Town Crier: Help Yourself | Announcements

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is an important tool to include in your marketing plan. The algorithms Google uses to rank websites are constantly changing so don’t get complacent when it comes to your SEO strategy. Join the Wyoming Women’s Business Center for an open discussion and workshop, “Casper Business Workshop: 5 Steps to SEO Success,” to help your website grow in search result rankings from 6 to 7 p.m. on October 9 at the Natrona County Library, downstairs in the Crawford Room. Presented by Jessi Sawdon & Kerstin Ellis of Hinge Studio Marketing & Communications, and in conjunction with the Natrona County Public Library.

The next Better Breathers support group will meet from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday, September 26, 2019, at the Nerd Health and Wellness Center at Wyoming Medical Center, 1233 E. Second St.

This month come ask a pulmonologist all your questions with Dr Ammar Hussieno.

Designed by the American Lung Association, the Better Breathers is a support group for patients with chronic lung diseases and their caregivers. It offers tools and encouragement for managing COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, lung cancer and other chronic lung disorders. It is locally facilitated by the NERD Health and Wellness Center.

The Better Breathers meets on the fourth Thursday of every month and offers presentations on exercise, breathing techniques, supplemental oxygen, general medication education, among other topics. For questions or to sign up for the Better Breathers Club, call 577-2929.

After several months without one, the town of Glenrock has a food bank again, thanks to a group of volunteers. The Glenrock Area Food Pantry, 506 W. Birch, Ste. 15, is open the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, 1 to 3 p.m. ages 60 and over and disabled; 4 to 7 p.m. general public.

Volunteers at First Methodist Church Thrift Shop are excited to announce the new location, in the Beverly Plaza Shopping Center, south of the Dollar Store. Regular hours are Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donations — no electronics or large furniture — are accepted during open hours. The phone number will be posted on the back door, so call and volunteers will help you unload. All proceeds benefit Holy Cross and Interfaith.

Art 321 announces its newly-designed Saturday morning watercolor group from 10 a.m. to noon for those who have ever wanted to learn or improve watercolor painting techniques. Each week a new technique is discussed and demonstrated. Friendly, helpful critiques as well as one-to-one instruction are always offered by group leader Ellen Black. The cost is only $5 and pre-registration is not required. For those completely new to watercolor painting, supplies can be borrowed at no additional cost.

Healing Hands for cancer survivors and caregivers is held Thursday at 7:15 p.m., and Saturday at 12:30 p.m., at Theraexpressions Meditation Studio, 351 S. Beech St., ste. 3. Monthly memberships are $40 and walk-ins are $12. Enjoy restorative yoga, Reiki EFT, sound healing, Nidra meditation and vision boards to envision your life and reframe your thoughts.

Habitat for Humanity is offering a fall application cycle from September 23 to October 31. Call today to get more information and find out how you can receive an application. You can also set up a one-on-one meeting to learn more about the organization’s homeownership program.

Qualified applicants will be chosen based on need, ability to pay an affordable mortgage and willingness to partner, as homeowners will spend 150 hours working on their home alongside experienced volunteers.

For more information, to update your contact information or to receive an application in the mail, call 234-1348 or e-mail Kelly Cooper at kelly@heartofwyoming.org.

Habitat for Humanity, The Heart of Wyoming is an equal opportunity lender.

Natrona County Master Gardeners are holding after-hours plant diagnostic clinics from 5:30-7:30 p.m., September 26, in the Mills Room of the Agricultural Resource and Learning Center, 2011 Fairgrounds Rd.

Master Gardeners are trained horticulture volunteers available to help diagnose landscape or house plant issues and provide control solutions. Insect or other pest identifications will also be available.

They can help other gardeners know how to grow plants in the difficult, dry High Plains desert conditions, said Donna Hoffman, University of Wyoming Extension agriculture and horticulture educator in Natrona County.

For more information contact Hoffman at 235-9400 or DHoffman@natronacounty-wy.gov or visit the Natrona County Master Gardeners Facebook page to view the event posting.

When you attend caregivers support groups, you meet other people with the same problems and the same difficulties. It’s a wonderful way to communicate, understand what you’re up against and get advice from the other people. Meetings are scheduled for September 24, starting at 5:30 p.m. at 120 S. Forest Dr.  To RSVP or questions, please call 577-5204 or 337-1200 and ask for Jerri.

Natrona County Master Gardeners are holding after-hours plant diagnostic clinics from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 26, in the Mills Room of the Agricultural Resource and Learning Center, 2011 Fairgrounds Rd.

Master Gardeners are trained horticulture volunteers available to help diagnose landscape or house plant issues and provide control solutions. Insect or other pest identifications will also be available.

They can help other gardeners know how to grow plants in the difficult, dry High Plains desert conditions, said Donna Hoffman, University of Wyoming Extension agriculture and horticulture educator in Natrona County.

For more information contact Hoffman at 235-9400 or DHoffman@natronacounty-wy.gov or visit the Natrona County Master Gardeners Facebook page to view the event posting.

AARP Wyoming will host a TeleTown Hall focusing on fraud and scams in the Cowboy State starting at 6:30 p.m. on September 30.

Joining AARP Wyoming state director Sam Shumway and moderator, Bob Beck of Wyoming Public Radio on the call will be Ben Burningham of The Wyoming Attorney General’s Office; Jane Carlson of Wyoming’s Adult Protective Services; as well as U.S. attorney, Mark Klaassen. Burningham, Carlson, and Klaassen will discuss fraud and scams relevant to Wyoming. Following their remarks, we’ll take questions from listeners.

AARP operators will dial out to thousands of AARP members in Wyoming. Those who pick up their phone will be connected with the TeleTown Hall, starting at 6:30 p.m. If you do not receive a call and wish to take part in the TeleTown Hall, you can join the TeleTown Hall by calling 1-877-229-8493 and use the access code of 16277, prior to 7 p.m. You may also listen to the TeleTown Hall online and free of charge at the link: https://vekeo.com/event/aarpwyoming-47441/.

The First Saturday study on October 5 will explore the worship of the Roman emperors in the first century and its affect on the New Testament. The fastest growing religion in the first century was not Christianity, but rather the worship of the Roman emperors who were hailed as gods. There are many hints in the New Testament against this including the Book of Revelation. This is an interactive study and refreshments are always served. Join us at 9 a.m. at Bethel Baptist Church, 3030 S. Poplar. Phone the church office for more information at 234-8812.

Beginning Experience of Wyoming is a weekend program that offers healing and renewal to divorced, widowed and separated men and women. It is a non-profit, faith-based comprehensive program offered to all persons, regardless of religious preference. A Beginning Experience weekend offers support and direction to help resolve grief or anger that can follow the end of a marriage by divorce, separation or death.

The next Beginning Experience weekend will be in Casper and starts promptly at 7 p.m. on Friday evening Oct. 25 and runs through Sunday around 4 p.m. Oct. 27. You must commit to the entire weekend. The cost of the weekend is an offering of $150, which includes sleeping arrangements, meals, and materials. No one is turned away if you don’t have enough money. Scholarships are available. Registration deadline is Oct. 23.

Ask these team members for more information: Call or text Curtis at 307.240.1232 or email westcurtis2014@gmail.com; Diane at 262.4142, Paulette at 267.6375.

Seeking those in Casper who are already familiar with the Abraham/Hicks, Law of Attraction spiritual teachings. The goal would be to have regular gatherings to discuss the finer points and learn more from each other. The motivation is not to convince anyone of the validity or veracity of the material, but find those like-minded individuals who would enjoy sharing with each other and learning how to apply these teachings to daily life. If interested, please contact Sue at Angelwise50@gmail.com (this is an email address, not a website).

Habitat for Humanity will be taking applications for its home ownership program before you know it, so make sure to send in your contact information now. To get on the mailing list, call Kelly Cooper, program manager, at 234-1348 or send an e-mail to kelly@heartofwyoming.org. You can also visit the Habitat for Humanity office at 232 East 2nd Street, Suite 204 on the second floor. Habitat for Humanity, The Heart of Wyoming, is an equal opportunity lender.

Rock Steady Boxing at the Casper Boxing Club, located at 910 Barbara Street, is helping those with Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative movement disorder which can cause deterioration of motor skills, balance, speech and sensory function. Rock Steady Boxing at The Casper Boxing Club gives those living with Parkinson’s disease hope by offering a non-contact, boxing-inspired fitness routine proving to dramatically improve their quality of life.

Rock Steady Boxing at The Casper Boxing Club offers Parkinson’s patients and their families the opportunity to come in and observe a class in progress. The group provides literature about the program and a chance to speak with certified coaches to educate and to promote awareness about Parkinson’s disease. They also provide a warm, caring environment to gain strength and confidence and boost productivity in their lives. Parkinson’s patients and their families are encouraged to join during the annual observance or anytime.

Rock Steady Boxing affiliates are independently owned and operated. To learn more about Rock Steady Boxing at The Casper Boxing Club, please contact Gloria Jensen at 259-3243. For additional resources and to learn more about the overall organization, please visit Rock Steady Boxing, Inc. at www.rocksteadyboxing.org/.

Experience Works is a U.S. Department of Labor-funded program geared for people 55 and older who are unemployed, with limited annual incomes and job prospects. The program is free and available to those who qualify. Applicants are placed in nonprofit or government agencies to receive paid training while providing valuable community service hours to their training host. Contact Kelly Smith at ksmith@experienceworks.org or 307-209-1306.

The United Church of Christ Bargain Basement offers a wide variety of holiday merchandise as well as glassware, kitchenware, household items, books, magazines, puzzles, toys, jewelry and clothing. Green tag clothing items are priced at 50 cents each. Located at the United Church of Christ on the corner of 15th Street and South Melrose, the Bargain Basement is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Proceeds from the Bargain Basement are donated to help support a number of nonprofit organizations. 

Here is a list of food pantries in Casper, as compiled this fall by Mary Ann Budenske.

Casper Community Church, 249 N. Wolcott, Saturday, 9 to 11 a.m. 267-7430.

College Heights Community Center, 1927 S. Walnut, Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 224-4104.

Faith Assembly of God, 4301 Casper Mountain Road, Tuesday, noon to 6. 265-9121.

First Church of the Nazarene, 2020 S. Jefferson, Thursday, 1 to 4 p.m. 258-9646.

Holy Cross Center Inc., 1030 N. Lincoln, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. 577-1041.

Mountain View Baptist, 4250 Poison Spider Road, Wednesday, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Joshua’s Storehouse, 334 S. Wolcott St., Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon. 265-0242.

Restoration Fellowship, 411 S. Walsh Dr., fourth Wednesday of month, 4 to 6:30 p.m. 235-9100.

Salvation Army, 441 S. Center St., Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. 234-2002.

First Christian Church, King’s Corner, Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon.

For more information, contact Mary Ann Budenske, 307-215-4732; email mbudenske@aol.com.

Glenrock: Glenrock Area Food Pantry, 506 W. Birch, Ste. 15, second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, 1 to 3 p.m., ages 60 and over and disabled; 4 to 7 p.m., general public.

Due to the support of many local organizations and individuals, CATC/The Bus has begun the subsidized fare program. Individuals wishing to receive the subsidized bus tokens and/or CATC tickets are welcome to come to the office at 1715 East 4th Street, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The funding for this program is made possible through the generosity of many local organizations. Including grants from Wells Fargo Bank, Rotary Club, Wyoming Community Foundation, Unitarian Community and private individuals. The funding is designated for individuals who are considered very low, low, to moderate income residing in Casper, Mills, Evansville, portions of Natrona County and Bar Nunn. The program provides 30 bus tokens and 15 CATC tickets at no charge to assist with a portion of their transportation needs.

The funding is anticipated to be available for the foreseeable future.

Outside the Lines art program for veterans meets the second and fourth Monday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Nicolaysen Art Museum. It is free.

Veterans are invited to get inspired by art and to explore their own creative side in supportive and safe environment. The program will offer a wide variety of materials and projects including painting, drawing, ceramics, printmaking and other media. To register for class, contact Danielle at 261-5355 or Zhanna at 235-5247 or zgallegos@thenic.org.

J.R.’s Hunt for Life offers free Suicide Survivors Grief Support and Peer to Peer Depression Support at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. every second and fourth Wednesday at the 12-24 Club, 500 South Wolcott, 2nd floor. Everyone is welcome.

St Vincent de Paul Thrift Store and its volunteers believes that love is at the root of everything. The store is a great place to visit and shop. It is located at 301 E. H Street, 237-2607. The hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Local charities benefit from 100 percent of the profits. Consider donating unwanted items including but not limited to clothes, household items, books and jewelry. 

Rocky Mountain Therapy is offering a Parkinson’s exercise program on Tuesdays. The group meets Tuesdays from noon to 1 p.m. at Rocky Mountain Therapy, 2546 East 2nd Street, Building #500.

The exercise class is open to anyone with Parkinson’s Disease and focuses on improving balance, endurance, safety and managing symptoms. It is open to all ages and the class can be tailored to meet varying exercise needs. The cost of the exercise class is $5. If you have any questions call 577-5204 and ask for Jerri or Amanda.

A Suicide Survivors Support Group meets the first and third Thursday of every month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at 1032 E. First St., sponsored by the Natrona County Suicide Prevention Task Force. This is a support group that is open to anyone who has been touched by suicide, attempted suicide or has lost someone to suicide. This group is open to all ages.

Art 321 is pleased to announce the formation of a new artists group specifically designated for anyone interested in acrylic and oil painting. This group, facilitated by Sheri McCoid, will be meeting each Saturday afternoon from 1 to 4 p.m. These informal group sessions are open to any artists and no advance registration is necessary. The cost is $5 per session. Please bring some recent work to show and a project to work on while you are here.

Art 321 is happy to be collaborating with the Natrona County Public Library in an exciting new way. A beautiful Pendleton floor loom was recently donated to the library. The original plan was to set the loom up there and invite local weavers to provide demonstrations and create a woven public art project. Lacking space, however, the decision was made to bring the loom to Art 321 where the weaving demonstrations and art project can take place. Art 321 now invites weavers to come in, leave their contact information and help get this going.

New location for Caregiver Support Group Meetings is at Rocky Mountain Therapy, 120 S. Forest. Meetings are open to anyone caring for someone with a debilitating condition. Meeting and talking with others who are going through the same experiences you are can benefit your well-being by providing an emotional outlet and new ideas to help with situations. To RSVP or with questions please call 577-5204 and ask for Jerri.

Mindful warrior class is a special education opportunity for veterans to learn and practice mindfulness based forms of meditation designed to decrease stress and enhance one’s quality of life. No cost to veterans. Classes are held the first and third Saturdays of each month at the First United Methodist Church on 2nd Street, downtown. Morning classes begin at 8:30 a.m. Contact: Theraexpressions at 258-7955 or David Allhusen, LCSW, at 259-0350.

Beware of websites offering free (or even paid) legal forms. Poverty Resistance director Mary Ann Budenske warns people in need of legal assistance to be suspicious of web sites offering free legal assistance. Whenever people do a Google search for legal assistance and do it yourself forms, paid sites jump to the top of the search. Budenske has surveyed many of the online commercial sites selling legal forms. Paid commercial sites offer free forms (which is a scam because anything even remotely useful costs money). Paid commercial sites often offer Wyoming specific forms (which is also a scam as most of the forms that are available are not up-to-date Wyoming specific forms).

The Wyoming Supreme Court and other state entities have worked to make information more available to ordinary folks in need of legal assistance. Equal Justice Wyoming, a program sponsored by the Wyoming Supreme Court, does have free and up-to-date legal forms. The web site is http://www.legalhelpwy.org. The Equal Justice phone number is 307-777-8383. The toll free number for legal aid is 1-877-432-9955, available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Art 321 hosts an open ceramics studio every Tuesday morning from 10 a.m. to noon. The cost is $10 per session and an instructor is present during studio hours to assist you. Clay is available for purchase or you are welcome to bring your own. All other supplies are provided. This is a great opportunity to learn (or relearn) basic and intermediate construction and wheel techniques and to produce fully finished pottery.

David Vaughn is a Buddhist living in Casper who proposes to establish a Casper Buddhist Fellowship. Vaughn invites all who are interested to contact him at davidvaughn991@yahoo.com.

Wyoming Dementia Care offers five Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support groups each month. Caregivers of those with dementia-related illnesses and the loved ones they care for are welcome at any of the group sessions. Professional staff from Intermountain Home Companions will be on hand to offer separate activities and snacks for those who need care. There is no charge for Wyoming Dementia Care’s support groups or for the respite care provided during the approximately one-hour sessions.

The morning support group sessions meet on the first and third Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. at Central Wyoming Senior Services, 1831 E. Fourth St. The afternoon support groups meet at 1 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at Mountain Plaza Assisted Living, 4154 Talon Dr. The evening groups meet on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Mountain Plaza Assisted Living, 4154 Talon Dr.

Celebrate Recovery meets at 5:30 p.m. every Friday at Highland Park Community Church, just south of Elkhorn Valley Rehabilitation Hospital on East Second Street. A family meal starts the evening, followed by praise and worship. At 7 p.m. there’s either a lesson from Celebrate Recovery’s planned curriculum or a testimony by a person who has found recovery through Christ. Then people go to gender-specific small groups until 8:30 p.m. when dessert and fellowship conclude the evening. Child care is available at no cost. For more information contact Chris at 265-4073.

Classes are every third Tuesday of the month from 1 to 3 p.m. There is no charge. Here and Now is a program made possible through a collaboration between Wyoming Dementia Care and the Nicolaysen Art Museum. It is designed to provide a supportive environment for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s and their loved ones.