Prindis Antique Mall in Sandwich is filled with merchandise waiting for customers. Ten percent of all sales on July 28 will be donated to Fox Valley Older Adult Services. The store is at 2 E. Railroad St.

DeKALB COUNTY

Red Cross reports blood shortage

The American Red Cross has issued an emergency appeal asking eligible blood and platelet donors to give as soon as possible.

Right now, Red Cross blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. Over the Fourth of July weekend, the Red Cross had a tough time collecting enough blood donations. More than 75 percent of regular Red Cross blood donors indicated vacation plans this summer, many of them occurring the week before and after July 4.

To donate, call the American Red Cross Center at (815) 756-7339. The center is at 2727 Sycamore Road, DeKalb.

DeKALB

2016 State of City address to be given

The 7th Annual State of the City address will be given at 8 a.m. July 28 at Faranda’s Banquet & Conference Center, 302 Grove St, DeKalb.

The event will feature an overview of the past fiscal year and an update of the plans for the coming year. Speakers will be Mayor John Rey, City Manager Anne Marie Gaura and NIU President Doug Baker. A breakfast buffet will be provided with registration. Questions? Call (815) 981-3304.

Police offer defense course for women

The DeKalb Police Department is offering a self-defense course for women. This free class is for DeKalb residents and NIU and Kishwaukee College students living in DeKalb. Participants must be 14 or older to attend.

Officer Allison Benthusen and Det. Paul Mott will teach the course, which will meet for three to four hours on three separate nights. Students will be provided with information on laws and sexual assault/rape, defensive tactics and mindset, basic principles for self-defense, hands-on practice and more.

The classes will be held from 6-9 p.m. Aug, 1-3. Attendance at all three sessions is required for completion of the course. Class size is limited to 30 people and reservations are required. Contact Community Relations Officer Kelly Sullivan at (815) 748-8446 to register.

Cardboard boats compete in regatta

The public is invited to construct their own boats using cardboard and duct tape and compete against others in a Cardboard Boat Regatta at 2 p.m. July 30 at Hopkins Pool, 1403 Sycamore Road, DeKalb. Entry fees are $15-$20. Before the races, boats will be judged and awards will be given. For race rules and registration, go to dekalbparkdistrict.com

SANDWICH

One more chance to help Prindi’s support senior services  

One day remains in a Prindi’s Antique Mall in Sandwich campaign to support Fox Valley Older Adult Services. The store, 2 E. Railroad St., has been donating 10 percent of all sales on Tuesdays and Thursdays during July. The remaining date for this special effort is July 28.  

Through the generosity of business and private donors, Fox Valley Older Adult Services has been able to help senior citizens live independent lives for the past 44 years. Fox Valley Older Adult Services and its partner, Voluntary Action Center, assist thousands of seniors in DeKalb, Kendall, LaSalle and Bureau counties. For more information about services, call (815) 786-9404.

SYCAMORE

Park district earns A+ Standard & Poor’s rating

The Sycamore Park District has aced the test. Standard & Poor’s has given it a rating of A+ Stable for its work to improve its financial status.

For several years before 2012, the park district had accrued nearly a million dollars of operating debt at its golf course and had nearly depleted its reserve funds in its overall budget. Since then, park district officials eliminated the golf course’s operating debt and built up the park district’s reserves. The budget was monitored to become more efficient, find major areas of savings and receive citizen support.

–Dekalb County News Briefs–