The Riverside Figure Skate Club will have their first skating session from 1 to 5 p.m. today.

They offer a three-free lessons program the first three weeks for those that would like to give it a try. Stop on down to Riverside Arena.

Be brave get out and try curling starting at 6 p.m. on Monday and going for five weeks for those 16 and older at $50 per person.

If you are not sure about this sport we are offering the opportunity for those to come and try it for $10 to see if you like it. This session will be held at Riverside Arena. Please sign up in our office by 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

A learn to skate for all ages will be held on Tuesdays and Sundays starting Sept. 22. through Oc.6. Tuesdays there will be a class from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. and Sundays meet from 5:15 to 6 p.m. Cost is $30, which includes four free open skate passes. Please sign up in our office.

Austin Youth Hockey registration will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Sept. 22 and 29, as well as from 10 to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3. They will also play hockey for free from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. that day so bring your skates and gear to check out the ice.

Get out and bike

The city of Austin is officially launching Red Bike — a free bike share program — by accepting donations which started Monday, Sept. 14. The goal of the Red Bike program is to encourage healthy living and reduce traffic congestion.

Making biking free and easy encourages residents to try making routine trips by bike and some will see the benefits and choose to ride more often. This also builds on our many efforts of trail development, bike designations on the roadways, bike fix it station and moving towards becoming a Bike Friendly designated community.

The public is asked to join in on these continued efforts by donating bikes in rideable condition at Rydjor Bike Shop at 219 N. Main St. Rydjor is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It closes late at 8 p.m. on Thursday and early at 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Bikes will be accepted until Wednesday, Sept. 30.

The Red Bike program is seeking adult, single speed, pedal brake bikes. Bikes that can’t be used by Red Bike riders will be used for other community purposes. Multi-speed bikes will be converted to single-speed, pedal brake bikes and painted red for the Red Bike program. Cash donations are also encouraged to help offset the costs of converting and maintaining the bikes. Checks should be mailed to Austin Area Foundation at 110 First Ave. SE, Austin, MN 55912. Please mark checks for Red Bike program.

With the help from Rydjor Bike staff and volunteers the bikes will be converted over the winter and placed in 11 scattered sites in Austin in the spring. To date, three businesses have agreed to participate by hosting a rack with two or three bikes at the business site.

Red Bike is a city of Austin initiative with partners Mower County SHIP, Rydjor Bike Shop and Vision 2020 Bike Walk committee. Funds for converting bikes, bike racks and signage explaining the program will be provided by Mower County SHIP, donations from individuals and business site sponsorships. Red Bike Austin has consulted with counterparts in Wilmar, Minnesota, to learn from the first-year experiences in Wilmar’s bike share program.

Any Austin resident or visitor will be able to use Red Bike to travel through the city. Riders are asked to return bikes to the racks where they started when possible and to abide by the ‘Ride Respect Return’ motto.

 Nature center run

The 11th annual Hormel Nature Center 8K trail run and one-mile kids run will take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26. Register with Dr. Eric Overby: 507-437-3269 or pre-register online or print forms at www.hormelnaturecenter8k.org. Race day registration begins at 8 a.m.

 Youth baseball

Make sure to mark your calendar for the Austin All Star Youth baseball will hold try-outs on Sept. 26 for the 12 and under group with registration starting at noon at the North Todd Complex.

The tryout sessions will run from 1 to 3 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. to fill the teams for 12, 11 and 10-year-olds. On Sunday, Sept. 27, the 13 and 14-year-olds will start registration at 1 p.m. and run from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Tryout forms are located in our office, Games People Play and South Central Athlete.

For more information check out their web site at www.austinallstarsbaseball.com.