Recreation calendar

Backpacking/Hiking

March 9: Meet the Backpacking Club clinic, 7 p.m. at REI, 1125 N. Monroe. Backpacking Club introduction, followed by slide show on Madagascar. Info: 328-9900.

Baseball/Softball

March 27: Baseball coaches clinic, featuring Gonzaga head coach Mark Machtolf and Spokane RiverHawks manager Steve Hertz, 6:30 p.m. at The Warehouse, 800 N. Hamilton. Info: Sean Flikke, 484-2461 or www.warehousebaseball.com.

Sign up: Spokane Sports Association softball. Leagues available: men’s modified; men’s and women’s slowpitch; 50 and over slowpitch; coed and women’s fastpitch. Info: 483-4653.

Sign up: Spokane Pony baseball umpires. Games run from early April through August. Training and some equipment provided. Classes begin March 7. Info: Gary Broadbent, 216-9456 or 483-4653.

Basketball

March 24-26: Dan Fitzgerald Signature Basketball Clinic for high school boys at University High School, presented by Spokane AAU Basketball. Info: 624-2414, ext. 19, or giff@spokanehoopfest.net.

Camping/Hiking

March 9 and 14: Year in Madagascar, slide show about visiting and hiking in the former French colony by Carol Smucker and Chuck Back, members of the Backpacking Club. Shows start at 7 p.m. March 9 at REI, 1125 N. Monroe, and March 14 at Mountain Gear, 2002 N. Division.

Climbing

March 6: Free women’s climbing night, 7 p.m. at REI, 1125 N. Monroe. Info: 328-9900.

Fishing/Hunting

March 16: Lake Roosevelt kokanee fishing techniques with Lenny Mayo, 6 p.m., at Whites’ Outdoor, 4002 E. Ferry Ave. Info: 535-1875.

March 23: Ocean salmon and halibut fishing techniques with Fred Smith, 6 p.m., at Whites’ Outdoor, 4002 E. Ferry Ave. Info: 535-1875.

Nature

March 8: Volunteer bird projects in Spokane, report by Howard Ferguson, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist,7:30 p.m., Riverview Retirement Center, 1801 E. Upriver Dr. (Use N. Granite St. entrance to downstairs chapel.) Ferguson will review local birding projects for the Audubon Society, discuss results and present future projects volunteers can undertake.

Orienteering

March 11: Riverside State Park at Camp Seven Mile, Wilber Road trailhead parking area, presented by Eastern Washington Orienteering Club. Fees: $5 beginner course or members on any course; $7 non-members on advanced courses; $3 additional maps; $5 parking fee without Washington State Parks pass. Info: John Harbuck, (208) 263-9894, or John Beck, 838-7078.

Running/Walking

March 12: St. Paddy’s Five 5-mile run, 10 a.m. at Spokane Community College. Early registration deadline March 4. Fees: $10 with T-shirt; $5 without. Info: 624-4297.

Track and field

Sign up: Spokane Youth Sports Association track and field, grades 1-6. Registration deadline March 10. Info: 536-1800, ext. 518, or e-mail kimk@sysa.com.

March 12: The Inland Northwest Track & Field’s annual officials’ certification clinic will be held 9 a.m.-3 p.m.on at Eastern Washington University in Room 103 of the P.E. Building. The presentation covers all levels of officiating from high school, college and USA Track & Field, as well as 2006 rule changes. Cost: $5. Fee for USATF certification it is $15 for the Olympiad. Contact: Lawson Van Kuren at (509) 235-4762 or Cheneytrackclub@aol.com.

Shooting

March 11: Ducks Unlimted 100-target Benefit shoot, at Coyote Falls Sporting Clays near Almira. Shooting starts at 10:30 a.m. Cost, $30 includes lunch. Info: (509) 639-0168 or email lpeha@televar.com.

Skiing/Snowboarding

March 4: EWU Hill Climb and Descent Race for skiers and snowboarders, 2:30 p.m., 49 Degrees North. Entrants climb hill on skis or snowshoes and speed back to start/finish line by ski or snowboard. Entry: $15. Info: 359-7920.

March 10-12: Schweitzer Mountain Resort will host World Cup Telemark Finals. National telemark teams from around the world will compete in this 3-day event. An open-class event will be held. Registration and info: www.outdoorexperience.us and www.schweitzer.com or by calling (800) 831.8810.

Continuing events

(Items published first Friday of month)

Backpacking/Hiking/Climbing

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.

Basketball

Sign up: Spokane Stars Basketball Skills Camps for girls, kindergarten through 12th grade. Camps run every Sunday at University High School, 12420 E. 32nd Ave. Fees: $15 per session. Info: Ron Adams, 499-1112 or 928-8512.

Billiards

Center Stage: Free 8-ball and 9-ball tournaments, Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. at Center Stage, 1017 W. First Ave. Info: Jeff, 747-8243, ext. 2. Nov. 18 then continuing

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.

Fishing/Hunting

Swede’s Fly Shop: Free fly fishing clinics for kids 10-15 years old. Clinics held first Saturday of November, January, March and May. Limit eight students per clinic; students can attend one clinic. Info: 323-0500.

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.

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.