By Kevin D. Nelson

Austin Parks and Recreation

Youth basketball for kindergarten through sixth grade, begins Oct. 22 and is scheduled to run most Tuesdays and Thursday through Dec. 5.

Seasonal work

Austin Parks and Recreation has a number of seasonal positions available, including recreation assistant, recreation instructor, arena supervisor, park maintenance, adult volleyball refree, and warming house attendant. Some of these require a considerable amount of related knowledge and/or skill, while others will require some training, reliability, and solid work ethic.

Interested individuals are encouraged to contact the Parks, Rec, and Forestry office at 1-507-433-1881.

Learn about osprey

At 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, there will be an osprey program presented by Kelly Bahl. Osprey have a huge range that spans over all of North America, but they are a rare sight in some places they were once common. Kelly will talk about the story of osprey through their reintroduction programs, habits, and adaptations. The program is sponsored by Austin Audubon Society.

Sola Fide Observatory

Sola Fide Observatory offers public nights on specified Saturdays for those interested to go out and discover fascinating facts about the night sky during free observatory open house hours.

The next scheduled date is 8-10 p.m. on Sept. 28, weather permitting. On such select evenings, Jay C. Hormel Nature Center staff and volunteers are available to assist the public in viewing the night sky.

Come out to the Sola Fide Observatory from 8-9 p.m. on on Saturday, Oct. 6, to view Mars and discover fascinating facts about the night sky during our free observatory open house hours.

Sola Fide Observatory is open to the public on specified Saturdays throughout the year (dependent on clear skies). On these select evenings, Nature Center staff and volunteers are available to assist the public in viewing the night sky.

Learn to Play Hockey

The next session of Learn to Play Hockey will run four Mondays, 5:30-6:15 p.m., Sept. 23 – Nov. 14 at Riverside Arena for ages 3 to 8.

The cost is $25, and you may register online on our City website  at www.ci.austin.mn.us. Click on “City Departments” then on “on-line registration.”From there, click on the “Registration” tab, and then click on ‘“Youth,” and the programs will be listed.

Public skate

• 2:45-4:15 p.m., Sunday
• 5-7 p.m., Wednesday

Stick time

• 1-2:30 p.m., today
• 1-2:30 p.m., Sunday
• 4:30-6 p.m., Tuesday

Times are added as different opportunities arise, so check the Austin Parks and Rec Facebook page regularly.

Did you know

Total health care costs attributable to obesity or (being) overweight are projected to double every decade to approximately $861-960 billion by 2030, accounting for 16-18 percent of total U.S. health care costs. (Source: “The Rationale for Recreation Services for Youth: An Evidence-Based Approach”).

Avoid being a statistic; get active and stay active. Make both visiting and enjoying your Austin’s parks and Jay C. Hormel Nature Center integral parts of your life!