It is time to try curling for free, 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2, in Packer Arena.

League play will begin on at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 9 through Dec.28 for those 16 years and older. The cost to join is $75.please register at the Park and Recreation office.

Community gardens

Reminder that the Community Gardens will be plowed up shortly so please clean out your produce, cages and fencing.

 Riverside Arena

Riverside Arena is open for pubic skate. The next dates and times are: 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, 5:15 to 7 p.m. Saturday. The cost to skate is $4, if you need skates; we have rentals for $1.

Adult open hockey is back, 6:45 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Oct. 28 at Riverside Arena.The cost is $6 per person, you must be at least in high school, no checking, no alcohol and a helmet is required. Goalies are free and must have full gear.

We will be offering a Learn to Play Hockey program for kids ages 3 to 8 and partnering with Austin Youth Hockey and Austin Bruins beginning on Nov. 11 through Dec. 16. You can register in our office through Nov. 6. The cost is $35. Austin Youth Hockey will provide the necessary equipment, skates can be rented from us and you will need to provide a mouth guard and a stick.

 Birding class

Beginning birding class with the Austin Audubon will be held in two parts. A classroom portion from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday and in the field at 8 a.m. on Saturday.

This class is designed for ages 16 and up and limited to 20 participants, the cost is $5 and offered through the Austin Community Learning Center. You may call 507-460-1700 to register or contact Pete Mattson at 507-567-2570 or Leslie Meyer at 507-433-2615.

 Youth volleyball

Youth in grades fifth through eighth-grade interested in volleyball can play games on Sundays beginning Nov. 1 through Dec. 13 in Austin High School’s Hastings Gym and practice on Mondays at Ellis Middle School, Oct. 26 – Dec.7. Cost is $50 per player.

This program is designed for players to play in a competitive league while still learning skills, knowledge, sportsmanship and team building. We are also hoping to include area town with the potential of travel in the 50 miles radius on some Sundays or Saturdays. If a team desires to play in the MSF tournament in Austin on March 19, 2016 we will bring them together to practice prior to the tournament. Cost per player is $20. Those in eighth-grade will have the opportunity to try out or the 14U team AAVB JO winter team in December. Any questions please call our office.

Thanksgiving Feast

Be sure to mark your calendars and get your tickets early for the 13th annual Thanksgiving Feast, which will be held on Nov. 14 with a new venue.

This year the feast will be held at the Holiday Inn Conference Center beginning at 5 p.m. with the social hour, silent auction and raffles.

Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m.; Hormel pork loin, sides and dessert followed by a short program and live auction at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now. Tickets are $35 if you are a Friends of the Nature Center member and $40 for non-members. Call the Nature Center at 507-437-7519 or contact Rich and JoAnn Aho at 507-433-6928.

 Flag football

Dome football anyone? We will offer Seven-Man Adult Flag Football starting Dec. 1. Players must be 18 as of June 1, 2015, with a roster limit of 20 players and games will not start before 6:30 p.m. There will be one official provided per game. Team entry is due by Nov. 23, 2015 which breaks down to $42 per person on a 10 player roster or $7 per week.