Positive News, Stories, & Rockford Buzz Polls

Are you a music nerd that loves the smell of vinyl? You’re not alone as the Rockford Record Crawl brings out all of the record enthusiasts. Spanning four stores across the city, you’re bound to pick up some great finds and be treated so some super nifty specials. It’s coming up this weekend, October 21, from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm. A full day celebrating your favorite tunes. Culture Shock – Kate’s Pie Shop – Toad Hall – CD Source There is no admission fee at any of the four stops. They welcome you come just come hang out with other record collectors and enjoy yourself. Each store has been working hard to come up with specials that are exciting and will get you going. You never know what you will find at each place. There will be giveaways and other random goodies. I hear there is also a scavenger hunt to find any 1 of 4 golden records. There is one at each stop. I can’t tell you what the prize is, but come on – with the shops that are involved, you know it’s gonna be good. If you visit all four stores and get your special stamp card stamped, turn it in by the end of the day (to any of the stops) and you’ll be entered to win $100 in gift certificates. Who could argue with that? Don’t worry about running out of energy. The shops will have refreshments to keep you going. Kate’s Pie Shop is also a great stop for lunch and some coffee. Grab a slice of pie and one of their new sandwiches to give you your second wind for the day. Oh, and it’s not just about buying music. There will be small-set live music performances scattered around town. It’s all about the music on Saturday. Set your alarms now, you don’t want to miss it.

The IceHogs opened their home schedule on Saturday with a two-day weekend home stand. Our Rockford IceHogs faced the Iowa Wild on Saturday and the Milwaukee Admirals on Sunday for a weekend full of divisional matchups. We got our first chance to see the new and improved IceHogs under a new coaching system and an influx of youth on the roster. Compared to years past, the 2017-18 team is full of Blackhawks prospects to keep an eye on instead of seasoned veteran players looking for a place to play. The IceHogs thrilled the home crowd on Saturday with a 7-4 victory over the Iowa Wild. They came out flying and were a force to be reckoned with. Matthew Highmore snuck two goals by Niklas Svedberg with Erik Gustafsson, Anthony Louis, Vinnie Hinostroza, Tyler Sikura, and Matheson Iacopelli adding to the total. J.F. Berube picked up the win in goal. The Milwaukee Admirals handed our Hogs their first lost of the season in a 5-3 defeat. Early season rust and questionable officiating (yeah, I went there!) played a factor in Sunday’s defeat. They made it a game when Laurent Dauphin snuck the puck behind Admirals goalie, Anders Lindback, for two late goals, but time was running out and Milwaukee added an empty-net goal to seal the fate of the game. Jeff Glass took the loss on the night but will get a chance to bounce back next weekend. Newly acquired free agent signings, David Kampf and Matthew Highmore, have been stand out players so far this season. Highmore leads the team in points with 3 goals and 2 assists with a team average +2 rating. Kampf comes in with 1 assist and a -1 rating but has endeared himself to fans as a feisty forechecking forward unafraid to use his body to get possession of the puck. Returning to the roster are -- Defensemen: Erik Gustafsson, Viktor Svedberg, Robin Norell, Ville Pokka, Robin Press, Luc Snuggerud and Carl Dahlstrom Forwards: Matheson Iacopelli, Vinnie Hinostroza, Luke Johnson, William Pelletier, and Anthony Louis Goaltender: Jeff Glass The team is playing with a fierce pace, more puck possession, and a lot of excitement. It’s going to be a great season to be an IceHogs fan, and I encourage you to bring out the family to check out some of the Blackhawks’ top prospects. The next home game is Friday, October 20th when the Hogs take on another divisonal foe, The Gand Rapids Griffins. Tickets can be found on the IceHogs website here: http://www.icehogs.com/ Sunday games are Kids Eat Free days, in which fans 14-and-under can enjoy a FREE hot dog, bag of Ole' Salty's chips, and Pepsi product. Fans can also join their favorite IceHogs for postgame photos!

There are lots of deserving charities in the Rock River Valley and if you're a runner, you could pretty much fill every weekend from March through November in one charity run or another. The organizers do a fairly good job of not competing with each other, but sometimes conflicts occur. This Saturday, if you'd like to add a few miles to your running log you have two good races to choose from. At 9 a.m. Saturday at Rockford Rivets Stadium you could run in the Nik's Home Run 7K race, 1.5 mile walk and silent auction. This race benefits the Nikolas Ritschel Foundation, which looks to enrich the lives of cancer patients from 18 to 24 years old. The race starts at Rivets stadium, goes through the expanded Sports Two path and then back into Rivets Stadium with a final sprint down the third baseline across home plate. Ritschel was diagnosed with Synovial Sarcoma about a month before his 18th birthday and died shortly after turning 21. His parents started the foundation in 2013. The costs is $35 for the 7K race and $20 for the walk. There will be more than 100 items for bid in the silent auction, ranging from sports memorabilia to dining and entertainment. Each participant will be entered into a drawing for two tickets to a Chicago Bears game along with a paid night's stay in Chicago. To sign up, go to https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/LovesPark/NiksHomerun7Kand15mileFunWalk?remMeAttempt=. Also Saturday at 9 a.m. is the Stateline Youth for Christ 5K 4 Kids. This race is presented by Crosby Law Firm and American Law Firm and takes place at Midway Village Museum, which promises to be a creative and scenic course. After the race, head down the street to The Crosby and American Law Firms, 475 Executive Drive, for lunch, a silent auction, awards ceremony, family activities and live music. The first 100 runners receive a free 815 Crimson Ridge t-shirt. The costs range from $10 for the kids one mile run to $25 for the high school and adult races. To sign up, go to https://www.raceentry.com/races/the-youth-for-christ-5k-4-kids-/2017/register.

Do you like explosions? Fine spirits? Great food? Live music? Supporting a good cause? Discover the Spirits is the perfect event for you. This Friday, October 13 (yes, the very spooky Friday the 13th) from 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm, The Discovery Center Museum is hosting a night full of fun and fundraising. You will be able to sample more than 80 spirits from regional distilleries and pair them with some yummy food options. Of course, this is the Discovery Center, so they have to have science experiments for you to gaze at in wonder. Dial in to your inner child and bring out that excitement as you witness explosions and wander through their permanent exhibits. You will hear some great tunes from Fred & Ginger Carl Cole Frank Calvagna & Vince Chiarelli Food is one of the biggest parts of every event, and they aren't serving up some delicious treats from: Pinnon's Meats Lucha Cantina Baci's Kitchen Prairie Street Brewhouse Nothing Bundt Cakes Tickets are $50 and you must be 21+ to enter the event.

The annual Secondhand Curves Con is coming up this Sunday, and you don’t want to miss it. Rachel Cadie, owner of Secondhand Curves, puts on a great event each year for women who are looking for plus-sized fashion tips, a fashion show, and an excuse to do some shopping! You will find plenty of fashion vendors, keynote speakers, beauty services, and a beauty bar. We all enjoy looking nice, and this is an event you can go to where everyone has the same interest in mind – looking good and supporting other women! Year after year, it is a hit here in Rockford and it brings women from all over to the area. You are bound to have a day full of fun and laughter, and you will probably end up leaving with some goodies! Secondhand Curves Con is held at Hoffman House, 7550 E State St, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Tickets are only $12 if you purchase them in advance at Secondhand Curves, 5643 E State St, Ste 2. They are $15 at the door and are available for cash only. Get a group of girls together or just come by yourself! You certainly won’t feel alone once you walk through those doors. It’s going to be a great time and you can’t miss out!

CrossFit Supercell will be a part of a worldwide workout Saturday morning meant to raise awareness of the rising rates of autism and to raise money for better treatment. At 9 a.m., the CrossFit gym at 4831 Colt Road is hosting a Lift Up Autism workout to raise funds for the Autism Tree Project Foundation in San Diego, California, which supports early diagnosis for treatment of autism. The workout itself is no charge. CrossFit SuperCell holds a free class each Saturday for anyone who wants to learn about CrossFit and break a sweat on the weekend. SuperCell will be selling specially printed Lift Up Autism t-shirts and workout tank tops Saturday for $35 with all of the proceeds going to charity. The CrossFit community first held a special workout for autism awareness in 2013. In 2016, 7,500 people in 39 countries took part in the annual event, raising $75,000. The goal Saturday is to have 10,000 athletes at 1,000 gyms around the world mobilize for the disorder that affects an alarming number of children. Since researchers began tracking the prevalence of autism in 2000, the number of kids diagnosed with the disorder has risen to where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates now about 1 of 68 children in the United States has autism. Boys are far more likely to have the disorder with 1 of every 42 boys having some form while it’s found in 1 of every 189 in girls. To learn more about CrossFit Supercell, go to crossfitsupercell.com. To learn more about the Autism Tree Project, go to autismtreeproject.org.

The Rock River Valley is enjoying a bit of an Indian Summer this week and weekend with temperatures resting solidly in the 80s. It’s a great weekend to try to get a last trip on the water and Rocktown Adventures has a perfect opportunity Saturday morning. Rocktown is holding a two-hour paddling trip along the Kishwaukee River beginning at 10 a.m. The price is $50 and it includes a kayak, paddle, guide and a shuttle to and from the site. If you have a kayak, the price is just $20. The trip starts at Atwood Park. A shuttle will take you 15 minutes to Espenscheid Forest Preserve. After 30 minutes of dry land instruction and outfitting, you launch and paddle for 90 minutes to two hours to Atwood Park. The Kishwaukee is an underused gem in the Rockford area. Despite being close to the city and major highways, it’s a 63.4-mile-long welcome escape from the sounds of city life because of heavy tree cover. Although Saturday’s trip is for entry-level kayakers, there are some obstacles along the way so Rocktown Adventures believes it isn’t a trip for someone who hasn’t been in a kayak before. The tour is limited to 16 paddlers so call 815-636-9066 to see if there still is room for you.

Fall is a weird time in the Rockford area. You can have a weekend in the 80s or 40s. One thing that’s for sure is that with the leaves beginning to turn, there are fewer and fewer chances to get out and improve your running times. The top running event in the area this weekend is the Light Your Fire 5K Run/Walk in Belvidere at 9 a.m. on Saturday. The race is a benefit for both the Boone County District 2 Firefighters and the OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center burn unit. The run takes place in Spencer Park, 655 N. Appleton Road. Part of the charm of any running race is the course itself and the setting for this race is one of its advantages. Spencer Park lies along the banks of the Kishwaukee River and is lined with silver maple, sycamore and willow trees. The low lying areas are dotted with protected wetlands making the area popular with several species of birds. The race also is one of the more affordable with a cost of $30 per runner although that cost goes up on Sept. 17. If you’re coming from Rockford, you could make a day of it. You could get a good run in for a good cause and then head north to Poplar Grove to visit Edwards Apple Orchard. You’ll have run off enough calories to enjoy an apple cider doughnut.

As summer winds down, so do the various auto racing seasons across the country. This Saturday night, you can see a plethora of winners crowned during Whelen Engineering 'Night of Champions' at the Rockford Speedway. The Speedway, a 1/4-mile short track, high banked oval that is the only NASCAR sanctioned track in Illinois, is wrapping up its 70th season of competition along Illinois 173 in Loves Park. On Saturday, the speedway will decide the 2017 champions in the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models, Bargain Hunter Sportsman, Miller Lite American Short Trackers and Kickstart Roadrunners. Chad Smith leads Johnny Robinson II in the Sportsmen series, 680-634. Zach Rodriguez is comfortably ahead of Nick Cina Jr. in the American Short Trackers, 723-657. Michael Bilderback is running ahead of Matt Berger in the Late Models, 710-677, and Josh Thiering is looking to nail down the Road Runners title. He holds a 722-659 lead over Rich Schinderling Jr. The track also will crown the winner of the Roadrunner Challenge with the annual running of the "Outhouse Race." In this unique event, racers have to stop periodically to collect toilet paper. Gates open at 5 p.m. Saturday night with racing starting at 7:05 p.m. Adults cost $12 to enter. Children ages 6-11 are $6. Kids ages 5 and under are free. For more information, go to www.rockfordspeedway.com.

o you like to ride a bike but are embarrassed at the bent up piece of junk sitting in your garage? Well, this Saturday that rusty two-wheeler is golden. Team Fur Bandit is hosting the inaugural Lemon-Duro – A Lesser Bike Race. To even enter you must have a bike either worth less than $100, with rust, a bent rim or is older than you. If you have a bike that meets all these criteria than you get double points towards a plethora of contests and prizes. The race starts at 10 a.m. at Rocktown Adventures, 313 N. Madison St., Rockford. Adults cost $10 to enter and children are free. That’s the extent of what Team Fur Bandit has released so far. You’ll have to learn more by showing up Saturday. Proceeds of the event will go to “I Bike Rockford,” an all-volunteer community group who is working towards making bicycling safer in the Rockford area through safety and education events and influencing public policy. Team Fur Bandit is a bike riding club formed in 2010 to enjoy the road and raise money for charities. TFB has ridden in events to raise money for groups such as Rosie’s Birthday Club, The Fish-Abled Foundation and the Rockford Rescue Mission. There are a lot of links here if you want to learn more. For the Lemon-Duro, go to: www.rockfordbuzz.com/event/lemon-duro-lesser-bike-race/. To learn more about Team Fur Bandit, visit http://teamfurbandit.org/. To find out about “I Bike Rockford,” go to http://ibikerockford.com/.

A new competitive event coming this fall will inspire participants to explore local forest preserves while supporting nature education. Forest Quest Scavenger Hunt is a 24-hour Event that takes you off the beaten path to discover the wild, weird, and wonderful secrets of the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County On September 16, 2017 the Forest Quest Scavenger Hunt will invite teams to participate in a 24-hour competitive exploration of Winnebago County’s 42 forest preserves. The purpose of the event is two-fold. One, to raise awareness of our vast system of protected natural areas as people visit various forest preserves. Two, to raise funds for nature education in the forest preserves. “Fall is one of the best times of the year to experience the protected landscapes within the forest preserves, and Forest Quest provides the perfect opportunity to discover the colorful foliage, the migrating birds, and whole lot of adventure.” - Jamie Johannsen, Director of Marketing and Community Relations, Forest Preserves of Winnebago County Forest Quest teams will fulfill various challenges in the preserves to accumulate points and qualify to win prizes. First, second, and third place prize packages will be awarded to the teams accumulating the most points by fulfilling the most scavenger hunt activities. Prize package values will range from $200 - $500 and will include sought after items such as Ice Hogs tickets, Hydroflask water bottles, golf gift certificates, local restaurant and brewery gift certificates, and locally hand crafted apparel. Completion of the 24-hour scavenger hunt will be celebrated at a post-event party at Severson Dells Nature Center on Saturday, September 16th at 4:00 pm where participants can enjoy food, drinks, music by Kraig Kenning and sharing of their day’s adventures. “The scavenger hunt appeals to all ages, and we are getting a great response from families and people of all ages who want take on the Forest Quest challenge with their friends. We are getting registrations from a lot of people who love the idea of supporting nature education by having a fun day getting to know the forest preserves.” - Ann Wasser, Director of Education, Severson Dells Nature Center The registration fee is $50 per team (teams may be 2-6 members) and $65 per team, including the post-event celebration at Severson Dells. All proceeds from the Forest Quest Scavenger Hunt benefit Nature Education programs at Severson Dells Nature Center and Volunteer Education programs to enhance habitat restoration throughout all 42 Forest Preserves of Winnebago County. Registration deadline is September 14, 2017. Register at seversondells.org/scavenger-hunt.

Nearly 1.1 million high school students will put on a helmet Friday night and step on the football field to battle it out over school pride, to show off for college scouts or perhaps just to impress a pretty girl in the stands. High school football remains the No. 1 participation sport in the U.S. by a wide margin. This Friday night is week one of the Illinois football season and there are many, many opportunities for you to experience the pomp and circumstance that still surrounds high school sports. Rockford East is a two-time state champion, but the school hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2001. The E-Rabs though were 4-5 last season and return most of its core players so hopes are high. East hosts Belvidere High School at Swanson Stadium at Guilford High School. Across town, at Wyeth Stadium at Rockford Auburn High School, the Jefferson J-Hawks will be playing Machesney Park Harlem. Jefferson like East is coming off a 4-5 season. Jefferson’s playoff drought is longer. The J-Hawks haven’t been to the playoffs since 1993. Jefferson finished last season with a last-second win over the Huskies so Harlem will be motivated and they have the pedigree. The Huskies have made the playoffs the past nine seasons under coach Jim Morrow. The four Rockford public high schools share two football stadiums. For you big school football fans, Auburn, which has won a share of the past two NIC-10 football titles, will be traveling to play at Freeport, Belvidere North will be in Rockford to play Boylan and Guilford is heading up to Rockton to play Hononegah. If you are more a fan of the small town football atmosphere, Pecatonica, which is a combination of Durand and Pecatonica players, hosts defending 1A state champion Forreston. Burlington Central is at Byron. Harvard travels to Oregon. Poplar Grove North Boone will be in Stillman Valley and Rockford Lutheran heads out to Genoa-Kingston. Varsity games start around 7:15 p.m. and most stadiums don’t take credit so bring cash for that brat and soda. A special thank you to Alex Gary for writing this Scoreboard piece. Alex Gary spent 22 years as a sports, business and education reporter and editor at newspapers in Beloit, Wis., and Rockford. He now is the communications manager at Thinker Ventures when he’s not umpiring youth baseball, running the scoreboard at Jefferson athletics, working on his NIC-10 Sports History Book website or hanging out with his two daughters.

The Anything That Floats Rock River Raft Race, a staple of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, will take place Sunday, the second year of a triumphant return. This version of the raft race benefits the Rockford Fourth of July and Holiday Lighting efforts, the Rock River Trails Initiative and the Ski Broncs. The race course is 1.65 miles in length and ends at Prairie Street Brewhouse. The cost to enter was $100 per raft and $15 for kayakers, canoers and paddleboarders. The entry deadline has passed so if you’re not in the race, join the thousands of spectators who will be watching at the Auburn and Whitman Street bridges and along the Rock River recreation path. The race takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with an awards ceremony and party at the Brewhouse after. In 2016, there were prizes for rafts based on time – won by Metro Insulation - as well as People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice awards on time. The kayak, canoe and stand up paddleboard races were all speed events. More info can be found HERE. Taking place one day before the eclipse and on the last summer vacation weekend for most students, the raft race is a fun way to pass the time watching people try to stay afloat on the river. Half the fun is watching the ones that sink. Anchors away. A special thank you to Alex Gary for writing this Scoreboard piece. Alex Gary spent 22 years as a sports, business and education reporter and editor at newspapers in Beloit, Wis., and Rockford. He now is the communications manager at Thinker Ventures when he’s not umpiring youth baseball, running the scoreboard at Jefferson athletics, working on his NIC-10 Sports History Book website or hanging out with his two daughters.

As you know, yesterday was Rockford Day (8-15. . .815). I look back on it as you would reflect on a Christmas morning in which you got everything that you asked for. There is a feeling of happiness, a lingering feeling of “Did that really happen?”, and also the wonder of how it went to quickly and is over already. If you wanted to celebrate Rockford Day, all you had to do was walk downtown. There was 815 everything, and it was everywhere. I started off my day with some coffee and acoustic tunes at Wired Café. It was 8:00 am, so coffee was a must. This girl is not a morning person, but I had to take in as much of the day as I could. Name the Moon was there providing some great music. It was a really peaceful morning, and it set the happy vibes for the rest of the day. After hanging out at Wired for two hours, I was off to take in everything else. I made a few stops at Secondhand Curves and Bygone Brand, and then I was on my way back downtown. Let’s revisit how I am not a morning person. I hadn’t done a whole lot yet, but that energy meter was dropping again, so with quick stops at Bella Luna Bakery for a cookie and Rockford Roasting Company for a cold brew, I was back in business. Lauren Davis (Lauren Davis Creative, Culture Shock, wizard of everything that is good) and The Friends of the Coronado put together a press conference to announce The Coronado Theatre’s 90th Birthday Party. If you missed it, you can find those details HERE. It's always nice to be at the Coronado. You can feel the aura of history in the building. It's also very beautiful inside. After the Press Conference, 815 on the Bridge was a must-visit. I wasn't sure what to expect from a mini-festival in the middle of a Tuesday, but I was blown away. So many people came downtown to experience it, and there were smiles all around. The ever-fabulous Javamania and Bamboo had their food trucks out. Taco Betty's used to area next to their restaurant to provide tacos for people on the go. There were even massages available on the bridge. We can't just forget about the Flash Mob. Music, dancing, and people all along the bridge watching. It was quite the sight to take in. After watching the dancers on the bridge, I paid a visit to Molly at Yolo's Sweets. You all made me proud and bought out her selection of 815 Day baked goods! Then, I went over to the Art Deli, and I guess everyone else did too. The place was PACKED. I mean, there was a line circling the entirety of the inside of the store. Those guys are professionals, and they got through everyone pretty quick. Rockford day was a huge success. Things like this are possible because of the people like you and me who are exciting about what Rockford has to offer. If you go Downtown during one of these events, you'll find a bunch of people to have friendly conversations with, and everyone is ready to have a good time. This is how we make our hometown into what we want it to be. We have to celebrate the good and celebrate each other! Say hello to the people you see. I don't think I have to describe the power of conversation. Our town is doing well. People are excited, and they want to share the joy. That's something that can't be faked. I hope you all had a great day like I did. Let's make it even better next year!

The Coronado Theatre is one of Rockford’s famous landmarks. This beautiful theater is a piece of art on the inside and out. It has been providing entertainment to our area since it first opened in 1927. That is a long-standing commitment to the arts and to our city. If that isn’t something that promotes a sense of pride in your heart, I don’t know what will. To celebrate their 90th year with the people of Rockford, the Friends of the Coronado and Mayor Tom McNamara have announced the largest FREE public event that the Coronado has held since its restoration in 2001! Taking place September 29 and 30, (Yes! A two-day celebration!), the Coronado will take you back to the Roaring Twenties with live entertainment and refreshments for guests of all ages. They want to celebrate with Rockford residents as well as bring in tourism to experience Rockford’s beautiful and historical landmark. On Friday, September 29, The Roaring Twenties celebration will kick off at 7:00 pm, and the party will be filling every area of the theatre. As you tour the historic building, you will find different bands and other acts in all different areas. There will be tours of the theater provided, and if you ask kindly, you may even get a ghost story or two! Rockford’s favorite food trucks will be present outside to provide you with some noms and refreshments while you enjoy the festivities. There will be a DJ outside spinning vinyls of artists who have performed at the Coronado. There will also be a raffle for tickets to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The short film “History of the Coronado” will be presented by the Friends of the Coronado Foundation and Land of Lincoln Theater Oregon Society. If you attend Friday, you are going to want to come back on Saturday. The party kicks off at noon and goes until 4:00 pm. There will be face painting, a magician, and the Discovery Center will be on hand. Tours of the theater will continue, so don’t worry if you don’t have a chance to take one on Friday. The Coronado has meant so much to so many people, and providing a weekend of free entertainment is just like them to show that they care about the community. We have all experienced The Coronado in our own way, and now its time to celebrate it like the treasure that it is!

August 15, aka 8.15, aka 815 Day, aka ROCKFORD DAY! has arrived. There is not a shortage of things do do or places to visit. We wanted to get you started on your adventure here. There is a link to follow at the bottom that will take you to the full list! Wired Café Start your morning right at Wired Café, 414 E State. From during the 8am hour, you can get 15% off coffee and espresso drinks. They are going to be running a sale on their shirts all day, and during that same 8am hour, you can catch some live music! 815 on the Mile Bygone Brand, Lallygag Boutique, and Coley’s Cooler have a neat little area for you to feel some Rockford Pride. Bygone Brand, 3600 E. State, has limited edition Rockford Day tees printed for you LIVE by Yackle Tees from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. You can also snag 15% off all Rockford apparel and grab your own Made in Rockford mug for $8.15. Lallygag Boutique, 4616 E. State, will have some signature shirts from Bygone Brand available from noon until 5:00 pm for $18.50. Their lace top extenders are $15, and all summer clearance items are going for $8-15! Coley’s Cooler will be chillin’ at Lallygag from noon until 2:00 pm for an ice cream party! 815 on the Bridge From 11:30 am until 1:30 pm, make sure you head over to the State Street bridge. Trust me. There is going to be music, dancing, and some awesome food trucks! 815 on the Bridge is a great way to break up your day and celebrate our town! Rockford Day at Edgebrook There are some awesome deals going on at Edgebrook all day long. You should check out their webpage and take an 815 day tour of the shopping center! http://edgebrookshops.com/events/rockford-day-at-edgebrook/ Secondhand Curves Lookin' for some new fashion items? Stop in to Secondhand Curves, 5643 E State ste #2, for 20-25% off select items as well as a gift certificate and Michael Kors bag giveaway! J.R. Kortman Center for Design / Kortman Gallery For art lovers out there, international artist Malika Moine of Marseille, has put her own professional touches on our lovely town. Her watercolor prints are being turned into calendar for 2018 entitled Paint the Town. These calendars will be available beginning tomorrow, Rockford Day. If you want to see the paintings on display, The Kortman Gallery, 107 N Main St, will have them for you to see from 5:30 – 9:00. 815 Dock Party Prairie Street food and drinks, live music from The Stevee Nix, and a visit from the Mayor? Just head down to the Prairie Street Brewing Company Dock, 200 Prairie Street! Rockford Art Deli If you are looking for a new RAD shirt, the Art Deli, 402 E State Street, has limited edition 815 prints for you only available on 8/15. If you bring your own tee, get the print for $8.15! Noon-8:00 pm Rockford IceHogs Rockford Day is the perfect day to get a sweet, sweet deal on some Hogs tickets! Upper Endzone tickets are available to you for $8.15! You can buy them through Ticketmaster (no code required), by phone, or stop in and say hello to the lovely people in the box office, 300 Elm St! 10:00 am – Midnight. Bella Luna Bakery SWEET THINGS! Grab some 815 Sugar cookies at Bella Luna, 308 W State, for $1 or 10 for $8.15! Their ridiculously delicious Mrs. Fisher’s potato chip cookies are also $1. This sugary sweet deal is available to you all week! Lucha Cantina (1641 N Alpine) Tacos? Tacos! Tacos for $8.15. This is a no-brainer. Rocktown Adventures Rocktown Adventures, 313 N Madison St, is your local resource for everything outdoors! If you buy one piece of lifestyle apparel, you will get a second for $8.15! They also have on-site rentals of kayaks, canoes, and stand up paddleboards for $8.15! Rockford Roasting Company (206 N Main St) So, RRC shirts are incredibly soft. They are also $15 all day long. Olympic Tavern (2327 N Main St) $8.15 will get you two tacos and a pint of Pilsner Urquell $18.50 will get you a 10 oz New York Strip Steak, a pint of Pilsner Urquell and a shot! You can also win some swag during their drawing at 8:15 pm! The Underground (418 E State) Have you seen Roni’s paintings? Have you seen him do a live painting? If not, I can promise you that it is a really fun time. Grab an original painting or book Roni for an event for only $815! Yolo's Sweets (110 N 1st St) Rockford? Sock Monkeys! Yolo’s is cookin’ up some Sock Monkey cakes! You can also grab cake pops and cupcakes featuring the Rockford Day Logo. Yummmmmmm, baked goods! Halo Cupcake (7969 Forest Hills Rd) 815 Cookies and cupcakes! If you come in some 815 gear, you will be entered into a drawing for an $8.15 gift card! Kate's Pie Shop (6685 E State) All of their delicious lunch boxes will be on sale for $8.15 including tax! Now that is hard to pass up! Bath & Body Fusion (324 E State) Everyone loves to relax and smell good, right? Yeah, well everything is 50% off at Bath and Body Fusion all day long! Crimson Ridge A lot of things are going on downtown. But I would suggest making a little trip over to 735 N Perryville Road for some special Rockford shirts for only $8.15!   As promised, here is your EVERYTHING LINK!

One thing that Rockford is not short on is history. We have a lot of prized landmarks that hold a lot of different stories. For art lovers out there, international artist Malika Moine of Marseille, has put her own professional touches on our lovely town. Her watercolor prints are being turned into calendar for 2018 entitled Paint the Town. These calendars will be available beginning tomorrow, Rockford Day. I believe that is pretty fitting. If you want to see the paintings on display, The Kortman Gallery, 107 N Main St, will have them for you to see from 5:30 – 9:00 pm tomorrow, August 15. Malika will be on hand at this premier event as well. You can meet the artist and chat with her about her work and the inspirations behind her paintings. This is a wonderful night for art lovers and people who love Rockford. It is a great cap to Rockford Day, and I would suggest picking up one of these awesome calendars. They will be a great touch to your home or make a great gift!

Water ski shows are one of the unique attractions you find mainly in the Midwest and for 50 years Rockford has been home to one of the very best, the Ski Broncs. You can see the Ski Broncs at their best against the best this weekend at Shorewood Park in Loves Park. The Ski Broncs are the host of the National Show Ski Association Division 1 Show Ski National Championships. Fourteen teams will be competing for the championships and there will be dozens of individual performers trying for titles in events such as swivel skiing, team jumping and freestyle jumping. The competition begins Friday morning at 10 a.m. with the individual events. Saturday features 12 hours of team competitions from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The team event continues Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. followed by an award ceremony. A national tournament has been held since 1975 and the Ski Broncs won the team title in 1991. The public is welcome and there is a concession stand to keep you hydrated. With the stormy weather, it’s been a tough year for Midwestern water ski show teams because high river levels have caused the cancellation of many shows. If the competition takes place, swing by to show your support. This year’s Ski Broncs team has members from 3-years-old to 54 and the group does more than just show up and perform. The Ski Broncs partners with groups such as Adaptive Adventures, Rock House Kids and the YMCA of the Rock River Valley to teach the joys of water skiing.

Rockford is made up of so many different people from all different backgrounds. What if I told you that there was a festival here in town that brings the community together to celebrate all of the diverse cultures that make up the Forest City? Today, the planning committee hosted a press conference to announce the plans for this year's festivities. 2017 marks the 4th year that the Midtown District is hosting its Ethnic Festival and Parade. Rockford’s historical Midtown District is coming to life with a bunch of local businesses and new residents moving in. It is a great place to host such a great and uplifting gathering. The 4th Annual Midtown Ethnic Festival and Parade is being held on Sunday, August 27, from Noon until 6:oo pm. The main attractions of the festival are held on the grounds of the RPS 205 Administration building, 501 7th Street. The parade, which begins at 1:00 pm runs from downtown to 7th Street. It begins on Wyman and runs down East State to 7th street at 6th avenue. It is recommended that you show up early and reserve your spot along the route. You will get to see dancing dragons, bagpipes, and ethnic dance troops! The festival is free and open to the public with cultural cuisines available for purchase at many food booths. There will also be music and dancing and well as games & crafts, Turkish painting, woodcarving, children’s activities, and a beer garden for attendees 21 and over. This year, they are adding something super exciting. Ancestry.com will be on-site running DNA test signups with a special discount for festival attendees. You will save 20% off which is a discount only available here! Many people like to understand where they come from and what their heritage is. Ancestry.com likes what the Midtown District is doing with this festival, and they wanted to partner with them. The Ethnic Festival and Parade is a great event and will help introduce you to new cultures and appreciate them on a deeper level. I highly suggest that you bring your family and take the time to check it out.

I cannot stress enough that one of my favorite things about Rockford is the amount of caring and supportive people that we have here. There are always people looking to give back to the community that they love, and I think that is wonderful. If you open your heart to our community, you will find that you always feel supported and encouraged to succeed. Since 1992, Crusader Community Health has set out to recognize and reward caring individuals and organizations within our community. The 2017 awards will recognize four individuals and one organization that have a lasting impact on Rockford and the surrounding areas. Within this is the Spirit-of-the-Future award. This award is given to a person aged 40 or under who exhibits unique kindness and caring for others in our community; a future leader who demonstrates the Spirit of Caring today. You have a voice in who gets the award. You can submit your nominations for the great people in your life. Nominations for these awards are due by September 7, 2017. Mail, E-mail or Fax to: SPIRIT OF CARING AWARDS Crusader Community Health 1200 West State Street Rockford, Illinois 61102 FAX: (815)490-1823 E-mail: ksmith@crusaderhealth.org So, where will these awards be given out? There is a Spirit of Caring Award dinner being held at Giovanni’s on Friday, October 27, 2017. You can attend and enjoy an evening of great food, great company, and inspiring stories. For questions about nominations, dinner tickets or other information about this special community event, call (815) 490-1620 or visit: www.crusaderhealth.org

Music is a universal language. Whether you can understand the lyrics or not (or if there are no lyrics!) the music can bring out different emotions in you and help you communicate your feelings. There is no age limit on a love for music. From the super young, to the old, music love flows through most of our veins. So what? Well, we have some folks here in Rockford who aim to keep the love of music alive for all generations and generations to come. The Rock N’ Roll Institute is a great place for aspiring musicians to come together in Rockford, form bands, and rock out. Youth bands and adult bands both come out of the institute and they are providing a great service for our community. If that sounds awesome to you (it is), you can check out more about them HERE. Then we have Culture Shock. Culture Shock has been a staple of our community for a decade now! Most people who live in Rockford have dropped in at least once. You will usually find yourself leaving with some awesome vinyl or some unique item from their gift section. They really have some cool stuff there, and if you somehow haven’t checked it out yet, take my recommendation and stop in there. Another cool thing about Culture Shock is that they like to provide affordable entertainment for music lovers. Usually these shows are for all ages, so you can make a family event out of it! They have a great location with a pretty big parking lot, so they have the space to bring you a great time. This Saturday, August 5, from 4:00 - 9:00 pm, the Rock N’ Roll Institute and Culture Shock are coming together to provide you a really cool night of music. This all ages show will feature youth and adult bands from The Rock N’ Roll Institute. 6’10 band from Chicago will also be stopping in to perform for you. Admission is FREE, but a $5 donation will get you a $5 credit to use at Culture Shock at any time. There won’t only be music, though. You can also enjoy: Craft Root Beer for all ages from Prairie Street Brewing Co.! 21+ can enjoy Craft Beer from Prairie Street Brewing Company A Candy "Bar" provided by Culture Shock The legendary Sandwich Factory with hot dogs and burgers! Giveaways from area local businesses for music-loving-kids 18 and under! MORE SURPRISES IN-STORE! They always have something up their sleeve!   This parking lot party is a family music day. Round up your friends or children and come out to enjoy some great music, company, and treats.

The main event on the Rockford running calendar takes place Saturday with the SwedishAmerican State Street Mile. This will be the 33rd annual running of the event that is calls itself the “fastest mile in the Midwest” because the course is almost entirely downhill and ends with a sprint over the State Street Bridge. Many of the biggest names in Rockford running have won the Mile at various points. Belvidere’s Ron Wartgow, who won a high school state championship in the mile in 1976, won the first three on the men’s side and Roscoe’s Jeff Jacobs, who qualified for the 1996 Olympic trials as a marathoner, holds the record with five wins. On the women’s side, Andrea Rediger, a runner from Auburn High School who went on to excel at the University of Minnesota and finished 22nd in the 2015 Boston Marathon, has dominated the event this decade. Rediger has won the last six women’s races. There are races in four categories, men’s and women’s masters, boys and girls k-12 and the men’s and women’s open races. The races begin at 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 5, with the Masters, followed by the boys and girls races and then the open race starting at 6 p.m. The cost to run is $15 for the boys and girls and $30 for the open and masters divisions. The race benefits the Rockford Sports Coalition and Rockford Wildcats youth running team. The State Street Mile has grown to the point where more than 500 run annually, but a challenge from a couple of local businesses should push entries even higher. A&B Machine Shop and Rockford Carbide Die & Tool are backing a school challenge. The schools at each level – elementary, middle school and high school – that have the most registered and participating students, staff and faculty will receive cash awards for their athletic departments. Runners must cross the finish line to count. To register, go to https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/?raceId=21376#register. A special thank you to Alex Gary for writing this Scoreboard piece. Alex Gary spent 22 years as a sports, business and education reporter and editor at newspapers in Beloit, Wis., and Rockford. He now is the communications manager at Thinker Ventures when he’s not umpiring youth baseball, running the scoreboard at Jefferson athletics, working on his NIC-10 Sports History Book website or hanging out with his two daughters.

Saturday gives you the rare chance to hit a home run into the Rock River. Not a baseball or a softball. No. A kickball. Brovember Inc. is holding its annual Kicking “Balls for Mens Cancer” tournament Saturday, July 29, at Davis Park to raise funds for prostate cancer research. The tournament is the largest annual fundraiser for Brovember, which was founded in Rockford with a beard-a-thon to raise awareness for Prostate cancer and other men’s cancer issues while also supporting local organizations. Prostate cancer affects nearly 12 percent The cost is $15 per person and teams have to be between eight and 11 players with at least three being female and all players must be over the age of 18. While the kickball tournament is the draw, there will be plenty of activity for the spectators with music, food, drinks, bags contests and raffles. There is no cost to attend and enjoy the action. The overall tournament winner wins tickets to the Screw City Beer Festival. The action starts at 10 a.m. and “The Wrap Up Party” takes place after at the Blue Line Sports Pub, 211 Elm St., Rockford. A special thank you to Alex Gary for writing this Scoreboard piece. Alex Gary spent 22 years as a sports, business and education reporter and editor at newspapers in Beloit, Wis., and Rockford. He now is the communications manager at Thinker Ventures when he’s not umpiring youth baseball, running the scoreboard at Jefferson athletics, working on his NIC-10 Sports History Book website or hanging out with his two daughters.

Rockford Art Museum’s annual art party of the summer is coming up! Art With A View will be held on August 12, 2017 at the Riverfront Amphitheater at Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N Main St. Art With A View is a chic outdoor party that features cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, a nice dinner from Chef Paul Sletten of Abreo, music and entertainment by DJ Maclin and Luxe Productions, and more. It is a great night to come out and appreciate art at a great location right on the river. Art enthusiasts all over town look forward to this event every year. Cocktails will be served at 6:00 pm with dinner starting at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $175; reservation deadline is Tuesday, Aug. 1. Summer party attire. Proceeds support RAM exhibitions and education programs throughout the year. To purchase tickets or for more information go to rockfordartmuseum.org or call (815) 968-2787.