Today

Cheyenne Visual Art series

* The Cheyenne Depot Museum's Downtown Entertainment Program will be held each week with a free gallery showing each day from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. This week's featured artists are Sharon Daly and Jill LaHiff, whose work will show in the gallery through today. Info: (307) 632-3905.

UW events

* Info: (307) 766-5000, (307) 766-6666, www.uwyo.edu/calendar, or www.uwyo.edu/finearts.

* Today at 4:35 p.m., Catherine Fenselau, professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, will give the 16th Annual Clifford C. Hach Lecture on "Rapid Analysis of Microorganisms by Mass Spectrometry," in room 216 of the S.H. Knight Geology Building. Admission is free.

* The UW Planetarium will host a laser show tonight at 6:30 p.m. and "Night's Sky" at 8 p.m. in the lower level of the UW Science Complex. Tickets are $2 for students and seniors per show and $3 for the public per show. Admission is free to children ages five and under.

* Now through Sunday, the UW Theatre and Dance Department hosts a performance of "Dead Man Walking" each night at 7:30 p.m. and at 2 p.m. on Sunday on the Fine Arts Center main stage. Tickets are $14, or $11 for seniors and $7 for students. Info: (307) 766-5000, (307) 766-6666, www.uwyo.edu/calendar, or www.uwyo.edu/finearts.

* Rajaton, an a Capella ensemble, will perform tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the University of Wyoming Fine Arts Center concert hall. Tickets, cost $18 for nonstudents and $15 for students and senior citizens. Info: (307) 766-6666 or visiting www.uwyo.edu/finearts, www.uwyo.edu/culturalprograms, or www.rajaton.org.

* The comedic Kinsey Sicks presents, "Condoleezzapalooza," at 9:30 p.m. tonight in the College of Arts and Sciences auditorium. Admission is free.

Photo Show and Contest

* The Biodiversity Conservation Alliance's Third Annual Red Desert Photo Show and Contest will debut with a reception tonight from 5-9 p.m. at Coal Creek Coffee in Downtown Laramie. The contest will feature the work of photographers from Wyoming and the surrounding region and judging will occur at approximately 7:30 p.m. Art entered in the contest will be for sale, with some of the proceeds going to the Red Desert protection campaign. Info: (307) 742-7978 or {M3www.voiceforthewild.org.

Coming Up

Retiree Conference

* Oct. 7, 7 a.m., the Wyoming National Guard will host its annual Retiree Conference in Cheyenne at the Little America Resort, 2800 W. Lincolnway. All Wyoming National Guard retirees, spouses and surviving spouses are invited to attend this conference to learn about updated benefits, programs and plans. A complimentary breakfast will be provided. Late registration by phone is acceptable. Info: (307) 632-7566 or (307) 630-1676.

Board of Nursing meeting in Cheyenne

* Oct. 9-10, The Wyoming State Board of Nursing will hold its regularly scheduled Board meeting at the Board office, 1810 Pioneer Ave. on Monday from 3-5 p.m. and at the Wyoming Financial Center, 2020 Carey Ave., Mezzanine Level, AARP Conference room from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesday. The meetings are open to the general public. Info: (307) 777-7601 or nursing.state.wy.us.

UW events

* Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m., the UW Law School presents a staged reading of "The Exonerated," a hard-hitting docudrama about six wrongfully-convicted survivors of death row on the Fine Arts Center main stage. Tickets are $10 each.

* Oct. 10, 6:30 p.m., the UW Indian Students Organization hosts a dinner with a brief discussion on Ramadan in the Wyoming Union ballroom. Admission is free.

* Oct. 10, 7 p.m., there will be a Panel discussion on the death penalty in conjunction with "Dead Man Walking," in room 142 of the College of Law building. Admission is free.

* Oct. 11, 7 p.m., Iron Skull presents the Homecoming Sing in the College of Arts and Sciences auditorium. Admission is free.

* Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m., the UW Faculty Recital Series presents a performance by cellist Barbara Thiem and pianist Theresa Bogard in the Fine Arts Center concert hall. Tickets are $5 for students and seniors and $7 for the public.

* Oct. 11, 9 p.m., the Student Activities Council presents the Younger Brothers Band in the Wyoming Union ballroom. The band sings mostly country music with a mix of oldies and rock'n'roll. Admission is free. Info: (307) 766-6343 or sac@uwyo.edu.

* Oct. 24, Tickets are on sale now for the Hootie & the Blowfish concert to be held at the University of Wyoming. Doors for the concert will open at 7:15 p.m. with the performance beginning at 8 p.m. in the College of Arts and Sciences auditorium. Tickets are $18 for students and $28.50 for nonstudents, and can be purchased at the Wyoming Union ticket office. Ticket buyers may purchase up to four tickets each. Info: (307) 766-3327, (307) 766-6340, or concerts@uwyo.edu.

* Oct. 31-Nov. 5, the UW Theatre and Dance Department hosts a performance of "Sexual Perversity in Chicago" each night at 7:30 p.m. and at 2 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Fine Arts Center studio theatre. Tickets are $14, or $11 for seniors and $7 for students.

* Nov. 30-Dec. 3, The UW Theatre and Dance Department hosts a performance of "The Nutcracker" each night at 7:30 p.m. and at 2 p.m. Dec. 3 at the College of Arts and Sciences auditorium. Tickets are $16, $13 for seniors and $8 for students.

* Info: (307) 766-5000, (307) 766-6666, www.uwyo.edu/calendar, or www.uwyo.edu/finearts.

Cheyenne Visual Art series

* The Cheyenne Depot Museum's Downtown Entertainment Program will be held each week with a free gallery showing each day from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and a free "Meet the Artist" reception each Tuesday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Info: (307) 632-3905. Receptions, exhibition dates, and featured artists are as follows:

* Oct. 9-13, Gail Sundell and Bob Blanchard are the featured artists the reception to be held Oct. 10.

* Oct. 16-20, Linda Gregory and Rhonda Holmquist are the featured artists with the reception to be held Oct. 17.

* Oct. 23-27, Dianne Baldwin and Cathy Nicholas are the featured artists with the reception to be held Oct. 24.

Fiber Art demonstration

* Oct. 14, from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Fiber Art 9 will host a "Fiber Art Demonstration Day" at the Sheridan County Public Library. This is an opportunity to see demonstrations of a variety of fiber art techniques, including quilting, silk ribbon embroidery, crazy quilting, tatting, knitting, spinning and weaving. Those wishing to participate in this event may bring a project to work on and/or demonstrate, or may attend simply to observe fiber artists in action. Info: (307) 674-0777.

Ride the Red bike ride

* Oct. 14, 9 a.m., the Wyoming Outdoor Council will sponsor the Fifth Annual Ride the Red mountain bike ride in the Jack Morrow Hills east of Farson. Riders of all ages and skill levels are welcome to participate in either a 20 or 42-mile loop on two-tracks and country roads. Info: (307) 332-7032, ext. 13, andy@wyomingoutdoorcouncil.org, or www.wyomingoutdoorcouncil.org.

Polka club meeting

* Oct. 15, the Bighorn Mountain Polka Club will meet at the Elks Lodge in Sheridan, with the Wyoming Drifters providing music for dancing beginning at 1 p.m. Members are asked to bring: A-H, main dishes; I-O, desserts; and P-Z, salads. Info: (307) 674-6550.

Cheyenne Botanic Gardens event

* Oct. 21, from 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m., Herbalist Sue Evans will be teaching a class entitled, "Gifts from the Garden," in the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens Gathering Room. Cost is $28 for Botanic Gardens members and $30 for nonmembers. Materials are included in the price. Registration is required. Info: (307) 637-6458 or www.botanic.org.

Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra

* The Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra presents its 2006-07 season entitled, "A World of Color," celebrating the brilliant colors that great composers use in creating masterpieces. Season tickets are available for $35. Ask about discounts and flex packages. There will also be a pre-concert lecture before each performance by Maestro Stephen Alltop at 7 p.m. in the Civic Center auditorium. Info: (307) 778-8561. Performances will be take place at the Cheyenne Civic Center on the following dates and times:

* Oct. 21, 8 p.m., the Dallas Brass: American Musical Journey.

* Jan. 20, 2007, 8 p.m., "A World of Color."

* Feb. 24, 2007, 8 p.m., the Choral Gala: Carmina Burana.

* April 28, 2007, 8 p.m., Musical Revolutionaries: Beethoven's Fifth.

Haunted Trolley Tours

* Oct. 28-30, at 6 and 8 p.m. nightly, The Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley will offer its Haunted Tours for Halloween for those brave enough to participate. Tickets are on sale now and are $8 for adults and $4 for children. Info: (800) 426-5009, (307) 778-3133, or www.cheyenne.org.

Lander Community Concert Association

* The 60th Anniversary Season of the Lander Community Concert Association kicks off with each performance being held in the Lander Valley High School auditorium beginning at 7 p.m. Season subscription tickets are $40 for adults, $15 for students (age 21 and under), and $90 for a family (two adults and affiliated students 21 and under). Info: www.landerconcerts.org. Performances will be held on the following dates:

* Oct. 28, Queen City Jazz Band, a popular Denver jazz band.

* Nov. 7, the Broadway musical, "Camelot."

* Dec. 2, Jackson Jazz Trio.

* Jan. 29, 2007, Jensen Family Sizzling Strings.

* Feb. 20, 2007, piano concert by Alex Moutouzkine, winner of first prize in the St. Petersburg International Piano competition at age 14.

* March 23, 2007, vocal band, T Minus 5.

* April 25, 2007, Work o'the Weavers folk group.

Marriage seminar

* Registration is happening now for the "Keeping the Wow in Your Vow" marriage seminar scheduled for Nov. 3-4 at the Lander Best Western Inn. The seminar is for couples of any age, married or engaged. Cost is $75-100 per couple, with a "Getaway package" available for $150. Drawing for free seminar available for those registering between Aug. 20-25. Registration forms are available at Fremont Realty, Chocolates for Breakfast, and most church offices in Lander. Info: (307) 332-6808.

Evanston meth conference

* Nov. 13-14, The Uinta County Methamphetamine Initiative will sponsor a statewide meth prevention conference. The agenda includes presentations from law enforcement, treatment, and prevention professionals from the state and region, plus updates from the Wyoming Department of Family Services. Info: (307) 783-1005 or tekenneda@uintacounty.com.

Stammtisch

* A lunchtime group for German speakers or learners meets the first and third Tuesday of the month from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Cheyenne. Info: (307) 771-8706.

Panic Relief Inc.

* A panic and anxiety group is now forming in Newcastle, featuring programs every Monday from noon-1 p.m. and every Wednesday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The program is geared to help anyone suffering from panic, anxiety, and agoraphobia to cope with these disorders. Info: (732) 940-9658.

Mount Rushmore Smoking Ban

* A Public Notice of the Smoking Ban at Mount Rushmore National Memorial has been issued and will remain in effect until rescinded in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 36, section 1.5. Due to very high fire danger, the Superintendent has determined it necessary to prohibit smoking anywhere within the memorial, with the exception of smoking within a privately owned vehicle, provided that no ignited material is placed anywhere outside of such vehicle.

Parent-education seminars

* The Wyoming Children's Access Network provides parent-education seminars for divorcing, separated and never-married parents. The seminar is provided monthly in Casper, Cheyenne, Cody, Gillette, Jackson, Lander, Laramie, Rawlins, Rock Springs, Sheridan and Torrington and provides information about the impact of parental conflict on children and teaches the parents skills to help with the difficult transition. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and other adults close to the children are welcome to attend as well.There is a nominal fee for the seminar that may be waived upon request, based on need. Pre-registration is required 24 hours in advance. Info: Wyoming Children's Access Network at 866-726-3700.

Fiber Art show

* The Fiber Art Committee's ninth annual display, entitled "Fiber Art 9," will be displayed on the mezzanine of the Sheridan County Public Library. Items featured in the exhibit, which runs through Oct. 27, include beautiful works of knitting, quilting, weaving, silk ribbon embroidery, and many other techniques. Info: (307) 674-0777.

Wyoming Arts Council exhibition

* The Wyoming Arts Council will host a new exhibition, "Coil & Weave," featuring the talents of artists Ann Arndt and Jennifer Rife. The show will be on display through Dec. 8, and the WAC Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri., from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The gallery is located at 2320 Capitol Ave. in Cheyenne. Info: (307) 777-7742 or www.wyomingartscouncil.org.

Art exhibition opens in Ucross

* The Debrorah Ford photography exhibition, "Common Ground/Symbiotic Equivalence," will be on display through Dec. 15 at the Ucross Foundation Art Gallery, 30 Big Red Lane. The exhibit presents 38 framed images of land and life-forms that Ford photographed in Wyoming, Arizona, Minnesota and Oregon. Gallery hours are Mon.nFri., from 8:30 a.m.n4 p.m. Info: (307) 737-2291, or {M3info@ucross.org.

"A Woman's Place" exhibit

* Now through Jan. 28, 2007, Step back in time and learn how modern appliances changed the life of Cheyenne's homemakers at the turn of the century. Old West Museum, Cheyenne. Info: (307) 778-1413.