It is time to register for Park and Recreation Youth Basketball.  You may register online until Oct. 22 at www.cityofapr.maxgalaxy.net or follow the link on the city of Austin’s website at www.ci.austin.mn.us , City Department, Park and Rec -— online registration.

The program starts on Oct. 23 and offers skills on Tuesdays and games on Thursdays for the second to sixth-grade participants who want to learn the game or work on their skills.  The K-1 participants will practice skills and be introduced to a game setting as the program progresses.  The cost is $28 and meets 10 times at Banfield Elementary School in the wood or carpet gym.

Halloween Warm-up

You can still get your Halloween Warm-up tickets.

They are on sale at Super Fresh Produce and Bakery.  The event takes place on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 12  and 13.

New this year, during the 6:50 p.m. time slot, there will be 12 extra tickets available for those who cannot walk the trails.  Questions, please call the nature center at 437-7519.

Nature center

Al Batt returns at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 16 for his program “Traveling with the Birds” in the Ruby Rupner Auditorium located at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.  This program is cosponsored with Austin Audubon. Again, please RSVP using the information above.

Join the Friends of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center for their Thanksgiving Feast Fundraiser at 5-9 p.m. on Oct. 27.

The event will take place at the Austin Holiday Inn in the Conference Center at 1701 4th St. NW.  Tickets can be purchased for $40 online at www.hormelnaturecenter.org. You may also call 507-433-6928 to reserve tickets. It is a fun evening which starts off with a social hour, a delicious meal, music and entertainment, raffles and games, and a silent and live auction.

Better yet, join the Friends of the Hormel Nature Center and you will receive a $5 coupon at the feast to use towards raffles, games or auction items. All proceeds go to the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center Operations Fund, which supports interns, staffing, and programs throughout the year.

Curling

Did you know we offer curling?

There will be an open house at Packer Arena from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 7.

Come out and give it a try or just want to warm up for the league which will start the next week on Nov. 14.  The league will run on Wednesday’s for six weeks at a cost of $90 per player.

Deadline to sign up for the curling league is 4 p.m. on Nov. 14. We encourage teams of four to sign up, however, individuals may also register and teams will be made each night league meets.

What you should bring to curl:  carry a clean pair of rubber soled shoes to keep the ice clean, layer up as it is cold in the arena but you will warm up, loose fitting pants as you need to stretch and don’t forget your gloves.

League play

For those interested in the Winter Roll adult volleyball leagues, the team deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7 and 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 for 10 weeks.

There will also be Adult Flag Football offered and played in the Wescott Dome beginning Wednesday Jan. 2 and running for eight weeks.  Deadline to register your team is 5 p.m. on Dec. 21 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 roster limit of 20 players.  Games times will be 6:15 p.m. or 7:15 p.m.

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 .

Riverside Arena

Riverside Arena Public Skate’s:

•6:30-8 p.m., Oct. 13

•5:15-7 p.m., Oct. 20

•2:30-4:30 p.m., Oct. 21

Stick Time is 6:30-7:45 p.m., Oct. 10.

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

How about renting Riverside Arena for your special event?  Call our office to check on availability.

The Austin Bruins play tonight, at 7:05 p.m. when they host Brookings.