Articles & Stories | Rockford IL

Mosaic World Film Festival

If you are a film lover, the Mosaic World Film Festival is coming back to the Nordlof Center this weekend! Come enjoy works created by student and professional film makers from all over the world. It's a super affordable way to spend the weekend surrounded by creativity. You'll be able to see everything from documentary to animation. It's worth catching a full day or two of films. The great thing is you are located right by some restaurants and, of course, Rockford Roasting Company if you need to refuel. There are a few different screenings that you can attend to get your film fix in. On Friday, August 24, you can catch the short film screening session beginning at 11:00 am. Tickets are available for $5.0010:30 am – Doors and Box office opens11:00am – Short Film Session #1 (ages 16 and up)2:00pm – Short Film Session #2 (ages 16 and up)Also on Friday night, there will be a premiere screening of Rockford's own Minding the Gap at 6:00 pm. Tickets are available for $10.00. 6:00pm – Opening Night and Spotlight Award Filmmaker’s Reception7:00pm – Opening night remarks and 2018 MWFF Awards Announcements7:15pm – Spotlight Feature screening of “Minding the Gap”9:00pm – Q & A with the filmmakers and cast of “Minding the Gap”The festivities begin at 11:00 am on Saturday and Sunday with all-day passes for both days coming in at $5.00.Saturday, August 2510:30am – Doors and Box Office opens11:00am – Short Film Session #3 (All Ages)2:00pm – “Minding the Gap” Saturday Screening (followed by filmmaker Q & A)6:00pm – MWFF 2018 Filmmakers Reception7:00pm – Short Film Session #4: Regional FilmmakersSunday, August 2610:30am – Doors and Box Office opens11:00am – I Can Only Be Mary Lane (Documentary)2:00pm – The Forest (Narrative)4:30pm – “Minding the Gap” Sunday Screening (followed by filmmaker Q & A)You can reserve your tickets online right HERE. Tickets will also be available at the Nordlof Center box office. We hope to see you there!

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Weekend Roundup August 17-19!

Who else is still feeling the love for Rockford from 815 Day? If you're like us and still in the mood for celebrating our town, get out there and enjoy it! Here's your Weekend Roundup!Friday, August 17, 2018Rockford City Market - view event3:30 pm - 8:30 pmCarolyn Carter @ Baci's Kitchen - view event6:00 pm - 9:00 pm The Realistic Joneses @ Nordlof Center - view event8:00 pm - 10:00 pmThe Stragglers reunion show with Lone Canary @ Mary's Place - view event9:00 pm - 1:30 amSaturday, August 18, 2018North End City Market - view event9:00 am - 1:00 pmJust Breathe 815 Back To School Drive @ Second Congregational UCC/First Presbyterian Church of Rockford - view event11:00 am - 2:00 pmBell's Midsummerfest Luau Party & Pig Roast @ The Olympic Tavern - view event4:00 pm - 7:00 pmTattoo You with Up For Grabs @ Mary's Place - view event9:30 pm - 1:30 amSunday, August 19, 2018Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga @ Rocktown Adventures - view event9:00 am - 11:00 amPolish Fest 2018 @ St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish - view event11:00 am - 2:00 pmThe Jimmys @ Klehm Arboretum - view event6:00 pm - 8:00 am

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A Night of Ghostly Rockford History

Our hometown has a lot of history to it. It's something that we seem to take for granted because some of us have lived here our whole lives. It's not something that you tend to think about everyday, but it's something really neat to check in with and relive historic Rockford. Haunted Rockford and Midway Village Museum present a night filled with ghostly history. Local author Kathi Kresol will lead a tour around the haunted spots of downtown Rockford where costumed interpreters from Midway Village Museum will tell intriguing stories from the past. Learn about history and haunted tales of the Forest City!Admission$20 per person and must be paid in advance by calling 815-871-4239 or at www.hauntedrockford.com.There are two dates that you can choose from:Friday, August 17 . 7:30 pm to 9:30 pmSaturday, August 18 . 7:30 pm to 9:30 pmDon't worry, it is the same tour for both days. You won't miss anything!Midway Village Museum members receive a special discount rate of $18 per person.Please call Kathi Kresol at 815-871-4239 to make arrangements and for information. RSVP deadline is Thursday, August 16.

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Weekend Roundup August 10-12!

I can't believe we're nearing the middle of August already, but here we are. The Rivets season is winding down, so if you haven't caught a game yet, make sure to visit them this weekend! Here's your Weekend Roundup!Friday, August 10, 2018Cinderella After the Ball @ RVC Starlight Theatre - view event11:00 am - 1:00 pmRockford City Market - view event3:30 pm - 8:30 pm2018 Fireworks Nights @ Rivets Stadium - view event5:30 pm - 9:30 pmCity Market Paddle @ Rocktown Adventures - view event6:00 pm - 7:30 pmThe Wizard of Oz @ The Nordlof Theater - view event7:30 pmGo Go Torpedo @ Mary's Place - view event9:30 pm - 1:30 pmSaturday, August 11, 2018North End City Market - view event9:00 am - 1:00 pmMagical Gardens @ Midway Village Museum - view event10:00 am - 3:00 pmCinderella After the Ball @ RVC Starlight Theatre - view event11:00 am - 1:00 pmDrinks for the Dells Fundraiser @ Carlyle Brewing Co. - view event4:00 pm - 7:00 pmHogwarts Back to School @ Discovery Center Museum - view event6:00 pm - 9:00 pmSunday, August 12, 20183rd Annual Rock River Anything That Floats Race @ Prairie Street Brewing Co. - view event10:00 am - 6:00 pmQ&Sesh @ Culture Shock - view event12:00 pm - 5:00 pmBark in the Park @ Rivets Stadium - view event1:00 pm - 4:00 pmMyth Busting Nature @ Klehm Arboretum - view event1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

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Rockford Day Tips and Tricks!

It’s almost here! The good ole 8.15 is next week, and we are so stoked for it. It’s a day when the whole town comes together to celebrate where we live and go over the top with everything “815” related! It’s beautiful. Last year, we were running all over town to cover the different events and sales. We’ll be out on the town again this year, but we have some tips and tricks for you if you plan on doing the same! Enjoy!First of all, planning is KEY! There are a lot of food specials, and you’re going to want most of them. Try to plan out which ones are the most important to you and how you can fit in some of the sweet treats in between meals. If you go into the day not knowing your plan, you might feel overwhelmed. Second, apparel! You’re going to want to pull your favorite Rockford shirt out of your closet so you’re all festive for any selfies you might take. There are also exclusive shirts on sale (See: Rockford Art Deli & Bygone Brand). Third, stay hydrated! Last year it was hot, hot, hot. It is way too early to predict the weather for next week, but be prepared. If you’re going to visit different businesses downtown, you’re going to want to park and walk. So, water is a must. Also, just stop in at Wired if you’re on the main stretch to get an extra boost for your day!Now, you can find deals and promotions RIGHT HERE!You can find 815 events RIGHT HERE!And, of course, if you download the Rockford Buzz app and “favorite” events and specials that you don’t want to miss, you have the option to add them to your phone calendar or just get a notification when they’re coming up!

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Grab Your Wands. It's Back-to-School Time, Wizards!

It’s back to school season, and this is an official acceptance letter for all of the young witches and wizards out there. Get your robes and books ready for school! Discovery Center turns into Hogwarts for this evening of wizardly wonders on Saturday, August 11 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm.Once you get sorted into your “house,” you can greet your teachers as you drop into a herbology class, adopt a dragon egg from Hagrid; chuck some garden gnomes and munch on a chocolate frog! You an even enjoy a glimpse of the night sky in astronomy class and invent your own prank kit suitable for a joke shop. Hogwarts attire is encouraged; Muggles are welcome!Admission is $12/per person for the Public; $4/person for Museum Members.

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70 Years of Greenwich Village Art Fair!

One of our favorite events of the year is coming up quick. The 70th annual Greenwich Village Art Fair, of course! 70 years is a great milestone to hit and it just keeps getting better. The annual two-day outdoor event takes place 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16 on the grounds of Rockford Art Museum at Riverfront Musuem Park, 711 N. Main St. in downtown Rockford. Established in 1948 as a fundraiser for the Rockford Art Association (now RAM), the 70th Greenwich Village Art Fair is the longest-running art fair of its kind in the Midwest. Proceeds from ticket sales help support Rockford Art Museum. Held rain or shine on the second weekend after Labor Day every year, Greenwich Village Art Fair features more than 100 juried artists from around the region and across the nation, live music, local and regional vendors at the Greenwich Artisan Marketplace, children's art activities at the Creations by Kids tent – plus food, drink and more at the Village Pub, Kortman Gallery's Point Bar, and throughout the fair.Every year, there are multiple pieces of art that will just blow you away. These folks are incredibly talented and it’s always nice to get a healthy dose of creativity in your life. Tickets are on sale now at the Rockford Art Museum Store, 711 N. Main St., and any Midland States Bank location. (Find bank locations at midlandsb.com/location.) Advance tickets are $5, free for ages 12 and younger; tickets at the gate are $7, free for ages 12 and younger.

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Why We’re Invested In A Flower

If you weren’t aware, there is a plant called the Titan Aram Plant at our very own Nicholas Conservatory. Also known as the Corpse Flower, this plant lets off the smell of rotting flesh and sugar when it blooms. Cute, right? You’ll need to cover your nose when you go see this thing, but it’s actually really cool. After reading about it, I found myself strangely fixated on following the updates of said Corpse Flower. The plant at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens was donated by the Huntington Botanical Gardens in Pasadena, CA in 2011. The 66-pound corm was re-potted on April 3, 2018. When it was previously re-potted in July 2016, it weighed 21 pounds. “Titan Arums typically bloom once the corm reaches 30 pounds, so we are hopeful this is the year,” says Horticulture Supervisor Dan Erwin.So, this plant only blooms once it reaches a certain weight which means that the Titan Aram Plant only blooms once every 7-20 years! And, once it blooms, it only lasts for 24-48 hours. So, you wait years to see this thing bloom, and then you only have about a day to see it. So, this strange plant is now the only thing on my mind - thanks, corpse flower!!Fast Facts from Nicholas Conservatory:The plant’s Latin name is Amorphophallus titanum.The species was discovered in 1878 by Italian botanist Odoardo Beccari.The first Titan Arum bloom in the U.S. was in 1937 at the New York Botanical Gardens.The Corpse Flower was the Bronx’s official flower from 1939 until 2000. It was changed to the daylily so people would not get the unintended message that the Bronx stinks.The flower’s smell helps attract flesh flies and carrion beetles, which pollinate the flower while they look for rotting meat.The plant is listed as Vulnerable (V) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.If you are now also invested in the growth of this flower like we are, you can follow along with Nicholas Conservatory on Facebook as they keep us updated: https://www.facebook.com/NicholasConservatoryGood luck catching the bloom!

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Rock River Sweep!

Please join the City of Rockford's Stormwater Environmental Team in cleaning up the Rock River during the yearly Rock River Sweep. Volunteers will meet at Rocktown Adventures at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 15th, to clean up a 4.5 mile section of the river from Sportscore south to Prairie Street. Following the clean-up, refreshments, food, and prizes will be given out at Rocktown Adventures, 313 N. Madison Street, Rockford. The Rock River Sweep is an effort by many groups up and down the Rock River from Horicon, WI where it meets the Mississippi River in Rock Island, IL to clean up sections of the river in a coordinated effort. It is sponsored by RockRiverSweep.org, a grass-roots, not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving the health and ecosystem of the Rock River and its tributaries. Other supporters include the Rock River Trail Initiative, Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful and the Rock River Times. For questions or to register, contact Jeremy Mitchell at jeremy.mitchell@rockfordil.gov or Bev@knib.org.If you plan to kayak, let them know your skill level. All participants must sign a waiver, so contact them ASAP!

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Weekend Roundup August 3-5!

ARE YOU READY TO BRING THE HEAT?! Well, the weather is going to at least. We're supposed to reach the 90's again. So, for those of you that love the heat, get out there and enjoy it before it goes away! If you're like me and prefer a nice cool breeze and mid 70's. . . prepare yourselves and hydrate a lot! Either way, enjoy your weekend and have some fun. Here is your Weekend Roundup!Friday, August 3, 2018Kids on Water @ Rocktown Adventures - view event10:00 am - 12:00 pmJim Gill @ Discovery Center Museum - view event11:00 am - 3:30 pmRockford City Market - view event3:30 pm - 8:30 pmMusic on the Mall @ Edgebrook - view event6:30 pm - 8:30 pmUnearthing Our Truth: Dance and Theater Show @ Nordlof Center - view event7:00 pm - 8:00 pmThe Attitudes @ Mary's Place - view event9:00 pm - 1:00 amSaturday, August 4, 20182018 NSSA D2 Show Ski National Championship @ Shorewood Park - view event8:00 am - 6:00 pmNorth End City Market - view event9:00 am - 1:00 pmUnearthing Our Truth: Dance and Theater Show @ Nordlof Center - view event2:00 pm - 3:00 pmRnRI Final Parking Lot Bash - Featuring Kiddo & Adult Camp Bands @ Culture Shock - view event4:00 pm - 9:00 pmSunday, August 5, 2018Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga @ Rocktown Adventures - view event9:00 am - 11:00 amPaws to Read @ Klehm Arboretum - view event12:00 pm - 2:00 pmAnything Goes @ RVC Starlight Theatre - view event8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

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Youth Leadership Council!

It's always important to hear from the upcoming generation. They're also going to impacted by decisions made by governments of all kinds. Kids are really smart.They often have great ideas that others who are entrenched in local or federal governments fail to think of. They aren't wrapped up in the politics of decision-making, so they are working from a clean slate. Winnebago County Board Chairman Frank Haney and City of Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara have partnered with the Winnebago County Health Department to establish a Youth Leadership Council. They are looking to the community to identify young leaders to participate in the council.Students are requested from public or private high schools throughout Winnebago County, including Rockford, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Roscoe, Rockton, South Beloit, Winnebago, Durand, Pecatonica, New Milford, and Cherry Valley.Nominations accepted now through September 5, 2018! Follow the link below for detailed criteria, requirements, and nomination form: http://wincoil.us/departments/county-board-office/county-board-chairman/chairman-mayors-youth-leadership-council/.

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Two Amazing Groups - Two More Shows!

The Rockford Symphony Orchestra and Starlight Theatre kicked off a 3-Concert Summer Series with an Independence Day show on July 3. The series continues with one show in August and one in September. You have two more chances to check out some fantastic shows by two groups of incredibly talented performers. RSO and the Stars of Starlight Wednesday, August 8, 2018, 8:00 PM An evening of showtunes featuring the leading performers of this summer’s Starlight Theatre season.Farkle and the Wolf! Sunday, September 9, 2018, 3:00 PM Family-friendly concert cleverly exploring the instruments of the orchestra told through John Lithgow’s The Remarkable Farkle McBride and Prokofiev’s symphonic fairy tale Peter and the Wolf.Tickets for the Summer Series can be ordered through Starlight Theatre box office at 815-921-2160. Tickets are also available online at www.rockfordsymphony.com or www.rockvalleycollege.edu. Price is $30 ($10 for children 12 and under).

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Unearthing Our Truth

The talented group of high school students that participated in the Rockford Area Arts Council's ArtsPlace program will be showcasing their works this weekend with a special dance and theater show along with an art exhibit. Original new works in dance, theater, art, and creative writing will be presented August 3 at Nordlof Center and August 4 at Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center by apprentices in the Rockford Area Arts Council’s ArtsPlace program. Inspired by the theme “Unearthing Our Truth”, young artists from the Rockford area have worked for seven weeks under the guidance of professional artists to create the work. ArtsPlace Dance and Theater Performances will be at Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main Street on Friday, August 3 at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $10.00 and may be purchased in advance at the Arts Council (815-963-6765).ArtsPlace Art Exhibit will be held Saturday, August 4 at 2 PM at Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center, 406 N. Main. All work is for sale.An anthology of Creative Writing will be sold at all events.This year’s ArtsPlace artists and teams were Bruce McDonald, visual arts; Meghan Baylor, dance; Penna Broman & David Causey, theater and Molly Sides, creative writing. Guest artists for visual arts team were: Pam Peterson, jewelry; Molly Carter and Mathew Taden; mixed media; Jenny Mathews, muralist; Eileen Morrissey and Judith Meyer, painting. Guest artist for Creative Writing was five time Grammy winner, Malik Yusef; Guest artist for dance was Artis Olds, who performs with the touring company of STOMP.These kids are so talented, so it's only right to come out and support them, purchase their work, and let them know they can chase their dreams!

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Jim Gill Performing at Discovery Center Museum!

Parents and children of all ages, head over to Discovery Center Museum Friday, August 3 to see Rockford native and professional musician Jim Gill strum his banjo while you dance and sing along to his interactive and energetic tunes. Jim will give two live performances, at 11:00 am and 1:30 pm. The concerts will feature silly sing-along and clap-along musical games and songs from Jim’s seven award-winning recordings and books. You can pick which time works best for you, or you can stick around for both performances to get double the music!Cost is included with museum admission - Public: $8/person; kids age 1 and younger and members are FREE. After the concert, visitors can get their hands on some swirly twirly art, create noisemakers and more. The fun doesn't have to stop when the concert ends. You can take the fun home with you! The Jim Gill Family Friday is possible thanks to a grant from the Rockford Area Arts Council and the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

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Nom Nom Nom: Omakase

"WOW!"... that pretty much summed up my experience after visiting Omakase on their opening day, Tuesday July 24th. For those that aren't in the know, Omakase is the newest downtown Rockford eatery. They're bringing sushi, ramen, sake, and a bunch of other delicious Japanese cuisine to State Street. The restaurant is located right on the corner of State and Madison (223 E. State Street) and the team at Omakase have done an amazing job of creating an environment that's classy, modern, and yet still very comfortable. The moment I walked in I was greeted with a smile and escorted to my seat. I chose to sit at the bar since I was flying solo. Once seated, I had two menus placed before me. One menu was dedicated to their sushi, and the other had the rest of the goodies on it. My sushi options were stellar. Along with your typical selection of salmon, california, and yellow fin, they had their selection of specialty rolls. Of course... I had to go with the 815 roll. Mainly because it was "815" (I mean come on! this is Rockford Buzz here) but also because it had a lot of what I liked all rolled into one masterpiece. After a few minutes of waiting, I was presented with my roll.ZOMG! I almost couldn't eat it. It was just so darn pretty. The presentation was beautiful, but more importantly it was delicious! It didn't take long for the sushi to disappear. People tend to have a pretty wide variety of preferences when it comes to sushi, so I won't give you details on the flavor. What I can tell you, though, is that no matter what you order it's going to be fresh, beautiful, and tasty. Seriously, what more could you ask for?Since it was mid afternoon and my first official meal of the day, I decided to open up menu number two for a perusal. My second choice of noms was the "Seaweed & Kimchi Poke Bowl". I have to be honest, I wasn't sure what a poke bowl was but I like to live dangerously so I figured, "what the heck?". I wasn't disappointed with my semi-blind choice. What was brought before me was a bowl of steamed white rice topped and overflowing with vegetables of all colors. The rice was perfectly sticky and the vegetables all had a great texture and flavor to them. I'll definitely be getting that dish again in the future.There's plenty more on the menus that piqued my interest and I'll definitely be making another trip to try some more of their offerings. I didn't even have a chance to enjoy some sake, and all the ramen dishes sounded pretty tasty too! So, if you're looking for some great Japanese cuisine, in a cozy atmosphere, right in downtown Rockford. . . Omakase is your choice! And when you visit, be sure to give the team a high-five and thank them for being a part of the continued downtown renaissance!

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Weekend Roundup July 27-29!

Oh heeeeey there weekend! It's so nice to see you again! The weather is supposed to be beautiful and there are some really neat things happening. Check 'em out below! Here is your Weekend Roundup!Friday, July 27, 2018Maker Mania @ Discovery Center Museum - view event11:00am - 3:30 pmRockford City Market - view event3:30 pm - 8:30 pmWine Tasting @ Tinder Box - view event5:00 pm - 9:00 pmCity Market Paddle @ Rocktown Adventures - view event6:00 pm - 7:30 pmSki Broncs Water Ski Show @ Shorewood Park - view event7:00 pm - 8:30pmSpecies Spotlight: Bat Hike @ Seward Bluffs Forest Preserve - view event8:00 pm - 9:00 pmDirty Rotten Scoundrels @ RVC Starlight Theater - view event8:00 pm - 10:00 pmCruel Summer - 80's and Beyond New Wave & Industrial Dance Party @ Mary's Place - view event9:30 pm - 1:30 amSaturday, July 28, 2018Learn to Ski Clinic @ Shorewood Park - view events8:00 am - 10:00 amNorth End City Market - view event9:00 am - 1:00 pmScience Saturday: Winged Wonders @ Severson Dells - view event10:00 am - 2:00 pmTour de North End - view event11:00 am - 6:00 pmBite Nite @ City Market Pavilion - view event4:00 pm - 10:00 pmToo Deep @ Mary's Place - view event9:00 pm - 1:00 amSunday, July 29, 2018Doggy Pong Tournament @ Klehm Arboretum - view event1:00 pm - 3:00 pmDirty Rotten Scoundrels @ RVC Starlight Theater - view event8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

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Restless Heart To Open For Alabama!

Country music superstars, Restless Heart, are set to open for ALABAMA at the BMO Harris Bank Center on October 12! Restless Heart are John Dittrich, Greg Jennings, Paul Gregg, Dave Innis, and Larry Stewart. Together they have enjoyed one of the most successful careers in Country Music history, placing over 25 singles on the charts with six consecutive #1 hits. Four of their albums have been certified Gold by the RIAA, and they have won a wide range of awards from many organizations, including the Academy of Country Music’s Top Vocal Group Trophy.Music lovers are in for a treat as two incredible bands are set to take the stage and rock the house on October 12 at 8:00 pm. Tickets for Alabama with special guest Restless Heart are available at Ticketmaster.com, BMO Harris Bank Center box office, and by phone at 815-968-5222.

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I Am Rockford: Jessica Quam

“Shout Out”… If I had to choose only two words to describe Jessica, these would be it. She must’ve said them at least a dozen times during our short conversation. She was constantly giving credit to the people that have helped her and that she has had an opportunity to collaborate with throughout her journey. And she insisted that I give these people credit. No worries Jessica, I will. For those that haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Jess, you’ve probably seen her around town. A Rockford native, Jessica graduated from Boylan High School in 2007 and currently works in the marketing department of our own Rockford IceHogs. In between these two points, she focused on her education. Jessica has always had a passion for art. She grew up surrounded by artists, including her grandparents and entire family, who have always been encouraging of her own passion for the arts. Shout out to her mom for being her studio and art-hub, as well as her dad for helping her lug canvases all over God’s green earth.After graduating High School, Jessica applied and was accepted to the Art Institute of Chicago to pursue a degree in fashion design. Unfortunately the Art Institute wasn’t a cultural fit for her and after a couple of years she returned home to Rockford. Jessica is a firm believer that things happen for a reason. And although the reason for her return wasn’t initially obvious, it soon became clear.That reason was revealed when she chose to attend Rock Valley College and met her art professor, Cheri Rittenhouse. It was Cheri that encouraged Jessica to bring out her own art style. Through making her own frames and stretching her own canvas, these experiences that Cheri provided gave a depth of appreciation to painting that Jessica hadn’t previously experienced. And it was Cheri’s decision to enroll the class in the 2009 ArtScene that was the catalyst for Jessica’s professional art career.It was here that Jessica sold some of her first paintings and her eyes were opened to the possibility of being a professional artist. Since then she’s continued to create and show her art, as well as collaborate with as many other local and regional artists as she can. For the month of July (hurry up and go see it) she’s showing her pieces -- "She's a Rainbow" at Karnitz Art Gallery, located in downtown Rockford. (Shout out to Cindy Karnitz!) She’s also been showing outside of Rockford. In January of this year Jessica’s digital work was on display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City! SHOUT OUT! The photos in the article were taken by Paul Mannone who came to her studio one day to document the process.In between Rock Valley and now, Jessica attended and graduated from Loyola University in 2012 with a Marketing Major, and Graphic Design Minor. After graduating she returned to Rockford again and through a series of fortunate events she was connected with the IceHogs and has been working there since 2016.But it’s Jessica’s future that’s the brightest. On August 17th Jessica will be launching a new project called “Cloth and Canvas”. (Go follow it on Instagram! @clothandcanvas) C&C is an online collaborative for local artists. A place for them to network, collaborate, and inspire each other. On top of the community of artists she’s looking to build, it will allow for the online sales of art to the public, with the goal of making art accessible to any price-point. And if the online project goes well, you can expect Cloth & Canvas to find a store-front space in the near future. A place for artists to have a studio to create, show, and sell their art.It’s hard to encapsulate Jessica’s journey, passion, and energy in one short article. But she definitely embodies many of the things that makes Rockford great. She has the energy, tenacity, and collaborative spirit that is so much of what is bringing Rockford back. When I asked her what her favorite “Rockford thing” is…. She replied with “the sense of community and the feel of the ‘come up’”. And as Rockford continues to make it’s come-up… Jessica has been, and will continue to be, a piece of our community’s journey. Without a doubt, Jessica is definitely “Rockford”.Fun Facts:Favorite Restaurant: Abreo (Shout out to Anthony for making the best Old Fashions)Movie: Almost FamousBook: Psycho by Babe Walker —It’s a riot!Music: Greta Van Fleet Follow Jessica on Instagram! @jmaequam & @clothandcanvas

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Tour de North: The Rockford Bike Festival!

The cycling event of the summer is back! Tour de North End gives you a unique way to visit Rockford’s North End businesses. Grab a passport and visit as many stops as you can throughout the day! The main spot is The Olympic Tavern. You can stop there before and after the tour. This Saturday, July 28, from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm, hop on those bikes and go fill up your passports!This year's Official TDNE18 passport stops:The North Main Bar Der Rathskeller Rockford Rockford Billiard Cafe Latham TapMulligan's Pub & Grill Whiskeys RoadhouseCliffbreakersNickelworldAl Grace Appliance and TV Rockford Country Club The Olympic Tavern Stockyard Rock Burger Bar Deli Italia - Trinacria Lounge and Pizzeria Kegel's Bicycle Store Pop Up TentNew Belgium Brewing Pop Up TentIn addition to touring the town, TDNE strives to promote bicycle safety and bring awareness to the rules of the road so cyclists and motorists can share the road peacefully. They want to show at the North End is a bike-friendly neighborhood and a great place to live. It doesn’t hurt that you can get in a great workout during the day!Music will be provided by Go Go Torpedo and House Brotherhood DJs at The Olympic Tavern!

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MommaPalooza 2018!

MommaPalooza is coming to Rockford for the 5th straight year. In celebration of Breast Feeding Awareness month, parents from all over the region are coming together to celebrate pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and parenting. With over 30 unique exhibitors and instructional meetings, you’ll be able to take away from great tips and tricks for making your life easier while carrying and raising your little ones. Oh Baby Mine Lactation Services puts on this event and chooses vendors by the relevance to their guests. This year, service vendors will offer pregnancy & birth programs, prenatal care & options. Also, cloth diapering, babywearing, breastfeeding & postpartum care. Pickles The Clown will be on hand to entertain the children with some balloon animals and silliness!On August 18 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, you can find MommaPalooza at the Loves Park VFW, 2018 Windsor Rd. In order to give back to the community as a whole, they plan to donate some of the proceeds of the silent auction to Haven Network. The Haven Network, Northern Illinois' perinatal hospice and bereavement center, provides companionship on the grief journey to families who are facing a terminal diagnosis of their pre-born or newborn baby. The Haven Network also supports those families who have lost a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy, SIDS and early infant death. The Haven strives to meet the needs of grieving families through caring, compassionate staff and volunteers.The event is FREE but they ask that you make a minimum of $2 donation for Haven Network. Please go online and register for the event HERE.

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Cheers to 30 Years with Kenny Gould!

Kenneth Gould is celebrating the 30th anniversary of winning the Boxing Bronze Medal at the Seoul Summer Games. Members from the 1988 Boxing team will be reuniting in Nevada for the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame Induction on August 18. You can get in on the party early by celebrating with Kenny and friends at Cliffbreakers for his “Cheers to 30 Years” fundraiser to help with the costs of his weekend at the induction! On Friday, July 27, from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm, come out and toast with the champ!Kenny is an Auburn High School graduate and a pride of our hometown. He was a great boxer in his time, and now it’s time to celebrate his achievements. There will also be a special appearance from Rockford’s up and coming Olympic hopeful Angel Martenez!

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Maker Mania!

Is your little one constantly trying to build things? Or are they always asking you to build things for them? Bring their huge imagination down to Discovery Center on Friday, July 27 from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm for Maker Mania!Discovery Center will have tools and recycled materials on site for you and your kids to put those minds to work and find ways to make awesome new things! Toy cars, musical instruments, and art are just the beginning! They’ll also have loads of LEGOs, and oodles of building materials. You’ll be amazed at what you can make and take home during this day of fanciful fabrication! All activities included with museum admission - $8/person and free to Members and children ages 1 and younger. Sponsored by Crash 1 Collision Center and a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

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I Am Rockford: DJ Maclin

Born and raised in Rockford, DJ attended Guilford High School, and then went on to NIU for Computer Science with a minor in Psychology. Being a big Nintendo gamer, DJ went from just playing to wanting to make video games to an interest in artificial intelligence, and then on to Computer Science. Following a track in the technology field was really a no-brainer. DJ currently works as a Web Analyst for Watt Global media in their Rockford office. He investigates software and technology, making decisions on whether he can do projects internally or whether they need to outsource. He is constantly keeping his eye on new technologies and determining whether the company can benefit from adding them to their portfolio. DJ is recently engaged to his longtime girlfriend Lshonda. They’ve known each other for 5 years and met by chance when she moved back home to Rockford after staying in California. They both happened to be at the Clock Tower for different occasions and ended up chatting. The relationship bloomed from there. 20 years of breakdancing has taken DJ to shows all across the region. His interest began in high school as a hobby. A friend of his that joined the breakdancing club at Jefferson introduced him to the craft, and he perfected it on his own from there. A lot of his spare time is spent with music. His love for music began when he was in middle school listening to techno, trance, and house music. He was a bit of a late bloomer into the music scene and didn’t get into Hip-Hop until high school in college. He didn’t let his late start stop him. When not breakdancing, he is DJing. Locally, he does a lot of shows for the Rockford Art Museum, Rockford Art Deli, and Culture Shock. He’s a multi-genre performer and can mold his presentation to match the event he is at. He loves music of all types, but his go-to’s are Hip-Hop and House. His secondary genres are indie, rock, and R&B. He began his venture into DJing around 2005. He had a few turntables and just began experimenting with the music. He now has 7 turntables and practices every morning and night. He doesn’t just play shows at local events. He is also a competitive DJ and enters competitions. He practices at home so he can go into the big city to compete with other DJs. The competitions seemed like a cool thing to do and no one else was doing it in Rockford, so he took what he saw in other cities and tried to figure out how to bring the fun side of DJing to Rockford.DJ’s favorite thing about Rockford is the people. The people of Rockford make it a great place to live and if you don’t enjoy it, you may just be around the wrong people. When there are negative things all around us, the people are good. Despite spending a few years out in Chicago, his friends and family brought him back home to Rockford. Fun Facts:Favorite - Movie: Sci-fi movies, Space feel and theme because of the unknown in space. Quentin Tarantino moviesTV Show: AtlantaBook: Flatland by Edwin Abbott Abbott – quick read but it makes you think and opens your mind about how we view dimensionsMusic: there are too many to nameLocal Restaurant: Abreo is his all-time favorite. He goes there when he wants to feel fancier or if he wants to impress someone. He takes his fiancé there on date nights. For more casual dining, he loves Beef a Roo.DJ is a self-proclaimed computer nerd who DJ’s, breakdances, and loves Beef a Roo. Living in Chicago and living in Rockford are two different experiences with different opportunities for success. We’re glad that life has brought DJ back to his hometown so that we can be entertained by his love for music and have his kind demeanor within our community. If you haven’t had a chance to see him perform, put that on your list of things to do!

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Weekend Roundup July 20-22!

The weekend is here, and the weekend means. . . storms?! Hopefully not, but it's likely. More importantly, the weekend means fun. Here is your Weekend Roundup!Friday, July 20, 2018Edgebrook Summer Sidewalk Sale - view event10:00 am Rockford City Market - view event3:30 pm - 8:30 pmPrincess Night @ Rivets Stadium - view event5:30 pm - 9:30 pmSki Broncs Rising Stars @ Shorewood Park - view event6:15 pm - 6:45 pm Dueling DJs Rockford @ Rockford Bank and Trust Pavilion - view event7:30 pm - 11:59 pmJane Eyre @ RVC Starlight Theater - view event8:00 pm - 10:30 pmRamblin' Deano (Waco Brothers) with Law & Love @ Mary's Place - view event9:00 pm - 1:00 amSaturday, July 21, 2018North End City Market - view event9:00 am - 1:00 pmDecorating Your Own Birdhouse @ Klehm Arboretum - view event10:00 am - 12:00 pmFairy Festival @ Womanspace - view event1:00 pm - 4:00 pmFounders Luau Pig Roast & Barrel Runner Tapping @ Olympic Tavern - view event1:00 pm - 10:00 pmHeroes Unplugged @ The Nordlof Center - view event1:00 pm - 4:00 pm The Gathering @ Indoor Sports Center - view event5:00 pm - 2:00 amNicholas at Night: Rocks on Rocks on Rockford! @ Nicholas Conservatory - view event5:30 pm - 7:30 pmMana Kintorso, Tentacles Everywhere and Pink Beam @ Mary's Place - view event9:30 pm - 1:30 amSunday, July 22, 2018Community Picnic @ Midway Village Museum - view event11:00 am - 4:00 pm

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Recents

Positive News, Stories, & Rockford Buzz Polls

Page 35 | Positive Stories & Articles | Rockford IL

Mosaic World Film Festival

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Mosaic World Film Festival

Weekend Roundup August 17-19!

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Weekend Roundup August 17-19!

A Night of Ghostly Rockford History

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A Night of Ghostly Rockford History

Weekend Roundup August 10-12!

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Weekend Roundup August 10-12!

Rockford Day Tips and Tricks!

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Rockford Day Tips and Tricks!

Grab Your Wands. It's Back-to-School Time, Wizards!

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Grab Your Wands. It's Back-to-School Time, Wizards!

70 Years of Greenwich Village Art Fair!

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70 Years of Greenwich Village Art Fair!

Why We’re Invested In A Flower

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Why We’re Invested In A Flower

Rock River Sweep!

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Rock River Sweep!

Weekend Roundup August 3-5!

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Weekend Roundup August 3-5!

Youth Leadership Council!

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Youth Leadership Council!

Two Amazing Groups - Two More Shows!

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Two Amazing Groups - Two More Shows!

Unearthing Our Truth

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Unearthing Our Truth

Jim Gill Performing at Discovery Center Museum!

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Jim Gill Performing at Discovery Center Museum!

Nom Nom Nom: Omakase

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Nom Nom Nom: Omakase

Weekend Roundup July 27-29!

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Weekend Roundup July 27-29!

Restless Heart To Open For Alabama!

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Restless Heart To Open For Alabama!

I Am Rockford: Jessica Quam

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I Am Rockford: Jessica Quam

Tour de North: The Rockford Bike Festival!

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Tour de North: The Rockford Bike Festival!

MommaPalooza 2018!

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MommaPalooza 2018!

Cheers to 30 Years with Kenny Gould!

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Cheers to 30 Years with Kenny Gould!

Maker Mania!

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Maker Mania!

I Am Rockford: DJ Maclin

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I Am Rockford: DJ Maclin

Weekend Roundup July 20-22!

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Weekend Roundup July 20-22!

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