The Positive Spin for December: Pickleball, non-school days, holiday hours and more.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Santa, the Missus and a few elves made an appearance at the Dec. 3 Santa Sprint and Reindeer Dash. So did more than 350 kids and grownups who took part in the running and post-event festivities inside. Check out some more scenes here.

New program emphasizes at-home safety

Learning how to be home alone safely is the goal of a new class for kids at the Y.

Safe At Home is a one-session course that covers all the best practices of at-home safety when parents aren't around. The course is designed for kids ages 8 to 11, and parents can attend but aren't required.

Session dates for Safe At Home are: Jan 14, Feb. 18, March 17, April 21 and May 19. The times are from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Bach's Lunch returns Dec. 17

The Mankato Symphony Orchestra's Family Concert Series, "Bach's Lunch," returns to the Y at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17. Tickets can be purchased at the event here at the Y.

If you haven't yet joined the interactive fun, here's a glimps of what goes on during these encounters between kids and the classics.

Bach explains how he was not allowed to make music because he was too little

DAUGHTER DAY JAN. 16

Bring that special girl to a day devoted to her on Daughter Day Jan. 16 at the Y.

Daughter Day is an afternoon just for girls and whoever they'd like to bring as their older mentor -- mom, dad, aunt, sister, grandfather, etc. It's a day that allows that adult to celebrate the bond with that girl. Taking place from 1 to 4 p.m., the day is packed with activities including yoga, dance, make- and-take crafts and a healthy snack.

Cost is $14 per family, and participation is limited to members only. Register by calling 387-8255. For more information on the event, call Joy Leafblad at 345-9813.

School's out for the holidays: Let the Y do the watching at non-school camps.

When school's out for the holidays, the Y provides fantastic day-long fun and caring supervision for a great price.

These non-school day camps operate for grades K-5 and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Typical activities include swimming, field trips, gym games, arts and more.

Participants should bring a swim suit, towel, sack lunch and weather-appropriate clothing.

Upcoming non-school days and their field trips are:

Dec. 22 -- Sky Zone

Dec. 23 -- Nickelodeon Universe

Dec 26 -- WOW Zone

Dec. 27 -- A Day at the YMCA

Dec. 28 -- Mount Kato tubing hill

Dec. 29 -- The Works

Dec. 30 -- Ice Skating at All Seasons Arena

Download a registration form here or contact Karri Olmanson at the Y at 507-345-9806.

News & notes

Youth basketball still has openings. Register soon as the program begins January 2...Registration for the one-on-one racquetball league is underway, with a deadline of January 4...Registration is also underway for the new Under 35 Basketball League ... The Y's holiday hours are:

Christmas Eve -- closing at 2 p.m.

Christmas Day -- closed.

New Year's Eve -- closing at 6 p.m.

New Year's Day -- open noon to0 6 p.m.

Warm Fuzzies: The Winter Mitten Tree

By now you may have noticed the tall, lushly decorated Christmas tree in the lobby. But have you checked out the smaller tree across the lobby? The one decorated with mittens?

That's the Mitten Tree, which we hope to have ornamented with donated mittens from staff and YMCA members. The mittens will be donated to local charities. It's another lobby brainchild of Membership Director Liz Hageman. Please donate so we can help keep some hands warm this season.

Discovery Preschool registration is open for 2012-2013.

The Y's acclaimed Discovery preschool program is taking applications for the 2012-13 school year. Discovery delivers swim time, gym activities and field trips as part of its curriculum. Parents like the emphasis on skills and values -- kids like the variety, the fun and the friends.

The year begins in 2012 and ends May 2013. If you would like to visit the program, contact Margo Dietz at 345-9805.

Pickleball begins January 3

Pickleball comes to the Y in a pick-up setting during noon hours beginning Jan. 3. The game is a cross between table tennis and real tennis, is popular in southern states and was featured prominently in the recent Senior Games.

To participate, all that's needed is a Pickleball Pass, available at the front desk for $10. Some equipment is available at the Y, though players are encouraged to bring their own.

A good show of shoes

We're passing along a note of thanks from Molly Norris, who initiated the Y's shoe collection for District 77 students. Thanks to members who handed over their gently used running shoes, the district was able to give 145 pairs of running shoes to students in need.

"As we all know, gym shoes are expensive and in elementary our kids need two pair which can add up quickly," Norris said. "Sometimes the shoes that were bought in September no longer fit by December. Kids can certainly access these [donated] shoes through their Phy Ed teacher or the Health Assistants in the building."

Thanks to all members who contributed and to Molly for getting the program running.

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