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

On Tuesday, Dec.r 4 the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center  will participate in the Christmas in the East from 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.

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.

As always, they like to know how many are coming so if you can please RSVP.  You may call 507-437-7519 or email info@hormelnaturecenter.org.

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.

Volleyball clinic

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. 

Watch for information on other girl’s volleyball opportunities!

League play

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.

Those youth 9 to 18 years of age interested in archery league –— sign up online by Dec. 29.  League will be offered again on Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6-7:30 p.m. beginning Jan. 2-3, in the 4-H building at the fairgrounds.

Cost is $60 for 11 weeks, sign up early as it tends to fill up fast.

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.

Packer Arena

Public Skate: 1:15-3:30 p.m., Nov. 17; 1-3 p.m., Nov. 24; 7-9 p.m., Nov. 9; 3:30-5 p.m., Nov. 23; 4-6 p.m., Nov. 18; 4-6 p.m.; 4-6 p.m., Thanksgiving.

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

Having a birthday party or getting your friends and family together? Rrent the arena!  Call our office for times at 507-433-1881.

Riverside Arena

The Austin Bruins host Bismarck at 7:05 p.m. tonight.

The Austin High School girls hockey team hosts Mankato East at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.