DeKalb establishments to share in Homecoming celebration

While Huskie fans anxiously await the start of Saturday afternoon's Homecoming game, they can rest assured that they will not have to fritter about what to do before game time.

Virtually all the bars in the vicinity of NIU will be having the traditional Homecoming bloody mary cocktails for students, alumni, faculty and friends who want to relish in a spicy drink selection rather than beer.

American Exchange is one of these bars. Manager Mike Rybinski said the doors will open at 8 a.m. Saturday.

He said they will have plenty of bloody marys and condiments in addition to their usual food and beverage items.

Bob Daniels, owner of Otto's, said his establishment will open its doors bright and early at 6 a.m. Homecoming morning.

Otto's will be featuring a band, Hairball Willy, at that time, he said.

Other bars are also sharing Daniels' early opening philosophy.

According to an employee of McCabe's, the bar will open at 6 a.m.

The Jungle and Paradise Club are getting two extra hours of rest Saturday morning, and are opening their doors at noon.

Mark Mathews, owner of The Jungle, said they will have good music and possibly a disc jockey from B96.

He said in addition to his early Saturday hours, doors will open at 3 p.m. on Friday for those zealous fans wanting to get a very early start on the weekend.

"We expect a big crowd like always," Mathews said.

Chris Bonner, manager of Paradise Club, said the bar will open at noon and will run 32-ounce draft beer specials all day.

He also said they will have a DJ.

Virtually all bar owners agree they are expecting a large crowd this weekend, especially Saturday.

Considering game time is at 1:05 Saturday, Huskie fans should not have a problem finding something to do before kickoff.

A federal complaint alleging former 2nd Ward Alderman and mayoral candidate Michael Welsh sold illegal Boy Scout patches has been dropped.

The U.S. attorney's office in Richmond, Va., dismissed the case last week, saying, "There is evidence that other people are doing it, and it's not clear who's authorized and who is not," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Joan Evans. "We did not see a consistent approach by the Boy Scouts."

Welsh, who owns the patch-making company Welsh Industries Ltd., was arrested Aug. 9 at the National Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia for allegedly selling illegal Boy Scout patches, which would be a copyright law violation.

If he was convicted, Welsh would have faced a fine of up to $1 million. Welsh was released Aug. 12 on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond.

In a press release issued Friday, Welsh stated, "We have been notified this week that the U.S. attorney in Richmond, Virginia has found no reason to prefer any criminal charges, copyright or otherwise, against Welsh Industries Ltd. or Michael Welsh."

The press release continued to state, "We will continue to manufacture thousands of emblems each day for our national markets and continue to productively employ 50-plus employees from the area."

Welsh was defeated by current DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow last April.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

With Homecoming right around the corner, students and alumni are not the only ones looking towards the weekend with anticipation; businesses are also getting geared up.

The University Bookstore, located in the Holmes Student Center, will be extending their hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will be offering a 20 percent discount on NIU clothing.

Mitch Kielb, director of the bookstore, said he hopes for a large turnout but said it usually varies each year depending on weather conditions and the Huskie game's outcome.

Village Commons Bookstore, 901 Lucinda Ave, will also be extending its hours on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Richard Boardman, general manager of VCB, said there will be free popcorn and ballons on Saturday and a special sale on selected items.

"Parent's day is the biggest time of the year around here, but Homecoming is the second biggest. It is a very important day," Boardman said.

Liquor stores will also be having specials. The Jungle, 1027 W. Lincoln Hwy, will be opening at 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday, General Manager Lito Nepomiachi said. He said they will also be running specials on beer and wine coolers.

American Liqours Inc., 159 W. Lincoln Hwy, will also be opening at 9 a.m. and having specials on drinks.

Bill Muir, manager, said there is a steady flow of customers all through the day and the better the weather, the better the turnout.

Oscar Hanson, owner of Glidden Campus Flowers and Gifts, 917 W. Lincoln Hwy, will be selling football mum corsages for $7.50. Hanson said it is a tradition for men to buy their girlfriends these corsages before the football game. He said this tradition is not as popular as it used to be, but he hopes it will start to catch on again.

People who need a place to stay this weekend and have not yet booked a room in a hotel are going to run into problems since there are virtually no rooms left in DeKalb.

Edwin Gray, manager of Motel 6, 1116 W. Lincoln Hwy, said they have been booked up for several months.

"Many upper-classmen make reservations about one year in advance since they know how fast the rooms go. After Homecoming ends this year, we will start very soon to make reservations for next year's Homecoming,"Gray said.

A new aspect of this year's Homecoming parade will include a truck decorated by members of NIU's Lesbian Gay Bisexual Coalition (LGBC).

The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m., Oct. 16. The procession will begin on Lincoln Highway from Third Street to Castle Drive, up Castle Drive to College Avenue, over to Gilbert Drive, up Gilbert Drive to Lucinda Avenue, ending in the tailgating area.

LGBC co-president Brian Turkaly said in the three years he's been involved with the group they haven't done anything like this.

"I think they may have done something like this in previous years," Turkaly said. "It just depends on how much interest there is and how many people are willing to help out."

Turkaly said the LGBC won't be decorating their truck according to this year's theme of the wild West. "We want it to be colorful, but not too extravagant or extreme," Turkaly added. "We won't be up there in our thongs or cross-dressed."

The organization hopes to decorate a truck donated by one of their members with the gay-lesbian flag and some symbols associated with the gay-lesbian movement.

The flag resembles a rainbow and some of the symbols include a pink triangle and some Greek letters.

The organization hopes to have enough people interested in riding in the truck. Kerri Price, co-president of the LGBC, said so far 10 people have expressed an interest, but "at least Brian and I will be riding in the truck."

Turkaly said the truck is a good way of getting visibility for the LGBC and to be active in an NIU event. "Hopefully we won't get any flack from people," Price said. "We're a student organization and we have every right to participate."

Price said the truck is also a good way to make the presence of the LGBC known and to let people know they are not ashamed. "It's also a good way to have some fun," she concluded.

Homecoming means different things to different people. It is the celebration of the football team, the alumni and the school.

"Homecoming means coming home, good times and associating with friends, past and present," Scott Diamond, a junior marketing major said.

"It is a time when students can unwind and relax. However, it sucks because it is during midterms," said Jason Castillo, freshman political science major.

Keith Brennan, a.k.a. Victor E. Huskie, said, "it means the school is coming together, a lot of school spirit, and having fun, as long as it is safe and school related."

Homecoming is generally a time to meet new friends and welcome the alumni back to campus by the different activities NIU and the Campus Activities Board (CAB) is sponsoring.

Jeremy Schultz, freshman elementary education and physical education major said, "I am going to as many different activities as I can. I also plan on going to the game and a lot of parties to forget about school."

"I am going to paint the windows for a contest," Castillo said.

"Well, I'm the mascot so I'll be at Yell-Like-Hell, tailgating and the football game. I'm also going to a midnight volleyball game. Go Lambda Chi!" Brennan said.

Along with the activities CAB is sponsoring, many students are celebrating Homecoming in very traditional ways.

"Well, I'm a transfer student and last year I woke up at 5:30 a.m. and went to the bars at Purdue University. I'm going to do the same this year. I will go from the bars to tailgate, catch some sun, watch a great game, go home and take a nap, which is very important, and then go out again," Diamond said.

Tony Przyszlak, junior computer science major agreed. "I had a blast last year. It was unforgettable, but I forget what I did. This year we will celebrate with a win and new enthusiasm. Actually, I will be with Scott (Diamond) all day. And that nap is very important. Even football players take naps after the game."

"Well, last year I went to the game and I think I went to a party. This year I will probably do the same. I'll go the football game, the Radiohead and Belly concert and party somewhere with my floor," said Dana Motzenbecker, junior nursing major.

Kate Stocking, senior early childhood education major said, "Last year I went tailgating and to the football game. But I had to study for midterms. This year we will go tailgating, the football game and the bars."

Her roommate, Karen Stamm, a senior HFR major agreed. "I had to study for midterms last year. This year we are having friends come up and party after the game and tailgating."

There are some non-traditional ways to celebrate as well.

"I'm going to the Radiohead and Belly concert," said Lynne Hetzel senior community health major.

"I'm going home. I haven't been home since Labor Day and I miss my family. (Homecoming) really isn't that important to me because my boyfriend doesn't go here," Cindy Warman, a sophomore accounting major said.

Most of the students like the Homecoming theme "The Wild, Wild West."

Bridget Egan, sophomore nutrition major said, "It is cute. I saw the hats they were giving out and I'm going to go and get one."

"I like it. It is appropriate for the football team. I hate that song, though!" Diamond said.

"It is great! It is good because of the "Cowboy," and being in the Big West conference is very cool. But, they need to remember there is no ‘I' in team," Przyszlak said.

However, there are a couple of students who do not think it is appropriate.

"I think it is kink of self-centered because of LeShon (Johnson). Sure he's a great football player, but he's not the school. I don't think it is that appropriate," Castillo said.

Scultz agreed, "Everything is revolving around LeShon. There's a whole team here."

However, not everyone thinks Homecoming is important. Kevin Sandee, sophomore pre-computer science major said Homecoming is "no big deal."