NIC exhibitions focus on folk art

The Nicolaysen Art Museum & Discovery Center will open four new contemporary folk art exhibits, including one featuring a Casper artist.

"Reviewing the West" will feature 40-50 detailed, jewel-like paintings by Casper native Bill Shepherd, who has been featured in solo and group exhibitions across the country for more than three decades.

Also opening Oct. 17 will be three solo exhibitions by artists who hail from across the country: Tom Nussbaum from Montclair, N.J., Lucy Fradkin from Brooklyn, N.Y., and James Holmes from Santa Fe, N.M. All three of these contemporary artists are influenced by the unique stylized forms of folk artists or outsider artists, who create powerful artwork without any academic training.

The NIC will hold an opening reception for all four exhibitions beginning at 6 p.m. Oct. 17 that will feature hors d"oeuvres and a cash bar presented by 303 Restaurant, plus live entertainment. All four artists will speak about their works beginning at 6:30 p.m. Reception admission is free for museum members and $10 for non-members.

Students 'trick-or-treat' for canned food

Members of the Natrona County High School Student Council will be in neighborhoods near the school, as well as in the Wolf Creek Subdivision, to collect canned food for Joshua's Storehouse later this month. Collection bags will be distributed in these areas within the next two weeks and will be available at the school office.

Students will go door to door after 5 p.m. Oct. 30 to pick up donations. Residents may also leave the canned food in marked bags outside their homes that evening for quick pick-up and no interruptions.

If you have any questions, please call NCHS at 577-0330.

NCHS forensic team receives honor

The National Forensic League has awarded Natrona County High School's forensic team the Leading Chapter Award in the Wind River District.

This coveted award, based on student participation, is the highest honor the League can bestow upon a chapter. Only one school in each district attains this honor yearly, and the school must wait at least five years before being eligible for the award again. This year, out of more than 2,900 member schools nationwide, NCHS is one of only 104 to receive the Leading Chapter Award.

In recognition of this outstanding accomplishment, the school will receive a commemorative plaque which will be presented to the team and their coach, Mary Hoard, by their district chair at the district tournament in March 2009.

Immigration law basics topic of presentation

A free presentation on immigration law basics will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Werner Technical Center, Rm. 102 on the Casper College Campus.

According to a release from the college, the presentation is geared to those individuals and agencies dealing with issues surrounding immigration.

Sponsored by Casper College ABE/GED Center and Literacy Volunteers of Casper, the presentation is free and open to the public and refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact the college at 268-2453.

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Casper College band presents free concert

The Casper College Concert Band will present a free concert on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 3 p.m. in Durham Hall, located in the Aley Fine Arts Center.

The band, under the direction of Douglas Bull, will play a variety of compositions from throughout the world.

In addition to the concert band, the Casper College Brass and Flute Ensembles will also perform.

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Pop and Picture Day set

All area youngsters are invited to attend the Casper College Thunderbirds Annual Pop and Picture Day on Saturday, Oct. 18, beginning at 10 a.m in the Erickson Thunderbird Gymnasium, according to a release from the college.

At the event, kids will be able to have their photo taken with the T-Bird mascot and will get a free Pepsi and game pass to the upcoming T-Bird basketball game. Kids will also be able to get photos with and autographs from their favorite players. Prizes will be given away, and drawings will be held for ball boys and ball girls for the 2008-2009 season.

For more information, call 268-3000.

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Extreme Pumpkin Carving for boys and dads

The Natrona County Library will hold 'Extreme Pumpkin Carving' on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 2 p.m. in the Crawford Room as part of the 'No Girls Allowed' program series, according to a release.

The library's 'No Girls Allowed' programs are designed to help boys connect to the adult male role models in their lives. They also emphasize the types of activities and books that boys enjoy.

Boys in grades 3-6 and their dads, uncles, grandpas and other male role models are welcome to attend.

'Extreme Pumpkin Carving' will also be featured Oct. 22 at 4 p.m. during the main library"s After School @ the library program, and on Friday, Oct. 24 at 2 p.m. at the Mills branch library." Both boys and girls, as well as their parents, may attend these events.

Call the library at 577-READ, ext. 122 to reserve your pumpkins.