Join the staff and presenters at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center for Eco-Blitz, Waste Week, July 9-14, with the theme, “Everything has to go somewhere; there is no such place as away.”

Enjoy activities and guest presenters throughout the week and have fun learning about what happens to our waste! Participate in multiple activities to earn prizes and a chance to win a composter or rain barrel! Please RSVP for programs and service day activities: 507-437-7519 / info@hormelnaturecenter.org; check out the web site at hormelnaturecenter.org

Nature center

Nature Play Afternoons on Thursday’s continue on the following dates: July 12, July 26, Aug. 23 and Aug. 30, from 1-4 p.m. Get outside and discover nature with your child! Enjoy free canoe or kayak rentals, pond scooping for aquatic critters, nature programs, archery, netting dragonflies and butterflies, crayfish hunting, survival games, and/or self-guided nature trail activities. Canoe and kayak availability is first-come, first-served, for an adult (18 and over) with a child (adults must accompany children). Please call 507-437-7519 or email info@hormelnaturecenter.org for more information or visit the website: www.hormelnaturecenter.org.

On Thursday, July 12, check out the Nature Play and enjoy energetic music of all ages for people of all ages with guitarist Bill Cagley! Free, 1- 4 p.m.

How about getting on the water? The Nature Center rents canoes and kayaks for use from Dobbins Creek to East Side Lake or on our pond. Rentals available Monday-Saturday (no rentals on Sundays or holidays), through Sept. 22. Life jackets, paddles, and canoe/kayak rollers are provided. Fee: $10 for up to three hours. Purchase a punch card for $25 and receive five canoe or kayak rentals for half the fee! Call 507-437-7519 for more information. A signed liability waiver must be on file at the Nature Center (children 17 and under must have waiver signed by an adult).

Swimming pool

Mark your calendar for the free family fun night at the pool on Friday, July 27. Dee Randall will be back to DJ the music and we are also thankful that our summer recreation assistant Molly and staff will be leading the games. We are extending a heartfelt thank you to the sponsors; the VFW, the Austin Eagles Club and APAC!  Without their help this event would not exist.

Public skates

The ice is back in at Riverside Arena! Beat the heat and get in some cold laps over the lunch hour on a pair of skates. Public skate times:  July 9, 23 and 30 from noon  to 2 p.m.; July 10, July 24 and July 31 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.; July 25, noon to 2 p.m.; and July 12 and July 26, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.  We will offer stick-time on July 10, July 24 and July 30  from noon – 2 p.m.  We are in the process of collecting schedules from various teams so check our Facebook page as we will update this calendar as we add times.

Yard tour

Spruce Up Austin will hold its Yard and Garden tour from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 14. Tickets are available at Berg’s Nursery, Dolan’s Landscape, Hardy Geranium and Super Fresh Garden Center for $10 or the day of the event at your first yard for $12. This is a great opportunity to get out and enjoy some wonderful yards and see what you can add to yours. Enjoy the self-guided tour and thanks to those that put their yards on display.

Archery

Is archery your thing? There will be a Fabulous 50, a competitive 50 target 3D experience shoot on July 14 and 15 at the Cedar River Archery Club. The non-member entry fee is $15, members are $10. First off is at 9 a.m. and last in is at 3 p.m.  Save Aug. 4 for youth day and bring the kids out to the archery range for a fun day of activities. For more information call 507-438-7619.

Softball

It is time to get your men’s fall softball team together! The deadline for registration is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 22 in the Park and Recreation office. You will need your roster with 10 players with the $8 fee each and your team fee of $258. This is a double header league which will begin Aug. 29 through Oct. 3. For more information give us a call.