County organizations, nonprofits can apply for Community Needs grants

Shaw Local News Network

SYCAMORE – The DeKalb County Community Foundation is accepting applications for its spring 2023 Community Needs Grants, Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund Grants and YEP Grants.

The grant applications are available to nonprofit and public sector organizations, according to a news release.

To learn more or apply, visit dekalbccf.org/grant-programs.

Grant applications available for 2023 include:

• The Community Needs Grants help support the charitable needs and efforts of local nonprofit and public sector organizations. Funding for the grant program is made possible through donations to Community Impact Funds. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, March 1.

• The Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund Grants support music education for nonprofit and public sector organizations throughout DeKalb County and the greater Chicago area. Funding for the grant program is made possible through the Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, March 1.

• The YEP Grants help support programs and projects that affect youth in DeKalb County. Funding for the grant program is made possible through the DeKalb County Youth Grantmakers Fund. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1.

For information, email grants@ dekalbccf.org or call 815-748-5383.

News Brief

Stuffed animal sleepover set for Feb. 3 at the DeKalb Library

DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., will host a stuffed animal sleepover event Friday, Feb. 3. The event is intended for children. The stuffed animals will be photographed during the night so children can see what shenanigans they were up to. Participants will receive a package of photos when picking up their stuffed ani-

• COMMUTER TRAIN

Continued from page 7 been discouraged even trying to investigate this,” Nicklas said. “Because a quick consultation with our state and federal political partners has usually resulted in discouraging commentary that, ‘Well, there really isn’t enough money anywhere in your area or even at our levels to help you, and our commitment is to major metropolitan centers and so forth.’ But it has been happening.”

A new commuter connection, if added, will bring rail service from DeKalb to the Elburn Metra station.

The project would be conducted in phases, with participation from local and regional public officials.

Nicklas lauded Northern Illinois University for its efforts to collaborate and partner on this matter, saying the commuter rail service would greatly benefit the university much like the city of DeKalb.

“The word is out: We’re not only becoming an interest for worldwide private corporations,” Nicklas said. “NIU is at a point where we are with their own star shining in many areas but in particular in research and related fields a place where businesses would want to come. But fundamentally … maybe our biggest asset are the students and staff and faculty who commute daily to the city of DeKalb to either study or work at NIU. That creates a critical mass.”

Northern Illinois University is the only state university community in Illinois that does not have a commuter rail stop.

Barnes said something has to give.

“We need to bring equity to NIU since they’re the only one without it,” Barnes said. “I think that’s an absolute necessity going forward.”

Nicklas said he doesn’t want the city to keep missing out on funding opportunities at the federal level.

“A lot of that is still available,” Nicklas said. “We continue to see on a monthly basis calls for proposals. They generally have to be – if they’re not shovel-ready – they at least have to be thought through. There has to be community engagement and commu- mals. Pickup begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4. Orange juice will be being served from 10 to 11 a.m. Patrons are encouraged not to register stuffed animals their children need to sleep with.

Because of limited space, registration is required to participate. To register, visit the Youth Services Desk.

For information, email theresaw@ dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 3350. –ShawLocalNewsNetwork nity involvement and community commitment. And we don’t have that.”

How can the city work toward getting its share of federal funds?

Nicklas said the city has learned it needs to have a comprehensive public transportation study performed.

A $98,379 contract was awarded at a recent City Council meeting to the Chicago-based firm, Sam Schwartz Consulting LLC, for consulting services to help make it possible.

“This is exciting, I think, even just to be at this point and to have interest from two people who did respond to our [request for proposal],” Nicklas said. “We actually had about a dozen people – individuals, some of them were principles and consulting firms, some of them were public officials, appointed officials – who were just interested in what are you doing out there.”

As part of a way of gauging the public’s interest in a commuter rail service, the city recently announced that it is increasing the frequency of bus trips to the Elburn Metra station during regular service runs Monday through Friday.

The morning trips will increase from two to five trips, and the evening trips will increase from one to three trips, according to a news release. On Saturday and Sunday, however, the regular service run will not change but the times may have been adjusted, according to the news release.

Barnes said he believes bringing a commuter rail service to DeKalb would make for a win-win all around for the community.

“I think there’s going to be a lot of students and professors that would love to be able to take advantage of commuter rail just to be able to engage with the university,” Barnes said. “All of us residents just to be able to hop on the train and get all the way downtown Chicago, I think, would be a wonderful opportunity for not only entertainment purposes but then also people that might end up working in the [city] to be able commute back and forth from via the commuter rail.”

The consulting firm anticipates there will be a 90-day to 120-day review process after which results would be presented to the City Council, officials said.

Grocery

Meat

Liquor

Valentines for Seniors card drive accepting donations through Feb. 7

Those looking for way to spread the love this Valentine’s Day to an area older adult are invited to take part in two legislators’ Valentines for Seniors Card Drive through Feb. 7.

State Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Cherry Valley, and state Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, will hold their third Valentines for Seniors Card Drive.

Community members, churches, schools, businesses and other organizations are invited to create Valentine’s Day cards to help lift the spirits of long-term care facility residents.

Participants can drop off or mail the cards to their respective legislative offices in Rockford, Sycamore or Hampshire. After the cards are collected, they will be delivered to residents of various long-term care facilities in communities across the region.

Participants can mail their cards or drop them off at Syverson’s office, 200 S. Wyman St., Suite 302, Rockford; Keicher’s office, 158 W. State St., Suite C, Sycamore; or Syverson and Keicher’s joint office, 115 W. Oak Knoll Drive, IL Route 72, Hampshire.

For information, call 815-987-7555 or 815748-3494.

–ShawLocalNewsNetwork

Half Page 4.725 x 9.5

An Evening of Prayer, Meditation and Music.

An Evening of Prayer, Meditation and Music.

An Evening of Prayer, Meditation Music.

Friday, February 3, 2023, 7:00 P.M.

Friday, October 7th, 2022, 7:00 P.M.

Friday, October 7th, 2022, 7:00 P.M.

Friday, October 7th, 2022,

S d Z o /Y T b [ e h h b t f ]

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 900 Normal Road, DeKalb

Streamed via Zoom/YouTube [see church website for links]

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 900 Normal Road, DeKalb

S St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 900 Normal Road, DeKalb

Office: (815) 756-4888 Email: parishoffice@stpaulsdekalb.org

Office: (815) 756-4888 Email: parishoffice@stpaulsdekalb.org

Office: (815) 756-4888 Email: parishoffice@stpaulsdekalb.org

Website: www.stpaulsdekalb.org

Website: www.stpaulsdekalb.org

The Reverend Barbara A. T. Wilson, Rector

The Reverend Barbara A. T. Wilson, Rector

News Briefs

Pipestone Veterinary Services donates check to DeKalb Education Foundation

SYCAMORE – Pipestone Veterinary Services, 2435 Bethany Road, Sycamore, recently donated a $400 check to the DeKalb Education Foundation.

The money was donated Sunday, Jan. 15, according to a news release

The donation will help fund the DeKalb Education Foundation’s upcoming spring grants.

Pipestone Veterinary Services offers products and services designed to help animal caregivers advance animal care.

The DeKalb Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support for public education through solicitation and distribution of tax-deductible contributions for DeKalb Community School District students. For information, visit pipevet.com.

Northern Rehab offers pelvic floor health series in Genoa

GENOA – Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists will host the second presentation, “Prostate Health and Surgeries: How Physical Therapy Can Help,” in its three-part Pelvic Floor Health series on Feb. 7.

The presentation will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, at Northern Rehab Genoa, 540 E. Main St., Genoa, according to a news release. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged.

Physical therapist Liza Piper will discuss men’s health, physical therapy interventions for patients with prostate dysfunction and post-surgeries, and treatable prostate issues from pain to incontinence.

For information, visit northernrehabpt.com/events, email deb@northernrehabpt.com, or call 815-784-6417.

Flipbook workshop planned Feb. 4 at DeKalb library

DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., will host a Valentine’s Day flipbook workshop at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, in the library’s 309 Creative Room.

The workshop is open to people of all ages.

Participants will learn about the basics of classic hand-drawn frame-byframe animation before creating their own Valentine’s Day flipbook. Attendees can bring in a heart that they want to animate for the flipbook. The flipbook and drawing utensils will be provided by the library.

Due to limited space, the program is first come, first served.

For information, email techdesk@ dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 2851.

–ShawLocalNewsNetwork