Recreation calendar

Fri., Jan. 14, 2005

The Spokesman-Review

Spotlight

Cross country trails in prime condition

» From Mount Spokane to the Methow Valley, groomed cross country ski trails are in top condition.

» Mount Spokane's routes are the most pampered in the Spokane area, with up to 25 kilometers of trails groomed Wednesday through Monday each week. Note that the Selkirk Lodge is a flurry of activity on most Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with more than 100 kids and their families who participate in the Nordic Kids program. Get grooming updates at 238-4025.

» With snow in the lowlands, the Spokane Parks Department is grooming trails at Downriver Golf Course and the Centennial Trail from Seven Mile to the Bowl and Pitcher overlook.

» Sleeper ski spots include the Priest Lake Golf Course, where grooming started this week, and the Boulder-Deer Creek Summit east of Curlew, where the grooming is particularly good now that the snow is deep enough to drive the moose away.

Basketball

Feb. 18-20: AAU Moscow Panhandle Shootout for boys grades 5-8. Entry forms available on the AAU Web site. Info: Jerry Jaques (208) 882-2591.

Tryouts: The Spokane Stars AAU Club will hold tryouts for its elite teams during the club’s skills camps held each Sunday in January and February at University High. Tryouts for girls in fifth, sixth and seventh grades are from noon to 2 p.m. Tryouts for all older age groups are from 2 to 4 p.m. There are openings in all age groups. For more information, contact Stars director Ron Adams at (509) 499-1112.

Fishing

Jan. 21: Ice fishing clinic, 7 p.m., White’s Outdoor, 4002 E. Ferry. Followed on Jan. 22 with an on the ice field session. Info: 535-1875.

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.

Skiing/Snowboarding

Jan. 17: Downtown YMCA is offering ski and snowboard trips to Silver Mountain. Info: Herb Hylton 838-3577 ext. 141.

Sign up: A variety of lessons, trips and various activities involving winter sports, including cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding are being offered through Spokane Parks and Recreation. Registration is required. Dates, times and costs vary. Information: 625-6200.

Skijoring

Spokane County Regional Animal Care & Protection Services (SCRAPS) and Volunteers Offering Intermediate Care & Enrichment (VOICE) are sponsoring free Skijoring classes. Each Saturday from 1-1:45 p.m. at the SCRAPS animal shelter, staff and volunteers offer an introductory class on Skijoring basics such as equipment and technique. Skijoring is the combination of cross country skiing and dog mushing, in which the dog is connected to the cross country skier with a bungee cord and pulling harness. Fees: Free. Info: 477-2752.

Softball

Sign up: Spokane Softball Umpires Association looking for umpires for youth and adult programs that run March through October. Fast pitch, slow pitch and modified pitch. No experience necessary. Full free training provided. Introductory meeting will be on Feb. 2, 6:30 p.m., in the Barbieri Student Center at Gonzaga Prep. Info: Ken Mathia, 448-8808; Kent Walker, 327-3255; Chuck Stewart, 489-5964.

Sign up: Hitting clinic for ages 12 to 18 hosted by North Idaho College coaching staff and players from 9:30 a.m. to noon Jan. 15, 22 and 29 at the NIC hitting facility. Cost is $50 for all three sessions. Info: (208) 769-7879.

Tennis

Jan. 24-30: Register by Jan. 17 for the Spokane Senior Classic at the Spokane Athletic Club at Fourth Ave. All entrants must live within a 50-mile radius of Spokane. Men must be 35 years or older and women 30 years or older during 2005. Various events and levels are available. Cost is $17 for singles events and $13 a person for doubles events. Information: Mike Shanks 535-3554.

Submit listings at least two weeks in advance of event or entry deadline to: Recreation Calendar, The Spokesman-Review Sports Dept., P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. Items are limited to two weeks of publication.