Recreation calendar

Backpacking/Hiking Climbing

Feb. 28: Trekking K-2, free slide show by Spokane adventurer Dick Byrd, recounting a trip to advanced base camp of world’s second-highest peak, 7 p.m., Corbin Senior Activity Center, 827 W. Cleveland Ave. Sponsored by Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club.

Baseball/Softball

Sign up: The Olympic Softball Clinic, March 12 in the Whitworth College Fieldhouse and featuring gold-medal winners Stacey Nuveman, Amanda Freed and Jessica Mendoza, is accepting registrations. Advance registration for players 10 and older is $50 (includes T-shirt and autograph/picture session) or $60 at the door. Info: Fuzzy Buckenberger, 993-8888 (daytime), 328-2131 (evening) or e-mail fuzzybuck@msn.com. Sign up: Spokane Youth Sports Baseball is accepting applications for its summer baseball program. Play will begin May 31 to June 13 and be completed the week of July 18, with a season-ending tournament July 23-30. Fees: $80 for ages 5-8, $90 for ages 9-12 and $100 for ages 13-20 if received before May 3; includes hat, shirt, pants and socks. Info: 536-1800. Sign up: Spokane Youth Sports Softball is accepting application for its summer softball program. Play will begin May 31 to June 13 and be completed the week of July 15, with a season-ending tournament July 16 and 17. Fees: $80 for ages 5-8, $90 for ages 9-12 and $100 for ages 13-20 if received before May 3; includes hat, shirt, pants and socks. Info: 536-1800. Sign up: Spokane Pony Baseball is looking for those interested in umpiring organized youth baseball. Season starts mid-April and ends mid-July. Players divided into age groups from 9-14. Training and some gear provided. Info: Gary Broadbent, 216-9456 or 483-4653.

Sign up: Spokane North Little League is seeking umpires for paid positions in ages 9-14. Season begins early April and ends early August. Info: Dan Peck, 465-0724.

Golf

March 15: Join the Downriver 9-Hole Ladies for their kick-off brunch at Perkins, 5903 N. Division. Brunch starts at 9:30 a.m. New members welcome. RSVP: Bette, 467-3723. Info: Kathy Eaton, 534-4227.

April 30: Second Annual Nick Holt Golf Tournament at University of Idaho Golf Course in Moscow. Five-person teams will take part in a best-ball scramble. Registration at 9 a.m., followed by shotgun start at 10. Dinner and auction held by Moscow Elks Club at 5 p.m. Proceeds will help fund summer school for UI football student-athletes. Registration: $100, includes tee prize, lunch, dinner and greens fees. Info: (208) 885-0232.

Multievent sports

April 10 and May 15: Spring Thaw Duathlons at Sontag Park in Nine Mile Falls. Course is 2-mile run, 10-mile bike, 3-mile run. Individuals are divided into men’s and women’s age groups; relay teams are also accepted. Registration at Sontag Park at 7 a.m., followed by race at 9. Helmets required for all cyclists. Registration available online at www.signmeupsports.com/31606 (April race) or www.signmeupsports.com/31612 (May race). Info: Michael Emde, (509) 326-6983.

Nature

March 18-20: Othello Sandhill Crane Festival, featuring field trips to view migrating cranes plus numerous other nature experiences and presentations at the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge and beyond. Early registration advised. Info: (866) 726-3445, or www.othellosandhillcranefestival.org.

Orienteering

Eastern Washington Orienteering Club: Fees: $3 for novice course, members $4 for advanced courses, non-members $5 for advanced courses (unless noted). Info: John Harbuck (Idaho), (208) 263-9894 or John Beck (Washington), 838-7078. Upcoming events: Feb. 26, Manito Park, 18th and Grand; registration 10 a.m. to noon. March 19, Finch Arboretum; registration 11 a.m. to noon.

March 19: Spokane Parks & Recreation courses at Finch Arboretum. “Introduction to Orienteering” course introduces students to sport of orienteering. Classroom instruction from 9:30 to 11 a.m., immediately followed by outdoor course until noon. “Orienteering Skills” class includes classroom instruction and outdoor practice of map and compass skills for intermediate and advanced orienteering courses. Class from 1-3:30 p.m. Register with Spokane Parks & Recreation Department at City Hall or call 625-6200. Fees: $12 per person each class. Registration deadline: March 14.

Running

March 13: Twenty-fourth annual St. Paddy’s Five at Spokane Community College. Five-mile race begins at 10 a.m. There will also be a 300-meter fun run for boys and girls 6 or younger at 11:30. Fees: $10 with shirt, $5 without before March 4; $15 with shirt, $8 without from March 5-12; $15 without shirt on race day. Info: Lori, 448-8642 or Joan, 624-4297. Presented by Bloomsday Road Runners Club. March 20: Bob White Memorial Run for Sight. Five-kilometer walk/run begins with check-in at 8 a.m. at Airway Heights Community Center, 13120 W. 13th Ave.; race starts at 9. Fees: $16 for long-sleeve shirt, $11 for T-shirt, $6 without shirt if postmarked before March 11; $21 for long-sleeve shirt, $16 for T-shirt, $9 without shirt after March 12. Info: Melinda Hoekema, 226-1234.

Soccer

Feb. 26: USSF official 2005 re-certification testing. Plantes Ferry Park, Upriver Drive. Testing begins at noon. Info: Tandie Dahnke, tld3160@aol.com.Sign up: Registration open for SYSA U-5 spring league. Players must be age 4 on or before Aug. 1, 2004. Games on Saturdays April 2-May 7. Registration online at www.sysa.com. Fees: $50 online or in-person, $55 by mail or fax. Info: 536-1800.