County holds wind meeting

The Natrona County Development Department will hold a public meeting to determine the level of support for changing the Mountain Residential 1 and 2 zoning districts from conditional to permitted use for small wind energy systems at 6 p.m. on Nov. 24 in the Annex Building, 120 W. First St., according to a release.

The meeting stems from a Nov. 4 decision by the Natrona County Commission to amend the 2000 Zoning Resolution to allow as a permitted use small wind energy systems in all zoning districts where the minimum lot size is one-half acre or larger. The permitting of small wind energy systems in the Mountain Residential 1 and 2 zoning districts, however, was approved as a conditional use only.

Based on citizen comments and preferences expressed at the meeting, a recommendation will be made to the commissioners.

For more information, contact Blair Leist or Trish Chavis at (307) 235-9435.

Sport show comes to Casper

The Casper Events Center will host the Wyoming Great Rockies Sportshow Jan. 30-Feb. 1, according to a release.

The event will cover everything outdoors - fishing, hunting, boats and RVs, travel and vacations.

Scheduled exhibitors hail from the Rocky Mountains, Alaska, Canada, Africa and New Zealand.

Seminars will offer hunting and fishing tips, and there will also be a catch-and-release trout pond for children. There will also be a photography contest and a big game trophy contest, scored by Boone & Crockett.

For more information, call (406) 580-3907 or visit www.greatrockiesshow.com.

Casper NAACP elects officers

James Simmons was elected to a fourth two-year term as president of the Casper Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, according to a release.

Other officers elected at the Nov. 9 meeting were: Dale Leatham, first vice president, and Leanne Woodfill, treasurer.

"I'd like the NAACP to be more active in the community," Simmons said. "I'd like to get more youth involved in what we are doing. We also need to prepare new leaders in this kind of work."

The Casper group is preparing for its annual banquet on Jan. 17 that will honor the 100th anniversary of the NAACP, followed by the Martin Luther King birthday celebration on Jan. 19.

For more information, call Simmons at (970) 590-8068.

District seeks input on new school

The Natrona County School District is inviting the public to participate in intensive planning sessions for a new elementary school, according to a release.

Residents will participate in the "charrettes" with designers and educators on a vision for the school's design. Two sessions are planned:

Thursday: Noon to 2 p.m., 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., and 6 to 8 p.m., at the Child Development Center, 2020 E. 12th St.

Friday: 9 to 11 a.m., noon to 2 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m., at the Wyoming Oil & Gas Conservation, 2211 King Blvd.

For more information, call Kelly Eastes at (307) 253-5370 or Lee Skolnick at (646) 259-2435.

Salvation Army looks for turkeys

The Salvation Army needs more than 500 turkeys or hams that will be used during its Thanksgiving Dinner and Christmas Food Basket Distribution program, according to a release.

Officials report they have 50 turkeys and hams, and they also need regular canned and boxed food, as well.

For more information, call (307) 234-2002.

Youth orchestra holds first concert

The Casper Youth Orchestra will hold the first concert of its 2008-09 season at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Kelly Walsh High School auditorium, according to a release.

"Wintermezzo," a moderately winter/Christmas concert, will feature all three of CYO's ensembles and a special joint ensemble.

The orchestra is made up of students as young as second grade through college, and membership is by audition only.

Auditions for open seats will be held at 6 p.m. on Dec. 8.

For string auditions, call Jennifer Cowell at (307) 277-9182; and for band auditions, call Gary Gasser at (307) 259-0771.

Tickets for the concert are available at Hill Music Company, Wyoming Music Company and Pottery By You and at the door.

For more information, call (307) 258-0109 or e-mail CYOmailbox@msn.com.