BOWLING

Max Mitchley, president of the Spanish Wells Invitational Bowling League, has announced the opening of 2008-2009 season. The league is open to all residents of Southwest Florida, whether or not they are residents of Spanish Wells. Membership in the Spanish Wells Golf and Country Club is not required. The League is a mixed league with people from all communities. Men and women are paired up with other men and women who are not usually husbands and wives of each other. No established bowling league average is needed and all skill levels are welcome. There are many substitutes for weeks when a bowler is not available. There are no age restrictions, but most of the bowlers in this league are over 55 years of age.

The first afternoon of Bowling is Oct. 27. The league has a 20 week season through the end of March, 2009. The league does not bowl during the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. The league starts with practice at 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 27 and finishes about 4:30 p.m. in time for cocktails and dinner of the bowler’s choice.

Bowling is at Beacon Bowl on the east side of Rte. 41, just North of Pine Ridge Road. The weekly league fee is $12 per person and includes the bowling lane fees, prize money for awards for all at the end of the season and the awards dinner held early in April at Spanish Wells Golf and Country Club. Information: Max Mitchley 498 3380 or at mmitchley@aol.com

RUNNING/WALKING

Thursday, Sept. 11: Greater Naples Corporate 5K Run/Walk, Moe’s Southwest Grill (U.S. 41/Immokalee Rd.), Naples. Information: 434-9786

Sunday, Sept. 28: Naples On The Run 5K, 7 a.m., Naples On The Run, 2128 9th St. North, Naples. Information: 434-9786 or www.gcrunner.org

Saturday, Oct. 4: RRCA Women’s Distance Festival 5K Run and 5K Walk, 8 a.m., Lakes Regional Park, Fort Myers. Information: 437-3488

Saturday, Oct. 4: Pilot Club 5K Run and Walk (kids run, too), 7:30 a.m., King’s Lake, Naples. Information: www.gcrunner.org

Sunday, Oct. 5: Gasparilla Island 5K and 10K Run, 7:30 a.m., Boca Grande Community Center. Information: www.active.com

Saturday, Oct. 25: Fort Myers Cops and Joggers 5K, 7:30 a.m., Centennial Park, Fort Myers. Benefit for FMPD’s Fallen Office Memorial. Information: 437-3488 or www.ftmyerstrackclub.com

BIRDING

Alligator Amblers will host a hike/bird watch on Wednesday, Sept. 17. Meet at the parking lot on the corner of Lenelle Road and Estero Blvd. Walk to Little Estero Island and be prepared to wade several deep passes on this barrier island while watching resident and various migratory birds. Information: Bonnie McLaughlin 765-5450

Lee County Bird Patrol will be at Bunche Beach on Sept. 20 at 8 a.m. Bring binoculars, sun protection, shoes that can get wet and drinking water. Bunche Beach is located off Summerlin Road. Drive south on John Morris Road until the dead end. Information: 707-3015

BASEBALL TRIP

The Miracle will host a bus trip to Tampa for the Rays-Minnesota Twins game on Sept. 20. Information: Gary Sharp at 768-4210 or gsharp@miraclebaseball.com

ROLLER DERBY

Upcoming home matches for the Fort Myers Derby Girls are Sept. 21 (Tampa) and Oct. 26 (Bradentucky). Matches start at 7 p.m. at Generations Skating Center, 2095 Andrea Lane, Fort Myers. Information: 482-7789 or generationsskatingcenter.com

FITNESS

Lakes Regional Park in south Fort Myers will host a Family Health and Fitness Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 27. Information: 433-5909

DING DARLING DAYS

Birding, nature cruises, kayaking and biking will be featured during “Ding” Darling Days birding and eco-festival Oct. 19-26 on Sanibel Island. Information: www.dingdarlingdays.com

KAYAKING

Learn the basics while paddling the Orange River for two hours on a guided instructional tour Oct. 11 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at Manatee Park. The tour is perfect for adults of all ages and abilities. Information: Nancy Kilmartin at 690-5030 or www.leeparks.org

PADDLING

A leisurely instructional paddle on the Caloosahatchee River will be held Oct. 16 from 9-11 a.m. Meet at the Caloosahatchee campground in Alva. Information: Kathy at 693-2690 or www.leeparks.org

The annual Calusa Blueway Paddle Festival in Lee County will run Oct. 25 through Nov. 2. Featured will be races, educational events, fishing tournament and other family activities. Information: Betsy Clayton at 433-3855 or www.leeparks.org

NATURE WALKS

A guided walk will be held at Hickeys Creek Mitigation Park from 9-11 a.m. on Oct. 2. Information: 693-2690

AUTO RACING

Upcoming events at Charlotte County Motorsports Park, 8655 Piper Rd., Punta Gorda, 941-575-7223, www.charlottecountyracing.com

Saturday racing starts at 6 p.m.

Sept. 12: Go-Karts

Sept. 13: Outlaw Street Stock 50, Champions Race #5 for Fast Trucks, Fast Kids, Dwarf Cars, TQ Midgets, Road Warriors

Sept. 19: Go-Karts

ICE SKATING

Germain Arena, 1100 Everblades Parkway, Estero holds public skating Mondays through Fridays, 12-1:45 p.m.; Fridays, 8:30-10:45 p.m.; Saturdays, 1-2:45 p.m., 3-4:45 p.m. and 7:30-9:45 p.m.; Sundays 1-2:45 p.m. and 6:45-8:30 p.m. Information: 948-7825

The Skatium, 2250 Broadway, Fort Myers holds public skating Fridays 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 4-5:50 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.; Sundays, 7-8:50 p.m. Information: 461-3145

INLINE/ROLLERSKATING

Generations Skating Center, 2095 Andrea Lane, Fort Myers, offers public skating Mondays through Fridays from 12-4 p.m., Saturdays 12-6 p.m. and Sundays 1-5 p.m. Evening skating includes Mondays 7:30-10:30 p.m. (16 and older), Tuesdays and Wednesdays 6:30-9 p.m., Fridays 7-11 p.m., and Saturdays 7-11 p.m. Information: 482-7789 or generationsskatingcenter.com

LEE PARKS

Dr. Charles O’Connor will lead a wet walk for the public at 12 p.m. on Sept. 14 at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers. Reservations required. Information: 533-7557 or rcoc@comcast.net

YMCA

Registration is underway for Lee County YMCA’s co-ed kickball, co-ed volleyball, co-ed wiffleball, men’s 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 basketball, men’s 7-on-7 flag football and racquetball. Information: Brian Dodd at 275-9622 or briand@leecountyymca.org

A Daddy/Daughter Dance will be held Sunday, Sept. 29 from 6-9 p.m. at the Lee County YMCA. Open to daddies and daughters of all ages. Information: www.leecountyymca.org

BIKING

Alligator Amblers will host a bike ride along Webb Lake on Saturday, Sept. 13. Information: 246-0259 or email fair@aol.com