Open gym volleyball for girls 11 to 18 will be held the following Monday nights at Ellis Middle School; Nov. 28, Dec. 5, 12, and 19 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Reminder for all adult winter volleyball managers and players that the deadline for “Winter Roll” is Thursday, Dec. 1. You must have your entry fee and roster with a minimum of six player fees by 5 p.m. to avoid any late fees.

The league will begin play the first week in January. The team entry fee is $184 plus a player fee of $8 per player. For more information please contact our office at 433-1881.

Public skate dates this week for Packer Arena are: Sunday, Nov. 20 from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 23 from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 26 from 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. The cost is $4 to skate and if you need to rent a pair you can for $1. You may also purchase a family pass for two at $70 and add others from your family for $5 each. A single membership is $50. The homeschool memberships are $90 for two add the additional family members for $5. Homeschool passes will be honored at public skates as well.

If you are interested in joining the Friends of the J. C. Hormel Nature Center you may find out more information on their web site at www.hormelnaturecenter.org or by calling the Nature Center office at 437-7519.

Austin High School girls JV and varsity hockey teams started their game schedule this Saturday hosting Northfield and Waseca respectively. The girls varsity will host Rochester Century on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at Riverside; game time is 7:30 p.m.

A reminder if you are planning an event and looking for a space to rent this winter call the Nature Center and inquire about the Ruby Rupner Auditorium at 437-7519 or call our office at 433-1881 to inquire about the Izaak Walton Cabin in Todd Park.

YAC is now open. The Youth Activity Center is located in the rooms on the east side of Riverside Arena; use the NE door for access. YAC is open to all youth in Mower County in grades 5 to 12 and all activities are free. There are pool tables, air hockey, DDR, Guitar Hero, Wii, PlayStation 2, Game Cube, hi speed internet, beading, large screen TV’s, games, cards, table tennis, dart boards, foosball, punching bag, a piano, a sewing machine and always free popcorn. Hours are Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 8 p.m., Saturday from 3 to 9 p.m. and a reminder that we close at 6 p.m. when Bruins have home games. We open at 1 p.m. on scheduled no school days or early releases.

The next home game is Dec. 3 against Alexandria, game time is 7:05 p.m. Check out the Bruin’s web site at www.AustinBruins.com for more information.

The next observatory date is December 3 at 8 p.m. for all those interested star gazers. For more information check out this web page at www.spamtownusa.com/imstar. Happy Thanksgiving from the Staff at Austin Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department!

Check us out on Facebook. Look for Austin Park Recreation.