Hi Paul,
I'm not a moderator, but maybe I can help out on some of this. I don't think anyone is trying to keep anything secret, but we do tend to use abbreviations and assume (wrongly) that everyone just knows what we're talking about. Sorry.
CLA = Contemporary Longrifle Association
http://www.longrifle.ws/The CLA is a non-profit organization of collaborative members, who are collectors, makers, and students dedicated to the art of contemporary longrifles, accoutrements and related items made after the mid-twentieth century.
The annual CLA meeting and Show for 2010 was held this past weekend in Lexington, Ky. It is usually held in August and has been held in Lexington for the past several years. I'm not certain about the location for 2011, but hope it remains in Lexington.
"Dixon's" = Dixon's Gunmakers Fair
http://dixonmuzzleloading.com/index.php?section=gunmakersfair The Gunmakers Fair is hosted by Dixon's Muzzleloading Shop at their site in Kempton, PA , traditionally on the last full weekend every July.
"Are there any shows in Arizona ?" The only related event that I am aware of is the NMLRA, oops, the National Muzzleloading Rifle Association's Western National Shoot in Phoenix, AZ. The next one will be held in March 2011.
http://www.nmlra.org/ "When is Friendship? " Again see
http://www.nmlra.org/ There are events going on there all year but the 2 largest gatherings are the Spring Shoot in June each year and the National Championship Shoot every September. This year Sept. 11-19.
"...how do we get to the "over the fence" feature?" You should be able to see the Over the Back Fence forum when you are logged in on ALR. It's the last forum, just above the Library section. If you can't see it, contact one of the real moderators for some help.
Hope this helps. Now you are one of the "insiders".
-Ron