Compiled by SALLY ANN SHURMUR

Star-Tribune staff writer

An indoor picnic, a family breakfast to promote reading, a dog walk to benefit the humane society and the chance to help clean up the river or mountain are all ready and waiting for active families this weekend.

Join Central Wyoming Hospice & Transitions at the Fairgrounds Industrial Building from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the fourth annual Family Fun Fest. Dozens of carnival games will keep the kids busy, while all ages enjoy the food, cake walk, live music and raffle prizes. Admission is just $2 per person, with children 2 and under free. Game tickets are 25 cents apiece or 5 for $1. All proceeds from the event benefit Central Wyoming Hospice & Transitions.

The Elks Soccer Shoot, open to all boys and girls 13 and under, is from 9 a.m. to noon at the Soccer Complex, Field 3. Competitors must not be over 13 as of Aug. 1.

Winners will advance to the state competition on Nov. 8, which will also be held in Casper.

The second annual Recovery Rocks Fest takes place at Washington Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free food, free music by Flashback, prizes, games for kids and face painting. The event is open to the public.

A family breakfast and fundraiser for Raising Readers in Wyoming is set from 8:30 to 11 a.m., at the Casper Senior Center, 1831 E. Fourth St. A full breakfast and morning of fun will be provided for $5 per family.

Art activities, games, reading, parent resource tables, door prizes and more are all planned.

The Science Zone's Penny Fest is from 10 a.m., to 2 p .m., in the parking lot of the Sunrise Shopping Center and inside at the Science Zone.

Events will include geyser eruptions, mass bubble blowing, physics and liquid nitrogen demonstrations and refreshments. Admission is free all day to the Science Zone, and the facility will also open its new exhibit, "Everything Science."

The 14th annual Hogadon Ski Area Tune-up Day is from 8:30 a.m. to noon, at the Hogadon Ski Area. Volunteers will spend time improving the environment and facilities. It's a great way to tune up the body and the mountain, as well as meet new friends who enjoy the outdoors. Participants will receive a T-shirt, a bumper sticker and the chance to win door prizes. Continental breakfast and lunch are provided. Registration required at the door. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Proper dress is recommended. For more information, call 235-8499 or visit www.hogadontuneup.com.

University of Wyoming professor Chip Kobulnicky will present the "Wyoming Infrared Observatory: Past, Present & Future" at 7 p.m., at the Casper Planetarium. It is free to the public. The Wyoming Infrared Observatory on Jelm Mountain near Laramie was built in 1977 as the world's first and largest 2.3-meter, computer-controlled telescope.

A fun day on horseback for all horses and riders is planned today at Hiser Farms, 15001 Bessemer Bend Road. There will be games and races on horseback for all abilities of horses and riders, a costume contest and a leadline class. The games and races will be divided into various age groups. All breeds of horses are welcome. The event begins at 9 a.m., classes are $7 each, and registration will this morning. Proceeds benefit the Wyoming Arabian Horse Youth Association and the club. For information, call Cleo at (307) 234-0968.

The second annual Platte River Revival runs from 9 a.m. to noon. Check-in will be at Mike Lansing Field. Besides cleaning more debris out of the river, tree planting will take place and the cleanup has been extended west to WOTCO and east to Bryan Stock Trail. A barbecue will treat the workers at the end of the event.

The VFW 10969 annual fall barbecue is from 1 to 5 p.m., at Mills VFW, 4570 West Yellowstone. The public is welcome for hot dogs, hamburgers, brats and fixings. U.S. House candidate Gary Trauner is scheduled to attend. Door prizes too. Voluntary donations will be accepted for the VFW's National Home for Children.

Free stroke screenings will be held from 8 a.m. to noon at Wyoming Neurologic Associates, 419 S. Washington, Ste. 201. No appointment is necessary.

Activities will include a stroke risk assessment, carotid ultrasound if appropriate, availability of neurologist Dr. David Wheeler to answer questions if desired, and blood draws for health screenings are available for a small fee.

{M3The Natrona County Democratic Party {M3is holding a giant garage sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The sale will be held at the Iron Workers Local 27 Building, 344 North Walsh Drive in Casper. For more information, call Mary Gilmore at 234-5730.

The annual Painted Past Productions Highland Park Cemetery Tour, with all new characters, takes place for the final time this evening. The tour sells out quickly and reservations are required. The group will meet across the street from the Conwell entrance of the cemetery at the corner of Fourth and Conwell in the Women's Center parking lot at 8:15 p.m. The tour will start promptly at 8:30 p.m. The cost for the Painted Past fundraiser is $25 per person. Please no children under 12 for this tour. Reservations are required by calling Painted Past at 267-7243.

The Casper Senior Center, 1831 E. Fourth St., will host a dance from 7 to 10 p.m. to music provided by Casper's five-piece band, "Swing Sounds."

On Sunday, the Casper Humane Society will host the third annual Strut Your Mutt dog walk in Washington Park. The fundraising event will help in the care of the more than 105 animals currently housed at the CHS animal shelter. Registration begins at 1:30 p.m., and the walk starts at 2 p.m.

Singles Not Alone, a Christian-based Wyoming singles group, is open to all singles and meets today at 1 p.m. Meet for a lunch buffet at Parkway Plaza Cafe and then play mini golf at Old Town. For more information, contact pegasus57754@yahoo.com or singlesnotalone@yahoo.com.