Recreation calendar

Backpacking/Hiking

April 14: Free backpacking clinic from 7-8:30 p.m. at REI, 1125 N. Monroe. Info: 328-9900.

Baseball/Softball

April 24: Baseball Northwest tryouts for this season’s special events at Spokane Falls Community College. Tryouts open to eastern Washington players. 2008 and 2009 graduates tryout at 9 a.m., followed by 2006 and 2007 graduates at 1 p.m. Fees: $20. Info: Mike Brooks, (253) 536-8001.

Sign up: Baseball and softball umpires needed. Call 536-1800 or go to Web site at www.sysa.com.

Sign up: Spokane Sports Association accepting softball registrations at Franklin Park Complex. Divisions include men’s modified, men’s/women’s slow pitch, senior men’s/women’s slow pitch, co-ed and women’s fast pitch. Info: 483-4653.

Sign up: Coaches, parents and players wanted for new ASA-affiliated fastpitch league. Players ages 18 and younger. Registration deadline May 1. Info: Theresa Sabin, (509) 796-3524 or Penny Myers, (509) 991-1755.

Basketball

April 23-24: Fourth annual EWU Spring Shootout 3-on-3 basketball tournament at the Eastern Washington University Sports & Recreation Center in Cheney. Double-elimination tournament, three games guaranteed. Entries postmarked by April 8. Info: Mike Campitelli, 359-7877.

May 14-15: Warehouse Warm-Up 3-on-3 basketball tournament at The Warehouse Athletic Facility, 800 N. Hamilton. Divisions from 8 years to adult, including men’s and women’s divisions. Info: Katie, 484-2670.

Cheer/Dance

April 16-17: Free auditions for 2005-06 Eastern Washington Elite Dance Teams at Elite Cheer and Dance Center in Kennewick. Grades 12 and younger. Info: Teri Rowe, (509) 783-5700.

April 16: North Idaho College cheerleaders elite stunt clinic at Christianson Gym on the NIC campus. Clinic for both coed and all-female teams runs from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Registration deadline April 12. Fees: $25 all-female teams, $50 coed. Info: Kristi Lacroix, (509) 475-8890.

April 23: Free auditions for 2005-06 Eastern Washington Elite Cheer Teams at Elite Cheer and Dance Center in Kennewick. Grades 12 and lower. Info: Teri Rowe, (509) 783-5700.

Climbing

April 4: Free women’s rock climbing clinic, 7-8:30 p.m. at REI, 1125 N. Monroe. Info: (509) 328-9900.

Cycling

April 2: Riverside Ruckus Cross Country Mountain Bike Race at Riverside State Park. Part of the WIM Mountain Bike Race Series. Fees: $19-$32. Info: 455-7657.

April 3: Riverside Ruckus Duathlon at Riverside State Park. Second of four-race duathlon series. Bike-run-bike format. Individual and team divisions. Race starts at 10 a.m. Fees: $25 individual, $35 team. Info: 455-7657.

April 5-6: Bicycle repair workshop with REI master technician Dave Mannino at REI, 1125 N. Monroe. Two-hour class includes hands-on training in basic bike maintenance and road repairs. Fees: $45, parts also available at extra charge. Info: 625-6200.

April 7: Free cycling maintenance clinic with REI cycling specialist Joshua Hess from 7-8:30 p.m. at REI, 1125 N. Monroe. Info: (509) 328-9900.

April 16: Volunteers needed for Camp Sekani trails cleanup day, organized by Fat Tire Trail Riders. Orientation starts at 9 a.m. Info: Penny Schwyn, 448-0346 or www.fttrc.org.

Fishing

April 9: Fish Fest, including exhibits and 21 seminars and kids casting competition, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at White’s Outdoor, 4002 E. Ferry. Info: 535-2422.

Sign up: Fly fishing for women, taught by Jan Sadlo at Ferris High School, Monday evenings May 16-June 13, sponsored by the Institute for Extended Learning, Community Education Program. Cost: $34. Pre-register, 279-6000.

Sign up: Fly fishing course taught by Jan Sadlo at Mt. Spokane High School, Monday evenings April 18-May 9, sponsored by the Institute for Extended Learning, Community Education Program. Cost: $39. Register, 279-6000.

Sign up: Fly-fishing course taught by Jan Sadlo at Orchard Center Elementary School, Wednesday evenings May 4-25, sponsored by the Institute for Extended Learning, Community Education Program. Cost: $39. Register, 279-6000.

Nature

April 9: Friends of Turnbull “Railroad History on Bikes” class with train historian Dr. Charles Mutscher. Learn about the development of western railroads at Columbia Plateau Trail State Park. Donations to support environmental education at the refuge are encouraged. Info: 235-6448.

April 13: Birds and other Wildlife of New Zealand and Australia, program by Dave Schneider, 7:30 p.m., Riverview Retirement Community downstairs chapel, 1801 Upriver Dr. Info: 838-5828.

April 16: Plant Identification on Turnbull Refuge. Learn how to identify plants on the refuge and surrounding environs. Classroom and field session. Fees: $10 for this session, $15 if also taking May 21 session. Info: Ken Swedberg, (509) 235-4979.

Sign up: “Birds of Eastern Washington, course taught by Maurice Vial, April 26-30 evenings plus Saturday field trip, sponsored by the Institute for Extended Learning, Community Education Program, Shadle Park High School. Cost: $57. Register, 279-6000.

Sign up: Mushroom identification field trip, May 21, sponsored by the Institute for Extended Learning, Community Education Program. Cost: $35. Register, 279-6000.

Sign up: Dishman Hills Natural Area nature experience with Mike Hamilton, May 14, sponsored by the Institute for Extended Learning, Community Education Program. Cost: $27. Register, 279-6000.

Sign up: Miocene Safari field trip with geologist Mike Hamilton, May 21, sponsored by the Institute for Extended Learning, Community Education Program. Cost: $27. Register, 279-6000.

Running/Walking

April 2: Registration for Comets Track Club in the Pullman High School cafeteria, 7-8:30 p.m. Open to all ages. Info: Mike Hinz, (509) 332-1168.

April 9: Second annual Alpha Kappa Psi Bulldog Jog 5K Run/Walk at Martin Centre, Gonzaga University. Race starts at 9:30 a.m. Preregistration deadline April 6. Fees: $10 before race, $15 on race day. Info: Marc, 329-3007.

April 9: Ninth annual Eagle Run at Lakeside High School, 5909 Highway 291 in Nine Mile Falls. 5K and 10K courses available. Race starts at 8:30 a.m. Fees: $5 before April 9, $10 on race day, T-shirts sold at race for $10. Info: Jim and Vicky Pettet, 466-2624.

April 10: Girl Scout Cookie Fun Run at Joe Albi Stadium. 3-mile run will begin at 9 a.m. Fees: $12 after April 1, $15 after April 1, includes T-shirt and box of Girl Scout cookies. $9 for registered Girl Scouts.

April 17: Twenty-third annual Spring Dash 2005 at North Idaho College, 1000 W. Garden Ave. in Coeur d’Alene. 5-mile course open to all runners, joggers, walkers and wheelchair entrants. Race starts at 9 a.m. Fees: $14 with T-shirt, $7 without T-shirt (by April 9), $20 after April 9.

April 17: Spokane River Run at Riverside State Park. 5K, 10K and 25K trail run courses. 25K race starts at 9 a.m., 5K and 10K at 9:15. Registration deadline April 12. 5K and 10K fees: 12 and under free, 13 and over: $10 with T-shirt, $15 without T-shirt. 25K fees: $35, includes T-shirt. Info: Mike Aho, 710-7760 or 324-8804.

April 23: America’s Kids Run at Joe Albi Stadium for ages 5-13. Fees: $5 before April 15, $10 after. Info: 255-9377.

April 23: Third annual Wild Turkey Trot 5K run/walk at Rotary Dominion Meadows Trail in Colville. Race starts at 10 a.m. Registration deadline April 8. Fees: $8, includes T-shirt. Info: Krisan LeHew, (509) 675-1345.

April 23: Twenty-seventh annual St. John Hog Jog at St. John City Park. Two- and 5-mile courses. Race starts at 8:30 a.m. Fees: $10 before April 16, $12 on race day, includes T-shirt. Info: Donna Harrison, (509) 648-3382; Lydia Smith, (509) 648-3719; Gracie Miller, (509) 648-3881.

May 8: Over the Dam Run at Mason City Park in Coulee Dam. 5K, 10K and half-marathon courses. Registration deadline April 9. Fees: $15 for 5K, $20 for 10K, $35 for half-marathon. Info: (360) 325-0715 or (800) COULEE2.

Sailing

April 9: Coeur d’Alene Sailing club information meetings regarding spring sailing classes at Lake Coeur d’Alene for youths and adults are set in Spokane at 4:30 p.m. at the Manito Library and in Coeur d’Alene at 2 p.m. at the Idaho Fish and Game Office. Info: Gaston Martin, 838-1266 or gastonfmartin@hotmail.com.

Sign up: Sailing basics course taught at Ferris High School, Monday evenings April 18-May 9, sponsored by the Institute for Extended Learning, Community Education Program. Cost: $55. Register, 279-6000.

Shooting

April 2: Shotgun shooting exhibition by Tom Knapp, who has hit a record 10 clay targets hand-thrown simultaneously, starting at noon at the Spokane Gun Club, 19615 E. Sprague. Tickets are free but must be picked up at one of the White Elephant stores before the event.

Skiing/Snowboarding

April 9: Mt. Spokane Ski Patrol is recruiting new volunteer members for the 2005-06 season. Informational meeting starts at 9:30 a.m. in the Patrol Building at Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park. Info: Jackie Hughes, (509) 928-3261.

Tennis

April 30-May 1: Palouse Open 2005 tournament at various locations in Moscow. Open to all skill levels. Sanctioned by the Pacific Northwest Division of the USTA. Registration deadline April 11. Info: Katie Gibbons, (208) 724-8700.

Continuing events

(Items published first Friday of month)

Backpacking/Hiking

Corbin Hikers: Sponsored by Corbin Senior Activity Center, hike each Thursday at 8 a.m.; locations vary. Info: 327-1584.

Hobnailers Hiking Club: Weekly hikes at a variety of places in the Inland Northwest. Info: 534-1100.

Cycling

Spokane Bicycle Club rides offered daily throughout week. Contact Sally Phillips, 448-6271 or Steve Sauser, 922-7249 for more information on location and times. You can also go to www.spokanebicycleclub.org for more information.

Hockey

Sign up: Women’s hockey league at Eagles Ice-A-Rena Fridays from 7-8:15 p.m. Cost is $10 per game. All ability levels welcome. Info: Nancy Kellner 468-1943 or www.spokanewomenshockey.com.

Shooting

Continuing: Landt Farms Sporting Clays 2005 tournament season has begun. Registration for all tournaments is at 8:30 a.m., with a five-stand warm-up. There is a tournament every month through December. Info: George or Sally (509) 464-2070.

Unified recreation

Continuing: Spokane Parks Dept. offers a variety of activities year-round for those who are developmentally challenged. Info: 625-6200.

Walking/Running

Continuing: Evening walking program for ages 18 and older sponsored by Spokane Parks and Recreation, Monday and Thursday from 6-6:45 p.m. around South Hill and Downtown areas. Info: 625-6200.