Events Center hosts Gretchen Wilson

Award-winning country star Gretchen Wilson will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 22 at the Casper Events Center with guest Keith Anderson, according to a release. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Wilson is best known for her sophomore album, "Here for the Party," which was release in May 2004. It included some of her best known songs: the title track, "Redneck Woman," and "When I think about Cheatin'."

All seats are reserved and are priced at $29.50 and $49.50, plus applicable fees.

Tickets are available at the Casper Events Center box office, by phone at (307) 577-3030 or (800) 442-2256, or online at www.CasperEventsCenter.com.

NIC exhibitions focus on folk art

The Nicolaysen Art Museum & Discovery Center will open four new contemporary folk art exhibits, including one featuring a Casper artist.

"Reviewing the West" will feature 40-50 detailed, jewel-like paintings by Casper native Bill Shepherd, who has been featured in solo and group exhibitions across the country for more than three decades.

Also opening Friday will be three solo exhibitions by artists who hail from across the country: Tom Nussbaum from Montclair, N.J., Lucy Fradkin from Brooklyn, N.Y., and James Holmes from Santa Fe, N.M. All three of these contemporary artists are influenced by the unique stylized forms of folk artists or outsider artists, who create powerful artwork without any academic training.

The NIC will hold an opening reception for all four exhibitions beginning at 6 p.m. Friday that will feature hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar presented by 303 Restaurant, plus live entertainment. All four artists will speak about their works beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Reception admission is free for museum members and $10 for nonmembers.

Students 'trick-or-treat' for canned food

Members of the Natrona County High School's student council will be in neighborhoods near the school, as well as in the Wolf Creek Subdivision, to collect canned food for Joshua's Storehouse later this month. Collection bags will be distributed in these areas within the next two weeks and will be available at the school office.

Students will go door to door after 5 p.m. Oct. 30 to pick up donations. Residents may also leave the canned food in marked bags outside their homes that evening for quick pick-up and no interruptions.

For more information, call NCHS at (307) 577-0330.

NCHS forensic team receives honor

The National Forensic League has awarded Natrona County High School's forensic team the Leading Chapter Award in the Wind River District.

The award, based on student participation, is the highest honor the League can bestow upon a chapter, according to a release. Only one school in each district attains the honor yearly, and the school must wait at least five years before being eligible for the award again. NCHS was one of only 104 schools to receive the Leading Chapter Award.

The school will receive a commemorative plaque at the district tournament in March.

Presentation looks at immigration law

A free presentation on immigration law basics will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 5 in the Werner Technical Center, Rm. 102 on the Casper College Campus.

According to a release from the college, the presentation is geared to those individuals and agencies dealing with issues surrounding immigration.

Sponsored by Casper College ABE/GED Center and Literacy Volunteers of Casper, the presentation is free and open to the public and refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact the college at (307) 268-2453.

Casper College band presents free concert

The Casper College Concert Band will present a free concert at 3 p.m. on Oct. 25 in Durham Hall, located in the Aley Fine Arts Center.

The band, under the direction of Douglas Bull, will play a variety of compositions from throughout the world.

In addition to the concert band, the Casper College Brass and Flute Ensembles will also perform.

Pop and Picture Day set

The Casper College Thunderbirds will host their annual Pop and Picture Day on Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m in the Erickson Thunderbird Gymnasium, according to a release from the college.

At the event, kids will be able to have their photo taken with the T-Bird mascot and will receive a free Pepsi and game pass to an upcoming T-Bird basketball game. Kids will also be able to have photos taken with and autographs from their favorite players. Prizes will be given away, and drawings will be held for ball boys and ball girls for the 2008-09 season.

For more information, call (307) 268-3000.

Extreme Pumpkin Carving for boys and dads

The Natrona County Library will hold Extreme Pumpkin Carving at 2 p.m. on Saturday in the Crawford Room as part of the No Girls Allowed program series, according to a release.

The No Girls Allowed programs are designed to help boys connect to the adult male role models in their lives. Boys in grades 3-6 and their dads, uncles, grandpas and other male role models are welcome to attend.

Extreme Pumpkin Carving will also be featured at 4 p.m. on Oct. 22 during the main library's "After School @ the library" program and at 2 p.m. on Oct. 24 at the Mills branch library. Both boys and girls, as well as their parents, may attend these events.

To reserve your pumpkins, call the library at (307) 577-READ, ext. 122.