You are cordially invited to the Friends of the Hormel Nature Center 2017 annual meeting and luncheon at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18, in the Ruby Rupner Auditorium.

Come and enjoy a bowl of chili, cornbread, crackers, fresh veggies, dessert bars and refreshments while listening to the music of the Peter Jacobs Jazz Combo.

The meeting will begin at 1:15 p.m. with a nature center report and update from our new director, Luke Reese. Please RSVP for this luncheon by 5 p.m. on Wednesday by calling 507-437-7519 or email info@hormelnaturecenter.org so we can be prepared and order enough food.

Warming houses

With the warm weather, we will try to keep the warming houses open through the week-end at Kaufman, Galloway and Skinners Hill.

Hours for  Kaufman are  6 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The weekend hours for Kaufman, Galloway and Skinners Hill will be 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Hockey

Feb. 24 is the deadline for the Sticken Around Mite Tournament on March 11 and for the Spring three on three youth hockey league.

For questions or if you need a registration form, contact Jake Solberg, Recreation Supervisor at 507-433-1881 or jakes@ci.austin.mn.us.

Paint the Town Pink

Thank you to all that have participated, organized and volunteered their time for the Paint the Town Pink events.

You still have time to get in on a few more events as they are winding down.  We have a link to the list at our city website at www.ci.austin.mn.us. Scroll down and click on the PTTP logo. I have listed a few:

•Feb 12: Smashing Cancer Demolition Derby — Mower County Fairgrounds 1 p.m.

•Feb 18: Adams Pinko Bingo, Austin Eagles. 5:30 p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. bingo, 9 p.m. DJ.

•Feb 18: Rose Creek, activities all day.

Wrestling

The Shamrock Open youth wrestling tournament will be held on Friday, March 17 at Austin High School. The Shamrock continues to be an NYWA District Qualifier for those in grade kindergarten through eighth-grade.  Weigh Ins are from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Walk-ins are accepted until 5:30 p.m.  Wrestling begins approximately 6 p.m. Adult admission is $4 and students are $2.

Packer Arena schedule

Public skate: 4 to 5:30 p.m.; 5 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday; 2 to 3:15 p.m. Sunday; Noon to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 25; 2:45 to 4 p.m. Feb. 26.

The cost is $4 to skate plus $1 if you need to rent skates. Make sure to like us on Facebook so you receive up to date information.

Stick time:  1 to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 26.

Packer Arena will close for the season Feb. 27 following the curling event.  All events will continue at Riverside Arena.

Riverside Arena schedule

Riverside Figure Skate Club to host their annual skate show on March 4 and 5.

Adult Open Hockey: 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays. Cost is $6 per person each event. Attendees must be 16; goalies are free.

Stick time: 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Feb. 19; 5:45 to 7 p.m.  Feb. 27; 4:45 to  6:15 p.m. March 1.

Austin High Hockey home games: Boys hockey team vs. Rochester John Marshall, 5:30 p.m. JV, 7:15 p.m. Wednesday.

Austin Bruins: Feb. 17 and 18 vs. Brookings. Game time 7:05 p.m.

We will be closed for business on Friday March 17 as our office will be moving to City Hall, 500 Fourth Ave. NE.