reno: Reno Film Festival. Now in its eighth year, the festival features a variety of films, competitions, workshops and plenty of celebrities. Various Reno venues (775) 334-6707, www.renofilmfestival.com.

Friday-May 4, Seligman, Ariz.: Historic Route 66 Fun Run. This three-day event travels 140 miles from Seligman to Topock/Golden Shores. Open to all street-legal vehicles including buses, RVs, and roadsters (928) 753-5001, www.kingmanchamber.org.

Saturday, Lone Pine, Calif.: Wild Wild West Marathon. This event takes place in the foothills of Mount Whitney and throughout the Alabama Hills. There is a race for all ages and abilities, including a 50K, a marathon and a three-mile race (760) 876-4444, www.lonepinechamber.org.

Saturday-May 4, Rachel: The X Rides ...The Road is Out There. This year marks the 11th anniversary of the dedication of the "Extraterrestrial Highway." Two rides consisting of a road-bike night ride on the ET Highway and an off-road mountain bike ride to the Area 51 security perimeter (800) 565-2704, (800) 565-2704, www.bikethewest.com.

May 4, Reno: Marathon de Mayo. Course begins at Reno Arch, takes participants through some of the city's most scenic areas while featuring a Latino music act each mile. There are also a half marathon, a 5K and a 10K (775) 825-1727, www.marathondemayo.com.

May 8, Zion National Park, Utah: Energy Alternatives: Solar Power in Zion and Beyond. This workshop explores the economics of solar power and its ecological implications. The group will tour several buildings in the park that use solar energy (435) 772-3264, www.zionpark.org.

May 9-11, Reno: Reno River Festival. One of the nation's top kayaking competitions will also feature product demos, instructional clinics and live music. Truckee River Whitewater Park (800) 367-7366, www.renoriverfestival.com.

May 9-11, Fallon: Spring Wings Bird Festival. This is the height of spring migration to the Lahontan Valley wetlands, which become a temporary home to 260 species of birds (775) 428-6452, www.springwings.org.

May 10, Flagstaff, Ariz.: National Astronomy Day. This daytime and evening celebration will have telescope viewing, indoor presentations and access to historic displays. Saturn will be the featured object to view through telescopes at night, Lowell Observatory, (928) 774-3358, www.lowell.edu.

May 10, Kingman, Ariz.: Route 66 Race. This event features a 10K/5K and 3-mile walk. Prizes will be awarded to the top 10K and 5K finishers for each age group and gender, Powerhouse Visitor Center (928) 757-0664, www.kingmanchamber.com.

May 10, St. George, Utah: St. George Triathlon. This race consists of a sprint and Olympic distance triathlon. Sand Hollow State Park (435) 770-3122, www.utahstgeorge.com.

May 10, Zion National Park:, Utah: Join a naturalist and learn how to identify edible plants in the field and discuss the ethics and legalities of wild plant collection. Reservations needed Zion Canyon Field Institute, (435) 772-3264, www.zionpark.org.

May 11, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Notes on the Moon. An evening program featuring internationally acclaimed harpist Megan Metheny playing music written about the moon. Telescope viewing will be available, Lowell Observatory, (928) 774-3358, www.lowell.edu.

May 15, Zion National Park, Utah: Thursday Trek. Join a naturalist for an introduction to the geology, flora, fauna and cultural history of the park. Reservations needed, Zion Canyon Field Institute, (435) 772-3264, www.zionpark.org.

May 17-18, Silver Springs: Lyon County Fly-in. This annual event features fly-bys, flight demonstrations, antique aircraft, military planes and rocket displays. Silver Springs Airport (775) 887-1294, www.lyoncountyflyin.com.

May 18, Overton: Free admission day at Lost City Museum includes personal appearance by famous outdoor photographer Wally Pacholka, who will sell and sign prints of his work. Other artists and authors also expected (702) 397-2193.

May 19-24, Kanab, Utah: Amazing Earthfest. This festival celebrates public lands through scientific and cultural presentations, arts and entertainment and guided hikes and tours, various venues, (435) 899-1102, www.amazingearthfest.com.

May 20-25, Bishop, Calif.: Bishop Mule Days Celebration. Approximately 700 mules will compete in 181 events during the nation's premier mule show. Mule Days Parade on May 24 features the country's longest running nonmotorized parade (760) 872-4263, www.muledays.org.

May 24, Ivins, Utah: Red Mountain 50k. Southern Utah's first ultra marathon travels through some of the finest scenery in the state including 12 miles on a trail and 19 miles on paved road, Red Mountain Running, (435) 668-4544, www.redmountain50k.com.

May 24, Williams, Ariz.: Rendezvous Days. Celebrate the town's western heritage with a blackpowder shooting competition, lumberjack show, local crafts, a rodeo, carnival and a Memorial Day Parade (928) 635-1418, www.williamschamber.com.

May 24-25, Big Bear Lake, Calif.: Wild West Storyfest. This festival features published authors, professional storytellers, poets and stage performers, writer's workshops (800) 424-4232, www.bigbear.com.

May 24-25, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Zuni Festival of Arts and Culture. Learn about the Zuni way of life, including their language, lifeways, dance and music. Demonstrations by weavers, inlay jewelers, fetish carvers, potters and painters, Museum of Northern Arizona, (928) 774-5213, www.musnaz.org.

May 28, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Lowell Observatory Birthday. Lowell Outreach manager Kevin Schindler will give an indoor presentation titled, "The 1894 Lowell Expedition and the Founding of Lowell Observatory." 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Regular tours and Space Theater programs will also be offered (928) 774-3358, www.lowell.edu.

May 31, Zion National Park, Utah: Zion Narrows Service Project. Join a naturalist to discover the world famous Zion Narrows. This seven-mile hike will include discussing the geology, plants and wildlife of the area and a short service project while in the canyon. Reservations needed, Zion Canyon Field Institute, (435) 772-3264, www.zionpark.org.