Are you looking for that perfect gift the person who has everything?

Have you checked out “The Essence of Place:  The Story of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center?”  All the profits from the sale of this wonderful book are going to the Friends of the Hormel Nature Center, whose support preserves the nature center for future generations.

The book was written by Douglas Wood and the photography was done by John Duren of Austin. It can be purchased at the nature center or Sweet Reads at 407 N. Main St. or Super Fresh Produce at 2101 Fourth St. NW.  Happy reading.

Cabin rental

Keep us in mind if you are looking to rent a space this winter. We have the Izaak Walton Cabin in Todd Park. Call our office for more information. The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center has the Ruby Rupner Auditorium. Call 507-437-7519.

Youth wrestling

Austin Youth Wrestling practice will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays in the Austin High Wrestling room Monday and runs through March 8. Pre-K to second grade will meet from 6 to 6:45 p.m. with a cost of $30. Third through sixth grade will meet 7 to 8 p.m. with a cost of $50. Your third family child is free.

The fees include the NYWA fee and a T-shirt. The registration form can be found on the city website at www.ci.austin.mn.us. Print and mail it in or stop in our office to sign up at 121 Fourth Ave. NE. Check Facebook for more info — Austin Youth Wrestling or Park and Recreation.

Flag football

It is time to start putting your team together for Wednesday Night Flag Football in the dome.

The team cost is $615 plus $8 per player on the team. You must have a minimum of seven players with a roster limit of 20.

Volleyball

Winter Roll volleyball team registration deadline is Friday, Dec. 9. Women’s teams will play on Wednesday evenings and co-rec on Fridays at Ellis Middle School beginning Jan.4. Team entry fee is $185 plus an $8 per player fee.

A reminder that boys in grades fourth to 12th can learn the game of volleyball from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sundays through Dec. 18 in Hastings Gym at Austin High School. Drop in or if you have questions please call Aleta Myers at 507-438-4318.

Pickleball

This Wednesday, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. will be our last open gym for pickleball at Ellis Middle School.  Watch Facebook and this article to see if we are able to offer this again in the future.

We use the auxiliary gym located down the short hall next to the women’s locker room. Enter the school through the east gym doors. The cost is $2 per time, per person and you can pay at the gym.  If you have questions, please call Jake Solberg at 507-433-1881 or email him at jakes@ci.austin.mn.us.

Packer Arena

Public skate: 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sun; 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. Dec. 9 and 3:30 to 5 p.m. Dec. 10. Sorry, but we will not be able to offer public skate the first weekend in December as we are hosting a tournament.

Cost is $4 to skate plus $1 if you need to rent skates. Purchase a family membership for $70 (two people) and add other family members for $5 each. Expires on March 3.

Watch for the calendar or notifications on Facebook.  Make sure to like us so you receive up to date information.

Riverside Arena

Adult Open Hockey: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Cost is $6 per person for each event. Must be 16, goalies are free.

Hockey

The Austin Packers will host Rochester Mayo at 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Albert Lea on Thursday. Junior varsity starts 5:30 p.m., varsity at 7:15 p.m. At noon on Saturday they host La Crescent.

The Austin Bruins next home games are 7:05 p.m. on Friday and Saturday when they host Aberdeen.