Casper Events

* The Casper College Music Department's fourth annual "Strike up the Band," big-band dinner dance is SATURDAY in the Grand Ballroom at the Parkway Plaza. Buffet dinner begins at 6 p.m., dancing starts at 7 p.m. Features memorable dance tunes from the 30s, 40s and 50s by artists such as Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, the Dorsey brothers, Duke Ellington and others performed by the Casper College Jazz Ensemble. Tickets: $35 per person or $50 per couple; $15 each for dancing only.

* 'Stories of Light' dinner and auction, 6 to 10 p.m. SATURDAY at the Best Western Ramkota. This is a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wyoming and will feature a wine tasting, a gourmet dinner and portraits of wish children by artist Tom Loepp will be auctioned and presented to the families. Tickets: $100 each. Call 234-9474 or email {M7mawish5@bresnan.net.

FREE * "Writing Wyoming," a book discussion program at Fort Caspar Museum continues at the museum this fall. Books include 'Rising from the Plains' by John McPhee, 'Windmill: Essays from Four Mile Ranch' by David Romtvedt, 'What You See in Clear Water' by Geoff O'Gara and 'Close Range' by Annie Proulx. Discussions will be led by Patrick Amelotte, an English instructor at Casper College. Series continues MONDAY. To register and borrow books, call Erin Rose at 235-8462. www.fortcasparwyoming.com.'

Casper Family

FREE * 'Galapagos: Archipelago of Magic' presented by the Murie Audubon society, 7 p.m. TODAY at the Oil & Gas Conservation Commission Building at 2211 King Blvd. Listen as Emma and Jacob Narotzky talk about the islands and their animals. They were part of the National Geographic / Linbland Expeditions.

* Monster Truck Winter Nationals, 7:30 p.m. SATURDAY at the Casper Events Center. Don't miss Bounty Hunter, Iron Outlaw, Martial Law, Public Disturbance, Miss Monster Moose and High Anxiety. Tickets: $16.50 and $27 for adults; $10 and $17 for children; or $48 for a four-pack general admission special. Prices may increase day of show. Call 307-577-3030 or 800-442-2256 or visit{M3www.caspereventscenter.com.

* Wagon Wheel Roller Rink 60th Birthday party, DEC. 13-14 at the rink, 305 Van Horn Ave. in Mills. Skating session are from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday. People who fill out a "memory ticket" with their Wagonwheel skating memories skate free. Sunday features a skating dance with live music by Dakota Country at 5 p.m., doors open at 3 p.m. {M3WWW.WWSKATE.COM.

Casper Holiday

* Craft fair presented by the Casper Ubuntu Drummers from Oregon Trail Elementary School, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. SATURDAY at the school.

* Christmas parade entries are due TUESDAY for all who wish to participate. This year, The Casper Christmas Parade will be at 6 p.m. NOV. 29 in downtown Casper and the theme is 'It's a Story Book Christmas."Parade categories are Decorated Float, Decorated Automobile, Children, Decorated Vehicle, Equestrian, Horse Drawn and Walking Group/Band. First place in each category wins $100 and the grand prize winner will receive $500. Entry forms available at the Casper Chamber of Commerce, Fashion Crossroads or Wolford's Shoe Store or go on-line at downtowncasper.com. Or call Lory Palm at 266-3050 or Dawn Stevenson at 237-9221.

* Holiday Home Tour presented by the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra, featuring five beautiful homes spectacularly decorated. 6 to 9 p.m. NOV. 21 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. NOV. 22 with hot cider, live music and carolers in each home. Champagne Dessert Reception from 8 to 10 p.m. NOV. 21 at the Nicolaysen Art Museum. Tickets: $30 for NOV. 21 plus the Champagne Dessert Reception; $15 for NOV. 22 tour. Available at Wyoming Symphony Office at 130 W. Second St. or at Wind City Books and Simply Shelia.

* "Thanksgiving Tea," 2 to 4 p.m. NOV. 20-23 at the Historic Bishop Home. Tickets: $25. All events include a $10 tax deductible donation to the Cadoma Foundation. 235-5277, info@cadomafoundation.org.

* Craft fair presented by the Paradise Valley Booster Club, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. NOV. 22 at the school. Booth space is available for $25, reserve by NOV. 1. Call Tina Halverson at 234-3373 or Joy Leist at 235-6580.

* Holiday on the Homestead" presented by the Trails Center is DEC. 13.

Wyoming Events

* RIVERTON: Fall Moondance, Northwest College's 2008 Presidential Partners Ball, 6 p.m. SATURDAY at the DeWitt Student Center Lounge.

Northwest College

JACKSON: "Under the Influence," a ski and snowboard film by Teton Gravity Research, will be shown at 8:15 p.m. NOV. 21 as part of the Grand Targhee Season Opening Kick Off Party. Movie will be shown in The Spud Drive-In. Doors open at 6 p.m. www.tetongravity.com, {M3www.grandtarghee.com

* CODY: Swapping Stories of Hunting workshop hosted by Jim Garry, noon to 2 p.m. NOV. 22 at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. Gather for an afternoon of hunting stories and chili. Pre-registration required. 307-587-4771.

* POWELL: "Bye, Baby Bunting: Children's Clothing 1900-1959," an exhibit in the Homesteader Museum celebrating the early century of children's clothes. Shows through DEC. 19. 307-754-9481.

* Essay contest: Kids are invited to write a letter to the author of their favorite book for a chance to win money and trip to Washington, D.C. The Wyoming Center for the Book invites young readers to submit their entries to Letters About Literature (LAL), a national writing contest sponsored by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. Entries due DEC. 6. Guidelines, entry forms and teacher resources are available on the Center for the Book web site at {M3http://www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/letters/.

Wyoming Holiday

* JACKSON: Holiday Dinner at the Senior Center of Jackson Hole, 6:30 p.m. NOV. 20 at 830 E. Hansen. Enjoy turkey, dressing, veggies, salads, pies and more. A special "mystery" program is planned after dinner. Presented by the Jackson Hole Historical Society & Museum. If you'd like to bring a traditional dish, call 307-733-3372.

* DUBOIS: High Country Senior Center Annual Christmas Bazaar and bake sale, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. NOV. 22 at 504 Hays Street. 307-455-2990.

* CHEYENNE: "A Sacred Christmas" with The Chamber Singers and the Cheyenne Symphony, 7:30 p.m. DEC. 13 at the Cheyenne Civic Center. Tickets available at the Civic Center Box Office.

* SHERIDAN: Trail End State Historic Site Holiday Open House, 1 to 7 p.m. DEC. 5-7 at 400 Clarendon Ave. Cost: $1 per person, children free. Sheridan's popular historic house museum comes alive with the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas.

* SHERIDAN: Trees of Love tree lighting, 4:30 p.m. DEC. 7 in the lobby at Sheridan Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Buy a light in memory of a loved one for $5, forms available at the front test. There will be a short program and refreshments. 307-672-1017.

FREE * CHEYENNE: An Annual "Christmas Choral Festival", 2 p.m. 7:30 p.m. DEC. 14, 7 p.m. DEC. 15 at St. Mary's Cathedral, 100 West 21st St. Features The Chamber Singers, choirs from Central and East High School, LCCC, the All City Children's Chorus and Capitol Chorale.