A sure sign of summer is the opening of the Sycamore Park District’s pool. The district is selling pool passes at a 10 percent discount through April 30. The pool is scheduled to open May 25.

DeKALB

Grant to open scouting experience to girls

Girl Scout activities will now available to local disadvantaged girls, who for a variety of economic reasons could not participate in the past. The DeKalb County Community Foundation has given a $1,200 grant to support Project Opportunity, a Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois (GSNI) AmeriCorps program to support two scouting programs at University Village and Gideon Court Apartments for 50 Fifty DeKalb area girls.

According to Girl Scouts, girls who participate in the outreach program show strong outcomes toward achievement, such as developing a strong sense of self, thorough understanding of financial literacy, and demonstrating effective problem solving skills. When asked about their participation in Girl Scouts, girls report being excited about making new friends, having the opportunity to learn new things, having fun, and feeling secure in a girl group.

GSNI offers programs focused on the outdoors, career and interest exploration, travel and the global community, and practical life skills, in addition to community service projects. GSNI serves DeKalb County and 15 other counties. To volunteer, reconnect, donate or join, visit girlscoutsni.org or call (844) 476-4463.

Rose sale to benefit Lions Club’s efforts

The DeKalb Lions is hosting its annual Rose Day sale to benefit the vision and hearing impaired. Roses from Glidden Florist will be delivered April 28 to businesses and April 29 to homes for $18 a dozen. They also will be available at RP Lumber, 1926 Sycamore Road, DeKalb, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 29 for $15 a dozen. To order, call Chris at 815-751-4737 or visit www.facebook.com/dekalblions.

Chamber to teach how to hone elevator pitch

Can you clearly communicate who you are and what you do in 30 seconds or less? Often referred to as an “elevator pitch,” this tool is a great way to make sure there are no regrets when walking away after meeting someone for the first time. You only get one chance to make a first impression, make sure it is a great one. The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce will offer its first speed networking event of 2017 in the back room at Fatty’s Pub & Grille, 1312 W. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb, 5-6:30 p.m. April 20. Soft drinks and a cash bar will be available. Call (815) 756-6306 to register.

GENOA-KINGSTON

Band Boosters raising money for music program

The Genoa-Kingston Band Boosters will host a spring jazz dance extravaganza featuring middle school, high school and guest musicians on April 22.

The GKH5/GKM5 Jazz Dance will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Genoa-Kingston Middle School, 941 W. Main St. in Genoa. A dinner will be served at 6 p.m. The entertainment schedule follows:

• G-K Middle School Jazz Band at 5:30 p.m.
• G-K High School Jazz Ensemble at 7 p.m.
• Guest band Jazz in Progress at 7:45 p.m.
• G-K High School Jazz Combo will play intermittently

Tickets for the dinner and dance cost $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 7 and younger. Tickets must be purchased in advance; call (857) 600-BAND (2263).

Tickets for the dance only cost $7 for adults and $5 for students with an I.D. Raffle tickets will be available for $1 each or six for $5. Proceeds will go toward purchasing instruments for the growing band. For more information, visit gkschools.org or the Genoa Kingston Music Department’s Facebook page.

SANDWICH

Sharing program collects shoes

The DeKalb County Shoe Share program is collecting and distributing gently used athletic shoes for DeKalb County students. The Sandwich Public Library is a drop-off location for donated shoes. If interested in donating, bring wearable shoes to the library, 925 S. Main St., Sandwich.

For more information about the Shoe Share Program, contact Michelle Gibson, county solid waste specialist, at (815) 758-6673 or mgibson@dekalbcounty.org. To find out more about shoe and other programs, visit the DeKalb County Health Department’s website.

SYCAMORE

Early-bird pool passes on sale this month

Sycamore Park District pool passes may be purchased for 10 percent off regular prices through April 30. Discount goes down to 5 percent in May before the pool’s May 25 opening.

Drop off or mail completed registration forms to the Park District Administration Office, 940 E. State St., Sycamore. After the pool opens, passes can be purchased only at full price and only at the pool front desk.

Over the winter, the pool underwent a fairly extensive makeover. The Sycamore Park District has a long-range plan and dedicated funds to guide accessibility improvements. Project planning and prioritization is based on the standards set by the American’s with Disabilities Act. While this year’s pool improvements are mostly in response to necessary ADA updates, the district took the opportunity to make other needed updates, including:

• New bathroom partitions, toilets and counters;
• New flooring in showers;
• New slide in the toddler pool; and
• New accessible entry and sidewalk.

MALTA

College to host job fair April 20

Job seekers are invited to attend Kishwaukee College’s annual career fair 12-4 p.m. April 20 in the Kishwaukee College Conference Center, 21193 Malta Road, Malta.

More than 50 local employers with open full-time and part-time positions are scheduled to be at the career fair. Job seekers are encouraged to bring resumes and information to fill out applications, and be prepared to be interviewed.

Job seekers who would like assistance with resume, interview skills or general preparation are encouraged to contact the Kishwaukee College Career Center at (815) 825-9472 or the Illinois workNet Center at (815) 901-0177. For information about the fair and employers who will attend, call (815) 825-9472 or visit kishwaukeecollege.edu/careerfair.

NIU

Thomas finalists for two Hugo awards

Lynne Thomas, head of Rare Books and Distinctive Collections for NIU Libraries, is a finalist once again for two World Science Fiction Society Hugo Awards, the most prominent recognition for excellence in science fiction and fantasy work. These most recent nominations make Thomas an 11-time finalist across several categories, with four previous wins.

The Hugo awards are voted on by a group of individuals who have chosen to participate in voting, making receiving a nomination much more significant because it means the award is a direct recognition from the science fiction and fantasy community. The winners will be announced on Friday, August 11, at the Hugo Awards Ceremony in Helsinki, Finland.

Thomas is a finalist in the categories of “Best Semiprozine” and “Best Editor, Short Form.” She won in the “Best Semiprozine” category last year. This is the first time she’s been a finalist in the “Best Editor, Short Form” category.

The work she is nominated for is published in Uncanny Magazine, which is an online science fiction and fantasy magazine featuring fiction and poetry, prose and nonfiction. Thomas is co-editor and publisher of the magazine, which has contributors ranging from the award-winning leading voices of the field to emerging talents.

She also moderated the Hugo-Award winning SF Squeecast and contributes to the Verity! Podcast. Thomas said most of her projects are collaborative in nature, which has helped her to be so prolific.