Northern Illinois University’s Convocation Center will get a new name. NIU is looking for a naming-rights partner for the 10,000-seat facility as a way to find more money for the university’s athletics

DeKALB

Events to mark 10^th anniversary of NIU shooting

A candlelight vigil, reflection walk and concert are among the activities planned to mark the 10^th anniversary of a shooting on the Northern Illinois University campus, in which five students were killed and 21 others were injured. The events are in remembrance of the Feb. 14, 2008, shooting at Cole Hall.

The events begin with a Community Appreciation Reception at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 9, in the Capitol Room of the Holmes Student Center. The event will allow those from the university and community who contributed to the response and healing after the shooting to gather for refreshments and fellowship. Then, a candlelight vigil will be held at 6 p.m. at the MLK Commons. The event will include remarks from NIU campus leaders.

On Feb. 10, Campus Recreation will host a 2.14-mile reflection walk at 10 a.m. Later that day at the Convocation Center, first responders will be recognized at both the NIU women’s basketball game against the Bowling Green State Falcons tipping off at 1 p.m. and at the NIU men’s 3:30 p.m. basketball game against the Buffalo Bulls. The School of Music will hold the “Forward, Together: A Concert of Tribute” at 8 p.m. at Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the Music Building.

The public is invited to the laying of memorial wreaths at 3 p.m. Feb. 14, outside Cole Hall. There, a moment of reflection will be observed, and the university bell will toll five times in honor of each victim at 3:06 p.m., the time of the shooting.

Exhibit’s artifacts commemorate Feb. 14, 2008

“Forward, Together: Remembering,” a tribute to the resilience of the NIU campus
community, is open through Feb. 14, at the Holmes Student Center, 600 Lucinda Ave., DeKalb. The exhibit includes archival materials as well as items donated to NIU from around the world in the days following Feb. 14, 2008, when five students were killed and 21 others were injured on campus. The exhibit’s hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. every day except Feb. 9 and Feb. 10, when the exhibit will be open until 8 p.m.

Store merchandise on sale before closing

Carson’s is holding a liquidation sale as the store prepares to close, as part of a corporate move to streamline operations. The store, 2550 Sycamore Road in DeKalb’s Northland Plaza, is one of seven Illinois stores under the Milwaukee and York, Pennsylvania-based Bon-Ton Stores banner that soon will go out of business. The sale, which were to begin Feb. 1, is expected to last 10-12 weeks. Other Carson’s stores in Illinois that are closing are in Chicago, Aurora, Danville, Morton Grove, Schaumburg, and Bergner’s in Peoria.

The closures are part of a comprehensive turnaround plan originally announced in November. Including other recently announced store closures, the company expects to close a total of 47 stores by early this year.

Convo center to sell naming rights

Have you wanted your name in lights? Or, how about on Northern Illinois University’s Convocation Center?

NIU is looking for a naming-rights partner for the 10,000-seat facility as a way to find more money for the university’s athletics. The official request for a proposal for potential partners includes details on the benefits to potential partners including naming recognition, on- and off-site signs and promotional materials and credentials.

University officials will entertain offers from local, regional and national brands. Handling the project is Kent Clapsaddle, manager with NIU Procurement Services and Contract Management.

Businesses invited to get together after hours

Adventure Works of DeKalb County, Inc. will host the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce’s February Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m. Feb. 13. Adventure Works is at 1211 Sycamore Road, DeKalb. Beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served. For more information, call the chamber at (815) 756-6306.

Adventure Works is a non-profit, interactive youth development and counseling agency that serves youth by providing individual, family and group counseling, as well as prevention and education services through adventure. 

SYCAMORE

Hope Haven raises $75,000

Hope Haven recently received a $75,000 boost to continue its work providing food, housing, emergency care and other services to homeless people with disabilities and children in need.

Hope Haven raised the money at its fifth annual Sheltering Hope Hoedown fundraiser held recently at The Church of St. Mary in Sycamore.

Hope Haven, begun by five churches in 1990, is responsible for 100 people every night. It  provides food and emergency care, and has expanded its ministry to provide life skills training for adults and a youth program that helps children dealing with childhood trauma or illnesses that keep them in poverty.

–DeKalb County News Briefs–