Compiled by SALLY ANN SHURMUR
Star-Tribune staff writer

Bake sales, book sales, craft fairs and art shows highlight today's busy slate of activities in and around Casper. As you do your Thanksgiving grocery shopping, remember an extra frozen turkey or ham for Salvation Army or Joshua's Storehouse clients.

Casper artists Lynette Fransen and James Reed present Paint the Town '08 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the C'mon Inn, 301 Lathrop Rd. east of Applebee's.

A percentage of all sales, as well as all proceeds from a silent auction featuring Christmas ornaments painted by the artists, will be donated to Joshua's Storehouse. In addition, anyone taking groceries for Joshua's to the show will be entered into drawings held at the end of the show.

Browse art, enjoy refreshments from the Market and More, and find gifts for hard to buy-for's on your list.

The KWHS SOS (Students Offered Support) cookbook and bake sale will be at the KWHS Cafeteria today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., $1 admission. Monetary donations may be sent to KWHS SOS, 3500 E. 12th St., 82609 or given to Kelly Walsh principal's office, in care of Betty Aksamit.

Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10969, 4570 W. Yellowstone, is holding a bake sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Proceeds provide Christmas baskets to needy families in the Mills and Mountain View area. Come get homemade goodies to help with your Thanksgiving meal and to help provide Christmas cheer to those less fortunate

The Paradise Valley Booster Club's annual craft fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Paradise Valley School, 22 Magnolia. There will be many great vendors so please stop by and do a little holiday shopping.

The Kiwanis Club of Casper is teaming with other Casper organizations for the 19th annual Coats For Kids Campaign. Distribution of children's sized coats, gloves and boots is 10 a.m. to noon every Saturday and 3 to 5 p.m. every Thursday through Dec. 6, at the Salvation Army Hope Center, 441 S. Center.

The Holiday Home Tour, a Casper tradition presented by the Wyoming Symphony, features five beautiful homes spectacularly decorated for the holidays by the homeowners and many of the fine merchants in the area. Homes are open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Enjoy the homes, hot cider and live music guaranteed to lift your holiday spirits. Tickets for today are $15. You can purchase tickets at Wind City Books downtown or Simply Sheila in the Sunrise Shopping Center.

The 108th meeting of the University of Montana Grizzlies and the Montana State Bobcats takes place at 12:05 p.m. Join alumni from both sides of the fierce "Brawl of the Wild" at Sidelines Bar & Grill and cheer your team to the victory and bragging rights. For more information, contact Shelly Parker at 277-6210.

The 2008 Windy City Striders Turkey Trot annual 5-kilometer race will be held at Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park and will begin at 9 a.m. Registration begins at 8 and the cost is either two cans of food or $5. Prizes are given for top male and female participants, plus there will be a drawing for Thanksgiving-related food prizes.

Vern and Rita Davis entertain from 7 to 10 p.m., at the Casper Senior Center, 1831 E. Fourth St. Start the holiday season off with an evening of dancing or just listening to good music. No smoking, no alcohol. Free coffee and punch. Admission $4 per person; doors open at 6 p.m.

The Girl Scouts of Casper are holding a book drive to bring comfort to the children at the Shriner's Hospital for Children in Salt Lake City. Please help by donating new and gently used books for all ages. There will be a book drop off and activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Casper Girl Scout House, 1011 Bonnie Brae.

Have your pet's photo taken and help the animals at the Casper Humane Society. 

There will be four Saturday pet photo opportunities with DeMaine Image Pet Photography at the Casper Humane Society before the Christmas holiday -- noon to 4 p.m. today and Nov. 29; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec.13. Santa Claus will also be at the shelter on those dates and available to have photos taken with people's pets from noon to 2 p.m. in November and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 13. A $10 sitting fee is charged, part of which is donated to the Humane Society to help the organization cover its photo sitting fees.

The Casper Humane Society is located at 849 E. E St., on the frontage road between Center and McKinley streets. For more information about these pet photo opportunities, contact the Humane Society at 265-5439.

On Sunday, start the holiday season with a Thanksgiving Tea at the historic Bishop House from 2 to 4 p.m. Admission is $25. All events include a $10 tax deductible donation to the Cadoma Foundation, which runs Bishop House. For reservations, call 235-5277.

Also on Sunday, ARTCORE will host a free presentation of the University of Wyoming Department of Theatre and Dance production of the ballet, "A Midsummer Night's Dream," at 3 p.m. at the Kelly Walsh High School Auditorium. Adapted from William Shakespeare's famous comedy about matchmaking gone hilariously awry, the ballet is choreographed by UW dance faculty member Jennifer Deckert.

Deckert's dance adaptation of Shakespeare's beloved comedy is an enchanting tale of fairies, mischief, misadventure, and the confusing path to true love. The story that is witty, whimsical, and magical, perfect for all ages.