Today

Trails Center

* Info: (307) 261-7780.

* At 1 p.m., Mapping the West: Fantasy, Fear and Fact, a 30-minute talk that is free and held on the Trail Center's patio.

* Through Oct. 10, special exhibits celebrating the Oregon Statehood Sesquicentennial and Casper's 120th Birthday.

Casper Events Center

* Info: 577-3030, (800) 442-2256, caspereventscenter@cityofcasper.com, www.caspereventscenter.com.

* Starting at 4 p.m., Fireworks Festival 2009 will be held. Admission is $10 per vehicle, $5 per motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian, free with Wyoming Cavalry tickets in hand. Beer garden, food and vendor booths available. Tabor-Dame and John Hampson will perform along with Seeds n' Stems and the Eli Manor Band. Fireworks display at 10 p.m. NO parking along Poplar St. north of I-25, Events Dr. and East Rd. near Events Center grounds. Police Department will be enforcing the no parking rules.

* At 6 p.m., Wyoming Cavalry vs. Ogden Knights. Tickets cost $12 general admission, $20 reserved, $32 grid iron.

Casper Artists Guild

* Through July 31, All Watercolor Show open to the public, feeds charged, art judged and prizes awarded.

Man to Man

* The Man to Man cancer support group will be taking a break this summer, and will resume again in September. If anyone needs to talk to someone this summer, call 235-0044.

Clubs & meetings

Alcoholics Anonymous

* 9:30 a.m., 136 W. Eighth St., Women's (Big Book Study), nonsmoking.

* 10 a.m., 328 E. A St., Eastsiders, smoking.

* Noon, 136 W. Eighth St., Expect a Miracle, nonsmoking.

* 7 p.m., 136 W. Eighth St., See Why Serenity (speaker), nonsmoking.

* 8 p.m., 328 1/2 E. A St. (upstairs), One Day at a Time, smoking; 917 N. Beech, nonsmoking; 328 E. A St., Faith, Hope and Love, smoking; Douglas: 628 S. Richards #5, Loft Group, nonsmoking.

* Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are open. Casper info: 266-9578; Douglas info: (307) 351-1286.

Al-Anon

* 10 a.m., 4600 S. Poplar, Shepherd of the Hills Church, New Starts. Nonsmoking.

Narcotics Anonymous

* 12 p.m., 136 W. 8th St., 12-24 Club. Open meeting, topic and discussion. Nonsmoking, wheelchair accessible.

* 6 p.m., 136 W. 8th St., 12-24 Club. Closed meeting, topic and discussion. Nonsmoking, wheelchair accessible.

* 7 and 9:15 p.m., 625 S. Jefferson, Salvation Army Church. Open meeting, topic and discussion. Nonsmoking.

* Info: 266-7154. Wyoming hot line: (866) 315-1861; Web site: (http://wyomingna.org).

NAMI

* 4 p.m., 133 W. Sixth St. NAMI-C.A.R.E. (Consumers Advocating Recovery through Empowerment) for individuals with mental illness. Info: 234-0440.

* 5:30 p.m., 133 W. Sixth St. Family Support and Advocacy Support Group meets for a movie or speaker. NAMI-Casper provides education and support to those with mental illnesses and their families. Info: 234-0440.

VITA

* From 9 a.m.-noon, Room 125, Thorson Business Building at Casper College, Casper Volunteer Income Tax Assistance electronically prepares and e-files individual tax returns for senior citizens, low-income taxpayers and students for free.

Model Railroad Association

* From noon-4 p.m., 1356 N. Center. Central WYO Model Railroad Association. Ted Ferguson hosts "Running and Watching Trains" to allow visitors to watch trains in operation or to view videos and DVDs of real model railroads. Tours at times other than normal operating hours are available for groups. Members will try to accommodate special requests. Info: 235-4950, 473-1121 or 247-1420.

Coming Up

Girl Scouts

* July 5, 1-4 p.m., July 6-8, 7-9 a.m. & 4-6 p.m., donations of gently used household items for the Girl Scouts rummage sale to benefit local troops will be taken. Bring donations to the Casper Girl Scout House, 1011 Bonnie Brae.

* July 9-11, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., the Casper area Girl Scouts will host a rummage sale to benefit local troops at the Casper Girl Scout House, 1011 Bonnie Brae. Stop by and shop.

Trails Center

* Info: (307) 261-7780.

* July 5, 1 p.m., Of Man and Beast: Native Americans and Buffalo, a 30-minute talk that is free and held on the Trail Center's patio.

* July 11, 1 p.m., The Prairie Dog: Precious Pestilence?, a 30-minute talk that is free and held on the Trail Center's patio.

* July 11, 7 p.m., Calamity Jane's Story: The Truth, Mostly… the story of how Martha Jane became so famous will be presented for free at the NHTIC theater.

* July 18, 1 p.m., Children's Tales from the Trails, a 30-minute talk that is free and held on the Trail Center's patio.

* July 18, 6-8 p.m., Bessemer Bend: An Evening of History and Recreation. The public is invited to join Jason Vlcan at Bessemer Bend for a free presentation. Picnic dinner and family fun by the river will follow the presentation. Bring picnic baskets, footballs, frisbees and fishing poles. Meet at the NHTIC parking lot at 6 p.m.

* July 19, 1 p.m., Mapping the West: Fantasy, Fear and Fact, a 30-minute talk that is free and held on the Trail Center's patio.

* July 25 & 26, 10 a.m. & 2 p.m., Courageous Scapegoat: Caspar Collins in Perspective, a 30-minute talk that is free and held on the Trail Center's patio.

* July 25, 7 p.m., Why We Took Off Our Corsets: Is There a Curious Connection Between Undergarments and Suffrage? Melanie O'Hara will give a speech on the correlation between women's undergarments and women's suffrage for free.

* Aug. 1, 7 p.m., the Johnson County War: Myths, Misconceptions and Damn Lies. This was a dark period in Wyoming's history and has much to teach us about what happens when wealth and arrogance conflict with liberty and the rule of law. Free presentation.

* Aug. 8-9, NHTIC 7th Anniversary celebration with free admission, special presentations, music, and temporary exhibits.

* Aug. 8, 7 p.m., Tom Horn: Back from the Dead. Chip Carlson will present a stirring portrayal of the famous stock detective who was tried, convicted and hanged in Cheyenne for the murder of a 14-year-old son of a sheep rancher in 1901 for free.

* Aug. 15, 7 p.m., Pony Express Re-Ride. Join Pony Express re-enactors at the Trails Center for free. Riders will discuss the significance of the Pony Express Trail to both U.S. and Wyoming history.

* Aug. 22, National Historic Trails Center Foundation Celebrity Chef Cook-Off.

* Aug. 29, 7 p.m., Ella Watson's Fence: The Story Behind the Lynching of "Cattle Kate." Tom Rea explores how sensational newspaper reports created a false portrait of Watson as "Cattle Kate," a rustler and prostitute. Free presentation.

* Sept. 5, 4-8 p.m., Kearney Frontier Regulars re-enactment. The Kearney Frontier Regulars from Buffalo and Sheridan bring frontier military history to life. A military camp will be set up on the grounds of the Trail Center.

* Sept. 10-12, Outdoor Expo Days at the Casper Events Center and the NHTIC.

Irish Dance

* July 6, join us in this introduction to the world of Irish Dance. Learn the basics of foot placement, balance and coordination, and get a taste of solo and group dancing. Wear comfortable clothing and tennis or jazz shoes. Ages 4 and up welcome. Registration required. For dates, times and location or more info: 235-8383.

Amoco Retirees

* July 6, 11:30 a.m., Amoco Retirees Club will have lunch and a business meeting at the Casper Petroleum Club.

CLYM Day Camp

* July 6-10, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., the Outlaw CLYM Day Camp, Love to Serve Christian camp is for everyone who completed grades 1-6. This camp is an opportunity for youth in the community to experience a Bible camping program without leaving town. Activities, Bible study, songs, enthusiasm, worship experiences, arts & crafts, and fun games. Cost per participant is $45 with scholarships available. Info: 262-6891.

Health Department

* July 7, the Casper-Natrona County Health Department will be closed. This is a routine 'holiday' to allow staff to participate in a variety of community events surrounding the Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo. Office reopens at 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

Blues and Jazz Society

* July 7, 1-8 p.m., after the parade, the JD Blues Band, Rock n' Roll Susie and national artist Studebaker John and the Hawks will all be performing a free outdoor concert. Food and beverages available outside, some seating provided too. Bring your favorite outdoor chair if you wish. Mini-golf also available.

* July 19, 4-8 p.m., Wyoming Blues and Jazz Society would like to invite all musicians and music fans to the monthly Jam at All That Jazz in the Parkway Plaza Hotel. DR.K will perform. Anyone over age 21 are welcome to attend.

Casper Artists Guild

* July 8-11, Ken Hosmer Watercolor Workshop.

* July 25, reception for Sharon Barkdoll by her family and friends.

* Aug. 1-31, International Miniature Show and Casper Artists' Guild Logo Contest.

Nic Museum

* Info: 235-5247, www.thenic.org.

* July 8, 15, 22, Aug. 5, 12, 19, 26, Wednesday Night Live will be held.

* July 16, 6 p.m., Figures and Fruitcake.

* Aug. 7, Sept. 4, 12 p.m., NIC at Noon in the lobby. Bring in your lunch or order out to Grant Street Grocery and they will deliver to the lobby.

Wyoming Flycasters

* July 8, 7 p.m., Wyoming Flycasters will meet in the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse. The program to follow will be "Salmonoid Taxonomy" Trout and their allies presented by Brent Weinhandl. Open to the public.

* Aug. 12, 7 p.m., Wyoming Flycasters meeting will be held at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse. The program to follow the meeting will be on "Back Country Fishing" presented by Alex Rose. Open to the public.

Fort Caspar

* Info: 235-8462 or www.fortcasparwyoming.com.

* July 8, 7 p.m., Impression on Wyoming: A Summer Lecture Series in the Multi-Use Room, free of charge. "Oil in Wyoming" by Dr. Phil Roberts.

* July 15, 7 p.m., Impression on Wyoming: A Summer Lecture Series in the Multi-Use Room, free of charge. "Jukeboxes and Jackalopes: Wyoming Bars" by Julianne Couch.

* July 22, 7 p.m., Impression on Wyoming: A Summer Lecture Series in the Multi-Use Room, free of charge. "Legend Rock State Petroglyph Site: 20 Years of Archeological Investigation" by Danny Walker.

Girl Power

* July 9, 16, 23, 30, 6-7 p.m.,The Casper-Natrona County Health Department and the Casper Recreation Center are teaming up to present a summer session of "Girl Power." This program utilizes conversations, activities, games and field trips to provide teen girls in grades 6-9 with education in body issues, nutrition, self-esteem, media messages and social standards. Held Thursday nights. Fee for the course is $10, scholarships available. Register by calling 235-8383. For questions or info: 577-9764.

Painted Past

* Info: 267-7243.

* On Fridays, Painted Past Productions will be presenting the Casper the Friendly Ghost's tours. The 90-minute tour takes you down the alleys of downtown to experience the eerie of the night with ghost stories of Casper. There are $5 discounts per person for groups of 10 or more. Call for a reservation or for more information.

* July 11, 6 p.m., Painted Past and the Parkway Plaza will present the first fundraiser for Painted Past's overseas tour. "Good Guys Bad Guys" will fill the evening with suspenseful entertainment all evening.

* Oct. 23-25, annual Highland Cemetery Tour. New prominent Casperites will be at their gravesites, telling of their history in Casper.

Casper Events Center

* Info: 577-3030, (800) 442-2256, caspereventscenter@cityofcasper.com, www.caspereventscenter.com.

* July 10, 7:05 p.m., Wyoming Cavalry Division Champtionship Game. Tickets cost $12 general admission, $20 reserved, $32 grid iron

* July 25, Wildcatters Banquet will be held.

* July 26, 5:05 p.m., Wyoming Cavalry AIFA Championship Bowl III.

Behind the Glass

* July 11, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., the Super Stars & Sports Cards will be at the Sunrise Shopping Center. Meet UW and NBA Super Stars Theo Ratliff and Fennis Dembo as they sign autographs from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. during the annual sports card show. They will sign your items for a donation to the Oliver Wilson Cancer Fund. There will also be 20 tables of sports cards and collectibles. Info: 265-2133.

Golf Scramble

* July 11, the Natrona County Republican Party will hold their own fundraiser at the Three Crowns Golf Course, geared for golfers and non-golfers. Event begins with a 9-hole scramble starting at 3:30 p.m., with a social out on the decks of the Three Crowns club house following the scramble at 5:30 p.m. RSVP at www.natronagop.com/event-pay.htm. Info: www.natronagop.com or (307) 259-9645.

Newborns in Need

* July 11, Aug. 8, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Newborns in Need is a nonprofit charity that specializes in the needs of premature and newborn babies who are sick or in crises by providing essential items to hospitals, homeless shelters, crisis centers, county health units, etc. NIN will hold a meeting at The Link, 353 W. A Street. Volunteers needed and always welcome. Info: 245-8592 or wyonin@yahoo.com.

Immunization Clinic

* July 14, Aug. 11, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., school vaccinations will be provided to the youth ages 18 and under on a walk-in basis by the Casper Natrona County Health Department at 475 S. Spruce St. Bring a copy of your child's immunization record. Parent or legal guardian must be present. Immunizations cost $12 each. Info: 235-9340.

Beartrap Festival

* July 18, 10 a.m., Beartrap Summer Festival will be held up on Casper Mountain. Two days full of music, vendors and fun. Cost is $20-$30.

P.E.O. Chapter G

* July 20, 7:30 p.m., meet in SonRise Room at First Methodist Church.

* Aug. 17, 6:30 p.m., social meeting at the home of Becky Steensland.

Artcore

* July 20, 27, Aug. 3, 10, 17 7:30 p.m., Artcore Music & Poetry at the Jazz Spot.

Kutless

* July 20, 6 p.m., Kutless - Welcome to the Family Tour with Disciple, Stellar Kart, Esterlyn, and Chosen at Faith Assembly of God Church, 4301 Casper Mountain Rd. Tickets cost $15 general admission and $31 VIP general admission.

Red Cross classes

* American Red Cross of Natrona County, 318 W. B St. Office hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Preregistration and payment is required for all classes. Full courses for CPR/AED/First Aid, review courses for CPR/AED/First Aid, baby-sitter training, full courses for CPR for the Pro, review courses for CPR for the Pro and CPR/AED/FA Instructor courses are offered. Info: 237-8436.

Head Start

* Natrona County Head Start is now taking applications for three to five year-olds for the 2007-2008 school year. This quality preschool program is free to qualifying families. Info: 577-1864.

Parent-education seminar

* The Wyoming Children's Access Network provides parent-education seminars for divorcing, separated, and never-married parents. The one-time four-hour seminar is provided monthly in Casper and other cities around the state. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and other adults close to the children are welcome to attend. There is a nominal fee that may be waived upon request, based on need. Preregistration is required 24 hours in advance.Info: Wyoming Children's Access Network at 866-726-3700.

Genealogy at library

* The Natrona County Public Library offers several library catalogs and Internet links to help you make the most of your genealogy quest. Many of the "library edition" sites can now be accessed from an out-of-library computer by using a Library Card number and code that is assigned with it. Ancestry.library and HeritageQuest can both be found on the library's website and can be accessed at the library, and HeritageQuest online with a card and user code. But you can also find links to other genealogy websites from the library's website. For additional information and help with researching your past contact the library at 237-4935 or www.natronacountylibrary.org/.

Fort Caspar Museum

* The Fort Caspar Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $1.50 adult and $1 for teens 13-18. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Info: 235-8462 or www.fortcasparwyoming.com.

Science Zone

* The Science Zone is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The museum is a community-based museum that provides science, math and technology experiences to people of all ages. Admission fees are $4 for adults, $3 for children, and free for kids under age 3. Info: 473-ZONE or www.thesciencezone.org.