This woodcut, entitled “Plakart” by Sidney Chafetz, is in the NIU Art Museum. The museum and other locations throughout DeKalb will be the sites for ARTigras, a celebration of the arts May 6.

COUNTY

24-hour push for donations

An important 24 hours is approaching for nonprofit groups whose survival depends on donations from the public.

Give DeKalb County will use May 4 to focus on an effort to raise money for nonprofit organizations that serve the County. On that day, donors can give back in two ways: online at GiveDeKalbCounty.org from midnight to midnight or in-person by check payment at the DeKalb County Community Foundation from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The minimum donation amount is $5.

Give DeKalb County is designed to build community, encourage philanthropy, connect donors to nonprofits, and raise awareness about the nonprofit sector that serves the county. It is part of a worldwide fundraising on May 4.

This is the fourth consecutive year that a 24-hour giving day is being coordinated by the DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership. The three previous giving days have raised more than $773,000, and donations have come from 30 states and five countries.

A bonus pool of $50,000 was raised ahead of time and each donation made during Give DeKalb County is boosted by a percentage of these additional funds. For a list of participating organizations or for more information about Give DeKalb County 2017, visit givedekalbcounty.org, email ben@dekalbccf.org or call (815) 748-5383.

DeKALB

Art to be on display throughout DeKalb

ARTigras, a celebration of the arts in DeKalb and on the campus of Northern Illinois University, will be presented free May 6 at various times between 12-8 p.m. and at various locations. And, new this year, will be the ARTigras Variety Show at 8 p.m. at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St., DeKalb. Admission to all venues is free.

ARTigras Spring Art Walk will kick off at the NIU Art Museum at 12 p.m. in Altgeld Hall on campus. Go to niu.edu/artigras for a list of eight other art sites. Participating merchants are The Art Box, 308 E. Lincoln Hwy.; CrackerJax, 118 N. Third St.; DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St.; Fargo Skateboarding, 629 E. Lincoln Hwy.; Poppy Seed Primitives; 223 E. Lincoln Hwy.; Eduardo’s Mexican Restaurant, 214 E. Lincoln Hwy.; and Urban Grace, 255 E. Lincoln Hwy.

Singers, musicians, dancers, magicians, jugglers and other entertainers will display their talent at the ARTigras Variety Show. The audience will pick the top performer, who will win $500. Additional prizes will be awarded. The theater also will be the site for the annual costume contest. Prizes for the best and most interesting costumes will be provided by the Village Commons Bookstore. There is no application fee.

For more information about ARTigras, call (815) 753-1999.

New gas station will fill site of former station

A former gas station site, vacant for about 20 years, will become home again to a gas station. An unattended Mobil self-service gas station is coming to the site, 1020 N. First St., DeKalb, left vacant after storage tanks leaked underground, requiring remediation.

Four fuel islands with 10 pumps will be included in the project, as well as a small utility building for an employee who will manage the station, full video surveillance, fully landscaped perimeters and an ATM.

A similar self-service station is on Peace Road.

SYCAMORE

Museum holds photo contest

Photographers of all ages are welcome to submit their work in a contest being hosted by the Midwest Museum of Natural History. Pictures must be of plants and/or animals. The entry fee is $5, and each photographer may enter up to five photos.

Photographers should submit their work, printed and ready to be displayed, by May 12 to the museum, 425 W. State St., Sycamore. Prizes and awards will be given out in all age categories. Photos will be displayed in the museum from May 19-July 19. For more information, contact Bethany Gilliam at information@mmnh.org or (815) 895-9777.

Carnation Day is May 6

The Sycamore Lions’ annual Carnation Day is May 6. Club members will deliver a dozen carnations locally for a $10 donation. Call (815) 761-9331 to place an order.