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It's October and that means it's time for Spooks! I’m dying to know… what’s your favorite haunted house to visit in the 815?

The City of Rockford this month sent a very strong message - it is investing long-term in the next generation of leaders. This month, the city announced that it would increase its annual $1.5 million commitment to Rockford Promise to $2.1 million going forward helping the non-profit organization expand the number of students it can help go to Rockford University. Rockford Promise is a scholarship program that has been helping Rockford Public Schools graduates with GPAs above 3.0 go to RU, Rock Valley College since 2015, Northern Illinois University since 2021 and, beginning this spring, Saint Anthony College of Nursing. The money is coming from a portion of the proceeds generated by the Hard Rock Casino. Whether you are for or against gambling, there's no denying that the money being generated by the casino for Rockford Promise is life changing for the students and eventually for the city of Rockford. Rockford Promise was born in 2006 after a group of locals learned about the Kalamazoo Promise. In that Michigan city, a group of wealthy families) pooled their resources to create a scholarship program that allowed every single graduate of Kalamazoo Public Schools to go to college in Michigan tuition free. There are now more than 400 Promise programs around the U.S. From 2007 to 2015, Rockford Promise raised money and gave partial scholarships to dozens of students. Feeling that that just wasn't moving the needle enough, the group reorganized to raise money to give students tuition until they got their degrees at Rockford University and Rock Valley College. Rockford Promise restarted small. In 2016-2017, the group started with two RU students and three RVC students. In 2017-2018, that grew to four at RU and 10 at RVC. By 2020-2021, the group was supporting 18 at RU and 61 at RVC. In 2021-2022, Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara kicked the effort into fifth gear by pledging to funnel $1.5 million of casino revenues annually for Rockford Promise students to go to NIU. This year, there are 451 students currently attending college on a Rockford Promise scholarship. About two-thirds of these are first-generation college students who would have been unlikely to have been able to afford college without the help. Already, Rockford Promise has 107 proud graduates to its credit and that list is going to grow rapidly. Two of the 98 students who were part of the first NIU cohort in 2021-2022 have graduated early, the rest are seniors this year. The addition of NIU was game-changing for Rockford Promise, but that choice is not for everyone. The Rockford Promise scholarship does not cover room and board and some students have extensive home responsibilities that make moving to DeKalb or commuting difficult or impossible. The additional money announced by the city this month will vastly increase the number of students who can stay close to home at RU. It's also a way to invest in the city by making sure RU has a steady stream of local students attending. RU has hundreds of local employees who live in Rockford. It's essentially doubling the impact. "Since 2016, we have welcomed Rockford Promise Scholars, who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and academic success, reflected in their 92% graduation rate, RU President Patricia Lynott said in the monthly Rockford Promise email newsletter. "Last year alone, we received over 90 applications from local students eager to pursue their studies at Rockford University through Rockford Promise. We are proud to deepen this relationship and look forward to seeing our community grow stronger through this initiative." It's also a politically savvy move by the mayor. Rockford Promise was founded specifically to help Rockford Public Schools students afford college and to make the district an attraction to families moving to the area or business owners looking to relocate here. College costs are a national concern. If you are trying to decide where to move, a district that has a Promise program that can help your child go to college tuition free is a pretty good recruiting tool. There were some detractors, though, who felt like Rockford Promise should be open to both public and private school students. The mayor listened. The additional $600,000 for Rockford University scholarships will be available to any outstanding high school graduate from the city of Rockford. RockfordBuzz likes to celebrate all things good about the city of Rockford. The city of Rockford helping kids go to college, many of which will return and be the leaders of the next few decades, is about as good as it gets. To learn more about Rockford Promise or to apply for a scholarship, go to https://rockfordpromise.org/apply-scholarship/.

Josh Patterson and the staff at Wired Cafe were pretty excited for the second week of October. Patterson and his partners at Eight Fifteen Capital bought the 13-year-old coffee shop in January, learned the ropes, learned the customers, and wanted to take the next step by roasting their own coffee beans."We'd just gotten the roaster on Friday (Oct. 4)," said Patterson, who owns the cafe along with his brother, Matt Simpson, Terrance Hall, Clydale Hilson and Jaron Hite.Sunday morning, he got a call. Someone had broken into Wired and set three different fires."That day there was just a lot of uncertainty, a lot of just wrapping my head around what happened, why it happened," Patterson said.The next few days were a whirlwind of meeting with representatives of their insurance company. "That helped as far as just addressing, we talk about triage, stopping the bleeding, that helped us in terms of starting to pick up the pieces."Once the group could see a path forward, they wanted to take control of what others were seeing and saying."One of the seven principals of Kwanzaa is kujichagulia, which means self determination in Swahili," Patterson said. Kwanzaa is the annual holiday affirming African family and social values that is celebrated the seven days after Christmas. Kujichagulia emphasizes the right and responsibility to define, name, create for oneself, and speak for oneself."We knew that the longer that we're not open, there's opportunity for our customers to get what they get from us from other places," Patterson said. "There were a lot of questions about what happened and we wanted to stay connected with our Wired Family."Wired worked with Pablo Korona, the filmmaker behind the Our City, Our Story series, to document its path to reopening. The group released videos on Oct. 13 and Nov. 4 on its Facebook and Instagram pages giving its customers an insiders view.Patterson said the videos have been cleansing."It's empowering to tell your own story," he said. "This happened to us, but we control what happens next."Patterson is excited about the next video, which is scheduled to be posted on Nov. 19. It will include Wired Cafe's reopening date."It's going to be sooner rather than later."You can find Wired Cafe at facebook.com/@wiredcaferockford or instagram.com/wiredcaferkfd/.

Der Rathskeller was a North End staple for 90 years. What started out as a sausage shop and delicatessen in 1931 at 1132 Auburn St. eventually evolved to include a bar, restaurant and outdoor beer garden.Beginning in 2016, though, the restaurant went through three ownership changes before closing for good in October, 2021, unable to survive the COVID-19 pandemic.In June, the property sprung back to life as Plume under the direction of husband-wife duo Lia Pennacchi and Chase Williams. The two know the Rockford restaurant scene well. They started working together when Williams was the executive chef at Social Urban Bar & Restaurant in downtown Rockford.For those who remember Der Rathskeller, Plume is a bit of a change. It's much brighter with an upscale decor and pricing. It's also an Italian restaurant - but with a slight twist. The cuisine is northern Italian - the Pennacchis' heritage traces back to northern Italy - and the food has Austrian and German influences. So there's still that little tie to Der Rathskeller.My sister and I stopped in to try it out on Halloween, even sitting next to a couple dressed as a British king and queen. One thing to note. You will not be offered a menu. There are QR codes to scan to find the drink and food menus. They will bring you one if you ask. The goal of Plume is to change the menu regularly as produce is in season without having to routinely print new menus.We split a small plate, the tigelle. That came on a wooden board and included thin biscuits that you slice to make small sandwiches stuffed with mortadella (thin slices of Italian sausage), coppa picante (cured pork), pesto Modenese (a spread made of cured pork fat, garlic and rosemary) and blueberry preserves. For one, that would have been a meal in and of itself.We also split the Eickman's beef tenderloin, which was an 8-oz filet placed on top of potatoes cooked with onions and balsamic vinegar. The steak was so tender it seemed to melt in your mouth and the potatoes were sweet almost like sweet potatoes.We plan on going back to check out the bar and desserts on another day. On the night we went, it had Nutella Pot de Creme (hazelnut butter, chocolate and Frangelico whipped cream) and Tiramasu on the menu.Plume is a welcome addition to the North Main-Auburn corridor that also features the Norwegian at 1402 N. Main St. You should put both on your restaurant rotation.

This Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Nafsi is offering a special lung cancer screening and consultation package for just $300. Early detection is key, and Dr. Nafsi is here to support you every step of the way. Take this opportunity to prioritize your health—schedule your screening today and take control of your lung health with Rockford Pulmonary Clinic! Call or text 815-566-7781 to book your appointment. 💙

Looking for the best way to enjoy some amazing local flavors? I highly suggest joining the Bourbon Barrel Club and Dinner Club at Bourbon St Lounge! There's nothing like supporting local, and trust me—local food is always the best food! 🍽️🥃

I had the chance to catch up with Mark from the German Society of Rockford about this year’s Oktoberfest, and I even learned a bit of a German dance—thanks, Mark! 💃🇩🇪The 60th Annual GSR Oktoberfest is happening this Saturday, September 28th, from 11 am to 11 pm, and it’s going to be one for the books! 🎟️ Grab your tickets now for just $7 (or $10 on the day of the event).Expect amazing authentic German cuisine from Café 20, a cultural booth, souvenirs, a children’s area, stein holding and racing contests, and of course, the famous tapping of the keg with Mayor Jury! 🍻 Plus, we'll be crowning Miss Oktoberfest 2024 and enjoying some authentic German dancing and beer. 🍺🕺Music for the day will be provided by The Amazing Mike Band, The Legendary Barefoot Becky, and The Zweibel Brothers! 🎶Tickets are still available through Friday, September 27th, at these local sponsor locations (cash only!):Woodman's (Rockford, IL)Windsor Pizza ParlorTop Cut Comics (Loves Park)Pig Minds Brewing Co.Culture Shock - Clothing and RecordsWired Cafe'The DetourCherry Blossom FloristEmbroid ThisDon't miss out on this incredible return of the 60th Annual GSR Oktoberfest! 🍂🎃

✨🎭 I'm beyond excited for Artists' Ensemble Theater's production of THE ANGEL NEXT DOOR by Paul Slade Smith, hitting the stage from September 5 – 22! 🌟 Set in 1948, this screwball comedy follows husband-and-wife playwrights Charlotte and Arthur as they navigate the chaotic mishaps that threaten their next Broadway hit. With a lovestruck novelist, a charming actress, a vain leading man, and a hilariously cranky housekeeper, this play promises nonstop laughs and romance! 🤩💖Don't miss the "perfect storm of comic chaos!" Grab your tickets now and get ready for a "laugh-a-minute romantic romp!" — LA Splash Magazine🎟️ Tickets on sale at https://artistsensemble.csstix.com/event-details.php?e=282!