Mark your calendar for 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 for a special concert by one-of-a-kind performer Tom Pease at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.

Since 1980, Tom has been performing for children, families, and educators throughout the country. Through movement, sign language, humor, and joy, Tom creates concerts that leave audiences laughing and singing.

Tom has a singular ability to reach, teach, and simply connect with every crowd — children and adults alike can’t sit still when he performs!

Woven through his performances are inspiring themes of respect for one another and our world, the importance of community, and the power of laughter.

Warm up with a cookie and a cup of hot chocolate, coffee, or tea. Free and open to the public, but RSVP required by Feb. 21.

If you are looking for a place to hold a special occasion (graduation, wedding, holiday or birthday party, conference, reunion, anniversary, prom dinner, or memorial), consider renting the Ruby Rupner Auditorium.

The fee for rental of the auditorium is $52 an hour (includes rental and security) with a $100 down payment. There is an additional fee for the use of our projector and sound system ($25) and if food or beverages are being served ($20).

Or maybe you would be interested in renting a room or two in the new interpretive building?  For more information regarding rentals, please call Julie or nature center staff at 507-437-7519, Monday through Saturday or check out the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center website at www.hormelnaturecenter.org.

Learn to Play Hockey

Sign up online for our “Learn to Play Hockey” for 3- to 8-year-olds. Class is on Wednesday evenings, 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. in Riverside Arena, from Feb. 21 – March 28, cost is $35.

Players will begin to learn the basics of hockey and be separated by their skating skills. Full gear is required; we have 29 sets available with a cash deposit of $75, first-come first-served. Mouth guards must be provided by the participant. We encourage you to follow the instructions below to register for the class. Please email rileyd@ci.austin.mn.us if you are in need of equipment or call 433-1881.

Online

We would like to invite you to set up your online account. This will allow you to register for Park & Recreation and Nature Center programs. Currently, you may sign up for the youth volleyball camp and archery. You will also be able to request facility rentals for your private events.

The link will be on our city web page at www.ci.austin.mn.us; click on City Departments; click on online registration. From there, click on the Registration tab, click on youth and the programs will be listed.  If you have not created your account when you click on the register tab it will ask you to log in or create an account. If you have questions, please call.

Riverside Arena

Riverside Figure Skate Club: Sunday’s from 1 to 5 p.m.

Stick Time: 5-7 p.m. Feb. 27; 12:45-2:15 p.m. March 3.

Public Skate: 7-9 p.m., March 2; 2:30-4:30 p.m., March 3.

Packer Arena

Public skate:  12:45-2:15 p.m. Sunday; 3-4:30 p.m. Monday..  After Tuesday public skate will move to Riverside Arena.

Stick Time: 4:15-5:45 p.m. Saturday. This is the last time at Packer for this season. Watch Facebook for more times.