Meet the dean tonight

A reception to meet the dean of the University of Wyoming College of Engineering and Applied Science is planned for 6 p.m. today in Casper.

Robert Ettema will be available to answer questions at the Parkway Plaza. He has been at UW since August.

Ettema, originally from New Zealand, earned undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees from the University of Auckland, according to a news release from UW.

The past eight years he has served as the civil engineering department head at the University of Iowa, while also completing a term as the American Society of Civil Engineer's Journal of Hydraulic Engineering editor. Ettema has served as acting and associate director of the Iowa Institute of Hydraulic Research.

For information, contact the UW College of Engineering and Applied Science at (307) 766-4253.

Natrona Dems to meet

The Natrona County Democratic Party Central Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the IBEW Hall, 691 English Drive in Casper.

The committee will approve the 2008 budget, discuss candidate recruitment, and finalize the 2008 calendar.

Attendees will hear from the Wyoming Democratic Party's new chairman, John Millin, and his wife, state Rep. Lori Millin; and meet the new State Party Field Director Tarin Nix.

For information call John Faunce at 237-0661.

College plans open house

The Casper College Health Sciences Division is inviting community members to an open house on Friday, Nov. 2 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to a news release.

The division wants to spotlight the various programs in the Saunders Health Science Center.

There are six health-related programs in the health science division: nursing, radiography, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy assistant, pharmacy technology, and activities professional.

Lunch will be served.

Department members will be on hand to answer questions and provide tours of each program's area. Demonstrations and activities are planned in each of the departments.

For information, call the college at 268-2372.

College plans big band dance

Tickets are on sale for Casper College's 3rd Annual "Strike up the Band" big band dinner dance set for Saturday, Nov. 10 in the Grand Ballroom at the Parkway Plaza.

The evening is meant to evoke a supper club from the 1930s and '40s.

The college jazz ensemble will perform some of the most memorable dance numbers from that era, including tunes made popular by Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, the Dorsey brothers and others. The Casper College Reading Band will also sit in with the ensemble during the evening.

A buffet dinner will begin at 6 p.m. A cash bar will also be available. Dancing will begin at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $35 per individual or $50 per couple. For those wishing to dance only, tickets are $15 per person. Reservations must be made by Wednesday, Nov. 7 by calling the Casper College Music Department at 268-2021, or toll free 800-442-2963, ext. 2021.