Nonprofit receives United Way grant

Family Promise of Casper received a $10,000 grant from the United Way of Natrona County's Board Opportunities program, according to a release.

Family Promise assists selected homeless families with children by working with area churches to provide temporary, overnight hospitality.

"Starting a new nonprofit is always a challenge," said Dave Reynolds, president of Family Promise, "and this is a big boost."

For more information, visit www.familypromiseofcasper.org

United Blood Services of Casper sets August blood drives

Approximately 80 percent of the population will need blood at some point in their lives, and United Blood Services of Casper wants to make sure there is enough blood to go around.

People can donate at the center at 167 S. Conwell St. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. or Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Donors can also attend one of the blood drives United Blood Services has scheduled in Casper for August:

* Today, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Shepherd of the Valley Care Center.

* Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at First Interstate Bank, 104 S. Wolcott St.

* Aug. 15 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Department of Employment, 246 S. Center St.

* Aug. 15 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Albertsons West, 1067 CY Ave.

* Aug. 26 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Wyoming's Biggest Blood Drive at 1416 E. A St.

* Aug. 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sage Medical Group, 419 S. Washington St.

For more information, contact United Blood Services of Casper at (307) 234-6487.

Rec spots host end-of-summer bashes

Students in grades 8-12 are invited to attend "Late Night" from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Aug. 15 outside the Casper Family Aquatic Center. Admission, pop and popcorn are free, and the movie "Semi-Pro" will be shown on the east side of the Aquatic Center sun deck.

Please use the sun deck entrance and dress appropriately for the weather conditions. Students should bring their school identification card to the event.

The East Casper Pool, 3400 E. 12th St., will host a Back-to-School Luau from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Aug. 15 for middle school students (grades 6-8). All regular facility rules will apply; cost is $3 and includes refreshments and snacks.

For more information on either event, please call the Casper Recreation Center at 235-8383.

Fort hosts reading, discussion series

Fort Caspar Museum will host "Writing Wyoming," a reading and discussion series in the Wyoming Humanities Council's Reading Wyoming program, according to a release.

The discussion group will meet at 7 p.m. on Aug. 25, Sept. 15, Oct. 13, and Nov. 17 at the museum. The meetings are free and open to people of all ages.

Participants will read and discuss "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.

Patrick Amelotte, an English instructor at Casper College, will lead the discussions.

To register and borrow books, contact Erin Rose at 235-8462.

For more information about this program and other upcoming events at the museum, call (307) 235-8462 or visit www.fortcasparwyoming.com.