Officials compare JDC plans today

Natrona County officials will compare their designs for a regional Juvenile Detention Center with state officials' desire for a smaller facility during a meeting at 1 p.m. today on the second floor of the Natrona County Courthouse.

The county hired Amundsen Associates to draft plans for a $12.6 million 32- to 36-bed regional facility.

But Gov. Dave Freudenthal and Rich Cathcart of the state's construction management office believes the county needs a smaller facility, something County Commission Chairman Rob Hendry and others have disputed.

Freudenthal's office received about $15 million of federal stimulus funds, of which $8 million was expected to be applied to Natrona County's juvenile detention center.

Three weeks ago, the governor told commissioners they needed to trim the center to a 20-bed facility to receive the $8 million.

"It's really important for Natrona County to get in on that money, but we have some real concerns about the size of that facility," Hendry said.

Cathcart said counties should build such facilities to meet the need.

Jim Chaput and in-house architect Suzanne Norton of the construction management office will represent the state at the meeting, Cathcart said.

Music convention features free concert

As part of the 2009 Wyoming Music Teachers Association Conference at Casper College, concert pianist Nancy Weems will perform a recital at 7:30 p.m. today in Durham Hall, according to a media release. The recital is free and open to the public.

Weems was a Grammy award nominee in 1990, and has recorded works of American composers Arnold Rosner, Jerome Moross and Chris Theofanidis.

Following the recital, a reception will be held.

Parkway Board holds open house

The Platte River Parkway Trust Board will hold an Open House at the newly renovated Tate Pumphouse Trail Center from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, according to a media release.

The new community site features the Stroock-Rea conference room, trail system office, indoor public restrooms, outdoor plaza, restaurant and bike/kayak vendor space. The Tate Pumphouse is located at 1775 W. First St., due west of Amoco Park.

Exhibit closes Saturday

Fort Caspar Museum's "Hollywood in Wyoming: The Classic Western" exhibit will close on Saturday, according to a media release.

This exhibit is like taking a trip down memory lane with objects, photographs and posters related to motion pictures filmed in Wyoming from 1904 to present day. Objects featured in the exhibit include the saddle presented to Tim McCoy by the Arapahoe tribe, a costume from Starship Troopers, a costume worn by Casper native Laurie Anders in "The Marshall's Daughter," a costume worn by Kenny Rogers in the film "Wild Horses" and much more. The exhibit opened in December 2008 as a collaborative project with Museum Studies students from Casper College.

Fort Caspar Museum is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays. Admission is $1.50 for adults, $1 for youth (ages 13-18), and children 12 and under are free. For more information, call (307) 235-8462 or visit www.fortcasparwyoming.com.