Get ready for some strikes, good friends and fun memories, because it is time once again for bowling.

Special Olympic bowlers must have a current Special Olympics form on file at The Arc Mower County. These forms must be updated every three years and require a physician’s signature.

Athletes will not be allowed to participate in the practices or competitions without an updated form.

Bowling will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, Sept. 11 – March 19, 2014, at Echo Lanes in Austin. The season cost is $20 for members or $24 for non members. Scholarships are available. Tournaments will be held in October (Austin) and November (Lakeville).

 New sick leave law for family caregivers

This session, the Minnesota Legislature passed, and the Governor signed into law, a bill enabling employees to use their sick time to provide care for more members of their family.

The law does not require employers to offer sick leave, but if they do, caregivers will be able to use a minimum of 160 hours in any 12-month period to care not only for their children, but also for an aging parent, spouse, sibling, grandparent, stepparent, or an adult child.

The law is effective Aug. 1 of this year.

The Alzheimer’s Association, Wilder, and AARP joined forces to get this passed. Authors of the bill were Rep. Rick Hansen and Sen. Bobby Champion. Senators Carla Nelson and Jeff Hayden and Representatives Andrea Kieffer and Carly Melin also led efforts to ensure the bill passed.

 Upcoming Activities

Sunday: Area 10 Softball Tournament in Faribault

Tuesday: Circle of Friends Social Club from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Wednesday: Community Connections to River Springs Waterpark, Owatonna, 4 to 8 p.m.

Thursday: Mower County Special Olympics bocce, 4 to 5 p.m. and softball from, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Friday: For Women Only, 5 to 9:30 p.m.

Saturday: Area 10 Bocce Tournament in Rochester

 Jamey Helgeson is the Program Director at The Arc Mower County and can be reached at jamey@arcmowercounty.org or by calling 507-433-8994, Extension 102. You can also visit our website (www.arcmowercounty.org) and follow us on Facebook (arcmc), Twitter (arcmc1952) and YouTube (arcmowercounty).