Compiled by SALLY ANN SHURMUR

Star-Tribune staff writer

Motorcyclists will take to the streets today and Sunday to observe Awareness Day and raise money for suicide prevention. Kids can learn about summer safety both today and Sunday; and a variety of cultural opportunities are available as central Wyoming hurtles headlong into May.

Wyoming Central ABATE presents the 29th annual Awareness Day Parade. All vehicles are welcome to participate. In conjunction with the Christian Motorcyclists Association, the Blessing of the Bikes will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. in the parking lot at Open Bible Church, next to Hobby Lobby on E. Second. The parade will form from 11:30 a.m. to noon in the eastside Wal-Mart parking lot and will cover Casper, Mills and Evansville before ending at Rendezvous RV on E. Second.

For those who wish, the parade will continue to Glenrock and on to Douglas, where lunch will be served at the Plains.

Brothers of the Third Wheel, a social organization dedicated to trikes (three-wheeled motorcycles) and triking, will hold its monthly coffee/breakfast meeting at 10 a.m. at the Platte River Restaurant, 321 E. "E" St., next to Days Inn right off I-25. The date was changed so that the club can participate in Wyoming Central A.B.A.T.E.'s annual awareness day parade that kicks off motorcycle safety month in Wyoming.

The Casper Dirt Riders present an event on Sunday, including a parade leaving from Kelly Walsh High School at 10 a.m., and a three-hour "Hare Scramble," at the Motocross track. The benefit, including lunch, is $15. All proceeds will be given to the Wyoming Medical Center's Teen Suicide Prevention program. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

"Raising Safe Kids: One Stage at a Time" is the theme of Safe Kids Day 2009 today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kids and their families are invited to the Casper Recreation Center where safety devices, prizes, entertainment and a special guest star appearance are all part of the day. Life jackets and helmets for biking, horseback riding, scooters and skateboarding will be available along with child passenger safety and home safety devices.

Farmer's Insurance hosts a Safety Day for kids from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday at the westside Wal-Mart, where children can get their pictures taken and identification kits. There will also be a raffle for a girl's and boy's bike, as well as hot dog and hamburger sales. All proceeds will benefit the March of Dimes Wyoming Chapter.

Celebrate Stephanie's 65,000,014th birthday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., today at the Glenrock Paleontological Museum and Robert T. Bakker Education Center, 506 W. Birch St., one block west of the four-way stop. See the new allosaurus display and learn about the museum's plans for the future. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., enjoy museum tours and the gift shop will be open. Children's activities will be planned from 10 a.m. to noon. From noon to 2 p.m., enjoy a chili cookoff and Stephanie's birthday cake.

There is a Mother's Day Craft Fair today and Sunday, at Sunrise Shopping Center, 4000 S. Poplar St. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vendors will sell a large variety of items ranging from jewelry, purses, blankets, clothing, novelty and antiques, to bread and western art.

A free stroke screening will take place from 8 a.m. to noon at Elkhorn Valley Rehabilitation Hospital, 5715 E. Second St. No appointment is necessary. Neurologist David Wheeler will be available for questions from 8 a.m. to noon. Blood draws for health screenings will be available for a small fee from 7 to 10 a.m.

The Bishop Home Teas, 818 E. Second St., return today and on Sunday if there is enough interest. Tea begins at 2 p.m. The teas will be catered by Market and More and will feature a selection of tasty tea sandwiches, scones, and desserts. Cost is $25 per person, which includes a $10 tax-deductible donation to the Cadoma Foundation.

Upward Bound, a nonprofit collect preparatory program that works with local high school students, is sponsoring a garage sale fundraiser at the corner of Bonnie Brae and 15th streets, 1505 Bonnie Brae, to benefit the American Cancer Society Relay for Life today.

A "multi-member" garage sale sponsored by Qwest Pioneers will be held at the Qwest garage, 300 N. Walsh from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The fundraiser will help fund donations to many charitable organizations, including Casper College GED scholarships, Health Care for the Homeless, Senior Center, "Hot Tip" books for schools and Head Start.

The Laws of Life awards dinner, sponsored by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming, is set for 6 p.m. at the Petroleum Club. All are welcome to attend.

Nineteen Wyoming schools and over 250 students participated in this year's essay contest. The contest was started by Sir John Mark Templeton, the pioneer global investor who founded the Templeton Mutual Funds and for the past several decades devoted his fortune to his Foundation's work on the "Big Questions" of science, religion, and human purpose.

The Casper Children's Theatre presents "Captain Improv," an improvisation performance by students ages 12 and up. Performances will be today at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. All shows are performed at the Casper Children's theatre in the Commissary Mall (138 S.Kimball). Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12 and can be purchased at Papa Murphy's pizza or the theatre.

Stage III Community Theatre presents Alan Ball's adult comedy "5 Women Wearing the Same Dress." This R-rated look at uncensored girl talk among five bridesmaids deals frankly with sex, drugs, and alcohol, and was the winner of last year's voting that allowed audience members to choose one show for the 2008-09 season.

Performances are today at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, available in advance at Metro Coffee Company, Grant Street Grocery, and the Cadillac Cowgirl, and at the door beginning one hour before each performance.

On Sunday, all who have earned a Purple Heart and their spouses are invited to enjoy a free breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m., at the VFW Post 9439, 1800 Bryan Stock Trail, courtesy of Purple Heart Chapter 707. You do need to take proof of your Purple Heart.

VFW Post 9439 and Auxiliaries, 1800 Bryan Stock Trail are hosting a breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. All proceeds will go to Cancer Aid and Research. Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children under 10. Public is welcome.

The annual "Music of the World" concert, performed by the Casper College vocal choirs under the direction of Pat Patton, will be in concert at 2 p.m. on Sunday. The concert will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church located at Seventh and Wolcott Streets in Casper. A $4 admission charge will be requested at the door and all are invited to attend.

The Casper Chamber Music Society presents Dr. Terry Gunderson in concert at 4 p.m. at Durham Hall in the Casper College Aley Fine Arts Center. Tickets are $8 for adults; $6 for seniors; and $2 for students.