Laramie ceramic artist Jodie Atherton, will be displaying and selling her unique dinosaur mosaics during the Tate Geological Museum’s Annual Open House on Friday, Dec. 3.

“The mosaics are created on top of a plaster jacket that was used to transport dinosaur bones and other fragile fossils home from a field site to the Tate Geological Museum Prep Lab,” said Atherton. “Most of my dinosaur mosaics are created with mostly my own handmade pottery. I use my broken pottery, prairie glass, and other cast-offs in the process,” she said.

The resulting mosaics “are truly ‘green’ creations as they are made from totally recycled materials and keeps paleontology cast offs and broken pottery out of the landfill. By bringing science cast offs and broken pottery together into mosaics, the end product is my artwork, … A piece of history, millions of years for the fossil to form and be found, lots of hands to create and use old bottles, and then to discard them on the prairie for me to find years later, and many broken pots and tiles to create these mosaics,” Atherton said.

Twenty percent of all sales Atherton makes during the Tate Open House will go back to the Tate. Atherton, who received a bachelor’s degree in fine arts with a minor in ceramics from the University of Wyoming, is the owner of Whitewater Ceramics in Laramie, Wyo. In addition to the dinosaur mosaics, Atherton also creates handcrafted tiles and figurative sculptures.

The Tate Geological Museum Open House will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free and open to all.

Monday, December 6, 2010
YELLOWJACKETS HEADLINE 44TH ANNUAL JAZZ FEST AT CASPER COLLEGE

The two-time Grammy Award-winning Yellowjackets will be in concert in Casper on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011 as the headline act for the 44th Annual Kinser Jazz Festival.

“We are really excited to have a group of this caliber headline Casper College’s 44th annual jazz festival,” said Jerome Fleg, jazz fest director and instructor of woodwinds and jazz studies at the college.

The Yellowjackets were first formed in 1977 and now feature original members Russell Ferrante (keyboards) and Jimmy Haslip (bass), along with Bob Mintzer (saxophone) and Will Kennedy (drums).

The group’s 2008 album “Lifecycle” was nominated for Best Contemporary Jazz Album and Ferrante was nominated for Best Instrumental Composer for the track “Claire’s Closet” at the 2009 Grammy Awards.

According to the group’s biography, “Their blend of jazz and funk often invites comparisons to such bands as Spyro Gyra or ‘smooth jazz’ artists. They continue to evolve, folding world music into their repertoire and welcoming new approaches as their lineup changes. With imaginative compositions, powerhouse chops and deep funk grooves, they are among the premier working bands in jazz history.”

Tickets are $15 per person, and will go on sale later this month.

Opening for the Yellowjackets will be the Wyoming All-State Jazz Band.

Monday, December 6, 2010
I CANTORI TO PERFORM AT HISTORIC TRAILS CENTER

The Casper College opera band I Cantori, will perform at the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 9:45 a.m. as part of the center’s “Holiday on the Homestead” event.

“I Cantori will perform some of their signature music such as ‘Prayer in the Night,’ and ‘Terra e Libertá,’” said Jean Tichenor, founder and director. The group will also “premiere their new and dramatic arrangement of the tune ‘Beyond the Sea’ featuring violinist Ruth Jacobs (Casper) along with the singers and the band and perform some traditional Christmas arrangements along with ‘God Bless Us Everyone’ from the Disney version of ‘A Christmas Carol’ and Leonard Cohen's ‘Hallelujah,’” Tichenor noted.

This year’s I Cantori singers are Ashlee Belveal (Casper), Danielle Hockett (Newcastle), Amanda Marquez (Casper), Alison Zick (Littleton, Colo.) Cavin Kent (Gillette), George Taylor (Wheatland), Dane Poitra (Gillette), and Rion Scherr (Gillette).

The I Cantori band includes Zack Walker on guitar (Casper), Douglas Graham on electric bass (Casper), Robert Benson on percussion (Gillette), and Jacobs on violin.

Paula Flynn is the group’s assistant director and synthesizer player and Beverly Lorimer accompanies on piano.

“Holiday on the Homestead” is free and open to all and includes many activities from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center is located at 1501 N. Poplar Street.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010
“DISSEMINATION NATION” ON DISPLAY THROUGH DEC. 15

The final exhibit at Casper College’s Goodstein Gallery for the 2010 fall semester, “Dissemination Nation, will be on display through Wednesday, Dec. 15.

The exhibit features the works of Ashley Hope Carlisle, associate professor of art – sculpture, at the University of Wyoming.

“In my work, I explore an imaginary world that contains a crossover between human and plant-like conformations. These pieces often reference flowers whether native or exotic, trees, and root systems fictitiously enhanced to speak about connections we as humans share with each other and with the world around us. The ‘seeds’ from these plants have become a central theme in my work that serve as a launching point for metaphors about the human endeavor, protection, escape, and change. My selection of materials often range from fabricated steel, cast iron, cast and formed paper, bees wax, pigments, and works on paper,” said Carlisle.

“Dissemination Nation” is free and open to the public.

The next exhibit, as yet untitled, will feature the works of printmaker Nathan Abel and is scheduled to run January 18 through February 17, 2011.

The Goodstein Gallery is located in the Goodstein Visual Arts Center and is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Monday, December 13, 2010
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY OFFERED IN NIGHT CLASS

If you are like most people with a digital camera you have some great photos on your computer that you would like to turn into prints, but just don’t know how. It may be easier than you think, with the help of a digital photography class being offered for the spring semester at Casper College.

“Electronic Digital Photo” (ELTR 2145) will include the basic techniques of digital photography and an overview of what is needed to acquire, store, retouch, and print digital and hybrid photographs.

Miles Hecker, digital photography professional, will teach the class on Wednesday nights from 6 to 9. According to Hecker, students will learn the fundamentals of digital photography, how to make quality prints on their inkjet printer, how to scan their old slides and negatives, and how to master Adobe Photoshop CS skills to create better photos.

For more information or to register, call Casper College at 268-2929. “Electronic Digital Photo” begins on January 19, 2011.

Monday, December 13, 2010
OLLI TO HOST FOURTH ANNUAL BURNS DINNER

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Casper College will host the Fourth Annual Burns Dinner on Friday, Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. at the Wolcott Galleria.

The evening will feature traditional Scottish haggis, neaps (mashed turnips) and tatties (mashed potatoes), along with a catered dinner, according to Vicki Pollock, lifelong learning specialist.

“In addition to the dinner, the evening will be filled with merriment, music and laughter in celebration of the Scottish poet Robert Burns,” said Pollock. “Because this dinner is based on those held annually in Scotland to honor Burns, there will be recitations of poems written by Burns and others, a toast to the haggis and more,” she added.

Celtic fiddler Loretta Thompson of Denver will give a short presentation on Celtic music traditions. Later during dinner Don Hilsberg will join Thompson on Celtic harp. Hilsberg, also of Denver, is a 1975 Casper College music department alum.

According to Pollock, hors d’ oeuvres and wine will begin at 5:45 p.m. and dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. The Scottish dinner is open to those 21 and older, and participants do not need to be a member of OLLI to attend. Seating is limited and the cost per person is $45. “We are encouraging everyone to feel free to wear their Scottish attire, present a toast, and learn how to dance like the Scots do,” said Pollock.

Tickets are currently on sale through Friday, Jan. 21, 2011 for the traditional Scottish dinner and entertainment. For more information or to make reservations, call Pollock at 268-2097.

Monday, December 13, 2010
STRATEGIES TO SAVE ENERGY FOCUS OF NEXT GREEN LECTURE

Ten strategies to save energy and money will be the topic of the next Green Lecture at Casper College on Thursday, Dec. 16 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Strausner Student Center.

Presented by Brandon Daigle, owner of Studio D2, a design firm that specializes in custom home design, attendees will gain insight on “how to make their everyday home more efficient while saving money with 10 strategies that everyone can use,” said Daigle.

Daigle, who earned his degree in design with an emphasis on architectural studies from Arizona State University, is a Wyoming native. “I understand the importance of energy economics and the impact that the built environment has on our plant,” he said.

In addition to his company, Daigle is also the owner of 21st Century Homes, “a green-home kit company that combines design services with material suppliers to bring healthy, energy-efficient homes to everyday customers,” he noted.

The lecture is free and open to the public and is part of Casper College’s Green Outreach Project, which, in addition to the lecture series, will include training sessions beginning in January 2011 and a conference set for March 18 and 19.

The Green Outreach Project is sponsored by Casper College, the Casper Area Economic Development Alliance, Inc., and is also made possible through a grant from the Wyoming Workforce Development Council and the U.S. Department of Labor.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010
TATE ANNOUNCES HOLIDAY HOURS

During the upcoming holiday break the Tate Geological Museum at Casper College will be open Monday, Dec. 27 through Thursday, Dec. 30.

According to Deanna Schaff, director of museums, the Tate will be closed Thursday, Dec. 23 through Sunday, Dec. 26 and again Friday Dec. 31 and Saturday, Jan. 1.

The museum will resume normal operating hours on Monday, Jan. 3. The Tate Geological Museum is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday, December 17, 2010
COLLEGE ANNOUNCES DECEMBER MEETING TIMES

The Casper College District Board of Trustees will hold its December board meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 21 beginning at 7 p.m. in the Strausner Student Center, Room 217.

Prior to the board meeting the board will hold its work session and finance meeting from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Strausner Student Center, Room 207.

Both meetings are open and the public is invited to attend.

Friday, December 17, 2010
CASPER COLLEGE JUDGING TEAM RETURNS FROM SUCCESSFUL MEETS

The Casper College Judging Team has ended the fall season on several high notes with three meets.

At the American Royal Collegiate Judging Contest in Kansas, Mo., the team “placed a very respectable 10th overall and ninth overall in reasons,” said Jeremy Burkett, coach. In addition, Kaycee Vollmar “did exceptionally well placing first high in sheep, second high in reasons, and sixth high individual overall,” Burkett said.

Following the American Royal, the team took a swing through Oklahoma and Texas and came home before the break with a large number of awards and recognitions.

Both a sophomore and freshman team competed at the Oklahoma Pan Handle State Contest in Goodwell, Okla. Under the direction of Burkett both teams went up against 12 teams and nearly 100 individual contestants. “I was pleased with both teams in this contest. Everyone worked hard, and the first place finishes in sheep and goats, as well as the individual awards testify to that,” said Burkett.

Two sophomore teams competed in the sheep and goat category with Casper Black taking first place and Casper Red taking fifth. In swine, black finished second and red finished fifth, while in beef cattle the black team took second and the red team took fourth. In team reasons, black took first and red took fourth.

Individually the sophomores placed in sheep and goats as follows: Jeff Long, animal science major from Vernal, Utah, took first; Taylor Eurich, general agriculture major from Keenesburg, Colo., took third; Cody Gifford, animal science major from Lovell, Wyo., took fifth; Vollmar, animal science major from Casper, Wyo., took seventh; Jared Oldham, general agriculture major from Lander, Wyo., took ninth; and Tressa Lawrence, agriculture business major from Buffalo, Wyo., took 10th.

In swine judging, five sophomores placed: Vollmar took first; Mike Owens took fifth; Gifford took sixth; Emily Kading, animal science major from Billings, Mont., took eighth; and Eurich took ninth.

In beef cattle, four individuals placed: Vollmar at third, Gifford at seventh, Long at eighth, and Eurich at ninth. The same four also placed in the individual category for reasons: Vollmar scored another first, Gifford took second, Long took fifth, and Eurich took sixth.

The freshman team did exceptionally well, with Casper Black taking first in sheep and goats, swine, beef cattle, reasons, and overall.

Individuals from the freshman team also brought home a number of awards. In the sheep and goat category, the following individuals placed: Kerri Horvath, animal science major from Durango, Colo. took second; Kenzie Taylor, veterinary science major from Riverton, Wyo., placed fifth; Catharine Koroulis, agriculture business and marketing major from Steamboat Springs, Colo., took seventh; and Katie Ochsner, agriculture business major from Torrington, Wyo., took ninth.

In the swine category, five team members took wins: Ochsner won first; Koroulis won fourth; Taylor placed fifth; Horvath placed sixth; and Morgan Hatfield, psychology major from McCoy, Colo., took ninth.

In beef cattle, Horvath placed second; Koroulis placed sixth; and Kevin Murnin, animal science major from Miles City, Mont., took ninth.

In reasons, five freshmen placed: Koroulis at second, Taylor at third, Horvath at fourth, Ochsner at fifth, and Hatfield at ninth.

In the overall individual category, Horvath came in second and Koroulis placed third.

The team next competed in at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas and won several firsts in horses, sheep and goats, and overall. The team took second in swine, beef cattle, and reasons.

Individually in horses, Kading took first, Vollmar placed second, and Koroulis took fourth. In sheep and goats, Vollmar placed third, while Gifford took third in swine.

In beef cattle, Koroulis placed first, Oldham placed second, and Christy Bradshaw, sophomore animal science and medical laboratory technology major from Twin Falls, Idaho, took fifth. In reasons Koroulis finished second, Long placed fourth, and Gifford took fifth.

Five team members also placed in the overall individual category: Koroulis won first, Gifford took third, Oldham placed fourth, Long took sixth, and Vollmar placed at eighth.