The next eight weeks will be filled with holiday parties, family get-to-getters and maybe even some snow.

You will want to mark your calendar so you don’t miss out on some great opportunities to get out of the house and head out to the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.

On Tuesday, Nov.  20 take in Falconry-Hunting the Ancient Way at 7 p.m. with Kirk Payne.  This is a free program and will be held in the Interpretive Center Classrooms.

Christmas in the City kickoff is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 23.

On Tuesday, Dec. 4 the Nature Center will participate in the Christmas in the East during 4-7 p.m.  Make sure to stop out and take a photo with Santa by the fireplace, enjoy and cookie and hot refreshments to warm you up.  You can even make a pine cone birdseed tree ornament and paint a holiday “nature rock.”

Mark your calendar for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 19 to see the Association Jazz Combo program with one of our former nature center intern Jacob Burkhart. This free event will take place in the Interpretive Center.

Looking for a spot for a family gathering?  Check out the Izaak Walton Cabin in Todd Park www.ci.austin.mn.us or the venues at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center on their site at www.hormelnaturecenter.org.

League play

Did you know that we have a curling league?

We start on Nov. 14. The league will run on Wednesdays for six weeks at a cost of $90 per player. Deadline to sign up is 4 p.m. Wednesday, in our office.

We encourage teams of four to sign up, however, individuals may also register and teams will be made each night league meets.

Carry a clean pair of rubber soled shoes to keep the ice clean, layer up as it is cold in the arena, loose fitting pants as you need to stretch and don’t forget your gloves.

There will also be another session in January and February.

Don’t let cabin fever get you down!  With the holidays around the corner and before you are crazy busy get your team information together for the adult volleyball leagues.

The Winter Roll team deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7. You must register in our office.  The team fee is $185 plus an $8 per player fee with a roster limit of 12 players.

Teams play at Ellis Middle School. Women play on Wednesday evening and co-ed play Friday evening. League begins Wednesday Jan. 2 and Friday, Jan. 4  and will last for 10 weeks.  For more information call our office at 507-433-1881.

There will also be Adult Flag Football offered and played in the Wescott Dome beginning Wednesday, Jan.y 2, 2019, running for eight weeks.

Deadline to register your team is 5 p.m. Dec. 21, 2018 in our office.

The team fee is $477. Players must be 18 years of age by July 1 of 2018 with a minimum of seven players needed and a roster limit of 20 players.

Games times will be 6:15 p.m. or 7:15 p.m. start.

For the young baseball enthusiasts Dome Baseball will begin on Monday Jan. 7 for those 7 to 9 years old and Tuesday, Jan. 8 for those 10 to 12 years old.

This pitching machine league is designed for skill development and live game experience.  Deadline to register online is Dec. 31, 2018. Go to http://cityofapr.maxgalaxy.net or follow the link on the City of Austin’s website at www.ci.austin.mn.us , City Dept, Park & Rec — online registration.

Hey girls in grades seven and eight. sign up for the Riverland Volleyball Clinics.  Sundays from 1:30-3 p.m. on Dec 2 will be learn and practice passing and serving, Dec. 9 learn and practice setting and Dec. 16 learn and practice hitting.

You can sign up for all three for $40 or pick the ones you want for $15 per session. Email helen.jahr@riverland.edu or call her at 507-279-1266 and she can answer your questions. 

Riverside Arena

Did you know that Austin’s Riverside Figure Skating Club will let a participant try it three times for free? Go to their Facebook page, email rfscaustin@gmail.com or call 507-273-2023 to ask questions on when and where.

Packer Arena

Public Skate will now be at Packer Arena.

2:45-5 p.m., Saturday; 1:15-3:30 p.m., Nov. 17; 1-3 p.m., Nov. 24; 7-9 p.m., Nov. 9 and Nov. 16; 3:30-5 p.m., Nov. 23; 4-6 p.m., Nov. 18; 4-6 p.m.; 4-6 p.m., Thanksgiving.

Stick Time: 5:15-6:45 p.m., Nov. 16.

We add times as different opportunities arise so check our Facebook page as we will update this calendar as they happen.

Austin Bruins

The Austin Bruin’s next home game is 7:05 p.m. tonight against Minot.