We will be trying a youth open hockey date from 9 to 10:45 a.m. on Jan. 23 at Packer Arena. Youth must wear full equipment. This is for ages bantam and below. Adults can accompany a child on the ice but must wear a helmet. A goalie can skate for free and must be dressed in proper gear. This is a great opportunity for parents to play the game with their children. Adults are $5 and children are $3. Adults must sign the waiver for them and their child. If this is well received we will look for more dates.

 Dome

Who is up for the Co-ed All-Nighter Softball Tournament in the new dome?

Get your team together to play on Feb. 20. There will be championship T-shirts awarded in the double elimination tournament. You will be playing with a wood bat and a 16-inch ball which will be provided. One homerun will be allowed, innings will end if more than one home run is hit. You must have 12 players on a team — no less, no more. Co-ed league rules will apply. This is on school property so no alcohol or tobacco products allowed. Register your team for $210 by Feb. 15. Need more details? Call Jake Solberg at 507-396-5027 or his cell at 507-438-0409. His email is jakes@ci.austin.mn.us.

Austin Public Schools will open the Packer Dome to school-aged children and families on the early release day, from 1 to 3 p.m. on Monday. Jake, our Recreation Supervisor will be there to help interested students play a pick-up game of kickball, Flag football or soccer as well as other games that will be set up. The cost is $2 per child or $5 per family.

 PTTP

Paint the Town Pink activities are popping up all over. Check out the calendar of events at www.hi.umn.edu/pttp/. Event information can be found by clicking on the event. There is a bean bag tourney on the Jan. 23 at Hoot and Ole’s, a Citywide Pink Decorating Contest which will be judged on the Jan. 29.

Applications to participate must be in by Jan. 25. Many high school sports will host pink games throughout their seasons. Plunging for Pink will be on Jan. 30 as well as the Snowmobile Speed Run at East Side Lake. There are so many events it is hard to list them all, so please check the website for all events scheduled to date. Paint the Rink Pink will be on Feb. 6, the event that started it all. Thank you to all that put in the time to host an event and thank you to those that participate; it takes everyone to make a difference.

 Packer Arena

Adult Open Hockey is at Packer Arena from 6:45 to 8 p.m. this Wednesday’s through Feb. 17. 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.

Public skate at Packer Arena will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 29. The cost is $4 to skate and $1 to rent skates if you should need them. The arenas are also available to rent for private parties at $130 per hour. Call our office of availability.

We will have warming houses open this weekend. Galloway Park is located on Eighth Street and Second Avenue Southwest and the hours are: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday night and 1 to 5 and 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. There is a hockey and land rink at this park. Kaufman Park is located at 8th Street and 11th Avenue Southeast. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 to 5 and 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. There are two hockey rinks and one land rink there.

 Bicycling club

If you are interested to find out more about the Southern Minnesota Bicycling Club there will be a SMBC year-end meeting on from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday at the Ruby Rupner Auditorium at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Food and drinks will be provided.

Nature center

Ski and snowshoe rentals are available. Adults may rent cross country skis for $6 and snowshoes for $5. Children 18 and under may rent either for $1 which is made possible by Belita Schindler in memory of Dr. Richard Schindler. The fees are daily fees per person for three hours.

 Bruins

Check out the Bruins on Friday as they host Coulee Region at Riverside Arena. Tickets can be purchased at the following sponsor locations; Hy-Vee, Holiday Inn, Jim’s Marketplace and Games People Play or at the box office on game day. Visit their website at www.AustinBruins.com for more info.