More than 180 NIU employees will be honored at NIU’s annual Operating Staff Service Awards Banquet Friday at 5:30 p.m. in the Holmes Student Center’s Duke Ellington Ballroom. For more information, call 753-0455.

‘New Ideas’ conference

The “New Ideas in Science” conference will be held at 9 a.m. on May 4 in the Holmes Student Center. The program is designed for high school and elementary school science teachers. Registration is $21 for students and $35 for others and includes lunch. Registration deadline is Friday. For more information, call 753-8634; to register, call 753-0277.

Ann Landers to appear

Ann Landers will appear at the Rockford MetroCentre May 9 at 7 p.m. Her speech, “How to Survive the 90s,” will cover a range of topics. Tickets are $7 and can be obtained by calling the Winnebago County Council on Aging at 965-2268. For more information, call 965-2268.

Senior citizen festival

This year’s Senior Festival and Exposition will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 11 and May 12 at the Rockford MetroCentre. Visitors can view more than 100 exhibits, participate in health screenings and attend lectures. For more information, call 965-2268.

Bowl-A-Thon for MDA

ERA Advantage Real Estate, Ltd., will host a Bowl-A-Thon to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association May 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Palace Bowl in McHenry. Participants can pick up MDA Pledge Kits at ERA Advantage Real Estate, 4507 W. Elm St., McHenry. For more information, call 948-9120.

Campus organization expo

“Organization Expo ‘90” will be held Sept. 12 in the Holmes Student Center ballroom. Interested campus groups should reserve tables by May 11. For more information, call Z Ahmad at 753-1421.

Intercultural discourse

Communication Studies Professor Michael J. Schneider will present a paper entitled, “Research on Intercultural Discourse: Reviewing Some Contributions.” at 4 p.m. May 1 in Founders Memorial Library, room 409.

Red Cross classes open

The American Red Cross Fox River Chapter is offering a variety of classes ranging from standard first aid to lifeguarding. For more information call 513-1117 or register at the chapter office, 1250 South Street, Geneva, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.