Learn winter sports safety tips, watch the Cowboys - with Casper's own Eric Platt - and the nationally ranked Cowgirls, enjoy a free Christmas concert, get free infant and toddler clothing for your own family or someone in need, have photos taken of your kids or your pets with Santa.

Ho, ho, ho hits the holiday frenzy this weekend with numerous offerings in and around Casper.

They include:

Winter Safety Day at Hogadon

Safe Kids of Central Wyoming and the City of Casper invite parents and kids to a day of safe skiing and winter safety information at Hogadon Ski Resort. Safe Kids and volunteers will show ski and safety videos and distribute information and helmets for safe skiing and snowboarding inside the Hogadon lodge from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. today.

Helmets are available for a $20 donation and are offered on a first-come basis. You must be present to receive a helmet, as a correct fitting is required.

For more information, call Gary Vantrease at Hogadon at 235-8368.

Free clothing

Gabriel's Closet, at 623 S. Wolcott St., will offer a clothing giveaway for families in need from 9 a.m. to noon today. Clothing is limited to infant and toddler sizes. The public is encouraged to invite people they know in need to attend, and people also preparing gifts or holiday baskets for those in need are also invited to attend. For more information, call Pam at 237-2723.

KW hosts cheer camp

Children ages 3 to 11 are welcome to attend a cheerleading camp at Kelly Walsh High School gym from 9 a.m. to noon today. Cost is $20 per child. Parents may drop off and pick up their children. The event is a fundraiser for the KW cheer squad. Learn cheers, dances, jumps and stunts. Every child at the camp receives a gift.

Casper Christmas bird count

Birdwatchers of all levels of expertise are welcome to participate in the Casper Christmas Bird Count today.

Participants should meet at the Audubon Center at Garden Creek at 7:30 a.m., where groups will be organized to count birds located within a 15-mile area.

Birdwatchers will count all birds observed within the count circle. Feeder watchers are also encouraged to count their birds.

Participants are invited to attend the potluck at 5:30 p.m. at the Audubon Center, where results will also be tallied.

For more information, contact Chris Michelson, count compiler, at 234-8726 or Bruce and Donna Walgren at 234-7455.

Turn in those overdue books

Today is the last day for the Food for Fines program at Natrona County Public Library to help Joshua's Storehouse.

Library patrons can bring one or several items of nonperishable food to any library branch or the bookmobile to clear their accounts of fines on overdue books, movies, and other library materials.

Canned food can also be used to pay for replacement library cards if yours is lost. For more information, call 577-READ.

Shootout fans welcome

Today, Wyoming Shootout fans are encouraged to head to Sidelines Sports Bar and Restaurant prior to the women's game at 1 p.m., for an unofficial pre-game gathering. There is no entry fee and fans will purchase their own for food or drink, as Sidelines will be open to the public.

Tickets for the Shootout are still available by calling the Casper Events Center at 577-3030. The Cowgirls play at 1 p.m. and the Cowboys play at 3:30 p.m.

Stuff the truck

Stuff the Truck for the Salvation Army will be at Wal-Mart West today. Pick up a Giving Tree tag or shop for a child infant to 15 years old and drop it off at the truck or back at the Giving Tree on the days listed. Gifts for teens are especially needed.

Living Nativity outdoors

The Christian Church of Casper, 8188 Zero Rd., presents a Living Nativity today from 6 to 8 p.m., featuring six outdoor scenes viewable from your vehicle. A recorded narrative from the Scriptures of the story of Christ's birth will be provided for the 12-minute program. For more information, call the church office at 473-8584.

Santa and crafts at Christmas Corner

Today, staff from the Nicolaysen Art Museum join the fun at Santa's Christmas Corner by helping children make free holiday crafts from 2 to 4 p.m. at the old McCann's building on the corner of Second and Center Streets.

Christmas Corner is open from noon to 4 p.m., for visits with Santa, hot chocolate and a chance to warm up while shopping downtown. For more information, call 235-6710.

Pet photos at Humane Society

Here's a great Christmas gift opportunity: have your pet's photo taken and help the animals at the Casper Humane Society.

DeMaine Image Pet Photography will be at the Casper Humane Society from noon to 2 p.m. today. There is a $10 sitting fee, part of which is donated to the Humane Society to help the organization cover its photo sitting fees. The Casper Humane Society, 849 East E Street, is on the frontage road between Center and McKinley streets. For more information, call the Casper Humane Society at 265-5439.

CC band presents "seasonal steamroll"

The Casper College Concert Band will present what director Doug Bull calls a free "Seasonally Steamrolled" concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday in Durham Hall at the Aley Fine Arts Center on the Casper College campus.

The concert will be "steamrolled" because the band will perform three selections from the popular recording group Mannheim Steamroller.