CATC extends subsidy

More subsidized CATC tickets and Bus tokens are available for passengers who qualify and have already received some, according to the Casper Area Transportation Coalition. Passengers should call 265-1313 and speak to Clairene for more information. The additional rides are made possible by Community Development Block Grant funding.

Nic calls for artists

Artists who want a booth at this summer's Nic Fest should act now, according to a news release from the Nicolaysen Art Museum. The Fest is a summer arts festival, set for June 15 and 16.

For more detail, artists should visit www.thenic.org or call the museum at (307) 235-5247.

According to the release, "Nic Fest promises to be one of the largest community art festivals in this region, with a juried art sale featuring works by more than 100 artists, live music both days on two stages, a children's area complete with a petting zoo, chalk art competition, art quilt exhibition, wine garden, beer garden, barbecue cook-off and unique performance artists among other things."

Art for everyone

The Nicolaysen Art Museum received a $10,000 grant from the Wyoming Community Foundation to continue its Free Admission Program, which the museum created in 2002 to give everyone - not just those who can afford membership - an opportunity to enjoy the visual arts, according to a news release.

The number of annual visitors to the NIC has doubled since this program's inception.

The grant was made possible through the Schneider Fund held by the Wyoming Community Foundation, according to Carol Plummer, the museum's development director.

Cafeteria workers review food safety

Natrona County School District cafeteria workers recently were trained and certified through ServSafe, a program sponsored by the National Restaurant Association for food safety awareness, according to a news release from the district.

Food Services Manager Mike Pyska said the training is especially important due to recent national news about food safety.

A recent report by the U.S. Agriculture Department revealed that one in 10 schools across the country went without health inspections last year, and only about half of all schools nationwide received the required two health inspections due to a shortage of inspectors.

Pyska said every Natrona County school was inspected at least once, and most received both inspections. Every school cafeteria passed inspection.

The district said it is the first in the state to have all food handlers trained through ServSafe. In the program, food handlers learn about safe temperatures for food, as well as about different diseases, sanitation and food storage guidelines. The program is funded by the district, and upon completion of the class, food handlers receive a five-year certification.

The first ServSafe training provided certification for 138 district staff members. The next training, for new cafeteria workers, will be offered in February, and the District plans to make ServSafe an ongoing program for its staff members.