Positive News, Stories, & Rockford Buzz Polls

Pi (without the “e”) is the Greek letter (π) used in mathematics to represent the relationship of a circle’s edge to its diameter. Join us for an irrational celebration on 3/14 as we party and play with circles and shapes and puzzles and games! Get lost in loops, beautify with rubber bands, spin up a spirograph, and more!  All activities are included with general admission to Discovery Center. General admission: $9 adults; $9 children ages 2-17; free to Discovery Center Members and children age 1 and younger. This event is sponsored by Huntington Learning Academy, Dr. Zak’s Tooth Fairy Castle Pediatric Dentistry, and a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. ABOUT DISCOVERY CENTER MUSEUMDiscovery Center Museum is a children’s science museum providing hands-on math, science and art experiences for all ages with over 250 hand-on exhibits, planetarium, special area for children under five, and an outdoor science park. Discovery Center Museum is the nation’s 5th Best Museum for Families according to USA TODAY/10Best.com, and one of 12 museums included in Forbes.com’s article, The 12 Best Children’s Museums in the U.S. In 2019 Discovery Center earned the Trip Advisor Hall of Fame distinction. The Museum is located inside Riverfront Museum Park, 711 North Main Street, Rockford, Ill. General admission to the Museum is: $9 adults, $9 children (ages 2 to 17); free to Museum members and children age 1 and younger. Hours of operation are: 10 am to 5 pm seven days a week. For additional information, call (815) 963-6769 or log onto our website at www.discoverycentermuseum.org.

ROCKFORD, Ill. – The Rockford IceHogs, proud American Hockey League affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League, announced today that forward Gabriel Gagne has been released from his professional tryout agreement and signed a standard player contract (SPC) with the club for the remainder of this season and the 2020-21 campaign. The IceHogs also announced that the club has signed defenseman Dmitry Osipov to an extension through the 2020-21 season.Since joining the IceHogs on Jan. 18, Gagne has six goals and six assists for 12 points in 21 games with the IceHogs. At the time of his call-up, the Laval, Quebec, native led the ECHL with 24 goals and sat second on the Allen Americans (12th in the league) with 38 points over 36 contests. Gagne skated in three AHL contests with the Ontario Reign earlier this season, registering one assist. Gagne was selected in the second round (36th overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators.Osipov, 23, appeared in 28 games with the IceHogs this season, adding one goal. The Moscow, Russia, native scored the game-tying goal on Dec. 17 at Laval in a 3-2 shootout win. He has missed the last eight contests due to injury. Last season, Osipov spent the majority of the campaign with the Indy Fuel of the ECHL, notching 13 points (1g, 12a) and 48 PIMs in 66 games. He was named the Fuel’s Defenseman of the Year after finishing second among team blueliners in both PIMs and games played, and posting Indy’s longest ironman streak of the season.Next Home Game:Wednesday, March 18 vs. Milwaukee Admirals | 7 p.m.Join the Hogs for the last Dog Days matchup of the season on Wednesday, March 18. Bring your dog to the game for just $2 and your pup could be chosen to be in the dog show during the first intermission. Hot dogs will be on sale for $2 and select craft beer will be available for $5. Additionally, the first 1,500 fans in the building will receive a drawstring backpack, courtesy of Rock River Valley Blood Bank. Get your tickets HERE, at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office or by calling (815) 968-5222.

Reader Mary Jo writes, “I have gotten two phone calls recently from someone stating they are from the Social Security Administration, and that they are putting a lien on my social security check because my social security card was found at a crime scene. Both times they left a message on my answering machine, and I did not call back because I figured this was a scam. My question is, have you heard of this or any other type of phone scams that we should be watching out for?” Mary Jo, that is a great question, and good for you screening your calls.Medicare and the Social Security Administration DO NOT CALL you. They will send you mail if they need to communicate with you and while scammers are always finding new ways to prey on us, the use of the federal Medicare program and the Social Security Administration names are not new. The use of the government names in the phone scam is to try and scare you enough to get personal identifying information that they can sell to others to use to take your identity or to create Medicare fraud.General rule of thumb is to never give any of that type of information to anyone you did not initiate contact with, and the new unique Medicare ID number is an effort to try and make it more difficult for this type of illegal activity. Your doctor’s office and your insurance agent legitimately need this information, however, other than providers that you have selected, you should not share your Medicare ID or Social Security number and certainly not over the phone.Until next month, dear readers, stay warm and stay well!

Tickets are selling fast for ART X, a brand-new fundraiser of one-of-a-kind experiences for Rockford Art Museum that takes place on Friday, March 13, 7–11 p.m., at RAM, located inside the Riverfront Museum Park building at 711 North Main Street in downtown Rockford, Illinois. Tickets are $75 per person and on sale at rockfordartmuseum.org/art-x. ART X features a LIVE AUCTION OF ONE-OF-A-KIND EXPERIENCES, music by DJs Disco Chicken and James Chesney, food by Abreo, beer and cocktails by Prairie Street Brewing Co., and surprises throughout the night, with proceeds benefitting exhibitions and educational programming at Rockford Art Museum.ONE-OF-A-KIND EXPERIENCES to bid on include A DAY WITH CHEF PATRICK ALBERTO OF OCTANE RESTAURANT! You’ll be his sous chef for meal service, collaborate with him on a weeklong featured dish to be named after you, and have an after-hours drink or two with him and other Rockford chefs to discuss Rockford’s thriving culinary scene. Tickets are $75 per person and on sale at rockfordartmuseum.org/art-x. Cocktail attire, reservations required. Sponsored by Lon and Dick Behr, and chaired by Bridget Finn, Nancy Kaney and Heather Nielsen, proceeds benefit Rockford Art Museum exhibitions and programs.About Rockford Art Museum: Founded in 1913, Rockford Art Museum exists to enrich the quality of life in the Rockford region through a permanent art collection, frequent art exhibitions, and lifelong art education. RAM is located inside the Riverfront Museum Park building at 711 North Main Street in downtown Rockford, Illinois. Connect with us on Facebook @rockfordartmuseum and Instagram @rockfordart #rockfordartmuseum, and go behind the scenes with us on our free mobile app. Learn more at rockfordartmuseum.org.

ADULT SOFTBALL EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT FOR ENTRIES BY MARCH 20, 2020. Registration is underway for teams and individuals to sign up for Rockford Park District spring/summer adult slo-pitch softball leagues.All games are scheduled to play at Mercyhealth Sportscore One and Two (Rockford and Loves Park). Players must be age 18 or older as of January 1, 2020.Spring/summer league 14-game play begins the week of April 14, 2020, and includes an end-of-season tournament. Entry fees for spring/summer leagues if registered by March 20, 2020 are $465 per team. After March 20, the entry fee will be $520. All entry fees are due at registration, which will close April 3, 2020 if capacity has not been reached sooner.Entry fees are discounted for teams signing up for both spring/summer and fall leagues by March 20, 2020.Registration opens March 2, 2020. Sign up below. SIGN UP!

Discovery Center is celebrating all things farming with Ag All Around Us on Saturday, March 7 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Discovery Center and the Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau are joining forces to create a seed-sprouting good time! Explore the ways agriculture makes use of science, technology, engineering and math. Chat with local farmers, make some butter, and sample goat cheese. Peek at live barnyard babies including goats, piglets, chicks and a baby calf! You’ll be amazed at the number of things we grow right here in Illinois! National Agriculture Week is off and running at Discovery Center with cute crafts, earth-loving activities and eye-opening information. Bandanas, work boots and bib overalls optional! All activities are included with general admission to Discovery Center. General admission: $9 adults; $9 children ages 2-17; free to Discovery Center Members and children age 1 and younger. This event is sponsored in part by the Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau and its Agriculture in the Classroom program, Dr. Zak Pediatric Dentistry and a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.  Discovery Center Museum is a non-profit organization providing hands-on math, science and art experiences for all ages with over 250 hand-on exhibits, planetarium, special area for children under five, and an outdoor science park. Discovery Center Museum is the nation’s 5th Best Museum for Families according to USA TODAY/10Best.com, and one of 12 museums included in Forbes.com’s article, The 12 Best Children’s Museums in the U.S. The Museum is located inside Riverfront Museum Park, 711 North Main Street, Rockford, Ill. General admission to the Museum is: $8 adults, $8 children (ages 2 to 17) and free to Museum members and children age 1 and younger. Hours of operation are: 10 am to 5 pm seven days a week. For additional information, call (815) 963-6769 or log onto our website at www.discoverycentermuseum.org.

Midway Village Museum will present Midway Village Museum will present Sock Monkey Nelson’s Birthday Party at the Sock Monkey Madness Festival from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, in the Main Museum Center, located at 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford. Visitors will participate in theme games and crafts, sock knitting machine demonstrations and more. You’re invited to Sock Monkey Nelson’s Birthday party! • Make a sock monkey with the help of our talented museum staff at the Make a Monkey Workshop. • On the hour, more in-depth guided instructions provided for the sock monkey dolls limit is 10 visitors per hour. • Sock Monkey patches and repairs at the Sockford General Hospital. • Birthday themed costume accessory kits ($5 each) to dress up your monkey (featured in the photograph). • Themed games and crafts throughout the museum for children of all ages. • Meet Sock Monkey Nelson to give a Happy Birthday greeting • Merchandise sales for all things Sock Monkey for both you and your sock monkey. • Food, snacks and beverages available for purchase. Make-A-Monkey Workshop Fee: $20 fee per kit which includes all supplies to create a Sock Monkey. Choose from pink, blue, red, green, yellow, and traditional brown socks. Assistance from experienced staff available in a group setting, basic sewing skills are needed. May take up to 2 hours to sew your handcrafted sock monkey. This family event is for all age and held in the Main Museum Center. Visitors have the opportunity to view the permanent exhibits while attending the special event. Rain or shine event – no refunds. Admission is $8 adult; $5 child (ages 3-17); Free Infants (ages 0-2) and Free Midway Village Museum Members To purchase tickets online go to https://tinyurl.com/sockmonkeymadnessfest. Deadline to order tickets online is 4 pm Friday, March 6. Museum members receive express check-in to show membership cards upon entering the event. You may also purchase tickets in-advance by calling 815-397-9112, at the Museum Gift Store located in the Main Lobby, or at the special event upon arrival. Parking is free. For more information, call 815-397-9112.

Tickets are on sale now for brand-new fundraiser Art X, which takes place Friday, March 13, 7–11 p.m., at Rockford Art Museum, located inside the Riverfront Museum Park building at 711 North Main Street in downtown Rockford, Illinois. Chaired by Bridget Finn, Nancy Kaney and Heather Nielsen, this party features music by Disco Chicken with DJ James Chesney, food by Abreo Restaurant, cash bar by Prairie Street Brewing Co., plus surprises throughout the night. Bid on extraordinary, one-of-a-kind experiences with artists, musicians, chefs and local celebrities at the live auction! Tickets are $75 and on sale at rockfordartmuseum.org. Cocktail attire; reservations required. Proceeds benefit Rockford Art Museum exhibitions and programs.About Rockford Art Museum: Founded in 1913, Rockford Art Museum exists to enrich the quality of life in the Rockford region through a permanent art collection, frequent art exhibitions, and lifelong art education. RAM is located inside the Riverfront Museum Park building at 711 North Main Street in downtown Rockford, Illinois. Connect with us on Facebook @rockfordartmuseum and Instagram @rockfordart #rockfordartmuseum, and go behind the scenes with us on our free mobile app. Learn more at rockfordartmuseum.org.

Rockford Art Museum (RAM) opens its 79th Young Artist Show: High School Division with a free public opening and awards ceremony 1–3 p.m., Sunday, March 15. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Rockford East/Cherry Valley and Women’s Art Board, the exhibition remains on view through April 11 at RAM, located inside the Riverfront Museum Park building at 711 North Main Street in downtown Rockford, Illinois. Teachers at schools within 50 miles of Rockford Art Museum submitted more than 900 pieces for consideration by this year’s jurors, who chose 143 works of art representing 129 students at 16 area schools. On view are paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, photography, digital art, mixed media and more. Jurors Molly Noyes of Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design and Dave Menard of Rockford University did not know the artist’s name, grade level, or school affiliation when selections were made for inclusion in the exhibition and for awards. Awards will be announced at 2 p.m. during the free public opening on Sunday, March 15. Students and teachers of any grade at any school receive free admission to the museum throughout the entire 79th Young Artist Show, which includes the subsequent Youth Division (April 19–May 10). FULL LIST OF SCHOOLS, TEACHERS, STUDENTS REPRESENTED:  Auburn High School, Rockford (Teachers: Courtney Haugdahl, Elizabeth Wood) Marissa Allen, Senior; Veronica Bratina, Sophomore; Jesse Hutcheson, Senior; Cynthia Orenday, Senior; Evelin Ortiz-Gonzalez, Sophomore; Adrena Reynolds, Senior; Leslie Soberanis, Sophomore.Beloit Memorial High School, Wisconsin (Teacher: Elizabeth Carpenter) Nayeli Aviles, Senior; Natalie Bittner, Junior; Rebekkah Dekok, Junior; Zaydia Hughes-Taylor, Senior; Elena James, Senior; Gabrielle Klatt, Senior; Ben Leisher, Senior; Sierra Perez, Junior; Yomali Rangal, Sophomore; Janet Rosas, Junior; Jazmin Zuniga, Senior.Belvidere High School (Teachers: Jillian Rients, Laura Davis) Taylor Hoch, Sophomore; Sebastion Williams Lacy, Senior; Milana Rovella, Senior. Belvidere North High School (Teachers: Edith Obenchain, Troy Yunk) Abbey Brynolf, Senior; Jada Garza, Senior; Elizabeth Hare, Senior; Isabella Kazluski, Senior; Valeria Walters, Sophomore.Boylan Catholic High School, Rockford (Teachers: Missy Minardi, Claire Strominger) Allison Ambrose, Senior; Lindsay Arreguin, Junior; Eva Corcoran, Senior; Joy Goebel, Senior; Sam Maggio, Senior; Cassie Schneider, Sophomore; Alliey Thelen, Senior; Katy Woods, Senior. Christian Life High School, Rockford (Teachers: Diane Wing, Sarah Waldron) Juan Gaviria, Senior; Jordyn Kofoid, Senior; Felicity Lukaszyk, Senior.East High School, Rockford (Teachers: Rich Hacker, Priscella Rivas, Jahn Taylor, Karissa Wrasse) Thaw Ro Htoo, Sophomore; Callee Peterson, Sophomore; Ian Price, Junior; Selma Thabet, Senior; Patricia Vera, Senior; Tabitha Yoakum, Senior.Guilford High School, Rockford (Teachers: Lisa Doll, Bo Hammarberg, Bethany Austin, Eric Blackwell) Madison Bruno, Senior; Paige Bruno, Senior; Hadassah Cooper, Senior; Titus Copeland, Senior; Anna Disch, Senior; Kristen Diverdi, Senior; Soleil Gaudry, Senior; Emerson Goza, Senior; Melissa Hernandez, Senior; Shaniah Johnson, Senior; Lamaria Kerrens, Junior; Madolynn Meyer, Senior; Valerie Schneider, Senior; Ethan Stark, Senior; Da Korya Thompson, Senior; Livia Vicente, Senior.Harlem High School, Machesney Park (Teachers: Barb Kurilla, Alison Agustsson, Lani Mitchell) Kayla Bronson, Junior; Eden Brown, Senior; Spring Rodriguez, Senior; Jade Wollin, Junior.Hononegah High School, Rockton (Teachers: Arra Van Galder, Jennifer Decker, Rebecca Robinson) Cassidy Eddy, Sophomore; Ian Hammock, Senior; Hannah Matrick, Senior; Lexi May, Senior; Kyle Middleton, Sophomore; Addison Treadman, Sophomore; Grace White, Sophomore.Huntley High School (Teachers: Jillian Corapi, Katherine Isaacson, Valerie Lindquist, Bridget Regan) Kaitlyn Ambrogio, Senior; Allison Boroski, Senior; Hadley Giovacchini, Senior; Abby Godek, Senior; Keely Grasse, Senior; Joshua Guyer, Senior; Katiana Herrera, Senior; Sean Martil, Senior; Carli Meadows, Senior; Ashton Miller, Junior; Cameryn Piskule, Senior; Madeline Rainey, Senior; Taryn Sargent, Senior; Lydia Sciascia, Junior; Faith Stone, Senior; Shokie Princelia Tseumah, Senior; Olivia VanHouse, Senior.Jefferson High School, Rockford (Teachers: Lynn Stockton, Tabatha Dougherty, Gail Zernia, Matt Cwynar) Yanet Angel, Junior; Jaqueline Aranzolo, Senior; Michael Bankole, Senior; Brenda Banuelos-Mendez, Senior; Gabi Pina Bautista, Senior; Arturo Carrillo, Junior; Erika De La Mora, Senior; Isabella Dittman, Senior; Erin Giardono, Senior; Malikh Gilmore, Senior; Gianna Lobato, Senior; Brittany Lopez, Senior; Rosaura Maldonado, Junior; Ariana Miranda, Junior; Bianca Ortiz, Senior; Paulina Padron, Senior; Arely Paniagua, Sophomore; Chiziya Richardson-Norman, Junior; Mariana Rosales, Senior; Emily Stremmel, Senior; Angel Villalpando, Senior; Liliana Zuniga, Junior.Pecatonica High School (Teacher: Jennifer Krantz) Hailey Baker, Senior; Nathaniel Campbell, Senior; Shannon Shrader, Sophomore; Adriana Smith, Freshman.Rockford Christian High School (Teachers: Liz Day, Kelli Sabin) Tony Chen, Senior; Zhishan Chen, Senior; Joe Glass, Senior; Kiersten Hoff, Senior; Brielle Owens, Junior; Grace Ranz, Senior; Helena Vuong, Junior; Esther Zhong, Senior.Roosevelt High School, Rockford (Teachers: Brian Hierstein, Kyle Wolfe) Anastashia Campos, Freshman; Matthew Nabors, Senior; Liberty Schaefer, Junior.Winnebago High School (Teacher: Lisa Jimenez) Janne Gommel, Senior; Alyssa Guglielmetti, Senior; Mika Monson, Senior; Bianca Namuyomba, Junior; Brooklynn Osborne, Senior. # # #About Rockford Art Museum: Founded in 1913, Rockford Art Museum exists to enrich the quality of life in the Rockford region through a permanent art collection, frequent art exhibitions, and lifelong art education. RAM is located inside the Riverfront Museum Park building at 711 North Main Street in downtown Rockford, Illinois. Connect with us on Facebook @rockfordartmuseum and Instagram @rockfordart #rockfordartmuseum, and go behind the scenes with us on our free mobile app. Learn more at rockfordartmuseum.org.

The Knight family was like a lot of people in Rockford in 1927. They moved here to get a fresh start. Rockford had a great reputation for job opportunities across the country and drew many people here.Isaac Knight was 43 years old in 1927 and desperately needed a new beginning. His family had lived in the Red Boiling Springs Tennessee area for years. Isaac had run into some trouble and spent some time in prison. After he finished serving his sentence Isaac wanted to leave the past and Tennessee far behind them.Isaac came to Rockford in December of 1926 and secured a job as a salesman at the L.B. Price Mercantile store. Isaac’s wife Myrtie and their five children joined him in the beginning of January. Everyone was settling nicely into their home on Elm Street. On January 23, 1927 Isaac decided to take the family on a Sunday drive to visit some of the sights of their new city. They just finished touring Black Hawk Park along 15th Avenue and Black Hawk Park Road.Black Hawk Park of 1927 was very different than it is today. It had a beautiful pavilion that overlooked the Rock River and a zoo was there for a time.The family left the park and was driving east on Blackhawk Park Avenue. The car was approaching the Mattison Machine works factory and the train crossing there. The Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul passenger train was traveling through Rockford due at the station at 5:00p.m. It consisted of an engine, a tender and two passenger coaches. Sam Boldock who worked at the Mattison Machine Company was a witness to what happened that day.Sam was leaving the factory and saw one car rush over the tracks. The next vehicle was not so fortunate. According to Boldock’s statement, he believed that Isaac Knight had no idea that the train was so close.The train hit Isaac’s vehicle right in the center. The automobile was thrown to the right toward the factory. Boldock heard the sounds of the metal crushing metal and the screams of the victims as the car was pushed 60 feet down the tracks. He also heard the eerie silence when the train and the wreckage finally came to a stop.Boldock joined the men from the train as they rushed forward to search for the victims.They found six of the family members and quickly loaded them into two ambulances. One of the little girls, Nellie was only four years old. A policeman, John Anderson cradled her in his arms during the trip to Swedish American. He was devastated as he witnessed her take her last breath.Physicians and nurses were put on alert at the hospital and had prepared for the large number of casualties. Unfortunately, there was not a lot that could be done for some of the family members. Myrtie, listed as 32 years old, five year old Zola and Nellie were all pronounced dead when they arrived at the hospital.When the crew members returned to the train they were horrified to see a young girl laying on the cattle guard in the front of the engine. Thirteen year old Zella Knight was carefully lifted from the engine. She fainted when the men lifted her. She was placed on the train and taken to the nearest depot. She was rushed to Rockford Hospital away from the other members of her family.Back at Swedish American the rest of the Knight family was slowing losing their fight to survive. Elease, 11 years old died a few hours after her arrival. Isaac and 8 year old Clinton were unconscious and barely clinging to life.Zella appeared to be the least injured of her family. She suffered from a broken hip and pelvic bone and numerous cuts to her body and face. Somehow she was thrown from the car and up onto the train keeping her from the most of the damage during the crushing of the car.Isaac and Clinton died early the next morning just hours apart. All of the family members except Zella had suffered skull fractures and other broken bones. Coroner Fred C. Olson had the deceased family members taken to his undertaking rooms.Olson would conduct an inquest into the accident. Several of the men who had helped gather the victims immediately after the crash testified for the proceedings. Many of them broke down on the stand and could only answer the questions by nodding or shaking their head. They indicated that the train had blown the whistle but that the line of sight was blocked by the Mattison factory. They mentioned close calls with other vehicles in that same spot.Zella was able to tell authorities about where her extended family could be found. Isaac had a brother Cecil who lived in Decatur, Michigan. Cecil had followed in his father’s footsteps and was a minister of a church in Michigan. He and his wife traveled to Rockford to attend the inquest. Fred C. Olson worked as a liaison between the family and representatives of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul line.The local newspapers continued to tell the Knight’s family story over several weeks. They told of Zella’s recovery and of her fears of being left an orphan. The papers also told of the support from the folks of Rockford. The offers came from all over the city and included assisting with medical bills, funeral expenses and even offers of adoption for Zella. Her hospital room soon became full of flowers, fruit baskets, home-made cards from local school children and donations. The offerings of all kinds of support touched Cecil and his wife greatly. They were stunned by the generosity and care offered by these townspeople who didn’t even know Isaac and Myrtie.Fred C. Olson helped arrange the funeral and burial of the Knight family at Willwood Burial Park. He also arranged for the payment of all of the funeral expenses through the railroad company.The funeral was attended by hundreds though the family had only been in the area a short while. The sight of the four small caskets of the children next to the larger ones of the parents touched the hearts of all who attended the proceedings. The family was laid to rest in one large grave in the quiet little cemetery.Reverend Cecil also filed a claim against the railroad company for damages for each victim. The case would be settled later that same year for $6,000 to be used in the support of Zella.The Rockford community helped in other ways, too. When Zella healed enough to leave the hospital the family of Reverend and Mrs. B. E. Allen offered to let her stay with them until she was well enough to make the journey to her new home in Michigan. Her Uncle Cecil and his wife had no children of their own and promised to care for the girl as their own.Before they left Rockford for the last time, they expressed their appreciation for all of the caring support that folks here had given them. They stated that they would never forget the people here who offered all they could to assist Zella and them through the monumental loss they had suffered.It was a proud moment in Rockford’s history that would become a tradition of caring for those who need it the most.

Bath + Body Fusion (B+BF), which opened its doors in downtown Rockford in 2011, is asking for the Rockford community’s support in order to receive a $50 thousand small business grant from FedEx. Proceeds from the grant would enable the popular store to more effectively get their best selling product, Dream Cream, into the hands of burn survivors.  The grant, which is chosen through a public voting process, begins February 4 and runs until March 8.  Supporters can vote once every 24-hour period for their favorite business venture to win.“From the beginning, we knew we had something special with our Dream Cream, but we really had no idea how life-changing it would be for some of our customers,” explains Jennifer Ralston, owner of Bath + Body Fusion. “We hear stories all the time about how Dream Cream has alleviated the effects and appearance of eczema, psoriasis, scars, bug bites, stretch marks and more. What’s impressed me the most is the difference our Dream Cream is making with burns.  Most recently, I got photos sent to us from a cancer patient that suffered chemo/radiation burns. I couldn’t believe the dramatic difference between the before and after photos!”Last October, Ralston, and her team took a trip to Anaheim, California to participate in the Phoenix Society’s World Burn Congress 2019 to touch lives and improve confidence one sample of Dream Cream at-a-time. The team met hundreds of burn warriors, caregivers, nurses and doctors in California and returned to Rockford more determined than ever to share how Dream Cream could help burn survivors.  Denise M. Nordenberg, an APRN Burn Trauma Specialist highly recommends Dream Cream to her burn patients after using it herself to diminish the appearance of scarring. “It’s important to keep (burned) skin hydrated, because when the skin is healing it wants to tighten,” says Nordenberg. “We recommend to our (burn) patients that they apply lotion 10 times a day with massaging.  The Dream Cream works well with fewer applications.”Winning the FedEx Grant will allow Rockford’s homegrown Bath + Body Fusion business to share Dream Cream and the story with burn survivors from all over the world. “Our goal is not just to sell Dream Cream but to spread love, light, and hope,” Ralston says. “This has become about so much more than selling bath and body care.”GO HERE TO VOTE!

Filmmaker Carolyn Jones will present her film Defining Hope and discuss the themes addressed in the movie at a free event on Thursday, February 20, 2020, at the UIC Health Sciences Campus-Rockford. The event, which is open to health care providers as well as the general public, will begin with an information fair and a light meal starting at 5 p.m. for those who register for the event. The hour-long film will begin at 6 p.m. and will be followed by a discussion of end-of-life issues.Defining Hope is a story about people weighing what matters most at the most fragile junctures in life, and the nurses who guide them. It’s a documentary that follows patients with life-threatening illness as they make choices about how they want to live, how much medical technology they can accept, what they hope for and how that hope evolves when life is threatened. According to the filmmaker, it is optimistic and reminds us that we have choices in how we die.The event is put on by Project SILO (Significantly Impacting Life Outcomes), a community group that came together last year to organize a similar event to bring attention to important issues surrounding end-of-life decisions and care. Mercyhealth, OSF HealthCare, Transform Rockford, SwedishAmerican and the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford are the event sponsors.“Engaging in discussions about end-of-life care is so important because it is something everyone will face at some point, whether it is for a loved one or eventually ourselves,” says Brittany Blomberg, DO, a physician in the University of Illinois College of Medicine’s Hospice and Palliative Care Fellowship Program and one of the Project SILO members organizing the event. “Learning about advance directives and options for how we want to face those complicated end-of-life decisions now before a serious illness or injury is helpful and we want to help get those discussions started.”Register at go.uic.edu/ProjectSILO if you want to order a free meal. Medical professionals who would like continuing education credits can register by calling 888-39-MERCY.

Computer science engineers are working on robots so tiny they fit INSIDE the human body. They are also developing cutting-edge music software. Hard to believe? Not if you’re an engineer. Biomedical engineers develop artificial lenses that restore sight to the blind; environmental engineers find ways to clean up our oceans and rivers; agricultural and biomedical engineers design methods of keeping harmful microorganisms out of our food supply. Cars are safer, medical tests are more accurate, and computers and cell phones are a lot more fun, all thanks to engineers. Local engineering feats will be showcased at Discovery Center Museum on Saturday, February 15 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to celebrate National Engineers' Week - February 16-22, 2020.  Discover Engineering features engineers from local companies, along with members of the local professional engineering societies and high school robotics teams, providing demonstrations, hands-on activities and general information. The event is offers elementary and middle school-age children the opportunity to take part in numerous experiments and hands-on activities such as trying out a fluidized air bed, experimenting with circuits and motorized gears, participating in chemistry experiments, watching liquid nitrogen demonstrations and much more!  So set your brain on “try-it mode” and prepare for some fun challenges! A variety of companies and groups will be represented, including Woodward, Collins Aerospace, Advanced Machine & Engineering, Danfoss, Exelon-Byron Generating Station, Fehr Graham, Nicor Gas, Underwriter’s Laboratory, Aqua-Aerobic Systems, TAC Rockford, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Superior Joining Technologies, Ingersoll Machine Tools, Rockford Makers, National Society of Black Engineers, and the Illinois Space Grant Consortium, along with several engineering societies and high school robotics teams. Discover Engineering is sponsored by TAC Rockford, Thermo Fisher Scientific, the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers – Rockford Chapter, Advanced Machine & Engineering, Exelon and Dr. Zak Pediatric Dentistry. Cost for visitors is included with admission to the Museum - $9 adults; $9 children ages 2-17; and free to Museum members and children age 1 and younger. ABOUT DISCOVERY CENTER MUSEUMDiscovery Center Museum is a children’s science museum providing hands-on math, science and art experiences for all ages with over 250 hand-on exhibits, planetarium, special area for children under five, and an outdoor science park. Discovery Center Museum is the nation’s 5th Best Museum for Families according to USA TODAY/10Best.com, and one of 12 museums included in Forbes.com’s article, The 12 Best Children’s Museums in the U.S. In 2019 Discovery Center earned the Trip Advisor Hall of Fame distinction. The Museum is located inside Riverfront Museum Park, 711 North Main Street, Rockford, Ill. General admission to the Museum is: $9 adults, $9 children (ages 2 to 17); free to Museum members and children age 1 and younger. Hours of operation are: 10 am to 5 pm seven days a week. For additional information, call (815) 963-6769 or log onto our website at www.discoverycentermuseum.org. 

Rockford Art Museum is proud to announce that it has received a $2,500 grant for Sonic Disruptions: Buisch + Hogin (on view February 7–May 25). The grant was awarded by the Donald V. and Britta A. Peterson Memorial Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois’ Community Grants Program. Sonic Disruptions features paintings by Derrick Buisch and Laurie Hogin who use color, imagery, narrative and symbols to stimulate our senses and challenge our perceptions. Buisch is an art professor at the University of Wisconsin, while Hogin is Associate Director and Director of Graduate Studies at the School of Art and Design at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; both are represented in the Rockford Art Museum Permanent Collection. Also featured in this 15-week major exhibition is a custom-designed playlist and reading list of the artists’ favorite music and books, plus related educational programming—including free artist lectures by both (Hogin on February 18, Buisch on March 31). Sonic Disruptions kicks off Friday, February 7 with a free public opening 7–8:30 p.m., and with both artists in attendance. The exhibition remains on view through Memorial Day, May 25, at Rockford Art Museum, located inside the Riverfront Museum Park building at 711 North Main Street in downtown Rockford, Illinois. “We are so grateful for the support of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois! This grant award helps us bring featured artists Laurie Hogin and Derrick Buisch to Rockford to give artist lectures and—even more importantly—it makes it possible for us to offer free admission to these exhibition-related programs.” Rockford Art Museum Executive Director/Curator Carrie Johnson said.related event pages:2/7, FREE | Sonic Disruptions Exhibition Opening2/18, FREE | Artist Lecture with Laurie Hogin, Mad Bunny: A Life in the Woods 3/31, FREE | Artist Lecture with Derrick Buisch About Rockford Art Museum:Founded in 1913, Rockford Art Museum exists to enrich the quality of life in the Rockford region through a permanent art collection, frequent art exhibitions and lifelong art education. RAM is located inside the Riverfront Museum Park building at 711 North Main Street in downtown Rockford, Illinois. Board Chair is David Boccignone; Executive Director/Curator is Carrie Johnson. Connect with us on Facebook @rockfordartmuseum and Instagram @rockfordart #rockfordartmuseum, and go behind the scenes with us on our free mobile app. Learn more at rockfordartmuseum.org. About the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois: The mission of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois is to serve as a catalyst for giving in order to attract, preserve, and grow an endowment for current and future needs of Northern Illinois. Since its founding in 1953 CFNIL has granted more than $73 million for charitable purposes. Learn more about CFNIL’s grantmaking and commitment to endowment at cfnil.org.

Here is a video that John recorded with his good friend, Tom Graceffa, from CoyleKiley Insurance Agency, Inc. In this video, they discuss Cyber Liability in detail, and why it is important for small business owners to have on their radar. It also emphasizes the importance of choosing the right web developer. Choose the wrong one and you could inadvertently have increased liability...Click here to watch our video about Cyber Liability for small business.In this brief video, John interviews Tom Graceffa from CoyleKiley Insurance Agency, Inc.

Following two decades of leading Midway Village Museum, David Byrnes is announcing his retirement from the history museum and will step down in December, 2020. Byrnes has had a long career of leadership at the museum. “David’s contributions extend beyond managing a large campus institution,” said Karl Jacobs, a long-time Board Member, and former President of Rock Valley College. “He brought to us a deep understanding of what the past means to a community. With the rapidity of change today the need of a leader such as David Byrnes is more evident in defining our future.” Byrnes, who started with Midway Village Museum in 1999, could see what Midway Village Museum could be and worked to create the best history museum in the area. He grew the World War II Days special event to become one of the largest military re-enactments of its kind in the country. The event relates the importance of World War II to Rockford history. During his 21-year tenure, he established other outstanding programs, but also kept up with the times and deleted programs that were not as successful.  Byrnes hired professional, competent staff who completely organized and cataloged the extensive collection of the museum and has begun the process of digitizing it. The museum has more than 150,000 artifacts all related to Rockford history and one of the largest and most comprehensive textile collections in the Northern Illinois region. Over time, Midway Village Museum has won more than 25 local, state and national awards for programs and services. “All non-profit organizations have financial restrictions,” said Nancy Bloomstrand, who was on the board at the time David began his career at the museum and subsequently volunteered on the board for more than 25 years. “David has worked hard to make the museum as financially stable as possible with donations, grants, endowments as well as membership and fees for events.” Byrnes also proposed an exhibit to build on the diversity of the community, called “Many People, One Community” that is an outstanding informative and interactive exhibit. With 21 buildings on the property, there are many different opportunities for a variety of organizations, families and businesses to learn about the Rockford area. He has created a large rental department for weddings and family and business events. He strategically moved the marketing and development areas forward creating formalized professionally-managed programs in those areas. “We have been incredibly fortunate to have David Byrnes lead Midway Village Museum for the past 21 years,” said Britta Severin Peterson, Chair of the Board of Directors for the museum. “We wish David the best as he moves into his well-deserved retirement. Midway Village is actively searching for a new Executive Director who can fill his shoes.”

Chocolate and ice cream are all mixed up together for this afternoon of fun when Discovery Center hosts its annual Valentine’s treat, Chocolate Sundae Sunday, scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, February 9, 2020.  Families will have fun creating and eating their own ice cream sundae concoctions with all the fixings. Children can go artsy-craftsy at the valentine-creation station as well as rank their chocoholic tendencies! Admission for general public is $3.00 per person; Members are $2.00. Admission to the Museum is separate, but not necessary to only attend Chocolate Sundae Sunday. Chocolate Sundae Sunday is sponsored by Dean Foods and in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council. Discovery Center Museum is a children’s museum providing hands-on math, science and art experiences for all ages with over 300 hand-on exhibits, planetarium, special area for children under five, and an outdoor science park. Discovery Center Museum is the nation’s 5th Best Museum for Families according to USA TODAY/10Best.com, and one of 12 museums included in Forbes.com’s article, The 12 Best Children’s Museums in the U.S. The Museum is located inside Riverfront Museum Park, 711 North Main Street, Rockford, Ill. General admission to the Museum is: $9 adults, $9 children (ages 2 to 17) and free to Museum members and children age 1 and younger. Hours of operation are: 10 am to 5 pm seven days a week. For additional information, call (815) 963-6769 or log onto our website at www.discoverycentermuseum.org

Collins Aerospace Systems has provided Discovery Center Museum a $75,000 contribution to purchase a Mobile STEM Lab to offer outreach programming through hands-on, interactive STEM activities for students in Rockford schools. In afterschool programs, nearly 1,000 children in 8 at-risk elementary schools and 4 middle schools in Rockford Public School District 205 will interact with Discovery Center Educators and Collins Aerospace volunteers to develop confidence and spark an early interest in science.In addition to visiting Rockford schools, the Mobile STEM Lab will provide outreach to schools, libraries, daycares and community events for children and families from Madison, Wisconsin, south to I-80 and Chicago west to the Mississippi River. Since the lab began operating in June 2019, it has served 8,972 children and parents through its participation in 118 programs.“When we spark an interest and develop confidence early, students are more likely to continue on to study STEM subjects throughout high school, college and beyond,” says Sarah Wolf, executive director of Discovery Center Museum. “It is a natural collaboration which not only provides students access to STEM equipment and learning, but also allows them to meet real scientists working right here in our community at Collins Aerospace.”“Investing in STEM education, investing in workforce development and investing in our Rockford community are all key objectives for Collins Aerospace, and the Mobile STEM Lab helps us further all three,” said Eric Cunningham, executive director, Electric Power Systems at Collins Aerospace. “We’re proud to help provide this unique learning experience to local students and to continue our longstanding support for the Discovery Center.”This innovative collaboration is threefold:1. The Mobile STEM Lab allows Discovery Center staff to offer STEM related hands-on activities for students in the afterschool program. Staff will visit each school twice a month and engage students (approximately 100 per school) in small group activities that build STEM skills. Collins Aerospace volunteers will participate and share experience and knowledge with the students.2. Discovery Center will conduct family nights at each of the schools. Collins Aerospace staff will participate in hands-on activities that reinforce the STEM concepts they are learning in the afterschool programs. A family night will encourage parents to attend and participate. Parent, family and community involvement in education correlates withhigher academic performance and school improvement. Students tend to earn higher grades, attend school more regularly, stay in school longer and enroll in higher-level programs.3. Collins Aerospace team members will participate at Discovery Center’s Annual ‘Discover Engineering’ event as well as the museum’s annual ‘Career Day.’“Discovery Center is committed to advocating the importance of STEM education,” explains Discovery Center Executive Director Sarah Wolf. “We want students to understand and embrace the technology that impacts their lives every day. Our goal is to plant the ‘seed of interest’ that can grow into an exciting and rewarding STEM career.”Collins Aerospace’s contribution to the Mobile STEM Lab builds on its longstanding support for Discovery Center. In recent years, the company has provided roughly $175,000 in funding to the museum, while its employees have contributed hundreds of volunteer hours. In addition to the Mobile STEM Lab, Collins Aerospace also sponsors the museum’s Air & Flight exhibit and Live Science Theater.The company’s support for the Mobile STEM Lab is part of its recently announced new corporate social responsibility program called Redefining Futures. As part of the program, Collins Aerospace plans to increase its impact locally and globally by aligning volunteer activities, civic leadership and corporate giving around three pillars: 1) inspiring youth to pursue opportunities in STEM 2) investing in the industry’s current and future workforce and 3) strengthening local communities."Galactic slime" is out of this world for kids exploring astronomy!About Discovery Center MuseumDiscovery Center Museum is a children’s science museum providing hands-on math, science and art experiences for all ages with over 250 hand-on exhibits, planetarium, special area for children under five, and an outdoor science park. Discovery Center Museum is the nation’s 5th Best Museum for Families according to USA TODAY/10Best.com, and one of 12 museums included in Forbes.com’s article, The 12 Best Children’s Museums in the U.S. In 2019 Discovery Center earned the Trip Advisor Hall of Fame distinction. The Museum is located inside Riverfront Museum Park, 711 North Main Street, Rockford, Ill. General admission to the Museum is: $9 adults, $9 children (ages 2 to 17); free to Museum members and children age 1 and younger. Hours of operation are: 10 am to 5 pm seven days a week. For additional information, call (815) 963-6769 or log onto our website at www.discoverycentermuseum.org.About Collins AerospaceCollins Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Created in 2018 by bringing together UTC Aerospace Systems and Rockwell Collins, Collins Aerospace has the capabilities, comprehensive portfolio and expertise to solve customers’ toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market. For more information, visit CollinsAerospace.com.  

Since its debut in 1977, the saga of Star Wars has transported children and adults to a galaxy far, far away. But on Sunday, January 26 from 1-4 pm, Discovery Center museum will be at the center of that galaxy for their Galaxy Wars event. Feel the power of the (magnetic) force as you aid an embattled princess and find a suitable planet for a new rebel base. Hone your knightly skills, create a glowing saber, and mingle with costumed characters! Evade Imperial peril and help destroy a deadly space station. Galactic attire encouraged for this afternoon of imaginative fun! Hands-on activities included with museum admission: $9/person; free to Members and children ages one and younger. No registration required; included with Museum admission - $9/person; free to Discovery Center members and children age 1 and younger. Sponsored in part by Dr. Zak’s Tooth Fairy Castle Pediatric Dentistry and a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. ABOUT DISCOVERY CENTER MUSEUMDiscovery Center Museum is a non-profit organization providing hands-on math, science and art experiences for all ages with over 250 hand-on exhibits, planetarium, special area for children under five, and an outdoor science park. Discovery Center Museum is the nation’s 5th Best Museum for Families according to USA TODAY/10Best.com, and one of 12 museums included in Forbes.com’s article, The 12 Best Children’s Museums in the U.S. In 2018 Discovery Center earned the Trip Advisor Hall of Fame distinction. Discovery Center serves more than 250,000 people annually though onsite attendance and outreach programs. The Museum is located inside Riverfront Museum Park, 711 North Main Street, Rockford, Ill. General admission to the Museum is: $8 adults, $8 children (ages 2 to 17); free to Museum members and children age 1 and younger. Hours of operation are: 10 am to 5 pm seven days a week. For additional information, call (815) 963-6769 or log onto our website at www.discoverycentermuseum.org.

People who live in the Rock River valley might be surprised to hear the history that has taken place practically in their backyards. Luckily these places have begun to gain exposure through research and hard work by people dedicated to preserving the unique history of our region.One such place is the Nature at the Confluence Center in South Beloit. This new “environmental center” sits in a strategic spot where Turtle Creek and the Rock River meet. The website states that the learning center opened in 2017.The location gives no indication of the significance of the area. Many people might not even notice the new tower set back from the road as they drive by in their cars. There is little left to tell the story of the Native American village that once stood in the area surrounding these waterways. Yet in the early 1800’s this area was home to over 690 people.According to the website for the center, the Ho-Chunk people once lived here in a village they named Ke-Chunk (translated as Turtle Village). This was a major settlement of the native people. U.S, States Indian Agent, John Kinzie described the village as having 35 lodges in 1829. Kinzie stated that Ke-Chunk was the largest of the 36 villages in this region. It is believed that these Ho-Chunk people migrated here from the village at Lake Koshkonong. One of Ke-Chunk leaders, White Crow was believed to have once settled there. Other tribal leaders that lived in Ke-Chunk included Whirling Thunder, Walking Turtle, and Little Chief.White Crow was believed to have played a part in the Black Hawk War in 1832. Black hawk would have known of this substantial village and stopped here in an attempt to persuade the Ho-Chunk people to join him in the battle. White Crow was concerned about the survival of his people during this turbulent time caught between the U.S. Military and the marauding bands of Native Americans that roamed this area.Some historians think that the Ho-Chunks helped Black Hawk, possibly hosting and feeding the large band as it moved through the area in the spring and early summer of 1832. They probably feared the consequences of this action because by the end of June 1832 the village was deserted. The Illinois Militia led by John Wakefield traveled through the area hunting for Black Hawk and his men and reported a large deserted village. Other leaders in the area defended White Crow and the Ho-Chunk. They stated that the Ho-Chunk left the area rather than join Black Hawk in the battle. The Ho-Chunk never returned to Turtle Village. By 1836 White Crow and his people lived in the Portage, Wisconsin area.The early settlers of Beloit and South Beloit would tell of the Native Americans who would pass by and stop to visit the land which their families once lived and died. These people believed that that land was a sacred place.That sacredness was lost for a time. The land became a dumping ground with discarded tires and garbage cluttering the wooded area between the three waterways. The area most recently became a camp for the homeless and transients in the area.But that was before the City of Beloit, The City of South Beloit, The Ho-Chunk People and a whole lot of other people joined together. They decided to clean up the area and turn it into a space dedicated to the Native American Heritage of being stewards of the land and water. It is well on the way to becoming a sacred place once more.The group has done wonders so far and could use help completing this monumental task. The Learning Centre though closed during the winter but offers free programs all year long.Nature At The Confluence Learning Center306 Dickop StreetSouth Beloit, IL 61080815-200-6910 info@natureattheconfluence.com https://natureattheconfluence.com

Rockford Art Museum (RAM) Executive Director/Curator Carrie Johnson is the featured speaker at the University Club of Chicago’s “Cocktails with the Curator” event on Monday, Jan. 20. This is the second year Johnson has been invited to speak about the RAM Permanent Collection to members of the Club, located at 76 East Monroe Street in downtown Chicago. Artwork from the Rockford Art Museum Collection is currently on view in a special ongoing exhibit there, a creative collaboration developed by Johnson with UCC Director of Collections George William Price. Several pieces are from RAM’s critically acclaimed Francis and June Spiezer Collection, called “the most significant collection of Chicago art, inside or outside the city” by Chicago art critic/activist Paul Klein. Carrie Johnson is responsible for the overall management and development of Rockford Art Museum and its Permanent Collection as well as the organization and production of all feature exhibitions, among other major responsibilities. She joined the museum staff in 2006, was named curator in 2012 (holding the position longer than anyone else in the 107-year history of the contemporary art museum), and executive director/curator in 2019. Her most recently curated feature exhibition, Bold Abstractions: Paintings from the Thoma Collection, is on view now through January 26 at RAM, located inside the Riverfront Museum Park building at 711 North Main Street in downtown Rockford, Illinois, with support, including free daily admission, provided by a grant award from the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Art Foundation. Opening next, on February 7 with a free public opening 7–8:30 p.m., is Sonic Disruptions, featuring Derrick Buisch and Laurie Hogin. Organized by Johnson, the exhibition and its related educational programming are supported by grant awards from Smith Charitable Foundation, the Donald V. and Britta A. Peterson Memorial Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, and RAAC Rockford Area Arts Council; and partially supported by a Partner in Excellence grant award from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. About the University Club of Chicago: Established in 1887 by university graduates who wanted a place where they could enjoy intellectual pursuits, the University Club of Chicago fosters an appreciation of literature and the arts. Located at 76 E. Monroe St., Chicago. Learn more at ucco.com. About Rockford Art Museum: Founded in 1913, Rockford Art Museum exists to enrich the quality of life in the Rockford region through a permanent art collection, frequent art exhibitions, and lifelong art education. RAM is located inside the Riverfront Museum Park building at 711 North Main Street in downtown Rockford, Illinois. Connect with us on Facebook @rockfordartmuseum and Instagram @rockfordart #rockfordartmuseum, and go behind the scenes with us on our free mobile app. Learn more at rockfordartmuseum.org.photo courtesy University Club of Chicago, ucco.com© 2020 UCC. All Rights Reserved.

The Rockford Artisan Market at Rockford Art Museum (RAM @ RAM) features more than two dozen artists and artisans with their assemblage art, block printing, ceramics, illustrations, jewelry and accessories, photography, paintings, and more. The RAM @ RAM Art Show + Sale takes place on Saturday, January 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rockford Art Museum, located inside the Riverfront Museum Park building at 711 North Main Street in downtown Rockford, Illinois. Chaired by artist Mona Adamany Lindvall, the $7 event admission benefits Rockford Art Museum exhibitions and education programs. FEATURED ARTISANS include Jean Apgar, Delores Burkholder, Paul Burkholder, Division & Co., Lana Ewing, Nikki Hollander, Jennifer Johansson, Chris Johnson, Norm Knott, Carla Leikam, Becki Lindvall, Cynthia Linnabary/Cinlinart, Jenny Mathews, Kari McDonald, Steve & Angie Nofsinger, Andy Poffinbarger, Terri Poffinbarger, Sarah Reed McNamara, Janus Rose, Nadja Schutt, Manny Tang, Tres Testolin, Carmen Turner, and Dan Williams. ROCKFORD ARTISAN MARKET AT ROCKFORD ART MUSEUMSAT, JAN 25 | 10 AM–4 PM, $7 AT DOOR711 N MAIN ST, ROCKFORDEvent admission benefits RAM exhibitions and education programs About Rockford Art Museum: Founded in 1913, Rockford Art Museum exists to enrich the quality of life in the Rockford region through a permanent art collection, frequent art exhibitions, and lifelong art education. RAM is located inside the Riverfront Museum Park building at 711 North Main Street in downtown Rockford, Illinois. Connect with us on Facebook @rockfordartmuseumand Instagram @rockfordart #rockfordartmuseum, and go behind the scenes with us on our free mobile app. Learn more at rockfordartmuseum.org.

The Lone Canary is a local band and also a Rockford favorite. The voices and musical talents of Heather and Jesse bring delight to your ears, and their music is very comforting.This new release absolutely knocks it out of the park. It's a great listen. If you're like me and really enjoy when a record has a song with the same name as the record, you're in luck! Not only is there a title track, but it's a very, very good one! I'm not a professional music critic, so you can take my review as one coming from just your average person - "Leave The Gray" is a great record and deserves a ton of love. The Lone Canary has a CD release show coming up on February 21, 2020 at The Norwegian. Make sure you check out the new album so you can be familiar with the tunes and enjoy their great performance!To check out the new album and keep up to date with The Lone Canary, check out their website HERE!You can also follow them on Facebook HERE

Rockford Art Museum (RAM) opens new art exhibition Sonic Disruptions: Buisch and Hogin on Friday, February 7, with a free public opening from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at RAM, located inside the Riverfront Museum Park building at 711 North Main Street in downtown Rockford, Illinois. The exhibition remains on view through May 25. Sonic Disruptions features Derrick Buisch and Laurie Hogin who use color, imagery, narrative and symbols to stimulate our senses and challenge our perceptions. Buisch is an art professor at the University of Wisconsin while Hogin is Associate Director and Director of Graduate Studies at the School of Art and Design at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and both are represented in the Rockford Art Museum Permanent Collection. Also featured in this 15-week major exhibition is a custom-designed playlist and reading list of the artists’ favorite music and books, and related educational programming. Organized by Carrie Johnson, Sonic Disruptions: Buisch and Hogin is on view February 7 through May 25, 2020. The exhibition and its related programming are supported by grant awards from Smith Charitable Foundation; the Donald V. and Britta A. Peterson Memorial Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois’ Community Grants Program and Rockford Area Arts Council; and partially supported by a Partners in Excellence grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. About the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois: The mission of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois is to serve as a catalyst for giving in order to attract, preserve, and grow an endowment for current and future needs of Northern Illinois. Since its founding in 1953 CFNIL has granted more than $73 million for charitable purposes. Learn more about CFNIL’s grantmaking and commitment to endowment at cfnil.org. About the Rockford Area Arts Council: The Rockford Area Arts Council supports artists, promotes arts and cultural organizations and develops the awareness of the importance of the arts for everyone in the Northern Illinois region. RAAC receives support from the City of Rockford, the Illinois Arts Council Agency, and its members. Learn more at artsforeveryone.com. About Rockford Art Museum: Founded in 1913, Rockford Art Museum exists to enrich the quality of life in the Rockford region through a permanent art collection, frequent art exhibitions, and lifelong art education. RAM is located inside the Riverfront Museum Park building at 711 North Main Street in downtown Rockford, Illinois. Connect with us on Facebook @rockfordartmuseum and Instagram @rockfordart #rockfordartmuseum, and go behind the scenes with us on our free mobile app. Learn more at rockfordartmuseum.org.