Thank you to all who participated in events, raised dollars and volunteered their time during Paint the Town Pink.

I would also like to thank those behind the scenes who make sure the venues are prepared, allowing the hosts to put on their events. Please know that these events would not be possible without the help that everyone contributes.

Paint the Town Pink started with Paint the Rink Pink with the Austin Bruins, and continues to grow as surrounding towns have jumped on the band wagon. Pink has brought many faces together helping raise funds to allow the scientists at our Hormel Institute to research for a cancer cure.

Adult open hockey is moving to Riverside Arena from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. Wednesday, and 7 to 8:15 p.m. on March 5.

Participants must be at least high school age, and the cost is $6 per session. Goalies are free but must have full gear.

Kids ages 4 to 9 can try hockey for free again from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Riverside Arena. You must register at tryhockeyforfree.com or call Scott Guttormson at 507-438-5153 for more information.

Austin Youth Hockey and Austin Parks and Recreation will offer a four-on-four league for those age 7 to 9 years. Those who are younger will also be allowed if they have had two years of experience with youth hockey. Forms are available.

Save the date — from 1 to 5 p.m. on March 29 you can stop in to Riverside Arena and try curling. Entry fee to the arena is $2. You must be 16 and older to give it a try. Bring along a pair of clean tennis shoes and wear loose fitting pants. It should be a great time.

Austin Youth Soccer held its early bird registration Saturday, but you can still register up until noon Feb. 28 at austinyouthsoccer.org. Summer soccer rec and competitive traveling teams are for ages 8 to 17.

Spring is just around the corner, and Austin Youth Fastpitch Softball registration forms are available. Head to austinyouthsoftball.com for registration information. You may also pick a form up at our office.

Austin Youth Wrestling will host the NYWA District Qualifier Tournament on Friday, March 14, at the Austin High School. Interested wrestlers in grades kindergarten through eighth-grade may pre-register by Tuesday, March 11. Forms are available at our office and at ci.austin.mn.us or the NYWA site at nywa-mn.com.  They will accept walk-ins again this year until 5:30 p.m. only. The cost is $12.

For those youth grades five to 12 in Mower County, stop in and check out the Youth Activity Center, which is located in the east rooms of Riverside Arena.

During no-school days we will open at 1 p.m. All activities are free and supervised. We have pool tables, air hockey, DDR, “Guitar Hero,” Wii, PlayStation 3, high-speed Wi-Fi, a computer lab, large-screen TVs and the list goes on. As a treat, there is always free popcorn. Grab some of your friends and stop in to check it out.

Also, don’t forget to check out the Austin Bruin’s at Riverside Arena. Their next home games will be Feb.28 and March 1 at 7:05 p.m.